Yes, We're After a One 'Vahn Fett'

[Julian Valentine]

CLOUD CITY, BESPIN

A pair of Storm IV Twin-pod cloud cars escorted a Judicial-class prison ship. The size of the escort were dwarfed by the large ship, formerly belonging to the Fringe Confederacy. Julian had bought it on the Black Market after the collapse of the Fringe. The reason for his presence on Bespin was a rust bucket, an old KR-TB that hadn't flown since before the Gulag Plague. As far as Julian was aware, the former owner caught the plague and was handed down to his family. They never used it, and allowed it to be past generation to generation until one of them didn't care so much for heirlooms and decided to sell it.

The prison ship shadowed Cloud City, being led by the small pods towards Platform 327. The KR-TB was sitting in dock, rusted and paint peeled. Just one look at her and Julian knew she wasn't going to fly anytime soon. He never operated the Judicial-class ship, it was too big and bulky for his skills. He had always let the droids do the work, and so they did. They slowly lowered the Judicial nearest the KR-TB, and with the help of a tug ship, the Dreadwalker was raised from the platform by a series of harnesses and placed inside the open hanger of the Judicial.

Julian waited in the hanger, watching as the giant red beast entered. He would call her Paragon. He slowly nodded to himself, content with the cheap purchase. Fresh off the market these were three-hundred thousand credits, he had bought it for twenty-thousand with his new paycheck. It was only a month ago that he handed Lady Kay over to the Hutt Cartel for a nice lump of seven-hundred thousand credits. He should have taken a holiday, visit come resort-planet, but he was already on the move for his next assignment on behalf of the Arceneau Trade Company. A Corporate Warfare against the Republic.

With Willow handling payment to the family, and Yee conversing with city officials, Julian took an express shuttle to Port Town. Between levels 121 and 160 of Cloud City, it was home to the criminal underworld of Bespin. Industrial-scale loading bays and cheap rent mean't the place was loud and nasty. Bright blue neon lights lit up the streets. He already spotted pushers trying to convince passerbys into their illegal gambling rings. When one of them stopped Julian for a moment to persuade, he met the man with a shove, and continued on his way.

A screen advertising a new band called The Spice Miners was suddenly replaced by a bounty advertisement. There was a visual of the man in armor, and a name. Julian approached, running his hands through his hair as he read he details. Perhaps the Republic could wait, Julian needed to make a detour. He pulled out his datapad and dialed for Yee, the young kid answered. "I've got a new bounty, see what you can dig up on someone called Vahn Fett, or try his alias, Cloudburner." He ended the call and signaled another, a former partner, "Hey, Fish, it's Julian. I've got a new lead. You in? Meet me in Cloud City."

 

[Sparrow Hadley]

Sparrow found herself in the floating city for the same reason she found herself anywhere; she was after a job. The grimly lit levels illuminated the sketchy figures that hung around like a bad smell. Some floated around in corners, discussing business while others walked briskly, avoiding any contact. Sparrow walked slowly through the thinly spread masses, her boots clicking against the floor like the counting of a clock. She drew her hood below her eyes, slipping into the shadows like those she passed. Many in this town kept to themselves, although many did not. The occasional whistle followed behind her, followed by an under breath scoff. Lucky a girl like Sparrow could hold her own. She waved off the vendors who lined the streets to her destination. When they tried to tug her into the store she merely pulled back her coat to reveal a hip holstered pistol. It wasn't exactly unheard of to see a person carrying but when she flashed her glowing red eye it didn't hurt.

She walked through a slightly more open area, lined still with vendors. Her attention flashed to a sign overheard that advertised a wanted bounty. Her eyes were drawn to the man who stood near it. She watched as he spoke into his datapad. Sparrow listened as he contacted his friends about the wanted man. "Hey, Fish, it's Julian. I've got a new lead. You In? Meet me in Cloud City." The redhead's interest peaked as she neared his side, studying his confident body language. He had to be a bounty hunter. "Fellow bounty hunter, I see. Planning on cashing in Vahn Fett?" Sparrow would be open to business, or if necessary, competition. There was no way she was giving up a chance at easy credits.

 

[Julian Valentine]

He left a message to Ghorua's datapad. The man was a titan, only by circumstance. He was a Herglic, and a damn good player of Dejarik. When they pulled off the Lady Kay bounty the fish had been left with the shorter end of the stick, earning only 300,000cr as compared to Julian's 700,000cr. Over the past weeks he wondered if the amateur hunter had been burned by the paycheck difference, either way, Julian wasn't too concerned. The only reason Ghorua had come along was to learn a thing or two about bounty hunting, and Julian was sure he had during their month-long stint together.

A voice perked up, his ears twitched and Julian craned his neck around to look upon a redheaded cyborg. Aliens never took him by surprise, but she did. He wasn't prepared to see such extensive cybernetics. Not many people had that many, and the only ones he recalled were an estranged species living in the Outer Rim. He couldn't put a name on the race, but he was surefire that she was one of them. "Valentine," he introduced himself, "Bounty Hunter." He swung his head towards the screen, the bounty sign was now gone and replaced with a commercial for a new soda pop. "And that man on the screen, I don't plan on bringing him in, I will be bringing him in."

He looked her up and down, "You don't have the gait of these other fella's," he looked to the smugglers and vagabonds of Port Town, "You look like you can handle yourself. I'll tell you what. I'm looking for a few deck hands. You interested?" Julian stood with his legs wide, a dominant and confident stance. The man was perhaps mid-twenties, but his black hair was already flecked with grey hairs. He had a rough look about him, but the man was nothing short of professional. When he wanted to be.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Nar Shadaa agreed with Ghorua. Why, he didn't quite understand. Perhaps it was the constant filth that kept him around. The Herglic found himself in a spacer bar, eating a little supper, making small talk with the barkeep. Suddenly, he heard a beep from his belt. Checking his holopad, he chuckled. "Put it on the tab, Frida," he said, standing up, and going to a secluded corner.

He heard the voice of an old acquaintance, grainy from the distance. "Ah, Julian. Long time no see. You've successfully piqued my interest. Give me..." he did some mental calculations, "Maybe half a day? I've got a slow ship." Turning off the comm, a slow smile began to creep across his face, until he was beaming. He had started to get bored spending his money on new equipment and drink.

Walking out of the bar, he squinted at the harsh neon lights that assaulted him. Walking at a brisk pace, he made it to the hangar within fifteen minutes. He approached his ship, the Whalebone, and opened the bay door, where he was greeted by a slobbering mound of friendly. "Yeah, yeah, girl. Calm down." Bones trotted after Ghorua as he walked into his blockade-buster.

Sitting down at the controls, he began to warm up the engines. About time I got back out there, the massive hunter thought, scratching Bones' broken spike, gained from their last venture. The ship began it's ascension to the stars.

[member="Julian Valentine"]
[member="Sparrow Hadley"]

 

[Sparrow Hadley]

Sparrow watched him study her cybernetics. It wasn't very often that she remembered how uncommon her amount of enhancements are.
"Valentine,", he introduced himself as. She raised her bionic hand to shake his as he added, "Bounty Hunter." "Pleasure, Hadley. Sparrow Hadley." She had not heard the name Valentine buzzing around, although his face did seem familiar. She couldn't quite put her finger on how she recognized him. She put it down to a matter of just having seen him around. They both looked back towards the screen, no longer lit up with the wanted man's face. "And that man on the screen, I don't plan on bringing him in, I will be bringing him in." A grin spread wide on her milky coloured face. There was nothing better than embracing that confidence before the chase. "Definitely not lacking in any confidence I see," She chuckled.

Sparrow hadn't been to Cloud City before, though saw nothing out of common in a crime underworld. The vendors around them tried to drag innocent bystanders to their carts, while those who were smart went the wide way around. Valentine spoke, breaking her train of thought, "You don't have the gait of these other fella's," "You look like you can handle yourself. I'll tell you what. I'm looking for a few deck hands. You interested?" Sparrow laughed. It was obivous she had cybernetic enhancements, "sure as Kark I can handle my own. Binding Rybcoarse to your muscles doesn't exactly make you weak." She flashed her teeth at him. He may have seen her enhancements but she knew he wouldn't have expected that. Cashing in the bounty would be easier in a team. Sparrow had no issue going her own way, though that hadn't let her to many friends in the past. She drew back her jacket, placing both hands on her hips, "I'll take a cut of that. I overheard you talking to a friend. Is this deal going three ways?" A bounty split was better than none at all.

[member="Ghorua the Fish"]

 

[Julian Valentine]

The datapad crackled with a reply, "Ah, Julian. Long time no see. You've successfully piqued my interest. Give me," there was a long pause, "Maybe half a day? I've got a slow ship." His eyes remained on Sparrows. "Three ways. Forty, forty," he nodded at her, "Twenty." He turned and began to walk again, "But I need to go pick up a hyperdrive. My ship is over on platform 327 if you want to catch up there." It was only a matter of seconds before the fading back of Julian was consumed by the crowd.

- Thirteen Hours Later -​

A speeder with a large cargo bay hovered over platform 327. Valentines Judicial-class Prison Ship, Surrender, occupied most of the platform, the other two-thirds of the ship hung over the platform. Willow was confident that the landing pads were stable, and that it's primary center of gravity was indeed on the platform, but it still made some of the spaceport personnel anxious. When Julian arrived, the Human Replica Droid, Willow, was conversing with security about their departure times. Apparently the local Ison Cartel were unhappy about Valentines appearance on Bespin.

The speeder slowly descended and unloaded a modified Isu-Sim SSP05 Hyperdrive. It was only half the reason the Ison Cartel weren't happy with Valentine. The hyperdrive was stolen from the cartel and sold on the Black Market to Julian. The other half was they had ties to a select few individuals in the Republic senate. The type that accepted generous 'donations', therefore complicating his relations with the Ison Cartel and his capture of Lady Kay.

Yee came out of the Surrenders hanger in a forklift, bringing the hyperdrive back into the prison ship, disappearing as the large bay doors closed. They were a well oiled crew, but the three of them were still small for a four-hundred-and-fifty-meter ship. It was immense. The ship always felt empty, and he swore there was a cricket somewhere in the ship. He always heard it's chirping when he tried to catch some sleep. They had even spent a week trying to find it. They all suspected it was there, they heard it, but not even the ships sensors could pick it up. It was too small, too annoying.

It was frustrating Julian just thinking about it. Perhaps this new girls cybernetics could locate the cricket. Probably not. Ghorua should be arriving anytime now. Julian had made arrangements for room to be made on the ship so that Ghorua could park his vessel inside. The KR-TB had it's wings disassembled and moved into storage to provide ample room. He stood nearest the access ramp that led into the Surrenders personnel quarters. Rooms had been allocated for Ghorua and Sparrow, Ghorua was given the Captains Quarters, Julian didn't want his head hitting the roof and his shoulders hitting the walls, so he allowed him to have the largest of all rooms. Julian would stay in the First Mates room, while Sparrow would be staying in the dorm with Willow. The room was small with barely enough space for its bunk bed, closet, toilet and shower.

 

[Sparrow Hadley]

Sparrow waited while Valentine received a reply over his datapad. She did catch a chance to learn his first name. Julian. It was one she'd heard through the Guild. He had changed his name from Solo to Valentine and he had been well known amongst certain circles. Valentine decided on the split of payment. Sparrow would receive twenty percent while her partners received forty a piece. Hadley was not in the business of accepting less for doing as much work, though she would make an exception in this circumstance. Travelling with Julian Valentine was definitely going to be an experience. "But I need to go pick up a hyperdrive. My ship is over on platform 327 if you want to catch up there." Sparrow nodded in response, glad to be free to rest. The Iskalloni found a quiet hotel hidden behind in an alley behind a take away restaurant. Travelling had never been a strong point of Sparrow's personality. She decided to sleep until it was time to meet with Julian again.

Thirteen Hours Later​

It seemed that Sparrow had arrived at the perfect moment. There hadn't been too much work to assist with and she was just in time to discuss business with her new partners. A quick whistle and nod of her head signaled to Julian that she had arrived. "So, you going to show me inside this big old ship of yours?" Sparrow stopped in her tracks as she realised which ship was his. The exterior left a lot to the imagination and showed that size really isn't everything. Swallowing her pride, she stepped aboard. The ship was the largest she had seen, she was lucky enough to have never graced a prison ship. From one empire or another. It was in surprisingly good condition on the interior for what she had expected. No dust covering every surface or holes blown through walls. She couldn't exactly complain about this ship when she was yet to purchase one of her own. This bounty was sure to change that. She was tired of hitching rides with others and sharing the reward as a result. A human-like droid stepped into view, introducing herself as Willow. Her long blonde hair flowed as she walked Sparrow through the halls into where she and willow would be sharing a room. The room was roughly four wide steps wall to wall. The expression on Sparrow's face dropped when she saw that the room was all inclusive of a toilet and shower. The bunk beds against the wall seemed to drag her attention to them when she realised, with horror, that this is where she would be sleeping until the bounty was complete. She had slept in worse conditions back home. Sharing a room with a sister had been bad enough, let alone adding an in room toilet into the mix. Two hundred thousand credits she reminded herself. It would be worth it for the pay out.

[member="Ghorua the Fish"]

 

[Krayn]

Bespin.
It was a foul place. Clean, effective and most of all corrupt. The introduction of white clad First Order Stormtroopers hadn't added to the appeal either but for Eirlys Bespin was the first stage of something she had to do. Or at least finding the people to help her do it.
The job at hand was a particular Vahn Fett. As a bounty hunter the pull of a high paying bounty was enough to get her moving, but add in the fact that the man was a traitor to the Mando’ade itself and Eirlys was ready to hunt him down from one side of the galaxy to the next.
However her search had led her into a slight hurdle, the name Valentine had already risen on the ShadowNet database and she knew that meant that there was someone else from the Guild involved.
It was a slight inconvenience but one she would overcome, after all this hunt wasn’t about the money. It was about bringing an end to a Dar’Manda who had killed others of the Mando’ade in cold, traitorous blood.

A favour had managed to get Eirlys information that Valentine would be on Bespin and as odd as it felt hunting down another hunter before the target she had travelled to the city in the clouds as fast as she could of in order to intercept the bounty hunter and at least attempt to bargain her terms with the man.
It had taken another more violent method to get the location of a ship that matched Valentines’. The enforcer of the Ison Cartel wouldn’t be telling other people in a hurry, Eirlys having removed several fingers and a tongue to get what she needed, un-professional as a bounty hunter she had decided, but acceptable as a Mandalorian on the search for a traitor.

The actual location turned out to be a dead-hit, which had surprised her. The lowlives of the Outer-Rim usually made you jump through hoops to get what you needed, fortunately she had chosen the one who actually squealed truth, a stroke of pure luck without a doubt.
Entering the docking bay she was greeted with the giant form of the Judicial-class Prison Ship that matched the description she had been given.
“Valentine?” She spoke to the ship as a whole. She knew the scanners would already by declaring her there, it was just a matter of seeing whether they shot first or waited to hear her piece. She kept her hand near her holster in either case, one could never be to careful with Bounty Hunters.

[member="Sparrow Hadley"] | [member="Julian Valentine"] | [member="Ghorua the Fish"]

 

[Cloudburner]

Cloudburner made his way in an Republic ship not of his own to Cloud City.

"I sense a great disturbance in the area. 405th Guard, search the area, let nobody survive the menacing onslaught this place will become. Do not attack on sight. Know who and where your enemy is before you fire, got it?"

He then search around the area with three of his unit members. There he found about 4 or 5 Bounty Hunters searching for a Mandalorian. He opened communication with his fellow squadmates.

"Give a visit to all of these locations in the Cloud City Bespin area. If you find one, report back to me. If they are hostile shoot on sight. I am going to leave. Let me know if you capture one of them."

He then walked back into the ship and left. The squad were now searching for Bounty Hunters, the tables had turned. The cat and mouse game had been reversed, onto what seemed an unfair deck of cards.

[member="Eirlys Verd"] [member="Sparrow Hadley"] [member="Julian Valentine"] [member="Ghorua the Fish"]

 

[Julian Valentine]

Cloud City, with a total population of 5,427,080, along with 520,000 tourists, it was by far no small city. It was densely populated. The spaceports weren't any less crowded with 370,930 dock workers and ship maintenance employees. Unaware to Julian, he and his companions were being searched for. How? He had no idea. He had told no one he was searching for Cloudburner but for his inner circle, none of which were traitors - Willow was a droid and Yee was practically raised by Julian.

A few men of the 405th walked past, and that was all. Julian was wearing civilian clothes, rather than his armor, and he looked nothing more than a freighter pilot. There was no face the 405th could put to Julian or his companions, because for all intents and purposes, they didn't know it was Julian coming for Cloudburner. He heard chatter among a few of the smaller species, Ugnaughts, according to them a bunch of Republic troops had entered Cloud City and was causing a ruckus as they searched the city for a group of people. The Bespin Wing Guard was none too happy.

Julian smiled. Another day in paradise. This was about as far as you got from Republic territory, and if the Republic wasn't causing enough trouble as it was in the galaxy, they decided to make more on Bespin. It was like they were hurting to make enemies. "Has the Republic just totally lost the plot lately?" he asked one of the Ugnaughts, he snorted a short laugh and agreed whole-heartedly. The Republic had once been a center of peace and order in the galaxy, now it was nothing more than slaughterers and corrupt politicians. Dark Jedi masquerading around as Jedi.

Just as his thoughts began to drift endlessly on Republic politics, Sparrow arrived. Willow was quick to intervene and escort her on board. Julian frowned. He was left alone with the Ugnaughts again, and he studied their features. They were nothing more than two-legged pigs capable of speaking, and a good degree of intelligence. He liked them already, if not for their knack with repairs, but for their comically ugly appearance. "What's your name?" Julian asked the one he had conversed with, the small pig answered, "Boltz, local ship maintenance."

"Valentine," a voice softly oozed from a womans lips. His head craned and he spotted the woman, "That's me. What can I do for you?" his eyes darted to the blaster her hand lay draped over, but he made no move of his own. If she wanted trouble, this was the worst place to start it. What with his entire crew on board the ship beside him. No, perhaps she was here for another reason. Surely the Ison Cartel hadn't caught up that quickly with him, then again, it was only a matter of time before they did. He would have to depart the moment Ghorua arrived.

 

[Krayn]

Erilys although Mandalorian wore no armour, she held no clan markings nor even remotely stank of anything to do with her home world while out of the sector, in fact she was attired as casual as one could be. Anyone in passing would just see another Fringer off some docked freighter somewhere looking for a bite to eat or for somewhere to loose some credits, yeah she had a blaster. Who didn’t these days?
However for [member="Julian Valentine"], who had heard his name spoken and taken her in with the quickest of glances she could have been anything from hired muscle to a debt collector or even some kid seeking revenge for some lost soul of years past. Erilys knew he would have her sussed the moment he would have laid eyes on her, in the line of business that he made his living you didn’t have room for second chances. You just had to get it right on the first.

“I believe we have a mutual friend.” She removed her hand that hovered over the blaster at her hip, more in response to his overly casual stance. Could be deadly if he turned out to be a fast shooter, but she’d just have to rely on her words to be faster. “I’m not here to pick a fight. Rather help you in one. Cut a share.” She tried to take in his expression, which was hard at their distance especially without her armour. “I don’t take much, a couple of percent to cover living costs. I’d prefer my share in cultural revenge if you get my meaning.”

She took a slight step closer to the ship unknowing if their were guns trained on her or not. It would be worth the risk however, a couple of percent of the prize on offer was still, well more then she could make by herself. Eyes stared up at Valentine with a telling stare.
“As much as standing in the cold is great for the skin I believe discussing the shopping should take place in more friendly environments, I’ve seen several un-indigenous faces from the core snooping about. Not that they will find anything, but wars have been started for less.” She gave a shrug. “Permission to come aboard?”

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Cloud City was beautiful from the skies around it. Once you get close, however, it looks a lot less inviting. Under the shining white plates and bustling crowds was tension. Perhaps it was the thought of living thousands of feet above the uninhabitable ground that kept everyone on edge.

Ghorua had just been walking the streets, looking for Julian. He was a little later than expected. That's what I get for having a ship with a bad motivator. Checking the docks, he found a large prison ship. Bingo.

Whipping out his comms, he tried Julian's frequency. "Platform 327. That's your lovely ship, right? I'll meet you down there."

Walking down to the platform, Ghorua tried to keep a low profile. He wore his regular clothes, only his pistols at his side, and Bones trailing behind happily. His gang jacket flapped in the wind, his family's old insignia on the back. He passed some Republic soldiers, and they glanced up at him suspiciously. The Herglic gave them a wave, and continued on his way. They had no reason to be suspicious of him, or his massiff.

Finally, he spotted Julian, talking with a woman he hadn't met before, an Ugnaught close by. Ghorua didn't think much of the little pork rinds. Walking up nonchalantly, heavy steps thumping on the floor panels, he smiled widely at his partner. "Hello again. I hope you've been treating yourself well. What're you calling yourself these days? Valentine? I like it."

Ghorua took a moment to size up Julian's company. "Who's she?" Ghorua spoke to Julian, pointing a thumb at Verd. Examining her, he could tell she was dangerous. The way she carried herself told him a lot about her. Ghorua had a feeling that she knew how to use that pistol on her hip.

 

[Julian Valentine]

"Permission granted," Julian said, "Take the corridor as far as she goes, last room on the right. You'll be sharing a dorm with two other ladies." He looked down to Boltz, but Ghorua interrupted. His head raised and a bright smile crossed his face. "Ah, good to see you my friend," he turned to look at Verd, "Aye, I don't know her, but Yee will catch me up. So if she's a danger to us, we can always boot her out the airlock."

He frowned in thought, "What is up with all the Republic troopers today? They're just asking for trouble, what with the First Orders interest in Bespin," he hiked a thumb to the ship, "Probably best we get en board before those two egos collide, or the local Cartel catches up with me. I bought one of their stolen hyperdrives. Real nice, jacked up as all kark."

With the last of the team having arrived, Julian was about to board when he stopped himself, "Boltz, if you want a better salary, you better come on board." The small pig-like creature turned his head for a second in thought, "Yeah, I hate paying child support, It'd be nice to disappear," he muttered with a squeal-like voice and clambered onto the ship after Julian.

Julian came aboard, shouting out to Ghorua, "You've got the Captains Quarters, queen-size bed, tall ceiling and wide room. I thought it would suit you better." He moved from corridor to corridor, then to elevator, and took it to the command deck. Yee was waiting at the helm, confirming the hyperdrive had been stashed away and everything was ready for departure. They left Bespin under the vigilant watch of the Bespin Wing Guard, and their twin pod cloud cars.

- One Hour Later -​

By the time the ship made orbit, it made an immediate departure into hyperspace for the Republic territories. Yee had arranged for appropriate licensing and contacted border administrations to allow them free movement through the various factions that grappled for control of the Core. Julian was seated at a conference table and using the ships intercoms, he had requested an immediate meeting with all those involved in the hunt to pool resources and information on Vahn Fett.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua had been familiarizing himself with his new room. The attention to comfort was astounding, and he didn't have to duck his head when he stood up. And the bed, the bed was glorious. Bones seemed to think so too, as the Massiff wasted no time in curling up under the covers. Over the din of the Massiff's snoring, Ghorua heard Julian's voice come over the comms.

Plodding out of the Captain's quarters, the Herglic made his way to the meeting room, ducking to get through doorways. Striding beside Solo, no, Valentine, he crossed his arms over his giant chest. Not seeing the girls yet, Ghorua leaned down, until he was eye-level with the human Hunter. "You think they're up to it? Something tells me this won't be an easy nab-and-go like Kay. This 'Vahn Fett' might actually fight back." Ghorua flashed his trademark fishy smile, and stood back up to his full height, waiting for the women to enter. And the robot. And the kid. And the pig.

 

[Krayn]

“Permission granted.”
It was all she had to hear to completely relax and begin to move into the confines of Valentine’s ship, a polite nod offered to the fellow bounty hunter as she did. It paid to be polite in this business, no point uselessly burning bridges over pathetic things such as politeness and manners. “Thank you Captain.”

The actual interior of the ship was far more rustic than the outside. It radiated an almost homely, lived in feeling that was only broken by the knowledge that it was in fact a prison ship usually taking some poor soul for one last voyage before being killed or tortured in some sick way by someone with more money. Maybe poor soul was the wrong word, after all most deserved it, some didn’t and then there were other’s who didn’t deserve that much extra air to breath. Fett was in that last category.

At the end of the corridor she turned and entered the small quarters where she came face to face with one of the other ladies Julian had mentioned sharing bunk with. Again a nod was offered before her eyes moved off to other parts of the barely there dorm. Several beds were squeezed into a space barely large enough for one, a refresher unit sat against the wall and the charm that radiated from the place left much to be desired.
“Hmm.” Eirlys muttered. “Spacious.” She had slept in worse however, there would be no point complaining.

- One Hour Later -

The conference room was something vastly different from the rest of the ship. It meant business and the second one past under the bulkhead that lead within you instantly felt as if you were under review. Already sat within was Valentine and a larger creatore that Eirlys recognised as a Herglic, he packed some serious muscle behind him and even within something as innocent as a conference room the alien cast an intimidating shadow across the room.
She took a seat at the table, swivelling the chair around to allow her to lean against the edge of the table in front of her. She had overheard the conversation as she had entered the room but felt better not to directly confront it, her actions would not be measured in words.
“Vahn Fett will fight back. He will try every little trick to win, he will fight dirty and unfair. He is a man without honour. One that needs putting down.” She said, Eirlys would go into more detail as others added opinions, no point giving everything she knew out just yet.

 

[Julian Valentine]

"Hrm," Valentine frowned in thought, "I never considered he may fight back.." he turned to the Herglic with a mock-surprised face, "Will we be up for it?" He cracked a grin and turned to Verd as she entered. He had Yee do a background check on the woman. Valentine knew what he needed to know, and not much else. It wasn't his place to pry into the lives of others, unless he was getting paid for it.

"You're right about Fett," Valentine answered, Willow, Yee and Boltz ambling into the room. The only one not present was Sparrow. He looked to Yee and browsed over his shoulder when the kid took a seat beside him. He was checking the security cameras to see what Sparrow was up to, making sure she wasn't doing anything nefarious.

"But of all the things we could discuss, there is only one primary thing we need to know - where is he?" Julian leaned across the table and thumbed a small drive, a small machine projected an explosion of light, and out of the particles the galaxy slowly formulated. The holograph highlighted the trajectory of the Surrenders hyperspace route into Republic territories from Bespin.

"It's a big galaxy," Valentine remarked, "Yee is prepared to begin cross-referencing the biggest spaceports with registration numbers, but we need those numbers. I'd dare venture Fett is using a Republic ship, and we've got a man willing to spill the beans." The holographic image vanished and there was a dialing noise as the ship was hailing [member="Krenis Skirata"], their Republic informant on this mission. A Colonel in the Republic military. If and when he answered, his hologram would appear on the table.

 

[Krenis Skirata]

[member="Julian Valentine"] [member="Eirlys Verd"] [member="Ghorua the Fish"] [member="Sparrow Hadley"]
---------------------

Krenis leaned back in his chair, resting his chin on his hand as a signal transmission reached his desk. That would be the bounty hunter, a contact his superiors would likely frown upon, but this was a matter of honor. One for the Republic and also for the Mando'ade. Cloudburner, or his true name, Vahn Fett, had first betrayed his kin, which included Krenis, and then as a Republic operative, massacred civilians in Techno Union space, and judging by the intel he had received from those in other areas of the galaxy, his unit was now causing trouble in the Bespin system where the nascent First Order had planted their flag. Either way, of course, meant he was infringing on soveriegn territory without authorization.

And apparently he was also on Bespin as well, seeking rumor of those who hunted him. Another trespass. He had already put out a military arrest warrant and had gotten in contact with bounty hunters, as the target was outside Republic space and thus, outside Republic jurisdiction. So he had to look for those with differing jurisdictions to bring this matter to a close.

He answered the call, sitting upright at his desk as the figures would flicker into view. His own would appear aboard the ship and he gave them all a nod of greetings.

"As you were likely informed, I am Colonel Krenis Skirata, Republic military, seeking the apprehension of one Cloudburner, otherwise known as Vahn Fett." Fett. That, in most cases, should be his true clan name, as he was a Fett, biologically speaking. In fact, he was biologically identical to one who had been one of the most famed Fetts in the galaxy. He carried that face still. "His last known location was Cloud City, where as far as I am aware, his troops are still." He crossed his arms. "I have agents searching through databases and logs as we speak to get his ship traced as quickly as possible, which I will forward to you as soon as it arrives. What other information do you require?"

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua had listened to the Republic man with interest. Cloud City? We were just there! That explains the strange Republic presence.

Ghorua held up one flippery hand, and stepped forward, his heavy footsteps making the hologram jump and sputter. "I have a question. From what I've gathered so far, it looks as if this Fett has burnt all of his bridges. Does he have any friends left that he hasn't backstabbed? A place he would go if he knew he were in danger? We can assume he knows that he has a bounty on him, so where would he go to hide out?" The question was directed at both the Colonel and his partners. If I had a bounty on me, the first thing I would do is find my friends.

The Herglic stepped back, giving Skirata the chance to speak.

[member="Krenis Skirata"]