Ravens of the Lost Ark [Red Ravens Dominion of Makeb]

[Tmoxin Temi]

When Tmoxin came out of the from the backroom where the miners changed into their mining gear, Aleksandryr would see that she wore a rather form-fitting suit of light armor and blaster rifle was strapped securely to her back. Her reddish-brown hair was tied back in a ponytail. "I'm going to have my bodyguard meet us there with a blaster cannon to take care of those Subteroths."

Tmoxin and Aleksandryr rode in a small shuttle to The Giant's Spear. It was so tiny that there was only room for the three of them in the back, cramped together. "Apologies," she said sheepishly as she was practically on Alexsandryr's lap. "This shuttle is used mostly for the miners who are mostly Bimms and Squibs out here on the outpost." Ingi, the Mining Foreman was basically scrunched up at Temi's feet.

After twenty minutes, they landed at the based of the mesa. The both of them climbed out of the shuttle and the Hapan Sergeant at Arms inspected the Ravens who assembled:

"Good show, folks. Okay, Chiasa and Daxton, you two go in first. Then the wookie because I'm not sure Foebacca will fit through that hole without a push or pull. Then Mr. Gaillard, myself and Ingi will bring up the rear. My bodyguard is also arriving and we're expecting Cryax Bane at some point." Although she had this feeling he would find more "business" to attend to (think sauna treatment) at the Solida Hesk Estates and may not meet them there at all. The Chiss wasn't one for grunt work. And who could blame him, she thought rubbing the mesa dust out of her eyes.

[member="Foebacca"] [member="Chiasa Kritivaas"] [member="Daxton Bane"] [member="Aleksandyr Gaillard"] [member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Armand Temi]

Deep in The Giant's Spear mesa a mother Subteroth woke from her sleep. Instinctively she checked on her two babies curled up in a nest of shredded leaves, grass and bushes. Next the mother Subteroth checked the food supplies which were a corner of the cave they lived in. Nothing but picked over bones of the miners killed last month. While they would eat all of the bones for the marrow, the Subteroths were hungry. The males and lesser females continued to sleep as they did (typical). The mother Subteroth rose on two feet, getting ready for an afternoon hunt.

Suddenly the sensitive crest on the back of her head picked up living activity. She sensed the movement and pulses of the six Ravens who were gathered at The Giant's Spear entrance.
The Subteroth chittered excitedly and began waking up the nest. They would not have to go to the hunt today.

The hunt would come to them.

[member="Foebacca"] [member="Chiasa Kritivaas"] [member="Daxton Bane"] [member="Aleksandyr Gaillard"] [member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

Soon, Cryax arrived at the Giant's Spear, flanked by a team of Mirari robot solders, and joined the rest of the Red Ravens who had assembled for the operation. Her foot tapping impatiently, Tmoxin gave him dagger eyes, irritated at his lateness.

"What? I was gearing up," he explained to his Sergeant at Arms, gesturing to his power suit and the Czerka blaster rifle slung over his shoulder. "It's not like I was off splashing around in some Makeb hot spring." Not now anyway. That was going to be later. Once they claimed the Ark's haul of Isotope 5 for the Ravens, they celebrate all they wanted with champagne and those lovely mesa hot springs that Makeb was famous for. Partying was almost a sport for the Red Ravens.

As the Chiss peered into the hole they were about to descend into, a smell wafted out, like some foul creatures had crawled in and died. It was as dark as a coffin in there, too. Luckily, Cryax was blessed with the low light vision of his race, and could see fairly well in dark spaces. Upon facing the team again, the crime boss did a double take at the sight of Aleksandyr Gaillard standing next to Tmoxin. Instead of going ballistic on the handsome businessman as he did on Zeltros, he calmly regarded the businessman with his glowing red eyes. "Aleksandyr, interesting to see you here on Makeb," he said through gritted teeth. "Helping the Ravens out as usual?"

[member="The Raven Narrator"] [member="Tmoxin Temi"] [member="Foebacca"] [member="Aleksandyr Gaillard"] [member="Chiasa Kritivaas"] [member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Foebacca]

Foebacca landed the fighter next to Tmoxin's shuttle. When he climbed out he looked around at everyone."So. Iso-5 huh?. Supteroths..sounds fun. Who is buyin drinks after this?" He saw the mouth of the cave. "Nope.. no blades and hammer this run." With that said he took only the FC-1 and the T-6 "Thunderer". "This should do fine." He headed towards the group of Ravens assembled. "So this ship...why did ya waiy so long to get to it? There wasnt any talk about it before. Not that I heard anyways." The wookie wore no armor why would he? He had a durasteel chest cavity and a durasteel forarm. He was set in his mind.


[member="Cryax Bane"] [member="Tmoxin Temi"] [member="The Raven Narrator"] [member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

Oh, she got to be second. Wonderful. And with a being who might get stuck behind her. She definitely could have lived without [member="Tmoxin Temi"] pointing that out. While the Twi'lek could fight, very effectively and dirtily when she absolutely had to, she liked to always have an escape route ready. Always.

The things I do for the Ravens..

She thought, eyeing the hole warily once more. Still, [member="Daxton Bane"] was an inarguably formidable fighter. She'd have to be ready to throw herself flat if @Foebacca had cause to use his flechette launcher in an enclosed space from behind her though. That was definitely something to keep in the forefront of her mind.

"Fancy seeing you here."

She commented to [member="Cryax Bane"] eyes dancing merrily. If you were going to hell anyway, you might as well enjoy yourself.

"These Subteroths have never had such fine company. Lets not stay for dinner though."

Her gaze briefly flicked over to [member="Aleksandyr Gaillard"], she'd seen him around, though she didn't know him personally. Cryax seemed surprisingly chilly towards him. Hadn't they been all buddy-buddy at that one party? Likely a story there. She'd have it eventually, for now just another detail to keep in mind. The presence of the Sergeant-at-arms was comforting, Temi was new, but surely had the job for a reason. Too bad she was going to be at the back. Even more comforting were Cryax's droids, since apparently the Subteroths would not be aware of them.

By her estimation the stood a pretty good chance, as long as these weren't the exploding ones. And how much of an explosion were we talking about anyway? Like, pop, oh now I'm covered in goo, gross. Or like BOOM now this cave is collapsing on my dying head? These were important distinctions. While not claustrophobic per se, Chiasa really, really did not want to die by inches trapped under tons of rocks.

[member="The Raven Narrator"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

The fact that millions of souls suddenly disappeared in an instant did not seem to bother the Sith one bit, a though he could sense the massive ripple in the force and resolved to meditate on this when he had the free time later. For now Daxton drew an emerald and azure blade and lit them both as he lead the way into the cavern. He hoped that whatever was inside would provide adequate sport to sate his need to spill some blood soon.

[member="Foebacca"] [member="Cryax Bane"] [member="Tmoxin Temi"] [member="The Raven Narrator"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

With Daxton leading the way, Chiasa would follow, then Foebacca. Luckily the wookie did not get stuck, although he would have to duck to get inside the cavern. Tmoxin urged Cryax to go next as she didn't want the Raven's President in the way back, easy pickings for a stealthy Subteroth to snatch up in the darkness. Next was the Hapan and Mr. Gaillard and bringing up the rear was Ingi the mining foreman, Tmoxin's bodyguard and the droids which Cryax brought.

Soon the natural light of the opening would give way to total darkness. Tmoxin drew out a flashlight. The path of the cavern was not wide enough for a Subteroth which was good news. But the whole assignment suddenly seemed more dangerous than she had imagined and she had to remind herself not to show fear. Tmoxin was used to protecting dignitaries, not tunneling underground like some Coruscanti hive rat. Furthermore she had had the surgery to correct her poor Hapan night vision but it didn't mean she had ever gotten used to the dark.

"As soon as this cavern widens, we need to get those droids in front," she barked.

[member="Foebacca"] [member="Chiasa Kritivaas"] [member="Daxton Bane"] [member="Aleksandyr Gaillard"] [member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Aleksandyr Gaillard]

[member="Tmoxin Temi"]

"No, no need to apologize.", the CEO responded to her modesty. The trip may have not been 'comfortable' but it was comfortable , and for that he wasn't going to complain.

The moment they got there it was Cryax who spoke up towards him first, "I'm always here to help!", he said ecstatically. So the CEO would be the rearguard then, eh? Not like he had any problems. Maybe Tmoxin and him could play cards or something; what danger was there on Makeb? Other than the fact it was a ticking time bomb waiting to explode at any point. Wouldn't that be a kick?

No, Aleksadnyr wasn't the type who usually got his hands dirty but he did get them dirty , in all sorts of the metaphorical way. Cryax knew that well enough to put Alek on his blue list of anger. Of course, what's not to be angry with? The CEO's rich, devilishly handsome, has an accent, and more importantly made some of the galaxy's finest starships. One which the hypocritical Chiss flew regularly.

Now it was time to come up with a plan... Maybe he could make Cryax jealous?

"So, want to get a drink after this all blows over?", he asked Tmoxin.

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

Mr. Gaillard's comment broke Tmoxin out of her anxious thoughts of how it may feel being torn limb from limb by a Subteroth. The comment wasn't wholly unexpected, because she had noticed the way the billionaire CEO hadn't seemed too bothered about Tmoxin all squeezed up against him in the shuttle.

Years of protecting the Hapan Queen - which meant being thrown into all types of situations with politicians and figures of great prominence - had honed her repartee skills to a
fine point:

"Why Mr. Gaillard, I agree. A drink after this would be a splendid idea," she said. "We can mix up some Desert Blooms on your yacht in honor of this dusty planet.
But right now business before pleasure." she added, winking at the CEO. She didn't want Cryax to think she was too distracted even though she was a little now by the handsome
Raven ally. And the whole situation was made even more awkward by the fact that the group of them were walking slowly through the claustrophobic cavern tunnel with very little fresh air and light.
She wasn't too worried about the Jedi - he was clearly ready for battle. But she thought about the Twi'lek who was second after Daxton Bane and hoped the female wasn't fearful of enclosed spaces.

[member="Foebacca"] [member="Chiasa Kritivaas"] [member="Daxton Bane"] [member="Aleksandyr Gaillard"] [member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Armand Temi]

Only a few feet ahead of the group, the tunnel shaft would widen and would open up to a large area the size of a spacecraft hangar. But this wasn't where the Ark lay embedded in the rock. No, they were directly upon the Subteroth's lair. Of course, it was still pitch black and quiet at first. But eventually the group would hear a noise like: Chit-chit-chit-chit-chit-chit-chit-chit-chit-chit-chit-chit. And then the noise became louder and the cadence faster: CHIT-CHIT-CHIT-CHIT-CHIT-CHIT-CHIT-CHIT. These were the noises the family of Subteroth's made when they were detecting the living heartbeats of their prey.

Once in the open area, the group would smell a mixture of decay, mold and stagnant water. If they had a light source they would see stalagmites and stalactites with cave water pooled on the ground, not deep enough to drown in but deep enough that boots would be soaked through if the water was stepped in. If they were looking really closely they would see the crested head of one of the Subteroth's peeking up from a ridge to the far side, laying in wait. They would begin to hear an unearthly series of growls fill the chamber.

[member="Foebacca"] [member="Chiasa Kritivaas"] [member="Daxton Bane"] [member="Aleksandyr Gaillard"] [member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

Cryax rolled his eyes at the little flirtation between the Gaillard CEO and the Hapan military woman. Amazing sense of timing, guys. Just brilliant. Why don't you both start making out right here in the caves? Go ahead, I'll be over here taking care of that nest of underground carnivorous monsters. No biggie.

With Daxton Bane charging ahead, Chiasa after him, and Tmoxin and Aleksandyr picking up the rear, that left Cryax and his droids... in the middle? Whatever, he was sticking close to the Raven Wookiee. The crime boss ordered the Mirari bodyguard droids a Raven each to guard, that way the robot soldiers wouldn't be clustered around their Chiss master.

Although Cryax chuckled at Chiasa's comment about not staying for dinner, his eyes weren't filled with levity. Wasn't anyone else worried that the Red Ravens all seemed to be pouring into what seemed to be a death hole? Cryax began to wonder if they shouldn't have just drilled down into the mesa with a mining vessel in order to avoid the subteroth nest entirely, but he trusted that his new Sergeant at arms knew her stuff, even if she didn't seem too focused at this juncture.

"If we get out of here, I'll not only buy the drinks, but the whole damn bar," he said to the Wookiee, as they slowly forged ahead amid darkness and faint chittering sounds.

[member="The Raven Narrator"] [member="Tmoxin Temi"] [member="Aleksandyr Gaillard"] [member="Daxton Bane"] [member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Foebacca]

Foebacca lifted his head when he got to where he could. He ignored the banter of the others he wasnt here to make nice with the CEO or the miners. Flirting distracts you from the mission. The open cavern filled with pointy bits looked like they were in the mouth of a great carnivorous beast. When Tmoxin's light flashed over a crested head Foehammer drew his T-6 and dropped the fore grip so he could take aim at it. "SHHHH. Stop your jabberin. Point that light right there." Foehammer pointed his hand out towards the crested head. "I saw eyes over there. " Foebacca turned and slowly started making his way around the rocks and ridges to get a better shot angle. This is where he ignored the others but still kept in mind not to shoot towards them. His years of working with Kenway's Raiders taught him not to shoot near your friends. A crossfire was good but a direct line from you and your allies was not. A L shaped ambush worked the best. Soon he would be close enough to make an accurate shot.

[member="Cryax Bane"] @Tmoxin Temli [member="The Raven Narrator"] [member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

When a Wookiee shushes you, you shush. Therefore, a tense silence surrounded the Red Ravens team as they crawled forward into the tunnel, weapons raised. The tunnel soon expanded into a large cavern which rang out with the nails-on-chalkboard crescendo of what Cryax assumed were the baby Subteroths chittering, hungry for a meal. The President of the Red Ravens would be karked if Raven meat were on the creatures' menu today.

As the red-eyed Chiss was a slicer by trade, his main weapons were his leet hacking skills. His blaster rifle was cocked and ready but it was mainly around for protection. Bane thought it best to leave the actual aiming to the trained professionals among them. Once they disposed of the Subteroths, he could see if the Ark could be sliced, but until then even the sound of his fingers clicking on his Datalogger might give away their position.

Trying to ignore the soft, bone-chilling growl echoing through the cavern, the Chiss waited for Daxon, the Wookie, or Tmoxin to make a move.

[member="Foebacca"] [member="Daxton Bane"] [member="Tmoxin Temi"] [member="The Raven Narrator"] [member="Aleksandyr Gaillard"] [member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Aleksandyr Gaillard]

"Kark it. What are we looking for anyway, your Hutt mother?", he spoke towards Cryax but was surprised to see a wookie instead when he turned his head back to whom he thought was Cryax. The CEO gave a subtle nod to the wookie and then looked back to receive the woman's wink. At least one thing was going well for him today. That being said he probably should've paid more attention to what was going on.

Despite how it may seem, this wasn't the first time Aleksandyr had a show down with a monster. I wonder if anyone else here has been to Kessel?, he thought to himself.

Of course that didn't mean he was prepared for it. Responding to Cryax's remark, "I have a feeling credits are going to mean a whole lot less now."

[member="Cryax Bane"] [member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

Bingo! The enemy were close as their hunting cries grew louder. Letting out a bellow of challenge, the unnatural keening sound would provoke any of them to attack, at the same time raise goose bumps on flesh and incite the feeling of ones hair standing on it's end.

The obvious target was the Sith, the image with his twin lit sabers was a tempting target for any of the beasts to strike at if they dared.



[member="Foebacca"] [member="Cryax Bane"] [member="Tmoxin Temi"] [member="The Raven Narrator"] [member="Aleksandyr Gaillard"] [member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Armand Temi]

When the Sith barked out his war cry, it caused the Subteroth's to attack. In front was the giant mother who leaped into the cavern first snarling and emitting an ear-piercing shriek. With her limited brain capacity but endless hunting instincts, the twin sabers were a beacon to the hungry Subteroth.

Behind her the other creatures advanced. For anyone with a light source, there appeared to be seven adults and three juveilles in the back. The mother Subteroth clicked her mandibles furiously at Daxton Bane and with one fell swoop, jumped onto the Jedi, hoping he would be the first bite of dinner they would have tonight.

[member="Foebacca"] [member="Chiasa Kritivaas"] [member="Daxton Bane"] [member="Aleksandyr Gaillard"] [member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

Tmoxin saw the Subteroth's advancing from both her flashlight beam by the light of Daxton Bane's lightsaber. She tucked and rolled to the side as she had learned in combat training, while simultaneously throwing out a red flare so the group could see what they were up against.

"Cannon from the rear!" she yelled. Her bodyguard forcefully pushed past anyone who was in his way and landed on one knee with the shoulder mounted blaster cannon which he promptly shot at the back of the cavern to hit any Subteroth's behind the mother, hoping the Jedi would swiftly kill the nest leader with his sabers.

[member="Foebacca"] [member="Chiasa Kritivaas"] [member="Daxton Bane"] [member="Aleksandyr Gaillard"] [member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Foebacca]

When Daxton barked his warcry and the flares came out Foebacca sighted down the T-6 heavy blaster and fired at the nest leader mamma baddie. He took soecial care to not hit the Sith wielding the sabers. He was a wookie and damn good at melee but no reason to piss off a fear and anger using Sith Master. His attepts at hitting the Mamma was the best he could do since the cannon was aimed at the back of the group.

[member="Tmoxin Temi"] [member="Cryax Bane"] [member="Daxton Bane"] [member="The Raven Narrator"]

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

"A'kei bo a-!"

The Twi'lek bit out in Ryl, having been alerted to the presence of something as soon as they entered the cavern by the R.I.C.O unit stiffening and blocking her path, receptors trained on the ridge the Subteroths hid behind.

She abandoned the thoughts she'd been having regarding the idiocy of men asking women for drinks before they'd even done anything impressive or to have earned the time, and the idiocy of women agreeing to said drinks when their boss was clearly miffed with the previously mentioned idiots.. But who knew, perhaps this twit was important in some way. Sometimes one had to keep idiots around, and seduction was an easy way to do it.

"Sonic bark, avoid allies, as many as you can get."

The Twi'leks voice was tight, her words clipped and controlled. She released the makeshift leash, she'd have to depend on the light from Temi's flashlight and Daxton's lightsabers for now. The Twi'lek dropped to a crouch, behind her assigned droid protector and hopefully out of anyone elses line of fire, pulling out her holdout blaster.

The R.I.C.O unit immediately streaked forward, passing the den mother. It couldn't include her in it's attack as to do so would be to hit Daxton as well. As soon as it had as many Subteroths as possible before it, it's sensors went momentarily dark as it shit down it's input in preparation for it's own attack. The canine mouth opened and a bark emerged. It was hard to explain, tightly focused as it was, the full effects were lost on the Ravens, though it would be uncomfortable to those with baseline hearing and slightly painful to those with enhanced hearing. For those within the cone of it's attack however, the noise would provoke anything from nausea to unconsciousness to death, depending on proximity, if there were any obstacles between them and the R.I.C.O unit, and how Subteroths were affected by noise. Chiasa wasn't really sure on that last part.

Who knew, maybe the droid would wind up being worth the money she'd paid for it. Well. Technically she herself hadn't paid for it, but...

[member="The Raven Narrator"] [member="Daxton Bane"] [member="Aleksandyr Gaillard"] [member="Cryax Bane"] [member="Foebacca"] [member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

Subteroths did care for Zabrak battle cries apparently. As the Ravens poured into the cavern, spreading out in a half circle so as to avoid any friendly fire, the mother Subteroth viciously defended her nest. The Chiss' Mirari bodyguard droids sprang into action, a few of them firing on the mama but most of them going for the adult Subteroth directly behind her.

Daxton, the droids and the others seemed to have the mama pretty well-engaged so Cryax took a knee and, with teeth gritted, fired his blaster rifle at some of the other adults. It was hard to count in the chaos, but there looked to be about seven angry Subteroths, advancing on the Ravens. His adrenaline pumping, the Chiss emptied out his blaster and quickly grabbed more ammo, hoping in the split seconds it took to stop and reload, he would have a mandible in his face. That mysterious Ark and its payload of Isotope 5 better be karking worth courting death like this.

[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"] [member="Foebacca"] [member="Tmoxin Temi"] [member="The Raven Narrator"] [member="Aleksandyr Gaillard"] [member="Daxton Bane"]