May The Way Be With You

Old Habits

It's been two weeks since I started working for Fiona. My coworkers were beyond shocked at my ability to fix the X-Wing, and I've earned their respect by knocking out ship after ship in the yard. They've started coming to me for advice on everything, which makes me feel smart and dependable. There have also been a few times Karga had to throw me over his shoulder to get me to leave and get sleep.

None of them seem to realize I don't need sleep like regular people. Even if I try, I don't sleep more than five hours, no matter how long I've gone without it. Today I'm under a transport ship, replacing a hyperdrive. It was too badly damaged by Kowakian Monkey Lizards to be repaired. As I replace it, I think about Mando. It's only been two weeks, but I miss him terribly. Sometimes, when I do sleep, I see him on different planets.

Most of the time he seems to be on a hunt, either stopping for the night or waiting something out. A couple of times I saw him in the market or shops of some planets, buying useless trinkets. Never pinned him as a collector of anything that wasn't weapons.

Sometimes, during his stops, I see him looking up at the sky. During those times, I get an overwhelming feeling of missing someone. I've tried to see if I could interact with him in these dreams, but it's as if I'm a ghost.

A loud explosion interrupts my thoughts, and I scramble from under my ship. I see one of my coworkers, Grub, coughing and hacking as the ship he was working on is in fire. I use That Feeling to call a fire extinguisher to my hand, and run over to put the fire out. Once it's done, I turn to Grub, making sure he's ok. "What happened?" I ask him, checking him over for injuries.

"Crossed wires, ignited fuel in the tank." He coughs. I'm still making sure he's not hurt when I hear Fiona.

"What the HELL happened!?" She yells. My heart drops. I push Grub behind me as she comes running out of her office.

"It was my fault! I was helping Grub and caused the explosion!" I tell her.

"What in the name of the Maker did you do to cause an explosion!?" She asks, looking shocked. I hear my coworkers mumble.

"Crossed wires, ignited fuel in the tank. It's my fault, I'll take the full punishment!" I tell her, ready for the beating to come. Fiona's expression changes from shock to confusion.

"Kid, why are you taking the fall for Grub? You were nowhere near the ship when it happened." Hepsa states, furthering Fiona's confusion.

"You're mistaken. I caused the explosion, I will take the beating." I demand. Everyone looks at each other, confused and weirded out. Fiona gently touches my shoulder, looking worried.

"Kid, no one is being beaten for any mistakes." She tells me, looking me in the eyes. I feel Grub grip my forearm, and now I'm the one who's confused. Madame Grizel's voice is in my mind again.

"Mistakes cost credits. Lost credits are unacceptable, and punishment swiftly dealt." I repeat as the words play in my head. Fiona grips my shoulder, then sees Grub behind me. She asks him if he's ok, and he says he should see a healer for some burns on his hands.

"Alright, Grub, go to a healer. Everyone else, take an early and long lunch. Kid, follow me." Fiona says, heading back to her office. I turn to Grub first, making sure he's ok. Once he assures me he'll be fine once he gets his hands looked at, I follow Fiona. Since she's stronger than Madame Grizel, and younger, this is gonna hurt. I enter her office and stand before her.

"Sit down, Kid." She says, looking at me like she's thinking hard. I obey immediately, dropping down in the chair. She rubs her temple, silent for a while. I wring my hands together, just wanting this over with.