Well, that was a situation: Mando couldn’t fix his helmet 100%. He could fix the visor and cracks, but not the cave-in. He needed a blacksmith for that, and Mando didn’t have time to see the Armorer now. So, it was either risk becoming an outcast again or risk pressure on his head. Not much to choose from.
He set the helmet on his workbench and began working on the visor, but sudden tears blurred his vision; however, Mando stopped them from falling. Why did he shake Grogu like that? Wasn’t there something called Shaken Baby Syndrome? What if he had seriously injured him? Grogu didn’t deserve an abusive buir.
He couldn’t do it. Mando pushed the helmet away and sat on his bed, holding his head. Did he make a mistake adopting Grogu and letting him become his apprentice? Was he too old to be a parent? Was that why he sucked at it so badly?
“You need to listen to Grogu more.” Luke’s words, but it was still nearly impossible with how young Grogu was.
There was something else in Mando’s mind; he felt like he had learned the cause of Grogu’s clinginess, but couldn’t remember it.
What was happening to him?
The door to the berthing compartment soon opened, and in stepped Luke, Grogu in his arms. Who was flying the ship?
Luke held Grogu out to Mando, saying, “He wanted to see you. Zeb’s flying now.”
Mando didn’t think that Zeb would accompany them on the mission, though. He was more the bodyguard type: the one who stayed behind and looked after the base.
Regardless, Mando slid further down the bed until his shoulder hit the capsule’s wall. “Luke, I don’t think I can be near Grogu right now. I don’t want to hurt him.”
“Just… give him a chance. What happened was an accident. You need him right now.” Luke set Grogu on the bed and put his hands behind him. “Would it be okay if I stayed?”
If it would help prevent Mando from giving in to his emotions again. He nodded at Luke, who moved toward the capsule he had slept in on Ossus and turned his back to him. “Just holler if you need me.” His turning his back to Mando meant that he supported what Rotta had told him earlier.
He moved closer to Grogu and picked him up, placing him on his thigh. “I know you’re scared, Grogu.” Was that what was in his memory gap? “I am, too, but I need to do what’s best for you. I can’t risk hurting you.” This was painful, even for a Mandalorian.
From where he stood, Luke tensed, but didn’t say anything.
There was a long silence between Grogu and Mando, and then Mando reached for the new helmet. Nonetheless, he struggled to pull it off, even though it comfortably fit his head. It was like an invisible pair of hands held it down. But despite the effort, Mando managed to remove it, allowing Grogu to see his face one more time. He then removed his right glove and held his palm up to him, giving him a feeble smile.
Grogu held up his own hand, aligning it with Din’s.
His lips quivered, but he finally said, “You’re going to stay with Luke and Rotta for now until we find the Mastermind.”
“Wait,” Luke argued, but didn’t turn, “that’s not why I came in here.”
“It’s for the best, Luke. At least for now,” Din said, touching his palm to Grogu’s. “You and Rotta can help, but I can’t touch Grogu right now.” With those words, he lowered his hand and placed Grogu at his feet, then put his helmet and glove back on. Was that a sizzling sound he heard from the helmet? No, it was just his imagination.
Now that his face was covered, Luke turned, and his eyes landed on Grogu, whom Mando gently pushed toward him.
“I think you need to keep that helmet off,” Luke calmly bickered. “I feel dark energy from it.”
“I can’t, Luke,” Mando said. “I need to honor the Creed. I only show my face to Grogu.” He stood and brushed himself down.
“It’s not a good idea for you to keep it on.” Luke turned all wise again. “You’re drowning in the ashes I told you about. Talking about what happened will help. Do you remember what Zeb said about the Mastermind’s targets?”
Still avoiding the Dragonsnake topic, Mando left Luke and Grogu and headed toward the door. “As long as you and Rotta keep Grogu safe, I’m willing to take that risk.” He pressed a button, and the door slid open. “Come on. We can’t delay the mission much longer.”
“Wait…”
But Mando closed the door in Luke’s face.
He clenched his teeth. “Who gave him that helmet?” Luke looked down when Grogu cooed, tears in his eyes. “I think we need to find them before we leave.”
A whimper followed Grogu’s coo.
“I agree,” Luke said, resting his hand on his lightsaber. “I think there’s a traitor in our midst.”
***
“Luke, where are you and Grogu going?” Rotta opened the pathway for Luke and Grogu, who hustled down the ship’s ramp toward the base’s medical bay.
“There’s something weird going on,” Luke answered, scooping up Grogu and setting him on his shoulder. “Grogu and I are going to check it out really quickly.”
“Can I help?”
“Yes.” Luke only glanced at Rotta, but there was trust in his eyes. “You and Zeb make sure that Din doesn’t leave without us. Besides, he should probably rest a bit before we leave, anyway.”
“Yes, sir!” Rotta stood tall and saluted him. His eyes rolled over to Zeb, who tightened his grip on his blaster.
“We’ll be right back,” Luke included.
“Don’t take too long.” Rotta smiled. “I’m looking forward to a new space adventure.”
“I just hope that my theory is wrong,” Luke mumbled. He held onto Grogu while he sprinted into the medical bay. He soon stood in the reception area and hustled to the desk, meeting eyes with a green-skinned alien with black hair and deep brown eyes like Din.
She skimmed through a few holograms before noticing Luke and pushing them aside. “Jedi Master Luke Skywalker!” She jiggled, but soon relaxed. “How may I help you?”
“Do you know who Din Djarin saw yesterday?”
“Who?” The receptionist tilted her head.
“The Mandalorian. He came in with a concussion.”
“Oh, him!” The receptionist returned to her holograms. “I believe it was Dante.”
“Dante.” Luke released Grogu, but he held onto his shoulder. “Where’s his office?”
“Down there.” The receptionist pointed at a hallway on the left. “Last door on the left. Why?”
“Just be cautious,” was Luke’s answer. Turning on his boot, he hurried through the waiting area to the gray-and-white hallway with buttons on the walls outside the offices.
Soon spotting Dante’s office, Luke pressed the button and drew his lightsaber, nearly kicking the door open. He leaped into it and activated the saber, holding it over his opposite shoulder so he wouldn’t accidentally hurt Grogu.
Except that the office was empty. There was only a desk in it, with bright neon-blue lights shimmering on the ceiling. And it was cold—dark energy.
Luke lowered the saber and kicked the wall.
Grogu’s eyes rolled down to his throbbing foot and up to Luke’s face. He rested his hand on the side of it for comfort, his nails gently digging into his skin.
“We need to get to Oamia,” Luke said, attempting to remain calm. “Din’s being targeted. The invisible enemy wants him.”
Grogu whimpered again, so Luke took his hand and shook it. “We also need more information on this doctor and if he migrates around the galaxy. Don’t worry, Grogu.” He gave him one last shake. “We’re going to figure this out.”
ns216.73.217.39da2
and then Add to home screen.