Author's Note: Greetings from a Galaxy Far, Far, Away. This is my character's story in the Star Wars universe. Star Wars is owned by Disney and LucasArts. I claim no rights to the characters of Star Wars and simply wrote this for fun. Fun illustrated images will be showing up on Deviant Art under Diana Hart Voices. Feel free to check it out when they come out. Thanks for reading. (Some words are in Mando'a, the Mandalorian Language, there is a translator available on google.)
Chapter 7
"Trisk." Meric called to his target.
She didn't respond, simply keeping the fast pace in her walk to keep a distance between them. Her eyes remained on the sand below her feet. Not paying attention to the area, she found it harder to walk fast as her feet began to sink into the soft substance below. She was stuck.
Meric caught up to her. "Is this going to be a constant struggle with you?"
He reached down and pulled her out. Trisk remained silent. He let out a frustrated breath and pulled her back to solid ground. Once they were alone and able to not worry about her sinking again, he released her.
He crossed his arms. "What's wrong?"
It took her a while to respond. "Do you know why Jedi were told to not form attachments?"
He shook his head.
"Those sort of attachments could lead anyone to the Dark Side." She explained. "From the stories I heard, Vader use to be a Jedi. But his emotions and attachments made him fall into a path of hate."
"How does that happen?" He asked.
"When you are close to someone or something, you tend to fear for it's safety. You want to make sure that it is protected." She continued, her eyes on the ground. "Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. That is the path to the Dark Side."
"Then you have nothing to worry about." He stated, gaining a shocked look. "You have no attachments with me. Your actions back there were out of adrenalin and joy for a successful mission. So, stop worrying. Right now we have something more important to do."
"And what's that?"
"Those Imperials won't stop." He explained. "They'll start rebuilding the base, and they will hunt down those Rebels. My suggestion is that we get them to Mos Eisley so they can get off the planet. Maybe join the bigger resistance. Otherwise this battle would have been for naas."
"I'm assuming that means, 'nothing.'" The Jedi observed.
He gave her a crooked smile. "You would assume correct."
With that, they went back to the Rebels. Meric explained the situation and all agreed it would be best to leave the planet. Each person went back to the camp to pack up as quickly as possible. Meric's ship was large enough to take the group to Mos Eisley. It would be a tight fit, but they could manage. Meric would drop them off there, then take Trisk to his bounty.
The thought caused conflict in Meric. He had come to respect the Jedi after the time he had spent with her. She also helped him in getting some high priced bounties along the way. This was part of the reason he tried not to get close to his targets. It caused a conflict of interest.
Once everyone was on his ship, Meric took the pilots seat, with Trisk standing behind him, and he took off towards the city. It didn't take long to make it to the landing pad. He didn't want to stay long in case any Imperials would recognize the ship. The Rebels began to filter out of the ship. Meric and Trisk were the last to exit the ship.
"Thank you." The leader of the Rebels said to them. "For helping us get our friends and family back. How can we repay you?"
"The deal has already been met." Meric stated. "No need for payment."
"I'm just glad that everyone made it out okay." Trisk added.
The leader nodded, and then turned to join the rest as they went to find a shuttle to get them off world.
"Stay here," Meric commanded. "I'm going to get some supplies before we leave."
Trisk nodded and stood next to the ship. She watched as many different people of different species walked around the area. Her thoughts were wondering as she took note of the actions of the people around her. Her eye froze on one particular figure.
An older gentleman walked slowly across the sand. He had a hood over his head, but Trisk could tell who he was. A small smile came to her lips as the man looked over to her.
"You actually didn't try to escape." Meric's voice came to her as he returned with several crates. "I'm shocked."
She answered, her eyes staying on the older man. "I gave my word, didn't I?"
Meric looked over in the direction she was staring. "You know him?"
She turned. "No, he's just the town hermit."
He nodded. "Then we better go."
Trisk nodded and looked back at the man. He gave her a small smile and nodded. She returned the nod before turning and walking onto the ship. She was happy to see him, but a ping of sadness entered her heart as she thought about how her life was going to end.
"Well," she stated and held out her hands. "A deal is a deal."
Meric looked down at her hands and shook his head. "That won't be necessary."
"What?"
He guided her to one of the many seats and had her sit down. Going to the center console, he called his employer. His image showed up on the holo.
"Meric." The man said, an Imperial Officer. "Have you news on the alien?"
"Yes." He stated. Meric glanced at Trisk, though not moving his helmet for the Officer to know. Her head hung low as she waited for him to give the information. "I'm afraid I've lost the trail. She found the tracker I place and dropped it on Tatooine. No one has seen her."
He let out a sigh. "Disappointing. Do you have a way to pick the trail back up?"
"I'm afraid not. From what I've observed, she's not one to return to hide at planets she previously hid on." He explained. "I'm sorry. But I'm going to have to terminate this contract. I won't be able to complete it for you."
"Very well." The Officer stated.
The line cut off. The area was silent for a while. Meric let out a sigh before turning to the cockpit. "We best be off."
"Wait," Trisk ran after him. "What just happened?"
He talked as he went to start up the ship. "I'm not taking the bounty."
The Vanguard hummed to life as he pressed some buttons and began to lift into the air for them to take off. Trisk sat in the chair next to his, still confused.
"But why?"
He paused in his movements for a bit. Then continued as he took them out of the atmosphere of the desert planet. "I don't turn in my friends as bounties."
Her heart stopped.
"As hard to believe as it may seem. Heck, I'm still trying to convince myself its true. But I do respect you for the things you have done." He explained. "You saved my life, as well as Rix and the other Mandalorians on Voss. You helped me find and catch some high paying bounties. As well as, you helped those Rebels when you were trying to stay hidden from the Empire."
Glanced over at her and saw her jaw hanging to the ground.
"You deserve the respect you have earned." He continued. "So, I'm going to get you someplace safe." He thought for a moment. "Maybe you should stay with me."
"What?"
He laughed and looked at her. "Are you really that speechless? Here's my understanding. You need to be somewhere that's hard for anyone after you to find. What better than a ship that is constantly moving? As well as I will be around to help protect you."
"Meric, you're scaring me." She stated. "This is pretty sudden."
"For you," he clarified. "Maybe, but for me, I've thought about it for a while. Taking your bounty didn't feel right. You trusted me with a lot. Now, it's my turn to trust you."
"Meric..."
"But," He turned back to the controls and piloted them away from the planet. "We need to get away from Tatooine before any Imperials are able to connect this ship to the one that attacked the base."
