Chapter 1: Kharmic Will

Lonely days hung on Jack's shoulders as he walked along the ridges of sand. They were only about two foot deep. The rocky terrain hidden underneath didn't lend to huge dunes. Those resided in the deep desert out in the crater where the massive Rockgrinders roamed. The gait of his stride had been slowing over the last mile and cool beads of sweat ran down his brow, collecting in the bandana that covered his mouth and nose. He knew it wouldn't be long before he'd have to rest. The long thin form of his shadow flowed out in front of him as the sun settled in the northern quadrant, and Yon, the biggest of the two moons circling Kharm, caressed the sky with its majesty. He had little time to gaze at the wonder of the planet's uniqueness, though. Out in the Nar'chu region of Kharm, desert ruled, and being caught unaware of your surroundings would mean certain death.  

HIs spurs clanked as he walked. The rattling ching had been lulling him for nearly two miles at this point. Now and then, they'd ping in high resonance snapping Jack back from his dreams of barstools and maidens that dotted the planet's surface. Damn, that Vorlorean lizard! Why'd it have to get eaten? And of all things by Scarven worms. He cursed the death of his mount.

The heat wasn't terribly bad right now, but it was enough. Beads of sweat burrowed down his brow, tickling his forehead. He swiped it once to keep it from pooling into his eyes. The brimmed hat he wore settled across his vision, shading it. He was glad of that. It was a special order and a throwback from the days of humankind on Earth several hundred centuries ago. It had a wider brim across the front and a longer one at the back to shield his neck from the beating rays trying to scorch his shoulders right now. Though, the front brim shielded his eyes from sun, the implanted force visor kept his eyes from receiving any debris. He tugged slightly at the bandana clinging to his mouth. He'd pulled it smartly over his nose and face sometime ago. Small wisps of wind would blow the fine silt sand and ash into his face. Breathing neither was any good, especially the ash. It hailed from the Faarskar mountain range on the eastern edge of the Nar'chu region. There rested Proteon, the deadly Ashen Dragon.

Jack sighed, glad he wasn't any closer to that area, knowing himself and his mount would've been eaten. Yep, he'd been traversing the plains of Char'nuk for the last day. Sandy area, of course, but ripe with crystals. And crystals meant wealth. He'd already amassed a nice score over the past week. But now, he'd have to buy another ride. That would eat up a third of what he'd gathered so far. Jack tilted his head up straight, centering his gaze on the plain ahead.

Sweet Ma'chuk! An Aquos. His brain lit with relief. He thought one had been in this direction but couldn't be sure since his navigation gear and last haul disappeared with his ride. The overcoat duster he'd wrapped like a cloak around his upper body hid the remainder of what he carried. Jack shuffled over to the jutting outcrop of rock. poking above the sand. The two brawns growing next to the opening had shielded the cave from the sand with their massive leaves. He never understood how those trees could get such broad, thick vegetation in this region. But they did. Of course, they always grew next to an Aquos. He peered inside. He could rest here for at least a day easily, he thought. The small pool of water nestled deep in the back would keep him from thirst, and the small growth of Thorny Kraut right at the entrance would feed his stomach. Not a pleasant dish, but not deadly. Yet, maybe he could coax a Snax to his location with a portion of it and get some meat to go along with it.

Jack settled himself into the rock wall facing south. There the sun would hit first in the morning, despite the big leaves, warming his body and allow him access to the entrance much faster if predators honed in on his location. His blaster would deter them but not kill them. It served as a tool for mining the crystals mostly but would stun most creatures for an hour and humans for a day with a direct strike. Thankfully, it wouldn't ever run low on power. Nethicite crystals had the largest storage capacity of any crystal known so far.

He removed his coat. His Nethicite blaster, his canteen, and the Mythrillian katana heirloom known as Ba'aron hung from his shoulder harness. It was a relic from the Age of Landing, a time of Kharm's discovery and exploration. He rested the coat and katana against his preferred spot, and then moved toward the water with his canteen. A hiss in the very darkest nook at the back startled him.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, little fella," Jack spoke slow and low, pulling his blaster. "I only want some water, my desert friend." The hissing creature circled toward the lighter side of the pool. Jack's blaster rested in his hand. The half-furred, half-scaled creature with a bone tail got closer—a Snax. Jack was surprised but happy he wouldn't have to bait one. The large rodent hissed again. Snax's weren't known for their bedside manner, and Jack was aware of their ferocious bite. It wouldn't kill, but boy, would it hurt. The snax lunged, baring its tiny fangs. Stepping back once, Jack twitched his hand upward, and searing light sprang forth. Stunned and limp, the creature fell at Jack's feet. His katana ended the beast. He couldn't let this meal get away. They were much tastier than the Thorny kraut.