Recap
The last time we saw Chiv he was pursuing a bounty, placed on the head of Gun-Kin Deset. He was worth 500 FST's if he was brought in alive, to the Qengs. He found the man. In the process of being taken in by some of his old gang members, but, Chiv was able to kill them and take Gun-Kin.
In a fight with some other bounty hunters, Gun-Kin was shot in the gut and was dying. Chiv knew the only hope of bringing him in alive was to detour. Back to the base owned by the gang, Gun-Kin was a part of. He killed them and was about the steal a speeder when he was side-tracked by looting the compound for some extra money. Out of nowhere, he was hit in the back of the head and everything went black.
Here's a link to his first chapter if you're interested in reading it.
@killerwot/bounty-hunt-part-1
Chiv Sketter's eyes opened. In a daze. He looked around and it took him a moment for his eyes to adjust and focus. His eyes weren't his immediate concern though. His head was. It felt like the back of his skull had been cracked open.
He tried to raise a hand to caress it. But couldn't. He only realised then that he was bound to a chair. He could hear movement behind him, he couldn't turn his head far enough to see who was there.
Trying to remember back. His mind drew a blank. In small flashes, he could remember a bounty. He was here to bring someone in. Where is here? He asked himself. A base. Why though? Explosions. Killings. Was it the bounties men? Yes. It all came back at once. The bounties men. I came to kill them and take a speeder. Gun-Kin was shot in the gut.
How long have I been here? He's probably dead. I can kiss that money goodbye. 500 FST's was it? Enough to get off this rock. The last time Chiv remembered seeing him was outside the base. Left bleeding out on the sands of Zun-Kulla. He tried to pull on the rope that bound his arms behind his back. If I can just untied myself.
"You're awake then?" He heard a gruff voice. One that cut through his ears. It sounded as if shards of sand were moving through the person's throat, cutting their vocal cords as they spoke. Chiv had nothing to say back. He didn't care about who it was. He needed to get out of here. Take one of the speeders and get Gun-Kin back to the Qengs, and claim the bounty. Before he died. He continued to move his arms trying to cut through his restraints with his nails.
He felt a boot land hard on his hands, which almost lifted the chair in the air. A sharp pain shot through him. He was left sitting still, gritting his teeth. Then he felt a hand on the top of his head. Hearing boots on the ground, walking around him. Crunching pieces of sand that must have found its way inside. He could feel the sound of crunching in the roots of his teeth. Each step sent a sheering pain through his head.
He then saw the human. Tall and built like a house. He wore a light shirt. Stained, with brown and yellow patches. With no facial hair, apart from a light dusting on his upper lip. With greasy long blonde locks. He got in his face. "Who are you? Why did you kill all my men!" He asked. His speech pattern went from a quiet whisper to shouting, sporadically.
"It wasn't personal. Just business." Chiv said. Managing to let the words fall out of his mouth, but, only barely. "Just business. Is that right?" The man started to chuckle lightly. Then without warning, he punched Chiv. His fist landed sideways across his jaw, almost hard enough to knock his beak off. Chiv was able to look at him, as the man's face went red in pain. He stepped back cradling his hand. "You thick-skinned bastard Trisken!" He shouted as he walked away.
Chiv could only laugh at the man's pain. "You think that's funny. You won't be laughing for much longer!" He angrily shouted. Then walked over to a table to the far side of the room. Then he picked up an iron bar. "See this!" He said while pointing the tip of it at Chiv. "You left some of your skull cap on it. Don't you worry. I won't be making the mistake of punching you again." He started to laugh manically. He then started beating it off random objects in the room as he walked back to Chiv slowly.
"Now then. You better tell me. Who are you?!" The man shouted in Chiv's face once he got close to him.
"Untie me and we'll see how big and brave you are. Human." Chiv said in an even tone. Without hesitating the man pulled back the bar and swung. The hit was hard. Chiv had to admit that. It landed on the same spot the punch did. He was instantly reminded of Trisk. A flash of it, shortly after the Confederation invaded. It was on fire. He was only a young man back then. He spat on the ground. Blood.
"As I said. You, crazy chem fiend. It wasn't personal. I came here because I needed a speeder to get back to town. I didn't feel like walking." Chiv said slowly. The man lowered his weapon. "Didn't feel like walking? So, you decided to come into our base. Kill all my men and started rummaging through my supplies." The man scratched at his face, like a Rot-Nik hound. "Do you know how much money you've cost me? New men, training them. We won't be able to produce anymore Stinter for another 6 months, at least!"
"Well, maybe it's time to pick up a new profession." Chiv said with a chuckle. "Funny. You're funny!" The man dropped the bar and went back to the table and picked up a pistol. "Keep on laughing. I hope my men find you in Zun-Tuskena." He levelled the pistol on Chiv. He looked down the barrel of the old rusty gun. A shot went off which echoed through the room. But, Chiv wasn't afraid. He didn't flinch. In a way. He wanted this.
No pain? Strange. The man started to stammer and groan. The pistol fell from his hand and he clutched at his throat. Coughing up blood as he opened his mouth. Then he fell to his knees. Behind him. In the doorway stood Gun-Kin Deset.
He staggered into the room. Holding his stomach with his free hand and kept a tight grip of the pistol in the other. "How are we Chiv?" "We're okay. Bit of a headache. More so from this worms words. Untie me." Chiv told him. His eyes fell to the man on his knees staring back at Chiv.
"I think you hit him in the back of the throat." Chiv said. Gun-Kin slowly made his way around the man. "Well, look who it is. Gauge. Bet you were expecting the lads would be on their way back now with the bounty money. After all I did for you. Slimy money hungry piece of shit." Chiv could see Gun-Kin better now that he was closer. His skin had gone a weird pale grey colour. "Not looking so good Gun-Kin. Better get out of here. Untie me." Chiv said again.
Gun-Kin raised the pistol and put one in Gauge's head. He slumped over. Gargling as the last of the air left his lungs. Then Gun-Kin turned to look at Chiv. "Was wondering why you were taking so long." Gun-Kin said in a playful tone. At least, it was as playful as a dying man could sound.
"Untie me Gun-Kin. Before you collapse. Hurry up." Chiv said. This time while talking he erratically tried to pull his hands apart rustling the ropes.
Gun-Kin slowly walked around him and started to untie the bounds. Within a few minutes, Chiv was free. He stood up. Feeling dizzy, but knew there was no time to lose. "You saved my life Gun-Kin. Now. I'll save yours. There's a speeder outside." "I'm fine. I have time. Let's give this place the once over. Take everything we can." "You sure about that? You don't look right." Chiv replied. To which Gun-Kin gave a slow nod. With eyes that instantly reminded Chiv of some of the drunks, he used to spend all day with back at the bar in town.
"Okay. We'll be quick." Chiv said. With that, the two of them started to rummage around the compound. Taking everything they could carry.
End of Part 1
Here is a link to Part 2 -
@killerwot/chiv-sketter-s-issue-part