[The Expedition] The Trophies of Kuros vol’zog (IC)

[Grevendar Togl]

The Transport was filling up quickly; Barabel, Diathim and an Abyssin it seems joined a number of humans aboard the shuttles...Though he could not see everything out the shuttle ramp, clearly a lone Corellian and a Selkath were not going to make much trouble here...

Sensing some kind of communication nearing telepathy, Verdre eyed the Barabel, that armour was a dead giveaway for another Mando'ad, one who must know Ar'Klim quite well. Deciding to check by practicing long forgotten skills, he thought "Ner vod?"

Being from Ar'Klim, he was more solitary by history and by origins. He had spent time in the mines of his Aliits mountains on Mandalore and remembered that not only did they speak little verbally, but also mentally. He feared to have misheard or to be unable to form such a thought clearly.

Feeling uncomfortable, he checked the charge on his Relby, fidgeted a little and leaned against the bulkhead. Perhaps they would leave soon...

[Mandro Fluke]

glancing at shades for a response to his new nickname, Mandro thought and said "howbout a game of sabac? I'll have abdu deal" he said as he waved towards his 2nd.

[Qardin Fal-cona]

"Shades does sound like a good nickname. Now, whats the game?" the pilot asked them. Qardin thought of his new nickname. He chuckled.
"howbout a game of sabac? I'll have abdu deal" Mandro replied quickly, they both stared at Q, waiting for his approval.

"Sabbac it is" Qardin replied, grinning at them both.

Aeonian Vang was staring at them all. "I'm in as well!" the Mon Calamari exclamated. Qardin laughed at the sparkles in his big fishy eyes.

[En Sabah Nur]

The holo-projector on both the Koros and Kuros beeped twice and then automatically opened a priority channel.

Greetings loyal servants of Krath. I Lord Preceptor En Sabah Nur of the Order of Krath and Krath Ruling Council am sending this transmission to you, the volunteers for the expedition to uncover the much rumoured treasures of Kuros vol’zog. Along with this holo recording, you will receive an encrypted data file containing a mission briefing to outline the objectives of the expedition and to give you some background information on what to expect once planetside.

May Krath guide you to glory!

With a slight flicker, the image of the Lord Preceptor was gone again and both ships data terminals registered that they had received the encrypted files.

Mission briefing/outline:

Location:
Planet: Empress Teta
System: Empress Teta
Sector: Koro-Teta

Objective: Find the fortress hideout of the ancient Krath warrior Kuros vol’zog.

Bio of Kuros vol’zog (Mostly rumours):
- Wealthy Inhabitant of the planet Empress Teta and one of the first to join the Krath
- Great warrior within the Krath Military between the years 4000 BBY and 3996 BBY where he fell in a heroic last stand against opposing forces.
- Primarily resided within a highly fortified fortress at an undisclosed location on Empress Teta that was said to be filled with a collection of war trophies, holocrons, and other various artifacts from his conquests.
- The fortress has remained untouched since his death, although many archaeological parties have attempted and failed to find it's location in the past.

Threats: The Galactic Empire, local security forces and native fauna.

[Dave Zahoff]

Turning from his game, he looks over the information he's been giving.

"An Arch trip? Could be a lot worse. Least we shouldn't be getting shot at too frequently. Guess we have to cut this game short fellas. Time we got ready to go"
He moves up to his seat. [color=#BF000]"If that logistics pilot isn't on board soon, we may have to leave with out him."[/color]

[Corbin Freehand]

After landing and missing all ships Correl and Arlunia hurry over to the Kuros that seems to be where everyone was headed earlier.

"Arlunia," Correl huffed as they ran,"do you think we are late?"

The big Klatoonian just looks at Correl and smiles,"Probably, boss!" Then she rushes forward to the docking ramp and inside while Correl hurries up a few steps behind her.

On entering the ship Correl hears his Lords voice and realizes yet again he is late,"...encrypted data file containing a mission briefing to outline the objectives of the expedition and to give you some background information on what to expect once planetside. May Krath guide you to glory!" Then he hears the two tone beep that signals the receipt of encrypted files.

Sighing in resignation Correl heads for the main room and sees that everyone else has heard the whole of the message. Well at least I do have the supposed last coordinates for the fortress. Correl thinks to himself hoping to bring a surprise early find, but knowing that it could be another false lead.

Without realizing it while thinking and walking he bumped into Arlunia again and this time she turns and backhands him,"Why is it when you think you never look where you are going!" She growls once he has recovered enough wits about himself to understand what she has said.

Once he does clear the ringing in his head and look around he realizes there are a lot of military on board which makes him a bit nervous as military are only necessary if going to hostile land.

[Grevendar Togl]

Verdre saw a latecomer arrive...so out of touch with who all these people were, it was time to employ a small trick his Buir had given him. Taking out a small device, a disk shaped object attached to a small sphere by means of a wire, he pointed the sphere towards each person in turn. He then oriented the disk horizontally in regards to him and tuned his earpiece to its channel. The object whirred and produced a small holograph from a mini projector on its top, speaking the name and associated history in regards to each person.

"Dave Zahoff - Aliit Breviin, affiliation Krath 2nd Fleet, talented pilot.
Correl Freehand - Krath Logistics, generally late but otherwise incredibly efficient.
Qardin Fal-Cona - Krath Logistics, no further information...
Mandro Fluke - Krath Marines, skilled projectile warrior.
Kal Ordoson - Aliit D'ael'mor, affiliation Krath 2nd Fleet, trained in the art of D'aelkad.

Mission Completed - proceed to phase 2?"

Pressing a small button on the device, the whirr turned into a gentle hum and the device grew hot. Having literally destroyed he data disk with the Krath information on it to prevent capture, it took several minutes before it became cool again.

Goodness knows what hellhole of a fortress this was going to be they would explore together, it seems a near suicidal mission considering the means this warrior had along with his desires for combat. With such comrades at his side though, perhaps they stood a chance, especially if that Freehand person was always late. That would certainly help evade all of those missiles that would doubtless be fired at them at least.

Sighing, he put himself back into perspective. He had agreed to go on the mission and it was time for him to honour that. Its not like Buir Togl could go, him limping around everywhere trying to avoid turret fire made him almost laugh out loud. The buir needed a powersuit to make his limp completely vanish and if damaged he would be a liability. That is why he, Verdre, was along for the ride instead..Invading a Krath Fortress from the days when the Mando'ad were still a united people...if only DeMeer could see him now..who knows, perhaps he would find some Mando'ad gear left inside, Krath and Mandalore used to be friendly in ancient days.

[Xer`da Arman`de]

Xer`da and Gymwooken sat quietly as they could as the holoprojector came to life. So far, none of the other sentients had noticed him or his daughter enter. Good, he thought. The less attention, the better. As the mission's details were given, Xer`da let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He hadn't been on a mission for the Krath for a long while, and he was starting to feel like a recruit again. His daughter grabbed his hand to reassure him. He grimly smiled. He would not let her be harmed in any way, else he vowed to demolish the creature that was able to hurt her.

He looked at the other sentients in the ship and assessed them. The young Breviin vod was extremely reliable. One of the humans he noticed was an Ar'Klim, and he knew he could be useful. Another of the humans sparked a memory of fighting on Derra, and he grimaced as he thought of the battle. He'd lost more than a few good soldiers in that fight...

The Kaleesh shook his head. The past was the past. Nothing would bring his vode back. He didn't know any of the other people in the ship, save for the Abyssin from Derra. He cleared his throat softly.

"So, shall we be leaving then?"

[Kal Ordoson]

Kal waited for a response from the Diathim engineer then like a faint breeze he felt another brush his mind someone was trying to communicate with him but who?

~Ner Vod?~ came the voice subtle and distant like the whisper of a being who had not spoken in decades.

The imprint from the others mind was not what Kal was used to alien and yet familiar. Kal looked out from behind his black and red mask. taking a moment on each sentient before resting on Verdre, and he knew who had addressed him. The Mando'ad had likely not tried to communicate in this fashion in years and the subtle set to his eyes told all that Kal needed to know.

~This one hears you Vod'ika though only a whisper. Perhaps we should speak openly for the sake of the others, for now.~ Kal silently spoke, but as he waited for a response the holo-projector on both the Koros beeped twice and then automatically opened a priority channel.

The sentient Kal saw was strange and one he had heard of yet not yet seen. The Lord preceptor's image conveyed power and authority even over a transmission and Kal needed not wonder why he had risen to his position. As Kal watched Lord Nur began to speak.

Greetings loyal servants of Krath. I Lord Preceptor En Sabah Nur of the Order of Krath and Krath Ruling Council am sending this transmission to you, the volunteers for the expedition to uncover the much rumoured treasures of Kuros vol’zog. Along with this holo recording, you will receive an encrypted data file containing a mission briefing to outline the objectives of the expedition and to give you some background information on what to expect once planetside.

May Krath guide you to glory!


With a slight flicker, the image of the Lord Preceptor was gone again and the ship's data terminal registered that they had received the encrypted files he spoke of.

Kal didn't have to be told or ordered, he just came to attention and started to the co-pilot's station. He needed not ask questions or comment he only needed to follow orders, and that is what he did. Kal took his station and checked the systems to ensure they were all operational, then he turned to Myrhrai.

This one is ready for orders.

[Dave Zahoff]

Turning backwards in his seat, the military pilot shouted "Make sure no one is anylater than you are to get on board! Now that we've been briefed we'll be heading off soon!"