Private That's So Coral

[Makai Dashiell]

"Yeah, I agree. Finish surveying the corals and then we can check out this ship of yours. If you have an entire lab aboard then you must survey planets often?"

Makai was interested in what the other aquatic actually did. He had never met someone who looked like him outside of his family. Did aquatics only stick close to home? Nautolans seemed to be an exception.

"Sweet spear gun. What kind of technology? Nothing like I have seen but I'm not exactly a weapons type of guy."

Grin was tossed to Kaimana.

"Well.... I can swim really fast."

Brooke Waters | Kaimana Vun

 

[Brooke Waters]

Surveys were fine. Brooke was always here for that. For learning, for understanding the world. She may not be using this one for her people, but if she could spread the Blue Corals? It could protect the species. Going together would protect themselves, and keep them from harm. She had an idea that there was something out here, something dangerous, but Brooke wasn’t going to jinx anything by bringing it up.

Her spear, and her gun. Two bits of very different technology. The former based on Jedi construction, the latter based on the energy bow from Dathomir, but very specific to her own clan. She really should sub it to the factory.

“Its from my adoptive homeworld. Tricky for those that are not of my Clan to use it…” Shouldn’t explain too further, just in case. “Wait… where are you from?” Another humanoid that didn’t seem to have too much of the aquatic appearance…

Kaimana Vun Makai Dashiell

 

[Kaimana Vun]

Brooke Waters Makai Dashiell

"Ah'll right. Let me go git my scanner ahn just in case, somethin' with a bit mo pow should we need it." Kaimana told the pair with a wide grin. "Let me go calm dhat droid too before he gets his servos all fried up."

With a small wave and a broad smile, she let Brook and Makai talk a bit while the Nautolan headed to shore to get what she needed. It would be best to grab a weapon or a stun item in additional to the survey equipment.

Also get an idea of what just might be out there if there was something much larger.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

"Yeah, I know how annoying droids can be."

He was still getting used to Thirty-Seven, the snarky droid watching him from the shore, silently judging. For a personal assistant designed to coordinate his life, Thirty-Seven was hellbent on giving his own commentary every step of the way.

Head turned back to the blonde.

"I wasn't going to use your gun-thing, don't worry. I'd probably cut off a leg on accident."

It may have sounded like a joke but it was anything but. Makai was not trained in weapons combat, shooting a blaster was one thing, trying to wield a hand weapon was another.

"Where I'm personally from or what I am?"

His birthworld would give no indication of his hybrid species status.

"I'm half-Galan. Mother's side. How about you?"

Brooke Waters | Kaimana Vun

 

[Brooke Waters]

Brooke smirked. Droids were very useful. She owned a few to help with a variety of tasks, mostly navigation and scanning the worlds she was on. But one that had a personality? She could only see the multitude of uses that droid would have. From the mundane to the more exciting, she was sure. “Not too much pow.” Brooke shook her head.

Maybe it was that her parents had always worked with organics, and no droids bigger than an astromech, but Brooke kept tight tabs on her assistants.

“It takes a bit of training, for sure, both of them.” Harpoon gun, and spear. Both could be just as harmful to the user as the others in the field of combat, as it were. As for her question, she watched the man and nodded. “More what…”

But that was what she was getting. Galen… Galen… she wasn’t familiar with them. “Don’t know that race. Part Blubreen, my father’s side. Came out of Pamarthe, so always been in and on and around the water.” She said with a smile, remembering her upbringing, and actually not feeling too traumatized from her parents that way.

Makai Dashiell Kaimana Vun

 

[Kaimana Vun]

[ Query: Are they the Salacia employees we were designated to meet? ] The droid inquired, prompting a chuckle from Kaimana as she waded through the waves until she set foot on the pebbly shore beside him.

"One, aye. Dha other nay," the Nautolan replied with cheer. Of course, this appeared to be a serious concern to the droid.

[ Statement: This could be a security breach to interact with unknown parameters. ]

Kaimana gave a scoff and shook her head, head tails weaving softly across her shoulders. She took a small leather strap from her pocket and began to tie her headtails back in a ponytail.

"Got dha goods? " she was referencing the sensor equipment and sample items. The Droid nodded and provided her with a small satchel that Kaimana could wear without it getting it the way.

The droid also handed her a speargun she could use while underwater. She strapped that to her back.

Makai Dashiell Brooke Waters

 

[Makai Dashiell]

"Never heard of Blubreens or the planet of Pamarthe. So basically, we're both just hybrid aquatics of a different flavor."

Makai would have to look into this planet named Pamarthe. He was always looking for new and interesting tropical planets to explore, to see the different sides of the galaxy. Swimming through different reefs and ecosystems, exploring new underwater landscapes was always something interesting to see.

Back on shore, Thirty-Seven piped in regarding the potential of security breach.

[ Chances of a security breach on such a sparsely populated planet are low. I predict myself and Miss Vun could easily take this unknown being. ]

Kaimana Vun | Brooke Waters

 

[Brooke Waters]

Her own droid had identified a few types of Corals, but that was about it. Though, her droid wasn’t here to hunt foes for her. It was here to help with research. A simple exploration unit. Her ship was still barebones too, well, in some processes. She wasn’t a warrior. She was a Witch, her skills and true weapons were the Force. And her personality, if she was being truthful. Not too much good against an aquatic predator, now was it?

Helped that her droid didn’t really have a personality. She had friends for that kind of drama.

“Species and planet aren’t super related. Apparently they’re from the Ploo system?” She shrugged. “Pamarthe is a great world, if you like water. And boats.” She laughed. Some days she did miss her homeworld, but the galaxy gave her so many new planets to explore.

“Made me more of an explorer than a fighter, but someone always ready for the unknown and worrisome.”

Makai Dashiell Kaimana Vun

 

[Kaimana Vun]

[ Chances of a security breach on such a sparsely populated planet are low. I predict myself and Miss Vun could easily take this unknown being. ]

At the sound of a new droid, Kaimana twirled her head. Another wide grin broke over her face, completely unfazed. In fact, this was even better.

"Oi, 'ere dhat Ay-Kay? Looks like we got ourselves some protection now." However, there was a note of amused disbelief, seeing as the L3-37 model appeared to be, in all essence, a form of protocol droid.

"Ahn by what means shall yous ahssist in takin' 'er down eh?" she asked, truly intrigued.

[ Query: Identify yourself. ] AK probed 37, sticking to protocol.

Brooke Waters Makai Dashiell

 

[Makai Dashiell]

"Water and boats, what aquatic doesn't love both?"

Treading water, he looked back down at the crystal clear, odd brackish water. It felt different to him and he was curious of the salinity and various mineral aspects the water may contain. Idly, he noted a sample would be needed in order to replicate growing conditions for the corals once again.

"You want some help harvesting corals? I was already investigating for myself."

Back on shore, L3-37 was more than a little miffed. Already straight posture seemed to straighten further,as if insulted someone would dare question his abilities on any level.

[ I am L3-37, one of two units. My designation is better known as Thirty-Seven. ]

Thirty-Seven turned to the Nautolan once more. Analysis suggested he could freely speak about his combat role, that the woman was trustworthy, but Thirty-Seven did not know her associates and decided not to take such a risk.

[ I am able to assist in combat if needed Miss Vun. Rest assured you are free to explore without fear of attack or surprise. ]

Brooke Waters | Kaimana Vun

 

[Brooke Waters]

The nice thing about water was that it was part of nearly every world. And the ones it wasn’t on? It had been there, or they were always on the search for it. Dathomir was a world with some rare oceans, but the plot of that world seemed to constantly be changing. That was why her Clan Mother had sent her and a few others out to the stars.

To find Blue Coral. And seed other worlds with it, to make the planet have a beacon for them to find, for them to use.

“I’m more sampling. There is a certain strain here that I am working on bringing to other worlds, but it was already here when I arrived…” Part of her reason was altruism and environmentalism.

The other part was that blue corals gave her Clan one of the avenues to their magick.

Makai Dashiell Kaimana Vun

 

[Kaimana Vun]

Brooke Waters Makai Dashiell

[ I am L3-37, one of two units. My designation is better known as Thirty-Seven. ]

[ I am able to assist in combat if needed Miss Vun. Rest assured you are free to explore without fear of attack or surprise. ]

"Whel, colah me surprised!" Kaimana sang with a grin, by no means indicating if she thought Thirty-Seven's claims were false or not. In fact, the Nautolan only gave a roll of her shoulder and sent, "Alright dhen. Keep a look out and let us know if anythin' does come up."

"Ay-Kay, you just keep on lookin' at dhat dhere sensor for dhat big fish." she went digging through her bag for a special underwater audio band she could wrap round her head and be able to hear any messages coming in from the droid.

"Alright, I'll leave you two ladies be." she waved at them, taking her spear and gear with her as she headed back to the other two aquatics. Just another day in paradise. Really there was little that could break Kaimana's cheer.

[ Statment: I am a droid, not a lady. ] clearly Ay-Kay was miffed. Kaimana only chuckled and waved at him.

Within short order, she swam back to Makai and Brooke. "Oh kay, so. All good and dandy? What is first?"

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Thirty-Seven visibly stiffened his posture at the miff of being called a lady. It seemed the other droid joining him on the beach was equally baffled by the departure phrase.

[ Excuse me Miss Vun, but my programming is male.]

Back in the water, Makai listened to the blonde's explanation of sampling coral. He didn't quite understand her larger purpose - conservation? Business? Personal? Perhaps a mixture of all three.

"I'm not sure Miss Brooke needs our help, but our objective still remains. We will need to collect samples for further study, determine what is worth trying to grow off world, if anything."

Makai remembered the minerals and valuable ore.

"I'll have to bring an orbital scanner, it will be quicker to check for the raw resources. Coral seems much more hands on, I guess we should literally dive right in."

Brooke Waters | Kaimana Vun

 

[Brooke Waters]

Should they come into a bit more of a problem on this world, Brooke had a very strong, hidden tool. Not even just the Force. It was a whole other skill and spell from the Blue Corals that she could use. Not something she was going to use lightly. She wasn’t the best combatant, and it had been a while since she was on a world with another being to provide her with some assistance.

“I mean, mine is more research, I suppose? Conservation, and checking the stock of a specific coral here…” She offered a shrug in the water. “The people I represent are hoping to help worlds grow their coral beds. Bring life in. I have a … lets call it a sixth sense to help with locating corals?”

Makai Dashiell Kaimana Vun

 

[Kaimana Vun]

"Well dhen, since we are all here and we all are incline to do some searchin', how bout we go?" Kaimana offered, her dark almond shaped eyes swirling like a mass of stars being sucked up by a black hole.

"If yous got a sixth sense, how bout you lead then?" Kaimana asked Brooke Waters , turning to Makai Dashiell to see if he had any objections. If not, then they could be on their way. "That is, if you have your orbital scanner?"

With luck, that big fish out there wouldn't notice them. If it did, well, things would get interesting very quickly.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Makai listened carefully. The blonde was a conservationist or a businesswoman? It seemed difficult to tell. One moment she spoke of bringing corals to other worlds and life in and the second on researching. Perhaps a mix of both? Makai knew some major fishing companies that worked to research ways of keeping the creatures they kept breeding and thriving to increase profits.

"I agree with Miss Vun. I've got a sixth sense for these corals, lead the way. Our objective isn't much different in many ways."

Perhaps their objective only differed in terms of financial gain. If corals and various species of kelp could be grown and harvested, it could be industry to repressed worlds. There was the possibility of conservation involved with his plan, depending on what could be found.

Much like Brooke, research was needed. These were the first steps.

Without much of a word, he ducked down under the waves, ready to follow.

Brooke Waters | Kaimana Vun

 

[Brooke Waters]

Brooke had no issue insinuating her abilities. And just being another aquatic, not to the level of the Nautolan, but at least still more fishy than a typical human, she felt the implication was sound. "It does sound like we are all here for similar, or at least adjacent, reasons. I have no problem being lead."

She smiled as she grabbed her zeffonian alloy weapon and diving under. She whispered a small spell to herself to help open her eyes better, as it were. A Dathomiri spell of seeking.

As she did that she wasn't hearing or sensing the predators out there. Only the blue corals and the colonies it was living in. She gave a head nod in the direction. A bit south of where they were, and kicked off.

"I think there is a colony this way." Not to mention a shark's relative.

Makai Dashiell Kaimana Vun

 

[Kaimana Vun]

It would be an exciting thing. Neither aquatics really had a common underwater language; Kaimana doubted they would understand her pheromones or the swirls in her eyes. But with gestures, they should be able to understand the basics. The Nautolan wasn't wrong, soon enough Brooke Waters was able to direct them to an area where the blue corals and their colonies would be.

As she wasn't sure how great of a swimmer Makai Dashiell would be, she took the rear and kept an eye out for any predators. She was a powerful swimmer, and with her spear, she would be able to defend against any larger predator threats.

At least that was the hope.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Watching intently from the shore, Thirty-Seven spotted a saberfish in the area. Correction, more than one saberfish. Ocular sensors indicated three, but he hadn't been built for such conditions. Perhaps he should speak to Mister Dashiell about one if he was to be kept tossed in these situations.

He subtly turned to the other droid.

[ Looks like I may have to inform the Mistress of an untimely death due to lack of weaponry. I do not envy the task. ]

Meanwhile, Makai was swimming with his two other aquatics. He could keep up just fine, intent on finding this colony of corals. They needed to collect enough for testing and make it worth while, it wasn't as if the planet was just around the corner for him.

What was around the corner was a saberfish, popping right into his field of vision. Heading straight for them with a singular purpose.

Kaimana Vun | Brooke Waters

 

[Brooke Waters]

She wasn’t trying to lead them into harms way on purpose. She just really got to a focus on what she was after, and assumed they’d be game for it too. Corals were what they all seemed to have in common. And where there were blue corals? There were other colonies as well.

The water was warm, and colorful, the sun bright. This was her element. Moving without a care in the world. Humming a small tune, one that she knew a spell for, but she couldn’t match the tune to a real song… Her eyes all but closed. She didn’t see the saberfish.

Almost at all, her hand instinctively going for her spear as she was knocked the saberfish, pushing her right down to the silt, kicking up dust in the water. Shaking her head, the blonde kicked off from the ground, no ignition of her saber, but the spear itself was out.

“Too much life here…” She whispered to herself as she swam for it.

Kaimana Vun Makai Dashiell