The cockpit to the Razor Crest was silent, Mando was entertaining Yazel by having him practice using the Force in order to retrieve the silver nob. Din wanted to give Osa enough time to scroll through the navigational system in order to find Tython, since those were the instructions Ahsoka gave, insinuating Osa would be the one to find the planet.
"Just like before Yazel, you can have it," Din held the nob between his thumb and index finger when Yazel achieved the task, "Good job, you're doing great. We're gonna find that place you belong and they're gonna take real good care of you," Din said but was met with angry grunts and then a storm off by his daughter.
Leaving the Crest on cruise control, Din scooped up Yazel while going after Osa and found her curled up in the corner of her studio.
"Hey, what's wrong, can you not find Tython?" Din said concerned, kneeling at her level.
"Maybe I don't want to find it," Osa said in distain.
"I agreed to take Yazel back to his own kind," Din reminded.
"And secretly me, you are going to leave us both, that has been your plan all along," Osa reveled practically in tears.
"Osa, don't you want to finally learn how to control your abilities, to have an actual Jedi show you how? I am not equipped with that type of knowledge," he waited for that piece of truth to settle in, "I want you and Yazel to succeed to your highest potential and I'm sorry if my underlining methods were nefarious. You're very special in so many ways, my teachings as a Mandalorian have come to an end, now it's the Jedi's turn to teach you the rest."
Osa just hung her head low when her father placed a finger under the rim of her helmet so she had to look at him.
"But you have to agree to go with them if they want you to. I will not force either of you into something you don't want. Understand?" Din looked at Yazel as well who was snuggled within Din's arms.
All Osa could do was nod her head in agreement because her father had become set in his ways. Din let Osa be, hoping she would be able to come around and accept his decision, since he had no idea where Tython was he believed maybe some friends on Nevarro could help.
The Crest made a smooth landing on the outskirts of Nevarro, and waiting for them at the edge of the city was none other then Cara Dune and Greef Karga. The platform lowered as Osa eagerly skipped her way towards Cara and Karga since the last time she was here she was unable to properly say her goodbyes because she had been rendered unconscious.
Upon sight Osa bee-lined for Karga when he extended his arms like he was welcoming his own.
"Kiddo," Karga boasted as Osa slammed into his embrace. He grunted playfully and massaged his chest from where her helmet rammed him.
"Karga," Osa looked up at him and smiled with joy, "I never got to thank you for those exquisite paints you gave me."
"Only the best for such a special young lady," Karga said from the heart when he noticed Din disembarking while holding Yazel in his embrace.
Eager to talk with Karga more but Osa suddenly caught a glimpse of Cara approaching when Osa enthusiastically ran towards another of her role models.
"Cara I am so happy to see you!" Osa almost squeaked her words out from excitement.
"Hey there kiddo," Cara wasn't sure if she was able to call Osa or Din by their real names, Karga didn't, plus Cara didn't want to offend or over step her boundaries since she wasn't apart of the Mandalorian Creed.
"Did you get taller because the last time we saw each other you only seemed about this high," Cara raised her arm to a certain height as she tried teasing Osa while mimicking a proud aunt.
"I only appear taller because this time I'm not flat on my back unconscious," Osa joked.
"You saved your father, I'm sure that took a lot of energy from you," Cara contemplated wondering how Osa was able to bring someone from the brink of death, but remembered when she did the same thing with Karga when he was poisoned.
Cara could sense Osa's hesitation and wanted to put her at ease, "You know you can trust me, I will never tell anyone about your gifts," with this reassurance Osa seemed to relax.
"Thank you, I just hope you don't think I'm dangerous or made out to be a bad guy."
"Of course not, you put your life on the line multiple times to save others. Someone with a pure heart never winds up as a villain," Cara's words perked Osa up immediately when she reached into a pouch on her belt and pulled out a small silver emblem.
"I made you something," Osa handed Cara a welded Mudhorn signet, an exact replica that was on her father's pauldon.
"What's this?" Cara felt nothing but endearment.
"It's not Beskar but this symbol represents our clan," Osa pointed to herself, Yazel, and her father, "I know I'm not the clan leader but you have displayed honor and loyalty to us, which officially inducts you into Clan Djarin. Naturally only if you accept," Osa added because she didn't want to force Cara into the imaginary clan that she knew only her father could approve.
"I would be honored Osa," Cara said absentminded but then realized her mistake.
"It's okay since you're "apart"," Osa air quoted, "Of the clan you can call me by my name, granted only in private and not when my dad is around."
"Of course," Cara put the signet in a pouch on her belt so Osa would know she would have it with her at all times, "How's the mission going on returning the kid? Have you found any Jedi?"
"Yeah we did and I think that's why Papi brought us here because I've failed at my task," Osa said in disappointment.
"Don't say that, I am sure he is proud of your efforts," Cara encouraged when she escorted Osa over to Din and Karga so they could get filled in on their conversation.
Din walked up to Karga as the two grabbed forearms in a friendly gesture.
"How's my credit around here?" Din questioned playfully.
"I think something could be arranged. Isn't that right, Marshal?" Karga addressed Cara.
"Marshal, girl you are moving up the ladder," Osa proudly said.
"I'm sure we can work something out," Cara smiled and performed the same "Spartan" handshake with Din.
"And you come here, little one," Karga eagerly said while reaching for Yazel and surprisingly Din handed him over, "Has Mando been taking good care of you, huh? Has he," Karga gave Osa the side eye knowing she wouldn't fabricate the truth.
"Of course, it's not like Papi is trying to get rid of us or anything for that matter," Osa spat knowing Cara and Karga would have no clue on her inside jab towards her father.
Everyone walked into the city as the market place was filled with patrons all eager to purchase or sell their goods. Karga lead the way while Din opened the conversation, "Looks like you two have been busy."
"I myself have been steeped in clerical work. Marshal Dune here is to be thanked for cleaning up the town."
"You're ship has seen better days," Cara pointed out.
"I had a run in with the New Republic," Din informed.
"They should leave the Outer Rim alone. If the Empire couldn't settle it, what makes them think they can? Here we are," Karga began punching in a code to a secured door.
"Shocked this place is still standing," Osa stated realizing they were about to enter the old Guild cantina.
"Wait until you see inside," Cara said as they entered and saw a classroom filled with children being taught by a protocol droid, "Things have changed a lot around here."
"We'll leave the little one here so we can talk business," Karga went to put Yazel in a seat when Din tried to stop him.
"Wait, wherever I go, he goes."
"Mando please. Where we're going you don't wanna taka a child. Trust me," Karga declared and placed Yazel in a seat.
"He'll be fine here. You have my word," Cara promised.
"Come on," Karga motioned as Osa was shocked she wasn't being left behind and wasn't complaining.
Everyone made their way to another one of Karga's buildings when they walked in to find the Mythrol they had captured only a few months ago sitting at the front desk.
"Hey I know you," Osa playfully said as the Mythrol released a nervous spray from his gills.
"I'm surprised to see you here," Din stated.
"Right back at you," the Mythrol spoke in a shaky voice.
"Mythrol here's taken care of my books since he was a pollywag. But then he disappeared one day after a bit of "creative accounting," Karga revealed.
"Magistrate Karga was generous enough to let me work off my debt, thank you by the way," the Mythrol described.
"Three hundred and fifty years, but who's counting?" Karga sarcastically said.
"Well if he runs off on you again, let us know," Osa offered their services.
"Let me a sure you, I do not wanna spend any more time in carbonite. Still can't see outta my left eye and for some strange reason can't get rid of some sort of stains on my face," he began rubbing a faint red spot as Osa knew exactly what it was from, her paints must have soaked through and permanently marked his skin.
"Oops," was all she said slowly walking away with Cara who wanted to talk about why they were here.
"I came here to seek your help," Din said.
"And so do we, you help us, we help you," Karga negotiated.
"Help how," Din questioned when Cara pulled up a map of Nevarro.
"This entire green zone we're in is completely safe, but over on this side is the problem," she pointed out.
"It's an old Imperial base," Karga informed.
"It's where all those Troopers came from when we defeated Moff Gideon. This base has been here since the Imperial expansion. It's got a skeleton crew, but for some reason, it hasn't been abandoned," Cara stated.
"There's a lot of heavy weaponry in that place the black market would love to dismantle and get their hands on," Karga declared.
"And you wanna mop up the last of the Imperial force before they do," Din said.
"Mando, I just want them off my planet. If we could take out that one last base, Nevarro would be completely safe. We could be a trade anchor for the entire sector."
"And the planet would finally be free," Cara added.
"What are we looking at," Din said as they began formulating a plan.
The five of them loaded up in a land speeder and drove out to the Imperial base.
"The whole facility is powered by a reactor," Karga revealed.
"We sneak in, overload the reactor, and get the hell outta there," Cara issued.
"Let's be fast and keep the speeder running," Din instructed.
"There it is," Karga pointed when the Mythrol pulled up to a side elevator, "Let's go," as everyone disembarked apart from the Mythrol.
Din began pressing buttons on the side panel to the elevator but with no luck, "The controls are useless. They're melted."
"It's probably not rated for lava," Karga pointed out, "Mando maybe the kiddo could…you know," Karga quietly implied hoping Osa would use her abilities to open the door.
"Absolutely not," Din declared.
"I can help," Osa said feeling useless.
"No," Din ended while putting a finger up towards Osa, informing her he meant his ruling.
"No problem we will find another way," Cara interjected, "Hey you," she addressed the Mythrol, "Grab the flange cutter and help us out."
A series of complaints could be heard muffled out of the Mythrol's mouth when he began working on the panel. Karga, Cara, and Osa waited for the Mythrol to work his magic when Din glared up and saw a huge projecting landing platform a top the high lava ravine.
"Hold tight," he said and ignited his jetpack to head up.
"How long is this gonna take," Cara addressed the Mythrol's handy work but Osa chimed in.
"Not long, wait for it," when they heard the screams of a falling Stormtrooper who landed a few feet away, "And voila," Osa said simultaneously when the elevator door opened knowing her father's signature move.
Immediately Karga, Cara, and Osa entered while waiting on the Mythrol when he refused, but when Cara reminded him of the lave tides rolling in he hopped right in without qualms.
The elevator took them up to the landing platform Din flew up to when he was awaiting for them, "Empty base, huh?" he emphasized as three unconscious Stormtroopers laid at his feet.
"The reactor should be set in the heat shaft," Karga began, "If we drain the cooling lines, this whole base will go up in a matter of minutes."
"Let's go," Din pushed wanting to get this mission over with.
"Hey isn't that a Trexler Marauder," the Mythrol pointed to a boxy vehicle but everyone was already on the move.
The team quickly moved to the communications station and took out the Imperial officer. Din began powering down the comms as Karga stole the master key from the officer.
"I found the heat shaft," Din informed as they ventured off.
"The access corridor should be right past this junction," Din stated while they just missed two patrolling Stormtroopers. They continued on and came up to a door, "There, Mythrol slice it open," Din commanded.
"Use the code cylinder," Karga handed the officer's key over to the Mythrol when the door slide upwards.
All five walked onto a small platform with a fifty foot drop into molten lava below. To the side was a cylinder console as this was the reactor's controls.
"There it is, now drain the coolant lines, we'll watch the doors," Karga instructed the Mythrol.
"Who me?"
"Yes, you!"
"I'm afraid of heights, heat, and lava."
"How about if I put you back in carbonite and kiddo over here draws on your face some more. Now get over there!" Karga demanded.
"You drew on me?" the Mythrol yelled at Osa but she just turned her head and tried to look innocent.
"Hurry up," Karga pressured while the Mythrol pushed some buttons, inserted the code cylinder and got it to work.
"Alright she's gonna blow. Let's get outta here," the Mythrol pushed as alarms blared.
"How long do we have?" Cara questioned as they ran.
"Ten minutes at the most," Karga guesstimated.
The team moved quickly but around the corner was a swarm of Troopers. Immediately Din told everyone to halt as their escape route was compromised. Instead Din rerouted them when they came upon a room and heard voices talking about purging drives, they walked in on two men who appeared to be some kind of researchers.
"Quickly destroy it," one yelled while raising his blaster to fire at the intruders while the other blasted at the console.
Everyone returned fire when the two Imperials were gunned down. Upon entry Osa had received a haunting feeling, while the others checked on the deceased Imperials, Osa had been drawn to a series of what appeared to be bacta tanks. Each one was filled with a blue liquid and had an occupant of a misshaped form.
"No, they're doing it again, no, no," Osa couldn't handle the repressed memories flooding back into her subconscious.
Like a trigger response, Osa immediately ran into her father's embrace, burying her helmet into his shoulder hoping to hide from her trauma. Worried what had got Osa all worked up everyone walked over and saw for themselves.
"You said this was a forward operating base," Din spat furious that Osa had to see this and furious that the Empire was still at it.
"I thought it was," Karga said saddened on how this had upset Osa.
"No, this isn't a military operation. This is a lab," Cara confirmed, "We need to get into the system and figure out what's going on. Mando is she going to be alright?" Cara peered around hoping she wouldn't find any objects taking life.
"She'll be okay," Din reassured holding her tight in his arms.
"What about the reactor?" the Mythrol was more concerned about.
"Do it!" Cara yelled when he went to the controls and a hologram of Dr. Pershing began playing.
"Replicated the results of the subsequent trials from the past, but resulted in catastrophic failure. There were promising effects for an entire fortnight but then sadly the body rejected the blood. I highly doubt we'll find a donor with a higher M-count, though. I recommend that we suspend all experimentations. I fear that the volunteer will meet the same regrettable fate if we proceed with the transfusion as only one has ever survived this procedure," with this Cara and Karga peered over at a quivering Osa still hiding in her father's embrace when the recording continued.
"Unfortunately, we have exhausted our initial supply of blood. The Child is small and I was only able to harvest a limited amount without killing him. If these experiments are to continue as requested, we would again require access to the donor but mostly," Dr. Pershing paused unsure if his request would be feasible and moral, "The original test subject number 25," by hearing her code name Osa popped her head up and stared at her father.
"You won't let them take me, you won't let them take me," she talked almost as if she was going mad.
Din placed his hands on the sides of her helmet in a loving manner, "You know I will never let that happen," he tried getting through to her and now understood why Boba had been hunting them.
"Not on my watch either kiddo," Cara assured as the message ended with Dr. Pershing declaring to Moff Gideon he would not disappoint him again and then it shut off.
"This must be an old transmission. Moff Gideon is dead," Cara stated.
"No, this recording's three days old," the Mythrol revealed, but Mando already was aware of Gideon's survival.
"So what is," but Cara never got her sentence out because a sea of Stormtroopers began blasting.
With quick reflexes Din turned and used his body as a shield in order to protect his daughter. Exposed, Cara, Karga, Din and Osa took refuge behind an extended wall. The three started to shoot back while Osa tried to regroup.
The Mythrol sought shelter behind the console and helped take out the last of the Troopers.
"I have to get Yazel," Din calmly told Osa, "You know I wouldn't leave you unless you were in good hands," as Cara and Karga came into view.
Osa just shook her head in the "yes' position truly trusting her father's words.
"Is she going to be alright?" Karga said a little apprehensive remembering the damage she could do.
"Yes and I trust you to return her to me," Din stated.
"Where are you going?" Karga asked.
"I have to get the kid."
"Jet back, you're faster that way and Mando you have my word," Cara promised standing by his daughter's side as her own personal bodyguard, "We'll head to the speeder and meet you in town."
"Come on let's go," Karga urged as Din went one way and the four the other.
"They're on the move," a Stormtrooper yelled while blasting in Cara, Karga, Osa, and the Mythrol's direction. Quickly they took cover while Cara shoved Osa behind her, everyone continued their fire but more Troopers kept piling in. Karga and Cara would never give up when Osa had enough.
She stepped out into the line of fire and with one huge stroke with her arms, Osa threw each Trooper against the furthest wall, knocking them all unconscious. Her abilities were not a surprise to Cara or Karga, but left the Mythrol in shock.
"What just happened?" but no one went into an explanation and moved forward.
They finally reached the landing platform but were met by more Troopers who occupied the elevator they needed. The Troopers emerged and took out their enemies' form of escape and decommissioned the elevator.
"We're trapped," the Mythrol pointed out.
"Is that so? Cover me," Cara ran towards the Trexler Marauder and powered it up. She drove it forwards as everyone climbed in, immediately she rammed the vehicle into drive and wanted to meander their way through the base, but the blaster doors shut cutting off their route. Cara threw it into reverse and circled around smiling at her outrageous plan.
"You're not considering going over," the Mythrol tried to plea but Cara slammed her foot on the gas and took out a few Troopers along the way as they went over the edge. With her calculations the Trexler landed on the speeder they rode in cushioning the blow.
Cara punched it, not giving their enemies time to catch up, but they were immediately met by Scout Troopers on their speeder bikes. Seeing them approach Cara told Karga to man the guns when he quickly obliged.
"I can help," Osa encouraged.
"No, that was a one time deal, your father will never trust me again if I go against his wishes," Cara declared while focusing on the terrain ahead.
Karga fired up the gun and began shooting taking out one trooper when the others split apart, they drove to the side of the Trexler and out of the guns range.
"I've lost them," he shouted when the Troopers began shooting into the vehicle.
Not having it, Cara turned the wheel harshly to the right, slamming into the speeder and causing the bike to explode. There was still one Trooper to worry about when Karga spotted him on top of the vehicle, grenade in hand, but he beat the Trooper to the punch and shot him down. Everyone began celebrating a bit prematurely when they saw behind them a line of Tie-fighters hot on their tale.
"Take evasive! I got this!" Karga shouted as Cara kicked it into high gear.
Karga started firing but kept hitting the mountain terrain instead. The Tie-fighters out maneuvered his gun fire swiftly while shooting at them with ease. It was almost a fish in a barrel scenario and they wouldn't last long unless they did something fast.
"What is going on back there?" Cara was getting frustrated.
"You wanna come back here and try this? Be my guest!" Karga also said in frustration when Osa slinked back to see the situation for herself, "Can't we get this thing to go any faster?" Karga yelled at Cara.
"Come on!" Cara talked to herself but mostly hoping for a miracle.
Osa peered out the back realizing the immediate danger with those Tie-fighters, they wouldn't last but a few more minutes and she needed to do something. Osa out stretched her arms and began maneuvering her hands almost as if she was sculpting a fragile piece of art.
She focused all her attention on the ships but nothing was happening, she grunted in frustration and lowered her arms in defeat, "They're moving to fast, draw them in," she instructed Karga when he started firing behind the fighters hoping they would drop lower into the ravine.
"Whatever you're planning, stop right now," Cara warned but Osa was stubborn and wouldn't stand by without helping.
The surrounding rocky terrain began vibrating, fractures cracked up the cavern walls creating immediate avalanches. Osa raised her arms high in the air and with one fierce motion, she slammed her arms in a downward motion concaving the ravine and burying the Tie-fighters.
Witnessing the unbelievable phenomenon, the Mythrol's jaw dropped unable to comprehend what he just saw, "Did she just do that?" he questioned in skeptic.
All Cara did was smile but became concerned when Osa collapsed to the floor, "Karga!" Cara shouted in panic.
"I'm okay," Osa reassured, "But I didn't get them all," she revealed when blaster fire surrounded them yet again.
"It's okay, you did great kid," Cara encouraged while attempting to out maneuver the proceeding fighter's, but she didn't have to do it for long as the Razor Crest flew over head and took out the closest Tie-fighter.
The Trexler made it safely to the edge of the city when all four exited the vehicle and watched Din destroy the rest with ease. The Crest landed when Din exited with Yazel in his arms but seemed to be wiping off green spew that had stained the Child's tunic.
"Quite impressive flying their Mando, but it seems not everyone has the stomach for it," Karga said comical while pointing towards Yazel.
Osa trying to hide her depletion went to her father and took Yazel into her arms, she pulled out a damp cloth from her pouch and began dabbing at the stain.
"I couldn't help and notice the ravine crumbling in upon itself, know anything about that?" Din said to his daughter.
"Must have been from the pressure by the base's explosion," Osa explained.
"Uh huh," Din grunted.
"Why don't I take them back to the ship," Cara suggested hoping to end his interrogation towards his daughter.
"Thanks, I need to talk with Karga. I won't be long," Din informed when he hoped Karga's navigational system would be able to locate Tython.
Cara escorted Osa and Yazel back to the Crest when Osa immediately went into her studio to get a cleaner that would vanish practically any stain. In the light of things Cara followed and was amazed at all the beautiful artwork Osa had done, but one large drawing caught her attention.
"This is interesting," Cara said bewildered.
"Oh don't mind those, I have a whole drawer of those useless doodles," Osa clarified.
"If you consider military navigational routes doodles."
"What do you mean?"
"You have no idea what you have been drawing?" Cara said flabbergasted.
"Should I?"
"Osa," Cara figured she could say her name since they were in private, "This is a map, an incomplete map, you see," Cara pointed out specifics teaching Osa how to read it," We have become so reliant on technology we have forgotten the basics."
"Oh my gosh," when a light bulb went on over Osa's head as she whipped out all the useless doodles, "Ahsoka was right, I had the information all along, I just had to look for the universal theme within my art, can you help me piece this together?" Osa asked Cara who eagerly obliged.
It took no longer then a few minutes to lay out all the pieces on Osa's studio floor.
"There seems to be a pattern," Cara started, focusing, concentrating, and decrypting, "All leading to here," she pointed to where each piece of the papers were conjoined.
"Tython," Osa whispered.
"Who?"
"The planet we've been searching for but can only be found by someone who can hear its call."
"Is this a Jedi thing?" Cara questioned as Osa chuckled.
"Not sure myself, we need to tell Papi," Osa got up off the floor but she didn't have to go far because her father was watching from the doorway.
"I knew you could do it," he said with pride.
"Only because of Cara's help," Osa credited.
"Naturally, thank you Cara," he added.
"My pleasure, glad my military skills have not gone to waste," she patted Osa on her pauldron, "Good luck kid."
"This time we get to say a proper goodbye," Osa said and then hugged Cara.
Taken aback Cara couldn't help and embrace Osa back, with this action her heart swelled with joy by this kid's admiration and bravery. The two disengaged when Cara made her way and walked past Din, "She turned out well, you should be very proud."
"I am," he replied in pure confidence, "Until we meet again."
"Until then," Cara smiled and nodded her head in agreement when she disembarked the Crest and headed back into town.
The streets were quiet on Nevarro, everyone turning in for the night when a lurker finally found their opportunity to contact their employer.
"Yes," the female Imperial officer answered smug, tired of the constant inadequate intel their informant reported.
"You will be very pleased on what I have to say," the informant teased.
"I don't have time for this," she was about to cut the transmission when his words stopped her.
"I spotted the Mandalorians and know where they are headed."
"And."
"Tython."
"Your service to the Empire will not go unnoticed," she ended the connection and searched for her superior Moff Gideon.
She entered into a dark room only light up with red lights when she cleared her throat to acknowledge her presence.
"Sir, I have the Mandalorians location, they are headed to a planet called Tython, which I could not find on our navigational scope."
"Interesting and how do you propose we find a planet that doesn't exist?" Gideon questioned.
"I am unsure sir."
"You let the low life's do all the hard work when we get all the credit," Gideon said with a smile.
"Sir?" she asked unaware of Gideon's brewing plan.
"Give this information to Boba Fett, let him track them as we track him, then make your move taking out everyone except for the two assets. I am done with Fett's miserable failures. Instead I have others who can fulfill the job much easier, meet our newest additions," Gideon admired his craftsmanship of the Dark Troopers as they powered up for their approaching mission.
