"See you later, I guess." I said dryly, under my breath. I watched as Cassus and the surviving Asilyr mounted back up, then rode off into the distance. Soon enough, they became small dots on the horizon, and I lost sight of them. I took a swig of the canteen, took a sigh, and then walked around to gather my gear. I put my helmet back on, then found my rifle and pistol back in the rock formation. I walked back out, and checked the bodies of my fellows.
Comrades, dead, once again. Mount Tam, Dxun, Malachor, Concord Dawn, and now Socorro. No matter where I went or what I did, whoever worked with me wound up dead. I shook my head, unsure of what to do. Rajja was unlikely to reward me. Even finding my way back to the ship, that was unlikely. This was not good. I paced about, trying to relax. I just needed to think. As I walked, I heard something off in the distance. I looked out and saw…a ship? I rushed into cover in the rock formation, unsure of who was approaching. I watched from hiding as the ship…a shuttle…came closer, hovered nearby, then began landing. I remained hiding behind a boulder, and watched as a platoon of Republic Marines departed the shuttle. Following them was an officer.
As the Marines made a perimeter around the ship, the officer and a few troops inspected the bodies. Minutes went by. I remained hiding. Eventually, the officer looked about, and eyed the rock formation. I ducked for cover. What the hell were these guys doing here?
"I know one of you are still alive! We aren't here to hurt you!" The officer yelled. I remained hidden. I didn't know what they wanted, but I didn't like the situation. My helmet sensors alerted me to the officer and his men coming closer to the formation. "You can come out. I posted the bounty for Cassus."
Ah fuck it. I stood up out of cover and walked out. The Marines aimed their weapons at me but held their fire. There was a dead silence as the officer and I sized each other up. He nodded in recognition.
"Didn't think Rajja would hire a Mandalorian." He remarked.
"Didn't think the Republic cared about Socorro." I replied. He smirked and approached me. He looked back at his Marines, nodded, and they relaxed. He talked to me, one-on-one.
He introduced himself. "I'm Captain Vasiliy, with Republic Special Operations."
"So why post the bounty if you knew where Cassus was?" I asked, getting right to the point. He didn't need to know who I was.
He grinned again. "You know how the Republic is. Why do the dirty work when you can hire some expendables to do it? I'd love to go after Cassus myself, but orders are orders."
"Don't you guys have a war with Darth Revan that's more important?" I asked.
"We have hands in many pies, Mandalorian. That bounty for Mandalorians, and this manhunt for Cassus is just a few of them. Just because we're fighting Revan and Malak doesn't mean we can't deal justice to our old enemies."
Fair enough. I glanced back behind this Vasiliy character, at the shuttle. "Maybe you can give me a ride back to my ship."
Vasiliy looked back at the shuttle, then to me. "I could, but first I'd like to make you a proposition. Republic Special Operations need capable mercenaries, where our boys can't go. If our analysts are correct, you're related to Cassus, another Fett."
"Perhaps."
"We've been tracking a rogue Mandalorian in all corners of the galaxy the last few years. Sevarcos two, Coruscant, Torolis, Nar Shaddaa, Arbra, Foerost, Concord Dawn…and now Socorro. If they're right, then you must be Douglas Fett. They didn't count you among the dead Mandalorians at Malachor, or those who surrendered."
"So what's your point, Captain?"
"Like I said. We need someone capable, to go and do what our boys can't. Can we count on you, when the time comes?" Vasiliy asked.
Wow. After nearly being killed, failing my first bounty mission, now I was being recruited by my old enemies. What a fucking day. I shrugged. "Sure, fine, whatever. Let's just go. I've had enough of this planet."
We got onboard the shuttle. I picked up Cassus' armor and pistol along the way. Those little items had their uses. The Marines got in and the pilot took off. The Captain, sitting next to me, asked, "So, did you really kill Cassus?"
I said nothing. He persisted. "So, where did he go?" Once again I remained silent. He nodded in recognition. "I respect that. One of these days though, we'll get him."
We'll see about that