Wrath of Trandosha

Chapter 2 - Capture

Valon woke. His head pounding with the force of a charging Bantha, his arm was cut but there were more pressing issues to deal with. The howling had become much more intense and Valon sensed movement in the shadows.

The others were up. The group scanned the tree line through the cockpit windows for movement. The shadows looked as if they were alive, we were on Wasskah and that could only mean one thing.

"Does someone wanna let me in on this whole Wasskah business?" Leon whispered. Valon glanced over to Leon, whose cat like eyes darted across the horizon, looking for any sign of hostiles. "Wasskah is the hunting moon of Trandosha" Z answered in the same quiet tone. "Trandoshans!" Leon snarled. "This moon was once a feared hunting reserve owned by the powerful trandoshan, Garnac. But the Jedi killed him after he took a few younglings and wookiees." Zinia explained. "Hey, Valon, Do you know anything about that?" Leon asked. "No" he replied.

Valon was too young to have fought during the clone wars he was only a baby when the order to execute the Jedi took place. Valon paused, closing his eyes and focusing, he quickly sensed the impending assault. "Down" he shouted.

A heavy blaster bolt, ripped it's way through the cockpit window. Immediately the forest lit up with terrifying reptilian eyes and countless blaster bolts began deflecting of the Ship. Valon brushed the glass from his Jedi robes, the crew ran into the center of the Ship, shook by the fast paced attack.

"Zinia, Rico get the wookiees we have to leave, Leon with me!" The two ran towards the hold, while Leon and Valon began to open the upper hatch. The wookiees waited at the bottom of the ladder, waiting for the signal, they hated the Trandoshans more than anyone for their people had been the prized game of this hunting moon.

The four friends climbed onto the roof of the craft aiming each of their blasters at the dense jungle ahead. The crash site was surrounded by thick jungle which was bordered with sharp mountains. The howling had changed into a deafening screech which signaled over twenty reptilian hunters to charge the crew.

The dark, peaceful jungle became enveloped with blaster fire, flashes of red bolts illuminated the faces of the Trandoshan warriors. The hunters eyes glowed yellow, the green skin dark against the razor sharp white teeth of each of them.

The crew returned as much fire as they could. Leons powerful A280 blaster rifle tore it's way through the stomach of one reptilian warrior, forcing him to the damp jungle floor while clutching his burning flesh. Leon, although not too intelligent brought strength and raw fire power to the squad. His A280 was highly effective in piercing through armor and provided more power than other blaster rifles at long range.

Rico's four arms, held four A-180 blaster pistols, which he fired rapidly as the Trandoshans charged towards the ship. His pistols were powerful and could easily be placed into rifle or sniper configurations if it was necessary. Z was towards the rear of the Ship, she took aim and began to shoot any Trandoshans who attempted to climb onto the top.

A large Trandoshan twice the size of Z leaped onto the rear wing, and snarled, presenting his vicious teeth. With great power and agility he leaped into the air once more but her modified E11 blaster sent him crashing on his back, then rolling across the side of the broken ship and onto his face.

Z was once an engineer for the galactic empire, hence her familiarity with the chosen weapon of the storm trooper. However after passing her exam from the imperial academy, she was told to fire on civilians something she did not sign up for as an engineer.

Then there was Valon, who ignited his lightsaber, it glowed green, further lighting up the jungle that surrounded the group of friends. His lightsaber, made him feel strong, the force that flowed through him increasing as he prepared to join the fight. The moist jungle air, vaporized as it met the plasma of the saber.

Valon somersaulted through the air and onto the ground, confronting three Trandoshans who were attempting to break into the ship through it's starboard side door. The warriors hesitated as the site of a Jedi wielding such a powerful weapon put fear into their cold hearts. Valon hesitated to, he had never seen a Trandoshan until this moment and they were far more frightening up close. For their eyes glowed, teeth grinned and they snarled towards him.

"Get him" the leader of the hunting party hissed. The two others approached, one skinny, baring a strange blaster rifle that was skeletal, with exposed wires. The other was fat, with a protruding belly that strained against his leather armor. Both of their snake like eyes bulges from their heads staring at Valon like he was dinner.

Although Valon was never formally trained in the art of the Jedi his skills as a duelist were considered exceptional for his age. With a surge of force energy he launched the skinny Trandoshan into the side door. With such force that the warrior collapsed, screaming in pain as his bones were crushed on impact.

The fat one stepped forwards, lunging his rifle towards Valon, for it had a large bayonet on the end. Valon ducked to the side then with two swift strikes he severed the left leg and right arm with precision. The fat one fell rolling around in his own pitiful agony.

The leader of the group, a muscular Trandoshan dressed in ceremonial feathers and bones. Fired a bright flare into the night sky, with that command twice as many Trandoshans appeared from the jungle.

"Rico get the Wookiees to that mountain, we'll draw them off then, double back around to meet you." Valon commanded taking charge of the drastic situation. "OK" Rico said with no cheeky reply, as he new the importance of their mission.

The wookiees quickly climbed to roof top, sliding down the ships demolished port side and charging into the jungle. "Wookiees, it's been a while since I've had a trophy so prized." The leader grinned baring his teeth, his forked tongue whipping the air.

Valon swung, but the Trandoshan warrior evaded, leading Valon to slash the door. The hunter struck, the butt of his blaster connecting with the Jedi's ribs. Valon called out in pain, he focused up, returning a blow that hit the hunters cheek.

"No more games" the hunter spat. "I agree" returned Valon. Valon dodged the next attack, countering it by sweeping his lightsaber from left to right across it's shins then twisting his wrists so that the next swipe decapitated the hunter leaving his scaly head to rot on the floor.

Valon smiled in triumph turning to find his next opponent but there were none. Thinking he'd defeated them Valon leaped back up to the ship to find that the wookiees had been surrounded while escaping to the mountains to the north.

The Trandoshans pointed their blasters to the heads of each wookiee even the four young ones who trembled with fear. The chief launched his elbow into the one who had him hostage, turning and head butting him into submission but before the others could rebel one Trandoshan carrying a heavy blaster. Fired a round into the chiefs fury chest from behind. The chief was facing The three friends, as Rico was with the hostages. His body devoid of life, fell down, giving a sad cry.

"No!" Valon screamed, unable to control his anger. "Run!" Shouted Z the three ran into the jungle as fast as they could leaving the wookiees and Rico. Two of the warriors attempted to give chase but were stopped by the new leader.

The hostages were escorted back to the Trandoshan's settlement, but the rest of the squad were no where to be seen they had fled with their life.