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CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

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          ARTEMIS and Din had made their way through the vent and were now trying to catch up with the others.

"So that's Cody, huh?" Din asked, as they rounded a corner.

"Yeah," Artemis said, smiling. "That's Cody."

"He has a pretty good shot," Din said.

Artemis grinned. "I think the two of you would get along well."

They rounded another corner and came face to face with Cara, Cody, Greef and IG-11, who was carrying Grogu. They all seemed relieved to see them.

"Commander," Cody said, stepping forward, "are you all right?"

"I'm fine, just tired," Artemis assured him. "How's your shoulder?"

"Hurt like hell but I'll live."

Artemis smiled and the small group continued their way through the underground tunnels.

"Do you know which way to go?" Greef asked Din.

"No," Din replied truthfully. "I don't know these tunnels. I've only entered from the bazaar."

"Well, if we get the smell of sulfur and we follow it, it'll lead us up to the plains where the river flows," Greef said.

"And the Imps will catch us before we make it to the ship," Din finished. "We need the Mandalorians to escort us to safety."

Artemis walked behind Din and next to Cody.

"Well, when we survive this, you'll have to fill me in on how you got a Mandalorian as a friend," Cody told her.

"When, not if?" Artemis questioned him, a smile playing on her lips. "You never know, perhaps there's a battalion of stormtroopers laying just around the corner and we'll die nonetheless."

Cody chuckled. "I have never doubted your abilities, Commander. You and General Kenobi always led us to victory."

Artemis casted her eyes down at her master's name.

"He's dead, isn't he?" Cody asked.

She nodded grimly. "Vader killed him on the first Death Star."

"I'm sorry, Commander, I know how much he meant to you."

"Cody, thank you," Artemis said, looking up at him. "But you don't have to call me commander anymore."

"Sure thing, Commander."

"Ugh, this place is a maze!" Cara exclaimed in frustration.

"I'll try to find tracks," Din said, pushing a couple of buttons on the side of his helmet. "We're close." They walked down the tunnel. "Turn here."

They rounded a corner and Din stopped abrupt his his steps. Artemis frowned and looked over his shoulder. Her face fell upon seeing the pile of helmets and armor of fallen Mandalorians.

Din fell onto his knees and Artemis placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry," she quietly told him.

Cara trailed nervously behind them. "We should go."

"You go," Din said and Artemis could hear the pain in it. "Take the ship. I can't leave it this way. Did you know about this?" He then asked Greef, his voice dangerously low. "Is this the work of your bounty hunters?"

"No," Greef said, looking offended. "When you left the system and took the prize, the fighting ended and the hunters just melted away. You know how it is. They're mercenaries. They're not zealots."

Din jumped up and turned to him. "Did you do this? Did you?" He was towering over Greef now.

"No!"

"It was not his fault," a female voice said and they all turned around to see the Armorer walking towards them. "We revealed ourselves," she continued. "We knew what could happen if we left the covert." She kneeled down and took a chest plate. "The Imperials arrived shortly thereafter. This is what resulted."

"Did any survive?" Din asked.

"I hope so," the Armorer said. "Some may have escaped off-world."

"Come with us," Din told her.

"No," the Armorer replied. "I will not abandon this place until I have salvaged what remains." She then pushed her cart further into the tunnels and Din followed her.

Artemis exchanged a glance with Cody, Greef and Cara before following him.

The Armorer started melting the armor in the smelter. She then turned to them.

"Show me the one whose safety deemed such destruction."

IG-11 stepped forward, showing her the child.

"This is the one," Din said, gesturing at Grogu.

"This is the one that you hunted, then saved?" the Armorer questioned.

"Yes," Din replied. "The one that saved me as well. Together with Artemis that is."

"From the mudhorn?" the Armorer questioned, glancing at Din.

"Yes."

"It looks helpless," she pointed out, looking back at the kid.

"It's injured, but it is not helpless," Din replied. "It's species can move objects with its mind."

Artemis sighed. "It's not the species, Mando, it's the Force."

"I know of such things," the Armorer said, looking at Artemis now. "The songs of eons past tell of battles between Mandalore The Great and an order of sorcerers called Jedi that fought with such powers."

Cody leaned towards Artemis. "I believe she just called you a sorcerer, Commander. Permission to take her out?"

"Permission denied," Artemis said amused.

Din tensed. "It is an enemy?"

Artemis sighed again.

"No," the Armorer said. "Its kind were enemies, but these individuals are not." She gestured at both Grogu and Artemis.

"What is it?" Din questioned her.

"It is a foundling," the Armorer said. "By Creed, it is in your care."

"You wish me to train this thing?" Din questioned.

"No, not you," the Armorer said, before turning to Artemis. "Her."

Din turned to look at Artemis. "Seems like you are getting a student after all."

"It's called a Padawan," Artemis corrected him.

"Hey," Cara said, stepping forward. "These tunnels will be lousy with Imps in a matter of minutes. We should at least discuss an escape plan."

"If you follow the descending tunnel, it will lead you to the underground river," the Armorer said, not bothering to look up. "It flows downstream towards the lava flats."

"I think we should go," Greef said.

"I'm staying," Din said. "I need to help her."

"You must go," the Armorer said. "A foundling is in your care. By Creed, until it is of age or fully trained by Artemis, you are as its father."

Artemis had to suppress a smile.

"This is the Way," the Armorer said. "You have earned your Signet." She then applied a mudhorn signet on his right pauldron. "You are a clan of three."

"Thank you," Din said. "I will wear this with honor."

The Armorer then looked at Artemis. "I have something for you as well." She turned around and pulled a bag out. She opened it and ruffled in it until she had found what she had been looking for.

"Another Mandalorian found it on his mission," the Armorer said, turning around and showing her the silver hilt. Artemis gasped upon seeing it. "It belongs to a Jedi."

"Is that —?" Cody asked, tilting his head while looking at the hilt.

"Yes," Artemis breathed, accepting the lightsaber. "It's Obi-Wan's."

She went with her hands over the hilt, not believing that she had somehow gotten her hands on her master's lightsaber. And then, she ignited it.

The familiar buzzing sound of an ignited lightsaber filled the room and emitted blue light onto Artemis face. Her green eyes were wide as she took it in.

Behind her, Din was quietly talking to the Armorer.

"Have you made her your riduur yet?" the latter questioned the former.

"Not officially," Din replied, his head slightly turned so he could watch Artemis who was still looking at the ignited lightsaber in amazement.

"You'll need this," the Armorer said, giving him a small box. "It might not be our way, but it is hers."

Din looked down and opened it. A small beskar ring with a tiny mudhorn signet engraved on it, laid on the bottom.

Din closed the box again and put it in his pocket before looking back at the Armorer.

"Thank you."

"This is the Way," was all she said.

"This is the Way," Din repeated.

On the other side of the room, Artemis was twirling the saber around, testing it.

"It's still in perfect condition," she told Cody, turning it off.

"General Kenobi would be pleased," he said.

They turned back to the others, who had been watching their small interaction.

"We should go," Greef said, as the footsteps of nearing stormtroopers were heard.

"IG, please guard the outer hallway," the Armorer said. "A scouting party draws near."

IG-11 handed the kid to Cara.

"Hang on," she said. "I don't do the baby thing." She then passed the kid to Artemis.

"I have one more gift for your journey," the Armorer continued, as IG-11 walked towards the outer hallway. "Have you trained in the Rising Phoenix?"

"When I was a boy. Yes," Din said.

"Then this will make you complete," the Armorer said, turning around and showing him a jetpack.

Artemis smiled, knowing how much Din had wanted a jetpack of his own.

"Thank you," Din said.

"When you have healed, you will begin your drills," the Armorer said. "Until you know it, it will not listen to your commands."

"I understand," Din replied.

Blaster were heard and Artemis placed the sack with the kid on her back before igniting her lightsabers, ready to block any blastershots that would be coming their way.

And then IG-11 appeared again. "You are protected," it said.

"More will come," the Armorer said. "You must go."

"Come with us," Din tried again.

"My place is here," she replied. "Restock your munitions. IG," she continued, turning to look at the droid, "carry this for Din Djarin until he is well enough to wear it."

IG-11 stepped forward and accepted the jetpack from the Armorer.

"Now, go," she said, turning to the others. "Down to the river and across the plains. Be safe on your journey. And don't let her go," she added, more quietly to Din with a glance at Artemis. "She will be a good riduur."

"Thank you," Din said, bowing his head in thanks. "And I won't."

Artemis followed IG-11, Cara, Cody and Greef into the hallway, her lightsabers still ignited.

They rounded a couple of corners before eventually arriving at the lava river.

"This is the lava river," Greef said.

They walked forward and found a boat crewed by a seemingly fried ferry droid.

"The ferry droid is fried," Din noticed.

"Yeah, but if we push the boat out, we can get it to float downstream," Greef explained. "Come on." He then tried to push it off the shore.

"Looks old," Din said. "Will it take the heat?"

"You got a better idea?" Greef questioned him.

"Guess not," Din replied and he helped him push the boat from off the shore.

"Push!" Greef exclaimed. "Come on! What are you doing?" He questioned Din who had given up.

"Let's try this," Din said, taking an iron staff and trying to use it to push the boat away.

"Push!" Greef exclaimed once more.

Artemis sighed. "Get out of the way," she told Din and Greef, who quickly obeyed upon seeing her lightsabers.

She took a couple of steps closer to the boat and used her sabers to separate the boat from the shore.

"Good job," Din told her and they got into the boat.

"Watch your feet," IG-11 warned them. "It's molten lava."

Cody glanced at him with an are-you-kidding-me-look.

"No kidding," Cara said.

An electrical humming was heard from behind them and they turned around to see the ferry droid coming to life. It chirped.

"I don't suppose anybody here speaks droid?" Din asked.

"He asks where we would like to go," Artemis said, turning her lightsabers off and hanging them back on her belt, next to Obi-Wan's.

"Down the river," Greef replied. "To the lava flat."

The droid chirped again and started rowing.

"How are you doing?" Artemis asked Cody, gazing worriedly at his blaster shot.

"Don't worry, Commander, I'll live," Cody assured her. "After all, what's a commander without her captain?"

Artemis smiled. "Nothing."

"That's it," Greef said, interrupting their conversations. He was pointing at the entrance. "We're free!"

"No," Din said. "No, we're not. Stormtroopers," he explained. "They're flanking the mouth of the tunnel. It looks like an entire platoon. They must know we're coming. Stop the boat." He turned around and when the droid didn't stop, he continued, "Hey, Droid, I said stop the boat."

"He said stop!" Cara exclaimed, dashing towards the droid and shooting him down.

"We're still moving," Greef pointed out.

"Looks like we fight," Cody said.

"There are too many," Din argued.

"Then what do you suggest?" Cara asked him. "'Cause I can't surrender."

"They will not be satisfied with anything less than the child," IG-11 said. "This is unacceptable. I will eliminate the enemy and you will escape."

"You don't have that kind of firepower, pal," Din pointed out. "You wouldn't even get to daylight."

"That's not my objective," IG-11 told him.

"We're getting close," Cara said, reading her blaster. "Saddle up."

"I still have the security protocols from my manufacturer," IG-11 continued. "If my designs are compromised, I must self-destruct."

"What are you talking about?" Din asked, but an understanding dawned onto Artemis.

"I am not permitted to be captured," IG-11 explained. "I must be destroyed."

"Are we gonna keep talking or get out of here?" Greef questioned irritated.

"I can no longer carry this for you," IG-11 told Din, handing him his jetpack. "Nor can I watch over the child." IG-11 glanced at Grogu who was still safely secured onto Artemis' back.

"Wait," Din began. "You can't self-destruct. Your base command is to watch the child. That supersedes your manufacturer's protocol, right? Right?"

"This is correct," IG-11 said.

"Good," Din said. "Now, grab a blaster and help us shoot our way out."

"Victory through combat is impossible," IG-11 said. "We will be captured. The child will be lost. Sadly, there is no scenario where the child is saved, in which I survive."

Artemis and Cody exchanged a glance.

"Listen, you're not going anywhere," Din said. "We need you. Let's just come up with a —"

"Please tell me the child will be safe in your care," IG-11 interrupted him. "If you do so, I can default to my secondary command."

"But you'll be destroyed," Din said, and Artemis could hear the sadness in his voice.

"And you will live," IG-11 retorted, "and I will have served my purpose."

"No, we need you," Din said, and his voice almost made Artemis' heart break.

"There is nothing to be sad about," IG-11 comforted him. "I have never been alive."

"I'm not . . . sad," Din defended himself.

"Yes, you are," IG-11 said. "I'm a nurse droid. I've analysed your voice."

IG-11 turned to Artemis and stroke Grogu's ear softly before making its way towards the edge of the boat.

"IG?" Greef questioned. "What are you doing?"

"Let him go," Artemis said softly.

IG-11 stepped into the lava river and made his way towards the entrance. Artemis took a couple of steps forward, so she was standing next to Din now, and she grabbed his hand, squeezing it gently.

"Manufacturer's protocol dictates I cannot be captured," Artemis heard IG-11 say. "I must be destroyed."

And then it exploded.

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WHEN the boat floated through the entrance, the group was met by the bodies of at least two dozens of stormtroopers.

Artemis looked around, trying to see if any had survived, but none of them stood up.

The familiar sound of a TIE fighter was heard and Artemis looked up to see Moff Gideon circling them and strafing them. She ignited her lightsabers and blocked the shots that came their way.

"First lesson, my young Padawan," she exclaimed, glancing over her shoulder to Grogu. "Don't piss off the guy in the TIE fighter."

The others shot at the fighter but it was useless.

"He missed!" Greef exclaimed.

"He won't next time," Din warned him.

"Our blasters are useless agains him," Cara said.

"Let's make the baby do that magic hand thing," Greef suggested, turning to Grogu. "Come on, baby! Do the magic hand thing!" He even tried to copy the hand movement Grogu had made to stop the fire.

Grogu just waved back.

"That's not how the Force works!" Cody exclaimed.

"I'm out of ideas," Greef sighed.

"I'm not," Din said, and something in his tone made Artemis look up.

"Here he comes!" Cara exclaimed, reading her blaster.

Din adjusted the jetpack on his back and Artemis took his arm.

"Be careful," she told him. "And don't die."

"I could never leave you, Fury," he quietly said, before taking off.

Greef, Cara and Cody started firing at the nearing TIE fighter while Artemis blocked any shots coming their way.

The TIE fighter flew past them and had Din latched onto it. Artemis, Cara, Greef and Cody jumped off the boat onto the ground. Artemis glanced up towards where Din was hanging on the TIE fighter and Cody placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"He'll be fine."

⋆⋆⋆

TURNED out Cody was right. The moment Din landed back onto the ground, Artemis wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into her for a bone-breaking hug.

He hugged her back just as tightly.

"That was impressive, Mando," Greef said, and the two of them pulled back. "Very impressive. It looks like your Guild rates have just gone up."

"Any more stormtroopers?" Din questioned him.

"I think we cleaned up the town," Greef said.

"I'm thinking of staying around," Cara said, "just to be sure."

"You're staying here?" Artemis asked, sounding a bit surprised.

"Well, why not?" Greef said. "Nevarro is a very fine planet. And now that the scum and villainy have been washed away, it's very respectable again."

"As a bounty hunter hive?" Din asked.

"Some of my favorite people are bounty hunters," Greef said, clasping Din's shoulder. "And perhaps, this specimen of soldier might consider joining our ranks," he added, looking at Cara and placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah," she said. "I've got some clerical concerns regarding my chain code."

"And if you would agree to become my enforcer," Greef began, "clerical concerns would be the least of your worries. But you, my friend," he added, turning to Din once more, "you will be welcome back into the Guild with open arms. So, go off, enjoy yourselves. And when you're ready to return, you will have the pick of all quarries."

"I'm afraid we have more pressing matters at hand," Din said, glancing at Artemis and Grogu.

Cara rubbed Grogu's head fondly. "Take care of this little one."

"Or maybe, it'll take care of you," Greef said, smiling.

Word count: 3126

Thank you for 4k reads!! :)

This is officially the last chapter of season one!! It's a long one so I hope you enjoyed it!

Now before we move on to season two, I will write a couple of chapters (around 5 I think, could be more, could be less) that involve old friends returning ;).

Anyway next chapter will be up tomorrow, after that, it's possible that the chapters will take longer (I have been publishing daily but I've been neglecting University a bit so I need to work on that).

Thanks for reading, voting and commenting! I really appreciate it! :)

Published: 13.03.2021