The Mandalorian

Chapter 4: Sanctuary

Estella was getting some sleep, Mando and the kid were in the cockpit. The pair had decided to lay low somewhere. She had told him of the tracking fobs, but both hoped that now with the Guild decimated, it wouldn't be as much of a pressing issue. 

The child was bored, looking around at all the little buttons and switches that he could play with. He flicked one, instantly looking at the Mandalorian to see if he noticed. He did but ignored it. 

The kid was still bored, slowly flicking the switch back on, jumping at the sound of Mando's voice. 

"Stop touching things." He looked at the gunslinger innocently. Watching him as he slowly leaned towards the buttons beside him, reaching out and flicking another switch. The entire ship rattled, Mando instantly switching it back off, grabbing the child. The ship back to normal. Holding the kid away from all the buttons, he took a look at the map, deciding on where they could go. 

"Let's see. Sorgan. Looks like there's no star port, no industrial centres, no population density. Real backwater skug hole. Which means it's perfect for us." The child looked up at Mando, who looked down at him. "You ready to lay low and stretch your legs for a couple of months, you little womp rat? Nobody's gonna find us here." 

The door opened up behind them, Estella looked at the pair, smirking at the sight of a dangerous Mandalorian holding a tiny, adorable, green child on his lap. 

"Was he pushing buttons again?" Mando hummed as a yes, almost miss-able given the filter the modulator of his helmet gave his voice, but she caught it. She looked towards the planet before them, then Mando turned, handing her the child so he could concentrate on finding them a good landing spot, once they had entered the atmosphere.

He found a clearing in the forest, the trees concealing the Razor Crest well enough. The kid was playing with the buckle of Estella's jacket, both looking up at him as he left his chair. 

"Listen. I'm gonna go out there and I'm gonna look around. It shouldn't take too long." His gaze was directly on the child, trying his hardest to get his point across. "Now, don't touch anything." He lifted his head up, now looking at her. "I'll find us some lodging, then I'll come back for the both of you." His helmet tilted downwards again, to the child who didn't seem to want to listen. Holding a gloved finger at the kid, he emphasised his words. "You stay right here. You stay. Don't move." She was just laughing lightly at the attempt. The child blankly blinking up at the Mandalorian. "You understand? Great." 

"Mando. I should be the one to go, you're too conspicuous!" She called after him but there was no response, just the sound of him climbing down the ladder.

The child looked at her, and she looked at him. "For the love of... shall we go with him?" The child cooed excitedly, wiggling to try and run after the Mandalorian. He had opened the side door of the ship, Estella had crept down the ladder, placing the child at her feet once they reached the floor. He ran over to the bounty hunter as the ramp descended. 

Mando looked about the place, not noticing the child immediately, who mimicked his movements and looked about the landscape. Mando looked at the kid, who looked up at him. His helmet then directed itself to Estella, who cheerfully walked over, clapping Mando over his shoulder before walking down the ramp. He simply sighed. No point in arguing about it, he followed Estella, with the child managing to keep up with him.

"Oh, what the hell? Come on." She turned back to him then, a playful frown upon her face.

"You say that as if it's your idea to bring him along." He just shook his head, catching up to her. 

*-*-*

It didn't take long to find a few huts nearby. One was a Cantina, the perfect place to find out if there was a place they could stay. It was busy inside and his appearance drew many eyes towards them.