The Mandalorian's Slave

Ran Malik

This chapter will also be in the Mandalorian's point of view.

Believe it or not, it's not easy making friends when you're one of the last people of a dying race. It's even harder when you're a bounty hunter.

I wouldn't exactly refer to Ran Malik as my friend. But he's not exactly my enemy either. Maybe that's something import that I should have told Aster, but I didn't feel like worrying her. Besides, she's been with me long enough to know that nothing about being a bounty hunter is safe.

Still, Aster is all I can think about as I exit my ship. I did my best to fix things between us, but I know things aren't perfect. They probably never will be. I don't know what I'm doing. Whatever is happening between us will end terribly. And yet, I can't seem to let her go.

"Mando! Is that you under that bucket?" Ran has gained weight. His beard is a tangled mess and he looks ancient now, but he greets me with a genuine smile and a handshake.

"Ran." I shake his hand.

"Didn't really know if I'd see you in these parts again. To be honest, I was a little surprised when you reached out to me. You know, cuz I hear things. Like maybe things between you and the Guild aren't working out?"

My heart hammers in my chest. Does he know about the Child's bounty? Surely there's a bounty on my head as well.

"I'll be fine." I force myself to sound stoic. This used to be easy, before I had people to worry about. Now all I can think about is the Child and Aster.

"Ok, well, you know the policy. No questions asked." Ran glances me over. I wonder if he knows just how much danger I'm in. "And you, you're welcome back here anytime."

"So what's the job?" I want this to be quick. Aster is waiting for me.

"Eh, one of ours ran afowl with some competitors and got himself caught. We're putting together a crew to spring him. It's a five person job, I've got four. All I need is the ride, and you brought it."

I glance over my shoulder, where Ran's men are already working on it. I think of Aster hidden within. I can't let Ran's men on my ship with her in there. They're like me, the worst of the worst. She deserves better.

"The ship wasn't part of the deal."

"Now the Crest was the only reason I let you back in here."

I glare at Ran. Not that he can see it under my helmet, but I think I get the point across.

"What's the look?" Ran takes a step closer. "Is that gratitude?" He chuckles and begins walking away. "Uh-huh I think it is."

I follow him. I don't like this. But I'm desperate.

"Hey Mayfield, here's Mando. He's the guy I was telling you about. We used to do jobs way back when."

"This is the guy?" Mayfield takes a step closer to me. He's pale, with a ginger beard and greedy blue eyes.

"Yeah, we were all young, trying to make a name for ourselves." Ran laughs again. "Yeah, running with a Mandalorian, that brought us some reputation."

"Oh yeah?" Mayfield casts be a glance. "What did he get out of it?"

I stay silent. The faster this is over with, the better.

"I asked him that one time. Do you remember what you said Mando?" He doesn't wait for me to answer before gleefully whispering, "Target practice." Ran breaks off into laughter. "Man, we did some crazy stuff, didn't we?"

"That was a long time ago." Now I've gone soft. Now all I can think about is Aster and the strange green Child.

"Wow." All the glee has been drained from Ran's voice. "Well I don't go out anymore. So Mayfield, he's gonna run a point on this job. If he says it, it's like it's coming from me. You good with that?"

Mayfield raises his eyebrows in challenge. He's got a strange, ferret-looking face.

"You tell me." I need it to be very clear that I am my own boss.

"You haven't changed one bit," Ran says between wheezing laughs.

"Yeah, well, things have changed around here," Mayfield cuts in. He stomps away.

"Yeah Mayfield, he's one of the best trigger men I've ever seen. Former Imperial sharpshooter."

"That's not saying much."

"I wasn't a stormtrooper wise-ass," Mayfield calls over his shoulder.

"Don't take long, does it?" Ran chuckles. I follow after Mayfield, toward my ship. Toward Aster.

"Razor Crest? I can't believe that thing can fly," scoffs Mayfield. "Alright, that good-looking fella over there with the horns, that's Burg."

He points to a giant of a man with red skin. Twisted black horns jut out of his skull. His face looks like there's a perpetual snarl plastered upon it. I instantly don't like this.

Burg snarls as he drops a crate on the ground. His eyes are dark and malicious.

"This may surprise you, but he's our muscle."

Burg steps close to me. Too close. He's taller than me, and every inch of him is muscle. He's so close I can see his jagged yellow teeth.

"So this is a Mandalorian." Burg's voice is deep.  "I'd thought they'd be bigger."

"Droid's name is Zero," Mayfield says, as if nothing happened.

"I thought you said you had four."

"He does." Every part of me stiffens as I here that familiar voice. Xi'an.

I turn to face her. She's a pretty Twi'lek with pale blue skin. Once upon a time, I thought I was in love with her. But I had to choose between her and the Code. I picked the Code.

"Hello, Mando."

"Xi'an." It takes a lot for me to force my voice to be neutral.

"Tell me why I should t cut you down where you stand?" Xi'an twirls a knife between her fingers. She lunges forward, her knife inches from my neck. But I don't flinch. I won't give her the satisfaction.

"Nice to see you too."

She laughs, one of those crazy laughs only a Twi'lek could have. She sighs, but it could have been a snarl. "I've missed you." She taps my armor. "This is shiny. You wear it well."

"Do we need to leave the room or something?" Mayfield glares at us.

"Poor Xi'an's been heartbroken since Mando left our group." Ean says, his eyes trained on my ship.

"Aww, are you going to be ok sweetheart?" Mayfield's voice drips sarcasm.

"Oh, I'm all business now. Learned from the best," she says, flicking her knife toward me. If only she knew what I was like now.

"All right, lovebirds. Break it up till you get on the ship. Right now we don't have much time."

I follow the others onto my ship. But somehow, I don't feel in charge. I feel helpless.