Bug Hunters (Selene Ishtar)

[Willa Isard]

Location: Roche Asteroids

The home of the verpine colonies was a place Willa didn't always like to go but the asteroids were only one half of the job. She was sitting there in the Rac an E'ron class as it hovered and her thoughts were going towards the jungle moon below as she sat in the observation room. The transparasteel cleared to allow and make it look like she was sitting on the hull of the ship while she gave a small grin to herself rolling her shoulders.

There was a place down in that jungle she was searching for but it wouldn't be a weapons lab if it wasn't hidden and it wouldn't be the verpine if she could just detect them. The taozin on the moon hide them from the force as she was pushing her thoughts out. Slowly feeling the trees and life down there but not the mass of the bugs while she was gearing up in her jericho armor. The sniper drones ready to be deployed and her anti material rifle on her back.

She slid the smg into her thigh holster and had the sheaths for the underbarrel attachments for the mission. She was glad her armor had the active camo of the stygium and she knew next to nothing about who she was meeting. An infochant was by definition someone who didn't leave a trace usually but had all the information and that could come in handy... unless you were trying to meet one on a jungle moon as she was heading down in the X3 fighter.

Once in the jungle she had the ship in a semi concealed area while she was moving out of it and raised the hood of the leviathan cloak over her helmet that was covering her face before she was moving to the meeting place in the jungles. She was glad of the temperature regulation in the bodyglove while she was standing there and crouched a little with a smirk on her face under the helmet.

[member="Selene Ishtar"]

 

[Saro Iris]

[member="Willa Isard"]

Selene arrived on the jungle planet the same way Willa Isard did. Luckily she was not piolting the ship. The feline was sitting down in a tight corner of the ship. Her knees brought up to her chest. Breathing slowly the ship made a sharp turn and her head went spinning. She kept telling herself that the ride would be over soon. She would just have to contain her shifting a little longer. The feline closed her eyes and waited for the movements to stop and for them to land. Fortunately the ship had avoided crashing into the asteroids as well as avoided an angry beast unleashed onto them. That would be the last time she hired this buffoon to take her anyway.

Getting slowly the burly man in the chair swiveled around and there was a wide smile on his face. A dirty human. His smile was crooked. The Human extended his hand, slowly opening his palm for the few credits to be dropped into his palm. Doing as she was silently instructed she practically slammed the credits into his hand. Selene was not satisfied with the trip but at least she got there in one piece, he did as well. Taking in a deep breath she stepped off the ship, catching herself before she felt flat on her face. It would take her a few ticks before the feline was able to regain her strength and adjust back onto the earth.

Unfortunately her human form bore no armor. She was clothed in simple wear, a grey tank top and black shorts. It was hot on this moist planet. Luckily it was natural for her to be subjected to such things. After all she wouldn't be in the form for long but even her beast form was able to adapt to the temperatures. The woman regained her balance and strength. Looking behind her was the ship. It was rather nice for such a man to be the driver. It was gently cloaked within the jungle's vegetation. Selene was determined to make a more graceful exit then an entrance.

Unhesitatingly she shifted. Her form was very large, it was hard to think she was even capable of stealth but Selene dabbled in it that area easily. Slowly taking off into the dense jungle, her first mission was to find the woman who got her here in the first place. Selene's stripped coat rippled against the shades of green but yet she was well hidden. There was a scent that entered her pink nostrils. It was very familiar. That's when she remembered who the scent belonged to. Before she knew it, she was practically on top of the woman.

There was no need to give the woman a fright. It was better she announced herself before there was any unnecessary complications. Her voice was very, very low and projected a rather unsettling rumble the ends of her sentences even drug out in low tones. "I could smell you from a mile away..Mrs.Isard.." Slowly and cautiously Selene emerged from the leaves. Hypersensitive senses sure do come in handy. Her large orange eyes narrowed to view the woman. Gently her nose twitched, her ears twisted forward and then back, making sure there was no second party to ambush the feline.

 

[Willa Isard]

[member="Selene Ishtar"]

Willa was listening to the sounds of the jungle as it seemed to get quiet. She couldn't sense or see anything but the creatures did, which helped and was a good way to avoid predators sneaking up on you but it didn't help for direction. Then she heard a rustling and a low voice as she turned to look at the woman cat... shifters were a strange one but she had to admit. Shifting into a large cat better then the blobs that shifted into other people at least this woman was worth the chance to have back up. "Well I'll have to remember to roll around in the mud next time to hide my scent."

She spoke it dry and more as a comeback but she had to admit her usual comeback of shoot them in the knee was a lot more enjoyable and always got the laugh. She wasn't going to do that but there was a large cat while her hand was lightly grazing her smg. She spoke crouching and looking at her. "I sent some of my drones out and they reported on the other side of the cave is a factory. It might not be our target but it is a place to start and there is the luck we have. The cave goes through." She held a small grin on her face under the helmet as she was crouching forward.

She was inching towards the cave mouth and looking into the dark as her sensors in her helmet were mapping out things. The mini drones mapping things for them but she was hoping there was a good sense of direction that Selene had. It might seem strange but she was a giant cat right they were naturally attuned with the world or she was guessing having no actual idea as she was going forward and activated a light as she pulled out her smg at the ready while she motioned the woman forward just enjoying the idea of having back up and wondering what her master was busy doing.

 

[Saro Iris]

[member="Willa Isard"]

There was something about the jungle that freed her from her everyday feelings. She felt wild even though she was on a mission. That kind of freedom was refreshing. As much as she wanted to stray off track, that was unlike her to do that. She ignored the woman's remark, following close behind her. Her large paws touched the soil below her went silent. This is what she was built for. Shaking her head Selene's thick fur flowed in slow movements. She listened, not speaking much as the woman informed her of the way they would enter the facility. The cave held several scents such as still water and minerals.

Eyeing the woman from behind the feline began to sketch a mental image of what weapons she carried. Either there were some were concealed or not, she had an idea of what she could go up against. You never really know if someone is fully on your team or not. The only weapons she held were her teeth, back spikes, and her claws. Large ears perked and turned forward, the sudden flash of light startled her. Because of her acute senses, she couldn't find why anyone would need to shine light in darkness. Though not many shared the same eyes as she did. "Can you not see? I suggest turning off, unless you want us to be detected of course..." Selene's slits widened into large pupils as they adjusted to the darkness.

She lowered her body to the cave's surface. The more they moved, the more the scents begun to change. In stead of just minerals and water a smell of insect flowed into her nostrils. The long whiskers on her muzzle flickered, picking up slight signals of changes in the cave. Her nose twisted at the stench. "I can smell them.. They are closer than I thought." It only took her a few ticks to realize how many times she would tell someone that in one day. Though, she didn't care, as long as she got the job done. That's all that mattered.

 

[Willa Isard]

[member="Selene Ishtar"]

Willa heard her and saw her moving forward to scent... So she did have strong senses and she slid the light off while she was going and switching through to low light vision on the helmet. Once the arbitor helmet was ready she stayed as quiet as she could be remaining close enough to follow the cat. That would be her guide going through as her tracker and sensors were hearing something close to them. She switched the darts in her launcher from armor piercing to knock out while she was moving through and aiming. She then saw the faint figure moving against the shadows of the cave wall as she moved in quietly and took aim firing the shot within a meter to his back while her hands went to his mouth and comlink.

Willa moved slowly putting him down and looking at his comlink as she slid it to get the frequency and muted herself. Motioning with her hands as they came out higher up looking over the back of the large building. Grating and stairs along the outside leading to the roof and more verpine walking around outside. She doubted she had enough of those darts or the speed to hit all of them while she was moving about letting her armor blend into the jungle around her. The silencer for her smg being slid on while she watched some of them and she was tagging with the drones flying around them the ones on the roof who had come out of the building. SHe looked for entrances to it while pointing towards the east side of the building where a large loading area was.

 

[Saro Iris]

[member="Willa Isard"] (I am very, very sorry for the delay)

Her eyes illuminated in the darkness, they watched as Willa did what she does best. Giving her coat a shake as the insect was taken down Selene kept moving forward. As they entered the belly of the beast the fur on her back rose. It did so naturally whenever there was a chance of danger, even if she would be able to take them, the thought of an attack surged her senses. Shifting back into her near-human for she made sure she was hidden by the thick vegetation. Her feline form was going to be to large to fit through the smaller areas to take out some of the Verpine so she'd have to be in her human form then attack.

Acknowledging where the loading area was she knew they'd have to take out a few bodies before they even got close to it. The place could have been compared then a little less then a hive. There was two places that needed extermination. A group of two was a few meters from the actual loading area was and the one was keeping a watch on the roof. If they took out those then it would be a piece of cake.

Drag their bodies away and as long as the others kept their position all would be necessary is to avoid eye contact. Selene placed a finger on her chest and pointed towards the east side where the two stood, watching for signs. Then she motioned up the stairs where the one was. Hoping Willa knew what she was telling her she shifted, returning to the more hidden state. Slowly she began moving towards the east side, looking over her shoulder slightly to make sure Willa was following through. Because in order to not be detected they'd have to do it simultaneously.

 

[Willa Isard]

[member="Selene Ishtar"]

Willa was creeping and watching as she heard it, that slight shifting sound and it was strange..... Something she didn't fully understand while watching Selene motioned to the plan and she nodded her head. Taking them out at the same time as the girl seemed to shift back and it looked fluid compared to even a shapechanger like the shi'ido she had worked with before. Her body moving lower to the ground and raising the smg up as it barely broke the cover it was in with her taking aim. Willa nodded her acknowledgement that she was ready and was counting down in her head and with her fingers gripping the gun in Selene's line of sight. Once the count reached zero she moved firing at the one on the roof while trusting in the shifter to get her targets.

 

[Saro Iris]

[member="Willa Isard"]

Slowly her speed picked up, while she moved fast through the jungle her paws went unheard. The feline's feet came to a gentle hault and turning there were the two insects. Taking her paw she scrapped it against one of the trees, attacking one of the guards. He let the other to stay in his position as he examined the noise. Selene waited, lowering her body to the ground, the beast would strike once the creature was half way in the jungle. Her jaws were wide open, locking them on his upper chest.

The armor was no match for the talon-like teeth in her mouth. Before he could get a scream out his heart was crushed under the weight of her muzzle. Selene would have to act quickly on the other man, he heard the crunching noise and decided to check it out himself. Hoisting her body up a thick-leafed tree, it only to a split second for the insect to get within her range. By then her mouth was clenched around his skull.

Breaking the thick bone as though it was a twig the feline revolted towards tastes that flowed into her mouth. Spitting out the creature's remains Selene emerged from the vegetation slightly. Now that her partner had removed the only other eyes that were on the loading dock she could notify Willa of her success. Her eyes looked out for her and waited for her arrival. Still gagging with feeling of the verpine's blood.

 

[Willa Isard]

[member="Selene Ishtar"]

Willa was looking at her as she arrived to the loading dock. A look at the large cat and damn she was a brutal one to have but as back up she had to admit... Having an apex predator on your side was never a bad thing while she crouched lower and got to the doors. Her datapad coming up as she set it with the door to start hacking and opening it for them. Willa wanted to get them in quickly as she whispered moving a bit now. "Impressive." She waited for the moment as the lock clicked and she slid into the building while leaving it open for her as she grabbed another bug and fired into its chest and looked up at the central area. A massive grub hanging while the factory was producing some equipment. She made the movements towards the stairs to look things over and set her datapad on the lights to disable them in a bit.

 

[Saro Iris]

[member="Willa Isard"]

Selene nodded as she acknowledged Willa's complement. "You are quite the shot." Her voice was hushed beneath her breath. You never truly know what could be lurking in the shadows. Yet the more reason to keep her eyes locked on two things; her surroundings and Willa herself. As has it happened in the past the path of betrayal is one she steers from. That is unless she's committing the crime. Looking up as the other woman did she quickened her paws at the sight of the insect above her. Lately she's found out that her interest in bugs is not very hopeful. The feline kept her trot up, surveying the area it seemed like everything was in place and ripe for the taking. Slipping in between crates and crawling over weapon piece-filled baskets there was something that caught Selene's eyes.

Several papers scattered a desk, weapons plans, details, designs the whole sha-bang. Shifting back into her human-like form Selene gave a high whistle and waved over her hand for Willa. Her back turned on her for a second. It was everything she claimed would be on the planet. There were several locked drawers, it was her idea to pry them open. She then shifted and grabbed the metal bars between her teeth. Almost breaking the dressers she finally cracked the largest drawer open. Inside was a tiny object. It looked had a symbol most likely of religious symbolism on it. Shifting back into her secondary form Selene felt around the wood for something else.

A note.

"If all else fails, this will provide you protection."

Rubbing the paper between her fingers she tired to think of what it meant and what the piece unlocked. It had to be something within the room. Looking around she then looked up. Against the wall there was a tall, dark, metal box. In the center there was a minuscule hole. Big enough for the new found piece to fit into. Now that she was no longer interested in the documents in front of her she abandoned them and Willa to see for herself what was contained in the box.

 

[Willa Isard]

[member="Selene Ishtar"]

Willa was looking at the large insect while she was moving around and it really didn't seem to do much with them there. Even while Selene was looking at the papers and moving off on her own there was a little sound but not enough. It had Willa moving her attentions to the grub hanging above them while she was hoping to be a good shot and take down the beast to better get some of the taozin's nodules for her use. There were some ideas she had coming to her now as she walked. The factory they were in filled with crates while she was openign and checking them. A few shatter pistols that were giving her some ideas for things they could use and make. Her hand gripping one of the small pistols while she went more at the sniped rifles and some of the designs they had for them. She could use it in some plots for her gear and what they could do with it. "You finding anything?"

 

[Naomi Verd]

[member="Willa Isard"] (By the way, I didn't mean to post on this character but this is Selene..Lol)

Selene looked back at Willa for a second and then continued walked, "..Possibly" she whispered. Slowly she lifted the piece up to what seemed it's lock. What would be inside would contain the ingredients to what seemed could be full suit of armor. There was Phrik, Selene's eyes lit up as she grabbed the lightweight material between her fingers. There was plenty for a full body. This was quite an interesting discovery. One Selene would make sure to benefit from.

Not to mention there was about two small boxes worth of photoractive fibers. Smirking, this is exactly the treasure the feline was hopping to find. Looking back she began to place all of her finds in a small back pack. That's when her eyes found something that was rather surprising to her. Not only did the safe contain a possible armor but a weapon as well.

She practically bursted into laughter, never in all her days had she really have the chance to own her own weapon. Let alone a Cortosis staff. Selene spoke to herself under her breath, "When the note said protection I didn't know this is what it meant.." Part of her wished she would have kept silent about her findings. Though she hoped that Willa would not try to claim one of the objects for her own. Selene was confident these were now hers. No one could take that from her.

 

[Willa Isard]

[member="Naomi Verd"]

Willa looked up at her as she seemed to be excited and she was looking at the grub while she found a section of the wall she could climb up and latch herself to. Taking aim at the tendrils hanging it up on the wallas she fired the smg to sever one and then moved to get a second one with the gun. "I'll work to get this beast down and we'll have some nodules for harvest." She was climbing up more with her gauntlets gripping the edge more until she got to an upper level with a smirk on her face. She checked the shatter pistol and wanted to see how best it would work against the grub. She took aim and fired into the tendril as it seemed to get the grub to twitched but its face was swatting at the metal walkway as Willa was moving to get into a new position.

 

[Saro Iris]

[member="Willa Isard"]

A little blind by her new finds, Selene hadn't turned to see what Willa was up doing. Taking in the weapons and the armor ingredients she then turned on her heels to see her partner, doing the most peculiar thing. She was trying to take down the grub that hung above their heads. Selene could not understand why she was doing it, the massive larva had done nothing to compromise the mission. Though if Willa was doing it she most likely had a good reason. Before acting she kept her watchful gaze on her actions. Walking around the cave Selene spoke, viewing the creature from below as it wiggled slightly in slight twitches. "So.. aside from what I've found, have you discovered anything of importance in this cavern for the taking? " Selene knew there were guns but could there be a chance there was something else? She got lucky with her finds, there could be more.

 

[Willa Isard]

[member="Selene Ishtar"]

Willa looked down as her and spoke. "I have discovered a taozin that can hide us in the force." She looked up at the large grub while she was still moving towards the side and leaping to get up on one of the walls to get to another tendril while she was moving. "These things are harder to find then most and while a shatter gun diagram is a powerful thing these can make force users not even notice you unless they focus and try spending a lot more energy so you can get away." She found one of the tendrils and slid her smg while grabbing it before she withdrew a combat knife and was slicing itno it. "Explains why sensing for verpine in an area is hard if they use these to hide their factories."

 

[Saro Iris]

[member="Willa Isard"]

She walked around, her bare feet stepping on the rough surface. "A taozin amulet.." Selene eyed the creature and then spoke once more. "Now I'd love to get my hands on one of those." Allowing Willa continue on with her endeavors she stayed out of the way. If there was a chance that the Taozin could spray silky-webbing, she was going to avoid it. Though is the woman needed her aid she would step in. By keeping her eye on the slimy creature, battling it's way to survive, she completely forgot about the rest of the Verpine that inhabited the base. One obviously slipped under her detection but as soon as he fired a shot she was all over him. The blast had shot right past her shoulder, an attempt to fire her head off. Selene shifted quickly leaping at the first opportunity to get her paws around him.

Instead of falling the the ground the collided against the wall, it's back on the hard surface. Instead of taking a chunk out of him she used her paws and smashed it's head into the wall. It only took a few tried for him to actually stop moving. Back up from the body, it fell, it's body giving a few twitches before all movement stopped. Selene slunk from the new body count. Returning to see how much progress Willa had made.

 

[Willa Isard]

[member="Selene Ishtar"]

Willa looked up as she saw another verpine starring at her with a rifle and she turned her head standing on the large bug for a moment. Her hand gripping her smg but not drawing it while she moved. Hand going to her back and forward with her blade as she moved to the side seeing it in his chest. Slowly she was moving and rolling down the creature backwards to the floor but that was fine while she heard the other woman fighting and came to one conclusion. "Time to go." Willa was looking at the creature and they had come this far, the nodules were easier to get and she was slicing into it while it flopped around until she had a good amount they could make some amulets or in her case a thing for her belt. Wear it and be obscured with her attentions towards Selene while she motioned. "Alright I got what I need, get your stuff and lets get ready to head out."

 

[Saro Iris]

[member="Willa Isard"]

She watched as the virtually helpless creature flopped and wormed around on the cave floor. Selene hopped that when they reached their meeting destination that Willa would hand over a few extra nodules to have for her own possessions. Without another word she nodded at the woman and shifted into her full feline form. Taking on right behind her partner in crime and moving swiftly. Keeping her head and body low but her ears raised rotated quickly to make sure if there was anything to be heard, she'd be the first to catch it.

The bag on her back moved with her body, luckily it did not make a lot of noise even though the connects within it weighted quite a lot. Before she knew it they were at their rendezvous point. Her heart beat quickly, they had evaded the rest of the verpine that swarmed in the cave and made it out of there in one piece. A mission well worth the risk. Shifting into her human form she begun to catch her breath, the open air was much appreciated.

 

[Willa Isard]

[member="Selene Ishtar"]

Willa was looking at her shift and well there was one big question... How doesn't she rip the cloths? On her mind but more then that as they were outside she was looking over the pieces of Taozin they had and some shatter weapons as she spoke. "So you ready to head off the jungle world and back to your civilized life?" There was a smile and more warmth in it while she had some bug goop she was wiping off her armor and equipment but mostly she thought this had been a really productive time. "I know I am ready to head back home and rest."