Page 3

Llorian turned after the Jedi left and saw Lucien hiding haphazardly behind the shelf that had holobooks mainly about farming techniques. He smiled “Well hello there, it appears you’re quite popular with the authorities here. My name’s Llorian Bralend” Lucien wasn’t sure what to say, “Umm, I’m Lucien, and I can handle myself. I appreciate the hospitality, but I’ll be on my way now.” Llorian smiled, “Nonsense, sit down and have some food, you must be hungry.” Lucien frowned, but listened to the older man, it looked as though he was the only occupant of the homestead. The older man brought out some nerf steaks, and some sort of carbonated beverage that Lucien had never tasted before. Llorian smiled and simply stated that it was an old family recipe. Lucien sat there in the silence of the dining room with the old man, he ate his food but everything was just gnawing at him. Finally he spoke, “Alright old man I give, what’s going on, why you have brought me into your home, and what is it you want from me?” Llorian slowly finished chewing his food, paused, then swallowed his food, and then just stared at Lucien with a grin for a bit.

                                                                    

                                                                     Lucien felt so uncomfortable, he was out of his element, he had no weapons, and this old man was toying with him. “Did you ever stop to think that maybe people just do things to be nice?” Llorian said flatly. Lucien laughed, “I don’t know anyone who does something for nothing, and I’ve been all over this galaxy old man.” Lucien was so sure of himself. Llorian smiled and nodded as he spoke “Well I agree there aren’t many people who do something for nothing, and I know what you are, I suppose that’s something.” Llorian brandished Lucien’s custom Mandalorian blaster that had been passed down to Lucien by his father. Llorian waved it, and then slid it across the table to Lucien. Lucien quickly put the pistol in its holster, feeling slightly more comfortable that he had his weapon back. “Uhh thanks.” Lucien said decidedly, the man seemed to have good intentions, but Lucien couldn’t be too sure about that. Still though with a broken collarbone and no starship Lucien was stuck, so he didn’t want to be too inhospitable. Llorian waved Lucien down “Think nothing of it boy; I can’t have you tearing apart my house looking for your weapons. I know how cranky you Mando’s get when you don’t have your weapons.” Lucien frowned, “I don’t need the gun to deal with you old timer” Llorian laughed “Don’t get cocky kid, you may have training, but I’ve got wisdom.” Lucien didn’t bother to respond, he was a guest as far as he knew, and the man could have turned him over to the Jedi who was hunting him.

                                                                     “What’s the matter kid, nothing to say to that? I thought you Mandalorians were supposed to be quick?” Llorian smiled knowingly, Lucien didn’t have patience for being mocked, and he drew his blaster so quickly that most normal beings wouldn’t have perceived the fact that he actually unhooked his holster before drawing down. It was perfect, just like he learned from the day he could hold a pistol, his blaster bearing down on the old man’s forehead. Lucien didn’t pull the trigger; he just wanted to show that he wasn’t to be messed with. That was his second mistake; before he could react he heard a mechanical whir behind him. A small pressurized firing mechanism was the last noise he heard before electricity coursed through his entire body, he dropped to the ground convulsing his collarbone shooting renewed pain through his entire body. It took what seemed like an eternity for him to black out from the pain.