Dean Dean finds himself adrift in deep space after an unfortunate collision on the fold space highway. A chance discovery of an unusual artifact brings him to the attention of the feared Dedan Empire.
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After visiting several bars, and places that could best be described as seedy dives, Grath was suffering from mixed feelings. Firstly, thanks to the drinks he'd consumed, he was in the early stages of drunkenness, but more worryingly, was the suspicion that the name Tal Garu was not something to be spoken too loudly or too often.
Each time he'd asked a normally chatty bar-tender, or random barfly, if they knew who or where Tal was, they suddenly went silent and turned away as if he wasn't there. Such signs were not good and he had decided to stop the search in case it led to something that he didn't like; such as his death.
Making his way along the busy streets, thronging with creatures from all over the galaxy, his search for a cheap hotel was cut short when a hand was placed on his shoulder. The request for him to stop was not so much delivered verbally as by a grip that felt like it only needed a few more pounds of pressure and it would crush the bone.
"Grath Danum?" The voice crackled as if it was a radio transmission suffering from static and white noise.
"Nope, sorry, never heard of him."
Whether he wanted to turn around or not Grath was spun around so that he was now facing the creature causing him so much pain. He was tempted to shoot first and ask questions much later but as he looked upwards into the face towering above him and seeing the mountain of a body covered in high-density battle armour, he decided against it.
He might have got off a lucky shot and found a weak spot but the six other, similarly dressed warriors who were stood behind him, ensured he knew the odds would be against him.
"But If I should happen to meet him I would be more than happy to tell him that his friends were looking for him."
"Mr Garu would like to see you."
"And if I am not available to see him at the moment?"
There was a pause as he felt something being pushed into his chest. Looking down, he saw a hand blaster that, if carried by any other creature, would have looked like a war cannon pressing into his stomach.
"Mr Garu didn't stipulate what condition you had to be in when we delivered you. So Grath Danum the choice is yours."
"Oh, Grath Danum? I am sorry I thought you said Garath Daynim... Oh, never mind. Anyway, as it happens Tal Garu is just the person I am looking for. Please, lead the way."
* * *
The journey in the hover limousine, with its blacked-out windows, had been comfortable and brief and on exiting it he found himself on a balcony overlooking the city. Then, as he watched the vehicle fly away, he gave it a nonchalant wave. "Goodbye, thanks for the lift. I am sorry I left my wallet in my other uniform, but I will give you double the tip next time."
"Very droll Mr Danum."
Turning around he didn't see anyone, but he saw an open door and walked through it.
