A Shadowlands Safari

[VlPER]

Viper had looked on with a rather large amount of anxiety as the beast charged. The old descriptions and even holos could not do this beat justice. It was huge. And it wanted nothing more than to strip the flesh off every single one of their bones. His breathing had increased more and more as the predator advanced. Finally....at least it seemed like finally. Three tranq darts shot out, and in a surprising short amount of time, dropped the best to the floor.

It was almost anti climatic. Maybe there really wasn't anything to worry about. He started to wonder about the sums of credits that were supposed to be handed out to them when this was over. This seemed to easy. Course then again, it probably took that much money to entice force users to sign on with such a limited job description. He shrugged as he knew that was why he came. It was then his host made his comment to him.

With a sideways glance, he smirked at the man and gave a nod. If Terentatek hunts were this easy...why in the galaxy did the Jedi of old have such a difficult time with it!? In all honesty, at this point, Viper didn't care. He was going to be receiving a large amount of money. And all he had to do was sit there. He was a lot more relieved, after seeing the hunters seemed to have things so well in hand.

[member="Mrrew"] | [member="Kana Truden"]

 

[Kana Truden]

“Just so you know, VlPER,” Kana looked at her friend. “If you ever get a crazy idea like this again…”

Kana paused for a moment as she looked at the hunters. There was no denying that they knew what they were doing but she still couldn’t stop thinking about the what-ifs. Last she had heard these things weren’t exactly lightsaber incompatible.

“Tell me to bring more than my lightsaber.”

[member="VlPER"]

 

[VlPER]

Rasing an eyebrow, he cast a curious glance. "My idea? I seem to recall you suckering me into this. See the galaxy, I think you said. Easy money you said." He said, chuckling lightly. He obviously wasn't upset, just nervous. Viper then pushed aside his outer robe, and pulled out one of the dual pistols he normally carried, if on mission. Kana had probably never noticed before, because he normally didn't wear them on Ossus. And Rhen Var, he had on his heavy clothes which hid them. "Remember my ship has a holo range. Always thought it was good to keep up practice with a ranged weapon as well." He gave a small wink and a smile as he handed her the pistol, before returning his gaze to the Shadowland and possibly more Terentateks.

[member="Kana Truden"]

 

[Mrrew]

(I apologize for being so late to reply to this, yesterday was busy.)

As the hours waned on, creatures appeared in the dark practically constantly. Most of the time, a series of darts put them to sleep before they even showed their face. But the best part of the hunt was only about to start. The route took them through multiple Terentatek territories. One of which a known breeding ground. And they were almost there.

Terentateks were not pack hunters, they were almost always solitary. But even in the off season, multiple individuals could very likely be in a breeding grounds. Ecspecially when a large amount of their favorite food had been parading near it for hours. That was Mrrew's plan, of course. They needed a large amount of Terentateks... and that couldn't be done shooting in the dark. Sure, they could get a handful. Dozens were bound to be attracted to the force buffet that was being toured around the Shadowlands. But many wouldn't attack in the dense jungle they'd been going through. Not enough room for a creature like a Terentatek.

The forest was beginning to thin just slightly around them. The forced was powerfully present throughout the entire planet of Kashyyyk, through every tree and stone, but it was distinctly moreso here, for one reason or another. Not exactkly a clearing, but a space where the taller trees grew farther apart. The canopy still blocked out any form of light, only the foglights giving them an idea of their surroundings, but there was nothing but smaller trees and the shrub layer of any jungle for as far as the foglights illuminated in all directions. Perfect for large animals.

They were at the breeding ground.

[member="viper"] [member="Kana Truden"] [member="Zarro Verres"] @everyone else @onix

 

[Kana Truden]

Kana grabbed the blaster from VlPER and nodded in appreciation. There were other things of greater importance to focus on like not messing anything up and the feeling only grew stronger the closer they got to the clearing.

“Looks like this is it, V. The grand opening,” Kana gave VlPER an anxious look as she finished her pun. “And we’re the buffet.”

If they were unlucky that is, but yet she hoped it didn’t come to that.

“Uh, ehm, that was a joke. I’m joking.”

It wasn’t necessarily that she thought anything bad would happen. She simply kept up with her realist ways. If something can go wrong, it most probably will. Still, here’s hoping it wouldn’t.

[member="Mrrew"] [member="VlPER"]

 

[Mrrew]

In the more open area, the foglights illuminated the inky blackness for two dozen meters or so around them. All that they could see was shrubs, small trees, and behyyond that black shadows. And then something moving in the Shadows. The hunter driving the speedercar stood up, readying his rifle. Mrrew did the same. They were ready.

No, no they weren't. A Terentatek bellowed off to their right, before racing forwards at the speedcar. Another came from the opisite direction, only to be quickly shot in the shoulder by one of the hunters. He didn't expect them to attack all at once. The first Terentatek reached a pair of massive clawed hands onto the side of the speedcrat, and pulled. The entire car lurched to the side abruptly, literally flinging one of the hunters like a catapulkt out of the car. The force sensitives should all be glad they weren't standing. The remaining hunter and Mrrew were both driven off balance, allowing the Terentatek to pull again. It was literally yanking the entire speedercar to the ground. Suddenly, the monster stopped abruptly, luching druckenly away, before dropping to the ground. The second hunter, laying on the ground ten meters or so away, had shot it in the back. Even before the speedercar could right itself, more figures moved in the dark. A lot of them.

Mrrew knew that they would sense the force users for miles... He knew they would come for a meal. But he underestimated how smart they were. This is why they'd only met one on the journey to the breeding grounds. They were waiting for them. Waiting to attack them out in the open. Not just one, or two. Hulking figures moved in the shadows all around them.

[member="Kana Truden"] [member="VlPER"] [member="Onix"] @darth morgroth

 

[Garza]

Most of the ride I was silent. Almost falling asleep because things were happening as usual. But when I could hear loud stomping, I looked up and started to get up. Even as the beast threw the speeder car around trying to get at the people inside, I was shaken off balance and the shotgun was thrown out of the car. Well screw that. While the first two were down, I noticed that one man had been flung out. I pulled my lightsaber out. The black core purple lightsaber ignited into the darkness with a snap hiss as I jumped out. In less than a second, I rushed over to the man and stood next to him ready for an attack. "GET UP! WE HAVE MORE COMING!"

The man must have broken or bruised something because he yelled out in pain as he tried to get up. I could hear more thunderous stomping coming my way. I was not guarded like the rest. I was an easy meal. Putting my saber up, which was me literally dropping it, I took the tranq gun from the man. brought it up and fired while the beast roared. Slamming down into it's throat.

I then moved my body over the man as the beast would still have a few seconds before the serum inside began to work properly. As the beast came to slash his claws at the two of us, he found that it was hard to do so as a barrier made of the force had been put up by myself. His venomous claws slammed into the shield but bounced off. It was kind of a stupid idea for me to go out here, but as a Jedi in disguise, I decided that saving this man's life was well worth it.

"GET THEM!"

[member="Mrrew"], [member="Kana Truden"], [member="VlPER"],

 

[Mrrew]

See, this is why he made them all sign a waiver to stay inside the vehicle. He didn't want the Jedis (or Sith) pulling out glowsticks, and whacking the Terentateks with them. He needed them in perfect condition! However, he didn't mind the Jedi saving one of his hunters frm being disemboweled... That would be bad. Mrrew stood up with the other hunter still within the hovercraft, quickly seizing his rifle from the ground. They were quite literally surrounded. Mrrew didn't expect them to literally lay a trap for the hunters... He didn't expect that level of intelligence. One of the Terentateks lunged from the Shadows, swiping a huge clawed hand towards [member="Kana Truden"] within the hovercraft, attempting to secure some food from the flying buffet table. However, one hairs breath miss and two SmartTranq laden darts later, the Terentatek was druckenly stepping away. Another one made his way towards [member="Onix"] and the wounded hunter, silently stalking around the Master. Good food to a Terentatek, a Master of the force.

A third beast stepped out of the Shadows while it's bretheren were shot left and right. Followed by another one, not far away. This is why Terentateks were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Jedi. Yes, they're immune to the force. Yes they're immune to lightsabers. But a clever Jedi can overcome both of those things. But they also have the most deadly weapon any living thing can posses: Intelligence. They had been waiting for their prey to walk into an ambush. And they had done just that.

[member="VlPER"]

 

[Kana Truden]

Kana froze up as the monster reached out for her and missed. That was way too close for comfort. Way too close, and way too dangerous. The thud it made as it landed on the floor of the brought her out of her panicked state. This was no time to panic, this was time for action.

Kana raised the blaster to shoulder height and nodded at VlPER. The beast hunters wanted the creatures alive and Kana was willing to co-operate but if there was any more flirts with death like that she would not hesitate to pull the trigger on them. Even if all that would happen would be blaster bolts flying all around.

“It has officially hit the fan, V.” Kana feigned a smile. “Keep alert.”

Kana looked at the monster lying decked in front of her. She wanted to pull the trigger on it, just to be safe, but chose not to. She wouldn’t want to diminish the payout for when they all got out of this with their lives intact after all.

[member="Mrrew"] [member="Onix"] [member="VlPER"]

 

[VlPER]

Viper reached over to Kana's pistol and switched it over to stun. "Fire away!" He said with a smirk. "Oh and Kana.....we really need to work on your jokes." He said with almost a laugh as he did the same to his pistol and fired point blank into the animals face. Honestly Viper didn't think a single bolt would take down the animal like it would a normal person. But what about several rounds? Firing round after round, the animal seemed to stagger a bit under the relentless barage of the two young Jedi's attack. At least this way, the animal would be down, in one piece, and alive. "Not as quick in its effect as the tranq guns, but they work." He thought to himself.

[member="Kana Truden"] | [member="Mrrew"] | [member="Onix"]

 

[Mrrew]

The thing about Terentateks is; they're still flesh and blood. They were Jedi killers because Jedi rely on lightsabers and the force. Not one Jedi every tried to tranqulize a Terentatek. Anything made of flesh and blood can be defeated, can be killed, if you use the right methods. Jedi had always ued the wrong ones. It seemed like high powered rifles were the right method.

SmartTranq mutates itself to take down beasts like Rancors and Terentateks in seconds, safely without overdoze or underdose. The Terentateks were smart, but they werne't expecting to be hit with a dart one second, and be falling asleep the next. Which is what happened to both Terentateks that emerged from the Shadows, seconds before they would be upont he hovercraft. Mrrew turnned quickly to see the Terentatek near [member="VlPER"], only to watch his stun pistol bring it down. Heh. Now he was useful. The last Terentatek anyone could see, the one that was stlaking [member="Onix"], looked up at the others. All of tehm either fast asleep, or laying on the ground, still trying to stand. The ambush didn't work to well. However, Terentateks were not one to give up the chance on eating the flesh of a force sensitive. So he charged. The hunter next to Mrrew had been looking the other way- by the time he'd turned around it was to late. Mrrew fired, twice, as it ran to meet the speeder. His rifle clicked both time.

And the huge creature barreled into the speeder, effectively knocking it out of the air.

[member="Kana Truden"]

 

[Mrrew]

(I apologize for taking so long to post, I was waiting to see if anyone else would. Guess it's time to finish this up.)

The speeder car's repulsor engines wavered from the hit, sending the speeder half landing half crashing to the ground. Mrrew sprawled out on the ground, his rifle out of site, while the last Terentatek slowly moved up to them. The creature looked at Mrrew and the other hunter, knocked unconcious, first, then back to the speedercar wreck, where the majority of the force sensitives sat. Dinner. The large force-eating monster stepped forwards, growling low in it's throat. It's prey was there. Nothing could stop it from finally eating it's fill. The creature was immune to lightsabers, and immune to the force. It would probably be extremely difficult for the force sensitives it was about to eat to even cause any harm. Hence why they brought high powered rifles. Mrrew's own rifle had been flung across the clearing, but the unconcious hunter next to him had an identical one. WIth identical darts. They were just as good atpiercing the Terentatek's hide, just under it's chin, as any.

The Terentatek turned it's head angrily towards Mrrew as soon as the dart hit, and took a slow step towards him. And then fell over. That easily.

The Togorian slowly stood up, staring at the damaged speeder, then the force sensitives he'd hired. He'd have to pay them extra.

[member="VlPER"] [member="Kana Truden"]

 

[Kana Truden]

They say that hesitation gets you dead. That the moment you don't know what to do or how to act then you fate has been sealed. Kana had just found herself in such a situation, not only was she shaken - quite literally - from the crash landing but now one of those creatures, one of those terentateks were approaching her with a growl as subtle as it's thirst for her blood.

Kana was hesitating. She held the stun blaster raised towards the monster approaching her yet pulling the trigger seemed impossible. She tried but her body had froze up. Her muscles felt like dried up concrete and her eyes were jittering in panic. This was not how she had planned on this going down. Not at all.

Do it, Kana! Pull the trigger! Your life depends on it!

But then the beast fell, it just collapsed to the ground and Kana found herself with regaining control of her body. The tranquilizer dart in the creature's back was all the evidence she needed that the hunters in charge of this trip had once more saved her life.

"Thanks!" She couldn't find any other word. "H-how are you doing out there?"

[member="Mrrew"]

 

[Mrrew]

Mrrew glanced over at [member="Kana Truden"], then to the other force sensitives still in the damaged speeder. Terentateks lay strewn around the dark clearing, only illuminated by the flickering foglights still funcitoning onthe speeder. Well, it worked. Sort of. They did get Terentateks. And alot of them. It only nearly killed all of them. Mrrew stepped over to the speeder, inspecting the force sensitives still inside. "Is everyone alright?"

Meanwhile, another pair of foglights appeared in the gloom not far away. A large speeder truck, piloted by a droid on a second route accomidating the cargo vehicle's large size. The droid pick up team, for the Terentateks. Also the way they'd get ouft of the Shadowlands, since the speeder they came in on wasn't going to get them back out. Mrrew glanced at the droid collection team, which where already begining to gather the fallen Terentateks, then back to Kana and the others. "You'll all get your credits, and then some, once we get out of here..."

 

[Garza]

While the beast was clearly angry about not getting through the shield. It tried to bash through it a second time. Yet the shield held. The hunter had already grabbed the rifle from where I had dropped it. He aimed up and nodded his head. And as the third claw came down, the beast expected the force shield to be up. However, it was no there any more. I had instead drawn my lightsaber. The Black core purple bladed lightsaber ignited and was used to bat away it's large paw from me with a clear sign that I knew my way around a saber very well. Could possibly be one of the best lightsaber users in the Galaxy.

It was then I heard a pop sound from my side, and a crash sound behind me. however I paid no heed to either of them as I gathered the force in my hands. Sending a huge Force Burst at the towering Sithspawn. he had been struck with two shots from the rifle to tranq him. While I pushed him away from us to give time for our lives. I turned right after and grabbed the man around his waist, ingnoring the cries of pain as I lifted him and started to use the force in a dead sprint towards the speeder after it had crashed down.

I laid the man down carefully this time. Looking up to the Large feline. Nodding my head to him. "I don't need extra. Just doing my job."

[member="Mrrew"]

 

[Mrrew]

Mrrew raised his eyebrows. He had to respect that. Earlier he had threatened to shove a lightsaber somewhere he rather not think about, now he was saving hunters? Odd. The Togorian strode over to the speedertruck as it landed, beckoning the others to do the same.

Once they'd been ferried back to the clearing, Mrrew passed each of the force sensitives he'd hired a credit chip- what he owed each one and more, despite Onix's earlier protest. 1,000,000 credits each to [member="Onix"] and @Gartih Darkhold JR. 750,000 credits to @Dart Mogroth, [member="VlPER"], and [member="Kana Truden"]; and 500,000 to [member="Zarro Verres"]. Huge amounts of credits to most, but much less then it would have costed to hire hunters to ctach these Terentateks one at a time, normally. He'd have to remind himself to bring bait more often on hunts like this. It certainly helped. Nearly got thema ll killed, yes. But hey, the credits checked out. Isin't that what they came for? "The Guild thanks you for your help. You will all be kept in mind if force sensitives are needed again." As if they would ever wantt od o this again. Heh.