It went deathly quiet as the group watched her appear from a tunnel, where her equipment resided. Her presence seemed to calm Din slightly, most likely due to relief that there was at least one Mandalorian here. Signe's hardened expression had softened once recognising the woman but she was still filled with rage. She knew that he didn't mean it and he had a habit of not thinking before speaking but the words still hurt and he wasn't out of the woods yet.
"We reveal ourselves. We knew what could happen if we left the covert," she explained as bend down to the pile and picked out a chestplate before putting it into a floating containment unit. "The Imperials arrived shortly thereafter. That is what resulted," Signe slowly turned her head to look at her idiot companion who glanced at her when he saw movement in his peripheral vision. He rolled his eyes at the glare he received before directing his attention to the armoured woman.
"Did any survive?" he asked.
"I hope so. Some may have escaped off-world," that wasn't the answer Din was hoping for but that was the only one he would be getting. There was silence as he watched his fellow Mandalorian continue to pick out bits of armour, an idea suddenly popping into his head.
"Come with us," he offered but it was immediately rejected.
"No, I will not abandon this place until I have salvaged what remains, " Signe nodded to herself, understanding her point. There was a massive pile of precious Beskar metal in front of them, they couldn't just leave it for anyone to find, especially the Imperials. The Armourer then began to push the containment unit full of Beskar armour pieces into the smelting room. The group silently watched her, unsure what to make of her risky commitment to keeping her people safe. Mando, however, decided to follow her, the others following closely behind.
With the Child still lying comfortably in her arms, Signe went to a corner of the room and leaned against it, wanting to keep to herself for a moment. Maybe to calm down, maybe to rethink some things? She couldn't even bring herself to look at Din at the moment without remembering his hurtful words. Big brown eyes peered at her, ears flattening when he sensed her confused emotions.
"Show me the one whose safety deemed such destruction," she heard the Armourer say but she didn't register it until it was Mando who called her name. She looked up from the Sprout to the Mandalorian, then looked to see the others staring at her. She blinked obliviously, before realising what the Armourer had said, making a small 'oh,' noise and pushed herself away from the wall and approached the Mandalorian woman she had met a few months back. The Vicingian showed her the Child, his ears now up and piqued with curiosity at the new woman.
"This is the One," Din said, his brown eyes glancing from Signe to the Child. His eyes couldn't settle on the blonde, he was anxious that she might know that he was staring at her from under his helmet.
"This is the one that you hunted, then saved?" the Armourer asked, tilting her head at the kid who cooed gently at her.
"Yes. The one that saved me as well,"
"From the Mudhorn?"
"Yes,"
"He's saved each of us," Signe mused absentmindedly as petted the Child's head. Gently stroking over the bridge of his nose causing the baby to make a happy little noise. "Don't forget about the Ghil, Din," she mentioned too, reminding him of the Signet he had earnt and this piqued the Armourers interest. Din looked to Signe, surprised that she would mention that. She must have remembered what the Armour
"Ghil?"
"Din took out a Ghil on Vicingi, he had no help,"
"Very well, I shall begin making that for you, give me your shoulder plate... but also it looks helpless," The Sprout, looking shyly up at her and Signe hugged him to reassure everything was okay. Din unattached his shoulder plate and handed it to her and she moved back to the smelter.
"It's injured, but it is not helpless. It's species can move objects with its mind,"
"I know of such things," the Armourer stated as she began her work. This intrigued both Din and Signe, mainly Signe. Maybe she would get some answers for her odd experiences. Was it possible that she and the Child shared the same abilities?
"The songs of eons past tell of battles between Mandalore the Great and an order of sorcerers called Jedi that fought with such powers,"
"Is it an enemy?"
"No. It's kind were enemies, but this individual is not,"
"Is it more of a matter of who the person is on the inside?" Signe asked, the female Mandalorian turned her gaze to her, surprised she was so interested.
"I suppose you could say that, yes," satisfied with that answer, the young Vicingian gave a single nod in understanding.
"What is it?" Mando asked, as the Armourer approached a cupboard situated on a wall and opened it to reveal many tools used for creating Mandalorian armour.
"It is a foundling. By Creed, it is in your care," the child looked toward his Mandalorian protector and gurgled and smiled at him.
"You wish me to train this thing?"
"It is too weak. It would die. Besides, I'm sure your Vicingian friend here will help since I suppose he is her responsibility too," Signe nodded in agreement, it was true. She also had to take care of the Sprout. "You two have no choice. You must reunite it with its own kind," she said as she began shaping the shoulder plate and placing a Ghil Signet on top.
"Where?"
"This, you must determine,"
"You expect us to search the galaxy for a home for this creature and deliver it to a race of enemy sorcerers?" there he goes again, was he not listening when she asked the Armourer about the Jedi?
"This is the Way," she stated before proceeding to shape the shoulder plate.
"Hey," Vito suddenly spoke up after she finished inspecting a bit of equipment and stepped forward. "These tunnels will be lousy with Imps in a matter of minutes. We should at least discuss an escape plan," she reminded the group irritably.
"If you follow the descending tunnel it will lead you to an underground river. It flows downstream toward the lava flats," Now things were starting to look up, they might be able to get out afterall.
"I think we should go," Greef said and Signe nodded in agreement with Vito. However, Din had other plans… again.
"I'm staying ," he said, making Signe's head snap to him, an incredulous look setting on her pale features. "I need to help her and I need to heal," Mando could sense her hurt look but he didn't dare look at her. She didn't understand at all. Why did it feel like he was trying to run away from her?
"You must go. You have a foundling in your care. By Creed, until it is of age or reunited with its own kind, you are as its father," Vito made a look, one that definitely said 'rather you, than me.' The blonde watched the Sprout look at Din and the tin can did the same back, the creature's eyes held happiness and warmth toward the Mandalorian. The idea made the blonde smile softly down at him but it soon dropped and she stared at the ground. The Beskar Warrior took note of that and he felt his mood depleted completely. What was he doing? Why was he trying to push her away so badly?
"This is the Way. You have earned your Signet," The Armourer said before approaching Din and attaching his shoulder plate back on, before welding the face of a Ghil onto it.
"Thank you, I will wear this with honour," the Armourer nodded but the quaint little reunion was interrupted by the muffled sound of an explosion elsewhere in the tunnels.
"We should go," Greef insisted.
"IG, please guard the outer hallway. A scouting party draws near," the droid nodded and left the way they came to do its job.
"I have one more gift for your journey. Have you trained in the Rising Phoenix?"
"When I was a boy, yes,"
"Then this will make you complete," the Armourer said before turning around to reveal a shining new Beskar jetpack. Signe stared at the piece and blinked at it with an impressed look. What an interesting piece of gear to have.
"Thank you," Din said, it seemed he couldn't quite believe it.
"When you have healed, you will begin your drills. Until you know it, it will not listen to your commands,"
"I understand," He heard the small sound of clapping hands and he saw that it was Signe. She didn't say anything but gave him a weak smile before looking away again, however the sound of blasters drew their attention to the opening of the room, the redness of the bolts lit up the tunnel occasionally. It suddenly went quiet and Vito took out her blaster in case anything went wrong, but instead all was the metal clunking of footsteps and the IG nurse droid appeared.
"You are protected,"
"More will come, you must go,"
"Come with us," Din tried again and Signe nodded.
"We can't just leave you," Had a go at coaxing her to come but she didn't have much luck either.
"You can and you will. My place is here. Restock your munitions!" The Armourer demanded and Mando did as he was told. Signe assumed she was someone the Mandalorians highly respected, especially since she provided them with their armour with her craft and skill. It would be rude to not do as she asked. "IG, carry this for Din Djarin until he is well enough to wear it. Now go! Down the river and across the plains," IG, Greef and Vito headed out first and Signe was about to follow before turning to the Armourer.
"Thank you for helping us. Please stay safe," she wished her female counterpart. The Armourer stared at her briefly before nodding, making Signe smile and bowed her head gratefully and scurried off with the others.
"Interesting girl that one. You two seem closer than before,"
"We are. I have full trust in her,"
"Didn't sound like the case out there," Din was silent at her words, somewhat ashamed that his fellow Mandalorian had heard that. "Don't push her away. She's been with you this long, that's saying something. Now… be safe on your journey,"
"Thank you," he said before unholstering his blaster and taking after the others. He began to jog and managed to make out the blonde round a corner, picking up his pace he finally got to them. Mando made a beeline for Signe, coming up behind her and tapping her on the shoulder. The green eyed Vicingian looked at him and stopped but he encouraged her to continue walking, an arm hovering around her shoulder. She studied him with a frown and upon noticing her expression, he leaned his head toward her slightly and whispered to her.
"Signe, I need to talk to you,"
"I don't think now is the best time,"
"I need to talk to you sooner rather than later," the five continued their way a bit longer until they could feel an overwhelming heat coming from a particular tunnel. They turned down it to find what Signe assumed was the river, only it was one made of bubbling hot lava, which was to be expected. Nevarro is a volcanic planet after all.
"This is the lava river," Greef informed them, confirming the Vikings' suspicions. A keelboat sat at the bank of the river with a ferry droid in the back, awaiting its next guest or guests. However, upon closer inspection, Din noticed something wrong.
"Ferry droid is fried,"
"Yeah but if we push the boat out, we can get it to float downstream. Come on," Greef encouraged while Din continued to make worrying points about the boat.
"Looks old. Will it take the heat?"
"Mandalorian, that's really not helping," Signe warned as she wiped her brow of sweat. She didn't like this suffocating warmth and she really wanted out.
"You got a better idea?" Greef questioned Mando making him shut up. The Vicingian couldn't help but think it had partly something to do with the droid though.
"Guess not," he said before reluctantly helping Greef push the boat out, meanwhile Signe watched on with a concerned expression and Vito had one of unimpressed confusion. With no luck, Din decided to take his anger out on it by kicking it before noticing something that could help.
"What are you doing? Come on?"
"Let's try this," Mando said, grabbing a large stick from a pile beside him and jamming it between the boat and bank. Vito watched them, rolling her eyes as they kept attempting to push the boat but she had noticed something. It seemed hardened magma had kept the little boat stuck in place, they would need a lot more force to get it free.
"Move aside and get your blasters out," she instructed the two men before firing away at the magma. Mando and Greef joined in and luckily the amount of bolts that hit the same place managed to dislodge their escape vehicle.
"Good thinking," Greef praised her before quickly climbing on as it began to drift away. Vito, IG and Din followed with the droid warning them about the molten lava but Signe was a bit more cautious, the heat she wasn't very much used to was making her a bit woozy and she found the gurgling lava below her rather intimidating. She gripped the baby tighter, afraid she may drop him. A gloved hand presented itself in front of her, offering her help and she didn't waste time in taking it, using the little amount of energy she had left to gracefully jump in, however her landing wasn't and she stumbled slightly but someone was there to keep her up. Din looked down at the pale looking woman however he didn't catch her eye, she was clearly avoiding him. She wasn't looking too great and he helped her sit down. He settled beside her hesitantly and made sure to leave some room, however he was disturbed again, this time by a noise directly behind him. It was the sound of whirring and crumbling and the Mandalorian spun round, blaster out, ready to stop anything that was going to harm them. Turned out it was the presumed 'dead' ferry droid who had come to life to guide them through the lava river. Signe didn't even bother to move from her spot. The droid began to beep and chirp some noises once it stood to its full height and Din looked at the others.
"I don't suppose anyone here knows how to speak droid?" Signe slowly looked up at him with a raised brow, unsure if he was joking or not before looking to IG.
"I believe he is asking where we would like to go?"
"Down river. To the lava flat," Greef answered and the ferry droid chirped happily and began pushing them along with his oar. Din slowly sat back down beside his companion, careful of his healing injuries and kept his hidden brown eyes on her. She knew he was looking at her but she kept her head down.
"Can we talk now please?" The girl slightly acknowledged him by glancing his way with her eyes before moving them back to a random spot on the boat's floor. She shrugged her shoulders making Din roll his eyes light heartedly. "Look… Signe, I'm sorry for telling you to leave me. That was unfair of me… especially after everything that has happened to you and I'm sorry for saying what I said earlie-,"
"Don't you dare apologise for that, " Signe said loud enough for him to hear. "You shouldn't, sure, it hurt when you said it but I knew you didn't mean it and you had every right to be angry and demanding answers. I knew how you felt in that moment and I know you won't show it to me or tell me anything but please, Din. If you ever need to talk about this, I'm here to listen, just like what you did for me. Take however long you need, just don't shut me out." She went quiet for a moment, and Mando could tell she wanted to say something else. "And when you got injured, I'm sorry for getting so upset… but you are one of the only people who I feel has earnt the title of being my friend ever since I've been away from my homeworld. I've always been alone and seeing you talk like that… scared me so much. I thought that maybe I wasn't as special to you as you are to me. I hope you understand," the young woman cast her gaze slowly to Din who was already staring at her. He knew what she meant, he had experienced that and he could easily say that she too was his first ever true friend. He had thought about it briefly, if the roles were reversed and it was her who was bloodied and damaged, laying there barely moving he knew he wouldn't tolerate leaving her there to die too. The thought had created a heavy pressure in his chest. She did a double take, a surprised look on her face. "How long have you been staring?"
"I wasn't staring. I was listening," Mando replied. "You shouldn't be sorry for getting upset either though Signe and I completely understand," he went quiet and it seemed he was hesitating to say something, his head tilting away from her slightly as he contemplated whether to say what he wanted to say.
"Would you like to stay and help the armourer?" Signe suddenly asked, making the helmet look up at her. "The four of us can find him and his people for you and you can help and protect her. I don't doubt her abilities but she has a lot of work and she'll need a hand,"
"I'm not going anywhere. I need to bide my Creed… take care of the kid and stay by my atin yet, mesh'la burc'ya's side," Signe frowned at the foreign language.
"Is that Mando'a?" she questioned. Mando nodded. "What does it mean?" he seemed to just stare at her briefly before answering.
"It means my stubborn yet… good friend," he quickly lied, too embarrassed to tell her what he really said but it still made the Vicingian's face break out into a smile then a small laugh.
"Stubborn?! I'll agree with you on that," the older man chuckled with her. He heard her sigh and he was taken by surprise when he felt a slight weight on his shoulder. He noticed it was Signe's head resting there. He very noticeably stiffened at her sudden gesture of affection and she felt it happen. With her eyes closed and a little smile spreading across her lips, she took in the small amount of comfort she got from him. To say the least, it made her feel a lot better and she hoped it helped him too. "Lighten up Mandalorian, I'm not going to kill you," she heard another chuckle from the modulator.
Minutes passed by, Din was now standing up while Signe was knelt down on one side of the boat with the Sprout, letting him sit on her shoulder, keeping a hand on him so he wouldn't fall off. For Signe, it was extremely boring but for the kid it was like a playground ride. He laughed at any lava bubble that popped or made some sort of noise. Over the boiling of the lava, Signe could make out the faint pitter patter of feet along magma and squinted through the dimly lit darkness to the edges of the tunnel. It was long before she noticed a pair of small red dots staring back at her and she realised it was a lava meerkat staring at the two. She grimaced at the eeriness of the little creature before notices its friends scurrying around behind it. She heard Sprout giggle hysterically on her shoulder as he made grabby hands toward them. With that, she made a perturbed look in his direction before standing up and moved him to sit comfortably in her arms. She moved beside Din and stared off to where his gaze was targeted, further down the tunnel, waiting for an opening.
"I think he wanted to eat the Lava Meerkat's," she mused out loud to him. Mando turned his head to her, surprised to see her there before looking at the kid then at the meerkat's then at the kid again.
"Sounds about right,"
"That's it! We're free!" Greef exclaimed excitedly, gaining everyone's attention to see that he was pointing down the tunnel. The other three turned back, squinting their eyes before they lit up with hope, seeing the faint light of the exit.
The group slowly drifted closer and closer and Din found this as a good opportunity to scan the area, he knew that Moff wasn't stupid, no doubt he was going to ambush them or block their way of escape. With the scanner on, he picked up several heat signature's all waiting just outside the tunnel, just as he predicted.
"No, no we're not," Din spoke up, his voice low and disheartened. Signe frowned.
"Why? What do you see?"
"Stormtroopers. They're flanking the mouth of the tunnel. It looks like an entire platoon. They must know we're coming,"
"Stop the boat," Vito demanded, they needed to think this through but apparently the ferry droid had different plans and proceeded to paddle away. "Hey Droid, stop the boat!" again they continued to move and the ferry droid merely chirped in response making Vito snap her head in its direction quickly with a deep scowl on her face. She decided to approach and talk to it more directly. "Hey! I'm talking to you. I said stop!" Again, with no luck, she took matters into her own hands, by taking out her blaster and sending a bolt in the crevice of its neck. It's head flew off and landed into the lava. Sprout whimpered in the Vicingian's arms and she gently rocked him to reassure him he was safe.
"We're still moving," Greef said in a questioning tone, as if hoping anyone had answers for this. Unfortunately there wasn't, not that it mattered.
"Looks like we fight," Vito suggested but the Mandalorian shook his head.
"There are too many,"
"Then what do you suggest?" panic was now evident in the Assassin's voice. "'Cause I can't surrender,"
"They will not be satisfied with anything less than the Child. This is unacceptable. I will eliminate the enemy and you will escape," the IG nurse informed them but Din shook his head.
"You don't have that kind of firepower, pal. You wouldn't even get to daylight,"
"That is not my objective,"
"We're getting close, saddle up," Vito warned everyone and Signe deemed it necessary to take out a hatchet and initiate the Kyber crystal.
"I still have the security protocols from my manufacturer. If my designs are compromised, I must self-destruct," Self destruct? That sounded rather useful if it wasn't for the fact that the droid would be 'dying'.
"What are you talking about?" Din asked, not quite understanding the IGs way of speaking.
"I am not permitted to be captured. I must be destroyed," Din looked to Signe who was staring at the droid thoughtfully.
"Are we gonna keep talking, or get out of here?" Greef was panicking now too.
"Can we please keep a level head and listen to what it is saying!" Signe spoke, irritatedly. Why must she be friends with such brash people who don't always think before they speak?
"I can no longer carry this for you," IG said, placing the jetpack beside Signe. "Nor can I watch over the child,"
"Wait, you can't self-destruct, your base command is to watch the child. That supersedes your manufacturer's protocol, right? Right?"
"This is correct,"
"Good. Now, grab a blaster and help us shoot our way out,"
"Din." a soft voice spoke and he turned his head to the Vicingian. "We have to take this opportunity or we are as good as dead. Might as well just hand the kid over now,"
"(Y/n)? What are you saying?"
"Do you not see? If there is a whole platoon like you said, then you and I both know we are not going to get out alive and it will all be for nothing. We need to ambush them back and I don't like it because I know how much we need it but what else do we have?" the young woman reasoned and it seemed to sink in but he shook his head.
"We have to try though, isn't it you who says we must stay optimistic?"
"She is right, Mandalorian. We will be captured and the child will be lost. Sadly, there is no scenario where the Child is saved, in which I survive,"
"Listen, you're not going anywhere. We need you. Let's just come up with a-," Din was quickly interrupted by the droid. Signe scoffed inwardly, she wasn't the only stubborn one here. She didn't step in though, knowing the droid would be able to handle him and at the moment only IG could really console him.
"Please tell me the child will be safe in your care. If you do so, I can default my secondary command,"
"But you'll be destroyed," hearing the slightest amount of sadness in his voice intrigued Signe and she glanced at him. A subtle look of disbelief spread across her pale features. How strange. It seemed he somewhat cared for IG, although he wouldn't admit that, he'd make an excuse that he was only disappointed because they needed it but there was no doubt in Signe's mind that the grumpy Mandalorian didn't hold some care for the droid. It had done a lot for them and saved Din's life as well as the Child's plenty of times. It seemed Din felt he was able to trust it just a bit in the short amount of time it had being a nurse droid and maybe even consider it an acquaintance. Maybe he was starting to realise they weren't all bad.
"And you will live, and I will have served my purpose," Mando sighed and bowed his head briefly.
"No, we need you," he insisted but of course IG was not having it.
"There is nothing to be sad about. I have never been alive,"
"I'm not sad," Signe smirked, however she wasn't able to stop the loud scoff from leaving her lips. She knew he wouldn't admit it. Din's head snapped to his blonde companion and just stared, waiting for a reason as to why she found what he said amusing. However, she just gave him a knowing look.
"Yes you are. I'm a nurse droid. I've analysed your voice,"
"You are, Din. You don't need to be a nurse droid to tell when someone is sad," Signe smiled weakly at him. "It's okay to be sad and show it. Don't feel… ashamed or embarrassed," the tall droid's head whirred in the Vicingian's direction and it lifted it's arm toward the little green creature who cooed cluelessly. IG then raised a metal finger up to the creature and gently caressed one of his large floppy ears. The heartwarming gesture made the young woman tear up and she felt inclined to say something to the droid. Before it could move away, she grabbed it's cold hand, the metal surface reminding her that it was indeed not alive and that what she said would have no effect on it and so she hesitated. The IG unit whirred back round to face her and waited for her to speak patiently. She settled on going with her original plan and spoke.
"Thank you IG-11. For everything you have done for us. We'll take care of him, you know we will," she stared at the red eye holes, waiting for it to say something similar to what it said earlier to Din but the droid seemed to nod and step over the side of the boat, Signe's hand slowly slipping from its grip. It slowly trudged through the shallow lava, making its way toward the mouth of the tunnel while the other five watched with saddened expressions.
IG barely made it out of the tunnel without almost melting and malfunctioning completely but it did. Once it was outside, the area was indeed swarming with Stromtroopers and IG stopped in its tracks.
"Manufacturer's protocol dictates I cannot be captured," A warning sound resounded from the nurse droid and its chest opened up to reveal a ball with a blinking red light and also where the noise came from. The Stormtroopers slowly began to realise what was going on, lowering their weapons. "I must be destroyed," and with that, there was a blinding flash of light and an ear piercing boom. Signe flinched ever so slightly at the loud sound.
Soon, everything went quiet and the smoke quickly disappeared to reveal no IG units and also no Stormtroopers but that didn't mean the group weren't going to be ready for a fight with their blasters ready. They were finally out of the insufferably annoying tunnel and now in fresh air. Dead Stormtroopers littered the area and there was a sense of relief until there was that horrible roar of a familiar engine. From their left, a tie fighter that Signe was all too accustomed to now, was approaching rapidly toward them. Signe tilted her head unsure of what the man was doing until a hand shoved her down and bolts were fired.
"You're also an idiot," Din muttered as he, Vito and Greef sent bolts back to the tie fighter. Signe rolled her eyes.
"I am aware," She said, hunkering down and keeping Sprout close, she peeped over the edge of the boat to watch where Moff was going next. He whizzed behind a hill and no doubt he was turning round to hit them again.
"He missed," exclaimed Greef.
"He won't next time," Din answered.
"Our blasters are useless against him," Vito said, disgruntled by their disadvantage.
"Let's make the baby do the magic hand thing. Come on, baby! Do the magic hand thing!" He called to Sprout while bending two of his fingers to mimic the baby's little hand. Hearing her Guardian's suggestion Signe slowly turned her head toward him, her face holding an unimpressed look. The little creature just stared at him quizzingly before lifting his small hand and just waving it, clearly not understanding what the man was saying. Vito gave the same look as Signe, not entirely sure why he thought that would work."I'm out of ideas then,"
"I'm not," Mando said.
"Here he comes," Vito warned, and Signe's green eyes peeked over the side of the boat to see the ominous screeching mechanical bird heading for them again. A smirk spread across Moff Gideon's lips as he lined up the TIE-fighter with the boat. Signe's attention was converted to Din all of a sudden when she heard something being started up and she was intrigued to see it was the jetpack her Mandalorian friend had been gifted. He didn't take off just yet though, it seemed he was waiting for something. Moff fired but as soon as he did that, the Mandalorian was gone from the boat. Everyone including Moff was quick to look up to see what was going on. The trio watched as the Beskar warrior grappled to the fighter but their look of interest became one of bemusement as Din was now just flapping around at the back of the fighter rather uselessly.
"He didn't think that one through very well, did he?" Signe sighed but she carried on overlooking, he must have had some plan to pull that ridiculous move, right? Using the jetpack, he propelled himself forward so that he was now on the fighter. Taking out his blaster, Din began shooting at the glass in the hatch but Moff was quick to try and throw him off by flying around in erratic circles and speeding to the ground. Seeing Din, holding on for his dear life made Signe stand up in full alert mode, her panicked eyes never leaving his form. Mando tried to plant a bomb on the wing of the fighter however that proved fruitless when the G-force that was trying so hard to suck him into the air decided to snatch that up instead and it flew right out his hand and blew up somewhere behind them. He strained again for another bomb, two this time and he was much more successful and as soon as they were attached, he let go. Now free falling, he watched in satisfaction as the bombs blew up the wing and Gideon was now plummeting down to the ground at a fast rate.
Signe, Vito and Greef watched the fighter spin off somewhere a few clicks from where they were, however Din was more important right now and he was still free falling much to Signe's horror.
"Turn it on!" she yelled up at him irritably and in the nick of time he did. Typical. He landed rather smoothly and walked up to the group. "That was both incredible and terrifying to watch. This piece of equipment is quite fascinating," Signe said as strolled behind Din to get a better look at the Beskar jetpack with a hand under her chin. "You and I are very much alike also,"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Reckless,"
"That was impressive, Mando. Very impressive," Greef praised the Bounty Hunter. "It looks like your Guild rates have just gone up,"
"Anymore Stormtroopers?"
"I think we cleaned up the town," Vito smirked triumphantly, proud of the work they had done. Another few less of the Empire now. "I'm thinking of staying around just to be sure," she informed her two friends.
"You're staying here?" the two Bounty Hunters asked in unison.
"Well, why not? Nevarro is a very fine planet and now the scum and villainy have been washed away, it's very respectable again,"
"As a bounty hunter hive?" Din questioned, asking for a more specific answer.
"Some of my favourite people are bounty hunters and perhaps, this specimen of a soldier might consider joining our ranks," Signe smiled at Greef's offer to Vito. The woman looked at him in surprise before catching the Vicingian's stare. The young woman nodded enthusiastically for her to take it. In her arms, it seemed the little one was becoming tired of being held and he wiggled and fussed, making Signe put him down on the ground. As the other two continued to converse, she chose to watch him waddle his way over to Din before placing his hands on his leather boots and looking up at him cutely. It made Signe's heart melt. Din felt the presence at his boot and he peered down at the little creature who gurgled and wiggled his ears. She took note of how the helmet tilted in a way that seemed to show curiosity and adoration.
"But you my friends, you will be welcomed back into the Guild with open arms," Greef spoke to his Ward and Mandalorian companion. "So go off the pair of you, enjoy yourself and when you're ready to return, you will have the pick of all quarries," Signe looked to Din who said nothing but turned his attention back to the little one who held his arms out expectantly and picked him up. He gazed down at the creature before looking at the blonde beside him.
"I'm afraid we have more pressing matters at hand," an endearing smile appeared on her face after hearing those words. Vito stepped forward, her eyes on the creature and for the first time she seemed to care for it. She pet an ear like how IG-11 did and cast her gaze to Din and Signe.
"Take care of this little one," Greef gently ran a finger on the baby's forehead and wondered aloud.
"Or maybe, it'll take care of you," Signe smiled softly at him while Din nodded before turning to her, handing over the child. She frowned at him in puzzlement watching him lean toward her sweeping her off her feet, carrying her bridal style with ease. Inside, she was screaming, her face twisted in petrified anguishment not sure what he was doing until he took a few steps forward and they were in the air.
"You could have warned me before doing that," she glared warily at him. The Mandalorian didn't make a sound but a small mischievous smile ghosted on his lips under the helmet. Sprout carefully climbed up to look over Mando's shoulder to wave a goodbye to his other friends with Signe's hand supporting him. He watched with saddened eyes as they drifted further and further away before turning to his protectors, a little smile appearing on their face as they conversed.
"You would've made it difficult if I did," the Mandalorian finally replied, making the blonde in his arms scoff.
The time it took to get back to the Razorcrest was much quicker Signe had to admit. Sitting in Din's arms was a much better option than walking all the way back again. Most of her body was already screaming for a rest and she definitely wouldn't have appreciated the walk back. As Din touched down, he let the Vicingian down gently. Both their attentions went straight to the lifeless body that was so close to the hull entrance. Signe gulped as she walked over to it with a somber expression before crouching down.
"Oh Kuiil… I'm so sorry," she whispered.
"Come on, let's put him to rest properly," Din said from behind her and the two got to work while the Sprout stood nearby, a few times trying to go over to Kuiil but the two humans wouldn't allow it. Gently snatching him up whenever he tried to waddle over as quickly as possible. They eventually buried the humble Ugnaught and began to place a few rocks down to mark where he was resting and then Signe took out Kuiil's goggled cap that he wore and placed it on one of the rocks. "Goodbye, friend," the beskar warrior muttered, the baby cradled in his arms. He then looked to Signe and she looked back at him with a sad smile before they got up and headed to the ship.
The three entered the cockpit and Mando placed the tiny creature in his seat while the Vicingain took the one beside him, their designated spots. Signe admired the outside, smiling contently as Din began starting up the ship until the two heard a strange noise coming from where the kid sat. They turned to him simultaneously to see what the mischievous little cretin was up to now. Din tilted his head when he realised it was his necklace. He reached toward it and gently prised it from Sprout's hands to get a better look at it.
"I didn't think I'd see this again," Mando spoke out loud but the Viking knew he was talking to the kid. She watched the alien's facial expression ogle the Mandalorian cluelessly. "Why don't you hang on to that?" Din then gave the necklace back and the child happily went back to chewing on it as Signe went back to gazing at the horizon. He turned back to the control panel, pressing some buttons and a few switches before they began lifting off the ground and making their way off the lava planet. Stress free.
For now.
Back on the planet below, Jawas surrounded the wreckage of a ship. They rummaged around finding anything that may seem useful to them but a sound coming from the ship stopped them. Something poked through one of the sides and a crackling noise resonated from it. In a flurry they ran off, afraid of what was on the other side. The sword made short work of an escape route and the panel was kicked down to reveal a cloaked man. He stepped out of the destroyed TIE-fighter and looked around with a clenched jaw. In hopes of getting a better view, he climbed on top of the spacecraft, scanning the area for his enemies, but nothing.
They were gone.