Chapter Six

Off to Naboo

Is something troubling him? Obi-Wan wondered as he watched the commander pace impatiently around muttering to himself in a harsh sound of language. Calliope clung to his leg burying her head into his leg. He'd been this way since arriving back from well whatever it was he'd gone to. Now he wasn't going to ask considering he had to dress Calliope and he didn't want her to feel awkward any more then she had to be. As the being paced he gently pulled her away and pulled on her shirt and then next he took off her undergarments and slipped on the replacements. They were coarse but not uncomfortable.

"Jeedai," he barked gaining Obi-Wan's attention as he put her trousers last. "What do you know of Mandalore?"

"Only as much as Jedi would," Obi-Wan said hesitantly. "That they are warriors and..."

"Then you've heard of their Mand'alor named Fett," Qat snapped interrupting his reply. "My friend, Cuetpalli of the domain of Lah, been assigned to the area now that we've got Yuuzhan'tar now. We're readying ourselves to pacify it now. I am on the other hand being sent along with you to a small planet to oversee a colony that's been established there."

Mand'alor the name made Obi-Wan's stomach drop heavily. That'd been a title that Satine had abolished when becoming Duchess of Mandalore. If it was back then did it mean...

No, he mental shook his head. Don't focus on that now. Perhaps he has outdated information.

And on the off chance he doesn't? His treacherous thoughts asked him. Obi-Wan breathed in and then out letting his sadness ebb away. One thing at a time. Just take it one thing at a time. Yes the possible news of Sa-Duchess Kryze's passing would be hard on him but he could handle it for now. He must for his own sanity and for the sake of Calliope.

"Does this planet have a name?" He asked instead answering the question about the Mand'alor. He'd never heard of a clan called Fett but then again it'd been a while since he'd visited or checked upon the place. Having a Master die and a Padawan would do that to you. He needed more information on what was going on.

"You infidels call it Naboo."

Naboo. Now there was a planet that meant so many things to him. It was the place in which he decided to put his trust in the prophecies that his Master put stock in. It was were his being a Master to Anakin had begun and where he became a Jedi Knight. So Naboo had been conquered? When? And where was the Republic in all this mayhem? If he wasn't in the Unknown Region or Wild Space then what was happening here?

"We'll be joined by the Karasu, the Wren, Bralor and the Rhal clan from Mandalore," Qat continued interrupting his musings. "They helped conquered the area and have several interests in the area."

Now that was information he could work with after all he'd heard of the Karasu clan. Last he'd heard was namely that they were a police force on Mandalore. They were one of the rare warrior clans that were serious in their defense of the people. In fact if he recalled properly there were six others that had put down their weapons and submitted to the Duchess. It was due to that they didn't suffer repercussions for being warriors. Then again those clans were one of the lesser warrior clans so it wasn't too much of a stretch for them to go to being pacifists. Many of them were part warrior and farmers or artisans during peace time so they were able to make the transition easier as oppose to the more dominant clans.

As for the Wren...well the last he'd heard of them they'd refused to submit to the ruling government meaning they were exiled as far as he remembered. Clearly this had changed since he'd last heard. Now the Rhal was one he was unfamiliar with. Well he'd have to find out once he got to the planet and possibly find out what was going on in the Republic since they were ignoring the kriffing Chancellor's home planet being invaded.

Its coming into a full circle, he thought as he finished dressing Calliope. It's fortunate we're heading that way since I know the turf and can escape.

"First we need to put some Yorik-Kul on the two of you so you won't escape as well as tizowyrms so you will understand your new masters."

"Yorik-Kul? And what's a tizowyrm?"

"Yorik-Kul means slave seeds in your tongue and tizowyrms are translators."

Oh dear, this'll complicate things slightly, he thought as he watched with sheer horror as he shoved something that looked like a spore into his chest. He felt a dizzying amount of pain that made him hiss while Calliope screamed as loud as she could. Finally it ended and Obi-Wan was left with a strange signature in his chest. Qat said something but Obi-Wan focused on the Yorik-Kul and sent out a calming wave. To his relief it worked and he felt the presence retreat into a state of slumber. It seemed he'd gotten through just in time for it not to take hold of him.

He turned to Calliope who was sobbing and focused her Yorik-Kul. Like his it was settling in before Obi-Wan convinced it to sleep. After a few moments it did just that. So now they had nothing holding them back save for location. A second later Qat jammed a worm into his ear that jammed its way up the canal mercifully not rupturing his ear drum. Obi-Wan let it go since supposed this would translate for him.

Calliope wasn't so lucky as he when it came to receiving the with Qat shoving it up her one of her hearing domes before he could react. She screamed with agony as they burrowed into the her hearing center. Obi-Wan grabbed and put pressure on the bleeding spot as she sobbed into his slave clothes hugging him hard as he rubbed comforting circles into her back. He shot a very cold glance at Qat who looked at him with indifferent eyes before he turned to look at warrior that entered into the room.

Obi-Wan concentrated on Calliope, comforting her and making sure her wound was clean. Now Obi-Wan was no healer but he could guess that she wouldn't have any scarring there. While this relieved him it also strengthened his resolve to leave and get help. For now though they were trapped with the Commander but once they made it to Naboo. Well that would change.

Robin Bralor waited her fellow watchmen to join her. It was early in the morning with the sun peeking over the rim. It was a good cover for an ambush. She hated the waiting since Mand'alor Fett had determined that the Yuuzhan Vong were close to breaking whatever agreement they'd had with them. Pike personally much preferred to be sleeping with her husband or barring that reading some literature instead of this. Not a very warrior like of her but...

He once again sighed as she felt not for the first time on how out of place he felt in Mando'ad culture. She'd felt out of place. From the fact that despite being good at being a warrior she didn't like it to her disagreeing with aspects of the code that they followed. That was perhaps the main problem she had.

She just didn't like being a warrior. Sure she'd defend her homeland or a cause that he believed to be just but that didn't mean she enjoyed shooting things or martial skills. This was a feeling known to her husband and their closest friends. Her adoptive father was a stern man with traditional values. She doubted that he'd understand the feeling.

But her mother who'd been from another clan had whispered to her late at night about a time when being a warrior wasn't a mandate and that peace for a time reigned over the land. It was the time of the Lost Clan. The one that bore the standard of the claw...

"Hey Robin," Akiko Karasu called to her as he, his little brother Yashiro and Kanga Harrier walked up to join him in her duties. "What'cha thinking about?"

"Just stewing in old thoughts Akiko'ika," she sighed brushing her curly black hair from her tanned face. "Just recalling the Lost Clan."

"Ah I see, just don't let the Skirata hear you," Kanga huffed as she got comfortable. "They'll go off for hours on how that Lost Clan weren't true Mando'ad."

"Hours?"

"Hours," Yashiro confirmed to Robin. "Especially if that di'kut Jaing is involved."

"Or Venku or Gotab," Kanga snorted with derision brushing her thin black hair from her slightly tanned face. "Can't forget those aruettise."

"I'd call Gotab a dar'manda personally," growled Akiko. "I personally agree with the lost Clan not matter what the others say."

"I could see why," She shrugged. She knew that Akiko didn't like them. Too pompous and not helping matters was one in particular Barrius had a massive crush on Kanga his best friend and sister in law which meant that the Skirata brat tended to insert himself into the conversation. Not to mention her family were friends...well allies at least. Robin was planning on changing that once she became clan head.

"Ah " a hesitant voice called out to them. Turning she saw it was a younger member of the clan namely one of Gotab's grandchildren...Pyotr Skirata, that was his name. He was coming forward to help them with guard duty. Robin allowed her temper to cool as he nodded to the boy. He was a skinny lad of what looked to be fifteen years old still callow and very inexperienced rather like Yashiro but unlike Yashiro he seemed to have no confidence in his abilities or so it looked.

There was no need to take out his frustrations on a boy when her quarrel was with his elders. She gave her friends a look to further empathize their truce. Akiko nodded as did Yashiro while Kanga rolled her eyes with annoyance and acceptance. Good otherwise she'd have to explain to her husband why she'd smacked his headstrong twin across the head. Pyotr brushed his blonde hair from his eyes as he settled down next to Kanga who gave him a back off look. He paled and then backed away looking fluster. Finally he walked next to Akiko and began to lean forward getting a better look.

"No they're not here and they won't come any faster if you lean forward," Yashiro snarked making the boy lean back embarrassed.

"Geez whelp," Akiko teased ruffling the boys hair as he would his other siblings. "You'd think you didn't inherit the Skirata warrior skills."

The boy blushed and turned away. Robin shot Akiko a less then amused look. Akiko having an enough sense to realize he'd crossed a line stepped back raising his hands in surrender.

"Don't mind him," She said putting her hand comfortingly on boy's shoulder. "He's a joker."

"No, it's fine," Pyotr sighed shaking his head. "Just...don't tell my dad."

"Oh?" Now Kanga looked interested. She'd had experience with abusive fathers. Her birth father was one until he was castled out of the clan and ended up dead from a barfight. "Is there an issue?"

"No! No," Pyotr said looking panicked which wasn't helping his case. It only sent alarm bells in Robin's head. "It's just I'm not that good of a warrior..."

"Kid you're what? Fifteen?"

"Almost sixteen," Pyotr answered Akiko.

"That's fine," Kanga said placing a comforting hand on the kids shoulder giving him a steady look. "Not everyone is made for bloodshed." She would know. Her clan as well some other lesser clans and a few big ones like Akiko's were compared to others were extremely non-traditional by allowing members to choose their own fate.

While they followed most of the Resol'nare they tended to ignore the mandatory soldiers portion of it. Yes most choose it but there were some members like Akiko's second brother that Robin knew for a fact had never held a blaster in their life and were all the happier for it. This was something that Robin hoped to implement into her clan once she was in charge...

"Tell that to my father and grandpa," the teen whispered shuffling his feet in the dirt as he stared off into the distance. "According to them I bring shame to the clan for my lack of warrior skills and will lack a place in Manda..."

"And they're full of bantha poodoo," Robin interrupted. "You're the brave one not them. Any murglak can wield a blaster and shoot but it's those that are scared but still fight are the ones worth emulating. It's cliched I know but it's true."

"Yeah," he said dejectedly. "I guess that's true." He grew silent and soon began scanning the horizon. The conversation soon died and all the watchers returned to their lonely vigil. Each alone with their own thoughts. From the troubled ones of Pyotr to the fuming thoughts of Robin.

One day, she thought to herself as she readied for the fight that would come. One day I'll make it not mandatory for everyone to be warrior. So people like Pyotr won't have to choose between being something they want to be or a warrior in order to live a happy life and after life. I swear this so help me I'll do this. With this promise made she returned to her vigil waiting for strike.

"Akiko, Robin," Kanga's friend Mau'i of the clan Kareara called to them. "You've been assigned to go to Naboo to meet up with the new invasion force."

"Who else is going?" Akiko asked as he stashed away his gear in preparation. Yashiro quickly stepped up to take his place in the sentry line.

"Some guy from Rhal clan and the Wren clan," Mau'i shrugged. "I'll take over for you guys. Good luck vod'e."

"Thanks," Robin nodded as she too gathered her gear and headed to the landing pad.

Ahmet Binks peeked out of his hiding spot in the many waterways of Theed as the Yuuzhan Vong marched around the perimeter. As expected they were doing a grid formation. Not unexpected considering the species wasn't known for their creativity in the terms of occupation, only destruction. He dipped back down in the river-way were most of his remaining team was perched and ready to take back the information of Otoh Gunga, the last bastion of hope for their beleaguered world. The New Republic wasn't coming to help them so it was up to the Naboo and the Gungans to free themselves since the New Republic didn't seem to care.

He lead his partner, lieutenant Besa Tarpal, back to the bongo they'd used to get to the capital.

"Theysa marching?" She asked him once they'd gotten into the cockpit and fired up the engines.

"Yes," he replied. "Wesa needing to let the others know. Now let's go."

"So wesa going to unload the payload soon?"

"Yes wesa will."

"You're sure about this Menvra?"

"Positive," she confirmed as Kukulkan flexed his hands which was missing two fingers on both with scars going down his face. She'd administered the blood sample left over into his veins and now awaited the results. It wouldn't be long...

"If this is true, then this could change everything," Kukulan said as he allowed the blood to flow into him. She'd made sure that he'd suffer no ill effects just as she'd checked over herself. "The Jeedai would be more the restorers of honor but bring us back to the Yun'o in way we haven't be-"

He paused as he too felt the affect for Menvra it was like a spark that ignited a low burning flame into a cheery fire. After a brief time in which his eyes glossed over soon Kukulan looked at her with awe.

"You speak the truth," he breathed as he bowed his head and whispered a short prayer. "This is a new revelation from the Yun'o. Yun-Yuuzhan has spoken. He has chosen us to speak the gospel anew thanks to this Jeedai."

"But what of the other tales such Vua Rapuung?" Menvra asked. "Those that follow these tales wish to restore their status and honor."

"What are status and honor compared to this?" Kukuklan said giving her a rapturous look. "This has reunited us with the Yun'o completely! The Pain of the Separation is gone! Status and honor will come if we extol the Yun'o with glory and worship. Vua Rapuung's redemption was but a step compared to this. I say thus this Jeedai will bring more then all ever have. He shall help us to make a new Covenant with the Yun'o. Thus have the Yun'o have spoken we must abandon the initial heresy and embrace the truth! The Kryze is our deliverer!"

"Then we will spread the truth." Menvra smiled relieved that her choice had been the right one. "All of the Workers, Shamed Ones and slaves shall know."

"Yes," he breathed as the scope of whatever the gods had granted him settled in. "We shall enlighten the Yuuzhan Vong and all under the sway of the Jemaaine imposter of the Truth. For a light has come to bring us back from the Dark. Lo, in time a, no the Chosen One will come and bring balance to the Force. He shall slay the dragon of the sands and rise of Skywalker shall not be stopped. The Dark ones will be slain and those of the Light shall triumph and there will be balance once more."

"But first we must ensure the Jeedai prophet stays safe," Kukulan continued. "See if you can stay with him. If not then ask Yaotl of the domain of Qat with you once you've opened her eyes as you did mine. Perhaps it would be best since it will attract less attention and suspicion. I shall stay and spread the New Revelation from the Yun'o and awaken the others. For the glory of the Yun'o and for the New Covenant!"

"It will be done." She bowed her head in reverence and obedience. "He will be safe with me and Yaotl watching him. For the glory of the Yun'o and the New Covenant."