INTERLUDE

"Why is this so hard?" Killian asked, dropping the datapad on the table and placing his head down next to it. It had been a month since they had left Alderaan and one of the first things that Argyle and Terra had done was give him a datapad filled with lessons on how to speak Mando'a.

"If you want to be a Mandalorian, you must learn to speak our language," Terra had explained when she had given him the datapad. Aola was spared from the lessons, as she had been brought up a Mandalorian and already knew how to speak the language, an advantage that she constantly teased him about.

Killian had suspected it would be challenging, but he had no idea it would be as difficult as it was proving to be. He began to fear he would never learn it, despite Terra's assurances otherwise.

"It just takes time, that's all," Aola responded, looking up from her own datapad. She was also doing lessons, though hers were on ship mechanics and repair.

"You can't expect to speak our language in a month, after all," She added, placing the datapad down.

"Yeah, I know," Killian replied, lifting his head to look at her. "But I thought I'd at least have gotten better, and yet I can barely remember how it all comes together, and I remember everything!"

"So the big brain does have its limits, after all," Aola said with a smirk.

"Oh yeah! I'll show you!" Killian growled playfully as he jumped out of his seat at her and made her squeal in delight.

They began to wrestle on the floor when Aola suddenly sat on his chest, pinning his arms under her legs.

"Pinned ya!" She laughed as he struggled to get loose. "Come on, I thought boys were supposed to be stronger than girls," she said with a smile.

He finally got an arm free and pushed her off, and attempted to jump on top of her before she flipped him over onto his stomach and jumped onto his back, pinning his arms behind him.

"Pinned you again," she said with a smile as he swore and struggled.

"What are you two up to?" Terra said, suddenly entering the room and making Aola jump off quickly.

"Just showing Killian some Mandalorian wrestling moves," Aola said quickly as Killian got to his feet.

"And your studies are done for the day then, I take it?" Terra asked, crossing her arms and lifting an eyebrow.

"Not exactly," Killian said sheepishly, bringing a smile to her face.

"Well then, I suggest you get back to it," she said with a grin. "You two can play when you're done."

"Yes, mama," Aola said, her lekku drooping slightly.

"Yes, Terra," Killian said as he sat back down at the table and picked up the datapad.

Terra watched them for a few moments in silence before nodding her head in satisfaction and returning to the cockpit where Argyle was currently talking to the hologram of a sizeable brown Wookie.

"So, how much is the bounty on this guy?" Argyle asked as he leaned back in his seat

"Twenty thousand credits, but he has to be alive." The Wookie replied in its growling language, making Argyle whistle in astonishment.

"Who did he cross to get a bounty that high?" Terra asked as she took her seat next to him,

"A Hutt," came the growling reply, making Argyle and Terra look at each other darkly.

"So, where do we take him once we have him?" Argyle asked.

"Nal Hutta, of course," the Wookie said as if it were an obvious answer, "The Hutt in question currently resides in the city of Morgan. So that's where you'll drop the scum off."

"Any idea where he might be?" Terra asked quickly.

"My sources say he's currently hiding on Tatooine, in the city of Mos Scusa," the Wookie replied, "Of course, you won't forget my 12% for finding you the job."

"Of course, we won't," Argyle replied, as though offended. "When have we ever tried to stiff you?"

"There was that time on Bogden," the Wookie growled, making Argyle laugh.

"You're still mad about that? That was two years ago!"

"We won't forget you, Hevv, I promise," Terra said with a smile.

"Just remember, he has to be alive, or there will be no reward." He growled at her, making her nod in understanding.

With a final growl of goodbye, the hologram ended, and Argyle turned to Terra,

"Twenty thousand credits will help us a lot," he said, bringing a nod from Terra.

"Agreed," she said. "At the very least, it'll help keep our heads above water for a few months until Hevv finds us another job."

"Well, let's get a move on then," Argyle said as he began punching in coordinates. "A bounty this large will have competition, and I would rather get it over with before we encounter any."

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"You two are to stay on the ship, do you understand?" Terra said to Killian and Aola after they hand landed in Mos Scusa. "Tatooine is not a safe place to wander off, and I want to finish this job and leave without any problems, understand?"

"Yes, mama," Aola replied sullenly; she hated being cooped up in the ship,

Killian tried to answer but couldn't find his voice as he stared in awe at sight in front of him.

Both Terra and Argyle wore their Mandalorian armor and helmets under their arms. Argyles was dark green, while Terra's was blue, both were wearing jetpacks on their backs, with a missile sticking out of the top. On their sides hung blasters, and on their wrists were gauntlets that held their flame thrower, he had been told by Aola.

"U-3T, keep an eye on them and make sure they stay on the ship," Argyle said, as he put his helmet on, making Killian stare in awe at the T shaped visor,

"Of course, master. I will not fail you," the droid said quickly.

"We'll be back shortly," Terra said as she placed her own helmet on and followed Argyle; there was a whining noise as the door closed behind them, and then they were alone.

"Children, I believe it would be a productive use of your time to resume your studies," U-3T said, turning to them. "Come along, now."

Killian and Aola followed the droid back into the ship with a grumble, hoping it wouldn't be too long before Argyle and Terra returned.

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Hour's later (or so it seemed), the hanger door whined open, and Killian and Aola ran toward the noise to find Argyle and Terra dragging an unconscious human male on board. Their armor showed blood spots on them, and Killian tried not to imagine who it belonged to. Argyle carried the human to a nearby storage compartment and shoved him in, pushing a button on the wall to lock it once he had.

"Welcome back, master," U-3T said, shuffling forward. "You were gone quite a while. I was beginning to grow concerned for your well-being."

"This scum had friends," Argyle growled as he took off his helmet. "Took us a little while to track him down once he sicked them on us."

"And then another hunter tried to swipe him from us," Terra added darkly, as she too removed her helmet. "Let's be on our way before more show up."

Without another word, the two Twi'lek marched to the cockpit and began to get the ship ready for take-off. At the same time, Aola and Killian strapped themselves in.

The ship rose into the air, and Killian looked out his window as the sands below grew further away. Once they were out of the atmosphere, Argyle punched in the coordinates for Nal Hutta, and the ship burst into hyperspace, making Killian smile in pleasure.

"I'll never get over how awesome this is!" He thought happily.

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Author's Note

I apologize for this interlude chapter rather than an actual one. Still, between working two jobs, trying to pay for my wedding, and trying to sleep, I can only write so much, even when I really want to. So I hope this will satisfy you until I can put out another chapter, and I promise that your patience will be well worth it.