His boot snapped over a dry branch, the sound echoing through the jungle brush.
Just then, Kathryn were sure they had lost the moment of surprise, as the distinguished Jedi
Master made a careless step that handed the pirates their position on a silver platter.
It's probably an animal. No need to comm it in before I check. "Let's check it out. Don't wanna bother the cap'n if it's just one of those cat-things." The other man hesitated but acquiesced after Kal planted the idea of an unarmed archaeologist in his mind. There was nothing to be afraid of; no need to call for assistance and risk appearing a coward.
A silent sigh of relief left her lips, as she heard that the pirates kept the possibility of the sound originating from an animal open. Even if they haven't heard more than two voices, there could be more around. Stars know if they have just stumbled into a pirates lair. The Alliance outpost could have been destroyed a long time ago, for all they knew. They had a lot to find out before they could leave Rakata Prime, that was for sure, and Kath was dying to examine the recently discovered ruins of the ancient species.
The aural amplifiers built into her helmet helped her to keep track of the pirates while staying out of sight. She tried to make out their numbers and which way they were going. Something else were approaching the two groups soon to find eachother. Something that didn't sound like a pair of pirate boots. Something that had an eery low growling sound to its breath.
"Nobody move," Captain Drake said slowly.
Out of the jungle stalked a carnivorous acklay. Many jagged teeth glistened in its mouth. Atlas could not tell if the monstrous creature was hunting them or the pirates. He suspected it did not matter.
Good idea, captain. Good kriffing idea.
The pirate threat suddenly didn't seem that intimidating no more. Now, they had to prove what this expedition were made of in firepower and cooperation in combat.
The barrel of her rifle shifted a few degrees up, then she fired. Three bolts flew out. One nailed the acklay in its right eye. It roared, and reared back in rage.
"Colonel Foster! We're abandoning ship. Get everyone moving now!"
''Thought you'd never ask, captain!'' she shouted back and threw a quick glance on a holographic map of the area. The direction of said ruins were their best shot. Now, they only had to hope that the ruins weren't infested by pirates aleary, or worse.
''Outbound Flight - on me!''
From behind the tree, Foster took a quick peek on the chaos unfolding before them as the pirates scattered and one of them being foolish enough to shoot at it and thus anger it more. The quicker they were out of here, the better, she thought. Before she abandoned her position, she made sure that
Chanoel Farver
had enough time to get off the roof of the crashed shuttle.
The tall grass and dense jungle terrain could ruin the day for any orienteer and made it hard to see what was right in front of you. Their options were very limited though, and the Acklay seemed more angry and alive now then ever. As soon as it was done with the pirates, the risk were that it would probably remember from which direction the bolt that took its eye came from.
Grass and bushes gave way for their boots, Foster taking the lead as instructed. Seconds seemed like hours in this terrain, and weren't if for the vibroblade now buzzing close to her throat and made her stop in her tracks and freeze, she could have continued many hours more. A pirate, probably escaped from the pincers of the Acklay and having been observant enough to note that the bolt didn't came from themselves.
''Uhm, captain...?'' Foster gulped, as she slowy and carefully lowered her carbine and looked the man in the eye. Obedient to his wishes for her to surrender, yet with a glow of defiance in the colonels gaze. ''If you ask me... A smart man wouldn't use that... Then you got nothing to bargain with...'' she almost whispered, while fighting a battle of gazes with the cowardly man in front of her.
Kal
Gabriel Pryce
Kathryn Foster
Okkeus Dainlei
