Part Time Job in the Jungle

[Isaiah Dashiell]

The GUIDE transport dropped out of Hyperpace just outside BABYgnon's orbit with a shudder, startling Izzy from his slumber. They had been in Hyperspace for several hours and he had fallen asleep in the co-pilot seat, confident in their young part-timer Loske Matson. Apparently she had done at least one mission with GUIDE before, but this was the first time that he had met her.

The young explorer sighed and kicked his feet off from the console and stood up to stretch. They were coming into the moon now, one of BABYgnon's eight moons, probably the only habitable one as well. Information about the moon was scarce with only a few mentions of it on the Holo-Net. Apparently it had a plethora of unique and dangerous animal species which apparently one of GUIDE's biggest investors was very interested in.

"And so here we are..." he whispered to himself as he looked through the transparisteel viewport at the moon. From where they were he could see that it was a lush planet, filled with greens and browns and blues. He wondered what sort of adventure they had waiting for them now...Expeditions could take months, and he was going to be calling this place his home for a time, so it was only natural that he was excited.

However behind that beautiful green exterior there was turmoil. The rural people were starving and in a drought, scavengers were caught in between one of the bloodiest raider wars the Badlands had ever seen and there was political unrest within Jamel. What awaited the GUIDE travelers was to be nothing short of hardship.

[member="Loske Matson"]
[member="Iestyn Nova"]
[member="Veronika Nova"]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eJDTcDUQxQ​

 

[Loske Treicolt]

“Yep.” Came the short and sure reply of the contractor as she adjusted the engines for the transition coming out of light speed. Typically, this was a task for her personal droid - but she’d gone so long without an astromech these calculations were second nature to the pilot. Frank had instead occupied himself with regurgitating all the information he’d downloaded about Dathomir to Loske while she sat behind the wheel. It was a bigger ship than her typical Starfighter, and it was not hers, so she was throwing some more due diligence to not damage anything. This was, actually, her first time with the GUIDE folks, and she wanted to impress as well as succeed. The credits were a nice offering, and she was starting up a savings account after visiting that mansion on Naboo. That, or a travel fund, that would help her have an actual excuse to take a month or so off from the squadron.

In the meantime, she was meeting new people, doing new things. There were two educators on board, and she couldn't wait to ask them questions and pick their brains.

Loske’s eyes were dazzled each time she entered in to an atmosphere. Her favourites so far were tied between Naboo and Borealis. Perhaps Borealis took a slight pull ahead because she’d danced so close to Sith space without running into any issues. Save for that…bot. Yeah. Borealis. This one so far, looked pretty close. It was anything green that got her all bright eyed and smiley faced. She seemed to like the natural, lush appearances of things. Too used to being exposed to the darkness of space, or training tubes or whatever.

“Have a good nap?” Loske asked her quasi co-pilot, who’d really just dozed off for the latter part of the journey.

[Some Guide scholars have recorded that some people have a gene that enables them to do well on six hours of sleep a day. This gene, however, is very rare, appearing in less than 3% of the population.]

“Oooh,” Loske chimed in coat tail to Frank’s valuable, factual input, not really taking her eyes away from the viewport as the GUIDE vessel careened down toward the moon. “You’re cutting it short only by a little bit.”


[member="Isaiah Dashiell"] | [member="Iestyn Nova"] | [member="Veronika Nova"]

 

[Isaiah Dashiell]

"Don't analyze me like some computer program," he muttered before putting his helmet on. The magnetic locks snapped shut. "I'm going to go see if all our gear is still in order, take us down good? Don't crash and all that jazz." He moved past the young pilot girl and headed down into the cargo bay. GUIDE had learned from Magda's experience on Mandalore to bring their own speeders and tools, but even still he felt like they had over packed. His job would be around a two month stay and there was enough food for three people to last that time, but all the scanners and sheets of flimsi that the scholars had brought along just seemed excessive.

"For example...this," he picked up what appeared to be an industrial datapad, "Why do we need five of these?" He tossed it back onto the shelf.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As the GUIDE ship drew closer to the moon, the local spaceport hailed them,
"Dis is the Jamel spaceport, what be your business here? Your shuttle is marked as a research vessel."
[member="Loske Matson"]

 

[Loske Treicolt]

Loske was terrible with accents. She could understand them, sure, but she had to strain not to echo them in her own response. It could be horribly offensive! Credit be to her quick learning, and naturally adoptive and reactive genetics.

She opened the mic on her end, to respond to the inquiry that was posed by the world below.

“This is Tiefling to Jamel Spaceport - we’re private company researchers on a mission to collect information on the local flora and fauna. Requesting permission to land.”

There was silence from the other side for a handful of seconds and the pilot closed her eyes while the ship continued to creep closer to its destination. A small murmur passed her lips as the seconds over the channel continued to stretch.

“Ow - scchrrrrttt - stay?”

Azure gaze was interrupted several times by a baffled blink.

“Pardon me? I think you were cut off.”

There was the sound of a throat clearing before the question was posed once more. There had been some technical difficulties, apparently. “How long is your visit intended for?”

“One to two months.”

“We’ll send an escort to meet you. You will have to purchase an extended visa upon arrival. Please have your docking credits ready and proceed to platform Gamma IV.”

“Thank you.”

She had nobody to share facial expressions with, but she cast a wide-eyed shrug in Frank’s direction, who echoed the statement with a i’unno whistle. Soon enough, a small ship that was mostly made of headlights, appeared in her viewport and blinked twice at her, sidling with the GUIDE’s exploratory ship to the right and easing down toward the docks with her. Perhaps saying they were a private company wasn’t the way to go.

The rest of the routine was standard, disengaging thrusters, lowering shields, cuing the repulsers for a safe hover-to-ground-transition. All good.

“Please have docking documents and credits ready for review.” The escort transmitted once more and clicked off as a casual looking fellow approached the ship.

“Thank goodness we have a budget, eh? Expensive stuff, all this.” While [member="Isaiah Dashiell"] checked on the gear and whatnot, Loske opened the lower ramp and, with Frank wheeling by her side, exited the ship with a data pad of credentials and a credit card chip in her pocket.

“Piloting license.”

She handed it over, as well as the GUIDE contract for review. The rest was all official matters of transaction, and in a span of 10 minutes they were in and secured for the stretch of time necessary for the pathfinder and scholars to do their thing.

 

[Iestyn Nova]

[member="Isaiah Dashiell"] [member="Loske Matson"] [member="Veronika Nova"]

The Eyrie, Tiefling Class, Hyperspace.

“My beautiful list,” Quarm bemoaned. He was once again holding it up for all to see.

“We get it Quarm,” Ellis snapped.

“All the research kit I needed for the next year and a trip to the rim for the big conference,” he continued, ignoring her complaint.

“Just give it to him anyway?” Ryan put forward.

“I wouldn't,” Ellis said, her fingers tapping away at the keys.

“You don't get it. This week is usually our Life Day holiday. As long as you're reasonable and ask nicely Iestyn will normally sign anything off. Nothing can take away his happy glow. Normally.”

“I mean, I noticed that, it's not like they hide their emotions. Both of them have been all twitchy and Veronika has been sort of…dull,” Ryan agreed. “Togoria meant a lot to her didn't it?”

“Oh it did, which means Iestyn is pissed. If it was one or the other I'd give it a go but both…” Quarm mused. He was spinning on his chair, ignoring the expire mentioned on his desk.

“Both?”

“The Sith invasion was red day,” Ellis said in a hushed whisper.

“Oh hell, is it like this for months now?” Ryan asked.

“No, no,” Ellis replied reassuringly. “It's not like it hasn't happened before. But it's a way they affirm their bonds. It's been two weeks now? Another couple and their hormones will settle down to…” Ellis came to an abrupt halt at the sound of footsteps.

The door opened and Iestyn stepped in, caf in hand. He didn't typically drink the stuff, but recently he'd been coming in slightly late, looking bedraggled, caf in and and…

“Something so important to discuss we all have to stop working?”

…grumpy.

 

[Veronika Nova]

[member="Iestyn Nova"] [member="Loske Matson"] [member="Isaiah Dashiell"]

---

The flash of silver lightly flared within Veronika's hand. It swung like a pendulum, to and fro for a moment as the Lovalla carefully looped the pendant over her head. Iestyn had already left for the lab, but Veronika was trailing a bit behind. A little peace and quiet, perhaps, to help her get her frazzled nerves together. Not that it was doing much good.

She stood bare in front of the refresher mirror, fresh from a sonic. Even under the fluorescent light, the spectrum of colours that her skin normally possessed had diminished. A little less vibrant, a bit more matte. The glow of her highlights was noticeably missing. The stripes that lined her skin, reduced to a combination of flat hue.

Only her hair dyed that ombre tone of magenta, crimson, and cobalt retained that former vibrancy. The loss of the Togarian Research Outpost had struck the Lovalla Professor hard. The work and research she had conducted the last five years had been with the goal of being able to restore the damage done to Togaria. With the new Sith occupation, that was all but lost.

It was made all the worse by the inability of Iestyn and her being able to reconnect during their Red Day. It was much as a reaffirmation of bonds as it was an act of physical relief. No, it was more. So much more.
That day had been a struggle. One against their very nature and reasoning. Just being able to evacuate all the researchers and save what materials they could had been a battle of willpower. One they both nearly were unable rein in.

The rational, sensible side of her, would state that they did only what was proper and right to do. There were those who were under their guidance and protection while out in the field. Having anyone come to harm due to Iestyn's and her decisions was simply out of the question. It did not, however, lessen the sting nor the sense of frustration, anxiety, and anger that was left in its wake.

Violet eyes fell to the pendant that now hung between her breasts. There, the symbolic idols of the Lovalla pantheon lay as a Vodi leaf shaped pendant. Each side a representation of the pillars of their spirituality; the Sacred tree, with its leaves forming a crown, and its strong old trunk leading down into the ground with deep roots. A representation of longevity, solidity, grounding, connection to the depths of spirituality. While the other side held an unfolding lotus, to represent the journey to attain true understanding.

Those of the scientific community were surprised that such a logical and data-driven species like the Lovalla would be spiritual in nature, holding onto faith. More research had been attempted by cultural Xeno anthropologists to learn if perhaps there was a connection with the strong familial ties the Lovalla maintained. However, as a rather private and rare species, being able to properly document and research it have left several unanswered questions in its wake.

Regardless of what the galaxy knew, Veronika none the less would murmur a small supplication for strength. As shot as her nerves were, she could feel that swell of anxiety swell like a wave ready to rush to shore. Irritable, emotional, and highly prone to terse words. The reaction was two-fold, for her state would fan that of Iestyn's and he to hers. All she honestly felt like doing was burrowing in their bed and simply lay within Iestyn's arms, to feel him sing softly by her ear and hold her close. Honestly, if they didn't have work that needed to be done in the wake of Togaria, they would have done exactly that.

A shuddering breath rose, filling her lungs with air. A flick up at the mirror to study her reflection made her lips draw thin. Work to be done. Another day.

Two months, three weeks, two days, and give or take a few hours until the next Red Day.

 

[Isaiah Dashiell]

*On Zanjiani

Izzy took a look down at the black chrono strapped around his wrist. The scholars were late. But that's alright, his job could begin without them around. As droids and workers clambered up and down the loading bay ramp bringing instruments and crates out from the cargo bay Izzy spotted the part-timer. He wondered if GUIDE had set her up with some sort of lodging, but knowing Mags she would be stuck shuttling him around for at least a portion of the trip.

The heat on this planet was already getting to him. For a jungle world, the air was pretty dry, though maybe it was just the area that he was in...And the suit. Pressing his fingers together he activated the suit's audio recorder, the bird sounds all around him as well as the language being spoken around him were both important pieces of information that he knew the scholars would scold him for ignoring once they got here if he hadn't recorded it.

"What was her name again," he said to himself as he made his way over to the young pilot, "Loske!" That was it, "Loske," he called waving his hand over his head trying to get her attention, "How long does the boss lady have you with us?"

[member="Loske Matson"]

 

[Iestyn Nova]

[member="Veronika Nova"]

An oppressive silence fell over the lab. Iestyn wasn't irrational. He was aware that he was making things worse through his behaviour. It was just remarkably easy not to be himself, to almost be outside of his own body watching himself snap at the team, or at Veronika. He balled his hands up into fists, just below his keyboard. As he mentally prepared himself to apologise he was struck by the wave of anxiety from Veronika. Instead of an apology he angrily tapped his password into the computer. The rest of the team carried on with their work.

Perhaps it would have been easier to be human now, he thought. It wasn't something he often considered. They were constantly distracted, not quite a red time, but he couldn't imagine it being easy to deal with. But right now he envied their emotional disconnection. And that made him sad. Sad to think it would be easier not to feel Veronika hurting. Perhaps then it would be easier to comfort her.

He heard the door behind him, already aware she was close. “Hi,” he offered quietly. That too brought something unpleasant to the atmosphere. It was hard to pin down. Then he saw it. The furtive glances between the team, the lethargy to their movements. They were accustomed to the overly affectionate greetings between the Lovalla, even after just minutes apart.

“We're just a few hours out,” Ellis offered. Iestyn smiled. He smiled because he was acutely aware of the little surge that Veronika felt. A new world, one which had barely been studied up close. Excitement. The colours of his skin suddenly became a touch more saturated.

 

[Loske Treicolt]

The ends of her ponytail swept across her upper shoulders as she turned toward the explorer calling her name. Her tongue poked at the canines in her mouth, pressing her upper lip outward in thought.

“About a month,” she responded - pocketing the docking credentials and offering the attendant a wave as he parted ways; giving a mumbled welcome to the jungle. Her hand horiztonaled itself in front of her, tilting from side to side indicating there was flexibility. “—month and a half.”

Hands slapped against her hips, leveraging her weight to her toes. “I’ll help you get the speeders down and ready to go. Anything else I can help with?” Her finger traced the air in front of him from belly to face “Do I have to wear that stuff?”

[member="Iestyn Nova"] | [member="Isaiah Dashiell"] | [member="Veronika Nova"]

 

[Lord Ghoul]

It took a freaking hour to convince the port security that the board was actually safe.

"No no, really, it is."

"Ey dunt knuw, lerks lak a saphty hashard."

"What?"

"Dunt lerk saph."

And back and forth and back and forth, until at last the port alien threw up his hands in defeat.

"Effen yeh dah, ets naht ma problem."

"Not sure what you said, but you won't regret it."

Which was why Lucien Shorn was late in joining his two companions off the ship. Board under one arm, Luce walked up behind [member="Loske Matson"] and [member="Isaiah Dashiell"]. He still couldn't believe GUIDE had given him the job. Granted, it was pretty dangerous five percent of the time and really boring the other ninety-five percent, but whatever. It was money. They'd even given him this neat set of ship clothes for the job, which he was wearing right now.

He fiddled with a life form scanner he'd rigged to the end of the board as he approached. Nothing like a little high flying scanning.

"Wear what stuff? Oh right."

Luce reached up and activated the audio systems.

 

[Isaiah Dashiell]

Her gesture confused him. All of what? Did she think his Vanguard armor looked stupid? Despite it being stolen, he took pride in how he kept it functional, especially considering his little bit of military training from LAA didn't stick with him very well. He opened his mouth to respond but another voice caught his attention. Another part-timer? He turned to greet the newcomer, his hand open for a handshake.

"Isaiah Dashiel, GUIDE Pathfinder. Glad to have you on the team," he trailed off waiting for the younger man to fill in the void. Mags really needed to start sending him the names of the part-timers that he was working with. It would make his job a lot easier.

[member="Lucien Shorn"] l [member="Loske Matson"]

 

[Veronika Nova]

[member="Isaiah Dashiell"] [member="Lucien Shorn"] [member="Loske Matson"] [member="Iestyn Nova"]

"Hey..."

While there was a small rush of color to Veronika's stripes, she too felt the broad spectrum of emotions that swung within Iestyn. He was as equally as frustrated as her, and it felt as if both of them were walking along a tightrope with no pole to balance with. That was the strain within the Lovalla were their bonds unable to be reinforced. It made the other feel a bit on edge, perhaps even a bit hollow. While the pressing need for affection and reassurance was there, there was no hiding how the tension from a lost Red Day could put a strain on them both.

It only made matters worse due to the emotional feed that fanned the other. His emotions would fan hers and vice versa. It wasn't that she was upset at Iestyn, it was biological in her frustration and in turn as intrinsic to her emotional balance as much as his.

"A few hours off?" she would repeat, moving over to to stand beside Ellis. The odd looks that would pass between their Post Doctorates and Post Graduates was not missed. Veronika decided to ignore them. Well, try to.

"Do we have any information?" she asked, her voice coming out a little bit more brisk than she intended. Immediately a fan of muted pink and green hues would flare upon her skin. Dipping her head, she inspected the data terminal.

"A Type One atmosphere." Zanjiani was the planet. Those wide lavender eyes rose to glance at Iestyn. "Is there an advanced party?"

 

[Iestyn Nova]

[member="Veronika Nova"] [member="Loske Matson"] [member="Isaiah Dashiell"] [member="Lucien Shorn"]

He watched Veronika as she moved beside Ellis. It was upsetting to revisit the last few moments and to know he should have done more to help her settle. Out of her sight he pursed his lips and looked down at his screen. The problem was that Iestyn was used to things being easy. Everything generally went his way. School, his scholarships and studies had all come so readily. It had never felt as if he had to truly pick himself up from the floor and solider on.

She had changed that the first time they met. She had flummoxed him, frustrated him. All his misguided attempts had angered her instead of endeared him to her. In hindsight it was apparent that he had expected that to come easily as well. Once again he was floundering just because something was challenging him again.

I don't get like this when the stats are tricky...

"There's an advanced party," he called out. "We're in comms range if you'd like to talk to them and find out what we're going into?" Iestyn was trying at least.

 

[Isaiah Dashiell]

He had been on Zanjiani for almost three weeks now. He had long since stopped wearing his armor and made it with the aid of Jamel authorities he had made it over the badlands and into the countryside. It was hot and humid during the rainy season and so he had the bare minimum for clothes on. He wore an open vest made of natural fibers, loose legged pants and a traditional shoe that was part sandal part running shoe. Of course he was still in contact with the GUIDE scholars located at Jamel, but he hadn't reported in quite some time.

He spent most of his time helping out around town. Bringing water back and forth, feeding the animals, simple hard labor. He enjoyed it. On his off days he would venture out into the savanna and observe the creatures that lived there. Some nights he would shift and travel into the forest. There he encountered all kinds of animals.

Tonight was one of those nights. It was a strange sight to see, even stranger to hear about the next day. Canines were rare on this planet. The big baddies of the food chain were all feline, minus the Kaymen, which he had yet to see. As he dashed through the forest, slick with the rain from the last two days, his eyes scanned and his nose smelled. He attempted to internalize those sensations so that he couldd report on them the next day.

Several figures dashed past him. Only a few species traveled in groups and a night. He was betting one particular one though. He could smell it in the air, their rotting teeth, their mangy patches of fur. These were Scarred . He stopped and growled a deep furious growl. Had they not learned yet? Or maybe they were still curious about the Canine that smelled human. Either way, they had picked with the wrong creature today.

One of them growled in response. It lunged, he lunged.

He woke up and winced in pain. Long night. Much hurt. Very sore. But he had a report to write, or Mags would have his arse on a spike.