Malice swore under her breath as she hit the ground, her body immediately feeling where she would have bruises later. The ship of whoever had captured her rose into the sky, and she watched it go, hoping that perhaps just this one time, her glare would be enough to shoot it down.

"We'll be back in a day or so. I'm sure you'll provide an excellent hunt," a man had told her, gripping her face and turning her like he was examining livestock.

They intended to hunt her? How foolish.

Once the ship was out of sight, she stood, turning to survey her surroundings. Whatever planet they'd dropped her on seemed to be mostly covered in forests, at least from the view she had, though she did not recognize it. A few creatures peered over tree limbs, anxious to see what new arrival now stood in the clearing. Strange, she recognized some of the species from other planets. Did these people capture and release other species here, just for their own little game?

Sickening.

Luckily for her, this sort of environment was not unfamiliar to her. She'd grown up on a similar planet, and although she had no weapons, or Aiya with her, she had no doubt she'd be getting out of this alive.

Malice decided immediately that she would first need to find shelter for the night. Who knew what sort of creatures now roamed these forests. She hadn't noticed any large lakes from her last view of the terrain, but she soon came across a decently sized river, winding its way through the underbrush. A few womp rats, scurried away as they noticed her, though they soon returned when it seemed she did not want to harm them, their desire for water overpowering their fear of her. Their casual behavior made her wonder if they'd ever lived their own life, or simply been bred in captivity for this purpose. That could prove to either be very fortunate, or very troublesome. If they were used to human contact, perhaps they could aid her in her escape out of here. Then they'd be free to inhabit this planet without being hunted for sport.

Despite the fact that the area had, assumably, been thrown together for the entertainment of the people that had put her here, the ecosystem seemed to be thriving. The plants were growing well, yet being kept back by herbivores of some kind. The species she'd seen so far seemed plentiful. If she could rid herself of those that had captured her, it would be killing two Pharple with one stone.

Looking around again, the Wildling decided to set up a camp in a nearby cave. It wasn't far from the river so she'd have water, and she'd already seen a few fruit trees. With that and some of the smaller, prey creatures, she'd be able to stay alive for quite some time. Pulling an armful of grasses and leaves with her, she dropped them into the mouth of the cave, arranging them into a messy sort of nest bed. Fire was next up on her list, and though it was easier to make with different materials, she still managed to light one and keep it burning. Once she was set for the upcoming night, she sat back, catching her breath. The smoke from her fire seemed to disrupt a few of the Gackle bats hanging from the ceiling. A few of them woke early, flying out in search for food, but a few of the younger ones instead decided to land and investigate the person in their cave. She reached out with the force, connecting to their minds and found them entirely willing to exist around her. It seemed her first guess had been right, and all of the animals here were overly used to humans. However, they also reacted extremely well to her force link. That would add to her advantage when the men showed up again.

After a bit of sleep, Malice felt surprisingly refreshed the next morning. The gackle bats had returned to the top of the cave, but the few that had come to investigate her had fallen asleep on the ground near her. She couldn't help but smile softly at them, petting them gently before standing. There was a chance her captors would return today, since they hadn't given a specific time. Weapons were needed, and she could make them with what was around her. Beginning to work again, branches were broken and shaped into arrows, which she attached broken pieces of the cliff side to. Just these against the blasters the men probably had? If she were anyone else, she'd be in trouble. But she was not anyone else.

She was Sith.

Once her weapons and bow were made, she carried them all back to the cave, setting them down quietly so as not to wake the bats. A fish in the nearby river caught her attention, and she took a moment to test out her new equipment. Pulling the bow back, she lodged an arrow against its string, and let it loose. It sunk into the head of the fish, easily killing it without damaging any of the meat. It would make for a nice meal, but she'd have to eat quickly. There was still much to do.

Her meal now finished, Malice stood again, deciding to explore more to get a better viewpoint. The cliff that her cave was carved out of was easy to climb, and when she'd arrived at the top, she looked down at the forest below. Standard jungle area, it seemed. A clearing that the ship had touched down in, but no other distiguashible landmarks.

Before she could finish her thought, a loud screech rang out, and she turned to see a large, bird-like creature approaching. As it got closer, she recognized it as an Accipiptero, usually native to Dagobah. Was she near a nest? Looking around, she didn't see one, but that didn't mean it wasn't there. The creature landed, still screaming angrily at her. She raised her hands, trying to calm it, while also using the force to try to make a connection with it. Due to the animal's stress, it took longer than she would have liked, but the connection was made before any harm came to either of them. She reached a hand out, touching it's beak. Yes, she had no doubt she'd get out of here now.

Night fell, and Malice was comfortably warm, surrounded by her supplies and weapons. The bats from the night before squeaked at each other, but soon fell silent, looking around. The rest of their family group called to them, and they returned immediately. Malice was instantly on high alert. Now that she focused, she could feel that the men had returned. Her teeth grit in anticipation. Why had they come at night? Did they think it would give them more of a challenge? More of a disadvantage, more like. Readying her arrows, that she'd laced with the muscle relaxing venom of the bats above her, she quietly inquired as to whether they would be interested in joining her. The answer was an unmistakable yes.

Once her arrows were ready to go, she whistled softly, calling for the accipiptero, which landed on the cliff they'd met on. She'd be attacking from it's back, and though she was comfortable riding animals, she still had to make sure not to fall off. With her bow and arrows slung onto her back, she crawled up the cliff again and quickly climbed onto the giant bird. The hunter's torches were clearly visible, marking them as clearly idiots.

Once her new friend had taken off, she pointed to where the torches were glowing, and the bird seemed to understand immediately. As it flew closer to the forest canopy, Malice readied an arrow and sent it flying at the first target. Even with how dark it was, she let the force guide her weapon, and was pleased to find that it hit home, right into the thigh of one of the men. Cries rang out, and the group gathered closer together, trying to help their friend, before Malice heard the rest fo the bats begin their descent as well. They swarmed the group, which now had begun to scream and run back to their ship. Before a single one of them could make it, they'd all dropped to the ground, limbs frozen and limp. Malice fired a few more arrows, just in case, and had her mount land in the nearby clearing. It hastily began to devour the hunters while she made her way onto the ship. It was completely empty, and though she didn't know how to fly a ship, she knew how to communicate from one. Making a quick call back home, she waited until one of her droids picked up.

"Alexa? Send a ship for me, would you? I'm sending my coordinates."

"Right away, Lady Malice."

“Here Sith, Sith. Where are youuuu?”

A gang of Weequay pirates stalked through the thick underbrush of their hunting grounds. It was a rather sizeable locale, a forest perfect for the small excursions they so enjoyed for sport. Evidently they needed the practice. They’d foregone the position of hunter as soon as Kul had broken free of his restraints. Now, *he* was the hunter. As it should be. These pirates lacked any sort of bond with the flow of nature around them while Kul relished its touch. He could feel the life of the forest as it exhaled around him. The very trap the pirates had fashioned for their victims would become their graves.

The group of Weequay consisted of six pirates, equipped especially for dealing with the Sith. Thick, plated armor protected them from his ryyk blades, the only weapons they'd allowed him once he'd managed to find the cache hidden away. He grinned at their casual confidence in their toys. A Sith did not need physical weapons when their very bodies were forged to destroy. The Zabrak’s tribal upbringing just further ensured his survivability.

Unaware they were the one’s being followed, the pirates began to break off in pairs with a signal from the leading Weequay in the hopes of surrounding where they thought their prey had fled. It had been a simple matter to activate his Force cloak and ply their strategy with his own. Kul began to slightly quicken his pace, cloaking again and heading towards the left flank of the group. This pair were packing some heat with DLT-20a rifles slung in front of each, primed and ready.

“See anything, Squat’ch,” the smaller asked petulantly. His partner, maintaining an air of confidence in front of his inexperienced comrade, gave a huff.

“Nah. Reckon he won’t show face with all of us ag’in em. The Sith caw loud, but are yella-bellied in the real deal.”

The younger gazed back in awe.

“Ya mean you’ve fought a real Sith before?”

“Oh aye, Ric’k. Weren’t much offa bother, really. I even kept his shiny doodad laser sword for proof.”

He patted a silver cylinder swinging at his hip.

“That’s an armory saber. Only an acolyte wields such a blade. Hardly a challenge worth bragging over.”

Both Weequay swung their heads in unison trying to find the origin of the strange voice. It was heavy and gruff, the voice a mountain might possess. It gave an amused chuckle, causing them to turn yet again.

“It's ironic, I suppose. The moment you learn what a true Sith is...and it’s your last.”

Ric’k watched in abstract horror as a figure appeared seemingly out of nothing behind his companion. Before he could even consider placing his shaking finger on his trigger, Squat’ch’s head twisted at an unnatural angle before a sickening pop echoed through their small space of the forest. Both Weequay sunk to the ground, but only one still breathing.

The Zabrak's now visible eyes bored into the young pirate with a serious expression before suddenly breaking into a face so evil, Ric’k nearly lost his mind.

“Run little pirate. Your friends are next.”

Legs shaking, Ric’k pulled himself together enough to break into a sprint towards the other pairs while screaming at the top of his lungs. Kul flinched as the disturbance bothered the local fauna and he felt their shock. He inhaled deeply and raised his arms wide to the forest, imagining the ebb and flow passing through him.

“I feel your concern. Your hate of this desecration of your cycle. As apology, I offer you these as intruders as appeasement. Their flesh shall further sustain you.”

Lowering his arms, Kul reached out into the wilds and probed for whatever would respond. As flickers of life began to light up around him he began to laugh, exploding into joyous cackling. The exhilaration of power was overwhelming. He traced the flickers with his own consciousness.

“I am sorry, my friends, but I must show you the path to self preservation. It is against your natural instinct, but necessary for the cycle to continue unimpeded.”

He broke their will.

Ric’k slowed in his sprint as he caught the others, his chest heaving. They turned, having regrouped at a rally point some minutes ago. The leader, a burly pirate named Aganis, tapped his ear impatiently.

“Ric’k I tried contactin’ ya. Where’s yer ‘eadset? Oi. Where’s Squat’ch?” He grabbed the small Weequay in both hands and pulled him to his face. “Where’s my brother?”

Struggling to breathe correctly, Ric’k told them what had transpired. With eyes burning, Aganis dropped him and tore the scattergun from his back.

“That kriffin’ Sith! This was supposed to be an easy hunt for you newer lads. Looks like I underestimated this one, boys.”

A branch snapped behind them coming from the direction Ric’k had run and Kul emerged from the trees.

“You have no idea, pirate.”

The Weequays shuffled to arm themselves as Aganis lowered his scattergun

“Gimme one good reason why I shouldn't blast yer eyes out right here, Sith.”

Kul cocked his head slightly, genuinely confused.

“Besides the fact that you were here to kill me? I'd have to say that you should because now the forest is angry. And when the forest is angry, I can do my work.”

Aganis was the one confused now, but he waved a hand and the other pirates readied their weapons.

Kul closed his eyes.

Fingers stroked their triggers.

The forest exploded.

All manner of beasts leapt forth from the trees. Tooth, claw, and beak bore down on the pirates and they watched dumbstruck before opening fire. They put down beast after enraged beast, but the forest would inevitably win this battle of attrition. One by one the Weequay fell, Aganis and Ric’k becoming the last standing. Suddenly the host ceased their attack and fell back to sit and watch for Kul’s command.

The Zabrak approached the pair, who had lost all premise of getting out alive. He gripped Aganis by his thin neck and lifted him bodily off the ground.

“You know what your mistake was, pirate? Thinking a mere lot like yourselves could actually take on the Force. A Sith needs no weapon when the creatures of the world will serve me.” With that, he crushed the Weequay’s throat and dropped him before turning to Ric’k.

“Do you wish to live, little pirate?”

Unsure if this was a trick, he cautiously nodded his head. Kul responded in kind.

“Good. With the death of your friend here, the leadership over the rest of your gang will be open. You will step into that vacuum with my patronage.”

A look of hope passed over Ric’k’s face.

“But I warn you. You will instruct your operations as I see fit. For one, this forest shall return to the natural flow. Tear down the fences and other disrupting electronics. After that, contact me through this.”

The Zabrak handed Ric’k a small comlink, etched with what appeared to be a tower or a crown made of sharp curves. Kul began to vanish again, his cloak crawling over him as he slowed its coverage.

“I look forward to seeing your progress, little pirate.”

And with that, he vanished completely the only sound of his retreat the shaking of some branches as he passed under them. The creatures around him disappeared into the forest as well.

Ric’k glanced at the comlink and then at the carnage around him. Grimacing he stared into Aganis’ cold, empty stare.

“I never did like you anyway.”