PADAWAN
Din Djarin is not himself and the man is terrified.
A/N: I love the story of Din Djarin and Grogu. I don't need anything else. Also I am writing this because of the force/my inspiration Pedro Pascal and not for monetary gain. I have spoken.
Additional Characters: Cara Dune, Greef Karga, the Armorer
Note: This event happened after Season 2 Episode 16. The chapters might sometimes be long or short depending on the story plot.
Please don't be shy to review and tell me what you think. Thank you!
CHAPTER 6
TO NEVARRO
Din Djarin should make a mental note that having a New Republic Marshall as passenger has its own perks. Just to hear the word 'Marshall' had some people scrambling for whatever they require just like what happened when Din needed Migs Mayfeld to infiltrate the refinery at Morak.
"Stop that, Din. I told you this would happen." Cara punched him on the arm before introducing herself to the hyperventilating officer on the other line. "This is Marshal Carasynthia…aherm," Cara had to repeat herself. "Be quiet!" she hissed at Din Djarin. "No! Not you, officer! This is Marshal Carasynthia Dune requesting permission to land."
Din couldn't stop chuckling even when his arm hurt because the air traffic controller who sputtered at seeing the DX-9 Assault ship's signature must have thought they're being attacked and the transport was loaded for bear with Storm troopers.
"Who put that guy in that job?" Din shook his head. "I hope he's not trigger happy." His hand went to the ion cannon switch and flipped it on as a joke.
"Turn that off!" Cara reached over and turned it off after giving him a good natured glare. "You are not helping!"
"Uh, Ma…Marshall? Someone reported that you went weapons hot?" Din could literally hear the man gulp over the static. He shook his head in amusement.
"Did we?" Cara asked innocently. "Officer, listen. We have commandeered this transport vehicle to bring in a high value prisoner."
The air hissed again and the man sounded more composed but his voice is still a little breathy. Din smirked.
"Marshall, please state the name of the prisoner."
"It's Moff Gideon." The air hissed but no voice came from it. Cara looked at Din questioningly. She tried again. "Do you copy?"
"Maybe he drowned on his bone broth." He chuckled again when he got another 'shush!'"
"Marshall Dune, did you say Mo…Moff Gideon?!"
"Affirmative."
"Copy that!" The receiver clanked. The officer must have put it down in haste. There was some excited conversation on the air and people's hurried footsteps.
"See? They did not believe you." Din looked up. "Do you think they're preparing to shoot us out of orbit?"
"Hush, you!" She rolled her eyes at him.
"Marshall, you have been cleared for landing!" The man's voice boomed over the receiver.
"Listen, upon landing we require a carbon freezing unit standing by. Do you copy?"
"We copy! We copy!" Came the high pitched voice.
-o0o-
"What in hell is this?" Din looked at Cara when the transport hold opened. It seemed that everyone in Nevarro came out and once they saw Cara and Din they gave a huge cheer.
Greef Karga stepped forward, "Congratulations for apprehending the scourge of Nevarro!" The townspeople cheered.
"This arrest is a joint operation including myself and a member of the bounty guild, Din Djarin the Mandalorian." Cara Dune explained and more cheer went up. "He battled Moff Gideon right on his own ship and subdued him so we can bring him to justice for his atrocities in Nevarro!" The last cheer that they gave for Din was loud enough to deafen the ears.
Two officers from the New Republic towed a hover board up the transport hold and laid the still sedated imperial officer to it. As soon as the people saw the imperial officer they shouted in anger and booed the prisoner.
Fearing that the situation might degenerate into a riot Greef motioned the New Republic officers to get the prisoner into the NR Headquarters quickly. The former magistrate beckoned Cara and Din to go with them. The townspeople followed behind but not before almost everyone wanted to shake Din's and Cara's hand or give them a pat on their shoulders.
The atmosphere felt like a parade as they were walking down the main road of Nevarro and there was festive mood in the air. People were happy. People were laughing, even singing! The children were running around giggling and playing. "We wil have a festival later in both your honor!" Greef hugged them.
"Wow! Some welcome!" Cara returned a hug from a motherly looking woman.
"It sure is." Din forgot how many hands he shook. From the crowd a hand shook his far longer than the others and when he was let go a note was in his hand.
Looking up Din could not tell who it came from. He unfolded the piece of parchment. There was nothing written on it except for a rough sketch.
Din Djarin's heart skipped.
-o0o-
"Come you two!" Greef Karga motioned for them to enter the office. "You have to be here to witness this."
The former magistrate led them to a different building where a team of technicians in blue overalls hurry to assemble the carbon freezing unit that Marshall Dune requested.
"Cara…" Din snagged the woman's elbow. "You go ahead."
But before she could ask him a question he was already lost in the midst of the crowd. "Din!" he heard his name as he cleared the thick of people rubbernecking the procedure of turning the hated imperial officer frozen in hard carbon.
-o0o-
The town never ceases to bring him good and bad memories but it seems he was fated to come back here whether he wanted to or not, he thought as he cautiously turned a corner.
As he trod the familiar streets he was thankful that it was almost deserted. This could be the only time that Moff Gideon's arrival was a welcome relief for Din Djarin or for the entire region.
He reached the entrance and just as the first and the hundredth time he had been here he swept aside the maroon curtain and quickly went down the stone steps until it became so dark and his helmet's optoelectronic device turned green and he could see what was before him…
The tunnel was filled with members of his covert and among them…
"Din Djarn of Clan Mudhorn, come forward."
The armorer; he was so glad that she survived. She was the one that kept everyone together. Just as her forge create their armor and their weapons so her presence forge their determination to survive and to maintain their race and culture on his planet.
Din looked around at the familiar colors and designs of helmets of the people that he had seen through the years—his tribe. Those he knew nodded in greeting and Din was struck that they were missing quite a few people.
There were other people there; new helmets that he doesn't recognize.
"They are the envoy of the Ruling Council of Mandalore." The armorer said by way of introduction. They exchanged polite nods; slow and low.
"We heard of your victory, Din Djarin." A woman in red gauntlets spoke up in formal Mando'a.
"Yes, we were successful in securing Moff Gideon. The Nevarro government is now executing him at this moment." Din replied. The people reacted positively upon hearing the news.
One of the envoy, a tall man in dark blue armor looked at the other two envoys, "Pouring some rapid freezing gas on a criminal is hardly an execution." He snorted is disfavor.
The woman in red gauntlets raised a hand and the tall man ceased talking and bowed to her. Din was suddenly aware that she is a high level official.
"We are here for we have heard of your deeds."
Din looked back to the armorer as an acknowledgement, "I was tasked by our armorer to return a child back to his people." As soon as he said the words his eyes began to tear up and the burn in his throat is back. His teeth ground together when his jaw clenched and the deep breath he took felt agonizing, as if the beskar spear he had on his back is lodged in his ribcage.
A child…his…
"To the Jedi, we heard." Soft murmurs spread among the people.
"That is right." Din hated the way how his body refuse to quickly get back in control. His nose flares in his effort.
"There is no shame in showing how you love the boy, Din Djarin." One of the three spoke, a younger man, from the timbre of his voice. "You are his father, his buir, in every sense of the word. You have done more for that foundling than any parent would have done for their own flesh and blood."
Agreement in various vocalizations filled the cavern among the assembled.
They understand.
They know.
They approve.
Din was glad he was not expected to reply because his throat has gotten caught in a painful hook of emotion. His whole body seemed to be vibrating from the amount of control he is exerting.
"We," the woman in red gauntlet went two steps forward, "have another reason for being here." the woman said. "May we see it?"
Din Djarin could feel his entire body turning cold. He had a small niggling suspicion when he saw the three. Yes, Din had expected the summons but he did not expect it to come so soon.
People began murmuring in confusion; heads turning in question. What is happening? What's going on?
He swept back the cloak from his left and unhooked the weapon. The people who first saw it exclaimed in shocked surprise.
It can't be!
Is that…?
Holy ancient gods!
What is it?
Look!
The ruckus became a roar when he ignited the blade. But he was not prepared when as one the people kneeled before him.
With the blade shining and lighting the darkness Din Djarin fled from the scene.
-o-o-o-