May The Way Be With You

The Covert

"Really!?" Fiona laughs. We're back on Nevarro, Mando's bounties having been super close and super easy. Every time we started getting hot and heavy, the ship was coming out of hyperspace.

"Yep. Had to take care of myself in the fresher a few times." I sigh, then take a swig of my drink.

"I'm sure Mando had to rub one out while on a hunt!" Hepsa laughs. I shake my head, hoping his next bounties are far enough away to have some fun. "Speak of the devil!" She laughs. I turn around and see Mando, That Feeling telling me he's nervous. I down my drink and say my goodbyes, then walk over to Mando.

"Everything ok?" I ask. He nods, and I follow him for a little bit before he stops me.

"The Armorer wants to meet you. Says she must approve of you. As our leader, I can't tell her no." He sighs. I think for a few moments, then shrug.

"If it's part of your Code, who am I to deny it. Let's go." I tell him. He sighs in relief, then pulls out a blindfold.

"Armorer's orders. Not allowed to see how to get to the Covert." He explains. I nod and close my eyes. I hear him huff and whisper "How did I get so lucky?" before I feel him tie the blindfold on. He guides me through the town, and I can hear people mutter in confusion. We enter a building or something, and he helps me take each step down.

After a few minutes, I hear the sounds of people, all the voices modulated. These murmurs are of shock. I must be where the Covert lives. We take a few steps before I feel someone step in front of us.

"Not only do you make us watch her, but you dare bring the outsider here!? To our home!?" A male voice demands.

"Armorer's orders. She wants to meet my on board mechanic." Mando says. I feel my necklace be lifted up, and the male voice growls.

"She wears a Mandalorian crystal! Does she even know what it means?" The voice snarls.

"It's a courting crystal, a symbol that Mando and I are together. I wearing it willingly and with pride." I tell him, standing tall. I feel surprise from the Mandalorian in front of me, and pride from Mando.

"Relax, this is the girl we spoke about. She's accepting of the Way, even when it doesn't make sense to her." Daljar's voice calls out.

"The Armorer wants to meet her, see why Red, Mando and I would help her." Jacsava adds, and I feel a hand on my shoulder. After a few moments, the Mandalorian steps aside, and I can feel him, Daljar and Jacsava follow us. We don't walk for long, but when we stop, the room is hot as balls. Like I'm in a forge.

"You may sit." A modulated female voice says. I feel around for the seat, and hold back a whimper when Mando and the others move back. Another presence stands in front of me, and That Feeling tells me to keep my eyes closed. I feel the blindfold come off, and mild surprise from the person in front of me.

"You may open your eyes now." The female voice says. I open them, and we both startle. Her at my eyes, me at the horns on her helmet. I think it's the gold helmeted Mandalorian I've rarely seen. "What happened to your eyes?" She asks, sitting down.

"They have been like this since I was born." I tell her. She nods, and is silent for a few moments.

"Do you know who I am?" She asks.

"No, but I can guess. Mando said the Armorer wished to meet me, so I'm going to guess you are The Armorer." I answer. I can feel pride again from Mando, and amusement from the one in front of me.

"I am. You are the one called Thief. Yet are not a thief. How is that so?" She asks.

"I have stolen in my life. To feed and clothe the younglings, or Foundlings as I've heard Mando call them, in my care. I no longer need to." I tell her. The questions go on for some time: