Chapter 40 - Mandalore
DISCLAIMER: We do not own Star Wars or any of the characters in it, though we wish we did. xD
Author's Note: To Guest 1 who reviewed: Yeah, definitely. Sidious would choose that time to attack if he knows they're gone...
"Welcome to Mandalore," Duchess Satine declares, as Dooku and Kenobi stop before her. Cody stands several paces behind them. "I am pleased to see that you are not carrying weapons," she adds after a moment, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"Of course not," Dooku hastens to assure her, "I know that Mandalore does not permit weapons, so we left ours in a concealed compartment in the ship." She dips her head in a grateful nod, motioning them to follow her to the speeder which will be escorting them to the Duchess' residence.
"I must confess, Master Kenobi," she murmurs after they are seated, "That I am mildly surprised to see you here with Count Dooku. I would not have expected you to form an alliance with him." Her expression is distinctly curious, though Dooku can see an underlying cautiousness.
The former Jedi Master shifts, though his calm demeanor doesn't change. "I am not a Jedi anymore, Duchess," he replies at last, and her eyebrows rise in surprise, "You do not need to call me Master Kenobi." He pauses, giving Dooku a sideways glance. "The Council took actions I could not agree with, so I left the Order and have joined the Sith."
"I thought Sith were long term enemies of the Jedi," she remarks, "I heard one killed your master."
Kenobi nods. "That is correct, but Dooku is reforming the Sith Order. Over time, they, too, have lost their way. We are striving to create balance within ourselves, instead of sticking solely to the narrow-minded view of the Council."
Dooku can sense Kenobi is choosing his words carefully. That doesn't stop the irrational surge of pride at his admission. It is true that the Council had become narrow-minded, but Dooku had never expected Kenobi would openly admit it.
"I see," Duchess Satine replies, her posture becoming slightly more relaxed, "Might I ask what it is that changed your mind? The last time we spoke, I was under the impression that you would not leave the Order."
"I left the Order for Anakin," Kenobi tells her bluntly, "The Council… expelled him, and I could not, in good conscience, abandon him. I know the Jedi would consider it an attachment, but –" he pauses, shaking his head slowly, "He – I kept him from falling to the Dark Side. My position as a Jedi Master would have meant nothing if I'd let that happen to him."
"This happened recently?" she wonders, "I have not heard anything about it."
Kenobi hesitates, and for the first seems unsure of himself. Finally, he nods. "It was after I faked my death," he confesses.
The Duchess' expression tightens, concealed anger in her eyes. "Don't ever do that again," she warns quietly, "It was not easy to think you dead, even if only for a short time." Dooku reigns in his amusement. So, he was right. She does have feelings for Kenobi, feelings which may well be reciprocated.
"It – I – I'm sorry," he replies contritely, "It was not a decision I made lightly. Someone needed to uncover the plot to kidnap the Chancellor, and at the time, we had no idea who he really was."
She huffs quietly but accepts his apology with grace. "What should I call you, in public I mean?" she queries.
"My Sith name, Lord Aristaeus," Kenobi answers quietly, tugging his hood closer over his face. Since the meeting is supposed to be in private, Dooku agreed that the former Jedi Master did not need to wear his armor to conceal his identity. A simple hood could keep his face covered when outside of closed doors.
She gives him a shrewd look. "Tell me a little about the Sith. What are the differences between them and the Jedi?"
Dooku takes that as his cue to start talking. "The Sith were initially created to restore the Jedi's original values. They tried to create balance by using both the Light and Dark Sides of the Force. They also do not believe in the current Jedi idea of suppressing emotions."
"They permit attachments," she states for clarification, and Dooku nods. She hums quietly but doesn't question further.
**b**
"If we have enough systems on our side, then we won't need the Trade Federation or Banking Clan," Dooku explains, "We will be able to trade with one another without external help. The large corporations have been given too much power in the Republic. The Separatists sought to change that, but Sidious manipulated the situation for his own gain." He looks between Duchess Satine and Kenobi.
"And you have obtained resources from the Trade Federation to help all the neutral systems which have aligned with Mandalore," the Duchess adds.
"That is correct," Dooku replies.
"The fate of the clones is important as well," Kenobi inserts, glancing sideways at Dooku, "There are millions of lives in our hands. We cannot continue to treat them as slaves. Admittedly the Republic was under pressure at the time to defend itself, but they should never have been forced to be soldiers."
The Duchess nods slowly. "You mentioned as much. I am willing to offer a home to all the clone children who have not yet been grown into soldiers. If they are not trained as warriors, they can remain here, whether or not they are adopted or raised with their brothers."
"That is more than we could have expected," Dooku admits, "The clones will, of course, be permitted to make their own choices. I do not doubt that many will prefer to leave the army and work as civilians."
"We will be happy to welcome them here," the Duchess replies, a faint smile on her face, "The war has gone on for too long. Violence is not the answer, and Mandalore is willing to accept the clones as fellow beings – equal and not lesser to the rest of us. This is how we will choose to fight against the war."
Dooku nods, understanding. Despite the bid to remain neutral, Duchess Satine is willing to openly show her opposition to the war by accepting the clones and giving them refuge in her system if they so choose. It's a perfect move politically, one which will no doubt bring even more systems onto her side. He can readily see why someone like Kenobi would like her.
She's strong-willed and idealistic to the point of accepting martyrdom over war. It takes a certain courage to act as she is, standing in opposition to the war dividing the rest of the galaxy, fighting against it for peace. Fighting for peace. It's what the Jedi claim to be doing, but in reality, they are not. Had the Jedi Council chosen to stand as she is, the war would never have continued raging. Sidious' designs would have been for naught, and he wonders briefly what such a world would have been like.
**b**
"How was the mission?" asks Anakin, looking between Obi-Wan and Dooku.
"It went well," Obi-Wan replies, launching into a short breakdown of their accomplishments. "The clones have a home now. Even if the Republic refuses to acknowledge them, all the neutral systems under Duchess Satine are willing to grant them their rights. They will be recognized as humans, not slaves or simply 'clones.'"
Anakin breathes out a sigh of relief. "Good," he murmurs, "Good. We should tell the clones. Once we manage to destroy Sidious, they will be able to choose what they wish to do. I think they would like to have time to consider their options."
"I concur," agrees Obi-Wan, "They have spent so long being told what to do, that having a choice will be overwhelming. Perhaps," he looks at Ahsoka, "Ahsoka can call Rex and Cody in. I can tell them the news, and they can tell the others."
"Of course," announces Ahsoka cheerfully, "I'll get them." She turns and leaves the room, Obi-Wan following behind her.
Anakin steps after them, but a motion from Dooku stops him. "What is it?" he asks, giving the Count a quizzical look. What could Dooku have to say that he doesn't want the others to hear.
His voice is barely above a whisper, and Anakin can clearly see amusement dancing in his blue eyes. "I just thought you should know that the Duchess has feelings for Kenobi. They may or may not have privately discussed entering into a relationship."
Anakin can't restrain a snort. "Who would have guessed? Obi-Wan has a girlfriend!" The last sentence comes out a little louder.
"Skywalker," hisses Dooku, giving him a flat look, "I did not tell you with the intent that you begin teasing your former master."
"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. Do you really think I would pass it up?" retorts Anakin, giving Dooku a smirk.
"I most certainly do not have a girlfriend," huffs Obi-Wan, glowering at Anakin. He'd apparently overheard the conversation and reentered the room without Anakin even noticing.
"Sure you don't, Master," grins Anakin unrepentantly.
"She's not my girlfriend," insists Obi-Wan, and though Anakin can sense the truth of the statement in the Force, he only gives him a cocky grin before walking out of the room to find Ahsoka. Behind him, he hears Obi-Wan groan quietly.
Final Note: I don't usually engage in self-promotion, but since this is our most popular story, I'm just gonna add another note down here. xD I would love if some of you checked out Coming of Dawn, a fanfic where Anakin has a twin sister (which isn't like any Anakin twin story I've seen thus far) or The Rogue Jedi, the third fanfic in a saga where three sisters from Earth end up in Star Wars during ROTS and start making changes. :P