Recap
In the last instalment. Chiv and Gun-Kin made it back to town. Once there, Chiv left Gun-Kin at the local doc to get checked out while Chiv went to sell the gear they acquired from the compound. They received a good price from an old friend of Gun-Kin's, Baska. He paid a little over the odds to help him get off-world and escape the price on his head.
Chiv got to the doctors to pick Gun-Kin up. But, decided to knock Gun-Kin out and bring him to The Grey Qengs to claim the bounty.
Here's a link to part 1 -
@killerwot/chiv-sketter-s-issue
Chiv Sketter had pulled the speeder over, once he got out of town. In the quietness of the road, he bound Gun-Kin's arms and legs. For fear of him waking up and jumping out of the speeder.
Chiv had an idea of where The Grey Qengs lived. It was a large area of land, to the North of the town of Na-Hessa. He had never bothered himself with seeing The Grey Qengs, in all the time he had been living here on Zun-Kulla. He had heard stories about them though. Rich.
It was the only word he could use to describe them. They were well known and respected. If you lived anywhere on Zun-Kulla you would be hard-pressed not to hear about them. The Qengs were notable.
They were the developers of one of Zun-Kulla's largest spaceports. Long before the war. They themselves were the ones who made first contact with another Free Space planet and it went so well that within only a few weeks Zun-Kulla was accepted as a member of the Free Space Alliance. Overnight the people of the planet were roaming the stars. Not that it helped the average person on the planet. It helped line the pockets of the Qengs though. Chiv had heard a lot about them. It helps to hang around with drunks. Not that he could trust half of what he heard.
"Chiv. Chiv what are you doing?" Chiv heard that familiar lispy voice come in softly. "I'm taking you to the Qengs." He replied.
Chiv could hear the sounds of kicking and shifting. No doubt Gun-Kin was trying to free himself. "Please! I thought we were friends. We were going to get off-world." "I'll be getting off-world." Chiv said. "Traitor!" Gun-Kin exclaimed. "We didn't have an agreement. You're just a bounty to me." More shifting and more violent kicking ensued as Chiv finished.
"500 FSTs, that's nothing compared to the money we must have gotten for that gear we sold!" Gun-Kin now sounding stressed stopped his thrashing around. "We got 5,000 from your friend. So, no. I'm not selling you out for 500, I'm handing you in for 3,000. Don't lie to yourself Gun-Kin. You would do the same in my situation." Chiv said calmly. It's true as far as Chiv was concerned. Anyone would be stupid to give up that kind of money. For what? A stranger?
"I saved your life! Is your life worth less than 3,000 Tokens?" "Shut it. I'm not in the mood to argue." Chiv said. "I should have killed you back at the compound!"
"Yeah, you probably should of. But, you didn't." After Chiv finished speaking, Gun-Kin's comments had devolved to mindless babble, cursing and then he started to even shout for help. To strangers who weren't there.
Chiv was ready to knock him out again. But, he decided it wasn't worth the time. He knew he was almost there and thought he'd let Gun-Kin tire himself out. Soon, the baron wasteland began to be populated by trees and bushes. The landscape morphed from a desolate red, dusty area. To a prosperous tranquil looking, lush one.
"Please! Chiv I'm sorry. Just let me go! I have no idea what they want with me, please." Gun-Kin's lisp was back with a vengeance now. The shouting he had done had also made his voice broken and horse. "Aren't you looking forward to finding out what they want with you?"
Chiv came up to a large gatehouse with a few people standing to attention. One of them who was a Zun-Tentis gave him a signal to bring the speeder to a halt. Which he did.
"Do you have business with The Grey Qengs?" The man asked in a well-spoken voice. Chiv pointed a thumb at the backseat. "I brought them a present." The man took a glance as if he hadn't even noticed. "Well, look at that. Mister Deset." The man then looked to some of the others standing nearby and then turned back to Chiv. "You give me a ride up to the house and I'll call ahead for Von-Veskas." Chiv gave him the nod. With that, the man walked around and hopped into the passenger seat. While driving slowly past the gatehouse, Chiv could hear one of the other men telling Von-Veskas to meet them at the front door.
Chiv looked through the gardens along the road. He could see exotic plants from a plethora of different worlds. "This is some place," Chiv said under his breath while looking around.
"I count my blessing every day to be born a Qeng." "I assumed you were just a guard." The man then leaned back in the seat. "I'm a Qeng, or at least I'm a distant relative of the heads of The Grey Qengs. So, I work as a guard. Mind you, I don't work as hard as the others. I'm lucky to be a Qeng and more so. To be Qeng from a branch they aren't feuding with." Chiv nodded as he finished. "Ju-nup Qeng. Nice to meet you." "Chiv Sketter." Ju-nup patted Chiv's shoulder as he introduced himself. It send a slight pain through him, but, it wasn't too bad.
"Word to the wise. When Von-Veskas comes out, don't gloat about being a bounty hunter. He would have been the man sent out to do these kinds of jobs. But, he's a bit long in the tooth for it. With age, a bunch of old injuries came up. Which, have left him walking a little funny, so don't mention that either. Since he can't go out anymore he's been made the head of security to his slight displeasure. In saying all that though, he still knows how to use a blaster." Ju-nup started to chuckle once he finished. "I'll keep that in mind." Chiv responded.
They pulled up outside and Chiv saw him. He was an old Nomoraen. He was well dressed and tall by the look of him. But, old and grey with a face as rough as sandpaper. "How are you mister Veskas?" Ju-nup asked while getting out of the speeder. "Tired!" The old Nomoraen exclaimed.
Chiv stood up and got out too, now standing beside Von-Veskas he could see the height difference between the two. "You look like shit." The man said to Chiv. Yeah, I could say the same about you. "I feel like shit." Chiv responded.
The old man started to laugh to himself while peeking over the side of the speeder. "This the catch?" He asked. "He most certainly is. Take him away." Ju-nup told the man. Who then reached in and lifted Gun-Kin out of the speeder with one hand. Strong. Chiv thought to himself.
He looked at Gun-Kin's helpless expression as he was tossed over one shoulder and carried inside. "He has a funny way of speaking. I wasn't going to comment on how you look. But, he's right. You look pretty beaten out of shape. Was it him who did all this?" Chiv shook his head. "No. It was the lads who got him first." Ju-nup began to laugh. "A poacher. Very good. Come on inside, I'll find the owner of the estate. He'll be happy to meet you Chiv." Ju-nup said.
I'll be happy as long as he has my money. Chiv thought to himself. He then followed Ju-nup inside the home. It was large and airy. Painted light colours and it was well lit on account of how many windows there were throughout the house.
Chiv was left to wait in the lounge. While sitting down he could hear much talking and movement all through the house. But, nobody was in the room he found himself in. It was moderately furnished, but not cluttered. It was orderly as if no one ever used the place.
"Chiv Sketter. I hope Ju-nup didn't bore you on the way up here. He can talk. A bit too much I think." A man walked in. He was an old Zun-Tentis. Who's skin was slightly grey-green, with fleshy dark green boil like patches throughout his face. Wearing fine clothes. He was of average height and skinny.
Chiv stood up as the man entered the room. "Nu-man Qeng. Here is your money and I wanted to thank you for bringing Gun-Kin Deset in." After speaking Nu-man handed Chiv a small pouch. Which Chiv took and put in his pocket. "My pleasure."
"A man of few words. I like a man who doesn't talk much, but, who can get results. Proposition. I am busy now so have to run. But, I wanted to offer you food, a wash and a bed for the evening. We also have some medical professionals here who I think should give you the once over. When I'm finished I want to have a chat with you." Nu-man spoke fast, but, not fast enough to disrupt his speech.
A bed for the night, food and a wash? There are worse places to stay. Beats sleeping in that cave. "I'd like that." "Excellent. Help yourself to whatever you want. I'm off now, but, you're my guest. Ask anyone for anything and they'll drop what they're doing to assist you." With that Nu-man turned and left the room. Leaving Chiv standing alone.
He looked around and sat back down. His mind was brought back to Gun-Kin. I don't see how bad it could be. Out of all the people I've handed over. None have been to people like this. I'd bet they treat their prisoners better than most people treat their families. He then leaned back in his seat, looking around the room.