A dragon egg omelet

[Mrrew]

Mrrew stepped down the ramp of his sleek grey freighter, onto the snowy landscape that made up Arkania. His thick fur kept his warm enough to avoid hyperthermia, but nevertheless he was almost immidietly shivering slightly. He was looking forward to going down into the warmer caves. He had instructed his droid to land near a large mountain documented to be the location of an empty diamond mine, which went deep into the planet's crust. According to legend, the most reliable source for near-extinct animals, Arkanian dragons dwelled within the caves and mines of the planet. Which mean, more tehn likely, they would nest there as well.

The Togorian looked into the gaping black enterence in the side of the mountain. Big enough for a dragon to sqeeze through. Not a bad place to look. He had his Chiru rifle ready, already, in his hands. They were only coming for an egg, but mother dragons don't take kindly to getting eggs swiped out from under them. It was best to be prepared. Other then that, he wore his normal gear; a bandoleir and gunbelt, Lotek'k jacket and leather vest, heavy balster pistol and sword. Anything he'd need for the hunt stuck in various pockets. Now all he was waiting for was his partner.

[member="Xander Carrick"]

 

[Garza]

I gathered my mountaineering gear. Since we were going underground, and we didn't want to use flares or flashlights, I had a plethora of high intensity glowsticks that could light up a room of 25x25x10 meters with ease. Stuffing the gear inside the bag, Mostly harnesses and climbing gear, I shrugged that onto my back. I was reaching down when I heard a ship coming. Looking up to the sky, I saw one coming straight for me. I didn't know who it was. Quickly I grabbed my Dawnstar battle hammer in my right hand, and hid out behind one of the pillars holding up the entrance of the cave. It was large. and someone who was not used to looking for people would see the large cave before they saw me.

I hid out away from the people as they came out. I then come to see that it was one person. A large feline. I was trying to remember the species, however, it was hard since he was garbed up in warm clothing. It was not usual to see that on Arkania. Walking out a little from the pillar, I held my off hand up high for him to see me, as well as having my hammer out in the open. Letting him know that I was not someone to be messed with. I didn't know if this was the man I was looking for.

"Are you with the Beast Hunters? And if so, who may I be speaking to?"

[member="Mrrew"],

 

[Mrrew]

The whiskers over Mrrew's eyes raised as he looked over at the man appearing out of semeingly nowhere. Was this [member="Xander Carrick"]? He took note of the battle hammer, and the way he was holding it. It wasn't a widely used weapon, but he probably knew how to use it well enough. And considering he seemed like a normal human, at least not like a more primitive species, and was carrying something other then a blaster or slugthrower, he made an educated guess that he had a trick up his sleeve. Probably either some species with powers, a telepath or shapeshifter, or a force-user. Normal humans don't try to whack people with guns over the head with a hammer.

The Togorian lowered his aim to the ground in front of him, to show that he meant no harm.

"My name is Mrrew, head of the Guild. I assume you're Xander?"

 

[Garza]

Looking at him more closely, I could see the rifle. Looked like a blaster rifle, but with an even closer look, I could see an actual opening that was a little bit smaller than a slugthrower rifle, or a blaster rifle. Point being, it was a tranq gun. If he brought it for the use of large game, then I knew that if I was shot with one of those, it would hurt like the dickens, as well as possibly kill me because of the dosage of the actual dart. I flipped my hammer for the head to be in my hands and slide down onto a small hook on my belt. I let it hang there as my suspicions were confirmed.

"Yes I am he."

I walked over towards the man and offered him my hand. It was in a polite greeting, as well as wanting to see who this man was before I worked with him. While I was a trusting person, I was not one who would simply work with someone who I had no clue about. "I'd like to thank you for coming out here. I was hoping that by finding an egg, I could use it to study on how it receives harder scales naturally." Giving a valid reason on why I wanted the egg. And it was true, but to a point.

"You said your name was [member="Mrrew"]? I didn't think the leader of the guild would have come out on his lonesome for a mission like this. I thank you for that as well." Nothing wrong with being polite.

 

[Mrrew]

Mrrew noted him putting away the war hammer, and nodded. Good. He wouldn't try to clobber him. And if his suspicions were correct, and Xander was a force-user or changeling, he probably could. Mrrew extended a very large furry hand to [member="Xander Carrick"]'s, and shook carefully, as not to rip his arm off. Mrrew nodded at Xander's reason for wanting the egg... Odd he'd want an egg for that, though, rather then a full-grown. He shrugged lightly, almost unnoticable. It wasn't any of his buisness. As long as he wasn't trying to raise a Dragon to run around and eat people, he didn't paticularly care. And, of course, he had his own reasons for coming along on the hunt. The Arceneau expo was coming up. Large auctions with thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, people bidding. A great time to sell rare animals. Such as Arkanian Dragons. Xander gets the egg, he gets the Mother. Win-Win.

"It's not every day you get a chance to hunt a dragon." Though Mrrew had hunted two in the past week. "My honour to have the chance."

 

[Garza]

I nodded my head. Understanding and liking the fact that he was willing to come out here. However, I doubt his sentence about getting a rare chance to hunt them. I was sure that people wanted to hunt the dragons or other species of rare and powerful beasts of lore. I had hunted and killed a few, but it was a rare few. Unlike this one where I was hunting not for enjoyment, but for a purpose.

Once we shook hands I indicated the tunnel behind me. "Well I hope you are up for it. I doubt that there will be just one in there." Staying in packs is what seemed like a smart idea for animals to do. They were exponentially more dangerous that way. "Well shall we?" With an open hand towards the entrance, I indicated for the both of us to go down. It would be a little warmer, but like that would matter. under my coat I wore my black field armor. it was reliable and useable. Reaching behind me, I pulled off of my belt my black helm. Placing it on my head. The Cyclopes eye lit up in an orange color. indicating that it was on, and then faded to a dull rustic color.

"If I may ask, How powerful are the darts in your rifle there? I want to know so if we do get into a situation, I know how reliable it is."

[member="Mrrew"],

 

[Mrrew]

The ridges of whiskers that served as Mrrew's eyebrows raised again, though he didn't say anything. More then one? He hadn't thought of that... The more he captures, however, the more he can sell at the auction. Firebreathing dragons were sure to fetch a good price. Mrrew nodded as [member="Xander Carrick"] suggested going in, and did just that. His paws leaving clear footprints in the snow as he stepped into the darkness.

The Togorian looked back at Xander as he questioned his rifle, his eyes glowing eerily once he'd stepped into the darkness of the abondoned mine. The darts were loaded with SmartTranq; it would mutate rapidly once it entered a creature's bloodstream, and adapt to safely take it down. A dart with the same amount could tranqulize a mouse or a Rancor. Though a mouse would be faster...

"It'll put down a full-grown rancor in ten seconds or so. Probably about the same for a Dragon. Only six darts per reload, however. So lets hope there's not more then half a dozen dragons..."

 

[Garza]

Nodding my head, I understood the idea of the darts no. meaning that the larger the beast, the longer it would take down through a system of entering the blood stream. Interesting. I might have to get one for myself if I could. Simply to have one. And maybe for other uses as well. Grabbing a glowstick from the side of the bag on my back, I pulled it out and cracked it. Letting the chemical reaction inside light up the area around us. Mostly for him to see even when I had different uses of vision in the helmet. However, I didn't want to rely on it.

''Good, Thank you."

Indication that I had heard him, I looked around seeing the cracks in the wall. The pillars and beams to hold up the tunnel. I had been a tracker and a researcher. So I knew what to possibly look for. The only problem was finding the beasts. With them being under ground, they would have the advantage of seeing us way before we could see them. Hence the use of the glow stick. They would see us, but with the right line of sight, they could be dazed from the sudden light change were I to throw it at them. Sure it was nothing against a fire breathing dragon. But it was better to distract it, and get away to a safe place, than to not, and be toast. Literally.

The reason I had the hammer with me, was stories of the dragons having scales to withstand blaster fire and even vibroweapons. So instead of trying to cut or shot it with blasters, I thought that by using a hammer to bruise them, or to break bones, it would be more effective. Yes, they could grow and reform bones through the natural healing process, However, loosing a limb because of a lightsaber? Now that is not so easy to repair.

Continuing to walk, I noticed that mice and rodents were running away from the light. Inspecting them with the thicker fur and the longer tails. But instead of running away from us, they ran towards, and past us. Almost as though, something was more dangerous that the two of us deeper inside.

[member="Mrrew"],

 

[Mrrew]

Mrrew stepped ahead of the hammer-wielding man, his padded paws practically silent against the rough rock of the mine. His dimly glowing eyes glicked back and forth as they passed each tunnel, and looked closley behind every support beam. His ears flickered constantly, picking up the slightest sounds in the cave. This was easy, for him. It was much like hunting in the Kashyyyk shadowlands, in fact. You must track down your prey, and shoot it, before it jumps out of a bush and kills you. Be watchful for your prey for two reasons; So you can kill it, and so it can't kill you. He might've seemed jumpy to [member="Xander Carrick"] as the aim of his rifle flicked at every moving shadow from his glowstick, but he was merely cautious. If a Dragon caught them by suprise, it would probably be licking their bones clean by the time they could react.

The Togorian looked down at the rodents as they ran off from where they had been. Funny that they would run at the intruders. Prey animals instinctively fled the biggest danger. If you dropped a mosue in a room with a cat and a Fumbaa? Dosne't matter that the fumbaa is bigger. It'll run from the cat. The cat's more dangerous. Meaning there was something more dangerous then they were up ahead.

Mrrew kept walking forwards.

 

[Garza]

Hammer drawn. I looked a little off to my left to see the feline almost jumpy. However, I understood the meaning of the hunt. If something was dangerous, and had a very high chance of killing you just from sight alone, I would be looking everywhere as well. Even at that, I was. Watching and learning. Walking on with the large feline, I looked up to the ceiling after hearing a plunk on my dome. It was there that I saw what I did not like.

Up above me was a half decayed body. Stuck to the ceiling from ice that was slowly melting. I shuddered for a moment and then continued on. Still with the image of a half burnt, half decayed body that was stuck to the ceiling of the cave. Forever there, I knew that we were already close. This sign just showed that I was closer that I thought. I raised my hammer up as well as the glow stick. Ready should there be anything to attack us.

"We are close. Sniff the air." Even through my suit I could smell burning things. Unsure of what it was, I didn't even think about what it could have been. While yes we could smell the burnt items, that didn't really tell us where it was coming from considering the fact that the only way in and out that we knew of was through here.

[member="Mrrew"],

 

[Mrrew]

Mrrew nodded. He could already smell smoke and ash. And, worst yet, burnt flesh. Which meant two things; They were near the Arkanian Dragons. And they were in the Dragon's territory. Meaning the Dragon's almost definitely knew they were there. He couldn't catch a sent that would lead them to teh dragons over the smell of fire in the air. They were definitely close, though. Mrrew continued to walk through the tunnels, peering carefully into each corridor that led off the main way. They could be through any one.

There was a blur, a flash of red scales and leathery wings. One of the creatures burst out of the tunnels straight ahead, appearing out of the darkness with the sound of wings against wooshing air. Mrrew turned quickly, but the thing was obviously faster. They were known for their ridiculous speeds. It practically tackled the Togorian, sending his rifle flying into the shadows. White teeth flashed towards Mrrew's throat, but he was able to raise his arm instead, the leather of his Lotek'k jacket holding up against the razor-sharp teeth. The pure pressure of the bite, however, was crushing his arm.

This is why people don't go into dark caves to slay dragons.

[member="Xander Carrick"]

 

[Garza]

I watched with renewed vigor. Keeping an eye on what was happening. While my companion turned around the corner, I looked behind us to make sure that nobody was following. and in that second of movement, I heard scraping of claws, and in a flash of red scales, the Feline was gone, and so was the dragon.

Throwing the glowstick after the two, I could see that the two were fighting. One on top of the other. I rushed forward. Juping as high as I could go considering the ceiling, and coming down with the increased power of the force, I smashed the hammer down on the creatures tail. All with a feral yell resembling that of the dragon that had a grip of my new friend. I acted quickly. In pain the beast roared. Letting me know that he was not grabbing anything with his, or her, mouth. my left hand came up and in a second, I could hear a crunch as the creatures head was slammed into the ceiling. But in my act, I forgot about the tail.

it swung for me and smacked into my chest. sending me flying into the wall with a solid umph. While most of the possible damage that could have been done to me was limited due to the armor, I was still going to have a few bruises an- OUCH! maybe a broken rib or two to go with it. hammer still in my hand, I threw it. Not just with my strength alone, but with the force. Since my first use of the weapon, I have trained to become a Master in the use of Telekinesis. Throwing this 2kg weapon was easy. As well as the resulting crash as the hammer made contact with the beast.

"You good Mrrew?"

[member="Mrrew"]

 

[Mrrew]

Mrrew exhaled a sigh of relief as the dragon tumbled off him from the hit of the hammer. His arm ached, but he could tell it was nothing too major. Probably some minor hairline fractures where the teeth bit into his jacket. The alchemized leather was fine, without blemish. "Fine."

Mrrew slowly got to his paws, frowning at the dragon that lay next to him. Blood was pouring out of the holes that served as it's ears. [member="Xander Carrick"]'d killed it. Not as good to sell at the auction, but it's hide might fetch for something... He'd have to get it on the way out. Mrrew nodded at Xander, and went over to the other side of the corridor, where his rifle lay in the shadows. His glowing blue eyes found it fairly easily. After checking the rifle for damage, he glanced back to his partner. "Ready to go on?"

 

[Garza]

I almost fully expected the beast to survive that hit. Hearing the feline call out that he was fine, I could see the faint features of him. Checking his arm, and his standing to gather his weapon. I breathed a sigh of relief. He was still alive. But at the creatures death. For a second, I stared at the magnificent beast. Wondering in all of it's grandeur, how could it die so easily? These beasts were mythed to take damage much like an Anvil takes hits from a hammer. With the force, I called back my hammer. A loud smack rang out as the grip came into my hand. The head was bloodied. Meaning I had thrown it way to hard. And probably in a soft spot in the stomach or chest with how quick the beast died.

I walked over with the glowstick flying to my off hand. And lighting up a hole in the beasts chest. I had thrown it too hard. "Damnit." If I could have, I wondered if I could have allowed the beast to stay alive. I was not one for killing things. While I did sometimes for enjoyment, it was on animals that were made to kill people. or were in an abundance. These dragons were older than time, and were so few in number, that this one may have been the only one we would see for many years. As Mrrew asked for us to go on, I shook my head. "Wait." Moving towards the tail section, I looked around to find a Gender.

If it was Female, then we could stop here, look for an egg has possibly already been fertilized, and leave with the small egg, and the scales from the dragon. However, I come to find that it was a Male. Shaking my head. I motioned for us to go in the direction in where it came from. "Better to look where it came from, and see if something is there, than not, and miss out."

And in that direction, I headed. Wishing that I would have not killed that dragon.

[member="Mrrew"],

 

[Mrrew]

Mrrew nodded, raising his Chiru rifle again. He annoyed the little pang of minor pain from his right arm as he used it to steady the rifle, and moved on. If it was a male, then it was possible that it's mate was deeper in the cave. Preferabbly sitting on a nest of eggs. Then again, a mother protecting it's young would probably be about ten times more dangerous then a lone male. Plus... Even if they did find a nest... What if the babies had already hatched? One angry mother and several mini-mothers? Or, they might not come across another dragon. They were incredibly rare, even if they had repopulated over the past few hundred years. Mrrew realized the chances of actually finding an egg was slim to none... He should've charged more. The thought that they probably wouldn't even find a female, with eggs no less, relaxed the Togorian's shoulders. However, his ears still flickered constantly. Just in case.


(I apologize, I thought you meant to kill it.)
[member="Xander Carrick"]

 

[Garza]

With the large feline following me this time, I hoped that instead of larger man to be used as bait, I would and in the same form, allow Mrrew to fire his tranq at the beast instead of killing it like the last one. That was a mistake on our end, but we would learn from it. I decided to reference this to him, and speak my thoughts, "Next time, Lets make sure you can shoot the Dragons instead of using force. We need to avoid that. With how fragile eggs are, We need to draw the mother away for a time and tranq her. Then we can grab the egg, or eggs and leave."

I knew that on our way back, we would take parts off of the dead dragon and use it. I was thinking since both of us were there, that I would get at least a third of the scales and other things. Considering the fact that he could have captured that one and sell it, he lost money out of that. I would like some of it for my own uses since it was available, and because I was willing to go on this with the man, rather than stay at home with my love, and future child.

"Only thing is, I can't see how we can lure her away without one of us being bait. Any ideas?"

(OOC: Nah its fine. I left it for you to decide anyways. It just makes a better story! )
[member="Mrrew"],

 

[Mrrew]

Mrrew kept behind [member="Xander Carrick"], keeping his rifle aimed over his shoulder. Being over eight foot tall had it's advantages. And he had a point. It would be much more profitable to sell a live dragon then a dead one. His rifle was ready, however. And the darts within it where made to pierce armor. They'd eaisly be able to pierce the scaly flesh of a Dragon. Xander did make a good point however... How do they get a mother away from her eggs? Well, there was a simple answer.

"We don't. You stay ahead of me. When we encounter the mother, it'll do one of two things. If it attacks us to protect it's eggs, you keep it back, hit it with your hammer if you like. Don't kill it. I'll be behind you, fire a dart over your shoulder. We tranq her. If it stays on her nest to protect the eggs, fling your hammer at it to keep it in one place in case it tries to rush us, and I tranq her on her nest."

Unless the dragon did something unexpected. Then they both die.

 

[Garza]

Each had good idea that came from the man behind me were ideal, but the first one was more likely to be done. Simply because if the female dragon was tranqed, then it had a chance to fall on the eggs. and we didn't want that. Seeing as how the first option would be up. I smiled. Already thinking of a plan and how for it to be done. I stopped where I was walking. Digging into the bag by bringing it around to my front, I looked inside, and found what I was needing.

Inside was a Force pike. A weapon made to shock those it came in contact with. Surely the scales would not hinder the electricity. Sliding the bag to where it belonged on my back, I carried the pike in my left hand, using it like a cane for now, while the hammer swung with the natural movements of my hand as it was carried. "If I am going to keep it back, Might as well use something that is not so lethal." I would only use my hammer when necessary, but the pike would be the first weapon I would use. It would shock the beast and keep it at bay. Something I wanted to do.

[member="Mrrew"],

 

[Mrrew]

Mrrew's eyewhiskers raised as he pulled a long forcepike out of his bag. He carried an electronic spear around, and a war hammer? Definitely a force-user. Probably a rogue. Sith have their own methods of capturing animals, and he never pegged Jedi for wanting pet monsters. Mrrew made a mental note of that. He also nodded. Mrrew opened his mouth to say something inr egards to the spear, when his dimly glowing eyes focused on something that lay just ahead of them, in their path. A pile of half-melted cybernetic parts, and charred flesh. Most of teh flesh was picked clean. Yakas were one of the dominant species of the planet. Cyborgs. Someone else had been in the caves, evidently. And something had ate it. Unless it was the drgaon they'd encountered earlier... something close.

"Ready to get attacked by a giant lizard?"

( [member="Xander Carrick"] 'Tis is a fun thread. I'm heading to bed now, we'll continue it tomorrow. )

 

[Garza]

Looking up ahead, I didn't see it until I Mrrew had asked if I was ready. Looking down at the half burnt and picked corpse, I nodded my head. Huffing as though it was nothing. "Fought a few things that were more dangerous than this." Well to be correct, very few things could be more dangerous than this. Your life was still on the line, and very much with the risk of losing it. "Well, at least creatures that threatened my existence."

I had noticed that the feline looked at me weird as I had pulled out a force pike. Yes it was not normally carried by Jedi, but that's where my specialty was. I was someone who used means other than a lightsaber, to get what I needed. So sometimes I would use rifles, pistols, powers, Even hammers to get where I needed. While a lightsaber was deadly, a hammer was more so. It was a force not to be tested. it could break through many things with ease. Bone was one of them.

Up ahead, I heard a growling sound followed by scraping. I knew we were close, Smiling with enthusiasm, "Bring that rifle up and take a few steps behind me. We are close."

[member="Mrrew"],