Though having gotten used to dealing with opponents who were lacking anything resembling the basic tenants of common sense, Vader still felt the familiar emotions of disgust as he observed what passed for security with these disgusting creatures.
If the objective of a nest was to remain undetected while it built it's strength, surely the best way to do so would have been to conceal its sentries in camouflaged checkpoints, or even molding the environment to enhance the perception that there was nothing in the area except abandoned ruins.
Not having a pair of Goblins and their canine companion openly confirm the entrance to their underground dwelling. In the art of concealment, they were even worse that the Rebels had been on Hoth. For at least the Rebellion had made the attempt to establish their base on a planet that lacked any indigenous civilization.
The only thing that lessened his annoyance was the fact that his so called companions, particularly the elf, shared his viewpoints when it came to the intelligence of Goblins.
"Ok. I know that Goblins are stupid, but this is a bit much. Most people know this place is an abandoned elven fortress, so what do they thinks going to happen if they stand on guard like that? Its like their asking to be wiped out".
Inclining his helmet to show his agreement with this line of thought, Vader found himself wearing a slightly confused expression as this viewpoint was slightly challenged by the man whose obsessive tendencies would have impressed even Sidious.
"Their not stupid. The fact that their openly declaring their presence, not to mention the fact that they have a wolf as a pet, is an indicator that the situation is worse than we realized".
Suspecting where the armored adventurer was going with this, the former Jedi held his tonge as Goblin Slayer expanded his reasoning.
"If the nest was struggling, not only would they have taken greater efforts in concealing their presence, most likely by having their sentries positioned in far less exposed area, but they would have chosen to eat the wolf instead of wasting resources to keep it alive. The fact that they have one that appears to be somewhat well fed, as well as trained, not to mention the sloppy way in which their performing their guard duties, means that this nest has more resources than a normal sized nest".
Mildly impressed by his..comrade's deductive skills, and sensing that the rest of the group accepted this line of reasoning, Vader felt his anger building as the more brazen member of their group jabbed a finger at him in an accusatory fashion.
"Thats all fine and dandy. But how the hell are we supposed to get close enough without the big guy giving us away? I'm a fantastic archer, but from this distance, I can't guarantee my arrows will hit their target".
Turning his head so that the Elf was staring directly into the lenses of his helmet, Vader's voice carried an unmistakable level of iciness as he pointe his own finger at the green haired immortal.
"It would be wise to keep your doubts about what I can do to yourself girl. Especially when its clear that your own abilities are not as infalliable as you've previously thought. However, since I suspect you require a demonstration of my continued usefulness, perhaps you should ready your weapon".
Though he enjoyed watching his female companion sport an expression that warred between rage and condesencion, the former Jedi found himself nodding his head in approval as the archer complied with the first part of his plan.
"Very good. Now, I take it that your experienced enough with your weapon that you are capable of shooting more than 1...projectile at once"?
His words earning a laugh from the pointy eared archer, Vader cross his arms in an unimpressed manner as he was forced to listen to the boasting of one who had already proven her abilities to those who had also doubted her skills.
"What part of 'fantastic archer' didn't you understand? I'll have you know that I can accurately hit 5 targets at a range of ...
"Considering our present adversaries are noticeably less than 5, I trust that you will have no difficulty hitting 3 targets at once"?
Enjoying the scowl that had come over the previously smug archer's face, the armored Force user inclined his forward as the girl proceeded to notch 3 arrows to her bow.
"Good. Now. Aim for your targets. And release your arrows upon my signal. Understood"?
His order being met with confused frowns from the female members of the group, as well as mixed looks of unease and intrigue at his little demonstration, Vader felt a ghost of Anakin Skywalker's cocky smirk spreading across his scarred features as he provided his companions with a minor demonstration of what he was capable of.
"Release".
...
Though she knew that her aim was perfect, Elf Archer knew that a lot more went into acheving a perfect shot than simple accuracy.
One had to consider the effects of the wind. The potential for the target to move at the last second. Knowing how far she could draw her bow before it snapped.
It was because of these factors that had caused her to question her ability to take out the Goblin sentries with a single arrow. One perhaps, but all of them? That was a tall order.
Shooting 3 arrows at once improved her chances, but the distance was still too great to guarantee a triple kill.
Which is why her expression shifted from irritation to shock as she watched each of her arrows hit their mark.
"Congratulations. Your boasts about your accuracy were correct".
Her eye's narrowing as she turned to stare at the black armored adventurer, Elf Archer found her mood souring further as Dwarf Shaman decided to comment on their joint efforts.
"That was an impressive shot you two. Never would have occurred to me to use magic to force an already launched projective to go faster, but I suppose you learn something new everyday. Though its odd. I didn't hear you utter a single incancation Vader. What spell did you use"?
Gritting her teeth as the Dwarf loudly announced what was held to be a taboo by her people, the green haired immortal found herself fighting the very real urge to shoot the towering adventurer shamelessly accepted the praise in a unmistakenly arragoant manner.
"Thats because I didn't use a spell. However you are correct in your observation regarding what I did to help take out our enemies. I trust that tI've managed to erase your fears about being discovered before we descend underground"?
Not trusting herself to speak, for she doubted that she could contain her less than pleasant remarks if she gave a verbal reply, Elf Archer slowly nodded her head in answer to Vader's question.
"Good. It would be unfortunate if I had to use more...persuassive measures to convince you of my usefulness. Now, shall we proceed onwards? The sooner we descend into the beasts' lair, the sooner we can bring an end to our temporary partnership".
Gritting her teeth at the thinly veiled threat from the towering adventurer, the green haired immortal was prevented from offering her own witty reply thanks to the cause of her ire turning his back to her and marching towards the entrance of the Goblin lair.
And while she would never act on these feelings, partly because she had the suspicion that Vader was already expecting it, the lithe figured archer managed to get her temper under control as she imagined the highly pleasing scenario of shooting the insufferable armored man in the back.
...
Despite earlier concerns about maintaining the element of surprise, the unlikely group experienced no trouble as they ventured deeper and deeper into the abandoned fortress without encountering any sign of their green skinned quarry.
In fact, if it hadn't been for the dead sentries outside, most of the group would have started to believe that the Guild's intel was wrong, or at the very least outdated.
Which was why some of the more talkative members of the group decided to express their suspicions as to why they hadn't encountered any further proof of the stunted subterranean dwellers.
"Not that I'm doubting your skills, or your commitment Vader, but don't you think you'd be better suited to other types of adventuring work? Exterminating Goblins seems to be a bit...beneath you".
His word's causing the armored adventurer to turn his helmet in what he presumed to be either amusement or consideration, Dwarf Shaman found himself sporting a look of astonishment at the man's informative reply
"Not at all. While the work may be less...glamorous than other missions, it is...oddly rewarding in its way. Even if I have to employ a more...specialized method to keep us from being detected".
Raising an eyebrow in curiosity at this bit of information, for from what he could tell the armored adventurer had taken no measures to lower the volume of his breathing, the bearded magic user was prevented from inquiring further as the youngest member of their group suddenly gasped in disgust.
"EGGHHH. What on earth is that smell"?
Having been part of the rear guard, it took a moment for the Dwarf to wonder what the golden haired cleric was going on about.
Then it hit him.
Holding his nose as he tried to block out the pungent smell that had sent most members of their group into gagging fits, Dwarf Shaman managed to gesture with his available hand.
"I...cough cough...I think it's coming from there".
Though expecting the rest of the group to silently agree with his rather obvious deduction, the stunted spellcaster was surprised when the least comforting member of their group strode towards the closed door with the same sort of purpose one would expected from a predator stalking its prey.
"You are correct".
….
Inwardly cursing his helmet's ability to amplify his sense of smell, for the stench was only barely more tolerable than the scent of his own cooking flesh, the former Jedi used the Force to open the chamber door and beheld a sight that filled him with familiar rage.
For just like that night nearly 30 years ago, here was another woman that had somehow managed to cling to life despite being held prisoner by creatures who knew only how to destroy.
But unlike that night, the former Jedi was not alone in his discovery. Nor was he alone in feeling the same emotions of horror and disgust that only a sane person would experience if they got to view the sight that his helmet afforded him.
While the left side of the woman's body was completely unblemished, the same could not be said for the right.
Scars, burns, bruises.
It was clear that her Goblin captors had been most thorough in their attempts to brutalize their captive.
However, it was not these marks of shame that caused the Force wielding cyborg too willingly call upon the Dark Side of the Force.
It was the simple fact that the poor woman was experiencing further assaults to her body by a creature that managed to surpass the Tusken's in their brutality.
Thus, it was with a great deal of satisfaction that Vader telekinetically slammed the raping Goblin into the wall, before ending its pitiful existence with a single clench of his hand.
'Wha...what did you do"?
Turning his helmet so that he could see the shocked expression of his pointy eared...associate, the former Jedi, still experiencing the 'joy' of killing something that truly deserved it, stated the obvious.
"What does it look like girl? I was charged with killing these creatures. And that is precisely what I've done".
Expecting the smaller adventurer to retort in her usual anger filled way, Vader felt himself unpleasantly surprised by her following actions.
"HURRRGGGHHHHH".
Stepping slightly back to avoid the torrent of undigested sustenance that escaped from the heaving girl's mouth, the armored Force User decided to hold his tongue as the rest of his party went to perform a service that came hard to him.
Providing comfort.
…..
Annnnnnd gonna end this chapter here XD. I apologize since it was my original intention to complete the first 'party' dungeon segment in one go, but case of writers block/not enough time to refamiliarize myself with this episode have gotten in the way.
Hopefully however you all (specially that 'Guest' who keeps leaving messages in my other updated stories) enjoyed this chapter.
Tried to keep the personalities/interactions as close to cannon/believable as possible.
Vader's trick with the arrows (I.e. using the Force to give them more power) I think is plausible, since the Vader comic Burning Sea's shows that Vader has a range limit when it comes to using the force on his opponents. (at least when it comes to human sized ones). Also sorta based it on the fight between Sidious and Yoda in ROTS where Sidious uses the force to speed up the descent of the pods, not just by using gravity. So yeah...same concept XD.
As for Vader and the Elf Captive, believe his reaction would be plausible given that he would be able to sense/see the Goblin before the other members of his party.
And will expand on his 'stealth' trick later.
Anyways, hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Plz Review. No flames/keep reviews relevant to THIS story and not my other ones XD.
Til next time.
