"Turn right, dive, dive, spin now!" young Mando spewed out maneuvers in a panic while her father tensely piloted the Razor Crest away from the perusing bounty hunter.
"Hand over the child, Mando," the hunter demanded when he had the Razor Crest locked in his scope and fired rapidly.
A huge blast rocked the ship as Mando tried to keep it steady, firmly gripping the wheel, hoping not to lose control.
"The left engine is hit!" she exclaimed.
"I can see that," Mando tried to stay calm but found it difficult with his over reacting daughter detailing every casualty.
"I might let all of you live," the hunter said deciding their fate.
Several alarms continued sounding through the cockpit loudly, with this the child whimpered in fear while young Mando kept repeating, "We're gonna die."
Mando switched over power, giving the left engine some time to cool when he took his daughter's advice, "Hold on," he twisted the wheel making the Razor Crest spin wildly hoping to get out of the hunter's scope, "Come on," Mando said to himself unable to believe he had not shaken this guy.
"The accelerator is leaking and we're losing fuel!" young Mando continued informing horrific details about the ship's condition.
"Mando, I can bring you in warm, or I can bring you in cold," the bounty hunter suddenly became cocky because he was locked in for the kill, but Mando had one last ace up his sleeve.
In an instant, Mando braked mid-air and reversed the thrusters, wielding them backwards to get behind their attacker. With this quick maneuver, the Razor Crest took out the right engine of their assailant whose trajectory continued forward, now giving the Crest the drop.
"That's my line," Mando informed when he had the hunter's ship now in his scope, taking the shot and blowing their attacker to space dust.
"Whoa I haven't seen you fly like that in ages," young Mando exclaimed, "Good thing everyone kept their cool," she said trying to get control of all the issues manifesting in the Crest, "Nothing's working," she said banging the controls when the ship powered down, "I did not do that."
Freely the Razor Crest floated through space, silent and stagnant. The child giggled and cooed while young Mando laid her head on the console feeling defeated and frustrated with the child's inability to know the severity they were in.
"Hey, relax," Mando told his daughter as he got up and pressed the emergency backup power.
Slowly coming to life, the console beeped, screens illuminated, and the engines powered up, while they drifted towards a desert planet. Mando clicked a few controls when an operator came over the comms.
"This is Mos Eisley tower. We are tracking you. Head for bay three-five, over."
"Copy that, locked in for three-five," Mando repeated.
With a trail of smoke spiraling from its engine, the Razor Crest hiccupped and sputtered all the way down to the bay. Landing safely, Mando lowered the hatch in order to discuss business with the mechanic when he was met by three pit droids instead. Immediately he fired a warning shot at the droid's feet sending them in a panic and automatically retracting into themselves.
"Hey!" a loud woman's voice screamed, "Hey!" Peli Motto emerged from her quarters angered as the three pit droids unfurled and scampered away, "You damage one of my droids, you'll pay for it," Peli said while thrusting her tablet at him.
"Just keep them away from my ship," Mando demanded while pointing his finger at the bothersome droids.
"Yeah? You think that's a good idea, do you?" Peli sarcastically said, "Let's look at your ship."
Peli began her analysis, banging on certain parts, inspecting others while making horrendous expressions.
"Oof! Look at that," she pulled out a scanner, "Ugh, you got a lot of carbon scorin building up top," she walked closer to the ship getting a better glance, "Yeah, if I didn't know better, I'd think you were in a shootout."
"And that you'd be right," young Mando appeared out of nowhere putting a real fright in Peli.
"Geez, where'd you come from?" Peli put a hand up to her chest catching her breath.
"Obviously from the ship," young Mando pointed confused on the mechanics question.
"Just didn't expect anyone else on board, that's all," Peli clarified.
"I'm sure that's what my Papi envisions all the time, but he can't get rid of me that easily, it's not like I'll be receiving my independence anytime soon," young Mando playfully bantered but her father wasn't having it.
Without a word he raised his arm and pointed vigorously for her to get back in the ship.
"Looks like I'm being ordered to go back inside, let me know if you need any assistance. It's not like I'm doing anything with my life," young Mando said to Peli as she meandered her way slowly inside the vessel.
"Okay," Peli looked on in confusion but went right into a thorough inspection, "Let me get a diagnostic, I will need a special tool for that one. Yeah I'm gonna have to rotate that. You got a fuel leak. Look at that, this is a mess. How did you even land? That's gonna set you back," Peli walked up to Mando.
"I've got 500 Imperial credits," Mando handed them to her.
"That's all you got? Well, what do you guys think," Peli asked her pit droids when they chattered back," That should at least cover the hangar."
"I'll get you your money," Mando promised.
"Hmm. I've heard that before."
"Just remember…"
"Yeah, no droids. I heard yah. You don't have to say it twice. Geez," Peli stated in annoyance, but kept her tone low so the Mandalarian didn't hear as he boarded his ship.
"What was that back there?" Mando stood over his daughter who sat in her workspace.
"What was what?" she ignored his question full fledgy knowing what he meant.
"What's gotten into you? Where is this disobedient attitude coming from?"
"Oh I don't know maybe it's the second time I've been abruptly uprooted from a stable home life, or could it be that you denied me my independence something all Mandalorians achieve, or maybe its because I'm a ticking detonator set to go off at any given moment without warning. Take your pick. I have no control over my life or even over myself, do you know how terrifying this is? I could have killed Winta, Omera, Cara, the child, you! So many times I could have killed you," young Mando put her helmet in her hands hiding her sorrow.
Mando bent down to her level reassuring her instead of her accomplishment, "Did you ever think on how you saved them," Mando tried to draw her out of hiding, "We were pretty much beaten when that AT-ST didn't fall into the trap. There was no way in beating it without multiple casualties, until you, you saved the village," Mando moved her hands so he could look upon her.
"I sometimes feel like I don't know who I am," she honestly said.
"You're my daughter but mostly you are you, so just be you."
"Are you sure, even with my snarky humor?"
"My life would be a bore without it," Mando heard his daughter chuckle which was music to his ears.
Once he knew she was feeling better Mando rose figuring out his next play, he knew he had to find a job in order to pay for the Razor Crest's repairs, but it was prudent to stay off the grid.
"Listen, I have to go find some work," he started.
"Say no more Papi I know the drill, stay on board."
"Yes and I will need you…"
"To watch the kid, already covered."
"Okay, good," Mando couldn't believe how quickly she turned around, but was happy with the result.
Mando wasted no time and left the hangar to find any kind of work, he knew his best bet would be to hit the cantina, practically, where all the shady deals went down.
Young Mando kept focus on her painting, finishing up the last few strokes and then she set it aside to dry. She began collecting her newly favorite pieces to stick in her satchel when she witnessed the child take hold of an opened jar of paint. In curiosity he wanted to make a pretty picture also when he spilled the pigment all over her recent finished piece.
"NO!" she screamed crawling over and snatching the now empty jar out of the child's hands, "Look what you did, you ruined my painting, oh geez," she saw the pigments serpentine along the ship's surface, "Dad is going to kill me for getting paint all over the floor."
She noticed the child about to stick its little hands in the mess and create an even bigger one. She quickly picked him up and placed him on the opposite end just so she could start cleaning up in frustration. The child looked on upset, he waddled back towards young Mando in order to help but she came off a bit hostile.
"No, you did enough damage, now go and sit down," she pointed towards their sleeping quarters instructing him to comply when he hung his head in sadness and let her be.
"I'm in," Peli told her three pit droids when they were playing a card game called Sabacc, "And I am gonna raise you three bolts and a motivator," when everyone heard some commotion coming from inside the ship.
"Hey, you alright in there?" Peli questioned but then something small walking down the hatch caught her attention. Gradually she moved closer analyzing the little creature as it held up its arms to be held.
"Oh alright," Peli cautiously picked up the child, "How many others are on his ship?" The pit droid started squawking when she replied flustered, "How do I know what it is? Give me a second. Where's that other Mandalorian? Umm excuse me, I think you lost something," Peli shouted in the ship but was greeted by a determined young Mando.
She threw a satchel over herself while chipping away dried paint that was stuck to her gloves, "Or more so that you found something. I have a proposition for you. If you look after the little one while I quickly venture my way into town then I will help update your pit droids," she purposed.
"What's wrong with my droids?"
"Nothing, its just I have the latest upload for service droids stored in my gauntlet, how I acquired it doesn't need to be disclosed, and I thought it would be a great boost for your business. All the latest starships, cruisers, speeders, freighters schematics automatically uploaded to their system instructing them on how to fix the ships efficiently and quickly. It's a win-win for both of us," young Mando opened a small compartment in her gauntlet and showcased the chip.
"Now just because my father hates droids doesn't mean I do, so if you allow me to sneak out, do my business and then sneak back in before he gets back then it's a done deal. What do you say?" young Mando held out her hand to finalize the proposition.
Peli pondered for a while but then positioned the child to her hip in order to free a hand and shook.
"Excellent," young Mando was about to exit from the front when Peli stopped her.
"That's your first mistake to getting caught, use the back door," Peli escorted her to a hidden entrance, "I'll leave it unlocked."
"Thanks," young Mando tilted her head in appreciation and made her way towards the town where she hoped she could finally sell some of her artwork and make a name for herself.
Peli returned her attention back on the little creature as it continued cooing happily it was receiving some attention.
"I am going to look after you until the Mandalorian gets back, do you like that bright eyes? Yeah we'll have some fun," Peli stroked its forehead and bounced it gently before she got back to her card game with the droids.
It didn't take long until Mando reached the extremely dead cantina, only a few attendees occupied the seats as Mando approached the bar.
"Hey droid," Mando addressed the bartender, "I'm a hunter. I'm lookin' for some work."
"Unfortunately, the Bounty Guild no longer operates from Tatooine," the droid informed.
"I'm not looking for Guild work," he clarified.
"I am afraid that does not improve your situation, at least by my calculation," the droid finished.
"Think again, tin can," a voice spoke from a corner booth as Mando turned around to inspect, "If you're looking for work, have a seat, my friend," the baby faced young man acted tough, feet on the table like he owned the joint.
"Name's Toro, Toro Calican. Come on relax," he offered the seat opposite of him and ignited a puck, "Picked up this bounty puck before I left the Mid Rim," Toro went straight into business, "Fennec Shand, an assassin. Heard she's been on the run ever since the New Republic put all her employees in lockdown."
"I know the name," Mando said snidely.
"I followed this tracking fob here. Now the positional data suggests she's headed out beyond the Dune Sea. Should be an easy job," Toro seemed very confident.
"Well good luck with that," Mando rose to leave.
"Wait, wait, wait, hey. I thought you needed work?"
"How long have you been with the Guild?" Mando questioned suspiciously.
"Long enough," Toro most likely lied.
"Clearly not. Fennac Shand is an elite mercenary. She made her name killing for all the top crime syndicates, including the Hutts. If you go after her, you won't make it past sunrise," Mando said truthfully while turning to leave.
"This is my first job. You can keep the money, all of it. I just need this job to get into the Guild. I can't do it alone," Toro honestly said.
Mando pondered and then came to a conclusion, "Meet me at hangar three-five in half an hour. Bring two speeder bikes and give me the tracking fob," Mando outstretched his hand for it when Toro smashed it to bits. Mando glared at the newbie with scorn but Toro quickly rectified his actions.
"Don't worry, got it all memorized," he pointed to his head.
"Half an hour," Mando reminded and exited the cantina as Toro exclaimed one last statement.
"Looks like you're stuck with me now, partner," Toro smiled pleased with his outcome.
The marketplace wasn't booming as young Mando would have liked, not to many vendors occupying the streets, which would make it harder to sell her works. She approached several shops but none seemed interested. Even with her exaggerated truth of being a respected artist, which was hard to swallow coming from a bounty hunter Mandalorian.
Young Mando knew she was running out of time plus she didn't want to come up empty handed, she had to show something for her works. She spotted one last store ready to repeat her pitch. Upon entry she was met by a Mirialan who was ready to do business.
"Hello young traveler, what may I help you with," the female shopkeeper said in a friendly tone.
"Actually what can I do to help enhance your sales," young Mando approached the check out counter and began displaying her works, spreading them out so the shopkeeper could gaze upon their beauty.
"Imagine having these works of art lining your store. These are one of a kind, a rarity from a very popular artist from the Core World, just from her name alone will draw flocks of new customers who will line up at your door," young Mando hoped she was using her artistic words to paint a different kind of image.
"Oh really and why would a famous Core artist want their works sold in the Outer Rim?" the shopkeeper questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Merely so everyone in the galaxy can lose themselves within the piece, taking themselves away from the daily grind and image themselves within the serene scenery," young Mando lifted up one of her paintings showcasing the way the brushstrokes created movement, how the colors ignited the viewers gaze in awe, and how the realism allowed the viewer to imagine being immersed in the landscape as they could hear the sounds of waterfalls and distant birds.
"Nice try," the shopkeeper had seen plenty of hustlers in her days and shooed the Mandalorian off with the wave of her green hand.
"Oh sure," she sighed heavily, "Well thank you for your time," young Mando collected her pieces and proceeded to exit when the Mirialan stopped her.
"Hey kid, wait," in surprise the shopkeeper had never seen a Mandalorian this passive or creative for that matter, the bounty hunter wasn't forceful or rude instead she showed enthusiasm, politeness, but mostly pride in her work.
"It seems like you travel a lot in your profession and unfortunately I can not. I haven't been to my home world of Mirial in decades and miss it very much. Do you have a representation of my planet within your collection?" the shopkeeper asked.
Eagerly young Mando dug deep in her bag rummaging through and finding her customers request, luckily four years ago she was able to accompany her father on a job and was able to remember the lush landscape of the shopkeepers home world.
"You're in luck, I have one left," young Mando said businesslike but quickly dropped the act noticing the Mirialan was taking pity on her, "Sorry old habits die hard, that will be seventy credits please," Mando truly believed her works were worth that much but no one would pay for an amateurs talent.
"How about twenty?" the shopkeeper bargained.
"Well what do you know twenty credits is my friends and family special, it's a good thing we became such quick friends."
"It is."
The two made their transaction as young Mando practically skipped out of the shop pleased with herself on finally selling her first piece of art. Time was fleeting and young Mando knew her father would be heading back to the hangar any time, she cut a few corners while making her way down some shady corridors catching a strangers eye.
Too excited to pay attention to her surroundings, young Mando kept patting the twenty credits in her pocket ecstatic she had achieved a sale. She kept pondering over when her possible next sale could be and began envisioning other works she would execute.
In this dream like state, young Mando never picked up on the tale she acquired, who was ready to ambush her, ready to abduct her. Closer and closer the spurs clanked on her assailants shoes, practically warning her himself but she was to self-involved.
The moment had come, no one would see, no one would hear and she would be gone in three…two…
"Where have you been," Peli shouted down the street pin pointing the young Mandalorian who had just stepped out from the shadows.
"Sorry, took longer then planned," young Mando jogged the rest of the way reading the urgency in Peli's voice.
"He's just getting back, now get inside before we both get in trouble," when Peli clutched onto the child while shoving young Mando through the back doorway, unaware of the danger that lurked right around the corner.
Mando returned to his ship, checking up on his daughter and the child before he left with Toro, he wanted to give his daughter the rundown but she wasn't by her art space or anywhere on the ship, neither was the child. Panic inflicted Mando when he saw Peli holding onto the child while heading for her quarters.
"Hey!" Mando shouted and startled Peli who jumped and awoke the child.
"Where is she?" Mando angrily asked a passing droid but it recoiled into itself.
"Quiet, oh it's okay. You woke it up," Peli said while walking towards Mando, "Do you have any idea how long it took me to get it to sleep?"
"How did you acquire him, where's my daughter?"
"I'm here," she said in the far corner finishing updating the last pit droid.
"I specifically told you to watch him," he pointed his finger scolding her.
"Yeah, I know but Peli needed help with her droids so I offered my services. Since my attention would be occupied I couldn't let the little womp rat run amuck so Peli said she would watch him for me, no harm done," young Mando said while cleaning off some access grease from her gloves, which had been left by the messy droids.
Mando just glared at his daughter unable to fully believe her story. Peli sensing the tension escalating she pulled Mando's attention to his ship.
"I started the repair on the fuel leak," Peli said while fiddling with a machine, "There you go. I had a couple setbacks I want to talk to you about. You know, I didn't use any droids, as requested, so it took me a lot longer than I expected."
Mando went on the ship to gather some items he would need for his upcoming job as Peli still talked, "But I figured you were good for the money since you have extra mouths to feed."
"Thank you for taking on my daughter's responsibility," Mando said as he walked off.
"Hey, I resent that," young Mando stormed after her father blocking his path, "You know I use to do more than just babysit the kid and your ship. Can you blame me for being restless, wanting to help, go on jobs with you instead of me keep getting sidelined," young Mando expressed.
"Oh, I guess I was right. You got a job didn't you?" Peli interjected.
"Are you finished?" Mando said to his daughter and ignored Peli.
"Am I ever?" young Mando said tilting her head annoyed.
Mando stepped to the side and walked passed her as both woman followed him outside and stated their cases simultaneously.
"You know, it's costing me a lot of money to keep these droids even powered up," Peli informed.
"You know I don't appreciate being ignored so I'll keep running my mouth until I drive you into insanity," young Mando declared when someone else joined in the conversation.
"Hey, Mando, what do you think? Not too shabby, huh?" Toro said proudly showcasing the two speeder bikes he acquired.
"And where'd you pick up this amateur?" young Mando said not hiding her distain.
"Amateur? Who you calling an amateur?" Toro puffed out his chest insulted by her comment.
"I call them like I see them," she said to Toro and then addressed her father, "Really, you pass me off for this," she pointed at Toro analyzing the rookie mistakes he had already made.
Young Mando noticed Toro had no gear with him such as water or perishable foods. He had no protection from the intense two suns that hung in the sky, and most importantly he had no comms to radio in case he became stranded out in the desert.
"It appears he's tired of working with a twelve year old and wants to upgrade to a professional," Toro approached her trying to make himself look bigger, but he only stood a few inches over her.
"A professional? Failure reeks all over you. I can't even stand being in your presence," young Mando scrunched up her face but knew Toro couldn't see.
The two continued their squabble as Mando leaned against the speeder, arms crossed and watched their debate escalate.
"I don't have to answer to a child, you don't scare me sweetie," Toro belittled.
"And this is why you're an amateur because you're so focused on my mouth instead of where my hands are," young Mando informed.
Suddenly Toro's face contorted when he felt the end of her blaster poke in his belly and the tip of her Vibroblade prickle the skin of his neck. Peli inched closer to Mando wondering why he was allowing this.
"Aren't you gonna stop her?" Peli questioned.
"Let's see where this goes," Mando said practically swelling with pride for his daughter.
Realizing the Mandalorian wasn't going to do anything Peli stepped in while still cradling the child, "Alright, I can't have someone's blood stain the entrance to my shop, bad for business."
Young Mando kept her position as Toro stood still actually afraid of what she could do to him.
"You're right Peli, it would be a shame to kill this amateur before he actually learned something in this profession," young Mando removed her blaster and blade, she stepped back watching Toro rub his neck in distain while Mando shook his head playfully.
Toro turned to Peli and thanked her for her hospitality while noticing the strange child in her arms. In anger, Toro mounted his speeder as Mando finished securing his gear in the back when young Mando saw him off.
"Have fun Papi," she spoke as sarcastic as she could.
Mando just tilted his head and then mounted his own speeder following Toro who sped off in embarrassment.
The two rode through the Tatooine desert, hovering above the sand, and making their way towards the target when Mando signaled to halt.
"What's going on?" Toro questioned.
"Look. Up ahead," Mando pointed out something in the distance.
Toro dismounted his speeder and took out his binocs and spoke under his breath, "Who's an amateur now?" he was proud of himself and tried not to let the comments from the child Mandalorian get to him.
Toro walked a few feet and peered through the lens to see two Banthas and Tusken Raiders, "I heard the locals talking about this filth," Toro stated harshly not taking other cultures into consideration.
"Tuskens think they're the locals. Everyone else is just trespassing," Mando informed.
Toro scoffed at Mando's statement and continued to insult, "Well whatever the filth call themselves they best keep their distance."
"Yeah? Why don't you tell them yourself?" Mando said as two Tusken Raiders snuck up on Toro ready to attack.
Jumping back a few feet, Toro was ready to draw his blaster but Mando knew how to deal with Tuskens, "Relax," Mando insured Toro when he began to sign language to one of the Raiders.
"What are you doing?" Toro asked confused.
"Negotiating," Mando finished signing as the Raider signed back.
"What's going on?" Toro had no clue what was unfolding before him and if Mando wasn't there to help who knew the situation Toro would have been in.
"We need passage across their land," Mando watched the Tusken finish signing when Mando outstretched his hand, "Let me see the binocs."
"Why?"
Mando only had to give a look at Toro when he surrendered it.
"Hey! What?" Toro stammered in anger as Mando gave the Raider the binocs, "Those were brand new."
"Yeah? They were," when Mando hopped on his speeder and drove off.
The two continued their journey riding through the desert as Mando signaled to stop. Mando hopped off commanding Toro to get down. Confused on what to do Toro followed Mando as they laid on a sand dune scanning the perimeter.
"All right, tell me what you see?" Mando quizzed Toro really seeing for himself how skilled this kid was.
"Dewback. Looks like the rider is still attached," getting the answer correct Toro and Mando saw a large creature dragging a deceased body, "Is that her? Is that the target?"
"I don't know. I'll go. You cover me," Mando drew his blaster, "Stay down," he instructed when he made his way towards the Dewback.
In caution Mando tried to settle down the creature so it wouldn't run off so he could get a look at the body. From afar Toro peaked over the sand dune to get a clarification of the situation.
"Well is it her? Is she dead?" he shouted.
"It's another bounty hunter," Mando informed.
"Hey, I hope you don't plan on keeping all that stuff for yourself because I kind of packed light and if need be I might have to borrow some supplies from you," Toro kind of realized now why the young Mandalorian thought he was an amateur, since he didn't prepare for the journey quite well, "Can I at least have that blaster?"
But Mando wasn't listening instead he found a tracking fob beep rapidly on the deceased hunters belt when Mando peered up and realized his exposure.
"Get down!" Mando exclaimed as he got shot in the armor, scaring off the Dewback.
Mando ran for cover but got hit again in the back from a long-range shot as Toro questioned on what happened.
"Sniper bolt. Only a MK-modified rifle could make that shot," Mando explained.
"Are you alright?" Toro casually asked.
"Yeah. Hit me in the Beskar, and at that range Beskar held up."
"Wait, I don't wear any Beskar," it dawned on Toro.
"Nope," Mando said.
"Well, so what do we do?"
"You see where that shot came from?"
"Yeah, it came from the ridge," Toro pointed in the distance to a long chain of mountains.
"Okay, we're gonna wait until dark," Mando was formulating a plan.
"Well, what if she escapes?"
"She's got the high ground. She'll wait for us to make the first move. I'm gonna rest. You take the first watch and stay low," Mando instructed as he made way to the speeders and left Toro perched on the dune.
Day turned to night, Toro knew now was as any good of time to attack, "All right, suns are down. Time to ride, Mando," he peered behind getting a look at the sleeping Mandalorian.
"Come on, wake up," Toro approached Mando who propped himself against one of the speeders with his legs outstretched, "Look at you, asleep on the job, old man. Huh and I'm seen as the amateur, pathetic brat."
Toro chuckled to himself and began drawing his blaster as if in a showdown with Mando. Pleased with himself, Toro pulled his blaster several times believing his antics weren't being viewed when Mando turned his head.
"Are you done?" Mando said annoyed.
Embarrassed Toro put his blaster away and scratched his head hoping Mando didn't hear him call the other Mandalorian a pathetic brat, "Yeah. I was just, you know, waking you up. Come on," Toro tried not to look at him but Mando drew near.
"And don't call my daughter names, it's not nice."
"Yeah, sure thing," Toro put his hands up in surrender not wanting to pick a fight.
"Now get on the bike," Mando began to reveal his plan, "Ride as fast as you can, towards those rocks."
"That's your plan," Toro scolded, "She'll snipe us right off the bikes."
The two of them mounted their speeders when Mando threw an item at him, "It's a flash charge. We alternate shots, it'll blind any scope temporarily. Combine that with our speed and we got a chance."
"A chance?" Toro was starting to believe that this Mandalorian wasn't all what he was cracked up to be.
"Hey, you wanted this. Get ready," Mando reminded.
They both revived up their bikes and flew at high speed towards the ravine.
Fennac Shand was at the ready, she had the two assailants in her scope, but was getting repeatedly blinded by flash charges being propelled in the sky, not giving up she fired blinded and missed her targets. Luckily one flash charge faltered and allowed her to knock the Mandalorian off his speeder, but he was able to fire one last flash charge in order to get his partner to safety.
Fennac allowed the charge to settle when she had the Mandalorian back in her scope and took the shot knocking him off his feet. She kept him in her sights just about to take him out permanently when a voice spoke behind her.
"Not so fast, Fennac," Toro had his blaster drawn on his target pleased he had the upper hand when he never expected her to fight back.
Quickly Fennac flung a small blade making Toro step back in surprise, giving her a window to attack. The two became intertwined in a hand-to-hand combat as Fennec was over powering Toro easily.
She got him in an arm lock just about to break it when Mando made his presence known, "Nice distraction," Mando said to Toro as he slightly was making fun of Toro's rookie mistakes.
Fennac put her hands up in surrender knowing her time was up while Toro massaged his bruised arm and ego.
"Yeah, good work, partner," Toro tried to make it seem like he had everything under control.
"Cuff yourself," Mando threw Fennac some binders when he reminded Toro to go find his blaster.
Following orders Toro left as Fennac started to speak, "A Mandalorian. It's been a long time since I've seen one of your kind. Ever been to Tolarian? How about recently to Nevarro? I heard things didn't go so well there, but it looks like you got off easy on Nevarro."
Mando just stared at her silently, understanding how she heard about the situation on Nevarro but how was she aware about Tolarian? He knew he had not been marked.
"You don't have to worry about getting to Tolarian, Coruscant, Nevarro, or anywhere else, once we turn you in. You know, I really should thank you. You're my ticket into the Guild," Toro said to Fennac enthused but she just responded with a dry 'you're welcome' as Mando lead her away.
The three walked down the mountain towards Mando and Toro's form of transportation when Fennac stated the obvious, "Uh-oh. Looks like one of us has to walk."
"Or we could drag you," Mando pushed her hard to the ground showing his authority.
Toro and Mando walked a few feet away in order to discuss their situation.
"All right, so what is the plan?" Toro asked unable to come up with any of his own.
"I need you to go find that Dewback we saw."
"And leave you here with my bounty and my ride?" Toro pointed out, "Yeah, I don't think so, Mando. Your daughter might think I'm an amateur but don't take me for a fool."
Realizing Toro wouldn't bite Mando scanned the desert for a thermal reading and spotted the Dewback miles away, "Okay, I'll do it. Watch her, and don't let her get near the bike. She's no good to us dead," Mando ended when he headed out into the desert on foot.
The suns were beginning to rise, Toro sat relaxed on his bike, his feet kicked up while watching the bored Fennac sit in the sand when she began to talk, " Oh, it's been a while. Oh, look the suns are coming up," she made small talk but Toro wasn't having it.
"Quiet."
"Look, there's still time to make my rendezvous in Mos Espa. Take me to it and I can pay you double the price on my head," she offered.
"I don't care about the money," Toro blatantly said.
"Oh so the Mandalorian keeps all the money for himself."
"Only because I let him."
"Doesn't seem that way," she scoffed, "I mean, it seems like he's calling all the shots."
"Shows what you know. I hired Mando, this is my job," Toro was getting frustrated, "Bringin' you in will make me a full member of the Bounty Hunter's Guild."
"You already have something the Guild values far more than me," she planted the seed, "You just don't see it."
"What?"
"The Mandalorian. His armor alone is worth more then my bounty."
"I already told you, I don't care about the money," Toro reminded but realized there were two Mandalorians with two sets of armor.
"Then think what it would do for your reputation," this got Toro's attention, "The word is two Mandalorians shot up the Guild on Nevarro, they took some high value target and went rogue."
"That Mandalorian?" Toro pondered, "And the one back at the hangar?"
"Like I said, you don't see many. You bring the Guild those traitors, and they'll welcome you with open arms. Your name will be legendary," Fennac hoped she sealed the deal.
Toro was perplexed, he didn't know what to do, "How can we be sure Mando and his daughter are the ones?"
"Word is, they still have the target with them. Some say it's a child."
Just as she said those words Toro remembered the woman mechanic holding onto a small child like creature, the only confirmation he needed.
"Look, if you're afraid to take them on, fear not. I can help you with that. Take some advice kid. You wanna be a bounty hunter? Make the best deal for yourself and survive," Fennac could see she had won him over.
Toro put his blaster away as the two walked towards each other, Fennac held up her hands so Toro could unbind her. They stood face to face, analyzing each other before Toro point blank shot Fennac.
"That's good advice," Toro spoke as Fennac dropped to the sand, "But if I took those binders off of you I'd be a dead man," he knelt in front of her displaying his authority, "And if the two Mandalorians are worth more than you are, well…who wouldn't want to be a legend? Thanks for the tip," Toro left her body right where it fell and instead sped off to put his formulating plan into action.
"Can you take the kid for a bit, if I'm ever going to finish your dad's repairs by hand with out my droids I am going to have to work," Peli said handing the child over to young Mando.
"Sure thing," young Mando took the child with her into the ship and put him in his sleeping quarters, hoping he would fall asleep.
Luckily the kid stayed put while young Mando waited up for her father. She decided now would be any good of time to rebraid her hair, it was getting to long for the style she preferred and would have to come up with a new one to hold her thick hair back. Removing her helmet, young Mando released her locks, peered into her tiny mirror, and used her fingers as a comb. She sectioned off a portion of her hair, braided it and wrapped it in the back of her head, securing it with multiple hair accessories.
She began to repeat her previous action when she heard approaching footsteps. Quickly she put her helmet back on and tucked her remaining loose hair up into it. Hearing the footsteps draw closer these didn't sound like her father's, his was quiet practically soundless, only attuned ears – like hers – could distinguish his, no these were someone else's.
In apprehension young Mando had her hand on her blaster as she peered around the corner to find the amateur partner, her father teamed up with, roaming the ship.
"Hey what are you doing here? Where's my dad?" young Mando questioned with her hand still on her blaster.
"Here you are," Toro began, "Your dad wants you to help us with our bounty, she's a real handful."
"Isn't that why he has you, to do the grunt work, my father only gives me the pristine duties."
"Like what babysitting," Toro fired back while slowly approaching her.
"Bravo, you actually came back with an insult, but the real insult is you because I've been in the Guild since I was fifteen, how old are you?" young Mando started to chuckle seeing this guy as not a threat at all.
"Wow you got me good," Toro waved his finger at her as he stood face to face, "But if I have learned anything from today it would be from you."
"Really? And what did your thick skull actually obtain?"
"It's just you're so focused on my mouth instead of watching my hand."
Young Mando peered down but noticed his right hand was empty.
"Made you look," as his left hand was in his pocket hiding a stun gun.
Before she even realized the sneak attack, Toro got off one shot immediately sending a blue electric shock from the barrel directly into young Mando's body. The shock intensified because of her armor, which was unable to absorb any of the energy, and instead sent it through her structure. Immediately young Mando seized up and fell unconscious to the ground, while she faintly heard Toro tie her up and slip her grappling hook around her neck.
Mando tamed the Dewback easily as these creatures were use to riders, he trekked his way to the ravine where Toro waited only to find Fennac's dead body. Mando sighed in frustration not knowing where Toro went and why he killed their bounty. Not seeing any other option, Mando rode back to town and straight to the hangar where he saw Toro's bike. Not wanting to take any risks Mando drew his blaster wary of what may unfold.
Slowly Mando walked in when he noticed no one around apart from the three pit droids who were hiding in Peli's quarters, he continued towards his ship when he heard Toro's voice echo from inside the Crest.
"Took you long enough, Mando," from the darkness four images emerged as they walked out onto the platform.
Peli pushed young Mando – who was strung up by her neck ready to be hanged – to the edge of the ship's platform because Toro had his blaster dug in Peli's back while he held onto the child.
"Looks like I'm calling the shots now. Huh, partner?"
Furious, Mando pointed his weapon directly at Toro ready to take the shot but young Mando stood on her tiptoes, struggling not to go any further because with one more push she would hang.
"Drop your blaster and raise'em," Toro instructed of Mando.
Seeing no other option Mando did what he was told when young Mando shouted through gritted teeth, "Don't do it!"
Toro was impressed that she had more guts than he thought because death literally was staring her in the face, but she didn't seem to be bothered in the least.
"Quiet!" Toro said inching her forward making her tighten her neck further trying to lessen the tension.
Young Mando felt like a ballerina, dancing on the tips of her toes, but the finale could be her last.
"Cuff him," Toro demanded of Peli when he shoved her with his blaster.
Peli made her way towards the Mandalorian and noticed him, discretely, double tap the tip of his blaster in the sand before he let it go, finding this odd she followed Toro's demands when he continued talking.
"You both are Guild traitors, Mando and his annoying brat," Toro poked her with the end of his blaster nudging her to certain death with a chuckle, "And I'm willing to bet that this here is the target you helped escape," Toro pointed to the child in his arm.
Peli made her way behind Mando, binders in her hands when she understood the double tap he did with his blaster, it was a warning for his daughter to shut her eyes.
"You're smarter than you look," Peli whispered pretending to bind Mando's hands as he hide a flash charge behind his head.
"Fennac was right. Bringing you two in won't just make me a member of the Guild, it will make me legendary," Toro held his blaster directly at Mando ready to make his kill but Mando struck first.
He ignited the flash charge temporarily blinding Toro when he began firing recklessly any which way, but repeatedly missed Mando. Understanding the situation he was about to be put in, Toro slide young Mando off her feet and used her as a human shield.
She withered like a fish on a hook but Toro stayed firmly behind her, knowing her Beskar armor would take the blow so then he could line up the perfect shot to kill Mando.
Time was of the essence, Mando had to think quickly before his daughter lost consciousness and then her life. He saw his window of opportunity and took it. Rapidly he fired the wire above cutting young Mando loose and sending her plummeting to the ground. With this exposure Mando took a few shots to the chest but nothing his Beskar armor couldn't handle. Once Toro's shield was taken out of play, he believed he still had the high ground but was quickly taken out with one shot.
Both Mando and Peli ran towards young Mando hoping she was okay as she coughed and simultaneously gasped for air. Mando cut her loose and removed the wire around her neck looking her over for any signs of serious injuries. She waved him off and squeezed out two words, "The kid."
Peli immediately ran towards Toro's still body while Mando warned her to stay back.
"Gotta get it," she said in worry as Mando turned Toro's dead body over, revealing no child in his arms, "Where is it?"
The two of them searched when they heard a cooing behind some boxes. The child peered around with a smile on its face waiting to be discovered.
"There you are," Peli said in joy while the child raised its arms to be held," Are you hiding from us? Huh? Look at you," Peli picked him up bouncing him in her arms, "That's all right. I know. That was really loud for your big old ears, wasn't it? It's okay," Peli stroked the child's head as it joyfully babbled and cooed.
Mando inspected Toro's body before looting a small satchel off of him. Mando went to his daughter and helped her up.
"I'm okay…really," she said in a strained voice.
He nodded his head knowing he couldn't coddle her and went to collect the child.
"Be careful with him," Peli said handing him over to Mando," So, I take it you didn't get paid?" she said awkwardly.
Mando reached for the satchel he took from Toro and released the overflow of credits in her hands.
"That cover me?" Mando asked.
"Yeah. Yes, this is gonna cover you?" she said in shock watching the three of them board the Razor Crest, "All right, pit droids! Let's drag this otta here!"
The pit droids squeaked not knowing how to dispose of a body when she responded, "I don't know, drag it to Beggar's Canyon."
The engines fired up nicely, all issues with the Razor Crest seemed fixed as Mando took it to the skies, unaware of the mysterious being – who tailed his daughter from before – was inspecting Fennac Shand's body in the desert.