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Requiem
for a Bounty Hunter 2001 short story by Louis Turfrey Thirty-six
years after Episode IV – A New Hope
“What’s this all about, anyway?” Jan Lomona stood next to Ryath
Centaur in the area of Zythlies Dropout Parlour that had been reserved for the
party. He’d been out of circulation for a short while, visiting his daughter
Paige on A-desando. Centaur just shrugged. “You got me
there. I received the invite a few days ago by special courier. All it said
was that he was holding a party for his friends and relatives. When I tried
to contact Ranth at Paladin Base, they gave me the run around. Something wierd’s
going on.” Jan nodded and was about to continue the conversation
when he saw Blake De’Athe and his wife Nera enter the room. A young woman followed,
obviously a Jedi. The glasses she wore seemed out of place with her black
Jedi robes. Her beauty momentarily distracted Jan. He faltered in mid
sentence and pointed her out to Ryath. Centaur’s eyebrow rose slightly and
Jan pulled in his already flat, washboard stomach just a little further, much
to Ryath’s amusement. Blake turned towards them and smiled, heading in their
direction. “Jan, Ryath,
good to see you. Allow me to
introduce my niece, Trude De’Athe.” Jan took the proffered hand, and instead
of shaking it, brought it up to his lips for a gentle kiss. “Charmed. I had
no idea Blake had such a beautiful niece.” She smiled, obviously not fazed by Jan’s kiss. She nodded
at Ryath as he also introduced himself. Turning back to Jan she positioned
herself a little closure and leant her head in. “You’re
everything I expected you to be Captain Lomona. Now, tell me everything you
know about my uncles.” Jan was taken aback for a moment. “Uncles? I
thought Blake was your uncle.” He looked at Blake who was obviously enjoying
Jan’s confusion. “Who’s the other?” She smiled at him again and took his arm, leading him
away from the rest of the group. “Haven’t they
told you yet?” She smiled over her shoulder at Blake and he sighed as they
disappeared over to the other side of the bar. Ryath moved up next to Blake,
still following Blake’s niece with his eyes. “You’ve got a
firecracker there Blake, but I had no idea Jedi were so forward.” He watched
for Blakes facial scowl, but this time there wasn’t
one. Blake sighed again deeply. He looked at Ryath. “She’s not a
Jedi yet, she’s new at the academy. But yes, she is forward. Don’t worry, I’ll train it out of her.” He turned to face Ryath
directly. “Besides, she’s talking to Jan for a reason. I asked her to break
some news to him, and he’s the best person to talk to about her other uncle,
Ranth.” Centaur took a second to register the news. “Ranth’s the
other uncle?” He thought for a moment. “But that must mean that you and Ranth
are cousins.” Blake nodded, his smile slipping for a moment. “Were cousins my friend. Were cousins.” Daemon Garr wondered why he had been invited to this
party. He’d never considered himself to be a great friend of Ranth and had
often questioned his motivation. However, he’d been quietly satisfied when he
learned that Ranth died for his beliefs. He looked around the room and
noticed that the atmosphere had begun to change. Blake must be telling everybody the bad news, he mused. He
noticed the older Jedi moving between members of the crowd, most of which he
didn’t recognise. He knew Jan, Ryath and Jomobol Pocock, the ganglord. He saw
Paige Centaur entering the room as well, talking to another middle-aged Jedi
woman. Nias Derril stood in a corner looking out of the observation window, a
pensive expression on his face. Daemon knew that expression. He was just
about to move over and start a conversation, when he noticed somebody else
enter the room. A young man, late twenties by the look of him, walked over to
where Jan was talking to Blake’s niece. He reminded Daemon of someone, but he
couldn’t quite place him. Drate Galletti wondered why he had been invited to this
get together. He knew Ranth by reputation, knew that he had worked with his
fathers clone on occasion, but he’d never met the man. But the Jedi called
Blake had insisted that he come. His manner had been compelling. He noticed
Jan Lomona talking to a young Jedi woman, and headed in their direction. At
least he knew somebody in this room. Grabby Cap stood at the counter of his Gunshop shop
fingering the invitation that he had been sent and wondering why he had
declined the offer. He had known Ranth for over forty years, both as a
drinking partner and as a customer. It had surprised him when Ranth had become
a Jedi, yet it had also pleased him. He knew Ranth had been struggling with
his conscience prior to joining the academy and had seen a new man emerge
from the ashes of the old. It was a shame that he had chosen to close his
account. Grabby missed the stories that they had shared. He wondered if anybody would miss him when he died. Jomobol Pocock looked at the crowd of smugglers,
mercenaries and Jedi and felt uncomfortable at being among the company of so
many who reminded him of his past. It brought back sour memories of Glann
Cipple. He was amazed that Tarr Ranth had survived as long as he had.
Somehow, he’d managed to rise above the tangled politics of the Setnin
Sector, plying his craft between the many crime lords, yet coming out of each
mission with an increased reputation. He respected any man who could do that;
it was just a damn shame that he had become a Jedi. A waste of a good bounty
hunter. Blake watched the crowd, noticing the atmosphere become
more subdued. Everyone knew that Ranth was dead. He scanned the faces and saw
loss, relief and occasional confusion. It was time to tell everybody why they were here. “Ladies,
Gentlemen, may I have a word.” His voice carried across the small function
room and everybody turned to watch him. He took a breath and let it out
slowly. Now was the moment. “As you know,
the Jedi Knight and Bounty Hunter Tarr Ranth died three weeks ago on a
mission for the Jedi Council. He will be sorely missed by many of you here
today. However, we are not here to mourn his death, but to celebrate his
life. Ranth asked that I make sure everybody who knew him as
friend or colleague was informed of what he died for and why he did it.
Suffice to say, Ranth died for the Setnin Sector and for what he believed it
stood for. He was a citizen of Setnin first and a Jedi second. He believed in
the Setnin Way. It’s something I didn’t understand myself until I started
talking to some of you here today and I must say that it has opened my eyes. Ranth believed that everyone should share their thoughts,
stories and knowledge about him and his experiences. To that end, he left me
with instructions to impart certain information and in some cases belongings,
to each of you.” There was a murmur of approval at this last statement and Blake
saw several people take a look at their drinks. He raised his glass and held
it out to the small crowd. “To Tarr Ranth,
Jedi, Bounty Hunter and friend. May you rest in the Force and may you always
follow the Setnin Way.” The crowd raised their glasses and the phrase, “The
Setnin Way”, reverberated throughout the room. Blake nodded to the barkeeper
and the neon sign above the bar changed to Tab Open. Blake moved over to Ryath and tapped him on the shoulder
as he stood talking to Jan. He turned quickly, old instincts causing his hand
to drop to his blaster. Blake smiled. “At ease.” Ryath frowned at that remark, but took it as it was
meant. Blake opened a small pouch on his belt and took out a key. He handed it to Ryath who took it with a
quizzical look on his face. Blake explained. “There’s a large
private safe box at the Bank of Zelon. This opens it. I’ve cleared it with
the bank authorities and they’re expecting you. Within it you will find
Ranth’s armour.” Both Jan and Ryath looked surprised at this. Ryath handed
it back. “I can’t accept
this. Ranth and I were often banging heads; we had different ways of doing
things. He wouldn’t approve of this.” Blake shook his head and refused to accept the key back. “He said I
should give it to someone who deserved it. I can’t think of anybody who would
look after it better. It’s designed to be used, not stored, and I know you’ll
respect what it stands for. It’s a warrior’s armour, not a
bounty hunters or a bodyguards. I have no use for it as a Jedi, so you should
have it. I’d be pleased if you respect Ranth’s wishes and take it.” Centaur nodded and pocked the key. Blake moved on. Ryath turned to Jan and
sighed. “Did I ever tell
you about the time Ranth lost his armour?” Blake moved over to where Drate Galletti was chatting to
Letitia Arkensaw. Letitia looked uncomfortable talking to the young Galletti
and Blake felt some pleasure at seeing it. He acknowledged his superior and
turned to Drate, holding out the data disk that he had brought with him. He
motioned for him move out of the Jedi Masters hearing range of and lowered
his voice. “I’m glad you
could come Mister Galletti.” Drate took the disk, examining it for a moment. “What’s this?” Blake saw the look of confusion on his face and decided
it was time to explain. “Tarr Ranth
worked with your fathers clone, on a few occasions. When he heard that you
had come to Setnin, he started work on this disk. On it, you’ll find
observations on the missions he performed with the Galletti clone for Glann
Cipple. He didn’t like the fellow much, as I remember. Some of this
information has never been divulged before and comes from Ranth’s own files.
He also compiled a dossier on your father, but it’s rather sketchy. Most of
the information is what Ranth overheard from Lomona or other smugglers.” Drate looked at Blake and there was a shadow behind his
eyes. “Thank you, but
I don’t want it. Whatever that clone did was nothing to do with my father.
I’d prefer it if you keep the information to yourself and destroy the disk.”
That’s all he said and all that needed to be said. Jan moved over to Blake and gave him a playful punch on
the arm. He looked slightly inebriated. “I thought
A-desandians didn’t get drunk.” His face was deadpan but Jan knew he was
trying to rile him. He just smiled and leaned on De’Athe. “All in the mind
pal, all in the mind.” Blake smiled, knowing that Jan could clear his head in a
second if he wanted to. He manoeuvred his way from underneath the smugglers
arm and pulled a small black box off his belt, handing it to Jan. Jan stared
at it for a second and then his face erupted in a wide grin of recognition. “Ha, the missing
transponder! Hell, this thing must be over thirty years old. Where did you
get it?” Blake thought for a moment and then answered. “He left it in
his locker at Paladin Base. He seemed to think it might come in useful again
one day. Can’t think why.” Jan looked at it fondly, remembering the adventures
they’d had. He paused for a moment, then gathered his wits and cleared his
head. “Ah, the good old days.” He put his arm
around Blake’s shoulders again. “Now how much did you say Ranth had left for
the bar tab?” Requiem
for a Bounty Hunter 2001 short story by Louis Turfrey Thirty-six
years after Episode IV – A New Hope Histories – The wake to celebrate the life
and times of Tarr
Ranth, bounty hunter and later Jedi Knight of the Setnin
Sector.
Orchestrated by Blake
De’Athe, Ranths goods were handed out to his
friends, colleagues and associates, according to their skills. Unbeknownst to them, the spirit of Ranth
would re-appear to guide the Setnin Jedi and Blake in the coming months
and years.
Cast of Characters
Jan
Lomona Ryath
Centaur Blake De’Athe
Nera
De’Athe Trude De’Athe
Daemon Garr
Drate
Galletti Grabby
Cap Nias Derrill Letitia
Arkensaw Paige Centaur-Lomona
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