Taren looks up at the sign of a shop where his first bounty hunter job on Remnant is. He pulled out his Scroll and opened it up to check the job description again. The shopkeeper is owned by a man who gathers herbs from the surrounding environment to cobble together some kind of remedy or something like that. He closes his scroll and puts it away before he opened the shop's door and stepped inside. Inside the humble shop there was a large assortment of items from useless to useful. He'd seen many shops across the galaxy and each one either has a different vibe or feels like others. This one has a cozy vibe to it and Taren found it refreshing. A nice change of scenery. He then takes notice of the shopkeeper behind the counter where the register was with his back turned to the Mandalorian. He was reorganizing a shelf behind the counter. As Taren approached the counter, the shopkeeper heard the footsteps and turned around. He flinched a little seeing the figure he saw in front of him.
"Can I help you?" the Shopkeeper asked.
"Saw your bounty job request on the board." Taren answers.
"Oh! I honestly didn't expect anyone to take up that job." The Shopkeeper said with honesty.
"Where do you need to go to find these herbs?" Taren asked.
"Not far. I would ask one of the guards to come with me, but I felt safer with someone a little more skilled." The Shopkeeper said.
"Done this before?" Taren asked.
"You could say that." The Shopkeeper answered. "I'll grab my things and we can head out."
The Shopkeeper walked away from the front counter and into the back room. Our Mandalorian bounty hunter waits for a short while before the shopkeeper comes back now no longer in his shop attire but in an outfit that screamed explorer.
"Ready?" Taren asked.
"Of course." The Shopkeeper said. "I hope you don't mind walking."
"Not at all." Taren said before he steps aside for the shopkeeper. "Lead the way."
The Shopkeeper guides Taren out of the shop and back into the streets of the village. They both then made their way to the front gate of the village where Taren's ship was. When they leave the village, the Shopkeeper spots the ship.
"Whose ship is that?" The Shopkeeper asked.
"Mine." Taren answered.
"That's your ship?" The Shopkeeper asked, sounding impressed and surprised. "You have one impressive airship."
It wasn't an airship but Taren didn't want to correct him. He wants to blend in, so he'll go with it. The walk to where the shopkeeper needed to go was a long walk but along the way the shopkeeper answered some questions Taren had. The Mandalorian was curious about the area and wanted to know where villages were. The shopkeeper was kind enough to answer. There were plenty of villages scattered around the area with some major ones even having Kingdom funding and defense. Though these villages are rare to come across within Anima. Only places like Vale and Mistral have these types of villages. While Atlas is strong, its environment is harsh and brutal. The cold of Solitas can kill someone within a matter of ours if proper heating isn't around or if someone's Aura isn't activated. At least from what he heard from the Chief. After walking for almost hours, they arrive at a section of a forest and the shopkeeper looked around.
"This is the spot." The Shopkeeper said. "Just keep an eye out for any Grimm while I collect herbs."
Taren nods and rests his right hand on his WESTAR-35 blaster. The shopkeeper proceeds to collect herbs from the environment. As this happens, Taren remains alert but thinks about his friends and the Rebellion. He knows it hasn't been that long since he went radio silent with them but he's still worried about them. For a second he thinks he made the wrong decision, but he reminds himself that he'll only bring more heat onto them and he doesn't want that. Besides, he survives better alone anyway. He's outran numerous foes who've tried to hunt him down which ended up with him either getting away or his foe dying by his hands. He managed to do this because he was always alone and didn't have to worry about others being with him. He would keep himself in check and wouldn't have to help others stay in check. It was easy to stay under the radar for the most part.
He is taken away from his thoughts by the rustling of leaves in a bush. He snapped his gaze onto it and pulled out one of his WESTAR-35 Blasters. He aims his blaster at the bush as it rustles before a black furred beast with red eyes and a bone mask emerges. He recognizes the beast's appearance thanks to the Chief showing him images of the Grimm. It was Beowolf, a common Grimm type seen across the globe. The beast growls at the Mandalorian who didn't even give it time to strike and fires his blaster. The blaster bolt rips through the Beowolf with ease. He was about to holster his blaster before more Beowolves came out from the forest. The Shopkeeper had heard the blaster fire and turned around to see Taren and the Beowolves. He grew scared seeing them.
"Can you deal with them?" The Shopkeeper asked.
"Depends." Taren answers.
"On what?"
"If I don't get swarmed."
Taren then suddenly activates his flamethrower and unleashes flames upon the Grimm. One of them gets roasted while two others dodged. Those two beowolves roars at him and charge but he took aim with his blaster pistol and shot one of them killing it, but the other one got too close. He stopped his flamethrower and side stepped while spinning around while extending the retractable wrist blade and slashing. He had timed it just right to hit the creature in the neck and given the size of his wrist blade it killed the creature turning it to mist or ash or whatever the heck these things vanish into. More growls are heard as a couple of Beowolves sprint at him out of the forest. Grabbing both blasters, he opened fire and gunned them down thanks to his precise accuracy that has been fine tuned over the years. The Grimm drop one by one as the Mandalorian mowed them down. However, he was too occupied to notice another Beowolf rushing from the right. The Shopkeeper noticed as the hired gun killed the last sprinting Grimm.
"On your right!" the Shopkeeper shouts.
Taren looked to his right and moved his right arm to aim his blaster but the Beowolf beat him to it and pounced. Pushing him to the ground and chewing on his right arm, which thankfully had beskar to protect him. Being pounced made him drop his blasters. The shopkeeper looked worried for the Mandalorian and for himself. Taren looked to the left while fighting off the Grimm and went to reach for his blaster. As he did the Beowolf slammed its clawed hand on his forearm pinning it down. The Mandalorian then looked at the Grimm's red eyes filled with killing intent. He had to think of something to get this thing off him. However, as he thought of a plan of action a gunshot was heard and the Grimm is knocked off him to the right and its body vanishes. Confused, he props himself up with his elbow on his right arm as he looked at where the Grimm's body once was. He then heard footsteps, so he looked to his left and saw a woman in a red and black outfit with a white and red cloak. She had a rifle in her hand, and Its barrel had smoke coming from it. She had black hair with red highlights and silver eyes.
"You, okay?" She asked as she reached him and held her hand out for him.
"Yeah." Taren said while grabbing her hand.
She helps him up off the ground and onto his feet.
"Thanks for the save." Taren said with a nod.
"No problem, I heard a fight as I was passing through and figured I'd help." She said.
"I certainly appreciate the assistance as well Huntress." The Shopkeeper said while standing up from his position.
Huntress? So, this woman was a Huntress then. Taren thought they'd be an easily identifiable person. But he guesses there is something as the Shopkeeper knew what she was.
"What were you two doing out here anyway?" the woman asked.
"I was collecting herbs that I need for some of the stuff I make." The Shopkeeper said before gesturing to Taren. "He's a Bounty Hunter that came along as a bodyguard."
The woman looked at the Mandalorian who was inspecting his right gauntlet and thankfully it wasn't damaged. To her, he didn't seem like the typical Bounty Hunter without morals. But you can never be too sure.
"You got what you came for?" Taren asked.
"Most of it." The Shopkeeper said.
"Then I suggest we get going, I'd rather not get ambushed again." Taren said as he went and picked up his blaster pistols.
"Yeah, that sounds like a plan." The Shopkeeper said while he picked up his bag.
"Want some help getting back?" The woman asked.
"Wouldn't hurt." Taren said with a slight shrug.
"Not worried I'd take a cut of your payment?" The woman asked jokingly.
"Not really." Taren answered as he holstered his blasters.
This surprised her a little. Most Bounty Hunters she ran into would make it clear that the payment belongs to them not her. The shopkeeper walked over to the two.
"Alright, I got what I brought. We can go." The Shopkeeper said.
Taren and the woman nod before the huntress realizes something.
"Oh, where are my manners." The woman said before she held out a hand to Taren. "My name's Summer, Summer Rose."
The hired gun grabs her hand and shakes it.
"Taren Khor." Taren said introducing himself.
"Taren Khor?" Summer asked, sounding like she heard that kind of name for the first time. "Can't say I've heard of a name like yours before."
"Not surprised." Taren said, knowing why or well having a good idea why.
He then begins moving.
"Let's go." He said.
[Timeskip]
As they got closer to the village, Taren remained alert for any Grimm that decided to make their presence known. He can tell Summer was doing the same thing while she chats with the Shopkeeper regarding the herbs he collected. Our Mandalorian didn't pay much attention to their conversation as his focus was on their surroundings in case of an ambush. But from the pieces of the talk he heard, Summer was friendly. They even talked about other things not related to the herbs. She spoke of Beacon Academy, one of the Huntsmen academies he heard about, and the shopkeeper revealed he had limited interest in becoming a Huntsmen. Mostly when he was a kid. It then got Taren thinking about back when he was a kid. Most of his childhood was spent training under his father who did his best to make him a good warrior with good morals. Karten Khor always believed that to be a good warrior you must also be a good person. He smiled at the memory of his dad, but it quickly faded as he remembered the day Clan Khor was massacred by the Empire in a surprise attack.
The clan had done its best to present itself as a non-threat, just wanting to live and protect Mandalorians. But the Empire saw their morality as a threat and attacked. He'll never forget that day. He only survived because of his mother's actions.
"Whose ship is that?" Summer asked.
When she spoke, it snapped him out of his thoughts and he noticed her looking at his ship, the Fire Hawk. The shopkeeper recognized it and commented on her question.
"That's his ship, if I remember correctly." The Shopkeeper says as he points at the Mandalorian he and Summer were walking with.
As they got closer, Summer got a better look at the ship as they passed it. She seemed impressed by the ship.
"Not a bad ship." Summer said while looking at Taren.
"It's gotten me places intact and out of other places unharmed." Taren said.
"Got a name for it?" Summer asked.
"Fire Hawk." Taren answered as they started getting closer to the front gate of the village.
"Cool name."
They entered the village which continued its day uninterrupted. Villagers moved from place to place either carrying something or just walking to reach a destination. A pair of Bounty Hunters walked up ahead of them, and they seemed to be chatting. One seems to be laughing while the other one kept talking. Must've told a good joke. Summer steps ahead of the Mandalorian and shopkeeper and turns to them causing the two to stop walking.
"Well, this is where our paths split." Summer said.
"Thanks again for the save." Taren said with gratitude.
"You're welcome." Summer said, accepting the gratitude.
"What will you do now?" The shopkeeper asked.
"Speak to the chief and then head back to Vale." Summer answers.
"You know the Chief?" The shopkeeper asked.
"Not personally, but I have been in this village before." Summer answered, clearing up any potential confusion. "Figured I'd go say hi."
"How do you plan on getting to Vale?" Taren asked.
"I'll have to either head for a town on the coast or back to the Capital to find an airship." Summer said before sighing. "Which will take a while."
Taren gave it some thought. He could fly her to Vale as a way of thanking her for basically saving his life from that Beowolf. Though it all depends on if she'd want to accept it.
"If you'd like, I could bring you to Vale." Taren offered. "Save you the trip."
"You sure?" Summer asked, sounding hesitant. "I don't want to trouble you."
"You won't, consider it as me thanking you for the save." Taren says, in an attempt to reassure her.
He could tell she was considering it based on her facial expression and her body language. After a couple seconds of silence and consideration, Summer gives her answer.
"Alright, I'll accept your offer." Summer reveals. "I just want to speak to the chief at least."
"No worries, I'll finish getting the shopkeeper to his shop." Taren said. "Meet back at my ship."
"Will do." Summer said with a grateful smile as she turned and walked in the direction of the chief's building.
Taren then motions gently for the shopkeeper to start moving to his store. He nods and they keep walking.
[Chief's office, sometime later]
The Chief of the village didn't have anything important to do today so he was reading a book to kill time. Though he is curious how that Mandalorian he met is doing. He hopes he can thrive on Remnant, but he is also concerned about what others would do if word of his origins got out. He can only pray that things go well. Once he hears a knock on his door, he shuts his book and placed it down on his desk.
"Come in." He calls out loud enough for the person on the other side to hear.
The door opens and Summer walks in while shutting the door. The chief's bored expression switches on a dime.
"Summer!" The Chief joyfully exclaimed with a bright look in his eyes. "it's been a while since I've seen you!"
"Good to see you too, Chief." Summer said with a smile as she stood in front of his desk.
"What brings you around these parts?" the Chief asked, curiosity laced in his tone.
"I had finished a mission in the area, once I was done, I figured I'd stop by, but I ran into a shopkeeper and a bounty hunter in the forest." Summer explained.
"What was this hunter's name?" The Chief asked.
"Taren, Taren Khor." Summer answered.
"Taren? wasn't expecting to hear about him so soon." The Chief said sounding surprised.
"You know him?"
"I do." The Chief confirmed with a nod. "He brought a collection of survivors here from a destroyed Village a while ago without expecting payment. He then needed some assistance, and I gave him some help."
Summer was surprised to hear about this. A bounty hunter brought survivors to this village and didn't expect payment? That can't be right. Then again, Taren didn't seem like the usual Bounty Hunter.
"He didn't want to be paid?" Summer asked, a surprised voice came from her mouth.
"Yep, I had asked some of the guards if he sought payment. He didn't." The Chief revealed. "From what he said, it was the right thing to do."
This surprised Summer and made her smile a little. So Taren really was a good person from what she's seen and heard. It's a nice change of pace for Bounty Hunters.
"Where is he right now?" The Chief asked.
"With the shopkeeper, most likely receiving payment for the job he did for the shop owner." Summer answers. "He offered to take me to Vale in his ship."
"Really?"
"Yep, he says it's as way for him to thank me for saving him from a Beowolf." Summer explained.
The Chief gained a teasing grin. Something that made Summer worried slightly.
"Is that so?" The Chief asked. "You sure he wasn't doing that to win you over?"
Summer knew what he meant by that. She shook her head with a smile.
"I'm sure, Chief." Summer said, a smile on her face.
"Well, I'll say this." The Chief starts. "It's not every day you run into someone as kind as him."
"That it isn't." Summer agrees before she slightly turns. "Well, till next time."
"Safe travels, Summer." The Chief said with a small wave as she walked to the door.
[Elsewhere, a couple minutes later]
Taren was at his ship with the back ramp was lowered, and he was inside his ship putting his Firepuncher sniper on the weapon rack he had in the ship. Once secure, he walked over to a control pad and closed the rack up before he walked toward the lowered ramp and went down it. His boots touch the dirt as he takes a few steps before stopping. He looked at the wilderness outside of the village before seeing Summer approaching. He waited for her with his arms crossed.
"Talk with the chief went well?" Taren asked as she got closer.
"It did."
"You ready to leave?" Taren asked, lowering his arms to his sides.
"Yep, I had sent a message to a friend to let them know I'm on my way." Summer said.
"Alright, well. Let's go." Taren says as he turned and walked up the ramp.
Summer follows him. Once inside the ship, Taren pressed a button and the ramp raised before the outside light vanished. Replaced by the lights within the ship. The Mandalorian walks towards the latter that leads up to the cockpit. As he grabbed it, he looked at the huntress.
"If you'd like, you could sit up in the cockpit." Taren offered.
"You sure?" Summer asked.
Taren only nods as a silent confirmation. She gave it some thought before she shrugged.
"Might as well." She said.
The hired gun climbs up into the cockpit with Summer behind him. As he steps into the cockpit he sits down in the pilot seat before turning to face the controls. Summer steps into the cockpit and sits down in one of the extra seats behind Taren. the ship powers up with the thrusters kicking up and lifting the ship off the ground. The landing struts retract into the ship as it ascends into the air. As the ship ascends, Taren speaks.
"Gonna need directions, haven't exactly been to Vale before." Taren reveals.
"Go directly west, you'll reach Patch Island that way." Summer explains.
Taren went quiet before comedically turning to her hearing that name. Summer giggled at his reaction to the name.
"Yes, I know." Summer said with a humored smile.
The Mandalorian shakes his head with a smile under his helmet at the name of the island. The ship turns west before Taren takes control. The ship then accelerates and blasts off. Summer then verbally reacts.
"Woah! This ship sure moves!" Summer exclaimed, surprise in her tone.
"I get that a lot."