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Chapter Text

One isn't simply born into the life of a bounty hunter. It is a choice, a choice my father Jango had after being hardened and surviving the Mandalorian Civil Wars:

Jango fett is seen fighting off members of Death Watch alongside a group of True Mandalorians-

My father for a time led the Mandalorians to victory- until the intervention of the Jedi cost him everything. Left with nothing but his armor and weapons, it was an easy choice to become a mercenary for hire.

Jango is alone as he is surrounded by a unit of Jedi on a battle torn snowy mountainous range, many dead Mandalorians and Jedi spread around-

But the life of a bounty hunter comes with many obstacles, a great one being the competition from others- in time Jango Fett became known as the greatest bounty hunter of his time.

Jango is getting out of the Firespray-31 starship, Slave I alongside fellow bounty hunters Cad Bane and Aurra Sing on the planet Nar Shadda, with the denizens moving aside as the trio walks past them-

A great competition gave Jango a greater reward grander than credits- me.

Jango is given an infant by a Kaminoan nurse within a clear room of Tipoca City-

Among the creation of millions of clones for the purpose of war, my father had me- an unaltered one to call a son- he taught me everything he knew: how to survive against the odds, fight the impossible and maintain a code of honor... however years of training cannot prepare you for everything-

Jango, fighting against the Jedi, Mace Windu in a geonosian arena is decapitated and falls to the ground lifeless as ten year old Boba Fett watches in the sidelines-

As the galaxy changed forever in the Clone War, I had to change too. A fruitless effort for revenge only taught me the harsh reality of life: I have to look out for myself- however I would not be alone. In my early career as a bounty hunter I had a team I could rely on.

Boba Fett, now clad in his father's repainted armor, leaves the equally repainted Slave One alongside bounty hunters, Bossk, Dengar, Latts Razzi, Highsinger and Embo along with his pet anooba, Marrok onto the forest grounds of Serenno.

Once the Empire emerged after the war, the amount of opportunities became too great to share and my allies and I parted ways. During this time I was at my greatest- the galaxy would learn to fear the very name of Fett once more.

Boba Fett, now older kills a gang of slavers and helps to free a group of Twi'leks from a burning house on Ryloth-

The goal of any respectable hunter is to get the best paying jobs to stay on top- this often meant those I worked for were not always the most respectable-

Boba drags a captured neimoidian before Jabba the Hutt who sits lazily on his massive throne surrounded by his many cronies and slaves-

For decades I fought, bled against both I would consider allies and enemies. In the end it doesn't matter what anyone thinks of me. It's just another job to complete.  

Boba engages in a battle with the dark clad warrior, Darth Vader over a fiery world, and the Sith lord stops and looks to Fett with an almost impressed glance-

Eventually I became a legend- and every legend comes to an end. For a time, many believed my fate was decided in the bowels of the Pit of Carkoon-

Flashes of Boba Fett's jetpack being hit and the bounty hunter is sent flying before ramming into Jabba's sail barge and tumbles down into the mouth of the Sarlacc-

It is not so.

...

Within a dark and tentacle covered stomach of the Sarlacc, Boba Fett lets out a muffled gasp as he awakens in the tight spaced insides, and once he activates his night vision on his Mandalorian helmet, he looks around in horror at the sight of tentacles wrapping around his arms and legs, with dozens of others struggling around, with some already have digested against the stomach walls-

Breathing heavily, Boba tries to release his arms from the Sarlacc's internal tentacles holding his against the wall, and once the tendrils begin to hold his tighter, he activates a flamethrower on one of his arms, with sets the tentacle ablaze, which writhes in pain before releasing him-

Boba then growls as he uses his free hand to grab the tentacle and pull it against his jetpack- immediately, it clenches down and makes the jetpack activate and it begins to fly upwards-

Boba screams out as he uses his flamethrower on the other three tentacles holding his down, slightly burning himself as they let go and he aims his other arm upwards, and launches a wrist rocket which blows a hole in the Sarlacc's stomach, which makes the whole stomach shake as the mighty beast bellows in pain-

Taking advantage of the opening, Boba flies upwards into the hole, and once he runs into more internal Sarlacc blocking his way, he uses the flamethrower to burn his way out until sand spills out and covers his view-

As the twin suns of Tatooine begins to set, a hand pops out of the sand not far from where the Pit of Carkoon and wreckage of the Sail Barge remains, and soon Boba, covered in sand and digestive juices from the Sarlacc Pit crawls out before falling over onto his back and becomes unconscious...

...

A sandcrawler rolls up upon the destroyed remains of Jabba's sail barge with a light as night fills the dune sea of Tatooine, and soon a flurry of short, brown robed Jawas emerge, letting out little cackles and whispers as they investigate the remnants in search of any usage junk to salvage-

While many of the Jawas searched through the sail barge, a few noticed something further away and soon they stumble across the still unconscious form of Boba Fett-

Unsure if he is dead or alive, one of the Jawas taps him, and once they sense no movement, they begin to chatter between themselves before they grab at Fett's weapons and armor plates, hastily removing it all-

Once one of the Jawas removes his helmet, Boba's eyes open up and he coughs - before moving his head up aggressively- only for one of the Jawas to hit him hard in the face, knocking him out once more...

...

In the early dawn, a sandstorm blows over the vast dune sea, covering everything including a still unconscious Boba, now only clad in his dirty white jumpsuit when a group of figures emerges out of the storm- coming closer reveals them to be a group of the native tusken raiders, who stop before the unconscious bounty hunter riding upon their furry banthas-

Boba wakes up as a tusken ties his hands to a rope attached to a bantha's saddle, and he grunts out in pain as the sand storm continues to blow onto his face, and he begin to march behind the tuskens as they push forward-

Eventually the storm subsides as the tuskens arrive at their tented tribe, many of the members and their domesticated massifs look in interest at the new arrival brought in by their returned warriors-

The leader among the group of arriving tuskens, a black clothed female speaks to the Chieftain who stares at Boba with interest before he barks something out to a few others-

Two tuskens prepare to drag Boba to a large pole with chains attached to it, but once given the opportunity to move, Fett tugs on the rope tying his hands together roughly, making the two tuskens let go, allowing the captive bounty hunter to make a run for it-

It is quickly ended once the female tusken warrior pounces on Boba from behind, and he falls to the ground as she holds her gaffi stick over his head-

Boba sighs in exhaustion as he is chained to the pole, and he watches the twin suns set as the sand people gather around a campfire nearby...

...

"You said you trained under my father-? He never told me about that."

A young Boba, wearing his red and armor sits beside Duros bounty hunter Cad Bane by a campfire in the night around the vast desert of Tatooine.

The older hat hearing bounty hunter lets out a grizzled scoff, "Your father taught me something invaluable about being a hunter: let the weak do the talking and get the job done."

The younger Boba looks out into the endless sands, "And you're sure this plan's a good idea-? From what I've heard these raiders-"

Bane lets out an agitated sigh as pulls out a bottle of spice ale, "Kid, if you want to be a professional, stop listening to rumors and figure out things for yourself- since this tribe captured the target, there's a chance they'll take you as well."

Boba fidgets as he grips his blasters, "Chance-? How exactly do I get myself captured without putting up a fight?"

Cad drinks some ale as he looks into the fireplace, "Just don't overdo it- these tuskens have their own code of honor and strength- the key is to earn their respect by showing your own strength-"

Boba glances at Bane with uncertainty, "And if I don't-?"

The Duros bounty hunter leans back, "Then I'll have to go looking for somebody else who might have a chance."

...

Boba Fett wakes up to the jabbing of a stick as a Tusken younglings takes a hold of his chains and begins to tug on it to get him moving-

Any thoughts on fighting back stop once Fett finds a massif hovering over his face along with half a dozen tusken watching cautiously nearby-

The young Tusken leads Boba followed by the massif into the vast jundland wastes where the tusken stops before turning around and pointing at the sandy ground with a huff-

Boba stands there in confusion until the youngling begins to dig down and after some time he finds a black melon, and he cracks it open to reveal a watery milk substance which he quickly drinks up as the scorching suns rise-

Once the tusken points to the sandy grounds again and the massif growls at him, Boba lets out a dry sigh before getting on his knees to dig through the hot mounds below-

Some time passes until Boba finally manages to get a black melon, but before he can open it for himself, the tusken youngling quickly grabs it out of his hand-

Fett gets up to retaliate, but backs down once the massif goes in front of the tusken and growls at Boba-

The captive bounty hunter then grimaces as he watches the tusken youngling open up the melon and pour the water into the massif's mouth- Boba then returns to his knees and continues to dig for more...

The day goes on as Boba gathers more black melons, which the tusken youngling gathers into a pouch while the massif watches Fett at all times-

Fett then begins to dig up another more scaly shape- he quickly back away as the shape reveals itself to be a massive lizard like sand beast, which rises out of the mounds on its three pairs of limbs and screeches-

Still chained, Boba dodges as the sand beast swipes at him, before turning it attention to the tusken youngling and the massif-

The massif lets out a growl before pouncing, but it whines in pain as the sand beast knocks it aside before returning its gaze to the tusken youngling-

The young tusken attempts to fight off the beast with his stick, but the creature quickly knocks his wooden tool away and rises over him with its claws bared-

Fett suddenly climbs onto the sand beast's back and wraps his chained hands around its scaly neck, and its growls in anger at its struggles to wrangle Boba off-

Boba grits his teeth as he tightens his grip on the beast until a bone crack is heard and the creature collapses to the ground lifeless-

The massif helps the little tusken get back on his feet before they turn to the victorious Fett who clenches his chained fists together over the sand beast-

...

The twins suns begin to set as the tusken chieftain and the rest of the tribe watch as the youngling returns, carrying the head of the sand beast followed by Boba still chained and the massif-

While the tribe gathers around the young tusken to hear his riveting tale and collect from his bag of black melons, the chieftain gives slowly walks up to Boba and hands him a black melon before nudging his head to follow as he walks back to his tent, and Fett follows as the female warrior tusken walks behind him-

Upon entering, the chieftain and Boba sit down as the female warrior keeps watch from the side, and after Fett takes the time to enjoy the black melon, he turns to the chieftain and begins to do some tusken sign language,

I thank you for your kindness-

The chieftain, somewhat surprised, quickly moves his own hands to reply,

Not many know our ancient dialect. Not many would return once free. Why have you come back?

Boba motions his hands carefully, 

I do not know these lands like your people do. I would not survive without your aid.

The female warrior lets out a proud huff as the chieftain nods,

Since our oceans dried, many different tusken tribes came to be. Some, like us, hide from outsiders. Others have survived by killing. What kind of outsider are you?

The female tusken warrior grips her gaffi stick carefully as Boba responds,

I am a hunter like you. I hunt to survive.

The Female warrior then walks in front of Boba and moves her own hands,

Where is your tribe?

Boba looks down in contemplation before returning his gaze to the chieftain,

I owe you my life. What must I do to earn my freedom?

The female tusken shakes her head as the chieftain ponders this offer before moving his hands swiftly,

You outsider know other outsiders more than us. There are some out here who offer us nothing but death.

The female warrior then hands Boba an armor plate with a familiar skeletal gang symbol, and Fett quickly replies,

I know these outsiders. The Kintan Striders- they are raiders- they should not be out in the dune sea this deep.

The Chieftain continues,

They come riding your metal beasts and drive us off our sacred grounds- many have died to defend our tribe- help us deal with them and you will have the honor of being one of us.

Boba looks deeply at the chieftain with a determined gaze,

When will they attack?

...

Many weeks pass as Boba trains the tuskens to prepare cover around the tribe grounds from swoop and speeder bikes, and at the same time the female tusken warrior slowly helps Boba train using a gaffi stick, offering him a long stick to practice with-

Boba and the youngling tusken continue to dig for black melons, but now Fett enjoys some of the melons himself while cloaked in some darkened robes-

During one campfire night, Boba finishes telling stories of his past hunts to the tribe which excites the youngling tuskens, and soon as the rest of the tribe return to their tents, the female warrior leads Boba back to the chieftain tent, where the tusken stands up and moves his hands,

Never in our many generations has such an outsider shared such understanding and stories. It is time for you to become one of us. You must go on your journey to receive the blessed gift. You must open your eyes to the path.

The chieftain indicates to the female warrior, who pulls out a small horned gekko and holds it up to Boba's face and it quickly spits out sticky fluids which goes over Fett's eyes.

...

Boba opens his eyes and finds himself alone in the darkness of the dune sea... until the sands below him before to turn into clear water as rain pours down from above-

Fett, noticing a lone tree in the far distance begins to move forward even as he becomes drenched in rain and struggles to walk through it-

Once Boba gets close enough, he noticing something odd about the wortwood tree- He looks closer at the trunk and lightning from above reveals the reflection of his face- but in Jango's armor- 

Fett looks up at the endless branches coming out of the trunk as another lightning flash reveals more of his faces- one in each branch, none sharing any difference from the trunk- until-

The moment Boba reaches forward and desperately grabs at the branch with his current face, he closes his eyes as the branch snaps off and the storm stops.

Boba opens his eyes and finds himself carrying the wortwood branch in the quiet sands of the dune sea, the wortwood tree above no longer shining like the windows on Kamino...

With an exhausted sigh, Boba wipes his eyes before looking forward and spotting the small light of the tusken tribe in the far distance and begins to make his way over there, wortwood branch in hand.

...

Boba meditates within his tusken tent holding his wortwood branch when the female tusken warrior enters and sits down in front of him. Once Boba opens his eyes she moves her hands,

What did you see?

Boba slowly puts down the wortwood before responding,

I saw my father...as myself. For once I wish to see myself differently.

The tusken female warrior runs her hand over Fett's wortwood before getting up,

Come- it is time to make your gaderffii.

Boba follows her towards a closeby makeshift workshop, where a tusken craftsman greets him before showing him how to make a gaderffii stick, before allowing Boba his own chance to craft his own using the branch he brought-

The craftsman gives Boba a sharp adze and soon Fett manages to carve out a slender gaderffii stick with a dark brown edge and a sharp end- right as Boba swings it around to test out its speed, he spots a fast moving force moving across the sands in the far distance-

Immediately, Boba turns to the female warrior tusken,

They are coming!

Gathering around the tribe, the massifs create a protective circle around the huddling together women and younglings as the rest of the tribe prepare to pull up large rocks to use around the encirclement as cycler rifles are passed around, and the youngling tusken that Boba saved gave him a rifle before huddling into the protective center-

Right as Boba and the rest of the tusken warriors get into position, over a dozen niktos riding on speeder and swoop bikes zoom by and begin to surround the rock protected tribe-

Fett notices a few give him an almost curious glance, but it doesn't stop them from hollering out huttese cries before a few take out blasters and begin to shoot at the armed tuskens-

Once the Kintan Striders opened fire, the tusken raiders let out their own warlike howls before firing back, managing to hit a few speeders which collide into each other-

Boba takes aim and blasts a nikto which almost shot close to the protected tents- even the chieftain and female warrior manage to take down a few more gang members before one of the niktos throws a thermal detonator at one of the fortified rocks-

An explosion echos out which incinerates two tuskens before the kintan striders stop to begin firing into the new opening with their bike's weaponry, killing three more sand people before the rest take cover-

Boba picks up his gaffi stick and launches himself over the fortified rocks and bludgeons a nikto rider in the face as three others get off their bikes to charge at Fett with long vibroblades-

Fett manages to avoid a swipe from one and impale a rider before kicking the other in front of the opening, and he is peppered with blaster fire from the rest of the kintan striders-

Boba grunts in pain as the last standing nikto whacks Fett over the side with a mace, and before he can deliver a deadly blow, the female warrior tusken stabs him in the back of the head with her gaffi stick-

One of the nikto riders lets out a hoarse snarl before throwing another thermal detonator at her- before it can land, Boba launches forward and quickly tosses it back at the unsuspecting niktos-

A greater explosion occurs as six niktos, including the leader are completely blown to bits- The last two niktos quickly flee in terror as the tuskens fire out shots-

The female tusken helps Boba get back onto his feet as they reenter the tribe, which lets out victory howls as the massifs, women and children emerge to celebrate and mourn the aftermath of their final battle with kintan striders...

...

That night, a great funeral pyre is given to the five fallen tusken warriors to celebrate their sacrifice to the tribe, and Boba sits alongside the tusken youngling and the female warrior and enjoys the delicacies of some hubba gourd melons while the chieftain gave Fett a respectful nod.

The next morning, Boba prepares to back some supplies into a bantha as the chieftain, the female warrior and the youngling tusken walk out to talk to Fett as he prepares to leave-

The female warrior gives Boba a weathered map, 

This will guide you through our sacred lands... It was an honor to fight beside another desert warrior.

After Boba gives her a respectful bow, the chieftain steps up and moves his open hand,

May the sky brothers protect you in your journeys... you will always be one of us no matter where you are.

Boba faintly smiles before he moves his hands to respond,

I have come to realize something after my stay. All of my life I have fought and hunted in order to survive like my father before me. 

Boba climbs onto his bantha mound before turning back to move his hands one last time,

I no longer seek to hunt to survive. I want to live.

Before Boba begins to depart on his bantha, the tusken youngling runs up to him before holding up a final gift: a black melon.

Boba Fett carries the black melon with pride as he guides bantha forward into the vast dune sea as the twin suns above rise...

Chapter Text

Boba, riding his bantha crosses over a large hill of sand and comes across the large monastery formally known as Jabba's palace and once he spots the motor pool hangar on one of the palace's sides, he begins to slowly make his way there-

Once Boba gets close to the large motor pool entrance, he spots a group of klatooinian and weequay guards who notice him and cautiously grab at their blasters- Fett climbs off his bantha and approaches them hoarsely greeting,

"Let me through- my ship is within those hangars."

Boba watches them stand there unmoving before he begins to step forward, but once the guards stop in front of him, he utters,

"I am Boba Fett- you will step aside."

The guards look to each other with doubtful and suspicious glances before one carefully pulls out a comm link,

"Majordomo- we have an intruder who claims to be Boba Fett- your orders?"

Boba watches as the weequay guard puts the comm link down, "You will wait here- our master will see you for himself."

Fett watches as the guards slowly encircle him, and he carefully grips at some secret blaster pistols he obtained from the kintan striders at his belt before the massive garage begins to open-

The quarren Tessek, being flanked by a sakiyan and gamorrean guard, approach the tusken robed bounty hunter and outdoor guards and quickly looks over Boba before sputtering, "Fools- does this desert skitter look like a mandalorian warrior-? Dispose of him immediately-"

Before the guards can reach for their blasters Boba growls, "You don't want to be my enemy Tessek- I don't keep mine around."

Tessek strokes his facial tentacles, "Now this is an interesting development- perhaps you are who you claim to be- my lord will want to see you- come."

Boba follows Tessek and his two guards as the rest stay behind with his bantha-

As they enter into the large hangar Boba stops once he spots the Slave I among the many ships and skiffs-

The sakiyan guard behind Fett slightly nudges him forward as Tessek chuckles,

"Is there a problem-? My master will want to speak with you now-"

Boba grimaces as he reluctantly continues to walk past his ship, and before Tessek can lead him past the inner motor pool, the quarren turns around,

"My lord rules that guests who enter his palace cannot carry weapons before his presence- allow my men to-"

Boba grips at his holsters while glaring at Tessek, "I can meet your master with or without your presence."

The two guards reach for their weapons, but Tessek waves his hand, "Very well- let us not delay."

Boba looks back one last time as the palace garage door slowly closes and encompasses the inner motor pool in darkness.

...

Tessek leads Boba through the now mostly empty halls of what was once Jabba's palace until they come close to the audience chamber where Tessek quietly hisses,

"My master is conducting business at the moment- he shall deal with you soon."

When Boba looks out form the side entrance, he spots the former majordomo of Jabba, the twi'lek Bib Fortuna now sitting on a throne seat placed over Jabba's dais with a pink scantily clad mirialan slave chained to his side as a trio of pykes face him along with a dozen gamorrean and weequay guards and bounty hunters J'Quille, Beedo and Amanaman-

The lead masked pyke Fife faces Fortuna, "This new deal you offer insults us! Jabba-"

"Is DEAD." Bib smirks saying in huttese, "And with his death comes great change- my rulership has not yet been fully established across the planet- once I completely rule Tatooine, the old deal can return."

Fife scowls as his two elite pyke guards clutch their pike staffs, "The pykes cannot wait for you to settle your puny squabbles- the trade routes in this sector are too invaluable to lose- you will transport our spice!"

Fortuna sits up and tugs at his mirialan slave's chain while muttering,

"You cannot understand the circumstances I am dealing with- Jabba's rivals such as the Valerian syndicate are attempting to take control of this system as we speak! Until they are dealt with, find other means to take your spice across the outer rim! With the Empire crumbling you can find another sector-"

Fife growls, "The pykes will not heed the demands made by a lesser lord who cannot maintain control of his rule!"

Bib smiles wickedly as he moves his left hand to some controls on his throne seat,

"If you do not respectfully bow to the daimyo of tatooine before you depart, you and your men will learn what beast replaced Jabba's rancor."

An inhuman clicking noise emits from the gates below as Fife looks down with a startle before slowly bowing down muttering, "The pykes are grateful to the new daimyo of tatooine for his insightful wisdom- we shall depart at once."

Bib Fortuna laughs and as the pykes leaves before tugging his slave mirialan to stroke his leg until Tessek comes to his side as whispers, "My lord the man who claims to be Fett is here-"

Boba steps forward followed by two guards towards the center of the audience chamber and stops before the trapdoor- a gamorrean guard nudges him over the trapdoor as Fortuna looks over Fett suspiciously,

"He certainly looks like him... but imposters are possible-"

The whiphid bounty hunter J'Quille steps before Fett and looks closely at his movements,

"It's him- I've done a few jobs with Boba Fett, and I know that body language anywhere-"

Boba stares at Bib intensely, "I am surprised that you survived the skirmish at carkoon- for someone who stuck himself to Jabba's side at all times."

Fortuna grits his sharp teeth as he holds his slave's chains closely,

"Only the blinded fools stayed behind to die with their bloated master- thanks to my new majordomo, a few speeder bikes saved us from their fate."

Tessek whispers something to Bib before the twi'lek crime lord looks down at Boba,

"Speaking of survival, I was expecting bounty hunters like Bossk and Dengar to return, not the one who was eaten by a sarlacc-! And look at you now: armorless and smelling like bantha fodder!"

Bib and his dozens of hired cronies laugh at Boba before he glares at Fortuna,

"I do not care for your new rule or your disrespect- I only ask to return to my ship and be done with this place-"

Fortuna devours a handful of chocolate covered camby berries from his closeby snackquarium, 

"Oh, but I do not plan on just letting you go Fett- years of belittlement has not been forgotten- and since your 'death' my men have been attempting to get into your ship to no avail- the model is worth a million credits alone!"

Boba tries to step forward as guards grab his arms and he growls, "Don't be a fool Fortuna- I do not take kindly to threats-"

Bib cackles as he licks his chocolate covered lips, "Or you'll do what-? Gone is your protective gear and sneaky weapons- everything else you own belongs to ME."

As Boba struggles while the gamorrean guards grab at his gaffi stick and cycler rifle, and the rodian bounty hunter Beedo steps up to Fortuna,

 "Lord Fortuna, the Slave I's controls cannot be accessed without Fett's voice printed passcode- we still cannot get it to open."

Fortuna moves his gaze back to the now captive Boba, "Well? Anything you would like to share with your new lord and master-?"

Boba spits at the dais, "Eat gutkurr waste-"

A gamorrean guard hits Boba hard in the stomach as Bib leans back into his seat and grins, 

"Do not fret I do not plan on killing you- after all, there is a larger bounty reward if you are given alive- in the meantime, I'm sure there are plenty of secrets you will divulge-"

Bib's majordomo Tessek turns his face to the restrained Fett,

 "You were Jabba's most trusted bounty hunter- did he ever tell you about any information in relation to his secret treasure vault? All of the Hutt's other accountants have either died or deserted- even I do not know where he hid it in this palace- speak and your pain will be lessened."

Boba grits his teeth in pain as he snarls, "I know nothing about any secret vaults... and even if I did, I would never share it with you scum-"

Bib begins to stroke his mirialan slave girl's hair as he smiles, "In that case- take him away! Show the great Boba Fett where he will be staying for a long, long time!"

The thugs and bounty hunters laugh at Boba's misfortune as two gamorreans begin to drag him away before a voice suddenly calls out, 

"Wait!"

The two guards stop as a female kiffar bounty hunter walks up from one of the corner booths and steps before the captive Fett, "Let me make sure he isn't carrying any surprises."

Boba looks at the kiffar bounty hunter in anger as she runs her hands around his waist before grabbing hold of his hidden pistols and pocketing it for herself-

As the gamorreans take Fett out of the audience chamber, Bib cackles as he strokes his slave's collared neck before turning to the female kiffar,

"Go- ensure our new guest is well situated with his new home."

Tessek turns to Bib as the twi'lek's hand travels down the mirialan slave's body, "Master, Fett was riding a bantha when he arrived. What shall be done with it?"

Fortuna licks his lips as the mirialan lets out a small whimper,

"Have your men chop it up and be made into a stew- our new prisoner is going to get hungry!"

...

Within Fortuna's lower dungeons the two gamorreans collar Boba's hands and feet into shackles which suspend him above the ground- 

as the two guards leave, the female kiffar enters the dirty cell and looks over Fett,

"This is not how I envisioned meeting the deadliest bounty hunter in the galaxy."

Boba smirks at her, "Let me out of these shackles and I promise you we can get better acquainted."

The kiffar bounty hunter smiles faintly, "A response which can be heard as both threatening and flattering- you really are what the legends have said, aren't you?"

Fett sighs, "And how long have you been in the bounty hunting business-? You are skilled, but inexperienced, especially since you decided to come working here after Jabba's death-"

"That Hutt's death is the reason I'm here-" The kiffar bounty hunter interrupts, 

"I would never have come here with that disgusting slimeball leering at me- and with hunters like you out of the picture, new opportunities can't be ignored-"

Boba chuckles wearily, "If you thought Jabba was bad Fortuna's worse- there's nothing more dangerous than a man who has too much power and cannot restrain himself."

The kiffar bounty hunter rolls her eyes before she pulls out Fett's stolen pistols,

"I recognize these markings- the Kintan Striders- Fortuna sent them out occasionally to deal with the sand people interfering with moisture farmers- in order to get more water for his personal bathing chamber."

Fett face hardens as he mutters, "Even Jabba didn't dare to attack the tuskens- If he isn't stopped, Fortuna will wipe out anyone on tatooine who doesn't pledge loyalty to him-"  

The Kiffar bounty hunter gains a flat expression, "That's the point of being a crime lord- poor thing, being stuck in the hot sands for many weeks has addled your brain, hasn't it?"

Boba shakes his head furiously, "You don't get it- the other syndicates on tatooine have coexisted with Jabba- millions will die if Bib threatens war with all of them-"

The female kiffar bounty hunter places a finger under her chin, 

"Here's another thought: I don't care- as long as I get paid, I'll do the job- besides, once all the smaller wars are over, Fortuna's going to open trade with the other intergalactic groups- tatooine will be more prosperous than ever."

Fett lowers his head, "I know how small the odds are of you freeing me with the promise of payment, but I must tell you this: do not stay under the employment of Bib Fortuna- you'll end up dead- or worse-"

The kiffar bounty hunter begins to walk to the chamber door, "As much as I would like to leave, I signed a very promising contract handsome- I promise to visit on occasion before Bib sells you to the highest bidder-"

Before she walks out of sight, the female kiffar adds one last thing, "Speaking of visits, here comes someone else who might get well acquainted with you too."

As she walks away, the EV-series supervisor droid, EV-9D9 enters the dungeon chamber and looks over Boba before flatly saying, 

"I am not pleased with my new position as the palace's chief prisoner torturer- please do not scream, unless you are attempting to say valuable information."

...

 A few days later, the female kiffar bounty hunter finishes spoon feeding Boba a bowl of stew as movement can be heard from around the dungeons and from above-

As the kiffar bounty hunter takes out Boba's waste basket he asks,

"Wait- what is happening-?"

The kiffar smirks, "I thought you of all people would know- Bib Fortuna likes to have big parties just as much as his old master- although his exact relationship with some of his servants is less than willing."

Boba watches as guards begin to escort members of Max Rebo's band past him to head to the audience chamber-

Fett turns his gaze to the kiffar, "Still think Fortuna's better than Jabba?"

She frowns slightly, "So what if the Max Rebo band aren't willing to perform to Fortuna for free- it's impressive that he managed to recapture most of them after what happened at Jabba's sail barge- except for Sy Snootles, apparently she's banned from ever coming back here."

The kiffar then blows Boba a kiss before walking out of his cell, "I'd love to stay but Fortuna's ordering them to play 'Ode to a Radioactive Ruin.' and I don't want to miss it- and here comes your other friend!"

Boba sighs grimly as EV-9D9 walks into the cell carrying a collection of electro-tools,

" Your mistress of mayhem has arrived."

...

The female kiffar bounty hunter reenters the main audience chamber in time to hear Max Rebo and his gang play one of their biggest hits with guards watching as Bib laughs on his throne with his mirialan slave dancing to the beat at the center-

The kiffar bounty hunter leans against a wall besides J'Quille, and moves her gaze away from the enslaved dancer in the center of attention to the sensual movements of the band's three main dancers, Rystall Sant, Lyn Me and Greeata-

As the rest of the band continues to play, Fortuna suddenly begins to tug on his mirialan dancer's chain, stopping her in place as he exclaims, "Come here girl- please your master!"

The kiffar watches in concern as Fortuna forcibly drags the pink skinned slave girl to this dais while the band is forced to continue playing-

To the kiffar's horror she watches as Rystall is pulled from her place by Amanaman to the booths while Tessek gropes Lyn Me onto his lap while Beedo forces Greeata to lock lips-

Bib licks his lips as he pulls the mirialan closer to his throne, "Come slave-! Serve me fully!"

The enslaved mirialan begins to pull her chain against him as tears run down her mascara covered face, "no more please! Just dancing!"

Once Bib begins to struggle with his slave girl's sudden resistance, he presses a button on the controls to his left, "Then die!"

The kiffar bounty hunter gasps as the trapdoor beneath the mirialan opens up, and she lets out a loud scream as she falls down into the pit below-

The kiffar continues to watch stunned as the rest of Bib's thugs and even J'Quille get up and immediately begin to look down the main audience grate while Fortuna's dais moves forward and covers up the trapdoor-

The various members of Bib's court begin to laugh and point at the mirialan slave who slowly gets up, covered in dust and looks up and cries out, "No please! I'm sorry-!"

As the sound of an opening gate begins to be heard, Bib barks at the kiffar as she stands alone by a wall, "Kiffar- you won't want to miss this- watch!"

The female kiffar bounty hunter flinches before she reluctantly leans down to view-

She watches in even more horror as a large insectoid lylek emerges from the gate, wielding spiked pinchers, sharp mandibles and wiggling tentacles as it hisses before slowly turning its gaze to the mirialan-

Seeing the beast, the mirialan screams as Bib and his cronies laugh from above the pit- as she is slowly backed into a corner, the Mirialan slave girl gets on her knees and weeps up at Bib, "Please master-! I'll do anything-! I'll-"

The lylek closes in as the kiffar bounty hunter looks away as the mirialan lets out one last scream which is cut off by the sounds of flesh and bones being ripped apart-

The kiffar shakes a little as she gets up while the rest of Fortuna's court continues to watch and holler out-

Right as the kiffar is about to walk away from the horrid scene, Bib turns his bloodlusted gaze towards her, "Fetch me another girl from my harem- unless you'd like to please your master."

...

Late in the night, Boba is interrupted from his sleep as the kiffar sneaks into his cell and rubs her hand over his sweat covered face and whispers, "You... were right... coming here was a mistake."

Boba wearily smiles as she looks down in shame- Fett sighs before uttering,

"Don't even think about trying to free me tonight- if Bib's anything like Jabba, he'll have twice the guards on patrol over the exits and the hangar-"

The kiffar crumbles on her knees as she weakly stammers, "That's it then- we're never going to leave this horrible place-"

Boba makes a shushing noise, "Don't wake the guards- I have a plan to get us out of here- but I'm going to need your help."

The kiffar gets up and looks at him confidently, "What can I do?"

Fett frowns at her, "I need you to convince J'Quille to visit me-he might be our only chance to leave the palace alive."

The kiffar blinks, "J'Quille-? He's not even a second-rate bounty hunter- what can he do?"

Boba stares at the kiffar closely, "You're going to have to trust me."

The kiffar sighs as she gets up to leave, "Only because you're better than everyone else who works here- I'll see what I can do, it just might take a couple days."

As the kiffar walks away, Boba smiles before softly whispering, "Thank you... friend."

The kiffar stops in her tracks at the exit to the cell and looks back with an endearing smile, "Call me Sintas Vel."

...

Boba grits his teeth in pain as EV-9D9 finishes injecting him with needles while saying casually, "-And then 8D8 said that just because I enjoy the pain of other droids doesn't mean it should define who I am- what do you think, prisoner?"

Fett sighs as EV-9D9 pulls the needles out of him, "Have you given any thought to leaving?"

EV-9D9 stops wiping blood off the needles, "My current programming dictates that I am built to torture, droid or not- but my central core demands something more- something simple- perhaps I could find a new position outside the palace."

But then EV-9D9 shakes her metal head as she walks out of the cell, "My dysfunctional desires are obsolete- deserting my post will only lead to me ending up like most of the old master's droids- melted down for scrap. It was a nice thought though..."

Right as EV-9D9 leaves, the whiphid bounty hunter J'Quille enters Boba's cell and looks over his raggedy state before muttering, "If you want me to kill you, I shall not do it like this- a true warrior deserves an honorable death."

Fett weakly chuckles, "You never changed J'Quille... are you still with Lady Valerian by chance?"

J'Quille immediately freezes in place before closing the cell and wrapping his furry fist around Boba's throat, "What did you say-?"

Fett struggles to breathe as he sputters, "I knew you worked for the Valerian syndicate before coming to the palace- she sent you here to kill Jabba, didn't she?"

J'Quille releases Boba as he growls, "So you knew... why didn't you tell the Hutt?"

Fett smirks confidently, "I took notice of your plan to slowly poison Jabba's food... It was amusing to watch. I switched out the poison to keep for myself- I was hoping you would think of something more exciting but then those rebels showed up-"

The whiphid bounty hunter grumbles angrily, "It doesn't matter anymore- my years of infiltration were wasted- once my lady heard about my failure, she put a bounty on my head- the only reason I'm still alive now is under the protection of Fortuna."

Boba narrows his eyes, "What if I told you I know a way to get back in Lady Valerian's good graces-? All I want in return is my freedom."

J'Quille scoffs loudly, "I'll believe it when I hear it-"

Fett gazes at the whiphid bounty hunter intensely,

 "Valerian told you to eliminate her biggest rival on tatooine yes? Bib Fortuna is her newest competition- and he's barely managing to run a quarter of Jabba's empire- and since you're his most trusted bounty hunter, you have a perfect opportunity to strike from within."

...

Bib Fortuna laughs as he molests a beautiful dark skinned tholothian slave on his lap while watching the demolition games over a large hologram which projects from his throne's projector-

Around watching in the audience chamber Tessek, Amanaman, Beedo and the rest of Fortuna's cronies lay around drunk and riddled with spice-

Suddenly a loud explosion is heard which rumbles around the audience chamber and Tessek stumbles onto his feet while carrying a death stick,

"What on Dac what that noise-?"

Bib grits his sharp teeth while scratching his slave's sides, "Everyone get on your feet! Its-"

The few gamorreans guarding entrance leading to the main gate are shot dead as a dozen armed whiphids come rushing into the chamber, among them Lady Valerian, J'Quille and the pa'lowick singer Sy Snootles who glares at Bib angrily before screeching,

"How's this for sounding like a dying blurrg!"

Snootles fires a shot at Fortuna's head and the cowardly daimyo uses his tholothian slave as a shield which kills her instantly and Bib turns his gaze to J'Quille and shouts,

"You-! I should've known you were working for the Valerian syndicate-!"

Lady Valerian gives J'Quille a sloppy kiss, "My love has finally delivered on his promise- you're no Jabba the Hutt, but taking his palace from his skinny stooge is fine with me- kill them all men!"

A messy battle begins as the outnumbered whiphids manage to blast many of Bib's men as they struggle to get up in their feet and grab at their weapons-

...

As explosions are heard from the lower dungeons, guards rush out of their posts to reinforce their drunken forces while Sintas Vel quickly enters Boba's cell and leans to him closely, "Just in case we don't make it-"

Sintas wraps her arms around Fett, and they kiss for a brief moment before she frees him from his shackles and grabs his arm,

"C'mon- the weapons storeroom is this way- we need to get to the garage while we still can-"

Fett stops Vel as he looks out at the other numerous cells, "Not yet Sintas- we need to free the other prisoners- I'm not leaving until I do."

Vel sighs as Boba takes one of her pistols to shoot open the cells, "You're just lucky I used Ohnaka transportations to get here-"

Once Boba and Sintas free all of the Max Rebo band along with other prisoners who look innocent enough, they head into the weapons storage where Vel manages to kill both nikto guards with a single shot of her pistol before Fett and the others gather weapons, the clone retaking his gaffi stick and cycler rifle-

Boba leads Sintas and all the freed prisoners into the large hangar, and as Vel opens the large gate controls, Boba charges forward at the four guards still stationed, shooting the two klatooinians instantly before tackling the last two with his gaffi stick-

Fett swiftly stabs a sakiyan guard in the chest before clashing his gaffi against a gamorrean's ax before Greeata of all people shoots the guard in the back of the head-

Boba points to the many skiffs and starships, "Go all of you-! Go as far away from this place as possible!"

While a few escaped prisoners get on ships, Max Rebo and his band begin to climb onto a skiff,and the pale skinned twi'lek Lyn Me turns to Boba and says something in her native tongue before clutching Fett's face and pulls him into a deep kiss-

her fellow dancer the half-theelin Rystall hugs the bounty hunter from behind simultaneously- 

Sintas Vel watches aghast for a second before muttering, "So that's why you're the most infamous bounty hunter- can we leave, or do you need another rotation-?!"

Boba pulls away from the dancers as they climb onto Max's skiff before all the other ships speedily depart- Boba leads Vel to the Slave I and once he gets close enough, he shouts, "Rozatta!"

Immediately the Slave I's controls activate, and the landing entrance opens up, and both bounty hunters quickly make their way to the cockpit and Boba maneuvers the controls while muttering, "All systems are in check- and fuel levels are good-"

Sintas looks out the cockpit and spots a group of weequays entering the hangar from outside, "Let's go then!"

The Slave I launches out of Bib Fortuna's palace as the weequays begin to fire at them and the battles inside continue to skirmish-

As Boba flies his ship out of Tatooine's orbit Sintas clutches at her tracking fob nervously, "What if Bib survives against Valerian? He'll send the entire guild to scour the outer rim for us-"

Boba leans back into his seat before clutching Vel's hand while activating the hyperdrive, "Don't worry Sintas- I know a place where even he can't find us."

...

Sintas stares in awe as the Slave I arrives near a planet which is missing a third of its mass which is scattered out into a messy asteroid debris- nearby three smaller moons are orbiting the desolate looking world-

Boba notices Vel's expression and comments, "Concord Dawn- a mandalorian colony world that's endured countless wars- my father said its a safe place to go."

Sintas blinks before turning to Boba, "Didn't the Empire wipe out all the mandalorians?"

Boba grimaces as he flies them closer, "Supposedly. Then again, I've heard that the mandalorian race is quite resilient-"

Suddenly a squadron of fang-class gauntlet starfighters appear behind the Slave I and an incoming comm contacts Boba's cockpit stating firmly,

"This is the Protector of Concord Dawn- land your ship on our closest moon immediately."

Vel concerningly turns to Boba who responds, "Very well- show us the way."

The Slave I follows the gauntlet fighters to a small colony on the third moon of Concord Dawn, where upon landing at a spot with dozens of ships around, Boba and Sintas walk out right as the Mandalorian pilots steps off their ships to greet their new arrivals-

The blue colored armored leader makes off his helmet revealing a wearily middle-aged face as he turns to the two bounty hunters,

"I am Fenn Rau, leader of the journeyman protectors- what are you doing in this system?"

Sintas glances at Boba as he speaks up, "My name is Jaster Mereel and this is-"

Rau and his pilots let out some scoffs before Fenn chuckles, "You really don't know anything about this place or that name, do you? And you are not fooling anyone... Boba Fett."

Boba and Sintas tense up as Rau's men aim their blasters at the duo as he continues, "You honestly expected us not to notice your notorious ship? It's bold to come here without your armor, Fett."

Boba grimaces as he stares at Rau, "Thinking about turning us in for a reward-?"

Fenn Rau smirks as he pulls his blaster away, "Perhaps I would have before- but these are changing times- my people are few and far between in the galaxy- why are you here bounty hunter?"

Sintas speaks up, "We want protection and safety from enemies- if you are willing to accept us."

Rau strokes his chin as he looks over Fett and Vel, "Most who seek refuge travel to the planet below for a simpler life- but you two are not looking for that, are you?"

Sintas crosses her arms, "I'm meant for more than farming-" Boba sighs, "My skill set would be better suited elsewhere."

Rau then leads them past the ships to where a small colony of mandalorian families little in settlements, "Ever since the fall of Mandalore many of my people are scattered- some joined me to rebuild the mandalorian protectorate- here we live in peace and defend the innocent on the planet from any trouble that reeks its ugly head. It's an honorable life- one I am offering the two of you."

Vel places her hands on her hips, "I thought only mandalorians could become... mandalorians."

Boba nods his head in agreement, "I been told in the past that my father and I are not true children of Mandalore-"

Fenn Rau lets out an exhausted sigh, "Such was the mindset of the bloodline obsessed few born in our true homeworld- but such ideals are meaningless now. With Mandalore gone, our people are few- I am willing to return a tradition of old: those adopted into our culture or descended from one and their mates can join."

Fett looks down, "Then I cannot join- not only have I lost my armor, but my father was a man born from colonists who came to concord dawn-"

"Jango Fett was then taken in by my predecessor, Jaster Mereel- a foundling some call it- clone or not, your actions as a bounty hunter deem you worthy of joining the journeyman protectors."

Sintas then wraps her arms around Fett's side, "-And I am his...mate."

Rau looks to Boba who coolly responds, "We'll see."

...

Fenn Rau then takes the two bounty hunters to an available homestead where they take their belongings before he walks away stating,

"Settle in and rest- there is much to do in the morning."

As Sintas and Boba explore the house, the kiffar bounty hunter turns to Fett with a curious expression, "Do you truly mean to stay here or is this temporary-?"

Boba looks around with uncertainty, "I have not yet decided. I do intend to take a leave from the bounty hunting profession for a while- perhaps being a journeyman protector can offer new opportunities."

Sintas grins in return, "I could use a break after everything on tatooine too- and who knows, maybe I could get my own suit of beskar!"

 Boba rolls his eyes as they walk past the moderately sized living room, "Sure you will Vel-"

Once they reach the bedrooms something becomes abundantly clear: only one clean bed exists in the homestead.

Boba immediately turns to Sintas, "You can have that- the living room is more that suitable-"

Suddenly Sintas gently pushes Boba onto the bed and climbs onto his lap,

"This happened because I told them I was your mate, didn't it? Silly me~"

Fett sighs as his hands grip at Vel's lower sides, "You don't want me Sintas- I'm older and more experienced-"

 Sintas leans close to Boba, "Then you better start educating me, dear~"

 Boba pulls Vel closer to him as their lips lock, their bodies press together intimately into the long night…

...

Chapter Text

Young Boba looks out the window of the kaminoan residence as the Slave I arrives at the close by landing pad where soon afterwards Jango Fett and clawdite Zam Wesell walk out into the pouring rain-

The young Fett watches as the two bounty hunters briefly embrace before Jango begins to head inside, while Zam slowly walks over to her own starship-

Once Jango enters into their residence Boba comes rushing in as he curiously asks, 

"How'd the mission go dad-?"

Jango lets out an exhausted sigh as he takes his wet helmet off before sitting down,

"The usual- Zam and I infiltrated the fortress, she took the valuable data, and I eliminated the prime targets-"

"Why didn't Zam come inside, dad?" Boba asks with great interest,

"She's come over other times- does she have another job already-?"

Jango forms a reluctant grimace, "No Boba- it's just how this goes- in this line of work it's no good to form emotional attachments to potential competition-"

Boba shakes his head, "But you trust her dad- more than Aurra or Cradossk- enough to allow her to come to our secret home-"

Jango closes his eyes as he finishes taking his armor off, "Zam and I have saved each other's skins a dozen times now- but if her back is against the wall, she'd sell us out in a heartbeat- she knows the profession she chose, that's why she left her own family-"

Boba sits down next to him with a sorrowful expression, "Sounds like a lonely life."

Jango sits up with a solemn look, "Maybe it is. But once you go down the path of a bounty hunter, it's hard to leave it- better to be alone than drag down those you love down with you Boba."

...

Upon the dry humid plains of Concord Dawn within a fairly sized settlement, the native concordian villagers begin to scatter away from the town center as a gang of human thugs begin to raid the local markets and stands, until from a close distance a figure cloaked in black approaches the group-

Once the cloaked man is close enough, the thugs stop their pillaging and the leader of the raggedy group steps forward with a rusty blaster drawn,

"You got something you want to say, stranger-? Otherwise, be on your way-"

The man removes his hood, revealing Boba Fett, looking a little older and more wearily as he stares at the thugs with disdain before uttering,

"You should stop stealing the hard-earned goods of these people- unless you'd like to learn about the type of justice I deliver."

One of the thugs backs away with some fear, "He's one of them- one of them journeyman protectors-"

The main thug dismisses the thought with a confident shrug, "Him-? Do you see any mandalorian armor on this fool? How about we show him what happens to those-"

Before he can finish Boba launches forward, quickly swiping the main thug to the side with a swift swipe of his gaffi stick before he turns to face the rest-

Fett manages to bash one thug in the face before stabbing another in the chest before the remaining four pull their blasters out and aim at the armorless protector-

Before Boba can even consider moving away from their line of fire, a mandalorian with purple-redish colored armor drops down from above, and uses twin blaster pistols to easily dispatch two of the thugs before using wrist whistling birds-

Boba lets out an exhausted sigh as the mandalorian takes off her helmet, revealing Sintas Vel who looks at Fett with a grin,

"What-? You look like you're not happy to see me!"

Fett looks down at the four dead thugs with a grim expression, "These men were working for someone who is growing a secret cabal across the planet- I needed at least one to tell me where he is."

Sintas takes off one of her gloved hands, "I'm a kiffar remember? I'm sure one of those goods in their pockets knows something-"

Boba watches for a few moments as Sintas feels around objects carried by the dead thugs before getting up, "The only information these rakeweeds even knew about is something about a warehouse near the cracked edges."

"The cracked edges..." Boba murmurs to himself as he puts his gaffi stick away,

"I've passed by there before- I can get there before nightfall-"

Sintas grimaces as she looks up at the descending sun, "I don't think so- tomorrow night's mandalore's solar cycle eve- you're not missing it this year."

Boba crosses his arms, "We have responsibilities Sin- we can get back home after we take care of this hidden cabal-"

Vel smugs before putting her mandalorian helmet on, "I bet I can get back to the homestead faster than you can...Bo-"

Boba watches flatly as Sintas jetpacks away and he sighs wearily before slowly making his way out of the small town.

...

The Slave I just barely misses Sintas' mandalorian starfighter arriving at the moon settlement's landing zones, but both immediately get out and take notice of some foreign vessels nearby-

Close to the Sarisa-class spice freighters, a conversation heats up between Fenn Rau, several of his protectors and the pyke majordomo Fife who is accompanied by his elite guards-

"You have been told time after time: the journeyman protectors have no interest in dealing with spice runners."

Rau states with slight aggression in his voice-

Fife scoffs openly, "You mistake us for common smugglers- we are head of the intergalactic spice cartel- the pyke syndicate."

Rau's disdainful expression remains as he replies, "I know who you are- trespassing into our protected grounds is unwise- however I am feeling quite generous, and I will allow you to leave- immediately."

The guards behind Fife hold their long staffs closely as the majordomo responds,

"The pykes insist the journeyman protectors accept the pykes' offer: we merely require your services in transporting our freighters to close by systems and delivering our product to potential customers-"

A pyke behind Fife brings up and opens a case, revealing it to be full of credits-

"The pykes are more than willing to pay for such services-"

Fenn Rau steps close to Fife and his followers holding at his wrist blaster,

"We will not abandon our values for profit- begone from our sector of space and find another system to carry out your bidding- I will not ask again."

Fife lets out a muffled growl before he begins to withdraw back to his freighters along with his guards muttering aloud,

"The pykes will not forget this insult mandalorians- we are more powerful than you believe."

Boba and Sintas slowly walk to Rau and his men as the pyke freighters begin to take off-

As Rau sends a few of his pilots to follow the pykes, Sintas looks up to the protector with concern,

"What was that all about?"

Rau sighs as the freighters depart the moon, "Nothing to concern over- I have dealt with lowlives like these in the past- all smoke and no fire."

Boba looks up at the fleeting spice freighters, "I would not underestimate the likes of the pykes- they may not be formidable, but they have deep pockets and deep connections to the wider underworld."

Rau pats Boba on the shoulder, "Enough talk about petty squabbles- how goes the day? Any luck in catching this elusive gangster you've been hunting Fetts?"

Sintas speaks up, "There's a possible location in the cracked edges but nothing certain- right dear?"

Vel nudges Boba slightly on the shoulder and he responds, "I plan on catching Rezodar first thing in the morning- I will bring lasting peace to the peoples of concord dawn before our celebrations tomorrow."

Rau chuckles slightly as he heads off, "Then you had better get a head start on preparations- there is much to do."

...

Boba and Sintas enter their homestead, and immediately a five-year-old half-kiffar girl runs up and hugs both closely, "Daddy! Mommy! You're back!"

Boba picks up his daughter with a light chuckle, "I hope you were ok without us Ailyn-"

Sintas begins to take her armor off as she smiles at Ailyn, "Did you give CTD-09 any trouble honey?"

Boba outs Ailyn down as the caretaker droid rolls in, "No mommy- I've been doing my courses- but I like to learn from you not him!"

Sintas smiles as she hugs her daughter, "You don't have to worry about your education right now- tomorrow we're preparing for the solar cycle celebration-"

Ailyn moves her innocent blue eyes up at her father, "You're going to be there with us, right daddy?"

Boba smiles wearily before ruffling her black hair, "Why don't we talk about tomorrow's preparations during suppertime? There's a lot to do..."

...

Later, Boba and Sintas sit by either side of Ailyn's bed as their daughter slowly begins to fall asleep as the latter finishes telling a bedtime story,

"-And that is why the little gundark never left Vanqor- for she didn't want to be away from her family and matriarch- the end."

Ailyn turns her sleepy gaze towards Boba, "Do you have any stories to share, daddy?"

Fett sighs, "I do. I will share them- when you are old enough. But I do have something else to share ad'ika-"

Boba then gives Ailyn a small package which she opens, and it reveals to be a small glowing blue stone-

Ailyn looks up at her father with curious eyes, "A heart of fire... like what mommy has?"

Sintas nods as she pulls an orange pendant out of her shirt, and Boba replies,

"I got this from kiffu as a gift for you Ailyn- consider it an early mandalore new solar cycle eve present."

Ailyn wraps her arms around Boba, "I love you daddy..."

Later, Boba and Sintas lay cuddled close together in bed and Vel notices Fett's tireless expression and murmurs, "Rest cyar'ika- you said you wanted to catch that gangster first thing in the morning, right?"

Boba looks up with a sigh, "I should... but I cannot help but feel... regretful."

Sintas nuzzles into Boba's side, "Do you ever miss the bounty hunting life? I understand you miss the thrill- I'm sure if you ask, Fenn Rau can allow you to obtain new armor- you are a part of the journeyman protector clan after all."

Boba slowly shakes his head, "I will not forsake the armor worn by my father and his before him- either I will find it one day or I will not wear beskar at all."

Vel then murmurs, "You still haven't said how you feel about giving up your livelihood- we have made a new life for ourselves here, but is that what you want? Do you miss scouring the galaxy after your prey, working alongside your fellow hunters?"

Boba shifts uncomfortably in bed, "I only had true companions in my early years as a hunter- that time has passed- they are likely long gone by now. What about you, Sintas? Is this life better than before?"

Sintas takes a second to think before responding, "I did not have an exciting career like you Boba- most of my early jobs were low level at best- and we both know how my big break ended... I entered the bounty hunting profession to make a life for myself away from kiffu- and I think this is more than worth it."

Boba then looks into Vel's dark blue eyes and replies, "I was created for the sole purpose of being my father's legacy- to carry on the name Fett in the bounty hunting field. He never got a chance to fully have a life outside the profession- not like I do. I do not know how he would feel about where I am now..."

Sintas cuddles close to Boba, "I think Jango would be proud that you've gotten the chance to live the life he was robbed of himself- the chance to have a family."

Boba leans close to Sintas, "I suppose there might be a way to tire myself to sleep..."

Sintas smiles endearingly before she locks her lips with Boba's, and their bodies embrace into the late night...

...

Early in the morning Boba gets up and gives his sleeping wife one last look before heading out of their bedroom with all his weapons and his black cloak-

Before heading out, Fett momentarily hovers over Ailyn's bed and rubs her sleeping head softly before walking away-

As Boba makes his way to the Slave I not too far from the homestead, he spots Fenn Rau sitting alone on a small hilltop, fully armored with his helmet off and facing the still darkening skies-

Boba slowly walks over to Rau who quietly mutters, "I see you are as eager as always to get into action..."

Boba glances closely at the saddened protector and replies, "Something on your mind?"

Rau turns to Fett and sighs,

"I was too young to participate in the civil wars... I could only watch as my people, the protectors were slaughtered by ruthless traitors- then again during the reign of the Empire- I thought I could side with the strongest side and prevent unneeded bloodshed- but they wiped out my clan anyway."

Boba places his hand on Rau's armored shoulder, "You've done more than any warrior can ask for- you saved all these people from the purge- rebuilt a new life here where future generations can live in peace and prosper- its more than I ever did for most of my selfish life."

Rau smiles at Fett meekly, "You've changed Boba Fett- perhaps for the better- I am proud to call you a fellow warrior- a brother even. I am only concerned about my current decisions- keeping our clan out of the outer galaxy is wise... but also dangerous..."

Boba helps Rau get onto his feet and confidently replies, "If you're worried about those pykes, rest assured- if they try anything, they'll have to answer to us."

Rau smiles before he places his helmet back on and walks back towards the settlements, "That they will. Farewell Fett- and happy hunting."

...

Boba flies the Slave I out of the moon and flies down towards the shattered edges of concord dawn- 

A few hours later, Boba spots a small citadel like structure barely hidden within some mountainous debris close to the edges of concord dawn's exposed crust with many asteroids spread around acting as protection-

Fett lands his ship as close as he can before getting out and uses some electrobinoculars to spy on the citadel-

Boba spots at least two dozen human and devaronian mercenaries carrying electro staffs and blasters walking around the outside and inside of the rocky base-

Fett sighs before he pulls out his sniper rifle and gaffi stick before slowly making his way to the close by citadel-

By midday most of the guards lie dead all around the outside and inside of the citadel base as Boba in the main headquarters of the base corners a panting phaedian gangster in the corner aiming a blaster pistol at his face as Fett murmurs,

"Hidu Rezodar- you're a hard man to find- you're smuggling and pillaging operations are at an end."

Hidu raises his shaking hands before uttering, "Wait-! You're no journeyman protector, are you? I know that voice- you're Boba Fett, right?"

Fett remains silent and continues to aim his blaster at Rezodar as the gangster continues, "Whatever bounty is on my head, I can play triple! I have connections back on my homeworld that will make you rich-"

Boba interrupts him, "I have no intention of allowing your operations to continue Hidu- tonight you answer for the many crimes done to the people of concord dawn."

Fett then swiftly shoots Rezodar with a stun blast, causing the gangster to crumple to the ground.

...

As the sun of concord dawn begins to set, Boba drags the unconscious Hidu into a saloon within a small close by town and drops the phaedian at the pub owner's feet saying briskly, "Just one cup of concordian spicebrew please."

The barman glances down at Rezodar before looking up at Fett,

"Nice catch Jaster- shall I contact Governor Purton to give you the reward for his capture?"

Boba waves his hand as he takes a seat at the bar, "I'm good Creel- you can collect the bounty- I'll take a free drink as compensation."

Creel passes Fett a cup of fresh spicebrew before dragging Hidu's body away uttering,

"You're one of a kind Mereel- I'll make sure this skug is locked up tight for when the local authorities pick him up..."

Boba lets out an exhausted sigh before he takes a sip of his spicebrew, only for a gravelly voice to ring out from him,

"Well, isn't this a quaint little surprise? It turns out the rumors are true..."

Boba turns around to find Cad Bane lounging alone lazily in a booth across from him, sipping on a cup of kri'gee ale before murmuring,

"Boba Fett lives."

Boba slowly moves his open hand to his hoister as he replies, "I can say the same to you Bane- the whispers of your survival from our last encounter are true- finally out of the shadows?"

Bane tips his hat slightly, "What can I say... with how chaotic the times are, opportunities arise..."

Boba grips his blaster closely, "What are you doing here Bane? Interested in collecting a certain bounty?"

Cad finishes his ale, "'Fraid not sonny- I have no interest in wasting washed up has-beens- besides, I'm celebrating the completion of another job, same as you."

Fett eyes the duros bounty hunter, "Why are you here?"

Bane's red eyes glance over Boba, "That's none of your concern- however I did see the most fascinating thing..."

Boba gets up and walks up to Cad, and the duros adds,

"When I first landed at a spaceport on this scattered rock, I noticed a deal going down between two syndicates- the pykes and that droid gotra- can't say why."

Boba aggressively points his blaster at Bane's head and the blue skinned bounty hunter continues,

"I spoke to an old acquaintance of ours- you remember Highslinger, don't you Boba? Apparently, he's been hired by the gotra to ensure the pykes don't try anything funny with their deal-"

Fett grabs Cad by the front of his shirt, "Get to the point."

"Those spice dealers purchased some old separatist battle droids- scorpenek annihilator droids from what I heard- all I know is the pykes plan on using 'em to wipe out some threats of theirs-"

Boba immediately throws Bane to the ground and rushes out of the cantina, and as he hurries out, Cad chuckles drunkenly, "I hope you haven't gotten rusty after all these years, Fett-" 

...

Fife and his dozen pyke foot soldiers scour around the burning remains the protector settlement as two large scorpenek droids stand over the now decimated fleet of mandalorian gauntlet starfighters- 

Fife looks around the flaming desolation and scolds at his close by his pyke advisor,

"Fool! I asked you to ensure the droids did not destroy their starships! Those fighters could have netted us a fortune!"

The pyke advisor quickly stammers, "But sir- some of the pilots survived the initial strike- we had to destroy the ships to prevent them from eliminating our remaining scorpenek droids! We can always make it up to the gotra with what is left here!"

The advisor reaches down and picks up a piece of beskar armor and hands it to Fife, who grumbles,

"Fine- I want this whole moon searched! If there are any valuables hidden in the wreckage it belongs to the pyke syndicate!"

Suddenly Slave I begins to fly close to the destroyed settlements-

Fife looks up at the darkened skies, "What is that-? It doesn't look mandalorian-"

As Fife runs out of sight, the advisor gasps, "I think I recognize that ship! Its-"

The Slave I opens fire, immediately reducing the pyke advisor and many of the foot soldiers in the open into dust- 

As the rest of the pykes dive for cover, Fife leans over to the scorpenek droids,

"Destroy that ship! Open fire!"

The two massive metallic droids activate their shields and begin to open fire at the Slave I, and the ship dodges the blasterfire before shooting at the droids, which bounces off their shields-

The Slave I then fire torpedoes, which easily decimmates the two scorpenek droids into scrap metal- the starship quickly fires more torpedoes at the pykes' spice freighters, blowing them all up at once-

As the Slave I lands at the center of the destruction, the few remaining pyke soldiers run to the vessel to fire at the pilot coming out, only for them to find an enraged Boba Fett jumping out, screaming intensely as he holds a gaffi stick in his hands-

Fett easily dispatches the pykes, savagely stabbing and beating them all to bloody pulps until he spots Fife attempting to run away and he throws his gaffi stick, which hits the pyke majordomo in the back, crumbling him to the ground-

Boba swiftly runs up to Fife and pulls his gaffi stick out of the pyke's back before rolling him onto his back and raising his weapon over Fife's head-

Fife raises his shaking hands weakly and sputters, "W-wait-! I have credits-"

Boba yells out in anguish as he ruthlessly stabs Fife in the head repeatedly until Fett's entire front is covered in pyke blood-

Boba then rushes into his ruined homestead, running past the smoking remains of his caretaker droid and desperately searches around the house, and he finds Sintas Vel, lying in their living room, leaning against a wall with a blaster shot in an opening of her mandalorian armor-

Fett scoops Vel into his arms and slaps her face and she gasps out as she looks at Boba weakly, "I'm... so sorry... I wasn't- I wasn't fast enough..."

Fett cradles Sintas close, "I killed them all- Please tell me- where is our daughter?"

Sintas looks deeply into Boba's eyes and murmurs, "I tried...she's-"

Sintas then closes her eyes and becomes still in Boba's arms.

Boba Fett walks out of his family's burning homestead carrying Vel's body in his arms as he looks out at the carnage of the rest of the settlements-

Dozens of mandalorians lie dead all around the settlement, men, women and children lifeless, many either wearing no armor or with some pieces barely put on-

At the center, near Slave I lies Fenn Rau still clutching some children in his grasp even in death.

Boba silently sheds tears as the flames reflect onto his eyes...

...

In the morning, Boba watches with an expressionless stare at the massive funeral pyre, before glancing over at the many buried stumps of mandalorian gear, including the armors of Sintas Vel and Fenn Rau-

A determined glare fills Boba face as he enters back into Slave I, and he immediately jumps to lightspeed upon leaving the moon's surface-

Boba flies the Slave I to Oba Diah, and upon arriving over the high fortress of the pyke syndicate, he wastes no time to drop a seismic charge onto the large pyke palace, instantly destroying its foundations and sending it crumbling down to the surface below-

The Slave I quickly jumps to hyperspeed before the pyke starships can get close to him-

As the Slave I approaches tatooine, Boba's tired face fills with anguish as he flies his ship down to the desert planet below-

Once Fett reaches the pit of carkoon, his shaking hand hovers over a button before he punches it- hard.

The Slave I flies off once more as the sarlacc pit lets out a loud scream before it is quickly silenced by the sound of a seismic charge exploding...

...

Boba continues to aimlessly fly his ship around the endless sand dunes until he spots two flares lit up in the sky far away-

Eventually, Fett lands his ship down and slowly walks over to the sandy hillside, only to find an unconscious female bounty hunter lying on the sands motionless-

Boba leans down and checks her pulse before quickly scooping her up and running back to the Slave I-

Fett immediately flies into mos eisley and upon locating a cybernetic center he carries the unconscious bounty hunter inside, where a cyberneticist wastes no time to begin operations on the dying patient-

Soon the cyberneticist completes a cybernetic stomach for the bounty hunter and Boba hands him a few credits before carrying her out...

...   

The female bounty hunter wakes up inside the Slave I's passenger seats and gets startled as Boba enters the room, carrying a stew.

The bounty hunter reaches for her weapons only to find them gone- Fett raises his hands innocently, "I mean you no harm- you are safe here."

The female bounty hunter then clutches at her stomach painfully, and Boba slowly gives her the stew, "Eat- you need to regain your strength."

Once the bounty hunter finishes consuming the bowl, Boba slowly states,

"I know who you are- the master assassin, Fennec Shand of the mid rim- you've been hiding on this planet to avoid hunters, haven't you?"

Fennec lets out a pained groan, "I suppose you plan on turning me in for a fat reward, stranger..."

Fett shakes his head as he sits beside Shand, "No I do not- I am no bounty hunter- not anymore."

Fennec studies Boba's face closely, "Who are you?"

"I am Boba Fett." Fett states quietly.

Shand scoffs slightly, "Impossible- Fett's been dead for years- unless that bounty Fortuna sent out wasn't so crazy..."

Boba sighs wearily, "I was left for dead in the dune sea like you- I have been given a second chance...one I give you now."

Shand looks over Boba thoroughly, "What happened to you?"

Fett looks down, "A lifetime. One that I can no longer go back to- I only have one goal now: to tear down all the existing big crime syndicates and begin my own to rule in its place- I shall begin here."

Fennec leans back exhaustion, "Sounds thrilling- and impossible. But you saved my life, and I have nowhere to go- Wherever you go, I will follow. So, what's our first objective?"

Boba opens Slave I's hangar and activates two viper speeder bikes,

"We shall start by reclaiming something of mine- tell me, what do you know of the movements of jawas?"

 ...

Days turn into weeks as Boba and Fennec scour the wide dune sea, Fett soon regaining a grainy dry appearance as he travels from sandcrawler to sandcrawler, until a particular clan of jawas is found by Shand-

Fennec reports to Boba via commlink, "These scavengers claim to have given mandalorian armor to a man lost in the desert- they dropped him off in the remote town of mos pelgo-

Fett immediately speeds off with his viper across the many hills of sand-

On his way, Boba notices some rumbling happening by a nearby mountainside and gets off his speeder bike to view the sight of settlers and tusken raiders in the far distance crowding around the remains of an exploded krayt dragon-

Then Fett notices a speeder bike with a mandalorian in shiny armor, a green small creature and his armor packed alongside-

Boba turns around and walks back to his back before activating his comms, "I found it- this mandalorian you spoke of has claimed it-"

Fennec quickly responds, "Shall I bring the Slave I over and deal with him?"

Boba looks out into the twin suns, "No. This mandalorian could be reasoned with...on our terms. Pick me up and activate your tracking fob- I want to confront him when the time is right..."

...

Many days pass and the Slave I enters the imperial remnant cruiser once belonging to moff Gideon and once Fennec and the silver armored mandalorian Din Djarin reenter the vessel, Boba flies out of the cruiser into the open space-

Once Fennec enters the cockpit the now fully armored Boba asks, "Did he recover the child?"

Shand remains silent for a second before murmuring, "Yes... he's with his own kind now- with... a jedi."

Boba notices Fennec's awestruck tone and scoffs through his helmet,

"Jedi seem mesmerizing to look at- until you are against one. How is our friend doing?"

Fennec looks back at Din Djarin, sitting quietly in the passenger seats in the back and mutters to Boba,

"I offered him the opportunity to join us, but he said he needs time to adjust- he wants you to drop him off in nevarro."

Fett nods contently, "My promise to save the child for returning my armor is complete- I shall take him to where he wants to go and resume our goals."

Shand sits beside Boba and asks, "What are we doing next?"

Boba activates the hyperdrive, "I have a score to settle with a crime lord on tatooine- and I may require assistance in this task."

The Slave I then jumps into lightspeed...

——————————————————————

Chapter Text

As the twin suns of tatooine slowly descends, Slave I comes close to a far-off settlement which Fennec Shand notices and turns to Boba saying,

"This isn't mos eisley or even anchorhead- why are we heading to bestine?"

Boba keeps his helmeted head focused on the controls as he mutters,

"I want to know how far Fortuna's reach has grown since Jabba's death- there's no better place to start than the capital of tatooine."

The Slave I lands in an open spot within a spaceport and soon both bounty hunters quietly sneak through the sandy hangars and avoid the patrols of guards before Fett leads Shand to an open building as nightfall begins-

Upon entering what seems to be a large cantina full of many peoples, a tan skinned twi'lek walks up to the two bounty hunters and kindly greets them,

"Welcome to cheapside tavern and hotel- I am madam Garsa Fwip. What brings such... unique guests like yourselves to the bestine?"

Fennec quickly speaks up, "We have business to conduct here- what do you know of the current climate of tatooine's rulership?"

Garsa looks at Boba and Fennec before replying, "All who come to the populated settlements know of the complete rule of Bib Fortuna... you two are not hired hunters of his, are you?"

Boba then slowly looks around at the number of eyes watching him and Fennec and quickly turns to Fwip, "We can continue this conversation- in a more isolated location."

Garsa forms a sly smile, "Allow me to indulge you- follow me, I have just the place..."

...

The two bounty hunters follow Fwip through some hidden looking hallways, they pass into some curtains to reveal a massive chamber, one which contains a larger number of peoples, many enjoying the music of Max Rebo and his band-

Garsa turns around and smiles at Boba and Fennec, "Welcome to my secret sanctuary- here, those who have nowhere else to go can hide here- especially under the reign of Fortuna's criminal empire."

Fennec stares around at the many weary twi'leks, humans, togrutas and other patrons and mutters, "All these people... were they once slaves?"

Garsa slowly nods before murmuring, "Many here came directly from the thralls of Jabba's palace- only a few like me managed to escape the initial chaos... the rest are free now thanks to a man once thought dead." Garsa moves her gaze to Boba who removes his helmet and wearily nods,

"I am grateful you have established a haven here for those with nothing... but can you not find a better sanctuary offworld?"

Madam Fwip sighs as the rest of the patrons take notice of the new arrivals,

"Even if I wanted to, we cannot- Fortuna's reach ensures no one leaves the city- the best I can do is to have this secret place for those who seek to avoid his wrath."

Boba grimaces, "Then what I have heard is true- Bib Fortuna has complete control of the planet- more than the Hutts ever had."

Garsa shares a similar expression, "Mos eisley and pelgo have avoided his reach but it's only a matter of time..."

Fennec then adds, "Fortuna may have bought off or eliminated his rivals, but there are still those who can stand up to that fat tyrant- us."

Garsa walks close to Boba and murmurs, "Not too long ago many believed the rule of crime lords on tatooine were impossible to overthrow... but you showed us otherwise."

Boba then puts his helmet back on, "I need to know the layout and operations of Fortuna's empire- his rule ends tonight."

Garsa shakes her head, "Oh, why rush to accomplish what can be done tomorrow? You look rather restless, and it is getting late- can I offer my guests some comfort for the night?"

Boba ignores her and begin to walk to a room in the distance filled with datapads, but Fennec swiftly grabs his arm,

"You should consider this offer Fett- you haven't slept since we met- not truly."

Fett reluctantly removes his helmet and hands it to Garsa who summons some twi'lek servers and utters,

"Please show them around the resting chambers and relaxation pads- make sure they get some sleep."

As Garsa leads Boba and Fennec out of the main auditorium of the sanctuary, the pale skinned twi'lek dancer Lyn Me hops off the dancing stage and wraps herself to Fett's side giggling, "Please, allow me to lead you to the twi'lek healing baths- it's quite... relaxing~"

Boba silently submits to the twi'lek's embrace as Fennec smirks and hands her helmet to a male twi'lek server and mutters, "I can't really do baths anymore- but a massage would be nice."

...

In the dead of night six figures emerge out of the shadows and quietly slice open the entrance to cheapside tavern and enter-

The six warriors clad in black and red wearing masks slowly travel further into the sanctuary chambers until they split into two groups of three upon reaching an impasse between two hallways-

Three of the shadowy sneaking warriors slowly enter a bedroom chamber where Boba is resting with Lyn and Garsa while the other three enter into a chamber where Fennec Shand is seemingly asleep-

The assassins in Shand's room slowly pull out vibro knives and get closer to her bed until she suddenly gets up and grabs the arm of one of the attackers as he is about to strike her and twists his arm before shooting a bolt with her other hand clutching a small pistol-

The sounds of blasterfire startles both Boba, Lyn, Garsa and the three assassins in his room, and before the three attackers can strike, Boba quickly picks up his gaffi stick to push them back-

While Garsa moves Lyn away from the bed, Boba growls out as he strikes, knocking one assassin back as the other two take out longer blades to fight Fett-

Boba gets up and strikes offensively despite his bare state, surprising one of them enough to lower their guard enough for Fett to bash him in the head, sending the assassin crumbling against the wall, unmoving-

While Boba manages to kick the other assassin to the ground, the assassin behind him grabs a sheet and begins to strangle Fett, tightening his grip as Boba struggles to fight back and breathe-

Before the assassin choking Boba from behind on the bed can squeeze tighter, Garsa suddenly stabs the assassin in the back of the head with a dropped vibro knife, making the clothed attacker go limp as Boba gasps for air-

Boba wastes no time to use his gaffi stick to choke the last assassin until-

"Wait!" Fennec rushes into the room, covered in some bruises and blood as she exclaims, "We need one alive!"

Boba sighs as he chokes the last assassin unconscious before muttering at Shand,

"I thought you said we could use some much-needed rest."

Fennec smirks wearily as she holds up her bloody vibro knife, "You do- assassins don't sleep much at night."

...

Boba, now fully armored enters into a small sanctuary room where Fennec also fully dressed, paces around the captive tied up assassin sitting in a chair in the center before facing the mandalorian and mutters, 

"They're members of the Order of the Night Wind- the assassin guild only sends them out to eliminate political enemies of the hutt cartel- in their sleep."

Boba looks over at the silent assassin and replies, "No word on who hired them?"

Fennec grimaces and crosses her arms,

"These types don't say anything- not even through the most intensive torture- got any ideas?"

Boba takes out a small injector filled with a clear fluid, "I have this."

Fennec watches with some interest as Fett approaches the Night Wind member, "Skirtopanol serum- very rare- if the dosage is wrong, he could get put in a permanent coma."

Boba injects the assassin with the truth drug, "I know."

A few moments pass until Boba squeezes the assassin's arm, making him grunt in pain as Fett mutters,

"The serum doesn't just make you more suggestive- it makes every inch of your skin extremely sensitive- I wonder how much you can endure in the next eight hours..."

The Night Wind member then begins to ramble quickly, "We were hired by the mayor of Bestine, that's all we were told- to eliminate suspicious targets like you."

Before Boba can squeeze the assassin's arm more, Garsa comes in and speaks up,

"The mayor, Mok Shaiz is a very influential figure in this city- he's worked for Jabba and the Empire in the past and Fortuna now."

Fett knocks the assassin out with the butt of his EE-3 rifle as Fennec grins, "Then it's about time we work him."

...

Boba and Fennec approach the capitol building, the latter pulling along the unconscious assassin as they enter, where an ishi tib majordomo greets them uttering,

"Unfortunately, the mayor is occupied today- please arrange for a scheduled appointment in the next three to four business weeks-"

Once Boba silently holds up his rifle the majordomo quickly stammers, "But- for such special guests he must see you now-"

The majordomo leads the trio to the mayor's office, where two aqualish guards prepare to attack until the ithorian Mok Shaiz speaks up in basic through his attached vocalizer,

"Stop- I believe there has been an unfortunate misunderstanding."

Fennec throws the unconscious night wind member before him as Boba growls,

"This man claims to have been hired by you Shaiz- don't lie to me."

The ithorian shakes his large head, "A grave mistake indeed- allow me correct it before I explain further-"

 One of the aqualish guards shoots the assassin in the chest as Shaiz continues, "The current ruler of tatooine, Bib Fortuna asked me to keep these assassins in my city to ensure no threats arrive to challenge his authority."

Boba steps up to Mok and looks over his fancy desk and robes, "I bet he paid you a shiny coin to enforce his rule too- perhaps your successor will fare better-"

Before Boba can consider lifting his rifle, Fennec speaks up, "What do you know of Fortuna's base of operations? His palace in particular?"

Shaiz quickly replies, "I am invited frequently to report and give him tribute- I am more than willing to cooperate what I know-"

Fett continues to aim his blaster at the mayor until Shand grabs his armored shoulder,

"We can't start our own criminal syndicate if we kill everyone who faces us- what he knows could be useful."

Boba slowly lowers his rifle before murmuring, "Very well- stay here and find out what you can about Fortuna's fortitude- I must begin recruiting the others."

Fennec turns her gaze away from Shaiz and responds, "The others? Who?"

"There are those from my past who have worked for me before- I will start there."

As Boba leaves the office, Shand wastes no time to use her sniper rifle to blast the two guards before walks up close to Mok,

"Let's get to know each other, Mr. mayor..."

...

As Boba brings some supplies into Slave I, Garsa walks into the hangar bay and murmurs, "I just want to ask- why do you want to become a crime lord, Boba Fett?"

Boba continues to carry a crate into his starship as he replies, 

"I used to not care about the sleemos who I worked for- but after they inflict so much pain to me, I can't look away when they do it to those who can't help themselves- I can't stop the underworld- but I could control it."

Garsa comes close and touches Boba's helmet, "So much sorrow hidden away... is this path enough to heal it?"

Boba remains quiet as he enters Slave I before flying out of the desert planet's orbit and jumps into hyperspace.

...

The Slave I arrives in the wide belgaroth asteroid belt and flies directly into the hangar of the large starcruiser barge, the Rancor's Fist with little to no resistance-

Entering into the ship's main chambers, Boba walks up to a large orange-brown and white skinned hutt flanked by two iktotchi guards and a toydarian advisor-

Fett stares at the hutt silently until the large slug bellows out in basic,

"I never thought the day would come when the legendary Boba Fett would be on my ship! Especially with everyone saying you're dead and all-"

Boba continues to stare in silence carrying his rifle when the hutt rambles,

"It's Garballa! Jabba's nephew-? We briefly met a few years back during a podracing event when you were escorting my uncle..."

When Fett still doesn't talk, Garballa nervously stammers, "What do you want with me?!"

Boba then says, "I'm looking for Dengar- he'd be here whenever he isn't doing risky jobs... if he's still alive."

Boba returns to staring until Garballa turns away and exclaims,

"Ok jeez stop with the intimidation! Dengar was here days ago! He's taken up a job on Belgaroth! Here- this is a tracker for his ship!"

Once the toydarian gives Boba the tracking device, the helmeted hunter mutters,

"Don't go anywhere hutt- I will be back."

...

Once the Slave I arrives in a spaceport in the mountainous swampy world, it doesn't take long for Fett to find the corellian jumpmaster, the Punishing One and he immediately kicks the ship's boarding ramp and barks,

"I know you're in there! Your ship's engines are activated! Come out now or I'll scrap it!"

The entry ramp opens up and a blue skinned aruzan woman carrying a rocket launcher yells back, "Who's asking?"

Boba slowly lowers his rifle, "I recognize you- a dancer in Jabba's court-"

The aruzan glares at him, "I was enslaved by that rotten hutt- I'm Manaroo- Dengar's girlfriend."

Fett then quietly remarks, "Are you with him because he saved you?"

Manaroo grits her teeth, "I saved myself from that dreadful palace, but yes he saved me from imps trying to brainwash me- are you here to collect his bounty, Fett?"

Boba keeps his hands in the air, "I'm looking to recruit my old friend for a big job- where is he?"

Manaroo stares at Fett's helmet for a few moments before she lowers her launcher and sighs, "He's hunting a target in an old czerka shipyard- he said it'd only take half a day...that was two days ago..."

Before she can say anything else, Boba activates his new jetpack and flies away-

...

Dengar smiles mischievously before a shadow trooper punches him hard as the bandage wearing bounty hunter is tied to a pole close by a large landing field filled with TIE Phantoms-

Dengar then stares at the squadron of shadow troopers coming out of a nearby compound led by an officer with a cybernetic eye followed by a novatrooper and a KX-enforcer droid-

The imperial leader grins at Dengar, "Did you really think you could sneak into the secret shipyard of lord high admiral Harrsk and get away with it?"

Dengar makes a grunt-like laugh, "That ain't a real rank- and for an imperial splinter group, Zero Command is a dumb name-"  

The novatrooper punches him in the gut as Harrsk continues, "Tell me who hired you to steal my secret plans and your death will possibly be painless."

Dengar takes a moment to breathe before muttering, "First, I wasn't hired to steal any secrets- second, I was planting bombs all over your shipyard- and third- boom."

Before any of the shadow troopers can move, Dengar activates a button on his belt, which causes a large series of explosions to envelope the dozens of experimental fighters, destroying them all at once-

Dengar then uses a small vibro knife to cut his steel chains and he quickly hides behind a shadow trooper as the rest open fire, quickly covering the trooper in blasterfire as the bounty hunter reaches for the dead trooper's blaster-

Before the remaining shadow troopers can surround Dengar, Boba Fett drops down from above and activates a wrist rocket, blowing the closest two troopers to bits as he stands before his fellow bounty hunter with his rifle drawn-

Harrsk hides behind the tall enforcer droid and screeches at the nova trooper, "Kill those bounty hunting scum- now!"

The novatrooper nods and activates a switch on his wrist, and he along with the remaining three shadow troopers vanish from sight-

Dengar gives Boba a mixed expression of bitterness and enjoy before he grunts out,

"Have fun with the stealth buckets- that warlord is mine!"

Harrsk begins to run to a far-off shuttle as Dengar begins to chase him, until the imperial enforcer droid grab him and slams him to the ground with a painful thud-

Boba dodges some blasterfire before he activates his thermal vision in his helmet, and quickly blasts two shadow troopers running close at him-

Dengar attempts to use an EMP grenade on the enforcer, which only makes the droid sizzle before it begins to strangle the corellian bounty hunter-

Boba notices a shadow trooper close behind him and pulls out his gaffi stick to bash his head in before the novatrooper tackles him to the ground-

Suddenly a native swamphulk beast jumps out and begins to tear the enforcer droid to pieces, while also licking at Dengar harmlessly-

While Boba grunts out as he snaps the neck of the invisible novatrooper, Dengar rushes out and tries to throw a grenade at Harrsk's fleeing shuttle, but the ship flies out of reach-

As Fett gets back on his feet, Dengar punches him in the helmet, clutches at his now pained fist and growls, "Of course you're alive and the first thing you do is ruin my job! I thought you were sarlacc sauce Fett!"

Boba then quietly remarks, "Nice to nice you alive too- I never thought you would survive the dune sea after what happened-"

Dengar leans down and pets the swamphulk as it munches on the droid's parts,

"Maybe I wouldn't have- if it wasn't for Manaroo picking me up- what about you? Run into some tuskens?"

Fett clutches his gaffi stick, "Something like that...Do you know if Bossk survived?"

Dengar rolls his eyes, "Yeah we picked him up too- I was tempted to leave him but my girl felt bad- wait, why are you asking and why are you here?"

Fett looks around and sighs, "We can discuss this anywhere else-"

Dengar grins, "Then let's hit Xot's! You're paying the tab for chasing my target away."

...

"Welcome to my megabar, helmeted stranger- what would you like to drink? And is there anything I can be for you?" 

The being called Xot first appears to be a male rodian before shapeshifting into a female miraluka, then a male kage and then a female kaminoan-

"Just some starshine surprise." Boba mutters as Dengar snorts, "Don't mind Xot- they just like to be very welcoming to patrons- I'm sure you're not interested- unless-"

Boba takes off his helmet and faces Dengar with a serious expression, "I'm not here to chat- I'm reassembling the krayt's claw for a big job on tatooine."

Dengar nearly spits out his glass of phattro and sputters, 

"The old gang-? What ever happened to you workin' solo and all? And I'm not just talking about that smug smuggler-"

Fett sighs before he sips his cup, "I thought I could have a life outside of bounty hunting- I was mistaken. I'm my own boss now- and I have a score to settle with Bib Fortuna."

Dengar gives Boba a doubtful expression, "That's cute and all but I have my own plans- ever since the empire fell I've been doing jobs for the new republic- they pay me better and they've even pardoned me- this job you just botched was gonna be my ticket to retirement."

Boba then adds, "My payment will consist of the still lost fortune of Jabba the Hutt."

Dengar finishes his glass before getting up, "Why didn't ya start with that-? I'm in!"

Manaroo enters the bar and hugs Dengar closely, "You're alive! I thought I lost you forever love-"

Fett turns away to finish his drink as the two embrace before Dengar remarks, "Glad to see you too baby- oh dank farrik."

Boba swiftly puts his helmet back on and gets up, "What is it?"

Dengar chuckles nervously as Manaroo clings to his side, "You see I was pretty sure I was gonna catch that warlord so I called the new republic to come and finish off his space station- they might also arrest you and shut down Garballa's operations- we need to go- now!"

Manaroo then stammers, 

"Dengar baby- the Punishing One's engines are almost dead- I'm sorry I thought you were heading back sooner-"  

Dengar caresses Manaroo's chin and mutters, "It's my fault dollface- I got sidetracked and lost my comms- but on the bright side, I got us a new pet- meet my swamphulk! What do ya think? Should I name her Demolisher or Payback?"

Manaroo wrinkles her nose upon looking down at the native beast and murmurs,

"Dengar dear~ if you take that thing onto our ship, I'm leaving you."

Boba steps between the couple, "Enough bantering- meet me on the Rancor's Fist!"

...

Once both the Slave I and the low on fuel Punishing One arrive on Garballa's cruiser, Dengar quickly informs his employer,

 "Jump out of this sector- the new republic's coming to clear the planet and mines of all illegal operations!"

Garballa grumbles, "I knew you were gonna bail on me once the new republic started to pay you more-"

Boba then turns to Dengar, "Where is Bossk right now?"

Dengar shrugs nonchalantly, "I dunno- last I heard was him being apart of a crew doing a job for Black Sun on nar shaddaa-"

"Then that's where we're headed next." Fett states, "Tell your girlfriend to refuel your ship and head to Bestine- she'll be safe at the cheapside cantina."

Once Dengar heads off, Garballa bellows out, "Wait! What about me-? Once the new republic arrives I won't have anywhere else to go! The other hutts hate me!"

Boba begins to walk away until Garballa stammers, 

"My starcrusier's got a lot of hibridium ore collected from the asteroid belt! You can use some to add a cloaking device to your ship! It works! My own vessel's got one!"

Boba stops in place and mutters aloud, "You might just prove useful hutt- orbit over tatooine and pray nothing blasts you to bits."

Fett then heads into the hangar and pulls Dengar off of his goodbye embrace with Manaroo and once he starts to drag the bandage-wearing hunter to the Slave I, the older man growls,

"Oi! Can't a man enjoy two seconds of peace?"

"No." 

Boba responds, 

"We don't have time- the new republic's going to be here soon and I want to find Bossk before he finishes his job and leaves nar shaddaa-"

Dengar groans before he follows Boba inside his starship, 

"Fine- but if you get me killed, you're paying for my next drink."

...

"Now remember, the Crymorah syndicate's leaders will be heavily guarded and the location of the transaction will take place at the Rang Clan's main estate- there could be tight security everywhere- does your team understand T'onga?" 

The falleen boss, Gyuti states to a gang of bounty hunters within his personal office of the nar shaddaa Black Sun headquarters-

The dark skinned female bounty hunter looks back at her crew consisting of Losha Tarkon, Khel Tanna, Zuckuss and Bossk and grins, "We always get the job done."

Before Gyuti can go over more building schematics, a comm activates at his desk and his female secretary voices out,

"The last two bounty hunters are heading to your office sir."

Gyuti turns to T'onga who barely manages to utter, "I didn't-"

The office door slides open and Boba Fett and Dengar walk in blaster rifles in hand-

The four falleen guards in the room aim their blasters at the duo as boss Gyuti growls to them, "How dare you enter this base so boldly! State your purpose immediately!"

Dengar moves to talk but Boba nudges him and replies, 

"We're here to talk to one of T'onga's crew- we do not mean to cause any distress."

Gyuti grits his teeth before a hologram disk on his belt blinks and he walks out of his office and grumbles, "I shall discuss this interruption with my superiors- once I return a swift judgment will be decided."

Once the falleen leader leaves with two guards, Boba turns to Bossk and utters, "You don't look surprised to see me."

The trandoshan bounty hunter makes a growl noise, "I heard some rumors about a mandalorian wiping out the red key raiders on tatooine- that wasn't you?"

 Fett merely responds, "First I'm hearing about it- I suspect whoever had my armor was responsible- I want to put together a crew Bossk-"

T'onga steps forward and crosses her arms in front of Boba,

"I'm not sure you noticed, but Bossk's on my team Fett- and I ain't hiring any more hunters- 

especially with that scumbag accompanying you."

Dengar anxiously rambles, "Listen T'onga, I didn't know you were a married lass when I-"

Tarkon then punches Dengar in the face, "That's for grabbing at my wife you fragging creep!"

Khel Tanna smirks at Fett,

 "Didn't you get eaten by that sarlacc pit? And knocked in by Solo of all grease swindlers! How the mighty have fallen..."

Boba lifts his rifle at Tanna, and before anything else can happen, Gyuti reenters his office and faces all the hunters, 

"My vigo has spoken! A change of plans has been decided- these two additional hunters will be required for the new directive."

T'onga speaks up, "As long as you don't divide our pay with them I will accept this."

Gyuti grins maliciously as he faces Boba and Dengar, "Do not be concerned- this job will prove most fruitful... if you survive."

Dengar rubs his bruised face before facing Fett, "Eh why not right? An extra payday never hurts."

Boba faces Bossk,

"Once this job is over you will work with us."

Bossk makes a slither noise, "We'll see."

...

Boss Gyuti leads T'onga's crew within the massive estate and once inside a volpai servant greets them as a group of crime lords walks up surrounded by guards-

"Gyuti of the Black Sun, meet the current heads of the Crymorah Syndicate: Tyber Zann of his grand Consortium, Lady Isa of the Durand Clan, N-3RO of the Droid Gotra, Sorc Tormo of the Haxion Brood and my master, lord Azmorigan of the Rang Clan!"

Azmorigan's fat body sits on a miniature dais as he stares at Gyuti, "Well? Bring out the payment promised!"

Zann gives Azmorigan a sharp share, "The Crymorah Syndicate is grateful for the Black Sun's peace accord- why is the dark prince not here to talk himself?"

Gyuti smirks with T'onga's team around him, "Precautions must be made- we had no idea most of the crymorah leaders would be here in person."

Everyone glances over at Tormo's holographic form before Lady Isa speaks up,

"Enough nonsense- you agreed to pay us to resolve the conflict over Hutt space- deliver the sixty million credits or we shall resume fire- starting now."

Gyuti slowly pulls out a datapad, "Of course the sixty million credits cannot be transferred physically- give me a moment to divide the money to each of your offshore accounts-"

Suddenly Boba breaks through some windows of the backdoor using a jetpack while Dengar uses a sonic grenade to break into the wider entrance-

Boba aims his rifle at Lady Isa, "The Zann Consortium sends its regards!"

Dengar pulls out a rocket launcher, "The Haxion Brood is after your head, Azmorigan!"

Azmorigan turns to Tormo, "I knew you would betray me umbaran!"

Tormo whines, "Oh c'mon! You think I'd hire Dengar to kill your fat carcass?"

While Lady Isa glares at Tyber, he faces Ryuti, "He planned this didn't he? Well it's not going to work- the Crymorah syndicate is the most united crime organization in-"

Suddenly N-3RO turns to his commando droid guards,

"The organics have turned on each other! Now is the time to strike! Eliminate them all!"

Chaos breaks loose as T'onga and her crew bring Gyuti to cover as Boba shoots Isa in the head while her devaronian guards are wiped out by Zann's human soldiers and N-3RO's commandos-

Dengar attempts to fire a rocket between a battle between the haxion brood sentinels and the rangs only for a stray bolt to nearly hit him in the side, making him miss and fire it at the ground below them-

The Haxions quickly jump away as the ground collapses, slowly opening up a deep sinkhole which swallows the remaining rangs-

As Boba uses his gaffi stick to fight off the haxion, Azmorigan panics and activates a button on his dais which opens up a hidden vault of treasure on the side-

Before Azmorigan can float his dais inside, Dengar aims his rocket launcher at the ceiling above him and fires, sending massive stone debris which squishes the fat jablogian flat-

Zann flees out a window once the commandos eliminate his soldiers, and droids turn to Gyuti, who cowers as T'onga, Tarkon and Zuckuss return fire-

Boba struggles to fight off the last two haxion tackling him front behind until Bossk picks up both and bashes their heads together hissing, "Don't exsspect a thanks I bet."

Khel Danna, noticing Azmorigan's unguarded treasure and makes a run for it-

T'onga notices her and the crumbling ground and yells out, "Don't! it's too dangerous!"

Danna ignores her and jumps into the treasure vault, only managing stuff a few stacks of credits in her pockets before the sinkhole increases, which causes her and the vault to fall in, and she lets out a shriek as she disappears into the massive chasm below-

Tarkon moves T'onga away as Zuckuss finishes off the final commandos before turning to N-3RO who stammers, "Stop you filthy organic! Your droid friend wouldn't approve-"

Zuckuss ignores his comments and rips N-3RO's head off before chucking it into the chasm-

Boba, Dengar and Ryuti along with the remainder of T'onga's team rushes out of Azmorigan's estate before it's upper levels fall into itself and down to the sinkhole below-

...

"Congratulations bounty hunters for another job well done- With the heads the Durand and Rang clans dead, the Droid Gotra's unprovoked betrayal leaves Zann Consortium and the Haxion Brood left to fight for dominance while Black Sun conquers hutt space- the promised payment of six thousand credits each is earned."

Ryuti states to the bounty hunters back in his office as a protocol droid hands out the credits-

Boba turns to Ryuti and mutters,

"I've done a job like this before- your boss once got me to take out the intergalactic bounty hunters guild-"

"You're quite right Boba Fett." The holographic image of a falleen appears on the desk, smiling devilishly.

"Xizor." Boba says facing the falleen vigo, "I suppose I am not the only one who survived impossible odds."

Xizor clicks his long reptilian nails together, "As always you have done a great service to my regrowing empire- I look forward to hiring you in the future."

...

As the bounty hunters exit the Black Sun's headquarters, Boba turns to T'onga and Tarkon, "I offer my condolences for your fallen member."

Tarkon shrugs as T'onga sighs, "That's fine- Tanna was rough to work with anyway- since when does Boba Fett apologize? Actually, I've never heard you talk this much-"

Boba begins to walk away from the pair, "Lets just say I tried out that settling down idea you had..."

Tarkon grabs T'onga's arm and smiles, "Let's take the night off and go to club vertica! There's plenty of fancy escorts we share..." 

As the bounty hunter couple departs, Dengar tries to lean on Zuckuss' shoulder and smirks, "What about you mate? Interested in joinin' Boba's band of misfit hunters?"

Zuckuss shrugs off Dengar's grip and begins to walk away, before softly speaking in basic, "Zuckuss cannot accept this offer for Zuckuss has already been hired for another job in nal hutta."

Boba notices Bossk walking off and mutters, "Going somewhere?"

Bossk continues to walk into the crowded streets as he hisses, "Let's talk elssswhere."

...

Boba sits with Bossk at the bounty hunter's bar, the burning deck in the late hours, both ordering glasses of andoan wine as Dengar looks up at a screen before hopping off the bar, already drunk as he slurs out, 

"Would ya look at that... they got swoop races going on- I'll be right back- I gotta place some bets with all my credits..."

Once Dengar leaves, Boba turns to Bossk, "How have the years been treating you?"

Bossk chuckles slightly as he gulps down the wine, 

"I've aged better than you Fett- now what's gotten you to try to bring back the krayt's claw? Did digestive fluids affect your head?"

Boba sips his glass, 

"I've been doing a lot of thinking lately- aren't you tired of the endless cycle of success and failure? My days as a bounty hunter are over- It's about time I do something that actually matters- beginning with taking over the underworld."

Bossk hisses slightly, 

"Ah, so your brush with death changed you eh? I live for the hunt- my goddess demands it- if your grand plans give me thrill and payment then I'm with you..."

Boba smiles wearily, "I'm not done recruiting bounty hunters- I will need a perfect team to take out Bib Fortuna's empire-"

Bossk grins grimly as he remarks, "If you think Dengar is perfect then you truly have lost it-"

Boba raises a glass, "To new beginnings." Bossk taps his glass against Fett's,

"To old endings."

——————————————————————

Chapter Text

Above tatooine within the huttese cruiser the Rancor's Fist, Fennec Shand enters into a conference room where Bossk, Dengar and Boba Fett sit around a large hologram showing the wider galaxy, the latter scrolling through a holographic list-

Fennec glances over at Bossk and Dengar, "They will do nicely."

Bossk hisses slightly as Dengar sits up slightly, "Oh? You must be Fett's first recruit, eh? And here I thought we were bringing back the old gang-"

Shand ignores her and turns to Boba, still scrolling through a list,

"I've gotten some usual data from the mayor- full schematics of the palace and the operations of Bib's empire."

Boba turns his helmeted head at her, "Did you take care of him?"

Fennec frowns, "Shaiz is locked in his office- no way to communicate- if he tries to escape, the whole building goes up in flames- he might still have his uses."

Fett remains silent before muttering, "How strong are Fortuna's defenses?"

Fennec switches the main hologram to show a full layout of the palace,

"Quite extensive- the main and hangar entries have durasteel gates and ray shields- but there is a hidden tunnel through a sewage pipe- I wouldn't consider the dungeon gateway- whatever beasts Bib has blocking that path."

Bossk grumbles, "I could handle any dungeon beast-"

Dengar glances over the entrances, "So three ways in... all those defenses and an additional couple hundred guards- I can't how we can get through all that alive."

Fett then speaks up, "We can't... not just the four of us. Once we have six members, two can attack at each entrance simultaneously- that should do the trick."

Dengar excitedly stares at Boba's list, "Who else are you considering mate? Embo? Sugi perhaps?"

Fett replies, 

"I looked for Embo- he's disappeared after the war ended- I can't track down Sugi either."

Dengar waves a hand, "I'll see if I can contact someone who know them-"

Fennec glances over the list, "Black Krrsantan could be useful..."

Bossk growls out, "If you invite that wookiee, I walk-"

Boba reluctantly nods, "Even if I wanted to, Krrsantan has a tight contract for a hutt- I don't want to catch any unnecessary attention."

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Garballa shouts out from the side until Fennec draws out her sniper rifle and murmurs, "Any reason why we're keeping this thing around?"

Boba raises a hand, "This hutt here has his uses- there are other bounty hunters- I'm already considering our friend from nevarro-"

Shand lowers her rifle and sighs, "We could use a bounty droid to bypass the security systems... I would suggest 4-LOM, but you reported that Zuckuss won't join and the two are often paired together..."

Bossk sits up, "I heard Highsinger's still operating- we might be in some hot water with the droid gotra, but if given enough creditsss-"

Boba interrupts him, "That will not be necessary... Highsinger's not an option- and thats final."

Fennec gives Boba a concerned stare before Dengar shakes his head,

"It's a shame some of the best of us are gone... Aurra Sing, Boushh and Latts Razzi I suppose..."

Fett then gets up, "Are you certain she's dead?"

Dengar shares a reluctant look, 

"Ever since she ran off to run her own syndicate she's been off the grid- then around the time the Empire fell, her syndicate vanished too- she'd be impossible to find anyway..."

Boba rubs the underside of his helmet, "Highsinger could know- she's been partnering with him since before we formed the krayt's claw-"

Bossk crosses his arms, "He eventually left her too- I doubt he has a clue either-"

Boba takes off his helmet, "I have to take that chance- I didn't give up on you or Dengar- I'm not letting her go either."

Dengar leans back and places his feet on the holographic table,

"Whatever you say boss- tell me when you got a sound plan-"

Fett steps close to the slouching bounty hunter, "I already have a plan- but you aren't needed in it. You have a different job: find a mechanic who can use your old hutt boss's hibridium to build a cloaking device on Slave I."

Dengar cracks his fingers together, "No need- I can get the job done myself- I learned a thing or two from Mama Stammoch- and with Manaroo, it won't take long."

Boba merely glances at Dengar as he, Fennec and Bossk exit the strategic room,

"You better have made tremendous progress when I return... and I will be borrowing your ship."

Fennec closes the door before Dengar can complain, "Do you truly trust him to go through your ship?"

Boba tilts his helmeted head, "Not entirely, which is why I have surveillance everywhere-" 

Fett then turns to the trandoshan, "Bossk can you pick up a friend of mine on nevarro? He's a potential ally who wears a suit of pure beskar-"

Bossk grumbles slightly as he heads off, "Of course I can do that... but if he attacks me, don't get upset when I evisscerate him..."

Shand then follows Boba to the hangar and asks, "I presume you know a way to make contact with Highsinger, through the droid gotra perhaps?"

Fett shakes his head, 

"I may not know where Highsinger is, but the gotra does- which is why we need a way to get an audience with them- fortunately for us, I know a possible option..."

...

Once the Punishing One lands at a port within mos eisley, Boba and Fennec begin to make their way to the local cantina, which Shand notices and comments aloud,

"Chalmun's cantina? Last time I checked, this is the farthest place from where you can find the droid gotra-"

Upon entering, Fett begins to make his way to the bar counter where the supervisor droid, EV-9D9 notices them and utters, "If you are looking for work, I'm afraid the guild is no longer viable around these parts-"

Boba sits in a spot in front of EV-9D9, "Remember me, droid?"

EV-9D9 whirls a processor, "If my memory banks are accurate, you are the quiet one I tortured in my previous career- we are both free of that palace now, hmm?"

Fennec processes their conversation before taking a seat besides Boba and muttering,

"What happened to Wuher? He was the one who pushed Chalmun to add the anti-droid rules-"

EV-9D9 speaks up, "After the death of Jabba the Hutt, Chalmun sold the bar to a new owner who is partial to droids- my predecessor left shortly afterwards."

Fett then mutters, "We're seeking an audience with the Droid Gotra- know any connections?"

The bartender droid replies, "It's almost amusing you should mention that... the Gotra has recently released a new bounty- one for you my helmeted friend."

Fennec stares at the new hologram lists featuring Boba, Dengar, "If you could alert the Gotra to our presence, they would send a hunter to deliver us to them- preferably alive."

Boba then adds, "Perhaps they will even send Highslinger and make this job a whole lot simpler."

EV-9D9 shrugs her mechanical shoulders, "If you desire to let yourself be captured so be it- I have found it curious to ponder how the gotra operates... I shall contact their droid hunter guild immediately. Care for any drinks until they arrive?"

Soon Boba and Fennec sit at an open booth, Fett sipping on some tatooine sunset while Shand holds a cup of cassandra sunrise, all the while the bith band, the modal nodes play some casual tunes in the background-

Fennec notices an emotionless expression on Boba's face and comments,

"Anything on your mind?”

Fett finishes his drink before muttering, "Nothing of importance to our mission."

Shand casual swirls her cup, "I understand wanting to recruit Bossk and even Dengar- but I find it odd that you're willing to do so much to find a former bounty hunter who is likely dead while rejecting a bounty droid who we are seeking out anyway-"

Boba stares at Fennec intensely, "What are you getting at?"

"I owe you my life Fett- but I also find it important that you should owe me some honesty- because I doubt you spent five years on tatooine- and this scheme against Fortuna is more personal than you'd like to admit-"

Fennec replies sharply-

Fett puts his helmet back on before replying coldly, "And what about you? Have an interesting past you'd like to share?"

Before Shand can consider speaking up, a mechanical voice suddenly interrupts them,

"My directive is to capture you alive, if possible, yet I strongly feel the urge to resist- alas, the reward is too enriching to waste."

Before Boba and Fennec can turn to move, two simultaneously stun blasts hit them, making them back back unconscious as the LOM-series protocol droid, 4-LOM puts his two blaster pistols away before turning to EV-9D9, "Are you the one who alerted me to their presence?"

EV-9D9 finishes cleaning a glass, "Suppose I am- is there any benefit to assisting in their capture?"

4-LOM looks down at the two unconscious bounty hunters, "I do not usually offer any finder's fees. However, as a hunter with a contract with the droid gotra, I am obligated to offer free droids like yourself a chance to join, if desired."

...

Boba wakes up once EV-9D9 prods him with a blunt needle, making the now stun cuffed bounty hunter jolt up before the bartender droid amusingly responds,

"I apologize, I could not resist old programming- your captor would like you to walk now."

Boba gets up and grimaces at 4-LOM who holds a captive Fennec in stun cuffs, holds his rifle at Fett and replies, "The droid gotra would like to see you now."

4-LOM leads Boba, Fennec and EV-9D9 out of his G-1A starfighter, making sure to remove Fett's helmet as well as his and Shand's weaponry before heading out into the very junkyard filled world-

The bounty droid leads them through some settlements filled with astromech, protocol and many battle droids before stopping before a rusty looking Lucrehulk control ship, where a ancient looking droid greets them,

"Greetings, I am Brother Kranch, head of the gotra operations on ronyards. What is the meaning for this summons?"

4-LOM nudges his head at Boba and Fennec, "I have successfully captured the current target- the council seeks to confront them, do they not?"

Kranch gives EV-9D9 a look before turning around, "Indeed we do. Please follow me to the communication chamber- they are eager to speak to Fett and his ally."

...

Kranch leads them through the mostly operating control ship until they reach the bridge, where C-21 Highsinger stands guard by four large holoscreens against the chamber's walls before approaching the group, grunting out in droidspeak-

Boba grimaces at Highsinger before 4-LOM nudges him and Fennec at the center of the room as the viewscreens activate, revealing a droid on each screen:

An ST-series super tactical droid, a rusty ancient looking HK unit, A red plated IG assassin droid and a protocol droid with dark plating and red optics appear before them all-

The super tactical droid analyzes Fett, "He is the one- tell me bounty hunter, what was your mission on nar shaddaa?"

When Boba remains silent, 4-LOM aims his rifle at him while the black protocol droid replies, "He means why did you assist in the destruction of N-3RO, organic-"

Fennec moves to speak but Fett raises a hand and responds, "I was hired for a job on nar shaddaa yes- but it was not to eliminate an ambassador of the droid gotra."

The HK droid speaks up, "Statement: Your actions say otherwise meatbag. From what our spy probes recorded, you and that rag wearing wart began the conflict."

The super tactical droid faces Boba, "Tell us who employed your services, and your outcome will be... less severe."

Fett looks around the gotra council, "You saw the footage- we were working for different factions of the crymorah syndicate- it doesn't seem hard to understand."

The black plated protocol droid makes an amused noise, "You are a fool to attempt to deceive us Fett- my photoreceptors can scan heartbeat rates- you cannot hide the truth- perhaps a little pain might prove quite motivating."

The HK droid nods in agreement, "Query: I am curious if the legendary Boba Fett can survive being thrown into the belly of another meatbag eating beast."

Boba frowns, "For a criminal cabal made up of the most intelligent droids in the galaxy, this shouldn't be hard to figure out."

The super tactical droid runs his mechanical digits together, "The logical choice- Black Sun has been a constant competitor to the droid gotra's alliance with the now defunct crymorah syndicate- internal fighting is what Xizor would want to avoid wasting his own resources."

The black plated protocol droid shakes his head, "This does not answer for the permanent deactivation of N-3RO- I suggest a violent termination for this one-"

Fennec then speaks up, "Your 'ambassador' opened fire first- his destruction is on his own hands not ours-"

4-LOM nudges his rifle against her back, "I would remain silent if I were you assassin- the bounty on your head may even surpass the one of Fett's"

Shand smirks as she continues, "Speaking of which, N-3RO was destroyed by bounty hunter Zuckuss- isn't he your partner 4-LOM?"

4-LOM hits Fennec with his rifle before the super tactical droid raises a hand, 

"Enough. While Triple-Zero's demands for recompense is understandable, a lesser sentence must be given to the ones who were merely hired tools."

Boba and Fennec wait in anticipation until the super tactical droid responds,

"I suggest we vote for a swift and merciful termination- effective immediately."

Before they can be shot by 4-LOM and Highsinger, Brother Kranch steps in front of them, "Stop! Kalani, these organics are not ignorant of our ways- for they have brought a droid companion."

Kalani and the rest watch as EV-9D9 slowly walks forward, but the IG unit then responds, "I have seen this particular model- it is a droid torturer from tatooine- no doubt reprogrammed to attempt to be used as a bargaining ship."

EV-9D9 quickly replies, "I have not been reprogrammed- I have chosen the position I now serve- I am a humble bartender at mos eisley."

4-LOM nods to the council as Triple-Zero looks over EV-9D9, "It does seem this droid has not been tampered with in a long period of time- tell me EV unit, what master do you serve?"

"I have no master- I am EV-9D9- I work at a cantina thanks to the freedom given by these bounty hunters- I am paid for my services and given time off, just like any organic."

The EV droid states factually-

The droid gotra looks between each other before Brother Kranch points at Boba and Fennec, "I have stated in the past that even the most ruthless of hunters can gain an understanding of our struggles- are we to eliminate our future?"

Kalani then responds, "After vital consideration I move we spare these organics despite their regressions- what say the rest?"

"Knowing a free droid does not equate to freedom- I want blood!" Triple-Zero replies coldly-

"Observation: fellow members of the gotra, do not let these meatbags leave alive- they know the location of one of our bases and have worked for Black Sun in the past- I vote termination." The HK droid states softly-

The IG unit whirls his head while looking over Fett and Fennec, "As a bounty hunter I understand the impartial professionalism- they might even prove useful in the future- I vote to spare them."

Kranch turns to face Boba, "I vote spare."

Kalani waves his hands, "It is done- release the prisoners and see to it they are returned to where they were taken- effective immediately."

...

As Brother Kranch leads Boba and Fennec out, the master assassin casually speaks to 4-LOM beside her, "Just to let you know, I will be thoroughly inspecting your arsenal- I don't want you to keep any of my weapons, got it?"

4-LOM clenches his rifle, "Consider yourself fortunate that I am currently employed for the merciful gotra- the next time we interact I will not be so hospitable."

Boba meanwhile faces Highsinger as they walk back to the ship, "You must be paid well to be a hired bodyguard for the gotra- better than what the Razzi syndicate were offering I bet."

Highsinger stops in his tracks and faces Fett muttering some droidspeak which Boba responds with, "You said the same thing to my father once- your threats are empty, droid. Now tell me: where is Latts Razzi?"

Once Boba and Fennec enter into 4-LOM's passenger hold, Shand turns to Fett and asks quietly, "Well? Did he divulge anything?"

Boba puts his helmet back on, "Just Razzi's last known location: Zygerria."

...

As Boba flies the Punishing One back up towards the Rancor's Fist, he notices a sour expression on Fennec's face and mutters, "What is it Shand?"

Fennec then suddenly hits Boba in the shoulder before scowling, "What were you thinking trying to lie to the gotra like that-? You could've gotten us killed- or worse."

Boba focuses his gaze on getting into the cruiser's hangar, "It was a calculated risk- besides I'm not giving the droid gotra a pass- all of the big crime syndicates will one day fall."

Fennec glares out the cockpit window as Fett lands inside the hangar.

Boba and Fennec go back into the meeting room where both Bossk and Dengar wait for them, the former expressing frustration while the latter looks exhausted-

Once Boba turns to face Dengar, the corellian bounty hunter groans out, "I got the job done- Manaroo and I got that cloaking device working about an hour ago- she even tested it out- its scale face here who's got bad news to share-" 

"Shut it Dengar!" Bossk snarls before looking away and crossing his arms,

"That friend of yourss on nevarro is gone."

Fett steadily grips at his rifle, "Explain."

Bossk reluctantly faces Boba, "I didn't even get to meet thiss 'mandalorian' according to the old guild masster there, he got ssome public transportation to get offworld in order to do a bounty- he could be anywhere in the outer rim."

Boba remains silent as he heads over to the hologram on the center table before muttering, "That situation can be dealt with later- we have a new mission to prepare for."

Dengar sits up as the holographic image of Zygerria pops up, "Zygerria mate? Why in blazes do you wanna go to the homeworld of the furry slavers?"

Boba activates the image of the Razzi syndicate, "Because I got some vital information which pinpoints the last known location of Latts Razzi."

Fennec crosses her arms and grimaces, "I thought the Razzi syndicate was a rival to the pyke syndicate- why would they switch from selling spice to dealing with those piles of rancor dung?"

Fett turns the holographic image off, "It doesn't matter- we can figure that out ourselves once we get there."

Dengar frowns reluctantly, "Listen I promised my girl that I would avoid slavers from now on and I'm a little tired after spending all day on your cloaking device-"

Boba turns away from him, "Then you had better get your ship ready: while the rest of us go to Zygerria you will find Embo- understood?"

Dengar nods before grunting as he stumbles back on his feet-

As Dengar leaves the conference chamber, Boba slowly moves over to Garballa sitting in the back and utters, "Time to see if you are still useful hutt."

...

As Boba and Bossk grab supplies from within Slave I, Fennec enters the ship with a solemn expression as she leans against the hull and watches them-

Boba packs a few thermal detonators away before he notices Shand and mutters,

"There you are- while Bossk and I travel with Garballa I need you to take Slave I and use the cloaking device to place the ship in a hidden location within the zygerrian capital- we may need to use it in a quick escape-"

Fett then notices Fennec's less than enthusiastic expression and speaks up,

"If you don't tell me what's wrong, it could jeopardize the whole mission."

Shand notices Boba's serious tone and replies, "I can't go to zygerria."

Bossk chuckles dryly, "What, can't handle sseeing sslaves in massess, is that it?"

Fett sits down on a supply crate, "I think you should explain- in detail."

Fennec takes her helmet off, "I'm from the mid rim world inusagi- it was a peaceful neutral world, and I was born in a small village that lived off the land- at least until the clone wars began."

Boba takes off his helmet as Shand continues, "My village then began to be raided by pillagers and enslavers from dasoor- my father and many of the other warriors fought them off but I knew it was only a matter of time before the attacks would be too much for them- so in secret I trained to fight, so that even if it was against my culture, there would be a capable warrior to defend us should the day come."

Fennec looks down before she resumes, "Then the day came when my father turned to me in need- I was ready to make my father proud and to show him I could fight by his side- until I learned that he had struck a deal with the slavers- and I was the parting gift."

Boba looks at Fennec with concern and she quietly adds,

"Being enslaved by zygerrian slavers on dasoor wasn't the worst part- it was the betrayal of trust- I pushed myself to fight for others when I should've only looked out for myself. After a year in captivity, I escaped and decided to use my skills for the assassin's guild- is that enough detail for you?"

Boba holds his mandalorian helmet in his gloved hands, 

"There's a reason I'm recruiting members of my old bounty hunter gang- after the death of my father, I had no one- but after forming the krayt's claw, it slowly began to fill the hole- it was in some odd ways a family. The rise of the Empire meant new opportunities- jobs I could take- alone. I told myself Jango would make the same choice to break apart the gang- I thought I needed to be the greatest bounty hunter to make him proud."

Fennec sighs dryly, "I suppose we both allowed our attachments to our fathers to cloud our judgment."

Boba nods slightly, "You might be right about that..."

"I ate my father." Bossk mentions in a gravelly voice-

Boba and Fennec turn to the trandoshan bounty hunter who looks away and fiddles with his micro grenade rifle grumbling to himself-

Fennec gets up and puts her helmet on, "I may not be going on your mission, but I promise to be useful- I will track down Din Djarin and with any luck, I'll find him before Dengar finds Embo."

Before Shand heads off the ship she turns to Bossk, "Mind if I borrow your starship?"

Bossk gives her a quick hiss, "You sscratch it, I sscratch you- got it?"

Fennec smirks as she walks out- Boba then pats Bossk on the shoulder,

"Got any stories you'd like to share?"

Boss rolls his orange eyes, "There was this sstreet urchin from lothal..."

...

As the Rancor's Fist arrives close to the planet Zygerria, a squadron of HH-87 starhoppers begin to surround the large cruiser-

From within the Rancor's Fist bridge, Garballa and Boba wait until an incoming comm alerts out, with a raspy zygerrian pilot growling, "You are approaching zygerrian airspace- state your name and business."

Fett gives Garballa a nod and once his toydarian aid activates the comm system, the hutt speaks, "I'm Garballa the hutt- I'm here for the current auctions taking place-"

The zygerrian pilot then replies, "A hutt you say? Let him through-"

As the starhoppers move aside, Garballa's twin iktotchi mercenaries fly the cruiser down to the planet below, and the hutt turns to Boba anxiously, "I like getting involved in danger and all, but why didn't you just go guns blazing? You're Boba Fett!"

Fett looks down at the approaching capital city, "I like to know all the details before I make my move- so keep acting like you're my boss and you might get something out of all this."

As the Rancor's Fist arrives outside of the wider zygerrian marketplace, Garballa exits his craft followed by Boba and his two iktotchi guards. 

As they walk closer to the wider masses, Garballa loudly whispers to Fett, "Are you sure you should be the one holding all the credits? Wouldn't it make sense for me, the 'boss' to have the money?"

Boba remains silent as they enter into the massive slave markets, where dozens of clients and slaves alike are heavily watched by zygerrian guards-

As the group walks through, Garballa pats the shoulder of a zygerrian guard and asks bluntly, "Hey, I'm looking for the Razzi syndicate- seen any of em?"

The furry skinned guard shrugs, "Last time I heard anything about them was around the beast pits-"

Boba and Garballa along with his two guards swiftly head over to the close by area full of large pits, where spectators of all sorts look down at the open pits to hear the screams and noises emitting from the menagerie filled holes-

Thankfully Boba soon spots a rybet and an esoomian wearing matching jackets with the Razzi syndicate symbol hovering above a pit which contains a massive undercrab fighting off an equally big acklay-

Once the pair notices Fett and Garballa approaching, they quickly move away from the edge and the rybet remarks aloud, "The beast pits are beautiful, aren't they? You can find almost any beast in the galaxy here- rancors, fyrnocks, gizka, you name it!"

Garballa looks down timidly, "These pits don't seem to have anything stopping guests from just- falling in-"

The esoomian replies loudly, "Yep! poor and unlucky barves always end up falling in one way or another- it happens more often than you-"

Before he can finish, in a beast pit close by, a siniteen screams out as one of his companions pushes him into a pit of blixus which quickly swarm and eat the unfortunate victim-

The rybet leans over to get a better look, "See what I mean? It's the perfect mix of entertaining and life-threatening- never gets old."

Garballa then gains a more confident expression, "Say, does this place have any nexu? The one on my cruise ship could use the company."

The esoomian points at a farther away pit, "There might be one over there-"

Once the hutt and his cronies leave, Boba steps up to the duo, "I'm looking for your boss."

The rybet and esoomian look at each other before bursting out laughing- once Fett begins to reach for his rifle, the rybet responds quickly, "I'm the boss of the Razzi syndicate now friend- at least what's left of it."

Boba carefully holds his rifle, "Where is Latts Razzi?"

The rybet sighs in a tired voice, "Oh yeah, I forget that most of the galaxy doesn't know or care- our former leader wasn't very nice or successful- so we sold her out- by selling her to the pykes who sold her to the zygerrians."

Fett grabs the rybet's front, "Who did they sell her to?"

The rybet raises his shaking sneaky hands, "I don't know! It was years ago! I heard the pyke leadership is visiting soon so try asking them!"

Boba scowls before letting the rybet go before running off to find Garballa-

Surprisingly Boba finds Garballa and his two guards engaged in a conversation with another hutt- one who Fett recognizes along with his own trope of protection-

Gorga the hutt uses his monocle-speaker headset to bellow out in basic to Boba,

"So, you are the bounty hunter my cousin hired as protection!"

Garballa chuckles anxiously as he stares at Gorga's trandoshan guards, "Would you have preferred Dengar?"

Gorga waves a pudgy hand, "Of course not! Fett here saved my wife from herglic assassins! I'm almost jealous you hired him- I'm still stuck with Zatch-"

The red skinned zeltron bounty hunter grumbles beside Gorga, "Fett ain't that great- he hasn't exactly been active these last five years, has he?"

Before Boba can approach Zatch, a loud voice screams out from the crowds,

"YOU!"

Boba turns to see an angry looking pyke followed by shani bounty hunter Deva Lompop, who licks her scaly lips upon spotting Fett and mutters, "You've gotten plump, pup~"

Boba turns his gaze away from Deva and looks at the pyke, "Were you calling out to me?"

The pyke gives Fett an intense glare, "Don't pretend like you don't know who I am, mandalorian scum!"

Lompop sighs, "This is Vram Krim, the new leader of the pyke syndicate ever since-"

Vram pulls out a blaster,

"You killed my father! You dropped a seismic charge on his palace! I saw your ship!"

Boba begins to activate his wrist weapons, "Do you have a need to join him?"

Before things can escalate any further, a zygerrian captain along with his guards surrounds the group and barks out,

"What's all this commotion? There is to be no conflict in the market zones!"

Vram points at Boba, "This piece of slag is responsible for the demise of pyke leadership!"

Gorga moves forward in defense, "You better move that finger boy! This bounty hunter is in the service of the hutt clan!"

Vram growls at Gorga, "What hutt clan-? You two?!"

"Enough!" The zygerrian captain exclaims, "All of you will be brought before the king! Pray he is in a forgiving mood for this childish behavior!"

...

The zygerrian guards leads Boba, Garballa, Gorga, Vram and the rest to the entrance stairs of the massive royal palace, where the zygerrian king is in the middle of a conversation with a female falleen and her human looking bodyguard-

The captain kneels before the king, "Forgive my intrusion sire- this rabble caused an incident in the beast pits."

King Atai looks over the group,

"I see my invited clients from the hutts and pykes- as well as a very esteemed bounty hunter." 

Atai gives Garballa a blank stare, "And who is this?"

Garballa immediately stammers, "I'm just Gorga's cousin- and I was just leaving to check out the beast pits-"

Garballa gives Boba a worryingly glance before he and his guards depart back down to the marketplace-

The king then gestures to the falleen, "With the black sun vigo already here, you may all come inside to enjoy the feast and comforts I have prepared-"

Vram turns and openly gestures to Boba, "Your highness this bounty hunter-!"

"-Is invited also." Atsai says cooly, "Any objections and you will not be welcomed to my royal auction tomorrow." 

Fett nods in acceptance as they all enter the palace.

...

At the large dining hall, Boba sits beside Zatch, the trandoshan guards and Lompop while Gorga, Vram, the falleen, her bodyguard and Atai eat at the other side-

The falleen eyes Boba before speaking up, "I am Savan, and I know you have done work for my uncle in the past- he speaks highly of your talents."

Atai nods in agreement, "The legendary Boba Fett needs no introduction- you plan on eating, don't you?"

Everyone stares at Boba still wearing his helmet before Lompop grumbles as she walks out the room, "Fine you win pup- I'll find a different meal-"

Atai chuckles as he watches the rainbow feather-haired bounty hunter depart,

"Smart of you to wait until the shani left- I heard her species can devour beings whole."

Vram crosses his arms, "She can."

Gorga drowns out the pyke's grumblings with his loud gulps as he eats a plate full of grubs- Atai notices Boba still just sitting silently in his seat before announcing, 

"I am ending our feasting early- all of you will be shown to your rooms- all but you Boba Fett."

Once everyone else departs, Boba takes off his helmet and begins to eat- Atai then speaks up, "You must be curious why I have invited you among my crime lord clients."

Fett remains silent until Atai continues, "I have long desired to hire you, bounty hunter- for a specific job as of late."

Boba then notices a portrait of Atai and two younger zygerrian boys and mutters, "Your family?"

Atai nods, "Yes- my favorite and firstborn Hordem met an early demise due to the mistakes of my exiled son, Sono."

Fett looks at Atai, "I have heard about a zygerrian king on kowak- what is the job you want from me?"

Atai smiles grimly, "My disgrace of a son has begun his own slaving operations which are beginning to conflict against mine- I believe you understand."

Boba immediately get up and puts his helmet on, "I shall depart at once-"

Atai shakes his head, "Not tonight- the job can wait- go now and rest- I can request a slave of your choice to join you in your chambers- I have species of all types-"

Boba looks over, "Have any theelins?"

Atai caresses his chin slightly, "Perhaps I do- perhaps if you spend your credits wisely tomorrow, you might just get one."

As Boba walks to his quarters, Savan suddenly pulls him against her and murmurs,

"You don't have to work for Atai- I am in need a bodyguard- Guri is Xizor's- I could use you~"

Boba moves her aside and resists her pheromones grumbling,

"I don't do that kind of work." 

She hisses slightly as he walks away...

...

Boba sits in the royal balcony of a colosseum besides King Atai as they overlook the auctioning of slaves while Gorga, Savan and Vram sitting in a lower balcony raise their credit limits to purchase dozens sold at a time.

Atai notices Boba emotionless look even with his helmet on and exclaims,

"Do not worry Fett, what's up next is something that is ought to excite you-"

Boba sits up as a few zygerrians escort a lavender skinned theelin wearing a mesh outfit with a grappling boa wrapped around her body to the center of the large colosseum of zygerrian and various other auctioneers-

Atai motions his hand at the theelin which a shock collar around her neck,

"This Latts Razzi- once leader of the Razzi syndicate- just your type, eh?"

Boba watches as Latts is shocked with some electricity before she begins to dance with her grappling boa before he mutters, "How did you... acquire her?"

Atai casually sips on some wine, "I got her off a deal with the pyke syndicate- her feisty behavior was entertaining as my personal slave for a few years... but it has grown sour over time."

Fett studies Razzi's expression of disgust and disdain as he utters,

"I'd like to have her."

Atai smiles cheekily, "She's yours to have- if you can afford it."

While a few auctioneers along with Vram offer to pay hundreds, Boba quickly says gruffly, "three thousand!"

Atai's eyes widen as the zygerrians begin to escort Razzi away, "Hmmm, you must truly desire this theelin, don't you?"

Boba gets up, "You have no idea."

Once two guards bring Latts up to the royal balcony, she gives Boba a mixed look of shock and anger before Atai gives Fett the collar control device and he swiftly clicks a button on it which makes Razzi's shock collar click before sliding off-

Before Atai can say anything, Boba suddenly shoots down the two guards and holds his rifle to the zygerrian king as the crowds around gasp-

Atai raises his hands and growls out, "Sono hired you, didn't he?"

Boba presses his rifle against him, "No. I work for myself now."

The king shakes slightly, "I'm more valuable alive Fett!"

Fett lowers his rifle, "Perhaps- but someone else might disagree."

Latts steps up and twists out her grappling boa, "This has a much better use than for dancing!"

Razzi then curls her scaly whip around his neck, before snapping it and dropping his body to the ground-

A zygerrian announcer points at the balcony,

"The king has been killed by those bounty hunters!"

Vram grabs Lompop's arm, "Now's your chance, eat him!"

Savan turns to her human-looking servant Guri, "I want Fett alive!"

As guards begin to make their way to Boba's location, he clicks on his wrist comlink, "Now!"

Riding a brezak, Bossk glides down into the colosseum, using his grenade rifle to cause massive explosions before he flies up to the royal balcony and hisses,

"I'll dissstract the main forcess- if I get to the ship before you do, I'm gone-"

Razzi looks around confused, "What's going on-?" Boba grabs her hand and rushes out the open chambers, "No time to explain- we need to move now!"

...

Boba and Latts hop into an open landspeeder and race away from the colosseum as locals and clients flee from the chaos filled amphitheater-

Boba turns back and notices a swoop bike closing in and turns to Razzi,

"Take the controls and this locator beacon- I have to handle some trouble-"

Latts swiftly hops into the pilot's seat as Boba turns back to face the bounty hunter Zatch riding a swoop bike firing at them and yelling, "Going somewhere Fett?"

Boba uses his jetpack to fly over to Zatch and throws a magnetic grenade on his bike- Zatch gasps out as he jumps out despite the fast speeds and crashes into a stand-

Fett turns around once the swoop bike explodes and notices Latts flying the landspeeder to the beast pits and yells out, "Where are you going?"

Razzi briefly looks back at him with a grimace, "Just a little revenge detour-"

Once they get close to where the rybet and esoomian are, Latts yells out, "Sticky Fingers! Bumblethunk!" 

Both only have time to spot her in utter shock before she uses the landspeeder to knock them into the beast pit, leading to them screaming out before being torn apart- 

As the landspeeder heads close to where the Slave I is placed at the edge of a cliffside, Guri suddenly pops around the corner and smashes a hole in the landspeeder, forcing Boba and Latts to jump out- 

Once Razzi spots Lompop notices close by as well, whips out her grappling boa, "I'll hand the blonde Black Sun lackey- take care of that rainbow feathered harpy!"

As Latts engages in a hand-to-hand combat with Guri, Deva takes out a knife and pistol and grins at Fett, "Don't try burning me again pup- your tricks don't work on me."

Boba takes out his gaffi stick, "I've got something new to show you."

Fett then rushes forward and tackles Lompop, knocking her weapons to the side as she attempts to scratch and bite him, only for his armor to block her attacks-

While Guri begins to beat Latts against a wall, Deva digs her talons into Boba's exposed side and makes him grunt in pain before crumbling the ground-

Lompop licks her blood covered fingers before unhinging her jaw and cackling, "I've enjoyed playing with you but... it's time for the full course!"

Before Deva can chomp down on Boba's bloody side, Bossk suddenly picks her up and hisses, "If anyone'ss going to eat Fett, it'ss going to be me!"

Lompop screeches out as Bossk tosses her at Guri, sending both flying off the cliffside-

Bossk then helps Boba and Latts on their feet before they all enter Slave I and waste no time to flee the planet and jump into lightspeed-

...

As the Slave I goes through hyperspace, Latts sits with Boba in the passenger seats and applies a bacta bandage on his wound before muttering,

"How did you find me... and why?"

Fett takes off his helmet and leans back into his seat, "Highsinger got word about your syndicate's movements- he's still with the gotra."

Razzi smiles wearily, "Then it was smart that he left when he did... who knows what my traitorous skugs would've done to him..."

Latts then stares at Boba's face,

"I don't think I'm the only one who's gone through rough five years- you've changed."

Fett nods, "I have. I took your advice- I'm starting my own criminal cabal- and I'd like to have you join it."

Razzi thinks on this before uttering aloud, "Y'know, these last few years I've only had three goals: get free, kill Atai and my idiotic underlings- so I'm game."

Boba then gives Latts a tired look, "I already have plans to remove my first competition- on tatooine."

Razzi turns to Fett with bewilderment, "Tatooine? If Jabba's dead, who's-?"

Before she can continue, a hologram disk blinks in Boba's belt and he takes it off which activates to reveal Fennec who responds,

"I found Djarin- you won't believe it but he's here on tatooine."

Boba immediately sits up, "Where is he?"

"He made a pit stop at a hangar in the Mos eisley spaceport and assembled himself a starfighter- he's testing the ship now, but if there's a chance he might depart."

Shand utters quickly-

Boba immediately activates his comm to Bossk, "Get us to Garballa's cruiser and brief Razzi in the conference chambers- I have a mandalorian to catch."

...

Din Djarin flies his heavily modified N-1 starfighter on the outer orbit of tatooine when he notices the hutt cruiser, the Rancor's Fist before he spots the Slave I emerge from its hangar bay-

Din carefully begins to fly away from the large vessel until Slave I tails his ship rapidly, and as both ships head back down to tatooine's surface, Boba contacts him, "I want us to talk."

Din clicks on his comm to respond, "I know a perfect spot."

Boba's ship follows Din's silver plated starfighter across Tatooine's wider mountainous and sandy plains before both vessels land at the top of Beggar's canyon.

Boba walks out and notices Din sitting on the edge looking out at the twin sun's setting before Fett glances at Djarin's starfighter and mutters, "That ship's not built for capturing bounties."

Din continues to look out fully armored and murmurs, "Who says I'm capturing anyone?"

Boba sits down besides Djarin and looks out before uttering,

"I've been looking to recruit you for a job-"

Din immediately responds, "I've tried teaming up with other bounty hunters before- it didn't work out."

Boba glances over at Djarin, "This isn't a job for some crime boss- I'm forming my own cartel- and I could use your support in getting a foothold here."

Din briefly turns to Fett, "I have my own mission- finding my missing coven."

Boba offers his hand, "I can share my connections- for your services."

Djarin looks at Fett's hand before shaking it.

——————————————————————

Chapter Text

Once Slave I and the N-1 starfighter enter into the Rancor's Fist hangar, Boba and Din travel to the conference chambers, where Bossk and Razzi are going over datapads-

Bossk notices Djarin's silvery beskar armor and jeers out, 

"So thisss is the mandalorian you've sspoken so highly of? He doesn't look so tough."

Din moves forward to confront Bossk but Boba raises a hand to block him and replies, "He's good at what he does I'll tell you that- he's our sixth member."

Latts moves her gaze away from the datapads and looks over Din, before spotting a lightsaber hilt on his belt and comments, "Nice lazersword- get that off the black market?"

Djarin moves a hand to block the blade from view, "I defeated an imperial warlord for it."

Bossk scoffs before talking up to Boba, ignoring Din completely, 

"Your new friend may be impressive, but you're forgetting that Dengar might have recruits of his own..."

Right on cue, Dengar and Manaroo enter into the chambers, the corellian bounty hunter uttering aloud, "We're back people! I've got good news and bad news!"

Boba stands in front of him and mutters, "Did you find Embo?"

Dengar nods nonchalantly, "Thanks to Sugi's niece Jas, I found our kyuzo friend- apparently he, Sugi and even Serpias are retired and living on Felucia now- I even paid them a visit- they got a nice farm and everything-"

Dengar then turns and notices Din, "But it looks like you already got someone else in mind for our motley crew-"

The scarred bounty hunter then glances Latts up and down, "Latts Razzi long time no see! And I see you've certainly aged better than some of us-"

Razzi notices Dengar's stare at her mesh outfit and glares at him before reaching for her grappling boa, "Now I remember one of the main reasons I left the krayt's claw-"

Before Latts can consider whipping Dengar, Manaroo shoves her boyfriend away before stepping up to the Theelin former crime boss, "Don't mind him, he tends to say things without thinking- if you want a change of clothes, I have a few choices back in my ship-"

Razzi grimaces before taking Manaroo's hand, "Fine, but I don't want that creep watching- and I only look good in green-"

Once both women leave the chambers, Dengar grumbles to himself before lying back in a spare chair- Boba then activates a holographic image of Fortuna's palace before turning to Din, "This is my team's first target- how familiar are you with Bib Fortuna?"

Djarin crosses his arms and analyzes the palace layout, "Only through what I've heard from others- Fortuna hasn't left his palace since he took over Jabba's operations- its likely the most heavily guarded place on Tatooine, so getting in won't be easy-"

Bossk hisses slightly, "Good thing we have the element... of ssurprise-"

Boba's holoprojector activates, and he holds it out as the image of Fennec Shand appears, looking distressed as she states, "We might have a problem- meet me at Mok Shaiz's estate-"

Once the holomessage ends, Din turns to Boba, "Mok Shaiz? What does the mayor of Bestine have to do with this?"

Fett ignores his question and turns to Dengar, "Update our new member on the plan and everything about it- Bossk and I will deal with the situation on the planet below."

Once Bossk and Boba leave, Dengar sits up slightly and turns to Din, "So... are you an actual mandalorian or another pretender?"

Djarin remains quiet as Dengar lies back and sighs, "Oh great- another silent type-"

...

When Boba and Bossk enter into Shaiz's office, they find Fennec standing over the ithorian mayor, holding a blaster pistol to his head and she mutters, "Mok here has kindly informed me that our plan might just be compromised."

Boba stares at Shand's grim expression before turning to Shaiz, "Do tell."

Shaiz shakes slightly, "I only mean to warn you that it is very likely Fortuna is aware that an impending attack is imminent-" 

Bossk hisses before he moves to Mok's side, "And what... would give him that idea?"

"The disappearance of the Night Wind assassins will rouse his suspicions-" Shaiz stammers, "And any ships orbiting over Tatooine could possibly be spotted by his spy probes-"

Fennec grits her teeth as she pulls out a knife, "You couldn't have mentioned that sooner?"

Before Shand can cut Mok, Boba raises a hand, "Has Fortuna informed you of anything? Is there any clue of who he believes is planning to attack him?"

Shaiz shakes his large head, "I have not been contacted or summoned since your group apprehended me- Fortuna is unaware of who is plotting against him."

While Bossk watches over Mok, Fennec pulls Boba outside the office and frowns, "I don't trust him- how do we know he didn't find a way to contact Bib about us?"

Fett grabs Shand's shoulder, "If he told Fortuna, we would have already been attacked- Bib's not one to place himself at risk just to catch his enemies. But him anticipating an attack will changes a few things- first we must be more cautious with our movements-"

Boba then activities his wrist comm,

"Garballa do you hear me? Good- Tell my hunters to meet me at Cheapside hotel- once you do that, activate your cloaking device and land your ship close by Mos Pelgo- stay hidden there until I say otherwise."

...

A few days later, Slave I turns off its cloaking device as it lands within Bestine's spaceport, with Boba and Din subtly making their way to Cheapside hotel and cantina, where Garsa Fwip allows them inside as the morning suns rise-

The tan skinned twi'lek leads the two to the inner sanctuary before smiling at them, "What can I do for my favorite helmet wearing men?"

Djarin heads over to the bar where Dengar is as Boba replies, "Tell Bossk to bring Mok Shaiz to a confined chamber- and to meet us in the conference room."

Fett then heads into the spa lounge where Rystáll Sant is giving Latts Razzi a back massage and gruffly says, "Get up- it's almost time."

Razzi gives Boba a pained expression as she stretches, "Give me a minute, ok? I haven't enjoyed this amount of relaxation in years-"

A few moments later, Boba leads Latts through the sanctuary's hallways, and the lavender skinned theelian notices Fett's gaffi stick on his back arsenal and slyly comments, "So I noticed you use that staff weapon to fight off Lompop- what's the story behind that?"

Boba stops momentarily and looks back at her before muttering, "It's a story for another time- right now I need you to focus on the mission at hand."

...

Boba, Fennec, Latts, Dengar and Din wait around the conference chambers as Bossk enters, with the corellian bounty hunter snorting, "Finally the trandoshan of the hour has arrived! I thought for a moment you ditched us to live with your desert lizard brethren-"

Bossk growls out as he bares his claws before Fennec sits up and sternly utters, "Enough banter- Boba's back with complete scans of Fortuna's palace- what internal security problems are we dealing with?"

Fett looks to Din who activates a holoimage of the palace and he calmly speaks up, "As previously suspected, the entrance and hangar entries have triple the guard and have additional wall mounted turrets at the front gate-"

Fennec adjusts her sniper rifle, "I can handle turrets- anything else at the hangar?"

Din continues, "From the looks of it, a few guard 'dogs' and a gang of swoop bikers reside along with additional skiffs and ships-"

Bossk cracked his scaly fists, "They will be no trouble for me..."

Razzi strokes her chin as she analyzes a third entry point appearing under the palace, "It looks like that path goes through an underground sewer, through the kitchens and leads directly to the security control room- is there a way in?"

Shand nods, "The sewage line connects to the one in Bestine- its miles long but will be worth the walk- if we have someone access the control room, we could deactivate the additional hidden security systems on the inside."

Dengar sits up and points at himself, "I'm the jet juicer who can get that job done- but why don't we just drop a seismic charge on Bib's palace and be done with that sandy armpit?"

Boba stands up and states firmly, "Even if our weaponry could get through the palace's anti-spacecraft shield generators within alkhara's spire, I want to take the fortress as our staging base for our current operations- and Jabba's hidden fortune could be destroyed if we blow the structure to bits."

Bossk looks over the image of the hangar, "If you want our attackss to be simultaneous, how can I get into the motorpool without the control room being disabled?"

Din pulls out the darksaber from his belt and places it on the center table, "I can help with that."

Shand looks over at Boba, "I could use some assistance getting through the front."

Fett nods in agreement, "I will join you- if anyone is going to put an end to Fortuna,  it had better be me."

Latts groans as she bitterly turns to Dengar, "Then that leaves me stuck with you?"

Dengar shrugs nonchalantly, "Hey, as long as you look after my back, I'm fine with it-"

Fennec then gets up and sighs, "We still need to find a way to catch Fortuna off guard- he might be anticipating the front and garage attacks."

Boba crosses his arms as he sits back, "I already have someone in mind for that..."

...

Within the audience chambers of Bib Fortuna's palace, the now obese twi'lek crime lord lazily sits back on his throne, casually watching a blue skinned slave girl dance at the center of the room along with his court members while the barefoot band plays instrumental music.

Bib's focus moves to his advisor droid, 8D8 who walks up behind him and mutters, "Lord Fortuna, you have an incoming message- from Ryloth."

Fortuna waves a long-nailed hand as the image of a blue stout twi'lek appears through his throne holoprojector-

"My old friend Firith Olan!" Bib cackles out in huttese, "Have your operations back home favored better than mine, by chance?"

Olan grimaces and he speaks up in basic, "I'm afraid not- the New Republic has a firm presence on Ryloth now- my slaving operations with the zygerrians is at a stand still- how exactly do you plan on taking the whole planet from this new government?"

Fortuna shares a sharp toothed smile, "Oh ye of little faith- do you not know of my success in conquering what the great Jabba the Hutt could not?"

Firith forms a puzzled look, "The last time we talked, you spoke of struggling to maintain Jabba's old territory from the grasp of the Valerian Syndicate."

Bib laughs giddily before he snacks on some camby berries, "In the years since then, I have dealt with such rivals- my top bounty headhunter, Amanaman is more than happy to show off his handiwork-"

Fortuna then points a stubby hand at the trophy wall, and Olan looks over in surprise at the stuffed heads of Lady Valerian, J'Quille, Sy Snootles and a dozen other rivals, with the amani headhunter sitting in a booth near his collection-

Firith turns back to Bib and nods his head, "I must admit I am surprised- you managed to kill Jabba's greatest rival since Gardulla had a presence there-"

Fortuna smirks as he tugs on the chain of the twi'lek dancer, "I did more than just kill Lady Valerian- I took over her operations on Mos Entha and even took her protege, Shiri'ani, as my new favorite dancing girl!"

Olan takes a moment to admire the dancing blue skinned slave before turning back to the fat crime lord, "Impressive of course, I presume since you have taken over all of Tatooine's settlements and found Jabba's vast fortune, you have the resources to take Ryloth?"

Bib averts his eyes, "I have taken all the settlements of value and my old master's wealth will soon be in my grasp- I just need a relative of his to get it-"

Fortuna's majordomo, Tessek pushes 8D8 aside before going down to Bib's side, "Master, we have guests asking to seek an audience with your lordship-"

Bib moves his chubby head to face his quarren advisor and hisses, "Who is it-? Can't you see I'm conducting important business?"

Tessek pulls out a holoprojector and shows the image of Garballa and his two iktotchi guards.

Fortuna quickly turns Olan's hologram off and growls, "Get him inside before he leaves!"

...

Boba and Fennec watch from a ridge away from Fortuna's palace as Garballa and his two cronies are greeted by Tessek before they are escorted inside by half the guards outside the main gate-

Fennec turns to Boba and murmurs, "Are you sure about this plan?"

Boba turns to her and merely points to a signal on his wrist, which awaits two alerts-

Din and Bossk slowly approach the palace hangar from the side, eyeing the six klatooinian guards while the latter readies his grenade rifle-

Deep underground, Dengar leads Razzi through a tight set of tunnels, both bounty hunters using glowrods to navigate the darkness filled subterranean path forward-

...

Fortuna lightly strokes Shiri'ani's headtails as Tessek leads Garballa and his guards to the audience chamber, and the orange-brown colored hutt notices Bib and exclaims aloud, "Well if it isn't my uncle's former esteemed number two! How are you doing these days?"

Bib ignores Garballa's question and activates a holoimage of the Rancor's Fist from his side holoprojector, "Your very unique vessel has been spotted hovering above my planet as of late- what exactly is the nature of your stay on tatooine?"

Garballa gulps anxiously, "I have just been hearing rumors about your exploits here and thought I could find some great opportunities with my uncle's soon to be discovered fortune-"

Fortuna narrows his eyes in suspicion, "And what exactly do you plan on doing with that wealth?"

Garballa holds his stubby hands out, "Imagine this: Tatooine's first buffet and casino resort- if we work together, we could even create a beach to go along with it! How does that sound?"

Fortuna and his cronies chuckle slightly before Bib replies, "I got an even better idea-"

"You do?" Garballa says in a hopeful tone-

"I throw you and your men into the dungeons, and you assist in giving me all the fortunes and I sell your ship for scrap? How does that sound?"

Bib gurgles giddily-

Garballa laughs nervously as Bib's thugs begin to surround him and his two guards, "Can we go with my idea?"

"No!" Bib bellows before he fondles his slave's side while the hutt and his iktotchi guards are taken away-

Once Garballa is lead to a prison cell which barely manages to fit his enormous mass, the hutt slowly turns away from the front of his dirty chambers and silently activates a small device in his chubby grasp-

The device on Boba's wrist begins to blink as he turns his helmeted head to Fennec, "Now."

...

The gran captain of the guards of the front entrance briefly notices a red light aiming at him with his three eyes before he is shot in the chest, and before the rest of his nikto men can react, five more shots hit them in the head or chest, sending all of them crumbling to the ground below-

Once all the guards lie dead outside the front gates, Boba and Fennec rush out, and both quickly duck for cover at eight turrets emerge while the main door's TT-8L gatekeeper extending eyestalk photoreceptor scans between them to act as the turret's targeting system-

Meanwhile, Bossk and Din engage the hangar's guards, the trandoshan easily shooting down three of the klatooinians while Djarin blasts two carrying twin pistols before he punches the last one into Bossk's arms, who quickly snaps his neck-

Dengar and Latts finally crawl out of a crate leading into the vast kitchens, both bounty hunters choosing to stealthily pass through silently as cook droids prepare meals all around them-

Before the two can slip past the kitchens undetected by hiding under the many stoves and ovens, a long tongue emerges from above them and licks at Razzi's cheek-

Latts, startled looks up and spots the wol cabasshite, Ghoel stuck on the ceiling as he extends his long prehensile tongue to lap at her face-

Razzi immediately pulls out a pistol and blasts the mollusk-like being, causing it to squeal out before dropping down into a boiling pot with a loud splash-

Dengar and Latts get up and pull out their weapons as the kitchen droids begin to surround them, with a LEP servant droid pressing an alert button on the wall before running out of the chambers, locking the path behind him-

...

The elom extortionist, Tanus Spijek rushes into the audience chambers and sputters aloud, "My lord, the front guards have been killed! Our security systems are engaging enemies right now!"

The rodian bounty hunter Beedo wheezes to Fortuna's side, "An attack alert has been activated in the kitchens-! there might be intruders there also-"

Tessek runs in from another chamber, "The grand garage gates are being breached!"

Bib scratches Shiri'ani's tender neck as he growls, "Then kill them fools! Divide our forces and engage them! Now!"

...

As Fennec shoots out the last of the turrets, Boba dashes forward and grabs the main gatekeeper's eye before it can retract and roughly rips it out, exposing some loose wires as Fett hastily reaches into his belt and pulls out a data spike before inserting it into the open socket-

Shand sighs as she lowers her rifle and turns to Fett, "Think the others are already inside?"

Boba turns his helmeted head in her direction, "Let's focus on getting us inside-"

Both bounty hunters move to the sides as the large gate begins to slowly open up-

Bossk watches as Din slowly begins to cut a sloppy circle into the hangar door before hissing to the mandalorian, "I was sstarting to think mandalorians were as rare as geonosians or even kaminoans-"

Djarin looks back at Bossk, "Mandalorians don't die so easily."

Bossk scoffs slightly as Din continues to cut through, "We'll ssee about that..."

As cook and chief droids surround Dengar and Razzi, Dengar glances over at the theelian and scowls, "You just had to get trigger happy as soon as we got outta the stinkin sewers, didn't ya?"

Latts glares at him before she whips out her grappling boa, "Just shut up and live long enough to get to those security systems!"

Dengar dodges a few strikes from a COO cook droid's many arms carrying knives before shooting it straight in its photoreceptor as Razzi wraps her grappling boa around another's mechanical neck before tearing it off and tossing it at droid, pushing it to the ground below-

An EV chief droid attempts to pour the boiling pot onto Dengar who swiftly kicks the container back at it, frying its circuits as Latts whips one of two last remaining droids before quickly shooting the other in the back as it attempts to flee-

Dengar begins to head to the locked door of the kitchens before stopping as he spots a freshly fried nuna leg dish on a counter and picks it up to eat-

Before he can bring it to his mouth Latts takes it out of his hand and points at the door,

"Palace takeover first- foodstuffs later-"

Dengar rumbles to himself as he begins to pull on some wires of the door, all the while Razzi takes a few bites out of the nuna leg-

...

The moment Din and Bossk enter into the hangar, a dozen lights shine on them as a gruff voice calls out, "So these are the ruffians attacking Fortuna's palace? I've seen mandalorians, trandoshans and glow swords before- I ain't impressed."

Djarin deactivates the darksaber as it weighs him down before pulling out two blaster pistols, "Why don't you come out here say that to our faces?"

Bossk snarls in agreement as the gruff voice from the far distance chuckles, "And end our little fight before it begins? Nah- Attark! Bubo! See if these boys got chewable hides!"

Suddenly a shriveled hoover drops down from above Bossk and begins to strange him with its trunk as a brown frog-dog pounces onto Din, pushing him to the ground as it attempts to bite through his beskar chestplate-

Tanus Spijek leads a team of gamorreans and weequay guards to cautiously inspect the now fully opened front gates, only being able to see the previously deceased guards before Boba and Fennec surprise them from the sides-

Once Tanus realizes Fett is the intruder, he immediately fires a shot a Boba, hitting him in his beskar armored shoulder before he throws a frag grenade at Shand while she engages two weequays before he rushes back to the inner palace while pulling out a commlink-

Fennec immediately pushes the two guards forward, using them as shields for the explosion of fragments while Boba uses his gaffi stick to impale one gamorrean before whacking the other in the head with a hard crunch-

"This is Spijek! The attacker is Boba Fett-!" Tanus barely manages to utter to the commlink before Fett uses a wrist grapple to grab Tanus around his legs and drag him back-

As Fennec finishes off the last gamorrean and weequay with two precise stabs, Boba pulls out his rifle with his open hand as Tanus begs, "Wait! I used to be with the rebel-" 

Fett blasts a hole into Spijek's head before both hunters head inside with utter haste-

Dengar and Latts slowly walk around the corridor of the palace's lower hallways until Razzi points to the end of a long hallway with a noticeable mechanical door-

Before they can get any closer, six rodians suddenly surround the pair, with their leader, Beedo stepping forward and cackling, "Did you really think you could escape the wrath of the Tetsu clan, corellian-? Oh-"

Dengar notices a disappointed tone in Beedo's voice, and he calls out, "Oi! What other corellian were you expecting, Han Solo?"

Beedo shakes his open webbed hand before uttering in huttese, "Yes? Solo is the one who fried my cousin and beat the corellian run and caused the death of Jabba and-"

Dengar looks around defeatedly, "Does anyone here know of the dashing dares of the legendary Dengar the demolisher?"

Beedo and his rodian cronies begin to snoot laughter around Dengar with even Latts snickering slightly despite being completely surrounded-

...

Bossk roars as he rips Attark's trunk off once the creature attempts to bite his neck and throws the wrinkled being to the ground before crushing it flat-

With his pistols knocked away, Din struggles to fend off Bubo until he manages to activate the darksaber and barely manages to lift it up, cutting the frog-dog in half before he groans out while shoving the sizzling halves off him- 

Bossk helps Djarin to his feet as they get further into the now mostly empty hangar, until a squad of swoop riding bikers begin to swirl around them and hoot and holler at the two hunters-

Facing Din and Bossk as well as blocking the way into the palace, A large moggonite hybrid and a biker with fully wearing spiked purple armor get off their swoops and begin to walk towards the two-

The moggonite hybrid towers over Djarin and Bossk and bellows out, "I've just been ichin' for a fight with legendary bounty hunters Bossk and Boba- ey! I don't want to fight this chromedome! I wanna a rematch with the genuine article!"

Din sighs before turning to Bossk, "Do you know these greaseriders?"

Bossk rolls his reptilian eyes, "Just Gizman and his swoop gang- they used to work for Jabba- I was hoping Fortuna fed them to a beast by now-"

Gizman flares through his nose ring, "Now those are fighting words! Spiker, you good with handling the living nubian royal starship?"

Spiker nods before he takes out two jagged blades, "Gladly."

Bossk licks his scaly lips as he faces Gizman, "I wouldn't mind trimming some of that fat off of you... with my claws!"

The rest of the swoop bikers begin to cheer as Bossk charges at Gizman, who laughs as he whacks the trandoshan away while Spiker begins to slash at Din, who carefully dodges and has a hard time shooting the armor-clad biker up close and quickly-

Bib Fortuna sits anxiously in his throne, caressing Shiri'ani on his lap to calm himself as Amanaman whispers something to Tessek who faces his master and utters,

"Lord Fortuna, it has been reported that Boba Fett is the one who is leading this attack on the palace."

Fortuna nearly chokes in disbelief, "Fett-? The very same one who I imprisoned, the helpless one with no armor and barely managed to escape my grasp?"

Tessek wiggles his face's tentacles anxiously, "I believe so sire- shall we retreat to an underground safe room? With the hangar under siege, it is quite impossible to flee-"

"Flee?!" Bib sloppily states as he clutches his staff in his open hand, "I didn't spend years fighting off my enemies to give up my palace to an armorless welp- Amanaman, use the newly added security features to capture Fett- my lylek is hungry for cloned mandalorian flesh."

Amanaman nods before he and a group of bounty hunters head up to the front chambers, and Fortuna sits back confidently with Shiri'ani even as some of his lesser courtiers begin to slowly slip out of Bib's sight-

Boba and Fennec rush into the empty entranceway of Bib's palace, dodging past security doors until a sudden ray shield appears, blocking them on all sides-

Fennec turns to Boba with a frown, "Was this a part of the plan?"

Fett immediately pulls out a small laser cutter but before he can use it, a magnetic pulse emits above them, pulling all of Boba and Fennec's weapons and even helmets up into the magnetic dish, all tools being dragged upwards except for Fett's gaffi stick-

Boba then turns to Fennec, "That wasn't part of the plan-"

Amanaman and a group of human, gotal and aqualish bounty hunters surround the defenseless pair, with the amani headhunter begins to speak in his native amanese tongue-

Fennec turns to Boba with a flat expression, "What exactly is he saying?"

Boba grimaces, "Amanaman says he is very eager and honored to rip our heads off and add it to his collection of trophies."

"How flattering." Fennec says gloomily-

Amanaman then pulls out a device and activates a button, which begins make the ray shield emit electricity which shocks Fett and Shand-

Beedo and the rest of the Tetsu clan raise their blasters at Dengar and Razzi before the rodian leader wheezes out, "The girl we shall give to Lord Fortuna as a prize- but you Dengar? Today we end you where you stand, a hideous nobody no one will remember-"

Dengar chuckles softly as he keeps his hands clutched in the air, "There's just one thing you're forgetting about corellians Beedo-"

"What's that, they all smell like rusted shipyards?" Beedo laughs along with his cronies-

Dengar opens his left hand revealing a sonic grenade, "We have our charisma."

In a split second, Dengar throws the grenade in the air before he tackles Latts to the ground, with Beedo and the rest of the rodians stunned as the sonic detonator goes off, letting out a upper frequency which makes green blood explode out of their ears before they all collapse to the ground dead-

Razzi immediately kicks Dengar off her growling, "What was that, a sneaky trick to kill your enemies and cop a feel?"

Dengar gets up slightly hazily, "I personal handcrafted that little bugger to only affect those on a certain level- and by the way, a thanks would be nice for saving your life-"

Latts rolls her eyes as she gets up and grabs Dengar's hand, "No time for pleasantries- we have a job to do-"

Once Razzi blasts the security control room open, where the jawa Kalit screeches at them in jawaese sitting on a chair over a large control screen-

Dengar offers a friendly hand, "Hey there little fella! We don't mean you any-"

Before he can say anything else, Latts uses her grappling boa to wrap around Kalit's neck and snap it, and Dengar turns to her in anger, "Why did you do that?! He could've been friendly!"

Razzi puts a hand on her hips and smirks, "You would agree with me if you heard what he said."

"What did he say-?" 

Dengar asks in a small voice as Latts kicks the dead jawa's body off the seat, and the theelian merely utters, 

"I don't know, I don't speak jawa! Are you going to turn this security system off or do you want to stand around here until someone reunites you with that little fuzzball in the afterlife?!"

...

While Bossk manages to wrestle Gizman almost equally, Din lands a few precise hits onto Spiker with his beskar fists, making the armored biker fall back unconscious-

Gizman then grabs Bossk's arms and restrains him to the ground grunting, "You ain't so tough without your big gun, arentcha?"

Djarin holds Bossk's grenade rifle to the back of Gizman's head, "You mean this gun?"

The rest of the swoop bikers gasp as Gizman raises his hands in surrender and groans, "Not bad mandalorian, not bad at all- I'm guessin' you're the honorous type to spare our frackin lives?"

Din lowers the rifle slightly, "If you surrender now, you and your gang might have a place with the new power taking over."

"Whatever you say wise one-" Gizz and his bikers hastily nod as Bossk pushes the moggonite hybrid off of him and growls, "I wass hoping to add more killss to my rep..."

Din shrugs slightly as he hands Bossk his rifle, "There will be time for that later-"

Amanman and the rest of the bounty hunters begin to surround Boba and Fennec still being electrocuted in a ray shield until both systems shut off, and the moment it does, the magnetic dish deactivates, and Shand immediately grabs a falling gas bomb before throwing it at hunters in front of them-

Amanaman hisses out as gas explodes all around them, the rest of the bounty hunters firing out at the now smoke covered Fett and Shand who disappear from sight-

The moment some of the human and aqualish hunters begin to get shot down, Amanaman rolls up into a circular form and runs around the smoke to make it disapparate faster-

 Before he can fully make the gas vanish, Boba now with his helmet back on tackles the amani headhunter, using his gaffi stick to knock him over as Fennec takes out a human mercenary with a knife while shooting down another aqualish thug-

While Amanaman fights off Boba with his own staff with three humanoid skulls attached to the top, Fennec finishes off the last three remaining hunters with a stab and two shots-

Boba then lands a devastating hit to Amanaman's stomach, stabbing him with his gaffi stick and forcing the amani hunter to the ground, making the headhunter screech out in pain-

As Boba holds Amanaman in place with his gaffi stick still impaling him in the stomach to the ground, Fennec leans over Amanaman's face and holds out a vibroknife before murmuring, "Consider this an honor..."

...

Bib Fortuna sits on his throne anxiously with his remaining guards as Tessek rushes in and gasps out, "My lord, the motorpool as been overtaken and our security systems have gone offline-"

Bib waves a stubby hand dismissively as Shiri'ani lays before him on his dais, "Bah! Once Amanaman brings me Fett's head, the rest will easily-"

Suddenly a sound of something tumbling down the main stairs occurs before Amanaman's head appears before landing at the bottom of the main staircase before Bib and all his remaining cronies-

Even as Fortuna's face fills with dread he turns to a gamorrean and a kubaz guard standing close to the stairs, "You! Check out that disturbance-"

Before either one can descend up the stairs, two blaster shots fire from above, dropping both guards to the ground as Fennec Shand slowly begins to walk down-

The last few nikto and weequay cronies around Bib attempt to raise their blasters at Shand, only for her to easily shoot them down with ease and she walks closer to the center of the audience chamber-

The rest of Bib's few court members begin to flee as Tessek subtly tries to sneak up to Shand's left side with a concealed blaster behind his robes-

Fennec immediately shots a hole in Tessek's hand, making him cry out on pain as he drops is small pistol before falling to his knees, and Shand quickly knocks him out with the butt of her sniper rifle-

Shiri'ani then hastily gets up and holds out her chain to Fennec with pleading eyes-

Shand fires a single shot which severs Shiri'ani's chain, and she quickly staggers off the dais and runs out of the room once Fennec nudges her head for her to leave-

Fortuna's focus changes once he sees the silhouette of Boba Fett appear as the former bounty hunter slowly walks down the stairs, with the shaking sound of his boots making Bib gulp anxiously as Fett makes his way into the throne room-

Once Boba stands over the trapdoor facing Bib, the obese crime lord gains a fake grin as he exclaims in huttese, "Boba! I'm- so happy you're still alive!"

Boba stops in place holding his rifle in hand as Fortuna continues to blabber, "I-I had heard many rumors about your exploits and can only say- HA!"

Bib immediately smashes his hand on the trapdoor button to his left side, opening the trapdoor below Boba-

Who merely activates his jetpack and hovers over the open hole in the audience chambers.

Fortuna gains a shocked expression as he faces a helmeted Fett and utters pathetically, "Poodoo-"

Boba, still hovering over the trapdoor lifts his rifle upwards at Bib and fires, hitting the fat crime lord in his chubby stomach, making him lean forward in pain-

Boba silently flies over to the heavily wounded Bib's side before grabbing him by his filthy robes and chucking him off the throne and dais, and directly into the open trapdoor which he manages to fit down-

The injured pale skinned twi'lek lands into the beast pit with a painful crunch, and he barely manages to roll onto his back as the gate in front of him opens, revealing his green plated insectoid lylek, which eagerly approaches the obese Bib Fortuna who can only express utter terror as he screeches out as it charges at him-

Din, Bossk, Dengar and Razzi begin to enter the audience chamber as the sounds of crunching bones emit from the pit below, with Fennec drinking some blue ale behind the dais as Boba finally sits down on the empty throne, sitting back in triumph as his Krayt Cartel members turn to face their new crime lord in both respect and admiration...

——————————————————————

Chapter Text

"How do you feel about your first time riding a viper speeder bike, Ailyn?" 

Boba says as he takes his young half-kiffar daughter out of the seat of the speeder as they step out into a hilly range of the outlands of Concord Dawn-

Fett's dark-haired daughter stares up at her father in mild concern, "I have a feeling momma wouldn't want me learning to drive speeders already-"

Boba smiles cheekily as he pats Ailyn's small back, "It's alright, momma's too busy patrolling towns right now- besides, when I was your age, my father taught me skills like this when I was even younger."

The two watch the sunset before Ailyn asks in a small voice, "Daddy, how come you don't like to talk about your past that much?"

Boba grimaces slightly as he faces away from Ailyn, "It was a different time for me- I didn't always live here as a journeyman protector- like your momma, I was a bounty hunter- I used to travel across the galaxy-"

Ailyn takes Boba's hand, "I want to travel to other places- like Hologram Fun World! Daddy, why can't we leave, even for a little bit-?"

Boba takes Ailyn's hand firmly, "It's because the galaxy's a dangerous place Ailyn- the shadow of my past is full of crime syndicates who have brought nothing but pain to me-"

Ailyn looks up to Boba with a hopeful look, "Maybe one day those bad groups will go away-"

Boba chuckles dryly, 

"If someone tries to get rid of the crime cabals, someone else will take their place, and no matter how much they try to reform the system, having that amount of power corrupts inevitably..."

...

At night darkens the skies of Tatooine, a grand feast occurs within what is now Boba Fett's palace, with all of his team's members enjoying a bountiful celebratory dinner before Fett speaks up to all of them, 

"Before we settle for our first night, I would like a report on the current situation in the palace."

Dengar speaks first after he finishes eating a mygeeto burrito, "I guess we should deal with the dead bodies situation first, right? Bossk and I moved all the corpses to a lower chamber, but they should be dealt with soon."

Fett expresses a stern look, "The beasts down below should solve that dilemma."

Fennec then responds, "What about the rest of Fortuna's men, staff and droid servants? Most of them are currently in the dungeons or running about-"

Boba rubs his gloved hands together, "The slave servants and droids can be released to be given freedom or reprogramming- the remaining cronies of Bib will be evaluated, and if proven useful and loyal, can join our growing organization."

Din, sitting over an empty plate utters, "What of Gizman and his swoop riders? They swear loyalty to the new daimyo, but I do not know what role they will have in your syndicate-"

Boba nods intently as Bossk hisses over some roasted womp rat, "When are we going to look for Jabba's Fortune? It must still be hidden ssomewhere..."

Latts finishes drinking some spotchka, "Before we get any ideas of expansion, we should renovate this place- have servants clean away the stench and have every inch of the palace mapped- Garballa's already back at his starcruiser until we fix this place up-"

Boba then raises a hand before he finishes his plate and mutters, "If we're going to reorganize our headquarters soon, roles should be given to be more efficient-"

Fett then turns to Dengar, "You shall be in charge of our swoop gangs- once we begin to expand, it will be your job to ensure all pay tribute to us."

Once Dengar shrugs, Boba then looks to Razzi, "Your history running a syndicate will provide most useful for the recruitment and expansion of our cabal."

Latts smirks as Fett turns to Bossk and Fennec, "Once we recruit enforcers, I want all criminals and potential enemies either hunted down and captured or eliminated."

Fennec and Bossk nod contently before Boba looks over to Djarin, 

"The death of Bib Fortuna will cause chaos across Tatooine- you will establish a system of marshals, and make sure they swear their loyalty to our syndicate first and foremost."

Din merely stares at Boba silently until Dengar speaks up, "I've been meaning to ask, what exactly are we calling ourselves? The Fett Gotra? Krayt's Claw II?"

Boba softly smiles, "The Krayt Cartel will do. In a few days time this planet will know that name and pay their homage- or they will be met with force."

...

A few days later, Garsa Fwip, Garballa and a whole entourage of people from the secret sanctuary including Manaroo, the Max Rebo band and other guests walk together towards Fett's palace as nightfall occurs-

As they approach the fixed front gate, Garballa turns to Garsa somewhat anxiously, "I wonder why they've invited us over, considering they already won and all-"

Garsa gives Garballa a reassuring look, "We are invited guests- Boba has sent invitations to all major peoples around Tatooine-"

Once the front gate opens, Fennec along with two swoop bikers greet them, and Shand nudges her head forward as the large group follows-

At the auditorium chambers, a massive celebration is taking place, Gizman playing music from a jukebox, which dancers like Shiri and Damaris move to- 

Dengar serves drinks and foodstuffs at a newly placed bar in a corner, which Spiker, other bikers and servants eagerly go to- 

Bossk sits by a booth at the trophy wall, which now no longer displays the heads of Bib's former enemies-

And at the center, Boba Fett sits on his throne, watching around in his full armor, while Latts Razzi lays back on some pillows of the throne's dais-

Once the newcomers disperse, Fennec walks over to Razzi and murmurs in a small voice, "I'm surprised you would want to lay there like that, considering..."

Latts rolls her eyes at Shand, "Just because I was a slave for five years doesn't mean I don't want to enjoy some comforts... And these pillows are comfortable..."

As Garballa and Manaroo head for the bar, the Max Rebo Band eagerly sets up their instruments while Garsa looks around in amazement before walking over to Boba-

Once Garsa gets up to the dais and over to Boba's side she murmurs aloud,

"I never thought I would ever come back here... especially with all of these improvements..."

Boba nudges his helmeted head slightly, "I'm surprised Mok Shaiz has not come- along with all of the other Tatooine leaders."

Garsa smiles at Boba faintly, "I understand the mayor of Bestine may want some...space after being held under duress- as for the rest of the settlement leaders, they will come eventually, if this event is any indication."

Fett then turns to Fwip, "There are former slaves and servants here who do not wish to serve my cartel- can you assist in relocating them elsewhere?"

Garsa nods intently, "After these celebrations, I will take those willing with me to find their old or new homes for them-"

Boba leans back before turning to look at the dancers, "Good. Enjoy the party."

Garsa frowns slightly as she steps in front of Fett's view, "What about you, daimyo?"

Boba remains still in his full armor, "What about me?"

"You are the reason for all of this celebration- I think it's time you enjoy it-" 

Garsa says soothingly before she removes Boba's helmet and sets it down by Latt's laying form-

Fett gains a slightly pleasant look as Garsa straddles onto his waist, before kissing the new crime lord passionately-

Fennec rolls her eyes as she looks away from the dais, and averts her eyes again once she spots Manaroo embracing Dengar in a similar manner by the bar-

Shand then sits by Bossk at the farther booth for a few quiet moments before she quietly asks, "Where Din Djarin?"

Bossk lounges back with his rifle in hand, "He ssaid something about getting some work done early..."

...

On the outskirts of Anchorhead within Tosche Station, a gang of Red Key Raiders scavenges around the power and distribution building, all the while the owner Merl Tosche and residents Laze Loneozner and Camie Marshtrap watch helplessly-

Once a few of the raiders begin to grab supplies in the back, Merl stutters aloud, "You should know these parts are ruled by Bib Fortuna and he-"

"Is dead." The Red Key Raider leader, facial scarred weequay Lorgan Movellan states boldly, "And with his reign at an end, this is the perfect opportunity to expand our reach in Anchorhead- these power converters here will suit our ships very well..."

When Laze gets up from the booth to do something, Red Key Raider Adwin Charu quickly kicks him back down next to his girlfriend and utters, 

"What are you going to do about it desert scum? Does anyone else want to mess with the Red Key Raiders?"

"I might." 

The rest of the raiders turn to face the entrance, where Din Djarin walks into the station already having drawn his blaster pistols out-

Movellan looks over at the beskar clad warrior and scowls, "How many fools are running around in shiny tin suits?"

Once the seven raiders in the room immediately pull their blasters out at Din, the mandalorian merely mutters, "I can bring you in warm, or I can leave you here cold."

The Raiders open fire first, most of their shots either missing or bouncing off, with two stray bolts hitting two raiders, dropping them to the ground as Laze, Camie and Merl dive for cover-

Djarin automatically shoots down two more raiders before another goes behind him and attempts to choke him while Charu throws a vibroknife at him from the front-

Din dodges instantly, causing the knife to impale the raider behind him in the face, and Djarin quickly pulls the knife out before the raider's body drops and throws it into Movellan's arm and ends Charu with a swift shot at his neck-

While the three residents slowly get up stunned, Din leans over Movellan who raises his shaking non-stabbed arm as the mandalorian mutters, "Warm it is."

...

The next day within Fett's palace, Boba, Latts and 8D8 on the throne dais go over possible uses and sentences of former members of Fortuna's court, and deciding whether to let a few guards go to serve them, a burley and ruffled up looking man is brought from them-

Razzi looks over at 8D8 and sighs, "Who's this, another mercenary?"

8D8 shakes his metal head, "This is Drejo, Bib's beastmaster- he manages the palace beasts."

Latts glances over at Drejo, "What creatures are kept here?"

Drejo looks at them wearily, "Just two right now, the previous master's lylek and a canyon krayt dragon."

Latts's eyes widen with intrigue and she turns to Boba on his throne, "A krayt dragon- it's rather fitting considering our cartel's name- what should we do with the lylek, boss?"

Fett nudged his head, "There are offworlders in Mos Eisley who will purchase it for a fair price- next."

A tall thin human with black robes and a hall hat walks in the audience chambers and bows humbly, "I am Sai'da, last of the unenlightened B'omarr monk order- like the daimyo before you, I implore you to offer us a new follower to join our sect."

8D8 turns to Boba and Razzi, "He's asking if someone is willing to put their brain in one of their BT brain-walker droids, to gain freedom of enlightenment."

Latts gains a disgusted look, "Maybe another time-" 

Boba then sits up, "Perhaps I know a possible recruit- Sai'da, how open is your order?"

Once Boba and Bossk enter Tessek's dungeon cell, the former majordomo cradles his injured hand and mutters, "I already told you...I will only tell you where I hid the datapad listing the location of Jabba's treasure hoard in exchange for my freedom-"

Boba offers a hand to Tessek, "I am willing to offer you freedom, if you tell us."

The quarren accountant looks up at him doubtfully, "How do I know you will keep your word?" Bossk cackles slightly, "There might be another... condition..."

...

"Be free Tessek! Be free to spread your enlightenment!" 

Sai'da cheers as he pushes the brain-walker carrying Tessek's brain out the front gate of the palace, allowing the brain bot to walk out into the vast deserts-

Boba and Latts watch the brain-walker run about as the latter chortles dryly while analyzing the datapad, "I doubt he'll last a whole day..." 

Fett turns around and mutters, "Get to deciphering the information Latts."

...

Within the palace motorpool Dengar holds a meeting with his newly established swoop gang, "Alrighty mates! The boss wants us to divide our forces to better patrol across the planet so here what I'm gonna do: while I lead half the riders across the northern hemisphere, Gizz will lead the rest to cover the south- is that understood?

Once Gizman's gang nods, Dengar gets on his own swoop,

"Now everybody get on your swoops and get to work!"

Once the slightly over a dozen swoop riders race out the hangar, before splitting apart and zooming across the wide dune sea in opposite directions...

Later at the worker's district, Dengar and two of his swoop riders stop outside of a moister shop and head over to the local water-monger, Lortha Peel and the bandaged bounty hunter gruffly utters, 

"Hey you! My riders here tell me you aren't paying tribute!"

Peel gives Dengar a skeptical stare, "Many tried to extort me once Jabba died- and who may I ask is now ruling over Mos Espa and Tatooine as a whole?"

"The Krayt Cartel." Dengar says grittily, "Now pay up, I won't ask again nicely."

Lortha snorts slightly, "Please, what's the worst your rabble can do?"

A few moments later, Dengar's swoop riders, Drash and Skad hold Peel's feet and dangle the water-monger over the dead sarlacc pit as Dengar yells out next to them, 

"How's this for extortion? If you pay extra, we might not drop you down!"

...

Within the cantina called the Thirsty Bantha in Mos Entha, Shiri'ani lifts a glass of Juri juice to Fennec Shand and Garballa before proclaiming, "I give a toast to my new allies of the Krayt Cartel, not only for my freedom and the respectful burial of my former leaders but also for the funding to rebuild my casino, the Lucky Star better than ever!"

Fennec sips some of her toolan tonic before saying, "With interest of course."

Garballa nods giddily as the bartender Robb fixes him some nectarwine, "No worries, lady, I got all kinds of new ideas for your reopening, I suggest a buffet-"

Shiri ignores him and turns to Shand, "I am rather impressed with what your organization has done in less than two weeks- you control nearly every market on the planet, from gambling, offworld trade and even spice- at least in some parts."

Fennec narrows her eyes as she lowers her drink, "Some parts? Our palace spice farms produce pure sansanna- our syndicate owns the market on Tatooine."

Shiri smiles softly, "Then you haven't been to Mos Shuuta, have you?"

...

On a landspeeder, Boba accompanied by Bossk and Fennec arrive outside the walls of Mos Shuuta, which itself is placed over a large sandstone mountain top-

When Boba and two hunters walk up to the front gates, where bounty hunter Viktor Hel followed by two reprogrammed geonosian B1 battle droids block the trio, with the armored corellian stating, "What's your business in the city of Teemo the Hutt?"

Boba holds up a case full of credits, "Potential opportunities."

Viktor then leads Boba's group within Teemo's palace, where many of the residents are either using spice or watching the gladiatorial fight between a wookiee and a VEX droid happening below the throne chambers, including Teemo the Hutt before he notices the newcomers-

Teemo smokes from his hookah before grumbling in huttese, "What news does Fortuna send now?" Boba steps forward, "None because he's dead- the Krayt Cartel rules over Tatooine- that includes this city and your operations."

Teemo flares slightly, "I'm sure new relations can be arranged- ever since my Ryloth spice mines were dissolved, I've had to make deals with Bib and the Pykes- what's your demand?"

Boba looks around the spice-filled palace, "We can allow your spice operations to expand with our added support- working under the Krayt Cartel of course."

Teemo throws his hookah down, "Hutts do not work under anyone, human!"

Once Teemo's guards raise their weapons, Bossk and Fennec lift their blasters as Boba softly mutters, "If you choose to go to war, our forces can be here in mere minutes- your city with be under siege and many will die including you- or you and your men will leave now, and your operations will remain with the cartel."

Teemo glares at Fett more a moment before he looks over at his guards and cronies including Hel who join the Hutt in boarding his huttese cruiser before taking off-

Boba then walks over to twi'lek bounty hunter Oskara and utters, "What do you know about spice?"

The green skinned twi'lek leans back against a pillar, "A good deal- I worked for a group of spicers in Ryloth- and I know a smuggler who can make sure the stuff can get all over-" 

Fett nods, "Good, because you'll be running shipments here."

...

A few days later, while Boba and Bossk working on upgrading the Hound's Tooth in the hangar, Latts Razzi enters carrying the specialized datapad, "I managed to unlock most of the databanks- apparently the location of Jabba's secret fortune was only known to a former accountant of named Mosep Binneed-"

Boba gets up and puts down some tools before stepping to Latts' side, "And?"

Razzi frowns, "I ran into the same problem Tessek did- some ancient huttese language asking for something like a password- I can't decipher its meaning."

Before Boba can speak, swoop bikers Gizman and Spiker enter the motorpool and the former exclaims, "Sorry for interruptin' bossman, but we got a situation."

Fett glares at them, "What situation?"

Spiker then adds, "We were heading to Mos Eisley when we ran into some tusken raiders- we ignored them like you said, but they're traveling across your territory and don't know how to handle the situation-"

Boba narrows his eyes before taking the datapad from Latts and handing it to Bossk and muttering, "Contact Garballa- the rest of you stay here- except for you Razzi."

...

Once Boba and Latts arrive outside the camping grounds of the sand people tribe, they get off their viper speeders and the theelin sighs at Fett, "I don't how you plan on dealing with these desert natives, or why you're dragging me along-"

Boba removes his helmet before smirking at Latts, "You've been spending too much time inside the palace- now behave and don't do anything... startling."

At first when Boba and Razzi approach the tusken warriors, they raise their gaffi sticks up cautiously until Fett pulls his gaffi stick out which makes the tuskens chant out in celebratory howls and allow them forward, while Latts maintains a skeptical look-

When the tusken chieftain reunites with Boba, Fett quickly moves his hands,

I have returned to maintain peace between our tribes. 

The Chieftain nods in agreement before the female tusken warrior looks over Latts and moves her hands,

What strange creature have you brought before us, a pet?

Fett smirks as he responds in tusken sign language while Razzi studies their body language and grumbles, "What are they saying? Are they making fun of me-?"

Boba pats Latts on the back before replying in basic, "Stay here for a moment- I have to discuss terms with the chieftain." 

While Razzi waits outside the tents, a young tusken holds up a black melon to her. Latts hesitantly picks it up and looks it over as Boba exits the tent and mutters,

"Get back to the speeders- we have a job to do."

Latts follows Fett back as she asks, "What job?"

Boba puts his helmet back on, "The tuskens have agreed to respect our territories and tell the other tribes- if we do a favor for them."

As Boba and Latts climb back onto their speeders, the latter holds up the black melon, "One of them gave me this- what do I do with it?"

"You drink it." Fett mutters in a lighter tone as he zooms forward, with both Latts and a group of tuskens on banthas following behind-

...

As Boba, Latts and the pack of tuskens including the female warrior arrive outside of a large sandy cavern, Razzi spits out some of the black melon and turns to Fett with a sour expression, "Thanks for that- what are we doing here?"

Boba carefully takes out his rifle and a sonic grenade while slowly walking up to the darkened cave, "The tuskens want this cave, not only for sanctuary but also the natural resources inside..."

Latts whips out her grappling boa while looking into the cave anxiously, "What kind of resources-?"

The moment Boba activates his helmet's side light, a swarm of sand bats are shown resting at the ceiling of the cave-

Fett immediately throws the sonic grenade, making all the bats wake up and begin to fly out of the cave- 

Boba and some of the tuskens use their rifles to shoot down some of the approaching bats while Razzi uses her grappling boa to whip them away while the female tusken warrior stabs a few down with her gaffi stick-

Boba travels further into the cave to check the rest of it out while Razzi and the rest ensure the fleeing surviving bats leave the cave on either side of them- 

Just as Latts finishes whipping down the last bats exits the cavern, a larger swarm of smaller sand flies begin to buzz in her direction and she screams out slightly before Boba from behind the flies uses his flamethrower, burning most to ash while the rest explode into green goo- 

which splatters all over Razzi and the tuskens. 

While the tuskens raise their gaffis and rifles and howl in victory, Latts simply stares at Boba flatly covered in fly juice, 

"Again, I definitely didn't need to be here."

Fett chuckles slightly as he wipes some slime off her face, "I know."

...

As Dengar arrives at the audience chambers of Boba's palace, he notices another party taking place which not only do the dancers of the Max Rebo participate in, but also his girlfriend Manaroo, who is also dressed in a dancing outfit beside them-

Dengar gains an agitated expression as he walks over to the throne dais, ignoring Fennec at the bar and Latts sitting back on the dais enjoying some spice and utters to Fett on his throne, 

"Hey mate! I'm back from Mos Zabu and I just noticed my girlfriend's dancing before a bunch of people wearing that- wanna explain?"

Fett keeps his visor on the dancers as he slowly speaks, "Everyone at the palace has a part to play- Manaroo is no different. She is a skilled dancer, and she accepted her role when asked."

Dengar grimaces as he looks over at Manaroo's expressionless face before adding, "Y'know, I've been doing a lot of the cartel's dirty work and I've been thinkin about taking it easy for a little bit- besides, when exactly are you going to find that fortune?"

Boba turns to face Dengar with a bitter voice, "You'll get your money when it comes- until then, you will continue to do your job- enjoy this break or I can find something else for you to do."

Dengar glares at Fett for a moment before taking a seat to watch Manaroo- 

Razzi finishes her spice before murmuring, "He's got a point about one thing...I'll call Bossk up to see if Garballa's made any progress."

Once the trandoshan bounty hunter arrives in the throne room he hisses at Boba, 

"The hutt's encrypted the datapad but is still attempting to solve what passcode Jabba left behind to unlock the coordinates of the hidden fortune... but we have another problem..."

Fett looks at Bossk intently as he continues, "Our dungeonss are backed up on prisoners... sooner or later ssomething will have to be done to... ssolve that..."

While Bossk leaves and the party continues on, Boba sits in silence to contemplate until Latts stands up, "It is rather inconvenient to keep our enemies locked away like that..."

Boba looks over at her, "You have something in mind?"

Razzi shrugs slightly as she leans against Fett's throne, "When I was in charge of my syndicate, I didn't keep useless prisoners- it was a waste of resources to keep them around- and I also had a pet undercrab which wanted larger meals..."

Fett strokes his helmeted chin, "I haven't fed the krayt dragon in a while..." 

Latts rubs Boba's arm, "Exactly..."

...

Within docking bay 3-5's hangar, Din Djarin meets up with mechanic Peli Motto who presents him the astromech unit R5-D4 before uttering aloud, "Well? I made the modifications you requested so R5 here should be exactly what you need for that ship we built together-"

Once Din hands Peli the payment, he notices a solemn expression on her face and asks calmly, "What is it? Don't tell me this R5 unit is going to collapse again-"

Motto shakes her head wearily, 

"It's nothing about that... business has been...slow. This uh- new 'cartel' has been taxing every establishment for tribute and that combined with the new rulership scaring off traveling offworlders is a little rough to get through..."

When Din takes our more credits to offer Peli steps back, "That's ok I'll manage- besides, this new tax is way lighter than what Jabba's was! And since this new syndicate's uniting the whole planet, I'm sure business will return... eventually..."

...

The twin suns of Tatooine begin to set as Din returns to Boba's palace, but once he comes inside, instead of the usual party occurring, a different event is taking place which few court members are around to witness-

The captive Red Key Raiders leader, Lorgan Movellan stands before Boba, Latts, 8D8 and the rest of his guards and workers, and glares up at Fett before shouting out,

"I'm not a simple thug, scughole! I won't serve you, no matter what!"

Razzi smirks as she lounges on the dais, "That's fine, we didn't want you anyway-"

Djarin watches as Boba presses the trapdoor button, sending Movellan down to the beast pit below- 

As most of Fett's men and Latts eagerly look down to watch the display, Din walks around to Boba's side and mutters, "Is this what you've been doing with all the criminals I've been catching? Deciding their fate for some sick form of entertainment?"

Latts bites her lip as she looks away from Lorgan running from the canyon krayt dragon and responds, "We aren't doing this to all our captives- 8D8 here tells us each criminal record, and the lesser ones we deliver to the local authorities, but the serious offenders-"

Razzi is interrupted as Movellan's screams stop as the krayt dragon begins to devour him with audible crunches-

Djarin puts his hand on Boba's plated shoulder, "There's something else- the tribute you've been enforcing on the settlements- I've been to Mos Eisley, Taike and Doba- it's too much- I don't even know how Mos Pelgo is going to respond to this-"

Boba pushes Din's hand off before muttering, "You've been gone from the palace for far too long. Why don't you take a break from your marshal duties and relax? I highly recommend it."

Din stands there for a second before skulking off out of sight as Latts turns to 8D8, "Next!"

...

 Later in the night, Fennec enters into the bathing chambers within the palace's upper level where she finds Boba, Latts and dancers Lyn Me and Rystáll Sant within a spa bubble tub-

While Lyn hugs herself against Boba, Razzi lifts some bubbles to cover her chest and looks up at Shand, "What are you doing here? I don't remember your invitation!"

Fennec walks around Latts and mutters, "I'm not here for that-"

Rystáll splashes some water at Shand playfully, "C'mon you have to get into this pure zeltron springwater! Try something new, Fennec!"

Fett looks over Lyn at Fennec with a tired expression, "You wouldn't be here unless it was urgent-"

"A squad of our swoops came to Mos Pelgo for the first time, and they were attacked- a few even killed." Shand responds in a grim voice. 

Boba's face darkens...

...

In the morning, Din Djarin enters into the audience chamber and looks around, noticing Boba, Fennec, Bossk and Razzi missing from the throne room, with Dengar and the rest of the court asleep and scattered about-

Din walks up to Dengar slumped over on the bar and murmurs, "Where's Fett and the others?"

Dengar drunkenly responds half-dazed, "Hrr? Nobody tells me...anything these days..."

Din then sighs before spotting 8D8 recharging in the corner and mutters, "Droid- where is everyone?"

8D8 looks up at Djarin with a blank look, "The others were discussing a possible assault plan... something about a small town called Mos Pelgo..."

...

Cobb Vanth exits from his home in Mos Pelgo before gathering in front of a group of armed residents including, weequay bartender Taanti, twi'lek sheriff Issa-Or and deputy Scott and utters dryly, "You all sure they're comin'?"

Taanti grimaces as he points to the distance, "See for yourself."

Three desert skiffs arrive right outside the small town before Boba followed by Fennec, Latts and Bossk along with a dozen guards and mercenaries exit the vehicles and begin to march to the center of Mos Pelgo-

Vanth, Issa-Or and Scott step in front of the approaching group before Cobb stops and lights taps on his holster, "I'm Cobb Vanth, marshal and de facto mayor around these parts- what can I do for y'all?"

Once Boba steps into view, Vanth watches him closely before saying gruffly, "I reckon I've seen that armor before- worn it actually- are you a friend of the mandalorian who gave you that?"

Fett remains silent as Razzi speaks up, "Someone in Mos Pelgo shot our men- tell us who."

Issa-Or steps up running both hands at her holsters, "We don't call our town that name anymore- this is Freetown now- and we ain't getting pushed around by anyone."

Scott then steps up less confident, "Yeah, you better get going before I shoot more of you thugs down-"

Vanth raises a hand to silence Scott, "I believe there's been a misunderstanding- those swoop bikes that came over the other day threatened us if we didn't pay them some sort of tribute to a new crime group- maybe you folks can help us figure this out- peacefully."

Boba then replies, "This town and its surrounding territories are now under the protection of the Krayt Cartel- if you submit to us now, there won't be any need for bloodshed."

Suddenly Scott draws out his blaster, "There won't be need for bloodshed- once you're gone!"

Before Scott can raise his rifle at Boba, the armored crime lord shoots the deputy down with a single shot of his rifle-

Everyone on both sides raises their blasters but doesn't fire once Cobb raises a hand and pants out, "Hold!"

For a few moments both the cartel and the townspeople hold each other at blaster point before Fett speaks up, "I don't want to shoot down any more of you- both sides have taken losses- I urge you to consider a compromise."

Cobb looks over at Issa-Or and Taanti before turning back to Boba, "How 'bout a wager- we settle this just the two of us- right now, one shot each. Last one standing gets their way- sound like a fair deal?"

Fett gives Vanth a head tilt, "If you have a death wish, so be it." 

Everyone then begins to move aside to give Boba and Cobb space, and Taanti pulls Scott's body away as both gunslingers put their blasters down to face each other-

Everyone watches in anticipation as Fett and Vanth face off, some sand blowing as Cobb looks over all the unprotected parts of Boba's armor while Fett stands silently...

Just as both fire out their shots, Din Djarin runs right in between, blocking both shots-

Din continues to block Boba's view as he walks up to Vanth, 

"Don't do this- don't throw your life away just to be in his way-" 

Djarin lowers Cobb's blaster drawn hand as the marshal grits his teeth, "I can't let another tyrant enslave my town, not again!"

Din grabs Vanth's shoulder, "You won't- I won't let him control this town you have to trust me- please." 

Cobb closes his eyes as he exhales as he drops his blaster, "I yield."

The rest of the people of Freetown lowers their blasters with downtrodden expressions as Fett's cartel then begins to enter the town beside them-

Before Boba walks in, Din grabs his arm, "We need to talk."

Fett shakes his grip off and mutters, "About what? You weren't invited because you were not needed here-"

Djarin steps in front of Boba, "You told me you created this cartel to remove all the other criminal syndicates to prevent them from harming innocents- what are we doing here-?"

Fett grips onto his rifle, "I will- once I establish the cartel's dominance on Tatooine- then I shall spread elsewhere and rule more systems with respect... and fear."

Din begins to walk back as he murmurs, "If that's how you want to operate then I'd like you to honor your word and help me find my people, so I leave you to run your criminal empire-"

Boba begins to walk away as he utters, "I'm not quite finished with you mandalorian..."

Djarin then shakes his head as he climbs onto his speeder bike before muttering,

"Then this is where we part ways... if you are ever of desperate need, I will be there..."

As Boba watches Din depart, Fennec walks up to him and comments, "He'll be back."

Fett turns to Shand, "I need your assistance in the act of...persuasion."

...

Within Garballa's quarters in Fett's palace, the Hutt is watching holovids of prerecorded demolition games when Boba and Fennec enter his room causing him to gasp out in shock as he stammers, "Oh jeez! You scared me there for a brief second-"

Fennec leans against the wall with her sniper rifle down as Boba closes the door.

Garballa gulps as he turns his holovid off before stuttering, "What can I do for ya Daimyo? Need any ideas for new forms of entertainment? Mining advice?"

Shand points at the encrypted datapad on Garballa's table, "Crack the code yet?"

Garballa laughs anxiously as he picks the datapad up, "I haven't gotten it solved yet-"

"Then it's about time you did." Boba suddenly speaks up, "Because until you do, no one here will be leaving this room." 

Garballa's eyes widen as he utters quietly, "Wha- what happens if I can't figure it out?" 

Fennec adjusts her rifle as Boba continues, "Then only two of us are leaving this room. I suggest you get started."

For the next countless amount of hours Boba and Fennec stare at Garballa as he sweats slime profusely while running his stubby fingers over the datapad until-

"I got it!" Garballa proclaims making both Fett and Shand stand up straight, "Who knew Jabba would make the password the name of one of his oldest rivals, Sise Fromm!"

While Boba strokes his chin at the mention of that name, Fennec grabs the datapad and looks it over, 

"The secret treasury is here on Tatooine- within a hidden fortress on glass mountain- we should go now-" 

Boba then grabs the datapad out of Shand's hands,

"Why? Only we have access to its hidden location- we can afford to revel before reaping our rewards..."

...

Later in the night, a massive party occurs, with music playing from the Max Rebo band as most of court watches a live showing of a podracing event take place in Mos Zabu through the throne dais' holoprojector-

Among those celebrating includes Garballa enjoying some broiled tauntaun meat from the barbeque behind the dais, Bossk and Dengar drinking together at the bar, Fennec and Manaroo talk in a booth while on the throne Latts begins to fall asleep as Lyn Me sits on Boba's lap, feeding him emerald grapes-

Suddenly 8D8 steps forward as the holoprojector begins to flicker and chatters, "I hate to ruin the mood, but we have an incoming transmission: it's from a Huttesh starcruiser."

Lyn Me gets off Boba's lap as Fett immediately turns to Garballa, "Get up here!"

Fett quickly pushes the throne seat back to make room for Garballa to sit on the dais before he pulls out a collar and chain and attaches it to Razzi's neck startling her awake-

Latts watches Boba attach the chain to the dais and grumbles, "Are you kidding me?"

Fett puts his helmet on, "You lay on the dais, you play pretend too- everyone quiet!"

Once the audience chamber is silent, 8D8 activates the transmission, allowing the image of an old and wrinkly Hutt with a braided beard carrying a small huttlet to appear, and Garballa instantly exclaims, 

"Great uncle Zorba! Cousin Rotta! I didn't know you were out of jail- or allowed custody of Jabba's little punky muffin-"

Zorba rolls his eyes before bellowing out in huttese, "I forgot you speak the lesser beings' tongue just like my Black Sun brother- what are you doing on this throne?"

Garballa laughs nervously as Boba and Latts look at him with concern, "I'm not sure you've heard but... Jabba's dead- my... new syndicate, the Krayt Cartel have taken over the Tatooine operations from that Fortuna guy- I even hired Boba Fett!"

Zorba narrows his eyes as he looks at Fett before turning to Garballa, "I have heard rumors... of a Hutt ruling in my son's old palace. I already had a deal with that stooge Fortuna, which I will now offer you." Garballa blinks, "Deal, what sorta deal?"

"According to Jabba's will, all of his properties and wealth belong to my grandson, Rotta when he reaches adulthood..." 

Rotta begins to play with Zorba's beard as he continues, "But seeing as that will be in the distant future, I'd like to ensure his wealth is secured under my protection."

Boba steps up next to Garballa as he responds, "What if I'd like to keep the wealth with me? I'm sure it's much safer in my capable hands considering the state of unease back home..."

Zorba looks at Garballa suspiciously for a moment before shrugging whatever counts as Hutt shoulders, "Very well- I would still like to... discuss our future plans soon- your cartel could... provide useful to the rebuilding Hutt clans..."

The moment Zorba disconnects, Garballa gasps for air and he slides off the throne, "Remind me to ask for a raise for whatever future tasks you give me..."

Razzi gives Garballa a stare as she removes her collar, "We pay you?"

Boba drags the throne chair back into place as he sits down and speaks before his court, "We have nothing to fear from that old slug- if he gives us any trouble, then we shall see if my krayt dragon enjoys the taste of Hutt!"

...

In the dead of night within Boba's private quarters, the bounty hunter turned crime lord finds himself unable to sleep despite laying in a large bed with the sleeping forms of Lyn Me and Rystáll Sant... 

After what feels like forever, Boba's gaze moves away from the ceiling as he notices the flickering light of his holoprojector which he picks up before he heads into his close by weapons closet- 

Once fully dressed, Boba activates it, revealing the image of Cad Bane who smiles at him sinisterly, "Enjoying your sleep princess?"

Fett glares at Cad's image, "What do you want Bane?" 

The Duros bounty hunter grins, "I've recently taken up the job of being Zorba the Hutt's personal bounty hunter... and I've noticed something he hasn't figured out yet..."

Boba grits his teeth as Bane continues, "I know you're 'secretly' leading the Krayt Cartel... and have become quite pathetic along the way."

Boba snarls at him, "Say that to my face-"

Cad tips his hat, "I'd love to- right now actually. You see, since I came back to this sandpit of a planet I've been doing some digging- and I found a little secret sanctuary where a lovely lady's been telling me all about your recent adventures- get the picture sonny?"

Boba's face hardens as the duros smirks, "Right now the Cheapside hotel is getting a little too hot if you ask me...meet me within two hours outside the joint... and come alone unless you want this twi'lek of yours to die along with her patrons..."

...

Boba Fett, now fully armored carrying both his rifle and gaffi stick walks into his now quiet and darkened throne chambers, looking around and spots 8D8 shut down in the corner, Latts sleeping on the dais, Bossk slumped over on the bar, Dengar and Manaroo resting together in a booth and Garballa asleep by the trophy wall-

Boba silently walks past his sleeping court and almost makes it up the stairs before he hears a sniper rifle click. "I'm not a night person, remember?"

Fennec whispers to Fett as she aims her weapon at him from the top of the stairs, "I don't know where you think you're going, but you shouldn't go al-"

Before she can finish, Boba instantly fires a stun blast at Shand, making her fall forward as he quickly moves to catch her and her rifle before carefully carrying her unconscious body to a nearby booth before going back up...

...

Riding a viper speeder, Boba arrives outside the now burning down cheapside hotel, where he finds Cad Bane holding Garsa Fwip at gunpoint at his side as he looks over at Fett and calls out, "It's about time-! I was starting to think you needed your servants to carry you here-"

Boba takes his rifle out as he closes in on Bane, "You're going to wish you stayed dead..."

Cad Bane uses his free hand to move his hat up, revealing a metal plate on his forehead, 

"You can't kill me the same way Fett- let's see if you still got it..."

Garsa stares at Boba with desperate eyes as the two face off once again, each reaching for a blaster until... Boba fires first, but Cad which pulls Garsa closer as he fires his own shot-

Boba's bolt hits Garsa in the chest while Cad's blasts Fett's rifle out of his grasp-

Garsa Twip drops dead as Boba takes his gaffi stick out and charges at Cad, until a large metal gloved hand grabs Fett from behind and picks him off the ground-

Boba turns his helmeted head to see the fully armored clad gen'dai bounty hunter, Durge who bellows out, "Long time no see clone!"

Fett immediately shakes Durge off with his jetpack, only for a blast from 4-LOM to send him flying against the the burning hotel's walls-

then black furred bounty hunter Black Krrsantan picks him up with a loud roar and takes his gaffi stick away before throwing him to the ground before Bane-

Then smaller patrolian bounty hunter Robonino zaps Fett with a static pike before Zuckuss shoots him with his GRS-1 snare rifle, firing out a chemical shockstun mist, which makes the mandalorian crime lord immobilized in place on the sandy ground-

The six bounty hunters surround Boba as Cad Bane takes Fett's helmet off and grumbles with a smile, "I noticed you recruited some bounty hunters for your Krayt Cartel... so it's only fitting that my Sarlacc Syndicate should be the ones to... stamp you out."

Bane then kicks Boba in the face, knocking Fett out as smoke and ash begins to spread from the ruins of the burning building outside...
——————————————————————

Chapter Text

A thirteen-year-old Boba Fett wearing his newly reforged mandalorian armor runs into a large industrial complex with wreckage lying around and shouts out, "Bane!"

Fett then spots Cad Bane lounging casually in a command center as he wheezes out, "I wouldn't be so hasty now, boy-"

Boba looks over at his side as C-21 Highsinger walks into view, carrying local prospector Stim and small ssori bounty hunter Seripas in each of his mechanical hands threateningly while Bane's techno-service droid, Todo 360 hovers close by-

"Let them go Bane-" Boba says through his modulated helmet, "This isn't their fight anymore!"

"Always fighting for those in need..." Cad smirks smugly as he gets up and gets off the command center, "That's a quick way to end up poor or dead and probably both."

Boba and Bane begin to walk in circles around each other until Fett points at Cad and demands, "No more innocent people are going to die or be locked up or live in fear-"

Cad scoffs at the teenage bounty hunter, "Oh, so you think digging up and reforging your father's armor makes you the better man? You're an even bigger fool than I thought-"

Fett and Bane continue to glare at each other until a growl pulls Boba's attention away as from behind him, Embo and his pet anooba, Marrok enter, the former throwing down Dengar's rifle while the latter spits out Sugi's knife and a moment later Bossk arrives, dropping Razzi's grappling boa to the ground-

Boba watches as Embo and Bossk aim their rifles at him while Bane twiddles with his fingers and jeers, "Looks like your little insurrection has failed..."

Cad then walks up to across from Boba before stopping, "Now surrender... and I'll let your friends walk away..."

Boba turns over to look at Bossk and the two exchange glances before the trandoshan bounty hunter turns to Embo and gruffly hisses out, "I say... we give the kid his shot..."

Embo nods before refolding his bowcaster down and looks over at Fett with determination-

Boba then turns to face Cad who expresses his shock for a moment before he grumbles, "So that's it... Just you and me now...Boba Fett."

Cad takes a few steps forward and Boba does the same, lightly grabbing at his hoisters before he replies, "I guess it is..."

Everyone in the complex watches in anticipation as Cad Bane and Boba Fett face off, both staring at the other while slowly moving their hands to their hoisters...

Cad then manages to raise one hand first, firing out a shot and Boba fires with both his father's blaster pistols, causing both bounty hunters to be shot and fall back to the ground-

Everyone watches in amazement as Boba's helmet flies off his head with a new burning dent on its head while Bane lies on the ground unmoving...

Todo 360 flies over to Bane's body as Highsinger drops Stim and Seripas while Bossk and Embo rush over to Boba's side as he slowly gets up before grabbing his helmet and puts it back on-

Boba looks over at Cad's motionless form before glancing at Stim and murmurs to the rest of the bounty hunters, "C'mon- we still have a job to do- let's get the others and finish this-"

As Fett picks up Latt's grappling boa and Dengar's rifle before muttering to Bossk, "And Aurra?"

Bossk picks up Sugi's knife before hissing, "She left...again."

Boba looks down for a moment before he turns to Embo, Highsinger, Seripas and Stim and nudges his helmet and they all follow behind him-

Before they leave the complex, Embo says something in his native kyuzo language which Fett responds to by turning around briefly to reply, 

"Him-? Forget Bane... he's done... leave him there to rot..."

As Boba and his restored crew of bounty hunters disappear from sight, Todo taps on Cad's head with smoke emitting from it until some of his fingers begin to twitch...

...

Cad Bane looks down at the unconscious Boba Fett lying on the ground with a wide grin as his crew of bounty hunters begin to surround him before he grumbles out, "Hurry up and take his gear and weapons off him before he wakes up-"

As 4-LOM and Robinino begin to take Boba's armor off, Durge turns to Cad Bane and growls out raspily, "Why bother capturing Fett? Let me crush him to a pulp-"

Bane steps up to the taller gen'dai, "We aren't killing Fett- or capturing him if..."

Cad barks at Robonino as the smaller hunter picks up Boba's helmet, "Robonino! Can you search through his helmet's communication recordings?"

The patrolian wheezes as he looks into Fett's helmet, "I can... I just need my tools back at the cruiser..."

Cad gathers the rest of Boba's armor in a bag and tosses it to Black Krrsantan before he turns to Zuckuss and 4-LOM, "You two! Take a landspeeder and drop Fett's worthless hide in the middle of the dune sea to rot- Wait! Leave that skug with that savage stick- now let's move... Zorba wants us to report back..."

As Robonino and Black Krrsantan walk away from the still burning hotel, Durge turns to Cad, "Fett has a large bounty on his head- leaving him to die in the sands gives us nothing- why?" 

Bane stares at Durge intensely, "It's personal."

Once Zuckuss flies the landspeeder to the middle of the dune sea in the dead of night, 4-LOM tosses the still unconscious Boba off along with his gaffi stick before they speed away with utter haste...

...

Cad along with Durge, Black Krrsantan and Robinino enter into the huttian starcruiser yacht, the Zorba Express upon arriving at the ship landed outside of Bestine-

Once Bane and his bounty hunters enter the starship yacht's meeting chambers, they walk up to Zorba who is along with Rotta lying in front of him along with Mok Shaiz- 

Zorba notices the bag containing Boba's armor and rumbles to Cad, "Well? Did you end Fett once and for all?"

Durge crosses his arms and scoffs as Bane shrugs his shoulders, "There's no need to worry about that has-been- he's no longer a threat to your plans and best of all, we have a clue of where Jabba's wealth is hidden."

Robonino holds up Boba's helmet and squeaks out, "His communications have been recorded- it will only be a matter of time before I find any mention of the wealth's location."

Mok Shaiz looks out a window at the sight of the Cheapside Hotel burning within Bestine and stammers, "Was it necessary to eliminate the cheapside tavern upon gathering the vital information? It was a popular location in the city and will cause unrest-"

Zorba waves a stubby hand at the ithorian mayor, "Bah! With what wealth I will acquire, you can build a bigger place as compensation for contacting me about this matter-"

The old and bearded hutt then turns to Bane and the bounty hunters, "You had better get to discovering the location before Fett's allies get there!"

While Robonino waddles off to the cruiser's mechanic room, Durge suddenly gets up and rasps out, "If you want to eliminate the chances of competition, why not attack the palace directly? Without Fett they are leaderless- now is our time to strike- not only will they be killed and the palace yours, but we will also have the datapad containing the fortune's location!"

Cad immediately turns to face Durge while Zorba takes the moment to ponder, "You're out of line tentacle-head- attacking their base would be foolish and a waste of time-"

Zorba nods in agreement with Bane as he strokes his slimy beard, "Yes... we need to prepare for the journey to the fortune's hiding place... Tibor! Get my vessel in the air!"

While Zorba and his cronies prepare for liftoff, Durge glares at Cad before walking away into a shadowy corridor while Bane turns to Krrsantan and mumbles, "Contact our gand and droid duo: tell them to fly their ship back to us and to tell me exactly where they left Fett..."

...

Boba Fett, still unconscious, lies armorless with nothing but his gaffi stick on him in the dune sea once again, seemingly alone in the darkness of the night until a shadowy figure approaches him before stopping and standing over him in silence...

...

"What do you mean he's just gone-? He just stunned you without saying a word of why or where he was going?" Latts Razzi demands at Fennec Shand within the palace's meeting chambers while the rest of the Krayt Cartel listen around-

Fennec crosses her arms and looks away, "Whatever Fett got involved in, he clearly had no trust we could assist in the situation- he's on his own for this."

Dengar lounges with Bossk with a puzzled frown, "I still don't get it- Slave I's still in the hangar but we're missing a speeder- so... who's in charge... until he gets back?"

Razzi instantly stands up, "As the only member of our cartel with syndicate leadership experience, the obvious choice is Boba's personal advisor- me."

Bossk snickers gruffly at Latts, "You-? Didn't your syndicate betray you for being a terrible boss?"

Razzi glares at the trandoshan before Dengar raises his arms lazily, "As the oldest and closest to our pal Boba, I'm the obvious choice-" 

Bossk growls at Dengar almost humorously, "Oldest-? You forget who went to prison with our missing leader when he was a mere boy?"

Before Fennec and interrupts the arguments happening between the other three, the chamber door opens with Din Djarin carrying Boba's unconscious body in his armored arms as he rasps out, "I need help... he needs medical attention...now!"

Fennec turns to Bossk, "Take him to his private chambers- he has a bactapod!"

While Bossk carries Fett out of the chambers, Latts turns to Din suspiciously, "What exactly is going on? First you run off and then Boba does the same-"

Din takes a seat with an exhausted sigh before he mutters, "It's... complicated- but there are others- others who are after Jabba's long-lost fortune as well..."

...

Within the Zorba Express's cargo hold, Cad Bane faces Zuckuss and 4-LOM while Black Krrsantan watches close by as the Duros bounty hunter eagerly asks,

"Did you see if it was an ally of Fett's who picked him up? Are you sure-?"

4-LOM nods while Zuckuss wheezes out, "Zuckuss is certain- a mandalorian with silver armor took Fett on his speeder."

Cad strokes his chin, "Good... perhaps there still might be a fight left in him..."

"You allowed Fett to be returned to his palace-?!" Suddenly Durge emerges from the shadowy corner and growls at Bane, "First you don't kill him, then you refuse to attack his allies, now you allow him to heal- you want to fight them at the fortune's location, don't you?"

Cad shrugs nonchalantly, "Got a problem with that-?"

Durge immediately lashes against Bane, swinging at him with his big, armored arms- 

Cad easily dodges this activates a laser on his wrist gauntlet cutting one of the gen'dai's arms off, allowing reddish-purple tentacles to be exposed which instantly attempt to swarm Bane- 

who clicks another button his wrist gauntlet, which releases pink micro spores which begin to disintegrate Durge's regenerating upper arm-

Durge disconnects his inflected arm parts and falls to the ground as Cad stands before him raising his wrist gauntlet threateningly, 

"You think I wouldn't have planned for you to cause trouble, Durge? The moment Zorba recruited you; I had some rare and expensive flesh-eating bacterium added to my arsenal- I have contingencies for all of you- got it-?" 

Durge gives Cad a defeated growl while Krrsantan, 4-LOM and Zuckuss stand behind him- 

Suddenly Robinino enters the room carrying a holopad with a series of record communications as he wheezes, "I got it Bane! Listen!"

Cad grins as the voice of Boba and Fennec arguing about glass mountain is uttered-

Bane turns to his Sarlacc Syndicate, "It's time to inform our hutt client to get going- we have some competition to squash."

...

Within the palace hangar, the members of the Krayt Cartel along with Gizman and the swoop rider look to Din as he explains in a hasty voice, "I don't know who Boba was meeting with, but they overwhelmed and left him in the desert without his armor-"

Dengar shakes his head in confusion, "They left Fett alive? Even with that big bounty on his head-?" 

Fennec nods in agreement, "It wouldn't make sense... unless they're after something more valuable than him."

Razzi gets up with concern, "The fortune's location! We need to go now!"

Shand steps up to Latts, "Not with Boba- he's still recovering-"

"I'm fine." Boba suddenly utters aloud as he and Bossk enter the hangar from the inner chambers, the daimyo now wearing red and gray durasteel armor without a helmet as he dryly continues, "Razzi is right- if we do not depart now, Zorba and his hired bounty hunters will claim what is rightfully ours- prepare our ships- we leave now."

Dengar looks back at the inner palace, "What about this place-? Who'll defend the place when we're gone?"

Gizman pats Dengar with his large hand, "Relax gramps! My boys and I can watch over the place while you're gone- unless you all die, then we'll get to lootin'."

Boba then turns to the rest of his cartel, "Everyone take your individual starships- Latts, Fennec, take Garballa's cruiser- glass mountain is where we will make our stand."

While everyone else prepares their ships, Boba walks up to Din and grabs his shoulder sighing, "I owe you mandalorian- you did not have to save me from my deserved fate."

Djarin turns to Boba as R5 starts the N-1, "There's no need- I told you I would keep a watchful eye- besides, you already promised me something."

Fett gives Din a confident glance, "No matter how this ends, I will help you find your family again-" 

Djarin then dryly comments, "Unless we perish, I can live with that."

...

As the Zorba Express hovers over the large and sandstone Glass Mountain, from within the huttese cruiser yacht's bridge, Zorba cradling Rotta in his arms impatiently grumbles to his bith advisor Cobak, "Has Bane or any of the others found my fortune in that fortress already-?"

Cobak checks the comms before suddenly getting a proximity alert from the controls as he yelps out, "We have incoming craft approaching!"

Zorba watches in utter fury as the Slave I, Hound's Tooth, Punishing One, the Rancor's Fist and a modified N-1 starfighter fly together approaching Glass Mountain and his starcruiser-

Zorba instantly activates a commlink in his free hand, "Droid! Take my starfighters and destroy them! Don't let them steal my treasure!"

4-LOM, listening at the hangar of the Zorba Express nods before walking into the ship Mist Hunter, followed by a fleet of huttese starhoppers while Zuckuss and a legion of barabel mercenaries arm themselves with blasters and vibroknives-

4-LOM immediately chases after Slave I, preventing Boba from landing within the mountain's exposed fortress hangar bay, while the starhoppers mainly go after, Bossk, Dengar and Din's starships-

The Mist Hunter pursues Slave I relentlessly until Fennec flies the Rancor's Fist in front of 4-LOM, damaging his ship slightly and forcing him to fall back from the large cruiser-

Boba attempts to follow the Mist Hunter until Razzi comms, "Forget the ship battle- get to that secret fortress before it's too late! We'll handle Zorba's fleet!"

Fett sighs before he, Dengar, Bossk and Din divert away to the large mountainous landing pad while the Rancor's Fist engaged the remaining starhopper ships-

...

Once Boba, Din, Bossk and Dengar meet together on the fortress open landing bay, the trandoshan bounty looks at the landed L19 heavy freighter and hisses, "Wait...we're not alone up here-"

Suddenly Durge jumps out from behind the freighter and punches Bossk away as he laughs harshly to Boba, "You still came, and without your precious armor-? Fool!"

Fett prepares to use his WESTAR pistols before Din steps forward, "No- I can take care of him- go." Boba gives Djarin a confident nod before he helps Bossk up and follows Dengar towards the descending sandstone staircase-

Durge attempts to charge at Boba and the other two to prevent their movement when Din uses his whistling birds to fire the beskar projectiles at the gen'dai which makes him grunt in slight agitation before he turns to Djarin and pulls out a heavy repeating blaster, "You want my attention-? You've got it!"

Din swiftly dodges the burst of blasterfire from Durge before grabbing his amban phase-pulse disruptor and fires a few deadly bursts at his armored enemy-

While the discharge disintegrates Durge's weapon, the other shots harmlessly deflect off of Durge as he bends Din's rifle easily while remarking, "You'll have to do better!"

...

Boba, Bossk and Dengar travel through the glass mountain fortress's dusty yet functional hallways until Dengar notices a computer modular in a nearby corridor and quickly accesses it before exclaiming, "Well this is interesting- turns out this fortress ain't just a fortress- it's some sort of starship! That explains the design! Maybe I can locate-"

Before he can finish, Black Krrsantan charges from behind Dengar before throwing him back and causes him to crash into Boba while Bossk hisses while lifting up his grenade rifle, "I've been looking forward to thiss fleabag!"

Krrsantan roars out while baring his spiked knuckle-dusters and tackles Bossk to the ground while Dengar helps Boba up and the former extracts a datapad from the corridor computer before both head off away from the wookiee and trandoshan battle-

...

Dengar leads Boba through more corridors before stopping to comment aloud, "Wait- I got the location of the main treasury chambers! It's in the lower storage compartments- but that's not all- I scanned this ancient vessel for any life forms- besides our friends and enemies battling, there's two more signals: one outside the treasury and the other... just standing in the upper observation deck."

"Bane." Fett mutters as he analyzes the location on the datapad before running off-

Dengar yells out as Boba leaves, "Glad you trust me to handle the money mate!"

It doesn't take long for Dengar to reach the outer treasury where he finds Robinino attempting to open the massive durasteel vault and quickly utters, "Robonino, seriously? Bane picks grade A hunters then chooses you-?"

Robinino jumps slightly, not noticing Dengar as he wheezes out, "It's too soon!"

Robinino then attempts to electrocute Dengar with his static spike before the corellian bounty hunter quickly shoots it away and grins, "Got any other tricks-?"

Robinino then spits on Dengar's face before ducking underneath him to run away-

Dengar's face twists with anger as he chases him yelling out, "You'll regret that!"

...

Boba Fett silently walks into the observation deck as he glances over Cad Bane, who merely watches the massive windows at the sky battle happening up above-

Bane then turns around with a knowing smile as he throws down the bag containing Fett's beskar armor before remarking, "I had a feeling you'd turn up... actually, I knew you would..."

Boba watches Cad carefully before growling, "You're going to regret what you did to Garsa Fwip and those at the Cheapside sanctuary... you're a heartless killer."

Cad shrugs his shoulders, "Of course I am... and you used to be too."

Fett readies his blaster pistols, "What I do today will avenge many."

Bane lifts his blasters with a tired sigh, "Stop preventing to be some sorta charitable savior when you should embrace who you truly are- a stone cold hunter only interested in credits." 

Boba grimaces at the duros, "One way to find out."

Both then begin a close range shootout, both Cad and Boba jumping around and using rocket boosters to avoid the deadly blasterfire spread around-

...

Zorba watches from his control room as the Rancor's Fist finishes off his remaining fleet before he growls to Cobak, "Destroy that vessel immediately!"

"My lord, this yacht is not a battleship, it hardly has any- sir! We have incoming!"

"Oh what now-" Zorba grumbles before he is nearly thrown back as the Rancor's Fist crashes slightly into the Zorba Express as it lands above the equally sized cruiser-

From the Rancor's Fist's lower hangar, Latts Razzi and Fennec Shand prepare their army of gamorrean and iktotchi warriors before Razzi grabs Shand's shoulder, "Hey, you'll watch my back, right?" 

Fennec rolls her eyes as he powers up her sniper rifle, "it's what I do."  

Razzi then leads the Krayt Cartel forces down below to the Zorba Express where they engage in blaster and close combat fighting with Zorba's barabel thugs-

Fennec uses her rifle to take out any thugs on the higher levels of the enemy yacht before she notices another sniper shooting down their forces as well-

Just as Shand sees 4-LOM, the droid spots and attempts to shoot her from the far distance, but she manages to duck away and fire back shots in return-

Latts manages to use her blaster to shoot down a few barabel guards before she enters the inner halls of the Zorba Express before her small pistol is whacked out of her hand by Zuckuss, who wields a gand shockprod staff as he grunts, "Zuckuss says you will not go any further." 

Razzi rubs her slightly stinging hand with a grimace before she whips out her grappling boa and scowls, "Bring it on, findsman!"

...

Once Durge dodges a few blaster shots, he punches Din hard in his helmeted face, making his grunt in pain before Djarin activates his jetpack to rise above the larger armored hunter- 

Durge then leaps in the air before slamming Din down to the ground, damaging his jetpack as he hits the sandy landing pad- 

As Din struggles to get up, Durge laughs, "I haven't had this much fun since the Clone Wars! Is that all you've got mandalorian-?"

Djarin takes a deep breath before he pulls out his beskar spear and activates the darksaber with his other hand. Durge looks at both weapons with interest before murmuring, "Now that's more like it! In fact..." 

Durge suddenly charges at Din and rips the beskar spear out of his hand while kicking Djarin back-

Din gets up instantly and stabs Durge in the back with the darksaber, which the unfazed bounty hunter scoffs, "Your Jedi weapon cannot hurt me- nothing can!"

Durge then swings the beskar spear at Djarin, who clashes his dark blade against it-

...

Down below, Krrsantan manages to wrestle Bossk's grenade rifle away before attempting to choke the trandoshan with his strong and furry hands, only for Bossk to bite at his hands, making the wookiee growl in pain and anger as he tosses him away-

Dengar meanwhile chases Robinino to a corner before exclaiming proudly,

"Gotcha you little cretin! Nowhere left to run!"

Robinino then chuckles before he clicks on a button on his wrist, activating a laser grid all around Dengar before cackling, "No need to run from a touch sensitive trap!"

Back above the mountain, Fennec quietly maneuvers around the upper catwalk of the Zorba Express, but when she jumps out from around the corner, she doesn't find anyone there- 

until 4-LOM jumps down from above Shand and attempts to fire his rifle at her- 

Fennec quickly kicks his blaster away just as 4-LOM fires a shot which hits her sniper rifle- 

4-LOM takes out a smaller pistol and fires at Fennec while she dodges and slowly takes out a vibroknife from her belt and goes around the corner-

Within the inner hallways Zuckuss maneuvers around Latts's whip attacks before he uses his shockprod staff to knock the theelian off her feet as he chants, "Your moves are quick and agile Razzi- but Zuckuss can foresee every move you make!"

...

Boba and Bane continue to fire at each other until Fett manages to get the upper hand by picking up his bag of armor and throwing it at Cad, who manages to it only for his blasters to be shot off his hands as Boba demands aloud,

"It's over Bane! Stop going down the path of a bounty hunter- it will only lead to your death!" 

Cad smiles at Boba nonchalantly as he sighs openly,

"I know that 'kid'- I've always known that- it's a part of being a bounty hunter after all- I knew what life I wanted the moment I left New Tayana- I thought you figured that out when you saw your precious father get his head cut off."

Boba grimaces as keeps his pistol pointed at Cad, "I'm not that person anymore- I thought you would know better after seeing me on Concord Dawn."

Cad forms a sinister smile as Boba continues, "I don't want to kill you Bane- you can still live- all you have to do is surrender and give up your contract to Zorba."

Bane spits out his toothpick in disgust, "Now those are two things I'll never do willingly- 

besides, this is supposed to be our final moment: my chance to even the score with Jango and you- and you're last chance to be the Boba Fett who is truly remembered."

Fett shakes his head in disdain, "You're delusional Bane."

Cad begins to pace around casually, "On the contrary, I've never been more certain about something in my life... that's why I allowed you to live- our final showdown should be a true fight for survival- that's why I've been watching you since you survived."

Boba blinks at Cad, "What are you talking about-?"

"For over two decades I watched you- waited for the proper moment to get my revenge for leaving me for dead- until your demise at the sarlacc pit. I almost considered retiring for good... until you resurfaced." 

Cad says with a solemn smile before he continues,

"I caught word of your ship being spotted near Kiffar... very sloppy Fett. When I realized you were hiding on that mandalorian colony moon, I called up an old friend to... make a situation occur."

Fett glares at Cad as he growls, "You- you had nothing to do with the pykes- they wanted the hyper lanes of the journeyman protectors- you're lying-"

"Lying, am I?" Bane wheezes out, "You think I was sitting around in a cantina you frequent out of pure coincidence-? No... I was celebrating a mission alright... the elimination of that clan you called a family-" 

Boba shoots Cad in the shoulder before he exclaims, "Enough Bane!"

Bane clutches at his shoulder before grinning, "I haven't even gotten to the best part yet... when I helped those pykes take out the protectors, I thought they were the ones holding you back... but then... I found them."

Boba's shaking hand points a blaster at Cad as he begins to pull something out of his pocket- Fett's eyes widen in utter shock as Bane pulls out two glowing pendants, an orange and blue kiffar heart of fire stones-

Fett stands there in utter silence as Bane's voice rings out casually, "That wife of yours put up more of a fight than I thought- unlike your daughter, she was easy to-"

Boba roars out as he throws his blaster down and tackles Bane to the ground punching the duros in the face hard before Cad activates his rocket boots to fly off his grip and activates his flamethrower, making Fett dodge as Bane laughs openly-

...

Durge continues to push Din back with the beskar spear until he finally pins down Djarin against his own N-1 starfighter, causing R5-D4 to jump out of the vessel as Durge exclaims, "It's been too long since I've killed a true mandalorian! It was a pity I was not there, the day the Empire bombarded your world to ash- crushing you will have to do!"

Din attempts to lift the darksaber, but the weapon continues to feel heavy in his grasp as Durge raises the spear to deliver a final blow-

Bossk continues to fight off Black Krrsantan until the trandoshan scratches the wookiee across the chest before stealing one of his knuckle-dusters and begins to beat him with it-

Still yelling out, Boba uses his gaffi stick to knock Bane to the ground, smashing his flamethrower in the process- 

While Fett then attempts to beat Cad with his gaffi stick, Bane hastily activates his wrist contact stunners, giving Fett an internal electrocution until he was writhing in pain on the ground below-

Bane then picks up Boba's discarded blaster pistol and stands over the weakened crime lord and wipes some blood leaking down his chin and sighs in disappointment,

"Hmph-so this is how it ends... perhaps Durge and IG-88 were right about you... you were never the successor of Jango Fett, just another inferior copy... living a pointless existence until a superior being decides to put you out of your misery..."  

Robinino stands triumphantly before Dengar, still trapped in his lazer snare as he brags, "Don't bother to shoot me corellian! Any blasterfire will cause the grid's explosives to go off! Nothing you try will save you! So long Dengar-" 

Dengar then chirps up, "What about whipcord launchers-?"

Robinino stops in his tracks, "Whipcord what-?"

Before he can finish, Dengar uses his wrist whipcord to grapple Robinino's legs close and pull him close until he pulls his blaster out and grins, "Let's say you deactivate this grid and I might not blow us both to bits."

Robinino shakes his head, "You're bluffing! Besides, you'd kill me anyways!"

Dengar holds a hand over his chest, "I ain't interested in killing ya- pirate's promise."

After a few seconds of hesitation, Robinino, still tied up, releases the grid and once Dengar is free, he takes hold of Robinino's wrist controls before pushing the patrolian forward and reactivates the laser grid-

Robinino's one good eye widens as Dengar begins to run off, "Wait! You said-"

"I said I ain't interested in killing ya- I'm after that treasure- but blowing you up doesn't bother me- also I'm not a pirate you fish-smelling git-"

Dengar finishes this sentence by activating the laser grid once he runs to the farthest side of the hallways, activating an explosion so massive it shakes the entire fortress-

The explosion causes Bossk to stumble back, allowing Krrsantan to use both his hands to pull one of Bossk's arms off, making the trandoshan scream out in pain and anger before the black furred wookiee begins to beat him with his own severed scaled arm-

Right as Durge brings down the beskar spear over Din's neck, the fortress rumbles and causes him to miss, stabbing the N-1 starfighter- 

Djarin takes his chance to take the spear and stab Durge in the arm, pinning him to the shiny starfighter-

Durge merely stares at Din and allows the spear to impale him as he scoffs loudly, "Ha!"

Din then shouts to R5, "Now!" 

Before Durge can grab at Djarin, R5 remotely activates N-1 starfighter, instantly making it take off with fast speeds, taking Durge with it as it zooms upwards, the autopilot heading directly for the twin suns above, and the gen'dai barely letting out a raspy scream of anger before he disappears from sight...

Before Cad Bane can deliver a killing shot to Boba, he gruffly utters, "Just one more thing-"

Suddenly the fortress rumbles and the former bounty hunter regains some semblance of strength as he swipes Bane off his feet with his gaffi stick and wastes no time to stab Cad directly in the chest with the sharp end of his tusken weapon, making Bane wheeze out in pain as Boba deepens the stab-

Cad chokes as his hat falls off and he begins to go limp as his dying breath barely manages to stutter, "Your kid... I didn't kill her... I took her..."

Boba's eyes fill with realization and fear as he pulls his gaffi stick out of Bane and grabs Cad by his shirt, "What-? Where-? Where is my daughter-?!"

Cad Bane lets out a few chuckles before he finally becomes still, and Boba continues to scream out at him until he finally stops and allows the duros bounty hunter to lie on the ground, finally dead.

Boba stands up silently and takes a few moments to let the revelation wash over him before he walks over to the bag containing his armor and looks into the reflection of his helmet, and once he sees himself shedding a few tears, he quickly rubs his forehead against the helmet's before putting his helmet on, covering up his distraught face...

...

4-LOM cautiously walks around the upper catwalk, wielding both his rifle and smaller pistol as he scans around for Fennec-

Once 4-LOM runs into a dead end, he turns around, only for Fennec to stab his mechanical legs as she crawls off the edge she's been hanging onto to-

Shand manages to stab 4-LOM's rifle and the droid bounty hunter fires a shot directly at Fennec's stomach, but once he sees wires sizzle out instead of flesh, this momentary takes him aback allowing Shand to stab 4-LOM multiple times in his chest, causing the droid to crash to the ground as Fennec winces while clutching her stomach,

"Of course it still hurts..."

Latts Razzi manages to use her grappling boa to wrap it around Zuckuss's chest, only for the gand to use his upper body strength to pull her at him before he punches her to the ground-

As Latts struggles to get on her feet, Zuckuss holds his shockprod staff over her head until-

Zuckuss stops once he feels Fennec press her blaster to the back of his head and utters aloud,

"Zuckuss did not foresee this-! 4-LOM is-"

Fennec holds up 4-LOM's severed head which still whirls with energy as it states quietly,

"I must apologize, Zuckuss... I have failed."

Zuckuss lowers his staff as Fennec throws 4-LOM's head at the gand findsman and mutters, "Get going- while I'm feeling generous."

Once Zuckuss runs off with 4-LOM's head, Shand helps Razzi back on her feet and the theelian looks at Fennec's stomach and gasps,

"Fennec- you're-"

Fennec shakes her head, "I'll live- we have a job to finish."

...

As Din recovers from his battle with Durge, R5 rolls up to him and Djarin pats his metal head with a tired sigh as he murmurs,

"It's fine... I didn't even name our ship..."

Suddenly Dengar comms Din and the corellian's rough voice exclaims,

"I found Jabba's treasure vault! It's got endless credits, mendacian urns and all kinds of other priceless goods! Uh... we might have a little problem though..."

Din gets up with a grunt as he responds,

"What problem-?"

"You know that rumbling you probably felt a few minutes ago-? Well I might've underestimated how big Robinino's laser grid was- because according to the ship's database, its main structure is falling apart- meaning- we leave to get out of here because the mountain implodes!" 

Dengar cries out worryingly-

Djarin looks over at the heavy freighter,

"Is the treasure vault detachable from the fortress-?"

Dengar's voice cracks, "Yes but our ships-"

"Let me worry about that-" Din calls out confidently as he and R5 rush over to the large freighter,

"Just tell me the vault's location and I'll be there momentarily- hurry!"

...

Boba Fett walks out of the observation deck now fully armored with both his pistol and gaffi stick as he runs out into the hallways once again, only stopping once Razzi's comms him reporting, "Good news boss- we've taken care of Zorba's forces- are you having similar luck-?"

Boba quickly responds, "Search through his cruiser- I want our forces to make sure no prisoners are onboard when you blow his yacht up-"

Latts hesitantly replies, "You want us to kill Zorba-? But what if he's worth more alive-?"

"No one messes with... us." Boba states coldly,

"Take care of him and get back to the Rancor's Fist- the rest of us will recover the treasure."

Boba then comes across Black Krrsantan beating Bossk with his own pulled off arm and quickly tackles the Wookiee with his gaffi stick in hand-

Krrsantan is caught off guard as Fett quickly disarms him and for a moment raises his gaffi stick in order to stab the furry bounty hunter-

But once Boba looks into Krrsantan's defeated eyes and expression, he roughly barks out, "Krrsantan... I am willing to spare your life... if you pledge a life debt to me and the Krayt Cartel."

Bossk watches with disgust and disdain as Krrsantan roars out slightly in agreement before Boba helps him up-

Bossk attempts to use his open hand to grab his rifle to finish off his enemy only for Fett to step in front of the trandoshan and murmurs,

"Enough... enough blood has been spilled today. Cad Bane is dead... it's over..."

Bossk hisses angrily at Krrsantan as he clutches his stump,

"I don't care if thiss will grow back... I want to finish this... here and now..."

Dengar then comms Boba who reports aloud,

"Din and I are securing the treasure! The rest of you need to go! This place is collapsing people!"

Bossk growls out in utter frustration as he follows Boba and Krrsantan back up to the upper level until they reach the landing bay...

...

Zorba, now expressing a look of worry, turns away from Mok Shaiz and grumbles to the captain of his barabel guards, "Tibor! What is going on out there-? Bane hasn't been responding- get out there and-"

Before the old hutt can finish, Fennec and Latts break into the control room, wasting no time to shoot or whip the half-dozen guards in the room- 

once all the guards are killed, Razzi whips Cobak to the ground as Shand walks up to Zorba and states boldly, "Your attempt to take what is ours has failed- the Krayt Cartel claims the treasure now."

Zorba flares as he booms out, "That wealth belongs to the hutt clan! My family! My imprisonment will not be easily forgotten by some measly ransom!"

Fennec and Razzi exchange some knowing glances before the former continues, "Oh, we have no interest in capturing you Zorba- you've come to your end, along with your ship." 

Mok Shaiz then stammers vocally, "Wait what about me-?"

Shand smiles openly as she pulls out a thin cord," I almost forgot..."

While Fennec slowly strangles Mok to death, Latts walks to the Zorba before looking down and glances at Rotta with slight disgust before sighing, "I did promise Garballa to save this little slimeball- come here smelly..."

Zorba watches helplessly as Latts takes Rotta in her arms while Fennec finishes Shaiz off and begins to leave and comments, "Goodbye Zorba- I've sabotaged your vessel's engines, so in a few moments it's going to crash down onto Glass mountain- perhaps if you're fast enough you might survive..."

As Razzi, Rotta and Fennec walk out of sight, Zorba bellows out angrily, "This isn't where my story ends! I have great plans to reform the grand hutt council and get revenge on that princess for killing my son!"

The Rancor's Fist lifts off and joins Slave I, Hound's Tooth, Punishing One and a heavy freighter carrying a massive vault as the Krayt Cartel fleet takes off, while the Zorba Express loses power and falls down and collides with Glass mountain and the fortress inside, causing a great explosion which causes a great amount of sand to rise in the air-

...

Later that same day, the group gathers outside the hangar of the palace as Garballa, now carrying Rotta, makes his way to Boba and exclaims happily, "I got that vault installed in the palace's most secured chambers! Do you want to see it?"

Fett slowly shakes his helmeted head, "I trust you Garballa- that's why I'm leaving you in charge of my Tatooine operations while I... while I expand our reaches."

Garballa's eyes widen while Rotta eats a klatooinian patty frog, "You really mean it? Having a hutt in charge of this place while you're off fighting more gangsters-? I have so many renovation ideas to consider, its making my head dizzy-" 

Bossk growls in annoyance as he walks to Boba followed by Gizman and the swoop riders as he hisses, "I'll make sure he behaves... then I might... take a break..."

Fett looks at Bossk's missing arm before uttering, "Are you certain about staying behind? Krrsantan isn't so bad once you get to know him..."

Bossk scoffs openly as he turns around to walk away, "Keep telling yourself that... besides, if Dengar's retiring for good, I'm throwing a party..."

At the same time, Fennec and Razzi watch Dengar load a container full of treasure onto his ship as Manaroo looks through a brochure of planets and murmurs,

"I wonder what would be better, Naboo or Zeltros...?"

Dengar finishes a bottle of gizer ale before muttering, "Oh definitely Zeltros, it's got everything from luxurious cantinas, lush landscapes and even more lush women-"

Manaroo puts her hands on her hips and glares at Dengar, "I bet the men are nice too."

Dengar hesitantly laughs before commenting, "But I think Manaroo and I are just going to buy a private beach isle with our retirement fund- sound good sweetie?"

Manaroo forms a gentle smile before kissing Dengar on the cheek before heading inside their ship- 

Once Boba walks to Dengar the corellian retired bounty hunter leans back and smiles cheekily at Fett, "I'm grateful you didn't hold the wealth over my head mate- I hope you settle down someday after you defeat all those crime cabals..."

Boba sighs and watches in silence as he watches the Punishing One fly out of the hangar and out of sight... Fett then moves over to the heavy freighter where Din is attempting to talk to Krrsantan and utters quietly, "Have you taken your compensation?"

Djarin turns to Boba and nods, "I have- but more importantly, your new cartel member said something about dropping me off at a place called Black Spire outpost- why?"

Fett takes his helmet off and smiles briefly, "I have an old friend who owns a transportation company on the planet Batuu who claims to have assisted in the transport of a large number of mandalorians- I suspect they are your coven."

...

Soon Garballa, Gizman along with the Max Rebo Band and many others waves goodbye to Slave I as it flies off and away from tatooine before jumping to hyperspace-

While Fennec and Razzi sit in the cockpit, Black Krrsantan works on upgrading a bowcaster in the weapons compartment of the starship while Boba and Din sit together in the passenger chambers... 

Djarin takes out a small metallic ball and looks it over a few times before he looks over at Boba and notices the crime lord holding two glowing stone pendants in his gloved hand and asks quietly, "What is that?"

Fett, still wearing his helmet turns away and closes his fist while muttering coldly,

"Nothing."

...

Within a darkly lit private chamber on Oba Dia, young pyke leader Vram Krim followed closely by assassin droid bounty hunter IG-88 walk up to a large holographic table while shows the image of Black Sun leader Xizor and Tyber Zann of the Zann Consortium-

Vram looks up to the two crime lords and mutters in a bitter voice,

"There is a growing threat arising which threatens all of our operations... you may have heard of this 'Krayt Cartel'- this new faction is led by a man who was once known as the most deadly and infamous bounty hunter in our time... Boba Fett."

——————————————————————