MUSTAFAR
CORVEX FEN
"Run, run!" Caen shouted, as he sprinted. His boots stomped heavily through ash and embers, as his jacket flared with air from his movement. "They were meant to be extinct - they are not extinct!"
The environment was filled with rocks, crusted and scorched ground, and irontrees. Flames and spurts of lava that oozed up through the planets damaged surface created small lakes that boiled glowing hot. The black, dead-looking trees that filled the small forest area of Corvex Fen were numerous, surprisingly, and spread as far as the eye could see. Not that that was very far, due to the ash and smoke that hung in the air, which filled the lungs with acrid tastes. Then there was also the Alazmecs, the short cultist aliens that worshiped some long since dead Sith Lord Vader...
"Ship's that way," Caen continued over the sounds around, as he called over the sizzle of fiery ground and blaster fire from the Alazmec that were in pursuit. And as he ran, the adventurer patted down one side of his explorer jacket, before he cursed. "Lost my comlink... quick, someone call ahead to DeeBee and get the ship in pre-flight. We're gonna need to get out of here in a hurry!"
The diminutive cultists were still quick on their feet, as the saucer-helmeted creatures shouted between themselves and gave chase. The group had been disturbed from their hovels at the arrival of the others, those who had taken the sacred rift-finder, and dared to steal it. No matter the cost, the Alazmec would stop the intruders, they would get the sacred item back, and continue to guard it against any who tried to claim it - for it was theirs. Further ahead, dodging between irontrees, Caen glanced down to the item he clasped in one tucked arm; it didn't seem much to look at, but that was usually the case, and was just a flat disc that appeared to have an old display screen.
Sure hope this is worth it...
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SEVERAL HOURS EARLIER, HYPERSPACE
ABOARD THE 'PATHFINDER'
The interior of the YT-2400 was well-maintained, clean and importantly spacious. It allowed a group of up to six sentients to move about and have personal quarters comfortably, more if they doubled up. The vessel was moving through hyperspace, on a course for the lava-planet Mustafar. There was a lot of history on that planet, Caen knew, and he was kind of excited to have a chance to see some of the discoveries others had noted. Still, there were other important things to handle first, like planning out the excursion...
"Alright, so here's the text one of our Association benefactors kindly donated," Caen said as he sat up in the round lounge chair of the passenger area of the vessel, his boots lifted off the edge of the holotable to touch the plating underfoot. He leaned forward and pressed several buttons on the table, which brought up a sequence of pages that showed old pictographs. "With some help, we've managed to pinpoint the location of the device we're after on Mustafar. Looks like it's in a spot near a place known as Corvex Fen... and that has been described as some old forestry attempt by a cult no one's seen in ages."
A brief image flickered of a shorter species in robes, with round and flat helmets, which had glowing goggles.
"That's one of them, the Alazmec. Don't know too much about them, but latest reports say they aren't around anymore, so..."
The holotable changed, to a floating planet that was Mustafar. It began to zero in on the location mentioned moments ago, as it zoomed closer and showed the proposed path through the forest and to where the proposed location of the device could be. There was a complex process that involved deciphering the texts, analyzing the translations and converting those to physical landmarks and points on the planet - all of which was very complicated.
"Anyway, before we touch down on the planet, how 'bout we go around the holotable and introduce ourselves and what we bring to the excursion? And feel free to ask questions."
Some of the faces were familiar, some weren't, but it always helped to know where everyone stood in a group environment. Plus, knowing specific skills or training could open up options; not to mention, some of the individuals had been brought on for specific things, like survival knowledge, geographical navigation, security and so on.
"I'm Caen, most of you know that I think. I'm here for my experience with languages and handling the Association back-end, like travel and payment and the like. I also have some, uh, insight into artifacts and relics, so that'll help. Also handy with a blaster, when needed. Next?"
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