Chapter 9: The Assignment

The space that resembled a war room in Din's home was thick with tension. Though it was not filled to capacity that evening, it was still suffocating. As Din, Ahsoka, and the clan chieftains gathered around the circular table in its centre, I sat off to the side by the main entrance, invited to the meeting along with some of the other various clan members, yet not expected to be an active participant. Din had kept his word to not reveal my true plight to those who did not need to know; they were the ones most confused by my presence. Though some continuously scrutinized me, silently questioning why the each'trannach was to be privy to such intimate discussions, no one sought to openly vocalize their protestations out of respect for their Mand'alor's decision.

The one who made it perfectly clear that I did not belong there, through sheer body language alone, was Vera. Our eyes locked as she surveyed the room once more. With a straightened spine, I met her challenging stare with equal measure for several moments, unwilling to submit, then made a point to no longer heed her scrutiny.

As the room settled, Din stood, front and centre, the slight scraping of his chair enough to garner everyone's attentions. The room fell silent in an instant, with all eyes on him. "I wanted to gather everyone today given Ahsoka's situation report regarding her team's mission." Though his tone was firm and authoritative, the kindness in his voice remained. It was one of his endearing qualities; a quality that marked him as a true leader. In an exhibition of respect, he regarded his clan members in turn. "If their mission was any indication of what we're up against, then we need more allies to fight by our side."

"There are other tribes!" Vera slammed her open palm upon the table, swimming in frustration. Din didn't appear to mind the sudden outburst and patiently waited for her to continue. She didn't miss a beat, her lips twisting into a snarl. "They need to do their duty and answer our call! The Mand'alor's call. If they do not, they are nothing but apostates and do not deserve to call themselves Mandalorians."

Surprisingly, she had a point and, as much as I loathed to admit it, I was of the same mind to a certain extent. If your own people were in dire need, shouldn't you try to help as much as you could? In any way that you could?

A few paces to my left, Ahsoka eyed Din for a few moments, head tilted slightly to the side in focused assessment. "Well, we already know of a certain tribe's location. Given their cold welcome to our envoy in the past, perhaps they're going to need a personal touch."

"Them? They'll never unite with us," remarked Bo-Katan with a scoff. Though she wasn't as vehement as Vera and remained composed, her tone was laced with poison. She shook her head in a manner that seemed like disappointment more than anything else. "They are too entrenched in their beliefs, unwilling to listen to reason. Their pride will always get in the way."

Conflicted stares shifted to Din, whose fist ever so slowly balled into a fist. I wasn't privy to whom Ahsoka and Bo-Katan were referring, but the discussion thus far stirred an almost inconspicuous discomfort from Din. He gazed in my direction for a moment, as though to compose himself, then retained his royal bearing. His tone was hopeful. "We need to try. I'll go."

Murmurs of mixed reactions permeated the space around us, the attendees visibly split between worry and support. The room buzzed as they continued to discuss their plan of action, debating everything from the morality of the idea, to logistical details, to who should accompany their leader. As their deliberations came to a close, Din said, "Then it is settled. We will leave tomorrow."

With their final respects to Din, the Mandalorians began to trickle out of the room and disperse into their respective conversations. Finding a free moment, Din zigzagged through the crowd and approached me. "Aurora, could I please speak with you in private?"

I ignored the curious stares around us and nodded. "Sure."

Following his lead, we walked over to the balcony - the same one that I had been on just a few days prior, where I witnessed…whatever it was between Din and Vera. A wave of discomfort rushed through me at the thought, though I attempted to ignore it as Din turned to face me.

"Aurora, I'd like for you to come on this mission."

I eyed him, equally cautious and confused. "Me? Why?"

His tone was knit with optimism. "We may be able to get more answers about what happened to you. Find out how to send you home."

The nagging discomfort returned, spreading through my core, though it was difficult to understand as to why. A part of me was elated that there was another chance that someone in this galaxy knew what to do to send me home; yet, another part felt as though I were just punched in the gut. The heaviness that grew in my chest was enough of a reminder that I really wasn't one of these people, as much as my fondness for them and their way of life had blossomed. That this wasn't my home, regardless of how long I had been here. That Din was just doing everything that he could to fulfill his promise of returning me back to where I belonged, because that was just the kind of man that he was.

My reply was a simple, colourless, "Okay."

When Din said nothing further, I gave him a quick nod of acknowledgement and took a few steps back. As I turned on my heel, he reached for my upper arm, holding me in place, yet delicate in his touch. "Is something wrong?"

For a split second, my true emotions threatened to escape, to exhibit the turbulence that raged in me. Yet, whether it was because I was so used to keeping everything inside, or whether my training to remain unflinching regardless of the situation kicked in, I merely eyed our contact for a few moments, then took another step back, breaking it. "No."

Nothing in his demeanour exhibited that he believed me. However, with a silent nod of understanding, he said nothing further as I retreated from the room.

(V)(V)(V)

Those departing on the mission awoke early the next morning, with preparations occurring hours before our intended takeoff. A few minutes before our actual departure, a Mandalorian Commando guided me up an extended rear ramp and into the large passenger ship, its class clearly made for carrying at least one hundred passengers and heavy cargo. It even had a few levels, with its secure bridge at the top level.

I thanked the Commando as he showed me to my personal cabin on the middle level of the ship. Though the stark, grey space was surprisingly comfortable, I couldn't help but fidget as I strapped into my seat for takeoff. Why does this seatbelt seem a little too tight all of a sudden? With a gulp, I held on to my backpack perched on my lap, hoping that one of my only real possessions in this galaxy would bring me some semblance of comfort as we once more embarked on interplanetary travel.

Attempting to distract myself from the thought in the meantime, my gaze fell to the viewport at my side. Off in the distance, at the foot of the ship, Grogu stood in between Din and Ahsoka, looking up at his father in the most loving manner. Din and Ahsoka exchanged a few words, all inaudible to me, as Din crouched down to Grogu's height (or as close to it). His head dipped as he lovingly patted his son's head. In turn, the little one lifted a tiny hand, resting it on his father's forearm with the same affection. After the final farewell, Din boarded the ship, flanked by two Commandos and followed by the remainder of the contingent.

The flight through the vast expanse of space wasn't as difficult and headache-inducing as the first time, yet it was difficult to discern just how long our journey was. Despite not knowing whether it was day or night, I'd managed to sleep after several hours, finally succumbing to my body's protests. I didn't know we had even landed until a light knock on the cabin door woke me.

Din appeared on the other side of the threshold as the door lightly slid open, with the other Mandalorians on the flight bustling about behind him. "We've landed," he announced. "It's a bit colder on this planet, so I brought this coat for you."

"Thank you," I replied with a small smile, genuinely appreciative of the gesture, and collected the piece of clothing. The scenery beyond the cabin's viewport signalled dusk. "Do we have to travel far to our final destination?"

"Less than an hour's walk if our intel is correct. We've landed as closely as we could, but the terrain isn't friendly to a ship as large as ours."

A group of roughly thirty of us disembarked in single file down the rear ramp, then formed into a loose circle around Din. The chill was biting, easily invading through my clothing despite the added layer. The planet seemed to be entirely covered in ice, reminding me of Krownest's climate. However, there was a certain harshness to this planet that was unlike Krownest; as though it had been abandoned and forgotten, left to exist in the shadows of the galaxy. Upon receiving Din's marching orders, we travelled mostly in silence, tension blanketing the group. It wasn't difficult to sense that the Mandalorians on this mission didn't exactly want to be here. Perhaps they also didn't believe that these Mandalorians - whoever they were - would join their cause. Regardless of the questionable morale around him, Din led the group with confident strides, following what he referred to as a "holomap" that was projecting from his right vambrace.

We approached a low ridge that overlooked what seemed like an abandoned town below. The various stone and metal structures that peppered the plains in the distance were shrouded in darkness, with no living thing visible to the naked eye.

"Mand'alor, something doesn't feel right," warned a Commando in red and orange armour at Din's left. Pressing a button on the side of her helmet, she surveyed our surroundings in a slow, deliberate manner. "There's no one in sight. Anywhere."

"We stay the course," Din replied with a sigh, conducting his own assessment of the area. "This is where they should be."

Shrill shrieks from above us sounded without warning, piercing my eardrums. The Mandalorians revved into high alert in an instant, moving into a circular formation, backs to one another, weapons drawn. Unfamiliar with their particular immediate actions upon suspected contact, I stood dumbly a few meters from them, attempting in the interim to identify the origins of the sounds in the blackened sky.

"Aurora, get down!"

A heavy gust of wind showered light snow all around me. Pandemonium erupted. Something then coiled around my back, the pressure digging itself without relent. I thought that my spine would crack right then and there. Never having felt such a threat, I looked up in panic, faintly seeing the silhouette of some kind of giant reptilian bird towering over me for several meters. It finally registered in my brain that the pressure around my body was being inflicted by its massive talons.

The panic grew, and with every ounce of strength in my body, I attempted to break free. Out of other alternatives, I hastily wriggled out of the coat, eventually managing to escape the creature's clutches, and pushed myself up to my feet as quickly as I could.

At first, I thought that the removal of my coat was all it took to elude the reptile bird.

That was quickly proven to be inaccurate when I almost tripped and fell again on its bloody, severed leg.

I covered my eyes with the back of my hand as the surrounding area was suddenly illuminated in bright light. At first, I thought it was some kind of flashbang to stun or scare the creature. As I peered through my divided fingers, however, all I could see was Din, a few steps before me, holding a sword-like weapon in his right hand. As he stepped back to shield me from the creature, the weapon seemed to extend to its full length; it was dark at its core, but outlined with white light. The beam of energy within the blade appeared to be moving throughout it, the white, lighting pattern churning and pulsing. Its faint, distant hum clashed with the creature's cries as Din gripped it with deadly intent. Spooked by his attack, and most likely not wanting to lose its other leg, the reptile bird released one last shriek before disappearing into the night.

"Is everyone alright?" Din called out, retracting his weapon and surveying the scene.

"Aside from some flesh wounds, we're all alright and all accounted for, Mand'alor," came a reply in the distance.

Din walked to my side. "Looks like you already lost the coat that I gave you."

I threw him a wince, jutting my thumb behind me. "It's now torn into several pieces over there."

He crouched down to my eye level. "Here." In a few, swift movements, he removed his cape and wrapped it around me. "Hopefully, this will do for now."

I looked up at the t-visor, noting the sudden warmth that his body brought. "Thank you, but you don't have to."

"I insist." He rested his hands on my shoulders as I took hold of the ends of the cape. It was warmer than it looked, despite being rough on the exterior. Din eyed me for several moments, then addressed his comrades. "We need to start a fire and take care of the wounded before we travel any further."

Not long after the group began to busy themselves with their respective tasks, footsteps and murmurs sounded behind us. All were quickly on high alert once more, weapons drawn.

Several silhouettes materialized a few meters from our main body. The handful of shadows approached steadily with confident strides. At their front appeared to be a female Mandalorian in gold and red armour. Her golden helmet was riddled with spikes, her fur-covered back adorned with what looked like tools. She walked with a combination of grace and strength, and the Mandalorians who flanked and followed her seemed to show no fear. Her voice was firm and clear as she said:

"I didn't expect to see you here, Din Djarin."

At the direct address, Din stood, his back straightened. He refrained from drawing a weapon as she approached him.

There was something noticeably different about this group of Mandalorians. Though they all wore similar Mandalorian armour as those on Kalevala, their aura was a lot…darker. No one said a word as the two groups faced off. The only things that could be heard were light breathing and the constant whistling of the bitter wind.

Din was the first to break the silence. His stance remained firm. "Your numbers have grown since we last met on Glavis."

The female Mandalorian in the gold and red armour replied simply, "It has."

Din gave her a polite nod. "I am glad to hear this."

Her head only moved slightly to the side to acknowledge this. The rest of her body remained stiff, arms straight at her sides. "To what do we owe your visit?"

"You know why I'm here."

A brief moment of silence passed between them. Their gazes remained locked, as though neither were willing to budge.

"Mandalore is lost." Shattering the tension, a stocky Mandalorian in blue and brown armour stepped forward, his voice gruff and unyielding. "What you propose, apostate, is folly."

Din regarded him for a few moments, as though deciding how precisely to respond, though eventually returned his attention to their leader. "Though you do not see me as a Mandalorian, or share in the beliefs of my people, as Mand'alor, I invite you to fight by our side. We have strengthened our numbers, increased our resources. We have gathered intelligence and have prepared, rehearsed. We are ready."

The female tipped her head towards him, her authoritative bearing remaining. "I'm afraid, Din Djarin, your journey has been for naught."

I didn't entirely understand why these Mandalorians refused to join forces with Din and the others, or why they didn't see Din as a Mandalorian. They seemed to have a shared history, and given the ongoing tension that blanketed us, not all of it had been pleasant. But what was clear at that moment was that their homeworld had been invaded, and despite differing beliefs and a soured past, they were all still one people. If there was any time to unite, it would be now. Unwilling to relent and accept their cold response, I took a step forward, now standing at Din's side. "If you have something that unites you all - like your common threat - you need to work together. It can't be about your ego, past, or clan loyalties anymore. It's about survival. Your strength lies in your unity. Especially now."

The female regarded me in a slow, deliberate manner, moving from head to toe. Our stares met. Her tone remained calm and collected, yet edged with curiosity. "And who are you?"

"Captain Aurora Guerrero. I may not be a Mandalorian, but…"

Accompanied by a dismissive grunt, the bulky soldier in blue spoke up once more. "Then you speak of matters that do not concern you."

"Mandalore isn't my homeworld, and I am not a Mandalorian, but it does concern me," I replied firmly before anyone else could. "I know what the Mandalorians are going through because I have lived amongst them. I have seen their plight on a daily basis. Heard their dreams of a better future for themselves, for their children. Heard their wishes for peace and prosperity." I took another step forward, my footing firm. "I know what the Mandalorians are going through because I have seen it happen to many others. Peaceful people displaced and suffering all because of hate, megalomania, and greed. I've fought against this evil. Bled for it. Almost lost my life because of it." I paused, the brims of my eyes becoming cloudy. "You can't sit idly and do nothing. It must be stopped."

The fervour in my voice must have been palpable to the Mandalorians as, when I finished my plea, Din laid a hand on my shoulder in comfort. There was nothing dishonest about what I had just said. It had erupted from my core and underlined precisely what I had felt throughout my time in this galaxy; throughout my time serving my country in foreign, besieged lands. People should be free to live in peace and to be free from being overtaken by those who are corrupt and evil. To see this situation constantly repeating itself, affecting so many people who just want to live their lives, was heartbreaking.

The silence then seemed neverending. Then, as the other Mandalorian tribe began to return to the shadows, the female said, "We will consider your proposal, Din Djarin."

Din moved forward, though remained in the light. "We were once friends, were we not?"

She turned her head slightly to face him as the other Mandalorians disappeared into the darkness. "We were family."

(V)(V)(V)

I paced to and fro in front of Din's cabin door for much longer than intended, holding his cape in my hands, as the rest of our party prepared for bed and the journey home the following day. It was a wonder that something so simple was so difficult to do. Not really understanding what was bringing about the uneasiness, and after looking like a right idiot throughout my indecision, I finally managed to stop myself after a few minutes and summon up the nerve to simply knock.

Din opened the door only a few seconds later.

"Hi. I just wanted to…" my words trailed off as my gaze made contact with Din's form. Only clad in a pair of trousers and his helmet, he was certainly not prepared for any kind of public appearance. The dim light of the moon reflected off of his tan skin, shining down upon him as though it were a spotlight of sorts. He didn't seem abashed and remained as he was, patient as always for me to continue. On my end, my eyes automatically fell to the doorframe, the wall behind him…

…really, anywhere that wasn't on his bare form.

"Aurora. Hey." He stepped back from the frame with an inviting gesture of his hand. "Come in."

The only thing that moved then was my arm, which shot out, still gripping the piece of fabric that was now all askew. "I just came to give this back. Ok. Thanks. Bye."

Din took the cape, his calloused fingers running against mine. My skin became alit at the contact. "Oh. It looked like you were patrolling out there."

My gaze jumped to his t-visor, heart not far behind. It was as though I had been caught for committing some crime. "What?"

He merely pointed to the side of his helmet. "Thermal vision."

The generous amount of heat that rushed to my face then must have rightly blinded him.

Oh, for the love of…

"I just needed some exercise and whatever," I blurted, quickly waving him off in my retreat. "Thanks again. For this and for saving me from reptilian bird thing."

"Aurora, your back."

"Huh?"

Din gestured at the area of my left scapula. "You're hurt."

I reached for the injury as far as I could with my right hand. Though it didn't elicit much pain, slight traces of blood were evident on my fingers.

"Sit here." Din pulled out a tall, metal stool in front of him. "Let me help."

My breathing became steadier as I complied with his invitation, my earlier embarrassment somewhat forgotten. The simple, grey room around us brought comfort and warmth despite its metal make. It was immaculate and organized, each piece of furniture and object set in its rightful place. Din's form drew closer behind me as he sat on his bed, then busily rummaged through metal drawers upon the wall to gather supplies.

"It'll be easier if you lifted your shirt."

The sudden request that hung around us was simple, yet tender; it wasn't laced with embarrassment, but practicality. With a nod, I fidgeted with the fabric behind my left arm, tugging it upwards as much as possible. Eventually, I gave up the battle with the sleeve and just removed my arm entirely, baring half of my back to Din. I twisted my head to face him. "Is this okay?"

The faint profile of the t-visor nodded.

Din began to delicately clean and dress the wound, the liquid on the soft cloth that he used cool to the touch. The act didn't sting, but it did elicit a foreign warmth inside me that I hadn't felt in a long time.

There was a slight pause.

He shifted in his seat.

A few moments later, the piece of fabric was replaced with Din's bare fingers. The touch was curious, exploratory; lost and found at the same time. It evoked goosebumps throughout the planes and edges of my back, which welcomed the attention. In a swift motion, I removed my shirt entirely, now only wearing my bra, expectant. Without a word, his hand wandered down the length of my spine as he stood from the bed and took a steady step forward.

As I turned to face him, he wrapped his arms around my waist, as though unwilling to release me, and pulled me towards him. My open palms rested on his broad chest, my inquisitive fingertips tracing the multiple bruises and scars. It was at that moment that I wished I could take any pain he felt away. Take away the permanent wounds that had been inflicted on him. And yet, the scars were a reminder of what he had overcome; the cast that molded him into the man that he was.

As though reading my mind, he began, "I'm not a good person, Aurora. I've done things in the past that I'm not proud of."

"Haven't we all?" I met his stare, fingertips drawn to the edges of his helmet. "I think you're a good person."

He didn't seem convinced. "There are a lot of things that you do not know about me."

The side of my lip twitched as I retracted my hand. The comment escaped me before I barely had time to think. "Like how you and Vera are supposedly going to be married?"

His arms hardened around me, yet remained in place. "What?"

"I've heard the rumours. I've also seen how the two of you interact."

Din didn't release me from his grasp. Instead, his head dipped, gaze fixed with mine. "I saved her clanspeople in battle a year ago. She's felt indebted to me ever since. When her father was killed during an attack on their settlement, she was given the title of clan chieftain. Vera was thrust into the position with little experience, all while still grieving. I took her under my protection. Made sure she was alright. It was only a matter of time that the rumours would start."

Throughout Din's explanation, my stare fell to the ground, the heat in my cheeks rising. "I'm sorry. Your personal life isn't any of my business, anyway. I should have never brought it up."

Din's shadow on the floor inched closer. The heat from his body melded with my own. "But there is a reason why you did."

My heart skipped as he cupped my face in his palm, urging me to look at him. I inhaled a long breath as I turned my head to the side, my lips grazing his skin.

Desire flowed through me as he began to trace the length of my neck, snaking down to my collarbone. My eyes closed automatically, my entire form revelling at the contact. When he found he met no resistance, he continued lower, trailing his steady fingers between my breasts, travelling to the edge of my trousers. The cool metal of his helmet met my cheek, eliciting another flash of need within me.

"Keep your eyes closed, Aurora."

Din's words were a request, though they had a hint of caution to them. I knew that he refused to remove his helmet, to show anyone his face. After living with him and his people for so long, seeing him this way just became normal. And yet, at first, his words struck me as strange; he had never asked that of me before.

It didn't take long for him to provide an answer.

When I nodded in reply and shut my eyes, he framed both of my hands with his, and slowly brought my open palms to the sides of his helmet. With a soft exhale, he guided our hands upwards. I automatically gulped at the act, finding it blasphemous, yet right at the same time. For several, still moments, I held part of the helmet and part of Din's face - the two halves that made his whole, both of which were a part of him. He then released my hands and took the helmet off on his own.

My lack of vision heightened my other senses. In a manner that stirred pleasurable tension in my lower stomach, Din traced his fingertips upon my face and pushed back my hair. His scent reminded me of being in the woods on a spring morning, as dew upon the foliage came to life. It instantly became intoxicating.

"Aurora, I want to…"

Without allowing him to finish, I rested my fingertips on the side of his stubbled chin and found his lips with my own. The act was enforced by the bursting dam of emotions within me, bereft of any other thought than to satiate what I had wanted for so long. With a guttural moan, Din deepened the kiss, meeting my untamed actions in kind, our tongues now caught in a savage dance for dominance. His lips were soft; his taste, now wholly invading my senses, sweet like honey.

I whimpered as he broke the contact of our lips, his own now beginning its onslaught upon the side of my neck. I held onto him as though for dear life, his muscles beneath my grasp pulsing as he lost himself in the act. His hand cupped my breast as he sought the attention of my lips once more, the storm within him exhibited in his hasty movements. I cried out at the touch, wanting even more. No longer able to resist, my hands explored his firm chest, then moved down to the taut ridges of his abdomen, the need to feel every inch of him too much to resist. A groan rumbled in his throat, then was followed by a soft curse.

With a hand upon my waist, he guided me a few steps back until my legs came into contact with the edge of the bed. I lay down, trusting his touch, and promptly pulled him on top of me. The weight of Din's body shifted the bed, and he moved carefully so as not to crush me. As his hand explored my body, he moved even closer, eliminating the remaining space between us. The softness and heat of his skin elicited another flash of need within me.

His lips were beside my own, breath tickling my cheek, as he said huskily, "Stay with me."

It took all of my willpower to not open my eyes and look at him at that moment.

There was nowhere else that I wanted to be, no one else who I wanted to be with.

With a nod and smile, I ran my fingers through his mussed hair and claimed his lips once more.

(V)(V)(V)

A/N: Hey, everyone! Thank you for continuing to support this story. I appreciate all of you and all of the feedback/reviews that you've given me.

I know I haven't updated in a while, and for that, I truly apologize. This time, the reason is that I was deployed to Ukraine to work with the Ukrainians. I've made it safely home, and after some time spent recovering and reflecting, I thought to dive into my writing once more. It's a bit unreal how this fic somewhat mirrored my recent life experiences and, moving forward, it'll be cathartic for me to infuse what I've lived through into this story.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this next installment. I can't wait to continue this story. More to come. Enjoy! xx IFHD