What's up everyone, got a lot crazier shit in this chapter.
Love the responses to Fenn and Mantis and don't worry, more will come in due time. Just stay tuned for more.
But really, let's not dilly dally.
Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.
Avengers Infinite Wars Chapter 37: We Are Protectors Part 2
"Still reading that book?" Tobbi asked, peering over Dax's shoulder with the Ordo clan member thoroughly engrossed within the journal.
Fenn was sitting right beside him, the two having gone over the pages multiple times.
They had long since returned to their home base of Concord Dawn. Though their trip to Tatooine had them return empty handed without Boba Fett, Spar remained optimistic in regards that his progenitor's son would come to them in time. They would just need to be patient.
Currently, the trio were in the main largest tent that Spar utilized as their main area of operations and mission debriefings.
"I can't help it." Dax admitted. "This is the journal of my ancestor, the Preserver. There's so much we can learn from this book alone."
"How in the hell was this preserved for so long?" Fenn muttered in wonder. "I get the cover and all with the metal but even then, the pages seem a bit much."
"Well the ancient Canons of Honor was written upon old fabric of sorts that supposedly lasted for thousands of years until they were lost." Dax pointed out. "Though up to that point, most already memorized them or were copied on to other texts."
Ordo ran his fingertips over the pages with a slightly concentrated expression. "Even the pages feel weird actually. Like… some kind of metal alloy."
"Alloy?"
"Yeah here, feel it out." Dax held out the journal with Fenn taking it out of hands and brushed over it with his face changing.
"See?"
"What is that?" Fenn asked, handing it over to Tobbi who copied his friends motions having the same expression of confusion as they did.
"Kinda feels like… paper and metal if that makes sense." Tobbi surmised holding it out for Dax to take back.
"Spar said the same thing when he looked it over. Said it reminded him of Beskar." Dax bought up.
"Beskar?" Fenn muttered. "Like… like the paper is made of Beskar?"
Dax shrugged, placing the journal down at the table he and Fenn sat upon.
"There are clothing with certain metals weaved into the fabric. So it wouldn't be too much of a surprise if other materials, such as paper, had metal mixed in for preservation." Tobbi stated.
"If you say so." Flipping the page, Dax released a sigh. "Would not be great if this got burned. It will no doubt be pretty."
"You find anything else in that journal?" Tobbi asked.
"Yeah." Fenn took the book and opened to the latter half of The Preservers' journal. "Take a look at this."
Tobbi gazed at a series of unusual symbols and ciphers, some looking like Mandalorian characters and others being unfamiliar to him.
"What's this supposed to be?"
"We don't know." Dax said with the shake of his head.
"Could be something the Preserver made up on his own and needs to be decoded or some unfamiliar language he picked up and used."
"Did you show this to Spar?" Dala asked, squinting at a symbol he tried to make out though to no avail.
Fenn nodded. "He recognized a few of the symbols and phrases. See this one here that looks like a helmet?" Tobbi nodded. "That's the symbol of an initiate after their training as a foundling is over and this curve here on the pistol is that of the moon of Dxun."
"Dxun…" Tobbi muttered. "Do we know that place?"
"Somewhat." Dax stated. "That moon was once used as a training ground for our people long ago. That planet has long since been abandoned."
Tobbi hummed in thought. Seems that whatever these symbols and cipher were that Canderous Ordo had written down, it looked like he wanted to tell them something.
Whatever that may be.
The trio then turned their heads to the front of the tent where the entrance flapped open with Spar walking in.
"There you all are." Spar said. "Wren told me I'd find you three mulling over that Journal."
"Sorry Spar, we just can't help it." Fenn admitted sheepishly.
"Well take that along with you then." Spar said. "Come on you three, it's that time again."
"That's today?" Dax said in surprise.
"You've all been busy." Spar reasoned. "One can forget their other duties. Let's not keep them waiting."
"Yes Mandalore."
The trio followed their leader towards the training grounds of the Protectors where they saw several dozen Mandalorians either engaged in sparring sessions or speaking with the foundlings under their care.
"Mandalore." A random Mandalorian said aloud with many turning their heads to their leader, calling out his title or bowing slightly in respect.
Spar simply waved them down, going over to the group of Foundlings which were under the instruction of Alrich and Ursa Wren the latter of whom wore a plainer set of clothing with a small bump on her stomach that was beginning to show.
"Mandalore." They both said in respect as he nodded at them both and stood before the large group of foundlings. There were about four dozen kids give or take with some other species aside from humans such as several Twi'leks, Rodians, a Togrutan and a Zabrak with all under the age of twelve.
He gazed upon them all with a scrutinizing eye.
"Foundlings." he began softly, moving to take his helmet off as he looked upon them all. "You are all the future of our race, our people, our culture. Our very way of life."
He gestured for them to follow with the group of children along with the instructors following him to the front of the training ground where he sat down upon a set of rocks. Spar waved his hand down, the children all seated themselves with several Mandalorians standing by his side with the rest surrounding the kids in an almost protective manner.
"I know some of you who were born into this way of life. Some who chose to do so where some had no choice at all and had nothing left." Spar began softly. "I know this is something you have all heard before, but I shall tell you this here and now. We are Mandalorians. We are your family. Everyone in this camp are brothers and sisters. We fight and die for each other to the end."
The kids gazed upon the Mandalore with wide eyes, being pulled in by the man's words
"If you are struggling, someone will be there to help you. An example is if you are struggling to get by or need a place to stay. Your neighbor will be expected to help give sanctuary and in turn you'd do the same when the time comes; whether you are a soldier or a farmer."
By this point, Fenn, Tobbi and Dax all stood with their Mandalore with Shysa being the first to speak.
"Unlike other societies and cultures, we are based upon meritocracy, valuing actions and achievements over status and rank. And yes we do have a dislike to hierarchy and no real interest in ranks unless it was rightfully earned. Only then will we respect such positions."
"Look no further than the legendary Mandalore of old known as the Binder." Dax stated. "He was nothing more than the son of a rug weaver and yet he earned the title and his place in our people's history."
"Or Mandalore the Hammerborn who was an orphan on the planet of Kol Atorn." Tobbi added.
"As you can see, the title of Mandalore can go to anyone." Spar lectured on. "Though gaining such a title is not one so easily achieved."
One of the children at the front of the Foundlings raised her hand with Spar gazing at her.
"Who was the first Mandalore?" She asked curiously, with many of the Foundlings sharing her question.
"Ah, now that correlates with the history of our people." Spar remarked with a small smile. "The history of our people date back thousands of years where we were once a singular race then a culture. It was once a religious warrior society under the Taungs with sophisticated laws and customs which went on to become the canons of honor, also known as the Mandalorian text of lore and behaviors."
"The Resol'nare?" A young boy spoke up.
"That's right, little one." Fenn nodded approvingly. "Those are the six actions for which the canons of honor were made from. The six tenets defining what it meant to be a Mandalorian at the time and any who wish to be considered as such were expected to abide by them.
One: wear Beskar armor. Two: speaking Mando'ade. Three: defending oneself and family. Four: contributing to the clan. Five: raising children in the Mandalorian ways. Six: answering the call to arms by the Mand'alor."
"This was during an ancient time, a different time." Spar stated. "A time where Mandalorians were constantly waging war upon the galaxy in their crusades."
The elder Mandalorians regaled the Foundlings of the Mando's that held the title of "Sole Ruler" and the many battles of old. The Foundlings learned of the Mandalores such as the Indomitable, the ultimate, the Preserver, the Avenger, the Vindicated, the Great and the Lesser.
"There was a time where we were once the undisputed sector of space that held true unity in comparison to the rest of the galaxy." Fenn spoke with great reverence with the other Mandalorians picking up on whom it was he was referring to.
"Aga Awaud." A Mandalorian decked in red armor with a black ponytail, green eyes and olive skin said with beaming pride. "The Great Uniter of our people. He orchestrated the event known as The Return during a dark time in the galaxy's history. The Mandalorian sector was uncontested and unbreakable during that period."
"You would feel proud of that, Nam." Alrich said with a grin, nudging the Mandalorian.
"I can't help to be proud of my Clans history." Nam said with a smug smile.
"Are we united now?" A Twi'lek boy asked with his hand raised.
Many of the Mandalorians either tensed up or hung their heads.
"No." Spar said stoically. "Unfortunately, we are not united as we once were."
"Why?" Another kid asked.
"It's… a complicated answer." Spar admitted. "We had splintered after the Great Annihilation of our homeworld of Mandalore by the Republic. Many clans had risen in hopes of gaining power and uniting our people once more." Spar then spat at the ground. "But they had lost their way. Many had used their names and positions as a means of garnering support while forgetting the old ways, the true ways of our people. Earning your place amongst the clans, not bartering or using crutches."
Spar stood from his seat and gazed upon all the foundlings.
"The Mandalorian way of life is all about conflict, throwing yourself at it for the improvement of the clan and of one's self." Spar said emphatically. "We are warriors but not savages. The Mandalore, Jaster Mereel, created the Super Commando Codex which we follow to this day. The one's known as Death Watch and New Mandalorians are nothing more than pretenders. The former wish to continue our barbaric ways of old which would lead us to death. And the New Mandalorians are nothing more than cowards who have abandoned their warrior spirit and become nothing more than dogs to the Republic even if they deny it."
Spar regarded them all.
"It is time you all begin your proper training." Spar declared with many Foundlings looking about excitedly with the older Mando's smirking slightly at their reactions.
"We shall start with the war chant that every Mandalorian knows in their induction to our way of life: the Dha Werda Verda."
-The Next Week-
"So who's next on our list today?" Spar drawled out.
The former Clone Arc Trooper sat within his tent of the Protectors encampment with many of his closest friends and allies around him. They had gone about the usual business of training, sparring, instructing the Foundlings while going over resources and numbers.
In their recent plights and sightings, they had experienced a surge within their numbers as well as planets within the Mandalore Sector openly declaring their loyalty for the Protectors. Planets such as Ordo, Shogun and Vorpa'ya all have openly and proudly declared their allegiance for the Mandalorian Protectors, the True Mandalorians.
Due to their ever increasing presence, so to speak, taking on jobs and activity within the Outer Rim territories they had been getting multiple requests and meetings from high ranking individuals across the galaxy. This has been ongoing for some time now and has recently doubled this past week alone.
He was honestly rather tired today, what with a flood of messages from factions and individuals from all across the galaxy hoping to curry favor with the Protectors.
"Another guild, Mandalore." Tobbi said, giving the leader a sympathetic look.
"And who is it this time?" Spar asked, rubbing his nose slightly.
"The Bondsman Guild." Fenn said with a slight grimace.
Spar blinked in surprise. "Them again? How many times have they contacted us?"
"This makes it fifteen." Ursa Wren stated. "Though this time it appears they have opted to change tactics."
The Mandalorians looked at Ursa with slight wariness.
"And that means?" Dax asked for the group.
"The chief agent and organizer has come himself with one other agent." Ursa said.
Spar rubbed his chin in thought, mulling over this little detail before nodding. "Alright, let them come."
"They've been waiting on the outskirts of the camp for some time." Ursa stated.
"Wait, what?" Fenn remarked. "How'd they know where to find us?"
While they had already openly ousted themselves to the Mandalore Sector overall, knowledge of their encampment was limited to very few. The only ones who would be aware of their camp would either be the New Mando's, Death Watch, anyone they've entrusted the location to or…
*FWIP*
… Other Mandalorians.
There, standing at the entrance of the tent was a man in his late 20's with a slight grin and to his side a large well armored Mandalorian. He wore primarily blue armor with the traditional Mythosaur skull emblem upon his right shoulder pauldron. His gauntlets and greaves were a rusty brown color and he had a cape over his large heavy repeater blaster cannon.
"Paz?" Dax said aloud in surprise, standing up from his chair and going over to greet the Mando he apparently knew.
"Good to see you again, Dax." Paz removed his helmet to reveal a small perm like black hair with a black beard and goatee with streaks of white at the bottom.
"Glad we can start on more familiar terms, Mando's." The guild agent that had accompanied Paz boisterously declared. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm Greef Karga, head agent and job distributor of the Bondsman Guild."
"What are you doing here, Karga?" Tobbi asked, tone suspicious.
"Well I figured it should be obvious, should it not?" Greef said with a light chuckle. "I wish to create a working relationship with your faction of Mandalorians. Paz here suggested you'd be the more preferable over the others."
"Really?" Spar gazed at Paz with an analytical gaze. "What is your clan?"
"Vizsla." Paz answered straight away with many blinking in surprise.
"Paz Vizsla." Fenn said the full name. "Of House Vizsla. The very same clan the True Mandalorians warred with years ago. The one leading Death Watch and the one we will undoubtedly clash with once more."
Paz only nodded. "The very same."
"And you come here," Spar stood up from his seat. "To our camp knowing full well of our current standings with your clan." He stood directly in front of the Vizsla clan member. "Knowing that we may simply kill you where you stand."
Paz stared back at the Clone of Jango Fett unflinchingly, nodding silently.
"So tell me then." Spar eyed the taller Mando, searching for any means of ulterior motives. "Why come to us? Why should we trust you with anything you have to say or offer?"
"Because it's not him, remember?" Greef smoothly inserted himself in between Paz and Spar with his hands raised in an amicable manner.
"Paz here is one of my best partners, the best Bounty Hunter in the guild to be perfectly honest." Greef stated, backing away to pat the aforementioned Mando on the shoulder. "Only a few really exceed Paz here in skill. And they're far and few in between."
"Then why us specifically?" Fenn spoke up questioningly.
Greef scoffed jokingly. "Are you kidding me? Why wouldn't I choose you. When it comes down to it, nobody beats a Mandalorian bounty hunter. They've been the best for centuries. I mean, Jango Fett's name is still known throughout the Outer Rim. I believe a partnership could be beneficial for us."
Spar stepped back, the silent gesture conveying for him to continue.
"I understand that you can more than likely succeed on your own but be rational. It would be an uphill battle would it not? I know you are all skilled and can get the resources and credits needed to help yourselves, Paz here is more than proof of that." Greef tapped Vizsla on his chest plate. "Partnering up with us will get you a steady stream of jobs and credits that can help ya in the long run. Hell, you can even recruit others to your ways if you'd be feeling they're worth your time."
The Protectors regarded the agent and the other Mando. He had some good points. And say what you will about opposing clan members, he came here with another Mandalorian.
"Say we do accept your proposal." Ursa said slowly. "What are we even agreeing to? Jobs and bounties are one thing but we'd rather not be bound to a guild should we decide to cut ties."
"Fine by me." Greef stated aloud. "With a whole army of Mando's tied to us, our numbers will swell and when you all cut ties I'm sure that those who come after will bolster our guild numbers."
The Protectors were silent, all sharing looks between one another.
"Let us at least digest your offer before we come to a decision. You'll learn by tomorrow at the latest." Spar said.
"Completely understandable. I'll wait for your call tomorrow." Greef said with a smile. "Have a good day."
The guild representative soon exited the room with Paz soon following, only sharing one last look with Spar as he did so. When both guild members were out, the other Mandalorians looked towards each other.
"What do you figure?" Fenn asked. "Should we take him up on the offer?"
"It would do us well to get a higher influx of currency." Alrich Wren said with a pragmatic tone. "It will help in the accumulation of resources. My partners from MandalMotors would find it useful and help build up our ships more."
On that, most would have to concur to a valid point on the necessity of money.
"Not to mention with those droid schematics you recently acquired. We need more materials for them than ships with the amount you plan on having." Dax pointed out.
"If we're all in agreement to this, it has to be unanimous." Spar spoke up. "I may be Mandalore but lest we forget the codex and the reason why we chose to keep to our old ways. Are we to ally ourselves with the bondsman guild?"
"I'm for it." Alrich said, his wife Ursa nodding in agreement.
"Might as well. Need to do certain jobs at a faster rate." Tobbi stated.
"We could use them to help train the foundlings." Dax added with many murmuring in agreement.
"Then we have made our decision." Spar declared.
The next day, Spar and his closest allies made their agreement with Greef Karga, the Guild Agent grinning proudly with a feeling of accomplishment at being able to get the Protectors to join in the guild. The higher echelons of the bounty hunter guilds will be greatly appreciative of the man's endeavors here on Concord Dawn.
During the agreement, Paz Vizsla stood off to the side and watched as Karga finalized the agreement with Spar. Though he was not alone.
"Tell me." Fenn Shysa stood beside him, helmet off though still in armor. "Why come to us? Why not your clan? Are you not Mandalorian?"
"Proud Mandalorian." Paz stated.
"Then why are you not with your clan? Why not Death Watch?"
"They would lead us only to death and ruin." Paz said in a tone that conveys how much he believed those words. "We had a chance once with Jaster Mereel. It was my clan that squandered and killed that chance and resorted to deceit and lies to achieve victory. You could not find a more insulting means of killing a Mandalorian then through those underhanded tactics."
Fenn eyed the fellow Mando as he seemed to swell with every passing word.
"I mean to return my Clan to its former glory." Paz declared. "To the days where we were the clan that held back the darkness when all else could not. And I shall do so, here and now."
Shysa mulled Paz's words in his head, nodding slightly. "Well… should you ever wish to find a place to call your own you are welcomed here then."
Paz turned to Fenn in surprise.
"You brought us a great boon that will help the Protectors in the long run and the short run." Fenn said plainly. "Though they had come to us many times, you personally chose to come here for this reason. That's a respectable decision that I admire."
He held out his arm. "Though we have only just met, it's a pleasure to know that there are Mandalorians out in the galaxy that believe in our way."
Paz squared his shoulders up, grabbing Fenn's arm and shaking once before departing from the camp and the planet altogether.
Sometime after Greef Karga and his group left, Spar and the rest of the Protectors were making preparations for other jobs and tasks when they spotted something coming through their long range scanners. It wasn't anyone they recognized, making them be weary and be on guard. When a number of them came outside of the main compound, they saw it was a Separatist ship.
"Is it the Trade Federation or Techno Union this time?" Dax asked, hand over his eyes as he squinted at the oncoming ship.
Spar's eyes narrowed. "No. Worse than that."
He immediately walked towards the entrance of the camp where the ship hovered while gesturing for Mandalorians to be prepared for anything.
Once the ship landed, a ramp was formed with the door sliding open. With the fumes released into the air, several figures came down and approached the Mandalorians. One was male Weequay, a female Mirialan, a Dathomirian female and-
"Count Dooku."
The Leader of the Separatist Alliance eyed the Mandalorian Leader with a calculative gaze.
"You are not Jango Fett, are you?" Dooku said knowingly.
"Course not." Spar remarked. "Died on Geonosis. You clearly saw that happen."
"Could be arguable now as you present yourself as him, let alone act like him."
"Is there a point as to why you're here, Count?"
"Straight to the point, I see. Then I'll get right to it. I wish for you and your Protectors to join the Separatist Alliance."
"...Why in the hell would we ever follow the Jedi or the Sith?" Spar said with a snarl. "In case you don't know, I remember. I remember everything. It was your Jedi strike team that killed off the original, True Mandalorians back on Galidraan."
To say that Dooku was expecting the mention of Galidraan was certainly not what he figured he would be confronted with when arriving on this planet.
"I have them all." Spar said emphatically, jabbing the side of his temple. "All of his memories. Every meeting he ever had, every conversation, every battle, every moment. And I remember you Count Dooku, quite vividly."
The companions behind Dooku tensed up, slowly reaching for their lightsabers while keeping their eyes upon the many Mandalorians who were now beginning to hold their hands over their blasters.
Dooku's eyes narrowed as he gazed upon one of the millions of clones of Jango Fett who was glaring back at him.
"I hope you haven't forgotten, Jedi." Spar remarked. "That we are Mandalorians."
"You call our master that, clone?" Spoke the female Mirilian, grasping her lightsaber and ready to ignite it.
In an instant, nearly several dozen blasters were drawn up and pointed directly at the four Force-Users.
"Why yes I have. What are you gonna do about it, poser?"
The Mirialan snarled alongside her fellow female acolyte while the male one was more neutral. Spar shook his head at her direction, returning his focus upon Dooku.
"As I was saying, we are Mandalorians Dooku. When it comes down to it, we know better than anyone else within this galaxy on how to kill both the Jedi and the Sith." Spar stated, stepping right up in front of the Count's face. "And we have suffered enough under your ways. The Sith have used us as disposable tools throughout the centuries. The Jedi, in their eternal fear of us, basically destroyed our homeworld leaving millions to die. We shall never again fall under the sway of the Sith nor hold court with the Jedi. And it will take a lot to make us rethink that."
By this point, the tension was palpable to say the least.
The meeting was short yet it ramped up to this level in a matter of minutes. Both sides were in a standoff with neither backing down.
Spar grinned. "I can see it in your eyes. You wanna cut me down, right here, right now. Go ahead. I dare you."
Dooku didn't move.
"Never forget, Jedi. You can cut us down all you want but we will always get back up and fight back against the tide. That has and always will be our way."
"This is the Way." The Mandalorian Protectors said aloud, their collective voices echoing across the area.
…
…
…
The Sith Lord let out an exhale to calm himself. "Very well."
The Count's eyes bore into the Clone Mandalore. "Know this, we will make your lives rather hard for not considering joining the Separatist cause."
Spar only snorted, a challenging grin. "More like your Master's cause, Tyrannus."
Dooku snarled, turning about with his cape billowing in the wind as he and his acolytes returned to their ship all the while ignoring Spar's taunts.
"And make our lives hard?" Spar mocked. "That is when a Mandalorian thrives."
The Protectors let out a unified cheer, hollering and jeering at the retreating dark-side practitioners with the two females glancing back with glaring sneers.
The ship soon departed a few moments later with Spar still standing at the front of the camp with Fenn, Ursa, Tobbi and Dax joining his side.
"We're gonna need to beef up our security and patrols." Spar said lightly. "Dooku will no doubt send forces our way at some point."
"And we'll be ready."
-Scene Cut-
"Breshig, huh?" Dax gazed down upon the planet they were approaching. "You sure about this place, Alrich?"
The Clan Wren member smirked, walking over to nudge the Ordo with his shoulder.
"Positive." Alrich stated. "Breshig holds a history to our people and has its own set of resources we can use in building up our resources."
"If you mean mass extermination, then yes, Breshig is important." Fenn said aloud, walking over to the two.
"Oh yeah, our ancestors killed the species native to this world here." Dax said aloud blankly. "Who were they again?"
"Not worth remembering unfortunately." Spar said from the front of the ship as he flew it down to the planet.
With them was a contingent of a dozen Kom'rk starfighters being led by the lone gunship being piloted by Spar and Tobbi.
Their objective on Breshig was hopefully simple. They wanted to see if the locals would assist them in establishing a makeshift factory that would aid the Protectors in rebuilding their ships and weaponry to help regain the lost strength of the Mandalorians.
Alrich and Ursa had several contacts at Breshig and they spoke of several towns and small cities that seemed viable though at the behest of Ursa, it would be better to choose one of the smaller villages first in hopes of gaining supporters for their faction.
Though they were coming in force, it was not to subjugate the people of the planet. They were in the Mandalore sector of space thus falling under the category of Mandalorians. The Protectors only hoped they would see it that way.
After the splintering of the Mandalorian clans and people, the Mandalore Sector was never the same. Planets that would normally have hundreds, if not thousands of traditional Mandalorians seemingly died out or abandoned their homes.
Returning to the old nomadic ways of life. Mostly chaotic in retrospect.
It hasn't been an easy time for the Mandalorian people, but the Protectors were adamant about restoring their people even if they have to drag them back to their former glory.
The "small" fleet of thirteen ships eventually made their way down towards a small village with about four or five dozen homes and other buildings that made up the settlement.
Landing on the east side of the village, the Mandalorian Protectors began exiting their ships while unloading supplies with Spar taking a layout of the land.
"Secure the area." Spar ordered with half of his forces following through with the instructions. "Alright, Alrich. You said your man is here, correct?"
Alrich nodded. "This way, Mandalore. He's expecting us at the village."
Spar along with Alrich, Fenn and several Mandalorian guards began walking towards the village which wasn't that far off. It was a short walk, the Protectors spotting a singular individual standing before them with a small grin.
Spar's eyes widened in complete disbelief upon seeing just who it was that stood before him.
"Took you long enough." the man said with a growing grin upon seeing Spar.
He wore primarily brown shock trooper armor with varying shades of the color with brownish-silver hair, blue eyes and a light complexion.
"Kal Skirata?" Fenn spoke up in recognition.
"Oh, you know about me?" Kal said with a shake of his head. "And here I thought I was forgotten."
"Hard not to, sir." Spar said with the utmost respect. "You helped Jango train the first batch or two of clones on Kamino."
"Good to see you again, Spar." Kal said boisterously, walking up to the clone, patting him on the shoulder. "You've done well for yourself I see. Carrying the traditions of the Mandalorians and the title of Mandalore. Couldn't be prouder of ya, son."
"This is your contact, Alrich?" Fenn asked, turning to the Mandalorian artisan and engineer.
"Sure is." Alrich nodded, going over to Kal with the two exchanging a traditional arm shake. "What do you have for us, Kal?"
"Something I know you all will love." Kal said, gesturing for them to follow him. They followed after the aged Mando into the village where they saw many civilians, primarily human, look on at the Protectors in wonder.
"You'll have to excuse the stares." Kal said. "They haven't seen many Mandalorians in full armor in quite some time."
"Better get used to it then." Fenn remarked, making Kal chortle.
"Ah, here we are." Kal announced standing before a particularly large square-like building with the Skirata clan member going up to the door.
"This factory may be down, but once Alrich brings in more proper help and gets it up and running, it'll be as good as new." Kal then opened the door to reveal...
"Is that what I think it is?" Fenn said aloud, quickly removing his helmet to make sure he wasn't seeing things.
"It is." Kal's grin threatened to split his face open as he walked over a six legged gargantuan droid. It had two front large clawed feet while it's back four legs were much smaller though it had a tail that seemed to help in balance. The most eye catching aspect of this large mechanical being was its face that appeared to be entirely made of blaster barrels.
"A basilisk war droid." One of the Mandalorians muttered in disbelief.
"Where in blue blazes did you dig this thing up?" Spar asked in awe, going over to the ancient weapon that once aided the Mandalorians in their old wars against the galaxy.
"One of my latest excursions in the next sector over." Kal informed. "Uncovered a hidden bunker with some armaments here and there. This was among them. It could use some spit shine and tuning, but once done it'll be good as new."
"How much are we talkin'?" Alrich inquired, going over to inspect the War-Droid on all sides.
"Credits or work?"
"Both." Fenn stated.
"More than I can give ya, that's for sure."
"Then it's a good thing we made that deal with the Bondsman Guild." Spar said aloud. "Now we just gotta get Dax here with The Preserver's Journal to help out with mass production."
Kal blinked. "I'm sorry, but whatcha say?"
Spar gave the elder Mando a roguish grin.
"If you were more in touch with us, then you'd be more in the loop with what one of my boys found." Spar stated. "We have recently uncovered the lost Journal of Canderous Ordo, better known to us as Mandalore the Preserver."
Kal gaped in shock. "Where in the hell did you find that?!"
"Mission to the planet Ordo itself we-"
"Well, what's this?"
The Protectors all turned around to see a Mandalorian in blue and grey armor. Though it wasn't any ordinary, traditional armor. No, this armor had a particular three pronged red marks on his left shoulder. A traditional jetpack with a rocket attached and over the right shoulder laid a particular hilt sticking out.
His helmet was also quite distinguished from usual helmets, having yellow highlights and markings to signify their clan.
"Vizsla." Spar snarled.
"Ah yes, Mandalore the Pretender." The head of house Vizsla removed his helmet to his sneering face. Slicked back blond hair with dull blue eyes.
"Hark who's talking, savage." Fenn countered. "We follow the true path of the Mandalorians, not the barbaric ancient ways that lead to the annihilation.
Pre Vizsla scoffed before looking over to the oldest Mando present.
"Skirata." Pre said, placing his free hand over his chest in respect.
"Hello, Pre. Long time." Kal said neutrally. "Surprised to see you around these parts after what you've done."
"What I've done?" Pre asked in a taunting manner. "And what would that be? Remain true to who are people truly are?"
"Oh let's see from this long list I have here." Kal rhetorically said. "Murder, terroristic attacks, assassination attempts against our own people. Need I go on?"
"You say it one way, it's the opposite on the other."
"The way that would get us all killed." Spar retorted, holding up his blaster.
"Oh, what are you going to do with that, Pretender? Kill me?" Pre mocked.
"Don't tempt us." Alrich said aloud, holding out his own blaster pistol.
"Don't challenge us, Vizsla." Spar declared, leveling his rifle up at Pre's face. "You, especially you of all people should remember that every time Death Watch had challenged the True Mandalorians, they were beaten back. Your kinsman, Tor, had to resort to lies and trickery to beat Jaster and Jango."
"Not to mention giving us a bad name as we're trying to make things right since the war." Fenn added.
Pre only glared hatefully back at the Protectors.
"Is this how you speak to a fellow Mandalorian?"
"No, it's how we speak with a madman who would lead our people to our doom." Spar said, his weapon letting out a hum of energy signifying that it was now armed.
"I'm only gonna give you this one chance, Vizsla." Spar warned. "Leave now. No bloodshed is needed."
Vizsla stared defiantly at the blaster before his face morphed into that of manic grin.
Suddenly over Spar's wrist com, a voice screeched out loud altering everyone present.
"Spar! We got contact!"
From all over within the village and on its outskirts, blaster fire and explosions erupted all around them making the Protectors tense up in alarm.
More members of Death Watch suddenly appeared, flying high in the air with their jetpacks and firing at the Protectors.
One of them was shot down while the rest fell back into the warehouse, firing in return at the attacking members of Death Watch.
Overreaching to the hilt on his jetpack, Vizsla pulled it out and ignited a blacked lightsaber blade. He then shot into the air with his jetpack flaring as several members of Death Watch storming into the chamber. "Secure the Basilisk! We can't let it fall onto their hands!"
"Protectors, get to the village now." Spar ordered. "It's the damn Death Watch."
"We're under attack on our end, Mandalore." Dax Ordo chimed in. "We can only send a few over."
"A few is better than nothing." Spar declared, popping out from his cover to fire at the flying Death Watch members getting two of them. "Protectors, move. Keep them away from the Basilisk."
"Leave that to me." Kal Skirata declared, dashing over to a nearby bench that had a jetpack, his armor and weaponry.
Spar all the while flew out of the warehouse with Fenn and the remaining four Protectors to engage the Death Watch.
Mandalore made a beeline straight for Pre, the Vizsla member holding up the Darksaber over his head to strike. Thanks to Kal Skirata and Jango Fett's personal training of him and his clone brothers back on Kamino, Spar propelled himself to go faster with his helmet bashing into Pre's gut.
The two momentarily plummeted before they engaged each other in an aerial battle.
Fenn, in the meantime, fought valiantly against the members of Death Watch. They outnumbered him and his squad 3 to 1 so they had to resort to strafing tactics, constantly going in and out of cover.
Diving down behind a wall for cover, Fenn leaned up against the house when he heard screaming. Eyes widening, Fenn turned towards the village and saw the inhabitants running about screaming in terror.
Gritting his teeth, he flew out of his cover with his jetpack on full blast as he flew forward towards several Death Watch members. He first used his flamethrower to throw them off before killing them with quick precision to their chest or heads. Whirling back around, Fenn spotted a particular Death Watch member burning a house with its occupants fleeing for their lives.
A reddened two pronged symbol as it curved inwardly. The symbol of Fenn's most hated enemy.
"Saxon!"
Whirling around, Gar looked at his old rival and snarled. "Fenn."
Both Mandalorians opened fire upon each other, dodging and rolling out of their opponent's line of sight.
"Should have figured you'd be here with these assholes." Fenn shouted, holstering his blaster rifle and wielding his pistols now.
"Hark who's talking Pretender." Gar Saxon shouted back.
"God I forgot how annoying your voice is." Fenn said under his breath.
"Hey Fenn!"
Shysa momentarily glanced behind him with a relieved smile at the sight of his friends Tobbi Dala and Dax Ordo leading around two dozen Protectors to assist them in battle.
"What took ya so long?" Fenn called out to them.
"Oh you know, the usual." Dax said, already firing at the Death Watch members.
"They're attacking the villagers and the town." Fenn said. "Tobbi, you help keep the civilians safe and secure this village. The rest of you are with me."
"What about me? "Dax asked.
"See that big building?" Fenn pointed over to the warehouse with Dax nodding. "There's a Mandalorian in there named Kal Skirata. With him is a Basilisk War droid."
"A Basilisk War Dro-"
"Yes, that." Fenn cut him off. "Get over there and keep it out of Death Watch's hands. The last thing we need is for them to get their hands on something like that."
Dax only nodded, activating his jetpack on full blast as he rocketed towards the warehouse, bobbing and weaving around the battle that only increased in intensity with the addition of more fighters.
Fenn turned back in time to see Saxon flying right towards him, the Mando grabbing him by the throat with the two going up into the air to resume their battle.
Tobbi led his group of Protectors in sweeps across the village, firing at Death Watch members while calling for the villagers to get to safety and away from the battle.
Spar was still engaged in a heated fist/blaster/flamethrower fight with Pre with neither of the two relenting upon one another.
Back inside of the warehouse, Kal and Dax were holding the line against several Death Watch members. They were forced to retreat back as they were being outgunned.
Looking over nearby, Dax spotted the console connected to what they came here for in the first place. Knowing what he needed to do, he spoke towards Kal just as he shot down one of their opponents.
"Cover me!"
"You out of your mind."
"Probably. Just need to activate the droid."
"That's not how it works!" Kal fired off the only rocket he had at their opponents, wasting the only trump card he had left.
Dax had already rushed over to the droid and immediately began fiddling with it.
"Yes, I am perfectly aware, Kal." Dax rambled, sifting through the controls and wires trying to remember how exactly the whole thing worked from what the journal told him. "Emphatic bond, it's psychic, semi-sentient, yadda, yadda, yadda."
"Blaster, now!"
Dax tossed over one of his spar blasters to Kal before resuming his task. "Need to make this work or else we're all dead."
Typing away on the controls, Dax had to quickly input the commands and designations as to who was friend and foe. And since all the Mandalorians present on the planet were brandishing their marks, it'll be easier for the droid to filter things through.
His task was becoming a little difficult as he had to occasionally duck from the blaster fire. Even when some were hitting the back of the console.
"You're taking your sweet time there, kid!" Kal yelled out.
"Would be longer if I didn't know what I was bloody doing!" Dax shouted back, slamming a hatch down.
With a final stroke, Dax pulled the lever. Sparks went alive as lights soon lit up from the droid. Rustic creeks were soon heard within the warehouse as a metallic roar was emanated. It wobbled slightly yet still moved forward with its rider atop it.
Dax could only smile as the cables detached before giving a simple command. "Sick 'em."
Outside of the warehouse, the firefight still waged on with civilians running all over in order to find safety. One particular family swerved left and right to avoid the blasts all around them.
"They're coming." Spoke the mother, holding onto her frightened son.
The father could only look on ahead, guiding his loved ones along. "I know, but we must-"
*KABOOM*
The parents fell over from the nearby blast. Scrambling onto their feet, they made their way towards the bunker at their family home while many neighbors fled or fell to the ground dead.
After what felt like forever, they soon reached their home with the father opening the bunker doors. The mother looked over and saw several Death Watch members coming their way. The father saw this too, realizing on what needed to be done.
"Stay here, son. You'll be safe." Said the father, placing him inside the bunker.
"But-"
"I'm sorry, but it's for your own good." Said the boy's mother as she soon closed the doors. "We love you. Don't ever forget that."
"Come on you big bastard, swerve properly." Dax gritted out, trying his damndest in keeping the old War Droid steady. It was rampaging about around the warehouse, firing at any Death Watch members that got within its sights.
Though it held together, it was clear that Kal was right; this Basilisk needed serious maintenance. Yet all the same, the droid proved to be both effective in firepower and frightening the Mando's of Death Watch.
They were firing at him, though hesitantly. It appeared none wanted to be on the receiving end of this behemoth of a droid.
"Dax."
He looked over his shoulder to see Tobbi flying overhead.
"The hell are ya doing?"
"Trying to get this overgrown robot lizard to work properly." Dax shouted, trying to steer the droid away from a house.
"What did the journal say?"
"I barely remember right now!"
"How could you not remember something like that right now?"
"Tobbi, now really isn't the time!"
"Both of you shut up."
They both saw a Death Watch member fly by with Fenn in hot pursuit, stopping momentarily beside them.
"We gotta drive these guys outta here, now." Fenn stated. "They're causing hell across the village."
"We can do that," Dax said, now slapping the control panel of the droid rapidly. "If this could just work properLEEE!"
The Basilisk War Droid abruptly reared back on its hind legs and tail, unleashing a booming roar before going back down on its front legs and beginning to sprint forward towards a group of Death Watch Mando's.
They all saw the war droid pounce up towards them, with their eyes nearly popping out of their skulls at what was coming.
Their momentary lapse in shock was their undoing, the war droid blasting them to death landing on the ground before moving on to its next targets.
Over with Spar and Pre, Spar had landed a spinning kick to the Vizsla's chest making him flail about in the air.
He righted himself and glared hatefully at the Clone Mandalorian.
"Pre." Gar Saxon's voice chimed in through the comms. "We're taking heavy losses right now. Half our forces are gone and we've got more of those Protectors coming in."
Pre snarled beneath his helmet, looking towards Spar that hovered before him with his arms raised.
Begrudgingly, he knew what he had to do. There were more pressing matters to attend to in the coming days. Matters concerning their homeworld.
"Call in a retreat." Pre ordered reluctantly. "This is a lost cause."
-Scene Cut-
Scouring through the wrecked village, The Protectors were going about helping find survivors. And so far, there were more dead than alive right now and it was sickening.
"How did this happen?" Tobbi asked in a depressed manner.
"Death Watch holds nothing sacred." Spar said with a venomous tone. "All they care for is this maddening return to the old ways."
"This is the old way?" Tobbi said in disgust.
Spar was silent, simply patting Dala's shoulder as he went to go assist his followers in helping the villagers.
Fenn Shysa walked alone among the wreckage of the town, helmet under his arm with a saddened frown marring his face. This was all an unnecessary fight. So many people up and died for nothing more than a damned rivalry between Mandalorians.
Shaking his head, he continued on his trek throughout the two helping who he could in any way that he can.
He eventually came across a home, frowning upon seeing what appeared to be a married couple lying on top of the entrance of a bunker. Coming closer, gently pulled them off and laid them down properly. As he did, he heard some muffled crying from there.
Grasping the handles, Fenn opened the doors and saw a young boy cowering. The boy was huddled down, garbed in a red garment of some kind that obscured his face.
"Hey, it's alright. The fighting's over." Fenn said softly.
The boy jolted at the voice, glancing over to Shysa before swiftly turning back.
When Fenn started coming inside, the boy crawled back in fright.
"I'm not here to hurt you, I swear. Trust me, please."
To emphasize this point, Fenn placed his helmet down before tossing his blasters away from him. He then disabled some of his other weapons on his person and raised up his hands.
"See, harmless." Fenn said with a small smile.
The child blinked, facing the Mandalorian.
Shysa held out his hand for the kid to grab with the boy hesitantly reaching out to him.
Above ground, one of the Protectors came around to help move the many corpses to give proper burials. He soon saw Fenn carrying a child in his arms, who was quite shaken.
"Who you got there, Fenn?"
"An orphan. Maybe a Foundling."
"He got a name?"
Before Fenn could answer, the boy spoke weakly. "It's Din Djarin."
"There, see." Fenn said, making the kid bounce slightly in his arms. The kid had a small smile at the action before it changed into one of sorrow.
Fenn blinked, looking at Din's face before looking over to what caught the kids attention. The married couple that he had found covering the cellar door that Din resided in.
Sighing, Fenn set the kid down with the boy going over to his parents.
"Don't worry, Din. We'll give your parents a proper burial." Fenn assured, placing a comforting hand atop the boy's head.
Din only sniffled, tears streaming down his face. Wordlessly, Fenn kneeled down and had his arm around Din's shoulder with the boy moving to hug Shysa with him reciprocating the gesture.
"It's alright, kiddo. I'm here."
Over with Spar, he stood with Kal, Tobbi and Alrich.
"How many are our losses?" Spar asked somberly.
"Too much, Spar." Tobbi stated, looking more to the fallen villagers than the Protectors. At most they had only lost a dozen or more.
The people of this settlement however...
"Isn't it always?" Spar said with a solemn tone.
"Mandalore."
Spar looked over to see Fenn approaching with a young boy in his arms.
"Fenn." Spar greeted. "Who do you have there?"
"A foundling." Fenn answered. "His name is Din Djarin. Found him on his own."
Spar only nodded in understanding.
"This is the Way." Spar said softly with Fenn inclining his head.
"This is the Way."
A whirring sound was suddenly heard from Spar's hip.
"I gotta take this."
The Protector nodded and went back to his tasks. When he was far enough away, Spar answered the call. A holographic form of Boba appeared before him.
Spar blinked in slight surprise. "Hello, kid. Something you need?"
"I… had thought things over, Vod. And… I've considered your offer."
"And?"
Boba's head tilted down with a slight frown before glancing up to Spar with a resolute expression.
"It's time I came home."
"I see." Spar said happily. "When do you think you'll come home?"
The young Fett crossed his arms in thought. "I still have a few things to take care of, but hopefully soon."
"That's all I need to hear, Vod." Spar stated with a small grin. "We'll be waiting on your call."
Today was bittersweet in victory, in more ways than one. He had secured several, valuable assets. Recruiting both Kal and Jango's heir, the planet beneath his feet and a somewhat intact Basilisk War Droid. Yet the deaths here today outweigh them all.
Hopefully, things will change for what's to come so his people will return to what things once were, without all the pointless bloodshed.
"Let's pack it up." Spar called out. "It's time we head home."
Alright, and that's the first original Arc done. Didn't take as long as I had originally thought but still, it's tricky as hell making a proper Arc involving Legends characters and staying true to their characters.
Now I know some of you guys are gonna have a few nitpicks here and there in regard to how certain Legends aspects align with the current story and I just wanna tell ya guys, we're using materials from Legends in how their usually presented with a twist to better fit the narrative.
Jebest4781: Obviously not everything can be picture perfect and we've gotta have to do our best to make things right.
FMW: Yeah, we've done this for most of our stories to begin with cause we wanna tell our own stories. So come the next chapter, it's back on to the main arc. Some of you may say that this was a side arc but that's staying true to the Anthology style that Clone Wars and really the MCU is. Many different storylines that would eventually converge with one another. And we have our Endgame planned for this one.
Everything will eventually come to a head at the end of the story.
So, until that time…
Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.