SWRPF Archive Legacy: The Last Gamble

IC: Dr. Kalor Duroth
Med Bay - Fool's Gamble

The Arkanian looked up from fiddling with a hypospray as he heard the title of his profession pronounced by the Givin crewer. His services were needed, then, likely. It wasn't much of a surprise to the doctor, he had been expecting this moment since they landed on the blighted world. Jungles, the enemy of sane medical professionals everywhere, he had thought upon discovering their destination. The native fauna were enough to turn off any right-thinking being, to say nothing of the flora. It made him shudder just to think of the kinds of diseases and infections he would no doubt have to treat when the crew returned. But, that had been in the occupational description when he'd signed on with the crew. Anything was better than spending another nanosecond patching up the bloated slug's minions.

Shaking himself of his reverie, he returned his attention to the present and the Givin standing in the hallway. "Free? Yes, I do believe I am, though am I correct in the assumption that your presence in my humble office indicates that I shall be otherwise occupied shortly? The good captain and the rest of our crew have developed the good sense to return from traipsing through foul festering foliage and surrender themselves to my disinfectants?"

TAG: NickLitYouAFlame

OOC: Shinrai, my bad, Gorrk needs to go to the crew?s lounge, not the bridge. Also, forgive me if any of Elis's dialogue doesn't make sense, I'm trying to keep his speech consistent with his intelligence. PM me for a clarification.

Elis Gyrr
Med Bay, Fool's Gamble, Malastare

Elis smiled innocently and nodded. Some might be intimidated by the Doctor?s apparent cynicism, but those same people were usually perturbed by Elis?s own appearance. As Elis experienced neither feelings, he was unaffected. He answered in a jolly voice, ?Spot on, that?s the ticket. And, from what I understand, you?ll be looking at some grievous trauma posthaste. The captain is, apparently, coming in hot. Either they currently are, or recently were, involved in some sort of sanguine skirmish. Regardless of which, it spells more work for everyone.?

Elis stepped more into the doorway in hopes of catching a glimpse of the hushed life of the mysterious medic. The room?s adornments all seemed routine installments to a medical center. Elis was especially disillusioned by the transparent lack of skeletons and bottled organs. He frowned with disappointment.

Elis didn?t say anything for a moment, then suddenly stepped to the side and ushered Duroth towards the door. He said plainly, if slightly elatedly, ?Well, no use tarrying. Let?s prepare to receive the remainder of the crew.? Elis began to turn, but stopped halfway and asked, ?I feel terrible for my idiocy, but I have no memory of hearing your first name. Would you have me persist using your title of rank??

Tag: LI

IC: Dr. Kalor Duroth
Med Bay - Fool's Gamble

Pausing only a moment to give the question consideration, the doctor gave a swift reply. "Yes." Turning around, he gave a the Givin a pointed look, and then returned his gaze back to the med bay. "And where, precisely, do you expect me to treat our noble wounded if not here? Unless my eyes deceive me, we stand in a medical bay, where one usually brings sentients to be treated. If you wish the captain to actually survive the treatment, then he would be best served by being brought here, rather than reversing the process to the detriment of his health and my temper. No, what I shall do is stay right here and set out the necessary tools of my trade to prolong your lives until the next time you see it fit to require my services, and you, my mathematical skeleton, will tell me exactly what kind of 'grievous trauma' I'm expected to deal with."

TAG: NickLitYouAFlame

Elis Gyrr
Med Bay, Fool's Gamble, Malastare

Elis deliberated on Duroth?s words, just has the doctor had on Elis?s. He nodded good-naturedly and replied, ?Certainly, you speak the truth, if I?ve ever heard it. In entertaining the boy, I took leave of my common sense, to play messenger.? Elis turned back to face Duroth and then, very contradictory to his immediate concerns on approaching the doctor, stepped easily into the chamber. Elis stood comfortably at the door, while Li peered from behind his gaunt and ashen pate.

Ever unobservant of certain human emotions as discomfort or uneasiness, Elis did nothing to satiate his charge?s malaise. He instead, reengaged the doctor, who had, abruptly, grown prodigiously more captivating. Renewing oration, Elis addressed a previous query, stating, ?Regarding the extent of the carnage you might soon face, I can only speculate. Knowing, however, if only briefly, the terrible tribulations that often befall the inhabitants of this craft, I would not think it unlikely that one of our own might find himself less an appendage.?

Tag: LI

IC: Dr. Kalor Duroth
Med Bay - Fool's Gamble

"So you don't know, but theorize loss of limb or limbs. What a very pleasant imagination you have." Reaching under the edge of the examination table, the doctor activated the antisepsis field in preparation for the humanoid sac of malady and rot that was headed his way. Without turning to face the Givin, he continued speaking as he set out his medical implements. "If you have so little else to do that you would rather stay here, then at least make yourself of use and commit this to memory. Nilar field cauterizer, disinfects and cauterizes all in one neat package. A necessity, if your prognostication is perfect. Anesthetization is recommended before use, unless you don't mind the screams. The antisepsis field I just activated will kill whatever fungi and diseases the captain picked up while out cesspool diving with Dugs. We use the hypo-syringe for giving the patient a little shot of whatever it is they need; Sedative H4b should suffice, in this case. Any questions, class?"

TAG: NickLitYouAFlame

IC: Arrul Arriv
Cockpit, Fool's Gamble, Malastare

There had been no time to recover from the initial shock of a pair of Star Destroyers coming in-system when the cursed console chirped again, informing them of yet another urgent request or dire setback, depending on your point of view. Arrul produced a weary sigh and allowed S2 to handle this one. The connection was shaky, probably due to the over-saturated atmosphere of the jungle and the constant firefights going on around them, but even then, the voice was clear and to the point. The Captain and the rest of the crew were in trouble and they needed a quick pickup.

?Mr. Arriv, please get the ship warmed up and in the air as quickly as you can! We have to get out there and retrieve them.?

Even with the threat of death hanging over the heads of the rest of the crew, the orders were music to Arrul's ears. The excruciating wait was over and he was about to get his wish. "Aye, sir," came the response as Arrul lifted a stubby hand to his head and offered a sloppy salute. The vessel began to vibrate and hum beneath him with a familiarity that the Sullustan knew all too well from years of experience as he brought the systems online. He was in his element and he would cherish every moment.

In fact, he was so enraptured in his work, that he failed to notice the Givin and his little stead enter the cockpit and inquire about their situation. No major loss, Arrul decided. The giant, skeletal creature always managed to make him feel uneasy to begin with and he couldn't afford that right now. He needed to concentrate fully on his piloting first and foremost.

With his hands firmly wrapped around the control yoke, Arrul lifted the Gamble into the air and twisted her around in the direction the distress signal originated from. It was nothing but jungle ahead. This would certainly prove to be an interesting test of his skills. "Alright, let's do this," he declared, ripping off a line he heard once in a holo-drama, but failing miserably to deliver it in the manner he intended. Oh well, he was still fairly new to this whole mercenary thing. He would catch on.

TAG: R_Zion, Others onboard

IC: Gorrk
Gorrk?s Workshop, Fool?s Gamble

Gorrk?s five-minute nap ended with the sound of a descending turbolift. How typical? The engine room was a place of constant white noise or silence, depending on the Gamble?s current situation, and was isolated from the noise of the rest of the ship. You would think that making your home in such a place would mean few and infrequent visitors. You?d be wrong.

Gorrk blearily opened an eye and squinted towards the turbolift doors as they opened with a swish. His body went rigid as he identified his visitor. The tall, pale, visage-of-death named Elis Gyrr stood wraithlike in the lit tube, come to guide his soul to the Dark Side.

Gorrk?s body tensed as he clenched his eye shut and feigned sleep, complete with cheesy snores. Oh crap, the Captain?s out! Is he here to eat me? Maybe he already got the rest of the crew! Maybe that Vong already ate the captain! The Givin stepped out of the elevator and into the engine room a pace or two. So help me one step further and I?ll shove that toddler so far up your?

?Bridge calling Gorrk. Gorrk is wanted to aid in the safe return of the captain to his vessel. Please report immediately.?

Oh, right? Feed on my soul later, duty calls right? He felt, rather than heard, the Givin move again, and then suddenly?

Whirr?Clang?Clang!

A stream of expletives went unheard as the Givin beat a hasty retreat back up the turbolift. Gorrk had an urge to jam it with something and leave him in there for a few? weeks? but by the time he got to the panel it had already arrived on the main deck. Gorrk swore, stomping his foot and jabbing the lift button with a porky finger.

Slinging his backpack back around to its proper position, Gorrk felt his surly mood darken as he hobbled over and hefted his walking cane. Apparently, his newest creation had a hair trigger that could go off with merely a nudge; this would not do at all. It would have to wait until later however, as once again he had been called to earn his keep.

Gorrk hobbled into the recently arrived turbolift. Inside he hammered the button, and impatiently waited for the doors to close again. A sense of increased gravity followed by a momentary weightlessness overtook the Ugnaught and suddenly the doors were swishing open again. The Ugnaught hobbled off the lift and sneered as he spotted the droid and Sullustan just as they were lifting off.

?A?right, what the frak do ya? want and why?d ya? sic that ghost on me??

TAG: HanSolo29, Zion

OOC: Alright, but you told him bridge so that?s where he?s going. He?ll just hate you more for it if you sent him to the wrong place? no big change *lol*

IC: Captain Jav Boran
Jungles- Malastare

The feeling began to gnaw at Jav?s gut that they weren?t going to get out of this situation without another blast-fight. The Dugs didn?t believe a word he was saying and believed they were going to be betrayed, and worst of all, his crew was fighting amongst themselves. If they were going to survive, they needed to remain of one mind and try to keep a clear head. He could openly reprimand his men here, but he tried to make hand motions for them to quiet down. Hopefully they would notice in time before they agitated their standing with the Dugs beyond repair.

Damn it all, where was S2 and the Gamble?

?Noble Soleeto was wise to trust us, my friend,? the Captain began once more in Huttese. ?As he felt, we were honest in our intentions to help and we do not want to hurt you. As you surely saw, we are no friends of the Gran and did not intend to lead them to you. Please, there is enough violence on Malastare right now as it is. Let us not add to it.?

The five Dugs muttered amongst themselves in their native tongue for several seconds before the largest of the group, dressed in native battle armor, grumbled something and spat on the ground.

Jav turned towards Kuze wantingly. ?Please tell me that was something good??

TAG: BLemelisk, Jungle group

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IC: Hote Vale
The Lady Fate Casino- Worlport- Ord Mandtell

?Yes, that does indeed seem fair,? the Neimoidian commented with a smile that seemed out of place on a being such as him. Lowering his hands to the desk, he reached over and pushed the datachips back towards his ?guest.? ?I may not be able to obtain transport right away, so I suggest you hold onto these. Once I have located transport off of Ord Mantell for you, we will meet again so that you can hear the arrangements being made for yourself. In the meantime, it would be my pleasure to host you in the Chancellor?s Suite within our luxury hotel so that you will be? immediately available when you are needed once again. Might I assume that this will be satisfactory??

TAG: BluBeast

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IC: S2-56G
Bridge- Fool?s Gamble- Docking Bay 222- Pixelito- Malastare

The sound of the engines powering on and their ascent into their air made S2?s processors slow to standard operational speed. He believed the saying was that he was ?breathing a sigh of relief.? They were finally on their way and they could get the Captain and the crew aboard to repaired as was appropriate.

Outside the main viewport, in the streets below, he made out the stark white armor of squads of Imperial Stormtroopers flooding the streets and putting down the Dugs rioters. Again, he was relieved. It didn?t seem they were after them. At least, not yet.

Turning from the control panel as the Sullustan pilot took their ship into the air, S2 was surprised to see Gorrk hobbling off of the lift tube towards him.

?A?right, what the frak do ya? want and why?d ya? sic that ghost on me??

?Ghost?? S2-56G tilted his head slightly, confused, until he determined who the Ugnaught was referring to. ?Oh, Mr. Gyrr? Well, the Captain and the crewmen with him are in some trouble and I figured we could use all hands available to help them aboard, though if our Givin friend asked you to come here, he was mistaken. I?m afraid you may be of more use in the cargo bay, where I?m headed now.?

Turning back over his shoulder, he called back towards their pilot, elevating the volume of his voice. ?The bridge is yours, Mr. Arriv. If you require any assistance, please contact me on the comm.?

TAG: Shinrai, HanSolo29

IC: Gorrk
Bridge, Fool?s Gamble

Gorrk muttered under his breath. Of course the idiot sent him to the wrong place, why not? Barge into his workshop, wake him up, mess with his stuff! The Ugnaught fumed.

?Help ?em on board? Whuddya? mean ?help ?em aboard'! I ain?t fit enough ta? help ma?self aboard, let alone summat what weighs two o? me! If they need rescu?in, why don?t?cha just let me fire off one o? them missiles at whatever be chasin' em'. It?d be fun! Jus? like ol? times!? he grouched as he followed the droid back the lift tube he had just exited.

TAG: Zion

IC: Jasen
Malastare

All Jasen could do was give that nail-painting prancer the biggest smile as he yelled back at him. The engineer looked like a fool blowing up. Jasen shook his head.

?...if YOU don't shut the KRIFF up, ya coward! Die on your feet and not on your knees!?

Jasen almost laughed at the sight of the angry Kauti, looking as if steam should be shooting out of his ears like in the old holo-comedies he watched as a child. Jasen had a feeling the two men might actually resort to violence against each other one day, but not this day. Drevin-Joss added some words to the conversation to help calm things down. He also noticed the Captains attempt to shut them up with the wave of his hand.

Jasen had a string of comments that would make the Kauti tear up and run to his mother, but bit his tongue. Tension was high enough already. What looked like the Dug leader, wearing some sort of chieftain armor it looked like, muttered something and spat on the ground.

?Cover girl? Really?? Jasen whispered at the side of his mouth.

TAG: Kraid, Zion, swoopers.

IC: S2-56G
Fool?s Gamble

It was always a curious to be in the presence of the Ugnaught. S2?s olfactory sensors picked up such a variety of different odors from him. Far more varied than any of the other members of the crew. The diminutive porcine engineer was a moody one, to be sure, but he had never caused the droid any major distress and very rarely caused a problem on the ship save for the pilfering of parts from the ship itself for? whatever it was he did down in the engine room. He seemed like a generally decent organic, though glancing down at the unidentifiable mechanical forearm which he now used as a cane, he had to wonder about his taste. It was? rather morbid.

?I?m sorry to have dragged you along, Mr. Gorrk, but I figured have every hand available would be necessary. I?m sure we can find some way for you to help and then you can return to the peace of the engine room. As to concussion missiles, if the situation warrants it, I?m sure some concessions can be made??

As the durasteel doors parted, revealing the primary level of the ship, S2-56G proceeded at a slower than normal speed as sign of courtesy to Gorrk, as not to outpace him. However, as he neared the medical bay, he noticed Mr. Gyrr standing inside conversing with Dr. Duroth. ?Come, gentlemen, we should hurry to the cargo bay. The crew may be in need of assistance boarding the ship. Oh, and Mr. Gyrr, I suggest that you may wish to occupy the child in case there are any injuries he may not want to see. ?

TAG: Shinrai, The_Loyal_Imperial, NickLitYouAFlame

IC: Gorrk
Main Deck, Fool?s Gamble

Gorrk grumbled but for once held his tongue as he hobbled along behind S2 on their way to the cargo bay. As they passed the medical bay, Gorrk spotted the ongoing paleface powwow and have it a wide berth, but a thought occured to him as he spotted a dirty laundry basket across the hall. Smiling evilly to himself, Gorrk pointed his cane and used the tractor function on the basket. Acting quickly, as the shaky basket started to turn in the grip of the unstable beam, Gorrk rounded with the basket and used the repulsor-pressor beam to propel it lazily at the head of the Givin. Cane once again clanking against the deck, Gorrk quickly outpaced S2 as he made haste on his way to the cargo bay.

TAG: Loyal Imperial, Zion, Nick

Kraid Tynne
down and out in the jungles of Malastare

The one thing Kraid knew what to do at all times was follow orders, and shut up he did. He immediately closed his mouth and turned away from the Corellian, grabbing his carbine by both hands. He kept it at hip level, pointed in the general direction of the Dugs.

He bet that he was going to get a verbal lashing from the Cap'n if they got out of this alive. He did repeatedly ask the Cap'n to stay with the ship, and especially doing something with Jasen - things were bound to not go well. He thought to himself that Jasen will have to watch out for the day when he doesn't yell at the Corellian and instead he stays silent. That's what happens when his anger reaches a level that has scared the Kuati's friends, not knowing what he would do. Just ask the dead red Jedi.

Kraid stopped his thoughts, fearing that they would venture into past and not stay in the present. He remained quiet and watched, waiting for the Dugs to make an aggressive move.

TAG: swoop troop

FYI, I'll be gone until about Wednesday - going to a conference. Move Tal around until then if you like, but as he's uh ... currently suffering from blood loss exacerbated by wussiness, he's probably not going anywhere fast.


IC: Tal Falconer

Malastare

Finally, the blaster fire stopped. Tal risked a backward glance - yes, that explosion had been the last of them. He slowed the swoop and took no offence when Aden flopped off into the grass with a grunt and joined the chorus for some medical attention; Tal wanted off, too. The slicer slid off the swoop with a groan, holding his right arm in a vain attempt to stop the bleeding. "Hey, a bacta patch sounds -"

Then five Dugs swung out of the trees on vines. Vines. Tal suddenly felt like he was in the middle of a bad holodrama: first they were shot at by Gran, now Dugs were popping out of the trees. He made a halfhearted attempt to reach for his blaster with his good arm, forgetting that Aden had probably taken it -

?Whoah, whoa, whoa now, everbody. Let?s try to be civil here for a moment before we try to blast off each other?s heads,? Captain Jav snapped. Tal gratefully gave up trying to reach for the holster; it was on the wrong hip to draw with his left. Not that he could shoot left-handed anyway.

The following exchange, and Kraid and Jasen's argument, was respectively incomprehensible and ... well, incomprehensible, actually. Tal just winced and started trying to stand up from his position, slumped against the swoop he had been piloting.
Tried: his vision blurred. Deciding that was possibly not that good an idea, Tal sat back down and stared blankly down at his wounded arm. It was still bleeding; that wasn't good, was it? That seemed like a lot of blood to misplace.

TAG: Swoopers

Zem Stormreever & DeeZee

Enroute to Ord Mantell

"Alright you little pest, be a good gizka and stay still long enough for papa to shoot you," Zem irritably said as he carefully approached around the cannister to get a clearer shot of the gizka. But as he did so the little vermin would move away around the opposite direction of the cannister always keeping it between them.

The former Imperial narrowed his eyes and turned his helmeted head toward DeeZee. "Flank it will you."

"Can I vaporize it, master?" Dee pleaded.

"When you have your own disintegrator pistol you can," Zem replied. Wait for it.

"When can I have that?"

Wait for it.

"When you've matured enough not to disintegrate me."

"I have..."

Wait for it.

"No."

"But."

"I said no."

Wait for it.

"But..."

"Now!"

A blast of cerulean energy erupted from Zem's pistol after the gizka as he gave the command and DeeZee's own pistol fired a crimson bolt which missed and bounced off the deck plating and then the wall and barely missed Zem by a Wookiee's hair before burning a hole in the cannister where the gizka had been a second before.

"Arrgh! Bloody kriff! Don't tell me you're targeting computer has gone on the fritz again!" Zem cried in frustration as he searched for the elusive gizka.

"Sorry master! You are not hurt are you?" DeeZee seemed to hover away from Zem like a child that knows its done wrong or made a big mistake. Zem sighed and shook his head lightly.

"No, Dee, I'm not." Zem said soothingly and that seemed to relieve the droid a bit. It hovered behind him, its optical sensors sweeping the cargo hold of the ship for the vermin. "Where did it go?"

TAG: Zion

Elis Gyrr
Med Bay, Fool's Gamble, Malastare

Elis said nothing, for his words had been deduced from his knowledge of previous dealings and not conjured from deep space. Duroth began arranging apparatus of his trade, and then, spoke of the utilization of each. Elis stood in reverie, quite engrossed by the knowledge the doctor was offering. When Duroth had concluded his declamation, he asked with amusing sarcasm, ?Any questions, class??

Elis?s response was cut off by the arrival of S2-56G and Gorrk. The spindly android projected, as he passed the open doorway of the med bay, a proclamation of the urgency of the situation and offered his advice on the care of Li Kya, where his belief held that it would be unfit to expose the toddler to the types of uncensored gore that may be present in the near future.

Elis?s mind was afloat with thoughts of toddlers and bloody horrors. Without turning, he absently began to state the irresponsibility of the doctor leaving his particular place of practice, but was cut off before a word could escape off his tongue. In his peripheral, Elis noticed the appearance of a projectile. His thoughts immediately leapt to an imagining of him unsheathing his sword, but the presence of Li in such an immediate proximity prevented him from acting as his instinct wished.

Instead, Elis grabbed the toddler from his back and into his arms. He crouched with purpose, cradling Li and providing a smaller target for assault. Braced for an earth-shattering impact or immediate death, Elis was surprised to feel naught but the weight of a small metal basket on the top of his head. The object bounced harmlessly off his exoskeleton and onto the floor, where it rolled a foot before its momentum failed and it fell still.

Elis resumed a position of complete erectness and released Li from the imprisonment that constituted his arms. The small child crawled, slightly jarred, back to his perch and became as still and observant as he had previously been. Elis held his hands up in apology to the good doctor. He plead, ?Forgive my reaction, but I assumed harm and sought to shield the child from it.? Elis lowered his arms and nodded to Duroth, walking forward to retrieve the laundry bin and saying, ?Our interview was a pleasant escape from the monotony of life?s chores. May we both live long enough to inquire on one another again.?

Elis made good his retreat from the peculiar company of Doctor Duroth, much to the infantine gratitude of Li, who expressed his feelings with a simple pat atop Elis?s pale outer-skull. Elis smiled and his stomach growled. Without looking down, he reached into his food pouch and felt for a strip of bantha jerky. He, again, provided a miniature portion for Li, but consumed the bulk of the preserved meat himself, in one bite. The consistency kept him chewing, however, which allowed him to savor the seasoning. Above him, he heard the sound of gnawing.

Elis set the basket down just inside the room designated for the cleaning of laundry and then made his way past closed doors that contained quarters and the galley and into the confines of the lounge.

Tag: LI, Shinrai and Zion

IC: Yiddim
Lady Fate Casino, Ord Mantell

Surprised, no that didn't quite cover it. Yiddim was completely discombobulated by the Neimoidian pushing back the datachips. He told him to hold on to the information until Hote Vale was able to secure and confirm the transportation. This was indeed a moment of note. The Kushibah didn't do well at hiding his surprise, but recovered softly. The confusion was unnecessary and almost irrelevant because this was what Yiddim had wanted (exactly what he had wanted) and the best choice stuck out like a stormtrooper at a block party.

"Yes, I gladly accept your offer without hesitation, generous Hote Vale." Yiddim reached cautiously for the chips until the items were safely in his small grasp. Slipping them into his belt, he jumped off the chair hurriedly and moved towards the door. "Hote Vale, my gracious host, you know how to reach me since I will be in your Chancellor room. Until later, if you pardon my abrupt departure. I am quite tired from tonight adventures."

Feigning a yawn, the Kushibah opened the door panel and turned back, "Anything else, sir?"

Tag: Zion

OOC: I was going to go all the way to the room, but I decided to wait if you wanted to add anything.

IC: Drasius Kuze
Jungles - Malastare

Jav turned towards Kuze wantingly. ?Please tell me that was something good??

Kuze bit at his lip, turning over the Dug leader's speech pattern in his head. Spew. Lies. Kill. Warriors. Die. Mulling over the rest of the Dugspeak, Drasius pretty much realized these guys wanted to fight...possibly to redeem a sense of violated honor, or something like that.

Inching up toward Jav so as to address him more easily without the Dugs hearing, he cleared his throat against the stifling humidity of the Malastarian jungle, and spoke in as low a tone as possible, "The leader says you're lying, Jav. They are pretty certain we'll kill them if they let down their guard. They are noble and upright warriors; they won't die easily. And then, you know, he hocked that big one on the ground." Kuze paused a moment, "Should we all get ready, boss? If so I'll take the two uglies to the right of the leader."

Admittedly he did sound a bit anxious but, with this standoff coupled with the sounds of Pixelito erupting into violence in the distance, he wanted to get off-world as soon as possible.

TAG: R_Zion, Swoop Troupe

GM OOC: For those that are wondering, I haven't forgotten about you guys. Things are well in hand and your next update should be coming soon.

If you have any questions, PM me.

IC: Arrul Arriv
Cockpit, Fool's Gamble, Malastare

He had his orders and even as S2 left the cockpit with the despicable Gorrk in tow, the urgency of the situation began to weigh down on his shoulders. Life had always been hectic since coming aboard all those weeks ago, but nothing had quite compared to this. With the lives of the Captain and the rest of the crew on the line, this was a true test. There was no room for error.

The Sullustan's thoughts continued to dwell around that fact as the vessel skimmed over the surface, the tanned duracrete of the civilized world giving way to the lush plant life of the jungle. It was here, that things started to get interesting. Not only was the thick canopy of vines and branches making any visual confirmation next to impossible, but the abundant life down there was screwing with the senors. How was he supposed to pick them up when he couldn't see anything?

And then almost as if the gods had been listening to his silent prayer, the canopy thinned and he had a clear visual line down a wide trek of jungle. It was in this expense that he was able to spot the stirring of dust and debris as some kind of battle raged on the surface below. That could only mean one thing.

"I got a visual!" he shouted into the comm unit situated in front of him on the console. "Repeat, I got a visual! I'm gonna go ahead and bring her around!" Without waiting for the gearhead to respond to his declaration, Arrul tapped the console and began to bring the Gamble in closer for the pick-up. Hopefully they weren't too late.

TAG: R_Zion, Others

IC: Captain Jav Boran and S2-56G
Fool?s Gamble- Jungles- Malastare

Having arrived in the cargo bay with Mr. Gorrk, Mr. Gyrr and, to his dismay, young Li, S2 for once said nothing to the others but prepared and readied himself near the landing ramp. When, like a voice from the creator himself, Mr. Arriv commed from the bridge about their arrival, the droid leapt into action and activated the ramp?s controls. As the natural world was revealed before him, he spotted the outsiders? the Dug warriors? immediately. By the expressions on their faces, they were obviously not pleased by the Gamble?s sudden arrival and began opening fire on the ship with their hand weapons, turning their attention from the Duros Captain and his crew temporarily.

?Captain! Up here! Hurry!?

--------------------------

Feeling a droplet of sweat roll down his brow, the situation at hand was becoming more than Jav could handle at the moment. He had tried almost everything he could to try to calm his agitated adversaries while also trying to quell the pain radiating from the blaster wound in his leg, but neither seemed to be acquiescing to his desires. It seemed, to his chagrin, that nothing would end the situation save a blast fight? that is, until the Gamble descended from the canopy above and hovered over the ground like an angel while S2?s modulated voice called out over the noise of the engines for them to hurry. Quickly surveying the scene, the Captain was relieved to finds the Dugs distracted and firing at the ship in alarm. This was just the chance they needed.

?S2, get anyone you have up there to get our three Swoops aboard and get them stowed in the cargo bay! Aden, Dervin, Tal? make a break for the ship! The rest of you, set your weapons for stun and provide cover fire! Once everyone else is aboard, head there yourselves. I?ll be right behind you!?

With the arrival of the Gamble, the Dugs had moved from their staggered circle to an arc, placing themselves on one side of his crew with the ship on the other. In their new formation, however, they were no longer in the open but had taken shelter behind rocks, fallen logs, trees and in the water as they focused their attack on the old Decimator, so sure that it was about to open fire on them at any moment.

TAG: The entire Gamble crew

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IC: Hote Vale
The Lady Fate Casino- Worlport- Ord Mandtell

This was? all too easy. Reaching to the polished ebony surface of his desktop, he opened a small panel hidden there and pressed down on the red button within with his index finger. Within seconds, two of his towering Savrip security guards appeared behind the small mammal in the doorway as Vale smiled widely.

?These, my friend, will be your loyal protectors and escorts while you are staying with us. They will gladly take you wherever you need to go and help you with any inquiries you may have. There main function, however, will be to server as your protection should word get out and Mr. Rissant try to silence.? Turning his mottled pink gaze towards the guards, he waved his nodular hand at them dismissively. ?Please, escort our friend to the Chancellor?s Suite please.?

TAG: BluBeast

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IC: Gizka
The Dusty Dowager-Hyperspace en route to Ord Mantell

Oh no! They were trying to hurt him! The giants were always so mean, as his parent had told him! He should have believed them!

The young Gizka had managed to hop away before their hurting magic could hit him and made it back to the corridor before they had noticed. A stray croak escaped his lips as he tried to hop away towards the duct from which he had earlier come. He paused in step and then quickly hopped off to hide behind a bare girder, hoping the giant and his scary flying ball would not find him.

TAG: CmdrMitthrawnuruodo

IC: Dervin-Joss
Jungles- Malastare

Hoorah, we're saved, thought Dervin-Joss as the ship descended. Hearing the captain's orders, the Ongree began moving with all the haste he could muster, fearful that at any moment the shots that were directed at the ship would be trained on him instead.

He got all of five steps before the injuries he'd received caught up with him and finally brought him down.

Dervin-Joss knew what heroes would say: Save yourselves! Leave me here! Go on, I'm finished anyway, but I'll take these buggers down with me!

So Dervin-Joss opened the mouth on the top of his head and shouted, "Somebody kriffing help me!"

TAG: Any kind-hearted crewmate

IC: Gorrk
Cargo Ramp, Fool?s Gamble

Battles were not Gorrk?s forte by any means, but neither could he just stand by and watch as something precious to him was lost. The incoming shots paused, and the Ugnaught hobbled as fast as he could off of the loading ramp and toward Drevin-Joss. He ran out of breath at ten paces and felt as though he?d die at twenty, but he pressed onward to the Ongree?s side. Kneeling next to his companion, he quickly used his stubby fingers to pry the lightsaber hilt away from the him and made a beeline back to the ship.

The sound of weapons fire motivated him to move faster, and he collapsed as soon as his feet touched loading ramp. Coughing, hacking and crawling his way onto the ship, Gorrk hocked a loogie onto the damp ground and pulled himself the final few feet to safety.

His vision swam and his breathing was labored, but in the end it was worth it as he admired his prize. Tucking his new toy into his backpack, Gorrk mentally went over the parts he?d need to develop that lightsaber wielding remote he?d always wanted?

TAG: Drevin, Gamble Crew