The Smuggler's Journey

Chapter 2: Backstabbed and the hunt begins

Jack rushed through the mostly deserted streets of Drelliad village, and only saw the occasional civilian cautiously poke their heads out from their homes. His heart pounded in fear for his ship, and his new friend, Corso, back at the spaceport. He may have only met him briefly, but damn it all he liked the kid, kind of reminded him of himself when he was younger. Luckily the spaceport wasn't very far away, and since the local Republic garrison had effectively drawn off the Separatists from the village proper there was almost no resistance, the last dregs having gone to the spaceport in order to possibly steal a ship, most likely his, though he pitied the fool who tried to slice in with T12 in control of the ship's internal defences.

As he closed in on the spaceport it was unusually quiet. Too quiet even with the normal explosions of battle not two kilometres away. I smell a trap, he thought to himself as he cautiously opened the door to the hangar where he left Skavak and Corso, and was greeted to a sight he had hoped not to see. Corso was on the ground with a nasty head wound. Blood seeped down the side of his face and into his dreadlocked hair, and his armour was more pockmarked with blaster burns. A group of four Separatists stood over Corso with weapons drawn, one of them, a short fat man with a long moustache, had a blaster pistol drawn and was savouring the image of the young man on the floor and was aiming for one of Corso's knees.

"I'm going to enjoy this, let's see if a couple blaster bolts to your knees will jerk you awake," he said in a sickly sweet voice and Jack decided then and there to take action.

"I don't think so," he said as he drew both his blasters and squeezed down on the triggers and unleashed a torrent of blaster bolts at the Separatists before they could react. The lackeys were the first to go down, their thin armour was no match for the high powered blaster bolts of Jack's guns. Unfortunately the fat leader's armour held, which Jack noted was heavy armour. This one's going to be a little harder, he thought as he dove for cover behind a crate as the fat man opened fire on him. By the sound of that blaster I'd say that's a Westar-05 model blaster pistol, old and not exactly much punch, but reliable, Jack mused.

Jack took a peek and saw that his opponent was still just standing out in the open and was squinting his small beady eyes as he tried to aim for him. The fat man fired another shot, his aim was off by a foot, and Jack didn't dare take the chance he might get a lucky shot. That armour of his is thick and heavy, and the time it would take to line up a head shot on him would take too long, Jack pondered his dilemma as the fat man fired off another round. This time it flew straight and true and singed the very top of his hat, knocked it off his head and dropped down to the floor. Jack sat behind the crate in momentary shock as he bent down lower and inspected his hat. Just cosmetic damage, nothing I can't fix, but no one damage my hat and gets away with it.

"Yes, I got him, I got you, you damned spacer," cried the fat man out in joy as he did a little victory jig.

That has got to be the most disturbing thing I've ever seen, thought Jack as he took in the sight of the fat man dancing. Rolls of fat under his skin jiggled as he danced away, and Jack had to fight not to vomit all over the floor. Time I put him out of my misery.

He sidestepped away from the crate, raised the blaster in his right hand and let loose a single blaster bolt aimed straight for the fat man's head. The blaster bolt hit dead centre of mass to the rear of his helmet covered head. Melted through the metal and ceramic instantly, flash-cooked his brains, and dropped him like a heavy sack of potatoes. The stink of death was all that was left in the air, with the occasional explosion or blaster shot in the background, and Jack didn't like the fact that this was what he was used to.

With a groan, Corso woke up when the dust settled.

"Argh, feels like a gundark used my skull as a drum. Thanks for saving my neck Captain," said Corso gratefully as Jack pulled him up from the floor.

"Any time kid, just don't make this a habit! Can't be around to save your scrawny hide every time you get into trouble."

A dull roar of engines igniting alerted Jack and Corso to what was happening on the landing pad. "I know those engines!" said Jack. They ran outside just in time to see Jack's ship take off.

"Skavak helped those Separatists get in here. He stabbed us in the back," said Corso angrily.

"That bastard stole my ship!" said Jack as anger nearly overwhelmed him, and he unleashed a rant of several Hutt and Mandalorian curses he had heard over the years, and Corso took a couple of steps back from the enraged Captain.

He waited a minute for Jack to cool off and get himself together. "He took all the weapons too. He and the Separatists must've been planning this all along. Hang on... where's Torchy?" Corso took a quick look around the hangar, but "Torchy" was nowhere in sight. "I don't believe this, Skavak stole my blaster!" At Jack's raised eyebrow Corso explained. "Torchy is a genuine Blastech Alt-25 with a magnetomic adhesion grip and side-mounted rangefinder. She's too good for Skavak."

"I'm surprised he didn't steal the whole hangar," said Jack dejectedly, still feeling the loss of his beloved ship.

"He's not getting away with this," declared Corso as he plucked out communicator from his utility belt. "C'mon, pick up blast you."

With a small flicker the communicator came to life with a mini-sized version of Skavak standing on top of it, with a condescending smirk upon his face. "Oh, what's the matter Corso, did I hurt your feelings." He then turned to Jack and his smirk turned ugly. "On behalf of Ord Mantel's glorious freedom fighters I thank you for your blasters, your ship, and for giving me a big laugh. Though Captain, oh I'm sorry, former Captain Jack Hawk, your little droid was quite an annoyance, so I blasted it. It's now little more than a pile of spare parts in 'my' cargo hold."

Jack could barely contain his anger at the destruction of his little friend. He had found him on Balmorra and was about to be used for target practice by some drunken imperials. So Jack took him in and gave him a new mission. T-12 had helped him maintain his ship and his little 'business ventures.' "Do you have any idea who you're messing with?"

"What makes you think I care? And before you even think about trying to make me an offer, I already have a job that's going to make me both the richest and most famous smuggler in the Underworld. Goodbye Jack, oh and don't forget to pick up a little souvenir while you're on Ord Mantel, I hear the local blasters give you the most interesting scars," said Skavak before he cut the channel.

"Skavak, get back here..." started Jack.

"Too late Captain, he cut the channel," said Corso as the hologram of Skavak flickered off.

"When I get that bastard in my sights I'm just going to blast a hole in his head!"

"You're not the only one who wants him dead. We were working for Viidu, he's known as the King of Cargo around here. There isn't a payload that comes to Ord Mantell that doesn't pass through him. Viidu's a smart guy with connections everywhere. When he hears about Skavak being a Separatist he'll want revenge just as much as us, "said Corso reassuringly."I need to lock down the hangar so no more Separatists or scavengers can get in, but I'll let Viidu know what's happened. There's a couple of speeder bikes parked outside, you can use one of them to get to Viidu's office at Fort Garnic."

"What's Fort Garnic, a local Republic base?" asked Jack, a little leery at getting too close to the Republic Military's radar.

"Don't worry Captain, they don't bother us smugglers that much. We bring in too much needed supplies and goods for them. Some even call us heroes," said Corso chuckling.

"How come do I think you're just exaggerating our importance," said Jack as he headed to the speeders parked outside.

"One quick warning captain, the Separatists have several teams of snipers hidden away in the nearby hills. I suggest you stay low and fast, and don't move in a predictable straight line. They'll take your head off for that!" warned Corso.

"Wonderful, can't I ever just get a break on this job," Jack grumbled as he stepped outside.

The speeder bikes were older models, but well maintained, with sleek chassis'. A pair of outriggers stuck forward and sharp steering vanes at the very front. Jack took the closest one, and noticed that it had a small license plate on the side saying 'SKVK RDE.' It had obviously belonged to Skavak. Well, at least it's a start, thought Jack as he climbed on and started the speeder's repulsorlift engines. The two rear thrusters came alive and it seemed to purr like a kitten. At least he knows how to properly maintain a speeder.

He activated the bike's onboard computer and brought up a map of the local area. Like Corso said, Fort Garnic wasn't very far, but the route was anything but safe, with various places on the trails well suited for an ambush, and if he tried to fly high it would be more than likely he'd be shot down by someone with a rocket launcher, be it Republic or Separatist.

With a powerful burst of acceleration he set course for Fort Garnic. He hugged the ground as low as possible. The area was volcanic, and though it had been a long time since the local volcano erupted, there was mostly just grassy hills and farmland, and very little trees. Not enough to provide him with any decent cover. Like Corso said, stay low and stay fast, Jack thought to himself as he followed a narrow path, dodging various boulders and bushes as he banked and turned around corners. Suddenly sniper rifle shots rang out all over the place, zooming past his head, and it felt like the fire was coming from all over the place.

I definitely did not sign up for this, why can't people please stop shooting at me? He mentally lamented as he pushed the bikes accelerator harder, and increased to incredibly reckless speeds as he crazily weaved his way through what he mentally called, Sniper Alley.

Soon enough Fort Garnic appeared in the distance, with two laser cannon turrets that seemed to be targeting him. "Fort Garnic, this is independent freighter Captain Jack Hawk calling on the speeder that's coming in, hold your fire please, I've got snipers that are trying to take my head off," said Jack over his small, but powerful radio ear-piece.

"How can we know that you're not a separatist?" asked a gravelly voice over the radio frequency.

"Because I'm the one that's getting shot at by a bunch of snipers," he said as he dodged another sniper's blaster bolt. "It feels like I've got an oversized target on my back."

"Well, you should know that right now you're driving straight for an enemy squad whose been pecking away at my defences all day long, so I suggest you head for the side-entrance."

"I'll try, Fort Garnic, but it seems I've got some unwelcome tailgaters," said Jack as a pair of speeder bikes appeared behind him and started shooting at him with built-in blaster cannons. "Damn it all, why isn't this ever easy," Jack grumbled as he drew a blaster from his right thigh holster. He quickly set the speeder on auto-pilot and twisted his body around. He fired off two rounds and hit one of his pursuers in the chest. The Separatist lost his grip on the steering columns and fell off the speeder which went out of control and crashed.

Jack grinned as he watched it burn. He instinctively ducked as his second pursuer opened fire. He felt the heat and smelled the ozone of the passing blaster bolts and returned fire. As luck would have it he hit the speeder's fuel pod. A massive fireball erupted and consumed both the speeder bike and its rider. Jack was thankful that he could not smell the burning flesh.

With no pursuers following him he banked hard to the right to avoid the squad of Separatists assaulting the main entrance. Suddenly a bad feeling forced him to turn back on his original course just as a pair of rockets flew right past him. As he banked he nearly overbalanced and barrel rolled the speeder. At the same time he pulled out a thermal detonator and lobbed it at the Separatists who launched the rocket. It flew in a lazy arc and landed right in between them. The two of them jumped up in horror and started running, but it was too late. Half a second later the detonator blew and scorched both Separatists.

Over the radio he heard raised voices, though the pickup must've been covered over since they were muffled. "Alright Captain Hawk, you're clear to come in, though keep in mind those separatists are going to be shooting at you all the way in."

"Don't worry about it, I have an idea, just keep'em pinned down for a few seconds while I do something crazy," said Jack. And pray this works.

Jack aimed Skavak's speeder for the centre of the separatist line of troopers and snipers that were attacking the front gate. He then opened the throttle up fully and set it on a direct collision course for the large boulder they were taking cover in from the republic defenders. One of them heard the roar of the speeder bike's engines, turned and gave a yelp of surprise that alerted his fellows of the rapidly closing danger. With a feral smirk Jack pulled up his feet to on top of his seat and crouched, readying himself for the biggest leap of his life. His hands still held tightly the steering levers, ducking and swerving around blaster fire. One or two managed to hit the speeder's chassis, but they did little damage.

Using only eye measurements and mental calculations he waited until the last possible second. Using his legs to launch himself off of the speeder bike he flew high and long over the separatists heads. Moments later the bike crashed with a horrible screech of twisting metal and exploded as its fuel-cells detonated, killing every separatist trooper within fifteen metres and pushed those who were not in the lethal blast radius out of cover and straight into the sights of the laser turrets and the Republic troopers on the line.

All this happened as Jack almost gracefully sailed over their heads, somersaulted once in midair, then rushed towards the ground. As his body came down to the ground he bent his knees slightly then hit the ground hard. Using his entire body as a shock absorber he rolled onto the ground to cast off some of his momentum. He finally crashed into a building which forcefully knocked the wind out of him and left him coughing and sputtering on the ground as he tried to get air back into his lungs.

"I knew you were crazy Jack, but I didn't know you were certifiably insane," said a rather familiar voice that was standing over him. Blearily Jack opened his eyes and saw the tall armoured form of Lieutenant Taggard standing over him with an amused but exasperated look upon his face.

"All part of the job, pick up and deliver cargo, get your ship stolen, do a couple of insane stunts and try not to get shot in the process," said Jack as Taggard helped him back on his feet.

All Taggard could do was chuckle at that. "You are one strange little man Jack. What do you mean by 'Get your ship stolen?'"

"That's exactly what happened to me at the Drelliad spaceport. My contact backstabbed both me and his employer, so now Skavak has my ship and blasted my little droid helper, and watch who your calling little!" said Jack in annoyance. Sure, the lieutenant towered over him with his seven foot one height, broad shouldered and heavily muscled frame, but Jack was by no means short with his six foot tall slim, but well muscled frame.

"Just teasing you Jack, and sorry about your ship and little friend. I'm assuming your here to report the theft?"

"That's one of the reasons why I'm here," said Jack evasively. "I'm going to have a little chat with Viidu, see if he has any leads on where Skavak is, or knows where I can go to get the information."

"He betrayed Viidu? That's bad news for everyone. Viidu is one of the more 'respectable' characters on this planet, though the rumour is that he works for Rogun the Butcher."

"He works for that maniac," Jack yelped. He couldn't help it. Everyone in the Underworld, and even in some government circles, had heard about the Butcher. Anyone that had the misfortune of crossing him had ended up dead in a variety of terrible and unspeakable ways, and Jack for one would like to keep his internal organs internal.

"Keep your voice down Jack, I heard another rumour that said a spacer once bad mouthed Rogun in a bar on Port Nowhere, the very next day his body was found in his room, vivisected."

Jack gulped audibly, he had heard that story too, he'd just conveniently forgotten about it. "Well, I'd better go see Viidu about my starship. It's not polite to keep your future employer waiting."

"Okay Jack," said Taggard as Jack started to move towards Viidu's warehouse. "Oh, before I forget, I have something for you." He handed Jack a small data-card, it had no distinguishing marks, just the republic seal and a black magnetic strip along one side of the card. "That card is an ID card we give to all trusted hired specialists. It also transmits a low powered IFF signal that registers on most republic IFF systems as friendly, though it's strictly short ranged. You have to be within a few metres just to detect it. It should be enough to get you past most checkpoints."

"Thanks lieutenant, this'll be a big help in the future," said Jack as he pocketed the data card.

"Stay safe Jack, and please, no more crazy stunts, you make the rest of us look bad," said Taggard.

"It's just so difficult being humble all the time, knowing how great and crazy I am," Jack bantered back as he walked away from his new friend.


((((((((((The Smuggler's Journey))))))))))


The trip to Viidu's warehouse was only a brisk walk away from where Jack had landed, and it helped that over the warehouse entrance was the name Rendia Freight, the very same company that hired Jack through its Corellia office while Jack was there getting his ship some much needed routine maintenance.

There was a large zabrak guard at the door, but with a single glance of Jack's appearance, his signature hat being the most obvious, the guard let him pass. "Go on in, Viidu's expecting you." At Jack's look of surprise the zabrak smiled slightly in encouragement, and Jack continued on in. He passed through a small entrance corridor then into the warehouse proper where a number of workers were moving a number of shipping crates around, getting them ready for transport off world. Within minutes he found Viidu's office, not hard when his name was proudly displayed over the doorway.

Out of politeness Jack knocked on the open doorway and the large corpulent form of a man turned towards him. "Ah, welcome Captain. I'm Viidu. I've heard you've had a rather rough day. May I offer you a drink so we may both wash away our worries?" Jack nodded in gratitude and accepted the proffered drink. A very rich and sweet fruit concoction, which to Jack's surprise didn't have any alcohol, but he instantly felt refreshed, and watched Viidu swallow half a goblet of what he assumed was the same stuff in on giant gulp. "Orkcha from Dantooine, I've still got several cases left in my stockroom here. Look around my office Captain. The greatest selection of artwork and delicacies in the entire system, or it was until the separatists destroyed it all. Between them and that backstabber Skavak I am thoroughly ruined," he said bitterly, and not without a little fear.

"The blasters that Skavak stole belonged to Rogun the Butcher. They were meant to go to his thugs who were hired to secure his operations here. You may have worked for me, but I work for him, and we'll both get blamed for losing those blasters," Viidu continued as he poured himself another drink.

"Is there any way we could possibly convince Rogun not to butcher us?" Jack asked.

"The only way we're going to get back into Rogun's good graces would be to get back the stolen shipment of blasters, and add a little incentive for him not to kill us. To do that we have to find Skavak and get your ship back. The only place you'll be able to find that kind of personal information is at Separatist Headquarters at Mannet Point, but the place is sealed up tighter than a Mandalorian in full combat armour, plus you have to swim to get there, but I know a guy who can help us get in, his name is Reki."

"What is he, some Separatist deserter?" Jack asked sceptically.

"No, no, he's a professional thief who specializes in getting into places most folks don't want him, and he knows every single back way into Mannet Point. Only problem is his village is under Republic blockade, and the Separatists have taken it over. The Republic isn't letting anyone in or out without proper authorization."

"How did they manage to get control of an entire village? Not everyone is especially friendly with the Seppies!" said Jack.

"They have a number of spies and informants embedded within the local population. Traitors are what I'd call them, and they use fear and intimidation tactics to keep the civilians in line and since the military can't tell the civilians from the Separatists..."

"They can't target the Separatists without killing a lot of innocent civilians," Jack finished.

"Exactly! Luckily I know a way past the blockade. All you have to do is smuggle a survival package through the blockade, get the information from Reki, then return here as quick as you can."

"Consider it done," said Jack, happy to have any kind of plan of action. "Where is the survival package?"

"Right here," said Viidu as he hefted a heavy pack filled with a variety of food packets and three canteens full of water, plus a small metal flask at the very top. Not being able to still his curiosity Jack opened the cap and had a quick whiff of its contents.

"Corellian brandy," he commented in approval.

"Strictly for medicinal purposes, you understand!"

"Gotcha." Jack hefted the pack onto his back, slightly worried that it would compromise his stealth and speed, since it jingled slightly and was heavy, a good fifteen kilos.

"And you don't have to worry about the road to Talloran village, it's been cleared of mines and hidden snipers. It's when you get to the outskirts of the village that the real work begins. Here's a map to and of the village, it should show you the way in, and I'll send a holo his way, telling him that you are coming." Viidu handed over a small data-chip, which Jack slotted into his wrist-comm. and copied the map then gave it back to Viidu. He studied it for a moment before he nodded and started heading out. "And please come back alive, this whole thing kind of depends upon you."

"Don't worry Viidu, I'll be back!" replied Jack cockily as he left the office and the building.

((((((((((The Smuggler's Journey))))))))))

AN: I've had this chapter ready for a while. Just managed to dig it out of my hard drive and worked it a little better. Please leave a review.

Update 1.10.2014 AN: I've reworked the chapter a little and added and removed a few small things. Drop a review if you liked it.