Everything was still dark and deathly silent when he came to. He groaned, sitting up, immediately clutching his head. He looked up, scrambling to his feet as he remembered what had happened. Kayda was gone and the datastick with her. She had hypo'd him. How she knew the correct amount to knock his kind out only proved further that they had greatly underestimated her skills. A mistake he wouldn't make again.
He clutched his head again as it ached viciously.
Damn.
He shook the dizziness from his head and rushed out the door, running down the street as fast as he could. He only hoped he wasn't too late but the sinking feeling in his stomach told him otherwise.
When he approached the docking bay, the suspicion had proven right. Her ship was gone.
He kicked at the ground with a roar of frustration before falling to his knees, his head pounding furiously in retaliation.
She had gotten away.
"Kayda, you idiot."
/ - / - / - /
She poked at her nose, wincing in pain. Damn Zabrak always having to headbutt people...well at least it stopped bleeding.
But her ribs?
That was another story.
He had cracked three of her ribs...with one hit. That meant that he had been holding back on her during their spar. Now...now they both knew not to underestimate the other. If they ever crossed paths again.
Her eyes drifted over to the console next to her, landing on the datastick.
She sighed heavily.
All that trouble over such a little thing. but this was no mere trinket, it held so much more than just bounties to her. It was an opportunity to really prove herself. Too long had she been passed over because she was either too frail looking or not been in the guild long enough. No more. She was done being frustrated over not being able to flex her hard-earned skills.
She hadn't trained since childhood just to sit in the corner and watch others be given the job instead.
If this was how she had to prove her worth than so be it.
Do that which you fear most, and you will find the courage you seek.
She would use her fear and become just as ruthless as Fett. No holds barred. Not anymore.
These bounties were hers.
Speaking of which...
Kayda picked it up and connected it to her computer system opening the first file.
'No time to waste.'
"Alright who's first on the list?"
"Hmm, a Dammik Martwill...compulsive Sabaac gambler with a known penchant for cheating other players out of rather large sums of credits. Killed the last player to accuse him of it. Okay, so not only a cheat but a murderer too. Why did Fett take on your bounty though?"
She scrolled up.
"Oh, that's why. So Dammik, you managed to cheat a well to do member of the Black Sun? No wonder they want you...alive...oof...bad news for you. You won't be alive for much longer after they get a hold of you. Now where were you last seen?"
She studied the file some more and winced. Bastasi.
"Oh this just gets better and better. Beet, prepare a hyperspace jump."
The little droid replied with a series of beeps and she leaned back in her seat.
"Coruscant. Apparently this Dammik is hiding in the underground. Have my 'credentials' set up before we get there, okay? The usual. I'm going to get some sleep."
Beet whistled.
"Yeah, yeah, good night."
/ - / - / - /
The next day saw Karga searching for Kay and unable to find her he went to the person who would know.
Voru.
"Voru, where's Kayda?"
The Zabrak male didn't reply, he just stood there nursing his drink. He was sporting bruises and a small cut above his right brow ridge. His two-toned skin was slightly paler, making the tattoos stand out even more.
"What in the nine hells happened to you?"
"Fight."
Karga leaned onto the counter beside him, "Fight? With who?"
"Kayda."
"What?"
Voru threw his glass and it shattered against the wall as he stood angrily. "Follow me. There's something you need to know."
"Okay?" He followed Voru into a side room. The normal room they used to discuss more delicate details on bounties.
The door slide behind them and Voru made sure it was locked.
"Now, what I am about to tell you doesn't leave this room. I mean it Karga."
"Why all the secrecy Voru? You didn't kill Kayda did you?"
The Zabrak male shot him a withering look and he raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Sorry, bad joke. What do you need to tell me?"
"Kayda...she...she went after the Fett bounties."
Greef couldn't speak for a few minutes, just openly gaping at him before he exploded, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him in disbelief.
"WHAT?! She...What ones?"
"All of them."
"How?"
Voru motioned to his face, "That's how all this happened. I caught her copying the bounty files to a datastick and we fought, fist to fist. She's far more skilled than we had originally thought. I nearly broke her nose when I headbutted her in the face and fractured three of her ribs, but she still kept coming at me. She ended up hypoing me, Greef. She knew the exact amount to knock my kind out. Very few greenies know that info."
Greef sat down hard, his head dropping into his hands. "Stupid girl's going to get herself killed. The first three bounties...she might end up managing...but the last three? She's going to get torn apart. And if she does manage to pull it off? Not every bounty was from this guild, Voru. Every hunter that had been promised those bounties will be gunning for her head."
"What do we do?"
"I doubt there's anything we can do. Except maybe pray that she comes to her senses."
Voru growled, punching the wall behind him and leaving a fist-sized hole. "Knowing Kayda? Not likely. She's dead set on this."
"Why?"
"Why do you think? She was always pushing for bigger bounties and both of us kept her from them. She's wanting to prove us all wrong."
"Pride goeth before the fall. Do you know who the first bounty is?"
"Dammik Martwill. Last seen in the Coruscant underground."
Karga rubbed his chin in thought, "I have an idea. Completely unorthodox but it just might work."
Voru's head fell back in annoyance, "Why do I have the horrible suspicion that this idea is going to get us both killed?"
"Your travel pass is still valid right?"
"No. I'm not doing it."
"You want her to have a chance, right?"
"I hate you."
"You leave first thing tomorrow morning."
"What about you?"
Karga stood, chuckling and smacked his shoulder. "I'm going to do some research into the other bounties. Anything to give her an edge."
"What if the guild finds out?"
"Well, then we're all dead."
Voru cursed under his breath in Zabraki.
/ - / - / - /
Beet whistled sharply, waking her up and she groaned in pain as the ship's shaking jostled her ribs. She clutched them gently, as she awkwardly maneuvered out of her bunk. Tugging her tunic off she grabbed at the medkit, yanking it open to gain access to the large bandage roll inside.
"How far out are we, Beet?"
The bot answered with a whine and a warble.
"Okay, make sure to transmit the travel pass at the right time okay?" She was quick in wrapping her ribs, hissing when she tugged at it tightly. It was painful but she needed to make sure her ribs were properly supported so they could heal correctly.
Her normal attire would be okay, but the way she usually carried her sword wasn't going to cut it. Her sword was Beskar...far too valuable to just wave around on Coruscant. She didn't want to catch unwanted attention so she had an alternate method of carrying it. Her hands felt under her bunk and finding what she wanted, pulled it free. It was a long cylindrical box that looked like what a cartographer would carry maps in but the real nifty trick was how when it was scanned...it didn't show a sword...it actually did show maps. It was a smuggler trick that an old friend taught her. She had never been more appreciative than in that moment.
Everyone entering and exiting Coruscant were scanned for weapons so she couldn't openly carry her blaster pistol or her knives. It was going to be the only weapon she could take in. Which made an already tough job even harder.
She pulled a fresh shirt on, tucking it into her pants before gingerly pulling her jacket on. Her holster sat on her bed almost mocking in its stillness but she paid it no mind. She had the only weapons she really needed...her sword and herself.
"Unidentified ship, come in."
She flipped the communicator on,
"This is Captain Vaya Tylos of the Clarity."
"State your business in Coruscant space."
"Refuel and resupply. I am also needing a few repairs."
"How long?"
"Three days at most."
"Transmit your credentials and travel pass."
"Will do." She motioned to Beet and she warbled, transmitting the info.
"Alright, everything checks out. Welcome to Coruscant, Captain Tylos. You'll have docking bay 19-4."
"Thank you kindly. Over and out."
"Over and out."
Kayda leaned back into her seat, "Well easy part over, Beet. Now the real fun begins. You have a refresher program on Sabaac, right?"
A sad sounding whine filled the air.
"Oh come on. I at least know the basics! And you've known me for years...I've never been good with numbers."
Another whine echoed around them this time followed by a series of beeps and Kayda groaned.
"Hey! I didn't ask for your opinion, okay? Just...just pull the program up. I don't have much time left."
She only hoped luck was on her side this time. She really needed it.
/ - / - / - /
He was furious. Not just at himself but at her...making him come all this way. He hated going to Coruscant...too much noise and not enough fresh air. And Zabrak weren't particularly welcome on most planets due their usually aggressive nature. Oh he did have a temper but he also knew how to control it well enough to not get thrown in jail but he had a creeping suspicion that wasn't going to matter this trip. He would stay in the shadows, watch her carefully and only step in if she needed it and he hoped that she wouldn't. But the bounty hunter sent after Dammik was going to be an additional problem.
He also hoped that her luck would hold out...
She was terrible at cards.
"Unidentified shuttlecraft, reply."
"This is the Ka'lee Chimera, requesting to land."
"State your business."
"Repairs."
"Transmit your travel credentials."
He pressed a few buttons on the chip console, "Transmitting now."
It was the space of a heartbeat later that they replied.
"Alright, everything checks out. Welcome to Corsucant."
He gritted his teeth. "Thanks."
/ - / - / - /
When Kayda stepped off her ship, she scanned the docking bay, noting the man approaching her with a toolbox.
She grinned at him.
"Hi."
He nodded back, "Heard you needed repairs?"
She patted his shoulder, taking his hand to discreetly slip a few extra credits. When he noticed what she had done, she winked.
"Let's just say the repairs took a little extra time, huh?"
He chuckled, "How much time you need?"
She whispered under her breath. "Two extra."
He raised his voice when another worker got too close. "I've heard that this ship model tends to get a little temperamental with age. It could take a little longer for the repairs."
"Doesn't matter how long you need...just get it done."
"On it, ma'am."
"Beet, where's the nearest taxi?"
The little droid took off leading her on a straight path for the transports. She shook her head at how comfortable her little droid was here. I suppose it helped when the city planet had droids on nearly every corner.
She watched speeders fly away and land. The rapid back and forth...coming and going was sending her head spinning. All of this hustle and bustle, the enormous amount of people converging day to day...she hated it. Hated the constant sound of screaming engines fading in and out of her ears and the cloying scent of oil and coolant smothering her nose, pressing down into her lungs...it felt like the world was closing in on her. It was choking...that feeling of not having space, like being squeezed into a little box and put right in the middle of a giant room with wide open windows and then told you couldn't leave said box.
She stilled, taking a deep breath, holding it in for a moment before letting it out slowly. This was not the time to have a panic attack.
The transport droid stationed at the air taxi dock was polite as they approached. "Public transport is only for certified routes. What is your preferred destination?"
"Uscru Entertainment District. Lower sector."
"Destination ceritifed. That will be ten credits."
She paid the droid and it bowed its head.
"Have an enjoyable flight."
It was a nerve-wracking flight instead as she flinched every time she thought they were going to collide with another air speeder. She should have paid extra to rent a speeder for herself. Less chance of heart attacks that way.
Her heart was racing, beating a wild rhythm against her fractured ribs, making her a little light headed when they finally arrived. Beet beeped at her cheekily, to which she replied with a flick of a finger against its head.
"Enough of that, you. Now where's the Outlander Club?"
/ - / - / - /
Voru found her ship first but she was nowhere to be found. But that was to be expected...she had a full day's lead over him after all. That meant she was already moving towards the Outlander Club.
Damn.
He tugged the hood up over his head more securely as he approached a dock-worker. He flipped a coin at them, growling low as he passed them.
"No one touches the ship."
"Yes sir."
He shoved his hands in his pants pockets, merging into the crowd of passengers as they murmured low amongst themselves.
Most of them were Zabrak. Iridonian from the looks of them. One dark grey male with curving tattoos across his cheeks turned to look at him and nodded, noticing the markings on his face.
"Oen'mai'ul."
He sighed, nodding back respectfully, "Oen'mai'ulen."
That was enough to placate the other male and he turned back to the others, taking the hand of a small boy, who sent a tiny wave his way.
Voru smiled back, the little boy looked to be no older than six, maybe seven. To be as young and carefree as a child...so naively trusting of strangers.
He grimaced. The boy would learn quite quickly if they were to stay on Coruscant. The only good friend for a Zabrak here was another Zabrak and even then you had to watch your back. If there was one thing he learned growing up here...you can only trust your clan...trust your family.
He shook himself from his thoughts. He came here for a reason and reminiscing about the past wasn't it.
Keep Kayda from getting herself killed, hopefully without her seeing him. If the guild found out he was helping her after she had stolen the info from the guild...they would all be on the block.
Getting the bounties would be left to her but they still had one tiny problem...the bounty hunters assigned to each fob. They wouldn't let their payouts be taken from them without a fight.
And the hunter in charge of the Dammik Martwill bounty?
A Falleen hunter named Thrunn Lithral. A quick mind and quicker shot.
His mind was already churning with a plan as he approached the air taxis.
"Destination?"
"Uscru Entertainment District. Lower sector."
"Destination verified. Have a safe flight."
He rolled his eyes, sliding into the backseat, strapping in and holding onto the door handle. Yeah, he knew better.
The taxi pulled away and immediately dove down towards the stream of air speeders below. Whispering a quick prayer, he made a personal note to thank Karga for sending him back here...with a well-placed fist in his face.
/ - / - / - /
The club was easy enough to find and flashing her credit chip to the bouncer she was let in. She whistled a happy little tune as she sauntered through the throng of exuberant people in bright, metallic clothing. They were yelling, bouncing up and down as they watched the most recent podrace. Some yelled in victory while some yelled in anger...losing their bets.
The next large screen showed a couple gravball games but she shrugged it off. It was not the game she was looking for.
Her eyes scanned the room and finally fell on the sign she wanted.
Sabaac.
If Dammik was last seen on Coruscant...this is where he would have come and she would bet everything that he was still here.
She cut across to the bar and signaled the barkeep.
The cyborg man tipped his head, cleaning a glass as he spoke. "What can I get ya?"
"Whiskey, no ice."
"Right away."
She leaned back against the counter, eyes seemingly watching the hustle and bustle around her but she was watching the door to the Sabaac lounge...waiting for her moment.
The clink of glass against the lacquered surface next to her elbow broke her focus and she turned, lifting the glass to her lips.
"So what's the starting bet for Sabaac?" She took a sip, allowing the bartender time to think.
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Its one hundred credits but it tends to go up the later it gets. If you want a seat, I'd advise against it. A player showed up five nights ago and has only lost two games."
She arched a brow at him, taking another sip of her whiskey.
She set the glass down in front of her and leaned forward. "You wouldn't by any chance know this player's name, would you? So I know who to watch out for?"
He chuckled, "I think his name's Martwill. Yeah, thats it. Dammik Martwill."
She grinned, slapping down extra credits.
"Thanks, friend. Keep the change."
He nodded, matching her grin with one of his own. "Thank you kindly! I wish you the best of luck."
"More luck never hurts."
Kayda waved her goodbye, stepping away and moving towards the lounge door.
It was time to meet this Martwill.
The bouncer stopped her, "Only players past this point."
She lifted her credit chip, "Then you're in luck. I'm in the mood to win tonight."
He nodded, stepping to the side and letting her in.
The air was stuffy and smoky with the acrid vapor of deathsticks and spice. This was the serpents den. The playground of thieves, murderers and smugglers. This was where she thrived on people's underestimation of her size, gender and intelligence.
She planned on it causing them to slack off, hopefully enough to let down their guard.
Voices near the back of the room raised in angry yells of disbelief and she slowly sauntered over, noting that a game had just ended.
Perfect.
She stopped a foot from the table, placing a hand on her hip with a coy smile. "Can a gal get a buy in?"
The man pulling the pile of credits and trinkets towards himself stilled, locking eyes with her. She noted how his eyes widened then turned heated as they traced her curves. She inwardly rolled her eyes.
So Martwill was a pig too. Lovely.
He grinned at her, patting his lap. "Honey, you don't have to play. You can saunter over this way and sit right here."
"Oh, I think I'd enjoy Sabaac more."
The man visibly bristled, huffing at her reply before waving her to the empty seat across from him.
She shrugged the case off, hooking it over the back of her chair, making sure to put the top pointing to the left before leaning back and propping her feet on the table. She waved her hand across the table with a cheeky grin.
"Well, you gonna deal me in, 'honey?'"