To Nar Kreeta, Bets and rancor trouble
I entered the briefing room and I saw that a 3cpo droid was controlling the panels. While he was pushing buttons I walked towards him.
"Hi, there." "Hello, what can I do for you, trainee Korr." The droid answered while still looking at the panel.
"I was hoping I could get an assignment." I replied. The unit looked up. "I was told that you're busy with training, so I have no missions available right now.
"But I just finished up. I'm ready to go back into action!" But the droid didn't looked impressed. "I'm sorry, come back tomorrow." "No!" I yelled but then quickly corrected my straight face. "What I mean is… I haven't been on a mission for two days, the others have continued theirs. I have the feeling that I'm doing nothing." "That's not true miss Korr. You're in training." "Yes, but. Training for today is done. Can't you look up something." I was really desperate to go out and it looked like the droid saw this. "Well. Maybe there is something…." "Yes, anything. I'm ready and eager." I shouted. "Well… Master Skywalker and master Katarn have left the a academy…. But I can possibly supply you with a set of possible missions for this week."
"That would be so great." "Good, now let's see what kind of mission I can provide." He starting to control the panel and put up some new data. He scrolled through the different assignments. My eyes fell on a rescue mission. "Wait, hold up."
I read it, it send in a half hour ago, from the planet Nar Kreeta.
"I want that mission. Can you give me a short briefing ?" I said to the droid. "Yes… Well." "Go on." I urged him to continue. The droid nodded and opened up the file.
"We've received word from a mining guild on Nar Kreeta. A number of elders are held captive by the local Hutt crimelord. The elders went to negotiate a treaty with the Hutt, but never returned. The crimelord himself, claims no one ever came to see him. Your job is to find the elders and return them safely." I nodded. "Consider it done."
"Great, I'll inform your master right away." He turned on a communication channel. "Is it okay to inform master Katarn. He is still searching for Rosh." I said.
"It's protocol to inform the master of the students whenever they go on a mission. We also need the approval from the master. So that we know that the student is ready for this type of assignments."
"Oh…" I said while looking up to the screen. I took a good look at the different kind of missions and wondered if I was ready for this mission.
After a few minutes Kyle answered the call. "This is Kyle, what's up 3cpo?" He asked. "This is protocol droid 3cpo. I've got a mission set up for student Jaden Korr. Id number 339862, current loc…." "Relax, Just give me the details." The droid continued, a bit pissed off now. "Well, the mission is to Nar Kreeta. I'll upload the details." "Yes, thank you. Now let me read this…." After a moment Kyle chuckled. "This kid really can't sit still and look at this mission. Really something for her. I approve of this mission. It's nearby my location so I'll assist her on this mission." "Good, I'll set the coordinates and sent miss Korr on her way." "Do that." Kyle said and broke the communication.
The droid turned to me. "Miss Korr, master Katarn has approved of your assignment. You have to go to.." But before he continued I interrupted him. "Yes, I've heard him. Can you upload the coordinates to shuttle 7 in bay 2B?" "Yes, ma'am." The droid answered, a bit annoyed by the many interruptions. "Good, then I'll be on my way."
I exited the briefing area and made my way quickly to the spaceport. When I reached my spaceship I sighed relieved. One thing I was glad off was, that I didn't bumped into master Starlight. She really did scare me, I never expected her to be so…. Well never mind. No point in dwelling, she did became my trainer after Kyle asked her. So maybe it's a good thing. I shook my head, nah… Who am I kidding.
Now for the matter at hand, to Nar Kreeta. I jumped into the cockpit and put in the coordinates of the planet. After ten minutes I took off.
It was a short trip to Nar Kreeta. After half an hour in hyperspace I've reached the planet. It was simple to find the docking station. Nar kreeta was a small planet, it only had one docking station. When I landed and entered the waiting area, I took a good look around. Nothing interesting really, a few merchants ships had just landed and were bringing in cargo. There were also some travelers, I could tell that they were eager to leave this rock. Yes, according to my data pad, this planet really is a big rock. With some small aquatic sea's and a lot of deserts… Ah..…. the dry air, the burning sun and sand, which will miracously reach places I never thought it would. I really started to hate deserts after the missions on Tatooïne and Blanjeel.
I still remember the terrible drought. It was a disaster for my hair, my has been painfully red after two weeks and needed to be handled with care. After a week, I still felt the sand in my…. Well….. It wasn't a good experience. But this mission had a good side. It definitely beats the training session with master Starlight. As long as I was on a mission, I didn't have to endure in master Starlight's sadistic training methods.
I looked around and after five minutes I saw someone familiar. Kyle was talking with the boss, or some other high figure from the spaceport. I could tell from the uniform it was someone high in function. Also, every other employee greeted the man with most regard and respect. Kyle hadn't noticed me yet, his back was turned to me. I started walking to them and greeted the man the same way the others did. The man chuckled. Kyle didn't turn around and chuckled to. "I felt you coming. So you did pick up some manners in your time at the academy." Now Kyle looked behind him. I could see a big smirk on his face. For a brief moment I consider to say something but before I could open my mouth Kyle introduced me.
"This is the manager of the spaceport and a respected member from the mining community from Nar Kreeta. This is our client, mister Draav. Mister Draav, this is my student, Jaden Korr." Mister Draav smiled. "Call me Broo. Mister sounds so old." He reached out his hand and I took it. He gave me a firm handshake. "Pleased to meet you. You can call me Jaden." I said smugly. Broo gave a warm smile.
"So mister… I mean Broo told me about the problems he and the mining community had with raids and threaths from this crimelord. Lately it had gotten out of hand. The elders of the community have all been going to the lair to try to negotiate with the crimelord. That was almost three days ago…" "Yes, and we've been worried since." Broo filled in. "We would like the academy to investigate where our elders have been. They should have been here by now. It's only a half day trip to the crime lord's palace." "Broo has a speeder ready for us to take. It will take fourty minutes to reach the place." Kyle said. "Oke, let's go." Broo nodded and went in front, he then showed us the landspeeder. It was an older model speeder, from before the last galactic war. I wasn't sure it would work, Kyle also didn't look impressed with the old rusty speeder. Broo smiled and wished us luck, he needed to inform the company's leaders of our mission. Kyle sighed. "Well, let's see if this baby can take us to our destination." I nodded and took place in the cockpit, Kyle jumped in and took the steer. He turned on the engine and laughed out loud. The engine screamed with excitement. I grinned "Well, some things don't are what they seem, right Kyle?" "Heh, that's right, just like this baby. Hang on, Jaden. Let's see what this baby can do." He kicked the gas and there we go. "Wow! Almost as fast as the newer speeders on Coruscant." I shouted out with delight. "Not bad." Kyle agreed.
After ten minutes of looking around we both got to catch up. "How's the search for Rosh going?" I asked. Kyle was silent for a moment. I grew a bit impatient. I really wanted to know what happened with Rosh. He is a friend….
"Kyle…"
"I know Jaden. You really want to know… But, there isn't anything yet. I need more time to find out more clues. There are still some questions..." Kyle said.
"But.." "There is nothing Jaden." Kyle said, a bit irritated.
I shut my mouth and started staring outside. After a minute Kyle sighed wearily. "Look, Jaden. If I have something, I'll let you know." "Yeah…"
After another awkward moment of silence, Kyle coughed. "Let's talk about something else. How's your training going?" He asked, glad to have found another topic.
"Good, I guess." "I've heard you've passed the first exam with flying colors." "Yes, but they could have warned about the giant boulder." Kyle laughed. "But that's the best part of the exam. Wait till you are a master yourself. Nothing more funnier than to scare you're pupils to death." I gave Kyle a strange look. "Well… If you say so."
"Don't be such a whiner, you've passed the test, didn't you. I never had a doubt." I looked up and gave Kyle a glance, he was looking at the road.
"Really?" I asked. "Really, Really." He said an chuckled. "Me and the other masters have made bets about who was going to make it. I betted it would be you on top. It seems like I've made quite some money." Kyle smiled at the prospect.
I rolled my eyes.
"So that is how the masters on the academy make some extra cash?" I asked. "Our salary is not to write about, besides it's always good to have a little extra money."
"I guess you've got a point." Kyle nodded and smiled.
"Uhm… Kyle?" "Yes, Jaden." "Did you ask master Starlight to train me?" "Shaneeka?... Yes, that's right. I did ask her. But it would be a big surprise e if she actually did it. She normally focus herself on her own students. It's like a competition for her, to train the best knights. But how do you know about that?" Kyle looked back.
I stared at Kyle for a second. "What?! She normally don't train other students?" I asked with some disbelief "The possibility of the universe crashing down would be greater than that training students other than her own."
I stared outside with a absent gaze.
Kyle still looked at me, then he connected the dots. "Shaneeka?! You…..!"
The speeder made a quick turn, he almost crashed into a rock. "She will train you?!"
"I had my first training with her this morning." I said. "And you can still go on a mission?" He asked. I gave Kyle a glare. "You really are something. Even Shaneeka's own students have to spent an entire week in the infirmary after a training session." "I agree, that master Starlight's lessons are rough… But… she did help train me for the last weeks." "That was fooling around, measuring and comparing other students with her own." Kyle yelled. "She would never…"
"How could you ask a monster to train me!" I yelled. "I'm sorry, Jaden. I never thought that that woman would agree to train another master's student." Kyle mumbled.
"But I guess my training sessions are very effective, if they can help you survive Shaneeka. I'm a great teacher." Kyle starting to smile complacent.
I sighed.
"But enough of that, We've arrived." Kyle said. I looked outside but didn't notice anything. "Where are we?" "In the middle of the desert." Kyle replied. "Here lives Zulo the Hutt." I took a better look, but the only thing I could see was sand, sand and sand. "Are you sure Kyle? There is nothing here." "Maybe you should look down." He said sheepishly.
I looked down, there was a big hole in the ground. "What in the force's name is that?" "That is the entrance for Zulo's little paradise." I looked further down, but I failed to see the buttom. I looked again at Kyle.
"How do I enter the mansion?" I asked. Kyle activated a little board computer and started pushing on some buttons. "It's seems that there is a pipe of a fan system down there. Maybe you could gain access there." "that's sounds a little convenient." "It's better than to jump down till you hit the bottom." "Point taken." I said.
"Well then, I'm going in." I said, trying to sound confident. "Wait for a second, I'll try to get a little closer." Kyle steered and down we got, now we hung above the pipe.
"There you go, be careful." I nodded and went down the speeder. I opened the emergency hatch and looked down. It was a jump straight down.
I took a deep breath and took a stance. "Have you jumped yet?" Kyle said. "In just a minute." I replied. Here it goes, I said to myself.
I jumped and straight down. Oh, god…..
I threw my arms forward and grabbed the ledge. I gasped. So, this is how a real cliffhanger feels. I pushed all my strength in my upper arms and launched myself into the pipe. After I felt the metal under my shoes I could breathe again. I looked down and could see the bottom. Are those…. Remains….
Best not think about that now. I looked up and saw that Kyle was turning the speeder.
"You know… Normally I'm the one going into danger while Jan flies the ship…. Now he turned the shuttle so I could see him behind the windshield.
"But, this will work too." He smiled and waved. I also waved. "Find the elders, and bring them back here for pick up." I nodded and gave him a thumbs up. He then turned around.
I now made my way further into the fan system. Almost immediately I found a locked door. I let my hand glide over the door. I could sense people on the other side, but still. There was no way I could come in this way. I looked around and found a hatch. I took a good look and tried to push it. No.. It was rusted shut. No problem for this…
I grabbed my light saber and sliced right through the iron bars. It made more noise than I thought. I kneeled down and started to listen, but after a few minutes I continued.
After a few narrow corridors I reached another hatch. I looked down, two mercenaries were walking their rounds. One looked around attentively at his surroundings, the other looked very relaxed. He even had to laugh at his colleague. "What's wrong Ragat? Have you seen a ghost?" He asked mockingly. The attentive one looked a bit annoyed. "No, you can never be too careful. "Ah… never mind…." The lazy one looked around, then his attention went back to his buddy. "Did you place your bet?" He asked. The sharp one chuckled. "No, why bother. The hutt's are terrible, most prisoners won't even get ten meters before the rancor eats them. It's a waste of credits." "Maybe, but if one of them ever gets away… Well, then I'm going to be very rich." The sharp one laughed out loud. "Yeah, yeah… keep dreaming." And he continued his round. The other one mumbled something and also started to walk his round.
Rancor? Bet? This is more serious than I thought. I looked around and continued my journey through the shafts. But there wasn't a nice spot to enter unseen. So I took my changes and got back to the first hatch. I looked down. The two guards were right under me. I took my light saber in hand and put my hand forward. I called upon the force and with all my might I threw a force push. The two goons never knew what hit them. The hatch flew against their heads and with a loud bang they were thrown against the wall. I jumped down and looked around. Behind me I heard some men shouting. Well, so much for a silent entry. I activated my light saber and blocked some laser blasts. I then returned their shots back. In no time I was finished with the guards.
But soon after my noisy entry, more made their way to me. I sighed and took out my light saber. After a few minutes, at least ten goons were lying unconscious. I tried really hard to just knock them out, not to kill. I'd like to avoid as much bloodshed as possible.
I looked around. The hall, in which I stand now made split in two other halls. I decided to take the right one first. I made my way and after defeating three more guards, I found a way back outside. I smiled, I found a way out.
I turned around and decided to investigate the other area. I made my way back. The guards still were lying in the corner. I paid no attention to them and made my way further into the facility. I looked around. One door was shut. Even with my light saber I could not open it. I looked around. Left of me was a door and an elevator. I walked towards the door. Locked, needed an security code. Well, there is only one way now…
I walked to the elevator and made my way upstairs. There I found a small bar, which is used as bettinghall. A bartender was doing the dishes. When he saw me he screamed and duck behind the counter. I took out my light saber and deflected some blasts. Guards from a room started attacking me fiercely. Luckily, the training with master Starlight learned me to be fast and agile. I used the skills to evade and deflect. After I made a good standing I used force speed to evade the rest of the attacks. I made my way to the guards and with some simple hand to hand combat, I took them out. I then heard another yell, I took a stance with my light saber. But after a second I deactivated my dear weapon.
It was the bartender who screamed in fear. He fled the bar and ran for his life.
I shook my head, if he is so scared, why go get a job with a Hutt lord?
I looked ahead and saw in the right corner a door. I walked to the door and opened it. Only a few lights flickered. I looked around and noticed security screens. I take a good look at it. It looked…. There was nothing
Some dirty large halls, covered in…. blood?
I shook my head, where in the force am I. I gave the room another look and in the other corner I saw a control panel. After a quick study I pushed a button. Something happened. It seemed that the windows were shut, now after some screeching noise they opened. I walked to the window and looked out in the area, which I first saw through the security camera's. Then another sound was heard. I looked out to the left. There a door opened and….
Like a pinball game, I saw four elderlies were pushed out of the chamber. They all had a terrified look on their face. I sighed and had a really bad feeling about it.
Then I heard it. The ground shook a little and an angry roar was stirring up my heart beat. A rancor!
There was no time left. I crawled through the window and jumped down. I ran towards the elderly. An old man looked up. "Who are…." But before we could get proper introductions I grabbed him by the arm. "We have to go, Now!"
After I said that a huge head looked around the corner. It was the biggest Rancor I had ever seen. "Oh, no! We're doomed!" an old woman screamed.
I looked around and focused my sense. There was an opening, a door, that's the exit.
"Listen, I'll distract the rancor. You make your way to that side." I pointed my finger left of me. The hostages all nodded and ran as fast as they could to the exit.
The rancor saw them running and roared again.
I took out my light saber and with the force I send it flying towards the big head. It was a direct hit. The rancor looked around confused, but after a minute he spotted me. He then made his way to me. I gasped and turned around. Maybe I should have thought it through.
I ran with an angry, hungry rancor after me. Luckily for me, Rancors are big and slow creatures. After three long halls I looked behind me. I could hear him, but I've created some distance between us. I sharpened my sense and through the force I could see that the people made it safely to the exit. After I confirmed it I ran forward. Through the force sense I could see that this way made a loop, also to the exit. Behind me I heard the rancor growling. He still was searching for me. I used the force to sprint the last few hundred meters and then took a few deep breaths. I was out.
One of the elders walked towards me. "thank you so much for saving us." "No problem." I said. "But, there are others still trapped there." An old woman spoke to the man. "Then I should save them." I replied and I turned around. "We were with fifteen people when we went to the negotiations. So that means, eleven others are still trapped." I looked behind and nodded. "Don't worry, I'll get you all out in one piece. You should head down this corridor. Stay in this hall and you'll find an exit further in. There is a ship waiting for you." The old man nodded and turned around. He and the other ran towards the exit. I made my way back to the control room. But before I could go onto the elevator again, new guards ran through the locked door.
After I defeated them, I found a security card.
I walked toward the door and used it. The door opened, I smiled and ran without thinking into another corridor. There I could dodge a grenade, just in time. I got back my composure and defeated the other guards. I looked around. There were three different paths I could take. I took the red one and found another bar, defeated the guards and went into the control room behind the bar. Just like last time I pushed the buttons and the screens opened. I jumped outside and saw that in the other corner hostages were pushed out.
Let the games begin. I thought.
I ran towards the hostages and pointed them into the right direction. Then, just as last time the rancor appeared. I smiled, the hostages could run freely, the rancor was to far away to catch up. I ran with the hostages to the exit and told them the way to Kyle. Then I made my way to the other betting areas. The third went as flawless. The stupid rancor always came a bit too late. But the last time the hostages and I made it barely. The rancor was waiting for us at the exit. When we came around the corner, the rancor came running for us. "Back!" I jelled and I took out my light saber.
The hostages backed down quickly. The rancor didn't seem to care much. He came straight for me. I dodged the first attack. His large claws scratched my left arm. I grunted and with pure discipline I ignored the pain. I focused on the rancor and threw my light saber. It was a good hit. I took out the right eye. The rancor screamed in agony and started attacking more fiercely. I backed down, away from the hostages. I threw another time, but this time. I threw my light saber into the wall.
Oh… No… Shit. The light saber fell on the ground. Before I could call it back with the force, the Rancor went back to his senses and started attacking me. I could only back down. I walked backwards, into another direction. He followed me, eagerly. He really wanted to munch me down.
I gulped and after another stare at each other, I made a run for it. He ran after me, faster than before. I called on the force to gain some distance. But it didn't gave me much off an advantage. I had used most of my energy and it had taken a toll on me. After that much fighting and running, I had almost ran out of juice.
After one loop, I made my way to the exit, the rancor was right after me. I jumped and then I fell on the ground, safe in the hall where the hostages were waiting for me.
But I didn't move at first, I felt a great pain at my back. After I jumped to safety, the rancor slashed with his clash. It hitted me in the back. I felt warm liquor dripping from my back.
I tried to stand, but my body protested. Then the alarm went off. Great timing, I thought bitterly.
"Come let's go." An old man said. He reached out his hand. I nodded and took it. With an unbelievable strength the man got me back on my feet. I focused my energy again, to sense the exit. The other hostages have reached Kyle. I could sense their energy. "Come, I know the way out!" I said. Then I took out my communicator and made contact with Kyle.
"Kyle, I found and freed all the hostages." "Good, get back to the access tunnel. I'll pick you up."
We quickly made our way to the tunnels. On the way back, we didn't ran into other trouble. With the force sense we avoided them. When we reached the tunnel Kyle flew lower with the speeder. He smiled proudly.
I smirked and waved. The hostages all made it, this mission was a success.
When we all boarded the speeder I made my way to the cockpit.
"Hey, there! Good job. I would love to see that slimy Hutt's face, when he found out all his prisinors escaped." Kyle said while he was flying the ship back towards the city. I smiled and nodded. I let myself fall on the co pilot's chair. I fell tired, this mission certainly drained me. Kyle shot me a glance. He then took a better look at me. "You look pale. Then he noticed the blood on my clothes. He activated the autopilot grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him. "You're wounded. Here, let me heal you." He held his hand above my back and after a second I felt the force carefully regenerating the large wound. I sighed relieved. After ten minutes the wound was closed. It still was painfull, but didn't hurt anymore.
"Thank you." I whispered. Kyle nodded and took the steer again. I leaned backwards in the chair and fell asleep.
I awoke again when we were back on the space port. A happy Broo held us in a strong embrace and after some thanking both Kyle and I went on our way. Kyle went back to investigate the disappearance from my friend and I went back to the academy to report. The same droid was in the briefing room when I gave him my report. Master Skywalker, who normally takes all the reports, still was away from the academy. I sighed and went back to the dormitories. A lot of students were away on mission. Allada was home, but she was studying for a re-examination. The exam with Dioddai went not as Allada wanted, she wanted to get a better score.
I left her alone and went back to my room. Ratharan wasn't home, so I took off my clothes and put on my pj's. I let myself fall on my bed but was startled after a soft furry thing stroked her head against my thigh. I looked up and saw my cute little kitten. I pulled the little kitten towards me and cradled it. The kitten purred and let itself be petted. I smiled and let the little kitten lie next to me. I lay down under my blankets and fell asleep.
