May The Way Be With You

Awkward Starts

It's a few hours later, and we have landed on the planet Nevarro. Apparently this is where the guild he works for is based in, and where he gets his pay. As he gets ready to leave, I find the controls that will tell me everything that's broken on the ship. "Forewarning, some men will be by to pick up the bounties. Wanted to let you know." Mando says as he stands in the doorway.

"Thank you for telling me. Had I not been told, I'd have assumed they were here to steal your ship and fought them." I tell him, running the diagnostic program. I hear him snort and turn around, eyebrows raised.

"Sure, more like get your ass handed to you. Just because they collect the bounties doesn't mean they aren't ruthless killers." He deadpans.

"And just because I'm a homeless mechanic you picked up in a back alley doesn't mean I'm not also a ruthless killer." I tell him. He stares at me, and I stare right back into the black T. He nods after a while, then leaves. While the diagnostic is running, I walk around the outside of the ship, assessing more damage.

This ship really has seen better days. It's like finding a mangy charhound that cost thousands of credits, only to be let loose on the street once it's novelty wore off. With my skills, I'll get it back to when it came off the assembly line, shiny and new. As I look at the front end, a group of men walk up.

"We're here for the bounties." One of them states, punching in the code for the back ramp. I nod and continue my assessment. By the time they've gotten the bounties, I've finished my look about and head back up to the cockpit. I write down the program's diagnostic as I eat the other half of the ration bar Mando gave me.

With everything that needs to be fixed or replaced, it's going to take me about three to six months of constant repairs. Depends on how long we're on the ground and how fast Mando can get replacement parts. If I had my old team and the proper tools, I could have this old girl fixed in two months flat. I'm proud that I still have my speed for finding the problems.

About an hour later, Mando returns. "Come on. Let's get you your own clothes." He says. I follow him into the settlement, looking around. People are not well off, but it seems they are able to make due. At least I can't find any signs there's a homeless problem here. Mando and I come up to a store, and I wait outside as he walks in. At least, that was the plan. He grabs me by the front of my shirt, pulling me in the store. "Did you forget that quickly that we're shopping for you?" He asks, sounding bothered.

"Um, yeah. I did." I admit. He shakes his head, then tells me to pick out a month's worth of clothing. I gulp, knowing it won't be cheap. I look around, and when I find the clearance section, I beeline for it. I shift through everything for clothes that aren't stained or in need of repair, are somewhat decent and in my size. Out of everything here, I find about a week's worth of clothes. Eh, I can make it last a full month.

I walk back up to Mando with the clothes in my arms. "Ready when you are." I tell him. He stares at me. "What? If my math is correct, this shouldn't cost more than thirty credits. Is that too much?" I ask.

"I'm insulted you think I can't afford to give you a months worth of decent clothes." He states. I shrink back, feeling his ire.

"I... I don't want to be a burden." I tell him. He sighs and shakes his head.

"It's not a burden to get you clothes. It's an investment. Proper clothing means less time mending them, and more time getting work done. Now, go get newer clothes." He tells me. I'm still keeping what I picked out already, and I get another three weeks worth of clothes. Mando pays for them, and I try to keep calm.

Large bag in hand, we leave the store and continue farther into town. We come to another store, and outside this one Mando takes my bag. He then hands me a bag of credits. I look at him in confusion. "I am not going in this store with you." He says. I look at the window display and realize it's a women's underwear store.