She Isn't a Saint -- The Mandalorian

15. The Loss

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Cara stepped towards Koyi, holding out a hand to help her up. The hybrid turned away, her lip trembling as she picked up her blaster. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve. He was gone. She had promised to protect him in his new life of freedom, but she hadn't been able to. Instead, she left him for a life she was promised as a child, decades before they had even met.

"Hey, hey, hey," Cara started. "Come on get up. Maybe he's just hiding, trying to keep quiet." Koyi knew that was a lie. She bit her bottom lip as she struggled to stand, forcing herself to numb her mind to all events. When her eyes met Cara's, the ex-Shock Trooper took a step back. Koyi shifted her blaster's weight in her hand before she forced herself to stop thinking. To do anything else and keep everyone alive. Koyi could feel their doubts at her sudden change. But no one spoke. Instead, they looked out. "Is there another way out?" Cara asked.

"No, that's it," Greef responded, motioning to the massive group of Imperials.

"What about the sewers?" Din asked.

"Sewers?" Greef responded. Koyi looked up.

"The Mandalorians have a covert down in the sewers. If we can get down there, they can help us escape."

"Yeah, sewers are good." Cara nodded.

"Checking for access points." Koyi let the feelings of everyone's vitals urge her to continue. Din and the Child were alive. Cara was alive. Greef Karga was also alive, but she didn't know yet if it would be a hindrance or not.

"What the hell are they waiting for?" Koyi looked around the corner as she caught a sound. She quickly moved back, leaning into the wall to try and hide behind it. Cara gave her a look, but Koyi knew that if she said anything she would break. Being quiet made her numb, allowing her to focus on keeping those she cared for alive. She didn't want to fail again. "Hold up." Cara sighed. "They're setting up an E-Web."

"It's over." Greef shook his head.

"I found the sewer vent." Din's visor turned towards Koyi.

"Let's get the hell out of here." As soon as Cara stopped speaking, they all made their way towards the vent. Greef stayed in place watching the Imperial development as the other three worked on exposing the vent. Cara and Din attempted to pull out the grate.

"It's assembled!" Greef updated. "How long until that thing's cleared?"

"Blow it," Cara suggested.

"I'm out of charges," Din responded. Koyi took a deep breath as she pulled out her saber. But before she could make a move Cara had made a different plan.

"Get out of the way!" She picked up her blaster and repeatedly shot at the grate, trying unsuccessfully to heat the metal and make it fall out. She kicked it.

"Your astute panic suggests that you understand your situation." If Koyi could see Moff Gideon she could assume he would have had some sort of smug look. As if he had already called this a success. "I would prefer to avoid any further violence and encourage a moment of consideration. 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 vaporized mid-descent facing the predecessor of this particular model."

Cara turned at the mention of her full name. Koyi could feel the deep-seated anger at the mention of such a horrific event. Greef turned to look back at them as Cara shared a look with Din. Koyi tapped on Din's shoulder as she showed him her saber. She turned towards the grate but stopped.