Valik's Weekday Treasure Hunt: A Lab or his Tomb?

[Micah Talith]

[member="Valik"] [member="Calina Ovmar"] [member="Silas of Ossus"] [member="Velok the Younger"] [member="Grace Darkson"]


The Storm Beast gave a stagger, his throat working through the thick warbles of skin in the aftermath of the sonic blast. It wasn't done yet, though, that Micah could see.

Arms uncrossed, and the shimmering energy shield dissipated. That was it for that save. No more from that quarter.

"You okay?" Micah asked Vex, helping her get to her feet. It was a quick touch base, they had little time to chit-chat.

"Ahm fine!" She burst out, covered from head to paw in dirt, globs of slime, a few bits of rotten flesh, and overall not quite happy with the situation.

"Whoa.. whoa! Here he comes!" he shouted out to her, pushing her to go left whlie he went right.

"Go, go, go!" he told her, wanting to distract the Storm Beast so that the Defel could slink into the shadows again.

"Yeah.. come here big guy," Micah beckoned with a bit more gusto, waving his hands and fingers. There between him and the Storm Beast was his saber that had clattered to the floor.

Scrambling to his feet, he backed up, holding his hands up. His HUD was trying to zoom in and track the creatures trajectory. He was at least moving slow, what with the strikes on his ankl--

"OH!" reaching for his hip, he pulled out the Morp Gun. It was like many other stun blasters only that this one had the ability to change the degree of strength. He last had it at 'OhkarkKarkkark!Wookieeisangry!', giving enough power to knock a fully grown male Wookiee out of commission for a while.

Here's to hoping Wookiee strength would work.

Micah sent a volley of orange bolts down range, where they struck the Storm Beast. Yeaaahhh, that hope that it would work? HAH! No!

"Oh, chit." Micah cursed, barely managing to roll to the side as a massive swipe of the Storm Beast's claws came raking down. The Storm Beast gave a massive roar of frustration, trying his best to grab at Micah again.

On his back, Micah dialed up the power setting to rancor. That would work, right? Hell, he hoped it did.

Vex coming up and igniting her stun batons, moving from behind the Storm Beast to try and distract it from swiping at Micah again. The dark shadow was a fast blur, moving to strike at the creatures back.

 

[Valik]

[member="Micah Talith"]

While the "Ohkarkkark!Wookieisangry!" stun setting did little, a bolt from the Rancor setting combined with the previous bolts was enough to put the creature to sleep. When Micah and Vexen managed to collect themselves they'd find the stormbeast had fed on most of the immediate area's local beasties, leading into a room that looked less like a lab and more like a smithy. There were a few scattered notes on Valik's experiences alchemized exotic metals like Devaronian Bloodpoison and Laminamium, but the true prize was something far greater, Valik's Sith Sword. Upon picking it up Micah would discover he had created a minor force bond with a creature imbued on the blade, who would likely tell the Jedi it's properties.

 

[Lord Ajihad]

[member="Valik"]​

​

As part of a newer generation of Sith Lords, Ajihad had never had the privilege of meeting Valik. Therefore, he assumed he was just the ghost of some long-forgotten Lord buried in this infinite desert.​

​

His rich accent would carry his words gracefully to the spirit, both with a sense of respect and power. He was known to have a silver tongue, and hoped this Sith would be swayed by his tone.​

​

"Greetings, spirit. My intentions are not foul, I can assure you. I know you watch over this tomb; whether it is yours or not. I consult you before entering, which path leads to the most bounty? I seek not gold nor gemstones, but lost knowledge and curios I sense I will find here. This will likely also be the path of most danger, and I enter this trap knowingly and will die with peace of mind."​

 

[Micah Talith]

[member="Valik"] [member="Calina Ovmar"] [member="Silas of Ossus"] [member="Velok the Younger"] [member="Grace Darkson"]


The loud, shuddering groan as the Storm Beast finally fell seemed to shake the very foundation that Micah lay. Or maybe that was just his head playing tricks as the rush of adrenaline and relief went coursing through his veins.

"Ughhh..." he flopped back, spread eagle half on top a pile of old bones and debris. He lay there for a second, getting his wind back along with the rest of his senses. His left year was shot, and he was already feeling the little crusties of dried blood gathering there.

Which was a pity because that was about the time a guitar rift came up.

[ I can't stand it I know you planned it! But I'm gonna set it straight, this RepublicState! ]

Vexen's dark shadow came ripping over the Storm Beast, one baton glowing as she poked at the creature with it to double check it was really down for the count.

[ I can't stand rocking when I'm in here, Because your crystal ball ain't so crystal clear! ]

It began with a small choking noise. Micah's chest rose and fell, then it came faster. His chortled turned into full blown laughter within minutes.

Vexen was not amused. The Storm Beast was out of commission for a while, but now she had to deal with the fact that her fur was dirty. Not to mention, her sense of smell was ten times more sensitive than Micah's. And this place was pretty wretched.

"Ahre you dun laughing?" Vex inquired, visibly annoyed. She tucked her batons away, then lept off the Storm Beast to land on the floor next to Micah.

"You... gotta admit." the Talith began, trying to find a way to explain himself and not get into too much trouble with the Defel. "That was pretty damn fun."

Vexen rolled her eyes, turning towards the far end of the chamber. Now they had the luxury of time to really get an idea where they were at.

"There's a path," she said, sniffing the ground and around. She couldn't sense any immediate danger. "Think he ate all the rest." she added, swinging her head over to the Talith, who was now struggling to get onto his feet again.

"Don't go runnin' off again." Vex told him, watching the young man get up and dust himself off a bit.

"It was more of a strut really," if he didn't have his helm on, she'd see the winning grin. Really, nothing seemed to tone down his perpetual cheer.

"Come on," he told her, walking over to pick up his saber hilt. "Let's see what the big guy was hording eh?"

What they found a few short minutes later was enough to prompt Micah to give a short whistle. This he was more familiar with. Less lab and more smithy. Being one who tinkered with trinkets, this got Micah's attention fast.

Vexen quietly went padding over towards the left side of the room. She sorted through more notes and filmsi. A few things she recognized. Others, not soo much. She began to gather the documents, knowing that Micah would want them for later. She might be upset at him, but that didn't mean she would be spiteful.

Micah on the other hand, felt the stirring of something... Dark. Yeah. It radiated with the Darkside. Cautious, the Talith would follow the origin towards the far end of the room. There, set upon a wall and resting between two outstretched hands, lay a sword.

He paused. Discussions with his Father and uncle told him that he should probably be careful about picking it up. Having Morodin as his grandfather made Micah aware that there were such things as heavily crafted alchemy items that could bear the essence of Sith Lords for ages.

The sword was of excellent craftsmanship, that much was certain. Even he could tell it was masterwork. It was also alchemized, no need to touch it to see the slight gleam across the lattice that was the telltale mark of such.

The hilt, well.... He bent for a closer look. It was unlike any he'd ever seen. He immediately straightened, looking around. That couldn't be right. His senses told him that there was someone else in here. And if he only focused on it, he would hear just the faintest whisper at the edge of his hearing.

The nagging voice of his mother joined in. It said, Don't pick up the sword Micah Draith Shamalain Talith!

His father's also said, pick it up. Just be careful. Knowledge isn't dangerous, it is but a tool. The choice comes in how you choose to wield it.

In the end, it was the lessons learned from his father that prompted the decision Micah made then. What he didn't realize is that once he picked up the sword, he was getting far more than he bargained for.

Like a new, if minor Force bond.

One that even Vex would feel sear through Micah as the Kata'nari found another entity to end its rather lonesome existence.

"Now that's new." Micah murmured, only to feel a faint shift.

// Who are you? // a voice prodded through his mind -- and it wasn't Vex!

"Whoa!" Micah exclaimed, half turning as he rotated his wrist, staring at the sword with a rather comical expression, trying to figure out just what happened. After all, it was the first time Micah had ever had a sword actually talk back!

 

[Valik]

[member="The Gray Assassin"]

"The most important knowledge you will gain here is the knowledge that you are a True Sith, able to use your mind to adapt to changing circumstances in an unscouted environment, or that you a mere pretender who happens to be trained in the Force mere moments before you die. To discover this I recommend going down any road snd not turning back until you find something you believe is of worth." The Alchemist spoke, before fading away, returning to his main lab below. It was a cruel answer perhaps, but as far as Valik was concerned it was an honest one. There was wisdom in gaining intelligence and biding one's time looking for the right moment, but there came a time when a Sith needed to act or risk losing the prize. Right now, while other Sith and Jedi were raiding the tomb, was one of those times.

[member="Tahira Solo"]

The spirit of the Alchemist returned, and perhaps found Tahira still there, if the Force hadn't willed her away yet.

"Was I missed?" He asked, devilish grin on his face.

[member="Micah Talith"]

// Actually, we can figure that out later. Right now can we go do something? Preferably out of this tomb? It's been so long since I've done anything but hibernate. // The sword would continue at Micah's surprise. If prompted for a name it would introduce itself, though would still press to go do anything but sit here. If asked about other treasure in the tomb it would say that there was other stuff lying around here and there, but nothing better than it. Perhaps it was prideful, perhaps it merely wished not to give incentive to stay, or perhaps it didn't really know much about the other artifacts. Whatever the case there was one thing it would be adamant about. // There's nothing here better than me//

 

[Lord Ajihad]

The witch assassin frowned. It wasn't the answer he had hoped for, but it was shared wisdom nonetheless. He would back on to his speeder, allowing the force to guide him to path it felt went the most untouched. He subconsciously pulled a saber from his belt, fingering the ignition button. Whichever path he chose, there was sure to be extreme danger.​

​

He dismounted the vehicle, ensuring that his force presence was concealed. He then peered into a small gap in a cluster of boulders, which to the trained eye revealed a dark tunnel leading straight underground. He crawled inside, opting to not yet let his presence be known by keeping his saber unignited. Instead, his cybernetic eye automatically adjusted to the darkness within. It revealed the tunnel to be long and narrow, so he figured he best get hurrying.​

​

The assassin would take off in a light jog down the considerably cool corridor, his boots making no sound as they padded lightly across the ground.​

​

[member="Valik"]​

 

[Tahira Solo]

[member="Valik"]

A perplexed and surprised look crossed her flickering face. Just before Warren disappeared. She assumed he was more worried about his creation, with Kitt making his sphere of concern only by default, as the bearer. His words and how he said them told otherwise.

How very unlike the Sith Lord alchemist.

And very dangerous for Kitt. Still, a force ghost's influence was certainly limited. In some ways. But not enough to put the healer at ease.

Calm-eyes refocused on the deceased alchemist as he reappeared. "Only as much as usual," she replied to Warren wryly.

"I believe you were discussing my sister and her current circumstance which you deemed necessary to put her in." Ethereal-form floated to a stand. "I'd advise you to stay away from Kitt and any further involvement in her life. As you said, she's strong. I have no doubt she can take care of herself and your..."

Abomination.

"...creation."

The underlying threat was clear.

 

[Valik]

[member="The Gray Assassin"]

The Gray Assassin would sneakily travel through the tomb, coming to an unmarked fork. One looked to contain the goop and glop left by K'lor'slugs, while one held no sight but darkness and the other held a feint, flickering light. He'd avoided trouble thusfar, would his streak of luck continue?

[member="Tahira Solo"]

"Oh? But I was hoping we could play the diathim and the maelibus on her shoulders. Argue with another the merits of good and evil, sway her to our causes." He said, quoting a common holovid trope somewhat sarcastically. Truth be told the thought of such interaction was somewhat bittersweet. Attaching onto Kitt, gently prodding her this way or that, only to feel the spectral wrath of her late sister. Then again, she housed his creation, his masterpiece, his child. How could he not be concerned, or even grateful?

"Did- Did you and Je'gan ever consider having a child?" It was a stranger question perhaps, to ask an enemy, but they were dead. What harm could be done?

 

[Lord Ajihad]

[member="Valik"]​

​

Coming to a fork in the tunnel, Ajihad stopped for a moment and bit his lip. A choice, so it seemed. The left side of the tunnel had streaks of K'lor slug excretions leading down a ways, the other held nothing but a flickering light around a bend in the corridor. The question was, which path would he take?​

​

An experienced assassin, Ajihad knew how to evaluate potentially deadly situations. On his right was a bit of a wild card. Perhaps there was nothing there, just a witch-light flickering from when the tomb was built. However, perhap it was not so innocent. Perhaps whatever fiend laid in the shadows beyond had lit that light. If indeed it had, that would indicate sentience of some sort and it managed to light a fire of sorts. In Ajihad's experience, sentient foes were always more deadly.​

​

On the other hand, with the left side he knew for sure who his foe was. K'lor slugs were territorial creatures, so it was unlikely they would head down a path already inhabited by another beast. The insectoid creatures weren't pretty to look at; but he had faced far more deadly beings in the past. He would head down the left side, opting to face the slugs instead of the unknown.​

 

[Tahira Solo]

[member="Valik"]

She stared at the alchemist in surprise. He switched like swings of a pendulum, from his more familiar, mocking and haughty self, to a man posing the deeper questions. A man worried of loss. A man perhaps a little less selfish because he was thinking of another, living thing. A man with regrets.

She had regrets too.

"He was so much older. I was never ready and...,"voice trailed off. And what? He disappeared for years after they were married. They were constantly in danger from the Sith, imperials, bounty hunters, the choices they made. Had he ever gotten over his first wife? Funny how certain doubts still plagued one in death.

"Look at how we died. A child would've been impossible. And it wouldn't have been fair to leave a child with no parents so young. Between the two of us, Je'gan and I had too many enemies." She gave the alchemist a pointed look.

 

[Valik]

[member="The Gray Assassin"]

The experienced assassin would find no trouble keeping his sight and his sound away from the K'lor'slugs senses, but scent was another matter. As he went deeper and deeper into the tunnel he'd find himself heading to a nest of the creatures, who were only used to the scent of K'lor'slugs, and prey. They'd find him in the latter category. If he somehow managed to hide his scent he'd find a way down past the next and queen, but it would be dangerous. He'd have to be careful.

[member="Tahira Solo"]

Valik frowned. A surprisingly pragmatic response, yet it sounded like she was talking less to him and more to herself. Justifying what she had and hadn't done. Valik's greatest regret was that he couldn't see his creation in the flesh, but Tahira? Perhaps she held on to more. Perhaps that was why she continued to haunt him, before and after his own death.

"I suppose." He replied, not pushing the matter but letting it sit.

"What was your relationship like with your sister?" He let the subject change, moving back to the child and it's future upbringing. "I remember she wished to avenge you. Funny she never discovered my involvement."

 

[Micah Talith]

// Actually, we can figure that out later. Right now can we go do something? Preferably out of this tomb? It's been so long since I've done anything but hibernate. //

It. Kept. TALKING!!!

By now Micah was really creeped out. Not because he was frightened or terrified. But because swords do not talk back!

Which meant that this was no ordinary sword. Already, he could feel the Darkside radiate from the hilt and sting at his hand. It was almost as if it had its own cloud of miasma, and of course, Micah found himself in too deep.

Vexen knew right away that something was wrong. The Defel came bounding over to the Talith, her eyes wide with her fur standing on edge at the scruff of her neck.

“Ah don’t like it!” she told him rather vehemently. However, Micah knew that things were.. Well.. now a little more complicated.

What with that minor inconvenience of that Force Bond.

A voice told Micah that he should put it back, leave it be. Another, much like his father, said that if he left it there, things could go in a direction that would leave it in dangerous hands. This was by far the most saturated Darkside creation he’d ever seen or felt in his life. This was a massive temptation waiting to happen and honestly….

Micah wasn’t so sure if he wanted to leave it behind. There was this tiny little flicker of desire there. He wanted to take it. He wanted to study it. He wanted to learn exactly why it was talking. Who made it??

The why.

The incessant whisper tempting him to just find out why.

That was how the Darkside worked of course. It was a Darkside artifact. It would eventually corrupt. Slowly, over time, as all things of the Dark would. But Micah was young. Micah wasn’t strong enough in the Force to be able to sustain the temptation. His father perhaps; but he had lived centuries and had gone through that temptation -- still struggled with it constantly. For once you tasted the Dark, it would forever be a struggle to not simply sink into its alluring embrace.

Another voice nagged at him that he should still keep looking. If I found THIS sword, imagine the other possibilities...

// There's nothing here better than me//

It read his mind. Already, they were linked. But how far would it go? The inquisitive side of the Talith would only become more intrigued.

“Put it back!” Vexen advised. “Let’s go!”

Vacillating between the decision, Micah bit his lip. He stared down at the hilt, at the blade, at the power that radiated from it. The temptation of knowledge.

And truth be told, regardless of all the lessons, Micah was still inexperienced with life. With the many faces of the Darkside, the Light, and the Force. Flawed with overconfidence and snarky risk behavior where he thought he would be okay. Alright.

I just want to know a little bit more...

“Yeah,” Micah finally said, turning to leave.

“Let’s go.” He led the way.

The sword still in his hand.


[member=Valik]

 

[Tahira Solo]

[member="Valik"]

Lips pursed and her form flickered. She may have gone across the galaxy in that instant. "We were estranged," she stated plainly. Footsteps carried her closer to Valik.

"I never knew of her existence until the moment after death. If I had known, maybe I would've done things...differently."

Shoulders shrugged. Eyes seemed to glow.

"She had the advantage of knowing about me. And no, she didn't know about you. I believe her lead went to Ovmar. When she found out, she left the fringe and never looked back. I'm not sure why she felt betrayed, though. It's not like you all knew we were related."

A transparent hand waved through a dusty, old beaker.

 

[Lord Ajihad]

[member="Valik"]​

​

As the assassin moved further down the tunnel, his cybernetic eye had to adjust more and more to account for the ever-increasing darkness. He had managed to avoid running into any k'lor slugs so far, but his luck would soon run thin.​

​

As he silently crept through a large group of the vile creatures, one suddenly turned its head towards where he was standing. He froze in place, thinking that perhaps he had accidently made some sort of noise. As more of the slugs began tentatively making their way towards his position he began thinking, how did they find him? He was invisible, as well as moving silently. He hadn't run into any of them... his scent. He almost groaned aloud, how had he been so sloppy? The ease of his journey so far had clouded his mind.​

​

His mind raced as they began to close in. How could he take them all without spending copious amounts of time and energy? An idea struck his mind, and he turned off his eye's night vision.​

​

The room exploded with light as the Sith Lord used pyromancy to project a bright ring of flames around himself. The slugs fell back, wailing in agony. They probably had never encountered light in all their lives, much less anything as bright as this. Igniting his two lightsabers, he began to carve his way through the slugs as they thrashed on the ground in unbearable pain.​

​

After what seemed like a hour of fighting waves of slugs that came pouring through the tunnel, the assassin collapsed on the floor. He put the fire out, reactivating the night vision. All around him were the corpses of over one hundred slugs, all of which had heard the commotion he was making and had come to join the melee.​

​

After a few minutes of rest, he continued on. He eventually arrived at a cavern, in the middle of which was the k'lor slug nest. On top of the nest sat what could only be the queen, surrounded by a dozen equally large guard slugs. Ajihad made himself invisible once more, pondering the situation he had gotten himself in to. He could fight the group, but didn't want to waste any more energy if not necessary. Instead, he eyed an egg near one of the walls adjacent to him. Using the force, he crushed the egg with a very loud crunch. Shrieking, the insectoids hurried towards the source of the unsavory noise. As they left the nest, he sprinted across the cavern to an exit on the far side. He would then continue his journey for the lost knowledge of olde.​

 

[Valik]

[member="Micah Talith"]

//Man, you don't know how happy this makes me to leave. Been couped up so long, the old master was a great inventor but not so much a swordsman right? Never really cared about putting me to use, just making the best toy just to make the best toy. Wasteful lout. I have a feeling you and I will get along much better. Anyways, I'm Katan'ari. Translates to Lord of the Blades in some poorly bastardized mix of Asahian and Ancient Sith. The old master though it was funny because he learned part of how to make me from an Asahian bladesmith with a penchant for rhymes. What's your name pal?//

[member="Tahira Solo"]

She had never known.

"I'm sorry." Valik said

For what Valik? Because she never got to meet her sister and you did? Or because you killed her, denying that chance? His mind talked to him, asking why.

She was never the intended target. He thought back, trying to justify.

She was the moment she aided one of your enemies. You know you can't afford to leave family that powerful alone after something like that.

"I'm sorry I killed you, and your husband, and for the chances that I denied you."

[member="The Gray Assassin"]

The distraction was an apt one, giving the Gray Assassin the precious seconds he needed to escape without a fight, without spending more energy. Heading down the stairs he would find a room that looked more a lab than a tomb. Looking through various piles of notes it would become apparent that the host was more an alchemist than a conqueror, but still obviously Sith. One particularly well preserved set of notes would talk about the Stennes Shifter, and how Valik once alchemized a similar ability into a gauntlet, allowing the user to pull the Force from the outside environment and utilize it for their own gains.

Another door would lead farther into the cavern, and perhaps to more adventure and treasure.

 

[Lord Ajihad]

[member="Valik"]​

​

The Demon's Fist entered what at first glance looked to be... a lab? He had expected to find some sort of tomb, maybe containing a powerful Sith sword or gauntlets that could summon a dragon or something. Still, he wasn't disappointed. Ajihad enjoyed the subtle art of science, as he oftentimes liked to experiment and fiddle around in his down time.​

​

As he came across interesting trinkets and notes, he would carefully slip them into his multi-pocketed bag he was wearing on his back. The more valuable-looking notes would put inside his Marauder's bag, one of his favorite alchemized oddities. He came across a particularly interesting few pages that mentioned the ability to alchemize gauntlets that could adsorb the force. Curious.​

​

Knowing he could have spent all day in the subterranean lab, Ajihad forced himself to move on. No doubt the tomb held even more interesting curios as he moved deeper and deeper underground.​

 

[Micah Talith]

[member="Valik"]

This thing was STILL talking.

To a degree, Micah had no clue what to do. He had heard about sentient artifacts before from his uncle Di - and had been warned to leave them the kark alone - but he never actually expected to ever see one, much the less interact with it.

"I ahh..." Micah and Vex were already moving fast back down the corridor towards the checkerboard room. At least, this time, they both knew where to step. Hop-scootch away!

But first, the UV filter.

"I'm Micah," he replied, figuring that if he was already looking silly hopping from one bright colored square to the next. Good thing that the UV filter allowed him to see it -- and Vex -- as she went dashing in front of him. "That's Vex."

"Nice to ahh.. meet you Katan'ari." being the social one he was, Micah was at least courteous enough to do that.

"S-oo... who was your master again?"

Yeah, let's play twenty questions shall we?

 

[Tahira Solo]

[member="Valik"]

She froze. And for a half second, her form almost seemed...solid. Myrtle-ellipses never left the alchemist's face. Death had certainly changed him. Or perhaps it was something else?

"I forgave you a long time ago, Warren Valik. But...that doesn't mean it isn't nice to hear."

Her form stopped near him.

Lips parted as if the master healer wanted to say more, then closed. Quiet-gaze remained on him. "Do not stay here for long. This world eats souls like you and I."

She would leave him with a different kind of warning before her form began to fade.

 

[Julius Sedaire]

[member="Valik"] | [member="Calina Ovmar"] | [member="Velok the Younger"]

Taking care, the former and briefly allied student of the Mad Scientist of the Fringe reached out and with a sharp word tried to bring Calina back to reality and the present. This was not their best time to play with a new pet, and he voiced such concerns whilst his mind flickered about the room. The sith gauntlet from earlier rested inside the maurauders bag from [member="Dissero"], and the sword from the same was strapped to it to alleviate weight concerns, and a battered old tome was opened, whilst he scribbled in it. Whatever the others hadn't taken, he had noted down or copied, and taken originals of. Cautiously he advanced to the creature and nodded, sketching and annotating what he saw and sensed in the grimoire open in his hands.

"My former masters' creations are not ones to take lightly.. And this feels dangerous. It is likely a Force feeding beast, and knowing its' maker, there is a way to make more. If not, then if we take it to my workshop we can together we three work on unraveling its' making and use my cloning facilities...We should perhaps be journeying further in. If you believe you can control the beast woman, I will free it. If it goes mad, I will kill it and likely make you wish you shared its' fate for the annoyance. Make your decision, and let us be onward...."

 

[Valik]

[member="The Gray Assassin"]

The Gray Assassin would continue on, until reaching a two-way fork. One path was marked "Cage Two" while the other was marked "B1". Both paths had some minor Sithspawn along the way, Tuk'ata and the like, but nothing the Gray Assassin couldn't handle.

[member="Micah Talith"]

//I reckon that's you now, eh Micah?// The Sword replied mentally, while letting off something that resembled a chuckle. //But I guess you're asking about my maker. A fellow named Warren. Skinny little Kiffar that only knew the difference between the edge and hilt of a sword in an academic sense. I won't say he wasn't a good builder, because I'm some pretty tough stuff, but I don't think he was much a fighter. More of a guy who'd trick you or turn the edge of your boots into glue than a guy who'd come up and beat you with strength or technique.//

[member="Calina Ovmar"] [member="Ostanes"]

(NPCing [member="Velok the Younger"] with permission)

Calina would be filled with visions of the main lab, a complex with arrayed with a half-dozen spaarti cylinders, some datacrons, and what looked like a tesseract of a holocron. It seemed to be the memory of the Sand Kraker, where it was born. Overall the beast itself was very receptive to Calina's will, as if it were born to be influenced and commanded through the Force. Perhaps a shock trooper Valik made for just in case.

"I don't think the beast will be a problem. The biggest issue we'll have is determining it's ownership when we get out of here. For the moment though, I'd think it's time to press on and see what else we can find."

'Cage Three' didn't seem to have another exit aside from the one they came. The most obvious path to continue would be to backtrack and head towards main.

[member="Tahira Solo"]

The Jedi told him he was forgiven, and then faded away. Perhaps it was time for him to do the same. If he waited here perhaps he could talk the scavengers out of taking the datacron, but on the other hand if they found his spirit bound to this room they'd know something in here was valuable. Decisions decision, what to do? At least he had a little more time before they'd get there.