Montross (bounty hunter)


 * Money means nothing, It's the thrill of the hunt that drives me, the moment my prey begs for mercy, the moment I take his life!
 * – Montross

Montross (c. 92 BBY - 32 BBY) was a Mandalorian bounty hunter who competed with Jango Fett to become the template for the clonetroopers.

Biography
Even as a Mandalorian, Montross had always gone to extreme measures. Though he served loyally under Mandalore Jaster Mereel, Montross had his own vision on how the mercenary group should be run.

During the Battle of Korda 6 in the Mandalorian Civil War, Montross disobeyed Mereel and went on a foolhardy assault of a well-entrenched enemy.

The battle soon turned into a rout, and Mereel released that it was a trap, set by their enemies: the Death Watch. Mereel wanted to evacuate, but Montross delayed them, yelling that Mandalorians never abandoned a fight.

The young Jango Fett used Montross' insane maneouvere became a distraction for Jango to reach their target, but when the Death Watch's leader, Vizsla, showed up, Montross saw his opportunity and abandoned Jaster, leaving the Mandalore open to attack from Vizsla's tank.

Montross' betrayal led to his leader's death, and, despite his treachery, he fully expected to be named Mereel's successor.

When the Mandalorians had reached safety, Jango Fett returned carrying Mereel's corpse. To Montross' dismay, the Mandalorians collectively agreed that Jango should lead the Mandalorians, not Montross, despite the elder warrior's retort of '''Yyou would have a child leading you?".

Disgusted, and under the threat of exile for his part in Mereel's death, Montross left the Mandalorians forever, and became a bounty hunter.

After the Mandalorians were almost entirely annihilated at the Battle of Galidraan, he was one of the few left in the galaxy who still wore the armor and was known for never taking a live bounty.

Montross stopped at nothing to ensure it was he, and not Jango Fett that collected the bounty on Bando Gora leader Komari Vosa. Twice Fett and Montross fought, on Coruscant and Malastare. Montross managed to put a tracking device on Slave I and overheard Fett's conversation with Rozatta. Heading to the station, Montross forced the Toydarian to tell him where Vosa was. Rozatta told him Vosa was on the fourth moon of Bogden. Montross then set thermal charges on Outland Station. Montross contacted Jango, gloating that he would get Vosa himself, but Fett managed to find the location before Montross and the station exploded.

Montross and Jango reached Vosa's palace and prepared to have one final duel. Montross boasted to his opponent:


 * Just like ol' times, you and me, man to man, face to face. Only now we do this to the death! May the best man win.

Jango replied:


 * I am the best, always was.


 * We'll see about that.

Montross had his old Mandalorian armour and the two prepared to fight, with Jango as the victor. Montross wanted a 'warriors death' but he has already done too much, and Jango simply leaves him screaming in agony as the Bando Gora proudly finished him off.

Behind the Scenes
The name Montross comes from the character of Montross Holdaack, who appeared in the second screenplay draft of The Star Wars. Here, Montross was the science officer onboard a ship run by Jabba the Hutt and Oxus, and was friends with Han Solo. Montross eventually evolved into the character of Chewbacca.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Bounty Hunter
 * Jango Fett: Open Seasons