Zerranah Stozlag: A Star Wars Story

Episode V: Mandalore Calls

Zerranah's condition improved a lot after Tannerr rescued her from the miserable life on Tatooine. Her health, physique and mental stability returned. She once again learned to trust good people. Zerranah would forever remain in his debts.

Their ship took a one week journey to Mandalore, but in between, Tannerr stopped at Hosnian Prime to buy some rations and a few good outfits for the girl. After which they travelled back to Mandalore. During this time, Zerranah had the opportunity of learning how to fly a ship and navigate the galaxy. Tannerr became somewhat like a mentor to her. "I had always wanted to fly a ship of my own." She would say to him when they sat down for eating together.

"I would love to teach you more, and you've already learned a lot." He was very impressed with the fast learning ability of this Nautolan. "Do I get to fly my own ship?" Her curiosity was ever increasing.

"When you are of age, you will."

"Aww.. but I'm already eighteen!" She would complain softly.

Tannerr would try to coax her that she would when time came. Everything has a particular time in life she remembers Tannerr often saying that during their conversations.

She was very interested in seeing what Mandalore looked like and what actually a Mandalorian was. At long last, the ship landed.

"We're here kid." Tannerr pointed out of the window to the world outside the ship. There were huge domed cities and indoor parks, residential areas and markets. The surface of the planet was crystalline, with a faded green tint to it.

"Why is it all crystal?" she wondered, pressing her face against the glass like a kid looking out of a window. "The main city centre is below the surface." Tannerr continued to give her a brief idea of his homeworld.

She listened to him with awe in her eyes as the ship descended to the city centre.

"why is everything crystal?" she asked.

"There was a war hundreds of years ago. It turned the surface of the planet into solid crystalline rocks, and made it impossible to live outside those domed cities that you see." He replied, preparing the hatch to open.

She was surprised to hear such a story, who could have done such a cruel thing? she thought.

"Here, wear this helmet. It will help you breathe outside." She looked at him before taking the helmet from his hand and put it on, the helmet making a hissing sound as it sealed. Tannerr walked out of the ship and signalled at Zerranah to follow her. She quickly grabbed her belongings and left the ship, catching up with her friend. "Where are we going?"

She stared up at the Mandalorian. It looked weird from behind the visor of the helmet she was wearing. Everything seemed to have a tint of brown. "One of the domed cities. You need to be registered as a citizen here before you can enter the city centre."

She nodded, following him to a registration office.

He gave all necessary things required, and asked her to sit with him for a while as it required a while to give her clearance.

"so I am a Mandalorian now?" She looked at the citizenship card that was provided to her.

"Well...apparently. You will now require a clan to join and a mentor to teach you the ways of a Mandalorian." Tannerr said, proceeding to leave the place. She caught up with him as they grabbed a speeder to go to the city centre.

It was evening, as the cities began teeming with civilians and all sorts of other people and droids. Some wore armors like Tannerr while others didn't.

[Armorer's Forge]

After a couple hours of touring around the city centre, she was very happy. Such happiness she had not felt since her childhood. Now the duo headed for the Great Forge where the Armorer forged armours and weapons for the Mandalorian warriors.

"woah!" she was in awe after seeing the sheer size of the forge. A group of Mandalorians were standing there, doing some sort of work. "What are they doing?" She asked him, looking at them. "Getting new weapons and armors." He replied.

She thought for a while, unable to understand why they needed weapons. "What for?"

"We are Mandalorians. Weapons are part of our culture." The Armorer replied to her, walking down the steps. Her armour looked different than that of the others. "Uhmm hello ma'am" she waved at the woman.

"Are you new around here?" She asked the Nautolan, looking carefully at the helmet that she was wearing.

"Yeah. I found her in Tatooine. Half dead and living in misery. She deserves better." Tannerr replied to the Armorer. "I was wondering if you would let her take the Creed."

The Armorer glanced at the girl and thought for a while before nodding. "Perhaps yes... if her parents would allow."

"My parents are dead. I was sold to the Hutts as a slave when I was five." She sighed softly, knowing that might stop her from becoming a Mandalorian.

"Then I can't let her take the Creed, This foundling is an orphan." She turned towards Tannerr. The other Mandalorians had gathered around them.

"She needs a home. I cannot let her suffer any further. I shall adopt her. Surely the Creed permits that." He said, placing a hand over Zerranah's shoulder.

"This is the Way." The Armorer nodded.

Everyone nodded in unison as This is the Way filled the air.

"This is the Way." Tannerr nodded and lightly bowed.

"Tomorrow we shall go to the mine waters and you will take the Creed." The Armorer looked at Zerranah with a gentle nod.

Zerranah couldn't believe what she was hearing. It was too much to process for her. Tanner adopted me as his daughter? Is that even possible? She never thought her life would change so drastically. She still thought of that voice and what he said... A Jedi, destined you are... to become.

"I will try to..." she stopped and remembered. Try, you must not. Do it, yes... do it you must. "I will be a Mandalorian. I will not fail you." She looked up at Tannerr with watery eyes, taking off the helmet.

"I will teach you to become a great Mandalorian warrior." He replied, kneeling down next to her as he wiped her tears off.