"Fond Memories, Terrible Nightmares" (Ask/Invite)

[Thecomicbookbroad]

The sky was dark and fathomless, stars scattered like a million lightning bugs hanging above the sand and her skin smoked in the bitter cold.

She howled as the water washed over her body, self inflicted burns turning the candle white of her complexion pink. The boiling contents of the bucket she held above her head soaked the ground and lifted steamy fingers like hungry hands to the triplet moon.

“At’cha’cha!” her companion clicked his tongue in belated warning.

“It is hot! I was telling you!”

She was an oddity, A Zabrak with sinister eyes lined red with Golden Irises. Her face was striking and fair, long locks pouring from her thorny crown, slick and falling over her breast like cascades of auburn.

“Oh do shut up.” replied the woman, her breath hanging in the air like a small ghost as she grinned through her refreshing agony.

She handed him several credits and sighed with relief, looping a towel- twisted to slimness around her graceful neck, arms holding each end with clenched fist.

“ A lady needs a hot bath.” She said, flashing sharp canines from her plump lips and delicately flexing her neck. The comely curvature of her hips jutted and she lifted her chin.

“Water well spent.”

Three days into a hunting expedition had left Stasha Evie restless. She longed for the luxuries of cultivated life and jumped upon every scant passerby with credits ready at her small gloved hands- the wandering merchant crossing Tatooine on a chance route had found an eager buyer in her, demanding his canister of boiled water for double the practical price.

Dressing her exposed upper half with a turn of her back she flicked moisture from her sopping locks- scalding water spraying his suntanned face.

He wiped his eyes and found the Zabrak scowling from over her shoulder.

“Thank you.” she said sourly, her eyes darting back to the flickering fire light of a nearby camp- her camp.

“I shouldn’t be needing more.”

Tugging at her sleeves with a small snap she exited.

“And what might I ask,” called the merchant. “I s a ‘lady’ doing all the way out in Tatooine’s lost trail?”

The hint of a laugh wrinkled her nose.

“Searching.” she replied, temporarily turning to face him and continuing on backwards steps.

She wore a brassier of jet black, the distant light reflecting from it like lacquer and a body suite peeled to her waist, its sleeves hanging at her hips.

As her form grew in distance he called once more

“Searching for what!”

Evie smirked,

She lowered her head and ran her fingers through her hair, replying softly to herself.

“Whatever decides to find us…”

 

[T.J]

Fire was an interesting force, it had the power to keep a sentient alive on a cold night, but it could also destroy millions of lives in a wildfire. It was a symbol of life and death, of courage and fear, nations rose and fell from its touch. On this particular night though, it was a source of heat for food that was to be cooked for Ares and his other guild members.

They were in the middle of the Tatooine desert, having arrived earlier in the day to set up a camp and prepare for the next day. On that day they would be hunting, but not for snetients like the norm, on that day they would be hunting one of the most fearsome beasts known to the desert planet.... A Krayt dragon, seconded only by its much bigger cousin the greater krayt dragon. The hunt was to start when the sun rose over the sand dunes in the morning, but that wasnt for another several hours. Ares was just going to enjoy the outside while he could, most of his suit sat on a large piece of clothe next to him, the only parts that remained on him was his chestplate and backplate. The hunter sat on a rather large rock, one of his fellow guild members, Shawn Mac'neal, stoked the fire as he cooked several raw pieces of meat. His wife Stasha had gone to a close by trading post for some 'supplies', sometimes Ares still didnt understand that woman.

The hunt they were soon to embark on reminded him of one of the few people he trusted, one he hadnt seen in a long time. Truthfully he couldnt wait, hunting sentients could and did get old after a while, even with Ares zealous quest in his heart. Looking up to the three moons that adorned the sky, Ares silently wondered how the events of the next day would play out.

 

[Arm514ve]

Shawn sat at the fires edge stoking the fire, making sure that there food wasn’t going to catch on fire. This trip was something to help them all loosen up after so many incidents it was times like these that made him wonder, if things would go back to the way things were when he first joined the guild. Happier times….. Ok not so happy tourcher, being shot, maimed. Though this trip also brought pain for him, seeing Ares and Stasha really happy on this trip, it always did. It reminded him to much of what he lost. It showed a little on his face but he tried to hide it. “So you think I packed enough equipment for this hunt?” Shawn said pointing with his thumb behind him at his armor near his tent and the two proton torpedo launchers lying next to it. Not to mention the small armory he brought with him.

 

[Thecomicbookbroad]

Evie daintily stepped between Ares and Shawn, settling down beside her husband and pulling close for warmth- the heat of her skin radiating around her like a faint beacon.

She faintly smiled at Shawn from across the flames and shifted positions, resting on her side, One leg folded like a human sundial and her cheek propped up by a folded arm.

“I think you packed enough- though I’m not entirely sure what you think we’re hunting.” Shawn’s small arsenal sat like a funeral pile just at his back.

Massaging her jaw tiredly the molten ember of her eyes held Ares.

Her eyebrows raised,

“So,” she said breathily, ringing out her hair to dry.

“What’s the word on our Dragon?”

The day had left them fruitless- the crafty prey seemed to allude them at every turn, but the newest sighting had put the trio’s hunt on a jump start, tracking the beast’s every move and growing steadily nearer. The Thrill made Evie’s blood boil. She tired of city prey....It was an animal thing.

 

[T.J]

" Earlier there were some screeches coming from deeper in the canyon. I think we're gonna run into at least one of em before mornin." Ares said idly as he cleaned the visor on his helmet, sand was never a good thing when it came to delicate hardware. Ares would need to be extra careful to keep as much of it as he could out of his suit, he would need it at one hundred percent when they actually found the Krayt Dragon they had been hunting for the last couple days.

" I suggest you keep a blaster on you at all times love...." He said as he tapped his assualt rifle that lay next to his leg with his index finger. " They might be drawn to the fire...."

Glancing breifly towards the fire, Ares spoke again. " No offense Shawn. But can you make it as quick as possible? This armor doesnt exactly get on in 5 seconds...and a Krayt could be right next to us before we eve know it."

 

[Arm514ve]

“Ok ok" Shawn said agitated and a hint of anger that usually wasn’t there was in his voice. “The foods ready anyway. And you should have upgraded your armor to the Ex-Gear, system like I suggested when Xano finished with my armor. It makes the armor faster to get on, and off.” Shawn said moving the meat rack off to a rock to his left and started putting out the fire. “If you excuse me I’ll get to bed early wake me when it’s my watch.” Shawn grabbed his gear as he entered his tent.

 

[Thecomicbookbroad]

Evie Got to her feet and slowly stepped to the tents adjacent. Entering her own she spoke while dressing, adorning a rancor hide coat with a fur lined collar-pewter and thick, she ran her fingers over the fleece greedily.

Enveloped in the soft down she shut her eyes smiling like a child with pleasant dreams, her arms wrapped around her shoulders as she embraced herself.

“Mmm…”she purred.

“ You worry too much, Love.” she called to Ares.

“After all the chase it’s put up- I doubt it will play moth.”

She never considered herself a materialistic woman- She enjoyed purchasing flashy weaponry, like the platinum rifle she reached for next with its matching blaster she gartered at her thigh holster.- but being a creature of habit, she was content with uniform.

Though….every daughter who has ever had a mother knows the ecstasy of adorning her clothes and finding its fit flattering. Stasha Evie was no exception. She had been a mean child, innocence knows no limits to cruelty and she often tested its boundaries with her playmates. It earned her a constant scolding. A seat always reserved in the “time-out” corner. She was a small girl, slightly plump (it wasn’t until her baby fat was shed that her newly gained attention from males pickled her in vanity.) with flushed cheeks and large, keen eyes with thick lashes.

Her mother would shake her head, click her tongue and chant: “Stasha, Stasha, Stasha, What am I to do with you?”
Then she’d sit young Stasha in the corner and occupy herself with her make-up before her father would return and “have a word” with their unruly young ward.

It was a ritual, Evie’s mother would touch up her make-up just before her father returned home, and Evie- being sat by her side to reflect upon her trouble making venture of the day- would watch curiously.

Her mother was a slender woman, Her skin dark and her hair rich and raven, she would sit for half an hour, patting her cheeks with faint rough and her lips ox blood.

Evie would watch.

Admiration, lighting her face.

When she found her reflection satisfactory (usually just seconds before her husband entered the home) she would rush to the closet smirking and retrieve her coat- The coat.

Stasha adored her mother.

Even then, pulling her parent’s coat over her frame- several years after her death she felt the same watery-eyed pride she felt as a child,

Peering over her shoulder as she put on lipstick…

The quick “zip” of the neighboring tent stole her attention and the Zabrak peeked out from the doorway.

Finding That Shawn had left the fire she flashed Ares an annoyed expression.

Sighing dejectedly she stiffly approached the dinner tray and turned over a half cooked portion of meat.
“Shawn!” she hissed.

“Its not rare enough! I like to see red!”

Frustrated she locked her jaw and rolled her eyes.

“Ares, damn all of it - I am not going to bed without food! What did you do?”

 

[T.J]

" Stasha..... We are in the middle of the desert. You want something other than that slab of meat then by all means go trudging off into the darkness and shoot yourself a wamprat." Ares said slightly annoyed as he folded the clothe around his armor pieces and picked the whole thing up like a parcel.

The hunter sighed, realizing his words might have been a little harsh, he quickly thought of something to try and soften his tone. " You can have my meal if you want babe, it should be done more to your liking....." He said as he brushed past Stasha to set the parcel of armor inside his and his wifes tent. Ares didnt re-imerge from the tent, he was getting tired, and lack of sleep was not a good thing when hunting a giant beast. He didnt go to sleep though, just simply sat down on the makeshift bed and waited for his wife.

 

[Thecomicbookbroad]

Evie’s eyes followed after Ares as he departed and she crossed her arms, pouting at his back momentarily.

Her thoughts of defiance were short lived, followed by feelings of guilt.

Unlike most women who found themselves putting up a front to hide their vulnerability, she more often did so to hide how NOT vulnerable she was.

The Huntress’ expression soured, Letting her attention briefly fall upon their abandoned meal she took several bites from his portion before wiping her lips clean and returning to the tent. She stood quietly in the door way imploring him with her eyes to speak.

Her face softened.

"What's the matter?" she asked in near whisper.

 

[T.J]

" Hmm?" Ares said absent mindedly as he was he watched his wife outside the tent door. It wasnt that he didnt hear her, it was just a refelx of sorts. Before his wife could re-state her question, Ares answered her.

" I'm just waiting for you Stasha, we need to get up in a few hours, and you know I dont sleep well when your gone." The threat of raiders had been at the back of Ares mind since they made planet side on tatooine, it always happened one time or another. He counted the group he was in lucky that it hadnt happened yet. The bounty hunter knew they would be able to handle pretty much anything the raiders had to throw at them, but in the middle of the night thnigs got meshed together, friendly fire was alot more prominent.

 

[Thecomicbookbroad]

Taking a seat by her husband's side Evie slouched her shoulders and shifted to find comfort. Crossing her arms she affectionately leaned over, her chin resting upon the human's shoulder. She stared into his face, a grin of mischeif curling her lips.

A small rustling sound outside caused her to jolt- alerted as if at attention to a drill sergeant's order.

Silently she scanned their camp from the door way- no intruders in sight.

returning to bed she smiled and found her place.

Resolving that the disorder must have been Shawn or another non-hostile force she relaxed...Or attempted.

 

[Arm514ve]

Shawn emerged from his tent in his armors flight suit. it offered protection from the cold since the fire was out. he sat on a cluster of rocks that was close to the tents. Shawn sat ontop of them starring at the three moons, and the stars in the night sky. it was a beautiful sight to behold, since the brightness of the cities Shawn was so use to usually bloked them out. It was times like these he wished he still had someone he could share this veiw with. done feeling sorry for himself Shawn stood up and turned to head back to his tent but let Ares know befor he went back that it was his watch, Whan a shot rang out.

Shawn felt the pain before he head the Shot as a slug peirced his left Shoulder passing through. He fell from the rocks and was rendered un-concious as the roars of Sand people were heard approching there camp.

 

[T.J]

Ares armor was already halfway on, him having almost the entire upper half of his body covered save for his cybernetic arm. With a hiss his helmet sealed to his upper body suit, and before his wife could even react he was out of the tent and into the night.

With his infared setting on his visor, Ares was able to see what the others couldnt, and a part of him was happy of the fact. Hot red blobs almost completely encircled the small camp. As if by instinct, Ares ran over to Shawn, shooting into the mass of raiders on the ridge above to cover himself as he did so. Seeing that the tents would do nothing to shield the bounty hunters from the hail of fire that was dure to ensue, Ares dragged Shawn to the bottom of the rock formation and used himself to shield the fallen hunter while simultaniously yelling, " Stasha, get out here and get behind me! "

Ares knew he they wouldnt be able to get alot of cover, so he was going to use himself as the cover. As he yelled he brought his rifles grenade launcher to bare and fired it at the ridgeside to his left, causing some of it to cave in and fall.

 

[Thecomicbookbroad]

Stasha Leapt from the tent, rifle cradled in her arms as she landed on bended knee, aiming into the inky blackness of the night.

She had been asleep but a few minutes when the shots had sounded.

Cursing under her breath she heeded Ares Calls and narrowly side stepped a slug shot.

Her eyes had yet to adjust- as if it mattered, under the shield of night they had been attacked…an ambush was almost certain.

“Damn sand sava-”

In the distance a cliff side fell broken by grenade fire.

The Zabrak sauntered, her coat shifting against her bare chest and rifle strap over her shoulder in the wind.

Coming to the small rocky cover she ducked low.

“We need to move!” she hissed over the blaring white noise of battle.

“Oh Shawn…” she gazed down at their injured comrade before bringing her own arms to bare.

She and Shawn were good friends, they had seen many good times in each others company and it angered her to see him sucker punched by a Tusken raider with a lucky trigger finger.

Leaning out from the human sheild of Ares' flank she squinted for a target.

 

[Arm514ve]

Shawn came to, mild shock affecting him from the suprise bullet that had hit him and the pain it caused. But he fought through it getting to his feet and ran towards his tent, and entered it dodgeing fire as it landed near him in the sand infront and behind him.

 

[Niner]

Kal Skirata, renegade leader of the Bounty Hunters Guild, had been following the group of three, good friends of his, for a while now. He had know the sand people were coming and had tried to get a warning to the group without revealing himself. Now it seems he had to take matters a bit more drastically. He pulled the hood of his robes up over his head, casting his face in shadow.

He saw a raider fire and hit Shawn. Kal leapt onto the raider's back, hooking his legs around his waist and throwing him to the ground were he plunged a knife into his throat. Picking up the piece of junk rifle he quickly recalibrated the scope from the fall and looking through it starting picking off some of the raiders entering the camp, being sure not to hit ones near the group, lest he shoot one of them by accident.

Unfortuantley Kal got sucked into the scope so much that he didn't notice the raider sneaking up behind him until he got hit across the head with a gaffii stick. Kal rolled neatly to his feet and grabbed the raider by the neck. At this point Kal was standing on top of a sand dune overlooking the camp, the bright stars showed a cloaked figure holding a raider aloft with one hand. The figure, Kal, pulled one pistol and put it the raider's head then without mercy or a second thought, pulled the trigger and let the headless body slump to the ground. He looked back down at the camp and decided he had done enough....for now. He turned his back to it and ran off towards his hoverbike waiting for him....

 

[Thecomicbookbroad]

"Shawn!" Evie shouted after him as he tore off towards his tent, She refocused on the enemy, Her hands firm and her aim steady.

She calmed herself and set her sights on a distant target- he fell dead from the surrounding crest before she could strike. A silhouette had attacked and claimed him. It was too distant to be sure but either way a struggled had cost her a shot. Friendly fire amongst the raiders? Not likely.


Abandoning her position she turned and fired just as an attacker sprung from behind. It was not until he was several feet away that she realized the ranged attacks weren’t the only threat.

The Tusken’s had begun to close in.

While some remained on the high ground, raining fire into the camp, several had descended to seek out a…closer combat.

 

[T.J]

Ares was just about to fire another grenade from his rifle when a slug from a tusken's rifle tore through his left leg, the same one that had been hit twice in the past. Due to the pain of the sluf ripping through his exposed flesh, his gun arm went up and wide as his trigger finger clenched, causing the grenade to fire high into the air.

Falling on his right knee to support his weight, Ares continued to fire, cursing himself for not putting all his armor on when he had the chance. He waited for his stray grenade to explode, but didnt hear it over the din of gunfire until several secods after he thought it would have gone off, meaning it shot alot farther that he originally anticipated. Unbeknownst to the bounty hunter, it sailed directly to and detonated on, Kal's speeder bike. Blowing it up in a shower of metal and fire before Kal could even get on it.

It also donned on Ares that the tusken's were getting closer to he and his wifes position, so he decided to try and keep the closer ones at bay with a spreay of slug thrower fire from his rifle. It wasnt aimed at anything in particular, but it did knock down several closer tusken's, and cause several more to duck for cover.

 

[Arm514ve]

Shawn put his armor on it each armored part went on easily do to it being in sections that closed and secured itself. In a minute flat the armor was fully on and operational. The heads up display to the armor linked to Shawn's fighter which was orbiting and on stand by. The on board AI watching for trouble ever vigilant, it began its decent as soon as there was gun fire detected in the hunter’s vicinity.

"Good thirty seconds out enough time to paint the targets." Shawn stepped out of the tent with the enhanced lighting mode on and visually painted each of the raiders that were on the ledge and a few coming down. Shawn yelled through he mic speakers to his comrades further up. "Incoming danger close." and with that said he sent the fire command. A volley of torpedoes launched from Shawn’s fighter and a few seconds latter the whistling of the torpedoes falling could be heard then multiple brilliant explosions could be seen along the tuskans lines.

 

[Niner]

Kal was running to his speeder bike when a grenade sailed out and slammed into it, blowing it up. He was flung backwards by the explosion.
"Damn it Ares." He grumbled. "Now I have to do this the hard way.

He drew the sword he was carrying from under his cloak, a long wicked looking scimitar like sword, and charged back to the camp, just in time for the rockets to explode into the dunes were he was. Reaching the camp Kal charged into a group of five or six tuskens that were grouping enmass for an attack. However fifteen years of intensive martial training had prepared Kal for this. He rolled over the back of one of the raiders, grabbing his neck in a headlock as he went and snapping it while plunging the sword into the chest of another. Crouched on the ground he swept the legs out from under a charging tusken and brought a heel kick down smashing his face in, the sound of the skull being crushed was like an overripe melon. Kal turned to face the last raider who was stumbling backwards and raising a rifle at Kal. He charged the raider with his sword held in a ready position. Kal watched intensly as he saw the raider squeeze the trigger, and at that precise moment he went down into a baseball slide between the legs of the startled raider, cutting his hamstrings as we passed. The raider fell to his knees in a shriek of agony which Kal silenced with a swift chop of his sword and the thump of the raider's head hitting the ground.

Kal looked around for more enemies and didn't see any left. He made sure that his hood was still concealing his face before he checked to see were Ares, Evie, and Shawn were.