Outside the warehouse, the firefight continued and civilians ran around looking for safety. One particular family ran to the left to avoid the explosions around them.

"They are coming," the mother said, hugging her frightened son.

The father could only look ahead, guiding the one he loved. "I know, but we have to—"

嘣*

Parents fell from nearby explosions. They picked themselves up and headed for the shelters of their homes, while many of their neighbors fled or dropped dead.

They soon arrived home and the father opened the door to the bunker. The mother looked back and saw several Deathwatch members approaching them. The father saw this as well and realized what needed to be done.

"Stay here, son. You'll be safe," the father said, putting him in the bunker.

"But--"

"I'm sorry, but this is for your own good," the boy's mother said as she quickly closed the door. "We love you. Don't ever forget that."

"Come on, you big bastard." Dax gritted his teeth, trying his best to keep the old war robot steady as it rampaged around the warehouse, firing at any Deathwatch member that came into its sight.

While it holds together, it's clear that Carl was right; this Basilisk needs some serious maintenance. However, despite this, the robot proves to be both effective in terms of firepower and scares the shit out of Mando in Death Watch.

They shot at him, albeit hesitantly. No one seemed willing to be on the receiving end of this behemoth.

"Dax."

He looked back at Toby and saw him flying overhead.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Trying to get this overgrown robot to work properly," Dax yelled, trying to lure the robot away from the house.

"What does the diary say?"

"I barely remember it now!"

"How come you don't remember something like this now?"

"Toby, now is really not the time!"

"Both of you shut up."

They both saw a Deathwatch member fly by, with Finn in hot pursuit, stopping next to them for a moment.

"We have to get these guys out now," Finn said. "They're causing hell throughout the village."

"We can do this," Dax said, now rapidly tapping the robot's control panel. "If only this would work!"

The Basilisk war robot suddenly reared up on its hind legs and tail, letting out a rumbling roar, then dropped down on its front legs and began charging forward towards a group of Death Watch.

They all saw the war robots coming towards them, their eyes nearly popping out of their skulls at what was about to happen.

Their brief moment of shock was their undoing, as the war bots blasted them to death, landing on the ground before moving on to their next target.

With Sparr and Prey leading the charge, Sparr kicked Vizsla in the chest, sending him flying through the air.

He stood up straight and glared at the clone Mandalorian hatefully.

"Vizla," said Thaxun, over the comms. "We are suffering heavy losses. Half our troops are dead.

Vizsla growled beneath his helmet, looking toward Spar, who was hovering in front of him with his arms raised.

Reluctantly, he knew what he had to do. There were more pressing matters to attend to in the next few days. Matters concerning their hometown.

"retreat."

Searching through the destroyed villages, the protectors are helping to find survivors. So far, there are more dead than alive, which is infuriating.

"What's going on?" Toby asked depressedly.

"Nothing is sacred to the Deathwatch," Spall said in an angry tone. "All they care about is this maddening return to the old ways.

"Is that the old way?" said Toby in disgust.

Spaar remained silent, simply patted Dara on the shoulder and went to assist his followers in helping the villagers.

Finn walked alone among the ruins of the town, helmet under his arm, a sad look on his face. This was an unnecessary battle. So many people died, all because of the damned competition between the Mandalorians.

Shaking his head, he continued to trudge between the two, helping those he could.

He eventually came across a home and frowned at the sight of a married couple lying at the entrance to the bunker. Going closer, he gently pulled them down and laid them out. As he did so, he heard some muffled cries coming from there.

Finn grabbed the door handle and opened the door to see a little boy cowering. The boy was huddled up, wearing a red dress that covered his face.

"Hey, it's okay. The fight's over," Finn said softly.

The boy jumped at the sound, glanced at Finn, then turned quickly.

As Finn started to come in, the boy crawled back in fear.

"I'm not here to hurt you, I swear. Please believe me.

To emphasize the point, Finn lowered his helmet and threw his blaster away from him, then raised his hands.

"Look, I'm not going to hurt you," Finn said with a small smile.

The Child blinked and faced the Mandalorian.

Finn held out his hand for the kid to take, and the boy hesitantly reached out to him.

On the ground, a protector came to help move the many bodies for proper burial. He soon saw Finn holding a child in his arms, who was in shock.

"Who are you hugging, Finn?"

"An orphan. Foundling, perhaps.

"Does he have a name?"

Before Finn could reply, the boy said weakly, "My name is Din Djarin."

"There, look," Finn said, letting the child bounce slightly in his arms. The child smiled slightly at the action, which then turned into sadness.

Finn blinked and looked at Din's face before looking at what had caught the boys' attention. The married couple he spotted were covering the cellar door where Din was hiding.

Finn sighed and put the child down, and the boy walked over to his parents.

"Don't worry, Din. We'll give your parents a proper burial," Finn promised, placing a comforting hand on top of the boy's head.

Din just sniffled, tears streaming down his cheeks. Finn crouched down without a word and put his arm around Din's shoulders, and the boy followed suit and hugged Finn.

“It’s okay, kid. I’m coming.

On the Spahr side he stood with Carl, Toby and Alrich.

"How much are our losses?" Spall asked grimly.

"Too many, chief," said Toby, who was more concerned with the fallen villagers than with the protectors. They had lost no more than a dozen or more.

However, the people of this settlement...

"Hasn't it always been like this?" Spall said in a serious tone.

"Mandalore."

Spurr looked back and saw Finn approaching with a little boy in his arms.

"Finn." Spurr greeted. "Who's that?"

"A foundling," Finn answered. "His name is Din Djarin.

Spall just nodded in understanding.

"This is our path," Spurr said softly, and Finn tilted his head.

The Protector nodded and returned to his task. When he was far enough away, Spall answered the call. Boba's holographic form appeared in front of him.

Spall blinked in slight surprise. "Hello, kid. Do you need anything?"

"I...thought about it, Ward. And...I have considered your proposal.

"and then?"

Boba frowned slightly and lowered his head, then looked up at Spaar with a determined expression.

“I should go home.

"I see." Spall said happily. "When do you think you'll be home?"

Young Fett crossed his arms, lost in thought. "I have some things to take care of, but hopefully soon."

"That's what I needed to hear, Boba." Spar said with a slight smile. "We'll wait for your call."

Today's victory was bittersweet, in more ways than one. He had acquired several valuable assets. The heirs of Kal and Jango were recruited, a planet beneath his feet, and a somewhat intact Basilisk war robot. However, there had been too much death here today.

Hopefully things would change with the future so his people could go back to the way they were without all the senseless bloodshed.

"Let's pack up," Sparr called out. "We should go home."

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