As The World Caves In: An Avengers / Star Wars Story

partners in crime

**Don't skip ahead to read translations or risk spoilers**

"I'll do it," Bruce's voice snaps me back to reality.

     "Osi'kyr*!! You will?!" I exclaim, grabbing his large hand in mine. "Oh, thank you, Bruce! I promise to help with the blueprints as much as I can!"

      Bruce smiles down at me, "And we could get you home afterwards too, right?"

      My smile wavers slightly but I make sure to keep it on.

     "Yes, yes. Afterwards," I try to keep my voice even but I cringe inwards when it cracks on the second 'yes'. I still have no idea how I feel about going home. I want to go, but I also do not wish to see how much my home has changed. I do not want to live in a galaxy where he would not be there to support me. Where Anakin has... has fallen to a force more powerful than that I can ever challenge. It is truly terrifying.

     His is my brother. It does not matter we do not share blood. I care... cared for him as though he were truly Nex. But he wasn't. He was nothing at all like Nex and I did not care. There is a saying every Mandalorian knows of, regardless of their clan. It is one of the few values I love of my ancestors.

     Aliit ori'shya tal'din. Family is more than blood.

"When do we start?" Bruce smiles.

"Meet us at the compound tomorrow," Steve says, shooing Natasha out of the booth so he can stand. I scoot out of my own booth, still smiling up at Bruce.

"We will see you tomorrow, Bruce," I say and follow Natasha and Steve out of the diner, leaving Bruce to finish off the yellow eggs.

When the night comes, I etch yet another tally into my hilt and get to work at the desk in the den, as Steve calls it. With a small lamp lighting up the blue grid paper, I begin my sketch of the T-14 hyperdrive most Naboo and Mandalorian ships are equipped with. Although it is not an ideal hyperdrive for that of a fighter, we could have enough space for the T-14 on the Quinjets and Milano.

The night goes on as I stay leaned over the desk, drawing and taking notes of everything I can remember Anakin ever saying about the hyperdrive. I yawn as moments flash in my mind, although I study one memory fondly. Anakin and I were returning from a supply run on Kamino, just a standard practice for two young Jedi during the Clone Wars.

"Ya know, this ship would fly a lot faster if you would just let me adjust the generator," Anakin had boasted as he reluctantly sat in my co-pilot's seat, which I forced him into, after coming back from adjusting it for our departure from hyperspace.

"Yes, I am sure it would help quite well, but we are almost back to Coruscant where the actual mechanics are more than capable," I replied slightly annoyed after having to listen to him complain the whole trip about how he and only he could fix the hyperdrive of the old Jedi rust bucket they still used for some reason. "And please do buckle up, you are going to give poor Master Kenobi a heart attack."

"I think I already have, several times," He answered, rubbing his neck with a stretch. "But you don't think I'm capable?"

"Did I say that?"

"You implied it."

"Yes, but I did not say it."

"Well, I know that the hyperdrive is sticking because the shab'sheb* that built it left the compressor running too long, straining the thruster, which is linked to the speed of the hyperdrive. The reaction stifled the entire damn speed."