Mandalorian Bounty Hunters (closed)

Grait watched intently as she picked up a brightly colored fruit and put it up her helmet, and when it came back there was a bite. “You seem less than happy to be dining here tonight, is the food not to your standards? I can have them prepare something else if you’d like?” He picked up a still wriggling small crunchy bug and took a bite, his amber eyes drilling into her as he absentmindedly licked the crawly legs from off his lips.

~~~

“No no it’s… it’s too much. Thank you though.” She took another bite of the fruit before setting it down with a sigh. Every moment sitting here made her more angry and eventually she stabbed the knife into the table and stood. “I think I will retire for the night,” she said coldly, “if you will excuse me…” but as she got up, he too stood. “Then,” he said with a cold laugh, “if you will not eat you will dance with me.” Nightmare shuddered and sat back down. The last thing she wanted was his hands on her. “Fine. I will eat.”

~~~

“A strong name. A strong name for a strong boy.” Opiq shook his hand before nodding. “Yes, a ship would be nice, but it seems we have a bit of company.” He peeked outside at the about four scout troopers and unsheathed his saber. The green light illuminated the dark room and he nodded at Axel. “You can fight I’m guessing? There’s one of mine who is injured.” A younger man grumbled as he looked at Axel with contempt. “I don’t need help!” Opiq stared calmly at him. “You will accept his help, son of mine, or you will not be able to attend Jedi classes for a month.” The boy glared for a moment but grudgingly stood up and went over to Axel, but whispered fiercely in his ear, “I do not like you. I don’t need your help. The only reason I am going with you is because my father says so,” then the next word he spat out with disgust, “bounty hunter.”

She was an interesting creature, with her seemingly happy mood and then suddenly angry. “You are a very interesting thing,” he said slowly, “it seems like something is bothering you? Tell me my dear.” He leaned back in his seat and picked up the champagne glass again and sipped at it, his eyes again burning. For some reason he genuinely wanted to know what was wrong with her, and if possible to fix it.

~~~

Nightmare stared at him, aghast. “What’s bothering me? WHATS BOTHERING ME?” She stood up from the table with the knife in her hand. “I’ll tell you what’s wrong you blithering disgusting piece of dung! First you f*cking kidnapped me, then you used my life to force Axel to do your bidding, and now you’re making me wear a thin dress so you can goggle at me while you enjoy your champagne! And you ask what’s wrong with me.” Her eyes were cold as she gripped the knife harder. But then he stood and walked over, putting his hands on her hips and glaring into her face. “You will dance with me.”

Urip got up as well and turned on a song, Nightmare trying to squirm away from his grip but the Force held her in place. She glared into his face and followed him onto an open space where they swayed to the beat. He appeared to be gathering his thoughts before speaking. “I did not know you do not like the dress. If you had requested, I could have had a different one sent in.” His movements were deft, and Nightmare could tell he’d danced this number before many times. His cold hands were on her hip and shoulders, and she shivered at them. After a few moments the number was over, and Nightmare struggled away from him. “Yeah there’s more wrong than dresses. If you haven’t noticed, I don’t want to be here! You f*cking kidnapped me.” He looked confused for a moment but nodded slowly. “I’m sure this anger will fade with time. I will allow you as much time as you need. Urip, send in troopers to have her escorted.”

~~~

The Jedi sneered at him. “Wouldn’t you like to know? Like I’d tell someone who kills for a living.” He spoke in a whisper, although his tone was fierce. “And I’d like to see you try to kill me, my father is weak and you seemed scared of him. I will be the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy, and I would see to it both you and him hanged!” His hands tried to go down to his light saber, but flinched as something held him back. The man looked nervous and glanced at his father who was deftly cutting through the troopers. “He senses my anger,” he murmured, “but no matter. Soon he will be dead enough and I can kill you with ease.”

Grait watched her get taken out, but held a hand up for them to pause as she spoke. “You just don’t get it, do you?” Her tone took him aback, it was filled with rage and emotion. “You can give me all the time in the universe, but I’d still not be happy. I don’t want to be with you. I want to be with Axel.” Anger surged up inside of Grait. “Send her to her cell and insure there is no means of escape. I shall deal with her momentarily; send for an interrogation droid.” If she didn’t want nice things then fine. But he’d teach her what happened to those who talked to a Sith like that.

~~~

Nightmare tried to get away from the trooper, but found it impossible. However something unexpected happened a few moments later. Instead of taking her to the cell, he paused and glanced around as though scared of being followed. Then he brought her to a room filled with weapons. “Your weapons are over here, ma’m. I couldn’t bear to get rid of them. I also managed to save your armor. Make haste, make haste, they will find you soon.” Nightmare blinked at him. She was about to ask who he was, but then he shuffled off down the hallway where he soon regrouped with a large regiment of troopers. She stood there frozen for a moment before doing as he said and suiting herself up again. When she had done it, she picked up a com next to the armor and punched in the number of Axel’s tyfighter she’d heard one of the troopers muttering about. “Axel, Axel do you copy? This is Nightmare and I have my weapons back.”

~~~

Opiq quickly looked between his son and Axel. “Both of you,” he said coolly, “need to calm down. Axel I guarantee you I will be sure that he will not ruin the mission. And as for you Geppeto, calm down and remember your training. Jedi help those in need, even if they do not like the person.” Opiq then sighed tiredly. He could feel the anger and hate emanating off of Geppeto, and he could sense that the young Jedi had made his mind up to not be good. I will just have to stop him before then. But now is not that time, first we need to rescue whoever this young man is willing to kill for. A few seconds later someone’s voice crackled in over the comms. “Axel, Axel do you copy? This is Nightmare and I have my weapons back.”

Grait waltzed into her cell to find that she wasn’t there. He stood there for a moment before calling to one of the troopers. “Find her, and bring her to me.” Then he swept away toward the interrogation chamber, where a few minutes later Nightmare was brought in. “Nice of you to join me,” he purred, “I hope you will enjoy your time here.” Then all of a sudden his tone became cold. “Tie her down. I can take it from here.”

~~~

Nightmare’s heart flew as he heard Axel’s voice through the comms. “Axel! Yes I’m fine, are you hur-“ but she was cut off when she was roughly grabbed from behind. She struggled but found it impossible to escape. Then she was dragged into a cold chamber with one chair. “Yes I think I will enjoy my time,” she spat, "you will not get a single scream or cry out of me.” He smirked. “We will see.”

After a few minutes of being tied down, a droid fitted with hundreds of needles hovered in. Grait was leaning to the side as he watched her intently. Nightmare said nothing and closed her eyes as a trooper cut a hole through the cloth with a knife as the droid flew closer before a needle was injected. It hurt like nothing she could’ve imagined in her wildest fears. After a few minutes of intense pain, Nightmare then passed out.

~~~

Opiq looked at Axel with a softer expression but then it hardened as her voice was cut off. “He’s found her,” he murmured, “I sense intense anger from the Sith.” And then he got up quickly and took over driving. He decided not to tell Axel about the sudden surge of delight. After a few minutes of driving they came to the entrance to the star destroyer. “You know how to get in, yes?” Then he turned to the other rebels and passed them blasters he’d picked up from the fallen scouts. “This is a smash and grab. Get in, get out. We will try stealth first but if that fails fire at will.”

Grait watched as the droid injected more and more until she passed out and he held his hand up to stop. If he killed her then he wouldn’t have anything to keep Axel in his power for bounties, which would be less than satisfactory. He walked over and inspected her bleeding arm, which was now heavily bruised. “Bring her back to her chambers,” he said with a cold chuckle, “and see to it that she is given provisions. Do not bandage her wound.” Then he swept out of the room before seeing who appeared to be Opiq and… Geppeto? He hadn’t expected to see his young student here, much less with his father. “Geppeto,” he purred as he walked over to them, “it is good to see you. And I see you brought your father too? I did not expect you to be here so early, but this is good! We shall have him executed immediately.” And then he smiled widely as Geppeto plunged his saber through Opiq’s back, his eyes cold. “Welcome,” he chuckled, “to the darkside my son.”

~~~

Nightmare woke up with a groan, pain pulsing though her arm. Thankfully her weapons were still with her, along with her armor. Drunkenly she stood up and looked around at the room before crumpling back into her bed, head painfully sore. When she heard footsteps outside she pulled herself up and dragged her body over to the door where she leaned against it for a few moments. “Axel where are you…” but then she saw him flit by the door and her eyes widened. “Axel! Axel I’m over here…”

~~~

Opiq nodded at Axel. “Go find your family member and dog, we can take care of Grait and Urip.” When he turned around the corner with Geppeto he felt his heart stop as he heard Grait’s words and then felt a saber through his back. He crumped to the floor, his last sight Geppeto standing beside the Sith, laughing at him. Axel escape… escape-

Nightmare melted into his chest and began muttering, tears falling down her face. “I think I can walk I just- he…” she couldn’t find the words to explain but hoped there would be time later. Then she leaned on him and nodded. “I can walk, I just need to be mindful of my arm.” Carefully she walked with him to the room where Ollie was and gestured for him to shoot the lock on the door. Every nerve in her body was still burning but all she wanted was for her, Axel, and Ollie to be together again. From there she was sure that they could make an escape.

He wrapped his arm around her and rubbed her shoulder comfortingly. "Alright, come on. It's gonna be okay, I'm here now." He murmed softly. Then they came to the room with Ollie and he shot the lock. Ollie ran over to them and wagged his tail happily. "Alright, let's get out of here" he made his way through the hallways back to the ship

Axel was relieved to have her back safe with him. He looked at all the rebels as they filed in, but Opiq wasn't there. He frowned, but turned his attention back to Nightmare. He was pissed that this had been done to her. He grabbed the first aid kit and handed it to her as he kneeled beside her. "You think you can take care of it? I have to have a word with one of the rebels" he gives her hand an affectionate squeeze before standing up and turning to Geppeto. "Where's Opiq?" He questioned, a surge of unease going down his spine as he faced the young jedi

Axel narrowed his eyes and scoffed, not believing a word that came out of Geppeto's mouth. Axel had a sickening feeling that Geppeto had some not so great plans, as he remembered the young jedi's words from earlier. He sat between him and Nightmare, making sure that Geppeto was not close to her in any way. "How are you feeling?" He asked her, grabbing her hand. As long as he and Nightmare were together, everything would be okay. He also made sure that Ollie was far away from Geppeto as well.

Nightmare smiled weakly. "Fine I guess. I still feel woozy, and my body hurts but I think I'll be okay." She petted Ollie absentmindedly as she closed her eyes. It felt good to be back with them as she leaned on Axel. The rebels started shuffling around, making rounds on the small ship as though someone was going to infiltrate it. Nightmare murmured something too quiet to hear, and tried to keep her eyes open. The poison that Grait had given her was really kicking her ass, and she felt sick, sore, and tired all at the same time. "When do we get back to our ship," she asked quietly as she gestured at Gepetto, "I don't want to be around him anymore, he gives off a weird aura."

Nightmare giggled slightly. "You do that, and when I'm better I'm gonna shove that goddamn dress where it shouldn't go." He didn't know what she was talking about of course, but she could explain it more later. When they got back to the ship she crumpled right on the inside, a sudden wave of nausea washing over her. "Jesus," she murmured, "that sh*t is kicking my ass. Help." It was difficult to stand and her legs felt like weights. The world was spinning... melting away...

She laughed faintly as she felt his strong arms pick her up. "Much better..." Then as she was set back down, the world seemed to go back to its place and it stopped spinning. Nightmare blinked rapidly as unexpected tears filled her eyes as she slumped to the floor so she could be next to Axel. "I didn't know if I would see you again, I thought you were gone." She pressed her face into his chest as she cried, suddenly all the fear seemed to have washed back onto her and she felt terrified he was going to leave again.

He wrapped his arms around her comfortingly, gently Rubbing her back. He took a shaky breath, trying to not let his own emotions get the better of him. "Shh...it's okay, I'm here now and I'm not going anywhere ever again." He spoke softly as he held her in his arms, wishing they could stay like this forever. Ollie moved down next to them, laying his head on Nightmares lap and wagging his tail.

As he listened to what the sith had done to her and made her to, he felt his own rage stirring inside him. He was going to make this man pay for what he had done. Axel sighed as she asked what happened to him. "He gave me the tie fighter and the tracking fob, and he sent me to kill the rebels. Once I got there though, they offered to help me rescue you instead, so of course I took them up on that offer. Geppeto was kind of an asshole though, not going to lie. He said he was going to become 'the most powerful jedi in the galaxy' and that he was going to have me hung because I'm a bounty hunter. Honestly though, I don't think I'll have to worry about him too much" Axel shrugged as he finished talking. Geppeto had definitely set him on edge, but he figured he probably wouldn't have to deal with him again