Dominion Lost Discoveries | SJO DOM of Orleon

[Phalsi Drynchen]

She watched the large feather bomb hit Jasper Candos , and her eyes narrowed at Kyra Perl watching her bombard her fellow padawans with feathers. When she targeted Glade however, Phalsi channeled her own feelings to try and turn the cascade of feathers around on. The feathers splitting into two separate streams on either side of Glade as they flowed through the air and back onto Kyra. The mad giggling from Phalsi a dead giveaway as to who was manipulating the stream of fluff.

Kyra Perl Subject 648 Slipknot Milla Caranthyr Amani Serys Glade Varindar Asyt

 

[Glade]

Tag: Phalsi Drynchen | Subject 648 Slipknot | Kyra Perl | Amani Serys | Varindar Asyt | Milla Caranthyr | Jasper Candos

Air was hard to grasp. You either got it or you didn’t. Bad puns. The feathers rushed towards Glade and she laughed, she didn’t even try to stop it! Her nose wiggled in anticipation. Kyra Perl , Happy. For her air was fun, motion, and Phalsi Drynchen had yet saved her from the feathery fate! Those playing really had got the connection. In her chair, Glade’s eyes closed smiling, and there was rushing above from the top of the dome. A thundering crack of air came from above and a microburst shot downward towards them, a gust of wind blowing in all directions to conclude the first element. Not overpowering, demonstrating where this could go if they trained, and connected fully with the element. Thankfully mini tornados were not on the cards today!

Now. Calmness carried through the dome, almost like a peaceful day at a Jedi temple.​

The Second Lesson - Water Element

Very slowly and gently the room began to settle, the walls stopped moving. Grooves in the floor began to slowly extend, at a gentle pace so no one fell, forming smooth channels, with a gradual descent into the dip. Gradual, deliberate, flow to everything. There were still plenty of places to stand and this happened very steady, never stopping. The sounds of running water soon came, and the sounds of rain were mimicked in the distance. By their feet, water began to slowly run into the channels. Peace. Calm. Soothing even. There was a serene nature to it all. Magical almost. That was the intent of this place to mimick, a complete immersion in the element itself as best as was able. Sight, Sound, Props and force connection from the nexus, to help to find which element(s) they connected with best for study.

With the transition from air to water. A fountain could be seen raising up at the center, and a very light spray of misty water at the edges of the dome began to come inward. This didn't happen often to drench people but at rare, light intervals as if a wave. There was no rain but the sound was always there.

Glade quietened now her time had passed, and Master Valrel took the center stage.

“Reach your senses out to the water, the flow. Imagine the current in your mind, and then move with it, or it with you.” Water moved with little effort and although not as light as air and hard to control or grasp, it was moved easily. As Varindar Asyt understood. It wasn’t a sense of constant motion or freedom, but it was a much more “purposeful direction.”

These were the basics, the flow of the water the mist in the air and the large wave of water which crashed against the wall, images of the sea, of what water could become in the right hands. It could truly be devastating but was always purposeful. Glade was much more subdued in this watery element, her feathers could be seen resting on water, floating along the small streams that had formed.

“Try to move the water with purpose,” Valrel encouraged, without devolving into platitudes of being one with the current, even if that was what was required to understand it, “once you send water on its way, like wind it keeps moving, only as a steadier flow.” Near Varindar Asyt the props for the earth lesson to come would soon be ready.

 

[Phalsi Drynchen]

Kyra Perl Subject 648 Slipknot Milla Caranthyr Amani Serys Glade Varindar Asyt

The fun ended with a bang and a whoosh. Leaving Phalsi a little disappointed as the floor gradually began to shift around her. She was alright at first, eyes watching the channels form before the sound came. Rain and running water, before it actually began to flow. A concerned look from the padawan to the teacher did little to ease the tension that now rode her. Her chest tightened, and she stood as best she could in the center of the channels. Farthest away from the water before the light mist made her look around.

She felt sick. She forced herself to listen, trying to focus on the voice of Valrel rather than the environment. Outwardly, she looked concerned or even cautious, not betraying the internal panic that some might sense if they tried.

 

[Subject 648 Slipknot]

Glade Phalsi Drynchen Kyra Perl Milla Caranthyr Amani Serys Varindar Asyt

Then, just as suddenly as it started, it ended. The whoosh of air signaled the end, and concluded that lesson. Slip turned to the new lesson. He noticed that the walls had stopped freaking out, but now the floor was forming grooves, like it was made of clay. Now, the sounds of running water and rain seemed to just suddenly appear from nowhere. Small channels of water started flowing through the grooves. A fountain started raising at the center, and a light mist moved through the chamber. Slip couldn't tell if any of this was real, or just another hallucination, but the others seemed to react to it, so it was either real, or the Force was making them all see things.

He listened to the lesson. Really? That simple? Well, he guessed it made sense, but it seemed kind of odd.

Slip noticed some of the others were also reacting strangely, a girl, Phalsi Drynchen , looked kind of tense. She looked like she was going to be sick, and Slip could tell she was panicked. Slip could tell because he experienced that nearly on a daily basis. He knew what it looked like. "Hey, you okay? You seem... tense." He asked her.

He looked at the water. Well, he guessed he could give it a shot. He concentrated, imagining the flow of the water in his mind, and imagined moving with it. Then, he tried to move it.

Nothing happened.

Not again! He tried again, and again, and again. Each time resulting in failure. the water stubbornly refused to move. Eventually, he was basically begging it to move.

"Come on, move!" He said to the water. "Move! Why won't you move?! Why must you be so stubborn?!" Coming into a panic, he was starting to fall into the desperate category. "Come on, please move. I'm begging you." He said, but the water refused to move.

He turned to the teachers. "What do we do if the water refuses to move?" He asked.

 

[Milla Caranthyr]

Milla watched the feathers drift down with catlike intrest. Moving them sounded easy enough, she just couldn't effect them directly with the force. Closing her eyes, she focused on trying to move the air around the feather, to direct it where to go. She focused and focused....and focused some more. Try as she might, she couldn't get the near weightless object to move from the wind, she couldn't even get the wind to budge for her. This was starting to frustrate her now, especially since everyone else seemed to be getting the hang of it.

Then the floor started to move and the sound of rain began to fill the room. Small streams of water and a fountain appeared in the center and a fine mist filled the air. "Oh no!" Milla thought in a panic. They were already on their next lesson and she hadn't even managed the first. She gave a huff of frustration as she watched the cool water hit her bare feet.

Closing her eyes once again, she reached out with the force to try and connect with the water. Picturing the flow of the water in her mind, becoming part of it. She didn't need to grab or push, just direct the flow. The feeling of connection grew stronger as the directed the flow away from her feet. To her surprise it worked, as the water changed direction and flowed around her feet on either side.

Kyra Perl Glade

 

[Beltran Rarr]

Location: Orleon, touching down in clearing
Objective: Search and rescue operation, target: Waldo
Allies: SJO
Enemies: Unknown
Armor: OS-114 "Katarn Mk. II" Combat Armor

Primary Weapon: OS-109 Fate Assault Rifle (chest rig)

Secondary Weapons:

• OS-104 Reaper Blaster Pistol (drop holster, right side)
• OS-101 Retractable Vibrosword (On belt)
• Krath Itak Sword (back scabbard) Note to Force Users/Force Sensitives - this blade emanates a strong Dark Side aura
• Beskar Sword (back scabbard)
• 8 x frag grenades (chest rig)

Misc Gear:

• OS-112 "Valkyrie" Jump Jet System (Mounted on back)
• OS-108 Energy Shield (Left wrist)
• 2 x OS-107 "Hermes" Sensor Drones (chest rig)

Beltran nodded to Subject 73 Red as the agent asked his question. It was a good question to be sure. Any responsible operator needed to be sure of their rules of engagement before entering any potentially hazardous situation. "Our goal is to secure the scientist and extract him to a safe location along with whatever remains of his work. Any interference by the mites should be met with the least possible force needed to overcome them. For example, if you are attacked by a cluster of stone mites, you may open fire. But if you wound or kill one and the others run off, don't go firing blindly into the jungle or break formation to pursue them. Its not our job to clear out the infestation itself, just to rescue the scientist."

With Red's question, hopefully, answered to the best of his ability, Beltran had returned his attention back to the landing of the dropship. His squad of twelve Rangers would move quickly down the ramp, breaking into fire-teams and moving to secure the clearing while Beltran oversaw the operation and liaised with any additional personnel.

No sooner had his dropship begun to lift off did another arrive, landing where the Arch-Angel had just taken off and deploying another group of Rangers led by a being Beltran didn't know. This being, identified as Smmmashher Grrrasher by Beltran's HUD, approached and began to speak. Beltran had checked his own oxidizer weapon, which he carried in the low-ready position. He was somewhat unfamiliar with these weapons but he understood the basic idea. Point and shoot.

"Good to meet you," He replied with a nod. "It will be nice to actually have some close air support for a change." His mind thought back to Kiros, when he had been part of a team, that also included Subject 73 Red , that had been forced to fight their way to a crashed droid lander on their own before air support could arrive. It was at this point that another being joined them, a Jedi named A'Sura Den .

"Greetings Jedi Den," Beltran replied. "I am Lieutenant Rarr, commander of Icarus Platoon, attached to the 5th Rangers Special Operations Group. And yes, to answer your question we are here to rescue the scientist. I'm not sure what you heard of Mr. Grrrasher's briefing, but the scientist's last known location is approximately 500 meters to the west. Mr. Grrrasher will be flying close air support for us while we make our way on foot. I've transferred the last location to all of your HUD's and datapads for ease of reference."

"Travelling through the jungle can be a little tricky," He told the group. "I would suggest breaking off a trio of fireteams to move ahead, and to the left and right, of the main group. Just so we don't get surprised by anything. Red, Jedi Den, would either of you like to command one of these teams? I can detach some of my men to go with each of you."

Beltran would wait to listen to the others' replies. If they agreed, he would detail two Silver regulars to join Subject 73 Red who would lead the party to the front and he would detail the same to Jedi A'Sura Den who would lead to the team on their right flank. To their left flank, Beltran would detail Sergeant Lota and Corporal Doss.

Once everything was set, he would put out a com call.

"Alright people, we're moving!" The remainder of the Antarian Rangers would group up on Beltran and he would take the point position as they marched into the jungle moving toward the scientist's last known coordinates.

 

[Subject 73 Red]

Objective 1
Tags: Beltran Rarr Smmmashher Grrrasher A'Sura Den

Red nodded to Beltran. Red knew that, of course. They weren't here to kill the mites, just save the doctor, which Red knew meant that they should only kill the mites if necessary. Besides, it was easy to get lost in the jungle.

Ah, the jungle. Red was basically back in his home element. The genetic laboratory he was created in was in the jungle on his home planet, so a lot of his training missions included being in the jungle. Of course, they went on plenty of missions to other biomes, learning how to survive in nearly every ecosystem and biome. Still, Red knew the jungle like how a pilot knew his ship, very well, and he knew all the ways to survive.

The transport landed, and Red followed after the Rangers. He followed after Beltran, and another Jedi approached them. The Jedi asked them a question, which Beltran responded to. Beltran introduced himself. "And I'm Agent Red, commando unit, and Jedi Padawan." He introduced himself.

Beltran then gave a suggestion about how to travel. Red nodded, that would be the best way to travel. Then, he asked if Red or the other Jedi would command a group. Red nodded. "Yes sir, I'll take a group. I'm highly trained and well versed in jungle navigation and survival." Red said.

Red moved with the Rangers through the jungle.

 

[Jasper Candos]

Phalsi Drynchen | Subject 648 Slipknot | Kyra Perl | Amani Serys | Varindar Asyt | Milla Caranthyr | Glade


Jasper noticed a few more Jedi padawans coming into the temple as he stood against a wall. No doubt to learn what element they had resonated with. Now that he thought about it, being here was a double edge sword. On one hand, he could know what element that every other student resonated with but then every other student will know what element he resonated with. He knew the same thought process could be said for every other class he partook before and every class he will take in the future. The students could know what skill set that Jasper has in a certain area of training whether it’s a class on learning the force or learning a form of lightsaber combat and vice versa, but they're a HUGE difference with learning what type skill one had in the force or with a lightsaber or learning what element resonated with them the most.

For starters, Jasper could practice his skills in a private area, where no one will be able to see or know how good he is in that current skill. The same could be said for another person in the same position as Jasper and he knew that, but he was willing to deal with that. With the elements, however, no matter how someone is good with one element, if another happens to have an element that has the advantage over that one element, then it would mean trouble for the one who at the disadvantage. No matter how good one is with fire, water will always defeat It.

Jasper quickly shook his head. He realized he was overthinking again with the whole situation on elements. He knew there was more to the elements, like how to use them but he was too focused thinking about the possibility of someone knowing what his element is and using their own that was naturally better than his. He took a few discreet deep breaths in order to calm himself down, looking around to see if anyone notice him deep in thought, and upon doing so he realized that the teacher of the lesson was talking, and he cursed himself for not paying attention any sooner. To him, that was unacceptable and made it a note to focus overall lesson from now on and to forget about what he was thinking earlier.

Listen to the rest of the teacher lecture and seeing the feathers Jasper was a bit confused. He saw some feathers slowly descending toward him and swipe them out of the way with one of his free hands. He looked over to see how the others handling it and as he did some connected right into his face. He quickly used his hands to move them out of the way since the feather had temporarily blinded him and saw Kyra Perl looking at him. Seeing her reaction to what had happened had caused Jasper to put two and two together and the millisecond he did, Jasper glared at her in disapproval. He felt someway with this and thought about how to deal with her. In the end, he decided to tell her the flowing words “Please don’t do that again miss.” With a stern and silent tone in his voice and continued moving the feathers.

Soon another teacher spoke (Master Valrel) and the second she did, Jasper quickly stopped what he was doing, making sure that he was paying attention to her and avoiding the same mistake earlier with the last master. While he listened to her the room changed. Water was now coming into the temple and Jasper noticed it some of the mist from the water connected to his forehead causing to wipe some of it off. Listening to the woman speak on it, Jasper closed his eyes in order to better connect to the force but then he quickly opened them. He didn’t want to be caught off guard again like with the other girl and kept one eye on her. He thought about the water inside his mind and then connected to the force. Soon, the water around began to react toward him using the force and began to move around him.

 

[Amani Serys]

Glade | Phalsi Drynchen | Kyra Perl | Varindar Asyt | Jasper Candos | Milla Caranthyr | Subject 648 Slipknot

Amani found herself sputtering a collection of feathers out of her mouth. When it was all over, she peered out, feathers still clinging to her clothes and hair. There was no question as to who the culprit was, but before she could retaliate the room changed again.

Quickly, Amani was able to get to work as the water began to flow. Even more so than with air, she manipulated the water around her with subtle and graceful movements. Water was her element, it seemed. She focused on the serene nature of the temple, easing her mind of outside thoughts; For a moment, at least. Her attention shortly turned back to Kyra Perl . Payback time.

Amani reached out her hand, and the water near Kyra erupted up in a big splash all around her. Amani subdued a laugh. It was a bit rude, she thought. Wet clothes might be a bit more of a nuisance than feathers, but she managed to justify her mischief since the clothes they're wearing were supposed to be able to get a bit dirty anyway.

 

[Varindar Asyt]

Subject 648 Slipknot Jasper Candos Phalsi Drynchen Milla Caranthyr

Once the air portion of the seminar was over, the water portion of the session began in earnest, when, from a fountain, began to emanate a mist. Also, Varindar was so used to being attuned to water currents, over all these years of swims made in underworld meets, on Trandosha, on Ceraluen or even on Noasis, so unsurprisingly, directing the flow of water came much more naturally to her, even under the form of a mist or raindrops, than creating a protective barrel of air around her. However, other padawans that didn't have her skill as a swimmer may not have the same experience, and she could even look at Amani Serys attempting to splash Kyra Perl , while a familiar face, from years past, a guest of the hotel even, Glade , was elsewhere in the vicinity. But then another memory surfaced: submarine warfare in Manaan's depths. Where she could prevail (albeit with the assistance of the crew of the De Zeven Provincien on the surface) against some underwater threat, and hopefully, use these newfound powers over water to protect a submarine from incoming torpedoes if it came to that.

 

[Kyra Perl]

Objective 2

Kyra sputtered. If it wasn't the panic of Phalsi Drynchen or the desperation of Subject 648 Slipknot , then it was certainly the water sent splashing at her that kept her attention derailed.

And she had been working so hard on grounding herself lately.

Her efforts for mental fortitude hardly seemed to mater now. She could feel the water, it was very similar to feeling the wind. It was just getting it to listen that was the problem. Her attention kept flickering elsewhere. She tossed Amani Serys a desperate look, water dripping off her face in a pathetic appeal for sympathy.

"Ruuuuuuuuuude," she chastised, kicking a spray of water back at Amani. Poor Jasper Candos was not immune to the splatter, despite his polite request for Kyra to refrain.

"Master I'm trying to concentrate but Amani's distracting meeee." Her eyes twinkled at Amani, the tattle tail pleased about her retribution.

 

[Glade]

Questions were answered, and unlike the air lesson, it didn’t go by in a five-minute flash. The water lesson intentionally lasted about 20 minutes. Working with the student’s techniques to understand the basics, which was all they could cover in these introductory lessons.

Phalsi Drynchen

With a wave of her hand, water around Phalsi Drynchen would slowly dry up by Sera Inkari 's hand, and the channel nearest her would vanish almost completely, the flow stopping to give her distance to her fears. The amber robe priestess overwatching her bowed. This dome was monitored very carefully, they were all beginners out of their ‘element’ from time to time. She would stand beside her to assist her, a beacon of safety until the water lesson concluded. “What is your name?” Sera asked, taking her concentration to something familiar and easy to focus on. A protect bubble of sorts erected around them both and inside the temperature was warmer.

Subject 648 Slipknot

Valrel answered the keen new student promptly. “Water moves with little effort, try connecting into the flow of the current. Temperature, Air. Density.” Then she advised, “Not all elements will work as you want them too. We each find ourselves drawn to one or perhaps two. You can use fire, earth or air to move water.” She would sit with 648 for a time, and twirl her finger in the small stream, pushing the force in ripples further outward and showing another practical way to possibly connect with water alone, but it may just be water wasn't 648's forte. If 648 looked at what glade was doing over his shoulder with Milla though...

Milla Caranthyr

Glade hovered on over to Milla and watched her happily, moving the air on top of the water with Milla's current, and trying to engage her technique further to create small waves in the stream, like a lapping tide. She seemed to beam happily at getting to do something, feeling useful. In her own way she was demonstrating wind’s effects on water, but also showing Milla how water moved on its own, dropping some earth from a pot into the stream to create a different density, and subtly move the water all on its own. If only happened briefly but it demonstrated the connection between the two. She winked, little tricks that led to bigger applications, kinda what Glade liked to do best.

Jasper Candos | Kyra Perl | Amani Serys | Varindar Asyt

Jasper and Varindar were congratulated sincerely by Valrel and advised to "be one with the water. The current is like your heartbeat and breathing Jasper. Reliable and with purpose.” This was slightly deeper than a surface lesson, but being part of the water you didn’t need to push much to move anything. It was already moving, currents underwater were subtle, forceful and terrible things when you understood them, the “density, tide, temperature, and wind, moves it too,” you could do a lot when you understood water density alone. She felt deep down Varindar might make use of that and so made sure both overheard her, water density was a big key.

As Valrel walked among the remaining students, any water was deflected from Jasper. Kyra and Amani’s playful nature was not scolded, but Valrel advised them. “I won’t stop you being you, ever, let him be him.” It was a gentle nudge that not everyone enjoyed being hit with water or sand. “Respect all for who they are.” Glade however from her hoverchair position, had sent a carefully constructed feather house atop the water down the stream between the two playful students, some sort of origami feathered creation. It looked a bit like a bad attempt at a top hat sailing along its merry way, she gave them an energetic wave. They reminded her so much of herself.

 

[Phalsi Drynchen]

Phalsi forced a smile at Subject 648 Slipknot before looking back to the water. "Just...nervous." She lied with every part of her. It wasn't that she was ashamed of having a weakness. No, everyone had one of those. This was something more than a weakness in her opinion. Something that shook even the core of a person. A fear, and she would not admit to it right now. At least not before everything that brought out that fear slowly fell away and the amber robed woman approached.

The smile lost a touch of it's fake strength, the relief of the water being pushed back at least helping a little. Her eyes still darted around occasionally, hearing the different sounds the others were making with the water they were altering. "Phalsi, Drynchen." The words came out a little quicker than she wanted, but she had told the woman her name at least. This was just another obstacle to get through in training, don't let it get to you She thought to herself, nervously fidgeting as she looked at the woman before watching the bubble go up.

"That's a neat-uh, trick." Phalsi murmured, staring at the outside as the sounds seemed very far away, and she relaxed more.

Glade | Jasper Candos | Kyra Perl | Amani Serys | Varindar Asyt | Milla Caranthyr | Subject 648 Slipknot

 

[A'Sura Den]

Beltran Rarr Smmmashher Grrrasher Subject 73 Red

Objective 2​

Normally, A'Sura would have followed the others to where the source that is attracting force sensitive. But this is far more important and he can just find whatever this strange Force pool is after the mission. Life comes to a higher priority, and with this group, this will be a very interesting experience.

Being in the jungle, he was at peace. With a life that surrounds him, he thinks that maybe that he should come to this planet for some peace of mind. After battling, a quiet place with a strong connection with the force to meditate would be a pleasant feeling. But that is after the mission is completed.

A'Sura walked to the right area of the group's formation; covering the right flank as Beltran Rarr suggested. He activated his commlink and with the Force, he levitated his lightsaber to his left hand. "Ready."

 

[Milla Caranthyr]

Milla gave a small smile to Glade when she approached and began to use air to manipulate the water. She could feel the subtle change in not just how the water physically moved, but a small shift in the force as the two elements collided. The addition of the earth cause a sudden but noticeable change in the behavior of the water. Unlike air, the earth seemed to way it down and push it outward. Mulla had to focus even more as the earth flowed around her feet. She had to strengthen her connection with the water, make it bend as if the earth wasn't there. The water pushed further away from her feet once more, as the earth passed by. Once gone, she felt as if she had a stronger connection to the water around her.

Taking a slow breath, she decided to try something different. Closing her eyes, she focused on the mist in the air. The mist was nothing more than water droplets that should be easier to control than a small stream. She tilted her palms up and began to focus on the mist around her. Slowly, water from the mist began to condensate on her arms and ran down them till water began to pool in the palms of her hands.

Kyra Perl

 

[Kyra Perl]

Objective 2

Kyra gave a heavy sigh, her eyes turning down as she turned to Jasper Candos . "Sooooorry." She kicked at the water weakly around her feet, scuffing the ground.

And then she turned and left him alone altogether, a bit of heat to her cheeks as she ignored Glade 's wave. Her brows furrowed as she tried once again to manipulate the water like she had the air, but the feeling of connection kept slipping through her fingers, not unlike water cupped inside one's pond. A small force push was sent at the feather construct, the padawan cheating and creating ripples in the water through a more familiar means.

Seemed like everything wasn't going to come as naturally to her as air had.

"No fair, how can you do both?" She grumbled to Amani Serys

 

[Amani Serys]

Glade | Phalsi Drynchen | Kyra Perl | Varindar Asyt | Jasper Candos | Milla Caranthyr | Subject 648 Slipknot

Amani ceased her aquatic attack on Kyra as they were called out for their mischief, waving back at Glade as she shifted focus back to the water around herself. She slowed herself, downplaying the ease with which she had manipulated the water just before.

"I... don't know. They feel kinda similar to me, I guess." she shrugged to Kyra Perl , still conserving her natural inclination towards the element. "Water is pretty free moving. You just have to, well, swim with the current, as it were."

 

[Varindar Asyt]

To be "one with the water" was not much of a stretch for Varindar, especially given the swims she made over the years. It was as clear as day that water was her best element. While Kyra Perl and Amani Serys were playing some games, these exercises made her hungry, so she would just order some nerf fillet when the time comes. By now, however, she got the water stream to boil around her, making the room filling out with steam...

 

[Subject 648 Slipknot]

Glade Phalsi Drynchen Amani Serys Kyra Perl Varindar Asyt Jasper Candos Milla Caranthyr

Slip turned to their teacher, Glade . She spoke with him, explained it to him, and showed him ways to do it. "Very little effort?" He asked. "Way to encourage me. Now I think I feel worse about it." Then, she explained that he could use other elements to move water. "Well, I barely managed to do air, and I haven't even learned fire or earth. So... also, how would fire be able to move water? That sounds like a paradox to me." Slip admitted. "Connecting into the flow of the current? How? I've only had to wade across rivers and small streams, not really going with the current. I've been in oceans, amphibious assaults, but the ocean in different." He asked. This was all too confusing for him.

He turned to the girl and gave a light smile back. "Sorry. I was just... you seemed tensed up. I know that look, too. I'm nervous all the time. It's apart of my... mental disorders, and doctors like to delicately put it. It's my anxieties. I'm nervous a lot, and then my brain amplifies it and makes it ten times worse, making me very tensed up. The voices grow louder, taunting me, making me be suspicious or nervous or a wide range of emotions." He stopped himself. "Right, you probably don't want to hear about me. Sorry, you have your own problems. Girls just make me nervous and-" Slip stopped himself, realizing what he just said. "I mean, erm- forget I said that." He said, flustered at what he had just said. Did he really just say that? Great.

He sat down. He looked at the water. He tried to imagine the flow of water in his mind. But most currents were too slow, and his mind instantly jumped to another topic. His mind just raced to fast to be concentrating on a slow moving current. Water was too conformed to certain paths, something Slip couldn't really get. He refocused on the water, and noticed that he was able to move a tiny amount of the water. He smiled lightly to himself. He continued to watch the water.

 

[Beltran Rarr]

Location: Orleon, touching down in clearing
Objective: Search and rescue operation, target: Waldo
Allies: SJO, Subject 73 Red , A'Sura Den , Smmmashher Grrrasher
Enemies: Unknown
Armor: OS-114 "Katarn Mk. II" Combat Armor

Primary Weapon: OS-109 Fate Assault Rifle (chest rig)

Secondary Weapons:

• OS-104 Reaper Blaster Pistol (drop holster, right side)
• OS-101 Retractable Vibrosword (On belt)
• Krath Itak Sword (back scabbard) Note to Force Users/Force Sensitives - this blade emanates a strong Dark Side aura
• Beskar Sword (back scabbard)
• 8 x frag grenades (chest rig)

Misc Gear:

• OS-112 "Valkyrie" Jump Jet System (Mounted on back)
• OS-108 Energy Shield (Left wrist)
• 2 x OS-107 "Hermes" Sensor Drones (chest rig)

Once group was in formation, they began moving into the jungle. It was slow going, the thick underbrush working against them. But with Subject 73 Red leading the advance party, they were able to move as efficiently as possible. Periodically, Beltran would check in with his flanking teams. One consisted of two of his own soldiers and the other was led by the Jedi A'Sura Den .

So far, so good. Beltran thought to himself. He was growing more and more comfortable leading operations like this, but that didn't mean that he allowed himself to be complacent. He stayed alert, looking for any sign of movement or possible threat.

When they had traveled approximately half of the distance to the scientist's last known location, a few things would happen:

First: Subject 73 Red 's team would happen upon a clearing and what appeared to be the remnants of a small camp. Pieces of machinery would be scattered around, some appearing to have been torn apart and others looking as if they had been melted. A large pre-fab tent-shelter would be seen in the middle of the clearing, with several holes seeming to have been torn or melted through the fabric. Visible from the holes appeared to be more equipment and a small cot. Near the entrance to the shelter stood a single automated rotary blaster cannon, which appeared to be inactive.

Second: To the right of the group, where A'Sura Den and his pair of Rangers were, subtle sounds would start to become audible. They sounded somewhat like skittering and they were getting closer.

Third: A series of blaster shots would ring out from the groups left flank and over the group's com channel the tight, professional voice of Sergeant Lota would call sound, calling: "Contact, left flank! Two clusters of Stone mites and they're attacking us!"

At the same time as the call came through, a single cluster of Stone mites would appear, skittering down a pair of trees and moving toward A'Sura Den and his team. They would spray acid out from their small mouth like orifices as they got closer.

A few seconds after that, the rotary cannon in front of Subject 73 Red 's team would start up, spinning and moving back and forth on it's automated mount-appearing to track as yet unseen contacts. It would then start firing off to the west as several clusters of mites started to appear on the far side of the clearing.

"Well," Beltran muttered to himself as the excrement began to hit the cooling unit. "I guess I spoke too soon."