Year 14:2 after the Great ReSynchronization
MANDALORE REMAINS OUT OF THE WAR!
DUCHESS SATINE KEEPS MANDALORE AT PEACE!
THE SENATE MAINTAINS MANDALORE'S NEAUTRALITY!
It was all the local HoloNet's had been playing since Satine had foiled his uncle's plan to bring Mandalore into the war alongside the Seperatists. He'd found only indirect mentions of his ascension to governorship after Pre Vizsla's position in Death Watch was made known. At the time, he had been residing in his apartment in Mandalore's capital city Sundari, watching the outcome of his uncle's actions unfold before him. He'd been so impatient. So sure of victory that he'd revealed himself to Satine, and yet failed to kill her. Satine had survived his assassination attempts in Coruscant and returned to Mandalore even more determined to stay out of the war. His impatience cost him. Satine let all of Mandalore know of Pre's connection to Death Watch, and now his uncle has tucked tail and fled Concordia. Were Pre to return, as Kalis knew he would, he was sure suspicion would arise in that a pacifist leader of Mandalore had shown himself to be the leader of a group many Mandalorians considered nothing more than anarchists. He'd revealed himself as a liar and whether New Mandalorians or those who followed the old ways, few would follow someone they couldn't trust.
"Governor."
Kalis came out of his thoughts to see a member of the Mandalorian Guard at his side. He uncrossed his legs and hopped down from the long table.
"They have arrived?" Kalis asked.
"Yes governor," the guard answered. "The clan chiefs are being led from the hangar bay as we speak."
Satine and the New Mandalorians thought the former warlords and clan chiefs who'd done battle in the Great Clan Wars had all died out, and indeed in the twenty-four years since the war's start and the twelve years since, many had died. Others had simply grown old, and younger clan chiefs followed those who had passed beyond this world and to Hie'ill. While the New Mandalorians hid within their domed cities they remained ignorant to the discontent festering amongst these clans who saw a galactic conflict around them, but continued to be denied the honor of glorious battle. Seated before Kalis were some of the strongest and oldest of these clans: Awaud, Deshra, Lok, Farr, Sel, Jekk, Sayiid, and Tagen. Pre Vizsla's misstep had put the clans on edge and with Death Watch having fled, they came to Kalis for answers. At the head of the table his uncle had not long before hosted Duchess Satine, Kalis looked out on the leaders in attendance with his hands clasped and waited for one of them to speak.
Safar Lok, descendant of Mandalore the Vindicated, was that one. "Governor Kalis, let me be the first to say congratulations on your ascension."
"You're not the first," Kalis replied. "But you are well received."
"It's a shame you had to take up the office like this," Thita Farr said. "Pre Vizsla is too soon gone from us."
"My uncle is not dead, as far as I know," Kalis said. "Though I do offer my condolences for the death of your dear Farr kin."
Thita's face frowned up in confusion. "I'm not sure I—"
Tar Deshra's bellowing laughter filled the room, "The Rodian senator!" he said.
"Onaconda Farr," Harid Jekk said, allowing himself a chuckle. "Yes, I can see the resemblance."
Kalis cleared his throat and addressed the now reddened Farr chieftess, "My apologies," he said, "but you are right. Pre Vizsla and Death Watch have fled Concordia and with them, his plans for Mandalore have been set back indefinitely."
"His plans?" Alawi Lok pressed. "Were they not all of ours?"
"All of yours," Kalis corrected.
"We want to return Mandalore to it's warrior ways," Lok said. "Is that not your goal as well governor?"
"It is," Kalis replied. "Though we differ on how to achieve that goal."
The doors to the dining hall opened and through it, household servants brought in trays of food for those gathered. The wines began to pour and the chiefs began to drink. Weaving his way through through the attendants, Mandalorian Guard captain Hos Runn arrived at Kalis' side.
"Incoming transmission from Vizsla, governor."
He took it in the study, sitting before a holotransciever projecting the upper body of Pre Vizsla. Even through the pixels, Kalis could tell the man hadn't slept.
"You look well uncle."
"I see you've wasted little time making yourself at home," Vizsla said.
"I'll be moving between here and my apartment in Sundari," Kalis replied. "I've gathered some of the clan chiefs to address this...situation we've found ourselves in."
"Good, good," Vizsla said. "What news from Mandalore?"
"Nothing, aside from the upswing in New Mandalorian propaganda," Kalis said. "Uncle, was it wise to reveal yourself in such a way? As terrorists the Death Watch will only drive the Mandalorian people further away."
"The only way the Mandalorian people will let go of their pacifist ways is if they feel they are in danger."
"From the Seperatists," Kalis clarified. "All of Mandalore knows you tried to kill the Duchess."
"Do you think I wanted that to happen?!" Vizsla exclaimed. "The Jedi Kenobi interfered in my plans."
The way he said the Jedi's name, it was as if he hated Kenobi near as much as he did Satine. "Had it been me with the darksaber, the Jedi and Satine would be rotting in the beskar mines by now."
Vizsla smirked. "Had it been you," he said. "I'd be mourning the loss of my kin and Satine and Obi-Wan would be awaiting my Mandalorian justice for your murder. Had you continued your training under me, you may yet have been of some worth in a fight."
It was Kalis' turn to give a half smile. If only you knew. "What will you do now?"
"For now, Death Watch can not return to Concordia. We're in route to Carlac, there we will set up our new base and continue our plans for Mandalore."
"The further you are from your goal, the harder it is to reach it."
Vizsla donned his helmet. "When Death Watch returns to Mandalore, we will rule."
The transmission ended. From the noise coming in from the hall, the others were well into the wine. Visions of the future floated on the edge of his mind, Vizsla's parting words ringing in his ears.
"So you shall uncle. For a time."