The Madclaw

[Negative Blessing]

The ship carrying the three Sith landed on a platform high above the legendary Shadowlands on the planet of Kashyyyk. Recent events throughout the New Sith Imperium had brought the trio here to hunt down and apprehend, or kill if it comes down to it, a Wookie Madclaw named Ayyalaraju. According to the reports from the Imperial Criminal Database, the Wookie was wanted for several unprovoked attacks against Imperial patrols, killing at least four of the Empress' glorious soldiers. All attempts to bring him in had proven both dangerous and unsuccessful up to this pointe. Now it seemed three Sith, one Sith Master and two Sith Crusaders, had come here to do what the rank and file could not; bring this Wookie to justice.

Stepping off the ramp of the ship onto the wooden platform, Sith Master Grima Volitu arrived to the planet for the only third time in her life. The previous two visits proved to be eventful and knowledgeable to her. However, this time it was all business. Personally she had no issues with the Wookies nor did she care about their plights over the past centuries. she respected their strength and their combat prowess but as a species, she found them to be primitive and submissive. How could a species so powerful and unpredictable end up in the chains of slavery so often? Though slavery was both frowned upon and outlawed in the Sith Imperium, several Wookies still ended up as slaves on several other worlds. The arms of the Empire can only stretch so far.

Not waiting for her two companions, one being her former Apprentice and the other one now closely associated with her; the two known as the Hands of Order and Chaos, she began walking down the wooden platform pass the the three checkpoints before coming to the ancient turbolift that would carry them down to the dark world of the Shadowlands to hunt their quarry. She stopped and waited for the others to catch up. The Sith Witch was few on words but when she spoke, her words contained knowledge, wisdom, venom, and fear.

"You both have read the reports on this Wookie so you know how dangerous a Madclaw is. Our top priority is to capture this....beast....and bring him to justice so that he may stand trial for the murder of the Empress' soldiers. If all attempts to capture him prove ineffective....then we simply kill him and bring his hands to the Inquisitors so that they have proof of this creature's demise and by that, show the citizens of the Empire that we Sith intend to keep them safe unlike their previous sovereigns."

Grima steps inside the turbolift waiting for the other two to join her.

 

[Bubák]

The Sith trio was finally reunited once again. It’s been many years since the three fought together against the Alliance forces, both Avreet and Ghenna as mere Acolytes. The two now proudly held the title of a Sith Crusader, and also called themselves Grima’s Hands. The Sith Master did not rise through the ranks, though she had became older, wiser and much more powerful. Avreet truly cherished those rare moments when he worked alongside the two Sith. He felt unstoppable; knowing the three of them could accomplish almost anything and unravel the mysteries of the Dark Side of the Force. This mission in particular had nothing to do with the Force, the tree tasked to track down a dangerous Wookiee murderer and bring him to justice. If the target resisted, deliver the justice on the spot. It mattered little to the young Mon Cal.

Following Master Volitu, the Hand of Order’s heavy black cloak waved behind him as he stepped down the ramp onto the wooden platform. Strong winds gushed through the heights of the forest if they found a gap between the trees. Of course, building atop of the trees was the only option if the natives did not want to try their chances in the Shadowlands… The Mon Cal slowly paced near the edge of the platform they stood on, leaning against the railing and taking a deep breath of the familiar Kashyyk air while his large amber eyes gazed at the trees, slowly swiveling down to look into the depths. This was not the first time he had visited the planet. Memories from the war came back to him, slowly emerging in his mind. Watching a group of rebellious Wookiees through a scope before burning holes into their furs and bodies… Hiding high in the branches, Force cloak hiding him from prying eyes, waiting for his target before jumping down, igniting both of his lightsabers and burying them into an Alliance Major as he landed on him… Remembering those and more things that had happened to him, he glanced at the Togruta Sith Master, his mind returning to the present.

Walking over to his former Master, Avreet’s right eye glared at her as she spoke, his other eye looking up at the mechanism and hoping this ancient way of getting down the Shadowlands was safe enough. This planet desperately needed the Empire to modernize its primitive machines. Frowning, both eyes swiveled to look into the face belonging to Master Volitu, her eyes and skin corrupt by the Dark Side. “Master Volitu, I’d advise to bring the beast’s head if its death cannot be avoided. Many beings can survive without their hands, just a few without a head. I believe a head will serve as much better evidence, also allowing the Inquisitors confirm the kill faster.” The Mon Calamari spoke softly, his raspy voice containing respect he felt towards Grima Volitu. Truly, Avreet never understood why someone wanted a weapon or a hand of their opponent to confirm their demise.

The left eye of the Mon Cal darted at the white haired woman, so Avreet now stared at both of his female companions. Now that he saw both of them, he could clearly see many signs of Dark Side corruption in their faces. Their skin was paler than it should be, their eyes having a yellowish tone, black veins clearly visible. The amphibious Sith had not yet registered any of those signs marking his body, but it made him wonder if it was harmful in some way. If delving deeper into the Dark Side meant having his body look like that plus several unhealthy effects, then he’d never allow himself to use the Dark Side more than necessary. For an infiltrator, having his face corrupt in a way typical for the Sith would be highly counter-productive.

 

[LadyM]

I never been to this world before but from everything I managed to learn from the holovids and datapads I knew this was a dangerous and hostile world. The Shadowlands themselves were infected by some very nasty creatures, some the mighty Wookies were afraid to hunt, and one crazed Wookie that had brought us here. Though it was good to be working alongside Avreet and Master Volitu again. Every time we were together, no force could oppose us. And this time would be no different.

I was the last to emerge from the ship and was awed by the beauty of the planet. The colours of the foliage were bright and varied in different colours. But what caught me off guard were the massive trees. Even as I stood there momentarily gazing at them, the name of these massive trees escaped my lips.

As I stood there gaping at the trees, I noticed that I had fallen behind the other two. I jogged slightly to catch up and when I passed the checkpoints I gave the Imperial soldiers a slight nod of my head. It was a gesture to assure them that their Madclaw problem was now being taken care of by professionals.

I caught up to Master Volitu and Crusader Zatarus who were now standing by some rickety turbolift that would take us down below. I gave a skeptical glance at the turbolift then looked at the Sith Master as she spoke to us. Once she finished and Avreet spoke up, I found myself craving to speak as well.

"I agree with Crusader Zatarus, Master Volitu. We should take his head back instead of his claws. In fact," I said then stopped to look back at the Imperial soldiers standing guard at the checkpointes. When I turned back to look at my companions I added, "We should give the clawed hands to the Imperial soldiers to solidify their belief and trust in the New Sith Imperium."

 

[Camellia Swift]

Ayyalaraju was making his way through the lower levels of Kashyyk, the place known as the Shadowlands by his people and others. It was where darkness thrived and the most dangerous predators of the planet lurked. The ancient foe the Katarn continued to reign in this region, hunting the other creatures of the forest world including the wookies. And in turn they themselves were hunted as prey as well by the wookies, marking the rite of passage to adulthood for many of the youth of Ayyalaraju's people. He was here because he was no longer accepted anywhere else. His fellows had marked him a Madclaw by tradition as he had broken that honored rule to never use ones own claws to do harm to others.

And the Empire hunted him because it was they who he had wielded his claws against.

The great wookie loosed a menacing growl remembering those enemies of his. The Sith and their Imperial soldiers, who had come to his home to destroy those who opposed them. He recalled as others who were there did, the number who died fighting the invaders. Including his own kin. All in the defense of the Galactic Alliance and the Jedi. And they had failed. . . . .the sacrifices and futility of the actions taken then had haunted the young wookie. For a while he had remained in a near stupor, barely interacting with the world around him.

Until he had snapped.

Then he had torn the imperials apart with his own hands! Their deaths were immediately satisfying, though the implications of his exile afterward had terrified him. There was no correcting that mistake however, now he made the most of it. Whatever patrols he could catch he would destroy! Whichever he could lure to their doom at the hand of the denizens of the Shadowlands he would trick! Eventually they would send a dedicated party to come for him. They might even send Sith! Ayyalaraju intended to kill any the Empire sent for him. The more they sned the more he would kill and take his revenge.

And if they sent none at all his insult to them would remain. . . . . but still, blood was sweeter. Ayyalaraju grinned toothily hoping they would send some for him someday.

 

[Negative Blessing]

Grima switched her eyes from Avreet to Ghenna as they both spoke of taking the head of the Wookie rather than its claws. In her mind she could see how gruesome the scene would be carrying back a severed head and the effects it would have on the other Wookies that would see it or smell it. With a small grin on her face she replied, "Then it is decided....we will return with the beast's head and showcase it on our return to the ship. The head will install fear into any other Wookie or Wookies that feel the need to challenge the authority of the Empire. It is fear that will keep these beasts and others under the rule of the Empire."

Stepping into the turbolift she adds, "And Ghenna....if you feel the need to solidify the rank and files trust in us...then so be it." When the others stepped into the ancient lift, Grima pressed the button on a moss covered panel and the machine rumbled to life before starting its descent to the Shadowlands. During the downward journey Grima scans the Forest via the Force trying to pick up any forms of life in the current vicinity that would look upon the trio as potential food and make the fatal mistake of trying to sink their teeth into them.

When the lift finally touched down the Sith Witch emerged from it feeling more than ready to begin the hunt for this Madclaw. She had learned in the past that it would be easier to separate in order to cover more ground, but this was not one of those times. The Madclaw was not the only threat that stalked the Shadowlands.

On her last visit she had killed one of the famed anakkona and a Dark Side corrupted bantha while searching for a legendary lightsaber crystal with one of her Apprentices. Kashyyyk itself was not much of dangerous planet; but the Shadowlands was something completely different. They would need to be aware and leave nothing to chance.

"I sense something has taken an interest in us," the Sith Master says spinning to her left just as several Kinrath emerge from the thick foliage charging toward the trio of Sith. With hatred in her eyes and her lips curled into a snarl, Grima slowly raises both of her hands; fingers splayed apart. Starting off as an eerie crackling noise, a blue and white energy begins to dance across her fingertips. Then in a flash and blur, the energy erupts from her fingers and engulfs one of the Kinrath causing it shudder violently while its body begins to smoke and burn from the lightning.

Just as the Kinrath crashed to the forest floor dead, she unclasps one of her lightsabers, ignites it, and then using the Force to guide her weapon hurls it at another of the insect like creatures. When the black and purple bladed connects with the Kinrath, the blade cuts the insect in two. She pulls out her other lightsaber and powers it up when she presses the activation stud on the side of the hilt. The blade hums into existence just as she reaches out and grabs her returning lightsaber. While the Kinrath scurry toward the Sith, Grima walks toward them with confidence and poise. She is the apex predator.

 

[Bubák]

Avreet smiled at his fellow Hand as she agreed with his plan of taking the beast’s head rather than just hands. His smile quickly faded though, hearing she wanted to take the Wookiee’s head and hands. The gruesome image of cutting the beast into pieces did not go well with Avreet’s morals. Such a needless mutilation of a sentient being’s body was cruel and unethical in his opinion, but it’d ultimately be on Master Volitu to decide the Wookiee’s fate. The Togruta did not linger, approving of their plan almost immediately. The Mon Cal knew the Sith Master surely had a reason to agree with Ghenna’s idea, and so he quickly reminded himself the being they hunted was a murderous scum unworthy of life in a perfect galaxy.

As the three Sith travelled down towards the Shadowlands, Avreet calmly watched the massive tree platform system above them becoming smaller and smaller, his cybernetic eye studying the distance, wondering if it’d be possible to jump all the way up there from the Shadowlands using a powerful version of Force jump. Those thoughts made him swivel his large orange eyes to goggle at the surrounding ancient trees. Theoretically, if this outdated lift broke, trapping the three in the Shadowlands, it’d be possible for them to get back up by jumping on the massive tree branches. Avreet did not expect that to happen, but it was always good to have a backup plan like that.

The wooden hoist stopped with a heavy thud as it hit the ground, signaling the Sith trio reached their destination. Closing his eyes, Avreet deeply inhaled the air and reached out through the Force, hoping to determine how much interference they would get while searching for the Wookiee. As expected, the forest was swarming with life. Plants, insects, animals, the young Mon Calamari could not even feel it all. Finding the target might prove very difficult; even Avreet’s cybernetic eye being next to useless, as the beast was at home, it knew this place intimately and surely anticipated the arrival of someone to hunt it down. Traps had to be expected, though they’d only delay the inevitable end of this story.

Opening his eyes and mouth to say something to the Togruta leading them, Avreet did not let out a sound as the Sith Master spoke first. The Mon Cal had to admit, he had not sensed any danger a second ago when searching through the surrounding Force as he could not properly distinguish threat in the vast sea of fear coming from the animals scared of the three visitors. Or maybe they were scared of the few Kinrath charging the Sith from the bushes?

His left eye carefully watched as Grima dealt with several beasts, leaving a few to her Hands. The Hand of Order did not flinch as one of the animals ran straight at him, the twin hilts flew from their location on his belt and into his open hands, crimson light humming to life. Both of the blades pointed at the incoming animal, the Force guiding the lightsaber wielding amphibian and telling him to take a simple step to the left just before the poisonous appendage of the Kinrath hit him, with his weapons still aiming towards the beast that was not fast enough. Dashing forward, slightly crouching next to the animal and drawing his arms to the left, he severed all legs on the Kinrath’s right side, the beast helplessly falling down as it lost all balance, furiously kicking and beating the bround with the set of legs on its other side. All its attempts to survive were in vain however, as the young Mon Cal brought his blades down and sunk them into the creature’s head, ending its misery.

When the threat got dispersed, Avreet could finally talk to his Master. “Master Volitu,” said the Crusader to get the Master's attention, “After reading the reports, I believe our target possesses an uncontrolled rage towards Imperial forces. The chest plate I wear is a piece of an outdated Imperial armor. It’s been used during the Liberation of Kashyyk though, which means it could work as bait. Like a moth blindly following light, only to get burned, our target might have a fit of rage upon seeing my armor, the target’s hate compelling it to attack us. If I am right, it might make the hardest part of this mission, finding the target, a little bit easier.” The Mon Cal explained. Upon remembering what happened to the poor Imperial that fell victim to the Wookiee's hate, Avreet suddenly did not feel bad about cutting the monster into pieces. He preferred his kills to be quick, clean and painless, but he wanted to make the monster die slowly. It was not cruelty, no, it was justice in his eyes.

 

[LadyM]

I entered the wooden device that would take us down below to search for this crazy Wookie knowing that when and if we do kill it, its claws would be given over to the Imperial soldiers. But Master Volitu had expressed to us that this Wookie was to be captured first, killed if we could not capture it. The fate of the Madclaw was of its own design.

I stared out into the forest as we rode the lift to the Shadowlands. As before, I was in awe of my surroundings. I glanced over at Master Volitu and Crusader Zatarus, the Hand of Order, briefly before returning my eyes back to the landscape. I opened myself up and felt several different feelings, some primitive and some I could not place. The Dark Side was here but it was all jumbled up. I found it difficult to focus on anyone thing so instead of allowing frustration to set in, I began to speak the Sith Code to myself.

The lift touched down and I had just stepped off it when I saw Master Volitu, barely hearing her words at the time, turn and unleash a torrent of lighting at some creature I never seen before. I saw more of the same beasts emerge from the bushes a short distance for us and began to chatter and run toward us. I removed Serpent's Breath from my side and ignited him.

I charged toward two of the creatures and when I was close I gripped one of them through the Force and slammed it into the creature next to it, knocking them both to the ground where my lightsaber's blade made quick work of them. I killed two more of the creatures and when I looked around, I saw that our greeters were all dead. I powered down my weapon and returned it back to my red waist sash.

"Well that was an interesting greeting," I announced as I moved back to the other two Sith. When Avreet spoke to Master Volitu I found that what he was saying made perfect sense. Trying not to laugh at the Mon Calamari I said, "Bait, huh? I can think of several fishing references right now but I will reserve them for a later time Hand of Order." I patted Avreet on the shoulder and finally laughed.

 

[Camellia Swift]

There was a disturbance in the Shadowlands, Ayyalaraju could practically feel it. His hunt for the lesser creatures of the dark forest floor had been interrupted by the flurry of wildlife around him. The young wookie bared his fangs as he watched the foliage of the shrubs and branches part as several creatures made their way away from the source of some commotion. Only a few of the braver beasts, such as the katarn and kinrath, appeared to not be so daunted. Those either made their move to pounce on the more terrified and weaker animals, or headed toward whatever trouble the rest fled our of curiosity or sure in their strength. As for Ayyalaraju himself, he merely paused in his own movements to avoid detection by the other predators roused to action so as to avoid unnecessary fighting.

He was however, very interested in whatever it was that had startled and stirred the creatures of the Shadowland to act as they did. And so with a low growl as the last of the predators had vacated the vicinity Ayyalaraju began to head towards where the other beasts had fled.

 

[Negative Blessing]

Grima swirled around, her blades out in front of her, and cut the last of the beasts in several pieces. She looked all around and smiled at the carnage that was strewn across the forest floor. She had a code of killing she followed faithfully but predators that sought to make a meal of her did not fall into any category other than kill or be killed. Returning her powered down weapons to her waist belt, she pulled her cloak around her first, then returned the hood to the top part of her head.

"There seems to be some truth in your words Hand of Order....for it seems this Madclaw only seeks to dismember Imperial forces. Though the Wookies are primitive and their language is harsh on the ears....they can read Basic and decipher symbols just as anyone of us can," Grima replies after stopping next to her two companions.

With a smirk on her face at the words of the Ghenna, the Hand of Chaos, she adds, "I will not order you to put yourself into harm's way Crusader Zatarus. This is your choice and your choice alone. Then Avreet, you will walk out ahead of us while I cast a Sith spell known as Spell of Concealment on Ghenna and myself. When the Wookie reveals himself, we will have the furry beast!" Grima punches her left hand into her right palm.

Closing her eyes, she begins to draw upon the Dark Side of the Force and when she is at full capacity, she utters the spell word, "Ziur mus nie vel ". Ghenna and the Sith Witch vanish into thin air.

"We are ready Crusader Zatarus," Grima whispers.

 

[Bubák]

Avreet ignored his fellow Hand's comment, his face remaining emotionless, eyes fixed at the Sith Master as he listened to her opinion on his plan. While not a victim of fish jokes in the school, many Sith Acolytes certainly liked to make fun at his expense. The Mon Cal usually took it as a display of lesser intelligence, but he knew his white haired friend meant it in a good way, or he hoped, so the young Mon Calamari decided not to draw any conclusions from that. Ghenna obviously liked to tease him, somewhat a surprise since she became a whole new person according to her, clearly abusing the fact Avreet was too well mannered to respond in kind. Too polite to use stupid racial jokes anyway, but certainly not above something different that'd certainly wipe the smile off her face.

Since Grima agreed to his plan, the Mon Cal nodded and waited until she made herself and Crusader Ghenna invisible. The Force was such a powerful ally! Before proceeding any further, Avreet smiled at the nothingness where Ghenna stood, he could clearly see the young woman thanks to his cybernetic eye. "Make sure nothing happens to your prized bait, Yr'il," he grinned as he called her by her real name, the name she wanted to separate from her new identity so badly. To ensure there would be no retaliation, he started forging one of the most difficult Force powers in his possession; Force projection.

The Mon Cal wanted to make a nice scene for the target, and what would be a Mon Calamari in an old Sith trooper armor without any troopers? Closing his eyes and remembering the propaganda posters, as well as many of his friends who served in the army, he bended the light on his right side, shaping it into figure of an Imperial soldier. Once he correctly adjusted the color of his armor, adding several visible scratches to make the projection look believable, he started marching into the jungle, the projection copying his movements. It looked perfect.

Walking on a well travelled path until he reached a small clearing, the Mon Cal loudly sighed and sat on a rock, watching the trees around them. The illusion remained standing, guarding the Sith. “Trooper,” asked the Mon Cal, his right eye swiveling towards the armoured man, “Do you remember the glorious times of our last visit here? Crushing the Alliance scums, fighting against the wild beasts the Wookiees are. How we burned down their villages and threw their women and children into flames? That reminds me of an old joke. What does a Wookiee do in a burning forest? It burns as well!” laughed the Mon Calamari in a fake laugh, bending sound waves to make the illusion laugh too.

 

[LadyM]

I clamped my hand over my mouth to stifle a chuckle after hearing Avreet's words, not wanting to give away our plan after Master Volitu had render her and I invisible. It seemed he still wished to call me by the name of a dead person. Attachments were so hard to break it seemed.

When Avreet had used a power unfamiliar to me and created a lifelike image of a trooper, I was impressed. Not to let him down or fail him, I began to walk through the forest floor avoiding stepping on any thing that would make the sounds of snap or crinkle. Though as I walked, I opened up my senses trying to determine of this Wookie was taking the bait or if something was taking the bait.

I stopped behind a tree and watched and listened as Avreet had a mock conversation with his 'trooper'. I could only shake my head at the confidence of the Hand or Order. He had volunteered himself to be bait but more importantly, he was putting his full trust in two other Sith. I knew I would commend him for that.

Suddenly I began to feel tinges through the Force of something predatory and full of rage. Was this to be our Wookie or something different. I reached down and removed my hilt from my waist sash and waited, some what patiently.

 

[Camellia Swift]

Ayyalaraju arrived on seen after the Sith had deployed their trickery, not seeing them in the progress of creating their illusions and deceptions. The young wookiee had taken a more cautious approach to the scene of the commotion that had frightened off the lesser beasts from earlier. After all, there were other curious and dangerous predators creeping about the spot as well, having been drawn by thick stench of death that had wafted through the shadowlands. The exile with his instinct and honed senses could see, hear, and smell where several katarn and kinrath were prowling through the brush. The latter creatures seeming the most agitated, though they hovered at a much greater distance than himself and the katarn from the beings who were visible around the area only just a ways out from the elevator that connected the upper levels to the forest floor.

Imperial troopers, smug and sure in their safety of numbers and armor no doubt by the looks of it. The sight of them made the wookiee's blood boil as he watched them, his sharp teeth grinding together slightly. Though something did not feel right about the scene as Ayyalaraju surveyed the area before him. Something did not smell right about the soldiers out there, and it was odd how they appeared to be making no moves with their size giving the idea they were a patrol unit meant to be on the move. Things only became clearer when Ayyalaraju turned his gaze on the corpses of the slain Kinrath nearby. That had been what the commotion had been that had disturbed the Shadowlands, and the realization nearly made the young hunter guffaw and give himself away.

The number of dead Kinrath was too large for the supposed force of Imperials to have dealt with without any casualties. Not to mention, how pathetically obvious it was that the dead creatures had not been dealt with by blasterfire. No. . . . .what had killed the Kinrath was something much more dangerous and worth hunting than Imperial fodder. Perhaps it was one of their kinds tricks that made soldiers that did not smell right? Or maybe they were just using the fools as bait for something. If that were the case why not oblige them somehow then?

Ayyalaraju grinned a toothy smile as he slowly rose and moved with silent footsteps, careful to avoid disturbing the brush, as he approached a point above the Katarn. Then, hefting a stone he had picked up along the way, Ayyalaraju launched the rock at the creature's hindquarters to stir the on edge predator and its companion into a frenzy. They had been so cautiously watching the Imperial Soldiers that their attention was riveted upon them once they were whipped into motion. The two beasts barreling out of their hiding place in the brush to charge the Imperial soldiers, snarling and snapping at them as the misinterpreted source of their shock and slight pain.