Mattmantula Starbanger launched a rocket from his arsenal and quickly followed it up with a flurry of blaster bolts. Not a single shot missed its target even as the rakghoul fell dead to the ground. He kept his snub-nose blasters trained on the abomination for a few more seconds anticipating the need for a double tap. The rakghoul twitched as its nerves sent a final jolt of energy through its body and Mattmantula instantly put one more bolt right between the monsters eyes. A bit of smoke drifted out of his barrel as he lifted the gun to his face to blow out the heat. Mattmantula’s holocommunicator beeped and he twirled his weapons around as he holstered them. He pushed a button on his device and out popes a small blue image of commander Zyley Silverstrike.

“Hey Matt, just got a job offer from an old friend, it seems he needs a couple mercenaries to travel to Asation with him to take out some kind of huge monster that’s trying to crawl out of a portal. I told him me and the Starbanger were on our way.”

“Who is this guy Zyley? I don’t like working for people I don’t trust.” Starbanger reluctantly asked.

“He goes by the codename ‘Boxcarman’. I used to fill contracts for him all he time back in the day. He’s not gonna screw us. If you are slow to trust him that’s alright, just trust me and get your ass to the station, drop ship leaves in a few minutes. Grab me a reflex stim while your on your way. That’s an order soldier. Let’s move.”

Mattmantula didn’t hesitate, he cut the ear off his fresh kill for proof his bounty had been filled and ignited his jet pack as he called in his ship for a low-orbit pickup.

When he arrived at the Imperial space station he had already missed the drop ship.

“Damnit Zyley! If I hadn’t had to stop to get you that stim I would have made it on time.” He thought to himself as he made his way back to his own personal starship. Once again he called Mako over his earpiece, “Set coarse for Asation sugar tits. Looks like we are doing this the old fashioned way.”

Mattmantula Starbanger arrived on the battlefield as Zyley and his employers we about to be overrun by an enormous Hamstersaurus and several of its twisted spawn. The hired gun descended from his drop ship launching several missiles and rockets from above. As he entered the fray he threw the requested stim to his Commander and simultaneously caught an adrenal that was tossed to him. The two mercs injected themselves and threw the empty syringes on the ground.

They stood back to back as their blasters spewed hot bolts into countless creatures. The addition of Mattmantula’s firepower was obviously turning the tide of the battle and the mercenaries decided to get fancy. They slapped each other a high five just before Zyley took off running toward the Hamstersaurus and Mattmantula ignited a flare. The diversion drew the attention of all the smaller creatures and they converged on Starbanger.

He power boosted his flamethrower and melted the large group of monsters. A risky maneuver with such a dangerous weapon, but Mattmantula was known for taking a gamble now and then. The attention he drew to himself gave Zyley just the window of opportunity he needed. As he sprinted toward the largest enemy he ignited a rocket that he held firmly in his fist, jumped up, and used his jet pack to launch himself directly at the Hamstersaurus’s face. He caught the creature right on the chin just as the rocket in his hand exploded. The devastating blow knocked the monster backwards. It collapsed to the sound of all its twisted spawn screaming in pain as Mattmantula’s flames torched their flesh.

The two mercs looked at each other. Mattmantula nodded as Zyley threw him a thumbs up with a hand still smoking from the exploding rocket. They had impressed each other greatly with their heroic maneuvers, and the smiles on their faces showed great satisfaction.

A few flaming creatures still ran around screaming as the hired guns began to med scan the wounded. Mattmantula found the leader of the group that had hired them under the burnt out corpse of an enemy. He helped him up and handed him a syringe full of kolto.

“You must be Boxcarman.” He said in a friendly voice.

“That’s right, we sure are lucky you showed up when you did, that thing nearly had us.” Boxcarman whimpered as he held a wound on his side.

“No I’m sure you guys would have done fine, I just made it look good.” Mattmantula assured his employer, trying to make a good impression.

“Well either way I’m scrapping the operation, my team is beat up pretty bad.” Decided Boxcarman.

“Don’t worry though, I’m gonna make sure you and Zyley are paid for you services. I’ll even throw in a little extra for the flashy heroics. It has been a long time since I’ve seen someone dance with death the way you Zergadins do.” Boxcarman gathered his team and began the retreat.

Mattmantula walked toward Zyley who was sitting on top of the dead Hamstersaurus holding a lit cigar.

“That was a hell of a punch you packed there commander” the Starbanger commented as he took another cigar from Zyley and lit it with his flamethrower. “Not to bad yourself banger, not to bad at all”