The Big Job

In the months after Proxima's assassination, Dak, now known as Nightstalker, became a widely respected bounty hunter in the guild. Almost every hunter wanted him for a partner and he went on jobs alongside hunters like Bossk and IG-88, though Boba Fett was a common partner. Eventually, he was able to find a more permanent partner and ally in the IG unit known as IG-67. Together, the two became one of the most successful hunters in the entire galaxy; only Boba Fett was more feared and successful. Nightstalker and IG-67 ran multiple missions, either stealing from or assassinating the more powerful crime lords, even the Hutts. What was interesting about them, to the buyers at least, was that the two only took missions against the criminal underworld; no one really knew why. What was clear, however, was that when they took a job, they always saw it through to the end.

It was after one of these jobs that the ship had returned to the guild on Utapau. Dak and IG-67 were sitting in one of the booths, celebrating their recent success.

"Nothing like another big win for us, wouldn't you agree?" Dak said.

"Indeed," the droid replied, "Success is always a very good thing to experience, even for a droid like me."

Dak chuckled. Just then, they heard the familiar clanking of spurs and turned to see Boba Fett walk up to them.

"Mind if I join?" Fett asked.

Dak moved over and patted the space next to him: "By all means."

Boba walked over and sat down next to Dak.

"I heard you've become pretty successful."

"Well, you heard right. Turns out, you were right; bounty hunting is a pretty good job when you have the right skills."

"That it is." Boba Fett said.

"So, what brings you here?" Dak asked.

Boba looked around nervously, then motioned for Dak and IG-67 to lean in closer.

"So I've been getting word of a really big job that's been put out recently. The pay is very good."

"Where?" Dak asked.

"I believe it's on Jakku." Fett answered, "The weird thing is is that there's no bounty puck, only face to face, and only if you know where the client is."

"And how do we figure that out?"

Fett handed Dak a small datacard: "These are being given to the best bounty hunters right now. I already have one, but I requested a copy to give to you because I knew you would probably like to take a job like this."

"I certainly would," Dak said.

"Do we know who the client is?" IG-67 asked.

Fett shook his head: "All we know is a name: Ajax."

"So, to sum this up," Dak said, "It's a well-paying job on Jakku. We have no idea who or what we're looking for, and to top it off, all we know about the client is the card and a name?"

"Pretty much." Fett said, "Now the only reason I'm bringing this up quietly is because only a few hunters are allowed to see or hear about this. If too many got word of it, it would be a slaughter to try and get to the mark first."

"That crazy, huh?" Dak said.

"It's that crazy," Fett replied.

Dak thought for a few moments, then said: "Well, I'm down for it. We've raced against other hunters before…"

"Like when we raced Cad Bane to steal that artifact from the warlord?" IG-67 said.

"And I shot him in the arm? Exactly like that. How hard could this one be?" Dak said.

"Well, anyone who can race the likes of Cad Bane and beat him to the target shouldn't have much trouble on this assignment." Fett said, a hint of surprise in his voice, "So, are you in?"

"I'm in," Dak said, "What about you, IG?"

"I suppose so," IG said, "If the promised pay is as good as Fett says, than this is not an opportunity that we should ignore."

"That settles it then." Dak said, "We'll leave as soon as Inception is refueled."

"Good luck, then." Fett said, "And don't worry, I may be a bounty hunter, but I still respect Mandalorians. You have my word that I won't attack you should our paths cross on this job."

"And I shall swear the same," Dak said. Then the two shook hands.

"This is the way," Dak said.

"This is the way." Boba said.

About an hour later, Inception was fully refueled and ready to go. Dak and IG-67 bought what supplies they might need, taking extra care to pack more water than usual since they were going to Jakku, a desert planet. Once the supplies were loaded, Dak and IG went inside the ship, sat down in their seats in the cockpit, and started up the engines, pulling out of the guild hangar. Once they were out, they shot up out of the sinkhole, into the sky, and through the atmosphere and into space.

As IG calculated the coordinates to Jakku, Dak took out a small holo-projector and turned it on, revealing a picture of him and Sabine from one of their times in the covert. He had done this before every job to remind himself of why he was truly doing all of it. Soon, he thought to himself, not much longer now, and then I'll come for you.

"Coordinates for Jakku set." IG-67 finally said. Putting the projector back in the compartment on his seat, Dak grabbed the hyperdrive lever.

"Punch it." he said. IG input the coordinates just as Dak pushed the lever forward, sending the ship into hyperspace and towards Jakku, both unaware of what surprises the planet would have in store for both of them.