Kamda

Over the past several weeks, Tranq had been coming to hunt in Rumdera. Yet more and more, something there was calling.

He could feel it, the Living Force. Awash in life... in death.

Today, the Call was undeniable. He had to answer.

And to remember his training.

The Light.

Always to the Light.

"I hate this blasted jungle," Stinger said as he used a machete-like sword to cut through some vines that had gone over a path they'd discovered on their last outing this way.

They'd landed by the namesake crash-site and disembarked. Moving into the jungle they've been trying to find their way back to where Tranq said they must return, an ancient fork in an ancient road, but the jungle itself seemed to resist their intrusion at every turn.

"Could be worse." The Karkarodon replied, closing his eyes when they arrived at the branching path. Breathing in the Jungle, the life in it, the ever present danger of Death.

It felt like him. It felt like home.

With instinct, he chose the harder path, less traveled but worth the journey.

Feeling for Life.

"I'm glad you all came."

"Happy to be here G-.." Stinger bit his tongue, "Phroth," he said, quickly. Looking toward the next batch of vines to separate himself from that moment as best he could, in the density of this forest Tranq could feel his unease.

Lucky, coming back from a quick forward scouting, "Nothing up ahead that looks like it'll eat us.. but.. well," she said, the smirk could be heard in his tone, "you're gonna like what you see," he said with every bit of confidence.

"I was never a General. Commander was my rank." He grinned hearing the first consonant, then shook his head. "I get it though, Stinger. Old habits." When Lucky came up, the Karkarodon raised his hairless brow. "It's a massive, dangerous jungle, Lucky. I liked it from the moment I walked in, so you're saying something more on top of that?"

Stinger nodded, embarrassed still, hacking away at more plants than was strictly necessary. Lucky chuckled, "Oh yea," he said, waving them onward. Walking for some time they would eventually follow this trail all the way to an ancient, stone-made pyramid-like structure of some unknown origin.

"Don't think we ever knew there was ever anyone on Kamda before the city-folk," Lucky said.. "and this.. this definitely predates them by, I.." he was about to say he didn't know when another clone popped up.

"At least a few millennia, maybe more," Lad said. When the others looked to him he shrugged, "What? I studied ancient architecture with Cartess when she was going through it, don't look at me like that."

Tux was the first to laugh.

"Really now. That... is interesting." This was the kind of mission he should have been on. Not leading troops in a war. Exploring uncharted regions. Learning to hyperlane routes, blazing trails on brand new worlds.

ExplorCorps should have been his home. Maybe in another life, it would have been.

"Well, let's get to it! Last one there is dewback poodoo!" He called, racing up the trail Lad and Lucky had come down from.

Lucky took off at a sprint with Tranq, true to his name finding lucky ways to keep up. Lad pushed Stinger as he started to run and got ahead of him in that way. While Tux and Rox shared a laugh from the back. Bringing up the rear.

They all felt so alive. Even with the dread of combat with the Inquisitor tomorrow, Tranq focused on the moment. Feeling invigorated by the presence of the Clones, as well as the overflowing life of the Jungle. The Force was strong here, just reaching into everything. He kept up his pace, moving through the under brush, hands touching trees as he raced past.

Moving over the ridge of a hill, he looked down, at where the Clones had scouted ahead.

There it sat, an ancient structure of some unknown purpose cut out of the middle of the Jungle. For some reason it appeared that the jungle itself respected this place as it wasn't reclaimed even after all this time out here alone. Strange, for sure, but that this ancient building appeared something alike a temple perhaps answered that natural question.

He was awe inspired. The temple was a thing of beauty, and the way nature seemed to give it leeway... was an odd feeling of balance. The Karkarodon slowly moved forward, winding down the path towards it.

"Guys... this is amazing..."

Lucky came rushing up to his side and then punched his shoulder, "Told ya," he said, chuckling.

Not too long after the rest of the troopers came running up behind. Coming around in a half-circle about Tranq.

"So," Tux said, "Care to go inside?" he said, knowing the answer already.

"We didn't come all this way to just stare at it, did we." He grinned, a rather disturbing rictus with too many teeth, though perfectly normal for a being such as him. "C'mon." Tranq picked up the pace again, heading down to it.

The troopers followed, talking about it, chatting about other things. Combat walk talks until they were out of the jungle with a clear line of view. Walking up to it was when all the chatter ceased totally, however, as the majesty of this old building truly took them back.

"Well.." Tux said, looking to the temple and then back. "We're used to this sorta thing in a way. Your call Phroth, we can hold the perimeter or go in with you," he said.

From inside Tranq felt the pull of Destiny.

"I... I think I should go alone." There was a call. Deep within him, deep within the temple. "Something... I haven't felt in a long time." He looked to the troopers. "I'll be back. If it seems like I've been gone too long... come looking." His expression changed to a deep smile.

"Thank you all, for being there. I am glad to call you all friends."

"Glad to know we're not the only ones left over from a bygone era," Tux said, wearing a smile.

"You heard him troopers, get to watching the perimeter. Jedi's going in," he shouted, and the troopers gave a quick cheer before taking up positions around the outside of the temple.

Tranq only needed to walk inside...

"Gone but not forgotten." He nodded, and began to make his way up the steps to the temple, before delving in...

Inside the stone was cold, the rooms were dark and there was little natural light. However there was some natural light yet creating small bright spots against the darkness that would help him navigate even without a light. There was a giant inner entry open to him, and from there it branches off into many separate hallways.

It reminded him of the maze on Ilum. And so, he did the most natural thing.

He let the Force guide his steps, where ever they may roam.

They lead him down one of the halls, into the darkest depths of the temple he went. Turning a corner he found himself washed in a nearly blinding light. Inside the room it was modern, clean, sleek. Almost like the Jedi temple. Here he found an older boy picking on a younger one. Calling him names and, hitting him, all to steal his toy.