Smooth landing (Dxun, Onderon moon)

[Dahgon Card'el]

A flock of yet to be identified alien birds flapped overhead of Dahgon. He lay on his back, arms settled for his head to rest on. With his eyes peacefully set upon the nature above. A blue sky with a stunning horizon of Onderon just beyond. The endless serene sounds of jungle wildlife surrounded him, allowing him to forget all his troubles. For a place called the demon moon, this really did seem quite the opposite.

"A cool breeze and a whole lot of time. Doesn't get any better than that does it?" Dahgon asked, turning to his side so he could look down through the glass cover of his ship, which hung sideways on the natural vines of the trees. Only the slightest bit of smoke raise from the totalled ship. His eyes were set upon the Cannok below him that had been eyeing the foreign invader for hours now. It growled at Dahgon, who simply scoffed and got back to looking upwards. "Yeah, me too buddy."

It was only a matter of time before his emergency signal transmitter would grab the attention of those many travellers from and towards Onderon. Preferably, someone would come to answer his call before a random Drexl would swoop down to take him and his entire wreckage of a ship into the air with its enormous teeth. Ages ago, beast riders rode just those creatures. It was hard to imagine that it too was here where the Mandalorians staged their attacks on Iziz. Such a hostile planet could only be tamed by the ferocious strength and discipline of those warriors of Mandalore.

 

[Kei Amadis]

Aboard the Ambiguous Statement a very old HWK-290
Rescue Mission.

A frail old hand pointed outward. “Beacons Over that’a’way young’uns.” Zacka said from the controls. The old Kage’s wizened face having his usual hat and trench coat on, his pipe firmly planted in between his teeth. The pipe wasn’t lit and it wouldn’t be lit till he was alone, but it hadn’t left his teeth in a good hour, making the end well gnawed on.

[member="Elara Amadis"] Kei’s wife was in the back of the ship tending to her sister. While Patches the huge silent man at the co-pilot controls was leaning his bulk forward to try and see where the Kage was pointing, which blocked everyone else’s view. “What in all creation are you doing! Sit down!” The elderly Kage grumbled a few remarks in a couple of indescribable languages.

Kei was behind them, checking over the displays on the wall. “How close is the crash site?”

“HMMM Not far. Gonna be a sweet spot on a bantha hide in hell’s chance of landing nearby.” Patches nudged Zacka. “Not now patches.” He was squinting to see the controls as it was.

“Can I make the jump?” Kei asked as they closed on the jungle canopy. Suiting up for a rough landing.

Zacka didn’t even answer, just grumbling something about Kei being Kei. Patches nudged the Kage again. “IN BLAZES what do you want?” The big silent man pointed to a clearing underneath what looked to be overhanging trees, there was room but it’d be a squash.

“Good catch.” Amadis said to the big guy, “take us in, get as close as you can to the ground.”

The Ambiguous statement flew overhead of [member="Dahgon Card'el"] with a thunderous, if rickety old soaring of her engines. The ship looked old. The ship was old. She was an old ship before it was cool to have old ships again. Grumble. Patches might be on board flying, but patches outside the hull were apparent as well. Work was done on top of work to keep it flying, it was home and had a lot of history to her.

They landed a distance from [member="Dahgon Card'el"], he’d have to hold out a while longer.

[member="Dahgon Card'el"]​

 

[SiRiDio]

Having been on Onderon for a mission he picked up on the transmitter he was soaring through the planet's atmosphere heading down to the planet's surface to investigate what was going on and who this mysterious being might be " Well might as well check it out B9-BT fly us to that location I'm going to get ready " as the Zabrak open the hatch on the floor to reach the storage room where he put on his black cloak and pulled up his hood waiting in the back for when they near.

[member="Dahgon Card'el"] | [member="Kei Amadis"] |

 

[Dahgon Card'el]

It would seem like the grey Jedi was in quite the pickle. It really did seem like a joke one would hear at the cantina.

"A light Jedi, a grey Jedi and a dark Jedi walk into a hostile jungle planet."

Perhaps not a very good joke. The kind one would hear in a Coruscant back-alley maybe. Regardless, the grey Jedi remained somewhat unmoved by it all. He had seen, from his meditation-like position in the crashed ship, two ships enter the orbit of the demon moon in response to his transmitter. It would seem like investing in a strong distress signal had finally paid itself off. He sat himself up, leaving his meditation to focus on the possible problem or solution at hand. It was hard to tell at first through the forest but it became clear the two ships both carried fastly different characters. One carrying light, while the other remained cloaked in the dark. Such things were hard to catch onto, even harder still on a moon such as this which brimmed of the dark. Figuring the force itself would lead his way, Dahgon simply kept seated within his wreckage. Whomever the force may favour more would reach him. Or not. He had all the faith in the world that it was up to the force.

The clearings they landed in were no doubt once places where the Mandelorians of ancient times had established themselves. The jungle might have taken over those areas, but it was hard for trees to grow on durasteel and concrete. So both pilots might notice the harder-than-usual feel on touchdown caused by the lack of soft earth below their landing gear, even if only slight.

[member="Kei Amadis"] [member="SiRiDio"]

 

[Kei Amadis]

There was metal below but they weren’t landing if possible, too dangerous for his old bucket of bolts down there. With a kiss to his wife, the landing door came down and out Amadis jumped about five feet. He was still suffering from the skirmish on Kashyyyk, putting on a brave face but he was feeling it. Partial hearing loss, ribs still setting, multiple fragmentation impacts. He was a mess because of a certain HRD [member="Enyo Typhos"], but the doctors couldn’t usually keep him medbay for more than a week or two. It was a miracle it had been three. If he came back with another wound today, his wife would probably be giving him hell.

After some arguments with the medics, he’d taken some R&R with his wife to keep them happy, and R&R Kei style had ended up in a rescue of course.

“Keep her high and safe Zacka” Kei comm’d in.

“Don’t think I’m saving yer butt again.” Zacka grumbled and the freighter pulled upward.

Flexing his old leg wound and feeling the burn from the still setting ribs, Kei made his way into the Jungle, using the force and reaching out to see where the more dangerous predators were. The Jedi Master made his approach toward [member="Dahgon Card'el"]'s smoking ship, unaware that another had joined them yet [member="SiRiDio"]. Meanwhile [member="Dahgon Card'el"] might hear a grumpy old kage with a pipe in his mouth communicating to his burning ship, if he could hear him from where he was. Something about "damn young'uns" then "being on their way", then "try not to die!"

Chatter chatter chatter.
Tick tick tick
The rustle of predators and other nasty creatures abound around him, Kei kept low, and he kept quiet. His former guerrilla training well suited to moving in a jungle, even if it had been a lifetime or two ago. Equipped as he needed to be to face the predators and the rescue ahead, armor, sidearms, saber, stun|smoke grenades, grappling hook and climbing gear. The usual package to get in and get out, and yes today he actually had an awkward durasteel helmet on. Wonders never ceased.

Gear

Spoiler

Rations, Water and Survival Gear (Small Backpack) | Tempest Jedi Armor and Basic Durasteel Helmet | Power Blade Mii Knife (Hip) | Lightsaber (Hip) | Basic Sonic Pistol (Back) | Basic Ion Pistol (Front) | 2x Stun and Smoke Grenades | Basic Field Medical Kit (Pouch) | Grappling Hook/Tie (Belt)

[member="Dahgon Card'el"] | [member="SiRiDio"]​

 

[SiRiDio]

His ship now lowering from his command the Zabrak could see the wreck it as he was lowering down landing just north about 2 clicks landing in dense brush " B9-BD take down the shields and turn on the cloaking devices " he ordered as he walked out of the ship inputting a code to close and lock the landing door the Zabrak pulled his hood over his face wearing a black cloak he headed into the jungle using his skills of hiding himself to make his way towards the crash to help the man depending on his faction SiRiDio was looking for Sith it was his mission to hunt them down and erraticate them.


[member="Dahgon Card'el"] | [member="Kei Amadis"] |

 

[Dahgon Card'el]

Dahgon sat silently within his wrecked ship. A small one, more akin to a shuttle than anything else really. Meditating still, he could feel both approaches. His mind focused only on two things. To sense their arrival and how to make sure the two didn't fly at each other throats. It became apparent that the later would simply have to wait. For [member="Kei Amadis"] was upon him.

The grey master hung his legs over the side of the ship, allowing him to comfortably face the position from which he could sense Kei would approach. With his hood obscuring his near-blind eyes, he simply kept his head turned to face him as he entered the small clearing created by the crash. Some smoke still rose from the smouldering ashes. It was a wonder that only a small pack of Cannoks had made itself present as such a crash would have normally been causing for much more attention from the local wildlife. But such was still on the way of course.

As Kei entered the clearing, he would no doubt quite quickly come spot the grey one, who made absolutely no point to even try and remain obscure. "I know the demon moon is quite the imposing name, but really? A Jedi in full plate armour for a simple man such as myself?" A scoff could be heard from Dahgon as he turned his head sideways. "You've done well nonetheless. I can sense your caution may pay off with the dark one's approach." Hi head had turned towards the likely entry vector of [member="SiRiDio"]

Though Dahgon was well acquainted with the force, it was still impossible for him to tell apart dark Jedi from sith in a place as loaded with the dark as this moon. It was already troublesome to sense such intent in easier circumstances.

 

[SiRiDio]

Now just 100 meters from the wreck the Zabrak still silent and unseen would walk out of the forest to approach the ship he had his hands at his side in an aggressive way his eye's blue as he was not engulfed in the Dark Side at that moment sensing the two in the wreck he approached slowly he believed to start some conversation to help determine the mood of the stranded ones " Hello, anyone there " in a stern but friendly voice he stopped walking at this point he left hand under his cloak on his Sabre and his right just at his side he waited for a responce.

[member="Dahgon Card'el"] | [member="Kei Amadis"] |

 

[Kei Amadis]

Keeping quiet, keeping low till he was sure he’d made it undetected. Kei chuckled to [member="Dahgon Card'el"]. There was a day when he HATED wearing armor. But he’d been shot and stabbed more times than he could count, had his leg cut off, and nearly died at least three times he could remember. It all gave you another perspective on armor.

Speaking quietly as he could, “comes with the territory.” In this case Dxun. The galaxy had its share of very nasty weaponry you’d face, and often never see coming. Not to mention the predators on the moon! Besides his ribs were still giving him hell, and his wife worried.

Kei was relaxed at the approach of another. The flicks of grey in his beard, the slight limp, and way he stood, might betray how used Amadis was to facing Darksiders, their energy and aura unmistakable. The mission was a rescue, so he nodded at the approach of [member="SiRiDio"]. “Best keep the voice low,” advising both of them. They were standing in a place that would likely eat them as look at them.

He didn’t tell [member="Dahgon Card'el"] what he intended, just doing it so not to draw attention to them all. Taking off his belt, Kei tied it around a nearby tree, and aimed the grappling hook towards Dahgon's position, taking a shot. The hook fired up… and missed…. Landing back down.

Keeping an eye on [member="SiRiDio"], while reloading it for another shot, “Going to aim beside you, see if you can catch it and secure the other end.” [member="Dahgon Card'el"] Kei risked another call up to the man in the tree's.

Up the hook shot again… shooting up beside the trapped figure. Meanwhile around them, certain predatory eyes were looking for a snack, Kei was too busy concentrating to hear them, perhaps [member="SiRiDio"] caught notice of them. A large winged predatory Drexl watched silently from a tree, waiting for its friends to come join it. The creature(s) were somewhat force resistant and very hungry, the perfect Jedi hunter, whether they be Dark, Light, or Neutral!

[member="SiRiDio"] | [member="Dahgon Card'el"]​

 

[SiRiDio]

Taking just another few steps as to still be in the man's view as SiRiDio did not want to make any moves that would make the man uneasy he watched as the man shot the grapple that didn't do what it was supposed to in a quieter voice he whispered just loud enough to be heard " Yea I'd be careful its dangerous here " he watched the took the second shot he heard some noises seeing the beast " Oh great just what I needed " extending his hand the Zabrak tried to perform beast control to calm the creature's mind to no success " Interesting " this time more prepared the Zabrak stretched both hands out to call to the beast's mind trying to show hes friendly and presents no theat to the creature just after this attempt the creature swept down head butting SiRiDio sending him flying back and down a decrease in evevation he layed for a moment shocked as to what had happened he stood up his ribs and left acheing he had been sent a good 3 meters before rolling another 6 he ran back to where he had been before being knocked away seeing the man again " I'd be careful that creature is not happy and I found no way to control him he's very strong aswell ".


[member="Dahgon Card'el"] | [member="Kei Amadis"] |

 

[Dahgon Card'el]

A simple nod came from Dahgon as the two deviced their plan. He came to understand quite quickly what Kei's intent was. To set up a grappling hook reel as to allow Dhagon to zip over to them. While Kei did his work, Dhagon eyed the Zabrak. He was untrusting of the dark users even more than the light. Though for both he harboured no positive feelings. For a moment, his mind wandered. Dahgon was sure of it that he felt the presence of a threat. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up in anticipation of it. But he wasn't quite sure where or what this threat was so once again he focused his insight.

The cannooks below. Their stomaches grumbled intensely. Their mouth filled with a constant growl that seemed disgustingly visceral. The Jedi... He could feel his presence, but not his mind. He was wounded though, that much was certain. Not an assessment made through the force, but through his body language. Awfully cautious too for a jedi. It betrayed drive within him. Whether it was his Jedi code, the ever ongoing wars, or perhaps a more intimate reason... This he could simply not figure out. As for the dark one. He was much easier to attain a read on. His goal and purpose singular. Determined, steadfast and stoic. Such were the traits of a good knight. As well as a good sith. Why had these two not flown at one another's throats? Did they not perceive one another's affiliation? Dhagon himself had been cautious with this. He had used his force to cloud his traits, to be only perceived as light. He had done so in hopes to align himself with the Jedi, who he considered the most capable of the two. Mostly due to ship size. But these two seemed far less eager to fight than th-

Drexl

It was only when his mind wandered upon the ideals of the bloody battle that he realised what unnerved him. The presence of a great threat, from the sky. The eyes of a Drexl upon him. It was for the best that these two force users did not fight over their petty definitions of right and wrong. The drexl alone would prove a considerable threat. It's reluctance to attack indicated it was biding its time, for more drexl to come.

Dhagon kept silent but nudged his head repeatedly to the air as Kei remained bussy. But he seemed too focussed to care. As the second hook came towards Dhagon, it would find itself perfectly aligned to wrap around a sturdy nearby branch and anchor well. I fact, it did this far too well to be natural. The wonders of a tiny bit of pulling through the force. Only a nudge was what was needed. Barely an effort, but it prevents the need for Dahgon to catch it and risk stumbling out of his position onto the ground below. Such a fall would not only be very painful but also leave him at the mercy of the cannooks who were already growing quite suspicious.

Dhagon nodded to the Jedi with a stern expression. In truth, his greatest fear in this situation was that the Drexl might damage the ships meant to rescue him.

 

[Dahgon Card'el]

(Accidental double post)

 

[Kei Amadis]

Shrieeek
Shrieeek

Prowling Cannoks below the stranded man, and wings flapping above, their jungle was well aware of them now. The Drexl were startled and started circling, a couple more joining them. Tightening up the line on Kei’s end, it was pulled tight to the tree, and the belt further secured, which saved him using the damaged ribs, leaving a downward angle from [member="Dahgon Card'el"]’s present position.

Amadis’s mindspeak was weak but given to both, like a whisper. ~We’ll be the distraction.~ [member="Dahgon Card'el"] | [member="SiRiDio"] He was going to have to disrupt the nearby Cannoks to give the Jedi’s descent some safety. ~Ready?~ [member="SiRiDio"] Because they were in for some company. Breathing in and letting the force guide his actions, he focused. There were too many for him to hit with a force Stasis.

The stun grenades. One. Two. Both in his hands, primed. “Cover your eyes!” Amadis shouted, which got the Cannoks attention, rolling the grenades to his side and through the middle of the pack, ducking back and closing his eyes. A beast tried to bite one of the small round grenades having a unpleasant surprise. The blast(s) of light blinding and knocking several of them out cold. “Got your window to go.” [member="Dahgon Card'el"] Most of the Cannoks were out stunned, a few of the more angry ones bounded over but at a slow dazed pace.

Meanwhile above in the ambiguous statement, Zacka could see the developing bird of prey issue. One was buzzing around the old ship. “Giant Birds? Bantha’s Backsides,” the old pilot communicated, “couldn’t you have found something smaller to aggravate!?” The small freighter diving into the middle of the circling hunters to disrupt them and provide a distraction, getting several of them hammering on its hull. Kei grinned but his expression became serious. “Take her higher, keep the ship safe.” It would mean taking longer for his ship to land, but the risk to his family wasn’t negotiable.

[member="SiRiDio"] | [member="Dahgon Card'el"]​

 

[SiRiDio]

turning the other way as the grenades went off he watched the animals yelp in pain as the bird still circled " You guys need to leave I'll take care of the ground predators " turning seeing more Cannok's which are ugly little creatures they were aggressive but not much for a force sensitive to handle raising his hands the 7 of the creatures were lifted into the air throwing them down the hill where they would roll down be stunned for a couple seconds but be relatively uninjured the Zabrak loved animals not wanting to hurt any that were not needed " I'll get to my ship and take the birds away with their attention on my good luck " taking off north to go back to his ship dodging through the jungle as the ground preditors followed.

[member="Dahgon Card'el"] | [member="Kei Amadis"] |

 

[Dahgon Card'el]

Kei's caution to be prepared had made matters most easy. Dahgon held onto the zipline while the stun grenades rolled into view. He himself neglected to run away, mostly because he was already blind and there was little a flashbang could do to him. He took advantage of this, zipping down the line earlier. With all that was on his person being his broken lightsaber, he was forced to use his gloved hands to travel. Not very comfortable no, as such ropeburns would no doubt stay with him well after he'd arrive at his destination. However, ropeburns beat eaten by cannoks any day of the week.

There was no doubt that the cannoks were no problem. They are weak creatures, barely worth the trouble of fighting. Maybe if a Maalraas or bomas had come around, this would have been a genuine problem for Dahgon. But no, he had sat stranded not because he couldn't escape the cannooks, but rather because he was safer in the trees than the ground. In his steel seat in the trees he was able to avoid fighting until these rescuers came.

But now with the coming of many more large metal ships, making ruckus in the extreme, the jungle had livened up even further.

Dahgon landed right next to Kei, staying kneeled a bit longer than normal due to his own injuries sustained. Both in the crash and in times long past. "Shoot them out of the sky." He said, though ordered might be a better word. "That freighter of yours must have cannons able to do so."

 

[SiRiDio]

Nowing arriving back at his starfighter he input his code turning off the cloaking device he entered the ship " B9-BD move I'm taking over as the pilot " getting into the cockpit the Zabrak pulled the landing legs back in taking off back for the crash site he was in pursuit of these huge birds shooting them with all his weapons which was still not enough to do any fatal damage as the ship was made for speed and agility not combat but his plan was not to kill these animals.


His plan was to get the attention of the birds he did just that by shooting at them " Why do I get myself in these situations " turning around with two Drexls on his case he lured them away from the crash site SiRiDio was not sure if there was more but these would have to do for now the others would need to handle the rest.

[member="Dahgon Card'el"] | [member="Kei Amadis"] |

 

[Kei Amadis]

Weapons on the freighter? Kei looked back to [member="Dahgon Card'el"] a firm Amadis stubbled grin, “Not exactly.” This part of the plan hadn’t been thought through so well, nothing new there. The ship had charm of a sort. She had a crew of mismatched aliens and family. She had harsh language, plenty of that, but not so much in the guns category. “Good luck,” he said to [member="SiRiDio"] with a nod.

Waiting for the Darksider to make his move, meant one less danger at their back. “I suggest waiting.” So Amadis did patiently. Something in his youth he’d have never done, letting the situation play out and then choosing when to act. Some of the birds were chasing the freighter, and the ones that turned back got a face full of [member="SiRiDio"]’s ship.

“Zacka were going to need a pickup. At the landing site.”

“Little busy right now!” The sounds of squawking could be heard in the background, along with someone shouting. “Not the hat!”

“There’ll be there.” Amadis said encouragingly. The family could take care of a few birds . “Need help?” He could see and sense the man was injured, offering an arm. Keeping low again, silent as he could be to make the move back to the landing zone, his ribs hurt but you'd not knowing it helping another. That was what gave him strength, and was at its essence his basis of connection to the force.

[member="SiRiDio"] | [member="Dahgon Card'el"]​

 

[Dahgon Card'el]

Dahgon grabbed Kei's arm as he lent it. Not grabbing his hand, but rather his forearm. Lifting himself up so he could stand to his feet. Dahgon'sbody had already been tainted by the corruption of the dark side and in his distancing from it, his body often failed to keep up. He had little physical strength nor capability. But one thing he did have was the force. His life line and profound power. For what parts of his body failed him, his connection to the force succeeded.

"Concern yourself with our adversaries. It would seem the darksider has a soft heart. He might turn on us yet." Dahgon stepped forward, leaning on a tree now. He was cautious of showing his weakness, keeping up his force clouding to make sure the corruption on his body would be left unnoticed by Kei.

The grey master seemed to zone out for a bit as he focused on their surroundings. He was attempting to sense any more predators, but it seemed like they were safe for now. Continuing to the landing zone was the top priority now.

[member="Kei Amadis"][member="SiRiDio"]

 

[Kei Amadis]

Assisting the Jedi along toward the landing zone, he kept his eyes open for predators, but the ruckus had sent a lot of them running, and predators weren’t just hunting for three Jedi, they were happy with eating each other as well. There was always a bigger fish, the old saying held true.

Whatever was coming out of the jungle behind them was very big indeed. Kei only saw the mouth and giant teeth. The landing zone was just behind them, backs to the rocks and feet on the stone.

“Anytime now Zacka.”

No response.

“You there?” Kei began looking for a weapon against whatever it was stomping over toward them. He could still only see its eyes and giant teeth. It roared sniffing their scent and began bounding over. The Jedi Master had gone very still, very peaceful, as if guiding something in. Looking up, down came his freighter. The rickety old ship squashing whatever it was in its landing, and coming in with a heavy thump.

Kei cleared his throat as the landing struts came down. “No problem” He grinned, scratching the back of his neck, and boarding the ambiguous statement. "Get you where you need to go." Apparently they’d lost communications to an angry bird, which would be the source of a joke or two on the way to Onderon. Assuming Dahgon followed he’d get a ride to wherever he wanted planetside; a large silent bald man named Patches offering dinner and medical help; a grumpy old Kage pilot with a cigarra moaning about getting his hat clawed at; then Kei retiring to his quarters to see to his own injuries, and his family.

Fin For Kei
OOC:

Spoiler

Thanks for the thread!

[member="Dahgon Card'el"]​