Tales of the Mandalorians

[Dieter Schprokets]

Jorsair Hett was very very nervous as he jumped into the Omega 50 system for his appointed rendezvous.

As well he should be. He had been a very bad boy within the last couple of weeks.

Twelve days prior, he had very creatively interpreted his simple instructions to escort a BPA ship containing a significant Coalition prisoner to Newgate prison.

Specifically, he had interpreted the instructions as "kidnap the prisoner, kill the cop, and make up a story about a Corsair patrol." His mom always said he had a great imagination.

Yesterday he had encountered a Coalition warship in the Dublin system, and asked them whether they wanted to part with 10 Million credits in exchange for getting their man back. They seemed very receptive, and Jorsair was looking forward to early retirement.

Once in Omega 50, he set course for the appointed location, turned and spoke to the bound, older man beside him.

"What was your rank, again? I'll bet they'll be glad to get you."

His prisoner looked at him with contempt. "Commissar. And yes, they will."

Jorsair grinned. "And I'll be glad to be rid of you. Can't understand why a Bretonian would join the Reds."

The man snorted. "I am not surprised. I would not expect you to understand why a person would seek to serve the People, and look forward to the day when their chains are just a memory. Mercenaries are not particularly altruistic."

Jorsair, being not a well-read man (to say the least) was not sure if he had just been insulted or complimented. So he just kept his mouth shut.

"Here are your boys, now, Commissar."

Two sleek fighters approached from the Omega 52 jumphole. Jorsair listened to some Russian gibberish for a few seconds till the automatic translator sorted out what to do.

There was a problem.

These boys were just a couple of jet jocks on patrol. They did not have 10 Million credits. They were not expecting him, and were not interested in talking, bartering, or in facilitating Jorsair's early and comfortable retirement.

They were, however, very interested in brute force, and they proceeded to express their interest on the hull of his ship.

Jorsair was terrified now, trying desperately to dodge the Coalition pilots' fire. They were good, and he was in a bomber. It was just a matter of a few minutes.

When they were alone in the pod, being tracked in by one of the Coalition fighters, Norman Bethune smiled at his former captor and chuckled.

"You will be introduced to the Mongolian. You will wish they had killed you here."

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Mandalorian Comptroller Baltan Carid frowned and yelled at his secretary. For no good reason; she was only about 10 feet away.

"When was the last time Jorsair Hett checked in?"

"The Thursday before last." she answered.

He grunted. "He might have been killed out there then."

He sat heavily on his desk chair and then continued his instructions.

"Give it a couple of weeks, then let's fill the position. Dublin's too busy to be unmanned."

He wouldn't miss Hett. That one had far too high an opinion of himself, and always milked the system for every last credit he could.

Never missed a payday, no matter what.

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