A Living Legend and Echoes of History: Part I

Date: April 14, 176 BBY, Time: 4:45 P.M., Location: Brartal System, Brartal III

The Celestial Voyager soared gracefully through the Sky of Brartal III and heading to the velvet expanse of space, its hull gleaming in the soft light of distant stars. Chasin Momeoran stood at the helm, his heart racing with anticipation as he navigated towards Brartal IV. The vibrant green and blue of the planet bloomed on the view-screen, an alluring promise of adventure. Beside him, his wives—Pulchra, Mugruco, and Sahaz—sat engaged in a spirited discussion about the potential discoveries awaiting them.

"Do you think we'll find anything significant?" Chasin asked, his hands clasped in excitement.

"Ancient artifacts, perhaps?, If the legends are true, we might uncover secrets long forgotten—something that could redefine our understanding of the Brartalian culture." Mugruco added, her lekku twitching with eagerness.

Chasin couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm. He admired how they each brought unique perspectives to their shared dream of exploration. "Let's focus on reaching the site first," he replied, adjusting the ship's trajectory. "We'll worry about the rest once we're on the ground."

Time: 5:09 P.M., Location: Brartal System, Brartal IV

The Celestial Voyager pierced through Brartal IV's atmosphere, the shuttle descending smoothly over lush green forests and expansive plains, dotted with ancient ruins peeking through the foliage. As they landed at the coordinates marked on their maps, excitement buzzed in the air. The site they were headed to was rumored to be the remnants of a settlement predating the unification of the Brartal system, lost to time and nature.

The shuttle doors hissed open, releasing a breath of cool air. The vibrant sounds of wildlife greeted them as they stepped out onto the soft earth. The sun hung high in the sky, casting dappled light through the trees.

"According to the ancient maps, the village should be about five kilometers north of here." Mugruco said, consulting the digital display on his data-pad.

"Alright let's move!" Chasin exclaimed, leading the way with a bounce in his step. All of his wives followed closely, their senses heightened as they ventured deeper into the verdant wilderness.

As they trekked, Chasin couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. He had heard the stories—the myths that spoke of a colossal predator lurking in the shadows, a creature born of the ancient earth. The natives referred to it as the Kraythx, a serpent-like beast known for its immense size and cunning intelligence. Legends suggested it had the ability to camouflage itself among the foliage, striking fear into the hearts of those who dared to enter its territory.

"Keep your eyes peeled," he warned, scanning the treetops and underbrush. "If the Kraythx is real, we need to stay alert."

After navigating through dense thickets and across small streams, they reached a clearing. The ancient ruins lay before them, partially swallowed by nature, with crumbling stone structures half-buried beneath centuries of earth and vines. Excitement surged through Chasin as he imagined the stories these walls could tell.

"This is incredible! Just think of what we could uncover here!" Mugruco exclaimed, brushing her fingers over a moss-covered pillar.

Suddenly, a rustling sound broke the tranquil atmosphere, pulling their attention. From the underbrush, eight rugged figures emerged—hunters dressed in makeshift camouflage gear, armed with blasters and harpoons designed for capturing large game.

"Looks like we have company," Chasin muttered, his heart racing. "Poachers!"

The hunters had likely come in search of the Kraythx, hoping to profit from the creature's extinction for trophies and exotic pets. Chasin quickly scanned the group, noting their grim expressions and aggressive postures.

One of the poachers, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, raised his blaster. "You're trespassing on our hunt! Get lost if you know what's good for you!"

Chasin stepped forward, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "We're not here to interfere with your plans. We just want to explore the ruins. We have no interest in the Kraythx."

The man sneered, "Too bad. This is our territory now. You can either leave or—"

Before he could finish, a massive shadow swept over the clearing. Chasin's heart sank as he looked up. Emerging from the treetops, a gigantic Kraythx slithered into view, its scales shimmering like emeralds in the dappled sunlight. The creature was far larger than anything he had imagined, its eyes glinting with a predatory intelligence.

"Run!" Chasin shouted, instincts kicking in as the poachers aimed their blasters at the creature. The Kraythx let out a bone-chilling hiss, its massive form coiling as it prepared to strike.

In a frenzy, Chasin and his wives darted for cover behind a crumbling stone wall, the poachers caught between their prey and the monstrous reptile. Blaster bolts whizzed through the air, ricocheting off the ancient stone as the Kraythx lunged at the nearest poacher, its powerful jaws snapping dangerously close.

Chaos erupted as Chasin urged his wives to regroup. "We need to help them drive it away! If it stays here, it could ruin our expedition!"

Sahaz nodded, determination etched across her features. "We can't let the poachers capture it. It's a part of this world!"

As the Kraythx focused on the hunters, Chasin formulated a plan. He quickly rummaged through the gear they had brought, grabbing a flare launcher. "If we can distract it long enough, maybe we can force it to retreat!"

"Let's do this!" Sahaz yelled, clutching her blaster tightly. "We need to protect the creature and ourselves!"

With the poachers distracted, Chasin took aim at the Kraythx, firing a bright flare into the sky. The brilliant colors burst like fireworks, drawing the creature's attention away from the struggling hunters.

"Over here, you beast!" he shouted, waving his arms. The Kraythx turned, its focus shifting toward Chasin and his wives, a low growl emanating from its throat.

Pulchra took the opportunity to fire her blaster, striking the ground near the creature's massive head. "Keep it moving! We can't let it corner us!"

The Kraythx lunged forward, snapping its jaws inches away from Chasin. He darted to the side, adrenaline coursing through him as he and his wives worked together to create a diversion. The poachers, realizing the tide had turned against them, began to retreat, scrambling back into the trees, fear etched on their faces.

"Let's fall back! We need to lure it away from the ruins!" Chasin called to his wives.

With quick movements, they maneuvered through the thick underbrush, leading the Kraythx on a wild chase deeper into the forest. The creature roared in frustration, crashing through the foliage as it pursued them. They wove through trees, using their intimate knowledge of the terrain to their advantage.

After several minutes of running, they finally reached a dense thicket. Chasin quickly pointed to a nearby rock formation. "Up there! We can use the high ground!"

They scrambled up the rocks, finding a precarious vantage point to observe the creature below. The Kraythx paused, confused, its massive head twisting as it searched for its prey.

"What now?" Pulchra gasped, breathless from their flight.

Chasin looked down, spotting the retreating forms of the poachers in the distance. "We need to ensure they don't come back. If we can scare them off for good, the Kraythx might find a new home away from here."

With a determined nod, Sahaz aimed her blaster and fired a shot into the air. "Let's make some noise!"

The others joined in, blasting into the trees and creating a cacophony of sound. The Kraythx, startled, let out an angry roar before slithering away deeper into the forest.

"Looks like we did it," Mugruco said, panting as she surveyed the area. "We've scared them off."

Chasin took a deep breath, a mix of relief and exhilaration flooding through him. "We protected the Kraythx—and our expedition. Now we can finally explore the ruins in peace." As they descended from the rocks, the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the landscape.

As they descended from the rocky outcrop, Chasin Momeoran felt a rush of exhilaration coursing through him. The remnants of the ancient village lay ahead, cloaked in mystery and time. With his wives by his side, he knew they were on the brink of a significant discovery.

"Let's get to work," Chasin declared, surveying the crumbling structures that peeked through the verdant underbrush. "Mugruco, you take the lead with the probes. Everyone else, keep an eye out for any signs of the poachers."

Mugruco smiled brightly as she activated her mining and mineral scanner, a sleek device that could probe the earth beneath them for structures and artifacts. "Let's see what secrets this place holds," she said, her lekku twitching in anticipation.

As she maneuvered the device, a series of holographic displays flickered to life, mapping out potential locations of interest. Chasin watched as the probe began to beep rapidly, indicating the presence of large, buried structures beneath the soil. "There! Look at that! This area has significant anomalies—structures buried deep!" Mugruco exclaimed, pointing to a cluster of readings on the scanner.

"Let's head there," Chasin replied, his heart racing with excitement. The prospect of uncovering ancient secrets was intoxicating.

They moved swiftly toward the indicated site, their excitement palpable. As they arrived at the designated spot, Chasin began to clear away the vines and debris, revealing a stone archway that had once been a grand entrance to the village. The carvings on the stone were intricate, telling stories of a time long past.

"This could be part of the royal family's estate," Sahaz mused, brushing her fingers across the stone. "I've heard tales of the Brartalian royal family—the Zoryans—who ruled here long before the unification of the system. They were known for their wealth and their vast collection of artifacts."

"Exactly," Mugruco added, examining the carvings closely. "If we find anything of theirs, it could be invaluable—not just for historical purposes but also for the Zoryans. They're paying us quite a handsome sum for this expedition, after all. 250,000 credits is a lot of money."

Chasin nodded, feeling the weight of the task before them. "Let's get digging."

With the team's combined efforts, they set to work, utilizing their tools to carefully excavate the area. Hours passed in a blur of excitement and discovery. They unearthed fragments of pottery, pieces of jewelry, and remnants of ancient furniture that hinted at the lifestyle of the Zoryans.

As night began to fall, casting shadows over the ruins, the atmosphere shifted. Chasin felt the familiar prickling at the back of his neck—the sensation that they were not alone. Suddenly, a rustling sound echoed from the treeline.

"Poachers!" Chasin hissed, turning to his wives. "Get ready!"

Emerging from the darkness, the same rugged figures they had encountered earlier stepped into view, their faces set in grim determination. The burly man with the scar on his cheek led the charge. "You thought you could scare us off?" he sneered, brandishing his blaster. "We're not leaving without our prize!"

"Not if we have anything to say about it," Chasin replied, taking a defensive stance alongside his wives.

"Stand down! We're not letting you take anything from here!" Mugruco shouted, her blaster raised.

The poachers laughed, their confidence palpable. "This was our territory claim territory before you guys can over here and made you claim! We'll take what we want, and you'll be the ones who end up on the ground!"

Before Chasin could react, the poachers opened fire. Blaster bolts sizzled through the air, and Chasin shouted, "Take cover!" They dove behind the ruins, returning fire as the situation erupted into chaos.

"Stick together!" Chasin yelled, coordinating their movements. He spotted an opening and made a dash for a pile of rubble, pulling his wives along with him.

"Where are they getting this bravado? Do they think they can take us on?" Sahaz shouted, firing a shot that grazed one of the poachers' shoulders.

Chasin, keeping an eye on their attackers, noticed a small group of ruins to their left that provided potential cover. "We need to flank them. Move to the left!"

As they maneuvered, Chasin's mind raced. He knew that these poachers were not just common hunters; they were well-armed and emboldened by their prior successes in the area. They would need a solid strategy to turn the tide.

"Let's regroup," Chasin said, glancing at his wives. "If we can take them by surprise, we might be able to capture them."

With a plan in place, they quietly circled around the left flank. Chasin nodded at his wives, signaling them to follow his lead. "On three. One… two… three!"

They burst from their hiding spot, firing at the poachers and causing them to scatter in shock. Chasin led the charge, dodging behind a fallen pillar, while Pulchra and Sahaz provided cover fire.

The poachers scrambled, trying to regroup, but their earlier bravado quickly turned to panic. Chasin took aim at the burly leader, who was now trying to rally his men. "This is your last chance! Surrender, and we won't have to take you down!"

"Never!" the leader snarled, firing wildly in Chasin's direction.

With a fierce determination, Chasin ducked and returned fire, striking the leader in the arm. "You're outnumbered! Stand down!" he shouted.

One by one, the poachers began to lower their weapons, realizing they were outmatched. The leader, clutching his wounded arm, glared defiantly but slowly lowered his blaster.

"Alright! You win this round, but this isn't over." he spat, surrendering.

Chasin nodded, signaling his wives to approach. They quickly bound the poachers with durable ropes taken from their expedition gear.

"Let's see what the authorities say about your little hunting escapades, I bet some of you have bounties on your heads for poaching in this sector." Chasin said, satisfaction washing over him.

After securing the poachers, they gathered their gear and began the trek back to the Celestial Voyager. The moonlight bathed the ruins in a silver glow, and Chasin felt a mix of triumph and apprehension. They had successfully defended their expedition and protected the Kraythx, but the threat of the poachers loomed large.

Once aboard the ship, Chasin set the coordinates for the capital city on Brartal IV. "We'll file a claim for the ruins and turn these poachers in. The authorities will want to know what's been happening in this area," he said, glancing at his wives. "And hopefully, we'll uncover more treasures and secrets of the Zoryans."

As they prepared for takeoff, Mugruco eagerly looked at the data they had collected. "If we can prove the significance of this village, we might even secure additional funding for a full excavation."

Chasin smiled, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "Let's make it count. The secrets of the past are waiting for us."

With that, the Celestial Voyager lifted off into the starry sky, the thrill of adventure igniting their spirits as they embarked on the next phase of their journey.