A StarWars Fable

by IAmElvie

The story is based on the SWTOR online game. There will be a mix of my characters & game NPCs. All class protagonists exist & occasionally come into contact with each other. My fable may veer some from the actual game content & timeline is imperfect. You will meet KOTOR descendants & a few Star Wars movie ancestors as well as whatever else I toss in. As always, mature readers only.

6. A StarWars Fable-Prologue Bounty Hunter

SWTOR

An Old Republic Tale

Prologue

Bounty Hunter – Starting Over

Sylver buckled on the last of her white and silver armor. It was hard to believe her life had come to this. If she'd not had her brains scrambled, she would have died with the rest of her branch of the Wren clan. She would have had an honorable death. Now – now she had no honor. By the time she'd dug her way out from under the bodies of her family, she alone had survived the attack. Her great-grandfather's branch of the Wren clan were dead at her feet. She'd been left with nothing but a burning hatred for all things Sith and the steely need to claw her way back up to reclaim her honor.

Her clan had been attacked without honor – without warning by some chakaar sith lord and his underlings who had attacked after a marriage celebration that lasted long into the night. Much of her clan had been passed out from drink. The bodies of her mother and her brother had slammed into her with enough force that they'd all been propelled backwards and her head had struck a permacrete wall.

It had been almost two months since the attack and she could still feel her family's blood coating her. She still had nightmares of the piles of dead she'd awoken to and the desecration of her mother and father's ring fingers, because their wedding bands had been unremovable in death as they had been in life. Nothing else had been touched. The raid seemed to have no purpose except to steal the rings that had been in her mother's family for generations. Her mother was not born Mandalorian, so those rings signified a marriage tradition from her mother's culture.

She'd built seventeen pyres and was forced to stack two to three bodies on each pyre to perform the kote kyr'am ceremony to honor the dead. She gave every man, woman and child this honor, for she knew each would have fought to the death. After the bodies were burned, she dragged the dead sith into the forest behind their settlement for the animals to scavenge.

She'd taken care to cut out each of their hearts and heaved them deep into the woods. The sith had no hearts in life – she ensured they'd have none in death.

If she had seen or heard anything prior to or during the attack, she didn't know. Though the lump on her head was gone, so too were the memories of the attack. And here she was, landing on Hutta to work with strangers just so she could get into the Great Hunt. Winning the Great Hunt was the surest way to earn back her honor.

Her nose wrinkled as she descended the shuttle's ramp. The stench was enough to curl her toes. But it didn't matter that she would rather be anywhere but here. The only thing that mattered was winning the Great Hunt. Maybe then she would feel like a Mandalorian again. Maybe then she'd have her honor.

She followed the coordinates that led to a room that held three occupants. Ah yes...and there was the older man she'd met with last month when they'd worked together to bring down a bounty. Braden.

Braden motioned to Mako. "We're almost set up. See if you can't get that security network running, Mako."

"Sure thing, Braden. We'll be -" Mako turned to see who was approaching them. "Hey now…"

"Hey, indeed," Braden responded with a nod to the white-haired woman, "– the main attraction is here. Team, this is Sylver Wren, the girl we're pinning all our hopes on. Best shot I've ever seen and nerves of steel. She's Great Hunt material, all right. What do you say, Sylver? Ready to meet your team?"

"I've been ready for this for a long time now, Braden. I'm glad you found me. Though, I've never worked with a team before." At least not a team of outsiders.

Braden grunted. "Get used to the idea. To win the Great Hunt you will need support, structure and intel." He found himself standing a little straighter, though he wasn't sure why. "Let's do this the official way. This is Mako," he said, waving his hand towards the small dark-haired woman, "a little genius I picked up on Nar Shaddaa. She provides intel and tech."

Mako grinned. "I hope you're as good as the old man says!"

"You could say I was made for this job," she assured the woman. She was Mandalorian, after all.

Braden nodded and then motioned to the nikto seated at a table. "This big bruiser is Jory. He handles the heavy lifting and provides security for our base of operations."

She was surprised to see warmth in the nikto's eyes when he looked at her.

"Greetings. I am at your disposal. Feel free to make us all incredibly wealthy and famous," Jory teased, despite how serious he actually was.

"Thank you…each of you, for standing beside me. It won't be forgotten," she told them.

Braden held up his hand and nodded. "All right…down to business. We're here because the Great Hunt has been called. Little Mako is the most rabid fan of hunter history this side of the Geonosis – and even then, she doesn't know exactly what the Great Hunt entails."

Mako beamed a smile. "But I do know the names of every Great Hunt winner, though: Bloodworthy. The Defenestrator, Jewl'a Nightbringer.."

Braden cut her off. "Every bounty hunter who's won a Great Hunt went on to massive glory and riches – which is why we are here. The Great Hunt has two groups: the Mandalorian elite and the freelance bounty hunters sponsored by influential crime lords. There's no time to make you a Mandalorian. That means you need a sponsor."

"Braden…I am Mandalorian," she admitted.

That made little sense. "What? Then why -"

She held up her hand to halt his questions. "My clan was…massacred. I was knocked out, buried under a pile of…bodies. I have lost my honor. The Great Hunt will restore it."

Braden was not a foolish man. He was not about to disagree with Sylver no matter how wrong her words were. They would not be able to find a more capable candidate. Sylver would win the Great Hunt and she would win it for them – not as a Mandalorian. "Yes, it will. Here's what you need to know. Nem'ro the Hutt runs this stinking little town. I've got just enough pull with that gangster to get you an introduction. Mako can scan for every bounty in the area. I want the nastiest, most brutal, untouchable scum you can find."

Mako returned to her terminal. "I'm on it, Braden. One nasty character coming up…"

Braden nodded. "Since we are not using your reputation as a Mandalorian then we need to get you situated as a big-time hunter, at least as far as the locals know. Then we contact Nem'ro. Mako will plant rumors about your offworld exploits, but you have to take down someone impressive – and local – to sell that reputation." He cocked his head to the side and looked back at Make. "How's the scan coming, Mako?"

She clucked her tongue. "Found something. Check this out," Mako's lips twitched, "Vexx: Corellian, champion quick draw artist, wanted for robbing fifteen Imperial military pay stations."

Jory shook his head in wonder. "Of all the places to get credits, why would a sane being rob an Imperial pay station?"

"Honestly – I'd shake his hand if I could. Of course, I'd still have to kill him…and that is a shame," she admitted. "It was the sith that massacred my family. I have no love for the Empire, regardless where my boots touch ground. Will that be a problem with any of you?"

"I really don't give a damn," Mako replied. "The Reps and Imps can keep killing each other for all I care – just gives us more bounties to collect."

Braden waved his hand. He'd certainly worked both sides of the fence during his lifetime. "Factions don't concern us. Credits and glory do. And that begins with Vexx. Now, Vexx is either a madman or a glory hound – and he's obviously dangerous."

"Says here Vexx has a safe house in the bad part of town, right in the heart of the madness. That'll be fun," Mako teased with a wink at Sylver. She couldn't stop herself from wondering if the woman had been born with that striking silvery-white hair. It looked soft and satiny, nothing at all like the wiry texture of aged hair. Hair was not usually something that crossed her mind, but it was odd seeing someone so young with a full head of silvery-white hair.

"Well," Braden replied with a small exhale, "he'll have to do. Nem'ro the Hutt's enemy took over part of this town. It's dangerous poking around in there, but it's your best shot. Raid Vexx's safehouse and look for something that might help us track him down."

Sylver lips turned up into a lopsided grin. "That, I can do. Things are about to get interesting."

"Sylver -" Braden called out before she could step out the door, "be safe out there."

She winked at Braden. "K'oyacyi, Braden. Ib'tuur jatne tuur ash'ad kyr'amur. Stay alive, Braden. This is a good day for someone else to die." That had always been her motto, it likely always would be.

She followed the coordinate's to Vexx's safehouse. He had three goons guarding the interior of his house, but she'd caught them with their pants down…entertaining guests. The women left amidst screams…the men chose to go for their weapons…they never made it.

She was able to locate an office and grabbed a datapad he had hidden in one of the drawers of his desk. It would have to do. She returned to the Poison Pit and was stopped by a droid a moment after she stepped through the door.

"P8-47 = carrying urgent message / Message = sent by Nem'ro the Hutt/ Mighty Nem'ro = all powerful Ruler of Jiguuna."

Since she needed to get in good with the Hutt, she decided to hear the droid out. "Let me have it." The droid projected a holo of Nem'ro.

"I am mighty Nem'ro, ruler of Jiguuna! Citizens, hear me – my city is under siege from the craven Fa'athra and his followers! These criminals wage illegal war against me in the streets. Eradicate all of Fa'athra's people who dare to set foot in Jiguuna! Cripple this coward's army and you will know the honor and rewards of serving the great and powerful Nem'ro the Hutt."

The holo flickered out. "I'll take care of it," she told the droid.

"P8-47 = relieved /Nem'ro = turn P8-47 into spare parts if message ignored / P8-47 = not ready for scrap heap."

"No worries there, little guy." She patted his dome and hurried off to meet up with Braden. Braden wasn't there, but Mako and Jory were. She could see a sparkle in Mako's eyes when the small woman spotted her.

Mako settle d her hip against the terminal she'd been working at. "Hey, look who's back! How'd it go out there, girl? Find anything?"

"A little something. Vexx was kind enough to leave a datapad behind for me to find. I love a generous man," she replied with a wink as she handed the datapad to Mako.

"Great! I'll see what I can make of it,"

Jory leaned back in his chair and grinned at Sylver. "You show much natural skill. I'm honored to join you on the Great Hunt."

"And I'm honored to have you by my side, Jory."

"Oh – ho…Aren't you two just adorable and so full of honor," Braden teased.

Sylver chuckled. "You caught us…we've already got our china picked out," she teased.

Mako laughed. "I better be invited! Maybe Braden can give you away! Hey – Braden. How was Nem'ro's palace? Are we getting Sylver in to see the Hutt before the wedding or after?"

He held his hands up to slow her down a bit. "I've laid the groundwork, but we're not there yet. What've you got?" he inquired.

"Datapad from Vexx's safe house. Cracked it in record time! Check out that last entry…" Mako beamed.

"Hmmm…Our boy Vexx keeps detailed records. There's a receipt here for a shuttle ticket he bought today. We'll have to move fast! But keep in mind that he's a champion gunslinger. Completely ruthless. You ready to take him down?"

"I have been ready for months, Braden." She was far more than ready to regain her honor.

Braden inclined his head to her. "Then head to the shuttle port. Bring back Vexx's ID tags as proof that you're the one that took him out. Anything else on him is yours.

"Good luck, Sylver," Jory said with a chuckle. "Speed and accuracy be yours…hurry back so we can set a date."

She winked at the nikto. "Sure thing, tall, dark and horny. Re'turcye mhi! Be back soon."

Vexx had over a dozen men watching his six, but he also had one hell-bent woman hot on his heels and a dozen men were not deterrent enough to keep her at bay. A fact they'd discovered right quick. Only two of the men chose to lay down their weapons. She let those to walk – the rest would never walk again.

She found him doing last minute repairs on his ship. She considered borrowing his ship, since he wouldn't be needing it anymore. But stealing a ship wasn't simple. Well, stealing it was simple, keeping it was another kettle of bantha stew. She was not a good enough slicer to doctor the identa-chip to show that she owned the ship. But…Mako was. Maybe she could work something out with the wily woman.

She stomped loudly so that he could hear her coming up behind him.

Vexx spun around, blinked and then grinned. He was careful not to look in the direction of his men. If she was here - then they were already dead and he didn't want her to think being alone with her was a concern. Because it wasn't. No one had a quicker draw than he did. "What's this? A lawman of sorts? Never thought I'd see the day dashing Vexx would get corned by a brute enforcer."

She pursed her lips as her brow quirked up. The man talked about himself in third person. Who did that? "I don't think dashing is the word you're looking for – but I can give you a few more descriptive words if you need help."

She was kidding. She had to be. No woman could resist Vexx, so he chose to ignore her words. He straightened his shoulders, a cocky grin on his face. "Ah, but I know something you don't. Vexx is not your ordinary. Run-of-the-mill thug. Oh, no. Vexx is the galaxy's greatest quick-draw artist. Vexx can shoot your ears off so fast you won't even hear yourself scream."

A soft laugh slipped past her lips. Morons really shouldn't speak. "I…uh…hate to burst your bubble there, Vexx – but that's not how ears work."

The woman dared to contradict Vexx. "What do you – shut up!" His hand dropped to his blaster, but his world faded to black before it ever cleared leather. Not possible….

She spun her blaster and slapped it back on her magbelt. That's one reason she never used holsters. That second or two it took to clear leather could make the difference between life or death. She knelt down and rummaged the corpse until she found the ID tags. She rose and eyed the ship one last time. It wasn't very big – probably not meant for more than a handful of people…but maybe she'd come back for it.

The metallic scent of blood smacked her hard as she stepped through the doorway of their meeting room in the Poison Pit. Her steps faltered when she saw the two bodies on the floor. She forced one foot in front of the other and knelt down next to Braden. She lowered her hand and placed two fingers against his throat and flipped on the micro-terminal in her gauntlet. No pulse. She scanned the room looking for a third body…or something to tell her what happened.

"Hey, old-timers, I'm…Jory! Braden!" No….no…they got drunk…passed out. That's all this was. The red…that was wine…just wine.

Sylver rose slowly to her feet. "I'm sorry. Mako. I just arrived. Whatever happened…they didn't survive it." She turned to Jory, knelt down and tested his pulse as well. "Dead…I need…we need to find out what happened."

Mako dropped down next to Braden wanting to shake him awake, but the empty stare told her he would never wake up again. "No…not Braden. I've been with Braden for years. He – he was like a father to me. This – it can't be real."

She knew that pain all too well. She still lived it. "It's never easy when death comes for your family. But I do understand what you are going through."

Mako rose on unsteady legs. Sylver did understand. The Mandalorian's entire family was murdered. A shudder raced down her spine. At least she had not been buried under Braden's body. "I just never imagined…but I can handle this. I can. Jory and I set up surveillance gear all over this room. Whatever happened here should have been recorded." She hurried over to the terminal and searched through the data. "Blast it! Someone's tampered with the recording...but I think – there…I was able to clean up some of it."

Sylver joined Mako as the holo flickered on. After a bit of noise, it cleared up. It showed them the only thing that mattered. Tarro Blood. A Mandalorian who had barely survived an attack by the other Mandalorians at the Great Hunt ten years ago had his muscle murder Braden and Jory to try to keep her out of the competition. Tarro didn't know she was Mandalorian. Tarro didn't know that his actions didn't clip her wings. Tarro didn't know what he'd set into motion. But he would learn. Yes…he would learn.

"That scum!" Mako growled. "He didn't even have the guts to kill them himself. He had his lackeys do it! The coward! We have to make him pay! He can't get away with this. We need to make sure you are in the Hunt! We need Nem'ro the Hutt more than ever." She shook her head. "If nobody knows Braden is…is dead, I should be able to get you a meeting with Nem'ro."

She took a steadying breath. "If you need to…you can leak who I really am. I doubt that Hutt can afford to turn down Mandalorian assistance."

Mako could see that outing herself was the last thing Sylver wanted to do. "I hope it does not come to that. But it will take every favor I can call in. And I'll need the tags from your bounty. It should be enough for two burials.

Bury? That's right, they did things different here. "I'd like to pay my respects."

"Thank you, Sylver – but there is no time. Braden would understand – and Jory would insist…even if you were engaged." That small joke brought the barest hint of a smile to her lips. But the pain that gripped her heart in a vice would allow for nothing more. "I did everything I could to build your reputation, but now you'll have to make an even bigger impression. Take out some of Fa'athra's leaders before you visit the palace. That's your in with the Hutt."

She lifted a hand and settled it on Mako's arm. "We'll do this, Mako. This is about far more than my honor now. This is about Braden and Jory. We won't fail." She squeezed the small woman's arm and hurried out of the chamber.

Killing Fa'athra captains was as easy as shooting fish in a barrel. They wore their insignia proudly, which only served to point out their rank. And like cockroaches…they were everywhere. When she felt like she'd done enough damage she made her way to the palace.

She found the fat slug upon a dais, surrounded by dancers. She would rather die than submit to slavery.

"Look, boss. Little woman come to beg for mighty Nem'ro's attention."

"Be polite, Carnus. This bounty hunter has been sweeping the filth from my town's lovely streets. Excuse him, he lacks manners. You stand in the court of Nem'ro. All you see in Jiguuna is under my authority. Welcome."

She would bow and scrape to no one, but she knew she had to play nice. "Thank you, Nem'ro. I am pleased that you are willing to see me."

Nem'ro scratched his chest. "I am told you are seeking sponsorship into the Great Hunt. I can provide that. But why should I? Mako says you are a famous bounty hunter – that hardened men run and hide just hearing your name. But Mako says a lot of things."

"Mako may have stretched the odd detail, but I am what I need to be," she told him straight up. Lying was unworthy. But omission was permissible.

"Ha…An honest bounty hunter? What next? A funny jedi?"

She wasn't sure if she should be offended or laugh. She chose to ignore the barb about her people. Manalorian honor did not always align with what others saw as honor. "I had a brief encounter with a funny jedi. So at least one exists," she pointed out.

"Some things have to be seen to be believed. You want to prove you are this fearsome manhunter? I will give you that chance. The first head you will bring me is that of an evocii – one of those useless, sniveling natives. The evocii sold us this world for trinkets. Now they take up arms against their rightful masters. It's disgusting. One evocaii dares call himself Huttsbane. He raids my holdings in a swamp village. Place his head on my floor. His followers' heads can be left in the village. Go now."

-BREAK ONE-

The evocci in the swamps were very unfriendly. They did not ask why she was there. They did not ask what she wanted. But they did shoot first. That was more than enough for her to play hard ball. She killed a few – those that stopped fighting she left alone. Eventually, one of the survivors was willing tell her where Huttsbane was currently located.

She entered the pre-fab structure, gun drawn.

Huttsbane glared at the armored woman who had a gun trained on him. "Nem'ro found someone with no morals to destroy my village! Are you proud of yourself? Filthy murderer! Will you butcher the women and children as well?"

"You know nothing about me, Huttsbane! I have morals. I have honor." At least she had honor. "I do not kill women or children. I would not have killed the others, but they drew first blood. If I did not shoot back, I'd be dead. They left me no choice. I did not come here for them. They did not need to die. It is your head that has a bounty on it – not theirs."

"Wait!" Baratatta exclaimed. "Perhaps there is another way. The Hutts would slaughter us like criminals, when it is they who have taken what is not theirs."

"Yes," Huttsbane snarled, "This planet was home for evocii long before the Hutts came."

Baratatta held up his hand. "You are a warrior. You must understand why we fight for our birthright."

She spun her blaster and snapped it to her hip. "I do and I would fight to the death for my homeworld. Nem'ro claims this planet was sold to him, but that doesn't matter to me. Hutts are slimy, greedy slugs. One day, a blaster bolt will burn a hole through his head."

"See, Huttsbane? Not all outsiders bow before the Hutts."

"Bow? Never. I tolerate him because I need something from him. A favor for a favor, so to speak. But I'd sooner put a bullet in him as to look at him."

Baratatta nodded. "You are here for Huttbane's head, but Nem'ro does not know one evocii from antoher. Dead warriors' heads all look alike to him…"

Icy cold anger bit into Huttsbane. "You would desecrate our dead and give it to this…to an outsider?"

Deceiving Nem'ro. She'd do it in heartbeat…if she could get away with it. "I'm all for sticking it to Nem'ro…and Nem'ro may not be that smart…but even he will realize I didn't kill Huttsbane if he keeps raiding."

"No," Baratatta replied with a shake of his head, "From this day forward, our young warrior will aid his people from the shadows."

"No!" Huttsbane growled. "There is no honor in making deals and butchering our own dead."

"No there's not," she agreed. "But they are already dead. The sacrifice will save your life. There is a bounty on you. Even if I didn't take it, many more would come. You would never be safe and the next bounty hunter wouldn't take the time to reason with you, because credits are all they care about. You are alive…Support your people…care for your people. Baratatta is giving you a second chance – don't waste it."

"She speaks wisely, Huttsbane. Today we must place survival above honor. Outsider – will you take the head of a dead warrior as a substitute?" Baratatta inquired.

"Of course."

"Good. Give me a moment…"

She watched him leave and turned her gaze to Huttsbane. "I know you are angry. I know you do not like what's happening to your people. I wouldn't either. But you've been given a second chance. Use it wisely for your people. And if you want to piss on the Hutts then don't be seen."

Baratatta returned and dropped the bagged head. It hit the floor with a wet thunk. "Here is the head of a fallen warrior. Nem'ro's a great fool. He will accept it as Huttbane's. Now please go."

"You have killed many warriors today. Do not return here," Huttsbane grumbled.

She bent down to pick up the head, making sure to hold it away from her. "For what it's worth – I'm sorry any of your people had to die. I did not want their deaths. They should not be so quick to shoot. I was no threat to them. I do wish your people the best."

"Go in peace," Baratatta said quietly. They had dead to morn and bury.

After she slipped out of the village, she took out her holo-communicator and called Mako. "How are you holding up, Mako?"

"Better, now that I've got a lead. The man that killed Braden really is Tarro Blood, a big shot from Alderaan. After he washed out of the last Great Hunt, Tarro spent years building up support with the Mandalorians. As you know, the Great Hunt is a Mandalorian tradition. Entry rules are different for your people than other bounty hunters – which I suppose you are now. Since Tarro's a Mandalorian, he competes with them to enter. Now he's buying off the other Mandalorians so they don't gang up on him again."

"A coward and a thief," Sylver scoffed. "This scum dies."

Mako found herself grinning. The moment she realized it, the smile slipped. "That's what I like to hear. For now, concentrate on impressing Nem'ro. That's the only way you're going to get close to Tarro. Oh – and one more thing….While I was out taking care of…saying goodbye to Braden and Jory…I caught someone following me. He was dressed like some offworld tribesman. Tall. Wore a white bone mask, like a death's head."

A stalker? That was not sit well. Not on her watch. "Did he try anything?"

"No," she said with a shake of her head, "but he could tell I spotted him. Anyway, eyes open. Go show that Hutt who the best bounty hunter in the galaxy is."

She snapped the communicator back on her magbelt. On the way to Nem'ro's entertainment room she caught sight of a new face. A twi'lek was seated at a desk outside of Nem'ro's chamber. She spoke briefly with the woman, who turned out to be far nicer than she'd expected. Her name was Juda and she was the paymaster. To get in good with Nem'ro, she imagined she'd be getting to know the twi'lek rather well. She wished the woman well and headed in to see Nem'ro.

"She smells like dead savage," Carnus commented, sounding more pleased than normal.

"Then it's true," Nem'ro acknowledged. "You killed the famed Huttsbane. Tell me of your hunt."

Really? Honor demanded she not lie. "You asked for a head. I went and got it," she replied.

He studied his fingers for a moment and then leveled a look on the bounty hunter. "So simple, was it? One time might be luck…Your next target will not be so easy to reach, though he shouldn't put up much of a fight when you find him. That upstart, Fa'athra, lays claim to things that are mine. He moves against my factories, sends his scum to make trouble in Jiguuna. Yalt, my foolish accountant, thinks Fa'athra is becoming a stronger Hutt than Nem'ro. He works for Fa'athra now - at the factory in the Rust Yards. The accountant must die for his betrayal."

That did not sit well with her. That was not an honorable killing. "Let me guess, you want his head on your floor?" she asked dryly.

"You know me so well." Nem'ro scratched his chest. "But the head is not for me. Take his head to the cantina. Yalt's wife works there. She encouraged his disloyalty to me. His head is her reward."

Well, hell. "Can you tell me more about where Yalt is?"

"Fa'athra protects Yalt behind a blast-proof security door, but someone smart like you will find a way in. Go – show Yalt what it means to cross Nem'ro."

"Bounty Hunter," Carnus pointed to her as if she wouldn't know he was talking to her, despite being the only bounty hunter in the room. "See Juda when you want credits. She pay you for the dead savage."

"Yes, I am aware." Full of disgust, she turned away from the dais strode quickly from the chamber. She stopped by Juda's desk to collect her pay. She was once again treated with kindness and caring. How did such a woman end up working for a Hutt? Perhaps, one day she would ask her.

She thought over how to reach the account that sealed behind a security door. She would have to cut the power, because she doubted she'd be able to slice the controls. She could use Mako right about now, but wouldn't want to risk her life. So…she'd just have to hit the generators that powered the door. With a plan in mind, she left the palace and headed to the coordinates she'd been sent.

When she entered the building, she was surprised to see what appeared to be a jedi and a zabrak taking out Fa'athra's security. With a grin she jumped into the fray to assist them. If she was wrong and that was a sith…no…the layered tunic and pants…the pale blue lightsaber – had to be a jedi. But why was a jedi on Hutta. Though she supposed Hutta was certainly in need of a jedi's justice.

She glanced up the stairs when the last man fell. No…that unsavory business could wait a bit. She snapped her blasters to her magbelt and studied the two that were walking towards her. The jedi was had a strange sable hair color that sported both brown and blond highlights and he wore dark glasses that even light couldn't penetrate. The zabrak's tattoos emphasized his attractive, tan, chiseled face. He had two main horns, similar to two small devil's horns, and about six smaller ones that his tousled brown hair did a rather good job hiding. His emerald eyes were striking. "Name's Sylver Wren," she told them.

The jedi tilted his head, a small smile ghosted over his lips. "I am Xocha Lirr and my companion is Torik Starn. We are here to free the slaves. I hope that you do not intend to stop us," he said, not unkindly.

"I have no love for the Empire and I do not condone slavery. Do what you must, I will not interfere," she assured him.

Xocha motioned with his head towards the slaves. "I will help you get the slaves to your ship, my friend...but this is where our paths diverge. The force is pulling me in another direction."

Torik glanced over at the bounty hunter and cocked a brow. "Would it have to do with our new friend?"

"It would."

Torik knew by now that if Xocha intended to tell him anything more, he would have.

She only spared a moment to ensure they were busy with the salves and hurried upstairs. She wasn't sure what she was going to do, but she knew she couldn't do this. An accountant? Her honor was already in the refresher…to kill such a man…she would not be worthy of the Great Hunt. There was no climbing out of the sewer, if she did this.

Once she took out the bodyguards, she snapped her pistols to her belt and frowned at the cowering man. No...she'd have to think of something fast. She would not kill him.

Yalt cowered on his knees and held up his hands. Oh god…no. "Oh no, oh no, no…no…no…I don't want to die. I never meant to betray Nem'ro, but Fa'athra offered me so many credits…then he didn't pay me. He locked me up – threatened to kill my wife if I didn't work my accounting magic for him. I was so stupid. Please, please, please spare me. I'll do anything!"

"Calm down and stand up. I don't want to kill you. Nem'ro wanted me to hand your head to your wife, but I can't do that. But something has to give," she replied.

Hope sprung inside of him. A warmth he hadn't expected to feel again. He and his wife didn't have many years left, but he wanted every last minute with her. "Right. You don't have to kill me. I'll get my wife and leave the planet. But I'll crash Fa'athra's accounts before I go. That will make Nem'ro so happy, he won't care what happened to me."

She frowned and nodded. Unlike what happened to Huttsbane, this was not something she could fake. It would be too suspicious if his wife left Hutta, but it wasn't safe for her to stay either. "I'm not so sure about Nem'ro not caring. But I cannot come up with an alternative. Work your magic, Yalt."

Yalt hurried over to the terminal. He didn't take his attention from what he was doing. "Fa'athra's going to regret what he did to me," he mumbled. With one last keystroke a smile brightened his face. He spun around to face the bounty hunter that was giving him a chance. "Fa'athra just lost thousands of credits, and it's be obvious on the banking records. Nem'ro will be pleased. Can I go?" Please..please don't change your mind.

"Of course. It would be dishonorable for me to lie. Take your wife and disappear," she warned.

"Thank you…thank you. We'll be gone fast." He glanced over at the man that entered the room, tucked his head down and kept going.

Xocha unfolded his arms from his chest. He thought he'd have to intervene. "You have surprised me, Sylver. You are a bounty hunter, are you not? And you just released your bounty. That is…unprecedented."

She brushed past the jedi and slipped through the door to head back downstairs. "Not for me. There would have been no honor in his death. Are you following me?" she asked when the jedi kept pace with her.

He was more than sure she did not like the idea of him tagging along, but as a mirlaluka he was deeply tied to the force with all his senses, except the one he lacked – sight. This…with her …is where he needed to be. "Yes. The force has guided me to you and with you I will remain until it guides me elsewhere," he informed her.

She pulled up sharply, coming to a stop, her head swinging up to glare at him. "Are you saying you're staying with me? Do I look like some simpering damsel in distress? I'm a Mandalorian, jedi – I don't need coddled or protected! Did you hear that? MANDALORIAN. Aren't you supposed to try to kill me or something?"

"That was…a lot of questions. Would you like the long answers of the short version?" he inquired calmly.

"Short," she spat out.

He blinked, his lips twitching. "Yes. No. Yes. And why?" -

Now it was her turn to blink. Was he for real? Another jedi with a sense of humor. "Are you sure you're a jedi?" She shook her head and blew out a harsh breath. "Long version," she growled in exasperation.

He inclined his head to her. "I am not a jedi…exactly. I am a miraluka. My people have our own educational organization. But I work closely with the Jedi Order and have even been both teacher and student to the jedi. The force has guided me to you and I will remain with you. I am not here to coddle you or protect you. Though, I will do either if needed. However, I am here because this is where I am meant to be at this time. Finally, why would I kill you? Is there some sort of law stating jedi and mandalorians must kill each other on sight? If so, such laws diminish us all. Killing is always a last resort – and only if there is no other option. Have I answered all your questions, Sylver?"

Mira – "Wait! If you are miraluka does that mean you are…"

"Blind?" He asked with a grin. "Yes and no. I cannot distinguish colors – so I am color blind, but I otherwise see better than sighted beings. I can see a being's aural alignment. You, for instance," he said softly as she studied the swirling glow that surrounded her, "While you have been touched by darkness, you do not let it define you. You are, inherently, a good person. I can see structures, the living, the dead. I can see through walls and doors to some degree. Everything glows – though the glow has no color."

He saw more than she'd expected. She knew next to nothing about his race, but it was still fascinating. She looked off in the distance, spotted the merchants she'd passed earlier and started walking in that direction. "So, the world around is like a hologram?" she asked, trying to get a better grasp.

"I'm unsure how to answer that question," he admitted as he fell into step beside her. "I have not seen a hologram."

"Of course. I did not think that question out very well. But your description reminded me a lot of holos. Why do you wear glasses? Do you look…unsettling under them? Sorry – not my business," she amended quickly. She wondered if they had gaping holes where eyes would be or if their face was slate blank and smooth as if their eyes slid off their face. Now she was just being ridiculous.

"I do not find myself unsettling, but we are well aware that many species do. So, most of us cover up what we are lacking when we are offworld so as to not make others feel uncomfortable in our presence," he admitted.

She glanced over at him briefly and then leveled her gaze on the merchant booths. "I would not feel uncomfortable. My uncle lost one of his eyes. After it was healed, he chose not to cover it. He would even shove all sorts of things in the socket if he drank too much," she said with a shudder.

"What if I told you that when I was younger, I did something so that it was not so noticeable that I was different? I had been working offworld, had too much to drink and my friends talked me into…something. Come to find out, the lack of blinking freaked people out more than having no eyes."

Wait…what? She came to an abrupt halt and turned to face him. "What do you mean? What were you talked into?" Normally, she wouldn't have asked – it wasn't her business, but he brought it up – and what did he mean by lack of blinking?

He felt his cheek tick with his indecision. He released a harsh breath and pried the tight glasses from his face. He could see the stunned look on her face, but she didn't pull away. In fact, she removed her glove and reached up. He stood still as her finger feathered across his skin.

She could believe she found a beautiful pair of honey colored, half-lidded, sensual eyes underneath the glasses, Eyes that looked directly at her. Eyes that did not blink. She pulled off her protective glove and reached up to touch one of his eyes. She expected to see the lid close as her finger drew near, but it did not. Because as real as it looked, right down to small wrinkles, slight veins and eyelashes, it was only a tattoo…a very life-like tattoo, but still just a tattoo. "They are stunning. And they are striking with your beautiful, long, sable hair." She could feel the heat in her cheeks. She shouldn't have touched him without permission. "I apologize for touching you without asking." And before she could stop herself, she stuck her tongue out at him. Yes, the tough Mandalorian that wanted to get her honor back, just stuck her tongue out at a blind man.

He chuckled softly. "I do not mind the touch of a beautiful woman. But I must know…are you younger than I thought or was that an invitation to kiss you?"

Her cheeks felt like water would sizzle if it landed on them. That had been childish, but in her defense, she didn't think he'd see it and she wanted to do something that wouldn't alert him to movement. It was the only thing she could come up with. But still…his words…he looked like a jedi – but did not talk like one. "Kiss me…" Why would he think…and then he was. She hadn't meant to stop her sentence, but his words had surprised her. And then she stopped thinking altogether as his lips and tongue made love to her mouth. She'd never been kissed like that. She'd had a couple of drunk kisses that just made her giggle, but nothing that made her insides tingle.

He'd been stunned when she actually did ask him to kiss her. It had been far too long since he'd enjoyed a simple pleasure of a woman's kiss. He pulled back, his thumb caressing her soft cheek. "I would not be averse to another invitation some time."

Neither would she. Not that she would ever say that. She resumed their journey at a faster clip as she shoved the glove over fingers that wanted to touch her tingling lips. "I will keep that in mind." When they reached the merchants, she bought a bag and few other items and then took his arm and led him a shadowed corner between a wall and a merchant's tent. "Here," she said as she handed him the bag. "If you intend to stay near me then you can't walk around Hutta looking like a jedi. You need to blend in so we don't draw unwanted attention." She spun around, giving him her back so that he could change.

"That is kind of you, Sylver. I am so used to my clothing, I did not think about it." He pulled off his tunic and pants and slipped into the clothing she'd purchased for him. She did a decent job eyeing the fit. The pants fit him a bit snugger than he was used to, but they were not uncomfortable in the slightest. The shirt was clean and soft, the jacket looked to have been made from a sturdy leather. He slipped his old clothing into the bag and slung it over his shoulder. "I am dressed."

She turned at his words and scanned his new attire. Wow. Nice. She turned and walked away. "You dress down well – at least now we won't have every Empire loving idiot gunning for us."

He caught up with her, still trying to digest what she'd said. Empire loving idiot. It was the second time she'd spoken out against the Empire. "Don't mandalorians typically side with the Empire?"

More times than not that was true. But circumstances change…people change. "This one doesn't. But I don't know you well enough to share that story."

He was a patient man. "And why is it that you do not wear a helmet?"

Because she'd left it behind on the pyre that held her mother, father and brother to symbolize that a part her died with them that day. "That is even more personal. How about you – How long were you with Torik?"

"I have traveled with Torik for four years." He grabbed her hand and leapt backwards with her, a speeder flew through where they'd been a moment ago. "We visit Hutta and Imperial worlds and free the slaves we can find. It is safe to proceed."

She acknowledged his words with a nod and continued their journey. Her suit's proximity sensors would have alerted her to the danger, but at the speed the speeder was moving, it would have been too late. "Vor'e – thanks. Mando'ad draar digu – a Mandalorian never forgets." She did not like owing a debt, but now she owed him one. "Four years is a long time – won't you miss what you were doing? It was a noble cause."

"Nobility can be found in many causes, Sylver."

She shook her head. "Not in my cause. I'm doing tasks I do not like or approve of in order to be sponsored into the Great Hunt. I intend to win and earn back my honor. More than that – you don't need to know. My cause is selfish, not noble. You are better off returning to Torik."

He appreciated the warning, but this was where he needed to be. "And yet, I am still here."

She shrugged. If he planned to hang out with her his halo would likely get rusty. "I see that. Don't say I didn't warn you." She led him into the palace and then came to a stop. "You should wait here. I don't know how Nem'ro would react if I didn't come alone."

He studied the ebb and flow of her aura. "Fine. But I will not remain here if there is danger," he warned.

That was the best she would get from him. With a nod, she turned right down the corridor that would lead to Nem'ro. A female rodian stepped out of the shadows in the room before Juda's.

-BREAK TWO-

Nails pursed her wide lips. "Here is the fraud. Useless weakling Mako pretends is a bounty hunter."

She smiled at the rodian. "The day is a beautiful as it can be on Hutta, you should go enjoy it." The words were warm but laced with warning.

"Don't be high-and-mighty!" Nails sneered. "Not with me! Blood doesn't want you in the Great Hunt. Smart person would take the hint. You're not smart."

"I don't submit to tyranny or bullies. Tell Tarro I'm looking for him. And if you were smart…you'd walk away before Tarro leads you to your grave."

The rodian's head swung back and forth. "I hear all about how your weak master is butchered! Now you have no team – no support."

Xocha had heard enough. "You heard wrong," he said as he strode purposely into the room. "Sylver Wren has a devoted team and she will have her spot on the Great Hunt." The rodian was going to get herself killed and he would stop her foolishness, if he could.

Her blaster swung between the two humans before settling back on the bounty hunter. "Tarro Blood tells me I take you out, he makes sure I get in Great Hunt. Even if I have to let Blood win, just being in Great Hunt is big honor. I think after I go in Great Hunt, I come back and have statue made of me stepping on your head."

"Walk away from this, before it's too late. Your health is more important than a few minutes of glory," Xocha warned, trying to get her to see reason. He saw the roiling of her aura and knew he had no succeeded. He pushed with a slow wave of his hand. "You don't want to hurt anyone – you…"

She shook her head from the cobwebs and yelled at the top of her lungs over the voice in her head. "No! You can't go into Great Hunt if you're dead!"

Sylver dodged the first bolt, her own blaster rose in retaliation. A lightsaber flew through the air, the rodian's head toppled as the weapon returned to the Xocha's hand. "Madness can be stronger than the power of suggestion. It was most unfortunate for her."

"I didn't need help," she hissed with a frown.

"I know that. But I did not wish to risk others walking into a gun fight. Go – meet with Nem'ro. I will wait for you in there," he said, pointing to the room with the twi'lek working at her desk.

"Fine." She just wanted to get this part of her life over and get the hell off Hutta. She waved at Juda and hurried into where the Hutt held court.

"There she is! My spies say Yalt's wife left town as if all the akk dogs on Hutta were after her." Nem'ro puffed up his chest and rotated his shoulders. Things were going just as he'd planned. But he needed to tie up a loose end – a couple of them if things continued to go his way. "I also saw that you crashed Fa'athra's accounts. Above and beyond, bounty hunter. Truly powerful."

"I love you too, Nem'ro. Really," she said dryly.

Nem'ro chuckled. "I'm far too much for you, little woman. I have one more simple task for you. Something I need an outsider for. The traitor in my house is my own beastmaster. He plots against me and thinks I do not know. Go to the beast pits and pull the alarm switch. When the beastmaster comes, kill him."

He wanted her down in the beast pits? Did he intend to loose his beasts on her? She didn't trust a Hutt further than she could pick one up and throw it… "Sounds shady, Nem'ro."

Nem'ro scratched his chest. "You don't trust me, bounty hunter? Fight for me and get many credits! Now, go kill that traitor of a beastmaster!"

She stopped to collect her credits from Juda but stayed a few minutes to talk to her. She wished she had enough money to get the twi'lek far away from Hutta, but right now, she was barely scraping by. She bid Juda farewell and Xocha stepped in beside her as she left the room.

"I don't like this. I could hear the deceit in his voice."

"I agree. I don't have the force and I feel it too. But I still need to check it out. Maybe I can work something out with the beastmaster, like I've done with the other jobs he sent me to do." She glanced over at him as they took the lift down to the pits. "Nem'ro's going to have another task or find some other way to screw me over when we survive the pits, isn't he?"

"He's a Hutt," he said simply.

"That pretty much says it all," she murmured. At his chuckle she looked back over at him. "When it's just us – I'd really prefer it if you didn't wear your glasses."

That would have stopped him in his tracks if he'd been moving. "You would?"

"I don't tend to trust people who hide their eyes. I know it's not the same for you – but I'd rather see your unblinking fake eyes than those dark glasses you hide behind." She realized what she said might have been offensive. "I did not mean that in a malicious way. I just meant I am more comfortable with you as you really are than the dark glasses." Was that any better? It sounded better to her own ears, at least.

One corner of his lips pulled up into a lopsided grin. "I'm not offended." He tugged off his glasses and pushed them into a pocket on the interior of his leather jacket. "I do not have them on for my comfort." He nodded towards the lift door a moment before the door slid open. "Let us see what this beastmaster has to say."

The hall leading from the lift angled around and opened up into a large, dirt covered…arena. Bones of various sizes were strewn about the pit. Aggressive animals could be seen through the gates that lined the pit. "This is sick." She had no doubt the caged animals had been neglected, abused and starved to make them more aggressive. There was no honor in this.

She noticed a human standing behind the largest gate. When she reached the gate, she depressed the buzzer to gain his attention.

He came closer to the gate to see who rang. It was the bounty hunter. Good. "You call me just like Nem'ro said you would. So stupid. Now I kill you and Nem'ro give me big reward."

It did not sound like the beastmaster was playing with a full deck. "The only reward Nem'ro wants to give either of us is a one-way ticket to death. He sent me to kill you. I, for one, have no interest in that particular reward – do you?"

She spoke to fast, the words buzzed around his head like bothersome flies. Nem'ro wouldn't kill him. No…she talked trash. "You think you can distract me? So stupid! Free the beasts!" he yelled to his servants.

They turned as the gates started rising. "Mir'osik!" she shouted at the beast master. "Shit for brains – do you think he'll let you live? Haar'chak! Damn it – there is no honor in killing abused animals."

She heard the rumble and grinding of gears and looked up to see the ceiling slide into itself. Nem'ro laughed as he peered down into the pit. She leaned into Xocha. "Can you shoot a blaster?" At his nod, she handed him one of her blasters. "Might be wise to not show off what you can do. We might need that ace up the sleeve at some point."

She palmed her other blaster. They darted around the piles of bones to keep distance between them and the oncoming animals as they took the creatures down one by one. At one point they were back to back, when doors opened on opposite sides of the room at the same time. When there were no more animals left to battle the beastmaster charged them. She wasn't sure what he was thinking. Did he think he could do what a gundark couldn't? The man didn't even have armor on. She really hated killing stupid. Xocha didn't appear to feel the same way. He took the beastmaster down without a blink. A blink? She didn't know why she found that ridiculously funny. A man with no eyes…blinking. It wasn't funny, but she still had to bite back a laugh. In all honesty, she was bone weary. She'd been on the go, non-stop, since she arrived. She needed to eat and she needed to sleep. "Nem'ro has some explaining to do…then, no matter what – food and sleep. In that order."

They took the lift back up. Now that Nem'ro knew about Xocha there was no need to have him wait in the other room. She motioned him to follow her.

Nem'ro raised his arms briefly. "Might hunter! You killed terrible beasts from Hutta and beyond – and the beastmaster, too! Deception was the only way I could eliminate my beastmaster without upsetting things here."

Yeah…whatever. "Fine. I've played your game. I want that sponsorship."

The Hutt licked his bottom lip. "I did not expect you to survive the beast pits. Carnus said you would prevail, but -"

"I hear about little hunter kill spree in rust yards," Carnus interrupted with a satisfied gleam in his eyes.

Nem'ro waved a hand at Carnus. "Yes, I should have listened to you, my friend. Now, what's done is done."

"What have you done?" she growled.

"A representative of the Great Hunt will be here tomorrow. When he arrives, you would merely have to hand him my sponsorship token to enter the Great Hunt. Unfortunately…I already gave the holo-token to someone else. Someone fierce and deadly on Hutta has the sponsorship token. If you want it so badly, find him and take it! Ha!"

The Hutt had played her for the last time. "In the end, Nem'ro – you will get your just deserts."

He burped up a Klatooine paddy frog, caught it in his hand and tossed it back into his mouth. "Yes, yes," the Hutt replied. "If you succeed, I win. If you fail, I still win. Either way, the toughest being on Hutta goes to the Great Hunt with my name! See Juda for compensation regarding that whole beastmaster business."

She settled on the corner of Juda's desk, enjoying the friendly banter. She saw Juda give her a sly look after a glance at Xocha. "It's not like that, Juda."

"I could be," the twi'lek teased.

"Maybe," she shrugged, "but right now my focus is on something else." She turned and caught sight of Mako. She slid of the desk with a wave and sauntered over to the smaller woman. Mako stayed behind the scenes, to see her here caused concern.

"Hey, girl – who's your handsome tail?" Mako inquired.

She glanced at Xocha and noticed he'd put his glasses back on. "Xocha, this is Mako – the only remaining member of my team."

"Hello, Mako – It's a pleasure." His attention returned to Sylver. "And I'm a part of this team now too, Sylver."

"Mako – this is Xocha Lirr…a self-proclaimed member of our team. But, I'm glad he's along for the ride. He may just be our ace up the sleeve."

"Good," she said as she inclined her head to the good-looking man, "because it looks like we'll need one. We've been had. Nem'ro's already sponsored someone for the Great Hunt!"

She nodded. "So he said when I got tired of his games and demanded the sponsorship."

Mako leaned in closer. "I know who got Nem'ro's sponsorship. Token and how to find him. I'll tell you everything – but I want something in return."

She tilted her head. "How much?"

"It won't cost you credits," she said with a shake of her head. "Braden taught me how to fight, and you know I'm great with information. Take me with you - on this hunt and whatever comes after."

Mako was good to have around. She enjoyed her company and she had very useful skills. She wasn't sure why she shot a quick glance towards Xocha, but his slight nod showed his approval. Not that she needed it. "I like the way you think."

"I'm good with a blaster…I need this. Braden was like a father to me. It's not fair that – wait…did you just say yes?" Mako asked in surprise. She had been pretty sure that Sylver preferred to work alone. She had been prepared to wheedle quite a bit more.

She grinned at the kid. "I did, indeed, just say yes, Mako."

Mako beamed a smile at her. "Thank you. Braden always treated me like a child. But I'm not a child. And like you, I want to prove myself."

"I more than understand - and we will prove ourselves together," Sylver assured her.

"Oh – I intercepted a transmission between the trandoshan and - get this – the bone-faced freak who was following me. Remember me warning you about him?" At Sylver's nod, she continued. "I'm going to keep an eye out for any more of those transmissions. In the meantime, we all need to stay alert."

They bunked at the rest house Braden, Jory and Mako had used. Mako had her own room and she was left sharing one with Xocha. But at least there were two beds. She removed her armor and laid it next to her bed – Braden's bed. She thought she'd have time to switch her underarmor for lounging clothes, but she heard the door slide open just as she was sliding up her pants. She quickly pulled the shirt over her head, settled it in place and tried to cool her cheeks with her icy fingers.

She glanced around the room to delay looking at him and noticed Braden's armor. Armor he hadn't worn at least since her arrival on Hutta. Armor that might have saved his life if he'd worn it. She laid it, along with the thin underarmor out next to Xocha's bed. "Come morning, you should wear that. The clothing I got for you is fine during down times, but artillery can run hot around me and you need armor that can protect you. The helmet will lock onto the belt when you don't wish to wear it." She wiped at a mark on the chestplate. "It belonged to Braden – it might have saved him if he'd worn it," she said quietly. She wasn't as close to him as Mako had been, but she'd gotten to know him rather well when she'd first met him and he'd talked her into the Great Hunt. She wasn't sure how Braden ended up with mando armor and she didn't ask.

When she turned to look at him, he'd already removed his jacket and hung it over the back of a chair. His shirt was stretched tight across his chest and she swallowed hard. "Let me show you how it works," she said, her voice a bit huskier than she wanted. When he stepped in close to her, she picked up the gauntlet and then settled her back against his chest and raised his arm so that she could see the micro terminal in the same way that he could. "Watch what I'm doing – you're getting a crash course in mando suits.

She discovered it was hard to ignore the heat of his body pressed against hers. She cleared her throat and showed him how to regulate the temperature inside the suit, how to boost shielding, activate the jetpack and use the mini darts that were stored within the gauntlet. After he was able to adjust the settings instinctively, she showed him how to release the armor clamps. The gauntlet dropped onto the pile of armor and rolled down, bumping into their ankles. Neither of them moved. Was it getting warm in here? Had time come to a stop? She just wasn't sure anymore.

His hands settled on her upper arms and he leaned his head down. "Thank you," he said softly. "I'll wear the armor tomorrow if that is your wish." He felt her shiver against him and heard her heart's beat quicken. Still, she said nothing…did nothing, though he knew she wanted him. He needed her to do something to encourage him. When she didn't his lips grazed the soft skin where her neck curved into her shoulder, released her and backed away. "We should order food and turn in."

That brought her back to reality in a blink. Time resumed its normal speed. They ordered food, ate, talked a bit about themselves and then settled in to their very separate beds. She couldn't say sleep came easy – it didn't. He'd made her too curious about sexual matters.

Come morning, they pulled on their underarmor with their backs to each other, took turns in the refresher and then headed to the kitchen to fix breakfast. They found Mako up and already busy at a terminal

Mako looked up as they entered the room. "Good morning. I was able to get more information on Rarsk…the one who has Nem'ro's sponsorship token. He is collecting on a bounty Fa'athra the Hutt is holding for him. A Republic scientist or something. All we have to do is break into Fa'athra's ridiculously well-guarded palace in the swamp, find the scientist ourselves and set a trap for Rarsk."

Sylver nodded. "And when Rarsk shows up, we take his sponsorship token. Good plan, Mako."

The young woman smiled. "There's a bonus too. Bounties in Fa'athra's palace. Which means credits to get off this mud rock."

"About that….there is something I am hoping you will be able to do. Vexx had a ship. He won't need it now. But if you can slice the identa-chip then we can use that to get offworld. It's a smaller starship, but it will fit the three of us just fine. I'm sending you the ships coordinates. His goons have been cleaned out, you should be able to work in peace."

That was the best news Mako had heard in a long time. She was itching to get off Hutta. "I can do that if you two want to go after Rarsk. Here," she said, handing Sylver a small disk. "There is a slot on your holo for it. If I get done in time, I will trace it's signature and join you."

Sylver pulled out her holo and grinned when she found the slot. She slid the disk in, flipped on the communicator and pressed a small button near the chip. A holomap appeared and she saw every lifesource pop, Mako's in blue. "Nice. Vor'e. I can find you as well. We'll need to get another one of those disks for Xocha."

"Yup! We will be able to locate each other." She pulled another disk from her pocket and held it out to Xocha. Those disks had been Braden and Jory's but they didn't need them anymore. She pushed that thought away. She couldn't afford to break down. She would do whatever it took to Sylver into the Great Hunt. "If you are sure you want to be part of the team…"

He took the offered chip and slid it into his communicator as he'd witnessed Sylver do. "The force guides me and it has led me to Sylver. This is where I am needed. It is where I am meant to be."

"The force?" Mako asked in shock and then looked up at Sylver in concern.

"Not a sith," he assured the small woman.

Sylver placed a hand on Xocha's forearm to get his attention. "You okay with all of this, Xocha?"

He settled his larger hand over hers and gave it a reassuring pat. "While our definitions of honor may vary to some degree, you are an honorable sort and I stand at your side."

Mako cocked a brow as she took in the touch and the looks on their faces. "Are you two together," she asked as she motioned between them.

"Of course," he replied without hesitation. Hadn't he just said that he would stand at Sylver's side?

Sylver slid her hand out from under his. She had no doubt her cheeks were rosy red against her pale skin. "She meant are we a couple…lovers…and no we are not."

Mako's laugh was light and lilting. She'd caught the blush that deepened both of their cheeks. "It doesn't take a genius to see you two have a connection. There is much to be said for being friends with benefits. I know that first hand. It doesn't have to get…messy, if you focus on your friendship. And if either of you find someone else, then you will still have that friendship." She shrugged. "It's up to you – but life has no guarantee that you will see the next day, so live it while you can. There's no shame in two consenting, single friends seeking warmth, companionship and stress relief in each other."

"Yes…well, thank you, Mako. It will be nice to have a ship at our disposal." Why did Mako have to open her mouth and put thoughts in her head? Her fingers rose to touch her lips, remembering the tingle from the kiss he'd given her. "K'oyacyi! – come back safely, Mako." She didn't like saying goodbye to friends. So she told them to stay alive instead.

He hadn't heard the term friends with benefits, but he understood the concept. He found the idea intriguing, especially after the hard night's sleep. It had been six years since he'd known the pleasure only a woman could give and he wanted to share that pleasure with Sylver. He already knew he cared about Sylver. If they shared a bed, it would strengthen that bond – but he also knew she was not the woman of his heart. He would know if she was, wouldn't he? He knew that she returned that interest. He could scent her interest in him and they were standing close enough in the empty room that he could hear the blood pounding rapidly through her heart, like it had last night. They rose from the table at the same time. He lifted a hand and cupped the side of her face, his fingers settling against the back of her neck. When she didn't back away, he pulled her against him and captured her lips. After a kiss that heated his blood, he pulled back enough to look down at her. "Do you want this too?" he murmured against her lips. "This…friends with benefits…finding comfort in each other for now?"

Did she want it? She'd never been with a man before. A couple of stolen, drunk kisses that left her feeling nothing. But Xocha made her tingly and warm inside. She couldn't see herself spending the rest of her life with him, he wasn't mando'ad – but that wasn't what he was suggesting. And she certainly didn't want to die without knowing the pleasure between a man and a woman. "Kiss me again – later, and we will see how it feels then….provided you take off those damned glasses."

He chuckled and brushed his lips against hers. "That I can do." He had to admit he was looking forward to warming her bed. He'd only been with two other women. Friendships that grew into something more, but they'd mutually moved on and maintained their friendships. They were by no means as close as they were before they got involved, but they all knew they could count on each other in a pinch. But warming the bed of a new friend, knowing it wouldn't go further…that was not something he'd never contemplated before. He also wasn't so naïve as to believe there weren't risks involved with such a coupling. He knew that acts of physical love could eventually lead to an emotionally binding love for either one or both of them, but it was a risk he was willing to take. He'd known it the moment his lips first touched hers with a teasing kiss that had become more. "Let us find Rarsk and get this over with. I do not like this planet."

"You and me, both," she murmured.

-BREAK THREE-

Back in their bedroom, she helped him clamp on his armor and he practiced what he'd learned by clamping her armor on. He grazed his lips against hers and settled the helmet over his head until it hissed and clamped tight. Because of how he saw what was around him, the helmet didn't infringe on his vision at all. Though, he didn't much care for something covering his head. But with blaster bolts flying, it was necessary. "We need to get you a helmet soon."

She nodded. "I'll have to get one at the fleet hub…My suit requires a special make of helmet or it will not seal properly."

He did not ask questions. He knew she would tell him about her story…her helmet, when she was ready.

After they left the rest home she stopped at a weapon's merchant and bought him a vibroblade and a blaster. Or she'd intended to, but brushed her hand aside and paid for the weapons himself.

"I understand the need for the weapons. You wish to keep my abilities concealed for now. Since they are to be mine, it is my responsibility to pay for them," he told her. He handed her blaster back to her and examined his new weapons. The vibroblade looked thin and lethal. It was heavier than his lightsaber, but felt comfortable in his grip. The blaster was larger and heavier than the one he'd borrowed from her, but it felt better in his larger palm. While these were not his weapons of choice, it was prudent for him to have a low profile while he was not on a Republic allied world.

She nodded. She could understand that. She was going to pay for them because they were her idea not his. But she understood his desire to pay his own way. She respected that. Money was not something she was lacking. The wealth of her branch of the Wren now belonged solely to her. They had done well on their bounties and yes…even the crops they'd planted. Her ancestors spit from the rest of Wren because they got tired of warring and killing without reason. Her family fought worthy enemies that wanted to fight. They did not force war on peoples that wanted peace. And they did not start battles where both contestants were not eager and willing. There was no honor in killing someone that only sought to defend himself or his family. If an enemy sought to surrender, they allowed it – unless that enemy was known for deception. But the enemy, if released, owed an honor debt that had to be repaid. Other mando'ad had welcomed their strength if not their ideals. "Now we are ready."

Apparently, Fa'athra's soldiers knew who she was on sight. Guess there weren't too many white haired mandalorians wearing silver and white armor on Hutta. Go figure. It sort of felt like they'd kicked the hornet's nest. Half the time they were forced to fight back to back. By the time they reached Fa'athra's inner palace they worked together as if they'd been a team for years. If anyone noticed Xocha was batting away blaster bolts with his vibroblade while shooting his blaster, no one called him out on it. Perhaps because they did not survive long enough to.

"Wait!" Mako cried out.

Sylver turned, the smile never slipped from her face as she raised her blaster.

Mako came to an abrupt halt. "What did I-" The blaster bolt flew past her shoulder and she spun around to see a man thrown back by the impact and then fell more gracefully to the ground than she thought possible. "Oh…thank you. I wasn't sure I'd catch up to you in time."

"I'd say you were just in time. I think that's our bait right in there," she said as she motioned to the woman in the room on her right. Since she's alive, that means we beat Rarsk."

Albea's mouth fell open. Since she was alive? Someone wanted her dead? "Stay back!" she warned. "I've got a…a…well, guess I don't have much of anything right now. Why am I here? Who wants me dead?"

Xocha held up his hands to show no ill will. "You are safe with us, ma'am. We are not here to hurt you and we are not with Fa'athra."

"Nope," Mako said with a grin, "in fact, we just killed a whole bunch of them – or they did," she motioned to Sylver and Xocha. Wait – that made them sound like bloodthirsty thugs. "But don't worry – like he said, we not gonna kill you," she amended quickly. "Lady, there's a bounty hunter coming to take you to the Empire – where you'll probably die or least be tortured."

The woman's cry of terror signaled Sylver that it was her turn to speak out. "Mako, dear…you are terrifying the woman. You may wish to leave the diplomacy to me, or better yet…Xocha."

"Right," Mako agreed, her cheeks heating up.

"We'll protect you when he shows up, ma'am," Xocha assured her.

Albea looked at three well-armed people. They looked like they could protect her, but still… "I'm not cut out for this. Please let me go…I'll do anything to -"

"He's here," Xocha murmured quietly as he drew his vibroblade and blaster.

"Hello, soft things," Rarsk rumbled as he entered the room, blaster raised. "I see many Fa'athra servants are dead. Give me scientist female, and you will not join them."

Sylver grinned, as cocky as ever. "I've never killed a…what is it again, Mako?"

"Trandoshan…rhymes with dead meat," Mako replied with a grin of her own.

"I have a better offer," Xocha told him. "Turn over your sponsorship token and leave before more blood is spilt."

"You are stupid even for soft things. Rarsk will tear out your heart and feed it to a tiny rodent," he snarled.

"You are young and thus unwise, consider your actions carefully, Rarsk," Xocha warned.

"Scorekeeper – watch me!"

But he was down before he could fire a shot, a knife buried deep in his eye. Sylver walked to the downed trandoshan, pocketed the token and pulled the knife out. She wiped it on him and then returned it to Xocha. "I believe this is yours."

He snapped the knife to his magbelt, where several more could be seen, slipped his arm around her waist and drew her to the side. "I can use my power to throw them without giving myself away."

She unsealed his helmet, pulled it off his head and then brushed her lips against his. "That was sexy as sin," she murmured.

"I knew it!" Mako said as she clapped her hands in glee.

She thrust his helmet into his hands and turned to the scientist, completely ignoring Mako's outburst. "Are you okay?"

"That – that was brutal. But I owe you my thanks."

"Got that right, girl. We're the heroes of the day – or at least he is, since he didn't let us get a shot off," she grumbled.

Albea rubbed her hands together nervously. "So, what happens now?"

Unlike many other mando'ad, she didn't look down on people who did not know how to fight. Not everyone was cut out for that. People are proficient in different things – there's no shame in doing what you are good at. "There's a shuttle port in town – I suggest you take the first shuttle out and lay low somewhere until the bounty on you goes away."

"Thank you so much! I'll find it..I'll leave."

"Here," Mako said as she handed the scientist a blaster. "I've got a holdout blaster – just in case. It's small, but it packs a punch. It will see you safely off Hutta…Now get moving."

"Thank you again…all of you," Albea replied before she made a run for the door.

"Come on," Sylver motioned with her hand, "We need to head back to Nem'ros' palace. The port's not far from there…we should at least follow her to make sure she gets there safely."

Xocha grinned. "You are a remarkable woman, Sylver. Don't let anyone change you." He lowered the helmet over his head and released a breath when he heard the seal hiss closed.

They stayed close enough to her to watch her back, but far enough that she wouldn't immediately notice them. They only had to take out one man that tried to grab her from behind. She never even knew she was in danger. "Re'turcye mhi," she whispered as they hung a left at the palace and she ran straight to reach the port.

"Very well, Nem'ro. When the trandoshan returns I shall…ah, I see we have a new player in the game after all," Grataa remarked when he saw the trio enter, the white-haired woman leading the others.

Mako pulled her blaster. "That's the bone-masked creep that followed me. Get him!"

Nem'ro's laugh was loud and booming. "Little Mako – so fiery!"

Grataa inclined his head towards the leader. "Hunter, allow me to apologize if I spooked your young friend."

"Mako," she motioned with her hand to lower her blaster. "There are times when diplomacy is more productive than violence."

Xocha beamed behind his helmet. She was unlike any Mandalorian that he'd ever come into contact with.

Grataa turned his attention to the small, darker-haired woman. "I regret that I startled you, young woman. I was pursuing another quarry when we crossed paths. It was him I was following - he was following you." He glanced at the armored man and then leveled his gaze on the white-haired woman who looked somewhat familiar to him, though he wasn't sure how. "I am Grataa. It is my honor to represent the Great Hunt. I have been investigating possible malfeasance by one Tarro Blood."

Sylver frowned. "Him…yes. He slaughtered my crew to keep me out of the Hunt."

"Yes, I am aware. I regret that I arrived too late to intervene. I reviewed your security holorecording and witnessed the murder of your teammates by Tarro's men. While dishonorable, the attack wasn't technically against the rules. Unless Tarro attacks another competitor directly, he cannot be punished."

"Tarro's too big a coward to take me on," Sylver snarled.

"Be cautious accusing mandalorians of cowardice. They do not take such insults lightly," Grataa warned.

"Of that there is no doubt. In fact, I'm counting on it." She wondered what he would say if he learned she was mando'ad.

Grataa studied her for a moment. Why did she seem familiar to him? "I will continue to closely monitor Tarro Blood's activities. If he breaks the Great Hunt rules, he will pay for it."

"One way or another, Tarro will pay," she stated without hesitation.

"You're the best," Mako whispered.

"You have my token and recognition as the most fearsome hunter on Hutta," Nem'ro put forth, getting entirely too bored with how slowly things were progressing.

"Indeed," the kaleesh replied with an incline of his head. "You have proven yourself worthy of the Great Hunt. But the competition is only beginning. From here you must go to Dromund Kaas – the Imperial capital." He held his hand out. "These are your shuttle passes."

She swallowed hard at the thought of Dromund Kaas and waved her hand. "We have a ship, but vo – thank you all the same."

Mako looked over at Xocha, who was wearing Braden's armor. It still freaked her out to see his armor walking around. "We are on our way, girl. I wish Braden could see us now."

"He and Jory are proud of us all. They are living through us. Hang on to that, Mako," she said quietly.

"When you arrive on Dromund Kaas, seek the Huntmaster in the Mandalorian enclave. He will answer all your questions about the Great Hunt."

She inclined her head to the kaleesh. "I assume we'll see you later?"

"You may count on it…hunter."

"Yes," Nem'ro boomed. "Go to the Great Hunt and spread the glory of Nem'ro the Hutt."

"You may wish you had not said that, Hutt. I don't lie," Sylver warned.

"Good hunt," Grataa told her.

"Re – goodbye, Grataa." She turned and hurried out before he could analyze the words she'd almost said. She stopped to say her farewells to Juda. She would miss the soft spoken, upbeat twi'lek. "Let's go pack up, so we can leave this rock."

Once inside the rest house, Sylver warned Xocha. "Stay in your armor until we are on the ship. Then we can get comfortable. Hutta is too volatile right now and I'm carrying something every bounty hunter in the galaxy is after."

"Sound advice." He stuffed what little he had in the bag and slung it over his shoulder. He then grabbed her bag and settled it on his other shoulder.

"I can carry my own bag," she groused.

"You can, but I am. You will move faster unencumbered. I can fall back on the force if need be," he reminded her.

She didn't like it, but until they were safely on the ship, she had to be at the top of her game. "You are right. We didn't make it this far just to lose at the finish line.

They rented speeders to get to the closest rental pad to the small docking bay that Vexx's ship was sitting in. When the ramp closed behind them a sense of relief flooded through her. She took a quick tour of the ship so she would be familiar with it. It was small, but doable. There was the captain's cabin, and a small crew cabin with six bunks. A refresher with four shower heads and three toilets, a kitchen, a battery to control the weapons and a lounge/entertainment room. The rest of the ship was for cargo. And that led to the decision she had to make. Either give Xocha the captain's cabin and share the crew quarters with Mako or have Xocha share the captain's cabin with her.

"Go," Mako said as she shoved them both out of the crew quarters. "Get out of my room. I want to change into something more comfortable."

The door whooshed shut and locked behind them. She darted a quick glance up at Xocha and hurried to the captain's quarters. She quickly claimed the side of the bed she wanted by setting her bag on that side. She slipped a nightshirt under her pillow and put what little she had in the armoire. "There is room for your stuff as well," she said as she folded her bag and set it in the armoire too, still avoiding looking at him.

She turned away and started unsealing the armor pieces that made up her suit. She'd only gotten her gauntlets removed and settled in the bottom of the armoire when she felt him at her back helping her to remove her armor.

"It is good practice for me, yes?" he asked quietly as he unclamped her backplate from her chest plate and raised it over her head. He kept his movements strictly professional. This wasn't a seduction, it was muscle memory. He did need the practice so that it became second nature. If he was to wear armor while he was with her, he needed to be able to get into and out of it quickly. That required practice. Knowing that still didn't make the actions any less sensual to him. Neither did the bed that took up so much of the cabin.

When he'd removed her last boot and set it in the armoire, she started helping him off with his armor. After the last piece of his armor was settled on his side of the armoire, she found herself staring at his lips. She blinked and took a step back, grabbing a pair of pants and a shirt. She moved to her side of the bed and turned her back to him as she removed her underarmor and pulled on her pants and shirt. By the time she stepped into a pair of shoes and turned around he already had his pants on.

She hissed out a breath when she saw a wicked scar that ran down his right ribs nearly to his navel. She didn't even realize she was moving towards him until her finger feathered down the scar. "What happened?" she asked softly.

The shirt slipped from his fingers, hitting the floor with the barest whisper of material. "I stepped between a Darth and his target. Considering the Darth didn't survive, I like to believe I got off lucky. I couldn't get to a kolto tank to heal the wound fast enough. It is a part of who I am now."

"There is a kolto flush in the suit…" her words were little more than a breath.

"I know." Her fingers were still playing over the sensitive skin of his scar, driving him to distraction. He knew the moment she saw his erection and just how close her fingertips were to touching it. Her body stilled and she sucked in her breath. He gritted his teeth to bite back a groan when her finger slid down the sable trail of hair to touch the tip of him through his pants.

The rumble of the engine brought reality slamming back into her. "Osik! I'm not sure Mako knows how to fly a starship." She darted from the cabin but returned to the doorway because she refuses to be a coward and not face him. "I apologize for…bumping you." Good enough. She hurried away trying to pretend she didn't hear his laughter. Better laughter than to be thought a coward. She was not a coward – but she was embarrassed.

"Mako…do you know how to fly a starship?" she inquired as she stepped into the cockpit.

"I didn't think it would be that different than flying a shuttle, but I'm not sure what half these gizmos do," she admitted.

"That's what I thought. Why don't you slide over to the navigator's chair and let me pilot the ship," she replied with a soft laugh. Once she was settled in the pilot's seat, she ran through the pre-flight checkup and then radioed her coordinates to the port and asked for clearance to take off. In a moment, they were zipping through the atmosphere.

Mako looked over at Sylver with a knowing glance. "I thought you two might be…busy for a while."

She set the coordinates, engaged the hyperdrive and switched on the auto-pilot. It would route them around incoming ships and warn them when they were about to drop out of hyperspace. They would have to make several stops to refuel before they reached their destination. The trip would likely take a couple of weeks or more. "I don't know, Mako." She turned to look behind them to make sure Xocha wasn't there. "I don't know what I'm doing and I feel foolish. I don't like feeling like a fool."

Mako's brows rose. Sylver was a virgin. That did surprise her. With the amount of alcohol mandos regularly guzzled down, she figured the woman had plenty of experience. "I know it's embarrassing, but talk to him. I don't think he'll care if you aren't experienced, girl. He won't do anything you aren't comfortable with and he'll treat you right. He's one of the good guys, Sylver. Good just oozes out of the man. I will give you this one bit of advice. Touch him…everywhere. And if he does something to you, likely he'll want it done to him. That's it. Talk to him when you're ready. And until then? It's okay if you only want to be held at night."

Xocha hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but his hearing was remarkably well developed and once he's heard the subject of their talk, he couldn't turn away until the talk had run its course. He retreated to the cabin, sank down on the bed and fell back against the mattress with a groan. He shouldn't have listened. Now he was heavy and aching for her. Her lack of experience explained a lot and he'd certainly take it slow with her, but it did not deter his interest. There was no hurry.

Over the next week, she didn't even dare kiss Xocha. Still, he held her in his arms each night without saying anything more than good night. She had no doubt that he could feel or even hear the thundering of her heart when he pulled her against him. Just because she wasn't sure she was ready to give herself to him didn't mean she wasn't very aware of the sexual pull. It didn't help that he only slept in a pair of shorts. Occasionally, she woke up with her hands pressed against him or her leg thrown over his. But no matter how entangled they woke up, he never said anything about it, nor did he press her what she wasn't ready to do. He was leaving it up to her.

During the days, they talked and eventually she told him what happened to her clan and how she'd left her helmet behind on her parent's and brother's pyre to show that a part of her died with them that day. She also told both of them how her ancestors separated from Wren clan to form an offshoot due to their differences over honor and what it entailed.

"I deeply respect your ancestors. It is hard to go against the established norm. It is unfortunate that all mandalorians could not walk their path. The galaxy would have less death and war if they did. But you have proven time and time again that you hold true to your ancestors' ideals. That speaks a lot about your character. It also tells me that going to Dromund Kaas is going to be difficult for you. Are you sure this is the correct path for you to walk?" Xocha inquired.

"I have to earn my honor back. Regardless of my ideals, I am still mando'ad. Honor can only be won by defeating worthy foes. You would be a worthy foe – but I have no desire to try to defeat you in combat."

"There are many ways to defeat a foe – not all involve battle. There are ways you could…defeat me…" his lips curled up into a slight smile. "There are many things I would like be to you, but a foe is not among them," he said gently.

She swallowed hard and cleared her throat. She didn't know if he intended his words to be so…sensual, but that was how she felt them. "Winning the Great Hunt is the is the biggest honor a mando'ad can gain. If I win it, not only will I gain my honor back, but I will prove that my ancestors and our way of life do not make us any less mando'ad."

Now he understood just how important this Great Hunt was to her. If anything, it was more about proving her clan was worthy and less about her honor. "I am guessing not all mandalorians accepted the path your clan walked?"

Her gaze dropped to the floor. She didn't like looking into his glasses and seeing nothing. She heard a rustle and Mako gasp. She glanced over at the young woman who was staring at something behind her. Sylver swung her head around to see what caught Mako's attention to find that Xocha had removed his glasses. It would seem that he cared more about her comfort than Mako's. "Thank you…" she whispered, knowing he would hear her. She blinked when he leaned over to brush his lips against hers.

"I have worn them for so long that sometimes I forget I do not need to with you," he explained.

Her fingertips touched her tingling lips. When she realized what she'd done she dropped her hand in her lap, but there was no way to hide the blush that stained her cheeks. "No. mando'ad live for battle and defeating powerful foes. It doesn't matter to them if their foes want to fight, so long as they do. In the beginning, so the stories are told, the other clans all but ostracized us. But over time we proved our strength and honor and eventually we were called on to help other mando'ad. Now, no one openly cuts us, but some still think we are less mando'ad. We are not the first clan to die at sith hands, but I imagine that will be used against us…me. It is easy to forget the past in light of the present."

"You'll win the Great Hunt, girl – we'll be beside you every step of the way. And no one would dare to doubt you again," Mako assured her.

These two beautiful souls had become her new family. They had been strangers a few short weeks ago and now she couldn't imagine her life without them in it.

-BREAK FOUR-

Late that evening, when Xocha was in the cabin's private refresher, she locked their door, slipped out of her night clothes and under the blankets. She lay on her side facing away from his side of the bed as usual. She didn't want to clue him in that tonight was different than any other night, she wanted him to discover that for himself when he pulled her against him. Finally, they would be skin to skin and she was looking forward to see how that would feel.

She felt the bed dip as he sat down and swung his legs up onto it. He drew the covers up to his chest and rolled over. His arm came around hers his hand on her ribs brushing the underside of her breasts as he pulled her against him. She felt his body stiffen as his hand reflexively cupped her breast as if in disbelief. The contact caused heat to pool in her core and she arched back against him with a moan. She shuddered when his thumb grazed over her tight nipple. Heat and awareness spiraled through her when she felt him thickening against her lower back.

His body trembled in anticipation. He rolled her nipple between his fingers and lowered his lips to her ear. His tongue drew alone the shell's edge. "Are you sure?" he murmured.

"Yes…" she breathed out.

"I'll go as slow as you need and stop when you ask," he assured her.

She rolled onto her back and lifted her arm to grasp the back of his neck to pull him down for a kiss. Her nipple brushed against the short hairs on his upper chest. She moaned into the kiss and arched against him, needing more contact. His hand explored her breasts, plucking and rolling her nipples until he broke the kiss, his mouth trailing down to replace his fingers. She sank her own fingers into his long, sable hair - her lifeline as her body awakened to sensations she hadn't thought possible.

His fingers stroked down her body, his short nails causing goose bumps to rise on her skin as his tongue teased the tight bud of her breast and drew it into the heat of his mouth. Her hips instinctively rose as his fingers slid through her curls to stop just before touching her.

Her rocking hips encouraged him to explore further. He groaned, his teeth grazing her nipple as his fingers sank between the wet, slippery folds to stroke the swollen nub hidden within. The soft cry of his name nearly undid his control. Her nipple slipped from his lips with a pop sound when the suction seal was broke. He pulled the blankets away and nudged her legs apart with his thigh. He kissed and nipped a trail down over her ribs as he settled between her thighs. He could feel her hands tighten in his hair as mouth trailed downward. His tongue flicked her navel. "Rise up on an elbow and watch me pleasure you," he murmured.

It took a moment for his words to filter through, but she was too dazed to do much more than obey. She released one hand from his head to hold her up while the other remained clutched to her lifeline. Watching his tongue flick against her skin sent eddies of pleasure rippling through her. She squirmed when he kissed her inner thighs, his tongue teasing the inner crease of leg. She gasped in pleasure when he drew the stubble of his chin over her sensitive flesh. She felt his hands grip into her hips to hold her still the moment his tongue slid between her folds to tease and stroke the bundle of nerves. She cried out, her body writhing, but held firm. She could see and feel what his mouth was doing to her and it was a sensory overload. Her body lit up and became sensitive to his every touch.

He released her hips long enough to push his shorts down past his ass so he could kick them off without breaking the rhythm of his tongue against her. He did not know if they would go any further than this, but he wanted to feel her against all of him. No barriers between them. Her body stiffened beneath him and he quickened his movements, knowing she was on the edge. With a hoarse cry of his name she shattered in his arms. His tongue strokes slowed, wanting to prolong her orgasm rather than overstimulate her. When her hand slipped from her hair and she fell back against the mattress his tongue slid down between her folds to savor the taste of her release. After a moment, he ran his stubble over her sensitive flesh and crawled back up her body to claim her lips once more.

She could taste herself on him but was beyond caring as his kiss reignited her body. Her arms encircled him to stroke his back with her nails. A soft cry slid from her lips when he rubbed his arousal over her still swollen nub. She wrapped her legs around his hips and ground against him, needing more.

"Do you want to feel me inside you?" he murmured against her lips. His body was trembling badly with the need to be buried in her tight heat.

She shuddered at his words. "Yes…now."

"It will hurt the first time – I can't stop that from happening, but I can heal you so it won't hurt for long," he told her gently.

She looked into his real looking eyes. "I can handle a little pain – but you better give me pleasure."

"As you wish," he said as he drove past the barrier of her innocence and then held still. He'd felt her stiffen with the pain and suck in her breath, but it was done. He knew it would be painful, the barrier almost completely closed her portal. His body glowed softly as he healed the small wound. "You will only feel pleasure now."

He slowly pulled out and sank a bit further, each small thrust sank a bit deeper. His body shook as he held back, going slow so that her body had time to adjust to his invasion. Her muscles stretched around him, gripping him like a hot, wet glove. He groaned when he finally hilted himself in her snug embrace. He braced himself on one elbow so that he could caress her body while his mouth made love to hers.

When she moved against him, he growled softly, slowly picking up speed until his thrusts were hard and urgent, pleasure rippling through their bodies. "Don't close your eyes…I want to see you come." Her body was quivering and tensing beneath his. "Yes…that's it…feel the tension…let go and I will come with you," he said in a strangled voice as he fought the need to empty himself. She stiffened and clamped down around him in a pleasure that bordered pain. With a hoarse shout she used her legs to ride him hard. He saw white sparks as his release exploded in her hot depths with a strangled cry of her name on his lips. Her clenching muscles milked him mercilessly until he was rung dry.

He was uncomfortable oversensitive, but still she rode him, her body trembling. His hand slid down her stomach to stroke the swollen nub and encourage her orgasm. Her soft cries grew louder as her body approached the precipice again. With a harsh cry, she tumbled into the abyss and took him with her. He did not think he'd be able to come again so soon, but his body proved otherwise. When exhaustion finally overtook her and her legs fell from around his hips, he could still feel the pulsing of her small muscles as they rhythmically squeezed him. He dropped his forehead to hers. "No regrets. I could never regret what we've shared."

"No regrets," she agreed. "But it's going to be hard to let you get out of bed now that I know the pleasure you can give me," she admitted with blush.

He rolled them onto their sides with a chuckle. "It is lucky for us both that we have another week or so before we have to get out of bed – because I'm not ready to let you out either."

Outside of spending time with Mako, refueling and eating, they spent most of their time learning what pleasured each other most. When they weren't in bed, they found reasons to be near each other, touch each other, hold each other, even kiss each other. It's not that they were madly in love with each other, they weren't. But those touches affirmed that they were alive and they were not alone. When you lived life in survival mode, sometimes it was hard to remember you weren't alone.

He pulled her into his arms and held her. "Are you going to be okay?" he asked gently after they'd passed Korriban and knew Dromund Kaas was approaching quickly.

Her fingers brushed over his chest in a rhythmic pattern. "I don't know who killed my clan. I never had the chance to see them. That makes me hate all things sith. That makes me hate Imperials and the Empire. But I know the people that massacred my clan may not even be on Dromund Kaas. You don't have to worry that I'll go crazy and try to kill everyone on the planet. But if I ever find out who…well, I'll make no guarantees then."

While he knew killing the people that murdered her family would not bring her family back, he also knew that mandalorians had to avenge the fallen – it was a matter of honor. He had no sympathy for anyone who could callously slaughter whole families. But he would be there when she avenged her family and he would ensure it did not twist her into something dark. He did not want to see her light fade. "I'll be at your side when you confront them. I will ensure you do not lose yourself to vengeance."

He picked her up and carried her to their bed to make love to her one last time before they had to berth the ship on Dromund Kaas.

Dromund Kaas

Dromund Kaas…the heart of the Empire and everything sithy. The only place worse would be Korriban and she hoped she never had reason to land on that waste of a planet. They took a taxi to the Mandalorian Enclave. She frowned as she looked out the window. Dromund Kaas was rainy and gloomy, just like a sithy world should be. Her lips twitched. It seemed fitting.

Once they arrived, a helpful, young man pointed out where they'd find Crysta Markon. She was laughing with another Mandalorian when they found her.

Crysta laughed, loud and proud. "I never saw a rodian run so fast in my – oh. Sorry, sweetie didn't see you there.

Mako stepped forward. "We're here for the Great Hunt. We have been sponsored by Nem'ro the Hutt."

Crysta looked from the small girl, to the young woman, to the man, all armored. Her gaze settled on the white-haired woman. Not only did she appear to be the one in charge, but there was something about her that niggled at the back of her mind. Should she know her? "Two girls and a guy…interesting team ya got there." Despite the dark glasses the man wore indoors, he was very handsome."

Xocha caught the older woman's knowing look. "It's not like that, ma'am." At least it wasn't with Mako.

"Sure, it's not… and it ain't none of my business anyway. How long you three been partners?" Crysta inquired.

Sylver looked at the two standing beside her. "It seems like they've always been there to back me up. We work well together."

Crysta nodded. Just what she wanted to hear. "Fantastic. Rare to see that kinda solidarity in our business, you know? Now, you probably ain't gonna like what I'm about to tell you - but there's nothing I can do about it, understand? There's one spot left open in the Great Hunt, and over three dozen hunters who got sponsorships."

"I'm not worried. My name's already in that slot, even if they don't know it yet."

Crysta barked out a laugh. "I just bet. Hope you can back up that kinda talk! The Huntmaster himself will explain how we're gonna sort things out. Head into the main room and show some respect."

"Always, ma'am. I'm an honorable sort," she assured Crysta.

She shook her red-head, her stiff mohawk not daring to move in the slightest. "Don't you ma'am me now - save it for the Huntmaster. When the Hunmaster's done talking, come on back here. I'll be handling you from here on out." She watched the young woman and her team walk away. That niggle was still bothering her something fierce.

The talking was nearly riotous as they stepped into the room.

"Quiet! Quiet, you dogs!" a human yelled out over the din. "The Huntsmaster is about to speak. Pay attention and show some respect for once in your lives!"

At least he was able to quiet the others. There were only a human and a wookie at the front of the room. The human obviously wasn't the Huntmaster. That left the wookie.

Th Huntmaster stepped up to the desk. "Today we have too many hunters. All must compete. Only one joins the Great Hunt!" He said his piece and stepped back."

Lek, the Huntmaster's assistant, took the floor again. "You heard the Huntmaster. You're competing for the last spot in the Great Hunt by taking down three bounties in Dromund Kaas."

Q'kal shook his head. "You expect us to hunt here? With Imperials and sith crawling all over us?"

Lek frowned. "For all you overblown, useless, no-talent cowards, we installed a handy exit door. Use it now." He paused while a couple of men exited the room. "The rest of you - the real hunters – go see your handlers. They'll get you oriented to the planet and assign you three unique bounties. Everyone who takes down all three of their bounties wins a spot in the final melee." That was one thing Dromund Kaas was never in short supply of…bounties.

As they were leaving one man stopped her to warn her of the danger of getting caught. She told him she was here for reasons of honor. He'd nodded, told her he was leaving and wished her luck. That had been kind of him.

Crysta told her that her first bounty was a Republic noble that had been sold into slavery by mistake. That was definitely an oversight, especially when ransoming nobles could bring in big creds. She'd told her Altaca's slave group was building a statue in the jungle, so that's where she should go to look for him. Sylver glanced down at the last known coordinates of the slave group and nodded.

"Before you go, meet your new best friend – the S86k full-gauge carbonite armor upgrade. Works best when the target is immobile. Catch him by surprise or give him a beatdown…either way works. Shoo, now…and hurry back as fast as you can, sweetie."

She handed the S86k to Mako after they left the large chamber. She showed Mako how to integrate it with her gauntlet. "There. One more toy you can have fun with."

"This was given to you, Sylver – won't you need it?" Mako didn't even raise her eyes as she fiddled with her new armor upgrade.

Sylver laughed softly. "I already have one." A newer and more expensive model. "I feel better knowing you have one too." Mako's armor was much lighter and she didn't carry the mostly hidden arsenal that she, herself, carried.

Mako grinned from ear to ear. "Oh – thank you, Sylver! I can't wait to use it."

They took a taxi to just outside of Kaas City and then took speeders. A steady flow of rain soaked her head and ran down her cheeks. She grinned at her friends. "I should have stopped by the fleet hub to locate a helmet. I was…distracted."

"I'll bet," Mako teased. Sylver and Xocha had spent quite a bit of time in the quarters they shared.

"Oh hush. Come on," she kicked her speeder into gear and took off. Dromund Kaas was losing points by the minute. Not only was the rain never-ending, but the ground was a muddy quagmire. Thank the stars she did not have to walk in it.

They located the slave camp at the coordinates, but they were no closer to finding Altaca's location. They stuck to the shadows and moved through the camp trying to locate something…anything…that would help them pinpoint him. She had no desire to kill rebelling slaves. She'd rebel if anyone tried to make a slave of her.

One of the tents had a datarecorder in it. She flipped it on to display a holo-message.

"My dear, Altaca, when I got your message, I could scarcely believe it. We have found each other after all these years."

"Oh look – a love letter from an Imperial noble. Juicy," Mako quipped.

"It must have been the force that brought you here to Dromund Kaas, dear Altaca. As for your predicament, fear not. I have friends in high places - and for the right price, they have agreed to help me. When the slaves attempt their pitiful revolution, a man will come to you dressed in rags. He will bring you to me. I shall say you are my missing brother. We will be Lord and Lady Dak-Ah. I'm afraid I cannot get you offworld and back to your beloved family, but I promise to make your every moment here a joy. Our lifestyle will be the envy of all, and we'll attend parties at the Nexus Room every night. Be ready to join me, my love."

"Wait-" Mako said as the holo winked out. "So…the lady is his lover, but now he's posing as her brother? Disgusting. Sounds like the Nexus Room is where we'll find these weirdos."

"This whole planet is weird…and disgusting," Sylver agreed.

"After you, ladies," Xocha motioned to the tent's entrance.

They located their speeders, hidden behind bushes and returned to Kaas City. But, oddly enough, it would seem they were expected when they showed up at the Nexus room. As they were searching the cantina, a sergeant and four navy soldiers stopped them and ordered them to disarm. Before it could go any further the sergeant's holo chimed and who other than Tarro Blood was calling. It would appear the sergeant was in Tarro's back pocket. Interesting. Two of his men saw sense and left. The sergeant and remaining two thought risking their lives was worth the credit payout. As it turned out, it wasn't.

"There!" Sylver said as she pointed through the crowd on the dance floor. The woman was unmistakable. As they approached their conversation fell silent and the bearded man turned to look at them.

"Yes? May I help you with something?" Altaca asked.

You've got to be kidding me. Arrogance and condescension dripped off every word the man spoke.

She ignored the obvious expense of the white-haired woman's armor. "Darling, please don't speak to those filthy vagabonds," Lady Dak-Ah reprimanded. "It's clearly not supposed to be here, and we shouldn't let ourselves look like we approve. Come, let us get a drink."

"Don't let this armor fool you. I have more money than you'd know what to do with and I'm not going anywhere without Altaca – his family wants him back."

"No. Wait…what?" his face went through a gamut of emotions from fear to confusion to anger. He turned on his lover. "You told me I was trapped here! That I would have to forget my family! That this – this charade was the only way!"

Lady Dak-Ah raised her hand to his chest to calm him. "Inside voice, darling. I may have exaggerated a bit, but hasn't it been nice here? The parties, the late nights, the intrigues and such?" she inquired with a lift of her brow.

His hand rose dramatically to his chest. "You witch! Keeping me here as your plaything when I could have been home with my sisters and my dear mother."

"Lady Dak-Ah waved her hand. "Ugh, you can be such a whiny pain. It's a wonder you are nobility. Let's make a new deal, bounty hunter."

"Afraid we can't do that. His family is paying for his return. He can always come back to you…but," she raised her hand to cup the side of her mouth to mockingly share a secret, "I don't think he gives enough of a damn to come back."

She glared at the well-armed bounty hunter and then smiled up at Altaca. "My darling..,my lovely Altaca. Wouldn't you rather stay here with me than run home to your pathetic Republic family?"

Pathetic…the only thing pathetic here was the witch next to him. "Of course not! You treat me like a pet, and this planet is disgusting. In fact, I'd rather-"

She rolled her eyes. She'd had quite enough of his theatrics. "I assume Altaca's family will pay less for just his body? Kill him, show me the contract and I will pay the difference."

"Wha – what? You want her to kill me?" he asked in stunned shock.

Unbelievable. "I'm not an assassin. I don't kill people unless I'm given no choice." She tapped her micro-terminal and a nodule rose from it. The spray hit the man, freezing him in carbonite. She tossed down a small cube that expanded into a hover-table. Xocha lifted the statue, laying it flat on the small table and strapped him down.

Lady Dak-Ah glared at the bounty hunter. "You've made a very big mistake here today. Now take this thing and leave. Your kind does not belong here."

"You couldn't be more right. We're too good for this place," Sylver acknowledged. "Try not to kidnap any more nobles."

They surrounded the small table as it followed the connection to her micro-terminal. They took a taxi, the hover-table attached to the taxi's luggage rack. They turned the statue over to Crysta after signing off on it and returned to their ship for dinner. They would get their next bounty tomorrow.

Except they didn't. It took three days before they received their second contract. She gave them leave to explore, but outside of getting more supplies for the ship, none of them felt much like being on Dromund Kaas. Mako did a bit of exploring, the kind that involved slicing into security feeds to keep an eye on what was happening around them. But so far, she hadn't found Tarro.

Crysta sent her a holo-message when it was time to meet up with her. They were more than eager to get things moving again.

Crysta wasn't sure of her charge's name. She knew the woman went by Sylver, but thought it might just be a nickname because her eyes were silver. During the last three days she tried to hunt down more information on the bounty hunter, but precious little could be found without a real name. Except, the past bounties she'd turned in under the name Sylver. "Hey there, Sylver. Competition out there is something crazy. Couple of hunters died in the jungles. Big transdoshan got arrested by the Imperials. And you found yourself an unfindable Republic noble. His family was plenty generous with their live bounty."

"He deserved the chance to go home. No one should have to be treated like someone's trapped pet."

Crysta nodded. "Nobody understands why women do themselves so well in hunts. It's the empathy. Now…your second bounty's a bit of a mystery. Apparently, whoever's stacking the deck against you gonna keep right on stacking."

"No surprise there," Mako said with a roll of her eyes.

"What I got is a classified, red-flag request from Imperial Command. No details, just flashy warnings and a contact: Admiral Fraabaal, Imperial navy. Here's the contract," she said as she sent the details to Sylver's micro-terminal. "Fraabaal's in the city, not all that far a stroll. Go get 'em!"

"Let's go find us an Admiral," she told her friends.

-BREAK FIVE-

They hopped a taxi back to Kaas City and asked around until they found someone who knew the Admiral. They were directed to his office and were stopped by a desk jockey.

Secretary Lieutenant Petrak looked up at the well-armed people that walked into the office. "This is the office of Amiral Fraaball of the Imperial Navy. Do you have business here?"

"Can't I just be here to talk to you," Sylver asked sweetly.

That surprised him. No one ever came by to talk to him. "Yes, well, um…Are you? Just here to talk to me, I mean?" He blinked when the man behind her slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her up against him. He couldn't see the man's eyes, but he knew a warning when he saw one. "Oh, I see…you are making fun of me."

Mako chuckled. "I can't imagine why he'd think you were making fun of him and his important desk…"

"Mako…" she warned. "I was actually being nice." She patted the arm around her to be released. Xocha had made his point. While they weren't a "couple", they were monogamous.

Petrak cleared his throat, unsure what to make of the trio. But the small woman's words stung. "Now, if you will excuse me," he said curtly to hide his discomfort.

Sylver released a breath that tousled her bangs. "Look, I'm here to see the Admiral. But you aren't the first person behind a desk that I've befriended. I know that sometimes it can feel like you're invisible. I probably shouldn't have teased you, but I really was trying to be nice."

His eyes darted between the three of them. "Yes, well…if the Admiral wanted to see you, he'd have notified me. I will not interrupt him with an unscheduled appointment. The Admiral is a busy man." He glanced down at the holo on his desk that chimed and flipped it on to see the admiral.

"Soldier! What-"

"Sorry, sir. Not my fault. There are quarrelsome persons here to see you…"

Fraabaal rubbed his forehead. "Quarrelsome…You're as weak as you are stupid. I requested a mercenary from the mandalorians. Send them in immediately."

Petrak sat up straighter in his chair, heat crawling into his cheeks. "Yes sir! You may go in now." The holo winked out and the door slid open.

Sylver winced, empathizing with the young man. "Buck up…one day you'll be giving the orders. It's up to you to decide what kind of leader you want to be. One that throws insults or one that builds confidence."

She stepped through the doorway to speak with the Admiral.

Fraabaal waved them in. "Come in, mercenary. I apologize if my secretary caused you any grief. He is of low birth, and his intelligence reflects it. I'm afraid many of our Imperial soldiers are hopeless with delicate tasks. This, of course, is why I asked for a professional. My daughter has become something of a liability to me. I want you to kill her."

She just blinked. "That is not something I hear every day."

Fraabaal sniffed loudly. "Then I assume you are new to Dromund Kaas. Things work a bit…differently here. My daughter was born force sensitive and trained to be sith. A great honor for our family. Unfortunately, my daughter's master is one Lord Grathan, a madman who is now disgraced in the eyes of the Dark Council. If Lord Grathan's compound is raided and my daughter captured or killed, every member of her family will suffer. This is sith politics. In the best-case scenario, I lose my rank and position. In the worst…"

"You dance with the grim reaper," Sylver filled in.

"Precisely. Lord Grathan is a paranoid madman. His compound is built to withstand a siege, but a lone infiltrator will take them by surprise. My daughter is somewhere inside Lord Grathan's compound. Her name is Vereta. You will know her, as she resembles me closely."

She was thoroughly disgusted by the man before her and his daughter. If she could, she'd kill them both. A man puts a hit on his own daughter to save his job, albeit possibly his life as well. But who did that? And she was a sith…a sith…She felt Xocha's hand on her back. "I will be discreet."

Fraabaal nodded. "Do not let yourself be captured. Good luck."

After they'd left the office, Mako placed a hand on Sylver's arm. "Hang on – I've been running some data. Turns out, renegade sith lord followers rack up death marks like crazy. Lord Grathan's top people all have bounties on their heads."

"If we find them, we'll collect them," Sylver responded. "But I don't want to put us at risk of being caught. We need to be cautious. No bounty is worth losing the chance at the Great Hunt and taking down Tarro."

"Agreed," Mako said with a nod. "I've sent you the coordinates for Lord Grathan's compound. But it's late and we skipped lunch. We should wait to tackle Grathan's tomorrow."

Since none of them knew which places were good to eat at and which should be avoided, they retired to the ship to eat and get some sleep. It took nearly a week before they could make it out to Grathan's compound. There were a couple of bounties in Kaas City. High credit bounties, unrelated to what she'd been assigned, but there were too many bounty hunters here for them to wait. She also had to repair her armor, which had taken some damage from a lightsaber. The armor, itself, was undamaged but the sith had found a gap between her armor plates. She was lucky she wasn't gutted. But the injury added another couple of days onto the delay.

Mako had been busy keeping them updated on how far along the other bounty hunters were. It would seem most of them had run into one problem or another. But that was not unusual, considering how tight security was on the Imperial homeworld.

Sylver stretched, but made sure the wince did not register on her face. "Time to get back to work."

Xocha lifted his hand to his face. "I know you are still hurting. You cannot hide your pain from me, Sylver. Another day or two will not matter."

She pulled back from the tender touch. "I'm fine. I know my body and what it can take. Every day matters now."

Mako grinned. "No, lovebirds – it doesn't. I-"

"Mako…"

Mako looked at Xocha but saw nothing except his unblinking, realistic looking eyes. Was he objecting to the lovebirds? She'd only been teasing them. Ah…Sylver's honor. Sylver would not be happy to learn that they'd helped to ensure the others were delayed as well. "I've kept a close eye on the other bounty hunters. They are no further along than you are. Another day or two won't matter."

She tapped her foot on the ground. She knew she didn't make a very good patient. What Mando'ad did? "It matters to me. Ib'tuur jatne tuur ash'ad kyr'amur. It's a good day for someone else to die." She pulled her armor and underarmor out of her bedroom locker. At this point she didn't care if either one of them watched her armor up. She was leaving the ship. When Xocha moved to grab his armor, she smiled. "Kandosii – You knew I'd go without you," she teased.

Mako rolled her eyes and left to put on her own armor.

His lips tightened to keep the grimace off of them. "Of that I had no doubt." He knew the wound still bothered her. All he could do was be nearby in case she needed him.

They took the speeders in the cargo bay of the ship as close to Grathan's compound as they could before finding a place to hide them. It took them far longer than she thought to search the compound. The compound held many outbuildings and the estate was large. They'd managed to go unseen for the most part. A few strategic sleep darts had been enough. It was unfortunate that she couldn't use the sleep bombs, but without her helmet she'd have succumbed to the gas as well.

Vereta turned when she heard boots on the ramp that led to her terminal station that overlooked the floor below. "Oh, what have we here?" She laughed softly. "You are not even a Mandalorian, are you? When Lord Grathan's spies said my father contacted the Mandalorian Enclave, I expected they'd at least send me a real, live Mandalorian. I'm afraid I'm a tad disappointed."

She wanted to ignore the sith's blatant insult, but her hatred of all that was sith wouldn't let her remain silent. "Don't be. You don't just have any mandalore…I am the alor of Clan Wren'abesh and," she thumped her chestplate, "I wear the beskar armor of a leader." Her every word was true. With her parents and older brother dead, she was the new alor of the clan. As to how many of her clan still existed, she did not know, nor did she know when or if they would return home. Either way, she'd left detailed records of what happened, who died and how to reach her.

Alor? Really? What the was that even? Her eyes opened wide in surprise. "Wait -you don't really think you can kill me? I mean, I'm sith and you're just…whatever you are..." she said with a dismissive wave of her hand.

Mako had not realized Sylver was actually a Mandalorian leader. This just kept getting better. "Oh, we've got a true believer."

She waved another hand. "Then again, it makes sense – why would you come here if you thought you'd die? You can't kill a sith, you silly!"

Sylver blinked. The woman was clearly half-baked. "You have been sadly misinformed, little girl. You are hardly invincible."

Vereta smirked. "No, of course not. A more powerful sith could kill me…or a really lucky jedi." Her gaze settled on the armored man. What was it about him? She pushed the errant thought away. "Perhaps…a bomb. But certainly not you. You must be so crushed. Live and learn, I guess. Except…not in your case…sorry!" She ignited her lightsaber.

Sylver sighed, lifted her arm and shot her with a dart.

Vereta dropped her lightsaber when her hand became numb. She ignored the man that leapt forward to grab it before it hit the floor and shut it off. "What…I…I lost? I can't lose! I'm…sith! I was told…"

"Never trust a sith," Sylver hissed and raised her arm. "Time to talk to daddy, princess."

She held up her arm to protect her face. "No! That's…worse…"

Sylver tossed down the disk that expanded into a hover table and nodded to Xocha to load the sith onto the table. Getting out of the compound was far more complicated than getting in. There was no way to hide the frozen sith. She been forced to switch to her blasters when she ran out of darts. It was an utter shock to find herself fighting side by side with a red sith throwing lightning bolts and some kind of huge monster as they made their escape together and went their own ways. They were relieved when they finally reached the speeders, the table following close behind them.

She waved to Petrak as she passed by his desk and walked directly into the Admiral's office. She left the package right outside the door.

Fraabaal looked up from his data pad, rose and came around the side of his desk. "Reports of the raid on Lord Grathan's estate are pouring in. I trust you were successful in your endeavor? My daughter Vereta is…" his words failed him.

She typed a command into her micro-terminal and the table floated into the room. "I would not have you live with the regret of an action that could not be undone, Admiral. What you choose to do is your choice, but I suggest you take your daughter somewhere safe for the both of you and work things out. You may find her more amenable. She realizes the sith can't be trusted now."

He looked at the metallic frozen body. Alive. She was actually alive. His gaze lifted from his prostrate daughter to the woman in the fancy white and silver armor. "You are incredibly insightful for a bounty hunter. As soon as you left the premises, I realized my mistake – a mistake that would haunt me the rest of my days."

"We weren't about to let that happen. Uh…sir," Mako replied.

He glanced at the small woman, the man standing behind the white-haired woman and then settled his gaze back on the Mandalorian. "You've done me a great service. She's all I have of her mother…I let fear…" he ran a hand down his face. "Thank you for giving me what I didn't know I needed until it was too late."

Sylver nodded. "Then you are not going to kill her."

He shook his head. "No, of course not. Contain her, maybe. Until she can be made to see reason." He pulled out a disk and held it out to her. "Here is your writ and your fee. Now please," he looked down out his daughter. "I need some time with my daughter."

She took the disk from him. "I hope things work out - for you both."

They returned to the ship to eat and settle in for the night. Four days later, Crysta called them in for their third bounty.

"Back just in time," Crysta stated with a wide grin. "Competition is heating up. That little green girl, Iopiane Ratle, finished all her bounties. Heard she poisoned an Imperial Moff!"

Mako pursed her lips. "Glad we didn't get that one."

Crysta nodded in agreement. "Now, I ain't allowed details on whatever you were scrappin' for Admiral Fraabaal, but I got a clearance note says it was duly scrapped. Nice payday, too. Nice job. Now – here we go. Bounty three. I call it: Someone's got a serious hate for my hunter. Top secret crazy, red-flag covered. This one's for a Captain Medle in Imperial Intelligence. No other information."

"Damn." She wanted nothing to do with being on the Imp Intelligence radar.

"I know," Crysa responded in a soft voice. "Stay careful and watch yourself. Spooks are nasty business."

They hopped their speeders and took the long thoroughfare that connected the sith and Intelligence enclaves with the Mandalorian. She tried not to look around as they passed the sith enclave. She did not wish for them to feel the blast of her hate. She exhaled a slow, steady breath and continued on to the Intelligence headquarters.

As soon as she dismounted from her speeder her micro-terminal chimed with a much-needed update. Coordinates. Considering they were well armed and armored, she was surprised they were not stopped upon entry. Thankfully, they did not need to press their luck. Medle's office was just off the entryway. She found him seated at his desk with two armed guards.

Medle looked up in surprise. "What the -? Oh, right, the bounty hunter. Glad you could make it. You nervous, hunter? Parked in the middle of the Imperial Intelligence and all? I could say one word or touch one button, and you'd disappear forever. Poof! Gone just like that. Nobody would even dare to ask what happened to you."

Was he threatening her or was it simple a chest-pounding pissing contest? "You wouldn't be the first to try. I have a stubborn way of not dying like I'm supposed to." She leaned forward setting her hands flat on his desk. "Do you like all that responsibility, Captain? Or do you long for something else?"

Medle inclined his head. "I knew you'd understand – makes your head spin, doesn't it? I never signed up for this cloak-and-dagger shit. I was a regular soldier. Then one day. I put together a covert op raid that goes a little too well and – bam! I'm in Imperial Intelligence. Look, what I'm saying is the stuff that goes on in these halls is insane, and all of it is crazy hush-hush. So what I'm going to tell you has to stay just between you and me. Got it?"

"Of course. We have too much honor for loose lips. Whatever you tell us - it goes no further."

He nodded. "Here's the deal: There's a huge ancient sith temple on Dromund Kaas. Used to just sit there being scary. Now the place is crawling with sith sorcery, and its' been ordered a no-go zone for everyone. Naturally. We sent a team in. My commander led that team. Nobody came back. We can't report any of them dead without reporting the mission – which puts me in a bind.

"Let me guess…I'm going to the temple," she replied drolly.

"If I can't prove my commander's dead, I can't take over his spot – which means an ugly power vacuum. I'm hiring you to enter the temple and find the team's ID cards – especially my commander's. Make sure you find an Imperial Commander named Gargun. Can't imagine there will be more than one corpse in the temple wearing commander stripes. Then get back here – quietly."

As they were leaving Intelligence, they all but ran into another group consisting of a male and female chiss and a female rattataki. She knew enough about politics to know that the chiss were accepted as near equals in the Empire, but the rattataki – she was surprised to see her in Intelligence. The light teal female chiss with the blonde hair winked at her right before her group hopped into a taxi. Sylver shook her head, mounted her bike. She glanced at her companions and nodded before taking off.

They were just refueling their speeders when the chiss party taxi arrived.

"So, you beat us even though you left after us," the female chiss said with a gentle laugh. "Impressive."

Sylver grinned at her. "We…took a short cut."

Annora bumped Neo with her elbow. "How come we didn't know about that, Neo?" she teased. The white-haired woman had impressed her. She'd been on Dromund Kaas many times and had been unaware of any short cut.

Neo grunted and eyed the woman in armor. Unless she was an agent infiltrating the mandalorians, he didn't think she was an agent, despite having seen her in Intelligence. "It would appear we didn't bother to ask the right people."

"I didn't say it was a smart shortcut," Sylver admitted. They'd barely avoided some rocks that were hurled at them by some big, angry beast. She was pretty sure they only avoided to projectiles because of Xocha.

"Priceless!" Annora laughed. "I'm Annora, the big guy is Neo and woman with the frown is Kaliyo. She's always a ray of sunshine," Annora teased.

"Up yours," Kaliyo groused. "No one trusts people who are happy all the time. It just makes them liars."

Annora shook her head, but the smile stayed in place. "Your far too pessimistic, Kaliyo – one does not have to equal the other. You might find life more enjoyable if you smiled."

"I'd smile if you fell face first into that mud puddle," she motioned towards the puddle to the right. "Seeing you covered in mud would keep me smiling all day."

"Right then," Sylver butted in. "I'm Sylver Wren, this is Xocha," she motioned to the jedi, "and this is Mako. I'm assuming, you are going to the ancient sith temple too, seeing as there is nothing else around here?"

"We are," Annora admitted. "Why don't we join forces to get there? We'll go our own way once we're inside and then, if luck prevails, we join up again before we leave."

"I'm inclined to agree, since I don't know what we'll be facing. We can double up and ride the speeders. You take mine, Neo. One of your party can ride with Mako."

He inclined his head to the white-haired woman. "Thank you, Sylver. Kaliyo, you're with me." He didn't trust Kaliyo at his back, but she had been made his responsibility.

Mako smiled at Annora. "It looks like it's you and me, girl. Hop on."

They picked their way carefully up to the temple's entrance. With one arm around Xocha, she'd used her free hand to shoot anything that got too close to them. "Riding double saved us a lot of time," she told the other trio once they dismounted the speeders and entered the main hall. "I hope we meet up on the way out. It would be faster leaving, if you're with us. K'oyacyi! Stay alive. Something is very wrong with the people here. It is like they are…possessed."

Neo nodded. "Well met and good luck." He motioned his companions to the left and ascended the stairs.

"Go right – I saw a soldier heading up the stairs. Odd, though - I thought they were all supposed to be dead." She shuddered. "I wonder if they are like the men we saw outside? Way to go, girl – freak yourself out."

"No…you're right. If they are anything like the men outside, then it's definitely freak worthy," Sylver assured her.

"There is much evil here. It writhes around us and it's hungry. Let us do what we need to and leave. We do not belong here," Xocha warned.

Mako shivered. "That didn't freak me out in the slightest. Could you be any creepier, jedi?"

"Shhhh…Do not speak of what I am in these halls. I'm closing myself off from the force. If I can feel it…it can feel me. Evil saturates this place and it will not tolerate the light."

"Then let's hurry. I don't want every dead sith in this place to haunt us," Sylver whispered. That was not the type of battle she knew how to wage. You can't put a blaster bolt in a spirit.

-BREAK SIX-

They'd located three men and since she'd not found any more sleep darts, they'd been forced to shoot. The men had been insane with vengeance. Bringing them back in that state was not possible. The third man survived long enough to tell them where Commander Gargun was in a moment of clarity before his spirit took the long march. They had three of the five IDs so far.

Mako shivered. "I can still hear them talking…I cut off my holoreceiver, but I can still hear them. If I lose it, please don't leave me down here."

She squeezed Mako's arm. "I'm not leaving anyone behind to this madness." She glanced up at Xocha's helmeted head. "Are you okay?"

"No," he said through gritted teeth. "But I will get through this." He could feel the evil slamming against him. It knew something was different, but it didn't know what, so it searched for weakness and he'd had to clamp down harder.

"We will hurry."

They took out two more of the missing team by the time they reached the right corridor that would take them to the Commander. If the possessed man was telling the truth. Apparently, he was. There was an officer in the farthest chamber.

Gargun raised his nose in the air when he saw the trio approach. "What is this in front of me? More worshipers? Who braves the flames of the Altar of Horror to stand in front of Lord Barel-Slathborn," he flexed and posed, "Lord of the Sith?"

Oh boy. "Captain Medle sent me to find you, Commander."

"There is no commander here – and if there were, he would be my minion. Imperials serve the Sith Lords!"

"If you're not an Imperial commander, then what's that ID card for?" she pointed out.

"What madness do you speak? I have no – ah…that. It seems the ID of some Imperial commander I must have slain has stuck to my robes. Do you wish to have it? A token of your visit with the great Lord Barel-Slathborn?"

She forced a smile on her lips. What happened was horrible, but the man did not attack her and she could not bring herself to kill him. "Oh, thank you, my lord! That's very generous of you."

He nodded. "Then, it is settled. A token for you," he said as he handed over the ID. "Go forth now and spread word to all that worship lessor Lords of the Sith."

They headed back towards the front. Since they did not know where to look for the other trio, they decided to wait at the entry stairs. Before they were even half way there, they heard blaster shots and cursing that sounded an awful lot like Kaliyo. They darted around one of the massive columns and saw the other three running nearly backwards, firing behind them at the corrupted people that were giving chase. "Let's even the odds! K'oyacyi!"

They jumped into the fray, giving cover fire so that the others could outrun the mob of corrupted.

"What do you know?" Kaliyo called out. "I knew we'd catch up with them again. You owe me, agent!"

"Later, Kaliyo. Let's focus on getting out of her in one piece," Neo reminded her. His arm swung to the right to take out another possessed soul. "And call me Neo – not agent." Her mouth was going to make his job very difficult. Due to being chiss, he wasn't an operative that could do assignments in Republic space. He would draw far too much attention and suspicion. No, he primarily would be used to spy on the Empire's own people or the Chiss Ascendency, which was delicate work, since he was unwilling to compromise his people.

Thank you, Kaliyo. That certainly explained who he was and who Kaliyo wasn't. At least she knew to be more careful around them. Mouthing off about the sith or the Empire, probably wouldn't be the best route with that group.

Once the Neo's group got far enough ahead, they laid down cover fire while her group withdrew. In that manner they made their way to the exit. Not every possessed came after them, some were fighting their own internal battles or just didn't seem to care. Likely, different groups were controlled by different dead Sith Lords, some more prone to aggression than others.

They didn't stop until they were mounting their speeders and moving at a fast clip away from sith-spawn central. Once they reached the taxi pad where they'd met up, there was a round of grateful handshakes.

"What you heard in there…" Neo began.

"Don't worry, Neo. My line of work has as many secrets in it as yours. We are very good at keeping secrets," Sylver assured him. "If you are ever in need of assistance, give me a call. If we are in the area, we'll help. Consider us…contacts. Is that the right word?"

He chuckled. "It is as right as any other. You may call us as well – or Annora, in any event. It is wise to have contacts my superiors are unaware of."

Mako locked her hands behind her back to keep from grabbing his micro-terminal and giving him a secure, unmonitored channel. But why would a spook trust her poking around in his micro-terminal?

With a farewell to their new…friends, they hopped their speeders to return to Intelligence and Captain Medle. She strolled over to his desk and dropped the ID tags on it.

Medle's face lit up in smile when he saw the IDs. Honestly, he didn't think he'd ever see her again. That her team would disappear like his had. "You got the IDs! Fantastic!" Medle searched through them until he found the one he sought. "That's the one. Commander Gargun. Wonderful. Better than I could have imagined!" The smile slipped from his face. And worse. "Wish I could have gone to the temple myself. It would have saved me some…unpleasantness. Listen to me, 'unpleasantness'., I'm even starting to sound like a spy." He exhaled slowly. "Friend, remember when I told you the sith didn't want anyone in the Dark Temple?"

She held her hand up. "Stopping right there would save us both some unpleasantness," she told him, not unkindly.

He stepped around the desk and rubbed his forehead. "I wish there was some other way to handle this. I really do."

"There is," she said flatly. "I walk away. My job is filled with secrets I will not betray. This would just be another one."

He stared at her a moment and then slowly shook his head. "I can't take the risk of the sith ever finding out you went to their precious Dark Temple – which means you're now a liability."

"Liability," she mocked. "Another spy word."

"I apologize. This isn't the way a fighting woman should die. Guards!" he said, ordering the guards to do their duty so that they all might live.

The fight really was unfair. Though she was glad everyone's blasters sported silencers, otherwise all of Intelligence might have come down on their heads.

Medle sank to his knees when icy-hot pain seared his gut. He glanced at his two men and saw they were down. He'd have to find some way of explaining this all. Another wave of pain brought his attention to his own injury. He looked down at the blood that seeped through his fingers and then looked up at the Mandalorian. "Heh…that went wrong, didn't it?"

"For you, maybe. I see things a bit differently," she told him.

He nodded. "Got a hole in my gut…" he mumbled. "I'm not going to beg. Turning on someone who did their job is wrong. We both know that. He pulled the writ disk out of his pocket with a shaky hand and held it out to her. "Here is your writ and your pay. The rest is up to you."

"No, Medle…it's up to you. Will you be sending more men after us?" she asked quietly.

"To do what?" he scoffed and then groaned with the pain that slammed into him. "My men are no match for you. How about I make a more concrete apology? I'll send you some top-of-the-line weaponry as soon as you're out of here. That work for you?"

She frowned but nodded. "You should have let us walk. This - what happened here…was a waste. But I'm glad this didn't have to get personal."

"It never was, believe me. You're everything a woman should be. Wish I'd met you while I was still a man," he admitted. He saw the big armored man slip an arm around her waist. She was off limits. "Of course. Don't ever sell your soul for your job."

"I won't." Xocha replied.

"I never thought I would either," Medle mumbled as the trio walked away.

Xocha turned his head and nodded, to let him know his words were heard as they left the captain's chambers.

"We'll turn this last one in tomorrow. I don't know what's going to happen, so I want to be fresh."

As it turned out nothing happened. There was still another few days before the melee. They did a bit of sightseeing, at least around Kaas City, found a couple of decent restaurants and a nice club. But it was surprisingly like any other city, except for the higher number of sith parading about in their ridiculous costumes acting like they owned the place – which they pretty much did.

A few days later they received the call from Crysta to come in. Crysta smiled and walked towards the trio that approached her. "You ought to know that some mandalorian big shot named Tarro Blood said you were dead. Time to show him how wrong he is. All the other hunters who survived are already inside! Get in there! Oh – you two can wait here," she told Xocha and Mako. "Sylver's got to do this on her own."

Sylver moved down the corridor, her step lively but not overly rushed. She heard the assistant speaking as she entered melee chamber.

"All weapons are allowed, but you fight alone. No assistants." He turned when he heard boots coming up the ramp. "And it looks like we have a latecomer!"

"I just like to make a big entrance," she replied with a grin.

Assistant Lek smiled. "Coming back from the dead is a big entrance, all right." He turned to the wookie. "Huntmaster, will you do us the honor?"

The Huntmaster held his long, furry arms out. "Today, many hunters earn glory in death and defeat. One hunter earns eternal glory in victory. Good hunting to all."

Iopiane Ratle sneered. "We all heard tales of your exploits, Wynter. Perhaps I'll turn them into a song to commemorate your death."

She cocked a brow. "Then make sure it's something you can dance to."

"Consider it done," retorted the mirialan. "I'd wish you luck…but it wouldn't help. So, I'll just say goodbye."

"Yes, then. Re'turcye mhi."

Iopiane blinked, her eyes narrowing on Wynter.

"Enough!" Lek growled. "You hunters are the best that the galaxy's goons and thug lords could send us. Now show us which one of you will join the Great Hunt! Fight!" He stepped back out of the ring to watch.

She almost felt guilty gunning down the other hunters. There was honor pitting yourself against talented beings, but she was mando'ad. She had lost her honor and did not feel she was any better than them, but was she? When the last one fell, she spun her blasters and snapped them to her magbelt. Despite her victory, she could not bring herself to smile. Not when uncertainty plagued her thoughts.

Lek inclined his head to her and smiled. "The melee is over! One hunter remains!" He lowered his voice. "Quite a show you put on. Blasted fun to watch. How do you feel, hunter?"

"I'm one step closer to regaining my honor. That is a good feeling," she admitted. She could tell he wanted to hear more, but there was nothing more she could say.

He wondered what she meant by that, but she'd closed down and he knew he would get nothing more out of her. "Things only get harder from here." He led her to the Huntmaster's office.

"Let the hunter stand before me. She is honored beyond all common hunters. Let it be known that-"

Tarro stormed into the office. Anger outweighing his fear. "This is simply ridiculous. I mean, really – this needs to stop right now."

"Why? Because I'm not as dead as you hoped I was? Such a pity. Poor Tarro actually has competition now. Sorry about that chap – no…wait…I'm not." She snapped her teeth in a bite motion. "Bites to be you."

"I object to this farce!" he snarled. "This ignorant thug does not deserve to enter the Great Hunt. Her credentials are a lie fabricated by her little gutter rat of a sidekick. She deserves no honors."

The Huntmaster gave her a knowing look and a slight nod. What had he meant by that? Did he know more than he should about who she was?

Lek frowned. "We know this hunter's history, Blood. The Huntmaster has ruled."

"You fools! This is a place of honor, a competition of elites. Mandalore will hear of this!"

"Tion'ad hukaat'kama, mir'osik?" Who's watching your back, shit for brains? She loved it. The look on his face was priceless. "Give the Mandalore Sylver Wren's regards and try not to cry."

He leaned towards her. "Speaking a few words of mando'a does not make you one of us. Before this Great Hunt is over, I will have your skull in my hands!"

Lek watched him storm out and then took a closer look at Sylver. Sylver Wren. Wren…that was a mando'ad clan. He glanced up at the Huntmaster who just nodded. Intriguing. "The Great Hunt just got way more interesting. Sorry for the interruption, Huntmaster. Please continue."

The wookie looked down at her. "The Great Hunt proves talent, resolve. Mandalore calls it to bring him the most skilled hunter in the galaxy. Each hunter will hunt the other's prey. Then each hunter hunts the other. At the end, there is no prey and only one hunter."

"You get all that, Sylver?" Lek inquired.

"I did, Assistant Lek. It seems simple enough. Take down the target and any other hunters that go after it."

The Huntmaster nodded. "Today you are truly the hunter, all else is your prey. Welcome to the Great Hunt, Sylver Wren."

Lek motioned towards the door. "Your handler Crysta will fill you in on the rest of the details. She and your team are waiting for you."

Crysta was laughing with her companions when she stepped out of the office. She found herself buried under hugs the moment she returned.

Xocha grazed his lips against hers and then dropped his forehead to rest on hers. "I wasn't worried for a moment."

"Well I was," Mako teased. "You've always been the best, Sylver. Nothing's going to keep you from taking the Hunt."

"I knew it!" Crysta grinned and motioned between Xocha and Sylver. "I just knew it." She tried to rein in her smile, but gave up. "Now onto the Great Hunt. Here's how it's going to work: First, you're getting a starship."

"I've already got one," she told Crysta.

"It ain't quite like that. There's a tradition for new hunters: You gotta steal one for yourself." She pulled out her datapad and researched the ships currently in port. "Gotcha. I know one that belongs to one of them so called "importer" types. Fast, smooth and roomy. Head to the spaceport, get past the guards, steal your ship and hit the hyperlanes. When you hit space, I'll send you two holo-recordings, both with specific details on who and where you hunt. Take out the target and the other hunter assigned to that target. Your first round of targets are on Balmorra and Nar Shaddaa. Good luck to ya, Sylver!"

She gave Crysta a farewell hug and hurried out of the Mandalorian Enclave. "I know I'm supposed to steal the ship, but I'm going to do it my way. First, we will go to our ship and pack up our belongings. Mako, I'll need you to remove the ship's identa-chip. We'll be swapping it out with our new ship's. I won't leave the other man without transportation, nor will I fly around in a ship flagged as stolen – that's a one-way ticket to an Imperial stockade. I'll also leave him a sizable credit transfer to make up the difference in cost…and for the inconvenience. We don't know when he's going to return for his ship, so we will have to make this fast."

Xocha grinned. They broke the mold when Sylver was born. She'd give a jedi a run for honor.

Within an hour, with the help of the docking bay droids, they got the contents of both ships switched.

"Identi-chip is installed and tweaked…just a bit…by yours truly," Mako told the holo of Sylver with a wide grin on her face. "There will be no tracing the theft back to us. Ready when you are, girl."

Sylver nodded. "Xocha is on the shuttle, waiting for your arrival. I'm taking out our new girl, the Bes'uliik – or Iron Beast, about half a click and I will wait for you. We're ready for you to bring the new Wave Runner into her berth." She knew the owner of Wave Runner would be surprised to see a different ship in his docking bay, along with the money she'd left behind, but at least she hadn't stranded him.

Once she landed the new Wave Runner and settled into the shuttle. A moment before they passed through the protective holo-shield, she removed her control over the dock surveillance feeds. If the footage was looked over, all they would see was one blink the larger Wave Runner was there and the next blink the smaller ship had taken its place. She'd even wiped the docking bay droids so that no evidence would be left behind. She leaned back with a satisfied grin. "We did it. I'm glad we didn't just steal the ship. The ships' owner didn't deserve that."

Xocha nodded as they slipped through the barrier and headed to the coordinates he'd been sent. "Sylver's sense of honor rivals my own. It is not what I would have expected, but nor is it something I will ever doubt." He eased the shuttle into the hangar bay of their new ship and the bay door closed behind them. He took a deep breath when the shuttle door opened and he stepped out onto the deck of the new Iron Beast. After Mako stepped out of the shuttle behind him, he slapped the pad near the door to close it.

Mako looked around. "I don't know what we're going to do with all this space." She caught sight of the speeders and squealed as she ran over to them. "Look at all of these speeders…now I understand why we left ours. They are all so shiny…so new. I get second pick!" She grinned at Xocha's laugh. "Well I was with her before you – it's only fair."

He held up his hands and smiled. "I will concede and give you second pick." He honestly didn't care, they all looked to be in great shape as far as he could tell. "Let's locate Sylver and find out where we are going first."