Ask One Jump Ahead

[Orrebus Neirum]

Having just delivered his large shipment of technology, Orrebus was ready to relax. He had earned four thousand credits from this job, so surely he could spare a few credits for a beverage. While the rates of legal jobs weren't nearly as large as his usual illegal jobs, he enjoyed having a break from the constant danger that he was typically in. Ansion wasn't a heavily populated or urbanized planet, but just like most planets, it was home to many cantinas that were very welcoming to travelers and tourists.

Orrebus pushed open the door as he walked into the cantina. He had seen busier places, but this cantina definitely wasn't empty. He walked up to the counter and said, "I'll take a Settov Hammer." The bartender quickly served him his drank, and he handed over some credits with his cold, metal hand. He walked over to an empty table and sat down. He began thinking about where he would head next and what adventures his jobs might take him on. Regardless, he knew his future would be anything but boring.

 

[Val Jafan]

As a breeze swept through the cantina, so too did Val Jafan. He'd spent the last few months stealing what odds and ends he could, and now had built up enough credits to charter passage in some form of transport. He planned to take a seat to scope out anyone that might be even slightly interested in helping him get off-world. Val had suffered here long enough. He thought of his parents. His friends. The many people he had to double-cross and hurt just to gather a few scraps. It was time to leave all that behind. To get away from this hellhole.

Approaching the counter, Val called out to the bartender. "Hello, do you have any milk?" With his drink in hand, Val passed an empty group of seats, opting instead to near a table with one soul occupant. Didn't seem like he was waiting for anyone. "Excuse me, can I sit here?"

 

[Orrebus Neirum]

Orrebus watched as a stranger walked up to his table. After his dull and uneventful trip, he seemed to have let his guard down as he replied, "I don't see why not." On his homeworld of Nar Shaddaa, he would've been worried for his life at this point, but here on Ansion, he wasn't worried in the slightest about danger. Besides, even if this stranger did have intentions of fighting, Orrebus was positive that he could take him down quickly. "Do you need something?"

 

[Val Jafan]

Taking a seat in front of the seemingly well-equipped man, Val took a sip of his drink. "Ahh that stuff is good, haven't had milk in a while." Narrowing his eyes, he spoke softer. "I'm looking for a way off-world. You know someone that can do this?"

 

[Orrebus Neirum]

"You've sat at the right table, friend. I can get you anywhere you need to go, for the right price, of course." He looked at the man in front of him. He definitely didn't look rich, but credits were credits. Besides, transporting just one person couldn't be too difficult, right?

 

[Val Jafan]

"Well I've been saving up for a while. I don't really know much about anywhere that isn't here, so I'll be satisfied going as far as these can take me. I won't be a nuisance, I swear." Dumping his heavy bag of credits onto the desk, Val finished his milk. "If you want to do this, I'm ready to go."

 

[Orrebus Neirum]

Orrebus opened the bag and looked at the pile of credits within. There must be three, maybe four thousand credits. He thought about where he could take this stranger. "How about I take you to Ord Mantell? It's nearby, so I'll only charge you three thousand, and you'll have no trouble finding work once you're there. There's a lot of crime, but you look like you can take care of yourself. If you want to throw in a little extra, I can act as a bodyguard, too." Orrebus could tell that the man across from him was desperate to leave this planet, but he had no clue why. Hopefully, it was nothing that Orrebus couldn't handle. He usually didn't offer to act as protection, but he empathized with this customer. He remembered the years he spent trying to get off of Nar Shaddaa, and the trouble he went through to buy his own ship. Maybe he could act as the help that he didn't have.

 

[Val Jafan]

Val listened intently. It sounded like a pretty good plan. And, well, it couldn't hurt to have some protection. Whether they found him or not, having that added level of security could still come in handy. "You know what, that sounds good. Keep the change and I'll take that protection. When do we leave?"

 

[Orrebus Neirum]

"I'm ready to leave, and you've already said you're ready, so right now," Orrebus said as he finished his drink and stood up. Orrebus picked up the bag and carried it in hand as he stepped away from the table and towards the bar. Orrebus put a credit on the counter. "Thanks for the service." He then made his way towards the exit, walking past tables full of alien species.

 

[Val Jafan]

"Look man, I really appreciate this. I've had a hard time here, and I've been wanting to leave.. well, for a long time." As Val slid past Orrebus, he turned to face him while continuing to walk, backwards. Releasing a smile - something it felt like he hadn't done in years, Val turned back around to face the cantina's exit, and bumped into someone's rear. "Ah, drat, sorry about that!"

 

[Galos Winder]

Galos stumbled forward and dropped the holographic image of the bounty to the floor. Without turning around to reply to the schmuk who had bumped into him, Galos picked up the holopuck and continued to stare intently at the image of the bounty. Galos looked around, then back at the puck, around, then back at the puck, analyzing the crowd before turning around to face the man who had bumped into him. Galos's eyes narrowed, he looked intently at the man, then back at the puck, then back at the man for a good few seconds before saying, "Are you Val Jafan?". The newly appointed bounty hunter was devoid of any emotion as if he were a droid.

 

[Orrebus Neirum]

Orrebus turned to see the man, who still remained nameless, although he didn't much care, bump into another stranger. This one seemed to be a mercenary of sorts. Maybe another smuggler? No. A bounty hunter. The puck he was holding had a holopuck that clearly depicted the stranger, who had now given his customer a name. He's got a bounty on him? No wonder he wants to get out of here so bad... Still, Orrebus was always a man of his word, and he had agreed to protect Val. That was exactly what he planned to do.

"Is there a problem here?" Orrebus stepped closer to the bounty hunter, moving in front of Val. "He's with me, and it's going to stay that way," Orrebus said as he held his hand over his vibroblade. Even in cantinas on sparsely populated worlds, he was always ready for a fight.

 

[Val Jafan]

"Now, now, fellas, let's not be too hasty! That sure does look like me, but that ain't my name. I think ya got the wrong man. I'm Bell, sorry for bumping into you." Letting out a shy smile, Val hoped to whatever god was out there that his improvisation would work. If not, they'd be in for a fight. Right in front of all these witnesses.

 

[Galos Winder]

A confused and concerned look spread across Galos's face. He was sure he got the right guy, but the man says he's not Val Jafan? Galos looked back at the puck, at this point he was getting dizzy from looking back and forth from the "bounty" to the puck. One last good look at each person in front of him and Galos couldn't figure out whether or not the man was lying. He turned to address the man with the cybernetics, "Are you a Hunter too? Because the Creed says we can't kill each other, so if you already found the acquisition then I guess I'll leave you too it then." Galos's first mission might well be a sham.

 

[Orrebus Neirum]

Orrebus was actually surprised when he was assumed to be a bounty hunter. He had expected a fight, but now he had been handed a perfect lie to avoid one. "Yeah, I'm a bounty hunter. I've already claimed this bounty, so you don't need to worry about it." Orrebus was worried that Val's obviously fake alias would blow his newly discovered cover, but he certainly didn't think the hunter across from him was very bright. "If you don't have any other concerns, we'll be on our way."

 

[Val Jafan]

Val allowed himself a deep breath. His con might've worked, but it looked like his new pal Orrebus handled things well. "Since you two can't hurt each other or whatever, do you wanna head out with us? We're on an adventure, haha!" As Val walked past the stump of a bounty hunter, he tapped his shoulder and turned to face Orrebus. "Couldn't hurt to carry one extra, right pal?"

 

[Galos Winder]

Galos was starting to get a headache. Why the quarry was being so nonchalant about being taken in? Adventure? He's about to be imprisoned, what adventure was he about to go on? He figured spice might've been a recreational practice of the man. Galos didn't have a ship of his own and the fees for space travel were too steep and funds were running low so a ride would back to the guild would be nice.

Although Galos's mind wandered to a different idea. Damn I needed those credits, I can't get any leads or information without credits. No. Galos couldn't keep wasting any more opportunities, time only means Aeza is getting farther away, and thinking about her in pain only made Galos ache. He made an insane decision. Guild rules said Hunters can't battle each other, but there's nothing against stealing acquisitions. Galos turned to the man and shook the hand off his shoulder. Galos took half a step back and took a stance. With all his might, Galos swung at the man's head ready to send his fist straight through. Intending to knock him out unconscious.

 

[Orrebus Neirum]

Orrebus heard Val offer the bounty hunter a ride, but at first, Orrebus was entirely opposed. However, maybe if the hunter believed their mix of lies and covers, they could get along and he could give the hunter some help. "Well, if you do want to -" Orrebus was cut off as he watched the hunter attempt to attack Val. Obviously, Val had given him a lot of credits to protect him, so Orrebus had to honor his word. In just a couple of seconds, Orrebus whipped out his M3 blaster and shot at the Nagai bounty hunter across from him. The cantina fell quiet for a few seconds, looking to see what had happened.

 

[Val Jafan]

Attempting to sidestep the bounty hunter's reckless swing, Val was able to avoid a complete knockout, and instead received a devastating blow to his chest. With the wind knocked out of him, he was flung backward into an occupied table. As he slowly regained his breath, he heard the sound of a blaster, and looked up. Orrebus had shot the attacker. Whether he was stunned or killed, Val couldn't tell, but what he definitely could tell was that the trio he had crashed into weren't very happy. Turning to face Orrebus, Val yelled, "hey bud I think we'd better get outta here!"

 

[Galos Winder]

Galos was stunned to see that the man had evaded his swing. Apparently this man was quick enough to evade the worst of the punch. Nearly 20 years of training evaded by this lowly criminal. Upset, Galos attempted to rush the man when he suddenly heard the sound of a beam from the other. Galos turned to the man only to see rings of blue beaming towards him. Galos was out like a light.