No. 1
Rumours abound, the Mandalorian became a rare commodity once the Sith Empire had become burdened by them no more. The Sons of Mandalore, the Mandalorian Union, the Death Watch. Even in extinction, neither could see themselves together. Perhaps such had been their most fatal flaw, Fett mused, their hatred for all not themselves could never see them united. He loathed Yasha Mantis, yes, but the Mandalorian Empire had been the most united front the Mandalorians had seen in years. He could stand to offer her that one commendation, to say the least. Still, there had been some satisfaction in seeing it crumble, and the death of Australis. Fett harboured no affection for the Emperor, yet that much amused the Mandalorian.
His retirement from the Galactic War seemed abrupt, no true caution found before the sudden disappearance. Had the Sith Empire completely cast all connections aside, found a new favourite seeker? Possibly. Had the New Imperial Order been much the same? Is Fett still a criminal in their restored database, or merely another soldier that since left them all behind? Does Talon still wish to see him as a corpse, does Teth still stand there somewhere? He never bothered to ask himself of the Jedi; a foe to them or not, Fett regarded them as such. Perhaps it had been foolish to venture to Nar Shaddaa. But none could see the reign of the Hutt Cartel put to an end, or could their flame be snuffed out? Some part of Koda never sought to ask beyond that fleeting thought.
Yet, on the Promenade, the Bounty Hunter roamed beside the Hutt. It smelled of all terrible scents, the sight unfavourable as all amounts of meats found themselves shoved into the mouth. Zorba found assistance from mechanical limbs that hoisted his mass. His voice came from the depths, similar to some beastly noise as Huttese came fast.
“Credits have been transferred to your account,” Zorba remarked, cumbersome arms held together. “I should pray the cost of such is not raised anymore than it is. You may be too expensive to sustain, soon.”
“I’m not one to sell myself short.” His coarse voice came, concise.
Zorba sighed. “I see that now. Mandalorians altogether have seen their cost risen, you are no longer commonplace in such a trade. It is a shame to see. I often enjoyed your people, but all that strength is lost to time. Left in the remnants that remain, I see.” His smugness seeped through as a smirk followed, then another mouthful of meat.
Some brief moments of silence followed the exchange.
“So says the Hutt beneath the control of the Jedi.”
“I think not, Bounty Hunter. The Jedi may call this sector their own, but none can tame Hutt Space or the Hutt Cartel. It is as free as ever, even now. It is to remain as such, of course.” Zorba sounded all too confident and the T-Visor from the Mandalorian met the eyes of the Hutt, and the Hutt merely stared back. Koda found himself curious if such had been true.
“Best make preparations should it all crumble. The Jedi fight the Sith, much like all else. Once all are unable to seize the territories in Sith Space, there is but one place to turn; the Confederacy is to take the rest of the Mid Rim and Expansion Region. From there?” He let it sit and stir for a moment more. “You’re aware of the borders, I’m sure.”
“Possibly,” it seemed all Zorba could muster. “But that is not the cause for our conversation.”
“I believed you came to pay me for my services, and then boast your own strength to one that could not care for it.”
“No,” Zorba ceased to move, and the Bounty Hunter proceeded to do much the same. Both turned to face the other, one staring skywards and the other beneath them. “I have another task, should you be interested. In the Core, that is.”
Fett retained his silence.
“I have made some poor decisions. Trusted the untrustworthy, and now all that I have built is threatened by one man. His name is Gor Sem, one of my lieutenants. Former lieutenants. He holds a datapad with secrets best left unknown. Intercept him on Coruscant and return it to me, and Gor if you can.” Zorba continued on, a sense of urgency in his voice. “You should be up to such a task, no?”
“I double my rate for the Core.”
“Double? I should find someone else, then.”
“Core and Capital, you’re fortunate I have not tripled.”
Once more, Zorba sighed. “Very well. I shall have the coordinates sent to you shortly, you have all my details.”
“I need a quarter in advance for expenses.”
“Bounty Hunters…” the Hutt muttered beneath his breath.
