Here's another bit, we're getting close to the end now...
Slave I settled into place on the Onderon landing platform only a few places away from Etek’s shuttle. The notorious bounty hunter had followed the small craft in, knowing that Etek would not reveal his pursuit. Even if the Mandalorian descendant did it wouldn’t matter. Boba Fett always got his prey.
As the hatch opened Fett was greeted by a figure in a cloak, their face hidden by a large hood. “Greetings Boba Fett,†a female voice said.
Fett gave a nod of his head in greetings. It had been a long time since their last meeting. “You received my message?â€Â
“Yes, I did. I’ll do as you instructed.†The woman said.
“Good. I’ll meet you later as discussed.†The hooded woman walked away as Boba Fett headed into the city centre.
-
Janine held the cloak close to her face. Although she looked human she wasn’t quite. Her origins were unknown except to those Imperial scientists who had put her together. Her skin was tinted a faint orange and her eyes were like those of a feline, though a deep green.
Her long black hair was pulled back into a long braid that was concealed beneath her cloak. Her taloned fingers and toes were covered, along with her short tail that hung to the middle of her thighs.
It had been some time ago that Janine had met Boba Fett. Initially she had been a bounty of his. She had been a prize to the Emperor and had been believed dead at the end of their exchange. However she had been restored to full health by one of the scientists who had been involved in her creation.
At her reawakening Janine had discovered she was not the only experiment the Empire had created. A male version of herself had been the first test subject, though he had been a volatile mix of unbalanced rage and violence. Janine had let him lose believing he was an innocent victim like herself. However this was not the case.
Janine had called upon Boba Fett to help her rid the galaxy of the horrible beast. Once this was accomplished Fett had offered her a job with him as an informant. Previously she had been located at Bespin, however she had relocated at Fett’s request.
Now she was to assist Fett in his current bounty. She was not to take on Helif Pois but to monitor her movements and assist the Mandalorian descendant, Marsden Etek, if it was required.
She already knew that Etek had booked a motel room, presumably to rid himself of Pois. Janine made her way there through the busy streets, hoping that Pois wouldn’t turn violent.
-
Pois felt a little shaken. She had Marsden under her thumb again but she didn’t feel pleased about it. Nor was she proud of what she would have to do once she was free of her bounds. She needed to steal the shuttle from Marsden. She knew that she would lose his trust entirely if she did it, but she didn’t really have any other choice.
She could try and steal another ship however it would be easier to steal Marsden’s. She’d know where he was and only had one being to worry about. Stealing an unknown vessel provided a lot of possible problems, like if it was empty? Was the crew nearby? How many people were needed to fly the ship? And so on.
As he walked her to her motel room she felt a growing sense of dread. Part of her wanted to ask Marsden if he’d come with her, but she knew he wouldn’t. He’d want to remain with his fellow Mandalorians.
Marsden opened the door and held it for her, allowing her to walk into the room. It was nothing flash but Pois didn’t mind. She walked to the window and looked outside. They must have been at least four floors up, probably so she couldn’t escape through the window as soon as he untied her wrists.
Pois turned to look at Marsden and raised her tied hands. “Is it time yet?â€Â
He shut the door and walked towards her. Pois had expected him to cut the bonds loose, instead he untied the knot and unwound the rope. Pois shook her hands at her side, her fingers tingling slightly at lack of blood flow.
Marsden looped the rope around his hand neatly before fastening it tidily at his side. “Well you’re free now. I’ll leave you to your escape. Just don’t plan on stealing my ship.†He said pointing a stern finger at her.
Pois reached out and put a hand on his shoulder before he could turn away. “You don’t have to go straight away.â€Â
Marsden stood silent before her. She couldn’t read him at all with his face covered by his helmet. Even his body was still so she couldn’t read that either.
“What are you thinking?†She asked.
Marsden’s head tilted downward. “I was thinking I should go.†His voice went quiet. “But I don’t really want to.â€Â
That made Pois smile. “I was hoping you’d stay with me, even it is only for a little while.â€Â
Marsden didn’t speak for a moment and Pois realised he was torn. If she was going to get him to stay she was going to have to be persuasive. “Do you want to see the gems?â€Â
That got his attention, “You have them on you?â€Â
“Of course, I didn’t trust a simple hiding place.†Pois told as she reached for her secret pocket and removed a small maroon velvet bag.
She went to open it as Marsden’s gloved hand covered hers and pushed the bag away. “I don’t want to see them. If you return them to the Hutt would your bounty be lifted?â€Â
“To be honest, I hadn’t thought of that. But the Hutt’s aren’t known for leniency, I’d be punished just because I pulled it off.†Pois admitted.
Marsden nodded, “True.†His gloved hand hesitantly rose to touch her cheek. “I should go.â€Â
Pois cover his hand with hers and intertwined their fingers. “Take off your helmet so I can see your eyes one last time.â€Â
With a nod, Marsden complied and removed his helmet. He looked very uncertain and there was a touch of distrust in his eyes. Pois didn’t blame him but it made her feel worse, knowing what she had to do.
She moved towards him and captured his lips in a kiss. He returned it with as much passion as she. Pois then ran her hand up to his head, her fingers splaying through his hair. She began running kisses along his jaw, down his neck then back up to his ear. He groaned and Pois rubbed her check against his.
Marsden moved his hands to cradle her face and turned her head so she could look into his eyes. Pois wanted to cry, there was such a tender hope there and she was going to crush it. She rushed in to kiss him again and he stumbled back in surprise of her vigour.
She pressed up against him as he was now leaning back against a wall. Her hands roamed over his armoured body, releasing latches that held it together. He in return, removed her vest and was tugging at her shirt.
With a sense of dread Pois waited until she thought his attention was diverted, she reached for his blaster pistol in his thigh holster. She switched it to stun and shot Marsden in the foot.
A look of surprise and betrayal flashed over his face before he slumped to the ground. “I’m sorry, Marsden.†She whispered quietly, feeling the worst she had ever felt in her life. She had the opportunity to finally trust someone and have someone trust her and she’d destroyed it.
She stood for a moment just looking at Marsden, wishing that things had been different. “Why didn’t I meet you earlier in my life?†She said quietly before removing his armour. She’d need it to successfully steal his shuttle with the least suspicion.
-
Janine had been standing on the balcony. The couple inside had been so caught up in their own business that they hadn’t even noticed her standing there. She had already contacted Fett to let him know of the situation. Now it was her time to make a move.
With a gloved finger, Janine activated the balcony door. As she had suspected, Pois hadn’t shot to kill. Etek was breathing.
Janine pulled a stimulant patch from a pouch on her belt. She applied it to Etek’s bare arm and watched as he came to with a sharp snort. He glared at her for a moment before turning curious.
“I am Janine. I’ve come on Boba Fett’s behalf.†She told simply.
“I thought Fett worked alone.†Etek replied as he looked around.
“He does, but even the best bounty hunter needs informants.†Janine said as she removed her backpack and started removing its contents.
Etek tried to stand but he was still a little giddy. Janine took his arm and drew it across her shoulders to assist him. “I’ve brought some goodies, on the boss’s behalf.â€Â
Etek looked confused, but he liked the idea of goodies from Boba Fett. “So let’s see them.â€Â
Janine smiled, “Ah a man of my own heart.†She removed a dark flight suit with several armoured plates and matching helmet then handed it to Etek. Next she pulled the best items from the bag, genuine Mandalorian gauntlets.
Etek gasped, “Are those for me?â€Â
Janine grinned, “They sure are. Boba was impressed when he saw how you’d modified your own armour. He thought you’d appreciate these.â€Â
Etek picked them up with awe. He looked over them as if he’d been bestowed with the most precious gift in the universe. “Wow, these are amazing.â€Â
“And they are now yours.†Janine told.
-
Pois walked through the streets with an easy gait but her mind was swirling with turmoil. She wanted to go back and wait for Marsden to come to and apologise, but the problem was if she did that she was cutting into valuable time. She stopped several times in her confusion, but the need to survive overrode the need to go back to Marsden.
She found it relatively easy to get into the docking bay. She paused in mid stride as she saw Slave I further down the hanger. In a moment she was running for the shuttle, she opened the hatch in a fluster and climbed aboard. She quickly locked the hatch and ran for the cockpit. She was in the chair less than a second before she felt the cold metal of a blaster barrel touch her temple.
“I see you betrayed Etek as I suspected.†Fett said dryly.
“It was the only way to escape cleanly.†Pois protested.
Fett tilted his head slightly, “No it wasn’t. It was the easiest for you.â€Â
“Easiest? No you’re wrong.†Pois cried, “I betrayed the only person who I had a chance with.â€Â
If Fett had been capable of it, he would have laughed. “I’ve seen your type many times before. You betray everyone.â€Â
“No, no it’s not true! No one gave me a chance! My life has been nothing but pain.†Pois strained in desperation.
Fett snorted, “Perhaps.â€Â
Pois dug around her thigh pocket and pulled the bag of gems out. “Take these back to Zorba. But please don’t take me back, or at least not alive.â€Â
“You’re not worth anything dead.†Fett replied coldly.
Their exchange was cut short as the hatch doorway opened. Pois couldn’t see around the bulkhead but she didn’t need to. “Up,†Fett commanded.
She did as she was told as the blaster barrel was still firmly pressed against her head. She walked out into the belly of the shuttle and saw a woman in a robe and a man in armour. She could tell it was Etek simply from his posture.
Tears ran down Pois’ face. She wanted to say sorry and she wanted to escape.
“The shuttle is yours Etek.†Fett said simply.
Etek nodded, “Thanks for the gauntlets.â€Â
Fett gave a nod in return, “No problem.â€Â
“You were in with Fett?†Pois said with appalling betrayal.
Etek shrugged, “He told me what to expect and you didn’t deviate from that path.â€Â
Pois’ bottom lip quivered, “But I thought…â€Â
“You thought that I wanted to be with you? Well if you had a heart that would have been a possibility. But clearly you don’t.†Etek stated with a cold finality.
“I do. I’m sorry. I wanted to go back for you. But…†Pois’ plead was cut short as Fett shoved her out the door and directed her to his ship.
-
Etek stood quietly as Pois was taken away by Boba Fett. His head dropped once she was out of sight. He’d played it cool, but the truth was he was bleeding inside. She’d ripped his heart out and he didn’t know what to do.
Janine stood beside him quietly before turning to him and giving him a comforting hug. “Do not despair, my friend.†She said quietly.
Etek let her hold him. He needed the comfort. “I was hoping I’d be wrong.â€Â
“You might be yet.†Janine replied enigmatically.
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