Mercenary Crew: Bounty Hunters

[starmark2k]

“No!” Alec said abruptly. “Do what you can here but we carry on moving to the Jedi.”

 

Tannis may have seemed cold hearted but he knew that going back to the settlement wouldn’t have done anything. The man would die on the journey back so he needed immediate attention and he was fortunate enough that two doctors were in the group that found him.

 

Alec took out a small portable heater unit and activated it before throwing it on the floor near the fallen man. “The unit will only work a few minuets here so get busy.”

[Writer]

Stitch grimaced. "Captain, that's not possible..."

 

"It just might be," Colin countered, dropping to his knees. "Ray... Stitch, help me out here. If we have any extras, find some more cold weather gear in the baggage we've brought along."

 

"Didn't catch your name, but my question's the same," Stitch said. "Are you out of your mind? He's got barely a chance out here. He may die on the way back to the..."

 

"My name is Colin Lark," the young doctor snapped, "and I don't give a damn that you've never heard of me. I'm a doctor and you're going to do what I say."

 

He switched on the portable heater. "Listen to me," he told the man in the snow gently. "I want you to do what you can to focus your mind. Panic isn't going to help you now. I think maybe I can..."

 

The heater was set to its absolute lowest setting. It would do more harm than good to warm the man up too quickly. As Colin worked, Raelyn knelt next to the man's head.

 

"Can you hear me?" she asked softly. "My name's Raelyn. I'm Colin's sister. Don't worry. You'll be okay."

 

Stitcher returned with some extra cold weather gear and Colin instructed him to put it on over the gear the man was already wearing.

 

"Can you speak?" Raelyn asked him softly. "What's your name?"

 

As his sister continued to try and get answers from the man, Colin continued his work. Slowly but surely, the man seemed to be recovering. Gradually, Colin increased the heat on the portable heater. It took some time, but finally, he stood back. Just as he did so, the heater sputtered and died.

 

"He'll live," Colin said finally. "Close up the new cold weather gear. He's got enough body heat of his own now. It'll function as it should."

 

He helped the man sit up. "You'll be fine now," he determined. "I realize you still don't feel warm... but you will. Exercise will help. We're only a few clicks away from the village. My suggestion to you is..." Raelyn whispered in her brother's ear. The brother and sister had a momentary, intense, whispered conversation.

 

"I suppose now that you're able, we should let you decide what you want to do," Colin said finally. "Furthermore, you ought to decide what it is you wish to do at this point..."

 

"My long-winded brother will now shut up and give you a chance to say something," Raelyn cut in, grinning at the man, who by now was able to stand.

[Corinthian]

He rubbed his hands together. "Kadis Venarm." He mumbled around chattering teeth. "Decide what I want?" His mind was clearing, he could remember what he was doing out here. "Wait a minute. You're the ones with the ship, aren't you? What's a lift off this ice cube worth to you?"

[starmark2k]

Alec stood over the doctors while they worked to heal and warm up the man that had fallen in the snow. He was quite impressed with how efficiently Colin worked and how his sister helped the situation by calming the man. When it was all finished Alec knelt down on to one knee by the man hoping to find out who he was.

 

"Wait a minute. You're the ones with the ship, aren't you? What's a lift off this ice cube worth to you?"

 

“Why in the nine Corellian Hells does everybody think my ship is a passenger liner?” Alec rhetorically asked himself as he looked at the quickly healing man. “There is absolutely nothing you can offer that will get me to take another passenger on my ship.”

[JasraLantill]

"Alec," Jyot motioned Alec over towards him and Latch so that they could have a private conversation. "Unless this guy's completely wacko and likes to take long walks in the snow, he's obviously been crew on another ship or something. I mean, look at the way he's dressed? Indoor attire if I ever saw it." He glanced at Kadis. "And look how fast he's healing? Definitely got a strong constitution and we could use some more muscle. Especially if we're hunting a target like a Jedi," he said in a low whisper.

[Rogue Nine]

Latch looked the near-frostbitten man. "Yeah I agree, boss," he said to Alec. "And worst comes to worst, we could use him for lightsaber fodder." He chuckled and winked at Alec. "Though, with all these people looking to join up with us, we should start a passenger service anyway. Make some money off of it, eh?"

[starmark2k]

“The two million Jedi bounty not enough for you?” Alec asked rhetorically looking over at latch, he thought for several moments then shook his head. “Okay… Okay, I’ll see if he’s any good in fight.”

 

Alec turned and strolled over to Kadis and kneeled by his side once again. “If you’re any good in a fight and help us bring in our bounty I’ll take you off this rock.” Alec explained. “Before you just agree you should know the bounty is a Jedi.”

[Corinthian]

"A Jedi!?" He stroked his chin, encountering thick stubble. On one hand, Jedi are deadly. I've seen them in combat. On the other hand, I've got three years of Kessel to repay them and it's probably my only way off this rock."I'm game. I've got no love for the Jedi."

 

He nodded at the other man who had spoken. "Yeah, my ship crashed, must be two hundred klicks...uh...that way, I think." He pointed in a random direction. "Long story."

[starmark2k]

“OK then.” Tannis said standing up and holding out his hand to help Kadis to his feet. “I’m Captain Alec Tannis, you can get to know everyone else on the way.”

 

Alec pulled the man up and looked over at the Snow Crawlers. “You better take a seat on one of those to recuperate.” Tannis then turned to look at Jyot and Latch. “So watch one of you guys wants to walk up front with me and our Guide?”

[JasraLantill]

"Latch'll go with you, Cap'n," Jyot said, strategically stepping behind his friend. He gestured over his shoulder, vaguely pointing toward Ellie. "After all, I've established a rapport with El. I should really sort of, you know, keep her company."

[Rogue Nine]

"Oh no you don't, Tyrell," Ali snapped, stomping over. She set her fists on her hips and looked him in the eye. "Don't think I'm not watching you." She cast a glance over at Ellie, then turned back to Jyot. "I think I'll go over there right now and let her know what a charmer you are." With that, Ali put actions to words and steamed off.

 

Latch stifled a laugh. "Yeah, I'll go with you, boss. Looks like Jyot's gonna have his hands full anyway."

[JasraLantill]

Jyot watched in horror as Ali trudged across the snow in Ellie's direction. Then he looked at Latch, and then Alec.

 

"Tell me something," he said slowly to the both of them. "Was I like really, really drunk, like, barely-conscious drunk at my wedding?" He pointed directly at Ali. "Because I certainly don't recall marrying her."

[starmark2k]

“Jyot I’d tell you to take a cold shower but on a planet like this I’d think it wouldn’t be necessary.” Alec stated looking over at his mechanic. “Try to keep an Eye on Zip rather than the that Girl you’re next to… Latch do me a favour and keep your eyes on the sister, Something about her don’t seem right.” He whispered so only Jyot and Latch could hear him.

 

Alec then looked over at Raelyn. “Time’s a wasting girl, Lead the way.”

[Writer]

Raelyn smirked and shook her head. "Can't waste time... not possible." Without any explanation for her statement, she turned and began leading the way east. As they walked, Raelyn 'listened' for any signs of the Jedi. Meanwhile, Stitch and Colin were wrapped up in some form of medical discussion tied to what had just taken place with Kadis.

 

"I still don't understand," Stitch finally gave up. Colin shrugged.

 

"That's why I'm a doctor and you're a medic," he said, not unkindly. "Look, I realize I'm just meant to be a passenger of convenience to you all, but if you're interested, I'm sure there are things I could teach you that would help you do your job better."

 

Stitch seemed a little defensive. "I do my job just fine. You don't see any of the crew with leftover scars and stuff, do you?"

 

"A scar is an easy thing to take care of," Colin countered. "What about the injury beneath? How can you know if you've fully healed the damage beneath the scar?"

 

Stitch fell into an uncomfortable silence and Colin sighed. "Look, I don't mean to make you feel incompetent. I'm sure you're not, but you have areas in which you can use improvement. I can give you some of the additional training you might need."

 

Stitch shrugged. "I'm not saying no..."

 

Colin nodded. "That's all I ask."

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

 

"So hunting Jedi, huh?" Raelyn asked Alec as they trudged along. "Not exactly the easiest of bounties to go after. Any particular reason you got for taking on a Jedi?"

 

It would have seemed like an innocent question... but after Raelyn's flippant introduction of the entire crew and Ellie, it was hard not to read more into her questions than just the face value of the question itself.

[starmark2k]

“The only reason a bounty hunter needs.” Alec stated continuing to look along the ground for any tracks that may help find the Jedi. “A big payday.”

 

Alec laughed as they continued to walk across the seemingly endless wastes towards the distant mountain range and where Alec was presuming the Jedi would be. The Jedi would need to hide out in a place where they could find shelter, food and clean water, so the mountain range would be the best place for that.

 

It wasn’t a long walk from finding Kadis until Alec noticed some faint tracks that had occurred since the recent snowstorm. The tracks appeared to be that of a sentient, Humanoid around six foot tall. “Let’s follow these.”

[Writer]

"Big payday's great, sure," Raelyn agreed dismissively. "But some paydays bring more harm than benefit. How much is two million worth to you? How many of your crew are you willing to lose to capture this bounty?"

 

Alec seemed interested in leaving that question unanswered, for he gestured to the footprints in the snow. Raelyn observed them for a moment and nodded. "Snowstorm blew through last night... I'd say you're right with your guessing."

 

They turned and began following the tracks and Raelyn asked again, "How many of your crew are you willing to sacrifice, Captain? You can't be sure you'll all return from this..."

[Rogue Nine]

Latch tilted his body forward to look at Raelyn. "Pardon me, Miss, but that isn't quite the best attitude to go into an engagement with," he said cordially. "We've gotten through a number of scrapes before and I don't think they're any reason we should change our outlook on things, even if we're going after a Jedi."

[Corinthian]

Kadis nodded. The woman had a point. "She's got a point, confidence and even sheer force of numbers can't guarantee victory against a Jedi. I saw one in action on Brentaal...absolutely devastating. The simplest way to deal with her would be to pick her off with a longblaster, but I take it you need her alive..."

 

"So, how do you plan on bringing the Jedi down? Stokhli spray sticks? Coma gas?"

[starmark2k]

“Don’t worry we’re pros, we have it all covered.” Alec explained calmly as he continued to follow the tracks. “And we know the risks or we wouldn’t be he…” Alec paused he saw what was obvious an unnatural levitation in the snow.

 

Alec begun to run forward towards it and quickly began to realise what it was, an old Republic Gunship from the Clone wars. Although it was half buried in snow the inside of the LAAT/I could be seen, the clones were all inside and seemed to be frozen at the point of impact which was odd. But what was more odd was the fact that they could see inside, it should have been completely covered in snow judging by how long it had to have been here for. “I didn’t expect to see one of these here.”

[Corinthian]

"Well, I'll be. I haven't seen one of these since Brentaal. A Larty..."

 

He stepped into the ship and started taking a look around, poking around the clone's armor. "Hopefully, their rifles are still intact. I always liked those things, even when I was getting shot at by them."

[ForceFightWMe12]

"Jedi, Jedi, Jedi - I swear, you're obsessed, the lot of you!" she muttered under her breath, "You know, we kinda have to know where the Jedi is before we can even begin thinking about how to fight him." she paused a moment, a slightly quizzical look on her face. Could Jedi be female? "Or her. It. Whatever."

 

Ellie gently twisted the throttle of her snow crawler, standing up over the seat as she followed the captain and the icicle-man run over to a dark shape just a few yards off from their current position. She was the only one on it at the moment - her partner had abandoned her, and she saw no reason why those on foot already could just walk the few yards.

 

Her brows furrowed slightly at the site of the ship, her green, cat-like eyes surveying it quickly with a spike of curiosity. Even living on the capital of the entire Galaxy, she had never seen one of these LAAT dropships in person.

 

"They look like they were flash-frozen." she muttered, the corner of her lip turning down slightly.

[Corinthian]

"It's not that cold on this rock. Strange. Not much combat damage, the bodies seem to be intact...for a ship that's been on this ice cube for ten years, or longer, it's remarkably intact."

 

Kadis reached under his gear and pulled his blaster. "This thing should have been buried, and it should be full of snow, too." He glanced over his shoulder. "It's probably just somebody looting the wrecks, but..." His voice trailed off.

[Rogue Nine]

Latch tied his long hair back and approached the downed LAAT carefully. "They sure picked a helluva place to take that ski resort vacation," he quipped as he trotted over. Slipping off his glove, he touched the frozen vehicle's skin, tracing his bare fingers along the hull. He blinked a few times, then withdrew his hand quickly. "That was odd..." He glanced over at Alec. "I have a bad feeling about this, boss. We should keep moving." Latch's normally cheerful face was set into a grimace.

[JasraLantill]

Four snow trackers--two driven by Jyot and Ali, with Headshot towing an extra behind his own--pulled up near the crashed Clone Wars ship. Jyot guided his tracker over near Ellie's, while Ali pulled hers up between them, and Headshot stayed out on their flank. Engines at an idle, Jyot raised himself up in his seat to take a better look.

 

"Why are we stopping?" Jyot asked. "It's just some old Clone War wreck."

 

"Is it?" Ali asked him, her eyes narrowing. "Looks like there are bodies still inside."

 

"Yeah, well, it's not like anything organic would rot on an iceburg, now would it?" Jyot retorted. "I'm just saying that it's not really what we're looking fo...."

 

He frowned suddenly as he noticed Latch, standing by the ship's frosty hull, his face set in an oddly grim expression. Automatically, Jyot's hand reached for his blaster and his eyes scanned the area around them. "Hey, what is it, Latch? Something wrong?"

[Rogue Nine]

"Dunno, 'Span," Latch replied, drawing his Bryar pistol from the holster at his hip. "But I don't think we should linger here any longer than necessary. Something feels off."