A Life Without Meaning

𝕊𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕥𝕦𝕒𝕣𝕪 (𝕀𝕀)

They arrived back at the Razorcrest just as the sun was going down. The Mandalorian mentioned that before they left, the ship was in need of some external repairs, just to ensure that they would make it to their next destination safely. Naturally, Ellia offered her help.

So the two of them worked silently into the night, armed with the tools and spare parts that he had on board.

The simple work gave her a lot of time to think. It truly hadn't been that long since the incident on Nevarro, and yet it felt like an eternity. Everything had happened so fast, and Ellia really hadn't taken any time to attempt to process it. And with one travel companion that didn't speak Basic, and another that didn't talk much at all, her thoughts were left to fester within her own head.

The Mandalorian fascinated her to a degree she wasn't even fully sure she understood. He was always putting on this cool, stand-offish exterior. And yet, when he was around the child, he seemed to be a bit more animated. Soft, caring, and completely the opposite of what the sight of the beskar armor might suggest.

As she hammered another panel into place, she remembered her first night on the ship, when she had woken up to discover a blanket draped over her shoulders, one that was certainly not there when she had fallen asleep. It was obvious that the Mandalorian had taken the time to do that for her but, why? When she was awake, he barely as much spared her a glance.

She honestly didn't know what to think of him. But she certainly wasn't going to stop trying.

That is until he finally managed to drop her off on some random planet where she would be left to never see him again.

Ellia's wrench suddenly paused over the bolt that she had been tightening.

When he had originally told her the plan, one that involved leaving her at the next spaceport they came across, he had appeared to be pretty matter-of-fact about it; getting rid of her that is. But today, he had mentioned wanting to lay low for a couple of months at least.

What was his deal?

And what was her deal? Why did she suddenly find herself growing upset at the prospect of leaving?

She supposed half of that was an easy answer. She had been freed from a dead-end job on Nevarro, and was now on the galaxy-hopping adventure that she had always dreamed about. Was he really going to take that away from her? Would he let her stay if she asked?

Unlikely. She thought to herself.

Ellia frowned, getting back to work.

A few minutes later, a cautious voice cut through the quiet night time air.

"Excuse me?"

Ellia glanced over her shoulder, back towards where the Mandalorian was working on the landing gear. She noted two men, looking a bit timid, as they approached him from the path. Behind them, a couple of yards away, was what she assumed was their cargo sled.

"Excuse me, sir?" the one of them that was holding a lantern tried again.

"Is there something I can help you with?" the Mandalorian asked them exasperatedly, not even sparing them a glance.

Ellia furrowed her eyebrows slightly at that.

"Uh, yeah. Raiders." the other man said, following the Mandalorian as he moved to the other side of the landing gear.

"We have money" the second man added quickly.

Ellia finished up tightening the bolts of the outer panels.