Chapter 5: To betray those you trust

I stood in a room, filled with armored Mandalorians. They had changed out they're standard armor for the black-blue variant that the deathwatch where known for. Vizsla, Dante, and Marec stood at the head of the table, each speaking calmly about tactics. I was utterly confused. My family,the one whom I just met, where responsible for the death of the republic diplomat. The very people I was meant to hunt, was my family. Likely another trial of theirs, I thought.

"Veranus. Come forward." Pre called me forward, startling me. Rako was beside Eceri, who seemed to dislike Viszla. I guess it wasn't hard to, in the long run.

I stood before the Mandalorians, before my people from which I was estranged. Viszla looked at me with something close to pride. He seemed to have counted on this.

"If you wish to become a mandalorian, and to restore our days of glory, you must be accepted. We too have trials. And we too will be hard on you. You where taught to be strong. Jedi are great warriors. But you rely too much on your mysterious force powers. You will learn to seperate that part of you, and still be equal to the skills of a Jedi. But now, we have more urgent matters to discuss."

Dante stepped forward. "The New Mandalorian government would have us cower in fear as the universe turn to ash around us. The call of the Mand'alor has always been to recognize the greatest threat to the galaxy and eliminate it. Or, in failing to do so, ensure that it is weakened enough for someone else to finish the job, and have our warriors die in glory. As of late, the war between the Republic and the Separatists has become too destructive, to the point where others worlds are destroyed for their selfish conflict. It is time to choose a side. This is where this meeting comes in. Representing the side of the separatists, The Count of Sereno."

A mysterious man in a dark cloak walked into the room. I felt sickened by his presence, a presence I had only sensed once before. With the dark Jedi. He was of the dark side. I strengthened my will, and simply put my hand close to my saber. Close enough to draw it if necessary.

"Thank you for having me. There is no need to worry, Jedi, this is a diplomatic meeting." The count sat near Pre Viszla.

"... And representing the republic is our own Veran."

Many if the Mandalorians cheered for me. I smiled. Even though I had not met them before, they greeted me as a brother. And for that I was grateful.

Dante had a chair for me by his side. I smiled and sat down, looking calmly at the Count.

Marec rose. "The debate may begin. Presenting his argument first, will be The Count. You may object, but no interrupting please. The last thing we need is a brawl based on allegiances."

The Count rose. He kept his face covered, evidently so I would not know who he is. He emanated warmth, which I did not know was faked or not.

"Honorable citizens of Mandalore. Many years ago, your men fought across the galaxy, gaining glory through warfare. You where a culture to be feared. But now, your clans diminish to drinking wine, to be untimely and lazy. Your once great world will turn into the layers of diplomatic corruption that plagues the republic. The separatists have left for the reason that we do not wish to comply with the restrictions the Republic has set upon us, and in response we received open war."

I rose. The Count paused, allowing me to speak.

"May I argue, the reason the war started was because of a Jedi you made hostage, after his discovery of you commissioning an army of war droids."

The count smiled. "The Jedi in question broke into a geonosian meeting room, breaking the truce law, and then his partners proceeded to slaughter geonosians. They where subject to the laws of the world."

"The laws for which you speak meant nothing to you, as you hired a bounty hunter to assassinate one of our own, leading us to you."

"Nonetheless. We of the CIS wish to ask for the aide of Death Watch, to combat the republic's clone soldiers, of which they had been creating way before our war droids where ever commission. The fight would be fierce, the glory insurmountable. You would be among the greatest warriors in one of the largest wars the galaxy had ever seen."

The mandos where silent, contemplating. Now was time to deliver a smack to the table, a counter argument of which would change their hearts forever.

"Brothers. Sisters. Warriors. I may not be one of you yet, but I count myself among your blood. It is true this government conflicts with the wills of the strong, and favors those who would rather cower in fear. But the separatists are not a white faced as many seem. It is who truly leads them you must worry about. Years ago, the Sith egged your people to war, for which they lost clans to the Republic and the onslaught that followed. Is was one of your greatest victories. And one of your greatest losses, for it served to power those who would see all under an iron first, constricted of choice and hope. These Sith, I do not know who they are, but I know that when your part is played they will kill all who rise up against them. They are strong and fast, and have their roots deep within the CIS. I would ask you end this threat. Your people have seen it again and again, where the sith have betrayed you and you have persevered. It was the Sith you first fought, who slaughtered you mindlessly. And it is now I ask you raise your weapons against them once more, and rid the galaxy of their foul influence."

The count was silent. I sensed he wished to destroy me where I stood, but would not. He rose, and left, as the Mandalorians cheered for my speech. All of them cheered, and all of them celebrated. Dante raised his cup, and fell silent once more.

"I believe my nephew has something more to say."

"I do uncle. Years ago during the mandalorian wars, a group was formed. They where mando who wielded lightsabers, and fought alongside the normal forces. I say we can do so again. As my training as a mandalorian commences, so will the Mandalorian Knights be formed once more. Of those that wish to join, I ask you only one thing. If I am to become a sith, if I am to turn to the dark side, that you would slay me where I stand, and another take my place."

Many Mandalorians around the table rose, expressing their interest in learning to be part of the elite force. I smiled inwardly. I would train them to be loyal to me, and the galaxy. To the point that they would fight against the sith if needed. A commando of Mandalorians.

The party continued long into the night' with only Viszla and The Count unaccounted for.