Private Tidewatch Quarry

[Braze]

Tags: Nisk Keldau

​

Braze was visiting Shiomura (The Tide Village), one of the many fishing villages scattered and dotted along Veridia's coast. He had been working to establish several of his own coastal farms and had come in search of supplies from the local fishers and merchants. The large glass fishing floats had caught his interest, and he'd made certain to purchase a decent assortment of the large delicate baubles.

He had brought a small hovercraft with him, using it to carry bundled nets, rope, baskets, and several other supplies he had gathered from the trading post. Before long, a collection of rare and unfamiliar seashells had joined the cargo. Their spiraled shapes and pearlescent interiors would make fitting decorations for the Tidewatch Aerie, particularly along the paths overlooking the water.

Shiomura was a peaceful village... very close to what Braze might have considered a small-town paradise free from the woes of the Core worlds. Weathered homes faced out towards the sea, whilst fishing boats rested along the docks. The village trading post carried a respectable selection of local goods despite its modest size and had a healthy amount of activity and trade in it's markets.

Before beginning the journey home, Braze stopped by one of the local stalls to gather something to eat for lunch. He settled on coconut rice onigiri filled with grilled shrimp and pieces of rainbow lobster, brushed with a lightly spiced lemon and pineapple glaze. Thin slices of cucumber, pickled ginger, and dried seaweed wrapped around the rice all neatly packed away in a lacquered box. It was an unusual blend of traditional local fare, but suited the warm Veridian coast remarkably well having made use of both the land and seas' bounties.

With his supplies secured and his meal packed away, Braze guided the hovercraft out from Shiomura and began the venture back toward the Tidewatch Aerie.

 

[Nisk Keldau]

Veridia would normally not be a chosen destination for a worthy Hunt, it was little more than a backwater in the far-flung reaches of the galaxy. But recent rumours managed to garner the interest of the Scorekeeper and Haran'gir needed to be honoured. Slavers and indentured servants, unfamiliar animals and creatures that were worthy of respect. But one prey stood out above all in the moment.

Jedi.

They and their counterparts were fierce fighters with powerful abilities, a proper challenge that demanded respect and required nothing short of utmost skill to bring down. Such a prey was Nisk's target on the already remarkable planet, but he would not rush it. His entry was quietly done and his search began. It took a while to locate his target, it would take a while longer to find the opportune moment to strike. From trees, rooftops and unseen shades the Hunter stalked his prey, watching from afar to learn as much as he could.

The Jedi didn't look very impressive at first, a mistake many others most likely made in the past. His tongue flicked, tasting the air around him, his form was kept small and the stealth field kept him hidden from all around him. Patience was key, it rewarded those who possessed such a virtue. His target was calm and docile, going about their business in the small town. His helmet's vision modes shifted and various photos were taken with the help of his HUD.

He would wait for when his prey's guard was lowered. He kept his distance and only moved when he needed to. Veridia's warm climate kept him nimble, allowed him to quickly move when he needed to. Hours or days, it didn't matter, he would wait for an opportune moment. A faint hiss escaped past his razor sharp teeth as he shifted again for a better view of his prey. Carefully measured hopes of displaying the Jedi's weapon and skull upon the Altar were allowed, but not entertained.

He could allow himself to dream when he had his Prey's body in his grasp.

Braze

 

[Braze]

Tags: Nisk Keldau

​

The narrow trail was only lightly beaten, and the farther Braze traveled from the village, the less worn the path became. Grass pressed inward along its edges, while exposed roots and fallen leaves crept across the faint track beneath the trees.

He sat perched upon the hoverbike as it carried him forward at a leisurely pace, partaking in the lunch he had brought along. One by one, he plucked onigiri from a lacquered box balanced carefully against his lap. With his little astromech handling the controls, Braze leaned back and allowed himself to rest, his jade-green eyes lifting toward the canopy overhead.

Small animals passed between the branches above, leaping from limb to limb or vanishing into the dense green undergrowth. Birds called from hidden places among the leaves, their voices drifting over the quiet hum of the bike as Braze ate.

Then… something pricked at his perceptions.

The sensation was faint at first, no more than an uneasy pressure against the edge of his awareness, yet it carried the unmistakable suggestion of danger. Braze straightened in his seat, lowering the half-eaten onigiri as his attention sharpened upon the forest around him.

Confusion crossed his features briefly. His gaze moved between the trees, searching the shadowed brush and tangled roots for anything out of place. The trail ahead remained quiet… almost too quiet.

Braze closed the lacquered box and set it aside.

"Slow down," he murmured to the astromech.

 

[Nisk Keldau]

His prey moved along at a leisurely pace, enjoying his lunch and minding his business as he travelled back to his home. The Hunter followed after him, moving with immaculate precision through the trees while his stealth field kept his silhouette low with all the sharp movement. He didn't like to move so quickly, it made him easier to notice.

He came to a halt when his prey began to slow. Crouched atop a sturdy branch, Nisk carefully watched his prey's movement. He had been alerted, that much was abundantly clear. Getting closer meant risking detection from the Jedi. It was not a good time yet. Despite the clear shot and the element of surprise, his prey was alert and ready to react. Patience was key, he had to make sure that the Jedi's guard was lowered in a location of comfort. For now, he held his position, remained completely still to let his invisible form meld into the treeline around him. Even his breathing slowed to reduce even the faintest of movement.

He couldn't expose himself, not yet.

Unless the Jedi could sense where he was, he would remain completely still. Only his HUD shifted to zoom in and study his target. An immensely deceptive specimen to say the least. How one so small could be such a dangerous adversary was still a mystery, but the Trandoshan knew not to underestimate his prey.

Braze

 

[Braze]

Tags: Nisk Keldau

​

Braze set the lid back over his box, closing it neatly before placing it aside in the rear of the cart for later. He seemed to have lost his appetite, or perhaps had simply decided to save the rest for another time.

He adjusted his balance and pulled down his goggles, taking hold of the bike's handlebars before kicking it into a faster gear. He wasn't going to linger and risk another incident catching him unaware, especially this far from any possible witnesses.

The cart behind him still carried supplies and several breakable items, so pushing the bike too hard would be unwise. Even so, Braze intended to make do with whatever speed he could safely manage.

That was until he came across a clearing filled with wildflowers, where the trees fell away and opened onto the meadow ahead. Braze pulled the bike off to the side and hopped down, taking a moment to look around.

 

[Nisk Keldau]

His prey decided to pick up the pace. They set their lunch aside and floored the speeder as fast as it could go with the cargo loaded in the back. Nisk immediately pursued, flinging and jumping through the trees with impeccable agility and speed. He wouldn't be able to keep up with the speeder, but he was staying close enough to keep an eye on it.

Eventually the forest opened up to reveal a field of flowers. The Hunter leapt from the trees and landed in a roll to conceal himself within the meadow before the Jedi could notice him. He began planning on how to continue stalking through the flowers at a decent pace, but it seemed that his Prey had finally caught on. The Jedi stopped their speeder and dismounted only a stone's throw away. Nisk watched him carefully, entirely still to not disrupt the stealth field at such a close distance.

He had to make his move.

Hidden among the flowers and tall grass, Nisk's shoulder blaster unsheathed from its protective housing while the laser rangefinder beside his helmet came to life. Most people wouldn't notice the three crimson dots on their body, especially in the bright sunlight. But a Jedi wasn't most people. He didn't wait anymore, it was time to strike.

The cryo blaster barked as a deep blue bolt zipped toward the Jedi's legs. A shot aimed at halting his movement before another shot fired at his chest. The shots caused a ripple through the Trandoshan's stealth, eventually disabling it to show his armoured form hidden among the flowers. The tall beast rose, unclipping his electrostaff from the back of his belt as he closed the distance with tall strides. A guttural hiss tore from his maw as he leapt and swung, his weapon extending while the edges came to life with powerful arcs of electricity.

Braze

 

[Braze]

Tags: Nisk Keldau

​

A small flicker fo dangersense came in a faint warning from the Force that pricked at Braze's awareness, setting every nerve alight. There was no time to consider who might be hunting him, only the sudden, crawling certainty that he was no longer alone.

He moved at once, scrambling away as the first cryo bolt clipped his boot. Ice spread across the fabric and fastened part of it to the earth, the bitter cold sinking through the material until numbness shot up his leg and turned his retreat into a stiffened stumble.

Braze twisted away from the second bolt before it could strike him cleanly. The hovercart and its cargo were not so fortunate. The blast struck one of the large glass baubles, shattering it and scattering vibrant blue shards across the surrounding wildflowers.

With his boot still trapped, Braze had little opportunity to escape before Nisk closed the distance. The small, pale-haired Echani threw up his lightly gloved hands and caught the electrostaff against his palms. Electricity surged through him, locking his fingers around the weapon and forcing him down onto one knee.

Rather than falling unconscious, Braze drew the current into himself, absorbing what energy he could as he wrenched his boot free from the ice. Torn fabric remained frozen against the ground as he dropped low, attempting to roll between the towering hunter's legs. As he passed beneath him, Braze snapped his leg upward, his heel aimed sharply toward Nisk's groin should the hunter lack the armor or presence of mind to guard it.

Once on the other side, Braze sought to catch the instep of one foot with his own, attempting to hook it in place before aiming his other boot toward the back of the hunter's knee on the same leg, hoping to send him down to his knees as well.