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~✧✩✧~
On Moff Gideon’s light cruiser...
He had been trained not to give in to his anger. Anger led to hate. Hate led to suffering. That’s what Master Yoda would say.
But Grogu was angry.
He’d watched the woman he called his mother gunned down by the battle droids. He usually found peace in not being able to feel her in the force; she was a void, a peacefulness in the neverending rush that was the force. Something he’d never felt before he met her. Right now, he didn’t like that he couldn’t feel her. That he couldn’t find her and know if she was okay. He had to hope his father would get to her in time. His father, the man who saved him, and gave him a family. His father had to save her.
Grogu couldn’t recall his birth parents. He’d been taken to the temple as a baby, raised by the Jedi. And then the Jedi had fallen, and he’d been hidden. He hated thinking about that time. The hunger he felt, the sadness. One moment there were millions of other Jedi he could feel in the force, and the next, they were gone. Their lights extinguished.
He’d never felt so lonely.
But now he had a family.
A father and a mother who loved him dearly, and he loved them. Grogu was angry that he’d been taken from them and worried about Darcy.
He used the force, choking the two stormtroopers who were watching guard over him. He flung them across the room into the walls, giving in to his anger, making them suffer. He could feel himself get weaker the more he used the force. He’d gone so many years without practicing and having to hide his abilities; he wasn’t as strong as he should’ve been. He needed to be strong to protect his family.
The door to the cell opened, and a man wearing all black entered. He seemed to be important if the guards trailing him had anything to say about it.
Grogu continued choking the two stormtroopers.
“Set to stun,” one of the new arrivals called, lifting their weapon.
“Wait,” the man in black said, lifting a hand.
Grogu flung the two stormtroopers into each other hard enough that they bounced off of one another and into the walls.
Grogu was so tired, he fell over on himself, breathing heavily from the exertion.
The man approached Grogu.
“You’ve gotten good at that. But it makes you oh-so sleepy. I understand you’re angry,” the man crouched down in front of him. “Your caretaker was collateral damage. She put up quite the fight trying to protect you, but keep in mind I am not afraid to kill those who get in my way, and well,” he paused, smiling. “She got in the way.”
No, she couldn’t be dead.
Grogu hated this man, and he wanted him to suffer. This man had his mother killed. He would pay. Grogu put out his hand in an attempt to choke the other man, but he was too exhausted to wield the force.
“Awe, you’re all tuckered out. Tell me, have you ever seen one of these? From years past?” Grogu’s eyes widened as the man pulled out what was clearly a lightsaber hilt, and then he was igniting it, the blade black.
Grogu reached out, wanting to take it from the man and strike him down.
The man chuckled, pulling the saber back. “Oh, uh-uh-uh. You’re not ready to play with such things. Liable to put an eye out with one of these.” He stood up. “Looks like you could use a nice long sleep.”
The man motioned for one of his guards to blast Grogu with a stun ray. The last thing Grogu thought before he lost consciousness was that his father would come for him, and they’d both make this man pay for what he did to them.
~✧✩✧~
Four days later on Slave One...
The crew on Slave One had lucked out that the Karthon Chop Fields were only about a day's travel away from Nevarro. According to Din, they’d been separated from Grogu for about four days. In Darcy’s mind, it was four days too many, and they still had to get Mayfeld and figure out how to find Moff Gideon’s light cruiser. Darcy spent three of the days recovering from her injuries that occurred on Tython, and then they’d stopped on Nevarro, where she was given her beskar armor from the Armorer.
Since leaving the volcanic planet, Darcy was spending her time practicing fighting while wearing the new armor. Din was always down for sparring, so they took up residence in a somewhat empty storage area of Slave One, going at each other.
The ship was made up of rooms all connected by a ladder system. So far, Darcy had seen the main deck, with the observation area that rotated to stay level when the ship was parked and the crew quarters that had a ‘fresher. Below the storage area they were in now was where Boba would keep his bounties and weapons. Darcy hadn’t been to that level yet or to any of the maintenance areas. Above the main hull was the cockpit that had a couple of bunks behind it for the pilots. Darcy was honestly impressed by how big the ship was on the inside. It was a lot cooler in person than shown in the movies.
Fennec and Cara had followed Darcy and Din, probably wanting to gauge how well of a fighter Darcy was in hand-to-hand or maybe just to watch in amusement as Din had his ass handed to him. Darcy told herself that three days was enough time to recover and be sad, that now she needed to focus and make sure she was ready for when it came to saving their son.
The armor had been a bit of a learning curve. It added a bit more weight to Darcy, and she had to adjust her moves.
If Darcy was anything, though, she was excellent at adapting.
Natasha had always made sure Darcy knew how to work with what she had, and now she was decked out in armor. She just thanked Frigga that she still had a pretty good range of motion, thinking of the armor as a second, more sturdy skin.
Din was blocking her blows and dodging her attacks. They’d started off slow as Darcy figured out how to move, but they’d been going at this for a couple of hours now, taking occasional breaks, but now they were moving swiftly against one another. Fennec and Cara had been throwing out suggestions.
“Use your head!” Fennec called.
Din had Darcy’s arms locked in front of her. Darcy’s brows furrowed under her helmet at the suggestion. Right, she now had a helmet. She lunged her head forward, headbutting Din hard, causing him to let go of her arms. Darcy then used her momentum to get one of his arms in a hold and used her body weight to flip him over her, causing him to land hard on his back. She moved quickly and straddled his chest, pinning his arms above his head.
“I win,” Darcy said with a smile, panting a little.
Din was quiet for a moment. The only sound was his heavy breathing through his helmet. “Yeah,” his voice was raspy as he said the word. “You won… Again.” She could hear the smile in his voice.
Darcy grinned under her helmet, knowing that Din was absolutely enjoying this. They’d both been so tense and needed to blow off some steam.
“Wanna go again?” She asked, letting go of his arms.
“Sure. The headbutt was smart. Don’t be afraid to use the armor as a weapon.”
Darcy nodded before standing up.
“I want to have a go,” Cara called.
Darcy looked at the other woman. “Against him or me?” She asked, pointing between herself and Din.
Cara gave her a cocky grin. “I’ve fought Mando. Let’s see how you do against me.”
Darcy shrugged, looking over to Din. “Sorry, babe. I can’t turn the lady down.”
“It’s fine,” he replied. He got up from the ground and traded spots with Cara, standing next to Fennec.
Cara cracked her knuckles and got into a stance. Darcy stretched her neck, getting into her own position. “I assume we will not be pulling any punches?” Darcy asked.
“Nope,” Cara said, shaking her head.
“Bring it,” Darcy replied, motioning Cara forward with her hand.
Cara came at her, hammering down punches and kneeing at Darcy. Darcy did her best to dodge but missed some and threw her own punches. Cara’s fighting style was more of a brawl. She came at Darcy with all of her strength, trying to overpower her. There was that part of Darcy’s brain that had her trying to map out where Cara was going to go next, always needing to be a step ahead.
The Black Widow had trained Darcy for five years. Darcy knew what she was doing. She had to with being a protector for Jane. People always wanted to get their hands on Jane’s research or even just Jane. So, Darcy was there in case anyone got past security. Which had happened, quite a bit, and is why they’d permanently moved into Avengers Tower.
Darcy and Cara were getting good shots in, but Darcy was smaller and quicker, even with the armor. Cara threw a punch, Darcy stepping off to the side and grabbing hold of Cara’s arm, Darcy swung herself up to get her thighs around the other woman’s head, then used her body to flip them, landing with Darcy choking out Cara with her legs as they laid on the ground. Cara seemed to be shocked for a moment before hitting Darcy’s leg with her free hand.
“I… give,” Cara gasped out. Darcy was breathing hard.
Darcy let her out of the hold and stood up, putting out a hand to help her up. Cara accepted, standing up, rubbing her hand over her throat. “Nice move,” Cara said, panting a little bit. “Wasn’t expecting it.”
Darcy smiled, nodding her head. “No one ever expects it,” she said between breaths.
She chanced a glance over at Din, who was watching her intently. Darcy saw his shoulders were stiff and tense. He was clearly on edge and probably worked up from sparring with her and watching her fight Cara. Darcy wouldn’t be surprised if he dragged her away when she was done.
She decided to take a quick break, stepping off to the side, approaching Din. She watched as he grabbed a water container and held it out to her. Darcy smiled as she removed her helmet.
“Thanks, babe. Gotta stay hydrated,” Darcy said as she grabbed the container and took a drink, gulping down the refreshing liquid. She could feel Din’s eyes on her, even though he was wearing a helmet. She took one last pull from the container, handing it back to him. “You good?” Darcy asked with a raised eyebrow.
Cara and Fennec were standing a little bit away from the two of them, discussing the fights and the differences between when Darcy was fighting Din versus Cara and not paying Darcy and Din any mind.
“I like watching you fight,” Din said, his voice low.
“I like watching you fight, too,” Darcy replied, a gleam in her eyes.
She knew what he meant. Darcy just enjoyed it when Din got flustered. She liked to wonder if he got flush under his helmet.
“You know what I mean,” Din said, his voice strained.
Darcy’s face lit up. “Of course I do, baby,” Darcy said as she walked her gloved fingers up his cuirass. “It turns you on to see your riduur,” (spouse) “kick ass.” She leaned up on her toes to kiss his helmet. “You want to know a secret?” She whispered. Din nodded. “It turns me on seeing you kick ass too.” She stepped back from him and looked up into his t-visor. “We’re simple people, babe.” Darcy bit her lip, shrugging her shoulder. “We see each other being badass and immediately want to jump each other's bones.”
Din’s free hand shot out and grasped hers, his thumb running across her knuckles.
“We’re perfect for each other,” Din said for only Darcy to hear.
Darcy moved forward, wrapping her arms around his middle, their armor clanking as they hugged. “I completely agree.”
Darcy stepped out of the embrace, her attention turning back to the other women when she heard Fennec say she was pretty sure that she could beat Darcy. Din’s attention was solely on Darcy, probably not even paying attention to what the other women were talking about, and Darcy loved that she had that effect on him.
Darcy looked at Fennec. She could go another round, and it didn’t hurt fighting against someone with a different skill set. “You want to have a go?” Darcy asked, an eyebrow raised.
Fennec’s lips turned up in a small smile. “I think I have you figured out.”
“Okay, let’s see what you can do.” Darcy got into the center of the room, putting her helmet back on, and stretched out her arms over her head.
Having to relax for a few days had really thrown off her routine. She’d always tried to get some kind of exercise in each day to keep herself in shape. She’d spar with Din, go through training exercises Natasha had taught her, or have dance parties with Grogu.
Grogu.
Thinking of Grogu made a lump form in her throat.
They’d get him back.
They would save him.
She would make sure she was ready to take down anybody who got in her way.
Fennec took her place in front of Darcy. She wasn’t cocky like Cara, she was calmer, and that told Darcy that the assassin knew what she was doing, that she’d fight with precision. They sized each other up for a moment before Fennec was throwing the first punch. Darcy dodged it, landing her own. She didn’t expect it when Fennec swung around and kicked Darcy hard in the cuirass, causing the wind to be knocked out of her. Darcy quickly recovered. They punched and kicked at each other, occasionally landing the jabs, but it was like they were dancing as they flitted around each other. It reminded Darcy of sparring against Natasha again, how smoothly Fennec and her were going about each other. Darcy was absolutely enjoying herself as she figured out what Fennec would do next. She could tell that the assassin was expecting her to do the thigh move, and Darcy wasn’t going to just give that to her.
Fennec would easily block it.
So when Darcy found an opening, she did something different. She got Fennec’s arm into a hold and then used her momentum to get her legs around Fennec’s waist and flipped them, Fennec landing on the ground under her. Darcy moved quickly to pin her down, Fennec’s arm still locked in her hold.
“I think I win,” Darcy said, breathing hard.
“I almost had you,” Fennec replied, also a little out of breath.
Darcy moved off of her and offered a hand up. “Almost.”
“Whoever trained you was good.”
“Yeah, she was.” Darcy nodded. “She was the best.”
Darcy was still feeling pent up; she needed to relax and clear her head. She looked over at Din, his head tilted towards the ladder, and Darcy immediately understood. “Well, this was fun. I think I’m just going to go take a nap,” Darcy said, stretching out her arms.
Fennec and Cara shared a look as Darcy retreated to the ladder, Din following close on her heels.
“Napping my ass,” Cara scoffed, turning to look at Fennec, shaking her head.
“I doubt there will be any sleeping happening in the bunk,” Fennec added.
“You want to fight?” Cara asked.
“Sure.”
The door to the bunk room had barely closed, Din locking it before he had Darcy up against a wall, his front to her back, their armor clanking as it touched. She heard Din remove his helmet, the sound of the beskar skittering onto the floor. Darcy didn’t even think about it; she immediately closed her eyes on instinct. His hands moved up her body, removing her helmet and tossing it aside. His lips latched onto her neck. The kisses were sloppy, his hands moving down her sides until he made it to the front of her pants, quickly undoing them.
“I need you, cyar’ika (sweetheart). I almost lost you and the way you were fighting. I need to be inside of you,” Din murmured against her ear, his voice low and raspy, full of promise.
Arousal pooled in her abdomen; she knew she was wet. She’d been so worked up from sparring with Din, and so much had happened over the previous days, she needed him too. They both needed a release they could only get from each other.
Darcy turned her face so they could kiss, the angle awkward, but they managed to slant their lips together, their noses bumping, the kiss messy and desperate, all tongues and teeth, as her hand found its way into his hair, tugging on the thick strands, Din groaning into her mouth. He slipped a hand into her panties, and Darcy gasped against his lips at the first swipe of his fingers through her slick folds. He’d removed his gloves.
“I need you too. I’m still here, take what you need,” Darcy said against his lips, trying to reassure him.
Din groaned as he slipped two fingers inside of her as his thumb circled her clit, causing Darcy to moan at the sensations as he worked her over.
It felt so good. The pleasure building, like it would consume her at any moment.
He slipped a third finger inside of her, stretching her and crooking his fingers to hit that spot inside of her that had her seeing stars. “Oh, fuck,” Darcy gasped, eyes tightening. She was getting close, the coil low in her belly winding tighter.
“Come for me, sweetheart,” Din purred, continuing to work his fingers, until finally, she was falling over the edge, moaning Din’s name. Her brain was buzzy, her body tingly.
“I need to be inside of you,” Din said, voice gruff.
Darcy nodded. “Yes,” she breathed.
Din moved behind her, pushing her pants and underwear down her thighs. He positioned her so that her hands were against the wall, and her back arched, and then she heard him fumbling with his own pants. Din used a leg to nudge hers apart, one of his hands on her hip and the other lining up his length at her entrance. He sunk into her in one thrust, both of them moaning in unison. They hadn’t been together in days, and the stretch felt amazing, Darcy clenching around him, Din groaning. He stayed still for a moment giving her time to adjust.
“Move, please,” Darcy whined, her forehead touching the wall.
His hands found their way onto her hips as he pulled out and then slammed back into her. The snap of his hips sinking him deep inside of her, causing pleasure to jolt through her body. Din set up a punishing pace, quickly angling himself to hit that devastating spot inside her, and Darcy couldn’t help the moans escaping her lips, getting louder and louder. Din was speaking in Mando’a and Basic as he pistoned into her. Darcy was picking up some of what he was saying, his words coming through her pleasure-addled brain.
He was saying that she felt good around him, that she was made for him, he was scared he would lose her, and that he needed her. He’d say the words in Mando’a and follow up by translating in Basic, the words punctuated with his thrusts. He sounded absolutely wrecked, and Darcy could tell he was close. He was so worked up, the words falling from his lips.
One of his hands moved to her front to rub her clit. Darcy was getting closer and closer, feeling that familiar pull, until Din’s lips found their way to her neck, and he was biting lightly and sucking to leave a mark. It was enough to have Darcy coming hard, her pussy clenching around him. Din’s thrusts stuttered as he groaned, helping her ride out her orgasm until he was pushing into her one last time, grunting out her name as he came, pulsing inside of her.
Din nuzzled his head against her neck, lightly kissing her nape, and then soothing the mark on her skin.
“Ni kar’tayl gar darasuum, ner riduur (I love you, my spouse)," Din whispered against her skin, the words rolling off his tongue and warming Darcy’s heart.
“I love you, too,” Darcy replied, sounding breathless.
Din slipped out of her, and then he was turning her, clearly not done with her. Darcy felt him as he sunk down in front of her, his hands moving to her thighs pushing them open. Darcy gasped as Din shoved his face into her pussy, his tongue moving through her slick folds as he lapped up their combined fluids. Din was making obscene groaning noises as he basically cleaned her with his tongue.
“Fuck,” Darcy panted, her hands finding their way into his hair as he sucked on her clit.
Still sensitive from her previous orgasm, she felt herself quickly getting closer and closer to coming again as Din expertly worked her with his mouth. One of his hands left her thigh, so he could plunge two thick fingers into her heat, and it had Darcy coming on his mouth, her hands pulling on his hair. Din groaned as she rode out her orgasm.
She slowly came down from the high, Din’s presence between her legs the only thing keeping her standing. Her legs felt like jelly. Din slowly got up, his hands moving to her hips to hold her steady. His lips found hers, Darcy moaning at the taste of herself.
“I need a nap,” Darcy finally said, against his lips, her eyes still closed. For the first time in days, she felt relaxed and like maybe she’d get some peaceful rest without the nightmares.
Din hummed. “We can sleep,” he said. “Let me help you out of your armor.”
Darcy frowned. “Shouldn’t I keep it on and get used to it?”
She hadn’t taken it off since the first time she put it on. Darcy figured it just stayed on until she needed to shower or do laundry.
“I need to hold you,” Din replied softly, his voice just above a whisper. “I’m taking off my armor too.”
Darcy knew he hadn’t removed his armor since they were back on the Razor Crest. Her heart clenched over the realization that he was so desperate to hold her, he’d make himself vulnerable. If she was honest, being held without any barriers did sound nice. He’d locked the bunk door, and they’d been pretty obvious, so she was sure no one would bother them.
She snapped out of her thoughts. “Cuddles sound nice. Are you going to put your helmet back on, or are we turning off the lights?” Din’s quiet for a moment, and Darcy’s eyebrows furrow, her eyes still shut. She could feel him staring at her. “What’s wrong?” She asked.
“You didn’t look?” Din asked, sounding a little surprised.
“No..? Of course not. I respect your creed. I closed my eyes the moment I heard your helmet coming off.” She was confused by why he sounded so surprised.
This was just how things went. The helmet came off, Darcy closed her eyes, or the lights went off, and on that one occasion, he’d blindfolded her. That’s how they operated so Din could live by his creed, and she was used to it. This was their life and she was cool with it.
Din’s hands came up to cup her face, his thumbs stroking over her cheeks. “Ner riduur, ner kar’ta (my spouse, my heart), you have my permission to open your eyes.” Darcy was taken aback by the emotion in his voice, and then his words registered in her brain.
“But… your creed?” Darcy said slowly.
“I almost lost you….,”
Darcy frowned, her eyes tightening. “Din, baby. You don’t have to break your creed because I got shot. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see your face, but I only want to if it’s truly what you wish. Not because you feel you have to.” She said her following words softly. “I don’t want you to resent me because you felt you had to show me your face.” She bit her lip.
This was a big deal. Darcy felt nervous. But it was true. She didn’t want Din to regret it. She wanted him to be one hundred percent sure that he was ready to make such a big step. She’d asked him months ago while they were cuddled in the bunk of the Razor Crest how old he was, and he’d told her he was thirty-nine. He’d taken the creed in his teens. No living person had seen his face in over twenty years.
Din sighed. “I could never resent you. I’m choosing you. I’ve put some thought into it...” He paused.
Darcy waited. “What… what were your thoughts?” She finally asked.
“There are only two people in the universe I’d break my creed for.”
Darcy felt her heart thudding rapidly in her chest. She knew what he was going to say. She tried to focus on the way his hands felt on her face. They were big and warm, his gun calloused fingers rough against her cheeks.
“Who?” She whispered.
“You and Grogu,” Din said evenly.
Darcy let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding in. As much as she wanted to look at his face, it just didn’t seem like the right moment. “How about we make a deal?”
“A deal?”
“Yes. I want to see your face but,” she paused. “I want Grogu to see your face too. Once we get him back, if you still want to show us, we’ll happily look.”
Din leaned forward to kiss her softly. “Okay. I agree to your deal. I won’t change my mind.”
Darcy smiled. “Let’s get our armor off and cuddle in the dark.”
“Yeah. Let’s do that.”
Din went about helping her out of her armor, and then he removed his own before finally shutting off the lights in the room. They crawled into the small bunk, Darcy situated on top of him as he held her close. They kissed until she finally found herself dozing off into a restful sleep.
After their nap, they took turns showering in the ‘fresher that was attached to the bunk, and then Darcy decided to go find Boba. He was in the process of painting his armor. They still had some time before they arrived at their destination, and she was curious as to what the older Mandalorian was doing. Darcy didn’t have siblings growing up, and Boba seemed to have really adopted her as his little sister. She loved hearing him talk about his adventures, and he gave her Mando’a lessons as they hung out. Din and Boba had been talking to her a lot in the other language to help her learn. She was picking it up pretty well. Darcy was back in her armor, holding her helmet as she watched Boba putting another coat of green paint across his cuirass. Din had gone to talk to Cara and Fennec.
“Ori’vod (big brother), why did you choose green? Or is that like a rude question to ask?”
Boba chuckled. “It’s not rude. Have you ever seen another with green Mandalorian armor?”
Darcy thought about it for a moment. The Mandalorians she’d met stuck to silvers and blues, and the Armorer had mentioned gold. “You’re the only one I can think of.”
“That’s the point.”
“So to stand out? You want people to recognize you from the color alone?”
“Yes.”
“You’re so cool.” Boba chuckled. “I can’t believe you survived the sarlacc pit. I mean, I know that Jabba the Hutt is stupid as fuck for claiming that a person would be slowly digested over a thousand years. Side note: A person would die of starvation or dehydration in less than a month. Jabba sounds like an idiot who is clueless about biology.” She pointed at him. “And look at you, you said fuck death and crawled out. That’s some king shit!”
Boba full-body laughed. “Vod’ika (little sister), your way with words is always a delight. Let me teach you what we call idiots like Jabba in Mando’a.”
Darcy’s face lit up.
It’s a couple hours later, and Darcy has been educated on some very fun words that Din would probably never teach her when Boba asked her to follow him to an area of the ship she hadn’t been to yet, both clad in their armor, Boba’s freshly painted. It was where he’d keep bounties if he had any, there was a kind of bunk bed situation against one wall but they were caged in and Darcy never wanted to get locked in one. There were some crates strewn about. Boba led her to a wall.
“I know you need a new weapon,” Boba said as he hit a button on his vambrace, and the wall opened up to show many different blasters and rifles hanging up. She’d thought Din’s weapons rack was impressive, but Boba’s was about three times the size. “You can choose what you wish from my cache.”
Darcy stared in wonder at them all until her eyes zeroed in on a blaster that looked very familiar. She carefully grabbed it from the rack, looking it over in her hands.
“Ah, that's a modified BlasTech DL-44. Got it off of a bounty I’d captured.”
Darcy’s eyes widened as she looked at him. “What was their name?”
This couldn’t be...
“Han Solo,” Boba said. Darcy could hear him frowning.
“This is Han Solo’s blaster? Like the one he actually used?”
Boba didn’t question how she knew Han. The man was a war hero after all and had been a general in the Rebellion. His name would have been all over the holonet.
“Yes. He was a slippery one. Didn’t help when he joined the Rebellion. But I’m good at what I do.”
Darcy couldn’t believe that she was having a conversation about Han Solo with Boba Fett while holding Han-freaking-Solo’s blaster in her hands.
“I can imagine. How’d you get him?”
Darcy of course knew how Han had been captured on Bespin and then put into carbonite to be taken to Jabba the Hutt on Tatooine.
“I know Han Solo’s type. I tracked him to Cloud City on Bespin. He thought he was being smart, staying with the Empire fleet, but I figured it out quickly,” Boba said, sounding smug. “We arrived to Cloud City before Solo and his friends, leading them into a trap.”
Darcy was listening with rapt attention. “Who’s we?” She asked.
“The Empire. Lord Vader.”
Darcy’s eyes widened. “What, uh, what was Lord Vader like?” She asked.
Boba thought about it for a moment, crossing his arms over his chest. “A serious man. He hired me for a couple of jobs. The first time we met was in the Tatooine desert, him wanting me to find this kid, Luke Skywalker. Vader seemed interested in him.”
“You found Luke on Tatooine?”
“Yeah. Then years later, Vader hired me again for that mission to get Solo. They were bait, to lure Skywalker.”
“I wonder why Vader was so interested in Skywalker. That’s… weird,” Darcy said, trying to sound convincing.
“Not sure. As soon as I had Solo, I got off of Bespin, getting him back to Tatooine to turn him in for my credits.”
“You gotta make credits some way,” Darcy said with a shrug. She looked down at the blaster in her hands. She held it up away from the two of them, getting used to the weight of it in her hand. It was pretty similar to what she had used before. Darcy figured out where the safety was on it. “Thank you for the blaster, ori’vod,” (Big brother) Darcy said as she checked its sights. “I like it,” she turned and smiled at him. “Do you have any vibroblades? I lost my blade on Tython. Which is a bummer since I’d gotten it off of a Zabrak bounty hunter a few months after joining up with Mando.” Darcy was sad that she had lost the blade. She kept it as a souvenir from when Din saw her do the thigh move for the first time.
Boba scoffed. “Do I have vibroblades?” He hit a button on his vambrace, and a drawer opened with many different blades for her to choose from in many shapes and sizes.
Darcy grinned as she looked at the collection. “I can choose whichever one I want?”
Boba shrugged. “Of course, vod’ika (Little sister)."
At that moment, Din walked into the room, sidling himself up next to Darcy. “Cyar’ika (Sweetheart), is Fett helping you find suitable weapons?” Din asked.
Darcy looked at him and held out the blaster. “Yeah! Look at this one!”
Din hummed, carefully taking the weapon from her hands to check it out. “BlasTech DL-44. Similar to what you had before, except yours didn’t have these modifications.”
Darcy leaned forward. “And my old one didn’t formally belong to Han Solo,” she whispered.
Din’s helmet tilted as he handed it back to her. He knew who Han Solo was. Darcy had mentioned the smuggler before, along with the others. “I can see why you chose it.” His helmet turned towards the open drawer.
“She’s requested a vibroblade,” Boba said.
Darcy looked down at the options again, then up at Din. She leaned into him, nudging her arm against his. “Babe, why don’t you choose my blade?”
His helmet turned towards her. “You want me to choose your vibroblade?”
She patted his thigh where the vibroblade she gifted him was strapped. “I chose that one for you. Don’t you think it’d be fitting for you to pick one out for me?”
“Yeah,” he said. Din looked over at Boba and started speaking in rapid Mando’a that Darcy was having trouble following. She picked out a few words and thought he asked if Boba had a specific type of blade? Darcy frowned as she tried to listen. She watched as Boba nodded and pointed at a blade that honestly looked really cool. The hilt was black and had a dark red mythosaur symbol etched into it, the symbol of Mandalorians. The blade was a shiny silver. Din grabbed the vibroblade by the hilt and held it in his hand before carefully hitting the blade against his vambrace. It made the high ting sound that indicated it was beskar. Din nodded in approval.
He carefully held it out to Darcy. “This one.”
Darcy took it, feeling it in her hand. It fit perfectly in her palm. “Because it’s beskar?” She asked.
Din shrugged. “Only the best for my riduur (spouse)."
Darcy looked at Boba. “Beskar is super rare. You’re sure you want someone like me taking this?”
It was Boba’s turn to shrug. “I said you could choose whichever you wanted, and your riduur (spouse), has chosen a fine blade. It doesn’t matter to me that it’s made from beskar. I have more.”
Darcy nodded. “Okay,” she leaned down, sheathing the blade in her boot. “How much time before we make it to Karthon?”
Boba hit a button on his vambrace. “We’ll be exiting hyperspace in about thirty minutes.”
Darcy was eager for them to get Mayfeld. Now that she had her weapons, she felt like she was absolutely ready for whatever came next.
The Karthon Chop Fields looked like a giant junkyard. Miles upon miles of junkyard. Old Imperial ship parts were scattered everywhere. Giant AT-AT-looking transports were helping to move the big pieces, and looking out the window of the observation deck in Slave One, Darcy could see sparks as prisoners took apart the components. It looked like a pretty miserable place to be stuck.
Boba landed the ship. Since Cara would be needed to get Mayfeld, she left first to take him into her care. It’s about twenty minutes later when Boba alerted everyone that she was returning. Boba, Fennec, and Darcy went down the ramp first. Darcy and Boba all armored up, Boba with his blaster rifle in hand.
The man, Mayfeld, stopped short as they got closer to the ship, his eyes wide as he looked at Darcy.
“You got smaller, Mando,” Mayfeld said.
“I’m not Mando,” Darcy replied.
“Thank the Maker for that! That guy…” his words died on his lips, and his face fell as Din chose that moment to come down the ramp. Darcy snorted at the sudden change in the man’s demeanor.
“Mayfeld,” Din greeted him as he approached.
“Hey, Mando. Long time. You here to kill me? You brought a couple other Mando’s to help?”
Cara turned towards Mayfeld, her face serious. “All you need to know is I bent a lot of rules to bring you along.”
“Why am I so lucky?” Mayfeld asked.
Cara shrugged. “Because you’re Imperial.”
“Okay, hey, that was a long time ago, alright? I don’t do stuff like that anymore.”
“But you still know your Imperial clearances and protocols, don’t you?” Din asked.
Mayfeld let out a sigh that clearly said he did.
“Well, let’s get going,” Cara said.
Boba and Fennec went up the ramp, followed by Cara, Din, and Darcy walked together, while Mayfeld had a chance to decide if he was going to stay there or join them. Darcy bet that he’d choose them, and she wasn’t surprised when she heard his footsteps on the ramp behind them.
Boba went straight for the cockpit while everyone else went to the main hull, where there were flight seats. Darcy and Din sat together, Cara next to them and Fennec and Mayfeld across from them.
“We need coordinates for Moff Gideon’s cruiser,” Din said.
“Moff Gideon?” Mayfeld scoffed. “Yeah, forget it. Just take me back to the scrapyard. I’m not doin’ that.”
“He’s got our kid,” Darcy said.
“......The little green guy?” Mayfeld pointed between Darcy and Din, “He’s the both of yours? Wait, are you green, lady?” His eyes squinted like he’s trying to see past Darcy’s helmet visor.
Darcy’s eyes narrowed, which did no good under the helmet. “Yeah, he’s our kid.” She decided to ignore Mayfeld asking if she was green.
“So… I help you guys get him back, you guys let me go….?” Mayfeld asked.
“That’s not how this works,” Cara replied.
“Well, then what’s in it for me?”
“You get a better view,” Cara said, pointing to the windows of the observation deck.
Darcy could see that they were leaving the planet’s atmosphere, the view of the planet turning to the blackness of space and the glittering of stars.
Mayfeld scoffed harshly while rolling his eyes. “Alright, but here’s the thing. I can’t get those coordinates unless I have access to an internal Imperial terminal. We’re on Karthon? One sector over, we can find one on Morak.”
“Morak?” Din asked. “There’s nothing on Morak.”
“It’s a secret Imperial mining hub, okay? If you can get me in there, I can get you the coordinates.”
Din leaned over to the control panel and hit the comm to the cockpit. “Fett, punch in coordinates to Morak.”
“Copy that,” Boba’s voice said.
Din hit some buttons on the control panel near him, reading the estimated time it would take them to get to the planet. “We’ll arrive there in three hours.” He got up from the chair. He looked at Darcy, “Epar ti ni (Eat with me)?" Din asked.
Darcy nodded. Getting up and following him. They grabbed some meal packs and retreated to the bunk, locking the door.
They both took a seat on the bed, close enough that their bodies were touching.
“So, that’s Mayfeld,” Darcy said as she took off her helmet.
“Yeah, that’s Mayfeld,” Din replied as he carefully pulled up his helmet halfway to take a bite of the ration.
Darcy replied with a string of words in Mando’a that Boba had taught her that roughly translated to “He’s a fucker.” At least as close to that as possible.
Din choked on his food, coughing hard.
“I’m so sorry. Are you okay?” Darcy asked, eyes wide as she hit the back of his cuirass, trying to help dislodge the food.
“Where… did… you... learn… that… word?” Din choked out, his helmet back in place.
Darcy grinned, chin rising. “Boba. He taught me some other fun words too.”
“Fett,” Din grumbled, shaking his head.
“Don’t be mad at him.”
“I’m not. It was just... unexpected,” he said, his head turning towards her.
Darcy laughed. “Yeah, that’s what I was going for.”
It’s not long before they’re exiting hyperspace, and Boba is coming down to the main deck to come up with a plan, everyone gathering together.
Boba pulled up a holo of the planet on the control panel.
“I did an initial scan of the planet,” Boba said. The holo zoomed onto a base. “This is what you’re talkin’ about, right?”
“Yeah, that’s the refinery right there,” Mayfeld replied.
“Wonder what they’re refining,” Fennec said.
“Looks like rhydonium. Highly volatile and explosive,” Boba said.
“Yeah, kinda like this one, huh,” Mayfeld said, chuckling, nodding at Din.
No one laughed at his joke, and there’s just an awkward silence, everyone ignoring him. Mayfeld stopped chuckling, clearing his throat.
“They have anti-aircraft cannons protecting it,” Boba continued.
“And a platoon of security forces,” Fennec said.
They’d have to go in quietly, Darcy thought.
Din was on the same page as her. “So, we go in quiet. Let’s go get a closer look.”
Boba nodded before turning on his heel and heading for the cockpit.
It takes about twenty minutes for Boba to find them a place to land. The planet seemed to be all jungle, trees, and vegetation everywhere. They found a cliffside to do some reconnaissance. They watched as a big transport vehicle disappeared into a tunnel under a small mountain.
“I’m not gonna need long inside, so once I get the coordinates, you guys gotta get me the hell out of there,” Mayfeld said to the group.
Darcy didn’t trust Mayfeld, and she was sure Din and the others didn’t trust him either. Someone would need to go with him.
“You get to the roof. I’ll drop in and pull you out,” Boba said.
“Okay,” Cara said. “Mayfeld and I will swap out for the drivers in the tunnel.”
Darcy nodded her head. She trusted Cara.
“As much as I’d like to take a road trip with Rebel-dropper here, that’s not gonna work,” Mayfeld replied.
“Oh, yeah? Why is that?” Cara asked.
“Well, because these Remnant bases are set up and run by ex-ISB. If you get scanned, and your genetic signature shows up on any New Republic register, you’re gonna be detected, and it’s guns out,” Mayfeld said matter-of-factly.
Cara’s eyes narrowed. “You sure know a lot about Imperial Remnants.”
“If you wanna accuse me of something, then just say it.”
Darcy was getting impatient.
“We don’t have time for this. Fennec will go,” Din said, head tilting towards the assassin.
“No, I’m wanted by the ISB. I’ll trip the alarm, too,” Fennec said.
Fuck, Darcy thought.
“Fett?” Din asked, hopefulness in his voice.
“Let’s just say they might recognize my face.”
Darcy burst into laughter, bending forward. Din’s head turned towards her, giving her a look that said, “Really?” and it made her laugh harder.
Boba was an unaltered clone of Jango Fett, whose clones were the first stormtroopers for the Empire. Of course, Boba would trip the alarm. There’d been millions of guys with the same face as him.
“I’m glad somebody got my joke,” Boba said, amusement in his tone.
Darcy gave Boba a double thumbs up as she got herself under control. “I’m sorry,” she wheezed.
“Now that chuckles over there has calmed down, I guess I’m goin’ in alone?” Mayfeld asked.
“No way,” Cara said. “The minute he gets inside, he’ll tip them off. He’ll be a hero.”
It was true. He would turn on them, and their only option was for Darcy to go. She definitely wasn’t on the ISB radar, and how hard could it be? They just had to get in and get out. Easy peasy.
“Hey. This wasn’t my idea. I’m doin’ you guys a favor. I was happy digging around in the scrap heap.”
“Deal’s off. I’m taking him back,” Cara said.
“No, I’ll go,” Darcy said.
“No,” Din replied immediately.
Darcy frowned under her helmet. “We don’t have a choice. Everyone else is a bust, and we know for a fact I’m not on the ISB radar. I’ll go.”
“Absolutely not,” Din said. “I’ll go.”
“I can handle this,” Darcy said through gritted teeth.
Din put a hand on her shoulder. “I know you can. I think it would be better if I went.”
Darcy realized there was no point in arguing with him. “Fine.”
“Glad the couple’s quarrel is over. As good as I might be at fast-talking, I don’t think I can explain a guy in a Mando suit to Imperial guards. So, unless you’re gonna take off that helmet, it’s gonna be me goin’ in alone. Or say goodbye to your little green friend.”
“He’s our son, asshole,” Darcy said.
“Excuse me, guess I’m goin’ alone or say goodbye to your little green son,” Mayfeld emphasized the last word.
“You’re not going alone. I’m coming with you. But I won’t be showing my face,” Din said.
“Are you sure?” Darcy asked.
“The troopers have helmets. I’ll be fine,” Din said, trying to reassure her.
Darcy nodded. “Okay.”
They quickly formulated a plan. Darcy, Cara, Din, and Mayfeld would go to the top of the tunnel opening and drop down onto the transport as it was passing. Cara would get into the vehicle and take out the troopers and stop it. Din and Mayfeld would change into the troopers’ clothes, and then the men would drive the transport to the facility. Darcy couldn’t help feeling nervous. She was so used to Din being in his beskar armor and having that extra protection. But she had to just remind herself that Din knew what he was doing, and they needed these coordinates. They would do anything necessary to get to Grogu, and if that meant Din being a bit more vulnerable for a little bit, that would be fine. At least Darcy hoped it would be fine.
The four of them made their way above the tunnel opening, waiting for the next transport to arrive. As it began to pass under them, the four of them jumped down on top of it. Cara quickly made her way in and took out the troopers. They dragged the bodies out and quickly removed their uniforms. Darcy went with Din to a secluded corner where he could change. She turned away from him, listening as he removed his beskar.
“I’m nervous,” Darcy said, quietly for only Din to hear.
“Don’t be. Cyar’ika (sweetheart), close your eyes and turn around,” Din’s unmodulated voice said.
Darcy did as he said, closing her eyes and turning towards him. She felt her helmet being lifted from her head, and then his lips were on hers, Darcy moaning. They kissed for a minute until Din was satisfied and placed one last kiss against her lips before resting his forehead against hers.
“I’ll be okay. We’ll get the coordinates, and then we’ll get our son back.”
“You make it sound so easy,” Darcy whispered.
“We’ll do whatever it takes to get Grogu back.”
“We will. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Din gave her another quick kiss before placing her helmet back on her head. Darcy kept her eyes shut as she heard him fumbling around.
“You can open your eyes,” Din said. His voice was modulated, and she had a good look at him. The outfit was odd. Kind of reminded her of stormtrooper armor, but it was dark grey, and the helmet looked slightly different. She frowned.
“I like you better in your beskar.”
“..It is a lot more comfortable than this.”
“The beskar is hotter too, turn around,” Darcy said, making a spinning motion with her finger. Din’s head tilted as he did as she asked, slowly turning so she could see all angles. “This outfit is doing nothing for your ass.”
Din had completely turned to face her again. “Darcy,” Din said, sounding exasperated.
Darcy chuckled and moved forward so they could knock their foreheads gently together. “Sorry, sorry. You should know by now I use humor to cope.”
Din hummed in agreement.
They separated after a moment and quickly put his beskar armor in a bag and then went to meet up with the other two.
Mayfeld chuckled as he got a look at Din. “Look at this. Oh, the shame. Now that right there is worth the price of admission.”
“Wish I could say it looked good on you, but I’d be lying,” Cara said.
Din sighed. “Just make sure you take out the rooftop gunners, or we’re never getting out of here,” Din said.
“We got you,” Cara replied.
“Darcy, stay with Fett.”
Darcy nodded. Cara and Fennec would be the ones taking out the rooftop gunners while Boba and Darcy took Slave One to be aerial support and to pick up Din and Mayfeld. Din handed Darcy the bag with his armor, the both of them staring at each other for a moment.
“Hey, guys. Still on the clock. What would they say on Mandalore?” Mayfeld said. He looked at Cara. “It’s a shame you’re not comin’ along with us. You got such a sunny disposition. Can’t imagine how much fun you are in one of these.” He got into the driver's seat.
Darcy took one last look as Din disappeared into the transport. Cara put a hand on her shoulder.
“He’ll be okay. He loves you and the kid a lot. It’s obvious. He’ll do whatever possible to get back to you.”
Darcy sighed. “Yeah, I know. I just don’t like being parted from him, you know? It’s bad enough my kid was kidnapped, and now my husband is off on a mission.”
“I can’t relate to what you’re going through, but it sounds pretty tough. Let’s get back to the ship.”
“Sounds good.”
~✧✩✧~
Din couldn’t stand Mayfeld. The guy just wouldn’t stop talking, and Din’s hands tightened, keeping himself from shooting the other man. He was doing this for Grogu and Darcy. He didn’t want her putting herself in danger again, and it was selfish of him but after Tython… He just needed a bit more time to come to terms with things. Din loved her so much, and the thought of losing her? It made his chest so tight, he couldn’t breathe. So, he’d go on this mission and have her stay with Fett. Din trusted Fett to look after her. The older Mandalorian had adopted her as his little sister, and Din knew that delighted Darcy to no end.
“Hey, how’s it feel?” Din was taken out of his thoughts by Mayfeld asking him a question. They were already making their way down the road, Mayfeld driving. “I mean, c’mon, man, you still get to wear a helmet, right?” Din stayed silent as the other man continued to ask him questions. “Okay, you know what? I’m takin’ this thing off. I can’t see anything.” Mayfeld took off his helmet, throwing it on the ground as he continued driving the vehicle.
Din was realizing this mission was going to take a lot of his patience.
“I don’t know how you people wear those things,” Mayfeld continued. “And by “you people,” I do mean Mandalorians.”
Din grit his teeth, knowing that if Darcy were here, she would’ve given Mayfeld a piece of her mind. Mayfeld focused on driving, and Din thought the questioning was over.
“Feels better when it’s off.”
A man starts speaking on the transport comms. “Juggernaut Four, you’re running hot. Be sure to watch your cargo heat limits and speed.”
“Copy that, Three. We hit a couple bumps. Thanks for the heads-up.” another man replied.
Din could see that Mayfeld looked worried.
“Don’t worry about the rhydonium,” Din said. “As long as you drive steady, you’ll get us to the refinery.” He pointed at the readings on the control panel that showed everything was fine.
They were coming through a village, people milling about as they drove by and running across the road. Mayfeld hit the horn. The people stared as they drove by, looking angry. Din didn’t like how the people were watching them.
“Yeah. Empire, New Republic,” Mayfeld started. “It’s all the same to these people. Invaders on their land are all we are.”
They made it out of the village.
“I’m just sayin’, somewhere someone in this galaxy is ruling, and others are being ruled. I mean, look at your race. Do you think all those people that died in wars fought by Mandalorians actually had a choice? So, how are they any different than the Empire?” Mayfeld scoffed. “If you were born on Mandalore, you believe one thing. If you’re born on Alderaan, you believe somethin’ else. But guess what? Neither of ‘em exists anymore. Hey, I’m just a realist. I’m a survivor, just like you.”
It grated on Din’s nerves that Mayfeld thought he was anything like Din. They were completely different.
“Let’s get one thing straight. You and I are nothing alike,” Din said.
“I don’t know. Seems to me like your rules start to change when you get desperate. I mean, look at ya. You said you couldn’t take your helmet off the last time we spoke, and now you got a stormtrooper one on, so what’s the rule? Is it that you can’t take off your Mando helmet, or you can’t show your face?”
Din frowned under the helmet. This was something he had warred with himself on, and it took almost losing his wife for him to realize that he would be willing to break his creed for her and their kid. With meeting the other Mandalorians, he’d come to terms with the fact that he could be Mandalorian and remove his helmet. The first people Din wanted to see his face were Darcy and Grogu. He wanted them to see him, to see a piece of him no other living being had seen since before he had put his helmet on. He knew he’d slowly been breaking it. He’d even thought that Darcy had finally looked. He was ready for her to at least.
“...’Cause there is a difference. Look, just sayin’, we’re all the same. Everybody’s got their lines they don’t cross until things get messy. As far as I’m concerned, if you can make it through your day and still sleep at night, you’re doin’ better than most.”
“Control, this is Juggernaut Three. We’re comin’ upon some route interference. Control, control! We need a new…” The voice over the comms stopped talking abruptly, and there were screams.
“What was that?” Mayfeld asked.
“Please stand by for reroute,” someone said over the comms.
In the distance, there was an explosion.
“Juggernaut Four has been destroyed.”
“Uh….Did she say destroyed?” Mayfeld asked, teeth-gritting.
Din checked the rhydonium to make sure it was okay.
“The rhydonium is still stable,” he said.
Din had a bad feeling about this.
“Juggernaut Five, maintain speed and course. Proceed with caution. Rerouting course, stand by.”
“Proceed with caution? Is she serious?” Mayfeld asked, looking over at Din.
“Control, this is Juggernaut Three. Requesting…”
“Abort! Abort!” Screams were coming over the comms and the sounds of blaster fire.
There’s another explosion in the distance.
Mayfeld grunted as he drove them around a destroyed transport.
There was a bang like something was jumping onto the transport.
“What the hell was that?” Mayfeld asked, looking over to Din’s side. Din checked the cameras and saw pirates attempting to board.
“Pirates. Keep driving. I’ll take care of it.”
Din opened the side door and leaned out, firing the blaster he had at the pirates. There were three aliens on a speeder, and one had already jumped onto transport.
“Are you seriously firing a blaster at rhydonium?” Mayfeld yelled.
Din sighed. It probably wasn’t a good idea, but he didn’t have any choice. He noticed they had thermal detonators.
“They’ve got thermal detonators,” he told Mayfeld as he moved to the ladder to get on top of the vehicle.
“Terrific,” Mayfeld replied sarcastically.
“Just keep it steady.”
“Get these guys off us! Get ‘em off us!” Mayfeld yelled. The guy was clearly worried.
Din made his way out of a hatch just in time to shoot the pirate about to throw a detonator in. The alien fell off the transport, the thermal detonator exploding and taking out the rest of the pirates and the speeder.
“They’re trying to blow the rhydonium,” Din called.
“You think? You should’ve left me in prison!”
Din spotted two more speeders full of pirates and let out a sigh as he made his way up on top of the vehicle. It looked like he was in for a fight. The aliens were screaming in a language he didn’t understand. Four of them jumped onto the transport with big spears. Din quickly took out one with his blaster. He went to shoot again and the weapon jammed.
Kriffing Empire, Din thought as he proceeded to do the next best thing and throw the useless weapon at the attackers.
The first alien came at him, Din quickly getting the stick from the alien and then kicking him off the front of the transport. He was facing the front of the vehicle when from behind, he was struck in the shoulder, his trooper armor shattering. Din grunted as he tried to block an attack with his vambrace, but it shattered as well. He really wished he had been wearing his beskar. He knew he’d have bruises. He quickly brawled with the alien until he was able to overpower them and throw them off the side of the vehicle. There was one last pirate, still trying to pry open the container. Din grabbed a discarded spear, and he flung it at the alien, hitting them square in the chest and causing them to fall from the transport.
There was still another speeder with five more pirates.
“Mayfeld!” Din shouted, “Pick it up. Drive faster!”
The vehicle sped up, Din having to quickly catch himself from falling.
An alarm was going off inside the cockpit.
“I don’t think faster’s a good idea!” Mayfeld shouted.
Mayfeld slammed on the breaks, Din having to catch himself again as he jolted.
“What are you doing?” He called. The pirates were getting closer.
It looked like he was going to have to fight the aliens. They were close enough to jump up onto the transport, all of them with spears. Din really wished he had his beskar and his jet pack. But things were never easy. Din slammed his fist into the stomach of the first attacker, then made his way to the second, quickly disarming them of the spear. He used the weapon to hit the first pirate, them falling down. Din came back around going after the second, punching them in the face. The first one managed to get back up and tackled Din to the ground. As Din tried to get up, a third pirate came from the front swinging their spear at his face and barely missing. He ducked, missing the second swing and causing the pirate to hit one of the other attackers.
It was Din against three pirates, and only one of the three had a weapon. Din was able to punch one of them off the transport, but the one with the weapon came barreling at him. Din got the spear from their hands. He got tripped and landed on the top of the vehicle. Din had an alien on top of him, trying to choke him out, as one was trying to crawl up the side at his back, and he was watching as another was getting the container open and putting down a thermal detonator.
Din was not going to die today. He’d make it back to Darcy no matter what.
Din slammed his head back into the pirate coming up behind him, then threw off the attacker on top of him, over the edge of the transport. He got up and kicked the pirate still clinging to the side off, then ran over to the open container, quickly grabbing the detonator and throwing it at the pirate’s speeder.
The detonator exploded, the force of it flinging Din back, him thudding hard onto the roof of the transport. He would have many bruises, and he knew Darcy would look sad when she saw them. Din felt sore and groaned.
“Uh, Mando, I gotta stop. I can’t cross at this speed.”
More speeders and pirates emerged onto the road.
Din sighed. They all had thermal detonators. He wasn’t sure how they were going to make it out of this one. He was still a bit tired from the fight and sat there trying to come up with a possible solution for this big problem.
He let out a sigh and grunted as he got back up, prepared to fight. Grogu and Darcy, Grogu and Darcy, Din’s brain chanted, giving him the strength he needed to fight.
Blaster bolts exploded in front of the transport, the scream of TIE fighters flying past them as they shot at the pirates. Mayfeld let out a cheer, clearly excited that they were getting aerial support. Din watched as they made it to the bridge of the facility, and stormtroopers quickly took out the remaining pirates. Din made his way back to the front of the transport, climbing back inside. He groaned as he got back into his seat. His body ached, but they weren’t done. Once they got back to Slave One, he’d have to see if Darcy would rub bacta cream on the bruises.
“Never thought you’d be happy to see stormtroopers,” Mayfeld said as he saluted the many troopers lined along the bridge.
They drove into the facility, the Imps cheering as they got out. Shouts of “Glory to the Empire!” echoed through the room.
Din felt sick, hating that he was amongst these people.
Mayfeld came up to him, clasping him on the shoulder and leading him out of the room they were in.
“Okay. All we gotta do is find a terminal. It’s probably in the officers’ mess.”
They approached the mess hall, and Mayfeld snuck a peak. “There it is.”
Din nodded. “Okay. Good luck.”
They were so close to getting the coordinates. Din was watching for any signs of trouble. Mayfeld started heading in, then immediately turned around and came back up to him.
“I can’t go in there,” he said.
“Why not?” Din asked. He knew not to trust Mayfeld.
“That’s Valin Hess,” he said, head tilting towards an older man with a thin face in an important-looking uniform.
Din was confused. “Who?” he asked.
“It’s Valin Hess. I used to serve under him.”
Oh. “Will he recognize you?”
“I don’t know. I was just a field operative, but I’m not takin’ the chance. It’s over.”
Din didn’t understand why he was putting up such a fuss. He should be able to do it quickly. “Let’s just do this quick, and we can get out of here.”
“I can’t do it, okay? We have to abort. I’m sorry. You’ll have to just hold on to the happy memories of that green kid.”
No. They were too close. They were too close to having the coordinates to find his son. They had to do this one way or another. He’d do it himself. He was thankful that Darcy hadn’t been here; she would’ve stormed in there.
“No. I can’t abort. If we don’t get those coordinates, I’ll lose my kid forever. Give me the data stick.”
“It’s not gonna work. To access the network, the terminal has to scan your face. Let’s go.”
“Give it to me.” Din snatched the data stick. He walked into the mess, the officer that Mayfeld had mentioned was watching him, so he saluted him as he headed for the terminal in the corner of the room.
Din hit a button on the terminal and waited for it to load. The screen turned red. “Error, error. Facial scan incomplete. Ten seconds to system shutdown.” An automated voice said as it began to count down.
Din chanced a glance at the room. He was alone in this little corner. Without even thinking, he tugged the helmet from his head and waited for it to read his face. “Facial scan complete.”
Din quickly entered the data stick and watched as the coordinates for Moff Gideon’s light cruiser came up on the screen. His heart was racing, willing the machine to work quicker.
“Trooper!” A voice called.
Din kept his attention on the terminal. Hoping that they weren’t calling for him.
“Hey, trooper!” The voice said again, this time more demanding. The terminal beeped at that moment, the data transfer complete. Din quickly grabbed the data stick before turning to face the officer. It was Valin. Din tried to school his features, his stomach in knots over someone seeing him without his helmet.
“Pay attention when a superior addresses you. What’s your designation?”
Din thought quickly. He didn’t know much about Imperial designations. “Transport crew,” he replied, trying to sound sure of himself. Din was reminded of the phrase Darcy would say, “Fake it till you make it.”
The man didn’t look convinced.
“What?”
“...My designation is transport copilot.”
Din wasn’t liking this line of questioning and just wished that they could get out of there. He didn’t want anyone else to see him.
“No, son. What’s your TK number?”
“My TK number is….” Din was wracking his brain for possible numbers he could use.
“This is my commanding officer TK-593, sir,” Mayfeld said as he approached. I’m Imperial Combat Assault Transport Lieutenant TK-111, sir. I’m afraid you’ll have to speak up to him a little bit since his vessel lost pressure in Tannab.”
Din never thought he’d be thankful for Mayfeld to speak. He looked at the other man for a moment and then back at the Valin.
“What’s your name, Officer?” Valin shouted.
Din didn’t know how to answer the question and began to panic.
“We just call him Brown Eyes. Isn’t that right, Officer?” Mayfeld asked, looking at Din. Din nodded along. No one else had seen his brown eyes since he was a teenager. He felt sick to his stomach. “Let’s go fill out those TPS reports, so we can go recharge the power coils.” They both attempted to walk away.
“You’re not dismissed,” Valin called. They slowly turned back around. “You the tank troopers that delivered the shipment of rhydonium?”
“Yes, sir,” they both responded, Din pausing for just a moment and looking over at Mayfeld.
“Well, you two managed to be the only transport today to deliver their shipment,” Valin said. “Let’s get a drink, Brown Eyes,” he said with a laugh.
Din hated this man.
Mayfeld gave Din a look, and Din just looked at him wide-eyed, not sure how to go about this situation as they were led to a table and drinks were poured.
They sat awkwardly at the table as Valin asked about what they should toast to, and things went downhill when Mayfeld brought up Operation Cinder.
“Now there’s a man who knows his history,” Valin said, sounding impressed.
“No, I don’t just know it. I lived it. I was in Burnin Konn,” Mayfeld replied.
“Burnin Konn?” Valis asked, surprised.
Mayfeld hummed an affirmative.
Din kept his head low, not wanting to be a part of the conversation. He wished he was wearing the helmet. He felt so exposed and uncomfortable. So many people could see him, and his heart was hammering in his chest.
“That was a hard day. I had to make many unpleasant decisions,” Valin said.
“Yes, you did. Entire city gone in moments, along with everybody in it. We lost our whole division that day. Man, that was like five to ten thousand people.”
“Yep. All heroes of the Empire.”
“Yeah. And all dead.”
What was he doing? Din thought to himself. Was he trying to get the both of them killed? They were so close to getting out of there, but Mayfeld seemed to want a fight. Din looked at him, slightly shaking his head, trying to silently beg Mayfeld to not make a scene. He wanted to make it out of this alive. He wanted to get his kid back. He wanted to see his wife, and this di’kut (idiot) was about to make things so much worse.
And worse, things definitely got.
Mayfeld went on, clearly wanting vengeance for the civilians and his fellow Imps who had perished in the Operation, and when Valin tried to play it off like the Empire was the best thing for the galaxy, Mayfeld shot the Imp.
Din’s eyes were wide, shocked by this turn of events. And then they were quickly shooting everyone else in the mess hall, and Din felt so tired. He needed to get out of here and get back to Darcy.
Mayfeld handed Din the helmet. “You did what you had to do. I never saw your face.”
Din’s taken aback for a moment. Mayfeld was going to pretend like this didn’t happen? Din nodded, quickly putting the helmet back on. They retreated to the window as reinforcements started storming the room. They were taking out stormtroopers as they kicked a panel out of the window. They made their way out onto the ledge. Cara and Fennec were taking out anybody trying to shoot at them as they climbed up the side of the building and ran across the rooftop. Slave One arrived, pulling up at the edge so they could jump onto the open ramp.
“Hand me that cycler rifle,” Mayfeld said.
Din handed the man the weapon and watched as Mayfeld fired at a container of rhydonium, the facility blowing up in seconds.
They’d done it. They’d survived, and they’d gotten the coordinates. Din had so many emotions warring inside of him. He was upset that people other than Darcy and Grogu saw his face.
That he broke his creed
But he was hopeful that they’d gotten the coordinates and survived.
Din was willing to do whatever necessary to get Grogu back, and if that meant breaking his creed, he didn’t have a choice. He’d do it again if it meant getting their son back. There was a heaviness in his chest, though, that it hadn’t been Darcy and Grogu seeing his face first. He needed to tell Darcy about what had happened. She’d make him feel better. Din turned on his heel and headed into the main deck as quickly as possible, needing to see Darcy.
~✧✩✧~
Darcy had been worried about how long the mission was taking. Something was clearly wrong. They should’ve been out by now.
“Vod’ika (little sister), stop worrying.”
They were seated in the cockpit of Slave One, waiting to be called to go pick up Din and Mayfeld. With the way Slave One worked, they were facing the sky, so they’d be looking forward when the ship went into flight. Darcy and Boba were basically just lying on their backs, chilling. It was weird, but Darcy couldn’t help thinking it was cool.
“But they should’ve been out by now? Or am I just losing my mind?”
“It is taking a bit longer than we expected.”
“Do you think he’s okay?”
“Death couldn’t stop him from returning to you.”
“That’s super morbid, but also kind of comforting…?”
Boba chuckled. “I’m sure they’re fine.”
“If you say so.”
“We’re on. Start your run,” Fennec’s voice came over the comms.
“On our way,” Boba replied. Darcy let out a sigh of relief that Din was okay. “Told you he’d be fine.”
Darcy smiled. “Never should’ve doubted the great Boba Fett. That was my bad.”
They got over the facility, Darcy able to spot Din right away even if he wasn’t wearing his beskar armor, and her heart started thudding in her chest. Boba got them into position for the two men to jump on board, the ship hovering just beside the building with the ramp down.
“We’re ready to take off,” Din said through the comm a couple of minutes later.
Darcy wanted to see him and make sure he was okay. He sounded fine. But she couldn’t help the nervousness she felt.
They were flying away when the proximity alarms went off, alerting them that there were aircrafts nearby.
“We got company. Hang on,” Boba said through the comm to the men in the hull and Darcy. Boba did some maneuvers and had them heading straight up into the sky. “Watch this,” Boba said as he hit buttons on the control panel.
There was silence, and then a weird explosion sound going off behind them.
Darcy had heard that sound before.
“Did you use the seismic…” Darcy started.
“Seismic charge?” Boba finished for her, looking at her. “Yeah, I did.”
“Wicked.”
Boba got the ship leveled out. “Go see your riduur (spouse)."
“Thank you,” Darcy said as she quickly got up from her seat and climbed down the ladder. Din was already out of his seat and headed her way. He grabbed her waist and helped her down. They were chest to chest, him still in the awful trooper uniform and helmet.
“Hi,” Darcy said softly.
“Hi,” Din replied.
“Will the two of you get a room already? You’re disgusting,” Mayfeld said from his seat.
“Shut up!” Darcy and Din said at the same time.
“We should go get you into your armor, though,” Darcy said.
“Let’s go.”
Din followed her to the bunk where she had stored his armor, they entered, and Din quickly locked the door.
They met in the middle of the room, Darcy quickly looking over his body for any obvious wounds. She noticed that the armor on one of his shoulders and a vambrace had shattered. She reached out a hand to touch his arm.
“Baby, are you okay?” She asked.
“Better now that I’m back with you and that we have the coordinates.”
“I’m being serious.” Darcy stepped away to remove her helmet and gloves, setting them on the bed, then coming back over to him.
Din sighed. “I took some hits. I’m probably bruised a bit. This Imperial armor was hardly any protection.”
“I’m going to close my eyes, and I want you to strip so I can see. Let me grab your beskar helmet,” Darcy said as she got into the bag that had his beskar armor, grabbing the helmet. He didn’t move. Darcy gave him a look. “I’m serious, babe. Strip out of that, I wanna see some skin.”
“Okay,” Din said softly. Darcy closed her eyes and turned around. She heard him as he removed the trooper armor. It didn’t clang to the ground like his beskar; it was a softer sound.
“What’s that stuff made out of anyway?” She asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
“Plasteel,” Din said, voice unmodulated. He’d removed the helmet.
“Sounds lame.”
“Very.”
A moment later, arms wrapped around her waist, and Din nuzzled his head against her neck. She wore her hair in a low bun at the back of her head in order to wear her helmet. Din pressed his lips to the exposed skin of her neck, and Darcy made an appreciative noise in the back of her throat.
“Baby, as much as I’m enjoying this, I need to look at your body and make sure you’re okay.”
“Turn around. You can keep your eyes closed only if you want,” Din whispered in her ear. Darcy shivered. She’d told him she wouldn’t look until they got Grogu back, but Din was making this very difficult. Darcy could be stubborn at times, and she wasn’t going to give in.
Even if she wanted to.
Even if she really, really wanted to.
She slowly turned around, her eyes tightly closed. Din’s hands cupped her face, and his lips smashed into hers. Darcy could feel a bit of desperation in how Din was working his mouth against hers, Darcy opening up when he licked at the seam of her lips. They moaned as their tongues explored, both greedy. It was messy, their noses bumping into one another, but Darcy could tell he needed this. Din needed something to ground him from the mission, and Darcy would happily give whatever he wanted and needed.
When they part, they’re both panting, Din giving her one last lingering kiss on her lips before kissing the tip of her nose and each of her cheeks.
“Are you okay?” Darcy whispered. She was still worried about him even though he was right there in front of her.
“I was being serious when I said I was better now that I was back with you. All I could think about on the mission was you and Grogu. How I needed to get back to you. You’re the only two people that matter to me, and I’m better when I’m with you.”
Darcy felt her chest tighten at how much affection she heard in his voice.
“Put on the helmet, so I can look you over and get some peace of mind. I couldn’t stop worrying about you,” Darcy said. “I’m honestly still worried.” Din grasped her hands that were holding the helmet and helped guide it up and over his head. Her fingers trailed down and off the helmet and to his shoulders that were bare.
She carefully peeked open one eye just to make sure he was, in fact, wearing the helmet. Satisfied, she opened the other. Her eyes did a quick once over of his body, noticing he was only wearing the helmet, the rest of him bare, Darcy’s eyes zeroing in on purpling bruises that were littered along his abdomen, arms, and shoulders. She was frowning, her heart aching with each bruise she spotted.
“Are you sore?” She asked.
He looked like he had to be in a bit of pain.
“It’s nothing that some bacta cream won’t fix.”
Darcy nodded. She immediately went to the ‘fresher and got the medkit, taking out the bacta cream.
She started on his abdomen. She leaned forward and placed soft kisses over a bruise. Din was looking down at her, watching her as she kissed his skin, before putting some cream on the bruise and gently rubbing it in with her fingers.
Din sighed contentedly.
She did this for all of his wounds as she moved from one bruise to another, trying to kiss his pains away, showing him that she loved him. She kissed old scars too. Any piece of blemished skin, she kissed it, wishing she could’ve taken care of him when it had happened. Din was making pleased sounds with each brush of her lips and the gentleness in which she rubbed the bacta into his skin.
“Are you feeling any better?” Darcy asked after rubbing cream onto the last one.
“Yeah,” Din breathed, his voice sounding slightly strained. “Can already feel the aches going away.”
“Good.”
Seeing him in one piece and helping to heal him had made Darcy feel so much better.
“Let’s get you dressed,” Darcy said. She liked him naked, but they had things they needed to do, and if he stayed naked, she wouldn’t be able to help herself.
“Okay,” Din said, nodding his head.
She grabbed the bag with all of his armor and clothes and handed it to him before turning her back to let him get dressed.
“I love you, Din,” Darcy said. Hearing the rustling of him putting on his flight suit.
“I love you too,” Din said with a sigh, his voice unmodulated. Darcy’s brows furrowed.
“Why’d you say it like that?”
“I need to tell you something,” Din said. He sounded defeated? Upset?
She heard the clanks of his armor as he put it on.
Darcy felt dread in her chest. What did he need to tell her? Why was he upset? Was he actually more hurt than he let on?
“You’re freaking me out,” she said.
Darcy felt a hand grab her shoulder. “You’re okay. I need to tell you about something that happened on the mission.” He’d put his helmet on, his voice modulated again, so Darcy turned to face him, a look of concern on her face.
“What happened?” She asked.
“I had to remove my helmet.” Darcy’s eyes widened. Her heart felt like it was going to thump out of her chest. Was he okay? Was he upset? Clearly, he was with how he sounded. “We killed everyone who saw my face, except Mayfeld. He saw too,” Din said, his head dropping down in defeat.
“Oh no, are you okay?” Darcy whispered, her hands immediately going to his arms, gently rubbing along his flight suit, trying to comfort him.
“I wish it had been you and Grogu,” Din said quietly.
Darcy felt tears welling up in her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
He looked at her. “I’d do it again if it meant finding Grogu. I’d do anything for him or you, and if it means breaking my creed, then so be it. I just… I just wish the two of you had been the first.”
Darcy moved forward, wrapping her arms around him, tears falling from her eyes. She felt like he was feeling this turmoil, and it was all her fault for not looking when he’d asked. He wouldn’t be this upset if she weren’t so stubborn. But she wanted Grogu to see his dad. Grogu and Din had been together longer, and she felt like Grogu deserved to know what his dad looked like before Darcy. Darcy wanted Grogu to have the world.
“I’m sorry,” Darcy whispered.
Din sighed. “You don’t need to be sorry, I’m okay. If anything, I’m nervous.”
Darcy pulled back to look up at his t-visor. “What are you nervous about?”
Din’s quiet for a moment, like he’s thinking about if he should voice his concern. “...If you’ll like what you see,” he finally said.
Darcy’s heart hurt over his worry that she won’t find him attractive. How could she not? She loved him with all of her heart. She didn’t care about what he looked like under that bucket.
“Din, baby, I need you to understand something,” she said carefully. “I don’t care what you look like under this,” she tapped a finger lightly against his helmet. “I really don’t. I love you a lot. I fell in love with you, not with what you look like. So honestly, you have nothing to worry about. If you’d never removed the helmet, I would have been fine with it. I’ll love you no matter what, even if you’re like secretly a hairless wookiee or something, I love you.”
Din huffed out a breath. “I’m not a hairless wookiee. I’m human.” Din’s gloved hand came up to cup her face. “You’re perfect, and I don’t know how I got so lucky.”
“You’ll need to send Jane a thank you basket for her portal malfunctioning. She likes those chocolate-covered fruit ones.”
“I don’t know what that is but next time you speak with her, I’ll thank her.”
Darcy had wanted to talk to her friend badly, but they couldn’t communicate while she was traveling in hyperspace. The connection only worked when she was planetside.
Darcy grinned. “She’d like that and probably ask you a billion questions.”
“I’ll answer anything she asks.”
“Woah boy, I’m serious she’ll ask you so much.”
Din shrugged. “That’s fine. She brought us together. It’s the least I can do.”
“You’re so sweet, and I just love you so fucking much.”
He stroked her cheek. “I have brown eyes.”
“What?”
“I don’t like that you don’t know. I have brown eyes.”
“Oh,” Darcy breathed.
Her brain immediately wondered the shade of brown. Were they chocolate-colored? Amber? Honey? Various shades of brown eyes came to mind, and she filed this tidbit of information away in her brain, along with what his lips looked like—his full bottom lip and how they were a bit pouty. Darcy could tell just by running her finger along the bridge of his nose that it was a bit prominent. She knew all of these little things but still couldn’t picture in her mind what he looked like. She’d see at some point, and she couldn’t wait for it to be revealed what this faceless man she loved looked like.
“If you won’t look just yet, and if you’re going to wait until we have Grogu, I just needed you to have one detail.”
“I already know they’ll be the most beautiful brown eyes I’ll look into.”
Din sucked in a breath and pulled her into a hug, holding her close against him.
They stayed like that for a couple minutes, just enjoying the feel of each other.
“We should go join the others. They’ll be wondering where we are,” Din said as he pulled back.
“I guess.”
Darcy went and put her helmet and gloves back on, and before they left the bunk.
When Darcy and Din came down to the main deck, Boba was in the process of landing the ship. Mayfeld was still seated in his chair, looking bored. He looked up at them as they entered.
“Took the two of you long enough. What were you doin’ in there? Gettin’ frisky or somethin’? I mean, after what we went through, I wouldn’t put it past you.”
Darcy scowled. This dude was annoying, but he’d help get the coordinates to find their kid, so she needed to be a little nice to him, even if he made it difficult.
“It’s none of your business what we were doing,” Darcy finally said.
Mayfeld put up his hands in defense. “Hey, I didn’t mean any offense.”
“Cara and Fennec are returning,” Boba’s voice said through the comm.
Darcy and Din started heading towards the ramp as it lowered, Mayfeld following. They were just getting down the ramp. “I’m guessing it’s back to the scrap heap for me,” Mayfeld sighed.
The women were just arriving, Fennec giving them a nod before heading back into the ship. Cara approached them.
“Thank you for helping,” Din said, looking at Mayfeld.
Darcy took off her helmet, holding it in her arms. “Yeah, thanks for helping us.”
Mayfeld’s eyes got huge as he took in Darcy’s face. “You’re not green?! I wasn’t expectin’ you to be so attractive, and you’re shackin’ up with this guy?” he asked, thumb pointing at Din.
Darcy’s eyes narrowed. “Okay, first of all, dude, that guy is my husband.”
“You’re married?!” Mayfeld shouted.
“Yes, we’re married,” Darcy sighed. “And no, I’m not green.”
“Well, I can see that.”
“Anyways, as I was saying thank you for helping us,” Darcy stared him down. “Just. Thank. You,” she said pointedly.
The man seemed to catch on to her meaning. “Oh, oh, yeah. No problem. You’re welcome, and uh, good luck gettin’ your kid back.” He looked at Cara. “Alright, Officer, take me back,” he said, putting his hands out like he was expecting her to handcuff him.
Cara stared at him for a moment. “It was a real excellent shot that you took back there.”
Mayfeld smiled. “You saw that? I know it wasn’t part of the plan. I just needed to work some things out.”
Cara looked at Din. “It’s such a shame that Mayfeld didn’t make it out alive back there.”
“Yeah, too bad,” Din replied.
“He just blew up. Boom! Gone,” Darcy added.
“What are you talkin’ about?” Mayfeld asked, sounding suspicious.
“Yeah, prisoner number three-four-six-six-seven died in the refinery explosion on Morak,” Cara said with a slight smile.
“His body, just turning into a million little pieces, so sad,” Darcy said with a frown.
“Does that mean I can go?” Mayfeld asked, looking between the three of them. “Huh? ‘Cause I will.” Darcy gave him a look while Din’s head nodded at the other man, silently telling him to go. Cara just kept her eyes on Din. “Alright. Okay,” Mayfeld chuckled, finally getting the hint and running off.
After Mayfeld was gone, Cara looked between the two of them.
“Did you get the coordinates?”
Darcy nodded.
“Yeah, we did,” Din said.
“What’s our next move?” Cara asked.
Darcy looked at Din. What was their next move? He’d mentioned that they’d need to get back in contact with Bo-Katan and the other Mandalorians for assistance. But what did Din want to do?
“I have an idea.”
Din had decided he wanted to send Moff Gideon a message. Just a little something to let the asshole know that they were coming. Darcy fully supported this endeavor and watched him as he recorded.
“Moff Gideon,” Din started. He was using his authoritative voice, and Darcy was loving it. “You have something I want. You may think you have some idea what you are in possession of, but you do not. Soon, he will be back with me. He means more to me than you will ever know.” The transmission cut, Din stepping away from the holo recorder, he looked at Darcy. Din had told her that it was the same speech that Moff Gideon had said on Nevarro, but he reworked it a little bit.
“How was that?” Din asked.
“Mark me down as scared and horny,” Darcy said.
Boba, standing nearby and in charge of sending the recording, snorted.
“Darcy,” Din breathed.
Darcy chuckled. “It was good. Moff Gideon will be shaking in his boots.”
“Good.”
“We’re gonna get our kid back.”
“We are.”
Darcy felt hope that their plans were coming together. That things were working out and that soon they’d have Grogu back. She hoped Moff Gideon was scared. When they got a hold of him, he was going to wish he had never crossed them.
They were going to burn the remaining remnants of the Empire to the ground, starting with Moff Gideon.