The Mandalorian Sagas - Book III: Fall

Chapter VIII

As Blake and Yang rested in the fort, Blake found herself unable to sleep. After hearing of Yang's background, she began to have second thoughts on the job. While she felt obligated to follow through on her contract with Junior, Blake was conflicted about Yang. Up until Yang, Blake never had trouble bringing in a bounty. But there was something about Yang's story that struck a chord within her. It seemed no different than Blake's own past. For the first time in a long time, Blake found herself conflicted about something. As Blake contemplated the contract, the words of her late father echoed in her mind.

Ghira(Past): What guides my sword if not honor? It is easy to forsake one's honor for the sake of victory. Many of our people have fallen into that temptation. Perhaps that is why we are where we are. It's our honor that binds us to one another as brothers and sisters, honor that keeps us true and calm in battle. It is honor alone that has led us to victory a thousand times, and it is honor that will lead us to victory a thousand times again. Our honor is what defines us, what guides us, what molds our lives into something beautiful and worthy of showing the Galaxy. The day we lose than honor is the day we no longer are Mandalorians.

As those words echoed in Blake's mind, she glanced over to Yang who was sleeping. The more she spent time with Yang, the more Blake found herself being drawn to her. She herself couldn't explain what it was. Perhaps it was her devil may care attitude or her sense of justice. Perhaps it was her skills in battle or her tenacity. Or perhaps it was a combination of all of those factors. But as Blake's mind began to wonder, she heard something outside. Without hesitation, Blake peaked out the window of the fort and saw a large group of armed Jabiimi Nationalists approaching the fort. Wasting no time, Blake woke Yang up.

Yang: What's going on, Mando?

Blake: Prepare yourself. The enemy has found us.

Suddenly, a Jabiimi Nationalist broke down the door. Before the Nationalist could fire, Blake and Yang drew their blasters and shot him down. At this point, Blake and Yang knew a fight was coming.

Yang: What's the plan?

Blake: We have no choice but to fight our way out.

Yang: That storm isn't going to help.

Blake: We'll use that to our advantage.

With that, Blake and Yang began making their way to the top of the fort. When they did, Blake adjusted the sights on her Mandalorian helmet to scan for targets. She could see they were outnumbered.

Jabiimi Nationalist: The Mandalorian and her accomplice are here somewhere! Scour the fort!

As the Jabiimi Nationalists began looking for her, Blake surveyed the area. All escape points were blocked off. Between the large number of Jabiimi Nationalists and the storm, Blake and Yang were at a disadvantage.

Yang: Damn....that's a lot of them. Hope you got a plan, Mando.

As Blake said this, she surveyed the area for anything that could be used to her advantage. Blake's scanners quickly picked up Republic munitions crates nearby. Blake took aim with her Blaster Pistol and waited. When enough of them got close enough, Blake fire a shot at one of the munitions crate. The resulting explosion kills several Jabiimi Nationalists.

Blake: Now's our chance!

Without hesitation, Blake used her jetpack to fly over the Jabiimi Nationalists and began firing on them.

Jabiimi Nationalist: There's the Mandalorian! Bring her down!

As the Jabiimi Nationalists fired on Blake, Yang slide down the fort's roof while firing on the Jabiimi Nationalists with her blaster pistols. Yang quickly ran to cover as Blake fired from above. But during the firefight, one of the Jabiimi Nationalists managed to hit Blake's jetpack. As the jetpack began to malfunction, Blake was forced to detach from the jetpack, using a Jabiimi Nationalist to break her fall. She quickly joined Yang behind cover as the Jabiimi Nationalists began to close in on them.

Yang: These guys aren't letting up!

Blake: I'll try to draw their fire! You go around and get out of here!

Yang: And leave you alone? Like Hell I'll....

Blake: I'm the one they're after! I'll hold them off for as long as I can!

At this point, Yang could see Blake was dead set on this.

Yang: Then at least let me give you this.

Without warning, Yang pulled Blake closer to her and kissed Blake, raising her helmet to do so. Blake was completely caught off guard by this, but returned the embrace. As the kiss ended, Blake readied both of her blasters and charged in. Despite knowing that she was outnumbered, Blake was willing to make this her final stand. For the first time in a long time, Blake finally found something worth fighting for. As Blake stood her ground, the Jabiimi Nationalists quickly overwhelmed her and brought her down. As Blake was held down, she prepared for death. But the Jabiimi Nationalists stood down.

Jabiimi Nationalist: Bring the Mandalorian to Commander Stratus. He will pass judgement on this Mandalorian and see to it that she pays for the crimes of her people.

The Jabiimi Nationalists then dragged Blake away. But as all this transpired, Yang watched from a safe distance.

Yang: Alright....let's see where you're going....

With that, Yang began following the Jabiimi Nationalists. In that moment, Blake Belladonna was in the hands othe Jabiimi Nationalists.