A Life Without Meaning

𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℙ𝕣𝕚𝕤𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕣 (𝕀)

They were slowly running out of provisions and other supplies on board the Razorcrest. Galaxy hopping was really taking a toll on both the ship and its occupants. In response, the Mandalorian had reached out to an old associate of his, with the belief that it would be the safest way to secure a job with a decently sized payout. Or so he explained to Ellia, who thought otherwise.

"I don't like this." she spoke up flatly from the passenger seat as the Mandalorian pressed the ship forward towards the large cargo hangar bay that loomed in the open space before them.

"You never do" the Mandalorian replied smartly as he reached up to flick a switch on the overhead panels, turning off the deflector shields.

"Can you blame me?" she asked.

The Mandalorian turned around to look at her over his shoulder. Ellia innocently tilted her head to the side.

With an audible sigh, he turned back towards the panel.

"Suppose not"

Ellia fought down a smile.

The Mandalorian eased the Razorcrest into the hangar bay. The ship's landing gear rattled a bit as it settled onto the ground.

Down in the hull, he hit one of the buttons on the side panel, sealing the safe room shut with the child inside. He then turned to the girl standing next to him.

"You stay here and look after him" he ordered, "I'll be back as soon as I can"

Ellia nodded confidently, briefly glancing over his shoulder towards the outline of the loading ramp.

"You trust these guys?" she asked quietly.

"No" he answered instantly, tilting his helmet to look back down at her.

Ellia pressed her lips into a line,

"Great" she mumbled.

The Mandalorian sent her one last nod, before walking over to the side of the hull and hit the button for the ramp with the side of his fist. He waited until it was fully opened before he wordlessly descended down into the hangar.

Waiting a few moments for his footsteps to fade away, Ellia then walked over to seal up the ship again.

Heaving a sigh, she walked back over and slumped down into a seat across from the safe room, facing the ramp door. She unclipped her utility blade from her belt, absentmindedly twirling it through her fingers to pass the time.

. . .

A few minutes later, a loud rumble of metal jolted her out of her daydream. The loading ramp was folding open again.

She looked up with interest, expecting to see the Mandalorian walking back on board.

But that was not the sight she was greeted with at all.

Ellia looked down at the six new faces, all staring back at her with varying degrees of surprise etched in their expressions. The Mandalorian was standing behind the odd group, arms crossed over his chest. She had traveled with him long enough to know that he wasn't thrilled with whatever had led to this moment.

She did a quick once-over of the strangers. Counting one black protocol droid, two humans, a red Devaronian, and a purple twi-lek.

Ellia blinked in confusion.

"Who's this Mando?" the short human standing at the center of the group asked with interest. He had long white hair, and a matching beard framing his face. "Thought you worked alone."