Stepping through the narrow streets of Nevarro Maleena couldn't help but feel a spring in her step at seeing the place her and Din held close to their hearts once again. They had both come to terms with the possibility that they would never see the familiar planet again after rescuing the child. But, returning now with the child strapped to her chest underneath her thick robes, her blaster resting on her back with the Mandalorian walking beside her it felt surreal. The day they faced off against Moff Gideon Maleena was sure they were going to die. To never finish what they started...
Maleena stood in front of the Mandalorian as he sat slumped against the wall. Cara and Greef Karga tried to open the grill behind her, but Maleena couldn't pay attention to them. Her knees panged with pain as she knelt on the floor, tears streaming down her face. Maleena screamed as the flametrooper burst into the room, her body covering the Mandalorian. She had expected the heat to burn her robes, shocked when she felt nothing. Turning she watched the Child hold the flames back, the power he used to push the flames back at the trooper making him fall back onto his back. Maleena swept the child up and handed him off to Cara.
"Go. Go with Cara." A rasp cough followed through the Mandalorian's helmet as blood ran down his face. Maleena shook her head violently."No. I'm not leaving you! If I can just..." Her voice tails off as she reached for his helmet. His right hand grabbed her arm, holding her in place, as his left hand reached under his armor and pulled out a worn necklace. Pushing it into her arms he let go off her arm."Go to the Mandalorian's. Tell them you and the kid are under the protection of Din Djarin. They will take you in." Maleena shook her head."No... No just listen please..." Maleena cried out as Cara tried to pull Maleena away."Get away from me!" Maleena shrieked as Cara frowned. The Mandalorian placed his hand on her forearm, grabbing her attention again."Go." Maleena stood as she pushed the necklace at the Child, crying harder as his eyes looked up at her sadly. She pushed Cara away.Cara looked at the IG droid seriously. "You bring them with you." Seemingly hesitating, Cara turned and following Greef down the vent.IG bent forward as Maleena took to crouching into the Mandalorian's side. Her racing heartbeat in her ears made it hard to fully understand what was happening around her."Miss Maleena I need you to turn away. I need to scan and repair his wounds." His robotic words meant little to Maleena, it was only Din's arm raising around her shoulders and pushing her further into his side that she understood what had to happen.He had to remove his helmet.Time seemed to slow as she could hear IG working to help Din, a familiar hiss telling her that he had once again placed his helmet back on. He gently peeled her from his side and rested the forehead of his helmet against her head. The cold metal made her cry again as both her and IG helped him stand...
It was a miracle they were even still here after everything. The knifes she had hidden in the waistband of her pants reminded her that no matter what happens they were prepared. It wasn't like last time.
They were ready.
The short break flying to Nevarro had helped heal her minor injuries. Her face looked undamaged, especially under the large black hooded robe she wore over her thick jacket and tight pants. Her robe was a sign of her past, her home planet. She was forced to wear her robes out in the open or around strangers, never being allowed to defend herself otherwise. She had never dropped her traditions when she joined the guild and became a bounty hunter. In fact, it had helped her gain a solid reputation. People simply referred to her as the black shadow. Word got around about her skill set making her both one of the most feared hunters in the galaxy and in turn one of the easiest to spot. There wasn't many of her kind left, the black robe marking her out easily. She had stopped wearing it on certain mission's, even when she had went to go and get supplies she had left it behind to avoid hostility.
It had been Din's suggestion to leave it behind whenever he wasn't joining her on missions or trips. They had both agreed it made her easier to blend in and had helped them on many occasions when they had needed to sneak into different places or buildings. But returning to Nevarro and into the small building Cara now occupied she felt no fear in wearing them. Her robe kept the Child safe and secure. She had promised her family to keep herself hidden from danger. Greef might have promised security, but you never know who may still be holding a grudge towards them and risk everything to get in Moff Gideon's good graces.
The Child squeaked as Maleena stopped, moving to the side as the Mandalorian opened the door to the small building and stepped inside. She followed him, thankful for the cool air that covered her immediately. In the corner sat a long desk with an old console resting on top, Cara had her legs crossed, resting on top of the desk.
"Didn't think I'd see you here so soon." Cara's voice cuts the silence as the Mandalorian settled down in a chair opposite Cara. Maleena shrugged her robe away and sat it on the back of her chair as the Child immediately sat up in his cloth sling and waved at Cara. His head swiveled to the Mandalorian and began clicking his three little fingers together, chirping away as the Mandalorian reached over to remove him from the sling. Maleena nodded her head in appreciation as he sat him in the crook of his elbow.
"And you even brought the little one." Cara reached a finger out to the Child who touched it lightly. Maleena smiled as she sat down, observing the ex shock trooper and her long time companion fuss over the small child who had captured all of their hearts instantly.
The Mandalorian tilted his head up to Cara, his modulated voice getting straight to the point. "You called for us?"
Cara sat back. "Stupid Gungan got ahold of our records a few days ago. We tried tracking him but he jumped off planet. Went to Lazarane-7."
The pair seemed to digest the information for only a moment before the Mandalorian spoke. "This is why you need us? Couldn't someone else do it?"
"Anyone can capture a Gungan of course..." Cara pauses.
"But?" Maleena spoke, her voice croaky at lack of use.
"What he took is highly sensitive information." The Mandalorian's helmet tilts at Cara's serious response.
"You don't want anyone stealing the information." The Mandalorian sat back.
"Selling it onto the highest bidder." Maleena finishes for him as she adjusts in her seat, Cara nodding at them both.
The Mandalorian reached his hand forward, palm open. "Puck." His demand made Cara reach under her desk and pick up a small tracking device and bounty puck. She handed the puck to the Mandalorian and the tracker to Maleena. Maleena studied the thin device in her hand before pocketing it, looking up as Clara stands. The Mandalorian motioned to Maleena, handing the Child over. Securing him in her sling, she gently rubbed the tip of his ear as he cooed softly. Picking up she her robe she slipped it over her arms. Adjusting the hood, the Mandalorian moved to stand next to Clara.
"I'll have some credits waiting for you. Can't let your clan go hungry now can I?" Clara quipped as the Mandalorian's helmet tilted. A modulated scoff followed as he turned to watch Maleena move towards the door. Maleena brushed her hand against Clara's arm, opening the door and leaving, stepping into the bustling streets of Nevarro with the Mandalorian hot on her heels back to the Razor Crest.