Star Wars - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Odd Bounty ❯ Fallout ( Chapter 6 )

Din had lingered at the door for a few moments, not knowing what to do as he heard her sob loudly. He pressed a hand to the cold metal of the door before walking away.

He was a kriffing idiot.

The Armorer had warned him.

'You have two options now. Either learn to forgive and let your heart guide your actions or...'

'Or what?'

'Or let your hatred rule you and destroy her and thus yourself in the process.'

Oh and he had let the hatred rule.

But how could he forgive someone that represented such loss to him? She was a droid and still he was attracted to her...

How?

'I hate you.'

He had said that with so much venom and he had meant every word. He did hate her...he hated what she was but Telana...he didn't hate Telana.

'Attraction for the woman and hatred for the droid are warring inside you.'

He needed a drink.

/   -  /  -  /  -  /

The cantina was bustling which wasn't odd at this time of night. What was odd was the three figures sat away from the others in a corner overlooking the entire cantina with a straight eyeline to the door. That was either a deliberate move to assess any possible threats that came through the door or coincidence...and he didn't believe in coincidences.  

He was now on edge but he didn't let it show. He only had his blaster, his whistling birds and his flamethrower but he would make do.

"Ah, what can I get for you, sir?"

"Corellian whiskey and make it a double."

"Right away."

He was eying the three men in the corner, trying to assess how dangerous they were when the tap of glass in front of him caught his ear and he looked down at his drinks.

"I don't know if you would like a separate room or a straw."

"Its fine." He unlatched his helmet and lifted it just enough to down the drinks quickly before pulling it back down in place.

"Neat trick. Whiskey, double shot."

His gaze shifts to the man that sidled up beside him. They nod at him, placing a hand on their blaster before reaching up to grab the drink set in front of him and throwing it back quickly.

"So what's your business here, stranger?"

"What's yours. Stranger?"

The man chuckled, lifting a tracker up. "Followed a bounty here. Apparently this bounty is rather popular right now. Pretty little thing too. You know anything about it?"

He shook his head, "Can't say that I have, sorry."

"Oh, you look like you do."

He snorted, "I'm here trying to enjoy a drink without being annoyed."

"Where's your 'wife'?"

That made him pause, "What?"

"That little thing that was with you earlier in the market. I bet she's real pretty under that hood."

Din visibly bristled, "Its none of your business what she looks like."

The stranger raised his hands, "Just wandering. Sorry. Say if you see this little thing, give me a shout...name's Heryns."

He slid a flimsi across the bar to him and it took everything he had not to react. It was a picture of Telana.

Shit.

Din only nodded, standing up. "If I see anyone...you'll be the first to know."

Heryns grinned, "You have a lovely evening then, Mandalorian." And with a mock-salute returned to his table, settling in-between the other two that were there.

'Like hell.'

He had to get back to Telana fast but he would have to take the long way around in case he ends up being followed.

This Heryns knew more than he was letting on. 

/  -  /  -  /  -  / 

He WAS being followed but not by Heryns...it had to be the two goons that were with him. They weren't very smart if they think they can trail him and not be noticed. He was a Mandalorian after all.

He activated his comm, "Fett, come in."

"Don't you sleep kid?"

"Predator and prey." It was a code they had come up with on the fly for this very situation. He didn't want them to know he knew they were there, not until he wanted them to.

"Shit. How many?"

"Two." 

"Try and lose them, if you can't.."

"Got it."

He picked up pace and turned the corner and when they came running, all they found was empty street.

"Kriff! Where did he go?"

Mando popped up behind them, tapping one on the shoulder with his vibroblade, "You mean me?" He quickly turned the blade and jammed it up into their neck, and flipping them over before stabbing them again, this time in the chest.

A shot rang out and he threw his vambrace up, deflecting the shot before sending the blade singing through the air right into the other's skull and they instantly crumpled to the ground.

Boba's voice filled his ears, "Did you lose them?"

"No, had to kill them. We're going to have to leave." He quickly dragged the bodies into the alleyway and patted them down, pulling out two pucks and another two flimsi with her face.

"Where's the girl?"

"Back at the suite."

"Suite? The old man got you a suite?"

He let out a deep breath, "Long story."

There was still Heryns to deal with now but he didn't know how many pucks were still out for Telana. She would always be hunted...unless they did something...something drastic and absolutely crazy...

"Wake up the doctor. I'm bringing Telana back to the ship. I have a plan."

Now he had to face Telana and the fallout from his angry outburst. He only hoped he wasn't too late to fix it.

/  -  /  -  /  -  /

He had doubled back and taken yet another route to the inn before finally making his way to the door of the suite and his heart dropped. The door had been torn to shreds. Immediately he rushed into the room with his blaster ready, and his eyes quickly swept the room. There was no one there.

"Telana!" 

No reply. He ducked into the bathroom and found nothing. Exiting the fresher his foot connected with something on the floor.

It was her hood...and there was something underneath it so he lifted the hood. White hot rage filled him.

It was her right arm. The one the doctor had replaced. And from the looks of the scorch marks and burnt wires, they had shot it off with a high-powered blaster rifle.

They had damaged her and more than likely would have heavily sedated her so she wouldn't fight back. This Heryns had known all along where she was, sending those two goons after him as a distraction. And he had stupidly fallen for it like a kriffing idiot.

"Dank Farrik!"

Now the plan would have to change. In a way them taking her helped the plan along but the thought of her being hurt now made his gut twist.

This was his fault of course. This was the destruction the Armorer warned of but he wouldn't so readily give in. If there was the slimmest chance to fix this...he damn well was going to try.

He may hate the droid she was but even she didn't deserve to live under the Empire's thumb as a slave to their will.

She deserved better.

Telana Veile deserved to live free.

He could still feel her lips on his hands and his gut twisted again.

She wasn't just a droid.