Shadow of the Republic [dominion of Kashyyyk]

[Keira Priest]

(4/20)

There had never been a time when Keira had put much faith in anything of the supernatural sort, whether benevolent or malevolent in nature. This was no different, though she had begun to consider the existence of something more, even if that something wanted nothing but the worst for the galaxy, or so it seemed. In her mind these were just more impossible odds to fight against, another adversary to bring down in the name of another cause she had found herself fighting for. With a quiet sigh she pushed herself to her feet, cracking her neck with two turns of her head and branching out through the Force to follow this threat deeper into the bowels of the seemingly endless Kashyyyk forest.

For a few seconds she considered the depths of the tangled branches and canopy beneath her, knowing there were layers to break through before she reached her destination. The blade in her hand was extinguished and she hooked it at her belt once more, simply stepping off the edge of the branch she stood on and landing on another below, content to continue this pattern until she found the armored figure she was seeking. Once more the presence of the Jedi registered, and she sent out a pulse of the ethereal so that they might better locate each other and convene before confronting this Sith supposedly possessed by this or that entity. You're nothing to me.

[member="Requiem"], [member="Mantic Dorn"], [member="Rafeesh"], [member="stardust"], [member="Aston Jacobs"], [member="Turin Val Kur"], [member="Varius"]

 

[Rexus Drath]

Location: Kashyyyk forest
Objective: Pre game dialoge
Enemies: [member="Raymond Mosses"] [member="Bottlecap"] [member="Willam Forlon"] [member="stardust"] [member="Ali Hadrix"] [member="Turin Val Kur"] [member="Keira Ticon"] [member="Rafeesh"] [member="Mantic Dorn"]

Within the shadowlands the dark presence flashed back into reality appearing out of the air itself. Standing atop an ancient stone table the entity looked down at what surrounded them, dozens of furry little wookie faces with more being brought in by trandoshan hunting parties. There was a thick tension in the air that could be cut by a knife, a pin sitting on a razor's edge. But that was broken as the phantom spoke in its deep and booming voice.

"Your lives will be worth their sacrifice, you will usher in the days of old." The hooded figure looked down at a particular child and cocked their head.

"Let us begin, my brothers and sisters await." with that the Sith extended its hand and drew a wookie towards it.

From the distance the republic could hear screaming, unnatural screams of both pain, terror, and feel the dark aura getting larger as each second passed. Older more experienced Jedi would be able to feel one familiar thing. Within the shadowlands of darkness and death it was the perfect place to develop a single thing, a darkside nexus.

A focal point in the force where the darkside reigned supreme, and near unlimited power of the force was at a dark siders finger tips. Their goal was to create a wound in the force so deep that it would allow for major dark ju ju to come spewing out from it. But it wouldn't be easy to get to the Sith, along multiple paths to the shadowlands from the village trandoshan hunting parties taking wookie children to the stone table were mobilizing and pushing their way towards the darkness.

"Soon, you will be free."​

 

[Rafeesh]

Objective: Following Master
Location A zombie infested forest on Kashyyk
Enemies: Zombies and Trandoshan Mercenaries @
Allies: GR, [member="Mantic Dorn"]n [member="stardust"] [member="Aston Jacobs"] [member="Turin Val Kur"]
Post 6/20

It was getting worse, Rafeesh could feel the Darkness only strengthening as they continued. He was now almost certain that they were not dealing with a virus, but he wasn't going to let one of the zombies bite him just to find out. He continued fighting, feeling a burden begin to slow him, like having lead in his palms and feet. He saved himself from tripping three times only at the last moment. He wanted to save those children, there was no question there.

He was afraid that he would break, he had only been surrounded by this much darkness while training on Korriban when he had become a Sith. He felt like the air around him was permeated in the dark side and that every breath was only making it more difficult to focus. He could feel the power, the strength here. He could call on it to challenge the enemy. He could wield it as a sword against its masters. If only he surrendered for a time. He could hear voices in his head, Sith, Jedi, Republic, Empire, from everywhere he had been he heard voices conflicting in him. He heard Master Satele's speech on Rhen Var, he heard Malgus' voice as he ordered his men to go out and fight the Republic. Images and scenes seemed to flash before his eyes as if from a holodrama. He couldn't place any of them, but they distracted him and blinded him for moments on end.

He tried to shake away his thoughts, focusing on the feel of his training saber, the lack of emotion as he knocked away an undead Wookiee. He had to maintain control over himself and the situation. They were going into the heart of the evil and he would have to face it alone. Perhaps he was being melodramatic, but he doubted that any one of the Jedi around him would have had a similar experience to his own. He was alone in his wrestle with his own darkness.

 

[Mantic Dorn]

Objective: Seeking for Requiem
Location A zombie infested forest on Kashyyk
Enemies: Zombieland [member="Requiem"]
Allies: GR, [member="Aston Jacobs"] [member="Rafeesh"] [member="stardust"]
Post 7/20


With the forest embracing their small fellowship Mantic tried to keep his senses on alert at all times. Not only because of the risk of an attack by the gruesome undead, but also to detect any signs in the group that might show a taint. They were dealing with something very dangerous here and the dark side was never content with only causing physical devastation, it most certainly was ready to shatter minds.

While this was especially true for [member="Rafeesh"] Mantic also knew the importance of his other padawan present [member="Aston Jacobs"].
He nodded reassuringly to him as they kept going, Aston was a steady rock but never the less, anything could happen.
As for [member="stardust"] her kind and rather cheerful tone seemed somewhat off but also served as encouragement. Something that was appreciated in this otherwise dark and hostile place.

Pressing on Mantic soon sensed another presence. [member="Keira Ticon"] - he stopped and tried to determine her signature. she was hard to read but he detected no darkness. And he did sense her direction. In fact, it felt as if she wanted to be found by them.

"We will soon have company. Someone living." Mantic advised the group and turned his head toward the direction from where [member="Keira Ticon"] most likely would appear. He showed no signs of drawing his saber or otherwise take a hostile approach but would remain cautious.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

[Post=1/20]​

The Wookiee homeworld was mostly forest, covered with monstrous wroshyr trees, with four continents divided by bands of ocean. Archipelagoes of islands dotted the gleaming coastal seas like emeralds scattered across blue satin. There were only a few desert regions, mostly on the rain-shadow side of the equatorial mountain ranges.

Most people didn't even realize that all Wookiees were not the same. There were several related, but somewhat different, Wookiee sub-species. And the language she he had learned to understand, but not speak, was called Shyriiwook; which, loosely translated, meant, "tongue of the tree-people."

But she knew there were many traditional tribal languages spoken by the Wookiees indigenous to different islands and outlying coastal regions.

Most were seldom heard, since Shyriiwook was the common language of trade and travel. So, whenever they were invaded, the Wookiees often adopted xaczik, one such dialect, as their "code" language. They used it whenever they had to give directives or pass along information that they didn't want the invaders finding out about.

And Corvus was about to meet the Wookiee underground. So...flying low, skimming barely above, and, at times, between the tiptop branches of the wroshyr trees, she sent Raven blasting along in the precise course and speed that had been specified.

 

[Stardust Solus Skirae]

She looked around, sure she was cheery yes but it helped her a lot within this field"
Hmmm something very dark is within this forest "she said as she looked around


Everything seemed to quite....something she usually liked but in a forest with undead wookies it was not what she liked

[member="Mantic Dorn"]
5/20

 

[Rafeesh]

Objective: Following Mantic/ fighting himself
Location Zombie infested forest
Enemies: Zombies and Trandos, Sith past
Allies: GR, [member="Mantic Dorn"]
Post 7/20

This was his battle, just his. A war waged within his being as well as without. There was darkness in both, the only true difference was one was temporary and the other was permanent. This battle with the undead, with the enemy on this planet would only last a time until it expired. The conflict within, that was a whole other matter, he would fight with this until he died because of his own decisions, and he would probably never defeat them. His doom was this.

He could feel only strengthening of the darkness, but he could still feel the light around him. The Jedi probably unwittingly were helping Rafeesh stay strong, the immediate surroundings aided him in his struggle. He drew upon his own might and then filled that which he believed he needed with that which enveloped him. Even with this he was not certain how strong he could be in battle, his strength was being sapped by his mental war with himself.

An undead enemy, too decomposed to be able to make out the species, came at him and Rafeesh was pushed back by an initial hand swiping at him. He did a full spin and brought his blade up to bat away the hands that tried to get a grip on him. He then swiped down to the left of the creature in a diagonal strike, from shoulder to hip. The enemy didn't stop trying to move to Rafeesh and that strike only slowed it. Rafeesh willed the Force to push the beast away, it was weak however because his focus was so thoroughly scattered. He had to bring his blade up again and cut across the neck of his assailant, severing the head. However Rafeesh tripped as he had been backing up and fell onto his back.

He took a moment to try and gather his thoughts before trying to stand. His arms were sore and he could feel many of the muscles in his body begin to complain. He was annoyed at this and he stood angrily, almost yelling out in his rage at this. It was not helping him that he was fighting two battles at the same time. Why had he made that decision all those years ago? He was angry at that. He was angry at his fate.

 

[Mantic Dorn]

Objective: Seeking for [member="Requiem"]
Location A zombie infested forest on Kashyyk
Enemies: Zombieland
Allies: GR, [member="Rafeesh"] [member="stardust"] [member="Keira Ticon"]

Post 8/20

With the sudden appearance of another group of undead Mantic unleashed another force push having several of them fly through the air giving him and hopefully some of the others some respite. His saber then cut of the head of the next approaching. The dead were easy targets, yet their numbers could be overwhelming if they did not watch out.

At this time he sensed the conflict in [member="Rafeesh"]
Mantic took a step back, placing himself next to him.

"You are allowing your emotions to rule your mind padawan. Remember your training, empty yourself to allow the light guide you. We will meditate together after this and purge ourselves from all of this. But until then, your thoughtsmust be clear as water, observing, deciding on actions and reactions of your body." With a flick of his wrist Mantic sent his saber flying toward a nearby zombie rushing toward them. the corpse was split in half. Yet another moment was bought to help [member="Rafeesh"] along. Besides [member="Aston Jacobs"] and [member="stardust"] was more then capable of fending themselves. He could not help but hope that this other presence - [member="Keira Ticon"] - would appear sometime soon. something told him that it would bring more answers then questions.

"Remeber the patch padawan." he then continued and turned toward [member="Rafeesh"]

Are you here for your own glory or for something else?" his tone was somewhat stern but his eyes carried true concern for his troubled companion.

 

[Rafeesh]

Objective: Follow Mantic
Location A forest on Kashyyk
Enemies: Undead, Trando Mercs, The Sith Past
Allies: GR, [member="Mantic Dorn"]
Post 8/20

Rafeesh was quiet, he felt ashamed at his weakness being brought the forefront in such a manner. It frustrated him that he seemed incapable of controlling his emotions in such a place. The pressures of this environment were more than he believed himself capable of handling. But that did not matter, Mantic was right. He had to step up and continue, there would be time later to deal with the darkness later, he would have to postpone this battle. The physical was becoming more important. After all there was no way he could simply step away from the battle and meditate right now.

He had to continue, he had to fight, he had to be a warrior of the light. Conflict within his mind had to be nonexistent, for now. He had to put aside his petty feelings and step into the light of emotionless thought. He started by breathing deeply, damming the thoughts and emotions behind a wall of mental durasteel. It would do, he told himself. There was no other choice, it would have to hold. Failure was not an option, to paraphrase some long forgotten person.

Rafeesh looked to his master, the question was enough to draw him into reality. He deafened himself to his body's complaints and prepared himself for war. "I am here to heal. I am here to fight the darkness."

 

[Keira Priest]

(5/20)

The smell of cauterized flesh - living flesh - and the iron taint of blood hung in the air, three Trandoshans lying dead at her feet. For a moment Keira considered the empty corpses before kicking them off the side of the branch and letting them fall where they would below. No children had been present with this group as they had been with the last, and she liked to think that meant a small number of lives had been saved in the crossfire. It was the least she owed the galaxy, and the death of those responsible provided some measure of release from the darkness that welled in her core, threatening to break loose. As much as she wanted to turn away completely for the light for this brief excursion, that wasn't an option. Not when lives hung in the balance.

Her attention turned to the friendly company within the forest, and with a stifled sigh she put forth more than just what subconscious effort had been exercised before to locate them and convene in some organized manner. As much as she wholly disliked working with those so rooted in the light that they refused to consider any other option, this was the best road to survival for everyone involved. This required her to put aside the differences she had found with the Republic throughout the years for a few hours so a bigger, more potent threat could be neutralized. As much as she didn't like the Jedi she despised the Sith and their ilk even more so. It was much easier to align oneself with neither.

As the group came into sight she extinguished her saber so as not to appear as much more of a threat than she likely already had, though the weapon didn't leave her grip, nor would it anytime soon. For a moment she did nothing more than consider those present, finding kindred in the aura of another rogue (@stardust) but otherwise viewing the rest of them as something short of an alien entity. The purity of the light would never appeal to her. There were other, better paths to walk. But now wasn't the time for philosophy. "Alright, so we have a Sith Lord possessed by some kind of Dark Side entity that wants us all dead, and they're somewhere in the Shadowlands right now playing with things that shouldn't be touched. I'd say we have our work cut out for us." A beat passed, and she bowed her head slightly, the gesture only half-serious, as was the tone of the next words spoken, "Master Jedi."

[member="Mantic Dorn"], [member="Rafeesh"], [member="Requiem"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

[Post=2/20]​

Finally, as she neared Rwookrrorro, a kilometre-wide city set on platforms made by crisscrossing branches of the wroshyrs, The instructions called for her to shear off in a dangerous swoop and take the ship straight down between the branches for a thirty-second plunge. Her heart was in her mouth as Raven dived like its namesake into the green forest, but the coordinates were right on the credits.

Even though it looked through the viewport as though she was going to be engulfed and smashed to flinders, nothing touched the ship. Checking the instructions she shouted out loud, "Hard to port . . . now!"

She sent Raven into a screaming left turn, then, before her, saw something that the Corellian at first took to be a huge cave, a vast black hole waiting to swallow her up.

But as she neared it, she realised that what it was in actuality was a massive wroshyr branch, balanced across other equally huge branches.

Either by accident or design, the branch had split off from the main tree, and been hollowed out, to form a 'cave' the size of a small docking bay.

“I’m guessing I land in there?" She muttered out loud, only her astromech listening as she fired her braking thrusters hard as she neared the 'cave' opening.

 

[Stardust Solus Skirae]

[member="Mantic Dorn"]
[member="Rafeesh"]

She stopped as they stopped and scanned the area for anything approaching, especially from the rear side where they'd likely be ambushed

She turned and listened to the Jedi talk then spoke herself as she sent waves of calmness"a clear head is the best head.. .it helps you focus on the now"sure she wasn't Jedi bit didn't mean she knew some of the philosophy

6/20

 

[Rexus Drath]

Location: Kashyyyk forest
Objective: Pre game dialoge
Enemies: [member="Raymond Mosses"] [member="Bottlecap"] [member="Willam Forlon"] [member="stardust"] [member="Ali Hadrix"] [member="Turin Val Kur"] [member="Keira Ticon"] [member="Rafeesh"] [member="Mantic Dorn"] [member="Corvus Raaf"]

The puppet of a Sith Lord lifted their head as a tremor rang through the force, life had been taken. But it wasn't just their undead minions, no this was the scum of the earth dying, their Trandoshan hunters. With a bloodied dagger in one hand and the corpse of a Wookie child in the other the entity dropped the bleeding corpse onto the table and let their blood run through ancient sigils and runes.

"Put your men into defensive positions, they are almost upon us." The lord said as they waved a hand to a mind controlled trandoshan hunting chief.

The trandoshan in return let off a reptile like roar in acknowledgment and rallied a good twenty of his men via comm links to abandon their captives along the trails and start hunting down the republic who were trying to disrupt the ritual.

"Mortals." The entity said as it lifted another wookie towards it via the force to sacrifice on the alter.

Back in the forest more unearthly screams of terror and death rang out as trandoshan hunters moved through the trees to get towards the republic. Once in sight a solid twenty of the reptiles from different angles opened up on the republic troopers and Jedi. Specifically the group of [member="Mantic Dorn"] and company. With them hopefully to bide a bit more time the darkside was rising up from the ground around the ritual, the nexus beginning to shape and form as the Sith Lord possessed by the entity manipulated the raw energies to what it saw fit.

 

[Mantic Dorn]

Seeking for Requiem
Location A zombie infested forest on Kashyyk
Enemies: Zombieland
Allies: GR

As his padawan fought to find balance Mantic reached out softly nudging his students aura, trying to close the wounds. Or at least ease some of the mental pain.
Pain was perhaps necessary for [member="Rafeesh"] to experience but never the less nothing his master would stand by and observe without taking any actions. He was not ready to be on his own yet.
Then as [member="Rafeesh"] seemed to have found his peace at mind Mantic managed a smile and a nod.

"Do not question yourself today padawans. We will discuss your actions later on. And then you will yourself determine if you managed to mend something here or not."

Mantic looked around the glade they had found. [member="stardust"] seemed to know what she was doing from a tactical point and guarded their left flank. While she was not a jedi she too was a powerful one.

He then turned to face the new arrival, the strong presence he had felt before.
[member="Keira Ticon"] eminated a powerful presence in the force, not of the light, but there was still no darkness, not yet. He did not recognize her. Was she a civilian, a soldier lost or maybe someone hiding her true intentions. They were dealing with dark powers here and Mantic had seen how neutral force users were often subjects of sith teachings. He had to keep an eye on this one but something inside him still told him to trust her for now.

He listened to her short description of the situation.

"Then, it seem we have a meeting to attend to." he tried to answer as charming as ge managed in his battle armor and surrounded by dead corpses.

Before their conversation could continue the approaching Trandoshan hunters gave of their presence in the web that the force had spun. Mantic fell silent and froze for a second.

Then he lit his saber.

"Everybody be ready, incoming hostiles!" he shouted. A second later a plasma ray was hurled toward him from a tree top. Mantic partied it with a quick reflex and ricocheted it back up.

While the Trandoshan sniper fell Mantic sped forward to meet the ambush before they could dig themselves in.

"Spread out! We need to break their line!" he shouted and threw his leg up in a flying kick. His foot slammed into a huge Trandoshan that was sent thrown back into a tree several meters away. The tree groaned in protest but the Trandoshan laid still. He looked up to check how things fared for the others.

[member="Requiem"] [member="Aston Jacobs"]

 

[Stardust Solus Skirae]

Indeed she was strong though she was reserved when it came to that power choosing to use it when necessary

She stopped sensing the trandos then she turned and blocked a shot from one and run to meet him with a punch to the neck craking its neck with a quick stroke

She then turned to her flank as one was sneaking up and focused, she felt the force go into its armor and found weak points within it and then his armore shattered leaving him vulnerable as she let a fury if punches on the confused trando breaking bones before sending him back with the force

Hahha bring me a challenge stupid lizards

[member="Mantic Dorn"]

 

[Rafeesh]

Following Master
Location A Forest on Kashyyk
Enemies: Undead, Trandos
Allies: GR, [member="Mantic Dorn"]
9/20

Rafeesh was glad that believed that he could handle it. He ignited his saber and prepared himself for the battle. He cleared his mind as he charged towards the enemy to the left. He raised his saber as a blaster shot almost took his left arm. The shot rebounded and struck the ground. He looked to where the enemy was firing from and made his way towards the mercenary.

The Iridonian called on the Force to throw his enemy backwards, stretching his hand out to channel the Force through him. The blow was aimed towards the legs of the Trandosian and it was knocked down. Rafeesh brought his blade down onto the enemies back, striking the spinal column. The attack was not enough to break the bone, but it did create enough pain to knock the creature unconscious. Rafeesh then turned to see where the next enemy was. He saw something in the corner of his eye, but there was nothing there when he looked towards it.

 

[Keira Priest]

(6/20)

The same standoffish appraisal that was received was offered in return, not that Keira had to make much of an effort to return that particular attitude. [member="Mantic Dorn"] had given her a look that communicated a distrust found commonplace with those that refused to align themselves either way. The only evidence of her reciprocation was a deadpan upon his exclamation, "You don't say." Just as quickly as she arrived her form ceased to exist as she utilized the Force itself to quicken her movements, plasma weaving in front of her in a seemingly impenetrable wall that seemed to block all offensives, though she could feel a few blaster bolts skimming too close for comfort. Nothing new.

Whereas the Jedi seemed to want to preserve life she didn't hesitate in taking it, knowing the Trandoshans were nothing more than a threat to the mission at hand that needed to be eliminated as soon as possible. So she didn't bother to stay her blows, allowing instinct to take over for as long as the fight drug on. A dangerous thing, all told, but it was nice to release her hold on those violent intentions for just a little while. The dark welling up from the forest was something drawn on only to strengthen her own ability, a bit of indulgence in what was sure to be nothing short of a war just to locate this Sith that was supposedly more than just another servant of some unknown Dark Lord.

A repulse of the Force rippled outwards in an effort to knock the mercenaries from their perches, and she pulled another towards her to impale on her blade, kicking the corpse off and whirling to decapitate another, her focus only on the whirlwind of destruction that surrounded her so effortlessly. Short work was being made of the group, all told, and for once she was thankful for the company of the Jedi. They were useful in one regard, even if they claimed to be far less militant than what had been exhibited. It wouldn't be long now before this was all brought to a close, hopefully permanently. She was already at an end with chasing Sith across the galaxy and then some.

[member="Rafeesh"], [member="stardust"], [member="Requiem"], [member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Mantic Dorn]

Seeking for Requiem
Location A zombie infested forest on Kashyyk
Enemies: Zombieland
Allies GR

Post 10/20

As the huge Trandoshan mustered strength to rise and charge Mantic a second ne appeared to his right. Its head came flying off as Mantic did not hesitate his own continued march toward the larger one. He ended his wide swing keeping his sword pointed forward. It could have been a moment for the giant lizard to yild. But no such thing happened and the jedi continued his flowing motion with spinning around ending with him going low on his right knee while his saber moved in higher, just in level with the beasts heart.
The trandoshan giant pierced himself on the saber. Mantic unlit his sword and rose while his foe did thre opposite.

There was never any hesitation to Mantic in combat, this was what his training since childhood was meant for. He did not enjoy killing, he did not feeel rage or hate. There was simply the task at hand. Emotions would have to come at a later time, when reflection upon ones actions could be reflected upon in a safer environment.

There was a movement, a course of action that nudged his mind. A string that had been woven to him was about to be detached.
Mantic felt it and let the force guide him. He spun around, his saber leaving his hand flying in between trees finding its target. A Tradnoshan hunter, standing just next to [member="Rafeesh"] with his dagger raised. Mantics saber cut through the reptiles torso and then retrned to his hand.
Making eyecontact with his padawan Mantic started to walk toward the location of [member="Rafeesh"]

The hunting party seemed to be decimated quickly and both [member="stardust"] and [member="Keira Ticon"] was more then capable of handling themselves. So was his padawan, yet he knew he should be close to him in case doubt crossed his mind yet again.

 

[Rafeesh]

Following Mantic
Location: An infested forest on Kashyyk
Enemies: Undead and Trandoes
Allies: GR [member="Mantic Dorn"]
Post: 10/20

Rafeesh turned just in time to see Mantic's blade fly past him and slice down the until now unseen enemy. He looked to his master and spoke, "Thanks. How close do you feel we are?" He smiled as he spoke, wearily. He did not like the darkness he could sense. It was slowing him, breaking his ability to concentrate.

He tried to keep calm, think about what they were doing. He tried to see the world around him, but everywhere he looked he saw taint. It even seemed to be older than this battle or this person whoever it was. He was distracted, but he tried to fight it. He tried to mediate without moving. It was difficult, but it was the only way his mind could break the darkness around him. He had to focus on the light.

 

[Ali Hadrix]

Location: Kashyyyk Beach
Objective: Investigate the infection spreading on Kashyyyk
{A} Secure Kashyyyk Beachhead √
{B} Eliminate infected threat √
{C} Investigate Wookiee Village √
Enemies: Infected
Allies: Not Infected
Tags:
[member=Rexus Drath] | [member=Jordun Darko.] | [member=stardust] | [member=Willam Forlon]
[member=Raymond Mosses] | [member=Bottlecap]
NPC's: Geft, Tresler, Abram, Funke, Vitor, Aulx, Astor, Umlar, Wolcraft, Jauls, Bikton, Fenter
Post: [5/20]
Previous Post: http://starwarsrp.net/topic/71445-shadow-of-the-republic-dominion-of-kashyyyk/?p=1068973
OOC Notes: This thread is serving as a Development for the Verpine Assault Rifle

Ali was not Force Sensitive and so was unable to pick up on the disturbance that seemed to be bothering Jordun and the other Jedi. She frowned, disliking being left out in this instance, but accepted his descriptions as she received them. The only thing that had seemed out of place in the village was its missing youth; none of the younger Wookiees had been counted among the diseased or the dead. As Ali was preparing to recollect her men and head further into the village, a scout by the name of Zeep Zanflorp caught her attention with the wave of his hand. ::Commander, we've got reports of Trandoshan hunting parties making off with some of the Wookiee offspring. They're heading for the Shadowlands. They number about seventy.:: Ali cursed silently and thanked the scout, then sent him on his way and called for a regroup near the North end of the village where she knew there to be passage to the forest's deeper levels. ::Listen up folks, we've got Trandoshan hunting parties snagging Wookiee youth. I don't know if they're connected to whatever's going on with the adult Wookiees, but it's the only lead we've got so far, so we're taking it. I want scouts with repulsor packs down ahead of the rest of us to recce the forest floor. We'll be right behind you.::
Ali reached the large, wood-mechanical elevator that would take them to the lower forest. She managed to pile a good platoon-sized element onto the platform. ::The rest of you are climbing down. Stick to the wroshyrs, we don't want our entire force vulnerable on its way down.:: Ali commanded. The soldiers followed suit, and began vanishing into the darkness of the forest below in ones and twos. Their camouflage patterned armor should hide them well enough from sight, but Trandoshans operated on the IR spectrum might pick up on their heat. ::Quick note everyone: Set your climate controls to the ambient temperature. We don't want those lizards picking up on us too easily.:: Slowly, the platform began to lower, sinking into the dingy shadows of the deep Kashyyyk forest below. Ali knew the Shadowlands awaited them, but she had little idea what else may be lurking in the darkness...