The Mandalorian: Beskar and Bone

Chapter 6: The Prisoner

"What's that?" Elaine asked as they approached a space port.

"A space port." Mando said as he landed the Crest. "It's a place to land your ship if you need to refuel or meet up with friends."

Elaine gripped the back of Mando's seat. "Is that what we're doing?"

"Yes, but I need you and the Child to stay hidden in the ship." Mando said getting up.

Elaine frowned. Over the last few weeks she'd been staying with Mando she'd learned to voice her thoughts. Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing Mando was still deciding.

"I wanna come." She said as she followed Mando down the ladder. The older of the two picked up the Child from where he was sleeping and laid him gently in a small compartment. Smaller than Mando remembered, actually. He looked at Elaine and realized that she wouldn't be able to fit in there, despite her small stature.

Mando let out a sigh. "Fine." He squatted down to her level. "But you do not leave my side. Understand?"

Elaine nodded and Mando had to stifle his smile. She was determined, that was a fact. "Good. Let's go."

Mando and Elaine walked into the space port and headed over to an older man. Elaine tried to take in everything. The lights, the smell of the ships, even the feel of the metal floor beneath her feet.

"Mando." The older man said. "Is that you under that bucket?" He held put his hand for Mando to shake.

"Ran." Mando shook his hand. 

Ran looked down at Elaine and mix of amusement and confusion crossed his face. "Who's this little one?"

Elaine met his gaze, though she did grip Mando's cape tightly. "Elaine."

Ran nodded and turned back to Mando. "I didn't really know if I'd ever see you in these parts again. Good to see you." Ran shifted. "You know, to be honest, I was a little surprised when you reached out to me. You know, 'cause I.. I hear things." He glanced at Elaine. "Like, maybe things between you and the Guild aren't workin' out."

"I'll be fine." Mando said simply. 

Ran shrugged. "Okay. Well, you know the policy. No questions. And you, you're welcome back here anytime." He winked at Elaine. She frowned, she didn't trust him despite his friendly manner.

"So, what's the job?" Mando asked as Ran led them to another man, this one was tuning up blasters.

"Yeah, one of our associates ran afoul of some competitors and got himself caught." Ran explained. "So, I'm putting together a crew to spring him. It's a five person job. I got four. All I need is the ride, and you brought it."

Mando stopped in his tracks. "The ship wasn't part of the deal."

Ran smiled, one that wasn't friendly. "Well, the Crest is the only reason I let you back in here. What's the look? Is that gratitude?" He laughed. "Uh-huh. I think it is." Ran continued to laugh before introducing them to the man with the guns. "Hey, Mayfeld."

The man lifted his head. "Yeah?"

"This is Mando, the guy I was telling you about." Ran introduced, completely ignoring Elaine. "We used to do jobs way back when."

Mayfeld raised an eyebrow. "This is the guy?"

Ran nodded. "Yeah, we were all young, tryin' to make a name for ourselves." He laughed. "Yeah, but runnin' with a Mandalorian, that was... That brought us some reputation."

"Oh, yeah?" Mayfeld asked. "What'd he get out of it?"

Ran let out another laugh. "I asked him that one time. You remember what you said Mando?"