One of the adults answers Forim's question. She informs him that the females are going near to the hills to draw healthy males out. Then the females will choose mates to take on the long journey to the mating grounds.

From the chief's words earlier, you recall that they are not supposed to be doing this until the conflict between the tribes is settled. You also get the impression that the ones leaving aren't fully in control of their own actions.

Xenology 2D

As the others talked to the villagers Anders kept watch on the capital ship in the sky looking for what it was up to. He also watched for more imperials exiting the canyon if he was able to see it.

>Anders Flown rolled no successes, 1 threat using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 1a 1p 2d.  Perception.

Reading his translater, Kraken considered the females actions and frowned, considering why they might be letting biology overcome tactical decisions.  Glancing at Anders, he looks up as well, hoping the large orbiting ship didn't have small droids flying around looking for them.  Hopefully the speeder's radar would pick them up if there was any spy droids out looking.

OOC:

quote:

'Kraken' rolled 1 success using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 4a 2d.  Xenology

Mammals can mate at virtually any time, but reptiles' mating patterns are often tied to seasonal changes. Powerful instincts influence them to begin their rituals at certain times of year, and they cannot easily ignore the drive. Even sapient reptiles struggle with it.

"Ask them if there is anywhere pointing in the right direction we could hide out for the rest of the day before continuing at night ?" He then raised the binoculars up again and continued to scan the capital ship.

-

After a brief translation, the Geik offer an answer. They indicate a cave, partly filled with water, some way down the river. During the winter season, some animals like to use it to hibernate. During the current season, it is usually filled with insects.

"That sounds like it will do.  With any luck the cave will shield us from their sensors."

In reply to B1-P3 'Roger' (msg # 417):

"Yes and the water should mask our heat signature our luck may have changed."

Forim nods and says "Anders, you are on point" and follows him toward the cave.

"Anyone know of a way to prevent bug bites on you guys?  My flight suit will protect me, however I do not want anyone getting a disease.

Tomorrow, we will formalize the plans with the Geik going south"

Kraken nods to Forim's question, "I'll do a search on my laptop, see if we can make any natural bug repellent from plants found around the area, plants which won't cause too many skin problems I hope."

Looking to the female reptiles, "For those that are interested, mating patterns are often tied to seasonal changes. Powerful instincts influence them to begin their rituals at certain times of year, and they cannot easily ignore the drive.  Thus even though the chief has dictated they should wait, their biological clock drives them to do what is required it seems."

OOC:
Not sure what skill would be best for finding a possible solution for the bugs, both my Xenology and medicine are the same skill, so...

quote:

'Kraken' rolled 2 successes, 4 advantages using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 4A 2D.  Xenology-Medicine - Bug problem.

In reply to Forim Luk (msg # 419):

"Right, on it." Anders leads the group to the cave, clearing it as they enter and making sure they are alone. He will check out the cave making sure there will be no surprises and then making an assessment of how to defend the cave should they have to.

If no one else volunteers Anders will hand out some of the rations they took from the imperials before guarding the approaches to their position from the entrance of the cave.

"How long are we staying ?"

-

Forim responds "Overnight.  We go to the Geik tomorrow and find out their departure plan to the south.  If they do not leave for weeks, I will pull up our map and have them trace a path to where we need to be.  Then we can set off on our own."

While they eat, there is a short silence as everyone chews and he says "I am sorry about Caddy.  That whole situation played out differently in my mind then how it happened.  I didn't want to leave her behind, but I was not about to force her to follow us.

Even with Caddy's desertion, I will face the consequences of my actions.

While I will retain command of this mission, please let me know if I am making any leadership mistakes.  This would be the first team that I am in charge of..." he says apprehensively.

Xyklo eats in silence. He listens intently to both Krakens explanation of the reptilian mating drives, and to Forims regrets on Caddy's departure. He nods his understanding.
It wasn't a happy time, Xyklo had thrown himself behind and in front of the young woman, but things had gone sour. Dimly he wondered if he could've done anything different.

Shot the imp sniper better at the start? That would have changed things, but possibly not the outcome.

"It was not your fault, I had never seen such disregard for their safety from someone not combat trained and even then...." He trailed off and continued eating his rations. Watching the sky and using the binoculars should anything pop up he continues to scan the horizon and their surrounds.

-

Foirm nods as Anders talks, but remains silent for now deep in his own thoughts.

Kraken eats his own rations, listening to Forim, then Anders.  Kraken enjoyed parts of the military, but didn't care for all of the rank and file but knew it was important as order was essential in the chaos of battle.  Caddy however seemed more of a diplomat than a real and true military leader.

"I think you did the right thing.  Caddy ... she ... she made some poor decisions and wouldn't listen.  She ... should have listened, a lot of this could have been avoided ... I think." he shrugs, not sure what to say but sure the others probably understood what he was talking about.

Forim nods, flashing back to the suicidal charge with a damaged ship.  If it wasn't for some brilliant luck on his part, everyone would be dead now.

After an extended silence he says "I can take first watch, Get the bug repellent on and bunk down.  Roger, how are your power reserves doing?"

The cave has low ceilings and drips with moisture, and it's pretty dark inside. You creep in, peering around for hazards, and find none. You briefly struggle for the few dry parts of the floor to set up bedrolls.

Night is long, especially with no electronic lights to extend the time after sunset. You end up watching the stars and the moon, and listening to the burbling river. Occasionally, a piercing cry rises up from the distance that you conclude must be some sort of mating song.

The stillness of the night is broken once. A sonic boom several klicks away causes birds to fly and insects to go silent for a moment. Distantly, you think you can spot starship engines descending from orbit. It looks like more landing craft have been dispatched to the maze of pillars, if you are reckoning direction and distance correctly.

Eventually dawn breaks, after everyone has gotten a full rest and nothing dangerous approaches. Thanks to a mix of chemicals, you are all relatively free of bug bites as well. The orange glow of the sun on the horizon calls you to return to your mission.

"So our options are to return to the first tribe and try and get a guide to the tree, go to the Southern tribe and see if they will help or strike out on our own ?"

The cave wasn't comfortable, but it was better than being in the sun with no shelter exposed to the wind, sand and critters ... well there were critters in the cave, but it could be worse.

Waking up, sore but alive, Kraken chews on a granola bar and listens to Anders nodding, "Sounds about right.  I vote to head South and try our own luck.  The natives didn't seem too enthused to help."

Forim nods and says "We should at least ask them to mark a map for us and narrow our search."

Looking at the map, Kraken points, "I think the chief mentioned Red Stripe tribe lives along the westernmost river. They share the next river over with the Blue Speckle tribe, who live on the third river. Off to the east is another river, which is where the Yellow Eye tribe live."  Does that help?

Forim pulls up the map of the area and sees if he can find the spot on the map, sharing it with the group so everyone can help plot their course.

ooc: if we can pin point it, we will go off without the Geik.

Xyklo looks confused, glancing between the Duros and Nautolan. He strokes an antenna cautiously.
"Do we...   do we have a fix on which tribe, if any, can help us get to the tree? I'm sorry, I don't know the internal relationships of the Geik tribes."

In reply to Xyklo Voozul (msg # 434):

"Let move at night, best not to make it to easy for the imperials."