The Mandalorian

Chapter 6: The Prisoner

She wasn't sure about this plan. Din had mentioned and old 'friend' of his, although he said contact, not friend. Sure they were in need of work, but this felt off. But she followed his lead, watching him contact this, Ranzar Malk, fellow. Estella supposed they had no choice, given how Guild work was a no go. 

Ranzar gave the co-ordinates to his station, The Roost, and Mando flew the Razor Crest to it. Once landed he had stated that the Child remain in the bedroom, hidden from these people on the station. That just made Estella feel even more uneasy. That alongside her healing leg, ribs and neck, she wasn't fully down with mixing with dodgy characters from Mando's past

Nonetheless she settled the child down in the bed, shutting the door behind him. Following Mando out of the Razor Crest, staying close by, as those on the station eyed them curiously. He saw some familiar faces, but mostly new ones, until finally he spotted a hairy, bearded, aged man.

"Mando. Is that you under that bucket?" He held his hand out, Mando took it, shaking it in a professional greeting.

"Ran."

"Who's this?" Mando looked to Estella who shadowed him, she held out her own hand and Ran shook it.

"Estella." He simply nodded, not sure what to make of Mando's companion, he wasn't the type to have companions, or so Ranzar thought.

"I didn't really know if I'd ever see you in these parts again. Good to see you." He clapped his hand on Mando's armoured shoulder, the three of them turning to walk deeper into the station. "You know, to be honest, I was a little surprised when you reached out to me. You know, 'cause I... I hear things." Estella tried to hide the shiver that passed through her, she just wanted to jump back onto the ship and fly them as far away as she could. "Like, maybe things between you and the Guild aren't workin' out." Ran eyed Estella then, looking between both bounty hunters.

"We'll be fine." Ran shrugged at the lack of information coming from the pair.

"Okay. Well, you know the policy. No questions." He placed his hand back on Mando's shoulder. "You, and your friend here, are welcome back anytime." It might have sounded sincere if his tone of voice hadn't been rather threatening, but Estella silently followed Din, as he followed Ran deeper into the station

*-*-*

 "So, what's the job?" The three of them walked across a raised walkway, looking out at the station, parts of ships were being taken apart and worked on beneath them, and the Razor Crest stood rather proudly in the landing bay.

"Yeah, one of our associates ran afoul of some competitors and got himself caught. So, I'm puttin' together a crew to spring him." Estella had the feeling that he wasn't revealing all the information, but that was commonplace for this line of work. "It's a five person job. I got four." He stopped and turned towards Mando, looking at the Razor Crest. "All I need is the ride, and you brought it." Estella's eyes snapped up, the one place the child would have been safe...

"The ship wasn't part of the deal."

"Well, the Crest is the only reason I let you back in here." Mando turned to the man, staring him down through his visor, but Ran was un-phased.

"What's the look?" He took a step closer to the armoured bounty hunter. "Is that gratitude?" He let out a wheezy laugh. "Uh-huh. I think it is." He continued laughing as he walked away. Mando looked at a worried Estella, sharing in her discomfort. But they had to work this job.

"Hey Stella!" She rolled her eyes at the purposefully incorrect name being called to her by Ran. "It's a good thing he brought you, six on the job increases our odds." That threw out her plan of manning the ship.