Previously on the Jedi and the Mandalorian...
"How could you all act careless about this? These people are out there fighting. Fighting a battle that we should be fighting ourselves! The White Fang's raids have been decreasing, and dust shipments have halted."
"Is that-"
"The symbol of the Separatist Alliance?" Ezra asked, cutting her off
"That's the head of a Separatist Super Tactical Droid." Sabine said as she walked up to it
"Wait…" Ezra muttered, "Questionable business practices...Sabine this is what the SDC has been doing!"
"I'm Eli Muskis. I was a computer technician, analyst, and programmer, before the SDC took me."
"What happened?" Ezra asked curiously
"I was approached by the SDC with the offer to work on a secret project in conjunction with the Atlas Military. I knew signing on would mean I would have to leave my family, so I refused. So they took me by force."
"Is it just you?" Sabine then questioned
"Just me." Eli continued, "There are several others that are programmers and hackers. Mainly from Vale and Atlas. Though I'm the only one with the knowledge of the project."
"I'd rather not say. The topic is painful for me. But it does involve family."
RWBY: The Jedi and the Mandalorian
Chapter 9 - The Faunus
Premise: The Rebels must infiltrate an SDC facility to steal data and rescue hostages.
An Atlesian Manta bearing the colors and symbol of the Schnee Dust Company landed on a docking pad just outside an SDC facility in eastern Sanus. The ship was carrying several more security personnel and faunus workers.
A security guard then approached the faunus, weapon in hand.
"Alright! Everybody move out! Have your IDs ready for inspection!"
As the Faunus slowly entered the complex, another soldier was conversing on his scroll.
"The last group of Faunus have arrived Mr. Schnee." he stated
"Good." Jacques Schnee replied from the other end of the call, "Have the animals escorted to the dust mines at once. Separate these animals from the tech ones though, they'll be sent to the military complex."
"Roger that." the soldier said firmly, "Sir, if I may ask. What's with the extra security?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Jacques muttered, "For protection, to keep my property safe."
"Surely with what we have so far, we'd be fine." the soldier stated, "That is, unless you're referring to protection from the White Fang."
Jacques snorted, "Not just those animals. But those rebels too! They blew up one of my trains! And halted nearly all dust exports to Vale! But nothing to fear! I have secured a deal with General Ironwood that'll protect my interests!"
"Roger that, oh and sir?"
"Yes?" Jacques asked
"I heard about your missing daughter." the soldier said, "I'm sorry to hear about the news."
"I appreciate the comment soldier." Jacques muttered before ending the call
The soldier then put his scroll away before resuming his duties. Unknown to him and his peers, they were being watched through the scope of a sniper and binoculars.
"Well...this complicates things…" Omega muttered
"...They just added extra security." Ruby said via hologram
"And they're using the base as a facility for harvesting dust." Omega added, "More Faunus workers just arrived."
Ezra, Sabine, Weiss, and Eli, who were all on the Gauntlet frowned. Blake especially.
"That complicates things." Sabine sighed. "The security was enough for us before. But with the extra buff and whatever else they got in store, that's gonna be a problem."
"Ruby, Omega, return to the ship, we'll come up with a plan here." Ezra ordered
"On it." Ruby replied before ending the connection
Eli then took this as her cue, "We have to free the Faunus!"
"That isn't our objective, Muskus." Weiss said to her in a sad tone, "The facility is rumored to hold shipments of salvaged battle droids and various prototype Atlesian weapons...or at least I think they are. This facility was recently commissioned by my father and the military."
"Hate to break it to you Weiss, but Eli here is right." Sabine said to her, "We need to free those prisoners. The SDC is using them as slaves, in all but name."
"We'll find a way to free them." Ezra added, "On the train it was easy, and Sabine and I may have gotten a little lucky. We'll come up with a different plan, I'll figure something out."
Eli couldn't help but smile. However the four were unaware that Blake was listening.
A little while later, Nora and Pyrrha were sitting in the common room. The former was finishing up a round of dejark with Chopper.
"Yes! I win!" Nora shouted as both Sabine and Yang entered the room.
"How did you beat him?" Pyrrha asked curiously, "You never played this game before."
Chopper then grumbled at them both, causing Sabine to glare at him, "Language Chop. Remember Hera isn't here to save you."
Chopper grumbled again before resetting the dejark board for him and Nora.
Pyrrha then took the opportunity to ask the Mando a question, "You know Sabine, you and Ezra never really told us about the rest of your friends. Except for Kanan of course."
"Yeah!" Nora added, pausing from her gamer, "We want to know more about the crew of the Ghost!"
Chopper then grumbled as if he were annoyed.
"Well…" Sabine muttered, ignoring the grumpy droid, "You already know me, Ezra, and Chop. There's Zeb, he's a Lasat, a species that was one of few to rise up against the Empire in its earlier years."
"I'm gonna guess it didn't end well." Pyrrha replied
"Sadly you're right." Sabine continued, "The Empire nearly wiped out the entire population. Luckily most Lasat returned to their ancestral homeworld. Zeb's actually the former Captain of the Lasat Honor Guard. Other than that he's our muscle and sometimes a bit grumpy."
"Muscle huh?" Nora questioned, "Let's see if he can go up against me!"
Yang then spoke, "You mentioned a name, Hera. Who's she?"
"Hera's our pilot, owner of the Ghost." said the Mando, "One of the best pilots in the galaxy. Her father leads a local resistance movement on her home planet of Ryloth. She's also our mother figure."
"So basically everyone tattles to her?" Yang jokingly asked
"Pretty much." Sabine gave a light chuckle, "But you don't want to see her mad, trust me."
Chopper grumbled in agreement.
"Hey! You're just saying that 'cause you get into trouble constantly." Sabine hissed at the droid
"Who gets into trouble?"
All eyes turned to see Ezra now standing in the room. He had two SDC guard helmets in his hands.
"You, obviously." Sabine retorted with a smirk, "What's up?"
"I've come up with a plan for infiltrating the SDC facility..."
Everyone was now standing outside both the Gauntlet and the Marauder. Chopper was displaying a hologram of the SDC facility.
"From what Omega and Ruby have gathered, the SDC have tightened all security within the complex." Ezra began before turning towards Omega
"Most of the patrols move through various checkpoints around the surrounding area." Omega continued, "Guards have been added to only two areas: the dust mines, and the restricted section. But we have a way to get inside."
"Whatcha got?" Yang asked
"We managed to steal several uniforms before leaving Atlas." Hunter explained, "Some of them designed to be used by the SDC.
"They'll be useful for disguises, and painting." Ezra added
Sabine perked up at the mention of paint, Ezra looking at her.
"I put two spare helmets in your room for you to paint." he said, "Gotta let you paint something, otherwise you'll end up painting the hyperdrive."
"Thank you." Sabine replied sweetly
"As I was saying, Weiss, you, Eli, and I will infiltrate the facility disguised as guards." he continued, "We'll go in and gather what data they have on all Separatist dig sights before getting out. Echo, Tech, you two will be undercover as deck officers sending the wrong intel to cause disruption around the base."
"What about the Faunus?" Yang then asked
Ezra then looked at Blake, "Blake?"
The young girl then removed her bow, revealing a pair of cat ears.
"I had a feeling you were a Faunus." Sabine said to her, "That and my helmet's detected heat signature within your bow."
"Are you sure you're up for the task?" Ren asked her
Blake nodded, "It took some convincing, but I'll do it. My people are hurt and scared, who knows what will happen."
"Blake will convince others to escape." Ezra continued, "There are several transports that can get them out of there."
"Once we have everything, Chopper and Hunter will fly the Gauntlet and Marauder in and pick us all up. Then we'll lead the Faunus to a safe place."
"This plan seems a bit risky." Echo stated, "But I know to never questions a Jedi's tactics."
"Uh, I have a question." Wrecker muttered as he raised his hand
"Yes, Wrecker?" Ezra asked
"Do we get to blow stuff up?" he asked childishly
"Yes Wrecker we do…"
"OH YEAH!"
The next day late in the afternoon, an Atlesian Manta arrived at a landing pad outside the SDC facility. The same guard from yesterday noticed it landing with a look of confusion. He and his companion approached it as the hatch opened. Outstepped several SDC guards in helmets covering their faces, and one female cat faunus in rag clothing and in restraints. Two were hauling a couple of crates.
"We weren't expecting any other arrivals." said to them, "State your business."
"Last minute transfer." one of them stated, "Orders from the top."
The officer looked at her funny, "I wasn't notified, I'll have to clear it."
"That won't be necessary." she replied, "We have the intel with us."
"Another guard stepped forwards while appearing to grab something from his pocket. Instead, he waved his hand in front of their face.
"You were expecting us." he said in an odd voice
"...We were expecting you…" the officer muttered
"We're clear to proceed."
"You're clear to proceed."
The officer then stopped aside, allowing them access into the facility complex.
"Not bad kid." Echo muttered
"Thanks." Ezra replied, "You holding up Eli?"
"I'm good." the Faunus technician answered, "Gotta admit, at least Atlas has the decency to make a comfortable helmet. Even though they were designed for humans."
"Yeah, well this is garbage compared to clone armor." Echo retorted, "Who would even wear this? Stormtroopers?"
"Heh, good one." Sabine chuckled quietly, "Rex would ay the same thing. What about you Blake, you good?'
"So far." Blake sighed, "Just wait until we reach the complex, it gonna be ugly."
Once they entered the main complex, they understood what Blake had meant: SDC foot soldiers were everywhere. Either on going on or coming back from patrol, escorting harvested dust, unloading weapons, or guarding Faunus slaves and leading them into the mines.
"This is sick…" Omega muttered in disgust, "Just like that job on Ord Mantell."
"But these aren't Zygerrians." Tech added, "By my calculations, we should be successful."
"Ok, now we split up." Ezra declared, "Sabine, Omega, escort Blake into the mines. You know what to do."
"Echo, Tech get to the airfield, prepare those ships for departure." he said to the clones, "Everyone keep your comms on, stay in touch and warn anyone if problems occur."
With that said, ever began to split up. Blake then took the crate Omega was pushing as they wanted their cover to look convincing.
"Sorry Blake." Sabine sighed in a guilty tone, she felt really bad for her
"Its alright." she grunted, "It'll pay off later anyway."
As the trio approached the mines, they noticed two lines were formed. One was packed with Faunus slowly trugging their way inside, being guarded, while the other was more sparse, with Faunus hauling crates into the mines, presumably holding mining equipment.
"Hey!" the trio looked to see an SDC security guard in full armor stopping them, "What do you think you're doing?"
"We're escorting her into the mines." Sabine lied, "She has equipment needed down there."
The guard snorted, "Yeah I know that. But only one crate? Come on! Give this girl some more work!"
Just then, two guards dropped two crates on top of the one crate Blake was hauling.
"I uh, don't think that'll be necessary sir." Omega muttered with unease
"Nonsense!" he scoffed, "She can handle it!"
Blake glared at the man in anger, who noticed her cold stare and stared back.
"What are you looking at animal?" he snarled, "You want another crate!? Do you!?"
Blake then looked down, making the guard and his men smile evilly, "Yeah that's what I thought. Escort her inside!"
"Yes sir." Sabine replied before following Blake into the mines
"Blake, we're really sorry…"
Eli led Ezra and Weiss down a hallway in the facility's data center. They noticed SDC scientists and other soldiers walking by, performing their duties or going on break. Eventually, the hallways were deserted, save for them.
"How much further?" Weiss muttered
"Almost there." Eli replied, "Here!"
The trio entered one of the facility's server rooms. The room itself almost seemed like a maze, as each server looked identical to the other.
"This is it." Eli said as he approached the main terminal, "This'll take a moment."
"Alright, look for anything related to...uh...robot locations." Weiss said to him
"Really?" Ezra muttered, "They're called battle droids."
Eli quickly began accessing the SDC database, bypassing all security locks before finding something, "Here! According to SDC intel, Atlas forces have discovered more than ten sites linked to the Separatists. Wherever the droid set up shop, they began to spread out across the planet. But that location is still unknown."
"That's good then." said Ezra, "That means that they haven't found the main base or ship wreck I suppose."
"There's more." Eli continued, "This facility is a also a dig site to find that base. That's why the Faunus are mining in the caves. The SDC aren't harvesting dust, they're looking for the entrance to a Separatist stronghold. This facility is also holding not only Separatist droids, but new hybrid droid units for the Atlas Military."
"Looks like they started reverse engineering." Weiss muttered, "Where's that stuff?"
"It doesn't say."
"Alright, Eli, download what you can onto a secure drive." Ezra said to him before getting on comms, "Spectre 5, this is Spectre 6, we have data on Separatist locations."
"Understood Spectre 6." Sabine answered, "Had a little trouble down here at first, but Blake's getting the Faunus rallied."
"How long is that gonna take?"
"Just wait for the fireworks, Ezra." Sabine said to him
As the trio left the room and made their way back the way they came. They were stopped by a lone guard.
"You three!" he barked at them, "Come with me!"
Ezra looked at his peers before responding, "What's going on?"
"We have to prepare for the General's arrival!" the guard shouted, "Now follow me!"
Eli looked worried, "What do we do?"
"Follow him." said Ezra, "Better to stay in cover for now."
WHIP!
"GET BACK TO WORK!" a guard shouted as he whipped a Faunus worker. Sabine sneered under her disguise, same as Omega. How could people be this cruel? Oh wait, yeah, the Empire does the same.
The mine itself was massive. One large cave with several smaller to medium-sized ones protruding elsewhere. Glowing crystals were stuck in the walls as Faunus workers mined them with pickaxes. SDC guards were patrolling the area, oftenly whipping and hurting those who didn't comply.
"Ahem, we'll take from her miss." Omega muttered as she and Sabine took the various crates from Blake. They removed the two that those asshole guards gave her so they could get to the crate they initially brought with them.
"This is more than just a mining operation…" Omega muttered, "This is a crime against life. A violation of the Vytal Treaty. I've heard about the SDC's controversial policies, but this is worse."
"This…" Blake said, "...is why the White Fang fight."
"I can just imagine if the Empire showed up." Sabine added, "The SDC would get along like a house on fire."
"I don't think I can do this…" Blake muttered
Omega and Sabine looked at her, "What do you mean?"
"I-I can't!" Blake whispered quietly, "This is too much for me!"
"Hey!" Sabine hissed at her, "Blake look at me. You can do this."
"You don't understand!" Blake retorted, "I was with the White Fang, I followed their methods blindly. My actions with them made these people's lives harder!"
Sabine then removed her helmet, "I do understand...Blake, I was in your shoes for a long time. I was once a member of the Imperial Academy on Mandalore, the top of my class, a prodigy. I followed their orders and ideology like a lapdog...it was a nightmare. I built weapons, terrible weapons in what I thought would be a simple challenge, but the Empire used them. On friends, on family. They controlled us through fear, I helped enslave my people."
Blake was shocked to hear this. Sabine, this powerful, artistic warrior was once a loyal servant to an oppressive regime, and had suffered much worse than her.
"I had to stop it all." Sabine continued, "So I spoke out, to everyone. But when I did...my family didn't stay with me...they chose the Empire...they left me, gave me no choice. The Empire destroyed my world, and in retaliation I destroyed the weapon I created before fleeing Mandalore."
"What happened to your family?" Blake asked curiously
"After years of being apart, I returned with Ezra and Kanan, and we reconciled." Sabine answered, "Now they lead a civil war against the Imperial loyalists in the Mandalorian sector. As for my father, he's alive, on Mandalore, a prisoner in all but name. But I will free him, one day."
Blake couldn't help but smile, seeing how Sabine's life was similar to hers, but she managed to prevail.
"I had my chance to face my fears." she said, now its time to face yours…"
"GAH!"
Two workers were thrown to the ground by a male SDC guard who was holding a wipe.
"YOU ANIMALS THOUGH YOU COULD GET AWAY WITH SLACKING OFF!?" he snarled at them, "NOW YOU WILL BE MADE AN EXAMPLE!"
The guard then raised the whip ready to strike as the two Faunus cowered in fear, ready to accept their fate. But before the guard could do anything, he felt a ribbon like object wrap around his hand. He then felt his body fly through the air as Blake, now in her normal outfit, pulled him towards him with her weapon, decking him in the face.
"OOF!" he muttered before landing on the ground. He got up slowly, trying to process what had just happened before his eyes landed on Blake.
The guard sneered, "Why you little"
Before he could finish however, a lone Faunus worker came up from behind and knocked him out with a shovel he was holding. Several other Faunus started to cheer before other guards arrived, this time with guns.
"EVERYBODY ON THE GROUND!" one of them shouted before they were suddenly shot down by Sabine and Omega, both of whom were now in their armor. Sabine then flew in the air and fired a rocket from her jetpack which hit several rocks hanging from the cave roof, hitting several other guards.
Blake then took the keys from the unconscious guard and began to free the workers from their shackles, "Everyone! Make for the surface! You will be free!"
As this was happening, Sabine received a call from Ezra, "Spectre 5, this is Spectre 6, we have data on Separatist locations."
"Understood Spectre 6." Sabine answered, "Had a little trouble down here at first, but Blake's getting the Faunus rallied."
"How long is that gonna take?"
"Just wait for the fireworks, Ezra." Sabine said to him while tossing a thermal detonator in her free hand
The guard led the disguised Ezra, Weiss, and Eli up to one of the facility's landing pads. Once they arrived, someone came up from behind and pushed them aside.
"Out of my way!"
The man had fair skin, stark white slicked-back hair, and a large, thick mustache and cold blue eyes. He wore a pure white double-breasted blazer with a red handkerchief in the breast pocket. Underneath, he wore a light-blue dress shirt, vest and a white clip-on tie, printed with the same emblem on his shoes and above his study. He had a silver-colored ring on his right hand.
"Father…?" Weiss muttered quietly in shock
"That's your dad?" Ezra added, "What's he doing here?"
"What was that?" the guard asked, hearing their murmurs.
"Nothing sir." Eli lied, "Just surprised seeing Mr. Schnee."
The guard snorted, "Aren't we all."
"Quiet!" Jacques hissed at them before turning back to face the landing pad, "He has arrived."
A lone airship soon appeared, soon landing in front of them. It was a small transport aircraft, comparable in size to a bullhead. Ribbons were adorned on the wings and fins of the ship. Soon the doors opened and a ramp lowered down to the ground. Several guards exited, like the SDC guards, these wore identical armor. But instead of light gray with white, they were colored white with blue outlines.
"Atlas Military…" Eli muttered, "Something big is happening."
"James…" Jacques began, acting high and mighty, "Welcome, I-"
Jacques suddenly stopped as he got a better look at who else exited the ship. It was a young woman, presumably in her early to mid-twenties. She had slate-blue eyes, dark eyebrows, and long white hair. The latter of which was tied back in a bun that is high on the left side of the back of her head, along with bangs along the right side of her face and a small curled lock of hair down the left just above her shoulder.
She wore a white long-sleeved coat with a single dark blue clasp around the center waist holding it shut alongside a red jeweled brooch on the collar. The coat's length ran down to her ankles and the sleeves are split from shoulder to elbow. She wore a white pleated sleeveless blouse with a dark blue waistcoat. A pair of white trousers with dark blue garters alongside a pair of gray thigh boots with black detailing around the knees. She also wore a pair of black forearm length gloves with gray trimmed cuffs.
Jacques' look of surprise soon turned to one of annoyance and smugness, as he quickly recognized her, "Oh, you…"
"Hello to you too, Jacques." she retorted, clearly not happy to see him either
"Winter…" Weiss muttered under her breath
"What?" Ezra asked, not hearing what she just said. But Eli quickly nudged them so they wouldn't blow their cover.
Jacques then continued, unaware of the trio's conversation, "I was expecting General Ironwood."
"General Ironwood has sent me in his place." Winter explained, "He had another important assignment to deal with."
"Well then I suppose I can put aside our...other issues and act professional during this meeting."
Winter nodded, "Indeed. Shall we?"
Jacques then stepped aside, and gestured for her to follow, "This way, Specialist."
Jacques led them all to a room overlooking the facility's courtyard. Inside were several white-armored droid units alongside several B1 Battle Droids and Commando Droids.
"As you can see Specialist." Jacques began, "Our top scientists have managed to successfully reverse engineer these old units. Using our tech alongside theirs, we've created the next generation of the Atlas Military. Thes units will be the successor to the aging AK-130: the Atlesian Knight-200."
Winter raised an eyebrow, "Well done Jacques, the General will be impressed…"
"They kinda look like stormtroopers." Ezra muttered under his breath, "But more robotic."
"They must've taken designs from standard B1s and Commando Droids for the design." Eli added
"...Your scientists must be congratulated for their work." Winter added, unaware of the conversation between Ezra and Eli
Jacques blinked a few times, "Yes, they shall."
Winter noticed his unease, "Is something wrong, do you believe they should not deserve an audience?"
"No no!" Jacques quickly answered, "I was just-"
Suddenly, the sound of massive doors opening quickly filled everyone's ears. Curious, Jacques and Winter looked out the window to the massive doors to the dust mines opening. Suddenly, several SDC guards were running frantically from something, they were soon followed by a large crowd of Faunus workers.
Jacques watched the scene with shock and anger, "What is happening!?"
"Are those Faunus!?" Winter questioned in shock
"Well-yes." Jacques stuttered, he knew what she was thinking. The tattered clothes, bruised limbs, and looks of anger on the Faunus' faces said everything. They weren't workers.
They were slaves. In all but name.
"Y-You see, I gave them jobs." Jacques tried to explain
"Don't lie to me!" Winter hissed, "What is this!?"
Ezra then took this as his que, "My signal."
Without warning, Ezra used the force to slam both Winter and Jacques into the wall. The Atlas soldiers and lone SDC guard with them immediately drew their weapons, ready to fire until Eli threw a stun detonator given to him by Sabine. The guards all fell to the ground unconscious, groaning in the process.
Ezra then removed his helmet and approached Jacques, grabbing him by the collar and placing him on his knees. He then ignited his lightsaber and pointed it at him.
"You…" Jacques growled
Ezra smirked a bit, "Oh you know who I am. That's good to hear."
"Do you have any idea what you and your friend have done to my company!?" Jacques cried, "A train! My train! Left in ruins and covered in paint!"
"Hey, Sabine prefers to call it art." Ezra retorted, "It was beautiful to look at."
Jacques hissed, "Well tell your bitch to-"
SMACK!
Ezra punched the corrupt man in the face. Jacques fell to the floor before Ezra grabbed him, and put him back on his knees. A bruise was starting for form where Ezra hit him.
"Sorry about that." Ezra muttered half-heartedly. He then pointed to the Battle Droids, "Are all you have with you?"
"Just here." Jacques replied in fear
"Good to know." Ezra replied before turning around and cutting down the droids with his lightsaber. Jacques winced at the site, and quickly cowered in the corner as Ezra approached him once again.
"No! Wait! Please!" he cried
"Relax." Ezra said to him, "I'm not gonna kill you. I'm gonna stun you."
"What?"
Ezra then pulled out his balster and stunned Jacques. As he turned around he was met face-to-face with Winter, who already had her rapier out and pointed at him.
"Halt!" she hissed
Ezra deactivated his lightsaber and raised his hands, "Let me explain…"
"Winter! Stop!" Weiss intervened. She had removed her helmet, revealing her face.
Winter's eyes widened in surprise, "Weiss…"
"Wait…" Ezra muttered, "You're her sister?"
Winter ignored him as she looked at Weiss, "You're ok. Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine, thanks." Weiss replied
"What are you doing here you boob?" Winter asked, "Why are you helping this vagabond?"
"Ezra is my friend." Weiss answered firmly, "Please let us explain."
"You don't have to explain anything Weiss." Winter retorted before looking at them both with a calm expression, "But I can let you go."
"Really?" Ezra muttered
"I can tell you both know something." Winter continued, "Something I may not understand. I may work for the military, but I won't see my sister being arrested. I can buy sometime."
"Good, thanks Winter." Ezra replied, "One other thing: Who else knows about these operations?"
"No one." Winter answered, "Only General Ironwood knows the full details. Beyond that, no one else in Atlas or the SDC knows what's going on. I only know about the robots."
"Not even the huntsmen academies?" Weiss asked
"Them too." Winter added, "I thought the General would notify them. But when I asked, he said it would only cause trouble."
Ezra's comm then bursts to life, "Spectre 6 where are you?"
"We're on our way, Spectre 5." he answered, "Just hold on."
"You should go." Winter said to them, " I can make this look convincing."
"Already, thanks Winter." Ezra replied, "Come on, lets move."
Ezra and Eli made their way to the door, while Weiss hugged her sister gently.
"Be careful." Winter said to her
"I will, I can just imagine what Mom and Whitely would think about this." Weiss chuckled
Winter couldn't help but do the same, "Me too."
BLAM!
Echo shot an SDC guard with his hidden blaster before opening the doors to one of the docked Manta dropships outside. He and Tech then quickly noticed the large crowd of Faunus approaching them.
"Everyone!" he shouted, "Board the transports! Hurry!"
One by one, each dropship was packed to the brim with Faunus trying to escape. Once a transport was full, it was to take off. However none of the Faunus knew how to pilot a dropship, but that won't stop them from escaping one bit.
As Tech helped the last dropship get packed. He noticed all the other transport had departed. Then the Gauntlet appeared in the air, and Hunter, Wrecker, and Team JNPR all jumped out.
"Are you guys alright?" Ren asked them
"We're good." Echo replied, "Just waiting on the others.
As if on cue, Sabine touched down holding onto both Blake and Omega. Then Ezra, Weiss, and Eli appeared.
"You get what we came for?" Hunter asked the latter group
"We did." Ezra replied, "Come on, let's get out of here."
As the group began to board the Gauntlet, several gunshots ran out, hitting the hull of the ship. Ezra and Sabine immediately ducked behind cover as the rest of the crew boarded. Jacques, and a squad of SDC guards appeared, with Winter trailing behind.
"GET THEM!" Jacques ordered
Crosshair, who was guarding the ramp of the ship, returned fire. Hitting three of the guards.
"Your move…" he muttered
Jacques being the coward that he was, fearfully backed away. As the rest of the crew boarded their ship and flew off.
Ezra then looked at Sabine, "Did you set the charges?"
Sabine then smirked, "Oh yeah, watch this guys."
Sabine then pulled out a remote detonator and pressed the button. Tnetire cave system and mine at the facility erupted in a fiery inferno and a mist of various paint colors.
"OH YEAH!" Wrecker shouted, "NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!"
"That. Was awesome!" Nora added, "Let's do that again!"
"It was gorgeous, Sabine." Ezra complimented her work, "As always."
It was now late at night as the Gauntlet and the scattered Atlas Mantas filled with Faunus workers flew through the starry night sky. Ezra, Sabine, and Ruby were conversing with Eli, via hologram.
"Are you sure you have to go?" Ruby asked
"I insist." Eli replied, "These people are gonna need me. I can give them a home in the Forever Fall. The townsfolk will take them, I know they will."
"Good luck Eli." Sabine said to him
"Same to you guys." he replied, "You know where to find me."
The hologram then disappeared before the Bad Batch, minus Omega, appeared in Eli's place.
"Did you get the intel?" Ezra asked
"We did." Tech answered, "I'll look into it too see if we can pinpoint an exact location."
"Alright then, we'll wait for your response." Ezra responded
Hunter then spoke up, "What will you guys do now?"
"We don't know." said Sabine, "After the stunt we pulled back there. We thought laying low for a bit."
"That's a good idea." Echo agreed with her, "Stay clear from any major settlements for a while."
"Understood." said Ezra, "Good luck guys."
The hologram disappeared as they heard the sound of the Marauder flying away, followed by the Mantas.
"Well, I'm calling it a night." Ruby yawned, "Good night guys."
"'Night Ruby." Ezra said back a the girl went off to her team's bunk
Sabine then spoke, "So, what now?"
"Well, I was thinking about calling it a night." Ezra began, "But someone has to relieve Chopper of flight duty."
"That's true." Sabine said to him. "But look at you, you're half asleep."
Ezra yawned, "That's not true."
"Yeah right." the Mando laughed
"Alright, I'm a little tired." Ezra replied, "I'll go get some rest. You?"
"Same here." she replied before they headed back to their rooms. Before Ezra could enter his, Sabine grabbed his arm.
"One other thing." she said, "Could you...stay with me again? I've haven't been getting enough sleep since arriving here."
"Sure." Ezra smiled. He then went into his room and got changed before heading over to Sabine's room. The Mando was already in her bed as Ezra laid beside her. She then wrapped her arm around his and nestled closer to him.
Ezra felt her happiness through the Force before drifting off to sleep. Unaware that Chopper was sneaking yet another picture of them.
An Atlesian dropped down from the skies just outside of Beacon. It landed in front of a massive castle-like complex with a pathway leading right up to it. The Professor who had been investigating Ezra and Sabine approached the craft as it opened. Out stepped a man in a white uniform with slick black hair.
"General Ironwood." he said to him, "James, Its good to see you."
"Same here Oz." Ironwood replied, "We have much to discuss…"
Next on the Jedi and the Mandalorian...
Chapter 10 - The Temple