Warm air; clear skies; soft grass waving in the wind; the scent of distant prey only pushing the hunter further into the dense woods. Distant mountain ranges pierced through the heavens, their unscalable peaks serving as landmarks in the far horizon. The hunter spotted a Horned Kath Hound prowling through the tall grass, its slinking movements measured and cunning. The beast was a hunter just as much as he was. This would be an honorable kill.
The hunter took stride in his step, not bothering to conceal his movements. Worthy prey deserved its opportunity to fight. The Hound caught the hunter's scent quickly, rearing its large head in his direction. The Hound growled once, coarse dark fur on its back bristling in warning. The hunter responded, growling in return, a guttural noise deep in his throat.
Taking this as retort, the Hound reared for a brief moment before charging at the hunter, tusks pointed out like charged bayonets to skew him at any moment. With movement like the wind, the hunter hoisted up his hunting rifle, taking aim for all but a brief moment before large fingers pressed on the trigger, a loud
crack cutting through the tense air, a bolt of energy flying at lightning speeds before landing square in the center of the beast's head, sending it toppling to the ground, sliding only a few brief seconds before stopping short; limp and dead.
The hunter approached the fallen beast silently, holstering his rifle upon his back before crouching down to examine the fell beast, procuring a Vibroknife from his hip. The skin and meat of the beast was to be taken, put to good use. The beast would not die for nothing.
The hunter wasted no time, and soon got to work...
Talen-Jei
despised shuttles. On Thila, the whole planet was his to hunt on. The expansive plains, tall mountains, deep valleys; the planet belonged to him - if he only stayed to earn it. He felt no regret in signing on to join the Alliance. His soul had been tainted, marred by sentient blood, the blood of innocent beings. By joining the Alliance, he would fight for a cause. Kill to end killing - hunt...to save the galaxy; to restore his honor.
But on this ship, he couldn't be more tense. These walls, thick and claustrophobic were cold titanium and durasteel. No sound came except that from the ship's engine, and his snout was overwhelmed by the scents of those around him - his allies.
The Mandalorian -
Mando'ade. Talen-Jei had heard of their warrior culture and military prowess. Brutal fighters and honorable hunters, clad in the thickest, most advanced armors; adhering to their clans and to their leader. The Mandalore. The girl was lithe, even underneath her shell of body armor. But her stance, even as she sat, her scent - a warrior, indeed. Talen-Jei felt he was going to like this one.
The Cadet was next....what was it, Cass-andra was her name? The girl possessed a fire, it could be seen in her eyes. She was quick-witted and sharp-tongued with a certain fondness for the mechanical. Talen-Jei never found much interest in droids or terminals. A droid could be programmed, taught how to act, how to behave. But a beast was wild; unpredictable. He found more enjoyment in taming a wild creature than dealing with the inner machinations of machines. He did not hate droids...No. There is nothing to hate in metal, steel, gold, or platinum. They would simply exist - just as he would exist.
The Archaeologist came after. He was young, like the others (youthfulness appeared to be a pattern within this group), and seemed notably polite - orderly. His friendliness intrigued Talen-Jei to a certain extent. Though it appeared to be genuine, Talen-Jei nonetheless felt it was not an inherited trait, but a manner he had learned over the course of his life. He was certainly talkative, which was not a bad thing in itself -- but certainly did not bring the anxious Trandoshan comfort in this small shuttle. The boy was fidgety, almost, playing with something undisclosed in his hands. Talen-Jei felt no need to pry. A man's business was his own, should he not wish to share that, it should be honored.
Perhaps one of the creatures who most stood out to him was the Ithorian. Though Talen-Jei's experience with the herding creatures was limited, their modest, polite mannerisms and pacifistic nature made one serving the Rebellion to be most curious. Talen-Jei felt no ill-will towards such creatures, but nonetheless found pacifism to be a hindering trait in a creature. To hunt was a base instinct. The rush of bringing down a creature, calling the kill your own. To distance yourself from that was to disconnect with your inner being.
Lastly, and most curiously, was the Wookiee. Talen-Jei felt a pang of guilt inside him as he saw the creature board the shuttle. If any man or woman had a reason to be here, a reason to fight - it was certainly the Wookiee. Talen-Jei was there the day the Empire took control of Kashyyk, witnessed the blood-thirst present in Human and Trandoshan alike, bringing down the mighty tree-dwelling beasts without pity. Those who resisted being clapped in chains were swiftly executed, moved onto the next one. He, himself had participated in such atrocities, bearing the name of 'Slaver' for some time. Talen-Jei knew that his father would be frowning down at him for his actions. He had betrayed all he had been taught. It would have been better to die with his honor intact and soul cleansed than live on as a monster.
Talen-Jei did not interact much with the Wookiee. Though he bared no ill-will towards the creature, he was not sure if the same could be said for his furred companion. The two species were ancestral enemies, with rivalries dating back hundreds, if not thousands of years. It was no question that bad blood was to be expected here. But the two now fought under one flag, one cause. A history of bloodshed could certainly be overlooked for the betterment of both kinds.
Finally, after an eternity of flying, the shuttle began to slow down, nearing its destination. Cocking his head towards the archaeologist, Talen-Jei could pick up the boy's mumblings, hearing 'The Force' amongst his words. Indeed, what
was the Force? To Talen-Jei, it was something between an influence and a deity. Existing in all beings, connecting all life together; imbuing certain individuals with great power. To become the greatest of hunters. Talen-Jei held the Force in great reverence, for it was forever, and it was eternal. Perhaps the Force was the Scorekeeper, herself, her presence on the mortal plane.
When the shuttle finally landed, Talen-Jei slowly rose, forced to slouch as his great height meant his head was precariously close to bashing against the ceiling. His legs ached from being cramped so long, but he had experienced far worse pains; this was nothing.
Forming a small line with the rest of his companions, Talen-Jei remained generally indifferent, only turning to the archaeologist when he inquired as to whether the rest of them were ready.
"Talen-Jei is always prepared, Human." Talen-Jei replied simply. Though his words could be taken derogatorily, his tone was neutral, favorable even, as though he was merely making a general response.
"Empire is...easier to hunt. Humans are more predictable than beasts are. This hunt brings honor." Talen-Jei added with a small incline of his head before growing silent once more. The sooner their battle began...the sooner he could be cleansed of this guilt.
