Ask Cold Blood

[Dash Pavan]

DELRAKKIN, OUTER RIM
​

Rain and wind howled against the hull as their ship descended through the gloom, no hint of a welcome after their long and arduous journey. So be it. Dash had faced enough threats and endured enough hardship to be past such things. They were here because they had to be.

The reptilian Delrakkin were warriors, hunters and trackers. If they could be persuaded to join the forces Dash was bringing together in the galactic south, he - and the Jedi - would have the makings of a powerful army. One with the raw strength and diversity of skill to take on the Sith, the Empire, and all the forces of evil arrayed against them. Perhaps his fellow Jedi might even be impressed.

The Rhinnalian had never been more determined. He had made headway so far, perhaps he should have tried mobilising others a long time ago, rather than putting so much on himself. He had forgotten a few important things in his rush to be a good Jedi, including the magic of inspiring others.

They landed with some difficulty in a rocky clearing near Delrakkin City, lowering the ramp as they prepared to meet the reptilians. The Delrakkin lived predominantly underground and Dash expected they would be led deep beneath the mountains, into the heart of their realm.

”You ready?“. He glanced back at K’reel. Like Drexus, the Karkarodan had shared in their setback on Bastion and now felt the same drive to get back on top. He had agreed to accompany the Rhinnalian here and Dash was glad to have him at his back. “Looks like your weather” he mused, watching the rain pouring down.

@Mythos

 

[K'reel D'rellson]

K'reel shifted slightly within the confines of the ship as the turbulence from the raging storm waved them about, his rubber like skin moist behind the thin layered barrier he kept up around him constantly. It gleamed like sweat and made noise as the clothed outfit of his native people rubbed against it as a smile encompassed his face. Truly, he couldn't wait to land and release his barrier, to feel the arid and humid atmosphere upon his skin.

He didn't know much of the Delrakkin nor their homeworld, but for K'reel, it seemed they shared a similar revelance for the weather. As the ship set down, K'reel's towering form stood to its full extent, and he slightly caught the overhanging framing of the gangplank as he disembarked with not even an 'ouch' being muttered nor a rub of the small lesion it cut. Instead, he reacted as if nothing had happened and he smiled with open arms as he let down his barrier and felt the world of Delrakkin welcome him.

"Indeed." He resounded happily to Dash's comment as he stood there with closed eyes flickering against the refreshing moisture. "I feel that these Delrakkin and I will get along just fine under these conditions."

From the confines of the dry air of recycled oxygen upon the ship's to the harsh environments of many of the planets he had visited over the course of his life, worlds such as this was a welcomed comfort unlike the rest. Here, he could revel in his natural element, unrestricted, at least for a time. In the briefing, it mentioned the Delrakkin lived underground, which could hinder his mood quite a bit. But for now, he was at peace in the Force.

Gazing forward, his eyes fell upon the incoming Delrakkin diplomatic convoy and resounded a previous lesson learnt. Don't knock anyone out. As their approach ended before him and Dash, K'reel bowed, webbed fingers interlocked as he presented himself.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash suspected his shark-like friend would enjoy it less beneath the surface, but Jedi were trained to endure more than a few inconveniences. Both of them would stomach whatever this took.

The Rhinnalian didn't spy the reptilians at first, their scaly forms almost blending into the rocks around them. Some were lithe, others muscular, but all had glowing yellow eyes that stared intently through the gloom.

"Jedisssss" the lead Delrakkin hissed in greeting "a rare ssssight on our glorious worldssss". Lightning cracked above them and the rain almost seemed to intensify, but the reptilian showed no sign of noticing. "Come below, and quickly. We would tesssst the truth of your messssssage".

"and we the hospitality" Dash smiled, though he could not tell if the creature's fanged maw smiled back or was even capable of doing so. "Lead the way".

The Rhinnalian motioned to K'reel to follow as they were led down tunnels deep into the Delrakkin's underground world. An initial series of twists and turns eventually opened into a cavernous expanse of chambers and crudely carved dwellings, stone and mossy roots punctuating the densly packed subterranean world. Dash could feel a heat radiating from hot pools far down below, and the roiling of the deep earth below.

"No offense" Dash whispered, leaning close to K'reel as they walked "but you and they have more in common than me. Try to talk to a few of these guys before we meet their leaders - find out about their issues and what they think of the Jedi, and our enemies".

Dash could already see the Delrakkin's obvious martial prowess, and the way their whole society was cramped in down here thanks to the elements and outsiders. Any more intel would be vital to swaying them to their cause.

@Mythos

 

[K'reel D'rellson]

One of K'reel's brows raised as he heard the other Jedi's words, and his eye fell upon the human in a sense of bewildered muse and humor. "Because you are human and we are not?" He questioned in a serious monotone before erupting into a fit of laughter. Still though, as much as he like to joke, he knew the human Jedi was correct. His common background, laid in the tribalism and warrior upbringing, could be of use.

As the group began to trek beneath the surface of Delrakkin, K'reel was amazed that the planet's humidity kept the skin moisturized and wet similar to a sauna. This actually pleased him quite a bit. Ahh." He let out in the revelation, a huge sigh of relief that the Delrakkin beside him immediately acknowledged. "Yessss. Our world is quite comforting. Many Aquatic Sssspecies find it refresssshing. You are fortunate, Jedi."

"But why underground? Wouldn't an attack inflict more casualties than if you lived above?" He poised in return. "Here, you wouldn't see or hear it coming."

"What hassss alwayssss been, will alwayssss be." He hissed in return, his head shifting to face downward upon the Jedi he conversed with. "We have all we need down here. And we knew of your landing before you even ssssat your sssship down. We are not helplessss Jedi."

I see your point." K'reel replied, a webbed hand reaching up to stroke his chin. So it wasn't any attacks upon the Delrakkin that brought them here. That likely means it was likely diplomatic in nature rather than feudal. And yet, that could mean many things still, ranging from outlining a treaty of peace between them and another Clan to purcuring outside advancements through Jedi contacts. Many things indeed. "Don't you often get Jedi upon Delrakkin."

The Delrakkin grew silent for a moment as he seemingly summed up K'reel and took him at face value, someone akin to that of a kindred spirit, his own eyes portraying a cautious tale. "We have hatchlingsss that bolsssster your ranksss, but they have long left Delrakkin. Outside of the occasional tradesss, outsidersss are a rarity. But we do allow otherssss to bring in ressssourcessss at their own expenssse. I am ssssure it issss ssssimilar to your world?"

K'reel smiled. So the Delrakkin were self sufficient enough, and this one had seemed to have caught onto his game. Or perhaps was generally interested. His read was getting harder to discern. So K'reel pressed a little farther. "It is a vast oceanic world, mostly advanced economically, save for the fewer Tribes outside the greater cities where I am from. We make our homes along the reefs and trenches."

A grin encroached the long snout of the Delrakkin and K'reel's own soon followed. It seems he had caught on. By now, they had reached their destination and the group began to disperse for the largest part. Only those in charge of the Jedi's detail remained. K'reel looked over at Dash with his grin still adorning his face. Leaning over, he whispered as best he could. "I'm pretty sure the ask is religious in nature."

Economically, as one could see, they were sound and content. And the safety of the village seemed sound enough, so feudalism wasn't at play either. He had ruled out diplomacy as it wasn't the necessary task even if it was the intended outcome. The aura that flowed through the Force upon this world was harmonic. Which, usally, in a society such as this, it was religious. A hardly felt disturbance in the minds of many, and only weighted upon the minds of the few that led. K'reel had a feeling that their contact was a Shaman or Priestess, spiritual leaders where the Elders dare not tread.

Tag: @Alhon