Chapter Ten

Misleading Answers and Fallen Hero

Obi-Wan leaned over the console that Pandora had given him. She was right now entertaining Calliope since he was busy looking at history...quite baffling history to be honest. Dismissing entirely the whole Empire fiasco which incidentally was infuriatingly vague on how it came to be there were several glaring inaccuracies in the so-called ancient past that just made his mind boggle. Firstly there was no such thing in the past, present and in the future a thing called the Army of Light lead by Jedi. While they did fight a war he was pretty sure that they didn't lead troops to the battlefield and regardless he was sure that the Order had learned from those experiences.

There was also no mention of the Great Disaster or of the Bogan Collection or the Ordu Aspectu or of Klias Teradune or Darth Krall or the Battle of Wasted Years. In fact a lot of the ancient history like the High Republic era was completely off in many respects as well as ancient history like the whole concept of Jedi Lords which struck him as preposterous. C'Baoth would have a field day with that. Outbound Flight didn't happen as well because well the Senate wouldn't fond it due to the quite frankly astronomical price or even a committee or did the Jedi support it so he left in a hissy fit.

Also there was no mention of several planets as well that was worrisome. Now he could see the past being distorted over the course of fifty years but entire planets who were political or economic juggernauts being erased? Hosian Prime wasn't mentioned and neither was Pajal or Pasaana or Savereen or Cantonica...in fact there were quite few planets missing or added and some of the planets listed were very different ecological speaking. There were also several species he'd never heard of and some of the species designations were wrong. Ranats weren't semi-sentient for one since he knew several that were in the Order. Also if those Amazonian beauties of women were Nightsisters or Force Witches as they called themselves he'd laugh himself silly considering how Dathomirians looked in real life. Really who thought up of this nonsense?

Also Jensaari? How did that even work considering their teachings were inherently Sith in it's conception? Sure there were the Churches mentioned but not Church of Ganthic Enlightenment which strange considering it was a considerable sect...Wait...Church of the DARK SIDE!? What this tosh?

Had this Empire totally rewritten all of history and culture so thoroughly that he couldn't even recognize it? He did note that aside from mentioning a conflict with the Confederation of Separatist systems and the fact it took place nearly sixty years ago there was scant on the combatants and the generals as well. The Jedi records that he'd managed to scrap up were also spotty and not to mention wrong in so many ways in their ancient history and wait second...what?!

He stared with horror at his own visage now staring at him from the screen only older wearing gauntlets looking tired and careworn. Behind him was an army of imposing looking beings dressed in white identical armor with a yellow stripe upon the side (Perhaps the titular clones of said war?) named the 212th... What was this?! He'd never lead an army in his life. Sure he'd been in conflicts but never in front of troops. And why did it say general?! He was a keeper of the peace not a soldier.

"I can protect you but I can't fight a war for you." His old Master's words danced across his mind as he looked at his pseudo-face. That was a blatant violation of the Code and also an egregious case of power grabbing that was simply not allowed for well obvious reasons. They were an extension of the judicial branch not an army. Protectors not Generals. How had the Council allowed for that to happen?! And the opposition was lead by Dooku? That was preposterous. What had happened? How they'd fallen? No answers were present much to his frustration.

Obi-Wan went through some more records about the war only to find they were frustratingly vague. Giving up that avenue of thought for now he decided to give into his curiosity about the Mandalore question a peek. If the Jedi Order was a shock then Mandalore completely unsettled him to a worrying degree. Duchess Satine wasn't mentioned or her movement even commented upon. The Warrior clans had simply continued on as always and had unsurprisingly driven Mandalore to the ground just as she'd predicted they would. They had no economy, no trade save for mercenary work and military hardware but there wasn't anyone settled on the planet that did any legislation so there no infrastructure. The planet was more or less a symbol not a home. There were few farming communities and trade villages but nothing that could support any sort of long term trade agreement and no government to speak of. It was sad end to what was supposed to be a renaissance of trade, commerce and culture instead it was dying a slow death due to stagnation and disuse.

But in spite of the lack answers for that now at least he had a grasp of the place. It was still annoying with the lack of answers in some areas but mostly comprehensible rather then inexplicable. Even if there were aspects that just confused him or sadden him.

"Master Jedi?"

Obi-Wan turned toward the question and soon saw two beings looking at him. One was dressed in the refinery that one could expect from a Boss of the Gungans while the other wore a simple handmaiden's outfit.

"Your Bossness and Your Majesty I assume?" Obi-Wan said getting up from his seat and bowing respectfully at them giving them a warm welcoming smile.

The Queen looked a bit stunned while the Boss bowed back looking relieved.

"It is good to meet a Jedi that isn't like those from the Praxeum, Mesa is Boss Vijay."

"I am Queen Shikha," she bowed back once she'd recovered her wits. "You'll forgive my faux pas but humility is rare among the Jedi now so please don't mistake my confusion for rudeness. It's just been a while since I've seen a Jedi with humility."

"Really?" Obi-Wan frowned. "That's worrisome and to mention disheartening to hear...But the truth of the matter is I'm not from the Praxeum. I'm from another training facility."

"Where?" The Queen looked confused.

"Ahch-To," Obi-Wan said using the location of the Legendary First Jedi's training grounds. It would be better if they didn't know his real name since there were records of him however erroneous they might be which was odd to say the least."I came from Ahch-To and went to Jedhu to complete the training. I've only recently come to Coruscant and was captured there."

"I've never heard of Ahch-To or Jedhu," Queen Shikha commented giving him a thoughtful look.

"It's...It's in the Unknown Region. I am the last of my kind from there," Obi-Wan quickly invented. There was honestly no need to speak his inner turmoil and his grief for losing his people and his Order. Something was off about this reality after all the Force wasn't right and it was like...wait...reality!

Obi-Wan carefully schooled his features to remain neutral as he continued his conversation with the Queen and the Boss keeping his revelations to himself. He'd have time to explore that angle later. Focus on the here and now.

"Well I'm happy to see a Jedi even one with as unorthodox of training as you have," Queen Shikha smiled at him. "Please be at ease here."

"Actually I was wondering how I could help," Obi-Wan said. "I understand your planet is conquered."

"Well Mesa supposes that yousa could lead some troops..."

"Oh no you misunderstand," Obi-Wan held up his hand forestalling the conversation. "I am a keeper of the peace not a soldier."

Now that got Boss Vijay staring along with Queen Shikha. "Yousa Order...Is unusual. Mesa remembers that Jedi always been involved with a war."

More like I'm right in this case and all those others aren't. We aren't supposed to lead armies. It's not in the Code and more to the point it's deep betrayal of our mission and perilously close if not skating to the Dark Side. Hence why after the Sith war we stopped doing that and became marshals instead. But if I'm right about this being a parallel existence well...that'd explain most everything including on the the Force feels off to me.

"Not my Order," Obi-Wan said firmly. "We've dedicated ourselves to defending others and peace not warmongering. We're keepers of the peace not soldiers."

"I see..." Queen Shikha sighed. "Well I think we can find an avenue in which we can find a way to incorporate you without violating your beliefs."

"Thank you," Obi-Wan bowed to her. "I appreciate the thought. If it comes down to it...I shall do what I can. Even if it means giving up my lightsaber and joining the ranks. I can serve as either a Jedi or a soldier. I can't serve as both in the same capacity."

"Very well now what's dis Mesa hears about yousa starting a cult?"

Oh dear that issue.

"Well it seems that a Shaper got a hold of my blood and through it awakened a select few back to the Force."

"Impossible," Queen Shikha shook her head. "I was given to understand that they were outside the Force."

"It's possible I can confirm it...also I must ask what do you mean "outside the Force"? I'm sorry are they dead?"

"No, it's just Jedi attacks and tricks don't affect them."

"Jedi attacks?" Obi-Wan asked baffled at their wording. None of what she said made sense to him. Attacks? Jedi defended not attacked aggressively only defended those in need as they'd done for generations. Tricks were easier to understand even if it was wrong.

"Yousa know, Force storms that thing."

"I beg your pardon? I wasn't aware the Jedi of this region engaged with magic."

"Magic?"

"Ah," Obi-Wan breathed mentally backing away from the topic. It would do no good confusing them any further. "My apologies. I didn't mean to start an argument about semantics or usage of the Force as well as confuse you."

"Yousa an odd one," Vijay commented giving him a critical look. "Mesa not sure that mesa ever met a Jedi like yousa."

"Nevertheless whatever help you can offer any form of assistance we'd appreciate it," Queen Shakha said.

"Do you have any plans to take back your planet?"

"We..." she hesitated for second before plowing on. "There is an old abandoned institution from the Clone Wars that contains some biological agents that we're are planning on unleashing on the Yuuzhan Vong as method of weakening the occupation. Namely we're using the Blue Shadow virus strain."

"Wouldn't that result in a massive outbreak and not mention unleash a deadly pandemic among the population?"

"It is nowhere near the strength of the pure strain so if there is accidentie ingestion then theysa be fine," Vijay assured him. "Itsa a weaken strain which wesa using to eliminate theysa weapons. Wesa tested it on some scouts weapons. No fear theysa alive but in usen custody. Wesa managed to make sure that it wouldn't affect the population only weapons."

"And their...Shapers haven't found a cure for it?"

"No," Vijay said. "Wesa contacts say theysa are at a lose. Mesa thinking if wesa strike the water system for theysa weapons then theysa would be infected. Since Mesa said that it isn't a pure strain theysa wouldn't die but incapacitated. It would be enough for usen to retake the planet."

"That...would take a while."

"True," Queen Shikha said. "That's why we started unloading the payload just as you came."

"So you intent is to immobilize the Yuuzhan Vong?"

"We aren't intending a genocidal strike if that's what your afraid of. As stated Boss Vijay and Us intend to use it on the bio weapons not them."

"Good," Obi-Wan said with a nod. "Because I won't be a party action that will lead to extinction of a species. Even if they are invaders."

"Absolutely not," Queen Shikha snapped sounding outraged her dark face getting flushed with anger. "I refuse to take part in such an action. That would be a betrayal of all my people stand for. I would never authorize that method of attack."

"Neither will Mesa or any of the Gungans," Vijay said crossing his arms. "Wesa warriors, wesa no murderers. Unlike the New Republic wesa no backing down but wesa won't stoop to theysa level."

That was a relief. He was half afraid that their desperation would entice them go down that route considering that the Core for all intents and purposes had been lost. Fortunately the moral strength of the Naboo and the Gungans shined through. Senator Amidala would proud of her people.

"How long before the symptoms show up?"

"Several days," Queen Shikha said. "We have that long to gather our fighters and we can conquer the capital. My captain of the guard says that she can get others to help out."

"Has she confirmed if those allies are fine with the plan in action?"

"They are."

"Well once you begin implementing your operation I shall assist in your endeavors in anyway that I can."

"I shall inform our allies of you assurance of aid," Shakha said with a smile. "We could use all the help we can get."

"Very well, I await your time."

Reaching the contact point wasn't difficult. Hana wasn't surprised because the confusion from the fight. As she walked into the memorial she saw her contact waiting as arranged before the whole confusion had started dressed as one of the Peace Brigade officer.

"Black One," she greeted him with his call sign. "The package is delivered. We need to wait a few days before the symptoms become apparent. Is the Admiral Phantom fine with that time frame?"

"He's fine," the tanned black haired man answered. "He's okay with that. Just make sure that your troops are ready. Are there anything that'll complicate matters?"

"Seems there's some Mandalorians have arrived planetside," Hana grumbled. "Unfortunately."

"No problem. Ace Five will give them the run around if they get too close to the truth," Black One shrugged. "She's good at that."

"She'd better because I don't want those karking hbencish Mandos to interfering with our plans. If we can liberate the Naboo then I'll be happy. Nide'i mi'nev."

"I take it then that you don't you want to help us liberate the galaxy as previously discussed?"

"For what?!" Hana snapped glaring at the man for the sentiment. "For a galaxy that turned it's back on those that needed it the most when expediency was the convenient thing to do? For galaxy that only cares about those famous worlds of the Rebellion not the lesser known ones that sacrificed just as much as they did? A galaxy that's fine with others suffering as long as they get off. Face it the Jedi are just the scapebanthas and soon they'll offer up anything to appease the Yuuzhan Vong if it means they'll not suffer for it. How's that better then the Empire?"

"Look," Black One said raising his hands in a gesture that screamed calm down. "If you won't do it for that then...do it like Amidala did in the past. She fought for those that needed protecting. I know you know you don't like New Republic...neither I or most of the people work with me either. Whatever good intentions they had at first was squandered at the beginning of this invasion and maybe even before that when they ironically allowed the same things that made the old Republic vulnerable to attack to spring up. And going to the Empire is simple out of the question for obvious reasons. But now? Now, we have an opportunity to do what the New Republic should've been doing at the beginning of this blasted war. Protecting the people not political expediency. So what I'm asking you to say or convey to your allies is this. Also this is a no strings attached deal. Regardless of whether you choose to help us or not we'll help you free Naboo."

That stopped Hana short. Hana knew of the brave senator of Naboo. All the Naboo did and they taught her of the woman's greatness. How could they forget the one that liberated them before Empire from the grasp of a greedy corporation? Who had served nobly throughout the Clone Wars speaking up for democracy, freedom and criticized the government even when it was unpopular and died as soon as the liberties and freedoms she'd fought for perished? If she could do it then so could Hana. She would remember the brave woman even as the galaxy spat in her face and her legacy.

"For Amidala then," Hana agreed somewhat begrudgingly. She'd adopted this people and their ways so for her sake she would do this. Amidala would be remembered. "I shall make your case to them and we'll see what happens."

"That's all Admiral Phantom asks," Black One nodded. "That's all he wants. Now let's wait for moment to arrive."

"Ace Five come in."

"Black One go."

"Give the Mandos the runaround. We don't want them near the actually resistance."

"Does this mean that Fulcrum's gang is going to be involved in this ops too?"

"Affirmative. Just be sure to keep the Mandos out."

"Roger that. Alright Black Two we're in business. Prepare you're friend for a fight."

"Copy that. Hey Mr. Bones? We're on."

"Roger roger."

Translations from Mandalorian

hbencish- scumbags

Nide'i mi'nev- filthy warmongers