Kashyyyk

[Kallabacka]

Kashyyyk, a Mid Rim World, is best known for its wroshy tree forests and its native inhabitants, the Wookiees.

Geography

With no axial tilt and a perfectly circular orbit, Kashyyyk experiences one continuous season. The planet has four continents, making up 40% of the surface, which are mostly covered in lush, wroshyr tree-filled forests, which are several kilometers high. The planet has a small amount of desert region in the rain-shadow of its small mountain ranges as well as a few large plains. A tropical ocean belt contains archipelagos and long coral reefs. In addition, a few sandy beaches can be found along the shores of its oceans.

Much of the planet can be compared to a giant swamp -- filled with wildlife and covered with wet soil and large amounts of water. The prevalent ecology can be politely described as a "layered deathtrap", as the dangers presented by local wildlife increased as one descends toward the forest floor. According to Wookiee culture, this vertical environment consists of seven levels. The bulk of Wookiee civilization is located on the uppermost seventh level, and even the bravest of Wookiees rarely venture below the fourth level.

The ground level, often referred to as the Shadowlands, is a dangerous place inhabited by savage beasts. The only time a Wookiee visits the Shadowlands is for their rite of passage, a coming of age ceremony among the Wookiees.

History

Throughout the history of Kashyyyk the planet has been involved in many wars ranging from the Mandalorian Wars to the Second Imperial War Civil War. For a more in depth look at the past history of the Wookiee homeworld please see the following holotapes here.

In more recent times Kashyyyk has seen very few conflicts and those it has seen were minor. During the Second Yuuzhan Vong War the planet was spared from any heavy conflict and decided to pull its self from the Galactic Alliance due to its neglect in helping with the war efforts. After the war ended Kashyyyk continued on its own as a free world until Imperial forces occupied the planet.

Although the occupation was peaceful the majority of the population still held a grudge toward the Imperials and several Wookiee Chieftain's met to discuss the issue. In the end it was decided that Kashyyyk wanted to remain a free world and the Imperials were asked to leave, when they refused small riots erupted all across Kashyyyk. Not wanting the conflict to turn into a fully fledged rebellion the Galactic Alliance intervened and the Imperial forces left. It wasn't long after this that Kashyyyk once again joined the G.A.

[Nessa Henlen]

Nessa ran around the room with her arms spread wide making a "vrooming" sound. It wasn't often she got to see her daddy and Uncie Kal so she was really excited. She stopped in front of Grandmaw Mallobech and started spinning around in place.

<"Then daddy made the ship go like this and I screamed really loud! It was really cool!">

The six year old girl growled and barked the sentence in Shyriiwook.

<"Then Uncie Kal let me sit in his lap as he showed me how you plot hyperspace jumps, it was super awesome!">

Nessa quickly turned around and ran to her father and jumped in his lap and looked up at him.

<"When do we get to get on the ship again daddy?">

[Rico Henlen]

Rico couldn't help but laugh as his daughter ran around the room, his laughter didn't last long though as animal like sounds erupted from his daughter's mouth. He cringed and knew he'd have to buy her a protocol droid soon to teach her how to speak basic. What was weird was she could understand basic just fine. He assumed part of it was due to him speaking it all the time but the Force probably had a bigger part in it. He didn't know what her midi-chlorian count was and didn't really care because he wasn't planning on her becoming a Jedi, nor anything else that used the Force for that matter. If she didn't get trained that meant she wouldn't have to worry about the Light and Dark Side or Jedi and Sith.

He made an 'omph' sound as Nessa jumped on his lap and he grinned down at her.

"As soon as me and Kal get back from our next job. It shouldn't take us to long, I promise."

He glanced over at Kal and gave the Wookiee a look that said 'We need to talk'.

[Kallabacka]

Kal knew that look better than anyone else and cleared his throat.

<"Mom why don't you take Nessa with you to help clean the dishes.">

The elderly female Wookiee glanced between her son and Rico and nodded. She walked over to the small human child and picked her up off of Rico's lap.


<"Come help Grannie clean the dishes, Nessa.">

When they were both gone he turned his attention to his friend and sat back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head.

<"Let me guess this one's going to be another fun one, right?">[/b][/color]

[Nessa Henlen]

Nessa didn't want to help wash dishes but she knew she had to. Begrudgingly she let Grandmaw pick her up.


<"Can I get some ice cream after I help you?">


<"We'll see.">


She pouted and hung her head as they made their way to the kitchen.


<"That usually means no.">[/b][/color]

[Rico Henlen]

Rico grinned at his daughters question then turned his attention to Kal and gave a shrug.

"Aren't they always fun?"

He grinned at the Wookiee but his face turned serious a few seconds later.

"This next one is a little bit different than the usual ones Kal. We don't know what the load is yet, nor will we until we pick it up. This guy also wants us to meet him in person, I'm not sure who he is but he's some big shot. He does a lot of smuggling and only hires the best."

The smuggler held up his hand to stop his friend from interfering.


"This job could mean a lot more work for us and honestly we need it. With the way things are now it's all to lax, people don't need smugglers when they can just deliver the stuff themselves."


He could see Kal wasn't buying it so he used his trump card.


"Surven got us this job and he's always reliable when it comes to new clients. He knows what we deal in and what we don't, he wouldn't give our names out to just anyone."

[Kallabacka]

Kal unfolded his arms from behind his back and sat up straight. He didn't like anything Rico was saying and he wasn't convinced they needed this job either. For the past few years now his friend had started taking more dangerous jobs, sure the money was good but credits weren't anything to throw your life away for. Ever sense leaving the Jedi and his last discussion with Thera the man sitting across from him had changed. Sure he seemed to be the same old go lucky guy but Kal knew him better than that, something was eating away at him. The only time Rico seemed to be at peace and not willing to jump into danger was when he was with Nessa.


Honestly the Wookiee didn't have any idea what to do. He owed Rico a life debt but how do you protect someone from themselves? He also knew it was useless to argue about this job, once Rico's mind was made up that was it. The only thing he could do was to try and keep his friend out of harm's way, even if it meant endangering his own life. With a sigh he pulled a datapad from a pouch on his bandoleer and sent a message to the starport, informing them to refuel the ship.


<"Surven also has gotten us some of the most dangerous jobs we've ever been on.">


Kal pushed his chair away from the table and stood up.


<"I'll go over see things with the ship you stay here with Nessa.">


Without another word the Wookiee left the house.

[Rico Henlen]

Rico watched Kal go and smiled at his back then frowned as he sat alone at the table. He didn't like being alone, not that he'd ever liked it but especially so now. He also didn't like having his mind occupied. When he was alone or not doing anything it gave him time to think and that wasn't something he enjoyed. His past was about as kirffed up as you could get and lately he'd been depressed about how things had turned out.


With a shake of his head to clear his thoughts he stood up and made his way to the kitchen. There was no sense dwelling on the past but no matter how many times he told himself he couldn't stop doing it. When he finally reached the kitchen the sight of Nessa abolished all ill thoughts from his mind and lit up his heart. No matter what had happened in the past, nor what was to happen in the future, he was glad he had her.


He snuck up behind his daughter and grabbed her by the waist then pulled her off the crates she was standing on to reach the sink. He spun her around and joined in on the little girl's laughing.

[Nessa Henlen]

The spinning game lasted a minute more until Nessa got dizzy and asked to be put down. It was only a few seconds later that she asked to play something else excitedly. The next few hours were spent playing various games until daddy told her it was time for bed. Although she fussed she was pretty tired and didn't resist all that much. After being tucked into bed she stared up at her father who was sitting on the side of the bed and asked the question she already knew the answer to.

<"Are you and Uncle Kal going on another business trip?">

[Rico Henlen]

The smile Rico had been wearing the entire time he'd been playing with his daughter turned into a frown. His daughter didn't sound sad as she asked that question instead she sounded accepting, which made it all the worse. He quickly brought a smile back to his face and stroked his daughter's forehead.

"Yeah me and Kal will be gone for a while. I promise though when we get back we'll all go somewhere together."

He leaned forward and kissed his daughter lightly on the cheek then stood up. As he exited the room he turned the light off and looked back.

"Good night Nessa, I love you."

[Nessa Henlen]

"I love you too daddy."

Nessa made sure she said the words loud enough for her father to hear then snuggled up against her blanket. After closing her eyes she was fast asleep. Throughout the night she tossed and turned as she dreamt of a monster chasing her she couldn't escape.

[Rico Henlen]

Rico met Kal by a cantina near the starport and the two shared a drink before departing Kashyyyk for their next job.