Ducem Mortis | The Mandalorian

XXI

I guess you could call this my walk of shame.

I walked the hallways of the base as the alarm went off. Did I care that there were stormtroopers around the ship looking for the intruders which one was me...no. Could I easily take them out if needed...yes. Unless I was getting to the land speeder before them I was going to have to find my own way back. And not to forget off this planet, I didn't see Cara and Greef willingly giving me a ship anytime soon.

I sighed as I rubbed my temples. I knew Din didn't trust me when I first found him but I thought things had changed. I wanted things to change. I wanted him to believe in me. Lawerence is going to bitch at me when I get back. Saying that I just gave up, but at this point I don't see anything more that I could do.

"Hey you there!" I looked up from the floor seeing three stormtroopers pointing their blasters in my direction. "Stop it right there. You're coming with us." I gave the stormtrooper a look of boredom, having no intentions of actually going with them. "And why would I want to do that?" I asked putting a hand on the handle of my katana. "You're wanted by the Empire." I glared at the stormtrooper as he spoke as the other two by each of his side didn't say a word. "Who's orders?" I questioned realizing that although they had their blasters pointed at me, that they had no true intention of actually harming me. For their aims from what I saw would hit my shoulder or my leg, only stopping me from getting far but not killing me.

"Moff Gideon himself." I licked my lips before I let out a chuckle. "I'm sorry to disappoint. But I can't let you take me in. I have other pressing matter." I said which wasn't a lie. My mother couldn't be doing too well. It was only a matter of time. The stormtrooper fired, causing the shot to fly past me as a warming.

"I'm sorry Ducem Mortis but we have our orders." I almost winced at the name as I had grown fond of hearing my real name from Din's lips. I forgot for a second that most people who knew of me knew me as Ducem Mortis, the commander of death. "Yes I do understand." I said before pausing counting the seconds in my head, "But I don't follow anybody's orders."

I threw my katana towards the middle stormtrooper causing him to let go off his blaster. I ran forward and slid kicking at the the stormtrooper to his right. I got up pulling my katana out of the stormtrooper's chest before swing at the one to his left. My katana cut through the cheap armor of the stormtrooper causing him to fall. Just before I could turn around I felt a blaster on my temple.

"He told us that if we couldn't retain you then we have to kill you." The last of the stormtroopers said trying to keep himself together but I could tell from the sound of his voice that he was scared. Before I could open up my mouth to say anything I heard the sound of a blaster from the end of the hallway. The stormtrooper's body fell revealing the corporate behind the shot. I looked up to see Din lowering his blaster as I caught him.

"I didn't need your help." I said looking at him. "Looks like it." Din said causing me to scoff before looking away, "Like you helped me out earlier." I said as I put my katana back in its holster. I looked back up to see Din just standing there, looking at me. I gave him a 'what you want' look only to receive no answer from him. "Goodbye Din." I said before walking away.

"Wait." He called only for me to ignore him as I continued to walk. I heard his footsteps as he quickly walked down the hallway. He grabbed my wrist causing me to twist it, making him drop it. "Don't touch me." I said causing him to let go and look at me momentarily. I continued to walk only to stop as Din got in front of me, "Astraea, wait." He said causing me to glare at him, "Move."

"Not until you hear what I have to say." He said causing me to answer back, "Like you spoke earlier...I'll pass." I said trying to step around him. He moved along with me causing me to get nowhere in the end. "You were right. Moff Gideon is alive." I raised my eyebrows before nodding my head, "I know I told you that...and you didn't believe me."