Chapter Twenty-Nine: Children of Jango

I was silent through the vacant halls, Hondo having evacuated his men to leave room for whatever nonsense was likely to ensue from Aurra's plans. As I neared the bar, I heard Boba's voice.

"I wanted Windu," he said, likely having seen Plo Koon enter. "What are you doing here?"

"We can do this the difficult way, or the simple way," the jedi responded, his voice deep and steady. "The choice is yours."

"Bossk," Aurra said, likely into her comms. "Can you hear me?" She paused a moment while he responded in her ear. "Execute the hostages if I give the word."

I rounded the corner in the darkness, unseen from their circle of light. Boba stood behind the jedi, his pistol shaking in confusion and anger. Aurra sat across from the jedi, smirking.

Plo Koon didn't seem bothered. "Unwise. You have already lost and you don't even know it."

"I am prepared to kill you, the hostages, even your little bounty hunter pet, Kida. Whatever it takes to get what Boba wants."

"Sounds more like what you want." I had to say, it was my first time really seeing Plo Koon, and I rather liked him already.

I flinched when I heard the sound of a lightsaber igniting. The room glowed green as Ahsoka leaped from the darkness behind Aurra, slicing her antenna and holding her around the neck. Boba reacted, holding his weapon against Plo Koon's head.

"Don't," Ahsoka warned.

"Let her go," Boba warned back. He sounded a bit like his father there, even if Aurra wasn't worth it.

"No chance."

"She won't do it, Boba," Aurra gloated. "She's not like you."

"She's right," Ahsoka allowed. "I'm not a murderer."

"I'm not a murderer! But I want justice!"

Plo Koon replied darkly, "We are justice."

"Enough," I called, stepping into the light, my pistol at my side. "Boba, it's time to put your blaster down."

"No!" he cried. "I need Windu! He's not here!"

"What are you going to do, Boba?" I asked, my voice soft. "Kill every jedi that comes your way until it happens to be him?" The boy hesitated, his gaze shifting between Aurra and I nervously. "Boba," I tried again. "She doesn't really care about you. She's using you for her own benefit!" Boba looked offended, but I could see some realization in his eyes, too. "Put the blaster down, Boba. We can figure this out. Together. You and I."

Just as Boba looked like he was about to lower the gun, Aurra spoke again. "Don't listen to them." Her voice was stern. Cold.

"No one will be harmed if you come quietly," Plo Koon insisted.

Boba hesitated, watching Aurra shake her head at him. "I can't let you die." The desperation in his voice hurt me. He cared for her. Depended on her. It was how he should be acting towards me...not Aurra Sing.

"You won't have to." I watched Boba's reaction to the bounty hunter's words. She winked at him, a small, hopeful smile coming to his face.

"Boba, don't-" I started, but it was too late.

"Aurra!" he screamed, firing his blaster at Ahsoka. The Togruta blocked it with her saber, but was quickly thrown backwards by Aurra. Plo flipped the table to block the bolts shooting from Aurra's boot before throwing Boba back with the force.

I shot at Aurra as she drew her pistols, knocking one from her grasp before having to leap out of the way of her fire. Ahsoka blocked as best as she could with her saber until Plo came rushing in, slicing Aurra's second pistol with his lightsaber.

"It's over," he growled, leveling the blue blade at her. "Surrender!"

"Aurra, now!" Boba yelled from the ground, sliding a disk across the ground.

"Bomb," Ahsoka said, the two jedi leaping away as the disk began to beep. Aurra leapt over it as it exploded, looking back at us on the ground.

"Boba, hurry," she yelled, rushing towards the door.

My brother, to my dismay, went to follow her, but Plo Koon dragged him back with the force.

"Aurra, help," he called after her, stuck under the Kel Dor's massive hands. "Help me!"

She turned at the doorway, evaluating the room. I stared at her darkly, pistol in hand, mentally daring her to come back and try to rescue Boba. But I knew she wouldn't.

"Don't leave me!" Boba cried as the bounty hunter ran out the door. "No!"

I knelt, cupping my aching side again as Ahsoka followed Aurra, Plo Koon turning the despaired boy to look at him. "The hostages," I heard the jedi say. "Where are they?" The boy didn't respond. "Boba, if you do not tell us where those men are, they are going to die! Innocent men!"

Boba said nothing, apart from a small, sad, "She left me."

I panted, standing straight again, both of them looking at me. "Kida," Koon started, his hands still on Boba's shoulders. "You're not looking well."

"Thanks," I muttered, my eyes sad.

"Talk some sense into him," he insisted, but I shook my head.

I looked away, out the door both Aurra and Ahsoka had fled through. "He won't listen to me," I said lowly, feeling the pangs of guilt and turmoil coming off my brother. "Bring him to Hondo. He knew Jango well. Maybe Boba will listen to him."

Plo Koon guided Boba over to me as we started out the door. "You need a medic," the jedi commented, Boba looking guiltily at me. Still, his mind was reeling with Aurra's betrayal.

"I'm fine," I insisted. "For now, I need to help save the hostages. I've got some payback to deal, too."

"Revenge is not a good course of action," Koon advised as we walked down the hall.

"That's a jedi mindset," I responded, giving the Kel Dor a look. "Good thing I'm not a jedi."

We walked out of the hideout, finding Hondo and his men lounging beneath a tent. They were clearly set on being mere spectators of the game at hand. Frankly, a part of me respected that immensely.

"He will not reveal the location of the hostages," Plo Koon explained to the pirate, pushing Boba forward. "I thought you might talk some sense into him."

Hondo glanced at me briefly before looking down at my brother. "Tell the jedi what he wants to know, Boba," he said gently.

"Why should I help anybody?" Boba burst out. "I've got no one!"

My heart clenched as I looked away, Plo Koon glancing at me from the surge of pain. "I think you and I both know that isn't true," Hondo said, surprising me with his kindness. He stepped closer to my brother, glancing at me. "But it is the honorable thing to do. It's what your father would have wanted."

I fought back the burning behind my eyes as Boba's mind reeled. He looked down at his feet, Hondo's hand on his shoulder. He sighed. "One five seven nine," he whispered brokenly.

"What?" Plo Koon asked, leaning closer.

"They're coordinates," I breathed, turning immediately. "Hondo, I'm taking a speeder," I called behind me as I raced to one, the engine roaring to life beneath me.

The pirate didn't protest, but I heard a low murmur of, "Are those my guns, too?"

"Wait," Plo Koon yelled after me. "Ahsoka can handle it! You're injured!"

"I'll meet her there," I insisted, looking at Boba again. "Keep my brother safe!"

Florrum has a desolate landscape, more rocky than Tatooine, but certainly no more interesting. It didn't take long, turning through the rolling stone crevices, to see the back of Slave I. As I maneuvered around the ship, I saw Bossk standing before the two hostages, rifle in hand. He turned to look at me upon hearing the speeder's engine. I fired with my pistol, but he rolled out of the way.

Leaping from my speeder, that went careening away, I rolled painfully back to my feet, my pistol clattering from my grasp. The Trandoshan tried to fire at me, but I lunged, throwing my shoulder into him harshly. We grappled for the gun, both his biology and my injury helping him get the high ground easily.

As my legs were about to buckle beneath me, the sound of blaster shots filled the air, red bolts streaking past us. Bossk and I broke apart, diving out of the way of fire. Looking up, I saw Ahsoka jump from her speeder, lightsaber igniting in the air to slice through the hostages' bindings.

Admiral Killian grabbed Bossk's rifle, aiming at the bounty hunter. "Don't move," he threatened as I found my feet. He glanced at me, giving me a small grin. "You arrived just on time. He was going to execute us."

I waved dismissively, my injuries making it harder to breathe.

"Are you-" Ahsoka started before stopped at the sound of another speeder. We all turned in fright to see Aurra's speeder leaping over the rocks, the engine roaring. Aurra jumped from her speeder as it crashed into Ahsoka's all of us flying backwards as they exploded.

I saw stars for a moment, looking up through the dust to see the bounty hunter board my father's ship. My face contorted into a snarl. I dragged myself to my feet, kicking away Bossk, who was trying to gain some upper hand by grabbing me.

"We've got him," the admiral insisted, leveling the rifle at the bounty hunter again. "Help the Commander stop Sing!"

I nodded at the two men, pulling the rifle I stole from Hondo off of my back. Ahsoka had jumped onto Slave I's wing as Aurra lifted from the ground. Aurra pulled the joystick sideways, sending the jedi padawan tumbling down the wing. I heard the Togruta cry out, barely catching the edge and dangling in the air.

"Ahsoka!" I yelled, aiming my rifled at my father's ship. I'd become who I was today around that ship. I was saved from slavery on that ship. I'd gone on missions with my family on that ship. And I flew away from Geonosis' battle on that ship, my brother cradling the helmet of our dead father.

My jaw clenched as I pulled the trigger, knowing every weakness and strength of the fighter I'd spent so much time on. I hit my mark, making one of the engines sputter slightly. It allowed Ahsoka to find her footing again and slice through the wing with her lightsaber. Slave I careened sideways, Ahsoka winding up on the massive viewport. She cracked the window with her lightsaber before having to backpedal, blocking Aurra's shots.

I aimed again, taking advantage of the cracking glass and firing my rifle to completely take it out. The viewport shattered as Ahsoka leapt from it, landing deftly beside us on the ground. I continued firing, trying to both hit Aurra and take out the navigation systems that would allow her escape.

I couldn't be sure if I hit her, Slave I spiralling out of control. I could feel Aurra's desperation. Anger. Fear. I lowered my rifle as I watched the ship, with Aurra aboard, soar over the horizon and crash in an explosion of smoke and fire.

I let out a slow breath, too worn out to even try to feel if she survived. All I knew was that we'd won. As well as we could have, at least. I put the butt of the rifle into the ground, leaning on it heavily as I stood to look at the group around me.

Ahsoka was already talking to Plo Koon, arranging a pickup at our location. The admiral and navigation officer were standing around Bossk, who's claws were up on his head.

He hissed at me lowly, "Boba won't forgive you for bringing down Aurra."

I hummed, my free hand coming up to hold my injured side. "There's a lot he won't forgive me for," I allowed, looking away.

"Master Plo is on his way," Ahsoka announced walking over to me. "Are you alright?"

I nodded, but allowed myself to sit heavily, seeing as the admiral had effectively subdued Bossk. Speaking of…

"Hurting, Kida?" the Trandoshan hissed at me.

I scooped up a piece of debris next to me, lobbing it at the bounty hunter, nailing him in the head. "No thanks to you, osi'kovid." I tried to have my tone be harsh, but it just sounded tired.

I should've been happy, with Aurra dead. Or assumed dead. Knowing her, she would probably find some way to slip by and survive. I suppose I was concerned about Boba. The Republic would likely imprison him.

It made sense...he did tty to murder a jedi. Multiple jedi, actually. Destroyed an entire jedi cruiser, killed clones, took members of the GAR hostage…

He had quite the repertoire at such a young age. I wondered if Jango would be proud or not. In the both of us.

I glanced up as the jedi shuttle appeared over us, the engines roaring as it lowered to land where Slave I had once rested. I knew one thing for certain...my father would be pissed about my helping destroy his ship.

"Come on," Ahsoka said gently, offering me her hand. For a moment, I thought about rejecting her. It was that deep-rooted pride that insisted I do things alone. That I was strong.

But then my side ached deeply again, telling me that something was certainly wrong, and I took her hand gratefully. She pulled me to my feet gently, careful not to touch any of my wounds. As the gangway descended, the padawan helped me aboard, followed closely by Admiral Killian and his officer, both aiming guns at Bossk.

Bossk was put in the brig, but to my surprise, Plo Koon had allowed Boba to sit in the passenger area. Ahsoka escorted me to the small med bay, the robotic doctor immediately droning on about my injuries that I was already completely aware of.

As the droid treated my wounds, I stared up at the ceiling, letting my thoughts drift through the ship. Ahsoka had joined Plo Koon in the cockpit as they navigated us back into the air, heading towards Coruscant. The admiral and officer were sharing the passenger area with Boba, but remained far from him. The boy in question was silent, his mind dark and brewing with uncertainty.

The medical droid finished up, laying new bacta patches over my wounds. He tried to give me an IV drip, but I brushed him off, insisting I'd hydrate on my own. In reality, I wanted to see Boba. Maybe he'd talk to me again...after all this.

I elected not to try and put all my armor back on, choosing to don a simple medical shirt I'd found in the med bay. It was too big for me, but I welcomed the loose fit, considering most of my body was rather battered at the moment.

Aware that my pants were still stained with blood from my side, I stepped out of the med bay and crossed the small distance into the passenger area. All three sets of eyes immediately lifted to see my tired face, but only one looked away quickly in shame and sadness.

"Kida," Killian called, a small smile on his face. "How do you feel?"

I returned the gesture, stepping past my brother and towards the members of the GAR. "Like I was kidnapped and stabbed. I'm glad to see you're both alright." I saw the clone's eyes drop to the cup of hot liquid cradled in his hands. "I'm sorry about Ponds," I said gently, touching the officer's shoulder.

He nodded at me. "Thank you. He was a good man."

"He was," Killian agreed, lifting to hand me a cup of the liquid. He then brought his cup to join mine in the air. "To good men we couldn't save."

"Nu kyr'adyc, shi taab'echaaj'la." Both Boba and the clone perked at my Mandalorian tribute to the dead. The clone nodded, muttering the same phrase under his breath. I took a drink of the liquid, coughing when my tongue met the hot sting of spiced rum. That was warmed, apparently.

Killian chuckled at me. "You didn't think we were drinking caf, did you?"

"No," I shook my head, clearing my throat. "And I'm glad that you didn't disappoint."

"Would you like to sit with us?" he asked, his tone more sober. Sad.

I was about to accept, but hesitated. Finally, I shook my head. "Thank you, Admiral. But I think I've been avoiding talking to my brother for far too long, don't you?"

To my suprise, the old man smiled. "I agree." He reached over, fetching another cup and filled it with the hot liquor before offering it to me.

"Thank you," I whispered, taking the offering graciously before turning with a deep, settling breath. Boba was sitting near a viewport, his gaze settled on the stars that zipped by while we were in hyperspeed. "Thirsty?" I asked gently as I approached.

The boy flinched just slightly, but finally turned, his eyes downcast. "No."

I sighed, sitting next to him and forcing the cup into his hand. "I insist. Drink." I watched Boba's jaw shift, torn between thanking me and cussing me out for thinking he needed help. Finally, he took it and drew a long swig before coughing.

"This is alcohol!"

I chuckled, leaning backwards and taking another sip. "What? You think Dad never drank some good spiced rum after a job?"

I felt the sadness ripple off of him over my comment. His thumbs brushed over the rim of the cup, thinking. "Aurra never let me-"

"I know," I cut him off, remembering Aurra telling Boba that he couldn't have a drink at Hondo's bar. "No one can tell you what you can and cannot do, Boba," I started slowly. "We're adults now, Boba. Whether or not we like it or were ready. It's just how it is."

My brother was quiet, understanding what I said. Both of us were thrust into being on our own far too early. Forced to handle ourselves. To handle the pains of life without someone to help us. I was lucky and was gifted Jango for a long enough period that I began to find myself...discover what I could be.

Boba didn't really get all of that, but he had a father through his childhood. Someone who loved him. I didn't always have that.

Boba took a long drink of the rum, not letting himself cough. I watched him closely, seeing his brown eyes still avoiding mine.

Finally, I spoke. "I'm sorry, Boba." The words came out as a whisper-broken and sad.

My brother swallowed his rum, shaking his head. "I sent you away."

"And I never should have let you do that."

"Didn't you just say that no one can tell us what we can and can't do?"

My eyebrows lifted at his small joke, a smile drawing up the corners of my lips. "Perhaps," I admitted. "But I don't count. I'm your sister. I should have taken care of you."

The boy stared into his drink, thinking. He was so much like his father, thinking a mile a minute. Wise. Clever. But hotheaded. Passionate.

"A sister isn't a mother, Kida," he said slowly. Finally, he looked up at me, his eyes glossing. "I'm sorry I pushed you away. That I never came back for you. That I turned to Aurra instead. I was just…I was so…"

"Angry?" I offered, receiving a nod in return. "We can only hold anger for so long, Boba. After a while, it festers inside us. It turns us into things we never want to be."

"You sound like a jedi," he growled, his defensiveness coming back.

Still, I only lifted my eyebrow, chuckling. "I sound like a sane person," I insisted. "Think about it. Look at what happened here." I gestured to the room, aware that both the admiral and officer were listening. "Nothing good came of this plot for revenge."

"I didn't want anyone to die," he admitted.

"Except Windu."

He nodded, lifting his shoulders in a shrug. "Except Windu."

I dared to touch my fingers to his forearm, leaning to look at his face closer. "I'm sorry you felt so alone, Boba. I'm sorry Aurra made you feel that way. That I made you feel that way."

"You didn't," he said, surprising me. "I always knew you were here. I was just angry. I blamed you, even though it wasn't your fault. And then what you said at Hondo's hideout...I realized I was wrong. I always was."

"What you've done here, Boba," I started slowly. "It was wrong."

"You're saying Dad wouldn't have hunted a jedi," he lamented.

I surprised him with a chuckle. "No, Dad would have killed the jedi on the first try." Boba laughed sadly, meeting my gaze. "I'm saying that the way you did this was wrong. Revenge isn't a good motivation for most things."

"I've heard of things you've done in revenge, though."

I smirked. "Well, two things. One. I was teaching a lesson in return for a wrong done against me, not getting revenge. Two. I'm an experienced bounty hunter. Unlike yourself."

He harumphed at me, crossing his arms. But it only made me laugh more.

"Boba," I insisted, nudging him. "You're still young. I was still a slave at your age. That's nowhere close to the hunter I've become now." I turned him to face me, my hand on his shoulder. "It will come in time. But you must be patient. And," I learned, shrugging. "Learn from someone who isn't Aurra Sing."

He chuckled, but sobered quickly. I tilted my head to meet his eye.

"Boba? Are you-"

He almost frightened me by lunging forward, his arms wrapping around me. My drink sloshed onto the jedi shuttle's floor, but I didn't really care. I immediately returned the embrace, tears springing to my eyes. I felt them flow freely-something I wasn't really used to-as I tucked my face into his hair. His face was pushed into my collar bone, his muscles trembling with grief he had never properly dealt with.

I breathed him in. He smelled a lot like Jango. Metal, sweat, and a hint of the spiced soap Jango always had stocked in his lavatory. I smiled, feeling the moisture on my cheeks slip into my smile lines.

"Am I going to go to prison?" His voice was small. It matched a child better than the voice I'd heard him use in anger during this trip.

"I don't know," I admitted. "But if so, I'll do what I can to keep you out of trouble. And to get you out quickly."

"We could run away. Right now."

I pulled back, still holding the boy, but far enough that I could look at his scared face. "I can't do that, Boba. You know that." I felt his anger, but he was tired of fighting with me. He had so little left. I touched his chin gently, forcing him to look at me again. "I think we can both agree that we've grown apart these past few years. But you are my aliit, no matter what. I'll always be here for you. But we are very different people than what we once were."

He nodded, understanding. "I'm sorry I let you be treated so badly."

I smiled gently. "I've had worse. Stop apologizing now. You've been forgiven, by me, at least."

"I can never forgive Windu," he said lowly, with anger.

"Maybe not," I allowed. "We all have things we hold on to. Things that will always haunt us." I sighed. "I'm not asking you to forgive him, Boba. I'm asking you not to try and kill him, because that's a good way to get yourself hurt."

"Point and case," he mumbled, gesturing to himself.

I hummed in agreement, smiling gently. As we sat, my rum forgotten on the floor, I felt Boba lean into me slowly. There was still anger inside him, but I understood that. What was good was that I no longer felt his lust for blood. For death. He was just sad. And tired.

I leaned back into my brother, letting him know that it was okay. That I was there for him. I knew he'd go to prison. I made a mental note to talk to Padme in an attempt to lessen his sentence, at least.

"Thank you, vod," he whispered gently against my shoulder, his eyes closing. I smiled, not responding, my gaze set on the ceiling as my tears threatened to pour again.

"When you get out," I said gently. "We should meet up. I'd love to give you some pointers on hunting...if you want to hear them."

I felt him smile against my shoulder. "That sounds nice."

I let it fall silent between us, knowing the exhaustion the young boy felt in his bones. It didn't take long for him to fall into a deep sleep, allowing me to gently move him off me and lay him on his side. I found a blanket in a storage compartment, laying it over his small frame easily.

Across the room, the navigation officer slept as well. Killian, however, was awake, smiling at me gently. There was a deep sadness in his face, but also a knowing respect. I gave him a small nod before cleaning up my cup and exiting out the back door.

I made my way down to the brig, Bossk sitting behind the ray shield grumpily. "How nice of you to visit," he hissed.

"We respected each other once, right?" I asked, throwing him off guard.

"You're good at what you do," he allowed. "Despite your choices lately."

I hummed with some humor. "You had even more respect for my father." He only nodded once. "Then do you care for Boba?"

"You want me to protect him." Bossk wasn't asking.

"You're both going to prison." I cut right to the chase. "He's just a boy. And I can't be in there to watch over him. Keep him safe for me. He doesn't always want me around, and that's normal...between siblings, and all. But he likes you. Respects you."

He rolled his tongue, letting out the slow sounds of Dosh, most of which was hard for me to understand.

"Please, Bossk," I insisted. "I'll even pay you."

Finally, he shook his head, almost waving it dismissively. "I don't need your credits," he growled, quieting for a moment to meet my gaze. "I'll watch over the boy. For him, for you, and especially for Jango. I swear it."

I let out a breath slowly, nodding. "We'll be landing soon. Thank you, Bossk." I turned to leave, feeling the shuttle exit hyperspace, but I paused at the door. "But know this," I said, looking back at the bounty hunter. "You made a vow here." I gestured to the cell. "If you break that vow, know that I'll guarantee you'll regret the day you decided to even speak to me. Are we clear?"

The Trandoshan took a moment in silence, watching my firm gaze and clenched fists. "Crystal."

I said nothing else as I left the room, making my way back the the passenger area as I felt the shuttle shift beneath my feet. We were in Coruscant's atmosphere. As I entered the passenger area, I saw Plo Koon enter opposite me, waking the navigation's officer. Boba was rising on his own, looking to me groggily.

"You must put these on," General Koon said slowly, holding out a pair of binders. I looked away, unable to watch helplessly as my brother was handcuffed.

The ship landed, the bright sun slipping in as the gangway descended. I looked out it, seeing we had landed at the prison. I breathed slowly, stepping back as Plo Koon guided my brother down the ramp. I followed, seeing a band of Fox's boys as well as Anakin and Windu waiting for us.

The clones, their armor decorated in the deep red of the Coruscanti Guard, surrounded our group on all sides, marching alongside us. We came to a stop, Boba staring at the ground beside me as Windu approached.

The jedi knelt, looking my brother in the eyes. "I see now, I've done terrible things," Boba allowed. "But you started it when you murdered my father!" I pressed my lips into a line. He and I had made progress between us on the shuttle. Perhaps that didn't translate to here. "I'll never forgive you."

I almost hummed aloud at that. Maybe that was my fault. I had told him he didn't have to forgive the jedi. Just not try to murder him.

"Well," Windu said, standing. "You're going to have to." I found myself frowning at him. That was a lot to ask of an eleven year-old boy. It sounded like the terrible things the jedi insisted were normal, to me. "Take him away."

Koon touched Boba's shoulder, pushing him forwards towards the prison. I felt my brother's panic.

"Boba!" I called after him, unable to run to his side under the jedi's gaze. "Aliit," I repeated from on the shuttle. "Remember that."

He stopped, rushing past the guards and Bossk to run into my chest, his head pushed up under my chin. I wrapped my arms around him, pressing my nose into his hair. I took a long, deep breath, knowing it would be a while until I saw him again. And knowing that it may be the last time I smell Jango's spiced soap.

"Come on," one of Fox's men started, but was stopped by Plo Koon's hand. The Kel Dor watched patiently while I pulled away from Boba, looking him in the face.

"Kot, vod. Kot," I said softly. He nodded at me, his face scared. Finally, he breathed deeply, matching my own calming breath, before his face settled into one of bravery. I gave him a smile before letting him walk on his own accord back to his place towards the prison. Bossk looked over his shoulder at me, giving me a small nod.

My fears settled slightly knowing that a bounty hunter as strong and well-known as Bossk was watching over my family.

I watched silently, Ahsoka stopping next to me, as we watched my brother enter the prison, surrounded by guards. I closed my eyes, not wanting to watch the doors close behind him.

MANDO'A

Osi'kovid- shit head

Nu kyr'adyc, shi taab'echaaj'la- not gone, merely marching away (tribute to dead comrade)

Aliit- family

Vod- sister/brother

Kot, vod. Kot- Strength, brother. Strength.