"I'm sorry," the fake queen said with derision clear in her voice, "you want to go to Tatooine for parts when my people are suffering?!"

"Want to?" I shot back, "our flight plan was always to go to Tatooine. In fact, if we hadn't heard that the Governor was in the system without a decent defense force we would have been there already, lucky for you he didn't!"

"And how did you hear that?" Dad asked with fake anger, we all have to play a part after all.

"Just had to listen in to the Galactic Holo to hear about the historic meeting between Naboo and Mandalore and who would be meeting to figure out you were coming here, Vizsla. The fact that the Duchess is still the Duchess says everything I need to know about what your security forces are like. The Naboo are pretty much at peace besides that pesky cold war with the Gungans," I said with a wave of my hand, "but we're Mandalorians! Not pacifists," I slammed my fist down onto the holoprojector - my crush gauntlets tucked handily into my belt so I didn't split the table in two.

"Whatever your opinions may be," dad said with his nose in the air, "the Queen is correct, we should go to Coruscant to confer with the Senator and present Naboo's case to the Galactic Senate!"

"We would have to go by way of Tatooine anyway," Captain added in from her place near the galactic map with our current location, "the Federation has blockades from Naboo through the Triellus and up the Hydian to prevent the Queen from getting more than a few hours away from Naboo and are deadset on never letting her get to Coruscant."

"But no one world dare checkpoint the Corellian run since it leads right to Hutt space and you would have to deal with the Corellian Navy," Hotshot said with her arms folded, even the Jedi Master couldn't argue with that.

"And the Corellian run leads right to Coruscant," the Padawan said grudgingly as he traced a Galactic map, "but Tatooine is still off course by a fair margin."

"A few hours delay at best," LT said, "we're after one hyperdrive unit, maybe more. Why do you think we took a few hundred gallons of water into the ballast tanks and the cargo hold?"

"I cannot think of a reason," the master said, "just as I cannot think of a reason as to why non-Jedi are carrying Lightsabers?" he asked and I instantly knew the point behind the question.

"We are not Sith and we are not Jedi," I responded to the underlying question, "however, the Sith are cancer and have taken advantage of Mandalore too many times. We will take them down should they ever rise again."

"You are not Force-sensitive and the Sith have been destroyed for thousands of years," the apprentice scoffed, "but if you were Force Sensitive then the council would have found you."

"I think you'll find that the Jedi and Mandalore have a quietly hostile relationship," I growled and the master flushed slightly.

"It is true that we have avoided Mandalore in recent years," he said slowly as every Mandalorian on deck scoffed.

"Recent? The Jedi Order has not set foot on our mother world under terms of peace since the fall of the Old Republic," I said, the Jedi bowed his head deeper as the apprentice looked on, stunned speechless.

"We were there Nine Sixty-Three after the Reformation!" the Apprentice said, slightly outraged.

"I meant at their own leisure, Padawan, not at the request of the Duchess and Council," I said before something clicked, "wait, you're the Jetti that screwed the Duchess?!" I remember Bo Katan telling me about hearing them through the walls, even at a young age she knew what sex was, "Obi-Wan, wasn't it?" I asked the now heavily blushing man whose Master was pinning him with the coldest glare I thought a Jedi could give.

"We will discuss this later, Padawan," the master growled before looking back to me, "I assume this trip to Tatooine will be purely for business purposes?"

"Yes, it will be," I said, already thinking of how I was going to screw with Watto.

"Then we will assent to this trip, Trident," he said, "but I would like to examine your lightsabers for defects," I nearly recoiled but he soothed my nerves with his next words, "this is not a question of your skills or if you did indeed make them, this is for your safety. A defective lightsaber is a truly terrible thing," his face was grim as he said that. I grudgingly handed over my two lightsabers, much to the surprise of the rest of my Strikers. "Marvellous craftsmanship," the master muttered as he spun the lightsaber in his hands, letting the shoto hang in midair, "the Force is strong with you, Trident."

"It's strong with all of us," I spat back as he activated the blade, only mildly surprised by the crossguard.

"Which forms do you know?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Jar'Kai, Djem So, and Soresu are my preferred forms, but I have been called an expert in Makashi," I said even though I knew all seven forms. The master just raised his eyebrow as the apprentice looked stunned.

"An interesting combination, young man. And how did you learn these?"

"Travel and holocrons I stumbled on. There are thousands of the things scattered across the Galaxy," I said offhandedly and it's all true. I may have learned from Revan, Tarre, and Kallig but the holocrons have been a major help and it's not like the council would find them all anyway but the two Jedi's eyes both widened all the same.

"Thousands!" Obi-Wan exclaimed as the rest of the command bridge, minus the Strikers, looked confused. After all, my Strikers were very familiar with those holocrons. I couldn't teach them everything so I handed them off to the spirits of the ancient Jedi and 'Grey Knights,' (as they liked to call themselves) before letting them use Sith holocrons. They may be terrible people but they are excellent combat masters.

"Yes, is that an issue?"

"Yes!" Obi-Wan said like it should have been obvious, " there are thousands of Holocrons spread throughout the galaxy when they should be in the-"

"Enough, Padawan," Qui Gon growled, oh I really was starting to like this Jedi. He turned to look at me apologetically, "please excuse my Padawan, he was out of line."

"Master!" he tried plaintively, "those Holocrons-"

"Obi-Wan!" Qui Gon turned on the Padawan and I could tell every Mandalorian was trying not to laugh while the Naboo looked like they were shocked a Padawan would disobey his master like Obi-Wan just did. What was worse was that Obi-Wan had violated a tenant of the Order and it was dragged into the light of day.

"When will we arrive at Tatooine?" The painted queen asked quietly.

"In roughly three standard hours," LT said firmly, "feel free to roam the ship but I ask you not to enter the barracks or private cabins that have not been assigned to you."

"Of course," the painted queen said, "although when this conversation is finished I would like to speak to Trident privately."

"That can be arranged," we locked eyes - well visor to eyes - and I nodded to the unpainted Queen standing behind the painted Queen.

"Very well, is there anything else that needs to be discussed? No? Very well. Strikers remain behind with the Queen and Master Jinn," I said as everyone but the people I asked to stay, the Queen's handmaidens, her head guard, the Obi-Wan, and dad stayed behind.

"May I ask why I have been asked to stay?" the Jedi asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I believe you wished to examine our lightsabers," I said with a small grin under my helmet.

"Ah, yes!" he said as he ran his hand over my lightsaber once again, taking it off the table, "a fine weapon. I must say, crossguards are not common among the Jedi order anymore but they are a fine addition to any lightsaber. Though my old master would deride your choice to use a Shoto alongside a blade," he said with amusement in his voice, that held up until he actually activated the shoto, "how interesting," he murmured, spinning the lightsaber but obviously uncomfortable with how short it was, "a lightsaber dagger, these are not spoken of within the order but the workmanship is solid and the crafting that went into it is remarkable, it is solid and safe." He floated my shoto back to me as he took the saber in hand.

"This is truly fascinating," his eyes lit up seeing the blade erupt from the emitter as he manipulated the toggles, "length modification and safety settings - which are?" he looked up at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Sparring, full intensity, and full safety," I said calmly, "it's a wonderful setting that lets me lock the saber in its inactive mode so I'm protected in particularly... shall we say difficult situations, with the strangely distinctive addition of acting like a normal flashlight. The quillons of the saber are always locked in sparring mode though, no need to cut myself on a crossguard," I shrugged slightly as he looked up at me in surprise, immediately changing the lightsaber to its final setting.

"I believe I will bring this discovery to the council for the younglings," he whispered, and I nodded my agreement, there was no reason to keep kids away from a discovery that could keep them from getting hurt.

"Of course," he smiled slightly as he floated my lightsaber back to me.

"I'm not giving up my lightsaber," Hotshot growled as she put her hand over her saber's holster protectively. I wear mine on my belt since the crossguard saber couldn't fit in the holsters that sit on the side of our right thighs - just behind our pistol holsters. They give the rest of the team easy access to their blades while still being out of the way (of drawing pistols and in general). LT didn't say a word as she passed her Saber over to the man as the rest of the occupants on deck just watched as the Jedi took apart the saber and put it back together.

"It's a remarkable blade, very well crafted," he said as he activated the emerald blade, "and a good length." He passed the saber back and she sheathed it without a word as Phantom sent his black hilted blade toward the Master Jedi who caught it easily, "solid, a bit heavier than what I would prefer but an excellently crafted blade," he said as he activated the silent, white blade, making Jinn nearly drop the blade, "quite unexpected," he muttered, "a purified Ghostfire crystal?"

Phantom only nodded as he reached out for his saber that a visibly stunned Jinn had already sent back. Next up was Oak who sent his saber across the room with the Force. Qui Gon disassembled the weapon with a frown but put it back together and activated the blue blade all the same.

"It's in working order but that crystal worries me... The blade is immensely powerful but it's unstable," the master said, "it could fail you if you need it immediately, though it will activate in time."

"I'll keep that in mind," Oak said blandly as he clipped the saber back to his belt, "Cap? You up?" he asked as he turned to the girl standing with her arms crossed. She just sighed and handed it off, her inspection going without a hitch.

"Golem," I said to the big guy as Cap got her Green bladed lightsaber back. He handed Jinn his lightsaber stiffly but the inspection was every bit as fast as Cap's.

"It is quite similar to your friend's," Qui Gon said as he went through a few basic positions with the cheerfully humming blade, "a firm, dependable lightsaber. Keep it in top working order and it will serve you well," Golem just nodded as he replaced the blade in his holster.

"Hotshot," I growled to the stubborn redhead who was standing with her arms crossed, doing the best she can to glare underneath her helmet.

"I told you, Trident," she growled, "no one touches my lightsaber, especially not some Jetti," she spat.

"And I told you, you follow orders or face the consequences," I snapped back at her.

"Y-you wouldn't!" she stammered, her already pale skin probably ghostly underneath her body glove.

"No, because that would be punishing Golem," I said with a glare toward the girl, "but as soon as this mess with the Trade Federation is over, I'll have you swimming laps until you fucking die on Naboo."

"Swimming?" she scoffed, "come on Tri, you can do better than that."

"In full armor, without your jetpack, of course. But, then again, your Heavy armor doesn't have one anyway," I shot back. Immediately, the lightsaber was almost flung through the air in her haste to make sure that didn't happen. I could only smirk at that, just had to know the right buttons to press with her. Hotshot loved a rush but hated monotonous, strenuous activity - in other words? Hotshot hated exercise.

Master Jinn apparently thought it was funny while Obi-Wan just scowled. Soon enough, Qui Gon had the lightsaber torn down to pieces but was frowning heavily.

"The energy cell in this lightsaber is flawed…" he said quietly before he noticed something else, "and that would be why," he looked up at Hotshot, "you use a standard power cell with a Dragite Crystal?"

"What about it, Jetti?" she sneered but I could hear her concern.

"If you keep using this underpowered cell then the lightsaber will fail you… Quite spectacularly, I may add. There is every possibility you could lose your hand in the process. By the looks of it," he said while spinning the components around him, "this will happen sooner rather than later. If you have a stronger cell, by perhaps a quarter - something similar to what Oak is using, perhaps - then your lightsaber will be functional until well after we join with the Force," he said with a smile, I nodded and waved Hotshot to go on to the Striker's workshop. It's not a huge room, just a cabin converted to storing random odds and ends and some spare weaponry. She nodded and hustled off the command deck after she took the Lightsaber back from the Jedi master.

"Thank you, Jedi," I said to the man who simply nodded and walked off the command deck with his Padawan in tow, already furiously whispering to the younger man, "Strikers, you're free to go."

The Strikers looked around at each other and then at me, I nodded at them and they finally went to move off deck.

"Captain Panaka," the unpainted Queen said, getting a look of surprise from the Captain, "you are free to leave as well."

"My queen," he saluted the girl and turned to walk away as her handmaidens all shifted around uncomfortably.

"Would you like to carry on this conversation elsewhere?" I asked her, she nodded slowly, "then I suppose I'll be needing to escort Queen Amidala and her Handmaidens to her quarters and their barracks for the trip," I grinned under my helm as I reached out to take the Painted Queen's arm.

"History has been made," the unpainted queen smirked as the painted queen said that, "a Mandalorian Crusader and a Queen of Naboo walking arm in arm? I don't think the Galaxy has ever seen such a sight."

I was about to reply but before I could the door sprung open and she fell into step with the rest of the Handmaiden's trailing us.

It was a rather quick trip to get to the Queen's quarters and as soon as we entered the Painted Queen immediately set to stripping down and removing her makeup, I quirked an eyebrow but turned to the Unpainted Queen.

"Padme, is it not?" I asked quietly as I punched the button to reveal a more spacious bedroom than the attached barracks, this is usually dad's room when he's on board with the Five but it also works for a Queen and her Handmaidens.

"It is," she said, "I feel I have been remiss in my duties," her brown eyes dimmed slightly as she said that, "although it would seem that we all have. If it were not for you and your team, my people would be at the mercy of the Trade Federation. I must ask that your business on Tatooine finishes as fast as you can manage it, my people are my first priority," her eyes were glistening as she said that.

After a second of hesitation, I put my hand on her shoulder, "they'll be okay, Padme," I said quietly.

"How do you know that!?" She snapped, batting my hand away, "how could you possibly know what those monsters are going to do?"

"They'll be okay because of what I ordered Hotshot to do."

XXX

With Hotshot…

Earlier…

Naboo…

"Jetti in the area but I have a job for you," Tri's voice came through the intercom.

"And that would be?"

"Launch the Queen's transport anyway possible but I want you to leave behind a message for the Viceroy. If he does anything and a Naboo dies then I will hunt down all his co-conspirators and execute one for each of the Naboo that died at his orders, if he runs out of compatriots then he will bear the brunt of the execution but it won't be as painless as a blaster bolt to the head. Explain to him what we do to Traitors," Trident said viciously, making my eyes bug slightly.

"You can't be serious? The Blood Banshee?" I whispered back.

"The Blood Banshee," he confirmed coldly. "Make sure to give him the graphic details on how I'll rip his lungs from his back after cutting him open… And while I'm thinking about it, tell him how it got the name."

"Got it, you want that on a Holorecorder?"

"That would be brilliant, Hotshot," I could almost feel Trident's vicious grin, "make sure you have a message programmed that it should only be opened by the Viceroy."

"Alright, I'll meet you at the dropship. Hotshot, out," I said, already on the move toward the hanger but tapping my helmet again, "Golem?"

"Yeah, Hotshot?" the voice of my lover came through the radio.

"What droid are you flying with now?"

"Uh, Ceefive… Why?" he asked nervously.

"Perfect, I'm going to need to borrow him."

XXX

Present…

On the Fist…

"And tell me," the Queen asked curiously, "just what is this bloody banshee?"

"You really want the answer to that?" I asked quietly.

"I am a Queen," she said, stepping closer to me with fire blazing in her eyes, "whatever atrocities you can come up with, I can handle."

"Alright then," I answered, impressed by the Queen's spunk. I pulled my beskad from where it was settled underneath my Jetpack and handed it (handle first) to the queen, she took it with a raised eyebrow, "that blade has seen three Blood Banshees already, three traitors that needed to be dealt with. It is said a Mandalorian is scared of three things: being declared Dar'manda, a bar without beer, and the Bloody Banshee. The Blood Banshee started in the early days of Corellia and some Mandalorians, those who have roots on Corellia, brought the technique over. The traitor is given one choice and one choice alone, scream or be silent," her eyes widened at the words as I took the dagger back from her, "the man is strapped, nailed, or tied to a beam to secure them in place," I said quietly, feeling myself shiver slightly at the memories before steeling myself, "then... then the victim's back is slit down the spine," she gasped slightly and I could only chuckle darkly, "it gets so much worse… After his back is flayed and the skin is spread, the victim has their ribs separated in order to gain access to their chest cavity. When the procedure is finished, the victim resembles a bloodied Corellian Banshee and his scream sounds almost exactly like the call of the bird."

"That's barbaric," she whispered but looked out of the portal in the private room, watching the stars blur past, "yet... fitting…" she was silent for a few moments before turning back to me with beskar in her eyes. "If this deterrent works then Naboo will be in your debt."

I couldn't help but chuckle slightly, "Queen Amidala, keep this up and I may have to get you your own set of armor," I grinned but she obviously couldn't see it.

"I am the Queen of the Naboo, I do not wear armor," she said with her nose in the air.

"Perhaps," I said, "yet both you and I know that it could only help during this... unforeseen complication."

"Mayhaps," Padme said a bit quizzically but turned back to the portal all the same, obviously deep in thought.

"We'll be on Tatooine, shortly," I said to her, "you can join us or you can stay on board once we reach the planet."

"Trident," I heard as I turned around to walk out of the room, I stopped and looked at the woman over my shoulder.

"Yes, Queen Amidala?" I asked calmly.

"Call me Padme, Perseus," she said, turning back to the window. I snapped around to look at her, my eyes wide with slight panic. She stood facing the window calmly as if nothing was wrong.

"How?" I growled out.

"I have a perfect memory when it comes to faces and voices, I'll let you play this little game out since you saved my life. I didn't realize where I heard your voice until I was onboard, it was from the -admittedly few- holos the duchess sent for me to familiarize myself with my guests. You also don't do anything to hide your height, it was obvious when you stood next to your father since you're the same height he is. When you weren't with Governor Vizsla in the throne room, I realized that I had requested you come on this mission as well, yet you were nowhere to be found. Strange, is it not?" she said as she turned around, her brown eyes sparkling with a bit of amusement mixed with curiosity, "though, I'm surprised your father allows this?"

"Damn you, woman," I said quietly, knowing exactly what she was thinking as I pulled off my helmet.

"If you're going to insult me at least make it worth my while, Mandalorian," she said, stepping closer to me, "I hear those three words at least a hundred times a day, I may be one of the most popular queens in Naboo's history but I am not without enemies," our eyes locked and I saw all her emotions there. Amusement, fear, anger, "but why, by the waves, are you armored? I was under the impression that the Mandalorians were a peaceful people now."

I snorted in slight derision, "we've been neutered, you mean? No, Queen Amidala, the Mandalorians, the true Mandalorians, will never give up on our heritage."

"Even if that heritage is war and death?" she asked sharply, I met her cold brown eyes and chuckled without humor.

"War and death?" I asked, looking down at the helmet in my arms, "yeah, maybe… But to my people, if we die fighting then we're rewarded in the next life. A man whose life was dedicated to the blaster and blade but didn't fall in combat will be just as rewarded. He who lays down his arms when his people are endangered is condemned to our hell," I looked back at her softening eyes.

"On Naboo," she started slowly, "our religion is based on the water. We believe we came from the water and, like the sea, we should be peaceful. When we gather with our ancestors in the court of water and moons then we will be ready for eternal peace." I nodded slowly.

"It's a beautiful image, Queen Amidala, though water can kill you just as easily as a blaster bolt. Water hates to be restrained, it's violent, angry… The sea can be peaceful but it's rage is terrifying," she looked slightly taken aback by the quiet statement but I went on. "Mandalore was forged in war and hardened in blood, we do our ancestors a disservice if we don't take up our arms to defend the next generation of warriors. We like to fight, love it actually," I said quietly as I looked out the portal, "it's in our blood. I'm sure you know of nature versus nurture and genetic traits?"

"I do," she said quietly.

"An Aldeeranian decided he wanted to see what made Mandalorians tick, so he managed to find a volunteer. Many volunteers in fact," I said as I turned back to her, leaning on the wall carelessly, "what he found was that native-born Mandalorians had faster reaction times, stronger muscles, and their adrenal glands were about twice what you would find in any other human in the galaxy. Natural selection made sure that Mandalorians were in fact bred for war," I said quietly. Padme's eyes were wide at the realization, "we love a fight because it's literally in our blood."

"I understand," she said quietly, "but perhaps you should be getting ready for the trip to the surface?"

I nodded and pulled my helmet back on, "perhaps. We'll speak again, highness," I said with a smirk that she couldn't see as I left the room.

XXX

"Status report, Perseus," dad said quietly as I closed the door to his room.

"Just under three hours to Tatooine, the Queen was extracted from the planet with no casualties, and there are two damned Jetti onboard my ship," I hissed in frustration. Mandalorians and Jedi were practically oil and water, "but there is a bright side to this," I said thoughtfully after calming down.

Dad just raised his eyebrow at me, "explain."

"If we can get Death Watch into the good graces of the Nubian Queen then we have a platform we can use to bring the Old Way back and get a solid blow at the Pacifists. I still can't believe we have the Duchess' Jetti lover on board," I said with a shit-eating grin, my helmet already off as I looked at dad.

"A most unexpected development indeed," he said with a frown, "Bo Katan gave you this information?"

"Bo Katan, the Palace servants, a guard," I said counting off on my fingers, "there's a lot who knew except for his master apparently," I couldn't help but roll my eyes but frowned all the same, "I think Master Qui Gon could be made an ally, he does not act like a Jetti of old."

"No, he does not. Befriend him and I will do the same, your first priority is to get close to the queen."

"Which one?" I asked casually as I sat down with my whetstone and Beskad until I looked up at dad who actually looked surprised.

"Pardon?"

"Oh," I blushed a bit before grinning, "yeah, the real Queen is the headstrong handmaiden. The dressed up one is a decoy," I ran the stone down my blade as dad tapped his chin.

"Not unexpected, although I find myself surprised that the Nubian Queen would stoop to such deception," he said.

"HK would have seen right through it," I said with a small glare. Dad bristled up at the mention of the infuriating hunter-killer droid.

"I thought I had ordered that damned droid slagged!?" he bit out.

"Close enough," I shrugged, "you sent him to Mustafar to kill someone or other with the prototype fortress shuttle equipped with a Hyperdrive."

"When was this?" he asked with a frown.

"Uh, dad, you ordered that a month ago," I said as I stood up from honing the Beskad, sheathing it with the ease of practice as I stepped up to the porthole.

"Yes, yes, of course. The price of governance," he massaged his temple and sat down on his own bed.

"Then why do you want to be Mand'alor?" I asked quietly.

"You know as well as I do why I wish for that Ancestors forsaken title," he growled, "the pacifists have destroyed our culture, our way of life! My son, you are a member of Death Watch and the leader of the Strikers, what would you have me do?" he asked heavily.

"I'd have you keep doing what we're doing. Keep massing weapons and forging armor, Mandalore needs a strong leader more than ever. But if I can get an alliance with the queen…" I tapped my chin as an idea hit me but before I could voice it my comms went off.

"Statement: Master, I have eliminated the pesky Rodian, amused query: would you like me to bring you his head?"

"Negative, HK," I said into my wrist communicator, grabbing my helmet from the chair and donning it so I could listen to him and dad wouldn't have to hear the droid, "burn it, toss it in the lava river, I don't give a damn what you do, but listen up, alright?"

"Answer: Yes, master. Query: what is it you require of me? Hopeful excitement: Do I get to kill more meatbags?"

"Possibly," I said with a smirk, "get me everything you can about the Trade Federation off the Galactic Holo and then dig even deeper."

"Exasperation: If I could sigh, master, I would right now. Expletive: I am a kriffing Hunter Killer droid, not a databank, master! Resignation: I have accessed all files pertinent to the Trade Federation and oh… Interested Observation: it appears that their main data vault and droid control center is on Mustafar… Hopeful Query: can I infiltrate this facility, master? I believe I can gain you access to the Battle droids orbiting Naboo. Hopeful Aside: And I can potentially kill some meatbags!"

"Permission granted, HK," I said quickly.

"Resigned Query: Are standard rules of engagement required, master? Clarification: Do not kill unless fired upon?"

"Not at all, HK. Fuck up their shit and get me control of those droids, no matter what you have to do."

"Joyous Celebratory Exclamation: Master, you are the greatest master I have ever served. Fett never allowed me to kill an entire compound before! Thoughtful Aside: Must prepare weapons… Closing Statement: I shall contact you when the assault is complete, Master. Goodbye."

And with that, the commlink went dead in my ear as I took my helmet off. I finally noticed dad's lifted eyebrow.

"The blasted droid has not yet been scrapped, I take it?"

"No, but he may finally be somewhat useful," I said with a grin as I ran down what the droid did and was planning to do, much to dad's shock.

"Perhaps I was too harsh on the droid…" he said thoughtfully, "I still dislike you bringing us to Tatooine, my son. You are aware of my relation to Jabba."

"I am," I said flatly, "but if we get the interceptors fully operational before we have to return to Naboo then we'll have one more advantage against the Trade Federation. I don't expect to keep control over these battle droids for more than a standard month, HK's good but he's not a Slicer and we both know it. But if we can wrestle control from the Federation for even a week then the Naboo will stand a much better chance at fighting against them. They have a full-fledged army and we have, what? Two dozen heavies, thirty standard fighters, and the Strikers?"

"Don't forget about the two Jetti you invited aboard," Dad sneered, I just took off my helmet so he could see me roll my eyes as I tucked it under my arm.

"And what was I supposed to do?" I asked exasperatedly, "leave them on the surface of the world? I can see that going great already on the holo: 'Mandalorian Imposters kidnap queen and leave two Republic Ambassadors in the hands of the Trade Federation. After careful investigation, it appears as if Qui Gon Jinn and his Padawan were killed by the same people who kidnapped the Queen and her entourage!' Because that's exactly how we need to be portrayed right now!"

"You will not speak to me that way, Perseus Vizsla. I understand you are upset and that you were backed into a corner but those are Jetti! Qui Gon Jinn seems to be a good man but his Padawan is completely indoctrinated," he said coldly as he stared me down. I let out an explosive sigh and put my head in my hand.

"Yeah, and to make things worse?" I said quietly, still looking at the floor, "the Queen knows who I am."

"How?" he snapped as he jumped to his feet, "You did not tell her, of that I am certain. How did she discover you?" Dad asked quickly, his voice wavering slightly as he paced back andforth.

"She has a perfect recollection of faces and voices to pair with names, she reads people unlike anyone else I've ever seen. She also realized that I wasn't on Naboo or onboard this ship," I said heavily, "but she's passionate enough to be one of us."

"You believe we could indoctrinate her into Death Watch?" Dad stopped pacing as he looked at me curiously. I hesitated for a beat, frowning out at the blue lines of hyperspace trying to come up with an answer.

"No," I said, finally looking back at him, "but I think we can get her in armor and a helmet if we give it enough time. We may be able to provide the Naboo with the promised Beskar with bodies inside it… If all goes well and we earn her trust this may be a new first step toward our heritage," I said all this slowly but dad's eyes had already lit up at the idea.

"You have an idea then?"

"I do, but you're not gonna like it."