CHAPTER XIV: THE JOB

"Stay close."

Din's hand was a comforting warmth on Zakia's lower back as he ushered her into the familiar landing bay. The Child was tucked into his bunk, fast asleep for what would normally be the night.

The hustle and bustle of the hangar was the same as it was years ago, as were the uncomfortable stares that came with it. The bay was full of men who were deprived of outside attention, and her presence had drawn the same attention last time. People from all directions stared at the Mandalorian and his partner. Some gazes were curious, and others were perverse sneers. Zakia didn't allow their looks to phase her, but she stayed close enough to Din that her arm brushed his side with each step.

"Mando?"

Both parties halted, and a stocky figure bustled into their line of sight. Ranzar Malk looked older than both hunters combined- a long gray beard and scraggly gray hair that stuck out in all directions. Zakia ground her teeth as he leered at her and Din.

"Is that you under that bucket?" Ran chuckled, eyes turning to Zakia. "And the lady. What a pleasure to have you back."

Zakia gave him a fake smile, and silently thanked her partner when he took the lead. He edged himself in front of her ever so slightly and reached out to shake Ran's outstretched hand.

"Ran." Din greeted. The gray-haired man seemed to take notice of Mando's domineering gesture, and backed off before speaking.

"I didn't really know if I'd ever see you in these parts again. It's good to see you." He told them, laying a hand on Mando's shoulder. Zakia stayed near his other side, though stuck her head forward so she could hear Ran's voice. "You know, to be honest, I was a little surprised when you replied to my message. 'Cause I hear things."

Zakia tensed, hand hovering over her single blaster. Mando's came to covertly rest his own over it, reassuring her without words. She grit her teeth, bracing herself for a fight. It wouldn't be out of character for Ran to turn them over for the reward money.

"Like, maybe things between you and the Guild aren't workin' out." Ran crossed his arms and stood as if he was waiting for an explanation.

Zakia tapped an impatient boot on the floor. "We'll be fine."

Ranzar's soulless gaze traveled to her, and Zakia didn't miss the way his eyes took in her whole body. "If the lady says so, you know the policy. No questions. And you, you're welcome back here anytime."

Zakia immediately got the sense they were not welcome, and blew a long breath out her nose. Ran led them across the hangar and up the stairs of a catwalk. There were hundreds of projects scattered about, and Zakia was certain she was going to have welder's flash from the number of men working to assemble and disassemble ships.

"So what's the job?" Mando asked as they transversed the walkway. Zakia kept a nervous eye on the Crest, making sure no one neared the ship where the Child slept.

"Yeah, one of our associates ran afoul of some competitors and got himself caught. So I'm puttin' together a crew to spring him. It's a five person job." Ran glanced at Zakia. "Could be six. But I got four. All I need is the ride, and you brought it."

Zakia was thankful that Mando seemed to read her mind. "Ship wasn't part of the deal."

"Well the Crest is the only reason I let you back in here." Malk snarked as Mando's helmet swiveled in his direction. "What's the look?"

Once again, the blonde found herself reaching for her blaster as Ran got close to Mando's helmet. She stood her ground beside the Mandalorian, eyebrow raising defiantly as Ran turned his gaze to her.

"Is that gratitude?" The man sniggered at his own joke, breath blowing by Zakia's cheek. "Uh-huh. I think it is."

Ran walked ahead, leaving the two mercenaries alone for a moment. Zakia leaned in close. "I don't like this."

"You think I do?" Din snapped back. He sighed as soon as the words were out. "Sorry."

"Let's just get this done and get out." Zakia sniffed and wiped the grimy air away from her nose as they continued on behind Malk.

They returned to the floor of the hangar, cutting in and out of stacks of crates until Zakia could see a man dressed in head-to-toe tactical gear. Ran's lazy stride brought them close to him, calling out when the mechanical sounds died out behind them. "Hey, Mayfield."

"Yeah?" Mayfield was tall and bald, with cold eyes and an obnoxious number of blasters strapped to him. Zakia was reminded of the wannabe snipers she had run across in her prime.

"This is Mando, the guy I was tellin' you about." Ran held out a hand in their direction, and Mayfield turned with a cocky grin. "We used to do jobs way back when."

"This is the guy?" Mayfield asked. His eyes landed on Zakia shortly after, and a silent question was posed.

Ran cut in before Mayfield was able to put his inquiry into words. "Yeah, we were all young, tryin' to make a name for ourselves. But runnin' with a Mandalorian, that was… That brought us some reputation."

Mayfield scratched at his stubbly beard, lifting a finger in Zakia's direction. "Who's this?"

"My partner." Din monotoned. Zakia kept her glacial eyes on Mayfield, and her mouth shut. She didn't feel inclined to speak to people she didn't trust.

"Oh yeah? So what'd you two get out of it, travelin' with him?" Mayfield asked, nodding towards Ran.

"Well, she was only around the last time I saw him. Guess the wedding was more important." Ran laughed at his own joke, and Mayfield narrowed his eyes. "But I asked him that one time. You remember what you said, Mando?"

The Mandalorian was silent.

"Target practice." Ran cackled, and Mayfield feigned shock, exaggeratedly throwing his hands in the air. "We did some crazy stuff, didn't we?"

"That was a long time ago." Din's voice was guarded. Careful.

He didn't like this Mayfield character anymore than Zakia. It seemed that everybody at Ran's command stunk of dishonesty. Though if honesty was the best policy, Zakia couldn't say her and Mando were any different. Technically, were indeed on the run.

"Well, I don't go out anymore, you understand? So, uh, Mayfield, he's gonna run point on this job. If he says it, it's like it's coming from me. You good with that?"

There was a few feet between the Mandalorian and Mayfield, but they may as well have been standing toe-to-toe for the amount of tension in the air. Zakia was happy to be left out of the testosterone-heavy dealings.

"You tell me." Din's helmet was firmly angled in Mayfield's direction, unwavering even when Ran began laughing again.

"You haven't changed one bit." The stocky man slapped his knees, and Zakia briefly wondered if he had a condition that made him so unbearably stupid.

Mayfield failed to find the humor in Mando's statement. "Yeah, well, things have changed around here."

Pulling himself back together, Ran hitched a thumb over his shoulder towards the frontman. "He's one of the best triggermen I've ever seen. Former Imperial sharpshooter."

The scoff which fought its way out of Zakia's mouth wasn't meant to be audible, but her words definetly were. Rubbing people the wrong way was one of her specialties. "That doesn't mean anything."

"Ay! I wasn't no Stormtrooper." Mayfield rounded on them, staring Zakia down from where he stood across a row of crates. "Think you can do better, doll?"

Din visibly stiffened as Mayfield watched his partner. As per usual, the blonde was undeterred. "Much better, sweetheart."

Mayfield's stare then turned back to Din. "Keep your partner under control, Mando."

Zakia called a sarcastic 'it was nice meeting you' after his retreating form, and Ran was once again letting out an awkward chuckle.

"Doesn't take long, does it?"

She rolled her eyes and kept quiet when Mando's hand landed posessively on her back as Ran started leading them back through the maze of crates and tools. They followed the path Mayfield had taken, eventually dumping them back into the main hangar where the Crest was docked.

"Razor Crest? I can't believe that thing can fly." Mayfield's complaints reached Zakia's ears before she saw him. "Looks like a Canto Bight slot machine."

"Do you think I can strain my eyes from rolling them?" She quipped, turning to Mando.

He was predictably silent, though Mayfield faltered for a moment at her attitude. Zakia maintained innocent eyes, and smiled sweetly at the 'triggerman'. Malk looked close to opening his mouth, but a loud scraping from their right pulled the group's attention away. Zakia maintained a fairly stoic sense of being most of the time, but her instincts screamed 'DANGER' when she took in the Devaronian moving crates to their left. His presence had her on edge immediately.

The Mandalorian seemed to feel the same, shoulders widening to partially block Zakia from view.

"The good-lookin' fellow there with the horns, that's Burg." Mayfield paused when the colossal man dropped the crate he had been moving. "This may surprise you, but he's our muscle."

With an unnecessary flourish, the Devaronian stepped forward, putting his massive frame nose-to-metal with Mando's helmet. Din's left hand rose to hover in front of Zakia, though he refused to back down from Burg's intimidation tactic. It was apparent he was fond of scaring people- he jerked suddenly away from Din and circled around their backs to stand on the far side of Ran. Burg took caution to size-up Zakia as well, though she barely reached his chest on flat feet.

"So this is a Mandalorian. I thought they'd be bigger."

For once, Zakia was thankful her name was left out. There was something about the Devaronian which had her skin crawling as if a thousand beetles were beneath it. He left them alone with Mayfield and Ran, who continued on with their introductions as if nothing had happened.

"Droid's name is Zero."

She hadn't even noticed the bug-eyed droid mulling about some seven meters away. It spun at the sound of its name, taking short strides to meet them. Zakia was indifferent about its presence, as it looked respectful enough and programming usually prevented drastic action. However, Din's glare was obvious even through his viewfinder.

"I thought you said you had four?"

The question was not the fight against droids Zakia had been expecting. She took a moment to think it over, counting their new colleagues in her head. Ran had said four, and he'd only brought them three thus far.

"He does."

Zakia squeezed her eyes shut and inhaled deeply. "Oh, put me out of my misery."

She pivoted at the same slow speed as Din, eyes narrowed and officially annoyed. A lavender-skinned Twi-lek sauntered towards them, knife spinning between her gloved hands.

"Hello, Mando."

Zakia cringed at the sultry tone.

"Xi'an." Din's tone was tired, and he was as visibly as excited as Zakia.

"Oh, and your friend." Xi'an got close to the blonde's face, reached up purple fingers to touch her wild curls. Zakia's hand shot up, wrapping tightly around the Twi'lek's wrist and applying heavy pressure on the vulnerable spots.

"Touch me, and I will kill you." Zakia released her wrist with enough force to serve as a warning, thrusting the appendage back towards her.

"Touchy, then?" Xi'an took a wise step back, though the look in her eyes clearly said they weren't finished. "Mando, tell my why I shouldn't cut you and your friend down right now?"

"Wife."

Zakia had to physically restrain herself from choking on her own saliva..

All of the rag-tag team was silent, before Xi'an let out a screeching laugh and others hesitantly followed. When they were momentarily free of prying eyes, Zakia raised a brow at Mando's helmet. She wasn't expecting an answer, but she wanted him to know how incredibly attractive it was when he said it.

"I don't like that look, we need to leave the room?" Mayfield looked between Zakia and Din. The former had still been looking at Mando's visor, and shook her head.

"You tell me, are you ever going to get on with business?" She snapped, examining her nails.

Xi'an giggled again, and Zakia glared.

"Alright, break it up till you get on the ship. Right now we don't have much time."

Din was far from thrilled to be back in his old company, especially when a bounty worth far more than all of them combined was sealed in a compartment not ten feet from them.

Though Xi'an was actually the only one he had worked with before, the same uncertain feeling as all those years ago pooled in his stomach as soon as the plan was laid out before them. What he was told was a rescue from a rival syndicate was far from it. Their target or teammate, however Ran had put it, was arrested.

Not only arrested, but imprisoned on a Republic prison ship.

Zakia had immediately voiced her displeasure with the plans, and Mando had initially agreed. They were not in a position to take on that kind of heat. Nevertheless, they needed money to keep the Razor Crest full of fuel, bringing them back around to the job. He was assured it would be in-and-out, particularly with the Crest's undetectable status.

"I still don't like this."

Zakia and Din were crammed together in the ship's only hidden spot. The droid was piloting, and the rest of the team was in the cargo hold. She had caught him by the arm as they meant to exit the cockpit, pushing him into the small alcove to the left of the ladder. They were concealed from both the droid and the team, though Mando's armor alone took up most of the space. Zakia was pressed firmy into his cuirass.

"I don't either. But we need the credits." Din wished nothing more than for them to be alone. "There's something up with this crew."

Zakia snorted. "You don't say?" She wiggled around until she could fit a hand between them, poking his cuirass and letting her hand linger. "Though, it was kinda hot when you told them I was your wife."

Mando licked his lips beneath the helmet, and momentarily forgot she couldn't see his face. It hadn't been planned, but seeing Zakia serve attitude back at Mayfield and Xi'an was appealing in a way he couldn't pinpoint. Not to mention the fact that every man on Ran's station looked like they were about to try and snatch her away. Din found himself amused at the thought; he had great sympathy for anyone who tried to force Zakia into anything against her will. Toro Calican had been the last, and he ended up with a knife in his neck.

"When this job is done, I'll show you- what?" Din's armor rattled against the tight walls as something pounded the floor below them. Zakia pressed further into his body, eyes alarmed. It grounded him in an instant, as seeing actual fear in her eyes was nowhere close to common.

"Stars, was that the Devaronian?" She hissed.

"He's the only one big enough." Din whispered. He managed to squeeze a hand tight enough to cup her face. "I know he scares you."

Zakia ground her teeth. "I don't know why, he's just a piece of shit like the rest of them."

"Twice their size and mean." Din added, taking a step back.

"Thanks for the comfort, husband." Zakia teased, following him out of the small alcove. They descended the ladder, Mando hitting the floor first. He remained in place until Zakia was safely on the floor behind him, frowning when he saw Burg with his head stuck in the arms case. The Devaronian was inspecting his weapons, and threw his hand up when Din shut the door remotely with his vambrace. Burg slammed his hands on the metal, whirling to face Mando.

His red fingers reached for the panel near the Child's bunk, and Zakia's fingers twisted into Mando's cloak. Din snatched Burg by the wrist, pushing his own face towards the giant's as he had done numerous times. The Devaronian snarled, pushing him back. Zakia was caught up in the scramble of feet, stumbling back a few steps as the Din was locked into a stare-down.

"Hey, hey, hey. Okay. Okay. Okay, I get it." Mayfield tried to soothe, "I'm a little particular about my personal space too. So let's just do this job. We get in, we get out, and none of you have to see our faces anymore."

Mando reached out to Zakia, fingers encircling her wrist and pulling her behind him and back to the side where an open bench awaited. He nudged her into it, all while keeping an eye on Burg.

"Someone tell me why we even need a Mandalorian." Burg grunted and looked to his teammates. Xi'an watched with what looked like intent to egg it on, while Mayfield looked surprisingly neutral.

"Well, apparently they're the greatest warriors in the galaxy. So they say."

Mando wasn't at all surprised by their attitude. The whole team's front was one of intimidation and humiliation. Lucky for him, Zakia was around everyday to do those things and made it less impactful.

"Then why are they all dead?"

Din did freeze at that question. Despite his obvious distaste, everybody but Zakia and himself laughed. He would not be on the offensive, and he would not put up a fight. Din knew these fools were barely worth his time, let alone any injury he may sustain.

"Why don't you tell us, doll?"

Zakia's head snapped to the bald man, eyes hard. "About which part? Him being over-qualified to kick your ass, or….? I could continue."

"I'm smart enough to know I should've expected attitude. Not a very joyful one, are you?"

She hummed as if in deep thought. "Not particularly."

"Well, you flew with them, Xi'an? What's the story?" Mayfield turned his questions to an outside source.

"She's a sniper..." Xi'an drew out the 'r', speaking in hushed tone as if it were a Imperial secret. The Twi'lek kept on murmuring boredly as she balanced a dagger on her fingertip, "We only worked one job together on Alzoc III. Why don't you ask them about it?"

"I did what I had to do." Din shot back. Alzoc III had been a long time ago, and the first place he discovered Zakia's talent for sharpshooting. They had taken out a whole company of soldiers for one person. Xi'an had thrived in the environment, and it was apparent she took her own feelings out of context.

"Don't start. You both liked it. Just had started this whole friends-with-benefits thing then, huh?" Xi'an was digging for a reaction from him or Zakia, but Mando was certain nothing would come of it.

"He never takes off the helmet?" Mayfield asked.

Xi'an gave a quick shake of her head, pounding her fist into her chest mockingly. "This is the Way."

No one in the room failed to catch the dig at the Mandalorians, and Din only tipped his helmet to the side. None of them were worth the reaction.

"I wonder what you look like under there." Mayfield watched with something akin to actual curiosity, and Zakia inclined her chin in his direction. "Maybe he's a Gungan. Is that why yousa don't wanna show your face?"

Din was thankful for the ear protection his helmet provided when Burg let out a bellowing chuckle.

"You ever seen his face?" Mayfield was once again looking to Xi'an for answers. The Twi'lek gasped in faux-offence, hand covering her heart.

"A lady never tells."

Din heard an audible snort from Zakia, whose icy eyes were cutting into Mayfield. The leader returned her gaze.

"I bet she has." Mayfield indicated, catching Burg's attention. The Devaronian stomped close to Zakia, and Mando automatically moved forward.

"What's he look like?" The red-skinned man demanded. Zakia was holding her ground well despite her fear.

"Why don't you find someone else to yell at?" She stood, exiting the cargo hold into the small personal quarters.

"Aw, come on, Mando. We all gotta trust each other here. You gotta show us somethin'. Come on, just life the helmet up. Let us all see your eyes." Mayfield's urging was a waste. Din had faced far worse adversaries with much more to say.

When no one moved, Mayfield looked to Burg. "I'll do it."

The Devaronian stepped towards him, hand outstretched. Din sidestepped him and ducked, grabbing onto his tree-trunk of an arm and spinning. He reeled a hand back and threw it in a sideways punch, using the beskar to his advantage. It made contact with his head, and Burg fell back onto a pile of bags. But to Din's horror, his hand brushed the bunk control pad. A pneumatic hiss followed, and then a soft coo.

"Whoa. What is that?"

The entire group craned to see the creature that was cooing happily from its bunk. Mayfield wandered over cautiously, eyes wide as he took in the green child. It peered up at him with gaurded eyes, and Din forced himself to remain in place. He couldn't allow them to know that the Child was of any value to him. Showing weakness gets you killed.

"Wait a minute. Maybe there is somethin' weird under that helmet if you and blondie made this." Mayfield grinned, sending a sideways look in Mando's direction. Zakia chose that moment to reappear, and Din held up an arm to keep her back. "What is it, some kinda pet or somethin'?"

Zakia's fingers dug into Mando's arm, and he managed to grit out a reply. "Yeah. Something like that."

Xi'an paid close attention to Zakia's hand on the Mandalorian's arm, tilting her head and snickering to herself. "Never took you for the type. Maybe that code of your has made you soft."

"At least he has a code." Zakia said, setting petite hands onto her hips.

"I was never into pets." Mayfield's interjection made all three turn. "Yeah. I didn't have the temperament. Patience, you know? I mean I tried, but it never worked out. But I'm thinkin'- maybe, I'll try again with this little fella."

He reached into the cubby and lifted the Child. It chattered happily at the seemingly innocent coddling, and its big eyes locked onto Zakia shortly thereafter. They darkened just a hint, and Din was sure it could read Zakia' s mood. Mayfield, at first, seemed to be harmless enough. He bounced a bit, searching the hunters' faces for any betrayed emotions.

Zakia's facade was far better than Din's was, had he been without his helmet. She was straight-faced as ever, scar drawing her lip into in more sinister version of her natural sneer. Her hands remained still on her hips, not moving an inch to stop the sharpshooter that held the Child.

Hence, when Mayfield jolted forward as if to drop the Child, Din found himself flinching. Zakia was mercifully still, and her icy irises bore holes into Mayfield's head. Xi'an found Mando's reaction amusing, stifling a giggle.

"Dropping out of hyperspace- now."

Din was robbed of the time to contemplate any further when the Crest lurched forward. He cursed the droid in his head- even he gave warnings about leaving hyperspace, and definitely more than a second's worth. They had all tumbled into walls, and had just began recovering when Zero spoke again.

"Commencing final approach- now."

Zakia clutched haplessly at his cloak, hands searching for something of stable nature to keep her upright. Mando grabbed her belt with his free hand, hauling her up beside him.

"Cloaking signal- now."

This time the ship banked hard, and Mando was thankful he had pulled Zakia up or she would've been squished beneath him. The Child had also tumbled to the ground, Mayfield and Xi'an tossed far across the cargo hold. Zero began talking about the coupling process, and the ship finally began to steady. Zakia wrapped an arm around the Child and helped Mando up, allowing him to take the baby and lock him back into the bunk. Din tapped into his vambrace's control system, setting a PIN lock on the control panel so no one would be able to open it. As Ran's team communicated with the Zero via their coms, Mando turned to Zakia and kept his back to the others.

"You have your com?"

"Of course I do. Put us on a separate channel?" Zakia was wrapping her hair up into her headscarf and concealing her face.

"Already done. I don't trust them. You stay with me, I don't care how they want to split up."

Zakia finished wrapping her scarf and patted her empty blaster holder. "I need a backup."

Mando opened the arms cabinet, covertly removing two blaster pistols without drawing unwanted attention. He handed one to Zakia, and reached around her to tuck the other into the elastic waistband of her pants. He allowed his fingers to brush her exposed skin.

"Stay close?"

Zakia nodded. "You've said that a lot today."

Din could only nod as a lump lodged itself in his throat, dreading what was to follow.