Braden, bounty hunter trainer extraordinaire, was nervous. This new girl wasn't just the next Great Hunt winner, not just his next prodiege. He'd never admit it, but he hoped that Jakilynn Angelous would remember him kindly. "We're almost set up," he said, running through his mental check-list. "See if you can't get that security network running, Mako."
"Sure thing Braden," replied his young cyborg genius, Mako. "We'll be- Hey now..." Mako's quiet exclamation was caused by footsteps in the background. Even, paced, yet Braden could hear the bounce in their step. The older man turned an smiled.
In the doorway of 'headquarters' was a woman, tall and powerful. Her youthfulness was spoiled only by the scar across her right eye. The eyes themselves were as dark and murky as the swamps of Hutta, but greener and healthier. Her blood-red hair was thrown into a ponytail, trailing down her back. She was well armoured, carrying just one blaster pistol, but her posture showed that she was deadlier even without it. Cybernetics curled from her left ear to under her eye, which was the one thing Braden hadn't remembered seeing on her since they last met.
"Hey indeed. The main attraction is here." Braden smiled warmly, gaining a mirror of it from the woman. "Team, this is the girl we're pinning all our hopes on, Jakilynn Angelous. Best shot I've ever seen and nerves of steel. She's Great Hunt material, all right. What so you say, hunter? Ready to meet your team?"
Jakilynn grinned at the resurrection of her pet name, but now it sounded like an occupation. "My team.. I like the sound of that."
"Get used to the idea," said Braden, still smiling. "To win the Great Hunt, you'll need support, structure and intel. Let's do things official-like. This is Mako, a little genius I picked up years ago on Nar Shaddaa. She provides intel and tech."
The girl, who was almost five years younger than Jaki, smirked and said, "Hope you're as good as the old man says."
"And this big bruiser is Jory," Braden continued, gesturing to the large Nitko in the corner. "He handles the heavy lifting and provides security for our base of operations."
"I am at your disposal. Feel free to make us all incredibly wealthy and famous," Jory remarked dryly. Jakilynn had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.
"Nice to meet you both. Let's get to work," she said, happier than she should be.
"Alright," Braden concluded. "Enough introductions. Down to business. We're here because the Great hunt has been called. Little Mako is the most rabid fan of hunter history this side of Geonosis, and even she doesn't know exactly what the Great Hunt entails."
"I do know the names of every Great Hunt winner, though," Mako interrupted, eager to show that she did know something. "Bloodworthy, the Defenestrator, Jewl'a Nightbringer..."
"Every bounty hunter that won the Great Hunt went on to massive glory and riches," Braden said, "Which is why we're here."
"What's our first move?" Jakilynn asked
"Here's what I know so far. The Great Hunt has two groups: the Mandalorian elite and the freelance bounty hunters sponsored by influential crime lords," explained Mako. "There's no time to make you a Mandalorian, so that means you need a sponsor."
"Nem'ro the Hutt runs this stinking little town. I've got just enough pull with that gangster to get you an introduction," Braden said, carefully watching Jaki's face. "Mako, scan for every bounty in the area. I want the nastiest, most brutal, untouchable scum you can find."
The young cyborg smirked. "I'm on it, Braden. One nasty character coming up..."
"We need to get you situated as a big-time hunter, at least as far as the locals know," said the older man, laying out their plan. "Then we contact Nem'ro. Mako will plant rumors about your off-world exploits, but you have to take down someone impressive- and local -to seal that reputation."
Jakilynn smiled. "You find a target, and I'll take it down hard."
Braden returned the smile, then turned to Mako. "How's that scan coming, Mako?" "
Found something," Mako mused. "Check this out... Vexx: Corellian, champion quick-draw artist, wanted for robbing fifteen Imperial military pay stations."
Jory raised a spiked eye-ridge. "Of all the places to get credits, why would any sane being rob an Imperial pay station?"
"Perfect," Braden exclaimed. "This Vexx is either a madman or a glory hound, and he's obviously dangerous."
"Says here Vexx has a safe house in the bad part of town, right in the heart of the madness. That'll be fun," remarked Mako sarcastically.
"Nem'ro the Hutt's enemy took over part of this town. It's dangerous poking around there, but it's your best shot," explained Braden. "Raid Vexx's safe house and look for something that might help us track him down. But be ready for anything."
"Excuse me, but I've got a safe house to shoot up," drawled Jakilynn.
Braden looked Jaki straight in the eyes, murky green to murky green. "Be safe out there."