Star Wars Endgame: Finale, Chapter Thirteen

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

--The Renegade--

    "That's the last time I make a deal with Kanjiklub," Kyla Kishanti muttered, letting herself relax as the stars stretched before the viewport. Ace sat at the pilot's controls instead of her, as her hand still ached from having punched a stone-skinned Dowutin. Definitely not one of her smartest moves.

    "I warned you Tasu Leech was a piece of work," Ace said. "I'd say they're worse than the Guavian Death Gang; at least Bala-Tik can be reasoned with."

    "They're all scumbags." Kyla started to slink down in her seat but stopped when she glanced at the navigational computer. "Wait, what course did you set us for?"

    "Takodana," Ace replied.

    Kyla wrinkled her nose slightly. "You mean Maz's place?"

    "Yeah." The Bothan glanced at her. "Is there something wrong?"

    "You know she and I don't get along that well."

    "So, what, did you do something to be banned from her castle for life?"

    Kyla huffed. "No... I just can't stand her."

    "Well, you're free to stay on the ship while the others and I get something to eat and drink," Ace said. "I don't think I've had food that wasn't overcooked or not cooked enough in months."

    Kyla simply rolled her eyes and said nothing further as the ship went through hyperspace.

--The White Rider--

    "I hope you don't mind me saying, but this is a nice ship you've got."

    Kadar heard Mirta's voice come over the intercom, as she and Danjus Ghen were waiting in the cargo section while the ship went through hyperspace. The two had been quiet until now, and he was surprised it was Mirta to speak first, considering he had been forced to kill her grandfather not too long ago....

    "Yeah," he murmured. "It's an old model, but it does its job well."

    "How long have you had it for?"

    "Six months." Kadar chuckled slightly. "This is actually the sixth one I've gone through. I left my last one at the Wheel and had to replace it when... when I went to Phaeda." He leaned away from the controls, letting the autopilot handle the ship while he reminisced. "I never really personalize or get sentimental with them, so it always feels like the same ship."

    "You say you don't get sentimental," Danjus said wryly. "Yet you deliberately choose the same model whenever you replace it."

    Kadar shrugged, even though neither of them could see him. "It's cheap and efficient. I don't see any reason to break the mold."

    The three Mandalorians fell into another bout of silence, waiting to reach their destination. Goran had told them they would regroup at Takodana, a neutral world in the Mid Rim. Any world in the Mandalore sector would be too risky, given that Atinar had his eyes and ears everywhere, and the castle on Takodana was said to be a highly secretive and closely guarded location. As the saying went, What happens on Takodana, stays on Takodana. Kadar had never been to nor heard of the planet until now, so he could only hope that Goran was right.

    Eventually, the navicomp indicated they were reaching their destination and Kadar retook control of the ship, bringing it out of hyperspace. The lush green world of Takodana came into view... as did something else, something which made Kadar look twice.

    It was another ship -- a YT-1930 Corellian freighter, to be exact -- that was also headed for Takodana. He had seen that ship before, precisely six months ago, mere days before he was sent to kill Boba Fett.

    It was the ship his daughter was on. The daughter he had abandoned ten years ago.

    The only word he could find that suited the strong mix of emotions he felt running through him was, "Kark."

--The Eravana--

    "So what the heck happened back there?" Han Solo asked as Sharr Latt stepped onto the bridge, the ship having safely made the jump to lightspeed after getting past orbital security.

    "We'd sprung a trap," Sharr muttered, collapsing in a chair near the co-pilot's, currently occupied by Chewbacca. "Somehow they knew where we would be and had goons waiting for us."

    Han frowned in thought. "Really? Then why didn't they try boarding us before you guys arrived?"

    "I don't know. Hopefully Jesmin will be able to get those answers out of Girdun once he wakes up."

    Han looked at him, gray eyebrows furrowed. "I thought Wallen was doing the questioning."

    Sharr shook his head. "He and Xemer never showed up. They probably got held up by security."

    "Should be go back for them?"

    "It would be too risky. They'll have to find another way off world." Sharr rubbed his temple, still trying hard not to think about Bhindi. Han seemed to notice his discomfort and turned to Chewbacca.

    "Chewie, go fetch us some drinks. It'll be a while before we reach the rendezvous."

    "No, thanks," Sharr said. "I'm not thirsty."

    "Nonsense." Han reached over and slapped him on the shoulder. "It's always wise to have yourself refreshed before things go down haywire."

    Sharr smirked at him. "I don't know about you, but I think things already have."

--Coruscant--

    Shadow opened the door of the hideout to see Xemer and Wallen standing outside, along with Wran Narcassan and Drikall Bessarah. The former Glorian sighed as he put a hand on his hip.

    "I'm almost afraid to ask."

    "Bhindi and the others fell into some sort of trap at the spaceport," Xemer explained. "They had to leave as soon as possible and couldn't wait for us."

    "You sure that's what happened?"

    Xemer hesitated for a second, but it was long enough for Shadow to notice. "Positive."

    Shadow grunted as he stepped aside to let the four in, closing the door behind them. "So what? You guys need to find a different way off Coruscant?"

    "Once security loosens up, yes," Xemer said. "Which could be anywhere from a day to a week."

    "We can't wait that long," Wallen said firmly. "Or at least, I can't wait that long. I want to give Girdun his long-needed comeuppance."

    "I'm sure the others will save the best hits for you," Shadow said dryly. "Anyway, in case you're wondering where Atha is, he's in his study screaming to himself."

    Xemer flashed a look of concern. "Is he all right?"

    "Heck if I know. All I've been hearing is 'I am Mammon Hoole' over and over again."

    Without another word, Xemer rushed towards Atha's room.

*  *  *

    You are Finis Valorum.

    "I am Mammon Hoole!"

    You are Aron Jarsan.

    "I am Mammon Hoole!"

    The crimson-armored cyborg slammed his fists on his desk, trembling with barely contained rage. It seemed like the harder he tried to resist, the stronger in force the voices became.

    You will become us.

    "I," he said, putting as much emphasis on the word as he could, "am Mammon Hoole."

    "Atha?" There was a knock at the door to his study, causing his head to snap up. "Atha, it's Xemer. Are you all right?"

    "I'm fine," the scientist croaked. "Please leave."

    Xemer ignored this command and opened the door, stepping into the cluttered study room. Papers and datapads were scattered everywhere, and empty vials laid across dusty shelves. Xemer took this all in before landing his gaze on Atha Prime.

    "What happened here? You're usually all organized."

    "Not when I'm very stressed," Atha muttered. "Xemer, please... you should leave. I'm not in my best mood right now."

    "Did something go wrong? Is the project coming along okay?"

    "Xemer." Atha clenched his metal fist, his body quaking with increased vigor. "Just go."

    "Atha, we're friends," Xemer said, stepping forward and putting a hand on Atha's shoulder. "Whatever it is, you can tell--"

    "DON'T TOUCH ME!" Atha roared, whirling around and striking Xemer with his arm. The blow was strong to send the ex-Glorian flying across the room and he crashed against the wall. Just as Atha realized what he had done, Shadow appeared in the open doorway, along with Wallen, Drikall, and Wran.

    Shadow glanced at the knocked-out Xemer before glaring at Atha. "And they thought I'd be the one to go nuts."

    Before Atha Prime had the chance to explain himself, Drikall raised his syringe-gun at him and pulled the trigger. It was the last thing he saw before everything went dark.