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“What the hell?” The Canderous Ordo whispered to himself as he watched three small creatures hop into the men’s sleeping quarters. His first impression was to kick one of the things, but then he began to think. What if this was one of Mission’s little pets? He didn’t want to kill it or hurt it if it was hers. She has been through enough already, losing ones planet was tough. Canderous thought as he let out a sigh.
“Hey Mission! Come get your damn rats out of my room!” The man called out. It only took a few seconds for the Twi’lek to get to his room.
“Those ain’t mine.” She began. “Those things are all over the ship.” She then put her hands to her knees and took deep breaths. “I’ve been trying to get them off the ship for almost ten minutes now. There’s gotta be a few dozen of them.”
“You're bluffing me.” The mandalorian began with a slight smile. “There is no way in hell that there are a few dozen of these things here.”
“Damn.” Was all that the Mandalorian could say as he watched several of the small creatures hop around the Ebon Hawk. Mission hadn’t been joking when she said there were several dozen in the ship. “How the hell did they get here?” Zaalbar answered the mandalorians' question with a series of roars. Canderous nodded slowly and took a big inhale of breath. “Thanks a lot, that was sooo helpful.” The man turned toward toward Mission with a groan. “What the hell did he say? I don’t speak walking carpet.”
“Well.” Mission began with sending a glare at Canderous. “He said that someone dropped off a box about thirty minutes ago, Big Z and T3 opened it up and a few of these things came out. They have almost tripled in population.”
“I can see that.” Canderous said as he grabbed one from the ground. It let him pick it up, but then began to squirm in his grip as the Mandalorian tried to look at it. It squoze from his hands and hopped away. “Slippery little bastards.” The mandalorian cursed under his breath. “Well let's try to get these things off of our ship, there is no way in hell that I’m letting these things stroll around this ship like this.”
“We’re with you.” Mission said as she began to try and herd the creatures toward the ship's loading ramp. It wasn’t successful at all. Soon the three were trying to herd the creatures off of the ship as if they were nerfs.
“Where the hell is Carth?” Canderous asked as they continued herding the things.
“He is in the cockpit, he is searching for a way to get rid of these things.” Mission told Canderous as she scooted one with her foot. “The people here are going to love us for releasing these things into the space port.” The Twi’lek grinned. Canderous nodded and began to lightly kick a few toward the exit.
Fifteen minutes of herding left them with zero success, all of them had begun to get a bit angry with the creatures. Carth had figured out what they were. He said that they were called Gizka’s. “I got an idea.” Canderous shouted, his patience had run out and he was ready to let out hell rain down on them. He slung his rifle from his back and took aim on the first creature his eyes laid on. He let out a growl as he opened fire, red lasers pouring from his gun barrel. He let off a hell storm of lasers and watched as he blew several of the creatures into smelly stains on the floor.
One of the creatures then hopped onto the man’s foot and let out a squeal. It then quickly let out a load onto Canderous’s boot, letting off a foul stench. That’s what made him lose it entirely.
“Oh get over here you little!” The mandalorian dove forward and attempted to grab the fleeing creature. Fire was in his eyes as he scrambled to catch the thing so that he could kill it, kill it with his bare hands.
“Canderous.” Mission began as she watched her companion try to grab the invading creature. “Canderous!” He still wouldn’t listen. “Canderous Ordo! Leave that thing alone and take a walk. You look like you’re a psycho!”
“Well! That thing crapped on my boot! Oh I’m gonna ring its neck.” Canderous searched for the one that he had been chasing.
“Just go on a walk. Get some air man. We’ll keep working on getting these things out of here.” Mission told the mandalorian.
It didn’t take long to convince Canderous to leave the ship and get some air. He needed it, he had been cooped up inside the Ebon Hawk for almost a day now. Now would be the time to get some good air, or decent air.
He stepped down the loading ramp and watched the frog-like creatures traveling around the ship. Just the sight of them brought anger into him. He took a deep breath and then walked down the landing strip, dust flying up around him.
Nobody messed with him, all of the street vendors took one look at the enraged Mandalorian and cowered behind their wares. Everyone cleared a path for him, many people quickly fleeing the area. It wasn’t because of Canderous, though. A sand storm was making its way toward the city, it wasn’t smart to stay out in a storm. He would have to return to the Ebon Hawk soon, only he needed a drink.
Canderous Ordo arrived at Rezz’s place in roughly five minutes. He stepped past several ladies, all of which tried to slide their way into the Mandalorian’s arms, he wouldn’t have it. They would run their butts off once the man sent them a dangerous look. He planted his elbows onto the bar and let out a groan. The Bartender creaped up to him slowly, a smug look on his face.
“What can I get ya?” He asked the Mandalorian.
“Tarisian Ale…” Canderous told him as he scratched the back of his head. It was nice to get away from the hell that had ensued on the Ebon Hawk. Who had sent them a box full of those things? Who would do that? It was just a zoo on that ship, a walking carpet and a whole load of the creatures. Canderous could handle Zaalbar, the wookiee was completely fine. He just didn’t know the Wookiee’s language, so it got irritating.
Soon his drink arrived. The bartender handed the mandalorian a tall mug that was filled to the brim. The man thanked the bartender and gripped the mug. He took a sip and allowed the alcohol do its business. “Damn.” He whispered to himself. The Tarisian Ale had to be one of the best alcoholic beverages he had ever had. It had been one of the only nice things about working for Davik Kang. He had an endless supply of the Tarisian Ales. Davik loved them.
A figure then sat next to him. Canderous could see it looking at him from the corner of his eyes, the things had huge eyes. It was a rodian. It kept his gaze straight on the mandalorian, looking as if he had something to say.
Canderous let out a sigh and looked over at the rodian slightly, the green alien sat one seat away from him. “Tell me, bugeyes.” The mandalorian started. “What the hell do you want!?” The mandalorian then turned his attention fully on the Rodian. He almost lost his breath at what he saw. It was Twitch. A ghost? How was he here? He died on Taris, Kale had taken him out. Was his rage creating hallucinations? After looking for a moment, another voice called him. This time the voice struck an icy feeling into the Mandalorian.
“Well well well…” The familiar voice began. “Canderous Ordo, what a surprise to find you here, right at my new home.”
Canderous turned away from Twitch, his fists clenched just in case he needed to defend himself. Once turned around, his eyes beheld someone he had believed to be dead. Perhaps nobody that had participated in the hangar brawl on Taris had died. Before him stood his old boss, Davik Kang. The man stood tall, he was clad in dark gray armor and wore a blaster at his side. One of his eyes was covered by a black cloth, the mandalorian remembered Kale cutting his eye out during the fight.
“How the hell did you escape? Oh hell…” Canderous began. “This isn’t real… the ales kicking in.”
“No no Canderous.” Davik began. “This is real.” The man then grabbed at the mandalorian’s head, but Canderous was fast. Canderous caught the old man’s wrist with reflexes like a fly. As soon as he went to stand up, the barrel of a gun was pressed against his head. Canderous sat back down and slowly released his hold on Davik. Davik rubbed his wrist and backed up a bit with a smile spread across his face. “Twitch had my back on Taris, Canderous. He pulled me off that damn rock while the Sith bombed it to hell.”
“Aright.” Canderous then went. “So you want to kill me? Wanna try?” He smiled as he looked at Twitch and the Rodian's boss.
“Most definitely. I heard that Carlo Nord had escaped Taris and died recently. I heard he died trying to claim the bounty on both you and your friend's head.”
“Carlo Nord had it coming. That Swoop Racer killed him.” He grinned wildely. “I think he lost his touch. That kid took him down.” Canderous could still make fun of his old rival. Carlo Nord had been beaten by a newbie Jedi.
“Whatever…” Davik went on as he cleared his throat. “This time you don’t got that Swoop Racer to take us down, Canderous. Are you ready? I think I’m ready to take back my baby. You take good care of the Ebon Hawk?”
“Sure I suppose.” Canderous began, his smile widening as he thought about the Gizka’s.
“Alright. Fry him Twitch. We don’t need him.” Davik said with a smile and looked at Twitch. The Rodian pressed the gun against the mandalorian’s head a little harder and then readied himself to pull yet another trigger.
In almost an instant Canderous had his hand at Twitch’s wrist. He yanked up, throwing the blaster from the alien’s hand, and then gripped his wrist with both hands. Canderous let out a growl as he twisted Twitch’s wrist with all of his might, listening to the bone break. Twitch let out a horrific scream and tried to pull his mangled hand back.
Davik ripped his blaster from his holster and went to take aim on the Mandalorian. Canderous then pulled Twitch forward again and toward the alien’s boss. The crime lord’s pistol fired off a few shots and each collided with his henchman, his best henchman. Twitch let out a squeal of pain and succumbed to his wounds. The alien collapsed to the ground and lay motionless in front of his boss.
“Twitch…” Davik began, panic and regret in his voice. Then his face scrunched up with anger. “Damn you, Canderous.” He then went to take aim again and once again the mandalorian was faster than the old man.
Canderous sent his leg up and kicked the pistol from his former boss’s hand, it was tough to do. Canderous had older bones as well. Then he grabbed the old man by the shoulder and threw him into the bar table. Davik caught himself and turned toward his old employee.
“You mandalorian scum.” He groaned as he stretched his back out. “There’s nowhere else for you to go, Canderous. There is no place for you anymore. Mandalorians died in the Mandalorian war, you should just join them. There is nowhere for you to go. Mandalore is dead, slain by Revan. Where will you go?” Davik gritted his teeth and looked at his death straight in the eyes.
“A new Mandalore will rise, you pathetic worm. Mandalorians are still the badasses of the galaxy…” Canderous went on. “And I think I’ve found a new place for me, a purpose for me.” Then without letting Davik say another word, Canderous slung his rifle from his back and loaded up the crime boss. Davik Kang let out a shriek as the red lasers pounded into his chest. After a few moments he fell to the floor in a smoldering heap of charred flesh.
Canderous looked around the cantina, every eye was rested on him. The man coughed and then looked at the bartender. “Sorry about the mess.” He placed a few credits on the tabletop and then slung his gun back over his shoulder. He downed the rest of his ale and stepped out of the cantina. He began his trek back toward the starship hangar.
He now knew his purpose in life. He would never have met Kale Kyja if destiny didn’t want them to. He didn’t have to go to that swoop race on Taris, he never really enjoyed swoop races. He felt drawn to that race, then he saw Kale race. He saw the skill and felt like he had to be with that man. He knew now that he needed to follow him on his quest and help him as best he could. The feeling had been inside of him all along, ever sense he met him on Taris. There was something special about Kale, something that was worth protecting. Before he had wondered if he was crazy, but now he knew for a fact. He would help the Jedi out as best he could, even if it brought his death. He didn’t know why he felt so strongly about it, but he felt like he had to. He would follow him anywhere. This seemed to be a sort of revelation and a hell of a good one it was.
Cracking some heads and frying some scum had definitely cooled him down, but he didn’t want to go back to the Ebon Hawk. Being cramped up inside that ship was the thing he wanted least right now. Perhaps cracking some more skulls would do him better? He had a hunter’s license from when he was hunting Rancors on Malachor VI. Perhaps he could go out and hunt whatever beasts lived on the desert plains of Tatooine? The storm was coming closer, but that didn’t scare him. He felt as if he could take on anything that came at him now.