The Book of Boba Fett

Mayor Mok Shaiz is on their payroll and has flown off world,

which leads us to believe the storm is about to break.

We need foot soldiers.

I might be able to help with that.

We're outnumbered by the Pyke Syndicate. I need you to lead a garrison.

Why should they risk their lives for this Boba Fett?

You tell your spice runners Tatooine is closed for business.

This planet's seen enough violence.

Tatooine belongs to the Syndicate.

As long as the spice keeps running, everyone will be left alone.

I will vanquish these interlopers who threaten our planet.

I will make the streets safe again.

All I ask in return is that you remain neutral

if the Pyke Syndicate approaches you to betray me.

This will be acceptable.

I abide.

We must prepare for war.

Uh-uh, wait! You forgot your camtono.

We are at war.

It was inevitable.

Even if we win,

there might not be anything left of this city.

That was fast.

Were you able to hire any foot soldiers?

I think so.

Cobb Vanth is raising a garrison for us.

What price did you negotiate?

Free.

Free?

He's been holding off the spice trade single-handedly.

I told him we could shut it down.

That's not free.

That's most of Jabba the Hutt's business.

That's what the town wants.

I agree to their terms.

There's a lot of credits to be made from that orange powder.

In the long run, it is better for us as well.

Mos Espa can become a prosperous city under our protection.

Spice is killing our people.

Let Marshal Vanth and the people of Mos Pelgo...

Freetown is its name now.

Let the people of Freetown know they have my word.

You can tell Cobb Vanth himself

when he arrives here with the reinforcements.

You are confident he will come?

I am.

Well, if he does not, we are doomed.

Our skill is no match for the Syndicate numbers.

We must buy time until they arrive.

We'll lockdown at the palace.

It's a bad idea.

Is that so?

It is.

And where do you propose we wait for reinforcements?

Here.

Here?

In these ruins?

Nonsense.

The palace offers greater protection.

If you want to abandon Mos Espa and hide in your fortress, go ahead.

We're staying.

The people who live here need our protection.

We'll stay.

I have to respond.

I have to respond in some way. At the very least, I should...

You returned so quickly.

Was your venture successful?

You won't have to worry about Freetown.

Did you convince the Marshal to remain neutral?

Yes.

Good. I want this over as soon as possible.

Does Fett have any other resources to call upon?

He used to live among a Tusken Raider tribe in the desert.

They no longer exist.

Are you sure?

Yes. We destroyed them ourselves.

Does Fett know that?

He has no idea.

He thinks they were killed by Nikto speed bikers.

We left evidence behind to encourage such a conclusion.

He meted out his revenge on them.

In his mind, the matter is resolved.

I didn't realize the Pyke Syndicate was so ruthless.

Pragmatic.

They were charging us protection.

We have to protect our margins.

Indeed you do.

So, when will this all be over?

That all depends on how much your two stomachs can bear.

No more explosives.

I didn't sign off on bombing Garsa's Sanctuary.

I agreed to surgical strikes, not open warfare.

With apologies, it seems that line has been crossed.

Well, I am still the mayor of Mos Espa, and I will not see it destroyed.

The Fett gotra is taking refuge in the ruins of the Sanctuary.

It will take extreme measures to remove them.

I think I have an idea how to draw Boba Fett out.

It's an X-wing. What's an X-wing doing here?

Stay in here. Lock it up, will you?

Hide that. Get rid of that.

Go. Go. Leave it over here, okay?

Move it over there. Go! You heard me!

Quit it!

Hello, officer!

Hide it! Officer!

I filed for my New Republic certification seal

just as you were landing.

Quite a coincidence, if you ask me.

Well, look who it is!

Aw!

Did they teach you how to fly an X-wing already?

I know an astromech flew the ship.

The Mandalorian? He's not here.

I don't know. He's on a job in Mos Espa.

But just slow down. Give me a second. You just got here.

Let me say hello to my old pal.

Well, hello, bright eyes. Come here.

Grogu?

Whoa! That's a terrible name.

Sorry about that, pal.

No way am I calling you that.

What do you have here, huh?

Something shiny.

Well, look at you, all fancy.

You must be starving.

Bring him some dung worms.

Oh, keep your dome on.

I don't care how big of a rush you're in.

Baby's got to eat.

There you go.

Okay.

As we wait for the reinforcements to arrive with Cobb Vanth from Freetown,

our forces are quietly patrolling the streets of the old city.

The Pyke Syndicate has not yet arrived in numbers,

but the minute they do, we will see them before they see us.

The truce you negotiated with the other families of Mos Espa

will ensure that they will remain neutral

and allow us to gain the upper hand by surprising the arriving soldiers.

The Gamorrean guards are posted in the Klatooinian territory

at the starport

and will alert us if any of the Pyke Syndicate forces arrive.

Krrsantan is in Trandoshan territory,

keeping tabs on the streets of the municipality in front of City Hall.

Drash and Skad are with the other Mods

keeping an eye on the Worker's District and the Aqualish Quarter.

As you can see, all our flanks are covered.

Nobody is sneaking up on us.

When the people of Freetown arrive,

we will have the forces required to pivot our strength

to whatever region the Pykes choose to attack from.

For now?

We wait.

Lord Fett? There is someone here to see you.

I thought you said nobody could sneak up on us.

I thought I smelled something.

If you're looking for a job, you're late.

I've already got a job.

I'm here to negotiate on behalf of the Pyke Syndicate.

I don't negotiate with gutless murderers.

If that's not the Quacta calling the Stifling slimy.

Clear out.

And tell your bosses we know they're outnumbered.

I wouldn't be counting on the people of Freetown to be coming anytime soon.

I paid Marshal Vanth a visit.

You should've never left him without his armor.

Before you get any ideas,

I've got back shooters too.

Let the spice move through Mos Espa,

and all this can be avoided.

No.

What do you propose then?

I will only negotiate with the head of the Pyke Syndicate.

You mean the one that massacred your Tusken family

and blamed it on a speed bike gang?

You know it's true.

Boba.

Let's do this right here, right now.

Not now.

You pick when.

He killed Vanth. The reinforcements aren't coming.

We fight on our terms, not theirs.

-I can take him. -You're emotional.

I can take him.

We need to adjust.

You'll have your moment.

Tell your client negotiations are terminated.

You're going soft in your old age.

We all do.

That was an impressive display of restraint.

Exemplary stratagem.

If I may be so bold as to offer additional counsel...

I wonder how much he would pay for the Twi'lek.

Understood. Many pardons. I should never have interjected.

Come in, boss. Come in.

Something feels strange over here.

Have the Pykes arrived?

Not yet, but something feels off.

The locals are attacking.

I thought we had a treaty.

So did I.