Into a Galaxy at War (Bounty Hunter Edition)

Spike and Mako made their way to Imperial Intelligence and when they were seen, an officer came up to them and said, "You must be the ones that Agent Prichard hired. He's in his office, right this way." before leading them to the office.

Prichard dismissed the officer and said to Spike, "I've heard good things about you. I hope you can be discreet about this. What do you know about Dromund Kaas so far?"

Spike shrugged, "I know it's the capital of the Empire and a few little things, like the slave revolt in the jungle. I also know that the Sith around here are on edge."

Prichard nodded, "That's enough, you know what you need. There's a tomb called the Dark Temple. It was created by the emperor to bury allies and traitors alike. The Sith don't want anyone in there. But... my commander insisted on sending a scouting party out there. I can't take his job without telling the Sith about the little venture, and I can't report the scouting party. I enjoy breathing, but this is going to cause a nasty power vacuum."

Spike nodded, "Let me guess, you want me to go in the temple and collect any evidence they were in there. Any orders if they're still alive?"

Prichard shook his head, "They're not. And even if they are, they're not. Understood?"

Spike nodded, "Crystal clear." before heading out to the speeder taxis to get to the Dark Temple.

When he got to the Dark Temple, he saw his friends there too and walked up to them, "You guys here for your missions?"

Thorax nodded, "Yeah, the game was so much better when you didn't actually have to deal with the voices in this place."

Gabby nodded, "Tell me about it, I just got finished with my mission and I've got a horrible headache now."

Spike sighed, "Yeah, well, let me get this over with. The faster I get out of this the better." before moving past his friends, shooting the crazed Imperials who had the proper credentials for what the Agent wanted him to get.

Mako checked over everything and said, "We're still missing the captain's stripes. He must be here somewhere."

Spike nodded, "As much as I hate saying this, we'll need to go further into the temple."

They continued into the temple, protecting themselves from the imperials and Sith lords that the temple was driving insane. As they found the captain, he was definitely crazy, acting and yelling as if he was a Sith lord commanding troops to do his bidding. As they walked up to him, he said, "Fools! You dare stand before the mighty Lord Khas unannounced!?"

Spike chuckled, "You don't look like a Sith to me, you don't even have a lightsaber."

The so called "Lord Khas" told them, "I need no weapons to deal with insects like you!"

Spike rolled his eyes and said, "Well, Lord Khas, tell me this. What's that down at your feet?" When the delirious 'Sith lord' looked down, Spike clicked a trigger, setting off the thermal detonators he'd placed before he was noticed by these nutjobs.

Right before the explosives went off, Lord Khas' eyes widened and he said, "Shit..." right as they detonated

Mako looked at Spike and asked, "Don't you think that was a bit overkill?"

Spike smiled to her and said, "I just don't want you getting hurt by those nutjobs." before picking up the captain stripes and heading back to Imperial Intelligence.

As they returned, Prichard told them, "Thank you for this. You really saved my skin. Which is why this is even harder. The Sith can't know I sent you into the Dark Temple."

Before his guards could draw their blasters, Spike shot both of them in the head, "Word of advice, never turn on your hunter. Only thing worse than that is trying to make a hired gun work for free."

Prichard gulped, "You're right, I shouldn't have to kill you for doing your job. I've been even more paranoid ever since I got here in Intelligence. I'll pay you double for the job."

Spike put his blaster away and said, "Don't worry about it, with Imperials and Sith around, you never know who's watching. But discretion is included in my pay. I've got to get going." before heading back to the Enclave

When Spike returned to Crysta, she told him, "Whoa, you're back! Some big shot Mandalorian said you were dead!"

Spike growled, "Blood's a liar, and when this Great Hunt is over, I'll give him what he deserves." before heading to the spot of the Grand Melee.

The assistant hunt-master turned to him and said, "Well, you're a bit late. We heard you died during your third bounty."

Spike nodded, "It's going to take a lot more than a snob like Tarro Blood to kill me."

The assistant hunt-master laughed, "That's the spirit. Well, get up here!" As Spike got up into the ring, he continued, "No rules, last one standing wins the final spot in the Great Hunt." before stepping out of the ring and sounding the bell for the melee.

Spike wasn't just quick on his feet; he was a quick shot too. He took out his blasters and unloaded his entire clip into the other hunters in a matter of minutes.

Meanwhile in the real world...

Rainbow Dash was surprised at how quick Spike was, "No wonder he's the captain of the boys' soccer team at school."

Twilight sighed, "He really is getting into this game. I hope it doesn't traumatize him when he beats the main story. It's one thing losing a friend in a game, but it's another thing to lose one in a world that feels so real."

Back in the game...

Spike had beaten his last enemy, and the Huntmaster was congratulating him when Tarro Blood came in, "Really, this has gone far enough. This thing will not enter the Great Hunt. He deserves no such honor. His reputation is a stack of lies and deception created by his gutter rat of a partner."

Spike growled, "You're damn lucky I'm not allowed to kill you here and now. But by the time this Great Hunt is over, I'll have your head."

Tarro Blood growled back, "Challenge accepted." before storming off.

And so, Spike has earned the last spot in the Great Hunt, at the dismay of Tarro Blood, the man who killed his friends and tried to do everything he could to prevent Spike from entering. But now, the real challenge begins, winning the Great Hunt takes more than just plain brute force, it takes planning and information, which is what Spike knows is important. Does he have what it takes?

Find out next time!