“So they crashed here too, several years ago,” mused Anslor. Kellaro had contacted him as quickly as he could, after he had nervously introduced himself to the suspicious Lok clan members who had circled the little expedition with their blasters drawn. Kellaro had managed to talk them down, though this was only after he had stuttered out the names of his parents, Kyolath and Dinui Lok’kar. The two were both well known to Clan Lok, and even though Kellaro recognized none of their accosters personally, at least two came forward to hug him and beat him on the back like a long-lost brother.
They had taken him into their wrecked Shaadlar, letting him hook into its computer to be able to project the signal back to Captain Anslor’s ship. That was as far as the electromagnetic disturbance had allowed him, and it suddenly came clear to Kellaro why Clan Lok had never contacted the other clans for help. They simply had not been able to.
“But it’s a Shaadlar, of the same general make and model as ours,” said Kellaro excitedly. “I bet between the two ships we could repair one of them enough to make it back out into orbit. And they have extra fuel!”
“We’d best wait a few weeks so the Republic cruiser will move on,” mused Anslor.
“Make that a negative,” said one of the Clan Lok members. “They’ve been sending out regular patrols for the past few months. Is the Empire poking at their borders again?”
“Oh, a lot has happened,” said Kellaro. “Mandalorians are Imperial citizens, now, did you know that?”
The Clan Lok Mando looked at him blankly.
“Anyway,” said Kellaro uneasily, turning back to the radio. “It sounds like we’ll have to blast our way out, Captain. Or at least time it right, to slip out while the patrol is on the other side of the planet.”
“We’ve got some time to figure it out,” said Anslor. “I’m sure you’d appreciate the chance to catch up with your fellows.”
“Sure,” said Kellaro, though he didn’t say that, to him, many of the Clan Lok Mandalorians here were as strangers.
“Why the long face? This is your aliit,” Anslor.
“Technically, sir, my immediate aliit are all dead. Or Sith.”
“Family is more than blood,” said Captain Anslor. “Take your time. It’ll be at least a week to make the repairs.”
“Of course, sir…”