CHAPTER 6: NOT AS PLANNED

High above the planet of Coruscant, an old Dynamic Class freighter drops out of hyperspace. Known as The Raven, Okha had ensured that the ship could be everything she needed to get the job done. When she acquired it, the original paint applications were buried under centuries of travel and some apparent battle scorching. Although she touched-up most of it, she did not want it calling attention. The two cargo bay areas were also refitted so that they could also house several bounties. In the low season, she had enough room to store items for smuggling.  The turret canon on top was outfitted with a canopy for better visuals. Plus, there was a set of concussion missiles hidden, in plain sight. There were also a few features no one knew existed. Nor did she want anyone to. Except her crew.

Okha’s pilot-droid, who she affectionately called Tac, brought ship to a steady approach high above the Coruscant stratosphere. Among all the variables in Okha’s life, it was good to have a droid that followed orders without question and understood every critical aspect of a mission. Tac was a highly modified B2 Super-Battle Droid from the days of the Clone Wars. Big, bulky and fairly silent 95% of the time. She liked it that way. No incessant chatter. No lankiness. She needed something with presence that had her back and had the ability to take care of things she did not have time for. Such an example was piloting. An indispensable help as she prepped for a mission. If the opportunity should arise, she would take the controls and show him how it is done.

Although Okha trusted Tac with her life, the droid was originally sent to kill her during a dangerous mission of bantha and whomprat with a crime lord, Aloz Nogrog. Hired to take down the crime syndicate itself, this crime lord had already hired a bounty hunter named Raddehc Attef to stop Okha in her tracks. At one point, Raddehc had her pinned between his prowess and his then-droid, B2-TCR. During the scuffle, Okha disabled B2-TCR and managed to take the droid with her. Soon after, she completely reprogrammed it, renamed it TAC-15 and sent it to take down those responsible. Both Aloz and Raddehc did not see it coming. Since then, she has made so many modifications and enhancements. Tac would become tinsel before any harm would come to Okha.

As the vessel approaches the planet’s atmosphere, there is a brief red glow as the shields dissipates the heat from reentry. Clearing the stratosphere, the ship approached a cluster of clouds. Right before it enters, Okha leans toward Tac and nods, “prepare to engage the baby worm”.

Reaching over its head, the droid wraps his gargantuan hands around a large throw switch. Engaging it with a metallic clank, the ship suddenly begins to hum and rattle at very low frequencies. The rattle is felt within every nut and bolt. Inside, everything looked normal. On the exterior of the ship, however, the ship began to fade. Within seconds, it was practically invisible.

Although the Coruscant sun was setting, and it was already dusk, engaging the cloaking device was the edge Okha had over all other bounty hunters. However, while cloaked there was always the risk of another ship flying right into it. Knowing when and where to use it was as critical as keeping its existence a secret. A technological miracle, most cloaking devices were too large for a freighter of this size. That alone helped retain its secret. Believed to be one of two such devices in existence: there was an actual one and the forged copy. Okha was never sure of which one she had. What made matters worse was the additional rumor that the copy version was not as stable. According to the rumor, it could erupt in a cloud of plasma with very little notice. Regardless, any bounty hunter would say that having the ability to be completely invisible for any amount of time was worth the risk. Okha never bragged about it. Especially not among her peers. If any other bounty hunter even took wind such a device was in your possession, you would become hunted until it was theirs. Regardless of the potential instability.

High above the busy Coruscant traffic - invisible, yet vulnerable, Tac puts the vessel in hover a few miles above the location as instructed in the contact’s data file. At the end of the corridor leading to the cockpit, Okha readies her Mandalorian helmet as she prepares to step out of The Raven. Before she does, she turns to the cockpit, “HEY!!” Tac leans over and turns his torso to face her. Okha continues, “as always, if I am not back by the predetermined time – return to base and destroy everything”

A slight nod from the droid meant all was good. She smiles slightly and thinks to herself, I hope he knows by now that I don’t mean it. She straps the helmet on and proceeds to lower the ramp.

The instant pressure variations and wind take hold. She readies herself to leap off and let her gravity take over. However, that is not her natural state. She will find it in the descent, before she reaches her target. She spots the rooftop of the target’s building. She lets go and thinks to herself:  Darkness is my ally. Silence is my trusted friend.

Freefall. It was always exhilarating to feel like nothing was holding you down. Nothing anchoring you. So much risk, so much reward. Giving her jetpack some throttle, increased her rate of descent.

Back in the ship, Tac gets a red blip on his screen showing that her rate of descent is in in the red. Tac lightly shakes his head and ignores it.

Descending at speeds exceeding that of free-fall, Okha readies to fire her jetpack at the right instant.

3… 2… 1…

The blast from her jetpack slows her descent with grace and power.

Touchdown. Her approach to the rooftop may have been visible for a few seconds due to the jetpack blast, but her landing made no sound. Every step was cold and calculated. Every shadow, a temporary refuge. A quick scan of the rooftop revealed that there were no lifeforms or droids that witnessed her approach.

Another leap, down the side of the building into a dark alley. With every second she drew nearer and nearer to her target. In the darkness of the alleyway, she felt right at home.

Within moments, she made visual contact with the target’s vehicle on the landing area. It was a small repulsorlift craft with multiple access areas and chrome windows. As Okha crouched behind a service module, she took a deep breath through her nose without moving a single inch of her body. She exhaled through her lips slowly and closed her eyes. She silenced her mind. All senses were put on pause for a heartbeat. Immediately, she expanded her senses to all her surroundings. Focus. Pure focus and awareness of everything around her. All her training kicked in. Using her helmet’s advanced tracking systems she ensured no one had spotted her. A quick scan of the area proved that any passers-by were oblivious.

As the data file mentioned, the target’s vehicle awaited his daily boarding and departure. She had only one shot at getting past his guards and tagging the craft. Based on the intel gathered, their departure routine was simple. Right before Mihllaca Mach-Taw would arrive on the landing area, his guards would shift and exchanged positions. They would march away toward the door to bow. The target would bow as well, in accordance with their customs, they hold their bow for two seconds. Plenty of time. Silence has never betrayed her. No reason why it would today.

This was it. The guards began their routine.  As the darkness of the alleyway concealed her, silence ensured her that the only sound was the beating of her heart against her armor. One last check. Charges, ready. Detonator, secured. With the trigger in hand, she was ready.

Nothing but darkness. Nothing but silence.

Suddenly, the silence is shattered. A distant, tiny screeching entered her world of silence. Tiny yelps of strong will. No need to turn in the direction of it, she knew exactly where it was coming from. Completely ignoring it at first, something seemed different about this cry. The screams of the young child appeared to be calling to her. Even though they were not uttering her name, they felt like they were.

WAIT, she thought to herself.  Suddenly each tiny screech began to sound more and more like her name.

Okhaaaa!!….

Okhaaaaaaa!!…..

How is this possible? A quick mental checklist ensured her that she did not know of any lesser beings. She was pretty sure noone of that stature would know her either.

She turned to look. Based on the shadows of the figures, the situation could be beyond her capabilities. Three Gamorreans and two Trandoshans. It looked as if there were two figures already lying motionless on the ground. One tiny figure remained standing between them. The one that destroyed Okha’s concentration. The one beckoning to leave the cover of darkness.

“I can’t stand them stinking Trannies, always doing what they do best”, Okha whispered to herself with a snarl. She could not tolerate their lizard-like appearance, scaly skin or serrated teeth. And that was just their outwardly appearance. Okha could not stomach their way of life, nor her memories of them.

Gamorreans were some of the most formidable adversaries. You either had a death-wish, or knew a weak-spot. Large, green and pig-like faces with a snout. They were a force to be reckoned with once they were armed with an axe or vibro-blade weapon.

The 5 shadowy figures began laughing and discussing who’s turn it was next.

Okha was ready to turn away and resume the mission. It was not her business and she had lost enough focus by the distraction.

“Okhaaaa!!”….

“Okhaaaaaaasaaan!!”…..

Okha slowly closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

She breathed out softly, “No….”

Every fiber in her being told her not to get involved. All, but one. That one part of her she never paid any attention to. The only part of her making a sound. Her heart. Pounding against her armor. Beating. Demanding action.

No.

All her suffering. All her training. All her experiences in life taught her to ignore her heart. Even the very thought of listening to your heart was not an option. It would be a chink in her armor. A weakness. However, its strength was far beyond comprehension. Slowly pushing and pulling her into the direction of the cries.

Who the small figure was no longer mattered. The why became irrelevant. She was determined. In any battle, death was a possibility. However, battles were mostly as a result of dealing with direct threats, preservation of self and as of recently, part of the job. Death for someone else? Never. For someone she did not know? Even less than never. However, in this moment, it no longer mattered.

The window of opportunity to place the charges began to narrow. Four seconds. Three. Two… it no longer mattered. She closed the bag with the charges. Quietly, she spoke to herself:

Will I regret this?

She knew she would, but not for the obvious reasons.

She stood up, turned the corner and proceeded out of the shadows. That same light she was keeping from, reflected off her armor. In that moment, she knew. The radiant light caught the eye of each of the dark figures. Their piercing glares looked right through her. In that moment, she knew. They watched in confusion as each step brought her closer to them. Just a moment ago they were gloating over the defenseless little creature, snickering. Now, they each drew a weapon and faced in her direction. In that moment, she knew.

Slowly, the trembling head of the tiny figure turned towards her. With too many tears in her eyes to see much, she looked at Okha like she had seen an angel. In that moment, she knew - There was no turning back.

The Gamorrean closest to her right began to move behind her, out of her field of view. The second one to her right began to move slowly, in unison with the one across from him - as to flank her. Then, the two Trandoshans began to move, taking positions as to surround both her and the small, whimpering child.

Okha took a stand next to the little one. Looking out of the corner of her eye, through a sliver of her helmet, she could tell that the whimpering figure was a little human girl no more than 9 years of age. With her, a Rodian doll soaked in her tears. Next to her, lied two motionless bodies, one to her right, and one to her left.

Another look at her surroundings, she realized that they were surrounded. The three Gamorreans drooling and grunting, slowly worked their way as to create a perimeter around them. The two Trandoshans unclipped their holsters. She knew the odds were against her.

Maybe we can talk our way out? She thought in an almost joking fashion. She had to try.

“So, who’s going to show us the way to the Coruscant public transportation station?” Okha asked as she held the little girl’s hand.

They all began to laugh and sneer.

She looked at the little girl one more time. Although Okha had her helmet on, she felt like the girl could see right past it, past her eyes and deep into her very soul. At that moment, her heart told her they would prevail.

CHAPTER 5: THE DEAL

Hyperspace. A tunnel of bright, swirling array of whites and blues in all directions. It was typically a pleasant visual experience for Okha. The time spent tunneling through space also gave her some comfort knowing she could not be found anywhere for those instances. However, this time, it  was not as pleasant. For this bounty, Okha had not paid attention to the last half the message from Emaneld, her confidant and old friend. As a result, she found herself in the  communications room down the corridor from the cockpit, listening to the message over and over again. Not only was she in disbelief regarding the lack of details, but because of the meeting the location.

“There are so many places in the galaxy. So very many places to meet. Why there?” Okha emphatically asked herself in hopes that her droid-pilot, Tac, would listen and potentially have an answer. Even though he was several feet away in the cockpit, and typically never spoke.

According to Emaneld’s message, the meeting place was a cantina in the spaceport of Mos Eisley. The planet was called Tatooine, located in the outer-rim territories. It was found in a binary sun system, which made it very dry, and very hot. A virtual planetary desert, there was sand and sand dunes for as far as the eye can see. Although a name was not given, the message did mention that the individual she would be meeting with was a Zabrak. Okha could not believe Emaneld couldn’t at least get a name.

Okha walks back to the cockpit, shaking her head and taking a deep breath, she sits in the copilot seat, looks at the instrumentation, then turns to her pilot-droid, “Tac, how many Zabraks do you think could be on this planet?” Tac looked over, and remained silent. “Just a guess, a rough estimate… anything?” Again, silence. Okha raised her eyebrows as if waiting for something. Silence continued for another second. “Ok, fine. In that case, let’s practice our signal”, Okha shook her head lightly and shrugged. Instantly, Tac turned back to his instrumentation, switched on the autopilot, walked over to navigations and began to interface with it. Okha looked a little puzzled, sat back into her seat and crossed her arms. After a moment, Tac spoke in his deep, metallic voice, “Very few Zabraks. Dathomir is in the Quelii sector. Tatooine is in the Arkanis sector, a good sixteen thousand three hundred and five parsecs.” Okha looked somewhat surprised, “is that your estimate? - Very few?”. Tac paused, then continued, “for a better estimate, Tic should be consulted.” “Do you see Tic anywhere?”, Okha sneered. Tac had no answer. Suddenly, they are interrupted by the intermittent buzzing and red flashing. The autopilot system proximity alert began its routine. Tac moves into the pilot seat as Okha prepared to switch to the sublight engines.

The ship drops out of hyperspace and approaches the desert planet below. As it coasts toward the Spaceport, Tac lowers the landing gear, slowly pilots the ship onto the next available docking bay and lands. Soon after, the ramp lowers. Okha emerges and yells back, “Remember Tac,  put on your gear before you enter the place.” As she takes a few steps, her face lights up and heads back to the ramp, “and wait my signal”, she yells back in a pretend quiet voice. She checks her left forearm, as if feeling for something. With a nod, she continues toward the docking bay exit. So many places in the galaxy. So very many places to meet. Why here?

Okha thought to herself as she shook her head and made her way out of the docking bay into the spaceport.

Mos Eisley spaceport was the perfect place for all types of dealings. Mostly illegal. The system was under the control for centuries by the Hutts, a vile family of gangsters. Just beyond the cares of the Empire, the spaceport reeked of the worst of them. Metaphorically and physically. Okha’s heightened senses did not help the matter. One step into the cantina, and she could smell the Trandoshan on the other side of the bar. No good Trannies, she thought to herself in disgust.

Smoke and the smell of filth permeated the atmosphere. It was dimly lit and difficult to make out the landscape. Finding an open table was not easy, however, she spotted one to the far right and began to walk over. Okha took a seat facing the entrance to the room.

Suddenly, a cloaked Zabrak fitting Emaneld’s description walks in. Without her Mandalorian armor, she felt vulnerable. However, she refused to be vulnerable. Packing a concealed mini-blaster in her inner thigh and micro-flame projector under her left forearm. She was ready to discuss business.

Since Emaneld's message lacked information, she was not sure what to expect. The only part he made clear was that the job had a substantial payment attached to it. And, substantial risk. Okha knew that high reward was a result of high risk.

Keeping the cloak on, the pale-tan colored Zabrak took the seat across from her, and took a long glance around the room. The thumb-sized horns on his head kept the cloak a little higher than on most.

As he finished scanning the room, a slight frown was visible as he turned his gaze toward her. He gave a smug look with a hint of playing confused, “You came alone?”

Okha knew he was trying to draw an emotional response. Keeping herself in her usual calm and collected demeanor, she just stared at him, “Why not?”

“I’ve heard you always travel with that big lug of a Battle Droid,” he pauses, looks around and continues, “ always ready to take care of business if things do not go your way.”

Okha had to smile, but she holds it back for a second. Knowing that he is not alone, she relaxes the back of her neck and lets her head drop ever so slightly. Her gaze follows the motion of the Trandoshan across the room, but then shifts back toward him, “Does it look like this place serves droids?”, she raises her eyebrows and quickly follows up with that smile she held back a second ago.

The Zabrak pauses for a second, and laughs it off as he lowers the hood on his cloak, “Of Course not, how silly of me.” At that point, all six horns were now fully exposed. The ones toward the back of his head were significantly larger than the front. All were accentuated by a tan color that was darker than his skin. Each connected to one of three geometric pattern on the sides of his head. Two were visible, one on the left and one on the right. The other was out of visual range on the back of his head. Each pattern resembled a counterclockwise spiral of sorts. His eyes where a dark yellow, piercing into Okha’s soul.

“You are not afraid of me, are you..?”

“Spill it”, Okha interrupts, before he could say anything more.

“Oh, cut straight to business…”

Okha interrupts again, “I have a charter I need to meet in 5 minutes”

“Ah… I see. You want to take control of this conversation.”

He replies in an even more smug look than before.

“I want the details. Settle on the price, and go.”

He takes a long deep breath.

“Alright, business it is”, with a subtle smile, he nods and continues, “Ex-senator Mihllaca Mach-Taw... Heard of him?”

“Yes, he’s a pacifist. He poses no threat to anyone.”

Okha realises too late that she probably should not have said anything beyond of sounds familiar. It was too late.

The Zabrak continued, “Pacifist? That’s what he wants everyone to believe. So far it has worked. He has been quietly setting up rallies on every planet that has Kyber Crystals. Making it difficult if not impossible for the empire to do their mining and extraction.”

Shifting his eyes around the vicinity and lowering his head, he locks eyes with Okha and continues,

“We need him out of the picture.”

Her mind was full of questions.

Why this seemingly peaceful individual?

Kyber Crystals? Isn’t that what Jedi used for their weapons?

It made no sense. However, it wasn’t up to her to question. She needed the credits. Plus, this is not simple smuggling op. This is her first mission as an assassin. She knew the pay would be substantial, but not with this much potential. The range for a job like this could help her get that freighter she always wanted. She knew she needed to play her cards right. Since this was her first job of this nature, she knew that he was going to low-ball it.

“Fine, one hundred thousand.” Okha spoke without a hint of hesitation or doubt that the number would be questioned.

His grin went so wide every tooth in his mouth was visible. His eyes turned to slits. The laughter was loud enough to pierce through the music playing in the background. Three distinct laughs. Okha suspected it was part of a signal to one of his cronies. Her eyes immediately began to shift.

Was it that Trannie? Or perhaps that Rodian ? She did not want to appear nervous, so she stopped looking around and focused on him with a stern look.

Okha lightly shook her head and slightly shrugged, “something I missed?”

“Of course!”, He barked, “how about the ten other hits you are supposed to have under your belt to demand such a price!” She knew one day she would be forced into taking a job for a lot less than what she would want. Just not today.

“I do not need to explain myself. This is a high-profile job and that is the going rate…”

“For someone with experience!”, the Zabrak Slammed his hand down on the table and interrupted with another barking, loud tone. Okha didn’t even blink. She knew company was on the way. She could tell by the way his eyes kept shifting and focusing toward the cantina bar area, following someone’s motion.

As he relaxed into his seat, he feigned a smile and continued, “for someone like you, it is forty five thousand - no more...” She could tell that his eyes kept following the motion of whatever was approaching. He lightly uttered, “take it, or else...”. “Or else, what?” Okha immediately replied, slightly raising her brows with the utmost calm.

Suddenly, within the periphery of her right eye, a figure appears.

The Zabrak glanced over at the figure, “or else we might be in disagreement with this fellow”.

Damn it. Okha thought to herself. Of all the characters in the place, it had to be him.

The figure standing next to Okha was that Trandoshan she spotted as she entered. She did not need shift her eyes to see him, she just knew. In fact, she didn’t even have to follow the Zabrak’s eyes earlier on as she could smell him getting closer.

“Are we in agreement?”, the Zabrak sitting across from Okha asked with a smile.

Okha refused to look over. However, she knew that the Trandoshan was packing a concealed sawed-off blaster. Time for a distraction and buy some time, Okha thought.

“I don’t even know your name”, Okha suddenly stated in a very matter-of-fact fashion. Somewhat surprised, the Zabrak answered, “Why would you need to know?” Okha smiled, “Oh, I don’t know, I suppose I like keeping track of all those who eventually owe me large sums of credit.”

The Zabrak began to chuckle and laugh. Even the Trandoshan began to laugh. Okha joined in the laughter as she glanced over to size-up the blaster. She knew at that range it would be fatal. She needed to make sure he kept it pointing down for the time being.

Seconds felt like minutes. However, the distraction paid off. Before another breath was taken, another figure arrived right behind the Trandoshan. The Zabrak noticed, looked confused and shifted his eyes to Okha. Then his eyes widened as if he knew he was in trouble. Okha smiled, “As I was saying… your name?” Her eyebrows perked upward as she was waiting for a response.

Suddenly, before the Trandoshan could even turn his head to look, the figure gripped both of his arms and pressed them against his torso. Loud squealing sounds began to take over. Was it the sound of him squealing? Or the sound of hydraulic servos? Okha wondered. It was both.
The Zabrak was confused, scared and almost began to panic.

“Is that… is… is that.. your droid..?

“SHUT UP!” Okha interrupted

“If you want your buddy here to breathe normally again, you tell me your name and you agree to my terms. “

He shifted himself as if he was about to jump out of his seat, but before he could, the large figure gripping the Trandoshan shifted, blocking him in.

Even more panic stricken, he looked at Okha and back at the giant, massive figure nearly crushing his would-be bodyguard.

Okha relaxed in her seat and smiled, “You were right to question me being alone.”

The sounds of both squealing and servos continued.

Looking annoyed, frustrated and defeated, he barked, “alright! Alright! I agree! One hundred it is”

Okha clarified, “Thousand.. right?” “Right, one hundred thousand”, he restated in a panic-stricken tone.

The grip was loosened up on the Trandoshan, but was not let go. “You are forgetting something”, Okha taunted. The Zabrak looked startled. Okha rolled her eyes, “Your name?”

“Nitaas… Nitaas Natt.” “Nice to meet you, Nitaas. As you can see, I do have experience. That is why things always go my way. That is why you are hiring me.”

“To have your Lug here do it for you?”, Nitaas taunted.

“I don’t think you understand, Even without him. I get my way.” She paused looked at the dark figure that now both knew to be her droid in disguise. She looked back at Nitaas, “He’s just proof that I do.” Okha nodded at the large figure, and instantly, the Trandoshan was released.

With a stern look, he readied to leave and barked between his teeth, “it needs to be done today.”

“Today?” she asked with a slight confusion in her voice.

“You no longer question - you just do!” He barked while he sternly pointed his finger at her.

Okha remained calm and did not react.

He continued, “today before dawn. That is your one and only window,” pausing for a breath, “we both know that your charter is Bantha poodoo. Besides, what you are demanding is worth twenty charters.”

After a long stare down, Nitaas’ eyes looked over at the large cloaked figure. Shifting his attention to his sore Trandoshan bodyguard for a moment, frowned and shifted his dark, yellow eyes back at her sternly, “you fail, and the bounty on your head will be so large, nothing will ever go your way again…. EVER.” With those words, he handed Okha a data disk, “you will have the mission details here. Keep in mind that it can only be accessed once. It cannot be copied or transmitted”. He immediately walked away with large strides and did not look back. Even his aching Trandoshan bodyguard could barely keep-up with.

“Wait, I didn’t get your buddy’s name” Okha yelled in a taunting fashion, and smiled. “That went incredibly well, Tac.” She paused, looked over at Tac under all the garb, “How is that, you say?” She smiled and continued, “I did not have to use my flame projector.” As always, Tac did not say a word. In this place, it was probably preferable as revealing his identity as a droid would be most unfavorable.

After taking a deep breath, she gestured her head toward the door, “alright Tac, let’s go.”

The large figure followed her out the cantina. As they walked through the alleyways leading to the docking bay Okha found it difficult to hide her excitement and began to speed up her pace.

“Which one was it, Tac? Docking bay ninety four?” spoke out loud as she sprinted ahead. Tac nodded and continued without a sound. Suddenly, Tac found it difficult to keep up and began to increase his stride. She smiled, and almost pranced down the corridors as her thoughts were filled with promise. Okha knew she could now obtain that ship. “YT-2400! Tac - can you imagine us in it?!” Although there was nothing but silence, she knew Tac would look forward to piloting something that wasn’t hundreds of years old. The Raven was an inoperable vessel when she acquired it, her current ship was a Dynamic Class freighter that was too old to count. Built centuries ago during the times of the Old Republic, it was all she could afford at the time. Since then, she managed to keep it running smoothly, plus she included a few special modifications other smugglers would kill for.

As they approached the docking bay, she could not shake the smile off her face. She had been saving  up for that YT-2400 freighter for the past three years, every job, every bounty, every effort. Okha knew she was going to miss The Raven. As they entered the docking bay, she paused for a second to take a good look at her ship and shook her head, “we’ve been through so much together girl.”

As they approached the ramp, Okha turned to her cloaked droid, “you can take that off now,” made a clicking sound as she winked and proceeded to the cockpit. Tac shrugged and shook his head as he clanked his way up the ramp. Okha had landed the type of job she had been dreamed for, for a long time. In her mind, today was going to be a great day.