Bridge, JV Corra IV
“I’m telling you kid, this is not a working vacation type of mission. You shouldn’t bring Corra on this one.” Karracca said.
“Oh dont worry about it, we’ll park close to the mountain, Corra and D can stay with the ship, it’ll be fine. Plus, she can take care of herself, she’s pretty handy with a blaster you know.” Kalen said as he locked in the final jump to the rendevous where they would meet the rest of the team.
Cockpit, Raven’s Nest En Route To Location
“-While Cassiopeia is handy in a fight, I still think we should’ve brought the twins and Ruana along,” Jade argued from the pilot’s seat, facing the other two as they were still in hyperspace.
The Sephi smirked in idle amusement, flipping the hilt of her lightsaber pike absently. It had been hers for a long time, going back to times prior to Order 66 when she had served as one of the many Temple Guards.
Whilst she embraced the Sith teachings in order to survive, Cassiopeia had never forgotten her roots as a Jedi. Even despite the fact that, in those days, she had been Gray at best.
Celevon Edraven Erinos-Werd'a sighed loudly, as this pointless argument had been going on for nearly half an hour. “And, as I’ve already told you, Artemis and Ruana needed a break. They even have a Leave of Action from the Acolytes of Urr and will be going on vacation if they haven’t already left.” The Shaevalian-Umbaran took a sip of his steaming mug of caf, letting out a hum of appreciation at the taste. Perfect. “Not to mention the fact that we’re not the only members of our team on this mission.”
Aryn “Jade” Erinos-Magnuri, the wife of his twin sister, was quiet for all of a minute as she seemed to finally process this. In fairness, she had been focused on flying when the argument started. “And Marius?”
“Spending time with Rhys and his youngest siblings,” the Seeker replied, referring to his eldest and youngest children, Marius included.
Before the argument could continue, Cassiopeia spoke up. “We’ve got five minutes until we’re due to exit hyperspace. I’d recommend checking your gear.”
As the Mandalorian swore and ran off to do just that, Celevon gave the Sephi a look of silent appreciation and toasted her with his mug. He had already checked his gear within moments of stepping onto the Fury-class Interceptor.
HK-72 was already near the ramp, hoping for a battle and not another boring retrieval mission.
#Tarentum Bridge#
“A treasure hunt? That’s a bit outside the norm for you.” “It is. But the possibilities in what we might find are just to fascinating to ignore.” “That might be cool for you two, but remind me. Why am I here?” “Just in case. Explosives can be a great way to get out of a pinch when nothing else works.” Taziadu'ku, Blackhawk, and Spokk were conversing, killing time during the journey to Mount Tantiss. They’d heard rumors about the old Imperial base, including about experiments secretly done within the facility, and had been told about some others that were heading to investigate. Whatever secrets were hidden within the base, Blackhawk and crew wanted to be there when they were discovered.
Nocte Drakon cockpit In orbit of Wayland
“Mistress Tarentae, do you really think it was wise to deceive your brother?” Max, her pilot luxury droid, looked almost disappointed at her.
“Yes,” the Elder replied in a manner of fact tone, almost annoyed. “I don’t care if this is a artifacts, data, or a bounty mission, if I’m here he is going to either listen or sit in the wings. Besides, Tigrus knows how to stall enough for me to make sure he doesn’t get his ass handed to him… again.”
A notification came up on her commanders seat arm rest, peeking at it, Tahiri smiled, recognizing the signatures of a few in-bound ships that just arrived and one she didn’t.
“Well looks like Hawk and Kalen are here, plus a friend… hopefully.” Standing, she started to walk to the lift to go triple check her gear and pets, before pausing to glance over her shoulder. “Max, take us down. Oh and could you scan that last ship and identify them, then send the coordinates to Kalen and Blackhawk and the other one, if they’re friends, that way they know where the landing site is. Thank you.”
“Yes Mistress. Will do those tasks right away,” the droid immediately started working the controls, and smoothly took the Star Courier into the atmosphere, while taking care to complete the other tasks given.
Corra IV, Bridge
They got the signal from Tahiri, followed by a set of coordinates, Kalen looked over his left shoulder. There they were, a fat old wookie, his girlfriend decked out in a new hiking outfit she had bought for the occassion, his eternally exasperated 3PO droid, and Reece the hallucinating R3 astromech who was a decent co-pilot and handy wingman at the Pazaak table.
That was his team. Kalen had his ship follow the Star Courier down.
“Oh its such a pretty planet.” Corra exclaimed as they closed in on the world and eventually entered the atmosphere.
“Yeah, apparently the old Emperor had a research facility here or something, we need to retreive some biological material(toe nail clippings) that was left behind or something.” Kalen said.
“Wait, like Emperor Palpatine emperor? Or like some other warlord type of Emperor.”
“Yeah Palpatine, thats the one. Remember we watched that holo about him in bed last week?” Kalen said as he eased the ship down for a landing next to Tahiris ship.
“Yeah Kal! We watched the holo! He tried to kill everyone at the end! And it was based on a true fracking story. So you’re idea of a nice get away is bringing me camping near one of his old bases? Sithspawn babe, not cool.”
What ensued for the next few minutes would later be remembered as their ‘first fight’ as a couple.
Karracca, D, and Reece all swiftly exited the bridge and the ship and went to meet Tahiri, leaving the two to squabble in private.
Fangfighter Coming out of Hyperspace above Wayland
*Breep boop, reeeeee beep?“ Dunga could tell Ro was a little miffed by how his was flicking and jerking the controls of his fighter. Normally he was smoother with his movements, and it wouldn’t have been such a bumpy take off.
"I’m fine, Dunga. I’m just… argggg,” exasperated, he rubbed his forehead. “I just don’t understand why my sister said that she already on her way here, while also saying that we were doing this mission together. I’m just frustrated bud. She doesn’t usually do this, it goes against her protocols, or orders, or whatever it is that Hiri was taught. Why didn’t she wait for me? Or at least assemble a team, or something like that, instead of goin’ off on her own.”
Grinding his teeth a little, the male Togruta sent a ping to his sister’s ship, the confirmation response from her pilot droid was immediate. Tahiri was already here and on the planet. Upon getting the coordinates, he swiftly took his fighter into the planets atmosphere and headed for the landing site.
“Karking frack!” Cursing under his breath, as he saw that there were more ships than just his older sister’s, only one of which he recognized.
Am I the last one to get a briefing on this mission? Like, what the frack?!
After securing his fighter after landing and checking his gear again, Ro-Tahn Drakon made his way over the center of the landing site. Assuming that’s where everyone was meeting up.
Meanwhile
“Hey Blackhawk, Tazia, Spokk. Hello Karracca, D, and Reece was it?” Tahiri flashed her signature bright fanged smile to everyone present. “Where’s Kalen?”
Turning to the three people coming from the ship that identified itself as an affiliate of Clan Odan-Urr, she waved them over and introduced herself, along with the others.
“Greetings. I’m Adept Tahiri Thorn Morte Tarentae, and these are my friends…” she quickly went through everyone present, except for Kalen, her brother, and the last person of the group whom she didn’t know was brought. “There are a couple others who will join us shortly. You three are from Odan-Urr?”
The Shaevalian-Umbaran gave something that seemed to be a cross between a deep nod of his head and a slight bow. “Indeed, although most of their Council would not be happy to claim me due to my particular practices,” the Seeker replied with a wry smile. “I’m Adept Celevon Edraven Erinos Werd'a. With me are Primarch Cassiopeia Werd'la,” here, he gestured to the Sephi in Chief Inquisitor armor, who gave a similar cross between a nod and bow, “my longtime companion and sister-in-law, Captain Aryn "Jade” Erinos-Magnuri,“ the Mandalorian gave an absent nod as she went about scanning their surroundings for potential enemies. "And HK-72.”
The droid gave no verbal response, merely hefted his rifle to an armored shoulder and nodded to the others.
“So,” Celevon clapped his hands together once, then rubbed them. “Anyone have any idea what we’ve been assigned to retrieve? Because, I must say, if it’s one of Palpatine’s dirty old robes, I won’t be happy in the least.”
Reece replied in binary “Yep, dats my name. Kalens in the ship chinwagging with Corra. I can take over leading the team if needed.” The plucky and obviously hallicinatory astromech said.
A few seconds later, Kalen walked down the ramp of the Corra IV and joined the group without a word.
“Corra staying with the ship brother?” Karracca said as he placed a giant paw on his shoulder. Kalen nodded.
“I’ll stay with her then, you go on the mission.” The massive wookie churled amd began sauntering back to the Corra IV.
“She said she’s fine hanging out by herself big guy.”
Without turning back Karra kept walking and said “She definitely is not fine staying anywhere alone on this planet.”
D-3PO eyes began flickering rapidly as he looked to Karracca and then back to Kalen a few times.
“Sure D, you can stay to then I guess.”
“Oh thank you Master, that’ll allow me to not fall behind on cleaning the wookie fur behind Master Karracca.” The droid then followed the wookie back to the ship.
“You 3P0s have always been cowards…I won’t abandon you.” Reece beep booped. As always refusing to refer to Kalen as Master or Sir. He was one of the more rebellious droids in that regard, but for some reason Karracca and his previous owners had declined to memory wipe him for some as of yet unknown reason.
“Thanks buddy…so? Are the rumors true? We actually looking for the Emperors toe nail clippings?” Kalen asked the group.
The Seeker gave a long, slow blink at Kalen.
“That’s worse than I thought… If we’re here to fetch some gross ass old toenail clippings, someone is going to die.”
“Slowly and painfully,” Cassiopeia agreed with a full-body shudder.
“Palpatine didn’t leave toenail clippings here,” Blackhawk stated before switching to Ancient Sith “and if you try to bring any back, I will personally cook you alive foe the nearest exotic meat dealer.”
“Whatever bro, it was just a rumor I heard. Figured I’d ask” sounding extra defensive because of the spat he had just had with his girlfriend. He was starting to slowly realize how naive and inexperienced he was at…everything.
To say that Kalen was beginning a downward spiral and crisis of conscience would not be inaccurate.
Reece, again showing his gusto and main character syndrome, beep booped, turned and started making his way down the rough trail that led from the clear towards the mountain base in the distance.
“Looks like the little guy wants to take point” someone said.
It seemed as though everyone was quite willing to allow the plucky green and white droid to lead the way, most knowing the area was riddled with booby traps, defense systems, and not to mention the jungle predators.
“Well met, all of you,” Tahiri respectfully gave a small bow to each of the newcomers. Before turning to Kalen, her smile fading slightly as she nodded a greeting to him, sensing that something was bothering him. She almost asked him as to why the frack he’d bring Corra along, but she’d save that for later. The young Jedi had his reasons for things, however she was glad to see a few of his own comrades were staying behind with her, and the ships.
Speaking of which, the fighter she had been hoping would arrive, soon landed and a slightly frustrated male Togruta came walking up to the group. She greeted her brother with a smile and nod, while he gave a small tense smile and a glare back. Letting the others conversations go, while they had a private inward exchange, till the little droid decided to start heading towards the teams objective.
Dunga beeped and rolled after the other droid, deciding that he didn’t want to be in in middle of Ro and Tahiri.
Tahiri chuckled and they fell in line behind the droids, she added to conversation from before, just to help ease a bit of the small tension rising.
“As I’ve heard for what we’ve been tasked with retrieving, unfortunately the exact orders are a bit vague. The Consuls simply want any data that would be helpful in use against our enemies. This would include anything from weapon and droid specs, to fortification plans, to cloning and the such research. If we find anything of use, we are to copy it for our respective clans and get it back ASAP.”
She didn’t tell any of them what her personal data retrieval goal was. But that would be for later, if it came up.
“Do not mention eating people, I will not allow that here.” The Ancient Sith language rolled off Tahiri’s tongue with almost pained expression, while she glanced directly back at Blackhawk. He had no idea the memories he had just drug up from the depths of her mind. Ones she wished had never happened.
“Let’s get a move on then,” the petite Togruta picked up her pace, actually catching up with the two droids faster than the rest of the taller people in the group.
Blackhawk cocked an eyebrow. He hadn’t known that Tahiri learned Ancient Sith at some point. He filed that but of information away with other useful tricks.
The journey to the base was… eerie to say the least. The silence disturbed Blackhawk. Things were never this quiet naturally. And the occasional sound of an unexpected vehicle passing over, obscured by the heavy forest didn’t help. Aside from that however, the trek was relatively uneventful.
Reece had slipped over a small log at the top of the last slope that led down to bases entrance.
‘BWOOooooo!’ he went a roughly 150 foot long mudslide, hit a log, flipped over and landed on his side in a boggy section just off the side of the trail.
“Efficient means of travel, no serious damage detected. Well done bud, gonna have to remember that method” the whackadoodle senile old droid beep booped to himself as he layed there stuck in the bog.
Seeing the droid take the slippery tumble down the path, Ro-Tahn carefully slid down the hill himself and quickly got to the droid in the bog.
“Whoops, that was quite the tumble there little fellow,” he grinned while he pulled the R3 astromech from the bog. “There we go. You don’t look any worse for wear, a few new dings, but nothing that can’t be buffed out later, or a panel replaced. How you feeling?”
“Like I just slid down a mountain…that was awesome, if we weren’t in a hurry I’d say take me back to the top so I can do it again.” Reece beep booped.
The droid opened all his hatches and access ports and vibrated himself to shake the mud and peat and moisture off of himself. For a second he appeared like a tin can shaped Correlian hound shaking himself off after a swim.
“Yeesh Reece you gotta be more careful buddy.” Kalen said as he made it to the bottom of the slope.
10 minutes Later
The group had finally made it to the entrance to the Tantis Base, built right into the mountain.
“Looks like a rare Model 34B Series heavy blast door assembly. Gimme about 40 seconds at a probe terminal and we’re in.” Reece said as he rolled up to the door.
Dunga beeped incredulously. “40 seconds? Yeah right.”
“And there’s the port, start the timer then Mr. Negativity.” Reece inserted his probe into the port and began working, the controls spun and whirred as he hacked the door.
After about 2 seconds, a massive electrical shock erupted from the terminal and sent Reece flying into the bulkhead across from the terminal.
“Bwoooooo! Bwoop boop” he screamed for the second time in 15 minutes.
“Oh electrical disconnection shunt booby trap eh! Hmmm, I’ll show you, you stupid door.” Reece then opened his tool compartment and extended a second tool, a grounding bracket. He approached the door and touched the metal door frame with the bracket and then inserted his probe and shorted out the booby trap then proceeded to open the door.
As the door opened Dunga beeped at Reece “59.7 seconds. You lose.” He moved past Reece and flicked on his flashlight and entered the base.
Celevon had raised a silent eyebrow at the guttural tones of Ancient Sith from the Clawdite, only for the Human Jedi to respond to it in Basic. Then, after the plucky droid decided to take the lead, the female Togruta replied in turn.
Well… he would have raised both eyebrows, but the Shaevalian-Umbaran had lost the other eyebrow, along with a majority of his eye socket and surrounding tissues, to a splash of lava years earlier.
“How about we avoid bringing back anyone as worse of a monster than they were in life?” The Seeker questioned in turn, utilizing the same language. He had felt the disturbance this had caused Tahiri and carefully drew his senses further into himself to avoid invading the privacy of the others.
Cassiopeia had brought up the rear during their trek, equally unnerved at the unnatural silence of the forest they had traveled through. The Mandalorian with them was equally unnerved and, as such, kept her assault rifle shouldered.
Then the droid had slid down an embankment… only to be electrocuted roughly ten minutes later due to a trap in the door.
The Sephi could have offered to blow the door open with explosives, but then the two droids had gotten into a sense of competition. It was amusing to witness, even if her companions were baffled by her quiet laughter.
Blackhawk chuckled at the two droids. “Alright you two, settle down. We don’t need either of you short circuiting in the jungle.”
Tahiri smirked a bit at the two droids antics, but settled into her mindset of the mission. Once inside, she moved with purpose, clearing corridors, and keeping her brother in check.
Ro wanted to explore, knowing he could easily deal with some of the potential hazards like personal or droids that could still be lurking down the hallways. Until his older sister mentioned that could be cloned, lab grown or even experimental creatures running about as well. As such he decided to stick close to the team as a whole.
The entire team moved as a group through a wing of the abandoned laboratories, before finally finding a decent set of computers that didn’t look like they’d been destroyed, salvaged, or taken over by an organism.
Reece rolled himself behind the bank of computer terminals and beeped a sarcastic “Yep, they even got uni-jacks. Dunga, you got a 16v hot-tap probe so we can fire these up?”
“Obviously, where’s yours?” Dunga asked, knowing that a 16v jack was usually standard equipment in R3s.
“Dont ask, long story. Lost it in an unfortunate durasteel shmelting accident like a decade ago.” Reece revealed as he moved out of the way to allow Dunga to do his thing and boot up the computers.
Blackhawk, Tahiri, Kalen, and rhe others searched the base. For awhile, they didn’t turn up much. Old, worn out blasters, computers that had long since lost power, storage chambers that had rusted away long ago. But eventually, they stumbled their way into what had once been a huge chamber. At the center was the shredded remnants of what had once been a massive pen. Around it, blasted terminals, and a large hangar door on one side. Blackhawk found a datapad that somehow hadn’t been destroyed.
“I need to borrow a droid!” the Clawdite called out. The R3 unit helped give power to the pad. As Blackhawk scrolled through it, his eyes went wide.
“Tahiri! You might want to come look at this!” She came over, taking the datapad from him, Her eyes also went wide.
“Is that saying what I think it’s saying, Hawk?”
She looked between Blackhawk and the datapad, before glancing around. A strange smile spread across her face, something that looked between happy and giddy. The energy emanating from her was almost vibrating with anticipation.
“Anything other information in there?”
“Don’t know. We can try to find more later if you want.” Blackhawk answered
“I…” Tahiei didnt get to finish her thought, now that she needed to.
A massive roar echoed across the jungle.
“Is that… That can’t be, can it?” Blackhawk asked. A 96 meter tall, long necked beast with purple,,, whatever coaring it was rose from the jungle to answer him.
“Corra!” Kalen exclaimed as he heard the roar. He bolted for the entrance. Not that he didn’t trust Karracca, but if they heard the roar from here, it was probably huge and dangerous.
“She’s with a 450 pound Jedi wookie bro. She’ll be fine.” Reece said
“I suggest we make immediate haste away from here!” Blackhawk yelled. The group did not dissent. They beat an immediate, hasty retreat. The ground began to shake as they did so.
As the diminutive astromech got to a spot where he could see the creature that was making the racket.
“Hmmm, yeah, actually, good call…you should probably go help.”
“Think we should jump in and lend a hand too?” Dunga asked Reece.
“Sith no. Taking a hard pass on that. I might be ornery, demented and senile but I’m so over the whole ‘physical combat’ vibe. If they need something they’ll ask….oh, nevermind, looks like we’re blowing this jumga stick stand after all.” Reece followed the gang out.
Blackhawk immediately took to the air, grabbing Tazi and jetting back to where they had landed..
“Karra, you better get the ship up and goin RIGHT THE HELL NOW1” Blackhawk shouted to the Wookie.
Everyone else was close behind. within a minute, all ships were started up, the various pilots ignoring any normal pre-dlight checks they would do. They made a beeline for space.
Corra IV Bridge
“Told ya…for space wizards yall sure don’t seem very bright sometimes.” Corra crossed her arms.