Hunting the Dragon pt. 2

[Viru Lentus]

Sitting on the pillar in the center of a cave sat the one thing Viru wanted most. The pyramid shaped artifact. It radiated power, it called to him. Though there was something guarding the cave. A mighty beast. A mighty roar echoed off the cave walls as the large Krayt Dragon came into view its mouth filled with razor sharp teeth. It’s golden eyes staring directly at Viru and with another roar it closed its jaws around him.

No longer did Viru jerk awake due to the dream… Or vision, or whatever one wanted to call it. He had been having it so often since his trip to Korriban that it was common nature to him. The first night he had awoken in a cold sweat. The second time he had fallen out of his bed. Everytime after that Viru refused to let himself be fearful of a dream. “Dr. Lentus we will be arriving on Tatooine soon and the guards are prepared whenever you are.” The robotic voice chimed over the ships intercoms.

About time. Viru thought as he rolled out of bed to go enter the refresher. For too long had he waited to acquire the artifact that had been haunting his dreams. He had survived a short trip through the wastes of Korriban, and then spent weeks narrowing down the dessert worlds in the galaxies. It was only after his dream that Viru was able to figure out which planet had been mentioned on the scroll he had read… Tatooine. Viru did not understand the significance of the artifact being kept on this planet besides what had been mentioned on the scroll.

More so in his studies he’d been able to realize the artifact that he’d been seeing was called a holocron. Some type of storage for their memories. Or something like that, he had other pressing concerns as well. Though this was it. Somehow Viru just knew it and his body shook in anticipation for what was ahead. He had come to seize his destiny. And the mutants that Grudge had given him would help complete the job. Not wanting anyone to know of his personal hunt for a Sith artifact Viru had instead claimed the trip was to capture a Krayt Dragon for him and Grudge to experiment on. This gave him enough leeway to go off and do as he planned without looking to suspicious. Before he had realized what type of beast was guarding the cave Viru had planned to go alone, however he knew he couldn't take on a Krayt Dragon alone. "You will be mine."

 

[Viru Lentus]

Standing in the cargo bay Viru looked over the gathered Grancha Mutants that Grudge had loaned him to bring the Krayt dragon in. Each one stood at close to two and a half meters tall. Their bodies mountains of solid muscle. While they were not the prettiest thing to look at they would get the job done. Probably better than a squad of droids or basic mercenaries. Walking up and down inspecting them Viru wondered just how Grudge had succeeded in creating these creatures. What species had he transformed into these things? How long did it take to grow one when cloned? Each one was equipped with a stun baton and a stun rifle in the other. They could not let the beast die. It was too valuable to Viru and Grudge’s research to be killed.

“Remember this creature is not to be killed at any costs! I do not care how many of you die, fall or suffer. Just be sure to stun the creature and capture it. There will be no retreating, and make sure to keep the creatures attention on you.” Viru said giving the mutants their orders. Thanks to Grudge’s wonderful programming they were completely loyal to whoever they had been ordered to follow. They would probably even commit suicide if Viru commanded them to. There was fundamentally something wrong with directing an organic creature in such a way, but Viru was willing to set that aside for this mission.

“Open the cargo bay doors.” Viru said into the com unit. Obeying his command, the pilots opened the large doors and as they did Viru was temporarily blinded by the light cast by the planets twin suns. Raising his hands to block the sunlight Viru looked out across the vast dessert. About 5 klicks to the north was the cave Viru had saw in his dreams. It was impossible to miss at the mountain was just that gargantuan. Its shadow falling upon a village that sit at its base.

“Move out!” Viru commanded as he stepped off the ship.

 

[Viru Lentus]

Making his way through the dessert with his mutants following Viru was glad for the headwrap he had brought with him. Wearing a loose shirt and a pair of loose pants Viru could feel what few breezes there was flowing through his clothing. Some would make the mistake of wearing less clothing in the desert, however that was one of the biggest mistakes, especially on a desert planet such as this. Forgoing clothes would leave one’s body to extreme sunburns and the radiation that the planets twin suns cast off. Viru dare not look directly at them as he did not wish to blind himself and the planet was more than bright enough.

Behind him the Grancha Mutants moved behind him at a steady pace not tiring nor showing any concern for the weather. They will make good soldiers. Viru thought as he took a long swig from his canteen. His body was literally soaked in sweat and if he had been wearing fitted clothing they would’ve stuck to him. Just how did I end up here? Viru asked himself as he continued his walk.

He was used to staying in his or Grudge’s lab behind a desk where he could observe everything through a terminal. This was all a new experience for him, with the only thoughts giving him strength being his want for the holocron. For whatever knowledge it held. He did not know how or why the visions were coming to him, and hopefully that holocron would answer all his questions.

As they approached the village Viru stopped as he felt a tingling at the base of his neck. Looking around he spotted a small glint from the top of a jagged rock formation. Hmm maybe that’s a… Viru thought before screaming out the last word. He was too late as one of the mutants dropped from a shot to the side of the head. “Sniper!” Viru yelled as he made a mad dash for a nearby boulder.

The mutants kicked into action from their training. While the sniper had killed one it soon found its position under fire from the remaining twenty-nine mutants. Then came the whoops. “Oop OOP OOP!” Looking to the village Viru saw close to two dozen beings dressed in brown robes rushing across the sands towards them.

“Here they come!” Viru shouted as he reached down drawing his blaster pistol.

 

[Viru Lentus]

From his position off to the side of the skirmish Viru watched as the Tusken Raiders met the mutants in a deadly clash. Being equipped with stun baton did not make the mutants any less lethal as the swings were powerful and fast. Firing every now and again using the boulder to keep his aim straight Viru dropped three of the Tusken raiders on his own. Taking aim at another one Viru shut his right eye as he took aim. Though he was quickly caught off guard by one of the raiders knocking the blaster from his hand with their staff.

The pistol went spiraling away, and diving after it Viru barely dodged a blow that would’ve possibly killed him on impact. He hit the ground with a solid thud. Scrambling for the blaster Viru rolled to the left dodging another attack from the metal staff. Raising the staff above its head the raider began whooping once again. “OOP This!” Viru yelled as he lashed out with a kick at the Tusken Raiders groin. That war cry turned into a howl as the Raider bent over hands reaching for its crotch. Delivering another kick to the tusken’s chin Viru turned to grab his blaster.

By the time the Raider had regained its composure Viru had took aim at it. He waited for the Tusken to look at him and then shot the creature between the eyes. Then listening Viru heard the eerie silence. The fight had ended. As he rose he saw that only four of the mutants had fallen in the attack and the rest lived. Littering the ground around the mutants were the bodies of the Tuskan Raiders. The Stun batons had been used as bludgeoning weapons to crush their skulls. “Good job.” Viru said walking back out and examining their handiwork. “Your master will definitely hear about this.”

“Carry on.” Viru said as he turned this time willing to skirt around the village. Total he had lost five of his mutants, and that already put the mission at risk. He couldn’t risk losing anymore if he wanted to take the Krayt Dragon alive.

 

[Viru Lentus]

Making his way up the rockface Viru had to stop for a bit to catch his breath on the next clearing on the side of the mountain. They had been climbing for close to twenty minutes and his muscles screamed. They urged for him to rest, however the mutants weren’t winded in the least. The twenty-five remaining mutants moved around the clearing on the lookout, but there was no conversation like one would hear from common soldiers. No jokes being thrown around just vigilance.

Looking over the edge Viru had a perfect aerial view of the Tuskan village down below. There only seemed to be a few milling around now. Probably the women and children that had been left behind in the village. They almost seemed like a regular community as the few children that were out played and chased each other. Not something he would’ve associated with the savages, but obviously he was wrong.

From the amount of sunlight left Viru knew they had plenty of time to complete their mission and be off the planet before the sun completely set. Plus, they couldn’t afford to stay a night on the planet. For all the good the mutants did they still ate a lot and they hadn’t brought enough food for such a trip. Especially since the mutants only ate meat. I’m going to have to talk to Grudge about that one. Viru thought as he got to his feet despite the protests of his muscles. He knew he’d be sore the next few days if not an entire week.

Above the last clearing could be seen, the same clearing that the cave mouth was built into. Suddenly an loud roar came out the cave, reverberating off the mountain causing Viru to suddenly become dizzy as his ears rung. The roar of the great Krayt dragon. They were getting closer. “Come back to work!” Viru yelled as he ran at the mountain face and jumped up grasping on the jagged rocks to use as a grip. To close to give up now. Viru thought as he felt a resurgence of energy. They were literally only a few meters away.

 

[Viru Lentus]

With one final reach Viru was able to grab the ledge and hung there his legs dangling for a bit. It was almost as if his arms wanted to give out on him. He struggled to pull himself up. He roared in anger as he tried, the mutants only a bit behind. “NO!” Viru yelled as the rocks he held onto began to crack. Then he did the one thing he knew he shouldn’t. He looked down. Down at the ground that awaited him, that would be his death. None would find him here; he would be forever forgotten. Not even a footnote in history.

“It can’t end now!” Viru yelled as the piece he hung onto broke off. Violet eyes widening in horror Viru’s mouth hung open. He wanted to scream but couldn’t. Time seemed to slow down as he fell. In the back of his mind all he heard was taunting laughter as his life seemingly flashed before his eyes. The establishment of Illustrio Industries. Creating Gamarita with Grudge. The holocron. All of it would be over and forgotten. I don’t want to die! Viru’s mind screamed. Then he realized he wasn’t falling anymore. Instead he was hanging upside down his leg in the grip of one of the mutants. THANK THE FORCE! Viru’s mind shouted as he sighed. The mutants had indeed made themselves invaluable in his eyes.

A few minutes later Viru kneeled on the ledge trying to catch his breath after his near death experience. He thought he had lost everything. That everything he had worked for would be gone or taken by another. His head pounded and as he looked into the dark cave Viru felt the dark energy coming from within it. Similar to how it had been on Korriban, but not all encompassing. Another mighty roar came out the cave and Viru’s eyes narrowed. “Stun Rifles at the ready.” He said “We’re going in." Flicking his blaster pistol to stun Viru steeled his resolve before taking a step into the cave.

 

[Viru Lentus]

The inside of the cavern was dark the only light Viru had was that which filtered in from the sun and the glowsticks that he carried. Each of the mutants had a few strapped to their bodies and lit as well. It helped cast a dim glow on the cavern as they made their way in. Viru heard a few drops of water up ahead. Thought this planet didn’t have that much water. Viru thought as he made his way deeper, this time sticking closer to the mutants. It wouldn’t be good to get ahead. The Krayt dragon could probably kill Viru all to easily as he was not some jedi nor sith with official training beneath his belt.

The deeper they went into the cave the more Viru heard the drops of water, accompanying it a metallic smell, almost like something was rusted… “No.” Viru whispered realizing all to late what it was he had been smelling and hearing. It was blood, and up ahead he heard the faint whoops of tuskan raiders accompanied by howls of pain and the snarls of a great beast. What are they doing in hear? Viru thought as he dashed ahead the mutants on his heels. Their long strides allowed them to keep pace without having to break into a full sprint. They certainly did make a regular person feel inferior.

Entering the main chamber Viru skidding to a halt rocks shifting as he did so. Standing in the center of the cave was a large beast that was at least fifty meters long. IT’s razor sharp teeth coated in blood as the Rusken caught between them was crushed. The sickening sound of bones being crushed echoed off the walls. In-front of the beast ten other Tuskens swung and shot at it. “Don’t just stand there! Help them!” Viru shouted pointing with his blaster pistol at the beast.

Releasing a roar of their own the mutants charged the Krayt Dragon firing their stun rifles. The bolts seemed almost ineffective as they struck its body only causing the beast to go into a rage. Roaring it swung its tail catching one of the Grancha mutants and raiders. The blow was powerful enough to send them both tumbling through the air.

Past the dragon and sitting on a pedestal Viru could see the pyramid glowing calling for him. “YES!” HE howled as he turned to the Tusken Raider and began firing his pistol as he ran clockwise around it to try and reach the holocron.

 

[Viru Lentus]

The Krayt Dragon was paying no heed to Viru as he made his way around the beasts’ flank and reached the base of the stairs leading to the holocron. The dark energy had grown much stronger as it assaulted his senses. He could feel it urging for him to take it. Running up the stairs Viru thought he would reach it but then he felt a sudden blow against his ribs. The air was knocked out of him as he went spiraling through the air and crashed into a mutant causing them both to go tumbling.

Viru gasped in a breath of air as he felt a sharp pain in his ribs. Before he could grab the holocron the beast had stopped him and one of its heavy paws had knocked Viru away from it. Is it some type of guardian? Viru thought. Using the wall of the cavern he got to his feet leveling his blaster pistol at the beast. He fired bolt after bolt just for them to be dispersed against its scales. “You will not stop me from having what is mine!” Viru shouted as he reached down taking a lone gaderffii staff that had been left behind by one of the raiders.

Releasing a war Viru felt his emotions driving him as he rushed the beast. In one hand the staff was raised ready to strike while in the other Viru fired the blaster bolts. The sounds of battle raged all around him but his senses quieted them. Turning them into just a buzzing background noise. His mind was blank as he rushed the beast he had no tactic for fighting it, he was letting his emotions and greed guide him. He felt a strength like he never had before. Ducking instinctively Viru narrowly dodged another paw meant to knock him aside. Roaring he jumped over the tail as it came around and as he eyed the Krayt Dragon it stared right back at him.

 

[Viru Lentus]

As their eyes met the dragon roared spittle flying free and coating Viru as he approached. The smell assaulted his nose and once again his senses dulled it, almost ridding him of everything that wasn’t necessary for the battle. Leaping up to meet the beast Viru swung the staff in a horizontal slash at the creature’s eyes in an attempt to blind it. Not falling for it the Krayt Dragon scooted back letting the slash miss by mere inches.

Landing on the ground with a crouch Viru growled and quickly rolled to the right as one of the large paws struck down intent to crush him. Rolling again to the left he dodged the second paw. His rage was building and the battle was exciting Viru. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest. Not from fear however but out of pure enjoyment. Leaping back, Viru dodged yet another attack. His body felt better than ever and Viru felt nearly immortal, infallible. That was quickly proven wrong as the tail came around and knocked the sense back into Viru. He tumbled through the air but instead of crashing to the ground this time he flipped mid-air and landed in a crouch.

His teeth gritted tightly together Viru tried to move but the pain stopped him. He had taken two incredibly hard blows to the same side twice and he didn’t think his body could handle another one. However, the dragon was solely focused on him, it crossed the cave knocking both mutant and Raider aside as it tried to end Viru’s life. Raising the blaster Viru felt his emotions guiding his hand and as the stun bolt left the pistols barrel Viru could do nothing but hope and pray it ended the beast. Though he didn’t have much hope for it.

The Stun bolt burrowed itself through the creature’s sinus cavity and traveled up it striking the Krayt Dragon directly in the brain. he saw the dragon’s eyes roll into the back of its head as it crashed to the ground its heavy body skidding across it to lay just a few feet from Viru. Howling in victory Viru placed a foot on the beast’s body and raised the staff roaring victoriously. As he did so even the Tusken raiders joined him.

 

[Viru Lentus]

The cheering continued on for at least a minute with even the mutants joining in. The whoops of the Tusken Raiders could be heard over them though as they all cheered. Though Viru took his attention away from them looking over to the pedestal. Upon it the holocron waited for him, its new owner to claim it. Tossing both the staff and the blaster to the ground Viru made his way between the twin lines of Mutants and Tusken raiders that watched him.

He ascended the stairs one step at a time and the closer he got the more he felt a buzzing at the back of his mind. He had finally made it. Viru had traveled through the Korriban wastes and survived an encounter with the tukata there. He had journeyed into the mausoleum of Xoxaan, and now after all this time the holocron was finally his. After weeks of haunting his dreams, of calling out to him it was his.

Reaching out one of his hands Viru grabbed the holocron. Upon touching it he felt a surge of dark energy go through his body. It caused him to shiver as he truly felt what the force was. It opened Viru’s eyes as flashes of memories flew through his mind. A mighty man sitting upon a throne drabbed in Vong armor, of a life filled with misery and suffering. They etched themselves upon his memory making his brain feel as though it were on fire, but he did not release the holocron. Lifting it free of the pedestal he held it within his grasp before shoving it high into the air. His once violet eyes flashed golden for a heartbeat as another surge of dark energy went through his body. “We have gotten what we need.” Viru growled his voice deep. From the rise and fall of the Krayt Dragon’s chest it was obviously still alive.

Shaking away the dark brooding tone and emotions Viru dredged back up the refined scientist. “Administer the sedatives and get it to the entrance. We will be taking it back.” As he stepped down the stairs he noticed the tusken raiders bowing as he passed. “Return to your villages and your people till a time I need you.” Viru said looking across the gathered raiders.

Obeying they collected their dead and discarded tools and prepared to leave. Now just why were you so important? Viru asked himself upon examining the holocron closer.