Chapter 13  The Whisper and Alluuvia

Korad didn’t seem to take as long as everyone thought.  The Moonshadow came out of hyperspace just above the tan planet.  It was surrounded by a grey ring that would have been mistaken for dust particles at first glance but was really discovered to be space junk and debris after further investigation—hundreds of starship wrecks, stripped, carbon-scored and falling apart.  The crew felt their heart sank.  If the Whisper was here in this ring of debris, searching for it cold take months; and months was something they definitely didn’t have!

            “So what do we know about this place?” Maharet asked.

            “This place is ruled by Slythor.  He’s the Squib Crime Lord out this way,” Tolian replied.

            “A Squib?  I hate dealing with Squibs!” Andromeda groaned.  “If they have something you want and they know how bad you want it, they can make your life miserable!  Always it’s the ‘What’s in it for me?’-thing!  I mean, look at this place!  This floating junkyard here is probably a Squib paradise!”

            “I’m getting a reading on the radar, here,” Luse spoke up.  “There’s two Space Hoppers coming our way and we’re being hailed.”

            “Probably Slythor’s,” Maharet muttered as she opened up a frequency.

            “Unidentified ship!  You are trespassing in the domain of the Highest Exalted Ruler of Korad!  Identify yourself and state your business!” the com crackled.

            “This is Lt. Andromeda of the Moonshadow.  My crew and I seek audience with Slythor,” she responded.  There was a considerable pause and Andromeda seemed to become tenser with each passing moment.

            “Very well, Moonshadow.  You will maintain course as we will escort you to a landing pad.  You will not deviate from your course or you will be destroyed.  Is that understood?”

            “Perfectly,” Andromeda responded and kept Moonshadow on course.  They passed through the junk belt and headed for the planet surface.  The Space Hoppers were always just ahead of them, and after a while, they radioed over to have the Moonshadow set down on the North Pole landing pad.

            “Please secure your ship and wait outside.  You will need breath masks for this.  His Highest Exaltedness is expected to arrive at any moment,” and with that final instruction, the two Space Hoppers took off again.

            They found themselves standing on a carbon-scored landing pad amidst piles of debris and scrap metal.  The ships, landspeeders, droids, and outdated machinery formed artificial hills and mountains, dominating the scenery.  A stiff wind whistled eerily through the wrecks and kicked up a brownish-red dust.

            “If I didn’t know better, I’d say the place was haunted,” Gorr muttered.

            The whine of repulsorlift engines could be distinctly heard coming from the south of them.  Soon an AT-AT Walker head could be seen over the hull of a Corellian corvette.  It was soon discovered that the walker was missing its legs, and four repulsor engines, which made it float over the debris effortlessly, had replaced them.  It came over and set itself down on the landing pad next to the Moonshadow.  A side blast door opened, revealing a huge, muscular, Gamorrean.  He was wearing armor made from the hide of some reptile, and in his hand he held a wicked looking vibroglaive.  Gorr couldn’t quite tell if the Gamorrean was smiling, or if he was growling as he motioned for them to get aboard.  Once the door closed, he began to speak in basic, but with a very heavy accent.

            “Rules!” he grunted.  “Rule one!  Address Slythor only as “Highest Exalted Ruler”!  Rule two!  Don’t speak.  Only answer question!  Rule Three!  Don’t Touch Ruler!  Rule Four!  No lie!  Break rules, I break you!  Give weapons!”  He swung his glaive for emphasis and held his hand out for their weapons.  He then led them into the chamber beyond to await the Squib crime lord.

            In he came on his repulsor chair.  He appeared to be the typical squib—a meter in height, reddish-blue fur, huge eyes, well groomed, and dressed expensively.  To Andromeda, he didn’t come across as evil—rather more like selfish, greedy, and highly egotistical.  In order to come away with what they wanted, she knew that she had to keep quiet, curb her comments and show the respect demanded.  Tolian had the hand on her shoulder anyway.

            “Greetings. I am Slythor, the Highest Exalted Ruler.  I understand that I have something that you want.  What is it?”

            “A ship, High Exalted Ruler.  A recent acquisition, I understand,” Andromeda spoke up for the group.

            “A ship.  Yes, I have many ships!  What is it about this ship that you want so badly?” he leaned back, getting more comfortable.

            “The astromech droid that is aboard it, High Exalted Ruler,” she replied.  She fought the impulse to shudder and she clenched her teeth, keeping her real feelings (and her mouth) in check.

            “But why that one?  It’s so beat up.  I have a perfectly good agromech droid that would work much better!”

            “All we ask is that we be allowed to see the ship.  We need the information off the astromech droid,” Andromeda explained.

            “Ah!” Slythor leaned forward in his seat.  “Now what have you to give for this thing?”  He leaned forward, looking them up and down, coming to rest on Zaron.

            “Money?” she asked.

            “Ha!  You dare to insult me?”

            “Of course not, High Exalted Ruler,” Andromeda smiled apologetically and gnashed her teeth in secret.  Uncle Tolian’s hand remained on her shoulder.

            “You,” Slythor pointed a finger at Zaron.  “I’ll give you my entire collection of Mon Calamari recipes—all 942 of them—for your boots!”  Zaron looked stunned for a moment.

            “My boots?” he stammered.

            “And I’ll even throw in a wrestling match with Gar here,” Slythor smiled.  Luse had to hide a smile and a chuckle as he looked over at Gorr.  Hmmm.  Gar and Gorr.  No contest.  Gorr would kick his butt easily.

            “I have a vibro ax in perfect working order, Exalted Ruler,” Maharet spoke up.

            “What use do I have for another weapon?  Was I dealing with you?  No, I don’t think so!” Slythor scowled at her, but his attention was quickly diverted back to Andromeda, who was tossing a blue colored stone and catching it again as if it were a mere coin to be flipped.

            “What do you have there?”

            “This little thing?  Pretty isn’t it?” Andromeda held up one of the gems she had taken from the Scourge hideout.  The light shone brightly through the blue stone, and the Squib’s attention seemed to be transfixed upon it.

            “I’ll throw an authentic silver-handled Bantha riding crop for that little stone and his boots!  Do you have anymore of them?”

            “What color do you want, High Exalted One?” Andromeda said almost smugly as she removed her share of the gems from her pouch.  “I’ll give you my pretty colored stones for the Whisper and the droid aboard it!”

            “And the boots!” Slythor insisted and almost jumped out of his seat.  Zaron seemed a little reluctant, but with the silent looks he was getting from Maharet and Andromeda, he reluctantly nodded.

            “Ah! Very good!  A pleasure doing business with you!  Here’s the coordinates to the ship you’re looking for,” he handed over a data pad which Zaron took when he handed over his boots.  Slythor laughed in glee and proceeded to put them on his own feet.  Andromeda handed over the gems, and Gar escorted them back out again and watched them get back on board the Moonshadow, where Andromeda instantly fired it up and took off to get their prize.

            “My boots had better be worth it,” Zaron lamented.  “Now my feet are getting cold!  That was part of this armor, you know.”

            “I think your boots are a small price to pay for this ship we’re looking for!” Maharet admonished.  Luse couldn’t help but laugh, no matter how hard he tried to hide it.

            “Here we are!” Tolian announced as Andromeda set them down.

            “Pretty beat up.  It’s not ever gonna fly again.  There’s a huge hole in the back and there’s Mynocs all over the hull, chewing on anything electrical,” Luse made his report.

            “Let’s just get what we came for and get the heck out of here!” Gorr seemed a little anxious.  Zaron had his data pad out and was ready to go to work.

            “Be right back,” he said with a smile.  “Kosh, you might want to cover me.”  Kosh only nodded his approval, and with Gorr in tow, followed Zaron out.  They were back in less than five minutes with smiles across their faces.

            “Well, that was easy!” Zaron brandished the data pad.

            “Alright!  Now let’s hurry to Alluuvia before the Imps get there to claim it!” Zaron handed the data pad over to Tolian so he could feed the coordinates into the computer.  Luse was bent over the sensor array while Andromeda took the Moonshadow up with a big smile on her face.

            “Thank goodness we’re leaving!  Let’s not come back to this place, okay?” Gorr was giving a big sigh of relief.

            “I’m for that,” Luse agreed as the ship jumped into hyperspace.  Andromeda also let out a sigh as she leaned back in her seat and propped her feet up.

            “I did good this time, didn’t I, Uncle?” she asked.

            “Yes you did, Llellandra.  I’m proud of you,” he said quietly.  Andromeda smiled and sank down into her seat farther for a nap.

            “Good.  Wake me when we get there,” she said quietly.

            “Tolian, what does the computer say about Alluuvia?” Maharet asked.

            “Well, it’s 97% covered with water that are extremely metal and mineral rich.  The ocean floor is just covered with ore deposits.  There’s lots of aquatic life.  I think the people that live there are called Anguilla —or at least, that’s what’s been entered into the computer.  It’s really new,” Tolian replied.

            Six hours later, the alarm sounded, jerking Andromeda out of a sound sleep.  The Moonshadow had come out of hyperspace above a brilliant blue planet that seemed to be almost all water.  Andromeda had never seen anything like it before in her life.

            “Wow!  They should have sent a poet along!  This place is beautiful!” she breathed.  “Luse, see if there’s anyplace for us to land.”

            Luse nodded and was bent over the controls.  “Found one!” he called out almost joyously.  Andromeda found what they were looking for and eased the ship down on a small, rocky island.

            “All ashore who’s going ashore,” Maharet quipped as they disembarked.  The weather was perfect.  There was a slight breeze coming off the water and it felt comfortably refreshing.  The spray that seemed to hit them from all sides felt warm, not chilly.

            “So just how do we claim this for Radell, anyway?  After hearing Iych-Thae’s spiel, I’m not so sure if this is a good idea.  What if the natives don’t go for it?” Gorr asked.

            “Good question,” Zaron nodded.

            “I agree.  This place is too beautiful to have all its resources taken out,” Maharet agreed.

            “Um, guys?  Stay real still, don’t make any loud noises or move for your weapons.  I think we’re being spied on,” Andromeda said quietly.  Twenty-five Anguilla had them surrounded and was holding them by spearpoint.

            “Hello?” Andromeda tried.  The Anguilla looked at each other for a moment and thrust a spear threateningly in her direction.  She immediately stepped back with her hands up.

            “Hey!  Friend!  Not going to hurt!” she said.  They seemed to eye her suspiciously.

            “Where Iych-Thae?” one asked.

            “Not here.  Friend of Iych-Thae?  Pilgrims?” Andromeda asked.  The Anguilla nodded and whispered amongst themselves. Most of the spears were lowered and the one who appeared to be the leader made a motion toward the water.

            “You all come,” he said.  Andromeda looked over at Tolian, who nodded.  Andromeda explained that they needed their water gear and would be coming with them.  The sleek, black aliens nodded and waited for their return.

            The water felt surprisingly warm, and jumping right into it was no problem.  The Anguilla led them into a great underwater cavern and introduced them to Anyar, the tribal leader.

            “Ah!  Pilgrims.  Friends of Iych-Thae.  Is this true?  You are not from the metal fish?” Anyar spoke surprisingly well.

            “Metal fish?” Kosh asked.

            “Are you allied with the others who slaughtered many Anguilla fifteen tides ago?” Anyar demanded.

            “The Imps,” Maharet moaned quietly.  “They got here before us!”

            “No, we are not,” Kosh replied instantly.  “In fact, we are at war with them.  They are here to destroy Alluuvia.  We are here to save it.”

            Anyar eyed each of them and nodded.  “Yes.  You do not dress yourself in the same white shells as they do,” he said quietly.

            “They are our enemy, as they are yours,” Kosh replied. “They have no regard for life.”

            “This is truth,” Anyar nodded.

            “We offer ourselves as your allies, to rid you of the ones in white shells,” Kosh said with a respectful bow.

            “And you would be willing to prove your worth to us?” Anyar asked.

            “Of course,” Kosh answered immediately.

            “Then you and your companions will be put through the warrior’s test known as the Rites of Conch-tar,” Anyar announced.  The Anguilla tribe knew their cue, and escorted their guests to another submerged cave that was a few kilometers away.

            The cave was pitch black.  Each of them was handed a piece of bone with phosphorescent seaweed wrapped around one end.  Each of them was also given a piece of seaweed to eat.  Once they had eaten, some ceremonial chants were mumbled, and the Rebels were ordered into the cave.

            “Remember,” Anyar called after them.  “You must stay in the cave in order to be proven worthy!”

            The cave was filled with eerie shadows cast by the “torches”.    The shadows seemed to melt into blackness again as Andromeda felt herself dozing off.  She shook herself awake, but found that she wasn’t in the cave anymore.  In fact, she found that she was in binders, surrounded by five Storm Troopers.  She could hear laughter ringing in her ears.  With a stab of fear, she recognized the laugh.  The terror overwhelmed her as she looked up to see Admiral Telaire Maricson towering over her, laughing.

            “It’s been a merry chase, Lieutenant!  But I’ve got you now!”  He began to laugh again.  Andromeda wanted to scream out in terror and wake up from the bad dream like she always did, but this was feeling far to vivid and real to be a dream.  Terror and fear riveted her to the spot, as well as an anger as she realized that she had been betrayed by the Anguilla.

            Maharet was also experiencing the drowsiness.  She suddenly found herself back on her home planet, her hands bound, a chain about her neck, and she was being beaten.  To her horror, she found that she was in slavery and being beaten upon by a slaver.  Everyone of her race that she had known was also there with her, being beaten upon by slavers.  She never felt so helpless and scared in her life.

            Gorr had also succumbed to the drowsy spell.  Before he knew what was going on, he found himself back home in the boxing ring, but he was not the victorious one.  His enemy and brother was the one standing over him, gloating.  He realized that he was in pain and was beaten badly, which added to his fear.  His brother ginned an evil grin and seemed to delight in taking his time in delivering the final blow that would take his brother’s life.  The suspense was nearly killing him!

            But as for Luse, Zaron, Tolian and Kosh, they seemed to be unaffected.  Tolian tried to revive Andromeda with no luck.  He checked her vitals and seemed to show a look of concern.

            “It must have been that seaweed we ate.  She’s out cold and her pulse has gone way up!” Tolian became concerned.

            “Don’t look now, but I think that big thing coming right at us would like to have us for lunch!” Zaron pointed as he drew his blaster.  But it really wasn’t headed for them.  It was headed straight for Andromeda.

            “It’s attuned to the Force!” Kosh said.  “It’s feeding off of their fears and going after them!”  Zaron had fired a shot, hitting the creature square.  Tolian and Luse also fired off shots, hitting their target.  The creature emitted a high-pitched scream before dying.

            Once it was completely dead, Andromeda, Maharet and Gorr seemed to wake up from their trance.  They each seemed to draw in long sighs of relief.  Gorr seemed to shake it off first, realizing where he was, and turned his concern to Kosh.  Maharet took a moment to rub her wrists and neck, but didn’t say anything.  Andromeda was still a little shook up.

            “Llellandra, are you alright?” Tolian comforted.

            “That was just too real,” she said quietly.

            “It must have been.  You don’t scare very easily,” he said.  “What was it?”

            “Maricson.  I saw Maricson.  He was laughing at me!  He was there!” she said in a whisper.  “Are we still on Alluuvia?”

            “Yes, and by the looks of the welcoming committee, I think we’ve passed with flying colors!  Looks like we’re now part of the tribe!” Tolian began to lead her out.

            “Great.  Just what I always wanted to do.  Join yet another tribe!” she joked.

            “Thatta girl!  You’re going to be fine.  Let’s go,” Tolian gave her shoulders a quick squeeze as they left the cave and were greeted with hugs by the tribe.

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* Chapter 11 and subsequent chapters are based upon the module "Operation: Elrood", a game concept owned by West End Games, written by John Beyer, Chris Doyle and Anthony Russo.  I wish to make it known that the game and/or story concept is not mine.  This is simply written into readable story form of our adventures as we went through it, and that passages are taken directly from the module itself.  Concepts of people and places are not mine except for PC's listed on previous page.  I'm doing so because I thoroughly enjoyed the story and wanted to do this for entertainment purposes only--I'm not making any profits of any kind off of this.  I'm just wanting to make clear that I'm giving credit where credit is due.  Thank you.