Fragments of the Dark

Chapter Three

Celene stuck close to the Mandalorian as they threaded their way through the dusty streets of Navarro.

There was a hum in the air, a tone of unease and unrest. People hovered in shadows and hurried from door to door. The wind was full of whispers and swatches of conversation Celene could pick up.

"Is this what you meant when you said you felt uneasy?" The Mandalorian's voice was low, but Celene detected it perfectly.

She gave a half shrug. "Maybe. The people are very on edge. They don't know why the Imperial Cruiser is here." Her eyes traveled to the giant ship in the sky, visible from the planet's surface.

"What are they saying?" His voice pulled her gaze back down.

She listened closely, picking up the slight conversations throughout the street. "Most are confused... worried... there have been no sightings of any Imperial officers or personnel from the ship. At least not yet."

"Or that they have seen." The Mandalorian slowed as they reached the cantina and turned to face her. "Stay alert."

She raised a brow. "Like you need to tell me." When he didn't move she rested a hand on her blaster, amusement fading. "I have your six, don't worry."

They stepped through the door and into the cantina. Even here, the usual rowdy atmosphere seemed dimmed. On edge and wary. Greef was seated in his usual table at the back. His eyes fastened on them as soon as they entered.

"Welcome back, my friends. I take it your hunt was successful." Greef stretched out across his seat.

Celene lowered herself into the wobbly chair at the table and slid the remote to the carbonite bed across the table. "Your people already unloaded the quarry. Where's our payment?"

Greef flicked his eyes to the Mandalorian who remained silent by Celene's side. "In a hurry today I see. I don't blame you, our new guests have everyone on edge."

Celene's skin prickled but she shoved the rising feeling of unease away. "What other jobs do you have?"

Greef was stacking their hefty bounty on the table but paused, again looking at the Mandalorian. "You just got back. Why not wait a little? Rest up?"

Celene shifted her legs beneath the table, accidently brushing against the Mandalorian. He didn't move and she willed her heart rate to settle. "Have to move while the market is full."

Greef finished counting the credits. "Can't argue with that. Here's the bounty, paid in full."

Celene swept the credits off the table and into her pocket. Her fingers trembled slightly. What the hell was wrong with her? She was never on edge this much. Maybe the entire anxiety of the town was wearing off on her. She forced herself to tune out the low buzz of conversation around her and focus on Greef. "I have a job I think you'll be able to handle. It's... unconventional."

This caught her attention and the Mandalorian's as well because he leaned forward, engaging in the conversation for the first time. "How so?"

Greef interlaced his gloved hands. "No fob. Direct contact with the employer only. Face to face transaction."

Celene's eyebrows raised. "What?"

"That's what they told me. But the reward is supposed to be well worth the trouble."

She loosed a breath through her mouth. Face to face was risky. Anything could happen and for there to be no fob and no set bounty... she opened her mouth to say no, that it wasn't worth the time and resources but the Mandalorian cut her off.