Star Wars: Cold War

Ambush

Elia Kane's apartment, Coruscant,

Elia Kane returned to her apartment after her shift from the Amnesty Program and then activated her holoprojector after finding out about the attack on Eriadu. She then contacted Taloh and the latter appeared as a hologram.

"Elia Kane," Taloh said. "I assume that the New Republic does not suspect that you have been spying for us?"

"They have no idea," Kane replied with a small smile. "I wanted to inform you that I have been monitoring Din Djarin's activities and have also found out that the attack on Eriadu was orchestrated by Carson Teva."

"I should have known that Teva was behind this," Taloh growled. "Kane, I need you to bring this to the attention of Senator Elshire. Our plans must not be foiled by a mere X-wing pilot. Make sure that he is arrested for interfering in outer rim affairs and conspiracy charges."

"Yes my lord," Kane replied. "How are we going to respond to the Mandalorians and continue the cloning operation?"

"Leave that to me," Taloh said. "I will make sure that we get the donor back and I will capture Djarin since I know that he will try to rescue him again."

"Yes my lord," Kane replied. "I will contact Elshire right away for this is the start of the New Republic's downfall."

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Sundari, Mandalore,

Din emerged from hyperspace to discuss his revelations about Taloh with Bo Katan. He then activated his communications and contacted Bo.

"Bo," Din said. "I'm on approach. I have a lot to report about the Sith Lord that we encountered."

"Very well," Bo replied. "I look forward to hearing what you found."

As Din landed, Bo stood outside to greet him and she escorted him to the throne room.

"So what have you found about the Sith Lord?" Bo asked.

"His name is Taloh Matarrin," Din replied. "The High Lord of the Inquisitorius."

"I had a feeling it was him," Bo said. "So many Mandalorians worshiped him during the reign of the Empire and chanted the Vode An since he was a Jedi. Now he uses the Vode An as a symbol of darkness."

"That is not all," Din said. "We also found out about his intentions for Grogu. He plans to train Grogu as an apprentice or use his blood to create a strand cast that he can eventually train in the ways of the Dark Side."

"We will do what we can to prevent that from happening," Bo said. "But for now, you need to get some rest."

Din nodded and then went to a room that Bo offered him. As Din began to sleep, Grogu started mediating through the Force. Suddenly, Grogu started to shiver and he tried to wake Din to tell him that he was cold and he then stared at a gauntlet that landed in the hangar near the apartment building and started to shiver more.

Suddenly the door started to burn and a hole was cut. Din then began to fire his blaster and a red lightsaber deflected the shots as Taloh and several Supercommandos stormed into the room and stunned Din and Taloh then grabbed Grogu.

"Bring them to Eriadu," Taloh commanded. "The Mandalorians will not try an attack like the last one again."

The imperials then took Din and Grogu to The Knight which was in orbit above the planet. Bo then noticed that Taloh was taking Din and Grogu as prisoners and she contacted her fleet to chase the transports and find out where they are being taken. Axe and Reeves followed them and saw The Knight.

"They are being brought to a Star Destroyer," Axe said. "It's The Knight."

"Do you know where they are being taken?" Bo asked.

"I'm assuming Eriadu," Axe replied as the Imperials launched fighters to protect the transport. "We have too many fighters advancing. We need to retreat."

"We will find a way," Bo said. "We always do."

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The Knight, Eriadu,

Taloh walked from the bridge to the cells that Din and Grogu are being held with two Stormtroopers and General Visken escorting him. As he opened the cell door, Din sat down and watched as Taloh approached Grogu.

"Don't lay a finger on him," Din said angrily as a stormtrooper hit him with his blaster.

"Hello Grogu," Taloh said. "It's time that you complete your training as my apprentice. Together we can accomplish so much and restore order back the galaxy."

Grogu then gave him a terrified look and force pushed the second stormtrooper towards the wall and Taloh then showed Grogu Vader's lightsaber and ignited it. Din watched as the red blade illuminated the room and thought that Taloh would kill Grogu.

"If you plan to kill him," Din said. "You will have to kill me."

"Kill you?" Taloh asked sarcastically. "I have no plans to kill the both of you. However, I know that you have been taking jobs from Carson Teva and even met Luke Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano. Now where tell me where the Jedi Temple is located and allow me to take a blood sample of Grogu and I will ensure that your fellow Mandalorians will remain unharmed."

"I'll never tell you," Din said. "Even though I am no Jedi, I know what you Sith are capable of. Sith are no better than Jedi if not worse."

"Such brave words," Taloh said pointing the lightsaber at Din. "Unfortunately you won't live to tell the tale to Teva. Bring the child to the base and prepare for phase two."

"Yes my lord," Visken replied as he gestured to one of the stormtroopers.

The stormtrooper on the right stunned Grogu and had him placed in shackles. Taloh then approached Din.

"You won't get away with this," Din said. "Bo Katan is coming and will stop at nothing until we are safe."

"I wouldn't be so optimistic," Taloh said pointing the lightsaber at Din. "You failed to destroy our base before. What makes you think your friends can stop me with you imprisoned? This is the time that the galaxy will remember who is in control and will submit to the new galactic order."