It's a. Cold Day to be Hunting

[The Upright Man]

Arkania . . .

The Bounty Hunter known as Luminous among colleagues, the Black Sun Syndicate and the Bounty Hunters Guild was crammed into the refugee-designated cargo hold of a poorly held together freighter. It rumbled and rocked, trembling with a horrible screech as it descended into atmosphere. Luminous had the faint feeling the only thing holding this ship together was hope. Captain Isol'sa spoke over the intercom, "Attention passengers, arriving on Arkania shortly." The true name of Luminous was Lily Rose, but it was only the Mandalorians that knew her birth name. She used Luminous as a means to cover her tracks relatively 'easier.'

The thing with a Keshiri, there were so few in the galaxy outside the world of Kesh. There were thousands upon thousands of species, and few would ever be able to categorise them in their minds. Yet, some still thought it socially acceptable to gawk at a purple-skinned, cyan-eyed, red-haired woman. In a galaxy filled with ugly behemoths and talking rodents, it was a wonder why a small refugee child sitting across from her felt the need to stare. She looked back and gave a guttural growl. Lily diverted her gaze down to a datapad. She was attempted to intercept [member="Rayl Wilded"]. She heard some talk about him back on Hapes, and a little help wouldn't hurt.

Lily swiped her finger, begining her transmission. "Hey space-boy," she spoke sweetly, "I'm looking to find myself in some danger, and I hear you're the one to help." Lily flicked her fingers across the screen, sending what intelligence she had gathered on [member="Xander Carrick"]. It would have information on the reward, 50,000, along with basic information on his appearance. Lily had done the rest, pouring over incoming data until she had found his location on Arkania. It had taken three weeks of daily work on the holonet, but she had done it. "When I capture the Jedi, before I hand him over, I'll be demanding the reward be amped up or I'll be taking him home with me. If we get paid, I'll split, 50-50." Lily gestured with her hand, "So, how does it sound pretty man, think you got the muscle to help me? If so, you know where to meet me. My datapad will be sending you my coordinates while I'm on the fly."

Just as she ended the transmission, the freighter thudded heavily against a landing pad. Her head bobbed up and down at the 'crash,' because that was the only way to describe such an atrocious landing. Placing her hands on her knees, she pushed herself up onto two feet and waltzed her way across the cargo hold, reaching down to an hold rucksack made of calve skin, fur and wool. It was from Kesh, and a valuable product. Not that the products within were of any less value. An AMR Anti-Materiel rifle. A Z50 grenade launcher with twelve ForceBreaker gas grenades, those grenades put the real punch in her credit bank. It was almost painful to think about their cost, not that it would matter once she got her reward. A single Force Containment Collar, courtesy of an invasion on the New Order. She had found two, albeit one was broken. She didn't need more than one, she never held more than one force user captive before.

Lily wasn't sure what the city was called. She didn't pay attention to those type of details, but she knew it was the capital, and she knew more than quite well that this place was as cold as it was dreary. Whoever said Arkania was the place of dreams, she wanted to elbow them in the jaw. She drew a thick cloak around her, preventing her from shivering. The cloak was long enough that it dragged behind her heels as she walked, covering every bit of her but her heard. Even then, it had a hood that she drew over her scalp. She moved for the closest cantina one could find in a frozen hell such as this. It wouldn't take long. Her blue eyes scanned the local market, watching as shady folk walked through a door, and those who tended to leave were either injured or drunk. She took her chances and entered the entryway.

 

[Garza]

Arkania
Praxeum

Silence is what I heard, Cold wind is what I felt, and emotions that were so mixed to the point my mind was almost literally was a clash of thoughts. I sat down in the old and eroding training room of the old place that had once been a place of serenity and peace, as well as preparation for life and it's challenges. Cold as the snow on Hoth, it was not quite as harsh. The surroundings were covered in a blanket of white purity. Snow to be exact. Ice hung from the rafters as the last time this place had heat was in times past when the myths of a War between the Jedi and the Mandalorians took place.

Standing there in my armor. Black and sticking out like a pink dot in a sea of white. The black armor in the formation of an old Force Hound, I considered myself one, but in a different sense. I hunted those who had the force and converted them to the light when I could, but seeing as how I was having doubts about myself, I needed to find a place where I could find my inner self.

I had been here for three weeks now. I had hoped that being here would mean that I could be left alone, but now as I had been here for a long time, I had a feeling that something or someone had been hunting me. As a force user, we had a look into life of the future if you were skilled enough. and as even a child of 16 years of age, I had visions of the future and the past, but now as I have had images of men, all about with a price on their heads, increasing each one I saw walk past me. It was then that a mirror showed my face. A price was printed on my head with a Tattoo, and from that, I had a feeling I was being hunted.

Over the course of years when I was younger, I had not accepted the visions even when they came into the light, but now after years of seeing death, destruction, and lies fill the hearts of men, I had come to trust them to an extent. Not taking them literally, but figuratively as well. I picked up the hammer that was hanging from a hook on the wall, I swung it around to be on my belt and hook on to me as a weapon of my trust and uses. As well that I had an assortment of lightsabers that I could choose from. A purple and white single bladed lightsabers, as well as a double bladed yellow bladed lightsaber made out of the metal electurm that was a symbol of achieving the rank of Master of the Force within both sects of Jedi and Sith alike.

I grabbed my black helm and placed it on my head, as this would be the last few days I would be here.

[member="Luminous"],

 

[The Upright Man]

Arkania . . .

The cantina was in better condition than she expected. Though she had to consider the fact the only cantina's she tended to frequent were backwater planets, or generally in the shadier parts of town. This was no less shady, but at least due to it's proximity a political district it was kept in good shape. She looked around, concerned if anything. It didn't feel natural to be in an environment full of upper-class thugs, outlaws and drunks. She hardly noticed the buzzing of a droid beside her ear, but when she did, she turned around to deliver a great wallop to the device. The strike sent the hovering droid shooting across the room. She didn't believe that droids were sentient, even when they had the programming to feel emotions and pain. Lily had little care for such things. They were not made of flesh and bone, and she was. That is all that mattered in the debate.

Lily didn't appear to be the woman many knew her as. She never did. There was no defining features about her in which someone could recognise her. This was due to her constantly shifting appearance. She was Keshiri and would always remain so, with her rare pale skin. The scars across her cheeks could be covered with makeup, her eyes could shift colours due to the cybernetic implants. Her hair was something else, she tended to cut it constantly and dye it various colours. It helped her hide the breath crumbs she left behind on jobs. When her head became bald from constant cutting and shaving, she would wear different wigs until it had grown out again. Tattoos could be painted on.

She was prepared to get a drink and spend the night relaxing, though she had a job to do. Sure, she could wait around and have her fun, but that let all the other hunters one step closer to her prey. Not that she wasn't prepared to kill other hunters just to claim her bounty, but it required more effort and time. A flight attendant entered the cantina, calling out to her, "Ms. Dahun, your possessions have been lifted from the freighter. We need you to sign off on them." Lily strode towards the entrance, making her way outside into the cold streets once more. If anything, Lily was annoyed she hadn't received as much time in the cantina as she would have liked. "'Bout time," she hissed at the woman. The attendant slunk back, lowering her head and slouching her shoulders.

Lily placed her hands along the hull of her B&W-18 Landspeeder. It had received a fresh grey and white coating to better blend into the environment of Arkania. It was ice-cold, but smooth. A crewman unloaded a large fur, leather and woollen rucksack. He carelessly launched it over his shoulder to slam onto the ground with the pile of other belongings that had come with the refugees. Lily barked loudly, "Oi! Watch it, mate! You karking moron." She waltzed over to the rucksack and poked her head in to confirm all her belongings were unscathed. The bag was large and unbelievably heavy, and although Lily was lithe and skinny, she managed to raise the rucksack as easy as she would an egg. Lily plodded over to her landspeeder, resting herself into the seat. Before anyone could stop her from illegally flying in the spaceport, she used her freehand to twist the throttle and kicked the ignition. The land speeder took off down the steps. The same crewman shrieked after her, raising his fist, "Aye! You can't do that!"

The only time the young woman stopped her landspeeder was to arm herself. She stopped by a refuelling station. Lily strode into the store, glancing at the various wares. From illegal narcotics to lunch-time snacks. She strode to the register, holding out the palm of her hand, "Bathroom key?" The Yaka behind the counter was two metres tall, but looked as dumb as an ox. It was obvious he was cybernetic ally enhanced as was a great percentage of his species. He rose his hand and indicated to the far corner of the station, "The room is there," he reached under the register and pulled out a set of keys, "Bring back the keys when you're done."
"Thanks," Lily said, snatching the set from the dim-witted creature. She let her hips sway as she unlocked the door and let herself in, dragging her rucksack bag in with her. She wasted no time when the door clicked closed. She began to tear through her belongings, getting to the armorweave bodysuit. It was formerly black, but for unique missions such as this, it required her to utilise different coatings. On average, Lily was deployed into city environments for assassinations where stealth was not as much as big of an issue as it would be in an open field. She undressed herself and began to slide herself into the leggings, pushing her arms into their place. The bodysuit covered every part of her body, head to toe. Gloves were not necessary as the armorweave too covered that. The only flesh that remained exposed was her face. She pulled out a chest and backplate, gently lowering it over her shoulders.

There came a knock at the door. "Miss," the Yaka asked, "You've been in there for a while now. Are you alright?" Lily didn't bother to answer. The Keshiri was a self-absorbed being, she cared only for things that mattered to her. She didn't pay attention to the concern and worry of others. As her helmet locked into place, she attached the connecting tubes that fed her helmet with power. While she adorned a bodysuit, the only other clothing on her was the chest plate and helmet. She slid on some trousers over the armorweave and boots, but nothing more. Then came the armoury, she armed herself with a series of weapons and gadgets; an AMR-1 Anti-Materiel Rifle, a MP77 Heavy Blaster Pistol, eight ForceBreaker Gas Grenades, two Class-A Thermal Detonators, a Z50 Grenade Launcher, a Whipcord Launcher and a single Force Containment Collar. Items she had collected throughout her career. Though that was not all of it. Though the last item was not a necessity, she carried it during missions for good luck. She fetched her hand into the bag, pulling out a set of lime-green headtresses. They were preserved through oils and that way, wouldn't decay. The very same headtresses that she had cut from the skull of a dead Jedi Master; Hasjo Hallu.

"Open up," the Yaka insisted for the third time, pounding on the door. He roared, "I said open up!" Lily folded the now-empty rucksack, placing it under her arm. "Alright, alright, I'm coming out. You should know you shouldn't disturb a lady on the toilet," Lily said as she unlocked the door and pushed it open. "Hey, - wait, no guns in the store. It's policy, squishy," the Yaka said with a tightly knit frown upon his face. He hadn't expected her to come out with guns and armour. He didn't make a move to stop her though. Lily looked up at him, "Don't call me squishy."
"Alright, just get out of my shop," the clerk sighed in anger.
"I was planning on it," Lily remarked as she moved her way to the exit just as two more customers walked in, giving her a glare. The Keshiri threw away the rucksack bag into the cargo compartment of her speeder bike, before throwing herself back onto the riders seat. She kicked the ignition and shot off across the tundra. The first place to start when looking for a Jedi was their enclaves. The old praxeum would be the first place she would start searching for clues, if there were any to be found.

She slowed her speed to no more than twenty kilometres per hour. She hadn't been far from the academy when she got changed. A half dozen kilometres away at best. Her faceplate began to polarise as a small antenna on the roof of her helmet unfolded and began to transmit to the holonet. She had remote access at any given time, as long as their was a signal. The only places you were hard pressed to find signals was during hyperspace, or in uninhabitated sectors. She began researching into academic journals detailing the history of Arkania, looking for key words on Jedi and praxeum. It wasn't long until she had access to its files, at least the public ones that she had discovered. A simple layout blueprint and description was at her disposal. The retina scanner watched her eye movements and responded accordingly, opening the file;

A two story structure made of lumber and stone, the praxeum building contained a main hall, which served to host knighting ceremonies, training bouts, and other events. A small porch encircled the main building. A courtyard was located not far from the main buildings, surrounded by stone walls with carvings and art sketched into it.​

Her faceplate depolarised as she became content with the information. Her scanner was telling her she wasn't far off it now. She twisted the throttle and sped towards the backside of the academy, watching the size of it grow in the distance as she got closer and closer. Her land speeder churned up the snow behind her in a great cloud. She came to a slow and gradual stop, dismounting from the B&W-18. She blended in as best as she could with her painted armour and bike. She blinked her eyes and suddenly she was viewing in in fared vision. Cybernetic enhancements had made her a lethal contractor, and a prized one at that. The praxeum had a cold exterior but she could see that it was warm on the inside. It wasn't deserted. She fell to a crouch, bringing the grenade launcher to bear and loaded in the ForceBreaker gas grenades. She loaded four and left the other four to hang from her bandolier. Lily craned her neck and peered down the iron sights, aiming for the windows and door. She slapped the trigger. Foosh! Fooosh! Foosh! Foosh! It barely made a sound before it crashed into the building, exploding with its gaseous contents.

Standing fifty feet away, she reached to the thermal detonator at her belt. A precious resource but one she found effective if used early on. She initiated the sequence and launched the grenade with her cybernetically enhanced strength. Her hands alone could crush stone and metal, throwing it that distance looked like playing ball to any onlooker. Lily moved as fast as a Nexu. Before her extensive surgeries she was not nearly as fast, strong or sightful. It was the only way to become even with Force Users, even then, they still had the advantage. Space magic, at least that is what she called it, and her people. Her people were considered primitive and uncivilised when the galaxy discovered them, still in what some deemed medieval. Lily focused her thoughts, sliding the Anti-Materiel Rifle from her shoulder and gripping it tightly in her hand. She felt onto the flat of her stomach, using her feet to kick snow up onto her back. She was digging herself in, hiding herself. She looked down the scope, watching and waiting. Maybe she was wrong, and no one was really home.

[member="Xander Carrick"]

 

[Garza]

Placing the helmet on my head, I let the systems in the helm flash up and activate as the yellow and blue HUD flashed in front of my face. it was then that the little cyclops eye on the helm lit up slightly as the systems activated. I smiled as I went through the systems seeing that it still worked after not using the armor set for a while. I looked through each and every item that was in my Armor's HUD. While it was older, I didn't want it to rust out simply because I had not used it. And seeing as how the last time I used this was when I had first become a Knight in the CIS, it was a long time ago.

There was nothing much to it. The black and faded look of the armor felt nice on me. it was hefty on my body and kept me safe from most environments. I sometimes spoke to myself, "Looks like everything is working. Not much of a reason to stay down here." I took a sauntering pace towards the stairs that would lead up to the second balcony when I though I heard something. Sounded like an engine, but as their were myths of Dragons still roaming about even when they were considered extinct, it was not out of the question that this far away from the city would a Dragon reside, but it was likely a Speeder engine. I moved to the window and watched as from the haze of the planet, saw four flashes and the window reflect the image of what was coming to me.

As almost all of my entire life, I had relied on the use of Precognition when I was younger, and knew less of the amount of force powers I do now, it was a form of defense for me. Hell, I had had the notion that a rocket was being fired on the Jedi Temple on Voss and stopped that from happening. I could almost feel that shots were being fired my way. I ducked just in time when the window I was standing at blasted inwards to have four grenades launch themselves across the floor and to slide in various places. They popped and gasses began to flow out of them. With my left hand, I pushed the gas grenades to be on the other side of the room away from myself, when I looked out the window again, only to see one last grenade land in the middle of the room.

beeping.

I crunched down and covered my neck and head with my arms as the grenade blew up in a fashion that could only be a Thermal Detonator. I knew what they were like. I had used many in the past. So I knew this person was either a non-force user, or a force user who was a soldier type. But I would have those thoughts later as I was blasted up against the wall with the grenade and slammed hard. I had dropped my hammer but as it was heavier and smaller, it was not really effected from the blast. I pulled the hammer to my hand with the force, stood up as my night vision came on, only to see a figure walking towards the back of the building. I smiled as I launched my own weapon at the person. A hammer that was a good 2 kgs, thrown at the speed to break in starship hulls was a weapon truly to be tested. It was thrown not simply by the strength of my arm, but also with Telekinesis which I had been training to master over the past few months.

If the hammer hit the target or not, I called the hammer back to my hand as I walked to the front of the building, towards the stairs so I could be near the top where it would be harder to lob grenades in a fashion that could harm me. As I was near the stairs, the hammer smashed through the wall and smacking into my hand as I let it fall to my side. I then took my steps upstairs where hopefully I could find a place to take out whoever was attacking me.

[member="Luminous"],

 

[The Upright Man]

@[member="Xander Carrick"]

Luminous lay still, prone in the snow. She had not moved since the explosion had torn through the building. The kicking of her feet had placed a small blanket of snow over her back and head. The wind began to pick up, and bringing with it the horrible chill of the planet. Such a dreadful planet. One Lily would rather to be rid off sooner rather than later. Though patience was required on missions like this. She was too close, but still seemed to have an advantage. Her eyes caught the glint of metal under sunlight, a hammer clutched in a hand. The man launched it outwards, crashing into the ground. Luminous flinched at the sudden action. He had struck out at nothing, attempting to strike something near the rear of the building, but it had become dangerously close to her. She had never been a participant of the side effects of ForceBreaker gas grenades. Lily could only assume it had either caused a hallucination or he had a really poor throw. Lily tried not to move, remaining still as humanly possible.

The hammer shot upwards, crashing through the wall of the building. Lily had barely made a sound. All had become silent. Lily gently rested her rifle onto the snow, squirming to reach to her waist. The wind started to howl as it picked up. She glanced across the vast wastelands, noting a snowstorm would soon be upon the both of them. She unholstered her MP-77 Heavy Blaster Pistol. Lily kicked her knees up, raising her wrist. The wrist-attached Whipcord Launcher activated. A thin fibercord with an attached grappling hook shot across the distance between her and the house, attaching to a roof tile. She began to job, crunching snow underfoot. The whipcord launcher shortened the length of the fibercord as she got closer until she was up against the rear wall. She placed the gun between her teeth, safety on and barrel facing away. She used her arms to pull herself up as efficiently as any with cardio-muscular implants and neuro-cybernetic hands. The Keshiri was on the roof and detaching the grappling hook, feeding the fibercord back into the launcher. She gripped her pistol, moving across the roof. She placed her pistol below and fired two shots, enough to damage the roof. The rest was her work. Lily raised her booted foot and slammed down, hard. The weakened tiles gave way and she fell through, crashing onto the floor below. She fell into a kneel, raising her pistol. The room was empty. Dust smoked around her.