Chapter 6: Refusal

Boba watched Dengar's expression in the dark cantina. The other bounty hunter looked at Boba with an expression of disbelief and confusion.

"I just need someone to care for him until he's old enough to take with me." Boba said again.

Dengar sighed. "Look, Fett. I'd love to take the kid. Really, I would." The Corellian looked around at the other patrons as he lowered his voice. "The truth is, he's your son, Fett. Whether you like it or not."

Boba straightened ever so slowly as he leaned toward Dengar stiffly. "He is a clone. I never asked for him." He answered slowly in his synthesized voice.

Dengar leaned back in his seat, chewing thoughtfully on a toothpick as he looked the Mandalorian hunter over.

There was silence between the two, even as the noise around them continued.

"Maybe you didn't ask for him, Fett." Dengar said softly, considering his words carefully, a fact obvious to Boba in the way he hesitated before speaking again. "But maybe he asked for you."

Boba felt anger rise up in him. He didn't need this. He didn't want this. "Look, Dengar. Will you take him or not?" He asked, anger leaking past the synthesizer. "If you don't, I'll find someone who will."

Dengar returned his angry gaze, only his was calm. "I know you will, Boba. But consider this. The child is force-sensitive. He will eventually go to the Jedi."

Boba sat upright, forcing himself to not tremble with anger. "My clone will not go to the Jedi! EVER."

Dengar shrugged. "You want to give him to someone? No matter who they are?" He asked, slightly angered as he gestured to the room of patrons. "There's many people here."

Shaking his head slowly, Boba glared at Dengar through the visor. "I don't want him raised by a low life. I would prefer a bounty hunter or mercenary."

Dengar and Boba both looked up as Latts Razzi, bounty hunter wife to the Corellian, appeared to sit next to her husband.

"Hey, Boba." She smiled at him, receiving a nod in return.

"Hey sweetie." Dengar smiled at her, kissing her cheek.

Latts smiled at Boba then at Dengar as she felt the tense air between them. "What're you doing here, Fett?" She asked, looking between him and her husband. "Is there a bounty on my Corellian?"

Dengar frowned at her as Boba smirked under his helmet. "I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case, Latts." He answered, ignoring Dengar's toxic look.

Boba remained silent as Dengar leaned over and spoke softly to Latts, who nodded and got up to disappear among the patrons.

Boba waited silently while the Corellian watched his wife disappear before turning back to the Mandalorian, sighing. "Fett. I love Latts. Maybe too much."

His tone was soft, nearly a whisper, and Boba waited silently for the Corellian to continue. "People can use that, Fett. To get to me. I already stalk her like I'm some sort of low life pervert. I want to always protect her, and I may not be able to do that." Dengar looked up at the Mandalorian. "I don't want a child added to the burden I already feel."

Letting the Corellian bounty hunter's words sink in, Boba nodded once. "You tell me to keep what you say is my son." He said, catching the other man's attention immediately. "But you will not have your own?"

Dengar shook his head. "Latts may want one. If it comes to that, I will allow it. Fate decides everything Fett."

Standing slowly, Boba understood what the Corellian was saying and nodded slowly. "Fine, Dengar. Fine." He answered, tossing a handful of credits onto the table as he began to leave, stopped only when the other man grabbed his arm.

Boba looked down at Dengar. Into those brown eyes that demanded attention for what he was going to say next. "Fate does decide everything, Fett." He whispered softly, eyes looking into the cold visor. "Fate decided that you would have a son."

"But sometimes we can control fate." Boba answered, just as softly.

Dengar paused before nodding slowly. "Yes we can, Fett. We control the fate of many people. Whether they live or die." The Corellian's hand tightened on his arm ever so slightly. "You now control your own fate. The fate of your son, and the fate of your legacy."

Boba stared down at Dengar as the Corellian released him, nodding to him in farewell. "See you, Fett." He smirked that cocky smile of his.

Boba only turned and began to make his way out of the cantina, the haunting voice of his mind echoing in sync with Dengar's. We're human too, We control the fate of many. Take care of your legacy, you hold the fate of your legacy.

"Choose wisely, Fett!" Dengar called from behind him as he stepped out of the cantina and into the swirling dust winds of Mos Eisely.