Luke didn't know it, but Airon had learned a few Force powers from his mother before he left to become a Smuggler. If it weren't for those powers Airon would have died many a time. His ability to sense things before they happen had also saved his neck. Like the time a very angry Ithorian thought he was the one that had just bumped into him and not the little Bothan sneaked away without him seeing.
But as Airon made his way down the crowded market street, he sensed something else. He sensed change. The last time he could remember sensing anything like this it lead to the death of Battarr. So, at the moment he feared what was going to happen. He feared change.
But before he could
think any farther on this he felt a blaster being shoved into his
side.
"Long time no see, Airon." Came a familiar deep voice
from behind him.
"Balin." Airon said annoyed, "Was wondering when you were gonna show up."
"You owe a big debt to Dar'Owen."
Airon sighed as he raised his arms and turned to face the bounty hunter. Balin had stumbled across a suit of ancient Mandalorian armor and now wears it proudly. He himself is not of Mandalorian, but the people that feared him didn't need to know that.
"Well, he didn't give me enough time to get the money."
"It's been three months!" Balin yelled shoving the blaster harder into Airon's side
"Heh, has it? I didn't notice." Airon lied
Balin took Airon by the collar and dragged him to the nearest allay. "Dar'Owen isn't pleased." he said as he threw Airon against a wall. "And now you're going to pay for it. Boy I'd sure hate to be you right now."
"Listen, give me two more days and I'll have his money."
"Sorry, I'm paid to bring you in alive."
Alive? Airon thought.
Balin turned Airon around and cuffed him. "Get movin!" he yelled as he pushed Airon down onto the ground.
Airon was thrown onto the ground for the fifteenth time, this time in the middle of a huge arena with the gang lord Dar'Owen sitting on a thrown. An arrogant Twi'lek that only thought about his money and his whores.
"Ah, Airon Shod." He said as he looked down at him. "How nice of you to join us."
"It's always a pleasure to see you Dar." Airon said with a groan as he got to his knees.
"Heh, I'm sure it is." Dar picked up his drink and took a sip and one of his whores sat in his lap. "It has come to my attention though that you have a very large debt owed to me. And seeing as how the only way to deal with that is death, I figured we might as well get some entertainment out of it." A grin came across his face.
The cuffs that restrained Airon unlocked and he was free again. His trusty Vibro blade was tossed down in front of him.
"Good luck. Though it will do you no good." Dar let out an evil sort of laugh as a huge iron gate began to lift in front of Airon.
Airon quickly dove for his blade and backed up to the other end of the arena. A loud growl rumbled from behind the gate. "Any chance its Bantha with a stomach ach?"
As the gate continued to rise the creature behind it began to emerge from the shadows. A horrible beast with giant claws, powerful jaws, and armor for shin. The Rancor. The menacing beast roared as it made its way into the arena, and then turned its attention to the little human at the other end.
Well, I'm screwed anyways. May as well go out like a hero. Airon thought.
Raising his Vibro blade high next to his head he made a mad dash towards the enormous beast. Before the Rancor knew what was happening Airon was alright at it's feet. But its huge size worked to it's advantage as it's huge arm simply swiped Airon aside.
Airon hit the wall hard and feel to the ground. "Oh, son of a bitch that hurt!" he said as he tried to get to his feet.
The Rancor was already moving towards him and his Vibro blade was no where to be seen. The Rancor got closer and closer until it was standing right over him.
So this will end everything will it? Airon closed his eyes as the Rancor reached down for him. But instead of feeling the Rancor's giant grip he heard the cry of the Rancor in pain. Airon opened his eyes to see the Rancor's severed hand laying next to him and Luke standing in front of him.
Luke stood with his lightsaber held low as the Rancor stumbled to get away. "I wish you no harm Dar'Owen. Release Airon and we will leave peacefully."
The cocky expiration had left Dar'Owen's face and had been replaced with a look of fear. "Heh, of course. Take him. We don't want any trouble with Jedi." With that Dar quickly got up and ran out of sight.
A couple creature handlers came out and lead the Rancor back into it's cage.
"Maybe now you have the time to talk." Luke said as he deactivated his saber.
