Chapter 1: Frozen Wasteland

Space can be quiet and endless; such is life for most of the intergalactic bounty hunters all called Nomads! A small craft very sleek in design with a pointed nose and rear angled wings makes it way towards the space station known as Alpha 55, Seated in this small craft we see a large Lizardkin , he has jet black skin with very muted but sometimes brightened orange spots. Haiko G’rask has been a Nomad for about 15 years now, many long and lonely trips across numerous planets, he has seen good and bad alike in all that time. As he approaches Alpha 55 he gets a communication on his commlink, “Haiko, this is Brigadier Colson of the 44th command Old Empire, I need to speak with you once you’ve docked” Never is there a pause or hesitation in Colson’s voice, you’ve worked with him before and have gotten used to his nature of doing business. “Yes Colson, I read you, I will be there is a few clicks”. As the small craft docks inside the large bay area of the station Haiko takes a few deep breaths and prepares to trek down the hall to meet Colson. Standing close to 7 feet tall Haiko is a mountain of a Lizardkin, bipedal with eyes black as coal, his jumpsuit very well worn from years of perfecting his craft. The walk is short to Colson’s office, Haiko enters as Colson looks up, he’s an older human with gray hair and rough stony skin who is leading this station for the Old Empire, a very militant faction and is always impressed by the sheer size of Haiko. “Son, sit or stand it doesn’t matter to me just don’t break anything!” Colson laughs at his own sense of humor as Haiko just nods with agreement and very little smile, Colson grabs a tech pad then flips the screen to load up on Haiko’s pad so they see the same data. As he looks at this data, there is a person of interest who has been stealing blueprints of the new base of operations on the surface of Makita, a moon orbiting Utov, a frozen wasteland but still inhabited mostly by Kimano, odd amphibian creatures who have adapted nicely to the environment on that planet. The target is another Lizrdkin, one Haiko does know well, Nagal S’sakk, very aggressive and argumentative being with zero tolerance for anything. Haiko shows no reaction but inside he cringes a little, not because of the target but more the planet, not his favorite place to go see as he will need to gather extra heat receptors on this trip. “I can handle Nagal sir, he thinks those razor sharp talons intimidate everyone, well I do not scare that easy.” Colson grunts, “well, I trust you can handle this in rapid fashion, we will forward half your lucre now and half when done.” Lucre is the intergalactic monetary system used by all the factions plus a universal way to utilize funding in all aspects which is always electronic in nature. “I will get it completed asap , be well Colson” Haiko does not mix words, he is very straight to the point plus he never will lie, even in this profession it does not ever stop him. As a boy he remembers fighting in the local pits, earning a reputation however the early years found him dealing with too much criminal activity, after spending much time in brigs and holding stations he decided to smarten up, he often thinks of that when stopping people from corrupting the galaxy.

Haiko fuels up as well as gears up for his trip to Utov, most times he carries a rapid fire laser rifle and power hammer, both intimidating on their own just to add to his hulking presence. His large bandolier holds many e cells so that if he is ever in need he has extra resources, always prepared for the worst, especially on that icy tundra of a planet. As his spacecraft approaches Utov that distinctive haze all around the surface is like a dusty halo, temps are going to be down there so low he will need to bundle up extra. He descends to a spot near the hills that he frequented before, at least he can know what to expect for the most part down that direction, the ship lands softly with a crunch across the solid ice surface. As Haiko moves along this ridge he remembers a nice little small cavernous area which is a short cut towards the more populated areas where he might be able to spot or ask about Nagal, he finds this spot easily but does notice a little more fog then normal, he sees a lot of what seems to be stones he does not remember lying around. As his temp indicator beeps, he senses a rise in temperature with a strange liquid flowing across the piles of rocks, but wait, those are not rocks as a few seem to crack. These are eggs and of a kind he is not familiar with, several slithering whipped tailed amphibian-like creatures with spiky plates all over their backs move towards his position. “oh man, this is not good”, as he decides to wield his power hammer for fear of busting lots more eggs with his rifle. These creatures might be fast but because they are newborns basically Haiko is not too overwhelmed by the 3 creatures, he smashes one right upside the head launching the corpse several feet to the wall. Next creature attempts to bite him however he shifts back just enough to impact it square on the back crushing half of it, the last one still coming forward gets an uppercut to the jaw and is quickly disposed of. Now slightly breathing heavily Haiko carefully steps along the walled portion to an exit. Once the clearing comes into view, he sees the first place he remembers from before, Galley Spaceport, a small port run by the Old Empire which is well fortified and well supported by other factions. As you approach you show your ID to the gate and they welcome you in, no one really hassles you if you have the right ID here, he heads over to the local nomad guild office. As he walks in, he sees Pendleton, another human who is almost as old as Colson but nowhere near as crunchy, he nods, and Pendleton looks pleased as he was trying to get out of a conversation. “Hello Haiko, long time, let’s go chat off the port area here we can catch up.” They make their way to a more secluded spot just off the runway and land pad areas, Haiko’s senses however start to react as a pilot that seemed to exit a craft did not head to the port but came around the side bunkers nearby while Pendleton starts to look around and talk, “Wait!” Haiko stops him and then from the corner of his eye a stealthy figure with a laser pistol aims it directly at Haiko. He quickly turns as if in one motion wielding the power hammer with a swift swinging motion catching the hand with the pistol breaking it in several places, then the hostile looks to recoup but as he reaches for another weapon Haiko has the shivering hammer at his head, “You might want to consider your options, who are you and who sent you?” The hostile robed figure does not waste time, it is silent but with a flash it vaporizes into little particles, not wanting to give up it unleashed the molecular integrator and scrambled his DNA into dust. “Damn it, I hate that!” Haiko then picked up Pendleton off the floor, he had dived away to gain cover as he was not armed. Pendleton thanks him and proceeds to get an update which right now was very little, so he appreciates the time but must report back this incursion to the office.

As he walks down the road further, he stops at the spaceport’s local watering hole, The Sleepy Serpent, as he enters the smell of good smoke and strong drink permeating the air. He steps up to the bar to order a drink, at the end of the bar he immediately sees a Ghol, horned creature however not just your normal Ghol, this was Baktu, a nomad who you have tangled with in the past during another bounty run. He was not happy as you ended up killing his contact before he could get over to him, not trying to interfere but he never forgave you, he draws his spike ax to confront you plus a few drinks in does not help. You act quickly, making a move with the hammer to deflect the attack, nomads do not commonly kill other nomads, it is against the code. Baktu realizes he is not up for this, he stops and grunts a little, “I owe a great debt towards a senior guild member who does take a liking to you, I will move along but stay clear of my path in future whelp!” Haiko nods, again silent, he just watches as Baktu moves along out the door, ordering a vodka drink he relaxes a bit before he moves along, his position here is drawing too much attention now. Just as he leaves the bar and starts down the side path a slight buzzing sound comes closer, a gang of hover bike riders are making their way towards the bar. As they park the leader who seems to already be three sheets to the wind yells out, “Hey mate!” “Whatcha doin?, We can see youz got stuff we wants!” Proper grammar is not the highlight of this individual’s life for sure, Haiko sighs but realizes he is going to have to defend his position. Seemingly like a flash the gang leader whips a vibro knife out to come and stab him, just as quickly Haiko swivels with his power hammer and deflects the knife which flies across the icy path, with a pivot back he manages to catch the ribs of this gang leader with a massive crunching blow that caves in his side, down he goes. The rest of the gang stare in awe, they do not say much as they casually turn and proceed a little quicker to the bar, Haiko shakes his head and just moves along. A mile or so down the path there is some smoke rising along the side area nearby, Haiko decides to go investigate as these paths are not easy to survive if you get stranded, he comes across a hover car crashed into the ice bank with a person hanging on the edge of the small embankment obviously hurt. You immediately recognize him, Shruly Mast, a Mystic whom you have worked with in the past but on a different planet, “why is he here?, could this be the bikers who did this?” He looks really hurt, you reach for the med pack and begin to assist him, funny he’s way out here. Shruly had been teaching Haiko more about the meditation techniques and the possibility of manifesting psychic energies, he just never developed the skill enough or practiced enough himself. You notice that the symbols he normally carries on his neck are gone, quite rare and no doubt the bikers outnumbered him. Shruly notices you and a sudden smile comes upon his face, “Thank god you are here, I was traveling to bring a few things to the spaceport from another nomad site down the way for my dear friend who is in trouble and these bikers rammed me off the path.” You help him up and let him know we can get him to a station nearby and hitch a ride further to where he is going. “That biker gang tried to ambush me too, the leader is kissing dirt now” You walk him back to the bar, bikers long gone but help arrives soon afterwards, as you go to leave Shruly imparts a vision upon you, “May this imbue great insight to your goal my friend.” Haiko feels a warmth around his head and a calm over his soul, he thanks him and moves forward down the path once again.

As the day moves along you button up the coat a little more and seem to come across an area you remember, this place houses a Mystic Temple, perhaps this one is where Shruly came from or maybe not? As you enter this temple a Ghol is standing by a series of cabinets, the robe is extremely colorful, with a snort he looks over at you, “I see a nomad has come for something, they always want something.” You are familiar with the Ghol and the arrogance they tend to have towards your kind, this arrogant individual is a bureaucrat you recognize, new uprising connection not really a helpful sort. Seems this connection might be one of the leaders for the resistance that could be using the blueprints, this is your best guess based on his reactions, “I smell an Old Empire stench about you” as he sniffs the air. “I am not interested in your cause but more so the connection you have made and where to find him.” “You do not get that info simply by asking me, I would be very careful nomad what you do next.” Haiko slowly walks closer and flips off his safety on the laser rifle, “That’s far enough worm!” As soon as you move a little forward the Ghol dives around some cabinets and starts to fire at you, diving away and making sure you find cover you fire back missing but taking out a drawer or two. The fight does not last too long as the attention was drawn to the temple with a silent alarm the moment you came in, you try shooting over the cabinet to what seems to be the robe he was wearing however he had ducked past another furniture piece and now has you pinned , before he shoots he decides to exit so the authorities can handle this. Kimano enforcers come in the room and you act fast, I am a nomad on mission and I was attacked, he left through the back, the enforcers take a look around and one takes a statement from you while the other goes outside. “No one there sir, you decide to spend a little time warming up at the local precinct but after a call or two you are let go. As you leave you notice a few locals who were picked up, more victims of the biker gang it seems but they are all ok, you have a sense of calm about you seeing this. As you make your way closer to the main city area where you have a feeling your target is you see a small set of buildings, one that seems to be on fire, you investigate and find tracks but no sign of anyone. You smell a familiar scent over your nostrils that reminds you of an encounter with Nagal, a special fire concoction he used, could this be his work? This makes you pick up the pace. Within minutes you spot a couple of hover bikes, you are not sure if this is the gang but quickly realize it is not by the markings on them. Old Empire scouts speed by however slow down after they pass you to ride up on you, they do not seem to like the fact you are here which is odd. They do not speak but fire the weapons while riding, you dive to the side and shoot back, this is crazy but you never know what lies have been spread across the planet about you. They wind around to try taking pot shots on the run but you have the speed advantage and experience it seems here, they are not very accurate as they decide not to step off the bikes, you manage to blast the 2 scouts and check the ID’s for future note if asked.

After a while you settle at another space port, Hawthorn Port, well established with lots of services and bunks for the night, it is so cold here night travel is dangerous. One well known station here is the med lab run by Fathis Brome, a hawk-like figure with extreme knowledge of healing and medical science. You decide to pay him a visit, the night is very quiet and he sees you have some wear and tear upon you. Fathis sits with you, “I have worked lots of years with your kind, nomads have a tough life.” “I appreciate your time, I have had a long trip this time and you have been helpful in the past.” As you lay next to him he has a new implant that sits just below the skin, it allows rapid healing on demand, that will help with your future endeavors for sure, you pay him and rest for the night. As you wake the next morning a large crowd has formed outside you then see a large convoy, another New Uprising faction making it’s way to this location, the crowd is mixed in their reaction, many locals want to express contempt however the guards with roto phase guns makes them think twice. After that fun stint that I can never get back I move along toward the central part of the area, as you are walking your auto ship comm goes off, intruder as the silent alarm is tripped, pulling up your wrist monitor you notice a small figure poking around the ship. You hail this figure on the speaker system, “Hey! I would stay clear of this ship of the auto phasers will disintegrate you!” The figure then stops, swallows hard and walks away slowly not to come back again, you move along with your day. Up ahead you see the local Old Empire outpost, many of the locals trade with this place and it usually is a nice spot for information. As you enter the outpost it is busy so you sit by the info monitors to scan for interesting events and maybe gather some insight on the new uprising factions latest dirt, seeing a few decent places to check out you chill with a drink and bolt out after about an hour mostly unnoticed by many locals and faction members alike here. Several miles down the road you do notice another Mystic temple, this is a lot smaller then the other one but it seems to be of a neutral faction for this planet, this time the scene is a little different, many beings are here however another interesting standout is away by a alter in the corner, at first seems like some robotic figure but then a Kimano maybe, Shapeshifter is what I was looking at. “Nomad, Haiko calls out, I see you and know your colors, this is not my first rodeo.” The uncanny shapeshifter then knows he is found out and won’t be fooling his opponent, “I have some other interests that have asked me to protect an asset, word has it you are after that asset.” Haiko really adheres to the nomad code, you are not supposed to fight directly with other nomads, this person is not of the same ilk obviously. “Well, you have your morals, I have mine, I suggest you move along shapeshifter.” He does not seem to want to heed that command, his form shifts quickly to form large strong legs to sprint close to Haiko who then carefully dodges the charge grabbing an ankle and then powering up his hammer to strike at it. “Save your ankle and move along, now!” The nomad sees he’s overstepped, decides it’s best to stand down and yields. Haiko is very strict with the code of the nomads and will not let himself betray it at any cost.

A strange feeling comes over Haiko, this is too close to have a nomad be intercepting me, Nagal must be close! When scoping out the temple you happen to see out of your peripheral vision a figure that looks familiar, Baktu from the bar? It seems unlikely but as you move towards his position by the seated area, he is standing next to he moves along to a corner spot closer to the fountains of this temple. Now it appears he is not Baktu at all, as the disguise lifts a holo scan showing it is a ruse set up by Nagal to throw me off his path or he has been following me a lot closer than I like. “Nagal, what is the meaning of this?, using that deception would not work forever.” Haiko readies the power hammer as Nagal does not seem to keen on talking much but has his claws concealed in the robes he is wearing, “You fool, nomads always try to seek me out, I have made quite a difference in the New Uprising’s cause.” Nagal looks to wield his claws viciously as Haiko draws the power hammer in response. The battle is fierce and quick as many swings of the razor sharp claws fly back and forth, as the claws try to slice deep the reinforced metal hammer sparks as it blocks the repeated blows raining down, those claws used to intimidate many but today Haiko is not backing down. One shift to his footing allows Haiko to swing with great force breaking the claws as Nagal’s hand comes up attempting to block the mighty blow but fails as his jaw cracks and blood spatters all over the seating area nearby. Haiko has taken down Nagal finally for good.

As you travel back to the ship you pack all the things needed to prove you made the kill and earns your bounty, the ship ride back is calming as the soft and quiet space flies by the outer windows, you make it back to Alpha 55 with no incident. As you make your way to Colson’s office you notice some activity all about the office, a few guard bots outside Colson’s door, you do not pay much attention as you buzz to enter, Colson greets you and invites you in. “Well Haiko, I know you are good at what you do, many rumors are afloat and I have to say I doubt it is true but the guild sent some bots in case there was an issue, they claim you broke code.” Haiko stops a second, many of the incidents he was close to doing this but chose not to, someone has spun that story to fit a narrative, we will have to figure out how to reverse this for the near future. Colson pays you the lucre and wishes you well, now you must go clear your name and find out what’s really going on here. Haiko leaves Colson’s office and departs in his ship to explore the depths of space and find answers.