CHAPTER NINE
"What?" Ves stared at Kadar as if he had just morphed into a ronto. "N-no... you can't... you can't be my father."
"Surely you recognize him as such," Tral said with a smirk.
Ves shook her head. "I... I thought you died with Mom...."
Kadar sighed as he placed his helmet back on. "A part of me did. Black Sun turned me into this... this machine. I have weapons popping out of my arms and stomach, I can't survive without my helmet for more than twenty minutes... I'm not the loving father you once knew. I'm... I'm just a killing machine."
Tral chuckled as he patted him on the back. "But you are still my brother... Ziar."
Kadar spun to seize Tral by the collar of his uniform. The other Mandalorians raised their blasters but Tral signaled them to hold their fire.
"That name," Kadar growled, "has not meant anything to me for twenty-seven years. Do not dare use it again."
Tral laughed and Kadar nearly strangled him for it. "Come now, brother. You shouldn't be afraid of your heritage."
"It's been corrupted for over a century," Kadar snarled as he released his brother. "The only thing people can think of when they hear the name Vizsla is the Death Watch and the treason they committed against the Mandalorians."
"That is true," Tral said as he straightened his uniform. "So would turn down a chance to redeem it?"
Before Kadar could answer, the Renegade's Mirialan captain came storming down the ramp behind Ves and Wiskin.
"My stars, are you gonna leave or what?" Kyla exclaimed. She then froze when her eyes fell upon Tral. "You."
Tral smiled. "Me. How's it going, Ky?"
"Better, ever since I left you. And call me 'Ky' again and your Mando pals will have to go all around the planet to put you back together."
Tral clutched his chest in mock pain. "You wound me, Kyla. I thought we had something."
Kyla snorted. "Oh, sure, up until the moment I caught you kissing that Twi'lek woman."
"Well, her brother had just died--"
"Some 'family reunion' this is," Ves muttered, folding her arms as she kicked up dust. "Can we just leave already?"
"No one is going anywhere yet."
Everyone turned to see a red-skinned Zeltron woman appearing behind the Mandalorian riders, her black robes swaying across the sand. She made a bee-line for Kadar, who brought out his blaster.
"Look, lady, if you're here to flirt with me like the rest of your kind is known for--"
"None of the sort," the Zeltron said coldly and Kadar suddenly felt his body seize up. "We need you for the plan. You're coming with us."
Unable to move, Kadar glanced at Tral. "What's... going on here?"
His brother shrugged. "I was hoping this wouldn't be necessary, vod. But you leave me no choice."
With that, he fired a stun bolt at Kadar, knocking the infamous bounty hunter out cold. While he and his fellow Mandalorians carried him onto one of their steeds, the Zeltron turned her heartless gaze on to Kyla's crew.
"You would be wise to leave and never return."
"No need to tell us twice," Kyla muttered as she, Ves, and Wiskin hurried aboard, closing the ramp behind them.
* * *
Wasteland worlds such as the volcanic planet of Mustafar was an ideal location for a group such as Black Sun. Ignored by the major galactic governments, it drew Black Sun's attention because it was a good place to dispose of unwanted evidence.
It was this here on Mustafar that all of the Vigos and their Underlord would gather and scheme. Anyone who was present that posed a threat to those plans would be dealt with accordingly.
Scur Bodalla entered the meeting chambers of the Black Sun fortress and took a seat at the long, narrow table. His advisor droid, Z-9D7, stood at his side.
"How nice of you to join us, Besh," the Falleen Underlord said, utilizing the Aurebesh-based codenames given to the Vigos. "We almost started without you."
"You know how he is, Underlord," said Isk, a nasally-voiced Muun. "All of his wealth has gotten to him-- mentally and physically."
Bodalla scowled at him. "Shut your mouth, Isk. I have enough money to buy it off you."
"Settle down, gentlemen," the Underlord said curtly. "Besh, how did things on the Wheel?"
"Kadar is still alive," Bodalla grunted.
The Falleen frowned. "Then he is still a threat to us. I expected better results, Besh."
"He obviously did not pick good enough bounty hunters," said a Houk Vigo. "I bet I have better contacts."
"I'm sure you do, Herf," said a Bothan. "I suggest we create our own warrior to eliminate Kadar. In fact, did we not create Kadar ourselves?"
The Underlord nodded. "That we did, Esk. I suppose we could find a scientist as great as Mal Banvor or--"
"There is no need," said a robotic voice. "The greatest scientist of all is right here in this room."
All eyes turned to Z-9D7. Isk leaned forward with a creased brow. "Are you saying you're that scientist?"
"Yes. I am Mal Banvor."
A Tunroth Vigo-- Sidor Visora of the Lok Revenants-- let out a harsh laugh. "If I recall, Banvor was a Skakoan, not a droid."
"You obviously are unaware of the advantages of a 9D7-class advisor droid. They have a large enough cranium to store a human brain... or a Skakoan one."
"Well then," the Underlord said, "it's nice of you to join us."
"For me, yes." Z-9D7's emerald visor narrowed. "Not so for you, Prince Xalren."
The Falleen blinked. "What do you mean?"
"Black Sun has grown rather powerful. However, they have no place in the plan and are thus an obstacle that requires elimination."
Herf sneered. "You're just a droid with no weapons. How can you--"
"I should mention that this droid no longer houses my brain; I am instead broadcasting to you from off-world. A bomb has been placed within Z-9D7 to destroy this fortress and everyone in it. It's been a pleasure working with you, Prince Xalren... and Vondara Ramesh sends his regards."
Before the Underlord and his Vigos could react, the bomb went off and all of Black Sun joined the scrap that littered the lava of Mustafar.
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