The Razor Crest flew through vacant space with no destination in mind. Mando piloted the ship maintaining at the wheel while pressing specific levers and controls in order to keep the ship at its finest. Mando was accompanied in the cockpit by his daughter, who sat in her usual co-pilot seat behind him, as the child's pod was positioned in the seat opposite of her. The two Mandalorians were busy obtaining to the ship while the child slept soundly.
"Papi, a transmission was just received," young Mando stated.
"Send it through," Mando declared when she tapped a few buttons and a hologram of Greef Karga appeared.
"My friend, if you are receiving this transmission that means you both are alive. You might be surprised to hear this, but I am alive too. I guess we can call it even."
"Did I miss something, did you shoot Karga?" young Mando asked but the transmission continued.
"A lot has happened since we last saw each other. The man who hired you is still here and his ranks of ex-Imperial guards have grown. They have imposed despotic rule over my city which has impeded the livelihood of the Guild. We consider him an enemy, but we cannot get close enough to take him out. If you would consider one last commission, I will very much make it worth your while."
"You have been successful so far in staving off their hunters, but they will not stop until they have their prize. So, here is my proposition. Return to Nevarro. Bring the child as bait. I will arrange an exchange and provide loyal Guild members as protection. Once we get near the client, you kill him, and we both get what we want. If you succeed, you keep the child and I will have both you and your daughter's name cleared with the Guild, for a man of honor should not be forced to live in exile. I await your arrival with optimism," Karga ended his message as the two sat silent.
"You know it's a trap," young Mando blurted out.
"Yup," was all Mando replied while entering specific navigational coordinates into the Crest.
"And we're just going to walk right into it?"
"Yup."
"Really?" this didn't seem like her father and could tell he was formulating a plan, "Okay, bring it on," young Mando began pumping herself up when she saw the location they were headed.
"But first we need a team of our own," Mando clarified making the Crest adjust its position when it jumped to lightspeed.
The local tavern on Sorgan was wildly loud, a large group of spectators circled Cara Dune and her opponent – a Dathomirian – who were vigorously battling each other in a brawl. Both of them were connected to each another by an electric cord at the waist, making sure neither could escape the other until one was defeated.
Both opponents held up to each other's kick and punches but once Cara received the upper hand she seized it. Cara pulled the Dathomirian to the ground and then put him in a headlock, once he was losing conscious she flipped on top of him and pulled him to his knees wrapping the electric wire – that conjoined them – around his neck.
Seeing no way out, the Dathomirian tapped out declaring Cara the winner, "Pay up, mudscuffers," Cara pointed to specific spectators as they approached with her winnings, "Come on. That's mine, thank you."
Once everyone paid and cleared out Cara recognized the two individuals who lingered behind; Mando and his daughter.
"Looking for some work?" Mando asked while young Mando gave Cara a sly thumbs up, impressed with her street fighting skills. All Cara could do was chuckle more at young Mando and ignored her father's question.
Cara sat at a table when the waitress poured her a cup of spotchka while Mando, his daughter, and the child accompanied her.
"It seems like a straightforward operation," Mando began.
"Trap, is what he means," young Mando slipped in but her statement went ignored.
"They're providing the plan and firepower. I'm the snare."
"You mean we're the snare," young Mando corrected, "Papi gets confused sometimes."
"With the child," Cara declared.
"That's why I'm coming to you," Mando said.
"I don't know. I've been advised to lay low," Cara reminded, "If anybody runs my chain code I'll rot in a cell for the rest of my life."
"I thought you were a veteran?" young Mando asked.
"I've been a lot of things since kiddo. Most of them carry a life sentence. If I so much as book passage on a ship registered to the New Republic, I'm…" Cara was cut off.
"I have a ship. I can bring you there and back with a handsome reward. You can live free of worry," Mando hoped to persuade her.
"I'm already free of worry and I'm not in the mood to play soldier anymore. Especially fighting some local warlord."
"Did I need to remind you that we will be walking into a trap," young Mando whispered hoping to gain sympathy.
"He's not a local warlord. He's Imperial," Mando clarified.
Suddenly as if the winds changed Cara's face went from uninterested to disgust, "I'm in," Cara raised her drink in salute to the mess she just entangled herself in.
"Does your contact need to vet me?" Cara questioned while Mando flew the Crest.
"Doesn't know you're coming," he informed.
"Really? That could be a problem."
"It wont, but if it is, that's his problem," Mando said rising from his seat and directing Cara to the lower deck.
"He alright up there alone," she referred to the child who was left in the cockpit, "Where's your daughter?" Cara searched.
"She needs some time for herself," Mando said knowing it was prudent for his daughter to receive a breather from continuously watching the child.
Cara just nodded understanding a girl needed time away from the men in her life. On his gauntlet Mando pressed a button and opened a compartment revealing a plethora of weapons.
"Pick one," he gave her free reign.
Gladly Cara went through the selection while still getting information about the mission, "You trust the contact?" she asked.
"Not particularly. He and I had a run-in last time I was there on some Guild business."
"So then why are we going?"
"I don't have a choice. You saw what happened on Sorgan. They'll keep sending hunters. The kid will never be safe until the Imp is dead," Mando stated while noticing a slight hiccup in the Crest's trajectory.
"And you're okay with bringing him back there?"
"Not really. That's why I'm bringing you."
Suddenly Mando and Cara were flung off their feet because the Crest began to go erratic. Instinctively Mando flew up to the cockpit while Cara followed behind, there they witnessed the child at the controls attempting to steer the ship. Quickly Mando removed the child and handed it to Cara to hold, he sat at the wheel, switching levers and pressing buttons to stabilize the Crest but nothing was working.
"What's happening?" Cara questioned noticing the interior of the ship was beginning to crack from under pressure.
"No!" Mando realized the actual issue and flew back to the lower deck without explanation.
He made his way to his daughter's workspace when he rounded the corner and found her on the floor huddled in a fetal position, shivering uncontrollably and moaning in pain. Mando dropped to his knees trying to assess how far she was in her episode. He slowly tried to unravel her but instead she swung herself over unintentionally and shoved Mando vigorously across the room with the assistance of an invisible force. He was slammed against a wall and became pinned as if someone was holding him there.
"Mi Pequeno, let me go," he grunted through a tight chest, "Hear me, focus on my voice," Mando tried but she couldn't be reached, she had submerged within herself.
He could see she was doing everything in her power not to release what was inside her because if she did they would all parish, but her undivided attention turned to anything and everything.
"Mi Pequeno, please release me," finally her hand dropped when the invisible force let him go allowing Mando to slowly gain full mobility. Powerless, he watched items in the ship take life by either crushing into itself or being thrown across the room.
The Crest continued flying erratic as Cara carried the child looking for Mando or his daughter. She turned a corner witnessing almost exactly what she experienced at the battle of Sorgan. The ground quaked beneath them and items floated in the air by their own free will. Cara couldn't fathom, for a second time, what was happening.
Grabbing hold of the walls while she walked, Cara noticed Mando sprawled on the opposite side of the room when young Mando arched her body in agony, trying to keep in the pulse that radiated around her structure.
"Mando, what's…" but Cara was cut off.
"Watch out!" Mando warned, he sprung to his feet and tackled Cara and the child out of harms way.
The three fell to the floor luckily dodging a steel panel that could have crushed them.
"What… how…" Cara stuttered cradling the child who shivered in fear.
"Listen to me, she's too far along, I'm going to have to sedate her," Mando informed, he opened a hidden compartment on his gauntlet reveling two viles containing a clear liquid. Mando then pulled out a syringe from his belt inserting the vile and prepping it for injection.
"Then do it already," Cara shouted.
"Please, I have to revel her arm," Mando stated.
Cara understood what he was implying, Mandalorians couldn't expose a single part of themselves to the outside world due to the threat of expulsion weighting heavily on them.
"I won't look just do it," Cara demanded and turned her head from view.
"DAD!" young Mando screamed through a banshee cry doing everything she could from releasing the blast that commanded to escape.
He knew his time was up, Mando had to act now, he crawled to his daughter and immediately removed her gauntlet and rolled up her sleeve. She withered in torment and groaned in horror, but he would put her at ease. The serum would take effect instantaneously once injected into her bloodstream, shutting down her abilities.
Mando wasted no effort and clutched onto the syringe with his whole hand, he struck downwards ready for the needle to pierce her skin, but something prevented the action. The invincible force was at work again, in mid-air Mando struggled, the needle was centimeters from entering her body. His hand withered and strained, he used all of his might but became powerless to do anything.
The Crest started to crack and enfold into itself, warning bells sounded throughout the interior, informing its passengers to abandon ship. Mando took his other hand and put it on top hoping for added strength, but he still wasn't budging.
"Come on, Mi Pequeno, don't do this, hear me," but she couldn't hear her father, the force had consumed her.
Young Mando let out a blood curling scream when her body arched violently upwards signaling the blast would follow. Mando mustered everything he had when he received some much needed assistance as Cara slammed her hands on top of Mando's, overcoming the invisible barrier together.
The needle successfully entered young Mando's skin and without thought, Mando immediately injected the serum into her body when everything seized. The Crest returned to a normal flight, all free floating objects fell to the ground, and young Mando went limp.
Cara and Mando both breathed heavily, acting like they had just fought off their greatest opponent. Mando ejected the empty vile and placed the syringe back in his belt for future use. He then, in anger, threw the vile upset by not being there for his daughter sooner.
Taken aback Cara didn't know what to say or do, she watched him roll down her sleeve and strap her gauntlet back on her wrist. He then picked his daughter up and carried her out of the room. Cara looked to the child wondering if it had answers but it just glared in concern.
Knowing to tread lightly, Cara followed Mando seeing him place his unconscious daughter in her bed. He sat at her side practically slumped over appearing defeated, he placed a hand on where her cheek should be and caressed the spot with his thumb. He seemed to be in a deep thought when he heard Cara approach, not wanting to go into detail he shot up and headed towards the cockpit.
"Hey, wait a minute," Cara followed, "I think I deserve an explanation."
"There's nothing to explain," Mando sat down and began attending to the Crest, steading it and setting the ship back on course, but Cara was deciphering clues on her own.
"That was no phantom detonator back on Sorgan, that was your daughter," Cara declared but Mando stayed silent, practically confirming her suspicion, "How can she do that?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know, or you won't tell?"
"Both," Mando turned and stood in Cara's face, "Because the less someone knows about her the safer she remains."
"How are you protecting her, she's a danger to herself and to others, she almost killed us plus I saw in your gauntlet, you only have one vile left. What happens when you run out?"
Mando stayed silent.
"Who ever made them, can't they make you more?"
"No, he's dead because of us," Mando said truthfully while returning to his seat and piloting the Crest, "Can you get the child, I can't have him trying to awake her," he informed.
"What happens when she does awake?" Cara said in a bit of a panic.
"Please don't fear her, she doesn't need that. Can you please get the child?"
Cara stayed silent, angry that Mando didn't fully trust her even though he was already asking a lot of her with this mission.
"Fine, but we're going to need someone to watch him and her," Mando didn't say anything but Cara continued, "You got anyone you can trust?"
"To watch the kid, yeah I've got someone in mind," as Mando steered the Crest towards the planet of Arvala-7.
The Crest landed near the home of the Ugnaught who had helped Mando and his daughter find the child. Mando began powering the ship down when Cara made her way below in order to lower the platform, when suddenly she noticed Mando's daughter shyly hiding around the corner.
"Geez," Cara stepped back, hand to her chest.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," young Mando meant more than one way.
"It's okay, just wasn't sure how long you would be knocked out," Cara stepped forward but young Mando kept her distance and head lowered in shame, "Listen, I'm not scared of you, I'm just curious. How are you able to do that?"
"I don't know."
"You sound like your father."
"But we don't, honestly," young Mando stepped out of the shadows happy she was able to finally discuss her episodes with someone other than just her father, "When I was a child we looked for help, my dad tried, but anyone who found out about me wound up dead. So we went into hiding until the Creed discovered our whereabouts, I didn't want to go but according to my dad it was safer being under the Mandalorians protection. We were still hidden but yet in plain sight, able to search for answers, but none were ever found."
"And they know of your abilities?"
"Yes, but even the Creed couldn't help me. I don't know what's inside of me, it appears to always be there, but it stays dormant and then suddenly awakens overtaking me. I try so hard to control it but I can't seem to find a way. I'm running out of ideas and that terrifies me because it's only getting stronger."
Even though Cara couldn't see young Mando's face, Cara could hear the panic inflicted in her voice. She wanted to help the kiddo out, talk to her more but Mando came down with the child's pod floating behind.
Quickly before Mando realized Cara was drilling his daughter for answers, Cara grabbed some gear and lowered the platform. Mando glanced to his side seeing his daughter keep her distance, he outstretched his hand for her to take but she refused.
"Hey, we have a trap to fall into, remember," Mando said hoping to raise her spirits.
Luckily his choice of words did the trick because she couldn't hold back a small giggle and took her father's hand.
The sun was slowly setting on the desert planet, still giving the Ugnaught plenty of time to tidy up his homestead and rally up the Blurrgs when he noticed the Mandalorian's ship land nearby. The Ugnaught stood at the entrance to his home while he watched the four individuals approach, he invited them in as everyone took a seat.
"It hasn't grown much," the Ugnaught said analyzing the child.
"I think it might be a Strand-Cast," Mando suggested.
"I don't think it was engineered. I've worked in the gene farms. This one looks evolved. Too ugly. This one, on the other hand, looks like she was farmed in the Cytocaves of Nora," the Ugnaught pointed at Cara.
"This is Cara Dune. She was a shock trooper," Mando informed.
"You were a dropper?" the Ugnaught looked at Cara's tattoos.
"Did you serve?" she asked.
"On the other side, I'm afraid, but I'm proud to say that I paid out my clan's debt and now I serve no one but myself. You are awfully quiet," the Ugnaught addressed young Mando who kept her head down.
"She is a bit under the weather," Mando tried to steer the Ugnaught's attention away from his daughter, but that was achieved by IG-11 walking through the front door holding a tray of beverages.
Immediately all three stood, blasters drawn ready to destroy the machine when the IG-unit spoke, "I heard someone was sick, would they care for some tea?"
"Please lower your blasters. He will not harm you," the Ugnaught put his hand up to signal that there was no danger.
"That thing is programmed to kill the baby," Mando reminded.
"Not anymore," the Ugnaught stated when he began telling the story of how he acquired the droid.
"It was left behind in the wake of your destruction. I found it laying where it fell. Devoid of all life. I recovered the flotsam and staked it as my own in accordance with the charter of the New Republic. Little remained of its neural harness. Reconstruction was quite difficult but not impossible. It had to learn everything from scratch. This is something that cannot be taught with the twist of a spanner. It requires patience and repetition. I spent day after day reinforcing its development with patience and affirmation. It developed a personality as its experiences grew."
"Is it still a hunter?" Mando questioned.
"No. But it will protect," the Ugnaught declared as everyone still remained skeptic.
The Ugnaught went to attain to his Blurrgs when Mando approached, "I've run into some problems."
"I figured as much. Why else would you return?"
"I wanna hire your services."
"I'm retired from service."
"I can pay you handsomely, Ugnaught."
"I have a name. It is Kuiil."
"I need someone to protect the little one, Kuiil," Mando said.
"I'm not suited for such work, besides why doesn't your kin look after it?"
"I need her for the mission."
"Well, I can reprogram IG-11 for nursing and protocol."
"No, I don't want that droid anywhere near him."
"Why're you so distrustful of droids?" Kuiil asked.
"It tried to kill him," Mando clarified.
"It was programmed to do so. Droids are not good or bad. They are neutral reflections of those who imprint them. Do you trust me?"
"From what I can tell, yes."
"Then you will trust my work. IG-11 will join me and we do it not for payment but to protect the child from Imperial slavery. None will be free until the old ways are gone forever," Kuiil remembered those horrific memories of serving the Empire while Mando pondered over a similar memory, but had the ability to save that someone from the same fate.
"Okay," Mando agreed with Kuiil.
"And the Blurrgs will join me as well."
"The Blurrgs?"
"I have spoken."
The Crest took flight making its way to Nevarro, Mando set the ship on autopilot where everyone took occupancy in the lower deck. Kuiil attended to his Blurrgs (which were penned up in the corner) while young Mando sat on the opposite side keeping to herself and sketched out a new piece, where Cara and Mando became involved in an arm wrestling match as the child watched from its pod.
"I got you, Mando," Cara said through gritted teeth.
"Care to double the bet?" Mando grunted.
The two continued their match when the child looked on in sadness, wanting to do something, it raised its tiny three-fingered hand and squinted its eyes, concentrating. Suddenly Cara let go of Mando's hand and began clutching at her throat, choking as if someone's hands were around her neck.
Everyone in the room stared at Cara, who's face was starting to turn red from lose of air, baffled by her actions. Mando quickly turned to his daughter who appeared to be in shock like everyone else, and realized she wasn't having an episode because she was aware and coherent.
"It's not me," young Mando said when she pointed her father's attention to the child.
"No, no, no, stop," Mando picked up the child hoping this would free Cara, "We're friends, we're friends. Cara is my friend," Mando clarified which did the trick, Cara was released but she spoke in a raid.
"First your daughter, now him, this is not okay," Cara exasperated through a short breath.
"Hmmm…curious," Kuiil said pondering over everything that had been said and performed.
"Curious? That's the second time I was almost killed. Geez Mando what kind of kids are you raising?" Cara said out of anger when young Mando quickly rose from her seat and went into the adjacent room.
"Hey, none of this is their fault. I understand you're upset Cara but please don't voice your opinion on a matter you don't understand," Mando said heated.
"Like you understand it any better, you're just as clueless about her abilities as his," Cara stated truthfully.
"Her abilities?" Kuiil peered around for Mando's daughter but she wasn't in sight, "Everything seems a bit clearer now. The story you told me of the Mudhorn now makes more sense."
"Do you know what the child is?" Mando asked possibly about to receive some answers.
"What it is? I don't know, but what it does, this I've heard rumors of."
"What? What do you know?" Mando couldn't believe finally someone knew what this might be.
"Rumors, like when you worked for the Empire," Cara spat.
"When I was sold to the Empire, in indentured servitude," Kuiil spat back.
"Yet somehow, you walk free."
"I bought my freedom through the skill of my hands and the labor of three of your human lifetimes. Do not cast doubt upon that of what I am nor whom I shall serve," Kuiil's voice rose when IG-11 walked into the room ready to protect its master.
Mando wanted all this animosity to end, even though he would be losing the chance to possibly learn what was causing his daughter's episodes and the child's abilities when Mando directed Kuiil's attention to him.
"Tell you what. I could really use your craftwork right now," Mando put the child in its pod, "Can you pad this container so the child can sleep better?"
"I shall fabricate a better one. Then perhaps this Dropper can see how one can win their freedom with the skill of one's hands," Kuiil stated when he left to craft a unique pod all on its own.
Mando let Kuiil be while Cara paced staying far away from the child. He felt the tension was low enough and went in search for his daughter. In her workspace she sat on the floor in the dark lazily making pencil marks on her canvas.
"Hey, I could really use some help in the cockpit," Mando tried but she wasn't buying it.
"Please Papi, I just want to be alone right now."
Mando sighed in defeat and placed a caring hand on top of her helmet. He understood she was having a rough time with this last episode and hoped she would recover mentally soon. All he could do was support her and let her go through the emotions.
"You know none of this is your fault, you had no control," Mando reassured.
"You're right, I had no control, but that still doesn't give me an excuse," young Mando replied in a sad monotone.
Mando returned to the cockpit as Cara followed, she stayed silent unknowing if Mando or his daughter were upset with her previous comments.
"Hey, I just wanted to apologize about what I said earlier," Cara said hesitantly.
"You don't have to apologize to me, apologize to my daughter," Mando said without looking at Cara.
"Noted," Cara stated thinking on the best time to speak to her when Cara saw where Mando was taking the ship, "So, we're going to Nevarro?"
"Have you ever been?"
"No. We lost a lot of our forces there. The city's dug in pretty deep. No cover when you drop in. It stayed in Empire control until the end of the war."
"The warlord we're taking out was an Imperial officer," Mando informed.
"What station?"
"Hard to tell. No insignia anymore. I took out his safe house when I snatched the kid. More Imps have reinforced since."
"There's something more going on, more than the trap your daughter predicts."
"Maybe. We'll find out more when we land."
Their conversation was interrupted as the cockpits door opened revealing IG-11, "I have prepared second meal. Would you care to be served here or below?"
"I'm not hungry," Mando said with distain while Cara didn't respond when IG-11 left, "Under no circumstances does that thing leave the ship."
"You got a real thing for droids, don't you?" Cara said through a chuckle.
"I got a real thing for that droid."
"The Ugnaught said he rewired it."
"That droid was designed to kill things. I don't care how much wiring he replaced. It goes against its nature," Mando reminded.
"Well, it shouldn't be a long job anyway. We take out the head Imp, the rest will run like rats," Cara said in confidence.
Greef Karga waited on the outskirts of Nevarro's wasteland with three other hunters standing at his side. Karga watched the Crest touch down and saw four Blurrgs step out with their riders. Mando, his daughter, Cara, and Kuiil lined up in front of him and his men while the child's newly constructed pod floated near Mando.
"Sorry for the remote rendezvous, Mando, but things have gotten complicated since you and the kiddo were last here," Karga and his hunters drew closer while Mando and his team stayed on alert, "It appears that introductions are in order. It seems we've both provided a security detail," Karga stayed silent analyzing them, "But I suggest the kiddo stays back and guards the ship," he pointed towards young Mando, "These lava fields are lousy with Jawas."
"She's safer with me due to the bounty you also placed on her head," Mando spat.
"It was not by choice, trust me at least on that, but the town is now run by ex-Empire. I don't think you want the kid mixed in with that kind of heat."
"I can handle myself Karga," young Mando jumped in.
"All right," Karga put his hands up in defense but then placed his eyes on Cara, "And what of the Shock Trooper? If a Rebel Dropper is with us, they'll all get their hackles up."
"Everybody is coming," Mando enforced.
"Fine, at least cover your tattoo. No need to flaunt it. Now, where is the little one?" Karga said with open arms.
Everyone turned to Mando when he pressed a few buttons on his gauntlet and the pod zoomed forward. It hovered in front of Karga and then opened revealing the child inside.
"So, this little bogwing is what all the fuss was about," Karga picked up the child as everyone was put on edge, hands on weapons, "What a precious little creature. I can see why neither of you didn't want to harm a hair on its wrinkled little head."
Karga put the child back in its pod, settling everyone down, "Well, I'm glad this matter will be put to rest once and for all. The sun drops fast on Nevarro. We can walk for a spell, camp out at the riverbank then make our way into town at first light," Karga ended when Mando closed the child's pod reversing it so it was back hovering at his side.
Everyone got a move on, trekking over the black terrain and avoiding the small lava rivers that serpentine through the land. Night approached fast when they made camp with each party taking a side while keeping an eye on the other across the fire.
Majority ate the goat that was roasting over the fire when Cara took a seat next to young Mando with two plates in her hand. Cara slide one over to young Mando when she noticed small portions of meat were cut up.
"Thought those sizes would be easier for you to fit under your helmet without removal," Cara stated.
"Thanks," young Mando said in a dry gratitude, taking the tiny pieces and easily fitting them under the rim to pop in her mouth.
Young Mando seemed still a bit stand offish so Cara addressed what went unacknowledged, "You know I never got to answer your questions from when we first met," Cara hoped this would make young Mando warm back up to her, "I really didn't get to participate in the well known battles, I served just like everyone else and went where I was needed."
Young Mando turned and gave Cara her full attention, "Technically the war was everywhere, and you couldn't really escape it. In some form or another it would affect you from losing a comrade, a friend, or family member."
Young Mando could see the hurt emitting from Cara's eyes and the distant memories playing before them.
"And for your second question, no I did not see the Death Star blow up, neither actually, but I did see a lot of its scattered debris when I was on Endor. I guess I'm not as thrilling as I make myself out to be," Cara stated.
"Oh no, you are still very compelling. When my dad and I spar I know his every move and I still can't take him out, but when you fought him there was no competition. Don't tell him I said that," young Mando whispered her last part while putting up her hand to cover her invisible mouth.
This made Cara smile, adoring young Mando even more, "Hey, I'm sorry for what I said on the Crest. You're a really good kid," Cara stressed.
"No worries, really," young Mando stated showcasing all was water under the bridge.
Kuiil sat next to the child feeding it the meat off his plate, it ate the tiny pieces with delight while Karga sat next to Mando pointing out the obvious.
"I guess the little bugger is a carnivore. Never seen anything like it. They were ready to pay a king's ransom for that thing. Must be for some kind of highfalutin menagerie," Karga informed.
"Let's go over the plan again," Mando interjected.
"We enter the common house. We show the client the bait. We join him at the table. And you kill him," Karga vaguely laid out.
"Tell me about his reinforcements."
"They're all ex-Empire. As soon as they lose their paycheck, poof, they'll all scatter."
"And what if they don't," Mando pointed out.
"They will."
"That's not good enough."
"If, for arguments sake, a few of them don't realize that I'm their best path to alternative employment, and they elect to react impulsively, then these three fine Guild Hunters, along with that battle-hardened shock trooper will cut down anyone who bucks," Karga informed.
"How many will there be?" Mando questioned.
"No more than four. He travels with, at most, a fire team. Trust me. Nothing can go wrong," Karga rose from the ground and approached the fire.
He plucked a piece of meat from their roasting meal when out of the shadows a massive creature of flight scooped down to acquire the goat, scaring Karga backwards. Immediate panic erupted throughout the camp, everyone grabbed their weapons and started shooting upwards because more creatures rained down from the sky. Sensing the danger, Mando closed the child's pod when young Mando went to her father's side as the two went back to back firing from both angles.
The flying creatures attacked from all sides when one grabbed hold of a Blurrg and another took one of Karga's men. Everyone continued their reign of fire, focusing all their firepower on one of the creatures that had a hold of their second Blurrg, but another creature made a surprise attack on Mando.
Its massive wings pushed young Mando out of the way and grabbed Mando in its claws. The creature drilled him into the ground when Cara turned her blaster on the thing, but Mando ignited it in flames sending it off into the night still on fire.
Young Mando ran towards her father making sure he wasn't injured as everybody regrouped with their eyes and weapons still pointed to the sky. The danger appeared to be over with but groans from Karga could be heard. Mando quickly looked over his daughter and then checked on the child. No one else appeared to be injured when Kuiil went to Karga's aid.
"He's hurt badly," Kuiil informed.
Three long gashes were visible on Karga's arm and seemed to get worse by the second. He grunted through gritted teeth declaring he was fine when everyone encircled him in order to help.
"Hold still," young Mando opened a pouch on her belt and injected Karga with an anti-bacterial serum, "It got you good."
"How bad?" Mando asked.
"Bad, the poison's spreading fast," she informed.
"So this…this is how it happens," Karga stated while young Mando received bandages from Cara who instructed for a medpac from the group but no one had one.
Young Mando sat in silence unable to register Karga's outcome, sure he put a bounty on her head but his heart was always in the right place. Just like her father Karga would look out for her, make sure she wouldn't be put in danger with the missions, but mostly he would encourage her with her art. Young Mando couldn't accept his fate when the child approached and put its hand on young Mando.
"We need to get him to a medical team," Cara said grabbing a device and scanning Karga's arm seeing the venom spread further, "Get this thing outta here," Cara said to young Mando but she wasn't listening because it appeared as if she was in a trance.
The child and young Mando glared at one another like they were communicating mentally, their hands were stacked on top of one another when, without words, they placed their conjoined hands on Karga's wound.
"Save me kiddo, it's going to eat me," Karga blurted out but a different scenario occurred.
Together the child and young Mando focused on Karga's injury, they could see the venom spreading throughout his body but immediately put a stopper to it. Together they evaporated the poison from his bloodstream and infused their vitality into Karga in order to heal the three gashes. Both shook with concentration, using each other's energy to achieve this feat, when Karga's wounds healed before their eyes and were no more.
Once the task was a success the child and young Mando immediately collapsed from exhaustion. Karga glared up at Mando in utter shock but Mando rushed to his daughter and the child. He quickly checked on the obvious as the both of them were breathing normally, he then searched for any injuries but they appeared unharmed, just unconscious.
"Kuiil, please put the child in its pod," Mando said picking it up in one hand while placing his daughter's head in his lap, but everyone was still glaring in shock, "Kuiil!" Mando shouted extending the child for Kuiil to take.
"Yes, of course," Kuiil responded carefully taking the sleeping kid and placing it in the pod.
Once the child was safe inside, Mando immediately closed the lid and sensed the impeding judgment from the group. Without hesitation Mando placed his body between the others and the pod while wrapping his arms around his daughter, blaster at the ready, because everyone stared at his children with either curiosity or a malicious intent.
Morning came and everyone regrouped silently where both parties kept close to their own. The child and young Mando appeared to be fine, the child cooed happily thinking nothing of the incident but young Mando could sense something else, a possible plot brewing among the hunters.
Kuiil mounted on the only Blurrg that had survived from the attack last night when Mando approached his daughter.
"I want you to ride with Kuiil," Mando insisted.
"I'm fine," young Mando replied.
"You don't seem fine, you were stirring in your sleep, mumbling, you haven't done that since…" but Mando was cut off.
"Since I was little, I know. Its just, the nightmare came back."
"The one you sketch out?"
Young Mando nodded her head with confirmation, "The child triggered something when it touched me, its like we're connected somehow. I could hear what it was thinking, he was directing me, channeling our abilities together in order to save Karga. I can't explain it," her voice went up an octave like she was afraid.
"You don't have to."
"What does this all mean?"
"We will figure it out, I promise you," Mando assured her by placing his hand on the side of her helmet and then lifting her on the Blurrg situating her behind Kuiil.
Both parties moved out, Karga and his hunters lead while Mando, Cara, and the child's pod followed as Kuiil and young Mando came up the rear. Karga and his men were quietly discussing certain matters among themselves, leaving Mando and Cara to do the same.
"You think they're having second thoughts?" Cara questioned the obvious.
"Most likely. I need your eyes," Mando said.
"I'm watching," Cara confirmed making sure nothing malicious would manifest.
Karga took point, his hunters fell back behind Mando and Cara when Karga stopped and gazed out at the distance, "I guess this is it," Karga stated knowing his two hunters drew their blasters and were ready to end Mando and Cara's lives, but he made the first move blasting his own men.
Immediately Cara and Mando pulled their weapons and pointed them at Karga who held both of his guns towards the sky signaling his surrender.
"There's something you should know," Karga started when he kicked over his men making sure they were indeed dead.
Karga put his blasters away but Mando and Cara kept there's on him when he continued, "A new plan was formulated from what they saw, it was to kill you and take the kids for profit. But after what happened last night, I couldn't go through with it."
Kuiil approached with young Mando but she stayed on the Blurrg when he dismounted. Mando and Cara didn't move from their position ready to fire at any moment.
"Go on. You can gun me down here and now and it wouldn't violate the Code," Karga confirmed," Sure the kiddo's secret dies with me, but if you do, this child will never be safe," pointing out that bounty hunters would never stop searching for it.
"We'll take our chances," Cara stated.
"The Imperial client is obsessed with obtaining this asset. You tried to run, but where did it get you?" Karga said.
"This is ridiculous," Cara said.
"Perhaps you should let him speak," Kuiil chimed in.
"Listen, we both need the client to be eliminated. Let me take the child to him and then you two," but Karga was cut off.
"No," Mando said.
"Let's just kill him and get out of here," Cara suggested.
"Papi," was all young Mando had to say in order to get him to think things through.
"He's right," Mando declared putting away his blaster.
"What are you doing?" Cara questioned.
"As long as the Imp lives, he'll send hunters after the child," Mando stated.
"It's a trap," Cara confirmed.
"Bring me," Mando said.
"Bring you?" Karga asked.
"Tell him you captured me. Get me close to him and I'll kill him," Mando stated.
"That's a good idea and all but the bounty was placed for two Mandalorians," Karga reveled in fear.
"She didn't accompany me at the Imps safe house. He should have no idea of her existence," Mando declared in anger, "I thought you just put a bounty on her head from within the Guild?"
"The kiddo was marked during our scuffle, that's why my hands were tied and I had to place a bounty on both of you, so the Imp expects two Mandalorians," Karga said as Mando drew near with his fist raised ready to make contact with Karga's face.
"Stop it!" young Mando interjected putting herself between Karga and her father, "Of all people my father should have known the risks he was putting me in by enlisting me in the Guild."
"You're blaming me for this?" Mando questioned in horror.
"No, its just I'm ready to do my duty as a bounty hunter and Mandalorian. The Imp expects two prizes then he will get them. I'm coming with whether you like it or not Papi."
Everyone could see there was no loophole for young Mando to not come but their concerns were about something else other than her presence.
"And yes I know what you are all thinking. Give me the vile and syringe," young Mando's hand extended towards her father, "If I sense anything I'll take myself out, agreed?"
"What is she referring too?" Karga questioned in skeptic, "She can do more?"
"You have no idea," Cara said in vague when Mando broke and gave her the vile and syringe.
"Okay now we got that out of the way, both of you give me your blasters," Karga said.
"This is insane," Cara pointed out.
"It's the only way," Mando realized.
"Well, I'm coming with," Cara told rather than suggested.
"No, no, no. That would make them suspicious," Karga said.
"I don't care. I'm coming," Cara snarled.
"Tell them she caught us," Mando informed.
"Fine. Then she can bring the child," Karga said.
"No. The kid goes back in the ship," Mando declared.
"But without the child, none of this works!" Karga pointed out.
"I have a plan. Kuiil, ride back to the Razor Crest with the child and seal yourself in. When you're inside, engage ground security protocols. Nothing on this planet will breach those doors," Mando instructed.
"The code is 030830 in order to activate it," young Mando informed as the numerical sequence had been permanently burned into her subconscious.
"Here's a comlink," Kuiil handed to Mando, "I will keep the child safe. Don't forget to cover your stripes," he reminded Cara, "And keep a clear mind young one," Kuiil ended with young Mando.
"Let's go," Mando said handing two sets of binders to Karga as he placed the first set on Mando and then the second on his daughter. Karga checked every weapon on him, Cara wrapped fabric around her arm tattoo, when Kuiil took the child in his arms and headed to his Blurrg. The pod was sealed and followed the four individuals who made their way towards town.
The four approached the entrance to the city as two bored Scout troopers monitored the personnel of entering and exiting of the city. In the distance, Cara and Mando could make out several more Stormtroopers occupying the streets, way more than Karga implied.
Getting to his feet the Scout trooper looked over the individuals and then spoke to Karga, "Chain code?"
"I have a gift for the boss," Karga said but the trooper wasn't having it and repeated for the chain code.
Karga sighed in frustration when he handed the trooper the chit card, the trooper scanned it and then gave Karga a price, "I'll give you forty credits for both the helmets."
"Ha-ha! Not a chance. Those are going on my wall," Karga emphasized but Mando glared at him in scorn.
"On your wall?" Mando whispered in a sneer.
"Go with it," Karga said through pressed lips.
"Go ahead," the trooper waved them through when they headed towards the Guild cantina.
As they made their way through the street Cara pointed out the obvious, the numerous amounts of Stormtroopers occupying the city, "You said four. There are more than four troopers."
"Four guarding the client. Many more here in town. Things got really heated once Mando crashed the safe house," Karga said.
"Slip them their blasters," Cara commanded of Karga to arm both Mando and young Mando.
"Not yet," Karga said, "Here we are," Karga opened the door and as they walked in he addressed their concerns, "You see? Four."
Karga escorted both Mando and his daughter towards the client who rose from his seat and approached them.
"Look what I brought you. As promised," Karga showcased both Mandalorians.
"It appears there are more Mandalorians then expected, where I was informed this is your daughter. How extraordinary," the client glared over young Mando amazed by her existence, "It appears the Beskar not went to waste," the client went to touch young Mando's armor when Mando jerked forward but Karga restrained him, "What exquisite craftsmanship," the client briefly brushed the back of his hand on young Mando's armor, "It is amazing how beautiful Beskar can be when forged by its ancestral artisans, and even more beautiful when you can share that with your offspring," the client could read Mando was on high alert and moved the conversation to Karga, "Can I offer you a libation to celebrate the closing of our shared narrative?"
"I would be obliged," Karga acknowledged.
"Please sit," the client instructed, he pointed to the droid bartender for two drinks when Karga lowered Mando into the booth first as Karga slide next to him. The client sat on the opposite side while Cara stood behind young Mando acting as if she was obtaining her.
"It is a shame that your people suffered so," the client continued when several more Stormtroopers began entering the room, "Just as in this situation, it was all avoidable. Why did Mandalore resist our expansion? The Empire improves every system it touches. Judge by any metric. Safety, prosperity, trade, opportunity, peace. Compare Imperial rule to what is happening now. Look outside, is the world more peaceful since the revolution? I see nothing but death and chaos. Is that what we want to leave for our future generations," the client motioned towards young Mando but Mando stayed quiet, "I would like to see the baby," the client instructed reaching for the pod.
"Uh, it is asleep," Karga put his hand between the client and the concealed pod.
"We all will be quiet. Open the pram," but a Stormtrooper came and whispered something in the client's ear," Don't think me to be rude. I must take this call," both Karga and the client rose when he left the table.
Young Mando unclasped her binders when Karga turned and snuck her blaster into her hands. Karga sat down and did the same with Mando as his binders were already off.
"You got one shot," Karga said to Mando.
"This is bad. You said four," Cara whispered though the side of her mouth.
"Well there are more. What can I tell you?" Karga said almost in defeat.
The client approached the bar when a trooper set up a transmission, once activated a man appeared in high ranking officer attire as the client addressed him as Moff Gideon.
"Have they brought the child?" Gideon questioned the client.
"Yes, they have. Currently, it is sleeping."
"You may want to check again," suddenly a rapid stream of blaster fire shot through the window killing the client instantly and all the troopers inside.
Karga, Cara, Mando, and his daughter took immediate cover, flipping over tables to hide from being hit. Finally the blaster fire seized when the four of them got into position in order to hold their ground.
Outside a line of Death Troopers stood fierce with their rifles held high, while a military transport landed with dozens of Stormtroopers filing out and getting into position.
"Four Stormtroopers?" Cara pointed out again but no one responded, "This is bad."
"Kuiil? Are you back to the ship yet?" Mando radioed, "Are you there? Do you copy?" but Mando wasn't the only one picking up on the conversation.
"Yes," Kuiil responded.
"Are you back to the ship yet?"
"Not yet."
"Get back to the ship and bail. Get the kid out of here. We're pinned down!" Mando instructed.
Hearing his panic, Kuiil kicked his Blurrg to go faster but two Scout troopers were already in pursuit heading to Kuiil's position.
The troopers outside the cantina waited patiently, weapons drawn, and ready to attack at a moment's notice. All four waited in skeptic wondering what the trooper's plan of attack would be when a TIE-fighter landed in the quarter.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," young Mando absentminded stated when Moff Gideon stepped out of the TIE-fighter and walked to the front of his troopers.
"You have something I want," Gideon demanded.
"Who's this guy?" Cara asked but Mando stayed silent.
"You may think you have some idea of what you are in possession of, but you do not," Gideon informed.
"Kuiil, are you back to the ship yet?" They're onto us!" Mando clarified.
"In a few moments, all will be mine," Gideon declared.
"Kuiil do you copy?" Mando radioed in a panic.
"It means more to me than you will ever know."
"Kuiil! Are you there? Kuiil, come in, Kuiil!" Mando shouted but with no response from the other end.
"No!" young Mando whispered to herself because she watched the event unfold in front of her eyes; the two Scout troopers had no mercy and blasted Kuiil off his Blurrg, leaving him for dead while they scooped up the child who was now in their possession.
