STAR WARS: RETROSPECTION- The Hunter

Well, Rylis is going to fly up a bit higher and see if she can spot Snith, or at least see if his ship is still in its bay. If someone tries to shoot at her, she'll dodge one attack...though I've a feeling they'll be going after the stormtroopers.

Are there any ships flying around right now or anything?

There are a few, but none landing or taking off. Actually, there is one coming in, an Imperial shuttle descending from space, escorted by two TIE Fighters. The fighters swarm off as the shuttle lands near the stormtroopers.

Cold Hard Wit is still docked where Snith left it, the bay next to your ship. In fact, you can see Snith near it.

But not much time to dwell on these things! Eerin comes out from beneath the freighter, no longer holding the electro-halberd but a rocket launcher. He sends a proton rocket streaking up into the sky after you and it detonates on a timed burst, showering you with shrapnel and flame. It is a Near Hit that you easily spin away from in mid-air, taking no damage... but the jetpack starts to sputter...

Are there any other exits/entrances from the docking bay, other than the one that the stormtroopers came in?

Not that you can tell.

Your jetpack isn't outright failing, mind you.

Rylis is going to make her way to the next docking bay, then (in the direction of where Snith's is). Hopefully it should hold out that long.

Piloting check... a 19 rolled! Despite the jetpack sputtering and dying as you descend, you safely set down in the next docking bay over where starfighter is docked and its owner not present. You are one docking bay away from Snith's vessel, two bays way from your own.

Your jetpack is sparking noisily.

Would a quick fix-it roll on the jetpack keep it from exploding or something...?

A Fix-It roll to analyze what the pieces of shrapnel have damaged... but in your current rush and annoyance you have no idea. But it is probably safer to abandon the jetpack from the way it is malfunctioning. You can always buy one later if you make it off of Tatooine.

Sigh...Rylis isn't really happy with it, but she'll remove and leave the jetpack. She's going to head over to the next docking bay where Snith is.

"Lot of help you've been!" she says sarcastically as she runs in.

It is actually not the next docking bay, but the next after that.

Strangely enough, as you move out of the bay, a woman rushes past you with a large satchel and a blaster rifle. "Pardon me, 'scuse me," she says as she moves past. She seems to be heading toward the commotion that Kyle has caused.

As you approach Snith's bay, there is the sound of an explosion behind you, but it passes from sight what is going on as soon as you step into Snith's bay.

The man is standing beside his ship, apparently ready to make his exit. He has discarded his heavy trench coat and ragged outfit for a state-of-the-art flight suit. He turns at the sound of your voice as he pulls on his piloting gloves, his expression grim.

"So," Snith says. "You didn't die, then."

"No, I didn't, no thanks to you there. What, hiding more things from me? Just what the hell is going on here?" Rylis snaps angrily.

Snith sighs, and begins to pull off his gloves. He tosses them into the cockpit of Cold Hard Wit, then takes a step toward you.

"I'm impressed, honestly," Snith says, ignoring your question. "The fact that you are still alive shows me that you are not just a stubborn bounty hunter. You've got skill, I'll give you that. But... too easily misled. Tell me, who do you think I really am, Rylis?"

"See, I've been doing my research, Snith, enough to know that you're still keeping stuff from me. Graduated from the Academy, were a horrible soldier, and then suddenly promoted in the Imperial Army and all records sealed so only the Emperor himself can access them?" Rylis replies, narrowing her eyes.

"That could be one of two things. Either you're not who you claim to be at all, or you're some personal lackey of the Emperor. And I'll bet it's the second, as I don't see much point in the first."

Snith smiles, then claps slowly.

"Well done, Rylis. Bravo. I am, or was, under the secretive employ of Palpatine. An agent of his dark will, a Hand with which he could reach across space without ever leaving home... but I've got my own agenda now."

"And do you really think you can just walk away from service like that?" Rylis says icily, walking towards him and stopping a step away.

"For that matter, did you think I would simply let you walk away like that? I do not take to being used very well...and especially not by Imperial scum."

Before you can even take a step, Snith raises a hand toward you.

"Stop right there, Rylis Tavel. If you try to stop me leaving right now, I swear that it will be the last decision you make in your short and miserable career. I may not be a man of my word, but you can trust me on that one."

Would he happen to be within range for Rylis's spikegun or flamer?

whistling

"You know what, Snith? I'd like to see you try. Because one thing I've always noticed about you Imperials, your arrogance far outstrips your actual skill."

No, not close enough. Will you be resorting to your blaster?

Snith smiles. "We'll see about that. Say, do you want to know how I got recruited for the Emperor's secret service?"

Yes. Only way he's getting away in one piece is if Rylis is unconscious before she's finished killing him...

"I must say I'm interested, considering how you were saying you hated the Empire for executing your father. I assume that was all just an act."

"Nope, still hate 'em. But that only makes me stronger when I do things like this."

He reaches forwards with an outstretched hand... and your pistol is wrenched from your grip. It flies away from you and into his hands, where he swiftly dismantles it by ripping out the power pack and tossing the parts to the sides.

"And that's why I was recruited."