DEFENDER • THE MANDALORIAN

THREE

•••

After the battle with the other hunters, the silent march to the Mandalorian's ship continued; however, there was a new tenseness in the air. A new opponent could strike at any time; this put the Mandalorian on edge.

Alya felt no worry, knowing that she and the Mandalorian would be able to take care of it. She had been looking forward blandly, running the Jedi Code in her mind over and over.

"Why did you help?"

The question nearly caused the woman to stop, having not expecting the Mandalorian to break the silence. Instead of stopping, she continued to walk by the carrier and look forward.

"You needed it."

Alya could almost feel the confusion and frustration rolling off of the Mandalorian. He wants a straight answer, but that wasn't something the Jedi could give him.

The bounty hunter comes to a stop and storms closer to the woman. Alya, unphased, holds her ground and looks up to the Mandalorian. Her eyes inspect the silver helmet that blocked the man's face from the world's view. For a moment she couldn't help but wonder what the Mandalorian looked like behind the mask.

"That's not good enough," The Mandalorian's rage is beginning to build, like it normally did. "Why are you being so nonresistant? You are aiding me in bringing you to your death."

Alya just hums and steps around the temperamental warrior. Crouching down, the woman looks at the Child, who is looking at her curiously as it coos. She places her tied hands near its small hand and smiles softly.

"I've traveled the galaxy for five years to ensure the child's protection; you will not be taking that from me. Anywhere the child goes, I must follow."

The woman sighs softly as she stands back up and turns to face the Mandalorian who had been watching her interaction with the child. "You may not believe me, but I hold no ill intent for you, despite our current destination."

The bounty hunter scoffs slightly and takes a step towards the Jedi. Gloved hands capture hers and in a second her hands are released from their previous bindings. The Mandalorian takes a step back from her as he shoves the handcuffs into his bag.

"Don't think that you can get away now. I can still take you down with your hands untied."

Alya rubs her wrists lightly as she looks at the Mandalorian in a new light. He is not enraged, instead he is unsure and cautious.

"I would never dream of it."

•••

The day is begining to become night as the Mandalorian sits down to heal a deep cut that he had on his arm. Alya's back faces the bounty hunter as she on at the sandy horizon of the planet. The cracking sizzles of the technology provides noise for the otherwise silent planet.

The child, in its carrier, faces the warrior, watching with its usually curiosity of the world. Alya sat close to the egg carrier, letting the baby's random coos float into her ear.

The woman could heal the Mandalorian, but ever since that small conversation that resulted in the man taking off her bindings, Alya did not wish to break whatever trust she had gained from the cautious man. Attempting to use the Force to heal him could result in more distrust and anger, and that was not a risk that the Jedi was willing to take.

Closing her eyes, Alya allows herself to be surrounded by the Force. Meditation comes easy to her now, unlike the struggle she would constantly have when she first learned the ways of the Force.