Chapter Seven—The Duchess of Mandalore
Kasey looked carefully at himself as he pulled his shoulder-length hair back into its ponytail. Quite some time had passed since the botched attack on the droid factory, and Kasey could tell how much he had changed. Firstly, he had changed physically. His hair had grown down to his shoulders and Ahsoka had braided a lock into the traditional Padawan braid, which framed the right side of his face. He looked more like a Jedi now.
More than that, he had become stronger as a Jedi student. His use of the lightsaber was still a bit awkward, yet much more effective, striking with some semblance of experience than random attacks. Above all, he had become more effective in his use of the Force, the use becoming more passive. Kenobi had noted this over the last few practices. His telekinetic abilities slowly, but surely, beginning to match Kenobi's. And, while all attempts were short-lived and admittedly pathetic, he was learning how to use the Mind Trick. However, what intrigued him the most was his most recently discovered ability—lightning.
He had stumbled upon the ability when he was training with Kenobi a few days ago. Without meaning to, he had fired electricity from his fingertips, blasting one of the training droids in a small explosion. Almost immediately, Kenobi had scolded him fiercely and Kasey felt like a cadet again, chastised as he had been on Kamino. He wasn't sure if it was really the Dark Side was really what fueled his lightning, but he truly did not understand what exactly the "Dark Side" was. While he no longer used lightning in Kenobi's presence, he practiced it alone in his room, hiding the ability by not firing it. He confined the electrical charges to his hand, silently pleased that he had an ability that Kenobi lacked.
Kasey sighed, stuffing the red crystal into his pocket before he walked out of his private quarters—the crystal had always been kept on his person to avoid having anyone stumble across it in his room. As usual, he made his way to the ship's mess hall, ready to get his breakfast. As usual, he ate by himself—during this time, Kenobi was normally on the ship's bridge, conversing with the Council about the Republic's next move. He sat down at his usual, solitary table in the corner of the large room with his food, eating silently, contemplating the many thoughts that flashed through his mind. Within a few seconds, Commander Cody had come over with his own tray, seating himself without waiting for any kind of permission.
"Good morning," Kasey said automatically, as he always did.
"Good morning," Cody replied, starting to eat. "How're you adjusting to life as a soldier, sir?"
Being called 'sir' was still awkward, especially since Kasey hadn't become a trooper. However, he had quickly learned that being a Jedi Padawan meant he outranked all but Jedi Knights. As a consequence, the other clones—once he had called them his brethren, but the term felt awkward now—were required to offer him the proper respect in reference to his rank. Officially, he had learned that he held the rank of commander.
"Yes, I have, Commander," Kasey replied. "And you don't have to call me 'sir'."
"You don't have to call me 'commander'," Cody countered. "Just 'Cody'."
"And I'm just 'Kasey'."
They shared a small laugh. Of all of the clones, Kasey had spent the most time in Cody's company and he had come to connect with him in much the same way he had with his old squadron. More than once, he had asked if he could speak with them, but he had been denied. This was Kenobi's way of enforcing the Jedi's ways—no attachments.
Much to Kasey's surprise, Kenobi had entered, much faster than normally. Ordinarily, his conferences with the Republic's Senate or the Jedi Council would last until most of the men had finished their breakfast. As it stood, breakfast traffic had barely just begun and Kenobi surveyed the men carefully before finding Kasey. He sauntered over, so clearly troubled that Kasey was slightly nervous. What could possibly be going through Kenobi's mind that was rattling him so much? What had been said?
"Cody, I've got a favor I need to ask of you," Obi-Wan said.
"Yes, sir?" Cody jumped to his feet, once more at attention and ready to act on his superior's orders.
"I'm going away for a brief while. The Council has asked me to do some… investigative work on a neutral planet," Kenobi explained. "While I'm going, you'll be in charge."
"Master, with all due respect, shouldn't I be in charge?" Kasey asked before he could stop himself.
"How can you lead when you're coming with me?"
The planet of Mandalore…
Kasey couldn't honestly say that he had ever thought about coming to Mandalore, mainly because of its reputable neutrality in the war. They had always been told that neutral worlds were scarcely worthwhile on Kamino, mainly because troopers were forbidden from being on them—a military presence meant a military target. But as a Jedi on an investigation, Kasey had a special privilege and it did not escape his notice that he was special in more ways than one.
Kenobi seemed distracted during the voyage and when they exited their small ship on the port to be greeted by a palace guard, he seemed even more disturbed. Kasey had been told why they were here, but he knew that wasn't what was bothering his master. Something else, something about who they were going to meet—the duchess, apparently, although Kasey had already forgotten her name—seemed to rattle Kenobi to the core.
The duchess's palace was spectacular. The throne room was, by far, the most amazing place he had seen. The stained glass windows showed a woman of impeccable refinement and class and cast a light in the pristine floor, along which ran a long red carpet. Already waiting for them was Mandalore's Prime Minister, Almec, who seemed strangely happy.
"Welcome, General Kenobi," Almec said. "And this must be your Padawan, Kasey."
"Thank you, Prime Minister," Kenobi said.
"I must say that I'm troubled by what brought you here in the first place, however," Almec continued. His smile faltered. "What makes the Republic believe that Mandalore would turn against them? Duchess Satine values peace more than anything."
"I'm well aware of the Duchess's views on the subject, but the problem is—"
"And besides that, all of our warriors were exiled to our moon, Concordia."
"I recently battled a man who wore Mandalorian armor."
"Jango Fett," Kasey added.
"Jango Fett was just a bounty hunter. He could've acquired that armor in any possible way. Our people do not—"
A new voice, feminine and powerful, spoke over Almec's. "Our people do not engage in that kind of senseless violence." Entering the throne room was a woman in an elegant robe and elaborate headdress. She carried herself with an air of refinement and nobility as she sat on the throne. "You should know better than anyone that I do not approve of such actions."
"Duchess, despite that, you're looking even more beautiful than I remember," Kenobi said.
"Kind words from a man who accuses me of treachery," Satine countered. "And who is this? I thought I made it clear that I did not want your troopers on my planet!"
"This is my new student, my Padawan, Kasey," Kenobi explained.
"I didn't know that the Jedi were being bred like their lab rat warriors," Satine laughed derisively. The comment made Kasey twitch in anger and he clenched his fist—his hand started to spark with electricity that quickly faded. The last thing he wanted was for Obi-Wan to know that he was secretly practicing the discouraged talent.
"This isn't about troopers or—"
"This is about the Republic wanting to interfere in my planet's affairs. Mandalore is and will remain neutral!"
"This has nothing to do with the Senate."
"And why is that?"
"This investigation was ordered by the Jedi Council."
The atmosphere of the room changed dramatically. Satine seemed calmer. "Perhaps, then, you'd like to accompany me on a walk through the city."
Kenobi nodded and walked up, taking her hand. "I'd be honored, Satine. Kasey, why don't you wait here for us?"
"What? Why?"
"Because I said so," Kenobi stated, walking over to him. He leaned closer, whispering in his ear. "Try to do what you can to get some information from the Prime Minister. I don't trust them and I feel as if they're hiding something."
"Understood, Master."
Okay guys, a short chapter with a quick reference point for time. This should help me keep the timeline of the story a bit straighter for the future. Enjoy.
