CHAPTER FOUR
"Captain Solo?" Wallen knocked again on the door. "Captain Solo, we'd like to speak with you."
No response. Just like the previous four attempts.
Standing outside the Solo's apartment with him, Taaku said, "Maybe we shouldn't bother him. He's dealt with many different wars over the course of thirty-seven years."
"What, so he can't leave Coruscant every once in a while?" Wallen knocked on the door for the fifth time and this time, it finally opened, revealing a gold-colored protocol droid.
"Hello," it said politely. "I am See-Threepio, human-cyborg relations. How may I help you?"
"I am Captain Wallen Nix of Galactic Alliance Intel," Wallen said, showing the droid his badge. "Is Captain Han Solo home?"
"I'm afraid not," C-3PO replied. "He and his wife are vacationing on Naboo. Why do you ask?"
"Well, I was hoping he would accompany me to Mandaore, which, from what I've heard, he's been to before."
"Yes, well, I've heard it was not a pleasant visit."
"I see." Wallen sighed. "Well, thank you anyway."
With that, he and Taaku walked away from the apartment. As they got back into their airspeeder, Wallen brought out his datapad and reviewed his notes again. Then, to Taaku, he said, "I suppose we should just wing it and see what happens."
"Hope we don't get out legs broken in the process," Taaku muttered as the airspeeder took off.
* * *
Rays of sunlight shone into the dark room as it slowly creaked open, revealing a young man with dark skin and blue Mandalorian armor. Unsure whether anyone else was inside, he said, "You asked to see me?"
"Yes, Idris," Atinar Cabur replied, turning on a small light overhead. "Sit down."
Idris Kyrek moved into his fellow Mandalorian's small abode and sat in the chair across from him. Atinar then leaned forward and made a steeple with his large hands.
"You are part of Mand'alor's inner circle, correct?" he asked.
Idris snorted. "I wouldn't say I'm an official member, but I've spoken with him and Goran plenty of times."
"Right," Atinar muttered. "What's your opinion on him?"
"Who? Mand'alor?"
Atinar nodded. "Years from now, long after he's passed, what will people know him as? We've had Mandalore the Indomitable, the Ultimate, and the Vindicated. What do you think he'll be called?"
Idris shrugged. "I don't know. No Mand'alor has received such a title in nearly a century, save for the Resurrector. Jango Fett, Fenn Shysa, they've never received a title."
Atinar smirked. "Not yet. But my question still stands."
Idris sighed and considered it for a moment. Finally, he said, "Mandalore the Reborn? Since he's a clone of Jango Fett."
"Too literal. Think more of his leadership."
Idris frowned. "You're insinuating something, aren't you?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"You're suggesting a change in leadership."
Atinar eyed his fellow Mandalorian carefully. "Why do you say that?"
"You keep speaking of the future, about Mand'alor after he's passed, when he has become history. Why do you bring that up?"
"Because you're right," Atinar said coldly. "We do need a change. We've been far too reserved since he's taken charge. We're no longer the crusaders we once were."
"Because of what it cost us three thousand years ago," Idris snapped. "We were beaten and humiliated by the Republic."
"And even more recently nearly eight centuries ago," Atinar added. "What will stop the Galactic Alliance from doing something similar?"
Idris frowned again. "We helped them win two wars."
"And Mandalore the Preserver helped the Republic defeat the Sith," Atinar said pointedly. "In the end, it doesn't matter. In their eyes, we're just right down there with the Hutts."
Idris sighed, knowing that his fellow Mandalorian had a point. "So what do you propose we do about it?"
"Leave the planning to me," Atinar said. "I'll radio you to carry out the execution... if you're with me, that is."
"I... I'll think about it," Idris said, rising from his seat.
"Fair enough. But this conversation is completely confidential, understand?"
"Yes," Idris muttered as he strode out the door. "Understood."
* * *
The murderer of Loth Ja'far and Vuren Rackus watched as the two detectives' airspeeder took off for the spaceport, aware of their planned destination. An opportunity had arisen to eliminate them then and there, but it was not taken so to not create a scene.
And because he still had honor.
Rising to his feet, the murderer turned to return to his ship. Even if the detectives did find enough clues leading to him, his mission would be finished by then and he would be relaxing on Kaal under a different name.
Checking his list of targets, he saw that only five remained, four of them being Vigos- or lieutenants- of Black Sun. And only one of them, being the "eldest", would lead him to the fifth- the Underlord, Xalren Mithric.
He smiled mirthlessly. The countdown had begun.
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