Chapter Six: In the Meantime

Chaos had engulfed the Republic.

Violence was happening in the streets, the plague was spreading throughout the member worlds. And amidst all of it, the informal truce between all the ruling organizations had broken down. Divisions were being drawn between society. Meanwhile, the powerful were scrambling to escape like rats fleeing a sinking ship.

Aedal did not care.

He had better things to do with his time and did not really think it was effecting their strategy at all. Basilisk was far below them; it was an industrial world ruled by Mandalorians. It was a peculiar institution that had allowed a proud warrior race to create a mass industry. That industry was maintained largely through terror.

Labor unions on Basilisk went armed to the teeth.

"And here we are," said Aedal as they landed. "Basilisk itself. I'll be honest, I never liked the capital much."

"Why is this place our capital?" asked Actava, brushing aside a strand of pink hair. "It has no history. We only conquered it a decade ago."

"Mandalore is a nice place to visit." said Canderous, "But it's strategically isolated and lacks an industrial base. It was good as a place to found our culture. But now that we are moving onto the world stage, it serves little purpose.

"From Basilisk, we have easy access to the core worlds. While it is a great place to train recruits, you can't run an interstellar empire from a tent."

"Aedal does it," noted Jagi.

Aedal laughed. "Excellent point, Jagi, but I don't administer an Empire. Merely a single world and a number of colonies of persecuting minorities."

"Don't you mean persecuted minorities?" asked Actava.

"I know what I said, Actava," said Aedal. "The Senate can throw around whatever rhetoric they want to justify taking my bribes. I'm still going to kill them all once we get to Coruscant. They're useful idiots, nothing more."

The ship doors opened, and they made their way out of the vessel into a wasteland. The waters here were horribly polluted and covered in muck, and Actava put a hand over her nose. "What happened here?"

"The lizards of this place tried poisoning their own world to get us off it," said Aedal. "It caused us some problems. But it also removed any reason we had to remain environmentally friendly. So our rate of efficiency actually went up.

"Basilisk produces weaponry as fast as we can get resources for it. We haven't hit mass capacity in years." Then he noticed a speeder standing by for him. Glancing to where his men were unloading en masse, he looked to Jagi. "Jagi, keep command here, Canderous, and I have a meeting to attend. Actava, you handle your people."

"Right," said Jagi.

Aedal flourished his cape, largely for effect. Then he made his way toward the speeder, Canderous with him. The man standing by it was one of the lizards who ran the place. It was a subspecies of Trandoshan that evolved independently. His terror was raised as Aedal approached. Although terror was pretty much the standard on Basilisk these days. Aedal had a special kind attributed to him.

Aedal was Mandalore's favorite, after all. Even so, he sometimes wondered why so many species developed on multiple planets. Humans, for instance, had no specific world attributed to them. None that anyone could agree on. It was like they'd been spread through space in their prehistory.

Some people theorized that was exactly what happened.

"Lord Aedal," said the lizard in his own tongue. "I am to convey you to Mandalore's palace."

"Well, you'd best do so," said Aedal.

"Right this way," said the lizard.

Aedal and Canderous sat down. Soon they were speeding along dying fields toward a black and terrible city. It was all industrial with none of the comforts or false gleam of Coruscant or Taris. Mandalore had built this place to terrify and oppress.

It was a sad reality that one could not run a society of proud warriors without a working class. And, worse still, a merchant class. And if you weren't careful, the latter would take over. Aedal's solution had been to ensure every fighter had two skillsets. One civilian, one military. Unfortunately, such a policy was difficult to enact on a large scale city-planet. Let alone one in need of efficiency.

Mandalore's solution had been simple.

Inspire endless, constant terror.

They passed a street where a family and several others were being thrown against a wall. A moment later, there was a flash of blaster fire, and they died screaming.

"Who ordered a purge?" asked Canderous.

"Oh, no one," said Aedal. "One cannot become a full warrior on Basilisk until one has killed one of the natives. It's a coming of age ritual."

"That doesn't seem very sporting. Why not hunt dangerous beasts?" asked Canderous.

"We already killed most of them," said Aedal. "It's why I advocate colonization. Whenever the population of Mandalorians gets too high, we destroy all possible threats. Then we have to find other things to crush into submission.

"Our model of society only works if we are near the brink of extinction, or at least threatened. Thus why we're trying to pick a fight with the Republic."

Canderous fell silent for a moment. "Aedal, we ran into a lot of transports on the way through here. What were they? I wasn't aware we had that many fleets?"

"Transports from the Trade Federation," said Aedal. "They carry street urchins and people from city planets across the galaxy. They're part of a new outreach program, Canderous. They are street urchins with nothing to lose. And thanks to the Trade Federation, they want to start a new life working for us.

"A lot of them will die in training. A bunch more will end up dead in the field; however, the rest will make excellent Neo-Crusaders."

"City kids," scoffed Canderous. "I don't see why we need Neo-Crusaders at all. True Mandalorians do not need numbers to win."

"True enough, but they certainly help," said Aedal. "No point in starting a war if you aren't going to try and win it.

"Have a little tolerance, Canderous. If we're going to make Mandalorians of the universe, we'll need to accept others into the fold. Take Basilisk; when we took it a few decades ago, it was just an industrial center in the outer rim. Now it's a true Mandalorian success story."

"And we're going to train these kids on Basilisk?" asked Canderous.

"Some will be used as labor in the factories between combat training," said Aedal. "Cheaper than slave labor and more romantic. Others will be dispatched to Malechor V and other such worlds.

"Don't worry about it at the moment.

"We've got a meeting with Mandalore himself to attend to."

"Why am I being brought in on this anyway?" asked Canderous.

"Well, you certainly distinguished yourself before," said Aedal, remembering why he liked Canderous. The man didn't do nonsense. "I thought you deserved the chance to move up in the world. Why? Do you feel unworthy?"

"No, I'm just concerned how Jagi will handle things in our absence," said Canderous. "He and Actava haven't been getting on well. The recruits from Melinda Daan have had trouble meshing. They're good fighters, but they've got a pragmatic streak some of us don't like."

"Well, it takes all kinds to make an army," said Aedal.

The speed haltered before a set of doors, and they stood and stepped out. Aedal glanced back to the driver, who shuddered. "Thank you for your service."

The lizard gunned the engine and got out.

Which was probably the smartest move possible. Aedal wouldn't want to hang out in the same speeder as a Sith Lord and a Mandalorian. He hated Sith.

Making his way up the steps, however, he found the way blocked by Xor. The reddish, pink twilek had a few new scars, so he must have gone after some people who could defend themselves. He stepped forward with a smile.

"...You aren't allowed to enter," said Xor.

Aedal raised his hand and started compressing Xor's throat. It was great seeing how quickly he and his glorified thugs changed their tune. "The orders... the orders come directly from Mandalore... himself... we're... not allowed... to let... anyone... through... until... until the meeting is..."

Hmm?

Was Mandalore as sick of Xor's ilk as Aedal was? Or had something come up. Either way, Aedal supposed he shouldn't kill the man for doing his job. So he released him and let him falling gasping to the ground. "That's wonderful.

"However, we've always had a more informal relationship, and I've come a long way. Open the doors. Or I will open you."

"He is meeting with Demagol," said Xor. "You know as well as I do that-"

"I do know, and I don't care," said Aedal. "Open. The. Doors."

Xor quickly rose up and did as he was told. Coward. A real Mandalorian would have taken out a sword and died to defend the door. Then again, a real Mandalorian wouldn't be taking slaves for Demagol.

"Don't inform him I'm coming," said Aedal.

Xor nodded, and they walked through.

"You sure about this?" asked Canderous.

"Of course," said Aedal, walking up a set of stairs to where he sensed Mandalore's presence. Proud, free, fiercely independent, and without conscience. "I'd like you to get a look at a meeting good Mandalorians aren't supposed to see."

"What if Mandalore decides to take your head off?" asked Canderous.

Aedal considered it. "Then I'll kill him. And you can be Mandalore instead."

Canderous stared at him. "...If you could do that, Aedal, why haven't you done it by now?"

"I'm not interested in political power," said Aedal with a shrug. "I want to rule hearts and minds. Mandalore can have the galaxy, but it'll slide through his fingers when his heart goes cold. I plan a war of conversion that shall change how beings act and think for centuries to come.

"Think of me as a... High Priest.

"Now come, and say nothing unless prompted."

"I've always felt free to voice my opinions," said Canderous. "That is the Mandalorian way."

"Yes, I know," said Aedal. "And I warn you; Don't discuss the Mandalorian way with Mandalore. It's bad for your health."

They came into a high room with many pillars. At the far end, Mandalore stood in gilded armor. He sat in a seat at the end of a long table—Demagol, clad in black and white.

"Demagol, how long did it take the poison to work?" asked Mandalore, voice booming outward.

"On average, the children expired in less than thirty seconds," said Demagol. "Adult specimens, meanwhile, took far longer. They had an average of forty-five seconds. Though it varies based on weight. Those who were Force Sensitive sometimes lasted as much as a minute.

"I would love to test the experiment on some Jedi if we get the chance."

"Perhaps later," said Mandalore. "We have company."

Canderous shifted and looked to Aedal.

"Poison gas?" asked Aedal, coming forward. "Isn't that a rather cowardly means of victory, My Lord?"

Mandalore sighed. "...It is not intended for use on warriors, Aedal. Rather, for the efficient destruction of subsentiments.

"I'm trying to purge weakness from the bloodlines of the galaxy. Warriors are one thing, but we're speaking of worthless specimens. Simpletons cripples, the mentally ill, gungans, they are of no worth to anyone. Best to dispose of the defective to ensure they never reproduce."

"And here I thought we were supposed to let natural selection take care of that," said Aedal. "Playing God, are we, Demagol?"

Demagol scoffed as he rose up. "There is no such being. What men call God, or the Force is nothing more than natural phenomenon we do not yet understand."

"And who are the specimens you are using for these... experiments?" asked Aedal.

"Some of the newcomers from Coruscant and other city planets," said Demagol. "More convenient than having Xor seize ones of their age."

"Only the ones we judge to be of no worth, of course," said Mandalore. "Washouts and such. I examine the cases personally."

"You're experimenting on live Mandalorians?" asked Aedal, feeling very cold. Yes, they were failures. But they had still chosen the Mandalorian way of life and were entitled to the rights that entailed.

"They aren't Mandalorians yet," said Demagol flatly. "By the way, Mandalore, could I have some subjects for vivisection? I'm making great strides in my understanding of various races' bodies. However, we require more specimens for it.

"Particularly, some children."

"Children?" asked Aedal. Granted, he'd killed children. But always in combat situations.

"Yes, preferably some of a healthy status as well," said Demagol. "I'm very interested in performing work on those in the earlier stages of development.

"Particularly some more infants. I've been hoping to see how long an infant can live without sustenance of any kind. My concept is to allow the Mother to take care of it but bind her breasts, then take meticulous notes.

"The information on how long it takes for them to starve to death could be quite-"

And they were done. Aedal raised a hand and started force-choking Demagol. A very satisfying sight indeed, and Aedal smiled. "I find your lack of respect for the sanctity of life troubling, Demagol.

"Which says far more about you than it does about me."

Mandalore sighed. "Leave him be, Aedal. He's of use to us yet.

"Unless you'd like to try your hand at fighting me directly. You're like a son to me, but I've killed several of my biological children. So you have cause to be wary."

"As you command, Mandalore," said Aedal, releasing him. "I live to serve."

"I don't see why you are acting so self-righteous," said Mandalore. "You've killed children. Thousands of them die every time we attack a city."

"I don't believe in civilian targets, Lord Mandalore," said Aedal. "In war, everyone is a legitimate target. What Demagol does is not war, it's more akin to... murdering a guest."

"Which is to your credit, Aedal," said Mandalore, standing up and walking down the steps. "Now, what was so important that you had to break into a meeting you were not invited to? You could have just waited."

"Well, the Republic has undergone a great many revelations lately. Things have made things unpleasant for the powers that be," said Aedal. "The citizens found out just how little their ruling class thought of the tenets of democracy with... entertaining results.

"I thought I'd gauge how an ordinary Mandalorian would react to the things we do behind closed doors. And also introduce you to a very valuable subordinate at the same time.

"This is Canderous Ordo. He's one of my best subordinates, and I'd like to transfer him into your service. I assure you, he will serve you well."

Mandalore moved down. "Canderous Ordo?

"Ah, yes, I read about your exploits against the Jedi on Melinda Daan, as well as the combat afterward. By all accounts, you are a true Mandalorian.

"However, accounts can be proven wrong. Perhaps we should put that to the test." He looked to where Demagol was rising. "Demagol, give Canderous here something important to do. Perhaps, that mission we discussed?"

"Very well, then," said Demagol with a nod. Drawing out a remote, he pressed a button. Out of the floor came a hologram. "This world is called Altara, it is a world under the dominion of the Althiri Empire. A formidable regional power, it also borders on Taris. Taris, in turn, would make an ideal invasion location into Republic space."

"Hold on," said Canderous. "I thought our strategy was to take as much territory as possible. To conquer without threatening the Republic directly." Canderous had never liked that strategy.

"Our strategy has changed," said Mandalore. "Up until now, the Republic has been stagnating into oblivion while we were growing in power. Now, however, conflict is brewing within them. Either it will break into civil war, or weakness will be purged from their government.

"In the former, we will be in a position to speed up our plans. In the latter, we are obligated to strike before they gain power. While we have greater industrial power than ever, the Republic is still superior.

"What was it you said before, when we discussed invading them, Aedal? It was rather good."

"'If we launch an all-out assault on the Republic, we can be sure of a year of victory. After that, we can be sure of nothing,'" said Aedal.

"Yes, yes," said Mandalore. "If we attack the Republic, we will initially be able to make major gains. However, the longer the war drags on, the worse our chances. With time, the Republic will be able to bring its superior industrial capacity into the war.

"Once they are fully committed, we'd be overwhelmed no matter how many battles we won.

"We'd die gloriously, of course. But die nonetheless, and I'd rather win. Thus, our only winning strategy is to dictate terms in Coruscant. Or, alternatively, decimate the Republics' industries, so they are no longer superior. You can ask Demagol about that possibility."

"Such a plan would require ludicrous weakness on the part of the Republic. It is simply not practical," said Demagol. "If they were that incompetent, the Republic would have fallen apart a long time ago.

"Thus, taking Coruscant is the superior option."

"There are more immediate reasons for targetting Altara," said Mandalore. "The Exchange has set up a major base of operations there. They sell numerous lethal drugs in the area for anyone who wants them. Smugglers then take those drugs and sell them into our own worlds. And despite our best efforts, some of our people have taken to exploiting the market.

"Altara is an important dropoff point.

"We've traced the majority of the drug trafficking to several different points. I even found the merchants responsible. I politely requested the Emperor crackdown; however, he ignored me.

"They are decreasing our fighting effectiveness.

"Destroy the planetary population and leave no survivors. Reduce the land to ashes, I don't want anything to live there for another century. Kill the governor and his family if you can. Then send their heads to the Emperor of Althir. I take the health of my subjects very seriously."

"Unless you don't like how they were born," noted Canderous, eyeing Demagol.

Mandalore laughed uproariously. "That's precisely it, Canderous. Precisely.

"Oh, and one more thing.

"Remember to have fun. You're only in your prime for about twenty years. And genocide is a young man's game.

"Aedal..."

Mandalore fixed his gaze on Aedal, who met it. "Yes?"

"I have a mission that requires your old connections in the Sith," said Mandalore. "There are rumors of a Sith Emperor. I think you should find the closest thing they have to one and ask him about it."

Wonderful.

Aedal was hoping to never have to meet Malgus again. But, apparently, it was time to return to the old haunts.