Ch. 6 - Vaiken Spacedock
"Vaiken Spacedock". This station is in the heart of Imperial space, near Korriban and Dromund Kaas. Atin digs into her memories trying to remember the way to the Dromund Kaas shuttles. Stepping off the turbo lift a man dressed in Mandalorian armor approaches the girls.
"I am Rally Master Kelborn," he introduces, getting straight to business, "Your sponsor's been rather insistent that his "investment" is prepared to win the Great Hunt." The way he says "investment" tells Atin he hates Hutt's about as much as everyone else in the galaxy. "I've arranged for you to meet two of my peers, specialists in their fields. They should give you a taste of how real hunters customize their kit to suit their individual battle styles."
"I'd rather be ready for anything," Atin replies, preferring to have multiple contingency plans. The Rally Master, chuckles at my answer. He informs her that she and her weapons have limits. A man name Zakkeg is expecting her. She heads in the direction that the rally master pointed her towards.
Atin could fly, her own people training her. It doesn't take them long to find where Zakkeg is. "Zakkeg?" Atin asks cautiously. One man is skinny, he carries two blasters, and his armor is lighter than his huskier companion. The husky one steps forward.
"You must be the one the rally master called about," he says, sizing the girls up. Even though she's wearing armor and is armed, Atin feels vulnerable. He introduces himself as Braum "Zakkeg" Bourne and the skinny one as Gen Vizla. The hairs on the back of her neck stand on end when they say her clan's name. They aren't all dead, as she'd feared for so many years.
"Nice blaster, it's a start," Gen almost mocks, but more to make a point than to embarrass. "So what do you do with your free hand? Fix your hair, strike a pose, or is your aim so shaky you need two?" Atin smirks at his option.
"I'm gonna go with option two," Atin answers matching his sarcasm. Gen grins, amused by her answer.
"Gonna take out the competition with glib remarks?" he continues to joke, but turns back to business. He tells the girls, an empty hand is wasted potential. "I prefer to make my shots count" Atin counters, Tomin taught her, "If your gonna fire your blaster. Be sure you hit your target."
"Finesse is for show-offs and snipers," he responses annoyed, "Guess we know which one you are."
"Take what he says in moderation," Zakkeg interjects with a laugh, "He's a ferocious, little son of a gundark who heard the best defense was a good offense and ran with it. Take pride in your equipment, but don't forget its limits. Or yours." Atin asks them to show her what needs to be worked on.
They spend a few minutes critiquing her armor and weapons. The group engages in a sparring match. It soon becomes obvious that they are far better prepared than Atin or Mako, but Atin manages to hold her ground. It's over when Zakkeg pins Atin to the ground. She picks herself up, they seemed fairly impressed.
"You're a stubborn one, I'll give you that," Zakkeg praises her steadfastness, "How're you feeling? Tired of bleeding yet?" Atin wipes blood from the corner of her mouth with a smile. These types of fights are invigorating for her.
"Actually, I kind of like it," she answers smugly. Mako looks at her like she's reached a whole new level of crazy. Both Zakkeg and Gen burst out laughing. "Try not to lose that enthusiasm," Zakkeg encourage, "It'll drive the competition up the wall."
They dismiss the girls and Atin thanks them for their guidance. Atin returns to the rally master and decided on a pyrotech fighting style. Her aunt, Shae Vizla, is known for the Sacking of Coruscant and fighting with fire. She's legendary amongst the Mando's.
Their flight to Dromund Kaas doesn't leave for a couple of hours. Atin suggests they get a drink and Mako thanks Atin again for the Great Hunt thing. The girls swap stories until their shuttle is called. When it's called, they waste no time making their way to the shuttle.
Atin is pleased they have a whole row to themselves. Atin takes the window seat and Mako sits next to her. Both girls press to look out the window watching as the shuttle pulls away from the space-station. "You should get some sleep," Atin suggests, she can't remember when Mako slept.
Mako tries to protest, but Atin insists. Snatching a blanket from a passing droid and drapes it over the slicer. Within minutes, steady, slow breathing tells Atin she's sleeping soundly. Mako falls against Atin. She watches out the window, the vastness of nothing is mesmerizing, the shuttle passes a gas giant. Vibrant blues, greens, and purples dance in the light casted from a nearby star.
Several hours later they land on Dromund Kaas. "Mako, we've landed," Atin gently nudges her awake. At first, she's slightly confused, then she realizes they've landed. They disembark the shuttle and head to the immigration terminal. It's mandatory for all off-worlders to register when they arrive.
"Ugh. Spaceports all smell the same," Mako complains scrunching her face together, "Engine exhaust, coolant fluid, and spacers who haven't bathed in a week." Atin chuckles at her observation while she types away at the console. "Let's get out of this stink. Whatever the rest of Dromund Kaas is like, the airs gotta be fresher than in here."
"It still smells better than Hutta," Atin observes, but Hutta reeked. Mako laughs at her reply. "That's like saying a girl's "slimmer than a Hutt"," she retorts using her arms for emphasis, both girls laugh at the comparison. "Just a reminder, this is an Imperial world," Mako warns her new friend. "Which means rules, rules, and more rules. If we tweak with the local authorities, they could make life really hard."
"I like tweaking with authority," Atin answers with a hint of defiance and enthusiasm as they walk towards the turbolift. It only takes a couple of seconds the get to the ground floor.
"How'd I know you were going to say that?" Mako asks, shaking her head. "Come on – the Mandalorian enclave is in the Citadel. Our contact is someone named Crysta Markon." The two girls weave their way through the busy spaceport. Once outside it's dark. Like really dark, a constant, light rain falls from the sky. Purple lightning cuts across the sky, but it doesn't seem like normal lightning.
Mako comments about the time, only to discover it's always like this. Rainy and cloudy. Atin encourages her companion as they take a speeder to Kaas City. Passing over the jungle, it's teeming with wildlife. Atin smiles, considering the hunts to come. They pass over a Mandalorian camp and through an Imperial waystation. An incomplete statue stands just past the waystation.
"Wonder what's going on there?" Mako asks, watching an Imperial army transport roll towards the statue. Atin glances towards the statue but keeps her focus on guiding the speeder. "I'm sure we'll find out," she shrugs distracted. Her mind is on getting to the enclave, eager to start the Great Hunt. They enter the outskirts of the stark city. They are both enamored by the well-oiled machine that is the heart of the Empire.
"That's the Citadel," Mako says pointed to the massive building they are heading for, "That's the center of the universe, as far as the Empire is concerned." Atin snorts at the statement. Mako is right, Atin is annoyed by the arrogance of the Empire. She sets the speeder down in front of the Mandalorian Enclave. Both girls jump out of the speeder and head inside the complex.
Atin can barely contain her excitement as the girls enter the Mandalorian enclave. Mako stays close, careful to keep out of the way of the Mando's. Atin finds their contact. Crysta Markin. The datapad description does not do the woman justice. Her curvaceous figure is nothing compared to her personality. She has a rusty red Mohawk, large bronze earring that hang from each ear. Her personality glows from her person, she has a smile full of life and fire. She's engaged in a lively conversation with a Mandalorian.
"—and then I told him. "You think that's cold? You should see what I did to the Gamorrean,"" she laughs, she has a unique drawl with a slight twang. "I never saw a Rodian run so fast in my – oh. Sorry, sweetie, didn't see you there. What can I do for you?" She notices Mako and Atin. The Mandalorian excuses himself, leaving the three women.
Mako eagerly tells Crysta they are they for the Great Hunt. Crysta doesn't seem surprised by her answer. "An all-girls hunter team? Good for you," she says impressed, "How long you two been partners?"
"Feels like Mako's always been there to back me up," Atin answers honestly, but cryptically. Crysta smiles at her answer. Crysta smiles, pleased by her answer. Atin is surprised by how genuine the woman in front of her is and how honest. Both girls nod, before Crysta continues. "There's one spot open in the Great Hunt, and over three dozen hunters who got sponsorships." Mako's face falls at this information, it's another obstacle in their way to avenge Braden.
"Those other hunters can go home," Atin says with confidence and determination, "That spot it mine." Mako responds well to Atin's confidence, she straightens up even more. Crysta smiles at Atin's stubbornness. "Her name certainly fits her," Crystal thinks to herself.
"It's yours if you can get it," she encourages the two women, "Lotsa folks will be thinking the same thing, though. The Huntmaster himself will explain how we're gonna sort this out. Head into the main room and show some respect." The two girls listen carefully to Crysta's instructions, understanding they are in a world of protocol and respect. "When the Huntmaster's done talking, come on back here. I'll be handling you from here on out." The two women thank Crysta and go to the back room, joining the other hunters.
About three dozen hunters are squeezed into the room. Most of them are talking amongst themselves, ignoring the two new hunters that enter the room. A lone hunter, Q'kal, introduces himself and welcomes them.
The assistant huntmaster, Lek, eyes the new female hunter as she enters the room. "So this is the Vizla girl," he thinks to himself, "She looks like her mother." He's willing to bet she fights as well as she did. He barks at the hunters to quiet down. "The Huntmaster is about to speak. Pay attention and show some respect for once in your lives!"
"The Great Hunt is upon us!" the Wookiee roars at the group, "Many will hunt. Many will die. All will win glory and honor! Today, we have too many hunters. All must compete. Only one joins the Great Hunt." Every hunter is at attention, something it seems many of them aren't used to.
Lek tells the hunters that they'll all be taking down three bounties here on Dromund Kaas. "You expect us to hunt here?" Q'kal interrupts, "With Imperial crawling all over us? And Sith?" Some people buy into the stories that Sith are unkillable, but Atin never has. She doesn't believe anything is unkillable, she's seen the unkillable die before.
"If you're afraid to compete, the spaceport's thataway," Atin smiles, pointing towards the door. Q'kal can't help but smile at her determination and insanity. Lek chuckles, thinking to himself, "Definitely Kara's ad." He eggs on any potential rivalries. "For all you overblown, useless, no-talent cowards, we installed a handy exit door. Use it now."
Atin and Mako share a smile as at least half of the group leaves. Lek tells the remaining hunters to go back to their handler and the handlers will give them their bounties. According to Lek, anyone who takes out all their bounties will compete in the Grand Melee.
"Hunting on Dromund Kaas? That's suicide," Q'kal shakes his head, "I'm grabbing the first shuttle out of her. I suggest you do the same, friend."
"I want into the Great Hunt," Atin replies fiercely, "and this is the only way." Q'kal nods his head understandingly. Q'kal warns the girls to watch their backs. According to him, it's not the beasts that are dangerous on Dromund Kaas, it's the people.
Lek barks at the group to go back to their handlers. "That's Crysta for you new blood," Lek addresses Atin directly. The remaining hunters exit the room and make their way back to their handlers. Crysta is laughing at the group that just left the building.
"A dozen cowards just scurried out of here – probably won't stop 'til Dromund Kaas it light-years behind them," Crysta mocks, motioning with her arms for emphasis. "You understand the basics, right? Three bounties, hardest targets on Dromund Kaas. Gotta get all three to qualify for the melee."
"This is the best job in the galaxy!" Atin smiles.
"Oh, I like you," Crysta laughs, "You're even crazier than the rest of the hunters. Let's see who you first target is," she checks the datapad attached to her hip, "Whoa, this can't be right. You got enemies among the Mandalorians or something." Atin draws a sharp breath, not liking where this conversation is going.
Mako tells Crysta about Tarro Blood and what he did. Crysta's lips twist together not liking what she's heard. "I'm used to having the cards stacked against me," Atin comments with an annoyed sigh.
"I wouldn't wish this bounty on anyone," Crysta admits, "Gotta play the hand you're dealt, though." She reads the writ before continuing. Crysta tells the girls that their target is a Republic nobleman that was sold into slavery. By mistake, were her words.
"Didn't think the Republic had an aristocracy?" Atin says naïvely, she looks to Crysta for an explanation.
"Law of the galaxy," Mako cuts in, "Anywhere somebody with a fancy name can step on somebody without one, they will." Atin knows she's not wrong, she's never really been outside of Imperial or Hutt space.
"Altaca's slave group was building a big ol' statue in the jungle," Crysta refocuses the two hunters, "The slaves rebelled and took over the site. Nobody can get in there. We don't even know if he's still alive. If he is, the family will pay big." Atin pushes a few strains of hair out of her face. The Imperials would have attempted to take back the slave camp, with force. Meaning there would be plenty of dead slaves.
"Will the family pay big for a corpse?" Atin inquires, knowing there is a real chance the target was dead before she came planetside. Crysta answers they'll pay for the body, but not as much as if he was alive. Families who hire hunters to find lost loved ones usually are still willing to pay for the body for a burial. Crysta hands Atin a hologram chip with the job information. Her green eyes review the holographic information before handing to Mako.
"The slaves got themselves a tent camp near that statue they never finished," Crysta verbalizes the information on the slip. "If Altaca's still kickin', he's probably somewhere in there." The veteran hunter motions to a medium crate box. She opens it up and pulls out a wrist mounted device and a handful of cartilages.
Before letting Atin leave, Crysta gives her a new toy. "Meet your new best friend – the S86k full-gauge carbonite armor upgrade." Crytsa attaches the device to Atin's left wrist guard. Atin admires the new device. Crysta explains that it can't be used while the target is moving, but after they've been beaten they can use frozen. Atin smirks, Crysta makes it all sound so easy. Mako grabs Atin's arm and examines the freezing device. "Didn't know they made devices to freeze people," Atin comments, testing the weight.
"Carbonite ain't so much freezing as it is…" Crysta pauses mid-sentence searching for the right words, "Well, it ain't got a clue, really. Just have fun!" Crysta makes it sound like they are going to an entertainment planet for a weekend, instead of hunting the deadliest targets this planet has to offer. Crysta tells them to hurry up and claim that first bounty and hightail it back to the enclave.
Notes:
Ad- Son, Daughter, Child [Mando'a]
