𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐎 ── THE MANDALORIAN

V. BADASS

𝖁𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐎 !
XV. EXPOSURE

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PANIC HAD GROWN, SIZZLING throughout Kera's bones. The very sight of explosives and the preparation with the Tuskan Raiders and the townsfolk for what was to come had made it real. It had truly brought to light exactly how perilous the task of killing the kyrat dragon was. Kera no longer felt in control, no longer that fearless leader she had always wished herself to be.

    A hand squeezed her shoulder comfortingly and Kera turned to face the gaze of Cobb Vanth, his wind tousled grey hair shimmering from suns, his hazel eyes gentle, warm and thoughtful. "Ya always worry for nothin' y'know. It'll be fine."

    Kera snorted and rolled her eyes. "I know it won't go according to plan. Nothing ever does."

    The Marshal held up his hands in surrender. "Don't go all-wise, on me now, Deputy. I don't always understand what comes out that pretty mouth of yours."

    "Thanks, you're such a charmer, Marshal. I'm so flattered."

     "No need to be so dry in ya sarcasm. I'll tell ya again, there's no need to worry," The Marshal nodded in the direction of the Mandalorian and Kera rolled her eyes at the words that came next, "We have that Mandalorian on our side."

     "Oh, my! All my worries have ceased to exist!"

     "Kera," Cobb Vanth, murmured, his voice laced with sudden exhaustion.

     "What? Sarcasm is my coping mechanism, okay? I know, I know. Mandalorians are badass, you don't have to tell me twice. I figured that one out when I was ten years old! The novelty of a Mandalorian wears off after a while."

     Cobb Vanth sighed, his fingers massaging at his temples. "You're no fun."

     "I'm not supposed to be fun. We're supposed to be working, like everyone else but instead, you decided to have a chat with me and──," Whatever Kera Verr was to say next was cut off. The townsfolk and the Tusken Raiders worked together to load the Banthas with explosives and one had been dropped and an sort of argument between the two ── a man whom Kera knew, a respected miner named Ras and a Tusken Raider.

      Automatically, Kera had stepped forwards. Her arm gripped tightly, snagging the man away, only to force him to make eye contact with her. Her tone was sharp and commanding. "Hey. Listen to me. It was an accident. Let it go."

     It must have been something in her brown eyes or perhaps something menacing in her tone, for the man simply nodded and let it go. Kera turned aimlessly on the wooden platforms, forced to face the Mandalorian who had been silently observing her, nestled with his Beskar armoured body against a barrel with a hand on his hip.