Chapter 62 : Maul's Summons
The encrypted message bypasses every security protocol R4 established—appearing directly on my personal datapad despite quantum encryption that should make unauthorized access mathematically impossible. The holographic projection activates autonomously showing figure that makes my blood run cold despite months of violence immunization.
Darth Maul. Former Sith Lord. Current Shadow Collective leader. Zabrak features marked with red and black tattoos, yellow eyes burning with intensity that Force-sensitivity probably amplifies into weapon itself. His presence through hologram alone creates pressure at base of skull that anti-Force equipment struggles dampening.
"Kade Varro." His voice is controlled menace—predator who's chosen allowing prey to hear approach rather than silent stalking. "I have been patient. Shadow Collective's purchases performed excellently across multiple operations. Your equipment enabled victories I did not anticipate achieving so efficiently."
The praise feels like threat somehow. Maul doesn't seem like being who gives compliments without ulterior purpose.
"Now I require face-to-face meeting. You will come to Zanbar in three days. We have business arrangements requiring personal discussion." Pause for emphasis. "Refusal is death. Not negotiable death. Not threatened death. Certain, immediate, inescapable death delivered by forces you cannot comprehend or counter."
Hologram terminates before I can respond. Message received and acknowledged whether I wanted acknowledging or not.
R4's photoreceptor spins frantically. "Master must evacuate immediately. Maul is former Sith apprentice—combat capability exceeds any threat master has faced. Survival probability in direct confrontation: effectively zero. Recommend fleeing to Unknown Regions before Shadow Collective locates master."
"Fleeing means abandoning 5.34 million credits in remaining Shadow Collective payments, losing access to largest criminal network in galaxy, and confirming I'm unreliable supplier who runs when intimidated." The calculation is brutal but accurate. "Also, Shadow Collective has galaxy-wide reach. Unknown Regions might delay assassination, not prevent it."
Eight provides contrasting assessment: "Master must attend meeting. Maul is key strategic relationship providing protection across criminal networks and massive revenue stream. Angering him eliminates benefits while creating existential threat. Recommend preparing maximum defensive measures and attending as summoned."
"Master is choosing between definite danger attending meeting versus probable danger refusing. Neither option provides safety."
"Then I choose option that maintains revenue and relationships. Refusing eliminates both while probably still getting me killed." The logic is merchant pragmatism overriding survival instinct screaming to run.
Bo-Katan finds me staring at datapad fifteen minutes after message arrived. She's moving better now—ribs healing ahead of schedule through Mandalorian physiology or sheer stubbornness. Removes helmet sitting beside me.
"You look like someone scheduled your execution."
"Close. Maul summoned me for face-to-face meeting on Zanbar. Three days. Non-optional attendance."
Her expression hardens. "Maul is Sith. Meeting him is dangerous beyond any threat you've faced. He's not gangster or warlord—he's Force-wielder who killed Jedi and survived being bisected by Obi-Wan through pure hatred sustaining his life."
"I'm aware. Also aware that refusing means Shadow Collective assassins and loss of 5.34 million credits. Need to attend despite danger."
"Then don't go alone. I'll accompany you—provide security, negotiate on your behalf if situation becomes threatening."
"He summoned me specifically. Sending representative is insult that probably triggers the assassination he's threatening."
"Then Death Watch provides escort. Fifty warriors, full armor, enough firepower to make killing you expensive even for Sith Lord." She's already planning logistics. "We make statement—you're not isolated merchant they can intimidate. You're Death Watch ally with full backing of warrior clan."
The suggestion has merit. Maul might respect display of force more than cowering submission. Or might view it as challenge requiring violent response. Difficult predicting Sith Lord psychology.
Pre Vizsla enters quarters without knocking—Death Watch commander's privilege. "Heard about Maul's summons. We need discussing strategic response."
The three of us review situation in tactical planning room. Vizsla is grave examining holographic display showing Zanbar's location and Shadow Collective's known military assets.
"Maul is most dangerous individual in galaxy currently operating openly. Sith training, combat experience, and Force abilities make him nearly unbeatable in direct confrontation. But he's also pragmatic—built criminal empire through strategic thinking, not just violence." Vizsla's assessment is professional threat evaluation. "He wants something from you. Meeting is negotiation, not execution. Otherwise you'd be dead already through remote assassination."
"That's... somewhat comforting?"
"It's tactical reality. Maul could kill you without face-to-face meeting if death was objective. Summoning you means he's negotiating from position of overwhelming strength but wants outcome other than your death." Vizsla activates tactical display. "Death Watch provides fifty-warrior escort. Not protection from Maul himself—nothing protects from Sith Lord if he's decided on killing—but sends message that you're valuable asset with powerful allies."
Bo-Katan objects: "Fifty warriors is target-rich environment if Maul decides demonstrating power. He could kill them all and Kade."
"Could. But won't. Shadow Collective built on pragmatic alliances, not pointless displays of violence. Maul is Sith but he's not insane—he understands killing fifty Death Watch warriors creates permanent enemy when he wants supplier relationship." Vizsla's logic is sound. "We provide security that deters opportunistic threats while accepting that Maul himself is un-deterrable."
"I need defensive preparations beyond just armed escort." The statement is acknowledging that warriors won't stop Force-wielder if he decides I'm problem requiring elimination.
Two days preparing for meeting feel simultaneously too long and insufficient. I purchase upgraded anti-Force equipment from System catalog: Warhammer 40K psy-dampener upgraded version designed for resisting major psyker abilities (95,000 credits), enhanced personal shields incorporating multiple redundant generators (50,000 credits), and medical trauma kit for treating Force-inflicted injuries if somehow survive initial attack (15,000 credits).
[ DEFENSIVE UPGRADES: -160,000 CREDITS ]
[ CURRENT BALANCE: 3,831,245 CREDITS ]
Eight downloads comprehensive intelligence file on Maul from available databases: "Subject: Maul, Zabrak male, former Sith apprentice to Darth Sidious, presumed killed by Obi-Wan Kenobi during Naboo crisis, returned via dark side rage and Mother Talzin's Nightsister magic, rebuilt lower body with cybernetic legs, obsessed with revenge against Obi-Wan and Sith who betrayed him, brutally violent but strategically brilliant, current leader of Shadow Collective criminal empire, confirmed Force-sensitive with combat capability exceeding most Jedi Masters."
The profile is terrifying documentation of someone who died and returned through sheer hatred. Who rebuilt himself literally and figuratively for singular purpose of revenge. Who's now running galaxy's largest criminal organization while maintaining Sith combat capabilities.
"Master's survival probability against Maul in direct combat: 0.7%," R4 calculates. "Anti-Force equipment provides minimal protection against Sith Lord of his caliber. Enhanced shields might delay death seconds rather than preventing it. Trauma kit is optimistic accessory for injuries master wouldn't survive receiving."
"What's the 0.7% scenario where I survive?"
"Maul chooses not killing master. That's only survival path. Master's defensive capabilities are irrelevant against Force-wielder of his power level."
"Then I rely on being useful enough that killing me is counterproductive to his goals."
"That is master's only viable strategy. Be valuable."
Night before departure, Bo-Katan tries one final time convincing me to refuse: "You don't have to do this. We can disappear together—flee Mandalore, start somewhere clean without Shadow Collective, Death Watch, any of it. Just us and enough credits to live comfortably indefinitely."
The offer is genuine. She's proposing abandoning everything for relationship and survival. Part of me is tempted—walking away from violence, from moral compromises, from being person who's accumulated 430+ casualties through business decisions.
But larger part is merchant who built empire through systematic choices and won't abandon it for safety that might be illusory anyway.
"I have to go. Built this business, can't abandon it now. Shadow Collective represents massive revenue stream and political protection across criminal networks. Losing that because I'm scared of face-to-face meeting is admitting I'm not serious professional."
"Professional pride will get you killed eventually. Maybe today specifically."
"Probably. But not running from this. Running establishes pattern—every time threat escalates, I flee. That's not sustainable business model."
She holds me close. "Then promise you'll come back. Promise you'll be careful. Promise you won't do anything stupid trying to impress Sith Lord with your bravery."
"I promise to prioritize survival over all other considerations. That's best I can offer."
We make love with intensity suggesting both believe this might be final time. Neither says it explicitly but awareness permeates every touch. She's fierce and desperate simultaneously. I'm trying to memorize sensation of being with someone who cares whether I live or die.
Afterward, lying together in darkness, she speaks quietly: "Business will get you killed eventually. Maybe not Maul tomorrow, but someday. You're playing games with beings far more dangerous than you understand."
"I know."
"But you're doing it anyway."
"Yes. Because walking away means admitting I'm scared. And I'm already too deep for fear to be useful emotion."
"That's stupidest thing I've ever heard."
"Probably. But it's my stupidity. Own it completely."
Morning arrives inevitably. Death Watch transport with fifty-warrior escort departs Concordia at 0800 hours. Destination: Zanbar. Purpose: meeting with former Sith Lord who might kill me for amusement or negotiate contract. Survival probability: unknown but definitely lower than I'd prefer.
Forward into jaws of predator who summoned prey for purposes that might be business or might be execution disguised as negotiation.
At least I'll know soon whether merchant pragmatism or suicidal overconfidence describes my choices.
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