Hey guys, once again sorry for the overdue update the last few months have been busy but now things have died down a little. Like to give big thanks to my friend and Beta, Mandalore the Freedom. Just want to answer a couple questions;
Panda: He kind of did and didn't as you'll see.
SilentType 1997: I did indeed but I'm afraid it won't be added however, they'll be some in the near future that'll hopefully equally interesting.
Fanboy5: That's good to hear
As for the rest again thank you for reviewing and hope you enjoy the next instalment :)
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Nar Shaddaa, a world teeming with filth and anarchic conditions that provided the perfect hive base for all types of criminals, smugglers and pirates traversing the galaxy. The moon orbiting the Hutt Cartels capital of Nal Hutta was similar in some respects to Coruscant, in it's over population and its natural landscape completely taken over by artificial constructs. Those similarities ended however, with the inhabitants Parjar was soon going to have to come face to face with.
The tracker she had thrown on to Cad Bane's ship transmitted its signal all the way to the Y'Toub system, the very heart of Hutt controlled space. Having had the misfortune of visiting this dung heap of a world, Parjar knew his place to perfect for the likes of Bane and other bounty hunters to do discrete and undesirable business dealings with wretched scum. Her Aggressor assault fighter exited out of hyperspace and flew to the dark, polluted brown moon. Behind it the green and murky grey planet of Nal Hutta took up the background of her viewport, showing the twin crime infested havens.
Not wishing to take in more of the void hole of a world, Parjar piloted her ship the Silent Hunter down to the planet's atmosphere. She sent her authorisation codes down to the surface, though sometimes she wondered the point of such an action since there was no real form of government or central authority on Nar Shaddaa. Her clearance was given the go ahead as she headed to side of the moon facing the empty expanse of space.
Parjar click on the comm waiting for the party on the other side to answer. Seconds later a small holographic form of a green Arcona male lit up from the control panel, dressed in run down and well worn clothing she put down to him to blend into Nar Shaddaa's social environment.
"Ah Parjar, it's good to see you."
"You too, Tek. What have you got for me?" She asked him.
"We managed to reserve a hangar bay for your ship and have gathered some intriguingintel that will help in your search. We will send you the coordinates to the hangar." Tek informed her.
"Ori'jate. Thank you, Tek." With a quick nod the link was cut as she flew to the coordinates he had sent.
The ecumenoplis landscape of Nar Sharddaa soon filled the viewscreen, giving it an almost identical look to other heavily industrial worlds. Parjar flew her ship past one of the vertical spires that littered the surface, noticing the stark difference with this Hutt world and the Republic capital. Whereas Coruscant's skyscrapers and streets were clean and well maintained, Nar Shaddaa's was decaying and congested from a lack of a good workforce and care. At least with this place Parjar knew to expect someone to try their luck and draw a blaster or knife on her openly, unlike the behind closed door backstabbing on Coruscant.
It didn't take too long for her to find the hangar Tek had arranged for her to dock, finding it another example of how run down this moon was. She slowed the insectile shaped vessel's approachment into the hangar spotting a small gathering of four Arconas awaiting by the landing pad. With little issue Parjar landed the Silent Hunter perfectly down on the discoloured, cracked hangar floor perfectly. Picking her helmet up and adjusting her holsters, she left the ship and greeted the welcoming party standing patiently outside.
"So what information do you have for me, Tek?" She said going straight to business.
"You'll be pleased to know we found the ship you were looking for. However, we haven't been able to as of yet find Bane." Tek reported.
"Who's your entourage?" She nodded to the trio behind him.
"Our siblings. Jel and Ris will guard your ship from any opportunistic hands, whilst Shi will continue searching for Bane through our network of contacts."
"Good. Let's get to it. I don't have a great deal of time." Parjar said. With a quick word in Arconese she saw Tek order his siblings to their task. One split off and left them all while the remaining two went about guard duty over her ship, leaving her with Tek who accompanied her out of the hangar bay.
"We're surprised you have returned to Nar Shaddaa, Parjar. Your last visit here didn't bode so well."
"I wouldn't have if it weren't for the circumstances." Parjar explained. "What about you, Tek. Why are still on this sleemo infested pit?"
"Ah, this is the thing you see. This is our last job before we move to Corellia. Jel and Ris wanted to leave now but you Mandalorians have always been good to us. Only right we return the favour." Tek said in appreciation.
"Corellia?. Sure beats this place that's for sure."
"It is time we move away from this place, settle on greener and cleaner pastures." The Arcona smuggler smiled humorously to his own joke.
"Glad you and your family are finally moving someplace safer, Tek." She said putting on her helmet.
"As are we."
"What did you find out about Bane's associates and his ship?" Parjar ended the small talk and shifted the conversation back to the business at hand.
"Not much. According to the dock workers they handed an unconscious human strapped down to a stretcher over to a cloaked individual. They parted ways after this shadowy being handed cases over to Bane and one of those IG series assassin droids. A Mikkian youngling and two of those fancy Separatist Commando droids joined the stranger back on to a Theta-class shuttle." Tek told her all the details he received from his informants.
"Outstanding, Tek. You never fail to impress me." She complimented him.
"Ah but that is not the best part."
"Which is?" Parjar asked.
"Some claim they saw lightsabers on both the cloaked stranger and the Mikkian girl." He said sounding as if he didn't quite believe that part.
"It's true with the Mikkian, so it's likely this person they met with was her Master. Did they mention where they were going?" She questioned next.
"Unfortunately not." Tek said to her muted frustration. "But you could ask Bane himself for he has not left Nar Shaddaa as of yet. Once of course Shi reports back on his whereabouts."
"Good. I don't want to be here longer than I have to be."
"As do we." Leaving the docks behind for the time being they entered into the bustling, crime ridden streets of the disreputable 'Smugglers' Moon'.
The stench of polluted air and the rundown urban landscape was in the same declining state as her last visit. Skyscrapers lit up great neon signs of different organisations and apartment suites giving the ruse of a flourishing and successful establishment. Huge floating platforms housing entertainment centres hovered above the city with the night sky filled with the sounds of landspeeders and ships cruising by. It wasn't until Parjar descending down into the grubby streets life on Nar Shaddaa showed its real face.
Beggars and other people down on their luck lined the streets, sitting or gathering around old containers or fuel drums trying to get warm themselves from the chill. Poorly kept stores and kiosks were overshadowed by the more imposing and dominating casinos looming above. Parjar kept on her guard knowing even the ones with little to their name could be a danger. She took note of other potential threats from hired muscle tasked in protecting specific stands that must've been doing well to afford that kind of protection.
Nearby she saw two Gamorreans beat down on some poor being with a female Faust overwatching the beating.
"Ugh, things never change on this sleazy rock." Parjar said with disdain.
"To our admittance there is one good thing you can take from Nar Shaddaa, and that is you can get practically anything here." Tek gave the only piece of praise she could agree with. "We doubt your people would have got their hands on much needed weapons, resources and ship parts if it not for this place?"
"True. I can't believe parts belonging to that old rust bucket are still in existence. Those Mandalmotors engineers sure love toying with it. Where are we going exactly?"
"We have a couple things leftover to deal with. It'll eat up time until Shi reports back on an update." He said.
"Nothing involving shaking people down I hope?." Parjar said to the chuckle of her Arcona associate.
"No, no, no. You know that is not our business, Parjar. Unless it is with somebody who has wronged us. Don't say you haven't done such a thing." Tek shot back though not angrily.
"Maybe." The Mandalorian left it at that.
"Come on, our first order of business is this way."
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Pain and nausea was all Jake felt. Being confined to a scarcely lit room and his wrists and ankles shackled to an electrical field of some sort, floating above the ground having his limbs stretched out was the clear reason behind the former. His joints ached from his arms being kept above his head for so long. Jake already learnt early on the shocking response if he moved too much in his restraints. Instead he remained relatively still, despite the pains and cramps ailing his body and wondering where the hell he was.
The only light from his confinement came from the barely functioning light on the ceiling and the blue energy field from his electrical binds. His weapons and Osprey armour had been stripped from him as to be expected when being taken prisoner. The people behind his kidnapping hadn't revealed themselves yet, leaving Jake to think back on Kiplee and the merc who deviously knocked him out cold.
The Marine's blood boiled every time he thought on the deceptive Jedi. He cursed himself for not trusting his suspicions from the start and going along with a plan that was so evidently a trap set by her shadowy peers. Her acting and deceit was convincing enough but Jake should've known better than to let his guard down completely. This was a hard lesson learned if he was to ever get out of this damp, shit tip of cell.
However, from the look in her eyes after his questioning of her moral judgement over what she was doing, Jake wondered if the girl really believe in what she was doing. From her own wavering words it sounded as if her superiors, or whoever she worked for had tried drilling their rhetoric into her. It made him think if they was hope for the kid yet.
The dank and dark room he was held captive in didn't hold any significant features. The colouring of the wall matched the silent and cold presence surrounding the cell. Nothing changed nor had anyone come to see him since he had awoken with splitting headache and a horrible sickly feeling in his stomach. It appeared his potassium deficiency decided to join the misery inflict upon him. Jake hadn't a clue on how long he was out for and it angered him more the people responsible for his current predicament hadn't bothered to show themselves.
The only sound within in the cell was his shallow breathing. It gave him an uncomfortable feeling as if there was nothing but him in this place, wherever it was. There was no creaking, knocking or even other signs of any living creatures residing close by. Jake felt this must've felt like for people locked in solitary confinement.
The loneliness feeling soon came to an end when the door in front opened up. Jake trained his eyes on to the visitors, seeing they were all cloaks with their heads draped with hoods. A total of five entered with the door closing once again after the last of them stepped in. The last of the cloaked figures took the centre spot with the others flanking him in a semicircle. Even with their hoods covering their face Jake could make out the present party was mix of humans and aliens.
The light from the ceiling offered some help in working out who these people were. The hood covered half their faces, showing the distinctive structure and skin tones to that of humans, except for two with one possessing markings or tattoos running down the sides of their face. The other had a grey beard that straight away clicked into Jake's mind as the man who poisoned him. The two aliens stood out with one being the more noticeable with its bulky frame and thick light blue, muscular arms on display. The other from the narrow mouth and green complexion the light reflected on the Marine recognised to be a Rodian.
None said a word as they silently observed him, creeping him out at their hidden eyes checking him over like one of the museum exhibits.
"Oh look, I didn't know I was going to meet the Motley Crue." He said to a silent response. "Alright, what satanic bullshit ritual do you guys have in store for little old me then?"
"Ritual? What is he talking about?" One of the humans in the party asked in confusion..
"He's just spouting nonsense. It's to expected from an ignorant being." Another replied in a feminine accented voice.
"It's repulsive enough to be in this abomination's presence, let alone hear it speak." The tall alien to his left sneered.
"That's quite enough. We will not descend into pack of squabbling younglings." The older man said calming his compatriots down. "What would our guest think of us?"
"I already have an opinion of you, dickhead." Jake glared at the assumed leader of the group "If I didn't have these things keeping me chained up you'd be dead as soon as you stepped through that door."
"Ill mannered, primitive filth!" A heavy punch struck his side, adding more agony to his body.
"Real hard of you to strike a man whose hands are tied, pussy face." The marine said trying to hide the throbbing pain shooting in his ribs and rib cage.
"Jotal, that is quite enough!" The old man scowled the alien. The leader then turned his focus back to him, staring up behind the shadow cover of his hood.
"So which one of you arseholes is going to tell me why exactly you have me here?" Jake asked them, wanting to get know once and for all why they were so keen on killing him.
The old man stepped one pace forward from the others and spoke first. "Corporal Matthews. We are here to save the galaxy from the single greatest threat to ever face us. You."
"You can't be serious." Jake said with a small dose of laughter, having trouble ignoring the pain in his side.
"Every living thing in the galaxy has a connection to the Force." The Jedi began walking around him.
"Yeah, yeah, I've heard all this bollocks before."
"There are races and creatures out there with a very low Midichlorian count that prohibits their chances of ever knowing the true strengths the Force. But all the same they are of the Force." He ignored Jake's outburst. "You, and to greater extent your people, however are different matter entirely."
"Boo fucking hoo." Jake said to the annoyance of the Jedi's cohorts.
"You are truly a rude individual."
"It's quite alright, Nyless. It is only the futile face of defiance from a species who would do our civilisation and Order great harm." The leading Jedi said to the other side of him.
"I have no idea what the hell you're on about. My world doesn't know you lot even exist!" The Marine stated.
"Perhaps. But it's inevitable that one day the Republic will make contact with your Earth. If you are here then the rest of your people should not be far behind, correct?" Jake remained silent on the question. "You see soldier, whilst you were out we took a sample of your DNA to find out how you are impervious to the Living Force."
The old man took out a disked object from within his robes, producing a holographic image of a oblong shaped critter that Ahsoka had showed him to be the very microscopic creature that gave them their special abilities. For a second the Midichlorian did nothing other than remain calmly still, docile and floating about. Then a collection of other cells entered into the image quickly and latched on to it. The new cells proceeded to tear into the life form without any mercy. The brutal death of the tiny critter shocked him but also answered questions that stuck in his mind since learning from the others back at the Jedi Temple over the lack of a connection to this universal energy.
Once nothing was left of the Midichlorian the projection retreated back into the disk, leaving him with an air of fury lingering amongst the Jedi.
"Your people must not mix into the galactic population. Otherwise it will certain doom for us all. We are the ones who'll put a stop to this plague before it spreads." The Jedi leader said with die hard conviction.
"Oh Christ above, you can't be serious?" Jake mocked the collective of Jedi over the zealous mandate. "You poisoned me, tried killing me over something I have no control of!?"
"Or maybe your Forceless barbarian masters sent you as a vanguard for our destruction." One of the humans spouted in venom.
"Go fuck yourself, you shit talking dumb arse." Jake spat at the Jedi. "Do you not hear yourselves?" He said looking at them all in disbelief. "Don't you realise how stupid your accusations sound?"
"You must understand, Corporal this isn't a personal vendetta." The old man said in a more calm demeanor. "I have seen how you are in the Temple. You come across as a decent being and will do whatever it takes to keep your homeworld safe, I respect that. But we are doing exactly the same for our own. We will do all we can to swade those in the Order and the Senate from making contact with any more of you Earth-humans. And shall they ever do cross paths well...we must take whatever necessary actions needed to keep your people from integrating into the galactic community."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jake questioned them. None answered and the Jedi leader inclined his head for the others to leave. "Oi!." A cold chill ran up Jake's spine as the old Jedi's words replayed in his head once the five zealot Jedi left him. The door slammed shut and left the confused and angered marine alone again to think over what these delusional fools spouted.
These people were mad that was abundantly clear to him. But by the sound of the old Jedi's threat however, whatever they had in store if Earth was ever found by these people was a frightening prospect.
He didn't know how he would get out of this mess, but Jake made a promise to himself to stop these crazy bastards from ever having the chance to carry out their plans for his world.
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The long wait for Tek to finish his discussions with another one of his 'associates' was starting to grind on Parjar's patience. This was the third time she and the Arcona had stopped at with no word on the whereabouts on Bane. It didn't help they ventured further down into one of the most run down and crime ridden parts of the city. She already had to pull out her blaster to a few would be tough guys attempting to block their way for a so called 'entrance fee'. The blaster and a few persuasive words quickly dispersed the troublemakers.
She waited outside the makeshift shack cobbled together by scraps of metal and an old speeder chassis. Rust was everywhere on the abode but it was step up to the other shelters in an area for the more impoverished residents of Nar Shaddaa. Some would say this was an ideal place to find the most resilient and durable fighters to recruit from. An environment like this did give rise to some of the most greatest warriors in galactic history. It was also the perfect breeding ground for criminal activity.
Parjar kept her eyes vigilant for any suspicious movements her way. She had sympathy for a lot of these people, especially the families left to scrounge for whatever substances they could find or jobs they may be employed to for a few credits. Whether it was in the Republic, Separatist Alliance controlled territory or Hutt Space, those at the bottom of the food chain all suffered the same problems brought by the corrupt and greedy hands nestled at the top.
She heard voices drawing closer coming from within the shack. A sigh of relief escaped her mouth as Tek emerged out of the shack with a tall, scruffy looking Keed male. The pair exchanged a few parting words in Huttese then after Tek split from the being's company.
"Tek, I don't have a lot of time. I need information now." She said in mild frustration.
"Then it is good news that we have obtained Cad Bane's location." Tek grinned at her. "Shi contacted us while we were in discussion."
"And?"
"He was seen last talking with someone up in the Promenade. Our contact claimed he overheard Bane saying he was heading over to the Meltdown Cafe in the Corellian Sector." He reported to her.
"Good work, Tek. Disappointment is not in your nature it seems." Parjar said, impressed once again by the Arcona's influence.
"We aim to impress." A delighted grin plastered his face. "Shi will meet us with transport at the end of the block."
"Better get going then. This place is starting to make me feel uneasy." Parjar went with Tek, leaving behind the shady homestead area. She felt glad to finally depart from this side of Nar Shaddaa, away from the dozens of potential trouble hot spots and individuals she kept a hidden eye on.
The tight knit streets soon began to lessen and the more open city landscape came into view. Parjar stared up at the discoloured, polluted sky blocking out the natural landscape with city lights and uncleanliness of the air. The structures gleaming out those lights housed many undesirable vermin posing them as respectful businesses. These same businesses were run or funded by the galaxy's most feared and notorious crime syndicates. Parjar truly detested these honourless sleemos. To her reluctant acceptance, if it weren't for some of these said people it is unlikely her clan and the others were able to obtain the resources needed for their future and thatthey had for Mandalore.
Keeping with Tek they walked over to a speeder lane lined with taxis cueing the skylane parking bay. For a moment Parjar was uncertain over the idea of using the air taxis with a high probability of many charging extortionate fares. Tek however, pointed to a landspeeder parking in between two of the untrustworthy taxis.
"No need to get the pocketbook out." Tek joked as the doors to the speeder opened up, revealing one of the Acrona she met back at the spacedock. The smuggler haven chosen to take up the front, Parjar sat in the back passenger seat. Once they were both in the vehicle's doors closed up and Tek's sibling piloted the speeder into back into the skylane.
"Have you ever been to this cafeteria we're heading out to?" Parjar asked.
"A couple times. It's shall we say, an acquired joint." Tek said with loose description over their destination. "It's cuisine is quite popular amongst outlaws and bounty hunters. It's also a place of wealth in regards of employing guns for hire and information of individuals and the like."
"You'd fit right in, bounty hunter." Their driver quipped.
"Shi!" Tek scolded his sister, speaking after in their native tongue.
"We meant no offence, bounty hunter. If this place is a roving sanctum for people of your occupation then it is unlikely you will stick out like a sore appendage." Shi explained. Parjar couldn't make out if she was genuinely apologetic or was just abrupt in nature.
"Indeed. Not that I look forward to seeing those who goes there."
"You'll be surprised who visits the Meltdown Cafe. It doesn't just attract the usual deplorables." Tek said picking up a datapad from seemingly nowhere.
The trip was often in silence with Parjar contemplating on confronting Bane. She knew the infamous Duros hired help very well. He was favoured by those rich and well off with not so obvious, sketchy backgrounds. Parjar was aware of his hiring by the Separatists on occasion, as she experienced on Otavon XII that ended in quite the heated exchange of blaster bolts. This added doubt on whether her finding him would be done so without resorting to a repeat of their last heated encounter.
Despite the lack of proper governance on the moon it was surprising the skylanes were orderly. There were a few that sped off in directions that would've had them being pursued and arrested by local authorities on many more civilised worlds. As they entered the Corellian sector, Parjar could see more Casinos and large highlighted signs of entertainment centres. Warehouses too were a common sight in this sector. These housed all sorts of contrabands and items sought out by those unable to obtain specific things that weren't on the open market. Ships too of Corellian design flew around the district. Parjar saw one old rust bucket YT-700 class light freighter leave one port and a YT-1300 fly down replacing its spot on the landing pad.
Splitting off from the skylane the speeder flew down to the streets that were once controlled by the once powerful and long extinct gangs; The Exchange and The Shadow Syndicate. She had heard from the others of her clan as a child of the runs ins of their ancestors dealing with members of those gangs and the infamy they once held across not just Nar Shaddaa, but the whole known galaxy. Now however, the sector was locked in a local war between smaller gangs, all funded by the Hutts for each of their own gains.
"Drop us here, Shi. We will make the rest of the way on foot but keep to the skies." Tek told his sister.
"Just comm us if you need to make a quick getaway." Shi said giving Parjar a quick glance, not-so-subtly hinting on how she thought things were going to turn out. Again Parjar didn't know whether she was brusk or was stating a regular occurrence from this part of the moon.
The doors of the landspeeder opened up once they had touched down by the side of the road. Parjar climbed out with Tek and took in the new scenery which wasn't saying much. No matter the architect or fancy outward glimmering presentations shining off the buildings, inside they all hid a more shady world in one form or another.
"The cafe isn't far from here. It's two blocks past the Dregan Pike casino. Which reminds us."
"What, more contacts for you to yet finish dealings with?" Parjar asked with minor aggravation over having to make another stop.
"No, to pick up some winnings." Tek said with a toothy grin. With no response from her and the apparent knowing she wasn't amused, his smile quickly fell from his face. "Perhaps later." Taking that on cue they both finally started making headway to their destination and purpose to this unpalatable part of the galaxy.
No matter the level, the reek of refuse, debris and that of garbage being transported by the rubbish collecting scows floating through the sector clung to the environment. Parjar once again praised the filters in her helmet for keeping out the odious smell. In spite of the un-deity aroma that lingered, life was abundant everywhere on this region of the moon. Holograms of trees were positioned along the roads to give off a false landscape this world lacked naturally for generations
The rich endorsing enterprise of gambling was hard to miss with the blaring music coming out from the buildings and stumbling patrons intoxicated from some form of alcoholic or spice substance. Parjar felt grateful of her people's way of self discipline and hadn't reduced themselves to this rabble.
"Woah, woah, hold it right there, Mandalorian." Somebody called out to them.
Turning to the source of the caller, Parjar found a group of four, made up of two humans, a Weequay and a Quarren approaching over and took up to blocking their path.
"Is there an issue?" Tek asked the gathered group of lightly and poorly maintained armoured beings politely.
"You think you can pass into our territory without paying the toll, bounty hunter?" The lead figure, a human male said with disdain to her profession.
"Toll, what toll?. We are on our way-"
"Shut it, bonehead!" The supposed leader shot at Tek.
"I wasn't aware anyone laid claim to this trash heap of land." Parjar said to the angry glares of the pathetic excuse of a gang.
"You've entered into Gutkurr Marauders territory. If you wanna pass, especially you Mandalorian, then you'll have to pay the toll."
"You can't be serious?." Parjar said in disbelief.
"It's quite simple, bounty hunter. Give us all the credits you and your buddy have and we'll let you pass. Easy, eh?" The gruel and dirt stained thug explained.
"I don't have time for this." She waved them off unimpressed.
"Woah, woah, woah." The same thug said, stretching an arm out in front of her. "Did you not hear me?. Credits, now." He said in a laughable attempt at intimidation.
Glimpsing back at Tek who had the others encircling around him menacingly, the Arcona looked from side to side at their meathead obstacle then back at her. Seeing the look in his eyes that unspokenly pleaded with her to do something now to resolve this, Parjar made her move. The thug's grin was wiped from his face as she grabbed onto his wrist and pulled it into a tight and painful arm lock behind his back. Forcing him to his knees and pulling out a blaster from her holsters, Parjar stood behind the thug and pointed the WESTAR 34 to the side of his head.
"Hold it!" She warned the rest. "Anyone even thinks about making a move on me and my friend here, you'll see your buddy's brains painting the floor."
"Do so and your Arcona friend will meet the same fate." The Quarren threatened, pulling out a blade and drove it dangerously close Tek's throat.
"Parjar, you think this is wise?" Tek asked in concern to the knife being directed at his neck.
"If these chakaars wish for this sorry excuse to remain unharmed all they have to do is let us go. Easy, isn't it?" She mocked her captive who was wincing and crying out on pain.
"Alright, alright, you made your point!" The thug submitted. "Let them go."
"Jarak?"
"I said let them go, dammit!" Satisfied they had back down from their boss' orders, Parjar released the vice like lock she tangled his arm in but kept her blaster trained on the thugs.
"A very good choice you made, gentlemen." Tek gloated a little, stepping away from the group and safely over to her.
"You think you'll get away with this?." The leader glared with hatred.
"Follow us and you'll end up with worse than a bad wrist." Parjar countered the threat in a more controlled, less worried manner.
"Oh, you will be, Mandalorian. Once Gorl hears of this you'll regret not paying the toll." With one last warning shot they left hers and Tek's company. Parjar was less than impressed with the rabble but it appeared to shaken Tek.
"You alright?"
"You know, sometimes the non violent option is the best choice." Tek said with a twinge of cool anger.
"You needn't of worried, Tek." She told him. "I wasn't going to give over hard earned credits to a bunch of low life, gutter vermin."
"Oh, so you were more worried about losing your credits than our life?"
"Relax, Tek. I'm just pulling your leg." Parjar joked giving him a friendly slap to his shoulder.
"Hmm." The Arcona information breaker didn't snorted not convinced by her words. Sighing at his reaction she turned and resumed walking to their destination again.
It wasn't until the gambling centres thinned out that Parjar caught sight of the grungy green and neon yellow lettered sign of their objective's location. She heard some things about the cafe and none described it as amiable. Even from the outside it justified those claims.
"Ah, the Meltdown Cafe. We hear the Dianoga pie is quite delicious."
"Bane, Tek. We're here for Bane." Parjar said firmly.
"We know. We thought to inform you of the local delicacies if you grow hungry during your search." As much as she would normal appreciate the jokes, now was the time to get down to business.
Ignoring the small crowd hovering by the cafe's entrance way, some of which were eyeing her up out of curiosity or hostility. None of them interested her over their opinions to her presence. Bane was the only being that drew her focus to this part of Nar Shaddaa.
The Meltdown Cafe it appeared to live up to its name from the interior and audience it attracted on this desolate mud ball. The cafeteria wasn't the cleanliness but it would be forgivable considering the patrons that sat, eat and drank yattering on about dealings or bounties. Parjar thought the place looked more like a bar than it did a cafe that needed its decor to face refurbishment. Waiter droids trudged over to customers carrying ordered beverages and food, with many scarcely acknowledging the droids existence. Music played but the laughter and chatter from those within drowned out the noise coming out from the speakers.
Parjar surveyed the cafe for her target, finding it at first difficult to pinpoint the illusive Duros amidst the packed venue. She saw a few of Bane's brethren sitting on stools eating the pie Tek mentioned before coming into the cafeteria, made from the meat of the cephalopod creatures inhabiting the Si'Klaata Cluster. Having a delicacy made from a creature many didn't know or cared was a sentient being made her stomach churn. Thinking of Tek's ill attempt at humour she gave a quick glance to the Arcona finding him taking up to shadowing her. If things got heated she was glad Tek had her back.
In the midst of the crowd she did find other faces she came across from her chosen lifestyle. Upon recognising her too some nodded whilst others turned their backs. Parjar wasn't fussed over their apparent attitude toward her. In her line of work friendship with fellow bounty hunters was a knot that either loosened or tightened depending on the job and its offered pay.
Passing one table there was a group of bounty hunters Parjar knew quite often worked together. The distinct armoured, circular wide hat covering his head did little to hide the identity of the much sought out Kyuzo, who's pet Anooba lay below his master. Sitting opposite was a light purple skinned Theelin female. Her hair was pulled back into two tails and the jade green grappling boa trailed down her back and sides. A unique choice of weapon and one Parjar knew was lethal in the skilled hands of its owner.
"Well, well, well. Look what we have here." An accented voice uttered out. "The Republic's favourite lap dog for hire."
"Nice to see you too, Sugi." Parjar said greeting the Zabrak with the same level of neutrality.
"So what brings the high and mighty Mandalorians to this neck of the woods. Got fed up with all the cushy work the Republic bureaucrats have to offer and instead want to slug out for some real work?"
"Don't give me that pile of nerf poodoo. I heard about what went down on Felucia. If it had been me and my vod defending those farmers, those pirates would've been gone as soon as they landed. And that would be without Jedi help." She smiled behind her helmet at the glares she received from Sugi and Embo over their supposed 'tougher' contracted jobs. The Kyuzo spoke up next fixing his fiery gaze on her.
"Embo makes a good point. You're awfully sure of yourself for someone who walked in here with none of your crew to back you up." Latts said before taking a gulp from her drink.
"Who's says I'm alone." Parjar said, noting Sugi subtly taking a look around the cafe. "Even I were there's no one in here who'd put up a decent challenge."
"You know I hear rumours of Death Watch putting a bounty on Mandalorians associated with a group of delusional exiles. I don't suppose you know of any and where they could be located, Parjar?" Sugi suggested, though Parjar could see in the Zabrak woman's eyes she was hinting at something else.
"I'll tell you what, why don't we cut a deal." She offered to the trio. "You tell where to find Bane, and I'll tell you where you can find some these exiled individuals. How about that?" Inside Parjar was laughing at them considering her offer, especially as she'd never do anything to help the Death Watch. Ever.
"And how would you so happen to know where these people are?" Latts questioned her with a sceptical raised brow.
"I pick things up when I'm out there in the war while you slumber in grubby joints like this." Parjar shrugged.
"Alright, you tell us where they are and I'll tell you Cad Bane's current whereabouts." Sugi told her now her curiosity had been coloured.
"Word I got from my sources is that some of these Exiles have set up camp on Takodana."
"A Mid Rim world?. Why would they set up shop there?" Latts quizzed over the location.
"Hiding in plain sight." Parjar simply put it. "May wanna have a chat with Maz while you are there. She may of heard a few things. I admit I'm surprised you want to collect a bounty off Pre Vizsla. I thought you guys held a level of honour to not work for the likes of that besom."
Embo once again spoke up for then to have Latts speak after.
"He's right. Credits are credits. You don't have to like your clients but if they offer a good bounty, you're not going to hesitate to jump on it before some nerf for brains amateur does." Latts smirked, unaware of the death glare Parjar shot at her behind her visor.
"You are certain they are on Takodana?" Sugi brought the focus back to the exchange of knowledge.
"That's the rumour. So where is Bane?"
"Oh, he's round back in one of the more private booths." The Zabrak bounty hunter pointed over to another part of the cafeteria. "It seems he doesn't like the company around here."
"Can't say I blame him." Parjar mumbled out loud. Embo stood up first from the table, alerting his pet hound from its doze who then jumped up to its feet. The other two copied his actions with Embo giving her a few parting words in Kyuzose.
"Your information better be correct, Vizla. Otherwise." Sugi warned her.
"Don't make a challenge unless you can back it up with credible action." Parjar countered sounding a lot more menacing to her unconvincing threat.
"Whatever you say, Parjar." Latts waved her off, pulling Sugi along with the departing party. Parjar watched briefly the three fellow bounty hunters leave out the Meltdown Cafe's exit, feeling Tek's presence next to her once more.
"You think they'll follow up on your lead?" He asked in bemusement.
"If they do they are more foolish than I take them credit for."
"We see. Still, it wouldn't hurt to watch our backs. Does that mean you believe our friend is round back?"
"Only one way to find out." Parjar proccedded on toward the doorway that contained the private booths pointed out by Sugi. Standing by the entrance to where Bane was apparently taking a private break from the rest of the undesirable riff raff in the cafe.
Entering in she found the noise volume to be considerable lower compared to outside. There was still chatter from booths of people in discussion over things relating to anything that was unlikely to be of a legal nature of business. All around she saw different people confer with others, both physically and a few talking with the holographic projections of somebody wise enough to be far away.
It wasn't until she passed by a booth with a pair of whispering Sullustans, Parar picked up the croaky voice of her purpose for being on the Hutt controlled moon.
"I advise you reconsider pulling out on the rest of the deal. I'm not someone you'll want to cross, Jedi." Cad Bane seethed at the robed holographic figure.
"You did not meet our requirements and your less than subtle approach allowed Republic citizens bare witness to the task we hired you for." Hooded figure replied in a distorted amplified voice.
"The soldier was unharmed and I safely delivered him to your contact."
"Nonetheless, he managed to contact the Temple to your presence."
"A split second call that didn't reach anyone." Bane waved them off.
"Yet our sources say witness saw you there." The person on the other end countered
"There are millions of other Duros across the galaxy."
"None of which match your description." The figure said with some anger. "This deal has been concluded. I must say I'm very disappointed with someone as highly recommended as you couldn't pull of this simplest of tasks." With that the transmission ended and a furious Bane slammed his personal holo transmitter on the table, grumbling a string of curses under his breath.
Parjar turned to Tek inclining her head as a sign for him to take up his shadow approach as before. An WA-7 waitress droid rolled over to Bane's table and slid the peeved bounty hunter his ordered beverage.
"Is there anything else I can get you, Hon?" It asked him.
"No just leave me in peace." Bane growled. Parjar smirked seeing this as the perfect opportunity to announce her presence. Removing her helmet she firmly placed it down enough for it to make a loud clatter on to the table. The Duros bounty hunter peered at the helmet on his table giving a low sigh. "Parjar Vizla. Just when my afternoon already couldn't have been ruined enough."
"Nice to see you too, Bane." She said with the same amount of sarcasm. "Aren't you gonna offer a lady a seat?"
"Perhaps if there was one around I would offer the courtesy." He said.
"All the same." Parjar moved the opposite side of the table and took a seat.
"Excuse me but have you got permission to be here?" The droid questioned her.
"Don't worry I won't be here for long, droid." She told the annoyed machine.
"What do you want, Vizla?" Bane asked as the waitress droid moved off.
"Information."
"Really?. What makes you believe I would ever offer anything to you?. That knock on the head you received back on Otavon twelve obviously given you a case of amnesia."
"If that were the case then how do I remember you crashing down into a garbage disposal chute. Imagine if people knew the famous and ruthless Cad Bane suited the look of a vagrant from Raxus Prime." Her recollection earned a small growl and narrowing of his eyes over the past encounter.
"And there goes your chance of a civilised conversation." He said lacking any amusement.
"If I did I wouldn't be speaking with you. Now, where did the outlander soldier go?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Vizla. I came here to wind down from very busy schedule and instead have to put up with a Republic mercenary conjuring a tall tales." Bane jibed at her, in an attempt to get under her skin.
Unflinching from the remark, Parjar produced a small holo recorder from one of her many pockets and placed it on the table. Pressing its button a hologram lit up of Bane and the Corporal dueling each other in unarmed combat. She smiled once her rival had the look of recognition in his blood red eyes, knowing there was no escape out of it.
"So you were there?" He asked leaning up right.
"I was just passing by the neighbourhood when I was almost stampeded on. He sure did a number on your shebs." Parjar took a glimpse again at the hologram at the part when the Earth soldier threw a heft punch into Bane's face.
"Yet I won all the same." He said smirking with his arms spread out.
"By cheating." She pointed out turning the holo recording off
"You know well enough that in our line of work a sense of fair play borders to none existent." Bane replied, adjusting his hat.
"True. To those who lack a shred of honour anyway."
"You are not convincing me very well to share any information I may possess in regards to this primitive soldier. What's he to you anyway?" He asked with a curious glare, taking a sip from his drink for the first time.
"A client of mine." Parjar lied.
"I see. It's my understanding a scarce few outside the Jedi know the soldier's resided within that lumping eye sore of a Temple."
"They happen to be one of those few." She continued the fib though she thought it wasn't entirely untruthful.
"Vizla, you're not a very good liar." Bane stated to her ire.
"And you're not a very good reader of people." Parjar fired back to a croaky, smug chuckle response.
"I've got places to be, people to meet who's bounties are far more worthy than the pitance the Republic offer for some small time criminals." He sneered standing up from the booth and tugged on the front of his hat."See you around, Vizla."
Parjar inwardly fumed at the insolences of her adversary as he turned to leave. "I wonder how your clients feel about you working alongside the Jedi?"
"Come again?" He stopped but didn't face her.
"I also saw you with working with that Padawan. I heard from a few associates of mine who saw you talking with more Jedi at the spaceport. Not to mention the one you were speaking to moments ago. I don't think some very lucrative contractors out there would be having dealings with someone taking jobs with the Jedi on the side." She changed tact. For second Parjar thought she had him right where she wanted him. Blackmailing wasn't a clean and honourable move but it gained his attention nonetheless.
"Nice try, Vizla. Perhaps there is hope for you yet." Again the man gave a nerve testing laugh and walked out of the private booths. Clenching her fists at the arrogance of Bane, causing her temperament to ignite. Bolting up she scooped up her helmet and chased off after the Duros with the scampering of Tek close behind her.
"Parjar?" He called after her but she ignored him, pushing through the revelers and storming after the illusive bounty hunter.
"Bane!." Parjar shouted to him as soon they were clear of the cafe.
"There she is boss!" A third party bellowed out from another part of the street. Searching for its owner Parjar found the the pack of thugs from earlier, only now it had an extra member of tall, stacked and ugly proportions.
"This is the welp who put our gang's glorious name through the dirt, huh?" The deep, gruff voice of the Houk leader.
"Looks like you've got a dance to attend to. Don't let me stop you get into rhythm." Bane gave her one last taunt before wandering off.
"Hey Mandalorian, I heard you threatened my crew. No one gets away with disrespecting us and lives to boast about it." The gang boss advanced with his followers.
"I don't have time for this." Parjar sighed in frustration, placing her helmet back on.
"What's the matter, too scared to fight me, Mandalorian scum!"
"I'm giving only one opportunity for you and your chakaaryc to save your skins, because you people really have caught me at a bad moment."
"Ha, think you frighten us girl." The Houk scoffed loudly.
"Kick her shebs real good, Gorl!" The guy she had pointed her blaster to before cheered on the head of the gang.
"Come my Marauders. We'll leave this Mando girl for Eskrats to pick at her corpse once she's made an example of."
"Ready for some fun, Tek?" Parjar said to the smuggler, assessing each of the brigands.
"Your people have a strange definition of what fun supposed to be." He said coming up alongside her in solidarity. She noticed they opted the use melee based weapons instead of small arms which spoke volumes for a gang on this world. Seeing as this was the case, Parjar opted to fight the same way unless the circumstances changed dramatically.
The Houk, Gorl made a beeline for her but his lunge was predictable so dodging the brute required no effort. The lone Weequay of the gang swung a polearm toward Parjar's head, missing its intended target by her ducking of the easily forseen attack. She grabbed hold of the polearm;s mid section and pulled hard on the weapon, sending a knee straight into the off balanced attacker's stomach. The connection caused the Weequay to go down clutching his belly but any chance of reprieve was met by a quick swipe from the polearm to the side of his head.
The more loud mouthed gang member tussled with Tek, brandishing a stun baton and gauging the smuggler to make the first move. Parjar however, had to contend with the others; the Quarren who pulled a knife on Tek and the other human equipped with a staff that began to crackle with purple bolts of electricity. Gorl stood in the centre of the fray with his armed folded and watching the skirmish. It was if he was assessing herself against his ragtag subordinates. The latter facing her down went first and jabbed the staff's electrical tip her way bringing the deadly buzzing of its power in her direction. Parjar parred it away keeping the two gangsters in her sights and waiting for their next move.
The electrostaff swung at her this time with more power clanging against the polearm. The Quarren tried circling around her like a Nexu looking for a weakness but she kept on guard for such an attack. This time the electrostaff came again but a flurry of undisciplined coordinated hits gave her no difficulty to counter spar the gangster's fighting skills. Seeing an opportunity the Quarren leapt forward and brought an arm around her neck pulling her backwards.
"I got her!" He exclaimed as he tried holding her in place for his compatriot. Parjar tried shaking him off, feeling him tightening his hold around her neck. A victorious smile prematurely appeared on the man's face in front, ready to deliver a literally shocking blow. Unable to get him off she spun around just as the staff came but instead of finding her, it drove into the Quarren's defenceless back.
The Marauder gave out a pain filled wail from the high voltage electricity coursing through his body. The contact from the electrostaff loosened his grip on her and he soon fell to the floor to a smouldering unconscious state. Parjar turned back to the horrified look of the man who was so sure he was going to put an end to her a second ago. His state of shock gave her the window to whack the electrostaff from his hands, leaving him at her mercy.
"Please!"
"No can do." She said without an ounce of sympathy to his pitiful attempt of giving in, before slamming the polearm into his temple. The slash hit him hard enough to make the foolish street thug spin a full 180 degrees and then collapse down to the floor, joining with the rest of his friends comatosed on the cold, unforgiving surface.
"Impressive." Gorl complimented her.
"Now you've seen what I done to your buddies here, I suggest you stand aside and let me get on with issues far more important than you." Parjar gave him a last warning but got booming laughter as a reply.
"You may have beaten these kriffless weaklings but you honestly think you are leaving this world in one piece, think again." The Houk stated as he drew out a nasty large, serrated sword from a sheath attached to his back. "I hate Mandalorians. You think you're all great, invincible warriors. But you're nothing more than a bunch of softy cowards hiding behind expensive armour."
"Big words for someone whose mother must've laid with gundarks to produce such an ugly, dumb creep like you." Her words made his eyes widened in anger as he bellowed out a roar, charging at her like an enraged bull rancor.
Despite his size the thug boss was surprisingly quick to which Parjar had only a split second amount of time to raise the polearm to block his downward slash. Even with her crush gauntlets adding extra strength the Houk's natural physical power was winning out. Parjar managed to draw the sword off the polearm but felt a sonic hammer like fist crash into her face. Although the helmet cushioned a majority of the force applied in the punch, pain still pang through her cheek.
Gorl didn't leave time for her to nurse it as she was thrown along with the polearm across the street. Parjar found herself rolling several times before coming to a stop and discovered her hold on the polearm was lacking. A solid, big kick to her gut sent her rolling again and clenching at her stomach from sharp pain ripping through her body. A growl alerted her to the lumbering meathead closing in and dashed out the way from the blade burying down on the ground where she once kneeled. Through her visor, Parjar made out the fatally sharp 'teeth' of the sword, giving her more reason to stay out of its range.
Gorl took another swing at her, again missing but edging dangerously close to an exposed part of her being.
"Stop moving and fight me!"
"You got it." She said, pointing her a utility modified crush gauntlet toward him and pressed down on one of the numerous buttons it displayed. From her forearm outshot a thin but very solid wired cable that wrapped around the gang boss' legs, entrapping him in a comical fashion.
Another beastly growl emitted out from Gorl's mouth as he tried brandishing another slash from his sword for her dodge and pull a knife from her pocket, jamming it hard into his tricep. An agonised yelp came from the Houk and was followed with a swift kick to the back joints of his tied knees. The connection sent him tumbling forward to his hands and knees, with her jumping over and turning to send a flurry of combinated punches right down into his own jaw, then another, and another. The added strength given from her gauntlets added extra punishment into each well placed shot.
"Coward!" He spat in meek defiance.
"Think of it as payback for those poor scoundrels you had in a similar disposition." Parjar said kicking his sword out from his hand.
"I will get you for this." Gorl idlely threatened.
"Keep dreaming big guy." Putting an end to the bout she pointed her wrist at him once again, clenching her fist as a dart shot out from her gauntlet and into the side of his neck. The dart latched on and immediately the head of the Gutkurr Marauders entered into a deep, dark slumber.
The last obstruction from the small time gang dealt with left Parjar satisfied but also irked at the distraction from her main prey. Remembering Tek she checked on his status, seeing him standing around idly by the out cold thug splayed out on the floor.
"How long have you been standing there?" She asked.
"Since you knocked that man into the next life and seeing you get your shebs kicked by the Houk." A teasing grin pulled at his lips.
"And it never crossed your mind to lend a hand?"
"Did it not cross your own mind to end this earlier by using your blasters?" Tek countered.
"I'm preserving the ammo for a far more worthy opponent." Parjar shrugged, adjusting her holsters.
"While we're on the topic why is it everytime you're on Nar Shaddaa you end up fighting someone?" He asked rushing down his sleeves.
"It's not my fault, it's the locals." She shot back.
"Always blames the locals." The smuggler sighed to himself.
"Right now I don't care, Tek. We have to catch up with Bane before he gets off world."
"Where do you think he'll be?"
"I think it's pretty obvious, Tek." Parjar said retrieving her blade from the knockout gang boss. "Call your sister. We need to get to the spaceport right away."
Thankfully to her relief, Tek's sister didn't take long to arrive after he contacting her for a pick up. Without the need to be concerned of breaking speeding laws Shi pulled on the throttle. The conversing between the siblings during their scrambled rush to the spaceport left Parjar in a state of quiet determined and hope in reaching Bane. Judging by Shi's driving she had a great deal of confidence of it happening. She felt a slight throb in her jaw from the heavy punch of Gorl, giving the low life a tiny bit of credit for having a good fist on him.
Up front Tek was talking with somebody on a holocom, sounding enthusiastic over whatever the person on the other end had to say.
"Good news!"
"We're getting off this slum?" Shi asked.
"You were right about Bane. He's been spotted heading to his ship." Tek ignored his sister's question, relaying what his informant told him instead.
"Step on it!" Tek's sister and partner in crime responded by picking up the speed.
By now had this been on a Core world several police landspeeders would be chasing them over the breaking of dozens traffic laws but this being a Hutt world things were far more lax. This was one thing she could thank having the Cartels controlling the law here. A few taxis were forced to make way and their speeder came close to skimming against the hull of cargo freighter. Parjar thought this woman should consider possibly taking up podracing as future career prospect.
The spaceport came into view fast, with each passing square mile filled Parjar with hope they weren't too late. The speeder raced into the spaceport centre parking terminal, opening up its doors for Parjar to hurriedly jump out of and await for the smuggler.
"Which way, Tek?"
"This one." He pointed down a lane leading up to one set of docking bays. "If we hurry we may catch him before he departs." Not needing to be told twice she followed right on Tek's heels.
The pair ran down the lane pushing past a group of Snivvians who angrily called out at their barraging but neither took notice. Parjar undid the straps of her holster, taking out both her WESTAR blasters preparing for what she expected to be a much more tougher battle with her long time foe. The roar and burning of starship engines echoed around the port with many hovering off landing pads and flying out to space.
Following closely behind Tek leading the way, she saw him searching about the place in search of the landing bay Bane's ship was docked.
"Ah here we are. Dee forty seven." Tek exclaimed inching ever closer to their destination. Dee forty seven was an open land dock with different types and builds of ships but laying by the end was the one where theri target of interest was situated.
Parjar saw through her visor Bane talking with a droid briefly then started walking up the loading steps of tattered SoroSuub luxury yacht 3000.
"Where do you think you're going, Bane?!" She shouted, coming to a complete stop at the foot of the steps raising her blasters up at him.
"You obviously don't know when to take a hint, Vizla." Bane said glancing over his shoulder.
"You're not going anywhere until I get what I want."
"Suppose it was too much to ask for a bunch of amateurs to keep you at bay. Or perhaps even put you out of your misery and save me a galaxy worth of trouble." Parjar stared at him with impatiences over his slanderous chagrin.
"That lowers my opinion of your standards if you truly believed those scum were enough to stop me coming for you." Parjar said not budging her aim.
"I don't have much interest in what you think of me. Still, there is one thing you should know about me and that is I do like surprises. However, what I like more," He said facing her for the first time and reached a hand inside his leather coat. Parjar first and automatic, honed instincts at such a move was to tightened her fingers on the triggers and blast before her opponent could draw out a weapon. However, to her surprise, and slight disappointment, he produced a data chip and flicked it out to her. "Is to always make unexpected surprises to others."
Parjar managed to catch it in one hand still attached to her blaster whilst the other was still pointed at the Duros. "What's on it?"
"Where you can find the soldier boy and those who hired me to capture him." Bane explained to her dumb founded shock.
"But why?. Why give me this without putting up any resistance?" She asked him bewildered by the bounty hunter's sudden change of generosity.
"Don't think for a moment I'm doing this out of the kindness of my heart. I'm doing you a favour which in turn has you doing me one." He said rather coldly.
"Being?"
"You going there and taking those crazy coots out, saving you pal. Or they take you down, or perhaps you even may end up killing each other. Regardless of the scenario it's a win win for me. And shall you fail it will be up to more efficient hands to teach those Jedi never to make a mockery out of me." Bane said with cold heart certainty. "Now if you don't mind I have bigger fish to fry, literally."
Parjar blinked still staring up at Bane who waved a farewell gesture, then entered into his ship. She gazed down at the common rectangular designed data chip, confusioningly mulling over Bane's words. The fact she held in her hand the very information she was expecting to battle tooth and nail to obtain from the most ruthless bounty hunter in the galaxy was entirely unexpected to have without much opposition.
His words rang in her ears, more so than the two ion engines flaring up and exiting out of the space port. Wherever the aruetii soldier was, Bane didn't have much optimism for her survival against those who imprisoned him. He also offered it as if it were a hidden job that didn't offer anything in the way of hard currency payment.
"What a relief, We finally got what you came for. What do you plan to do with it?" Tek interrupted her though pattern. Clutching her hand over the data chip, Parjar twisted round to the smuggler. Her goal of rescuing the Corporal now entwined with a great challenge to test her skills as a bounty hunter and a warrior.
"I have my prey's location. All I need now is to snare them."
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