Chapter 2: The Problem

I had no idea where the hell I was going.

What I did know, however, was that I had no idea where I was.

The survival instinct within me had revved into overdrive, peaking as it coalesced with the utter confusion of being unable to explain what was happening. The previous close contact with death was a problem, tucked somewhere within the recesses of my brain for the time being, but it now paled in comparison to attempting to understand how I ended up here. My rational mind was fading, not knowing what was going on anymore, not knowing the difference between fantasy and reality. I'm losing it. I'm fucking losing it. Still clutching my dagger, as though it were my only lifeline to life and world that I'd known, I sprinted through the steel-panelled hallways, breaths uneven, short of hyperventilating.

As soldiers, we were trained for dire, life and death situations. To react and function under stressful circumstances. To embrace the harshest of conditions and ensure mission completion.

But this was a whole other layer of fucked up that I was struggling to fight through.

The building's hallways were a goddamn maze. After a sharp right corner, I finally reached a large, metal entryway, spanning several meters vertically and horizontally. It resembled more like a gate rather than a mere door. Hurriedly scanning the multicoloured panel to the right of it, I slammed on every button with a closed fist, cursing under my breath for something to function.

The door flew open horizontally with a light hiss, revealing the outside world.

My breath caught in my throat, panic momentarily abated. Despite the circumstances, the view before me was...beautiful. The large, steel and glass building that I had stepped out from was perched atop an escarpment of a melange of red and brown rock. Adjacent to it was a majestic waterfall, the liquid clean and pristine blue. The surroundings of the pool below were covered with a variety of green and brown vegetation. The hue of the landscape denoted that it was more of a desert climate, the ranging rock formations framing the distant horizon; and yet, there was life to this place, an aura that was completely opposite of the beleaguered desert country that I had been in. A wide, winding river led to what appeared to be a populous city below, its variety of yellow and amber lights mimicking the colour of the sunset. Perhaps that was where I needed to go.

I lowered my head, eyes sinking to the seemingly untrodden path beneath my feet, thinking about the soldiers that I had somehow been separated from. That I had left behind. Though my leaving didn't happen by choice, guilt still consumed me. It had been my job to keep them safe. Alive. Were they looking for me? Did they think that I was dead?

And my family and friends back home. What of them? What of my mother, who would've expected me to call earlier? Just waiting. Wondering. Worrying. How would anyone be able to explain to her what had happened to me?

That, in an instant, I was...gone?

"If you're looking for a means of escape, the speeders are back that way."

The familiar voice sounded from behind as I whirled around, startled. Silver had caught up, walking leisurely through the passageway, with the little green animal following him closely behind.

How the hell did he find me so quickly?

Without even a command, the tiny being began to waddle towards me, entirely unphased by the weapon that I still wielded.

Silver's body tensed. "Kid, wait." He took a couple of rushed steps, then promptly scooped up the being in his arms, much to its protest.

Green - the "kid", as he called it - merely looked up at him, then cried out as it extended a tri-fingered hand towards me. Silver glanced down at it for a brief moment, intrigued, then met my stare. "We aren't going to hurt you," he reiterated firmly. "Are you ready to talk?"

My defenses somewhat subsided as the pair continued to eye me with patience. Green even let out a high-pitched cry, as though in reassurance. Resolving that there was no imminent danger, I placed my dagger through a pant belt loop in the meantime, raising a hand to indicate that I, in turn, meant no harm. In any case, our military rules of engagement regulated that force couldn't be used on unarmed people (or animals, I guess); I'd only be breaking our military code if I attacked either of them when they didn't exhibit aggressive intent or tendencies. Plus, the art of negotiation was something that I hadn't practiced in a while; perhaps it would now come in handy. Though not having entirely eliminated disorientation, I nodded stiffly. "Yeah."

"You must be hungry," Silver stated, turning on his heel. "We'll grab you something to eat. Come."

Green whined at this.

Silver sighed, placing a tender hand upon the back of Green's head. "Okay. We'll get you something to eat, too."

Finding their relationship captivating, and finding that my belly now growled like a pissed off bear, I followed.

(V)(V)(V)

I sat quietly with Green in what appeared to be a futuristic dining room. The black, round table and accompanying set of chairs in which we sat were made of some sort of grey metal, their outlines adorned in silver strips. The stark-white walls were similar to that of the infirmary, the open space clean and capacious. We eyed our respective bowls upon the table in front of us simultaneously, curious as to what exactly was on the menu for tonight. As something bubbled within the cream broth of sorts, my eyes shifted to the being. "Is your food moving, too?"

It seemed quite worried as well, poking hesitatingly at the liquid with a spoon. It released a reluctant sound, then did another, closer inspection of the grub. At that moment, I resolved that this was more than a mere pet. It was...intelligent. In a way that humans, rather than dogs or cats, were intelligent.

Oh, what the hell. Being picky certainly didn't fly when all you sought to do was eliminate the stabbing pains in your stomach. Closing my eyes and biting the bullet, I ingested a spoonful, swallowing rapidly in an attempt to be rid of an aftertaste. What resembled thick chicken soup was actually a pleasant surprise. It was surely better than what they fed us in the field mess. "Whoa. Not bad."

Green babbled, still unsure, though eventually followed my lead. It seemed astonished itself, grinning back up at me with a happy cry and holding out its spoon triumphantly.

I chuckled, smiling at it.

Great. I could now add 'interacting with an alien' to my resume.

At least, this alien was adorable and didn't try to eat me.

Silver strode forward, his footsteps light on the metal floors, and placed two cups of dark liquid upon the table in front of us. He sat across from me, at Green's side, resting one arm upon the table, while the other hand upon his thigh. For a few, silent seconds, he merely watched me eat, waiting patiently until I finished.

Feeling my energy returning and my body relaxing, I took furtive glances at the man before me, attempting to ascertain who he was. He instantly embodied silent strength, a commanding presence that one could attribute to being experienced and battle-hardened. It was a presence that the military continuously sought to instill in its leaders, its officers; one that could lead men and women into battle and eventual victory. Perhaps this man is more like an equal than a subordinate. And yet, the compassion that he clearly exhibited towards Green, and the bravery that he had shown when attempting to save the people at the settlement, were telling of yet another layer of him; a quality that emanated honour and duty. It was respectable. I gave him a nod. "Thanks for this."

He returned the gesture. "What's your name?"

"Captain Aurora Guerrero."

"Who do you serve?"

I grimaced at the blunt question. "What?"

"Do you fight against Thrawn?"

Thrawn? Who the hell is Thrawn? With pursed lips, I moved the empty bowl aside with the back of my hand. My expression hardened as I clasped my hands on the table. "Is this a conversation or an interrogation?"

"A conversation," came his even reply.

"A conversation implies that people actually converse."

Green cooly slurped his meal, breathing out contentedly as its large eyes roamed towards Silver, as though awaiting his response.

Silver gestured towards me with an open palm, encouraging me to speak.

"So," I began lightly. "Who are you and why am I here?"

Silver's head tilted to the side. "I thought we were conversing."

I shrugged nonchalantly.

He stared at me for a few moments, as though assessing the situation. "My name is Din Djarin. You were injured, and we healed you."

Ok. So far, my brain was catching up. No major malfunctions yet.

...Or, perhaps I was just in some state of high-functioning shock, ready to break at any moment.

At the very least, these people truly didn't seem to want to kill me. However, speaking to an entirely helmeted man was way worse than conversing with a know-it-all what's-his-rank with aviator sunglasses. I sighed. "Mr. Djarin, do you mind taking the helmet off for a bit? I kind of what to see who I'm talking to here."

"The helmet stays on," he stated firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.

Alrightee, then. Not weird at all.

Did he want to keep his identity from me, or…?

I eventually decided to drop the subject. It wasn't worth it. Besides, after I find my way home - wherever the hell that was - I'll never see these people again. "What do you want from me?"

"We don't want anything from you," Din said. "You saved my life. I am in your debt until it is repaid."

My spine straightened at the latter statement. The fog in my mind was beginning to clear. I twisted my lips, thinking. "Well, you healed me somehow. Let's say we're even."

Din shook his head. "It's not the same thing…"

I waved him away with a hand. "Don't sweat it. You can't compare deeds like that. I did something for you, and you did something for me. Case closed." And, to me, it really was. Whenever you had brothers and sisters in arms, you always had their six. Always.

He remained still, thinking. "I will at least get you home. Then, I will consider my debt repaid." He rested his hands on the table. "I'll arrange for your transport and will accompany you. You are from the planet of Krownest, correct?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat. My head began to swirl again. Just when I thought things were getting better. "Earth." I said weakly, feeling as though I was in a reality that was uncanny. Grotesque. "I'm from the planet Earth."

"Never heard of it."

My mouth was now sandpaper dry, complexion pale. A part of me still thought that this was just some kind of elaborate joke. But, I reminded myself, even the most elaborate of jokes shouldn't explode and nearly kill me. The next words were foreign on my tongue. "It's in the Milky Way galaxy."

"This...isn't the Milky Way." Din leaned forward, breath hitching at his throat. Perhaps the man was still attempting to determine whether I really did have brain damage. Either that, or I was plain lying. Clearly, something wasn't making sense to him. "What do you remember?"

Even the little being now eyed me with interest, his ears twitching.

"A...a battle." The details were fuzzy in my head. Frustration began to build up within me when the images wouldn't focus. It wasn't like me to forget things. "A cave. Falling through the ground. Cold. An explosion…" I looked up at Din. "...You."

Din gazed at Green, then to me. "Do you...have any powers?"

"Powers?" I repeated, disconcerted. This shit is getting even weirder. "Like...superpowers?"

"Like the Jedi."

I cocked a sharp brow. "The who what now?"

Din seemed to be attempting to put the pieces of the puzzle in his own head. And, like me, he was probably struggling. "If the last thing you remember is being on Krownest, then we'll return there. Perhaps that is where we'll find answers. I will provide you with lodging here, in my home, for the night, and we will set forth in the morning. Are these terms agreeable?"

My lips pressed into a thin line as I gave a nod. "Yup. Perfectly fine. Thanks."

As though I had anywhere else to go.

(V)(V)(V)

Aurora.

Aurora, can you hear me?

My eyes flitted open slowly. The moonlight from the window above illuminated the bedroom, helping my orientation. It was a surprise that I had actually managed to get even a bit of voluntary sleep, given everything that's happened. Given everything that I'd been through. With a sigh, I rolled over to my right, wondering whether it was finally time to leave this...planet. As I did, a shadowed form appeared in my line of sight, peering down at me. "Jesus fucking Christ!" I cried, kicking the covers from my body and jumping right out of the bed. I stood in a defensive position a few meters back as my heartbeat fought to return to normal.

"A-awa. Awa." Green cooed casually, its head tilted to the side in appraisal.

A sigh of relief. I threw it a puzzled glance, confused rather than upset. "How did you even get in here?"

Green shimmied off of the bed upon its stomach, sliding down with ease. It then made its way to me, one little step at a time, focused. Confused as to why it was taking a keen interest in me, particularly at this ungodly hour, I remained still, assessing it. Green said something unintelligible in a quiet tone, then extended a hand towards me, reaching for the side of my leg. Now curious, I permitted the contact. It closed its eyes as it touched my calf. It seemed to be...meditating. A rush of tranquility and stillness engulfed me then, making me close my own eyes.

"Kid?" The muffled, distressed call came from the other side of the door, jolting me fully awake once more. "Kid!"

Green released a high-pitched cry as though to signal his whereabouts.

The door flew open.

I froze, realizing then that I was clad only in my bra and underwear.

Din stood at the threshold, equally frozen.

"Oh, geeze," I groaned, snatching the rest of my clothing from the floor. "Mr. Djarin, do you mind turning around for a sec?"

Other men had seen me in this state before. Verily, being with troops during long operations and missions forced you to be very comfortable with one another, which included when being in various states of dress - or undress. There was a level of comfort established that left no room for being meek or embarrassed; you were just "one of the team", not a piece of meat to gawk at. But, even when some did gawk, I had paid no heed. And yet, being under the close scrutiny of the man before me stirred that embarrassment; the feeling that I had thought I'd gotten over a long time ago, especially after having been in my profession for years. What's more puzzling was that I felt this way even though I couldn't even see his eyes. The eyes of the man who I had saved. Perhaps that's the part that made it more disconcerting.

"Mand'alor? Mand'alor, is everything alright?"

Two more helmeted men appeared at the doorway, their steps heavy.

I rolled my eyes, the fight lost, awkwardly covering my shame with the meagre garments in my hands. "Great. Why don't you invite the whole town for the show? It's free, after all!"

Din finally swirled around and, rather honourably, even appeared to be attempting to block the view of the two other men. "It's fine," he cleared his throat, the commanding tone lacking the usual strength it normally had. "Leave us."

One of the men slyly peeked into the room, seeing me. He slightly twisted his head to his companion, as though throwing him a knowing look, then replied with a hint of teasing, "As you wish, Mand'alor."

They promptly retreated down the hallway.

I turned my back towards my unannounced guest and clothed myself as quickly as possible. Green, cheerful at Din's presence, quickly wobbled over to him with a laugh.

"I'm sorry," came Din's voice, sincere, as he lifted the little being in his arms. "I was just looking for the kid."

I nodded in understanding, pushing my earlier shame to the back of my mind. "I don't know how it got in here." My head twisted back to him. "It touched my leg and seemed to be...meditating."

Green eyed Din then, a high-pitched sound escaping its toothy mouth. A tiny finger pointed towards me.

"I don't understand," Din shook his head, peering down at the little one. Distracted by Green's ongoing cooing, he said, "Apologies again for the intrusion."

"Mandalore," I said the foreign term slowly as he began to walk away. "Is that your rank or something?"

"Yes." Silver stilled for a moment, then nodded to me. "Good night."

(V)(V)(V)

A/N: Hello, my lovely readers! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Early chapters are fun to write. It's always interesting as a writer to figure out how to sow seeds and introduce plot points and concepts that'll shape the rest of the story. I think there's great potential for this particular story, so we will see what my brain comes up with!

Thank you all for your support and kind words. Let me know what you think! I love reviews! :D xx IFHD