#yt-1300

Din Djarin was talking to himself again and Grogu understood why. They were standing about ten meters from a familiar YT-1300 Light Freighter. Grogu noticed that small plaque that read ‘The Bard’ near the port side entry ramp. Huh? Didn’t Jedi Seb have this ship? Or was it his daughter? Why was it on Corellia? Wasn’t it supposed to be on Ordo? Grogu was confused. 

The confusion ended when the port ramp lowered and Grogu watched Seb Ta’low walk down it, alone. He hopped off his dad’s shoulders and trotted as quickly as he could, without using the Force, to reach Seb.

“Well, well, well. I thought everything had been sorted out with your ship, Din Djarin?” 

Seb greeted Grogu’s dad, while he accepted a quick hug and head tap from the Jedi/Mandalorian youngling. 

“It is. I’m here because I was hoping to meet up with Muun Bajir. I had traded a few messages with her recently and hoped we’d find her here.”

“Ah. I understand. I’m afraid that’s my fault. Muun is taking a ship on a trip for me. A friend left it to me as part of their remembrances and I don’t have need for it. Muun’s bringing it to Dantooine. From there I think she planned on going to Ord Mantell to pick up some materials she located at the old deep dock. She’ll be taking those to Ordo or Mandalore. I’m not sure which right now. It will be several weeks before she’s here again.”

“Dank Farrik! I was hoping to talk to her about a problem Grogu’s been working on.”

Grogu chirped at Jedi Seb and then began to describe the problem. Seb nodded, both watching and listening to Grogu carefully. When Grogu was done Jedi Seb smiled at him.

“I see. That is an interesting problem. There are many groups in a galaxy as large as our who interact with the Force in a manner that might seem familiar to a Jedi or the Monks of B’omarr. The Brethren are one of those groups. I know several members of that group. It had never occurred to me to look for them by analyzing crime data. I’d like to meet your IG-11-M droid, although I am not familiar with the ‘M’ designator.”

“The ‘M’ stands for Marshal. It used to be an assassin/bounty hunter droid. It was reprogrammed by a friend of ours and became the Marshal of Nevarro City.”

Grogu smiled at his dad. He appreciated him explaining that part to Jedi Seb. Every time he thought about IG-11, even after all the non-sense with the protocol droid, C29, he always thought about Kuiil and it made him sad. He still missed his Ugnaught friend.

“Ah. I understand now. I don’t suppose your friend would like to try reprogramming an old HK-47 droid? Although I doubt anyone would like to try that.”

Jedi Seb spoke to Grogu’s dad and seemed to pick up quickly that both Grogu and his dad were suddenly sad, thinking about their friend, who was gone but not forgotten. 

“He’s not available. Imps. Well, since you know of these Brethren, is there any chance we can talk to them? Grogu’s got a bee in his beskar about choosing the right path. He’s my apprentice so I’m not exactly impartial.”

“And I am a former Jedi Knight. Very few would consider me an impartial party when discussing such matters. I however understand Grogu’s dilemma, having children will force you to prioritize. Perhaps we should go over to Ki’s Place and have a bowl of noodles and discuss it all like civilized people. I have always found a good meal to be of great assistance when discussing philosophy.”

Grogu looked anxiously at his dad. He loved Jedi Seb’s idea. His stomach was already growling because of that obnoxious Klatooinian and what he had to do to stop him from hurting anyone at the diner. And maybe Ki had already made for fire stacks?

“Sure. The meal sounds civilized, but I’m not sure the diner is. Some Klatooinian was looking for Muun and was pretty upset when he didn’t find her there.”

“I’d like to say that surprised me, but the only surprise is that happened when Muun wasn’t there. I guess the Force was working in her favor when I asked her to move that ship. For that alone, let me say, it will be my treat.”

“Thank you. You may regret that later. Grogu’s pretty hungry and he already knows how good those noodles are.”

“My pleasure. He’s a growing boy.” Seb paused as he picked Grogu up so he could ride back to the diner on Seb’s shoulders. “Trust me, after your children reach a certain age, you’re just happy when they’ll share a meal with you. I’m very interested in knowing more about he learned about the Brethren. They are a secretive lot.”

“Deal.”