Patriot-112: Hey everyone! Sorry, I'm starting another Star Wars fic so soon, but after watching the recent episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, I just had to write this fic out. As many of you have known, I'm a HUGE of the Mandalorians, with the spiteful exception of the Pacifistic New Mandalorians. I'm not a big fan of the Death Watch's methods either, but I respect them as warriors.
For those who don't want spoilers, turn back now!
This fic takes place between the Takeover of Mandalore by Darth Maul and the Shadow Collective and the duel between said Sith and Pre Vizsla. Now on with the show!
Prologue
Rebirth of the Mando'ade Verde
The Mandalorians...the most skilled, feared, and respected warriors, mercenaries, and bounty hunters in the Galaxy. From the Mandalorian Wars, to the Clone Wars, these soldiers served in almost every known major Galactic conflict. Unfortunately, there was a time where the millennia old warrior culture was almost driven to extinction.
Over 700 years before the Clone Wars began, there was a conflict between Mandalorian Space, and the Galactic Republic, with the support of the Jedi Order, known as the Mandalorian Excision. The military of Mandalore, despite having excellent technology and strong numbers, couldn't hold back the Republic Onslaught, which devastated numerous worlds in the Mandalore Sector, including the capital world itself, turning most of it's regions into deserts of white sand. The Clans were disarmed and the Sector came under Republic occupation which lasted for decades, which increased further resentment of the Republic and the Jedi.
The remnants of the Pro-Peace faction of Mandalorians were transformed into a administrative government by the Republic, thus were born the New Mandalorians, whose political ideology focused strongly on pacifism and nonviolence . The many Warrior clans were either exiled to the moon of Concordia, left the sector to act as bounty hunters, or took refuge in Mandalore's traditional capital city of Keldabe and other regions untouched by the orbital bombardments.
Hundreds of years later, the Mandalorian Civil War erupted with the True Mandalorians, led by the Ex-Journeyman Protector and current Mandalore Jaster Mereel -who preached how the Mandalorians should act like soldiers for hire, and honourable mercenaries- against the Mandalorian Radical Splinter Group, also known as the Death Watch, led by Clan Vizsla- who sought to return Mandalore to the old days as Raiders and conquerors. The war raged as the New Mandalorians took no side in the conflict, condemning both sides just for using violence.
The war went badly for the True Mandalorians, when during the Battle of Korda 6, saw the death of Mereel, with the young Jango Fett succeeding him. The final blow to them, came when answering a contract by the Governor of Galidraan (Who was secretly in cahoots with the Death Watch), the Super Commandos were confronted by a Jedi Task Force, who were there because they received false reports of the True Mandalorians murdering civilians. A fight broke out, with several Jedi, and all but two of the True Mandalorians killed, with Jango Fett surviving.
The young Mandalore was captured, and brought before the governor before being stripped of his armor, and sold into slavery. Months later, Fett escaped from his bonds and after retrieving his armor from Galidraan, sought revenge against Tor Vizsla, the head of Clan Vizsla and leader of Death Watch. The two engaged in battle on Corellia, with Jango emerging victorious. Insteading of returning to his people and rebuilding the True Mandalorians, Jango instead choose the salutary life of a bounty hunter, due to the loss of his comrades and his time in slavery.
But, while Tor Vizsla may have been killed, the Death Watch was still intact, and focused their attention on the New Mandalorians, led by the Duchess of Mandalore Satine Kryze. While many believed that the Mandalorian Warrior culture and Mandalore itself was destined to ruin, what they didn't know, was that after the Mandalorian Excision, 10 Mandalorian warrior clans, who believed that it was only a matter of time before the New Mandalorian Government failed, and crumbled, formed an alliance in preparation for such an event. After the death of Mandalore Jaster and the Massacre of Galidraan, these clan Warlords adopted his Supercommando Codex, and the sigil of the True Mandalorians, as a way to honor their memory.
And now, during the final months of the Clone Wars, the thought dead Darth Maul along with his brother Savage Opress, conspired with the Death Watch and numerous Crime Syndicates in a plot to take over Mandalore, and to overthrow the New Mandalorians. Unknown to the Brothers, as well as the Death Watch, the ten Mandalorian Clans, having gathered strength in numbers, ships, and armaments, prepare to make their move...
Old Capital City of Keldabe on the Planet Mandalore
Exact Location: Unknown
20 BBY
8 hours after the Takeover of Mandalore
In Keldabe on the planet of Mandalore, a meeting was taking place in a conference room, with 10 individuals, sitting around a table. They wore the easily recognizable Mandalorian Super Commando armor, an upgraded variant of the shock trooper armor, that was worn by the True Mandalorians during the Civil War decades ago. Their helmets were removed and showing 6 men and 4 women.
"So, Vizsla managed to gain the support of the majority of the Planet did he?" said one of the men, whose armor was colored a blood red with dark grey highlights, with a black shoulder cloak over his left shoulder "How the hell did he managed to pull that off?"
When he asked that, one of the women, with copper brown shoulder length hair and eyes, whose armor was colored cobalt blue with maroon highlights, spoke, "Apparently he and the Death Watch captured a Collective of Intergalactic criminals made up of a faction from the Black Sun, the Pyke Syndicate, and a few Hutt Cartel Enforcers," she said, "They were being led by these pair of Zabraks who, according to our agents, appeared to be Sith,"
"Sith?" said another one of the men, who had light brown military-crew cut hair, olive colored eyes, and wearing armor colored dark tan with auburn highlights, "How can you can be sure?"
The same woman answered, "Because they saw one of the Zabraks that Vizsla fought, was wielding a double bladed lightsaber with the blades being red, and his clothing and armor matched the descriptions from our records," the woman then pressed a button on the table, showing a hologram showing the Overlord of Death Watch himself, fighting against a tall monster of a Zabrak with yellow face markings. The two were fighting a duel with Vizsla using his Darksaber, as it clashed with the dual red blades of the Zabrak.
Another of the four women, with dark brown shoulder length hair and steel grey eyes, clad in gray and white armor looked at the hologram, and her eyes squinted in suspicion at the duel, "Does anyone get the feeling that this lightsaber duel seems a little...off?"
Another of the men, one who had short crew cut black hair and crimson colored eyes in black and red armor, rose an eyebrow "What do you mean?" he asked, as he continued to watch the duel.
The woman then motioned to the hologram, "Look at how they're fighting. Normally Vizsla would use his jet pack to give himself a height advantage over any Jedi or Force-User," she said, "Not to mention this Sith easily took down at least 12 Mandalorian Police officers with no problem when he attacked the Sundari Bank along with some Black Sun thugs. In this hologram, it appears he's holding his strength back, while he could've just ripped Vizsla a new one,"
The others blinked and looked back at the Hologram, and saw that she was right.
"You have a point..." The man said, eyeing the battle. "Why are they holding back against one another now?"
Another woman with black mid-back length hair in a braided ponytail, onyx colored eyes, and wearing black with white highlighted armor spoke up, "Could it be...that Death Watch, and these criminals are working together to seize control of Mandalore from the Duchess?"
"It is a possibility," said the red-eyed Mandalorian, "Knowing Clan Vizsla and Death Watch, they'd always had others do their dirty work. Remember Galidraan? I should because I was there, and barely got out alive!"
"So was I Aren," Another woman who had shoulder length wavy crimson red hair, green eyes and wearing sage green with Red trimmed armor said. "Clan Vizsla never was an honorable clan... even though I could name a handful of exceptions."
"What should we do about this?" said the Mandalorian in the dark tan/auburn armor, "We can't just walk up and confront them, since the people of Sundari and perhaps 65 percent of the planet are on their side now,"
The Mandalorian in the blood red cloak sighed at that, "For now we'll have our agents keep an eye on things. In the meantime we must check our inventory, and prepare our own forces for the inevitable,"
Aren and the others nodded, "With your permission, I'd like to send a team to Sundari to keep an eye on things. They'll act as new recruits to Death Watch,"
The Mandalorian rose an eyebrow at Aren, "Who do you plan on sending, Aren?" he asked. Aren Takeo smirked as he gave a knowing glance to his wife, Sutura Takeo, who grinned as well "I believe Jaden, Matthew, and Amy would do well." he said, "And I think sending Riona with them may be a good idea as well."
The other Mandalorians, including Sutura all blinked at that last part.
"Wait, the Nightsister your son saved?" said the woman in the cobalt/maroon armor said, "If I recall from what I heard, that girl attacked your son and almost killed him on Dathomir!"
"True... but that was when she thought he was after a bounty on her head," Aren said with a grin, "And Jaden saved her life when the CIS attacked. They trust each other fully now, and if our Intel is correct about the Zabraks and the Nightsisters in general..."
They all nodded at that, as the man with the shoulder cape spoke.
"True. Very well Aren, you have permission to send your children and Riona to Sundari as agents," he said, as Aren nodded in thanks.
"Thank you sir, I will inform them immediately," he said and he and Sutura left the conference room.
"Are you certain it was a wise idea to send Aren's children with her going along, Galik?" said a Mandalorian male with chestnut hair and heterochromic eyes with the left eye being blue and the right being brown, and clad in orange with blue highlighted armor, to the now identified Galik Trac. A man who appeared to be in his mid forties with graying red military cut hair and a beard.
"They can handle themselves," Galik said with a nod and a slight smirk. "And they're not kids anymore, their Mandalorian Warriors. And if Aren thinks she won't be a problem, I believe him."
City of Sundari
Royal Palace
Pre Vizsla sat on what used to be the throne of the Dukes and Duchesses of the New Mandalorians. Now, it shall become the throne of the new Mandalore...Himself. He was not alone as he had some of his most loyal Death Watch troops with him. He smiled as he remembered the look on that foolish idealistic woman's face as he told her that the people of Mandalore were now on the side of Death Watch.
The weak willed New Mandalorians were finished, and now the people will return to their ancestral roots, as strong and feared warriors.
"Mandalore," A voice said, grabbing his attention as a Death Watch trooper approached him, bowing "The new recruits have arrived, as scheduled."
Pre nodded "Good," he said. "Bring them in... I want to see the faces of the Mandalorians' future."
The trooper nodded and left to collect the soon-to-be members of Death Watch. He grinned more at that. It hadn't even been a week, and already the word has spread. Mandalorians who left the system, because of the New Mandalorians ideology, are now returning to the sector. There were even Clone deserters from the GAR, who had managed to override their docile genetic programming, and accepting their heritage. Despite them being clones, Vizsla accepted them into their ranks without question, it was vital to have more men.
Before he could continue his musing, four figures were lead into the main chamber, two males and two females, all clad in full Mandalorian Shock Trooper armor, minus their helmets which they held by their sides to show their faces. The first was a young boy, about 18 to 19 years old, his armor was mostly black with Red Trimming. He had short spiked black hair, and crimson colored eyes standing at 5'11.
Next was another young man, who looked about two years older, standing at the same height. His armor was also colored black, however it was trimmed in gold. He had longer shaggy black hair, and dark green eyes.
After him, was the first female. A woman who looked about as old as the first male, and had shoulder length crimson red hair, and dark green eyes, also standing at the same height. She was wearing Crimson Red armor, trimmed in dark green. Judging from how similar the three of them were, Pre assumed they were siblings.
The last woman was the only one who was obviously not related to them, as she was about a year older than the first man, and stood at 5'12. She had long light brown hair which was tied into a series of ponytails, and light brown almost golden colored eyes. Her skin was pale, but not too pale, and she had a few markings on her face. Her armor was black with dark green trimming. Her helmet also reminded Vizsla of Bo-Katan, his second in command's Nite Owl helmet, only dark green replaced the light blue, and black replaced the white.
The group walked until they stood right in front of the steps of where the throne was, and kneeled before him. He then stood up from the throne, and motioned for them to rise. "Stand, my friends," the Death Watch Overlord said, "Welcome to Sundari, and welcome to the true Mandalorian race." He then proceeded to walk down towards them. "You have joined us in interesting times, with the Clone Wars still going strong, Mandalore will need new and strong warriors such as yourselves to defend us from aggressors like the Republic and the Separatists." He then stopped when he was right in front of them. "May I ask your names? "
The first boy nodded "Jaden Takeo, sir." he said, with the Mandalorian Salute "Its a true honor sir."
"Matthew Takeo," The second boy said with a firm nod and his own salute.
"Amy Takeo, at your service sir." The first woman said, saluting as well, and also answering Pre's assumption of them being siblings.
"I am Riona Bandph," the last woman said with a salute "It is an honor sir."
"And the honor is mine," the former Governor of Concordia said, and gestured around him to the other members of Death Watch, "Welcome to Death Watch! Where the true legacy of the Mandalorians resides,"
The other Mandalorians gave a war cry.
Jaden and the others smiled, however they were doing everything they could to stop themselves from rolling their eyes. "We are glad to be here," Matthew said, "What shall you have us do first, Mandalore?"
Pre smiled at the four new recruits "Eager, I like that." He said, "For now we shall focus our attention on the remaining thugs who managed to escape us. And once we've dealt with them, we will secure the rest of the Mandalore Sector and rid it of those pacifistic fools still loyal to the now former Duchess Satine,"
The four nodded in understanding at that as the Overlord continued.
"Then we shall rebuild our military power to what it once, and make sure that neither the Republic nor the Confederacy will ever threaten our people, or destroy our worlds ever again," he then looked the four over once again "For you four, I have a mission in mind for you. Recently, I have discovered that there may be a Separatist Presence at Concord Dawn. Though the reports are not... fully accurate, we must not be too careful. You four will go to Concord Dawn, and assess the situation. If the CIS is in the system, you must report back immediately, I don't want any heroics from anyone, no matter how small the CIS' force may be. Understood?"
The four nodded in understanding and Vizsla dismissed the group.
After they left the throne room, and were far enough away from the palace. Amy sighed in relief as they stopped at an alley.
"Geesh! What a windbag!" he said lowly, so no one, except her brothers and Riona, heard her, "I couldn't take another second of that guy talking,"
"Same here Amy," Jaden said with a groan, leaning against a wall "He has no right to call himself a True Mandalorian... but I will give him some ground when it comes to keeping the Mandalorians safe, not that I agree with how he's doing it."
"Agreed," Riona said shaking her head "So, what do we do now?"
Jaden rubbed his chin in thought. They needed to find out what Vizsla's connection is to the Crime Families, but hearing of a possible CIS presence in Mandalorian space is something to check out. He then looked at his siblings.
"Matt, Amy, you two head to Concord Dawn, and look for any CIS forces in the area," he said, "Me and Riona will stay here in Sundari and try to gather what information we can," His siblings nodded.
"Right. Just be careful, little brother. Most of the Death Watch here aren't slouches. Especially Vizsla's lieutenant, Bo-Katan," he said, and then grinned, "And don't you and Riona do anything naughty while we're gone,"
Jaden and Riona blushed at that, while the former stammered.
"Kn-Knock it off, Matt! Just take Amy and get going!" he said, while his brother and sister just laughed and headed back to their ship, a G9 Rigger freighter.
"So, where do we start looking first, Jaden?" Riona asked.
"First, we need to rendezvous with our contact here in Sundari," Jaden said, "Then we need to find proof that Vizsla and these thugs were working together,"
Riona nodded in agreement at that plan, "Good idea. And the Duchess?" she asked, and Jaden sighed.
"As much as I hate her idealism, Alor Tiernan wouldn't be happy if we just left her in prison to rot," he said. "We're gonna have to rescue her, and soon. Question now is: How are we suppose to get her out?"
"I think I can help you with that," a voice said, causing the two to draw their respective blasters and aim them at the source of the voice, which in the shadows of the alley "Whoa! Wait! I'm not an enemy!"
"Come on out! Slowly!" Jaden ordered, and out of the shadows appeared a individual in a Mandalorian Police Guard uniform with his hands raised and his head covered by the helmet, "Now, who are you?"
The guard then reached and removed his helmet, revealing a man who appeared to be in his late 30's, with gray colored hair and eyes, and was slightly taller than them. Jaden's narrowed as he looked at the man, before they widened slightly in recognition.
"You...," the young Mandalorian said, "I know you... back in Keldabe,"
"Name's Mij Gilamar, I came here after hearing rumors that Death Watch took over Sundari," the man, now identified as Mij Gilamar, said. "Never thought I'd see the day... " he then shook his head "Anyways, I think I can help you get inside the prison to break her out."
Jaden rose an eyebrow before he lowered his blaster with Riona "How's that?" he asked.
"They're still those loyal to the Duchess, including her nephew, Korkie, and his friends," Mij said, "A few policemen are also still loyal to her, while the rest sided with that chakaar Vizsla," he said, "They formed a small resistance movement, usually doing hit-and-runs on armouries for weapons and gear," Jaden rubbed his chin at that.
"What else can you tell me?" he said.
"I heard they're planning on a jailbreak, but they can't do anything with the weapons and numbers they have right now," Mij said with a sigh.
"Then we might as well give them a hand then," Riona said with a small smirk. "We just need to get in, bust her out, and then we get out."
"Problem with that Riona," said Jaden, "We don't know where they're hiding," They then hear Mij clear his throat.
"I don't know where they are hiding, but I can tell you the most likely of places where they could hide," he said, "Try the slum areas, the warehouse district, and the old abandoned dorms by the Royal Academy. Death Watch shut it down immediately after they deposed Satine,"
Jaden nodded in thanks to the Mandalorian, "Thanks for the info," he said, and Mij nodded in return.
"Don't mention it...but who are you ad'iike anyway?" he asked.
Jaden and Riona looked at Mij, and both grinned "We're the True Mandalorians." They both said in unison, causing Mij to blink before the two disappeared in the shadows.
'I thought the True Mandalorians were wiped out on Galidraan!' he thought in shock and confusion, 'I better get back to Kyrimorut and contact Kal about this,'
With that thought, the former Cuy'val Dar training sergeant placed his helmet back on, and proceeded to leave the alleyway.
3 hours later
Sundari Royal Palace
Throne Room
Pre stood with his commanders in the Throne Room, moments later the doors to the room opened, and in walked their 'ally' Darth Maul, who walked in with Bo-Katan, and two of her personal Nite Owl troops.
"The transition of power will be seamless," Pre said to Maul. "We now have the support of the people, and Satine to bait Kenobi. With his demise, our deal will be complete." Maul's yellow Sith eyes narrowed at the Overlord of Death Watch, while crossing his arms in front of him.
"Your oversight needs correction," the Sith Lord said, "We have a base, an army, in order to expand to other neutral systems,"
The former Governor of Concordia smirked at that, "It wasn't an oversight, it was intentional," he said, deciding to reveal his own plan, "I don't have an interest in the other systems, your vision no longer matters."
Maul then found himself surrounded by Death Watch at gunpoint, all of their blasters pointed at him, while Bo-Katan retrieves his Lightsaber. Maul glared at Pre, who calmly sat in his throne, "Oh don't worry, I will still honor our deal." he said, "Kenobi will be dealt with..." he then smirked as he leaned forward "but you will do as I say."
The Sith Lord still glared at the head of Clan Vizsla, while Bo-Katan smirked as she kept her WESTAR-35 blaster pistol trained on the Zabrak's head. But what the Mandalorians of Death Watch didn't know, was that Maul was smirking inside. 'Gloat all you want Vizsla. Your rule will be short lived,'
A Short time later
Public Square outside Palace
Jaden sighed, as he and Riona arrived at the square. They were wearing their helmets this time, as they stopped at the wall carvings.
"Well, we've checked the slums, and the Warehouse, but no sign of them," he said.
"That means the only place left is the Royal Academy," Riona said. "Let's hope that Mij guy was right about this..."
"Let's get moving," Jaden said as the two headed towards the Royal Academy, however on their way they noticed that it appeared Citizens were beginning to move in a single direction towards the east. "What's going on?" Riona asked.
"I don't know..." Jaden said, "But there's only one way to find out."
And so the two Mandalorians began to follow the crowd to their destination, which was the main square of Sundari. Using his rangefinder, Jaden saw Pre Vizsla in the speech platform. He saw three figures behind the Death Watch Overlord, but the shadows were preventing him from seeing their faces. But he could that two of them were restraining the third. His mind were taken off the three when Vizsla began to speak.
"People of Mandalore! The violence is over!" he said, causing most of the people to smile or gasp in relief, or in Riona and Jaden's case, raise an eyebrow, as Vizsla continued, "The last leader of these criminals has been caught,"
With that, he presented Maul, his hands tied behind his back, causing the people, Jaden and Riona included, to look in shock and surprise. "The Duchess has abandoned her duty to protect Mandalore, " Pre continued "Her political dream only encourages aggression on our planet!" Bo-Katan then slammed the stock of her rifle into Maul's back, forcing him to his knees.
Jaden felt like wincing, since he could hear the hit, even from a long distance.
"That's gonna hurt in the morning," he said lowly.
Riona was looking at the Zabrak, and her eyes narrowed in suspicion at the black and red markings on his face. Her eyes then widened in realization.
"Jaden, those markings on the Zabrak, he's from Dathomir," she said, causing Jaden to look at her in surprise.
"Are you sure?" he said, and Riona nodded.
"Yes, he's from the Nightbrothers," she said as Vizsla then walked toward the Zabrak, "We have learned from this beast the consequences of Pacifist principles," he said as he grabbed the Zabrak's head by the horns, "It is now time to restore the true traditions of Mandalore!" He then shoved Maul's face down, "No one will ever threaten us again!"
With that he raised his hands, and the people began cheering in Mando'a, some even chanting the name 'Death Watch' over and over again. Though part of Jaden was hating this, a larger part of him was actually glad and happy, despite the fact it was the Death Watch taking over Mandalore, at long last the New Mandalorians have decided to resurrect their warrior past, so they can never be threatened by the likes of pirates or criminal scumbags ever again, and they shall not be bullied by the likes of the Republic or the Separatists.
Behind his helmet, Jaden allowed himself to smirk just a bit 'You may not like the Death Watch entirely,' he thought, 'But this one time, they managed to get some results which will benefit all Mandalorians.'
He then turned to Riona and motioned for her that they are leaving. The two quietly left the crowd and proceeded on their mission to find the resistance.
An hour later
Sundari Government
Royal Academy
It them a while to get to the Royal Academy and begin their search. So far the only thing they fund were ransacked rooms, and deserted hallways. They had yet to check the dorms, which they were now approaching.
"Let's go in slow and easy," Jaden said to Riona as they stood outside the entrance to one dorm, "We don't wanna spook em,"
Riona nodded and the two True Mandalorians entered. Upon entering, the large room was mostly vacant at first glance, however Riona could tell that someone was in there at least. Jaden glanced at her, and she nodded "Don't worry, we're not here to harm anyone here." Jaden said. "We are not with the Death Watch, we were hoping you can help us bust out the Duchess Satine."
It was a few minutes before a voice responded back.
"Who are you?"
Jaden looked at Riona, who just looked back before turning their attention back to the shadows.
"We're friends," Riona said, "We came from Keldabe,"
It was then that the sounds of footsteps echoed in the empty room, and out of the darkness came a young who looked the same age as Jaden, wearing a blue on grey uniform. He had blonde well trimmed hair and blue eyes.
"Why should we trust you? As of right now a majority of the people have sided with Death Watch," he said, his eyes narrowed at them.
"Though I will admit there are some good points the Death Watch have, we do not support them." Jaden said, crossing his arms across his chest "Pre may be preaching he wants nothing but to defend Mandalore now, but eventually he may try to come up with an excuse to invade other planets at one point in the future, and start up another Mandalorian War. A war we couldn't win in our current state."
The teenager continued to look at them with analyzing eyes, still suspicious of them. "And how can you get Auntie Satine out?" he said, causing the two to blink at that, but realizing that this young man was indeed, Duchess Satine's nephew, Korkie Kryze.
"Simple, the guards at the prison will less suspicious if they see us enter. The hard part is getting out, without drawing too many eyes on us," Riona said, with a sigh "Worst comes, we may have to sneak in, bust her out, and take out any guards between us and our escape."
"Hopefully it won't come to that," Jaden said, "We just need to come up with a plan for now..." he then faced Korkie "... but for now I think we should start by getting your resistance movement some better equipment than simple hand blasters."
Korkie thought about what the warrior was saying to him, before he decided.
"I'll take your offer for now. But answer me this, why are you helping us?" he said, and Jaden smirked before he removed his helmet.
"Let's just say a certain cousin of your two aunts' will be very upset if either both of them were killed,"
Morning, Near the Royal Palace
The two were walking back to their safe house, after talking with Korkie, and making plans in how to acquire some more proper Blaster rifles, and Shock Trooper Armor. As they continued down the road, Jaden's comm-link beeped.
"Hmm?" said Jaden and Riona turned to him.
"What is it Jaden?" she asked.
"One of my Ziggy droids picked up on some Death Watch comm chatter," he answered, "Let's see what we've go..." he raised his wrist-mounted Commlink and activated it. It then showed the holographic image if a Death Watch soldier with his sidearm drawn. "Sir! Sir! The Sith Brothers! They broke out of prison and are-" Suddenly the trooper began to rise into the air, choking before the image of Maul and Savage appeared, the latter holding his arm up in a force choke. What also surprised them was the appearance of the former prime minister, Almec, with them. The Sith Warrior tossed the Mandalorian forward, before Maul stepped forward "I Challenge you, one warrior to another!" Maul demanded. "And only the strongest shall rule Mandalore!"
Jaden and Riona looked at each other. To them the situation was clear.
"Let's go!" he said and the two activated their JT-12 jetpacks and zoomed toward the direction of the Palace, more precisely, the throne room. It took them a few minutes until they reached their destination. Jaden signaled Riona to head over to the windows, using their ascension cables to stay on the wall and watch the duel taking place.
Pre Vizsla had Maul ensnared in his cable, but the Sith used his lightsaber to cut it, before it was blasted out of his hand by the former Governor of Concordia's blaster shot. He then charged forward with his Darksaber drawn, however Maul grabs him by the arm. But Pre immediately punched Maul in the face two times with his free hand, however Maul caught his third attempt and twisted his arm, causing him to cry out in pain as he dropped his Dark Saber.
Maul smirked a bit before he tossed Pre over his shoulder, causing the Death Watch leader to roll and fall to the ground. He attempted to back away, however Maul kicked him while he was down.
When he finally stood back up, Maul then kicked and punched him several more times, before finally kicking him down to his knees. Using the Force, the Zabrak Sith called the Dark Saber to him, and activated it, inspecting it's black core and white trimmed vibro-sword-like blade.
Jaden watched as Vizsla admitting defeat stood on his hands and knees.
"Like you said: 'Only the strongest...shall rule'," said the defeated Overlord, while Bo-Katan, with a look of horror on her face, could only watch as Maul, with one fell swoop of the Dark Saber, beheaded the former Death Watch Leader.
Jaden and Riona's widen in shock at what they saw. "Damn..." Jaden whispered. "I know he was Death Watch, but even he didn't deserve that. And I actually kinda liked him a bit."
Maul then raised the Darksaber high "I claim this sword," He said, "And my rightful place as leader, of Death Watch!"
Though most of the Mandalorians inside began to bow, Bo-Katan and her Nite Owls present did not "Never!" She shouted, "No outsider will ever rule Mandalore!"
Maul just smirked "If you will not join me," he said, "You will all die." Outside, as the Death Watch troopers turned their weapons to Bo-Katan and the Nite Owls, Riona and Jaden exchanged glances, and both nodded as Jaden raised one of his DC-17 hand blasters, while Riona picked out her E-5 Blaster Rifle.
"You're all Traitors!" Bo-Katan shouted, before Maul chuckled. "Unfortunately for you," he said, "History will not see it that way." He then pointed his Darksaber at them "Execute them-"
As he said that, the windows of the throne room exploded, as Jaden and Riona charged inside with Jaden letting loose with his Blaster, as did Riona as they gunned down several Death Watch soldiers who sided with Maul.
Jaden turned to Bo-Katan, who had a stunned look on her face.
"Move!" Jaden shouted, as he fired his Blaster at the coming Death Watch. That snapped Bo-Katan out of it, as she quickly put her Helmet on and began returning fire at the Death Watch traitors.
As Riona fired her own Blaster, she saw from the corner of her vision one Death Watch attack her with a Vibrosword, however she reached for a device on her hip and activated a purple colored Lightwhip, which she flinged and made it twirl around the Death Watch's sword, and then she yanked it out of his grasp before finishing off the stunned trooper with a blaster bolt to the head.
The group then used their jetpacks to hover toward the exit, while shooting at any Death Watch that followed them, with Bo-Katan throwing a few thermal detonators to slow them down. After reaching the hallway to the podium, Jaden, Riona, and Bo-Katan were the last ones to flee after Jaden threw a couple detonators at the pursuing Death Watch, and the two True Mandalorians along with the Nite Owls made their escape.
"Whoever you are, you have my thanks," said Bo as they flew through the skyscrapers of Sundari.
"Anything for a fellow Mandalorian, even though you're Death Watch. Name's Jaden, and this is Riona," Jaden said, while Riona nodded.
"Bo-Katan, so what faction are you from?" she asked, "You're clearly not Death Watch if what you said is true. And you're certainly not New Mandalorians,"
Jaden glanced at Riona, who nodded "If I tell you, you promise not to shoot us?" He asked, causing Bo-Katan to blink behind her helmet, however she still nodded. "Me and Riona are members of the True Mandalorians."
Upon hearing that, Bo-Katan's eyes widened "The True Mandalorians?" She asked, "I thought they were wiped out during the Battle of Galidraan..."
"Not all of them," Jaden said, "Some survived, while some more simply were not there during the Jedi Attack. We've been working in secret ever since then, keeping our eyes on Mandalore and the Death Watch. We've been working for the all-time goal to reunite all Mandalorians, be them either True Mandalorians, New Mandalorians, and Death Watch under one banner, as long as they would accept Jaster Mereel's Mandalorian Supercommando Codex."
He looked back at Bo-Katan "Though I am actually pretty glad you guys finally managed to get the New Mandalorians to abandon Pacifism." he said, "I will admit this: The Death Watch of today is not as... Radical as the Death Watch was back during the Civil War, or at least that's what my parents say."
Bo-Katan couldn't believe what she was hearing. The True Mandalorians, the followers of the late Jaster Mereel's Supercommando Codex, are still around. She knew, that despite her now-former faction and the True Mandalorians being enemies, they were still warriors of great respect.
"But...how was it possible, the records show only Jango Fett was the only survivor," Bo said, clearly surprised, while Jaden smiled.
"Because, no matter how hard anyone can try, be they either Jedi, Sith, or whatever, its impossible to exterminate the Mandalorians, be they either True Mandalorians or Death Watch." He said, "We're not huddled in one place, we span the galaxy. We need no lords or leaders, so they can't destroy our command. We can live without technology, so we can fight with our bare hands. We have no species or bloodline, so we can rebuild our ranks with others who want to join us. We're more than just a people or an army, we're an idea. And you can't kill ideas... but we certainly can kill them. Those were Mandalore the Destroyer's own words to the Consul of Luon during the siege of Luon."
Bo-Katan intently listened to the words the young Mandalorian spoke, and somewhere, in her mind, pass all the Death Watch propaganda, she knew he was right. No matter how many times the Republic, the Jedi, or the Sith have tried to exterminate them, they always come back strong. She was brought out of her thoughts by Jaden's voice.
"Also, your nephew would've been very unhappy if you were killed," he said, making the woman blink.
"Korkie?" She asked, and Jaden nodded. "Yup," he said. "He's leading a small resistance movement originally against the Death Watch... but I think now our primary focus will be on how to remove Maul, Savage, and Almec from power."
"We were planning on jail breaking Satine from prison," Riona said, "But we lack most of the necessary equipment, and we can't contact anyone outside of the city because of jammers Pre put in place. The only way on getting a message out to anyone will be to get out of the city."
Bo nodded at that, "True, since I oversaw the establishment of most of them," she said with a sigh, "No doubt Maul is already reconfiguring them to jam ours as well,"
Jaden nodded at that, "Yep, technically you just sheb yourselves," he said with a chuckle, as the leader of the Nite Owls glared at him.
"Don't push it," she growled.
"Sorry, sorry," Jaden said, "Anyways, the resistance has set up shop at the old Royal Academy, the place has been abandoned ever since the Death Watch took over, so don't worry about anyone being caught. Once we get there, I'll try to get out of the Jammer's range and radio my brother and sister, and I think I'll see if I can contact your cousin Tiernan too, he should be able to help us out."
Bo-Katan's eyes widened in surprise, "Wait...Tiernan!?"
Jaden again nodded, "Yep, and let's just say he's grown tired of the little blood feud between you and your sister," he said, before looking ahead "Ah, here we are. The others should be waiting inside."
Moments later, Jaden, Riona, Bo-Katan and the Nite Owls landed in the Academy's courtyard, and proceeded towards the front doors. "This is the last place Maul will think of looking for us," Jaden said, "Its almost like hiding in plain sight."
Bo-Katan nodded at that, "That's what it looks like,"
The group headed toward the dorms, and when they were in sight of them, Jaden held a hand up for them to stop.
"Wait here. I don't want em to get spooked," he said and the Nite Owl Captain nodded in understanding, and Jaden headed toward the dorm. A few minutes passed as Bo, Riona, and the Nite Owls waited, until Jaden finally reappeared, along with Korkie by his side. Upon seeing her Nephew for the first time in a long time, Bo-Katan looked at him in shock, before finally removing her helmet, revealing to Korkie she really was who she claimed to be.
"Auntie Bo?," Korkie said in shock as he saw his aunt who he hadn't seen in a long time.
"Hey Korkie," Bo said, as she gave him a small smile, "It's been a long time. Haven't seen you since...," she stopped right, wanting Korkie to think about it before he nodded.
"Yeah...," he said. "The day you left..." he then sighed, "Jaden says you can help us free Auntie Satine, and he told us what happened with Pre and Maul..." He then looked at her in the eye "What's your plan?"
Meanwhile, in the Northern Hemisphere of Mandalore
A four-seat X-34 landspeeder sped through the speeder trail of the veshok forest. In the driver seat was Mij Gilamar in his signature sand-colored Mandalorian Shock Trooper, and if someone were to see his face, which was covered by his helmet, they would've seen the real serious and urgent look on his face.
He brought the landspeeder to an abrupt halt as he saw the footpath to the vhe'yaim Kal had constructed with help from Rav Bralor, a fellow Cuy'val Dar training sergeant, and the current caretaker of the bastion. He lept out of the Landspeeder and began to run up the same path.
He continued running up until he came across a large lake which was largely surrounded by the forest, with the small clearing where there was a large Mandalorian vheh'yaim, crafted out of a grass roof, that camouflaged it from the air, and narrow slit-like windows with transparisteel panes.
"Finally!" he said out loud and continued making his way toward the small stronghold. It took him less than 3 minutes to get to it and started banging on the durasteel.
"Rav!" he shouted, "Rav open up! It's me Mij!"
It took another 3 minutes, with more banging on the door later that the female Mandalorian finally opened the door, her armor removed and wearing only the grey flightsuit.
"This better be good Mij," she said, as she yawned "I was in the middle of sleeping!"
"It is! It's important!" Mij said "The Death Watch managed to take over Sundari, and they have the people's support now! I need to contact Kal now!"
Rav immediately became wide awake at the sound of "Death Watch" and "take over".
"Say what!? How?" she said, as she stepped out of the way, and let Mij in.
"I'll tell you when I get Kal on the line! He needs to know the whole story, and I'm not telling it twice!" he said, as he made a beeline toward the comm-room, "And what I also found in Sundari is really gonna throw you both through a loop,"
Rav looked at him in confusion, before he followed him towards the comm room. Upon arrival, they found Parja Bralor, Rav's Niece, already there as she was doing some maintenance on one of the terminals. She looked up and blinked "Mij? What are you doing here?" She asked.
"Sorry Parja, I need to get in contact with Kal, ASAP!" he said, "It's urgent, and it cannot wait,"
Parja could only blink and looked to her aunt, who nodded at her.
"There's a terminal available right over there," she said, pointing to a random part of the room, and Mij immediately went towards it, "Ba'vodu Rav, what's going on?"
"I'm about to find out myself Parja," Rav said, as Mij turned on the Terminal "I just know it has something to do with the Death Watch taking over Sundari."
Parja's eyes widen at that, since this was news to her, since she had been here helping her aunt take care of Kyrimorut, while also helping the injured Fi, one of Kal's adopted sons. "When did this happen?" she asked, and Rav shrugged.
"No idea, but I believe Mij knows," she said as said Mandalorian put in Kal's Holo-Comm number into the terminal.
It took a moment before the holographic image of Kal appeared.
"Rav? Is that you? What's going on?" said the head of Clan Skirata.
"No, its Mij." Mij said, causing Kal to blink in surprise "Kal, we may have a situation here at Mandalore, the Death Watch just took over Sundari, the New Mandalorians joined up with them after a bunch of slavers and pirates attacked the planet in force, and the Death Watch came to their help."
"WHAT!? When did this happen!?" Kal said.
"The day before yesterday," Mij said, "They deposed Duchess Satine and locked her in prison. The majority of the population is on their side now. But the Duchess' nephew, his friends, as well as a few dozen Policemen have formed an Underground Resistance Movement. But, that's not the kicker,"
Kal, and Parja rose an eyebrow at that, while Rav waited anxiously.
"What's the kicker?"
Mij sighed "I went to Sundari to see what was going on," he said, "While I was there I met two people in Mandalorian Armor, they were trying to help out the resistance... but when I asked them who they were, they... they said they were True Mandalorians."
Kal, Rav, and Parja blinked at that.
"Wait, back up. Did you say, True Mandalorians?" Kal said, while Mij gave him a serious look.
"I osik you not, that's what they said!" he said.
"Mij, the True Mandalorians were all wiped out at Galidraan," Rav said, "Jango was the only survivor of that massacre,"
Mij gave the Mando woman a hard look, "Still it's worth investigating, and I think the best place to start is Keldabe," he said.
"I agree," Kal said, "But wait a bit, I'll try and get over there as soon as possible. I'm also gonna bring the Null's, Omega, Bardan and Etain, I think we could use their help."
"You sure bringing Etain is a good idea?" Mij asked unsure, "She just gave birth not even a full month ago, and Jedi are not very big fans of Mandalorians."
"She's a strong lass, Mij. She's capable," Kal assured, "Plus she'll be going in disguise, since Corr somehow find a set of female Mando Armor for her, incase she decided to leave the Order,"
Mij blinked at that, "Where the hell did Corr managed to find a set of Women Mando Armor?" he asked, and Kal shrugged.
"Didn't ask, and in the end it doesn't matter." Kal said. "I'll get some transport, and I'll see you at Keldabe. Kal out." And with that, the transmission ended.
"Would someone tell me what the heck is going here?" Parja said confused, and the two older Mandalorians sighed.
"Honestly, Par'ika, I don't know myself," Mij said.
"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm gonna make a few calls. We need all the help we can get," Rav said and went to the terminal, while Parja returned to her work, while Mij stepped outside the room, and then outside the Vhe'yaim. He gave a sigh as he looked up into Mandalore's sky.
"Why do I get the feeling that things on Mandalore aren't gonna be the same?"
Patriot-112: And first chapter of The Second Return done!
117Jorn: Finally! Can't wait to get working on the next chapter! What's gonna happen in the next chapter Patriot?
Patriot-112: Well, it will start with the prison break-out like in the Clone Wars show, but it will be very different from canon. Then, Kal, Skirata Clan, and Cuy'val Dar friends of the Skiratas will arrive on Mandalore to search for these 'Resurgent' True Mandalorians.
117Jorn: Cool! Can't wait for it!
Patriot-112: Yep. So, until next time people...
Both: Sayonara!