Forty minutes later Cara's instincts were screaming at her that something was off as the Quarren boat moved farther into deeper water. She just couldn't put her finger on it. The squidlike people that were the Quarren moved around the boat like they'd been doing it for years. The bartender's lead had led them here. The Child was relatively safe at the infirmary. Still Cara inched closer to Din who was standing by the rail looking out at the waves.
"I feel it too."Din murmured as Cara reached him.
"They're not just fishermen."Cara whispered.
Din nodded slightly. Yet Cara knew they had to follow this through. They needed the intel. Another twenty minutes went by. The wind picked up; the ship rocked.
"Think the lady might like a show?"One of the Quarrens called as he approached. "Ever see a mamacore eat?"
Cara glanced at the large water filled compartment near the center of the deck. She suppressed a shiver at what could be lurking. Cara had never heard of a mamacore and from how the Quarren was boasting she didn't want to. Din glanced at her and Cara shrugged. They followed the Quarren towards the water filled compartment. Cara kept a hand resting on the gun on her belt.
"Stay close."Din ordered in a hushed tone.
Cara nodded. They reached the compartment and the Quarren captain pulled a net full of fish over the now churring water. It was covered by a large gate; Cara's stomach tightened.
"That's it; get a good view."The captain insisted.
The hairs on the back of Cara's neck stood up. She saw Din grip the handle of his gun.
"She must be hungry."The Quarren continued. "We often feed her in the morning."
The gate slid open and out of the corner of her eye Cara saw something move. Before she realized it was the net on the elevated pole it was too late. It moved swiftly catching Cara in the small of her back knocking her off balance. She let out a startled cry as her hands reached for purchase but got only air. The world fell away and Cara saw Din reach for her. She heard him call her name as she hit the surface of the water. Something large enclosed Cara and the last thing she heard was the Quarren's laughter.
"No!"Din shouted not being able to keep the fear from his voice.
Without a thought Din dove in after Cara. The creature that had taken her was large. She'd need help. As the water closed in around him Din's only thought was for Cara's safety. He had to reach her. She had to be alright. The alternative was too painful.
Cara had managed to unholster her weapon as soon as she hit the water. Now inside the creature she wasn't in the water. At least for the moment. The mamacore had taken in quite a bit of water when it swallowed her. Cara raised her weapon and fired praying the gun would still work. She got two shots off before the creature started to thrash widely in pain. Cara was thrown against the right side of the mamacore hard enough to knock the wind out of her. Cara fought to stay conscious. She knew if she gave in to the blackness the odds of survival were slim. Even with a mandalorian coming to the rescue.
Din swam fast pulling his body downwards. The light on his helmet illuminated the dark water. He was amazed by the size of the sea creature. It barely had enough room to move in the hold of the ship. It's body was thrashing causing the water to be turbulent. He saw a flash of weapons fire from within the creature and Din fired his own gun. He then moved to the creature's mouth and tried to pry it open with his hands. He struggled for a few minutes firing once more. The creature thrashed again and Din was forced to go to the surface for air.
The Quarren were waiting when Din reached the top. He barely dodged the blade that was shoved between the bars. Fury welled in Din and he tried to fight back. Each time he grabbed the bars the blade came down and he was driven back into the water. The Quarren captain laughed and Din cursed. If anything happened to Cara; Din would take down everyone on this ship. Taking a deep breath Din dove under the water once more.
