Open Ryloth What Lies Beneath?

[Galen Havard]

"Sounds like a plan to me," Galen replied upon hearing the Mandalorian's plan.

It was simple and straightforward, and he could appreciate that. Throw a grenade and blow them up, and do whatever was necessary to accomplish that one goal. It was better not to complicate things. Life was already complicated enough.

Chysim had begun searching the ground, looking for tracks. After a few moments of searching, the Trandoshan found what he was looking for and gestured for Galen and Laren to follow him.

The Trandoshan and Mandalorian were seemingly unaffected by the dioxis gas and its toxic fumes, but that was not the case for Galen. He had left his gas mask back in his ship.

If I even still have one, he wondered with a frown, thinking back to one particular mission involving his gas mask that hadn't ended in success. He'd have to search for it when he got back to his ship, assuming he did get back to his ship. He liked his chances at present, particularly with the Mandalorian and Trandoshan along for the ride.

Once the gas had cleared enough for Galen to safely pass through, he followed Chysim and Laren deeper into the depths of the earth.

"Should be fun," Galen commented, chuckling to himself as he dusted his clothes off.

@Scoobert @Kell Rook

 

[Laren Vano]

The Mandalorian was listening to what Chysim was saying about the nest and possible queen bug thing. It was agreed that the bugs needed to be eliminated. The group had a way to eliminate the infestation of the bugs. Whether they decide to use the option that Laren had to offer was up to them. Once the Mandalorian made it to the nest, wherever that may be, he would be throwing the Ion grenade into it.

"Alright then, let's move."

Laren noticed the others were ready for a fight. So leading them into the fight would be what he was going to do. With a wave of his hand he began to walk down the path they were walking before. Whatever lied beyond would suffer the wrath of the trio. Gods help the insects that dared attack the likes of the three bounty hunters making their way through the tunnels of the mines.

@llamallove @Kell Rook

 

[Chysim Reech]

“What are you lot fighting for?” Chysim asked haphazardly while he continued to track the bugs. He needed some sort of info on who he was working with to help him ease up a bit. To Chysim, family was honor and honor was life. Every day Chysim walked outside his ship, he was bringing the Reech family name with him. Or that’s something his father would tell him.

While he waited patiently for an answer, he picked up on more tracks that seemed to be getting more and more concentrated the further they went down deeper into the mines. He readied his cycler rifle and grunted to warn the others of the potential company they might be having. There wasn’t a lot to be worried about- as long as nobody did anything stupid. If everyone managed to keep their head straight and their aim straighter then this job would be as easy as any other job Chysim did.

@Scoobert @llamallove

 

[Galen Havard]

"What am I fighting for?" Galen repeated, repeating the Trandoshan's question. It took him by surprise. He did not expect Chysim to ask such a personal question. He seemed more like the shoot first and never ask questions type. Or perhaps that was Laren.

"It's a job," he answered, shrugging as he kept his tone low. They definitely weren't alone down here, so there was no need to advertise. "So credits I guess? TaggeCo hires me fairly often for jobs like this." Well, maybe not jobs just like this. He didn't fight off large, slobbering green monsters on a daily basis. Imagine the amount of laundry he'd have to do if that was the case? "The type of jobs that no one else is 'stupid' enough to do," he chuckled quietly, recalling the words of the Chagrian overseeing this mining operation.

Almost no one, Galen thought to himself, amused as he glanced at the Mandalorian and the Trandoshan in turn.

The deeper into the mine they traveled, the more signs there were of the creatures that lived down there. There were large, swooping scratches and gashes running the length of the walls. They found more bodies and body parts scattered, signs of scuffles in the dirt beneath their feet. They were getting close.

In the darkness ahead of them, a hissing and chittering sound echoed in their ears. Two large yellow eyes stared at them.

@Scoobert @Kell Rook

 

[Laren Vano]

Laren was listening in what Galen was speaking about. He made a good point about the job being for credits. So the fighting was for the credits. It was a simple thing to fight for. Though his purpose would mean nothing if the guys with the money just decided to not pay him. What would he do then, go eat dirt and call himself a mud muncher? There are so many better things to fight for than just credits.

The Mandalorian looked at the pair with him as he walked and decided to answer the question himself,

"If you ask me. I fought for myself. I have a brother, I would fight for him. If I had someone to call my other half, I would fight for them too. I guess you could say I fought for what I love.... and boy do I love credits."

Laren would pat the back of Galen after that last remark, then looking back in front of him to see the glowing eyes. It was obvious there was more waiting for them. Without skipping a beat Laren readied his flamethrower and looked to the Trandoshan, Chysim

"Got some more flammable stuff?"

@Kell Rook @llamallove

 

[Chysim Reech]

Money. Greed sure ruled the galaxy didn’t it? But Chysim had a feeling these guys weren’t just in it for the money. They were like him. Fighting for something more. It probably wasn’t obvious with Galen, but Chsyim only chuckled after hearing what Laren said. “I fight for my father.” He said simply and grabbed another dioxis grenade, grinning like it was his birthday.

The Mando had a good heart which Chysim could respect. The Trandoshan could see something creeping next to him in the dark.
It was a bug.
Chysim grabbed it by the head- it was a smaller one -then shifted his weight on it so he could pin it against the wall. It’s jaws and pincers snapped at him so he fed it the grenade and reveled in its slow death, it’s life literally being choked away by the toxic gas. To finish it off, as to not torture the beats any further, he slit it’s throat with a single claw and let the body drop to the floor.
Limp and lifeless.
Soon these predators would meet the Apex.
And it sure as hell isn’t the Mando.

 

[Galen Havard]

Both the Mandalorian and the Trandoshan were family men. The Mandalorian had a brother, and the Trandoshan had a father. It was admirable, to be willing to fight to the death for the ones you cared about. To be willing to defend their honor, their legacy, and their lives no matter the personal cost.

As admirable as it might have been, Galen didn't feel the same way. Between a mother that had skipped out and a gambling father that sold him to the Hutts, he'd never had much reason to care about his family, much less fight for them.

He was here for the credits, plain and simple. Good will didn't make the galaxy turn. Credits did. You wouldn't survive long jumping from rock to rock if your pockets weren't lined with credits. Galen preferred have a running ship full of fuel and a full belly, and that meant getting paid regularly. A part of him enjoyed the thrill of the job too, he supposed, the search for adventure and never knowing what lie ahead. Or what lie beneath in this case.

Galen chuckled at Laren's joke about credits. "Don't we all?"

There was no need for more "flammable stuff" it would turn out, at least not for the present. Chysim grabbed ahold of the creature's head and pinned it to the wall of the cave, as if it was an opponent in a prize fight instead of a monster. This particular creature was smaller than the others, probably much younger, but it was still an impressive display of strength by the Trandsoshan. With a single swipe of his claws, he slit the creature's throat, and it fell to the ground, dead.

"Do a lot of prize fighting?" Galen asked Chysim in jest, stepping past the dead creature and following Laren deeper into the passage.

Eventually, he stopped abruptly next to Laren. He moved a foot out in front of him but felt no ground beneath his feet. With an outstretched arm, he held his glowwrod in front of him, revealing an underground chasm at least fifty feet wide and fifty feet deep. It was too dark to see how far it stretched. The three of them stood at the edge of the chasm, and within it rested hundreds of eggs.

"I think we found their lair," Galen muttered, stating the obvious.

@Scoobert @Kell Rook

 

[Laren Vano]

Listening in on what the Trandoshan had been saying what he fought for, was Laren. The speaking of family seemed to be a recurring theme among the group. Laren himself mentioned his brother, then Chysim mentioned the fight for his father. The Mandalorian could really respect that about the giant reptilian man. To show his respect Laren would turn back and nod to the Trandoshan.

Whenever Laren had nodded, he noticed there was a bug getting ready to attack, luckily the Trandoshan had been ready for the dumb bug. The gas hitting the face of the bug and a slit of the throat. It was a nice way to put a cherry on top, but in the end all that mattered was that the bug was dead.

"Nice touch."

Laren continued down the path with Galen and Chysim and listened to what Galen had to say. Asking if Chysim had ever done any prize fighting. That may have been a bit of a brutal thing to do but not anything like a prize fighter. Maybe a pit fighter, not prize enough. Before Laren could put his two cents in, Galen had seemed to almost fall. Looked like the ground just ended and a chasm began. Looking down with his thermals, Laren noticed there were eggs everywhere. It would be a very bad idea to go down to fight.

"Alright men, going down is a suicide mission. No telling how many are ready to hatch, nor how many adults are ready to attack. So if there was ever a time to use this ION grenade.. it's now. We will need to run as fast as we can out of the tunnels. Once it's detonated.. we have 15 seconds for a head start running out of the tunnels. I hope you're ready."

@llamallove @Kell Rook

 

[Chysim Reech]

(Mobile)

Chysim didn’t reply to Galen’s comment about prize fighting and only grunted. He did, however, appreciate the nod Laren gave to him. It was small, but that action would be remembered for the next time Chysim had to work with the Mando.

“More work, more credits. More credits, more explosives. More explosives, more of a chance at freeing my father.” The large lizard put simply and then followed that up with another grunt.

After they approached the hole, Chysim listened to Laren’s spiel, nodded and chuckled. “I like you guys…I can’t smell any fear. Heheh, not yet.” The Hunter grabbed something that seemed to resemble a thermal imploder and held it tight.

It was plan B, in case the ion grenade didn’t do the job right the first time.

@Scoobert @llamallove

 

[Galen Havard]

Galen couldn't have agreed more. Diving into a pit filled with large, abnormally colored monster eggs was the last thing he wanted to do. You don't have to say that twice, he thought to himself as he continued to stare down into the chasm.

Laren's next words drew his attention upward, back to the Mandalorian and the Trandoshan beside him. The plan had not changed: throw an ION grenade into the midst of the creature's nest and run like their lives depended on it. Their lives did depend on it, in fact, but there was no point in dwelling on that.

Chysim pulled something from somewhere on his person. It was difficult to see in the dark, but it appeared to be a thermal imploder clutched so tightly in his large, clawed hands. The sight of it was oddly comforting. It's always nice to have a backup plan.

"We'll want to keep our eyes on the ceiling too," Galen commented aloud, staring upward. "An explosion like that could bring this whole place tumbling down on our heads." Both Laren and Chysim knew that of course, but it bore mentioning. He cast Laren a comical sideways glance, his eyes roaming the Mandalorian's helmet. "I don't know how beskar fares against large chunks of falling rock, but I know they don't do my head any good."

He took a step back from the edge of the chasm. "All that's left is to blow this place sky high." Three or four green monsters began to appear on the other side of the chasm, entering through another passageway that led to their nest. As soon as they had spotted the three men with their piercing yellow eyes, they began to advance, moving for a natural bridge of rock that stretched across the pit. "And there's no time like the present," Galen added, readying his blaster.

@Scoobert @Kell Rook

 

[Laren Vano]

"You two start running. I'll drop the bomb when I feel you are at a safe enough distance. GO!!!"

Laren waited for a moment as the others would take the opportunity to save themselves. If they didn't they were stupid and Laren would blame them for their deaths, if they die. The monsters that were across the way were closing in. Laren waited until he would absolutely have to start running. Once the insects had made it to the wall of the chasm beneath Laren's feet, he would hit the detonator at 15 seconds, and toss it into the chasm. Now.. he runs.

Turning quickly he ran through the tunnel he had been walking through with the others. Laren was fast so hopefully it was enough to beat the blast and the caving of the tunnels. It'll be quick.. so Laren will have to be quicker.

@llamallove @Kell Rook

 

[Chysim Reech]

(Mobile)

Chysim did as he was told, but because he was larger, he was a little slower than the other two. Rocks began falling as he had planned on, but one came down on his shoulder.

“Shit!” He scoffed and continued forward, his arm was popped out of the socket. While the big Trandoshan tried to multitask, more rocks began falling before him.

“Shitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshit…” He cursed as he did his best dodging the falling debris while he followed his new friends. The rocks soon became boulders which increased Chysim’s anxiety. Another nearly landed on him just a few inches ahead of him. He continued cursing while was running until he heard the shrieks of tue damn bugs they were here to destroy.

“Plan B!!” He yelled to the others after he threw his imploder and continued running, not daring to look behind him at was falling upon and chasing him. Soon, the light from the entrance tunnel could be seen and all the happiness sprouted in his chest in a warm blossom. “Almost there!” He called, still in his gritty old cowboy voice.

@Scoobert @llamallove

 

[Galen Havard]

Galen fired a few haphazard shots at the approaching creatures before making a run for it, just like Laren had said to. It was never wise to argue with a man holding an ION grenade. Chysim had gotten a head start on him, but due to the Trandoshan's large size, Galen was able to catch up with him rather quickly.

He heard footsteps behind him, and he glanced back over his shoulder to see the Mandalorian running toward them. That meant he had thrown the ION grenade into the midst of the creature's nest. The creatures were in hot pursuit, saliva dripping from their mouths with anger or anticipation. Galen didn't care to find out which.

Any second now... he thought to himself, aiming his pistol as he stared over his shoulder. He got a few more shots off, hoping to at the very least deter the creatures and slow them down.

One blaster bolt got lucky, hitting the creature in the lead directly in the head. It collapsed to the dusty ground below with a satisfying thud. The two monsters behind it crawled over its lifeless corpse with loud shrieks, angrier than ever.

Then Galen heard it. A large boom. An explosion. The ceiling of the passageway began to collapse, rock and dust tumbling down on top of the three men.

"Plan B!" he heard Chysim yell from ahead, tossing the thermal imploder over his shoulder. Galen moved to his right, dodging the incoming imploder at the last second. He heard it tumble to the ground somewhere behind him, and a second explosion rocked the underway passageway, shaking the ground beneath their feet.

"Hey! Watch where you're tossing that thing!" Galen yelled, though there was no real anger or malice in his voice.

As the ceiling and walls began to crumble around them, all they could do was run for their lives and hope for the best.

@Scoobert @Kell Rook

 

[Laren Vano]

While Laren was running he noticed the others ahead. They were doing their best to do the same thing that Laren was trying to do in this very moment. Survive. The blast of propulsion from the ion grenade was great enough to send all of the mines crumbling down. Unfortunately the business that hired these three would lose their mines, they wouldn't be dealing with these infesting insects.

As Laren was running he noticed Galen fire past him. Each blaster bolt coming close but hitting targets behind him. The Mandalorian was thinking many things and pleasant thoughts were not even close to being one. There were rocks and dirt mounds falling from above, and all the Mandalorian could do was run and hope for the best. He should've brought his jetpack and they could've flown out. Unfortunately for the trio he did not.

"Watch where you shoot!"

Before he knew it another grenade was lying in front of Laren. This was definitely bad news. Jumping over and hoping to beat the blast, the Mandalorian soared over. When he landed on the other side of it, the bomb blew. The blast sent the Mando forward hitting the ground with a thud.

"Agh!"

With some unknown inner strength, Laren proceeded to rise to his feet quickly and continue to run. Must be the adrenaline kicking in to help him save himself. When he looked behind him he noticed the blast was coming quick. Luckily they were almost at the exit by this time.

@llamallove @Kell Rook

 

[Chysim Reech]

(Mobile)

Chysim didn’t have time to worry about the others- the whole dam mine was coming down on top of them. Rocks were still pelting the Trandoshan’s back and shoulders hard enough to leave a lot of bruises on his tough skin. Shit. He was having the time of his life! These boys were great! Chysim had great respect for both of the hunters and definitely wanted to work with both of them again sometime soon.

Galen and Laren were both faster than him and were nearing the surface.
“Out of the tunnels!!” He screamed to the other bystanders who were peering down the shaft at the trio with the falling rocks nipping at their heels. “GET OUT!” He bellowed before he tackled one of the miners and lunged out of the at just barely before the mine collapsed behind him.

Chysim laughed for a good five minutes before he took a breather and laid down on his back. “That…That was fun.” He sighed happily and closed his eyes. “You boys wanna do another job with ol’ Reech here? I got a ship.”

@Scoobert @llamallove

 

[Galen Havard]

]

From behind him, Galen thought he heard the Mandalorian yelling something about, "Watch where you shoot," but it was difficult to hear anything over the sound of the whole place collapsing around them.

All Galen could focus on was falling rock and dirt and on putting one foot in front of the other as fast as he could, running for his life. This was not how he wanted to go out, trapped in some dirty abandoned mine on Ryloth.

Ahead of him, Chysim tackled a wide-eyed miner to the ground. Galen was right behind the Trandoshan, leaping from the mine and rolling to a stop in the dirt outside of the entrance as the whole place collapsed in a heap of dirt.

Still on his back, Galen lifted his head up to make sure they had all made it out. There was Laren and Chysim, both worse for wear but both of them alive. They looked like bantha poodoo, but the young scoundrel was sure he looked no better. They could all use a cold shower.

Well, except for maybe Laren. The Mandalorian armor probably kept the dirt out. And did Trandoshans bathe? Who knew? Galen laid his head back in the dirt, breathing a sigh of relief and eventually chuckling at the sound of Chysim's deep laugh.

"All I want right now is something to wash the dirt out of my mouth," Galen admitted in response to Chysim's comment, slowly sitting up and dusting dirt from his shirt as he looked around.

Most of the miners had moved away from the entrance of the mine at the sound of the explosions. TaggeCo wouldn't be pleased that their mine had been destroyed, but hopefully the three of them would still get paid. The mine could be rebuilt... with a lot of time and credits... probably.

@Scoobert @Kell Rook

 

[Laren Vano]

Running as fast as he could he had been jumping over large rocks and dodging the ones still falling. The Mandalorian was pushing himself harder than he has ever been pushing himself. Something you learn to do when your life is in danger. After a long run and epic dodging abilities he had just barely made it out if the mines when the entrance had collapsed with the rest of the mine.

Breathing heavily, Laren was exhausted from the run for his life. He fell to his knees to relax just a little bit. Enough to regain some strength. The other two were laughing. Laren under normal circumstances would laugh as well but he was much too tired. Galen mention washing out dirt. Then Laren remembered his canteen. Unhooking it from his utility belt and tossing it to Galen saying,

"There ya go.."

Still breathing heavy he would look to Chysim and say,

"I think I would rather fight a Wampa bare handed than do something like that again.."

Laren finally started laughing with the others as he laid on the dirt. Though his laughter was short lived as the guy that hired them would be standing a few feet away from the trio.

"What in the hells did you do to my mine?"

@Kell Rook @llamallove

 

[Chysim Reech]

Chysim snorted while he got back to his feet and then wheezed. "We got rid of your little bug problem. They have nest...Er, had a nest, heheh...Your welcome. Now where's our money? These two deserve payment- and if you refuse, I'll take your fingers as collateral." Chysim sized up to the guy who hired him, towering over him. The pale trandohshan chuckled after licking his maw clean. After an intense stare down, he went over to the other two and grabbed them both by their collars and easily pulled them to their feet. He then brushed them off quickly and then stared back at the guy who sent the trio into the mines.

"Where's the money, runt?"

@Scoobert @llamallove

 

[Galen Havard]

"Thanks," Galen replied, catching the canteen the Mandalorian offered. It was a kind gesture, and Galen wasn't about to turn him down. He unscrewed the cap and allowed the water from the canteen and run down his dry throat. Then he returned the canteen to its owner, nodding his appreciation again.

Their break was over almost before it began. Maro, the Chagrian who oversaw the dig site for the Tagge Company rushed over to the three of them, demanding answers. The mine had completely collapsed before their eyes, and it didn't take a genius to know that this was not the desired outcome for Maro or his superiors.

Knowing Maro and his devotion to the company (and more importantly his paycheck), the blue alien would rather the three of them perish in the mine than for the mine to be inoperable. He was out of luck there, and it appeared Chysim was out of patience. The Trandoshan wanted payment, and so did Galen. He was ready to get off of this boiling rock and take a shower.

Chysim was the first to rise to his feet, cleaning his claws and walking over to Maro. The blue Chagrian was tall, but Chysim was taller, an attribute he was using to his advantage. Galen was on his feet soon after that and watched as the two had a staring competition. He shot Laren a side smile, amused at the situation.

"Chysim is right. There was an infestation of those green monsters down there," Galen voiced, eager as anyone to get paid. "There was nothing to do but collapse the mine and kill them."

The displeasure on Maro's face was evident. His fists were balled at his side, and he looked as if he was about to pop a blood vessel. "Do you know how much man power and credits have been put into this mine? Do you know how long it will take to get it up and running again?"

"A few months tops. Don't sweat it," Galen shrugged, as if that was somehow consolation.

"I ought to have your heads...." the Chagrian began. He looked around at the three men, all of them now on their feet. Galen, a Trandoshan, and a Mandalorian warrior. His voice trailed off, reconsidering his words. Perhaps this was not a fight he was willing to take on. Reluctantly, he pulled a datapad from his pocket, his blue fingers typing away. "The credits will be transferred into your account," he grumbled under his breath.

Galen smiled as his two companions. A job well done.

@Scoobert @Kell Rook