BH-0250

*The legendary bounty hunter whose act of bravery inspired The Order of the Firewalkers, A.K.A., "The Orange Gang".*

“What is your rank?”

Throughout the galaxy the question of one’s rank is common. It makes sense. Hidden behind their armor and wielding weapons others could only dream to hold, some citizens of Amora believe that members of the Bounty Hunters Space Guild who are ranked higher among their guild may charge heavier bounty. Before engaging in any contract with a Bounty Hunter then, the question of rank often arises. However, there is one faction of the BHSG to whom the question is never asked - The Orange Gang.

Generations ago, the galaxy was a colder place, if that is even possible to imagine. This was especially true among bounty hunters. Operating outside of the laws of most systems and preceding the official formation of the Bounty Hunters Space Guild, interactions between bounty hunter factions tended to be far more confrontational, with each vying for their own territory and supremacy. While there was little code of conduct in those days, one generally accepted unspoken rule was that fueling stations were to remain a site of neutrality. No bounty hunter, regardless of faction, is going anywhere without fuel to travel the systems…

One day, on a fuel station outer rim of the Vergere system, there was an incident. The legend goes that three rival factions, the Tusks, the Phoenix, and the Solara, happened to be on the same fueling platform due to a landing lock error at the other two main platforms which prevented them from being properly spaced apart, as was the common practice to avoid interactions. The situation was tense, with each group of bounty hunters staying close to their own, aside from one. Refueling the DRDR class ships commonly used by bounty hunters at that time required a lone member of a faction to stand by the central connection to the main pump on the fueling platform. The nominated member of the group was typically the one with the lowest rank. Thus, there were now three bounty hunters, each of low rank and each of different factions standing in closely together.

“What’s your rank?”

While historians often argue over many things, this is the question that is always spoken during every telling of what happened next. It was asked by the lowest ranked member of the Tusks as he tried to assert himself over the other two bounty hunters, as Tusks were wont to do. The Phoenix responded proudly, knowing that while he was the lowest rank on his ship at the time, his rank was actually rather high. Upon hearing so, the Tusk immediately backed down and chose instead to turn his aggressive attention to the Solaran.

“I am rank-less,” he replied.

Rank-less…

Rankless.- The name of legend now ascribed to the nameless and rank-less bounty hunter for his bravery in what followed…

Upon hearing the reply, the Tusk laughed and mocked Rankless. He showboated and threatened. Yet, Rankless did not respond. This only caused the low-ranked Tusk to become angry, however, and in an effort to save face amongst his peers, he broke the one unspoken rule among Bounty Hunters: He drew his pistol on a fueling platform. In seconds, chaos ensued.

The central connection to the main pump was placed in the middle of all three starships on the fueling platform. The moment then Tusk pulled his weapon, it became the most dangerous 20’ x 20’ area in the system. Crossfire from all 3 factions began immediately and in mere moments the Phoenix member next to Rankless was hit and suffered a lethal wound unless he was given immediate attention. The Phoenix was not the only thing hit, however. So was the fuel line underneath the Tuskan ship. As the low-ranked Tusk retreated to his crew mates, Rankless stayed beside the Phoenix who had been struck as a bystander. He knew there was no way that the Phoenix was going to get the attention he needed as long as the area they were pinned on was caught in the crossfire. So Rankless did the only thing he believed my give the Phoenix a chance… He opened an unused fuel valve and covered himself in it, then fired his lighter and allowed himself to become engulfed in the flames and ran…

… He ran straight for the Tuskan fuel line.

It’s hard to say what the Tusks felt in the moment they witness a flaming unranked Bounty Hunter running straight at them. Perhaps it was shock at the sight. Perhaps it was astonishment that Rankless was able to run at all despite the heat lightfuel burns at. Most, however, believe it was fear. Fear at the realization that they were standing in a puddle of fuel and here ran this blazing nameless Bounty Hunter straight for them, unable to be gunned down in time to do anything about it except to accept their fate. Rankless reached the pouring fuel connected to the Tuskan starship and a devastating explosion later, only two factions remained along with the charred bodies and steel of the Tusks. The Solarans assisted the Phoenix crew in medical aid for their wounded member, and after it was clear he would survive, they all spoke of Rankless’s sacrifice in awe. Without him, it was likely all three of the factions would have ended up dead, as a firefight on a fueling platform can only go on so long. But it was certain that the wounded Phoenix would not have survived otherwise. It was this event that marked the first merger of two rival factions. The Phoenix and the Salarans chose to honor their fallen bounty hunter the best way they knew how. They created a new faction who had one creed above all others: Always look out for your fellow bounty hunters with honor and, if it requires, sacrifice.

As the generations have passed, their faction is known for three things. The first is the unmistakable bright orange armor that they wear as an homage to Rankless the Firewalker, Bounty Hunter ID #0250, whose true name has never been known. The second is their complete fearlessness in battle, no matter the situation. The third, however, is perhaps the greatest. In a universe where trust is hard to come by among bounty hunters, even after the formation of the Bounty Hunter Space Guild, all factions know that if they find themselves in the company of one of their bright orange armored brethren, there is at least one person who will have their back without question, no matter the situation.

Their faction is officially known as the Order of the Firewalkers. They honor their forerunner, Rankless, by choosing to forego the ranks issued by the BHSG. To ask them “What’s your rank?” is to dishonor them. Instead, they issue armor among themselves for every fellow Bounty Hunter saved. The better the save, the brighter the blazing orange armor.

But while the BHSG officially lists them as the Order of the Firewalkers, there is one name used by bounty hunters and commoners alike to reference the unmistakable, hard popping armor that all hope to see beside them:

They are “The Orange Gang.”