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The Razor Crest touches down on the landing platform with a thunk and creak of old machinery settling on its own weight. Out the front window, you can see beautiful greenery in the distance, rising into the clouds and wreathed in fog. Kashyyyk. Never having been here before, you are awed by the sprawling jungle and the trees that are so tall and wide they have homes built into the trunks. Grogu looks out the window from his seat, his eyes shining with curiosity.
“Time to go turn in the bounty and get paid.” Din says over his shoulder from the pilot’s seat.
“Kashyyyk kandosii’la. Tion’vaii mhi?” [Kashyyyk is amazing. Where are we?] you ask.
“Aloriya, Rwookrrorro. Vercopaani Wook’eese taylir val koore.” [The capital, Rwookrrorro. I hope Wookiees keep their deals.] he replies as he stands.
You nod and follow Din down to the hull of the ship, carrying the ad’ika. You get him dressed and let him run around on a crate. Not surprisingly, Din is already fully armored and ready to go, his buy’ce [helmet] under his arm. You note he isn’t carrying his long rifle as he usually does. The shaft had been badly damaged in the last firefight. Din had become quite adept at fixing it himself as it was a custom piece.
“Ne munit tracy’uur ibi’tuur? Tion su shuk’yc?” [No long rifle today? It’s still not working?”] you ask him, tilting your head.
“Liniba amir kisol shuk’la parile meg umaan mar’eyir.” [I need to change a few broken parts that are difficult to find.] he replies almost sadly, then raises an eyebrow at you. “Gar ven ciryc meg ba’slana o’r ibac.” [You will be cold if you go out in that.]
You look down and remember you’re still in sleepwear. Din laughs and pulls you to him by your waist, his lips finding yours for a moment. Pressing your forehead against his, you touch his scruffy face before moving away. You quickly get yourself suited up, slinging on the shoulder satchel, and putting Grogu in it. Din pulls a long carbonite slab out of storage and you see the Trandoshan face frozen in it.
“Why do they never make it easy and surrender quietly?” you quip as you put on your buy’ce [helmet].
“Perhaps because they know the severity of the punishment that awaits them.” he replies.
“Perhaps because you don’t give them much of a chance to.” you laugh.
Din just shrugs and presses a button on his vambrace lighting up the panel on the side of the slab. Walking to the back, he opens the ramp, and it clunks onto the wooden planks the ship rests on. You follow him out of the Crest onto the long dock that leads towards a forest of trees. The carbonite encased prisoner floats along behind you.
“Ibac kurshi tayli kih bral!” [That tree holds a small fort!] You say, gaping at the intricate structure.
“Wook’eese kar’tayli val yust rud ibic kurshise.” [Wookiees know their way around these trees.] Din nods.
Grogu looks out from his pouch, staring in awe. There are buildings built into the trunks, winding all the way up into the canopy that is wreathed in mist. A tall, hairy creature comes walking towards you from the building at the end of the dock.
Din leans over and whispers, “Mirdi ibac cuun lenedat.” [I think that is our contact.]
“Tion jorhaa’i Shyriiwook?” [Do you speak Shyriiwook?] you whisper back.
“Kisol miite. Shhh.” [A few words. Shhh.] he says and squeezes your hand. The Wookiee approaches and lets out a loud string of roars which almost gives you a headache. Din responds in kind and the Wookiee stops in front of you and nods.
“We’re here to see Niimiteuk about a bounty contract.” Din replies, having to tilt has head up to look the Wookiee in the eye. Seeing the carbonite block, the Wookiee growls and turns his head, calling out to something.
“HROORRGRGRAAAAAAR!”
You hear a buzzing sound and an insect the size of a dewback flies up beside your group and lands on the block. You jump back, not sure if it’s dangerous.
“Osi’kyr!, what is that?” you ask.
The Wookiee grunts and pats the creature on the head.
“That’s a can-cell. The Wookiees keep them as pets.” Din replies, pressing a button on his vambrace, and the block floats forward. The Wookiee turns to you and voices a loud rumble and roar while gesturing at the creature. It tilts its head and large green eyes at you, rustling its long paper-thin wings.
“He’s asking if you want to ride it.” Din tells you with a chuckle.
“Oh, um, no, I’m good. Maybe later. Thanks for the offer, though.” You smile and nod, not at all sure you ever want to get on the strange creature’s back.
The Wookiee gestures for you to follow them towards the buildings in the trees. As you walk along, you glance over the side of the wooden pathway to see tree trunks that descend into the darkness where you can’t even see the forest floor.
“How high up are we exactly?” you ask the others. The Wookiee speaks in a low roar.
Din turns to you, “He says we’re very, very high, closer to the treetops than the ground. You wouldn’t survive the fall and even if you did, it’s dark and there are dangerous creatures that live down there. Even the Wookiees avoid it unless they have no other choice.”
“Got it. Stay up here. Hear that?” you say, looking down at the child riding on your hip. Grogu looks up at you and makes a small “ooo” sound of understanding.
The Wookiee leads you into the large, fortified building inside the trunk of the tree. Several Wookiees are hovering around a long table in the main hall preparing what looks like a huge feast. On your right you see a weapons workshop and pause when you see what’s hanging on the wall. You grab Din’s arm, and he turns to look at you.
“Look! Those are a Wookiee specialty! Bowcasters! I gotta get one of those!”
Din chuckles quietly. “Only Wookiee strength can draw those bows. You wouldn’t be able to fire one.”
You sigh sadly, “Haar’chak. Ni ven kyramla serim ti bic.” [Damn it. I would be deadly accurate with it.]
You follow your escort into a smaller side room where a few Wookiees are looking at a hollomap and talking (more like grumbling). He announces your arrival and a particularly tall Wookiee steps forward. This one has silvery grey fur, nearly white in some places, and large blue eyes. He bellows a greeting at you and Din responds in what sounds like friendly words.
“Niimiteuk. I bring the Trandoshan bounty as agreed.” Din gestures to the carbonite block the large insect is still sitting on.
Niimiteuk scrutinizes the frozen face for a moment, then bellows what seems to be a question.
“Hold on, I thought this was just a drop and go?” Din replies.
“Me’bana?” [What’s happening?] you ask him quietly.
“He’s willing to pay more for a majyc bora [extra job] before we leave.” he whispers back.
“At least hear him out. Mhi liniba waadase gotalir me’sen. [We need the credits to fix the ship.] It’s a mess.”
“All right…” Din sighs and turns back to Niimiteuk, “What’s the job?”
Niimiteuk growls, pointing at the hollomap. Din examines the map closely and tilts his head.
“This job is dangerous. The price would be high.” Din declares after a moment. The Wookiee nods.
“What does he want?” you ask Din.
“The Trandoshan we brought in for him tried to kidnap someone and they got lost in the jungle below.”
“Tion’ad?” [Who?]
“Kaysh dalyc adiik.” [His daughter.]
“Adiik? Ori’dush! [A child? How awful!] They’re sure she’s still alive?”
“Wookiees are resilient, even children. They’ve gone looking, but the terentateks hear them coming before they can see them. The can-cell is her pet and has located her but can’t get close enough. Tomorrow is Life Day and Niimiteuk hopes to bring her home by then. He knows of the reputation of Mando’ade as hunters and trackers. Invisible and quick. She’s small enough. I can carry her and jet back.”
“Gar slana solus? Nayc.” [You go alone? No.]
“I’ve been down there before. I know what I’m getting myself into. Terentateks hunt those who are Force sensitive. They’d be drawn to you and Grogu.” he replies, and you know by his tone of voice he’s serious. “Buir draar vegyc’aala aaray teh echoylir kaysh adiik.” [A parent should never feel the pain from grieving their child.] Din says quietly, patting Grogu on the head and the ad’ika squeaks.
“Ke cuyoli ti Wook’eese. [Stay with the Wookiees.] I’ll keep in contact by comm.”
“Ni ruusii gar dajun. Ke yaimpa bah mhi.” [I trust your plan. Return to us.] you say, as you always do.
“Ratiin.” [Always.] Din says with a nod.
“If you need extraction, send the signal. Tayli’bac?” [Got it?] you say to him firmly.
He nods and turns to Niimiteuk. “Okay, show me where.”
The silver haired Wookiee waves you all outside around the other side of the building and onto a bridge. He stops and looks over the railing into the trees that form a dark ravine below. Letting out a long, sad bellow, he points into the shadows.
Din turns to you. “She’s down at the end of the ravine, hiding from those creatures.”
“Ke shaadla iviin’yc, ner riduur.” [Move quickly, my husband.] you tell him softly, touching the cheek of his helmet. Din nods silently and you hear his jetpack hum to life. You step back and watch as he rises over the railing and dives down into the ravine. You hug Grogu tight, already anxious for Din’s return. Remembering something, you turn to Niimiteuk.
“Wait here, I need to show you something.”
The Wookiee nods and you run back to the Razor Crest and grab the rifle leaning against the wall in the corner and put some ammo rounds in your waist pouch. Returning to Niimiteuk, you show it to him.
“It was damaged badly, and he hasn’t been able to fix it. Can you help?”
Niimiteuk nods and takes the rifle from you before disappearing inside the building. You glance at your wrist comm occasionally, nervously waiting for a message. After what seems like forever, it pings, and you immediately pull up the screen.
> MAR’EYI ADIIK. SHAADLA GEBI’SHYA. < [FOUND CHILD. MOVING CLOSER.]
Just as you’re about to go inside and look for Niimiteuk, he appears next to you, rifle in one giant, hairy hand. You wonder how such a large person can get around so quietly.
“He found her. He’s close.” You tell him. He nods and looks towards the darkness in the distance, before handing you the rifle.
“You fixed it already? Thank you so much.” You say as you strap it your back.
You type back a response. > KE ULYC. GAR NE’LINIBA EVAAR’LA SHUPURE. < [BE CAREFUL. YOU DON’T NEED NEW INJURIES.]
Your comm pings after a couple seconds. > GAR CYAR NER BAAR’UL. NAAS JATE’SHYA. < [YOUR LOVE IS MY CURE. NOTHING BETTER.]
You smile to yourself inside your buy’ce [helmet], glad no one can see it. Din is no romantic by any means, but that never lessened the fierceness of his love for you and Grogu. You look down at the ad’ika in your arms who’s staring at you, his big brown eyes filled with concern.
“Ke ne’baati, ad’ika. Gar buir mirdala.” [Don’t worry, little one. Your father is clever.] you reassure him, but it feels like you’re telling yourself as well. You peer into the darkness, and you feel like you can see the trees shake in the distance, but you tell yourself it’s just your imagination. Just as you feel like you’re going to wear a groove into the wood planks of the bridge, your wrist pings again.
> ADIIK TI NI. ORI’SOL TERENTATEKE. NE LISE EYAYTIR. < [CHILD WITH ME. MANY TERENTATEKS. CANNOT ESCAPE.]
You straighten up and type a message back immediately. > KE TAYLI TAAP. < [HOLD TIGHT.]
Turning to Niimiteuk, you tell him, “He’s with her, but they’re surrounded by terentateks. I need to get them out of there. Give me the coordinates.”
Niimiteuk looks at you for a second and you almost think he doesn’t understand when he lets out a bellow. The can-cell comes flying down from the foliage above you, a harness in its claws. The Wookiee takes the harness and straps it to the creature’s head. He turns to you and rumbles loudly, pointing at the creature’s back.
“You… you want me to ride it? I don’t know if that’s such a good – Whoooaaa!” you exclaim as he grabs you under the arms and lifts you onto the can-cell’s back.
You hand Grogu in his satchel to Niimiteuk. “Please watch this child. We will bring back your little one.”
Niimiteuk nods and roars, handing you the reins. Hearing this, the can-cell sails over the side of the bridge and you hang on tight. Just like riding an eopie but with wings, you tell yourself as it dives, seemingly knowing exactly where it is going. As you descend, it gets darker, the foliage blocking out most of the sun. The cooler, shaded air rushes by you as you fly through the ravine, the whispers of leaves and branches rustling by you. It seems like many minutes pass before you reach a clearing where you see large boulders clustered in the middle. You can see the glow of blaster fire flying out from between the rocks. Din.
You touch the can-cell’s head, focusing your Force energy to it. “We must get to where I can shoot the monsters and rescue the little one.” The creature tilts its wings and banks into a curve towards the boulders. You can see huge creatures climbing around the boulders focused on something down in the narrow gap between the rocks. You type a quick message to Din.
> LAAM’VAI GAR TAAP. NI VEN TRA’CYA BAH TERENTATEKE. KE MAR’EYI BALAC EYAYTIR. < [ABOVE YOUR POSITION. I WILL FIRE AT TERENTATEKS. FIND OPPORTUNITY TO ESCAPE.]
Steading yourself on the can-cell’s back with your legs, you unstrap Din’s rifle, load it with a round, and look through the scope. As you get closer, you see a terentatek trying to reach down between the rocks. Training the crosshairs between its eyes, you fire off a shot. It slams into the creature and explodes, knocking it backwards and it tumbles down the side of the boulder. The others turn and see you, roaring with rage. As the can-cell circles around, you set up again and aim at another one. The terentatek seems to sense your Force presence and turns its head towards you, before lumbering across the boulder, others following behind. Firing off a shot, you knock it backwards into another one and they tumble off the boulder. Just then, something shoots straight up from between the rocks and reaches the height you’re at. You see a dark T visor looking back at you, a small Wookiee child in his arms. He nods slightly and shoots off towards the bridge. You strap the rifle back on again and tell the can-cell to follow, the trees blurring by until it lands on the bridge gently. Din walks up beside you and puts down the child in his arms. The little Wookiee runs to Niimiteuk, and he picks her up in a big hug with a happy roar. You smile and swing your leg over, turning to Din.
“Gar hukaatir ner kama. Vor entye, kar’ika.” [You covered my back. Thank you, little star.] he tells you.
“Kih’parjai. Ke’ne digu bic.” [No problem. Don’t forget it.] you tease him, “Ke gaa’tayli mhi daab?” [Help me down?]
Din nods and reaches up to catch you by the waist as you jump off. He gently lifts you down and taps the forehead of his helmet against yours. You look at each other for a moment before a loud bellow resonates, causing you both to look up. Niimiteuk appears next to you, holding his daughter’s hand. Grogu looks minuscule sitting on his arm.
He hands Grogu to Din and rumbles. “UUUUUUUROOOOOOH.”
Din shakes his outstretched hand. “You’re welcome.”
He turns to you. “Why don’t you take our ad’ika back to the Crest? I need to get some supplies and I’ll be there soon.”
You nod as he puts Grogu in your arms. You walk back to the platform where the ship stands like a giant metal beast and lower the side ramp. As you walk inside, Grogu scrunches his face and opens his mouth in a tiny yawn.
“Haryc [tired], Grogu?” you ask him.
His eyes droop as his head falls against your shoulder. You walk inside and head to the sleeping rack, where you gently tuck the ad’ika into his hammock. You pull off all your armor and put it away. After watching him sleep for a minute, you close the compartment and turn, bumping into Din as he walks up. You jump back and place a hand over his kar'ta beskar.
“Wayii! Ke’ne nari ibac! Gar kar’tayli ni paguur bic.” [Good grief! Don’t do that! You know I dislike it.] you chide him as you see the ramp closing up behind him.
Din removes his helmet, and his dark eyes focus on yours as he reaches a hand around your waist and pulls you to him.
“Upan tenn. Ni cabuo gar nuhaatyc. Nayc, ne’sirbu bic serim.” [The door was open. I protect you unseen. No, I didn’t say it right.] Din says apologetically and you smile at his attempt at an explanation. Taking his face in your hands, you look up at him.
“Suvari gar mird. Ibac jaon’ishya.” [I understand your thought. That’s more important.] You whisper before planting a deep kiss on his lips that pushes him backwards a step. You can feel his arms wrap around your back as your arms tighten around his neck, the curls on the nape of his neck twisting in your fingers. It seems like hours before you pull away and you lean your forehead against his.
“Oh! Ibic par gar! Briikase Oya’tuur, Din. [This is for you! Happy Life Day, Din.] ” You hand him the repaired rifle.
“Tion’bor?” [How?] he asks, looking it over.
“Niimiteuk vaabi jatne bora.” [Niimiteuk did an excellent job.]
“Ni gana gar dinui.” [I have your gift.] Din says with a smile and turns to reach into the duffle bag he brought back with him. He brings out a weapon that looks like the ones you saw hanging on the wall in the Wookiee workshop but smaller.
“Tion teh Wook’eese?” [From the Wookiees?] you ask in surprise. “A bowcaster?”
“Elek. Ni tioni Niimiteuk gotal’ur ibic.” [Yes. I asked Niimiteuk to make it.] Din replies, handing it to you. “Partayli gar miite o’r besbe'trayce bora’yam.” [I remembered your words in the weapons workshop.]
“A… tion ni lise pirimmur?” [But… can I use it?] you turn it in your hands, noting its perfect balance.
“Bic kih’shya bal ne bid kandyc. Kih dral, a gar lise tra’cya pakod.” [It’s smaller and not so heavy. Less powerful, but you can fire it easily.] he explains.
“Vor entye.” [Thank you.] you tell him and peck him on the cheek before putting it away.
Din nods. “We better get some rest before we head out in the morning.”
“Haryc?” [Tired?] you tilt your head.
“Nayc.” [No.] Din says and his lips curl into a crooked smile.
You laugh and kiss him on the lips. “I’m gonna go up and change out of this. Why don’t you put away your gear and join me?”
Din nods and goes to the storage locker and opens the door. You climb up the ladder into the small sleeping quarters behind the cockpit. Pulling some clothes off a shelf, you shed your kute for a loose shirt and soft pants. Crawling into the bed alcove, you lean against the soft cushions piled against the wall, the cool sheets a welcome feeling after being on an insect. You feel your body start to relax and your eyelids droop. Suddenly, a heavy weight drops onto the bed next to you. Your eyes spring open to see Din looking at you, wearing nothing but a smile and light pants, the kyr’bes [mythosaur skull] pendant swinging just below his collarbone. You smile and stretch up as he leans in and kisses you.
“Tion’jor ne ori’haryc? Tion ni gaanade riduurok ti beskar’ad?” [Why aren’t you exhausted? Did I marry a droid?] you tease him.
Din takes your hand and places it over his heart. ”Tion’meg gar mirdi?” [What do you think?]
You close your eyes and concentrate on the energy under your hand, feeling the heat radiating from his chest and the heart that lies within. A strong, fast buh-bum buh-bum that pulses a wave of energy with each beat. You reach deeper and feel a profound sadness, a memory of a devastating loss amid a violent war. It hits you hard and your eyes spring open. Din gasps and his hand squeezes yours so hard it hurts. A tear trails down his cheek as he stares at you, breathing hard.
“Din, me’bana? Ni ne’kebbu ulur gar aaloyase. Ne kar’tayli ni liser.” [Din, what happened? I wasn’t trying to expose your emotions. I didn’t know I could.] you brush the tear away. “Ni akio aarayc tome’tayle. Ni ceta.” [I recalled painful memories. I’m sorry.]
“Ni jate. Ke’ne aala dush. Ner kar’ta tayli nu ranov’lase teh ner riduur.” [I’m okay. Don’t feel bad. My heart holds no secrets from my wife.] he squeezes your hand. “Ni hibira oyacyir ti ner ruyot, a haa’taylir Wook’ee aliit dar’tome r'umaan par ni.” [I learned to live with my past, but to see the Wookiee family separated was difficult for me.]
You lean forward and wrap him in a loving kiss, trying to dispel the pain you sense still flows through him. He envelops you in his arms, holding you tight, his face buried in your shoulder. You can feel his breathing slowing down as you run your fingers through his dark wavy hair. A sound shakes both of you out of the quiet embrace. The small screen on the wall lights up with the sound of a baby’s cries. A view of the hammock shows Grogu squirming and reaching out with his tiny hands.
“Ad’ika susulu gar kar’ta bal echoyli par kaysh buir.” [The little one hears your heart and searches for his father.] you whisper to Din.
He nods and kisses you on the cheek before rushing down the ladder. You hear the sound of the compartment door sliding open and Din’s muffled voice, calm and gentle.
“Grogu, ni olar, ni olar. Ne chaabe, ne chaabe.” [Grogu, I’m here, I’m here. No fears, no fears.]
Then a soft, happy cooing sound. After a few minutes, Din appears on the ladder and climbs back into bed next to you with Grogu hanging onto his neck, who squeaks happily when he sees you.
“Ad’ika, Gar ratiin kar’tayli tuu Din trikar’la. Bid vutyc, gar cuy.” [Little one, you always know when Din is sad. So special, you are.] you tell him, tickling his ear, making him giggle.
Din smiles as you lean into him. “Trikar ner dha eso. Ni kebbu viinir teh bic par munit ca’nara.” [Sadness is my dark side. I tried to run from it for a long time.]
“Gar draar rejorhaa’i ni ibac o’r ruyot.” [You never told me that before.] you reply, surprised. Opening up never comes naturally for him.
Din pulls you and Grogu into a tight embrace, “Ni kar’tayli jii, ne liniba viinir. Ner aliit ner nau. Dar chaaba werde.” [I know now, I don’t need to run. My family is my light. I no longer fear the darkness.]