Disclaimer: I made the Bo-Din fanart but otherwise, I own nothing here.
Take my Hand
AN: My inspiration for this arc is dying out, but I might write one more chapter after this to try and wrap things up a little. Remember, this series was only ever meant to be divergent arcs between episodes. But don't worry! I have another, proper fic on the way.
Spoiler warning: This takes place right after the previous chapter, so season 3 spoilers!
Paradigm
Ragnar was starting to get worried as the N-1's console began lighting up with numerous flashing lights while R5 began screeching warnings.
Although he couldn't understand binary and he wasn't familiar with anything on the console, he could at least guess that everything was simply overheated, similar to the way his dad's blaster cannon overheated whenever he had used it for too long.
"I don't know what to do either!" Ragnar replied to R5's most recent wail. They still had a squadron of fighters after them, but he hoped they could lose them with their newest venture through the storm and back into the blackness of space. "Maybe they won't follow us out of atmosphere?"
R5 offered a dubious sounding warble and Grogu babbled plaintively. The first probably wanted to engage the hyperdrive (the only thing that wasn't overheated) as soon as possible, while the latter no doubt wanted to shoot straight to the surface and storm the base with no weapons and no plan whatsoever.
Honestly, Ragnar was leaning more towards the droid's opinion, since it sounded the most survivable.
He never got to voice his thoughts as they burst out of the storm and nearly crashed into another ship just exiting hyperspace. "That was too close!" he yelped as R5 screamed, no doubt spitting binary curses at the other ship.
A new light flashed, coupled with a slow beeping, which Ragnar discovered was another ship hailing them when R5 automatically answered it. A small, blue hologram of a (somewhat) familiar looking helmet appeared on the dash. "Good to see you're both still alive," the gruff, male voice said. "Now get your sorry butts on that freighter before that ship you're in explodes."
Explodes!? Ragnar understood that it was probably overheating and he had expected it to simply shut down at some point, but he hadn't thought about it exploding! Immediately he started to look around for the freighter, but R5 had already engaged the thrusters towards another ship that had just dropped from hyperspace.
"I'll take care of those fighters, you just do as you're told," the man added, then his image disappeared.
With R5 flying the ship and nothing left to shoot at, Ragnar twisted around to look back as the fighters all seemed to switch targets and pursued the new, oddly shaped ship instead.
That is, they started to pursue it, until the new ship ejected some kind of oblong object. It detonated seconds later, sending a glorious, blue shockwave through space that completely destroyed every single enemy fighter.
Ragnar could only gape in amazement, realizing belatedly that Grogu was doing the same and had somehow crawled up onto his head without his knowledge.
Ragnar scrunched up his nose at the smell of him. By the ancestors the critter stunk, like soured clothes that didn't get dried out properly after a wash. He was tempted to start calling him Stinky.
"Hey, get off," he grumbled, though instead of swatting at the little monster like he would have some hours ago, he simply pushed him back onto his lap and gave him a serious look. "You realize we're about to be in SO much trouble, right?"
Grogu gave a sad little whine and pointed out the window, toward the planet. "Patu."
"I know," Ragnar groaned in frustration. "But R5 is in control now, and if we don't do as we're told, we'll explode!" He tipped his head and asked his fellow foundling in the most patient tone he could muster, "Do you want to explode?"
Grogu whined again, but he made no attempt to argue further. Instead, he closed his big, dark eyes, climbed up to the curved window and touched a hand to the transparisteel, as if he were concentrating on something very far away.
Creepy little freak, Ragnar mused. Some of the things the green critter did were just so strange, but he supposed in the end, he wasn't so bad. Just weird.
Although they hadn't started out on the best terms, they could at least agree on one thing. They missed their dads. And although Paz was gone forever, there was still a chance they could rescue Din.
As the N-1 rumbled towards the open cargo hold of the freighter, Ragnar felt a deep sadness envelop his chest. His dad had taught him to be as honorable as possible in all aspects of life. Doing everything he could to help Grogu's dad seemed like the honorable thing to do.
The starfighter produced a tired whine as it slid into the dark chamber, then practically collapsed in a hissing lump of burning durasteel. The cargo bay doors clamped shut and it took Ragnar's eyes a moment to adjust to the artificial lighting.
The cockpit opened but neither he nor Grogu dared to exit as the door to the bridge popped open, revealing a very stern looking magistrate.
The storage room was fairly small, with Bo facing one line of shelving, Din the other, and a small space between them as they re-armed themselves. Axe and Koska stood guard outside the open doorway, still in their stolen white trooper armor.
Thankfully, the stims were working and Bo was able to stand on her own power a few short moments after using one. Din seemed to be doing much better as well, gearing himself in swift, efficient silence behind her.
When she holstered her trusty Westars (the Darksaber was, of course, missing) and all that remained was her familiar blue helmet, she paused and turned to touch Din's arm, effectively gaining his attention. He held his own helmet halfway to his head but paused at her touch and met her gaze with a curious concern.
Bo didn't give herself the chance to re-think her impulse. In one fluid motion she set her helmet on a shelf, curled her hands behind his neck and pulled him into the most heated, desperate kiss she had ever given anyone.
He was clearly startled at first, but quickly eased into her, with no hesitation in slipping his arms around her waist.
Bo was so focused on Din, on tasting him for the first time, on the heat of him, on the charge and thrill from everywhere their bodies touched, that she simply didn't care that the door was open and their comrades could see the entire spectacle.
She did find their bickering mildly amusing though, and she couldn't help smiling against Din's lips in response. He smiled back and they eventually parted slightly, noses touching, breath mingling for a moment longer.
"Argh, not fair," Axe grumbled. "Hey Koss, if they're allowed to-"
"No," Koska replied coldly. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, but not now." There was a poignant pause; she was probably looking in at them expectantly. "Let them have their moment. You know what it's like, at first."
Axe sighed dramatically. "I know what it's like right now."
Bo tuned them out and focused back on the man in front of her. His arms held her with so much tenderness that it just shouldn't have been possible when she considered how much violence they were capable of.
His brown eyes flashed with a spark of curiosity and humor. "What was that for?"
"In case you never take that helmet off again."
"I... wasn't planning on going back to-" Din cut his sentence short, as if the notion pained him. All at once, his countenance dropped, his voice fading to a dismal whisper. "Everything I thought I knew... Was it all a lie, just to control me? To control the tribe?"
"Hey," Bo murmured and gently took one of his hands in hers, weaving her fingers through his. "I admire your adherence to the creed..." She caught his eye when he glanced up fleetingly.
She pulled him closer again to touch her forehead to his in a gesture that was becoming habitual. She smiled indulgently when his lip twitched in response. "Well, most of it. I'll admit, the helmet thing is frustrating."
He offered a genuine smile in response, though he remained silent, clearly still brooding.
"Um, guys?" Axe's voice warned from the doorway.
"Give us another minute," Bo replied, only for her eyes to fall on a familiar golden helmet. She was partly grateful that Din had his back to the door, but she had to think fast before he realized who stood there.
"That helmet thing served as a protection for many generations," the armorer spoke quietly, yet clearly. Her voice, however, caused Din to react after only the first syllable.
Bo felt him bristle before his scowl appeared and he spun to face the one-time-traitor. Having anticipated his anger, she moved to hold him back but he barely seemed to slow in his seething lunge. "Axe!"
Axe was there to help in an instant. "Easy there, brother. Save it for the moff." Together they managed to subdue Din enough that he finally gave up struggling but maintained his deadly glare.
"I don't have much time," the armorer said as she stepped inside the increasingly small space. She seemed to give Din a sober look from under her blank visor. "But I had hoped I might have the chance to explain myself."
Ragnar wanted dearly for the cockpit to close back up; at least then he would have some level of protection from the wrath of his temporary guardian.
Greef was standing just below, hands on hips, eyes blazing with fury. "Out. Now."
If his past experience with cross adults were anything to go by, Ragnar figured his punishment would be lessened if he obeyed without delay. With Grogu hanging from his shoulder, the boy tentatively climbed down, hissing when he had to touch the burning hull of the ship.
He cringed a little when his feet touched durasteel and an authoritative shout rang through the bay. "Hey!" Surprisingly, it was Peli's voice as she passed through the doorway, looking every bit as formidable as that mother raptor he had been so unceremoniously snatched up by.
Oddly enough, she seemed to be directing her ire at the magistrate. "You hurt a hair on his head and you'll be sorry!" All of her little droids seemed to be lined up around her, either to back her up or to watch the show.
Greef didn't bother to turn but scoffed and shot over his shoulder at her, "You don't even know if he has hair on his head." The imposing man zeroed back on Ragnar and without warning, pulled him and Grogu into a fierce hug, making the little critter squeak. "You two had me scared witless!"
Ragnar froze up as Greef released him and gave his helmet an endearing little shake. He had been expecting a smart thwack instead. "I'm getting too old for this kind of stress!" the man exclaimed, part indignant, part jokingly. His gaze switched from helmet to green face and back again. "What did you hope to accomplish by running off like that?"
Before Ragnar could reply, Greef looked up at the N-1 and sighed in dismay. "Look at that, it's practically fried. Who knows if it will even fly again."
"You mean... we broke it?" Ragnar frowned, not that anyone could see his face. Despite his slim chances of ever flying in the machine again, it still pained him to think that such a sublight-wonder was damaged.
"Nah," Peli huffed as she wandered around the fighter, droids trailing, apparently taking stock of any damage. "It should be fine once it cools down and I give it some adjustments." She looked up at the astromech still sitting in the housing unit. "R5, open the cooling vents."
She stepped away and waved her hands to shoo them away when R5 beeped an affirmation. "I suggest we move this discussion to the bridge? It's about to get really warm in here."
Ragnar wasn't sure when the weight on his shoulder had disappeared, but as the three of them moved towards the hallway leading to the bridge, he caught a glimpse of Grogu standing there with an innocent smile on his creepy little face. "Patu!" he babbled just before the blast door slammed shut.
"What the-?!" Greef barked, sounding both incredulous and outraged. "That little-!"
R5 was quick to interrupt with what sounded like a frantic question; Ragnar wondered if he was starting to pick up on binary.
"Well of course you should hold off on the vents!" Peli swung around to give the droid a bothered look. "Otherwise us organics will turn into a pile of dehydrated vegetables!"
"Yes, no dehydrating, please!" Greef yelled and banged a fist on the door in frustration. "Grogu! You open this door or else!"
"Now hold on," Peli cut in. "No reason to get so mad at him. He's just pulling a little prank, righ-?" her sentence cut off when the whole ship jerked and seemed to dip.
All three humans lurched for something to hold onto as the freighter shook violently, a telltale that it had entered a planet's atmosphere.
"Oh no..."
Ragnar wasn't sure which adult had spoken, perhaps they both had. He looked up to see they both had pale looks on their faces and the realization they had reached dawned on him as well; if they were planet-bound, they would crash without someone capable to land the ship.
"Astromech," Greef thundered with nothing short of panic. "Get over here and unlock the door before we crash and die!"
"His name is R5!" Peli yowled.
Idly, Ragnar wondered why the droid was given a gender when it wasn't even alive. Mentally shrugging, he focused on holding tight to the railing he'd grabbed a hold of just as the ship shuddered into the planetary storm.
"Whatever," Greef snapped. "Just get to it!"
"R5!" Peli bellowed, though it wasn't necessary as the droid zoomed past her. A few tense seconds lapsed after he plugged into the panel, beeping frantically as he worked.
There was a collective sigh of relief when the door began to hiss open, only for silent dread to sink in when it clamped shut again.
"Hey!" Greef barked at the mech, receiving a confused beep in return. "What's the holdup!? If you don't get this door open, we'll all be a fancy splat on the planet's surface."
R5 beeped back in frustration and Peli spoke up to translate. "It's the kid!" she exclaimed in what sounded like amazement and betrayal. "He's closing the door as fast as R5 opens it!"
"What?" Greef snapped, incredulous as he moved to bang a fist on the door. "Grogu! Now you listen to me, if you don't open this door right now, I'll... Well I'll never give you another hopper pop for as long as I live!"
A relative silence lapsed. Ragnar wanted to know what a hopper pop was. Peli looked like she was about to throw up; had she never flown before?
The ship's violent rumbling suddenly eased off, which Ragnar recognized as a sign that they had cleared the storm...
Just when Greef lifted his fist again to pound once more on the door, it hissed wide open without warning. Grogu stood on the other side, the picture of innocence as he pointed towards the bridge and chirped in the most dull tone possible, "Patu."
Sidestepping and sparing the critter the briefest glance, Greef raced for the bridge. "Yeah, I'll deal with you later!"
Ragnar didn't know what to expect once the ship leveled out, so he hunkered down where he was. Grogu wandered over to Peli and offered some comforting gibberish, but the woman ultimately lost her battle with her motion sickness.
Ragnar sympathized and cringed, feeling his own wave of nausea as the ship swayed and dipped.
Peli waved a bothered hand at Grogu as she clung to a strapped down crate. "Ugh, kid, don't talk to me right now... just make this tub stop moving already."
Grogu babbled something in a concerned tone but he was obviously powerless to grant her request. Even so, a moment later, the ship seemed to settle on solid ground with a resounding thud.
Ragnar cringed for an entirely different reason when Greef's low, indignant growl rumbled from the bridge. "Grogu!"
The severity of the situation suddenly occurred to him. They had just landed on Mandalore, the war zone where most of his tribe had either been captured or killed.
Grogu's ears quirked up at the sound of Greef's call but then drooped an instant later, recognizing the scolding tone.
Ragnar gave the little troublemaker a condoling look, not that it could be seen. "Nice knowing you, Stinky."
AN: FYI, hopper pops are the name I made for the (red-orange) coffee-bean looking food that Grogu was eating in Greef's office. Don't ask me how I came up with the name, I assure you it wouldn't make sense. xD
