Title: Unknowns
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one
Cara continued to try to free herself. The creature she was inside of wasn't making it easy. The mamacore was in pain and trying to escape the boat. Her gun wasn't functioning well. It was getting water in it She had maybe one more shot left.
Finding her mark Cara leveled the gun and fired. The mamacore let out a horrible screech and dove. Cara tried to brace herself but was knocked off her feet. She knew Din was coming for her; Cara just hoped the air would hold out until then. Cara could already feel the affects of the diminishing oxygen. The creature she was in was dying; Cara didn't want to have the same fate.
Din had never felt more helpless. He'd had to leave the thrashing creature that held Cara and retreat to the surface for air. His lungs had been burning. When he broke through his ears rang from the Quarren captain hitting his helmet with the spear. Din blindly grabbed for the weapon and dodged when the blade came back through the bars. He pulled on the bars praying that they'd give. They did not and Din began to slide back under the water intending to try once more to free Cara when sounds reached him. At first Did struggled to identify them, but then the ringing earlier subsided and he could make out the familiar sounds of a battle. Someone was fighting the Quarren. Din grasped the bars pulling himself up as far as he could straining to see. Then he saw a flash of a familiar armor and hope rose inside him; Mandalorian. Had his people heard he was looking for them? Din called out for help and soon the gate began to slide back. Din let go as a female Mandalorian in blue armor reached down.
"Here, take my hand, brother."The woman called encouragingly.
Din grasped it and was pulled out of the churning water. He was feeling the affects of multiple dives. It was hard to talk but he had to. He motioned to the water.
"There's a creature; my partner...she was taken by it. We have to save her."Din stated hearing the emotion in his own voice.
"On it."A younger female piped up as she dove into the water.
Din watched her disappear. Through his visor sensors he watched her progress.
"Do not worry, brother."The female Mandalorian near him said softly.
Worry was all Din was doing. Calling Cara his partner had been the best word he could come up with. However now he knew that word wasn't accurate. She'd become so much more in such a short time. Cara had to be okay. She had to survive this. Did would never forgive himself if she didn't. Weapons fire could be seen below the surface. The water sloshed over running the bounds of the container. Din shakily rose to his feet moving closer to the edge. The weapons fire stopped and Din's heart nearly did the same. Cara...
Then with a burst of air and splash of water the younger Mandalorian appeared with Cara in her arms. She placed the former shock trooper on the deck and Din felt the color drain from his face. Cara looked dead. Her face was too pale, and her lips were turning blue. Racing over Din dropped to his knees next to her. With the helmet sensors he frantically scanned for signs of life. At first the sensors didn't detect anything then there was a faint heartbeat.
"She's not breathing."The younger woman declared as she knelt.
"Cara."Din said his voice barely above a whisper. "Stay with me."
They worked together and preformed life saving measures on Cara. With each passing second hard realization slapped Din in the chest. In those hearbeats while they raced to save Cara it became crystal clear how much Din loved her. His life would be a little colder without her. Din swallowed the lump in his throat. The kid had survived; Cara would too. If she wanted it; Din would make Cara part of their clan. A clan of three.
Finally color started to return to Cara's face. A few seconds later she coughed harshly. To Din it was one of the most beautiful sounds he'd ever heard. Din let out a long breath as he rocked back on his heels and folded his arms on his knees. Din rested his head on his arms feeling physically and emotionally exhausted.
"She's going to be alright."The older female Mandalorian said gently.
After a moment Din looked up at their rescuer.
"Thank you."Din said gratefully. "Who are you?"
"My name is Bo-Katan and I need your help."The woman replied.
Beside Din Cara continued to cough. He looked at her and saw his partner was starting to sit up. Din placed a gentle hand on Cara's right shoulder easing her back down.
"I'm in your debt."Din responded looking back at Bo-Katan. "What do you need?"
