The Beast of the Webby Hole

[out_of_order]

WHO: For those braving the depths...
WHERE: The sewer systems of Temba
WHAT: We goin' spider huntin'
WHEN: Near event end
WARNINGS: Spiders and violence. As it should be.


The nightly routine that those dwelling in Temba have had to endure hasn't been without effort of trying to determine how to get to the bottom of the situation. During the day they at least have some reprieve, taking advantage of the longer daylight hours, knowing all too well that they'll have just as long to endure come the darkness, and the many-legged creatures that swarmed with it.

The Archivist had been the one to suggest that the creatures have always existed here, but while no one has seemed to figure out what has drawn them out, it hasn't been impossible to find out where they go to take cover from the harsh hours of day. It only makes sense that they retreat below ground, and with experts in reconnaissance and tracking such as the Mandalorian and Echo, the most likely location where the spider-like creatures congregate has been narrowed down, but how much of the underground passages remain accessible is still largely unknown. Still, somewhere in the knotted network of tunnels, something lurks...

It seems most ideal to start early in the day, before any of the creatures make their way up and clog the tunnels come nightfall. Anyone able and willing is welcome to join the group gathered to venture down into the dark, dank sewer systems. At least the smell isn't bad. The tunnels branch off, and it isn't advised to go down any alone.


((OOC: Feel free to tag in or start different threads if you have particular people to team up with or if you're open for anyone coming along, etc. I left the option of separate tunnels so things don't get too crowded with people, and also if anyone's gunning particularly for whatever big surprise there may be, or if people just want to help thin the spider ranks. Also if anyone just wants someone to NPC spiders IDK, uh, let me know I guess?))

Comments

[hulkintraining]

Teddy's eyes widen as the spider is dragged down from the ceiling, and he quickly ducks his head, narrowly avoiding the wiggling legs as they past by overhead. But he doesn't have a moment to be distracted, as the other creatures are quick to lunge forward as soon as their companion is dragged to its doom.

He fires two shots at the spider in front, and they lodge deeply near the head, bringing it to a slow crawl. The other creature seems prepared for that, launching itself over its fallen comrade and right at Teddy.

[out_of_order]

Extracting his blade from the spider, Cal's back on his feet and moving back towards Teddy. He comes back in time to see the first spider fall and the second throwing itself towards his friend.

Again the padawan reaches out, but this time the creature seems to freeze in place- at least at first glance. It's still moving, still in the process of making its lunge, but it's traveling ever so slowly, as though the air has thickened around it. It won't last forever, but it might still give ample time for a reaction that otherwise would have been cut a lot closer.

[hulkintraining]

It happens so suddenly that it takes a moment for Teddy to realize what's happening. One second the spider is coming at him fast, and the next it's as if he's watching the creature move in slow motion. He manages to shake off his surprise after a moment and suppresses the urge to look over his shoulder at Cal.

Lifting his gun once again, he takes careful aim and fires a couple of shots at the body of the spider. He grimaces as the bullets strike home and the body slowly jerks in reaction to the piercing rounds.

"Thanks for that." He finally turns back to look at Cal. "Does it tire you out? Using your abilities like that?"

[out_of_order]

Time reasserts itself and the spider drops to the floor, dead. Cal's watching, not quite panting, still on the alert in case more decide to surprise them. He gives Teddy a nod at the thanks, drawing in long breath as he shuts his lightsaber off again.

"If I use it continuously. I'm all right for now. At least it's not as tiring on singular targets." He's got no intention of wearing himself on these small battles, especially knowing that there's probably a lot more spiders where these came from.

[hulkintraining]

Teddy nods in understanding. He doesn't know the complete ins and outs of Cal's abilities; the closest thing he can equate it to is Billy's magic, and he knows that the more power Billy uses the less energy he has to spare. He can't become anymore complacent with relying on Cal's abilities than he would with Billy at his side.

"But we already know we're going to be facing a lot more than just singular targets up ahead." It's not that he feels he has to remind his companion. But he does feel it's necessary to add, "Don't put yourself out just trying to watch my back. If you need to save your strength then do it."

He grins suddenly.

"I'm sure I can take these things in a wrestling match if it comes down to it."

[out_of_order]

Cal offers a wry smile as he nods. No reminder needed, but they both know what to prepare for. "All right. But I'll still do what I can."

He's sure they'll both have their hands full the closer they get to whatever accounts as a lair for these things though, but then that's all the more reason to watch each other's backs. It's kind of refreshing fighting alongside someone, at least.

[hulkintraining]

Teddy nods in concession. He can't really argue against that, especially considering he would do the same.

"They've all been coming from up ahead so far, which means we must be going the right way."

He treks further into their current tunnel, noticing when the ground begins to subtly start sloping downwards. It wouldn't be very noticeable if Teddy wasn't already in high alert.

"I guess it makes sense they would want their nest to be as deep underground as they can get."

[out_of_order]

That's a fair assumption to which Cal offers a nod of his own, and he follows just a step behind and to the side of Teddy as they continue onward. Behind him BD-1 hoots lowly.

"Yeah... Figures. I just hope we aren't biting off more than we can chew," Cal murmurs at Teddy's observation. "And who knows how long they've been down here." And how much they've taken up. The latter's not exactly a thought he wants to entertain.