PART 3

6 BBY - 0 BBY

The Children

Chapter 12

6 BBY — SOCORRO

Cassian was laid out on his stomach on a rooftop of the partially civilized mining town, adjusting his rifle, and using the sight to follow Jyn Erso in a market square. Saw had this strange tendency to let her loose in certain situations just to see how she would handle herself. He was testing her — and she knew it.

Jyn walked among the vendors, trying to appear casual, but also trying to appear older than she was. Jyn was only fifteen, still tiny and awkward, and attempting to project more confidence than she actually had. She walked like the boys because she had so few female role models. But she also had sharpness, keen eyes, and could see trouble long before it arrived. Cassian could not stop a smirk each time she dodged a problem and kept on walking.

"She moves like — me," Cassian said quietly.

"She sticks out like a sore thumb, Cassian," Din grumbled in Cassian's earpiece.

Cassian tossed a glance back and up where Din was stationed two buildings away in a stairwell covered with crudely perforated panels.

"Just because you can do it better than a fifteen year-old is no reason to look down on her. She's doing well for her age and experience. I admit was wasn't much better at her age," Cassian whispered.

"You were one year older than that when I met you, Cassian. You were definitely better," Din replied dryly.

Cassian gave Din another look, "You were constantly telling me I was a 'terrible spy'!"

Din chuckled, "Because your ego was the only BIG thing about you."

Cassian rolled his eyes, "Yeah, you had no problem with ego at all."

Din chuckled again, "I knew I had an ego. I didn't hide it. It's part of my training to have an ego the size of the Outer Rim."

Cassian leaned forward and beat his head against the end of his rifle, "Sometimes, you make it really hard to love you, vod."

Suddenly, Cassian heard Jyn cry out. He quickly moved to try to reacquire her in his sights, but as he searched he realized her cries were not of distress — they were battle cries.

"End of the street! Cassian GET DOWN THERE!" Din yelled in Cassian's earpiece.

Cassian found her with his sights and watched for a moment, "No! Wait!"

Jyn was fighting off three attackers — and she was winning. She was using only a small blaster in her left hand and a short baton in her right, and she was beating the three attackers — all of them at least one and a half to two times her weight — until only Jyn was left standing.

Cassian's earpiece was silent, Din was as shocked as he was.

Then Saw walked over and threw his arms open, and Jyn leapt into his arms. They embraced.

Cassian was suddenly overcome with several waves of emotion. First, he was assaulted with jealousy, from when he and Saw were close. Second, he was still haunted by guilt for his role in moving Saw outside of the Rebel intelligence inner circle — even though that had long been the direction Draven, Mon and others had been heading. And finally, Cassian felt a pang of anger — for all child soldiers.

Cassian knew, only too well, the psychology of a child soldier. The anger and fear of a very early trauma, plus the desperation for stability and care. That desperation drives children to seek the approval of mentors who are seeking easily molded and idealistic children to fight in wars they cannot truly understand or know the consequences of.

Cassian knew that the brutality of what he had faced as a child had damaged him. It was much later that he finally understood that his trauma was ultimately the result of the wars of people in power, seeking to subjugate others —which always effects the children the worst. Yet — it was the loss of his childhood that made him the most angry when he allowed these emotions outside of their tightly controlled prison.

The loss of his childhood was not Saw's fault, and Cassian knew that Saw had cared for him, and protected him. Saw just could not be a parent in the way that all children need — he could not make the world safe for Cassian so that he could maintain his innocence. Even Mon Mothma could not keep him safe, because from the moment she had taken charge of him, Cassian was already invested in being part of the fight. And, Mon had to balance the needs of the Rebellion with the needs of the boy she loved as a son. It was an impossible position when commanding a Rebellion.

"Cassian? CASSIAN? Respond! Or I'm coming down there!" Din's voice suddenly broke through.

"I'm here — I'm here — stand down, I'm fine," Cassian said quickly.

"You weren't responding for over a minute, Cassian, what happened?" Din was not satisfied.

"Sorry — sorry — I just — don't like watching this. It's — too close to what I went through," Cassian said with more emotion than he intended to reveal to Din.

Din was quiet for a moment, "She's tough, Cassian. Like you. She'll make it."

Cassian frowned, "Did you never — did Sarin and Ra consider the trauma you had been through before they trained you as a child soldier?"

Din was quiet again, "I remember — Ra in particular — has always worked to help me with my …past. But at one point, Sarin sat me down and told me I had a choice. He said that I could become a citizen, and live outside the compound — but everything I wanted was there. And I was good at the Training. So I guess — it really wasn't a choice."

Cassian watched as Saw and Jyn walked back together toward the cantina nearby and disappeared inside.

"I really didn't give Mon Mothma a choice either. She tried to guide me, but I did not make it easy. And I don't blame Saw, he was trying to protect me. I honestly don't know what I would have done if someone tried to put me back in civilian clothes and handed me some toys to play with. I think I would have run away. And I'm sure Mon knew that," Cassian said quietly.

"I think if Sarin had forced me to become a citizen and given me toys to play with I would have run away to the Warriors of another Clan," Din chuckled.

Cassian finally smiled, then locked his rifle's safety and began to crawl back from the building edge, "Let's go."

12 BBY — Yavin 4

Cassian aimed the blaster at the target. And he hit it every single time.

"I'm not comfortable with the idea that a fourteen year-old can shoot this well," Draven grimaced, he took the hand blaster from Cassian and handed him a rifle. "Again."

Cassian gave Draven a quick look, but managed to control his eye muscles enough to just barely avoid an eye-roll. He lifted the rifle, Draven had purposefully given him one with some weight, and Cassian hit a target that was further away than the one Draven expected him to hit.

Draven nodded, "Listen, I know that you're doing this behind Mon Mothma's back. You know that I need you. So if I'm going to put my position on the line, let's get one thing straight: this is the dirty side of the Rebellion. This is the stuff that will get Mon's clean white gowns stained. But make no mistake, without us, there is no hope. For any of us. Are we clear?"

Cassian nodded, "Yes, sir. I know how dirty this war is. I'm here because I can get the job done."

Draven frowned and said almost sympathetically, "I know your history, Cassian. I don't interview operatives without knowing their past — their motivations." Then he looked Cassian in the eye, "Have you ever killed anyone?"

Cassian's lips thinned, "No, sir."

Draven tilted his head, "You were one of Saw's soldiers? So you saw them kill people."

Cassian nodded, "Yes, sir."

Draven paced back and forth for a few moments, "Cassian, I am here because I have seen people killed for the wrong reasons, as well as the right ones. I won't argue that killing is right — but I do believe that the Rebellion is right. And I believe that the few people that we kill, will save untold billions. I need all of my operatives to understand that. "

Cassian nodded, "I do, sir."

"And the second thing I need you to understand, is that I am your commanding officer. Not General Dodanna, not Mon Mothma. My soldiers follow my orders without question. Understood?"

Cassian tossed his long hair out of his eyes, and sized up Draven again, and then nodded, "Yes, sir."

Draven frowned, "I can see your brain working, Sergeant Andor. I know your cognitive testing level. I intend to take advantage of that. But if you ever question my orders, you're done with Rebel Intelligence."

Cassian nodded, "Permission to speak freely, sir?"

Draven nodded.

"You don't need to worry about insubordination, sir. But if I see things in the field that connect to other intelligence targets, I will always do what is needed for the Rebellion to survive."

Draven stared down at Cassian for a few seconds, and Cassian did not whither under his gaze. That a fourteen year-old could stand and speak with such conviction unnerved Draven, but it also impressed him.

"Andor — after your first mission, we shall see. Dismissed," Draven tossed his head toward the door.

Cassian racked his rifle on the magnetic bar, and then walked out of the range. He walked down the alley between the temporary buildings dotting the landscape outside the ziggurat. After turning the corner he leaned against the wall and took a few deep breaths to slow his heart rate.

Once he had recovered his nerves, Cassian smiled to himself. He had just secured the most important assignment of his short life. It took all of his strength to keep from jumping up and down at his success. But all it took to quell his joy was the thought of facing the wrath of Mon Mothma.

Cassian knew there would be a senior staff meeting that afternoon, so all he had to do was avoid Mon Mothma until after that meeting, and then he could deal with her response at whatever volume was required. So Cassian turned and headed to the communications room. He could bury himself in hours of protocol chatter over the secure frequencies, relaying messages, acknowledging confirmation signals, and any number of other mundane tasks — which would have normally suited a fourteen year old.

The communications chief looked at Cassian sideways when he offered to help, but would not turn away a volunteer. Cassian settled into the dark room, illuminated only by the charting boards of the fleet movements, and the large conference holo-viewing table. He slipped on his headphones and started working down his list of non-urgent communications.

As he worked, Cassian realized how many systems were actively using the secure Rebellion channels, and they were regularly checking in. He started a small star chart and plotted each system he saw Rebel communications from as he worked. After about four hours, Cassian sat back and looked at his chart. The voices were coming from all corners of the galaxy. Most were from the core and middle rim, but all the way out to Lothal — the Rebellion was there.

Cassian felt a great swell of hope.

"Sergeant Andor —"

Cassian turned to find Mon Mothma standing there with General Draven behind her. Draven's face was his usual stone expression with just a hint of — victory. He nodded to Cassian, as if to say, 'Good luck,' and then he turned and left them alone.

"Cassian, come take a walk with me," Mon turned and headed for the exit. Cassian looked at the communications chief who just rolled his eyes and waved Cassian off.

Cassian caught up with Mon Mothma outside the ziggurat as she looked up at the starry sky. She reached out and took his arm and they slowly walked toward the living quarters.

"Draven is quite impressed that you took the initiative to interview with him, and that you appear to exude confidence beyond your years, and obviously beyond your appearance," Mon said with tight lips.

Cassian nodded, "I think he underestimates a lot, not just people. He needs me, and he knows it."

Mon was quiet for a few steps and then she nodded, "I agree. I don't think I've ever seen Draven quite so — enthusiastic about a recruit."

Cassian's brows lifted, "So you approved my appointment?"

Mon stopped and looked up at the sky again, "I spoke in your favor. Draven still had reservations due to your history with Saw. Draven is part of the reason Saw is no longer here at headquarters, and off on his own agenda."

Cassian pursed his lips, "Yes they are too similar. I could easily see them butting heads."

Mon looked over at Cassian, "Draven needs to know that you will choose the Rebellion over Saw."

Cassian's brows creased, "You don't believe that Saw would ever compromise —"

Mon shook her head, "Saw might choose you over the Rebellion, and I know how that feels because — I would too." She looked directly into Cassian's eyes, "That is why I am not in Draven's position. So if you take an Intelligence position, we all need you to stay loyal to the cause. That is a commitment to choose the Rebellion over all of us — over all of the people you love — both now and in the future. Can you do that Cassian? Can you do what I was not able to do?"

Cassian stared at her, with his mouth open, but no words came out at first. Then he stood up straight, "It is for you, and Saw, and my father, that I can say, no matter what happens, everything I do will be for the Rebellion."

Mon stared at him with tears in her eyes, "I'm worried you are saying that because I just asked you to. I'm worried that you are signing up with Draven because I failed to mentor you. I'm worried that you are seeking the dangerous path because you have had a death wish since your father died. I'm worried that if I don't let you go — that you will go anyway — and hate me. I'm worried that I was never able to give you a happy, safe and stable home, and that my love was never enough…"

But, Mon did not say those words — instead, she nodded, "Then your transfer is approved, Sergeant. Report to General Draven at 0300 for your first briefing."

Cassian looked at his chronometer, that was in less than five hours. He wasn't sure he would be able to sleep, but he had to try because it was an early start. Cassian could not suppress a smile, and he immediately enveloped Mon in a hug. She held him tightly, but in that moment she suddenly realized that he was actually taller than her. She was suddenly in shock, and frantically tried to recall how tall she thought he actually was — but she knew that she still thought of him as the tiny boy she had rescued.

"Thank you, Mon," Cassian whispered, and then he broke away from her and ran off to his quarters.

Mon held her breath and stared as she watched her tiny boy run away from her. Then she blinked, slowly collected her dignity, turned the corner to her quarters, and closed the door quietly behind her.

5 BBY — Jedha City

Cassian walked along the bazaar in the Holy City scanning the crowd as he continually worked to maintain his near invisibility to any watching eyes.

The Rebellion knew that the Empire had definitely tapped Jedha's Kyber crystal resources as their next target. And as Saw had predicted just two years before, the local government was destabilized. Saw was the only reason they had any leads. Their original plan to find Galen Erso had been a complete failure. For two years Cassian and Din had been hitting Imperial targets, stealing communications, and working with Cassian's contacts, but there had been no mention of Galen Erso in any communications or files. Apparently, Galen Erso no longer existed in the galaxy.

Jyn Erso's movements in the past year did not suggest that she had any contact with her father. But Draven felt almost certain that Saw's instincts were correct, and she was the key to finding Galen. And surely Saw would have known before the Rebellion if Jyn was contacted.

So now Cassian was walking a narrow path between needing Saw, and avoiding being dragged into Saw's agenda of extremism. Every conversation was becoming a verbal sparring match, filled with philosophical justifications for violence, ethics and logic arguments.

Din would often sit back and tune them out, feigning ignorance to whatever Cassian and Saw were yelling about. It drove Cassian mad when Din pretended to be unintelligent. But, Cassian had to admit, Saw ignored Din because he assumed Din was a simple soldier. Cassian could see how Din used his appearance and what people assumed about him to his advantage. This time Din would miss the argument entirely because Saw had asked for a meeting, but Din was unavailable.

Ra had requested regular meetings with Din. Din assumed that Ra and Paz simply needed to update him on the movements of Saxon. Thus far, Saxon had been relatively quiet. He had not challenged the Warriors on Gargon or Kalevala, or even usurped Concordia. He focused his time and manpower on Sundari mostly.

The Resistance, however, had been completely dismantled and moved underground. El-Nadan had maintained her position at the Academy and did not fear Saxon because she had the support of the citizens. But her advisors were on constant guard and all overt activity had stopped because Saxon was still claiming to be a Warrior for the people and had actually garnered support from both citizens and Warriors. Cassian kept in touch with her mostly through Paz's contacts, who made sure to see she was safe every week, but Din also promised to return with an update from El. Din was due to return in less than a rotation, so Cassian had just a little time to meet Saw briefly before he was due to check in, and going alone might help settle a little of Saw's growing paranoia.

Cassian turned a corner from the bazaar and looked up at the ornately carved ancient entrance to the Jedi Temple. The Temples were always imposing, but they also carried a warning of tragic hubris and colossal failure. Ruins of any once great civilization always had that effect on Cassian. He had seen so many great civilizations fail in just his lifetime.

Cassian carried the failure of Mandalore like a weight on his shoulders, and he could see the same change in posture in his brother. Cassian's anger grew every time he heard a disparaging remark about the Mandalorians and their society's self-destruction. Cassian found he was angry a lot these days.

Cassian frowned again looking at the Temple door, the promise of the Jedi, their legend was so grandiose, so idealistic — if the Jedi failed, it made Cassian wonder if the Rebellion had a chance in the universe. He sighed and asked himself again why he was there and if he should be with Din instead …

"If you don't know why you are here, perhaps it is time to reexamine your course," a voice said behind him.

Cassian closed his eyes, swearing to himself, but he accepted the inevitable. He turned around to face a tiny hybrid-human woman in a flowing black robe. She was younger than Cassian, had mostly human characteristics, except an unusually a narrow face that came to a sharp point at the chin, with widely spaced thin brown eyes, and long braided blue hair.

Cassian looked at her sideways, "I don't have time for riddles from the Guardians today."

The Guardian stared at Cassian holding unnaturally still, but he could feel her looking directly through him as she blinked, "The Dark Side is here — out of balance — it is everywhere. Everything has changed."

Cassian's brows came down, "Why are you talking to me about the Dark Side?"

The Guardian continued to stare at Cassian placidly, but did not respond. Cassian was familiar with this tactic. The Guardian was trying to read the movement of the Force around him, and he was already uncomfortable with what she might see.

Cassian had been in a dark place. He knew he had been struggling since the death of Sarin at the hands of the Empire. Keeping that fact from Din had also weighed on his mind, and made him desperate to defeat the Empire. He felt that desperation was driving him more than his principles, that fear was driving him more than courage, and that he was starting to lose sight of who he was.

"Yes — and no," the Guardian said suddenly.

Cassian blinked and looked back at her, "What?"

"Yes, you are surrounded by the Dark Side. But — you have not yet lost sight of who you are," she said walking towards him.

Cassian's brows came together, and he backed away from her, and then turned to walk away.

"The choice will be easy," she called after him.

Cassian turned back.

"The choice between the galaxy — and your brother," she said, frowning.

Cassian felt his anger suddenly boil over, "Are you saying that I will have to sacrifice him to save the galaxy? NEVER!"

She shook her head again, "No, your choice is between saving the galaxy — and staying alive for him."

Cassian staggered backwards. He stumbled away from the Temple, using the alley walls to hold himself up he ran. Several blocks away he finally stopped to catch his breath and slow down his heart rate. Sweat poured down his face. Cassian wiped his face and leaned against the alley wall.

Father, how can I make that choice? How can this be on my shoulders?

Cassian rubbed the heels of his hands into his eyes in frustration, and then paced back and forth like a caged animal before he gave in to instinct and growled out loud to the sky between the buildings.

"What is wrong with you, boy?" A gruff voice said behind him.

Cassian turned to find Saw walking up to him with several of his Partisans, including Benthic. He was wearing his usual armor, but it had new attachments, and new control panels, as if it was supporting his body function.

Cassian's brow creased with concern as he realized Saw also had new scars on his face, "What happened to you, Saw?"

Saw chuckled and his lip curled, "You first, what were you yelling about just now?"

Cassian threw his hands up, "The damn Guardians. All they do is speak in riddles and cause trouble."

Saw huffed, "They talk about the Force as if it still exists. And sometimes — I believe them."

Cassian shook his head. He did not have time to discuss the Force. And he wanted to forget the Guardian.

"Saw, what did you need to discuss?" Cassian sighed.

Saw turned back to his men, and they all took a few steps away to guard and to give them space to talk. Saw then turned back to Cassian.

"I need to discuss — the children," Saw said quietly.

Cassian frowned, "What children?"

Saw shook his head, "The children — that the Empire is training to kill you and everyone in the Rebellion."

Cassian lifted a brow, "You mean stormtroopers?"

Saw growled, "Not just stormtroopers! Death troopers! Dark troopers! The entire war machine! There are more and more reports coming in, children being stolen, taken from their parents arms! Not just the orphans of the Imperial regime as they conquer new worlds — entire cities of children!"

Cassian's stomach clenched. He had heard these whispers before. But it was difficult to find a parent brave enough to give testimony to the Imperial Senate regarding how exactly the Empire was filling all of the stormtrooper armor that was being produced.

Then Saw growled, "The Empire stands on the backs of the children of the wars!"

Cassian felt his brows come down, and his fists clench, "Saw — so does the Rebellion. And so do you."

Saw tilted his head downward looking deeply into Cassian's troubled eyes.

"They gave you a message — those Guardians. One that you did not want to hear," Saw smiled, and then looked up at the sky. Cassian suddenly felt Saw shifting again, the madness was back in his eyes. "When I went to talk to the Guardians about the Kyber crystals they had a message for me too. Do you know what they said?" Saw moved closer to Cassian.

"What did they say, Saw?" Cassian's brows came together.

"That I would be betrayed. That Jyn would be betrayed. And that we would both die," Saw leaned in to Cassian and his lips quivered bearing his teeth as he hissed, "It was you — wasn't it?"

Cassian suddenly realized why Saw had called him. Cassian slowly and gently put a hand on Saw's chest armor and looked him in the eye.

"Saw, you called me. I came here to help, and I definitely want to safeguard the children of the galaxy from having to fight any wars — ever — again," Cassian had become more and more practiced in using his calming tones when dealing with Saw in the last couple of years.

Saw suddenly pushed Cassian up against the alley wall and slammed Cassian's head against the ancient stone so hard Cassian was momentarily stunned.

"LIES!" Saw turned to the Partisans, "LEAVE US!" Saw yelled. Benthic paused, but finally obeyed.

Cassian closed his eyes against the blistering headache and he felt the blood trickle down his neck as he realized his scalp had been split.

"Saw! Have you lost your mind? It's ME!" Cassian gasped as he fought a wave of nausea.

"I KNOW WHAT DRAVEN IS DOING! I KNOW WHAT MON MOTHMA THINKS OF ME! THEY HAVE TURNED YOU AGAINST ME! I AM NOT A MONSTER!" Saw screamed directly into Cassian's ear and then dropped Cassian so he slid to the ground as Saw paced around the alley.

"You know I'm no fool boy! I know when I'm being shut out!" As Cassian struggled back up to his feet, Saw walked back up to him and put a finger in his face. "And don't think that I don't know that YOU'VE been watching Jyn! And that you betrayed us to Reece Tallent!" Saw whispered harshly, spitting out the name of his former Partisan.

Cassian put up his hands and had tears in his eyes, "Saw, I have been watching Jyn because I'm worried about your mental state right now! Look at you! You are seeing conspiracies everywhere! You're threatening your oldest friends! And — I have no idea what you are talking about with Tallent!"

Saw's brows came down and he paced again, talking to himself, then he turned back to Cassian, "No, these are more LIES! DECEPTIONS! It was you! It must be! You are the only one who knows who she is! That Mandalorian has no idea, and has never crossed paths with Tallent!"

Cassian shook his head, "Saw — neither of us ever spoke to anyone named Tallent! Listen to what you're saying!"

But Cassian pushed him too far, and he was too late to duck when Saw rounded on him and landed a solid punch to Cassian's jaw, sending him headfirst into the wall again. This time Cassian stayed down and couldn't move, but he heard everything Saw said.

"Because of you, Tallent turned us in to the Empire on Tamsye Prime! I had to kill Tallent, and I had to leave Jyn — my Jyn," Saw pulled out his blaster, but he was far too slow on the draw.

Cassian lifted and cocked his blaster, the left side of his face was swollen and bleeding where Saw's glove and gauntlet had cut him, but he had Saw in his sights.

Saw's hand shook, "Because of you — I had to — leave her —"

"Saw — put down your weapon," Cassian said with a note of danger, but a tear ran down his swollen cheek.

"How could you betray me?" Saw's face creased in pain.

Cassian held his lip steady as he said quietly, "All right — all right — Saw, I did tell the council that I was worried about your state of mind because you're getting SO DAMN PARANOID! And then they told me to keep an eye on Jyn. Draven has never trusted your motivations. So yes — you could say that I betrayed you. And for that, I am sorry," Cassian's voice broke with his confession. Then, his anger flared and he growled, "But you — are the one who betrayed Jyn. Because of your paranoia YOU LEFT JYN BEHIND! LOOK AT YOURSELF!"

Saw shook his head and paced as Cassian watched, "No — no — this is your doing! At least Draven will never get Jyn. She is safer away from all of us. The city government has left, and the Guardians cannot help with this fight. They must manage the Force. We will stop the shipments of Kyber here. Without the Rebellion — and without you," Saw lifted his blaster again, and took aim.

Cassian flipped his blaster to wide range with his thumb, "Walk away, Saw. You are done with Fulcrum. Go," Cassian said coldly.

Saw cracked a half smile, his hand gripping his blaster, then — slowly lifted his hands and his blaster as he backed away, "So long, boy."

Saw walked backwards halfway down the alley, then turned and led his Partisans away.

Cassian held up his blaster for another ten seconds after Saw disappeared, and then dropped it and turned away to vomit on the ground from the pain in his head. He gasped to try and catch his breath, and then vomited again because the pain was increasing.

Cassian's vision suddenly blurred as the pain rendered him senseless and he collapsed on the street.

Cassian — Cassian you must listen to me, Max implored.

Father — how can this be on my shoulders? Cassian cried. Why do I have to choose?

You will know when the time comes, there is no choice, Cassian. You will run toward your fate. And I know you will because that is what I did for the people I love.

Cassian missed his check-in. After the incident with the Mandalorians both Cassian and Din had given each other an emergency contact should either of them go missing.

Din sent a message to Draven, who was always business-like in his responses.

Thank you for the notice, we will follow up on Captain Andor's last known position.

Din nodded. Typical, Draven.

He sent Cassian another message. This is your last chance. If you do not respond in one hour, I'm coming after you.

Din spent the next thirty minutes notifying his commander and Paz of his location and his planned course. His commander sent only an acknowledgement signal, Paz always had more to say.

I need you to keep a close eye on what is happening in the Rebellion. They are growing since the kid on Lothal made that speech. Keep Cassian alive.

Din smiled to himself. Since their last encounter his involvement with the Rebellion was seen as an asset as long as it did not interfere with his duties on Gargon and Kalevala. Din set his course and disappeared into hyperspace. He did not bother to wait the full hour for Cassian to respond.

Din exited hyperspace outside the system and approached Jedha outside the standard lanes but detected no Imperial ships or traffic. His instincts felt it was suspiciously quiet. He also looked for any other familiar ship signatures, and found only one: Saw Gererra.

Din used his coded ship tracker which was pre-programmed to pinpoint Cassian's U-Wing and he found it closed with ground defense protocols in place. He landed at a safe distance, transmitted his codes and once the side door was open, he cautiously entered, and found the ship was still monitoring local communications — but no Cassian. Logs showed that he had been gone for two days. Din pushed down a slight turning feeling in his stomach and immediately hurried back outside the ship.

Din used his visual tracking software to plot Cassian's footsteps into the city. Following Cassian's footsteps two days later made Din feel like he was actually watching in real time as Cassian walked directly into danger and he was powerless to help. Din worked to control his heart rate, and was on edge with the uncertainty of what he would find.

Cassian had chosen a side route, entering through a common gate, favoring the alleys and back doors. Din could see where Cassian had stopped, observed the market, and where he had knelt down and scoped the larger open spaces looking for Imperials. Din approved of Cassian's strategy, and quickly found himself at a large stone Temple with enormous statues of hooded and cloaked humans at the entrance. Din stared at the structure for a moment. He did not recognize it, but it seemed familiar. Like the large murals on the walls of his parents home on Concordia that depicted war with a great foe…

"Your friend is destined to save the galaxy," a voice said behind him, causing Din to turn quickly with his blaster up and armed.

A tiny woman with long blue hair and flowing black robes was standing there and she smiled as he slowly lowered his blaster.

Din stared at her, "What did you just say?"

She smiled with a small mouth on her long thin face, "Your friend received a message here."

Din's heart rate increased, "A message? From Saw? Do you know where he is?"

She shook her head, and her long hair appeared to move more slowly than her head, "The message was from the Force."

Din was speechless, he did not know how to respond to that statement.

"At first he did not listen. He is listening now," She said with gravity.

Din frowned, "Is that why he missed checkin?"

She continued, "You are here to receive a message too. Are you listening?"

Din was not listening, "Please, help me, I must find him."

"Come with me," she said with a slight bow.

Din followed her through several crowded streets full of colorful characters, and dozens of food and goods stalls. And then she turned into a large common house, filled with people from all over the galaxy, but mostly the Outer Rim. The house was obviously for pilgrims who were visiting the Temple in the Holy City. Din could feel the millennia of feet walking the worn floors, the music filling the corners, and the incense that was rising up to the rafters and coating the ceiling.

The woman led him back into the dorms where she turned into a dark room with a tiny bright window, and he found Cassian kneeling on the floor looking up into the beam of light breaking the darkness in the small room.

"I don't know if I can do this, Father. I don't know if I'm ready," Cassian said quietly looking up into the light.

"Cassian?" Din said urgently, moving quickly to grab his brother's shoulder, and turn his face toward him.

Cassian seemed disoriented, and had a bloody bandage around his head and face. Cassian's eyes were unfocused, but then he blinked and appeared to register the helmet that was scanning him for damage.

"Brother—? I missed the checkin," Cassian put a hand to his head. "Damn it you could have just given me an idea of how long I was out!" Cassian growled over at the Guardian who stood placidly by the door completely undisturbed by his wrath.

"Why do I keep finding you covered in blood?" Din sighed.

Cassian was not amused. He groaned as Din helped him up, and reached for the pain medication vial next to the bed, taking a large swig.

Din grumbled, "I assume that Saw is no longer an ally?"

Cassian put a hand up, "No no no, I didn't say that, he's still a Rebel for sure. But he's losing his grip on reality — so he's fighting his own battles. He just can't help us any more."

Din nodded, but did not reply.

Cassian shifted uncomfortably, "Besides, he's not wrong. I did not betray Jyn, but I did betray him. And I will have to live with what I did to him."

Din rested his hands on his hips and shifted his weight to his back foot, "I still think I should go have a short 'conversation' with him."

Cassian grumbled, "Let's get out of here. You can bring my ship in tow, yes?"

Din nodded, then reached out to steady Cassian by keeping a hand on his upper arm. Then he turned to the Guardian.

"Thank you for your aid, we are indebted to you."

The Guardian smiled brightly at Din and Cassian rolled his eyes, "Turn it down a bit, just once, will you?"

The Guardian's smile faded, and then she reached out her hand and hovered in front of Din's chest.

"You cannot save him. Let go," she whispered, and then she turned and left.

Din stared after her, "What — what was that?"

Cassian swallowed, and shifted his weight, "Let's go."

Din led Cassian out to the street, and once they were on even ground Cassian walked unassisted.

"Why were you and Saw here? Investigating the Imperials stealing Kyber?" Din asked, watching Cassian's gait.

Cassian shook his head angrily, "Saw pretty much confirmed that the local government has been evacuated or killed, and the Guardians do not seem to care much about stopping the Empire. But Saw is staying — to wage war."

Din regarded Cassian for a moment before responding, "All of this is expected. What is wrong, Cassian?"

Cassian scoffed, "What? Other than one of my oldest mentors trying to kill me?"

Din did not reply. Cassian took a few more steps and then stopped. Din stopped beside him and waited for Cassian to gather his thoughts.

"Saw told me that there has been a massive increase in children disappearing. More than orphans of conquered worlds — entire cities of children. There is some kind of vast Imperial recruiting operation going on. And that means — the war is coming." Cassian's face was hard. Din looked over at his brother, but Cassian looked off into the distance and would not look back at him. "I'm starting to lose hope, brother," Cassian said quietly.

Din was taken aback, Cassian was usually the one who bolstered his spirits, not the other way around. Din did not have any wise words, or a rousing speech to give his brother. He wasn't sure how to respond.

"I'm — not sure I have any answers, Cassian."

Cassian gave Din a half smile, "Just keep picking me up off the ground, brother."

Din nodded, "It's all I ever do."

Cassian chuckled as Din put a hand on his shoulder and then firmly steered him toward their ships.

On the ride back to Yavin they both pondered what the Guardians had said, but Din noticed that Cassian also did not mention his conversation with his Father. Din tried to focus on getting Cassian to Yavin safely, but the Guardian's words echoed in his head.

Your friend is destined to save the galaxy.

You cannot save him.

Let go.