65 Arla's Quest and a Rock

After Arla and Jango caught up with each other. I talked to her about her next step.

"Arla, you've done well ever since you have been blooded. You've even many names for yourself has a bounty hunter no one has seen. You've even changed your alias yourself a few times. Now, you are the Matriarch, but your rank is only blooded. Time to change that so you can be a more imposing Matriarch. The next rank is Elite. To be an Elite, a light-weapon is required. Time for you to get yourself one. Just like I have my glaive."

Arla got excited, "Oh, then how do I go about this?"

I explain, "We are going to Barab l. A planet with an irradiated environment during the day. On this planet are the reptilian sentient species, the Barabel. There is also a rare lightsaber crystal there called the Barab Ingot. It looks a bit like a clear quartz. There are two ways to get it. Find it in a cave, or take it from a Barabel with status. As they use the crystal for status jewelry. Which way do you chose?"

Arla smiles, "Of course I pick getting it off a Barabel. I also know a bit about them. They have a warrior culture, don't they? I don't think a high-status Barabel would reject provocation from me. Nor defeat me. If I chose to have open combat with it."

I laugh, "As expected, the Barabel hunt it is. We will leave tomorrow. Rest for now and get your equipment ready. Gaining a lightsaber crystal is never so easy after all."

After Arla left, Kaljaren appeared.

"So, Babel l. A unique planet it is. Dangerous as well. The Durgolosk is a deadly apex predator after all."

I remember the creature, "I know of the animal. Large, voracious, and dangerous. No force abilities though. I honestly am unsure if it would be a challenge, but skull would be nice to have. I'll probably go hunt one while Arla is getting her crystal."

Marka appears, "The Durgolosk is not the only danger on Barab l."

"What do you mean Marka?", I ask.

"The Jedi did indeed to to Barab I to stop a civil war. What was kept out of history was why the civil war was going on in the first place. The war lasted generations and produced death in great quantities. All for a purpose.

A rogue Shaper was the one that made the civil war drag long for so long. A 1st generation Shaper as they were only founded a 100 years before the Jedi arrived at 900 BBY. Rejected by his group. So he came to harvest the negative energies of the war to boost his elemental powers. The Jedi killed him and stopped his influence on the war. Bringing peace. However, they did not make sure they finished the job. The Shaper moved his spirit into an elemental golem that is powered the radiation that bombards the planet during the day. Almost 900 years later, he still lives as a golem. Trapped on the planet through his own mistake. No longer though. The shaper is free and will seek a way off the planet."

Marka intrigued me. The Shapers were a dark side sect that used elemental abilities. Based on Kro Var. Usually don't leave the planet. A rogue Shaper from their first generation is a unique target.

"I will pursue this Shaper then. Claim the remains of his golem as my trophy. I can not pass on such unique prey after all.", I say.

The ghost disappear in understanding.

The next day Arla and I set of for Babel I in the Upgrade ship.

While on orbit I laid out the plan, "Arla, I will be dropping you near a Barabel town. There, you will find your prey. As for me, I have other objectives and will not be on overwatch. The Barabel may not have the Force, but they are ruthless fighter. As always, do not let your guard down."

Arla understands, "I know Bido, I got this."

Arla puts on her bio-helmet and I bring the ship to just outside the town. Arla hops out despite it being day as the tech-armor protects against the radiation.

Then I took the ship and combed the planet for the Shaper with my Force Sense. I found him easily, as he was not even trying to hide. Probably didn't even know how.

I sped to the location, as he was going to a settlement with a spaceport. I will get to him before he gets within sight of it though.

A minute of flying later, I am circling the golem walking on the surface of the irradiated rocky swamp land. I put the ship on auto-pilot and jump out in front of the golem. Uncloaked.

The golem stops. It is a blocky golem. Two feet, two arms and half-dome for the head. The body of the golem is blocky as well. Made of stone, and eyes of fire.

"You...are in my way. Move or die.", it speaks in an uncanny voice.

"I will not move, as I have come to destroy you. Finish what the Jedi started.". I say.

"So be it.", the golem answers.

Then the ground moves and spike of Earth shoot out. I dodge them in slight awe. As I have not seen the Force used this way before. Then conjures fire and sends an inferno towards me. I put up a Force Shield and tank out the inferno.

In response, I crack the earth spires off the ground and launch them at him. He commands the wind to deflect them. While I close the distance as he is deflecting. Before I can get close enough to touch him, the waters around us rise up in a wave and crash into me. I am washed away from him. He is fast with his elemental manipulations.

I throw two shuriken at him. He tries to deflect them again, but they are exploding ones. The explosions throw him off guard for moment. Which allows me to throw my combi stick at him successfully. The weapon becomes stuck in him. The weapon being made of metal.

Step 2, shock the shit out of it. Red lightning flows from my fingers and conducts through the combi stick. The golem could stop this. It is shocked still, but it does not turn to ashes even a bit. I then stop shocking him.

"Haha, elemental attacks are not much effective on me. Especially lightning. If that is all your entire capabilities then you will die here.", he gloats.

I had an idea to test a hidden weapon out on this golem. As this is a good chance. I then take out an old friend, and a terrible weapon I had been strengthening in secret. I take out a rock.

The golem laughs, "Your weapon is a rock?! You want to defeat me with this little stone? Are you mentally unwell?!"

I scoff, "Oh, this isn't just some rock. This is my pet rock, Carl. No one survives Carl." I then chuck the rock at the golem as hard as I can.

The golem places a stone hand out to catch it. Unexpectedly for it, Carl blasted through the hand and destroyed the arm. It muttered out, "How?"

Carl then stops midair and throws itself at its leg. The leg is destroyed and the golem topples over. Then Carl destroys the other arm and leg. Carl then returns to my hand.

I pet Carl, "Good work Carl. Back you go." Carl goes back in my pocket.

I then walk up to the golem.

"How could a rock be that strong?", it couldn't help but ask.

I answers, "Months and a few years of Force infusing with intent. The name also matters a lot. You are the first somewhat tough opponent I have tested Carl against too. Be honored. Now to take your head, you poor old Shaper."

I grab the head and rip it from the rest of the golem. Trophy acquired. I got to test out Carl too. Which was fun. Never disrespect the pet rock.

I then get back on my ship and go back to the area of the planet Arla was dropped off at.

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thanks for reading. Let it be known that pet rocks are completely acceptable pets. Lest Carl comes after you, lol.