Deep in the heart of the unknown regions, a large frigate exited hyperspace near the semiarid planet Ocix Prime. It entered the atmosphere and coasted over high, sweeping plains and rough uplands toward the largest settlement, Min S'axett.
At face value the city looks picturesque; a mass of ancient, beautiful sandstone and limestone structures nestled in the foothills of the wooded Toyah Mountains. But those who have visited the city before would know its elegant designs and intricate fixtures concealed all manner of outcasts. Thieves, dealers, and others with black pasts infest the city. Condemned, most remain on Ocix Prime because they can't afford to leave; that, or no other world would have them.
The ship flew over the city toward the main hangars and set down in one of the vacant hang-bays, powering down its engines. After a few moments, two burly men strode down the boarding ramp and spoke briefly with a Kubaz, who followed them back into the frigate.
It was cluttered and dirty inside, reeking of waste and unwashed bodies. The two men led the alien through a maze of corridors, then down a concealed passageway to a group of barred cells. Inside, a ragged group of people sat, stood, or lay on the filthy floor. The Kubaz inspected the merchandise, then turned back to the men with a wide grin and nodded.
Meanwhile, below Min S'axett's humid surface, a crowd was gathering around a large hover platform. A tall Zargarian in a rugged tunic stood on a raised podium nearby, calling out in Bocce while a protocol droid interpreted in Basic.
"Strong, able-bodied new stock, fresh from the inner rim! All who know Toi Louie, know he sells only the best!"
A Kel-Dor in a breathing mask shoved a stun-cuffed woman onto the platform. She stumbled, causing the rowdy crowds to guffaw loudly.
"First up for sale, we have this lovely Twi'lek female. She's young! She's beautiful! She'll last you a lifetime! Who'll start off the bidding?"
The woman was quickly sold, as were most of the others. Then a worn, noisy landspeeder pulled up at the edge of the thinning crowd. It's driver, a grizzled, middle-aged oil fielder, scowled as the last adult slave was sold to a particularly ugly old Toydarian. He watched as several children were dragged onto the auction block, their wrists and ankles bound by small chains. One boy, unlike his crying peers, fought against his captor, using the chains to his advantage. What stood out most was his hair--it was whiter than the purest cloud.
"And now I bring you something special!" the droid interpreted the slaver's sales pitch. "These cubs may not look like much now, but you can bet they'll grow!"
The guard struggling to hold on to the white-haired child yelped as the boy landed a solid kick to his shin. What was left of the crowd guffawed heartily. The slaver chuckled.
"Look at this one; strong enough to pull the ears off a gundark! Come now, let's not let such fine merchandise go to waste!"
"One hundred for the white boy!" a stout woman shouted, holding up her hand.
The slaver smiled. "We have one hundred! One hundred, my friends! Do I hear two?"
A tall Zygerrian made his Cathar aide raise her hand and nod for him.
"Ah, we have two hundred! Do I hear three!" the slaver called.
The bid rose to three seventy and stayed there. "Any other bid?" the slaver asked, scanning remnants of the crowd.
The white-haired child suddenly stopped struggling long enough to aim vibrant blue eyes straight at the oil fielder. The man never knew why he raised his hand.
"Four hundred."
The slaver beamed. "Four hundred, my friends! Any other bid? Going once, going twice . . . sold to the gent in the back!"
The fielder made his way to the platform and handed a packet over to the droid overseer. The boy was still fighting as he was brought over to the farmer's speeder.
"Kid'll do good work," his captor said with a grunt.
The fielder scowled as he strapped the squirming toddler into his seat. "This kid is little more than a baby."
"All the better. He'll be easy to train." The guard gave a mocking salute, then walked away cheerfully.
"Boy, you better be worth every coin," the farmer growled as he started up the transport.
*** END OF PROLOGUE****
YOU ARE READING
STAR WARS: ADVENTURES OF BUCK RYDUR - BOOK 1 PART 1 FREEDOM'S PRICE
Science FictionMy origins are unknown. My first memories are of being sold into slavery. Even my species is a mystery. Limitless power flows through me. This galaxy; it's not my home. Even my name is not truly mine. They call me Buck Rydur.
