From orbit over the planet a space cruiser launched a pod, hurtling the bullet-shaped cage through the planet's atmosphere to its surface. The pod's landing was what jolted from unconsciousness the man contained within. His vision was hazy at first, but slowly the jungle was brought to view through his eyes after crawling out. His head throbbed and body ached, but it wasn't from the landing as he was used to it from paratrooping behind enemy lines. Instead, this soldier believed he was drugged somehow, as the aches and migraine were similar to the overextending drawbacks from combat stimulants he'd have his BD droid keep handy for high performance situations.
The lush flora enamored him for a moment, as the exotic shapes with bristling colors always give the mind a chance to admire and contemplate nature. He recognized none familiar to him, but also admittedly knew very little outside the organic life native to the homeworld of his upbringing. Thus his newfound hunger at the sudden stir of a growling stomach would have to wait. Instead he prioritized the search for freshwater and marched east. His head was on a swivel to be on the lookout for danger, but to also find a large enough tree above the others to climb and gain a vantage point and some better sense as to where he woke up. When finding one he used the Force to help his ascent. From branch to branch he leapt to those thick enough to support his weight. At its peak he saw the horizon, with a flood of jungle trees at every corner stretching beyond what his eyes could measure. There were no signs of shoreline or traces of manufactured facilities. He cursed at his luck and descended, continuing east. There was a bad feeling in the Force emerging over time as he marched; the sense of a dark presence not far from him.
Close to nightfall the sound of rushing water was heard. He followed in a rush until he found a running stream. It was the first smile and rush of excitement he had since landing, and he ran to it with anticipated enthusiasm. Yet just before cupping his hands to take a drink, the sharp shock of a sudden fear rose in his chest, and instinct compelled him to roll to the side. As he did so, his peripherals caught the blur of a red leg launching a landing kick where his head once was. He rose with a jump high-knee that served to feint for a full kick with the other leg. He missed and had his face slugged, then felt himself bend forward forcefully by the capture of his arm in a submission hold. Fury rose like a burst of flame, with the soldier's green eyes beginning to shimmer with the orange-gold glow of a Sith fully committed to the Dark Side. It summoned strength from fury, making the assailants' skilled maneuver in constraining him fail by the newfound strength in defiance. He felt the attempt to twist his arm but he kept it still as stone. Then two legs wrapped around his face, its humanoid torso bent backwards and twisted, bringing a forceful attempt to slam him into the ground. Yet the juggernaut stood firm, gripped the thighs at his shoulders, and slammed the crimson body down on the floor. It was then he reached for the throat whilst getting a good look at his enemy. The red complexion was painted over a lean feminine muscular adorned in tribal wear that left little to the imagination. The lekku confirmed her species but it was the look into her eyes that halted his approach. They both took a moment to inhale after recognizing each other.
"Tahiri?!" The soldier gasped.
"Creon! I didn't know it was you!" The scarlet togruta replied with a voice sounding slightly out of breath.
Creon reached out a hand to his foe turned friend, and embraced her in a hug when she pulled herself to her feet.
"How long has it been?" He asked.
"Not since that black Krayt Dragon hunt on Tatooine," she replied with a deadly grin in reminiscence of the venture.
"Well... do you have any idea where we are or why you and I are here?"
Tahiri folded her arms and looked down, paused in contemplation, then shook her head, "I arrived in a pod, but my mind's fuzzy in trying to think how I got there in the first place. I don't recognize the landscape, and some of the wildlife have a few traits common in many worlds, but none I could identify exclusive to the places I've been. This is new, and I don't like it."
"How long have you been here?"
"Not long," she said and looked up to the sky for a brief moment, "This will be my first night."
"Okay, same. Have you seen anyone else here?"
"No."
Creon turned back to the river to drink, "Then let's work together to find out what's going on and how we can get back to our lives."
She kicked his hands just before he was about to take a sip, "You'll likely die of fever drinking that, or worse."
She was right. It was a basic rule of survival Creon had forgotten about. His heart sank, from his upbringing on Panantha and the Resolnaire this should have been a basic principle to remember. Yet all the years involved with mandalorian bounty hunting and the once luxuries of the Odanite temple (but now with the stations of Clan Naga Sadow) have made rusty his skill of adaptability in the wild without aid. The Force then would have to preserve him just as it did a full winter on Kaerls during his trial by the Okami clan.
The two walked together into the jungle twilight, sometimes apart and other times close but always within perceptive proximity. It was only a matter of time before the silence was broken by curiosity:
"What happened to you? Your wife thinks you're dead."
"I ask that you not say anything to Elyon. This is for the best."
"She's raising your newborn alone, Creon."
Creon sighed, "Then I will rest knowing my bloodline is secured, and that it will be raised in luxury by her extended family's support on Naboo."
"You can't be serious!" She snarled.
Creon stopped and stared at her, and she stared back with the same unwavering stature.
"I lied to the Jedi Council about my origins. I am not some human of a core world, but an Epicant of Panatha. We are a different breed of human, with a warrior culture stemming from an ancient tradition with primal roots. You forget I was Odan-Urr's prisoner of war from Muz' invasion years ago, and was 'rehabilitated' into 'seeing the light' by becoming an Odanite Jedi. Marrying Elyon was what finally took their eyes off me. So I returned to Muz and his Sons of Sadow. I seek from them even further strength and understanding, both in battle and with the Force, and none can compare to Muz as his men. My goal is to someday achieve apprenticeship under him and learn to fight as he does. A quiet life in a villa on Naboo away from glory and greatness stands against all of that, and so I will not be softened into settling."
Tahiri took in his words, uncertain how to feel from this cold revelation, but respectfully understood from her own perspective. In fact, she began to see Creon more clearly. He was an excellent hunter, with a ferocity that couldn't have come out of some core world life nor the Jedi. She was about to give a reply until Creon held up a hand in protest and turned his attention to the south.
"You hear that?" he asked.
Tahiri looked in his direction and listened, but nothing apart from small creaking insects was heard, "No. What is it?"
It was like the soft hum of a hyperdrive that would put Creon to sleep as he surfed the stars along a hyperlane. An exhaust of soft white noise from a refined engine, "A potential transport..." He replied and once as before used the Force to help climb a tree. Tahiri joined him, climbing without aid by the strength of her limbs. Upon both reaching the top, they were able to spot a skiff hovering via repulsors hosting a party of armed Trandoshans.
"Trandoshans?! They're behind this?!" Creon softly said with surprise.
One of the Trandoshans onboard fired a blaster round into the trees. Someone screamed from below. The others then surrounded the shooter and shouted with praise.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Tahiri said whilst looking at him with a wink.
"Yeah, let's take them."
