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Chapter 11

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yatoonie boska – a beverage made of fermented dewback sweat, available at the Mos Eisley cantina on Tatooine and many other galactic bars. Yuck!

Shab – crap in Mando'a

Ibac dala cuyir kotir – 'that woman is brave' in Mando'a

~X~

"I think we all know someone who's still alive today, simply because we couldn't afford to hire Boba Fett."

~unknown~

It didn't take them long to make it through the crowded streets and to the casino, the immense structure looming several stories tall in front of them. Ravana hesitated, suddenly feeling overwhelmed and inadequate for the part she was about to play.

"I…I'm not sure I can do this," she admitted, halting in her steps. "I thought I could, but now…now I'm not so sure."

"I would not have agreed to this if I didn't have complete faith that you could," Mando told her quietly, taking hold of her arm and urging her forward. "I saw you handle Tannor, you can handle this as well. Trust me."

This gave Ravana the boost of confidence she needed, and squaring her shoulders, she pressed on. Still, the sights and sounds around her had her eyes turning in every direction, for never had she been in such a place in her life. There were more species than she'd ever seen before, dressed more lavishly and colorfully than she thought possible. And here she'd thought herself content on her small piece of Pessue. Ravana had no idea what she'd been missing.

"So how will we know what this person looks like whom we're supposed to be meeting?" Ravana asked as they approached the main entrance.

"He's a Rodian," the Mandalorian informed her. "He won't be hard to spot."

"Why? What's a Rodian look like?" she pressed.

When he halted and turned to look directly at her, she got the feeling it was out of surprise.

"You don't know what a Rodian is?" he asked in astonishment.

"I haven't been off-planet since I was ten years old," she huffed, placing her hands on her hips and glaring back. "We can't all be well-traveled bounty hunters, you know."

Mando seemed to consider this for a moment and then turned his head back towards the way they were going, once more urging her along.

"He'll be the green alien with big eyes and a long snout…with tiny bumps all over his head," he explained, though sounding as if his description was insufficient in some way. "Trust me, you'll know him when you see him. And if not, I'll point him out."

"That'll work," she nodded, thinking that other than the long snout and bumps, he'd just described the kid.

Just then they arrived at the main entrance, with glass doors that towered several stories high in front of them. There was a small line of patrons ahead of them, but soon it was their turn to enter.

"Stow your weapons here," the guard told them, sounding as if he'd said those words a million times previously that night.

Mando, having already informed her that he would have to go in unarmed – well, as unarmed as he could be without them noticing at least – did indeed remove his blaster and rifle, placing them in an appropriate sized bin they provided. Once they were stowed, the electronic key was handed to him, and the bin was loaded on a device that stored it out of the way. They were then waved on without any further delay, much to their relief.

When at last inside, Ravana couldn't look in every direction fast enough, her eyes drinking in the sights before her. Everywhere there were lights, music, laughter and more people than she'd seen in her entire life. They were crowded around gaming tables, holograms of other sporting events, as well as booths and areas designed for eating and drinking. Suddenly, Ravana was very glad that Mando had insisted that she wear the dress he had bought her, for in any of her other clothes she would have felt quite out of place. As it was, in the gown she wore, she actually fit right in, making her walk a little taller as they crossed the massive room.

She was so busy admiring the surroundings that she failed to notice the large humanoid male blocking her path until she nearly ran right into him.

"Excuse me," she said in a pleasant tone, attempting to step around him, yet once again he moved to block her way. "I insist you let me pass!" Ravana stated, yet this time with more force.

"And I insist that you join me for a drink," the large male before her countered, giving her a rather sinister looking smile. He did not resemble Mando's description of the client they were looking for, being more of an orange color and having no bumps on his pointed, bald head.

"No thank you," Ravana told him, the hairs on the back of her neck now standing up on end.

"It wasn't a request," his voice, both threatening and suggestive, coming from behind the odd tentacles in front of his mouth, making her skin crawl just a bit.

"Listen, mister!" she hissed, lifting her hand and poking the lumbering lout in the chest with her finger. "I don't know what kind of women you're used to dealing with, but I suggest you back off and find someone else to try and intimidate, you hear me?"

"And if I don't?" this time he gave a full-bellied laugh, apparently finding her gumption entertaining.

"Then I'll have my friend here reach in and tear out your heart with his bare hands. Providing you with a much-needed ventilation hole for all the hot air you're spouting!" Ravana did her best to say this with as much force as she could, standing straight and tall, not blinking or giving an inch. She figured it might all be in vain, but there was no way she was backing down, nor was she going to have a drink with such a slime ball as this.

By now, quite a few of the patrons had stopped what they were doing and watched the exchange with morbid curiosity. The sight of this slip of a girl facing off with the large Quarren warrior rather entertaining. Yet, what happened next was even more so.

Without a word, and faster than Ravana had thought possible, Mando stepped forward, grabbing the male by the throat and lifting him momentarily off his feet. He then slammed him down onto the floor, the resounding sound of his back striking the tile causing several to flinch. Kneeling beside his opponent, his right hand still wrapped tightly around its throat beneath the tentacles, Mando spoke, his voice deadly serious.

"The lady asked you to move," he hissed through his helmet. "Will you be heeding her wishes from here on out, or should I proceed with that ventilation hole she spoke of?"

"No…no! No need," he insisted, realizing just how close he was to death at the hands of this Mandalorian. "My apologies. She may go about her business."

"Thank you," Ravana said in a sugary sweet tone, stepping over the prone alien with all the grace of a queen. "Leave him be," she instructed her bodyguard. "He's not worth our time."

Mando released the Quarren's neck and stood up, giving him one more warning look before following Ravana, as those who'd been watching all went back to their own business.

"I'd rip out his heart with my bare hands?" Mando hissed angrily as soon as they were away from the prone male. "What were you thinking?"

"That you're my bodyguard and that you would do so?" she answered back, giving him a look of surprise. "Are you saying you couldn't?"

"That was a Quarren warrior! Do you even know where their hearts are located?" he asked, still sounding rather upset over her previous threat.

"No, but I assumed you would," Ravana shrugged, turning away from him as she proceeded into the room. She couldn't help but grin slightly as she heard the Mandalorian give one of his signature sighs of frustration behind her. It was becoming a rather endearing quality, and one she'd come to enjoy hearing from beneath his helmet.

"Over there," was Mando's next words, stopping her progress as she turned to look where he had indicated. "That's the Rodian we're looking for."

"Him?" Ravana had expected something more…vicious looking. Instead, he reminded her of a big-eyed rat with funny antenna sticking out of the top of his head. He was sitting at a table that was situated on a large round platform near the back of the room, surrounded by an assortment of other creatures, both male and female. He was at least three times as wide as the others around him, indicating that he no longer had to fight for himself, most likely paying others to do that for him. He wore a long robe made of purple fabric, with a yellow collar, making his green skin stand out all the more. Ravana also noticed that he had a sun-shaped medallion hanging around his neck, showing that he was apparently proud of his affiliation with the Black Sun organization. "That's the client you're supposed to meet?"

"Yes, now head up there and see if you can gain an audience with him," Mando instructed. "And try not to threaten to pull his heart out, would you?"

Ravana did as directed, walking up the steps that led to his exclusive looking table. When they got to the top, two rotund guards stepped forward and blocked her way. Putting on one of her most endearing smiles, she did her best to look as harmless as possible.

"I was wondering, if I might speak to your boss," she asked politely. "I promise I will make it worth his while."

This had the two looking over their shoulder, checking to see what their employer might have to say to her request. When they received a nod of approval, the two stepped aside, allowing her and Mando to approach.

"That little display a moment ago was rather entertaining," the Rodian said by way of greeting, his voice heavy with an accent she'd never heard before. "And what is there I can do for you, my dear?"

"It's not what you can do for me, but rather, what we can do for you," she informed him. "Might we have a moment of your time…in private, perhaps?"

Here the alien's gaze drifted from the woman to the Mandalorian standing just behind her, giving Ravana's question careful consideration. At last, he sat back in his chair and gave his long, suction-cupped fingers a flick, indicating that those sitting around him should leave. Instantly, they complied, standing up and leaving the platform, all except his two guards. Once they were alone, he hit a button on his wrist guard and a shimmering curtain of energy was drawn around their area, effectively cutting them off from prying eyes, or ears.

"Please, sit," the green Rodian offered, gesturing to the now empty chairs before him.

Ravana took him up on his offer, but noticed that Mando chose to stand, remaining at her side and a few steps back.

"Now, tell me, what is it you can do for me?" he demanded, getting right down to business.

"That all depends, are you Fexl Zojo, the owner of this establishment?" Mando spoke up, hitching his thumbs in his belt as he stared at the creature before him.

"I am," he nodded.

"Word is you're looking for someone to do a job. I'm fast, discreet, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get it done," he stated matter of factly.

"Are you now?" Fexl seemed intrigued by the Mandalorian's offer. "While your kind are known for being the best, I've never met you before. Nor have you even asked what's involved."

"Trust me, he can do it," Ravana broke in. "He's the best in the parsec."

Mando turned his head slightly to look at her, making Ravana wonder if he was pleased with her words…or upset.

"Is he?" the Rodian chuckled, looking directly at the female across from him. "And I should simply take your word on this?"

"No, you don't have to," Ravana reasoned. "And as you said, you don't know anything about us. However, what's it going to cost you to give him a chance and find out? If he succeeds, you both win. If not, then you simply wait around for the next person willing to take on such a dangerous job."

Fexl Zojo once more was silent, thinking over what Ravana had said, leaving both she and Mando to wait and worry.

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Din was not pleased with how deeply involved Ravana was getting in all this. He had only meant for her to come along and look pretty, to play the part of a rich woman in need of a bodyguard. Yet so far, she'd stood toe to toe with a Quarren thug, and was now negotiating a deal with a member of the Black Sun. Two things he had never meant for her to do…ever!

"You speak wise words, female, yet I don't know," Fexl hedged, his long fingers reaching up to stroke his nearly non-existent chin in thought.

"How about this," Ravana spoke up once more, making Din cringe, fearing what she might say next. "I've noticed you staring since the moment I walked up here. So what if I make you a deal." Now he was really worried. "If my friend fails to complete the job, I'll give you something you obviously want." Here Din watched as she leaned forward suggestively, her hands reaching up to graze over her bare shoulders, drawing the Rodian's eyes to the area just below her neck. "You can't tell me that this isn't what you want." And much to his relief, she unclasped the necklace she wore and placed it on the table, sliding it towards the wide eyed alien.

Din wasn't a fool, he knew exactly what Zojo had been staring at all along, and it wasn't the necklace Ravana had been wearing. Her proposition had apparently shocked the Rodian as well, having not expected the necklace to be what she was offering, and he sat there with a rather stunned look on his already perplexed face. Figuring the whole deal had just gone south, Din was about to grab Ravana and make a run for the Razor Crest, when the Rodian began to laugh. It seemed her words had amused him, and thankfully not in a way that was about to get them both killed.

"I like your style, female," Fexl chuckled, slamming his hand down on the table in a sign of finality. "I will take a chance on you both." Here he dug into a pocket and pulled out an information chip, tossing it at the Mandalorian. "All the details are there. Do this for me and your reward will be immense. Fail me…and I will take it as a personal insult." Here he leaned forward and stared directly at Ravana. "And I'm not a very forgiving person when I feel insulted."

"I won't fail." Din was quick to assure him, wishing to pull Zojo's attention back on him and away from Ravana.

"See that you don't, Mandalorian," Fexl warned, reaching out and sliding the necklace towards him very slowly. "Now, would you two care to sit and share a couple of yatooni boskas with me?" When he saw the Mandalorian shake his head, never having expected them to agree anyway, he continued. "Then I would say our business is complete." At this he hit the button that retracted the electric curtain, gesturing for them to take their leave.

Din, eager to get Ravana out of there as fast as possible, reached down and took hold of her forearm, pulling her to her feet with a simple nod towards the green proprietor. Then without another word, they headed down the steps and towards the door. After a quick stop to retrieve his weapons, they made their way out onto the street.

"We got the job!" came Ravana's excited whisper once they were far enough away from others to not be overheard.

"No. I got the job," Din corrected her in a stern voice. "You could have gotten yourself killed…or worse!"

"What? That's not true! I helped!" she insisted, yanking her arm free from his grip with a huff of anger. "He was about to turn you down, I could tell. It was my quick thinking to offer the necklace that sealed the deal!" She then stopped in her tracks, causing him to do so as well, turning back to look at her. "Is that it? You're upset I gave him the necklace? I thought you said it wasn't real? Was it actually valuable?"

"I don't give a shab about the necklace!" he practically growled, stepping closer and bringing his helmet directly in front of her face. "And neither did he! It wasn't the gems he wanted…it was you!"

"WHAT?" she gasped, taking a step back in shock.

"That's right, he'd been ogling you the entire time, and it was your body he thought you were offering him there at the end!" Din informed her, finding it unbelievable that she was that naive. Still, she had lived on one small planet most of her life, having only an elderly uncle and a zaktan for company. "And I'm not completely certain he's given up on the idea either. So, if I do fail, that Hutt-spawn might still try and collect. Understand?"

Din could see that he'd shaken Ravana, her eyes wide with sudden understanding and horror. He was probably being too harsh, but he felt he needed to impress the seriousness of the situation on her. That she couldn't go around acting like she had while on Pessue. She might have been able to handle herself against that space-rat Tannor, but out here she was playing in a whole different league.

"Then…" Ravana said, clearing her throat and attempting to regain her composure. "…I suppose you best not fail." And turning, she walked away, doing her best to keep her head high and her shoulder's back.

Din just stood there, watching her go for a few moments, his mouth actually hanging open just a bit at the nerve that woman had. Then with a shake of his head and a heavy sigh, he moved to follow her.

"Ibac dala cuyir kotir," he mumbled to himself. "But also very foolish."

Well, Mando got the job...but at what cost? Did Ravana put her foot into it, or what? Guess it all depends on how well Din does getting the job done.

I hope you all liked Din's macho display there with the Quarren warrior.

And points to anyone who DOES know where a Quarren's heart is. ha ha.

Thanks for reading and I do hope my story is proving to be a pleasant distraction while you are all cooped up with no where to go.

T.O.W.G.

Guest Reviews:

Phantom Guest: Oh, yes, it can't be sunshine and flowers ALL the time. ha ha. They will have a difference of opinions from time to time...or ALL THE TIME. ha ha. Mando does need to be pushed a bit, in the general direction of some manners I think. Erik never knew how to pay a compliment either if I recall...those reclusive men never do. Wow...I think both Mando and Erik would have excelled at this whole social distancing thing! As you just read, yes he is very protective...and it didn't' help that Ravana kind of threw him under the bus with that Quarren guy. Now he just has to make sure that Zojo doesn't come looking to 'collect' what he THOUGHT she'd been offering. Mando has his work cut out for him, that's for sure.