Bullet with...

[Alden Kyr’Nau]

Ryloth was an interesting planet when it came to its primary predators. Despite a relatively thin atmosphere two of the most aggressive species of local fauna were insectoid in nature. The Lylek were the most feared of course but they were not the current issue Alden faced. A clutch of Gutkurr had formed a clutch near the repurposed resort that housed his group of exiles. The two-legged insectoid creatures were dumb but highly aggressive and if he did not deal with them they may prove to be a threat to his people.

So here he was sitting on a ridge with the scope of a verpine shatter rifle held to his eye. A Gutkurr could shrug off a blaster bolt but one hit from the verpine should put the creature down for good. He couldn't just start firing though. He needed to figure out where the nest was so he could deal with it. Which meant he was sitting there waiting while a bull Gutkurr wandered about the valley near the resort looking for food. It was dull and unpleasant given Ryloth's general climate but it needed doing.

The only thing that really concerned him was if someone messed up his stakeout. The nearby community had a standing bounty on Gutkurr and while he appreciated the help that might offer under normal circumstances just getting this one gone wouldn't do much good. Still, you never know when some yahoo might show up and try to collect spoiling two hours of baking in the semi-sun. The perpetual twilight of the equator was better than baking in the bright lands but not by much.

 

[Riamah]

Not having a clue or real purpose in her life now, AJ choose to be a hunter by trade. Formerly a pickpocket, this was relatively new to her. Tools of the trade were new to her as well. This town had hired her to try and hunt down the Gutkurr that had started encroaching into its outskirts.

A quick study of the land, AJ knew there was another here and shouldered her gun.

He sat on top of a nearby hill, the sun hitting the scope of his gun and she headed in his direction. Knowing where the nests and clutches were would come in handy and maybe they could work together to get this job done.

The heat was uncomfortable, but AJ had grown used to it over the past few days of making observations of the Gutkurr she was hunting. He had set up pretty well from her vantage and AJ was not about to mess that up. So she approached the hill from the side not in view of their prey. Climbing up, she made no attempt to keep herself hidden from him, but quiet enough to not disturb the creatures they were stalking.

"Having any luck up here?"

[member="Alden Kyr’Nau"]

 

[Alden Kyr’Nau]

The approach of the other hunter was felt long before she made her presence known. Since she hadn't made any effort to hide her approach from anything other than the Gutkurr down in the valley Alden did not move from his position. He kept his focus on the bipedal bug his finger laying on the trigger guard so there was no possibility of an accidental discharge. He looked very natural lying there in his beskar'gam, the powerful rifle held steady on its stand braced against his shoulder, his helmet off so he could more easily bring his eye to the scope. If one did not know his history they might assume he'd always been a warrior rather than the farmer he claimed to be.

"So far, no. But then again neither has the Gutkurr. Until it finds some prey it won't head back to the nest and until it does that I can't take it out."

The man's voice is a rich tenor, his tone clipped and professional but not without a measure of warmth. It was obvious that his attention was fixed and he would not let it waver over much but that it wasn't out of rudeness. He was simply focused on his target and didn't want to miss any potential action by focusing in on a conversation. Still, nothing in his tone or bearing would suggest he has an issue with AJ's presence.

[member="AJ Cean"]

 

[Riamah]

"His food is more likely to come out later in the day when it's not so hot."

Taking a seat next to him​ and hunkering down in a similar fashion as she topped the hill. Out of obvious sight of the beast below and downwind if there had been any blowing. It was hot, dead air and not a breath of wind to be felt.

Looking up at the sky, AJ made a judgement on time and turned her attention back to the man.

"Should be another two to three hours. Name's AJ."

​He was professional and not wavering his attention, but it made sense to watch the target in case it moved. No offense was taken by his action.

[member="Alden Kyr’Nau"]

 

[Alden Kyr’Nau]

"You haven't been on Ryloth long have you?"

Alden's words could have been seen as an insult but his tone suggests it is simply an observation.

"Planets tidal locked, sun never shifts position. This is as cool as it gets."

That was why almost everything was built along the equator it was the only place where the temperature was somewhat tolerable. Of course, something did live out in the brightlands regardless though they tended to burrow.

"Alden, nice yo meet you AJ."

The Mandalorian sounded sincere enough despite his focus still staying on the giant bug. It seemed to have caught the scent of something and was snuffling around looking for a trail. This was good.

[member="AJ Cean"]

 

[Riamah]

"You're right, I haven't been here long. Wondered why it was always light around here. Nice bit of trivia to know."

There was a clear touch of humor along with something the might have sounded like embarrassment. Coming across probably like an idiot, AJ figured she was still learning things so maybe that would be obvious.

"The nest is the building on the other side of the settlement. He does his hunting on this side to keep the attention of predators away from that."

Pointing over her shoulder from the direction she had come, AJ nodded when he gave his name.

"Nice to meet you as well, Alden. Do you want to still take him out first or go after the nest?"

[member="Alden Kyr’Nau"]

 

[Alden Kyr’Nau]

Those few words combined with her presence told Alden a bit about AJ. She was likely a hunter since she'd was out here, had approached him, and made a guess about the Gutkurrs prey. It wasn't uncommon for desert creatures to be nocturnal so if she'd hunted elsewhere that was likely what made her think it'd be a few hours. However, he would also guess she was inexperienced.

Rookies often made the mistake of assuming similar creatures and environments worked the same on every planet. But even when a place was superficially similar the differences in ecology created variations that could mean the difference between a successful hun and death. If AJ was experienced then she would have researched Ryloth before coming. This did not mean he thought negatively of her, only this was something that helped form his opinion which is why he finally looks up from her scope when she mentions knowing where the nest is, his expression slightly incredulous.

"Are you certain?"

It wasn't impossible that the Gutkurr could have found an abandoned building on the edge of town to set up shop. This area was flagging economically which is why the resort his people had taken over had been closed down. Gutkurr were fairly slow so it wasn't impossible that they didn't realize the danger to their next being so close to a settlement so it wasn't impossible. However, if she knew where the nest was already why was she here? A few well-placed det charges and she could take out the next, collect a sizable bounty, and be on her way. It was unusual for any hunter to be wandering the wilds if they knew where their prey's nest was.

[member="AJ Cean"]

 

[Riamah]

"I saw it come out of a building on the other side of the town there. Figured it was morning since it is difficult to tell. Followed it here and saw you up here and came up. With the information you gave me on the lack of rotation, I could be wrong."

Freely able to admit when​ she is wrong, AJ was fairly confident in her words and answer. He looked up as he asked if she was certain. The inner confidence showed in her expression even if her words didn't say it exactly.

She wore her gun across her back, but was without a helmet. Her pants were a drab grey and a top of matching shade. Her hair was long, with some curl to it and her hazel eyes showed she was intelligent. Still learning, but had something more behind them.

Not too familiar with the planet, she had been observing the animal and had noticed its comings and goings. Why she said what she had earlier.

[member="Alden Kyr’Nau"]

 

[Alden Kyr’Nau]

Well, that made a measure of sense. What she'd said early had suggested that she'd hunted on other desert planets before. Without knowing Ryloth was tidal locked she'd assumed that the scavenging Gutkurr would be nocturnal, heading back to the nest at what she thought was dawn. So she'd unwittingly stumble upon the nest, gotten lucky and only now realized her mistake. Coupled with her admission that she might be wrong and her seeming lack of experience as a hunter Alden decided that she was probably telling the truth.

The tension he'd started to carry in his shoulder in preparation for a potential attack. "No there is a good chance you are right. Though it means things are a bit worse off than initially thought. We assumed the Gutkurr spotted near the town where slowly encroaching on the settlement's territory but they are actually making it their own. Only a matter of time before they attack." It was a bit odd they hadn't yet they were territorial but it was possible they just hadn't traveled that way yet and realized there were people near their nest.

Lifting his scope back to his eye, he trains the crosshair on the Gutkurr. Exhaling slowly he depresses the trigger there is an odd whining crack and the Gutkurr's head explodes into a grisly spray of green. The verpine rifle's magnetically accelerated slug tearing a fist-sized hole through the Gutkurr's brain. "I should get going. The sooner the nest is dealt with the better. I assume you want to tag along and get a cut of the bounty?" He gets to his feet slinging the rifle by its sling about his shoulders and putting his helmet back on.

[member="AJ Cean"]