Chapter 10 - Mandalorian Plot
Bruck Chun cursed the lack of visibility of the Mandalorian helmet as he dodged another blast bolt, he had been thoroughly advised by his mission partner that under no circumstances should he remove it. He had also, in a language Bruck felt was far too slovenly, made sure Bruck knew they weren't supposed to injure any of the Mandalorians if they could help it. Which meant only sleep suggestions and disarmament.
Bruck sighed as he snuck up behind another Deathwatch soldier, reaching around his neck and holding him in a sleeper hold, sending the Force suggestion until the man went limp. Bruck then dropped him to the ground. It was then that a small figure caught his eye, a child was on the battlefield, a child dressed in...was that Jedi tunics?
The boy's face turned in his direction, before being led by a Mandalorian from the opposing side towards a ship. Bruck recognized the young boy's face and a sense of panic shot through him.
"Kriff," Bruck typically avoided swearing, Dooku had always claimed it was the lazy man's way of expressing oneself. But, in this case Bruck assumed even Dooku wouldn't know what else to say. "No, no, no, no...Kriff me,"
He realized that the Skywalker kid must've snuck aboard his ship at some point, he briefly wondered how he had missed such a strong Force presence throughout the trip, could the kid be naturally good at shielding? If that was the case it would make finding him nearly impossible if he is taken off planet. Bruck stole a glance at Quinlan who was in the process of laying down another soldier.
"You go left and I'll go right." He called out to Quinlan.
The Kiffar stood tall and tilted his head, it would look comical in the Mando armor if the situation hadn't been so serious.
"Yeah, um...no." Quinlan responded. "It's best if we stay together."
Bruck let out another curse inside his head. He couldn't let Quinlan know about the stowaway Padawan, at least not until Bruck had him back. So, he pretended he wasn't able to hear Quinlan over the blaster fire and headed in the direction he had last seen the boy.
As he rounded a corner he found himself in the vicinity of three figures, he quickly ducked behind munition crates. He peeked over the ridge of the box and noticed two men in Beskar armor and a woman that was all too familiar.
"Tachi?" He whispered beneath his breath as he watched her help lower one of the Mandalorians to the ground, he was clearly wounded.
"There's a boy…" The injured man coughed and attempted to sit up. "We can't leave him."
"I found the child lurking inside the cockpit of that Kom'rk." The stockier Mando stated pointing towards a blue ship. "You take them home Ben, then we'll meet at the rendezvous point in the Rishi Maze."
"We need to stay together, Vod," The one named Ben protested.
The other shook his head. "You need medical care, and the Jedi need to get as far away from Mandalore as possible. You must leave. That's an order."
The sound of soldiers shouting caused Bruck to duck, but then as the voices passed by he relaxed. He glanced over the crate again just in time to watch as Siri helped the injured man to his feet, she placed one of his arms across her shoulder.
"You've got to be kidding me," Bruck whispered to himself in amazement. "Ofay-Wan and Tachi?"
Oh he couldn't wait to rub this in her self-righteous face. Siri Tachi had always held herself to a standard no other Jedi could ever hope to reach, just because she had been selected as a Padawan by a Council Member at a younger age than most. And now, to see that she was flawed just like he was...worse even because she had allowed herself to fall in with murderers and thugs.
Oh, he would love every minute of holding this over her head. He wondered if he should go to the Council right away, he could only imagine the censure she'd receive. But having something to lord over her was just too tempting not to act on it. He smirked behind the helmet, imagining her begging him to keep his secret.
A flash of carnal desire warmed his body as he imagined just how far she'd go for him to keep her secret. It was no secret that he had been attracted to Siri for years, but she had always denied his advances. She would quote the Code to him, despite the fact that he was well aware that she wasn't celibate. And the fact that she would choose others over him made him angry in a way he couldn't quite explain.
And now after only a couple of weeks she had lowered her standards so far as to show affection towards someone the Force had cast aside? This was unacceptable, there had to be more to it. Maybe Kenobi had brainwashed her, that was possible, if he had lost his memories then he and the Mandalorians might've done the same to Siri.
Had he stumbled onto a much larger plot against the Jedi? He knew if he could find evidence of this treachery while simultaneously rescuing Tachi and Skywalker Bruck would probably be given the rank of Master without having to go through the drudgery of training an apprentice.
Resolute in his mission Bruck stealthy made his way towards the ship. Unfortunately for Bruck it was in the process of lifting off and already out of range of even his best Force Jump. Thinking fast he quickly grabbed a homing beacon from his belt and tossed it towards the ship, using the Force to guide it until the magnetic device adhered to the side of the ship.
He watched as the ship left the atmosphere, sensing the presence of Quinlan Vos running up to find him.
"We need to go," Bruck didn't even glance back at Quinlan.
Vos, evidently tired of being left in the dark, placed an elbow against Bruck's throat and backed him up against a set of munition crates. "Slana'pir {Piss off} Chun. I'm not playing your high and mighty games, don't got patience for 'em, don't got time for 'em. So, you gonna tell me what's going on or do I need to sneak a peek?" Quinlan removed his gloves.
Bruck sighed. "I saw Tachi, I'm sorry, but I didn't have time to call you in for reinforcements."
"You found Siri, where is she?" Quinlan seemed genuinely concerned, which surprised Bruck.
"The bounty hunter grabbed her and took off." Bruck decided to keep some information to himself. He couldn't lord it over Tachi's head if Quinlan 'I have no filter' Vos got wind of it. "He also had a kid, I think it's another Jedi."
"Wait, what?" Quinlan's shocked face was obscured by the mask, but Bruck could easily read it through the Force. "How is that even possible?"
Bruck shrugged Quinlan off and shook his head. "I'm not sure, maybe the Mandalorians are plotting something against the Order as revenge for Galidraan."
"I've been tailing Deathwatch for months and have heard nothing that would indicate…" Vos said, the confusion evident in his voice.
"This isn't Deathwatch, these were Mereel's men." Bruck explained. "And Kenobi is with them."
Quinlan's body stiffened at the mention of his childhood friend.
"Maybe that was the real reason he went to Naboo," Bruck continued. "Catch a Jedi with a Jedi. Makes sense to me."
"No, man. This doesn't feel right." Quinlan placed his hands on his hips. "There is something else at play here, can't you sense it?"
"Look, either way we're running out of time." Bruck motioned back towards his ship. "I placed a tracking beacon on the hull of their ship. Now, are you coming with me, or staying here to mop up?"
Quinlan thought for a moment before nodding. "Lead the way."
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Her body finally gave into the exhaustion she was feeling, the conflict on Concordia had proven to be a mine field of negotiations and arguments. She knew that a population who sought out battle as an answer to any question until just a decade ago would struggle to ignore one happening on their planet's closest moon, but even in her worst case scenarios she hadn't expected just how difficult this ordeal would be to navigate.
Not for the first time in her life, not even the first time that evening she cursed both Vizsla and Mereel. She knew in bringing her pacifist beliefs to war weary Mandalore was the right thing to do, but it didn't make it any easier having those two clans fighting one another to the death and challenging her claim to the throne at every turn. It had been the reason she exiled them, and yet they still would not stop.
Duchess Satine Kryze rolled onto her side, burying her face in the soft pillow. Her long blonde hair cascaded around her, looking far more soft than her usual impeccable updo's. She grumbled beneath her breath as she began to hear a strange noise against her window, a repeated light tapping sound began to cause her to resurface from her slumber.
She sat up on her elbows and glanced back at the floor to ceiling window in confusion, beginning to wonder if it had just been part of her dream when she saw a small pebble hit the glass only to fall and join a growing pile of small rocks that had started to collect on the balcony. Her heart raced, there was only one person who knew how to get around her guards, but it was strange that he hadn't flown up to the balcony with his jet pack like he normally did.
But he shouldn't be there, they had agreed it the last time was indeed the last time. Not to mention his involvement with the skirmish on Codovia, how could he do this to her?
She slipped on her emerald colored silk robe and rushed to the window, throwing them open and gripping the side of the railing. She scanned the darkness below until she saw the familiar figure emerge from the shadows. He was limping, she could see that from even a story above him and he was favoring his right side. She was so relieved to see he was alive, but instantly grew incredibly angry again that he was even there.
She contemplated not lowering the ladder, after the way he had left things before she would've been justified, but then she saw that there was a woman and a small child with him and the humanitarian in her couldn't refuse.
The boy came up first, bouncing up and over the ledge with more agility than one his age should have. The woman followed and helped Ben up to the balcony, as soon as he came into the light Satine had to place a hand over her mouth. The entire right side of his head and neck were drenched in blood.
He offered her a maddening crooked smile as the woman held him upright. "Duchess,"
"You shouldn't be here." She answered, more coldly than was proper for her station, but she didn't really care. "If someone saw you…"
"No one saw us," the woman replied. "I promise."
Satine turned her piercing gaze towards Siri. "How exactly could you know that?"
"Duchess Kryze, I am Padawan Siri Tachi." The woman moved Ben so he could lean against the balcony railing so she could properly bow, though Satine did notice the woman was also holding herself as if she were injured. "And this is Padawan Anakin Skywalker."
"Hi'ya." Anakin waved and then remembered to bow as an afterthought.
Raised all her life in court it was second nature for Satine to respond with an acknowledged tilt of her head, but she was staring daggers at Ben.
"You brought Jedi here?" Her eyes narrowed.
He rose to his feet, gently pushing himself off the balcony railing with a groan. He then limped towards the Duchess. "They were caught up in the middle of the battle on Concordia, I had to get them out and we had nowhere else to go."
"A conflict that your clan perpetrated might I remind you." The stress of the day suddenly came rushing to the front of her mind. "A conflict that should never have happened!"
"I know," Ben admitted.
"If it gets out that I am harboring an exiled traitor to Mandalore, not to mention Jedi!" She spat. "How could you do this Ben, did it ever even cross your mind what your presence could do to the peace I am trying to secure for my people?"
"Duchess," Siri stepped forward, placing a hand on Ben's arm. "We know this is a terrible risk and burden to place on your shoulders, but our ship was damaged and because his home was destroyed in an act of violence according to the Republic mandate Ben is technically considered a refugee at this point and is simply seeking sanctuary."
Satine took in the woman Jedi standing before her. After several agonizing moments a small smile crept up to her face. "I like this one," she said directly to Ben.
"What can I say, I have good taste." Ben of course couldn't help himself and both Siri and Satine rolled their eyes. He limped towards her after another moment. "Satine, please help us."
"Yes, of course." Satine waved him off. "The boy looks like he's about ready to fall asleep while on his feet anyways."
Anakin who had indeed begun to nod off snapped to attention. "I'm okay."
"Refugee or not I still have to keep your presence here quiet." Satine explained. "But, you may take my sitting room. It's through there." She motioned to their left. "I will fetch a healer,"
"No, no healers." Ben insisted. "The fewer who know about us the better. Perhaps just some supplies?"
Satine nodded. "I will also have food and water brought up. And I shall have someone look at your ship."
"Thank you Duchess." Siri bowed again, placing her hands on Anakin's shoulders and leading him towards the door they had been directed to.
Satine watched them leave before turning her attention back towards Ben. "We still need to have a very overdue conversation my dear."
"Perhaps when I'm not concussed?" Ben offered her a weak smile, hoping to wiggle his way out of what was sure to be a difficult conversation.
Satine chuckled softly. "Nice try. You're cute, but you're not that cute kar'taylir darasuum {love}"
"Well, I suppose we'll just have to agree to disagree then." Ben winced as he tried to fold his arms across his chest.
Satine shook her head and then became much more somber. "I heard about Jaster…Ben, I'm so sorry."
"Thank you," Ben's eyes suddenly found the floor.
"What about Jango?" She asked. "Is he…"
"You can count what remains of the True Mandalorians on one finger, but thankfully Jango is one of them." Ben's voice was hollow, full of unshed emotions.
"I can't imagine he's handling this very well." Satine took a step towards Ben. "It's not easy to lose a father, especially to violence."
Ben finally looked up at her and nodded in agreement. "But we carry on, don't we?"
"This is the way." Satine said and Ben nearly cried then and there because he knew that was not a creed she believed in.
"I probably should rest," he said after clearing his throat. "Something tells me that boy is going to be up at dawn."
Satine smiled warmly and nodded. "You'd probably be more comfortable in my room."
"Satine, you know I can't." He shook his head. "Beyond the obvious reasons, it would be political suicide for you. You're taking a big enough risk by just letting us stay."
She wrapped her long arms around her torso and nodded. "Get some rest Ben, we'll talk later."
"Good night my sweet Duchess." He placed his fingers to his lips and pushed them towards her as if blowing her a kiss.
"Ben,"
He turned as quickly as his battered body would allow at her call. "Satine?"
"I...um...I do have a connection to the Jedi Temple." She hesitated to say. "My Prime Minister asked for their help after SOMEONE had taken me hostage." She smiled and he slightly blushed. "I was under one of their Knight's protection for about a year."
"You remain in contact with this Jedi?" He asked, wondering how her people allowed her this given their hatred of the Jedi.
"No one knows that I still have his com channel frequency." She shrugged. "I haven't talked to him in years, but...maybe he could pick up your two Jedi so you don't have to worry about them."
Ben glanced back towards the room where Siri was putting Anakin to bed on one of the couches, he could see them through the sheer curtains. "Maybe, let me think about it."
"Ben," Satine raised an eyebrow. "What's really going on?"
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"Looks like they've landed on Mandalore." Bruck checked the Navi computer's readouts.
Quinlan sat back on the copilot's chair with his feet on the console. "Looks like we're gonna have to get in touch with the old folk's home before we can proceed."
"There isn't time to involve the Council, Tachi and Skywalker could be in real danger Vos." Bruck argued.
"You never said the kid was Skywalker." Quinlan tilted his head.
"Why should I have, you don't even know the brat." Bruck rolled his eyes.
"You don't think it's weird that Qui-Gon's old apprentice somehow adducted his new one?" Quinlan folded his arms behind his head. "Sounds a bit too convenient to me."
"The Force works in mysterious ways." Bruck couldn't wait to be done with this mission so he didn't have to deal with Vos in such close vacinities.
"Yeah man, that's my point." Quinlan suddenly sat up. "I think we should at least let Qui-Gon know what we've found. They've got a search going on for the kid."
"Fine, but just let them know that we've got it handled." Bruck waved dismissively at Quinlan who was moving towards the communications hub.
Quinlan snorted in mocking laughter. "Yeah, okay Chun. I'll make sure they all know you're the hero."
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Siri sat down next to Ben with a bowl of water and a towel. After some coaxing she had convinced him to let her clean out the wound. He hissed in pain as she began to wash it gently with water.
"Man up Kenobi, where's that strong Mandalorian warrior spirit." She teased.
"Oh, I thought I was a Jedi…"
"My point still stands, you're acting like a youngling." She reached up to pull some shrapnel from his neck. "Now, hold still."
Ben glanced around the room to distract himself from the pain and his eyes landed on the sleeping form in the bed. "Kid's out like a light, huh?"
"He's obviously had a long day." Siri said as she finally pulled the last piece of durasteel from his skin. "He's anxious and conflicted."
"What does a Jedi youngling have to be anxious about?" Ben chuckled.
"You," she answered bluntly.
Ben looked back towards Anakin. "Me, that's silly. I barely met the kid tonight."
"Yes, but what do you sense when you're near him?" Siri asked, wiping the blood from his neck and head.
Ben shrugged. "Sort've like how I feel when I'm near you. Like I'm meant to be there."
"He feels it too," she answered softly. "But, he's afraid of you."
"Because I'm a Mandalorian." Ben nodded.
"No, because you're a lost Jedi." Siri answered, gently tugging on his braid. "He doesn't understand what happened to you."
"That makes two of us kid."
They stayed silent for several moments as Siri continued to treat his wound. She was opening a bacta bandage and hesitated speaking.
"So, that's the famous Satine." She said softly.
"Oh, yes." He looked over his shoulder at her. "Have I mentioned her to you?"
Siri chuckled. "Well, you mistook me for her when you woke up on Naboo."
"I certainly did not."
"You most certainly did." Siri placed the bandage and tapped him on his back to indicate that she was done. "But after seeing how stunning she is I really don't take it as an offense."
"Yeah, she is."
"So what's the story there?" She asked. "It's obvious you two lov…"
"No, we don't. Well we do, but it's complicated." Ben sighed. "We were so young and both felt really out of place within our families...it was a bit of a whirlwind."
Siri nodded with a smirk. "I can somewhat sympathize."
Ben chuckled. "Yeah, well turns out she had a kid. My kid."
"What?" Siri looked at him in shock.
"But because of who she is and I am, she and her family decided to pass the boy up as her nephew." Ben explained. "Her brother raises him, but she doesn't know that I know the truth..."
"Ben,"
"It's okay, really. Satine and I have made our peace with our relationship, truly we have. Besides, we were WAY too young when all of this happened." He shook his head. "And truth be told we are a thermal detonator just waiting to go off whenever we're together. And given how difficult her hold on Mandalore is, it was just easier to go along with the lie. It's better for the kid, and it's better for her."
"That is really selfless of you," Siri was astonished. "To put someone else's needs before your own. Very Jedi."
"Well, don't think too highly of me." He shrugged. "It's pretty tough to be with someone if you can't trust them. No matter how much you may wish otherwise."
"I'm so sorry." She reached out and took his hand.
He squeezed her hand in return. "Really, it's fine. Just wasn't meant to be I guess."
Siri glanced down at their clasped hands and then back up at him. She felt a pull from the Force, but shook it off. "Yes, but it doesn't make it any easier."
He sighed as she dropped his hand and quickly rose to her feet. "Siri, it's not the same."
"It's absolutely the same Ben." She hugged herself. "I don't want to hurt you."
"We could just leave you know...we can take the boy with us and just start over somewhere in the Outer Rim." He rose to his feet and motioned towards Anakin.
She shook her head, sadly. "Ben, enough."
"You're the one who taught me to listen to the Force, you mean to tell me that you don't feel this thing between us?" He closed the distance between them.
"Ben, we are sitting in your ex's home and you just confessed that you lost your chance at being a father. You also lost your own father as well as most of your family today, now is not the time to be making life altering decisions." She shook her head. "Plus, you know I can't reciprocate."
"So you're saying it's all one sided, what I sense?" He folded his arms over his chest.
"I didn't say that, Ben."
"Then why did you come back?" He reached out and took one of her hands. "What was all that in the mine shaft?"
She pulled her hand from his. "If you think things were complicated for you with the Duchess, you have no idea what you're getting yourself into here."
"I thought you said a Jedi is allowed to love," he argued. "It just can't be an attachment."
"Ben, of course we are. " She looked up at him, her eyes glossy. "But for all intents and purposes I'm married to the Order. I'm wholly committed to the Jedi, which means I can never give you the level of commitment you seek, nor the commitment you deserve."
"Never is an awfully long time cyare {darling}" He winked.
"You really should get some rest, you lost a lot of blood." She brushed past him, and headed out onto the balcony.
Ben contemplated going after her, but knew it was probably better if he didn't. He turned back into the room and noticed two large blue eyes staring up at him.
"Oh, hey kid." He awkwardly said, running a hand through his hair. "We didn't mean to wake you,"
"You love her?" Anakin asked, sincerely.
"It's...complicated. We met under rather odd circumstances, plus she's a Jedi." Ben tried to answer.
"And you're a bounty hunter." His voice was laced with anger.
Ben was stunned speechless by the child looking up at him. "Yeah kid, I was. I'm not proud of it."
"You're a sleemo."
"Hey, watch your language kid." Ben smirked, amused by the tenacity of the boy.
"My name is Anakin."
"Sorry, watch your language Anakin." He sat down on the couch opposite the boy. "They teach you Huttese curse words in that Jedi temple of yours?"
Anakin went still. "No, I don't know. I haven't been there long. Master Qui-Gon freed me on Tatooine."
"Hmmmm, good man."
"Pfft, like you'd know." Anakin spat. "You tried to kill him, and Padme."
"Who's Padme? You're girlfriend?"
Anakin suddenly flushed bright red. "No, she's the Queen. She's super nice."
Ben was a little shocked to hear that the Queen of Naboo was slumming it with former slaves, he started to realize that he was glad the Force intervened and had him fight the Sith instead.
"Listen, Anakin." He leaned forward and placed his hands on his knees. "I've done some really bad things, you're not wrong. But, I always believe there is good in everyone...it's just sometimes people can lose their way."
"My mom always says that the biggest problem with this galaxy is that no one helps people." Anakin said, his eyes looking sad at the mention of his mother. "But you helped me so maybe you're not as lost as you thought you were."
"Here's hoping kid," Ben groaned as he laid down on the couch.
"You're not going after her?" Anakin suddenly asked, perplexed.
"Nope." Ben replied, sleepily. "I've learned a long time ago to pick my battles."
"But...you love her." Anakin protested.
He opened one eye and looked up at the boy. "Sometimes loving someone is letting them go."
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"We've just landed on Mandalore Master Jinn" The hologram image of Quinlan Vos stated. "Bruck said he saw both Siri and Anakin getting into a ship with Obi-Wan."
Adi glanced over at Qui-Gon, a concerned look on her face that he desperately tried to ignore. He knew it was no accident that Obi-Wan and Anakin's paths had crossed, but now he needed to figure out why.
"Very good Knight Vos," Adi stepped in when Qui-Gon remained silent. "We're actually not far from the Mandalore system, we will rendezvous with you shortly."
"I'll leave my comlink on so you can track our position." Quinlan nodded.
"May the Force be with you." Adi said as the connection broke.
"I'm fine Adi, enough with the look." Qui-Gon finally said, keeping his focus forward as he piloted the ship.
"Do you take stock in Bruck's theory?" She asked. "A Mandalore revenge plot, it seems a bit far fetched"
The long haired Jedi sighed. "We'll see. Frankly my bet is with the Force having a truly warped sense of humor."
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TBC