𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐆𝐌 𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐅𝐓 ▹ KYLO REN [1]

𝘹𝘪𝘪𝘪. 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦, 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘫𝘰𝘪𝘯

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"SO WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?" DJ asked once the pair found a table to sit at, propping his feet up and leaning back in his seat.

Cassus sat down slowly, eying the supposed master hacker. "This ship is making a stop on Tatooine in a few days. I need you to disable the computer systems while we're stopped."

DJ paused, methodically picking something out of his teeth. Satisfied, he flicked the offending piece of food away and gave a nod. "I can do that."

Cassus had not realized how tense she was until she relaxed at his words. Trying to remain casual and collected, she folded her hands on the table before shifting them ever so slightly away from his feet. "Good."

"So, is it t-t-true that you're First Order?" DJ asked, glancing around.

Fett stiffened and leaned forward, lowering her voice. "Yes. Why?"

"I don't know." He shrugged. "You just don't give the whole First Order vibe."

"I work for the First Order. It's just a job. I haven't joined their bandwagon."

"Really? You s-s-seem pretty invested for a merc."

Cassus bristled at DJ's amused tone. "The First Order pays very well," she said icily, "I'm sure you can understand the appeal in that."

"Yeah," the hacker relented, "but I never s-s-stay long for jobs. Attachments. Loyalties. Choosing sides. They're t-t-too complicated."

"I haven't chosen a side," Cassus said harshly, growing more insistent.

DJ held up his hands. "Okay, Mandalore. Easy." He stood. "I'm just telling you, it's all a machine. Live free, don't join."

She pursed her lips and stared down at the table intently. "Cute slogan," she said, unamused.

Nevertheless, the man smirked and said, "Words to live by."

Cassus still kept her gaze purposefully averted. "One hour after landing. Can you cut the systems by then?"

"Absolutely," DJ sang.

"Then I think we're done here," she said curtly.

Cassus did not look up as DJ slid his chair out from the table.

"Don't forget," he said as he started to walk away, "Live free, don't join."

The bounty hunter watched DJ leave, her hands clenched into tight fists under the table. How could he say that she was too attached?

If anything, Cassus strove to remain unattached. It was just a job. It was not her cause. They were not her people.

Well, except Ren. He was the only person she trusted in the First Order.

Was that too much attachment? Was her extended work with the Order more than what could be considered a job?

Huffing, Cassus stood, nearly knocking her seat over, and walked back to Meri and Greer.

The Resistance pilot perked when she saw Fett approaching. "What did he say, Lara?"

"Nothing," Cassus clipped, "He'll do it."

She could feel Greer's concerned eyes on her, but Cassus avoided her gaze. The bounty hunter breathed out a deep breath, trying to relax.

It was fine. DJ's words meant nothing.

"When the system goes down, you two need to move to the loading dock as fast as you can. It should be open for delivery," Cassus said, "I'm gonna go and make sure that my guy in solitary gets out."

"You might need backup," Meri said with her arms crossed, "We should come with you."

Cassus shook her head. "I'll be fine. You guys should get out when you can. We'll be right behind you."

Meri leaned forward on the table and gave Cassus a firm look. "You and your friend may have been a team for a while with the Order, but we are a team now, too. We're not leaving you, Lara."

Fett looked at Greer, who gave a confirming nod. A part of the bounty hunter warmed at their loyalty. In Cassus's opinion, it was a naïve trust and they were foolish to risk their escape for her, but it still touched her, nonetheless.

"Alright," she relented with a nod.

The two other women smiled. "Good," Meri said.

Things were finally falling into place.

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a/n:
This chapter is abnormally short, but I really wanted to include a full conversation between Cassus and DJ. I think he is an interesting character to compare and contrast with Cassus.

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