Ask T is for Tatooine

[Tevan Dolm]

Mos Eisley, Tatooine.

Hopping back onto his land speeder, Tevan heads towards the small hovel of houses & various buildings in the distance that represent Mos Eisley. On his arrival he returns the land speeder he rented and pays for it to be refueled. After that he makes his way towards the markets. The two notice boards on either side of the market contain various bounties and listings for help, but none of them interest Tevan. Instead he sticks a listing of his own to the board, it simply reads: "Bounty hunter looking for a mentor, knows basic hunting & tracking abilities, coordinates listed below"

Tevan sighs and hopes that someone would come looking for him, his skills have been very rusty the past few months and he's lucky to even be alive. Just this past week, he messed up a small Tusken raid and almost got himself killed by falling directly on top of a Tusken leader. He's never ran away so fast in his life. Shoving the memory aside he heads to the community junkyard and hands a bag of scrap to the scrapmaster, in return he gives Tevan a small pouch containing several coins.

In the markets he passes by multiple booths selling a variety of things from jewelry to spare mechanical parts. He stops by a booth primarily selling Black Melons and he hands the woman a few coins, she gives Tevan a bag of six Black Melons. This should last a few days. He makes his way back through the markets and rents the same land speeder he returned only an hour earlier, and with the bag of Black Melons securely attached on his back, he kicks the land speeder into life and heads out of Mos Eisley, towards his home.

 

[Laren Vano]

Laren made a pit stop in Mos Eisley to get a quick drink when he came across a flyer on the outside of the cantina. Weird place to set a flyer but okay. He began reading and saw “Bounty Hunter Mentor Wanted” and that was enough for him to immediately decide to follow the coordinates. He also took the flyer down, kid doesn’t want some crazies to come kill him in his sleep.

The Mando made his way back to his ship and powered up and flew roughly an hour outside of the town and came across a small cave entrance in the middle of well sand and rock. Hopefully Cryptic can handle the ship with BD-3 as Laren goes in to find the future mentee.

After exiting the ship, The armored man began walking into the cave. Left hand’s thumb tucked into the belt and strolled with leisure. Turning on his light on his helm he walked in and called out “Hey! You in here?.. Came about the mentor position!” What a place. Not a lot inside, mostly parts and cheap food. Poor guy, perhaps Laren could really help him out.

As the Mandalorian had awaited his answer he walked over to what looked to be a couch of some sort, and sat on it. Not too comfortable but it was as expected. It was time someone got this man some decent stuff by gettin decent credits.

@EviFoxx @Tevan Dolm

 

[Tevan Dolm]

It had been a few hours since Tevan returned to his small cave that he calls home, the makeshift couch he had brought in started to gather dust from not being used often so he brushed as much dust off as he could. A little bit of dust went up his nose in the process and Tevan coughed so much that he felt like his lungs would burst at any point. I need to get out of here soon. But the only problem with that, is Tevan barely made much coin to do so. He probably won't even have enough to properly pay for his mentorship, that's if anyone decides to come looking for him.

The loud rumble of a ship seemed to past by Tevan's small cave, he could feel the vibrations of it landing nearby and quickly moved to the side of the entrance so he wouldn't be seen if anyone entered. He placed the bag of Black Melons close to him and hid behind a pile of rocks that were big enough to just about cover him. He pulled out his sniper rifle and began loading it, during this he heard the faint thuds of feet coming towards the cave entrance. Just one pair? No, it has to be more than one. It's always more than one. He began to mount his sniper rifle onto the pile of rocks and aimed straight for the entrance. Shortly after, an armored figure appeared in the entrance to his cave. Tevan noticed their left thumb was situated in their belt as they strolled further inwards.

“Hey! You in here?.. Came about the mentor position!” The armored figure yelled and he proceeded to sit down on the makeshift couch Tevan had just dusted. Tevan sighed and got up from his hiding spot, still carrying his sniper rifle. "I'm surprised anyone even bothered to come find me" Tevan replied back to the armored figure. "I don't have much, let alone enough to pay you. So if you came here expecting coin you might as well just leave" Tevan shrugged and sat on the floor close to the armored person.

@Scoobert @Laren Vano

 

[Laren Vano]

Laren chuckled behind his helm. This was amusing. Like Laren needed to be paid by someone struggling as he is. He’d be better off hanging out in the Unforced than this place. The Mando looked at the man, he looked rough. Time to get him into something nicer. So Laren stood up and walked to the man, standing taller than him.

“Payment? Look kid if you wanna learn I’m gonna teach ya. Not much to teach honestly but there is some small things here and there. Now if you wanna become fierce hunter, and get some creds then come with me. If not, I guess the raiders will have a fun time tearing your limbs apart.”

The Mando patted the mans shoulder and begin walking out of the small cave and towards the Unforced. As he walked he looked back and said,

“Hope you like droids! I got two. Ones big, the other small. Got one from some diptwad and the other from an abandoned factory. Some small things you’ll see when you get a ship of your own. Probably not anytime soon though... Hey you comin?”

Laren stood beside the ramp leading into the wayfarer known as The Unforced. One hand on hip the other leaned on the ship. Foot slightly crossed over the other.

@EviFoxx

 

[Tevan Dolm]

The armored man stood up and walked towards Tevan, nervousness rose in him and he gripped his sniper rifle tighter than ever. “Payment? Look kid if you wanna learn I’m gonna teach ya. Not much to teach honestly but there is some small things here and there. Now if you wanna become fierce hunter, and get some creds then come with me. If not, I guess the raiders will have a fun time tearing your limbs apart.” The armored man patted Tevan's shoulder and began to walk out of the cave, Tevan looked to the ground trying to make a decision. Leave here and earn some coin or continue to live in this disaster of a cave like a failure. Tevan sighed and looked towards the entrance where the armored man was now standing. “Hope you like droids! I got two. Ones big, the other small. Got one from some diptwad and the other from an abandoned factory. Some small things you’ll see when you get a ship of your own. Probably not anytime soon though... Hey you comin?”

Tevan nodded hesitantly and began to follow the armored man out of his cave and towards the ship. Tevan quickly realized he had forgotten his bag of Black Melons and rushed back to the cave to grab them. When he came back out of the cave the armored man was standing beside the entrance to his ship. Tevan hadn't ever flown in a ship before. It was exciting but also nerve-wracking at the exact same time. "I'm just used to constantly having to pay people, I'm sorry that I assumed you came here looking for coin rather than actually wanting to help" He was curious about the droids though, he knew a lot of people used them as servants or helpers in Mos Eisley but in a ship like this it made him confused. "I should probably tell you now though, although I guess you already know it, but I've never flown in a ship before" I unload my sniper rifle and swing it onto my back along with the bag of Black Melons and wait for whatever happens next.

@Scoobert

 

[Laren Vano]

Yup. Rookie. Well it was nice to be a teacher. He wondered if after all this he could teach him the ways of Mandalore. Maybe, maybe not. Time would tell. A strange kid he was, but then again Laren assumed he’d be the same way if he were on his own in the desert.

A bag of melons and a sniper. Interesting luggage. Nevertheless Laren welcomed him aboard. As he entered he showed the young man the layout of the ship.

“Here’s the restroom, there’s the quarters you’ll be sleeping in...” The quarters were small but the bed had a soft mattress and a warm blanket along with a desk and shelving. “Down that way is a no go area, unless you feel like being Nexu food.”

The Mando continued explain the few rules there were. Don’t touch this, don’t touch that. He only wanted to ensure their safety. Laren was sure it wouldn’t be too much of a problem but after time the kid would learn.

“Now here’s the cockpit. And no it’s not that type of pit! Now this is where you’ll sit.” He pointed to a seat on the side of the cockpit. “Sorry it’s just BD-3 likes to sit in the copilot seat.” When Laren said that he turned the copilot seat around to reveal his BD unit droid known as BD-3 or buddy. He was small and Laren’s best friend. The droid shook one of his two legs as a wave and beeped and booped as a greeting.

“Lucky, he likes ya.” Laren said with a chuckle as he spun the seat back around. And entering the cockpit would be the T-2 Super Tactical Droid Laren acquired. “Oh and this is Cryptic. He’s my other droid, a good friend and asset.” The droid would then greet the man. “Hello, you’re probably of survival is 74%. That is if you stay with Laren.” Laren chuckled as he assured the safety of the ship. “Ah kid, don’t worry about that. He says percentages all the time and I prove him wrong every time.. almost.”

Laren powered up the ship as he asked “Any questions?” Then he began to lift the ship and start flying out of the atmosphere before heading into hyperdrive.

@EviFoxx

 

[Tevan Dolm]

The armored man welcomed Tevan onboard after examining him for a brief minute, and gave him a short tour of the ship. It seemed so big on the outside and yet even bigger on the inside. Maybe that's just because Tevan's never been inside of a ship like this before.

“Here’s the restroom, there’s the quarters you’ll be sleeping in...” It was small but the bed looked rather inviting compared to the makeshift couch that Tevan had been sleeping on for the past three years. The strange looking table was new to Tevan though and it seemed a bit random, but he supposed it would make a fairly good workshop station for when he needed to repair his sniper rifle. “Down that way is a no go area, unless you feel like being Nexu food.” Tevan nodded and he wanted to ask what "Nexu food" meant but he didn't want to bother the man with dumb questions.

“Now here’s the cockpit. And no it’s not that type of pit! Now this is where you’ll sit.” It was a small (like most things inside this ship) yet comfortable looking seat. “Sorry it’s just BD-3 likes to sit in the copilot seat.” BD-3 looked rather adorable and Tevan smiled at him and waved in reply to the beeping and the booping sounds the droid made. “Lucky, he likes ya.” Tevan smiled nervously at the armored man. Suddenly another droid appeared in the cockpit making Tevan jump a little and he moved to the side to let the bigger droid in. “Oh and this is Cryptic. He’s my other droid, a good friend and asset.” “Hello, your probability of survival is 74%. That is if you stay with Laren.” Great, now that's just reassuring. He looked to the armored man who chuckled. “Ah kid, don’t worry about that. He says percentages all the time and I prove him wrong every time.. almost.”

The armored man began to power up the ship and Tevan wobbled to the side to lean up against the wall so he didn't fall over. “Any questions?” the armored man looked to Tevan before the ship lifted into the air. "One, what's your name? Two, where are we going?"

@Scoobert

 

[Laren Vano]

Of course! Laren forgot to introduce himself. Well nows the time. The Mando put the ship in cruise control left his seat to stand in front of the poor guy.

“I’m Laren Vano of clan Vano. I’m one half of what remains of my clan. My brother Rakiss is the other. I’m sure if you stick around you’ll meet him. And for the other question.. well I gotta fly to this planet known as Khashyyk. It’s home to native species of Wookiee. Luckily we will not be hunting one of them. Instead it’ll be a Weequay by the name of Sorgo Tikeema. He’s wanted for the murder of a Slaver’s pet Acklay. Think you can handle it?”

Fight or flight is definitely a common thing for the first bounty. Laren didn’t want to worry him too much right now. So he’s leaving out the part about the other thugs that are in his little camp. Then proceeded to munch on the snacks he got out of the cabinet. He faced away from the man to hide his face. Thankfully the seat was large enough to allow it.

“Sorry hiding my face from those who are not my kind is something I must do. Hope you can understand that.” Laren’s voice more clear and less grizzled. May have been the comms in the helmet. After his snack he placed the helmet back on and turned around to listen to the newcomer.

@EviFoxx

 

[Tevan Dolm]

The armored man flicked a few switches and got up to stand directly in front of Tevan.

“I’m Laren Vano of clan Vano. I’m one half of what remains of my clan. My brother Rakiss is the other. I’m sure if you stick around you’ll meet him. And for the other question.. well I gotta fly to this planet known as Khashyyk. It’s home to native species of Wookiee. Luckily we will not be hunting one of them. Instead it’ll be a Weequay by the name of Sorgo Tikeema. He’s wanted for the murder of a Slaver’s pet Acklay. Think you can handle it?”

Tevan's never been to Khashyyk let alone hunted Weequay. He doesn't even know what a Weequay even looks like. "I...guess so?" Tevan stuttered and stammered out his reply due to sheer nevousness. This is the furthest he's been away from Tatooine. Laren reached into a cabinet and retrieved some kind of snack, he took off his helmet but kept his back to Tevan whilst he ate.

“Sorry hiding my face from those who are not my kind is something I must do. Hope you can understand that.” "Oh right, that's fine. I don't really remember faces that well anyway. It's more or less the packages I remember...well at least when it comes to men anyway. If you ever need those parts down below serviced, just ask" Tevan smiles awkwardly, he used to do this part time before he became a bounty hunter. Laren put his helmet back on and turned to face Tevan. Tevan looks at the floor rather than directly at Laren. "What's Khashyyk like? I've never been there....although I think that's fairly obvious." Tevan shrugs slightly "Also, what are Weequay's and what do they look like?"

@Scoobert

 

[Laren Vano]

Did he just..?

“Okay so number one, there is no servicing on this ship. And number two, Khashyyk is a jungle planet. With trees and beaches and such. A Weequay is an ugly humanoid. The got dark skin and bones that comes out of their chin. You’ll know em when you see em.”

Laren was in shock at that comment. What exactly has this kid been through? Doesn’t matter now, he’ll learn he doesn’t need to do that stuff. Laren just needed to make it to Khashyyk and then they would be on the hunt.

“Hey kid, listen. Whatever you had to do to survive, you don’t gotta do that no more. You’ll be in a business that you can live a steady life on. Trust me that stuff is now your past. If you go do it leisurely then fine just not on this ship, or with me.. sound good?”

The Mando turned and faced the console. He leaned back in his seat. It was gonna be a second before they make it where they were going. Might as well relax.

@EviFoxx

 

[Tevan Dolm]

“Okay so number one, there is no servicing on this ship. And number two, Khashyyk is a jungle planet. With trees and beaches and such. A Weequay is an ugly humanoid. The got dark skin and bones that comes out of their chin. You’ll know em when you see em.” Laren was clearly taken aback by the offer and Tevan realized he shouldn't of gone for it. He'll have to learn to get rid of that habit. “Hey kid, listen. Whatever you had to do to survive, you don’t gotta do that no more. You’ll be in a business that you can live a steady life on. Trust me that stuff is now your past. If you go do it leisurely then fine just not on this ship, or with me.. sound good?” "Sorry...bad habit...I guess." Laren faced away from Tevan and leaned back in his seat.

Tevan decided to just head to his quarters for now leaving the awkwardness behind in the cockpit. He left the cockpit and entered his sleeping quarters and placed his bag of Black Melons on the seat next to the table along with his helmet. He took off his sniper rifle and placed it on the desk. He sat on the bed and stared off into the open. Leaving Tatooine was something Tevan never really thought of doing. Tevan lied down on the bed and drifted off into sleep.

@Scoobert

 

[Laren Vano]

After a while the ship pulled out of hyperdrive and began heading into atmosphere to the set coordinates. It was time for the lesson. Laren began preparing to land as he called out,

“Hey kid! Wake up we’re here.”

The Unforced landed in an open landing area surrounded by trees. Enclosed by the jungle. Laren got out of his seat and picked up his blaster. It was head busting time.

Laren was walking to exit the ship and expected Tevan to follow. Heading into the forest to the coordinates of the target, the Mando climbed over roots and under branches. Eventually getting to a cliff that hung over the camp he had been looking for.

“Alright kid, I want you to scan the area and tell me what you see.”

@EviFoxx

 

[Tevan Dolm]

Tevan jolted awake as he heard Laren yell “Hey kid! Wake up we’re here.”

Pulling himself off his comfy bed, he grabbed his sniper rifle and made sure he had ammo to spare. He put his helmet back on after scratching his unkempt beard and made his way to the cockpit. Laren had just landed the ship in a large open area covered by the massive jungle trees. He got out of his seat and picked up the blaster on his way out. That reminded Tevan of his own blaster, and he double checked that it was still firmly attached to his back.

Tevan followed Laren out of the ship and they made their way through the forest. He took his helmet off for a brief moment and took a deep breath in. Compared to Tatooine the air was nice here, he picked up on some strange scents and put his helmet back on. They moved together passing over roots and under branches of various sizes. Tevan tripped over a root but was sure Laren hadn't noticed as he rushed to get back to him. They eventually made it to a cliff over looking a small camp. They paused and Tevan knelt low and pulled his sniper rifle off his back and used his scope to have a good look around.

“Alright kid, I want you to scan the area and tell me what you see.” "Three thugs standing around a campfire of sorts and there's a small poorly made hut beside it. I assume that's where our target is?" Tevan looks up at Laren waiting for confirmation.

@Scoobert

 

[Laren Vano]

Kid was doin good so far. The Mando figured he would get this down quick. It was time for the kid to go in now. Laren wanted to see what he was made of.

“Good eye, now you’re gonna go down there and sneak into that hut and claim your bounty. I’ll cover you with the other thugs. If you get spotted I’ll take em out. Well I’ll take em out either way but you get what I’m sayin. Now go.”

Laren laid on the cliff in a prone position with his blaster rifle set up to snipe the dome pieces right off these guys. Laren wanted to be sure his numbers were right. So he counted. The exact number came up. Well done kid well done.

Laren watched with his scope as Tevan made his way to and in the camp. Stealth would be his best option, but it’s not always the option you get stuck with. For now though, it’d be his best bet.

@EviFoxx

 

[Tevan Dolm]

Laren nodded. “Good eye, now you’re gonna go down there and sneak into that hut and claim your bounty. I’ll cover you with the other thugs. If you get spotted I’ll take em out. Well I’ll take em out either way but you get what I’m sayin. Now go.”

Tevan made his way down slowly and in a way that wouldn't make much noise. He left his sniper rifle beside Laren, since he would be in close quarters with the thugs his blaster would be the best option. He eventually made his way to the camp, one of the thugs had split from the group...seems to have gone off somewhere close by. Two remain, and Sorgo is inside the hut. He readies his blaster and begins.

Peaking around a large tree, Tevan fired two shots in a quick succession. Both landed in the torso killing both thugs. Tevan paused in shock, his aim had been awful recently so he was surprised those shots even hit them. He had no time to waste though, as the third thug that had split off earlier came rushing back as he had heard the blaster. Tevan receded and hid behind the tree. He took a breath and paused and listened for any sounds that followed.

@Scoobert

 

[Laren Vano]

Laren was watching with his rifle locked on Tevan. As he prepared to fire at the two thugs near Tevan, he shot first and got em. A surprise for sure. Maybe he had a lot more to offer than Laren thought.

“Good shot kid.” Laren mumbled as he noticed that the kid was pinned down.

Laren zoomed in on the Weequay guard and pulled the trigger, sending a bolt into the guys head. Laren watched his body crumple over and land in a bush. Execution, hitman style.

Then Laren placed his sights on the hut. Only one thing left to do and it was up to the kid. Hopefully Tevan can succeed in defeating his target. The bounty was worth 40,000 credits so Laren was looking forward to that easy 20,000.

@EviFoxx

 

[Tevan Dolm]

Tevan peered round the large tree as heard the the bolt being fired from Laren's direction. The third thug collapsed into a heap on the ground. Tevan moved out from behind the tree and moved forward towards the hut. He nodded in Laren's direction and proceeded to lean up against the hut.

It was quiet. No sounds were coming from the hut, blaster at the ready Tevan opened the hut doors. It was empty. Sorgo wasn't inside. Tevan clears out the hut looking for any secret escape routes and after find nothing he takes off his helmet and walks out the hut. He looks towards Laren's direction, shrugs and shakes his head. "Nothing."

Tevan sighs and sits down beside the hut's door, it was too easy. Of course something had to be off. He waits for Laren to come down from the cliff so they could discuss their next options.

@Scoobert

 

[Laren Vano]

Laren sighed. Well what a waste. The Mando set his rifle to the side as he got to a knee and heard a voice from behind him. “What do you want from us? How did you find me here?”

Laren simply turned around to see that famous face. It was the target. It was Sorgo. Smart lad he was. Made his escap when no one was looking. Stupid though, in the sense he tried to sneak up in a Mandalorian. Laren’s expression on his face was that of a pure smile.

“Well if you must ask, we came to claim the bounty on your head. We could bring you in warm, or cold, you’re choice.. Sorgo.”

The Weequay stood with his blaster in hand and aimed at the relaxed Mando. Laren could see the fear in the Weequay’s eyes. There wasn’t any option other than fight, die, or cooperate. The last one is not very common surprise surprise.

“Prepare to die Mand-“

A blaster shot went off. Laren drew too fast for the Weequay to react to. In Laren’s defense he tried reasoning, but of course they never want to reason with their captor. Surely the kid heard that shot. So Laren pulled out his lightsaber and beheaded the dead Sorgo, and put the head into a burlap sack. Then he retracted the blade and set the hilt back onto his belt. Then awaited to mentee.

@EviFoxx

 

[Tevan Dolm]

Tevan was tired of waiting for Laren to get down from the cliff, so he made the decision to make his way back to him instead. It wasn't until he began scaling the cliff that he heard a blaster go off above him.

He rushed to the top of the cliff, luckily the constant climbing of pillars and mountains in Tatooine in his spare time, had provided Tevan with a decent amount of upper body strength to do this so quickly. When he reached the top of the cliff he saw Laren beheading the Weequay.

"So uh....that's our guy then?" Tevan moves towards his sniper rifle that he had left behind, cleaned off the dirt and waited for Laren's next plan. "What now?"

@Scoobert

 

[Laren Vano]

As Laren had looked behind him to see the one talking, he grabbed his own rifle and began walking back to his ship. Waving his hand to follow him, he would then answer the question that the man had for Laren.

“Well kid, now it’s the hard part. We have to go make sure we get paid. Luckily for you I know where and who the guy that had set this bounty up is. He’s back on Tatooine. In fact he’s in Mos Eisley. It’s time to pay him a visit.”

Laren continued through the roots, and branches and eventually making back to that open area where his ship, The Unforced, had been sitting. Cryptic and BD-3 had been awaiting the pair’s return. Cryptic letting out a robotic wave, and BD hopping up and down in excitement. Much like a dog would.

Laren waved his hand at the droids as he was motioning for them to get back on the ship. When the pair got to the ship, the Mando had entered, placing his rifle back on the gun rack in his weapons lounge. Then to the cockpit.

@EviFoxx