May The Way Be With You

The Gathering Storm

"I told you guys, I'm fine!" I groan, rotating my arm. We're in space, and I've learned the hard way that blaster bolts bounce inside the Crest. Thankfully I'm wearing a tank top, so I got hit in my bare arm. Melted clothing fibers in a blaster wound would suck. I'm more thankful that Purple Mando is understanding of me firing at her. They haven't told me why they're here, waiting for Mando to come down first.

"You continue to amaze me with those healing powers of yours." Fiona chuckles, shaking her head. Red Mando hasn't been talking much, not after he saw the necklace Mando gave me. About ten minutes later, Mando comes down the ladder. He sits on the edge of his bunk, leaning on his knees.

"Mando, what's going on?" I ask, not liking how nervous he is. He takes a breath, then looks up at me.

"I've set a course for Gavin X." He tells me. My heart drops, and I feel like Madame Grizel poured a bucket of ice water on me.

"No! I thought we were friends! That I was a good mechanic! Please don't send me back!" I beg, hurt. Mando jumps up, but Fiona gets to me first, pulling me against her chest.

"We aren't sending you back, Sweetie! We're getting you revenge." She coos, rubbing my hair. I look at Mando, needing him to confirm it.

"She's right. I... I've been planning this since you told me what that bitch did to you and all those Foundlings. I would never send you back to her clutches." He tells me, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. Relief washes through me, and I slightly sag in Fiona's arms.

"Alright, so here's the plan: we go in guns blazing, shoot down anyone in our way, then we kill this Grizel bitch. Easy peasy!" Red Mando declares, checking his rifle.

"No! You could hurt innocent people!" Both Fiona and I shout.

"What else can we do? You said yourself none of the kids or townsfolk trust outsiders. We can't rally fighters." Mando sighs. I pull myself out of Fiona's arms and run my fingers through my hair.

"You guys can't... But I can. Alone." I tell them. All four of them protest, claiming it's too dangerous. "The kids know me and trust me. They know I would never be bought by Madame Grizel, Mayor Critz, or Mr. Slime. We are going to need all the help we can get. Let me recruit older kids and adults, so that the guards don't outnumber us." I insist.

"You could get yourself killed." Mando growls. I look at him and grin.

"Apparently I can't die, remember?" I ask.

"That old lady was obviously crazy, no one can just come back to life!" He insists.

"Even so, it's in our best interest that I go in alone. Best way to keep Madame-" I'm interrupted by Purple Mando.

"Do NOT call her Madame! She doesn't deserve the honorific." She states, cleaning her gun. I nod and take a breath.

"Best way to keep Ma... Grizel from sniffing out our plan is for you to land at the shipyard, throw me off the Crest, and fly off. Get to a safe distance and wait for me." I tell Mando. I can't see it, but I can feel the hard stare he's giving me.

"When you say throw..." Fiona trails off.

"I mean throw! Like a discovered stowaway, or a criminal. Launch me in the air. It's the only way she'll believe I'm back and 'alone'." I clarify.

"I promised to never hurt you, I am NOT throwing you off my ship!" Mando insists.

"You have no choice. If Mad.... If Grizel has even the smallest inkling that you're helping us, it's game over for all the kids. She will have the guards kill us all. It's ok, I've survived worse." I tell him. It's silent for a bit, then Red Mando clears his throat.