Target Acquired

The information they had been given by Kade (Rerrick's old contact) shed light on a few things. Apparently, someone had placed a significant bounty on Mal's head with a group of mercenaries who operated out of a hidden asteroid base. Who had placed the bounty wasn't disclosed but since it included a bonus for the capture and delivery of The Lion, Mal was guessing it was none other than his old 'Pal' Jarvis.

Another of Rerrick's contacts had suggested 3 possible asteroid fields where this hidden base might be located. After several weeks of searching the fields, they were recalled back to TC space. The General wanted an update in person on their progress. Mal wasn't looking forward to the conversation as he didn't relish the thought of explaining his failure to locate the base.  It was more Mal's own irritation at not finding these mercs than any thought that his commanding officer might be upset though.

The Lion exited from the field of asteroids and the engine roared as the ship entered hyper, they would be home soon.

-----

The door opened and out stepped The General his eyes scanning the room stopping at Mal, "Come in Lieutenant." he said in his usual commanding voice.

Mal dropped from attention and immediately headed into The General's office, coming to a stop and standing at attention in front of the desk.

"At Ease Lieutenant. You seem to be moving better. Have you fully recovered from your wounds?"

Dropping from attention to a more relaxed stance, "Yes, sir. Just the occasional aches that are typical of such scars I think."

"Good. That's good. I was going over your report on your search for these mercenaries and I wanted to commend you on your work so far. However, I'm in need of you elsewhere at the moment so I am going to have to pull you off it for now."

"Sir?"

"Don't worry Lieutenant, I'm going to assign a couple of our best operatives on locating this base. but for now, I need you to handle another matter."

"Yes, sir!" Mal responded, trying his best to hold back his disappointment. He listened attentively as The General explained the details of his new assignment.

-----

Leaving The General's office he tapped his datapad and pulled up Toby's location, a bar and not too far either.  Good.

-----

Looking up from his drink he gazed out at the occupants of the bar.  Mostly just ordinary riffraff with the notable exception of a group of 5 Togorian males occupying a darkened alcove table.  The bar's entrance door opened and in stepped a large all white Togorian male with a well maintained and braided mane. The cat was a massive creature towering over the other races at an easy 3 meters in height. As the target moved to the alcove where the other Togorians were seated those light blue eyes studied the room and as the cat's gaze fell upon his darkened table he dropped his head so as not to draw attention to himself.

Tapping his datapad he activated the listening device he'd planted under the table and listened in as the cats spoke. With a few motions of his fingers on the pad, he opened up a secure communique and typed out and sent a brief message:    Target acquired - The Blade.