Spar moved through the Protector's compound, passing companions engaged in their daily routines. Weapon maintenance, training exercises, leisure activities, mundane chores, farming, ship repairs. Many who noticed him offered respectful nods or slight bows. Whenever someone approached, he'd clap them on the back or shoulder in friendly acknowledgment.
He headed toward the area where the Protector's ships were docked, a space that doubled as their primary shipyard.
Spar watched a familiar vessel descend slowly, its various components hissing as the rear landing ramp lowered. He waited patiently until three expected companions emerged from the ship.
He smirked at them, but his expression immediately shifted to wariness when a stranger appeared behind them. The newcomer had an extraordinarily unusual appearance: completely red skin, a yellow gem embedded in the center of his forehead, light green synthetic material covering his torso, red sections on his hands and feet, and a flowing golden cape.
Spar narrowed his eyes, studying the stranger who seemed to be surveying the compound with genuine curiosity. He turned his attention to the three Mandalorians who'd reached him.
"Okay," the middle one in green armor raised a hand preemptively. "We can explain."
"So what you've brought back is a new recruit?" Spar asked, crossing his arms and waiting for an answer.
"Are we about to get reprimanded or something?" the Mandalorian on the left muttered, looking away.
"I think being scolded is pretty much the same as being reprimanded, Tobbi," said the one on the right, wearing grey and silver armor.
"Nah, they sound similar, but there are different levels to it," Tobbi Dala replied to his silver-armored companion.
"Look, scolding is like your parents telling you how stupid you are. A reprimand is more like..." The green-armored Mandalorian began, before covering his face with both hands. "Tobbi, for Kad Ha'rangir's sake..."
Spar watched Fenn's reaction with a mixture of doubt and amusement. He let the banter continue for another moment before gesturing toward the red-skinned stranger standing a short distance away.
"Can you tell me who this is?" Spar asked.
"A friend, I guess," Fenn mumbled.
"We found him on Atollon," Dax continued, holding up his ancestor's journal. "We went there following the Guardian's records."
"He helped us considerably, Mand'alor," Tobbi added with genuine respect. "He knew what we were searching for and helped us load everything aboard efficiently. Without him, we'd probably still be there."
Spar stated it more bluntly. "So now you owe him a debt."
Fenn shrugged, not denying it. "More or less."
The Mandalorian leader studied the newcomer silently for a moment, then walked past his three companions toward the cloaked figure. The trio watched the exchange with anticipation.
Clone Mandalore stopped before the caped stranger, eyes fixed firmly on him, expression carrying both curiosity and wariness. The newcomer returned his gaze with neutral thoughtfulness. They simply studied each other for several seconds.
"My men tell me you helped them recently," Spar said.
"Did they?" the cloaked figure replied carefully. "I believe they helped me escape the world where I'd been stranded."
Spar raised an eyebrow. "So tell me, what did you do that made my men willing to help you leave?"
"They were searching for relics important to your culture and way of life," Vision explained. "During my time on Atollon, I explored much of the area around my landing site. I discovered a tomb with a mythosaur skull carved into its entrance."
"Sounds like you were genuinely helpful," Spar acknowledged.
"Moving artifacts from one location to their ship hardly seems significant," Vision admitted modestly.
The atmosphere remained charged with anticipation and curiosity as everyone waited to see what would happen next.
Spar gestured dismissively. "The help you provided carries far-reaching significance for our religion and culture. You've earned not only my gratitude, but the respect of our clan."
Vision simply inclined his head in thanks. "I appreciate your hospitality."
Spar turned, indicating Vision should follow.
Behind them, Fenn, Tobbi, and Dax waved farewell to the synthetic Avenger before returning to their ship to begin unloading their acquisitions.
Spar led Vision through the Protector's stronghold, past numerous armored warriors who all paused momentarily to focus on the caped stranger. Their expressions mixed curiosity, confusion, and doubt. When they saw Spar walking alongside the newcomer as an equal, the doubt gradually dissipated, replaced by cautious acceptance.
Vision observed everything with keen interest, appreciating even simple details. After spending so long isolated on Atollon with limited species diversity, breathing fresh air in a populated settlement felt remarkable. Children were everywhere, either playing innocently or comparing their training equipment and weapons.
Beyond humans, he spotted Twi'leks, Togrutas, Rodians, Zabraks, Trandoshans, and even a few massive furry beings he'd later learn were Wookiees.
Exposure to so many new alien species simultaneously was unprecedented for Vision. His mentor Bendu had explained this represented merely the tip of the iceberg. Now he had an opportunity to learn about life beyond Earth firsthand. An opportunity he wouldn't waste.
Finally, Spar brought Vision to the largest tent at the compound's center. Inside, other Mandalorians were gathered, but they were quickly ordered to evacuate, leaving only Spar and Vision to speak privately. Spar crossed to the chair at the tent's center, settling into it steadily before fixing his gaze on the Avenger.
"I heard you offered my companions some kind of exchange to help them," he began. "What was it?"
"I needed a way off Atollon so I could continue my search," Vision replied.
"Search for what?"
Vision's lips parted, then closed again. He hadn't truly considered what came after leaving Atollon.
The Avenger knew he needed to find his scattered teammates, but the warning from the Mind Stone embedded in his forehead constantly reminded him of an ancient, powerful enemy loose in this galaxy. He simply wasn't certain where to look. Strategy would be required, as past experience had taught him well.
"I'm searching for lost friends," Vision answered simply.
Spar raised an eyebrow, gaze sharpening as he tried to discern the truth behind those words.
"Where do you think your friends might be?"
Vision spread his hands slightly. "I can only guess. We found ourselves in a complicated situation and were likely scattered across considerable distance."
"What situation?" Spar pressed.
"We're fighting against an entity that threatens harm to countless lives," Vision said, his tone carrying weight.
After hearing this, the Mandalorian muttered to himself, "So you're skilled in combat."
"My role does require combat capability," Vision admitted.
"What is that role?"
"I am, in every sense of the term, a superhero," Vision answered without hesitation.
The words made Spar chuckle, his armor trembling slightly with the sound. "You said you're a superhero?"
Without prompting, Vision levitated into the air, causing the Mandalorian to stand abruptly. Curiosity and awe filled his eyes as he studied the floating figure, trying to understand the source of this extraordinary ability.
"How are you doing that?" Spar asked.
"It's inherent to my nature," Vision explained, tone steady and clear.
The Mandalorian narrowed his eyes. "Are you a Force user?"
Vision shook his head immediately. "No. The abilities I possess aren't directly related to the Force."
"Yet you can demonstrate these capabilities," the Mandalorian pointed out.
"What I'm explaining is separate from the Force," Vision said frankly. "My power derives from my very existence, in a manner of speaking."
Spar appeared skeptical but chose not to press further. He recognized his knowledge of the Force was limited, so questioning something unfamiliar seemed pointless.
"Well, you're welcome to stay with us for a time," Spar offered. "Perhaps, with your abilities, you can help around the compound. Can you fly? Because we rely on jetpacks to cover ground quickly."
"You seem to be someone who operates beyond conventional limitations," the Mandalorian observed.
"I'm simply trying to serve those who need help across this galaxy," Vision replied.
"Good." Spar clasped his hands together. "I imagine you must be hungry?"
Though Vision internally questioned whether he could actually consume food like organic beings, he followed the Mandalorian's gesture and moved forward.
Over the following days and weeks, the Avenger gradually integrated into the warrior culture surrounding him. He observed carefully, learned, and interacted with Mandalorians during their daily routines. He participated in combat drills, attended lectures about the Resol'nare, and found himself increasingly capable of fitting into this society.
Vision discovered particular interest in the teachings of the Resol'nare. He began understanding their philosophy that one must face conflict and challenges to improve and grow. While he wasn't entirely convinced fighting was always the optimal way to resolve problems, he came to respect the value this warrior culture placed on preparedness and capability.
He also learned, surprisingly, that he could taste and consume food. Something he'd never realized was possible.
He savored each bite slowly and meticulously, ensuring everything was properly processed. He drank beverages periodically to aid digestion and cleanse his mouth. His caution ensured no food or liquid became lodged in his systems, potentially causing malfunction or discomfort. The carefulness might seem excessive, but proved necessary in this unfamiliar territory.
Still, discovering he could eat was a pleasant revelation. He knew he'd never experience hunger, but at least he could participate in the social aspects of shared meals.
In the days that followed, Vision continued his education among the Protectors and interacted with others at the compound. These included clan leader Ursa Wren and her husband Alrich, along with a young man named Boba Fett who shared similar characteristics with Spar and displayed remarkable skill despite his youth. There was also a young foundling named Belo, whose red skin resembled his own, who asked if Vision would play with her and her friends.
During that game, he accidentally demonstrated his phasing ability when a ball flew toward him. Instead of catching it, he instinctively turned intangible, letting it pass directly through his body. The moment sparked an endless stream of questions and curious prodding from the younglings.
Later, when Vision's capabilities became more widely known, Spar approached him directly to inquire what else he could do. Vision chose to keep some secrets to himself, revealing only his enhanced strength, intangibility, ability to increase his density to near-indestructible levels, and flight.
From that point forward, he played a more active role in the compound, accepting this new identity with genuine enthusiasm. Vision began exploring the intricacies of starship and fighter operation. Beyond Mandalorian instruction, his intangible state allowed him to move freely through various vessels' interiors.
He gained comprehensive understanding of different spacecraft mechanisms, mastered repair and disassembly techniques, and even identified potential improvements. His synthetic mind, functioning like an advanced computer, effortlessly stored this information, building a foundation for future application.
Vision spent days and weeks among the Protectors until eventually, during a meeting about reconciling clan disputes, Fenn Rau approached him with an invitation to leave Concordia.
"You're searching for your friends, right?" he asked quietly. "You know they're not just sitting on some planet waiting for you to find them?"
Fenn joined up with Tobbi and Dax, who'd brought Boba along at Spar's request.
After bidding farewell to Mandalore and the companions he'd met on Concordia, Vision found himself aboard a familiar ship, heading toward a new destination.
"So where are we going?" he asked Dax, who occupied the seat behind him.
"Tatooine," Boba answered. "It's one of the central hubs for bounty hunting and mercenary work throughout the Outer Rim."
Vision remained silent for a moment. "That sounds like an inhospitable environment."
Fenn laughed. "It's a scoundrel's paradise."
"What will we be doing there?"
"We're mercenaries and need to raise funds for the Protectors," Fenn explained.
"What role would I play?"
"Um, do superheroes get paid too?" Boba asked with innocent curiosity.
Vision stared at the ceiling thoughtfully. "That's an unusual question, because I feel like it's both appropriate and inappropriate simultaneously."
Though not exactly a clear answer, Vision had embarked on a new journey. They were bound for Tatooine, a world filled with unknowns and challenges that would test everything he'd learned.
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