Log:Starlight Vanguard: Welcome to the Jungle pt 1

The Starlight Vanguard make their way into the jungles of Xyndarra to reach the CR-90... (Part 1)

OOC Date: April 10, 2023
Location: Xyndarra
Participants: Aria Voss, Saito, Nayeesa, Juria, Bar'duur

THE LANDING SITE

The group descends upon a flat, open expanse of terrain, seemingly out of place amidst the otherwise dense jungle. The landing site is a large rocky ledge, with sturdy ground underfoot and ample space for your ship to settle. A few resilient plants have managed to take root in the crevices of the rocks, adding a touch of green to the otherwise barren landscape.

From this elevated vantage point, you can observe the lush canopy of the jungle stretching out before you, a sea of vibrant greens and occasional bursts of color from exotic flora. The air is thick with the sounds of distant wildlife, and the scent of damp earth and vegetation fills your nostrils.

As you gaze into the depths of the jungle, your eyes are drawn to a vague outline partially obscured by the tangle of trees and vines below. The shape appears to match that of a CR90, with the signature elongated body and engine block of the Corellian Corvette just barely visible. It seems the Stellar Windrunner lies hidden within the jungle's embrace, waiting for you to uncover its secrets.

The path leading down from the ledge is steep and treacherous, with loose rocks and slippery moss threatening to impede your progress.

As the group descends from the rocky ledge into the depths of the Xyndarran jungle, they find themselves enveloped by a thriving, untamed ecosystem. Towering trees with massive trunks and sprawling roots stretch high above, their canopies interlocking to create a natural ceiling that filters the sunlight and casts dappled patterns on the jungle floor.

Vibrant, lush foliage surrounds the group, with ferns, bushes, and colorful flowering plants competing for space in the dense undergrowth. Vines and lianas snake their way up tree trunks, reaching for the light above, while mosses and lichens cling to every available surface, adding to the sense of life teeming all around.

The air is heavy with humidity, carrying the rich, earthy scent of decay and growth, as well as the sweet fragrance of blossoms from exotic plants. The sounds of the jungle are ever-present, with the calls of unseen birds and the distant cries of unfamiliar creatures creating a cacophony of life. Insects buzz and flit through the air, while small, skittish creatures rustle in the underbrush, darting away as the group passes.

The jungle floor is a mix of soft, damp soil, tangled roots, and fallen leaves, making the going slow and challenging. The oppressive heat and humidity, combined with the seemingly endless tangle of vegetation, create an environment that is both breathtakingly beautiful and potentially dangerous.

---

The landing site was finally relatively quiet. All of the ships that had been used for the initial arrival had, at various points, come and gone before the crew decided to venture forth into what was /absolutely/ going to be an unforgiving place. Some brought supplies like extra food, gear, and medical supplies, leaving them in piles on the rocky platform so that they could be shared among the team. Others, like Saito's Beelzebub fighter, simply ferried Jedi back and forth to where they needed to go before they could get involved deep in the heart of a jungle.

The /Haulin Assets/ had become Lady Aria Voss's flagship, of late. And why wouldn't it be? It was fast, well armed, well maintained, and it had a phenomenal crew. Plus there was plenty of room in it for her new security detachment. In addition to her normal guard of Volrisa and Looman, there were now four others that traveled along with her -- an Amanin (a two-meter tall flatform), a female Zeltron, another male human, and a female Falleen.

So when Aria descends the ramp of the /Haulin Assets/ in her sleek black Shiftweave armor -- complete with blaster pistol on her hip and /rifle/ carried across her body (apparently /someone/ had at least shown her how to hold it without killing anyone) -- it's with the fanfare of some sort of small militia general. She /actually/ looked like she might know what she was doing.

"Risa, take Looman and stay with the supplies. Just in case. I'll take the others with us," she says, causing two of the six that had been following Aria to peel off. Which just leaves the young heiress looking around the makeshift landing site for the Jedi. The one she called 'boyfriend.'

Up in the sky of Xyndarra, a Bellbulab fighter flies through the planet's atmosphere. The red-haired man that sits on the single-seat cocpit appears to be asleep, the muffled sound of the engines being the only hting that can be heard in the cabin. That is until the small Astromech in the corner of the cabin starts to beep, emitting a string of binary. Thankfully, the translation appears in a screen close to the pilot's eyes. |Hey, wake up! We've arrived..| the pilot blinks sleep away for a moment before he focuses on the forested world off Xyndarra. Hee moves the fighter's lfight stick, managing to land it smootly beside the larger Haulin Assets. "Thanks, Figly," Saito replies and smiles to the droid, another string of Binary coming from the Astromech. |Yeah, yeah.. I hope all this work is worth something.. You spent a whole night unable to sleep just to make a laser sword| Saito shakes his head. "I'll explain it to you later, I promess," he presses a switch on his control panel. The fighter's canope slides open and he jumps out. "Good morning!" he calls out, aparently being in a good mood.

Aria's gaze turns up to the sky at the sound of a ship approaching /exactly/ on time.

Sure, sometimes Saito had to run out in a hurry, but the Voss Galactic heiress was getting used to him showing up when he said he would. Something about the reliability and /trust/ that was built on that foundation was comforting to her in a way she couldn't immediately describe. He was there when she needed him, and he was there when he said he would be. As attractive qualities went, those were pretty close to the very top of the list.

"It's nice of the Jedi to join us on this fantastically humid morning stroll."

Her words were warm and playful, those violet eyes fixed on the man's approach. Once it had become clear that Saito had broken the news to Bar'duur, things changed a little. Aria had been keeping secrets from literally everyone, including her own private security team, and that /needed/ to stop. So, she did a more thorough background check on all of them, upped their pay and their contracts, and then told them what was going on. The Rebellion. The Jedi. All of it. That's the only way she was going to be able to survive in this new world. She couldn't do it without guards she could trust.

But just because they /knew/ doesn't mean Aria rushes up to him like she normally might have. For one, she was holding a blaster rifle and probably didn't want to accidentally shoot him, and two, she /was/ standing in front of a squad of soldiers that /needed/ to trust that she was in full 'military leader' mode and not 'lovesick puppy' mode. Of course, that didn't mean she wasn't receptive to anything /Saito/ did. She'd never once dismissed one of his advances, and after all, who could blame blame her? It wasn't every girl in the galaxy that had a handsome, kind, talented Jedi for a boyfriend.

"We just finished getting ready. Do you need any time to prepare before we start on the trail?"

Her squad of 4 each had vibroblades on their back,too -- all the better for cutting through the underbrush.

"Well, what can I say? We are always happy to help members of the community," Saito grins playfully, winking to the Zeltron. He's wearing his set of stealth rebel armor, theree is no sign of a blaster, at least, not visible. "I'm ready, we can go whenever you want," he says to Aria, before he offers nods to the members of her squad. "I've not meet all of you before. My name is Saito," he introduces himself politely. "I'm sure that we all will be able to trade life stories ina warm campfire later."

The neat thing about Nayeesa is her mobility. If she is not found on one of the ships of this fleet, she is in another. So, currently she is on the Assets it seems! Sure, she knew things were up with the crews, but she has yet to discover the true depth of all the shenanigans that these crews are up to. She didn't ask really. She figured she was on a need-to-know basis.

Having acquired a steaming cup of caff, the Nautolan makes her way to the top of the ramp. Those large eyes narrow just slightly at the sight of the unfamiliar planet and everything around them. Then, she overhears the conversation nearby.

Jedi.

She overheard the word and then looked towards Saito. Is that how he had jumped so easily to catch that bird before it hit the deck? There is a moment where she was just silent as she stands there with her head canted ever so slightly to the side with an inquisitive expression.

Other than the Balubarafanamaramer Fighter that just swept in for a landing on a vacant space on the plateau and killed its engines, the only sounds to disturb the tranquility of the jungle around are the footsteps of those walking around on the rocky surface and the conversations being had.

Open conversations, like the fact that Aria literally just calling out the red-haired man walking towards her from that fighter as being a Jedi in front of her squadron of four. It didn't matter, though. They were all about to head into Force-knows what. If they didn't know by now, they were probably going to find out the hard way in very short order. Might as well be up front about it.

At Saito's insistence that the Jedi were 'always happy to help members of the community,' the Lady Voss dips into a full, regal curtsey -- something that looks more than a little amusing, given the blaster rifle she's holding against her stomach. "Very kind of you, oh noble, wise, and esteemed Wizard," she croons, eyes glinting playfully. But no matter how playful her tone seemed, there wasn't a drop of disrespect to be found in it. She would put her life in that man's hands. Every. Single. Time.

The Jedi's introductions get a round of nods from the troops, but reciprocal introductions are cut short when one of them through a helmet mic says simply, << "Ma'am." >>

It's short. Curt. To the point, and it gets Aria's attention exactly as he intended it to. She turns to him, then in the direction of the ship, and freezes. There stood a very familiar Nautolan holding a cup of caff and looking out at them -- Aria in her black, Shiftweave armor with all of its various armor coverings and attachment points, her hair up in a tight bun rather than let loose as it usually was. The four troops standing next to her, all armed and ready to go. Saito, standing next to her. The crates of supplies piled around. And nothing, yet, as a way to explain it.

"Shit."

As unladylike as it may have been, /that's/ what comes out of Aria's mouth. She looks at the guard that had caught her attention before. "I thought you checked the ship."

His helmeted head turns to the woman next to him. << "I thought /you/ checked the ship.." >>

"/Nevermind/," Aria sighs, pushing a smile to her lips and shoving her blaster rifle into the hands of one of her troops so she can start towards the ship /relatively/ unarmed. She still at the pistol on her thigh.

"Good morning," she offers. Cheerfully. As one does.

"Good morning, Nay," Saito spots Nay with the corner of his eye, a hand raising to wave to her. "Glad you could join us," its all that he says to the Nautolan, seeming not to be concerned about her being here. "Will you go with us into the jungle?" he asks her casually. Aria's curtsey earns a gentle smile from the Jedi.

Nayeesa turns ehr face to look towards each person there. There is curiosity in her face, buuuutt..

"I.. umm. I didn't mean to interrupt.." She says quietly. She glances to Saito, then to Aria, "My apologies. I will umm.. find something productive to do." She quietly steps back towards the open cargo hold, but something stops her.

"I thought all the Jedi were dead.. or made up.."

It is so incredibly warm here... Well not warm, more muggy. There's a huge difference you know? It's a matter of moisture. That's what separates a forest from a rain forest or swamp.. and this place is pretty close to the latter two. Juria, however, is not going to sacrifice her style for discomfort. Her blonde hair is STILL beneath her silver-white hood. Thankfully she's just wearing a second-skin bodysuit and flight vest because if she were trying to roll around out here sporting a duster or something? Forget it. No that would not be happening at all.

"So I was watching this holovid the other day about the clone wars?" Juria says as she picks her way towards teh group, ducking and weaving until she comes up on the other, smiling to Aria and Saito, waving hello tNayeesa, "Hello I'm Juria-" completely jumping between her conversation like continuity doesn't matter, "-Did you know they got rid of bras because of the Seperatists? It was widely agree by the Senate that, to differentiate between Seperates and Republic forces, the abolishment of over the shoulder boulder holders, their words not mine, was to be forbidden on all Republic worlds until the end of the war."

Her hands settle on her hips, "You'd think that wouldn't have fallen through the crack huh?"

Aria smiles warmly at Saito. He was so /good/ at being pacifying. /She/ had spent so much of her life lying to everyone about /everything/ and pretending to be into guys /and/ girls -- from fancy galas, to boardrooms, to upscale nightclubs, all the way down to dive bars -- that she'd actually /lost/ some of her ability to come across as truly sincere. If she'd ever actually /had/ that talent in the first place. After all, she was genetically predisposed both by race and breeding to be a world-class fraud.

"You can stay," she says when Nayeesa starts to turn, her smile soft. "I mean... it's okay with us, if it's okay with you. I didn't /mean/ to drag you out here with us like this. But, now that you're here..." A soft laugh, a glance over at the man beside her. "No, they're very much alive. And real." A beat passes, and she reaches up to pinch Saito's arm.. hard enough for him to feel the sting. "I checked."

Then her hands spread in front of her. "I'm sure you have questions. I have answers, if you want them. If not... we can figure that out, too."

But then Juria was coming over. Talking about bras. Because she's Juria, and she can't seem to help the laugh that rises out of her.

"Juria, I feel like that's /probably/ not true. You /did/ check the source on that holovid, right? This isn't like that story about the hidden Ewok tunnels on Tatooine?" Her eyes glint with amusement. There was no holovid about hidden Ewok tunnels on Tatooine. She was just making that up.

Right?

Surely there was no holovid like that.

"Good morning, master," Saito says to the approaching Corellian. He listens to what she has to say and, not for the first time, wonders what the force was trying to tell him when the woman became his master. Perhaps something to do with Corndogs? He blinks a few times. "Did they gave any reazon for passing the law, master?" he asks, blinking. "Perhaps it was to separate the republic's citisens from the separatists?" he seems to really consider thiss opcibility, before he shrughs. "Ouch!" comes from the Jedi as he is pinched, he slowly turns his head to Nay. "See? We aren't dead or made up." he slowly turns to Aria. "I've heard stories about the tunnels.. Perhaps we can go search some day?" he asks but then his atention goes back to Nay. "You should really join us, Nay.. One more person can make a difference.. Cinse you know, we are about to walk into an unknown, dark forest."

Nayeesa has fogotten about her caff in her hands. A wary look crosses her features as she glances between those present. She decides to approach and she does so, slowly. She glances to the Corellian, giving a soft nod of her head. "Hello." She greets Juria. Then to Aria, "I see this organization is more than meets the eye."

It is the understatement of the year it seems. "I.. I don't think I can make any sort of difference. I mean, I can't even find my own folk. I doubt I could compare to a.." There is a pause as she glances between Saito and Juria, "Jedi.."

"Exactly." Juria points over at Aria, who she very much wanted to start playing the mouth harp for because that speach was very good and it deserved the Star Wars Theme played on a mouth harp. Her hand drops back down to her hip. If she's Jedi, and apprently she is by what everyone is saying, she's one defying all expectations of what a Jedi is suppose to be. Does she even have a lightsaber?!

"I sometimes compare." She's speaking quietly, raising her hand with her head tilting to one side, "There's this noodle shop on Nar Shaddaa that uses a processed meat substitute made from plant products and another across the street that uses an insect found native to Nal Hutta." Her raised hand flicks back and forth, "I am /constantly/ comparing them... but not in a bad way!" She brings her hands up and pats the air.

"As far as I know, the noodle shops on Nar Shaddaa aren't bringing people together to inspire hope in the galaxy. That takes more than Jedi, pilots, or even tension bolts." She holds up a finger, "That requires bras. I'm serious about this point, I'm going to talk to my Galactic representative, that law needs to be overturned."

Truly, Juria is regretting leading with her bra joke. It was tossed up and she had to hit a callback over the shock net.. but there's something real and substantial in what Nayeesa says. Something that, it's true, even Juria has considered many times over her very short existance. Her hand returns to her hip, resting there for a second. "The galaxy is a chaotic place, full of chaotic elements that nobody can control. Blackholes, super novas... It's all relative to the experiences of individuals in the same way that bug-" She points down at a small, iridescent beetle scurrying between bits of brush reflecting a dazzling display of light when the sun strikes it's carapice, "-Doesn't really understand the complexities of a conversation about who or what is important to us.." Motioning around the group with a circular hand waving.

"And I don't know that we'll make a change. I certainly hope we will? I hope that through my actions, someone's life is better. I've done a lot in a very short time, but in the grand scheme of the cosmos? Just a speck, doing what she feels is right, despite the fact that I'm just one flectura beetle-" Peering at Aria... FACT CHECKING HAH... and back to Nayeesa "-attempting to do what she feels is right. Try to make a little sense in the galaxy. Make someone smile and laugh..." She nods slowly, nose scrunching, eyes squinting, "Getting us some bras back... Seriously, how is this not bothering other people?"

She may not have gotten applause. She may not have even gotten a mouth harp (Come on.. REALLY?! That would have been /EPIC/ ). But /maybe/ Aria gets something more important. A closer friend. An ally. And in the end, if she had to keep revising and perfecting that speech one. person. at. a. time. She would. Because that's all it was about. That's all any of it was about. Find all the people that /can/ help, pull them together, and give them the tools they need to make it happen.

And, /possibly/ , some noodles. Also, bras. Look, everybody's gotta stand for something, or they'll fall for anything. At least Aria's not throwin' away her... /shot/ ... not throwin' away her... /shot/ ...

"Okay... one." The young heiress turns on Saito, holding up a finger. "We're going to talk about our /vacation/ ideas later and they're not going to include old dusty tunnels that /would/ be filled with Force-knows if they even /existed/ ..." Her lips quirk into a grin.

"Two." Aria's gaze turns on Juria, and that grin softens to a smile. "/That/. Exactly that. I don't know if I'm going to die doing this. I know I /almost/ died on Nar Shaddaa a few days ago." Her gaze moves back to Nayeesa. "It made the holonet. Check it out, if you don't believe me. And it wasn't /anything/ to do with this. It's greedy, power-hungry sadists doing whatever they want to other people because they /know/ they can get away with it. It's Black Nova Corporation trying to force me off of Nar Shaddaa by whatever means they can." A pause, then. "I don't scare or intimidate easily. I don't /want/ to die. I don't want /anyone/ involved in this to die. But, like you, I'm not scared to /try/ to make a difference. Because it's the right thing to do."

A beat, then. "Three." She raises her hand back to the CR-90 outline again. "That ship's name is the Stellar Windrunner. My intention is for us to get there, see if we can get it operational again, and then use it to help the Rebellion -- to get supplies to people that need them, to fight where we /must/ fight. /Anything/ you can do to help us would be wonderful."

She motions to the crates. "There's gear there. Armor. Weapons. If you can shoot, you're welcome to /my/ blaster. If you can swing a blade, one of our squad can focus on keeping their eyes on the jungle instead of cutting down trees. If you can fix ships, even better, once we get there. If you can patch wounds... /hopefully/ that won't be required. But. The point is. Anything. You name it, I can find a place for it."

Saito nods a few times to the Autolan. "I get where you are coming from, Nay.. The way I see it, we'll never be able to fully understand everything.. We can only do whats in our power to try and change things.. So try not to think about things like politics, governments.. Think about the common people, Nay. We can sertainly makee a difference for them." he glances to Juria. "She's right. Can we change the galaxy? I don't know, honestly.. But what if we can't change the galaxy but cann change only a few people.. Well, for me, thats already worth something.. We can make a difference, even if its little." he slowly turns to Juria. "And master.. I'm sorry to say but I think the noddle stand witht he insect is the better among the two," he admits as if thats a big deal. "I mean I heard the other is going to try a new way to process the plants, so lets see how that'll turn out." Aria's words earn her a smile of pride from the redhead. As if only now remembering something, he glances to his Bellbulab. "Figly, stay ready.. We might need your tools soon, cinse we'll be repairing that ship." he glances to the gattered gorup. "Well, whenever you want to go, I'm ready."

Jedis. Stranded ships out in the jungles. Dusty tunnels for transporting water. Uprisings! Evil corporations. Hope. Don't forget about bras. There is so much going on and it leaves Nayeesa just reeling with all this new input.

But it is Saito that helps bring things back into focus for her. She glances away from him and contemplates the words, "I had a friend that went by a simple motto. You may not be able to change the galaxy yourself, but perhaps you can change one person's galaxy. I really enjoyed that quote. So, why not live by it?" Finally remembering her caff, she brings it back to her lips.

Finally, her gaze shifts back to the jungle beyond, "Now, venturing into a wilderness in search of lost ships is right up my alley. I am down for an adventure. Sign me up to help with the ship!" She leans closer to Aria, "None of those plants out there are going to try and eat me are they?"

Juria extends a hand to squeeze Saito's shoulder, nodding with a grin playing on her, let's be honest, always jubulant face. Well said! "Whoa.. okay, first off, rude. Jo'cha noodles uses nothing, but locally sourced Nar Shaddaa weeds for their meat substitutes." She brings up a finger, admonishing him, but she has to be joking because that sounds absolutely disgusting. "Second of all... second... hrm..." She shakes her head and holds up her hands, "I've got nothing. Good work."

The Corellian woman walks over to start going through equipment, flipping open crates until she finds... with an ah! face, a backpack. Which she begins filling with bottles of extra processed water, climbing equipment, and at least two extra flashlights. One environmental blanket! THREE processed meals.. and extra ammunition, not for her of course, she's not wearing her blaster. Or any weapon for that matter.

The bag is slung over her shoulders as she heads back to the group, clipping it on her chest and pulling the straps tight. "Ah ha, yes..." From behind her back with one hand, the other holding up a finger for Nayeesa. Her datapad is opened, finger scrolling through data. "The Snapjaw is a large bulbous pitcher with a wide, toothy mouth.. it'll it you, so if we see one, probably don't get close." Scroll, "Quicksprout creeper is a vine, it'll..." She reaches out as if she's going to grab the Nautolan's arm, but she doesn't, "Then wrap you up and... yeah, it'll eat you.." Scroll. "Listen there's a lot of stuff out there-" Motioning to the forest between them and the CR-90, "That's super aggressive. We'll call it a metaphor for life in general.."

Putting away her datapad, "It'll be fine, everything's fine." Quietly, to Saito, "There's also a stinging sporecap that can spray clouds of spores... intense itching..." looped thumb and index finger, ok motion, nodding. "We're good." she mouths.

"So, then... yes. Probably."

That was Aria's half-whispered response to Nayeesa. It didn't come until /after/ Juria's list of what was known about the planet. Of course, it was a jungle. That didn't include what /wasn't/ known about the planet. So. Horray for /that/ little ray of sunshine.

"We've got two Jedi with us. What could /possibly/ go wrong?"

That is /also/ half-whispered right in front of the two Jedi. Aria's smile turns innocent when she looks between them and offers a little shrug.

In truth, she'd only ever seen them in action together once before, and /that/ had been in space. So, how much of it was 'THE FORCE' and how much of it was raw piloting skill was /anyone's/ guess. Except for Saito warning everyone to get back before that big, climactic explosion at the end that no one saw coming from a mile away. Good piece of writing, that.

"Come on. I'll help you get into some gear," she says, motioning Nayeesa over to the crates and starting to walk that way herself. She looks over her shoulder to her squad, still standing there expectantly. "We're moving in fifteen minutes. Last minute checks, everybody."

And true to her word, she helps Nayeesa stay within the fifteen minute window, offering whatever help the Nautolan needs to get into the armor and pick out her weapons. She even waves over one of the soldiers -- the one she'd handed her rifle to -- and tells her to sling it even if she doesn't think she'll want it.

After all, it wasn't anything except something for Aria to carry, anyway.

A similar backpack to the one Juria made is packed up and handed out to Nay and Saito. Aria takes one for herself, too. And then the Zeltron is moving over to the little staging area they'd picked out as the 'entry point' to the jungle, the place that looked most likely to take them where they were trying to go.

"Na, don't worry, Nay.. I'm sure-" Saito starts but then pauses as Juria lists at least two plants thah actually -can- eat them. "Well, herm.. We'll be fine," he takes a few steps away and shakes his head. He approaches Juria. "Master, please.. Locally sourced Nar Shaddaa weeds? I honestly don't want to think about what they are or where they -actually- come from," despit his words, he offers the older woman a grateful, honest smile for a moment, before he moves away to check over his stealth suit, deciding to not wear the helmet or the mask right now. He smiles to Aria when she gives him his backpack, slinging it across his back, starting to move towards the forest with the others. "Well, lets get this party started, folks," he calls out.

Nayeesa suddenly beams a smile at Juria. "Sign me up!" The caff is tossed back and finished before she turns to gather supplies for herself. Ropes. Food. Water. A first aid kit. A small knife. She pauses to check the blaster on her hip. "I have a full powercell. Though, I should probably get some more.." The blaster is hooked back into place before she makes her way back to the group. The prospect of an adventure just creates a sparkle in those large inky orbs called eyes.

With Aria's prompting, Nayeesa follows along to retrieve her new gear! As new blasters and a set of armor are presented, the Nautolan makes a musical sound of a coo! There is a pause as she regards the armor, "It has color shifting abilities! I love it!" She lifts it up and proceeds to insert herself into it's protective embrace. Powercells are taken up and shoved into each blaster before they are placed on her hip. She also adds a small knife and a pair of knuckle dusters. One never knows when they may have to punch a carniverous vine IN THE FACE! Though, it takes her a few attempts at finding a helmet that fits! Silly nautolan head tails!

Once done, she makes her way back to the group, standing a little taller and feeling a little more badass! <<How do I look?>> She says from inside the helmet.

Juria, despite her reading off the obvious hostile fauna of the planet, doesn't seem particularly plushed about their odds of survival. Honestly? It's a big planet, right? They've definitely got a better chance of ticks or contracting some jungle born disease than running into one, of quite a few, very dangerous vegitation that is inclined towards sentient consumption. Or maybe an animal? Some kind of predator beast that stalks their prey and lays eggs inside the corpses.

Truly, the galaxy is a majestic place.

She follows along with everyone. Wearing her usual grin and general upbeat attitude, the Corellian whistles quietly with her hands gripping the straps of her backpack.

Bar'duur appears from wherever, probably from somewhere inside the Haulin' Assets, and when he arrives he's ensuring his power armor is secured properly. Then he looks up, noting the others gathered about, green eyes shifting from one to another. "Hey, are you about to head into the jungle?" He asks, before his gaze finds Nayeesa with a little blink. "Hey, looking good, Nay." He offers in a warm tone. Then, the horned man is moving along with the rest. "I can take the lead if you want." He offers casually.

Aria's private security detail -- really, now, the bulk of the generic muscle and fodder of the Starlight Vanguard (as they would come to be known later) -- fall into step with Bar'duur, and as he begins to issue commands, they follow. Two of them pull out vibroswords and begin moving to the front and the sides, hacking away at bushes, vines, and trees small enough for them to cut through.

It was going to fatigue the soldiers eventually, but it made it /much/ easier for Aria and the rest of the pack to traverse that terrain. Plus, it left them a clear trail to follow back to the ships /and/ a clear path to take back into the jungle if they needed to go back for additional supplies.

Aria, for her part, seems to try to fit in somewhere near the middle. Middle of the trail. Middle of the group. She didn't have a vibrosword to clear with and wouldn't know how to safely swing it if she did. She didn't have her rifle anymore -- Nayeesa had that, so she didn't have much to /carry/ . Her hand rests on her blaster pistol, though. Maybe "just in case." Or, more likely just because it was a convenient place for her to rest her hand.

Nayeesa takes to the back of the group, essentially watching everyone's back! Though, it does have a nice view back here! Her gaze flits back and forth into the jungle, her low-light vision peering into the shadows of the bushes and trees to spot any sort of danger that may be lurking about. While they walk, she hums a soft tune to herself. It may sound odd to the others as Nautolan music focuses on the pauses instead of the notes themselves.

All that conversation left Juria with a mighty powerful and heavy bladder. She may have heard the part where Bar'duur said 'don't separate from the group' and truly, that's good advice... but when nature calls, nature must be obeyed! So while nobody was looking, she slipped off with a quiet, "Be back, gotta tinkle!" And did her bitniz. As people do.

Thankfully there's a nice clear path they're cutting for her to follow. Skipping through the woods every bit like that red hooded blonde girl in the ancient Naboo fable where she's eaten by a shap shifting walrus who looked a lot like her grandma'ma. Grinning. She may not 'look' the part of a seasoned survivalist, but she's watched a lot of holovid documentaries staring her favorite start Grear Buul. "You guys are never going to believe what I saw back there.." Thumbing over her shoulder. "It was some Tatooinian tunnels."

While the casually make their way through the brush, Juria is paying a particularly close attention to their surroundings. Since everything in this jungle teams with life, it also connects to the Force. Which both brings her a great deal of inner peace, but also puts her senses on high alert. Specifically, to this point, she can sense the advance of predators.. or particularly dangerous fauna.

Her hand slips inside her flight jacket, through a small tailored holster within, and produces a length of gunmetal grey metal cilender. There's a series of six beads dangling from one end, each of them a different colored stone tightly woven together. Those are looped between her fingers like rings, with the hilt of her lightsaber held down and off to the side.

"Something's coming. Three hostile avian creatures.. hunters? Hungry for sure..." She points her weapon upwards, "That'ah way." Then down in front of Bar'duur, "Also that's a stinging sporecap. It's about to fart on you."

"/Hold up/." Is heard in a deep, commanding tone. Bar'duur lifts his spear up a bit, and he extends his free hand, pointing forward and downward. "Watch it, looks like.." Then he pauses, as Juria speaks. "Stinging Sporecap." He nods once to her. "This stuff grows in dense clusters, so we're going to have to pick our way around it and whatever you do, don't disturb it.." Then his attention is turning upward toward the jungle canopy. "Alright let's close ranks, and keep sharp."

The humidity of the planet is serious. Beads of condensation bead up on her visor obscuring her view. An odd sound comes from her that sounds like some sort of complaint. Her native tongue just doesn't sound right out of water.

Both hands move up to push the visor up and out of her face just so she can get a better visual of everything going on.

Then there is a warning from Juria. A quick sidestep to a nearby tree and she pulls out both blasters from her hips. (Her new rifle remains across her back.) She remains close, but taking cover so her own back is protected while she glances around for.. mushrooms.. and birds..

"/Hold up/." Is heard in a deep, commanding tone. Bar'duur lifts his spear up a bit, and he extends his free hand, pointing forward and downward. "Watch it, looks like.." Then he pauses, as Juria speaks. "Stinging Sporecap." He nods once to her. "This stuff grows in dense clusters, so we're going to have to pick our way around it and whatever you do, don't disturb it.." Then the Zabraks attention is turning upward toward the jungle canopy. "Alright let's close ranks, and keep sharp, and do not move while you shoot.." By now, he's secured his helmet at least, and activates the target tracking features, bracing his obsidian spear under his arm as he points it upward.

• • TO BE CONTINUED!!