Chapter 23: The Spies

Official description

Those who survived emerge from their concealed locations.

Plot summary

Status report

Elia Kane navigates the rain-soaked alleys of Coruscant. She encounters a Viper probe droid, which proceeds to scan her facial features. Kane identifies herself with the designation TK-2755. The droid then projects a holoprojector image of Moff Gideon, who requests an update. Kane informs him that the pirates on Nevarro are experiencing difficulties. When Gideon reminds her that she previously reported a lack of New Republic support, Kane clarifies that High Magistrate Greef Karga received assistance from Mandalorians, specifically Bo-Katan Kryze's squadron and Din Djarin's covert. Gideon expresses surprise, noting the historical animosity between these Mandalorian factions. Kane explains that this unexpected alliance prompted her urgent communication. Gideon instructs her to continue her assignment while he addresses the Mandalorian situation.

Shadow Council

Gideon proceeds along a corridor, escorted by soldiers in white armor with red sensors, before entering a laboratory filled with tanks containing murky substances. He then enters a conference room where several Imperial officers are participating in a meeting via holograms. One of the officers, Captain Gilad Pellaeon, reports that the New Republic is susceptible, but they must exercise caution to avoid revealing their full strength. A bald male commander dissents, suggesting that plundering the hyperspace lanes could prove profitable. Captain Pellaeon counters, warning the commander that his raids are attracting excessive attention. He asserts that if they are perceived as more than a collection of disorganized remnant warlords, the New Republic will intensify its efforts to eliminate them.

A female officer adds that citizens across the galaxy remain loyal to the former Galactic Empire, expressing growing dissatisfaction with the New Republic's rules. Another officer with a beard proposes a show of force to rally these loyalists, but Pellaeon advises against wasting their resources, suggesting that the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn of the Imperial Navy will signal the resurgence of the Imperial Military. He further suggests that patience might allow Commandant Brendol Hux to complete the mysterious Project Necromancer. Hux smiles as the captain gestures towards him, but Gideon, annoyed by Pellaeon's faith in Thrawn, points out that Thrawn is absent from his delegation. When he inquires about Thrawn's participation in the Shadow Council, Pellaeon responds that their success hinges on maintaining the secrecy of the Chiss Grand Admiral's return. Gideon expresses skepticism, stating that he has heard no supporting rumors. Questioning this belief, Gideon suggests that the Shadow Council should look within their own ranks for leadership, a sentiment echoed by the female warlord who previously mentioned civilian loyalty to the Empire, as well as by Hux and two other warlords, who all indicate their agreement, with a white-haired female warlord nodding slowly and another chuckling darkly, while Pellaeon looks away uncomfortably.

Hux states that Project Necromancer is intended to facilitate the return of Imperial leadership and asks Gideon about Doctor Penn Pershing and his promised research. Gideon reports that Pershing has been captured by the New Republic, and his research is lost. Hux confronts Gideon about rumors that he held Pershing captive and was conducting unauthorized cloning experiments on Nevarro. Gideon dismisses this, stating that cloning is Hux's preoccupation and that he is responsible for his sector. He adds that the same applies to all members of the Shadow Council, a sentiment that finds agreement among several members.

Gideon observes that the warlords compete for resources, while Pellaeon and Hux accumulate resources and equipment that he believes should be shared. Hux acknowledges Gideon's request for three Imperial Praetorian Guards and suggests that Gideon fears an assassination attempt, while Pellaeon notes that despite this extravagant request, Gideon believes he is being ostentatious. Hux also mentions Gideon's request for reinforcements for his TIE/IN interceptor squadron.

Gideon also requests bombers to counter the Mandalorians, explaining to Pellaeon that he believes they are preparing to reclaim their homeworld of Mandalore. Pellaeon warns that a resurgent Mandalore would disrupt their plans, but Gideon urges the Council to support his efforts to eliminate the Mandalorians before they become a major threat. The warlords agree, including Pellaeon, with Hux promising reinforcements and guards. Gideon concludes the meeting, declaring that they will finally eliminate the Mandalorians, leading the Shadow Council in chanting "Long Live the Empire."

Two worlds collide

On Nevarro, the inhabitants are surprised by the arrival of a fleet of former Imperial warships, including Gideon's former light cruiser. Karga's protocol droid expresses alarm, but Karga clarifies that the ships are now under Mandalorian control and are welcome.

The Armorer emerges from her tent with members of the Tribe to observe the approaching Mandalorian fleet. Kryze pilots her Gauntlet starfighter with Grogu in her lap. She expresses hope that the Tribe and her followers can reconcile their past differences. As Kryze arrives with her followers, Paz Vizsla instructs his son, Ragnar, to take the children inside. Kryze and her followers remove their helmets.

The Armorer welcomes the newcomers and orders a feast to be prepared. Karga and his protocol droid visit Djarin. Karga admires the Mandalorian fleet and offers Djarin a bottle of wine from Coruscant to celebrate. Later, Karga introduces Djarin and Grogu to IG-12, a refurbished droid built on IG-11's chassis, piloted by an Anzellan droidsmith. The droid's memory circuits have been removed. Karga describes the refurbished droid as a vehicle. After the Anzellan departs, Karga persuades Djarin to place Grogu in the control cockpit in IG-12's chest.

Djarin believes Grogu is too young to operate heavy machinery, but Grogu uses the droid's Vocabulators to express his desire to ride IG-12 in the office. Djarin disagrees, but Grogu persists and walks IG-12 around while repeatedly saying "yes" through the vocabularies. While walking through the streets of Nevarro City, Grogu uses IG-12 to take snacks from a Tarsunt's hawker stall. Djarin tells Grogu to stop and pays the Tarsunt merchant. Undeterred, Grogu grabs a meiloorun fruit. Djarin tries to intervene, but Grogu squashes the fruit, annoying the Tarsunt and Djarin.

Later that night, the two Mandalorian factions gather for a feast. Kryze declares that it is time to reclaim their homeworld. Although the planet is not cursed, she warns of dangers such as the dormant Alamites. The remaining magnetic interference prevents scanning the surface from above. She proposes moving the fleet into orbit above Mandalore and sending a small recon party to scout the surface, including the Great Forge. Once it is safe, they will bring down the others. Kryze seeks volunteers from both tribes. Djarin, Grogu, Koska Reeves, Axe Woves, Vizsla, the Armorer, and several others volunteer.

Homecoming

The next day, the Mandalorian fleet leaves Nevarro and travels via hyperspace to Mandalore. Upon arriving in orbit, Kryze leads a scouting party to Mandalore's surface aboard her Gauntlet fighter. After entering the planet's atmosphere, the ship deploys several Mandalorian scouts equipped with jetpacks. The scouts land on Mandalore's rocky surface. Woves reports that the landing zone is secure. Djarin, Grogu, R5-D4, the Armorer, and Kryze disembark.

Kryze informs the Mandalorians that their ancient capital of Sundari lies below. She states that they will survey the surface to find the Forge and establish a perimeter, bringing in the settlers only when it is safe. After walking a distance, they see a langskib approaching. The occupants ask for food, which Kryze confirms they have.

One of the people aboard notices the sigil of the Nite Owls on some of them. Kryze confirms their affiliation. The Armorer recognizes the strangers as Mandalorians. The person asks if he is addressing Lady Bo-Katan, who confirms her identity. The Mandalorians on the langskib activate their jetpacks and meet the scouting party, identifying themselves as followers of Lady Kryze and reaffirming their loyalty despite their past failures.

The Mandalorians explain that the Empire destroyed all ships leaving Mandalore and bombed the surface twice as punishment for their refusal to surrender. Kryze explains that she surrendered to the Empire after their forces were decimated during the Night of a Thousand Tears. She recounts meeting with Moff Gideon after the Imperial Security Bureau contacted her to negotiate a ceasefire. In exchange for submitting to the Empire and disarming, all remaining Mandalorian cities and lives were to be spared. Moff Gideon took the Darksaber but betrayed her, leaving them defenseless during the Great Purge of Mandalore.

When the leader of the Mandalorian survivors asks how the Tribe survived, the Armorer explains that they hid on the moon of Concordia. This prompts the leader to ask if they are members of the Mandalorian terrorist group Death Watch, to which the Armorer replies that it splintered into numerous warring factions. Kryze adds that their people have always been divided into factions. While Mandalore has been too powerful for any enemy to defeat, it is their division which destroys them.

In private, Djarin admits he was unaware of these events and had been taught by his Tribe that everyone but them had abandoned the Way of the Mandalore. He admits that he believed that Kryze was selfish and uncaring. Djarin says that he now understands. Kryze replies that she regrets that her selfishness led to this destruction. Djarin reassures her that they have survived millennia of destruction. Kryze admits that she does not know if she can keep their people united and says that the Darksaber is the only thing that can unify their people. Djarin replies that the Darksaber, station and bloodline means nothing compared with honor, loyalty, and character. He says these are the reasons he serves her. He vows to serve her until her song is written. Djarin's words encourage Kryze.

Search for the Great Forge

Later, Kryze proposes continuing the exploration the next day. The Armorer responds that the Mandalorian survivors are too weak to continue and says she will ferry them back to the fleet in the morning. Kryze agrees and speaks to the Captain of the survivors. Those of them who are well enough can continue the search for the Great Forge. The Captain offers to bring her to the Forge.

The next day, he and the able crew continue their search for the Forge. The Armorer takes the wounded back on the Gauntlet to the fleet, flying through a rainstorm. During the journey to the Forge, Vizsla and Woves play a tabletop game. Woves remarks that only the Wing Guard can flank a jump. Vizsla replies that the Enforcer moves like a Wing Guard when it is flanking. When Woves accuses him of cheating, Vizsla draws out his vibro-knife and demands that he submits or fight.

The two fight on the deck of the land ship. Djarin offers to intervene but Kryze opines that the fight was bound to happen sooner or later. Following a tussle, Vizsla throws Woves against a chest. The two continue fighting but Grogu uses IG-12 to break up the fight while using the droid's vocabulator to say "no" repeatedly. The two men walk away. When Kryze says that Djarin taught his apprentice well, Djarin replies that Grogu did not learn that from him.

Meanwhile, the Armorer takes the Gauntlet to the surface and informs Fleet Command to prepare to receive survivors in need of medical treatment. She flies to the light cruiser. Back on Mandalore, one of the survivors spots something emerging on the starboard side. This turns out to be a large trinitaur, which uses its tail to smash their langskib. The Mandalorians activate their jetpacks and abandon ship while the dragon devours their ship. The survivors retreat into an underground cave.

The mousetrap

The cave leads to a tunnel which eventually takes them to the remains of the Great Forge. Grogu rides inside IG-12. When Djarin asks where they are, Woves explains that they are in the presence of the Great Forge, which has long been extinguished by the bombings. When Vizsla asks if they lived here, Reeves replies that it used to be their home. The survivors' captain says his group never left Mandalore but survived by migrating across the surface till the war ended. Some tried to explore the underground levels but never emerged.

The Mandalorians are ambushed by Imperial armored commandos donning jetpacks and beskar armor. The Imperials pin them down, leading to a gun battle. Djarin says they need back up. Woves volunteers to return to the fleet to bring reinforcements. Kryze thinks it is too far but Vizsla spots an opening in the ceiling. He provides covering fire for Woves to flee to the surface. The other Mandalorians continue fighting the Imperials with blasters and melee weapons. Both sides experience casualties.

Faced with Mandalorian resistance, the Imperials retreat. The Mandalorians pursue the Imperials. Djarin tells Grogu he has to keep up. They chase the commandos inside an Imperial starfighter base but are trapped behind the blast door. Djarin and two other Mandalorians are on the other side of the blast door and make a fiery stand. While the two others are killed, Djarin is subdued and restrained with whipcords.

Moff Gideon arrives, wearing his advanced Dark Trooper suit. He tells his Mandalorian prisoners that their time has passed but that their culture and spirit will live on in him. He explains that he has exploited their planet's resources to build the next generation of Dark Troopers. Gideon says he hopes to use elements of the Jedi, Mandalorians, and clones to create a new army that will restore order to the galaxy. He orders that Djarin be brought into a room for debriefing.

Seeking to complete the Mandalorian Purge, Gideon orders that TIE/sa bombers and TIE interceptors be prepared for a strike on the unwary Mandalorian fleet. Kryze says she regrets not killing Gideon when she had the chance. Gideon demands that she surrender the Darksaber and tell her people to submit. Vizsla defiantly fires his blaster at the blast door while Kryze attempts to use the Darksaber to cut a hole through the back blast door.

Gideon orders his troops to open the front blast doors and kill them. Kryze manages to cut a hole through the rear that allows the Mandalorians, Grogu, and IG-12 to escape one at a time. Kryze pleads for Vizsla to join in the escape, but Viszla refuses, stating, "This is the Way." To buy time for the escapees, Vizsla makes a last stand and seals the front blast door. Kryze reluctantly retreats while Vizsla's blaster cannon overheats to the point of melting down. He fights the commandos in hand to hand combat and even throws two down a chasm.

Vizsla is faced by three Imperial Praetorian Guards. He draws out his vibro-knife and activates his shield projector. Despite a defiant last stand, Vizsla is impaled and stabbed numerous times by the Praetorian Guards, who leave him to die on the floor.

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