Chapter 3- Happy Hunting
Atton stepped down off of the shuttle, staring fondly around the landing pad. The so called "beauty" of Dxun, or even the Telos restoration zones, couldn't compare to this corrupt metropolis.
"Hey, you, you there!"
Atton tuned towards the landing pads entrance, the only way off, save a deadly, god knows how far, fall, to see a…he couldn't think what that particular species was called right now. The flying bug thingies.
"Yes?" Atton greeted, as politely as possible
"What you think you doing?" he asked "I got another ship coming in! You can't land there"
"Another ship?"
Damn, Didn't think of that
"The Ebon Hawk's due in one hour!" he spat "If you don't move right now-"
"The Ebon Hawk?" Atton interrupted
I beat her here!
"Yeah, the Ebon-"
"Listen" he told the creature "I have to go NOW, I don't have time. Sell the ship to cover the fee okay?" he added "Just make sure you leave it a day or something, give the Hawk some trouble"
"Kid, You're letting me sell a Mandalorian shuttle, I'll gladly sabotage it if you want"
Atton beamed "Thanks"
With that, he took off towards Nar Shadda's life to find the Jedi
Meanwhile in the Dock sector, a bounty hunter was accepting a call that sounded important. It was from the Sojurn. Ship of the commander of the republic fleet, Admiral Onassi.
"Is this Mira?" the admiral asked, scratching his chin
Mira smiled "It could well be, providing this actually IS admiral Carth Onassi?"
The admiral smiled "I assure you it is me, and I know it is you"
"Why did you contact me?" she asked, cutting right to the chase
"Your reputation exceeds you" he complimented "We are in need of…now a bounty hunter, per se, but…..we need you to protect someone"
An alarm went off inside the redheaded hunter "I'm already watching the Jedi Exile, if that's-"
"No" he assured her "We understand you have been approached to protect her, we need you to keep one of her ex companion's safe, f-"
"From HER?"
"We understand this may conflict your other contract, but we merely wish him protected until we can pick him up from the smugglers moon, Could you help us?"
Mira considered "What's the contract worth for me?"
The admiral paused, and turned to ask something of a woman standing in the room. She nodded.
"We will pay you 3000 credits for your trouble" he offered
Mira leaned forward, and tensed "The hell? I thought the republic was tight on credits as the moment. Why are you spending so much on a bounty hunter?"
The admiral considered "Okay then, if you've got 20 minutes, I'll explain…."
"A hit of Juma" Atton told the bartender bitterly "And keep 'em coming"
He had arrived on Nar Shadaa over an hour ago, and still no luck.
Seriously, how hard can it be to find a goddamn Jedi?
What's more, he had close to no money. Rehla had handled the group's credits before. He supposed Booze probably wasn't the best thing to be spending money on, but hey, what the hell.
The Bartender handed him his drink "So what brings you to this damned moon?"
Atton looked at him quizzically
"Hey, I'm supposed to make conversation, right?"
Atton laughed "Hey, you know any Pazzak players here? I need money fast" he added "I'm a great player"
The man shook his head "That's what they all say. Go outside and head across the hall. The passwords Holdout"
Atton thanked him and paid for his drink
10 minutes later Atton sat in a game with Geraldi, one of the best players on Nar Shadda. Atton had to admit he deserved that title. They were tied with two wins each, and Atton had only one side deck card left, whereas his opponent had 3.
He wiped away some sweat from his forehead. Geraldi's score was 19. Atton could only way with a 20 now, but was currently on 16. he had a -1 side deck card though. It was all up to lady luck now.
Atton had never cheated a game before, but the fact was he would have today if he could have. He only had 200 credits, and the bet had been 1000. If he lost, he'd probably have what he owed taken out of his kneecaps.
He closed his eyes and drew a card. 4.
Atton jumped up and punched the air "YES!" he cried. Looks like the scoundrels luck's still a factor
Unfortunately, upon seeing the card, Geraldi had drawn his pistol, and was aiming it at Atton chest.
Uh ho
A feeling of dread swept over him "Hey, err, Geraldi?"
The alien said something in his own language
"What, were we…were we playing Nar Shadda rules? I thought blasters were supposed to stay in their….Please don't hurt me!"
"Credits" he hissed "Motioning to the table"
Atton hastily emptied his pockets and put everything he had down. The bastard began to scoop up the money, once he had it all he fired a shot at Atton and sprinted out of the door.
The pain was unbearable. But amidst the stealing, kicking, and all the laughter directed at his body slumped against the wall, an act of kindness took hold of one person.
Some redheaded chick, who apparently wasn't shy, Atton couldn't help but notice, picked him up and slung him over her shoulders.
Atton blacked out.