Just Another Job

Ok, it's time I confess. I've really been inactive during the Summer even though I have very little in the terms of work hours. What has really been dragging me away from writing is getting Star Wars: The Old Republic. I am in love with this game. It's my favorite MMO and PC game. Its story is rich and inviting, the combat is beautiful and I adore this game.

This is a trial to see if there are any of you who would like to read this series. I know the Bounty Hunter is one of the most used, but that's because he is a badass. And the crew is lovable and insane too, giving all the more reason to write in the Bounty Hunter's point of view.

But first: a character sheet.

Name: Dianok

Race: Chiss

Gender: Male

Advanced Class and Build: Arsenal Mercenary

Armor Set: RD-15A Mercenary- Black and red.

Weapons: Outlander Boltblaster's Blaster Pistols

I'll add more to it as the need arises.

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars: The Old Republic or RWBY.

D-5 Mantis Holoterminal Deck- Imperial Space

It was supposed to be just another job for me and my crew. We were hired to assist in the destruction of a Republic Capital Ship, no big deal, we've done assault runs before. See, my ship may look like a hunk of junk, but rest assured, it can tear through full frigates like they were measly starfighters.

I am Dianok, Victor of the Great Hunt, Republic's Most Wanted, my résumé goes on forever. And I am the best Bounty Hunter this galaxy has ever seen.

What made me cautious about the job was who was paying me. And who my employer sent to make sure the job was done.

"Cipher Nine to Hunter, do you read?" I honestly want to blast my Holoterminal right now. Of course, I'm hired for some top secret strike mission, given only minimal details, told to travel to some random set of coordinates to receive the full mission, only to find one of the most dangerous non-Sith Imperials giving me my briefing. I'm more than a little paranoid right now.

"Yeah I hear you," I replied, biting back the insults and swears that were bound to escape my mouth if I didn't control myself.

Mako turns to me. "Why are we taking jobs from Imperial Intelligence again?" I've been asking myself the same thing for the past five minutes.

"Yeah, if you remember correctly, they tried to kill you after doing their dirty work, and trying to skip on the pay." Gault added.

Oh yes, I remember that infuriating visit to Intelligence HQ after running through the Dark Temple. This was not helping my mood.

I snapped right there. Turning to the masked homicidal maniac of the Empire, I politely addressed the other head of this attack. "Alright you damn spook, why are you here? What's so important that Imperial Intelligence just had to hire me?"

I only got a refined chuckle from Cipher Nine, which didn't cool my temper much. "Why Hunter, why wouldn't you want a shot at ending Havoc Squad?" That got my attention. Havoc Squad was one of the best, if not the best, Republic SpecOps teams ever. The bounty on their commanding officer, one Major Berr'ium, is higher than the rest of the squad combined. Oh what would I do with that kind of money.

My thinking and credit calculating by the dumbest and most impulsive one on my team. "Quit with the questions pip-squeak!" Skadge dumbly retorted. I shot him a glare to shut him up. I only put up with him because it's good to have muscle in a group, dumb muscle even better.

"I can drop you back on Belsavis, don't make me, Skadge." I threatened the Houk then turned to the agent on my terminal. "Now, what does Havoc Squad have to do with this?" I inquired.

"Oh I almost forgot, you are on a need to know basis." The agent drawled. "That cruiser, The Dawn Voyager, is carrying a prototype FTL Drive that enables the ship to be almost anywhere in the galaxy in almost an instant. This could drastically change the tide in the war. Imagine, a fleet that can be anywhere, anytime."

"Fancy," I rolled my eyes. Another new toy that could potentially change the fate of the galaxy. Old news. "Where does Havoc Squad come into this?"

"Don't you see?" Nine asked, like it was the easiest answer in the universe. "Who if not the Republic's finest would be part of the escort? Your job is to eliminate Havoc Squad and cripple the Voyager while my team goes and acquires the blueprints and disables the prototype."

"Wait just a moment!," Gault interjects. "Are you implying we are going to play BAIT for HAVOC SQUAD?! Is this a bad idea to anyone else?" Sometimes I don't know why I put up with the Devaronian, but he's better than Skadge.

Torian shakes his head, mumbling about the "lack of honor" in the Devaronian.

I sigh and turn to the hologram of the deadly sniper, "As long as I'm getting paid, and I AM getting paid this time, fully in advanced by the way, I'll be your distraction."

"Done. Cipher Nine out." His image winked out.

"I've got a bad feeling about this."

Let's see, small strike team versus giant Republic cruiser, distracting defenses of cruiser, and going up against the Republic's best of the best.

But great pay.

"Me too boss!" Blizz chattered out.

D-5 Mantis Command Deck- Neutral Space

"I should have asked for double." Imperial Intelligence was true to their word. They paid it all in advance, but I should have raised it.

Right now, I'm flying above the now smoking Voyager. I run a quick list of the problems that have been dealt with. Turrets: check. Shields: check. Engines: goodbye.

BT-7 Thunderclap that's tailing me: working on it.

I barrel roll to the right to avoid another volley of missiles aimed at my ship. In hindsight I really shouldn't have counted on the Major to be only good at fighting on the ground. Not the case. Apparently, Havoc Squad is good at every type of fighting. Good for them, not for me.

"I really hope these guys are worth the trouble they are causing us!" Mako's not wrong. I turned to my wife, about to ask how much is on their collective heads, but the ship rocks from a missile that was too close for comfort. Luckily, our shields are holding strong, but so are the Thunderclap's.

Blasting through the wreckage of a downed frigate, I attempt to surprise Havoc Squad by using the debris to cover my ambush, I can only groan as I watch an entire salvo of lasers and missiles barely scratch the shields of the opposing fighter.

"Those spooks are really taking their sweet time!" Gault points out. You know what? I actually agree.

Suddenly, a rumbling from deep within the Voyager's hull gains my attention. From the lack of enemy fire, it gained the Major's attention too. It seems the supposed disabling part got a little out of hand. Numerous small fires erupt from parts of the ship, displaying the level of destruction that could only begin to cover what was going on inside.

"Energy readings are spiking!" Blizz reports in his speedy language. "Boss, she's gonna blow!"

The last thing I remember before the explosion, is the retreating form of a certain Agent's Phantom.

"Son of a kriffing Hutt." I hate Imperial Intelligence.

An explosion engulfs my ship as everything blackens around me.

D-5 Mantis Command Deck- Above unknown world

I gasp as I come to, sitting up rapidly, only to barely see anything.

"Hey… you're up." Oh I know that beautiful voice.

"How long was I out?" I fight off a raging headache as I attempt get my bearings.

"Not sure, but the rest of us only woke a few minutes earlier." Mako explains. "We are running low on power, Blizz thinks we can land, but that's it."

I stand up with the help of Torian, I think? "Land where?"

"No idea." He explains. "This planet isn't on any database. We're in Wild Space."

"Great." Could this get any worse? "Tell Blizz to land. But if this planet isn't on any database, the natives may not have space travel or contact to any galactic faction. Best to lay low for awhile, panic won't help anything."

"Sure thing Boss." Torian heads off to relay my orders. This leaves just Mako and I.

"Hon? Do you think we're trapped here?" Mako asked. She only refers to me like that when she's scared. That won't fly with me. I take off my helmet and set it beside her.

"Hey, don't worry Mako. We'll be fine. At least we get to relax a bit with no Pubs or Imps to watch out for."

She giggled a bit and hugged my neck. "That's why I love you."

The ship shuddered as we break through the planet's atmosphere and we pull away from each other. I secure my helmet back on and head to the cargo bay. I watch as my team of hardened mercenaries ready themselves for anything. Torian charges up his electrostaff, giving it a few test swings, before placing it on his back. Skadge is sharpening his enormous vibroblade, which isn't how that works, but whatever. Gault checks the sights on his sniper rifle. Mako has returned from my quarters with her combat gear on, blaster at her hip.

With one final groan, the ship lands as Blizz returns to the group, tiny pistol holstered. "We are currently set down in a clearing of a forest, the nearest large settlement is a while away. No one can find us Boss!" He informed me.

"Good job little guy." I give him a smile behind my armor.

After checking my gear, making sure my surplus of missiles are all ready to deploy, my jets have enough fuel, my blaster pistols are primed, and my armor is solid, I nod to my team of misfits and we open the hatch to head out to explore this new world.

…And learn promptly that the ship is surrounded by giant black creatures with bone protrusions and glowing red eyes.

"I had to tempt fate." I groaned.

I'll end this here. I have no idea if anyone will even like it, follow it, review it, or favorite it.

I kept it short so I could get some breathing room for a new story.

Please review and give me any feedback you may have, good or bad.

This is Theothergy (The-Other-Guy) signing off!