Using the route in Rick's datapad, we exited the underground city, and made our way out of the forest and back into town. We discovered that Blackfoot's Police force had vacated the city entirely, wary of the Sith. When we made our way back to the saloon at nightfall, we had also found that the locals had stolen most of the liquor. Fortunately, the lights were still working. With nothing to do, we all took an hour to fix the place back up, turning tables back right side up, sweeping up debris, and putting chairs back where they belonged. After a long day, it was time for a drink. We all settled down at a table. Rick didn't sit though.
"What crawled up your ass and died?" Blackfoot asked Bogart.
"You, Renault. I'll be right back." Rick replied. We all looked at each other.
"I don't expect the Sith will be coming back any time soon." Mothais commented.
"That's an understatement." Tejah replied. I held back for the moment, lost in my thoughts. Blackfoot noticed this and slapped me on the back.
"Whatcha thinkin' there Fett?" Blackfoot asked. I shook my head, perplexed.
"I…I don't think we'll ever know what happened back there. I think only Rick knows." I said, looking down at the table. I looked up and caught Tejah's stare.
"I wouldn't ask him about it." The Zeltron advised.
"Wasn't planning on it." I replied. Rick arrived back shortly, with several chilled bottles. Corellian white wine.
"I've been saving these for a number of years. For a special occasion, maybe. Tejah, glasses?" Rick asked.
"Sure." Tejah replied. She left the table, went to the bar, and retrieved eight wine glasses for all of us. She returned, and Rick poured us each a glass. He remained standing, glass in hand.
"I don't do this often, but I'd like to make a toast. I'll keep it simple." Rick began. He looked at his glass, then at us. "Some things in this crazy galaxy are beyond our understanding. But at the end of the day, the only thing that makes sense is camaraderie." Rick said.
Fitting, I thought. We'd all be dead today if we didn't team up. We all had each other's backs. I smiled. There was a sense of brotherhood, of purpose here. Finally…I had found it.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Hours later, and several wine glasses later, I made my way out of the saloon. I had enjoyed the evening, with the likes of pirates and other fellas. Especially Zeltron bartenders. But…I still felt strangely incomplete. It seemed too early, too easy, to just settle down and lay low here on Arbra, of all places. I had bid my friends farewell, and left. As I walked out into the street, Tejah came running after me.
"Doug, wait!" Tejah said. I stopped and turned to her. "Do you have to leave?"
"I'm sorry, I can't stay, I…" I trailed off, at a loss for words.
"Its ok. It would be unfair to ask you to stay here." She replied. She took off my helmet and gave me a kiss. It was that feeling again. I wanted to melt away I was so happy. Just die then, and forget about everything…but I couldn't. There was so much for me to do, to accomplish. She backed away. "Don't be a stranger."
Tejah left, and saw Rick was waiting in the downstairs patio. He spotted her, the curiously large smile had on her face as she went back inside. He turned in my direction as I put my helmet back on. I nodded to him. "Don't tell me you want a goodbye kiss too." I remarked in a snarky fashion. He shook his head, un-amused, lit up a cigarette, and walked over.
"You know Fett, till today I hated your kind. Your people are the reason Ilsa is dead."
"I thought you blamed the Jedi for that."
"I do. I think they're worse than the Mandalorians. Point is…I thought you Mandalorians were all alike. I was wrong."
"Is that a compliment?"
"Maybe."
"Fair enough." I replied. My mind drifted to...earlier events. Underground. "Say. That thing that the Sith encountered. What is it?"
"The stuff that dreams are made of, kid." Rick replied. I nodded, still unsure. But the issue was closed regardless. "Fett. You ever need to come out of the cold, my saloon is always open to you. Hell, maybe one day I'll work for you. If the price is right."
"Always the mercenary. Thanks Rick."
"Call me Bogart."
"Alright." I replied. I extended my hand. Bogart shook it. "Thanks, again. And I'm sorry I can't stay."
"That's fine. Just remember what I told you. Fett?"
"Yah Bogart?"
"I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
DOUGLAS FETT MISSION PORTION: COMPLETE
