[OOM] Ilum, Jedi Enclave.

[stuck_mynock]

They have all of an hour to get up, shower, have breakfast and get ready before Atton is rushing off, yelling back at Will and Guppy about how they should start making tracks.

Five minutes later, they arrive in the hangar bay, and Atton starts looking around for their snowspeeders. He's a little miffed when he sees what they have instead.

Furry animals, about halfway between mammal and flightless bird, with reins and harnesses.

"I thought we were getting snowspeeders, not tauntauns," he protests.

The Jedi he's talking to shakes their head, sadly. "Snowspeeders are all broken."

Comments

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy does so, getting his stun gun and blaster ready.

[will_scarlett]

Will moves to the other side of the door so that all angles are seen.

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

Atton flicks a few switches.

A hologram of a Rakata appears, pacing around the room, one finger waggling.

"First set of notes. I have discovered on a planet in the distant reaches of the galaxy a sea creature, which grows to no larger than six inches, which has a truly remarkable ability. Upon discovering creatures of a similar size to itself, it injects them with a parasitic entity, which grows fuses to the host creature as a sort of exoskeleton.

"Two things are remarkable about this sea animal. First is that a live creature is not necessary to act as a parasite's host - husks of dead creatures can also be used. Second is that the progenitor sea animals, which for now I will simply refer to as Progenitor Creatures, are able to exert control over the parasite-infected animals, which I believe to be the result of Force Sensitivity on their part."

Atton frowns, slightly.

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy doesn't interrupt, in case something important is said, but wonders about mind control.

[will_scarlett]

"Sounds like those zombie things."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

Atton tilts his chin up as the hologram goes on.

"I have noticed a tendency amongst larger Progenitor Creatures to exhibit greater Force ability and greater intelligence. I believe this is due to an unusual neurological structure, of which I will go into greater depth later. I have already taken several creatures as test subjects, and I am encouraging their growth. Currently, the largest sample is fifteen inches in length.

"I will record further notes as soon as there is more progress."

[guppy_sandhu]

"Are they being used on people?"

[will_scarlett]

"Do ye understand it, Atton?"

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"Small sea creatures are more stupid than big sea creatures. Growth hormones are fun for all," Atton says. "Is a concise explanation."

He flicks a few more switches on the console, as the hologram fades.

"I have another piece of the coordinates and some of his written data. C'mon, let's go."

[guppy_sandhu]

"Okay." Guppy is relieved to be getting out of this place.

[will_scarlett]

"Oh aye, thank ye. Where're we 'eaded next?"

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"Tython, the birthplace of the Jedi Order. It's nice, you'll like it there," Atton says.

[guppy_sandhu]

"What's it like?" Guppy hurries, keen to get away as fast as they can.

[will_scarlett]

"Aye, then let's get movin'."

Will wants to be out of this weird place.

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

It isn't long until they reach the shaft upwards again. Atton reaches out, grabbing Will and Guppy around the waists and jumping upwards, landing on the rock next to the shaft and setting them both down.

[guppy_sandhu]

"Are we safe from the visions out here?" Guppy asks, not looking down again.

[will_scarlett]

Will gets his footing and takes a breath,

"Glad to be gone from there."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

Atton looks around.

"We should be. I'd hope. We won't be completely safe until we're out of the system."

As Atton cocks his ear slightly, listening to something, there's a slight tickle of cold by Guppy's ear.

Then, the Clown is leaning there, close.
"Showtime."

He's gone in an instant, as something bright and burning comes zooming over the edge of the pit towards them. Atton flings a hand up, sending it flying away to one side, where it explodes.

Three figures come to the edge of the pit. They're droids, not unlike Teja's training droid, but silvery with blue eyes.

"Delighted Exclamation: Greetings, organics!"

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy gives an involuntary half-scream when the clown appears, immediately reaches for his blaster and steps back.

"I guess it would be too much to ask for one of you to secretly be HK and remember me as an ally." he mumbles, recognising the pattern of speech.

[will_scarlett]

When the droids appear so Will draws his blaster and starts firing at them.

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

They don't seem too fazed by the blaster bolts. They are, after all, made of thick metal.

"Overly Enthusiastic Introduction: I am HK-51!" One of them says.

"Similarly Enthusiastic Introduction: I am also HK-51!" The second says.

"Markedly More Enthusiastic Introduction: I, too, am HK-51!" The third says. "Euphemistic Reassurance: We are here to facilitate communications, and put an end to hostilities."

"I really wish our HK, HK-47, had come along on this trip," Atton murmurs to Guppy. "Their self-preservation modules would've forced them to obey him. Also, he could've made us some snacks."

He draws his blaster, aiming it at the droids.

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy keeps his blaster trained on them, but can't help looking around edgily for the clown.

"At, just before they appeared, I saw the clown."

[will_scarlett]

"Bothersome when they talk."

So he keeps firing, hoping he can somehow take one down.

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"I know," Atton says to Will, sympathetically. To Guppy: "Another vision, maybe? If you see him again, tell me."

Will gets in a hit on one of their eyes.

"Irritated Observation: My vision," the first HK-51 says, "is compromised. Enraged Command: Vaporise their fleshy organic bodies."

The droids level assault rifles at them, and start firing.

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy ducks and shoots back, but feels something slam hard into his left arm.

It's odd. Feels more like being hit by a sledgehammer than being shot. He's sure the pain will kick in in a minute, but for the moment, he fires off a few more shots whilst being glad that he's not dead.

"I think I might have been shot." he says to Atton, in a disproportionately calm voice.