Crash Landing (Invite Only)

[Zenva Vrotoa]

The Fringe.

Lawless, free of oppressive organizations like the Republic. Here at the edges of the galaxy the outlaws and criminals built the governments. They dictated who and what was allowed in which systems, resulting in stretches of space dedicated to warring Cartels and Syndicates. It was in this remote, lawless region of space that Zenva Vrotoa found herself.

Below her a glittering green gem of forest planet. If the world had a name, Zenva had never bothered to learn it. She sat at the controls of a Boar-Wolf, behind her five young pilots auditioned for places among the clan's aviator squadrons. The group had been running drills, including live fire dog fights for over three hours. It was enough that even Zenva's body ached from jetlag and burned up adrenaline, time to end the game. Being 'killed' six times was plenty in her book. "Listen up! You did well today gentlemen. For up and make ready to exit atmo. We jump back to the fleet once we're clear. Comms free until then boys."

Zenva couldn't help but smile as the comm channel filled with eager chatter. Young pilots boasting and taunting one another over their performance during the exercise. Zenva pulled her helmet off, setting it in her lap so she could wipe sweat from her scalp. It had been a good day and this group showed promise. Her hearts swelled with pride as she began the climb to break atmosphere. A good day indeed.

Without her helmet on she didn't hear the alarmed change in chatter. She wasn't watching her instruments any longer, focused as she was in returning home. When the first Boar-Wolf exploded in a ball of fire and panic rushed through her veins, Zenva didn't react but to stare as one of her clan fell burning to the planet below. A second fighter was hit, damaged and losing altitude before the Blood Matron could get her helmet back on. A group of interceptors speed past her formation to quickly for her to get a good look at them. "Break formation! Weapons hot! Turn and engage! Engage!" She shouted into her comm.

Though the chatter one voice was heard clearly, "Matron. Nine o'clock low. Incom..." Other of her fighters detonated, silencing the young man's voice. A second group of interceptors streaked past and fear turned the Matron's blood to ice. She recognized those interceptor, older and rugged and meaner than hell.

"Make a break for atmo!" Suddenly her fighter shook, her head slammed into the side of her cockpit, her vision spinning wildly. It was severely dizzying moments before it dawned on her, the fighter was spinning not her vision. Her eyes widening in panic as she watched the canopy rushing toward her. It was all the incentive she needed to punch out, shattering the glass cover and pulling the ejection mechanism. Fire bloomed behind her. Her ejection seat was struck by something. She tumbled through the air for a time, her vision grew dark. Everything came to a jarring stop, the smell of damp earth filled her nose. She didn't recall landing but here she was, face down in the damp forest. Her body hurt, warmth trailed down her neck, blood no doubt.

So much for her good day.

[member="Dex Torture"]
[member="Cryax Bane"]
[member="Neiros Starwind"]

 

[Neiros Starwind]

Outside the atmosphere, in orbit around the world, it was not better. Several ships prepared for ambush on any attempting to flee the planet.

This was learned as the smuggler vessel jumped into orbit around the planet. It was only supposed to be a quick stop to let the hyperdrive cool down before the next jump. An easy run. Moving some weapons to a group plotting a coup or something. The Rogue truly didn't care WHAT the weapons were to be used for. He just wanted the creds. But, a quick, quiet stop was interrupted by the piercing ring of alarms of target locks.

"Oh feth...."

Jamming the thrusters all ahead full, and cranking as hard as he could on the controls, the rogue tried his best with no warning to evade, but the small smuggling vessel was only so mobile. "Master, I'm afraid they are firing. We have lit-"

The droid co-pilot was interrupted by the first salvos impact. The ship lurched, shuddering inside the planets gravity. Only place to go is down.... need to get there before more shots come in.... The rogue dropped, diving as fast as he could get the ship to descend in the crossfire. The ships didn't pursue. Great....

As he descended through the atmosphere, he saw the aerial carnage below him. Multiple ships firing, several similar ships under attack. He didn't have the time to categorize and identify them. But he knew that they were on the same side of the ambush as he was. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.... He mused as he adjusted an intercept course. His ship wasn't leaving atmo anytime soon. Hell, he doubted with the engine damage that anything less than a controlled crash would be possible. So in he went, firing on the hostile ships as he went. He didn't know how many he hit. He didn't know how many he took down. He just wanted to get down in one piece. Hopefully he could enable some of the ambushed ships to land, so he might find accidental allies in this hostile environment....

Or, you know, everyone could wind up dead.... was the last thought that ran through his head as the forest below reached up to welcome his ship to ground.

[member="Dex Torture"]
@Cyrax Bane
[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Dex Torture]

Warm sweat dripped from his brow to the metallic flooring of the cutter maruader V 1 as dex pushed himself up again "3,388" he counted aloud as he completed another vertical push up, another step closer to his set goal "3,389" the daily regimen of training body and mind was one the young acolyte didn't waver to far from and as he knew all to well, peace and quiet didn't last very long.

"Master we're entering the atmosphere of the planet Atmo and there seems to be a quite a battle going on sir. I'm also receiving a distress signal from an unknown vessel, what would you like for me to do sir?" Chimed Jackson the ships A.I. system.

"3,521... 3,522 ... " Dex was fully aware that his master, Darth Azurea was waiting for him back at korribian, but the young fierrerro could never turn down an opportunity at an dog fight or senseless destruction, it was what he thrived on. "3,611... Set our course straight into the battle Jackson! Arm all weapons!" Commanded dex as he flipped to his feet and took to his captains seat, he would finish his workout later, right now death was calling his name and he would answer with a smile.

"Weapons armed" Jackson informed as dex fired off a full rotation of cannon rounds into a nearby interceptor, it burst into flames as it spiraled down into the canopy of dense forest. Dex grinned as he phased into a barrel roll and headed towards another fighter each explosion taking him further and further into a stage of ecstasy, he couldn't contain his excitement. "There's another on at 3 o clock...." The ship shook violently, red lights flashed, alarms went off, the young pilot had been preoccupied and hadn't noticed one of the interceptors flank him, now he was going down.

"Crash landing procedures" dex commanded as the ceiling of trees rushed towards him, evasive measures were commenced as the cutter slammed into the forest line and skid into a fiery halt. Blood trickled down the fierrerros' head only for a second as his wound slowly turned silver and closed back up.

"Well that was fun jackson, damage report please" dex asked as he pressed a few buttons on his datapad. "Damage is being assessed sir, hyperdrive is offline, weapon system ... Offline, navigation systems are still functioning correctly sir, shall start the repairing bots sir?" Replied jackson as dex stood to his feet and readied his gear. "Yes jackson, also send the coordinates of the distress signal to my datapad, I'm going out" , acolyte torture insisted as he left the ship and journeyed into the forest.

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]
[member="Cryax Bane"]
[member="Neiros Starwind"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

How long she had been laying there she couldn't guess but, eventually her head stopped hurting enough for the Zabrak to push herself off the moist ground. Nearly. She managed to get to her hands and knees before the spinning in her vision caused her to retch. She stayed there, knelt over the former contents of her stomach for several minutes before she managed to climb to her feet. Spitting a mouthful of bile and blood to the forest floor, Zenva took stock of herself. Her hands trailed across her attire slowly, "Concussion. Pistols. All four. Knives. At least two." Her gaze went to her boots but decided against bending down again to check the sheaths there for her second set of knives. "Right. Water then higher ground."

So it began, Zenva's trudging march through thick undergrowth. As she moved her hands danced across her attire, checking pouches and pockets for ammunition. Alright. A little short but nothing to worry about. A few reserve magazines and maybe a dozen power cells. This was supposed to be a training exercise. An exercise that didn't include getting her boots dirty. "Feth!" This wasn't supposed to happen to her clan, to her! To be ambushed in such a manner was a grave insult in the Zabrak's mind.

Zenva's yellow-red eyes swept the sky, searching for any of her fighters still airborne. What she saw was beyond any expectations she could have had. The fight was still raging but the combatants were different. Her clansmen were gone, most likely shot down. Now a Marauder Corvette was descending through the air, defensive weapons firing in every direction. It was useless, the Corvette was damaged and losing altitude. The interceptors were swarming the lone capital ship and driving it toward the ground. She watched the ship fall, a plan taking shape in her mind.

Onward she pushed, now tracking the smoking trail the capital ship had left in the sky. She felt the impact through her boots when the vessel struck the earth. Two pistols came free of the holsters on her thighs as she walked, her speed increasing to a jog. That was her way home. All she had to do was get to that downed comm system.

[member="Neiros Starwind"] [member="Dex Torture"]

 

[Neiros Starwind]

After the screaming alarm finally pierced his concussion-based slumber, Neiros shook himself awake, and out of his restraints. Silencing the alarm, he surveyed the command bridge about him, and slowly shook his head in dismay. A tree the ship had dismembered in its sudden landing punched through the front of the bridge, impaling his co-pilot droid. So much for having some help getting off this rock, even if the ship was operational.

Taking stock of systems, only the life-support remained functioning after everything, and reserve powers were dwindling fast. "No luck finding anything in here to get me off world...." he muttered, heading to the armory to grab what meager ammo stock he had. Rifle slung over his shoulder, dagger in boot, and a spare, aged blaster on his hip, Neiros quickly swept all the flachette magazines and energy cells he could round up into his sack. A few rations and a half empty canteen finished his load out. One last stop before disembarking. Down in the hold, he unlocked a cell, kicking the bruised form of his former captain. "Oy, weaksack. Up you git. We're going for walkies."

A grin cut across his face as the once proud captain dragged himself to his feet. "Goooooood boy..... Now, lets get going, unless you'd rather me leave you here to go up with the ship when the timer runs down?" Yeah, a timer was set, to coincide with the remaining power depleting. There would be just enough power left at the end of the timer to cause the primary powercells, still full but offline due to damage, to rupture. This baby was going to go up in flames, in a real way. No need to leave a needless info-trail sitting in the forest for unfavorables to find! "Huh, w-wut do yuh mean lad?" the captain stammered as Neiros guided him off the ship.

"I mean, your beloved ship is dead, and her grave will likely be visible from about a mile up. Now mo-" his voice trailed as the ground shuddered from the impressive impact of a ship crashing in the distance, "-ve.... That way. Lets march. We might just get off this rock this year." Neiros said, a grin cutting across his face. His quarry was still properly cuffed, wrists together behind him, as Neiros nudged him in between the shoulder blades with barrels of his rifle. "Go on, start us off then deary." Neiros intoned in a disturbingly cheery voice.

"Our ticket out of here is where the smokes rising over there."


[member="Zenva Vrotoa"] [member="Dex Torture"]

 

[Dex Torture]

The datapad dinged as it pointed Dex in the right direction. He scanned the forest line, the trees were too dense for his ocular prowess to be of any real use, but his feral senses weren't limited to just his acute sight. Dex closed his eyes and took a few sniffs of the air, the pugnacious scent of blaster fire and thick smoke from the crash filled his lungs, he could smell the roasted smell of forest burning and hear the crackling of tiny footsteps as the home world wildlife scrabbled to escape to safety.

"Where is that ship" dex wondered as he unclipped one of his vibroblades and hacked downward into a clump of shrubbery. After a few minutes of aimless wondering dex caught a glimpse of something moving through the forest, something unnatural to this environment, he ducked down and slowly made his way behind a tumbled tree stump.

"Who the feth is that?" He whispered to himself as he sniffed the air again. The scent of blood was strong in the air, the clump of heavy boots echoed in his ears, each step seeming closer and more determined, then suddenly the calamare of thunderous stumps multiplied and dex was directly in the center of them all.

"FETH, I fell for a trap!" whispered the young sith acolyte as he reached for the hilt of his saberstaff and silently peeked from behind his post.

Zoning in on the nearest of the footsteps dex watched as a red and black figure made its was through the bushes. Dex stayed hidden as he crept towards the what now looked like woman bounty hunter "If I can sneak up on her unnoticed maybe I can....." Suddenly the virtual hologram of Jackson appeared from the datapad and spoke out alarming everyone "Master Im reading unknown heat signatures near you, would you li....." Dex slammed the datapad to the ground, ending the connection, he was caught and there was only one way out.

"So who are you?" Dex asked as he rose to his feet and activated his saberstaff, its gold blades reflecting off of his same color skin his eyes locked into her gold eyes "Why are you here?"....

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"] [member="Neiros Starwind"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

Zenva's trudging march was interrupted by a commotion in the woods ahead of her. Her pace slowed rapidly until she stopped altogether. Yellow-red eyes turned to the skyline in search of the smoke trail that would lead her to the downed Corvette. She was a long way off yet. A voice drew the Blood Matron's gaze back to the trees. There! Figures moved in the long shadows, a dozen or more hunters that should not be in this region of space. Zenva crouched slowly, sliding a pistol free of it's holster.

A man stood up in the woods beyond the hunting party, an ignited saber staff in hand. "Fething moron." She whispered to herself. The lit weapon was all the challenge the Kaleesh needed as the first hunter rushed the Sith, a wicked spear raised high. The call to battle raised as the other hunters cried out, joining their brother in his charge. Several broke away from the initial advance, having taken note of Zenva's approach. She spat a curse in her mother tongue and rolled clear of the first spear thrown at her.

Coming to her feet Zenva's second pistol came free of it's holster and shots began to ring out. She moved with long years of practiced grace. Her stride carried her to the left as more Kaleesh advanced on her right. She didn't rush a single shot, breathing slowly as bolt after bolt zipped through the woods.

[member="Neiros Starwind"] [member="Dex Torture"]

 

[Neiros Starwind]

Still unseen by the Sith and the Zabrak, the cunning rogue was keen to observer their interaction. But, this was not to be, as the natives were restless, and decided that they wanted an interaction of their own!

The numbers game... well, it was plain wrong! That meager hunting party didn't stand the damnedest chance. Not even a slight one! The rogue couldn't help but grin wickedly as he watched the female pick natives off one at a time, and as the burning blade sang its cruel tune as limbs flew free from host! Ah, a beautiful chorus, cries of pain mingling with death rattles. Almost made Neiros wish he was recording this for later use.

But wait, what was this? A crafty little devil in the brush! Neiros grin broadened further, up in his elevated perch in the trees. A hunter was slowly approaching the female gunslinger, and was not far from being ideally positioned to strike. "Now that's just rude right there." The rogue intoned in an almost musical manner, before releasing a quick burst from his rifle. The sudden staccato ending with three angry burning holes in the back of the prone hunter, mere meters from the Zabrak. "Potential friends and allies of mine should not be fearing blades in their backs from savages. That is just bad form!" the Rogue laughed, as he descended form his perch to join in the violence proper, hoping dearly the Zabrak and the Sith were firm believers in the old adage, 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend'; and that they'd wait till the rest of the natives were expired before actively considering prospects of turning on one another.

"May my shots be a peace offering." He murmured, as carefully aimed volleys mowed down a pair of hunters that neither of the other two had sent to claim their eternal rewards yet.

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"] [member="Dex Torture"]

 

[Dex Torture]

The question went unanswered, well not a verbal response as the hunter furiously raised his spear and charged towards dex. "Well if you wanna dance then..." dex started to viciously spin his saber around himself as the kaleesh neared, then once it was close enough he slashed diagonally down its chest plate, completely unexpectedly the blade of saberstaff shorted out and disappeared.

"WHAT THE FETH!!!!" yelled dex as he instinctively flipped backwards narrowly escaping the diamond shaped spearhead that had been thrusted towards his face. "Wha...." dex frantically pulled one of his butterfly vibroswords and shielded away a quick following blow, he was at a total disadvantage while his wits weren't about him, but he just couldn't grasp the reasoning behind his blades failure.

Suddenly the young acolyte found himself sitting in an eclipsed scenery, a kaleesh warrior had flanked him in his inattentive state and now stood over him ready to give a finishing strike, that was until he heard a single shot rang out and the center portion of the kaleeshs' chest blew out and it collapsed into a lifeless heap. "Get yourself together, before you get yourself killed!!!" dex ordered himself as he scrabbled to his footing.

The forest clearing had quickly become a battle scene as blasters fired from seemingly everywhere, dex quickly analyzed the area there were two others that seemed to be helping the young fierrerro and about 20 or so attacking kaleesh. The mystery of the lightsaber would have to wait as he grabbed the matching vibrosword and entered his acrobatic form IV style. Flipping in the air and beheading the nearest warrior then force pushing two others into a nearby tree trunk before simultaneously throwing his swords into their chest impelling them, "You guys probably should have brought more warriors!" marked the young sith with a grin as retrieved his weapons.

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"] [member="Neiros Starwind"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

More shots rang out as Zenva continued to stroll to her left. The foolhardy Sith fell to the ground, a warrior poised over him with spear held high. A more picturesque target could not be found. Her heavy blaster pistol barked once more, blowing a hole clean through the hunter. "Try to stay on your feet boy!" The matron called, sidestepping another spear cast in her direction.

The dynamic changed suddenly as rifle fire erupted from a tree behind her. Her pistols swept left tracking the source of the rounds. A human dropped from his perch, opening up on a pair of hunters who had yet to find targets for themselves. Zenva flashed a shark toothed grin, nodding her approval to the newcomer. As she turned back to the battle her error became self evident, the time she spent searching for the new combatant had allowed her enemy to close the gap between them. His sword swept in at her torso and her left handed pistol cut downward knocking the weapon aside as her bayonet sparked against his vibroblade. Her right handed pistol came up, discharging a round into his ceremonial mask from mere inches away. The bolt struck home with a crack of thunder and the hunter staggered back a step, shaking his head from the impact.

Zenva starred, mouth agape in disbelief. Her eyes jumped down to her heavy blaster pistol and back to the hunter before her. "How the frell..." Was all she managed before the two were engaged once more. His heavier, longer vibroblade slammed into her bayonets time and again. Each blow she managed to turn aside staggering her back another half step. Blow after blow fell upon the Zabrak matron like hellish rain, jarring her to the bone as her bayonets caught the enemy sword. Finally she saw his pattern and as his blade swept wide for another strike Zenva's pistol belched flames. The hunter's knee buckled as the blaster bolt hammered a section of his leg. A bayonet flashed across his throat in a spray of crimson.

She didn't spare the creature a second glance as she kicked him in the chest and out of her way. The battle was still a long way from won.

[member="Dex Torture"]
[member="Neiros Starwind"]

 

[Neiros Starwind]

The expression he wore could only readily be described as gleeful, as burst after burst from his blaster found their marks. Face after face reducing as searing bolts of energy tore through soft organics. Then a smart hunter arrived.

A primitive metal shield was elevated as he charged the Rogue. Grin faltering as bolts were deflected aside harmlessly by the shield. He swore under his breath as he narrowly avoided a spear angled for his face. A stony glare replaced his grin completely as he saw a few strands of his own hair slowly drift before his eyes.

Moving quickly, in the same motion he dodged the spear, he lunged forward, hooking his free arm around the spear-arm of the hunter. Using the momentum of his lunge, the tumbled around behind the hunter, wrenching his arm behind him as the Rogue moved. Pulling the hunter off balance into a spin, the Rogue released his hold and took aim with a single hand holding his rifle. Point blank, less than a foot away, he pulled the secondary trigger.

The projectile that leapt forth from the second barrel, made for punching through durasteel, met the much softer flesh and bone of the hunters head. The force of impact, coupled with the blooming cone of flachette shrapnel, made a beautiful cloud of pink, red, white, and metal gore. Chunks of metal shrapnel, along with pieces of hunter skull, found new homes in the soft flesh of a newly arriving group of hunters.

Pumping the rifle, chambering the second shell, Neiros grinned darkly with hunter blood dripping down his face. "I don't intend on letting any of you savages home to your mates..."

Round two was beginning with a bang!

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]
[member="Dex Torture"]

 

[Dex Torture]

"Someone's having fun.." Dex thought to himself as he watched the blood splattered humanoid recock his weapon and take aim at a following hunter. ""Dodge ... From the rear"" Dex force precognition had activated as he flipped forward barely evading dual vibrobladed swords of the viciously attacking hunter that had flanked his rear. Dex constantly flipped backwards as he continued to avoid the onslaught of lethal slashes and lunges that followed, he reached for the hilt of his saberstaff as he briefly landed then all in the same motion cartwheeled forward, igniting the gold blades of death and initiated his own attack "Disarming Slash"

The famed form I attack met its mark as the saber blades sliced across the hands of the hunter and dislodged his weapons. To his right dex noticed the zabrakian that had saved him earlier seemed to be in quite the battle herself, but that wasn't his priority concern at the moment. The young acolyte slashed downward against the spinal cord of the hunter he had leaped over, but again his saber blade had little effect, "What kind of armor is this?" dex wondered as he landed a brutal roundhouse kick to the hunter back, sending him flying into a new group of nearly arriving hunters. Dex looked around, the three of them were easily out numbered ten to one at the time and hunters were crawling out of every crevice of the forest, there was only one course of action that made any sense at the time.

"RUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN" dex yelled out to his accomplices as he force pushed an hunter to the ground and drove his vibroblade into the center of its face. "We're at a disadvantage here, we stand a much higher chance back at my ship!" he commented as he flipped over an fallen log and started running back towards his ship. He reached for his datapad, "Jackson arm all forward weapons and open the loading hatch! he ordered his virtual intelligence system, Sir............. Can I ....... .(Static)....... Ready if yo......... replied Jackson in a scrambled message, dex had forgot he had severely damaged the datapad earlier so he would have to manually ready the ship it seems. ""Duck... From your left"" dex dove to the ground as a hunters spear slammed into the trunk of a tree he was running by, he rolled back to his feet and continued his escape. He had to make it back to the ship, it was there only chance at survival.

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]
[member="Neiros Starwind"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

Zenva's gaze snapped to the Sith as he yelled. Two more shots rang out, another hunter fell. "Wait damn you!" She yelled back as the swordsman began a headlong rush into the woods from which he came. It was all the effort she could spare at the moment as a new group of hunters entered the fray, complicating the situation further.

Another hunter advanced on the Zabrak matron. A shot barked from her pistol, glancing off the Kaleesh's silver mask. She adjusted her aim in a fraction of a second and squeezed the trigger. Nothing happened. "Feth!" Zenva swept the depleted pistol across her torso, swatting aside the incoming spearhead. Her second pistol stabbed forward it's bayonet puncturing the hunter's neck and she loosed a bolt into the side of the creature's head for good measure. The depleted pistol was jammed into it's holster quickly and as her hand came up she drew one of her secondary pistols from it's holster beneath her arm. The thunderous report of the fifty caliber handgun roared through the forest, deafening in It's sudden pronouncement.

Zenva's gaze swept the tree line in search of the human that had been aiding them. "You, rifleman! On me. We have to move, now!" She was already on the move, closing the distance between the human and herself while trying to keep track of exactly which direction the Sith swordsman had been going. Her remaining blaster pistol spit fire once, destroying the exposed knee of an advancing hunter, before it too clicked empty. "Kark. I'm going to need to reload soon. Move your arse pretty boy!"

[member="Dex Torture"]
[member="Neiros Starwind"]

 

[Neiros Starwind]

Gunning down a handful more encroaching hunters, Neiros could quickly calculate that odds were quickly falling out of their favor. As the Sith and the Zabrak turned tail, the handsome rogue could only release another volley of blaster bolts and a flachette round, before turning tail in pursuit of the others.

On the way, he was able to catch his former captain, hands still tied behind his back, attempting to flee the area. "Nuh-uh mate! You're coming with us! I could always use a distraction, coward!" The rogue taunted, jabbing the barrel of his rifle in the portly captains back, forcing him to run as fast as he could to keep up with the others.

After catching up with the female and the Sith, it seemed the hunters were starting to gain. "Well, feth... I'd wanted to do you myself.... but..." His rifle barked, leaving three angry sears deep into the flesh of the captans leg. He screamed in pain as he fell. "You'd have done the same to me!" the rogue yelled back with a laugh. He didn't look back to watch as the hunters descended upon the wounded spacer. He didn't need to. Cap was dead to Neiros.

Running full on, with a distraction behind them to hold the attention of the hunters for at least a moment, Neiros would slam a fresh two-round clip of those beautiful durasteel piercers. Eyes watching his new, at least temporary, allies, the rogue could only wonder what awaited them in the near future. Would they all be getting off this rock, or would they begin gunning one another down? The prior seemed most preferable at the moment, but Neiros would not hold hard feelings if they turned on each other.... on a 'civilized' world, he'd likely do the same to them.

Because, lets be real. Credits is credits.

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"] | [member="Dex Torture"]

 

[Dex Torture]

The unlikely trio continued thier escape through the forest, the distant screams of the sacrificed human were quickly silenced and replaced by the relentless thud of pursuing hunters. Dex shot a quick glance to the trailing human and made an mental note, "Survival by any means huh, keep an eye on this one!" he assessed as they neared his ship.

Simultaneously another thought flashed across the acolytes brain, he was leading two unknown characters, who were both on this urine hole of a planet for unknown reason, back to his ship while being chased by an unknown number of hunters, for reasons..... Unknown,... "What in the FETH!!!"

Dex quickly slammed on brakes and turned to his would be accompances, both blades of his saberstaff roaring in golden rage. "Who are you? And what are you both doing here?" he yelled out, fire burned in his eyes.

Maybe this wasn't the best of time to question the loyality of the two warriors, but nobody was going to sabotage him, his cutter mauder was just through the clearing, it was his only means of getting off this rock, and he would die before letting anyone take it from him. The fire of the dark side swelled within him, spinning his blades he readied his form IV style, hopefully he wouldn't have to show his true power, BUT he WOULD get answers!

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]
[member="Neiros Starwind"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

They ran. It was embarrassing. Zenva hadn't run from a fight in years and while the Kaleesh were capable warriors, and held a sound advantage in their numbers, the act of running left a foul taste in the Zabrak's mouth. As the group moved Zenva began cycling through her pistols one by one, replacing spent energy cells and loading fresh magazines. It might be the only chance she had to refresh her weapons for a while.

When the human shot his captive, leaving the wounded man to serve as a distraction, all Zenva could do was shake her head in disgust. Clearly these two knew nothing about the hunters chasing them. By the time she finished that train of thought the Sith turned on them, saber drawn and making silly demands for information. Zenva slowed to a stop, a few meters between her and the angry Sith. "Are you karking serious! We don't have time for this chit boy! Think and think quickly. Those bantha fething Kaleesh are right karking behind us. You ran first. Tells me you have a hard point nearby. We need to get to it right karking now!"

She looked away briefly, her eyes scanning the treetops for the smoke trail she had been following. A sharp smile cut across her lips. "Your from the Cutter. She came in mostly level. Maintenance hatches five and eight are dorsal hatches. They unseal themselves after a crash like that to allow evac. Eight is the best bet. It's near the shield emitters along the spine, likely undamaged. Good news. I don't actually need you then, just your ship."

Zenva started walking again, careful to keep a fair distance between herself and the Sith. She spoke over her shoulder as she went, "Oh. By the by, Rifleman. Your friend died in vain. Kaleesh are trophy hunters. Bound and one knee blown out isn't a trophy, it's a mercy killing. At best one hunter stopped to silence his screaming, otherwise they are still coming."

[member="Neiros Starwind"]
[member="Dex Torture"]

 

[Neiros Starwind]

"Who am I?" Neiros barked back incredulously. "Only difference between you and I right now, is you're standing still." He banked wide around the Sith. "I intend on leaving this rock alive if possible. If you wanna stay and keep dancing with our 'hosts', you go right on ahead. I, for one, agree with the Lady. Survive now, ask questions later."

He cast a furtive glance backwards. "As for the meat-sack I left behind, he would only slow us down. I'd have rather killed him myself, but I had no intention of dying for him. Hells with that. Traitor got better than he deserved."

He raised his rifle, pointing it back towards the direction they had come from. "So, unless you intend on setting up a picnic for our soon-to-be-arriving guests, Lord Sith and Lady, I think our odds of surviving the day are significantly superior together. I've no desire to die today by either of your hands, or the hands of the savages."

His gaze shifted sideways to the Sith. "So would you rather lash out at us for wishing to survive, and test your hand alone against all those savages, or shall we continue as we have so far? Your time to make your choice is very swiftly drawing to an end."


[member="Dex Torture"] | [member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Dex Torture]

The zabraks knowledge of his ship added to dex remaining unsettled about his new guest, but still they both had good points. He knew that even if he was able to down them both, the soon arriving kaleesh army would drown him in sheer numbers, they would never give him the time needed to prepare the ships takeoff procedures.

Dex smiled "Don't confuse my need of your abilities with an actual need for you!" snarled the firrerreo sharing a special glare with the zabrak, "And I would be cautious of the foul tongue kabrak, before I would be so kind as to hand it to you!" warned dex as he turned back towards the ship, "Especially with so little energy cells left" he finished as he continued towards the cutter.

Dex pulled out his datapad once more, the condition of the ships hull was still remarkably good after the crash. The repair bots had managed to get the weapons back online and were close to completing the repairs to the hyperdrive, "Good, Jackson has been on top of things!" he assured himself as they reached the bay doors. "Jackson, I'm here start launch procedures and arm all forward weapons!" commanded dex as the virtual hologram of Jackson appeared. Master, my drives are still.. (Inaudible).... I'm sorry sir, I think the crash..... Damaged..... " Jackson fazed out the reappeared "I'll reboot my systems sir.... I'll restart...... A few minutes before...." dex swiped away Jackson and entered the ships bow, if they were going to leave this rock it was going to be all done manually, ... "What a Fething day"

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]
[member="Neiros Starwind"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

Zenva quirked one hairless brow at the Firrerreo, though she said nothing further. There just wasn't adequate time to teach the boy a lesson in manners. It would come, of that she had no doubt. Once the threat of the Kaleesh was no longer a concern he would learn why one does not idly threaten a Zabrak. For now the trio was moving once more, the calls of Kaleesh hunting horns lending a sense of urgency to their strides. When they reached the downed Cutter the Firrerreo pulled his damaged datapad out, seemingly communicating with some droid he had left in charge. She couldn't help but interject, "Boy are you fething stupid? The forward weapons are fixed emplacements. Your nose down in the dirt. The only weapons you can bring to bear are the M.A.R.C. 1s and they can't fire in atmosphere without risking serious damage to your ship." She shook her head, spitting a curse in her mother tongue. "At best you can bring the broadside Turbo Lasers into play. If, and I can't stress if enough, the Kaleesh even approach at the proper angle for you to fire on them."

The Zabrak matron followed the Sith into the ship. Immediately her gaze swept the interior in search of crewmen. "We need to buy time for the ship to fire up. Call up any reserve crew you have and arm them. A rifle line is our best chance to hold the hunters at bay."

[member="Dex Torture"]
[member="Neiros Starwind"]

 

[Neiros Starwind]

Well, this was going to be a right peach. He'd follow their lead up the ramp into the ship. As soon as he entered the doorway, he'd kneel down, giving himself some cover as he locked in a fresh power-cell, finishing the reloading of the rifle. "I'll keep eyes and gun out here while you get something going. Hopefully we can get dusted off before those savages arrive to add us to their walls, or whatever..." the rogue would spit out the door, cold glare scanning the treeline. The first sign of one of the hunters, they'd receive a burst straight to their dome.

Whatever the other two were doing, it wasn't too long before the first of the pursuing hunting party started their approach. Spotting movement through the underbrush, he caught glimpse of a spear, and an arm. Basic understanding of their external anatomy, considering how many he killed at close proximity, Neiros was able to make a strong, calculated guess as to where the hunters head would be located. Aiming carefully, and a slow, steadying exhale, he'd squeeze the trigger softly. The rifle would kick, as a rapid three round burst of blaster fire lanced out. Two out of the three bolts made purchase in the hunters skull, the third scorching a hole in it's neck. Any one of the three hits was a kill shot. Pleased with himself, the rogue zeroed in on his next target, a hunter rushing for cover after watching his partner fall.

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"] | [member="Dex Torture"]