Terrors of Tatooine: Between Sand and Sky

[Verz Horak]

"See anything you like?"
Verz looked around, scanning for more Tuskens.

 

[Archon Xris]

Grabbing a reasonably well beaten but still functional blaster rifle, he checked the sights and the trigger pull before nodding and said, "OK what is the next step?"

 

[Verz Horak]

"Isn't it obvious? We look for water."

 

[Archon Xris]

"Yeah but in which direction genius?" The thug said sarcastically.

(I need to know ic how you planning to find the water)

 

[Verz Horak]

"Well these raider tracks lead east. They are likely to have water, and I killed most of them.

 

[Archon Xris]

"Are we planning to walk or ride?" The thug asked. From his question, it was clear he wasn't relishing the former under the desert sun.

 

[Verz Horak]

"We'll use the ship, but when we get close, we go on foot. Got it?"

 

[Archon Xris]

"Ok. I just hope this thing can keep it together. Its a long walk out here in the middle of nowhere."

 

[Verz Horak]

"She'll hold together fine."
They walked back to e ship.
"R3, activate the engines."

 

[Archon Xris]

"Take me with you master." The translator droid pleaded and entered the ship before anyone could protest.

About a hour's flight due east Verz followed the tracks to a rock canyon. The walls of the canyon were too narrow to allow the ship to move further at its present height and speed. However they did locate what seemed to be ship wreckage about half a click into the canyon. Spotting a good place to land, the party would now have to make plans on how to proceed.

 

[Verz Horak]

"We move together, while R3 scans the area and tells us what to expect."

 

[Archon Xris]

R3 whistles an acknowledgement as the party heads into the canyon. The sandstone walls are lined and scoured giving the place a surreal atmosphere although the only life present was those of their company. By the tracks in the sand it was clear that the large party of raiders had passed through here and in a hurry.

"I got a bad feeling about this." The thug observed as he scanned the high ground for possible enemies, although none made their presence felt. The translator droid happily walked on clearly unconcerned with what was going on around it.

In moments, the group spots evidence of what seemed to be the starting point of the exodus. Trampled sand, blood streaked walls marred with blaster and slug rounds and in the distance a star freighter half buried in the sand. Verz could only make out part of the ships name Star St---, the rest was buried where the ship nuzzled in the ground.

The rear cargo hatch was broken, and probably how the raiders were able to get into the ship in the first place. Between the mouth of the canyon and the ship there was at least 50 meters of pristine sand. Also noted as the bulk of the ship seemed to be blocking some sort of natural rock formation behind it.

 

[Verz Horak]

"We should approach the ship. Keep alert though."

 

[Archon Xris]

"I got a real bad feeling about this." The thug repeated with conviction as he followed them to the ship. The crash was recent, and up close it seemed that the freighter wasn't as looted as it should have been, indicating that the crash was only recent. They are all standing at the entrance of the torn side of what should be the cargo hold.

 

[Verz Horak]

"Don't worry. You have me here."
Verz walled over to a hole just large enough to crawl through, and entered the crashed ship.

 

[Archon Xris]

The hole was large enough for two people to walk into without touching the sides, the inside smelled of manure, old spilled blood. Whatever was inside was probably carted off and eaten by the raiders. A nearby bulk head door leads to the main part of the ship.

 

[Verz Horak]

Verz pried open the door, holding his Verpine at the ready, and carefully walked deeper into the ship.

 

[Archon Xris]

The interior of the ship was pitch black save for what little light came from the door Verz just opened. He assumed that the way to the cockpit was to his left and to his right the other cargo bay. However without any source of additional illumination it would be tricky walking in the dark.

 

[Verz Horak]

He activated his night vision to get a better view of the area.
"We'll head to the cargo bay first. It's more likely to have scavengable items."

 

[Archon Xris]

"Uhm I can't see in the dark." The thug replied as the translator bot waited silently for further commands.