Episode I: Inadvertent Rescue

Most bounties Gand found from mercenary guilds were the usual suspects--criminals, smugglers, underworld traders, and the like--but this job seemed too easy. A 16 year old wanna-be slicer ran away from home? 10,000 credit reward? Gand and Baric needed cash fast and this seemed like a quick and easy job. It was unusual to see jobs like these through mercenary channels, but it seemed like a case of someone very wealthy desperate to get their child back.

The destination was Arkania, as the target, Malloc Zephren, was last seen in a suburb of the capital Adascopolis. Gand and Baric began investigating by working the cantinas for information and slicing the capital starport's databases for clues. They found a civilian transport scheduled to depart for Coruscant was unexpectedly cancelled, which was the first sign that Imperial authorities might also be on the hunt for the same target.

Gand was tipped off that any sort of human trafficking or smuggling offworld was handled by a criminal organization outside the capital. Gand and Baric decided it would be best to check it out, flying their ship to a lawless section of Arkania, an old spaceport that had been overtaken by a crime lord named Ket and his organization.

They gained audience with Ket at his hideout, and found the first indication that they were on the right track. Just by mentioning Malloc's name in the conversation, Ket warned the bounty hunters to keep their distance from Malloc. In fact, Malloc was being held prisoner in the upper level of the compound.

Later that night, there was a confrontation at nearby cantina where a Barabel mercenary attempted to kill Gand and Baric, presumably at the request of Ket. The Barabel revealed that Malloc was in fact being held captive by Ket, so Gand and Baric devised a plan to infiltrate Ket's hideout and claim their prize.

Another party was one step ahead of them, but ultimately proved to be the distraction Gand and Baric needed to pull off their infiltration. A group of four covert Imperial agents entered the compound just before they infiltrated. These agents were meeting with Ket and planning to take Malloc with them. However, Gand and Baric stealthed by, went to the upper floor of the compound where Malloc was being held, along with a Twi'leki slave girl. A chase ensued as they fled with the pair to their ship, with the team of Imperial agents and several stormtroopers in pursuit. They were able to escape the spaceport relatively unscathed, but having essentially plucked their target from the hands of those paying the reward, the bounty was effectively ruined and they were left with the boy and Twi'leki girl.

Malloc explained who he was, why he fled, and some of the details of his life. Sympathetic to his situation, and unable to get any money for him now, Gand and Baric allowed Malloc to remain on their ship as a potential ally.

Experience Awarded: 15