In the Swing of Things (Hunter's Guild)

[Lucien Atika]

The rent-a-freighter sailed above Myrkr as the young hunter skimmed through his notes one last time.

“Well, Ajok, this one isn't gonna be too bad.”

Ajok barked in agreement as he grew antsy to get of the ship.

Lucien smiled at the Tuk'ata before turning back to face the world outside the ship.

“All right, all right. Let's go get started then.”

Lucien and Ajok had been together for a few months now. Sources said that Tuk'ata could speak the sith language, but Lucien knew none. It did seem, however, that Ajok understood anything Lucien said in basic. Perhaps it was merely the hunter's imagination, but it brought him comfort. Carefully he brought the freighter towards the planet. Punching through the atmosphere of Myrkr, Lucien set his sights on a clearing at the base of a moderately sized mountain.

“What do you think, buddy? Good a spot as any I suppose.”

 

[Lucien Atika]

Hovering in Myrkr air space, Lucien flipped the ships tracker's toggle switch to broadcast his ship's ID to the expecting Mandolorians. Lucien had cleared his expedition with [member="Azrael"] prior to ever departing for the job, and although the demands were steep, they were fair. 75% of the profit and a written proof of the sale had been demanded. Mainly to ensure the reptiles would be kept out of One Sith hands. Lucien also had agreed only to bag male specimens as to not interfere with natural reproduction cycles on world.


The freighter found the ground beneath it with a moderate thud and Ajok raced back to the cargo bay knowing what came next. He was soon met by Lucien. With a nod of agreement Lucien began gathering any gear he thought he might need for the mission. If there was one thing experience was beginning to teach him, it was to be prepared. Lucien slid the combat boot into his boot's sheath after tucking his trousers neatly away. He slid the vibrosword to rest snugly above his rump. He tucked his arms through his vest and secured it tightly. Ajok tugged a metal case over to Lucien's feet.

“Thanks pal.”

Lucien opened the case to reveal his trusty chiru rifle. He wasn't exactly sure he would need it, but he carried it almost always. Lastly he retrieved a long tube like apparatus from a crate as well as a blow torch. The bottom of the tube was rounded and great deal of some kind of paste like substance filled half of the tube.

Ajok tilted his head as he had never seen the tool.

“You'll see.”

 

[Lucien Atika]

The duo followed the grav-cart off of the ship as the ramp closed with a thud behind them.

“Well, time to get started.”

Ajok lowered his head and began to stalk lowly attempting to be serious. His wagging tail gave his ploy away. The two began up the mountain into the thick Olbio trees. Lucien thought of how funny this mission would be if an unsuspecting force user had accepted it. The Ysalamir were notorious for their ability to repeal the force, and Lucien was sure that was why the client wanted them. It was not his place to ask questions though, only to fulfill orders. The duo trekked up the mountain with the grav-cart humming close behind them. On the way they passed several Ysalamiri and Lucien thought they might gather them on the way back, but he was searching for a more populated spot. He had directly spoke with the client.

 

[Lucien Atika]

Only a few hours had passed by the time the two had hit a point in the forest where the bark of the trees was all but hidden by the golden backs of thousands of Ysalamir. This was the type of spot Lucien had been searching for. For the most part the lizards were not hostile, and merely clung to their trees robbing the Olbios of their nutrients.

Lucien retrieved the large tube from his pack and began to assemble his apparatus.

“All right, go play, I don't have a mask for you.”

Ajok whined in protest, but honored Lucien's command. With a nod, Lucien turned back to his work.

He removed four crates from the cart before returning to the tube. Igniting the torch, he began to burn the paste inside the tube. Quickly he retrieved a mask from his pack and donned it before the purple toned mist began floating through the air...

 

[Lucien Atika]

Almost immediately, the Ysalamir began falling from their trees. Often times the creatures are killed when pulled from their trees, but the chemical Lucien released into the air caused the creatures muscles to contract. Lucien quickly went to gathering the spasm-induced creatures in the crates. Lucien has no trouble fitting twenty of the creatures to the crates, and soon the three crates contain twenty each. Lucien even thought to cut branches off of the Olbio trees to keep the Ysalamiri contempt. In less than an hour he had secured sixty of the creatures on the grav-cart. All of this, of course was done after insuring each species was of the male sex as per his previous arrangement with the planets current government.

Lucien looked about the good number of the creatures still laying about his surroundings. He had read that the gullible would often times buy a material called Miriskin which was said to be made form their hides and would repel force attacks. Those who understood Ysalamir anatomy knew this to be a hoax as the being had to be alive to create the fields, but Lucien was sure he would be able to sell the hides. In the end he changed his mind as he decided he had not been hired to kill them.

Almost as if an act of fate a message appeared on his datapad.

"Well, I'll be damned." Another order for an additional 30 Ysalamiri had been requested. Without hesitation, Lucien went back to gathering the spastic lizards. It wasn't long before he had cleared the area and captured another 40 of the little guys. All in a days work.

 

[Lucien Atika]

Lucien stored the apparatus and called for Ajok who quickly came running, a large branch hanging from his mouth. Lucien couldn't help but laugh. After storing his utensils,

Lucien scratched the scruff beneath Ajok's chin after storing the container on the grav-cart.

“Let's get back to the ship, boy.”

The two began making their way back....

 

[Lucien Atika]

The trip was uneventful. The two stopped numerous times to play fetch, or to allow Ajok to investigate a noise or a scent. Lucien didn't mind. In fact he enjoyed the time as much as the hound. Freedom was a wonderful thing, and he would not restrict Ajok's freedoms. The two had a wonderful understanding. Ajok would satisfy he curiosity and always come running back to find Lucien (Usually napping against a tree.) The return trip took far longer then necessary, but the two did make it back to the ship before dark...

 

[Lucien Atika]

Taking his time, Lucien loaded the grav-cart onto the ship and secured the crates in the cargo hold. After a quick game of fetch at Ajok's request, the two made there way onto the ship as the night began creeping into view. Lucien carefully put away all of his gear including the makeshift apparatus he had used to capture all of the Ysalamiri. Lastly, Lucien stored his rifle. Laying her to rest in the case he closed the diecast steel case and placed it on top of his chest of gear. Also resting in the chest was his faithful vibrosword which had been on his journeys since before he had obtained freedom.

 

[Lucien Atika]

Making one final sweep through the shift Lucien ensured everything was prepared for travel. The crates were snug and secure, and Ajok was contempt. Ajok lay in front of the crates almost as if he was guarding Lucien from the menacing lizards stored tightly away.

“I feel so much safer with you at post.”

Ajok barked in agreement unaware of Lucien's sarcasm. The hunter could do little but laugh and pat his friends horned head. Lucien made his way into the cockpit and began running preflight diagnostics on all systems...

 

[Lucien Atika]

Once content with the ship's status, Lucien brought the engines to life. In moments the duo found themselves back into space. Lucien began to chart a course for the lodge as he brought up the holoprojector to send [member="Mrrew"] a message confirming the missions success. After leaving the Togorian his message Lucien brought the course back up once more, and soon had the ship soaring homeward bound through hyperspeed.

Ajok loved the sight of the stars beaming past the ship and quickly spilled into the cockpits archway to witness their return trip. Seeing his companion out of his peripheral vision, Lucien just smiled and turned his attentions back to the world outside the ship. It seemed another job well done for the dynamic duo.