03x06 - Chapter 22: g*ns for Hire

[bunniefuu]

(THE MANDALORIAN GASPING)

Don't worry, brother.

Thank you.

You are not Mandalorian.

He's one of them.

One of what?

MOFF GIDEON: The Darksaber.

In order for her to
wield the Darksaber again,

it must be won in battle.

What of your plans to retake Mandalore?

When I returned without the
Darksaber, my forces melted away.

Where is the stolen fleet?

Making their way through
the galaxy as mercenaries.

I am going to Mandalore.

No!

(POWERING DOWN)

Without the Creed, what are we?

What do we stand for?

Our people are scattered
like stars in the galaxy.

You rescued me and I'll
always be in your debt.

Remove your helmet.

Our people have strayed from the Way

and it is not enough
for a few to walk it.

Bo-Katan Kryze is going off to bring
other Mandalorians in exile to us

so that we may join together once again.

But she shows her face.

Bo-Katan walks both worlds.

She can bring all tribes together.

It is time to retake Mandalore.

(WHIRRING)

(DOOR HISSES)

(GULPING)

(BEEPS)

(SPEAKING QUARRENESE)


Hail, Imperial friends.

We are a peaceful Quarren freighter

making our way to do
business in the Mid Rim.

And were unaware of any local
warlords that required payment.

SHIP CAPTAIN: (ON COMMS)
I am not a criminal.

Of course not.

I intended no disrespect.

Basic is not my native tongue.

I meant to say that we were not aware

of the majestic Imperial
presence in this sector,

and we will gladly hire your protection.

SHIP CAPTAIN: We are not Imperial either.

We are Mandalorian.

And, sadly, you're too late to hire us.

You see, we've been commissioned
to track you down, Captain Shuggoth.

This is an act of w*r.

AXE WOVES: "w*r?" (LAUGHS)

We're privateers. Individuals for hire.

The price is high but we
are very good at what we do.

Loyal as well.

Which is why we cannot
accept your generous offer.

You see, we were already hired
by a certain Mon Calamari Viceroy

who has reason to believe
you absconded with her son.

It's a lie.

We finally have peace with the Calamari.

Why would I jeopardize
peace and prosperity?

We have all suffered too much from w*r.

I didn't say anything about w*r.

I know it was for love.

But my job is not to judge,

but simply to complete the
tasks for which we were hired.

- (GASPS)
- No. I won't go. I won't go.

(PANTING)

We love each other.

AXE WOVES: Sorry. I've gotta
bring you back home to your folks.

After that, you can
do whatever you want.

Okay, let's make this quick.

We got a contract waiting
for us on Plazir- .

I can't go back to that wretched palace.

Don't make us damage your
girlfriend's pretty little ship.

Captain, please, talk to him.

You have to go with them.

No. I love you.

Please go.

I can't destroy everything
I've built for a childish fling.

(STAMMERS) Is that all this was to you?

No, that's not what I meant.

But you need to go.

We knew fate was not on our side.

Who cares about fate? I love you.

And I will always love you.

KOSKA REEVES: Come with us, Prince.

- You can do this. I'll see you again.
- (GASPS)

KOSKA REEVES: It's a long ride home.

I thought Mandalorians were honorable.

KOSKA REEVES: We are, kid.
All it takes is a few credits.

(HISSES)

(WHOOSHING)

(WHOOSHING)

There they are.

THE MANDALORIAN: That's quite a fleet.

It took me a long time to assemble it.

Most of it was captured from the Empire.

THE MANDALORIAN: I knew
they looked familiar.

Could come in real handy
taking back Mandalore.

Axe Woves is their leader now.

It's going to take some
convincing to get them to join us.

THE MANDALORIAN: I wonder
what they're here for?

This planet isn't on the
New Republic Registry,

so I'd guess it's an independent
world that hired them for protection.

THE MANDALORIAN: Can't imagine
Woves will be happy to see you.

Yeah.

I'll land outside the fleet's perimeter.

It's probably best if we go in on foot.

(FANFARE MUSIC PLAYING)

FEMALE VOICE: (ON COMMS)
Welcome to Plazir- .

The Outer Rim's only
remaining direct democracy.

You've been assigned a docking slip.

You will be guided on the assigned path.

- Engaging automated guidance.
- (BEEPS)

(WHIRRING)

THE MANDALORIAN: What happened?

They've taken control of the ship.

I guess we're going for a ride.

(GROGU COOING)

(CLANKS)

(HISSING)

THE MANDALORIAN: This is interesting.

RA- : Welcome to Plazir- .

Please proceed to your hyperloop pod.

Why do they have Imperial
droids on an independent world?

It's the Outer Rim.

Your guess is as good as mine.

(DOOR HISSES)

Bring us to the bay closest
to the Mandalorian fleet.

FEMALE VOICE: (ON PA) As per Article
Nine of the Coruscant Accords,

permission must be
granted from High Senate

for access to self-defense
forces in the peacekeeping zone.

Do you grant permission
to scan your chain code?

(TRILLS)

(TRILLS)

Din Djarin and Bo-Katan Kryze.

Your presence has been requested

by the leadership of the
planetary democracy...

I'm afraid we have
more pressing matters.

Perhaps at a later time.

Please do not attempt
to leave the vehicle.

This is not a request.

(COOING)

I've never been here before. Have you?

THE MANDALORIAN:
I haven't even heard of it.

Do you think we're gonna have
to blast our way out of here?

We'll find out.

(BRAKES HISSING)

(COOING)

(DOOR HISSES)

(CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING)

(LIVELY CHATTER)

MAN: Join us! Come!

It's a party.

(LAUGHS) Come! Everyone, special guests.

Mandalorians.

I hope you like secretions.
Take a little sip-sip.

Come, please.

- (LAUGHTER)
- MAN: Honey.

(IN SING-SONG) Do you love me?

WOMAN: Oh, my goodness.
(IN SING-SONG) Yes, I do.

(LAUGHTER)

Let's address the bantha in the room.

I was once a facilities
planning officer during the w*r.

And thanks to the New
Republic Amnesty Program,

I was able to help rebuild Plazir- .

THE MANDALORIAN: You were Imperial?

He was.

Plazir suffered greatly
under Imperial rule.

My husband came here as
part of his rehabilitation.

He oversaw the rebuilding of this planet

on which my family served as nobility

since it was originally
settled, and... we fell in love.

We fell in love. We did fall in love.

- (LAUGHTER)
- (COOING)

Could I perhaps hold the baby? Please?

THE MANDALORIAN: He doesn't
take kindly to strangers.

(KISSING)

- (COOS)
- (GASPS, LAUGHS)

- You are so fast. Yes.
- (THE MANDALORIAN SIGHS)

You see, it was time for our
planet to move into a new age.

We held direct democratic elections
for the first time in our history.

We are both royals and elected leaders.

And the Mandalorian privateer
warships docked in your fields?

Oh, we hire them for protection.

Our charter forbids us
from having a m*llitary

- because of my husband's Imperial past.
- (SMACKS LIPS)

But because of this, all of our
resources go to growth and the people.

I'd like to speak to these "privateers."

That can be arranged.

There is just one condition.

What?

You really must see the view.

Right this way.

We'll just be a moment.
Enjoy your meal, don't get up.

Let's show our guests the view.

We have a problem.

- BO-KATAN: Yes?
- A droid problem.

THE MANDALORIAN: What
kind of "droid problem"?

- Malfunction.
- A coordinated malfunction.

We think.

THE MANDALORIAN: What
makes you think that?

The planet's Imperial droids
were reprogrammed for peace.

I personally oversaw the program.

I can assure you they were completely

rehabilitated for peaceful purposes.

- Exclusively.
- We thought.

They were, my love, I
personally oversaw the program.

THE MANDALORIAN: What
kind of malfunction?

CAPTAIN BOMBARDIER: I mean,
nothing too serious at first.

Unexpected power cycles.
Deleted task stacks.

THE DUTCHESS: Then it got worse.

Traffic accidents. Heavy equipment
failures leading to injury.

- as*ault.
- THE MANDALORIAN: "as*ault"?

Respectfully, what does
this have to do with us?

Our constables are ill-equipped
to confront battle droids.

"Battle droids"?

Uh-uh-uh-uh. Former battle droids.

They've been rehabilitated for civic duty.

- (SIGHS) We thought.
- They were.

THE DUTCHESS: Obviously not.

The Mandalorian garrison
outside your city walls

can make quick work
of your battle droids.

- That's just it.
- What?

Our charter forbids any standing
army from entering our city.

Our constables aren't even
allowed to carry blasters.

THE MANDALORIAN: But you
allowed us to be armed.

- Exactly.
- Mmm.

The people have voted that
we are a pluralistic society.

You are Mandalorians.

Weaponry and armor are intrinsic
to your culture, are they not?

They are.

You see where we're going here?

You want us to eliminate
your droid problem.

Exactly.

I knew you would help us.

Hold on there, Your Majesty.
We didn't agree to help you.

Please, Princess Kryze. Your Grace.

This is not intended
to be a work of charity.

Unlike my brethren
outside your city walls,

I am not a mercenary.

Apologies if that is
the impression I gave.

What I intended to convey is that
I would hope that this "excursion"

would be viewed as an act of
diplomacy between our two planets.

In fact, Plazir- would formally

recognize Mandalore
as a sovereign system

and petition the New Republic
to recognize it as such.

The mercenary captain, Axe Woves,
indicated that he split from you

because you had designs on
ruling Mandalore once again.

Those plans have been abandoned.

The offer stands nonetheless.

What do you think?

THE MANDALORIAN: You had
me at "battle droids."

These droids were all
reprogrammed to serve the community

from the stockpile of
captured Imperial robotics

scheduled to be scrapped at Karthon.

The droid's reprogramming
was a complete success,

until one day, an isolated event...

(WHIRRING)

(CLATTERING)

Then others.

(BEEPS)

(CRACKLING)

This is just a small
collection of malfunctions

- that our security cameras caught.
- (SCREAMS)

(CROWD EXCLAIMING)

(BEEPS)

- (SLASHING)
- (PEOPLE SCREAMING)

Turn them off.

What?

Why not turn them all off?

Who's in charge of that?

I am.

There's a failsafe cutoff
switch built into the system.

- However...
- What?

The citizens voted against any
interruption in droid services.

(LAUGHS) They can't live without it.

And why's that?

The citizens are no
longer required to work

and can spend their days
engaging in recreation,

the arts, and participating
in our direct democracy.

If we shut down the droids,

(LAUGHS) our citizens wouldn't
know how to survive.

Our society would collapse.

Then what do you want from us?

To seek out and decommission
any remaining rogue droids,

until we can fix the problem.

(SIGHS) Give us the list.

Well, for that,

you'll have to go to the lower
level and speak to the Ugnaughts.

"Ugnaughts"?

Ugnaughts.

See what happens when
you rely on droids?

Are you taking this personally?

Just pointing it out.

Let's just finish this
so we can be on our way.

- (CRACKLING)
- (ELEVATOR BEEPS)

I am Bo-Katan Kryze.

Which one of you is in charge?

We were sent on behalf of The Dutchess

and Captain Bombardier to help
you with your droid problem.

Hello?

This is going nowhere.

I am Mandalorian Din Djarin,
friend of Ugnaught Kuiil.

You will answer our questions
and help us with our task.

I have spoken.

(CRACKLING)

Thank you for your hospitality
and for sharing your table with us.

We were engaged to hunt down and
eliminate the malfunctioning droids.

There are no such droids.

You may not have heard
the news down here,

but your droids are wreaking
havoc in the world above.

There is not much of
which we are not aware.

These halls are the central
nervous system of the city.

I assure you, the droids
are not malfunctioning.

Citizens have been harmed by
these malfunctioning machines.

This is not the case. I have spoken.

We're not in any way suggesting
that your work is to blame.

The stories of Ugnaughts' skill
with smithing droids are legendary.

We know that Ugnaughts are considered

the hardest working
species in the galaxy.

We, like you, have been
engaged with a task to perform.

We will investigate
the dangerous incidents.

We would appreciate your help.

(SIGHS)

Here are the locations
of the droids you seek.

Thank you.

We are in your debt. I have spoken.

What was that?

I've spent time with Ugnaughts.

There's a particular way
to communicate with them.

Accusing their work of
malfunctioning is an insult.

Now, they've indicated
that there's a likelihood

that the next event will
be at the loading docks.

How sure are they?

Hard to tell.

- Ugnaughts always seem sure of themselves.
- (LAUGHS)

Well, it's the only lead we've got

so we might as well have a look around.

(HISSING)

(CLANKING)

I haven't seen battle
droids since the Clone Wars.

I have.

Any of 'em look suspicious?

They all look suspicious.

DROID FOREMAN: Halt.

This is a restricted area.
You are to vacate immediately.

We have a few questions.

DROID FOREMAN: Show me
your identification please.

We're here on behalf of The Dutchess

to investigate the droid malfunctions.

DROID FOREMAN: Yes, I saw the reports.

Rest assured, I've had
the entire line of loaders

undergo maintenance
protocols as a safety measure.

The, uh, certification is on file.

Uh, I wouldn't do that if I were you.

- THE MANDALORIAN: Why's that?
- As a precaution.

Their base function was warfare.

THE MANDALORIAN: I thought
they were just checked out.

DROID FOREMAN: They were.

Uh, what are you doing?

Then this shouldn't faze them.

DROID FOREMAN: Uh, sir?

Excuse me! (STAMMERS) Excuse me! Sir!

- (GRUNTS)
- (BEEPS)

(GROANS)

- (DROID EXCLAIMS)
- (GRUNTS)

(GRUNTING)

- Oh!
- Re-certified, huh?

DROID FOREMAN: You should
have left them alone.

(PANTING)

(GRUNTS)

(WHOOSHES)

(CROWD SCREAMING)

(DROID CHATTERING)

(WOMEN SCREAMING)

(BOTH GRUNTING)

(CROWD SCREAMING)

THE MANDALORIAN: Keep going!

(CROWD EXCLAIMING)

(SIRENS BLARING)

CONSTABLE DROID: This is a crime scene.

Thank you for standing back.

(BO-KATAN GRUNTS)

This is a crime scene.

Thank you for standing back.

This is a crime scene.

Thank you for standing back.

(BO-KATAN PANTING)

I found a spark pad.

What's it say?

"The Resistor."

Sounds like a droid bar.

(SIGHS)

And there's an address.

(DROID CHATTER)

BO-KATAN: Let me do
the talking in there.

THE MANDALORIAN: Why is that?

Because I wanna get the information
fast and get to the fleet.

So do I. What's your point?

(DANCE MUSIC PLAYING)

You kicking droids
is really not helpful.

I figured out which one was
malfunctioning, didn't I?

You did it your way, now
let me do it mine, okay?

This is the address.

(DROID CHATTER)

(MUSIC AND CHATTER ABRUPTLY STOPS)

(WHIRRING)

THE MANDALORIAN: I don't think
they get many of our kind here.

BARTENDER DROID: Can I help you?

That depends. Is this The Resistor?

BARTENDER DROID: This is.

That spark pad was found
on a rogue battle droid.

BARTENDER DROID: We give
out lots of spark pads.

What are you getting at?

There has been a string of malfunctions
that all point to this oil can.

BARTENDER DROID: You
can check my registry.

We are in full compliance
with Planetary Hierarchical...

If you don't start answering questions,

I'll yank your memory circuit
and dissect it back at the lab.

(ELECTRICITY CRACKLING)

Nobody leaves.

A word?

Stay where I can see you.

(WHISPERING) What are you doing?

You're wasting your time.
You can't reason with droids.

Their behavior is programmed.

All they do is reason.

They're also programmed
not to harm organics.

How's that going?

Look, you are not helping.

Just because the malfunctioning
droids happen to visit here

doesn't mean that this one is in on it.

BARTENDER DROID: I want to help.

THE MANDALORIAN: You want me to
pull your hearing sensors too?

We are worried that if these horrible
incidents continue, we will be...

THE MANDALORIAN: You'll be what?

There are concerns among my
customers that we will be replaced.

By what?

Humans.

Most of us have been
refurbished and reprogrammed.

Some droids on Plazir date
back to the Separatists.

The New Republic would
send them to scrap.

But here on Plazir, they
are given a second chance.

Well, these catastrophes
don't help your argument.

Exactly.

That's why we need your help.

We don't want to be replaced. We
still have a lot to contribute.

Human life is so short.

They don't ask that much of us.

Organics created us.

It's the least we can do.

(DROIDS CHATTERING IN UNISON)

BO-KATAN: Do you have a record of
what each of the suspects ordered?

That is not how it works here.

There is no selection of
beverages as with organics.

Here, droids are served Nepenthé.

THE MANDALORIAN: What's Nepenthé?

It is a viscous lubricant that
protects against mechanical wear

while delivering program
refreshing sub-particles.

So Nepenthé reprograms
the droids that drink here?

It patches the programming as the
commands of the mainframe change.

(TRILLING)

(SCANS, BEEPS)

It seems the malfunctioning droids

all imbibed from the
same batch of Nepenthé.

(WHIRRING)

LAB TECH: These are the remains
of the latest malfunctioning droid.

(HISSES)

(BEEPS)

We're looking for
programming sub-particles.

Yes. Let me isolate them.

All right, let's see if
they give us a reading.

(BEEPING)

The particles are definitely present.

What are the chances
that they're still active?

(BEEPS)

- (LAB TECH GRUNTS)
- Get down!

(CRACKLING)

(GROANS)

(GRUNTS)

(CRACKLING)

(ALL PANTING)

They're still active.

LAB TECH: These are the sub-particles.

- Curious...
- What?

They're actually nano-droids.

How did nano-droids
get into the Nepenthé?

What's that?

LAB TECH: The striations?

Just an aberration in the metal.

Probably malleability
limitations at this scale.

No. It's writing.

Rotate the perspective.

(BEEPING)

It's a chain code.

If it has a chain code,

then we should be able to
determine its point of origin.

LAB TECH: In theory.

Let me see what I can find out.

(BEEPING)

Yes, here we are.

They were originally
manufactured by the Techno Union.

Been in cold-storage for ages.

The chain title says it didn't arrive

on Plazir through Droid Acquisitions.

How strange...

How did it arrive?

They were requisitioned
by the Security Office.

Is that unusual?

It's illegal.

There's no record of this transaction
on the government registry.

These droids were
ordered by an individual.

Is there a name?

LAB TECH: Our head of security.

Commissioner Helgait.

Check the cycles of security cameras
for any potential irregularities.

Commissioner, we have
some questions for you.

Sorry, I have to check the
data farm for anomalies.

We know about the Nepenthé.
And the nano-droids.

They didn't malfunction.

You programmed them
to disrupt and att*ck.

You're coming with us.

Everyone, freeze!

If I trigger this failsafe,

it will convert the planet's docile
workforce back into battle droids

and unleash them upon the
unsuspecting citizens of Plazir!

Don't make me do it.

BO-KATAN: There's no
way out, Commissioner.

Give yourself up.

COMMISSIONER HELGAIT: Give up?

I never give up.

I didn't give up to
the corrupt Republic,

I didn't give up to the Empire,
and I won't give up to you.

You're a Separatist?

Separatist is a pejorative term.

I support democracy.

Count Dooku was a visionary.

He was cut short in his
prime by the Jedi enforcer...

(ELECTRICITY CRACKLING)

(THUDS)

Politics.

(COMMISSIONER HELGAIT GROANS)

- (CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING)
- (CHITTERS)

Okay, let me get that for you, M'Lady.

Your toss, lovey.

(THE DUTCHESS BREATHES DEEPLY)

(COOING)

- (GRUNTS)
- (CHIMING)

(TRILLING)

(ALL CHEERING)

A Quadro-blast! I've
never seen such a streak!

(SIGHS)

What are you doing with
Commissioner Helgait?

THE MANDALORIAN: We found the
cause of your "malfunctions."

Is this true?

I'm afraid it is, M'Lady.

Despicable.

If that isn't the Quacta
calling the Stifling slimy.

I beg your pardon.

This planet is unrecognizable
since he arrived.

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

I had a feeling you hated me.

I'm disappointed in you, Commissioner.

You served my family well.

But Captain Bombardier
is the love of my life.

And I know his heart is true.

Sure, he's made some
mistakes in the past,

but who here among us has not?

Is there no room for a little bit
of forgiveness in a galaxy so vast?

I am sorry to have
disappointed you, My Lady.

Perhaps someday I can earn such
forgiveness from Your Grace.

Perhaps.

As for now, you must live in
exile on the moon of Paraqaat.

(EXCLAIMING)

(SIGHS)

And as for you, Lady Bo-Katan
Kryze and Din Djarin of Concordia,

I grant you audience with our
deployment of Mandalorian privateers.

I also give to you both our
highest honor, the key to Plazir.

You will always be welcome
in our domed paradise.

M'Lady.

M'Lord.

And to this little one,

I grant knighthood.

(BABBLING)

You are now a knight of the Ancient
Order of Independent Regencies.

Go in peace, brave travelers.
Until our paths meet again.

THE MANDALORIAN: M'Lord. M'Lady.

(COOING)

FEMALE VOICE: (ON PA) Now
approaching landing field three.

They're Mandalorians.

You're their leader.

They're going to follow you.

I'm not their leader anymore.

Axe Woves is.

Then what's your play?

(COOS)

I'll know when I get there.

(IDLE CHATTER)

AXE WOVES: Have you come
back to join the mercenaries?

I've come to reclaim my fleet.

It's no longer your fleet, is it?

I'm now in command and
grown quite fond of it.

Then I challenge you,
one warrior to another.

Do you accept my challenge?

I do.

(WHOOSHING)

(GROANS)

(BOTH GRUNTING)

(GROANS)

- (SHOUTING)
- (WHOOSHES)

(BOTH GROAN)

(BOTH GRUNTING)

(GROANS)

Do you yield?

- (SHOUTING)
- (WHOOSHING)

(GROANING)

(GROANS)

(GRUNTS)

(PANTING)

Do you yield?

You'll never be the true
leader of our people.

You won't even take
the Darksaber from him.

He's the one you should be challenging.

Enough Mandalorian blood has
been spilled by our own hands.

Mandalorians are stronger together.

But a misguided zealot
possesses the blade.

One, I might add,

who has not one drop of
Mandalorian blood in his veins.

Din Djarin took the Creed
and chose to walk the Way,

just as our ancestors did.

He is every bit the
Mandalorian that they were.

Certainly as much as any of us.

But according to our ways,

the ruler of Mandalore
must possess the Darksaber.

Then she shall have it.

This belongs to you.

It's not a gift to be given,
no matter how well intended.

It's not a gift.

While exploring
Mandalore, I was captured.

And this blade was taken from me.

Bo-Katan rescued me
and slayed my captor.

She defeated the enemy that defeated me.

Would this blade then not belong to her?

Would it not belong to her?

It would.

I return this blade
to its rightful owner.

- (ELECTRICAL SIZZLING)
- (MECHANICAL THRUM)