Since when do crystals come from bug eggs, anyway?

[Khan Ra]

Khan had realized he was missing something, recently. He did not have something that nearly all Sith did. An important tool, though not as useful as the force. A powerful weapon. He lacked a lightsaber. Therefore, he researched t he would need to make one... Most of the part needed he could get e. However, he needed a crystal. He could have used a basic synthetic crystal, as many did, but... That did not appeal to him. He wanted something powerful, something useful. With research and luck, he found two crystals that fit the bill: One of which he would find later. The other, he would find here, Dantooine. A Dantari crystal.

They were said to be found in the eggs of a type of giant insect native to the planet... Why crystals formed inside their eggs, he had no idea. However, tey were hive insects. Meaning their eggs would be heavily guarded. And since blowing up or burning down the hive may result in teh crystals being damaged or destroyed, he asked for assistance to infiltrate the hive and get some crystals...

Now Khan stood in a wide field on Dantooine, yellowed grass growing up to his hips in most places. A local had said there was a Kinrath hive a bit over half a mile away... walking distance. So it was here that he waited for the two Sith that were due to arrive shortly. A master and apprentice, though he didn't know who. One, he was told was a Sith lord. He almost felt pity for the Kinrath.

[member="Darth Venefica"] [member="Mandy Diaz"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

Dantooine, a planet steeped in history and riddled with scars of war and suffering, looked almost serene to the Sith Lady who was crouched running her right hand through the high grass. She had heard stories, most fabricated from adventurers, about the secrets this planet held close to it's core. She cared nothing for those secrets, let fools risk their meaningless lives to unravel them. Her sole purpose for coming here with her Apprentice, [member="Mandy Diaz"], was to help the girl and a Sith Knight, [member="Khan Ra"], find and obtain a Dantari crystal for their lightsabers.​

​

"Be cautious and observant," she said to the young girl as she rose up to her full height. "This planet may appear beautiful on the surface but it holds many dangers underneath."​

​

She led her Apprentice through the tall grass keeping her eyes open for any signs of predators, both four-legged and two-legged. She was in no mood to deal with distractions or setbacks. This expedition was important for her Apprentice and the Mighty Tiger. Lightsaber crystals where cherished by Jedi and Sith but to those outside the Orders, they were nothing more than credits or objects to be exploited. She loathed the greediness of others.​

​

"This would be a good time to connect with the Force," she said to the young girl. "The Dark Side holds much sway here and it will serve you well to grow comfortable calling on it."​

​

In the distance, growing larger with every step, she saw the Sith Knight waiting for them. She could only smile at his expression when he saw it was her that had answered his call for assistance. She wondered if he still held a grudge against her.​

 

[Mariya Pyne]

Mandy didn't understand much regarding the Force. It was still an oddity to her in some aspects. She had been learning, but the going was tough, and long. She had been getting into the swing of using the lightsaber provided to her by her master, [member="Darth Venefica"], however it wasn't hers. And because it wasn't her saber, she didn't feel entirely connected to the device. Like it was still some strange bat to swing and slash with. Though honestly, what would one expect from a teenage girl who had never knew about such things except in stories until she was thrust into the world. While she was entirely grateful to Venefica for saving her from the slums of Coruscant, she had a great deal to learn. That's what she was here for today, although the promise of a lightsaber crystal to craft her own would surely be of value, she intended more so to continue learning about the Force, the Dark Side, and of the galaxy.

The girl was told only that they would be visiting Dantooine to meet with a Sith Knight named [member="Khan Ra"], who coincidentally had some kind of quarrel with her master in the past, but she hadn't gone deep into the circumstances or situation that arose surrounding it. All the same, it made little difference. Where she was told to go, she followed. What else would she do? Sit on the ship and gaze at the stars all day? Although intriguing, she wouldn't pass up on any opportunity presented to her.

"I will follow your lead, master. Say and I will do as you instruct." And as she was instructed, she would clear her mind and attempt to allow the darkness of the Force envelope her, caressing her body and soul in tandem. She felt it almost as a wave, crashing constantly against her body as it built itself within her. Mandy hadn't really figured out what exactly to do with the energy, but she could feel it. It was as if it were becoming another sense to her, or perhaps an invisible muscle that could be worked with with more training.

 

[Khan Ra]

Venefica had wondered correctly. Khan felt her in the Force moments before he could see her coming into view... She was the Lord that had come to assist him?! Venefica? Of all people, of all the Lords in the One Sith, it was Venefica? For a moment, an expression of suprise and anger flashed across his face, but it was quickly replaced with nothing. This was his own fault, for asking for assitance... He could have done just as well himself. He woudl have to deal wiht the situation until he could get his crystal... He wasn't giongt o let her stop him from doing that.

Khan glanced at [member="Mandy Diaz"] as they got closer, giving her an appraising glance. This was Venefica's apprentice? He wondered if she'd picked her master out of her own free will... After a moment, Khan looked to [member="Darth Venefica"], hardly keeping his nose from wrinkling. "You've come to raid the Kinrath hive...?"


(Sorry it took so long to reply to this, my power went out today. Also sorry; Khan's a jerk when it comes to Venefica. )

 

[Via Dolorosa]

The Knight's body language spoke volumes how he felt about her. She couldn't blame him afaterall, he no doubt thought she was a thorn in his side; twisting and digging deeper and deeper causing him much pain. She did have that affect on others in the One Sith but her intentions were not always selfish as they would think. She wanted them to learn the ways of a proper Sith and if she had to demonstrate to them that they were nothing in her eyes, then that should give them a purpose to prove her wrong.​

​

"Raid...what a wonderful idea," she mocked. "But no...I am not here to raid anything. Assist...I am her to assist my Apprentice in finding a crystal. And you to. Though I'm quite positive you can handle an entire nest of bugs...unless of course you plan to use grenades."​

​

She glanced over at her young Apprentice and smiled. The girl was getting a lesson in Sith politics. The Order was like a family, but a dysfunctional family. Everyone held something against someone else, but that was the way of all Sith.​

​

"Allow me to introduce you to Knight Khan Ra," she said to her Apprentice, "And this is my Apprentice Mandy Diaz. She may look young but she does know the difference between hurling a grenade in the open and in closed areas." ​

​

She was absolutely sure she was that thorn in his side.​

​

​

[member="Khan Ra"] ... [member="Mandy Diaz"]​

 

[Grrwunhoooll Agaburry]

Nulgaths story started on Dantooine and his progression seemed to take him back as well. His buisness was of his own, it was time to take a break from the Training of One Sith and revisit the abandoned Jedi Temples... Or atleast that was his initial plan. The Dantari Natives respected Nulgath for his cunning and tactics in battle, You see not so long ago there champion fought and died bravely due to the young Epicanthixs training long ago. Assumed the new champion Nulgath made visits every couple years as a way to brag about the Dantari Champion he killed long ago. A shuttle dropped him off at the pirate trade outpost, the small establishment was almost empty several droids gave the outpost a sensation of activity along with two other sentient species that acted as overseers. Exiting the Shuttle Nulgath eye'd a merchant lazily selling Bol mounts.

" Hmm, How much?" he grinned and asked the merchant politely. The Merchant eyed the elegant attire Nulgath had on, some type of fancy armored robe.
" Eh! Umm... 1000 credits for you my friend!" the merchant smiled back and licked his lips. Bol's were common around Dantooine infact they were almost like the Nerfs found on Coreilla. 1000 credits was a steep price for a common mammal.

" Oh look at those speeders I bet those are wonder to get around in! Dont you agree? Hmm 250 is my offer.... Im trying to help you out... Accept the offer." Nulgath hinted and suggested his way or the highway, his words were sharp and always hit their mark. The merchant squinted and eyed the speeders that were for sale across the way...Speeder was a best way to travel that was the motto for the stand. Fact was the Bol merchant was running out of business due to new competition. " Ummm! Ermm Fine! OK.. 250 is fine!" the merchant said and grabbed a large Female Bol. Escorting it to its new owner Nulgath rubbed the beasts heads and handed the man his earnings. With a leap Nulgath mounted the beast and nodded to the merchant with a smile. Riding into the wilds of Dantooine he smiled as reflecting on his recent persuasion.

" Fool..."

[member="Khan Ra"]
[member="Mandy Diaz"]
[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

Mandy stood a step or two behind her master as both the Knight and Lord exchanged some sharp-tongued words, feelings mixed with staunch sarcasm and spite.The teenager remained quiet, unsure of what exactly she should, or could say. Neither one appeared to particularly care for the other. The momentary praise given to her by Venefica made her smile, though she quickly realized it was more meant as a personal jab against Khan than of her grenade throwing talent. Still, she greeted the Knight politely with an extension of her hand. "Hi there! As she said I'm Mandy. It's nice to meet you."

The girl felt somewhat obligated to inform the Knight that she wasn't quite...skilled yet. Sure, she wouldn't carve off her own arm, but she was also entirely ignorant of physical combat using the lightsaber given to her by her master. "So...What's the plan? How big are these....Erm...Kinrath? Are they just big bugs? or something?"

[member="Darth Venefica"] | [member="Khan Ra"] | [member="Nulgath Zardai"]

 

[Khan Ra]

Khan eyes narrowed briefly in anger, the Felactian's fists clenching for a moment before quickly relaxing. Rather then respond to Venefica's insult, the Knight turned his attention to the Apprentice, and gave a nod. "Khan Ra." The Felactian gave a sideways glance to Venefica, before continuing. "A shame you weren't assigned a sane master." The Felactian spoke in a voice that made it obvious that he woudln't quite mind if next time he used a grenade it caught Venefica in the blast, rather then himself.

Khan made a point to look straight past Venefica, as if she wasn't there, when ansering Mandy's question about the Kinrath. "Basically. Large arachnids, with a hive society. If they're like most hive insects they will have special areas set aside as nurseries, where the eggs will be. Likely with plenty of workers taking care of the infants until they grow. We need the eggs."

[member="Mandy Diaz"], [member="Nulgath Zardai"], [member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Grrwunhoooll Agaburry]

Twenty minutes out from the Trade Outpost, Nulgaths journey to the Village was going well so far. The slight breeze made him squint as he rode through the purple fields of land. The Bol's breathing steady and paced as he galloped. In the far fields something caught his eye, a group of people standing around? Why? As Nulgath got closer he could clearly see that these standing figures were not Dantari Natives but looked to be Sith or Dark Jedi.

This sighting interested the middle aged Epicanthix, Slapping the Bol's side and pulling up the mammal halted and began to trot. Raising his hand Nulgath wiped some sweat from his bald head and slowly made way towards the group. Arrogantly he gazed at them, examining them before speaking. A Felactian and two humanoids like himself...Interesting. Their faces looked familiar and that fact made Nulgath open his mouth but no words came out, rubbing his chin he pondered some more.

" Hail! " he nodded to them and started to null it over in his mind, attempting to guess their goals without them saying anything. Three Sith at Dantooine? The closest locations he knew were the Graul Caves, Kinrath nests & Dantari Native village.. Hmm.

[member="Khan Ra"]
[member="Mandy Diaz"]
[member="Darth Venefica"]