Bo-Katan opened the door to the meeting room to the sound of clanging beskar. Her closest allies were standing around the small table, eagerly awaiting today's discussions. Resettling Mandalore was no easy task and it had been some time since Bo-Katan last saw Din and Grogu on the planet due to their own obligations. "We can cut the dramatics," Bo-Katan laughed as she took a seat among her friends, "it's just us."

"As our Mand'alor commands," even covered by his helmet, Bo-Katan could hear the smile tracing Din Djarin's words. Axe and Koska continued to rib at their friend as everyone took their seats. She would never admit it, but she enjoyed the more carefree nature the group has taken up, especially since their times together were limited due to Din's adventures and everyone's daily commitment to restoring their home world. Even if today was dedicated to more serious matters, the air of ease was most welcomed by everyone present, and made these meetings much more bearable, especially considering how at odds their two groups had been in the past.

"Excuse my tardiness, Mand'alor," the Armorer announced as she strode into the room, hands behind her back. Bo-Katan nodded to the revered women donning the stunning gold helmet. "The influx of settlers has made much work for us in the forge."

"This is the way," Bo-Katan replied as everyone settled into their seats. Everyone echoed her statement and she removed her helmet as the sound of their chant settled. As she placed her helmet on the table, Grogu's tiny head popped up, his big eyes barely gazing over the top of the table. Noticing something new to play with, he jumped out of Din's lap and to the end of the table to play with Bo's helmet. She scratched Grogu's ears and gave him a soft smile. "So Din, why did you call us here tonight?"

Din leaned back in his chair and sighed, "Wish we were bringing good news." It wasn't like him to stall or beat around the bush. Bo-Katan raised her eyebrows and pursed her lips. Out of the corner of her eye she could see the Armorer turn to face him and Axe side eyeing Koska. "When we last spoke, I mentioned working with Teva to clean up Imperial remnants," Din paused and Bo-Katan leaned forward. "I assumed Gideon was the worst of our problems, that whatever was left of the Empire now would be scattered efforts. But after investigating some recent attacks on a New Republic trade vessel, I found..."

"Found what?" Bo-Katan leaned forward. Grogu stopped babbling and looked at his dad. "Spit it out, Din."

Din sat up straighter and she could tell he was looking straight at her, "Beskar armor." Everyone in the room tensed, itching to hear the rest but bracing for the worst. "It's not the first time. Teva says he found a beskar pauldron in the remains of the ship transporting Gideon." The room was silent. Bo-Katan could only hear her own heartbeat in her ears. Not even a babble from Grogu could be heard.

"Did this beskar resemble the armor from the platoon under Gideon's control?" Asoka asked, breaking the tense silence.

"No."

"What does this mean for us?" Asoka asked. Us. Bo-Katan, despite the grim news, felt a sudden surge of pride fill her chest. She would've never imagined their own warring factions to be so united so quickly, even referring to this group as us.

"I was hoping we could decide that together," Din said simply. Bo-Katan felt some of the tension in her own shoulders relax even though the worries were already weighing on her mind heavily. The Armorer nodded approvingly at Din. This kinship might still be new to everyone in the room but the feelings of unity, pride, and commitment were almost tangible in the small space.

"I concur," the Armorer spoke with her usual authority, "If any faction is working alongside Imperials or sympathizers to advance their position of power, they are traitors to our world and people."

Then, Axe cleared his throat. The room went silent. "What is it, Axe, you've barely spoken," Bo-Katan asked. He was being uncharacteristically reserved and attentive.

"I don't know who is behind the current attacks, Imperial or Mandalorian, but," he hesitated. "While I was leading the Nite Owls, I vetted all requests for mercenary work. I was contacted anonymously through a droid who delivered a message about a job. They were trying to hire guns to break out high security prisoners." He paused for a second, "I didn't take them up on the job because we got the contract for Plazir-15, but the price was high. Some of the fleet were unhappy to pass up the payday. It may be possible that the Mandolarians responsible don't entirely know who they are working for or even recognize the prisoners they are helping."

Everyone considered this information before speaking again. Bo-Katan broke the silence, "That's a fair point. It wouldn't be unusual for a local warlord to enlist some mercenaries to raid trade ships or bust out their valuable associates." She turned to Din, "Has Teva gotten any word about how these raids could be connected to Imperial holdouts or if there are any reports of recent prison escapes?"

"Not a word. But something tells me the New Republic wouldn't want rumors to spread about any Imperial sympathizers gaining traction in the Outer Rim," Din watched as Grogu waddled across the table and found his way back onto Din's lap.

"Regardless, we need to be vigilant," Bo-Katan asserted, "Mandalore is just getting back on its feet, we must be prepared to defend our home, we will likely be a prime target for destroying a key position and disposing of Gideon. Especially if his station was supplying beskar armor to other warlords or Moffs. If they're being helped by Mandalorians, we'll be in for a tough fight."

"I will ensure my new apprentices are focused on mining for more beskar so we can begin making improvements to our people's armor," The Armorer began, "and if I may make a suggestion, we should begin recruiting more foundlings. If the Empire is gaining power, we must too. Mandalorians are stronger together."

"This is the way," Din decreed with Grogu babbling in agreement. Everyone chanted in agreement. "Our strongest warriors should take on apprentices. We have many young in our own clan who will be fighting age soon. We should dedicate any time outside of rebuilding to teach the foundlings and young the way of the Mand'alor to defend our home and honor with our lives." Bo-Katan felt her stomach flutter. It was always so inspiring to hear Din Djarin speak with reverence and pride for the creed and their way of life. He spoke with much conviction and it always sent chills down Bo's spine.

Everyone nodded in agreement. Since Din and the Armorer were the only ones with apprentices, all three of the Nite Owls would have to consider who to mentor and make the time everyday to train their apprentice. Bo turned to her clanmates, "Axe, Koska, we may need to revisit your roles here with rebuilding efforts. Recruitment will take time and we need our most capable leaders to lead expeditions to worlds impacted by disruptions in trade and violence from these warlords. The efforts to stop Imperial moffs from controlling secs in the Outer Rim could inspire others to join our ranks, especially if their homeworlds and families are being impacted." Both Axe and Koska nodded in agreement. "Great. We can discuss your replacements here tomorrow morning and make more definitive plans then. Din, what are your plans with Teva going forward? We could use some more information about what worlds we should travel to specifically first if you can make the time sooner rather than later."

Din nodded and Grogu patted his little clawed hand on the table and babbled."I actually plan to travel to Mos Eisley tomorrow to meet with Boba Fett. If anyone has information about these attacks on the trade routes, I'm sure it's him. I have a hunch he may have some very usual information and he owes me a favor or two anyway," Din grinned thinking back to their last fight together to liberate Tatooine of spice smugglers. "He will be sympathetic to our cause as well. I hope he will aid us when we are ready to make our move."

Bo-Katan wasn't the biggest fan of Fett, but she knew Din was right. "I agree this is a good place to start. While we visit these planets and try to recruit foundlings, we should also remember to make impressions on the leaders of any powerful tribes or governments on this planet. Establishing our own trades and alliances could be advantageous in many ways and we need to make the most of our limited time."

After ironing out some more concrete ideas, everyone stood together and exchanged goodbyes. Din picked up Grogu and quietly praised him for paying attention during the meeting and explained how important coordinating their efforts would be for the future of their people. Bo couldn't help but smile at their exchange.

The Armorer was the first to leave, but not before placing her hand on Din's shoulder, a show of her pride. Kosha and Axe both wished Din and Grogu safe travels and shared a serious look with Bo on their way out of the meeting room. Even though the room was nearly empty, the space felt significantly smaller with just the three of them left.

"You still seem troubled," Bo took a step closer, "We knew this was the beginning of a long road, Din. Isn't that why you wanted to work with Teva in the first place?" Bo's concern was apparent in her tone and she saw Grogu tilt his head and his ears sunk back.

"It's not easy to see what happens to the planets relying on these trade routes," Din responded. Their friendship was still treading new territory, and Din was not entirely accustomed to sharing his thoughts or feelings. Well, those that were expressed without guns and closed fists. "It brings up memories I prefer to leave in the past."

Bo smiled gently at Din and placed her hand on his armored shoulder. "Your past has brought us here, Din Djarin. Has made you strong, honorable, and one of the greatest Mandalorians I have ever known." Din's helmet tilted downwards to meet her gaze. "Your experiences as a foundling will help make our people stronger. We can only hope the foundlings we find across the galaxy will be half the person you are now." The sincerity in Bo's words were not lost on Din, though he was not used to hearing this sort of praise, especially from anyone in his own clan. Strong silences were their way.

"I'm not sure I deserve the praise, I only do what I think is honorable and right for our people," Din said seriously. He looked down at his son and smiled beneath his helmet. What is right for our family, he added silently. Sometimes, he was grateful that his helmet afforded him some privacy to experience his emotions.

"And that is what makes you great, Din," Bo smiled and removed her hand from his shoulder. "Why don't we go back to my quarters? I can make Grogu some pog soup and we can talk in more detail before you leave." Din nodded and they left the busy community center.

The group of buildings surrounded a large circle where many mandalorians were training with their clan mates and young. The sound of clanging swords and beskar rang around the center and Din smiled. It was still so new to him and every time he came back to their homeworld, it was almost overwhelming. Their numbers had definitely grown and he had never seen so many of his people in one place. "Does it ever hit you, how far we've come?"

Bo smiled and Grogu squealed, "Even after all that talk of reclaiming our homeworld, it's hard for me to comprehend sometimes. This is all I could think about for so many years and it's finally here. It's so much more than I could've hoped for." And it truly was. Hope had been so hard to cling to, with all the darkness in her past. The self-doubt and loathing made her the ultimate pessimist, internally at least. The front she put on for her clan all those years took so much energy and focus. It was hard to believe sometimes that they could ever be back here.

"You've been doing a great job here," Bo could hear the smile in his voice again, "I'm always impressed when we come back to visit."

"You flatter me, Din," Bo laughed as she led the clan of two into her new home. It was a humble home, two bedrooms and a practical kitchen/living area. Furniture was still limited, but Bo couldn't complain. Regality never suited her anyway and she was perfectly content to live simply the rest of her days if it meant finally being home. "Take a seat, I'll get the soup ready." Grogu threw his arms up, squealed, and jumped from Din's arms and bounded in the kitchen to join Bo. "You're getting pretty good at that, kid. Too bad your dad can't do anything half as impressive." They all shared a hearty laugh and Bo turned to show Grogu how to make his favorite soup.

Din took off his jetpack and placed it on the ground as he took a seat on the small couch. "No throne to sulk on here? What kind of palace is this?"

Bo took the pog soup off the burner and handed Grogu a cup and made a portion for herself and Din too. She handed Din his cup and took a seat next to him, their shoulders and arms gently touching before she turned to face him. "I've done enough sulking for one lifetime, maybe for my next one too," She politely turned away as Din carefully lifted his helmet to drink down his soup. "I'm not sure I could ever feel comfortable in another palace again. It reminds me too much of what I've lost."

She heard Din slide his helmet back down and turned back towards him, "It's actually had me thinking about how I envision our home to look, especially after seeing the underground gardens. I would rather our new settlement compliment our natural world rather than overtake it."

"Wisdom suits you," Din titled his head and she couldn't place the tone in his voice. Bo smiled and averted her eyes, even though she couldn't really meet his gaze anyway. Even though people paid her much attention throughout every day of her life, it always felt different coming from Din.

Grogu held up his cup to Din and he chuckled as he took it from his son's small hands. Grogu moved to sit on Bo's lap and Din grabbed her cup and moved to bring all three to the kitchen. She watched his cape swing behind him and admired how confidently he moved doing the simplest things. He returned to the couch and sat a little closer than before.

"It's nice having you both back here, why don't you stay tonight and get some rest before you leave for Tatooine?" Bo felt selfish asking for more time with them, but she always felt more content having his small family here. "The room is big enough for both of you to sleep comfortably."

Grogu smiled and babbled up to her and she couldn't help but laugh at his excitement. "I don't think I could pry him away just yet even if I wanted to," Din smiled at his son as he made himself more comfortable on Bo's lap. While he wasn't one to openly express his feelings, it did make his heart swell to see Grogu happy and comfortable. They both had such long journeys to make it here, to a safe and happy family, and he couldn't imagine his life any differently now. "Sleeping in the N-1 is miserable anyway."

"You're both welcome to stay here between your journeys. Housing is still pretty limited, especially with how much our numbers have expanded recently," Bo almost added that she could probably expedite the building of a small home for the pair, but she decided against it. Even if it was selfish, she really couldn't help herself. It felt natural to have the clan of two around after their travels together, and her space felt unnervingly quiet without the constant chatter from Grogu.

"Thank you, Lady Kryze, that would make our stays much more comfortable," Bo elbowed Din in the side between his armor. He knew she disliked formal titles, especially amongst her friends. She would never tell him that she secretly enjoyed it when he spoke to her this way, and she was almost hoping he could tell.

They sat in a comfortable silence as Bo entertained the ever moving Grogu. Eventually, she placed him on the floor and let him explore her home. "I have to admit," She began tentatively, "It would be nice to have you both here more. You deserve to enjoy the home we've built." She couldn't quite gaze into the visor of his helmet. She knew he would be staring back. The way his helmet tilted to one side as he was deep in thought about something also took her back a bit. He was always so expressive in the simplest of ways.

"Our people have always been nomads. Grogu deserves to learn the way to the best of my ability," His voice sounded softer, almost, even through the buzz of his modulator. "Though it would be nice to be here more often." Bo glanced back towards him. He was leaned back into his seat and looked rather content. She enjoyed this side of him, as it wasn't often that they relaxed or spoke of topics other than battle and planning. "Training with the other young will be important for his development, and theirs."

"Have you considered teaching some combat classes in between your missions with Teva?"

"Me?"

Bo laughed and the motion left them rubbing shoulders. "Yes, you. You're a skilled warrior, especially in hand-to-hand combat. You said yourself earlier that our best warriors should be teaching the next generation of mandalorians. I can't think of anyone more capable."

Din turned away from Bo and watched as Grogu waddled into one of the bedrooms. He had already made himself at home and was exploring the room he knew Bo intended for them to use. "It would be a great honor." Din thought back to his time training the small village with Cara Dune. He never thought of himself as a good teacher but maybe it was just because of the life he was forced to live within relative hiding. Life was different now, he thought, and much more purpose. "Have you thought any of the apprentice you intend to teach?"

"Yes. The Armorer and I have discussed this at length over the last few weeks," Din's helmet tipped up with surprise. He hadn't expected the answer she supposed. "Ragnar Vizla is an orphan now and needs someone to guide him. I think it would be the best way to honor Paz's sacrifice." Bo felt Din's gloved hand lay on top of her own, where it rested on her thigh. She looked up at him and she wished she could read his facial expression. No matter how expressive he was in full armor, it wasn't always quite enough.

"This is the way," Din's voice barely cracked. Bo placed her free hand on top of his and squeezed. She smiled faintly and tried to stop the fluttering in her stomach. "He and Grogu can learn together. They should learn from members of both tribes, walk both ways if they choose to." Bo's smile grew as she saw Grogu's head pop from behind the doorway to his new room. His ears were twitching and he cooed to them.

"I think he likes the idea of that, too," Bo laughed as Grogu sprang from his place across the room into Din's lap. Grogu's hand reached up to Din's helmet and he babbled happily. "Once you get back from this next mission, let's set up some time for private lessons with the boys and then we'll discuss more formal classes at the community center." Din nodded and Bo smiled at the two boys sitting next to her.

"I'll keep in touch so you know when we intend to come back. I'm not sure what to expect after the meeting with Fett, we may need to move quickly," Grogu yawned as Din made plans with Bo, and the hour was getting late. Din felt like the time was passing much quicker than it usually does while they're on Nevarro or traveling through space.

Bo took her hand from atop of Din's and rubbed the top of Grogu's head as his eyes started to close softly. "He has the right idea. You both will need your rest before your trip tomorrow."

Din nodded in response and gave Bo's hand one last squeeze before bringing both his arms to hold Grogu as he stood up. "You need your rest too. I know you're working yourself to death here, and you'll have even more on your plate with a new apprentice." Bo stood to join him as they moved towards their respective rooms.

"It's hard to slow down when you finally have everything you've dreamed of."