Legend of the Harp Episode III: The Crucible

by Hemaccabe

The Harp continues to build his own resistance movement with more ships, troops and wealth. However, not every problem can be solved with such tools and some of those problems may test one to the very edge!

6. Chapter 6

Legend of the Harp

By Hemaccabe

Episode III: The Crucible

Chapter 6: The Planet of the Bounty

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

*** Bounty Hunter Mahe Jiru, Dandoran System, Near the Rock ***

Jiru had been watching the Rock, or more specifically, that round black ship as it sat in the Rock. Jiru noted that the "Rock," which clearly served as the Corellian Patriotic Fleet's main base, sat in orbit above a massive gas giant in the outer reaches of the Dandoran system. As was common with such gas giants, there was plenty of radiation, detritus, rocks, ice and other bits sharing the orbit. This was ideal for hiding the base from Imperial eyes. Unfortunately, it was also perfect for Jiru's ship, which was sitting concealed on a conveniently placed lump of space detritus.

As the quarry's round black ship had sat warm in that station for three days. The lump of detritus that had sheltered Jiru's ship was cold, just above absolute zero and floated in cold space. Jiru had to keep his ship at the lowest possible power to avoid detection. It had been a cold three days. Jiru had kept himself warm thinking about the cabin he would build on Elysia.

Eventually, the round black ship had pulled out of the warm rock. One could tell how warm by the steam that frequently vented. Jiru also noticed the almost supernaturally neat way the black ship maneuvered, and even vented, which meant that it was likely droid piloted. Another luxury. When the black ship completed it's maneuvers, it then blasted away on an unknown vector into hyperspace.

This moment could have been frustrating for a lot of bounty hunters. Sit in icy cold for three days just for the quarry to skip away to parts unknown. Not for Jiru though. Jiru knew where to go, where he would pick up the ship again.

Jiru waited a couple hours. A personnel transport with terrible scanners ran from the Rock to the station above Dandoran and back every day. It was the simplest thing to ghost in behind the transport undetected. Then Jiru could follow the transport back to the station invisibly. Any scanner would see only one dot, explained by the transport.

When, several hours later, they arrived at the station, it was easy for Jiru to break away in the general clutter of ships and request a berth. The station sat nicely above Korpluck Town, which allowed Jiru to set up surveillance. At least the food was good. Jiru wasn't sure why, but the rations one purchased at the station and at the space port on the ground were unusually good.

Jiru had originally hoped to bag both quarries together, but the battle at Sultoon had taught him a lesson. It would be better to take the quarries one at a time. As luck would have it, the quarries spent a great deal of time apart. The rules of hunting were simple, take the weaker quarry first. Zaemon had been one of the best blades of the era and a war hero. Kazan and his four ungainly arms had been a middling blade at best. Clearly the Hero of Plynth was the better choice. Kazan spent his time running from one idle pursuit to the next on his custom black yacht. Eventually, Jiru would corner him and take his bounty and his life.

Jiru knew eventually the round black ship would return to Dandoran station. Eventually, if Jiru was patient, he would get his chance.

*** And now a word from our sponsor! ***

Please don't miss that this is the third book in this exciting series. Legend of the Harp Episodes 1 and 2 are also on this site! Episode 4 may be on her way soon!

If you enjoy modern urban fantasy and my writing, you may also enjoy a series of three novels I have written in the Dresden Files universe of Jim Butcher, called Warlock of Omaha, Warlock of Omaha Squared and Warlock of Omaha Cubed!

I have also recently released a Star Trek novel. It's called Star Trek: Lost Destiny. Please consider this an invitation to read it.

This writer, like the story teller in the market of old, now has a hat out hoping for a small gratuity. There is no obligation and I'm grateful you took a moment to read. However, if my writing has found favor in your eyes, please take a moment to go to:

Pay

Pal

.me

/hemaccabe

and throw in a little something, a dime, a quarter, a dollar, etc.

While I love to write, I do have a spouse and a child and a job and many other claims on my time that don't understand why I would spend so many hours banging on a keyboard. A small tangible return would help smooth the way to allow me to provide many more stories.

Please help. Thank-you.