SW: Renegades: Episode I- Infestation

Episode one - “Infestation”

BIMMISAARI

Rycar's Tapcafe. During the Clone Wars, it was a modest and respectable little cantina on the outskirts of Glastro, the capital city of the planet Bimmisaari. When Imperial occupation began, however, the bar quickly lost its respectability and sense of ethics, which made it the perfect meeting place for all manner of lowlifes and ne'er-do-wells passing through the sector.


Among these unsavoury individuals is none other than Kirkran, captain of the Moonrunner. Kirkran finds himself sitting at a table near the back of the tapcafe, drawing the occasional distrustful glance from some of the more threatening-looking patrons, but otherwise being left alone. He was supposed to meet a contact here about a job, but they're running more than half an hour late.


"Maybe we oughta just find another client, Cap'n." Said Voyla.


"No we can't. 'Runner's thirsty and we're hungry. No credits, no food or fuel. Without it, we're space junk." replied Kirkran, secretly agreeing.


"Kirkran, u know mee'd never second guess u but haba Voyla's right. He's long overdue." Added Nakei.


"Ten minutes. Then we'll take our leave."


Almost as if on cue, the door to the cantina slides open, and someone new enters. They're a native Bimm, a Near-Human standing at about 1.5 metres tall, with a big bushy beard and long, unkempt hair. He's clad in a tattered old robe, but is also adorned with a golden necklace, clearly of some opulence and wealth. He trudges over to the three smugglers and takes a seat, giving a guilty smile. "Sorry to make you wait." He says. "There's a bit of commotion outside, you might not want to take the front door." He clears his throat and takes a moment to look around, turning his gaze back to Kirkran. "Your freighter, a YT-1250. It's sturdy enough for this sort of job?"


"She's seen enough." Says Kirkran confidently "What's the job?"


"It's a bit of an under the table sort of gig, but nothing dangerous." The Bimm explains, gesturing with his hands. "Two crates of fauna in stasis, to be delivered to Nar Shaddaa. Most of them are going to be sold as exotic pets, some are going for food I think. I didn't ask." He shrugs his shoulders passively. "As long as they stay in the crates, they should be fine... but listen." He meets Kirkran's gaze with a serious expression. "Whatever you do, do not take the animals out of stasis.


"Any ideas what animals specifically? Puffer pigs, Kowakian Monkey-lizards, etc?" Asks Kirkran.


"Ugh, monkey-lizards. Mee hate those damn things. They smell, they're mean. Um smarter than u'd tinka!" said Nakei.


"Oh so like you.” Teased Voyla.


"Oh hahaha. Ree funny, Voyla." Retorted Nakei.


"Guys!" Snapped Kirkran before looking back at the Bimm "As you were saying?"


"I don't really know what they are." The Bimm replies with an apologetic shrug. "Small reptiles, apparently. A non-toxic prey species. My employers refuse to deal in anything that can kill." He turns his gaze around to the other smugglers, before looking back at Kirkran, whispering now. "All I know is that they are not approved for ownership, so you might want to... you know, avoid any Imperial interference."


"Of course. Wouldn't be fun without possible Imperial interference. You gonna be joining us?"


"Yes, my employers want to make sure everything goes smoothly... ah! Which reminds me." The Bimm reaches into his pocket and withdraws a stack of credits, placing them on the table. "2000 upfront, and 8000 when we reach Nar Shaddaa. A cool 10k for a hop skip and a jump across the Rim ain't a bad pull, if you ask me!"


"Choy's doe catch?" Asks Nakei suspiciously.


"It is. But I'm curious as well. It’s too easy." Says Kirkran.


"They're animals." Says Voyla incredulously.


"Still." Says Kirkran.


"There's no catch! Just deliver the animals from Point A to Point B, and you'll get your payout. It's as simple as that." The Bimm folds his arms over his chest and sits back a bit, keeping a calm, collected expression. It’s clear that he's not putting all the information on the table, but given the good payout and relative quickness of the job, can Kirkran afford to say no?


"Alright. Sounds like a deal. I'll see you at the docks in half an hour." Says Kirkran, standing up.


"Great!" With a grin, the Bimm stands up and makes for the door, walking with a noticeable bounce in his step. The 2000 credits remain on the table for Kirkran to take, an encouraging tidbit and motivator to get started on the job. A strange, uncomfortable atmosphere hangs in the air, but it's difficult to tell if it's from the cantina, or... something else.


When the Moonrunner crew returns to their ship, they find that the cargo is already being loaded, a pair of loader droids hauling the crates onto the loading dock. The crates look thick, and appear to contain internal batteries, probably the power source for whatever's keeping the animals in stasis. A couple Stormtroopers mull about, but none pay Kirkran and his crew any mind, just doing their job.


"Nakei, go and start prepping the hyperdrive. Voyla, get clearance for takeoff, I'll go wake tweedledee and tweedledumb." He heads to the crew quarters and wakes Jak and Vox. "We gotta job. I want you two to supervise the loading. They're animals in stasis so no mucking about, got it?"


"Sure Cap." Says Jak as he sits up.


"Mhmm." Grunts Vox sleepily.


It doesn't take long to get the cargo loaded, and the Bimm joins them shortly afterwards, carrying with him a small knapsack of provisions and other necessities. He stops in his tracks when he sees the Moonrunner, quirking an eyebrow in apprehension. "You're sure this'll be enough?" He asks Kirkran, unable to hide the mild disgust in his tone.


"Are you doubting my crew and ship?" He asks flatly.


"No! No, not at all." The Bimm raises his hands and shakes his head dismissively. "Just expected something a little more... clean, is all. I'll go unpack." With that, the bearded man leaves Kirkran to finish loading the cargo, humming as he walks up the boarding ramp.


"We got clearance, Cap. All clear." Calls Voyla from the cockpit. "Cargo's locked down and secured." Advised Vox as he and Jak went to their quarters.


"Hyperdrive's primed. Ready whao u are, Kirkran." Yelled Nakei from the engine room.


"Take us outta the world, V." Said Kirkran as he joined Voyla in the cockpit. With a mechanical hum, the Moonrunner pulls itself off the ground and into the sky, departing the Bimmisaari spaceport and making for orbit. A Victory Star Destroyer hangs in orbit, but it allows the smugglers to pass by, no cause or drive to halt them. With a job to do and a schedule to keep, they're allowed to make the jump to hyperspace and head on their way.


HYPERSPACE

"Engaging autopilot." Says Voyla as she stands. "I'll have our guest meet you in the lounge." She departs and heads to the guest cabin. "Kirkran'd like you to come to the lounge. Few rules to lay down."


Voyla finds the Bimm unpacking his things, mostly clothing and other miscellaneous supplies. He turns to her and nods. "Of course! I'll be right there." He replies contently, zipping up his travel bag and shoving it under the bed. A minute or so later, the short fellow trots into the lounge as requested, taking a seat and turning his gaze to Kirkran.


"Alright this won't take long." Says Kirkran. "You have free roam of the ship except the cockpit, engineering, captain/crew quarters and cargo hold. Should you need to check your merchandise, you can tell one of us and we'll accompany you. Kitchen is pretty much standard. You're welcome to whatever there is."


"Sounds good to me." The Bimm says compliantly, nodding as he does. "If you don't mind, I'd like to take a look at the cargo now. I just want to make sure the stasis module is still working." As he speaks, Jak enters the room, placing a hand on Kirkran's shoulder.


"Captain, could you come to the engine room? The hyperdrive is stuttering a bit, Nakei needs a hand smoothing things out."


"Sure. Accompany our guest to the hold, would you?" He heads to the engine room to help Nakei.


Jak stays in the lounge as Kirkran makes his way to the engine room. He can feel the ship rumbling slightly, the floor beneath his boots vibrating almost unnoticeably, but still more than usual. When he reaches the engine room, he finds Nakei sprawled out on his back next to the hyperdrive, a box of tools next to him. "Schutta!" He exclaims, throwing a hydrospanner down to the ground. He sits up and turns to Kirkran, gesturing with his legs.


"Doe stabilizer sa acting tonka again!" He says with a grumble. "Mee told u jee-jee needed do replacement, Kirkran."


"How bad is it, Nakei?" Asks Kirkran.


Jak accompanies the Bimm to the cargo hold. "Animals in stasis?"


"Soong okey-okey, but annoying. Ree annoying..." Nakei murmurs, pointing to his toolbox.


"Give je da wrench, um bolla tah doe cockpit. Jee-jee'll have tah hasa nenoleeya of lightspeed che do moment." He turns his gaze back to the hyperdrive, opening up a panel and grumbling quietly to himself.


"I'll inform our client." He hands him the wrench and leaves for the cargo hold. "We're dropping outta hyperspace momentarily. Stabilizer trouble." He heads to the cockpit. "V. Nakei needs you to drop us from hyperspace. He's gotta fix that busted ass stabilizer."

Voyla nods and starts flicking switches on the dashboard. "Sure thing, I'll get us ready to-" Before she can finish her sentence, a metallic screeching noise rattles throughout the ship, accompanied by a fierce shaking in the hull. Without further warning, the Moonrunner is yanked out of hyperspace, popping back into realspace.

---------------

Jak accompanies the Bimm to the cargo hold "Animals in stasis?"


"Yes! They're fascinating little creatures, reptiles if I'm not mistaken." The Bimm replies, placing his hand on the container. "They're apparently very popular as pets, and as food. Trandoshans love them, but what don't Trandoshans like to eat? Haha!"

---------------

"What the?!" Voyla takes hold of the helm and yanks back, bringing the freighter to as quick a stop as she can. The Moonrunner lurches through the void, thankfully having pulled into realspace in the middle of nowhere, rather than in the middle of an idle star or a thick asteroid field.


"Nakei! Status report! Jak, get our guest to his cabin!" He calls over the comm.


Nakei replies to Kirkran almost immediately. "Sorry! Doe stabilizer hiccupped, mee fixed doe problem!" He says, his tone tense and apologetic. Being right next to the hyperdrive when it happened probably gave the Dug quite a startle, but he sounds quite confident in his assessment of the situation. With any luck, the Moonrunner should be okay. What isn't okay, apparently, is the Bimm.


Jak replies shortly afterward. "Uh... captain? We might have a problem." As the clone speaks, the captain can hear the Bimm screaming and shouting in the background, his words coloured with curses and inappropriate slang.


"Copy that, Nakei.” He faces Jak.


"Oh no...." When Kirkran makes it to the hold, he finds it an absolute mess. The two crates have toppled over, yanked off of the floor during the jump into realspace, their lids smashed open and the stasis generators disabled. The floor is covered in slimy, beachball-covered lizards, that hop around on two frog legs and swish their long tails around curiously.


"The Gizka, the Gizka!!" The Bimm yells, rushing to Kirkran with a despondent face. "They've woken up, they're everywhere! We need to round them all up before they find a place to hide!" His tone is desperate, almost fearful, but the creatures themselves look harmless. He starts helping rounding them up.


"Why....?" He asks nervously.


The Bimm bites his lip and shakes his head. "I... I lied when I told you I didn't know what these things were. They're Gizka, I specialize in them. They reproduce dangerously, fast, they can produce offspring in as little as 12 hours. If even one of them makes it past us, they could end up infesting the entire ship in days!" As the man explains himself, Jak sets about trying to catch as many as he can, but even with his Mandalorian agility and quick reflexes, the creatures slip through his fingers. Their smooth, slimy hides are almost impossible to get a hold of, and Kirkran can tell that they're running out of time.


"Any ideas?! We can't even grasp the slimy things!" Yells Kirkran. "Jak, tell everyone else!"


With a nod, Jak rushes out of the room, leaving Kirkran and the Bimm to deal with the problem themselves. With a huff, the bearded man takes off his robe and throws it aside, wearing a t-shirt and slacks underneath. "Grab them by the legs!" He says. He kneels down and picks one up to demonstrate, holding it by its ankles. "They're the driest spot, and easiest to hold onto."


Kirkran quickly does so, grabbing a few "Now what?"


"Put them back in the crates, we'll get the stasis reactivated as soon as we can!" With that, the Bimm starts tossing Gizka back into the large metal boxes, scooping them up and lobbing them with impressive efficiency. He's clearly handled these things before and knows what he's doing. It would have been helpful to know this sooner.


However, despite both the Bimm and Kirkran working as quickly as they can, they can't get all the Gizka back into their crates on time. Several of the little critters manage to slip away, ducking into nooks and crannies and hopping out the door. In the end, they manage to put 42 Gizka back in their crates, with 8 managing to escape.


"How many did we get? I counted 23 myself." He keeps looking.


"I got 19...." With wavering breath and terror in his eyes, the Bimm steps back and runs his hands through his hair. "Oh no, oh no... this is not good Kirkran, not good at all." He turns to face the Captain. "Gizka are like Mynocks, they'll eat through anything. We need to find them before they start multiplying, or you might lose your ship!"


"Chuba!" He yells, exiting the cabin. "Guys! We have Gizka loose on board! Find them before they try and multiply!" He yells, reverberating through the small freighter.


The Bimm follows Kirkran out of the cargo hold, rubbing his hands and murmuring nervously. They can hear a laugh from Vox somewhere in the next room.


"Gizka? What bantha-brain let Gizka on the ship?" Followed by some very frustrated yelling from Nakei, probably furious at having his ship infested with parasitic pests.


Time is of the essence, every hour that goes by is another hour the Gizka can use to chew away at the Moonrunner's innards or lay their reptilian eggs throughout the ship. What is Kirkran's first course of action? How is he going to handle this?


"You do have a backup plan, right?" Asks Kirkran, feeling agitated for not knowing his cargo completely.


Nakei hobbled up looking furious. "Chuba Kirkran!" He started. "Of all doe cargo jee-jee've carried this sa by far wompa if doe stupidest! Mee mean come on! Gizka! Gizka, Kirkran!" He continued after drawing a breath. "Mee suggest jee-jee find doe nearest rock gee do port um bedwana all doe GIZKA POISON they have um dumpa this guy!" Finished Nakei, eyeballing their client with unadulterated rage.


"I'm sorry but unless you've got a plan, I'll have to agree with my engineer." Says Kirkran.


"W-whoa! Let's not get carried away, guys!" Laughing nervously, the Bimm raises his hands and steps back, a bead of sweat dripping down his cheek. "We can figure this out! I'm the foremost Gizka specialist in the sector, I'm sure we can work this out without having to buy any Gizka poison. Find a cheaper alternative, right?"


Jak and Vox emerge from around the corner, and the Bimm suddenly feels quite surrounded. He gulps. "B-besides, you can't just dump me. When my employers find out what you did and our contract doesn't get their shipment, this ship'll have a black mark so big you could see it from the Core Worlds. Don't be foolish!"


"Well come on then, Mister Gizka Expert. Choy's do plan tah catch these pests?" He sees the Bimm sweating. "Jee-jee're waiting."


The Bimm closes his mouth to stop himself from muttering, clasping his hands together and closing his eyes. After a moment or so of gathering his thoughts, he opens his eyes again. "Alright, C-captain. Gather everyone in the lounge, we'll need the whole crew in on this.... I-I think I have an idea."


"Of course." He arrives in the lounge after retrieving Voyla from the cockpit. The atmosphere in the lounge is tense, downright hostile. The Bimm zoologist stands before the Moonrunner crew like a criminal on trial, nervously fidgeting his thumbs as he thinks about what to say. He gulps quietly, closing his eyes and dropping his arms to his sides before he finally speaks. "O-okay. It's been about 10 minutes, so the Gizka have definitely laid their eggs by now. The way I see it, we have about 12 hours to catch the Gizka and get their eggs before they hatch, after that it'll be too late..." He clears his throat. "I can find where the Gizka are hiding, but I need someone fast to help me catch them, and someone else to fix the stasis generator in the crates. If we don't get them back in stasis, they'll just breed in their crates, and that's a problem in and of itself."


"Done." Says Kirkran. "Jak, Vox, you help track down and grab those Gizka. Nakei, you're fixing the crates. Voyla and I'll keep an eye on the 'Runner's systems."


"Fine. Sooner jee-jee get these things caught um ovv myo boat doe mo gootu."


Kirkran stifled a snort. "Your boat? If I recall, I bought it."


"Mee jeeska it running though." Replied Nakei slyly.


"Hey. You two quit saying who owns what!" Said Voyla "Unless we find those Gizka, there won't be a ship."


"Good, good!" The Bimm clasps his hands together. "You two come with me then. We haven't any time to lose!" With that, the short, bearded fellow turns around and trots off, beckoning for the Clones to follow. He seems excited, likely since Kirkran and the others have elected not to kill him for the time being.


Suddenly, the lights in the lounge flicker off, and an electrical hissing noise fills the room. Moments later, the red auxiliary lights come on, bathing the room in crimson light. The Gizka have already started to make themselves at home, and they seem to have started by chewing through the wiring for the ship's lighting.


"Chuba...." Muttered Kirkran. "Nakei, get to work!" He heads to the cockpit with Voyla. Nakei nods and quickly hobbles off.


"So where do we start?" Asks Vox gruffly. Vox and the zoologist find themselves in the passenger cabin, the former standing near the doorway and the latter on his knees, his head buried underneath one of the beds.


"Gizka like dark, cramped spaces." He says, pulling his head out and furrowing his brow. "They'll usually lay their eggs under bed frames, in closets, those sort of places... c'mon, help me out down here!" He turns around and starts checking the other bed, pulling up the blanket and huffing.


Jak and Vox continue to help the Bimm, albeit not successfully.


"This is impossible!" Yelled Vox.


"Grab the legs! That's the only spot!" he urges, trying to grab a couple.


Meanwhile, when Kirkran reaches the cockpit, he finds her tackling a problem of her own.


The Twi'lek woman is darting about the room, trying to get her hands on a Gizka that keeps hopping and lunging out of the way, narrowly avoiding her grasp. She hadn't been taught to grab the legs, so every time she grabs the body, it slips out of her grip and away from her.


"Captain, if we make it out of this without losing the ship, I'm going to find and kill every Gizka in the Galaxy." Voyla growls, seething hatred in her voice. After a minute or so of chasing it down, she and Kirkran are eventually able to get the little lizard, trapping it by its legs and preventing it from getting away.


"I honestly relate." He manages to snare one under the control panel.


At the same time, Vox is suddenly confronted by two Gizka at once, hiding beneath one of the beds and protecting a clutch of eggs. Threatened and cornered, they pounce upon him, clamping their soft but strong jaws down upon his shoulder and arm, gnawing into his armour with their toothless gums.


"Ahh! Shit! Get 'em off!" he yells, jumping up. The Gizka continue to gum and bite at Vox, doing no damage but sticking to him like glue, refusing to let go and risk their clutch of eggs.


"I've got you, I've got you!" The Bimm yelps, stepping forward and trying to pull the Gizka off of the poor clone. One of the lizards looks up and extends its long frog-like tongue, attaching it right to Vox's cheek. It doesn't hurt, but boy does it stink. He struggles to pull it free.


"It reeks! Let go o' me!"


"What're we to do with the eggs?" Asks Jak.


"Oh hush now, don't be a baby." The Bimm scolds Vox, reaching into his pouch and pulling out a small metal tube. The top of the tube is covered in small holes. He takes hold of the Gizka's legs and raises the tube, dumping small white particles onto the creature's tongue. With a groan, it unlatches from Vox and goes limp. "Gizka hate sodium of any kind, can't stand it. A bit of table salt usually makes 'em let go of whatever they're latched to." As he speaks, he sprinkles the second Gizka, which drops to the ground with a wet thud! With a smirk, the zoologist turns to Jak. "Smash 'em, cook 'em, throw 'em out the airlock. Whatever you want, they just can't stay here."


"I have an idea. You sell the eggs on top of your existing stock and up your pay." says Jak.


"Oh goodness no, Gizka eggs don't sell." The Bimm shakes his head. "Too many risks, too many problems. You can only profit off of fully-grown Gizka, and even then, you have to know who to sell to."


"Really? Why so many issues?"


"Gizka are a finicky species." He says, reaching under the bed and pulling out the clutch of eggs. He turns and hands them to Jak. "They breed so fast, but their eggs are so fragile. You can't store them for a long period of time without them becoming duds or hatching unexpectedly. Now please, get rid of these. We have many more Gizka to find before the day is done."


"Out the airlock. Got it." Jak goes to get an old crate then comes back with eggs inside. "We'll load' em into this then eject them out the airlock."


"Good, good... Now, let's see if we can-" Suddenly, a loud slowing noise fills the ship, as all of the lights deactivate at once. For several tense moments, the ship is plunged into frightening darkness, before the emergency lights kick in. The Bimm gulps. "Th-they must have cut the power to the whole ship." He stammers. "Quick, where is the power generator?"


"In the engine room. " Answers Vox. "Why? "


"Well we've gotta get in there, that's where they are!" The Bimm quickly rushed out of the room, urging Jak and Vox to follow. "If we don't get in there, they could take out the hyperdrive! Or the life support!"


"I'll go with you! Vox, you go tell Kirkran!" Says Jak upon returning.


"Got it!" He heads to the cockpit. "Kirkran, the Bimm says we gotta get to the power generator. The Gizka are gonna turn it into a smorgasbord!"


"Coming. V, stay here. I'll help the others." He heads to the engine room with Vox.

With the Gizka tearing up everything in sight, and the ship's systems powering down one by one, it seems like it's only a matter of time before something catastrophic happens. Kirkran will have to act fast if he wants to save his crew.


When he arrives in the engine room, he finds it an absolute catastrophe. The remaining four Gizka have set up their nests in there, slimy Gizka eggs covering every visible surface, the room stinking of engine oil and reptile slime. Aside from the anxious sounds of the Bimm biologist, all he can hear are froglike croaks and groans.


"Alright guys, suggestions?" Said Kirkran, looking around in visible shock.


"Enough of this Bantha poodoo! Look at myo engine room! Mee settah jee-jee killya hoohah all um be done gee it!" Bellowed Nakei as he hobbled over, brandishing a hydrospanner like a sword.


"I-I... I don't know!" The Bimm admits, stepping back and running a hand through his long, shaggy hair. "Captain, I'm at a loss. There's so much to do, so much to clean up. I don't know where to start." As the zoologist starts to have a mini freak-out, it becomes apparent that Kirkran will have to be the one to solve this problem. This is his ship, he has to be the one to problem-solve. What is he going to do? What will his plan be?


"I'm sorry but we're gonna have to vent the ship." Kirkran Looks at the Bimm. "Secure the remaining Gizka in the hold."


The short zoologist has a disappointed look on his face, but he doesn't protest, nodding his head solemnly. "That's a shame, it really is. The employer won't be happy, but 46 out of 50 isn't bad... I'll let you know when I'm ready."


With that, the Bimm trudges off, leaving Kirkran to make preparations. The Gizka croak and gurgle quietly in their little nests, pushing their eggs around, making a mess of what used to be a pretty nice engine room.


"I feel his pain but it's the only way to save our ship..... Our home."


"I agree." Said Voyla.


It only takes the Bimm a minute or so to secure the crates, the stasis generators having successfully been reactivated. "Okay, Captain. Ready when you are." He calls over the intercom, still audibly disappointed, but more accepting of things now.


"Copy that." Replied Kirkran from the sealed cockpit. "V, go ahead and depressurize the rest of the ship."


"U're gusha mee'm nopa doe captain, Bimm. Mee would toss u nenoleeya doe airlock along gee those pests." The Bimm snarks back.


"If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have a ship left to be captain of. You'd still be trying to wrangle up slipper Gizka while they eat the ship apart from the inside out." Now that the threat has been assessed and the crisis averted, the zoologist seems a little less willing to put up with Nakei.



HUTT SPACE

After the Gizka have been cleared out and the ship given a good scrubbing, Kirkran and the Moonrunner pull out of hyperspace into Hutt Space, only a few lightyears away from Nar Shaddaa. A cursory examination of the ship reveals that nothing vital was destroyed but replacing the wiring will likely cost a couple thousand credits.


"Nakei. Bring our guest to the lounge, we need to re-discuss our payment." Said Kirkran over the comm.


"Right neechu, Captain." Replied Nakei, hobbling out of the hold.


The Bimm arrives in the lounge a short while later, looking defeated and tired. He sits down and holds his hands up. "Before you threaten to throw me out the airlock, bear in mind I'm not the one giving you your final payment. That would be our benefactor on Nar Shaddaa. He's the one who ordered the Gizka."


"I wasn't going to throw you out the airlock, that's Nakei's preferred method. And if that's the case, I'd contact your boss and tell him what's happened. Because I want 13k now to accommodate for damages." Says Kirkran, visibly annoyed by the fiasco.


"Thirteen thousand?" The Bimm's eyes widen in shock, and he almost looks amused. He lets

out a brief laugh, motioning with his arms. "You'll be lucky to get your full 10k at this point, you've dropped part of your cargo! Heck, I'll be lucky to still have a job after all of this is done, I'm the one with a paper trail!"


Vox slams his fist on the table "You denied telling us what we were carrying! You played stupid. Now either we get our 13k or I stuff you into one of those crates with your slimy friends!"


The Bimm zoologist jumps at Vox's reaction, sinking back into his seat and raising his hands defensively. The way the older man looks at the Clone, you'd think he was a terrified battle droid. "I-I’m sorry about that! I should have been more honest from the start! B-but I'm not the one who's paying you! I wish I could do more for you, I really do!"


Regardless of whether the man is honest about his regret, it's clear he's being honest about the circumstances. Even though it wasn't their mistake, Kirkran and the others will have to answer to their employer about the Gizka situation and hope for the best.


"You'll have to pardon Vox. His inhibitor chip was unable to be removed once he and Jak discovered them. Jak removed his but Vox's was burnt out. Making him..... Edgy. I guess?" Says Kirkran.


"I suggest you contact your employer before we make planetfall." Says Voyla calm but clearly annoyed.


The air on the ship is thick with tension after the Gizka outbreak. "Right, I'll... go do that."

With that said, the Bimm stands up and leaves the lounge, heading to his quarters to contact the employer. All things considered; the situation could be a lot worse. The Moonrunner is still mostly intact, and no one is dead... of course, the prospects of profiting from this fiasco are looking grimmer by the second. Kirkran sighed and headed to his cabin for a quick nap before making planetfall.



NAR SHADDAA

As the Moonrunner arrives in Nar Shaddaa's orbit, it's hailed for communication by someone on the ground. The hologram of a young man in smuggler's clothes appears.


"Kirkran Stakes, you're cleared for landing. Please report to Docking Bay 4 on the North-Eastern Quadrant, your employer will meet you there."


"Right away. Thank you." He replies.


"Coordinates set. Starting landing sequence." Says Voyla to Kirkran.


The Moonrunner is guided from the orbit of Nar Shaddaa to the designated docking bay, landing within the hangar as it has many times before Nar Shaddaa is just as it was when

Kirkran left it, a wretched hive of scum and villainy, dark and dreary metropolis covering the planet's surface, as far as the eye can see... home sweet home.


When the ship is docked and the lander goes down, the Bimm joins Kirkran and his entourage, clearing his throat quietly. "I've spoken with the employer." He says wearily. "He's not happy, but he says there's a way we can work this out that will make everyone happy."


"Alright. Lead the way." Replied Kirkran. The Bimm is the first to exit the Moonrunner as the loading ramp descends, adjusting his robe and making sure his beard isn't too scraggly. He's clearly nervous, but he does his best to hide it, keeping his hands behind his back to hide the fact that he's shaking.


Not long after leaving the hangar, Kirkran and his entourage meet with what seems to be their employers. In the front is a tall, slender man, adjourned in the typical attire of a smuggler, flanked by about half a dozen similarly dressed men and women. He looks first to Kirkran, and then gestures to the Bimm. "This is the guy who messed things up?" He asks.


Other than Kirkran and the Bimm, two very agitated clones stand next to him; Vox giving a snort upon hearing the man's question.


"Easy brother." Says Jak calmly.


There is a brief pause when Vox snorts, the bearded man looking up to the Clone with a stoic expression.


Without warning, their mysterious benefactor withdraws his blaster and unloads a shot right into the Bimm's chest, who is flung backwards sharply, hitting the floor as his limbs sprawl out, the light swiftly leaving his eyes. "Right then." The man slides his blaster back into its holster, meeting Kirkran's gaze now. "With the weak link severed, we can talk real business."


TO BE CONTINUED….



Huttese to Basic translations:


BIMMISAARI
"Kirkran, u know mee'd never second guess u but haba Voyla's right. He's long overdue." Added Nakei.
(Nakei translated: "Kirkran, you know I'd never second guess you but maybe Voyla's right. He's long overdue.")


"Ugh, monkey-lizards. Mee hate those damn things. They smell, they're mean. Um smarter than u'd tinka!" Said Nakei.
(Nakei translated: "Ugh, monkey-lizards. I hate those damn things. They smell, they're mean. And smarter than you'd think!" "Oh hahaha. Very funny, Voyla.")


"Choy's doe catch?" Asks Nakei suspiciously.
(Nakei translated: "What's the catch?")


"Hyperdrive's primed. Ready whao u are, Kirkran." Yelled Nakei from the engine room.
(Nakei translated: Hyperdrive's primed. Ready when you are, Kirkran.")



HYPERSPACE

"Schutta!"
(Nakei translated: "Bitch!")


"Doe stabilizer sa acting tonka again!" He says with a grumble. "Mee told u jee-jee needed do replacement, Kirkran."
("The Stabilizer is acting up again! I told you we needed a replacement, Kirkran.")


"Soong okey-okey, but annoying. Ree annoying."
(Nakei translated: "It's okay, but annoying. Very annoying.")


"Give je da wrench, um bolla tah doe cockpit. Jee-jee'll have tah hasa nenoleeya of lightspeed che do moment."
(Nakei trranslated: "Give me that wrench, and go to the cockpit. We'll have to drop out of lightspeed for a moment.")


"Sorry! Doe stabilizer hiccupped, mee fixed doe problem!"
(Nakei translated: "Sorry! The stabilizer hiccupped, I fixed the problem!")


"Chuba!"
(Kirkran translated: "Dammit!")


"Chuba Kirkran! Of all doe cargo jee-jee've carried this sa by far wompa if doe stupidest! Mee mean come on! Gizka! Gizka, Kirkran!" he continued after drawing a breath "Mee suggest jee-jee find doe nearest rock gee do port um bedwana all doe GIZKA POISON they have um dumpa this guy!"

(Nakei translated: "Dammit Kirkran! Of all the cargo we've carried this is by far one if the stupidest! I mean come on! Gizka! Gizka, Kirkran!" "I suggest we find the nearest rock with a port and buy all the GIZKA POISON they have and dump this guy!")


"Well come on then, Mister Gizka Expert. Choy's do plan tah catch these pests?" he sees the Bimm sweating "Jee-jee're waiting."
(Nakei translated: "Well come on then, Mister Gizka Expert. What's your plan to catch these pests?" "We're waiting.....")


"Fine. Sooner jee-jee get these things caught um ovv myo boat doe mo gootu."
(Nakei translated: "Sooner we get these things caught and off my boat the better.")


"Mee jeeska it running though." Replied Nakei slyly.
(Nakei translated: "I keep it running though.")


Enough of this Bantha poodoo! Look at myo engine room! Mee settah jee-jee killya hoohah all um be done gee it!"
(Nakei translated: Enough of this Bantha shit! Look at my engine room! I say we kill them all and be done with it!"


"U're gusha mee'm nopa doe captain, Bimm. Mee would toss u nenoleeya doe airlock along gee those pests."
(Nakei translated: "You're lucky I'm not the captain, Bimm. I would toss you out the airlock along with those pests.")



HUTT SPACE

"Right neechu, Captain
(Nakei translated: "Right away, Captain.")