No Good Deed: Ody Mandrell's Tale
| Author: | Emmett Hercule LaFave |
|---|---|
| Series: | Tales from the Boonta Eve Classic |
| Length: | 14,455 words |
| Source: | AO3 |
| Publication Date: | November 13, 2024[1] |
| Preceding: | Following: |
|---|---|
| "The Late Fode and Beed Show: The Announcer's Tale" | "How I Sort of Beat the Ticket: The Tale of Ebe E. Endocott" |
"No Good Deed: Ody Mandrell's Tale" is a novella written by Emmett Hercule LaFave. It was first published on November 13, 2024[1] as the twenty-second story from Tales from the Boonta Eve Classic. In the print release of the anthology, it is the twenty-fourth story.[2]
Plot summary
On the planet Boonta, washed-up[3] podracer Ody Mandrell tutors his pupil, the Mirialan Force adept Lasalle. They are both fascinated by the Arkanian racer, and current darling of the ruling Hutts, Elseph M'iroa—who also happens to be the runaway daughter of the Arkanian royal family. Lasalle quickly becomes infatuated with her; meanwhile, Mandrell amorously pursues the Twi'lek Pirinia.[3]
Later, M'iroa's parents arrive on Boonta and petition Gourda and his attendants—his majordomo Kaz and the Falleen Prince Xizor—to let them take their daughter back to Arkania.[3] After the Hutt refuses, the Arkanians threaten war. At Xizor's prodding, Gourda plots to kill M'iroa in the coming races to make the death seem accidental. Lasalle overhears the plot and warns Elseph.[3]
The final circuit ends up as a deathmatch between M'iroa and Mandrell, with the loser summarily executed. Mandrell purposely throws the race, ready to die; however, Gourda reneges by calling collusion. In the ensuing chaos, M'iroa is killed and Lasalle storms Gourda's box alone. Mandrell chases after him, but upon entering the box, he finds the dead bodies of Lasalle, Gourda, and Kaz. Xizor claims responsibility; Mandrell, left with nothing, leaves Boonta with Pirina. After returning Lasalle's body to Mirial for burial, Mandrell settles on Coruscant, where he founds a podracing repair shop.[3]
Appearances
Characters
- Gardulla Besadii the Elder (In flashback)
- Bib Fortuna (In flashback)
- Gourda
- Jak Sargus (In flashback)
- Kaz
- Lasalle
- Ody Mandrell
- Elseph M'iroa
- Teemto Pagalies (In flashback)
- Pirina
- Jabba Desilijic Tiure (In flashback)
- Ratts Tyerell (In flashback)
- Xizor
Locations
- Boonta
- Coruscant (Mentioned only)
- Ody Mandrell's repair shop (Mentioned only)
- Mirial (Mentioned only)
- Tatooine (Mentioned only)
- Mos Espa (Mentioned only)
Behind the scenes
The pit fighter Jak Sargus, upon whom Mandrell places his bet during the flashback sequence[3], later had his origins further explored in LaFave's later short story "Greatest Gamble, which was included in the anthology Tales from the Outlander Club.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ken Palpatine (@shisstopus) on Discord (link), "https://archiveofourown.org/collections/Tales_from_the_Boonta_Eve_Classic Day 22, No Good Deed: Ody Mandrell’s Tale by Emmett LaFave, a prequel to his own existing series."
- ↑ Tales from the Boonta Eve Classic
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "No Good Deed: Ody Mandrell's Tale"
- ↑ "Greatest Gamble: The Podracer's Tale"