Maketh frowned, not bothering to hide it. Obviously they'd come to an agreement on something. She didn't know what Krennic had that Harper could possibly want, though. Credits? Perhaps access to some weapon the Empire was developing. "Really. Do enlighten me, Commander."
"Now that, perhaps, you should as your uncle about." He was sure Harper would have quite the story to tell. However, the details of their deal would remain between them for now but he was sure that Maketh could guess as to the gist of their discussion.
That smile meant his comment had to have struck some nerve.
"Is there anything else, Minister?" He would play along and enjoy watch what happened with her uncle. And it would be interesting to see how she would come back at him.
"No, I believe we understand each other," Maketh said through clenched teeth.
Oh, she was going to murder him and mutilate his corpse.
**
A few hours later, one of Tarkin's subordinates delivered some security tapes to Minister Tua.
It took a good ten minutes for the yelling to stop. Apparently, the junior officers whispered, the Minister had thrown a chair at a Death Trooper. Apparently he'd decided it was safer not to dodge.
The minister then spent a good amount of time yelling at anyone who wandered into her line of sight and cursing both Commander Krennic and her uncle.
**
For his part, Harper was thoroughly enjoying his stay on Lothal. Even though the rebels had decided it was safer to go to ground and risk a few civilian deaths rather than facing the combined wrath of the Empire and Harper's soldiers, guessing - correctly - that eventually someone would run out of patience or credits and something would have to give. But while that half of Maketh's plan might have failed, she had allowed Harper's soldiers to train some of her storm troopers.
Currently the death toll was holding steady at five. The ones who'd managed to keep up showed some promise, once they stopped crying. A few might even become decent warriors and the rest would be sufficient entertainment.
All and all, the venture wasn't entirely wasted.
At the moment, Harper was sitting by the fire and playing cards with his second in command. Ossor was terrible at it, but he made up for his failure with cards by knowing everything worth hearing. Currently he was filling Harper in on the camp gossip.
Xo, one of his lieutenants, had gotten herself pregnant. She was quite pleased with this turn of events, even though the man she'd chosen to father the child had been proven ill-suited to the task and subsequently been shot and buried in the desert by another warrior who also wanted the honor of raising a heir to Mandalore. There had been some fighting to establish exactly who would stand at Xo's side for the task and it had maimed more men than Harper normally cared for. But a child was cause for celebration regardless of parentage, and Harper knew the importance of ceremony and tradition. Such things had to be recognized properly. Currently they were all drinking to the honor of Xo and her coming child, as well as the fighting to come. Most of his men were drunk or brawling and the rest were either asleep or off causing trouble in the city. So long as they didn't forget their honor, Harper didn't much care what they did. No doubt a few more would come to him and argue to take either a lover or adopted child along with the battalion before the engagement was up. If their cause was strong, Harper would indulge them.
After all, few souls would ever live honorable lives on Lothal. It was for the best to take them away if they were willing.
Only the willing, though. Slaves bore weak children and made worse fighters, and thus were forbidden.
A burst of static crackled in Ossor's headpiece. He frowned, then set his cards down. "Your man is here."
Harper raised an eyebrow. "Really. All the way out here?"
He'd taken his soldiers out of Lothal and into the desert, where they could be loud without frightening the locals. It was cold and stark and reminded him of better times. The sky was clear and full of stars. His men were drunk and laughing.
Ossor stood, pulling his helmet on. "He brought Death Troopers. Shall we kill them?"
"No," Harper murmured, considering his cards. "Well, certainly not all of them. That would be rude. He came out all this way. Give them something to drink. If they refuse our hospitality, then remind them of our customs."
"And your man?"
Harper bared his teeth. "Now, now. He's hardly mine. Let the commander in. I'm sure he wants something."
Somewhere Grand Moff Tarkin stepped away from his console after giving his orders, shuddering once more as he reached for his glass of brandy. There was nothing that could erase what he had seen those on those tapes from his mind. He just hoped Minister Tua could make Krennic's existence on Lothal as miserable as possible.
Krennic decided to take matters into his hands. While Maketh Tua was no doubt plotting his death, he had Mandalorians to deal with. He could have sent a subordinate which was the tactic most Imperial officers would have done but he wasn't like most other officers. Instead, he went down there himself into the desert in his white uniform, smirking when he and his two troopers were greeted by the Mandalorians.
He could tell they were bored and he would have to fix that.
"Stand down, enjoy your time here," Krennic murmured to the troopers with a grin The Deathtroopers looked at each other with silent confusion before looking around at the cheering soldiers. "Have a drink, we will be here for awhile."
He looked up when he was told to follow the soldier, leaving behind the troopers to join the fun. Surely they would have a good time.
"Well, you seem to be enjoying yourself out here," he remarked with amusement as he approached Harper. It was rather lovely out in the desert away from the lights of the city. The stars were bright, the sky was clear, and despite the noise of the soldiers it was strangely peaceful compared to the chaos of the city and the Imperial compound.
Ossor glanced at Harper for a moment, awaiting orders. Harper waved him away and began shuffling the cards again. Despite the nose and flash of fire - and a few silenced blaster hits; a few of his men were using a protesting droid for target practice - they were relatively separated from the group. About as close to privacy as one came without retreating to the ships.
It was only polite.
Harper shuffled the cards, watching Krennic. "One of my lieutenants is pregnant. Another has taken a wife. The spirit of Mandalore lives in their actions and what honor their blood will bring our cause."
"Do you think I would have sent another officer?" He asked with a laugh as he sat by the fire without a second thought, without waiting for an invitation.
"It sounds like your men need something else to occupy their time. I think we can find something for them to bring honor to Mandalore," he said, getting right to the heart of the matter.
"But first, aren't you going to offer me a drink?" Just because he was here for business that didn't mean that there couldn't be a little fun.
"We would have treated them as we treated you," Harper said mildly. "So long as they honored our customs. Or made things interesting enough."
Krennic had no honor, not in the way that matters. Several of Harper's men are were watching him with open contempt. Even so, they did move any closer. Their leader has made a choice. Until someone stronger took his head, Harper's word remained law.
So it goes.
Harper smiled, then picked up a discarded bottle. There was still enough beer left to count.
"We brew it ourselves, you know. A very special blend." He held it out for Krennic. "What do you want, Imperial? We don't answer to you."
"And miss out on the fun myself? I couldn't pass this up," he remarked with amusement. He knew the looks he was getting but he ignored it as he looked at Harper instead.
"No, you don't answer to me but I can't imagine you want to sit out in the desert drinking," he pointed out as he took the bottle. He didn't hesitate to take a drink of beer. "I've never had Mandalorian beer before, but it's not bad at all."
Definitely not something that would have been found in Tarkin's collection like the wine they had before.
Harper just smiled. "We make it with bone marrow. From our enemies, of course."
Not really. It was just something they said to see if people flinched.
Harper leaned back in his chair. "We have a contract. Even if the rebels don't take the bait. Maybe we killed a few of your engineers, but they were weak. We'll be here until that contract is done. Or my niece runs out of money."
"I'm not surprised. It gives it a certain....something special." Not so much of a flinch, he even took a second drink, finishing off the bottle. It would take more than that to get him to startle.
"The engineers may be weak but we do need them," he pointed out. "But I think you would take more pleasure fighting more than just weak engineers and I have something in mind that will give you that," he remarked as he looked at Harper.
"The rebels are planning an operation on Lothal shortly and they are going to be throwing quite a bit of force into their attack." At his encouragement, of course. "But if you prefer to sit in the desert and drink, I will not stop you. It is rather nice out here," he mentioned as he looked up at the stars.
"Well, it seems the rebels have gotten intelligence that we are building some advanced armored weapons here. I have no doubt that they are on their way eager to stop us and destroy these two weapons."
And Tua would no doubt be blamed for the leak which would suit both of them at the same time.
Oh, Harper knew that look. He laughed just a little, then stood up and stretched. The chair was comfortable but he still had all his armor on, minus the helmet. It got heavy. It wasn't really meant for being stationary. "I can think of a few."
He tipped his head to the side. "We ought to discuss details about this venture of yours. In private, I think."
"I believe you're right," he said as he stood, watching Harper carefully. No doubt almost every soldier was watching them
"Lead the way then. I'm sure you can find somewhere more suitable." He was sure they were going to have an interesting discussion and he was in no hurry."
Harper made a gesture to his second, putting him in charge. Ossor offered him a curt nod. A stranger might think he was displeased with the situation, but that was simply Ossor. Straight-laced down to the bone. "Follow me, engineer."
Then he turned, unafraid to have Krennic at his back, and led the man inside one of the ships they'd used to transport his soldiers. It wasn't nice, exactly, but it was away from prying eyes.
Krennic only glanced at Ossor before following Harper into the transport ship. He wasn't worried about it being nice, he had more important concerns tonight.
"So do you plan to keep the lightsabers of the Jedi as trophies?" he asked with amusement as soon as they were alone.
The outside of the transport ships were mercenary and plain, heavily armored and dented by their travels. Inside was a different story. The walls had been painted with wild colors, murals and scenes depicting battles and triumphs. Those without artistic talent had simply written their names and dates, along with sparse descriptions of events worth remembering. No single wall remained bare. Even the cots were adorned, blankets embroidered with careful stitching and brightly dyed thread. Harper toed one carelessly and began stripping out of his armor. It got cumbersome after a while.
"Of course. As commander, I have first claim on the fight. If I win, their weapons are mine. But should any of my men participate and conduct themselves with honor, they are welcome to whatever remains. Their scalps, perhaps."
He smiled at Krennic. "I don't care for those. Far too messy. But perhaps I'll show you my trophies one day. A man like you ought to appreciate things like that."
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"So he did come to see you."
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"I know what you expected when you invited him and the other Mandalorians here, Minister."
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"Is there anything else, Minister?" He would play along and enjoy watch what happened with her uncle. And it would be interesting to see how she would come back at him.
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Oh, she was going to murder him and mutilate his corpse.
**
A few hours later, one of Tarkin's subordinates delivered some security tapes to Minister Tua.
It took a good ten minutes for the yelling to stop. Apparently, the junior officers whispered, the Minister had thrown a chair at a Death Trooper. Apparently he'd decided it was safer not to dodge.
The minister then spent a good amount of time yelling at anyone who wandered into her line of sight and cursing both Commander Krennic and her uncle.
**
For his part, Harper was thoroughly enjoying his stay on Lothal. Even though the rebels had decided it was safer to go to ground and risk a few civilian deaths rather than facing the combined wrath of the Empire and Harper's soldiers, guessing - correctly - that eventually someone would run out of patience or credits and something would have to give. But while that half of Maketh's plan might have failed, she had allowed Harper's soldiers to train some of her storm troopers.
Currently the death toll was holding steady at five. The ones who'd managed to keep up showed some promise, once they stopped crying. A few might even become decent warriors and the rest would be sufficient entertainment.
All and all, the venture wasn't entirely wasted.
At the moment, Harper was sitting by the fire and playing cards with his second in command. Ossor was terrible at it, but he made up for his failure with cards by knowing everything worth hearing. Currently he was filling Harper in on the camp gossip.
Xo, one of his lieutenants, had gotten herself pregnant. She was quite pleased with this turn of events, even though the man she'd chosen to father the child had been proven ill-suited to the task and subsequently been shot and buried in the desert by another warrior who also wanted the honor of raising a heir to Mandalore. There had been some fighting to establish exactly who would stand at Xo's side for the task and it had maimed more men than Harper normally cared for. But a child was cause for celebration regardless of parentage, and Harper knew the importance of ceremony and tradition. Such things had to be recognized properly. Currently they were all drinking to the honor of Xo and her coming child, as well as the fighting to come. Most of his men were drunk or brawling and the rest were either asleep or off causing trouble in the city. So long as they didn't forget their honor, Harper didn't much care what they did. No doubt a few more would come to him and argue to take either a lover or adopted child along with the battalion before the engagement was up. If their cause was strong, Harper would indulge them.
After all, few souls would ever live honorable lives on Lothal. It was for the best to take them away if they were willing.
Only the willing, though. Slaves bore weak children and made worse fighters, and thus were forbidden.
A burst of static crackled in Ossor's headpiece. He frowned, then set his cards down. "Your man is here."
Harper raised an eyebrow. "Really. All the way out here?"
He'd taken his soldiers out of Lothal and into the desert, where they could be loud without frightening the locals. It was cold and stark and reminded him of better times. The sky was clear and full of stars. His men were drunk and laughing.
Ossor stood, pulling his helmet on. "He brought Death Troopers. Shall we kill them?"
"No," Harper murmured, considering his cards. "Well, certainly not all of them. That would be rude. He came out all this way. Give them something to drink. If they refuse our hospitality, then remind them of our customs."
"And your man?"
Harper bared his teeth. "Now, now. He's hardly mine. Let the commander in. I'm sure he wants something."
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Krennic decided to take matters into his hands. While Maketh Tua was no doubt plotting his death, he had Mandalorians to deal with. He could have sent a subordinate which was the tactic most Imperial officers would have done but he wasn't like most other officers. Instead, he went down there himself into the desert in his white uniform, smirking when he and his two troopers were greeted by the Mandalorians.
He could tell they were bored and he would have to fix that.
"Stand down, enjoy your time here," Krennic murmured to the troopers with a grin The Deathtroopers looked at each other with silent confusion before looking around at the cheering soldiers. "Have a drink, we will be here for awhile."
He looked up when he was told to follow the soldier, leaving behind the troopers to join the fun. Surely they would have a good time.
"Well, you seem to be enjoying yourself out here," he remarked with amusement as he approached Harper. It was rather lovely out in the desert away from the lights of the city. The stars were bright, the sky was clear, and despite the noise of the soldiers it was strangely peaceful compared to the chaos of the city and the Imperial compound.
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It was only polite.
Harper shuffled the cards, watching Krennic. "One of my lieutenants is pregnant. Another has taken a wife. The spirit of Mandalore lives in their actions and what honor their blood will bring our cause."
He smiled, setting the cards aside.
"You're bold, coming all the way out here."
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"It sounds like your men need something else to occupy their time. I think we can find something for them to bring honor to Mandalore," he said, getting right to the heart of the matter.
"But first, aren't you going to offer me a drink?" Just because he was here for business that didn't mean that there couldn't be a little fun.
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Krennic had no honor, not in the way that matters. Several of Harper's men are were watching him with open contempt. Even so, they did move any closer. Their leader has made a choice. Until someone stronger took his head, Harper's word remained law.
So it goes.
Harper smiled, then picked up a discarded bottle. There was still enough beer left to count.
"We brew it ourselves, you know. A very special blend." He held it out for Krennic. "What do you want, Imperial? We don't answer to you."
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"No, you don't answer to me but I can't imagine you want to sit out in the desert drinking," he pointed out as he took the bottle. He didn't hesitate to take a drink of beer. "I've never had Mandalorian beer before, but it's not bad at all."
Definitely not something that would have been found in Tarkin's collection like the wine they had before.
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Not really. It was just something they said to see if people flinched.
Harper leaned back in his chair. "We have a contract. Even if the rebels don't take the bait. Maybe we killed a few of your engineers, but they were weak. We'll be here until that contract is done. Or my niece runs out of money."
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"The engineers may be weak but we do need them," he pointed out. "But I think you would take more pleasure fighting more than just weak engineers and I have something in mind that will give you that," he remarked as he looked at Harper.
"The rebels are planning an operation on Lothal shortly and they are going to be throwing quite a bit of force into their attack." At his encouragement, of course. "But if you prefer to sit in the desert and drink, I will not stop you. It is rather nice out here," he mentioned as he looked up at the stars.
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And Tua would no doubt be blamed for the leak which would suit both of them at the same time.
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Harper bared his teeth in a wide grin.
"Good. Good. That will be a worthy fight!"
Indeed. He might lose a few soldiers in the mess, but it would be well worth it. Finally, someone worth facing in battle. And two, no less.
Harper leaned forward suddenly.
"You are good to us, Imperial. However shall I thank you?"
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Krennic smirked as he remained where he was, a glint in his eyes. There was a reason he wanted to deliver this news in person.
"I'm sure you'll think of a suitable way to repay me."
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He tipped his head to the side. "We ought to discuss details about this venture of yours. In private, I think."
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"Lead the way then. I'm sure you can find somewhere more suitable." He was sure they were going to have an interesting discussion and he was in no hurry."
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Then he turned, unafraid to have Krennic at his back, and led the man inside one of the ships they'd used to transport his soldiers. It wasn't nice, exactly, but it was away from prying eyes.
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"So do you plan to keep the lightsabers of the Jedi as trophies?" he asked with amusement as soon as they were alone.
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"Of course. As commander, I have first claim on the fight. If I win, their weapons are mine. But should any of my men participate and conduct themselves with honor, they are welcome to whatever remains. Their scalps, perhaps."
He smiled at Krennic. "I don't care for those. Far too messy. But perhaps I'll show you my trophies one day. A man like you ought to appreciate things like that."
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veeeery late >.>
<3
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