Chapter 25
The Mandalore Plot
JEDI TEMPLE
Training Grounds
Leo and Obi-Wan had locked lightsabers with Obi-Wan holding the boy back with one arm "Tell me how did your intermediate lessons with Master Yoda go?" Obi-Wan asked him before he broke it off, Obi-Wan showing his skill with his lightsaber spinning it in his hand making Leo look at the flashing blue blade as he held up his white one.
"... Good." Leo said trying to focus.
Obi-Wan attacked again "Good? We were all students of Master Yoda, with the exception of you."
Leo dodged and parried before coming back around "He is wise-" Leo started to attack Obi-Wan before Kenobi disarmed Leo right then and there knocking out Leo's lightsaber from his hand and into his own gloved one.
"Distracted?" Obi-Wan smuggly asked him.
Clutching his knickers wrist, Leo looked up at him "Hard to duel and carry an in-depth conversation about Master Yoda?" Leo retorted before Obi-Wan tossed the boy his lightsaber back.
"The Jedi Arts are as exactly as they sound Leo, art, we as Jedi are the artists and our lightsabers are the tools which we create our masterpiece." Obi-Wan said taking out his lightsaber and taking his signature high guard with two fingers pointed forward.
Leo matched him trying to keep his arm as straight as an arrow parallel to his lightsaber "Fighting another force wielders with a lightsaber is no joke, while you managed to hold your own against the likes of Tol Skorr and defeat the two Dark Acolytes on Ryloth, Skorr is trained in the jedi arts he toyed with you while the others had only a brief amount of formal training compiled on years of criminal experience." Obi-Wan said as they went through the motions.
"So you're saying I need to get stronger?" Leo asked him as they moved in synchronization.
Obi-Wan replied "Stronger wouldn't the word I would use-" Obi-Wan suddenly back flipped over to one of the pillars landing on it with one foot arms behind his back "With more grace."
Leo's interest sunk into a clunky "Huh?"
Obi-Wan turned off his lightsaber and jumped down before he urged the boy to follow him out of the training grounds "There's more to being a Jedi than being a warrior or even a good soldier Leo."
The two of them entered the illustrious cavernous halls of the jedi temple, "Our Order has an abundance of practices to offer to the Galaxy, art, literature, medical and philosophical you as a Padawan must learn to see where you can focus to better serve the galaxy."
Leo followed him hands behind his back "I've always thought my place was on the battlefield in conflict?"
"Where a peacekeeper should be to end it." Obi-Wan agreed as they passed by one of the grand staircases slowly descending "As your battle meditation powers grow you may one day even be able to end conflicts without them ever beginning?"
Leo stopped "You mean I'll be able to control people's minds?" Leo asked.
"A poor choice of words you will… sway their hearts." Obi-Wan corrected with a smile looking back at the boy, suddenly he frowned and put a finger to his lip.
Leo felt the man examining him like a clay he was about to mold "Uh Master?" Leo asked him a bit confused, Obi-Wan's eyes settled on Leo's messy orange locks of hair that almost went down past his jaw. "We should cut your hair."
"What?" Leo said his fingerless gloves shooting straight toward his scalp "Why?" He asked as Obi-Wan continued on.
"The standard haircut for every padawan is a short trim and the braid, your mark of padawanship should be the only thing that grows as you do, come I will see about setting up an appointment." Obi-Wan said as Leo followed like a man walking the green mile.
As they walked down the hallway Anakin and Ahsoka approached them from the other end "We've got a problem." Anakin said.
"Oh thank the force." Leo whispered to himself knowing his hair had been spared by the clippers of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Everyone looked at Leo before he smiled sheepishly "You were saying?" Obi-Wan asked him.
Anakin took out a holodevice and turned it on to reveal a mandalorian commando running through what sounded like a firefight spinning around and shooting with a carbine blaster rifle, before Anakin paused the recording. "Looks like we missed one heck of a fight?" Ahsoka said to Leo.
"Yeah…" he said in awe of the armored warrior "A mandalorian commando, where was this?" Obi-Wan asked.
"On one of our cruisers, the saboteur crippled the ship but before we could capture him he took his own life." Anakin said, offering the device to Obi-Wan before he turned it off "Rumors have been circulating that the Mandalorians are building their own army in the Senate."
Anakin continued "The Council wished to relay their desire for you to go to Mandalore and speak with their leader, the Duchess Satine about it."
A sudden shift appeared in Obi-Wan. He seemed both happy and sad at the same time "Very well, Padawan shall we go. This will be a good experience for you in understanding how Jedi handle diplomacy… without a lightsaber." He said glaring at Anakin playfully.
Anakin's face soured "Got to let that go Master."
MANDALORE
Sundari
Obi-Wan and Nadia arrived over Mandalore from above and slowly started to descend in their T-6 shuttle, "What do you know of Duchess Satine?" Obi-Wan asked to fly them in.
"She's the leader of Neutral Systems, over one thousand five hundred planets that want to stay out of the war." Leo replied to him.
"Very good." Obi-Wan said smiling at him "And what do you know of Mandalore?" He asked him.
Leo looked back down at the white marble of a world getting ever closer "Only the legends of our Archives, how they were once warriors so skilled they challenged the Jedi and that Jango Fett the original clone was one, maybe?"
"And his son, Boba if the boy intends to follow in his father's footsteps as a bounty hunter." Obi-Wan said that reminded Leo of something but he wasn't sure if this was the right time to ask it.
Obi-Wan could feel the boys anxiety through the force "Something on your mind?" Obi-Wan asked him to slow the ships descent so they could talk.
"I know that Boba's a clone, but he was raised by Jango Fett as a son to a father?" He asked Obi-wan.
"What is the question here Leo?" Obi-Wan asked him.
Leo gulped "Did you know your father?" Leo asked him.
Obi-Wan's face went blank before he focused on the flying "I know of him yes, when I was an apprentice I saw them in a vision later after I was made a Master I eventually met them."
"We can meet them?" Leo asked "When you ascend to the rank of Jedi Master Leo, there's very little the Council can stop you from, it's not encouraged and from my own experience it can be a bitter sweet affair. As Jedi we must detach ourselves from all our own wants and desires, this includes family or marriage." Obi-Wan said his tone shifted as they passed into the clouds, things becoming foggy "Being a Jedi can be a fulfilling life but a lonely one."
They finally landed outside the city of Sundari on Mandalore, the surface of Mandalore was barren and white with domed cities spotting the surface. The ports around the city were bustling with ships and trade, When they exited the shuttle Leo looked at the mandalorians on the docks, they were nearly all human wearing white, pale blue or gray tight fitting tunics with neatly trimmed hair and clean shaven faces on the men, some with trimmed mustaches and light beards. Awaiting their arrival on a sky taxi was a Mandalorian Royal Guard, he wore eccentric armor with blue robes under it and a plumed helmet with a slit visor.
"The duchess awaits you."the Guard said bowing to them both.
"Far be it for us to keep the Duchess waiting."Obi-Wan said as he climbed onto the transport and Leo right behind two jedi flew into the city and Leo's eyes nearly popped out of there sockets at what he saw, the city of Sundari was like walking into a dream. Great cubed structures of crystal glass filled the entire city, trees on nearly every terrace and there didn't seem to be a crum in sight. Leo looked in wonder at the block-like structures all around her made of transparent materials in elegant patterns. Leo was surprised at how fast the transport moved and the entrance to the palace was approaching swiftly, hard to miss with how grand it was built with curving arches.
When it landed Leo followed Obi-Wan off the transport toward the palace where two more of the Royal Guards were stationed. When the large doors opened as Obi-Wan and Leo entered the view inside took the interior was just as ornate as the exterior. With art covering the walls, especially a prominent painting of a woman in an blue and turquoise gown wearing an orange head dress with golden hair, she had a slender face and nose with soft eyes and a warm smile that Leo almost seemed drawn to.
As they entered an old man dressed in white and gold with purple eyes and a neatly trimmed set of hair and beard approached them
"General Kenobi." The man said bowing politely.
"Thank you for meeting with us Prime Minister Almec." Obi-Wan said diplomatically as the man shook hands with both Obi-Wan and then looked at the boy "Is this boy your son?" The Prime Minister asked, looking at him.
Obi-Wan gave a slight chuckle "No, allow me to introduce my Padawan Learner Leo Rock."
"I welcome you and your Master here as servants of the people Padawan, but I am troubled by the false rumors that have brought you here." Almec said "Mandalore would never turn against the Republic; the Duchess Satine values peace more than her own life." The Prime Minister declared
"Oh, I'm aware of the Duchess' views." Obi-Wan said his voice filled to the brim with sarcasm as they followed Almec into the palace's grand hall.
"Master Kenobi, mandalore's violent past is behind us."Almec stated. "All of our warriors were exiled to our moon, concordia, they died out years ago." He said shaking his head at the idea of Mandalore being involved in any violence.
"Mhm…are you certain?" Obi-Wan asked, his hand stroking his beard thoughtfully. "I recently encountered a man wearing Mandalorian armor; Jango Fett."
"Jango fett was a common bounty hunter."Almec suddenly snapped. "How he acquired that armor is beyond me."
"Well, Master Kenobi..."a female voice said on the far end of the hall. Obi-Wan, Leo and Almec looked to see walking into the throne room was the same woman in the royal cyan green dress entered with two guards and another man. He was sporting a blue shirt and tan pants under a gray cloak and cowl that exposed his face.
"My shining jedi knight to the rescue once again."She retorted as she approached the throne, the woman sat down on the throne which appeared to be made of metal silver and stained glass chairs that lit up as soon as she sat the design in the throne made a strange shimmering noise and glowed in orange giving her an even more ethereal look. Leo realized that the woman could be none other than the Duchess of Mandalore.
"After all these years, you're even more beautiful than ever." Obi-Wan said approaching the throne from behind, Leo nearly gapped his eyes getting wider by the minute at the praise Obi-Wan bequeathed.
Satine soft demeanor suddenly turned to one of stone "Kind words from a man who accuses me of treachery."Satine replied in a sharp tone.
"I would never accuse you of Personal wrongdoing, duchess." Obi-Wan said as he started to walk forward, Leo behind him till he stopped just short with the Prime Minister "However, a separatist saboteur attacked one of our Republic cruisers, a mandalorian saboteur, Padawan?"
Leo pulled out a small holo-display as she activated the picture for the Duchess to see. The small blue image of the Mandalorian armored warrior appeared, firing on the crew of a Republic ship. He paused the image so that the man could be seen in full clarity, fully aware of the anger that was starting to boil inside of the Duchess and the Prime Minister as he finally shut the hologram off.
"You must be mistaken."Almec said walking up to the throne to stand by his Duchess. "No mandalorian would engage in such violence, not anymore, where is this prisoner now?"
"He took his own life rather than submit to questioning," Obi-wan pointed out "I know these commandos fought in Many wars, often against the Jedi." Obi-Wan added as the Duchess leaned in from her throne.
"Every one of my people is as trustworthy as I am." Satine said firmly.
Suddenly the other man in the room spoke up "I know we sound defensive, but-" "Clearly your investigation was ordered because the senate is eager to intervene in our affairs." Satine said with a hint of anger.
Leo looked back at Obi-Wan who kept his cool like always "My investigation was ordered by the Jedi council." Obi-Wan said.
"I stand corrected." Satine said calmly, elegantly raising her left hand in front of him . "General Kenobi, perhaps you and the young lady like to join me on a walk through the city."
Obi-Wan seemed taken aback for a moment, but when the Duchess raised an eyebrow and lifted her hand higher expectantly. The jedi confidently stepped forward and gingerly took her hand in his own he silently led her off of the throne offering his arm which she wordlessly accepted.
Leo started to follow them as they headed out into a stroll for the city when the other man walked up to him "So this is the famed Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi?"
The man looked down at Leo "My apologize young one, I am Senator Tal Merrik of Kalevala, one of our systems less known worlds and you are?"
"Leo Rock, if you excuse me I should follow my Master." Leo said "Of course, just be cautious theres quite a history you don't seem to know about." Tal said before he walked off and started to speak with the Prime Minister.
Later as the royal guards an Leo trailed behind the Duchess and Jedi Master in the heart of the city. Leo couldn't help but start to eavesdrop in on their conversation. "It's so good to see you again, Obi-wan, despite the circumstances."Satine said.
"Your peaceful ways have paid off."Obi-Wan said back to her "Mandalore has prospered since the last time I was here." He said admiring the view, and not the city.
"Not everyone on Mandalore believes that our commitment to peace is a sign of progress." Satine said, her voice going sour.
"There is a group that calls itself Death Watch, I imagine these are the renegades you're looking for, they idolize violence and the Warrior ways of the past, there are those among us, certain officials who are working to root out these criminals, it has been an ongoing investigation." She confessed to him.
"How widespread is this Death watch movement?" Obi-Wan asked as Leo silently listened watching the Jedi Master work.
The Satine dismissed him then "It's hardly a movement, It's a small group of hooligans who choose to vandalize public places, nothing more shall soon have them in custody we have tracked them down to our Moon, Concordia."
"I hope you're right, duchess."Obi-Wan said quietly.
The walk had continued throughout the gardens "I am, but enough about me how goes the peacekeeping in a time of conflict?" She asked.
"A peacekeeper belongs on the front lines of conflict."Obi-Wan said back to her. "Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to do his job."
"The work of a peacekeeper is to make sure that conflict does not arise."Satine said, Leo sensing a philosophical debate coming on.
"Yes, a noble description, but not a realistic one."Obi-Wan said almost rolling his eyes.
Satine stopped and smiled at him "Is reality what makes a jedi abandon his ideals?"Satine asked. "Or is it simply a response to political convenience?"
Finally the Duchess turned to Leo "You there young man what is your name?" She asked.
"Leo Rock your highness." He said respectively "My new padawan learner." Obi-Wan added.
The Duchess approached Leo "What do you think?" she asked.
"Uh Pardon mylady?" Leo asked obviously unaccustomed to formal conversation "About the duty of a Peacekeeper's role in keeping the peace, with violence?" she asked him, eyeing Kenobi knowing she was toying with him; but before either the boy could answer or Obi-Wan stop him an explosion suddenly erupted right in front of them. "GET DOWN." Obi-Wan yelled, tackling Satine to the ground to protect her when debris and screams filled the air.
"Are you all right?"Obi-Wan asked, gently looking at Satine.
"I'm fine."Satine replied as Leo drew lightsaber and ran up to his Master and the duchess "Leo, put that away Hooligans couldn't have arranged an attack of this scale."Obi-Wan said to him then her, Leo obeyed, turning off his lightsaber but kept it in his hand.
"Then this must be the work of an off-worlder." Satine admitted helping a man who was knocked down by the derby.
"Are you sure of that?"Obi-Wan asked as he and Leo looked to see a pointed at a orange symbol in front of them, it looked like a triton head jagged and sharp.
The Duchess rose as a crowd started to gather around the ruins of the explosion some helping others up to safety more starring in fear "The sign of the Death Watch." Satine gasped quietly.
"This goes far beyond vandalism."Obi-Wan said "This is a political statement against your government and against you."
"You're not safe herem my padawan will take you back to the palace." Obi-Wan took Satine's hand, pulling her to his side in an attempt to keep her as safe as possible, Leo watched Obi-Wan with intrigue till he snapped back to his duty ready to escort the lady to her home.
Obi-Wan turned around walking up to one of the guards "I want to interview everyone here."Obi-Wan ordered. "Nobody leaves this scene." The guards nodded, as Leo sensed something in the crowd looking around he spotted a stout man in white with an uneasy look on his face when suddenly he broke off from the crowd in a frantic run
"Master!" he called out, Obi-Wan snapped around to see him running "You there!" Obi-Wan said, Leo was about to follow but Obi-Wan already stopped him "Stay with Satine!" he ordered before Obi-Wan chased the runner down the stairs and straight to the end of the balcony.
"I only want to talk."Obi-Wan stated as the man had nowhere left to run. The man took out a blaster and started firing at them, yellow bolts of energy snapped at Obi-Wan who danced around the balcony deflecting the shots.
Outside the balcony Satine and Leo could hear the fighting, "Come on." Satine ordered Leo running head first into danger "My-my lady wait." Leo said trying to stop her but she was already down the steps. When she saw the man shooting she stopped and Leo was able to run out in front of her lightsaber drawn.
"Stay back!"Obi-Wan told the, with Obi-Wan distracted the man climbed up onto the balcony ledge and stood tall on the railing of the balcony and speaking in some language that Leo did not understand.
"Calhava bru'chun Dralshye'ran!" He yelled and Leo got ready for anything except seeing the man fall back, there was a sickening crunch below as the people screamed in terror. The Duchess and the two jedi rushed to the railing, peering over the edge to see the man lying in a cracked space of the glass walkway below still speaking. Satine covered her mouth with her hand, tearing her gaze away from the sight and squeezing her eyes shut. The three silently, they all turned from the scene and swiftly made their way down below to the man, still alive but not for long.
Satine approached, dropping to a kneeling position beside him.
Obi-Wan and Leo stood awkwardly off to the side "Whats he saying?" Leo asked Obi-wan.
"Se solu, se kad, se Darasuum kote."the man said weakly "kadi, se norm'iim."the man said his voice wavering as he breathed his last.
"Ki, kadi norm'iim."Satine said softly.
Then the man closed his eyes forever, his body going limp "He was speaking in the dialect, they use on Concordia, our moon."Satine said.
"We shall like to visit this Moon of yours."Obi-Wan said. "Perhaps we could accompany the body." Obi-Wan asked already a plan in motion.
Satine rose up from her spot on the floor "The concordian moon is a provence with its own governor."Satine said as she stood up "You'll need me to escort you both."
"That won't be necessary."Obi-Wan said trying to get her out of their affairs "Actually, it will."Nadia admitted confidently and earned a glance from her master.
"You won't make much progress."Satine said. "Without me there, especially since you've just been involved with the death of a concordian." she said gesturing back to the now dead man.
"I didn't kill him."Obi-Wan said in innocence.
"I know."Satine said with a smile. "That's why I'm still talking to you."
Obi-Wan looked like he was going to say something, but Satine turned away from him before he could make any quick remarks. "A very interesting woman?" Leo said.
"What?" Obi-Wan asked.
Leo shrugged "She seems to know what she's doing?" Leo said following Obi-Wan back to the palace.
"What are you getting at?" Obi-Wan asked, starting to get a bit flustered.
Leo looked up at his Master confused "... getting at?" Leo asked.
Obi-Wan's face flushed red for a moment "Nevermind, come we should escort Satine back to the palace- I mean the Duchess."
CONCORDI
Satine and the two jedi had taken a ship to head to Concordia, Satine had changed before leaving and now wore a vivid pink outfit and her hair was tied up in a bun. Her pants were fitted into a snug set of brown trousers and boots more appropriate for travels then her regal robes. As they approached Concordia Leo saw the planet was a mix of green forests on the surface and barren rocky canyons.
"I thought Concordia was an agricultural settlement?" Obi-Wan suddenly said turning to Satine as she flew them to the moon.
"Before the end of our wars, they turned it into a mining base." Satine said at the pilots control "The sheer number of mining facilities here nearly destroyed our forests; they're finally growing back." she said proudly.
The ship descended to the moon approaching rough edged natural stone structure appeared in front of them, set into the side of a range of jagged, slanted mountains. To a large city state and its main governmental building. Their transport moved swiftly to the hanger bay and the ramp lowered for Obi-Wan and Satine took up the front while Leo walked down the ramp behind them.
"Leo, tend to the body." Obi-Wan ordered as Leo started to unload the transport coffin of the Deathwatch terrorist.
Leo's eyes fell on the man that stood off to the side, shadowed in darkness and flanked by two guards. The man had similar features to the other Mandalorian people, pale skinned with blonde hair combed neatly. He wore a blueish tunic on his chest with beige pants, behind him stood two men in white armor with shields and batons.
"Duchess Satine, you are most welcome." the man said as the three drew closer.
"Thank you Governor Vizsla; may I present Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi representing the Jedi Council and his padawan Leo Rock." Satine said nodding towards each of them as Leo brought up the body.
"Governor Vizsla is one of the officials I spoke of, he has been working to find the members of the Deathwatch." Satine relayed to the Jedi.
"I take it you've heard the rumors about Satine, about how she's supposedly leading Mandalore into an alliance with the Separatists." Governor Vizsla shook his head at what he considered idle gossip.
"Our only instructions are to seek the truth." Obi-Wan said back to him.
Behind them, the coffin of the man from earlier was being whisked away and drew Vizsla's attention and the boy beside it.
"This was the man who bombed the memorial shrine?" He asked, cocking an eyebrow in question.
"Yes; he was apparently a part of Deathwatch." Obi-Wan said grimly crossing his arms.
"A worrisome prospect." Vizsla said with a small nod. "If you'll pardon me, general padawan, we must attend to the body." The Governor expressed to them both "My condolences to the family Governor." Leo said abruptly.
Governor Vizsla's brow rose up slightly "Thank you Padawan Rock, I will pass your kind words along."
Satine and Leo moved to follow Vizsla and his guards, but Obi-Wan stopped her and Leo "I need a favor from you, please keep Governor Vizsla occupied at dinner." Obi-Wan said quietly glancing between the duchess and his Padawan.
"Where are you going?" Satine asked him.
"Just for a look around." Obi-Wan said glancing from side to side as if to make sure no one was listening. "I'd like to see one of these mining facilities for myself."
"You mean you want to determine if they're still…operational?" Satine asked him.
"I hope to determine they're not." Obi-Wan said with a small smile, Leo stepped forward than "Master I should go with you just in case?" Leo urged him.
Obi-Wan shook his head. "No,you stay here and help Satine distract the Governor." He pulled out two small devices out of one of the pouches on his robes belt .
"I want you two to wear these earpieces so we can stay in contact in case either of you run into trouble while I'm gone."Obi-Wan said as Satine and Leo both took an earpiece, situated the devices into place. Obi-Wan turned and scurried over to an assembly of speeder bikes alone one side of the wall as Satine spoke up.
"Remember that you are here under my protection; please try not to cause problems where none yet exist." Satine called out after him when Obi-Wan hopped onto a nearby speeder bike.
"Think of me as…searching for solutions." Obi-Wan admitted with a small smile.
"I have to tell you I'm opposed to all of this!" Satine shouted after him.
"I'd be disappointed if you weren't." Obi-Wan responded easily before he disappeared with the speeder. Satine turned back to the doors and Leo slowly started to follow her silently. When they came to the hanger doors, they whooshed opened and the two went in. "Your Master certainly doesn't care for regulations." Satine said to the padawan, Leo didn't say any word.
His silence was noticed by her "Tell me what kind of man is your master?" She asked him, Leo could feel there was more to the question than she was letting on.
"Master Kenobi is one of the Order's greatest Masters, I'm lucky to be his padawan." Leo replied.
"Is that so, explains why his ego is so inflated." Satine expressed to him as she led them down the hallways of the building. "I've never seen Master Kenobi to do anything without good reason." Leo said, defending him.
Satine smiled "You must admire him."
"I do…. I've only been his padawan for a short while though?" Leo told him truthfully.
"Oh, how long?" She asked him, Leo danced around the question "Um… only a few days."
Satine was a bit taken back "Oh you're very lucky indeed, I knew Obi when he was only a few years older than you those were… different times." They walked on for a while more and arrived at a large door. "Here we are, we will be dining in here." Satine said.
"Please follow my lead, unlike your Master." She begged him "Yes, ma'am." Leo replied.
Satine smiled faintly before her expression returned to a calm, diplomatic mask and she opened the door, gliding elegantly inside. Leo followed her to see Governor Vizsla sitting at an office desk writing something at a monitor "Forgive me Duchess, padawan, I'm writing a condolence letter to the dead man's family." Governor Vizsla said as they entered the dining hall "And making arrangements for them to retrieve his body." The room they were in had an office feel next to a lounge side, at the end of the room the Governors desk and a table at its center, with a fully stocked bar on the right.
"Of course Governor, very proper." Satine said standing a little straighter with her hands placed behind her back. "General Kenobi will join us shortly, he said he needed to…meditate."
Governor Vizsla looked at Leo "You didn't join him, I thought the bond between Master and student was special?" The governor asked him.
"It is Governor, however I am here to protect you and the Duchess from any Deathwatch assassins seeking revenge for the death of their comrade?" Leo lied quickly, the Governor smiled at him "Then we are well protected, Berserker, I'm glad you could join us, and I hope General Kenobi will not be too long with his meditations." He said rising from his desk and walking around to focus his full attention on them.
Satine and Leo took a seat at the table with Satine heading the table while Nadia sat on her left, as the Governor moved behind his office bar "I've never known a Governor's office to come with a top shelf bar?" Leo said looking as the Governor mixed two drinks.
"This facility use to be a mining company's headquarters, the head foreman made sure his office was… well equipped." The Governor chuckled as he mixed the drinks.
"Someone is feeding misinformation directly to the Republic Senate, saying that the Deathwatch is taking over Mandalore." Satine said in worry, Vizsla looked at her then at Leo as she continued "Who stands to gain from these lies?" Satine asked him.
"Deathwatch, of course." Vizsla said easily, leaning over to pour the alcoholic beverage into a glass for Leo as well then, Leo looked at Satine who seemed to be consumed by her own worry. Vizsla gave Leo a look wondering if he'd want a drink and Leo gave a slight nod.
"They could not engineer all of this, the problem has clearly grown much larger than we thought." Satine said resting her forehead in her hand. "And I suspect some external force helped it along…" he said coming around the bar with the drinks and setting the three of them down as he sat opposite of Leo. When she saw the drink in front of Leo, Satine gave him a hard look.
She turned to him "Does your Master permit you to drink?"
Leo took the drink in his hand and looked at the colorful alcohol "All the time." He said quickly, taking a sip before she could stop him. Leo felt the liquor hit him instantly as his whole body relaxed "Delicious." He said.
"Thank you." Vizsla said, holding up his own drink.
"Hard to believe; it would have to be someone at the highest level of influence among the Separatists." Vizsla said skeptically.
"But why target me?" Satine asked him as Leo sipped his drink again. "You lead the Council of Neutral Systems; thus you threaten the Separatist goals." Vizsla replied easily, raising a glass to Satine in a slight show of respect. "Take it as a compliment; someone very powerful is working towards your downfall."
Leo put the drink down "What of you Padawan Rock, you must have some opinion on the situation?" The Governor asked him.
When both adults looked at the boy "It's not my place to judge, this is an internal matter for the people of Mandalore." Leo said.
"Oh come now, surely the Berserker must have something to say." Vizsla said, trying to get him to speak, Leo felt himself reaching for his drink but stopped.
"What do you think of the efforts of the Deathwatch to undermine the status quo?" The Governor asked him.
Leo looked at Satine who waited for the boy to speak "In what regard?" Leo asked the Governor.
"Take the attack today, the man would rather die than be taken prisoner much like the saboteur." The Governor said, something in Leo twitched hearing the Governor bring up the saboteur.
Leo eyed him closely "We never mentioned a saboteur."
The Governor sipped his drink casually "Oh, word travels fast in the Outer Rim I'm afraid, so as I was saying your thoughts on the bomber?"
Leo waited a moment to gather his thoughts "I think anyone who is willing to die for what the believe in, is worthy of respect." Leo said.
Vizsla suddenly looked at Leo with a much different way, his eyes were cold, calculating and his smile like a hyena about to cackle or a wolf on the verge of biting "Well said young one." He said toasting to him.
The Duchess then spoke up "Padawan Rock, what did the Governor mean when he called you Berseker?" She asked him.
"Forgive me duchess, I meant only to flatter the boy." Vizsla said apologetically "But I assume you heard the Song of Leo?" He asked, Leo looked up at him confused before the governor looked at him "Song of Leo?" He asked.
The governor smiled "Figure of expression, the Second Battle of Geonosis this exceptional young man, protected the entire Republic advance by defeating over a hundred Geonosian Warriors all by himself." The Governor praised him.
"Really and your master?" Satine asked him "Master Kenobi wasn't my Master at the time, he and his forces were pinned down a mile behind us." Leo said, creating an awkward silence.
"Then he is blessed to have you as a student indeed, tell me are you student of history?" The Governor asked getting up and walking over to his desk "I guess?" Leo replied.
Governor Vizsla came back holding a book with horned creatures skull on it "This is a book on the ancient Mandalorian warrior ways, I've been using it to try and detect what the Deathwatch's next move will be perhaps you would enjoy it." Tar said sliding the book over to Leo. He looked at the cover, it was leather bound except for the metal honred skull on the front "Thank you Governor, I don't know what to say."
"Think nothing of it, if we don't learn from the past we are doomed to repeat it." Governor Vizsla said taking a seat "Well said." The Duchess said toasting to him.
"General Kenobi's meditation is taking a rather long time," Vizsla said, cutting through the silence, a slight tone of tartness in his voice as he lightly twirled his drink in his glass.
Satine and Leo looked at one another without giving away what Obi-Wan was really up to "You know the Jedi, they never do anything by halves." Satine said, playing with her glass a little nervously and offering a small smile.
"Duchess, Padawan please acknowledge." Obi-Wan's sudden voice in Leo and the Duchess's ear.
"May I offer you another drink?" Vizsla asked Satine, raising his own glass.
"Yes…certainly." Satine said Leo looked at her and started to follow her lead.
"I'm in a bit of an awkward spot."Obi-Wan said into the two of their ears "I'm being held by the Deathwatch."
"Sorry Duchess, we're out of ice."Vizsla said apologetically as he picked up there drinks "Padawan Rock, can I top you off?"
"No thank you." Leo said pushing his drink away, "Sorry to hear that." Satine said with a smile speaking to two people at once.
The governor continued to talk "Perhaps we should begin dinner without General Kenobi." glancing between the duchess and Leo.
"There's a tracking function on your com links, follow it due east to my location."Obi-Wan ordered them.
Leo didn't say a word but the Duchess did covero for the both of them "I don't know if I can do that at the moment." Satine said with a small smile, hiding the action of touching the earpiece by making it look like she was nervously rubbing her neck.
"It's extremely urgent!" Obi-Wan said in a stress voice.
Vizsla looked confused by the Duchess's answer, leaning forward. "Are you not feeling well Duchess?"
Satine looked up at the Governor, a little startled. "Perhaps some fresh air would do me good, Padawan Rock will escort me I know your Master would certainly appreciate it." She said giving Leo a look that read on her face as 'Get up and follow me outside or your master will be sliced, canned and shipped into who knows where'.
"Take a speeder, it's rough terrain." Obi-Wan warned them into each of their ears.
"Are you sure you know the way around?" Vizsla asked doubtfully.
The two of them got up from "I'm sure I'll manage." Satine said before they walked out of the Governor's office, once they were a safe distance away from the dining room, the two broke into a run hurrying to the hanger without a word and activating their tracking functions. Leo hopped onto the speeder with Satine driving them to the coordinates they'd received speeding onwards to save Obi-Wan.
The sun set on Concordia, then landed outside what looked like an abandoned mine with a large camp and a dozen ships set up around it. Satine glanced around the deserted area around them, her eyes narrowing at the door to the mine off to their left.
"Where exactly are you?" Satine asked, contacting Obi-Wan quietly crouching as she carefully made her way into the entrance of the mine "Could you be more specific, Master?" Leo asked him,
"Listen for the loud metallic clanging sound."Obi-Wan responded sarcastically. "That would be the machine about to smash me into bits!"
Leo and Satine ran across the factory till they found Obi-Wan on a factory conveyor belt, there were stones in anti gravity pods being crushed into refined metal before shoved off. The two of them ran up to the nearby controls and with a few easy clicks, she tripped the alarm, glancing around before she gestured for Leo to follow rushing forward and down the hall on their right.
Just as Obi-Wan had said, they could hear loud clunks coming down the hall and the sound was growing the closer they came. Satine suddenly dropped back into a crouch, hovering in the shadows of the room behind a ramp, Satine and Leo waited until the sound of running footsteps was relatively far away to get up and enter the room.
When they peeked around the first thing they noticed was Leo's master was held upside down in some sort of orange force field making slow progress down an assembly line that was meant to crush rocks of some rather hard minerals. After that the two of them could hear more noise in the form of rocks getting ground into near fine powder.
"Well it certainly took you long enough!" Obi-Wan stated as the two sprinted past him towards the controls.
"You know, we haven't saved you yet." Satine admitted, Leo looked at the controls holding Obi-Wan upside down over the conveyor belt before he took out his lightsaber but dropped it.
Obi-Wan noticed his fumbling as he picked up the lightsaber "Hurry!"
"Be patient." Satine snapped at him as she climbed the ladder towards the controls.
"I happen to be running a bit short on patience right now!" Obi-Wan said, his voice rising sharply very close to a shout as the machine and Obi-Wan got closer about to fully embrace on his demise. Leo turned on his lightsaber and tried to slice the metal but his lightsaber bounced off it like it was nothing "What!?" Leo yelled.
"It's beskar iron, lightsaber proof." Satine said "Well isn't that convenient." Leo barked as everyone was shouting.
"Satine!" Obi-Wan called out. "Turn the machine off!"
"I'm trying." Satine snapped "Satine!"Obi-Wan shouted as he came within crushing distance.
"There!" Satine called out and the entire system went down, Obi-Wan instinctively recoiled when he saw the thick metal plates rushing to squish him into a grease smear came to a halt. Satine rushed down from her place by the controls, to help Obi-Wan up alongside his padawan. Obi-Wan took one sniff of the air "Leo… have you been drinking?"
Leo squeaked out a quick response "... I had a little."
"We'll talk on that later, we've got company." Two of the Deathwatch came bursting out of the doorway to see the new intruders, one of the soldier activated a jet pack attached to his armor and flew straight at them, he tackled Leo and picked him up trying to wrap his hands around the boys neck as the other buzzed right past her towards Satine.
Obi-Wan tackled the Mando before he could get to her as Leo was dropped from the top of the factory, Leo summersaulted through the air before he landed lightsaber at the ready. The Mandalorian raisedh is arm and out of it shot a breath of fire from a flamethrower, Leo raisedh is own hand and the flames hit an invisible wall of the force. Obi-Wan and the other mando fought hand to hand before Obi-Wan smashed his helmet into a nearby crate. When he saw Leo being overwhelmed by the flames Obi-Wan raised one hand to the still flying Mandalorian and made him fall right out of his jet pack straight into the floor out cold but still breathing due to his armor. Leo looked over at Obi-Wan who gave him a wink and a smile, much to Sabine's disapproval.
"For a man sworn to peace, you take an unseemly pleasure in the injuries of others." Satine said with distaste.
Obi-Wan started to run to the exit followed by Leo and Satine "For a woman sworn to non-violence, you don't seem troubled that I could have been killed back there." Obi-Wan responded firmly.
Satine turned away from Obi-Wan as they fled into one of the access corridors. "And yet I still haven't heard any thanks."
"Well, you certainly haven't changed much."Obi-Wan admitted standing right in front of a door and when he opened said door they all froze on the other side wasa Deathwatch commando standing right in front of them. Obi-Wan was quick to react and took the man down with two punches and a round house kick. Satine ran past him heading to a left as Leo stood behind Obi-Wan
"This is not the way we came in!" He called out before the two jedi followed her outside of the mine to an elevator which they hurried into "We can't go back the way we came they'll surely have the exit covered, this is another way." She told them.
Leo looked up at Obi-Wan "Master, what happen to your lightsaber?"
"Taken by the Deathwatch I'm afraid, a poor example of a Master I'm making." Obi-Wan jested as the elevator rose up. They all froze to see the mine had been turned into a camp of some kind, a series of barracks were established in the mining pit with five mandalorian cruisers all set up surrounding them were also heavily armed and armored mandalorians. Leo spotted three mando's beneath them who looked up to see the trespassers. The three soldiers started blasting at them immediately, Leo held his ground covering Obi-Wan who hurried Satine behind one of the crates "Cover us Leo."
"Yes Master." Leo replied as Obi-Wan rapidly pressed the button beside them that would let them go down the elevator back into the mine. Suddenly the sound of a screaming missed flew directly overhead heading straight for them.
"Move!"Obi-Wan commanded them both, pulling Satine to safety behind a nearby bolder.
"We'll have to stand and fight." Obi-Wan said firmly and looked at Satine "Or in your case, just stand."
Obi-Wan used the force to take the weapon of the Deathwatch soldier he had knocked out not too long ago to his side and take aim at three Deathwatch men that were making rapid progress towards the three on their jetpacks. "Do we have a plan Master?" Leo asked as Obi-Wan took aim, looking down the sights of his blaster pistol to shoot one of the mandalorians in the jet pack thesudden explosion sent all three of them back shaking they very ground.
He stood straight with a satisfied smirk, blaster firmly in hand "Blasters, so uncivilized."
Suddenly a mandolorian who survived the blast attacked Obi-Wan from behind knocking him flat on his back. The man took aim, ready to deliver a killing shot, Leo came to just in time to see him "Master!" The mandalorian turned his blaster on Leo who held up his hand in an instant the Mandalorian gagged, he grabbed at his throat like an invisible noose was being tightened around his neck. Satine covered her mouth in shock as Obi-Wan's eyes got wide "Leo stop-"
SNAP
The Mandalorian's neck broke "What have you done…" Satine said running out to catch the dead man in her arms.
"He was… he was going to kill you I had to act." Leo said looking at Obi-Wan who was to stunned for wards "Where did you learn that?" He asked the boy.
"I-" "Is this what you teach your student?" Satine snapped at him "Satine now is not the time. Before they could argue again a blaster shot rang out from across the mine, all three heads turned to see four Mandalorian warriors approaching them one with a cape leading them and on his hip Leo could see Obi-Wans lightsaber. The shot came from his own blaster pistol smoking after killing one of his own men.
"I think the leader of the Deathwatch is gifting us with his presence." Obi-Wan admitted seeing them approach, he took lead walking out in front.
Leo was about to follow but Obi-Wan raisedh is hand "Stay with the Duchess."
The padawan didn't answer he only knodded and got in front of the woman, staying close to Satine for protection. When the leader of the Deathwatch finally was in front of them he lifted off his helmet to reveal Governor Pre Vizsla himself.
"Governor!" Satine gasped in shock, standing straight up from her position behind the Padawan.
"For generations my ancestors fought proudly as warriors against the Jedi., now, that woman tarnishes the very name Mandalorian." Vizsla said firmly scowling at her.
There was a moment of silence, the wind blowing the Governor's light blue cape behind him he turned his eyes to Obi-Wan and spoke again "Defend her if you will!" Vizsla declared tossing Obi-Wan his lightsaber.
Obi-Wan caught it easily without even looking at the weapon and his gaze focused on the man in front of him. Vizsla tossed his cape aside and reached back and activated a jet black lightsaber that had a faint glow of white around the edge. Leo looked at the black blade it's unusual hilt and hue "Is that…"
"This lightsaber was stolen from your Jedi Temple by my ancestors during the fall of the Old Republic." Vizsla said. "Since then many Jedi have died upon its blade…prepare yourself to join them!" He pointed the black lightsaber at Obi-Wan who simply narrowed his eyes and was ready for the fight.
The duel happened immediately, with Obi-Wan catching the black lightsabers glowing white edge on his blue one. Obi-Wan parried then struck again dodging nad blocking almost everyone of the Governors strikes "We need to do something before one of them gets killed." Satine said.
Leo watched Obi-Wan who calmly evaded another blow, Vizsla on the other hand started to get visibly frustrated. "No, Obi-Wan isn't trying to kill him."
"And the governor?" Satine asked as Vizsla suddenly leapt forward with a battle cry, bringing his lightsaber down on Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan grit his teeth, blocking the strange blade with his own normal blue blade before Vizsla continued his assault. The sword made a sharp sound of a jet when he swung it, then Obi-Wan sent Vizsla flying with a force push. Vizsla growled, shaking off the men that tried to help him off the ground before glaring at Obi-Wan before he charged again. However, Vizsla was unbalanced and Obi-Wan was bound and determined, deeply immersed in the Force and his own jedi training.
Obi-Wan kneed him in the face, kicked him in the chest and kicked the lightsaber out of his hand in three sharp movements. Vizsla came back easily, launching at an upwards angle to kick Obi-Wan in the gut, give him a hook to the face and then sent him flying backwards with another strong blow. The Jedi Master skidded to a stop several meters away, his lightsaber deactivating while Vizsla ran back to his fallen weapon when he had it the mandalorain actiavted his jet pack and Obi-Wan pushed himself to his feet, his eyes narrowed on Vizsla in determination.
As Vizsla readied his black lightsaber for a dramatic downward strike, Obi-Wan launched himself into the air, ducking under the swing Vizsla tried to deliver and landed three firm punches on the man's face before he suddenly kicked Vizsla back down to the ground, landing gracefully a few paces away.
Vizsla pushed himself up, glaring hatefully at Obi-Wan as he stood. "Warriors, finish him!" The three Mandalorians that had flanked Vizsla stepped forward in a straight line, bending over to release missiles.
Obi-Wan both moved to avoid the three missiles, narrowly avoiding getting hit, it wasn't the end of it though as the missiles came fight back around for them. "Master…" Leo warned slowly tracking the missiles progress with her eyes.
Obi-Wan nodded slowly, backing away towards the broken lift. "Satine, Leo!" They ran towards the lift with Obi-Wan's hand held out for Satine to take. She practically jumped into his arms as they leapt into the lift with the missiles exploded above them not too long after they jumped down the shaft, falling in a sprawl on the floor below.
Obi-Wan launched himself a little farther, shielding Satine from any falling fire with his own body and Leo tumbling across the rock. The young padawan rolled onto his back to look up at the smoldering debris from the explosion in the mineshaft safe front he Deathwatch for now.
Sitting up Leo rubbed his arm "So, did General Skywalker ever get it this good?" Leo asked sarcastically
"This is just day one Padawan" Obi-Wan said tiredly getting up and helping him to his feet, he next turned his gaze back to Satine almost immediately, helping the woman up tenderlylooking into his eyes, Leo felt like he wasn't necessarily needed so he turned on his lightsaber to look around the mine as they spoke. Eventually the three reached the spot they'd entered the mine making their way slowly to the speeders.
"I suppose we're even now." Satine said gently as they approached the speeders.
Obi-Wan raised an inquiring eyebrow at Satine. "Oh, how so?"
"I saved your life, you saved mine." Satine said, smiling secretly to herself as she approached her speeder -Wan leaned against his speeder, propping himself up with his good arm as he watched her.
"Yes, well, mine was the more daring of the two rescues." Obi-Wan said with a small smile of confidence. Satine smiled slightly before she shook her head and got back on her speeder, "Come we must inform the people of Concordia of the Governors treachery."
MANDALORE
Palace of the Duchess
Night had fallen on Mandalore, the city of glass cubes was illuminated across the dome shape of Sundari's cityscape, as the Duchess slept both Leo and Obi-Wan were awake enguard if any Deathwatch assassins would dare strike at her even here. Leo had walked out onto a balcony overlooking the a large square that was lightly filled with Mandalorian people.
"You did well today Leo." Obi-Wan said coming out to join him.
Leo turned still holding the balcony edge "Master?"
"Albeit the incident with the Mandalorian warrior you killed." Obi-Wan pointed out hands behind his back.
Leo avoided his gaze "He was going to kill you."
"That may be, but I could feel your thoughts when you killed him the anger you felt, its not something a Jedi should feel when using the force." Obi-Wan said compelled to be a teacher at the moment.
"So you're not mad, I killed him?" Leo asked.
Sighing Obi-Wan shook his head "No I am not, but I am disappointed in your methods. Where did you learn to use the force like that?"
Leo didn't answer him at first "If you can't trust your Master, who can you trust Leo?"
"I saw it in a tapestry in a book Master Nu gave me, a picture of Sith Warrior using the force to choke a jedi from a distance." Leo confessed to him.
Obi-Wan stroked his beard "As I suspected."
"I don't understand?" Leo asked him.
Giving the boy his full attention Obi-Wan took a breath "The force the Jedi use is never to be used in anger or as a means to kill, it's the fundamental principle which separates us from the Sith."
"But what about using to save a life?" Leo asked him "By taking another?" Obi-Wan asked him shooting holes through his argument "No Master…"
Obi-Wan could feel the anxiousness within him and rested his gloved hand on Leo's shoulder "Take heart Leo, you are still only a Padawan there is no shame in learning from our mistakes, it's how we grow as individuals."
"Thank you Master, I promise I won't do something like that again." Leo said smiling up at his new master "That's all I can ask Padawan, that's all I can ask now come we must return to our guard duty before the Queen departs in the morning."
Leo followed him "Wait, we aren't sleeping?"
"No." Obi-Wan replied.
The Following Morning
As the sun rose Obi-Wan and Leo were escorting the Duchess on one of the ports waiting for the Duchess Satine and several other delegates were going to be leaving on the same ship, a towering red and white senatorial luxury yacht Starcraft." Obi-Wan said as the Duchess approached them with Prime Minister Almec at her side flanked by her royal guards. Satine was once again wearing her royal outfit and looked as if nothing had happened. Leo yawned heavily before Obi-Wan nudged him to stay vigilant even as they were leaving.
"Well if Pre Vizsla fled, we have no way of knowing how widespread the Deathwatch really is." Satine's Prime Minister said beside her.
As the jedi walked beside them "It's obvious the Separatists are supporting the Deathwatch." Obi-Wan admitted.
"I disagree!" Satine said coldly. "I told you I wanted to stay out of this conflict." She almost barked at him.
"Given the current situation, I'm afraid that may no longer be possible." Obi-Wan said softly trying to explain the situation but the Duchess didn't seem to be having any of it.
"I thought you of all people would understand my position on this matter!" Satine said angrily. "I will never be a part of this war!"
With that, Satine turned and made her way angrily to the ramp of the large ship they were going to be taking to Coruscant.
Obi-Wan's shoulders sagged slightly as Anakin and Ahsoka followed by a group of clones from the ship. "Reporting for escort duty, General." Anakin said.
"Anakin, Ahsoka am I glad to see you two." Obi-Wan said with a wave of tiredness in his voice.
"You both sound tired." Anakin said with a smirk.
"The peaceful ways of the Locals wore us out a bit."Obi-Wan said as he walked toward the ship with Leo following, Ahsoka and Anakin did as well with Anakin taking his side beside his old master.
Anakin looked back at Leo with a smile "So Rusty how was your first mission with my old Master?"
"It was-" Leo cut himself off yawning "A lot to do." Leo replied following them into the ship for a voyage of temptation.
