Outer space seems eternally calm in the Outer Systems. The stars dispersed in the infinite black horizon coruscate like a billion diamonds. Amongst them the different planets of the Outer Rim territories seem to be asleep. All the noises from the many cities are deadened by the distance and the unshakeable silence of space.

In the Gaulus sector, in the middle of its own system, a brownish planet named Ryloth seems brighter than its sisters. Its moons slowly spin around it, following their everlasting cycle. The many valleys and jungles of Ryloth were visible even from afar, hiding the main cities of the planet.

Suddenly, a starship appears near the planet, heading towards it. The old blue Interceptor enters the atmosphere of the planet, flying straight to the canyon outside Kala'uun. It lands on its edge, and a native creature of Ryloth rushes up to it. The cockpit opens, and the silhouette of a tall woman jumps out of it.

Teebasha Varn removes her pilot helmet, throwing it on her seat. Her braided high bun stays in place despite her abrupt movement, and two thin brown braids dangle right before her ears, their edge resting on her collar bones. Her dark brown eyes scan the landscape around her, searching for her friend, who would always greet her whenever she would come back from a mission. Finally, she sees him in the corner of her eyes, and the green Twi'lek embraces her.

"Kassurra, Natelo'or," Teebasha greets him with a pat in the back, grinning as she feels the protruding tentacles of his skull tickling her fingers. "I'm sorry I took so long to come back. This mission was harder than I expected."

"I was worried you would get into trouble," Natelo'or admits, pulling away a little. "You never know with those smugglers."

"I should've tried to contact you. I'm sorry. Anyway, I'm here now, and I must pick the next mission. I have so many notices I must read."

"Then take your time. Don't forget to rest. I brought you a whole meal earlier. You won't have to buy anything in the city."

Teebasha smiles and hugs her friend again. Natelo'or hands her a paper, and she immediately recognises the colour and the font. Another wanted notice. The Twi'lek hugs her once again, before pulling away a second time.

"Ka'ta, Kocceille Twi'lek."

"Ka'ta, muchi."

She steps back and waves at Natelo'or, who walks away to reach his home. Teebasha folds the wanted notice and buries it in her pocket. She opens her bag and takes out her resistant rope. She kneels down beside her Interceptor and ties it around its wing, tying the other edge around her waist, tucking it in her belt. She stands on the ledge of the canyon and takes a quick breath, before jumping into the emptiness below her.

The wind blows back her thin braids, and her vest flutters behind her back. She bounces twice, before she starts swinging back and forth until she reaches a metallic bar at the entrance of a cave. She wraps her legs around it, and her feet finally touch the ground. She unties the rope and encircles the bar with it. She enters the cave, and much to her relief, she is home.

Teebasha drops her backpack on the ground, ignoring the dust floating around it. She steps forward and glances at her wall covered with weapons, touching some of them as she passes them by. She enters her main room and notices the tray with the meal Natelo'or prepared for her. Her lips curl up into a smile as she grabs a tiny water bottle, pouring its poor content in a vase where she keeps a rare plant from the Rylothian jungle.

She picks up the tray and sits on her dusty bed, placing her food on her knees as she started her meal. Her eyes shut themselves as the unique taste of fresh food, which is something she has missed for many months. This is one of the disadvantages of being a bounty hunter: you must get used to wandering far from your home, and moving endlessly whilst tracking a smuggler or any other designated target. Therefore, enjoying a moment of peace and a nice, warm meal is extremely rare. Most of the time, you would have to settle for snacks, or an empty stomach.

Teebasha rests the back of her head against the wall, rediscovering the place she called home whilst taking other bites of warm bread. The tiny lamps she once suspended to the roof of the cave are shaking as the hot breeze of the canyon blows on them. They bathe her weapons in their light, then the tiny starships she keeps on a shelf.

She smiles at the sight, finally feeling safe.

Once the tray is empty, Teebasha puts it down on the ground, crossing her legs on the bed. Her eyes land on a massive pile of wanted notices she has not read yet. With a sigh, she picks up the first one and examines it. A meaningless target with a poor price put on his head. Teebasha tears the sheet and throws it away. Suddenly, she remembers the notice Natelo'or gave her earlier. She grabs it in her back pocket and unfolds it.

The nastiest smuggler worth a million wupiupi.

Teebasha smirks and reads the name of the planet where she must bring the smuggler's body as a proof that she killed him. Ord Mantell… The planet where she was born, and where she left her family.

She stares into space as nostalgia takes hold of her. She recalls the large cities of Ord Mantell, its beautiful lakes, and its mountains. She wonders what it would feel like to get back to the Mid-Rim territories, especially in the Bright Jewel system. Would she see her family again? Probably not. However, she knows she will get this smuggler and earn the money he is worth.

Teebasha grabs her pocket knife and holds the wanted notice against the wall. She stares at it for a second, before planting her knife in it.

She can sense that going to Ord Mantell will change her life.