Small Disruption

[Ein Harper]

Bastion was, as with most imperial worlds, a difficult place for an independent soul to make harbor.

That didn't mean it was impossible.

With the Sith war machine on the move, Jorah had managed to find his way onto the world as an imperial conscript by the name of Carik Dune. Unfortunately, the young Carik had been overwhelmed with the reality of the war that was to come. Perhaps it was the separation from his family, the break up with his housebound lover, or simply loneliness that had driven him to suicide via his own sidearm.

The mortuary investigators had no idea, and they wouldn't make it out to Carik's family homestead to confirm things with his grieving parents.

Mostly because the homestead didn't exist, and neither did Carik Dune.

Some might have considered it immoral for Jorah to end his changeling partner's life. Jorah, of course, understood the nuances of the work they had been contracted to do. More importantly, he knew that the changeling only needed his pilfered authorization codes to get on the planet.

It was Jorah or his partner, and Jorah was, if nothing else, a survivor.

Clad in a simple black jacket and jeans, he looked akin to any normal citizen of the lower class. His trip through the outlying forests of Bastion was nothing out of the ordinary, save for his destination.

There was a place where the younger Sith often came to train when they grew tired of their master's company. Areas of the forest was scarred with terrible black gashes and murdered trees, the scent of sulfur seeming to never leave these broken clearings.

It was on the edge of one such clearing that Jorah waited, a blaster pistol, three injectors full of ixetal cilona, and a hand grenade filled with the same vile chemical hidden within his jacket.

It was better to start small and work his way up if he was truly going to be hunting the infamous Sith Lords, and there was no greater trial than one forged in fire.

Alone, Jorah settled down onto one of the eviscerated stumps and crossed his arms about his chest, his eyes drifting closed in imitation of meditation.

 

[Cle-Var-Ri]

As much as Cle-Var-Ri enjoyed the vigorous training sessions that her master was so keen to provide, there were times even she preferred to be left to her own devices. She enjoyed the Independence of a solitary hunt, a chance to test her skills at a pace of her own design. As built for silence and trained for espionage as she was, the chance to stretch her legs, to let her talons did into soil recklessly, was one she was well to partake in.

The apprentice valued her independence as much as she did her training, perhaps even more so. She didn't care how far she'd have to go to achieve it. After all, Bastion was well within the Empire's space. What had she to worry about that she couldn't simply rip to shreds? To Cle-Var-Ri's, all was well and all would continue to be. She'd find an area to her liking, train until it suited her to stop, perhaps take a nap (who would be there to stop her, after all), and then head back. Nothing could possibly go wrong.

With that mentality, she stalked her way to a spot to her liking, not even bothering to be particularly stealthy. This was her territory, after all. Anyone who'd dare approach with malicious intent would be a fool.

 

[Ein Harper]

It was as beastly as most aliens Jorah had come across, though this one bore a far more savage visage than his usual quarry.

Blue eyes narrowed as he heard the creature's footfalls. A hand tightened around the sidearm within his jacket, though he retained his composure. With a silence that could rival any natural predator of this forest, the hunter slipped into the treeline.

It was then that Cle-Var-Ri came into view. Large and powerful, armed with deadly claws that could eviscerate a man and a maw of sharpened teeth that bespoke of a monstrous past for her species. He had not come for this beast specifically, but the alien would do all the same.

All Sith had a price on their heads, after all.

Quietly, his hand slipped toward the tiny dart launcher he'd retained within the folds of his jacket. A syringe-dart was loaded into the chamber, and utter silence followed. Jorah grew still as a statue, only his eyes daring to move as he peered out from the darkness of the underbrush.

[member="Cle-Var-Ri"]

 

[Cle-Var-Ri]

Fresh air had definitely been in order for some time now, that much was evident. Cle-Var-Ri soaked everything into her scales. Had she'd been born of the more feline disposition, there very well could've been a purr to be heard from the apprentice.

Instead, the Tiss'shar stopped mid-stroll. With the occasional tweet or chirp resembling a bird, she scanned the underbrush within view, head cocking to the side and moving sporadically from side to side as she did so. A low growl vibrated in her throat.

There.

In a flurry of motion, she pounced on a native animal unfortunate to be at the wrong place and the wrong time. With surprise as an edge, she wasted no time in ripping them to shreds, lightsaber left to hang on her harness. Meat was better served raw, anyway. Content with the little victory, completely oblivious to any audience members, she finished up with the little snack before running some simple exercises.

[member="Jorah"]

 

[Ein Harper]

Well that was only mildly terrifying.

Jorah remained completely still as the beast tore the animal into a dozen bloody ribbons. He lay silent as it consumed, though he found his thoughts wandering to promises of death at the creature's teeth and claws. Even without its weapons, it could surely be the end of him if it truly wanted to. Not to mention the aptitude with the force it likely had claim to.

Now was not the time to take any risks.

The dart gun was raised quietly to his lips. He waited as the beast ate its fill, the gun leveling toward the loose neck skin that he thought a might hold the vein. A deep breath was taken. Lips wrapped around the dart gun.

The dart was almost silent as it soared through the air toward the creature's neck. A and fell toward the pistol at his waist, just in case the dart failed to hit its mark. Hopefully the ixetal cilona within would do its job before Jorah could have his throat ripped out.

[member="Cle-Var-Ri"]

 

[Cle-Var-Ri]

Still oblivious to any spectators, Cle-Var-Ri's teeth met little resistance when they tore through the poor creature's flesh. She raised her head, swallowing the mouthful of meat and just taking in the fresh scenery. The sudden movement saved her from the dart, it glancing off thicker scales than hitting its mark had she remained as she were, saving her from ixetal cilona that would've surely left her immobile.

Snapping to attention, her head and tale flicked from side to side furiously, trying to identify the unseen attacker. A low growl resonated in her throat as she stopped to sniff at the dart now useless on the ground, backing away from it after a good whiff. Whoever this was, they'd hoped to avoid confrontation, it seemed. She loved to disappoint.

A smart acolyte might consider leaving such a secluded area, perhaps even alerting their master. It was no surprise that Cle-Var-Ri was hardly a genius. Perhaps more damning, she didn't have neither the patience nor humility to seek help in dealing with this unknown. Instead, she kept searching for the assailant. "Come on out, whoever you are," she called out with a hiss. If they wanted a hunt, they'd have it but as far as she was concerned, she was no prey.

[member="Jorah"]

 

[Ein Harper]

The beast had taken notice.

Jorah cursed himself for not bringing his armor. With a quiet grunt, the hunter rose partway up through the bush. A hand went for the gas mask he'd brought with him. The unit made a low whirring noise as it attached to his face - just loud enough to actually be noticed.

Entirely aware of this, Jorah primed one of the spheres that he'd kept at his belt. It lit up as the timer came to life. The hunter tossed it overhanded in the direction of the beast, and the brief explosion was almost instantaneous. Flashing light and deafening sound thundered out of the grenade, along with a larger dispersing dosage of the same chemical found within the dart he'd used prior.

The blaster was in his hand then as he came out of the trees, the weapon set to stun as he tried to find the beast through the mass of lingering color that marred his vision from the flashbang.

"The name's Jorah. I'm here to take you home."

[member="Cle-Var-Ri"]