Ask The Old Lab

[Khlan Gonk]

Arkania​

Khlan shivered as he made his way forward through the snow and tundra. Behind him, BoomBox struggled to keep up, barely plodding through the snow on its short legs. Khlan wrapped his coat around himself tighter, for all the good it did him. The frigid temperatures of Arkania's tundras were devastating to any kind of species not bred for its extreme cold.

Khlan made his way over the cliff edge and looked up. His face turned into a wider smile as he saw the ruins of the facility. In truth, the fortress looking place looked worse for wear. It appeared some windows were broken near its top and the geometric building appeared to have partially collapsed on one side. The whipping winds and constant fall of snow seemed to threaten to bury the place again.

Khlan shuddered as he recalled the information he acquired. While the smuggler was half drunk and high on death sticks, he seemed to be reliable enough. An old lab from the days of the Arkanian Revolution had been unearthed from a recent avalanche. It seemed during the revolution, the labratory was bombed and abandoned, later buried by Arkania's dangerous weather. Only reason the smuggler knew about it was because he found it accidentally while looking for a place to hide. And now that the smuggler was dead and eaten, the only being who knew about it was Khlan and his companions.

Khlan looked back at the ship he had exited earlier. The Mandalorian who owned it seemed decent enough, or at least, professional enough. In exchange for a share of whatever was found inside, Khlan was able to secure his services. Khlan would've attempted to hire another Sith to aid him, but the time window on how long the base would be unearthed and reburied again was an uncertain one. Time was of the essence, and thus, the Mandalorian, who was the first being Khlan could contact, was essential as well. Khlan's old bodyguard was easy enough to convince to join along however, especially after the latest fiascos of the Sith. Khlan only hoped that Trodai could keep his Sith beliefs to a minimum while they were inside.

"Come on!" Khlan barked over the freezing winds. "It'll be warmer inside, I'm sure of it! You too BoomBox! You are our ticket to opening the doors!"

@Trodai Narat-iv-Adas @The Mad Hammer

 

[Xim Zhan]

Xim had to set his ship down several klicks from the steep and unsteady mountainside where the old research facility had been unearthed. It was that or risk his ship. He was not about to do that, again. And so he parked on a bit of solid rock that jutted out from the mountainous snowscape and sent his passengers along ahead with the promise he would meet them at the facility; that he wanted to check the perimeter before moving in. It was true, technically speaking. On the other hand, Xim had no intention of plodding through the snow any more than he had to. So as his cohorts set off, strange power droid in tow, Xim began the process of delicately offloading the crammed speeder bike he had in the ship’s hold. From there, he began to knowingly store extra provisions, food, a portable thermal emission device, and extra weapons, mainly ammunition, in the crafts saddlebags.

The fellows who had recruited and hired the Mandalorian were a curious lot. Their presence gave Xim a weird feeling, one that he really could not describe, but it set his nerves slightly on edge, almost like that telltale eerie calm that floated on the air once battle had turned to slaughter. He did not think much about it though. The payout promised was good and the Mandalorian had made it clear, while he did not work alone, he did do things his own way.

Throwing the last of his gear into the saddlebag, Xim turned and walked back aboard his ship. With the flip of a switch, Xim set his deep space transmitter to broadcast their position after two days. He really did not trust the mountain to not collapse any further. If it did, either his bike and it’s built in jammer would be swept away or he could deactivate it; but for now, they were on their own. Mounting the military grade speeder, Xim flipped the comm jammer and set off at an idle speed over the windswept snow, his heavy all-weather cloak flapping against the wind atop his black and blue-tinged armor.

Arcing out wide, Xim kept the speeder bike several meters from the ground as he set off at a 90-degree angle from the Sith (unknown to him) he was accompanying. In a few moments time, he had disappeared over the nearest hilltop and began a long wide sweep of the area. So far, it looked like they were truly alone out here. “Good. No competition.” He muttered behind his T-visored helm.

@Narzen @Trodai Narat-iv-Adas

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai had opted for some winter clothing given how cold it was outside the ship. He was surprised to find Khlan information had been reliable, given it's source. He knew it would be a boon for the Sith especially if they found some artefacts of use and even the fortress itself could perhaps be put back to use. Eventually. It was a good planet for training, especially given the frigid cold.

He pondered the possibilities.

For now though he followed, unsure about the newcomer, a outsider from the Order. But he seemed to know what he was doing so he left him to it. He likewise hoped Khlan didn't expose himself. Approaching with the other two, he waited for the slow droid to catch up. He sometimes didn't know why Khlan bothered with it.

@Khlan Gonk @Xim Zhan

 

[Khlan Gonk]

Khlan practically slid down the mountain side towards the old lab. BoomBox on the other hand tumbled at first before going into a skid, honking desperately the entire way. Khlan almost laughed as the helpless droid wiggled its upside down legs in the snow, a cruel sense of humor that extended to droids and organics alike.

"Don't look at me that way..." Klhan hissed at Trodai as he helped BoomBox to his feet. "He is a valued member of my family. And as a Jawa once told me, 'treat people in your debt like family: exploit them"

Khlan stood before the imposing gate of the laboratory, its durasteel walls as ominious as a Sith Temple. From looks alone, the gate hadn't been opened for centuries. If there were security defenses to the building, they had been long disabled.

"Come on BoomBox..." Khlan barked at the droid as he moved towards the gates side. Pulling out his plasma torch, Khlan quickly opened a panel to the building, Pulling out several wires and cables, Khlan began to analyse the electronics. The one advantage about tundra planets like Arkenia was that there wasn't as many rodent-esque creatures that would eat through circuitry like on Tatooine. Everything had to be either big to hunt down other creatures, or small but ate the little plant life that was available. Very few creatures could survive under the snow.

"Alright, this should work..." Khlan commented as he pulled two wires out and gestured for BoomBox to get close. With a few workings, Boombox became plugged into the giant doors and the outside security system.

D20 roll to open doors
Result: 20

Immediately, the gates came to life. After some creaking and moaning of old metal turning, the gates began to pull upwards. Khlan had a flashback to Jabba's palace and how those gates opened. Silently, Khlan thanked himself at being skilled enough to avoid the same power lines that powered whatever defenses the gates may or may not have supported.

Once the door was opened enough for himself to walk in (the others would have to bend over slightly), Khlan unplugged BoomBox. Immediately, the gate came to a grinding halt. Khlan looked at Trodai, as well as the Mandalorian if he had returned from scouting the area, and gestured forward.

"After you my friends." Khlan hissed with his permanent grin

@The Mad Hammer @Akheron

 

[Xim Zhan]

Carving a path through the frigid air, leaving a trail of lightly billowing snow in his wake, Xim scanned the empty wastes. There was really nothing out here; at least nothing that was not buried beneath mountains of precariously balanced snow.

The base itself looked abandoned. It was unlikely anything could have lived for the centuries it was trapped under the ice. Even now, exposed as it was, there were no signs of recent animal activity.

Circling about, Xim began to race toward the front entrance and the slowly approaching footmen. He arrived just as the stranger of the two was hooking up his droid to the door panel. He nodded in approval as the door rumbled to life. At least the man who hired him had half a brain; that was something compared to some of the more educated fellas who had hired the Watch in the past. “It looks like we’re alone on this rock. Not a sign of life for miles.”

Hopping from his speeder, Xim ducked and pushed the bike into the yawning entryway. It was dark inside, but the sunlight reflecting off the snow outside illuminated the bay in an eerie blue light. A bulky boxy solitary hoovercraft lilted dangerously to one side. Clearly inoperable, the craft was a testament to whatever it was that happened here a long time ago.

Looking about, Xim carefully led the speeder off to the side where he let it idle down. Using his helmeted HUD, the Mandalorian began to take in the room. He did not take his gaze from the dark shadows at the edges of the bay as he spoke. “Shut the door. I brought a portable thermal unit we can use to make things more bearable as a base camp. Once we’ve set things up, we can branch out and find . . . whatever it is you’re looking for here.” Xim pulled his E-11 and started to stalk forward. “I’ll check the perimeter.”

@Akheron @Narzen

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai listened although he wasn't sure about closing the door....there was no telling if by shutting it they would then become trapped. The structure was old. He admired it briefly, how many had likely lived and travelled here before them yet no longer. As Xim checked the perimeter, Trodai closed to Khlan whispering.

"What you make of our new friend. Can he be trusted? Seems to know what his doing, but he is a unknown variable. I don't like unknowns they have a tendency to bite back."

Trodai then proceeded to likewise check around anything Dim didn't see, he would. His eyes and ears alert and his swords ever ready to taste enemy flesh. He spoke out.

"Are you sure that's a good idea. No telling if we do, if we will be locked in. This place is old...very old. We got it working once, no telling if we will again."

@Khlan Gonk @Xim Zhan

 

[Khlan Gonk]

"Excellent idea..." Khlan growled at the idea of closing the door. Once inside, Khlan did just that. Soon, the entire garage bay area was shrouded in darkness save for what lights the group had brought with them. Thankfully for Khlan, BoomBox had long since been modified with lights pointed in all directions for situations just like this. What BoomBox illuminated wasn't very promising. A few broken down landspeeders by the looks of it, long torn apart for useful parts, and encased in thick layers of ice.

"Of course I'm sure..." Khlan winked with his good eye at Trodai. "Look at him. He's a professional. Very highly rated on the holonet. Didn't you see the armor? You don't get that by being a scumbag like me. Besides, if he wanted to be a turncoat on us, it would've been best in the ship, where he had homefield advantage. Here, he's the same as us. And as for the door..."

Khlan gestured to BoomBox. "If he can't open it, I saw some broken windows from outside. We'll just have to explore further to find an exit. Now help me unload his speeder. I don't like being the physical..."

Khlan stopped as his foot sunk into something squishy. Looking down, the Gank made a face of disgust as he realized his good foot had stepped in something warm and smelly.

"Even in the most remote places of the galaxy, I'm always stepping in something..."

Spoiler

OOC: Roll for number of Arkanian Dragons
Result: 1

A surge of blue/white fire erupted from the ceiling towards BoomBox. The Droid honked loudly as the fire bathed its body, knocking its lights out temporarily. In the pure darkness, the beast slithered and glided from rafter to rafter towards the armored foe. The size of a nerf calf, the thing had dug into the labratory when the avalanched first occurred, and survived here feasting on some of the dead bodies the Mandalorian may have found by now. This new meat was an opportunity for something fresh, and their warm blood would do well to coat its scales. Plus, it had grown bored, and this hunt would be entertaining for it.

@Trodai Narat-iv-Adas @The Mad Hammer

 

[Xim Zhan]

The lightly armored Mandalorian moved with the stealth of a jungle car. Each step was cautious and assured as the man snaked through the hangar. Even in the almost pitch black, he weaved through the rubble and debris with the skill of a skilled operator. Everything seemed as would be expected: empty, frigid, and desolate; until, that is he found the first body. The frozen shriveled flesh was dried and mummified. That was not unexpected. This entire base had clearly been enveloped in a cataclysm that undoubtedly trapped those who could bot escape in an icy tomb. What was unexpected were the ravages wrought upon the body years after death. Someone or someTHING had taken to disemboweling the body and removing whatever had not been turned to frozen ash.

And then there was another.
And another.
And another.

It was as if they had all been drug here from throughout the base. Each of them had undergone the same disgusting ordeal. Each of the bodies was long since dead though; and hopefully whatever had done this to them.

That was until a gout of fire illuminated the room with light and heat before the room went dark. Xim dropped to a crouch, his head moving back and forth as he looked and listened for the monster. His HUD continued to scan as he moved, aiding the beast-slayer in the darkness as he took one careful step after another until he found a somewhat clear area in the middle of the room.

Standing perfectly still, Xim’s ears strained listening in the darkness, rifle held at the ready.

And there it was, the scritching of claws on metal as the beast launched itself to flight through the low-ceilinged hangar. And even in the darkness, the sensors in Xim’s HUD detected the beast as it streaked toward hin, giving him just enough warning to dive to the side in a roll as a gout of flame illuminated where he had been standing.

From his crouched position, two whistling projectiles zipped from the man’s outstretched arm. The two miniature projectiles (whistling birds) looped through the air before they crashed into the dragon’s outstretched leathery wings with small fiery explosions. The next moment the monster crashed into the floor, a mass of snarling anger and pain.

Popping up, Xim unleashed a torrent of blaster bolts from his E-11 as he moved at an angle, illuminating the air and the armored hide of the monster with tongues of destruction.

@Narzen @Akheron

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai listened, satisfied at least for now and yet annoyed at being ordered about like he were still a bodyguard. He would need to inform Khlan that their dynamic was nothing like it once was, to let him know he didn't approve of his tone and being ordered about like some lackey. He was neither, he had a Master now and was a Sith. And he was a hive of confusion and thoughts, the last thing he needed was him barking orders at him.

While the Mandolorian continued looking around, Trodai simply ignored Khlan. A sign of his disapproval, even as he spoke, venom in his voice. Whispering so the other did not hear them.

"You need to stop ordering me about, Khlan. Or do forget what I am now. I am not your slave...your bodyguard anymore. I have surpassed that. Only that who I serve, Caerllion may make such demands. I suggest you remember that in future. You must learn to do some things yourself, instead of relying on me to pick up your slack all the time. Times are changing. And if you didn't want anything physical perhaps you are in the wrong organisation. You need to start doing things yourself instead of relying on me all the time. I say this only so you may grow as I have old friend."

Although still a friend he hoped he had made his point crystal clear. He was no longer a lackey and he was being genuine about it all. Instead he too went about searching, finding many of the bodies in pieces, and by the looks of it partially eaten long after they had passed. He laughed a bit, amused at how moments later he stepped in some kind of dung. That served him right.

Stopping, he was certain his ears picked up noises. Noises of something alive inside with them, his Pureblood senses allowing him to hear what others could not. Lesser species. As the Dragon flew abput, he too unloaded his blaster, and when it crashed down he approached, charging, yet away from the flames. And as it crashed he jumped atop the beast, riding it like it were a rancor. From there he sliced at the wings, intending to rip them off and slit it's throat after with his swords.

Dragon or not. He would bring it down and beneath his boots.

@Khlan Gonk @Xim Zhan

 

[Khlan Gonk]

Khlan snarled noiselessly at Trodai's little speal at Khlan's demand of help unloading the speeder. The sith's workings on his old friend were not boding well for the Gank's opprotunistic ways. Perhaps this adventure would help Khlan establish that one should always be kind to the doctor.

Khlan looked up in the darkness as he tried to locate the beast in vain. Khlan eventually stumbled towards his droid and slowly helped the thing up to its legs as the others handled the dragon.

"Maybe they'll need our help more because of this fight" Khlan whispered to BoomBox, who honked in pain.

The Dragon screeched in pain as its wings were basically clipped by the whistling birds. The blaster shots were easily blocked by its scales, but when Trodai landed on it and began to cut it apart, it screeched further in pain as more blue gouts of fire escaped its mouth. However, the weight of the figure, its wounded wings, and now cut throat, were too much for it, and it slumped over, dead.

In its final breaths, it attempted to move towards the only exit it knew about: the partially open door to deeper into the lab.

@Akheron @The Mad Hammer

 

[Xim Zhan]

Xim pulled his gun up, hard, in an effort to stop his contractor’s fellow (or was he another hired goon?) from getting turned into so much charred meat. The man had charges directly into the line of fire and leapt upon the beast in the darkness like some sort of spice-crazed Rodian in heat. Figuring that might be the end for the fellow, Xim did the only thing he could think of, and began to lock on a target for his wrist-mounted rocket. If given the chance, he’d blow the beasty and half the room to the nine hells of Corellia.

To be fair, the contract never specified that Xim was hired to preserve life, well at least not any ride-alongs anyway. Mission success was the nature of the contract; get in, get things figured, and get out. That seemed to entail at least the Mandalorian’s contractor needed to survive. Regardless, Xim was not pleased that this thing was potentially jeopardizing his payday.

Luck seemed to be on the being’s side; however, as the dragon fell much easier than one would have expected. Xim did not stay to watch any further as he began to scan the room and the ceiling for any other nasty surprises. Pulling a flashlight from his belt, the man clipped it to his helmet, broadcasting a cone of light before him as he circled back around toward @Khlan Gonk.

As he approached the fellow, whatever he was, and his beloved droid (another thing he may or may not have to protect) he growled, his frustration poking through the professionalism in his voice as spoke, noting @Trodai Narat-iv-Adas was still across the room amongst the bodies and the beast and out of earshot, “Keep your dog on it’s leash. Next time I cannot promise he does not go down with the prey.”

And with that he stalked past the Gank and began to pull the remaining items from his saddle bags and set up camp. Soon enough, the portable thermal emitter was blowing his way and warming the room nicely. Xim settled down, back to his bike as he pulled his helmet free in the glow of the heater and bit into a ration bar.

@Akheron @Narzen

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai was relieved the Dragon went down, his sword slitting it's throat like carving a turkey. He held on as the beast made for the exit, and jabbed a sword into it's skull to be sure it was gone. Certain he jumped off, making for the Mandalorian. He wasn't amused at being shot at. Did he not see him? They would have words.

For now he ignored Khlan, this was a matter for Xim and Trodai. He sat down, seeing him for who he was as he mucked in a ration bar. He wasn't a fan and preferred meat. He took some from the dragon carcass, along with a tooth and some blood samples. The Sith might find it useful. Xim was handsome in his own way, but a human. And so discarded as anything worth seeing more about.

At least for now, time would tell. Instead Trodai spoke, trying to remain calm.

"What was that about? Did you not see me. No disrespect but say something next time."

He sighed speaking again, calmly.

"I don't believe we have been formally introduced. Call me Trodai. And who might you be? Besides a Mandalorian."

@Khlan Gonk @Xim Zhan

 

[Khlan Gonk]

Khlan almost flinched at the Mandalorian's choice of words. Already his 'bodyguard' had become slightly troublesome, and now the hired help, by calling Trodai Khlan's dog, was going to get his own head bit off if he wasn't careful, and no doubt leave Khlan stranded on this ice world as being fully annoyed with him, despite professionalism. Khlan needed to either keep these two placated or this entire trip could be lethal for him.

"Trodai, this is Xim Zhan" Khlan helped introduced the Mandalorian. Calling on what he remembered when he read up on the warrior, he added "The great slayer of the Lava Dragon of Sullust if I remember right."

Khlan figured speaking up about that feat of strength the Mandalorian had under his belt would help garnish some respect between the two.

After two either talked or didn't talk, Khlan, sitting near the thermal emitter and warming his organic hand, began to explain his purpose here.

"Have either of you two heard of the Arkanian revolution? Apparently it was a big deal back before the empire. Lots of fighting, lots of death, but most important of all, lots of innovation on the rebels side. Engineered entire armies from scratch using cybernetics. Created perfected warriors overnight using both machine and organics in beautiful perfection. Well perfection besides mine of course..."

Khlan laughed as he pointed towards his own replaced eye with his robotic hand.

"Anyways, I'm wanting to go into business for myself."

Khlan held up his hands as he imagined a big holoscreen advertising what he said next.

"Khlan's Cybernetics: Yesterday's Lost Limbs Reforged Today!' Or 'Why Wait for Evolution? Ascend Today!' ...or something. It's a work in progress. Anyways, I need some...unique product to reproduce. Something to give me an edge in the competitive market, as well as something to improve myself. This lab is an untapped source, used by the rebels but never recovered due to the avalanches that plague this area. Since the rebels lost to the republic, the local government has no idea this place even exists."

Khlan clapped his hands together and pressed them in excitement.

"Now, as you two discovered with that beast, there may be troubles inside this lab. Hence why I brought you two. And in addition to the payment, once I get the business working, you both will be up for discounted prices. Think of it as further incentive for this mission to be successful."

@Trodai Narat-iv-Adas @The Mad Hammer

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai listened to his old friend, so that's who it was. It still didn't change his opinion much just yet. The Pureblood listened as Khlan explained why they were here, he never could understand his fascination with cybernetics. Especially when it dampened the connection to the Darkness and the Magick.

He would have to ask some point.

He was interested in what was said about the lab, not so much his old allies plans. Beyond the fact that he was offering a discount, but that wasn't very persuasive...he was after something more tangible. It appeared they were both after some kind of start up funding. An idea came to mind, perhaps they could help each other.

He thought upon the fact that entire armies had been made here,this was of interest.

If the research still remained perhaps they could collect it and use it for he Sit. To supplement their ranks and build the backbone of a army. The potential was there.

Once Milan was finished speaking he pulled him off to the side a moment, so they could speak privately. Away from the mercenary he spoke almost whispering.

"You ideas have some merit friend. But I need something more than a mere discount, something more tangible. my designs extend beyond just us. This place has much potential as you said for the Order. I ask in exchange for my help here some shares I your company when it is up and running. And access to the research for the Order. It will be useful in creating a new army and put us in good stead. In return I offer shares in my own company when I get it running and something more...useful to you. A favour when needed."

He waited, spoke again.

"I must ask though, what is your fascination with cybernetics? You do know it dampens the connection right? I would be mindful of how our you use or risk becoming a liability to the Order. That and if you ever hope to grow in you abilities it would be wise to cut back a bit. Just some advice friend . "

It was true, and somehow he knew despite his opportunistic nature, Khlan did too. In his own way.

Trodai headed back to the the other man.

@Khlan Gonk @Xim Zhan

 

[Xim Zhan]

Xim nodded in greeting as the red skinned being came over to introduce himself and his benefactor jumped in to speak on his behalf. The man listened quietly as the two spoke before the angry one pulled Xim’s benefactor to the cold shadowy edges of their encampment and they conversed in hushed tones. What they spoke about really did not matter to the Mandalorian, but he watched nevertheless, judging by their body language. These two were entrepreneurs of some sort with a prior relationship; one that, judging by their exchange, was not exactly the most solid. Maybe that was why the sickly one had paid to bring him along, to protect him as much from this mutant Quarren as from whatever freakazoid creations might still be lurking about.

After severa moments, Xim stood, flicking a bit of debris from his armor. He walked toward the other two. “Perhaps we should leave the hushed talk for when you are safe at home, if there are monsters to be found; we ought do so now, before they find us.” With that, the man turned and with his headlight streaming into the darkness began to advance, blaster in hand. Whatever unnatural monstrosities these rebels had fathomed from the deepest recesses of their minds had not been enough to win their so called revolution; and now they faced an even greater foe, a Mandalorian.

Stepping over the mutilated bodies, Xim entered the first doorway he found. A cold lifeless hallway stretched into the inky blackness. With a look over his shoulder at the other two, he took his first steps into the unknown, stepping over a gaping fissure in the floor that ran up the walls.

So in addition to dragons and monsters, the place was not structurally sound either. All the more reason to proceed with haste.

Slowly, Xim advanced down the hallway, semi-confident that at least if another monster attacked their camp, the red one could buy the doctor time for Xim to return.

At the first door, Xim cautiously entered; his blaster sweeping a clear path into the room before him. Beneath his feet broken glass and debris crunched and scratched the icy floor. His light illuminated the room as his head swilled to take it all in. A lab, or it had been one. Now it was destroyed. Criling tiles had fallen in or dangled precariously in the silent frozen air, massive bacta-like tanks had been smashed outward, their frystalline shards coated in frozen blood and spread across the floor. Delicate machines broken to smithereens; if Xim did not know any better, the scene reminded him of the stories of the fabled IG assassin droids and their birth and the aftermath of such destruction. The room had been ravaged and the gouging claw marks through the walls testified to the monsters or dragons that might have been born here.

@Akheron @Narzen

 

[Khlan Gonk]

"Yes yes. I suppose that works too, as long as I have freedom to pursue my interests" khlan waved the counter offer. He expected more enthusiasm, but oh well, that was life with the sith.

A Trodai 's question, Khlan looked almost offended.

"Flesh is so uncertain and weak my friend. The only certainty of your body is that it will die. Not even the force will prevent that. But when you and I are 100, and your failing eyes glaze over and your weaking body no longer obeys you, you will want what only cybernetics can provide. "

"Besides..." khlan added. "I've heard rumors that the greatest of us was more machine than man"

Khlan turned towards the mando and nodded. "Right you are Xim! Lead on. "

When the group eventually came to the room, khlan looked on in both curiosity and disappointment. He expected the place to be ruins, but more well preserved than this. Walking over some of the rubble and broken glass, Khlan searched the room for signs of something he could study further.

"This...this doesn't make sense..." khlan stated as he studied the bacta tanks. "Where are the bodies? Shouldn't there be bodies here?"

@The Mad Hammer @Akheron

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai considered Khlan's words about his counter offer, agreeing to the terms. Although he also saw how he reacted to his other line of questioning. Khlan did have a point in a way. Vader was what he said and more. But also flawed, a failure too weak to continue. He had returned to the Light in the end. The traitor. Or so he thought. He

He spoke.

"I didn't mean to offend you. Sorry. You have a point. Although just be careful is all....wouldn't want you to lose that personality to yours would we old friend." he joked before joining the Mandalorian and Khlan as they moved forwards. Looking around Trodai eyes narrowed. Clearly something happened here. Either there were more beasts like the dragon that took the bodies or someone else did. Neither was a option that was appealing.

As Khlan screeched his questions out, Trodai spoke in return.

"Looks like that dragon may not have been alone. Either they took the bodies or someone else....but who is the question. We will have to find out. I suggest checking the tubes, see if we can find a clue."

And so Trodai approached, it wasn't a pleasant task, but it had to be done. He looked inside and around the tank area for clues. Mentioning they should probably do the same.

@Khlan Gonk @Xim Zhan

 

[Khlan Gonk]

Khlan wrinkled his nose as he popped in his head closer to the broken bacta tanks. There was a particularly odd smell inside this one. Of course, bacta smelled weird enough to him already, but this was definitely different. It almost smelled like wet dog or something.

"Doesn't look like anything is in he-"

Suddenly khlan felt a grip around his neck and was flying across the room. Due to being choked, khlan was unable to scream, but the noise he made crashing through broken tables was enough. Eventually he crashed into the opposing wall and fell to the ground. Above him where his head was a moment ago, the wall dented inwards from a large blow that echoed in the room.

Khlan gasped a few times for air and saw the shadow appear over him. It was about the size of xim, but much bulkier. Khlan would've initially believed it was a ghost, if it wasnt for the glowing red eyes of sensors where it's head was and the flickering sparks that traveled across its body.

Then the shadow, with its eyes and sparks, was gone.

Khlan felt a drop in his stomach as the force around him responded to the danger he was in. Going off instinct, khlan rolled sideways just to avoid a laser blast where he was just a moment ago.

---

Hunter-3 aimed his blaster arm where he believed the noise came from and opened fire again. The darn little creature had moved and proving to be a nuisance. He cursed himself for missing with his punch earlier and not choking out the thing when he had a chance. But his worst fears had been confirmed. The revolution was lost, and the government had sent one of their 'enhanced' xenos to clear out the place.

Still, it did not matter. He was perfect. He was enhanced beyond realization. The defel- attached light altering fur over his metal limbs and blaster hand, combined with the partially faulty disguise generator, made him practically invisible. True, it meant he couldn't see unless he opened his eyes, but there was something to be said for firing blindly.

Hunter-3 turned and began to open fire in the direction where the other two xenos were believed to be. He would finish these intruders, find his other two brothers who were checking on the other assets, and would begin the revolution again.

@Akheron @The Mad Hammer

 

[Xim Zhan]

The Mandalorian was more cautious than his benefactor. He was beginning to see why the creature needed his help. In fact, as much as he did not trust the red one, he could not help nodding in agreement. They had already found one dragon, and where there was one hungry beasty, there was usually something or someone else equally hungry.

And so, he slowed his approach into the room. It seemed safe enough, devastated yes, but relatively empty. As Khlan rushed forward in the pitch black to investigate, Xim stepped back to glance out the door. If something was out there, it was probably outside. Statistically speaking. With a quick bob, Xim stuck his head into the hallway, glancing the way they had come and then further inward; the small beam of light doing little to pierce the oppressive frozen darkness. Xim did pause. What was that? He thought he could hear something. Something faint. It almost sounded like, “Dripping?” he pondered aloud.

He did not have time to ponder it though, as all hell seemed to break loose behind him. Whipping around, his light illuminated Khlan just as he slammed into the already busted up tables. Xim did not have time to think. It was time for action. He took a pair of run jng steps as dropped to a hip and slid into the room with a clatter. Bracing his right arm in his left, Xim pointed his gauntlet toward the corner of the room where the glowing pair of eyes blinked into darkness and a chaotic spray of blaster fire began to pepper the room. That made it easy to target, easy to track. Even if he could not see the ghost for some reason, he could see where it was shooting from; and ghosts could not hold guns in his experience. It took something tangible to do that; and tangible things more often than not, could catch fire.

As his HUD winked and flashed a target lock on the location of the blaster fire before his eyes, Xim simultaneously sent the rocket trailing from his outstretched out as he cried aloud, “TAKE COVER!!”allowing the momentum of the shot to lie him onto his back. In such an enclosed space, such recklessness could be disastrous; but given the stories, the dragon, everything, he was beyond taking chances. Xim was a hunter and he knew sometimes the kill could not be pretty.

A white wisp trailed the anti-light armored vehicle wrist rocket; not that it would be noticeable in such a short range, even in this lab. Whatever the rocket hit, it detonated in a fiery blossom of destruction. Designed for taking down lightly armored tanks and personnel carriers and filling them with fire the rocket spewed fire out for 10 feet in every direction, the cacophony of displaced air sending a shockwave through the rest of the room that sent the already destroyed rubble and equipment flying like jagged shrapnel outward. Already on the ground, Xim was sent skidding backwards, instinctively throwing his gauntleted hands down toward his jewels out of protection and a desire to someday procreate.

@Akheron @Narzen

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai reacted quickly as his danger sense alerted to incoming shrapnel. He drove backwards as the July cyborg before them flung Milan like he was a doll. That had to hurt he thought. Although a little pain was not necessarily a bad thing. As the Mandalorian, Xim unleashed a barrage of blaster fire and rockets, he stayed back, not wanting another incident.

Only once it died down did he advance, hoping to see if anything still moved. If it did, he was prepared to slice and blast it limb from limb. And once destroyed claim the technology. It appeared to be of some use. Infiltrators perhaps for the Sith. He thought of the possibilities.

@Xim Zhan @Khlan Gonk