Metanoia | The Mandalorian ON HOLD

Chapter 45

Din opened the door to the bridge and walked in, pushing Gideon inside with one hand, the Darksaber in his other one, as Juno rushed in after him with Grogu in her arms.

"What happened?" Asked Bo-Katan, approaching them.

"He brought him in alive, that's what happened." Said Cara. "And now the New Republic's gonna have to double the payment." She finished as she joined them, smiling down at the kids, silently asking if they were okay. Juno nodded with a small smile.

"That's not what she's talking about." Interrupted Gideon and turned to Bo-Katan. "Why don't you kill him now and take it?" He asked as Cara shoved him to the ground. "It's yours now." He told Din.

"What is?" He asked, confused.

"The Darksaber. It belongs to you." He replied. Din retraced the saber in the hilt and walked forward, holding it out to Bo-Katan.

"Now... it belongs to her." He said.

"She can't take it." Said Gideon with a wicked smile on his face. "It must be won in battle. In order for her to wield the Darksaber again, she would need to defeat you in combat." He explained.

"I yield. It's yours." Said Din, still holding the weapon to her.

"Oh, no." He chuckled. "It doesn't work that way." He got back to his feet. "The Darksaber doesn't have power. The story does. Without that blade, she's a pretender to the throne."

"He's right." Bo-Katan said after a moment.

"Come on, just take it." Pushed Din when an alarm started beeping, grabbing the attention of everyone.

"Well, perhaps she'll get another crack at it." Gideon said mockingly as Fennec checked the screens.

"The ray shields have been breached. We're being boarded." She told them.

"How many life forms?" Asked Bo-Katan.

"None." She replied.

"You're about to face off with the dark troopers." Said Gideon and Din pulled the kids close to him. "You had your hands full with one. Let's see how you do against a platoon." He taunted Din and Juno glared at him.

"They're headed this way." Bo-Katan warned and the group got ready. Din moved the kids to a corner and Juno sat down, Grogu cooing in her arms. He kneeled in front of them and cupped their cheeks.

"Don't worry, kids. I'm gonna get you out of here." He assured them. Juno nodded at him and as he stood up, he rubbed Grogu's head and caressed Juno's cheek. The two kids watched him join the group.

"Seal the blast doors!" Ordered Fennec. The doors were sealed just in time before the troopers reached them.

"They're here." Said Koska. They all turned to the doors, readying their weapons when the troopers started pounding on the doors.

"You have an impressive fire team protecting you. But I think we all know, after a valiant stand, everyone in this room will be dead...but me...and the children." The troopers kept hitting the door in such force that dents were forming in the doors. Another alarm went off, pulling everyone's attention as they noticed an X-wing flying towards them.

"An X-wing." Announced Bo-Katan.

"One X-wing? Great. We're saved." Cara said sarcastically.

"Incoming craft, identify yourself." Said Bo-Katan through the comms. No answer came as the ship landed on the cruiser. Suddenly, the pounding of the troopers stopped.

"Why did they stop?" Asked Fennec as she and Cara approached the doors, slowly.

"A Jedi?" Whispered Bo-Katan in shock, making Din turn to look at her. At the mention of the Jedi, Grogu stiffened in Juno's arms.