Chapter Thirty-Seven

Jango

It hurt to see Mira there on the battlefield, standing by that whelp of a Skywalker. But I had no choice but to let it be. Maul had made it clear that Mira was his, and no one else's.

I couldn't help but feel a pang of regret as I caught a glimpse of her familiar face, her eyes filled with a fierce determination that I had always admired. She was a good woman, a loyal friend – and Maul had claimed her as his own.

I tightened my grip on my blaster rifle, my jaw set with a grim resolve. I had my orders, and I would see them through, no matter the cost. But a part of me couldn't help but wish that things could have been different.

As I pressed on, the chaos of the battle swirling around me, I couldn't shake the memory of Mira's smile, the warmth of her laughter. She had been a bright spot in a world that had often felt cold and unforgiving.

But now, she was lost to me – caught in the web of Maul's twisted machinations. I could only hope that she would find a way to escape his grasp, to reclaim the life she had once known.

Until then, I would do what I must, following the orders that had been given to me. But a part of me would always remember the woman I had once called a friend.

I ducked behind a battle-scarred barricade, my blaster rifle at the ready as I scanned the chaos of the battlefield. With a swift, precise motion, I cut down a droid that had ventured too close, its metallic frame crumpling to the ground.

In the midst of the relentless onslaught, the comlink in my pouch suddenly beeped to life. I took a breath, steeling myself as the familiar holoform of a cloaked Maul materialized before me.

"Did you find her?" he asked, his voice cool and calculated.

I bowed my head, the weight of my words heavy on my tongue. "Yes, Master. She's here, but she's with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Skywalker, and that Kel Dor, Plo. It'll be... hard to get to her."

Maul's eyes narrowed, a faint hint of displeasure crossing his features. "I see," he murmured, his gaze piercing through me. "You know what must be done, Jango."

I swallowed hard, the unspoken command hanging in the air between us. "Yes, Master," I replied, my voice tinged with a hint of resignation.

Maul's hologram flickered, the connection severed, and I was left alone with the weight of my task. I knew what was expected of me, but the thought of confronting Mira, of potentially harming her, sent a pang of guilt through my chest.

She had been a friend, a trusted ally, and the thought of betraying that bond made my stomach churn. But Maul's orders were absolute, and I knew that I had no choice but to obey.

With a heavy heart, I steeled my resolve, tightening my grip on my blaster as I prepared to re-enter the fray, my mind already racing with the beginnings of a plan.

I turned off the comlink and scanned the field, searching for Mira. She was nowhere in sight, but I felt an inexplicable pull toward one of the destroyed Republic dropships. As I approached, I spotted her deep in conversation with Kenobi and Plo Koon. They were discussing a better plan to assist the residents of Ryloth, who were struggling under the oppressive rule of the Separatists.

The scene was hauntingly familiar, reminiscent of Mandalore's tumultuous past. Years ago, we had faced a similar situation, and the memories flooded back—chaos, despair, and a desperate fight for freedom. It pained me to witness the same struggle unfold again, but I knew we had to act.

The heat of a blaster near my throat made me freeze, and I could sense the tension in the air. Just then, the slick voice of Skywalker cut through the chaos, dripping with sarcasm. "Hello there, bounty hunter. Seems you can't keep your eyes off Mira, can you?"

I clenched my jaw, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. Skywalker always had a knack for getting under my skin. I shot him a glare, trying to maintain my composure despite the precarious situation. He had no idea what was at stake, and I wasn't about to let him derail my mission.

"Neither can you," I spat, turning my glare toward him, careful to keep my movements slow and deliberate with the lightsaber still poised at my throat. Skywalker's bravado was infuriating, but I couldn't let him see how much it affected me.

The tension hung thick in the air, and I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on us. I had to stay sharp; one wrong move could change everything. He smirked, clearly enjoying the standoff, but I wasn't here to play games. I had a mission, and I wouldn't let him—or anyone—get in my way.

Mira rushed forward, her hands flying up as she called out, "Ani, please don't hurt him!" Her voice was filled with urgency, and I could see the desperation in her eyes as she reached his side.

In that moment, I caught a glimpse of the love between them—an unbreakable bond that seemed to radiate from their very beings. It struck a nerve within me, a painful reminder of what I had lost. I recalled their proposal to each other, the promises exchanged, and a wave of anger coursed through me.

How could they stand there, so blissfully entwined, while the galaxy burned around us? The bitterness threatened to consume me, but I forced myself to focus. This wasn't about them; it was about survival and the mission at hand. I had to push those feelings aside, even as they clawed at my resolve.

Anakin sighed, turning off his saber and giving Mira an exasperated yet loving look. "Why not? He's the one who's been at our tail since the moment he saw you, Mira. He wants you—can't you sense it?"

His words hung in the air, heavy with tension. I could feel the weight of his accusation, the implication that I was a threat to everything they had. Mira glanced between us, her expression torn, and for a brief moment, I saw doubt flicker in her eyes.

But I wasn't here to take her away; I was here to complete my mission. I couldn't let their emotions cloud the reality of our situation. As much as the connection between them stung, I had to remain focused. The stakes were too high, and I wouldn't let anything—especially not my own feelings—get in the way.

Mira swallowed hard, her gaze locking onto mine despite the visor of my helmet. "He doesn't want to hurt you, Ani. Please, let him go."

Her words hung in the air, a plea that resonated deep within me. I could see the conflict in Anakin's eyes, torn between his instincts to protect and the trust he placed in Mira.

I held her gaze, trying to convey that I wasn't the enemy here. There was so much more at stake than just the three of us. Yet, the tension was palpable, and I could feel the weight of their love pressing against me, a reminder of everything I had lost.

"Just let me do my job," I said quietly, hoping to break through the barrier of emotions swirling around us. I needed them to understand—I wasn't here for revenge; I was here to survive.

Anakin glared at me, his blue eyes filled with hatred, and I knew I wasn't off the hook yet. But I had an escape plan. I dipped my head in acknowledgment to Kenobi, then lingered a moment longer in Mira's gaze, trying to convey my intentions without words.

Then, without another second to lose, I activated my jetpack and shot into the sky. The wind whipped past me, a rush of freedom as I soared above the chaos below. Maul would have to wait; I wasn't about to go down fighting on a Jedi's blade.

As I ascended, I glanced back one last time, catching a glimpse of Mira and Anakin standing together, their bond unbroken. I felt a mix of relief and regret wash over me. This wasn't over, but for now, I had escaped, and that was enough.