CHAPTER ELEVEN: READY FOR THE TRUTH?
That's exactly what some people are going to do, I thought with a weary sigh of resignation. If they're poor and desperate enough, they might even go charging into the Flesh Raiders' lairs with minimal preparation!
"Since we now have a solution to that particular problem," said the mayor, "what's all this talk of bandits?"
"They're not common thieves," said a petite woman as she rose from her seat, "but Mandalorians. They break into our homes without a second thought. My next-door neighbor couldn't come to this meeting. Instead, she's in the hospital after suffering injuries from being robbed! You don't know what these murderous thugs are capable of. All they think about is conquest and plunder. Why can't you stop them?"
The mayor's shoulders sagged. "Our law enforcement agency is certainly trying, ma'am," he answered. "I'm sorry about your neighbor, but civilians aren't the only ones who have fallen victim to these criminals. I've heard reports from quite a few officers about them, and some have been shot trying to apprehend the Mandalorians. I'm sorry, but you seem to believe that I've been sitting here doing absolutely nothing. That is not the case, and it never will be. Right now, we're working on hiring and training more personnel to fight this threat. I know most of you are farmers, whether of crops or moisture, but some are built for combat."
"Like me," a burly man said, raising his hand. "I'll shoot these Mandalorians down if they come near me."
"If necessary," Master Nurk interjected, "but no one, not even a criminal, deserves to die without a trial." The man sighed, frown lines furrowing his ruddy face. His expression read: Trial? Who really cares about that when these armed thugs are bashing down our doors and threatening to kill our families? "If you want to help, I would suggest that you apply for law enforcement, not exact vigilante justice." Clearing her throat, she looked at me to rub the back of her neck with a wet towel I brought. I did so, for Mon Calamari became dehydrated if they didn't keep their skin moist. "Don't go after these Mandalorians illegally, sir."
"Why not? They're going after usillegally." The petite woman tried to tell him to be quiet. "Hey, squid-head? If you want to help, I'd suggest you send that beefy bodyguard of yours to deal with the robbers. If he can take down one of your own people who fell to the Dark Side, he can surely do that to some goons." I wanted to slap him. That was the second time someone had used a racial slur against Master Nurk at this meeting, and she deserved even more respect than Sten and I. It took all my self-control in order to bite my tongue and stay silent. "Right, friends?" Several others nodded, though with apprehensive looks.
"If you please, I'm not Knight Sten's Master," Nurk mentioned, "so I can't make that decision on my own."
"Phfft. Typical. 'Wait and see. It's not my job.' I know just who you sound like, the bounty notwithstanding!" Stifled laughter. The mayor banged his gavel on the podium again, making a motion for a brief recess. It was quickly seconded, and when the crowd departed, he shook his head miserably at the three of us.
"I deeply apologize. We citizens of Tandrev might be simple folk, not much given to contemplation or high education, but at least I thought we had the sense to be polite. Apparently, we don't. You were just trying to help, as we requested, and this is the thanks you get?" He shrugged and laughed bitterly. "As for the epithets, ma'am, I'm even more sorry you heard them. The only aliens in our village are blue holographic Twi'leks who dance for drunken patrons at our one cantina. Your kind are extremely rare around here."
"Why don't you pay a visit to our Temple?" asked Master Nurk kindly. "More of my species are there. As for my being a Mon Calamari, it does make me wonder why Grand Master Shan asked me to come here today, instead of one of the human ambassadors for our Order. She replied, 'Diversity enriches life, and farmers should be able to understand that all types of people and creatures are needed in this world.'"
"Master Nurk?" I asked, gently touching the corner of her robe to catch her attention. "The truth may be true, but that doesn't mean that some people are ready to hear it." That was what I said out loud, but in my mind I added: Certain people may never be ready to hear it. I stifled that thought as quickly as I could.