Although the Galaxy Fest event completed with minimal negative impacts, the news from Bright Jewel turned solemn shortly after the Festival officially ended. News broke recently that the infamous Jawa scoundrel Bik N`Tal was confirmed dead by local authorities. N`Tal was best known for daring and profitable kidnappings and hi-jackings as well as an awkward yet sociable demeanor.
On Day 275, there were reports of a pair of bulk freighters having flown to close to Bright Jewel's sun during an apparent hyperdrive malfunction. Shortly thereafter some authorities near the territories routinely hindered by the operations of the Sand Corsairs, a pirate faction led by N`Tal, released a general advisory to nearby cargo pilots that the Corsairs were having an internal power struggle, caused by losing contact with N`Tal. The alert warned of both the collapse of the organization, but also potential unpredictable behavior from the pirates as the group dissolved.
Although all signs pointed to his death, it was not deemed official until a salvage crew could pull the damaged freighters into a higher orbit around the sun. Then local officials could recover the small, irradiated and charred remains and run a series of tests to confirm identity and cause of death. The combination of physical forensics and data analysis from the two linked bulk cruisers following the same hyperdrive inputs allowed the local constabulary to confirm that Bik was in fact on board having set the coordinated for the jump himself. The coroner's autopsy report confirmed the cause of death as a combination of radiation exposure, chemical inhalations, and burning and scaring of the respiratory tissues. All of which are consistent with piloting too close to a major star. The report also listed Bik's official height to be much shorter than Bik's typical claims. His signature top hat appears to have been destroyed by the searing heat of the sun as well.
The coroner’s report noted that there were signs of head trauma and apparent recent brain injury caused by blunt force trauma. It is theorized that during his recent fighting with Purgills on the nearby gas giant, Bik had sustained a concussion, but had not submitted to treatment for that injury. The resulting slight confusion or light-headedness resulted in a mis-entry of his jump coordinates. In his confusion, Bik also apparently over-rode the typical safety protocols in his Nav-comp that would normally prevent hyperspace travel so close to a sun. The ship’s automated systems deactivated the hyperdrives in time to save the ship, but not in time to save the crew and some of the cargo on board.
Due to his insistence in eschewing the clan structure of the Jawa Culture, N`Tal leaves no known relatives behind and no listed heirs. Authorities are currently collecting a list of his assets which will initially be placed into probate. Assuming no one comes forward with a legitimate claim to N`Tal's legacy, the assets will eventually be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
