Dedicated to Creativemind703

     Aboard the Liberator – the flagship of the Phoenix Squadron – the Spectres gathered on the bridge with Captain Rex and Commander Kyra Kryze-Kenobi.

     "We got the supplies," Kanan Jarrus informed the others, "but we were fortunate to get away. The Empire's making our travels around the Outer Rim tougher all the time."

     "We need a new hyperspace route in and out of the Lothal sector," Kyra agreed.

     "I may have a perfect shortcut," Sabine Wren said as she activated a holomap. "The system of Concord Dawn. It's a Mandalorian colony and not an Imperial territory yet."

     "Why not?" Ezra Bridger asked. "They've grabbed up just about every other place."

     "Concord Dawn is known for its elite warriors," Rex explained. "They were brought in to train clones back in the war. Bet even the Empire thinks twice about a fight with them."

     "The question is, who are they loyal to?" Captain Hera Syndulla wondered. "The Empire does occupy their homeworld of Mandalore, so Imperial influence could be a factor."

     "Years before the Clone Wars broke out, the Mandalorians were already at war with each other," Kyra said after a moment. "This group calls themselves the Protectors. They like to make up their own rules. So we go in with strength, scout the system for defenses to see what we're up against."

     "Or why not try diplomacy?" Kanan suggested. "Ask permission to use their system as a shortcut."

     Kyra scoffed, "Mandalorians aren't known for their diplomacy. My mother was one of the few pacifistic rulers, and she faced strong opposition from rival clans. Warriors like these only understand strength."

     When Sabine agreed with Kyra, Hera said, "But we shouldn't make an enemy if we don't need to. If we get permission to fly through their space, the next step could be recruitment. To grow the Rebellion, we need friends like these Mandalorians. We could have our route and a powerful ally as well."

     Kyra considered Hera's words for a moment, then nodded, "Very well, Captain Syndulla, you will accompany me on our mission to Concord Dawn."

     When Sabine asked if she could join the two leaders, Kyra smirked, "I was hoping you'd ask."

     The three women piloted their assigned A-wings, Kyra's being gold and white to symbolize her rank of commander while Hera's was red and white to signify her role as leader of the Phoenix Squadron. After Sabine, Kyra, and Hera were joined by two other A-wing pilots, the rebels set off for Concord Dawn, coming out of hyperspace near an asteroid field that had been formed by pieces of the planet itself.

     "So, that's Concord Dawn. Sure looks like it's been through a war," Hera said.

     Kyra, who wore her Mandalorian armor, chuckled, "This system has endured more than a hundred wars. My people don't need a reason to pick a fight."

     When Kyra's console beeped, she looked down to find that the squadron had visitors in the form of three Fang-class starfighters.

     "Attention, unregistered ships," one of the Mandalorians said. "This is Fenn Rau, Protector of Concord Dawn. You are trespassing. Identify yourselves."

     When Kyra assured Rau that she and her forces came in peace, Fenn chuckled, "Peace? That's not a word I hear often. State your mission."

     "We request safe passage through your system," Kyra replied.

     "Well, that depends. Who is asking?" Rau questioned.

     "Those who would stand with Concord Dawn against the Empire," Kyra answered.

     "So you're the rebels I've heard about," Rau said. "How unfortunate for you. Out here, I act in the name of the Empire."

     As the three starfighters moved into attack position, Kyra ordered her forces to scatter, but two of the A-wings were quickly shot down before they could escape.

     "Kyra, what do we do? I don't think they're interested in talking," Sabine stated as they took evasive action.

     Before Kyra could answer, Hera instructed her and Sabine to make the jump to lightspeed as she shot down one of the Mandalorian starfighters and cleared their path. As Sabine jumped, Kyra looked over her shoulder and stated that she would not leave without Hera. When Hera told Kyra that she would be right behind her, Kryze made the jump to lightspeed, the rebel fleet appearing in front of her a moment later.

     "Kyra, what happened?" Kanan asked. "We picked up a distress call. Where's Hera?"

     "She was right behind me," Kyra answered. "We didn't have a chance. These Mandalorians work for the Empire, too."

     As she spoke, Hera's severely damaged A-wing emerged from hyperspace, its engines smoking and sparking as it floated dead in space.

     As Kanan frantically tried to contact Hera, Kyra lost the ability to speak and Sabine barely managed to say, "I-I see her. I see her, Kanan. It's bad. You've got to hurry. Please hurry!"

     After Hera's A-wing had been directed into one of the hangar bays, Kyra docked with the Liberator and gently pulled Syndulla out of her starfighter before carrying her to the medical bay. Despite the medical droids' best efforts, Hera's condition continued to decline, and Kyra – having watched with growing desperation – shoved the mechanical doctors aside. As Kanan, Sabine, Ezra Bridger, Garazeb Orrelios, and Chopper rushed into the room, Kyra placed her hand on Hera's arm and closed her eyes. Using the Force, she healed Hera the same way her father had healed her, the same way she had healed Reva Sevander.

     "She will need rest, but she's going to make it," Kyra said as she turned to the other Spectres. "This is all my fault. I shouldn't have left her."

     "There's nothing you could have done," Kanan replied. "I'm just glad you all came back in one piece."

     Kyra sighed, "I'll meet you on the bridge, debrief you on what happened."

     Once the others had left, Kyra gripped Syndulla's hand and whispered, "I'm so sorry, Hera. They're going to answer for this."

     As she marched onto the bridge, Kyra activated the holoprojector and said, "Fenn Rau, the Protector of Concord Dawn, is who we're up against. He was a fighter pilot instructor for the Grand Army of the Republic. He also served at the Battle of Mygeeto."

     "I know. I was there," Kanan admitted. "So I guess negotiating's been taken off the table?"

     "You still want to negotiate?" Sabine asked incredulously. "Let's negotiate, by destroying their ability to attack us. I tracked them from Concord Dawn's third moon. They must have a base there."

     "If they scan our fleet approaching, their fighters will cut us to pieces," Kyra replied, even though she felt the same way Sabine did. "If we want to infiltrate their base and take out their fighters, we'll have to destroy them before they take off."

     When Sabine volunteered to be a part of the mission, Kyra shook her head, "This is a solo mission, and I'm taking it. I already have one man down. I won't risk anyone else."

     Kyra turned on her heel and walked off the bridge before the others could argue. She marched through the corridors of the Liberator and onto the Ghost, climbing up the ladder in the cargo bay to reach the Phantom. Shortly after, she pulled away from the fleet, knowing that an equally determined rebel had stowed away aboard her auxiliary starfighter but not bothering to call her out just yet.

     As Kyra made the jump to lightspeed, she finally said, "All right, Sabine, come out. I want you to hear what I have to say, even if you're not going to like it."

     Sabine crawled out of the storage space as Kyra admitted, "I'm going to finish Hera's mission. We need to recruit the Mandalorians to join the Rebellion."

     "The Protectors almost killed Hera! What are you thinking?" Sabine asked frustratedly.

     "I'm thinking we can still offer them a chance to change," Kyra replied in an even tone. "Everyone deserves a chance."

     Sabine scoffed, "You know, this Jedi philosophy stuff doesn't work for everyone."

     When the teenager began to turn away, Kyra grabbed her shoulder, "That's why we're at war."

     As they emerged from hyperspace, Kyra sighed and said, "Tell you what, if our recruitment efforts don't work, we can always revert to a more...Mandalorian way of handling things."

     She set the Phantom on autopilot and lowered the main ramp before jumping out, Sabine following suit as the starfighter flew towards the designated coordinates that Kyra had punched into the navicomputer, the landing zone hidden from the Protectors' base. On the outskirts of the Mandalorian camp, Kyra and Sabine took note of what they were up against, spotting six starfighters on the ground and two in the air.

     "They're spread out, so it's gonna take me a while to plant charges, but I think I brought enough explosives," Sabine said as she rummaged through her utility belt.

     "You always bring enough explosives. Hopefully, you won't have to use them," Kyra replied, crouching down next to the girl as a Lambda-class shuttle landed inside the base.

     Lowering her rangefinder, Kyra watched as an Imperial officer unloaded large containers full of Imperial credits.

     "Looks like the Empire bought their loyalty," Kyra muttered, adjusting the frequency of her helmet so she could hear the conversation between Fenn Rau and the officer.

     "Here is the payment for the next rotation," the Imperial officer said.

     "This arrangement is working to your benefit," Rau replied. "I encountered a couple rebel fighters, but my men and I took care of them."

     "If they return, be sure to contact us," the officer instructed, and Rau sarcastically saluted the Imperial before walking away.

     Sabine snorted, "Sounds like your negotiations are gonna go great. If diplomacy doesn't work, what's the plan?"

     "You give me a chance to recruit the Mandalorians," Kyra answered. "If that doesn't work out, then you get to blow up the fighters. We have a deal?"

     Sabine nodded, "Fine. But not just the ships. Rau has to pay for what he did to Hera."

     Kyra sighed and agreed to her terms as they descended, "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

     As the Imperial shuttle disappeared in the dark night sky, Kyra and Sabine stealthily maneuvered through the Protectors' base.

     Once they had reached the heart of the camp, Kyra turned to Sabine and whispered, "Plant your bombs, but wait for my signal. And Sabine, I need you to trust me."

     Wren reluctantly nodded, the Mandalorian and the Jedi splitting up as Kyra followed Fenn Rau into his private quarters.

     As Rau removed his helmet and calmly aimed his WESTAR-35 pistol at Kyra, he said, "Pretty bold to sneak onto my base. I'm gonna assume you're one of those rebels I dealt with earlier."

     "That's a pretty good guess, but not the entire truth," Kyra replied as she removed her own helmet, unphased by the blaster.

     "I don't recognize you, so before I gun you down, why don't you tell me what you want?" Rau suggested, gesturing to the seat across from him.

     As Kyra sat, another Mandalorian placed bowls of pog soup in front of them, the adversaries taking a sip as they eyed each other with equal amounts of curiosity and caution.

     "We've never met, but even if we had, I wouldn't expect you to know me," Kyra began after a moment, deciding to gain the Protector's trust, even if it meant revealing her identity and putting her anonymity at risk. "My mother was the Duchess of Mandalore, and my aunt is Bo-Katan Kryze. I know our clans have rarely seen eye-to-eye, but my aunt and I parted ways a long time ago. Since then, I have continued to walk between the two worlds I call home. That of Mandalore, and that of the Jedi. My father is Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. You and I never saw each other, but we both fought in the Third Battle of Mygeeto."

     Rau chuckled, "You're a survivor. That explains how you got past my men."

     He holsters his blaster and drinks his soup as Kyra continues, "My father and I were pinned down, trapped by battle droids. You and your Skull Squadron flew into Separatist fire over and over to cover us. You saved our lives."

     "That was a long time ago," Rau said. "I was younger and more reckless then. To be honest, I don't see what that has to do with you being here."

     "You gave me a chance to live that day," Kyra explained. "Now I'd like to return the favor."

     Rau's brow furrowed in confusion, and after a moment, he finished his soup and replied, "I already fought one losing war for the Jedi. I'm not fighting another."

     "You can't possibly believe in the Empire," Kyra stated.

     "I believe they have the strength to defeat you and the resources to back it up," Rau retorted as he placed a camtono of credits on the table. "Why would I fight the Empire when obviously destroying you is so much easier?"

     "You must know the Empire isn't interested in sharing their power," Kyra countered frustratedly. "In the end, everyone is their enemy. If we don't stand together, then we're all alone."

     Rau considered her statement for a moment, then sighed and claimed, "Alone is who we are."

     Kyra opened her mouth to reply, but a guard came running in, "Sir! We have an intruder!"

     Rau raised his hand, "Don't worry. I have the Jedi under control."

     "I don't know anything about this Jedi, but a Mandalorian trespasser has invoked the code," the guard explained. "She claims she's House Vizsla."

     Kyra buried her face in her hands as Rau asked, "I assume she came here with you?"

     Kyra nodded and started towards the door, ready to handle her reckless partner, but the Protector of Concord Dawn stopped her.

     "I'm afraid it's out of your control now, Lady Kryze," Rau stated, but Kyra followed him anyway as they ran outside.

     "Sabine, I thought we had an agreement," she said frustratedly when she found the rash Mandalorian surrounded by Rau's men.

     Sabine simply shrugged as Rau claimed, "Your house is an enemy to the Protectors. Call out your opponent for combat to the death."

     "I thought you'd never ask," Sabine replied as she took off her helmet. "I challenge you, Fenn Rau. You're gonna pay for what you did to Hera."

     Rau shook his head and smirked, "Just like I said. You rebels fight battles you can't win."

     Kyra considered volunteering to take Sabine's place but quickly dismissed the idea, knowing that the rules of every Mandalorian code were sacred and – in most cases - unbreakable.

     As the opponents circled each other, Rau continued, "I assume Hera is the pilot I shot to pieces earlier. I guess she didn't make it."

     "She's alive, no thanks to you," Sabine replied.

     Rau chuckled, "I have to admit, this is an interesting development. One of you came here to befriend me, the other came to kill me."

     "We can't let you attack our fleet. But we'd rather leave here as friends," Kyra said, looking pointedly at Sabine.

     When Wren claimed that Rau was already their enemy, Kyra switched tactics and replied, "Sabine, you know Hera wouldn't want to create enemies and she wouldn't want you to die."

     "I'm not planning on dying," Sabine countered.

     "I'm afraid the only way you're getting out of here alive is if she kills me, and that is not going to happen," Rau added.

     Kyra ignored the Protector and turned to Wren, "Sabine, if you do this, you will be no better than him."

     "You have to trust me," Sabine said quietly, echoing Kyra's words from earlier as she continued to stare at the Protector.

     "Sabine, you make this choice and, win or lose, the Empire is going to be all over this system and the fleet," Kenobi warned.

     "Kyra, you really need to stop talking," Sabine replied, and when she finally locked eyes with Kryze, the Mandalorian Jedi nodded and backed off.

     After the opponents' hands hovered over their blasters for a moment, Rau finally drew his weapon, but Sabine proved to be the quicker of the two.

     As she shot the weapon out of his hand, Sabine said, "There are alternatives to killing."

     Wren put her helmet on and Kyra did the same as Sabine detonated the thermal detonators, destroying seven of the eight starfighters. Kyra helped Sabine to her feet and told her to get the Phantom in the air as she raced after Rau, whose starfighter had not been destroyed. Kyra ran across the burning airfield and headed for the Protector, not deviating from her path as Rau opened fire. She redirected the blaster shots with the Force and sailed through the air, landing on top of Rau's ship as it took off. Fenn tried to throw the Jedi off, but she just managed to hang on by the tips of her fingers. After climbing onto the left wing, Kyra gunned down one of the six engines and moved towards the cockpit.

     "Still think we can't win?" she asked before shooting through the dome of the cockpit and stunning Rau.

     As the Phantom appeared behind the starfighter, Kyra dragged Rau out of the cockpit and leaped through the air, landing in the back of the rebel craft.

     Sabine chuckled as she closed the door and turned in the pilot's seat, "When you set your mind to something, you're kind of frightening."

     A quick laugh escaped Kyra's lips, "I could say the same thing about you."

     When Rau groaned and woke up, Kyra asked, "How do you feel?"

     "Like a prisoner," the Protector responded, and when his comlink beeped, Kyra told him to answer it.

     "Are you crazy? You can't let a prisoner receive outside communications," Sabine protested.

     When the beeping persisted, Kyra turned to Rau and nodded, the Protector answering it a moment later.

     "Sir, are you all right?" a guard asked. "We're marshaling our reserve starfighters for pursuit."

     "Stand down. There's no need," Rau replied.

     "But, sir, if the Empire finds out about your capture—" the guard started to argue, but Rau cut him off.

     "You're not gonna let that happen," Rau stated. "Until I give the word, there is to be no mention of the rebels. And their ships are to be granted safe passage through our system."

     After a moment of silence, the guard finally sighed, "As you wish."

     Once they returned to the fleet, Rau was placed in handcuffs and brought aboard the Liberator.

     "Welcome to the Rebellion," Kyra said as two Alderaanian soldiers met them in the hallway.

     "Right now we are only friends because we have to be," Fenn Rau replied before following the soldiers to his cell.

     Once the three men had disappeared around the corner, Sabine asked, "What does that mean?"

     "Well, the Empire doesn't make a habit of rescuing people. The last thing Rau wants is Imperial ships all over his territory, and that's exactly what he'd get if they found out he was our prisoner," Kyra explained as Kanan Jarrus ran into the hallway.

     "Hera wants to see you," he informed them, sending both Sabine and Kyra running towards the medbay.

     Hera, who was now awake, smirked and said, "I hear we're taking prisoners now."

     "I like to think of him more as a reluctant recruit," Kyra countered as she sat beside the injured captain.

     "It was better than the alternative," Sabine added. "We're not at war with the Protectors. There was no need to take their lives if we didn't have to."

     "Sabine, you're sounding more like a Jedi than a Mandalorian," Hera Syndulla replied as she glanced at Kyra Kryze-Kenobi.

     Sabine Wren smiled as she looked between the two rebel leaders, "Well, I guess I've just been raised right."