The door shut behind him and it felt like all the air went with it too, snuffing out sound an leaving only silence. It was almost empty in the room. Long and rectangular it felt like a steel box he was trapped in, save for on the other end where there was a wide window over looking the base. Before it was a console. And sitting before it-no standing on a pedestal before it was a small blue hologram in the shape of a person.
Her back was to him. Her arms waved before her as she moved through a blue haze of digital shapes and designs. Mando thought he heard a slight humming permeating from her.
Cautiously, he moved a hand down to his blaster and slowly he approached.
The silence of the room was disrupted by his boots walking across it which sounded even louder with the echo they made. She did not seem to notice them, however. That was until he closed the gap between them and was only a few steps behind her.
Now she froze with her hands outstretched before her. Her head nodded up and in the reflection in the glass Mando could see her face and the smirk that came on it.
"So you finally made it huh?" she asked. Then in one fluid motion she turned around and crossed her arms at him "Never one to keep a girl wanting are you." She finished but rather sharply as she saw a silver armored figure standing silently before her. Her demeanor had changed, and though she couldn't see it so had Mando's. Here she was, the exact one he was sent here to find. Looking no different in appearance or size than the hologram that he had seen of her. But as familiar as she was to him, he was not to her as she voiced "Now what do we have here?" she asked intrigued and not alarmed. He said nothing. "Well, don't be shy. Identify yourself."
"I'm a Mandalorian." he answered.
The AI peered forward "Hmm." she let out sounding somewhat amused and interested "So so are. Meaning you're not one of mine."
"No." Mando confirmed dryly.
"Hm." she let out as she propped an elbow up on her hand, eyeing him up and down "Could've fooled me." she let out, her amusement continuing.
"It did with some others." he admitted. It had gotten him this far after all.
"I see." she paused "And what are you here for Mandalorian?"
This time he said nothing to her. Instead, he raised his hand that didn't rest on his blaster. Inside it was the small round device that housed the hologram and opening it up it showed a blue light not unlike her. And just like her it was her likeness it showed.
"You Cortana." he said.
Now her demeanor had changed considerably. Gone was the knowing grin and wit replaced with shock and horror. She was speechless as he closed the gap between them. Now he was towering over her and she had nowhere to run. The hand that once held the hologram stretched out and reached towards the console for her to pick her up and take her away.
But right before Mando could eject her, suddenly a green armored arm appeared grabbing ahold of Mando's arm, stopping him from going forward. His arm was caught in a vice grip as something larger than he was suddenly knocked into him pushing him away from the console.
Stumbling across the room, Mando pulled out his blaster, steadied himself and pointed it down at someone who was pointing a rifle right back at him. It didn't take him long to figure out who this was.
'So you're the one I was warned about.' Mando thought to himself 'The bodyguard.'
More at ease now with someone between them, Cortana smugly crossed her arms.
"You alright?" the green armored man asked in an iron voice as his helmet bobbed slightly down to her, but otherwise kept his attention and gun on Mando.
"Always in the nick of time, Chief." she replied but both kept their eyes on Mando. Never taking his eyes off him, Chief focused on him now.
"Who are you?" he barked.
"I'm a Mandalorian. Who are you?"
"Spartan 117. Master Chief." he said rigidly "You don't have clearance or authority to be here. What are you doing here?"
"Here on a job." he replied as they conversed at gunpoint "Her." he nodded over his blaster. But Chief seeing that almost as attack, shifted himself further into his line of sight.
"It's mine to protect her." he said steadfastly.
"Very well." Mando said nodding and understanding that this had nowhere else to go but one direction. He'd usually say how he could take them in warm or cold, but the hologram of Cortana was accurate in more ways than one. Her basically being an actual hologram herself. So it didn't seem that would work here.
"How'd you breach the base?"
"I was given a tour." Mando replied dryly. Chief said nothing now, and Mando seeing him before him called back to what Greef warned him about. He then turned to Cortana "This the one I remind you of?"
"There are some defining characteristics." she said sideways glancing up at Chief.
"Mandalorian's have been around for thousands of years. I'd say you got a fair bit of inspiration. "
"There may be some similarities." she admitted, but the smirk on her face made it seem as if she had a trump card she was about to play "But are you lucky?" she asked leaning forward.
"I've faced worse odds."
"Willing to press them?" she asked curiously.
"Let's find out." he said. He was ready to take his shot at Chief when suddenly he heard the softest of squeaks let out. It was then that he saw poking out from around Chiefs long legs a small green head with wiggling ears and round black eyes.
"Wha-" Mando let out caught off guard by the babies sudden appearance. In reply Grogu came out completely beside Chiefs leg and waved his arms to him "Grogu, how did you-"
"So he's with you." Chief stated. Mando then turned back to Chief.
"Yes." he answered his voice sounding more dangerous now as he voiced his next concern "I take it if you found him, you found my ship then."
"No." Chief answered "But if you're using it to escape with her. It's not going to happen."
"We'll see." Mando said his finger closer to pressing the trigger.
Following their back and forth and following the sound of another squeak, from atop her pedestal Cortana had turned to see the other small figure in the room. Peering over the side, she saw Grogu standing beside Chief's legs. But right as she turned to look at him, he turned his head up towards her. He cooed and babbled some more before waving a little hand to her.
"Aww." Cortana let out looking down at him "And where did you find this cute little thing?" She received two answers at the same time.
"Outside the base." Chief answered.
"Long story." Mando answered.
Turning back to them a wry grin came over her face "Well, even I wasn't sure who that question was for."
Mando continued to eye Chief and Cortana behind him on one side. Yet on the other was Grogu and he knew he couldn't do anything with him there.
"Keep your head down, kid." Mando commanded right as Grogu looked back at him. He was already pretty low to the ground, and though he didn't say anything Grogu knew what was coming next. He had been with Mando enough to know that. He quickly scurried off to take cover elsewhere across the room. Cortana snickered at his little run, while Chief and Mando remained fixed on each other.
But with Grogu out of the way Mando was free to do what he had to.
Mando shot first beginning what he started and Chief followed right after him.
Firing his blaster Mando shot at Chief. When he struck him, a flash of gold appeared around him where the laser erupted. It hit him, but Chief remained undeterred in place, under fire a but unyielding like something took the brunt of the damage.
"A shield." Mando concluded.
Chief then pulled down on the trigger unleashing a barrage of bullets into him. But just like Chiefs shield, Mando had his armor to protect him. The bullets smashed and flattened against the Beskar armor without so much as a dent. As flashing light hit him Mando moved himself. His armor could take a lot, but there were gaps in it. He moved and fired at the same time kept his attack on Chief who hadn't budged from his place.
Bullets and blasters travelled over each other to reach across to the other. The bullets continued to rain down on Mando. The never ending dings of the metal crushing against his own before they fell off his amor. Even his helmet rattled with so many dings going against it. He fired as best he could but only the flicker of gold against the laser was seen over Chief. He was hitting him, but it gave him a protection just like armor.
Only better.
A bullet shot by and grazed Mando's outstretched arm where the armor did not cover.
"Dah!" he winced suppressing a reaction but teetering his arm.
Then at that moment, Chief lowered his aim, and the same thing happened to Mando's exposed right thigh. Feeling more pain Mando dropped to one knee. Across from him Chief reloaded and aimed his assault rifle back at him. Cowering in a corner, Grogu knelt down and held his ears from the loud sound of gunfire, only peering up now that it had stopped.
"Stay down." Chief warned. In reply Mando quickly shot his arm out towards Chief. There was still distance between them, so he wasn't expecting a punch, but an attack came just as he expected.
Once fully out Mando unleashed every whistling bird he had. Spiraling out from his wrist and through the air they flowed towards Chief. The swift piercing cry of it rang out as one hit Chief staggering him in place. And once one hit Chief they all followed. One small explosion was followed by another, each one opening him up further as another rained down on him. A flurry of gold from his shield was followed by smoke from Mando's attack. To Chief it was like an entire Needler had been unloaded onto him.
A quick gruff grunt was heard as Chiefs choked, his shield was being worn down and the whistling birds focused into him. Overwhelming him, they erupted together sending him off his feet and crashing into the wall denting it as his assault rifle was flung from his hands. He fell back to the ground with a just as heavy a thud.
"Chief!" Cortana shouted at him as he was flung, her arms reaching out to him.
"That's enough." she heard a voice looming over her. Turning around, she saw Mando looming over her again standing where Chief once was. Looking just as menacing as he had before, Mando stared down at her. Reaching a hand forward, he went to reach for her. But the sound of something else shifting off the ground got his attention first.
He turned around in time as a fist swung at him. Mando managed to evade it as Chief came barreling at him. Pivoting away Mando threw a punch back at him. Chief grabbed it with one arm and then swung forward with the other. Mando ducked under it and threw one of his own. But Chief grabbed that one too. The two stood looked against each other. It was at this point Mando realized just how much larger Chief was than him. And his grip was just even stronger than Burg's. He felt like his fists were going to be crushed in his hands.
With his fists in his own Chief reared is head back and flung it forward head butting Mando. The blow while great didn't seem to have the effect he thought for Mando's head hardly moved. His armor had held up against Chief's own not even denting. Taking his que and rearing his own head back Mando slammed it back into Chiefs which seemed to have a greater effect sending him back and making him let go of his hands. His fists free from swiping at him, Mando knocked him away before Chief swung at him. Mando ducked down jabbing at Chiefs sides before pushing him away.
Turning around quickly Mando was ready to swipe at Cortana. Only she wasn't there. Glancing over the podium, he saw not only was it unoccupied but her chip was gone too.
"Where'd she go?" Mando asked as he saw nothing but an empty podium. Peeking out from a nearby corner Grogo looked upwards shivering.
"She's with me." Chief's voice said from behind him. Turning around Mando saw Chief pull his hand from behind his head "You want her?" he asked "Come and get her." he threatened. Chief tensed up across from him and finding his footing Mando did the same. He had come here on a job. He would complete it.
"Alright." Mando agreed. He had no more Whistling birds; he knew Chief's shields would be an issue, and he knew he was strong. So he knew he'd be in for a real fight now.
Chief had no gun or weapon now, but he was not without his means of fighting. He came at Mando who raised his wrist to shoot something out at him again. He had no more whistling birds but he had something else. A surge of flame shot out from his wrist engulfing Chief.
In reply, he crossed his arms across his body and barreled forward. He disappeared into the flames as the red fire overtook him. But Mando for a split second thought he could see the hint of his golden shields return.
Suddenly Chief erupted from the fire, engulfed in the flames and his weathered shields mixing with the golden light of the fire with a fist raised and coming forward. It connected directly with Mando's chest hitting his chest plate dead center.
The blow was strong but not strong enough to dent his Beskar armor. Yet the force was so strong that it sent him stumbling back on his feet. Another blow from his other fist sent Mando back against the podium. Chief charged him again, but this time Mando moved and his fist instead his the console Cortana once stood on crushing it.
"Hey!" Cortana's voice rang out from Chief's helmet "Where am I supposed to stand now!" But no one answered as the battle continued.
Mando slid away putting distance between them as Chief turned to face him.
Needing a surprise, he knew what to do next. It was a smaller room, but he had no more Whistling birds and he would need to pull out everything to win it seemed. Surging up he went higher than a jump with his jet back and when he came down he had cleared the room with a fist knocking it into Chiefs head and knocking it down. Grabbing his shoulders, Mando brought a knee up to hit his stomach.
A fist was plunged into Mando's open side staggering him and Chief was back up towering over him. Another fist came at Mando's head knocking him one way before the other fist hit him the other. A mighty kick to his chest rocketed him across the room but before he could get too far away, Chief grabbed Mando's flowing cape to bring him back and twirl him around, throwing him to the other side of the room.
Tumbling across the floor, Mando just recovered as Chief came straight him. He rolled under a blow that dented the wall before coming with a punch to Chief's side as he turned to him. Chief then swung at him again but Mando jumped up coming higher with his jetpack to kick Chief away.
Mando came back down as Chief readied himself. He swung at him but Chief blocked it and swung forward hitting Mando's helmet. The blow rattling his head. Chief lunged him again sending him back. Attempting to get atop of him again Mando used his jet back. Chief had jumped on top of Mando, but instantly he shot up with his jetpack crashing into the ceiling breaking it. Chief fell from atop Mando the ceiling panels fell with him while Mando came back down in a more controlled manner.
Seeing Chief down beneath him Mando shot his wrist out again. This time a long line was unraveled from it and catching ahold of Chief wrapped around him as he tried to get up, but instead was only caught in place trapping his arms to his sides. Mando tugged on the arm, but the wire went stiff and his arm only jerked in place. Stifling he saw Chief hadn't moved from his place and that Mando could not move him. Chief's weight was too great. The two helmeted warriors starred at each other in the brief lull that followed. Heavy as he was at least he was immobile now. That was until Chief snapped his arms up breaking through the line wrapped around his body. He rose to his feet as Mando rose higher on his jetpack.
He leapt up taking to the air in his jet pack passing over Chief who jumped up grabbing ahold of his legs. He brought him back to the floor slamming him into it. The floor cracked just as the ceiling had and Mando lay there groaning on the ground. Standing over him and rearing a leg back Chief kicked him across the room.
Mando slid across the floor and stopped only when he hit the wall. There he let out a pained grunt as he held his sides in pain where Blood even deeper through where the bullets skimmed him. His armor sheltered him from Chief's strikes, but there were still strong. Chief approached him from across the room.
Truth be told, he could see the danger he was in. He understood now. Beskar armor may have been better that Chiefs, even denying it at times but Chiefs blows were stronger and his shields allowed for a better defense coupled with his armor.
The only choice was to break through it. And Mando knew how.
Rising up to his feet he was ready to continue. And he was not empty handed.
A small hilt was in his hand. And it was just that until a shadow grew from him taking the form of a sword. The shadow of a dark blade formed giving even the Master Chief pause.
The Darksaber had fully formed in his grip. Taking it in both hands now Mando dared him to come at him.
Pausing as if to analyze this new threat, Chief did just that. He came at Mando who readied himself.
Slashing forward Mando came at him with the sword slicing across Chief's torso stalling his advance and cutting down completely the shield that guarded him. The gold light flickered and eroded before the black blade. But with that gone he could strike again.
Mando slashed the sword down across Chief who eased back from it. Still he was cut by the very tip of it, dragging from his shoulder down across his chest heaving a visible trail from where it scarred his armor. The alarm of no shields and his armors integrity failing Chief paused only to drag a hand across his new battle mark.
"Chief!" Cortana's voice cried. Another slash came at him cutting across his chest crossing where the blade once was.
Mando lunged at Chief who managed to dodge it this time as the blade slashed his arm, the tip scratching it yet again. Turning with another slash Mando missed him but cut across the floor slicing it open.
Bringing his hands up, Mando swung the sword down. But Chief snapped his up to grab it and stop it's descent. He swung forward with his helmet knocking it into Mando's. Mando then replied with one of his own sending Chief stumping back.
Mando thrust forward with the sword but Chief sidestepped him and then with great speed grabbed Mando's wrist. Then with his free arm, he punched down hitting Mando's arm causing him to drop the blade to the ground. The black blade retreated from the view and back into its hilt. Mando was defenseless now and in Chiefs grip, back into a place he didn't want to be. Chief swung his arm flinging Mando around the room.
Hurling through the air Mando landed, rolling across the ground as Chief came and stomped where his head once was. As he rose to his knees Chief brought his leg up from his side and kicked him in the head sending him tumbling across the floor. Mando staggered to his feet pulling a knife out as Chief ran towards him.
Chief lunged forward yet suddenly he stopped. He still looked like he was advancing towards him, but he was frozen as suspended in the air. Mando was on edge and Cortana thought Chief might have frozen hanging in the air as he did. If it wasn't for a few grunts, she wouldn't have known if he registered it himself. But Mando knew better.
Turning his head to the floor, he saw the source of it from none other than Grogu with his small hands extended as he pointed them towards Chief.
"Thanks kid." Mando said as he walked forward. Happy babbles came from Grogu as his arms stretched out before him. Mando closed the distance between him and Chief who could no nothing but linger in the air as Mando came up beside him and raised a hand to his helmet. "I'll take that." he said as he pulled the chip from the back of his head.
"No." Chief growled but could do nothing as Mando turned his back to him and walked away. Descending but not stopping to scoop up Grogu who he held in his right arm as he held the chip in his left.
"Thanks." he said again as Grogu now lasered in on the chip in his hands and stretched his arms out to take it. Grasping it by the tips of his fingers, he pulled it in and began chewing on it. "No." he said as he pulled it away and Grogu squeaked as he looked at his once nibbles item "We need this." he partially scolded. Mando continued to walk towards the fallen Darksaber hilt "Now let's get out of-"
Suddenly from behind Chief came crashing forward his fist swinging down in a mighty blow that knocked Mando off balance, sending him to the ground. Whatever was in his hands was flung away' Cortana's chip and a crying Grogu flung across the room.
As was his helmet.
Mando and Chief each scrambled for the nearest thing. But each one got to the other first.
Mando grabbed Cortana's chip as Chief moved to grab something else. Mando then sprung to his feet and pulled out his blaster pointing it down at Chief who mimicking him had his pistol drawn. And Grogu was in his arms.
Both starred deadlocked at each other guns drawn, and something the other treasured in their hands. Chief was for the first time getting a look at the man beneath the helmet. A strong look of determination bordering on anger was on his face.
"Put him down." Mando warned his voice harder and more aggressive than before.
"Let her go." Chief said in a hollow voice but one just as strong.
Neither one budged.
"If you hurt him." Mando paused Nothing will save you from me."
"Same to you." Chief said just as steadfast "You won't leave here with her."
Neither one seemed willing to budge, and each could see the hateful glare from the other. A small babble from Grogu caught Chief's attention. Evident in the flight tilt of his visor down to him.
As if mimicking him Mando glanced down at the chip in his hand. It lingered on it for a moment before turning up to look at Chief who now had his full attention just as Mando had his.
From looking down to what was in their hands a thought seemed to pass through both of them.
And because of that both seemed to be thinking the same thing. Both were great fighters, and both were charged with protecting someone important to them. After looking at the previous thing they held belonging to the other and looking to each other again both of them slowly lowered their pistols. Their arms still extended outwards as they stopped it to become parallel to their side.
Only when it was dropped completely did Chief latch it onto his side and Mando holstered his.
Looking to the other. Mando nodded and Chief responded with one. Chief then knelt down to the ground his torso still upwards as he did so. Once he was down, he lowered his opposite arm to free Grogu who ran freely over to Mando.
Mando greeted him by kneeling down and opening his arms to him. Scooping him up in them once he arrived to him. Chief meanwhile stood standoffishly against him.
With Grogu returned to him now Mando stood back up. He eyed Chief with his visible face. Without seeing his, Mando could still tell what he wanted. He didn't say it, but he might as well have said 'Your turn.'
Answering that wordlessly Mando crossed the threshold to him. Grogu clung tightly to him in his right arm but in his left was Cortana's chip. He stopped before him and once he was there Chief brought his hand down to tenderly take the chip into his hand.
Once there he held it between his thumb and pointer finger. From the chip Cortana reappeared.
"Chief." a relieved Cortana let out looking to him.
At the same time Grogu squeaked in Mando's arms. Both completed the silent understanding between them realizing what the other wanted. With it complete there was only one thing left to do. Moving around him, Mando wasn't stopped by Chief, but he was followed by his head rotating as he turned to watch him leave.
Mando only stopped by the door for one thing. His helmet on the ground which he scooped up and placed it back on his head shielding it from view. It back on his face he was ready to take his next step. Turning first to look at Chief. There was no sign of an impending attack from either one of them. But there were lingering questions.
"What now?" he asked. There was a slight pause, before Chief gave his answer.
"Who sent you?" Chief asked.
Mando shook his head "Didn't say." Mando shook his head "They didn't tell me that part."
"Hm." Chief let out dryly "We know who it is." he revealed.
"Must be something important she has." Mando agreed.
"Oh you've no idea." she crossed her arms.
"He's been after her for a while." Chief added.
"So you know my employer but not me.. interesting." he paused "Who is it?" There was another brief pause before Chief answered.
"Moff Gideon."
Mando seemed to go cold at that revelation. He didn't say anything but they saw him tense up, his free hand clenched into a fist. Even Grogu seemed to shrink and wine in his arms at the sound of it. Chief and Cortana took notice of it.
"Should've told me that from the start." he said turning his back to them and moved across the room. He went deeper into it, but put his back to Chief and Cortana who watched him make his way through the room. He stopped when he arrived back at the fallen Darksaber sword hilt. Picking it up he held it in his hand. Turning around he saw Chief and Cortana eyeing him. Silently he did the same. Then Mando felt he had no choice but to reveal the history of the sword. Less he feel like a liar for not doing it.
"They say whoever wins this through combat, earns the right to carry this sword." he said aloud. Cortana looked up to Chief as he continued to look at Mando.
"Your mission wasn't a success." Chief stated. Mando relented to that with a nod "But I have no use for that."
Mando let out a sigh "If you win the battle it's yours." There was another silence as Chief processed what he had said.
"No one won here today." Chief eventually said.
'A draw.' Mando realized. He didn't feel like he won, nor did he think he could if this continued. But the rule of the sword said nothing about a draw.
"I'll take it." he said wryly and then fastened it to his belt and tucked it away beneath his cape.
"Very sporting of you, Chief." Cortana said to him as he continued to watched Mando with Grogu in his arms make their way back across the room to them. Cortana then turned to watch them too. Passing by they went towards the exit.
Mando took a step to leave but stopped short like he left some unfinished business behind.
He was ready to leave this all behind and take a step out of the door but not before turning back to Chief.
"You never saw my face." he said before leaving. Chief said nothing but continued to stare at his direction as he left even long after he had. Mando passed through it, and before the door closed on him Grogu popped over his shoulder and waved to the two they had come all this way for. Cortana gave him a small one back before the doors closed on them. With them gone she looked back to the room. Her pedestal crushed, the ceiling caved in in one spot as well as dents in the floors and walls. Seeing that destruction was nothing new, even if it was a bit too close to home this time.
"Chief?" Cortana's concerned voice let out. Finally breaking from his long held view of the retreating Mandalorian, Chief turned down to the small woman in his hand "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." he answered with a small nod "You?"
"Still here thanks to you." She said concurrently and thankfully as she propped her hands on her hips. Her head tilted to one side as she looked towards the door her hair falling as it did "Who was that?" she asked "Another one of Moff Gideon's stooges?"
"Maybe at first." Chief answered before a pause settling back to starring where the Mandalorian once was "But not in the end."
Settling back into his seat it was good to be out of there. Reward or not the at was the hardest fight he had.
It was quite the awkward exit he had given his entrance but he was stopped less and bothered even less so. But he managed to spare a friendly warning to the marine who gave him the tour.
"Heads up at your next briefing." he said before he disappeared saying anything else "It was a rough one."
Sitting back in his seat, he assessed his wounds. Some bruises and blood cuts not too mention the hammering of his head. But an outstretched hand from Grogu was making him feel a lot better.
"Thanks." he said once his wounds were sealed and he felt good as new. Grogu looked up to him wide eyed and innocent and no less appreciate of the compliment.
"You know," he began "if it wasn't for you I'd be in big trouble back there." he said and Grogu listening seemed to understand him "Greef was right, though..." Mando said referencing Greef and the conversation and acceptance that brought him here "There was someone to fight for her." he said just as Grogu lifted a hand to reach at his helmet "Kinda like you." he said, and Grogu squeaked beneath him "And if Moff Gideon wants her.. he'll have a hard time getting what he wants." Mando regarded him in his arms before letting put a breath "Well," he picked himself up "let's get on to the next job" he said as he put Grogu into his "and see what other trouble we can find."
Laughing excitedly Grogu seemingly agreed.
