A LONG TIME AGO IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY…

STAR WARS

The Old Republic – Episode Five

A MAP FOR THE FUTURE

While the SITH EMPIRE and the GALACTIC

REPUBLIC continue to scheme against

each other, a bloody contest rages in the

frontier systems: THE GREAT HUNT!

Mercenaries from across the galaxy

compete for the privilege of entering this

dangerous manhunt, where they must

capture or eliminate the galaxy's most

dangerous and elusive targets.

In the polluted swamps of HUTTA, a veteran

bounty hunter is determined to secure an

invitation to this deadly struggle for

fortune and glory…

Chapter One: "You Must Be Willing to Do Anything"

His name was Vexx, and he was the quickest draw in the galaxy. He had won Corellia's planetary quick-draw competition five times running, which had garnered him fame and attention. There had even been a holo-biography about him. It had starred Haldor Gennix, the Alderaanian duelist-turned-actor.

But Vexx had wanted more. Vexx had deserved more. So he had put a crew together and turned his skills to robbery. Vexx was a patriot, so he chose Imperial targets only. Over the past year, he had robbed fifteen Imperial pay stations. When Imperials had resisted, he had gunned them down. When the wiser ones surrendered, he had made them strip to their skivvies, then had placed pig masks over their faces and made them pose with him for holos.

The stunt had made Vexx into something of a folk hero for the Republic. There were even plans for another holovid. He had held multiple holocalls with Gennix, who was pressing to be present for the next robbery to help him "get into character." Vexx was resistant to that, for two reasons: First, the actor might easily behave stupidly under pressure; and second, even if he didn't behave stupidly, he might steal some of the credit. And all the credit belonged to Vexx.

He had spent the last week on Nar Shadaa, enjoying the diversions available on the Hutt-controlled moon: gambling, pod racing, and other activities. But he had wanted more, and had heard that true arena fights – battles to the death – occurred on Nal Hutta, the Hutt homeworld. So he had come to place some bets. Maybe even participate, if the mood struck him.

That was how Vexx ended up standing here, at Hutta's Jiguuna Spaceport, at the point of a Zabrak bounty hunter's blaster.

He tried to brace out the situation with bravado. He grinned at the Zabrak. "Never thought I'd see the day dashing Vexx would get cornered."

The Zabrak didn't smile.

"I'm not sure 'dashing' is the word you're looking for," he said. "Empire has 100,000 credits on you, dead or alive. Be smart – Make it 'alive.' "

Vexx laughed. "Do you know who Vexx is? Vexx is the galaxy's greatest quick-draw artist. Vexx can shoot your ears off so fast, you won't even hear yourself scream!"

"Vexx talks too much."

Those were the last words ever heard by the quick-draw artist turned criminal folk hero. The bounty hunter fired his blaster, point blank into Vexx's face.

A young woman's voice sounded in the bounty hunter's earpiece.

"Did you have to shoot him in the face, Zarek?" she asked. "It might delay identification."

"I'll take his hands along with his head," Zarek replied. "The fingerprint check'll only take an instant."

"They'll still delay payment until the bio-match comes in."

"The pay's not the point, Mako. Within two hours, all of Hutta will know that Zarek Voss took down the notorious Vexx. That oughta be enough for Braden to get me in with Nem'ro the Hutt."

"Fair enough," Mako said. "Still, you have to admit – The 100,000 is a nice bonus."

"Won't argue with that."

Mako signed off. Zarek looked down at Vexx's corpse, sighed heavily.

"This is the part of the job I really hate," he said aloud, pulling a vibro-blade from his belt and kneeling to begin the process of taking his trophies for identification.

Mako was right, of course. Though the Imperial paymaster and her staff offered enthusiastic thanks once Vexx's fingerprints were matched, actual payment would have to wait for a bio-match – a minimum of 48 hours, for a bounty. Zarek provided his account information, so that the credits would be transferred automatically once it cleared. Payment would come. The Empire was efficient in such matters.

More importantly, the paymaster's staff would tell all their friends that the notorious Vexx was dead. He had little doubt that the news was already spreading by the time he returned to Braden's room at the Poison Pit Cantina.

Braden greeted him on his return.

"See?" the old man beamed to his two crew members. "I told you he was Great Hunt material!"

"I would have enjoyed being there," Jory complained. A large Nikto warrior, sitting on the sidelines did not come naturally to him. But the goal was to impress Nem'ro the Hutt – and Zarek taking Vexx down alone was more impressive.

"You'll see plenty of action once we're in the Hunt," Zarek assured him. "I didn't stay alive this long by being a glory hound. Besides, Mako did the real work by telling me when his shuttle was landing. The rest was just showing up on time."

Mako was a young human woman with cybernetic enhancements. She had worked for Braden for years, ever since the old bounty hunter had found her on Nar Shadaa. Her cybernetics and her own natural abilities made her an expert slicer. Braden called her a "genius," and said there was no computer system in the galaxy she couldn't get into. As far as Zarek could see, this was not an exaggeration.

"I've been monitoring Imperial channels, and the Empire is impressed," Mako said. "Which means Nem'ro should be impressed."

Zarek grunted. "I hate Hutts," he said.

"Who doesn't?" Braden agreed. "But only two groups get into The Hunt: The Mandolorian elite and those bounty hunters sponsored by influential crime lords. In this sector of the galaxy, that means Nem'ro."

"Will this be enough to get me in?" Zarek asked.

"I've got you a meeting with Nem'ro tonight," Braden told him. "At Nem'ro's Palace." The Hutt's ego apparently required that his fortress of hedonism carry his name. "Be on your best behavior. If he sees any sign of weakness, then we lose our one shot at this."

Zarek pointed to his red, horned face. "Does anything about this mug say, 'Weak,' to you? I don't like Hutts. But trust me, I know how to deal with them."

Nem'ro's Palace was all but impossible to miss. It was by far the largest building in the city of Jiguuna, and the most fortified. Nem'ro had built it right next to the spaceport, creating maximum convenience for his guests – and for assassinations of any unwanted visitors.

Zarek was met by Karrels Javis, a middle-aged human who looked like he had once been heavily muscled, but had allowed most of that muscle to run to fat. Javis greeted Zarek and laid out the protocols for his meeting with Nem'ro.

"Stay at least five meters back," Javis instructed. "Come up when you're called, but not before. One wrong move, and you'll be a pile of ash."

"Worried I'm going to cause trouble?" Zarek asked.

"Just going over the rules. We don't want any problems, now, do we?"

They entered Nem'ro's audience chamber. The enormous, slug-like Hutt rested on a pedestal at the center of the room. A pair of scantily clad women, one Twi'lek and one human, sat at the edge of the pedestal. A Twi'lek male stood at the Hutt's side. An adviser, though from the shifty expression on his face Zarek wouldn't have taken his advice on which boots to wear.

As Zarek approached, he saw that Nem'ro was meeting with a striking young blonde woman, who carried a crate in her arms. She was human, but like Mako she had cybernetic implants. The most visible was just above her left eyebrow – silver in color, so that it looked almost like an accessory.

"So the Red Blade finally comes to visit the House of Nem'ro," the Hutt said in its guttural tongue. "A great honor for us both."

The blonde woman gave a slight bow in response.

"That's the Red Blade?" Zarek whispered. Javis's only reply was to shush him.

The Red Blade was a notorious pirate, whose ruthlessness was matched only by his enigmatic nature. Her enigmatic nature, apparently. The Blade hit both Imperial and Republic targets with apparent impunity, and never left behind a trace of identity.

"Let us see if the legends of the Blade's generosity are true," Nem'ro said. "What have you brought me and my clan?"

"Mere trinkets, mighty Nem'ro."

Nem'ro seemed disappointed. "Trinkets are of no interest."

The Twi'lek took the crate and opened it impatiently. He was taken aback by the contents.

"Show me," Nem'ro demanded.

The Twi'lek pulled items from the crate. The Red Blade's gifts included aurodium idols, Tomuon wool Hutt robes, and Tarul wine from Naboo. Zarek would have had to deliver at least six bounties equal to Vexx to have a chance at affording these "trinkets."

Nem'ro laughed with delight.

"You are impressive, Blade. You may conduct your dealings on Hutta with my approval. My associate, Karrels Javis, will show you to your guest quarters."

The Red Blade bowed again. "I'm very grateful. You've got quite a place here."

As Javis led her out of the room, she noticed Zarek and flashed a warm smile. His gaze followed her as she made her exit.

Nem'ro beckoned Zarek forward.

"I see you have an eye for beauty as well as for prey," the Hutt announced. "Though I suspect the Red Blade might prove too great a match for you, bounty hunter." The Hutt spread his tiny, slug-like arms wide, beckoning to the palace around him. "You stand in the court of Nem'ro. All you see in this city is under my authority. Welcome."

Zarek did not bow.

"So," he said. "Now that we've got the pleasantries out of the way, what say we talk business?"

Nem'ro laughed. "Straight to the point, is it? Then I will return the favor. You seek sponsorship in The Great Hunt. I can provide that. But why should I?"

"Your man Javis said I had a reputation," Zarek replied. "You're a Hutt. You don't need me to tell you what it would be worth to be sponsor the winner of The Great Hunt."

"Big words," the Hutt replied. "But maybe you just got lucky with Vexx. We will see if you really are the fearsome manhunter your reputation says. I have targets here on Hutta that need eliminating. No problem for one with your reported skills."

Nem'ro leaned forward. "Tell me, bounty hunter. How much do you know of what is happening on Hutta?"

"I only just got here," Zarek said. "You tell me."

"The upstart Fa'athra lays claim to things that are mine. He moves against my factories, sends his scum to make trouble in Jiguuna. Some fools think Fa'athra is becoming a stronger Hutt than Nem'ro. One of them is my ex-accountant, Yalt. He now works for Fa'athra at the factory in the Rust Yards. He must die for his betrayal!"

"So you want me to bring you his head?"

"No." The Hutt grinned – an expression of pure, loathsome venality. "I want you to deliver it to the cantina. Yalt's wife works there. She encouraged his disloyalty. Deliver the head to her."

Zarek could not disguise his disgust at the assignment. Nem'ro's grin simply grew broader.

"You want into The Great Hunt, yes? Then you must be willing to do anything."

Zarek swallowed his disgust and bowed, bracing his ears against the corruption that was the Hutt's laughter.

He was directed to Juda, Nem'ro's Twi'lek records keeper, for details about the job. Juda uploaded an image of Yalt to his holocommunicator, along with overall specs for the Rust Yard.

He wandered into Nem'ro's cantina, and observed the woman calling herself The Red Blade sitting at the bar. A tattooed Rattataki woman sat near the back of the room, eyes glued to her. Zarek glanced from her, back to The Red Blade. After a brief internal debate, he approached.

"There's a woman back there," he said, "Not sure if she's planning to offer you a drink or stick a knife in your back."

She grinned as she turned to him. "You talk like the two are mutually exclusive," she said.

Once he had left Nem'ro's court, he had put his earpiece back in. Mako's voice came through.

"The Rattataki is Kaliyo Djannis," Mako reported. "Anarchist, former member of the Revolutionary Edge Brigade. Has a bounty of 250,000 credits – but since she's working security for Nem'ro…"

"Since she works for Nem'ro," the Blade finished, continuing to grin at Zarek, "she's strictly off-limits." She cocked her head winsomely and pointed to her implant. "And yes, I can hear everything you're saying, Miss…?"

A brief silence. "Uh, Mako," the young woman said through the earpiece. "I'm sorry…"

"No reason to be sorry. I appreciate the information on my stalker." She raised her glass to the Rattataki. The woman raised an eyebrow at her, then withdrew. "So what's the bounty on me?"

Mako hesitated. "1.2 million," she replied.

The Red Blade pouted. "Is that all? I'll have to try harder."

"No offense, Mako," Zarek said, "but I'm going to turn this into a private conversation. Tell Braden I'll be back soon."

He reached up, removed the earpiece. He turned back to the pirate, who looked at him expectantly.

"This isn't actually the first time we've met," he observed. "I was on your trail about two years back. You took a shot at me – a blade that came out of a device on your arm."

"Well, they do call me the Red Blade," she pointed out.

"Funny thing," he said. "You were about a half-meter taller at the time."

She smiled at his challenge. If she was at all rattled, she gave no sign.

"Body armor," she explained. "I like to disguise who I am."

"Except at Nem'ro's Palace?" he said. "Because the people here are so trustworthy?"

She laughed. "These people? These are my people, Hunter." She leaned toward him, whispering teasingly. "If any of them wants to tell the galaxy that The Red Blade is a small blonde woman, I'll board their ships in the most giant suit of armor I can find, with a voice synthesizer that makes me sound… Well, like you." She took a sip of her ale. "I don't think they will. None of them wants to become the next target of The Red Blade."

Zarek excused himself shortly after. The woman calling herself The Red Blade lingered, watching a holo report streaming near the center of the bar. Images of fighting among Republic forces. A text crawl on the bottom of the image noted, "REPUBLIC SPECIAL FORCES TURN TRAITOR ON ORD MANTELL."

She grinned, as if acknowledging some private joke. Then she stood, leaving the cantina in search of the quarters Nem'ro had provided for her.

She double-locked the door. She reached into her jacket pocket, retrieved a small device. A red beam quickly scanned the room, identifying the seven listening devices that had been implanted. She used her device to reroute the bugs to record the holonet news broadcast rather than any sounds in the room itself. Then, confident that she was finally properly alone, she activated her communicator.

A severe-looking bald man appeared before her. He wore a military uniform, and his face was fixed in a permanent frown.

"Congratulations, Cipher Nine," the man said crisply. "HAVOC Squad has defected to the Empire."

"I saw the news on the holonet," she replied. She continued speaking in the Corellian accent she had selected for The Red Blade. As long as that remained her cover, she would remain in character to every possible extent. "Nice of the Republic to send forces in so our cameras could capture the battle – It made it much more dramatic."

"There was skepticism of your operation," he said. "How did you know Tavus would turn? He wasn't known as a complainer."

"That was the reason," she replied. "Complainers drink and shout and get it out of their system. The man who stews over his grievances – He's the one who will turn, because he doesn't let things go. And the Republic gave Tavus a lot of grievances. We should send a Thank-You note to their Senate. They did half our work for us."

"Quite."

He almost smiled. She idly wondered if his face would break if he did.

"Well done today, as well," he said. "The listening devices in Nem'ro's gifts are working perfectly. He will keep no more secrets from us."

"Thank you, Keeper," she said, acknowledging the rare compliment.

"Imperial Intelligence has determined that Nem'ro's human lieutenant, Karrels Javis, is the weak link in the operation. Your orders are to twist him until he serves us."

"Javis?" She was surprised. "He didn't seem disloyal to Nem'ro."

"He is fully loyal to him," Keeper replied. "But he is sympathetic toward the Empire. He admires our efficiency, and he prefers humans in authority. Unfortunately, he is on the verge of disfavor with Nem'ro, while his Twi'lek lieutenant – Toth'lazhen, I believe – is the current rising star."

"I take it you want me to reverse that trend?"

"Precisely. Karrels' work has been suffering due to the interference of a rival Hutt named Fa'athra. I want you to offer your services as The Red Blade. Do whatever is required to bring Karrels glory in Nem'ro's eyes."

Keeper hesitated, and she felt herself grow tense. He had more news, and it wasn't good.

"You should be advised, Cipher," he said. "This operation has drawn the attention of a member of the Dark Council. Darth Jadus himself. It's a rare… honor for an Intelligence operation to be overseen in this way."

She felt a chill run up her spine. She couldn't say anything. Keeper was being careful with his words, which meant he believed the call was being monitored. Even the mildest expression of concern could be read as disloyalty. She just hoped Darth Jadus would restrict himself to observation. Sith "assistance" always ended badly, both for the operation and for the agent.

"Keeper out," he said. His hologram flickered, then vanished.

She sighed, collapsing into a chair. She felt an urge to howl in frustration. She remembered that all listening devices were disabled, and gave into the urge, letting out a wordless cry.

She turned the holonet on, so that the room's ambient sound could be matched to the false recording her device was creating. She routed the recording back to her room. Kaliyo Djannis, she reflected. A minor anarchist-turned-security-guard. If she tried to create trouble, it would be a simple matter to remove her from the equation, and that could be easily blamed on Fa'athra.

She reflected on her conversation with Keeper, continuing to stew over Darth Jadus's attention.

I hate Sith. She was glad none were around to pick out the thought, which ran so loud in her head that even the weakest of Force Users couldn't possibly have missed it.