Chapter 3 – A New Alliance

By the time Dyn had heaved the hand truck of Merenzane Gold into the castle's entry way and through the cantina area, Maz and Ter'a had already seated themselves at the table in Maz's study where she did her personal business. They were talking quietly with the kid on Maz's lap. He looked quite content with her and gazed around innocently and curiously. Dyn dropped the handle of the hand truck and moved to sit on the other side of the table from the Maz and Ter'a. They continued to talk and only stopped when he had sat and folded his hands on top of the table and waited.

"So, this child…" Maz began.

"This is the presence I felt," finished Ter'a.

Dyn blinked inside his helmet. He'd thought it had been himself with whom she'd felt this presence. He'd either forgotten the kid or didn't realize that he was one with whom she'd sensed the "kindred spirit"… he was after all a toddler for his species. Dyn wasn't hurt by this revelation though, he didn't know Ter'a, and once she pointed out that the kid was the presence… well, he was smart and observant… some of her actions and behaviors made a little more sense. There was something definitively strange about the kid's abilities and once he considered it a bit more, there was something equally strange about hers. He went over the last hour or so in his head and it all made more sense. Her "aura" if he dared call it that, her sense of presence that he'd felt, the lack of noise she'd made in the forest, the way she was able to mount any obstacle with ease, even her manner of speaking. The more Dyn considered it and thought, the more he considered the possibility that Ter'a had the same sort of powers that the kid did.

As he tuned back into the conversation. Maz was gazing at the child and telling Ter'a that there was something special about him, something about the Force. Whatever that is, he thought. Ter'a raised a hand a let the kid grasp her index finger and closed her eyes as though in concentration and then opened them again, looking into the child's eyes while he looked back into hers. She seemed to see something special in him, probably this power they both seemed to have… it seemed to connect them somehow on another level. Dyn narrowed his eyes in interest. Perhaps Ter'a could help him with the kid? Maybe she could help him grow in these strange powers and learn to use them better? It seemed like he'd probably need a mentor as he grew… this power didn't seem like something that one could just harness on their own. Ter'a seemed disciplined at it, although he still wasn't entirely sure she had them...? She hadn't done the same things he'd seen the kid do… although he still had no idea how she'd killed the stormtroopers near the Razor Crest and he had seen the kid try to choke Cara Dune when he thought she was trying to hurt Dyn while they arm wrestled. Maybe that was how she did it? At the very least, he thought, she'd be good in a fight.

"Mando, I think you should take Ter'a with you on your journey to find the child's home and species." Maz looked at him as she spoke. "I think that she can help you with the child and assist you with your work."

Ter'a sat up and pulled her hand away from the kid. "I can't leave this planet. It's too dangerous. Besides, I'm no bounty hunter…"

Maz looked at her. "The Empire is gone child. There is peace now. As much as there can be in this galaxy." She paused and put her hand on Ter'a's. "You don't have to fear the Emperor, his Inquisitors, or the Sith anymore. You should be able to live freely. Perhaps you can seek out Luke Skywalker?"

"No," Ter'a pulled her hand away. "You're right of course… but I won't seek out Skywalker. My time in that world is over and I've heard he found others to rally to his cause. I live in the Grey. But," she paused and looked at the child, then at Dyn, she seemed to have made up her mind. "I will go with the Mandalorian and help him and child. You're right, I've been in exile too long."

Dyn sat back. He was glad they were asking him his opinion in all of this… But, it would be nice to have a partner in his work for once. Someone he knew would have his back, it would make work easier. It would also be nice to have someone to watch the kid while he got some sleep or needed time to himself, both of which he was sorely missing these days.

Ter'a seemed to catch on to his initial thoughts. "I will accompany you, Mando, if it doesn't bother you?"

He leaned forward again and bowed his head. If he tired of her company or she of his, he could bring her back to Takodana or take her wherever else she'd like to go and be on his way again…

"Ok," he said, "I don't mind. But keep in mind that bounty hunting is dangerous, and the kid can be a handful."

Ter'a smiled. "And you keep in mind," her eyes looked wryly through his mask and into his eyes, "that I'm not a babysitter, but a mentor. And, I can handle myself."

On that, Dyn had no arguments.