Ask Onderon Competence

[Rue "null" tepmuart]

rue would transmit the data to her helmet, moving her eye to look at it a moment.

"Right. Nest. This is gonna be fun. I got a big ass gun, pent up stress, and a dream, let's rock."

Rue was ready for almost anything, using her helmets scanner, as well as her thermal vision so she could detect anything that would dare move. She would fix a bayonet like blade onto her rifle, kneeling down a second but still remaining alert and prepared.

@Aberforth @TheDudeMike @Javier esschoolbus

 

[L'Arra]

L'Arra made her way to the second waypoint, only stealing a quick glance at the communication sent by the goggled woman. A nest. Well that was good, but also terrifying. She wished she was in her ship right now. Just glass the mountains and move on. Funny how things work out. She held her blaster pistol just a little tighter as she scanned the surroundings with her eyes and ears. A part of her wished the Mandalorian behind her would be a little less noisy, but she wasn't about to go toe to toe with a Mandalorian on foot.

Reaching the second waypoint, L'Arra found the goggled woman. She gave her a quick, cordial nod of greeting, only coming close enough that they could support each other but not both get eaten; about ten meters or so. Imperial doctrine was fifteen meter spreads, but she doubt the drexl had the use of grenades and thermal detona-

What was that? A faint whoosh. Then another, and another. L'Arra's ears twitched frantically, hearing the faint sounds of air being pushed. Her tail was bone stiff, tucked up against he back as close as it could possibly be. Any one looking at her would be able to tell that she was hearing something, and on extreme alert. Whoosh. L'Arra turned widened eyes upwards to find a shadow descending upon them, and fast.

"Above!" was all she had time to say, having to dive out of the way before a drexel came in for landing right where she had been standing. Even when L'Arra got to her feet, she sprinted away a few paces before turning to the horned, winged beast, blaster pistol almost immediately aiming and firing.

@Aberforth @Hastur @Javier esschoolbus

 

[Rath Jell]

Rath had finished sweeping his next sector. Same story some evidence of feeding yet no creature or nest. He had begun to move to the next sector when the goggled one sent a message about a nest. He begun to make his way to her location. Trying to keep an eye above him but the skies seemed to remain clear.

As he approached he heard a shout looking above himself he say nothing. As he returned his vision to the peak that his companions had been climbing he noticed the drexel landing near the feline member. He went to aim his wrist rocket at the creature on instinct before realizing waking a nest of them would be ill advised. He flew within range and opened fire at the creature with his E-11D.

@Aberforth @Hastur @TheDudeMike

 

[Zorya]

.
C O M P E T E N C E
Queen of Darkness

Z O R Y A

The atmosphere morphed into a palpable dread as the great shadow of the drexl descended upon them. Zorya's heart pulsated rhythmically against her chest, a thumping metronome grounding her amidst the impending chaos. Time seemed to dilate, with each fractioned second taking on an eternity of its own.

In a singular fluid movement, Zorya slid the blaster pistol from its concealed holster, careful to keep her lightsaber hidden. Anonymity was her protective shroud, and she couldn't afford any overt Sith identifiers. But she was not defenseless; the Force was a malleable ally, bending to her silent command.

Even without speaking, the Sith master communicated volumes. Eyes ablaze with focus, she channeled the Force to misdirect the beast, projecting a mental decoy of herself only the drexl would witness a few meters away. The reptoavian, disoriented, briefly shifted its attention towards the illusion.

Every sensory faculty was heightened—she felt the tremors of the ground as the drexl landed, tasted the metallic tang of adrenaline, and smelled the wild, earthy musk of the creature. As L'Arra and Rath unleashed a torrent of blaster fire upon the beast, Zorya opted for precision over volume. Leveraging her deep bond with the Force, she subtly manipulated the trajectories of the shots, guiding a few toward the creature's vulnerable spots.

Yet, the creature was formidable—its sinewy body covered in thick scales, proving resilient against the onslaught. A mournful cry echoed from the beast, reverberating through the very marrow of Zorya's bones. It wasn’t just an apex predator; it was a creature of its own tragedies and tales.

Zorya, poised like a coiled serpent, discreetly nudged the drexl's massive wing with the Force, trying to trip it up and buy them all a momentary reprieve. Her fingers brushed against her concealed lightsaber instinctively, yet she resisted its siren call.

@TheDudeMike @Javier esschoolbus @Hastur
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[Rue "null" tepmuart]

Rue would now aim down the big blaster, fireing, a loud bang as a literal small shockwave erupts from the barrel, and what was not a blaster bolt, but a disruptors flew out, aiming for the creatures legs in hopes of maiming it.

"OI, FUCK YOU! THATS MY BLOODY FUCKING TEAMMATE!"

She would now dive behind a rock, moving to reload her disruptor rifle once more.

@Aberforth @TheDudeMike @Javier esschoolbus

 

[L'Arra]

L'Arra continued to pour blaster bolts into the beast, holding fire only when the beast was knocked over, and it's legs maimed. It was at that point that she lined the the reticle in her optic up to the creature's eyes and put two quick, precision shots into it. The drexl stilled, but there was no way for L'Arra to know for sure if it was dead or just playing dead.

Her heart beat rapidly in her chest, the blaster fire had made her ears ring, and her yellow eyes were wide in a combination of fear and adrenaline. With ears slicked straight back, and her tail stiff and close to her body, she slowly circled the downed beast. The blaster in her hands never moved from the beast, even when her eyes took inventory of the team. They were all still alive. The question now was, who would check to see if it was dead.

"This thing still alive?" she asked. Everyone but her had some sort of visual apparatus. An unsettling amount of the fibers in her very being wanted to say screw it and light the thing up until it was a pile of ash, but that would ruin the bounty.

@Aberforth @Hastur @Javier esschoolbus

 

[Rath Jell]

Rath had been pumping blaster bolts into the beast. Having to switch to his pistols because of its resilient hide. He watched in surprise as the beast leg was taken clean off from the other Mandalorians shot. The feline companion had put some precise shots into the eyes of the beast causing it to collapse.

He landed near where the feline was circling. “The bounty only calls for the head.” Unclipping his beskad from his hip he walked over to the beast. Raising the blade to come down on its head and remove it. He would succeed if he isn’t interrupted by anything.

@Aberforth @TheDudeMike @Hastur

 

[Zorya]

.
C O M P E T E N C E
Queen of Darkness

Z O R Y A

In the aftermath of the visceral skirmish, a heavy pall of stillness settled. The world momentarily faded into the background, leaving Zorya engrossed in the scene before her—the once mighty drexl, now felled. A symphony of emotions played within her—respect for the formidable adversary, relief that her comrades were unharmed, and an undercurrent of sorrow for the magnificent creature they had vanquished.

Yet, amidst the whiff of burnt ozone and the taste of charred air left by Rue's disruptor, an insidious scent lingered—blood, fresh and metallic. It clung to the very edges of Zorya's senses, serving as a macabre reminder of the life-and-death nature of their profession.

Although mute, her piercing gaze never ceased to be her most potent tool for communication. Locking eyes with L'Arra, she gave an imperceptible nod—a gesture of both reassurance and gratitude for the Fiani's valiant actions. Her attention then shifted to Rath as he advanced, beskad in hand, intent on claiming the drexl's head. The blade glinted ominously under the feeble sunlight, casting long, wavering shadows.

But Zorya felt a subtle disturbance in the Force, like ripples expanding across a tranquil pond. Focusing her energies, she extended her perception, quickly identifying the epicenter—beneath them, the soft and rhythmic heartbeat of unborn drexl. She sensed life, vulnerability, and innocence.

A swift and discreet use of the Force unearthed a clutch of eggs, hidden beneath the soft loam and foliage—future drexls that would never meet their parent.

She gestured to the eggs, conveying their importance. Perhaps they held value beyond mere currency—a means of ensuring the species’ continuity or a chance for a scientific study. Offering a silent entreaty to the group, she hoped they would recognize the significance of the discovery and opt for preservation over destruction.

In this dichotomous moment, Zorya grappled with the age-old Sith conundrum—the balance between power and empathy. The choices they made now would resonate beyond this mountaintop, shaping futures in ways they couldn't yet fathom.

@TheDudeMike @Javier esschoolbus @Hastur
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[Rue "null" tepmuart]

"hollee- OH MAH GAWD LOOK AT THEM! copikla! "
she then gently turned to l'arra.
"gar shuk meh kyrayc, K'oyacyi!" she motioned for her to sit and collect herself a moment.


@Aberforth @TheDudeMike @Javier esschoolbus

 

[L'Arra]

L'Arra watched the Mandalorian take the head of the drexl. The bounty was going to more than pay for her next stop on Nar Shaddaa. Locking eyes with the goggled woman, L'Arra gave a nod of respect back. She even threw in a fanged grin. L'Arra took turns looking at each member of the group. Each performing in a way she wished some squads in the Empire had performed. Though, when the Mandalorian addressed her in her language, L'Arra shook her head, pointing to her own head with a I-have-idea-what-you-just-said-buddy look.

The eggs were a surprise. L'Arra didn't know how to feel about them. Part of her wanted to squash them so they'd never get to grow into the horrible creature that just tried to take her head off. Another part of her knew that it's not the creature's fault. If the eggs could be relocated to a less populated area, there was no reason to harm them. She also wouldn't put it passed someone to try to tame the damn things.

"Open your map?" L'Arra asked, nodding toward the goggled woman. "Let's see if there's an unpopulated area to take these eggs to."

@Aberforth @Javier esschoolbus @Hastur

 

[Rath Jell]

Rath had severed the head, it would be proof of the job being complete. Looking up he could tell that there was a communication issue between the Mandalorian and feline. "She is suggesting you take a rest. val narir va motir teg cuun lalat jorhaa'ir cavas" Addressing the two women. He would then begin tying the head to his belt it's blood dripping down his leg.

Moving to peer into where the eggs where he looked at them. The feline mentioned relocating the eggs. "The babies will likely die on their own. Relocating them is wise but leaving them just to die is cruel. If I remember correctly isn't there a group that raises these beasts to ride. We should take them there, although I would like to keep an egg. If the sect of riders takes the eggs and pays for them I'll give up my share for it and just take what is the split for the original contract." He would then look among them to see if they would agree or disagree with his assessment.

@Aberforth @TheDudeMike @Hastur

 

[Zorya]

.
C O M P E T E N C E
Queen of Darkness

Z O R Y A

The ambient din of the mountaintop was a cacophony—a juxtaposition of the macabre remains of the drexl and the delicate murmurings of unborn life. Zorya, with all her Sith prowess, found herself teetering on a precipice of emotion; sympathy and pragmatism fought within her. As an Onderonian, she understood the very real threat these future drexl posed. Yet, her very ethos beckoned her to exploit every opportunity presented.

Drawing her attention away from the visceral aftermath of the skirmish, Zorya approached the unearthed cache, her fingers lingering just a breath away from an egg's surface. The sapphire luminescence that emanated from them seemed almost hypnotic. The ambient temperature of the shell was cooler than expected, and its surface felt oddly granulated.

She turned her head to acknowledge L'Arra's words, activating her holographic map with a swift hand motion. As the digital landscape unfolded before them, she pinpointed a few secluded regions, but her thoughts were overshadowed by a darker sentiment.

The delicate balance of nature on Onderon was a narrative she knew well. Should these drexl eggs hatch, the very land she held dear would be threatened by their ferocity and insatiable appetite. With a swift, purposeful motion, she presented a secluded and barren quadrant on the map to L'Arra—a locale where no civilization lay, a place where even if the drexl survived, they would pose no immediate danger.

Yet, echoing Rath's sentiments, another thought took root. There was merit in keeping an egg. Zorya was no stranger to the intricate web of the galactic black market. The potential value of a drexl egg to the right buyer was astronomical. Discreetly marking one for herself, she hid it within the folds of her robe, ensuring its protection from both the elements and prying eyes.

Gesturing to the map, she communicated her perspective, suggesting the destruction of the majority of the eggs. Onderon's safety was paramount. But she left a few untouched, allowing the team the choice of either relocation or keeping them for personal gain.

@TheDudeMike @Javier esschoolbus @Hastur
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[L'Arra]

L'Arra nodded along with the goggled woman's suggestions, giving a larger, more pronounced nod at the barren quadrant. Away from civilization, a drexel could thrive and hunt, and not have to worry about being hunted itself like its mother. She sure as hells didn't want to be there when it hatched though, nor when it grew up to be the apex predator.

She should her head with the offer of taking one of the eggs herself, throwing her hands up. "I'm good," she said. L'Arra would have just sold the egg anyway. The eggs would do much better with the Mandalorians, or the goggled woman herself.

@Aberforth @Javier esschoolbus @Hastur

 

[Rath Jell]

He studied the map as the goggled woman went through and various locations. She eventually pointed out a desolate landscape that could house the drexel. The drexel would be outside of any civilized area and be free to roam. That is to say if they survive.

He watched as she suggested her own plan. Destroying the majority of the eggs and relocating or taking a handful. She then offered the eggs to the group leaving them to chose. Rath walked up and carefully lifted one examining it. "I'll take one to try and tame after all its a tradition of my people." His data system adding the image of the egg into it. Turning to the goggled woman, "I will also aid in the relocation of the remaining eggs should it be agreed."

@Aberforth @TheDudeMike @Hastur

 

[Rue "null" tepmuart]

THIS BITCH! HOW DARE HE TRY AND TELL HER WHAT TO SPEAK IN! a simple "e'chuda." escaped her, before she looked back over,

"oh im going to make that thing my war beast! its going to be so cute!" she joked, frankly she didnt give much of a damn about it, but having one as a trained beast would sure as hell be a boon, so she was likely going to capitalize on this.


@Aberforth @TheDudeMike @Javier esschoolbus

 

[Zorya]

.
C O M P E T E N C E
Queen of Darkness

Z O R Y A

The air was thick with a blend of visceral tension and exhilaration, each team member providing a vignette of their unique passions and fears. Zorya, though mute, found that the quietude often afforded her deeper perception—her thoughts more articulate in the silent orchestra of her mind. Her eyes swept over L'Arra's feline visage as she disclaimed any interest in the eggs, then landed on Rath, who reverently cradled an egg of his own.

Internally, Zorya was amused by Rue's brazen enthusiasm. The idea of domesticating a drexl was an audacious concept—audacious, but enthralling. The Mandalorian's antics offered Zorya a momentary respite from her darker ruminations about the fate of these nascent life forms.

She glanced down at the egg she had covertly selected earlier, now safely ensconced within her robe. It was a token of opportunity, a serendipitous divergence from her original plans. Zorya knew full well its lucrative potential, the fortunes it could manifest in the hushed, velvety corridors of the underworld.

With a final scan of her team's faces, Zorya deactivated the holographic map, its glowing contours vanishing into ether. The ambiance around them was a blend of the organic and the synthetic—the earthy scent of moist soil intermingled with the metallic tang of weaponry. Above them, the treetops swayed in a melancholic waltz, whispering secrets to the unyielding sky.

Through an elegant sequence of hand gestures, she signified the completion of their mission—the bounty on the adult drexl was theirs, a lucrative sum awaiting each of their accounts. And as for the eggs, her movements communicated an unspoken accord: they would be safely relocated to the barren quadrant she had pinpointed, each of them free to claim one should they wish.

As the final notes of their extraordinary endeavor began to fade, Zorya couldn't help but consider how remarkable it was that these disparate souls had harmonized, if only for a fleeting moment, into a symphony of chaos and beauty, risk and reward. And with that lingering thought, she pivoted gracefully, her cloak flowing in a quiet cascade, and led the way down the mountain, the future of the drexl eggs—and their own diverging destinies—hinging on the choices they had made.

@TheDudeMike @Javier esschoolbus @Hastur
/end? unless someone has a good idea to keep the thread going...
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