Shadow Guard Test

[Crentice]

Crentice has gone to his secret training grounds to gather his future guards. He thought to himself along the way that they should have been trained to be in prime condition by now. Their time had come. He had landed his ship and got out. There were ships already prepared for the trainees. "Everyone gather around!" Crentice said to the people who were training. "The time has come! You are going to be taking your final test to become my guards! Now... this test will not be easy. You are going to be facing a creature of proportions that most troops would not be able handle. This will still be a challenge to you. The 3 who do the best will be my guards."

Crentice knew this challenge wouldn't be an easy task. "Your task will be to kill a Rancor. A creature that is extremely deadly, known to crush, and eat all of its victims. If you die, you will be remembered and honored for your service. If you live, you will be glorified enough to be my personal bodyguard. Now, go to your ships, and prepare yourself we leave in 20 Minutes." All of the trainees looked at each other and back at Crentice, and all replied "Sir, yes sir!" before dispersing and gathering their weapons.

When the time came, they all entered their ships, as Crentice got in his own ship. They all took off and flew towards Felucia. The journey would be long considering they had no source of hyperspace, which was Crentice's fault for not being eligible for a Star Destroyer. Crentice turned on his comms and said, "All fighters, report in." Each fighter called in and stated their fighter number. The remainder of the journey was silent until the arrival to Felucia.

 

[Crentice]

The ships landed on Felucia, a planet that was completely overgrown with plants. So dense, one had to actually create their path to the destination. Crentice and the trainees got out of their ships and got a perimeter around the area. Since the trainees were not full fledge guards yet, they only wore a light suit of armor that went from their neck down, with a cloak that started at their waist, and went to the ankle. The group moved through the dense brush of the planet, waiting to get to the target destination. This planet carried a strong sense of the force, which all of them felt.

The group came across a village, where all the felucian natives began to viciously attack the group using primitive weapons, which was no match for Sith power. Crentice ordered one of them to wipe out the village, and leave no survivors. The trainee stepped out and held out one of his hands. A wave of Sith lightning blasted out of his hand, and caught several of the Felucians in it. In his other hand, he pulled out his heavy blaster and shot each one in head, killing them on a single blast, thus emptying the small village.

 

[Crentice]

Crentice and his group kept on walking, keeping their awareness about them, unsure of what they would find next. The planet was, as far as Crentice was concerned, unoccupied by any faction, meaning the only threat was the natives. They kept on walking for hours, finding absolutely nothing. In some aspects, this was also a challenge for Crentice, as he never had to walk so far, doing absolutely nothing before. Crentice decided it was time for rest. He ordered two of the trainees present to be on patrol, while the remainder ate and got some sleep.

It was dark when Crentice and the other trainee woke from their rest. Crentice had the other two trainees take a break to eat and sleep before they continued. Crentice had a bad feeling that something was nearby the camp. "ST-0001, come with me, and be quiet about it. I am sure you feel it too." Crentice sensed that there was only one presence, and it wasn't that prominent of one. When they got to the area they sensed it at, it was but a mere Felucian scout, probably gathering intel for a revenge strike against the group. But he was caught before he could report back.

"Deal with him. Make him suffer for his crime." Crentice ordered. The trainee used Force Push on the scout, sending him into a tree, at which point he closed the grip on his hand, crushing its throat. He did so very slowly, making it painful for the tribe scout who was slowly dying. He then let go of his grip and the scout fell to the ground. The trainee activated his saber staff and began slowly slicing at the scout's skin. Crentice had his hand on the creature's mouth, so it couldn't scream in agony. Finally, the scout died from having felt too much pain.

 

[Crentice]

Morning had dawned on Felucia, and all of the trainees had woken up from their sleep. We had begun to move yet again towards the target. The amount of time it would take to reach the destination was estimated to be roughly two days, and this was but the first. The whole reason for piloting so far away from the Rancor's territory was so he did not did disturb the Rancor prematurely. There was not as many threats to the group as Crentice thought there would be. Crentice and the trainees were moving through the forest at a steady pace to ensure everything would go according to plan.

It was at this point in time when nine Felucian natives sprung out of the forest, surrounding the group. They spoke in a native tongue, which none of them knew how to speak. They figured they might as well do what they have been doing all along. Crentice grabbed a vibro blade off of his back, and the three trainees got closer to Crentice and pulled out their heavy blaster pistols. Two of the Felucians on both the left and right flanks attacked the trainees. The trainees, without flinching, began blasting away at the Felucians, not even allowing them to even get close to the party. The third trainee, activated his saber staff, and sliced down the remaining five of the Felucians. With each swing of their native swords, he easily evaded each stroke and stabbed them in the back, before leaping into the air, and jabbing a hole through the heart of the fifth one, leaving none of them alive.

After the fight, Crentice thought that there had to be more to it than just that little party of nine. In nowhere of twenty meters around them was anything to be seen, as the brush blocked the path to see any farther. "Let's move out everyone, this place is dangerous. Especially since they know our location." Crentice and the trainees continued moving. It was eerie and silent. Which on this type of planet, where he was blind, and couldn't see, was bad. The force was his only guide. But that was when he heard a blood curling roar, and a Acklay had emerged. Crentice said. "I knew there was more to this trap. Of course it wouldn't be that easy with them knowing our strength."

 

[Crentice]

The Acklay roared viciously at the group. It wasn't something Crentice had on his mind to deal with, but he had no choice in the matter really, and now it was to late to do anything about it. The Acklay charged directly toward ST-0003. He jumped in the air, to avoid the jabbing of the Acklay's deadly claw. ST-0003 landed beside it and wielded his saber staff. The Acklay attempted to jab down many times at the trainee. But the trainee continuously evaded his claw by leaping from side to side to avoid the damage. The Acklay even tried to stab another trainee, who leaped back from the claw.

Crentice thought to himself that this was sort of a mini test to them, except he knew that the second the Acklay stopped his attack, it would be its end. Finally, after evading 4 strikes from the Acklay, a trainee managed to get a swing with his saber staff, cutting off one of its claws. The Acklay screamed in rage at the trainee, yet continued to attack the other. ST-0003, who was free leaped over to its other claw, slicing it off, causing another scream. Then, ST-0002, now also free leaped into the air, and onto its head. The Acklay shook its head violently to get him off, but it did not make him fall. He stabbed the saber into the head of the Acklay, which wasn't enough. He then held out both of his hands and Force Lightning emerged, electrocuting the beast. ST-0003 stabbed the Acklay from its underbelly, causing it to collapse. Then ST-0002 leaped off of his head and they both blasted it with Force Lighting until it died.

 

[Crentice]

Crentice and his group continued walking on to the Rancor's territory, they were all slightly worn down from fighting the Acklay. Crentice said, "Everyone, let's sit down and eat. But we must be quick. Where one Acklay is, typically more are nearby." Crentice knew about the Acklay, and knew how dangerous they would be. They took their food, and quickly ate so they could move on. After eating, Crenrice said to the trainees, "Now that your stomachs are filled, we can move on." Everyone stood up and kept on moving towards the place.

They were close now. For the past ten minutes, they heard the roar of the Rancor. It saddened Crentice that they couldn't keep the Rancor for the Sith, but he had to do what must be done. The hide of the Rancor would be the base material for their new armor. Crentice thought maybe the Sith would one day take over this planet, as with the massive overgrown jungle, and all of these large creatures, it would make a great base of operations. And if they were to tame them, it would be better for it would be complicated to defeat multiple Acklay, or multiple Rancor at that.

Crentice and his trainees kept on walking, waiting to get to the Rancor. Then it suddenly hit him. Crentice warned the others, "With us attacking the natives, I believe I should warn you. There is a Felucian legend, that the tribal shamans had power great enough to tame, and control a Rancor. With what we have seen from these tribesmen, it wouldn't seem someone could be that strong, but keep an open mind. The Rancor we have intelligence on is not tamed, it is said to be wild. Even so, Rancor's are not native to this world. But these Jungle Rancor's are more ferocious than their cousins on another planet."

 

[Crentice]

The group had gotten close now. The stench of the Rancor had become foul. The path was more clear now than ever before, with large tracks going through. The fight with the Rancor was approaching rapidly. Crentice had no intention on helping them fight the beast, unless it went bad fast. But this was no time for haste. Crentice ordered the trainees, "Check your equipment, it is almost time for your final test." This will be no easy task, Crentice thought to himself. But if these people were ready, then they would succeed.

Crentice heard motion coming from the brush. He looked over, as did the rest of the group. Tribesmen poured out towards them in mass numbers, practically army sized. Crentice smiled, knowing they all have to fight these things. ST-0001, and ST-0002 both leaped directly into the crowd, twirling their saber staves as they went, slicing up the front lines. Upon landing, they began spinning rapidly, to keep the tribesmen away. ST-0003 used his force prowess to push large groups of them into each other, disrupting their armies balace. Crentice looked for a more easy way to end this. To wipe out the chieftain. Crentice leaped on to a tree and scouted around, trying to gain full visibility of the army before him.

It was at this time when Crentice began hating traps because they were purely annoying. That was when it hit him. A commanding officer would not be in the army, but behind the army. "ST-0003, come with me." The trainee came with him as they leaped on the trees to get behind enemy lines. The other trainees began propulsing Force Lightning out of one of their hands to keep the army at bay, and reducing their numbers. When Crentice and the trainee got far enough back, they dropped from the tree. It was all clear. They ran up to battle, and as Crentice predicted, there was the chieftain, carrying what appeared to be a vibro sword. Crentice thought about replacing one of his vibro blades for that.

"Deal with him, ST-0003. Do not go easy." Crentice ordered. He charged the chieftain clashing his saber staff with the vibro sword. The chieftain released their clash and dropped under the staff, going for stab to the trainee's heart. He seen this coming and immediately leaped back, using Force Push on the chieftain, sending him back. They landed and stood across each other, they charged each other and had a second clash. The trainee wasn't fond of saber combat, so as the clash was happening, he held out his hand. The vibro sword dropped from the hands of the chieftain as his throat was being crushed by the force. He fell to the ground, dead. To be safe, the trainee swung his saber staff at his neck, cutting off his head. After that, the remainder of the army dispersed in confusion.

 

[Crentice]

The other two trainees had met up with Crentice and the trainee with him. Crentice had taken the larger vibro sword for himself. Now that everything was in disarray, the remainder of the journey should be a piece of cake. One of the trainees asked Crentice, "Sir, is this okay? Wiping out these native races like we are?" Crentice stopped in his tracks and turned around to face the trainee. "ST-0002, you do understand they were the ones who started this. Had they not attacked us, they would still be alive. I am sure they treat all guests like this." Crentice turned around and kept on walking.

As they were walking, they heard loud thuds. But they weren't in Rancor territory just yet, so what was he hearing? The trees in front of him collapsed, and a Rancor stood before the group. Crentice didn't know if it was a different one or not, but it saved them from the rest of their journey. One thing was for sure, it was tamed as the mystical aura of the shaman surrounded it, and the shaman himself sat in a wooden box on the back of its neck. Crentice was actually shocked the legend was true. But immediately regained his posture.

Crentice leaped back. "Men, roll out. This is your test. Destroy the Rancor, and kill the shaman on his neck when you are finished." The trainees all attempted using Force Lightning on it at once, but it was rendered ineffective. The hide was too thick right now. They activated their saber staves and looked at the Rancor. The Rancor picked up a tree on his foot, and threw it at them. They all leaped out of the way of the tree. One of the trainees leapt towards the Rancor, in hopes of stabbing one of its eyes. The Rancor however was being manipulated, and its large hand caught the trainee before he could make contact. Everyone was shocked, but Crentice knew that using teamwork, everything would be okay....

 

[Crentice]

The two trainees looked at each other and they leaped on to the hand lf the Rancor that was holding their comrade. The Rancor began swinging its arm violently to throw the other trainees off of it. However, they were hanging from the fingers of the Rancor. Both trainees sliced at a finger of the Rancor in attempts to cut it off. It tried using its other arm to swat at the two trainees on the fingers. They swung and wrapped their legs around another finger to evade the swipes. The finger they were cutting came off now after multiple swipes. Then the trainee in the hand got on of his hands free, and blasted Force Lightning into the wound, causing him to be dropped to the ground.

The other two dropped off and they regrouped, insuring everyone was okay. They looked at the Rancor and charged it going on different sides to evade different attacks it would provide. When it reached down to grab one of them, they held up their saber staff and pierced the palm of its hand, causing it to scream then he channeled Force Lightning into the wound, causing even more pain. Then when the Rancor let up they rapidly slashed at the ankles of the beast, attempting to make it fall to the ground.

With each pressing saber attack, the lightning did more damage. Finally the left ankle gave out, and the Rancor collapsed, creating a large tremble in the general area. The Rancor continuously swung its arms, trying to grab the trainees before him, but his lack movement rendered him inefficient. They leapt on to one of its arms, then to its back, and seen the shaman. ST-0001 reached out and choked the shaman, killing him. Then they ran to tue Rancor's head and repeatedly stabbed the brain, eventually killing it.

 

[Crentice]

The hide of the Rancor took hours carve, but they managed. They took the trip back to their ships practically exhausted. Everyone was anxious to get home. And with carrying the large chunks of Rancor hide to be manufactured into armor for them. Now Crentice thought that all should be good. Crentice was the only one not exhausted because he didn't fight the Rancor. He led everyone, and did most of the security on the way back. All they seen was corpses of those they had previously killed.

Upon reaching the ships, they divided the hide among the four starfighters. Which everyone knew would weigh them down and slow down their ships. Crentice said, "Good work today men. You all did excellent. I am proud of each and every one of you. Once the higher ups are ready, we will meet again." They all entered their ships and took off to their secret training facility. On their way back, they crossed a space pirate organization. They were a small group, and only had six fighters. The trainees engaged one each, but one of them got on their backs. Crentice went in and did strike runs on the actual barge, while hey fought the fighters. The chatter went crazy for just the three of them.

ST-0001 attempted to blast the ship in front of him down before he got blown out. His locking systems got a lock on the ship in front of him, except the ship did a back flip, so two fighters were behind ST-0001. He dropped low, and slowed down, allowing the others to pass him up. He then got a lock on one, and blasted out his left wing, causing him to spin into the ship next to him. ST-0001 then aided ST-0002, who managed to destroy the fighter in front of him, but was having trouble shaking the one behind him. ST-0001, got a lock on the fighter behind ST-0002 and shot him down. When they flew over to assist ST-0003, both ships just got destroyed. Everyone was excited to have taken down the fighters. They assisted Crentice in destroying the barge before they returned home.