Within the deep vacuum of space, an ST-70 Assault Ship emerged from Hyperspace with its pilot sighing as he saw the endless void knowing he had gotten away. This pilot wasn't an ordinary man, it was the Mandalorian known as Taren Khor, the sole survivor of Clan Khor after the Galactic Empire has massacred them ages ago. Now at 21 years of age, Taren has developed an interesting life. After his family was taken from him, he became a Bounty Hunter and traveled the galaxy in his ship the Fire Hawk, taking jobs that harmed the Empire. Sure, he could've just aimlessly attacked the Empire, but he did need a way to get money to survive so doing it this way was a win-win. He got to hurt the Empire, and he got paid for it. But this path in life let him meet some interesting folks. The first two he met were Han Solo and Chewbacca. When they first met it was… mixed. Taren and Han got off to a rocky start, but he and Chewbacca actually got along. Eventually the three of them kept running into each other through various jobs and soon became friends.
But he wouldn't see the two for some time thanks to the Hutts. Taren debates what he should do. It should've been another job, another easy score to make some money. But something went wrong and he didn't account for it. That part is on him, but the ones he worked his double crossed him and now he had a huge target on his back. The Empire now knows who he is and that he works for the Rebel Alliance, making him a huge priority target. He didn't know if he should contact the Rebellion and ask for asylum or find some other way to lay low until the Rebels need him. But he doesn't want to bring more heat onto the Rebels considering what happened at Yavin. While he wasn't present for it, he heard all about the aftermath from Leia. He remembers when he first met Leia, it was for a single job that soon spiraled into a thousand other missions for the Rebellion. He became one of the Alliance's top assets even though he wasn't officially a member. Something Leia would continue to try and fix.
Taren would remain out of the Rebellion so he could maneuver around the galaxy easier and still be somewhat of a free man. Not chained down by Rebel operations and command. It was easier for him as he could still freely take jobs as a hired gun. As he debates his next move, he knows he has to at least contact the Rebels and inform them of what happened. So, he attempts to establish contact with Han on encrypted channels so that the Empire couldn't track him. After a few attempts, and some close calls, he established contact and a hologram of Han Solo appears in front of him.
"Taren! good to hear from you!" Han said with a big smile. "Haven't heard from you since you took off for another job."
Han noticed the body language of Taren despite the fact that the Mandalorian had his helmet on. He could tell something was wrong.
"What happened?" Han asked, sounding concerned.
"My most recent job went south." Taren revealed. "The Empire now knows I'm connected to the Rebel Alliance, and I've just put a huge target on my back."
"That's…. not good." Han said. "Where are you?"
"Don't know." Taren replied as he checked his navigation system. "I made a blind jump to escape, but my navigation system says there is a star system not far from me."
"Name?" Han asked.
"Doesn't say, either it's uncharted or some abandoned planet." Taren answers. "How are things with you guys?"
"Not good." Han said. "We've had a few close calls. We nearly got caught but thankfully we dodged. Chewie misses you though, says he misses his tech buddy."
Taren smiles under his helmet and chuckles a little. Chewbacca taught Taren a lot about technology and how to make repairs on ships. It's how they bond.
"Luke and Leia?" Taren asked.
"Luke is Luke, Leia's trying to keep things together with the other Rebel leaders. Unfortunately, some folks abandoned the cause." Han explains.
"It's unfortunate but we should expect things like that." Taren said, disappointed but he understands.
"What are you going to do now?" Han asked, putting his hands on his hips, his hologram flickering.
"Not sure." Taren said.
"We can meet up, better to stick together than go it alone." Han suggested.
"No." Taren said shaking his head.
"No?" Han asked, surprised.
"You said it yourself; you've had numerous close calls." Taren points it. "I don't want to bring any more heat onto you guys. I need to let the heat around me die down first before I link up with the rest of the Alliance."
"There's gotta be a better way." Han said, clearly not liking the sound of it.
"Wish there was. But I'm not putting you guys in more danger." Taren said, his tone of voice making it clear this isn't negotiable.
Taren could tell from Han's expression that he was both concerned and displeased to hear this. Soon a second voice is heard over the transmission.
"Han, who are you talking to?" a distant voice said.
"It's Taren, and he's bringing bad news." Han said.
A second figure steps into view as a hologram and Taren sees that it's Leia.
"Taren! thank goodness your alright." Leia said, clearly relieved to hear from him again.
"Good to see you too, Leia." Taren said. "Wish I could bring good news."
"What happened?" Leia asked.
"Taren's recent job went south, now the Empire knows he's connected to us." Han said.
Leia's eyes widened, shocked to hear this.
"To make it worse, he wants to lay low all on his own." Han adds.
This made her look directly at Taren.
"Are you sure, Taren?" Leia asked. "You could always hide out with us."
"I'm sure, Princess." Taren confirms. "I don't want to bring more danger to you guys, especially since the Rebellion doesn't need more flak."
"Where will you go?" Leia asked.
"Most likely to this nearby star system." Taren answered. "Unfortunately, it's an unknown system. I'll be going radio silent for some time."
Leia hesitated but knew she had to accept it as she sighed.
"Don't stay gone for too long. The Alliance needs people like you." Leia said.
"Good luck, Taren." Han said.
"Stay safe." Taren said before he ended the transmission.
The holograms of Han and Leia vanish before the Mandalorian made his final choice. He'll go to this unknown star system nearby and hold out there until he's sure the heat has died down. He puts in the coordinates and prepares the hyperdrive as he does, he begins to get second thoughts about this. He shakes it aside and focuses on survival. He just hopes that the system has habitable planets. Once he's done, he makes the jump to Hyperspace. It doesn't take long for his ship to reach its destination and when it does the ship exits Hyperspace. As he did, he saw a planet with a shattered moon in front of him. He was curious about what could shatter a moon like that, but he didn't dwell on it for long. He saw the planet and took a guess if it was habitable. But he hesitated, what if this world had a civilization on it? What if it had ties to the Empire? What if it was a secret Imperial base? He didn't see any Star Destroyers so maybe not that last one. He got rid of his anxiety and flew his ship towards the planet.
It took some time to enter atmosphere and then get below the clouds but once he was, he saw the vast land below. He had his ships scanner on to search for any settlements, and he actually finds multiple, but he doesn't wish to approach them but he kind of has to if he wants to know about this planet. But he doesn't want to risk being found by the Empire. Unfortunately, it's a risk he must take. So, he locates the nearest settlement and begins his approach. After moments of flying, he begins his descent but as he does, he notices the settlement is in ruins and stacks of smoke rise into the sky. He lands the Fire Hawk outside of the village. The landing gear deploys and the ship touches down. Taren begins to leave the cockpit and descend into the cargo bay.
Outside of the ship, it was deathly quiet besides the sound of the engines on the Fire Hawk powering down. The side door opens and the ramp drops allowing Taren to step off his ship. He had both of his WESTAR-35s and his 773 Firepuncher Sniper Rifle holstered. The pistols in the holsters on his hips and the sniper on his back. He looks around before he presses a button on his vambrace which closes his ship up. With that done, he makes his march towards the village.