The Mandalorian

Chapter 8: Redemption

Estella wasn't just gonna sit here and wait for Mando, Cara and Greef to be killed, instead she was devising a plan. They were having a stand off, so now was the perfect time to retreat and scout out the rest of the town. She stuck to the rooftops, giving a silent look around at the rest of the town. It was mostly empty, save for a few troopers that remained. They could do without those as backup. She silently unsheathed her vibro-knives, following two of the troopers as they casually walked through the street. 

She watched, waiting for her moment to pounce, the rounded a corner, into a quieter alley. She used this to her advantage, standing over them for a second dropping down casually, their backs broke her fall as both knives were plunged into their necks. They fell to the floor, unable to call any attention to themselves or their murderer. 

She pulled the knives back, their blood dripping from them as she swiftly moved on, rounding the alley and using the walls as cover before peaking round. The coast was clear and she ran out, running to the other side of the main walkway. Disappearing back into the alleys of the buildings. Her steps were light as she made her way around the town, moving fast as she hunted down any straggling troopers. 

She spotted three more, standing together by the street corner. They had their backs to her as they stood together. Running towards them she threw her daggers. They flew through the air, slamming into the side of their helmets, cutting right through and into their skulls. Before the remaining one could react she had jumped onto his back, wrapping her legs around his throat as she flipped him to the ground. In his panic she disarmed him, grabbing his blaster and slamming the butt of it into his face, with such force his visor shattered. Releasing him from her tight grip she pulled the knife from one of his fallen soldiers, and buried it into his eye. He went limp, she didn't hesitate to stand back up, pulling her knives free from both troopers and moving on once more. 

Rounding back into the alleys she heard movement, creeping towards the footsteps and rustling of armour she peaked round through the other side of the alley. A large group of troopers marched past, she pressed her back against the wall. They didn't notice her, too focused on carrying the equipment needed to set up and E-Web heavy repeating blaster cannon.

"...Shit." They marched away, towards the cantina. "Mando. You seeing this?" She heard the crackling sigh of Din. She needed to rethink her plan, they all did.

"El. Get to the covert." She nodded, understanding his plan and turned on the spot, making her way to the covert. Walking back through the town she came across more obstacles, more and more stormtroopers had emerged, closing her in the alleys. Looking up she opted for the rooftops again, climbing up before any of them spotted her as they walked past where she was hiding. 

She was close to the cantina and could hear rapid gunfire, muffled though. Her head snapped over, they weren't firing the E-web but Cara was firing her own blaster, just not at the troopers. The firing suddenly stopped, followed by a faint clang of metal. Cara was trying to kick the sewer grate open but her blaster hadn't effected the metal at all. 

"Your astute panic suggests that you understand your situation." 

"Din, what's happening." 

"We can't get past the grate." 

"Well, shit." Going to the sewers was rather pointless now. 

"I would prefer to avoid any further violence, and encourage a moment of consideration." Estella was behind them all, peaking round from a building. She looked to the TIE-fighter, wondering if she could manage sneaking into it. Seemed a little too risky. "Members of my escort have completed assembly of an E-Web heavy repeating blaster. If you are unfamiliar with this weapon, I am sure that Republican Shock Trooper Carasynthia Dune of Alderaan will advise you that she has witnessed many of her ranks vaporise mid-descent facing the predecessor of this particular model."