Disclaimer: I do not own star wars or any of its character and while plot points are from various RPG games I take no credit for their origins only of their application in the story therein. This a labor of love and not for profit though if Disney or Lucas Arts would like to hire my creative brain I'd be more than happy to drop everything and come running.

Episode 4: Mandalorian Captain

Chapter 24: Off the Beaten Path

The Orange Lady:

Nothing appeared amiss outside on the trash-strewn street. Aside from some recently damaged projectors, broken windows and a speeder still on fire, in Gaegan's mind, it could've been an average day on Nar Shaddaa.

However, the Interior of the Orange Lady was another story.

The floor was carpeted with shattered glass and the remains of broken furniture. The shelves behind the bar, that had once held containers of beverages, were missing, amidst a body-sized impact crater. In fact, the only things that didn't seem busted were the three holoscreens. Normally reserved for live feeds of sporting events, with the departure of the sports crowd, now ran various holo-news threads.

The moment the doors opened a few heads, both human and alien, turned to glare at the latest intrusion upon their drinking. Threatening looks immediately melted into nervous gulps as they took the full measure of the trio.

Gaegan stepped deeper into the tavern flanked by Daxos and Thalen, two of his most loyal warriors. Fully armored, armed, and silhouetted by exterior lighting, the new arrivals cut an intimidating profile. What few loyal patrons remained amidst the destruction beat a hasty retreat at the sight of the new arrivals.

The Aqualish bartender grumbled in obvious aggravation at watching the last of his paying customers disappear. He turned on the three Mandalorians not caring in the slightest of the amount armaments they were wielding. In fact, upon seeing their helmets and armor his eyes narrowed in recognition and his anger doubled.

They were in the right place then. Their shuttle had docked minutes prior to find Jarek's ship had already departed. Though peeved at just barely missing his target, Gaegan remained undaunted. A dockworker that had done maintenance on the Outcast had been kind enough to point Gaegan in the direction of the Orange Lady, which he knew the crew had visited.

"Not more of you," growled the Aqualish, hands curling into fists. The bartender's attitude more than confirmed that not only had Jarek been there but were in some way responsible for the damages.

"Looks like a herd of Tramplers came through," Daxos murmured, amused. The underlying respect in his voice irritated Gaegan but he made no comment.

The bartender stared even harder at the three of them. "Weren't no Tramplers! It was a damn Mandalorian and his crew what tore up my bar!" He waved at the destruction adding, "Picked a fight with the Red Pact of all people!"

Gaegan looked aside at Thalen. She was the expert on most things concerning Hutt Space, having spent most of her time since her own Verd'Goten in the region. On a secure comm line, she said, "A mercenary/bounty hunter group lead by a Barabel named Graayl Nor. Small-time but effective. Their activities were limited to Nal Hutta and Nar Shaddaa."

Nodding in receipt of the information, Gaegan turned back towards the bartender. By then the three Watchers had come to stand directly in front of the bar. While Gaegan faced the Aqualish, Daxos and Thalen faced outward as lookouts in case anyone was foolish enough to attack them.

The young man stared at the Aqualish for a moment, allowing the animosity of his black visor to play in the bartender's nerves. When the sentient gulped and looked away Gaegan posed his question. "You know where they are?"

"No, I don't," he declared almost immediately. For his part, the Aqualish wasn't lying to them. He may have been angry but wasn't stupid enough to lie in the face of three armed warriors. That did little to assuage Gaegan's already short temper. Glancing sideways at Daxos, the larger of the three Mandalorian's, he nodded.

Turning, Daxos reached across the bar and gripped the Aqualish by the front of his tunic. The Mandalorian practically hauled him bodily over the scarred countertop. "Wait! Wait!" he blubbered even as Daxos started drawing back a fist. "I don't know where they are," he hastily added while simultaneously shielding his face, "but I do know where they are going!"

At this latest bit of information, Gaegan made a gesture and Daxos paused mid-swing. At another gesture, Daxos released the Aqualish. Waiting until the bartender had righted himself, Gaegan asked, "And how do you know this?"

"Before the fight," the Aqualish grumbled obviously upset and being manhandled, "the crew was hired by an old smuggler, named Jacek. To go after some lost Hutt Treasure hoard." He gestured out at his destroyed bar once again, "The Red Pact wanted the job too." 'Hence the ensuing brawl,' his tone implied.

"And how do we know you're telling the truth," Daxos demanded.

"Because," he stated, straightening his clothes and trying to compose himself, "that old cuss has been in my bar every night for the last several rotations talking mine and every other spacer's ear off about his 'big treasure'." The Aqualish scoffed at the memory. "He begged any crew he could get close to for a ride. Sometimes after he got too deep in his cups he'd spout off his plans."

"Where are they going?" Gaegan shouted.

The Aqualish recoiled in fear and gulped nervously before finally answering, "The Pearl."

On board the Outcast:

The Dead Road! Era couldn't believe they were actually traveling on the Dead Road! A hidden hyperroute so mystified and obscure that it was barely hinted at in Vlaso's 'Guide to Hutt Space.' Even then it had been summarily dismissed as a tall tale. No archeological or recorded information could confirm the existence of any vast Hutt treasure horde. Vortga had been very thorough in erasing any evidence of his wealth's existence, and yet she held the proof in her hand.

Any attempt at remaining skeptical about the whole mission had completely evaporated upon seeing the Erla Tomvass. It was all she could do to remain calm while she examined the artifact. Once they'd returned to the ship Era had run every conceivable test to determine its authenticity, under Jacek's close supervision of course. Her giddiness was nearly overwhelming as every result came back positive. The Evidence was conclusive.

"This is the actual Erla Tomvass!" she sighed in relief. She tapped the warm glass again. The soft melody filled the Med-Bay just as it did in the alley. It was so hauntingly beautiful it made the hairs on the back of her neck rise.

As the music echoed around them, Jacek looked as if tears of joy threatened to spill. He managed to pass it off as a slight cough before retaking the shard. "I had my doubts at first too," he said, wrapping the shard back up in its protective cloth.

Next to it sat the map and Hutt statuette. Era had examined them as well, but other than proving the statuette dated just a few hundred years old she couldn't make heads or tails of it. It was a simple enough figurine who's only defining quality was the series of glyphs adorning its underside. She knew they had to be the coordinates they needed to safely traverse the Dead Road, but for the life of her, she couldn't decipher them. They matched nothing in the Huttese language, ancient or modern. No amount of substitution algorithms or cyphers she ran could help her discern their meaning.

When questioned about them the old man just shrugged and repeated what he'd said earlier. "I know someone who can." When pressed for details on his contact Jacek shook his head reaffirming his stance that he needed some assurance that they wouldn't turn on him.

Slick, who remained in the Med-bay for security purposes, suggested they could just beat the information out of him. He'd been joking of course, but Jacek was a step ahead. He'd already told his Contact that if the statuette and map weren't delivered by the old smuggler, to not reveal himself. Era had to admit it was a clever precaution, though it was unnecessary given her crewmates honorable tendencies.

What she was able to determine from Jacek's map was that the coordinates were close, galactically speaking, to their destination, but not exact. They only referenced landmarks along the hyperspace route, but not a precise destination. Even when Madlyn input what data they had, she discovered the endpoint could be in any number of systems on possibly dozens of planets or moons.

Jumping to hyperspace on the Dead Road was already perilous affair, but without the final coordinates, there was no telling where they would end up. After all the Dead Road earned its name for the number of ships lost along the Route. Gravity fluctuations in spatial disturbances are common, and Madlyn deduced the Nav-computer would need constant recalibration throughout the trip.

In short, they needed the final coordinates translated or the trip would be over before it began.

With the Erla wrapped up and secured in his pocket, Jacek groaned and gripped the table for support. Era moved to assist him, but the old man waved her away. Rubbing his eyes he said, "Just tired from all the excitement." He looked around at the ship and smiled adding, "It's still hard to believe I'm actually going to Pybus."

Up close Era noticed the lines in his skin, the bags under his eyes, and how thin his hair looked. There were also signs of alcohol abuse and evidence of a brief spice addiction. Life had not been kind to the old spacer.

"How long," Era asked tactfully, "have you been after Vortga's Wealth?"

Jacek flexed his weathered and scarred hand before saying, "long enough it cost me my wife, my savings, and my health." Noticing her look of pained empathy he offered up a wry smile before adding, "You give up a few things chasing dreams."

The young woman could understand the thought. She'd given up plenty in her pursuit of archeology. She'd given up time, and energy that had cost her relationships and friendships. Then she'd given up on University in favor of honest work, and it had cost her the respect of her colleges and professors. Worse it had cost her the respect of her father.

"Was it worth it?" Era said in a soft voice unsure if she were asking Jacek or herself.

The old man sighed and looked around at the ship again, but without actually seeing it. His mind seemed distant for a moment before he managed an answer, "I'm hoping it is, my dear," He swallowed a lump in his throat, sounding almost desperate in his hope, "I most certainly do."

Era gave him a soft sympathetic smile. He was a man chasing a myth and it had cost him so much that Era hoped, for his sake, that what they found on Pybus would ease some of his pain. And maybe, just maybe it would ease hers as well. "Let's head to the galley and get some food," she offered gesturing toward the hatchway, "Seems like you could use a decent meal." Jacek, relieved and grateful at the change of subject, nodded.

"They're travel rations," Slick scoffed, following after them. He added in a slightly genial tone, "Not sure if that would ever qualify as a decent meal, but it'll fill you up."

Jarek watched as Era and Slick escorted their passenger out of the med-bay and towards the front of the ship. The archeologist and smuggler were speaking amicably. While the Pantoran looked bored out of his mind. Jarek knew that sitting through all the lab work had to have been mind-numbing. He'd nearly fallen asleep when Era had just explained what she was planning to do.

The moment they stepped out of sight he turned back towards Gare who was going through a series of callisthenic exercises. Tersen stood off to the side looking at a data-pad reading off the information as it measured Gare's biomechanical stats. The Gank had recovered well enough that he had regained near full range of mobility with minimal amounts of pain.

"The bacta certainly did the trick," the Lannik commented as his patient started in on some aerobic exercises.

"Bacta...Your...tech...expertise," Gare replied timing his words with each push-up he executed, "As...much...as...Era's...medical...knowledge." He did one more and stood stretching his chest before laying down and going into some unassisted sit-ups.

"Flattery will get you those enhancements you wanted," Tersen teased.

Gare finished and stood. Looking sideways at his friend, he smiled. "Promises, promises," he joked

Jarek was glad to see the Gank back in good form. It had been difficult seeing him lying out in the med-bay, oblivious to the world around him. He'd nearly given his life for the crew. As reckless as that decision had been, it had touched Jarek's heart. Not too many sentients were willing to lay down their lives for others, and Gare had proven he'd be willing to do that time and again. In a way, Jarek almost felt guilty at the Gank's selflessness. He wasn't used to others fighting his battles.

"Captain?"

Jarek jerked in surprise. He realized, with no small amount of embarrassment, that his mind had wandered to the point he hadn't heard a single word Gare had spoken. "Sorry," he ground out, making a show of rubbing his eyes before adding, "Too much excitement is such a short time, the mind wanders." Gare and Tersen both nodded, out of both sympathy, and understanding. "You were saying?"

"What do you make of our passenger?" Gare repeated.

Jarek replied as honestly as he could, "He believes that the treasure is real. Era verified the artifacts were authentic." Shrugging he added, "It's down to this contact of his being able to decipher the final coordinates-"

"-And then we all go to this Pybus place," Tersen interrupted with a liberal amount of sarcasm, "And all get insanely rich on Vortga's lost treasure horde."

The Gank scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "You know it's never that simple." Gare shook his head looking just as skeptic as Jarek felt, but Era believed it was real and worth the risk. Whatever he personally felt, Jarek trusted her and so they were off to the next point in their little treasure hunt.

Jarek sighed turning to join Era and the others. Before leaving Gare and Tersen to finish physical therapy he added, "No, my friend, it never is."

Known as The Garden of the Hutts, the Bootana Hutta is a section of Hutt Space encompassing twenty-one worlds. According to Slick and Gare, the subsector was not directly affiliated with Hutt space proper, and the world's there do not directly answer to the ruling Council. Era explained that the planets of the Bootana Hutta are, or were, Throne worlds of many important (and formally important) Hutt families. Tales of great treasure, like that of Vortga's, are common when discussing the Bootana Hutta.

From the Lush swamps of Kor Basadii to the bustling industrial world of Saki all manner of planets can be found on the Bootana Hutta. Some worlds like Nar Chunna were primarily trading outpost reportedly all the types of priceless artifacts can be found in these outposts. Others, like Pybus, are considered taboo by the Hutts and avoided for unknown reasons.

The Pabol Hutta Hyperspace Route transects the region serving as the only viable hyperspace route through the area. Those traveling from Nal Hutta into the region must cross the Gos Hutta system before entering Bootana Hutta. This system contains three verdant worlds and a number of orbiting space stations.

Hutt warships are a common sight in Gos Hutta advising those who have no business there, such as the crew of the Outcast, to make their stay a short one. After a quick recalculation of the hyperspace coordinates Madlyn jumped to the next point on the Dead Road; The Pearl.

Drifting alone in a forgotten corner of the Bootana Hutta is the Pearl. A functional but nearly derelict space station it was located in the outer reaches of the Elgit system far from any planet. Since the Elgit system is an intersection between the Dead Road and the Bootana Hutta it is a prime location for trading.

Once docked, Jarek had Madlyn and Slick stay back with the ship, noting an incredible lack of security on the station. Jacek had assured them the Outcast would be fine, but the Mandalorian didn't want to take any chances. At the very least Slick and Maddy would supervise the refueling of the ship before going off on their own. Gare would accompany them to meet Jacek's contact, though Era had insisted he needed to take it easy.

"Nothing easier than a walk through a space station," the Gank stated by way of excuse before joining them. Era sighed in exasperation at her stubborn patient but made no further comment. It was hard to tell who was more eager to decipher the final coordinates; her or Jacek.

The station for its part looked worse on the outside then it did on the inside. Its apparently small crew was supplemented by a small army of droids which took care of most of the cleaning and maintenance. It wasn't the Wheel or Kwenn Station by any stretch, but Jarek had to admit it was a sight better than the Nal Hutta and Nar Shaddaa spaceports. Jacek acted almost like a tour guide as he leads them down a largely crowded fairway lined with shops. It was obvious he'd been there before.

"The Pearl is owned and operated by a Sakiyan named Harke." He pointed out that the Pearl has accommodations as well as numerous supplies and facilities available for travelers though he warned them they were priced at a premium. Harke also employs a small number of individuals who can assist with repairs, medical issues, and other needs. "Long ago Harke left the politics and backstabbing of Hutt space to live in this secluded corner of the Bootana Hutta." Ducking around a knot of merchants, Jacek leads the crew deeper into the station towards a rather large maintenance store. "Here," he gestured to the store, "he tinkers on old droids and other Tech while maintaining this Trading Post for those travelers inside the Hutta."

"And why are you telling us all this?" asked Tersen a little breathless having to practically sprint to keep up with the excited old man. Gare had offered to carry the Lannik. Tersen countered by offering to remove a part of his anatomy in his sleep. The Gank allowed his friend to continue walking though insisted that Jacek slow the pace.

"Because, my little friend," Jacek replied excitedly, standing at the door of the shop, "Harke is who we're here to meet."

Before entering Harke's maintenance store, Jarek had expected to see something similar to Vorne's junk shop back in Mos Shuuta, but on a grander scale. Half assembled or partially disassembled droids and speeder components scattered on any horizontal surface in no real order. Harke's store couldn't have been more different. The store, like the rest of the station, looked well used but just as well maintained. There were shelves upon shelves of parts alright, but they were organized by size, type, and model. The only things halfway through disassembly rested on a long workbench that dominated a whole length of a wall. Behind the counter and working on what could've been a swoop-bike chassis, was a middle-aged human male.

Jacek walked up to the man and cleared his through gaining his attention. "I'm here to see Harke."

"Who's asking?" the man demanded bluntly, wiping his hands on a cloth.

"Tell'em Jacek Dolana is here," the old man replied not in the least put out by the man gruffness.

Rather than go fetch Harke or contact via a comm-link, the human looked over his shoulder and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Harke! Gotta Jacek Dolana here to see you!"

There was the sound of tools and parts crashing before a figure hurried out of a back room. He stood close to Jarek's height but there ended the similarities. The man had an enlarged bifurcated cranium, lacked any hair, and possessed short pointed ears. His skin was highly reflective like burnished metal and was a dark grey color.

The Sakiyan smiled broadly and boomed out in a voice that belayed his slight frame, "You lecherous old hump, you finally made it back." Harke, Jarek had to presume and Jacek smiled at the new arrival in obvious familiarity.

Jacek laughed and the two gripped forearms and pounded each other on the back. The boisterous exchange surprised the crew at first. Jacek, while being a bit eccentric, had been a relatively quiet person. How he'd transformed into a much warmer and happier person. For Jarek, it was a brief glimpse at who the man had been before he began his hunt for the Treasure.

When the pair of old friends finally stepped away from one another Jacek replied, "I told you I'd get here soon as I hired a crew, ya Pointy-eared git." With that, he gestures to Jarek and the others and began making introductions. "Harke this is Era Oldessi, ship doctor and archeologist," she smiled pleasantly. "Tersen Aboleth, ship engineer," the Lannik waved halfheartedly as he perused the shelves, "And Gare, the...um..." Jacek trailed off exactly unsure what the Gank's job was and too embarrassed to make an assumption.

"Public Relations," the former enforcer answered making Tersen and Era snort with laughter.

The old man looked confused, the joke apparently going right over his oblivious head, and so finished his introductions. "And of course Captain Jarek, of the Outcast," Jarek nodded by way of greeting but was very impressed the old man had remembered names and deduced their roles on the ship in very short order.

On short acquaintance, Jarek found the Sakiyan aloof, but amusing. However, the moment his gaze took in the crew of the Outcast the warm smile melted into a grimace. "I'll tell you what I told this soft-headed fool," he said in a grave tone, "I would stay away from that cursed place, my friends." Stepping away from Jacek, Harke squared up to Jarek. The Mandalorian felt Gare shift slightly into a defensive stance but calmed the Gank with a slight shake of his head. The Sakiyan looked each member of the crew up and down as he spoke, "Hutts are spiteful avaricious creatures. Even in death, they guard their Treasures; those who go there are likely never to return."

Tersen, who had been previously occupied by the rows of droid parts, finally chimed into the conversation. "We can handle a few ghost stories," he said condescendingly, making Era wince at his impertinence.

Harke looked down hard at the Lannik, who Gare instinctively stepped protectively in front of. "Pybus is home too far more than traps though," he turned back to address the rest of the crew. "The Hutts have given that planet a wide berth for thousands of years," he eyes darted back to the technician, "It is said the dead do not rest easy on Pybus..."

To his credit, Tersen had the decency to look a little alarmed at Harke's ominous words. To Jarek, it didn't sound like Harke was trying to scare them off, but rather offer up a fair warning. Much to his amusement and utter allurement Era seemed more fascinated than scared. "Mandokarla, indeed," he thought.

"I understand you might be able to decipher some glyphs we discovered?" she suggested and Jacek reinforced the notion by revealing the statuette and map.

Harke's gaze warmed at the sight of the Mirialin. Taking the statuette his eyes immediately lit up with his original amusement. "You certainly came to the right Sentient," he replied smoothly. Turning over the miniature Hutt Harke began his examination.