Makko woke up yelling and sat bolt upright in his bed. He panted, his heart racing so fast he felt lightheaded. He took a deep breath and checked the time. A couple hours until the sun came up. He glanced at his pillow and shrugged to himself. He definitely was not going to get anymore sleep after that experience. He shuddered at the memory. It had felt so real. He could still feel the cold metal on his hand, as if he had just put it down. No use worrying about dreams, Makko thought to himself. Take it in, let it go. If it's useless, it does not matter. Just like Marren had taught him. Mental discipline goes a long way. Makko immediately felt better, like a knot untied itself in his chest. He stood up and stretched, groaning slightly and wiped the sweat from his brow. He put on his boots and grabbed a coat for the cold desert night. The sand felt comforting, its usual pale amber color looked blue in the light the of the hidden sun. He trudged forward heading for the edge of the mountain plateau. As he rounded the corner, he saw a familiar figure sitting on the ground with her back against a nearby sandstone outcropping. Hearing Makko's footfall's, Re glanced over and smiled in greeting.
"Couldn't sleep either?" she guessed.
"Me and sleep got along fine, but the dreams tried to kill me. I almost wrestled my bed frame." Re snickered and turned back towards the view in front of her. Makko dropped onto the fine sand beside her and leaned against the rock. They both sat quietly, staring at the blued rolling hills below them. "I'm gonna miss the view," Makko said finally. There was a pause before Re responded.
"I don't think I've ever felt this scared before," Re almost whispered. Marren glanced over at her, and saw she was totally still. She spoke up again, "Every time I left the plateau, I knew it was only a matter of time and I would be back here. Messing with the kids and relaxing by the fires. This is my home." She took a deep breath and continued, "This time, I don't have that comfort. The galaxy's huge, Makko. I just don't think I ever realized how big until I lost my point of reference." Silence loomed as they both tried to wrap their heads around the prospect of what the next few days would bring.
"Damn, Re. I don't think I could have even put the words together like that." He exhaled slowly. "Its like there is something pulling on my stomach, keeping me from thinking straight.
"Its like there's an icicle in my navel."
There was a pause, and then Re became aware Makko was shaking, and his laughter broke through his composure.
"I can't believe you just called it a navel." He said and burst out laughing. A grin slowly spread across Re's face, and she punched him in the arm.
"Screw you M junior."
"I bet Ilud is still passed out," and grinned. Re smiled back, "He was barely standing by the time we got him into bed."
"He's not gonna like how he feels in the morning." They both snickered. Their chatting slowly quieted down, and both looked to see the sun break through the horizon. The golden light shot across the hills below them in dazzling glory. They could almost feel the air begin to heat. "I guess it is time to say our goodbyes," Makko said, the energy leaving his voice.
"Meet you by the speeder."
"Okay."
The two split apart, and Makko headed towards his father's tent.
Marren was sitting outside sipping on some tea and stoking a small fire in front of him. Marren's eyes were stony, and he barely looked up as Makko came into view.
"Hey," Makko ventured as he approached. The fire crackled quietly, its light beginning to wane against the rising sun. "Sorry about last night. I- I get really passionate about this stuff sometimes."
Marren sighed, took one last look at the fire and stood up. He looked his son in the eye and then pulled him into a hug. "I don't give a shit about that, Makko." He said in a strange tone. "I was young too, I understand. I just want to know you will listen to my counsel," Marren paused.
"I have something for you," He said before turning to enter his tent. A moment later he returned, holding a sizable parcel wrapped in canvas. "I'm not sure if you remember much of Concordia, you were quite young," Marren started, "But before I made the decision to leave, to raise you here, I took some things for you. I have been keeping them safe ever since." Carefully, Marren unwrapped the bundle. Within were four half ingots of metal. The surface was filled with rolling eddies of grey and white. Makko was silent, staring down at the cool waved metal in front of him. "Thank you. This means so much." Makko said solemnly, looking his father in the eyes.
"I know you will use it well," he said and smiled. "I have one other thing for you." Marren reached into his tunic and produced a palm-sized metal icon of a stalking nexu. "This is for you, so you will always know where you came from. Whenever you feel lost, know that you have a place waiting for you here with your clan."
Makko deflated slightly. When he spoke again, his voice was hoarse, "Thank you, I will wear it with honor, and I will never forget where I come from."
"Have you finished your preparations?
Makko took a deep breath. "Yes. Re and Ilud should be waiting by the speeder."
"If you have any trouble with the pirates, let me know."
"I will."
"And son-" Marren froze, then took a deep breath. "Be careful. Be disciplined. That will keep you safe."
"Goodbye, Dad."
"Goodbye, Makko."
The young man walked away, blissfully unaware of his father's strife.
Makko walked across the open land of the camp, seeing the tents of his home slowly falling out of the view. The pits where he had spent so many hours training and sparring with his friends faded into the surroundings. He stepped past fire pits and reminisced warmly about the memories he had sitting by his father late in the night. The farther he moved away, the stronger the tug he felt to turn back. The feeling that he was doing something wrong by leaving the home he had spent his entire life in felt deeply perverse. He forced himself to think of the future he wanted to see. The perfect circle of Concordia coming into sight from the viewport of his starship. Burning a name for himself under the stars. He would be known. This was just the first step. Makko crossed the threshold, and left all he knew behind. In front of him was his future, two friends and a small speeder, engines idling. They were in their armor, and they donned their helmets upon seeing him leave the camp. Ilud acknowledged Makko's presence with a simple nod and they set off. The speeder's thrusters throttled up, and plumes of sand were thrust upwards into the desert air. They sat in silence for a long time, each of them coming to terms with the monumental step forward they had all taken. Ilud was the first to finally speak, "Well, I think the hardest part is behind us now," he sighed, "Makko, who is this pirate guy we are going to meet?"
"Only know of him. I have never talked to him. He apparently has a lot of resources and knows Marren."
"Does he know we live on the planet?"
"Florrum is a big place, Ilud, I assumed they have come to some sort of an agreement."
"Makko, what should we be expecting here?" Re spoke up.
Makko sighed, quickly running out of answers. "He has a camp, roughly half a day's travel from here. From what I understand, he is a sort of backstabbing scavenger. He doesn't have the guts to pick fights with people unless he has a clear advantage. Marren always seemed to dislike but respect him."
"Yeah, I can't imagine a pirate would want to pick a fight with a Mandalorian enclave," Ilud said with a laugh, absentmindedly cracking his knuckles.
"The most important thing is not to give him information. We need to keep our distance."
"We are not here for pleasure. We are here for business, " Re summed up.
"Exactly."
"And if that fails?" Re asked.
"Then we go to plan B. I think you can guess what that would be."
Re smiled thinly and said, "Lets try to do this right the first time." The speeder sped towards its destination with an unrelenting gate. The desert horizon glazed with ominous intent, uncertain as the fate of small party crossing its vast lands.
Makko's prediction was correct, and the group arrived just as the sun reach its highest point in the sky. The group somberly took in the view before them. Standing in front of the group was the spire of a huge circular building which sat squat on the ground, spread deep into the land around it. The entrance to the fortress was built into the canyon, covering it from all directions. The group stood in the breach. Cautiously, Makko maneuvered the speeder forward, slowly stretching into the entrance of the hideout. Groups of pirates were scattered about the inlet and around scrap metal mounds of ship parts further in. Other assorted junk was strewn in all corners. A set of speeder bikes were parked to one side. As the Makko's group entered the camp, the activity slowed to a total halt. A group of the Weequay in the camp lounging by the motor pool met them at the entrance.
A pirate with a sneer permanently etched into the lines in his face stepped out from the group. Like many of the other pirates he wore an assortment of raggedy clothing with a blue bandana across his forehead. He spoke with a slight accent muffled by the roughness of his voice.
"Now, what is it you want, helmets?" He sneered at them, his voice heavy with derision. One of the pirates behind him, pulled his shoulder and whispered something into his ear. Blue bandana's face fell, and he turned away, speaking into a comm he pulled from his hip.
Shortly after another pirate sauntered up, swaying slightly as he approached. He wore a red coat accented with black padding. Dreadlocks fell out from under his segmented helmet. He spoke with a foreign, rolling cadence.
"So! The Mandalorians in our backyard show their faces, or, helmets, once again! Tell me, Marren is doing well?"
Makko spoke up uneasily, "He is fine, but that is of no concern to you."
The pirate laughed easily, but Makko could see a calculating gaze beneath the swagger. "Of course, of course. It is just, the only Mandalorian I have ever had the pleasure of meeting was Marren, so I am just surprised to have a shiny new helmet to look at!"
"We are looking to barter passage on one of your ships."
"So I guess small talk died in Mandalore a long time ago! Straight to the point," Some of the Weequay snickered the comment. "Let me me start over." The pirate bowed low, his leg sweeping out behind him and his arm behind his back. "Hondo Ohnaka, pirate, lover of wine and fine company, at your service."
Makko paused briefly, thrown off. This was definitely not the pirate he was expecting. The Weequay had such… flair? He was hard to read. Perhaps that was the point, Makko thought. Makko spoke, "Makko Vars. Do you have a ship that will take us? If not, we will take our business elsewhere."
"You seek to barter with a pirate! Well now, you are full of surprises," Makko felt the pirates gaze even from under his helmet. "Tell me, why don't you take a ride on one your what're they called, Gauntlets! I'm sure they will take you wherever you need to go." He accented his speaking with a wide wave of his hand "That is not your concern." Makko retorted.
The pirate smiled sympathetically and took a step forward, "I will respect your privacy. I do not need to know your history with the other mandalorians. Now. How are you going to pay for such a venture? I doubt your Mandalorian friends will be pay for you if they won't let you take one of their ships." More snickering echoed from the audience of the meeting.
"We can pay in spice. Half now, and half when we arrive."
"Spice! That won't do not at all, what can I buy with spice?! I need credits, real cash. Hmmm. This puts us in a predicament." Hondo began to pace back and forth, then stopped, his finger in the air, "Aha! I have an idea. You Mandalorians are known for your armor and fighting skills, yes? Well, I have had an encounter with a great Sith warrior! I extended a hand of friendship, but he slapped it away." The pirate spun on his heel to emphasize his point. "I want to know more about these… Sith. I have found the location of a particular artifact that you three should be more than able to recover. You're mandalorians, are you not?!" He smiled easily and outstretched a hand.
Makko glared under his helmet. The pirate was definitely smarter than he appeared, and, despite his efforts, Makko let too much information loose. He knows we have no other option. Marren made it clear he did not approve and he definitely would not loan a gauntlet to a group leaving the enclave. Makko could not imagine coming back to Marren with his tail between his legs. He had to take the offer. Makko looked to Re and Ilud. Re gave the barest of nods and Ilud looked back at the pirate. Makko took his hand.
"How do we know you will hold up your end of the bargain?"
Hondo smiled, "Your growing on me, Makko Vars. A man thats thinking of all the angles. How about this," he paused, "I will give you your ship for the mission, that way once you give me the artifact, you may simply leave for wherever you are headed. I trust you will be honorable in our business dealings."
Makko's eyes widened, hidden by his helmet. There was no way he would be so trusting. He must have an angle.
"What is the artifact?"
"I want you to bring me an ancient text of Darth Bane."
The ship that the pirate boss had loaned the young mandalorians was anything but new. It seemed to be a freighter, possibly of Corellian design? Makko couldn't tell. Its lumpy exterior had been covered in rust when they boarded, the white panels yellowed and marked with radiation damage. The inside did little to change Makko's opinion. The interfaces were outdated, and the typical thrum of the power modulators sounded more like the electrical arcing than distribution. Nevertheless, it was a ship, no matter how crippled by time. Makko headed back towards the cargo bay where he could hear Re and Ilud's voices. From the sound, neither sounded pleased with the situation. Makko certainly didn't feel good, but he could no tell what the particular feeling was. Anger? Shame? Apprehension? It did not matter at the end of the day. Without a thought, he shoved the emotion down, and turned his thoughts to his friend's conversation.
"What the hell are all these boxes? Did he just leave 20 units of cargo in here?!"
Makko opened the door to the bay and was met with a tiny aisle barely wide enough for his two friends standing in it. Wall to wall, the ship's bay was covered in stacked crates. It was as if a full shipping run had been forgotten and left in the ship. Makko unsealed his helmet and was immediately met with a putrid scent of mold and the faint odor of burnt plastic.
"This is clearly a setup. That asshole has us right where he wants us." Ilud said adding to Re's frustrations with his own.
"What more could he want from us? We are already doing a job for him. He's not going to risk an open fight with us, he's smarter than he looks."
"Thats what I am worried about. What kind of pirate does not take spice as payment? He is planning something."
Ilud paused, "What's stopping us from taking the ship? We only have a certain amount of fuel as Hondo said, but I bet we can get somewhere on even that limited margin."
Makko stepped closer to Ilud and Re. "I have a feeling this Hondo does not trust us as much as he would like us to think."
Re spoke up, "We should check the ship. See if there is a tracking beacon hidden somewhere in the ship."
"Might be worthwhile to take a look at the engine too. I have my doubt's on ol' Bertha's reliability." Ilud said with a wry smile.
"Where did he say we were going? Moraband? Have you guys ever heard of that" Re asked.
"Nope," the other two muttered in unison.
"So, I guess we head to Moraband unless someone has a better plan." Ilud and Makko stayed silent.
"Alright," Re said turning around, "I'm gonna make sure we aren't gonna fall out the sky, " and headed toward the engine room.
One by one, the young mandalorians left the cargo bay. Five minutes later, the automated light switched off. In the darkness, the quiet was broken only by the whirring of the ventilation system. Only one thing was visible. High on the stacks of boxes, a red light sat blinking, briefly making a nearby box visible. It read, "Property of Pyke Syndicate".