FORSAKEN II - Eternal Dawn

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

"You're an honorable man, Syrran Qer," said Tasu Leech after the group arrived at the spaceport. "Your words align with your fists." Fourteen of the twenty Kanjis survived the escape.

"It was a long time coming," Syrran said. "What are you going to do now?"

"We're going back to Nar Kanji to free the rest of our people."

"You're going to need more than guts and guns to do that." Syrran opened the chest.

"Er, what are you doing?" Hondo said.

"Take the first three rows."

The Kanjis looked at each other, surprised. Tasu Leech signaled two of his men to take the credits. "Your blood spills with ours," he thanked him.

"That's coming out of your cut," Hondo said.

"That shoulder is going to need surgery." Jarriss finished bandaging the blaster wound of a Kanji called Delphi Kloda.

"Pain breeds strength," Delphi Kloda said.

"You may have lost your people, Syrran Qer," Tasu Leech said. "But you're always going to be one of us. Kanjiklub grandio." He gave him the Blind Alley salute and so did his men.

"Kanjiklub grandio." Syrran returned the gesture. "May the Force be with you."

"Well, that was a colorful bunch," Gorin said as the party made their way through the alleys of the spaceport toward the landing bay.

"No wonder you can fight like a rabid rathtar," Virra said. "Those Kanjis are nerve burners."

"What I can't believe is that you all lied to me about you being Jedi," Hondo said.

"It's the only reason you're still alive, Hondo," Quinlan said. The door to the landing bay opened and he marveled at the sight of the Outcast. "You came in this beauty?" He ambled about, taking in some of the ship's details. "The Force has definitely been good to you."

"That's our girl, the Outcast," Syrran said.

Ilum stopped and put down the chest of credits. "Heads up," he said, reaching for his blaster. "There is a group of sentients approaching."

"A dozen armed Weequays, coming through the back door," said Jarriss with his blaster out, perceiving their auras and energy signatures a moment before they entered the hangar.

"I believe it's called an 'exit strategy." Hondo sauntered over to his men. "Even though I haven't had this much fun since the Clone Wars, it's time for me to bid you farewell, my mystical friends."

"I knew you couldn't be trusted." Virra drew out her gun.

"You're a sharp one, golden eyes. Like my dear mother used to say, 'Life is game of sabacc, meant to be won by those who know how to cheat.'"

"Here you go, boss," said Hondo's second in command, Gwarm, helping him put on a long red coat.

"Ah! Thank you, Gwarm. At least you make it to Nar Shaddaa in time, unlike on Rodia." A red and green Kowakian monkey-lizard climbed on Hondo's shoulder and rested a hand on his helmet. "I'm glad you didn't try to take over the gang in my absence."

"He did, but we were short on credits, so we mutinied," said Parsel, a Weequay wearing a red scarf over his mouth with an X on it.

"You backstabbing swindler. I'm proud of you. I didn't expect any less from you, Gwarm. Never trust a pirate that's not trying to remove their captain. Now, hand over the chest, my mineral friend." Hondo pulled out his blaster. "And you, Qer, hand over the ship's activation cylinder."