"We're running a little low on smoke bombs, but take the last case," Lenore said as she assessed the farm's arsenal inventory. "Rillo, grab the detonators as well. Two cases should do."
"What you all preparing for? The second civil war?" Sashee sassed as she looked around the room located underground the barn.
" After the KSC spat, we've been extra cautious," Rillo said. "'Nore what about the ion disruptors?"
"Give them one. It's good to have a few on the farm," she remarked with a sigh.
"Isn't collecting weapons against your home arrest terms," Wyb reminded her. Lenore looked up at the boy she had pulled from the slave freighter in delight. Even though he was grown and towered over her these days, in many ways he still was a child.
"This is the Outer Rim. We hold our own," she reminded him and took out a steel case, opening it to reveal a pair of vambraces. "Take these as well."
"Where did you get these?" Wyb took the vambraces.
"From her boyfriend," Rillo chuckled.
"Jord?" Sashee asked, puzzled.
"No the other one, the shiny one, the one I haven't met," Rillo snorted.
"Din?" Wyb asked and saw all the confirmation in Lenore's eyes he needed. Weapons were an important part of Mandalorian culture, some may even call it a religion. The curiosity of how his mother was the recipient of such a gift was intriguing. But he knew he didn't have time for the tale.
"It's made of cortosis. So in case you come across any lightsaber wielders you'll be able to disarm them for a moment."
"Came in handy on that star destroyer Rol took out," Rillo added with a hint of sorrowful pride.
"See this slot here? That's for the whipcord launcher. It's perfect for restraining targets or even scaling walls. Just aim and fire. The nozzle, that's the flamethrower. Not something to be used lightly, but it can turn the tide in a fight," Lenore explained. Wyb smiled. He didn't want to interrupt her. He knew what the features of the vambraces were. But he also knew his mother needed to finish explaining to calm her nerves abut his mission. "These buttons are for the rockets, small, but pack a punch. Use them wisely—they're not easily replaced."
"Does it have an energy shield?" Wyb asked playfully.
"You know it does hot shot, now let me finish" Lenore said slightly annoyed at the interruption. "Retractable blade, for close encounters. Holo projector for messages, maps, and a tracking beacon. This compartment is for darts and your commlink. If you need anything... well…you know the drill."
"I have everything I need," Wyb smiled at Lenore.
Beep Beep Beep!, R3 buzzed from top of the stairs.
"Patiences R3, we're heading out soon," Sashee said. "Seems excited to get into some trouble, now that he's fully operational."
"No, someone's here," Lenore corrected her. She knew the droid well to know his beeps and chirps without needing a translator.
"Lenore," Jord called. "Stay down there. Looks like New Republic officers."
"Just what we need," Rillo whined. "If they find this stash we'll surely be shipped off to a labor camp."
"Relax, I'll handle it," Wyb said, fastening the vambraces to his forearms and climbing the stairs as Sashee followed him. He, Jord and R3 walked to the exterior of the barn to find Soni, Threepio, and a wookie standing in front of a T-1300 light freighter parked in the small yard next to the memorial tree.
"Chewbacca?" Jord said, surprised. The wookie reluctantly greeted him.
"You know him?" Sashee asked, confused.
"More so his partner Solo. From my smuggling days on Corellia," Jord said as Wyb approached Soni.
"Hey Wyb-" she began and stopped as she was embraced by Wyb's tight hug. She hugged him back and said, "I missed you too."
"Here to help? I couldn't ask for a better partner," He asked before turning his attention to Threepio and the wookie. "Hey Goldie."
"Stop calling me Goldie Ranger Tersu! I detest it," the droid retorted.
"You gonna introduce us Kid?" Jord asked, noticing the closeness between the two young pilots. Chewbacca roared impatiently.
"Yes, I know Chewbacca. I'll keep it brief. I am C3P-O human-cyborg relations. This is Chewbacca first mate of the millennium falcon, and this is Sonibelle Noya of the New Republic Forces. We've been entrusted with the important task of assisting Ranger Tersu on his mission to the Unknown Regions. Senator Organa sends her regrets that she is unable to provide official republic resources to you. There are some alarming developments and she has been unsuccessful to get authorization through the defense counsel. But she has assembled you a private strike team in hopes that you can gather more evidence to shed light on this matter in hope of gaining support for a full force Chancellor approval extraction."
"This is the strike team?" Sashee said unimpressed. "Two pilots, a wookie, and a protocol droid?"
"Arrrrgh!" Chewie roared in offense. Sashee smiled. She knew a little bit of Shyriiwook from her childhood growing up in the Derilyn arena.
"Hey that's all you need with the Millennium Falcon. It's the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs. That with your death stick can go a long way," Jord said encouragingly.
"Sounds like an exaggeration," Sashee said but fell quiet as Chewbacca narrowed his gaze at her.
"I quite agree with you. It sounds dangerous, even for an informational mission. Perhaps we should stop to see Master Luke and ask for his assistance. I know I'd feel a lot better if R2 were here with us," Threepio proclaimed.
"We don't have time for that," Soni explained. "With the coordinates I extracted from the data stick, the stolen children may be too deep into the unknown regions for us to locate them again."
"I like her," Sashee said, winking at Wyb. "Action over words has always been my motto."
"Is it safe to come out?" Rillo whispered from behind the barn door. Wyb motioned for him and Lenore to join them. "Oh good, I see Rya got hold of the new republic."
"I didn't," Rya said, joining the group as Prisa broke away from her and ran to Wyb's side.
"Then how–" Rillo was cut off.
"The mandalorian," Soni explained. "He tracked you here and reported your location to the Rangers, and then Organa."
"Once a bounty hunter always a bounty hunter," Wyb said, looking down at his new vambraces and then at Lenore.
"Well let's load them up," Jord said, helping Rillo take the supplies and weapons from the barn and load them onto the falcon.
"Now you be careful you hear," Prisa squatted down to R3. "I don't want to have to put you back together again."
The strike team boarded the falcon as Jord, Lenore, Rillo, Rya, and Prisa watched the loading ramp fold up. Lenore frowned and winced as Jord tried to take her hand.
"What is it?" He asked, concerned.
"Probably nothing," Lenore sighed. "But I got a bad feeling about this."
"They'll be alright," Jord assured her. Rya half smiled and placed her hands on Prisa's shoulders as well trying to lighten the moment.
"I hope you're right," Lenore turned and walked toward one of the speeders. "I'm going into town for a bit."
"For what?" Jord asked suspiciously.
"To see about those power converters. I need something to do to take my mind off this whole thing," she said sharply.
"Want some company?" Jord offered.
"I'll be back soon," Lenore replied, shaking her head.
"Ok, do me a favor," Jord said and approached her so the others couldn't hear him. "Take Rillo with you. I don't want you to be alone when you're like this."
"Like what?" Lenore asked in denial but knew it was pointless. Jord knew her too well. "Ok."
She reluctantly agreed. Jord had always had a good read on her and her moods, something that she loved and hated at the same time. Being known so well by one person made her feel vulnerable which was uncomfortable for a former imperial soldier.
"Rillo, let's go," she signaled.
"Yes commander," Rill replied playfully and kissed Rya. He then winked at Prisa which meant she was going to get a bag of mantel mix from the marketplace.
"You go in and check on those power converters we ordered last month," Lenore ordered as she parked her speeder. She truly wished she had come alone. She was not used to having company when she was worried or overthinking. She preferred her solitude while sorting her thoughts out.
When she was young she used to boost unattended vehicles and drive them to their limits along the city speed lanes of Lothal's capital. But now with the cost of fuel, her escape from worrisome thoughts was taking a blurrg out into the pastures and enjoying the nature that slowly began to thrive now during the reign of the New Republic.
The truth was she had come to the market for one reason, an instinct to be more precise–to find that annoying beskar head Din Djarin. If she had any recollection of the mandalorian and his ways, she knew he had reported Wyb's location only after confirming it with his own eyes, which meant he most likely was still on Lothal. And if she followed her train of thought, he would not be alone, he would have the child with him. A child who had a vast appetite for spice rolls, a fact based on the last time she saw him. And since the two outlanders had not come in to say hello, the next best place was to hit the spice roll stand in the marketplace. It was a narrow tip, but a tip nonetheless.
"Jord checked on those yesterday. They're on backorder," Rillo said, raising an eyebrow.
"Well maybe go in and use your charm on the sales rep," Lenore suggested looking around sharply. She felt eyes on her. "I'm going to get some spice rolls."
"Why? Ry' has six dozen rising at home?" Rillo asked clueless to what his former trooper partner was up to. Lenore shot him an annoyed look he knew all too well. "Ok, ok, I know better than to get in between a woman and her snacks. I'm going to stop at the confection stand as well. Want anything?"
"The usual."
"So nothing, got it," Rillo slyly smiled and turned leaving his partner alone which he knew was what she wanted in the first place. Lenore watched Rillo head toward the shops. Once he was clear out of sight she approached the spice roll stand.
"You could've come in and said hello," she said out loud, feeling a presence behind her. She felt cool being able to speak to Din without turning around. She wasn't trying to impress him, more so trying to come off sharp and experienced. But she knew she was losing some of her skills being under home arrest.
As she waited for a response she slightly panicked thinking she had misread the situation and it was someone else entirely behind her. Her paranoia was settled once she heard the child's coo and mutter something close to hello. Lenore looked down at her feet to see Grogu looking up at her with a smile. She picked him up and met Din's eyeline of his helmet.
"My sister-in-law's rolls are much better than here."
"What you say?!" the baker yelled out at Lenore. "Who's your sister-in-law anyways?!"
"Ray Tersu Rathos," Lenore smirked. She felt like a mischievous kid. Toying with the vendors and poking fun at their inventory, just as she had done during her youth when her family would come to market to sell their crops.
"Oh, I can't argue with you there. Been trying to compare recipes for over a year now, but you Tersu's are so tight lipped," the baker acknowledge.
"I'll take a dozen," Lenore ordered and handed over some credits that included a generous tip. She then turned her attention back to Din waiting for him to respond as Grogu gleefully smiled excited for his treat.
"I didn't want to cause any trouble," Din began. "I know the last time a Mandalorian showed up it caused a …disturbance."
"Yes well, that was more due to Fett's reputation and not being a mandalorian," she smiled at him. She felt a rush of excitement. It was true, she liked Din. He was a good fighter and honorable. As traditional as he was, she felt a connection to him. Both had been through tough endeavors and raising foundlings as their own. It was nice to have someone else in the galaxy who shared a similar point of view.
"Home arrest agrees with you, you look well," Din complimented trying to hide any inflection in his voice. Lenore gathered the dozen spice rolls and handed one to Grogu to eat.
"Working for the new republic now?" Lenore awkwardly changed the subject to small talk.
"On a case by case basis," Din quickly explained as if his reputation as a bounty hunter was under fire. He didn't want to lose the lore of being one of the top hunters in the guild. He also didn't know why he cared so much about what Lenore thought. He knew she didn't care for titles or allegiances, only the actions and choices of others.
"They must love that," she replied.
This was awkward. The last time she had seen him was on Concordia. She had agreed to help him recover his armor after extracting him from a prison. During the mission they had spent a night in the forest swapping stories of their lives. At dawn they boosted a ship while fighting off an ambush of spice runners. One of the spice runners turning out to be her beloved Jord. In the midst of all the confusion Din saw she remained safe and ended the mission with a kiss before parting ways. She had not accounted for seeing him again.
"I should thank you," she said.
"For what?"
"I have a feeling while you've been working for the New Republic you've also been keeping an eye on Wyb," She clarified. "I really appreciate it."
"No thanks needed. You'd do the same if the situation were reversed," Din said, pushing the thanks away.
"Still," Lenore pressed. "I'm grateful to you. That kid I'm afraid is going to need all the help he can get, especially since I'm stuck here."
"Wyb's a good pilot. He can handle it," Did assured her as he sensed she was worried. He knew what Wyb was up to and was glad Senator Organa had sent a strike team to assist him. But he could see this did not sit well with Lenore. If it were up to her, she'd be going along as well."You've taught him well. It's natural to worry, but he's a soldier. He knows the risks. This is the life he chose."
"You forget you're talking to an ex-imperial trooper. I'm well aware of the risks," she retorted.
"No, I'm talking to a parent," Din replied. He knew the feeling well. "As much knowledge as you've passed on to them, no amount will ever calm that sense of dread, hoping for the impossible, that they'll never get hurt, or come across danger. But it's inevitable. It's part of living, especially in the Rim."
"Funny how that sneaks up on you," Lenore agreed and handed Grogu to him.
"It is," Din said, placing his hand on her shoulder comfortingly.
"'Nore the converts are pushed back one more month but I think it's cus he thinks we're pests," Rillo said as he joined the trio. He stared at the mandalorian and then at the child. "Uh, hello there."
"This is Rillo," Lenore introduced him as Din quickly removed his hand from her shoulder. Din politely nodded at Rillo but kept silent. "Well I just wanted to see if I could catch you and say thanks. Next time you track one of us, come in and say hello. Here take these. We have plenty at home."
Grogu excitedly took the bag of rolls and waved goodbye to Lenore. She was one of his favorite people they visited now that she had fed him. Lenore and Rillo turned to leave the marketplace. Din watched her walk away yet again, and felt it would be the last time. She didn't even call him 'beskar head' this time. She was worried. He wanted to do something to put her mind at ease.
"Lenore," Din called out. She stopped and turned surprised. "He'll be alright. Wyb."
"So everyone says. See you around, beskar head," she remarked with a wink and continued away.
"Is that why we came to the market?" Rillo asked in a whisper.
"Why are you whispering," she smiled.
"I dunno. So what about you and Jord? Trouble in paradise?" Rillo pressed.
"No more than any other couple. Why?" Lenore asked, confused. Rillo said nothing. He knew Lenore understood the question and waited for her to give him an answer. "Rillo, I love Jord. He's my person. I know we've been through a lot and many don't understand why we're together, but it's between us. Din…well… we understand each other…that's all."
"Ok," Rillo said unconvinced.
"Fine, don't believe me," Lenore shook her head. "But I wanted to hear from someone who is out in the muck of it all to confirm Wyb would be ok."
"And to flirt," Rillo added.
"You don't think I know Jord is the biggest flirt of all?" she laughed. "What's your read on this whole thing? You think he'll be ok?"
"Of course, he's a Tersu," Rillo assured her.
"I don't even know what that means anymore," Lenore said sadly. "Let's head home."
"Chewbacca are you certain the falcon is in good working order," Threepio asked as he saw the flashing buttons of the cockpit light up frantically. He had been in the ship countless times and knew as legendary as the ship was, it was notoriously unreliable as the years passed due to wear and tear.
"Huurrrgh," Chewbacca sounded casually as the falcon continued to carry the crew through the hyperlane toward the unknown regions.
"Seems like there are a few systems being overworked," Soni said as she looked over from the back seat at the engineering controls. The ship jerked and a flash of light lit up the sky. All the lights on the cockpit console lit up and then dimmed. The engines now dead, the ship slowly coasted from lightspeed to a slow float in the hyperlane.
"You were saying," Sashee said to the wookie who scoffed at the remark. Wyb glided the falcon out the lane to avoid any traffic as a precaution. But this deep in space there wasn't much need for it.
Beep Beep Beep, R3 said pointing at the small platform in the distance.
"Yes I think that is a very good idea. Perhaps we can dock and repair whatever is broken at the platform," Threepio urged. Wyb looked at the station and saw no familiar emblems or markings. It was hard to keep track of all the guilds and alliances these days.
"Seems neutral," Soni said and looked over at Wyb for confirmation. "You able to float us over there?"
"Why don't I just have the Jedi here…Sash?" Wyb stopped as he noticed Sashee freeze and stare off as if in a trance. "What is it?"
"Something's aboard the ship," she said. The crew exchanged looks.
Beep Beep Beep, R3 alerted.
"Oh my," Threepio gasped. "You don't suppose we pick up a stowaway?"
"A stow away? This deep in space," Wyb remarked. "Come one Soni, let's check it out."
"Wait," Sashee grabbed his arm. "Don't, it's too dangerous."
"It's better to be sure instead of trusting your hunches and hokey religion," Wyb said standing and drawing his blaster. Soni stood to follow and then looked uneasily at the crew. She wanted to remain in the cockpit but she couldn't let Wyb investigate alone. She followed.
"I don't see anything," Wyb said, lowering his blaster. "Maybe we just hit some debris."
"I dunno," Soni kept her blaster at the ready. "I think your sister is right."
"She's not my sister," Wyb corrected. Soni frowned, certain this was not the time or place to discuss Wyb's complicated family dynamics. "I'll take a look at the engine room and see what the damage is."
Soni walked to the back of the ship and opened the doors. The temperature dropped, and an unsettling chill grew in the air. She trembled as a translucent, ghostly figure materialized in front of her. It was wraith-like, with long, flowing hair and eyes that glow with an otherworldly light—a star weird.
Pew! Pew! Pew!
Soni fell and continued to shoot at the creature with no damage being taken. A deep, guttural growl reverberates through the metal walls of the falcon. Wyb turned to see its eyes, glowing a menacing red, locked onto Soni.
Zap!
Chewbecca shot from behind Wyb with the Ion disruptor. The star weird shrieked a loud ear paining sound causing everyone aboard to cover their ears in agony. It then turned and reached out with its long boney limbs and took a swipe at Soni.
"Ahh!" Soni screamed but luckily moved in time for it to miss striking her.
The star weird took another swap in the air toward Soni but froze. Wyb turned to his right and saw Sashee with her hand extended toward the deep space demon using the force to paralyze it. She strained as she kept her hand and breathing steady.
"Oh no! A star weird! We're doomed!" Threepio announced.
Beep Beep Beep! , R3 chimed loudly.
"R3 is right," Sashee stammered as sweat ran down her forward. "All of you off the falcon. Now! R3 and I got this."
"Arrgh! Hurrggh!" Chewbacca growled, his tone both pleading and firm, making it clear he was determined to stay on the ship at all costs.
"Quickly now…uh.. I can't hold it much longer," Sashee strained. R3 rolled to the cockpit to lower the ramp,
Threepio was the first to rush to the ramp as they entered the docking platform . Chewie growled and protested but followed the droid taking his weapon along. Soni, ready to leave, saw Wyb was reluctant to leave Sashee and R3 behind.
"Come on, Wyb," Soni called.
"I-" Wyb stammered emotionally.
"Go….before it's….too late.." Sashee fell to her knees in agony keeping her hand extended by steadying it with the other. The Star weird began to slowly over power her.
"May the force be with you….sis," Wyb said before jumping from the ship and falling eight feet to the docking station floor.
"Hey! You there!" a man yelled from the docking station desk. "What do you think you're doing?!"
Soni and Wyb watched the falcon raise its ramp, turn, and disappear into hyperspace. Chewbacca stood at the viewport, his eyes fixed on the spot where the Falcon had been. His shoulders slumped, and he let out a mournful, guttural howl, a sound filled with sorrow and loss. Han would not be happy.
"Arrrgghhh... hurrgghhh..." and turned to Soni and Wyb. Chewbacca's eyes flashed with anger and sorrow. His anger was directed at them now. Threepio took a step in front of the two pilots protectively.
"Please Chewbacca, it is not their fault," Threepio said courageously. "There are many dangers in deep space that not even Captain Solo could handle better. We can only hope that the Jedi and R3 will survive."
Chewbacca's growl softened, but his eyes remained locked on the stars and he let out a final, desolate growl, as if resigned to the uncertain fate of his mission Leia had entrusted him on.
"How did she get the ship to jump? All the engines were dead?" Soni asked Wyb who continued to stare at the same spot Chewbacca was fixated on.
"I don't know," Wyb replied, staring blankly at the spot where the Falcon had disappeared, still grappling with the reality of their loss. "I don't know."