The Mandalorian's Slave

Haunted

This chapter is in the Mandalorian's POV.

Aster isn't answering. Neither is Kuiil. They're probably dead now. The Imperials probably have the Child. Once it's delivered safely, they'll kill us.

"Is there another way out?" Cara's question interrupts my thoughts. I was raised a warrior, but the front door simply isn't an option. Not with fifty troopers surrounding us in addition to a Tie Fighter and better guns.

"No, that's it," Karga murmurs, sweat trickling down his forehead.

"What about the sewers?" I peer over my shoulder as I speak, glancing at the Imperials.

"Sewers?" Of course. Karga wouldn't know of the hidden world of Mandalorians below.

"The Mandalorians have a covert down in the sewers," I explain quickly. "If we can get down there, they can help us escape."

"Yeah, sewers are good," Cara agrees. Anything is better than facing the Imps.

"Checking for access points," I mutter as I scan the room.

"What the hell are they waiting for?" Cara dares to take another peek. She hisses in a breath. "Hold up. They're setting up an E-Web."

"It's over," Karga states with a grave finality.

I refuse to give up. If Aster were here, she would never forgive me for giving up on the Child. I rest my gaze upon a disheveled sofa. My helmet beeps, and visor highlights an area behind the couch red.

"I found the sewer vent."

"Let's get the hell out of here."

I dash across the room, ducking low so I'm not visible through the open widows. I shove the sofa aside, revealing a small vent. I tug at the grate covering the vent with all the strength in my body. It refuses to budge. Cara scurries over to help, but it's useless.

"It's assembled!" Karga's voice wobbles in a way I've never heard it before. "How long until that thing's cleared?"

"Blow it," Cara demands.

"I'm out of charges."

"Get out of the way!" Cara begins firing at the edges of the grate. She kicks at it wildly, grunting desperately.

"Your astute panic suggests that you understand your situation." The Imperial commander's voice floats through the open window. "I would prefer to avoid any further violence, and encourage a moment of consideration." Of course he can hear us just as clearly as we can hear him. "Members of my escort have completed assembly of an E-Web heavy repeating blaster. If you are unfamiliar with this weapon, I am sure that Republic Shock Trooper Carasynthia Dune of Alderaan will advise you that she has witnessed many of her ranks vaporize mid-descent facing the predecessor of this particular model." He pauses dramatically. "Or perhaps the decommissioned Mandalorian hunter, Din Djarin, has heard the songs of the Siege of Mandalore, when gunships outfitted with similar ordinance laid waste to the fields of Mandalorian recruits in The Night of a Thousand Tears."

My heart sinks at the grim reminder of my people's pain and suffering. And here this man is, relishing in it.

"I advise disgraced Magistrate Greef Karga to search the wisdom of his years and urge you to lay down your arms and come outside. The structure you are trapped in will be razed in short order and your storied lives with come to an unceremonious end."

"What do you propose?"I can't tell if Karga is stalling or seriously considering this man's offer.

"Reasonable negotiation."