The great expanse of Anch-to’s waters stretched as far as the eye could see from atop one of the many rocky, mountainous plateaus popping up throughout the fluidic landscape. A curtain of wings and feathered bodies blocked Zujenia’s view after the group she was following disturbed a large flock of avians. Their loud reverberating squall filled the surrounding area as they circled up above before disappearing past a large outcrop of rock.
Her dark amber gaze fell back upon the various individuals nitpicking their way across the moss and lichen covered slopes, various tools in hand. Her eyes traced over their mixture of uniforms: soldiers, archaeologists, laborers — all baring the ribbon-trailed crescent symbol of the House of Galeres. Zujenia sighed, recalling the exact conversation that had resulted with the Knight accompanying a Tal’mahe’Rah party. Something along the lines of Terran calling her in about making a ‘karking attempt’ to develop relations between the two houses. He didn't seemed overly enthused about the situation at all, likely a call from the Shadow Lady herself. Thus, Zujenia found herself volunteering to act as the diplomat between Shadow Gate and the newly formed battle team. After finding out the objective of the mission she was aiding, the Gate Warden regretted not bringing Adem — an Arcanist would have been most useful in locating the artifact sooner.
A strong gust of wind rocked her on her heels, whipping her hair forward in a gravity challenged white mane while ruffling her loose clothing. Zujenia closed her eyes and breathed in, soaking in the living Force. This land smelt of something ancient like the mixing of both earthy scents and dusty books. Exhaling, she unfurled her hand, exposing a small golden-ringed object settled within her palm. It echoed with the same Force, yet, it's shiny exterior is what caught her eye in the first place.
Well, better get it over with, she dreadingly thought as she made her way towards the center of the team. Her golden gaze hovered through the dispersed crowd until it landed on a tall, green-skinned individual at the center. Zujenia closed the distance between the man and herself, watching as he directed the people beneath him. His dark, well tailored suit was militaristic in style with a black cloak attached at the shoulders with which the wind billowed. Captain Thorn turned and narrowed his dark eyes at the Qel-Droman approaching. With a curt wave of his hand, the Falleen dismissed the scientist beside him.
“I assume your presence marks success?” Thorn asked with a raised chin, his manner formal yet subtle body language gave away his supercilious air. Although Zujenia is usually respectful of most races, she found it difficult with the Falleen — their pheromone emitting quality did not helping. Instead, the half-Ryn stifled her weariness and attempted to display a neutral posture.
“Yes. I found an item matching the description within the missions details.” Holding out her palm, Zujenia showed it to the captain. A smirk etched across his face as he took in the golden plating. “Shall we call in the rest and return?”
“Yes, yes,” Thorn answered with another gesture, half paying attention. He tore his hungry gaze from the artifact and called over one of the men in arms. Quick, hushed words were exchanged between them that Zujenia didn't catch. When the Galeren returned his attention to her, he pressed his body closer, head tilted down to meet her golden eyes.
“Zujenia, thank you for your assistance. If you would kindly hand the artifact over, we can be on our way.”
His voice echoed with a smoothness that smelled sweet. A hand cupped her chin as the half-Ryn’s eyes glazed over, his pheromones whispering to her senses. Zujenia exchanged the object, snapping out of her trance only after Thorn stepped pass her with a whistle. People were shuffling by her carrying their gear as she cleared her head. Several seconds passed before it clicked on what exactly had occurred and her brows snapped forward in annoyance.
Karking pheromone-spitter!
The Knight jogged to catch up to the unit, but when she arrived Zujenia found herself met by gunpoint. She slowly raised her hands, her mouth forming a thin line as she took in the three soldiers between her and the stairs down to the shuttle. Captain Thorn walked up behind the blockade and raised his arm, signaling them to lower their weapons.
“My apologize, Zujenia. I regret that I didn't make myself clear,” his right arm swept out to suggest those who accompanied him. “We are returning back to the Dajorra system via this spacecraft. Unfortunately, you will have to call upon your own transportation home. I did not lie when I said your aid was truly appreciated.”
A growl escaped her throat, left arm flying behind her shoulder to grasp the electrostaff slung across her back. As the metal pole landed firmly into her right palm, Zujenia wove the Force through her muscles. She launched forward in an augmented sprint towards the soldiers as they re-aimed their blasters. Red bolts sprayed through the air, the half-Ryn twisting and ducking around the blasts. A couple shots scorched through her loose vest and pants, barely missing her flesh. The staff arced around the first man’s arm, knocking his blaster from his grasp and following through with a heavy whack to his temple — dropping him. Zujenia swiftly wrenched her body to her left and drove an incapacitating strike to the neck of the next trooper.
As the Knight raised the electrostaff to finish the last soldier something latched upon it, pulling against her strength. She turned her head to see the glowing blue vibrowhip wrapped around the pole. Hissing through her teeth, Zujenia used the whip as a counterbalance as she swept her strong leg outward, sweeping the last gunman of his feet. Her momentum drove her to a halt, facing the whip’s master. Thorn loosened some slack into his weapon, allowing Zujenia to shake it free of her own. His dark gaze bore coldly into the fiery ambers of her eyes, as if commanding her to back down. Sliding her left leg back, the Knight leveled her staff with the ground, her brows furrowed.
“Captain Thorn, our mission states a cooperation between our two teams. To deny me passage back to Selen would be a breakage of such.”
“Whether or not you attend the return journey will not affect me in presenting this artifact to Delat.” the Falleen responded, his green lips curling slightly with a hint of a chuckle. Zujenia took a step forward, only to be forced to withdraw with the crack of a second vibrowhip. “Uh-uh. Everyone get loaded up, I’ll be down with you shortly.”
The half-Ryn’s grip tightened as Thorn’s stance seemed to straighten with a sure-fire confidence. The hired-hands and archaeologists scampered down the stairs behind him, unwilling to get stuck anywhere near a fighting Force-user. If she wanted on that ship, Zujenia knew she would have to subdue him and it didn’t look like the humanoid was planning on such.
Whelp, so much for improving Household relations.
