The Beast of Bacrana

Matey's optical sensors scan Thalan, he was an unknown to the droid - though, most people in the colony or mining encampment were (unless they'd ran afoul of his duties before) - and while he looked... rough, he looked no more rough than half the mining camp population.

And immeasurably more competent.

His processors give a neutral sounding tone, indicating he is awaiting further action.

Bacrana, Bacrana System, Expansion Region

Colony Town

Adhering to the mining corporation executive's less than subtle dismissal, the rag-tag group of Jedi, mining employees, and local followed the eager Kordath back to the town, crowding aboard the only two mechanical modes of transportation left available. The strain on Reynar's already taxed speeder bike appeared to be too much as the engine groaned in protest before finally quitting in a shower of sparks, but not before making the short trip, and leaving the Twi'lek cursing and bowing out of the trek to fix the smoking machine.

Hastily the young teen received blessing to make use of the equinoids, assembled the supplies, and was leading the group out towards the large swath of torn earth, that lead off before disappearing into the distance. The four legged beasts were well trained, agile, and seemed to be just as comfortable and eager to be out of confinement as Kordath, who was practically bouncing in his saddle. Grinning at his charges as they cantered down the well beaten 'trail'.

---

Matey's head pivots back and forth between the equinoids and their approximate destination in the distance.

His B1 voice box buzzes, "I think these beasts will appreciate it as much as I, if I just walk..."

...

As the impromptu troupe progresses, it becomes clear the droid' processors are really built for security-response rather than monitoring, and he doesn't seem to do much active scanning of their surroundings.

Bacrana, Bacrana System, Expansion Region

As the midday sun moved across the sky, beginning its descent to the horizon, the wide swath of trampled grass and torn earth gradually began to be replaced by rocky shale and patches of grass and scrub, the tall grass that had been undulating like ocean waves changing to small pockets of trees. The 'trail' ended at an alpine meadow, still showing strong growth that Kordath pointed out meant the banthas should not have been motivated to migrate yet with plenty of grazing available.

Unused to riding in a saddle, and in Matey's case walking a muddy trail, for such a lengthy time all except Deng felt a bit of fatigue, while still remaining mentally sharp and alert enough to catch a faint cry on the wind. Looking up, Deng and Thalen could a pair of birds circling above, the miner and sometime scout noting they were in fact a pair of large birds.

Bacrana Eagles, who as Deng and Thalen knew from their time on planet, mated and hunted as life-long pairs, though typically stayed to the high mountain peaks and passes.

"Odd," Kordath stated thoughtfully, his narrowed gaze also taking in the raptors circling above.

At the youth's comments, Kitichick followed his and the rest of his party's eyes skyward, overtaken by a sudden wave of uneasiness as he focused on the soaring birds of prey, as Thalen experienced an abrupt surge of excitement.

---

Kordath, with a confirmatory glance to Thalen, nodded, "They can and will pick off solitary calves or the older banthas but scare a whole herd ..." he shrugged, indicating he thought it unlikely before adding, "The herd typically moves as a group and keeps the young and old in the center to deter predators."

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