Desert Craze (CIS, Open)

[A'Runda]

Local moister farmer is concerned about whether or not they can continue living in such harsh conditions​

(853 ABY, De-colorized)​

​

Even though The Galactic Empire is no more, and the barren planet of Tatooine was now under the umbrella of influence of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. For many people it changed nothing. However, for some unfortunate enough the situation went from bad, to worse. The power vaccume that occurred from the fall of the Empire to Confederate domination was just big enough to let some opportunistic people take full advantage of it.

One of these individuals is a local crime lord known as Bijjo the Hutt, who has amassed a small army of bandits and mercenaries. Using his power by force to enact crippling water taxes moister farmers and native Jawas of the land. Even going as far as to antagonize some of the nearby Tusken Tribes. Doing so to cause them to raid moister farms for revenge. Using the conflict and skirmishes to sell arms and security to the farmers and Jawas as an added source of income in addition to the water taxes.

At first the people under living under Bijjo were content enough to appease the Hutt's demands. However, as time has gone on they've come to realize that they simply can't go on much longer with the pressure of having so much of their water and money taken. They understand that the CIS has bigger fish to fry in the galaxy, and for the most part doesn't have time for squashing every single thug that pops up. So they've called out to those who can help them in combating their criminal overlord. Knowing fully that they can't do it alone, and will need all they help they can get. Since not every moister farmer is going to take up arms against Bijjo. Meaning they need aid from skilled outsiders, the local Jawas, and possibly even find a way to get the Tuskens involved. If not from directly helping, then to at least shift their anger from the settlers to Bijjo and his forces.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUamYxDhog0​

​

To Arms!​

​

Walking through the shifting sand of the desert world A'Runda would often look to the skies in hopes of possibly spotting something of interest in the blue void. Perhaps he'd see a ship flying by, although it he felt the chances were very slim. Even given how populated the galaxy was, one could only really observe such a small portion of it at once. Plus it didn't help that he was on a backwater planet like Tatooine.

Reaching the top of yet another sand dune, one of very many around him, the Tusken looked out ahead and saw a faint but still visible stream of black smoke rising above the horizon and into the blue, cloudless air. Peering his eyes behind the lenses of his mask he tried to see if he could catch any sight of what it could be coming from. But even more sand dunes ahead obscured it. A'Runda pondered for a moment as to what it could be. The ideas that came to mind varied anywhere between a crash landed ship, a raided moister farm, or even an attacked Jawa sand crawler. Knowing there wasn't a whole lot around, and he had plenty of time to spare, he'd head out towards the direction of the smoke.

 

[Kyber]

@A'Runda

Kyber heard news that the people of Tatooine are having another Hutt problem that was mostly being ignored by the CIS due to the fact the CIS are busy spending resources on expanding its boarders and as a Viceroy of Tatooine has yet been chosen the citizens of Tatooine can't expect more help from the CIS at this current time. Even though the CIS weren't officially sending anyone to Tatooine, Kyber was apart of the secertive CIS division known as Protocol Exterminatus which despite being a group of ruthless droids meant to kill their targets they got a lot of free time due to the fact that most of the time it would be overkill to mark someone for Exterminatus.

Kyber would spend his freetime honing his skills mainly in stealth and assassination and while he mainly did it in the dark alleys of the city planets of the CIS this time he decided he would hone his skills by assisting the people of Tatooine. At the current time Kyber was riding a bantha he brought to assist him on traveling when he saw smoke. Most likely a sandcrawler full of jawas who could not pay the water tax due to the fact jawas focused on trade with junk that has crashed onto Tatooine and their supply of water is from the trade that make with farmers which has gone down due to farmers not wanting to sell their water in fear they won't be able to pay the ever rising water tax. Kyber direct his bantha towards to smoke hoping to find some fresh prey.

 

[Chikako Liona]

The ever expanding borders of the CIS did draw away much of their army and fighting force, the northern threat of the Sith and the ever growing First Order were definitely things to look out for. Though she was not sure why the military would be that distracted, the CIS recent conquest being very peaceful and requiring little military intervention, so when new of another Hutt lord somehow getting onto Tatooine despite was kind of strange. During their annexation of the planet they had installed quite a decent amount of security and literately blown up anything Hutt related, several mercenaries and assassins hired to take out most criminal minds.

What was more recent reports of the Obsidian Knights cracking down on slavery and other illegal dealings just made her question things more. Who ever this new Hutt lord was they seemed to be either the luckiest or the stupidest person in the galaxy to set up on a CIS world, either that or this Hutt had some outside/inside help. Regardless it did not matter, there was a problem on a nearby CIS planet that required a military touch to it, and the Tythish Imperial Guard was always looking for experience, what a better place then Tatooine to get it.

---

Descending from the atmosphere came one of the newly constructed Tythish vessels, a Gladio Class Frigate and Sagitta Class Destroyer carrying members of the Tythish 1st Platorian Guard Regiment, all armed accordingly, the tone aboard the ship being light hearted and carefree. On the bridge though the tone was more strict, Chikako herself sitting in a throne like chair, overlooking the officers as they went about their tasks, sandy dunes quickly coming into view. "Making planet fall soon though I do not think things will be easy, seemed out presence has caught the attention of this Hutt Lord, as reports have stated he infidelity has a decent mercenary force present on the ground".

"Hmmm interesting, interesting, set us down and have the centaurs scout ahead, set up the small portable shields and have our troops draw up in skirmish formation, let us put our long range combat focus into use". Giving a snap salute the officers went to work having the troops deployed, Chikako and her escorts boarding a troop ship, leaving the frigate to orbit while the destroyer landed on the dusty dunes. Dust and sand was kicked up before the endings powered down, several ramps opening, revealing the bright red uniforms of the Platorian regiment of Foot making their way from the small warship, the small APC in front to provide cover if the Hutt troops tried anything.

Today these ruffians and xenos would feel the might of the Imperium.

Troop Strength:
150 members of the TPGR
20 members of the TRF
10 TUV1-Centaurs

[member="Kyber"] [member="A'Runda"]

 

[A'Runda]

As A'Runda came up upon one of the last dunes, he could finally see what seemed to have been the source of the smoke. It looked to be a tribe of some kind. However, it was quite familiar in how it looked. It was a Tusken tribe. After coming to that conclusion he readied his gaffi stick from being strapped to his back. Clearly what ever kind of attack they seemed to have been subject to, it was quite recent. By the time he suspected he could be seen by the tribe's people he held up his gaffi stick and made some wide, long waves with it. Doing so as a way to show some clear non-aggression.

Coming up closer he could see some burned tents and slaughtered banthas scattered around. From what he could tell it didn't look like they put up much of a fight considering that there didn't seem to be any bodies of what could've been the attackers. Eventually a male Tusken, which he could tell from the clothes, came forwards from the tribe to meet A'Runda half way. Their own Gaffi stick at the ready. "Eyaak urk urk..." (I mean you no harm) he said to the defensive Tusken.

"Urr ru rah takt?" (You're alone, why) They replied, showing the oddity of seeing a lonely Tusken. Although it wasn't too uncommon for a Tusken to leave their tribes. Such is the case when a clan's story teller finds a suitable replacement.

"Ru gaghgt hurak" (I left my tribe) A'Runda said back, not letting them know he was actually banished. After that the other Tusken visibly began to ease up a little. Stepping aside he gestured over to the tribe, or what was left of it.

"Hurak zo Tuyiskt sisktn" (Settlement turned into hunting grounds) They said, in a metaphorically way of saying they'd fallen prey to an attacker. "Rah" (come) he added, waving A'Runda to follow him back.

"Prokak?" (Who?) A'Runda asked, wanting to know what they were up against. Looking back at him the Tusken spoke.

"Hutt..." They answered, not even really needing to refer to them by name. This was Bijjo's territory, and given his little busniess venture to try and cause strife between the settlers, and natives. It was starting to make some sense. This attack on the tribe is meant to provoke them to seek revenge against the settlers. As they came further into the tribe, A'Runda could see that it was mostly the men that were killed off, leaving most of the women, and the children to be spared. Eventually others in the tribe who weren't tending to the damages caused by the attack began to gather around some with A'Runda and his guide joining in. The rest, simply non-verbally acknowledging the newcomer.

"Aargh, ruk u?" (Greetings, who are you?) One women asked A'Runda.

"Eyaak, A'Runda Hurak Rok'urkus, A ah Runda." (I'm A'Runda from Clan Rok'urkus, son of Runda) He replied, stating his full title as if somewhat common when introducing yourself to others in Tusken society. Also as a way of showing pride in your background. If one was to simply state just their name that was a typical indication of shame in one's background. But right after he spoke, those around him all gasped, and stepped away from him. Looking around at them, A'Runda was visibly confused. However, one younger male broke the silence.

"Prodorissac!" (Betrayer!) They exclaimed, while pointing a finger at A'Runda. However, very shortly after an older looking male beside them slapped his hand down. After that looked back at A'Runda and spoke.

"Ui, urk gafsa." (This is your waking place) A way of saying birth place. "Ui Hurak Rok'urkus..." (This is Clan Rok'urkus...) Hearing that A'Runda's eyes went wide behind his red tinted lenses. Stepping back he looked at the group around him. All eyes visibly on him as he seemed just as stunned as him.

"E-Eyaak oruka. Eya nunro Hurak." (I-I didn't know. If I did I wouldn't have come back) A'Runda said back to the group. "Hu urkna, Eya tra umbura" (I'm sorry, I did not mean to break tradition) He added, feeling bad that he'd stumbled back after being banished. Even if it was by accident.

"Oru uru tra umbura, Hurak Rok'urkus ur ketra..." (Don't worry about breaking tradition, Clan Rok'urkus is dead...) Someone else in the group replied. "Rah toruna ra ketra." (The storyteller is dead) This was really bad for the clan. The responsibility of their history rested in one person in the whole clan, so if they passed without finding a successor then the information was lost forever and a clan without their history was viewed as no longer worthy to exist. A'Runda's Tusken grandfather used to be the storyteller before finding a new successor and leaving the clan. Suddenly, after thinking of that the idea of his Tusken family came up.

"Urna ku turril?" (What of my family?) He asked, worried for them. The group went silent, and A'Runda's heart began to sink. From the back the group a hand waved him over past the small crowd. Hesitant at first, A"Runda stepped through the group and followed the tusken that waved him over. Over next to a burning ten lay two bodies, with a bantha standing next to them. One of the bodies was of a women, the other seemed to be a young adult male.

"Ui uil'rra urk urk ru quaraka." (Your brother worked to protect your mother) They said, not feeling like he needed to explain anymore. Looking down at the corpses of his mother and younger brother A'Runda clenched both his fists. Figuring the same happened to his father he didn't bother ask. A moment later some of the sand around him began to levitate. Seeing this the other tuskens around him quickly backed away in fear. Seeing Force in action worried them deeply, and being Force sensitive is what got him banished in the first place. Beneath him the pressure on the sand was beginning to turn it to sand stone. He could hear some of the clan members talk among themselves, saying that he was a demon, and that he shouldn't be here. After letting out a deep breath the sand around him feel back down and he turned back to the clan members and spoke to them.

"Eyaak onro kruk hurak ketra!" (I'm not gonna let this clan die!)

[member=Kyber] [member=Chikako Liona]

(Sorry for the novella :lol

 

[Kyber]

As Kyber rode his bantha closer to the smoke he soon realised that the smoke was not coming from a jawa sandcrawler but infact it was coming from a camp. After Kyber wiped the desert sand off his optical sensors he saw that the camp was a tusken campsite and it was filled with dead and alive tuskens. Kyber quickly activated his cloaking device before entering the camp ontop of his bantha.

As the bantha Kyber rode entered the camp some of the tuskens immediately realised it was not one of theres but Kyber doubted they would attack the bantha aslong as he stayed hidden. As the bantha got deeper in the camp Kyber decided now was the best time to commence communications. While still being hidden Kyber spoke "Greetings citizens of Tatooine This One is a Confederacy investigation droid here to help the citizens of Tatooine with a hutt problem. To show This Ones intentions the CIS has provided you with fresh water" as Kyber finished talking he used the force to open a few packs on the bantha which contained bottles of water that Kyber brought to bribe civilians to speak and he hoped the tuskens would be easy to bribe with water also.
@A'Runda [member="Chikako Liona"]

 

[Aeron Tosh]

As I was helping one of the moister farmers plant some of their crops I could've help but notice the smoke booming in the distance.

I turned to the anxious farmer, "Looks like another Tusken tribe got raided. We both know what that means. Gather all the villagers so we can get our defenses set up."

I'd never thought that i'd find myself working along side Jawas and farmers in order to take down a criminal overlord. Usually I was the thug selling arms and spices in order to reap the opportunities that come out of this chaotic galaxy, but that's impossible to do when you have some fat, egomaniac hutt who keeps stomping all over your business. I haven't been able to get a single client since Bijjo and his band of rag-tag mercenaries showed up thinking their hot stuff, but the truth is the only reason they haven't been smashed yet is because the CIS is too busy dealing with "more important matters".

I'll show them who's boss. Most people in my circumstance would try and join Bijjo as an ally but I refuse to play second-in-command for anybody. I'm my own man and if i'm not the one running all the crime in Tatooine than no one will.

[member="Kyber"] | @A'Runda | [member="Chikako Liona"]

 

[Chikako Liona]

Over the next few minutes the different squads and groups of the 1st regiment were organized out the front of the small ship and drop ships, their pit helmets and red coats being quite suitable. Chikako overlooking the assemble from the side, data pad in hand with her small guard flanking from both sides as the regiment officer came to give the troop report. "All troops present and accountable your highness, what are your orders for moving out"?

During the small organizational period Chikako had been skimming over data from the planetary scan done by the frigate, seeing what was happening in the immediate location. The Hutt's palace was the most ideal point of interest, their landing not going unnoticed, defenses and mercenaries on the walls, taking positions on the walls, seemed they were expecting an attack, but that was not all.

Nearby seemed to be a Tusken camp that was recently attacked by the Hutt's, a possible ally? it was worth a try, and though not able to speak the native language was able to understand it with her magical powers. There was then again the situation with the nearby farm, a possible target for the Hutts if they were done with the natives already. "Here is your orders captain have 25 of your men and 3 TUV1s go towards to nearby farm, have it secured and defended, take some of the MG teams with you, I myself with 10 of my guard will attend to the Tusken camp, the rest of the troop should take position a holding attack formation near the palace".

​

Spoiler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvU8LaE0-xw​

​

​

Giving a small bow the captain went about his task, Chikako standing up, hearing the marching track play as the troops split up into their respective groups with discipline and order, "well it would be best if we head to that Tusken camp". Borading her personal shuttle again the young ruler set course for the nearby native settlement, in the mean time [member="Aeron Tosh"] would see two armored vehicles carrying the CIS logo and Tythish emblem on their sides approach the farm.

In the mean time the main bulk of the force marked towards the Hutt palace, spreading out into line formation, armor positioned at several intervals along said line to provide cover for the advancing troops. One way or another Tatooine would be rid of this Hutt lord, the only question was how much blood would be spilled.

---

---

If [member="Kyber"] or [member="A'Runda"] were to look up both would noticed the shape of a Quill Class Shuttle flying towards the Tusken camp, the metal construct circling overhead a bit before landing a few meters away. Once again the door bays opening, the young Echani girls with 10 of her female guards slowly marching out, "oh my, this is no a very pretty sigh".

GF
150 members of the TPGR
20 members of the TRF
10 TUV1-Centaurs

 

[A'Runda]

As A'Runda tried to think of how to help his old clan, his force senses started going off the charts on the barren planet. This was because of some lone bantha walking into the the ruined tribe. As him and the other Tuskens gathered around it to inspect the bantha and what it was carrying. The moment a disembodied voice could be heard, the Tuskens quickly backed away. To them this could easily be devil trickery.

However, the voice somewhat confirmed his suspicion that a force sensitive bantha did not indeed just walk up to them. Especially when the voice referred to itself as a droid from the Confederacy. Of course the Tuskens had no idea what it'd said, but A'Runda did. Turning to what remained of his clan he spoke. "Ku rahg es confedact. orno Hutt." (Don't worry, it's the confederacy, not the Hutts.)

"Nu-ahk Confedact?" (what's the confederacy?) One of them simply asked. A'Runda had seemed to have forgotten that Tuskens were not really all caught up to date with intergalactic happenings. They probably still thought the empire was in control, which even then didn't mean much to them. After that he very briefly explained to them that the planet was under the control of a new government. Which wasn't hard for them to understand.

After explaining how the bantha had water on it, they didn't seem all that eager start drinking the water offered to them. But then A'Runda and the other Tuskens could see a ship coming in over the horizon. As it came their way the other Tuskens back up a little to put A'Runda between the bantha, ship, and themselves. With a sigh he walked up to the ship that'd landed outside the tribe, passing the bantha. As the door opened he saw the young women and her troops. Listening to her statement before speaking back. "Let me guess, you're with the Confederacy as well?" He asked the young Echani.

[member="Chikako Liona"]
[member="Aeron Tosh"]
[member="Kyber"]

 

[The Space Cowboy]

Arwen stepped inside a dimly lit cantina in Mos Eisley, immediately brushing his nerf leather gloves against the sand that had collected on the crown of his ten-gallon hat.

There was an eerily silence in the cantina that disturbed Arwen from the moment he arrived. The band that usually played jazz music throughout the night were not in attendance and the only inhabitants were fragile old men that looked agitated at the presence of a newcomer entering the establishment. This didn't seem right, at all. Arwen pressed his index finger against the brim of his hat, raising it a couple of inches. His hazel eyes inspected the men as his luxuriant brows furrowed at an alarming speed. A fight was the last thing Arwen needed after his unsuccessful salvage hunt in the desert. His cautiously raised his hands in the air as he made it clear he was not a threat to the men. The silence was no more. Voices could be heard throughout the cantina once again. Victorious.

Arguments erupted regarding the dictatorship of Bijjo the Hutt who had sent his men to terrorize the families of farmers earlier in the week as they wouldn't comply with his barbarous demands. Arwen maintained his distance from the disturbance, approaching the bar where a Twi'lek was stood. The sounds of his footsteps echoed off the floorboards underneath. His heavy boots came to an abrupt stop as he was a meter away from the bar. The Twi'lek spared him an uninterested glance before offering her services. He wafted the palm of his right hand in her direction, silently informing her that he didn't want to order anything at the moment. As stories of the cruel treatment continued, Arwen tensed up and struck his fist against a bar stool. Arwen was determined to assist the men with their issues; not for them, but for his career as a mercenary who was wanting to make a name for himself. He inhaled a deep breath of humid air before projecting his loud voice to the men, "Well, if you're struggling to protect your moister farms... I know someone that's looking for work. You help me, I help you. Spread the word that I'm protecting your farms - for free. That is the only request I give you." The men, seemingly amused by Arwen's comment, laughed hoarsely. "You see... I'm a man of many talents, darling," said Arwen as he flashed a charismatic smirk in the direction of the Twi'Lek manning the bar.


Arwen spent several hours speaking with the men after his short-lived speech. The men agreed between themselves that Arwen would assist them in protecting their farms for the foreseeable future. The men vacated the cantina and left for the desert. The group eventually paused after almost an hour of travel. A voice at the back of the group could be heard complaining about how they shouldn't be stopping in case Bijjo's men were following them. Arwen wasn't remotely interested in the passive comments about potential conflict as he was confident in his experience so he remained silent and scouted the wasteland terrain ahead. His eyes narrowed as he located a large thick cloud of smoke arising to their south.

 

[Cameron Centurion]

"Aiden. Tatooine?"

The large Sith Lord did not divert his gaze from the information on the datapad in his hands. A host of information had been gathered by the Pathfinders regarding some emergent Hutt crisis on Tatooine. Though the dark-skinned Executor certainly had his opinions. He was smart enough, unlike at least one of his associates, to keep his mouth shut. There was a time for useless postulation and bristling of egos over the content of an assignment from a superior authority.

That time happened once. Then there was death.

Fortunately for the individual in question, Aiden had at least an ancillary need for him to continue drawing breath from the galaxy. Shifting to the most recent schematics attached to the intelligence update, Aiden tapped a series of buttons on the device. It was very close to the extent of his electronic prowess.

"Aiden! Did you hear me?"

"Yes," Aiden intoned with surprising patience as he continued perusing the information.

The other occupant of the briefing room started to say something further, but he recognized the almost-pleasant tone of the man that was, in effect the entire crew of eight's superior. It wasn't because of any formal organizational hierarchy. Sure, he had trained most of them. No, they deferred to the whims of the large Sith out of a sheer desire never to hear him be polite ever. "I'm going to make sure the others are prepared."

"None of you will depart the ship upon arrival."

"What do you mean no---"

Aiden slowly turned his bright gaze to the man, expression impassive.

"I'm going to pass the word."

Aiden nodded simply, returning his attention to the datapad. "Your intelligence is a credit to your family name."

The much younger Sith grit his teeth and simply departed the room. Guarding his thoughts tightly, he took his time to deliver the information, allowing his anger to dissipate. Today was not the day that they challenged Aiden-I'm-Too-Cool-For-A-Last-Name.

Once Aiden was alone, he leaned back in his seat. His people were right, of course. A Hutt problem on Tatooine. The large Sith Lord snorted before coming to his feet. Collecting his simple, midnight blue overcoat, Aiden pulled it over his large frame and made his way towards the cockpit. Taking a seat in an empty jump seat, the Sith Lord propped his feet up on a console as he watched the flight crew initiate re-entry interface.

The Confederacy did care about Tatooine and its citizens the same as he cared for all planets. The lack of a permanent Viceroy was wholly irrelevant. Aiden had been tasked to remind any on the surface of Tatooine that required a refresher in the continuous attention of the Knights Obsidian and, by extension, the Confederacy.

The First Son was happy to pick up the assignment in between his own personal investigations. Baby-brother-dearest was still away on some personal leave.

Eviscerating the pollutant would have to wait a while longer, yet. A mischievous expression danced across Aiden's lips as he cracked his knuckles, watching the flames of re-entry begin to form around the nose of the spacecraft.

[member="Kyber"] | [member="Aeron Tosh"] | [member="Chikako Liona"] | [member="A'Runda"] | [member="Arwen Hamenick"]

 

[Chikako Liona]

Chikako stood in a regal and poised position as the Tusken approached her, the small guard group forming a semi circle behind her, a small smile planet across the face of the young Monarch. She was a little surprised by the mans ability to speak basics but played not mind to it, listening to his slightly, how would one say, unimpressed tone of voice. "Yes I am, Chikako Liona, princess of Tythe" she replied, giving a small curtsy to the unknown Tusken, "I am here to investigate the reports on some Hutt lord that managed to by pass CIS blocked and military assets and make camp on the planet".

"I had brought a detachment of grounds troops with me to deal with the Hutt threat that has been taking control of this area, dispose of them and for the time being establish some sort of order, my troops do need the experience after all". That and spreading her influence to another planet, with not major position of power designated to this planet and the lack of population for form a proper security force Tatooine would most likely be in need of protection for a while. "As we made planet fall we noticed the smoke coming from your camp and the apparent battle that caused it, I am here myself to offer any assistance your tribe may be, if you so wish it, I know your people are wary of outsiders".

Wile conversing she did not fail to notice the bantha in the middle of the camp with containers attached to it, herself cocking a mental eye brow at it's strange appearance, where was its rider? For the moment she did not give much mind but made a mental note to look into it later if given the chance.

[member="Aiden"] @A'Runda [member="Kyber"]

 

[Kyber]

Kyber was a bit disappointed that the tuskens were not into the water he brought . Before Kyber could voice his dissatisfaction a ship appeared above them and decided to land near them. Kyber who was still cloaked jumped off the bantha he was on and followed what to him seemed to be the tusken chieftain.

Kyber was then surpised to realise the ship belonged to the Viceroy of Tythe who for some reason decided to come to Tatooine. Before Kyber could start talking the tusken started speaking basic which once again surpised Kyber who still hadn't uncloaked and assumed none of them noticed he was with them. Kyber listened to what Liona had to say before deciding to what to do next.

Kyber uncloaked next to the tusken revealing himself to everyone "Greetings That One known as Princess Liona, Viceroy and Princess of Tythe. This One is known as Kyber, in service of the CIS division Exterminatus. This One is here on a hutt hunting trip. Going by what This One has observed, This One believes the Hutt is paying the mercenaries the CIS hired and also going by its ever increasing demand of water This One thinks the Hutt is either extremely cocky or desperate and going by other observations is soon to tax the nearest village and happened upon this camp on their way" Kyber would once again go cloak and move to the other side of the tusken and attempted to conceal his footsteps with the force just incase the tusken decided to get a bit hostile or incase they were being watched.
[member="Chikako Liona"] [member="Aiden"] [member="Arwen Hamenick"] [member="Aeron Tosh"] @A'Runda

 

[A'Runda]

Overall the Tuskens didn't seem all that wary, perhaps their spirits have been so badly crushed that they didn't have the will to fight or even scare off the outsiders. However, that didn't mean that A'Runda wasn't wary of the seemingly opportunistic young women. It sounded like this was a way for her to replace Bijjo's authority with her own. But A'Runda didn't feel like he had the time to know if she'd be a lesser of two evils. Right now he was pretty angry, and wanted revenge.

The Tusken could since [member="Kyber"] walking up beside him, and it was confirmed after he uncloaked himself. However, A'Runda wasn't expecting to see a droid, or what he thought was a droid. It kinda took him off guard. But he didn't know all that much about the Force so droids, could be force sensitive for all he knew. Which is what he thought since he'd never met a Shard before. However, where A'Runda showed some confusion, the rest of the clan showed shock and clear distrust. "Trrru'uunqa!" (and interjection of frustration) some of them said after Kyber showed himself. Clearly under the idea that some black trickery magic had fallen on their destroyed tribe. But could anyone really blame them, they couldn't really tell what was going on. Then after they clocked themselves again A'Runda could feel them move to the other side. Meanwhile the Tusken's acted even more outraged. A little odd that now after seeing Kyber appear ad disappear it was beginning to drive up their passion.

Now with the clan seemingly riled up, with some of them even holding up their gaffi sticks, A'Runda looked back at Chikako and spoke. "Thank you for your offer Miss Liona, and your right about us being wary of "offworlders". Currently I feel like this isn't the best time to discuss any kind of aid. However, if what you say is true about going after this new Hutt lord. Then you can consider myself an ally, and my clan if I can convince them to take up arms against those who have wronged up, just like we have in the past. How do you say...the enemy of my enemy is my friend?"

[member="Kyber"]
[member="Chikako Liona"]
[member="Aiden"]
[member="Arwen Hamenick"]
[member="Aeron Tosh"]

 

[Chikako Liona]

Some of Chikako's guards tensed up a little upon seeing the droid uncloak, not willing to take any chances with a Hutt lord around, it was common practice for their kind to hire droids and assassins to do their dirty work. The princess gave a small hand wave, getting to stand down as said droid started to speak, herself unfamiliar with his unit but very few people knew about the exterminates, meaning he had merit to the proclamation. "Well it is a pleasure to meet you [member="Kyber"], it is good that you are here to help in some regard, I can only commit so many troops to this planet at one time". "Though I am a little confused by the notion of the mercenaries hired by the CIS swapping sides to aid the Hutt, it was to my knowledge that most the contacts signed paid them more then enough and also had terms of not attacking any CIS personal or citizens".

The most notable person coming to mind being a sniper names [member="Formorta"] who was a native to this world and had been under CIS employment for a while, tasked with killing and Hutts or crime lords that tried to make land fall. Despite said sniper being cold and rather emotionless she always held true to her word unless circumstances were dire, and though not pleasant this little insurrection as not that over the top. "I belive this Hutt is more likely just plain stupid or did not get the memo that Tatooine is no longer a criminal hell hole, I currently have my troops taking position near the enemy strong hold with light vehicles and ship support while a squad has been dispatched to the nearby village to keep it safe". As she finished conversing the droid vanished once more, leaving Chikako to talk back with the Tusken interpreter.

"No need for your people to take up arms [member="A'Runda"], they seem to have suffered enough death as it is, there would be no point in letting anymore of them die needlessly though If you wish to help in the assault you are more then free". Herself and her guards able to sense the mans connection to the force, not something she had expected of a Tusken. "Speaking of which perhaps we should get to said attack I am sure my men have gotten into position, would not be surprised if the sharp shooter have already picked off a few of the Hutts men already.

 

[Karlie Lynn Destat]

Mission objective: Field test B.O.B.1
Location: Tatooine Flats, South of Beggar's Canyon
Interaction: Currently NPC, open to anyone
Post: 1



"You see that?" Bo drew her attention to the distant horizon over the outcrop.

"Uhm....smoke....I think. So what?" Karlie put her hand down which had shaded her eyes from the minor sun hanging just above what looked like rising smoke. She had to remove her sunglasses to make out the thin trail of smoke in the distant which now contrasted against the cloudless sky.
It didn't help at all that the major star (larger second sun) was also beating down just over her head. God this place could well be hell, with the heat and brightness of it, her thoughts damned this planet. Then again this was after all a desert world much like Joku. And that hellhole had once knocked her off her feat..literally. Yes, she had succumbed to heat stroke on Jaku just two years earlier while on a training operation for the IBI.

"Seriously?...Karlie, Karlie, where there's smoke there's fire." Bo, a Castan Marine Colonel, Karlie's former field tactical instructor shook his head.

He had once more been asked to assist the Viceroy's daughter in her endevour to test out a cache of droids she had somehow gotten her hands on. Well, he were more to watch over her, as he often found his self in doing since he came to be her drill instructor when she had entered the castan Military Academy.
"YOU!" Bo pointed before snapping his finger to one of the centurions to get his shiny undercarriage over to them.

"No, really? And that means what to us? Like...it's way over that ridge line...kilometers away, Bo..." Karlie replied, turning on cue hearing Bo call over one of the units. She made a slight frown, as the unit responded to him. These were her droids and wanted to be the one giving them all the commands. She had a reason behind that.

"What do you make of it, Bob?" Bo asked it with a snicker when the unit came over.
It stopped just short of them and seemed to scan over to the direction of the small wisp of smoke, in the distant before replying.
Gas refraction analysis consists of simple composite based carbon elements. Indicative of organic matter burning.

"Barbecuing... so someone is grilling here on Tatooine. Again, so what? " She shrugged her shoulders.
"This system is as primitive as they come...barring a few space ports still intact..." She said, observing her Colonel take to the macrobinoculars.
"See anything more?"

"No...just smoke rising...dissipating up to about a kilometer or so..." He then ranged it.
"It's 28 km from here over the ridge. Can't say how long or when it started burning. Seems steadily diminishing though. Doesn't look like it's spreading from here..." Bo then said, putting the macrobinoculars down.

"Well good then. We can maybe get back to our main objective here."
"Centurion...back into formation." Karlie ordered it.

By your command. It replied before turning and doing just that.

"Still popping that grin, Karlie." Bo laughed. " You'd think you'd heard that enough times already." He was talking about the way she seemed to smile from ear tot ear each time one of the battle droids confirmed her orders. Seemed they were like her favorite toys of late. Still, as gleaming as they were, they were quite old...thousands of years old. How she came about in acquiring them was another story altogether. But acquire she did, 10,000 units. All of them as new as the day they had been manufactured thousands of years ago by the old Eternal Empire under the rule of Valkorion. They had been in storage on an abandoned and forgotten space station which Karlie had come across on in Drunkenwell system.

"Nope...never gets old, Bo... hehe, never gets old..." Karlie put her shades back on as she walked to the squad of 10 gleaming battle droids standing at perfect attention under the twin Tatooine suns.

In the foreground was a droid transport which contained another 90 units tucked inside, inactivated. The 10 that were outside with them were the first to be tested out in the field, and Tatooine being now under CIS jurisdiction was a perfect place to test them. It's harsh hot environment was ideal. That and it's abrasive sand which seemed to find its way everywhere, would test the droid's armor/mechanical seals.

"Weapons up!" Karlie shouted.
The Centurions drew their side arms, all in union.
"Lets see what you chrome bumpers are made of.... 20km clip in a 2km radius! Hop, hop! Hop to it...NOW!"

With that, they all replied in unionson. By your command and took to run at a good 20kmh that would encompass a 2km circle. Karlie tapped her wrist crono to start the timer. The 10 units would continue to run in a 2km circle until they broke down or ran out of power...which would be in aprox 48 standard hours.

Neither Karlie, nor Bo took notice to the craft that was heading toward the distant pillar of smoke, for they had their backs to it, watching the droids kicking up the fine Tatooine dust as they made distance.

 

[A'Runda]

A'Runda listened to the rather little monarch as she tried to understand the Hutt situation with him. "Given how well the Hutts could profit off even a simple planet like ours, I imagine they wouldn't want to give up too easily considering this has been their territory for almost as long as our tribe's historians can date back. Plus, Bijjo the Hutt is probably more scared of whoever his boss is then the CIS. Meaning it wasn't their idea to set up shop here."

This was at least A'Runda's explaination for why there was still a Hutt here after the CIS has been trying to weed them out. He hopped this wouldn't be a planet wide game of wack'a Hutt. But only the future could tell. Most of the information A'Runda had on Bijjo was from Jawas that he'd encountered who had water "Taxed" from them. "I never acted to deal with them cause all I thought they did was take water,and not attack the natives. I guess I payed the price for my inaction." The Tusken practically pondered out loud.

Then he heard her explain why it would be best if the rest of his clan didn't seek revenge, they were already on the brink of extinction, any more deaths could wipe them out completely. "Thank you Miss Linoa, I alone from my clan will join you in taking down Bijjo and his forces." The Tusken stated, before turning to his clan and letting them in on the plan, and that they were going to take down the one responsible for this. Looking back to young pale woman A'Runda spoke once more. "You say you have men ready for an attack. Do you think we could take on Bijjo with them alone?"

[member="Karlie Lynn Destat"]
[member="Chikako Liona"]
[member="Kyber"]

 

[Karlie Lynn Destat]

Mission objective: Field test B.O.B.1
Location: Tatooine Flats, South of Beggar's Canyon
Interaction: Currently NPC, open to anyone
Post: 2


Detected community habitat at 17km 23 degree NW from zero point base. A message came in unexpectantly from the lead Centurion.

"Huh?...what the frak is that?" Karlie turned to Bo, as she had no clue the droids could do anything else but obey commands, not pick up things along the way and relay them to the base, her location.

"Bob1 can you elaborate?" She asked over her wrist comm.

Multi-adobo structures scanning at 1km square at 17km 23 degree NW from- it relayed back before Karlie cut him off.

"Yes, yes...I got the location. Any residents there?...humanoid?" She then asked, while trying to see if she could pick out what the droid was reporting. But it were too distant.

No functioning life forms detected. It replied.

"W...what do you mean, non functioning?... are there... frak ....dead bodies?" Not what she wanted to hear, as this system was now under CIS jurisdiction. Any dead bodies were to be treated as they were found on any of their own home worlds. They had to be investigated and determined what was the cause and then follow proper protocols.

Affirmative. Cannot calculate a definitive count and distinction between humanoid and beastsat this scan distance. The droid replied.

"Whoa!... frak ...Bo, you hearing this?" Bo certainly was, nodding as he took up scanning with his macrobinoculars at the droids in the distance. It were somewhat difficult to make them out in all the dust they were kicking up in their test run.
"Bob 1 where are you guys now?"

17.4km and regressing from settlement. The droid replied back over the comm.

"Regressing?... frak!
No no, stop the exercise! HALT!...and hold position!" She shouted before turning to Bo, who was now looking through his macrobinoculars at the said settlement.

"Well?..what do you think?" She asked.

"I think you should cut down on the 'frak' talk, if you ask me."

"Grr... you know what I mean!"

"Can't see much of anything really at this vantage point. But there is something out there. I could take a swoop bike and see about what the droid means by dead bodies. They could be old...could be fresh...could be a dead herd of bantas for all we know."

"No.
No, I'll go. " She replied, gesturing for the macrobinoculars.

"No, I don't think so, Karlie. " He passed her the macrobinoculars.

"It's an order, Colonel... you stay here with the transport. " She then said while peering through the device.
"You're right, can't see much from where we are." Karlie passed the macrobinoculars back.
"I'll take the bike on over to the units and then have them come check out that settlement with me."

"Take the squad over there with you huh?... hmm, not a bad plan, Karlie." he nodded.
"I think I can approve that." He nodded.

"Pft! I outrank you. I don't need your approval." She retorted matter of fact.

"True, but I have your father's approval to knock you on your ass and ship you home if I think you're endangering yourself..."

"Yea you'd like that, huh?" She shot him an evil look, as she walked away from him.

"Never gets old, Karlie... never gets old..." he replied with his patented smirk.
He meant of the many times he had done just that during her boot camp and successive military training, which he had been put in charge of.

"Sigh.." Karlie just shook her head as she walked away from Bo. She headed toward the transport to retrieve one of the said swoop bikes from the hold as she sure wasn't going to trek all that distance on foot. Not in this desert heat she wasn't.

The small squad of activated droids stood waiting in the distance for her. They would accompany her in checking out the said settlement.

 

[Chikako Liona]

Chikako gave a small nod to [member=A'Runda], the Hutt cartels were quite the persistent lot, even if there decisions often lead into disaster. “That is true, but that does not mean they have the right to do what they want, the CIS now owns this world and their dealings and way of business will no longer be tolerated”. “And if he is not scared now... oh he will be soon, real soon”, for a brief moment her voice changing, reveling a darker nature of the princess a sinister smile eteched across her face before returning to the young go happy child.

The Hutt cartels were indeed strong and had many connections, but such would not Dave them from the heel of the CIS, if need be Chikako could always involved the pathfinders and other members of the organic military to dispose of these trouble makers. Until then though she, was more then happy to lend her own imperial guard to quell such pest, perhaps by the days end her blade would be able to taste blood. “Just steal water? That is just the tip of what hutts usually partake in, slavery, robbery, organised smuggling you name it if it get cash in hand the hutts do it”. How else were a race of slow moving easily killable slug monsters able to take over a good portion of the galaxy? Through cash.

She listened closely as the Tusken offered to hell with the assault, the young monarch clapping her hands together, “I would certainly enjoy your help, as for if we can defeat them, I believe my current forces are enough if not I can always have the marines on the ship come down to lead a hand”. “Though between me you my guard and the current men at the fortress laying siege I believe we have the upper hand, if push comes to shove through a small orbital bombardment can be called in”. “With that being said I am more then ready to head off now if you wish to accompany me on my shuttle mister A’Runda”.

[member="Karlie Lynn Destat"]

 

[A'Runda]

As a Tusken, A'Runda didn't know much about battle tactics and strategy. Because of this he could see the ingeniousness or flaws within her plan. From the way she made it sound, they were to be besieging the palace, fort, or whatever the Hutt was situated in.

But from what A'Runda knew on Hutt society, the can't kill Bijjo despite all the damage they may have done. Even though the CIS could easily stomp out the Hutts, based on history it's better to get along with them then not. Even if their forces couldn't compare they'd still just get in the way, and it's better to take the path of least resistance in the future.

When [member="Chikako Liona"] said he could come aboard her ship he nodded, silently thanking her for letting him join her forces. Turning back one last time to face his old clan A'Runda let them know he was to head off with her on her shuttle. Walking up the into the shuttle with the young monarch.

"Do you plan making committing to a full attack when we arrive with your forces Miss Liona?" The Tusken said after boarding the ship with her.

[member="Karlie Lynn Destat"]

 

[Karlie Lynn Destat]

Mission objective: Field test B.O.B.1
Location: Tatooine Flats, South of Beggar's Canyon
Interaction: Currently NPC, open to anyone
Post: 3


"Damn it..." She muttered as her swoop bike neared the squad of droids waiting for her.
Karlie had not expected to be bombarded with Tatooine's stinging sands when she took to accelerate toward her droids. But sting her exposed skin it did, which made her ease up on the throttle. Lucky for her she retained the sunglasses, which had not only served to shade her from the twin suns, but the abrasive sand when on a bike.

"Shoot, this damn sand is down everywhere on me!.." She had stopped short of her droids, shaking her loose fitting shirt of the itty bitty grits that got under her clothes.

She took a moment to look over her droids whom were just standing there in the hot suns, as she had ordered.
"These twin suns are murder...how are you units holding up?"
Collectively we are holding normal temp operating parameters. Energy cells at 97%- The main designated droid lead went on to report before Karlie cut him off.

"Ok ok...I got it...all good to go." She then gave the horizons a look over. She could make out the distorted minute transport that she had come from just a minute ago. The rising air from the heated sand at this distance almost made it disappear. No doubt she'd loose visual on it once they headed to that settlement the droids picked up. Speaking of which-
Karlie looked left, right... then around a bit. She had lost her bearing as to where that reported settlement was, other than knowing where she had just come from...which it was a no brainer; right behind her. But now out here in the open plain..everything around her looked the same. The heat waves rising up off the sands gave everything in the distant the impression of flatness.

"Uhm...which way did you report that settlement's at again...?" She had to ask. And asked quite civilly her droids, as she didn't have to sound or act tough, for there were no peers around for her to figure out she was in a sense lost out here in this forsaken desert. Lost, just a kilometer away from base operations.

28.5 degree North, North East bearing 22 minutes 34 seconds- The same lead droid reported before Karlie again cut it off.

"Oi, I had to ask...Ok ok...got it...sheesh...stop." No she currently didn't have her compass handy.
"No, don't got it.
Uhm, lets try something else. Point in the direction of the settlement. Can you do that Boby...just point?"

By your command...
Sure enough it did just that; point to a distorted expanse of heated sand in the horizon.
"Hmm..." She gave that area a good look, using her hand to help shade her sunglasses better.
"Yea...I see what could be some outcrop out there...yea, Ok.
So you said it' was another 17 km distant from here?"

17.5 km he corrected her.

"Right...
Ok then...lets see how well you lot could keep up." Karlie re-engaged the bike's drives and took off.
Only she kept it under 30 kph as it were the droid's top speed. She could have gone ahead on her own and wait for them, but she wasn't sure what she'd get herself into, as the droid's scanners did pick up what could only be deciphered as carcasses, for there were no life signs, only decomposing matter.

A half hour or so later the settlement was straight up ahead and in plain sight. It looked humanoid constructed, pretty much in design as what to be expected here on Tatooine. Just that as she got closer and closer, the structures seemed dilapidated... destroyed.
Still no life signs as the lead droid who was keeping pace with her speeder was reporting.

"Ok ok...everyone, halt.." She too came to a stop just short of the first structure. It was a small settlement out here in the flats....and there was no life signs about, anywhere at all.
Karlie couldn't see any bodies. not that she wanted to. But the droid had reported that there were lifeless carcasses that his sensors had nevertheless picked up. Karlie was just not seeing them.

"Weapons' armed..." She said as she got off the bike.
Boby...stay close. The rest fan out. " She illerated with tactical hand gestures.
"First one who spots any movement call out. I'll make sure you'll get a good lube job if you make it back.
Actually...make sure i get back.."

By your command..

"Ok ok...just tone that down a tad.
Everyone, lets go..."

It was, or had been a small settlement by the looks of it as she and the droids made their way through the deserted open streets.

Dehydrated human unit... Karlie hear one of the droids call out.
gesturing for the rest to keep their sweep up, she went over to the one whom had called out their first find.
"Gasp!..." It was a male human..a villager by the looks of what remained un-scorched of his clothing. He had been shot and left to dehydrate..mummify out there in the desert street.

"How?...how long has he been out here?..how long has he been ....dead?"

Calculating...
76 hours, 35 minutes.

"3 days?..." she took a step back. The body was still dehydrating, despite the man looking like he had been out here for weeks. Tatooine had an affinity for water and it didn't matter where it took it from.

Commander, two more humanoid units ... and so on and so on, as one droid then another came to report.

One body, two bodies..a family..then more. Two here..one there..
It went on for a few more minutes before Karlie couldn't bare it any longer and sought some shade. Unfortunately there was little shade to be had that didn't have a corpse or two sprawled about. For the most part the majority of the structures looked like they had succumbed to being blown up from the inside out. Seemed whomever had done this had seemingly done it to destroy the entire settlement.
There were a few goods...even satchels and clay jugs of water that were untouched, if not broken.
No, this was no raid for goods or water. Whatever this was, it had been a systematic eradication of settlers and their habitat.

"I don't understand...who would do such a thing..." She more spoke to herself if not out loud.

Other carbon based units...the lead droid replied.

Yes, Karlie understood what he was saying.
She then remembered the trail of smoke rising even further from where they were. What if it were another settlement like this one that had just been hit either earlier this day or the day before?

"Boby...can you get one of the units on over to a higher plateau and scan for other humanoid life..." She tried looking about the horizons, not sure where she had spotted the smoke from their base camp. She couldn't make the smoke that she had seen earlier out again, not even in Tatooine's clear skies.
Well, the heat waves emanating all around the flats were distorting any distant landscape. It seemed to be what some called Tatooine High Noon... for the twin suns were now directly overhead and bearing down on them...