In the struggle for Mandalore’s future, two warriors stood on opposite sides—Sabine Wren and Gar Saxon. One was a Mandalorian rebel, fighting to free her people from Imperial rule, while the other was a ruthless enforcer, determined to keep Mandalore under the Empire’s grip. Their clash would decide the fate of Mandalore and its people.
Sabine Wren, played by Tiya Sircar (animated) and Natasha Liu Bordizzo (live-action), was a warrior who defied Imperial rule and sought to restore Mandalorian honor. Gar Saxon, voiced by Ray Stevenson, was a brutal Imperial loyalist, appointed as Governor of Mandalore to enforce the Empire’s control over his own people.
Their battle was not just a fight between two warriors—it was a battle between freedom and oppression, a defining moment in Mandalore’s long and bloody history.
This is the story of Sabine Wren and Gar Saxon, a conflict of honor, betrayal, and destiny that shaped Mandalore’s future.
Gar Saxon: The Empire’s Mandalorian Enforcer
Gar Saxon was a Mandalorian warrior who rose to power through brutality and loyalty to the Empire. He had once been a member of Death Watch, serving under Pre Vizsla, but after Darth Maul seized control of Mandalore, Saxon betrayed his Mandalorian brothers and aligned himself with the Sith Lord.
When the Empire took control of Mandalore, Saxon saw an opportunity to rise even higher. In exchange for his loyalty, Emperor Palpatine appointed him as the Imperial Governor of Mandalore, giving him absolute power over his people.
Rather than resisting Imperial rule, Saxon embraced it, enforcing strict obedience among Mandalorian clans. He formed the Imperial Super Commandos, a faction of Mandalorian warriors who swore loyalty to the Empire, hunting down anyone who dared oppose Imperial rule.
To Saxons, Mandalore’s future was tied to the Empire. He believed that Mandalorians were strongest under Imperial control, and anyone who resisted was a traitor. But his rule would soon be challenged by someone who embodied true Mandalorian honor—Sabine Wren.
Sabine Wren’s Mission to Liberate Mandalore
While Saxon ruled Mandalore with an iron fist, Sabine Wren had spent years fighting alongside the Rebellion. She had left Mandalore behind, believing it was beyond saving, but fate would pull her back into the fight.
Sabine had discovered the Darksaber, the symbol of Mandalorian leadership, and with the guidance of Kanan Jarrus and Fenn Rau, she trained to wield it with skill and confidence. But Sabine did not see herself as Mandalore’s ruler—she only wanted to free her people from Imperial control. To do that, she needed to unite the clans.
Her journey led her back to Clan Wren’s stronghold on Krownest, where she confronted her mother, Ursa Wren, and her brother, Tristan Wren, who were still under Gar Saxon’s control. Sabine pleaded with her mother to rise against the Empire, but Ursa feared that defying Saxon would bring destruction upon their clan.
Saxon, however, had no intention of letting Clan Wren remain neutral. When he learned that Sabine had returned with the Darksaber, he saw an opportunity to eliminate her and solidify his rule once and for all.
This set the stage for the final confrontation between Sabine Wren and Gar Saxon—a battle that would decide who truly represented Mandalore’s future.
The Duel: Sabine Wren vs. Gar Saxon
Gar Saxon arrived at Clan Wren’s stronghold, demanding Sabine’s immediate execution as proof of Clan Wren’s loyalty to the Empire. Ursa, who had tried to maintain peace with Saxon, now realized that there was no negotiating with him. He was willing to wipe out her entire clan to maintain his rule. But before Saxon could strike, Sabine challenged him to a duel, invoking Mandalorian tradition—a fight for honor and control.
A Battle of Opposites
Sabine and Saxon’s duel was a fight between two Mandalorians with completely different ideals:
- Sabine fought for freedom, seeking to restore Mandalore’s honor and protect her people.
- Saxon fought for control, believing that only through Imperial rule could Mandalore remain strong.
Though Saxon was larger, stronger, and more experienced, Sabine was faster, more strategic, and more determined. She used her agility and skill with the Darksaber, while Saxon relied on raw power and brute force.
Their blades clashed in a fierce battle, with Saxon initially dominating the fight, using his strength to overpower Sabine. But Sabine had something Saxon did not—her family and allies standing with her.
Using her training, instincts, and a newfound connection to Mandalorian combat, Sabine gained the upper hand, disarming Saxon and defeating him. However, instead of delivering the final blow, she spared his life, proving that true strength comes from honor, not oppression.
Gar Saxon’s Death and the Beginning of a New Mandalore
Sabine’s decision to spare Gar Saxon was an act of mercy and defiance, but Saxon saw it as weakness. Refusing to accept defeat, he attempted to kill Sabine even after surrendering. Before he could fire his weapon, Ursa Wren shot him down, ending his reign and breaking Clan Wren’s ties to the Empire forever.
With Saxon dead, Mandalore erupted into civil war. The Empire refused to let Mandalore go, sending more forces to crush the rebellion, but Sabine’s victory had ignited the spark of resistance.
Sabine, realizing that she was not meant to rule Mandalore, chose to give the Darksaber to Bo-Katan Kryze, a warrior she believed was the rightful leader of the Mandalorian people. This moment marked the beginning of a new fight for Mandalore—a battle that would later lead to the Great Purge and the fall of Mandalore itself.
The Legacy of Sabine Wren and Gar Saxon
The battle between Sabine Wren and Gar Saxon was more than just a personal rivalry—it was a fight for the soul of Mandalore.
Gar Saxon represented submission, believing that Mandalorians should serve a stronger power rather than govern themselves. Sabine Wren represented freedom, proving that Mandalorians should forge their own path rather than live under oppression.
Though Saxon was defeated, the Empire’s grip on Mandalore was not broken overnight. But Sabine’s defiance inspired others, leading to a Mandalorian uprising that would continue long after her duel.
Years later, Mandalore would fall once again under the Great Purge, but the legacy of Sabine Wren’s resistance lived on, proving that no matter how many times Mandalore fell, its warriors would always rise again.
