Chapter Two: The Help
The Mandalorian stared at me for a moment in silence. His stance was uncomfortable but he didn't immediately decline the offer.
Well, it wasn't an offer so much as a comment. I would help him regardless. If the Imperials were trying to use this baby, for nefarious purposes presumably, I couldn't allow that. Not only was it just a child, but it was Force-sensitive as well. And there were too few of those willing to come out of the shadows these days.
"Fine," he sighed, his tone grudging despite the helmet altering his voice, "but stay close. If anything happens to you, my priority is the kid."
"Nothing will happen to me," I laughed, retrieving my saber and taking the lead, "and if it does, feel free to leave me behind. You need to get that kid as far away from here as possible."
He nodded once and strode half a step behind me. I didn't balk at the idea; I'm sure he didn't necessarily trust me to take the lead but he wouldn't risk the child's safety.
It was an admirable trait I want expecting to see if the likes of him.
As we moved silently through the streets, forms began to emerge from every shadow, every doorway. Each had a blinking fob in hand, pinging more swiftly the nearer they got.
Peeking from side to side, I noted conversationally, "We're not making it without a fight. How fast are you in that armor?"
"Fast enough," he retorted hotly, "how are you with that thing?"
Glancing at the lightsaber in my left hand, I offered him a wicked grin, "Fast enough."
They were swarming now. Bounty hunters slipped from every nook and cranny until we were utterly surrounded. The hunter's ship was visible from here, but until the others were dealt with, there was no reaching it.
Greef stepped under the archway of the city, a blaster in hand, "This is it, Mando. You're surrounded. Hand over the asset and you're free to go."
"I don't think so."
Greef dropped his head, shaking it and sighing, "It's not worth it, Mando! You do this, you forfeit your membership. You become the most hunted man in the galaxy."
"I'm sure there are more than a few with higher bounties on their heads, Greef," I quipped.
"There won't be," he snapped, eyes narrowed as he glowered at me, "and you. You're going to leave the crystals? Where else will you find them? I'm your only supplier. You're really going to follow him?"
"I don't follow anyone," I hissed, eyes blazing, "but I will not allow this child to be taken by the Empire. And you will not stop me."
Falling into an offensive stance, I raised the saber and ignited it. Some of the hunter's shifted nervously from foot to foot, but to their credit, none ran.
A terrible decision.
"If you truly care about the kid, you'll put it on the speeder and we'll discuss terms," Greef gestured to the junky old ship and the Mandalorian followed the gesture. He stared at it silently and then turned his attention to me.
I watched his grip on the child tighten momentarily and I dug my heels in.
Without a moment's hesitation, the Mandalorian drew his blaster and took out four hunters in an instant. He threw himself into the speeder, hiding the child and taking aim at Greef.
Allowing my instincts to take over, I turned my back to the bounty hunter and parried six blasts. They rebounded into their shooters; I didn't bother to watch their bodies fall as I turned to the next attacker. Three attempted to rush me at once; throwing a hand out, I flung them back into the unforgiving side of the speeder. The Mandalorian's head popped up and he exclaimed, "Watch it, Jedi!"
Waving him off, I shoved another attacker into a stone wall, his head smacking against the rock and denting his helmet.
Feeling a presence behind me, I twirled my blade, stabbing it blindly behind me. Turning, I saw the Rodian fall to the ground, a burning hole in his chest.
Blocking each blast aimed my way, I backed toward the Mandalorian. He grunted, grabbing at my cloak, "Get in here!"
I hesitated momentarily, glancing around. There were too many of them.
Flinging myself into the speeder, I landed atop the Mandalorian with a grunt, rolling off on him and coming face to face with the largest set of black eyes I'd ever seen.
The green youngling whimpered, his tired eyes flitting from me to the Mandalorian. My heart swelled at the sight and I reached out a finger. His tiny, three-clawed hand curled around it and I let out a whimper of my own.
"We need to get him out of here," I breathed, wide-eyed as I looked up at the hunter.
Head shaking gently, he questioned quietly, "How?"
With a helpless shrug, I peered up over the edge of the speeder, only to duck back down and away from three separate blasts.
Lifting only a hand, I forced any nearby attackers away from us. It bought time, but it wouldn't be enough.
And then they came. Dozens of Mandalorians filled the air, blasters firing. Staring in awe, I watched them team up against our foes, taking them out as quickly as they appeared.
"Incredible," I breathed, sending this Mando a grin.
"This is the way," he replied, glancing over the edge of the speeder and climbing out. He gathered the child in his arms before I could, though he offered me his hand when I huffed.
Smacking it away though there was no bite to it, I clambered out and reignited the saber. The Mandalorian shared words with one of his companions before catching my elbow.
"Go, while you can," I parried a shot, casting the child a soft glance.
He followed my gaze before lifting his head again. Though I couldn't see his expression, his voice was concerned, "What about you?"
"Are you inviting me along?"
He nodded and I mimicked the action. His grip tightened on my elbow and we ran for his ship.