Disclaimer: So just to get it out of the way, I don't own any piece of Star Wars. All I own is my character and my storyline, everything else is just being used for my own enjoyment :)
The Mandalorian pilot moved quietly through the crowded spaceport on her way back from Force knew where, unaware of the eyes watching her from the shadows in the far corner of the building.
He'd been watching the green-and-gold armored pilot come and go from her ship for nearly three days now, and he was becoming convinced she was exactly the person for the job. No Imperial ties that he could see, her own ship with no crew other than herself, and like most Mandalorians, she didn't seem prone to spending much time talking with strangers. Listening, on the other hand... He'd seen her on the fringes of more than one crowd gathered around a bragging spacer, telling about his newest run to some distant planet. Yet she always lurked quietly in the shadows, never offering any new information in to the conversation. She seemed to be content to keep her own council. Yet another thing that told him she might be exactly the one he was looking for. The Corellian Bloodstripes she wore on her pant legs also helped boost his confidence. They didn't give those things to just anyone, and nobody was stupid enough to walk around wearing them without earning it. Not if they wanted to live to see another sunrise.
He'd noted the menagerie of weapons she carried, from the scout pistol holstered at her waist, to the vibrosword sheathed within easy reach over her right shoulder. He had no doubt she'd stashed multiple other weapons about her person that he had yet to see. He'd even heard that the kama – a sort of battle skirt some Mandalorians wore belted around the waist – could have pockets designed to hide weapons. She'd be well prepared for the job he had in mind.
Granted, he'd feel a lot more at ease if he was able to see anything but the expressionless T-visor of her helmet. But then again, beggars couldn't be choosers, he reminded himself. And it wasn't like he was very open about letting people see his face. Still brooding, he slid deeper into the shadows and settled down to wait. For what, he wasn't sure, but some instinct told him to stay put.
His patience paid off little more than an hour later. The pilot had stepped off her ship at a summons from a small group of stormtroopers, each carrying a rather nasty looking rifle. Some moved so they were facing the crowded spaceport, their backs to the pilot who was now lounging against the gleaming hull of her ship. As he began to move closer to the ship, hoping to get within earshot, he saw the leader of the stormtroopers gesturing angrily, apparently insisting that the pilot remove her helmet. Some guideline probably, meant to show deference or respect to the Empire's thugs. The pilot, however, seemed unwilling to comply. The stormtrooper took one step forward as if to remove the helmet personally, only to find himself staring down the barrel of a modified scout blaster.
The watcher had come within ear shot at this point, still lurking in the shadows and hoping the Mandalorian was too occupied to notice him. He didn't want to tip his hand just yet.
"Now, ask me again, but ask me nicely," the Mandalorian was saying, her helmet's vocoder doing little to mask the drawling mockery in her voice. She waved the pistol slightly for emphasis, but the watcher noticed it had been flipped to a stun setting. It'd still hurt like crazy at this range, but it wouldn't kill the stormtrooper. That was interesting.
The stormtrooper hesitated, then repeated his request for her to remove her helmet in a much more civil tone. The pistol was lowered and holstered, and the helmet removed to reveal a pale skinned face with high cheekbones, serious gray eyes, and long brown hair.
"See now? That wasn't so difficult." Her voice sounded far different now that her helmet rested under the crook of her arm. It was thin and whispery, holding a rasp that told anyone who was paying attention that she'd suffered some sort of damage to her vocal cords. The dim lighting of the hangar also revealed a puckered scar that sheathed the lower right side of her face. A burn scar, if he wasn't mistaken. "Now, what was so important that it couldn't be said with my helmet still on?"
The stormtrooper stiffened, drawing himself up to his full height. "Protocol states-"
"I don't care what your 'protocol' states. Or is all this just to give me a lecture in Imperial regulations?" she interrupted, arching one brow in a challenge.
"All this is to employ your valuable services to the Empire, Kadira Sal." This new voice caused the watcher to duck hurriedly further back in to the shadows. The man wore the insignia of a Commander and held himself with an air of authority that indicated he was used to being obeyed. The stormtroopers all snapped to attention, but the Mandalorian merely flicked her fingers in a lazy attempt at a salute.
"My ship and my services aren't for sale," the Mandalorian, Kadira, spoke simply, lifting one armored shoulder in a shrug.
"I'm authorized to offer you four-thousand credits for a week of your services."
Kadira laughed, the sound rasping as she settled back against her ship, arms crossed with a defiant tilt to her chin. "You could offer me ten times that and I wouldn't even consider it. I'm not interested," she said, waving one gloved hand dismissively. The two argued back and forth, but still the Mandalorian refused the use of her ship or her piloting skills, no matter how high the number of credits being offered. Her last words caused the watcher to straighten with curiosity, his head tilted as he strained to hear every word.
"I've paid my dues to the Empire, Emperor, and every other cause you can dream up. I'm not going to play troop transporter on top of it all."
The troopers turned away shortly after, and the watcher felt a slow smile curl his lips. She was definitely the one for the job.
A/N- Hoping to have the next chapter up pretty soon, but it may be a little bit :) Thoughts, anyone? I don't bite, promise, and a review would make my day :)