Okay, so this Star Wars story contains a lot of references and words (ie words in Star Wars languages) that you may need to look up. The Star Wars wiki should be helpful for this, and I recommend keeping it open in another window as you read this. Also, I'm going to be starting a number of different stories, so please keep an eye out for those, and as always, enjoy!
Mandalore, 48 BBY
As the Jedi shuttle lands, Kal Skirata shields himself from the flying dust and wonders why his clan had agreed to this madness - handing children over to the Jedi was not very popular, especially among Mandalorians. The Jedi step out of the shuttle and walk over to him. One is a human male, with dark skin, a bald head, and a calm, collected demeanor. The second is a Rodian male with glowing blue eyes, and an air of intellectual superiority.
Great, Kal thinks, 'Cause we definitely need a Jedi with a superiority complex right now. He won't last too long on Manda'yaim.
The third one... the third Jedi is quite a surprise. A short green creature with long ears and a head of rapidly thinning white hair slowly descends the ramp with a cane. He has a gait that betrays centuries of experience and wisdom, and eyes that reflect a keen intelligence.
"Jetiise," Kal nods, barely containing a biting comment, "Welcome."
"Kal Skirata," the dark-skinned one says, "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Mace Windu, Master of the Jedi Order. This is Grand Master Yoda and Master Bolla Ropal." As he says this, he points to the short green one and the Rodian in turn. "We are here about a group of children."
"Elek," Kal says, "I know. Their parents and the clan voted for me to negotiate on their behalf. Aliit ori'shya tal'din."
"Negotiate?" Windu asks.
"Elek," Kal says, "My clan wants several conditions to be laid down before we give you the children. If you don't agree, you don't get the children, and rumor has it that other people have been interested in Force-sensitive children lately."
The Jedi turn away and confer for a few minutes.
"We have decided," Windu says, "To hear your demands."
"Jate," Kal says, "Come with me. We'll head somewhere less... conspicuous."
The group leaves the spaceport and walks to a nearby cantina. They find a secluded booth in the corner, with a good view of both doors and most of the other patrons, yet out of earshot. For most beings, that is.
"Listening, we are," Yoda says, "State your conditions, you can."
"Ori'jate," Kal says, "First, these children will grow up knowing the Resol'nare, the six tenets of our culture. Second, they will be trained in a group, or as close to it as your training procedures allow, but they will also learn to operate alone. Third, they will receive Mandalorian training once their Jedi training is completed. Fourth, they will choose their own fate once their training is done. Jedi, Mando, mercenary, or whatever they decide. Fifth, they will receive Mandalorian gear in addition to their Jedi gear regardless of what fate they choose. Sixth, since they will be receiving custom gear, we will want their personnel files or whatever you have before they transfer, as well as updated size measurements and requests from them as to how their gear is customized. Seventh, one of our members will arrive in ten years and reside with them to make sure the conditions are kept, and to facilitate communication to the clan. Do you follow me?"
"Reasonable requests, they are," Yoda says, "More, there are?"
"Nayc," Kal says, "That's it. Do you accept them?"
The Jedi look at each other for a moment and nod.
"Yes," Windu says, "We accept."
"Ori'jate," Kal says as he stands up and puts on his helmet, "Haar, Ijaa, Haa'it."
"Ah," Windu says, "Your way of sealing a pact, correct?"
"Elek," Kal replies, "It means Truth, Honor, Vision." He glares at Ropal as the latter opens his mouth to speak. "Before you ask, I'm fluent in Mando'a and Basic. I grew up speaking Basic, and I learned Mando'a as a child when I was brought into Clan Skirata. Despite what you may think, we Mandos are for the most part a very well-educated bunch."
They walk out of the building and soon arrive at a speeder, and Kal hops in the driver's seat, shortly followed by the three Jedi. After a short drive, they reach a small compound with a pair of Mandalorians guarding the gate. Kal stops the speeder and nods to them, and one turns away and activates their helmet comlink. After a short conversation in Mandalorian, the guard waves Kal ahead.
They eventually reach a small, modest building with another pair of guards. A Mandalorian in orange armor steps out of the building and Kal steps out of the speeder.
"Kal," he says as they shake hands, "I assume the Jetiise agreed."
"Yes," Kal says, "They're here for the kids."
The orange-clad Mandalorian waves to the Jedi to follow him. "Come, the children are in here."
The Mandalorian leads the Jedi into a small room with a group of small beds. In the beds are children, each about a year old, possibly younger. Four humans, a Twi'lek, and a Dathomirian.
"These are the children?" Ropal asks, and moves towards them. Every Mandalorian in the room, except for the one in orange, points their weapons at Ropal.
"We will take care of getting them to your ship," the orange Mandalorian says.
"Okay," Ropal says. He backs off, and the Mandalorians lower their weapons.
"You," the orange-clad Mandalorian says to Windu, "Come here. I will tell you their names."
Windu steps forward, and the two move to the four humans.
"This one is Naver Skirata," the orange Mandalorian says as he points to the first one, "And this is his twin, Ca'kal Skirata. This one is Bev Skirata, and his brother, Sepac Skirata." He then moves to the Dathomirian and the Twi'lek. "The Dathomirian is Dominic Skirata, and the Twi'lek is Lasaree Skirata. Treat them well."
"We will," Windu says.
"Good," the Mandalorian says, "Kal, once the children are in a speeder, take the Jetiise back to their ship. We will follow."
Half an hour later, the Jedi are aboard the ship, and the children being carefully carried on. The orange-armored Mandalorian pulls Windu aside.
"Be sure you uphold the conditions of this offer," he says, "Because, as Kal likely mentioned, we will have a warrior in your Temple. And if you don't send them to us, then we will take them, by force if necessary."
"I understand," Windu says, "And as Master of the Jedi Order, I will do everything in my power to ensure that these conditions are kept."
"Good. Now go, the children are aboard, and I fear there are malevolent eyes watching."
Windu nods and heads into the shuttle. They lift off, and fly off towards space, and the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
Okay, so please tell me how you liked this, and what issues there were so I can fix them for the next chapter. Thanks for reading!
