An Exile's Odyssey

[Catalys Maijora]

[SIZE=14.6667px]A Caisson-class transport drifted through the reaches of space, Primeval territory far behind it... [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]On-board one of the last Loyalist commadners, Catalys Maijora, began his odyssey to core after the events taking place in the Moot of Anric. Journeying with him was Ashlyn Warner, a young female officer who served as the agent’s most trusted aide in his war against the mad Warlord, Zambrano the Hutt. “Do you think this is wise, sir?” The concern in her voice was clear, two green eyes looked anxiously at Catalys; his decision to leave Primeval space behind and seek out the aid of the Sith was a worrisome one for Ash. She watched as Catalys tilted his head, the Umbaran’s pale eyes void of any noticeable emotion.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]“Do not worry about it, this is a calculated risk — one that favours us,” she couldn’t tell if he was trying to reassure her or dismiss her. Regardless of which, Ashlyn left the room and wandered down the empty corridors, the skeleton crew made the ship a rather lonely place to be. It certainly didn’t remind her of the busy streets of Bastion, where she spent most of her time when not campaigning throughout Wild Space.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Finding herself within the private confines of her quarters, she lied herself down in the bunk and released a sigh. All the pressure built up in the day would go with that one exhale, her muscles already began to relax as she started to feel sleepy. Yet the anxiety did not leave her mind… It kept on taunting her, trying to get her attention. What if something went wrong, what if the Sith refused to help Catalys?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]She shook her head, there was no way the Sith would refuse. Catalys had aided them before, and certainly that had to count for something. The Primeval and the One Sith have been allies for so long now, that there was a sort of kinship between the two. Despite the nature of each, she believed they could overcome any obstacle together. With that brief thought of positivity luring in the forefront of her mind she slept.[/SIZE]

 

[Catalys Maijora]

[SIZE=14.6667px]The next morning, Ashlyn awoke with a headache but before she could properly wake herself up the intercom blared in her quarters.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]“Lieutenant Warner, Exemplar Maijora is requesting you on the bridge,” a monotone, masculine voice announced before cutting off. Ashlyn sat up, her bare feet touching the cold metallic ground, causing one foot to recoil slightly before readjusting itself. As she began to stand, small black dots surfaced in her vision, she rubbed her eyes slowly and quietly walked over to her locker. Donning her uniform, and adjusting her short hair so that she was presentable; the human made her way to the bridge.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Passing by crew and officers, the sliding door opened. Before her was a large viewport, distant bright specks dotted the black expanse and standing in the center was Catalys. Quickly marching over to her commanding officer, she stood at attention by his side but made sure not to stand next to or in front of him. “You called for me, sir?” She inquired on his request.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Catalys didn’t respond right away, and his thoughts were unreachable for Ashlyn. Finally after a moment of silence he spoke.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]“I need you to accompany me on a detour… There’s an abandoned mining station not too far from here, one Anja once traveled to long ago. I believe there is something on that station; something very powerful and perhaps even alive. I am eager to find out what.” His explanation although rather thorough, was still confusing for Ashlyn who had no idea what he was going on about. Her puzzled look could not be seen by Catalys who continued to stare out into space. “I mean no disrespect, sir, but don’t see how any of this will help us in our task.” She spoke freely, but more so in hope that Catalys would grasp that she did not exactly understand what he was saying.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Finally the Umbaran turned to her, “I am curious to know why Anja’s own curiosity had gotten the better of her. The Host Lord never ventured this far out except during her dealings with the Sith and their enemies; the Republic.” He turned his attention back to the space in front of them, something Ash had a hard time understanding. It was just empty black with a few distant stars, certainly he just as she had seen it countless times before. “Of course, sir. I will accompany you if that is your wish. Does this station have a name?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]“Kessel,” he replied plainly.[/SIZE]

 

[Catalys Maijora]

[SIZE=14.6667px]The transport ship made its way to Kessel, dropping out of hyperspace and now within Hutt space. The mines of Kessel would certainly be crawling with pirates and mercenaries, but their particular destination was abandoned and long since disregarded by locals as a place of superstition and prone to accidents. Carefully avoiding the hawk-like pirate vessels preying on merchants passing through the area, the transport descended upon the world’s surface and landed a few hundred meters away from the mine’s entrance. Hopefully they did so undetected, and away from prying eyes.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]As the landing ramp dropped, and gasses hissed from the hydraulics and ventilation systems, Ash looked over to Catalys who had donned his armour and carried a rather big gun. “Do you expect trouble?” She asked with some concern, she herself was wearing only very light armour over her uniform and carried by a simple holdout blaster to defend herself. Watching as a grin formed at the corner of Cataly’s lips, his hands lowering his helmet over his face, “Always.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Shaking her head, she followed as the Exemplar led, the entranceway into the abandoned mining station grew closer with each step and soon became more imposing as she began to realize the immensity of the facility. “Did people really mine all this?” She asked rhetorically in a tone of surprise, wondering how anyone was able to have done so much; realizing the scope of such a task.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Catalys was still continuing forward, and didn’t seem to know that she was having a hard time keeping up with all the rubble in the way. When he stopped so suddenly in front of the facility entrance, Ash stumbled into him and nearly feel backwards. “Hey! What’s wrong with —” she cut herself off early. “Apologies, sir,” Ash hoped to correct her outburst. “Let’s continue,” said Catalys still devoid of emotion.[/SIZE]

 

[Catalys Maijora]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Now well within the more immediate areas of the mine, Ash was forced to equip her night vision goggles to see. Unlike Catalys, her own human eyes did not adjust so easily in the dark and thus could not see in a place where almost all light had abandoned. Interestingly enough, scattered around seemed to be glowing fungi along the rocky surface of the mine walls. Save for the air currents, and droplets of water, the large open area offered little sound to her ears. Taking the fact that they’re alone with some relief, she stayed close to the Exemplar and turned her head every which way to see what existed around them.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Most of the debris seemed to be mining equipment, surprisingly the station’s supports were still intact after all these centuries. She wondered if perhaps — should the Gulag Plague never have happened — the facility may have still been up and running. The thought didn’t linger too long, as when they began to leave the large room and descend into the depths, she could’ve sworn she heard a bellow.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]“What was that?” Ash spoke without thinking. “Probably the metal struggling to hold this place up,” Catalys chuckled in response. She hoped he didn’t really believe that, but then again wished not the alternatives of her imagination. It sounded awfully lifelike.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Even still, she was trained to be loyal, and wouldn’t allow irrational fears to overcome her strong sense of military discipline. Continuing with the Exemplar, Ashlyn ventured into the depths and now walked down narrower — yet not claustrophobically so — tunnels that led to Sargon knows where. Thankfully her night vision allowed her to avoid walking into obstacles, but somehow she couldn’t help but feel that was thanks to her own planning, and that perhaps this was turning into another one of Catalys’ reckless pursuits.[/SIZE]

 

[Catalys Maijora]

[SIZE=14.6667px]The journey continued, and the tunnels seemed to be the same no matter how far they went. Her ears popped frequently, as pressure began to change the further they went. She hadn’t heard anything unusual since that bellow nearly a half hour ago, but it still lingered in her mind as she followed Catalys. “I do hope you know how to get back, sir,” she raised caution towards the winding tunnels, and how easily one could get lost within the facility. Certainly even when the tunnels were lit, they must’ve been easy to become lost within.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]“Let’s keep searching, I can feel that we’re growing close to what I’ve come for…” Whatever it was Catalys did come for, Ash still didn’t know anything about it. He refused to speak more than a few brief words on the subject, and perhaps had forgotten she couldn’t read minds. She always did wonder how Catalys could tell when someone lied, and came to the conclusion that somehow he could read minds. The very thought brought back a small memory of a discussion some of the soldiers had regarding the Exemplar; one did say Umbarans had a way to get inside of people, and another said it was because they could somehow ‘see’ body heat.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]All that probably didn’t matter, anyway. He was frightening enough as is, and in the brief time she’s served under him he has shown her that he’s willing to do anything it takes to succeed. Finally the familiar sights began to become less familiar, and the narrow tunnels reached what looked to be a blast door. She watched through her night vision as Catalys placed his hand on the door. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]“Blaster marks, not fresh, but no more than a decade old.” He turned to Ash, certainly seeing more than she could. “This is the place, stand back.” Ash watched him pull out an explosive charge, and quickly scrambled up and around the bend they came from. A few moments later Catalys turned the corner too, and only a second or two afterwards an explosion shook the tunnel, a few loose rocks fell around them. She wanted to exclaim that they risked bringing the whole place down, but by this point it was already too late to protest.[/SIZE]

 

[Catalys Maijora]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Going through what was formerly known as a blast door, and entering a manmade corridor, they seemed to be standing in a much different portion of the facility all together. As she looked around to see what she could see, her eyes spotted a small pile on floor center to them. She walked over to get a closer look, and soon realized that what she saw were bodies… Already they have rotted away, but their armour was unmistakable. “Gulandi?” She muttered to herself.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Unaware that Catalys had been standing next to her, as shiver ran down his spine as he responded. “Yes, and no doubt those in service to Ozuvyn; they bear his mark.” He walked forward and headed on towards the other side the room. Ash followed, but she continued to look at the bodies as she walked past them before picking up her pace to meet Catalys’. “What are Gulandi doing here?” Now she really had to know. Catalys continued his march, and Ash continued to follow. “He used to be Anja’s greatest general,” the Umbaran replied.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Ash wondered how Catalys could speak so casually of the Host Lord’s name. It was forbidden for many to say it, and those who could never did so. If it wasn’t for Catalys having often referred to her as Anja, she herself would’ve never known the name belonged to their Host Lord. Even in death the Host Lord’s legacy weighed heavily on those who haven’t forgotten their loyalty to the wise leader. And now it seemed their last hope lied in Catalys, a scary thought indeed…[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]The end of the room contained an entranceway into another corridor, but it was very short and she could already see with her night vision another — similar looking room — on the other side. “What are these rooms used for?” Certainly it did seem odd for a mining facility to have them, especially in such detail that seemed off for the practical nature of the station.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]“I do not know what they were made for, but rumor has it they’ve become a treasure trove.” Catalys stepped through the corridor, giving Ash no choice but to continue following.[/SIZE]

 

[Catalys Maijora]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Why would anyone use an abandoned mine to store their wealth and artifacts? It seemed completely off, and if someone lived here wouldn’t they at least keep the generators running? She thought this to herself. There was little point in questioning Catalys himself, forgetting his nature it was not in her place to question her commanding officer. Whether he was wise or unwise, she’d follow him until her end. Only she hoped this wasn’t the place where fate decided to claim her. A dark, dreary place; and without a living soul in sight besides Catalys.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Entering the second large hall, they came upon a less than empty room. Although there was certainly no treasures in sight, the mass of debris piled up around them nearly formed an elaborate maze. There was no clear path to the other side, and it seemed to be that one small misstep could cause one of the piles to collapse upon anyone who didn’t expect it. Certainly dangerous, and not a place where Ash wished to be. She could handle a battlefield; and she wasn’t afraid to die fighting if she had to. What she truly feared was being trapped, and dying a slow death. Looking to Catalys, her eyes worried and she was very tempted to protest to this trip. What more could he want? Was he not satisfied with the answer they’ve found in the existence of this room?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Just as she was about to speak, the bellow came yet again. This time it was close — very close — and she could’ve sworn she felt breath come off of it; a foul odor rose in the hair and small pieces of debris began falling from the piles as the floor rumbled quietly, vibrating under what was clearly the motion of something absolutely large. “So this is it? A beast that feeds off metal and old parts, how disgusting…” Catalys spoke in a deep, low tone. Yet instead of going forward he swiftly turned to face Ash. Her eyes locked onto the outline of her commander.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]“Go!” He shouted, and without hesitation Ashlyn turned around and began to run back the way they came. She heard Catalys’ own foosteps echo behind her as they ran, and the bellow they heard earlier became a mighty shriek that could cause ears to bleed. The piles of debris collapsed behind them in a noisy fashion, and whatever manner of a creature maintained this lair began boring through the corridors to chase them through the next chamber.[/SIZE]

 

[Catalys Maijora]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Now well on their way back into the tunnels ahead, and with something dangerous chasing from behind, Ashlyn had to manage what she could see and be sure she didn’t trip over any obstacles along the way. Already the Exemplar began to move ahead of her, his speeds were too great for her to match but luckily he seemed to be running only as fast as he needed to for her to keep up within an eyeshot. Rubble collapsed behind them, shaking the foundation greatly and polluting her ears with noise.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]When they shaft tunnels, Ash heard the sound of boring again. It seemed whatever chased them could only fit within the larger chambers, and had to somehow bore their way through the narrower corridors and tunnels. For a moment she took this as a sign they’d escape, but then the grim reality was calculated; it could very well collapse the tunnels in its attempts to catch the two.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]“We need to get out of - - here, or the tunnels... will collapse,” she was already becoming out of breath as she tried to explain the situation to Catalys. Yet it didn’t seem she had to. “I know,” the Umbaran responded. She didn’t even hear the words, the noise around them was far too loud for her to have heard his voice. All she knew is they needed to keep running, or they’d very well become trapped and die here… Or worse, become prey to whatever manner of predator that’s chasing them.[/SIZE]

There was no way they’d be able to run the whole distance, however. It’s already been minutes and Ash started to begin feeling the fatigue of her movements, already her pace slowly began to slow and soon she’d have to stop running. Even if adrenaline was pumping through her veins, she would not be able to run the whole way.

 

[Catalys Maijora]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Running, running, and more running… It seemed that is what would become of their quest to discover whatever it was the Host Lord had been in search of within the spice mines of Kessel. Ashlyn tried her best to pick up her pace, exerting her body to the point where her muscles began to strain but no matter what she knew she was forcing Catalys to slow down.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Why does he even wait for me? [/SIZE][SIZE=14.6667px]She thought to herself.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Just as she was about to give up, the static on her intercom began and voices started to clearly come through. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]“This is Caisson Twenty-Three to ground team. Exemplar Maijora, Lieutenant Warner; please come in.” The same monotone voice of the masculine comms officer was speaking over the communications to her.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Quickly taking out her transceiver, “This is Lieutenant Warner, what’s the situation?” She still sounded out of breath… And she was.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]“We have incoming speeders shown on our sensors, someone’s coming.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]If matters were going to be made worse, then perhaps they needed to show off a little bit. This gave Ash an idea. She and Catalys had entered a somewhat larger portion of the tunnels, and already the boring was beginning to grow further enough where she could stop for a moment. Keeping her transceiver in hand, Catalys stopped and turned to Ashlyn. “We need one of you to bring the Kath Hound into the tunnels, we’re being chased by something… Large… And need evac. Bring the Kath Hound, get us out of here!” She put the transceiver back in her pouch and continued moving forward. Catalys nodded and began his run.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Hopefully the Kath hound would meet them soon, and it had the lights to guide them back without the need for night vision.[/SIZE]

 

[Catalys Maijora]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Ashlyn ran forward, as fast as she could and now with the knowledge that someone was on their way, she could push herself a little harder without feeling the stress of exertion. Yet even still the creature that chased them did not relent; she was not about to find out what it was or what it wanted to do with them. To make matters worse, it seemed pirates were already inbound to their location by speeder. Which likely meant others knew they were here as well. They’d have to move quickly if they wished to avoid further complications, and although large the Caisson-class transport wouldn’t be able to take on a pirate fleet should it come down to it.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Finally, up ahead a source of light moved closer and the sound of the electronic engine whirred modestly on the Kath Hound’s approach. The light buggy stopped, an armoured figure in the driver seat. The only problem is that such a vehicle could only carry two.. Safely. “Damn it,” she muttered. Catalys climbed into the passenger seat and Ashlyn held onto the side bar for dear life, keeping her feet pressed down on the skirt to prevent herself from touching the ground.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]The Kath Hound drove its way back through the tunnels, and although it wasn’t going much faster than their sprinting speeds due to the narrowness of the tunnels, it did get them away from whatever was chasing them as the boring stopped about ten minutes later. It didn’t take much longer for the vehicle to reach the entrance, and the Kath Hound drove up the ramp and into the hull of the vessel. In the distance a cloud of dust formed behind the approaching speeders.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.6667px]Rushing to the bridge, Ashlyn was quick to give commands. “Alright, let’s get ourselves back into space. Make jump for Coruscant!” She ordered. Catalys — as usual — stood in front of the viewport, as their ship took off and began its odyssey into Sith space. Ashlyn only hoped that they wouldn’t have anymore detours… One was enough.[/SIZE]