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 The planet Juraika got its name due to the fact that it was still stuck in the Jurassic period. It may have just evolved slower than the rest, and was one of the few planets that had a natural terraformation. Over the years it's become a safehouse for intergalactic criminals, stashing their loot to throw off suspicion. Translation? A treasure hunter's wet dream. Although many have tried, few have succeeded in escaping the wrath of the beasts that roamed the land.
Cut to the figure scaling up the side of a mountain range. No ropes, no safety harnesses, and not a damn clue if he was going in the right direction. Eventually he reached a ledge and rested his weary body, retrieving a bottle of water to imbibe while casting a dull-colored glance to the lush valley below. Above, more jungle terrain awaited, among other things.
``Jaster, are you there?`` His contact asked him via the earpiece he wore. 'Jaster Croft.' It wasn't his birth name, but then again, he could care less about the ones that gave it to him. That was a story for another time. For now, he'd cast those jade speckled rivulets of his up towards his destination and begin his climb again, ``Don't worry, I haven't been eaten yet. If I do, I'll let you know.``
A terrible roar echoed through the valley; he couldn't tell if it was coming from above or below, but it was enough to almost make him lose his grip. Almost. ``What the hell was that?!`` ``Sounds like a 'Rex. There's a compression bow our friend that -lost his head- left behind, it should be in the same place.`` ``Compression bow? What the hell do I look like, Turok?`` ``Someone didn't have their Wheaties this morning, did they?``
Reaching the top, he'd move cautiously. The pistol he had at his disposal was especially useless against the carnivores that plagued the ancient planet. The cave he was searching for was within reach and he didn't waste any time in closing the distance between himself and his destination. Sprinting at full speed towards the mouth of the stone structure, he'd duck to avoid the gaping maw of the winged reptile that sought to devor him whole, lunging towards the innards of the cave to lessen the risk of further attack.
But there was something else that caught his attention. There were torches -- lit torches -- burning brightly to show the way. ``Oh, great.`` ``What is it?`` ``I'm not alone.`` NOW the pistol would come in handy, because dinosaurs couldn't possibly light torches. He'd draw it now, approaching the faint voices with caution until they were more audible. They were speaking another language, one he'd learn since it was usually their type that had similar interests with him.
The good thing was, they sure talked a lot. And they were discussing the exact location of the treasure amongst themselves. ``-q- Suckers.`` Eavesdropping wasn't particularly a difficult skill to obtain, but it sure did come in handy. ``-q- What a bunch of --`` Turning his head, he'd come face to face with a shotgun pressed against his forehead, to which he'd roll his eyes upward to stare at it. ``Petran, come on, now.`` Petran was a brute of six foot eight inches, dwarfing Jaster's 6' frame. It was safe to say that Jaster saw his life flash before his eyes. Still-frame images of his home on Eros, his Egram Walsh autographed baseball, Jet Figueroa. Another story in itself, but the image of the gorgeous gal would've been the last thing he thought of right before his head was blown off.
Fortunately for him, that didn't happen. Petran fell right where he stood, crumbling to the ground right at Jaster's feet to reveal the short blonde female right behind him, heaving a large rock over her head. ``Just in time.`` Lex Langley, an ally he'd discover while scouring the war ravaged planet of Awaris -- that, another story for another time. ``You're welcome.``
"OVER THERE!" One of the men shouted to call attention to them. ``Plan B, run like hell.`` ``Way ahead of you.`` They both ran in unison, down some rocky corridors, through some tight, confined spaces, leaping over large and small gaps, and eventually paused to catch their breath when they were in the clear and not getting shot at. ``Jaster, look --`` Lex pointed towards a rickety bridge over in the distance that led towards a small enclave. ``I think that's it, lets go.``
The duo began to cross, wary of their fate if they were to fall towards the dark pit below. Jaster carried a torch he lit via his lighter and lead the way, taking slow, careful steps until they reached the other side. The treasure was so close he could feel it now; his fingertips tingled with anticipation. As a matter of fact, it was in clear view now, sitting atop a natural stone pedestal. ``Wait! What if it's booby trapped?`` ``Heh, you said 'boobie.'`` He cackled as he carelessly snatched the statuette from the aforementioned pedestal ..
That was when the enclave was sealed shut by a barrage of boulders that fell from the ceiling, sealing them in. To make matters worse, the torch he held had gone out, rendering them in complete darkness. To make matters MORE worse? The sounds of a thousand hungry creatures filled the air around them.
``And yet again, your boobs land us in trouble. Good going, Lex.``
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