Scene 1: Against Unfavorable Odds.

Nomad I lands 10km away from the exact location into a Canyon bed that conveniently hides the ship from plain sight.

kairo packs the relevant essentials like stimpacks, rations and bottles of water into his backpack and slings on his back. He prefers to travel light. Anymore than what he is carrying may hampers the mission. His years as an Imperial operative reminds him the stark difference between an extraction and demolition. All that is required of him today is to sneak in, find the asset and exit, leaving no scent or trace, very much like a ghost. It shouldn’t be too difficult. He thought.

What about weapons? Kairo ponders for a moment before he eliminates the option of gunfights, and decides to avoid it at all costs, considering the safety of his asset.

Getting 10% more may well be worth the extra efforts. Good old stealth, fists and wits should suffice.

Before he left, he had a last glance and eventually brought the light blaster along just in case of emergency.

RIGG latches itself on Kairo’s back; its tenacle arms strap around his waist and shoulders, and it’s body resting on the bagpack. The ex-operative is a tall man of athletic build, though not heavily muscled, who possesses inhuman physique and strength. He carries RIGG which is no less than than 40kg with no apparent display of fatigue.

He and RIGG have come a long way since his days in the Black Ark – A classified project commissioned by the Emperor, himself. When Kairo first saw the droid, it was in the process of getting “mind wiped” because of some anomalies in its memory chip and programs, which failed to meet the standards established by the Imperial Droid Protocols. Instead of accepting its fate, RIGG scurried to Kairo and latched itself on his back. It was a moment that somehow still put a smile on his face whenever he recalled. The imperial agent quickly took fond of RIGG and decided to keep it as his mission droid in favor of the more commonly used R2 models. Ever since, the duo had went through thick and thin, and had over time, forged a man and machine relationship that could only be likened to brotherhood in sentient terms.

Resting on top of a hill, Kairo scans across the Tusken’s camp while making mental note of all possible entry and exit points. He counts 6 sentries; a pair at each guard tower that forms a triangle if a line is drawn between them. Within the compound, there is a bridge that connects to a higher ground. Tents dotted both plateaus as more Tuskans gather around campfires when the night draws near. He sees a handful of individuals bounded by ropes lying on the ground, likely to be prisoners captured by the Tuskens. He shows no concern for them though. They are not in his book today.

Where is the Asset? He looks at the data pad and tries to locate his whereabout.

Over there. In one of those tents at the upper plateau. Hm…how do I sneak in? And which is the safest way out? This is an open area with little to no cover for stealthy inflitration. Even if I can successfully hide from plain sight, and swiftly moves in and then out. What about my asset. Too bear and open… Besides, if alarm is sounded, the reinforcement will storm up through that bridge. One to … Let me see…30 Tuskens? A challenging situation here… BUT I like it.

The ex-Imperial operative smiles wide, his teeth beaming, and begins to plan. He churns his brain hard for answers; plotting out various scenarios based on current circumstances and lends notes from his past experiences.

RIGG detaches itself from Kairo’s back, whistles in Binary as one of its tentacle arms points ahead.

Yes. Take out that bridge and we can stop any Tuskan reinforcement. Wait…How do you blast it? Any chance you brought along explosives?

RIGG whines back in full retort. Even if I knew demolition job is necessary for this extraction, do you even have the bombs in the first place? So don’t blame me!

Alright…It was a joke. Suppose to ease the tension not worsen it. Calm down metal head. kairo is always amused by his droid’s incredible sense of dignity and pride. Almost human, albeit it’s metal shell and electronic voice that shows otherwise.

I have a plan, RIGG. And you are the key to its success. kairo can almost sense the droid’s chest rising if he even has one. This is what I need you to do…