The Mandalorians The Mines of Mandalore
"So where we off to now, Papi?" Osa literally had no idea her father's plan.
"Tatooine."
"Ugh that scughole planet again, I would be fine never seeing sand again. Why can't we ever visit some place nice, like Naboo? We could rent a villa, bathe in their crystal clear lakes, instead of a mine, plus take part in the festivities."
"Sorry Mi Pequeno, we have more pressing matters. Leisure time will come," Din assured his daughter, but heard her disappointed huffs.
The N1 made its way towards Peli's garage and began its decent. Below they could hear Peli complimenting the sound of the N1 how it was purring like a nuzzle shrew. Din opened the canopy and added to the conversation.
"No complaints. Still faster then I know what to do with."
"Well, I'll tune her up, just the same, hey there kiddo and bright eyes, enjoy riding in your Dad's glorious starship? I'm sure you're catching all the boys attention," Peli winked while Osa leaped out with Yazel in her arms.
"Oh yes can't keep them away," Osa sarcastically said when Din interjected.
"I'm here on business."
"Oh are the Hutts back? Are you taking out Boba Fett?" Peli questioned.
"I need a droid part."
"Ugh, boring, hey get the Jawas back in here before they hit the cantina," Peli instructed her pit droids, "You know how Mos Eisley gets during Boonta week," when she motioned that the civilians drink heavily.
"I'm looking for a replacement IG memory circuit," Din informed.
"Oh, hey grandpa. They haven't made those for a while," Peli joked while Osa couldn't hold in her laughter.
In the distance they could hear the Jawas talking when they entered. Peli immediately asked them about the memory circuit but it was no use.
"They can't find the part?" Osa asked.
"Nope."
"I need my droid fixed now," Din said with urgency.
"Can you believe this Peli, Papi demanding for a droid to be fixed," Osa joked.
"I figured he turned a new leaf when he didn't start blasting at my pit droids," Peli chuckled, "How about instead you buy this beauty here," Peli slapped R5's dome when he began to spark.
"I can't use an astromech," Din said.
"Yeah cause where would Yazel and I sit then," Osa pointed to her brother and herself.
"I need a droid that's rated for spelunking," Din told.
"Spelunking? What are you spelunking?" Peli said with raised eyebrows.
"We're going to Mandalore. I need a droid that can explore ahead of me and test the atmosphere, make sure it's safe to breathe," Din stated.
"Yeah so we don't," Osa grabbed at her throat and began making choking noises acting like she was suffocating.
"Love the theatrics kiddo," Peli pointed to Osa when R5 got scared and started reversing backwards, "Hey! Get right back here, scaredy droid. This is your moment to shine," Peli pushed R5 towards Din, "This R5 astromech is built for adventure."
R5 beeped nervously declaring he wasn't.
"Of course you are. You're suppose to be piloting starfighters across the galaxy and fighting tyranny," Peli added.
R5 beeped again and shook its dome back and forth disagreeing.
"You're braver then what you make yourself to be, didn't you blow your motivator on purpose," Osa addressed R5 seeing a vision of him with Master Skywalker from the past.
Both Din and Peli looked at Osa unsure on what she was referring to.
"A blown motivator? I got that fixed years ago kiddo," Peli said.
"Are you sure because it's falling apart, and besides I got no room for it on the N1," Din reminded.
"So you do remember that's where your children sit," Osa slapped her father's shoulder.
"Is that what you're worried about, nonsense," Peli escorted Din, Osa, and Yazel to the N1, hopped up on the ladder, collapsed the pilots seat, removed the back panel, pressed a button to stretch the ship a few feet and out popped a second seat directly behind the pilot.
"That was there the whole time!" Osa exclaimed.
"Thought you wanted your own space kiddo, now you get to sort of ride shotgun. Isn't nice custom building your own ship?" Peli turned back to Din, "Now you have plenty of room. R5-D4 is as good as the day it came back from serving in the Rebellion and I'll reinstall your droid port and it can even co-pilot," Peli was giving it her all to sell R5 when it beeped again, "Hey, if you don't settle your bolts, I'll sell you back to the Jawas," Peli threatened R5, "And because its Boonta, what I'm gonna do is give you this for half the price and throw in a free oil bath."
It didn't take Peli long to clean up R5 and make a few more adjustments to the N1 to fit two passengers easier.
"How you feeling in there kiddo? Got enough leg room?" Peli asked Osa.
"This is way better then being crammed into that dome," Osa said with cheer, "I even have some scopes and a navigational system," Osa started pressing buttons trying to get familiar with the tech when R5 beeped nervously as its dialogue connected to the N1 communication system.
"Don't be afraid, you're in good hands with us," Osa looked up at R5 who was situated in the droid port.
"Stop acting like a coward," Peli shouted, "You're an astromech, act like one," Peli turned to Din who had Yazel in his lap, "I wouldn't rely too much on this one. Its circuitry is a little fragile."
"I thought you said it was built for adventure," Din stressed but then Peli closed the ships canopy and motioned she couldn't hear them.
Din took the N1 to the skies while Peli and her pit droids waved them off while Peli shouted, "May the Force be with you."
The night sky light up with a colorful fireworks display as the N1 was right in the center. All around the impressive explosions shimmered on the chrome plating illuminating them different colors.
Yazel and Osa stared in wonder, never seeing such a magical phenomenon, turning their heads in all directions to absorb all the beauty. Suddenly Din felt horrible he never gave his children this opportunity before, hopefully soon he could give them a life they rightfully deserved.
Din took the ship to Mandalore and when the planet came into view, it looked dismal, dreary, and uninhabitable. Yazel whimpered while Osa exhaled a sad breath.
"It looks scary. I know," even though Din wasn't force sensitive his parental intuition kicked in, knowing exactly how his children were feeling, "But it was once green and beautiful, back when the songs were written. It's Mandalore, the homeworld of our people. Every Mandalorian can trace their roots back to this planet and the Beskar mines deep within."
"But what about us? Have you ever been there Papi?" Osa asked wondering how they could be connected to this planet when neither of them were born there.
"No. I grew up there," Din pointed in the distance, "On that moon, Concordia, and that's Kalevala where we visited Bo Katan," Din pointed to his navigational scope.
"It's in the same system?" Osa questioned studying the map.
"Yes," he answered his daughter when he turned to his son, "A Mandalorian has to understand maps and know their way around. That way, you'll never be lost."
"Please let that be the end of the lesson, please let that be the end of the lesson," Osa whispered but still hoping her father heard.
Din got the point bringing the N1 into Mandalore's atmosphere. The further they went, the worse the weather got, flying right into a storm.
R5 screamed in fear as visibility was slim, alarms blared while the controls flickered in and out. Finally they emerged and saw what the planet had become and what was left of the desolated cities, nothing but rubble and ruins.
"Papi," Osa said with hurt in her voice, sensing all the fear and pain their people must have felt, but Din had become preoccupied.
"Looks like the fusion bombs from the Purge disrupted the magnetic field around the planet," Din was hitting the control panel as it flickered in and out, "From the surface we won't be able to communicate with anyone out of atmosphere, so we have to be careful. Down here, we're completely cut off from the rest of the galaxy."
"Not real sure who would come to our aid anyways. We're not really simpatico with others in the galaxy," Osa reminded when Din found a flat surface and landed, "Yikes and I thought it looked bad from the sky," she stated seeing nothing but jagged green structures projecting in all directions.
Din, Osa, and Yazel waited in anticipation when Din asked R5 if it was ready, "I'm gonna need you to scout a head and analyze the atmosphere."
R5 eagerly rotated his dome and squealed when Osa read its concerns on the screen.
"He doesn't seem to keen," Osa said.
"That wasn't a question," Din pressed a button and ejected R5 to the surface, "Go over to that split in the rock, and take an air sample of the ruins below."
Yazel whimpered fearful for R5's safety but Din reassured his son that the droid would be fine.
"And what exactly do you need R5 to do?" Osa asked.
"I need him to take some readings to make sure it's safe," Din informed.
"Safe to breathe, safe from a possible toxic planet, all the above," but Osa was interrupted by R5 protesting beeps.
"Don't be a baby. Just get the sample we need, and hurry up," Din demanded.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Osa said worried as Yazel babbled with concern.
"Here, look," Din flipped a switch as R5 appeared as a red dot on one of the scopes, but then suddenly disappeared.
"That's not good," Osa pointed out.
"R5, come in. Do you read me," Din hit the console that kept going in and out.
"Obviously not."
"It's probably just interference," Yazel kept making gurgling noises urging Din to go check on the droid, "Fine, I'll go get him, you know this is droid work."
"You don't have to tell me, Yazel's the one who's concerned," Osa pointed out.
"I was hoping to avoid going out there."
"Then don't," Osa said worried more for her father than the droid.
"I'll be fine. I'll pressurize my helmet, here take Yazel and put up the separation shield to seal both of yourselves in," Din waited to hear the click before opening the canopy, making sure Osa and Yazel were safe before possibly exposing them to toxic air.
Din pressurized his helmet and opened the ship, after exiting he closed the canopy so Osa could release the separation shield. Immediately Yazel hopped into the front seat while Osa leaned forward so they both could keep an eye on their dad.
Din turned, feeling their stares and radioed to them, "Don't worry. I'll be right back," he reassured but it didn't bring them comfort.
Din walked behind a large crystalized structure and went out of view. He came upon a cave and figured R5 must have gone in. Din ventured further and came upon a ledge, below was what use to be a glorious Mandalorian city, but now it lay in shambles.
Suddenly, caught off guard, Din was attacked by three strong creatures. Their eyes glowed green, massive forearms to help them kill, but stood on two feet like a humanoid. Din realized his blaster wasn't penetrating their skin so he ignited and began wielding the Darksaber.
He swung with all his might but the blade fought him, getting heavier with each swing. With determination Din fought valiantly and eventually took the creatures out, sending their lifeless bodies over the ledge.
Catching his breath, Din heard R5's beeps, and found the droid flat on its back. He up righted the droid when he instructed for them to return to the ship.
Osa and Yazel sat impatiently trying everything to distract themselves from thinking the worst. Finally emerging from around the corner Din and R5 approached the ship.
"Oh thank the maker," Osa said with a sigh of relief while Yazel gurgled in excitement.
She was about to open the canopy when their father told them to wait, he still had to check for any toxicity. Din turned to R5 and asked for an analysis on the atmosphere, the droid displayed a hologram graph and began its tests.
Din studied the chart and couldn't believe the results, for so many years everyone believed the planet to be inhabitable, but the atmosphere was breathable.
"Bo Katan was right, Mandalore is not cursed," Din said astounded.
Din, Osa, and Yazel made their way towards the cavern, Din had his blaster at the ready in case of any more surprise attacks. The three reached the edge as they stared at the ruins below.
"That's the Civic Center," Din informed.
"Nothing was spared," Osa stated in a sad tone.
"Unfortunately not, but this is where Bo Katan said to go."
"Looks like we can only go down from here, would be nice if I had my own jet pack, wink wink," Osa said the action because it would be impossible for her father to see.
"In due time, but for the moment," Din opened his arms when Osa clutched onto the side of her father. He held her tight when the three slowly descended into the dark eerie regions of the below. Finally they hit solid ground, looking to get their barrings, "The mines should be further below," Din gazed down a long tunnel.
"You're certain about that? I just get creepy vibes like something's waiting in the dark," Osa honestly said.
"Do you really think your old man would let anything happen to either of you?"
"Never, looks like downward we go," Osa clutched back onto her father's side when the three headed even further into the planet.
Once again they landed on solid surface, but this time in a small river of liquid, "Ew, I really hope this isn't sewage," Osa cringed.
The three proceed forward but heard growling in the shadows. Din clicked on his helmet light, Osa followed, as did Yazel from his pod. Din brought out his blaster while talking his children through the journey.
"These waters should flow down to the mines and the living waters within."
"In Papi we trust," Osa said as they continued further and further.
What felt like ages they finally came to a passage that headed further down. The corridor was getting smaller as Din took the lead when he noticed something in a pile of dirt. Osa and Yazel stayed behind as Din investigated.
He brushed off an empty weathered Mandalorian helmet and raised it to get a better look. Osa approached about to ask if this was a graveyard when instead it became an ambush.
A massive claw like contraption emerged from the dirt, spiraling Din into its jaws while sending Osa several feet away. The robotic crab looking creature injected Din making him fall asleep while carrying him off to its lair.
Yazel stayed hidden behind a wall of rocks until the threat was gone, he then seeked out Osa who was coming to.
"Ugh, what happened?" Osa sat up but grabbed her side in pain. Yazel shined his light on her but once she removed her hand, her glove was soaked in blood. Yazel made some concerning noises but Osa dismissed his worry, "Never mind me, where's Dad?" Yazel pointed in the direction the menacing robotic creature went, "Then that's where we go," Osa got up making haste in order for them to save their father.
Osa and Yazel crawled their way to the creatures' lair, hoping not to catch its attention. They watched as it secured Din (who was trapped in a full body prison) to a machine, when it began powering it up.
The creature parked its mechanical vehicle when it emerged. The thing had a full robotic body, tubes displayed on its back, but one huge eye protected in a glass orb. It approached Din and quickly disarmed him by throwing his blaster and Darksaber in the distance. It then walked off into an adjacent room obtaining to its vehicle that it previously left from.
Seeing an opportunity Osa whispered to Yazel a plan of action, "Go free Papi, I'll stand guard," she said when Yazel approached Din and Osa grabbed her father's blaster. With all his might Yazel used the Force to try and release his father but struggled.
"Hurry Yazel," Osa urged pointing the blaster at their foe in case it took notice.
Once last attempt Yazel gave it his all but instead of freeing Din, Yazel caused a massive noise drawing the creature's attention. Not wanting his children in harms way, Din instructed for them to get Bo Katan.
The creature grabbed its staff and set off an electric shock towards Yazel, but he Force jumped out of the way and into his pod. Osa began blasting making her way towards her father believing she could free him.
The creature sent another shock from its staff, Osa dove out of the way when it hit Din. He groaned in pain, but urged for them to leave before he was about to pass out again. The creature put all its focus now on Osa seeing another captive, but she wouldn't go down without a fight.
Realizing the blaster wasn't doing any damage, Osa reached out through the Force and found the Darksaber. It immediately flew into her hand when she ignited the blade. She could feel her conscious and strength diminishing due to her wound, so she had to make every stroke count.
The creature advanced, moving like a spider ready to trap another fly in its web. Osa inflicted a few swings, slicing through its tubing. Seeing Osa as a threat the creature took no chances and wielded all four of its arm, punching, clawing everywhere and anywhere hoping to create major injury.
Osa stayed focused because this went way beyond anything Master Skywalker had taught her and instead trusted her gut. The creature was lucky and got in a few licks before it slipped up. Believing it could defeat Osa on its own it left its drop staff unoccupied, but then Osa dove and summersaulted, staying crouched and low.
She waited for the creature to approach her when it thought it had the drop, but really Osa did. The creature leaped for the kill when she revealed the electric staff, jamming it into its chest cavity stopping it in its tracks. Its circuits singed and sparked when Osa rose with the saber slicing right up the middle and then decapitating it.
Immediately Osa fell to the ground exhausted, retracted the blade, and began to go in and out of consciousness. Osa got to her feet, almost losing her balance when she staggered over to her father. Yazel floated near wanting to help but then massive machine claws rammed into the ground preventing Yazel and Osa to gain access to their father.
Wondering how this could be, Osa believed she defeated the creature when really she just immobilized it momentarily. She saw its body lying on the ground but the glass orb eye was nowhere to be found, that's what needed to be destroyed.
Knowing she couldn't win against this machine she needed a lot more aid. Finally taking her father's advice, Osa yelled for Yazel to go but he wouldn't leave her too. She could feel his plan when the both of them performed one massive force push, slamming the creature's machine into the wall, giving them a head start.
Osa and Yazel made their way back to the N1 but Osa started to lag and the machine began to follow. Yazel slowed down his pod to encourage Osa to keep up, they could hear the machine closing in when they reached the point where they would have to go up and Osa had no jet pack.
Yazel motioned for Osa to grab on but she wasn't sure if his little pod could sustain her weight, plus she didn't know how much longer she could keep conscious. Her injury had gotten worse from her battle and she was losing a significant amount of blood.
"Go on, get Bo's help, I'll hold it off," Osa instructed but Yazel wasn't going to leave no one else behind.
He flew his pod above Osa's head and reached for her arms to cling onto the sides. Not wanting all three of them to be captured, Osa grasped tight as his pod struggled at first but gradually floated its way to the surface.
The robotic creature reached and snapped at Osa's legs but the two escaped. Rising higher and higher Osa focused to keep her grip because the drop would be her demise. Yazel pressed down on her fingers making sure her grip would not slip as he also used the Force adding extra security.
Finally they reached solid ground and struggled towards the ship. R5 beeped in a worried tone when Osa climbed into the pilot's seat and Yazel in her lap. Osa pressed a few buttons on the navigational system bringing up Kalvala.
"R5 take us to," when Osa lost consciousness.
Yazel whimpered with urgency as R5 powered up the N1 and took off.
Bo Katan sat on her throne contemplating everything. The loss of her people, the loss of her planet, the loss of the saber, but mostly the loss of her self and direction. When did it go so wrong? Why did it go wrong? How could she start believing again?
Diving deep into her past she wondered what her close comrades would have said, or what her sister would have thought.
How did Bo let the evolution of her people get to this point? When her sister ruled she always made it look easy until Bo revolted, believing her sister's ideologies weren't right for the people no longer, but it appeared was Bo's beliefs any better? Satine kept her people alive, where's Bo got them killed.
Suddenly she was interrupted by her droid stating an unscheduled visitor arrived. Bo went to a window and saw the N1 heading to the landing dock. She didn't want to deal with this anymore.
"Let's get rid of them once and for all," Bo stated to her droid because she had enough of their ambitions.
If they wanted to play ruler so be it, but she had washed her hands, even with Osa's words of encouragement, Bo was defeated because she concurred herself.
Heading towards the ship Bo displayed a tough stance and a stern voice, "Maybe I didn't make myself clear the last time. I want to be left alone."
Bo could see no movement coming from the pilot when the canopy opened and Yazel squealed with urgency. Understanding his concern Bo approached the ship noticing it was Osa not Din.
"Hey kiddo where's your dad?" Bo asked but Osa remained hunched over and unresponsive, "Kiddo? Osa?" When Bo saw the trickle of blood pooling on the seat, "Oh my gosh, radio the medical droids immediately."
It was a few minutes when Osa was placed on a stretcher and taken for treatment. Yazel wanted to go with but Bo hoped to get answers. She turned to her droid, "Download the astromech. Find out where they were."
Precious time had passed when Osa stirred sensing her father's pain and depletion. Both had and were losing blood by the creature's hand. Osa could see the tube being poked into her father's vein, draining him of the very essence that he willing gave to save her life as a child. She had to get to him otherwise he would be drained dry.
Suddenly Osa awoke in a panic and sat up ready to take on any danger that presented itself, but luckily it was only Yazel and Bo.
"Hey kiddo, you gave me a real fright there," Bo said.
"Yeah me too," Osa honestly replied.
"Ready to go save your dad?"
"How is that even a question?"
Bo piled everyone in the cockpit of the Gauntlet and made haste towards Mandalore. The ship made its decent, going through the storms to reach the surface. Bo flew above the ruins of the Civic Center as waves of horrors flooded her memories. What use to be, what had been, to what it became.
Osa could see the series of events play out in her mind, but Bo's memories were jumbled, jumping to many times for Osa to make any sense.
"It didn't always look like this," Bo stated while masking her sadness.
"I'm sure it was majestic," Osa tried making light of the hurtful situation.
Bo landed the Gauntlet in the exact spot the N1 had been when she powered down.
"Okay kid, I'm gonna need you to guide me to him. Can you do that?" Bo addressed Yazel and not Osa.
"Hold on a second. I didn't come along just for the ride. I'm coming with," Osa stood but moaned while grabbing her side.
"You're in no condition. I knew you wouldn't stay on Kalvala, so be useful and stay on the comms with me."
"Absolutely not, that's a droid's job, oh my gosh I sound like my father," Osa realized, "No, I can sense him and he's losing time, and so are we," Osa headed towards the ramp.
"I knew there was no talking her out of it. Alright, let's go."
Bo, Osa, and Yazel left the ship and entered the cavern. They came upon the ledge where the ruins laid below. Bo removed her helmet drinking in the horrors that had been her home.
"This was once a beautiful civilization. My family ruled it all. Now it's a tomb," Bo cryptically revealed.
"I'm sorry," Osa wasn't sure what to say but for her apologizes.
Not wanting to reminisce any more Bo insisted to get going when she put her helmet back on and gently grabbed Osa, as all three descended below.
Hitting the murky ground, Yazel turned on his light as did Osa and Bo. Yazel lead the way while Bo and Osa kept to the rear. The journey felt long and awkward, Osa was unsure of what to say so she kept quiet when Bo decided to open a conversation.
"I knew quite a few Jedi, you know," Bo said to Osa and Yazel, "I don't know what they taught you about us, but there was a time we actually got along quite well. Fought side by side."
"I don't classify myself as a Jedi. Neither does he. Does it go against the Creed to be a Mandalorian who has Jedi abilities?" Osa was genuinely concerned.
"No, that's who actually united our people, stopped the civil wars, and brought peace to our civilization all because of," Bo broke off.
"This," Osa revealed the Darksaber tethered to her belt.
"Yes, how did you," Bo couldn't comprehend the possibility of how Osa obtained the Darksaber or if she was following in the footsteps of Mandalore's greatest ruler; Jedi Tar Vizla.
"When Papi was disarmed and we were trying to rescue him, his blaster wasn't penetrating the creature's mechanical body. So I used the saber," Osa paused for a moment unsure if she should say her next statement, "It calls to me," she touched the hilt on her belt sensing its presence, "Is that normal?" Osa's voice sounded concerned as she could sense Bo's as well.
Osa continued, "You know when my father uses it, it's heavy for him like it weights as much as a bantha. But for me, the blade sings, hums instructions, acting like its an appendage of mine," Osa paused again feeling Bo's uneasiness, "I'm sure you don't want to hear any of this."
"You're right, but that's for another discussion, we need to devise a plan. How good are you with the Force?"
"Give or take, at least I've gotten my explosive episodes under control."
"Explosive?" Bo said with concern.
"Like I said it's under control," Osa slightly smirked but knew Bo couldn't see.
"Then how about when I blast that crystal above, you hold back whatever is going to ambush us so I can take it out," Bo shook her blasters.
"I'll give it the ol' university try," Osa said skeptic of herself.
"Huh?" Bo seemed concerned before taking aim.
"Blast away," Osa stretched out her arms ready to concentrate and hold in the air whatever was waiting for them.
Bo set off a series of firepower as four of the humanoid looking creatures came crashing down. Not anticipating more than one, Osa could only hold one in the air as the other three began to attack.
Bo quickly fired at the one Osa held mid air when Bo commanded for Osa to throw it at the closest one, pinning the creature. Wasting not even a second, Bo blasted her trapped victim and then pulled out a knife for a close contact fight.
One made haste towards Osa but Bo released her grappling hook, hog tying it and drove her blade into its neck. Unable to catch her breath, the remaining creature swung its club at Bo, she deployed her holographic shield but her enemy's weapon never made contact.
Frozen in mid swing, Osa had a hold on it with the Force when Bo sent her blade into its chest. Exhausted, Osa sat on a rock catching her breath and restoring her energy.
"What were those things?" Osa asked winded.
"Those were Alamites, and we were their next meal. They use to live in the surface wastelands beyond our cities. If they survived, I wonder what else might have too," Bo thought.
"At this moment, I don't want to find out," Osa honestly said while Bo took her hand to lift Osa to her feet. She tried to stable herself but felt woozy and grabbed Bo for support.
"Maybe you should sit this one out kid," Bo suggested.
"No it's not that, Papi's running out of time."
"Well then we better hurry up," Bo drew her blasters again as they made haste.
Bo took point blasting at the pump that was draining Din of his blood. The huge machine turned around furious of losing its source. It slammed its massive arms towards its new prey while Bo opened fire.
She kept dodging the claws hoping to stay out of the machine's grasp. Her fire power wasn't doing much when Osa knew she had to help. Quickly she ignited the Darksaber and made a few good slices, but the machine was moving to much, unable to get a clear kill shot.
Osa knew what she had to do, "Bo, catch," Osa tossed the saber over because Bo could create the damage while Osa disabled it.
With all her strength, Osa stretched out her arms and held them in position as if she physically was holding the creature back. Seeing her opportunity, Bo wasted no time and began dismembering limbs.
The machine fought against the invisible force as Osa was being dragged, she anchored her feet down when Yazel came to help. The two held the robotic creature with the Force when Bo slide under its belly and sliced from front to back.
Osa knew this wouldn't kill it and yelled to Bo, "Take out the eye!"
Without thought Bo moved to the front and witnessed the alien looking eye staring at her. With one stroke she rammed the tip of the blade straight into its socket. Upon impact the machine immediately shut down and exuded smoke and steam.
Osa and Yazel released their grip as Osa fell to the ground, depleted. Bo retracted the blade and ran to Osa's aid, but she was only concerned about her father.
"Help my dad," Osa stated.
Bo went to Din but he appeared to be unconscious like his daughter.
Bo set up camp in, what appeared to be a safer location, where she had a fire going, preparing food. Osa had come to sooner then her father as they waited. Finally his groans could be heard when he sat up.
"What happened?" Din questioned rubbing his helmet as if this would help his headache.
"You don't want to know," Osa said while grabbing at her side.
Bo got up to take a look, "We need to change your bandages," she opened up a pouch on her belt and brought out a role of gauze.
"Osa you're injured?" Din said in panic.
"I'm fine Papi. I took your advice and got Bo."
"Actually listening to a parent, that's a first," Bo tried to joke.
"Thank you for healing her and coming to my rescue," Din said in gratitude, "You were right. Mandalore is not cursed."
"Was I. Look around. There's nothing left. A great society is now a memory. I once ruled here for a brief time. Now it's destroyed. Nothing to cling to but ashes," Bo finished changing Osa's bandages and checked on the food. She picked up the cup and handed it to Din who needed to replenish his energy.
"What is this?" he seemed genuinely perplexed.
"You've never eaten pog soup?" Bo was surprised.
"Yeah Papi, you've never eaten pog soup?" Osa said like she had.
Din just slightly tilted his head not ready for her sarcastic sass.
Osa just put a hand to where her mouth was and giggled.
"Can you appreciate the irony?" Bo started when Din slightly lifted his helmet to drink, "Any Mandalorian worth their armor was raised on this since they were his size," Bo pointed to Yazel who stood by his father's side hoping to get some soup, which Din gave Yazel the rest.
Din finally got to his feet and knelt by Osa inspecting the wound for himself.
"Both of you should rest. I'll get you back to my ship soon enough," Bo stated.
"We're not going with you," Din revealed.
"What are you talking about?"
"We must continue to the Mines of Mandalore so that we may be redeemed."
"I honestly think that it's adorable that you actually believe these children's stories. But there's nothing magic about the waters," Bo tried to instill.
"Without the Creed, what are we? What do we stand for? Our people are scattered like stars in the galaxy. The Creed is how we survived. You rescued my children and me, I'll always be in your debt. But we can't go with you until we fulfill our obligation."
"Do you believe all this?" Bo addressed Osa hoping there was one sane person in the group.
"I stand with my father," Osa honestly said as Din gathered his things ready to move out.
"I will take you," Bo gave in.
"To the Living Waters?" Din asked.
"Yes. You'd never find them on your own. Not in all this wreckage."
"Thank you," Din said.
"Don't thank me until you see them," Bo stressed.
The four of them moved out, venturing deeper into the ruins below. The city had that eerie feel, like souls from the past were watching them. Osa tried to envision a functional city because she was only able to see half of a picture through the Force.
Osa caught up to Bo hoping she could fill in the blanks, "It's hard to believe that this all was once filled with our kind."
"It wasn't that long ago. You'd never know it looking at all this destruction," Bo said.
"It looks like it's been centuries," Osa said saddened.
"The Empire set out to punish us. To wipe away our memory," Bo revealed, her voice cracking.
"It must pain you to see it like this after witnessing its beauty," Osa tilted her head from side to side, seeing her surroundings morph from past to present, mimicking a holographic image.
"You can see it, can't you?" Bo questioned, almost jealous.
"Only bites and pieces. I've always had this ability to see imprints of the past play out," Osa revealed.
"Must be nice to relive those moments."
"More of a curse than a blessing. The pasts I've witnessed haven't always been pleasant. It seems I can't ever escape their horrors, even my own. Just like you, our pasts haunt us, but with the right people in our lives, those horrors can turn to happiness. That's what my father did for me and keeps doing," Osa looked behind seeing her father walk with Yazel.
"Glad to hear it kid, but there are some people who can't be forgiven for the past, or ever escape it."
"Like you with your sister."
"What," Bo stopped dead in her tracks afraid of what Osa was about to say next, so she stopped her instead, "We are not discussing this."
"I'm sorry I didn't mean any harm," Osa tried to declare when Din and Yazel caught up.
"Is everything alright?" Din wanted to make sure there was no high tensions.
"Yeah, me just being nosy again," Osa stated to her father and then walked off.
"I apologize if my daughter pried into your personal life. She didn't have the opportunity to grow up with a strong female role model," Din tried to explain his daughter's actions, hoping for them to come off as innocent.
"She's very special," Bo declared.
"Yes, she can sense our joys, desires, hopes, to even what brings us pain."
"I know she can feel my joy of us working peacefully together and the hope to one day unifying our clans. But what pains me is seeing our own kind fight one another time and time again. Killing each other for reasons too confusing to explain. It made us weak. We had no hope to resist being smashed by the fist of the Empire," Bo stated with defeat but then noticed something, "There. The entrance to the Mines of Mandalore."
Everyone proceeded when Bo tossed into the air a circular lighting device. Din glanced around noticing the difference in the architecture.
"This area looks much older," he said.
"The mines have been here for thousands of years. The Living Waters are in the chambers below," Bo informed.
"Have you been there?" Osa asked from up ahead listening in on their conversation.
"Yes, when I was a child," Bo answered.
"Really," Din stated.
"Since I was apart of the royal family, I took the Creed and was showered with gifts. But the rituals were all just theater for our subjects. They loved watching the princess's," Bo paused briefly but quickly moved on, "Recite the Mandalorian tenets as their father looked on proudly. Such a heart warming spectacle," Bo spat her last words, not believing them herself.
"Of course he was proud. What father wouldn't be of their daughter," Din stressed wanting Osa to hear.
"I know he was because I didn't embarrass him in front of everyone," Bo said.
"Your father sounds like an interesting man. I would've liked to have known him."
"He was a great man. He died defending Mandalore."
Everyone stopped except for Bo as Din, Osa, and Yazel wanted to pay their respects.
"This is the way," Din said first.
"This is the way," Osa said second when they both bowed their heads to pay tribute when they walked forward.
In the distance the sound of water swooshing became prominent. A small pool laid before them as Bo declared that these were the Living Waters.
"It looks contaminating, I mean breathtaking," Osa quickly changed her words not wanting a scolding from her father.
"Hold on. I want you both to get the full tour," Bo said.
"This experience comes with a tour," Osa gave a sarcastic thumbs up, while Bo walked over to a large rock that had an inscription.
"These mines date back to the age of the first Mandalore. According to ancient folklore, the mines were once a Mythosaur lair. Mandalore the Great is said to have tamed the mythical beast. It is from these legends that the skull signet was adopted and became the symbol of our planet."
Din walked up to the edge of the water and stared. Osa followed suit and stood next to her father. Bo turned to see the two contemplating when she approached, "Din, Osa, are you both all right?"
Din said nothing and instead began taking off certain gear, such as his cape, blasters, and jet pack, preparing for his baptism. Osa didn't have much to unload apart from taking off the Darksaber. Din was about to walk down the stairs and submerge into the water when Osa stopped him.
"Papi, before we do this," Osa held onto his arm, preventing his further movement.
"Are you having second thoughts?" Din feared.
"No, its just, this is the for real oath for our clan. I surpassed the age of dependence, which means the Creed declares we will never see each other's faces again."
Din could hear the tears swell up in her eyes and the hurt emitting from her heart, "Hey, I understand. It does pain me knowing I did not witness you grow from a child into this immaculate young woman who stands before me," Din placed his hands on the sides of her helmet, "But this isn't the end," Din removed his daughter's helmet and then his own, "This is our new beginning and I will have your beauty forever imprinted in my eyes. When I look at you, I don't see this," he pointed to her helmet he placed on the floor, "I have always only seen your face. You truly are my greatest accomplishment."
Din went to stroke Osa's cheek but instead she threw herself into his embrace and dug her face into the crook of his neck, hiding her tears. Din held onto this moment for as long as he could and placed his nose by the side of her ear, inhaling her distinct scent which was the only trait Anara left on their daughter.
He breathed in the aroma as if that was his only source of air, wanting to burn it into his subconscious. They parted as he gazed down at his pride and joy with his thumb stroking her cheek.
"And you are my reason for living, in so many ways," Osa said thankful for her father who continuously made sure she was safe.
Osa picked up both helmets and handed over her fathers. The two stared at the other really drinking in their features so they could forever look past the Beskar and see only the individual.
"You are the way," Osa said.
"You are my way," Din replied back holding out his hand for his daughter to hold.
Without a thought she took hold while they put their helmets back on and made their decent.
Everything felt aligned, exactly as it should be, hand in hand, step by step, father and daughter swearing their allegiance not just to the Creed, but to each other.
"I swear on my name," Din and Osa recited in tandem, "And the names of the Ancestors, that I shall walk the way of the Mand'alor," each sentence they submerged themselves further and further into the depths of the Living Water, "And the words of the Creed shall be forever forged in my heart," when suddenly Din and Osa dropped like a rock.
Without hesitation Bo pressurized her helmet, ignited her jet pack and dove in after them. Hoping to find them quickly, Bo searched heading in the only direction of downward. Still with no sign, Bo used her quick thinking and shut off her light, noticing in the distance Din and Osa's.
Bo maneuvered towards them, grabbing each one under the arm and igniting all power in her jet pack thrusters. Shaky at first, Bo was afraid of to much weight, when finally they began ascending upwards.
The trek felt agonizing, wondering when they would reach the surface when something else caught Bo's attention. Brown scales, only seeing a portion of a tusk, and a massive dilating pupil.
A gasp of bubbles escaped Bo's helmet because she couldn't fathom what she had just witnessed. Bo's mind was elsewhere when they cracked the surface and crashed back on land. Din and Osa began to wheeze and cough while Bo stared at the cryptic water, grasping at the reality of the Mythasour legend was indeed real.