STAR WARS: RETROSPECTION- Runaway

Started by Newjak47 pages

Xavier senses the feat coming from Trax.

A coward is what he is

"Trax is no coward, he has fought bravely with us before," Xavier speaks in a controlled manner. "Trax you have some fear, but this must be done."

Trax shakes his head.

"I've heard Svidrigailov brag about some of the traps," Trax says. "It's possible that only someone with Jedi senses could get in there without access."

Still afraid still a coward

"He has a point though," Xavier says without realizing he is in front of Trax.

"If you do not feel like going in then all we ask is that you get us to the planet then you can leave if you decide to."

Trax says that he is not leaving you on Alouloth, just not going into the death traps of Svidrigailov's treasure trove.

"That shall do then," Xavier says. "While on the way is there anything you know about the traps I could face."

Trax can fill you in on what he has heard about as you go.

After minor repairs and refueling, The New Beginning is set for departure.

Very good Xavier says.

Let's get this show on the road! Using coordinates already set into the hyperdrive, Trax sends The New Beginning hurtling through space and past the stars until arrives above an unremarkable mudball.

The surface is no different. Alouloth is mostly covered in oceans that are thick and soupy, dark brown and opaque. You can never be sure how deep the bottom is below the surface, though one indicator is a wrecked starcruiser of not unimpressive size, only the aft of which is visible as it juts above the waters,

Amdist the sea of mud are tiny islands, all composed of sickly brown-green mud, all covered in spindly dead trees of gray and rotting wood. Most are not large enough to set foot on, let alone land on, but... one landmass is larger than the rest.

"There it is," Trax says. He slowly brings the slave-freighter down on the coast of the large island. Instead of landing, he lets the craft hover. "Can't land, the mud will suck us up. Once you get in... I'm going back to orbit."

Xavier gives a nod. He will take a moment to sense the feelings of Trax, before he jumps out of the ship.

Trax locks the starship in position and follows you out to the ramp, talking as you walk.

"I don't know much about the traps," Trax says, "but heed me when I say that Sviddy had a thing for lasers. As if the turrets all over The Trade and that big pistol weren't enough. He bragged to me that he had successfully installed a new laser trap to the first section of the entrance... tested it by pushing one of his goons into it. Not pretty results, from what he said.

"But you're a Jedi. With your lightsaber and your reflexes, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. I'm sorry I don't know what else he has in store for you. Take care, my friend."

You can sense that Trax is worried.

With that, you leap down from the ship. The mud softens your landing more than it needs to, and you sink in up to your knees in the grotesque muck. It smells earthy but not fresh, like it has gone sour or become moldy.

Above you, Trax pulls the freighter back up into space.

Xavier looks as Trax descends back into the void of space. He spends one more moment on it before being to trudge through the mass of mud and muck around his feet.

You venture off of the muddy beach and into the muddy forest. The trees are dry and dead, though the trunks are soaked and caked with the disgusting molding earth.

Now that you are amongst the trees, you are actually not sure where you were meant to find this base. What are you looking for?

Well Xavier wants to use his senses to try and find if there are any sentient thoughts floating around.

You do not sense any life on the island.

Perhaps below it then?

Hmm... no. It is possible that this outpost is abandoned, seeing as you initiated the downfall of Svidrigailov's clan.

Possible but there would still have to be some stuff left over wouldn't there?

Xavier will begin roaming the island looking for an entrance.

Yes, but no people.

So, back to the original question. If you are looking for some sort of entrance, what signs are you looking for?

Well paths of some kind. If this place was used to help hold the big ship then perhaps a clearing of significant size.

You doubt that The Trade ever did more than orbit this world, judging from its size. But sure enough, there are some 'trails' where the sickly moss does not seem to grow. Following one leads you deeper into the island... until you happen upon a clearing where, like the paths that lead to it, the moss has not grown.