You Prefer Him Alive, Be Cautious

The bounty on Nojahl is significantly higher if he's alive, so you would like to keep him that way. You've found the best way to do that would be to take him by surprise.

You gather that if they intend to sneak away into the storm, they must be headed further east. As quietly as possible, you bring the speeder along the edge of a high dune, into their likely escape path. While you wait, you replace the power cell in your blaster with a Timik-modified stun cell. It should make subduing the Cathar slightly easier, and reduce the risk of killing him outright.

Your patience pays off. You see the hulking Cathar crest the dune, companions behind, and see a moment of shock cross his feline features. To be fair, you'd be shocked if miles of empty sand where suddenly replaced by the barrel of a gun.

"Stand down Nojahl. Move and I fire. This doesn't have to be difficult."

He stops, but he looks less afraid of getting shot and more concerned for his companions.

"These men have done nothing but yearn for freedom. Allow them to pass, and I will refrain from ripping your spine out and beating you with it."

That's... huh. Graphic. "Listen, I still have the gun here. I might be convinced to let them go, if you come quiet and don't make this harder than it needs to be."

He growls, lips drawing back to reveal long fangs. He flexes fingers tipped with razor claws, and you can tell he's trying to figure out if he can close the distance and eviscerate you before you can hit him.

"If you let them go, I will come quietly." Either he didn't like his odds, or doesn't see another way out.

You could let them go. They've done nothing to harm you, and you'll be long gone before they are able to find help. It might make your actual job easier too.

You could also get greedy and try to bring them in as well. There might be a reward for returning lost slaves. Whether that's a line of business you want to be known for is another thing entirely. And it will definately make the Cathar very, very angry.