The Padawan turned and looked back at the assembled hunting parties waiting for the ship to reach the hunting zone. Aside from herself and Kori they were all Trandoshan. Three pairs all together, the Vratix had taken some time to subtly investigate their competition during the journey here. First were Chorssk and Zykresh, two veteran hunters, quite old for Trandoshans. They seemed very revered by the others, likely to be their biggest hurdle. Although their advanced age might slow them down a bit. Next were Rassh and Trura, a brother and sister duo. They were much younger and inexperienced, but they displayed an eagerness and ferocity that somewhat frightened the Padawan. Finally there were Kurssk and Khrek, an uncle and nephew she believed. Khrek was young and struck Izel as unusually timid for a Trandoshan, this may have even been his first foray into the wilds. Kurssk was harder for her to read. He was older than the siblings but not as old as the veterans. He was clearly experienced and confident by the way he carried himself but quiet, didn't like to talk much. She would need to keep her eye on him.
They were all acting fairly chummy with each other now, but the Vratix knew that would end once the competition began. The rules were clearly left vague enough to imply stealing the kill of one's opponent would be acceptable. It wouldn't be long before they'd be stabbing each other in the back for those much sought after Jagannath Points. While the lizards seemed to be happily chatting with each other in their native language they were pointedly ignoring Izel and Kori. Perhaps they didn't think much of Jedi, or aliens in general. Though the Vratix did catch the young Khrek stealing curious glances in their direction every now and again. Perhaps they could form a temporary alliance? She supposed that depended more on Kurssk's feeling about them.
A series of hisses in the native Trandoshan language came over the intercom, followed by a slightly annoyed reiteration of the message in Basic. "Five minutes until the hunt begins! Prepare to deploy!" The other hunters started moving to their speeders to secure their weapons and equipment for the drop. Izel looked to Kori expectantly. "Well?" She asked with a curious twitch of her antennae. "What's the plan?" Although less formal Kori was still technically her superior on this mission, so the Padawan naturally turned to her to take the lead.
@Catbert