Purifying The Clan

[Nai' Frerstal]

Nal Hutta- A huge crowd filled into the grimy building, as shouting and yelling began filling the polluted air around them. Merchants began lifting up signs, proclaiming that they alone had the highest quality of products, and that their competitors were scammers. Children began scampering about, as parents tried calling them back, to little or no avail. Food vendors began selling their wares at breakneck speeds, many of them running out of food in mere minutes. A large stage resided at the back of the building, as workers began setting up huge pieces of equipment, some capturing sound, others projecting light. The workers slowly ebbed from the stage, when suddenly a slimy Hutt began slithering forward, slowly stopping at a tall microphone in front of him. A few bystanders stopped to listen, but most continued the hustle and bustle. " WELCOME! " The Hutt yelled in a booming voice, as the crowd suddenly fell silent, the putrid air becoming still and thick. " Now, I welcome you all to my homeworld! As you may see, we have displays and merchants set up across the arena, and without further a due... I present... THE LIFE MARSH TRADE CONVENTION! " He boomed fluently in his native tounge, as the crowd howled with joy. In the middle of this, 2 Barabels resided. One was trying to establish trade, the other...Was plotting murder.

[member="Mehrk Gorbi"]

 

[Beowoof]

If there was ever a place to pick up an uncivil, immoral, unsanitary job, it was Nal Hutta. And what better place to sell one's services than the most inconspicuous place of all? Mehrk was not expecting such a sizable and... jubilant crowd, however. Must be the grand opening.

The gungan tromped indifferently through the throngs of varying species, sneering at those who were visibly shocked to see one of his kind on this end of the Outer Rim. He had a chip on his shoulder the size of a Kashyyyk redwood, and a fine bit of training in the Gungan Guard to hold it steady.

He actually liked it here. The weather was great, and his annoying snivel was dormant for now. As long as he could avoid any ear infections, he would be alright. All that was left on the checklist was a fantastic sum of money, and his day would be made.

[member="Nai' Frerstal"]

 

[Nai' Frerstal]

Nai' Frerstal quickly moved through the packed crowd, slipping in and out among the melting pot of species and cultures. He looked over the crowd quickly, trying to find out where the other Barabel was. He saw reptilian head poking out of a mosh pit of Bith consumers, and he slowly inched over to the small crowd. Suddenly, a Rodian trader quickly jumped at the passing Barabel and began peddling his objects and wares. " You like shipsss, yess? Then you musst buy new Jorstien Ship engine, now only 2,000 credits! " The Rodian stared him down with a greedy look in his eye, when he was shoved out of the way by Nai. While shoving the merchant out of the way, he bumped into [member="Mehrk Gorbi"] , although he didn't notice.

 

[Beowoof]

Mehrk jeered at the tall reptilian when he collided into the still taller amphibian. "Iffin' yousa gonna be pushin' dey 'round like a tough boyo, den yousa gotta be steady." He demonstrated with a wicked smirk, holding his footing while shoving the barabel by the shoulders. He then pointed one of his fingers at the scaled one, like a father disciplining his son. "Come back when yous a big boyo."

[member="Nai' Frerstal"]

 

[Nai' Frerstal]

When the Gungan collided with Nai' Frerstal, he didn't move an inch, merely sending up a couple particles of dust. The Barabel glared at him with absolute hatred, when he began walking away, now nearing the other reptilian. His hands anxiously gripped the handle of hi double-bladed knife, as he stared at the reptilian. He must die for what he's done! He thought cruelly.

[member="Mehrk Gorbi"]

 

[Beowoof]

Merhk twitched his eyestalks, suspicious of what was about to go down. The double-bladed knife was hardly subtle. Normally he would not care, but the last thing he wanted to happen was get blamed for murder because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The gungan lurched up just behind this shady character and grabbed him firmly by the shoulder. "Hey, yousa might wanna be doin' dat where itsa gotten less peepers watchin' yous," he advised, this time less sinisterly. "Yousa not gettin' away wit dis one in dis place."

[member="Nai' Frerstal"]

 

[Nai' Frerstal]

[member="Mehrk Gorbi"]

Nai' Frerstal's harsh glare toned down slightly, as he turned and face the Gungan. " Maybe I'm trying to sssend a message. Now, sstop getting yourself involved in other's business. " He told the Gungan coldly, as he began walking away. He noticed the stranger looking at his knife, so he put it in a small sheath and began walking away. The group of Bith dispersed, as the reptilian figure began walking up to the Hutt, who was now speaking with a group of reporters. " - Now, that the Convention is underway, we expect a lot of industrial development around the mar- " The Hutt could be briefly heard above the crowd, but was quickly drowned out.

 

[Beowoof]

The Gungan offered the Barabel a weird look, continuing to keep his eye on this troublemaker as he progressed towards the Hutt. He seemed to have put away his blade, but who knew what a brash creeper like him would do next. If he were to murder the slug, the Cartel would place a bounty on him so big...

Mehrk suddenly saw a golden opportunity. Fingering his electropole, he tailed the reptilian, waiting for him to make his move. Then he would strike the scaly twerp and bring him in to the Cartel and collect a reward. This was going to be a great day.

[member="Nai' Frerstal"]

 

[Nai' Frerstal]

" Nai' Frerstal sneaked up on his fellow Barabel, now slowly pulling out his double-bladed knife. " Now- Oh, what can I do for you...? " The Hutt said as the Barabel began talking. NO! NOT NOW! He frantically thought, as he began shoving through the reporters. Suddenly, the Barabel gasped. He recognized Nai, as he was his brother, who banished him off-world into the galaxy. " FOR DUKAI! " He yelled, as he tackled his brother. He tried shoving Nai' Frerstal off, but he was cut short when the knife pierced his neck, causing blood to spew forth, jets of the liquid spraying on the floor. In the middle of this the Hutt yelled, as many pedestrians turned and ran, seeing wht Nai had done. " GUARDS! GUARDS! KILL HIM! " He yelled at the top of his lungs, as he tried slithering away in fear.

 

[Beowoof]

Opportunity was indeed knocking for the ambitious Gungan. The Hutt had basically authorized any use of force against the Barabel, and force was Mehrk's specialty--or rather, the indirect use of force.

The reptilian was a bit quicker than the amphibious one on land, but navigation of the crowds slowed him down enough for the hunter to keep an eye on his murderous prey. He grasped his electric spear and held it high to avoid getting it dislodged in contact with civilians, fingers flexing greedily around the staff. He would follow the fugitive until he got a clear shot.

[member="Nai' Frerstal"]

 

[Nai' Frerstal]

Nai kept nimbly dodging in and out of the crowd, finding it rather easily to blend in. The Hutt and his guards were now desperately searching around for the reptilian, but instead they saw the tall Gungan, and saw one of his weapons. The Hutt began to howl in anger, and he slowly raised a slimy finger at the Gungan. " KILL HIM! KILL HIM AND THE REPTILiAN! " He shouted, as guards began shoving the running pedestrians, as they began nearing [member="Mehrk Gorbi"], firing a couple of shots at the electric spear. The Hutt was now hell-bent to see Nai and the Gungan to die.

 

[Beowoof]

Mehrk turned his snout to check who else was the target.

It was him. He cursed in his Gungan tongue. This was not how things were supposed to be, especially since he had come here to gain favor with the Hutt Cartel. That made it ever more imperative to kill the murderer and prove his own innocence, but things would not be easy now that he was suddenly on the local slug's most-wanted list. He was a hunter and trapsman. It was time to think like a hunter and trapsman.

An idea came to him, but first he needed to ditch the pursuers--which unfortunately involved ditching his target. Ducking down low, the Gungan wove his way through the mobs--past that same Rodian salesman--and out into the streets.

[member="Nai' Frerstal"]

 

[Nai' Frerstal]

Nai quickly slipped through the small, narrow opening and ran onto the open sidewalk. He turned to his left, and saw the Gungan. Hmm. He's following me! He thought quickly, as he pulled out his blaster rifle and fired rapidly at the Gungan. Suddenly, the guards bursted out of the building, and quickly took cover behind a couple of empty food stands, as they began firing shots at the two.

[member="Mehrk Gorbi"]

 

[Beowoof]

Now this was awkward. It seemed like everyone was hatin' on each other here. Of course, that was a typical day for the Gungan hitman.

Red bolts splashed into the dirty street right around the Gungan's feet as the Barabel narrowly missed his mark. It was times like these when Mehrk wished he had his shield from the Guard. It would have made things so much simpler. Instead, he somewhat flopped into one of the speeder garages that had been converted into a market stall.

This kind of combat was a little too long-ranged and there were too many targets, so Mehrk strapped his electropole back onto his hunter pack and unholstered his E-5 blaster. He sent a few warning shots at the oncoming Hutt enforcers and fired twice at the booth where the Murderer of the Week was hiding.

[member="Nai' Frerstal"]

 

[Nai' Frerstal]

Now this was awkward. It seemed like everyone was hatin' on each other here. Of course, that was a typical day for the Gungan hitman.

Red bolts splashed into the dirty street right around the Gungan's feet as the Barabel narrowly missed his mark. It was times like these when Mehrk wished he had his shield from the Guard. It would have made things so much simpler. Instead, he somewhat flopped into one of the speeder garages that had been converted into a market stall.

This kind of combat was a little too long-ranged and there were too many targets, so Mehrk strapped his electropole back onto his hunter pack and unholstered his E-5 blaster. He sent a few warning shots at the oncoming Hutt enforcers and fired twice at the booth where the Murderer of the Week was hiding.

A few bolts missed the Barabel, as he quickly gunned down a group of rather inept guards, who were just firing anywhere and everywhere, no matter who was the target. Nai noticed a nearby speeder, as he quickly hopped on, and fired a couple of last shots at the Gungan and the guards. He sped like a flash forward, as he just hoped he wasn't being followed.

 

[Beowoof]

The Hutts had a knack for hiring 'quality' guards, Mehrk observed. They fell one-by-one to Mr. Bloodthirsty. No matter. That just increased the price on his head, and Mehrk was now quite determined to kill the bugger.

Seeing an open opportunity, the Barabel had managed to procure a speeder and was flashing by the Gungan's position, shooting again at his tracker. This time his shots were a little more wild, due to the speed of his craft. Mehrk did not have to dodge, but his own return volley fell short of the mark. Time to find his own vehicle.

One farmer type was attempting to leave the area on his speeder bike when the Gungan sent a heavy elbow at his face, knocking him off his seat. "Mesa be needin' dis now. Tankin' yousa for da borrow." He gunned the bike and veered off after the killer. It was on now.

[member="Nai' Frerstal"]

 

[Lord Eclipsion]

The Hutts had a knack for hiring 'quality' guards, Mehrk observed. They fell one-by-one to Mr. Bloodthirsty. No matter. That just increased the price on his head, and Mehrk was now quite determined to kill the bugger.

Seeing an open opportunity, the Barabel had managed to procure a speeder and was flashing by the Gungan's position, shooting again at his tracker. This time his shots were a little more wild, due to the speed of his craft. Mehrk did not have to dodge, but his own return volley fell short of the mark. Time to find his own vehicle.

One farmer type was attempting to leave the area on his speeder bike when the Gungan sent a heavy elbow at his face, knocking him off his seat. "Mesa be needin' dis now. Tankin' yousa for da borrow." He gunned the bike and veered off after the killer. It was on now.

Nai's head spun around, and saw the Gungan in hot pursuit. He swung up his blaster rifle, and shot off a couple of bolts, before putting his hands back to the wheel. He quickly spun down a tight corner, as a Chiss man dived out of the way to prevent from being run over. The Barabel turned around again, and fired once more, aiming for the speeder itself, to stop his pursuit.

 

[Beowoof]

This guy was a lot more skilled than he had appeared on first impression. While not the greatest driver, he did have enough concentration to pilot his speeder and keep his pursuer at bay. This was starting to grate on Mehrk. Time to be creative.

The Gungan sparingly shot his blaster at the runaway Barabel, but was mostly focused on scrolling through the bike's navscreen and calculating where lizard-boy might be headed. The closest spaceport outside of town was about 3 klicks away, and that sounded like the most likely destination.

Feigning a disastrous swerve, Mehrk drifted his bike out from behind the angry Barabel's speeder and maneuvered it through alleys too narrow for bigger vehicles. It was a bit of a shortcut, and he came back onto the main road a little bit ahead of his target. Thinking like the trapper he was, he dropped his gun in the bike's carry basket and unpacked a cable from his hunter pack. After tethering the line to his stolen bike, he ran across the road to tie the other end to a lamppost. Stepping back into the shadows, the Gungan awaited the gruesome kill.

[member="Nai' Frerstal"]

 

[Nai' Frerstal]

Nai stared forward, thinking he had got away, but suddenly he felt a deep lurch as he was hurled off the speeder. He managed to land hardly, although thanks to his hardy scales and his thick layer of fat, he was barely wounded, although you couldn't say the same for the speeder, which had spiraled out of control, and exploded right nearby [member="Mehrk Gorbi"] ' s hiding place. Knowing the Gungan would be in hot pursuit, he ran over to a nearby shuttle port, nearly to a taxi and a way off this rock...

 

[Beowoof]

The Gungan's lower snout dropped as he witnessed the alien survive his trap. Had his flesh been any softer, he would have been cleanly decapitated. But those scales...

Mehrk growled and cursed as the pilotless speeder crashed a few meters away from him, flinging debris onto his tall body. He wheezed and choked as he tried to brush off all the dust and gravel that had been kicked onto his pliable flesh. He had been a fool to leave his blaster in the bike's basket. He would have had a clear shot at the Barabel as he lay stunned on the road for a few seconds. By the time the hunter had readied his electropole, his quarry was making haste for a taxi. There was no way he could make the killing throw in time.

Clambering over the wrecked car, Mehrk trudged over to the speeder bike and loosened the trap cable. He was hoping he could get to the spaceport in time to catch the fleeing murderer, but his biggest concern now was just getting out of here before the Hutt's men could find him.

[member="Nai' Frerstal"]