Survival Training Guide To Veradune

[Decker Willo]

So...one thing that would not eat him. Well then, that was something good at least rather than being chewed. Though the gored and trampled part sounded no better. "So multiple days, find these friends of yours and use the force. Sounds...it sounds simple enough" Decker Willo said in response toward @Vulpesen. What fun this was going to be. And he was going to try to make some fun out of this, as well. "Well then, off I go" he started to move off. He was worried about this whole thing, though he was sure this would go fine...right?

 

[Vulpesen]

Seeing that [member="Decker Willo"] was now certain as to his path and without further questions, Vulpesen gave a small shrut and slowly lowered himself to sit down in the lush grass at his feet. "Good luck. Conserve ammo, and don't die." As Decker started off, the Valde spoke a bit more, offering only a few more pieces of wisdom. "The force extends in all life. And Veradune a planet of life. Remember that. Reach out and realize that you are never alone."

[member="Decker Willo"]

 

[Decker Willo]

Decker Willo headed down as he heard [member="Vulpesen"] him. And as he went down, he thought over things. All he might learn from this. How might this change him? And would he get out of it alive? What a story this would be to tell the squadron. Someone he barely knew, giving him tips on something he did not fully understand then sending out to survive in the wilderness for several days. What a story indeed...

Soon he reached the forest's edge. Already he wanted to just turn back, it was eerie. The survival handbook did nothing to help settle his nerves. Everything wanted him dead. And it was then he could feel what Vulpesen meant. He could feel them. And not by touching, or hear them. No, he could feel them. Life, in the forest. Moving, watching. Their hunger, their aggressive natures. And already he was on the new path. He stepped forward. Followed by another. And in no time, he had passed into the forest.

 

[Vulpesen]

Laying back against is tree, Vulpesen took in a deep breath, then slowly let it out. Like a dying torch, the Valde slowly flickered out of existence, one obvious light in the force, suddenly going dark. On the other side of the forest, there would be a group of wilders meditating and extending themselves outwards. They weren't reaching for Willo, simply making themselves noticeable should he start paying attention. And between the two points, the start and the end, there were howls, cries, screeches, and growls. Leaves rustled and wind moaned through the trees. Veradune was alive. And it was hungry. Where Decker was going, one was either predator or prey.

[member="Decker Willo"]

 

[Decker Willo]

Decker Willo couldn't feel a direction for himself to take. He hadn't stretched out far enough with the power of the Force. But he could feel the forest. And now he could hear it. Growling, animalistic howls and screeches. It sent chills down his spine as he moved through, keeping low through the underbrush. And he kept feeling like he was being stalked, stalked since he entered the forest. It was chilling him to the bone. It kept sounding like something was hot on his tail, right behind him. And when he would look back, nothing. Then he would hear something ahead, and the same result.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

The forest would continue to howl and around [member="Decker Willo"], though nothing came at him just yet. He ahd only just neted. His tracks, fresh on the forest floor had yet to be noticed. His scent had not lingered long enough to be traced. Dangers would come. But not yet. Right now was possibly the safest he could be. Before a zipher spotted or smelled him. Before he reached deep enough to come upon a herd of arlusks. Danger existed, and it was looking for him. Time could only tell how well he'd stay hidden.

 

[Decker Willo]

Decker Willo kept on high alert as he spent...how long had it been? At least twenty minutes by now. And still, nothing came at him. He had the blaster, but it was limited charge. So...to calm his nerves...he started humming a little tune. Even bobbing his head a little to the little tune of his. He always felt more comfortable up in the space, or the skies. Up high, away from blaster rifles and crazy wildlife as well as falling off a cliff or into a river. He started mouthing the words as well, to the hummed tune.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

As Willo hummed and strode through the underbrush, something crept. Something prowled, sniffed and followed. A chittering being moved through the bushes, stalking through the woods with a long tail behind it. Luckily for him, it was alone, somehow separated from its friends. But as drool dribbled from its toothed jaws, it grew closer and closer, a light within the brightness that had become intent on the newest of preys within its domain.

[member="Decker Willo"]

 

[Decker Willo]

Decker could feel something close. A feeling, a premonition. Just as he used to feel when fighting in his fighter, when in a dog fight. He drew his blaster, holding it steady. He had used a blaster once or twice, but his aim was never that great. Decker had to remember, fifteen shots. And he could not see whatever it was. But there was definitely something. He had two choices here; stand and fight, or run and hope he was faster. The first was seeming better and better as he recalled all he had read up on in the little guide [member="Vulpesen"] had given him.

 

[Vulpesen]

Slowly, a thin scaled snout poked through the trees. The intelligent eyes of a zipher searching the area. It was hungry, and it had found something new... something that might be weak. Decker's senses might have very well saved his life, for as the man drew the pistol, he would find himself staring at the creature, which unnoticed would have likely pounced from behind. For a moment, the zipher would simply stare, its head tilting as a chattering sound left its throat and clawed hands grasped at the air in anticipation for its next meal.
[member="Decker Willo"]

 

[Decker Willo]

Decker Willo saw the snout, and aimed. But he would have to wait...to wait for it to come out. He recalled something like this, and one thing [member="Vulpesen"] had said about it chilled him to the bone...'acid spitting'. He would have to keep himself on his toes in case it decided to take to range. "Well, come on then! You want me, come and get me!" Of course, he was a bit scared and hoped it wouldn't call the bluff and spit. Decker hoped it would run at him, so he could blast it.

 

[Vulpesen]

Again the head tilted, looking curiously at Willow. Then without warning, it dashed forward. A screech filled with air as the monster's head lowered and its tail extended, providing a more aerodynamic frame with which it could move swiftly in Willow's direction. It was time to eat, and with no pack mates to hunt with, the Zipher figured its best option would indeed be to charge the seemingly squishy and pathetic prey. Its voice filled the air again as it closed the difference with a powerful strides, charging up to leap at the man with its claws and fangs bared.

[member="Decker Willo"]

 

[Decker Willo]

Decker readied himself. He watched as it suddenly darted for him, and he held back the temptation to bolt right now. Running full speed. It could easily dodge a blast, he had to time this. Perfectly. It was coming fast, if he was too early or too late he could be done for. He waited until the last possible chance...and then dove for the side, out of it's path. If it got past him, he would have an element of surprise. That was his plan...if it worked. If not, he had only stalled himself.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Pouncing through the air, the Zipher flew past Decker, only to land behind him as he dove out of the way. Dirt kicked up around the creature's feet and it whirled around, its tail slamming through several smaller pieces of brush which were sundered by its strength. Once more it turned to face Decker, its hateful eyes still filled with the desire to feed. Another screech, but this time it didn't move. Instead, it simply hissed low in its throat once its screech ended. Its mouth opened and green peeked out from the rear of its throat. All the while of this threatening display, a voice would enter Decker's head, not through the force, but through more familiar means, that of the wolf who accompanied him. Trust the force... let it guide your actions. From your legs to your arms, surrender to it.

[member="Decker Willo"]

 

[Decker Willo]

Decker held still as the beast flew by. He aimed, and it readied to spit. He was about to fire when he heard a voice. Trust the force. Let it guide your actions. He closed his eyes, sighed deeply. He steadied, and aimed for the mouth. He pictured the green glow from it's throat. The origin of the hissing. He pictured the creature, it's stance. His direction of aim of the blaster...then he pulled the trigger, letting the Force take control of his aim.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Acid gurgled up from the depths of the ZIpher's being, ready to be sot out in a streak of burning doom. But just before it could leave the monster's vile throat, the retort of the pistol would release with a fairly loud BOOM, letting out a tracer of red energy which launched out the back of the Zipher's head, taking a spray of caustic green with it. A strangled yelp escaped the Zipher's mouth as it reared back from the sudden attack, just as Willo's arm shot up from the recoil of the gun. Its head slammed into a nearby tree as it howled in pain, then fell silent, slumping defeatedly to the ground as its life winked out of existence. Good... Now keep moving before the others can find you.

[member="Decker Willo"]

 

[Decker Willo]

Decker fell back from the blast, shouting from surprise. The head of the Zipher was hit, and then it fell silent upon the ground after hitting a tree. Decker rubbed his lower back, grunting from the sudden blast. And he heard the voice again. Others? Oh right, they were a pack creature. As quickly as he could, he got up and started going on a fast sprint before they could catch his scent. This got more and more dangerous by the second.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

As Decker continued on through the forest, the ground would crunch beneath his feet, fallen leaves and brush continuing to surround him, reminding him of the dangers that lurked around every corner, that such dangers could be closer than he expected. But still, there was pride to be taken in his passing of the first test. The zipher was not a creature to be trifled with, either as a pack or as a single member.

[member="Decker Willo"]

 

[Decker Willo]

As Decker made some distance, he rested his hand against a tree. Taking in deep breaths, and then he laughed a bit. Like that crazed laughter one gives after just escaping near death. "Decker, you fool...what have you gotten yourself into?" If he had known at first that this would be what he was to go through to learn, he would never have come. But, he was here. And since he was here, he would just have to get through. All Decker could do, no backing out.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Once more, Vulpesen's mind floated into Decker's mind, carried through the link from the ashlan wolves that accompanied them. "Remember to give yourself time for shelter. The last thing you'll be wanting is to get pounced on by a yularen in the middle of the night." Veradune was a dangerous place, and with the sun sinking below the treeline, it likely wouldn't be long before the first night came. And with it, all the terrors of veradune's nocturnal life.

[member="Decker Willo"]