Metanoia | The Mandalorian ON HOLD

Chapter 39

"Corvus, this is the place." Announced Din as they neared the planet. "I've detected a beacon. I'm gonna start the landing cycle. You two better get back in your seats." He told the kids. The child has been sitting on the controls panel on Din's right side while Juno leaned against him on his left. Neither of them moved, the child cooing as he watched the ball he loved, and Juno looking at the nearing planet. "Hey, what did I tell you? Back in your seats."

The child did as he was told, climbing down and going to sit in his seat as he continued cooing. Juno, on the other hand, stayed still, so lost in her mind that she didn't hear Din.

"Juno." He said, placing a hand on her arm to get her attention. Once she looked at him, he continued. "Back in your seat."

"Sorry." She whispered and moved to sit down. Din watched her, the slight frown on her face that has been there since she woke up, her getting lost in her thoughts as she clutched her necklace and kept her eyes on the stars around them.

"What's up with you today?" He asked gently.

"Nothing. I don't know." She mumbled and looked out over at the planet.

Din sighed. He had a feeling it was to do with him getting closer to getting them over to where they belonged. That she was just nervous about getting some information about her remaining people.  And while that was also part of her mood, the main reason why she was so quiet was that her time with him and the child was nearly over. She loved the child so much, he was her only comfort and company on Arvala-7. But she came to care about and love Din so deeply.  He cared for her and protected her like nobody else since her mother. For her, he became her dad, a father like her own never was. And soon, she would lose him too.

While both Dun and Juno were lost in their thoughts, the child kept his focus on the little ball on the control. He closed his eyes and rised his hand, using his powers to unscrew it.

A few moments later, Din found a place to land the ship.  He stood on the ramp, looking out to the dry forest. The kids walked slowly behind him. Juno looked around while the child sat down on the ramp, holding the ball. He cooed, getting Din's attention.

"What did I say about that?" He asked, grabbing the ball from the child as he whined. "This needs to stay in the ship." He said as he pocketed it. "Not much to see out here. Never had dealings with a Jedi before. Let's head into town. See if we can pick up a lead." He told them as he picked up the child and tucked him into the sling bag over his shoulder, his arm going to Juno's back, keeping her close as they walked.

~

The three eventually reached the town's gates, Din's hand still on Juno's back while hiding the child in the bag with his other arm. They stopped and looked at the guards above them.

"State your business." The one in the middle said.

"Been tracking for a few days. Looking for a layover. Din replied.

Nice armor. You a hunter, then?" The guard continued.

"That's right." Din nodded.

"Guild?"

"Last I checked." He nodded again.

"And the girl?" The man asked again. Juno looked up at Din nervously.

"My apprentice. Been teaching her." He answered. One of the guards spoke something quietly to the one in the middle in an alien language.

"Open the gate." Said the man. As the gate slowly opened, Din slightly pushed Juno forward and together, they walked into the town with Din holding her close to him.

"Pardon me, vendor,  have you heard of anyone..." Din trailed off as the vendor he tried talking to walked away. He looked around and noticed people in an alley and approached them. "You there. I need some information. I'm looking for someone." He said. Juno looked at the man and the kids in front of them as the child cooed.

"Okay, bye." The man whispered to the children and ushered them away before turning to Din. "Please, do not speak to them, or to any of us ."

"Look, I just need to know..." He started but was interrupted by guards.

"The Magistrate wants to see you." Said one of them. Din tightened his grip on Juno as he turned to them. He looked back at the man before he walked forward, letting the guards lead him with Juno quickly following him.

They walked through the town, nearing the inner city gates. They walked past people in cages and Juno looked at each of them with fear in her eyes as one of them got shocked when he asked for help. She noticed that Din was ahead of her and she rushed to him, grabbing his hand in nerves. He gently squeezed her hand to reassure her when the gates opened.

As they walked in, the child burrowed himself deeper in the bag, hiding while Juno still clung to Din's hand. When the gates closed, they noticed the Magistrate.

"Come forward." She said. They approached her and she turned to them. "You are a Mandalorian?" She asked.

"Yes." Replied Din.

"I have a proposition that may interest you." She said.

"My price is high." He replied. The Magistrate moved from the edge and turned fully to them, all standing in the middle of the walkway.

"This target is priceless. A Jedi plagues me. I want you to kill her." She said. Juno looked up at him with furrowed brows and he squeezed her hand again.

"That's a difficult task." He said.

"One that you are well-suited for. The Jedi are the ancient enemy of Mandalore." She replied.

"As I said, my price is high." He repeated. The Magistrate held out her hand and a guard approached her, handing her a spear he was holding before he turned and went back to his place.

"What do you make of this?" She asked, holding the spear flat in her palms. Din let go of Juno's hand and approached the woman. He took the spear, playing with the weight of it before he tapped it against his vambrace, the spear clanging loudly.

"Beskar." He said.

"Pure beskar." She said. "Like your armor. Kill the Jedi and it's yours." She offered. Din walked forward and returned the spear. 

"Where do I find this Jedi?" He asked.

After the woman told him where to find the Jedi, Din put his hand on Juno's back and lead them out of the town, a guard going to the gate with them. They looked out to the forest when the child cooed, grabbing the guard's attention.

"What is that thing?" He asked, looking at the child in the bag. The child looked up at him and grunted.

"I keep it around for luck." Lied Din.

"You're gonna need it where you're headed." Said the man. Din looked at him before he took Juno's hand and lead the way into the forest.