Chapter Text
‘Nerf herding, what a life!’
“Closing in on the landing coordinates.”
Echo was at the helm piloting the Marauder towards their destination.
Hunter emerged from the aft of the ship just in time to see the lush green planet coming to view on the viewport.
The Marauder gently flew over the green pastures the several lakes coming into view as well.
“This looks beautiful.”
Hunter retorted having finally some time to appreciate the finer things in life.
“Yeah! Green and clean.”
Echo snorted. Only too happy to see Hunter somewhat relaxed. The trip of theirs having come as a surprise. But they had decided to embark on it just the two of them just the same. Because they had needed the time for themselves. For some bonding and well, to perhaps have a little chat about the future as well.
But for now they both simply glared at the beauty of the nature spread in front of them.
And of course there were those side way glances to the other as well. The sentiment having been brought up by the serene nature around eliciting feelings and sensations to rise up. Both appreciating the beauty of their partner. Soft smiles exchanged in the moment.
The spell broken only by the proximity alert beeping of their approach to the given coordinates.
“Taking her down.”
Echo informed Hunter while steering the ship onto the landing pad.
*
The Marauder landed close to the marked area. Something close to the Nerf Farmer’s homestead so it wasn’t a long walk from there to the farm itself.
Echo and Hunter made good time in getting there.
As they approached the homestead the farmer was there to greet them.
“Welcome!”
The tall Togruta waved his hand to the arriving duo.
“I suppose you are here for the nuggets.”
“We are.”
Hunter simply responded to him.
“What exactly do you mean by suppose?”
Echo though having picked up on the hesitance in the farmer’s comment and choice of words.
“Well, I have some good news and some bad news for you.”
Hunter and Echo exchanged frustrated glances. Something fast becoming a theme for them. Apparently.
As here they had been thinking this would be an easy one. Get in, pick up the stuff and head back. With some time alone together in between during the trip.
How wrong they had been!
“What’s the bad news?”
Hunter asked straight up always wanting the negatives out of the way first.
“Well, we’re fresh outta nuggets.”
“What?”
Echo’s tone carried anger in it already.
“Well, there was a mix up with the orders and so we kinda sold the last of the stock to our previous client.”
“What’s the good news?”
Hunter felt his body growing more rigid as was his mood becoming angrier every passing moment. The effort to heaving been relaxed on the trip over quickly fading away.
“I can make more though.”
The farmer scratched the back of his neck. A tell tale sign of nervousness for sure. Because pissing of a client was never ever a good thing!
“Why do I feel there is but coming here.”
Echo totally knowing there was another piece of footwear about to fall. There always was.
“You’d be right ‘bout that.”
The farmer smirked then, trying to lighten the mood.
“Look, I’m sorry! But the situation is what it is and you can choose to deal with it or not.”
Hunter and Echo let out their collective sigh.
“What’s the but?”
Hunter asked sounding more annoyed than anything. The relaxed state certainly blown out the airlock.
“Well, I can make the nuggets… or get my herd. They’re still out there. And the herd needs to be brought in. But cannae do both.”
Hunter and Echo exchanged glances for the umpteenth time in a short while.
“What exactly is it you’re expecting for us to do?”
Echo was suspecting it was about to fall upon the two of them to help in some way clearly, judging from the farmer’s suggestive comments.
“Well… You can either finish the nuggets or then go get the herd.”
Hunter gave Echo a side ways glance.
“Um, we don’t know anything about either.”
Hunter was surprised the Togruta had even suggested it.
The farmer seemed to asses the duo, before making his suggestion.
“Well. Guess you might be more suited to herding the Nerfs.”
“Say what now?”
Echo and Hunter stated in unison.
“You go get my herd and I will make you your nuggets. Simple as that.”
“Simple as that?”
Echo wasn’t feeling it. At all.
Hunter shook his head first. But for moment of thought he nodded in agreement.
“Fine. We’ll get the Nerf herd.”
Echo’s eyes flew wide.
“You can’t be serious?”
Hunter simply waved Echo’s comment off.
“What gear do you have for us?”
He then asked the farmer then. Ready to get the show on the road as quickly as possible to get the task done and then, leave.
“There in the stable. Horses and whatever else you need for the trip.”
He pointed at the direction.
“My farm hands will help you get on your way.”
Hunter simply nodded and motioned for Echo to follow. Which he did. Grumpily.