What Could Not Be Seen.

[Darth Ferus]

The Taozin. Giant insectoids that could hide their very presence in the Force itself and slip away unnoticed by most. They were fearsome in this, able to sneak up on many despite their large size, and ensnare their prey in sticky webs. They resisted most forms of energy weaponry on top of this, and could take several blows from even blunt trauma before dying.

A perfect target to gauge the skills of his new apprentices, as well as check how rusted his droid may have become after all this time. Darth Ferox stood within a simple freighter, dressed in his casual mercenary clothing. Streaks of light passed by the windows as he and his followers traveled through Hyperspace to their destination. There was rumor of an invisible worm terrorizing a local village on Nal Hutta, and the Zabrak was certain on what it was.

His acolytes and his droid, where ever they were on this ship, would hear a simple beep over the intercom. Ferox was calling them to the center room, by where the local map would be displayed on the holoterminal. Once they all arrived, their mission would finally be explained.

[member="Bitis123"] [member="DHK-51"] [member="Orion Darkstar"]

 

[DHK-51]

DHK had missed it's master. It's programming hadn't allowed it to find a new one since it's old master disappeared. But now, the two of them, plus some cannon fodder, would hunt down a fearsome creature. It stood by a window, near the back of the ship, the blue light of hyperspace reflecting off of it's shiny grey body. Though the lights were on in the ship, the piercing orange 'eyes' of the droid were no less intimidating.

The beeping of the intercom alerted DHK of it's master's request for all the members of the hunt to assemble in centre room. DHK headed there promptly, not wishing for it's master to become angry at it. The clanking of the droid's feet could be heard well before it could be seen, and upon reaching the door, it would speak.

"Statement: I have arrived master, as you requested. Query: Must we bring the other meatbags with us? Surely they would only serve to slow us down?"

[member="Darth Ferox"] [member="Bitis123"] [member="Orion Darkstar"]

 

[Talis Jzora]

Talis stared at his newly acquired Sith sword with great distate. He grew up and trained using lightsabers, not these primitive weapons. Talis's train of thought was interrupted by his new Sith Master over the intercom. He was only half listening but could tell he needed to get to the center room for the briefing of their new mission. As he entered the room, he realized the bizarreness of the group that his master had assembled. A Zabrak Sith Lord, HK Assain droid and two masked sith acolytes were assembled to hunt some worm or something. He really needed to pay more attention.....

"Statement: I have arrived master, as you requested. Query: Must we bring the other meatbags with us? Surely they would only serve to slow us down?". Talis glanced at the droid, it was a nuiscance and he wished his master had not brought this thing along. However, his master must have brought the droid along for a reason.....

[member="Darth Ferox"] [member="DHK-51"] [member="Orion Darkstar"]

 

[Orion Darkstar]

Orion was no longer the shell of a pathetic man, he was reborn anew, his steps ever closer to the truth he sought in the darkside of the force. He had been misled by his own emotions, something that could fuel his desire to become strong. Orion's failure was a simple tool now and the Kovani line that once shackled him down, was no more. He had wiped away the legacy with a swift thought. A tender step still residing in his mind. Regardless, he was still willing to accept his choice, thus granting him his new name.

Orion Darkstar

The name sank deep into his mind. It had a nice ring to it and rolled off the tongue. He was pleased with his new label. Of course, his name had to become something more than just what people called him. It had to become known, unforgotten to others that walked among him. He would do this in time, if it let him.

The ship bucked slightly as the streaks of white stars zipped past the thick, wide window in his room. His quarters on the ship were shanty, unfit for a potential lord, but his master had little time to prepare. While it bothered him slightly, Orion knew things would change and earning his right of a more capable room on his master's ship would soon be one of them. He was told to wait and wait he did. The hyperspace movement forced him to lightly tap the glass until a sudden electronic beep came to him. A green blinking light signifying his presence was needed.

His mask and robes were left in his room as he rounded the corner for the middle of the ship. His long black hair and black tank top revealed his youth. His arms were tone and around his neck was a brown scarf or what looked like one. His pale complexion showed the roots of his Zelosian biology, the darkside had not tainted him quite yet. At his side rested the sith sword and hilt to his saber. Covering his legs were black pants and his feet black boots. Orion's skinny stature was a facade, he was more than capable of putting up a good fight. His composition was built for speed and soon it would be displayed. Turning toward the other three in the room he smiled, his green eyes fixated on the snarky droid.

"Master, must we bring the scrap metal along?" Orion had spoken out of line, but he continued. "Won't the heap of junk just disappoint everyone?" Orion's tone was sarcastic and rude.

Looking to the cloaked figure near him he shifted his gaze back to [member="Darth Ferox"]. Orion had to prove himself, that much was clear.

The hunt would soon begin and Orion refused to be the prey.

[member="DHK-51"] | [member="Bitis123"]

 

[DHK-51]

"Threat: Carefully meatbag, I have no problem reducing you to dust if needed. Unlike our master, I have no use for you." The droid spoke bluntly, caring little for the thoughts and feelings of anyone but his master.

"Reassurance: That goes for you as well, meatbag number 2." This was in reference to the other Sith acolyte, who stood silent and judging. DHK's programming was set to invoke anger in the two young Sith, so that they could be more powerful, and by extent useful to the Sith Lord. It was the best way to train young Sith, showing them early on to embrace their emotions to channel the dark side. And DHK had been constructed with that in mind.

[member="Darth Ferox"] - [member="Bitis123"] - [member="Orion Darkstar"]

 

[Sek Kali]

She had been initially sitting near the holoterminal during the silence of the ride, looking bored while quietly assembling and then disassembling her weapon again and again in anticipation. Putting the DLT-19 together one final time, she'd rise to her feet and sling the weapon over her shoulder. Today was going to be the start of a rather intriguing mission, a hunt, or whatever else it could be called by the galactic citizens. A unique prey no less, one which she knew little of, but had no dream of acknowledging whatever dangers it posed- it was to die, it would die, there was no other way, or so the Trandoshan would believe. Once the doors opened Sek would look much more alive, standing straight and observing the oncoming allies that were being brought along.

Hearing the discussion and the droid's threat, she gave a smile, "Nice." Sek thought "Plenty of aggression for when the time for killing comes around."

[member="DHK-51"] [member="Orion Darkstar"] [member="Bitis123"] [member="Darth Ferox"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

"You both may continue your aggression towards each other some other time." As Ferox spoke, he turned his gaze to each of the three. They would all see this wasn't a suggestion. It was an order. "You will all be working together to kill one of these Taozin, and it would be wise to assume your lives will rest in the hands of the other. And before you get any ideas on killing off your rivals, or nuances, what ever happens to one of you, happens to all. I will see to it myself." Ground rules were always needed this early into Sith training. Most would try to kill one another from a sense of pride.

That was not the Assassin way.

With his rules out he turned his gaze to [member="Sek Kali"] , the hired help. Trandoshan's were natural hunters, and she would be able to see what those such as the Sith could not. Invaluable. "The same of course, goes with her. But only one way. She is our honored guest, should she fall to harm I will hold you all responsible. Your job is to keep her alive while we hunt the Taozin, and to kill the beast when we find it. The beast is translucent, and invisible to the Force. You will do as she says, for she will most likely know where it is before we do. Understood?"

 

[DHK-51]

DHK went completely silent after it's master's order, not wishing to be permaturly deactivated for disobeying. Falling out of favour with one's master was never a good thing for a droid to do. It listened carefully, storing the information and registering the movement of the trandoshan behind it. Natural hunters, and probably the only one apart from it's master that DHK would show even an inkling of care about.

"Apology: Sorry master, I shall work with the meatbags as best I can." Turning to look at the hulking figure positioned behind it. "Query: Have you hunted anything like this before scalebag?"

[member="Sek Kali"] - [member="Darth Ferox"] - [member="Orion Darkstar"] - @Bitis123

 

[Sek Kali]

There was a chuckle following after the droid's chatter, it was her no doubt, a Trandoshan hiss following at the end of it, a very gleeful hiss if one could ever hear the glee in such a inhuman noise. However, any entertainment seemed gone from her voice, treating the question seriously though with an assured tone "No, I haven't hunted any Taozin before, though if it is as smart and dangerous as its made out to be, then it shouldn't be any different than hunting any other feral-like sentient creature. If it knows we're after it and tries to escape, it'll be haphazard and leave a trail of...well, whatever it happens to spew out. And if it doesn't know we're coming, then we'll have an even easier time. Even easier if we walk straight into a trap it set up thinking we'd be easy prey, in which case we'd all be up close to it rather soon, then we just need to kill it."

The edges of her mouth would pull back, exposing a bit of the Trandoshan's teeth as she gave off her own alien version of a smile "It'll be an experience to remember for all of us, I'm sure." before taking a single step back and letting any more talk continue after. There'd be a quick glance to each of the other individuals in the room, a mere blink of the eyes had her pupil switch from one individual to the next, memorizing what she could in an instant. A mere observation would be kindly putting how the thoughts were being drawn out- these glances were taking note of any weapon, physical status or signs of force sensitivity were of much more interest. And so it seemed everyone else involved in this trip- well, minus herself and the droid -were force sensitive, or so one could assume from the weaponry. Another smile was held back as her mind thought freely once more "Interesting composition, I wonder how they fight?"

[member="DHK-51"] [member="Darth Ferox"] [member="Orion Darkstar"] [member="Bitis123"]

 

[Orion Darkstar]

He lifted his hand into the air and wove it through his lengthy black hair. His normal attire was no more, instead he was weightless, his body unhindered from the possessions of his father. It matters little now, being in the service to a Sith Lord, who he hadn't quite known much about. it was a distasteful fact, given [member="Darth Ferox"], knew him more than he knew himself. It took a long time to reach where he was at and while most of his adventures up to this point meant little, he would rise from the ashes of his mistakes. The Mission to kill a Taozin, wasn't easy, but it would provide for him. It would allow Orion to show not only his master, but those around him, what he was capable of, if anything. Although Orion was a wise individual for his age, even he had questions that needed to be answered. Being on only one hunt before, he had little practice in such activity that the group of misfits were about to embark on.

Over the course of the past few nights he had studied hard. Mainly on what they were going to hunt, the Taozin. Orion had read page after page on the creatures’ biology. While there wasn't much, the notes left behind by those devoted to the darkside before them gave enough information to Orion that made him feel prepared.

"No, I haven't hunted any Taozin before, though if it is as smart and dangerous as its made out to be, then it shouldn't be any different than hunting any other feral-like sentient creature."

He heard the newcomer speak, as soon as the hissing speech reached his ears he knew exactly what he was dealing with. A Trandoshan, just like the one he met on Ossus. He lifted his head and looked at the beast with respect, if she was anything like the monster he encountered a little while back, she would be vital to the mission. Regardless, even if she wasn't as refined as [member="Causstik Rahn"] she was still a Trandoshan. Orion knew more than anyone what they were capable of.

"You say it will be like a feral creature? Per the books..." He paused looking to the droid. "Yes, I do read." He smiled and continued. "The Taozin will make it difficult for us…force sensitive type. The last time I knew most feral creatures couldn't shoot webbing to trap their prey and have blaster and lightsaber resistant shells on their backs. I'm not doubting your skill, I've seen your kind in action, but I feel approaching the Taozin like any other cat, would be unwise."

Orion reached for the sith sword that Ferox had provided beforehand. He unsheathed it from its ancient protector and grinned.

"[member="Sek Kali"] was it? If I were you, I'd aim for the stomach with something sharp like this." He waved the blade back and forth before sliding it back into its protective sheathe.

He didn't doubt the hunter's skills, but he would be damned, if he let someone get the other killed. It was a team exercise. Which meant babysitting, lots and lots of babysitting...

[member="DHK-51"] | [member="Talis Jzora"] |

 

[Darth Ferus]

"Orion is correct. Energy based weapons do not work on it's hide. But don't be fooled. Slug Throwers and Sith Swords still won't have an easier time puncturing it's hide." [member="Orion Darkstar"] had done his homework. Good. The Zabrak turned to the holoterminal behind him, slipping a datadisk into the machine. A display of the village they were going to came up. The display itself was flat, showing only the buildings, roads, and tunnels within. "The Taozin enjoy darker places, and as such I believe they will be located in one of these tunnels that go along the bottom." A red finger pointed to one.

"They're intricate, and have many dead ends. They use to be catacombs, but something recently moved in driving the locals out. They will be greeting us assuming we are bounty hunters. We will let them assume as such, but once we have slain the beast, the village must burn. No one can know we were there, and we will leave none there alive to tell our tale."

[member="DHK-51"] [member="Talis Jzora"] [member="Sek Kali"]

 

[Talis Jzora]

Talis decided not to interject into their conversation and continued to absorb this new information. To hunt the Taozin would be a challenge even equipped with his new Sith Sword. However, the slaughter of the villagers unsettled him, Talis continued to hide his inner doubts about this mission. Was it truly necessary? The killing of the villagers would be a nsty business, he casually glanced towards [member="Darth Ferox"], perhaps this was a test of its own. He was determined to prove his self-worth and competence again. As for the villagers.....Talis held a great deal of reservations about this senseless and violent act. His anticipation and excitement quickly grew into a grim determination.

[member="DHK-51"] [member="Sek Kali"] [member="Darth Ferox"] [member="Orion Darkstar"]

 

[DHK-51]

DHK listened to it's master, and recorded what the other's had to say. The acolyte was right, aiming for the stomach would cause the most damage, though an incendiary grenade swallowed by the create would probably also do the trick. Highly unlikely, mind you, but that doesn't mean it wasn't a option should the time present itself.

"Statement: Killing the villagers will be advantageous, and would make good use of my programming master." It said, before looking at Darkstar. "Statement: The creature will be invisible to you meatbag, gives you even more reason to look after myself and the trandoshan."

[member="Darth Ferox"] - [member="Sek Kali"] - [member="Orion Darkstar"] - [member="Talis Jzora"]

 

[Sek Kali]

There was a "Hmph." toward Orion as he informed her of the Taozin's durability- unable to be pierced by blaster fire, as well as masking its presence from the force? It sounded unbelievable to encounter something this rare, which was all the more motivation to find this beast and eliminate it. Continuing to listen, her eyes would focus on the blade, almost seeming hypnotized by it. An adequate weapon no doubt, especially considering it was quite unlike any typical vibroblade, all the more fascinating and desirable. But once it was sheathed, the Trandoshan would be broken from her thoughts of admiration, turning to look at the map and listening once more, this time to the plan being told. There was no visable reaction, nothing to be said nor protested about, Sek merely nodding at the plans of slaughter which they were to commit.

It wasn't anything pleasant to comply with though, not that the killing itself was an issue as Trandoshans often welcomed it, but to kill with no warning nor letting the village be armed for a challenging fight felt dishonorable to her. "It'll be quick." the words echoed through her mind, soothing any feeling of doubt "The honorable kill, the true prey, it comes later."

[member="DHK-51"] [member="Talis Jzora"] [member="Krest"] [member="Orion Darkstar"]

 

[Orion Darkstar]

"They're intricate, and have many dead ends. They use to be catacombs, but something recently moved in driving the locals out. They will be greeting us assuming we are bounty hunters. We will let them assume as such, but once we have slain the beast, the village must burn. No one can know we were there, and we will leave none there alive to tell our tale."

The words sank into his mind like a rattling knife banging against his brain. The sharp irritation made him twitch lightly at the thought. He had killed innocents before, but not for such a lowly purpose. This was new for a sith even of his criminal level. An entire village meant something much more, it was a understandable move, in fact, something about the order made Orion feel excited. Deep in him hid a monster, a monster caged by the brittle chains that would eventually be worn down by his master, Darth Ferox. Time would tell if killing in such a monumental manner would be a normality for him, regardless an order was an order.

Orion Darkstar was a servant to the darkside and as someone willing to take the proper steps to gain, what he lacked, the village would burn. The whole concept was more than it seemed, it was a necessary precaution, one that Orion felt was acceptable. While still unsure about the moral compass of his own and how it would personally affect him, they needed to bury their tracks from pestering Jedi. His mind pictured a blazing fire, the roar of its clutches teasing him with warmth. He glanced off into his own world, images of a slaughter soon to come. Snapping back into reality he looked at his comrades and with a wicked smile...he knew,

The monster within him was growing and the distant whispers of the darkside made him feel right at home.

[member="DHK-51"] | [member="Talis Jzora"] | [member="Krest"] | [member="Sek Kali"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

"I will suggest that all of you make sure the villagers deaths are quick and clean. Make it look like pirates ran through, but do not let any of them suffer. Their deaths serve to keep our secrets. Understood?" Such was the life of an Assassin after all. Covering tracks to make sure there were no loose ends. [member="Orion Darkstar"] , [member="DHK-51"] , [member="Sek Kali"] , and [member="Talis Jzora"] would feel the starship lurch out of hyperspace, and through the window they would be able to see the destined planet.

"We will be landing in two minutes." SK-22, the droid pilot, called out over the intercom. With a grim look the Zabrak nodded. "Gear up and be ready to move out. Remember, we're bounty hunters. Don't go crazy with the Force until we find the beast." He was of course already ready to go. Asides from his own Sith Sword and the gun on his hip, he didn't carry much. "Landing engaged."

The dull thud of the ship touching down signaled that the group had arrived. To the ramp the Lord went, assuming the others would follow behind. Upon exit, the troupe would be met by the village elder, an Evocii. "It is good to see you made it. Several of our people have gone missing, and panic has begun to set in. I apologize for the lack of formality, but time is of the essence."

 

[Sek Kali]

To finally leave the ship's metal interior into the more colorful (if more dangerous) atmosphere of Nal Hutta provided much needed adrenaline. A jolt of energy surged through her, a need to move about, it wasn't long before she'd lift her feet and drift over to the nearest window once the ship left hyperspace. While observing their oncoming destination, she'd nod, listening to Ferox speak and clarify on the removal of the village. Nal Hutta was a place of familiarity, of crime and the lowlife style that so commonly followed Sek's occupations, it felt welcoming to some degree, though that by no means removed the paranoia or alertness needed on such a seedy planet such as it. As the ship began to breach the planet's atmosphere the Trandoshan would remove herself from the window, taking hold of the DLT-19 so commonly carried and made her way to the exit.

Once the ship had landed, opened it's doors and Ferox departed, the Trandoshan followed, casually holding her weapon with a relaxed posture. She'd breathe the air, the rot and pollution of it was felt creeping its way into her lungs slowly, there was a pain, but it faded. While the Evocii spoke, Sek kept her eyes all over the environment, seeming distracted as the scenery was studied, pupils darting to spot the slightest movement other than the local villagers.

[member="Krest"] [member="Orion Darkstar"] [member="DHK-51"] [member="Talis Jzora"]