The Mandalorian Sagas - Book III: Fall

Chapter XI

As Blake and Yang made the decision to fight the Jabiimi Nationalists, Tarquin Stratus rallied his men in the tattered ruins of their base. 

Stratus: Prepare yourselves, men and women of Jabiim! The Mandalorian couldn't have gotten far! Find her! But I want her alive! I want her to face justice for the sins of her ilk!

???: You won't have to look far!

As the voice called out, Stratus and his men turned around to see Blake standing before them with blasters in her hand. The Jabiimi Nationalists raised their blasters at her, but the Mandalorian stood her ground. 

Stratus: You are bold to return here, Mandalorian. 

Blake: A champion with no honor is a champion of aruetiise.

Stratus: Honor....listen to this Mandalorian pillager, brothers and sisters! She preaches about honor, yet when her people descended upon Jabiim, they left nothing but destruction in their wake! Women and children were not spared in their slaughter! 

As Stratus spoke, Blake glanced over to Yang who was setting Detonation Packs across the base. Blake did everything she could to keep the Jabiimi Nationalists occupied. 

Blake: We lost the Mandalorian Wars. We fought and lost on Malachor V. I am not beholden to the sins of my ancestors. I am only beholden to my vows. I have no quarrel with you, Tarquin Stratus. I can tell that your men hold you in high regard. That is why I implore you and your men to walk away. 

This caused some of the Jabiimi Nationalists to laugh. At the same time, Yang finished setting the Detonation Packs and began climbing up a nearby watchtower. Back on the ground, Stratus addressed Blake's words. 

Stratus: The time for talk has long passed, Mandalorian! The time has come for you to answer on the crimes of your people! By the will of the people of Jabiim, we hereby sentenced you to death! When we kill you, we will leave you here. Your blood stained armor and your broken body will be buried beneath the mud of Jabiim! BROTHERS AND SISTERS, LET US DELIVER SWIFT AND RIGHETOUS JUDGEMENT ONTO THIS MANDALORIAN. 

Blake: I gave you the chance to walk away. But instead, you chose to fight. And for that, you have chosen death. Die well. 

As Stratus and the Jabiimi Nationalists were about to attack Blake, Blake fired a single shot into the air. At the watchtower, Yang detonated the Detonation Pack. Multiple explosions tear into the base. Many Jabiimi Nationalists were killed in the explosion. Stratus and the Jabiimi Nationalists next to him lost their balance as the shockwave of the explosion nearly knocked them to the ground. Seeing the opportunity, Blake began firing on Stratus and the Jabiimi Nationalists with her blasters while Yang laid down suppressing fire from the watchtower. 

Stratus: KILL THE MANDALORIAN! 

As Stratus and his men attempt a counterattack, Yang manages to shoot a Jabiimi Nationalist next to Stratus. This alerts Stratus to Yang's position. 

Stratus: SNIPER ON THE WATCHTOWER! BRING IT DOWN!

Following Stratus's orders, one of the Jabiimi Nationalists fires a rocket launcher at the watchtower. Yang manages to jump off just in time to avoid the rocket. She quickly joins Blake's side. 

Yang: We really stirred up the hornet's nest, Mando! 

Blake: Don't let up! 

As the firefight intensified, Blake and Yang were able to whittle down the numbers of the Jabiimi Nationalists. At this point, many Jabiimi Nationalists began to run away. 

Stratus: COWARDS! 

Blake: You're all alone, Stratus. You wanted this fight. Now you will reap what you sow. 

Yang: What's the plan, Mando? 

Blake: Leave him to me. 

As Blake steps forward, Stratus prepares his Vibroblade. 

Stratus: I will enjoy killing you, Mandalorian. But before I kill you, I want you to know that as you're buried deep in the mud of Jabiim, you will be forgotten!

Blake: We are born to die. We live to be remembered. To believe your life is be better than someone else is the highest form of arrogance. Because at the end of the day, no matter how much power or wealth someone commands, all must bow before the true master of the universe: death.

As Blake said this, Stratus charged at Blake and began attacking her with his Vibroblade. Blake's Beskar armor was able to withstand Stratus's strikes. Blake was then able to parry one of Stratus's strikes with her gauntlets and lands a punch on Stratus's face. Stratus wipes the blood off his face as Blake prepares a small vibroblade. Stratus then charges at Blake once more and attacks her with a series of heavy strikes. Blake dodges the attacks with ease. But as Blake dodged a strike, Stratus managed to swing his vibroblade at Blake's head with enough force to knock her helmet off. Blake falls to her knees, prompting Stratus to press the attack. As Stratus went for an overhead strike, Blake grabbed the sword with one hand. With the other hand, Blake plunges the vibroblade into Stratus's leg. Stratus screams as he punches Blake in the face, causing Blake to break Stratus's sword. Stratus then gets on top of Blake and begins to strangle her. 

Stratus: Time to die, Mandalorian! 

Suddenly, Yang shoots Stratus in the shoulder. This gives Blake the opportunity to grab Stratus's broken sword and plunge it in his chest. Stratus gasps as he coughs blood. He looks upon Blake with a smile on his face. 

Stratus: Heh....just casualties of war....

As Stratus dies, Blake takes a moment to catch her breath. Yang then helps Blake up. 

Yang: You okay?

Blake: Yeah....thanks. 

Blake then walks over and grabs her helmet. As she puts on her helmet, Yang approaches Blake. 

Yang: While I was planting those charges, I found some spare parts. Managed to salvage them before blowing the base up. Should be enough to repair the ship and get us out of this mudball.

With that, Blake and Yang left the smoldering base and make their way back to Blake's ship. Yang installs the parts and the ship becomes operational. They then fly out of Jabiim. But as they jumped into Hyperspace, there was still unsettled business.