ooc: Do you like playing catch-up or is it just an unlucky problem you have? lol, jk.

ooc: ya think your so funny Tec! *sticks her tounge out at him* meanie... lol j/k

ooc: I'm not mean, just questioning the possible obvious. lol.

OOC: Guys, seriously...there's a forum for out of character discussion. Don't clutter up a thread with it. It's ok to do it every now and then, but don't post in the Battlegrounds, an IC forum, with nothing but ooc. And Cairo, no offense, but you don't have to always post that you're playing catch up. ;)

IC: Rusty sighed heavily, knowing Dravin wanted to play hero. Rusty turned to Cairo, passing her a blaster.

"If that thing comes at you, waste it."

Rusty slipped up behind the creature, making no sound. He whipped out his lightsaber, and with one swipe, sliced the beast in two. He looked up to Dravin, still in the tree.

"There's no time for this. Get down here so we can go. This is throwing me way off schedule. I'll be late for my meeting on Naboo. Now lets go."

Rusty clicked his lightsaber off and returned it to his belt. He returned to Cairo's side, lifting her hand which was still clutching the blaster.

"I never was any good with those blasters. Being a Solo, you could probably blast a hair off a Jawa's head. You should keep it. I'm much better with my lightsaber anyway."

Rusty looked on as Dravin was climbing down from the tree.

"Come on."

He extended an arm to Cairo, awaiting Dravin. Rusty was prepared to interrogate the Padawan, and had a look to show it.

"Being a Solo...", she said, slipping a older DL-44 out of the holster that was strapped to her thigh, "I carry my own."

"But, one can never have too many blasters, as my Dad says." She put her blaster back in its holster and slipped Rusty's between her belt/sash and pants at the small of her back.

She smiled and took his arm, feeling more like an ushered dignitary than just a mechanic along for the ride.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> As Dravin climbed down, he noticed from the wounds on the Ghest that it's bones were thinner than a regular one, and it was mostly fat than muscle. It was apparently part of a larger group that were starving. He dropped to the ground softly, and gave Rusty a impatient look.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"I know you're in a hurry master, but I wanted to buy some time so you could get back to ship. I wanted to make sure those didn't hinder our movement."

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Dravin point behind them. Not far away, several larger Ghests could be seen heading in their direction. They looked more muscular and healthier than the first one. He sighed and looked at the dead predator lieing before them.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"I could have diverted them if this one hadn't been killed. If we hurry, we could get back to the hangar before they catch up with us. And I suggest you don't fire your blasters at them, it won't have much effect."

Cario glanced at Rusty and then back at the beasts. The hungry looks they gave were enough to motivate her.

"What are waiting for?!" Cairo grabbed Rusty's hand and started off back to the hangar. "Cm'on Dravin! Unless you want to be lizard chow."

Rusty sighed harshly, and walked towards the beasts, keeping a football field's distance away. He pulled out his lightsaber, igniting it quickly. He hacked down four or five trees, and watched as they hit the ground with ear piercing crashes. He flicked off his saber, returning it to his belt. He approached Cairo, and in one motion picked her up into his arms.

"That'll slow them down. You're not fast enough to outrun those. Dravin and myself however..."

Rusty turned to Dravin, who was standing nearby, and he hoisted Cairo higher into his arms, as not to drop her.

"Dravin. Get to the hangar on the double. Don't try to play hero again. Come on."

Rusty held Cairo tight, and he stood for a moment, channeling the Force around him into his legs. He let loose with a powerful Force run, hopping over downed limbs and shrubs as he ran. When he reached the exit of the forest and could see the buildings that were the hangars, he set Cairo back down on her feet. He looked around, but didn't see Dravin.

"I swear to the Force...that kid...he never listens."

Rusty felt Dravin's presence close by and he took a few steps back into the forest.

"Cairo, wait here..."

Rusty called out to Dravin.

"Dravin! Where in the Force are you?! Come on! There's no time for this!"

Jerusha hadn't been in her cabin earlier, but she recieved a note from Tec when she returned. She made a mad dash for the transport, hoping to see him before he left. Her speed slowed as she neared the landing pad, and she took a moment to brush back the few strands of dark-brown hair that had escaped the pony-tail. Tec was sitting on the ramp when she walked around the corner, and he seemed to have been watching for her. "Hi, Tec. I was hoping I could catch you before you left."

ooc: lol, where were you last night? If I'd have known you were on at 2, I would have gotten on myself just to talk to you; I was up 3/4 the night thinking about you, plus reading....

ic: Tec jumped up when he saw Jerusha and went to her quickly. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her hello and then said, "Where were you earlier? Ah, never mind. I know Rusty won't like if I step over his authority, but would you like to come with us? I may get lonely or bored..." He stepped back for a moment to see what she would say, and grinned at her as he wiped a few strands of her long hair out of her face.