Chapter 3 is now up. Kind of obvious now that I think about it... Anyway, the document manager has been glitching, so ignore any unneccessary bold or oversized type. This chapter doesn't actually have any action, but does set up for some as well as introduces the big players. Also, this chapter is really short, so I appologise for this too.

Chapter 3

After a very restless night, Nasheth rose early to prepare his transport. First thing he did was check the food stocks onboard. After he was assured he had several months' worth of food, he went through the rest of his checklist. Fuel, armament, and water all checked out. He had HK board the heavily modified Ministry-class shuttle, then went to say goodbye to his mom.

"K'oyacyi." His mother told him as he hugged her.

"I will mom," Nasheth replied. "I love you." With that, he turned and boarded the shuttle.

He found HK in the pilot chair, starting the takeoff sequence. As the ship lifted off, its triangle-shaped wings folding down from the top, HK-47 turned to his master. HK, it seemed, had managed to snag a couple of long barreled blasters, each equipped with a high-powered scope. Nasheth also noted the assassin had a pair of small daggers concealed in his chassis, completely unnoticeable from a distance and only now visible because of Nasheth's training at identifying weapons that might be a problem in the future.

"Probing query: were exactly are we heading, master?"

"Let's just get into orbit. I need to make a call."

As the ship hit orbit, Nasheth stood up and headed for the cargo hold. There, he activated the comm system and tried to put through a call to Vogga the Hutt. Vogga was a black-market weapons and spice dealer. He also had fuel contracts with the Republic which kept the proper authorities from shutting him down. Although with recent contracts with mining companies to siphon fuel from the gas planet of Yavin, how long his activities would be allowed to continue is unclear.

Nasheth sat down on a crate to wait for his call to be placed through and went through his gear one more time. He had two blaster pistols strapped to his hip, a couple of fragmentation and concussion grenades in a pouch also attached to his belt. His backpack held several power packs for his blasters and two days worth of chow as well as a case for basic hygiene. He kept a small holdout blaster tucked against his side under his armor and to top it off, he had brought along his new repeating rifle.

He was more than a little surprised that his call was answered. A holo image of a Gran appeared; its three eyed figure was pale and withered looking. Nasheth was accustomed to seeing the effects of spices on different species, but Gran were more easily affected by the substances. This particular one was in really poor shape.

"I would like to request an audience with Vogga," Nasheth said. "Can you patch me through please?"

The Gran grunted and the comm went silent for approximately thirty seconds, then the image of a Hutt was generated. His large, wrinkled face took up most of the image, but from the rest of it, Nasheth could make out the overgrown worm. This was the person who would be most likely to help him find his father. It was also among one of the most untrustworthy beings in the galaxy.

"Looking for a job, Mandalorian?" Vogga asked. "I may have some bounties for you."

"Actually no." Nasheth responded. Then he snagged upon an idea. "I thought all your bounties were handled by a Mandalorian by the name of Jarec?"

Vogga looked a little disgruntled by this. "They used to. He's gone off the grid and I'm looking to replace him. Are you sure you're not interested?"

"I'm pretty sure I'm not. I'm actually looking for him. Where was he last time you saw him?"

"Last time I saw him, I had him going after a bounty in the Lianna system. If you're going to be going there, can you pick up a Zarrev Hurmond? He's worth about thirty thousand to me."

"If I come across him, I might. But it will have to be more than thirty."

"Fine. Forty thousand, no more" Vogga said begrudgingly. "I expect him within ten days though."

"Understood. You'll be hearing from me shortly." With that, Nasheth cut the comm signal. He stood up and headed for the cockpit.

"HK, set a course for the Lianna system. I would like to be there within two days."

"Statement: yes master. Plotting course now." HK paused for a brief minute. "Query: what are we looking for in such a deserted system, master?"

"My father; and maybe a large sum of credits if the opportunity presents itself," Nasheth sighed. "I might as well look for this Zarrev guy too, if we're going to be there."

Meanwhile, on the marshy planet of Nal Hutta, a certain criminal boss turned to his Gran aide.

"Get Zarrev on the comm now.

"Yes sir." The image of a gruff human quickly appeared before the Hutt. He was short for a human male, standing roughly 1.7 meters, yet creating an intimidating appearance with his zarkeg like build.

"Zarrev, I have another job for you. A lone Mandalorian is heading to the Lianna system looking for Jarec. I need you to handle it."

"It will be done boss. Any special details, or am I just to shoot him down?"

"Just make sure he is dead. I don't care how. Last thing I need is Mandalorians breathing down my neck."

"Understood. Zarrev out." The holo image flickered then disappeared. Vogga quietly sighed. This little problem was high on his priority list, so it stood to reason to put his best pirate captain on it. Vogga then chuckled, thinking of the surprise that Mandalorian was going to have when he came out of hyperspace.

Well, I just now figured out how to use the horizontal lines on here. Previous chapters will be updated to have these so that changes in scene will be smoother. Sorry for the confusion. Read and review please.