Ask The Hills Have Scales: Part One

[KThund]

After agreeing to accompany two other Knights and a Padawan Learner on a humanitarian mission to the backwater world of Barab I, K'Thund prepared his mind and body for a long trip. The Barabel were a Savage reptilian race, but hope remained that they could be reasoned with. After all, there were a few Jedi, though sparse in number, and not from Barab I originally that were Barabel. This did not waver the Whiphid's confidence, but the ship-mounted Droid piped up to the pilot that had flown them to the planet.

"The planet's rainstorms are going to start in a few hours. We can return to orbit, or you lot can keep going and make some ground. The clan you are looking for is a few miles away. You can move hastily and make I to shelter if you go now, but there is no rush," the pilot said, through comms, as the group gathered.

"Go up to orbit, son, we'll be fine. There is a job to be done," the sagely Whiphid said, gripping his quarterstaff in one three-fingered hand. His robes were left open, with the sleeves rolled past his elbows, displaying his light armor. He tipped his conical hat forward, just above his eyes to keep the rays of the Barab star out of his eyes.

@Soverin @Eden @Nero IV

 

[Noone Shabar]

Metallic footfalls plodded down the departure ramp to bring Noone into view at K'thund's right, the Jedi placing a hand upon his fellow knight's shoulder for a moment before turning him a confident nod and issuing a soft pat on the back. Without a word he continued forward down the ramp into the trickling rain, droplets slipping down the waterproof fabric of his clothes as his stride carried him to Barab I's lush surface.

The Anzati Jedi gave a cursory glance around the perimeter and then up at the sky, noticing the rain slowly but steadily beginning to pick up on them. He tilted in his stance and looked sidelong up the ramp at K'thund. "Better this way⁠—rain should cover our scent from anything lurking around." Though he tried to look out past the thicket of mangled trees that encircled the landing zone, it was nearly impossible to pierce the overgrowth. They would simply have to trust their compass and their wits to navigate to the rendezvous.

His voice carried no essence of fear, his faith was both in the force and the lightsaber hilt strapped sideways across the backside of his trousers. "Bring the padawans."

@Eden @Nero IV @Gian Greydragon ​

 

[Hiranikorssa]

Stepping out onto the dirt of a new world would never get old for Hirani. In this particular case, their shuttle's metallic interior gave way to air thick with humidity, and the chirping of distant fauna. Few insects mingled in the wind; but those that did buzzed loud as her master's lightsaber, and glowed red like the Zabrak spines of Umbara. She looked on in awe of the two Jedi knights in front of her, and once again felt privileged to be on her very first mission. While she was likely not expected to do much, Hirani knew there would be much opportunity to learn from her elders, and advance her skills in diplomacy. It was, by her own admission, one of her weaker points.

Once everyone was off the ship, the pilot commed to K'Thund, which was soon followed by the ship lifting off to return to orbit. Most likely, a rainstorm was on it's way, the signs of which had already begun to show. Warm droplets spattered against her shoulders, some running all the way down to her fingertips. Which, of course, could only mean one thing.

Hirani had left her cloak in the ship.

"Ixta!" Once again falling into old habits, she badly hoped none of those with her knew much Twi'leki. If anyone was to ask, she had most certainly intended to leave her cloak behind, even if it was poor decision making. And, if none of them understood Ryl, she had most certainly not just sworn under her breath.

"Ahh... Eti sotan koa'ozan." The Twi'lek muttered to herself, before looking to her companions, and switching back to Basic. "The rain is nice, but I don't imagine it will stay that way. All I hope is we get to the rendezvous before we become hors d'oeuvres for a pack of Shenbit."

She then nodded to the saber on Noone's trousers, and the staff she walked with. "Not that we couldn't handle one."

With that, they set off, into the wilds of Barab I. Hirani sensed things were not going to go as planned.

@Soverin @Nero IV @Gian Greydragon

 

[Bach]

'Day 50-something of my training. Actually maybe close to 100 now? I don't know, I lost track. Regardless, I am still successfully disguised as someone who knows what's going on... As far as I can tell anyway.'

Bach followed the two knights and his fellow padawan out of the ship. Despite his excitement for the mission, there was a part of him that got nervous when K'Thund told the ship to lift off to orbit. 'Hasty escape is out of the question then...' he thought to himself. Noone's words reminded Bach he had to be alert. He had to stop overthinking things and follow the leaders of the group. He put his right hand on his belt where his lightsaber was sitting, and his left hand in his pocket to hold his hand pistol.

"Of course." he answered to Noone, "And the sound should help us rain undetected too, hopefully.". Bach was trying to get 'points' for his survival knowledge, but realized quickly after speaking he had none. Not in this type of world anyway. He was a street rat, and his knowledge started and ended there. He felt dumb now for speaking, but it was too late. Hirani spoke first in her own language (Bach assumed), and then in the common tongue. But still Bach had trouble understanding. Rendezvous? Hors D'oevres? Shenbit? Just how many aliens were there hiding in plain sight?

"Yes." Bach spoke, trying to come off confident. "Even as padawan an Hors D'oevres shouldn't be a problem to us. Even a pack of them, probably.". He heard what he assumed to be a twig hitting the ground.

@Gian Greydragon @Soverin @Eden

 

[KThund]

K'Thund nodded to his fellow Knight, and was glad he could see the logic in K'Thund's plan. Even if the reptilian predators hunted with infrared sight and scent, their trail would be harder to follow. He could feel the nervousness in the Padawans, and hummed a few notes of a lullaby that his mother would him to him as an infant.

"Fret not, little ones. The Force will protect us," he said, as he took his hat from his head and calmly, with one hand, he removed his hat from his head, seeing that Hirani had forgotten her cloak, and placed it on hers, "from large threats at least. Cant fight Shenbit Bonecrushers with a cold, can we, dear?" he spoke, punctuating his speech with a hearty laugh. The size of his hat would nearly swallow her head whole, and K'Thund would chuckle at this a bit, taking a moment to appreciate just how large the hat looked on the girl. He smiled at the young Twi'lek and put his hood over his head, and began the trek forward into the rocky wastes of Barab I.

@Eden @Nero IV @Soverin

 

[Noone Shabar]

Noone marched carefully, but swiftly, at the head of the party as they trekked the wet wasteland; a matter of speed of step more so than intention. His boots picked apart the grassy crust, eyes gnawing to breach the dark, illuminating like azure orbs of sparking fire every time a blanket of soft lightning rolled across the clouds. The knight acted as a predatory beast more than a thinking, intelligent creature, clicking between the sights and sounds he collected in the distance as he tirelessly led on.

He relieved himself of his guard only to meld closer in with the group to speak."We should discuss our plan to reason with the natives." The knight lowered his gaze for a short break to avert the rain spattering against his face. "Improvising works all right for me, but I will listen if anyone else has a plan to engage."

"From what I know about the Barabel they've always been kind to the Jedi since some sort of⁠—" he grunted as his foot sank lower than expected into a patch of mud, "sort of clan dispute one of the masters of old helped solve."

"Still though... I know of hunter species." Noone paused on that note, derailing into a sore line of thought. "One clan could praise where you walk. The other could want to kill you."

@Eden @Nero IV @Gian Greydragon ​

 

[Hiranikorssa]

Bach, the only other padawan on the mission, made a good point about the noise of the rain, Hirani thought at first. What she soon realized he had failed to account for, however, was that the creatures of Barab I would have evolved to suit their environment: which, of course, led Hirani to the conclusion that their predators could probably hear far better in the rain than they could... Not the most thrilling thought in the world. Regardless, she didn't doubt the group would be able to stave off whatever necessary to get to their destination. She pondered on something her mother used to say: Fear is more likely to be your downfall than that which you fear itself.

As if hearing her thoughts (and perhaps he had), K'Thund began to speak in a consoling manner.

"Fret not, little ones. The Force will protect us," the old Jedi gently placed his (rather large) hat upon Hirani's head, "from large threats at least. Can't fight Shenbit with a cold, now, can we?"

The hat — and K'Thund's genuine laughter — warmed the Twi'lek Padawan more than a little. Even through it practically swallowed her entire head, she had to admit it was quite comfy. It probably looked stupid, but she didn't particularly care. The kind gesture on the part of her elder was very much appreciated, irrespective of the possibility that it was merely for comedic effect. Ahead of the light-hearted trio that was Bach, K'Thund and Hirani, Noone pushed on forward, light of step, appearing to be deep in thought.

"We should discuss our plan to reason with the natives." He went on to talk about Barabel-Jedi relations, and the risks of trying to negotiate with a warrior species, but it became more and more difficult to hear him as the rain picked up. Luckily, she did catch all of what the knight had to say. Or at least most of it. Probably.

"I agree that negotiating with a hunter species will always have a degree of difficulty, but surely, if they have invited us here under good terms..." She trailed off. Perhaps, Hirani considered, she was being somewhat naïve. There would certainly be danger, but she hadn't considered there to be a need for much of a plan, until Shabar suggested it.

Probably best if she left it to the two Jedi knights to work on the plan, then, while she would get to know Bach. The Jedi Order was filled with amazing people; and even though her fellow Padawan probably couldn't tell Quarren sulyet from Barnaban mist-pudding — considering his hors d'oeuvres comment — Hirani was sure they could bond over things other than food.

"So, why Barab I?" She slowed her walk so that they were side by side, while the two knights spoke a few metres ahead, leading the quartet of Jedi as they scurried through the swamplands. "I mean, why did you decide to tag along with K'Thund and Noone? Personally, I needed the diplomatic experience, plus I'm more than a little bit addicted to seeing as much of the galaxy as I can. So what about you?"

Thunder rolled out from behind them: they all quickened their steps through the dense swamp. The storm was coming, and too fast.

[ @Soverin @Nero IV @Gian Greydragon ]

 

[Bach]

Bach watched K'Thund give his hat to Hirani in awe. He did not yet understand Jedi traditions, but he was convinced that this was graduation. Hirani was becoming a Jedi Knight right before his eyes. His mouth was wide open watching this, but at least the rain clouded his watering eyes. This was an honor for the only remaining Padawan on the job. Bach looked over to Noone and realized he was wearing no such hat. Bach's shocked expression left its place for one of disappointment as he realized there was only one graduation planned for this day.

"Improvising?" Bach repeated, as his mind wandered back to his days in the bar, more specifically the open mic nights, "I am... Kind of experienced in that area.". He looked around. He had no knowledge of this place. Nothing he could add to what the Jedi knights would have known. "We should at least keep our weapons ready - just in case.".

Bach listened to the question by the new Jedi Knight. He knew he needed to weigh his words more carefully now that she was a superior of his. "Well..." he said, "I'm afraid I didn't have goals as interesting as yours for coming here. I just wanna learn - and hopefully fast-track my way to becoming... A knight as well. But I guess you could say I need the diplomatic experience as well...". He thought for a second. "The galaxy... How much of it have you seen already? Is it really that interesting?".

Every now and then Bach heard a footstep, a branch breaking, a loud growl. He assumed them to be natural results of this weather.

@Gian Greydragon @Soverin @Eden

 

[KThund]

A wide grin spread across K'Thund's face, as he continued forward. Though, the moment he turned to enlighten him, a sense of danger washed over the Whiphid, as a Shenbit Bonecrusher the size of a large hound emerged from behind a boulder just a few meters behind and to the left of the rear of the party. Like most predators, it made a bee-line for the smallest of the prey, lurching for Hirana with it's gaping maw, filled to the brim with razor-like teeth. Gripping his staff in the center, he dashed forward, shoving Hirana behind him. Snarling at the beast, fully intending to protect those around him, he jammed the staff down the Shenbit's throat, and lifted it overhead, slamming it onto the ground behind him, exposing it's underbelly. Pulling back his quarterstaff, K'Thund spins it above his head, as it begins to emit a yellow energy along the length of the staff, as he thrusts downward onto the scaly underbelly of the creature, piercing it's scaly skin, killing it quickly.

Not too far off, a hunter lowers his rifle, having seen the Jedi dispatch a young Shenbit in no more than two strokes, with naught but a wooden staff, he skulks away, as the rain picks up.

"We need to move. There's more where that came from, and we need to find shelter," K'Thund spoke, in a very serious tone, "Hirani, stay close to me. I will not lose a pupil today. Or any other day..."

With that, he turned to the other two, "You two, keep an eye out for any promises caves or grottos. We might have to climb a bit as the water rises."

@Nero IV @Soverin @Eden

 

[Hiranikorssa]

"Oh, you don't want to get me started. The galaxy... I... I can't explain how..." Something was burning at the edges of her mind, and for a few moments, the Twi'lek tried to ignore it. "How..."

Then she felt it in it's full form: a lone Shenbit, in the shadows. The Bonecrusher lept out of it's crouch, immediately pouncing for Hirani, and the Twi'lek girl positioned her her stun staff in defense. She'd reinforced it with the Force as much as she could in the few seconds of warning her Force Sense had given, before bracing for impact. But it did not come. K'Thund lept in front of her, and with a mere few strokes, swiftly killed the beast. Hirani could not help but be impressed... and eager to see the day her connection to the Force was as strong as the old Whipid's. She hoped it would come soon.

"We need to move. There's more where that came from, and we need to find shelter. Hirani, stay close to me. I will not lose a pupil today. Or any other day..."

With the first half of his statement, Hirani heartily agreed. But she could not help feel a little underestimated by what had come after... For a fleeting moment, she wished to correct him: she had trained in the Force for much of her life with one of the greatest Jedi of their time, and now, one of the few members of it's Council. As much as the elder Knight's help was greatly appreciated, she could handle herself just as well as the next Padawan. For a moment, it hurt her pride just a little to see him consider her as less than the others.

It passed like a shadow, and in it's place, the sensibility of a few moment's thought came to her. If her training with a Jedi Master became common knowledge on Ajan Kloss, she would not be ready for the attention, nor the pressure, that would then fall on her shoulders. More than that, Hirani did not want to be seen as anything other than what she was—a Padawan, no more, no less. She hoped that her actions alone would give her respect among the Jedi—not simply through the Jedi that chose to train her. And if that meant being underestimated for a time, then so it would be.

Pride, at least in it's detrimental form, she reminded herself, is not the Jedi way.

Hirani drew nearer to the Whipid Knight, and kept on guard. She had the eerie sense things would not stay calm for much longer: like the Shenbit had signaled the start of something far worse.

If only she was wrong.

[ @Soverin @Gian Greydragon @Nero IV ]