THE HUNTERS
Obi-Wan and Zak are paired with Clive Maru and his apprentice, Ferri Cortis to track the fugitive poachers responsible for the crimes committed on Alderaan; but Ferri's animosity and resentment may spell trouble for them all when the young Padawan allows it to cloud his judgment….
Chapter 1 Not a Good Idea
"We're going after them, aren't we." Zak stated.
"Yes, I believe we must." Obi-Wan confirmed.
"Who's coming with us?" Zak asked.
"How do you know anyone else is?" Obi-Wan asked.
Zak just gave him a knowing look, "Oh, yes; you would know, wouldn't you." Obi-Wan answered his own question when he suddenly recalled Zak's newfound talent.
"So, who is it?" Zak asked again.
Obi-Wan looked down and sighed before answering, "Master Maru and…."
"And Ferri; that is not a good idea." Zak told him.
"It would not have been my first choice either, Padawan; but it is the Council's decision." Obi-Wan replied.
"I know." Zak sighed, "But it's still not a good idea."
"I agree with you; so we are going to have to be extra mindful, and hopefully Master Maru will be able to keep Ferri in check." Obi-Wan said.
"I hope so; it's going to be dangerous enough without having to guard my back against Ferri too." Zak answered.
"I will watch your back; and Master Maru will watch Ferri." Obi-Wan assured him.
Zak looked up at him and smiled, "Thank you, Master." He replied, "Does anyone know where they've gone?"
"Nothing solid; we are going to check both Kien and Devan's home worlds. It is possible that either one or both of them are being harbored on one of them." Obi-Wan informed him.
Zak nodded thoughtfully and then frowned, "You don't think they will go after Boba do you?" He wondered.
"The Chancellor was concerned about that as well; he has taken precautions against the possibility." Obi-Wan answered.
Zak nodded again, "That's good." He replied, "When are we leaving then?"
"In the morning will be soon enough; we both need a little time to center ourselves again." Obi-Wan told him.
"Alright; do you mind if I go find Del?" Zak asked.
"No, of course not; I'd like to meditate for a while, anyway. I'll meet you in the dining hall for evening meal." Obi-Wan answered.
"Yes, Master;" Zak said as he turned and walked swiftly the other way and then turned around and walked backwards for a few steps, "Thank you." He said before reversing again.
Smiling, Obi-Wan watched him go; so wise for a thirteen-year-old boy and yet still a boy at heart.
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Zak ran his fingers over the crystal in his pocket; he could feel the warmth from that touch radiating back at him. It reminded him of the Force love he felt emanating from his master whenever the older Jedi sensed that his apprentice needed it; that same Force love that he and Master Anakin had discovered so many months ago. It made him feel secure and wanted and he smiled to himself as he walked toward the Room of A Thousand Fountains to seek out his friend, Del.
He triggered the door and, as it slid open, a rush of fresh warm air hit him carrying the mixed perfumes of the flowers growing in the garden; he closed his eyes and breathed deeply. The sounds of laughter and splashing came from the direction of the lake; knowing that Del was probably there, Zak headed toward it.
He scanned the lake as he approached, looking for his friend, "Hello, Zak; we heard you were back." Galyn said from her place on the shore.
"Yes, just until tomorrow and then we have a mission." Zak replied.
"Oh, so soon?" She asked.
"It looks that way;" Zak answered, "is Del here? I kind of wanted to see him before we leave."
"He should be here somewhere." Galyn told him as she glanced out to the water.
"Alright, I'll find him." Zak said and walked closer.
"Hey, Zak; come on and join us." Del called from the anchored platform several yards from shore.
With a grin, Zak shed his boots and tunic and waded partway into the lake before slipping the rest of the way into the water and swimming out to the platform to join Del and the others sitting there.
"Have you heard the latest?" Del asked as Zak climbed out of the water.
"About what?" Zak asked.
"The newest ruling that came down from the Council." Del answered.
"The only thing I heard from the Council is about our next mission." Zak replied as he shook the water off and sat down next to him.
"Oh, yes; we heard all about that." Khyber interjected.
"Really; because I only just found out." Zak said.
"Ferri told us; he said he's going to be able to prove once and for all what a baby you are." Khyber told him.
Zak felt his face turning red, "I guess he'll be proved wrong then, won't he." He retorted as he turned toward Khyber.
Khyber looked away shamefully, "I'm sorry, Zak; I didn't mean to imply that I thought….I'm sorry." He replied.
Zak turned back to Del and changed the subject, "So, what's this Council ruling that I haven't heard about?" He asked.
"Since there weren't any apprentices chosen during the war, it wasn't really fair to the older Padawans; so they have decided to raise the age of choosing to fifteen until everything gets balanced out. That means that Khyber and I won't be sent off world for a while…maybe not at all. Isn't that great?" Del informed him.
"That's the best news I've heard since I got back!" Zak answered, clapping Del on the back.
"And there are several apprentices who just passed the trials, so it's entirely possible that….well, I'm just glad I still have a chance." Del added, enthusiastically.
"Well, I wish you luck." Zak replied and then looked at Khyber, "And you, Khyber."
Khyber only nodded and then dove into the water.
"He really didn't mean anything by what he said, Zak." Del said.
"Then he ought to be more careful about how he chooses his words." Zak replied.
"No one actually listens to Ferri, Zak; you should know that." Another Padawan pointed out.
"Maybe not, Dena; but I didn't hear anyone except Del stand up to him in the shower room a week ago." Zak answered.
"Well, if I had been there, I would have." Dena assured him.
The Padawans sitting on the platform all laughed, "Oh, Galyn would have just loved that." Del told her.
"I'm just saying that not everyone would have been afraid to say anything to him, that's all; sometimes I wonder about all of you." Dena replied with a shake of her head and then stood up and dove into the water.
"She's right about one thing, we were afraid to say anything. We should never have let him bully you, Zak." One of them admitted.
"What's done is done; it's alright." Zak told them.
"And when this mission is over, he'll just have to admit he was wrong." Del said.
"Yeah, if he doesn't get me killed." Zak replied.
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"So, where are we going?" Devan asked.
"Nar Shaddaa." Viral answered.
"Oh; and why would I want to go to that vile place?" Devan asked with disgust, "There's no one but smugglers and thieves there."
"Because that's where the big boss is; and I was told to report to him." Viral informed her, "If you have any objections, I can always fly back to Coruscant and stuff you in a life pod; I'm sure the authorities would just love to get you back."
"The big boss? I always thought that Moran was in charge." Kien entered the conversation.
"Moran was keeper of the hunt, that's all; he took his orders from one of the Hutts." Viral replied, "And that's who I take my orders from now."
"You? What did you do, Viral?" Devan asked.
"Cardl wanted a job done; I did it successfully and now he is going to make me his next keeper." Viral answered.
"He wanted you to cut us loose?" Kien asked.
"No, he wanted Moran dead; you two are just an added bonus." Viral corrected.
"You killed Moran? Why?" Devan asked.
"Because Cardl wanted him dead partly so he would not talk and partly because he was angry over this Jedi hunting business." Viral said.
"Why? It was good sport." Kien replied.
"Maybe, but it was bad business; he was not happy that two of his clients ended up dead." Viral answered.
"So he ordered him killed?" Devan asked, somewhat shocked, "That's a little harsh, isn't it?"
"Not for a Hutt; he hired that high-priced defender just to get him off so he could make him the object of the next hunt. But then when I suggested taking him out right away, he decided that would be just as satisfying; not to mention cheaper since he wouldn't have to keep paying the defender." Viral explained.
"Well, how long is he going to keep us on Nar Shaddaa?" Devan asked.
"Oh no; you've got it all wrong. I'm going to Nar Shaddaa to report to Cardl; once we get there, you two are free to catch the next transport to wherever it is you want to go. Cardl considers you his clients; he certainly has no interest in detaining you." Viral assured them.
"Good, because the first thing I'm going to do is take care of the bounty hunting kid." Devan said.
"Whoa, wait just a minute; Cardl will not approve of that." Viral warned.
"Then don't tell him." Devan advised.
"Yeah, and I want Kenobi; look what he did." Kien added, holding up his hand.
"Well, that had to hurt; but listen, if you two are planning some sort of revenge, then I want no part of it." Viral decided.
"Before you left the hunt, you were complaining that you never got your shot at him; you sure changed you tune." Kien pointed out.
"Well, that was before I found out Cardl didn't sanction it; I'd rather not end up like Moran." Viral replied.
"Alright; I guess since you're working for him now, it might not be a good idea. Just as long as you don't stop us." Devan said.
"Do what you want; just make sure Cardl doesn't get wind of it." Viral told them, "Here it comes, Smuggler's Moon, Nar Shaddaa."
"Watch your step, Devan." Kien advised, "There are some pretty rough characters down there."
"Don't worry about me, pretty boy; I can handle myself." Devan assured him.
"I have one piece of advice…well, alright two. The first one is, forget about that kid; rumor has it that the Chancellor is in the process of officially adopting him. It would be a fool's errand to go after him now because you'd probably end up being chased by Republican troops across the galaxy. As far as that Jedi goes, it would be better to just forget him as well just because he's a Jedi; but if you insist on taking him on, do it where you'll have the best advantage." Viral told them.
"Well, I want that boy, no matter how risky it is." Devan replied firmly, "So where would be the best place to set our trap for Kenobi?"
"I really wish you'd change your mind about the whole thing, but if you're intent on taking kid, then you could use him as bait to lure your Jedi in." Viral suggested.
"Oh, we hadn't thought of that; good idea. What about where?" Kien asked.
"Myrkr." Viral said.
"Myrkr? Never heard of it; what's so special about it?" Devan asked.
"I know it; there's an animal there called an ysalamiri." Kien answered.
"A what?" Devan asked.
"Ysalamiri have a special natural ability to block the Jedi's power. What's more, there is also another animal there called a vornskr that has actually been known to attack so-called Force-sensitives like the Jedi." Viral explained. "That's why the Jedi never go there."
"And that's why fugitives go there to hide sometimes." Kien added, "Yes, that would be the perfect place, it would level the playing field; but first we have to figure out a way to get to Boba Fett."
"That's between you and Devan; I merely made a suggestion of where a good place to set a trap might be; that's as far as I go." Viral replied. "Strap yourselves in; I'm starting my landing."
