Hunter's Log CGT 26.226

Mynock country. Asteroid fields are excellent places to find exogorths, and do you know what else? Bandits. Not your planetary swoop gang types. Technicals, with warp drives. A friend of mine got podded once in an asteroid field. But this one is sterilised and secured. With my head still feeling a bit teased by the spice, weaving between the drifting debris was easy enough to be fun, although the astrodroid 0X was being a pest. What in Skyriver was I doing out here in the belts, off the hyperlanes, dodging monoliths?

The 26th edition of the Mummers Compendium. For new readers, the MC visits bounty hunting harbours across the galaxy and spotlights a different location each year, rating the various bounty hubs that it hosts with a three-star system: one for the menu, one for atmosphere, and one for service.

Ever since the outbreak of the Great Animosity Plague at the dawn of Year 14, the Derra system has frequently taken centre stage on the Galactic News. A contested free-fire zone beyond the legal jurisdiction of any galactic authority, the five worlds of Derra have a particular attraction for many individuals who have a strong preference for not being found. Only bounty hunters can reach them to administer justice on the victim's behalf.

All you war zone skip tracers out there: the Creed protects professional bounty hunters and also the Guild, the client, and the public at large. No matter what syndicate you hunt for, clip your fob to your gear where it is visible while in pursuit of an acquisition. Do not attack another strike force whose leader is displaying a fob, unless you are returning fire or you hold that leader's puck. If you find yourself in conflict with another hunter or syndicate, consider contacting the Bounty Hunters Guild and requesting a hunter's lodge. Sometimes the perspective of a disinterested third party can provide valuable insight. However you resolve the conflict, refrain from obstructing the pursuit of the bondsman's interests. There are obligations to be met first.

It was my own obligations that brought me to the Expansion Regions, thirst sharpened and inhibitions misplaced, to spotlight Byblos Drive Yards and their Shadowport of roses, the dome of Peggy Chin. This place is pure nightlife. At top speed, I can reach Derra in 44 minutes, which means it's much too distant to enjoy the sunlight. Revwiens, wear your indoor colours. The lighting is artificial, but the water is extraordinary. I didn't ask where they got it, but it really is magnificent.

Anyplace fugitives gather, bounty hunters will soon follow, and Byblos has created a hive for them on Asteroid 24-K-4 Theta in Field X 71-163. Hyperlane block processing is available at 180 degrees, which would make it near the Derra exit. They can port right to your navicomputer if you dock, or just go over there with your astrodroid. The vacc tubes are clean. Remember, this is a rocky debris field; you can't just anchor your giant star cruiser over Theta and expect it to be safe. Anchor at the stations, which are built in the voids.

Peggy Chin is a place with character. Rose-themed, you can even smell them in the air circuit, Malreaux specifically. The large square in the southwest, dominated by the statue of Chin, is occupied by a Byblos merchant with a nice selection of reasonably priced wares. It's a good spot with traffic all the time; there is no circadian rhythm in space. I'm not sure why more vendors haven't swooped in. This block is where nine of the bounty hubs are located, with six more situated along 5th Avenue to the relative north. The Bureau of Ships and Services operates a public shop here as well, in case you wanted to flip your pelts and trophies. There is also a commerce centre, but it is unfortunately closed for maintenance, so I couldn't access the BoSS estate auctions.

Plenty of landing space is available at the pad and hangar just to the east, although the barracks seems to be an active-duty facility and is not open to the public. The ranch to the northeast, however, is open, and the kennels are well populated. The hospital is capable but lacks the staff and heavy equipment for complicated surgeries. There is also a church; I've heard they are used for something as well. But I had come for a pub crawl. I'm pretty hazy on some parts. I remember a lot of the names fairly well. The Bad Alibi, Low Gs, the Sable Star, the Wretched Hive. But there were a few that really stood out above the rest.

Cantrell hasn't even had a crew out here to inspect the premises yet. It's a giant HoloNet booth with a vending machine, and it doesn't even have a name. Around the back I stumbled into a room full of Hutt gangsters who suddenly stopped talking. For the record, I never heard what they were talking about. They had a lot of questions, but I had a lot more alibis, so I was able to reach the door, no problem. I actually do remember that. I remember that most of the bounty hubs are just deluxe HoloNet booths, including the one from the Confederacy, whom my associates in the Guild are friendly with, but here I am, blacklisted. So logically, this must be a Mummer issue. I'll be finished talking about it once I mention that my sensor sweep confirmed that there is nothing there to talk about anyway.

Byblos Drive Yards' (⯌⯌) bounty hub doesn't offer much more, but I have previously established that the host of the community deserves credit for the entire installation. That being considered, I give the Droid Detector Inn two Mummer stars for the atmosphere and the service.

My experience with Mandalore ARCO's (⯌) Nimbly Nook was my first substandard visit. I went looking for this two years ago, and now here it is, a Mandalorian bounty tavern that doesn't fit in. But like the odd chip that is missing from Byblos, Nimbly Nook gets one Mummer star for the menu. Which is excellent and very much up to par. The interior decor is primitive and sort of brooding, with little to attract the eye. What I did find, however, was that signature Mando serenity. A good place for drinking thinkers.

I really had to take some time to digest my thoughts about the Kira Hideout. The eXiles (⯌⯌) make a pretty good impression, but while they have the same bare walls and tedious trim as any other generic vending machine hut, they do serve refreshments, and these are consistently excellent. What really ties the whole arrangement together is the band. Kira Hideout is the only tavern in Peggy Chin with live music. Patrons are drawn to music, and more patrons make a livelier bar. That's worth two Mummer stars for the menu and the atmosphere.

I won't try to deceive a reader; I work for the Bounty Hunters Guild (⯌⯌) and was directly responsible for arranging both of the Mummer stars that I now award to The Domain of the King. The decor was not yet complete earlier this year, and I personally arranged the remodel ahead of time. That does not invalidate the menu or the atmosphere that exists there now. In fact, it happens to be the best-decorated hub in Peggy Chin, but only because the other syndicates have not decorated at all. I challenge them to. We're all in this together; let's make drinking happen again.

This is Shane Cage for the Mummers Compendium. Shado tee-tocka!