Chapter Text
“That was fast.” Fennec comments as I walked into the burnt out hole that once was a cantina in the city. This rendezvous point following Mos Pelgo, or Freetown, had recently been blown to the stars, courtesy of the Pykes no less.
“Were you able to hire any foot soldiers?” Fennec asks.
“I think so.” I relay. “Cobb Vanth is raising a garrison for us.”
“What price did you negotiate?” Fennec questions.
“Free.”
“Free?” Boba repeats.
“He’s been holding off the spice trade single-handedly. I told him we could shut it down.” I inform.
“That’s not free. That’s most of Jabba the Hutt’s business.” Fennec points out.
“That’s what the town wants.” I assert.
“I agree to their terms.” Boba accepts.
“There’s a lot of credits to be made from that orange powder.” Fennec continues.
“In the long run, it is better for us as well. Mos Espa can become a prosperous city under our protection. Spice is killing our people. Let Marshal Vanth and the people of Mos Pelgo—"
“Freetown is its name now.” I correct.
“Let the people of Freetown know they have my word.”
“You can tell Cob Vanth himself when he arrives here with the reinforcements.” I tell.
“You are confident he will come?” Boba queries.
“I am.”
“Well, if he does not, we are doomed. Our skill is not match for the Syndicate numbers. We must buy time until they arrive. We’ll lockdown at the palace.” Boba plans.
“Bad idea.” One of the Mods remarks.
“Is that so?” Boba questions.
“It is.”
“And where do you propose we wait for reinforcements?” Boba asks.
“Here.”
“Here? In these ruins?”
The Mod nods his head.
“Nonsense. The palace offers greater protection.” Boba dismisses.
“If you want to abandon Mos Espa and hide in your fortress, go ahead. We’re staying. The people who live here need our protection.” The female Mod asserts.
Boba and Fennec share a glance before he turns back to the Mod couple.
“We’ll stay.” He states.
---
Alarms began to sound through the system. The droids woke just as I did. Someone was approaching the hangar.
“It’s an X-wing. What’s an X-wing doing here?” I panic, rushing out the office as the pit droids readied for its arrival.
“Stay in here, lock it up will you? Hide that. Get rid of that.” I instruct as I pass my other droids and head for the landing X-wing.
“Go. Go. leave it over here, okay? Move it over there. Go! You heard me! Quit it.”
“Hello, officer! I filed for my New Republic certification seal just as you were landing. Quite a coincidence if you ask me.” I assure as I come up to the side of the ship.
“Isn’t it just.” A voice calls from within before they stand from their pilot’s seat and another familiar head pokes over the edge.
My fake smile changes into a real one. “Well, look who it is! Stars, am I glad to see you two!” I exclaim as I begin to climb the ladder to grab the little womp rat.
---
“Did they teach you to fly an X-wing already? Peli coddles as she jumps back to the ground with Grogu. He coos happily in her arms as one of the pit droids beeps at her.
“I know Kia and the astromech flew the ship.” She scowls behind her as I climbed out myself.
I chuckled to myself a little. “Good to see you, Peli.” I smile.
“Well, you look like you’ve been doing well since I last saw ya.” Peli admires as she looks me up and down, admiring the new look I supposed. Adorned in white fabric and brown belts and straps, it was a step up from my old grey, dirtied garments.
“Can’t say the same for Mando.” She adds, which saddens me. Perhaps he had missed us more than I imagined.
R2 beeps in conversation, asking after Din.
“The Mandalorian? He’s not here.” Peli informs.
“Not here? I could have sworn I felt his presence bringing me here.” I relent.
“He’s not in Mos Eisley, but he is on a job in Mos Espa. Doing what, I don’t know, before you ask.” She announces, which relieved me. So, he was here, thank the stars.
“Well, what do we have here, bright eyes?” Peli wonders as she notices the shine beneath Grogu’s cloak, his beskar. “Oh, something shiny. Well, look at you all fancy. –You must be starving. Bring him some dung worms.”
I smile as I watch her coddle Grogu, but my mind was set on Din.
R2 beeps again.
“Oh, keep your dome on. There’s no rush, Mando will be back eventually. Besides, Kia’s here, what you blowing a fuse over. The baby’s gotta eat.” Peli calls back as she walks off with the droids to feed Grogu. “In a rush.” She scoffs to herself.
I scoff in amusement, before turning to the ship over to R2. “I’ll find him R2, don’t worry. We’ll be alright here. Tell Master Luke we’ve arrived safe. You can go.” I assure.
He beeps his apprehension, but I encourage his exit regardless. We were more than fine. I’d never been more equipped to protect Grogu and he had friends with him now too.
As R2 launched the ship out of the hangar, I walked over to the group around Grogu and his dinner.
“Peli, I’ve got to bring Mando back here. Is there something I can ride to get to Mos Espa?” I ask.
“Uh, well, my speeder bikes are totalled. But I do have old gal we can fly over.” She informs.
“I’ll take her. You stay here with Grogu. We don’t know what kind of job he’s on.” I dismiss.
“Oh, come on, like you can’t hold your own and protect us little people if it came to it. Besides, I know I a guy in Mos Espa that can get us a free droid taxi. Yeah, that’s right, ‘ol Peli here gets around. She dates.” Peli declares.
“Isn’t that right? I’m a catch in these parts, little guy.” She says, picking up Grogu. I had no doubt about it.
“Come on, you can finish your meal when we get back with Mando. Auntie Peli will feed you some more.” She assures as she leads us away. “Yeah, that’s right, Mando. You excited to see your old pal again, huh?” she rambles.
I sure was.
---
“As we wait for the reinforcements to arrive with Cobb Vanth from Freetown, our forces are quietly patrolling the streets of the old city. The Pyke Syndicate has not yet arrived in numbers, but the minute they do, we will see them before they see us. The truce you negotiated with the other families of Mos Espa will ensure that they remain neutral and allow us to gain the upper hand by surprising the arriving soldiers.”
“The Gamorrean guards are posted in the Klatooinian territory at the starport and will alert us if any of the Pyke Syndicate forces arrive. Krrsantan is in Trandoshan territory, keeping tabs on the streets of the municipality in front of City Hall. Drash and Skad are with the other Mods keeping an eye on the Worker’s District and the Aqualish Quarter.”
“As you can see, all our flanks are covered. Nobody is sneaking up on us. When the people of Freetown arrive, we will have the forces required to pivot our strength to whatever region the Pykes choose to attack from.” Fennec outlines as I listened by the window of the busted cantina we held up in still.
“For now?” Boba questions.
“We wait.” Fennec answers.
“Not for long.” I chime as I spot someone heading our way outside, drawing my blaster.
“Lord Fett, there is someone here to see you.” A droid announces.
“I thought you said nobody could sneak up on us.” he remarks before heading outside.
Outside, a being I’d never come across before stood ahead, waiting, standing watching as Boba stepped outside.
“I thought I smelled something.” Boba pokes, making me think he knew exactly who this was.
“If you’re looking for a job, you’re late.”
“I’ve already got a job. I’m here to negotiate on behalf of the Pyke Syndicate.” The mysterious man states.
“I don’t negotiate with gutless murderers.”
“If that’s not the Quacta calling the Stifling slimy.” The man responds, which I knew I’d heard Boba say before. They definitely knew each other.
“Clear out. And tell your bosses we know they’re outnumbered.” Boba warns.
“I wouldn’t be counting on the people of Freetown to be coming anytime soon. I paid Marshal Vanth a visit. You should’ve never left him without his armour.” The man threateningly announces. He’d killed Cobb. Now I had my own agenda against this assassin.
Fennec and I appeared around the entrance pillars on each side, blasters and rifles raised behind Boba.
“Before you get any ideas, I’ve got back shooters too.” The man informs as two Pykes appear atop a building, rifles too in hand.
“Let the spice move through Mos Espa, and all this can be avoided.”
“No.”
“What do you propose then?” The man questions.
“I will only negotiate with the head of the Pyke Syndicate.” Boba insists.
“You mean the one that massacred your Tusken family and blamed it on a speed bike gang?” the man taunts. “You know it’s true.”
As Boba readjusts his grip on his rifle, Fennec steps out from the pillar towards him.
“Boba.” She calls.
“Let’s do this right here, right now.” The man urges, pushing his coat back to reveal his two holstered blasters.
“Not now. You pick when.” Fennec reminds.
“He killed Vanth. The reinforcements aren’t coming.” Boba points out.
“We fight on our terms, not theirs.”
“I can take him.” Boba assures.
“You’re emotional.”
“I can take him.”
“We need to adjust. You’ll have your moment.”
It takes a moment, but his grip on his rifle finally relaxes.
“Tell your client negotiations are terminated.” Boba declares.
“You’re going soft in your old age.” The man mocks.
“We all do.” Boba responds before the man takes his leave.
As Boba turns back, the Twi-lek assistant comes rushing out to the group.
“That was an impressive display of restraint. Exemplary stratagem. If I may be so bold as to offer additional counsel—” he praises.
“I wonder how much he would pay for the Twi’lek.” Boba remarks, interrupting his rambling.
“Understood. Many pardons. I should never have interjected.” The Twi’lek apologises.
“Come in, boss. Come in.” Drash calls through comms. “Something feels strange over here.”
“Have the Pykes arrived?” Boba asks.
“Not yet, but something feels off.” Drash responds before the comms go quiet for a moment.
“The locals are attacking.” Drash finally calls in.
“I thought we had a treaty.” I point out.
“So did I.” Boba spits.
“They laid a trap!” Drash shouts through comms.
“Santo! Santo, come in!”
Nothing.
And shortly after, the Gamorrean’s call through they’re under attack.
They were hitting us all at once.
“It’s a coordinated attack. We’ll have to gather our people.” Boba instructs as we head back inside the cantina.
“There’s no way to overcome their advantage. We need to take out command and control.” Fennec points out.
“Does the Pyke Syndicate still operate out of Mos Eisley?” Boba questions the Twi’lek.
“Oh, it’s difficult to say for certain that—” he starts but Fennec cocks her rifle.
“Mos Eisley? Yes, now that I think of it, indeed they do. More specifically the Desert Survey Office.” He informs.
“Can you do that? Can you get there in time?” Boba asks Fennec as she strapped her rifle to her back.
“Worth a shot.” She says before running out and hopping on a speeder.
It had been quiet for some time, but before long, the Pykes finally arrived at our location.
“They’re here.” I announce.
“It was just a matter of time. –Is Cad Bane with them?” Boba queries.
I looked out again, and I couldn’t see the blue assassin from before. “Don’t see him. Any news on the others?”
“Would be a miracle if any survived. All three gotras of Mos Espa turned on us.” Boba relents.
“It was the smart move.” I back.
“It was.” Boba sighs.
“I suppose you’ll be heading out.” He assesses.
“I’m not.”
“You should.”
“It’s against the Creed. I gave you my word. I’m with you until we both fall.” I assert.
“You really buy unto that bantha fodder?” Boba dismisses.
“I do.” I assert.
“Good.” he responds.
“The way I see it, we have two choices. We wait until they get into position and launch a siege on their terms.” I begin to theorise.
“Or?”
“We rush out there, catch them unaware. Then we can escape to your ship at the palace.” I finish.
“I can’t abandon Mos Espa. These people are counting on me.” Boba reiterates.
“Okay, then. We’ll both die in the name of honour.” I state.
“Sure you wanna stay?” Boba asks.
I unholster my blaster. “This is the Way.
“If I may offer an alternative? –Shall I continue?” the Twi’lek chimes, holding his hands up as he approached us and we stared.
“I’ll continue. –You may not know this about me, in fact, how could you, except perhaps what vestiges remain of my accent, but I was educated on Coruscant. Not that that makes me better in any way.” He rambles.
“Get to it.” Boba pushes.
“Yeah, uh, I attended finishing academy. My parents were not wealthy by any means. I specialised in Civic Council Negotiations. Now, if you would feel confident empowering me to negotiate on your behalf, I’m fairly certain we would be granted passage off world with, at worst, some theatrical symbolic, grovelling gestures and an exchange of funds.” He explains.
“Very well. Give me your tablet. I will write out my statement and what I am willing to pay.” Boba agrees.
The Twi’lek grabs and hands off his tablet and pen. “I shall go as your emissary. I have no compunction whatsoever genuflecting or even groveling if needs be, which would save you from any potential bruising of ego, so to speak.” He outlines as Boba writes.
“Now go before I change my mind.” He orders as he hands the tablet back.
“Yes. Excellent.” The Twi’lek responds as he rushes to the entrance.
“So, what’s your plan?” I ask.
“Just fly when I fly.”
“Got it.”
“Salutations! Salutations! I am unarmed but for this tablet bearing the terms of surrender. I wish to present to whomever spokesperson is empowered to deliberate an acceptable outcome in the eyes of the Oba Diah high council.” The Twi’lek announces outside in front of the surrounding Pykes.
“Read it to me, tail-head.” One responds.
He chuckles. “Oh, because of the enchanting sobriquet, and one of which I never tire. Yes. Someday I hope to see the fabled Obsidian Cliffs of Oba Diah with my own eyes.” He rambles, again.
“Read it.”
“Agreed. Let us dispense with the pleasantries. –I, Boba Fett, speaking as Daimyo of the Tatooine Territories formerly held by Jabba the Hutt, do present the following offer—” he reads before hesitating a moment.
“Perhaps we should discuss what you’d be willing to—” he starts.
“Read it.” the Pyke repeats.
He nods. “—Following offer.” He continues. “Nothing. –You will leave this planet and your spice trade. If you refuse these terms—the arid sands of Tatooine will once again flourish with flowered fields fertilised with the bodies of your dead. –His words.” The Twi’lek finishes as the Pyke in front raises his blaster.
Boba suddenly flies and I follow after him, he shoots the Pyke in front of the Twi’lek as he goes into the air to the left. I join the shootout as I fly to the right and the Twi’lek hightails it back inside the cantina. We shoot our way through the Pykes as we land back on the ground, continuing the shootout as more and more appear. They pop out from the sides, from above the buildings, some even try to flank us, but we do our best to keep them at bay, but there are everywhere.
Bob uses his knee launchers as I use my whistling birds from my vambrace, taking out several at a time, but more came to replace them. We were taking more hits against our beskar than we could send back.
“They just keep coming.” Boba shouts before we are both pushed to our knees at the rampant shootout.
Until, cover fire began to take out some of the Pykes. We both shot our heads to the right, and a hovercraft appeared coming our way, carrying a group of soldiers to our side.
“The people of Freetown.” I announce as I recognise the barman, the one adamant on not fighting. I suppose losing Cobb changed their mood and will, like it would anyone.
We rise and join back into the shootout as they stop behind us.
“Help while you got cover!” the barman shouts to the people as he mans the craft gun.
As we rush behind the craft, he jumps down from the gun with us, taking fire.
“I’m sorry about your Marshal.” I comfort.
“They gunned him down in cold blood.” the barman spits.
“You didn’t have to come here.”
“Yes, we did. The planet deserves better.” He declares as more shots start to come from the left.
The Mods were headed straight this way and were joining in shooting out the rooftop Pykes as they rode out in front of our cover and joined in against the lot before getting behind the cover too.
“You alright?” Boba asks.
“Got pretty hairy back there.” Drash relays.
“Where’d all these sand scurriers come from?” Skad pokes.
“We’re here to save the tails of some city rats.” A woman from Freetown retorts.
“Save it for the Pykes.” Boba chimes before Krrsantan suddenly appears ahead, flying and shooting Pykes off and around him as he took blaster fire. He was limping his way over as best he could, but as he gets close, he goes down under fire.
“Cover me!” Boba shouts.
I follow after him as he helps the roaring Wookie to his feet. As I stand in front, shooting, they get around back under cover.
“Welcome back, Santo. I have to confess I thought you were gone. I owe you a nice long soak in the bacta tank when this is done.” Boba assures as he lays him down against the craft.
“They’re falling back!” someone yells.
Everyone started to cheer in celebration, but I knew that wasn’t the case. They wouldn’t have fallen back in surrender. Not this quickly.
I turned my heat signature on through my visor, to reveal something was headed our way from behind a nearby building. It looked like a large droid.
“I wouldn’t celebrate yet. We got problems.” I announce as the thing appeared around the corner.
And then another from the other side.
“We got real problems.” I repeat as these two enormous gunned droids now faced our way. As they crawled like mechanical scorpions our way, their shields went up, making this a whole lot harder already.
We all began our fire, but against the shields, it was useless. They just kept coming.
Boba shoot a rocket, and as the smoke and fire clears it reveals them still standing. Not a scratch.
They finally begin to shoot back and their guns total our position and cover.
---
The sudden feeling of fear and destruction hit me. The city was scarce as we navigated through, everyone hidden inside and the more Peli explained what was happening with the Pyke Syndicate, the more the feelings of fear was making sense around the city. But when the sense of panic and demolition was surging, I knew I had to go after it. Some people were in trouble and needed aid. We hadn’t found Mando yet, but with the Pykes dotted around, this was something I just felt I had to go after. So, I stood up in the roller droid taxi as it wheeled us quickly around.
“What are you doing?” Peli questions.
“There are people in trouble. Keep looking for Mando, get Grogu to him. I’ll find you.” I state before jumping from the taxi.
“What?! Where are you going?!” Peli shouts as she travels away and I run off down the street.
---
“Run! We’ll distract them.” Boba orders to everyone as the two of us stay.
After everyone had sprinted away, a few more shots from the droids blew up the craft. We both jetted up and landed around the one that turned to follow the group, stopping its path. Boba shot as I blasted the droid with fire from my vambrace. But neither do a thing against the shield still. As the second droid turns to face us, I fly over the one we faced, not wanting to get blasted out of the street, and join Boba’s side. As he blasts, I grab and ignite the darksaber. As I strike it overhead, it hits the shield but to my surprise it doesn’t cut through. It bounces me back a step. I strike at it again, and again, and the same happens.
“I can’t get through!” I yell before we both rush to the side before the droid shoots where we had stood.
“These two will destroy the whole city!” Boba worries.
“Our energy weapons can’t get through, and our kinetic weapons have too much velocity.” I assess.
“Move!” Boba yells as the droids shoots at us again.
“Can you protect the others?” Boba asks.
“I can distract them for a spell. Why?”
“Watch out!” Boba shoves as the droid behind shoots at us too.
“We need reinforcements.” Boba points out but we had no one left.
“From where? You’ve run out of friends.” I retort.
“Protect the others.” He simply orders before flying off into the sky and the droids both shoot after him.
I run around the two as they shoot and distract the back one, in the hopes they both followed after me, away from the direction of the others. As I am sent flying from a blast, I rush off my feet to take cover. As I peer over, I see the front droid is going after the others and the one behind is turning back to follow after it. I move and stand out back in the street, shooting repeatedly at the back of the droid. If I couldn’t get both to follow, I could at least get this one to. With the droid turning back to me, I sprinted away, taking this droid away from the people. I had to hope they could cope with one whilst I did the other.
---
With the droid shooting not far behind me, I run around a corner and is suddenly faced with an approaching taxi, to my surprise with Peli inside.
“Mando! Ha! We found you! Have I got a surprise for you.” she yells.
“Turn around!” I shout as they come to a stop before me.
“What?”
“Turn around!” I shout louder, flailing my arms to gesture them back.
“Can’t hear you!” she calls out as I turn back to face the droid now coming around the corner, blasting the thing once again.
“Turn around!” I hear Peli screaming.
As the droid fully turns, it begins to shoot at us after me again, and I run after the taxi about to hightail it out of here, jumping onto the back of the thing as I shot back at the droid.
“Can this thing go any faster?” I question as we fled the droid.
“Go faster, you bucket of bolts.” Peli orders, throwing a spanner at the roller droid and it finally picks up the pace.
“Hey, Mando! Look who’s here.” Peli suddenly announces and I look over at her to see what she was talking about, taking my eyes off the droid for a second, and as I glance back, I double take. It was Grogu.
“What?” I exclaim as he gurgled below looking up at me. “Hey, what are you doing here?” I ask a little shocked at the sudden appearance and he immediately jumps up into my arms. I catch him with one arm as I keep my blaster in the other. “Okay, little guy. I’m happy to see you too. I didn’t know when I’d see you again. –It’s okay. Yeah. I missed you too, buddy.” I converse as Grogu tries to hug me as I held him.
“But, uh—we’re in a bit of a bind here right now. You be careful. You keep your head down. You stay hidden until the fight’s over.” I caution as I place him back into the seat next to Peli and notice something shiny beneath his cloak. I peel it back a little and see the beskar. “Hey, that’s the shirt. You go the shirt.”
“Yeah, he’s looking real fancy for your little reunion.” Peli chimes.
“How did he get here?” I suddenly wonder as I continued my blasts back at the droid as it continued it’s own.
“Flew here in an X-wing with Kia. Gave me a real fright for a second when that thing landed in my hangar. Ha! The Force works in mysterious ways.” she announces.
“Kia’s here?” I exclaim. I couldn’t believe they were both here, and what brilliant timing they had.
“Yeah! And she’s looking real good too, might I add. I think you’ll like what you see, you ‘ol stud.” She laughs to herself before a blast from the droid almost takes us out, rumbling the taxi.
“Alright, save the tender moment. We’ve still got this Scorpenek droid chasing us.” Peli needlessly reminds, just as I notice the roller droid was starting to emit black smoke and sparks. It was overheating at this speed, and before I could even say a thing about it, it suddenly sparked out and fell, tumbling under the taxi, causing the thing to flip over and throw us all forward into the air. I instantly ignite my pack to propel my fall forward and fly after Grogu in the air. I wrap myself around him and as my pack disengages, I fall to the ground on my back, sliding along the sand.
Rising to my feet alongside Peli, I continue my blasts at the approaching droid, Grogu wrapped in my arm still, until a sudden roar echoes from somewhere in the distance.
---
Finally finding the surge of panic and fear, I found the destructive attack against some people of the city. Ahead a large scorpenek droid with a garrison of Pykes around it were cornering a group fighting back under cover. As a couple snipers took out a few Pykes from above, the droid began to shoot up towards them. I continued to sprint up the street and as I neared the attack, I jumped high, flipping in the air over the droid and Pykes, and landing ahead of them. The blasts suddenly stopped after I land. I hear the droid’s mechanics whir as it turns from above towards me.
With my back towards them, I could sense the feelings of confusion and curiosity at my entrance. Then, as I ignited my lightsaber, the ice blue glowing at my side, I felt curiosity and confusion turn to panic, from the Pykes no doubt. Jumping out the way of the first shot from the droid, I land further back and now finally facing them all, I smirked as the dust cleared.
“Shoot the Jedi!” A Pyke yells and they start their rain of fire upon me.
I spin my saber around, deflecting every shot before sending a surge of the Force forward, pushing the Pykes off their feet onto their backs. The droid wobbles but remains on its feet at the small surge and as it continues it’s fire, I deflect the blasts onto the rising Pykes, shooting them one by one, blast by blast with every deflection, until all around the droid were dead.
I finally ran for the droid and slid around to the back of it, where I stood and outreached into the Force, feeling into the circuits of the droid. Finding the right spot as it turned to face me, I clenched my fist and small sparks started to fly around a small part of the attacking droid. The shield around it started to falter, turning from blue to red. It fired another blast in my direction but before it could land, I jumped up and as I flew over the thing once again, I sliced my saber through the shield and through one of its guns. I landed behind it as its arm fell beside me and turning on the spot, I lunge forward to a knee and strike my saber across one of its legs. Spinning from one knee to the other, I instantly strike against the other back leg and the droid begins to fall back. Rolling forward underneath it, I rise to watch it fall onto its back. With it’s front legs squirming in the air and other armed gun now shooting wherever it could in the air, I jump for the last time and land right at the centre of its mechanical body, staring right into its mechanical eye. With a spin in hand, I bring my saber around and plunge it down, as I go down to a knee, straight into the eye, pushing it far down. Circuits begin to short circuit, sparks fly and the whole droid begins to shake as it finally smokes and breaks down.
Standing up atop the destroyed scorpenek, the people emerge from their cover, looking on a little shocked, all quiet as they stared and stepped out. I started to recognise several of them from Mos Pelgo before they finally began to change their feelings into ones of celebration. Cheering began as they changed from a coy emerge to a running entrance. They surrounded the smoking droid, hands in the air as I jump down. I smile along with them, getting pats on my shoulder and pulled into handshakes within the small crowd. It was cause for celebration until all celebrations ceased at the sudden roar that echoed through the city from somewhere in the distance.
---
The roars grew quickly louder as we moved to the side and even the droid turned to where the roars began to emerge from. Massive claws wrapped around the edge of a building, beginning to climb over it and finally appearing at the top of the building that towered us. It was a rancor, and as it peered down, lowering its head slightly, I noticed Boba was sat atop of the beast.
He began to shoot down with his blaster gun at the droid, causing the scorpenek to retaliate fire at the beast, hitting the building it latched onto. It jumped to the roof of another, before hopping down with an almighty rumble to the ground ahead. It crawls in a rush forward, roaring as it slams its arms and clawed fists against the shield of the droid. It doesn’t get through, but with a sudden large swing of its arm against it, the droid is propelled back, flipping it over. It appears damaged, but it flips itself back onto its legs and rises back up ahead. Only now, the shield was partly red at the back, flickering. It was damaged, the shield was.
I turn and place Grogu down on the ground next to Peli. “Don’t move. Let me handle this.” I instruct before rushing out after the droid. Igniting the darksaber, I run for the back where the shield was damaged as the rancor attacked at the front, pushing pressure down on the droid beneath the shield. Striking the shield a couple times, I’m not pushed back and so I step through unfazed. Jetting up, I land atop the droid as it suddenly manages to shoot forward at the rancor, hitting it in its underbelly. It jerks back, roaring at the pain it now felt, slamming against a building. I don’t hesitate in reaction to slice at the gun arm that fired and as I start to push the saber down into its centre circuits, it pushes up, jolting and subsequently I lose my footing. I’m sent falling off the back, landing against my head and neck, before my back slam against the ground. The momentum and impact against the ground and beskar was immensely painful. Groaning, I push my head up to see that the droid was now facing me. It lifts one of its legs and strikes it down against one of my own, causing a ring of the beskar and another pained groan from me. The rancor was down the street still, reeling from its wound as I watched the droid now lift both its front legs to repeat its strike.
Suddenly a small part flies away from one of its legs, soaring right over me, and it stumbles down to its side at the sudden part missing. Pulling itself up onto three of its legs, it effectively limped, when someone appeared jumping over me and landing on their knees in front, sliding across the sand. Underneath the droid, an ice blue lightsaber suddenly swings across the two left legs, slicing them in half and the droid falls to its side as the person slides out from the back. Watching the rancor now rush back in an angered approach, the person rolls to the side out the way as the rancor grabs onto the remaining body of the droid. It smashes down against the remaining gunned arm, before continuously beating down against the thing as Peli comes over to myside as I rose to a stand, handing me back Grogu. Although, as she watched the rancor, my eyes tried to scan through the commotion before us to see where the person with the lightsaber had gone. Was it Kia?
As the rancor suddenly and finally ripped the droid apart, shredding it into two, pieces flew everywhere as flames and smoke emitted from the destroyed droid. We turned, covering ourselves from the destruction as the rancor roared in triumph.
Any Pykes still around scattered, and any that stayed were stomped, thrown or eaten by the rancor. As people emerged from nearby streets and their homes, they cheered at our victory, as we watched the remaining Pykes flee down the street. As Boba atop the rancor now went after them, everyone joined together in watch, hands in air, cheering, as I held Grogu, ignoring them all looking for one very specific person.
Scanning through the crowd as people celebrated in a huddle, I couldn’t see her. And it had to be her.
But again, the mighty roar of the rancor stopped everyone. We all looked down the distance of the street and saw flames ablaze in front of the beast, which seemed to scare it. As I saw Boba thrown from the rancor, it began to climb the building next to it away from whatever had set flames upon it. It fled in an aggravated manor as I realised the thing that had sent it running was that mysterious assassin Boba called Cad Bane. I’d recognise that ridiculous hat on someone like him always. I wondered if I should rush and help Boba, but limping a step forward, I knew I wouldn’t be much of it. We all watched in anticipation as Boba and Cad stood facing off, for a moment all they did was converse ahead of each other, until suddenly Cad blew Boba onto his back with a quick draw of his blaster. As Cad began to walk forward, Boba rose to a knee and instead set his flames upon him. He rolled out the way and blasted him a second time to his back against the armour.
Cad came over, stood over Boba and I started to worry as he held his blaster down to him. So, handing Grogu quickly to Peli, I jetted off and fly for him, despite the limp.
Yet, as I flew for him, he managed to get the upper hand and using his tusken staph, he struck the blaster from Cad’s hand and pulled his footing. He landed on his back as he pulled his second blaster. Boba struck that from his hand too and was now stood over him as I landed not far behind them on staggered footing.
“I knew you were a killer.” Cad taunts just before he lifts his vambrace and shoots flames up to Boba, but striking his arm away with the staph, spinning it over, he quickly brought it down overhead and into the chest of Cad. He’d won.
As he looked down at his victory over clearly a long advisory, even the roars of the rancor echoing didn’t turn him away. Looking around, the people back down the street started to run as the beast started to make its way back across the buildings in an angered daze. Leaving Boba with his thoughts as he continued to stare down at his dead enemy, I flew off back to help the people against the rancor.
Landing amongst those that had stayed to fight against it, along with Peli, I saw the continued fire was not helping, only worsening the state it was in.
“You’re scaring it! Put your blasters down! Stop shooting!” I shout, standing in front of the firing squad.
The rancor began to climb up one of the high towers that overlooked the city, ripping parts of it off and throwing it as it roared over us.
“Keep him safe.” I turn to Peli as she held Grogu.
“Well, who’s gonna keep me safe?” she chimes back as she stared up at the raging rancor.
I pull the silver ball from my pocket and hand it to Grogu. “Here. Hang onto this. It’s gonna be okay.” I comfort the kid as he whimpers a little, before I jet into the sky towards the beast.
Flying near its head, I grab the chains Boba had held onto and perched myself at the neck of the rancor where he had been, pulling on the chains. However, the rancor easily lifts it arm and grabs me, throwing me off into the roof of the next building. It jumps down onto the roof, on top of me, slamming its fists down, which propelled me down through the building before it reached in and wrapped its claws around me. Pulling me up and back out the building, it roared as it held me near its head before bringing me towards its jaw. It pushed my head into its mouth but its teeth didn’t penetrate the beskar. I groan at the tension before it pulls me out in confusion. It tries again, shaking me a little in frustration and so I push my arm into its mouth and set the flames ablaze inside. It releases me from its mouth, roaring in rage as the flames died out before slowly bringing me in close. Its beady eyes were staring with fury I could even tell, before it suddenly threw me back and I went soaring through the air across the street, hitting a building and landing hard on the ground.
Completely dazed from the brutal impact, I lifted my head, about all I could muster, and see the rancor jump down onto the street ahead. As it crawled forward, in my dazed vision a figure suddenly appeared walking right beside me. They didn’t stop at my side, nor did they look back, they just walked on past and stood in front of me. My hazy eyes watched through my visor as this figure stood ahead of me. White fabric seemed to wrap around them, and the parts that draped at their sides rippled in the breeze. Much like their hair. It flowed at their back, draping down it alike the fabric with a small bun atop their head. And that’s when I knew it was her. I recognise that beautiful head of hair anywhere, dazed or not. She was here.
The rancor stopped right in front of her, staring her down and I pushed myself up onto an elbow in worry, the beast roared into her. Her hair and fabric flying back but she didn’t move an inch, she continued to stare it down and upon doing so, it stopped, it eased. I watched in worry despite knowing whatever she was doing was working. I would always worry.
Her arm raised from her side and she held it up in front. The rancor was quiet as it simply stared at her and after a moment, it started to relax and lower itself. It continued lowering itself until it laid fully on the ground and shut its eyes. She stepped forward and placed her hand on its nose, and not a moment sooner, you could hear the calmed breathing from the beast as it slept, peacefully.
As her hand slipped back down to her side, she finally turned around. I finally set sights on her eyes, her icy blue, piercing eyes, much like her lightsaber it would seem, and as she set sights on me, I watched as her lips stretched into a smile, before the pain overcame and my head fell back down to the ground.
---
I hadn’t quite imagined the reunion to go quite like this. A run in with the Pykes, a rancor, scorpenek droids. Everyone seemed pretty beat. With the wookie in the bacta tank and Din still out and next in line, I had the moment to catch up with Boba and Fennec. It seemed they had been mighty busy. Ruling Tatooine, it was now Boba’s palace, which was strange for me to get my head around. With the Pykes gone, I’d never seen Tatooine so free and happy. I hoped it stayed that way, for the people’s sake.
I waited, sat in one of the palace rooms, for the inevitable moment that Din finally reopened his eyes. After being soaked in the bacta tank, with the help of droids at Boba’s insistence, keeping his honour, I sat on the floor of the room, eyes closed, meditating in waiting. When I began to feel his stirring, my eyes shot open, and I rose. Stepping over to his bed he laid on, fully armoured, I perched at the middle as he began to stir awake. Thankfully, as he moved, realising where he was, and who I was, he didn’t groan, meaning there was no more pain, and I smiled as he pushed himself up into a sit.
“Kia?” he speaks.
“Din.” I respond through my smile.
He swings his legs off the edge of the bed, perching himself right next to me. His visor didn’t move an inch away from my direction.
“Am I dreaming?” he asks, his hand lifting and touching my cheek, cradling it.
I lift my own and caress his gloved hand. “No. –I’m here.”
I gently pull his hand down and into my lap, holding it there.
“Where’s Grogu?” he asks.
I chuckle a little to myself. “He’s with Peli somewhere in the palace. Probably eating his weight in dung worms.”
I could feel his elevated joy. I knew he was smiling under there, I just wished I could see it. Before I had only seen his face but for a moment and I had dreamt about it since.
“I missed you both.” he admits.
I smile sadly. “I know. We missed you too.”
“Not that I’m not relieved, ecstatic even. –But why are you here?” he wonders.
I sigh a little. “Grogu was given a choice. –To finish his training and let you go. Or, forsake the way of the Jedi and come back to you.” I announce.
“And he picked me?” he infers.
I smirk. “He put that little beskar shirt on so fast.”
“I wanted to give it to him in person. To see you both. –I came to see you.” he relays.
“I know. I saw you. I tried to catch you, but you’d already left.” I inform.
“You did?”
I nod.
“Were you given a choice?” he questions.
“Not exactly.”
He sighs. “So, you’re still in training?” he asks deflatingly.
“No.”
I sensed his confusion.
“I don’t understand.” He speaks.
“I completed my training. I’m a Jedi knight. –And I’m staying right here with you.” I declare and I feel the utmost elevation within him at hearing those words – ‘I’m staying’. His happiness radiated, but his confusion remained.
“But I thought you had to forego all attachment to be a Jedi? What did Skywalker think of this?” he queries.
“Master Luke said I am what is called a Gray Jedi. I am balanced between my impulses to both the light and dark, meaning I don’t let either side rule me. I fight in the light, but I live in the dark, or vice versa. I let my emotions inform my decisions, but I don’t let them get the best of me. I will fight for what is right, but I will also fight for what I love. There is no light without the dark, through passion I gain focus, through knowledge I gain power, through serenity I gain strength, through victory I gain harmony.” I explain as best I could.
“What does this mean?”
“Luke believed because of this my attachments would not hinder my path, which is why he continued and completed my training. It is why he told me to bring Grogu to you and decide what my path would be. –You or him.” I elaborate.
“So, he did give you a choice.” Din infers.
“Not exactly.” I repeat through a small smile. “He knew, like I did, once we came back to you, there wouldn’t be a choice to make.” I clarify. “I could never leave you a second time.” I add with love in my eyes.
“You really are staying?” he asks.
I nod happily as we squeeze each other’s hand.
“I haven’t stopped thinking of you since that cruiser. I had never been happier and so distraught in my life since I was a child.” Din admits, and I knew he meant since before he was taken in by the Creed, when he was with his parents.
“What I have wanted most this past year, more than anything, was to see your face—to touch your face again. –I’ve dreamt of you, Din Djarin.” I admit myself, emotions running raw.
His hand suddenly escaped mine and the loss emitted a small exhale of disappointment, but as I watched him, I instead filled with sudden anticipation as both his hands reached up and held the bottom of his helmet. He was taking it off.
I watched with wide eyes as his face was once again revealed to me, only this time, I had all the time in the world to study it, not minutes. My eyes scanned over him gleefully, taking in every inch of his tanned skin, his tussled hair from the helmet, his deep brown eyes I practically fell into and his handsome bit of facial hair that adorned his face. For lack of better words, to me he was dreamy.
“I am now an apostate.” He states, which was not where I thought this moment was going.
“You left the Creed?” I ponder in surprise.
“I was cast out. –I removed my helmet and lost my honour. I am Mandalorian no longer.” He explains.
“You are honourable, Din Djarin. Everybody who knows you, knows it. Whether you show your face or not. You’re still a Mandalorian to me.” I reassure.
“That kiss turned into a scar for me, Kia.” He relays, which stings a little. To know Grogu and I was the reason he would have been cast aside, he took his helmet off for us. Now, this kiss we shared, reminded him of the moment he lost his faith.
“I have dreamt of you every night. I dream of the memories we shared, I dream of what could have been, I dream of the kiss we shared, I dream of kissing you more, I dream of more than that, I dream about you. –Because I want you. –Because I love you.” he declares, grabbing my hands, making my eyes glisten a little.
“I don’t regret taking my helmet off, not one second. It got me you. Grogu. You two are my family.” He continues, which relieves me to hear but I could still sense something within him.
“But.” I encourage gently.
“What?”
“I can sense the disappointment within you, Din. It’s okay to be saddened by your exile. To feel regret after facing your consequence.” I point out sadly.
“I don’t regret it. I promise you that. –But—I do wish to redeem myself. To be Mandalorian once again, because—” He admits.
“They were your family first.” I finish for him. Before us, there was them. They took him in as a child, and it is mostly all he has ever known. I couldn’t blame him. Despite wishing we could live a life where I was able to freely see his face, to touch it, gaze upon it, kiss it, I wanted more for him to be happy, content with who he was and what he stood for.
“It’s my religion.” He adds.
I nod in understanding. “Then we will find your path to redemption, Din. –Because I love you too.”
“But for now—Din Djarin—please—just kiss me.” I plead with a smile.
It wasn’t as delicate or slow as the first was. It was direct and meaningful. After hearing my words, he didn’t hesitate to pull me in. His hand slipped along my neck as his thumb traced over my cheek, as it wrapped around the back, amongst my hair, he pulled me in, locking my lips with his. As the kiss deepens, I sink into it, leaning into him, our mouths opening just enough to let the other in. It turns passionate as I run my hands over his neck and in his hair and he runs his over my body before the intensity of it all gets too much and Din suddenly pulls me into his lap. My leg goes over him, and as we kiss, I’m straddling him, though the only freed part of him is his face, and I needed more.
With an inner sigh escaping him, I broke the kiss. I could feel he was just as hot inside as I was as we looked into the other’s eyes, as he peered up, as I down.
“This—” I start, gesturing to all his armour with my eyes. “—needs to come off.” I insist.
Suddenly, with his hands firmly against my behind, I was picked up as I straddled him and he rose from the bed. Spinning on the spot, I was brought back down to the bed, laid on my back as he hovered over me, continuing to kiss me more.
He then, broke it. “I couldn’t agree more.” He seductively soothed, his lips not even an inch away from mine.
When he slipped back, he was standing before me, quickly trying to rid his body of his armour. After a moment, it simply turned amusing, rather than seductive, and I couldn’t help but stifle a laugh as I watched him leant up on the bed.
I then too slid off the bed and stood up against him. “Let me help you.” I chuckle as he smiled in reaction. As we both worked on getting his armour off, I ended up doing most of the work as he turned his attentions to kissing my neck instead. As much as I was enjoying it, it was making me laugh. Both of us were giggling around each other, laughing as we stumbled around the other trying to get this damn beskar off, or I did.
Finally, when only his underlayer clothes remained, we stopped and looked up at the other with a smirk. Din suddenly pulled his shirt off in a hasty motion, discarding it to the floor. His chest and stomach revealed, my eyes darted down, and my hands reached out instantly. I traced his abdomen, feeling his tanned skin, as I brushed my hands up onto his chest, it was strong, everything about him was. His abdomen, his chest, his arms, that were now working on shedding me of my clothes.
Before long, with stolen kisses in between, my garments were soon discarded to the floor, alongside his. And when my chest was revealed, his hands stroked down until he held the pendant in his fingers.
“You still wear this?” he says in surprise, holding his Mandalorian Mythosaur necklace he had let me keep way back when, after we left Nevarro facing Gideon the first time.
“I never take it off.” I inform and he looked to me with pure love radiating from him before he came down and tenderly joined his lips back to mine.
Everything finally off, par the pendant, we were laid on the bed, touching, feeling, revelling, and enjoying each other’s bodies. Sounds escaped me I didn’t know I could make, and sounds came from him that only spurred me on in my movements and pleasure. It was pure heaven, bliss. I had never felt such pleasure, such love.
And yet, at the back of my mind, a small cask of a shadow lurked, reminding me, that as much as I loved and wanted this, and I had it, I would not have it for long. He would soon get back his Creed, and the helmet would once again remain.
For now, I shut away the lurking thought, and enjoyed the feeling of him, all around me, on me, and within me. He was mine, and I was his. No one could change that now.
---
After the night I had spent with Kia, and morning, it had been one hell of a reunion, but I couldn’t wait to see the back of this planet. Kia too. To get back to roaming the galaxy with Grogu and her at my side once again. Our clan of three back together, truly a clan of three now. A family more than ever.
Meeting Peli in the hangar of the palace, where I had left my ship, she stood ahead amongst the array of ships, holding Grogu in her arms.
“Ah, well, finally the love birds appear!” she calls as we both approach her, disappointingly back in our full garments and armour. As I gazed at Kia at my side, the thoughts of her on top of me I couldn’t shake, fully before me as I gripped her hips, her waist, with nothing on but my Mandalorian pendant draping down the centre of her chest. That was something I could never forget. And couldn’t wait to do again.
“I’ll take you had a pleasant night seeing as I had the little womp rat all night, huh?” Peli continues to tease, smirking.
“Are you saying you didn’t enjoy your time with Grogu?” Kia hits back playfully.
“Are you kidding? You need a babysitter, you know auntie Peli is the one to call. Isn’t that right?” she gleams at Grogu who coos in her arms.
“So, need a ride back to Mos Eisley?” I question.
“Oh, no, I’m good. Besides, we’re not all fitting in your sweet baby over there.” she dismisses, casting her eyes over to the ship. I knew that, but I figured I could come back for Kia. In that ship, it wouldn’t exactly take long.
“Woah, hold up. She’s yours?” Kia suddenly chimes, following Peli’s eyes.
“Oh, yeah, she is. A Peli special over there.” Peli smirks, seeing the beginning of Kia’s reaction.
“Is that what I think it is?” she beams, excitedly rushing over to it as Peli followed her.
“Sure is!” Peli calls happily as I casually walked over behind them.
“When you said you had a new ship, you didn’t tell me you had a N-1 starfighter. These babies are priceless.” She excites, glancing back as I stood in watch, arms crossed, amused at her nerding out with Peli.
“But she looks so different. What did you do to her?” Kia questions as she rushed around the girl.
“That’s right, we made, or more accurately I made, some custom modifications, so this baby is the fastest thing around, among other things.” Peli smirked, happy with her work, and happy no doubt that she was finally getting the praise and excitement she had wanted ever since we started her. She had known Kia would love this ship.
“A turbonic venturi assimilator, an induction intake charger, a kineso-switch? I mean, a cryogenic density combustion booster—and two seats? –My, you two sure have been busy. She’s gorgeous!” Kia praises.
Peli shoots me a knowing glare. “Thank you! Finally, someone sees and appreciates the beauty of this baby.” She pokes. “Damn Razor Crest.” She scoffs again to herself.
“And hey, she’s pre-Empire, which means—” Kia begins.
“She’s off the grid.” I finish.
She smiles. “Perfect.”
“And that old droid port is perfect for Grogu. She really is perfect Peli. Where in the stars did you get your hands on this?” Kia wonders.
“The Force works in mysterious ways.” She simply answers, smirking.
“Well, Grogu, let’s get you in your new starfighter seat.” Kia beams, excitedly taking Grogu from Peli’s arms.
“Bye little buddy.” Peli quietly says to the kid as he vacates her arms and Kia rushes off to the ship.
I step next to Peli. “You can still get a ride back. Kia won’t mind waiting a little here. It’s the least we could do.” I point out.
“Nah, I’ll hitch a ride back to Mos Espa and fly my rusty piece of junk I flew there in back.” she dismisses with a wave of her hand.
“Well, I can give you a ride there instead to your ship.” I suggest.
“Mando, go give your sweet little Jedi honey a ride in your ship. I told you didn’t I, as soon as she saw it she’d want a joyride. Now go, fly the galaxy like you were all meant to.” She urges, in her Peli way, as we watched Kia place Grogu in the old droid port.
“You’re sure?”
“Yeah! Besides, I think I’m gonna stick around at this palace a little longer. Rinse the luxury a little longer. And uh, between us, I think I may get my own leg up with that pretty Twi’lek around here. You two aren’t the only one’s around here getting their kicks, if you know what I mean.” She jests, chuckling to herself.
I sigh at the information she shares. “Well, alright. See you around, Peli.” I say before heading forward to the ship.
“See ya Mando. See ya Kia! See ya kid!” she calls out behind.
“Till next time, Peli!” Kia calls back.
“You ready?” I say at Kia’s side at the ship and just gleams a smile before climbing in. I chuckle to myself as I followed her in.
---
The ship flew smooth, smooth as can be. She was a beauty and a marvel. Perfect.
And Grogu seemed to like her.
He tapped on the glass of his droid port with his silver ball again as we flew the stars. We knew what that meant.
“No.” Din says in response in front.
Grogu taps again.
“Uh-uh.” Din mutters.
He wasn’t gonna let go. I could sense it. I smirked in my seat.
He tapped again.
“No.” Din repeats.
Grogu now tapped more rapidly on the glass.
Din sighs.
“Oh, come on.” I smile.
“Alright. But this is the last time.” Din asserts.
“Yay.” I respond, happy myself, as well as Grogu.
With a press of the button, suddenly we were launched forward into what felt like hyperspace. As Grogu wailed excitedly in his port at the sudden change of speed, I laughed alongside with him. And despite Din being quiet up front, I could feel his joyous energy at hearing us behind him. We were all joyful. We were altogether once again. A family once again.