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Cloak & Blaster Chapter

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Summary: The Melee is over, Noara is offically in the hunt and Jurr has a very good idea.

There's also a sneaky reference to @cinlat's Cinlat character.... who obviously shares her blog name.

Word Count: 4,023

Noara was still looking up at the stands when she sensed the Assistant Huntmaster approaching. She had been aware of the crowd from the moment they entered the arena, but the fight had begun so quickly that she hadn't really processed the sheer number of people watching her. According to Mako it had been years since the last Great Hunt so it being a major draw made sense.

“Quite a show you put on. Blasted fun to watch. Wasn’t sure you actually knew how to use those,” Lek said, gesturing at her saber hilts. “How do you feel, hunter?”

Turning to look at him, Noara answered honestly, “tired. Ready to know what’s next for the Hunt.” Beside her she heard Mako laugh.

Lek smiled, “patience. Bask in your victory for a moment and then I will escort you to the Huntmaster.”

Glancing back at the crowd, Noara saw the stands starting to empty. “I think I’ve basked enough if it’s all the same to you.”

“That’s the problem with people today, never slow down and enjoy the moment.” Lek shook his head, “alright, follow me hunter.”

He led them off the raised platform and back out of the room. They ended up back in the Huntmaster’s office, where just a few days ago they had been informed about the complication caused by the amount of entrants. This time instead of being crowded with hopeful hunters only the tall, white furred Wookie was waiting for them.

The Huntmaster spoke as they approached, his deep voice rumbling in the way only a Wookie could achieve. “Let the hunter stand before me. She shall be honored beyond all common hunters. Let it be known that--”

Sensing movement behind her, Noara turned in time to see an angry armored figure stomping toward her. She had only seen him on holo but Tarro Blood’s identity was unmistakable as he interrupted the Huntmaster. “This is simply ridiculous. I mean, really--this needs to stop right now.”

Beside her Noara heard Mako draw in a sharp breath as Braden’s murderer approached. She knew the other woman was still grieving the loss of her father figure and friend, Blood’s presence was sure to upset her.

“I object to this farce,” he snarled, stopping just short of where Noara stood and thrusting a finger in her direction. “This charlatan does not deserve to enter the Great Hunt. Her credentials are a lie fabricated by her little gutter rat of a sidekick. She deserves no honors.”

Noara put her arm up in front of Mako and shook her head, trying to stop the other woman from drawing the blaster her hand had moved to the moment he entered the room. While she knew her friend wanted the man to pay for being responsible for Braden and Jory’s deaths she doubted the Huntmaster and his assistant would let them kill another Mandalorian in front of them.

Instead of denying his accusations, which she assumed was what he wanted, Noara cocked her head to the side in confusion. “And say if they were, it wouldn’t change anything.”

Blood’s face reddened in outrage. “Of course it would! You don’t deserve to be here.”

“Except that I did earn a sponsorship token from Nem’ro the Hutt, while you were having my team murdered coincidently,” she shot back, perching her hands on her hips. “And then I passed the preliminary tests here to enter the Melee which you might have noticed I won.”

“All that proves is that you are lucky as well as a liar,” Blood snarled.

Lek stepped in between them and addressed his fellow Mandalorian. “You are out of line. We know enough of this hunter's history, Blood. She earned her sponsorship and her entry. The Huntmaster has ruled and that is final.”

“You fools!” Blood cried, throwing his arms up in disgust. “This is a place of honor, a competition of elites. Mandalore will hear of this!”

“Is he also going to hear about how you are stacking the deck in your favor?” Mako asked from behind Noara. “With all your interference someone’s going to think you’re afraid of us.”

“As if I would be afraid of someone as pathetic as you! Enough! Before this Great Hunt is over, I will have your skull in my hands!” After delivering that threat, Blood shot them both an enraged look before turning on his heel to storm out of the room.

Noara watched him leave with a grimace, “that was unnecessarily graphic.”

Lek clapped his hands together when Blood disappeared through the doorway. “If nothing else the Great Hunt just got way more interesting.”

“If vengeance is interesting,” Mako muttered, drawing a laugh from Lek.

“It always does,” he said before turning back to the Wookie, “Sorry for the interruption, Huntmaster. Please continue.”

The Huntmaster nodded and began to explain how the hunt would work. “The Great Hunt proves talent and resolve. Mandalore calls it to bring him the most skilled hunter in the galaxy.

Each hunter will hunt the other's prey. Then each hunter hunts the other. At the end, there is no prey and only one hunter. Today you are truly the hunter, and all else is your prey. Welcome to the Great Hunt.”

“You get all that, hunter?” Lek asked.

It seemed straightforward enough to Noara, basically more of what they had done on Dromond Kaas just with the added competition of a second hunter going after the same target. There was just one thing she wasn’t sure about so she asked, “I'm supposed to execute my fellow hunters? Is that required to move on?”

“You only have to eliminate them from the Great Hunt. Surrender isn't typical, but it's accepted.”

Mako nudged her in the side with her elbow and she glanced at the other woman who was giving her a knowing look. Noara nodded that she understood the message, they both knew that it would appeal to her that killing her competitors was not required. She doubted she would be as lucky with the targets.

“Now head back out to meet your handler, Crysta. During the Hunt she will fill you in on the rest of the details.”

“C’mon girl,” Mako said, nudging her toward the door, “let’s see what’s next.”

Stepping out of the Huntmaster’s office Noara stopped short at what she saw. Tarro Blood was across the room talking to Crysta. After the scene he just caused she felt the annoyance she had kept in check in front of the Huntmaster surging. She had never been prone to anger but, after everything he had already done, this was a step too far. She could only imagine that he was somehow trying to stack the deck against them again, maybe bribing Crysta to sabotage their chances in the competition. Whatever he hoped to accomplish, she was going to put a stop to it before he could do any more damage.

Aware that she was openly scowling, Naora strode across the room right up to him, grabbed his bicep and yanked him around to face her.

“You’ve got some nerve you jerk-oh!”

Noara froze as she looked up at the baffled face of the man who was most definitely not Tarro Blood. His deep blue eyes were wide in surprise as he stared down at her. His hair was similar to Blood’s but now she could see it was a lighter shade of blond and he had a much more pleasant face, a strong jaw and identical symbols adorning both of his cheeks.

“I am so sorry,” she said, feeling her face flush with embarrassment. “I thought you were someone else.”

The man frowned, “who did you think I was?”

Noara grimaced, “well from behind you look a bit like Tarro Blood.”

Her response was met with raucous laughter from the two other armored figures she hadn't even noticed standing with Crysta. Noara felt another wave of embarrassment, she had gotten so swept up in her emotions she had not even checked if “Tarro” had any backup before all but assaulting him.

The man did not find her mistake as amusing as his companions, frowning down at her. “I’m not sure how to feel about that.”

“I am so sorry-” she started before she was cut off.

“You should be,” another tall mandalorian man, this one with short dark hair that she would never have mistaken for Blood’s, said. “It would be less offensive if you said he looked like a whuffa worm.”

“That tracks,” Mako said where she stood at Noara’s side, “a whuffa worm is a superior life form to Tarro Blood.”

The woman standing next to Crysta snorted. “Oh I like you,” she said with a wide grin.

Now that Noara had noticed her, it was hard to imagine she had missed the woman. Her appearance was striking. She had flame red hair that was braided down her back and shaved short on the sides. The left side of her face was covered in burn scars and she had more cybernetics than even Mako. Even one of her eyes was obviously cybernetic, as it had an artificial golden color and gave off a slight glow.

“I know why we don’t care for him,” Noara said, finally realizing she was still holding the blond man’s arm and releasing it. “I didn’t expect his fellow Mandalorians to dislike him as well.”

The red haired woman scoffed, “that’s because he is a spoiled, pompous, lazy -”

“That’s enough Jurr,” Crysta said, frowning, “you know better than to insult a Mandalorian to an outsider.”

Jurr huffed, “sure mom and if he had any ijaat I wouldn’t, but I won’t lie for the likes of him.”

Both men nodded in agreement but it was the blond who spoke. “The real question is why do a pair of outsiders in the Great Hunt have an issue with him before the comeptition has even started?”

Noara frowned and glanced at Mako, who turned her gaze downward quickly but too late to hide the grief on her face. Looking back at the man she sighed, “Blood is rigging the hunt, buying off those he can and having his lackeys kill the crews of those he can’t. He had our crew killed on Hutta.”

Crysta’s eyes widened, “wait so your group is really just you two girls?”

“Thanks to Blood, yeah,” Mako replied bitterly.

“He’s done all he can to try and sabotage us here, even paying off Imperial Navy officers to interfere with our hunts,” Noara said. “I’m sure he is the reason you were told I was dead before the melee.”

“You’re not going to let a shabuir like him scare you off, right?” Jurr asked.

“Fuck no,” Mako said, pointing at Noara. “My girl Noara here is going to make him regret killing Braden and Jory.”

“Are you?” the dark haired man asked, looking at Noara critically, “I’d say you don’t look like much of a match for any Mandalorian but what you did during the melee was damn impressive”

“Thanks, I think,” Noara said, feeling uncomfortable being praised for taking lives, before turning to Crysta. “Lek said you would tell us what’s next.”

“Yes, I’ll be guiding you until the end.” Crysta grinned and Noara could see the resemblance to Jurr in her smile, “gotta tell you. The other handlers are all bug-eyed jealous you won. I was sure glad to learn you hadn’t died out in the jungle and you made me a fistfull of credits. Now the hunt has a bit of a tradition for new hunters to kick it off - getting a ship from the local spaceport.”

Noara frowned, “how does that work?”

“Why you have to steal one of course.” Crysta said matter-of-factly.

“Is this required?” Noara asked with a grimace. “I’d prefer not to get too much attention from the Imperials.”

“A hunter's life is nothing but trouble--best get used to it.”

Noara exchanged a look with Mako before she tried again. With her Force sensitivity she would really rather not commit grand theft starship on the Imperial Capital world. “But is it required? What if a hunter already has access to a ship?”

Crysta hummed thoughtfully, “I suppose not, it’s more tradition than requirement. Do you-”

Jurr gasped suddenly, interrupting her mother. “I just had the best idea.”

Both of the men groaned in unison. “Why do I feel a little sick when you say that?” the blond said.

“Because her ideas usually get you into trouble,” the other man said.

“No no, this is a good one!” Jurr said excitedly, moving to stand directly in front of Noara. “You need a crew and Mandalorian or not Blood needs to be taken down a peg. Or killed. Torian and I can join your crew and help you.” She gestured at the blond man who was looking at her incredulously.

“Really Jurr, just inviting yourself to her crew?” the dark haired man laughed, “that's very on brand.”

Jurr shrugged, “doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea, Corridan. What do you say?”

“Oh um… I’m not sure about that,” Noara said, “we don’t even know who you all are.”

“Well that’s easy to fix,” Crysta said, “this is my daughter Jurisa Fett and these two are Corridan Ordo and Torian Cadera. I’d encourage you to take Jurr up on this idea, she’s one of the best snipers around and there isn’t much out there Torian can’t track.”

Corridan, the dark haired man, shot the woman an insulted look. “What am I? Chopped convor liver?”

Not looking amused Crysta raised an eyebrow at him, “were you offering your services for the Hunt?”

“Well no, I need to get back. I just came to see the melee.”

“Exactly.” Crysta turned back to Noara, “these two would be a big help to your hunt. Almost no one attempts the Hunt with less than at least a crew of three.”

Noara looked from Jurr to Torian, weighing Crysta’s words. It was true their crew was down to just two people, and Braden had been their expert. However she and Mako had managed well enough so far.

There was also the issue of her being a Jedi, who historically did not get along with Mandalorians. While she harbored no ill will toward their people as a whole, she had to assume they would not be happy to find out she wasn’t being truthful about her identity.

She was pulled from her internal debate when Mako grabbed her arm, “excuse us for a moment.” Mako pulled Noara away from the small group to the far side of the room. “Are you really considering this?”

“I am,” Noara admitted. “You can’t deny we could use the help.”

“Are you sure we can trust them?”

“Crysta says we can, and we kind of have to trust her for the hunt to work. She will benefit from us winning as well I am sure.” Noara placed her hand on Mako’s shoulder, she lowered her voice to not be overheard, “I don’t know how much you know about the Force but it often guides people, giving foreboding feelings when something bad is going to happen, or hopeful ones when something good is on the horizon. I have that feeling now, a hopeful warm feeling, about letting them join us.”

Mako eyed her suspiciously, “are you sure it’s not just because he is cute?”

Noara dropped her hand and could feel her cheeks flushing again. Had it been that obvious that she thought he was good looking? “Of course not,” she denied then smiled, “he is though isn’t he?”

“He’s a little blonde for me but I told ya we’d find some cute boys along the way,” Mako said with a wink and then shrugged. “Who am I to argue with the Force, if you are sure you want to accept their help I am in.”

Noara glanced back toward the group and caught Torian staring their way. “I’m sure.”

Torian watched the two women conferring in the corner closely, thinking about how quickly things had changed. He had had no intention of joining the Great Hunt that morning. Now he found himself hoping the two women would agree to Jurr’s idea.

He told himself it was because they needed a crew. Because Blood needed to be stopped. Because the Great Hunt was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

But the truth was simpler.

He wanted her to agree.

He wouldn’t deny he was intrigued by the woman. From the stands he had been able to see that she was a small woman, slim with lean muscles. The way she had moved was incredible, so quick and graceful. At times it looked like she was dancing around her opponents. The strikes she landed had been at odds with her poise. Her blows with the sabers were powerful, and the vicious way she had used a defeated hunter’s weapon to kill the last opponent had been impressive.

When Jurr had insisted they find her mom, hoping to meet the winner herself, Torian had been more than happy to be towed along. He had expected to meet a hard, serious hunter who oozed determination to win at all costs. Someone dangerous. He had once met Cinlat Ejnar, a former winner of the Great Hunt, a few times and despite being even smaller than Noara, she had been intimidating.

Instead this hunter seemed… soft. Sweet. Almost innocent. He had literally just watched her survive a brutal fight to the death, killing two of her opponents, and then she had blushed behind the blood splattered on her face like a young girl when she mistook him for someone else.

Other hunters wouldn’t have reacted that way. He couldn’t imagine the hard voiced Cinlat being so easily flustered. She was the definition of cool and composed. Most hunters wouldn’t even bother to apologize for something so small. They would have brushed their misstep aside. Tried to excuse it as somehow his fault he shared a hair color and body build with Blood.

Instead she had owned her mistake, immediately apologizing. The mortification she felt was evident in her voice as was the sincerity. The contrast between the cool expression she had worn in the arena, even after killing her opponents and escaping death herself, and the flustered expression she had just worn was fascinating.

And cute.

Torian hadn’t ever thought of a woman being cute as a positive trait before. Hell most women he knew would gut him for describing them that way.

“So what do you think, Torian?” Jurr asked, smacking him in the gut.

“Hm?” He turned to look at her and could tell by her expression she knew he hadn’t been listening to whatever she had said.

“Do you want to help her win the Great Hunt?” Jurr grinned, “I’d really love to stick it to Blood.”

Torian smiled at her enthusiasm. Their paths hadn’t crossed often but Blood never failed to have some kind of backhanded comment about Jurr’s disability despite her Mir'shupur sigil or about Torian’s father. The man was a jackass and Torian wasn’t surprised he would try and cheat to win the Hunt.

“Yeah,” he said, “If they agree, I’m in.”

“It’s adorable how you act like you had a choice,” Jurr commented as the two women started walking back toward their group.

“Alright,” the woman with the cybernetics said, propping her hands on her hips. “If you are serious about helping out we accept.”

“We’re in,” Torian said, “but first, we never got your names.”

“Oh my stars, we didn’t introduce ourselves did we?” The other woman said, “this is Mako, she’s amazing with tech and slicing. I’m Noara Star-er… Nabarrie.”

Torian didn’t miss the sharp look Mako shot her way when she stumbled over her name. That was interesting. No one stumbled over their own name, unless that wasn’t her name. He was watching her as they started discussing logistics when Corridan stepped closer to him.

“Are you sure about doing this Torian? I know you had wanted to come to Taris with us, we should be heading there soon.”

Closing his eyes, Torian took a deep breath. Taris. His father. It wasn’t that he had forgotten about his plans, it was never far from his mind, but in the moment he had agreed before considering the implication. He had been planning on heading to Taris after the hunting camp in the forest outside the city wrapped up. But this was the kind of opportunity he couldn’t have seen coming, one he wasn’t sure he wanted to miss.

Looking over at Corridan he shrugged, “Taris isn’t going anywhere. How often do you get a chance to join the Great Hunt?”

Corridan nodded, “true. I’ll keep an eye out for you.”

“Thanks vod.”

Corridan clapped his hands together, “alright kids, I need to get out of here but please do your best to win. Don’t get dead. And tell Blood he’s a shabuir ”

Jurr scowled at him and swung a fist at him. Corridan stepped to the side to avoid her with a laugh.

Torian watched him leave before turning back to his new team. “So what’s the plan ladies?”

Noara frowned. “We need to figure out some transport but it is getting late,” she said before looking down at herself, “and I’m still covered in blood.”

“Jurr and I need to head back to camp to get our gear.” Torian offered, sensing she was hoping for a chance to clean up and rest instead of heading out immediately.

“We already have a room, we can head there and clean up after everything to get a good night’s sleep.” Mako said, “that will give us some time to figure out the next steps. Give me your contact details and we can work out where to meet in the morning.”

Jurr gave the woman her information and Torian figured she would tell him anything he needed to know. Her memory had been solid recently so he wasn’t concerned she would forget. After their new partners left Crysta pulled Jurr to the side. He had known Jurr for years and knew she had never gone on an extended trip like this without one of her parents on the mission. This was a big deal but he thought it would be good for her to get this experience.

When they finished speaking Jurr all but skipped back over to him. Instead of stopping she continued walking and looked over her shoulder, “aren’t you coming?”

Torian shook his head as he followed. That was classic Jurr, always in a hurry and impatient when others didn’t keep up. Once he’d asked her why she was always in such a rush, one of those late nights on a hunt with more than a little tihaar in their systems. She’d told him how much she had hated being stuck in the medcenter when she was recovering from one of the many surgeries she’d had. She had spent a long time on bed rest and then in physical therapy learning to walk again without both eyes.

When he’d asked if she would ever slow down she had shrugged and said someday she might find something worth slowing down for.

Until then he would just have to try and keep up. Thankfully he had a few inches on her and was able to both catch up with a quick stride and even beat her to the taxi stand. Once their vehicle was in motion, Jurr twisted in her saw to grin at him.

“Soooooo,” she started, in the way that made it obvious he was about to endure some teasing, “you seemed very interested in our new friend.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, not willing to rise to her bait at the moment.

Jurr laughed heartily, “I knew this was a good idea but this just got so much better.”

Torian didn’t reply, keeping his eyes trained on the trees they were flying past, but silently he had to agree with Jurr. This was a good idea.

Mando'a Translations:

Ijaat honor

Mir'shupur sigil - symbol made of the M and S in Mando’a writing to indicate the wearer has suffered a serious brain trauma.

Shabuir extreme insult - *jerk*, but much stronger

Tihaar - alcoholic drink - strong clear spirit made from fruit

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