Snow was falling from the cloudy sky, layering the ground across the ice and snow of the freezing planet. One desolate looking village was the only thing to be seen for miles, standing out against the bleak whiteness of the icy tundra. Save for the lone, armoured, figure of a Mandalorian. Walking up to one of the buildings, tracking fob in hand. The gentle beep of the fob informed the bounty hunter that his bounty was sheltered inside the cantina.
It was bustling inside, despite the isolation the planet suggested. The people within were drinking, talking and mostly keeping to themselves, save for three trawlers who had taken to messing with a lone Mythrol.
"Look at his glands!" One Trawler exclaimed in excitement to his friend. The Mythrol's discomfort grew as the second Trawler continued to examine the nervous Mythrol.
"I bet we could sell them at the port!" At this point the Mythrol had reverted to bribery, a desperate attempt to get them to leave him in peace.
"Please! Please! I have credits. Take them!" He was pleading with them as he showed them the many credits that he had. The Trawlers had no interest, knowing they could make at least double the amount, selling his body parts. One of them shoved the terrified Mythrol against the table.
"He's young. The musk will be sweet." The alpha Trawler laughs as his partner pulls the Mythrol up, causing a drink to spill over. The drink was ignored as a blade was unsheathed. "and now for the real prize..." Before a single cut could be made, the doors opened and the Mandalorian stood within the doorway, taking in the turned heads of the Cantina before, finally, entering.
The chatter had quieted to silence, but the Trawlers were unimpressed. The Alpha yelled at the armoured bounty hunter as he strode past. "You spilled my drink." The forgotten drink was now remembered, but the gunslinger ignored him, continuing to the bar. It was clear the Trawler was just looking for a fight, using any reason he could to get it.
"Hey, Mando!" The Trawler didn't take to kindly to being ignored. To add insult to injury, the Mandalorian turned his concealed head to the Alpha Trawler, only to maintain his silence and turn his attention away. The Alpha Trawler was seething as he walked up the gunslinger. "I said, you spilled, my drink..." The Trawler glared at the armoured man, silently begging for a response, but he was met with stoic silence once more, as the trawler who clutched the Mythrol, threw him back down against the table.
The bartender tried to help diffuse the situation, wondering if the Mandalorian just couldn't understand the Trawlers' language. "He says you spilled his drink." The helpful translation was met with more silence, the bartender quickly realising that this wasn't an issue of a lack of understanding. "That's fine! It's on me." He shuffled to swiftly replace the spilled drink, not wanting a fight to break out. The Alpha continued to attempt to get something out of the Mandalorian, as his second and third walked up to them, attempting to intimidate the armoured man by standing too close.
"Is that real Beskar Steel?" Again no response. The Alpha scratched his blade across the chest piece of the Mando's armour, another attempt to intimidate.
"Here." The bartender slid a cup across the bar, towards the Trawler. Before it even reached him the hand of the Mando grabs the cup, shoving the first and second away giving him time to smash the cup into the thirds face, resulting in him falling unconscious. Before he hit the floor the Mando grabbed hold of the tentacles of the second trawlers face, slamming his head onto the bar.
The alpha had regained his footing, and made a stab at the Mandalorian, who easily blocked the sloppy attack. He had grabbed his arm, then punched up, into the assailants elbow, causing the man to grunt in pain, before twisting his arm around to stab the trawler in the back, with his own knife. The grunt had become a yelp, as he fell to the floor.
The Mandalorian's attention was caught by the doors opening, the second trawler attempting to escape. Mando doesn't hesitate to release his whipcord, it wrapped around the Trawlers legs, causing him to fall on his face. He rolled onto his back as Mando pulled him back into the threshold of the doorway. The Trawler revealed a blaster, shooting him once, to no effect as it bounced off his armour. This time the Mandalorian revealed his own blaster, instead of shooting the Trawler, he shot the control panel of the round door, causing it to close onto the downed man. His legs wriggling in panic as the door slowed as it shut, causing the trawler to be cleanly sliced in two.
The silence was deafening, the people looking on in shock and horror as the Mandalorian simply sheathed his blaster and calmly walked over to the Mythrol, who was chuckling in disbelief.
"Thank you. Thank you very much. You got my heartfelt gratitude." He picked himself up off the floor, sitting back down in his chair and collecting his credits. The Mandalorian simply stood before him, still maintaining that intimidating silence. As a gesture of goodwill the Mythrol slides the credits over to him. "You know what... here, you take my credits. Buy yourself a drink."
The Mandalorian reaches out to the table, instead of taking the credits, he places a bounty puck upon the table, the hologram lighting up, showing the figure of the Mythrol, who now has become rather uneasy once more. "Oh... Is that a bounty puck?" His eyes flicked between the puck and the silent and mysterious Mandalorian. "Is that me?" Once more the Mythrol is trying to talk his way out of trouble. "Look... uh, there must be some mistake. I can get you more credits.
Finally the husky voice of the Mandalorian is revealed. "I can bring you in warm..." His gloved hand rested on his blaster, ready to strike if need be. "Or I can bring you in cold." The Mythrol looked between the blaster and the Mandalorian, weighing up his options, but fully knowing that there was no paying him off or talking his way out of this one.
The Mythrol had decided to come quietly, if you can count his nervous chatter as quiet. Cuffed and obediently following the armoured gunslinger across the icy path, to the outskirts of the village.
The ferryman rose at their arrival, asking the Mandalorian what it was he needed. "I need passage to the yards." The Ferryman played a note, summoning a landspeeder which arrived within moments. It slowed to a stop and the droid that piloted it beeped as it looked it the pair. The only form of emotion that presented itself, from the Mandalorian, was when he turned back to the Ferryman, a short and direct demand of "No droids."
The Ferryman was in slight disbelief at the request. "I assure you, this speeder is brand new. It's the latest model..." His quest to sell the idea of getting into this speeder was interrupted by the toss of a credit, from Mando, into the Ferryman's hand. That was enough to convince him. "At your pleasure." He played another tune and the droid gave a slightly disgruntled few beeps before speeding away, only to be replaced by a human driven land speeder that was better off in a scrap heap.
The ferryman gestured to the man who leaned towards them. "Where to?" This was good enough for the Mandalorian.
The ride was quiet, save for the sounds of the struggling speeder engines, the howl of the winds and the chatter from the Mythrol who had a need to fill silences.
The pilot looked through his binoculars across the icy plain, seeing the ships of the landing port, but looking for something else. "You know what he's looking for?" The Mythrol looked to the Mandalorian but once again, got no response, so instead he turned his attention to the pilot. "You're looking for Ravinaks, right?"
The pilot turned his head back slightly, shouting over the winds to be heard. "It's clear right now. But be careful near the port. Everyone dumps their Gray Holds out. They think the whole entire planet is their own personal stink pit."
The Mythrol looked out past the pilots shoulder, squinting at the rapid air that hit their faces, and the Mandalorians helmet. The pilot pulled up next to a large ship. The Razor Crest. Looking a little outdated. "Here you are." The engines sputtered until they stopped, all three of them looking up at the ship. The Mythrol leaned towards the gunslinger.
"You're kidding me, right?" The Mandalorian didn't bother looking at him.
"Get out." He, himself rose from the speeder, swinging his legs over the side, then standing firmly upon the ice. Pulling the Mythrol out of the Speeder, and steadying him. All the while he complained about the transportation he was about to board.
"I'll hire us a Livery Cruiser. No big deal. It won't come out of your end. I'll pay for it. I'm just trying to make it pleasant." The Mandalorian ignored his jabbering. The pilot was looking through his binoculars again, it seemed like he had spotted something as he turned back.
"Hey, it's time to go, so let's settle up." Mando payed the man his money, which the pilot quickly pocketed before saying one more thing. "I'd stay off the ice if I were you." With that last warning he started his speeder back up, pulling away into the tundra.
The Mythrol's worries had spiked up even more, he was now looking for reassurance from his captor, who simply stayed silent and walked past him, to board the ship.
"You think there's really something to worry about?" He looked back out to the disappearing speeder, watching with concerned eyes. The cracking of ice filled the air, followed by a roar and the speeder was dragged down to the depths. The Mythrol screamed, panic filled him and he didn't hesitate to now find refuge within the Razor Crest. "Open the hatch! Open the hatch!"
The cracking of the ice drew near, as the creature hurtled towards them. All the Mythrol could do was scream, frozen in fear. Before the creature breached, the armoured man grabbed his shoulder, dragging him out from the jaws of death, and into the ship. The creature had missed by inches, but was now clinging onto the leg of the ship.
The pair swiftly made it to the cockpit, the Mythrol loudly complaining once more.
"Dank farrik, that was close!" He sat in a passenger seat as the Mandalorian calmly took his place in his. "Oh, my God. Oh, my God. 'Stay off the ice.' That's the understatement of the millennium."
Mando started up the ship, still in silence, leaving the Mythrol to panic amongst himself. The ship began to pull away, only to jolt suddenly as the creature refused to let go. The Mandalorian began swiftly flicking switches in an attempt to free them.
"It's taking us down. What're you doing?" Another jolt, and an alarm beeped away at them. Mando tilted his head, knowing what he would have to now do. He rose from his seat, flicking more switches, and once again ignoring the panicked words of the scared captive. "It's got us. It's gonna take us under!" He watched as the Mandalorian left the cockpit. "Where you going? You gotta do something! We gotta get out of here."
Mando grabbed his rifle, the cockpit's doors shutting behind him, cutting off the Mythrol's words, instead he ran to the window, looking out to see what the bounty hunter would do to solve this issue.
The Razor Crest was steady, but slowly jolting downwards with each pull from the beast. The gunslinger peaked out from the side of his ship, thrusting his rifle into the side of the creatures head, shocking the beast enough to force it to release the ship and dive back down into the depths. The Razor Crest finally lifted away, the legs of the ship folding in, the door closing and the Mandalorian headed back to the cockpit.
"Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Yes. All right." He exhaled with relief. Soon enough they were in silence once more as the sky darkened and filled with stars. A stark contrast to the icy whiteness of the planet below. The silence wasn't to last long, the Mythol was too much of a chatterbox, especially when nervous. "Whew..." He looked at the Mandalorian nervously, the recent events now behind them, it was time for him to attempt to talk his way out, or escape. "I like your ship. She's a classic. Razor Crest, am I right?" He looked around in false admiration, a smile on his face, attempting to warm to the silent bounty hunter. "Pre-Empire?" His smile faltered, realising that there was no chance of making conversation with this man. He was a silent type, with no need of conversing with his captive.
The Mythrol changed his tactic back to bribery, hoping to offer more money than the bounty on his head. Not realising that accepting a contract is a matter of honour for a Mandalorian. "I have a lot of credits, by the way. That's why I offered to hail a Cruiser." Bragging about his money, in a not-so-subtle attempt to offer lots of credits to the man, was met with that familiar steely silence. He sighed, but still attempted to talk. "How much are they paying you?" Another lengthy silence. This time he tried talking about Mandalorian culture.
"It is true that you guys never take off your helmets?" Still silence, he leaned back in his chair, exhaling in a mix of frustration and nervousness. Talking and bribing his way out of things had always worked before. "Boy..." It was time for a last resort.
"I think I have to use the vacc tube. I mean I can do it here, but if you've never seen a Fledgling Mythrol evacuate their thorax, you're a lucky guy, trust me." The jolly demeanour had returned to the Mythrol, another attempt to stay friendly, to better his chances. Again the Mandalorian ignored him, he closed his eyes in defeat, he hadn't received permission to leave the cockpit, but he was desperate to try and find a way out. He stuck to his excuse, awkwardly standing from his chair, raising his cuffed hands.
"Clearly, there's nowhere for me to go. So uh..." He gestured, with his head, towards the doorway. "I'm gonna look for that vacc tube if it's all the same to you?" This second attempt at asking for permission failed as he was met with more silence. Instead he took it as a silent yes and nodded. "Great." followed by a nervous chuckle as he left the cockpit slowly.
Climbing down the ladder he looked to his right, looking at the vacc tube. "Found it! Thanks. It might take a while. I'm molting." Of course he didn't need to use the vacc tube and instead was snooping around the lower deck of the Razor Crest, finding the bed and looking around for some means of escape. Spotting a keypad he desperately pushed a few buttons, which activated a container behind him, spinning round, hoping it to be an escape pod, he finds instead the weapons hold. Looking at the vast array of weaponry he swiftly turns back to the keypad, panicking as he closes it back up. Shouting up the ladder, he attempts to reassure the Mandalorian that all the noise he was making was merely the vacc tube. "Oh, this feels a lot better." He walked further down the deck, slowly, still talking to the Mandalorian, who remained in the cockpit. "I haven't evacuated since the solstice." Taking in all of his surroundings, nothing looked remotely like a means of escape. His nervousness shooting back up once more, "Yeah. I was hoping to be free for Life Day. Maybe even uh..."
He peered towards something he didn't recognise, pushing it back it revealed a carbonised bounty. He was speechless, finally, as he moved the next block of carbonised lifeforms. Fear was now consuming him. He remembered that he was trying to keep talking to stop the Mandalorian from becoming suspicious. "Get home to the family." Finally he pulled back the third bounty, all three carbonised, the Mythrol finally realising that there was no hope, but not realising that the Mandalorian now stood beside him.
"But I guess that's not gonna happen this year."
"Probably not." The bounty hunter stood over him, his scared form whipped round to see the menacing view of a Mandalorian helm looming over him. He grabbed the Mythrol, shoving him back into the on board carboniser, whirring sounds followed as the spray of carbon consumed the Mythrol, who was now simply stuck in a block of carbon. Hanging alongside the three other bounties that had come before him.
The rest of the flight was in silence, no scared chatter, no snooping. Just how he liked it. Soon enough he was back at the guild, every guild member staring at him as he walked in, straight towards Greef Karga, who was sat at a booth. "Ah, that was fast. Did you catch them all?"
Mando placed all four tracking fobs down before the man, who nodded as he collected them. "Good. I'll begin the off-load." He called to another man to get the bounties off of the Razor Crest, as Mando unclipped his rifle before sitting before Greef, who handed him credits for the job. He looked at the briefly, unsatisfied.
"These are Imperial Credits."
"They still spend."
The emotionless voice of the Mandalorian was direct and couldn't be argued with. "I don't know if you heard, but the Empire is gone." Greef shrugged, a hint of annoyance towards the armoured man.
"It's all I've got." The Mandalorian wasn't someone you could argue with, he moved to grab the fobs, and leave the table. Greef suddenly grabbed his wrist.
"Save the theatrics. Fine, I'll..." He thought for a moment before reaching into his pocket, revealing a more acceptable form of credit. "I can do Calamari Flan... but I can only pay half."
Mando considered this for a moment, before seeming content with that. He placed the fobs back on the table, before taking the credits. "Fine." He remained at the table as Greef went through more bounties that he had lined up.
"Hmm. I have a bail jumper... A bail jumper, another bail jumper, a wanted smuggler." He placed all the pucks down on the table for Mando to pick from. The man leaned forward, prepared to take them.
"I'll take them all." He was stopped by Greef's hand slamming down upon them.
"No. Hold on." No one could see the expression on Mando's face, but by his body language you could tell he was irritated, not that Greef gave a damn. "There are other members of the Guild, and this is all I have." Mando leaned back in his chair, hearing him out.
"Why so slow?"
"It's not slow at all, actually. Very busy. They just don't want to pay Guild rates." He shrugged. "They don't mind if things get sloppy." The gunslinger didn't much care, he was simply there to make credits by hunting down bounties.
"What's your highest bounty?"
"Not much. Five thousand."
"That won't even cover fuel these days."
Greef thought for a moment. "Hmm. There is one job." Those near enough to listen in had noticeably perked up.
"Let's see the puck."
"No puck. Face to face. Direct commission. Deep pocket."
His interest had peaked, "Underworld?" Greef had limited information but knew that this was a job that the Mandalorian could certainly handle.
"All I know is no chain code." He reached into his pocket again, to reveal and hold up a chit card. "Do you want the chit or not?" More silence from the Mando, a beat passed before he took the card from him, examining it for a moment before rising from the booth and immediately making his way to the contact.
The town was busy with passers by, none taking any notice of the Mandalorian as he walked past. Soon enough he was down a quiet street, stopping at the door that held his contact. A droid examined him, allowing access once it had seen the Chit. It lead him through the building, waddling along until it reached another doorway.
Mando eyed the four stormtroopers that turned to look at the bounty hunter. The severity of this bounty now dawning on him, but there was no turning back now. Slowly he entered, not sure what to make of this situation.
A man addressed him, old and balding, his clothes showing how highly he thought of himself, and the rank he held. His voice was quiet and direct.
"Greef Karga said you were coming." The Mandalorian said nothing, instead looked directly at the man sitting at the centre of the room. The stormtroopers moved away as he walked towards him.
"What else did he say?" Mando was getting closer to the table.
"He said you were the best in the Parsec." The Troopers seemed uneasy, as did the bounty hunter. A door opened, before anyone walked through, Mando had grabbed his Amban phase-pulse blaster and blaster pistol. The phase-pulse towards the closest trooper, and the pistol towards the man who had just entered. He cowered in fear, trying to shield himself with his arms.
"No!" He was no soldier, not a fighting man. The troopers drew their blasters, all aiming at the Mandalorian.
"Drop your weapons!" A trooper had ordered but it would be ignored.
"No, no, no, no. Pardon. Uh, sorry. I didn't mean to alarm." The doctor had his hands held up before him, a tracking fob in hand. The Mandalorian simply stared at him, while the contact observed Mando, until finally he turned to the doctor, rising from his chair, gesturing to the doctor, while addressing the gunslinger.
"This is Doctor Pershing." This doctor was nervous, a seemingly unfit member of those who were in favour of the empire. "Please excuse his lack of decorum." The contact slowly approached the Mandalorian, who still had his weapons raised, still looking between both the storm trooper and the doctor. "His enthusiasm outweighs his discretion. Please lower your blaster."
"Have them lower theirs first." The bounty hunter had been in such positions many times, knowing that to back down first, was usually a mistake. The stormtrooper, who was at the end of his rifle, underestimated him.
"We have you four to one."
"I like those odds." Confidence radiated from the gunslinger, his Beskar, despite worse for wear, would give him the vast advantage. No one moved, save for the client, who now stood directly before the Mandalorian. He lowered his voice, willing for there to be peace in this room so they could get on with buisness.
"He also said you were expensive. Very expensive, please sit." He moved back towards his seat, waving his hand to dismiss the defensive stance of his Stormtroopers. They obeyed and Mando lowered his simultaneously. The doctor sighed with relief as they all made their way to the table. Mando sat before the contact and the doctor stood at the ready, close by.
The client revealed a cloth, placing it gently and unwrapping it. A ingot of shiny, pure Beskar lay there.
"Beskar?"
"Go ahead. It's real." The troopers craned their necks to get a look at the impressive metal. Mando gently picked it up, feeling the weight of it, admiring the metal of his people. "This is only a down payment. I have a camtono of Beskar waiting for you upon delivery of the asset."
"Alive." The doctor interjected, rather sheepishly.
"Yes. Alive. Although, I acknowledge that bounty hunting is a complicated profession." He had leaned forward, to make his point more prominent. It seemed he really didn't care if the bounty was brought back alive. "This being the case, proof of termination is also acceptable for a lower fee."
The doctor was alarmed, not wanting to go against the authority in the room, but his work clearly more important to him.
"That is not what we agreed upon."
"I'm simply being pragmatic." The doctor looked down, knowing his place and knowing arguing further wouldn't get him anywhere. The Mandalorian simply looked between the two. Wanting to just get on with it, he moved on.
"Let's see the puck."
"I'm afraid discretion dictates, a less traditional agreement. We can only offer you a tracking fob." He raised his hand again, indication for the fob to now be given. The doctor handed the fob to the bounty hunter, clearly uneasy about the entire situation.
"What's the chain code?"
"We can only provide the last four digits." Mando was waiting for the code, ready to punch them in on his vambrace, these words made him look up, the disbelief at the lack of information clear, without needing to see his face.
"Their age? That's all you can give me?"
"Yes. They're 50 years old. We can also give you last reported positional data. Between that and the fob, a man of your skill should make short work of this." Mando didn't need anymore information, not saying a word he rose, ready to leave. The contact continued on, however. "The Beskar belongs back into the hands of a Mandalorian. It is good to restore the natural order of things after a period of such disarray, don't you agree?" Mando stopped walking away, simply tilting his head in acknowledgement, before the door opened, and once again he remained silent as he left.
He walked back through the town, this time not returning to the guild, nor to his ship. He wasn't fully aware that he was being observed, but he did have a feeling, a common feeling whenever he walked through this place. The guild were usually watching any one of their bounty hunters, especially the one that was deemed the best. He looked back for a moment, before entering a tunnel. This is where she decided to quit following him. She knew his people were down there, and knew that it was not a place she could go, not that she wanted to.
Greef had been giving tracking fobs, handing them out to every bounty hunter he could. Whomever this contact was, he wanted the asset found. She had a head start, now that the Mando was visiting the sewers. She didn't hesitate to leave, sure he wouldn't be far behind her. Her ship being much smaller than his, he had the bigger, more powerful engines.
The planet was desolate, in her opinion, an awful place to live. She would never understand why anyone would settle on a desert planet, or an icy one too. She had landed, scouting the area, soon enough she spotted a farm. The farmer noticed her, and was rather unalarmed at her presence, even walked up to her.
"You are a bounty hunter?" She simply nodded, her gear was a giveaway, the leather jacket, dark clothing, the vambraces, gauntlets, chest piece, greaves and boots, not to forget the assortment of weaponry that was on display and concealed, would tell anyone what she did to make credits. "You are not the first, I will help you... I have spoken." With that he walked into his home, not waiting to see if she was following. Lacking any other options she took up the offer.
He had been gone for some time, to scout the area, he had informed her that she wouldn't be able to cross without a Blurrg to ride across the plain. So she left him to it, to round up another, for her to learn to ride. Apparently a speeder wasn't an option, so she waited.
He didn't just bring back another two Blurrgs, he brought the Mandalorian with him. She tried not to sigh at the sight of his shiny helmet, and he tried not to sigh at the sight of her. They did not know each other fully, only noticing one another from their passing's in the guild. He just nodded at her as he walked past, ducking into the small home.
They both sat there, sitting on the small stools, waiting for the information they wanted. She sat there, not really seeming to pay much attention.
"Many have passed through." She had heard this speech before, now wondering how many times he had said it to passers by. "They seek the same one as you both."
"Did you help them?" The Mando finally speaks, his question partially pointless, as it was evident he was helping her too.
"Yes. They died."
"Well, then I don't know if I want your help." The small laugh that left her lips, drew their attention towards her, she mouthed a sorry, allowing them to continue.
"You do." He had made his drink, now sitting before the two bounty hunters, still giving information that she had already gained from him. "I can show you to the encampment."
"What's your cut?" When she had asked this, he said he didn't want anything, but knowing that the ones causing chaos being dead was good enough.
"Half." This caused her to frown in confusion, which the Mando noticed.
"Half the bounty to guide? Seems steep."
"No. Half of the Blurrg you helped capture. You may both use them to ride across the plains, upon your return I would like one back.
"The blurrg?" Mando looked to her then, she could sense the disinterest towards the creatures, she felt the same, neither had any need for them, at least not long term. "You can keep them both."
"No, you will need them. The way is impossible to pass without a blurrg mount."
"I don't know how to ride blurrg." Mando was now repeating the words that she had already said when she first arrived, causing her to smile and shake her head. He paused and looked up at the gunslinger.
"I have spoken." Mando seemed rather put out by those words, she rather liked them, as a way to tell people that that was the end of it.
"If it helps, I don't know how either, you're not alone Mando. Oh, and Kuiil, you can keep them both when we return." She had a smile plastered on her face, and could tell that Mando was not impressed.
They had been having lessons on how to ride the blurrg all through the morning. She was getting the hang of it, but Mando was having a difficult time. She theorised that it was because he had an extreme lack of knowledge and skill of handling another living being with care. Wondering if being so isolated in that armour for the majority of his life was one of the causes.
"You need to be more patient with the creature." He had fallen off... again, she tried her best to not look amused, and rather proud of the fact that she was more skilled than a Mandalorian in something. His helmet turned towards her, she could feel the icy glare from within, only making her want to laugh even more.
"Perhaps if you removed your helmet." Kuiil's little titbits of advice weren't helping the situation. She was sitting comfortably upon her Blurrg who was calmly watching the other grunt in dissatisfaction, as it walked away from the Mandalorian who was now picking himself up off of the floor.
"Perhaps he remembers I tried to roast him." He just sat there, legs splayed, looking at the creature who had bucked him off of her.
"This is a female. The males are all eaten during mating."
"I imagine you get this level of luck with all ladies Mando." She wasn't sure how much teasing she could get away with, but his menacing demeanour was not something that would deter her from poking at him slightly. Especially as his menacing demeanour was non-existent as he sat in the dirt.
Mando sighed, before picking himself up, determined to try again. The blurrg hissed at him, not the best sign. He swiftly pulled himself up the side of the creature, mounting but flailing around as the blurrg, spun, bucked and shifted until he was thrown off again. She muffled a laugh, seeing the famous Mandalorian land on his bum, in the dirt, was something she wouldn't forget anytime soon. He was quicker at getting to his feet this time. Backing away from the Blurrg and walking over to Kuiil.
"I don't have time for this. Do you have a Landspeeder or Speeder bike that I could hire?"
"I already tried that Mando, it's a no go." He didn't look at her but silently sighed at her words.
"You are Mandalorian! Your ancestors rode the great Mythosaur. Surely you can ride this young foal." Mando looked at the Blurrg, then at her sitting upon her own mount. Thinking it over for a moment. The blurrg growled at him, but Mando knew he had no other options, and this time would heed her words of patience.
He walked back towards the creature, slower this time. Putting his hands out to her, calmly and as soothing as he could, not something that came naturally to the man.
"Easy. Easy." The creature wasn't backing away this time, giving a slight growl. "Now, alright. Settle down." She nudged her head at him, causing him to take a step away. "Woah! Settle. Settle." He held one hand out to her now, slowly taking more steps. He was so close now. "That's good. That's good." Finally the creature had become less defensive, allowing the bounty hunter to gently stroke the beasts head. "Okay, that's good. Alright." He made his way to her side again, still slow and calmly talking to the blurrg. Finally he mounted, with no signs of any discomfort from the creature. He had been successful, both bounty hunters now able to practice controlling the blurrg, without any risk of trampling over a bucked off bounty hunter.
The three rode across the plains, the blurrg leapt across cracks in the foundations, both following their guide, swiftly and with ease. Saddles had been fashioned for the pair of gunslingers. Making the ride much more comfortable.
Eventually they stopped at a ridge. The three of them looking out at the buildings below. He pointed to the area.
"That is where you'll find your quarry." Mando looked at her for a moment, he held a pouch of credits, the pair of them had put half in each, hoping to give their guide a reward for his assistance. She nodded at him, and Mando handed over the pouch. It was met with a dismissive hand and a shake of the head, but Mando insisted.
"Please. You deserve this." But Kuiil turned his attention away, back to the land before them.
"Since these ones arrived, this territory has been an endless stream of mercenaries seeking reward and bringing destruction."
"Then why did you guide us?" Mando asked the question for her, she was already looking out at the buildings, figuring out an approach.
"I helped all that hoped to be rid of them, whether it be for the one you seek, or not. They do not belong here. Those that live here come to seek peace. There will be no peace until they're gone."
"Then why do you help?" She had asked but had lost interest at this point, eager to get on with the task at hand.
"I have never met a Mandalorian. I've only read the stories. If they are true, you will both make quick work of it." Mando looked at her, unsure of what he meant by including her when talking about Mandalorians, she simply shrugged it off. He scanned her form, finding no signs of Beskar. Despite the armour she did wear. "Then there will again be peace." He readied to leave, giving a short wave goodbye as he turned his blurrg back to go home. "I have spoken."
The two bounty hunters simply looked on, wondering what awaited them.
Mando had suggested having a look from a distance, using the edge of the ridge to scout out the area, and then devising the full plan. He was used to working alone, but didn't mind the extra help, especially from her, unlike other bounty hunters she didn't feel the need to entirely take over on the bounty. Something he always found intolerable, not knowing that she felt the same way.
"So half the reward?"
"Depends on how much work the other does." He sighed at her words, but she just grinned, both looking through their scopes, mapping out the area, taking note of all the mercenaries that lingered around the area.
"The asset must be in there, lots of guys around, most likely more inside." He didn't respond, but noted all that was said. They simultaneously noticed that the mercenaries were now alert, both directed their attention to what had alerted them. She sighed.
"Oh, no." Mando was not impressed. "Bounty Droid."
"Great... We best get down there." Mando held his hand out to stop her.
"I'll go, you snipe from above, to cover me." She thought this over for a moment, not sure if she could trust him. He could tell, but had no plans of stabbing her in the back. "Take my blaster, so you know I'm not just gonna take off without you."
"Deal." He handed her the phase-pulse blaster, with a generous amount of ammo and she nestled down into a snipers position, ready to take out the mercenaries. They watched for a moment longer, seeing how this IG-11 unit would screw it up.
The IG-11 unit could be heard from miles away. "Subparagraph 16 of the Bondsman Guild protocol waiver compels you to immediately produce said asset." The mercenaries just looked at each other, then at the droid, who just stared back at them.
One reached for his blaster, but the droid was quicker, firing its own blaster, shooting the man dead, before he even had a chance to pull the trigger. In a blink, another was down, the IG unit spun its torso around, equipping another blaster. Making short work of a few others as they retreated, locking the thick steel doors behind them. The droid looked at the mess it made, while Mando sighed and picked himself up, descending the rocks to join the droid.
"Droids" She smirked at his annoyance, as he left her side. The droid spun around, looking for more enemies as it walked deeper into the compound. Repeating the same order as before, an order she doubted anyone actually listened to.
"Subparagraph 16 of the Bondsman Guild protocol waiver compels you to immediately produce said asset." The droid lowered its blasters, not realising the Mandalorian had appeared until he shouted out.
"IG unit! Stand down." The droid spun and shot the Mandalorian, the blast hitting his left shoulder, shooting him back into some barrels, but unharmed. IG realised that Mando wasn't a threat... after shooting him, and lowered his blaster. Mando grabbed the tracking fob he carried, holding it up to the droid. "I'm in the Guild!"
"You are a Guild member? I thought I was the only one on assignment." Mando was now standing, using a pillar as his cover.
"That makes two of us. So much for the element of surprise." IG didn't much care, after all it was a droid, and without emotions.
"Sadly, I must ask for your fob. I have already issued the writ of seizure. The bounty is mine." She was sure Mando was rolling his eyes inside his helmet.
"Unless I'm mistaken, you are, as of yet, empty-handed." The droid hesitated for a split second.
"This is true..."
The Mandalorian thought for a moment, wondering what she would think of said suggestion, but they didn't have much choice. "I have a suggestion."
"Proceed."
"We split the reward." They had quietened down, but it was obvious was was said, she wasn't overly fussed but had determined that she could always kill the droid after, she didn't have to honour her word like a true Mandalorian did.
"This is acceptable."
Mando's voice was slick with annoyance, despite the resolve, he did not want to deal with this Droid, particularly one that wanted to take charge. "Great. Now let's regroup, out of harm's way, and form a plan." IG-11 stepped over one of the bodies, making his way to Mando and cover, still talking about their agreement.
"I will of course receive the reputation merits associated with the mission." It stopped in its tracks at Mando's lack of urgency regarding the deal.
"Can we talk about this later?"
A beat.
"I require an answer if I am to proceed..." A blast hit the droid. "Oh, no. Alert. Alert. Alert." Another shot was fired, but Mando's friendly little sniper took the mercenary out, making him nothing but ash. The doors opened, the others came out shooting. Mando tried to shoot back, but they were overwhelmed quickly. He remained behind the pillar, IG-11 shot back, and others fell at the hands of her on the ridge. Mando took out one, realising quickly that this was a poor place to stand.
"Let's go!" Using different things as cover, and shooting as many as they could, the pair slowly made their way to the main doors. She focused her shots on the ones up top. Easing up the heavy fire they were taking. As he passed a doorway, it opened and a merc jumped out behind him, only to be hit in the face with a blaster, knocking him out, as Mando moved on without a second thought.
Jumping behind cover, Mando checked the fob, allowing IG-11 and his newfound sniper to take out those around them. The fob confirmed that the asset was behind the main doors. "He's in there!"
"Affirmative." They all continued firing, she increased her own rate of fire, resulting in giving them just enough cover to make it to the main doors. Mando took cover behind another pillar, the droid calmly walking towards the main doors while shooting.
"Up top!" At the Mando's words the droid pointed his blasters up, firing, another mercenary dead. The heavy fire stopped, both IG-11 and Mando now peaking from behind their pillars. They were being surrounded, all the remaining adversaries taking cover and preparing something big. It was no wonder the others died.
"It appears we are trapped." IG-11 being rather helpful and stating the obvious, Mando was grateful for the extra help, but even he was unsure if they would be able to succeed against all of this. If she fired now, they would be sure of a sniper, they hadn't realised in all the commotion. He hoped she held off for a moment, using the element of surprise to her advantage.
She did not fire a shot, waiting for the opportune moment, observing what the Nikto mercenaries were up to. "I will initiate self-destruct sequencing." IG-11 opened up a section of his chest, revealing a bomb, which lit up and began beeping.
"Whoa, you're what?!" He looked at the droid in disbelief. IG-11 remained deadpan, unsurprising from a droid.
"Manufacturers Protocol dictates I cannot be captured. I must self-destruct." Mando continued looking around, waiting for the moment.
"Do not self-destruct." He had kept the sniper from the droid, he didn't need the droid ruining more plans on this job. Still she did not fire, leaving him to wonder what she was doing, did she bolt? Leaving him to die? "Cover me!" The Mandalorian ran out from his cover, the droid now firing upon the mercenaries. Mando ran to the keypad of the main doors, in full view of the mercs, taking heavy fire despite the cover from IG-11.
He swiftly began pulling at wires, hoping to rewire the doors to force them open. The rate of fire was too much, hitting his armour. Now was not the time for hotwiring. He retreated, joining the Droids side behind the same pillar. "Go! Go! Go! There's too many!"
They were still being fired upon, the mercs were gesturing for one of their own to come forward. Unknown to the Mandalorian and the Droid, they were literally bringing out the big gun. She could see this, and was waiting for the moment to take the guy out.
"They got us pinned." This time Mando was the one stating the obvious. He was also wondering where the hell she had gone to.
"I will initiate self-destruct." Mando's body language screamed 'annoyed', he was getting rather frustrated with this droids insistance to destroy itself and in turn, him.
"Do not self-destruct! We're shooting our way out." They leapt from their cover, blasters raised, hesitating upon seeing the large device that was introduced. "Okay." With that they both returned to their cover, just as the Nikto began firing. "New plan!"
"Beginning self-destruct sequence."
"No. Stop it!" Their cover was being chipped away, piece by piece, with every shot. He had devised a plan, but it was risky. Then the firing stopped. She had taken her shot, the gunman was taken out, now nothing but ash, only to be quickly replaced by another, who turned the shots towards the ridge. However this gave them the advantage.
"Draw their fire, I'll take it out."
"Acceptable." IG-11 moved from their cover, now the normal blasters firing upon him, the big gun still firing upon the sniper.
"Go!" Mando waited one second, two. Finally he sprung out from his cover, the gunman now trying to swivel back round to the Mandalorian. Too late. He had thrown forth his grapple, interrupting the Nikto's movements, before shooting him dead. He ran for the device, shooting all the mercenaries around as it slowly span on the spot. The droid was on the floor, and the mercs on the roof were sniped, and Mando dealt with those on the floor.
Making short work of them, he stepped off, looking at the carnage. She had left the ridge, quickly making her way to join them.
"Well done." Mando turned back to the slightly battered IG-11 unit. "I will disengage self-destruct initiative." Finally the bomb was closed off in its chest, Mando helped the unit up. Not feeling so negative towards the droid now.
"You know, you're not so bad. For a droid."
"Agreed." IG-11 was sparking, the shots he got had damaged him.
"That blaster hit looks nasty. You okay?" He wasn't overly concerned for the droids wellbeing, it was more to make sure it wouldn't malfunction to a point where he had to deal with it.
"Running a quick diagnostic." It whirred away, beeping as it scanned its own damage. "It has missed my central wiring harness." The words ran over Mando's helmeted head.
"Is that good?" It's visual receptors, or eyes, directed towards the Mandalorian.
"Yes."
"Well now we just need to get the door open." They both looked at the door, then the same idea popped into their heads, the pair turning towards the massive blaster. She was approaching, but did not wish to startle the droid, so she hung back, waiting.
Within short work the door was blasted open, the droid and the Mandalorian walking in as the door fell to the ground. Looking around, what seemed to be a storage room. One last mercenary jumped out, only to be shot dead by the bounty hunter immediately. "Anyone else?" No response. They took another few steps inside, she was following close behind.
"The tracking fob is still active." Mando pulled out his own fob in response. "My sensors indicate that there is a life form present." The beeping of the fob increased as Mando pointed it towards a pram, he approached it, the beeping now rapid. Removing the net from it, the IG-11 droid approached, she was now in the doorway, silent and watching. Mando opened it up, inside a sleeping green form.
"Wait. They said 50 years old." He looked at the being, confused and in awe.
"Species age differently." The being had woken, using its tiny hand to pull back the blanket it rested under, revealing its face. "Perhaps it could live many centuries." She was craning her neck for a look, spotting the tiny creature. A wave of affection washing over her, the same could be said about the Mandalorian. He was thrown back to when he was a young foundling. "Sadly, we'll never know." IG-11 went to raise its blaster, Mando placed his hand on the droid, stopping it.
"No." The droid looked at him accusingly, as accusingly as a droid could anyway. "We'll bring it in alive." She was happy with the idea, not wanting to kill the child.
"The commission was quite specific. The asset was to be terminated." IG-11 raised its blaster again, the Mandalorian simply stared at the child. A blaster sounded, and the droid fell to the floor. Mando looked behind him, she had her blaster raised as well. Newly fired. IG-11 had two blaster holes in its head.
Mando turned his attention back to the child, she finally fully entered the room. The kid reached out to him, and he, in return, held his gloved finger towards the child. She peaked over his shoulder, taking a full look at the kid. A reward was not worth this child's life.