Hey peeps! Specter7 here. Just wanted to say that I'm always open to suggestions and constructive criticism. Anything that you have to say, I want to hear. Just keep it clean and backup what you want to say with canon and we're all good :)

Also, for the next few chapters, I should be updating… once a week? Maybe? But later as we delve into the story, I'll probably be posting every other week. Anyway, read and…

May the manda be with you.

The New Mand'alor: Chapter 4: A Plot's Arc

"It's one thing to see us coming, it's another to do something about it."

-Mandalorian saying

Sabine Wren stepped inside the tent, yet the second-in-command stayed at the entrance. "You've got a visitor," the man said to a shadowy figure near the back of the tent.

Sabine squinted in the darkness, half tempted to use her night vision, yet she stood still.

"…Leave us," a female voice said with a slight Mandalorian accent, one that Sabine had lost over the years. The second-in-command gave a slight bow and immediately did as she ordered. Sabine turned toward the silhouette.

"I'm assuming by the markings on your helmet," the figure said in a low voice, "that you are, in fact, a Wren."

Sabine touched the helmet lightly, feeling its beaten, weathered edges, the paint peeling off in some parts. "Yes," Sabine answered.

"…And are you aware that I should execute you simply for that reason?"

"Yes."

The figure seemed taken back slightly, mildly surprised. Sabine watched as the Death Watch leader shifted in her throne, the weak light bouncing off her visor. "Fine," the silhouetted Mando said eventually. "I'll bite. What do you want, Wren?"

"To bargain," Sabine answered, stepping closer. "But first I want to know just who I'm dealing with."

The figure said nothing for a moment, then slowly, slyly, eased off her throne and stepped out of the shadows. Sabine's eyes squinted under her helmet as she finally saw the female's armor clearly. The top-half of her helmet was dark green and the bottom half was gray. Not unlike the rest of the pieces of her armor, which were all somewhere in between the two colors.

But one of the two prominent things that stood out to Sabine, was the fact that the female had jet-black, twin stripes painted on her armor—just like the second-in-command. But the leader's started from the helmet all the way down, and on her right side. The black, perfectly parallel lines cut across the right half of the female's helmet and continued down her chest plate, across her shin guards and ended at her right foot.

And the second prominent thing that stood out to Sabine was the short—yet flowing—black cape across her right shoulder, with a green emblem of Death Watch's symbol; the shriek-hawk diving for its prey.

That's the leader alright, Sabine thought victoriously, she's got a cape. Sabine looked up at the tall, lean, female figure.

"Your helmet," Sabine said finally, motioning for her to remove it.

The Death Watch leader tilted her head. "You first," she countered.

Sabine stared hard at the woman through her visor. It was weird, but the Death Watch leader's voice was starting to sound awfully familiar… Sabine slowly slid off her helmet and shook out her hair.

The female figure in front of her reared back, as if she'd been slapped. But the woman seemed to overcome her shock quickly, shaking her head. "You gotta lot of nerve coming here, Bean."

Sabine froze. Only one person in the whole galaxy called her that. That annoying, embarrassing, stupid nickname was given to her by an all too familiar Mandalorian. It can't be, Sabine thought, shocked.

She's supposed to be dead.

"Arc?" Sabine breathed. "Arc Wren? You're still alive?"

The female slowly took off her helmet, revealing dark brown hair pulled back into a messy bun, bangs sliding across her forehead. Sabine's eyes drank in the familiar face from her childhood, yet now, Arc was older—an adult now—and had one heck of battle scar, running from the corner of her left eye across part of her cheek. The scar was faint but a gruesome red, showing that Arc had opted against getting stitches or putting a bacta patch on it. A noble trophy.

But that wasn't the only trophy and Sabine realized grimly that her cousin had a thin, blonde braid—contrary to her natural dark brown hair color—hanging from the right side of her head. Sabine had studied enough of the Jedi's tactics and customs to know it was a Padawan braid. Arc must have killed a Jedi apprentice and weaved his braid into her hair as a trophy.

If that was what had happened to the last Force-sensitive person Arc had come across, what chance did Ezra have?

Besides the braid, the young woman had other, less violent aspects to her outward appearance. Arc's prominent cheekbones and slender, beautiful face spoke of a rugged elegance that Mandalorian women were famous for. Gone was the lanky teen Sabine had once knew and in her place, was a tall, lean and mean Death Watch leader. Arc's olive-skinned face was smirking and her dark green eyes twinkled.

"Nice to see you too, little cousin."

Ezra Bridger felt the Force send a zing of warning through him, and he had just enough time to dodge the first punch from Luc, one of the Mandalorians.

Ronan, the other Mando had just shoved him into the tent and Ezra had whirled around to see Luc's gloved fist.

Ezra felt a twinge of satisfaction as he dodged it, Luc missing his face with the first punch. But Ezra's smug thoughts were cut short as the Mando, his fist a blur, instantly proceeded to catch Ezra with a left hook. Ezra stumbled to the ground from the force of the blow, surprised. He hadn't expected Luc to throw such a strong punch, especially with his left arm. But anger soon overtook his shock and Ezra held his jaw, moving it around.

"Why would you do that?" Ezra growled to Luc, looking up at him from where he knelt on the ground.

"It's my job to entertain you," Luc answered, his voice coming out slightly muffled from beneath his helmet. He paused. "So, are you entertained?"

Ezra answered by jumping up and rushing Luc, throwing a fist for the man's helmet. But the Mando ducked under the blow easily and kicked the back of Ezra's knee, causing the Padawan to crumple to the ground.

Ezra's fingers curled against the tent's cold, metal floor, wincing as cramps spiked from his leg. Ezra was furious. He wanted to give Luc a good beating, something he wouldn't forget. Something that would teach the Mando what happened when he messed with a Jedi.

But what Kanan had said one time rang in his ears.

"It takes far more discipline not to fight."

Ezra paused, torn. He glanced up at Luc. A very large, very big, very angry part of him wanted to take off the guy's helmet and beat him black and blue... But that still small voice in his head said otherwise. Sabine had wanted him to maintain a low profile. She had told him to, under no circumstances, never let them know he was a Jedi.

And unfortunately, that included not letting the Force guide his movements by fighting Luc.

So instead of getting up, Ezra stayed on the ground, crossed his legs, and looked up at the two Mandalorians in front of him.

"Surprising," Luc remarked and began to walk in a circle around Ezra. "So, kid, who are you? You're not a Mandalorian, so why are you sticking around Wren?"

Ezra shrugged, looking strait ahead. "Because I want to."

Luc suddenly lunged forward, gripping Ezra's sweater in a hand, and thrust the Padawan to the ground. "Wrong answer," Luc snarled.

Ezra gritted his teeth as his head slammed against the metal flooring. He glared up at Luc's visor, wanting to beat the kriffing arrogance out of the guy.

"I'll ask again," Luc said evenly from beneath his helmet. "Who are you?"

Ezra clenched his teeth. He couldn't tell the Mando his name. There was a thin chance he would do so, but if Luc ran the name 'Ezra Bridger' through the holonet, he'd find just how many credits were on Ezra's head. And not only that, but the fact that he was a Jedi.

So I have to play along, Ezra thought, frowning hard. Act like an angry prisoner, which shouldn't be too hard.

"Answer!" Luc shouted, shoving Ezra for emphasis.

"I'm not telling you anything," Ezra seethed, "You filthy piece of bantha fodder!"

Luc slammed Ezra's head up against the metal plating one more time before getting up and turning around in disgust. "Search him," he ordered to Ronan.

The other Mandalorian tilted his helmet to look down at Ezra. "Pathetic," Ronan growled and pulled the Padawan up by the front of his sweater. The masked Mandalorian searched Ezra over, taking out the blaster holstered at Ezra's side.

"Hey!" Ezra growled."Be careful with that."

Ronan ignored him and gave the blaster to Luc who spun it on his finger. "Huh," Luc observed, seeming to peer closely at it through his visor. "Modified DL-44 heavy blaster pistol. Advanced scope. Lightly used." Luc glanced at Rowan and then at Ezra. "You won't talk, kid?" he asked, not giving Ezra time to respond. "Fine."

Luc took off his green and gray helmet revealing blonde hair cut short in a mohawk and light blue eyes. Surprisingly, he was pretty young—not much older than Ezra or Sabine. Early twenties.

"If you won't tell me who you are," Luc growled, "then let's see how far I can get without you needing to."

He turned his back to Ezra, and then just as quick, whipped back around, slinging a glass cup aimed right for Ezra's face. Ezra's hand reflexively darted up and snagged the cup before the projectile could crash into him, but spilled steaming caf in the process.

Ezra barely stifled a scream as he dropped the glass and wiped his face with his sleeve.

"You kriffing sleemo—" Ezra spat as he shook the broiling droplets off his face.

"Language," Luc interrupted and kicked at the broken pieces of glass on the floor. "But, judging by your quick reflexes, I'd say you're a talented fighter, yet you don't think things through. You should have dodged the glass, not caught it."

Ezra stared at him. "What—"

"But you don't use hand-to-hand combat often or your fighting stance would be more relaxed," Luc continued.

Ezra was confused. The Mando was going to fast. "What fighting stance?" Ezra asked.

Luc responded by throwing several well-aimed punches at Ezra. Ezra managed to block them but Luc seemed to find a flaw and thrust the heel of his palm square at Ezra's chest, knocking the Padawan's breath away.

"That stance," Luc clarified. "And," he added, "your quick reflexes aren't due to being a good shot with a blaster, because your DL-44 is lightly used yet shows scuff marks that say you had it for over a year."

Ezra was shocked Who was this guy? "That doesn't mean anyth—" he blustered before Luc interrupted him by grabbing his wrist and holding it up.

"And judging by the muscles in your arms," Luc continued, "you use a lot of upper body strength when fighting, yet the callouses on your hands and the tears in your gloves are all in the wrong place for hand-to-hand combat."

The blond-haired Mandalorian peered closer. "The callouses actually… they look like they're from handling a blade." Luc looked up at Ezra and blue eyes met blue eyes, Ezra's being the darker of the two. "What blade do you handle?" Luc asked, his question sounding more like a command.

Ezra said nothing and fought to not let his mouth drop. Was the Mandalorian on to the fact Ezra was a Jedi?

"Vibroblade?" Luc pressed, staring Ezra down. "Electro sword?" He paused, as if a realization suddenly hit him. Luc glanced down at Ezra's hand one more time and whispered, "Lightsaber?"

Ezra's heart was pounding in his chest as he shoved Luc away. "I told you I'm not talking! I'm outta here."

A furious Ezra moved to the entrance of the tent yet a gloved hand slammed against his chest, pushing the Padawan back.

"We're not done yet," Luc snarled.

"How?" Sabine whispered to Arc. "How are you still alive? The Empire wiped out all the Wrens who didn't join!"

"Not all of them," Arc said. "You're still here, aren't you?"

Sabine just looked at her cousin. Arc had changed so much. She was so… grown up. Sabine couldn't get over the fact that her long-lost cousin was standing in front of her. But a thought suddenly occurred to Sabine and she paused. "Wait..." she said hesitantly. "You...You're leader of Death Watch now."

Arc nodded.

Sabine was confused. "But Clan Caladon took over Death Watch. I saw their banner out front." Sabine paused and started to smile a little. "By the way, you're gonna need a new pole. I knocked the old one down."

Arc stared at her and Sabine smiled sweetly. Her cousin sighed. "You haven't changed a bit, little cousin," Arc said. "But to answer your question, I'm not just leading Death Watch. Clan Caladon and House Caladon are both under my control."

Sabine was shocked. "B-But," she sputtered and repeated, "You're a Wren."

Arc spun her helmet around in her hand and glanced up at Sabine. "After the Empire took over Krownest," she said finally. "I left Clan Wren. Journeyed to the Caladon System."

Sabine's eyes widened. "What? And you're still alive?"

Arc shrugged defensively. "I'm just as surprised about you too. I figured someone would've killed you by now, considering what you did."

Somewhere in the back of Sabine's mind, the insult registered. But Sabine wasn't done talking about the miracle that was Arc's heartbeat. "Hold up," she said, raising her hands. "So, you're telling me, you went to the Caladon System and… joined?"

The Caladon System was one of many star systems under Mandalorian control, yet it went just as far back as Mandalore itself. The planets in that particular star system were shrouded in mystery and lore. Tales of epic warriors and magnificent beasts flowed from the Caladon System— even a particular legend about the Caladonian Dragon, which was a bit like Clan Caladon's "mascot," or symbol of power. It was what the Caladon System was famous for. Songs and poems had been written about the beast and there was even a prophecy about how whoever summoned the Caladonian Dragon would usher in a "new era of freedom" or something or another.

Personally, it was all nonsense to Sabine. The Caladonian Dragon was a myth, designed to scare little children and inspire the many.

Arc brought Sabine back to reality by nodding and setting her helmet down on a nearby counter. "I was adopted into Clan Caladon," her cousin answered. "The leader favored me and later, when he passed, the clan elders voted me to take his place."

But Sabine was still shaking her head. It didn't make sense. "But you're a Wren!" Sabine exclaimed. "You-"

"No," Arc interrupted coldly. "I only kept the blasted name in honor of my birth parents. I'm Clan Caladon now, Sabine. My new clan is driven only by honor, which is why I left Clan Wren in the first place. Your mother's gone and made a mess of it, you know."

Sabine put a hand on her hip. "My mother, but she's still your aunt. You two are related."

Arc rolled her eyes. "Don't remind me."

Sabine frowned, starting to feel defensive. "Hey," she said, "If we're talking about honor, you've got no room, Miss Leader of Death Watch."

Sabine watched as Arc narrowed her eyes. "Clan Caladon is leading Death Watch into a new age, Sabine," her cousin bit out. "We're not Pre Vizsla's group of criminals and mercenaries anymore. We fight for Mandalore's freedom, and Mandalore's freedom only."

Sabine sighed. Arc hadn't changed too much. She was still that determined, honorable, fiercely loyal Mandalorian Sabine had once known. But the air around Arc was different. Her shoulders were pushed back and she stood at her full height, towering several inches above Sabine. Everything about Arc seemed... dangerous. Maybe it was the way her dark green eyes stared strait at Sabine, or her confident, lethal stance. Or maybe it was how her feet were spaced apart and her hands were balled into fists, ready for action in a millisecond's notice. Whatever it was, Arc had been daunting when they were children, but now? With the gruesome scar that ran from her forehead through the corner of her eye and ended on her cheekbone... she seemed downright deadly.

Sabine swallowed and put her helmet on a bench inside the tent. She knew they couldn't avoid what they were both thinking. "So," Sabine began, seriousness starting to leak back into the conversation. "How'd you escape?" she asked solemnly. "From Clan Wren, I mean."

Arc shot her an indecipherable look. "When the Empire came for us, you were at the Imperial Academy on Mandalore, correct?"

Sabine swallowed uncomfortably. "Yeah…" She knew where Arc was going with this.

The adult Mandalorian nodded slowly. "Well, I'm surprised you didn't get captured in the midst of the Empire's takeover," Arc probed, looking at Sabine with a dangerous expression on her face.

Sabine glanced at the floor. "Why would I get captured?" she muttered.

"Oh, I don't know," Arc began sarcastically, "Maybe because you're the reason so many Wrens were killed? So many Mandalorians were killed?"

Sabine froze and her hands clenched into fists. "I…"

Arc stepped closer, her moves jerky with anger. "Because of you," she said furiously, shoving her index finger in Sabine's face, "My parents are dead, Sabine! Because of you, my little brother joined the Empire, just like your family did!"

"Don't tell me what I already know," Sabine growled slapping her hand away.

But Arc wasn't done and the adult Mandalorian shook her head angrily, her blonde braid whipping from side to side. "You had to open your mouth, didn't you? Back when you designed the weapons that enslaved Mandalore?"

Sabine froze.

Arc laughed bitterly. "Didn't think anyone knew about that, did you, little cousin?

Sabine slowly regained her composure. Arc was treading down a very dangerous path...

Arc stepped closer, jamming a finger on Sabine's shoulder plate. "You're a disgrace, Sabine. A traitor. You designed those weapons for the Empire, and they turned them around on us. And then you try to speak out, and they launch a kill sentence on all House Vizsla who don't join!"

Sabine looked up at Arc. The Death Watch leader looked angry, but Sabine could see the hurt in her eyes.

"I spoke out," Sabine said, her voice dangerously low. "But I couldn't control what the Empire would do."

Her cousin threw a hand up in the hair, turning away.

"Arc," Sabine pressed. "Remember who the real enemy is! I didn't kill your parents.

"The Empire did."

Arc glanced at Sabine out of the corner of her eye. "I know," her cousin growled. "That's why you're still alive." She turned to Sabine grudgingly. "…For now."

Sabine slowly relaxed. She sighed. "Well, I see you and your second-in-command share similar views. He wanted to kill me, earlier. Almost did, in fact."

Arc tilted her head slightly. She looked… sad. "You'll have to give Kor some space," she said. "He's been after you for a long time and the only reason he hasn't shot you yet is because he's loyal to me."

Sabine frowned slightly. That explained the second-in-command's, Kor's, anger at when she stated her name. Kor must be itching to kill me, Sabine reflected, The only question, is what did I do to him?

"So," Arc sighed. "What do you want? I know you didn't come to Death Watch for a friendly visit."

Sabine shook her head. "As much as I wish that were true, I'm here for a different reason entirely."

The adult Mandalorian arched an eyebrow. "What's going on, Sabine?" Arc asked cautiously.

Sabine looked at her cousin solemnly and took the Darksaber handle off the back of her belt and ignited the blade.

"...It can't be," Arc breathed, staring at the ancient weapon.

"We need to talk," Sabine said finally.

….

Luc shoved him to the ground. "Who are you?" he yelled.

Ezra glared up at the Mandalorian with hateful eyes. "I told you I'm not talking!" He spat out blood to hide the impending sense of danger Ezra was getting. He couldn't take much more without exposing himself as Force-sensitive.

Luc grabbed Ezra by the front of his orange sweater and reared back his arm… When Chopper rammed into Luc's shins.

The rusty droid shouted out at the young man in binary to leave Ezra alone.

Luc kicked Chopper away in disgust. "Filthy bucket o' bolts," he muttered. Luc looked at Ezra then back at Chop before dropping the black-haired Padawan. "Last chance, kid," Luc snarled. "Who are you?"

Ezra rolled his eyes. Was this guy deaf? He slowly stood up. "How many times do I have to tell you? I'm not saying—"

Luc kicked Ezra in the chest, knocking the teen's breath away. The Mandalorian then spun and brought out his blaster, aiming it for Chopper. Ronan held the astromech as he tried to squirm away, raising his robotic arms in surprise.

Before Ezra could even react, Luc shot Chop with expert aim, the yellow bolt of plasma blasting part of Chopper's rusty appendage. Half of the robotic arm went flying and Chopper let out a mechanical scream.

Ezra's eyes shot open. "No!" he hollered, lunging for Luc. The Mandalorian fell to the ground, Ezra on top of him. He punched Luc again and again, Ronan making no move to help his partner.

Finally, Luc shoved Ezra off and the Padawan rolled away, his breathing labored. That filthy, kriffing Hutt-spawn, Ezra cursed mentally and probably would have added more colorful adjectives to Luc's name, had the Mandalorian not interrupted his angry thoughts by laughing.

Wait… laughing?

No, Ezra's ears weren't playing tricks on him. Luc really was laughing, his hand wiping the blood off his lip.

"Kid," Luc said, smiling. "You're a little fool, you know that?"

Ezra wanted to fly at him again, but an idea suddenly formed in his mind. Ezra was fed up with the Mando's tricks and tests and Sabine might need him. Who knew what trouble she could be getting in to? Sabine might need his help to convince the Death Watch leader to join the Rebellion!

Ezra crawled over to Chopper and took the droid's metal arm in his hand—or what was left of it.

Chop let off a series of sad, warbled beeps and Ezra shot him a look. "You're a droid, Chopper," Ezra whispered. "You can't even feel pain."

The rust bucket beeped indignantly and Ezra bumped him. "Just listen, okay?" he whispered. "I've gotta go help Sabine and you have to go along with whatever I say."

Ronan kicked Ezra away and Luc slammed a foot on the teen's chest. "You want me to shoot the droid again?" Luc snarled. "Tell me who you are!"

"Okay!" Ezra cried. He looked at the ground and avoided Luc's eyes. "The truth is… I've known Sabine Wren for a long time and she found this droid," Ezra said, gesturing to Chopper. "It's important to the Rebellion or something."

He glanced up at Luc to see the blonde-haired Mandalorian arching an eyebrow. "Really," he said, his voice dripping with disbelief.

"No!" Ezra protested. "It's true. It has important information about the Empire's weaknesses. I don't know what, exactly. I'm just in this because Sabine needs me."

Luc studied him curiously and then turned to Chopper. "Well, droid. It seems you're more important than I thought."

Chopper backed up from the Mandalorian, and rolled right into Ronan. He grabbed the droid to hold him steady while Luc advanced.

Ezra watched, barely stifling a smile as Chopper hurled insults at Luc.

The Mando's mouth gaped open and he smacked the droid. "I aught to wash out your circuits," he scolded and knelt in front of Chopper, prodding him. "Now, what kind of secrets do you hold?"

Ezra slowly backed up and quietly exited the dark green tent, slipping through the flap. He couldn't believe his luck, getting away from those two so easily.

But the Padawan missed Luc watching him from the corner of his eye. He also missed the fact that the blonde Mandalorian was smiling slyly. Or that he keyed something into his gauntlet.

"Kor," Luc whispered. "I got everything I needed."

"You want me to do what?" Arc exclaimed in her slight Mandalorian accent, throwing her hands up in the air.

"Joining the Rebellion isn't as crazy as you think," Sabine protested.

Arc shook her head. "You're right. Knowing you, it's a whole lot crazier."

Sabine huffed and put her hands on her hips. "Is that an insult?"

"You know," a voice suddenly said, "you're cute when you get offended."

Sabine whirled around to see a cocky Ezra walk through the flap of the tent. He gave a two-fingered salute to Arc.

"Ma'am," Ezra greeted. "I heard you're considering joining the Rebels."

Arc frowned. "Eavesdropped, more like it."

Sabine watched Ezra glance from Arc to her. "Heh," he laughed slightly, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment. "B-But," he sputtered, "The offer still stands. The Rebellion isn't built up of just rag-tag moisture farmers. We're an army."

Sabine turned to Arc. "Ezra's right," she insisted. "And we would both prosper by being able to use your forces in a head-on fight."

Arc glanced at Sabine. "You're being ridiculous, little cousin," she said in disdain. "I fight only for the freedom of Mandalore. Not for petty outsiders."

Sabine stared at her cousin, something strong welling up inside of her. "And you think I don't do the same?" she shot back.

Arc paused, looked at her cautiously.

Sabine took a deep breath. "After my family turned their backs on me, after my parents disowned me, I was lost. Mandalore had failed me." Sabine's muscles were taunt as she looked up at her cousin, who's face was emotionless. "I didn't have a purpose," Sabine pressed. "Not until I found my real family. My family forged out of heart, not blood." She swallowed and clenched her hands into fists. "I don't fight for the Rebellion," she proclaimed. "I fight for the people. The Rebellion's cause simply lines up with my own."

Ezra came to stand beside her. "And our ranks are full of people like that," he added. "We may be outnumbered, but we've got hope. And that's a good enough chance to take."

"No," Arc suddenly snarled. Sabine looked up at her cousin and the adult Mandalorian's face was still cold and emotionless. "You don't have hope. You have desperation."

"Freedom is worth fighting for!" Sabine objected, raising her voice."Don't tell me you don't feel the same!"

Arc seemed to grow angry and she shook her head. "Joining the Rebellion," she spat, getting into Sabine's face.

"Is just about as absurd as you having the Darksaber."

Sabine closed her eyes tight and clenched her jaw. She had just poured her heart out to her cousin… yet it seemed as if Arc really hadn't changed. Not like Sabine had.

Arc Wren really was the leader of Death Watch.

Sabine slowly opened her amber-brown eyes and stared into her cousin's icy green ones. Sabine furrowed her brows and her lip curled in a snarl. She brought out the Darksaber again, holding it at her side, and ignited its pulsing black blade.

"I," she shouted, "Sabine Wren of Clan Wren, House Vizsla, hereby proclaim myself as the new Mand'alor."

She watched as Arc's eyes widened and the adult stepped back.

"As a ruler," Sabine continued, "You, Arc Wren, leader of House Caladon and Death Watch, have the rights to either accept my claim or challenge me and invoke the code." Sabine pointed the Darksaber at the Mandalorian, the blade only inches from her throat, yet Arc didn't even twitch. She stayed silent, watching Sabine.

"You are bound to the Resol'nare," Sabine pressed after her cousin didn't answer. "So, choose! Kneel or invoke the code."

When Arc didn't move, Sabine shoved the Darksaber closer. "Now," she snarled.

Finally, Arc quietly said, "As leader of House Caladon, I invoke the code to seek justice through single combat."

Sabine lowered the Darksaber and retracted the beam of light. Se looked coldly ahead, not glancing at Arc as the Death Watch leader slipped by her.

"We begin at dawn," Arc told her, her voice void of any emotion. After her cousin left the tent, Sabine finally sighed and rubbed her head. She felt Ezra put his hand on her shoulder but she shook it off.

"Not now Ezra," Sabine muttered and sat on a makeshift bench, holding her head in her hands.

She didn't have to look at Ezra to know he was still there, offering quiet support. Finally, he softly spoke. "…Just remember," Ezra said, hesitating. "You're not alone, Sabine. What happened with your family is in the past."

"But it still hurts," she whispered.

"I know," Ezra said. "But I swear, I won't leave you. Not like they did."

Sabine looked up at the teen to find serious dark blue eyes, meaning every word of his oath.

"And I'm with you," Ezra added.

"All the way."

He looked as if he wanted to say more, but he simply touched her shoulder lightly and left.

Kor watched as Wren's companion left Arc's tent. The boy looked around and walked over to Wren's ship, probably settling down for the night. Wren later exited Arc's tent as well, her helmet under her arm.

An old, rusted C1 droid suddenly rolled up to the girl, letting off a series of indignant beeps and showing her what was left of its robotic arm.

"Slow down," Kor heard Wren tell the droid. "Chopper, what happened to your arm?"

The machine beeped accusingly, gesturing with the half of its appendage back to two men who were exiting a tent.

Ronan and Luc.

Kor watched, smiling under his helmet as Wren looked down at her droid, demanding, "Which one did it?"

As the droid informed her it was Luc, Wren immediately marched up to him. Kor watched in amusement as Wren shoved her helmet at Luc's chest.

"Listen," the girl said. "I know what you did to my droid was just business… But if you ever hurt any of my friends again, you'll need help picking your teeth up off the ground. Got it?"

Kor watched as Luc simply gave Wren a sly smile, looking at down at her. "Yes, ma'am."

Sabine shoved him with her helmet one last time and walked to her ship, the Sheathipede-class transport shuttle. The droid trailed after her, beeping insults to Luc as the Mandalorian walked up to Kor.

"What did you learn?" Kor asked him in a low voice.

Luc glanced at him from the corner of his eye. "I couldn't get the boy's name," Luc said quietly. "But just like most people, his greatest strength is his weakness."

Kor cocked his head, listening closely.

"Personal loyalty."

"I tested the kid," Luc continued. "He wouldn't say a word about who he was, even when I pushed him around. It wasn't until I shot Wren's droid that he confessed—even if it was still a lie."

Kor frowned under his helmet. "What's his weakness, though?" he growled.

Luc cocked an eyebrow and shook his head. "His weakness," Luc stressed, "is that he'll do anything for his friends. Anything and everything."

Kor looked at Luc and then to Wren's ship where the kid was now.

"And I just shot the droid," Luc said with a bitter laugh. "If I did something similar to Wren? …He'd kill me in a heartbeat."

Kor sighed. "Well, as much as I wish we could do that, we can't. Not with Wren most likely being the new Mand'alor. She'll be untouchable."

Luc turned to him with an aggravated groan. "You're missing the point, Kor!" he exclaimed. "If the kid ends up being a problem for you, now you know how to pull his strings. The kid'll be your puppet."

Kor hesitated and nodded slowly. "Anything else?" he asked finally.

The blonde Mandalorian looked ahead. "The kid's brash. He doesn't think things through. He's got quick reflexes but it's not from hand-to-hand combat. He fights with some kind of blade, I think."

"Interesting."

Luc frowned slightly and looked at the ground. "One more thing," he added. "There's a bit of truth in every lie, and the kid's exact words were, "I'm just in this because Sabine needs me." So a fair warning, Kor..."

Luc looked up at him, serious light blue eyes meeting Kor's visor.

"The kid'll do anything for Wren. And whatever you have against her is nothing compared to what the kid will do to you if something happens." Luc gave a bitter smile, looking at the ground again. "And trust me, neither of us will survive the boy's wrath if we hurt Wren.

"Assuming, of course, she doesn't kill us first."

And so ends chapter four of "The New Mand'alor." I just wanted to say thanks so much to the people who are giving me all the positive feedback :D Thanks guys! Seeing 'em makes me so happy. And for the people who constructively criticize, I also thank you for setting time aside to read my story. Anyway, stay hungry for my next chapter (I'm super excited about it!). Sneak peek, the working title is called: 'Little Loth-rat.'

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Specter7 out.