Ask Dawnfall

[Perun]

EPISODE 7
DAWNFALL

On a dangerous mission, Jedi Knight Perun seeks the stolen artifact at Dawnfall Base! An unexpected alliance forms as unlikely allies unite. Together, can they reclaim the stolen relic?
.

Perun's heart raced with anticipation and excitement as he reveled in the challenge that lay ahead. As he approached the perimeter, he stood tall, his alabaster Ma'alkerrite fur shimmering under the glow of the cave's bioluminescent flora. The cascading waterfalls roared around him, their thunderous song echoing through the cave, harmonizing with the faint hum of the station's machinery. He took a deep breath, allowing the cool, damp air to fill his lungs and calm his nerves. With a sly smirk, he drew upon the Force, heightening his senses to survey the area.

The wet stone beneath his feet was slick, but his steady strides conveyed confidence. His sharp eyes scanned the landscape, searching for any structural weaknesses or discreet passageways. The cave's dim light danced across the surface of the waterfalls, casting a mesmerizing pattern on the walls. Perun could almost taste the humidity in the air, the dampness clinging to his tongue and tickling his nostrils with the scent of moss and minerals.

Reaching out with the Force, he felt the swirling energies of the base, a cacophony of emotions and intentions melding together. His ears perked at the distant chatter of Crimson Dawn agents, their voices distorted by the veil of falling water. He paused, narrowing his eyes, and focused on the sound, attempting to discern their words and gauge their awareness of his presence.

His fingers twitched, ready to ignite his lightsaber at a moment's notice, the familiar weight of the weapon a comforting presence at his side. His ears remained alert, attuned to any shift in the soundscape that might betray an ambush or an alarm. He knew that the key to success lay in his ability to remain undetected and blend into the shadows.

@Arcangel

 

[D3-EZ]

The assassin droid D3-EZ was crouched in a small shadowed alcove, hiding momentary after having completed scouting the Crimson Dawn compound. It's matte black shadoweave finish allowed it to blend almost seamlessly in the darkness there, a cranny absent of bioluminescent fungus. It didn't like it's chances with the job ahead, a bounty on one of the organics inside the hidden base.

The droid's conclusion was interrupted however as something tripped it's motion sensors. It's photoreceptors scanned the area in normal and low light modes, picking out an additional subject. A sentient organic was standing there, breathing as it looked deeper into the caverns. Weapons scan indicated a melee staff weapon, and two cylindrical objects, one of which the organic held in it's hand.

D3-EZ moved with surprising silence. It's chassis was designed for stealthy infiltrations, sabotage, and assassinations. It rose silently from it's crouch, stepping out into the open behind the organic sentient as it stood there with it's eyes closed. A well-oiled arm raised the droid's BM-357 to aim at the back of the individual's head from several meters away. The click of a hammer being drawn back echoed quietly through the cavern as D3-EZ spoke.

"Suggestion: Do not move." The droid said, the level of its vocabulator turned down so as to not carry past the waterfall and into the tunnels below. The threat was implied. "Observation: You are not Crimson Dawn." The droid concluded after getting a better look at the individual, a rather hairy sentient organic. "Query: What is your function in this location?" The droid finished with a question. There was no benefit to killing this individual if they were not an obstacle. Unless the organic was flagged in D3-EZ's bounty registry.

@Aberforth

 

[Perun]

Perun could sense the faintest shift in the air, the subtle disturbance that betrayed the presence of another being. His sharp senses had not failed him. As the sound of a blaster being drawn back reached his ears, he kept his cool, knowing full well the danger that potentially awaited him.

The Ma'alkerrite's mind raced, considering his options, his fingers still twitching near his lightsaber. He knew that engaging the droid in combat was a possibility, but it seemed more prudent to attempt diplomacy first. After all, he had a mission to complete, and a potential ally could prove invaluable.

"Well, well," he drawled, his nonchalant demeanor undiminished by the situation. "Aren't you a chatty little droid? I have to say, I'm impressed by your stealth. Almost as good as mine, but not quite."

He let out a chuckle, hoping that the droid would appreciate his wit, even in such a tense moment. "As for my purpose here, let's just say I'm on a little treasure hunt. The Crimson Dawn have something they ought not to have. I'm here to help them lose it."

Perun's heart pounded in his chest as he awaited the droid's response, acutely aware of the danger he was in. The cold metal of the weapon pressed against his head sent a shiver down his spine, but he refused to let fear take hold. His sassy demeanor, coupled with the courage of a Jedi Knight, emboldened him to speak further.

"Now, I'm guessing you're not a fan of the Crimson Dawn either, or you wouldn't be sneaking around out here. So, how about we help each other out? We might have different objectives, but our mutual enemy is the same. And as they say, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, right?"

As the words left his lips, Perun couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope that the droid would see the wisdom in his proposal. He knew that the path ahead was fraught with danger, and the assistance of a skilled and stealthy droid could prove invaluable.

The scent of the damp cave filled his nostrils as he took a deep, steadying breath. He could feel the chill of the air on his fur and the slick stone beneath his feet. Despite the tension of the situation, he remained focused on his senses, ready to react at a moment's notice should the need arise.

In the back of his mind, Perun wondered if the droid had any information on the artifact's whereabouts or any insight into the inner workings of the Crimson Dawn. He knew that every bit of knowledge could be the key to success in his mission, and he was determined to make use of every resource at his disposal.

@Arcangel

 

[D3-EZ]

D3-EZ had grown accustomed to many sentient reactions to being at the business end of it's blaster. Panic and aggression, some tried to flee, others begged. It was an unusual experience for the droid to have a sentient act so casually under the threat of an energy based lobotomy. The sentient instead opted to stay calm and answer the droid, though the droid's scanners did detect a hint of tension and readiness to the organic's body language.

The droid remained silent for a moment as the organic stated it's function, the recovery of an object within the facility. The organic was not a target, nor a competitor for the bounty D3-EZ was after. The droids indexing of the sentient shifted with each moment as more information was revealed until the organic came to a proposal. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

There was a brief moment at that word where the droid's processors recalled a memory. One near the time of its activation. An armor shelled sentient who had called it by the name. The droid wondered what had became of them as it re-ran it's tactical calculations for it's success in infiltrating the Crimson Dawn base with +1 individuals. The outcomes were favorable.

"Agreement: This unit finds the organic's proposal acceptable." The droid said, though it continued to hold the blaster on the organics head. Warning Statement: This unit will lower it's weapon now. Any sudden movement on organic's part will result in reversion to termination protocols."

Warning statement given, the droid lowered its blaster and took a step back, giving itself space in case it needed to revert to combat mode. The droid would examine it's new "ally" for a moment before speaking again. "Introduction: This unit is called D3-EZ." The droid said in a low electronic tone. With it's words came an activation of the blank plate screen on it's face, lighting up with a bizarrely cheerful face.



@Aberforth

 

[Perun]

Relief washed over Perun when the droid agreed to his proposal. He could sense the droid's caution, however, and remained still as D3-EZ issued its warning. As the weapon was finally lowered, Perun exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. The droid's willingness to cooperate brought a sense of relief, albeit guarded. He was keenly aware that the droid's loyalty was not guaranteed, and one wrong move could send the situation spiraling out of control.

He observed the droid closely as it introduced itself, the bizarrely cheerful face on its screen in stark contrast to the cold, calculated demeanor it had displayed just moments before.

"Nice to meet you, D3-EZ. I'm Perun," he said, extending a hand in a friendly gesture, even though he knew the droid might not fully comprehend its significance. "Since we're going to be working together, we might as well have code names, right? I'll call you... Razzle-Dazzle," he added waiving his arm in a rainbow arc theatrically. "It suits your cheerful disposition."

He laughed softly, hoping to lighten the tense atmosphere between them. Perun knew that trust would be essential in their partnership, and humor was often the key to building bridges between different beings. "Now, have you found any weaknesses in the base's security? I've been scanning the perimeter and noticed a few potential entry points, but I'd like to hear your thoughts."

Perun's senses were on high alert as he spoke, the sound of the waterfalls still echoing through the cave and mingling with the distant hum of the Crimson Dawn base. The moistness of the air clung to his fur, and he could still taste the humidity on his tongue. He knew that they would have to move quickly and quietly if they were to succeed in their respective missions.

@Arcangel

 

[D3-EZ]

The droid looked down at Perun's extended hand for a moment. It had seen this before, having done extensive study of organic behavior via holovids. Extending it's right hand, it grasped the organic's hand and gave it a shake. The droid was careful to only apply a gripping amount of pressure, rather than crushing the organic's hand. No doubt Perun would feel the strength behind it's grip regardless.

"Needless Formality: It is a nice experience to meet the organic Perun." The droid responded before releasing its grip on the organics hand. Perun went on to decide on a call sign for D3-EZ based on it's demeanor. The droid stood there blankly for a moment.

"Statement: This unit finds Razzle-Dazzle acceptable. It is suitable for this unit's cheerful disposition." The droid repeated. The organic Perun did one of those sentient expressions called, laughter, indicating friendliness and humor.

"Statment: Due to your organic disposition towards having vital organs stored within a covering of skin, this unit will designate Perun's call sign as: Meatbag." The droid decided on the name in a moment. It flashed a more cheerful smile as it decided on the name.



With the formalities settled, it seemed that Meatbag wanted to move onto business and Razzle-Dazzle was more than satisfied to comply.

"Report: There are several small tunnels branching off of the main cavern that lead deeper into the facility than the main entrance. This unit has found evidence of patrols passing through said side tunnels." The droid reported dutifully.

@Aberforth

 

[Perun]

Perun grinned as the droid firmly gripped his hand, taking part in the seemingly needless formality. Despite the strength of the droid's grip, Perun maintained his composure, his eyes never leaving D3-EZ's illuminated faceplate. When the droid released his hand, he couldn't help but flex his fingers slightly, noting the impressive force behind the machine's touch. The droid then accepted the moniker of Razzle-Dazzle and proceeded to assign Perun a call sign of its own: Meatbag. Perun's golden eyes twinkled with amusement, appreciating the droid's sense of humor.

"Meatbag, huh? I like it," the Jedi responded, his voice laced with a sassy lilt. "It has a certain ring to it."

With the exchange of pleasantries out of the way, the unlikely duo turned their attention to the matter at hand. D3-EZ shared its findings with Perun, mentioning the smaller tunnels that branched off from the main cavern and were occasionally patrolled by the Crimson Dawn.

Perun's senses tingled with anticipation as he listened intently to the droid's report. The subtle sounds of the cavern – the distant drip of water, the echo of their voices, the soft rustle of his clothing – seemed to fade into the background as he focused on the information. The cool air on his fur, the damp stone beneath his feet, and the faint scent of the cave's flora all receded, momentarily unimportant as he processed the tactical implications of their findings.

"Interesting," the Ma'alkerrite mused, his debonair attitude momentarily replaced by the calm, focused demeanor of a Jedi Knight. "These side tunnels could provide us with a more covert approach, allowing us to bypass the bulk of their defenses. We'll need to be cautious, of course, as we don't want to stumble upon one of their patrols."

As he spoke, Perun's mind raced with possibilities, strategizing their infiltration and considering potential contingencies. He knew that the mission's success would depend on their ability to adapt and work together, despite their vastly different backgrounds and objectives.

"So, Razzle-Dazzle, I suggest we make our way towards one of these side tunnels and proceed with caution," he proposed, his voice firm.

Perun led the way as he and D3-EZ stealthily approached one of the side tunnels. The Jedi Knight's senses were heightened, his ears attuned to the faintest sounds, his nostrils flaring to detect any whiff of danger. Each step he took on the slick, uneven ground was calculated, the cool dampness seeping through his boots as he moved with quiet determination.

@Arcangel

 

[D3-EZ]

Meatbag proceeded to lay out the general advantages of taking the side tunnels, as well as the necessity for caution. All things that D3-EZ knew of course, but the droid was not programmed with a penchant for impatience, so instead it listened passively while analyzing Meatbags face and body language. The organic seemed more adept at shifting from a tone of humor to a serious demeanor than most the droid had met, not that that meant much to the droid but was filed away in it's memory banks regardless.

"Agreement: This unit will proceed with caution." The droid affirmed as they turned and made their way towards one of the side tunnels. It seemed that Meatbag was intent on leading the way through the tunnels and D3-EZ could only hope that the organic was as stealthy as it's own specifications. What the organic packed in scatterweave coating and silent servomotors, perhaps it made up in natural dexterity in conjunction with it's lack of a solid metal frame with which to bump and make noise against the walls and floor.

The tunnel was narrow, but wide enough for the two unlikely individuals to travel through it single file. They would travel for a while before the tunnel began to open up a bit as it seemingly neared a larger cavern. D3-EZ's sensors were calibrated to maximum sensitivity and with a hand on the shoulder it halted the Jedi, having detected a noise up ahead. It would turn its head towards the Jedi and emote on it's faceplate to communicate silently.



Then the droid would point a finger towards the direction they were heading. It paused for a moment, listening. The sound of footsteps were too faint for most organic's hearing, but to the droid designed for such missions it wasn't outside of its auditory range. D3-EZ would then hold up two fingers, indicating a pair of footsteps approaching.

@Aberforth

 

[Perun]

Perun moved carefully through the narrow tunnel, grateful for his natural agility and dexterity that allowed him to navigate the cramped space with relative ease. Despite his earlier bravado, he felt a gnawing sense of unease as they advanced, the weight of the darkness pressing down on him like a suffocating blanket.

The tunnel began to widen, and Perun felt a glimmer of relief that soon gave way to tension when the droid's hand firmly grasped his shoulder, halting him in his tracks. D3-EZ's faceplate communicated the need for silence, and the Jedi Knight held his breath, his senses straining to catch any hint of what had alerted the droid.

When D3-EZ pointed in the direction they were heading and held up two fingers, Perun understood: two individuals were approaching their position. The Jedi's keen senses focused on the sound of footsteps, distant but discernible in the oppressive quiet of the tunnel. His heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he mentally prepared himself for the possibility of confrontation.

As the figures drew closer, Perun relied on his heightened senses to glean as much information about them as possible. He could hear the soft rustle of fabric and the faint clink of metal, suggesting they were armed and possibly wearing armor. The footsteps were heavy, measured, and in sync, indicating a well-coordinated pair, likely part of the Crimson Dawn patrols D3-EZ had mentioned earlier.

The dim light from the bioluminescent fungi illuminated the approaching figures just enough for Perun to make out their silhouettes. One appeared to be a hulking, brutish humanoid, covered in thick, coarse fur and sporting a pair of curved horns atop his head. The other was smaller and more wiry, with a lithe, feline grace and a whip-like tail that flicked back and forth as they walked. The shorter figure appeared to be carrying a blaster rifle, while the taller one seemed to have a holstered sidearm and a more imposing presence.

Perun's instincts screamed at him to engage the approaching adversaries, his muscles tense and ready to spring into action. However, the Jedi Knight's rational mind cautioned against it, reminding him that stealth was paramount in this mission. With a silent nod to D3-EZ, Perun communicated his intent to avoid a confrontation and instead find a way to let the figures pass without detection.

@Arcangel

 

[D3-EZ]

D3-EZ calculated the odds of the patrolling pair passing them by without catching sight of them. The odds did not look good. Meatbag gave a nod to the droid, which the droid perceived as an affirmative for action. Giving it's own nod, the droid activated it's stealth field generator and to the sentient it would appear as if it had merely vanished.

If Meatbag's perception was up to the task, he might spot a vague, wavy outline in the darkness moving towards the pair. As D3-EZ grew close, it would shimmy up against the wall to let the pair pass it by without detection. As soon as they were past it, D3-EZ would drop the stealth field and move in quickly for the kill.

The quicker looking feline alien was the first to be targeted. The fact that it already held it's weapon made it the greater immediate threat of the two and D3-EZ would slip of quietly behind the alien. With a swift movement the droid would wrap its hands around the sentient's head. With a twist and a crack, the alien dropped to the ground.

The dead dawner's partner began to react to the sudden attack as D3-EZ wrapped a hand around one of it's horns, slamming it's face against the stoney tunnel wall while at the same time slipping the sentient's blaster out of it's holster with it's other hand, depriving the enemy of it's weapon. The brutish humanoid was now vulnerable to a follow up action as it struggled against the droids grip, unable to yell due to the mouthful of rock and luminescent cave fungi that was filling it's mouth.

@Aberforth

 

[Perun]

Perun watched as D3-EZ seemingly disappeared into the shadows, activating its stealth field generator. The Jedi Knight's keen eyes traced the faintest distortion in the air, betraying the droid's movements as it approached the pair of adversaries. The Ma'alkerrite silently marveled at the droid's efficiency and ruthlessness, a stark contrast to his own sassy, light-hearted demeanor.

As Razzle-Dazzle dispatched the feline alien with a swift, brutal efficiency, Perun tensed, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. The brutish humanoid's surprise and confusion were palpable in the air, and Perun could feel the creature's fear and disorientation as it struggled against D3-EZ's iron grip.

Perun knew that they had to act quickly if they were to maintain the element of surprise. Gripping his unlit lightsaber hilt tightly, he took a deep breath, centering himself and calling upon the Force. Closing the distance between them in a heartbeat, Perun brought the hilt of his weapon down hard on the back of the horned creature's head, seeking to incapacitate it without lethal force. Though his irreverent demeanor often masked his true nature, Perun was still a Jedi Knight, bound by the principles of the Order to seek balance and justice, and protecting life wherever possible was prime among these principles.

The brutish figure crumpled to the ground, unconscious but alive. Perun turned to D3-EZ, his eyes narrowing as he addressed the droid.

"D3-EZ, killing should only be a last resort," he reprimanded gently reverting by to using the droid's proper address, his voice barely above a whisper. "Let's try to incapacitate our enemies whenever possible, alright?"

Perun knew that they couldn't linger in the area. More Crimson Dawn members could be drawn to the commotion, and their mission was far from over. He glanced at the unconscious figure before pressing onward, hoping that D3-EZ would heed his words.

"Let's keep moving before we attract more attention," he whispered to the droid.

As if on cue however, the faint crackle of a comm-link echoed in the dimly lit tunnel, a voice coming through, its tone conveying authority. "Zelka, report in for hourly check-in," the voice demanded. Perun's senses sharpened, and his fur bristled with unease. The dead alien's communication device was receiving an inquiry, and the lack of response would undoubtedly raise suspicions.

@Arcangel

 

[D3-EZ]

D3-EZ held the aliens head to the wall until Meatbag came over and bashed them with a blunt object. The droid noted the strike lacked the force to kill and was about to finish the job when Meatbag spoke. The droid stared at Meatbag for a long moment as it processed the organic's words. A face appeared on it's faceplate as it spoke.



"Objection: Killing is this unit's primary function." The droid said quietly. There was no philosophical reasoning behind the statement, no musing on the morality of taking sentient life. Such a question had never even entered the droids processor before this moment. While it was logical in its applications of lethal violence, that logic was cold and without a shred of empathy. It simply wasn't in D3-EZ's programming to consider organics as anything other than a target, or not a target.

The crackle of a comlink interrupted whatever could have resulted from the statement as someone back at the base checked in on the patrol. The droid looked at Perun, then back at the comlink as it initiated its voice imitation protocol. Of course without a voice to imitate, the droid had to get creative.

"Everything is fine here." The droid stated in an organic sounding voice, with a touch of static to imitate com distortion.

"This isn't Zelka. Who is this?" The voice responded, a hint of urgency leaking into the voice on the other end.

"This is Zelka, we're just having a slight comms malfunction. Everything is fine here. Nothing to report. We're fine here." The droid said as it looked down at the dead and clearly not fine Zelka. It's logic processors informed it that the ruse was likely failing.

"Whoever this is, we're sending a squa-" The words ended with a crunching sound as the droid clenched it's fist around the comlink, crushing it.

Observation: That conversation did not go well. There are likely more targets on their way." The droid said as it raises it's new blaster to examine for a moment, deciding it would be adequate. Looking at Perun again, the droid gestured to the way ahead.

"Statement: We should proceed. There is a party waiting for us." The droid said, referencing it's memory banks for what it had come to know a shootout involving many targets. As it finished saying the word party, a new emote popped up on its faceplate.



Roll: comlink bluff 2/20

@Aberforth

 

[Perun]

Perun's fur bristled with a curious blend of apprehension and invigorating anticipation as the echoes of the crushed comlink reverberated off the craggy walls. The tactile sensation of his heart pulsing steadily in his chest, a rhythmic reminder of the precarious nature of their circumstances, was oddly comforting. His sharp Ma'alkerrite eyes glimmered in the dim cavern light, a glint of mischievous determination.

"Oh, Razzle-Dazzle," the Jedi began, his voice a low, lighthearted rumble that belied the seriousness of the situation, "You really know how to crash a party, don't you?" He flashed a broad, toothy grin, his nonchalant demeanor never failing him, even in the face of impending confrontation. It was almost as if he was feeding off the thrill, turning the imminent danger into just another opportunity for witty banter.

As they ventured deeper into the tunnel, the distant murmur of hurried footsteps and hushed voices reached his sensitive ears. He paused, squinting into the gloom, his senses razor-sharp as he prepared for the inevitable encounter. The bitter tang of adrenaline was palpable in the dank, musty cavern air, the scent of the Crimson Dawn squad advancing towards them.

Six shapes materialized from the darkness, a motley assortment of species, each more intimidating than the last. Their features were obscured by the low lighting, but the aggressive postures and the glint of weapons were unmistakable. A particularly large Trandoshan loomed at the forefront, flanked by a lithe, agile-looking Twi'lek and a hulking Houk. Behind them, three additional figures – a Devaronian, a Dug, and an Aqualish – filled out the squad.

Perun's initial reaction was a swift evaluation of their potential threat levels. He didn't possess the cold, mechanical logic of D3-EZ, but years of Jedi training had honed his instincts, enabling him to quickly and accurately size up any situation. The Trandoshan was likely the brute strength of the group, while the Twi'lek probably relied on agility and speed. The others would have their own strengths and weaknesses, and together, they posed a formidable challenge.

Yet, he couldn't suppress a chuckle, the sound echoing in the cavern. "Well, Razzle-Dazzle," he said, his grin unfading, "Looks like we're the guests of honor. Shall we give them a party to remember?" His grip tightened on his vibrostaff, his other hand brushing against the cold metal of his lightsaber. His pulse thrummed with exhilaration, the thrill of the upcoming confrontation stirring the warrior within him.

@Arcangel

 

[D3-EZ]

D3-EZ looked at Meatbag as he commented about the droid being knowledgable in party crashing. A quick analyzation of the organic's posture, facial expression and tone told the droid that this was another 'joke'. There was a slight alteration in the droid's profile on Perun:Meatbag as it recorded his seeming ease at the inevitable conflict.

"Statement: This unit has found blaster bolts to be an excellent party crasher." The droid replied coldly, as it did with every word that it's vocabulator uttered. Some droids were programed with tone and emotion to their voices. The designer's at Blackwell didn't seem to think such a function was worth installing into a droid designed for killing. The droid's smiling faceplate made up for the lack of tone however.



They proceeded into the tunnels, D3-EZ's sensors scanning the way ahead, processor calculating for the inevitable shootout. It's memory held onto possible cover locations where the wall cropped out just so here and there. It wasn't long until the droid's audio-receptors picked up the hushed voices and quiet steps ahead.

D3-EZ already held the blaster that it had taken in subduing the second Dawner in the servo's of it's right hand. The droid drew another blaster with it's left as it began it's scan of the enemies ahead, prioritizing targets as Perun spoke.

"Statement: It will be the best party they have ever attended." The droid said as it turned to look at Perun, flashing a quick.



"Correction: It will also be the last party they ever attend." The droid said as it's expression once again changed to the smile.



If the droid could experience emotions, it didn't doubt that the emotion would be a positive one. It was fulfilling it's primary function, after all. What could be better than that. D3-EZ cocked the charging handle back on it's python blaster pistol, leveling it to target the giant Houk that had calculated highest on the target priority list. A twitch of a servomotor and the droid had pulled the trigger, once, twice. It send a pair of heavy red bolts streaking through the cavern as it raised the other blaster and started to fired snap-aimed shots towards the rest of the targets.

@Aberforth

 

[Perun]

As the first red bolts streaked through the cavern, the percussive blast echoed in Perun's sensitive ears, a thunderous symphony that heralded the onset of their dance with danger. The scorching smell of ignited blaster gas filled the air, stinging his nostrils. He watched as the droid's shots found their marks with an efficiency that was as impressive as it was unnerving. The steely indifference in D3-EZ's actions, the lack of hesitation or remorse, was a stark reminder of the void of empathy inherent in its programming.

Perun shook off the momentary disquiet, focusing on the task at hand. He could philosophize about the nature of droids and their capacity for morality later.

"Statement: Let's boogie, Razzle-Dazzle! And remind me to never invite you to my birthday party," He roared, a playful glint in his eyes belying the seriousness of his words. He watched as D3-EZ's faceplate cycled through a cavalcade of expressions, settling on a beaming smile. Despite the dire circumstances, the sight brought a chuckle to his lips.

With a swift movement, Perun unclipped his lightsaber from his belt, his thumb grazing over the cool metal of the ignition switch. He closed his eyes, letting the Force flow through him, grounding him amidst the chaos. Then, with a decisive flick, he ignited his lightsaber, the emerald blade casting an ethereal glow onto the rough-hewn tunnel walls.

Drawing on his Jedi training, he launched himself into the fray, his form a blur of motion. His lightsaber carved a glowing trail through the darkness as he deftly deflected incoming blaster bolts, redirecting them towards their origin with practiced precision. He danced through the onslaught, a sardonic grin on his face. The thrill of the fight surged through him, invigorating him, his every sense heightened.

In the midst of the confrontation, the Force guided him, leading him towards an unseen path through the labyrinthine network of tunnels. A glimmer of hope kindled within him; they could potentially circumvent the squad and continue deeper into the facility.

His voice echoed throughout the cavern, laced with amusement, "Razzle-Dazzle, I believe I've found a shortcut!" As he called out, he moved swiftly, trusting in the Force and his instincts, leading the way towards their objective. Their mission was far from over, but the Ma'alkerrite Jedi knew they were one step closer to their goal.

@Arcangel

 

[D3-EZ]

D3-EZ's blaster's thumped out a rhythmic tune as their sound echoed throughout the cavern. Already the Dawn squad's number's dwindled as they returned fire. The droid noted Perun's imitation of it's speech syntax, it assumed this was another jest on the part of the organic. The mires of humor were still relatively lost on the droid, but it was beginning to develop a sense for recognizing jokes when it heard them.

There was little time for a witty response however with blaster fire incoming and the droid began to move towards the scant cover along the luminous wall of the tunnel when something unexpected happen. The small cylindrical object that Perun had been toying with came out, and with a distinct snap-hiss, ignited into a glowing green plasma blade.

D3-EZ continued to lay down suppressive fire on the enemy, though it's attention was now split. The droid's processors could not resist the necessity of recording and analyzing their allies newest revelation of skill as the organic danced and parried bolts of plasma back the way they had come. The droids threat metrics for Perun:Meatbag were re-evaluated, placing the organic much higher on the scale that he had previously been sorted into.

Perun found a shortcut that would circumvent the squad, hopefully. Stepping just outside of the outcropping that led down a side tunnel, D3-EZ sent another flurry of blaster bolts flying before ducking into the tunnel. The droid would follow Perun where the tunnel led as it processed the recent developments. After a moment, the droid would speak quietly.

"Query: What is a birthday party?" The droid asked in the relative silence of their new path. The squad behind them was likely still taking cover, expecting more blaster fire, which would give the duo a lead. This meant the droid had a moment for more philosophical questions such as the one it asked. It assumed that birthday parties involved blaster bolts given its understanding of what a party was.

@Aberforth

 

[Perun]

Perun was startled by the droid's query, his grip tightening momentarily on his lightsaber. The question was unexpected, a stark contrast to the earlier violence and the current urgency of their situation. He allowed a moment's respite to mull over D3-EZ's question. To describe something as quintessentially sentient as a birthday party to an entity void of the very concept of life's temporal flow was no simple task.

"Well, Razzle-Dazzle," the Ma'alkerrite began, his voice a hushed whisper in the shadowed tunnel, the tips of his tendrils twitching in a Ma'alkerrite gesture of amusement, "A birthday party, unlike the one we just left, is usually a happy occasion. It's a celebration of life, you see. Of marking another cycle around the local star. It involves cake, laughter, presents, friends... and absolutely no blaster bolts, ideally." He ended with a chuckle, the sound echoing faintly off the damp, cold stone.

Despite the humor, Perun felt a pang of sadness, a twinge of nostalgia. He had not celebrated his own birthday in years, not since he had left his homeworld. The thought was a bitter pill, and he swallowed it down, focusing on the path ahead. He tightened his grip on his lightsaber, the familiar hum grounding him in the present.

Perun led them through the labyrinthine network, trusting in the force to guide their path. The faint, luminescent fungi provided just enough light to navigate the uneven terrain. The soft glow reflected in D3-EZ's metallic form as they moved deeper into the belly of the installation, casting wavering, phantom-like shadows on the cavern walls.

An indistinct sound caught his attention, breaking through the stillness. He paused, motioning for D3-EZ to stop. With bated breath, he honed in on the sound. A soft hum, nearly imperceptible. It grew louder, oscillating in a steady rhythm. "I think we're close," he whispered, excitement coloring his voice.

Emerging from the tunnel, they were met with an impressive sight. Before them, embedded in the cave wall, was a massive metallic door, humming with an unseen power source, no doubt shielding whatever lay beyond from prying eyes. A large control panel adorned its side, blinking with an array of multicolored lights.

Perun surveyed the daunting task before them. He squared his shoulders, the emerald glow from his ignited lightsaber reflecting in his determined eyes. "Any luck you might know how to get us through that, Dazzle?" he quipped gesturing towards the door.

@Arcangel