ZYGERRIA
Ferus knew little about Zygerria. He could vaguely remember a couple of appearances of this distant planet and the eponymous species in his classes on galactic history. The protocol droid which acted as his teacher taught him that Zygerria was home to a particularly odd planetary government, which fused an Imperialist monarchy with the trappings of a megacorporation. The Zygerrian Slave Empire joined the Confederation of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars. Meanwhile, the Zygerrian themselves were a humanoid feline species and were known to have a predisposition for slavery. The extent of their slaving operations was large enough to motivate the Jedi to fight a war to break their trade, which in turn would later drive their partnership with the CIS.
That’s about all he knew.
So it’s not a stretch to say that Ferus was incredibly suspicious when a Zygerrian royal house broadcasted a message in the HoloNet announcing they were looking for one bounty hunter individual of several species to compose a team for a mission.
Ferus found himself thrice dumbfounded by the announcement. First, because these Zygerrians seemed to believe the Mandalorians were a species. Then second, because the promised reward would allow Ferus to pursue some of his loftier goals. Third, because he was quick enough in his application, making him the selected Mandalorian. Although the Vúlfurian knew odds were the Zygerrian invitation would be a trap, he could not help wonder: what if it wasn’t? The money would be worth the risk.
His approach to the planet went smoothly, which was already a relief. The Zygerrian Space Traffic Control received his transmissions with a certain degree of hostility as he approached his designated landing pad on one of the many royal estates that dotted the planet’s surface. He brushed it off as an inherent trait of a species so disconnected from the galactic community. The royal estate upon which he landed quickly came into view, much bigger than the ones he had previously seen. This fact served only to arouse Ferus’ suspicions further, as his research had previously indicated this royal Zygerrian house wasn’t any richer than his brethren. Why then the discrepancy in the size of their holdings?
Ferus decided he’d better come prepared for a proper fight, not just a job interview. No removing his helmet for friendlier relations this time. He holstered both his DG-34 Peacemakers, attached a blaster sling to his Foe-Sweeper to carry the scatterblaster hidden beneath his coat, grabbed his A280C Rifle, and filled his pockets with a variety of explosives. For one last moment, he wondered if he should flee with the Nebula Ranger, quickly concluding that odds were if Ferus tried to escape now, they would shoot the Nebula Ranger down immediately. The Mandalorian sighed, descending the Nebula Ranger’s cargo ramp.
A delegation of Zygerrian servants immediately received him, offering him an assortment of amenities while leading him to a large hall. Filled with dozens of hunters from all varieties, only one of each species as the announcement had implied, the luxurious hall had descended into a proper Outer Rim party as servants delivered food and drinks. Ferus wondered how long the place would remain orderly. An Outer Rim party almost certainly implies an Outer Rim brawl too. However, when the leader of the Zygerrian royal house appeared upon a floating platform and began his speech, broadcasted simultaneously across the room in a near-deafening loudness, the whole room stopped to listen.
“What a pleasure it is to be among such a conglomeration of species!” He said, raising a drink to the room. “We have gathered here today to celebrate your victory, my friends, for you will leave this place as rich men!” Most of the crowd roared, but many remained silent. Ferus was among the latter, still suspicious of the whole ordeal. “Each of you will be led to a room now by one of my humble servants, wherein you will learn of your job and about your partner. Yes indeed, a partner! You will depend on him to survive your coming mission.” He said, and Ferus could see a devious smirk spread across his face. "This will be a glorious time for you hunters! One that'll allow you to prove yourselves to the Zygerrian people! Several of our most prestigious houses will be here today, so make sure to leave a lasting impression!"
The room emptied just as quickly as it had been filled, with no more drinks to be had most of the hunters left with no protest. The crowd dissipated into a large circular corridor that extended across the hall, each hunter entering an equally-sized room. There was a large space between each room. Judging by the design he had seen from the air, this circular corridor must tightly encompass the central domed structure of the palace.
“What kind of palace is this?” Ferus asked the servant escorting him. The servant remained silent, but even Ferus managed to sense the somber aura that hanged around that place. “This isn’t a palace, is it?” He concluded, but the servant was adamant in his silence. The Mandalorian mostly knew what the jig was by now, but it seemed too late to turn back.
The servant finally stopped after a while, pointing to one of the rooms. The Mandalorian reluctantly entered, hearing as the door behind him was locked by a sophisticated electronic system. Ferus’ room, which he deduced probably looked like all the other rooms, had nothing but two extremely strong doors on each side and a large holovid screen in the middle. For a moment he wished he had brought a thermal detonator with him, but he quickly concluded that detonating such an explosive within a small room would surely obliterate him as well.
The holovid came alive, stating in a robotic voice as it presented illustrative imagery: “IDENTITY CONFIRMED - FERUS VÚLFUR: MANDALORIAN / PARTNER - TRESSHK: TRANDOSHAN / PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: BE HUNTED FOR ZYGERRIAN ENTERTAINMENT / SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: DIE / PROBABILITY OF SURVIVAL: NULL / . . . / DISENGAGING ARENA ELECTRONIC LOCK.”
The inner door opened, revealing a large jungle-like environment uncommon to Zygerria. Towards the top was an enormous domed glass, wherein Ferus probably assumed the Zygerrians were eagerly watching. The jungle was massive, which explained why this particular place seemed much larger than the other palaces Ferus had seen as he descended into Zygerrian orbit. The cost of such a massive structure probably funded by an assortment of royal houses seeking a dastardly new way to have fun. Ferus’ dislike for aristocracy immediately turned into hatred.
“EXIT INTERMEDIARY ROOM IMMEDIATELY / FAILURE TO ENTER ARENA WILL RESULT IN INCINERATION.”
“Well shab…” Cursed Ferus.
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