Mandalorian Revived

Chapter 35

Well, this is definitely not one of my most brilliant ideas.

I sprint through the battlefield, taking out any stormtrooper that tries to slow me down. Din, Bo, and Ragnar are on my heels, mostly because none of them have a clue what I'm up to right now.

"Axe, I need a ride!" I shout into the comm.

"On it!" He replies. Within seconds, my U-wing is hovering over top of us. The ramp lowers and just as I'm about to jump, I'm yanked back.

My wide eyes are met with Din's helmeted gaze as he grips my arm. "What are you doing?!" I scream.

"I was about to ask you the same thing!"

I groan, ripping my arm from his grip. "This is not the time to be protective, Din. Honestly, I've managed to plan this whole take-back-Mandalore plan on my own and you still can't trust me to take care of myself? It's like the Krayt Dragon all over again!"

In response, he...chuckles.

I wasn't expecting that.

His gloved hand holds the side of my face gently despite the chaos around us. It all seems to quiet as I look at him. He shakes his head in awe. "You remember."

I nod as I huff out a breath. "Yes." I reach one hand up and grab his wrist. "I remember everything, Mando. Everything."

A breath leaves the helmet modulator and he presses his forehead against mine. I turn the gesture into a tight embrace that he returns eagerly. My eyes close and we stay like that for one perfect moment.

But one moment is all I can spare now.

"I have to do this, and you have to trust me. I'm doing this for all of us. For Grogu."

He nods, reluctantly letting me go. "I trust you with everything I am, cyar'ika. I just want to know how to help."

A weak smile spreads across my lips as I take in the sight of him. If my plan doesn't go the way I'd like it to, then this is the last time I'll see him. At least I got to, even if it's only one last time.

"Fight like a Mandalorian, Din. That's how you can help."

His fist presses against his chest. "This is the Way."

Using the force, I jump up onto the open ramp of my ship and grab one of the metal poles supporting it to stay on as Axe flies away. There are still TIEs on his tail. "Axe, get me to the Mythosaur," I say through the comm.

Static surges through the channel back at me. "Are you crazy?"

"Probably," I say with a shrug. "But I'm almost out of ideas. I have to try this."

"Alright," he says slowly. "As you command."

The ship groans as he swings wide and heads straight for the massive creature still smashing its tusks against the ground. As we approach I brace myself. "Axe, try to get a hold of the Armorer's team, okay? No matter what happens to me, you have to focus on them."

"You have my word, Tara."

We're about to pass over the Mythosaur. It's now or never.

"Keep it low and slow, Axe," I say, trying to keep myself calm.

The gasp through the comms tells me he's figured out my plan. His voice trembles through the channel. "You are the bravest Mandalorian I know, Tara Viszla."

I nearly fall off the ramp when I hear Anakin's voice in my ear.

May the force be with you, always.