Tales of the Mandalorians

[Dieter Schprokets]

Diane Blane had returned from her absence, or so Consul William Bishop had heard, and he made his way to his office to gather some information she had requested before her journey. It had to do with the Council, and whether the terms of the contract allowed the Mandalorians to invoice them separately for fuel expended travelling to Gallia, as a "mob/demob" expense.

Also the invoicing was late, and most of the project managers were drunk, or wounded.

And marketing had provided some new golf shirt designs for review..

William stopped in the hallway, and reflected that being a mercenary wasn't what it used to be.

He kept going down the hall, shaking his head. He entered his office, took several paces into the room, then saw a small, shiny object on his desk. As his mind was trying to find some word to connect to it, he heard a woman's voice speak gently behind him.

"Hello, Billy."

He responded instantly with a shoulder roll, and took cover behind his desk. He peered out cautiously, when his mind finally connected words to the object on his desk.

The words were "Mandalore's Signet Ring"

As he raised his head and stared at the ring, Diana Blaine came out from the shadows, with a smile on her face.

"You should drink decaf."

William just mouthed 'what?', noiselessly.

Diane stepped forward more, and put her hands on the table.

"The men want you. And I am now in a special position with a specific client. I cannot reveal more, but it will be very lucrative. We will trade rings, since I do wish to remain a consul."

Billy slowly took off his ring, and passed it to Diane. He looked down at the Mandalore's signet ring. Forged a very long time ago. Very, very far away.

He opened his mouth to protest. Diane cut him off.

"The best leader is he who does not seek leadership. Since you obviously loathe the idea, you are perfect. I've decided."

Diane turned with a wink and walked swiftly out of the room, as she left she spoke quickly.

"There has to be a ritual, of course. You get to wear a very uncomfortable outfit."

She was gone, leaving William to look at the ring in his hand.

He put it on slowly, then stared at it in the dim light. He was now Mandalore.

And he hadn't got a word in edgewise.

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