Mandalorian Revived

Chapter 22

The entire day on Aq Vetina is awful.

The air is muggy by the lake and breakfast is overpriced everywhere I look. I look alone, too. I don't even see Grogu much during the day. I don't know how Mando is spending the day. I don't ask, and I don't make myself available for him to approach. I'm in and out of the town all day in search of things to stock my ship with. The armor around my body earns me a few small discounts, but nothing like what Mando would've gotten.

I can't stand him. I can't stand the way our argument from last night has been echoing in my head all day. I can't stand the way I've reached for his emotions several times today...just to see. I hate that he's in my head like this.

I checked in with Zeb in the morning to get the report on the night's scouting mission, since I obviously didn't get it from Mando. He said there were twenty raiders in total. The three of us could handle it.

The day seemed too short as the anticipation of what the night would bring plagued me. Now, standing outside Zeb's 'office,' I steel myself for what's on the other side of the curtain. Mando's in there. I know it.

There's no use putting it off anymore, so I step inside. Both men turn to look at me as soon as I enter. "Where's the kid?" I ask.

Mando jerks his head toward the way I came in. "I left him with the old man's wife back at the landing platform. He'll be safe."

"Oh."

"Alright," Zeb draws out, glancing between us. "Are we ready for this?"

I look at him, nodding quickly. "Of course."

"Okay. So, we need to draw them into the town square. We'll have better cover there. I've already issued an immediate evacuation, so no civilians will be caught in the crossfire."

"How do we draw them out?" Mando asks.

"That's your job," Zeb shrugs. "I suggest attacking their camp, the one we saw last night. You got anything better?" Mando shakes his head and Zeb nods. "Alright. I'll be in the square waiting for them. You just have to keep them coming and pick them off as you can."

I cross my arms. "Where do you want me?"

Zeb frowns like the answer is obvious. "With him." I was afraid of that. "The two of you together can keep them moving a lot better than just one."

It makes sense, unfortunately, so I let out a sigh and nod. "Got it."

Zeb smiles. "Let's get after 'em. I've been itching for a good firefight ever since the Empire fell."

I roll my eyes as a lighthearted grin slides across my lips. "We'll be sure to save some for you."

He cackles out a rough laugh as we slip out of the office. "Keep your comm channels open in case things get dicey." As Mando and I head toward the forest, Zeb clears his throat. "May the force be with you."

I turn around, walking backward a few steps as I smile at Zeb. "See you soon."

Once we're in the forest, the light from the sunset is smothered by thick trees. Silence envelopes us along with the darkness and I stare at Mando's back as he walks in front of me. He knows where we're going, after all.

"What's the plan?" I ask, breaking the silence.

"They've got a main base in one of the old buildings on the edge of that village across the village. I'll bomb it with my charges to get their attention."

"And then?"

His body stiffens. "And then I thought we'd see how they feel about Mandalorians."

Even though the threat isn't directed at me, it sends a shiver down my spine. We're both silent after that. There's nothing to say, really. Nothing that hasn't already been said.