Bounty Hunter

Bounty hunting is a dangerous profession. Independent contractors that must be licensed to fly their spacecraft, carry weapons in public, and operate in lawful and lawless space. For some systems, Bounty Hunters are the only law enforcement there is, and in most systems, the only form of reprisal. Despite the strength of the Allied Galactica's fleet, it's stretched thin across the galaxy and has no jurisdiction in many territories.
And despite the civilized space's feelings towards them, hiring a Bounty Hunter is their best and only resort.

Types of Hunters

Bounty Hunters are used in the Pirate Coalition and Allied Galactic Federation in equal measure. Most often to outsource hits and punishments for the latter and to catch criminals and deserters for the former. Most Bounty Hunters work under the Hunter's Guild, giving them the freedom to operate in most systems in Pirate and Allied space.
But both sides are known for their exclusive types of Bounty Hunters.

Pirate Hunters

System Lords often have a coterie of exclusive Bounty Hunters on contract, plucked from the Hunter's guild. It's a staple of a powerful System Lord's wealth as much as it is to possess noteworthy Slave Girls to have famous Bounty Hunters on their exclusive payroll; even without targets, they can act as exclusive bodyguards.
Some Bounty Hunters are offered exclusive contracts as an incentive to drop their bounty, usually on one of a System Lord's lackeys. In addition to paying off their breach of contract. Also seen as a flex of power.

Allied Hunters

Broadly, the Allied Galactica doesn't think highly of Bounty Hunters, associating them with the chaos and lawlessness of the Pirate Territories. Despite that, business is no less thriving in Allied Space; however, many worlds can elect to outlaw Hunter's guild jurisdiction.
In place of this, Bounty Hunters are chosen and work directly beneath the Allied Federation as a part of their chain of command. These Allied Hunters work within the confines of Allied Space, have jurisdiction within all planets, and take exclusive bounties assigned by the Allied Federation. Some perks of this membership include fixed bounty rates with little competition, covered payment on collateral damage, insurance, and military-grade spacecraft and weaponry.
On the flip side, Allied Hunters must undergo far greater scrutiny than their Guild counterparts. Their equipment, weaponry, and spacecraft must be subject to review and approval, they must undergo hours of cultural sensitivity training, and Allied Hunters cannot pursue guild or underground bounty contracts, and many have their employment terminated with little peer review.

"Almost lost me license for calling a target a Spongy Cunt with the scale toughness of a flaccid cock, got sent to sensitivity training for a month, lost out on three good bounty's because it's not good enough to shoot good, I gotta be careful with their delicate feelings while I'm shooting at 'em?"

Anonymous Donacca Allied Hunter.

Hunter's Guild

With Bounty Hunting as massive and necessary business as it is, standards and regulations must be set. And they are by way of the Hunter's Guild, a neutral organization which all Bounty Hunters must register with. They take in bounty request specifications and distribute them as leads to their various hunting tiers for a price determined by exclusivity level. For instance, a lead bought at a quad rate will mean up to four Bounty Hunters will take the job. Often commissioners will pay lead costs in advance or after bounty capture.
As a Bounty Hunter's reputation grows, the more direct solicitations they will receive. There's also been known to be palm greasing within the Guild's ranks for the first choice of exclusive targets. Like all professions in the Galaxy, Bounty Hunting is a competitive racket.
This allows for exclusive contracts to be sealed for bounties. To operate in Allied Space, Hunters must be registered with the guild. Some require guild membership in Pirate Territories, but for the most part, bounty distribution is done secretly and sealed with blood oaths or another form of contract. To attract good Bounty Hunters, the High Table has deemed that all bounty contracts are enforceable. For a commissioner to turn their back on an agreed price is to risk becoming a bounty themselves, exclusive to the High Table's elite Bounty Hunters.
Despite the more liberal approach, the Pirate Territories are by no means uniform in their treatment of Bounty Hunters, with many systems requiring tribute to the System Lord of the territory the bounty occupies, the "hunting ground." Monetary compensation is standard, of no more than 15% of the bounty's higher price (dead or alive). As well, very few territories afford any but the broadest protections to Bounty Hunters, with many species and planets regarding them with outright hostility.
No bounties are allowed on System Lords themselves unless given explicit approval by their commanding Lords or the High Table itself. This prevents their simple rivalry and competition between Lords from becoming a free for all. The punishment for putting a price on a System Lord's head without permission from a higher-up Lord is as harrowing as it is inventive. Despite this, it still happens with underground contracts to freelance Hunters. However, these contracts are not sanctioned by the High Table and are not enforceable.

Occupational hazards

As per agreement with the Hunter's Guild and the High Table, retribution against Bounty Hunters is a punishable crime. Except in the cases of underground contracts. So if the head of a drug Empire operating in Allied Space is collected for a reward, their System Lord sponsor cannot put a bounty of their own on the Bounty Hunter responsible. That said, it is known to happen, and offenders cannot be addressed without proof.

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Yuki Tsukamoto