Boba Fett: The Judas Contract Chapter 1
1BBY
Geonosis, Underground Gladiator pit
The large muscular Bothan Rax Roosh screamed as the crowd of many species reached a near frenzy. The beast raised a large flail as he gazed down at his opponent that scurried across the dusty floor. His opponents dented and scratched Mandalorian armour had taken a huge beating, Rax turned his head to the small throne balcony of the gladiator arena where the fight organiser stood and watched. The Utapuan man on the balcony silenced the crowd with his hands as he raised his long arms in the air; the signal giving a beaten gladiator an opportunity to submit. But this act was reserved for the only most popular gladiators who were big money draws and more advantageous to keep alive. The Mandalorian discreetly picked up a handful of dirt, he slowly rose to his feet and tossed the dirt into Rax's face. The Bothan coughed and snorted as his opponent in one swift movement released three razor sharp blades from his gauntlet, leapt forward and ran it across his throat. Rax's eyes rolled to the back of his head and the insides of his throat poured down his hairy chest.
Tatooine, hours later
'Disgusting' Boba Fett thought to himself as he walked through the Mos Eisley cantina. The Mandalorian scanned his eyes across the tables and chairs looking for him. His helmet was stuffy even with the cooling systems on full blast. Boba Fetts boot spurs clinked as he strode over to a table at the back of the dingy cantina. Fett rested his blaster rifle on his lap, the drunken scum all around him looked nervous to be in the presence of the much feared bounty hunter. Boba Fett focused his gaze on the entrance way, he waited for some time and then the man he wanted to see walked in. The man from Rodia saw Fett in seconds and walked over to him. The Mandalorian clutched his blaster rifle harder and gestured with his head for Greedo to sit down.
"You scare the locals Fett" Greedo said in his native tongue, a language that Boba Fett could understand
"What does the Hutt want?" Boba said coldly
"15,000 credits, dead or alive. Standard deal"
"Fine. So why isn't Jabba speaking to me right now?"
"Jabba is a busy guy, his influence spreads across the system-"
"Take me to him now or I stand up and walk out right this second"
Greedo nodded his head as he felt the sweat emerge on his neck around his collar
Jabba's Palace
Boba Fett stood outside Jabba's private quarters. Opposite to the bounty hunter stood Bib Fortuna; the white skinned Twi'lek who served as a majordomo to the criminal boss. Boba looked Fortuna up and down and analysed his posture. Why is everyone nervous around me? Fett thought to himself.
"Master Jabba will see you now" Bib Fortuna spat in his gruff voice
"Good" Boba growled back as he sensed Bib's dislike for him
The bounty hunter was led into a large circular room which was highly decorated with ornate statues, tables and chandeliers. Jabba the Hutt lay on his large throne, slobber running from his mouth made the room stink. Boba Fett clicked on his helmet cooling system as he felt the stuffiness of the room hit his body. Jabba smiled and licked his lips at the sight of the Mandalorian.
"If you want me, we'll talk like this. Don't send some inexperienced Rodian to barter me a deal, I think I've earned that much" Fett spoke up as he looked deep in Jabba's eyes
"Very well Fett"
"So who's the bounty?"
"A Mandalorian, goes by the name Diren Sprax. Guy wears the famous armour much like you"
"Who wants him gone?"
"Sprax spent the last twenty years of his life as a gladiator in the underground Geonosis fighting pits. He was paid to drop a fight, to submit to some big name Bothan. Sprax split the guy's throat and set him on fire. He then escaped, killing his gladiator master and my representative in the process. I placed a lot of credits on him to lose that fight, a lot of credits that I now do not own. Also a lot of 'businessmen' on Geonosis also put a lot of credits on that fight. So a lot of people want Sprax's head but you're going to get it for me"
Boba Fett turned his head and looked at Bib Fortuna as he pondered the deal. Fortuna gave the Fett a sarcastic smile.
"Fine but for 20,000 units. Not 15,000"
"You drive a hard bargain Fett. But fine you have a deal. Just bring me his head and you'll have your reward"
The Mandalorian smiled inside his helmet and turned around being led back outside by Bib Fortuna.
Geonosis System, The outer rim territory, Arkanis System
The SLAVE 1 thundered through the vastness of space towards Geonosis; the desolate desert planet that many hated and feared for its primitive like culture. Boba flicked a few buttons and put the ship onto autopilot. The Fett then stood up from his control chair and made his way down to the small loading bay. Boba opened up a metal compartment that held his armour, the bounty hunter reached in and pulled out his helmet and gazed into its visor. Boba saw his reflection in the blackness but didn't like the man that looked back at him. Fett placed it down on the metal shelf next to him and pulled out his blaster rifle from the compartment next. He checked it over for any damage or erosion but he knew it was fine all along. 'A Mandalorian…' He thought to himself '…No. Can't get sentimental. It's the reason I've stayed alive this long. A bounty is a bounty'. He ran his hand down his face and breathed in hard, he never showed it but he always got nervous before a bounty.
Down on Geonosis
Diren Sprax stomped through the sand in his full Mandalorian armour. His armour was stained with blood of fallen gladiatorial opponents and fashioned the scars of many a battle. Sprax came to the top of a dune and pulled off his helmet. His face was rugged and handsome, a scar ran down the left side of his face from his forehead to his chin all thanks to a Wookie with a war hammer. Sprax turned his head around and looked back at the large hive like coliseum on the horizon that he had escaped from. He knew a big price was now on his head but he didn't care. Sprax slid his helmet back down as the sand storm began to be kicked up by large gusts of wind. Sprax knew the nearest space port was about a mile away and if he could get there; he had a good chance of escaping Geonosis completely. Sprax blinked twice and continued on his way.