CHAPTER 39

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ONE-OFF CREW!

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The lovely weather of Sorgan is a welcoming environment change from a prison cell or even a desert. Though, the sun is especially persistent today, and the rays nibble at the black cloak jacket wrapped around Gaia's torso, the fabric stroking her knees. She "borrowed" the outfit from Farren's closet, seeing as her own jumpsuit was ruined and tattered after her most recent adventures. The ambiance of today is still pleasant, nonetheless. Even more so now that they're sheltered by a planet such as Sorgan, seeking the presence of none other than Cara Dune.

After Gaia and Mando had broken apart from each other yesterday, they'd collectively decided that they would need backup for themselves in case of emergency, and who else better than a battle-hardened warrior who knows how to throw a mean punch?

Of course it would all have to be up to Cara herself seeing as they can't exactly force her to tag along, but given her previous history with the Empire, the chances are relatively high.

"Regarding what we talked about yesterday," Gaia pipes up, her sword heavy against her back as they venture along a soothing forest path, "should we tell Cara about Farren?"

"When did we. . ." Mando trails off. That's right: Gaia had accidently Gazed with him last night yet they still ended up conversing with each other in their dreamscape, about the Kessurian. She's still detained in the cell aboard her own ship, however, the title of pilot has been bestowed upon Gaia instead. "No. Not until we've gathered everybody."

"You mean there's more than just Cara?"

Mando provides her with a steady nod. The Child coos at his caretakers then, waddling a bit ahead of them while listening in on their conversation. "The Ugnaught we met on Arvala-7 might be a good pick, if he's willing. Someone needs to watch the kid for us. . ."

"Not bad," Gaia says in a jaunty manner. "He might need a little bit of convincing, though."

"What's. . .with the smile?"

"Not much," she dismisses, mischievousness thriving in the crevice of her mouth. "Let's just say, you're not the only one with a pick."

Mando furrows his brows within his helmet and nearly stops up mid-walk. "Who is it?"

"I'm not telling~"

Gaia's sing-song voice is carried with the wind. It follows them as they finally reach the tavern they first visited back when they hid away from the Guild and its hunters. Gaia is the first to enter, catching The Child's fickle attention and picking him gently up into her arms. The place is somewhat crowded on this bright, sunny day and people are bustling excitedly around after the latest official brawl.

"Pay up, mudscuffers!" Cara orders, raising her arms in victory. Various people — who went on the losing side — are brushing by her to transfer the money, and when the flock thins out, the trio eventually approaches her.

"Looking for some work?"

Cara releases a laugh with their unexpected appearance yet there's a prominent grin on her face as well. She walks with them after a moment, not offering any words until they're all seated at an empty table and a cup of illuminating spotchka has been poured and served for the winner of the latest brawl. . .

"It seems like a straightforward operation," Mando elaborates when the main part of the commission has been explained in full, his attitude blunt and serious as usual. "They're providing the plan and firepower. We're the snare." He motions to both Gaia and himself.

Cara takes a passing sip. "With the kid?"

"That's why we're coming to you," Gaia joins in a bit later, filling the blank out for Mando.

"I don't know," Cara muses in a laid-back fashion, gazing towards them. "I've been advised to lay low. If anybody runs my chain code, I'll rot in a cell for the rest of my life."

"I thought you were a veteran."

As the Mandalorian finishes his statement off, the alien adorned with spikes on his head — Cara's former opponent — lightly adds to the pile of credits by throwing his own into the mix. He says nothing to any of them, merely glancing at Cara as he drifts by their table. "Come back soon!" Cara gives him a friendly smile before she leans in. "I've been a lot of things since. Most of them carry a life sentence. If I so much as book passage on a ship registered to the New Republic, I'm. . ."

"I have a ship," Mando assures her, lightly adding, "I can bring you there and back with a sizable reward. You can live free of worry."

"I'm already free of worry." Cup of spotchka in one hand, Cara shakes her head. "And I'm not in the mood to play soldier anymore. Especially fighting some local warlord. . ."

"He's not a local warlord," Mando is quick to say, tilting vaguely forward. "He's Imperial."

Cara hesitates for once. She stares at Mando until her gaze sweeps carefully towards Gaia, a knowing glisten in her ardent eyes which she herself can relate to all too well. It's settled, then. "I'm in," Cara announces after some time, lifting her cup up in affirmation.

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"Goodness! What are you all doing here?"

"Thero is your pick?"

"Surprise~"

Gaia breaks out into a wide smile, accepting the hug from Thero who nearly bounces his way over towards the group, and Mando's expression slips from underneath his helmet. He hasn't changed at all while they've been gone, still sporting that same simple attire since last they saw him and bright gaze shining with an enthusiastic gleam. However, his skin has darkened and sunk a bit beneath his eyes, hinting at a certain lack of sleep. It reminds Gaia of when she was treated by him several months ago, his neglect of self-care in order to find a viable solution to her ailment.

"It's a long story," Gaia drawls to him, "and I think it's best if we talk about it in private."

Thero had complied with ease. He'd led the whole group back to his medical station — that decently-sized braided hut which held countless remedies within its equipped shell, multiple species of vegetation, and so much more. Mando and Gaia shared in the details of their commision after the group had recomposed themselves once safely inside, rendering Thero perfectly silent for a long time until they'd both made sure to finish.

"Count me in," he declares, upfront.

Cara blinks, completely baffled, and Gaia and Mando both manage to stumble with their own words. Gaia is the first to recover. "Thero, I don't think you understand: this is highly dangerous, what we're about to do. You're putting your life on the line with it."

"Yes, and I believe you. I'm in," he echoes rather energetically once again. "You've sought me out in case I need to patch one of you guys up because it's that dangerous."

Gaia hums lamely back in response, still taken aback considering how comfortable he has it here on Sorgan, and Mando takes the lead as The Child begins to babble. "Do you know how to handle a blaster well enough?"

"No," Thero mumbles, massaging the nape of his neck suddenly, "but I'm very persuasive!"

"Is that a fact or a self-evaluation?"

Thero doesn't answer Gaia back immediately, allowing the stunned silence to awkwardly speak for him as he states, quietly, "I do not take constructive criticism, unfortunately."

"I don't think this is a good idea anymore," Mando says as soon as Thero has spoken for himself. He begins to rise from his seat with The Child, respectfully nodding in the medic's general direction. "Thank you for your time."

"Wait, please!" Thero is fast to protest, remaining calm despite the sudden shift in the room and their behaviour. It reaches Mando, halting him in his tracks with Cara. Gaia is the only one who is seated, still. "I meant it," he insists. "Take me with you."

Gaia nods, knowingly asking, "Why?"

The medic spares her with a swift look and he sends her a grateful bob of his head, tackling Mando and Cara thereafter, his posture reclaimed and assertive. "This Greef Karga said so himself," Thero points out, elegantly playing off of Gaia's question, "the city is now effectively under the rule of the Empire. Nevarro's residents are afraid and unhappy with the change, are they not? I want to give them hope, to help them. To make the world a better. . . Listen, I'm fully aware of how cheesy this might actually sound, but I'm—"

Cara scoffs. "So, I'm not the only one."

"But," Thero continues to defend, "I'm capable of handling myself just fine. I work well with a team when it comes down to it. I won't get in your way; I give you my word."

Gaia cannot repress the proud smile that forms on her lips. She glimpses Mando after Thero is done with his whole "speech" and her stare says everything: he's a good man.

Mando rids himself of an exaggerated sigh, giving in to his companion's precious plea.

Gaia smiles before addressing Thero one last time. "You look tired. Are you okay with us immediately leaving or do you need to rest?"

"Oh." Thero brings a reluctant hand up to his eyes, lightly rubbing his skin. "I haven't slept much lately because of a generated error in our medical files, and as you know — without the statistics and all that, I might actually kill someone. . .but I'm good! I can catch some sleep while we're on our way to Tatooine."

"Arvala-7."

"I'm fine."

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"What's with the long face?" Cara approaches Thero aboard the Razor Crest, leaning against the doorway to the cockpit while she's watching Mando busy himself with the control board. Gaia is currently manning Farren's ship, which the others believe to be her own yet her voice still trickles through the comms every once in a while as she easily traces the exact same route towards Arvala-7.

"Nothing. It's just. . . I happened to get an earful from my girlfriend when I told her that I was leaving for a little while. We ended it on good terms, but she still worries about me. She believes that I'm too soft for something like this," Thero informs rather sadly as he focuses on The Child in his makeshift box.

"And this girlfriend of yours. . . ?"

A blithe ear-to-ear smile appears on Thero's face at the interrogation, and a layer of pink is smothered across his furled cheeks. "Omera."

"I'll be bringing you back in one piece so cheer up, Thero," Gaia certifies suddenly. "I hope Omera is doing well, by the way."

"Thank you, and she is," Thero beams.

Cara steps forward, steering the topic back on track. "Does your contact need to vet me?"

"Doesn't know you're coming."

"Really?" Cara muses, wholeheartedly aware of the statement. "That could be a problem."

Thero clears his throat, sounding panicked. "I'm not overly fond of that approach. . ."

"It won't," Mando is quick to reassure once again, and he swivels around to face Cara and Thero. "But if it is, that's his problem."

". . .If we bring a gift," Thero mutters partly to Cara who's beside him, remaining alarmed and serious, "do you think the Guild will refrain from shooting us to death, yes or no?"

— Author's Note —

Apart they're fine, but together? Chaos. There's a reason why Gaia and Mando are not a permanent team with Cara and Thero because they wouldn't be able to agree with each other in the long run 😂 They do have that sort of D&D dynamic, though!

Btw, I promise that the chapters will be a bit longer now that we're nearing the end of season 1. Cutting this one off right here seemed best though, before we truly move on to Kuiil and some more intense stuff!