Into a Galaxy at War (Bounty Hunter Edition)

Spike's new ship had just come out of hyperspace and was within Balmorra's atmosphere. He called Crysta on the holoterminal and told her, "I've arrived on Balmorra, what's my target?"

Crysta smiled, "Glad to hear you got your new ship without much trouble. But business first. Your target here on Balmorra is one Admiral Ivernus, people call him Admiral Untouchable. He's up in a secure ship, there's no chance in hell you'd be able to get to him in there. You're good, but not that good."

"So, I guess I have to flush him out and get him to the surface?"

Crysta nodded, "That's right, but I've got a bit of bad news. There's no contacts planetside, you're on your own for this one. Good luck though, if I were allowed to, I'd bet every credit I've got on you kid."

As the call ended, Spike looked to Mako, "Any ideas?"

Mako nodded, "I'm already on it, he's a war hero, won some battles against the Mandalorians, but here's the good part. One of his cronies is in the market for a hunter."

Spike smiled, "Let's get as much info on the client as possible."

"Client's name is Lieutenant Major Pirrell. Get this 'discretion is of the utmost importance.' Whatever he's hiring for, he wants it secret."

"My kind of job, no better action than a stealth mission."

Mako nodded, "I'll get us docked at the station, Pirrell is in Sobrik, not far from the spaceport."

Spike nodded, "Balmorra's still a deathtrap, regardless of who we're working for. Planet full of weapon factories and they still need more guns. Nem'ro does business there, so let's try not to step on any toes."

Mako nodded back, "Got it."

As they exited the hangar, a young man and woman came up to him. The man said, "Bounty hunter! We want a word with you!"

Spike sighed, "Take a number and get in line."

The man growled, "See this blaster? It means we get to jump to the front. You killed Vexx. Our brother was the greatest quick-draw artist in the galaxy."

"Your brother had a bounty on him, I'm a bounty hunter. You do the math."

Vexx's sister told him, "You couldn't take him head on, so you shot him in the back. Tarro Blood heard how you slaughtered Vexx and killed your crew when he discovered your crime!"

Spike cracked his knuckles and said, "If you believe Tarro Blood, you're not smart. Did you happen to see the bruises all over his face? I punched him in the face, repeatedly. How's that for proof I didn't shoot him in the back? Blood didn't kill my crew, he killed my friends, and he's sent others after me, they're all dead. Take my advice and walk away."

Vexx's brother said to his sister, "Vye, he's right. Vexx was bruised up bad. Tarro's playing us for fools!"

"Vorr, you'd really take the word of the man who killed our brother!?"

Vorr shook his head, "I didn't say I trust him, but I don't know that I trust Blood either. Vexx couldn't have gotten those bruises if he was shot in the back. And the two of us dying won't bring him back. If I'm going to die, it's not going to be because I was too stupid to walk away. Let's go." before the two of them left.

Spike stopped them for a moment and told them, "Look, I was just doing my job. And I'm not going to apologize for what my client wanted. But here." before handing over a stack of credits and telling them, "This should be enough for a proper burial. It was nothing personal, just business."

Vye's eyes widened when Spike handed Vorr the credits and told him, "You're a strange one. I still won't forgive you for killing our brother, but at least you're an honest man. I respect that." before continuing to leave with her brother.

Mako chuckled, "I knew you were a softie inside."

Spike rolled his eyes, "Don't get used to seeing me like that. Come on, we have a client to meet." before leaving the spaceport and heading to the Lieutenant Major's office.

When they arrived there, they were met with a droid who asked them, "Greetings, welcome to the office of Lieutenant Major Pirrell. I am ODX-9. May I be of assistance?"

"I'm here to see the Lieutenant Major. I have business with him."

ODX-9 told him, "That's odd, my master doesn't have a meeting scheduled within my data banks. May I ask to whom I have the pleasure of addressing?"

"I'm a bounty hunter, and Pirrell is my client."

ODX-9 told him, "I'm sorry, but the Lieutenant Major is in an important meeting and cannot be disturbed for any reason."

Spike sighed, before pulling out his blaster, "What's the fine for destruction of Imperial property?"

"Oh my! I'll let the Lieutenant Major know you're here." before bringing up a holo

The man on the holo said, "I told you not to disturb me for any reason you scrap pile!"

"I'm sorry master, I-"

Spike interrupted the droid and said, "Discretion is of the utmost important. Ring a bell?"

Pirrell realized who Spike was and said, "Send him in, and this time, do not disturb us for any reason. Any. Reason. Are we clear?"

The droid nodded, "Crystal sir."

Spike walked in as the droid unlocked the door and Pirrell said, "Apologies, I hadn't told that blasted droid I was hiring a hunter. Let's skip the formalities and get to the point. My superior Colonel Sartius is an incompetent fool. I toil in his shadow, although his job is rightfully mine."

Spike nodded, "And I assume this isn't as easy as a simple hit."

"You assume correctly, he's popular with the right people. We can't just kill him, we need to prove his incompetence to Admiral Ivernus, whose confidence is trusted within Sartius. We need to show that he is unfit to serve as colonel."

Spike smiled, "The colonel loses his job, and the admiral comes and gives you a promotion. Well, let's get to business then."

Pirrell smiled, "You and I will work well together, I can tell."

And so, Spike has been given his first target, a high-ranking officer within the Imperial Navy. Not having any other connections to the admiral, he finds a lead in Lieutenant Major Pirrell. Pirrell has hired Spike to make his superior look incompetent in order to take his position. While he has no knowledge of Spike's true intentions, he trusts him completely. This is the beginning of the Great Hunt for Spike. To take down the one they call Admiral Untouchable. Let's just see if he lives up to his title.