Part 1 - The Hunt
"I don't know if you're up to this job, Gaan." Klennu said. "I mean, if you pull it off it's worth a lot, but I wouldn't think any less of you for turning it down."
Gaan walked through the street slowly. The weight of his armor felt in every step. The cracked dirt beneath his feet occasionally gave way as it broke into fine dusty sand.
"Drop the build up and tell me," Gaan said, slightly loosing his calm demeanor.
"Okay, okay. I thought you liked the pageantry. You know, a bit of warmth before talkin' borin' old numbers."
"Klennu," Gaan noticed some passers by who were staring at him and whispering. "I've already annoyed the locals, every minute I waste here is time lost preparing."
"Okay, I'm sorry, I guess you're right. I mean, you're not exactly inconspicuous. Wearing armor, and sporting weapons that are worth more than some of these degenerates houses." Klennu finished, and took in a deep breath. "Your Triskani friend has quiet the novel. I suppose I could start from the beginning, hold onto your helmet." Klennu cleared his throat. "Served in the military on Trisk, we all no how that war ended, things go spotty for a time, no record, presumed dead. Pops back up on a sanctum world, working as a mercenary. Nothing major, guarding estates, convey jobs too, but it gets interesting when he decides to start his own company. Suspecting of fleecing the old family he was working for."
"Is this relevant? What about him, how much is he worth?" Gaan asked.
"I'm getting to it, and yes, it's relevant. I think," Klennu snapped. "The family put a bounty on him, which was never fulfilled, apparently anyone who went after him conveniently stopped working as hunters and disappeared."
"Dead, okay I get it. He's dangerous." Gaan said, as he stepped off the main street and ducked into an alley way keeping the bars main entrance in sight.
"No, because this guy isn't just out to make money and work for rich families. He's a domestic terrorist, and a number of incidents have been claimed by him, he proudly accepted responsibility and even used these "acts of war" as he calls them, to rally and recruit more like-minded individuals. The ZPD did come to blows with them a few times, many of his members were killed or captured. He, however, saw the writing on the wall and fled from the sanctum worlds, only to be discovered here on Scoosha."
"Reward?" Gaan asked.
"Well, the family he robbed still have an open case against him, 2,500 FSTs alive. But, if we bring him back to Jex alive, we would be looking at 50,000. Alive; they want him to answer for his transgressions against Free Space."
"That's a nice paycheck,"
"It certainly is. I wouldn't think any less of you for turning it down though, this lizard will make you earn every token."
"I'll take the job." Gaan replied coldly as he stared at the entrance to the bar.
"Excellent!" Klennu sounded giddy on the other end of the communicator. Gaan could even hear the distinct sound of his desk being banged. "Take some time, come up with your plan of attack. I don't know if he's working alone, or with people. There are a few members of his old company unaccounted for."
"He's my priority."
"Of course,"
Gaan checked the surroundings and started to look for a vantage point. "I'm going to make myself comfortable and get off the street."
Before leaving the alley he took one small device from his side, powered it up and watched it float from the palm of his hand. The small silver orb started to move on its own.
"When I find my perch, scope out the area. I want to know how many ways in or out of that building there are." Gaan said, as he watched the small orb float away.
"Copy that, get yourself situated, I'll watch the door while you do." Klennu replied.
Woohooo. I can feel the suspension building up toward lots of actions. This is interesting.
This story is very interesting and makes you want to know what will happen in the next episode.
Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Excellent Thursday.