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Percy was quick to reassign Ajax to guard the corridor to their newfound wealth. Armed with a carbine, the droid was under explicit orders to not allow anyone that wasn't Mandalorian to pass.

However, that meant that Percy had taken up Ajax's previous duties in helping Aama care for the civilians that they rescued. The Mandalorian was in charge of ladling stew into bowls and handing them out to hungry people. Not the most glorious position for someone like him but it was a good way to destress in his opinion.

Floodlights from the landed Kom'rks had bathed their working area in a warm luminescent glow.

While most of the people were inside the hangar resting, quite a few were out in front as well, enjoying their meals. As for the Mandalorians, Njom and the Shard astromech were plundering the databanks and ship logs of the starships and Percy had recently handed off the data chips he had found on the pirate captain and his deceased lieutenant to Navike to sift through. Bira, Kel and Aeror were still looting the pirate base, alongside Percy's ASPs and the Votill astromech. They kept their chatter private over their helmet comms, relaying to each other their plans regarding the ships and the stuff within.

Quite literally sacking the place, so far the only notable finds other than the ships and the lode of gems, was a container of narco-spice.

Given Percy's dealings in the seedier parts of the galaxy and the Votill's own experience in the trading business, they came to a conservative estimate, estimating fees and the risk of transporting a small container like that, had a market value of, at most, fifty thousand credits. It was tucked away in the former officer's quarters until Percy could get a chance to transport it.

"Pardon me?" A voice behind him hesitated.

Percy didn't turn to respond, busy as he was. "What can I do for you?"

The speaker instead maneuvered into his field of view to reveal that it was the senator, her clothing a little torn and scuffed but otherwise still intact. "I wanted to thank you and your people for rescuing me and the others. I can't begin to imagine what would've happened if you didn't."

Percy looked up at the senator. She wore a tight smile as if forcing it. Maybe because she was angry, frustrated and trying to keep her composure. He had experienced it almost every time he had rescued someone from pirates or slavers. They kept hard or happy exteriors because to do otherwise would probably result in a meltdown. "They're not my people," he responded after a moment. "We work together is all. And don't worry about it, you're under our protection until we reach Eahndor."

Senator Prestr took a deep breath to compose herself further, her previous happy façade melting into a colder one. "About that… I would like to extend your contract."

Percy cocked his head as he continued to work. "I don't suppose this has anything to do with that officer selling you out?"

The way her fists clenched and her knuckles turned white made him think that he guessed correctly before she answered. "Yes." While her voice was dipped in no small amount of venom, it and her hands were the only indicators of her thoughts on the matter as her facial expression betrayed no emotion. "I would like to hire you and your friends to arrest that man."

"No." Percy's answer was immediate and that seemed to catch her flat-footed even as he continued to work.

"If it's a matter of payment I can assur-"

He interrupted, with a raise of his hand. "It's not a matter of money. It's a matter of politics."

"I'm sure the Bounty Hunter's-"

"Not because we're mercenaries but because we're Mandalorians."

"That's precisely why I want to hire you," Prestr said. "From what I hear, you're the best soldiers and warriors in the galaxy."

There was silence before Percy answered. "It's not because I don't want to help because I do, but because we're Mandalorian we can't be seen involved in the arrest of a Republic official even if we have hard and damning evidence." The Mandalorian explained. "Imagine how that'd look? A group of Mandalorians arresting the head of a Republic Judiciary on a planet that is just on the edge of joining the Galactic Republic just after their Senator was kidnapped by pirates? They'd probably think we're trying to overthrow your government. You think the Republic hates the Hutts? They hate my people way more. They glassed a quarter of Mandalore because they thought we were getting too powerful."

Prestr was silent as she spoke in a whispering voice. "I thought your people did that to yourselves."

Percy shrugged, ladling the last bits of stew into three bowls and offering one to the Senator who took it absently. Aama took her portion to go sit and watch over the people they rescued while Percy took his meal and guided the senator over to his ship. They sat on the ground, with Percy removing his helmet and sitting it beside him so he could eat. "It happened over seven hundred years ago. All I heard were stories that it was the Republic who did it. Makes sense since any sane Mandalorian would rather take a blaster bolt to the head than try and turn Mandalore into a desert. Doesn't matter much anymore and all we can do is point fingers."

They sat in silence as they ate before Percy spoke again, drinking the last of the broth. "We can provide you with the evidence that the Judiciary set you up, which is what one of my friends is doing now as well as a witness testimony from one of the pirates but after we take you to Eahndor and get paid, what you do is up to you."

Prestr took another spoonful of her stew before setting it down. "I see." She voiced, her voice a little louder. "Then perhaps I can convince you with a different way."

"I don-"

It was Percy's turn to be cut off. "In return for your services, the Commonwealth of Eahndor will be prepared to recognize and sponsor a Mandalorian settlement on this world. Instead of hoping that you don't deal with the Republic Office of Colonial Affairs, you'll pay no federal or local taxes for twenty years under their Outer Rim Colonization Program with Eahndor as a sponsor."

That got Percy's attention as his eyes widened very briefly before narrowing. "Who told you?"

"The Zabraki girl, Aama. She told me quite a bit." Someone is still a gossip. Percy mentally deadpanned. "Not her fault, people tend to tell me things." He gave her a blank look.

"Say I accept your offer; what's stopping you from burning us?"

"A contract. I know the stigma of politicians but I also believe in doing the right thing. Bringing a corrupt official to justice is doing the right thing. As a Galactic Senator, my reputation is my sector's and world's reputation, if I don't back my agreements then no one would want to do business with my people." Maybe she is one of the good ones. Percy thought. At least, she knows reputation can go a long way. She continued, unaware of his thoughts. "And besides, while the rest of the Republic may distrust Mandalorians, you were the ones to save my life and rescue me, not the Republic."

Percy connected the dots. She spoke on the prowess of his people and then to reel them in on helping her, she would sponsor a colonization and settlement program of this planet. Percy would be blind if he missed the underlying meaning of her words but he voiced them regardless. "And I suppose having Mandalorians in your backyard wouldn't hurt the security of the sector and your world either."

At that, she grinned. It might've been kind and beautiful had it not been on the face of someone who was a career politician. Given the context, it was more predatory than anything else. "I suppose that doesn't hurt either. I also suppose I could be persuaded to sign a contract of employment for Mandalorian security both in space and on planets in my sector."

Percy's eyebrow raised. Something like that would not be cheap. "Can you even swing that much money around?"

"Please!" She gasped dramatically, clutching her chest as if offended. "I was not made senator just because of my looks. Eahndor may just be an agricultural world but we will be bringing a market of food that is expected to dominate the North Rim of the galaxy. It is no mistake that I was nominated." Her smirk grew just a little more pointed. "I have it on very good authority that the noble families of the sector would gladly finance such a deal."

The way she said it sent a chill up the spine of the Mandalorian. The woman in front of him may have a young and innocent exterior but her voice and manner painted a very different picture. In a fight, she was most likely useless, but her specialty lay in politics and not war. Two things crossed Percy's mind in that moment, the most important note was to not get on this woman's bad side.

The second, now that he thought about it, was that heshould've really negotiated a better deal in rescuing this woman. The Governor readily agreed to a two hundred thousand credit reward for the rescue of his granddaughter. While Percy thought the sum to be fair considering the circumstances, and that he was maybe playing a little on the man's familial ties, now the Mandalorian was beginning to think that two hundred thousand was pocket change to these people even if the Governor meant it in good spirit.

"This sounds a little too good to be true." Percy finally settled on. "Even for arresting a Republic Judiciary, I know for a fact that colonizing isn't cheap and your contract on Mandalorian security doubly so."

"What are you suggesting?" Her grin, if possible, grew a little wider.

"What's in it for you?"

Her smile didn't waver in the slightest, but she also didn't answer for a few moments. "You're different from most bounty hunters," She pointed out. Percy determined just from those words that while she was experienced in the political theatre, she was woefully naïve to the underbelly of the galaxy.

"Any decent hunter knows when something is fishy."

"Not that." She waved away absently. Okay so maybe not so naïve. "Most hunters don't think of the wider political atmosphere. Here I am offering to pay for you and your people to settle on a planet, in addition to a contract of employment and all you have to do is help arrest a blatantly corrupt Republic officer. Yet you know something isn't lining up." She paused. "Well to ease your worry, it has more to do with our entrance into the Republic than it does with you."

"Mind enlightening me?"

"Eahndor will be the newest addition to the Republic, so we need to show the galaxy that we are not going to be pushed around. Sticking it to the Prefsbelt sector lets our neighbors know that any attempts to undermine our stability will not be tolerated in the slightest. Having Mandalorians keeping our trade lanes and cities safe, rooting out pirates and raiders, and maintaining a permanent presence in the sector ensures this. Plus," She gestured with a nod behind him. "I'll be ensuring that all these settlers are well taken care of to show the generosity that Eahndor has and will offer." Her grin faltered into something sheepish. "I have plans, if you can't already tell but while I have the resources to do it, I don't have the reputation yet."

There was a significant pause in the conversation before Percy spoke up. "You'll be getting on the bad side of the Guild for this. Hunting pirates is their thing."

"I couldn't care less for the Guild. I'd rather have a professional mercenary outfit at my people's back than people whose loyalties may come into question at the most inopportune time. When it concerns the welfare of my people, there isn't a price I wouldn't pay."

"And your peacekeeping forces? We may step on more than a few of the local toes."

"I wouldn't deprive my people of work. A stipulation would also be to train planetary militias so that eventually they may take over local security. I don't expect it to happen overnight but I also don't want my people to have to rely on you forever."

"Plus, it'll be expensive," Percy remarked with a slight chuckle.

"That too." She laughed as well. "We're wealthy and expect to continue to be so but I intend to invest in you and yours for the long-term benefits you would provide. Reliable and effective security ensures lucrative business so we both get what we want."

Percy thought for a solid couple of minutes before answering. "There's to be an anade'cir, a Council of Clans, in a couple months' time in Eahndor. The only thing I will guarantee you is that your voice will be heard, whether they agree to your proposal is up to you. However, I will take you up on your offer to sponsor a settlement here, if only to give them an option. You'll have at least seven of us living here if nothing else."

Her smirk crooked into a frown before she sighed. "I suppose that's the best I can ask for."

She was about to stand when Percy spoke again. "One last condition, only two Mandalorians will accompany you. Myself and my friend Navike. We suspected the officer's corruption when he hired us, possibly to try to pin the blame for your capture on us even if we succeeded. I won't endanger the Votills or our Armorer in something that may very well turn into a coup. We'll be taking you in the morning so rest up. We have a long day ahead of us."

Prestr nodded, stood up and walked away to a nearby Aama who escorted her to the Pale Flower.

Percy sighed as he sat backward, his hands supporting him. He rubbed his eyes and stifled a yawn. I should probably get some sleep too. The comlink on his vambrace beeped, and he answered immediately. "This is Gaid."

"Percy, I got the information from the data chips. Looks like we were right. That official is in the pocket of Borosk. Plans seem to have gone sideways though, he was expecting to send Guild hunters and not us."

"Governor did say that we were recommended to him by a friend." Percy paused. "He probably thought we'd clean house here and that'd cover his tracks."

"Then why put a bounty on captured prisoners?" Navike questioned before he answered himself. "Ah never mind, he probably thought that we'd gun down everyone who already didn't know any better and those that did, wouldn't be inclined to talk. Or maybe we'd get killed trying to make a bigger paycheck."

"Official probably didn't consider that these were former Black Sun. They'd have recorded the conversation as further insurance. These pirates weren't dumb, they just didn't expect an immediate response from us."

"It does look like they were packing up to leave. That guy sure fucked up…" The pilot muttered. The comm was silent for a solid few seconds before he continued. "How do you want to run this?"

Percy stifled a sigh from escaping. "I cut a deal with the senator. You and I will go with her to Eahndor and take her to the Governor. We'll act as bodyguards to them until their peacekeepers arrest the Judiciary. We'll be bringing the civilians with us as well, no use in extending their stay here if we can help it."

"Alright. I'll see you in the morning."

The comm clicked off and Percy internally sighed as he spotted a few more people coming over to him. A variety of races were among them, the three Muuns were together in their own separate group, a little away from the two other ones. The two other groups were distinct in their attire. The smaller pair, of only humans, wore clothes that indicated they were spacers, probably a crew of a ship Percy guessed given their near identical uniforms.

The last group was an odd collection, a Togrutan couple and another who appeared to be their child stood among them. Their clothes were more disheveled and their features a little more gaunt and pale than the others. Percy stood to greet them, tucking his helmet underneath his arm. "How can I help you?"

The Muuns and the Togrutan couple gestured for the crew to go first so they stepped forward. "I-uh- we wanted to thank you, Mandos, for rescuing us. We know you came for the senator but-uh, ah." The man stammered scratching the back of his head. "You helped us out regardless. I know this might be an unreasonable ask and a longshot but with our ship nothing more than space scrap my crew and I were hoping we could take that AEG or VCX off your hands…" He trailed off when Percy immediately shook his head.

"Sorry, those ships have been earmarked for sale already. We used a lot of recon probes trying to find this base and we'll need to recoup the loss." Percy excused. The AEG and Headhunters would enable them to get better probes to replace the ones they lost while the VCX was in near pristine condition from what Aama had told him. That would be sold for a pure profit or maybe even given to Aama if she wanted to strike out on her own. "We're not entirely going to leave you all destitute though. We're organizing credits now to put two thousand a head to get you all back on your feet. From what I understand, the Senator is also going to ensure you're not left on your own once we get back to Eahndor. That goes for all of you." He nodded to the larger group and the Muuns also. All of them looked surprised at his words. "You'll have to talk to her for specifics, though, and that'll have to wait till tomorrow when we're underway."

"I guess that's the best we can hope for." The spacer sighed. "Thanks again." The two spacers bowed their heads and walked away but not before casting sullen looks over to the AEG.

The trio approached this time. The Togrutan man and woman bowed slightly to him, and Percy awkwardly did the same, only barely remembering it to be a sort of custom to acknowledge others in that manner, it'd been a few months since he had to deal with other Togrutans in any meaningful capacity. The Togrutan couple looked weathered as they held their short child close to them against their legs. Their montrals, lekkus and their bodies were marked with bruises and scrapes.

"I am Kurhan Bardiira and this is my wife Cyldella and my daughter Etrel." The Togruta woman bowed once more, while the child hid further behind her father's legs. "My father was the leader of the settlement that the pirates raided before he was killed and it was decided that I would represent our colony." Percy nodded, gesturing for him to continue. "We have been here for many days with nothing but the clothes on our backs. Before they took us away, the pirates burned our homes and all our belongings." He licked his lips, slightly baring the pointed teeth of his race. "We have nothing to go back to and, before you mentioned it helping, we feared we may have had to beg and scrape at the feet of wherever you took us." He took a deep breath. "For your generosity, I believe I speak for all my people in saying you have our deepest thanks." The couple bowed once again.

"Get some rest. We'll be heading to Eahndor tomorrow." Percy bowed to him and the Togrutans nodded their thanks once again before stepping away.

The Muuns were next and Percy turned to face the towering aliens. "My name is Sair Villor, of the InterGalactic Banking Clan, assigned to manage the accounts of the Eahndor Sector." He dipped his head, as he smiled, the leathery grey skin pulled taut, slightly threatening to tear his face if he tried to smile wider. "You have my utmost gratitude, Mandalorian, for rescuing my colleagues and me. If there's anything I can do to repay, please do not hesitate to ask."

Percy considered the Muun before him. It was not often that someone got a member of the Banking Clan indebted to them, but also a rarity since it came willingly from a Muun, something like that was worth its weight in credits. "The name's Perseus Gaid and I'll have to take a rain check on that favor." The Muun's smile threatened to split his face with how much it grew. Sair knew exactly what he was doing. Probably hoping that getting in good with a Mandalorian might get him an on-call mercenary. If anything, this only confirmed the rumors that the IGBC were recruiting mercenaries to be attack dogs. It was the most likely reason as to why the Muun approached him since Percy couldn't think of anything else.

Percy watched them walk away before entering his ship alongside Mako. He had a lot of work to do before he could even begin to think about getting some sleep.

First and foremost….a shower.

The sun rose over the valley, cresting the top of the mountains, plateaus, and piercing rays of light through the dense foliage of the forests. The Mandalorians, barring Navike and Percy, already out and about, taking stock of the loot that they had determined to be of sufficient value to be transported immediately and Aama and her brother were handing out small pouches of the promised credits. A case of Corellian Whiskey was going as well as a couple cases of various tools, nothing special or amounting to any significant number of credits, but it was useful in trades with local scrap vendors. Since the Mandalorians were going to be sticking around for the foreseeable future, the food, water, and a lot of it would remain to help with getting the place up and running.

Already, an ASP was busy painting over the Black Sun iconography on the captured starships and buildings while another was monitoring the cremation of the pirates on a large pyre a little ways away from the rest of the base.

The warehouse had yet to be thoroughly pillaged but it seemed that the most valuable stuff had been discovered.

Percy and Navike, on the other hand, were with Senator Alonjuli Prestr in the lower levels of the pirate base. The stench and sight of which would've made anyone gag and vomit. As it was, Percy and Navike were hardly affected, unfortunately they were already accustomed to some of the fouler places of the galaxy, with only the wrinkling of their noses being the most apparent reaction but still concealed by their helmets. Prestr had taken a bit of cloth and covered her face and had even gagged at the smell, nearly losing the contents of her previous night's dinner.

Navike stood at ease, his carbine lazily held but still ready to be used if needed. Percy had stepped up to the bars, alongside the Senator looking at the previous pirate officer, Dej, who had sequestered herself into a dimly lit corner, her hands propped up on her knees as she looked at them, a sneer plastered across her face.

"Just kill me already." She said simply, tucking her head into her arms. "I'm not goin-"

"I have an offer for you." Prestr interrupted, it seemed she had a penchant for doing that. "Testify against Captain Ransvoy and I'll see to it that you're placed under probation to serve out your sentence in service to the Commonwealth of Eahndor." Both of the present Mandalorians twisted their heads to look at the Senator. Percy was under the impression that she'd be left to the Republic to deal with.

Still, it wasn't any of his business. If the Senator wanted to hire the woman, who was he to stop her?

"And why would I do that?" Dej stared at the Senator. "Yesterday I held a blaster between your eyes. Why trust me?"

"I don't trust you. I trust your ability and knowledge. I also know that you were against this whole thing to begin with. You loudly said multiple times, and aggressively I might add, that your crew should've stuck to spice smuggling rather than getting involved in this… So, I'm inclined to break bread so to speak."

She scoffed turning to look at the Mandalorians. "I told Xees that if bounty hunters didn't come then Jedi would." She looked at the Senator. "We were fucked the moment we stepped foot on your ship, weren't we?"

Prestr nodded. "I deactivated my transponder the moment my transport was dead in space."

Dej returned the nod with a grimace after a moment. "What's in it for me? Community service is fine and all, but no one is going to trust a spice runner, much less someone that abducted their precious senator." The Falleen woman took on a mocking tone at the end of her words.

The senator didn't look the least bit offended. "I can offer you a lucrative contract in serving as my personal bodyguard and in providing counsel when it comes to the…criminal underbelly of the wider galaxy. I find myself woefully naïve in that department. You'll be given a monthly stipend of five thousand credits, room and board, access to top-of-the-line healthcare and whatever equipment you may need for the duration of your contract."

"So, my options are spending the rest of my life in a Republic cell where I'll probably be killed in my sleep or worse, or I can be living the high life babysitting the baby senator?" Dej made a show of considering her options or rather the lack thereof. "Kind of put me in a tough position here, princess." Dej stood approaching the bars, a light smirk on her face as her frazzled black hair cascaded about her.

Prestr rolled her eyes at the name. "It won't be all high life. You may be expected to perform certain…tasks for me."

Dej's smirk grew at the senator as she licked her lips. "Didn't know you rolled that way, princess, but I'm game."

The senator sputtered, her features flushing before regaining her composure. She glanced towards him and Navike before answering. "I meant gathering information or…" She stumbled over her next words. "Taking care of…the trash."

While Prestr seemed uncomfortable neither the Falleen nor the Mandalorians visibly reacted. "Didn't know you had it in you, princess." Her arms lazily relaxing on the iron bars of the cell as she leaned against it. "Can't say I'm any good at sneaking about and playing assassin." Dej shrugged before her features narrowed. "Why not hire some Mandos?" She tossed her head to gesture at the two of them. "They stick out like a rancor, but they'll be perfect for any trash you need taken out and better bodyguards than I can ever be."

That was a good question and even Percy turned his gaze towards the senator at the question. He wouldn't be able to take part due to his rather unique position nor, like Dej seemed to be, was he any good at being quiet but he knew other Mandalorians that he could contact for what she needed.

"You're correct, they would be better suited to what I may have need of." Prestr began easily. "However, expediency may be needed and while having a Mandalorian on retainer would be a great boon, I am already welcoming them in my sector. If fingers were to be pointed, they would be pointed at me first." Good point. It was something that crossed his mind very briefly, but it was ultimately dismissed. He couldn't remember hearing of any Mandalorian assassins ever getting caught. Still, it was the Senator's choice of who she wanted to hire, a smart one in her case.

Dej was silent as she considered the rather large request. Percy opened the private comm line to Navike. "Think she'll take it?" Percy already had a feeling she would but getting some insight from his friend was always a boon.

He answered succinctly. "Compared to a Republic prison? Like she said, hard choice." He added mockingly. Navike paused as the Falleen woman looked to the senator.

"I accept, but if I'm going to be doing dirty work then I want double."

"Five thousand every month, an immediate lump sum of five thousand to be paid on signing, and, after fifteen years, I'll set aside an account of credits for you to retire to should you wish to do so."

Dej's eyes nearly bulged at the offer and the stoic Mandalorians' heads snapped instantly to the Senator. For a spice smuggler, especially for one that just got raided and basically had nothing, it was like stumbling across a case of pure Pyke-refined narco-spice.

Percy was really feeling like he should've negotiated a better deal if she was able to throw large numbers of credits like this around at the cuff of her hand.

Dej finally regained her composure. "Princess, if you wanted me this badly all you had to do was ask!"

Prestr flushed and she swept and wiped her hands against her robes as if she were straightening them. Embarrassedly, she explained herself. "I'm considering you an investment. If buying your loyalty ensures that I keep it, then the credits are worth it. Just be warned, should you act against me in any capacity, I'll consider our deal null and void and your life forfeit."

"I guess I'll take your deal then. Now let me out of here, it stinks."

"For your safety, until we detain Captain Ransvoy, you'll be placed in carbonite," Prestr smirked just a little. "So, you'll have to give your testimony right now."

Dej made a face. "You do know that to be your bodyguard I need to be able to see right?"

"I've been assured that the equipment is top-of-the-line." She replied, entirely unperturbed and with a shrug, she added. "If not, then we'll just get you some cybernetics."

Dej scowled. "Before we do this, what's stopping me from making dust the first chance I get?"

The senator turned to face the Mandalorians where they'd been standing this entire time.

The implication was clear. Dej eyed him up and down, eyebrow raised but there was no trace of doubt on her face, even a flicker of fear crossing about her as she looked away.

"Alright…fine. Ask away." She grumbled.

The testimony process went a lot smoother than anticipated, and the data chip with said testimony was placed in his care. As soon as they were underway, Percy would be making multiple copies.

As they finished up, Percy glanced at Navike. "Bind her hands." He looked to Dej who held out her hands with a small smirk on her features. "Play up the act of prisoner, if the people up top see you getting preferential treatment, we'll have a lynch mob on our hands and that's the last thing we need to deal with."

The Falleen had the decency to wipe the smirk off her face as Navike led her at blaster point, up the stairs and out of sight. The two were followed by Percy and the Senator, only to stop as the Mandalorian held his arm out to bar the passage of Prestr.

She looked up at him, her gaze reflecting off the tinted visor of his helmet.

"Something's been bugging me and is making me reconsider our deal."

Had he not been looking for it, he would've missed it.

But almost unperceptively, Prestr's eye twitched as if she were annoyed. "Yes?"

"You're throwing around enough credits that even a Hutt would balk at."

"Does it bother you that much? You're going to get paid, of that, you have my word as Senator and Representative of the Commonwealth."

"I'm more concerned about where it's coming from," Percy admitted point-blank, his voice even.

Her neutral gaze curved into a predatory smirk. "And as I've said before, it is no mistake that I was made a senator. I may be naïve to the crime syndicates of the galaxy, but it is my humble opinion that the politics that run the galaxy are a much deadlier beast than they ever hope to be."

It was his opinion that she was confusing syndicates like the Black Sun, dismembered they may be, the Pykes and even the Hutt Cartel to be sequestered into their little pockets of the galaxy. She should really be considering them as one and the same. He had both the fortune and misfortune of learning that lesson early on in his career as a bounty hunter.

"If it becomes an issue and my people are put in danger. I'll come after you." Percy finally said, lowering his arm.

"Of that, I have no doubt, Mandalorian." Her smirk deepened before it seemed to curve into what could be mistaken for a genuine smile. "I have no intention of backstabbing you or your people." Percy had a hard time believing it. "For now, though, I wish to put the man that betrayed my people and me in front of a firing squad." She moved past him and up the stairs, Percy following behind. Awfully callous of a Republic Senator.

"I think the Republic would find an issue with that."

"The Republic lost my trust the moment pirates fired on my ship."

"You trusted the Republic?" They entered the hangar. Percy's voice was exasperated and more than a little mocking.

She stopped and slowly turned to face him. That all-too-familiar smirk on her face. "In the officers of my own Judiciary at least. The Senate? Please. I'd be a fool to trust anything that's spoken in that building." They continued on.

"Fair enough." He answered. "Still might face some pushback on that firing squad, even if I agree with you. The Jedi might even get involved."

She laughed though it was more cynical than anything humorous. "They'll get off their ivory tower for a corrupt Judiciary officer but would do nothing for a Galactic Senator. You might be right. They'll negotiate for a reduced sentence. I'll settle for life in prison. Nothing less."

Percy raised an eyebrow as he felt the need to voice something as this situation only highlighted how worthless the Republic really was and yet nothing was done. "They may try and sweep this under the rug. Blatant corruption and conspiracy to kidnap a Galactic Senator with evidence? If that officer reaches Coruscant…" He trailed off.

Her stride slowed and he saw her fists clench tightly, her knuckles turning white. She didn't say anything even as they stopped just before the crowd of people outside the hangar atrium. "I'll consider your words, Mandalorian." She paused, composing herself before continuing. "You know…I never got your name."

"Aama didn't tell you?" Prestr merely shook her head and he answered simply with a shrug and without any fanfare. "Perseus Gaid."

"Perseus." She tested it. "An odd name. Does it have any meaning?" At that, it was Percy's turn to be caught off guard. He stopped in his tracks as he winced in slight pain. A series of images assaulted his mind, too fast for him to discern and faded just as fast as they had shocked him. The senator cocked her head at him in both suspicion and concern. "I didn't mean to offend."

Percy waved her off. "None taken. Just a headache." He hesitated. Did his name have meaning? It felt like it should, but he could think of nothing that it could allude to. "And I don't think it has any meaning. It's just a name." His words faltered into a mutter.

She looked at him speculatively but had the decency not to press further. She didn't have any pull to do so. She was merely a client, a powerful and influential one, but a client, nonetheless. Personal details like that were off-the-table, she wasn't even familiar enough with him to have her call him 'Percy'. He didn't have an answer anyway, so it mattered little in the end.

Percy was waved over by Bira, where the other Mandalorians currently were, who then waved over her husband as he stepped from the Iron Shield.

The senator followed, having nothing better to do.

"We're settling this planet, correct?" The Mirialan woman asked. Her voice was both curious and oddly, reserved. He recognized that tone. As a Mandalorian Armorer, Bira held a much more mysterious, aloof, and zealous personality in stark contrast to her usually laid-back and bubbly attitude. In her position as an Armorer, Percy was bound by creed and oath to heed her words and advice. If nothing else, it was the only time that Percy was forced to do as she said. However, due to their friendly relationship, it was a card she never had to use.

Percy nodded. She looked towards the Senator. "As you are not Mandalorian, you are not permitted to participate or come close. You may, however, observe from here." The way Bira said the words brooked neither argument nor answer. She turned towards him and her husband. "Come." That single word, while not an order, was said with a surety that they would follow.

The two foundlings stepped forward to follow. The Votills patiently waited to the side next to the bank of the river. "Kneel all of you."

They did so without a single protesting thought. Lining themselves in a single straight line before the Armorer, they all took on a sitting kneel, resting on the heels of the boots. Bira remained standing, before her resting on the bank of the running river was a small leather mat, arrayed on it was a metal bowl and beside it a pile of dark and rich soil that seemed to have flecks of silver mixed in. A gentle breeze ran through the valley, waving and rolling through the green grass and brushed and stalwart trees.

Bira kneeled and reverently took the metal bowl in both hands, turning on her heel and, still holding and cradling the bowl in a reverent manner, took a few paces forward and retrieved a bowlful of water from the pristine river.

She turned once again, approaching the dark pile of soil, sprinkling a small palmful into the water. She approached the kneeling Mandalorians, first and foremost Percy, standing before and above him. Speaking in a whisper, loud enough to hear and maybe those to his immediate side, she began. 'Ti ibie koor'gotal, be'vheh bai priun, vi vhetta har'arpat narit'ibie vheh brok'cuy Mando'ade. Vaab'mar'eyir a'yaim par'gar droten, Mand'alor, vaab'gar cuyir Mandalore? Cuyir a'taap udesiir bal morut'tapp. Brok ba'jurir bal oyacyir?"

Percy responded instantly. "Ni vaabir."

She didn't answer verbally and instead, dipped her tightly gloved finger into the bowl and, from what he could feel, painted a small Mythosaur skull on one of the open places on his helmet. He could hear a small rough scratching noise against his helmet.

She moved onto his immediate left where Kel and his family were. Her first words were the same, but the latter statement was changed and then repeated the motion of drawing on their helmets with the water and soil mix. He wasn't straining to hear, nor did he have the desire to do so. Instead, he thought about what she had asked of him.

That was until she spoke to Navike, who was on his immediate right, she spoke reciting and renewing her vow as his wife to him, to which he did the same as her husband. She then stepped backwards and ended the ceremony by pouring the rest of the watered soil onto the earth in a single line parallel to their position.

Just as the group stood, the ceremony ending, Bira gestured for her husband to step forth, which he did. She leaned in close to him. Since he was much taller than she was, the Mirialan woman had to pull her husband down so that their helmets' foreheads could touch. Whatever was said seemed to cause him to cautiously raise his head to her and she nodded.

At that, Navike stepped away towards Percy. "I'm ready when you are."

Percy nodded as the two moved away, being quickly intercepted by Aeror and Aama. Kel guided "Think you can take Aama with you? She has a supply list for what we'll need."

The two foundlings shared a look and if Percy didn't know any better Aeror's face narrowed behind her helmet.

"What's going on?"

Navike looked at Percy as he sighed. "The Senator has contracted the two of us to serve as bodyguards while she and her peacekeepers arrest the Judiciary Commander of Eahndor."

Aeror sucked in a breath, though it sounded more like a hiss. "And you agreed to this?"

"She offered a good deal. Recognized rights to this world, zero taxes under that Republic colonization program and a sector security contract for any Mandalorian looking for work."

Aeror paused. "That's really generous."

"It is. The only downside is if this goes sideways. I have a guess that we'd probably be framed for her kidnapping but even that's a stretch. Not with all these witnesses."

"And you didn't think to tell us this?"

Percy shrugged. "It wasn't an issue. In return for providing bodyguards while she arrests the officer, we get to settle the planet without outside interference. The contract for employment is a separate deal that's to be taken care of at an anade'cir."

Aeror was silent for a moment before her daughter spoke, stepping forward as she did so. "If it is alright with you, I would like to go." Percy leaned to look at the older Zabraki woman whose gaze was locked on the back of her daughter's head. The Zabraki teenager turned to look at her mother. "We still need the supplies. Dad is still doing Njom's verd'goten and you'll be here helping Bira."

"Percy and Navike can get what we need."

"They said that we'll just be bodyguards and that her peacekeepers will be doing the arresting. We shouldn't even be close to the fighting."

"That's not my issue. The issue is that this is politically driven." Aeror sighed. "But I understand. I'll give my blessing. Stay safe and come home."

"I will." Aama bowed her head slightly before walking away past Percy and with Navike. Percy began to walk as well only to be stopped again.

"Gaid." Aeror's voice rang out behind him causing him to stop in his tracks. Her voice low and almost a growl. "If she is hurt in any way, I'll come after you."

He considered his words before he spoke. "I'd be disappointed if you didn't." Percy began to walk again, the Senator falling into step beside him as he passed her.

"If you don't mind me asking, what was that ceremony about?"

"An old tradition. It lets us settle the planet and marks it as a safe haven for Mandalorians. It's the first time I've seen and participated in one but I'm positive that many others have done it on planets they live on. Nothing unique to just us really, for peace of mind really."

The only thing special about it is that an Armorer was the one that did it and that there was a sort of religiosity to it.

"I see." She voiced but said nothing more. They continued to the Iron Shield where a crowd of the rescued people waited. There Percy, Navike, Aama, Mako and Senator Prestr stood before them.

"We'll be a tight fit and the ride to Eahndor is about six hours. Touch something that doesn't belong to you, and you lose your hand. Don't touch anything and we'll get along just fine. The top deck is off-limits. The restroom is on the right-hand side as you walk in." It was simple enough and got the message across. "After you, Senator."

It took them more than a couple of minutes to get settled in and, like he said, it was a tight squeeze. Not enough that they'd have to take two ships or two trips, but enough that it was uncomfortable. Having a hundred-plus people on a ship that was supposed to maybe hold half that was certainly pushing its limits on the life support, but a good day of maintenance would have his ship back up and running.

And in no time at all, Prestr seated in one of the open seats of the bridge along with the three other Mandalorians and Mako, the Iron Shield was taking off.

"Come on, Percy!" A little girl's voice shouted as she sped past the room. "Dad won't wait for us, and Mom will blow a gasket if you make her wait again!"

"Moving!" Percy shouted back, cursing under his breath as he quickly and haphazardly threw his tools together onto the workbench. A large stocky droid deactivated and resting on a pair of heavy chains holding it up as if it were some sort of metal puppet beside the workbench, wiring left exposed in the chest plate.

"Perseus Kryze! If I have to go over there…-!" A more matronly voice shouted from the end of the corridor.

"On my way!" He shouted back, cursing under his breath as he tried to wipe the oil stain from his gloves in vain. He had tried to get Ajax some last-minute repairs before they left and hopefully bring the droid with them. Percy may have built the droid but he was no savant by any stretch of the imagination, so it was an effort in futility.

He grumbled derisively as he jogged to the hangar, where a cadre of his family's attendants were waiting to both see them off and boarding other ships. A few ramikad were boarding their own transports and checking their weapons off to the side. Their armor was decorated and near resplendent save for the aesthetic scars and the battle damage that they wore with pride.

His armor…not so much…the metal pauldrons, greaves, and bracers he wore felt like little more than toys than actual pieces of equipment when compared to the older men and women. It only made him wish that his verd'goten would get here faster so he could have actual armor to wear.

As it was, he had only two years left before it happened.

He heard a voice come from the group of commandos. "Looks like the little lord decided to join us!"

Percy's ears burned at the comment.

One of the commandos seemed to have taken pity on him as he stepped forward, his armor a forest green with gold trimming and filigree etched onto it. Percy knew him, one of his father's closest advisors, Almec of Clan Cain.

"Little Perseus, here I have something for you!" The older man pulled him into the group, not that Percy raised much protest. Almec was always showing and teaching him whenever his mother wasn't watching.

It looked like any old bracer, but it was heavier than his previous one. Percy eagerly put it on, switching out his easily. While he wasn't what one would consider tech savvy, being around it all the time and training to use it made it second nature to figure out what was different from this one and the other one.

A blue holographic disc emanated to life.

Almec spoke again, breaking his silence and wide-eyed gaze. "It still has the repulsor on it, so be careful."

"What are you doing?"

Percy jumped at the voice and quickly fumbled to turn off the shield.

His mother was looking down at them from the loading ramp of the transport ship.

"Nothing!" Percy shouted, his voice audibly cracking causing more than a few laughs to break from the group of assembled warriors.

"On the ship. Now." Percy scrambled up the ramp, his mother giving him him a side-eye glare that promised a grounding and a glare fully at Almec who had sheepishly gone back to what he was doing.

Percy quickly took his seat, mumbling his greeting to his sisters. "Hey, Bo. Hey, Satine."

"Oh, what's that?" Bo asked, her orange-hellish hair whipping to the side as she stared at the new bracer. Satine in her own world scrolling through a datapad, mumbling her own greeting.

"A shield gauntlet." He popped it on, the blue holographic disc blinking to life.

She tapped on it, and it pinged as if it were a bubble. "Wicked!" She whispered in awe.

"Dreams do come true, if only we wish hard enough. You have anything in life if you will sacrifice everything else for it."

-J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

Hello! A few announcements to start us off! First things first and the one I am most excited about is that I have commissioned art for this story! So far I have three characters drawn, Percy, Alonjuli Prestr and a Wookie Mandalorian! You can find those in my channel on the Emerald Library Discord with more to come in the future! This also comes with a few google documents that contain the Mandalorian translations (that I mentioned in a previous AN) and a Mandalorian Clan and Character bank, list sorta thing that I'm using, you don't have to be familiar with these to know what's going on but it's just a little something I made public to show some of the work I do for my projects!

Secondly, I have a decent work schedule now so that, hopefully, means more content! I won't make any promises but I do have more time than I usually do to write!

I don't have much else to say, we'll be wrapping up this introductory phase of the story in the next chapter and heading into the Phantom Menace in the one after that. As an FYI, this story does revolve around Percy and the Mandalorian people, and while canon characters do make appearances via plot points and all, they won't be the focus.

I wanted to start and make a little thing about how the upper echelons of society view the Jedi, specifically the political side of the galaxy and that while they do exist, they are an extreme rarity and almost a folk tale, kind of how it was portrayed in the Original Trilogy but a little more grounded since they're still out and about and doing things across the galaxy.

On that note, (and as always), you can find me on the Emerald Library Discord! It's a fantastic place to interact with other readers and meet new writers! We mostly just chill and chat about our ideas, future projects and generally just have a good time!

The link to that is on my profile!