Author's Note: I realized that I forgot a small detail from the last chapter. That has now has been remedied. Also, I don't feel like rewriting clone wars episodes, their perfect already, so this Mal'dar chapter (and maybe the others) will jump around a lot, though it'll lessen further in the chapter. But it won't be as cohesive. In other words between Anakin/Padme dialogue and Empire Strikes Back, so it'll drop to Star Wars Rebels (3.5/5) from Clone Wars (4.5/5). Being sarcastic by the way.
Mal'dar
Mal'dar watched as Death Watch soldiers carried two unconscious Zabraks from the starfighter. He stood to get a better look at them, a patch of Zanbarian mud holding him in place. Mal'dar curled his lip in disgust before stepping out of the mud and looking at the Zabraks. One was absolutely massive, he was pale yellow with black tattoos covering his skin. Though the only skin shown was his face and hand. Face for the rest of him was covered in armor and hand for one arm had been sliced off.
The second one had a lithe build, though muscle was still under his red skin, which was also covered in black tattoos. His mechanical claw-like legs were held up as two Death Watch soldiers carried him, four were carrying the other.
Mal'dar turned his back to them and walked into his tent. Beside the bed was a cradle. Mal'dar leaned down and looked into the cradle. Khura Kryze looked up at him and reached a hand towards him. Mal'dar reached down and she grasped his finger sending a jolt through it and his hold body. Mal'dar gazed at her and tie began to fall away. She had his bright green and two tiny horns on the sides of her head while Rimi had three. She also had faintly pink skin, and much to Mal'dar's relief regular feet. "I have no idea how your mother walks on those feet of hers," said Mal'dar taking off his helmet and setting it on the ground.
"Just fine," said Rimi as she walked into the tent. "Did see you whatever Vizsla brought in?"
"Yeah," said Mal'dar, "If their slaves I'm going to blast him, I do not want to have to find another planet".
Rimi nodded, "I'll add a blast to".
Both looked at Khura and time once again slipped away.
Mal'dar heard footsteps approaching the tent entrance and grabbed his helmet, putting in on his head. Bo-Katan came in and her eyes locked onto Mal'dar, "Those Zabraks we brought in their Sith".
Mal'dar's eyes widened, "Like Dooku?"
"Yeah," said Bo-Katan.
"Why are you telling me this?" asked Mal'dar.
"We just voted to work with them, thought you should know since you should be on the council," said Bo.
Mal'dar waved it aside, "I'm fine with not being on the council, most of them are mirsh'kyramud".
Bo-Katan scoffed, "True, but they are good warriors".
Mal'dar nodded, "Thanks for telling me".
"No problem," said Bo-Katan and she walked over to the cradle. She glanced at Rimi and Mal'dar, "Ke barjurir gar'ade jagyc'ade kot'la a dalyc'ade kotla'shya". Train your sons to be strong but your daughters to be stronger.
"Of course," said Rimi.
Bo-Katan gazed down at Khura once again, "She's still fat". And walked out.
Mal'dar slowly rocked Khura's cradle, as Rimi gazed at her. "It's risky to work with gangsters," she said.
"At least we're taking action," said Mal'dar popping his neck. The fighting at Nal Hutta and Jabba's Palace had been easy, in fact, the most damage done to Mal'dar was sleeping wrong on the flight in-between.
"I suppose," said Rimi.
Mal'dar walked through the streets of Sundari. The city was much like the New Mandalorians, a beautiful idea but filled with weaknesses. He had been part of the group that secured the docks, Maul's plan had gone perfectly and Maul was in prison. Suddenly he heard explosions and he spun around. Death Watch warriors flew out of the capital building firing back at other Death Watch warriors who flew after them. Mal'dar looked from one to the other rapidly, He activated his coms, "What's going on?!"
Gar Saxon answered, "Maul defeated Vizsla and is in charge now. Bo mutinied if you see her kill her!"
Mal'dar looked up and saw the first group of Mandalorians round a corner and rocket off. Mal'dar continued walking, "I don't see her".
Mal'dar and Rimi sat in Abam neither knowing what to say. Mal'dar held his shoulder plate in his hand, the golden owl of clan Kryze staring up at him.
"We should fight with Bo," said Rimi standing.
"NO!" snapped Mal'dar.
Rimi flinched and Khura jolted awake, she looked at him her eyes wide.
Mal'dar swallow to clear his throat before speaking, "I swore an oath, I won't break that".
"SHE'S THE GODMOTHER OF YOUR CHILD!" yelled Rimi.
Right on cue, Khura began to cry, but Rimi didn't move her eyes from Mal'dar, and Mal'dar didn't move his from those of the owl.
"I swore an oath, the same thing I did to you! I won't break my word," said Mal'dar tersely.
"Will you kill her?" asked Rimi pointedly.
"No," said Mal'dar.
"And you're willing to work for someone who would?" asked Rimi.
"No," said Mal'dar his voice barely a whisper.
"Then what are we going to do?" asked Rimi.
Mal'dar looked at the owl and a smile slowly spread across his face, "I have an idea".
"What is it?" asked Rimi.
"Vizsla's idea," said Mal'dar.
Mal'dar walked into the throne room, the glass eyes of Satine on the window seemly following him. Mal'dar glanced at the window, so that's what she looks like, he thought. The artist had caught her will in those eyes, and Mal'dar saw his father's face in his mind's eye. Mal'dar turned his gaze from the window and to the throne.
Maul sat in the throne examining the darksaber as Mal'dar approached. Savage stood at his side, eyes tracking Mal'dar's every move.
Mal'dar came to a stop and looked at Maul, "I wish to speak to you".
Maul step down the darksaber and examined Mal'dar. "Who are you?" he asked.
"Mal'dar Kryze," Mal'dar stated proudly.
Maul narrowed his eyes at Mal'dar, "So you are related to The Duchess and The Traitor".
"Yes," said Mal'dar calmly.
Savage growled and grabbed his lightsaber.
Maul stood and began to slowly walk towards Mal'dar, his metal legs causing the sound to echo through the room. "Why are you here?"
"I am trying to decide if you are my leader," said Mal'dar.
Savage activated his lightsaber but neither Mal'dar nor Maul reacted to it. Maul began circling Mal'dar, his hands behind his back. "You are very foolish".
"I defeated Pre Vizsla in single combat and turned down the seat you are in. I have brought in more funds for Death Watch than any other member, you want me on your side".
"I have accomplished those things as well, so therefore you are not needed," stated Maul.
"I have a deal for you, take it and you have a good soldier and I get what I want," said Mal'dar.
"Very well, speak," said Maul his steps still at their steady pace.
"Pre Vizsla killed my father and took his sword, a beskar blade. If you give it to me then you will have one request but otherwise, I am free from you, though not a request that involves me breaking my word or hurting Bo," said Mal'dar.
"Interesting," mused Maul, "But why should I not simply kill you?"
"I'm an asset," said Mal'dar, "And I won support after defeating Vizsla, so you might get more troops from me pledging to you".
"Perhaps, though I have a counteroffer," said Maul. He made a pulling motion and Rimi tumbled through the glass ceiling. She fell towards the floor but Maul stopped her with a hand and immediately began force choking her.
Mal'dar aimed at Maul and Savage activated his lightsaber.
"Here is my offer, you will do whatever I say and in exchange, I do not kill this wretch and can have your sword," snarled Maul.
Rimi clawed at her throat as she gasped for breath.
"Deal," said Mal'dar instantly falling to a knee.
Maul released Rimi and she dropped to her knees gasping. "Very good, now leave your sword shall be delivered tomorrow".
Mal'dar put his arm around Rimi and helped her rise to her feet and the pair made their way towards the door. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked you up there," he said.
Rimi scoffed, "And then he would cut your head off, you idiot. Next time we just leave".
"Ok," sighed Mal'dar.