Promises are made to be broken. Deals are made to be kept.
[The Mandalorian Season 1-2]
I do not own the Mandalorian or any of the Star Wars Universe characters/settings. I own Alora and her unique story.
Prequel to Promises and Deals --> Truth...
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Early in the morning, the Armorer had taken those too wounded to continue back into the atmosphere with the rest of the fleet while Alora and the others continued to the Great Forge. Alora can feel the tension in the air, ripe enough for her to slice.
She does not know how it starts, but suddenly Paz Vizsla and Axe Woves are fighting on the deck of the ship with everyone watching. From her seat with Grogu, she can see Din and Bo-Katan watching from afar, Din on the verge of intervening.
When both stare at each other, knives in hand, Alora's back goes straight. In one swift move, she ignites both lightsabers, stepping between them to keep them at arm's length. Before her, Grogu does the same, his robotic arms spread to keep them apart.
The yellow glow lights up Axe's eyes as the purple makes Paz Vizsla's armor darken. Both stare at the lightsabers before looking at her as Grogu says, "No, no, no, no, no, no, no."
Alora narrows her gaze from beneath the hood. "Division begets destruction," she says, her voice rougher than she expected. It is only then that she realizes she has not spoken—not a word—since she watched those videos. Any question was answered with a look, or she ignored it. It is only now that she speaks, only now that she steps up. "Kill each other when you win your planet back. Before then, you will behave."
The silence stretches between them. Under Alora's glare, Paz Vizsla is the first to straighten and put away his weapon. Axe follows hesitantly as he eyes the lightsaber. It seems everyone is staring at her lightsabers even beyond the point where she deactivates them and places them on her belt. Perhaps he senses the apprehension because Grogu steps up to her, the robotic arms of IG-12 clumsily wrapping around her as he coos loudly.
Without a word, Alora pulls away, pats Grogu's head, retakes her position at the side of the ship, and looks out over the cresting sun as it peaks through the clouds. The silence persists, no one approaching her, only watching from afar.
Perhaps it is better this way.
Another hour passes before Alora feels her muscles begin to stiffen uncomfortably, but she remains still. Anyone who comes close for any reason finds something else to do far away from her. It does not bother her.
"There!" A sudden voice yells from the top of the ship. "On the starboard bow!"
Alora twists her neck to follow everyone's gazes. In the distance stands a jagged rock formation that is suddenly moving. It twists and turns until the head of a large monstrous creature emerges, bellowing into the air as the rocks crumble around it.
With just one look, Alora knows fighting will be useless. The ship's momentum pushes them forward, but she rushes to Grogu's side as it banks away. With a shove of her hand, Grogu in his IG-12 suit leaps into the air, and she directs him to where other Mandalorians are already fleeing as the order to abandon ship rings in the air.
