Myrkr is a dangerous world for nearly all sentients. Although once settled by the Neti, it has long since evolved from those days. The flora of Myrkr has a high metal-count, making it easy to hide from sensors and the perfect spot to set-up a pirate base or other criminal operation. What also made this world perfect for all manner of seedy individuals is the presence of ysalamiri—creatures with the ability to neutralize the Force.

The ysalamiri are located deep within the forests of Myrkr, where you have also found yourself. They have evolved the ability to make a bubble that excludes the Force to protect themselves from dangerous predators called vornskrs. These dangerous, canine-like predators hunt using the Force, and as such are highly attracted to anything that is Force-sensitive.

The forests of Myrkr are not for the faint-of-heart. It was used by the Yuuzhan Vong to create monstrosities, and continues to be utilized by the seedier elements of the galaxy. The dangers that lurk under the shadowy canopy cannot be underestimated. Not even the Force can protect you from the dangers of the forest.

You stand seemingly alone in a small clearing. Though you can feel the Force at the moment, you know that not far from this clearing, many of Myrkr’s horrors lie – including the Force-negating ysalamiri – can easily be found… You quickly realize this clearing won’t be safe for long as you sense you are not alone.

Kordath Bleu stared at the bright and sunny sky that stood above him, framed along one edge of his vision by some kind of green, leafy trees. Blinking a few times, he groaned and sat up clutching his head in shaking hands. As the headache and waves of nausea poured off the Ryn he felt his stomach contract a few times, but found no relief. Grasping weakly for the means to purge his system, Kordath felt himself flooded by the Force and fell back with a gasp into the grass covered surface. A few moments later a silhouette blocked out a portion of the bright blue sky and spoke down to the Krath.

“Are you finally awake, little man? Come on then, we’ve got work to do,” came the voice, every syllable thundering in the Priest’s skull. He really needed to practice his healing abilities more, the need to toss up was gone but the headache remained. And he felt drained; for a moment he wondered how long he’d been asleep in this apparent clearing in the woods.

“Right, course, I’m up luv,” grumbled the Krath, slowly getting to his feet and squinting at his apparent companion. First were the icey blue eyes, that sent a shiver down the Ryn’s spine. The rest of her face complimented the piercing gaze well, he decided with a slight mental leer. She gave him a thin lipped look, not quite scorn but…Ah poodoo.

“Keep your eyes on the job, Bleu, we’ve got a squad to track down,” she said, irritation coloring her words slightly.

“Right, the squad,” he started, “No, wait, what? What squad? Who are you? And where are...oh, I’m wearing my pants, that’s good.”

“Is that unusual?”

“Well when my head feels like this I usually have lost some article of clothing the night before.”

The woman gave a visible shudder as she turned to scan the treeline, a heavy pack slung across her shoulder. “You really don’t recall. Amazing, you didn’t seem quite that drunk last night when you approached offering your aid in this mission.”

Kordath stood dumbfounded for a moment, “I offered to help? Is this something dangerous?”

“You do realize where we are, right?”

“I dunno, somewhere outside of Estle City? That’s where I was drinking last night…”

“We’re on Myrkr, Kordath.”

“So yeah, dangerous. Who are we looking for?”

“The DIA sent a squad of operatives out here to make a deal with a pirate group. Arcona needs supplies they can provide, you know how it works living in a shadow economy at times. Or at least you claimed to last night.”

“And this squad...gone dark? And what else did I say I was good at last night?” The Ryn was feeling light headed on top of his headache. Nothing about this was looking like a good day.

The Human female turned to him, arching one white eyebrow, “Things that don’t bear repeating in the daytime, to say the least. You volunteered to help me on this mission, the shuttle left ten minutes ago and won’t return until I signal it. And we’re not signalling the shuttle until we’ve found the squad, one way or another.”

“So...shut up and help, huh? Obviously I thought chatting you up was a good idea, which fits. I tend to find myself hitting on incredibly dangerous women when I’m deep in the sauce, so can I have the pleasure of at least knowing your name, Lady?”

The Human’s gaze narrowed on the Ryn as an awkward moment passed in silence. Without saying a word she approached her comrade and brought a hand up to gently move his head from side to side while maintaining unflinching eye contact. Kordath didn’t resist but managed to speak with a Human hand holding his chin. “So, normally I buy a lady a drink before she gets in my face like this.”

The Mandalorian rolled her eyes as she released her grip and reached into her backpack. “Fool. I was examining you.” She produced a canteen and tossed it at the Ryn. “Here, drink this. I don’t know your species’ physiology that well, but your bloodshot eyes tell me you’re still dehydrated.”

Kordath took a swig from the canteen. “You wouldn’t happen to have anything for a splitting headache in that bag of yours?” The Mandalorian silently tossed him a small plastic bag with two white pills inside, which she clearly had ready knowing he’d need them. The Ryn took both pills with another gulp of water and stowed the canteen. “Thanks...um, I never did get your name.”

The Human did not break her focus on the path ahead to deliver her matter of fact reply. “Luna of Clan Okami, not ‘cougar’, ‘pretty lady’, ‘silver fox’ or any of the other rude names you were calling me last night.”

Kordath laughed awkwardly. “Uh, yeah I tend to get a little carried away while drinking.”

“So I noticed.” Luna turned to face the Ryn, “You’re lucky I needed you for this mission otherwise you have more than a splitting headache right now.” Her tone remained nonchalant and flat as a slight smile crept over her face, “I’ve put men in body casts for giving similar offense.”

“Lucky me, I guess.” The Priest’s eyes grew wide for a moment as he desperately wanted to change the subject. “So, is there anything else you can tell me about this mission?”

Luna knelt down at the edge of the clearing they had been standing in, examining the mouth of a path that lead toward their objective. She did not break her focus as she replied, “You needn't fear me Bleau, so long as you refrain from making vulgar passes at me. I am Mando’ad, not some common whore.”

“Duly noted,” He stated with some degree of relief.

“As for the mission, the pirate encampment is two clicks east of here. Any group that can capture a squad of DIA operatives is fairly dangerous.”

“So what’s the plan for us getting inside?”

“That’s where you come in. You’re going to find a way inside the camp and confirm the presence of the prisoners. Once that’s done, we’ll call in reinforcements to extract them.”

The Ryn hesitated, “Um, I don’t know if-”

Luna cut him off. “You claimed you could slip into any secure area, or was that drunken boasting?” She walked up to Kordath and placed a hand on his shoulder. “There is a squad of Arconans out there depending on us, now isn’t the time for doubt. The Shadow Lady sent you to help me for a reason.”

“She did?”

“She holo’d ahead before you met up with me at the cantina. She said you’re the best, but that you might need a little encouragement.”

The Ryn relaxed a bit as his confidence rose. “Sounds like her.”

Luna removed her hand from Kordath’s shoulder and pulled out her sniper rifle. She patted the rifle for emphasis, “You aren’t going in alone, I’ll have your back. You’re Arconan, now find some backbone and act like it! The lives of your brothers and sisters depend on it.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Kordath was starting to miss the clearing, after half an hour of trudging through the woods he’d come to a conclusion about Myrkr. It was boring. Trees...more trees…..a rock...more bleeding trees. Grumbling to himself and occasionally stumbling over roots hidden by brush, the Ryn was miserable. It was far too warm to be wandering about in Jedi robes, bugs seemed to be taking a liking to him, and for some reason he kept feeling as if he was being watched. The Krath shook his head after glancing around again, wondering if he’d finally drank so much the night before that he’d broken something in his head.

“Can you make more noise? I thought you were stealthy, Kordath.”

“Hey, you give me a spaceport or a city, I’ll sneak around all day for ya, luv. This great outdoors isn’t really my bag, ya know? All I see are trees, more trees, a rock, something hairy four legged beast with a tail and teeth as long as my bloody fingers what the kark is that, Luna?”

The Ryn had stopped a few feet ahead of the Mandoa woman, natural instincts leading to him bending slightly at the knees as he tried to fight down the reflex to run. Whatever it was that was staring at him was growling and showing off some very, very impressive fangs. Reaching slowly for one of the knives tucked into his sash, the Priest swallowed the lump in his throat and tried to focus. If he could sense what the beast did first he’d have a chance at….at….

What the hells? Why can’t I feel it? Why can’t I feel anything!?

A growl reached the Krath’s ears in time for him to shake off his panic, diving to the side as the beast sprang towards him. The Ryn scrambled to his feet and spun to face the animal, which seemed to be circling the Priest.

“It’s trying to separate us,” spoke Luna, almost off handedly as she slung her rifle over her shoulder and pulled her pistol from it’s holster. “The pack has been sniffing us out for the last mile or so, they must think you’re the weaker of the two of us.”

“They have incredibly good instincts then,” muttered the Ryn, clutching his knife. Glancing at the Obelisk, he noted her head was cocked to the side, listening intently. “Luuuna….”

“Oh don’t worry, just don’t let it bite you, vornskr bites are nasty and I’d rather save the bandages for the rescue. Even as inebriated as you were last night you were able to show off how quick you were.”

Kordath stopped circling for a moment, giving the woman a look, “Did I get in a fight last night? Oh blast!”

The Ryn fell backwards as the vornskr pounced. Kordath’s knee shot up as the beast came down, shutting the animal’s jaw shut with a loud popping sound. Surprised at how well that had gone, the Priest took advantage of the vornskr’s temporary daze by driving his knife into the beast’s neck. It snarled in pain, snapping at the Ryn as the sound of blaster fire filled the forest. Pulling the blade out, Kordath dodged his head to the side as the vornskr went for his face, and stabbed it again. Using his off hand, the Ryn pushed back at the beast’s head as it snapped at him again.

Grunting as the creature clawed at his robes and levered more of it’s weight upon the pinned Ryn. Kordath felt pressure in his chest as his breath grew labored, the creature’s growls filling his ears as blood dripped from its wounds onto the Priest’s face. Suddenly the weight was gone as the vornskr slumped sideways with a whine, it’s body heaving once before going still. Kordath took a few shuddering breaths, blinking the blood from his eyes before pushing himself up to a sitting position.

A smoking crater was in the side of the beast, and Luna was holstering her pistol and approaching the fallen Ryn.

“How many times did you have to fire before you bloody hit the thing, woman?”

“Pardon?” responded the Mandoa, her tone growing cold.

“I heard you fire that blaster at least four times, how bad a shot are you?” The Ryn grumbled as he stood up, before noting the smell of cooked meat that seemed to permeate the air. Turning, he saw the rest of the pack of vornskrs, and felt like an idiot. “Oh.”

“You seemed to be doing just fine, besides you could use a scar or two,” spoke the Obelisk, placing a hand on his shoulder to turn him to face her. “My, it did bleed quite a bit didn’t it?”

Before the Priest could reply, Luna pulled a piece of cloth from somewhere and spat on it. Confused and still slightly winded, Kordath began to sputter in indignation as she took the hanky and started cleaning bloody from his face.

“I..what...why are you…”

“Tsk, all over you, none of it seems to be yours though, come on we’ve got a lot of ground to cover still.”

Kordath watched as the woman took the lead, still unable to put his embarrassment into words.

The pair continued for what felt like an eternity to Kordath. The Ryn wasn’t quite conditioned for such a long nature walk, especially while he was nursing a nasty hangover. This was about the time he’d start drinking again to stave off said hangover, only he doubted Luna had a flask in that pack of hers. Not to mention that he had just come mere millimeters from becoming Vornskr kibble. He made a mental note to never drink with a Mandalorian again.

The Priest remained dutifully quiet as they progressed deeper into the forest, not wanting to tempt fate again with the local predators. His train of thought was interrupted by Luna giving the signal to halt and crouching down behind a nearby tree. The Ryn scurried up to the tree and crouched down to see what the deal was.

Luna peered around the tree, down the path ahead. “Do you feel that?”

Kordath had absolutely no idea what the Mando was on about. “Um, no.”

“Exactly. There is a gigantic void in the Force ahead; that’s probably their encampment, and they probably have Ysalamiri strategically placed to avoid detection or attack by Force users.”

This fact was hardly reassuring to the Priest. An enemy that was expecting you never was. “And that’s a good thing?”

The Obelisk smiled, “For an ordinary Force user, no. However, we aren’t ordinary Force users, are we?”

Giant red lights and alert sirens began going off in the Ryn’s brain, “Whoa, I don’t know what I might have told you last night when I was drunk, but-” Luna cut him off.

“I mean that you and I do not rely on the Force as much as those who have had the ability to use it most of their lives. I fought in many wars and mercenary engagements before learning to touch the Force, and you, well, claimed you ‘didn’t need some fancy space magic’ to take care of yourself.”

Kordath let out a nervous chuckle. “I said that?” Luna nodded in the affirmative. “Oh wow, well, I, uh, guess that’s true. Ish.”

Luna turned and placed a hand on the Priest’s shoulder in a reassuring manner. “Look, I can’t do this without you. I need you, and the Shadow Lady needs you to complete this mission. Can we count on you?”

The thought of Atyiru gave the Ryn some measure of what was possibly terror-inspired courage, though he was still longing to find a soft, dark place to sleep this hangover off. He didn’t believe that such a capable warrior would need him for anything but he was here and it wasn’t like there was anyone else around to take care of the mission. Plus, it just wasn’t right to leave womens behind. He exhaled deeply in resignation. “Um, yeah, you can count on me.”

The Obelisk gave the signal to move out and the pair continued to cautiously move toward the encampment. When they got within visual range of the camp, Luna produced a pair of macrobinoculars and began to assess the enemy strength. Kordath’s momentary burst of courage began to fade: the camp was much larger than he thought and he’d have to sneak in without the aid of the Force.

Luna handed the macrobinoculars to Kordath. “You see that communication tower on the east side of the camp?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“That tower is jamming long range communication. I can’t call the shuttle without it. My Fade and a squad of Erinos are on the shuttle waiting to back us up as soon as I call in the coordinates. I need you to infiltrate the camp, verify the presence of the prisoners and disable the tower by any means necessary.”

“Um, what if I’m caught?”

“You supposedly can talk your way out of anything.”

“I didn’t really say that.”

“No, but the Shadow Lady said that about you, and I trust her judgment.”

‘Dammit Blinky!’

Luna pulled out her sniper rifle. “Besides, if you get into any trouble, just wave your hands in the air and get down on the ground — I’ll take care of the rest. The main thing is disabling that tower.” She tossed the Ryn a communicator. “Once it’s down, you’ll be able to contact me with this and I’ll be able to call in the proverbial cavalry.”

Tail twitching, Kordath set off, using a nearby washed out creek bed as cover to move closer to the camp. He noticed Luna climbing up into a tree with sniper rifle in tow as he left. At least he’d have a guardian angel looking out for him on this one. The camp perimeter was open with only a few observation posts at key points. There was no fence or any walls to contend with; they obviously didn’t expect to be found. The Ryn skulked around until he found a good spot between two observation posts to slip in unnoticed.

For their part, the mercenary sentries seems extremely bored, not that he’d blame them. Kordath crept within earshot of two guards standing at an OP discussing how their job didn’t pay enough for them to shoot Vornskrs and how they wanted some real action. ‘Be careful what you wish for, mate.’ he thought as he continued on, quietly slipping to the point between two OPs. Most of the mercenaries seemed to be lining up outside a large tent in the center of the camp: it had to be chow time. He darted out from cover into the perimeter of the camp, ducking behind some plasteel crates.

The Ryn allowed a few tense moments to pass before he dared to move. During those moments, he debated giving up whiskey again, since this and a series of other bad life choices had led him into this situation. But really, he could no more give up spirits than a fish could give up water, so he resolved himself to finish this and go home to the Tipsy Rancor. He slowly peeked his head over one of the crates and saw no change in activity.

As he traversed the camp, moving from cover to cover, Kordath noticed a series of large cages near the camp’s landing pad that contained some military-looking prisoners. That had to be the DIA team. On the other side of the landing pad were several cages with Vorsknrs and Ysalamiri, prepped and ready for off-world transport. He shuddered at the thought of having to deal with Vornskrs again as he finally managed to slip past the chow line and make it to the communication tower.

The tower itself was really more of a large antenna than an actual tower, which probably wouldn’t support someone’s weight. At the base of the antenna was a waist-high box containing a small interface terminal and a panel to the compartment containing the electronic guts of the device. A large power cable connected the tower to a nearby generator. Kordath was contemplating the most discreet way to disable the tower when he heard a voice behind him.

“Hey! What are you doing over there?”

‘Frak!’

Fraaaaaak...must be more reliant on the Force then I thought these days, letting somebody creep up on me like this. Amateur move, Bleu, amateur. I almost deserve to get shot for this, let’s see…

Kordath tucked his thumbs into the front of his sash as he turned, squaring his shoulders up and gave the pirate who’d found him a quick once over. He might have been tired, his head still hurt a bit, but life or death situations always seemed to fuel the cognitive functions.

Let’s see, first things first...blaster rifle pointed at me, looks to be in good repair, maintains his weapon. Moving on...gear harness is in decent shape, looks a bit worn. Boots look as if they fit properly, not to mention actually gleaming in the darkness a bit. Former soldier then, okay…

The Ryn gave the pirate, a Zabrak of pale complexion, a steady gaze. Looking the man straight in the eye and trying as hard as he’d ever tried before to hold a straight face, the Priest spoke.

“The blackened armoire dances at dawn.”

Keeping a straight face was proving to be difficult, but the unwavering rifle muzzle gave him plenty of incentive. As for the pirate, his look was one of confusion and suddenly even greater suspicion. Kordath was impressed; the man had already looked pretty bloody wary beforehand.

“What?” hissed the pirate, eyes narrowing to slits reflecting what little light was in the area.

Kordath heaved a theatrical sigh and shook his head, “Forget about it, mate, you don’t want nothin’ to do with it.”

The Zabrak took a few tentative steps towards the Ryn, who noted that the closer the blaster got, the bigger the bore seemed to look.

“No, you’re going to explain that one. First, who the Sith-spit are you, and what was that phrase supposed to mean?”

Making an effort to fidget, the Priest sighed again and glanced at the shadows at the edge of the light, “Look mate, if you didn’t know what that meant, you don’t need to know who I am. Just know I’m from bloody Command,” Kordath enunciated the word with a meaningful look. “My bosses are wondering why your blasted CO karked up communications so much.”

“What? What Command? Captain Harken is an independent! Who are you?” Suddenly the rifle was in the Ryn’s face, and if it hadn’t been forcing Bleu to go a bit cross eyed he might have been able to read the serial number on the barrel.

Chuckling, the Priest reached up and tapped the side of his nose, winking at the Zabrak, “Riiiiight, independent. Like I said, you don’t have clearance, mate, if you did you’d know why the armoire dances. Now listen, you lot set up the jammer here wrong.”

The Zabrak pulled his rifle back, allowing the muzzle to drop a little, “How’s that then? It’s a jammer, it’s jamming.”

“Sure, it’s jamming, it’s blocking all communications in the area, well done. Except you idiots weren’t meant to jam ALL the frequencies, some of the low band was to be left open so your ‘Captain Harken’,” Kordath took a moment to make air quotations, shaking his head ruefully, “so he could communicate with Command!”

“I…” the pirate licked his lips as he stopped speaking, turning his head to glance towards a small pre-fab building near the landing pad, and the prisoners. “I should go get the Captain, this is way above my pay grade.”

“Eh, I wouldn’t say anything, mate,” said the Ryn, shaking his head again, suddenly looking very serious. “Operational security, and all that mess. Likely have to shoot ya.” Kordath watched as the pirate turned to stare at the building again, the Ryn slowly pulling a knife from his sash.

“Captain’s been good to me since I got booted from-” A fuzzy hand covered the Zabrak’s mouth as a blade slid across his throat, letting out a gout of blood into the darkness. The pirate flailed a moment before his strength left him, and Kordath breathed a sigh of relief as he lowered the body to the ground.

“Good soldier, even had the discipline to use your safety, thank you,” whispered the Ryn, huffing a little as he dragged the body out of the light.

A few minutes later he was staring at the control panel of the jamming tower again, cursing himself for not having stuffed a datapad in his sash before going out last night. He might have been able to slice the controls, as of now the interface seemed to locked. Jamming his knife into the side of the box, he levered it open and stared at the unruly mess of wires and circuitry.

Scratching his head, the Priest’s hand brushed over the small comm unit in his ear. On a whim he keyed it on, hearing the tell tale static of the jamming still in effect. With a shrug, he worked the knife in under the mass of wires, gathering as many as he could on the edge. He then yanked, cutting through them with an effort that ended with him on his tail as the final one parted finally. Standing and dusting himself off, he noticed the static was gone.

If it’s stupid and it works, it’s not….something, whatever that saying the Obelisk jarheads use all the time.

Reaching up to insure the comm device was still in place, he smiled, “This is Bleu Boy to Silver Fox, Silver Fox this is Bleu Boy. You miss me yet, luv?”

Over the small comm he heard the familiar voice reply, “Take a few steps to your left for me, would you?” Alarm bells went off in the Ryn’s head, the woman’s tone was far to...sweet, suddenly.

“Just curious, is a few steps to me left….would that put me in your line of sight, Foxy Lady?”

“Affirmative, Bleu Boy. Did you find our kids?”

“Kids…” muttered the Ryn, before speaking up again, “Ummm, yes. I mean affirmative. They’re locked up near the landing pad, next to the pirate leader’s place. Got a shuttle sitting over there as well, think he’ll make a run for it when you call in our friends.”

“He might know a bit too much for us to let that happen. See what you can do about the shuttle while I call in backup.”

“Copy that, Foxxy Momma,” replied the Ryn, heading towards the landing pad in a crouched run. A bright flash burned the grass right in front of him, with barely a sound to be heard.

“Just reminding you, Bleu.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Luna shook her head with a smile as she pulled back from her sniper scope to key up her long range comm. “Tybalt, do you read?”

Static gave way to a click as a gruff, yet cheery voice came over the comm, “Loud and clear al'verde. Did you locate the prisoners?”

“Affirmative, they are near the landing pad, I’ll grab Bleu and secure the LZ. Just hone in on my comm signal. Expect a warm welcome.”

“Roger that, we’re about five mikes out. We’ll be ready for a hot landing.” The Togorian on the other line paused for a moment as some of his levity left his voice. “Take care of yourself out there.”

The Templar slung her sniper rifle and moved down the tree with the silence and grace of a jungle cat. She didn’t have a clear line of sight to the landing pad so she’d have to move in closer. Kordath had exceeded her expectations so far but intuition told her he’d need support much sooner than five minutes. Stealth wasn’t Luna’s forte but she managed to skirt through the wood line along the outer edge of the perimeter without detection. She positioned herself near the landing pad and pulled out her rifle for a quick look.

“How’s that shuttle coming along Bleu?”

Luna’s comm crackled with a hushed reply, “There’s too many maintenance workers nearby, I don’t think I can get to it without causing a fuss.”

The Templar thought for a moment. “Do you think you can get into the food storage behind the mess tent?”

“Uh, yeah, but what would I possibly need in there?”

“Grab as much meat as you can carry out, I have an idea.”

The comm fell silent for a few moments. “Why do I get the feeling I’m about to become bait?”

“Not you, but yes that’s the plan. Once you get the meat leave some spread out in a trail leading to the mess tent then throw the rest near the maintenance hangar. After you've spread the bait, get yourself as high off the ground as you can and call me.”

“Oh, I see. Will do.”

Luna settled into her new perch in a tree directly across from the landing pad. She made sure to have a clear shot at the Vornskr kennels. Meal time was nearly over and the guards would resume their normal patrol levels. A bird landed on the barrel of her rifle which she attempted to quietly shoo away. A passing guard just happened to catch a glimpse of the rifle scope reflecting the sun back. The Mandalorian could see the guard moving in her direction, clearly searching. Time was running out.

“I’m up as high as I can go, now or never.”

The Templar exhaled, held her breath steady for the shot and took aim at the control panel for one of the Vornskr kennels. The panel burst in a shower of sparks, the guard looking for Luna swung around to investigate the new noise. Two more shots were fired in quick succession destroying the remaining kennel panels. The kennel doors swung open almost at the same time. Luna smiled at the look of abject horror on the guard’s face as the deadly predators burst from their cages to pursue the smell of fresh meat.

Kordath had somehow managed to get himself on top of the enemy shuttle, where he hoped he’d be out of reach of the rampaging Vornskrs. He’d had enough of the local wildlife for one day. Luna’s plan worked better than she had hoped. The unarmed maintenance workers fled the area at the sight of the loose predators while the one guard ran back toward the chow tent frantically shouting that the Vornskrs were out.

Luna keyed up her comm. “Bleu, I need you to disable that shuttle. I won’t let the beasts get to you, they are attacking the guards.”

“I don’t know. I think they are still around.” The Ryn was clearly afraid.

Luna swore under her breath in Mando’a. “Ok, fine. I’ll be there in a moment.” She lept down from the tree, quickly slung her rifle and took off running across the landing area. She unclipped her saber as she ran but did not ignite it. Gunfire erupted from the chow tent as guards frantically tried to subdue the Vornskrs, none noticed an armored Mandalorian sprinting across the landing pad.

When she reached the enemy shuttle she looked up at Kordath, “I’ll cover you, we need that shuttle disabled!”

“You certainly know how to motivate a man.” Luna shot the Krath a quick glare as he hopped down. The Ryn went immediately to a side panel of the shuttle, opened it and began to mess with the electronics. “This will only take a second luv.”

“Hey you! Get away from there!” A guard had appeared from seemingly nowhere aiming a rifle at the two Arconans. Luna ignited her saber, but before the guard could fire a Vornskr jumped him from behind and began mauling him. The Templar maintained a ready stance with her saber in case the beast turned its attention their way.

“I hate working under pressure.” The Ryn complained as the sound of screams and blaster fire filled the background. “Just one more wire and bam!” The lights across the shuttle went dark as all its systems went down.

“Nice work, now let’s get the prisoners.” Luna continued to face the Vornskr mauling the guard as the Arconan infiltrators moved away from the shuttle. She reached out through the Force to give the beast the notion that they were not a threat, it seemed to work as he continued devouring the poor guard’s face.

As they reached the prisoners Kordath went to work opening cages while Luna keyed up her long range comm. “Tybalt, what’s your ETA?”

“Coming up on the camp now.”

Luna looked up and saw the shuttle coming in for a landing on pad. An armored Togorian and a full squad of Erinos disembarked from the shuttle and took up a perimeter. Kordath finished with the last of the cages as the prisoners gathered up near Luna behind a crate. The prisoners were disarmed but still capable DIA agents, they knew what to do.

“Move it people, get to the shuttle, we’ll cover you!” The agents didn’t need to be told twice, they ran toward the shuttle as Tybalt and two grey armored Mandalorians moved toward the cages.

The Togorian Fade rushed up to Luna, “Orders boss?”

“Secure the prisoners, then mop up these honorless pirates. I want their Captain alive for interrogation. There are loose Vornskrs so stick together and stay alert.” Tybalt gave a fist to the chest saluting gesture then returned his hand to his heavy repeater and set out to give Luna’s orders to the squad.

Kordath walked up to Luna, “Remind me never to go drinking with you again.”

Luna laughed, “You did well today vod’ika, the Shadow Lady was not wrong about you. I’ll make a Mando'ad out of you yet.”

The Ryn chuckled nervously, “Armor really isn’t my style and grey would clash with my fur.”

“Fair enough my strange little friend, fair enough.”

---

Al'verde - Mando’a for commander or boss

Vod’ika - Mando’a for little brother

Mando'ad - Mando’a, literally ‘son of Mandalore’