Defenders of Starlight: A Star Wars Story (Book 1)

the winter fox

    I step over Minrick's body and sit back in the seat as the brown and green planet grows closer in the window once I drop from hyperspace. Eoccar is a world covered in nothing but deserts and forests. It's easy to forget that when you are in one area with the extreme levels of humidity, the other is drier than Trandoshan skin. Unfortunately for me, that's where Rosso Haven, BonDar's cantina is located. I ease The Hollow down to my private docking port at the front of the cantina, and grab the box from the co - pilot's seat, tucking it under my arm and making my way down the connecting hallway. I head to the airlock outside the primary cargo hold, where I wait for the ramp to drop. Before it does, I grab for the stash from under my bed, collecting it in the bag I stole from the Corellian's house.

Once I exit The Hollow, stepping into the sandy air of the deserts, a young weequay quickly sprints up the ramp, bowing as he reaches me. Without a glance at him I wave my hand to the ship, "There's a verpine corpse. Make sure it's gone and the bloods cleaned before I come back."

The weequay bows again before scurrying up the airlock. Silent. No tongue. That's what happens when you betray BonDar. I pull my face mask from the spot around my neck to my nose. The two suns are just beginning to rise in the north of Eoccar, leaving the desert sky and land around in a purplish pink. I march towards the Rosso Haven, a grand cantina for outlaws and gamblers. Despite our reputation, BonDar does not settle for cheap options, for wreckage, and poor tastes. The white lights of the cantina shine brightly in the dark dusk. The sounds of laughter and clinking of glasses carry out onto the docking port where several fine ships are positioned.

Despite the constant blowing of dust, the Rosso Haven is clean, thanks to hired hand, hired by the money I bring back. Every now and then a shatter of a glass would echo, followed by a scream. But now, the crowd waiting to enter grows quiet as I approach. Niktos and weequays with arms draped around their dates silence and part as I walk through the forever open door, some can't help but stare. Others avoid looking at me all together. The two Spina guards, soldiers dedicated to serving BonDar, dressed in red fatigues, step aside to allow me to pass without bothering to ask for an identification. Still, even with my status, the single eyed gaze of the left soldier, a piercing blue eye besides a milky white imbedded within a scar watches me pass.

      She could have been what I have become, but she failed. Her scars can never match the gaping hole in her mouth.

      I'm not looking to make an unnecessary scene. The mask does little to help as whispers begin to rise and fingers point. I'm the only togurta here. Why would any leave the safety of Shili to come here? I used to ask myself that question when I was younger, now I shrug it off. My parents must have left me, sold me. I no longer cared. BonDar is my family now.

The clinking of drinks and sounds of dice against velvet stop as I step through the door. The reaction is equal wherever I go. Voices attempting whispers slur to each other.

"Isstha Winterr Fox..."

"Shhhh... Volt. Don't... hic... look."

"Ess it truee... herssskinss colddlikee Hoth."

"I'ddlove to find outss... hic..."

The room fills with the soft buzz of drunken whisper as I approach the bar. The few resting at the brass and glass counter quickly gather their few credits left for gambling and scatter. I place my forearm on the counter, placing the box before me, and lean forward, towards the PK droid running drinks.

"Is BonDar in?" I ask the droid, my voice droning in an almost bored tone. The droid looks down on the abandoned full glasses and sighs.

"Your father is in his private study as always. He has asked that the Winter Fox await the arrival of the Enchantress," The PK unit responds, turning his yellow eyes to me. I clench my jaw.