"Sure thing boss." Panza said and finished the transmission. It took some time to travel with her silent companions. The silence was stopped when one of B1 pilots spoke. "We are approaching the ship, Ma'am." It said.
Rook stayed silent for a moment, thinking, then spoke. "He was a capable and cunning warrior. He was our leader because we deemed him worthy." as she said that, there was strength in her voice. "He was defeated, captured and tortured... did you know that I was the one who rescued him?"
He walks close to her, staring at her. "I heard Rumors Yes. Is Your loyalty now to dead People Cowards or Me?" He stares in her Eyes Face to Face.
Once they were back in the ship, Sarah returns to her room to change into her bodysuit. After that, she calls Panza to the briefing room to see what he's found out.
Rook stayed silent for a moment but stared hardly at Darious. "I respect you. But, I think you have some kind of delusion here. When you were adventuring the galaxy, Lord Maul was on Mandalore, leading us in battle. His actions bought us, even if briefly, independence. We fought many battles, against great enemies - the Jedi and the Republic. And he was in the thick of it." She slowly walked up to Darious, so that their faces were right next to each other, staring hard into his eyes. "So let's make something clear. I will not have you disrespect my leader and call him a coward - when you yourself were nowhere near Mandalore when we fought battles for glory and our survival." Her eyes narrowed. "Because, from the point of view of those who were there - the cowards were those who stayed away from the Mandalore during the time of resurgence. So be careful, with throwing around the word... 'coward'." She sneered. She then turned and walk to the door, but then stop briefly. "They sing songs about battles on Mandalore. Viszla, Maul, Kryze and Rook are in those songs. Aden name is in none of those songs." With that, she left.
"Oh? And why should I help you? What would I gain from cooperating with you?" The duchess raised an eyebrow.
Panza nodded seeing Sarah. "Hey boss, I found where the raiders are stationed. They are occupying an outpost, near the hills not far from Mos Eisley - the buildings there are rather old, probably from the times of Galactic War, if I would take a guess. The outpost's fortifications are in a rather poor state. But it's hard to tell from the orbit... A reconnaissance could tell us more about the defences, but it would alert the raiders..."
"That's good enough, I'm sure a few droidekas will be enough to clear them. Alright, fill the shuttle with droidekas, leave enough room for me." Sarah said with a grin. And as Panza did as ordered, the busty blond uses the shuttle to get as close as possible, without alerting the raiders.
Panza followed Sarah as she left for the hangar. "Hey! Wait a minute! Only droidedkas? They are not suitable to fight in such difficult terrain!" He called, running after her, protesting.
"What? I'm sure they can roll up some slopes." Sarah sighed, "Fine, fine, we'll make two shuttle trips then, both filled with B2s'. Those should work."
Panza winced. "Droidedkas are great droids! Uncontested on flat terrains..." He sniffed. "But their small legs and rolling are weak when it comes to rough terrain." He sighted. "Yeah, B2s will do good. You aren't taking any of the new recruits?"
"Indeed. Guess I'll redo the plan. Alright, two shuttle trips. The first one will be the rebels, give them some weapons, and a communicator, and have them scout out the place. Once they have a rough grasp of the area. The second trip will be me, and a dozen or so B2s."
Darious stares quietly after her as She leaves. He pours himself another Strong Drink and afterwards heads out and strolls trough The Mansions Courtyard, thinking.
"You'd gain the queen's trust, get her to see you as someone who isn't a threat. Also, I wouldn't have to torture you." Daltar shrugs.
"Very well, boss." Panza nodded. "I will prepare everything." He said as he started manipulating the console. "When do you wish to depart? And how much you wish to give the rebels... sorry, our comrades, time scout?" He asked.
Darious walked out with his drink, into a cold night. The courtyard was mostly unoccupied, only speeders were standing there, waiting to be used. The night sky was light by a number of stars, ships and speeders travelling. That moment was tranquil.
He sits down under a Tree in The grass and looks up at The Stars, drinking and thinking about The Future and his Leagacy.
"Her trust?" The duchess repeated as if it was a joke. "She will continue seeing me as a threat, pest and person to be disposed of." She paused. "And you don't have to torture me." She said as if it was something obvious.
The cold grass reminded Darious of the old day. The days of his youth, when he was still training on Mandalore. The sweat and pain, but also the pride as he passed his tests. Things seemed to be easy then when he was but one of the warriors. With Rooks words, still echoing in his mind, he continued drinking, and thinking.
