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