ALRIGHT! I finally remembered what it's called! A disclaimer! Ha! Alright, my disclaimer is that I own zilch.
Oh, and an absolute ecstatic thanks to Silver-Kalan, who completely encouraged me by reviewing my story. Thank You!
Chapter 3
Boba Fett stepped out of the Slave I and into the oven-like heat of Tatooine. He had never liked Tatooine. Whoever wanted to live here was quite beyond him. The only good thing about this God-forsaken planet were the crime lords. They paid well and made it worth coming here. Brushing aside the distracting thoughts, he focused on the task at hand. Walking into one of the many alleys, Boba got out his comm-link. All he needed to do now was get in touch with his contact.
A standard half hour later, Boba was systematically searching the sand dunes on either side of the designated swoop trail. On a swoop himself, Boba didn't understand why people even attempted to make paths. It would be much easier and quicker to just ride over the dunes than to go through the hazardous canyons and gulleys. Maybe that was the idea… According to his contact, Masdon had taken off from Mos Eisley on swoop with a gang of guys behind him. Great, just what I need, Boba thought grimly, A group of wannabe bounty hunters trying to earn a few extra creds. Just great. Well, they'll be seeing a real bounty hunter soon. Boba had just rounded a sharp curve in the canyon when his scanner picked up three swoop signatures heading his way. Not wanting to be seen, Boba searched the walls of the canyon hoping to see an outcropping to provide some cover. He was not disappointed. A few meters above the sandy canyon floor he spotted a small cave, just large enough for him and his swoop. Turning the swoop sharply, he quickly maneuvered the small craft to the temporary shelter. And none too soon. Almost immediately the three swoops came into view. Dragging something behind them. They weren't going very fast, but if that bundle they were dragging was what Boba thought it was, the merchandise, his merchandise, would not be in the best condition. Making a quick change in his plans, Boba swung the swoop the swoop around and gunned the roughly gunned the engine, making it howl in protest. The looks on the faces of the three men was enough to tell Boba that they hadn't expected to see – or meet – anyone on their little escapade. Much less a bounty hunter. Recovering quickly, the three humans brought their crafts to a hover and drew their blasters. As Boba drew his own blaster, the thieves did a thing that surprised even Boba. No, it shocked him, to say the least. Instead of trying to blast him away, one of them tried to negotiate. "Look fella, we found this piece of trash first, so unless you want to be full of holes, I'd advise you to get your rear back to wherever Ya came from." Obviously thinking that he'd done a good job, the jock put a smug smile on his face and waited for an answer. "Well? What'll it be, Metalhead?" Ignoring the insult, Boba continued to look at him. He was rewarded by seeing him and his buddies start to squirm. Apparently, all their blasters and talk of putting holes in him was just bravado. They obviously knew now that this armor-clad man was one to be reckoned with.
Boba allowed himself a small smile. He wondered what they would do if they found out that he was younger than they. "I was just passing through," Boba said in his vox-altered voice, "When I noticed that you were dragging something behind you. What is it." The leader looked at him incredulously for a second, and then managed to bark out a laugh. "Why do you wanta know, Mister High-and-Mighty? We found it first. This stuff is ours." Boba turned his full attention to the swoop leader. "Show me what is in the bag behind your swoop." The man was really angry now. "Who in the galaxy do you think you are? Darth Vader!" Boba stared at him a full minute before answering, "I am Boba Fett." The result was humorous, even Boba had to admit it. Full silence for a minute, and then they all started apologizing at having caused "the most dangerous and proficient bounty hunter of all time any trouble" and said that if he wanted the remains of their friend (who they were dragging behind them in a bag), he could have him! Boba glanced inside the sack just to make sure they were telling him the truth. They were. Boba turned around and looked at the remaining three. "What happened to him?" The leader hesitated before answering. "Well, we were chasing this kid. And-"
"Why were you chasing him?" Boba asked in a deadly quiet voice.The leader averted his gaze from Boba's T-shaped visor. "Well," he said starting to dither a little, "We'd heard that there was a bounty on him, and me and my brothers needed some credits, bad." Yah. For blasters and ale and glitterstim. "We saw him go in a shop, so we decided to ambush him. Well, he somehow knew about it. And he took off on a swoop. So we took off after him, and Clancy, here, shot him down." The leader was starting to ramble. A sign of nervousness, usually. "Well, we got to where he was, and Brizal there," he indicated to the body in the sack. "He was the first one to get off his swoop and tackle him. Didn't know that the dang Sithspawn had a vibro-blade till it was too late to save Brizal." Boba drilled his gaze into the fidgeting man. "What did you do to the kid you were chasing." The human flinched before saying, "Well me and the brothers stunned him and tied him up." The man spoke hurriedly and shut his eyes when he was finished, obviously thinking that Boba was going to kill him. But that was not the way he did things. "Where did you leave him." The swoop leader gave him the coordinates and looked fearfully at Boba. "Do you need anything else?" Boba turned around and growled, "Since you have not displeased me, I will let you live. This time." The swoop leader's face immediately assumed a conciliatory smile. "Thank you, Sir!" Boba grinned underneath his helmet. Fear could be a beautiful thing.