Chapter 7: "She is not the Razor Crest."

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Within hours, Cara received good news. The New Republic had given her permission to sell the Mandalorian ship without an auction. For half of the bounty he had just been paid, Din could purchase the ship.

Cara knew her friend was still unsure, but she was more convinced than ever that this was the right decision. Though she was ready to do as much as necessary to persuade Din.

As she entered her apartement near noon, she took off her gauntlets and gloves which she put on the table. She went to the bedroom. It was almost light in the room as the blind was half-closed. On the bed, Din was sleeping. She approached and sat down next to him. She did not try to wake him up, she only looked at him. On the dark skin of his neck, there was a thin, light ligne. Cara remembered very well the day her friend had got this scar. That day on Nevaro, she had feared losing him. Leaving him in the hands of someone else, when he was so close to die, nearly had broken her heart.

By refusing to reveal his face to her, at the risk of losing his life, Din had demonstrated an unconditional commitment to the oath he had taken decades before. At this very moment, his people's code was above everything else.

Even though it had only been a few months since that day, Cara felt as it had been centuries.

While she was contemplating the sleeping face that he was now willing to reveal to her, at least when they were alone, she was thinking about the abyss had crossed.

A crossing which opened him up to freedom and to the chance of opening more with his close ones. Even though he still felt confused, Cara knew that the best was yet to come.

"What time is it?" Din asked as he opened his eyes and folded his arm over his head so he wouldn't be blinded by the light.

"Nearly noon", she answered simling benevolently and tenderly.

He gazed at her lips, before apologizing with a still drowsy voice.

"I am sorry for..."

"I know," she interrupted him. Do not worry, I'm fine. I came back to make sure everything was okay. And to tell you that after lunch, Greef will need you.

Din sat down.

"Need me for...", he asked suspicious.

"No idea, but he insisted."

The Mandalorian frowned. He wasn't entirely fooled. All the boring activities his friends found for him were just excuses to keep him around.

"Don't look like that and get ready," Cara said with a smile. I'll go outside in case Essie needs anything, meet me there.

She didn't wait for an answer and stood up. She leaned over him, brushed away the messy hair with her fingertips and then kissed him on his forehead.

"Get up now", she said as she left.

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"Where are we going?" Din asked as he exited from the old cantina guided by Cara in the middle of the afternoon.

"I already told you, I have something to show you."

"And what is this thing?"

"You'll see".

"Cara..."

Not getting an answer, Din mumbled, but hos friend didn't even bother to look for the meaning of his words. Instead, she pointed to a speeder parked just across the street.

They boarded the speeder and after only a few minutes of crossing the city, which was not very busy at the time, arrived at the hangar where the Mandalorian ship had been discovered the day before.

As they stepped onto the ground in front of the building, Din understood the purpose.

Cara led him to the back of the hangar. She stopped in front of the ship. Although the dim lighting didn't make it stand out, the huge ship exuded an obvious majesty.

"So what do you think of her?" Cara asked happily after they had taken a long look at the ship.

Keeping his eyes focused on the blue and grey hull, Din answered coldly.

"She's a beautiful ship."

His lack of enthusiasm disappointed his friend who answered with a pinching tone.

"Really!? Hard to believe you!"

Cara was not discouraged, however, and insisted that they board the ship. As they entered the cargo bay, she asked Din if he had ever seen a ship like this before.

"A few times, a long time ago. I believe it happened shortly after..."

He paused, Cara understood. The discussion had led them to painful memories for him, and she didn't insist.

"Well, now the visit starts", she said.

Both the cargo and the living space were more than twice bigger than on the Razor Crest.

The ship was fully checked. It turned out she was in good shape despite her strange past. Of course, some repairs would be necessary, but the estimated cost was reasonable. They still had to make sure that the engines worked.

Cara and Din finally sat down in the cockpit.

"So, what do you think? Shall we give her a try? She looks great to me."

Din remained silent for a moment.

"She's a good ship. But I'm not sure", he replied then sighed.

"She isn't the..."

Here we go, Cara thought, as she guessed the cause of all his apprehensions.

"She is not the Razor Crest and she never will be. Din, I'm really sorry about what happened, but it's in the past. You need to think about your future. You are going to fight in a war to take back your people's home. This ship could be a great asset. And it could be more. I'm sorry to say that again, but believe me, you'll soon realize how much you need her."

She whispered as she took Din's hands in hers.

"Don't rush. Take your time. For now, let's just go back to the cantina."

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Notes:

Hope you will enyoy this new chapter.

Please, leave a comment if you liked the story.

Dame Iris