Chapter 17
Vader and Cliegg sat across from one another, engaging in yet another conversation.
It had just so happened for there to be a sandstorm, and Vader didn't have the heart to kick them out.
"You know what's crazy," Cliegg said flatly over their Jawa juice with a scowl. "The fact that Jabba have slammed the holopic of this vigilante and is demanding a million credits.
"Jabba and his minions are scrambling for power," Vader said. "What have I told you about the Hutts?"
"I don't know, man, it seems suicidal to go against the Hutt." Cliegg replied, a grin across his bearded lips. "But this guy has those Jedi laser swords."
"A lightsaber?" Vader corrected.
"Right, that. You ever met one?"
"Yes," Vader responded.
"Well, there may be some hope for Tatooine being freed of slavery after all."
Oh, if only he knew who he was really talking to in front of him...
Vader wanted to tell him the truth for the umpteenth time, but he decided to offer a quippy response. "So, weeks ago, you were unable to believe that someone could stand against the Hutt yet now you could see it. You are a weird one, Cliegg Lars."
"Ha," Cliegg threw forth a hand, "give me a break. I was only going off the assumption before I knew that this would be due to the handiwork of someone lethal."
"I should throw you into the sandstorm," Vader pretended to muse. "You have not listened to me since we met."
"Well forgive me for believing that you were a believer of a whole lot of nothing or whatever!" Cliegg shot back, cheeks red.
"Hmph," Vader replied, genuinely humored. "I should think of a nickname for you, Lars, one that fits your hard-headed attributes."
Cliegg grinned. "Oh, come on, first, you threatened to throw me into the storm and now you want to give me a bad nickname! What have I done to deserve this?!"
Vader nursed another drink of Jawa juice which happened to be the last one, and at the same time, Cliegg finished.
Vader stood up and took both cups before returning to his seat. "This would have never happened if you just went home instead of talking to me, ya know."
Cliegg smirked. "I would have managed even without the shop. I have been through worse."
Vader rolled his eyes. "Who are you trying to convince? Me or you?"
"Smart ass," Cliegg grunted. "I had taken pity on you. You are practically a hermit."
Vader shrugged. "I enjoy it that way."
The sandstorm went on for hours, and the two men often went to check-Cliegg making it clear that he wanted to go back home.
By the time it ended, it was night.
Jabba and his cronies have made it clear that there was to be no exceptions to the curfew and have since increased the hold since the attack on the biggest slave market in Mos Espa. Cliegg would be taking a great risk, especially since the constant bounty hunters that had been patrolling the streets, namely, to find the freedom fighters, but they had been nowhere to be seen.
This was an audible source of an intimidation factor, making life much harder for business workers aside from those who knew the Hutt personally.
Such as Watto.
Oh, the irritation he had for that Toydarian was beyond words.
Closing the door instantly as another patrol of Jabba's henchmen walked by, Vader gave a troubled stare to the man and planted a hand on his shoulder. "You shouldn't go out there alone. What if they capture you?"
Cliegg gave him a reassuring and strained smile, obviously uncertain but attempting to be bold to hide his fear. "I can sneak around the patrols. It can't be that hard. I have a family, Vader."
"You have some of the most dangerous bounty hunters in the galaxy out there," Vader argued. "Stay here..." he added mentally, 'where I can keep you safe.'
"Vader, no offense, but what could you do?" Cliegg shot back. "If they choose to barge in here, we are both in deep shit."
"I could keep you in hiding." Yet again, playing this act had been exhausting to the extreme.
Cliegg pushed him away slightly and opened the door to crane his head around. "I don't need to worry. I'll just have to make it outside of Mos Espa and avoid the Tusken Raiders."
"Let me come."
"What could you possibly do, Vader?" Cliegg asked with a slight sigh. He shook his head. "Just stay inside. I have a family to get back to."
The man was gone in seconds, leaving behind Vader who felt a tug in the Force-in his conscience...
Cliegg walked into the streets, having to instantly duck as ten masked men pass, greatly resembling each other in clothing.
More patrols were walking on the outer borders, consisting of bounty hunters and Jabba's private henchmen. Damn it!
Maybe he should have taken up Vader's offer, but he didn't want his friend to get hurt, even though his family would undoubtedly insist for them to stay the night.
Cliegg continued to move from building to building, peeking out the corner to see if he could find a small hole, but finding them had the city cut off each time.
He wouldn't give up however, not until his legs grew tired, not until he could find some way out.
When he peaked out after running to his fifth building, Cliegg heard a roar and saw a creature towering over him. By the way his eyes locked onto his, he knew that the individual saw him and... kriffing shit! He was now lunging at him!
Instincts poured in, and Cliegg began to run, gaining the attention of Jabba's cronies as they turned their blasters on him and shouted for him to stop.
Cliegg dropped on the patio area. Fortunately, the henchmen kept running past him, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief.
That was until a blaster bolt came in his direction, and another one, and another...
Cliegg grunted as he continued ducking.
Finally, the bolts stopped, and Cliegg hoped that whoever saw him wouldn't kill him the moment he'd looked.
He had to make sure, however, so he looked over, only to see nothing.
Frowning, he slowly stood up, before something gripped him by the hairs and slammed him back onto the ground.
Cliegg groaned, his eyes blurring in and out of consciousness for a moment, as he looked up at the capturer, managing to get a good look at him.
"Thought you could escape me, could ya?" The man taunted-who soon enough Cliegg could register as a Trandoshan.
"You seem nice to talk with," Cliegg quipped boldly.
"I have never lost any bounty," the bounty hunter growled. "You won't escape from me."
Cliegg's hair fell around him, undignified.
That was until the man gripped onto his arm and bit into it with those dagger-like teeth, causing his face to tighten up and for him to release a blood curling scream.
Skin was torn off and put into the species mouth, and Cliegg could only groaned as he gripped his bloody arm. Was this how he was going to die? Being eaten?
"Next time, it would be your entire hand," the bounty hunter growled, knocking him onto the ground, before dragging him by his hair. "I typically don't like eating humans but tearing your skin out is a way to keep you submissive."
"Take me to Jabba and I will explain everything to him," Cliegg said.
The bounty hunter laughed. "The Guild has claimed you now. There is nothing that will be changed."
Biting down his lip to prevent him from saying something quippy and making his current predicament worse, Cliegg walked in the directions demanded, before being kicked down in front of a group.
They all stared at him before recognizing the bounty hunter.
The other Trandoshan walked down to him and grasped his shoulder, stating. "Ah Bossk, well done my son."
"Were there any doubts, father?" The bounty hunter inquired, a source of bitterness in his tone.
"Who are you?" The Trandoshan responded, gripping his chin.
"A human being," Cliegg retorted flatly.
"Your defiance do you well, but it would be meaningless," the man snarled.
"Your son is insane..."
"Of course he is," he corrected, allowing a chuckle. "He is typically quick to pull the trigger. You are fortunate that he brought you alive."
"Oh, he shot at me," Cliegg replied lightly. "He didn't hit me. He should work on his aim."
His son stormed up and kicked him in the spine.
"Bah, just let me have some fun with him!"
"Not yet..."
"Nor ever," another voice added from the shadows.
It was no surprise that Cliegg got caught, and Vader couldn't help but wish he had gotten him home earlier, despite how he would have been stuck in a sandstorm. He didn't expect to run into Bossk any time soon aside from a possible employment, but in hindsight, it made sense.
Bossk was a bounty hunter who would collect money on anyone's head-dead or alive. That was a reason why he was respected, second only to Boba Fett.
Of course, the Trandoshan was the first to turn his blaster to him, believing arrogantly he could just finish him by himself. A notable weakness that would have to be improved.
They began to surround him and build distance, their weapons primed.
Without concern, Vader moved forward, placing his hand on the sweaty forehead of his friend-in place of delivering his righteous anger on them. They all took steps back, even abandoning their captured prey in place of survival.
This time, he made sure to enhance his voice with the Force, knowing that Cliegg would recognize him if he sounded as he usually does on the regular-despite being roughened up.
The leader of the Guild, Cradossk, still kept his giant blaster pointed to the ground. "You have been growing a reputation about yourself, vigilante, but it is finished now. Surrender."
"I must have quite the reputation if the bounty hunters guild is after me themselves," he responded, looking up at them.
At last, Cradossk fixed his giant blaster on him... "You should come quietly and make it easier on all of us."
Bossk added. "Your head belong to our guild, and we won't be denied."
One bold bounty hunter who Vader didn't care to recognize stated. "You may be a Jedi, but we have numbers on our side. You won't stand a chance against the might of our guild as all."
Vader simply stated. "Your overconfidence will be your downfall."
Bossk had enough and fired his blaster. Without warning, Vader ignited his crimson lightsaber, and blocked the bolt, catching him in his side. The bounty hunters drew their weapons and spread out, ready for the confrontation.
Among the bounty hunters, a fierce-looking Rodian took aim at Vader, firing a barrage of blaster bolts. Vader effortlessly deflected the blasts back at the Rodian, who fell to the ground, lifeless.
A Weequay bounty hunter charged at Vader with a vibro-axe in hand. But Vader's lightsaber swiftly cut through the weapon, and with a single stroke, the Weequay met his end by decapitation.
A Aqualish bounty hunter took cover behind a crate, firing precise shots at Vader. But he maneuvered with uncanny agility, closing the distance between them. In a swift motion, Vader lifted the Aqualish off his feet with the Force, choking him until his struggles ceased, before tossing him at a Gand who ducked instantly, looking down at his ally's dead body with slight fear.
Disregarding his companion's death, the Gand bounty hunter aimed with a deadly sniper rifle and attempted to keep his distance. His aim was good, but Vader's Force enhanced reflexes allowed him to dodge the sniper shots effortlessly. In a burst of speed, Vader closed the gap, slicing through the Gand's weapon and delivering a fatal blow to the stomach.
Vader continued moving from them one by one, before at last coming blows with Bossk. The Trandoshan was far from the experienced bounty hunter he once knew, still young and even more foolish. Still, the Huttspawn's blaster shots came close to grazing him multiple times.
Vader pushed him in the building, allowing him to grip his arm with a slight groan, before turning to Cradossk.
Cradossk, his reptilian eyes narrowing, spoke with a hiss. "You would never be able to stop us entirely."
"We shall see."
Gripping Cradossk through a Force choke and throwing him on the ground, Vader flourished his lightsaber in a Makashi stance, putting one hand behind his back as he welcomed the challenge.
Bossk lunged at Vader from the side, claws slashing through the air. Vader dodged, keeping his lightsaber activated, but not using it.
After minutes of engaging in a lock, Vader switched hold over his lightsaber and gripped his wrists with his prosthetic hand and almost snapped them, deciding to toss them over his shoulder.
Cradossk seized the opportunity, launching himself at Vader once again. He struck with furious speed, his claws and teeth aimed at any vulnerable spots. But Vader was calculated, twisting his lightsaber on the ground, seconds away from shunning his leg.
With a powerful Force push, he sent Cradossk crashing into a stack of crates, the Trandoshan momentarily stunned and dealt with. He would have to keep an eye on him for the remaining battle because wind doesn't mean dead.
Turning his attention to Bossk, who had recovered from the impact, Vader stepped forward, his lightsaber glowing menacingly.
"Your resistance is futile."
Bossk roared defiantly and charged at Vader, his reptilian fury on full display. But Vader grew tired of this game, bringing his lightsaber down on his weapon, before moving one last time.
Vader could have ended it there, could have aimed for his head, for Bossk was and always would be a lunatic. The Trandoshan's body snapped up in a moment, eyes wide as if he didn't know how to counter this enemy. It had been the first time in Vader's personal experience seeing Bossk absolutely terrified.
In a final, devastating strike, Vader slashed his lightsaber across Bossk's chest down to his upper left arm, leaving a smoking, cauterized wound in place where an arm use to be. Bossk cried out, collapsing on the ground, just as Vader towered over him, deactivating the lightsaber upon seeing the threat had been neutralized.
Cradossk, witnessing his son's injury and amputation, struggled to regain his footing. He gazed at Vader with a mix of fear and desperation before firing a sidearm at the former Sith.
Vader clipped his hilt onto his belt and pulled the blaster into his hand before the Trandoshan could even react.
Cradossk asked. "Are you going to kill me?"
"I would need not to do so," Vader responded simply. "Your son is too ambitious. His days may leave you numbered."
"He'd eaten each of his unhatched siblings upon birth," Cradossk responded, seeming entirely uncaring about his son's pain. Typical Trandoshans, either too self-caring...
"Besides, your guild is dismantled. It would be a mercy to end your life, not when I could use this chance to mark an image."
"An image?" Cradossk asked, confused and intrigued.
"Bounty hunters would not take up association in the haunt for my head when they discover that I dismantled the guild and cut off the main leader's son arm." Vader responded casually, hefting Cliegg over his shoulders. "I do hope that you heed my moment of grace against you and pound in your boy some humility. Otherwise, both of your deaths would be inevitable."
"My son would regenerate his limb," Cradossk responded flatly. "He may not be as forgiving as I am."
"I am aware," Vader retorted, grinning. "Hopefully, the next time we meet, your son would learn."
With that, Vader left the bounty hunter to reflect over his failure, taking Cliegg some ways away. The henchmen would be on his trail, and while he had no doubt about his abilities, the least he wanted was for Cliegg to be hurt further.
Vader dropped him on the ground, noticing he seemed too out of it.
"You are fortunate that I was able to find you," Vader said as bluntly as possible, craning his neck to the side as if checking for any more injuries.
Despite having bruises and scars that would take time to recover due to being manhandled, Vader chose not to focus on them when time itself would allow them to heal.
And knowing the man, it would not interfere with the man's daily duties.
"Who are you?" Cliegg asked.
"My experience in healing is limiting," Vader deflected and reached for his belt for a first aid kit. He wrapped the hand up. "But I can assure that you weren't poison."
He delved into the Force and searched in Cliegg's body, finding nothing that would be detrimental to his health. While Bossk's bite wound was bad, it could heal if the man took it easy.
Vader could hear the movements around the street and understood that they were now on all alert. They wanted to kill him and make things go back to their normal. Unfortunately, it won't be happening.
"Find him!"
Vader took him over his arms, and sped off, in a blinding motion. Of course, bounty hunters screaming as they were murdered gained the attention of nearby patrols.
And in seconds, Vader had his lightsaber out again, ripping into all who had been unfortunate enough to cross his path. Cliegg barely registered the blaster bolts coming at him that were being kept safely away from him.
The thugs continued to surround him, but Vader only bathed in the blood bath. These were slavers and nothing more, those who didn't deserve his mercy.
But he had to remember that if one of the bolts got past him, Cliegg's recovery would not be pleasant.
Once at the final part of the city, Vader unleashed a blast of the Force which sent some of them on the ground, receiving major and minor injuries. He had been not here to kill after all, but to assure Cliegg's protection. There would be a time for that later.
Once outside of Mos Espa after dealing with the final thug posing as local security, Vader sped into the desert, as blaster bolts continued sailing after them.
It was a futile effort, but Vader knew exactly where to go, having been at the man's home numerous times in the past months.
When out of sight, Vader made his way to the Homestead, hearing the man's groans as he struggled to keep consciousness.
He dropped him off inside of the Homestead
Vader walked outside.
It hurt to move, but Cliegg just wanted to know why...
His brain have been slow to catch up, and he was sure that he would be sleeping the next day. Yes, that was tempting, but still...
He have never been that close to death.
While he wanted nothing more than to sleep, he fought to stand and staggered to the kitchen before making it out side, feeling his battered body attempting to stop him from pressing too far.
When he looked outside, the vigilante was gone. Yet again, he went against the Hutts, proving the source of might that he had.
When reality all came back to him, Cliegg's eyes went wide as questions went through his mind. He didn't give the individual his name let alone directions where to go, yet...
'How did he know my name? Or where I live? Unless... is it? But... that wouldn't make sense... but could it be...?'