CHAPTER 2

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THE SPUNKY KINDRED!

*:･ﾟ✧

Gaia has spaced out for the time being. Her thoughts are muddled, hands folded in her lap while she patiently waits for the Armorer to be done packing most of her tools away. Dirty or bewildered looks couldn't even begin to describe what Gaia was prone to when she trudged after the golden-helmet Mandalorian down the length of the sewer. Mandalorians, left and right, adults and children, watched her with both fear and intrigue. Not only was she thought to be part of a species long dead, but also a stranger whose presence has disrupted their comfort. A presence that is unwanted, and therefore she's decided to make her little "visit" as quick as possible.

Especially since the Mandalorian bounty hunter has assigned himself to be an onlooker, desiring to talk with the Armorer.

"I've sought you out to discuss personal matters. Matters of justice." Gaia has allowed herself to relax for once, though with the impressive room she's in, it's hard to sit still.

The workshop which the Armorer attends, crafting all types of equipment to her fellow Mandalorians, are splendid to say the least. It's spacious, sporting various utensils and pieces of armor here and there; a forge in the very middle whose flames are brighter than some stars dotting the canvas of the universe. A signet representing the Tribe, this very Mandalorian organization, can be seen just outside the room — above the archway, depicting the skull of a majestic Mythosaur.

Gaia doesn't know a whole lot about Mandalorians and their ways. The few things that she does know is that the galaxy foretells them as great warriors, fearless and relentless, and that they bear distinct armor and helmets which are not to be removed unless they wish to never put them back on.

Gaia doesn't understand a large majority of it, although she can do nothing but respect it.

"Seeking out the Empire is a dangerous way of life." The Armorer is sitting across from her by a small table, armor and fur blending ever so effortlessly in with the stark environment.

"It's a choice I made on my own," Gaia deflects, composing herself afterwards. "I have strong reasons to believe that a group of Imperial associates are operating out of Nevarro, though whom or what rank they answer to, I can't say. There are Imperial remnants scattered away into every corner of the galaxy and my resources are limited, but what I'm asking of you is this; information."

The Armorer doesn't move, doesn't answer her although slight movement out of the corner of Gaia's eye catches her attention. She turns to the bounty hunter whose name remains a mystery, and if she didn't know any better, she'd say it looks as though he has something he wants to share with the both of them. "It's nothing that will put you or your people in danger," Gaia proceeds to assure. "That's the last thing any of us would want. Your hideout is safe with me. I just need to know where their facility is and how to get inside. I will take care of the rest myself."

"Why not ask around?"

Gaia's focus is directed towards the other Mandalorian. Hush, as she has nicknamed him as. "And risk myself getting caught? No. As a bounty hunter yourself, you would know how much a tiny simple question can rouse any sort of attention. Word travels fast."

"You're a hunter?" The inquiry is genuine, and she cannot blame him for not knowing given how she hasn't hung around here often. "I haven't seen you around these parts before. Which planet do you commission from?"

"Anywhere but here," Gaia quips with a serious undertone, managing her gaze unto the Armorer once more. "But back to the task at hand. . . I need someone who knows their way around here, or perhaps a person who's even been in contact with them; one way or another. I figured if anyone would know the town decently then it would be your covert."

The Armorer doesn't reply back. She simply hums instead, clearly pondering about procurable options until her train of thought is impeded by the room's third individual.

"I've seen them."

Gaia turns around, and Hush treads forward as she stammers, "How many were there?"

"About a dozen," he surmises quietly. His worn cape skims his booted heels, footfalls stern and balanced. "They answer to a man with no name and a scientist by his side. He's a client of the Guild." He stops up in front of the low table to brave the conversation in full. The Armorer doesn't intervene yet, watching the suspended scene play out before her own eyes. "I've just recently accepted an up-front commission from the headman himself."

"Yes, but where are they?"

Hush pauses as if struck by realisation, asking, "Do you plan on wiping them out?"

Gaia's expression jumps, her eyebrows furrowing in a deadpan. "Obviously. . ."

"Good luck," Hush muses, disengaging.

Gaia's jaw drops, staring at the Armorer, and then scurrying after him just before passing the archway. She reaches out to loosely grab his arm, feeling him withdraw immediately from her touch. "Woah, hey! What's with the attitude?" she blurts, baffled. "Were you not there during the wars the Empire fought in?"

"Do you know what this is?"

Gaia retreats slightly, crossing her arms over her chest as she examines the silver ingot he pulls out from a pouch by his waist. "It's Beskar. I heard the Empire collected it left and right during the era of the Great Purge."

"Exactly. The client is in possession of a whole container of it," Hush informs, stowing the material away much to the Armorer's dismay. "It belongs with the Mandalorians."

"Great!" Gaia chimes, snaking around him and watching him follow her motions, "then I just bring it back with me when I'm all done."

"It doesn't work that way," he protests rather persistently. "If I cannot fulfill the commission as I was instructed to, I'm not deserving of anything in that container. Payment is due where there's noteable credit, and the Guild Code prevents me from taking what I haven't earned through hard work."

"I get it." Gaia rolls her eyes in annoyance. It's not so much him, but more so the ground rules of their profession. Of course one could always break them but that would only offer expulsion from the Guild and a stain on one's chain code, and knowing the honor in their creed and code, a Mandalorian is more subjective to principles rather than cheating.

Comprehending this, Gaia shifts suddenly, placing her hands on her hips. "Let's make a deal," she addresses, acknowledging him staying put and listening to her. "What do you say to me coming with you so we can handle the commission together? I want to see for myself what it is they're after. You get to keep the bounty all to yourself as well as the reward while I get to do my business after you're all done and nicely paid. Sound good?"

Gaia thinks him caught, allured by her earnest offer yet it's anything but that. "No," he declines after some time. "I work alone."

"Teaming up is not that terrible, you know," she assures. "I'm even willing to pay you—"

"I don't want your money."

"Listen carefully," Gaia asserts, riled up by Hush's continued rejection as her posture becomes unexpectedly stern, "you have to think about the bigger picture here! This shit show has been going on for way too long. The Empire was destroyed but not really, and now I'm here, cleaning up the mess on a boring planet. I don't have to, but I want to and I need to. . . They tore families apart all over the galaxy and made people suffer." Slowly, she steps closer to him, looking directly at him for emphasis. "Are you telling me there's not a single shred of you that's angry with that? Or are you on their side?"

A sigh, that's all she's provided with, but a conceded one nonetheless. Not only is Gaia stubborn but also actual from what he can tell, meaning this personal vendetta of hers outranks her need for credits. Although she's a bounty hunter herself, the commission went to him and therefore he has the claims for the bounty, automatically rendering her unavailable for this particular hire. Cheats and tricks is always an option in her case, but one she seems very apparent on not using.

"I'm not giving you a ride," he states to her in finality, causing Gaia to exhale in clear relief.

"That's fine. I've got my own ship."

"You need a 'chit' to access the facility," he carries on without wavering a single time.

"Which you are in possession of?"

"Yes." The affirmation is short and professional. "Once I've completed the commission, you're on your own from there."

"Just how I like it," Gaia reassures with a grin. "Let's leave as soon as we're able and then you can tell me all about the bounty."

Hush curves smoothly around her proclamation, deeming her confrontation with the Armorer finished as he nods towards the other Mandalorian, occupying the seat Gaia used to sit in. "There's no bounty puck."

"No puck?" Gaia echoes, openly astonished that such a high-value target would have no definite or precise form of identification. "What about the chain code?" she tries, repeating her question more frantically when he doesn't answer her back. "No chain code?"

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Privacy matters, but just like Hush, Gaia has made it her mission to wait patiently by herself although it's against the wall outside of the Armorer's workshop. She can hear the two Mandalorians converse with each other, the missing weight of her sword itching her back and playing on the top of her head as she relishes in the calm and quiet. The rest of the covert is keeping their distance, and just as well: she has no business with any of them.

"This was gathered in the Great Purge," the Armorer declares, referring to the ingot of beskar. "It is good it is back with the Tribe."

"Yes."

A delay is implemented before the Armorer is done inspecting the stunning block of steel. "A pauldron would be in order," she announces. "Has your signet been revealed?"

"Not yet."

"Soon," she comforts. Gaia is able to sense her rise from her seat and commence her work, the subtle clatter of tools and utensils extending beyond the archway, even after she begins to speak up again. Gaia has spaced out in the meantime, and she's staring at the tedious floor while the fervid Armorer carries on with her job. "This is extremely generous. The excess will sponsor many Foundlings."

"That's good," Hush approves softly. Softness that Gaia fails to perceive as she is too lost in her own head. ". . .I was once a Foundling."

"I know."

Gaia breathes sharply in. She blinks several times, only now realizing how much time has passed since her and Hush came to their fated agreement. "Looking good," she remarks as he joins her outside the chamber. She pushes off the wall, indicating to his pauldron. "Are we all done and ready to go? Come on, Hush."

"That's not my name."

"It is now," Gaia beams, brushing past him and peeking inside the Armorer's quarters before departing. "Thank you for seeing me. It's been a pleasure." The Armorer raises her head, presenting Gaia with a respectful nod, unspoken admiration passing between the two of them while she cleans the room out. A heartfelt smile grazes the blue alien's eyes, the tunnel path ahead of her seeming melancholic as her and Hush venture forth at last. "Fine," she submits with an exhale, glancing at the Mandalorian accompanying her, "what do you want me to call you then?"

"Mando," he says after some time, assertive and at ease. "That will do for the time being."

"Mando," Gaia tries out, the name looping around her tongue. It's not his real name yet it still has a special, certain ring to it regardless. Clearing her throat after a while, traveling leisurely down the sewer, she turns partially to him on the way. "Thank you for having me tag along. Sharing space with another bounty hunter is never pleasant."

"As long as you don't interfere with my work or the bounty," he drawls, "then we're good."

"I won't," Gaia heartens with a fleeting grin, "although I can't say the same for Nevarro."

— Author's Note —

My precious bby, walking around causing chaos while teasing our Mandalorian. Seriously though, we're moving on to Arvala-7 and Kuiil in the next chapter and I'm so excited! I can't wait for Gaia and Mando to properly team up — their dynamic is going to be so powerful yet so soft at the same time, y'know? Nevertheless, they're lovely and I cherish them endlessly <33