Chapter 8: Lesson Learned

It felt like Jarek had only just closed his eyes when Myler was shaking him awake. If it wasn't for the fact the sky had gone from a pale blue to near blackness, he'd have thought no time had passed at all. Without a word they broke camp and headed towards the gate. On approach the pair of guards on duty noticed them. Given his history of chilled greetings from other members of the clan, Jarek half expected them to draw weapons and chase them off. To his utmost surprise, the lead guard hit a control and the massive blast door came to life. It opened just enough to allow the pair of them to walk through. As they passed both Myler and the guards exchanged respectful nods.

Once they were outside and the gates resealed, Jarek couldn't help but ask, "Opening the gate for Dar'Manda?"

Myler shrugged but never broke stride, "Some who are outcast reaped honor before disgrace." Once again Jarek was painfully reminded of just how little he knew about his adoptive father. He was sure there was nothing he'd done that would change how he felt, but he couldn't help but wonder, given his wide range of skills and knowledge...who had he been before being outcast?

"So much for clan law," Jarek murmured a little perturbed at the hypocrisy.

"I spoke to no one," Myler said pressing forward. "And now we must both keep our wits here outside the Embrace. These are the true wilds Jarek, with threats unlike any you've ever faced." Myler wasn't wrong, aside from the road they traveled there was little to no indication of a civilized presence out there. He'd been so long in familiar settings of the valley that he'd forgotten of a whole other world beyond the Embrace. It both terrified and excited him. One day soon he'd be able to go well beyond the Embrace and even Kalevala itself into the wider galaxy.

First things first.

Less than a mile from the gate they came across the corpse of a tallneck. Jarek had seen the flat-nosed behemoths from a distance, but never so close. The creature was over twenty feet tall if it was an inch. Like the others of its species, a long mane of quills ran from the top of its head down to its massive shoulders.

However, its grandeur was marred by the gaping wounds across its flank, and throat. Massive claws had torn open its tree trunk-sized neck exposing the bone and muscle beneath. Its flank was a mauled mess with its organs spilling out onto the blood-soaked ground. The kill was at least a day old but for some reason, the scavengers had left it alone. Odd. A corpse of that size was a veritable buffet and yet there it sat.

Myler gestured for Jarek to follow. He did but couldn't help but glance back one last time at the scene. There was only one predator capable of bringing down a tallneck. A greater Knarloc, but the tallneck hadn't been feasted upon at all, more like it was savaged for the sake of violence. "That carcass," he whispered, "What kind of beast could do that?"

"It's called a Nexu," Myler explained still walking, "A non-native of the planet brought in by some rich di'kut'la and got loose. Since they've come south, they've ravaged the herds and killed many innocents who were caught outside the Embrace." Jarek wasn't familiar with the species, and if it wasn't from Kalevala then it wouldn't look or behave like any of the predators he'd faced before.

An unknown adversary with the strength to bring down a tallneck? Did Myler expect him to kill it? Was that why they were out there?

A little further down the road, they took a side trail. "Why are we the only ones out here tonight?" Jarek couldn't help but ask, desperately trying to keep the nerves out of his voice. "Can't the clan's warriors hunt this beast?"

"They did...unsuccessfully," Myler said in a flat emotionless tone, "And tomorrow they will hunt again."

"They won't need to," Jarek said steeling his nerves with confidence, "This Nexu will be my kill."

"Or your death if you are not careful," Myler scoffed deflating Jarek's ego in an instant.

Moments later they rounded a bend in the trail. Jarek scented smoke on the air though it was too dark to see. It must've been from the column he'd seen earlier in the day. No sooner had the thought crossed his mind when they came out of the trees onto a low shelf that he got his answer. Nestled on the edge of the shelf up against a rock face stood a dwelling, not unlike Myler's, complete with a palisade. However, it had a few noticeable differences. Namely, the palisade was a shattered mess of splintered wood and twisted metal. The building itself...had seen better days. The roof sported several gaping holes revealing the struts within and where the front door had been was a pile of kindling. Smoke still drifts up lazily from piles of ash that could have been anything.

"An entire dwelling wrecked?" Jarek asked in complete shock, "What kind of creature can do that?"

"I didn't bring you here to ask questions, Jarek," Myler declared in a low but sharp tone. He jerked his chin towards a nearby stand of trees. "I brought you here to deal with that."

Jarek looked towards the copse that his father had indicated. At first, he saw nothing. Just the deepening shadows of the night, but Jarek knew better. He looked closer, passed the shadows, at the movement of the foliage. The slight breeze sent the underbrush moving one way, but then he saw a line of bushes move in the opposite. He saw the long-grass bend as it was displaced by something large and low to the ground.

Then he saw it. The branches overhead parted and shafts of moonlight caught on silvery-white fur with black stripes. It had to be fourteen and a half feet from its four red eyes to the end of its forked tail.

"It's huge," Jarek gasped feeling the nervous energy coursing through his system. "How do I defeat something like that?" he asked.

"That will be for you to decide." He heard Myler say. He turned in time to see his father backing away towards the shadows of the underbrush, making his intentions clear. "This hunt is yours to make, Jarek-yours alone," He said continuing his slow retreat. "No matter what happens I will not intervene. Do you understand? You are on your own." Myler didn't give him a chance to reply before he vanished completely from sight.

Jarek felt the oh-so-familiar rush of adrenaline whenever he faced a predator. He'd accompanied Myler when they hunted the native carnivores; Hounds, Scrappers, Snapjaws, and even Sawtooths. But he'd never faced a creature like this. He didn't know its patterns, its capabilities, or weaknesses.

Was this what Myler wanted? To test him one last time against a new unknown threat.

Jarek took a deep breath to steady himself. Taking a knee, he observed the Nexu. It may have been an alien species, but it was still prey. Like every prey, there was a way to go about taking it down.

Step one was to be prepared and realize there was a possibility that he could get attacked. So, he had to make sure he could defend himself. He had his blaster with a full charge and his blades were well-honed if things got up-close and personal. It was also important to know his prey, but he hadn't the time. The Nexu would have his scent before too long and he'd need to act fast.

Step two was to know the terrain. There were approximately four hundred meters of rolling ground covered in patches of long-grass and speeder-sized boulders scattered intermittently. The grass would offer cover and concealment, while the boulders helped obscure eye-lines. The boulders would also help funnel the Nexu in the direction he needed it to go.

Step three was to prepare the ground ahead.

Jarek leaped down from his over-watch position to the ground below. He figured he had less than ten minutes before the wind changed and the Nexu caught his scent. Maybe less of its olfactory senses were more sensitive than the native species. He had to assume they were.

Moving at a low crouch, Jarek entered the long grass and approached the nearest boulder. With practice ease and efficiency, he set up a tripwire across the opening to another boulder and tied it off on a stake. Moving forward Jarek set up a second tripwire and then a third. When the last wire was set, Jarek pulled back. He had just reached the first trap when he heard the first growl.

Sinking into the long grass he saw the creature emerge onto the open ground, skulking through a patch of brush. Its wide head swung back and forth taking in and surveying the territory ahead. Its mouth opened and closed with each breath; tail swishing side-to-side. Its shoulders were tensed bundles of muscle indicating it was ready to pounce at a moment's notice. It had caught his scent, sharper senses.

Jarek shouldered his blaster and readied his grappling hook.

One breath...

Two breaths...

Three breaths...

The Nexu moved, faster than any predator Jarek had ever seen. It leaped out of the long-grass, low to the ground. Clawed feet tore at the soil as it cleared over twenty feet in a single stride. A hissing, inhuman screech exited its gaping maw revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth, baying for blood. His blood, and yet Jarek waited.

The Nexu hit the first trap. Its forelimbs had already cleared it, but its rear legs caught. The wire ripped free and retracted, wrapping around them. Unable to move properly it tried to bring its forepaws up to catch itself only to hit the second trap. The wire snapped like the first and entangled the front legs just like the others. The nexu's predatory roar turned into a pained squeal as it tumbled end-over-end. Then it hit the final trap. The wire snapped and snared its way around the body pinning its bound forelimbs to its torso.

Fully bound the nexu rolled to a halt directly in front of Jarek's hiding place. The alien carnivore hissed as it struggled viciously against the bindings. It kicked its hind legs while twisting its head around in an attempt to gnaw at the wire. It succeeded only in writhing about in the dirt.

Standing Jarek stepped out of the grass, blaster raised. The movement caught the nexu's attention. It paused briefly in its struggle to watch him with two of its angry red eyes. Jarek took one more step and the Nexu released a challenging roar that Jarek felt in his bones, freezing him in his tracks. The sheer level of anger and hostility emanating from the creature hit him like a brick wall. Before then he had thought the Kroot Warriors were the most alien thing he'd ever seen, but the Nexu...was an entity from another world. It had been taken from everything it had known and put in a place it didn't belong surrounded by creatures and beings it had never seen. It was confused, angry...and afraid.

The young man knew what that felt like. To feel isolated and alone, equal parts despised and feared for simply existing. He knew the anger and wanting to lash out at the things that hurt, but unable to do so.

Jarek sympathized with it, but just as quickly as he registered the emotion, he pushed it aside. Fear and anger were no excuse for the level of savagery he'd witnessed. The innocent lives brutally ended by rending claws and teeth.

Taking a deep breath Jarek brought up his blaster and aimed. The Nexu gnashed its jaws snarling and kicked out more furiously to reach him. It was as if it knew what was about to happen and was desperate to cling to its existence.

Unfortunately, its continued survival threatened the lives of others, including his own. It was his task to hunt and kill the beast. He would not fail in his mission. Just as his father had taught him on his first hunt; it wasn't an animal; it was a target.

Jarek squeezed the trigger. The muzzle barked once. The Nexu went rigged, mouth agape. Its four red eyes, once wide with rage, bulged in shock before fading to clear. As the last breath escaped its lungs the nexu's body went limp. Jarek waited a moment longer before approaching cautiously. Another moment longer and he was sure the beast was dead.

He eyeballed the entire corpse. The black and white striped fur gleamed in the moonlight brilliantly. Jarek couldn't help but admire the way it flowed. It would make a brilliant cloak or quilt. Then his gaze fell on the claws; black as night and razor-sharp. They were the perfect tools for climbing, running, and killing. They would make the perfect trophy. Kneeling he drew his knife and set to work cutting and prying them loose.

Jarek was almost finished when he perceived Myler approaching. He felt more than saw his father take in his kill. Jarek expected to hear Myler's typical congratulations for a successful hunt followed by the critique. Instead, to his confusion, he received a question. "Why did I bring you out here?" Myler asked.

"Well..." Jarek fumbled for an answer, caught off guard, "not to ask questions."

"Jarek..." Myler said in a warning tone.

Sighing Jarek shoved the claws into a pocket. Standing he turned to face Myler. He thought briefly about the situation and the instructions given prior. "Survival requires perfection," He replied confidently, "It was a test. To test my skills against an unknown prey."

"No," Myler stated curtly, "Follow." Jarek was taken off-guard by Myler's response but quickly fell in step behind him. Myler led him up a steep winding path leaving the impromptu battlefield behind. The path eventually leveled out onto a bluff. Beyond the crest of the bluff was an awe-inspiring view of the valley. He could see the North Gate and the sweeping vista of the Embrace. Myler turned to face him but raised an arm, gesturing in the direction of the Embrace. "These lands belong to Clan Orion. They must be protected," he lowered his arm and set his gaze on Jarek, tone serious, "therefore the clan must be protected. If you hadn't killed the Nexu how many Mandalorians might it have killed or injured tomorrow?" Remembering the sheer savage lethality of the Nexu, Jarek couldn't even think of a reply. Myler held up a finger stating, "The lesson lives within the question, Jarek." Lowering the finger, he continued. "For years you have trained to win the Verd'Goten, but only for yourself. As a warrior and hunter, it will be your duty to protect your clan-"

"My clan!?" he sputtered shocked at Myler's statement, seeing as the clan had done nothing to help them. Yet here they were risking their lives for their benefit. It didn't sit right with him. "You said I wouldn't need them."

"Yes," he said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "But I never said they wouldn't need you." Jarek sighed and started to look away. Myler moved his hand to the side of his face gently making Jarek look him directly in the eye. Even through the visor, Jarek could feel the sincerity and how deeply he was trying to impress upon him the importance of his words. "The strength to stand alone is the strength to make a stand. To serve a purpose greater than yourself." He shook Jarek slightly for emphasis, his tone taking on an almost desperate edge. "That is the lesson you must learn. And remember it...after the Verd'goten...and after I am gone." Myler lowered his hand with a sigh and stepped back. Jarek was speechless unsure how to respond. He turned and started back down the path. "We're finished here," he said over his shoulder, "Follow." Apparently, Myler wasn't expecting an answer right then.

It was a good thing it was a long way back to the dwelling. Jarek had much to think about.