Zoo Keepers

[Tynian]

Tynian sat on a green vinyl bench inside the shuttle. His eyes were closed and his arms were folded across his chest as he let his thoughts fall on the task at hand. Across from him sat another Jedi whom he wasn't familiar with, but welcome nonetheless. Tynian wore his usual deep blue armor and cloak, as well as his double-bladed lightsaber.

A voice belonging to the droid that was piloting the shuttle, came over the shuttle's speakers. "Sir, we are in range of our destination. No response to hails as expected... Shields are down. I will begin the landing sequence."
Tynian opened his eyes and looked across the small space. "It seems the trip to Ilum was shorter than I anticipated. By the way, my name is Tynian… and I'm glad you're here."

The planet did loom in front of them, but the planet's surface wasn't their destination. In fact, the Jedi's purpose wasn't to investigate the planet, but to investigate a small space station orbiting Ilum.

The space station was reported as being refurbished, by some very rich investors, into some sort of zoo. A place where families could come and vacation while looking at some of the most terrifying creatures the galaxy had to offer (what could possibly go wrong?).

Soon after opening, visitors from all over the galaxy came to visit... But something went terribly wrong. A distress signal soon went out from the "space zoo", An S.O.S. was sent out to anyone who would be listening.
The initial messages indicated that something went wrong with the security systems and the animals were set free from their cages, which caused complete chaos. Then the messages stopped...That was three weeks ago.

Once word of what had happened reached the Order, the two Jedi were heading to the space station to reset the security systems, save anyone who could possibly be left on the station, and shut the entire operation down.

Tynian stood up and stretched. Then he looked out the viewport to have a glimpse of the space station. It was fairly good sized, and the scanners indicated that its systems were all working...except for the security. Tynian shook his head, "Makes me wonder if the security was shut off on purpose." he sighed. "I supposed we will find out eventually, won't we?"

@Nommie

 

[Arador Drakar]

Arador found his way onto the shuttle just as it was about to lift away from the landing pad. He has no idea where it was meant to go besides that it is Illum. Okay yes he volunteered to go on the journey. The teenager wanted to test his new found ability to 'see' with the force. And well he felt a little rebellious so Arador decided to escape from Alek's watchful eye for a bit. He wore the usual clothing his mentor had given him the moment he boarded the ship Alek owned. The teenager had only his stick with him along with the communicator Alek had given him. He has yet to construct his first lightsaber.

The blind teenager decided to sit on the bench across from Tynian. Yes he is able to sense and see him. But it is not the type of seeing others are accustomed to. He looked up as the droid piloting the ship spoke up about their destination. Okay that was quicker than expected, "Honestly.. I imagined the trip to take a little longer. Pleasure to meet you Tynian. My name is Arador."

Shifting on the bench he didn't bother to look out the window as they approached the space station that orbited the planet. Of course he heard the details about the space station being bought by rich investors and was in the process of being refurbished into a zoo that will house the terrifyijg creafures that inhabited various locations in the galaxy. An interesting idea for a zoo. It was opened go the public three weeks ago, then strangely distress calls started coming from the station. The teenager wondered what had gone so wrong that warrented the message that was sent out.

As Tynian stood up, Arador did as well. He glanced at the viewport and was able to see a bit of it. Though not in the same detail as the other jedi, "It could have been a malfunction. If someone did purposely set off the system.. Why would they do ghat?" The teenager nodded in agreement, "We will find out eventually."

 

[Tynian]

“Arador.” Tynian repeated, committing the name to memory. “I see your staff, but where’s your lightsaber?”
He had owned a similar staff when he first came to the Jedi Temple for training. But ever since he built his lightsaber, the staff now resides in his quarters, leaning up against the wall.

The shuttle neared the station and soon landed inside the huge hangar bay. There were several transports that had brought the visitors to the space station, and a few empty landing pads indicating that some people did make it out already.
Tynian crowned at how many transports were left, which meant there were still people inside... dead or alive.
The shuttle’s ramp opened allowing the two Jedi to exit... the hangar’s lights were on, and a huge screen above the main entrance to the station was playing a holovid of a protocol droid explaining the many “services” available to the would be visitors.
Another droid manned the ticket booth in front of the exit and watched the two Jedi with what seems like a sort of expectation.
“I bet he’s exited that there are customers here.” Tynian smiled as he began walking toward the ticket booth.

“Greetings friend!” the droid welcomed them. “Welcome to the Galactic Zoo! I see you are Jedi. We have discounts for the members of the Order. Will you be paying with credit or cash today?”

Tynian laughed. “Actually neither. We are here to investigate what’s been happening on this station.”

“Oh dear.” the droid replied. “It’s all very terrible. Creatures loose, people screaming. I wouldn’t go in there if I were you.”

The Jedi thought for a moment. “Did you send the S.O.S.?”
“Yes. And I’ve been waiting here ever since. I’m glad you came. I will waive the entrance fee. You may go in. But please be careful.”

The Jedi looked at Arador, “We may need a map or something like that. See if you can get one. I’m going to do something before we go in.”

Heading back to the shuttle Tynian sent a message to his former master and now father Kane... to see if he was interested in helping them out. And if he was, they would wait for him... and see if he would bring along a vibrostaff too.


@Nommie @One For Sorrow

 

[Arador Drakar]

Arador looked away from Tynian scratching his cheek sheepishly. Not sure if he should tell the older jedi he volunteered for the job without consulting with his mentor, "I um.. Have not constructed one yet. And he doesn't know I volunteered for the mission.." He said quietly even though they are the only ones in the shuttle. The teenager hesitated, " I.. Am also blind. Sir." He admitted then waited for Tynian to flip out or tear into him. Or both.

He was able to make out the transports that varied in size. As the shuttle landed Arador followed Tynian towards and down the ramp. The teenager looked around, noticing the place had been deserted for quite a while. The younger of the two looked over to the ticket booth and laughed, "Oh yes..so excited it may do a jig for us." The teenager said as they walked up to the booth. He frowned as Arador listened to the droid explain everything then looked to Tynian. Nodding, "Sure. I will see what I can find." He said then turned away to start looking for a map or something that will help them find their way around the station. Shifting papers and magazines around laying on a table in what appeared to be a lobby. Arador eventually found a couple laying under a magazine. The boy then wondered if perhaps there is some sort of guide that will tell them what creatures the zoo had in the collection.

@Nastalle @One For Sorrow

 

[Tynian]

Tynian came back out of the shuttle and walked to where Arador was standing. "Did you say you were blind? And you don't have a lightsaber." The last remark was more of a statement than a question. "Well, we will make do with what we have I suppose. I sent word to another Jedi and I'm hoping he can come and help us out."
He looked at the map in Arador's hand. "The force helps you see I'm guessing. That's good. That means you are attune to the force, this will be a good test for you then my young friend."
He glanced at the entrance to the zoo. "I'm thinking we will wait just a bit to see if Kane responds. In the mean time, tell me about yourself."

 

[Arador Drakar]

Arador looked from the stacks of papers and magazines he was looking through to Tynian as he approached. The teenager kept the map he found in his hands, "Yes. On both accounts." He said quietly fearing that Tynian will send word to Alek next. Knowing that if his mentor found out, he will be in a huge amount of trouble.

But when Arador volunteered, no one else had stepped up to help Tynian. So the blind teenager thought that he could help. Besides his ability to see using the force thanks to the training from Alek, he also has a strong sense of hearing. So it is not like he will be useless.

He nodded quietly as Tynian told him that he sent word to another jedi. Then looked down to the map in his hand, "Yes the force helps me to see. Though it is not in the same way that others see. It is.." The teenager paused trying to figure out how to explain it, "You know how whales echolocate? Or.. Sharks see electric fields? It is kind of like that.." He smiled a bit as the older of the two said it will be a good test.

Arador looked over to the entrance and nodded, "Alright. I tried to find something that will tell us what is in there. But it seems they were trying to keep what is in the collection a secret because I can't find anything that lists the creatures they have." Arador explained as he looked down at the map.

 

[Tynian]

Tynian nodded. "Well I'm sure the curator wanted to keep everything a surprise. And I'm sure they didn't want the authorities to find out what they were doing and come in here to shut them down." He thought about it for a moment then glanced at the droid in the ticket booth. "I'm sure they would've made a lot of credits had the place actually worked properly."

The Jedi looked at his counterpart. "We will need to get you a better weapon though. I'm not sure a wooden stick is going to work against some of the stuff we will be facing in there."
He had hoped Kane would be joining them.. and there was still a bit of time before they had to go inside the zoo itself. So he waited a bit longer... just in case.

@Nommie @One For Sorrow

 

[Arador Drakar]

Arador nodded, "Well either because of whatever happened here or the authorities finding out another way. I am sure they will get shut down." The teenager looked around frowning as he looked at the shuttles that remained on the landing pads he can see, "If they had it all set up right it sure would have. It is a genius, though risky idea for a zoo."

Arador glanced towards the entrance of the zoo, "Well.. There is a good chance that there are weapons in there. That is if the people working at this place were smart enough to have some stored somewhere." He looked up to the other jedi, "My stick may work with the smaller guys but not with the big ones." The boy wondered who Tynian contacted as he looked around as the two waited for the jedi the older of the two contacted.

@Nastalle @One For Sorrow

 

[Kane]

Kane had been surprised at Tynians message, a zoo full of dangerous creatures orbiting Ilum was a terrifying thought. And he was completely unsurprised that it had backfired so spectacularly.

As his shuttle docked at the station he grabbed the large duffle he had brought with him, made sure his saber was firmly affixed to his belt, and exited the small vessel.

Eventually finding Tynian and a young Jedi he had not yet met he approached them and placed the bag down between the three of them.

"Brought us some weapons that I thought might help. One each and two of each type of power pack per gun."

Kane wasn't huge on firearms, but the TS-2 Shot had both stun and lethal capabilities and the old Crusader had a feeling they wouldn't want to get too close to some of the beasts on board.

"Sounds like these guys got too focused on the fact that they could to think about weather or not they should eh?"

He chuckled a little, the insanely rich never learned.

 

[Tynian]

Tynian was quite happy when Kane showed up. He went to greet the older Jedi upon exiting the shuttle and bear hugged him. “It’s good to see you. I’m very glad you made it.”

He walked with Kane to where Arador was and introduced the two of them. “Arador, this is my father Kane.”

As Kane handed out the weapons he brought, Tynian looked back at he shuttle. “Did you bring a vibrostaff for our young friend here too? His wooden one isn’t going to do well in there.”
He slung the rifle over his shoulder and waited for the other two to be ready...
This was going to be really interesting.

 

[Arador Drakar]

Arador watched the shuttle Kane arrived in land. He stayed exactly where he stood as Tynian walked over to greet the other jedi. The teenager swallowed lightly as he watched the two walk over, looking up at Kane he smiled a bit, "Pleasure to meet you, Sir." He took the rifle the jedi handed to him. Arador chuckled a bit at Kane's remark about the insanely rich people who owned the zoo.

He is familiar with firearms so it should not be a problem. Despite it being since before he lost his eyesight that he used one. The boy looked between them, he had no idea that there are jedi who have had children. Naturally he thought that it was forbidden.

Slinging the rifle over his shoulder, Arador bit his bottom lip lightly as Tynian brought up the staff he had messaged Kane about. Thr teenager glanced away from the two expecting Kane to question why the vibrostaff is needed.

 

[Kane]

Kane smiled at Tynian's reminder, he had almost forgotten.

"Yes yes, of course."

He reached into the duffle and produced a small rod, offering it out to Arador.

"Here you are. I don't know of you've ever seen a ViBO staff before, I hadn't till recently. Pretty neat though."

He had to ask though.

"So why a vibro staff?"

 

[Arador Drakar]

Arador scratched the back of his neck as Kane said that he had in fact brought the vibro staff Tynian requested he bring. The teenager took it, "Thank you." The boy walked over to the shuttle.

Placing his stick in the shuttle he walked back over to Kane and Tynian, "It is needed because I am blind and have not constructed a lightsaber yet." He told the jedi master as he approached the two of them, "I am able to 'see' through the force. But it is not the same way you and Tynian see everything." He explained. The teenager looked at the vibro staff, finding it to be a rather interesting object.

 

[Tynian]

Curiosity got the best of Tynian once again. It was a fault he had where his thoughts came out of his mouth before he had a chance to reconsider them... "So if you would, please explain how that all works? It may be valuable information as we go through the station."

He wanted to know everything in order to be prepared for what may lay ahead of them.

Before Arador could answer, the entrance door burst open and a screaming woman ran through it. She was covered in blood and had a terrified look on her face. She was crying, hysterical and ran up to the three Jedi and fell down at their feet. "Please! You've got to help us! They are everywhere and I can't find my little girl!" She began hyperventilating and seemed on the verge of passing out. Tynian rushed to her and held her as she buried her face in his shoulder and sobbed uncontrollably.

"Are you hurt?" he asked first. The woman shook her head still crying, "The blood... is from my husband...he's dead. The Nexu got to him before we could escape." She sobbed, "There are three of them heading this way. And I don't know where my daughter is! I lost her on the way here!"

Tynian looked at Kane and Arador. "Looks like we are going to be starting sooner than later." He led the woman, not caring if the blood got on him or not. "We will find your daughter and bring her back here. Please stay here where it's safe inside one of our shuttles. We will instruct the pilot to take off and keep you safe if the hangar is breached. But I promise you, we will be back."

The woman nodded her head, but still was unsure if she should believe the three Jedi or not. Tynian would escort her to the shuttle, unless the others had any questions for her first...

 

[Kane]

"That will have to be an explanation for another time."

Kane growled as he pulled up his carbine, switching it to stun mode as he took up a position to the left of the door. He could hear the growls of the Nexu as they stalked towards them, but he could not see anything of them yet.

He reached out into the corridors with the force to try and feel where they might be but immediately recoiled, somehow he had not anticipated the sheer force of the fear and rage within.

Steeling himself, he reached out again. This time getting an erratic feel for where the Nexu were.

"They are nearly here. Be ready."

Kane was normally easygoing, especially around Tynian. But right now he was in soldier mode and all his words came out as an almost feral growl. Tynian at least was used to this side of him, but he hoped briefly that it would not put Arador off.

 

[Arador Drakar]

Arador looked to Tynian, about to explain when a woman who appeared to be injured frantically ran towards the three jedi. Then as Tynian guided the woman towards the shuttle, Kane said that the explanation will have to wait until later.

Though the boy would have said the same thing as he too started to sense the Nexu coming towards them from the corridor. Gripping the vibro staff tightly he tried to sense where they were, but the Nexu's movements were too eratic and fast for the teenager to pinpoint their location. He can pick up that the three beasts are coming in fast.

The teenager looked to Kane as he growled like a feral animal. He understood that the man is now in soldier mode. So Arador was not bothered by the change in his behavior. Looking back to the corridor he blinked, "Be careful. They are moving like a pack.. Organized." He told Tynian and Kane the second Arador was able to pick up on the three beasts. But it is all he can pick up on at the moment.

 

[Tynian]

Tynian ran back to the entry way, after taking care of the woman. He unslung his rifle, the feeling of its weight being a bit strange in his hands, since he was used to the more civilized weapon that was the lightsaber.

All three Jedi could hear the Nexu coming their way. At first it seemed like they were at a running pace, but then the animals slowed up... probably because they caught the Jedi's scent. Tynian peeked around the edge of the doorway and then snapped his head back. "There's three of them. They are moving cautiously now. It's an open corridor with no doors on either side except the exit on the far end. It was probably the tunnel leading to the main area." he surmised.

He looked at Kane making sure that they were on the same page and then looked at Arador. "Kane, you take the leader, Arador and I will take the sides. I've got the right side, Arador, you've got the left. Don't get too ahead of each other, and once your animal is down, help with the next one."
He took a deep breath as he allowed the force to flow through him... it heightened his senses and his reflexes. Once he was ready he gave Kane the "go-ahead". "On your mark father."

 

[Kane]

Kane nodded at Tynians go ahead, and brought his carbine up on his shoulder.

"Right. On three then."

Taking a step forward

"THREE!"

He jumped in through the doorway and fired off two shots before dropping into a roll and coming up on one knee, the stun bolts hit in front of the left and right Nexu which caused them to rear up and halt their approach momentarily.

Kane then took aim and fired off another two at the center Nexu, it ducked one shot as the old Crusader had predicted. The second stun bolt was aimed lower and the large frightening cat like creature ended up ducking right into it, tensing all it's muscles at once before dropping limp on the ground.

"One down."

 

[Arador Drakar]

Arador looked to Tynian and nodded. Looking back to the corridor. He held the staff in his right hand and his rifle in the left. The Nexu on the left side went to go after Kane. But the teenager jumped in front of it, blocking it's path. Smacking it hard on the head, dodging to the left when it tried to swipe at him with it's right paw.

Moving around it the teenager aimed his rifle at it, firing one stun bolt into it's right back leg. The limb gave out but the Nexu continued to come at him. This time it attempted to pounce, Arador rolled out of the way. This time he fired a single stun bolt into it's head. The beast stumbled to the ground.

"Got this one down." He told Kane and Tynian after making sure it is unconcious.

 

[Tynian]

Tynian focused on the third Nexu. Figuring the other two would deal with their own okay helped his focus more.
He used the force to aim the rifle... the Nexu was dodging and watching as its companions fell beside it... the creature gave a loud piercing cry and leapt toward the Jedi.
With the force, Tynian let out a breath, squeezed the trigger and hit the animal square in the left eye.
It dropped to the ground dead and twitched a second or two before it finally lay silent.

The silence in the corridor wouldn’t last long as the three Jedi could hear more sounds, growls, screeches and the like coming from the opposite end.

Tynian looked at the other two then down at the unconscious Nexu. “Arador, make sure that Nexu won’t come after us from behind.”
He waited for the young Jedi to take care of the creature before moving forward down the corridor...