"Critics have often asked, why did it cost us millions of lives, and trillions of credits, and hundreds of worlds, and 16 long years, to stop the Mandalorians? But you'll notice these critics, didn't fight in the war."

"Why do you think it took so long?"

"They were raised from childhood, to be nothing but a warrior. So by the time they were the age of recruitment allowed by most governments, they were already considered skilled soldiers, if not veterans."

"So it was their culture?"

"It was more than that. Their weaponry was deadlier than anyone else's. Their armor was heavier. The way they treated economic growth meant they didn't need to worry about money, only about production. They were a living nightmare to a 'civilized' galaxy."

"You believe they could've done worse?"

"Before the Republic stepped in, and even after for several years, the Mandalorians had the galaxy by the throat, and were squeezing. It is a miracle as many of us survived that did."

-Survivor of the Mandalore Wars

Served 6 years with the Resistance

Served 6 years with the Republic

Prologue

"Come on Kell! Hurry up!"

"I'm going as fast as I can Tanner! Shut up!"

I stare at the barren road ahead of me, smoke plumes from the horizon. Fear and anger were filling me as we barreled down the road.

What we had just left was now nothing more than ash and smoke. I hoped what we were heading for was different, but it was looking like it would be the same.

36 hours earlier

I shut the hood of the speeder I was working on, and motion to Tanner to try the accelerator again.

The engine roars to life, and I smile to myself.

"Told you the cooling chamber was leaking into the fission chamber," I tell Tanner, teasing him.

"Yea well, it could have been the starter," he says.

"But it wasn't."

"Yea, yea, shut up," he says.

I look around the garage, seeing only empty space. This must have been our last speeder for the day. "You wanna clock out early?" I ask him.

Tanner looks around, then says "Why not?"

With that, we put our tools away, and leave the garage, getting into my speeder, and head back for our houses.

Tanner dozes off while I drive back. I was surprised he could sleep with the sun was still out.

Then again, this was one of the few times of the year he got to sleep. Normally, he worked two or three jobs, and had 14-18 hour days with all of them. I felt lucky only having to work one job.

We arrive at his house and he gets out and heads in without exchanging good goodbyes. He was very tired.

I head back home to get myself ready, because I had a date tonight.

"Kell? What the hell are you doing home!?"

"I got off early dad," I quickly say. I hadn't even stepped two feet into the house before he berated me.

"What the hell are you doing home early!? You should have stayed at work!"

"There was nothing to do! What would you have me do?! Sit on my ass for an hour!?"

"If you're getting paid, then yes!" He yells back.

I stare daggers at him, but say nothing, storming past him for the basement where Benny and I shared our room.

"Where the hell are you going!?"

"To take a damn shower!" I yell.

"You think you're going out tonight?!" Dad yells.

I get to the basement door and turn, looking at dad. "I'm not staying here!" I yell back. I turn back around, slam the door, and walk into the basement.

"Diplomatic as always," I hear Benny say.

"Shut up," I tell him.

Benny was sitting at the desk reading.

I ignore him and walk for the bathroom, and begin undressing. Taking my shirt, under shirt, and pants off, throwing them into the hamper before I close the bathroom door.

I walk into the fresher, and hit the water, when I hear "You hear about the Cather?"

I walk back to the sink, and stare at myself in the mirror. I had stains from various liquids all over my body. Oil, fuel, coolant, and whatever else. "No why?"

"The Mandalorians just destroyed the world."

"They destroy everything," I tell him.

"They just killed the entire civilization. Genocide," Benny says.

I stare at myself in the mirror after hearing that.

"Bork will be upset if he reads this," Benny adds.

"I know," I tell him.

"You may want to talk to him," Benny suggest.

"I'll keep an eye on him," I answer back. "Anyway, I am going to shower. We'll pick this up in the morning."

I step out of the bathroom, my hair still sopping wet, but entirely dressed.

Benny turns and looks at me from his desk, and sizes me up. "You're taking Heather out."

"You know, I work 50 hour weeks, and dad yells at me everyday. You read, study, and do absolutely nothing every day of the week, and dad does nothing," I tell him. "And yet, who is single?"

Benny laughs, and turns back to his datapad. "Have fun tonight Kell."

"Dad still here?" I ask.

"No idea."

I managed to escape the house with minimal yelling, and headed back for the city.

One thing I enjoyed about living a good dozen kilometers away from the city, was I could really push my speeder to its limits. Shooting it past 100 kilometes per hour, and speeding for the city and not having to worry about some stupid security force giving me a fine for driving too fast.

I pull into the city, Greykis, and head for the only bank in the city.

Heather worked in a small bank that stayed open surprisingly late for a bank. Her work days were longer than mine, but she also had easier work. And her boss wasn't a Hutt.

I pull into the parking lot, to find her locking the doors to the front of the bank.

I stay in my speeder, and wait for her to turn around.

She is startled when she turns to see me, but smiles happily.

"How you doing?" I ask her.

She walks over to the passenger side, and gets in. "Good."

I notice she looks at me funny, and ask "What?"

"You cleaned up," she observes. "You look good."

"Because I normally don't?" I tease her.

"I didn't mean that," she says.

"I know what you meant," I tell her. "What do you feel like for dinner?"

"Something easy," she says.

"Long day?" I ask.

"You have no idea."

I sit across from Heather at the table while she looks over the menu at the Red Diner.

"So what happened to day?" I ask her.

"A bunch of people are wanting to take their money out of the bank," she says. "They are worried about the Mandalorians."

"Benny was telling me about them," I tell her.

Heather continues talking, but I stop paying attention when I notice someone sitting at the bar behind her. It looked like Bork. And I saw several empty glasses were next to him.

"You there?"

I quickly look back at Heather and say "Sorry, just….something I saw."

Heather looks at me, asking "What is it?"

"Something Benny told me, but I can't remember."

She looks at me, and I could tell she didn't buy it, but our waiter came by for our orders, saving me.

Our food came shortly after, and we ate, talking little. Our relationship seemed to be changing rapidly as the galaxy changed around us.

We finish, I pay and we leave, getting into the speeder with little happening.

"Take me to the look out," she says.

"Something wrong?" I ask her.

The look out was a place she and I went to watch the sunset. We even had our first kiss there. Whenever we went there now, it was for making out, or talking, or both.

"I don't know," she says. "Just…I don't want to go home yet."

I say nothing, but put my left arm around her, and she leans into my body, as I drive for the the 'look out.'

When we get to the top, I stop the speeder, and lean back in my chair. She crawls over the seats, and snuggles up to me.

"Ok, I can tell something is wrong. What is it?" I ask.

"Kell, do you ever read the holonet?" she asks.

"Benny does that more than enough for me," I tell her.

I could read, but I had stopped reading the holonet years ago. It was becoming more and more depressing, with Mandalorians attacking, and destroying, and raping, world after world. Killing and enslaving millions.

"You know they are close to us," she says.

I let out a sigh. I didn't know how to handle this. She had come to me when her parents were fighting, or when her siblings were having problems, and I could sometimes help. Or at least listen. But this was not an easy topic.

"You want to leave Corsin?" I ask.

"Kell, have you heard about the Resistance?" she asks.

"Briefly," I tell her. All I knew about the Resistance was that they were fighting the Mandalorians, and failing. Otherwise, the Mandalorians wouldn't keep making progress into various sectors.

"I read they plan to claim Corsin. And they have forced conscription," she whispers.

I look down at her, and realize why she was so worried. Or at least, what she was thinking.

"So you worried about Corsin, or me getting drafted?" I ask her.

"Kell, what do we do?" she asks.

"Would you move with me?" I ask.

"Where would we go?"

"Away," I tell her.

"But what about our family?"

I let out another sigh, unsure how to answer. "I don't know. We could tell them, but if they don't want to come with us, what can we do? If we stay here, what happens?"

Heather sits up and kisses my lips, slowly pulling away. "Talk to them tonight?" she asks.

"Tomorrow," I tell her. "And we leave before the week is over."

She smiles, and hugs me. "You are surprisingly calm, all things considered."

I was unsure how to respond to that. "We should probably get back," I tell her. "We have work tomorrow."

After dropping Heather off at her house, and getting a good night kiss, I head home.

I sneak into the house, avoiding dad. Mom was still up reading something, but says nothing.

Mom was loving and kind. It always surprised me how she and dad ended up together, since dad was abrasive and angry.

I walk into the basement, and see Benny in his bed still reading.

"You're back," he says.

I say nothing, changing into some light clothes to sleep in and head for my bed.

I crawl into bed, and stare at the ceiling, the reality of what Heather said sinking in.

"Benny."

"Yea?"

"What do you know about the Resistance?" I ask.

"A bit, why?"

"What do they do if they were to say, claim a planet?" I ask. "You know, to fight the Mandalorians?"

"First thing is take over the military. Then they take over the economy, manufacturing, farming, mining, whatever else. And they conscript all males ages 18 to…whatever. I don't know. Why?"

"Do you think they'll come here?" I ask.

Benny looks over at me, and asks "What brought this on?"

"Heather is worried. And…she is making me worried."

"So your brother tells us about doom and gloom, and nothing happens. Your girlfriend does it, and you freak out?"

"Don't be a dick," I tell him.

Some silence holds over us, before he answers "Better to have the Resistance here first, than the Mandalorians. Better to be drafted, than bombed."

I think on those words, and close my eyes.

This would not be an easy night's sleep.

I wake up in the morning, and see Benny was still sleeping.

I get out of bed, and head for the dresser, grabbing my work clothes, changing, and head for the kitchen. I walk into the kitchen to see dad and mom sitting at the table eating breakfast.

I grab a biscuit off the table and begin eating.

"Kell, I need you to make a deposit at the bank," dad tells me sternly. He reaches into a pocket and pulls out a 500 credit chip.

It surprised me he trusted me with so much money. Considering how much we fought.

"Yes sir," I tell him sternly.

"And don't linger there forever talking to your girlfriend, make sure you get to Wabba's Garage on time!"

"Dad!" I yell back.

"I got you that job, you better be there dammit!"

"I got myself that job, and the speeder that takes me to that job!" I yell back.

"Will you two stop fighting!?" my mom pleads.

I say nothing, staring at dad. I grab another biscuit and head for the garage. "I'll be back after work."

I stop by Tanner's house, and see him standing outside.

He runs over and jumps into the speeder.

I hit the accelerator, and we take off. Normally he sleeps, but he sits up funny in his seat, not letting his back touch the seat.

"Something up?" I ask.

"Heather here last night?" he ask.

"Your seat is clean," I tell him.

"Good," he says, and leans back down.

"So, you hear anything about the Mandalorians?" I ask him.

"Kell, not now," Tanner tells me. "Ask me about it at lunch."

Tanner closes his eyes, so I focus on the road.

A quick stop at the bank, before the garage. And a very long day.

I walk into the bank, seeing Heather, and walk over to her counter, dropping the credit chip on the counter.

"So how you doing?"

She looks up at me grinning, and takes the chip from me. "Still worried. What did you need?"

"Deposit," I answer, dropping a 500 credit chip on the counter.

She takes it, and begins typing into the computer. "So you talk to your family?"

Damn it. "It…didn't go well."

"I see…" she says. "Do you think we can go out somewhere romantic before we run off?"

I look at her as she stares into my eyes. She had that look in her that made me think she had something in mind. "You have a place in mind?"

"I was thinking the Polagiat," Heather suggests.

"The Polagiat…" I say, shaking my head. It was a nice place, and an expensive place. Going to that restaurant was an event.

"A nice meal before we start a new life?" I ask.

"You got to live a little," she says.

I rub my chin, thinking about it. "I'll pick you up two hours after you get out," I tell her.

"I'll be waiting," she answers.

I pull the speeder into the lot for the garage, and climb out.

Normally, the lot was empty but today a beautiful red sports speeder was sitting in front of the garage. A speeder worth more than Tanner and my yearly wages added together and doubled.

We walk into the garage through the back door and head for the lockers, getting changed, and grabbing our tool belts and pouches, making sure all our tools were there. When I open my locker, a holo Heather had given me of her flips to life.

I smile at that. This would be a good day.

We finish changing in silence, and head for the work area.

"Kell! Tanner! Front and center!"

We both turn and see our boss, a gross looking Hutt, as he sits behind a desk.

We both walk over to him, and stand in front of the desk.

"Mr. Unilit brought in his speeder for a tune up, and some engine work. He said it was chunking, and not revving correctly. Fix it, and don't screw this up. This is how we go up in the world," Vort says.

"It's how you go up in the world," Tanner mutters.

"What was that?"

"Nothing!" We both respond quickly.

"Good, then get to work!"

We both walk away, heading for the garage doors.

"I call driving it in!" Tanner quickly yells.

I laugh, and mutter "Dick."

Tanner hops into the speeder, and slowly drives it into the garage.

Almost immediately, I could hear the problems.

The speeder's engine was weak. A speeder like this would have a boisterous engine. This one was quiet and subdued. Likely a power problem. I also notice the repulsor wasn't hovering correctly, with it being low to the ground on Tanner's side. While Tanner was heavy, he wasn't that heavy.

The engine, while also quiet, had an interesting catching sound. Something wasn't right.

Tanner finishes pulling it in, and says "Ok, there is a lot wrong with this piece of crap."

"Enough wrong that we might actually be able to afford it," I tell him.

I walk up to the engine compartment, and open it up. When I saw the condition of the engine, I realized this would be a long day.

I put my hydrospanner away and look over at Tanner. "Yo, Tanner, how about we go get something to eat!?"

"Is it that time?" He yells out, from underneath a repulsor.

"All I know, is I'm staring!"

He crawls out from underneath the repulsor, then gets up and asks "Where ya thinking?" as he rubs grease off his hands onto his trousers.

"Pollo's Pub?" I ask.

"They don't like us to drink on the job."

"Who? That hutt? The one who drinks before he even gets to work!?"

"Besides, why do you want to go there? They only serve big meals," Tanner says.

"So? I'm in the mood for some real home style food," I tell him.

"I want something cheap."

"Red diner?" I suggest. I didn't want to eat there again, but I doubted he would either. Hopefully he would choose somewhere else.

"That works," Tanner yells from underneath the repulsor.

Damn it.

We both leave the speeder and tools where they are, and head for the bathroom to clean up. Washing our hands of oil and grease stains, fuel and other liquids.

When we finish, we head for my speeder and head for the diner.

Our drive was silent, and I park the speeder and we head in.

When we walk in, Bork is at the bar. The same stool he had been at since last night.

"He's been here since last night," I tell Tanner.

Tanner looks at me, then at Bork. "How do you know?"

"I was here with Heather last night," I tell him.

Tanner looks at him, then motions for me to follow him as we walk up behind him.

"You ok Bork?" Tanner asks, walking up and putting an arm around Bork.

He lifts his head and says "They're dead."

"Who's dead?" Tanner asks.

"My family didn't survive the Mandalorian attack. They're gone."

I look down at the bar, while Tanner holds him in his arms. "Bork, I'm sorry."

"They can't all be dead." I tell him.

"No, they are," he says. "My father, my mother, my little brother, grandparents, everyone."

"I'm sorry."

Bork looks at the new drink in front of him, and grabs it, then throws his head back, and shoots the drink down.

I look at Tanner, and motion we would need to get food.

"How about you get some food in you Bork. You look like you could use some," Tanner says.

"Fine," Bork says.

After our long lunch, we tell Bork to take it easy before we walk back to the speeder.

"Do you think he actually knows?" I ask.

"No, he doesn't know for sure, But he is probably right," Tanner says.

We walk down the street until a large shadow engulfs us.

We both turn around and look up, and see several massive cruisers all floating above us.

"What the hell is that?" Tanner asks.

I stare at it, fear flooding my veins. It was happening today. "Tanner…we need to go. Now!"

I sprint down the street for the parking lot my speeder was in. I waste no time jumping in, and starting the engine, revving it into the red-zone.

Tanner jumps in, and yells "Gun it!"

I waste no time in pulling out of the parking lot, and head for the outskirts of town.

"Wait!"

I turn and look at Tanner. "Are you insane!?"

"We gotta get Bork!"

"He's dead!"

"His species is dying! We can't leave him!"

I curse, and twist the steering wheel, and careen down the street for the diner we just left.

I pull up in front of it, coming to a hard stop.

"Go get him!" I yell.

Tanner jumps out, and runs into the bar.

I look around and see people staring up at the cruisers, others getting in their speeders and heading out of the city. around in the streets.

Tanner runs out, Bork on his shoulders, and throws him into the back seat, then jumps into the seat next to me. "GO!"

I take off and we speed out of the city.

We stare at the city as it burns and smolders in the distance. It was burning, the surrounding area was all burning. The Mandalorians had come in, and destroyed everything in an inferno.

"You know, I never…I didn't actually, believe it would happen," Tanner says.

"I can't believe it happened so soon," I tell him.

"The Mandalorians…when does it stop?" Tanner asks.

"Will they have shot our homes?" I ask.

Tanner turns and looks at me, then yells "GO!"

We both run for the speeder, and jump in.

Maybe we could save someone.

I walk through the smoldering crater that had been my home.

Tanner is next to me. We had gone to his apartment complex, only to find it no better. Destroyed, bombed out, and little more than a crater.

I walk into what would have been, my and Benny's room.

I look around, seeing nothing recognizable from the morning. I grab a datapad on the ground and look at it. Its screen was shattered, and the power gone. It may have been the very datapad Benny was reading, or my mom was reading.

Tanner walks over to me, and asks "Could they have done this?"

I drop the datapad, and say "Who else?"

"Kell, we got some company," Tanner says.

I turn over on the ground, my mouth full of dust. "Who is it?"

"Looks like a freighter." He says. He is looking through a powered set of binoculars that I kept in the speeder. "Says 'Resistance' on the side."

"The Resistance. The guys fighting the Mandalorians," I say out loud. They were too late.

Bork sits up and asks "They fight the Mandalorians?"

"Yea," I answer.

"I now have purpose," Bork says.

"You're joining them?" I ask.

Bork looks at me, and asks "You aren't?"

I look into his yellow eyes. Then I look at Tanner. He wasn't looking at me, but at the Resistance ship.

Then I look around us. To our south west was the burned out city. Our work was there, and destroyed. Then to our south east, there was my home. A smoldering ruin. And here we were. At the burned out halfway point, a small settlement with a bank in it. My girlfriend buried in the rubble. My family in the ashes.

They are all dead.

"Yea, I'm joining."