Ghaunadaur

The ARC came screaming out hyperspace and began to slowly drift along as Veldri entered the newest coordinates into the computer and entered hyperspace once more.

OOC: It has been more than three days and I just want to get this over with; I've got better things to do. IC: Veldri walked around the pile of rocks and spied the macabre corpse of the walluga sprawled haphazardly across the ground. Its mouth was open and blood was spurting out every time the creature took a ragged breath. Its eyes were glazing over from want Veldri could see through the sand that was stuck to the matted fur around its face. The Walluga was slowly dieing. Veldri looked around, trying to find the best place to put a single shot in and end this. The creature was in even worse shape then it had at first appeared. It was missing a leg, two more were broken, and a large hunk of flesh and organs from its stomach were gone. Already the flies were beginning to circle above its remains. Veldri knelt down next to the walluga because he knew it was too weakened and delirious to even notice him. Then he placed the tip of his A280 against the top of the walluga's head and for a moment it seemed to respond to the cool touch of the metal before Veldri pulled the trigger and released a fatal shot. The walluga had no time to even know it was doomed before it passed from this plane of existence. All that remained was a bloody mess that would be soon covered in sand were the virtual reality to continue once Veldri left. Veldri slowly turned and walked purposefully across the sand as it began to recede into virtual memory banks somewhere else in the ship. He let out a small sigh of impatience and squeezed through the door before it opened all the way. Once he was entirely inside the computer terminal beside Karnage he turned toward the table and threw down his simulated A280 and repacked his real weapons. Then he turned to Karnage and said, ”œIt's been nice working with you, but I have things to do. Maybe we'll meet again someday.”

Veldri could finally see as he wiped the last of the blood from his eyes, which were the only part of his face that wasn't covered by his helmet or his mask that had been white but was now a sticky mess of virtual blood and sand. Suddenly, the ground erupted; instead of the fleshy chunks of walluga that should have been raining down on Veldri there was billowing sand and bits of rock. ”œThe grenade must have come off somehow,”

Veldri slowly picked his stunned form up off the staircase. ”œOne minute I'm on top of a tower and the next I'm back on the staircase. That floor must have been weaker than I thought.”

Veldri couldn't help it any more, after Ripper's comment; he began to snicker under his breath. Look at these guys. They are both a least a foot taller and they are covered in armor. I hope I don't have to fight them in this up coming simulation, the only advantages I have are speed, equipment, and possibly knowledge. Only speed will work on a simulated battlefield. Veldri realized he was falling behind Ripper and Karnage due to their larger steps and broke in to a small jog as the group rounded the final corner and stopped in front of a set of large, steel doors that glowed in the low light of the hall. The doors opened with a soft hiss and the small squad entered a computer terminal type room that had large picture windows looking in on two separate empty simulation rooms. As Veldri watched the rooms began to fill with what seemed to be a small sandstorm, but was really only small virtual sand crystals. As the digital dust settled among the broken bits of stone and decrepit walls, and in the center of the alternate reality was what appeared to be the large remains of a massive building; a cathedral, a palace, or a barracks possibly. Then Karnage's large boy pivoted quickly and seemed to be looking straight at him and Ripper. He began to brief them both on the upcoming simulation. It seems I'll be fighting this walluga creature, Veldri thought as he studied the hologram image rotating slowly above the computer console. Hmm”¦could be a problem. That thing looks big, powerful, and it might possess a considerable speed; all around a formidable opponent. Veldri blocked out the sound of Karnage's monotonous tone and observed the terrain his simulation room. He heard something about placing all his weapons on the table and grabbing the supplies off the table. Veldri followed Ripper to the long, faux wood table and placed all his weapons carefully onto its surface next to Ripper's, adjusting his sniper rifle so that it wouldn't fall to the ground. Inside Veldri was smiling, at least he had found a small loophole, he only had to get rid of his weapons. Veldri picked up the four and a half foot sword and tucked it under his belt at the left hip, where his chest belt joined with the one around his waist. Next, Veldri picked up the rifle, it's a little rough, but it seems accurate enough and it could be wielded one handed in a pinch. What's this? Only one detonator? Better not waste it. Veldri walked toward the simulation room and began to step out into the desert. Did that togruta just calls us maggots? He thinks he has more power than is really at his control. Not that it bothers me, if he becomes out of hand I just wont listen to him. Simple! Then the door slid shut behind his back and suddenly Veldri was truly standing in the desert. The wind kicked up small dust storms around his boots and the sand seemed to slide haphazardly back and forth, like the tide of some great ocean; and the heat, it washed over him in waves. Maybe I can hide and let this walluga die of a heat stroke, he joked to himself as he began to struggle across the sand toward the ruins about two hundred feet in front of him. He stepped into the shade of what appeared to have once been a fortress wall. This must have been a magnificent fortress once; I wonder what kind of army it took to knock it to the ground. Veldri felt the coolness of the shade wash over his body instantly; he would have to be careful. A few minutes in that heat and already he was having problems concentrating. Looking around the ruins, he realized that he needed a better position if he was to fight this thing he would need every advantage he could get. He would have to pick the battlefield. The stone felt solid, comforting under his feet as he began to climb the stairs; the tangible quality of the masonry reassuring after the dune sands. He glanced down into the shadows gathered at the base of the stairwell, where there was a second staircase that led to the dungeons. Veldri began to swiftly climb the stairs to the remains of a watchtower stationed above the roof and positioned in the corner where two of the walls met. The walls encasing this staircase are narrow, the walluga might be able to squeeze in but it will be tough. He reached the roof and gasped as the heat returned; the sun seemed a giant relentless eye bearing down on him, scrutinizing his every move. This tower is in bad shape. The roof is entirely gone as are much off the walls. However, beast will have to squeeze up the stairs because the walls are to slick to climb and to sturdy to be knocked down in a reasonable amount of time. He must come to me, and I will see him when he does. Veldri walked over to the edge to begin watching and turned on the small music player in his helmet. The music swam through his body; his blood began to pump faster, faster, faster; feeding his body massive amounts of adrenalin. His mind began to swim with strange desires: bloodlust and beserkergang. His teeth began to chatter, he shivered, and then his temperature soared. Then just as suddenly as it had started, it ended. Then smaller changes began to occur. Veldri's eyes glazed over then changed to any icy bluish-white that was void of any feeling other than the need to kill. Veldri was no more; he was now the hunter a being who lived to kill, who was untraceable, and silent. He felt no pain, only hunger. He had a different name now, he was человек, который держит тайны: the man who keeps the secrets. This waiting is tedious, I long to feel the exhilaration of the hunt, to hear my enemy draw his last breath, wondering where I was when I struck that last blow.

Veldri looked up, from where he was comfortably seated on the densely carpeted floor of his suite, at the sound of two large bodies moving non-too-stealthily down the hall toward his direction. I guess I may want to open the door for who ever is coming... Veldri got to his feet and walked to the door, his footfalls not sounding as all as his bear feet landed amongst the carpet fibers. He reached about half a dozen feet from the door when it was flung open and in stepped a tall togruta, so tall that his face was momentarily in the shadows. Some people have no manners, he didn't even knock... "Come in, please," Veldri graciously offered and then immediately regretted doing so as he saw the look on the togruta's face. I can't laugh, I must contain myself. That face though, does he know what he looks like? Maybe he thinks that makes him look tough? Whatever, just don't laugh. Veldri though to himself and managed to compliment Karnage's new armor without a hint of a smile. Veldri stared at Karnage as he relayed his offer about the GAMMA squad and even better training. It's about time for some real training, I've had all these people tell me they were going to help me, and then something always came up. Veldri took a second to mentally prepare for the look on Karnage's face and then turned to him and said, ”œthank you for the offer, I most graciously accept and will follow you to the battle area momentarily. Veldri then ran back to the far corner of the suite and franticly grabbed weapons from the closet. Belting on his armor and stuffing random articles that maybe useful into his various pouches; including the anatomy book he had been reading before he was so rudely interrupted. Then he raced back out the front door of his luxurious suite, pulling the door shut behind him with a loud click as the lock engaged, and caught up with Ripper. Veldri leaned close to Ripper and motioned for him to bend down a little so he could whisper in his ear. I sure hope that Karnage doesn't try to look tough that often...

Veldri smiled, A training mission. Finally, something to do. Veldri leapt from the catwalk where everyone was standing and landed in the area below. He crept down rows of computers with pilots glued to them, mindlessly carrying out their orders, paying no attention to him. He moved silently under the catwalk that he had been on moments before and climbed back up onto the walkway about ten meters behind Canderous and tugged his right Bulldog RLR free of its holster and locked the gun onto Canderous before firing the gun quickly six times, emptying the clip. The six small rocket-propelled grenades flew through the control deck, locked onto Canderous. This shouldn't too be easy, I've got to be careful Veldri thought to himself as he pulled a knife free from its sheath with his left hand and waited to see what would happen. Veldri's eyes shot opened and he leapt to his feet in one swift motion, sweat pouring from his body. Man, what a dream! He thought to himself; looking around, Veldri noticed that he was lying in a corner of a hallway and that some of the others were gathered in the area. We must still be waiting for Canderous to finish up whatever he's doing. Whatever it is I'm sure it's more important than dealing with us kids who can't even all show up on time. Veldri groaned and lowered his body back into the corner. This time I think I'll sleep in a more comfortable position. Maybe that way I wont get any more dreams...

Veldri's ARC left his previous planet and preceded to follow Karnage and Ripper, at a safe distance, to the groups next location and their new orders.Then the ship picked up speed again and he was under way...

Veldri's ARC streaked out of hyperspace, coming to a slow and steady flight path for the Crimson Rising and the Red Dawn fleet. Veldri guided his ship past an ARC fighter with Red Dawn symbols on its wings. Well at least someone has some taste when it comes to ships”¦Veldri laughed as his ARC was guided down into the hanger from the command deck inside. His ship had barely touched down when Veldri leapt from the cockpit, landed and began running to keep from falling. A few seconds later, Veldri had already collected himself enough to slow to a walk and direct himself toward the command deck and his Commander: Mandalore the Wise.[/i]

Veldri let a small, cynical smile creep across his face under his mask and began to laugh silently to himself. His body moving ever so slightly as the laughs left his slightly parted lips. Veldri gracefully slid to his feet, glided to the door, and left the room without a backward glance. He seemed to slide effortlessly down the whitewashed halls; the only sound anywhere was the soft echo Veldri's the boots striking the floor. In the sinister silence, the sound of the boots and their echo seemed to make Veldri the leader of an army of specters, wraiths that flowed be hind him and his cynical laughter that mirrored the look on his face. The slightly parted lips, still laughing, and the knife in his right hand, which he slowly stroked. The blade shone with an icy brilliance, cold, and deadly; just like the eyes that leered out from the mask. I've got to keep this malice under control, direct the maelstrom that is brewing. Later I may need it. Veldri entered the hanger and noticed that many of the ships were missing. It's okay; I can catch up to them in space. A single fighter can move faster than their fleet. Veldri leapt to the wing of his ARC and slid himself down into the cockpit, making himself comfortable in the chair. ”œR2, chart a flight path to Krayiss II”

Veldri looked up, surprised, "I thought that I wasn't going to have anything to do here. Am I needed in room C7 as well?" HE asked Ripper but Ripper didn't seem to hear him. Veldri quickly gathered up his few belongings and took off down the hall, reloading as he ran. Always remember to keep my weapons loaded, got to remember . Veldri arrived outside the door to C7 out of breath and rather late by the looks of it. Not a good way to start anything . He took a second to straighten his hair, then taking a deep breath, knocked on the door twice to announce himself Wouldn't want to appear rude and stepped into C7 and closed the door quietly behind him. Veldri preformed a quick scan of the room and noted that at least he wasn't last. Noticing the figure at the front of the room that was clearly in charge, Veldri bowed to him and waited quietly at attention for instructions to speak, leave, or take a seat. I'm not sure I should be here but the worst thing I could do is speak out without permission Veldri thought to himself as he waited patiently.

Veldri walked out into the sunshine and looked over the taget range. Hmmm, doesn't look to difficult. Maybe someone will train with me... He sat down on the grass and began stretching Wouldn't want to pull anything. He leapt to his feet in time to see Ripper leaving the hanger. " Hey Ripper, wanna train together? There are some simulations weapons out here too. We may not be able to run as good a sim as Slicer is running, but it's better than droids, No? If you except, what do you think of these rules: only simulation weapons, not fatal blows, only simlated explosives and poisons, and at least a three post "kill". What do you say?" As Veldri waited for Ripper's reply, he ripped out his Bulldog RLRs and emptied all 12 shots into 12 droids standing around the field. " Damn!! Missed two !! They weren't even moving! I need some work there I guess." " So Ripper, what do you say??"

Then it struck him... Veldri thought of something very important, Even if Slicer sends me away, he gives me something to do. I aquire objectives either way... "Hmmm...Hey Ripper, let me show you something since you seem so attachted to that knife of yours. See the glossy, clear substance in this container? Know what it is?" Veldri asked, holding aloft a container. "This is alkaloid toxiferne, Ripper, a poison that can be applied to solid blades and you only need to be pricked the smallest amount by that same blade and the alkaloid toxiferne goes into affect instantly. You lose control of your body and you collapse in a heap; then you just lay there twitching. A few seconds later, you become completely paralized, unable to do the slightest thing, unable even to make a small noise. Then, due to paralsis, your lungs and your heart stop working and you sufficate. There is no counter other than not getting touched by it in the first place. You may want to get some for your knife. I'd give you some but this is all I've got. Sorry." Veldri slid the knife upside-down into a sheath strapped on his left arm so that the hilt barely protruded from his sleeve. Then, he capped the alkaloid toxiferne and put it in a pouch inside his armor. " Just thought you might be interested, that's all." Then Veldri went back to formulating his plans for the future.

Veldri looked to Karnage and thought about what he had just said. Inwardly he sighed and spoke to Karngae "You may have a point there Karnage, but seeing as I have nowhere else to be I shall stay until Slicer tells me to get lost. However unlikely it may be, he might be in a good mood and if he's not, I'm prepared to deal with the concesquences. Besides, I was under the impresion that Ripper sort of contacted Slicer to gain admittance; although Ripper may not be the best role model." Veldri looked up and noticed that Karnage was sleeping and so he pulled out his three knives and began juggling them and practicing his throwing on a nearby crate. I wonder what I'll do if Slicer tells me no? I'll leave of course, I don't need that kind of an enemy, but where will I go...

Veldri turned to face Jaden and noticed that he had his guns out but he wasn't pointing them at him; an improvement. "Thanks for not blowing my brains out there. Oh, the trap was just a neuro-toxin and it's on a back door, not the main one. Sorry, did you set it off because I have the antidote if you need some. It was just there so I could take a nap without being interupted." Veldri stopped to catch his breath and then continued before Jaden could get impatient. " I already contacted Slicer and I'm waiting on his reply; he knows who I am. I was hoping he would give me something to do. I'm not here to mess things up for you, if that's what you mean. I'll go disable that charge later." Veldri step toward Jaden and extended his hand. " My name's Ghaunadaur, although everyone calls me Veldri. Ghaunadaur means he who lurks and that's the way I like to work, from the shadows or with a well-placed knife or charge. Don't worry though, I wont stick anything in your back! I mean it."