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The Kraals were known for their supreme hunting skills. Every Kraal was a hunter and they hunted some of the most deadly species in the galaxy. Ligris was known for hunting Mangalores, large fur covered mammals that were savage defenders of their young. They had extremely sharp teeth, jagged horns, sharp claws, powerful legs, and a unique black fur that was almost impenetrable to any other animal. The only way to kill a Mangalore was to stab it in its three strong hearts located on its softer underside with a Seed Knife. Just tackling a Mangalore was suicidal, but then stabbing through its thick, oily fur and injecting into its hearts the seeds of the stinging Red Raplar plant were next to impossible without being gored, shredded, or bitten to death. But Ligris had killed many of the beasts. As a trophy and to inspire fear as a bounty hunter Ligris wore an outfit made of layered Mangalore fur complete with its jagged lightning horns protruding from his heavy battle helmet. Ligris also wore an Ira-dan armored breastplate with a small AD-AX utility droid attached; wore knee-high charge plated boots; and carried a unique Black Wave bio-weapon that was actually internally operated by a symbiotic life form that Ligris had learned to live with permanently. At six feet six inches tall, and weighing 300 lbs, Ligris was an imposing sight. Most wanted species just gave up without a fight whenever Ligris appeared. Those that chose to fight lost every time, yet Ligris never killed any of them. He was always hoping they would escape again and he would track them down again. Some might call that job security, but for Ligris it was easy money. But this Sith offer was the highest paying hunt ever, ten times larger than any wanted criminal or traitor and twice the amount for the capture of the galaxy’s most notorious terrorist. Ligris wondered just what the Sith were up to. He didn’t have to ponder the question very long as the sound of a vessel landing nearby drew Ligris out of his daytime shelter and into the hot mid-day Ira-dan golden sun. The GR-25 was standing by as the dust settled, while Ligris established a hard link to the probe. The transmission downloaded quickly and the Gretch took off to resume its own hunt on Ansari. Ligris returned to his lair, which on the surface appeared to be no more than an ordinary mud covered Ira-dan hut that littered the harsh desert landscape. But once inside, a narrow circular staircase led down fifty feet into an elaborate complex of high technology and an arsenal of weapons that served as Ligris‘ real den. Ligris loaded the coded transmission into his data projector and this in turn was fed to a holomorphic projecter with an acoustic wave bender. The dark visage of Lord Rexor filled the projection display stand. Clothed in the typical Sith hooded black scarnet robe Lord Rexor pointed to the Sith Sacred Seer Stone, engraved with the ancient language and symbols of the Sith. The Sacred Seer Stone also held Tirahnna’s most occult object- the Sacred Black Stone, from which their first Shamans discerned the future. “See these ancient markings? Lord Rexor began, they foretell of a day when the Founders of Light will discover a secret pathway to a power supreme. Once that power is discovered, we the Sith, will fight to gain its knowledge and we will ultimately win a great future battle as the galaxy has never seen. It has been foretold. But the Seer Stone also warns, beware the Children of Light, for they too will learn to wield this power. For generations afterwards a struggle will rage across the galaxy. Only one group will prevail. The Whills must die, but not before the knowledge of this power becomes ours. I have therefore summoned you to track down and bring to me alive the Whill Seer Lady Kaliah. She is the key to unlocking the mystery of this pathway. She is at this very minute heading towards your direction to one of three close-range worlds: Balaireon, Ansari, or Urtefka. She will most likely go into hiding there. She is traveling in an ISR-1099 with an unknown JunKar pilot. Find her and bring her to me unharmed. For this you will be greatly rewarded.” END TRANSMISSION. Ligris contemplated what the Dark Lord had said but cared not for neither the Sith nor Whill prophecies. Whatever the future outcome, there would always be a need for a bounty hunter and Ligris cared only about money. Now where to start? Rexor mentioned an ISR-1099... one of my old ships. To get to Elysia even from Ira-dan would require a complete refueling and even then the ship might not make it if not equipped with auxiliary tanks. Whomever this pilot is he would certainly land on Balaireon due to one critical factor- it is the only spaceport in this sector. Ansari and Urtefka cannot handle the ISR-1099. Lady Kaliah is not going to hide there. They will be re-fuelling. The Sith say they can foresee the future and yet cannot even solve a simple problem of locating a ship in need of fuel! Oh well, the money of fools is as good as the wise… With the utmost haste Ligris suited up and grabbed his Black Wave symbiotic weapon, Seed Knife, and not to harm the Lady, a Coanda Constrictor. No need for anything else. Vas-Maya Spaceport wasn’t far and the ISR would stick out badly among the worn-out heavy freighters and small sub-lights. I wonder if I know this pilot… I sold my old ISR-1099 just a few years ago… Ligris laughed out loud and then headed out for his modified ISTR-1200 Intruder. This made the old ISR-1099 obsolete. With no large cargo hold and more advanced Ralz-Razor Megapulsars the 1200 was faster, leaner, and meaner. It also was heavily shielded and carried an impressive array of missiles, guns, mines, lasers, and of course the invaluable Crytium engine plus dispensers. Inter-Stellar had made him a generous offer with the Tactical Recovery version and the ship had never failed him yet. The sun beat down harshly on Ligris as he emerged from his hut. Walking over to his exposed landing pad he pushed a command button and the large sand-covered pad split in two, retracting as his shiny 1200 was hydraulically lifted to the surface for launch. Once the pad was secured and the Intruder powered-up Ligris began another adventure, the light reflecting off his gleaming black and violet craft as it climbed into the sunlit sky.
Vas-Maya Spaceport was in sight and Bo’ spotted a suitable docking bay near a line of old tankers and freighters- Docking Bay 24. The ISR transponder turned on automatically for landing and Bo' un-strapped himself even before the ship set down. He wanted to make sure Lady Kaliah was safe. She was still sleeping and for a moment Bo’ thought of leaving her on the ship while it was re-fueled. No, as unsafe as it is around here, it is better to keep moving and mixing about. Varmin spies were said to be everywhere. The ISR alone had already caught the attention of the ground crews. “Lady Kaliah, wake up” Bo whispered in her ear. No response. He didn’t want to shake her but she answered him back with closed eyes, “Are we there?” “Yes, My Lady”, Bo’ said, trying to be as courteous as possible. “You will have to get up, we cannot stay inside… and you will have to change clothes to disguise yourself… I’m sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t want to lose you” Bo’ stated emphatically. Already, Lady Kaliah had sensed that Bo’ was falling in love with her and that he felt uncomfortable around her. She wanted to ease his tension. “You don’t have to call me Lady Kaliah, … just call me Kali for short, it’s what my mother used to call me as a young girl.” Now Bo’ was really embarrassed as he rummaged through the storage units in the passenger compartment. There was no female clothing here at all, just mechanic uniforms and emergency life suits. “I’m terribly sorry but you’ll have to get into this”, handing Lady Kaliah… uh, Kali… the filthy mechanics uniform. “You’ll have to pretend to be a male and hide your hair in the coveralls. I have a mechanic’s headpiece with a long neck cover… sorry, it’s the best I can do under the present circumstances”. Kali took the suit without complaint and dropped her clothes on the spot. Bo’ looked away but Kali could read his mind. Smiling, half dressed she reached up and turned his head around. Her body was magnificent, perfect. As his eyes moved from her breasts to her face she moved forward and kissed him. He could feel a warmth spreading all over his body as his mouth eagerly drank from hers. Bo’ thought he was going to pass out but Kali pulled away, finished dressing and then pushed him towards the front exit. She stuffed her white pleated lanium dress and gilded bands inside a light load carrier and slug it across her back in case she needed to switch her clothes back quickly. From the balcony of a run-down nearby habitation center the powerful lectrovisor of Ligris’ battle helmet identified and image-locked both passengers of the ISR-1099 that had just docked in Bay 24. At first it appeared to be two males but the one dressed as a mechanic stood out with a questionable work headpiece with a neck guard and a carrier pouch. No real mechanic would exit a refueling vessel in work gear unless modifications had to be made to the ship. In that case the mechanic would summon the ground crew and stay with the ship. Ligris also noticed how the "mechanic" walked and its mannerisms- that of a woman, not a man. Lady Kaliah was disguised. A feeble attempt at best. Ligris had even captured wanted fugitives that had attempted to change their sex. Is there no challenge in this hunt? Slowly, Ligris made his way down the repulsor lift and into the same hot sun that was shining over Ira-dan, just a short distance away. His menacing black Mangalore outfit and fittings made the most hardened criminal element that ran into him cringe in terror. His Intruder had arrived before the ISR-1099 and was refueling in Docking Bay 37, reserved for “special” paying customers who wanted their ships hidden. Powerful false imagers projected continuous aerial camouflage over his ship- appearing to be the rooftop of a hangar from the sky. The pilot of the 1099 had not noticed it. Money could buy anything, even in a detestable place like Vas-Maya. As Bo’ and Kali waited for a full refueling the hot sun beat down on them in the large dust-covered streets of this inhospitable world. They must seek shelter. Kali was walking too slowly so Bo’ had to keep slowing up to keep her as close to his side as would be believable. Bo’ scouted for a suitable place to get a drink and then spotted Synner’s Bar. Standing in the entrance way a spot-scanner performed its daily function, “Member or non-member?” Bo’ responded in a monotone, “Non-member.” The scanner then replied, “50 Rim credits or 100 Yaros.” Bo was forced to pay in Rim credits as soft currency was not his way of doing business in his profession. After depositing his credit discs into a retractor, the entrance door slid open and the cool air inside made them both relax. Maybe this place wasn’t that bad after all. Bo’ ordered two drinks of cold Caldari and not finding a booth unoccupied, asked a local female pilot if he and Kali could join her while his ship refueled. “Of course you can, my ship is refueling too” spoke the hospitable stranger. “I’m Kailen Saro from Vutava and you are?” Bo’ answered for both of them as Kali stared down at the floor. “I am Bo’ Braggs and this is my mechanic apprentice Kali.” Kali was surprised that Bo’ had admitted she was a woman. Bo’ knew the disguise would not last long here so he felt at ease revealing that subtle detail to another female star pilot- which was rare in itself. Kailen was petite at just over 5 feet, around 107 lbs, with thick straight auburn hair to her shoulders and was very toned- evidence that she tended to work on her own starship rather than rely on a mechanic or astro-mechanoid. She was drinking warm Vinlandia which meant she could hang out with the big boys and could probably drink Bo’ under the table. Short, yet feisty… a female star pilot that reminded Bo’ a lot like another female star racer. What was her name? Oh yeah… Ever since that woman Davica Kirtap had entered her “Star Princess“ in the YINDI-500 a multitude of women had taken to the stars. “Tell me Kailen, what do you fly… a small courier lightship?” Bo’ inquired casually. “Blast, no!!! Didn’t you see her when you landed? Docking Bay 36. Ever hear of the “Centurion Falcon?” Bo’ was fascinated and quickly replied, “ should we have?” At this, Kailen rose to her feet, drawing attention, “Why it’s the latest YS-13 with a new modified hyperdrive unit; it made the NASKAM run in 88 Parsecs!” Bo’ urged Kailen to sit back down, “I’m sorry we’re not from around here.” “Well, apology accepted… but you should see her, almost factory fresh and parked right next to that bounty hunter’s concealed ISTR-1200 in the next bay.” Bo’ almost threw up his Caldari while Kali sat motionless, lost in deep thought. “Did you say bounty hunter? Here on Vas-Maya? Who is this bounty hunter?” Kailen was taken aback and was about to speak but then suddenly Kali grabbed Bo’s hand and said, “He is here” without looking up. Her voice was trembling with fear. Bo’ slowly turned his head around his left shoulder and saw an ominous sight enter the Synner’s Bar. The entire bar suddenly became dead still. Kailen pointed to him and said, “that’s him- Ligris, the famous Ira-dan hunter. He must be looking for someone.” Kali was sobbing now, her fate already foreseen. Ligris’ lectrovisor was on tracking mode and as he scanned for a visual lock one of the wanted Diablo Death Riders sitting towards the rear of the bar thought his time was up. Grabbing his custom projectile pistol, a Golt Gravedigger 505, the Death Rider rose and squeezed off all six laser-pulsed hypervelocity rounds at Ligris. Red streaks shot through the air- all direct hits. Ligris was unmoved then slowly walked towards the outlaw as crushed impact slugs fell to floor from the tough Mangalore fur. Ligris scanned the cowering Death Rider, his lectrovisor display revealing a paltry 500 Yaros reward. Not worth my time. As Ligris was busy with the outlaw, Bo’ and Kali jumped to their feet and made an attempt to run for the exit. Turning with lightning reflexes, Ligris grabbed his launch tube, raised it instinctively and fired at the figure dressed as a mechanic. The flying Coanda side-binder snaked around Kali’s body and dropped her to the ground. Bo’ tried to cut her loose with a hot blade but the binders only constricted more, suffocating Kali. The Death Rider fainted, the barrel of his Gravedigger still smoking! Ligris turned and walked over to his prey as Bo’ stood helplessly by… again. “The more you struggle and the bands will constrict tighter; relax,… and they will loosen up” Ligris said without emotion. Kali obeyed and relaxed. The bands loosened and she could breathe again. Bo’ tried to bargain with Ligris. “She’s worth ten times what the Sith will pay you on Elysia” Bo’ pleaded. Ligris paused for a moment then replied in a professional manner, “then the Sith would be coming for me and the Kyries would be too much- even for Ligris. Besides, I never break a contract.” Inside the bar another patron had heard the name Elysia and was watching the situation unfold with growing anger. Ligris lifted Kali up and said, “Come along Lady Kaliah”. With that, the entire bar was shocked and outraged. Cries of “Lady Kaliah lives!” filled the bar and a mob assembled in front of the exit. Ligris lifted Kali up and hoisted her over his right shoulder while raising his Black Wave weapon against the crowd. The entire bar had turned hostile but for one former Amber Commando it was too much. Drunk or not he lunged at Ligris with a Thermoprod- a smaller version of a Thermion Fighting Staff and rammed the white-hot point right through the Mangalore fur and into Ligris left leg below the knee. It burned the entire way through and Ligris let out a cry before using all this strength to back-hand the former commando, sending him crashing into the bar with the Thermoprod still burning flesh. The former commando was bloodied but slowly staggered to his feet for a second lunge but this time Ligris fired the Black Wave and a strong discharge of deadly bio-energy hit the commando square in the chest. He was killed instantly and his body turned an ashen color before beginning to decompose on the spot. Those that could run or duck for cover did so, including Bo’ as Ligris aimed the weapon at the mob. Another black wave killed ten more people and the rest scattered, exiting out into the streets. Ligris was wounded badly but the attached AD-AX utility droid detached and examined the wound. Shot injectors were fired into Ligris leg to ease the pain while Ligris laid Lady Kaliah down for the moment. She was deep in Seer concentration and was in great pain herself. For she foresaw what was going to happen to her on Tirahnna. Ligris carefully removed the attached Black Wave from his right arm and opened up the core ring habitat. Inside was the symbiotic life form called a Gussam that survived off living hosts’ blood and in return produced powerful biogen stimulants for better concentration, added strength and agility, while possessing the rare ability to heal severe wounds. The Gussam actually thrived on healing since it could not lose its host or it too would die. Ligris slipped the slimy Gussam bioform under the Mangalore fur and it wrapped itself around the wound, repairing it bio-genetically with accelerated growth and repair bio-chemicals. The shot injectors eased the surface pain but could not mask the internal pain of rapid re-growth as shattered bone and burned ligaments were restored. The Gussam ingested the charred flesh and broken bone material turning them into a bio-slush that the Gussam processed as waste material to be secreted out. The stench was horrible but Ligris was up on his feet after thirty minutes and was walking again… with a limp. Two Vas-Maya Zone Troopers had walked into the Synner’s Bar expecting to arrest the murderer of eleven people; but once they spotted Ligris, they holstered their weapons and quickly exited. The bar was largely deserted now. In the confusion of the panicked mob, Kailen had grabbed Bo’ away from Kali and took him to safety back to Docking Bay 36. There stood the Centurion Falcon and she was an impressive sight. She was a semi-circular craft with a long cylindrical protruding cockpit and a cluster of sub-light engines and ion thrusters to the rear. Two aft-firing ATPs (Auto Turbo-Pulsers) were located between the engines with manual control guns above and below her as well. She was sleek and beautiful, very sporty looking, except for an ugly dish hypercom mount. But Bo’ was still in shock over losing Kali. “How am I going to get her back now?” Bo’ voiced out loud. “That’s easy, leave it to me. Wait here for a moment.” Kailen walked up the entrance ramp to the Falcon and after a few minutes emerged with four magnetic thermal detonators. Bo’ was astonished. “Where did you get those?” Kailen smiled and stated very plainly that she sometimes made some money off smuggling. Bo’ blurted out, “that’s a crime!” Kailen laughed, “of course it is, but crime pays you know! These little magnetic beauties will do the job nicely.” Bo’ was confused again. “But how will we get to Ligris’ ship? Isn’t it well-guarded?” Kailen mused to herself, “these strangers really don’t know much about Ligris’ reputation- no one has ever dared to challenge him, so the thought of actually attacking his ship was inconceivable in these parts.” “Come and find out for yourself.” In Docking Bay 37 a spot-scanner was at the entrance. “What is your business here?” demanded the scanner. Kailen responded in a very serious tone, “ We are ordered here by the bounty hunter Ligris, to await his coming at his ship… this IS Docking Bay 37, right?” The scanner paused for a moment and then the entrance door slid open. Bo’ and Kailen marveled at the sight of the holomorphic projectors and their false image radiating above them. The ISTR’s hull was reflecting the light transmissions and Bo’ was jealous that Ligris had this magnificent ship. It was MUCH better than his old ISR and Bo’s pride was hurt deeply. “Here, give me two of those detonators” Bo’ demanded as he grabbed for them anyway. Kailen watched as Bo’ looked up at the port twin Ralz-Razor Megapulsars. Bo’ tossed the two detonators up towards the engines and the charges magnetically attached. Kailen did the same on the starboard side. But inside the bay two pairs of wandering eyes took all this in. Varmins. Despised creatures, they quickly raced out of the bay and headed for the Synner’s Bar where Ligris was reputed to be. But Ligris was almost at the docking bay already and was curious as to why two Varmins were running towards him. He still held Lady Kaliah over his shoulder but was slowly limping back to his ship. The Varmins told Ligris what was happening and he forcefully tried to walk faster towards Docking Bay 37. But before he could reach the side blast doors his ship exploded with tremendous force bringing him to his knees. The ISTR erupted in a huge ball of fire, its engines and wings blown to pieces and knocking out the holomorphic projectors. This caught the attention of the Gretch that was investigating Balaireon’s Spaceport after discovering Bo’s ISR-1099 in Docking Bay 24. Something had happened in Docking Bay 37 and from the wreckage the Gretch could see it was Ligris’ ISTR-1200. The news was reported back to Tirahnna immediately and the two other Gretches were recalled from Urtefka and Ansari. On Tirahnna, Lord Rexor was about to lose his mind. First Dominion failed, then Syrenia, and now even the legendary Ligris? “The Whills be damned”, shouted Lord Rexor as Syrenia entered the Great Room on Hael, back from her journey in the deadly new D.A.S. Enforcer. Lord Rexor shouted in rage as he gazed in disgust at Syrenia, “I SHOULD FEED YOU TO THE TYRENGAS RIGHT NOW!” Syrenia wasn’t worried and haughtily replied, “But you can’t, I am your best Seer and a Tyrenga will not attack a true Seer.” Lord Rexor pounded his fists on his Grand Table and talked to himself out loud, “What next?” Syrenia responded logically, “be patient, I foresee Lady Kaliah in great pain… even now her tormented thoughts fill my mind- she will be ours shortly.” Lord Rexor asked- no, begged, “but how? All is lost.” The Dark Master paused a moment and then a seductive voice entered his mind, “She WILL be ours My Lord”. Lord Rexor hated it when Syrenia did that, but he would remain patient… for now. Back on Balaireon, Ligris had to make a quick decision. Either remain at stinking Vas-Maya Spaceport and wait for the Sith to arrive for their prize, or grab the old ISR-1099 in Docking Bay 24 and proceed to Tirahnna. He decided the latter and after paying the Varmins for possibly saving his life, with great fury he entered the other bay. The ground crew was just finishing up tanking the ISR and quickly scattered. Ligris hit the AD-AX and the utility droid de-coded the digi-command module aboard the ISR, ordering the entrance ramp to lower. No sign of the JunKar pilot. Lady Kaliah remained silent, lost in a wave of frightening images. Ligris wondered if she had passed out and as he lay her down to rest he actually had compassion for her. She was, after all, the greatest Seer in the galaxy and a gorgeous woman if ever there was one. Ligris hated to do it, but a contract was a contract. He released the Coanda Constrictors and injected her with a neural neutralizer. Ligris also remove her filthy mechanic coveralls and re-dressed her in her white pleated lanium dress and gilded bands. It was the proper thing to do. After all, she IS royalty, wanted or not. Lady Kaliah’s mind went blank as Ligris lit the Megapulsars and took off for Tirahnna. The three Gretches followed behind at a safe distance, not knowing who was piloting the vessel or where it was going. But Bo’ and Kailen knew. They were far behind, following in the Falcon which was tracking the ISR thanks to Bo’s built-in homing beacon. Self-actuating, the beacon had switched on as soon as the AD-AX tampered with the digi-coding. Ligris was making good speed, but the old ISR-1099 lacked a hyperdrive. Sensors onboard started to pick up traces of three objects following the ISR, but Ligris could not get a fix on them. Running the ISR’s weapons inventory was also discouraging since Bo’ had emptied all his holds and depleted his pulse-lasers’ power reserve back on a place called Na’Baiya. Communications in the ISR were also outdated and it would be hard to signal Tirahnna from his present distance. The pilot’s log book did not reveal the pilot’s name. It was left blank. Yet Ligris felt he somehow knew this particular JunKar… and this ship? Ligris returned to his communications problem… But wait, Lord Rexor had given him a Sith code prefix for the Gretch back on Ira-dan. Ligris decided to punch it in and transmit. With any luck a Sith vessel just might pick it up. Ligris punched in the code prefix The three attack probes formed a protective wedge around the craft, acting as armed escorts. Ligris com-linked to the lead Gretch and reported that he had Lady Kaliah alive and was heading for Tirahnna. The Gretch’s long-range hypercom transmitted the news back to Hael. In the Great Room, K-LOK had revealed the surprising development. Lord Rexor was overjoyed with wicked pleasure. So also was Syrenia who sought revenge for her defeat on that cursed planetoid. She too wanted some wicked pleasure of her own and retired to her private quarters to retrieve a very special gift for Lady Kaliah once she was in her hands.
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