[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]

"Because we're in a big hole?" Guppy suggests.

[will_scarlett]

"Oh aye an probably no one's lived 'ere for a while."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"It wasn't originally in a big hole. Also, even if nobody's lived here for a while, the people who did live here long ago might still've needed a map."

[guppy_sandhu]

"Well if we take every left turn, we shouldn't get lost." Guppy says. "And you could follow our scent to get back out?"

[will_scarlett]

"Aye, might work."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

Blink.

"Why would we take every left turn? Surely that would just lead us steadily around in a circle?"

[guppy_sandhu]

"Only if the route is a circle. If there are dead ends then you turn around and go down the next one."

[will_scarlett]

"Tis there aught that might be used as a map?"

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"Like what, Will?"

[guppy_sandhu]

"Could we carve marks in the ice to show which way we've been?"

[will_scarlett]

"Na sure, some sort o'sign or all."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

Atton pinches the bridge of his nose.

"The following our scent idea was a good one. Let's just keep walking for now."

[guppy_sandhu]

Guppy nods and keeps going, looking edgily around for any more weird vision stuff.

[will_scarlett]

As does Will, he's just not sure, this place is confusing.

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

Eventually, they reach a large, circular room, dominated by a control panel.

"Watch the door," Atton says, heading over to it.

[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.