"So," Gault said when Mako and Ter'viro got back. "What's the good news? Is there good news?"
"I'm a clone," Mako said. "And probably a weapon."
"Clone of who?" Gault asked.
"We don't know," Mako said. "Xal said he would talk to one of Ter'viro's Jedi cousins."
"One of?" Gault said. "How many do you have?"
Ter'viro said, "I've got three Jedi cousins."
"You might have mentioned that," Gault said. "What happens now?"
"Ask around," Ter'viro said. "But, it might be dangerous."
"At this point, they're starting to run together," Gault said. "I'm going to talk to some of my people. We notice things the big names don't. Anyway, Huntmaster Assistant called. You are to contact Mandalore."
Ter'viro nodded and headed to the holoemitter. "Are you okay?" he asked Mako.
"I feel like I don't have the right," she said. "We've got enough problems."
"We'll figure it out," he told her.
A Mandalorian Warrior responded to their contact. "State your business."
"Ter'viro Onoka, Champion of the Great Hunt. I was told I was requested."
"Indeed, champion. I'll contact Mandalore."
After a moment, Mandalore the Vindicated appeared. "Greetings, champion."
"It's an honor," Ter'viro said.
"That goes for me as well," Mako said.
"This must be Mako," Mandalore said. "I've heard she's the brains behind your operation."
"Pretty much," Ter'viro said.
Gault said, "And I am humbled, truly."
Mandalore said, "Don't think I can't spot a man sizing me up, Devaronian. Down to business," he said to Ter'viro. "The Great Hunt cost you a lot, I understand. Those sacrifices haven't gone unnoticed. I've got a lot to thank you for. Shoring up that secret auction, avenging Hedarr Soongh, stopping that arrogant snot Tarro Blood. You had a good slog getting here. Says a lot that you aced Tarro Blood without stooping to his level, a damn lot."
"You contacted me to talk about Blood?" Ter'viro said.
Mandalore said, "I contacted you, because you won the Great Hunt. The Great Hunt isn't held for the sake of sport; it's meant to find the best the galaxy has to offer. Usually to handle a task vital to the Mando'ade. There is a cavern in the deep jungles of Dromund Kaas, unnatural place, filled with all kind of abominations. There's something down there nobody's laid eyes on and lived to brag about it. I want you to kill it."
"I thought the Hunt was the test," Ter'viro said.
"Wrong," Mandalore said. "Grand Champions are rare, but you are not singular. You must distinguish yourself. You've been sent the coordinates. We'll speak again when you've brought me a suitable trophy."
"Nice safari vacation you won, champ," Gault said. "Next time, take the cash prize."
Ter'viro said. "Maybe. Sounded like he expected Tarro Blood."
"What do we do?" Mako asked.
"Go to Dromund Kaas," Ter'viro said.
Once they were in hyperspace, and Gault went to his cabin, Mako said, "I'm really grateful to your family and everything, it's just..."
"Yeah?" Ter'viro said.
"Could we have more sex?"
Ter'viro held in a laugh.
"What?" Mako said.
He scooped her up and said, "I love you, Mako."
"I love you too." She leaned into his chest, and he took her to their cabin.
Dozens of Mandalorians stood near the entrance to the cave, but none of them entered. Distant howls echoed from within.
"This is a camp for warriors, not hikers," one of the Mandalorians said to Ter'viro. "You aren't welcome here."
"I'm here at the request of Mandalore," Ter'viro said.
"He's more warrior than you, Jogo," a different Mandalorian said.
Jogo said, "You're one to judge, eh, arue'tal?"
"Huntmaster declared him Grand Champion," the second said.
"Winning the Great Hunt doesn't make you one of us," Jogo said.
Ter'viro said, "You're upset Mandalore sent someone else."
Jogo glared at him. "Better warriors than you have tried to kill the beast. They never returned."
Ter'viro shrugged.
"Die well if you can," Jogo said and walked away.
"Ori'buyce, kih'kovid," the second one said. "Torian Cadera. An honor, champion. If there's a bottom, it's probably there. Good hunting."
Once they were in the cave, Ter'viro said, "What did he call him?"
"All helmet, no head," Mako said. "He called Jogo an idiot."
"What did Jogo call Torian?" Ter'viro said.
"Traitor's blood," Mako replied.
"How do we kill this thing?" Gault asked.
"Blasters," Ter'viro said.
Gault sighed. "I love how you strategize."
"Your beast is dead," Ter'viro said, dropping the head at Jogo's feet.
"How did you kill it when so many of my clan have failed?" Jogo asked.
Ter'viro shrugged. "Better aim."
Jogo said, "You...! I can't argue. You killed it, they died. I... I salute your victory. Mandalore will certainly be pleased." He called over some of the nearby warriors. "We will prepare it for transport. You have earned the courtesy."
"Honored to see you, champion," Torian said. "I wish I'd seen the fight."
"I wish I hadn't," Gault said.
"You're not that injured," Ter'viro told him.
Jogo brought the head, wrapped and sealed. "Ni trikari. You have proven yourself." Ter'viro nodded. "Is it true you are darjetii'tal?"
"Sith family," Torian said.
"My cousin," Ter'viro said.
"I guess you are a warrior," Jogo said. "Good day, champion." He returned to his men.
Torian said, "If you ever need a good sniper, champion, I'd be honored to fight at your side."
"Thanks," Ter'viro said.
Gault said to Torian, "For him, that's a lot."
"All right," Mako said. "Spirit of Vengeance, here we come."
When they reached the Scree, they found a message from Xal. Ter'viro contacted him and said, "Find something?"
"Not yet," Xal said. "But I've got a surprise for you. Can you meet me on Nar Shaddaa?"
"We can be there," Ter'viro said. "But it's got to be quick."
"Not a problem," Xal said. "I will meet you in the spaceport."
When they arrived, Xal was at the entrance to the berth, a large case in his hands.
"Baby brother!" he called out. He held up the case. "This comes to you by way of Cyr'rnin. She saw Nina."
"How did she do that?" Ter'viro asked.
"She couldn't say," Xal said.
"There's a lot of that happening," Mako said.
"I've noticed," Xal said. "Anyway, Nina told Cyr'rnin she doesn't believe any of it. She knows you wouldn't do that. You are the Champion, and she is very proud of you. Her words."
"Proud of me?" Ter'viro said with a smile.
"She is indeed," Xal said. "And she made this for you." He handed over the case.
Ter'viro opened the case and removed the pistol. The handgrip fit him perfectly. "It's one of Nina's."
"Wow," Gault said. "Does she make a lot of those?"
"She does not," Xal told him. "Special occasions only."
"Thanks, Xal," Ter'viro said.
"Are you all right?" Mako asked Ter'viro.
"Nina is tough to please," Xal said. "This means a lot. So, what's next for the Champion?"
"Don't know yet," Ter'viro said. "Mandalore wants to talk to me."
"Is that all?" Xal said. "Off to see Mandalore the Vindicated like it's nothing. You're part of history, baby brother. All I can say is, better you than me."
"Thanks, Xal," Ter'viro said.
"Cyr'rnin doesn't believe it either," Xal said. "But, if she saw you, she'd have to arrest you."
"I get it," Ter'viro said.
"Mako, wonderful seeing you again," Xal said. He looked at Gault. "And, yeah." Xal left.
"Ready to go?" Mako asked, but Ter'viro just stared at the pistol. "What?"
"We had an argument before she left," Ter'viro said. "This means she's over it."
"Could you stare at it on the ship?" Gault said.
Ter'viro nodded and boarded the ship.
"Well done, champion," Mandalore said. The beast's head laid on the deck before him. "We'll have it mounted for all to see. It's time I introduced you to the other Grand Champions of the Great Hunt." He took them to a banquet hall. "Meet your only peers in the galaxy." Three bounty hunters waited in the hall. "Bloodworthy, Jewl'a Nightbringer, and the Defenestrator. We've gathered here to induct you into our exclusive group- the only hunters in the galaxy with access to jobs on the legendary Blacklist."
"Wait, the Blacklist?" Mako said. "So, it's real? I've only heard rumors about."
"Settle down," Mandalore said with a laugh. We're just a group of professionals at the top of our game, nothing fancier than that. The Blacklist's as old as the Great Hunt itself, got its own traditions. I need your help keeping one alive. There's always been a Mandalorian in the group. Duty calls me away, so I want you to take my place- keep a Mandalorian among the Grand Champions."
"You're retiring?" Mako said.
Mandalore shook his head. "War's in the air. Mandalore's gotta lead. Killing that beast was your ritual blooding- so you're already Mandalorian in spirit, if not in name. Now do me the honor of joining my brothers and sisters in the great clan."
Ter'viro looked at Mako. She knew. This had "setup" all over it, but he didn't have a choice. "Mandalore, I'm honored."
"You've just taken a load off my mind, champion," Mandalore said. "Your life's just begun. Make it one no one will forget. Champions, it's time we drink! Let's see how much black ale my replacement can put away."
Two hours later, only Ter'viro and Jewl'a Nightbringer were still conscious. The Defenestrator watched them both with a droid's indifference.
"You...," Jewl'a said to Ter'viro. "You..." Then she forgot what she was saying. While she struggled to remember, Ter'viro dropped his mug and began snoring softly. "You're really big," Jewl'a said.
"You won," the Defenestrator told her.
"That's right, I did," she said, and she was out.
Over breakfast the next morning, Bloodworthy said, "This bounty is more of a Blacklist tradition than an actual contract. It's been passed from hunter to hunter for over a decade. I was the last hunter to take the contract who's still breathing, so I'm the one passing the torch."
Jewl'a nodded, focused more on her food and her headache than the conversation.
"Details?" Ter'viro said. He was headache free and piling up his third plate.
"It's not actually a bounty," Bloodworthy said. "More of a friendly wager. Every hunter to take the contract puts up an ante. The one who actually bags the target claims the stakes."
"Name?" Ter'viro said.
Bloodworthy said, "Your target is Jicoln Cadera, a Mandalorian who's been in exile on Taris for ages now." Ter'viro paused. "He's resourceful and knows his environment better than anyone. All of Taris is his weapon."
"What'd he do to deserve exile?" Ter'viro asked.
"Jicoln refused the call of Mandalore," Bloodworthy told him. "Unforgivable on its own, but Jicoln did one better. He rallied an army against him. Jicoln's forces were routed, and he ultimately fled to Taris. It took a year of searching and a great many dead before Mandalore finally washed his hands of the traitor and left him in exile. Ever since then, Grand Champions have attempted to win the glory of taking Jicoln's head."
"Any leads?" Ter'viro said.
"There's a Mandalorian base camp on the ground," Bloodworthy replied. "I'd speak with the ranking officer there."
"Will do," Ter'viro said.
They docked at the Taris orbital station. Direct transport to the ground was forbidden. Any ship attempting to land or take off unauthorized was fired upon. Once aboard the station, they were required to watch three hours of holovids. The first two hours covered ways of combating rakghouls. The last hour described various methods of killing yourself if you were infected.
Gault said, "I didn't know there were that many types of grenades."
"Guess so," Ter'viro said.
Eventually, they reached the Mandalorian camp. The camp commander said, "Well, this is an unexpected honor. Al'verde Vorten Fett. What brings the victor of the Great Hunt to my camp?"
Ter'viro said, "I'm hunting Jicoln Cadera. You know anything that can help me find him?"
"The traitor?" Fett said. "No, no sightings, but then, we don't pay attention to ghosts. You believe he's still alive?"
"So the job says," Ter'viro replied.
"If the traitor's alive, it would make some sense," Fett said. "His son was with us until recently. Disappeared."
"Torian?" Ter'viro asked.
Fett said, "Done your homework, then? Yes, Torian. Showed a lot of promise in spite of his heritage. It was a shame to lose him so soon."
"Lose him?" Ter'viro said.
"The boy went missing in action while scouting a nearby Republic colony," Fett explained. "Torian was assumed killed or captured by the enemy. A search of the area couldn't hurt. If nothing else, wiping out the colony could earn you a tidy sum."
"Excuse me?" Ter'viro said.
Fett said, "The Imperials want a slaughter, and they're offering credits for Tarisian bodies. This is the location of the Second Colonial Protectorate." He showed them on a map. "You can claim any bounties next time you come through camp."
Ter'viro thanked him and left.
When they were in the speeder, Mako said, "Are we really doing that?"
"No," Ter'viro said.
"What's the plan?" Gault asked.
Ter'viro shrugged. "Go ask."
"You will not make it past us!" the colonial sentry said. She and the two droids flanking her had their weapons on Ter'viro.
"Not here to fight," Ter'viro told her. "Just want to ask a question."
"Get the captain!" she called out but kept her eyes on Ter'viro. Another guard arrived a short time later.
"Captain Riss," he said. "What do you want here?"
Ter'viro said, "I'm looking for someone you may have taken captive. A Mandalorian named Torian."
"We have no prisoners," Riss said. "But we have been dealing with sniper attacks the last few weeks. I'm certain the sniper's been taking shelter at an old excavation site nearby, but everyone I've sent to investigate has turned up dead or injured. That's all I know."
"Which way?" Ter'viro asked. Riss gave him directions. "That's enough," Ter'viro said. "Thanks." He turned back toward the speeder then stopped. He cut a fungal growth from the edge of the water nearby and added it to his sample case, then he climbed in the speeder and left.
They reached the excavation site, and Ter'viro said, "Ideas?"
"Right there," Mako said. "That section's been reactivated. Classic squatter behavior."
"You know this how?" Gault said.
"I can see the active circuits," Mako said. She looked at them. "Right. More weird implant stuff."
They headed toward the reactivated area, and a sniper shot hit the ground in front of them.
"What happened to fighting at my side?" Ter'viro said.
"You remembered," Torian shouted, his voice echoing off of the metal walls. "Not today, champion. I'm sorry. Tell Commander Fett I'm here to reclaim my clan's honor. He'll understand."
"Have you found any sign of your father?" Ter'viro said.
"Thought I'd lead you to him?" Torian said.
"Fett said you might have some ideas," Ter'viro said. "But, we'll help you. We'll restore your honor, Torian."
"Do you know what that means, champion?" Torian asked. "Do you understand clan?"
"I understand family," Ter'viro said. "I hurt my family once. I know how that feels."
"Hurt them how?" Torian said.
Ter'viro replied, "I took the wrong side in a fight. It's why I left home."
"Have they forgiven you?" Torian asked.
Ter'viro touched Nina's pistol in its holster. "They have."
A rope was thrown from a third story window. Torian climbed down it and went to them. "What's special about that?" He nodded at the pistol.
Ter'viro handed the pistol to Torian. "My sister made it," Ter'viro said. "Said she was proud of me."
Torian examined the pistol and smiled. "Your sister is an artist." He gave the pistol back. "And obviously proud of you. The bounty is yours, but I must face my father."
"We'll get you to him," Ter'viro said.
"I can find him," Torian said. "I already know where to start. Someone's erected dew collectors, beast traps, around an old transport station. Have to be the traitor's. I've only found one entrance into the station, but it's thick with rakghouls. Got a way to throw off rakghouls, but I'll need materials."
Ter'viro said, "What do we need?"
Gault groaned at the stench. Again. "You're sure this won't infect us?"
"Virus is dead," Ter'viro said. "I checked."
"You know botany?" Torian said. Ter'viro nodded.
Gault said, "This is my best shirt! Ugh, now I'm gonna have to burn these."
Mako said, "If I pass out, please don't leave me behind."
"It looks like the rakghouls are keeping their distance," Torian said.
"Wish I could," Gault said.
Distance, and the stench, kept the stray rakghouls away, but the nest was a serious fight. Ter'viro's blaster glowed red by the time they reached the inner vault.
Torian said, "I'll say it again, your sister's an artist."
"I know," Ter'viro said. The pistol had performed better than most rifles.
In the vault, they found supplies stacked everywhere, some of them recent, but no resident. A holoemitter activated as they approached it.
"So, is Artus finally sending children to do his dirty work?" Jicoln Cadera said. "Run home now, and tell 'Mandalore', if he wants my head, he should come take it himself."
Torian stepped forward. "I am here for you, father, not Mandalore."
"Torian? No... you can't be." Jicoln said. "Artus swore he'd slaughter my boy at his mother's breast. He swore it when he left me here."
"Sometimes I wish he had," Torian said.
"Artus knows how to put the crowning irony on a vendetta," Jicoln said.
Torian said, "Mandalore did not send me here. You stripped our clan of its honor. Today, I'm taking it back! Are you gonna face me like a warrior or make me chase you all over Taris?"
Jicoln said, "Think real hard, boy, before you go issuing challenges you might regret."
Ter'viro said, "Kellian Jarro is dead."
Jicoln looked at him and laughed, but not like he didn't believe it. "And you knew exactly what that would mean to me. Who are you?"
"Ter'viro Onoka, the Champion of the Great Hunt."
"You're not Mandalorian," Jicoln said. "He would have wanted a Mandalorian."
"Died with Kellian Jarro," Ter'viro said.
"Oh," Jicoln said. "I will tell you what I told the others. You've survived; you have earned the right to the Geroya be Haran. I'll be waiting at these coordinates."
"The right to what?" Ter'viro said.
"It's a Mandalorian death game," Torian said. "But it gets us close to him."
Ter'viro said, "This is a lot of trouble for a duel."
Torian said, "Tradition is all he has left."
"Are you sure we're going the right way?" Mako said. "I don't see anything."
A blaster shot hit Ter'viro's helmet. He recoiled from it then spun toward the shot.
"You chose the beskar," Jicoln yelled. "Good for you."
"He's heading this way," Torian said. "Hold... he's changed direction. Found a trail leading off. This way."
Gault said, "I don't know what that kid is talking about, all I see is mud."
Torian yelled, "Down!" He dropped to one knee and scanned the treeline. Ter'viro jumped in front of Mako, and a blaster bolt hit his chest. Torian fired on the source and heard an impact. He started chasing the trail again. "He's relaxing his step, must be getting close to home ground."
Ter'viro slammed into Torian, knocking him down. A blaster bolt passed where Torian had been. Ter'viro fired on the source and heard a yell.
Torian pushed himself up, angry that he'd missed the obvious, and said, "That way."
Torian and Ter'viro ran toward Jicoln, firing the whole time. Torian was hit once on his armor. Ter'viro was hit twice, once in an exposed area, but he continued running, and scanning the ground for traps. They heard two more strikes on Jicoln before they reached him. Jicoln swung at Ter'viro with a vibroknife, and Ter'viro blocked the attack and punched Jicoln's arm, snapping it.
"Fuck!" Jicoln yelled, clutching his useless limb. "It's not padding under there, is it? I have a last request, hunter. I want a moment to speak with my- my son." Ter'viro nodded. "Torian, you've got no business carrying your name like a mark of shame. I fought a righteous battle. You'll never get me to admit otherwise."
"I understand," Torian said.
"Gar taldin ni jaonyc, gar sa buir, ori'wadaas'la," Jicoln said. "Akaan Kelir cuyir olar Nusujii. Cadera cuyir linibar." He looked at Ter'viro. "Tell him, hunter. I know you know. Kellian Jarro must have admitted it." Ter'viro nodded again. "Cadera linibar val ijaat," he said to Torian.
Torian's expression had changed from victory to anguish. "Ni Kelir tengaanar Cadera mandokarla." Jicoln turned on his holoscanner, closed his eyes, and waited for Torian's shot, which came quick and clean. "Tell me what?" Torian asked Ter'viro.
"It would make you a target," Ter'viro said.
"My father knew that," Torian replied.
"Kellian Jarro," Ter'viro said. "Didn't kill a hundred Mandlorians. They wanted people to think they were dead. He agreed to save lives. They wanted Tarro Blood to win the Hunt, but he didn't agree to that. He ordered the crew off the ship, told us to leave, and jumped to hyperspace. We'd disabled the hyperspace regulators, and the ship blew up, with Tarro Blood on board. Jarro told us it had to do with a vote."
Torian nodded. "A Mandalorian has an extra vote for his year as champion. Blood would have given them another vote. My father's disgrace took a vote away from the opposition."
"Opposition for what?" Mako asked.
"Choosing the next Mandalore," Torian said. "I've earned back my clan's honor. And my vote."
Ter'viro said, "You're already a target."
"Champion," Torian said. "Do you need a sniper on your team?"
"Ter'viro," he said. "This is Mako and Gault. Welcome aboard."
"Welcome back, arue'tal," Jogo said.
"Not anymore," Torian told him. "I regained my clan's honor."
"How?" Commander Fett asked. Torian showed Fett his father's scan. Fett said, "Aay'han."
Gault said, "Time to go?"
"Not yet," Torian told him. He walked into the jungle and returned a few minutes later with an armful of dry sticks. He laid them on the ground, and went back into the jungle. Ter'viro and Mako followed. Then Jogo. Then Fett. Then the two dozen Mandalorians standing nearby. Then Gault, with a groan. They laid Jicoln's body on the finished pyre, and Torian emptied his flamethrower into the base of it. The Mandalorians walked past Torian, acknowledging Clan Cadera as they did. Torian waited until the fire burned out.
"Settled in?" Mako asked Torian.
"I grew up on ships," Torian said. "No place is more comfortable." He sniffed the air. "What is that?"
"Ter'viro's making roast for your first night," Mako said. "Vegetarian. Strictly with him, but it's really worth it."
"He cooks, too," Torian said.
"Like your cabin?" Ter'viro asked, coming out of the galley.
"Like I told Mako, I grew up on ships," Torian said. "I've been thinking about my father and Mandalore. My father always thought Artus was a puppet of the Empire. It makes sense. That's probably where they got the clones."
Mako said, "Master Jarro told us no one from Clans Vizla or Cadera was there."
"No, they weren't," Torian said. "From everything I've heard, most of them were from Clan Varad and Clan Spar."