Cordelia and Din enter the building soon after Fennec and Boba.
"That was fast." Fennec says when she hears them walk inside. "Were you able to hire any foot soldiers?"
"We think so. Cobb Vanth is raising a garrison for us." Din answers.
"What price did you negotiate?" She asks.
"Free." He replies.
"Free?" Boba asks.
"Cobb's been holding off the spice trade single-handedly. We told him we could shut it down." Cordelia explains.
"That's not free. That's most of Jabba the Hutt's business." Fennec says. Cordelia shivers at the mention of Jabba and Din slips his hand into hers, knowing her history with him.
"That's what the town wants." He tells Boba.
"I agree to their terms." He replies.
"There's a lot of credits to be made from that orange powder." Fennec argues.
"In the long run, it is better for us as well. Mos Espa can become a prosperous city under our protection. Spice is killing our people. Let Marshal Vanth and the people of Mos Pelgo-" He explains.
"Freetown. It's not Mos Pelgo anymore, it's called Freetown." Cordelia interrupts.
"Let the people of Freetown know they have my word." He finishes.
"You can tell Cobb Vanth himself when he arrives here with the reinforcements." Din says.
"You are confident he will come?" He asks.
"We are." He assures.
"Well, if he does not, we are doomed. Our skill is no match for the Syndicate numbers. We must buy time until they arrive. We'll lockdown at the palace." Boba says.
"It's a bad idea." Skad tells him.
"Is that so?" He asks.
"It is." He replies.
"And where do you propose we wait for reinforcements?" Boba asks.
"Here." He answers.
"Here? In these ruins?" He asks. Skad nods. "Nonsense. The palace offers greater protection."
"If you want to abandon Mos Espa and hide in your fortress, go ahead. We're staying. The peopls who live here need our protection." Drash says. Boba looks from them to Fennec, Din, and Cordelia.
"We'll stay." Boba tells them.
***
"As we wait for the reinforcements to arrive with Cobb Vanth from Freetown, our forces are quietly patrolling the streets of the old city. The Pyke Syndicate has not yet arrived in numbers, but the minute they do, we will see them before they see us. The truce you negotiated with the other families of Mos Espa will ensure that they will remain neutral and allow us to gain the upper hand by surprising the arriving soldiers." Fennec explains as she paces.
"The Gamorrean guards are posted in the Klatoonian territory at the Starport and will alert us if any of the Pyke Syndicate forces arrive. Krrsantan is in Trandoshan territory, keeping tabs on the streets of the municipality in front of City Hall. Drash and Skad are with the other Mods, keeping an eye on the Worker's District and the Aqualish Quarter. As you can see, all our flanks are covered. Nobody is sneaking up on us. When the people of Freetown arrive, we will have the forces required to pivot our strength to whatever region the Pykes choose to attack from."
"For now?" Boba asks.
"We wait." She replies. Din pulls Cordelia behind him and aims his blaster at the door as a droid approaches.
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The Mandalorian's Bounties | Din Djarin
FanfictionCordelia wakes up with no memories. She doesn't know who she is, let alone why she wakes up in a strange building with a Child at her side. The only thing she does know is that she must protect him at all costs. After spending months with her appare...
