later the bounty hunter felt a pair of arms grabbing him from behind as three more armed fighters in Koresh’s employ charged him with an onslaught of punches and kicks One of them swung a battle hammer and Mando ducked in time to see Koresh dashing for the exit Mando smashed the Twi’lek in front of him with a fist to the skull then pivoted and took out the thug behind him before ejecting a spring-loaded blade from his wrist and finishing off the last two fighters with lethal efficiency He picked up his blaster and sprinted for the door in pursuit of the Abyssin Outside he found Koresh scurrying down the alleyway alleyway elbows pumping making little grunting noises of panic as he fled The Mandalorian raised his arm and fired a grappling cable snaring the cyclops around the ankles and yanking him off his feet then dragging him backward Mando looped the cable around a lamppost and hoisted Koresh into the air so he was hog-tied and dangling upside down his soiled white jacket flapping around him like a pair of useless wings All right Koresh said Stop I’ll tell you where he is But you must give me your word that you won’t kill me I promise you won’t die by my hand Mando said He could already hear the red-eyed creatures in the
shadows creeping closer Their claws made eager little scratching noises as they approached Now where is the Mandalorian you know of Tatooine Mando looked at him in surprise What The Mando I know of is on Tatooine Koresh said Having already sacrificed all dignity his voice cracked as he sought to preserve what remained of his composure I have spent much time on Tatooine Mando said I have never seen a Mandalorian there My information is good I tell you The city of Mos Pelgo The Abyssin’s voice was starting to sound hoarse as if he was struggling to breathe I swear it by the Gotra Tatooine it is then Mando said and turned to leave the Child’s pram floating alongside him Wait Mando Koresh cried You can’t leave me like this Cut me down That wasn’t part of the deal Turning the Mandalorian shot out the streetlight above Koresh All around him emboldened by the darkness the red-eyed shapes lunged at their prey and Gor Koresh began to scream Wait what are you doing Mando I can pay Mando But the Mandalorian didn’t look back
CHAPTER 02 TATOOINE It was like he’d never left Gliding high above its dunes and canyon vistas Mando brought the Razor Crest over the sprawling golden sandscape passing a Tusken Raider astride his bantha on a cliff overlooking Mos Eisley He guided the ship downward settling it into its now familiar berth in hangar three-five then lowered the ramp in a cloud of hydraulic steam Peli Motto was waiting for him in her usual jumpsuit and tool belt her droids already advancing like a pit crew toward the ship She shooed them away All right she said Hey hey hey Sorry gang She shook her head Come on you know he doesn’t like droids Mando walked down the ramp a satchel hanging
from his shoulder You might as well let them have at it he said The Crest needs a good once-over Peli Motto raised an eyebrow Oh So he likes droids now Well you heard him Give it the onceover onceover As the droids made their way toward the ship Peli turned her attention to Mando I guess a lot has changed since you were last in Her voice rose in excitement as she noticed the Child’s head peeking peeking out of the bag Oh thank the Force This little thing has had me worried sick Come here you little womp rat She scooped up the Child and chuckled as he cooed in her arms Looks like it remembers me Then glancing up at Mando How much do you want for it Just kidding but not really You know if this thing ever divides or buds I will gladly pay for the offspring There was a whoosh and a crash from the Razor Crest and she and Mando looked over to see a loose hydraulic hose flailing in the air Hey Peli shouted Watch what you’re doing up there He barely trusts your kind Mando returned his attention to her I’m here on business he said I need your help Then business you shall have Peli said still
