Prologue
Enkrads, Outer Rim. The duration of night lasts much longer on this planet than in most. Over the centuries, this lasting darkness has proven to be a safe haven to countless individuals. Concealing both identities and dealings from the eyes of others. Especially from the Empire. In one of the darkest valleys, an unmarked star-ship finds comfort in such darkness. The ship has a clean gray metallic surface with no markings. Not a single scratch or dent. Any light in the surroundings were reflections of the engines on stand-by.
Suddenly, the darkness was pierced by a bright light source. A sudden glow from the sky. A light-gray star-ship with random blaster scorch markings emerges from the heavens casting light to the immediate surroundings. It keeps its distance from the other unmarked starship that was already there, but it is close enough to bring more of its detail into light. Sands of the planet surface are lifted and pushed in all directions.
Once it lands, all lights and engines are cut-off. Darkness takes over once more. Within the minute of its arrival, a faint light emerges as a ramp lowers. A shadow grows out from the light onto the ramp and looms over the planet surface as the figure makes its way across the sands. The figure pauses looks over to the other ship and notices a dark, tall, hooded figure already waiting outside of it.
“You are late”, spoke the dark, hooded voice just beyond visual range. “I intended to be late”, he replied as he stops and pulls down his own hood to reveal his calm face and demeanor. Well groomed and dressed for success, Emanel Ude did not typically take the time to look good for just anyone. Although he did not know who the hooded creature was, getting this deal meant helping someone. Someone he had known for a very long time. “I wanted you to be the one who waited, to feel entitled”... “to what?” replied the voice, with a hint of frustration. To which he replied, “the one that waits gets what he -or she- wants”. “OH? I am not so sure you know anything of what I want” growled the voice. Emanel began to walk in the poorly-lit area between the vessels toward the other. He knew he had only one chance to get this right. “So, I hear the Empire is moving again on Kybur Crystals.” He pauses, only in speech, but continues to walk. Looking for a reaction from the voice.
There was none.
No point in beating around the moisture vaporator he thought.
He went straight for the heart of the matter.
“I was told you needed someone to do a job for”... The Voice interrupted, “And that is all you needed to know.”
It was too dark to make out the features of the hooded figure speaking from the other vessel. Suddenly, it asked very sharply, “You must be..?” “I am Emaneld Ude. I was told that you would be in need of someone who could get the job done no matter what. Are you NOKMN?” There was a long silence. Staring into the darkness, Emaneld Ude began to allow the fear to set in. Both fear of the low-lit surroundings and fear of the unknown source of the voice, which suddenly spoke out, grunting “I can feel your fear.” The statement did not help at all. The feeling began to compound. Thoughts began to form of returning to the ship and blasting away.
How far would I get?
It is not worth it.
If he wanted to kill me he would have done it already.
Keeping composure, Emaneld replied,”I am just not too fond of the dark”, to which the voice which had yet to confirm its identity replied, ”you made a promise”. His heart sank, he decided not to respond to the statement. Confusion took over.
How did he know?
He did make a promise to her, that he would land her the best job ever. The one that would finally help her get that large freighter.
He must be force sensitive, he thought to himself, time to let the inside match my outside. Regaining his composure, he continued, “no promises, just facts.”
“FACTS?” asked the with largest grunt/growl so far.
Emaneld was thrown back but continued to kept composure, he now knew his opponent wanted the fear within to keep growing. With his new found knowledge that this NOKMN character had a way with knowing how he felt, he gathered his confidence and continued, “The fact that I know she can handle any job… That I know you need someone who will not fail.”
“She?... who is SHEEE?...”
With a slight grin, Emaneld paused for about one second, “You know who she is” realizing that there was a very good chance his hooded opponent hiding in the shadows knew of who he spoke of, he said no more. If anything, his thoughts and feelings were already being read and would eventually reveal her.
“Ah… yes… the so-called Huntress of Mandalore…” Although not visible, Emaneld knew that whoever the voice was, now had a wide grin on his face when he spoke those words.
“How is it that the both of you began working together?”
“we don’t”, he immediately replied, “I am merely a contact that she trusts.”
“And what do you get out of it?”
“Trust.”
If the voice in the darkness had eyes, he was looking straight at them.
“HA!... “ Suddenly, the large hooded being that presumably was the source of all the dealings, began to take steps toward him. Tall, slender and cloaked in a dark hooded robe. It was still too dark for any features to be made out as it approached. Once again, Emaneld found the courage to keep composure and not move.
The figure slowed to a stop and continued, “in my line of work, there is no such thing as trust.”
“Oh, do you work alone?” “Hhm… there are stronger motivators than trust. Trust can be broken. Fear is impenetrable. My men fear me. They do as I ask without question. Failure is not an acceptable outcome”
“Then, why don’t you have one of your men do the job?”
The cloaked figure began to take larger strides toward Emaneld. He almost began to move back, but again stood his ground. It finally became apparent, the hooded creature was also wearing a mask. Smooth, glossy and ominous. Like his ship, there were no distinguishable markings of any type. It became obvious to Emaneld that this being did not want his identity known at all. Even the name, NOKMN was never confirmed. Although that was how he was referred to as by the contact at Maz’s castle back on Takodana. It was not before long that Enameld realized that there were others working for this NOKMN. More so, he concluded that this mysterious character did not want this job to be traced to him in any which way. Hence, the need for a bounty hunter that would not fail.
After a few seconds of staring-down, the tall hooded figure sternly stated, “my right-hand man will be contacting you regarding the details, and arrange a meeting for payment.”
In an instant, the unknown being turned around and began to walk back toward his vessel.
Suddenly, a shadow in the distance moved abruptly. Then another across the other side of the rock formation. Emaneld was slightly startled, but then realized they were snipers perched in the nearby rocks readying their way back to the same vessel came from.
What was all that about ?
Emaneld started his way back to the ship.
With that, the unmarked vessel’s doors closed, the engines fired up, and they were gone.
As he approached his ship, he asked himself out loud, “did they just jump to lightspeed within atmosphere?” shrugged and made his way up the ramp onto his ship.
Hidden out of sight was his R5 unit, which he affectionately called AreLy. A light metallic Teal Blue and white markings, he loved to chatter at random. However, this time was under strict orders not to chirp, whirl, beep or bop until the opposing vessel had left.
“Oh, you can speak now.”
AreLy was probably just as shaken up and confused for he had nothing to chirp, whirl, beep or bob for the next hour. Perhaps he was motivator-high in calculations about the ill-intentions from the opposing party. Either way, Emaneld will hear about them eventually.
Taking a deep breath, he knew that Okha Zaan would be excited. He never accepts anything in return from her except a good meal at Mazz’s.
“Fire her up, Arley, let’s go.”
The R5 unit returns to his docking station and starts the ship’s engines.
Emaneld knew that one day she will become the best at what she does, and excel. To be trusted by her is all he could want. Although he knew not what the future would hold, being close to her was all that mattered.
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