CHAPTER SIX
If someone were to travel to Mandalore and expect a warm welcoming, they were better off going somewhere else.
As soon as Wallen and Taaku stepped off their shuttle, a burly Zabrak in Mandalorian Protector armor stormed up to them, carrying an EE-3 carbine rifle. A nasty scowl was plastered on his tan face.
"Okay," the horned humanoid growled. "Last I heard, there weren't any galactic wars going on. What does the Alliance need from us this time?"
Wallen cleared his throat. "I am Captain Wallen Nix, detective of GA Intelligence. I have evidence that one of your own is responsible for two murders."
The Zabrak furrowed his brows. "What kind of evidence?"
Wallen reached into his pocket and showed the Mandalorian the snippet of wood he had found near Vuren Rackus' corpse. "Look familiar to you?"
The Zabrak sneered. "Anyone could have carved that out of a tree and plant it to frame us."
"Well, there aren't any trees on Coruscant," Taaku murmured.
The Mandalorian snorted and shook his head, but Wallen could tell that he was considering the prospect. "Tell you what," he then said. "I'll humor you. Goran Beviin, Mand'alor's lieutenant is at the Oyu'baat. You can speak with him there about your murder mystery."
Wallen nodded his thanks and he and Taaku moved through the urban fort-town of Keldabe, brushing past Mandalorian warriors ranging in size, gender, and species. They eventually reached a large, three-story building marked as the Oyu'baat, which Wallen recalled was Mando'a for "universe." In his opinion, they should have called it the Mandalorian word for "old" because it was the most ancient building he had seen in his life.
The tapcaf/hotel seemed to have been built from wood and stone. Its roof was sloped and tilted, and had a very wide ridgepole jutting out on either side from below it. The building's exterior was chipped and faded with age, and its diversely-designed windows were uneven. The whole place looked ready to fall apart.
Taaku frowned as he and Wallen approached the building. "Now I know why Mandalore isn't considered a good vacation spot."
They entered the building and went up the set of stairs that led into the main hall, where booths lined the walls and tables were spread out at intervals. In the center were two long bars- one serving food, the other beverages. The two detectives went up to the latter and ordered two mugs of spiced caf.
When the female human bartender delivered their drinks, Wallen said, "Do you happen to know where Goran Beviin is?"
The Mandalorian woman stared at him with a stone-hard face before scanning the crowd with her eyes. Finally, she said, "He's over there, speaking with Benor."
Wallen followed her gaze to a gray-haired man in blue armor, speaking with a younger human male in silver and red at a table. The two detectives moved towards them and the gray-haired man looked up at them.
"Can I help you?" Goran Beviin grunted.
Taking a seat, Wallen explained to him who he was and why he was here before giving him the snippet with the Mandalorian symbol. "Recognize this?" he asked.
Goran took the snippet and studied it carefully. Then, his eyes widening, he said, "This belonged to a member of Clan Ordo."
Wallen raised an eyebrow. "How can you tell? It has the general Mandalorian symbol on it."
"Yes, but it is carved to resemble the insignia of Clan Ordo," Goran replied. "But that doesn't make sense..."
"How so?"
"Most of them have died out. The last known living member is Corda Ordo, though no one's seen her in ten years."
Wallen frowned and exchanged glances with Taaku. The latter then said, "Where was the last anyone saw her?"
Goran scratched his chin in recollection. "I honestly cannot remember. You'd have to ask Kadar."
Wallen's face clouded. He recognized that name....
"Where can we find Kadar?" Taaku asked before he could.
Goran shrugged. "Heck if I know. He's pretty much went rogue ever since that incident he was involved in."
"I actually encountered him on Lianna four years ago," Wallen said. "He seemed to be tracking down people connected to Black Sun."
Goran grunted. "Black Sun, eh? I think I can help you there."
"You know someone from there?"
The Mandalorian nodded. "A Feeorin named Scav. He worked for Black Sun while it was under Czethros' command and I've heard rumors that he's one of the current Vigos."
Wallen nodded. "I see. Do you know where he could be at?"
"He's got an estate on Odryn, I believe." Goran then frowned. "But I don't think it would be smart for just the two of you to confront him."
"Why's that?" Taaku asked.
"Well, from what I've heard, he's in charge of the entire Lok Revenants."
* * *
"Where is Xalren Mithric?"
The Advozse Vigo, Pol Zurn, looked up at the man threatening him with fearful black eyes. All around him laid demolished combat droids and dead bodyguards. Trembling, he said, "I... I don't know."
An armored fist struck him hard in the nose. "Strike one," his assailant growled. "Where is Xalren Mithric?"
"I... the last I spoke with him, he was on Mustafar. But that was seven months ago."
"Where is he now?"
"I don't-" Zurn cried as the attacker lifted him up and threw him into the wall. As the Vigo struggled to get back up, he saw the bounty hunter stand over him, casually aiming his blaster rifle.
"Strike two. This is your last try. Where is Xalren Mithric?"
"I- Varak knows! He's on Devaron! You can ask him!"
"Good, because he's next on my list." The bounty hunter lowered his wrist and fired a poison dart from his gauntlet, striking Zurn in the neck. As darkness began to consume the Advozse, he barely saw the white-armored man activate his jetpack and take off.
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