Sneego was thinking. How many lives he had taken? How many families he ruined? And all that only for making the plans of some killer boss successful. All to stop some guys from earning money. And what do Sneego wins? A poor and miserable quantity of food and a horrible place to live. And he didn’t want that. He wanted to make something of his life, he wanted to be someone by himself, not someone’s grunt. And with those thoughts, Sneego went to see his boss.
-WHAT!? WHAT ARE YOU SAYING!?
-I’m saying that I renounce.
-BUT YOU CAN’T RENOUNCE! YOU…YOU…YOU SIMPLY CAN’T RENOUNCE!
-Why?
-Cause you are a Rodian, Snee. You are a Rodian. And Rodians are made to the simple task of kill. Also, you are the best in the group. You can’t just leave me now! You can’t!
-So I can’t, huh? Well, I’m doing it. See ya, Narengo.
-You cannot live alone, Sneego! You are not one of the masses. You will come back! I know you will!
But Sneego was already going. Narengo was a bad tempered Dug, who employed Sneego for many years as an assassin, making him kill rivals, other corporate owners, and anyone who opposed to the Dug’s plans. The Rodian wasn’t he’s only minion, as many other assassins were his thugs and bodyguards. However, Sneego was the best of them.
The Rodian took an air taxi and went to one of Coruscant’s numerous spaceports, were he would take a freighter and go to Mauron IV, a planet were he expected to find an old friend. What he didn’t know was that one of his former partners was on the spaceport too, taking a freighter to Dantooine.
The freighter Sneego took landed on the city of Masarha, Mauron’s capital. The planet had many jungles one time, but the wood of the Kahypto, the principal tree of those jungles, was so wanted that almost all forests were wiped out. However, the planet wasn’t a desert; it was covered by great plains of yellow grass. Almost all the wildlife consisted in small shrub animals, with few big species. As soon Sneego descended from the freighter, he went to Raddak’s house. Raddak was a Bothan. He and Sneego met when they were very young, and since then they had been very close friends. Raddak really disagreed with Sneego when he got his assassin job, but told him that if some day he regrets his decision and gives up that work, he will be very happy to help his friend to rebuild his life.
-Hello? Is anybody in there? – Sneego said while he was compulsively hitting the door.
-Who is there? – asked a deep voice inside.
-Will you open up, you sack of stinking bantha fur?
-Could you be..!? Wait a second!
Raddak opened the door and stared, surprised, at his old friend.
-Sneego...is it you?
-No, it’s your mum. I’ve come to take you to hell, idiot.
-It IS you!! How are you, pal? It has been a long time since you left!
-Yes. It has been enough time to realize that you were right. I left the job, dude. Hope I’ll never take a gun back.
-Congratulations! You used your brain for the first time ever!
-Well, but how have you been? What were you doing these days?
-I’m actually selling weapons in contraband. It’s an interesting job, and you learn many things.
-Contraband? I never thought that you could do that kind of things.
-Well, one have to earn one’s living in some way.
-Hey, are you going to let me pass or I’ll have to stay in the street all night?
- Oh, sorry, pass, friend.
Once inside, Sneego and Raddak talked of old times, enjoyed a good diner, and talked about their present life. Raddak showed his friend his weapon storage, and asked Sneego if he wanted to spend some days at his house. However, Sneego was going to stay only one night, as he wanted to see his family at Dantooine.
-Fine Snee! You can sleep at the storage. It has no bed, but we can make one.
-I have to ask you for something else, friend-
-What?
-Can you lend me some money for the freighter? I carry no more!
-Well, maybe I can go with you, I can sell some cheap guns there....
-Thanks Rad!
-You are welcome. Good night, friend.
And then the Bothan and the Rodian went to sleep. However, Sneego didn’t have a good night. Not for sleeping in the improvised bed Raddak made for him, but for he had a nightmare. He always had nightmares, since he got his job. Nightmares of the people he murdered, of their family. Their wives, husbands, children and friends, all crying at the corpses, and then, with an indeed scary look, pointed to Sneego. They all pointed their fingers at him, and started advancing. Then Sneego walked back, and shouted, but they continued advancing, and then, all was darkness. This nightmare, however, was different. Sneego was coming down the freighter. He was going to his family’s house, anxious to see his parents, very old now, and his sister. When he left, his sister was only a child. Now she surely had grown up, and he was expecting to see them again. But while he was walking, a cloaked being was following. It looked like a shadow, and it was walking towards him. Sneego walked faster, but the shadow continued following. Then Sneego started to run, and after a while, he turned back. The shadow was no more. But when he reached his house and entered, no one saw him. He saluted them, talked to them, but no one noticed he was there. And, suddenly, his sister looked at the door and shouted. And when Sneego turned back, the shadow was there, getting out a blaster. It shot.
Sneego woke up shouting. Then he realized that he was at the storage, and that it was about midnight. He calmed down, but he remained awoke for many hours, without being able to sleep again. It was something weird about that dream. Something strange. But, he didn’t know what. No, that wasn’t a normal nightmare. Or it was? And with those thoughts, he fell asleep again.
Sneego descended quickly from the freighter. He was very troubled. Raddak was behind, carrying the baggage, with the guns carefully hidden inside.
-Where are we going to stay? I hope we are not going to sleep in the street!
-You take care of that, Rad. I want to go to my old house.
-That nightmare still disturbs you, huh? Forget it! Dreams are just dreams, imagination, nothing else. Omens do not exist, you know.
-I don’t know, I don’t care, I’ll go and that’s enough for you!
-Whatever. Do as you wish. I’ll search some place. Then I’ll go with ya.
And thus, Sneego went to his old house. He was walking fast, as the image of his sister shrieking kept coming to his mind. However, when he finally arrived, he calmed down a bit. His house was intact, with no signs of damage. But when he entered, the sight frozen his blood. The dismembered bodies of his sister, father and mother were on the floor. Their heads weren’t there, however, and weren’t anywhere in the house. Sneego kneeled in the floor, crying in silence, but no tears fell from his eyes.
Raddak found a good inn and a hidden place to hide his store. However, he left to catch Sneego in his house as he said. But when he arrived, the house was ablaze, and the Rodian was sat on the ground, watching the spectacle.
-SNEEGO! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?
-They are dead, Rad. They are all dead. When I came, their corpses were there, so anybody entering could see. But they will not sleep in graves. No, they will not sleep in graves so everyone can enter and steal what I have of them from me.
-Sneego... are you okay?
-DO YOU THINK I COULD BE OKAY, SEEING ALL WHAT I HAD IS NOW LOST FOREVER?
-But shouting me will not change things! What can you do? Nothing but go on. I’m truly sorry, Snee, but these things happen.
-No... there is something I can do. I must have revenge!
-But... you promised me that you weren’t going to take a gun again!
-When I promised that, this situation was not in my mind. You can come, or you can stay here. I’m going.
-Oh yes? And where do you expect to find the murderers? Or do you think that walking casually along the street, you will spot them and even know that they are the killers?
-No. But I know who surely know who was. He knows every important murderer, bounty hunter and other criminal in the galaxy. He is very involved on that matter.
-Well, and where is this guy? I hope he is here, as I have no more money to pay a freighter.
-We cannot track someone travelling in freighters, moron. We need a ship.
-A ship? We cannot buy a ticket for a freighter and you want to buy a ship?
-I never said buy. We must steal it.
-Hey, calm down, I have stole wallets, but not ships!
-It’s even easier. Come with me.
Sneego and Raddak walked to a spaceport. There, they found some ships on sale, but none fitted their requirements. A pale, skinny human quickly saw them and hurried to get new customers.
-Good day, my friends! Looking for a good ship? Well, Astan’s Previously Used Crafts are what you are searching for! Here you can find the most perfect used aircraft in the galaxy! And, as a bonus, you might –
-We need a ship with a distortion cloaking system – interrupted boldly Sneego – and a few blaster batteries wouldn’t be bad. Also, it must have a good hyperdrive generator.
-But that you are looking for is a military ship! I don’t have one of those. I’m sorry, my friends.
-Are you sure? – Sneego got out his two old-style KYD-21 blaster guns, careful that no one could see it except Astan and Raddak – I really need the ammo for someone else, so don’t make me waste it in a stupid, useless oaf like you.
-Well, we might have a deal, you know. – said Astan nervously – If you have the grace of don’t shoot, I can lead you to my storage.
-Go. Now. And if you cry, you are dead.
Astan led them across the city until they arrived at the entrance of a dark, small street. There was no people there. The ship seller then led them to a building surrounded by fences. They entered. There, it was: A small, black starfighter, wich only had the cabin, the back was occupied by the hyperdrive and the engines. It had two twin light blaster cannons. On the superior part was the MECTA 6 distortion field Sneego required, and behind, a deflector shield reactor was stationed.
- This is the Scrawler. It belonged to a Whipid sniper who died 4 or 5 five years ago I believe. It was taken by Urdag the Hutt but I won it gambling. It is in good state. It will be 5000 credits.
-Let me see it from the inside. – Sneego entered the Scrawler and started to see if it was ready for go. Raddak kept Astan busy while the Rodian did so. – Rad, can you come here and explain me how this works?
Raddak quickly got inside the ship and pretended to be helping Sneego. However, he spotted Astan walking to them, suspecting what was happening. Quickly he stood, looked at the door, and trying to look as scared as possible, shouted “LOOK! THE GUARDS DISCOVERED US!”. Astan, knowing that selling military ships to anyone was illegal, quickly turned, horrified. However he found no one at the door, and when he turned to see Sneego and his partner, they were sat, igniting the ship. They quickly charged at the roof and broke it, flying away as fast as they could. Leaving behind Dantooine, the Rodian started making the course and igniting the hyperdrive.
-Where are we going? – Raddak inquired.
-To Coruscant. We are going to see an old friend.
The Scrawler jumped to hyperspace and left Astan wondering why he got involved in illegal operations. Astan decided to stop selling previously used ships and became a previously used coffins dealer.
-So Sneego, who’s this guy?
-My boss.
-That ugly Dug!?
-Yes Rad, the ugly Dug. I’m sure he knows.
-And how would he know, even if he knows every criminal in the galaxy, as you said, how could he know exactly the one you are looking for?
-He keeps an eye on almost everyone of them. I am sure he was watching us even when we were on Dantooine. He has spies everywhere. And good ones.
After a while, Sneego and Raddak reached Coruscant. Narengo’s spire was very near the platform where they landed, so it was easy reaching it. For some reason, Narengo was expecting them. They walked along many corridos in the spire, followed by Gamorrean guards and with some nasty looking Trandoshan or Rodian, charging the blaster or doing things alike. Almost every 3 meters there were security cameras, following every move they made. Finally they reached Narengo’s “office”, where he was sat, wating, some Twi’leks watching his every need.
-SNEEGO! –he shout- Old pal, how are you?
It sounded as if he never shouted and cursed him, even if that happened the day before.
-For some reason I think you know too well the objective of my visit –answered coldly the Rodian.
-Ah yes, I know. And I know who it was. Or who were.
-The killer was one, of course. There is no need of more than one person to a job like that.
-Then?
-He was paid and sent by more than one, though. It was all a plot.
-A plot?
-Three people sent that guy to destroy your family.
-Okay, tell me who so we can end this.
-Srassk will give a list on a datapad. I knew you will come, so I made it to help you. It has all the information you need to locate this scum and give them what they deserve.
-Sneego, I don’t think we should...
-Shut up, Rad. I have a job to do.
Without thanking Narengo or saying bye to him, Sneego turned and walked to the exit, Rad closely following. Srassk, a brown skinned, ugly Trandoshan was there, waiting with the datapad. He handed it to Sneego, smiling, and went to Narengo’s left. Sneego walked away without looking, directly out of Narengo´s spire. As he and Raddak left, Narengo turned to his left, and whispered, “As soon as he ends, go and finish the job.”.
-Sneego, something is wrong here...
Sneego turned to his partner.
-The only thing wrong here is that three bastards killed my innocent family and ruined my life! And that should be enough for you! Get into the ship! NOW!
-You are so blinded in your thirst for revenge that you can’t hear your only friend?
-YES!
-Right. As you say. But later you’ll regret.
The Scrawler staarted its engines and prepared to fly. Sneego sat in the main controls, while Raddak got the datapad, to read their first objective.
-Urdag, a Hutt. It looks like its male, and one of those crime lords with lots of money and big palaces. It will not be easy to tackle the guards and all.
-Yes it will. You just need a good blaster, and to know how to creep behind someone.
-Sure. Whatever. Tatooine is the planet. I wonder why a Hutt wanted your family dead. You messed with Hutts sometime?
-No, not really.
-It doesn’t make much sense, then. Unless you messed with someone who knew him?
-Not of what I know.
-Then why a Hutt would plot against you?
-Look Raddak, I really don’t care about the reasons. I just care about my sister, father, and mother.
Raddak kept silent. At that moment they were leaving Coruscant and preparing for a hyperspace jump. There was enough food in the storage to survive for some days, so the journey to Tatooine was very uneventful. After some days, finally they stopped at the orange ball. Raddak watched delighted, Sneego just landed the ship, not forgetting to ask Raddak about the place.
-Should we land on a town or just outside the Hutt’s lair? – Raddak asked.
-They would suspect of a ship just outside. But on the other hand, if we are to make a quick escape, it would be better. Let’s land at a prudent distance.
The Scrawler landed at a nearby cliff, hidden behind some rocks. The palace was half built inside the giant cliff, and anyone could see half a building sticking out of the rock. The half inside, of course, had no windows.
-We are not going to enter by the main door right?
-Of course not, fool. We’ll enter from up.
-What do you mean?
-We are climbing that cliff, then opening a small hole on the roof, then entering. That’s all.
-Great. Just one problem. How do we know where is the Hutt?
-We’ll ask for directions.
And so they did. The climbing was hard neough, and when they reached the roof of the palace, Sneego got out from his bag a small Fusion Cutter. They opened a small hole, and jumped inside. But instead of falling in the hallways, they fell into an air hatch. Down was a Gamorrean guard. Raddak, who bought of his weapons with them, for the killing of the murderer (they didn’t know there were three at that moment), got a small rifle with a silencer and made a short work of the guard. Of course, they hid the body, and waited for someone – anyone but another guard – to pass by. Soon it happened. A human passed by, and Sneego quicly grabed him and took him to the air hatch. They later took the man out, where they tied him.
-Tell me where is Urdag.
The man kept silent, and Sneego shot at his arm.
-Now?
The man cried in pain, but still didn’t say anything. Sneego shot at his other arm.
-Now?
-At the arena – the man was almost unable to speak – Down the air hatch is the main hallway... follow it in the direction I was going... turn to the right at the first intersection... you’ll end in a corridor at the upper and right part of the arena... down there should be the Hutt... you can jump from there... please... leave me...
-I don’t think so.
Both the man and Raddak stared surprised at Sneego.
-BUT... BUT I TOLD YOU WHERE HE IS!
-And I didn’t tell you I was going to free you.
Before the man could even open his mouth again, Sneego shot him in the head.
-BUT WHY YOU DID THAT!?
-He was just slave scum.
-AND!?
-Just shut up. We are going to find that Hutt.
Sneego and Raddak then descended the hole and the air hatch, and followed the man’s directions, until they reached it. A very small corridor over an arena. Urdag the Hutt and his disgusting friends were watching amused at two beautiful Twi’lek slaves wrestling on the arena.
-Here is the plan, Rad. You open fire on the spectators, while I creep behind the Hutt and slaughter him. Once that is done, there is no need of staying here and we leave.
-A bold plan. You didn’t stay long time thinking on it, did you?
-Shut up and do it. Count to three and start firing.
Sneego then ran with amazing silence. Raddak counted, and opened fire. The spectators started to panic, as Urdag was totally surprised and scared. The Twi’lek wrestlers were tied together by chains, and continued to fight against each other in the panic, just to escape. Suddenly Sneego jumped behind Urdag, as lots of Gamorrean guards entered running. Sneego whispered at Urdag’s ear, “Have a nice time in hell, because it will surely be better than what I’m doing to you”. He then started to blast the Hutt from the tail to the head, being careful of not hitting vital spots or killing him. Before the Gamorreans could realize what was happening, they had to find cover or die under Raddak unstopping fire, while Sneego suddenly disspeared from behind Urdag, to appear running behind Raddak.
-We going already? But the Hutt is not dead!
-No! Cover me for some seconds!
Sneego jumped to the main hallway. Three Gamorreans were running to him. He killed two, but had to dodge the axe swings of the third, as it reached him before he could shoot again. Sneego fell to the floor, and managed to shoot the Gamorrean’s foot before it could kill him. After killing the now fallen Gamorrean, he speeded out. Meanwhile, Raddak was dodging the Flash Grenades thrown by the Gamorreans, and firing, until the ammunition ran out. He thrown the rifle to the nearest one, got out his small Sporting Blaster, and covered himself behind a pillar. The Sporting Blaster did not harm the Gamorrean’s tough skin and armor, but kept them away because of the pain. Just when a guard ran into his corridor, coming from the hallway, the wall broke from behind the guards down the arena, and the Scrawler entered firing. Sneego managed to make the ship hover over Urdag, and, while firing at the Gamorreans, burned the Hutt with the motors until it was a pile of charred, black bones covered with burned flesh. Using the powerful blasters, he killed Raddak’s marauding guard and blasted the Hutt’s skull apart from the body. As Raddak kept firing to cover the ship, Sneego got whipcord and used it to grab Urdag’s charred head. Raddak then jumped inside the ship as Sneego flew out of the palace, carrying Urdag’s black skull as a horrible trophy of his victory.
-I said, it was going to be easy. Get the skull into the ship before we get out of the planet.
-Why you did this? – asked Raddak while doing as Sneego said – Why you bothered in bringing a charred, black and disgusting skull with us?
-I will keep the four skulls, to always remember what happened.
-Four?
-I will kill the plotters, and the killer too. Where do we go now?
-Reytha. Lora, a female human. She’s the second one in the list. Well, it’s time to go now.
-So it is.
After leaving Tatooine’s atmosphere, the Scrawler jumped to hyperspace.
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