AN: Originally, I wanted to do something with the whole Mando/Din POV thing but as the story sort of took a life of its own, I don't feel like it really fits the narrative anymore, so don't be confused next time we shift to Din's POV. I've gone back to change chapters 3 and 4 as well.
Thanks for reading 3
Chapter 11 – Out
It felt like someone had strapped a metal band around Sinead's chest, constricting it to the point of making black spots appear at the edge of her vision, but at least her ribs weren't broken, she was pretty sure she wouldn't still be standing.
The ship tilted to the side and she swayed with the motion. Mirian sat with her back against the wall, face pressed to her knees to avoid meeting anyone's gaze. Suri sat on the edge of the bunk where the rebel slept.
"He's gonna be okay?"
"He'll pull through."
"How did it happen?"
Suri wet her lips and looked at the sleeping form. "The New Moon Collective were waiting for us at the cache. I'd say we have a rat, but we weren't even supposed to be there."
"It could be a coincidence."
"Yeah."
"I assume your own rat was responsible for the power outage?"
Suri groaned. "You have no idea how long it took to get him in that position. Maybe he was compromised."
"Still doesn't explain how they knew to ambush you in a place that wasn't even part of your mission."
"Who knows, there might be an even more clandestine rebel cell out there somewhere, wondering why their meeting place looks like a war zone."
"They dodged a blaster bolt."
A tremor went through the ship and Sinead felt it turn round. It was disorienting being stuck in a metal box with no idea what went on outside but clambering up the ladder was out of the question at the moment.
"You know this area?"
Suri sat up from her slumped position. "Not really. I come from the southern hemisphere. Erno grew up in here, though. I know he'll see us through."
"I hope so."
They fell silent.
Finally, the ship touched down heavily, the metal settling with a groan. Suri and Mirian got to their feet, the latter keeping tucked into a corner where she kept her eyes firmly on the ground.
Mando came down the ladder with the kid in one arm, followed by Erno who forced his hat down over unruly grey hair. In her corner, Mirian froze.
"You lot sit tight," said Erno. "They won't come looking here for some time. Only fools would try to hide in this mess of crags and ravines."
"And you'll find some way to contact the others?" Sinead said, pushing off the wall.
"Let's take it one step at a time, eh? Shelter comes first" He checked his blaster. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
Mirian skittered out of the way as the ramp started to come down, and as soon as it let the ground with a thud, Erno disappeared.
Sinead sighed. "Because it ended so well last time someone said that."
They waited in pressed silence. Sunlight streamed through the opening and a mild breeze stirred Sinead's hair. Her eyes drifted shut.
Suddenly there was movement around. Her eyes flew open and she looked around, gripping the wall behind her to keep from falling. Did she fall asleep? Her body was stiff and it felt like someone had stuffed her ears with cotton. Erno was back and talking. She tried focusing on his words.
"... as many light sources as you can carry." He disappeared into the sunlight again.
It didn't take long before they were ready to leave. Mando and Suri grabbed the wounded rebel and helped him down the ramp, while Sinead grabbed a lantern and a handful of glowrods she found at the back of a seldom-used compartment. Every movement made her chest constrict painfully.
She was the last to leave the ship, which stood glinting in the sunlight. It looked like Mando had found the only flat area for miles; all around were sheer rock walls that seemed to lean over the ship, and it was a feat of maneuvering that Mando hadn't crushed them against the unforgiving rocks.
Erno showed them through a gap which led to a narrow passage that climbed steadily upwards. Sinead nearly dropped the lantern as an outcropping caught her on the side of the head and she could hear the scraping of metal as Mando pushed through the cramped space. The sound of crashing water could be heard over the wind whistling through the passage.
Suddenly, one side fell away and Sinead couldn't hold back a gasp; Luria in all its glory stretched out beneath them, white mountain giving away to a rolling forest that went on as far as the eye could see, unbroken and almost glowing in the sunlight. The wind tugged on her hair and clothes, pulling her towards the edge. They had stopped in front of a roaring waterfall, the source somewhere above them, and the path went on under the falling water, skirting north around the mountain. The rocks were slick with water and one misstep would send her plunging over the side.
Instead of trying to traverse the waterfall, Erno led them through another crevasse hidden by and through a small ravine that opened up to a small hollow. Somewhere nearby, the water roared on the way to the waterfall.
A cave led farther into the mountain, looking impossibly dark from out in the sunlight. Erno scrambled up to the entrance and ducked into the darkness, the others following him.
Once she crossed the threshold into the cave, she was surprised that the temperature didn't drop; the white rocks around them emitted a soft warmth like the others had, heating the air until it was just shy of unpleasant. It smelled of mildew and rot and beneath it all, there was something musky and unidentifiable. From deeper inside the cave came a sound of dripping water.
"Ranars use these caves for hibernation during the winter, but this time of the year they're all down in the Woodlands," Erno said. "It's not much but I doubt anyone's gonna find you right away. As long as you don't draw attention to yourselves."
Sinead put down the lantern and grit her teeth against the pain. "Couldn't we just have stayed on the ship?"
"If the Collective does come sniffing about, it's better they find an empty ship, wouldn't you agree." Erno adjusted his hat.
Mirian pushed past Sinead and went farther into the cave. Sinead was about to follow when Erno held out a hand. "It's blocked farther down. She'll stay put unless she suddenly gets the power to shift a thousand tons of rocks."
"I'm sure she'll find a way."
"Suit yourself. If you ask me, the girl might do good with some space."
Erno turned to the rest of their little group. "I'll go try to get in contact with the others, find out what the plan is. Make yourselves comfortable, I don't know how long it'll take."
"I was more comfortable in the ship," Sinead muttered, but she did see his point in going here, she just wished 'here' had a proper bed.
Once Erno left, everyone made themselves busy; Suri hovered around the rebel who looked like he'd much rather be left alone, the kid toddled around exploring the cave with Mando right behind him.
Sinead squinted against the light as she ducked outside the cave. The sun was nearing the top of the sky and there was no cloud in sight only a wide expanse of pure azure. The area truly was a maze of razor-sharp ridges and sheer, deadly drops, so she kept close to the cave.
Leaning against the baking rock, she let her outer jacket fall to the ground and started rolling up the hem of her shirt, the fabric falling away to reveal a bruise the size of a jogan fruit stretching across her ribs, going from deep purple to sickly yellow at the edges. Carefully, she ran her hand across, her fingertips barely touching the skin. Taking a deep breath, she prodded every rib making sure it wasn't broken.
A sound made her look up and she startled at the sight of the Mandalorian standing a few feet from her, looking pointedly away from her. The child appeared at his feet, grabbing his leg to keep his balance on the uneven ground.
Sinead dropped her shirt back in place, wincing when the skin stretched painfully over her abused ribs.
Mando cleared his throat. "I just, er, wanted to see if you ... if you're alright."
"It's not a wrench to the head. I'll survive." Sinead smoothed down her shirt and forced herself not to avert her eyes. "Next time I'll let you take the hit, you're better dressed for it."
"Hm." Mando glanced at her quickly before looking across the hollow. "Don't fall asleep out here. It isn't safe."
"No, I'm coming."
Back inside the cave, Suri had set up camp a little ways from the entrance where their meager supplies were piled up on the ground. The lamp stood on a raised outcropping and cast a circle of warm light.
Sinead sat down with her back against the rock and tried to relax, but even that was painful as if the tension of her muscles was the only thing holding her body together. The rock was warm against her back and the stale air seemed to be a physical weight on her, dragging her down. Every sound seemed either dulled or heightened, every incessant drip a jolt through her body.
Ever so slowly, her eyes drifted shut.
... ... ... ... ...
When Sinead opened her eyes, the light was different. The lamp still shone the same but the sunlight streaming from the entrance to the cave was softer, tinted pink and golden.
Suri sat cross-legged on the other side of the temporary camp, the lamplight throwing her soft features into sharp relief. "Welcome back," she said when she saw Sinead was awake. "I'm impressed you can fall asleep in a place like this. You and the Mandalorian were out light a light."
Sinead started to stretch and hissed as her abused body screamed out in agony. "Believe it or not this isn't the worst place I've ever fallen asleep."
"Oh really? There's a story behind that?"
The palace on Sriluur came to the forefront of her mind. "Not really."
"Oh."
Sinead wet her dry lips and looked around. "Where's the Mandalorian?"
"He woke up a bit before you, left with the little one."
"Is that safe?"
Suri put up her hands. "I wasn't about to argue with him."
Sinead chuckled and winced. "Anything happen while I was out?"
"Everything's been quiet. The Barrow protects us." Suri caressed the stone below her.
Leaning forward, Sinead managed to peel herself off the rock, her sweaty shirt sticking uncomfortably to her back. "The Barrow's a strange name for a mountain, isn't it?"
"It's an old story. According to legend, Luria - the person - is buried deep under the mountain and the stones shot forth to protect her eternal resting place."
"Who came first, the person or the planet?"
Suri smiled. "You're taking the story too literally. Creation myths are rarely meant to be taken at face value. The stone above our heads was created out of love, to protect, and protect it will."
Sinead was about to ask who created it when the rebel at the entrance made a soft sound and lifted his blaster. "Someone's coming."
Sinead and Suri scrambled to their feet, Sinead grabbing her blaster and listening with all her might, but all she could hear was the steady dripping from further in the cave.
The Mandalorian appeared in the opening, a dark silhouette against the soft light, carrying the child in one arm and a pack in the other. Sinead lowered her weapon.
The rebel lowered himself back onto his perch. "So you didn't fall into a ravine," he sneered. "Hope you had fun."
Mando ignored him and moved further into the cave where the child cooed when he saw Sinead was awake.
"See anything out there?" She asked and holstered her blaster.
"A couple of crafts in the sky was moving south, but I don't think they're looking for us. They haven't found the ship."
"That's something at least."
He let the kid down and reached into the pack, procuring a small jar that he threw to Sinead, who caught it and peered at the label. It was the last of the T'pala paste.
"Thanks," Sinead said and looked up at Mando.
He nodded once before grabbing the kid and moving away to a darker area where he started to unpack the rest of the supplies.
When she went outside the cave, the sun was hovering an inch above the horizon where it painted the clouds gold and pink, stark against the blue sky. Sinead closed her eyes against the light and let the soft breeze wash over her. Then she applied the paste to her side, whatever was left of it, and pocketed the empty jar. A now-familiar coolness seeped into her skin, but it only went so far; every time she moved, pain bloomed on her side.
She ducked back into the cave and stood in the darkness waiting for her eyes to adjust. In the far back of the cave, a single light showed where Mirian sat with her back to the entrance. Sinead picked her way across the uneven ground and sat down near Mirian.
A black pool of water blocked the rest of the cave. The water was completely still and it disappeared into the darkness that Mirian's small glowrod couldn't penetrate. From here, the dripping was louder.
They sat in silence for some time, Sinead counting the drips that came like clockwork. Then she cleared her throat. "I'm not here to yell at you, I think you got the message last time." She crossed her legs and tried to find a more comfortable position. "I just want to know what you were thinking running off like that. I get wanting to help or be part of something bigger than yourself, I just can't figure out the leap between 'wanting to fight for the cause' and 'putting everyone in unnecessary danger.'"
Mirian looked away sharply, her knees pressed to her chest.
"You didn't just put our lives in danger, you know that, right? You've spend however long at the base, even if nobody told you anything, I'm sure you know bits and pieces of what's going on. Otherwise, you wouldn't have hidden on the ship."
A tremble ran through Mirian. "Just leave me alone," she said weakly.
"I will. Just wanna make sure you understand." Sinead got up, giving Mirian a long look. She saw a lot of herself in Mirian; losing her parents, her entire life turned upside down in an instant, totally powerless to do anything about it. In the end, terrorists and pirates weren't so different. She had even stowed away on a ship, although Sinead had been trying to escape danger and not run headlong into it.
She found Mando and the kid close to the entrance. When she sat down, the kid crawled into her lap. "I'm just about done with Luria," she said and closed her eyes.
Mando hummed in agreement.
"How long do you think it'll take?"
"I don't know. A couple of days, maybe."
"Ugh." Sinead looked down at the child who was in the process of going through her pockets. "We should go, just try to bludgeon our way through the blockade instead of sitting here."
"You wouldn't get far."
"It's better than sitting here, twiddling our thumbs."
"You ever heard about something called patience?"
"I don't have time to be patient. The sooner we get out of here, the sooner I can get my hands on those records and the sooner you get the weapon."
"You're not getting your hands on anything if you're dead."
"At least I won't be in a position to complain about it."
"You never told me where you hid the whip."
"Ha! Nice try."
They fell into a comfortable silence. Sinead helped the kid balance on her leg to reach into her breast pocket.
"You're good with him."
Sinead looked up. "Hm?"
Mando seemed to go still and he cleared his throat. "You, uh- you're good with him. He likes you."
"And I like him." She fished the droid eye necklace she'd gotten on Tatooine out of the kid's hands before he tried to eat it. "I get why you didn't leave him."
Mando cast a glance around them but Suri and the rebel were sitting together by the entrance, and Mirian was still hiding at the back of the cave, too far away to hear anything. "You have experience with children?"
"We all helped each other where we could. A lot of the others had children, so I minded them whenever I had the time." Plus, one time where she had had to tend to the Hutt's son, a humiliating ordeal she didn't care to recount.
"Were there many families?"
"Some. Many of them were born there, which meant their kids too."
"You weren't?"
Sinead looked down at the kid in her lap. "No."
Breathe.
There was a shout from the entrance, and Mando and Sinead were on their feet in an instance, Mando moving to stand in front of Sinead who turned to shield the kid.
"It's Tanram!"
Sinead breathed out a sigh of relief as Tanram appeared at the entrance, followed by Erno. Tanram's hands were clenched at his side and he scanned the cave with narrowed eyes. "Where is she?"
"Look, Tan-" began Suri.
"Where is she?"
Something stirred in Sinead's chest. "Look, she knows what she did. Yelling at her won't help."
"We'll see about that." He made to stalk towards the back of the cave when Sinead handed Mando the child and stepped in Tanram's path. "Move."
"No."
"We don't have time for this," Mando snapped. "You know how we can get out of here?"
Tanram gave Sinead a furious look before taking a deep breath. "Seems like our people down here haven't been idle. They managed to steal access codes that should give you a clear shot out of here." He shot another seething look towards the back of the cave. "I don't need to explain to you how big a blow this is to the cause, do I? We could've used these codes, but now we have to give them to you."
"Thank you," Mando said shortly. "When do we leave?"
Tanram gritted his teeth. "Whenever you can persuade the princess to move." He gestured to Suri to follow him and they went outside.
"I'll go get her," said Sinead and moved to the back of the cave where Mirian sat stiffly in the same spot, her eyes wide and terrified. "C'mon, we're leaving."
Mirian didn't move. "What's ... what's gonna happen?" The question came out in a shaky breath.
"We're leaving is what's gonna happen." Sinead held out a hand for Mirian to grab, but there was still enough obstinacy in the girl to ignore the proffered hand and scramble to her feet on her own. Sinead didn't know whether to smile or to scowl.
The trek back to the ship was done in silence. Mirian had fallen in between Mando and Sinead, who acted as shields against Tanram's withering looks.
The wind had picked up since their last foray into the mountain and coupled with the dusk, the trip back seemed longer and more dangerous. Sinead felt the wind tear at her clothes and hair and she took short careful steps.
The ship stood where they left it, dusty and welcome. As soon as the ramp was down Mirian scurried into the ship, probably to avoid Tanram, who looked like he was about to explode again.
"We appreciate the help getting us out of here," Mando said, stopping Tanram from going after Mirian.
"I'm not doing it for you." Tanram shoved a small stack of datacards into Sinead's hands. "The access code-" he tapped on the card on top of the pile. "The rest goes to Gatt as soon as you land. If you get caught at the blockade, destroy them."
"What are they?"
"None of your concern. Just get them to her."
"You're not coming?" Mando asked.
"No, I'm needed here. Erno'll go with you, make sure that Gatt gets the full story." He nodded to the man.
"If they know this code has been stolen …" Sinead shifted her grip on the datacards.
"You'll be shot down somewhere over Luria, probably." Tanram ground his teeth. "Look, this is the only plausible way out. You're welcome to go back to the cave and wait for the planet to be liberated, but I have a feeling you want to get back as much as I want you out of here."
"We'll take that chance," Mando said and plucked the access code from the stack.
"Good." Tanram stepped back as the rest of them piled into the ship. "Remember, get them to Gatt. Right away."
Sinead saluted him with her one free hand and then the ramp closed, then left the datacards in a pile on the bunk bed. Mirian had found a space on the floor and the rebel limped up and down the length of the ship, muttering quietly under his breath.
Mando, the kid, and Suri were in the cockpit, readying the ship for take-off. Sinead stood behind Mando's chair.
"Ready to leave Luria behind?" Suri asked.
"No offense, but I hope I never come back here again," Sinead said.
"I guess that's fair."
Mando pushed the datacard into the nav-computer and started the process of firing up the ship, which came to life with a roar, and at last, it rose from the ground towards the dark sky. Sinead could have cried when she saw the ground disappear beneath them.
It didn't take long before the blockade came into view. Mando slowed the ship.
"So we just … fly past?" Sinead gripped the headrest harder.
"I'm sending the codes," Mando said, pressing buttons on the nav-computer. "If it works we can-"
Sharp static filled the cockpit. "-'ere no record of a ship going out," a disembodied voice said. "What's going on?"
Sinead leaned forward before anyone had time to react. "There ain't supposed to be a record of us. We're on special business."
"Wh-" Suri started before Sinead gestured wildly for her to shut up. She cursed under her breath.
"And what business is that?" The voice sounded suspicious.
"The kind you ain't supposed to know about. We got the codes, don't we?" Sinead's mind spun a mile a minute. "You can take it up with Commander Ranick on your head, but right now we need to get through."
"Stand by." The static dissipated.
Suri hid her head in her hands.
Mando gripped the helm with enough force to make it creak. "Sinead-"
"Be ready to make a run for it."
The comm came back to life. "Commander Ranick is out of reach-"
Sinead took a deep breath and straightened into her full height. "Ain't my problem. You either let me through and find a way to contact Commander Ranick on your own time, or you keep me here, which will result in an avalanche of shit coming your way, you'll be lucky if Commander Ranick doesn't use you for target practice."
The following silence was the longest in Sinead's life.
"The codes are coming through," said the voice through the comm, sounding more subdued. "You're clear to go."
Sinead sagged with relief and she allowed herself a triumphant smirk. "Much obliged."
"I can't believe that worked," Suri said.
"We're not through yet," Mando said, letting the ship glide forward.
Sinead rolled her eyes, it felt like her heart was about to jump out of her chest.
The Razor Crest reached the blockade. The nearest ship was in sight, small windows along the side that shone brightly against the darkness of space, and she imagined she could see little figures watching the ship, judging if they were allowed to pass.
Then they were through. It felt anticlimactic after all they had been through. No sirens or lasers, just the wide expanse of space in front of them.
Once they were out of reach of any scanners, the ship turned and headed to Celvalara.