The quiet hum of the venator mingled with the murmurs of the inhabitants of its hanger, the now displaced people of Mandalore being tended to as they made their way to what they hoped would be their new home, as the Siege of Mandalore had taken its toll on all of them. And as Bo-Katan strolled along the deck of the hanger, her sad eyes scanning her people, she stopped in her step when she saw her loyal lieutenant, Ursa Wren, helmet removed, revealing her firm but loving brown eyes seated on a crate with her husband, the esteemed artist Alrich Wren as the couple cradled a small girl, no more than two-years-old, as Kix knelt beside them
"Here sweetie," Kix cooed as he tended to the whimpering girl, gently taking her small arm into his hands to examine a small cut she had on said arm. Bo-Katan couldn't help but laugh as the girl raised a fuss, immediately snatching the hand back and huddling closer to her mother, who only let out a small chuckle as caressed the girl's back.
"Come on, Bine," she cooed, "let the nice man make it better, and you can help daddy paint later."
Upon seeing the girl's face light up upon hearing this Bo-Katan continued on her way, her smile still presents as Kix tended to the girl with no further fuss. Suddenly, Bo-Katan's gaze turns to the sound of the main hanger doors opening, making way for a gunship, which lands in the center of the hanger, the hatch immediately opening to reveal Ahsoka and Rex, with the last remaining citizens behind them, each immediately being tended to by several present medics. And as the duo approached Bo-Katan, the Mandalorian let the ever-present smile stay on her lips as she met them half-way.
"You both have done so much for my people," she said kindly, sending a noticeably more appreciative glance towards Rex. But, even as the clone blushed, cursing the fact he was not wearing his helmet, which further added to a smirking Ahsoka's amusement, he couldn't help but cast a sorrowful gaze at the cold durasteel floor, which did not go unnoticed by the two females present.
"With all due respect, M'Lady," he said in a pained whisper, "we failed our mission."
"No," Bo-Katan suddenly interjected, gently cupping Rex's cheeks, raising the clone's gaze to look at her.
"Our mission was to save my people…and we did. And I will be forever grateful for that."
After just a long moment of looking into the female warrior's eyes, rex allowed a small smile to spread on his lips, the blush in his cheeks growing even hotter the moment he felt Bo-Katan place a tender kiss on his other cheek, the captain's reaction causing Ahsoka to snort back a small laugh of amusement. Unfortunately, the merriment for the togruta was short lived as central door to the hanger hissed open, making way for Obi-Wan, the Jedi master having just changed out of his armor back into his original robes.
"Now, now, Lady Kryze," Obi-Wan playfully chided, "haven't you tortured the good captain enough already?"
Turning to face the teasing Jedi, Bo-Katan made now effort to hide the fact she was rolling her eyes, causing the smirk on Obi-Wan's lips to grow wider. But only for a moment, his attention soon turning somewhat more serious.
"We are en route to Concordia," he said, referring of course to Mandalore's forested moon, a place specifically requested by Bo-Katan as a prime location to establish a new settlement for the displaced Mandalorians.
"The capital city will make a good staging ground for resettlement," Bo-Katan said with a small smile, referring to the city on Concordia's surface that had once be governed by the late Pre-Vizsla. However, her smile quickly faded, which did not go unnoticed by the other's. And after a long few moments of silence, Bo-Katan finally spoke again as she took a step toward Obi-Wan.
"I have given Ursa instructions of how to proceed. Once a proper staging ground has been established, she will assume command of the relocation project…"
And the moment that was said, Bo-Katan gave her helmet to Ahsoka, the togurta's eyes suddenly filling with great concern as they beheld the Mandalorian warrior offer her wrists to Obi-Wan, her expression sad, but also firm as she looked Obi-Wan dead in the eye.
"I surrender myself to your custody, Master Jedi…a deal is a deal."
At that moment, the air around the quartet of warrior's stilled, the clone and togruta looking to see what the human Jedi planned to do. But to their surprise, he continued to just stand where he stood, his deadpan gaze staring at Bo-Katan's offered wrists, the female now visibly shaking as she awaited the cold feeling of binders to envelope her wrists. But, to her further surprise, and silent relief, Obi-Wan merely took her hands in his, offering a small smile of friendship as his thumbs caressed the tops of her gloved hands.
"That won't be necessary," he began to speak, leaving the other three in shock.
"After seeing all that you have given, and all that you have lost, I realized that your people need you know more than ever."
At first shocked by this sudden turn of events, Bo-Katan found herself being overwhelmed with a feeling she had not felt in a long time. In truth, the last time she felt this feeling, it was when her son was born. And it wasn't relief. No, this feeling was something more raw, more pure…
It was Joy.
"I-I…" she stammered, a thin line of tears forming in her eyes as her mouth moved, but no words came out.
"I don't know what to say."
"Say nothing," Obi-Wan quickly interjected, maintain his hold of Bo-Katan's hands as he spoke to her.
"Let the lessons of this war help you to move forward."
Upon hearing this, Bo-Katan's face fell once again.
"I wish…I was good at something other than war."
"I know how you feel, Bo," Ahsoka suddenly added, causing the other's to look at her, her gaze shifting to the visor of the helmet in her grasp.
"I have always been told that Jedi were peacekeepers, not warriors…but all I've been since I was a padawan is a soldier."
"And I've known no other way," Rex added in, his eyes locking with the red-headed woman before him as she turned to face him completely.
"It gives all of us clones a mixed feeling about the war…many people wish it never happened. But,without it...we clones wouldn't exist."
Upon hearing this, Bo-Katan stood for a few tense moments, the words spoken by the clone before her ringing in her ears. But, the more she let them sink into her mind, the more she realized that once the war ended, the clones would have no further purpose. But, as these thoughts invaded her mind, a glimmer of light seemed to shine in the darkness.
"Well," she said with a smile, placing a comforting hand on the dejected captain's shoulder, "I do know that the Republic couldn't have asked for better soldiers…nor I a better friend…which is why I am requesting as regent, if the 332nd…"
Bo-Katan paused for a moment, turning back to Obi-Wan and Ahsoka, a teasing smirk on her lips as she continued to speak, this time to the two force-users.
"Would be willing to stay and help us rebuild, under the direction of myself and Commander Rex."
For a solid minute the group stood in silence, the three other members staring at Bo-Katan in shock. However, Ahsoka's shock soon turned to a playful smirk as she saw the deep blush forming on Rex's face, Obi-Wan soon joining her in her revelry as he gave his answer to Bo-Katan.
"I think that can be arranged," he said with a small laugh, only for his comm to interrupt his fun.
"Kenobi here, what is it Captain Kagi?"
"Sir," the clone captain's voice sounded over the comm, "you are receiving an incoming transmission from the Jedi Council on the bridge."
"We'll be right there."
The quartet arrived at the communication center of the bridge, immediately being met with the projections of Masters Mundi, Luminara, Yoda and Anakin. Upon noticing the four new arrivals, Master Yoda offered a sad smile toward Obi-Wan.
"Understand we do," he began solemnly, "that defeated Maul you did, Master Kenobi."
"Yes Master," Obi-Wan responded, returning the sad smile, "though at great costs."
"Yes," Master Mundi interjected, "my deepest condolences for the loss of your commander, Master Kenobi."
"And to your son, Lady Bo-Katan," Luminara added, sending the newly named regent a sympathetic glance.
"Thank You, Master Jedi," Bo-Katan responded.
"I assume," Obi-Wan added, "that there is more to your transmission than condolences and mission reports."
"Yes," Anakin added in.
"Clone intelligence has verified that Count Dooku, General Grievous and the Separatist Council are indeed on Serenno. I was going to ask for reinforcements, but I have been made aware that the services of the 332nd have been loaned to Lady Bo-Katan, and given the state of the 212th…"
"I can scrounge together what is left Anakin."
"As can I," Luminara added.
"Master Secura and I have routed the droid armies on Felucia and Kashyk and should be able to reinforce your forces Skywalker.
"What of Master Bilaba?" Obi-Wan quickly suggested.
"Kaller is closer to Serenno."
"I'm afraid Depa is more preoccupied than us at the moment," Luminara answered.
"Well then," Obi-Wan responded, "Once Bo-Katan's people have been transported to Concordia, I will pull together what I have left and meet you at Serenno."
"Don't take too long," Anakin snipped, a smug smirk on his face, "otherwise there won't be any droids left."
"I know you will do your best to control yourself Anakin," Obi-Wan responded with a teasing smile before his smile turned more genuine as he looked to the other Jedi before him.
"May the Force be with you."
Within an hour after the meeting's conclusion, gunships were setting down at the capital city of Concordia, the city having long since been deserted following the death of Pre Vizsla and the collapse of Death Watch. But, luckily, the infrastructure of the city was still sound enough that all that needed to be done was heavy-duty maintenance. And as civilian's and supplies exited the landing craft, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, Rex and Bo-Katan oversaw everything.
"It will take some time," Bo-Katan said, "but with the aid of the 332nd, this should be a thriving settlement in no time."
"I only wish I could stay," Ahsoka added with a sad smile, "but I think any more time away from Corusaunt would be killer for Lux."
Letting out a soft laugh, Bo-Katan turned to Ahsoka, placing a comforting hand on the young togruta's shoulder.
"Go," she said, "you need your rest. I can manage from here."
And what Ahsoka did next truly shocked the other three. Bo-Katan felt her frame stiffen as she felt the younger female wrap her arms around her middle in a tight embrace. But, after just a few tense seconds, Bo-Katan finally found herself tenderly returning the embrace, all while Obi-Wan and Rex watched the scene with tender smiles. And after a solid minute, the two women separated, keeping each other at arm's length as they offered each other a tender smile.
"Goodbye, Ahsoka Tano," Bo-Katan whispered as she rested her forehead against Ahsoka's, both closing their eyes as they took in the aura of friendship and comradery from the other, Ahsoka offering parting words of her own.
"Until we meet again, Lady Bo-Katan."
With that, the two separated, and after sharing a parting embrace with Rex, Ahsoka and Obi-Wan boarded their respective gunships which would take them to their respective venators, one bound for Corusaunt, and the other for Sernno. And from the surface of Concordia, as the Republic vessel blasted out of sight into hyperspace, Bo-Katan turned to Rex, offering the commander a teasing smile as they turned to walk toward the others.
"Well Commander," she said teasingly, linking her arm through his as they walked.
"Shall we get to work?"
And after returning the red-headed woman's teasing smile, Rex answered.
"I live to serve, M'Lady."
And to any deity in the galaxy, or an entity in the force, time seemed to go along with rapid pace, the surface of Concordia soon being overgrown with dense forests and bustling settlements, including the ever-flourishing settlement of New Sundari, the capital of the ever-thriving Mandalore Reborn government, under the leadership of Duchess Bo-Katan Kryze, as she prepared to celebrate her fifth year as ruler of her people. And within the royal palace, standing on a balcony overlooking the lavish city, stood Shaak Ti, her frame covered in a simple, but lovely dress, fashioned in the style of Mandalorian culture. And as she overlooked the city square below, she let her thoughts wonder, revisiting memories that filled her with the same feeling of peace as when she first heard them;
The Clone War was near its end, the 501st legion of Master Skywalker, reinforced by his former master, as well as Luminara and Aayla, quickly laying siege at Serenno. Upon storming the complex, Anakin and Obi-Wan discovered to their absolute horror that Count Dooku and General Grievous, so as not to leave any loose ends, slaughtered the Separatist council.
Anakin faced Dooku in a fierce duel, eventually wounding the count and beheading him with his own lightsaber. Obi-Wan faced Grievous, their duel culminating in Obi-Wan, who had lost his lightsaber early in the duel, shooting Grievous thought he heart, thus ending the evil cyborg's reign of terror. Within hours, the galaxy was celebrating the end of the war, the hordes of battle droids within Dooku's army given a shut-down command. There was even word circulating that same day that the Confederacy wished to reintegrate with the Republic. And in the months that followed, it came to fruition.
However, one question still remained;
What would become of the valiant clone soldiers?
They simply couldn't be discarded like battle droids. They were living beings after all. It was then that an emergency session was held within the senate. In an almost unanimous vote, the clones, who up until that point were viewed as property of the Republic, where granted their freedom, gaining the rights to pursue their own interests. Many, to some degree of surprise, chose to remain in the army, not simply because it was all they knew, but because they felt that even without war, the well-being of the Republic was their top priority.
But those who left, felt a new birth of freedom, some even pursuing ventures into politics. Fives himself became the first clone to represent a planet in the senate, becoming the official representative for his home of Kamino, taking the name Rashea (Five in Mondo'a) Ti, collegues calling him Rash, though friends and family still called him Fives.
Commander Rex stayed on Concordia, even after the Exodus from Mandalore had concluded. In that time, he and Bo-Katan entered a romantic relationship, the two marrying one year after the war's end. In the following year, they welcomed their first child, whom they named in memory of Bo-Katan's sister. And in that time, after much deliberation, Bo-Katan decided that it was in the best interest of her people that they join the Republic, appointing her husband, Duke Rex of Clan Kryze, as Mandalore Reborn's official representative.
Following the Siege of Serenno, Obi-Wan set to work dismantling Maul's criminal empire. Within weeks, Maul's lieutenant's were routed out and dealt with. In that time, Anakin was able to witness the birth of his children. A girl, whom he and Padme had named Leia, and a boy, whom Anakin decided to name Jinn, in memory of her Master's Master.
Upon her return to Corusaunt, Ahsoka was greeted by Lux, who surprised his lovely lady with a proposal of marriage that very night. The two young loves married in the following months, and are currently expecting their first child together.
As for Obi-Wan and Luminara, the two married one month after the war's end, a private ceremony held in the temple's courtyard under the Great Tree, witnessed by close friends, including Barriss, whom Luminara had taken to calling her daughter. Two years later, Luminara brought twin boys into the galaxy, named after two very brave men, Cody and Korkie.
Yes, for once, everything was at peace as it was before the war…
"MAMA!"
Until now.
Looking down to the source of the high-pitched voice, Shaak Ti beamed brightly at her lovely daughter, standing in the courtyard far below with another child, whose pale skin and red hair making her brown eyes stand out with her other features. And Shaak Ti couldn't help but smile as she eagerly returned her daughter and niece's enthusiastic waves. But as she watched the two girls go back to playing with the other children, Shaak Ti soon found herself letting out a low moan of comfort as she felt two strong arms encircle her waist, and ruggedly handsome face find purchase beside hers.
"The other's will be hear soon," her dashing husband whispered, "we should probably head down to the main hanger to greet them."
"Yes, I suppose" Shaak Ti responded with a laugh, turning to face her husband, his face covered in an even thicker beard than it was five years prior, and his hair even longer and tied behind his head. And these features seemed to stand out greatly among the canvas that was a pure white military uniform, the only splash of color being the gold trim, medals and black boots. But, Shaak Ti knew she would always find Fives handsome no matter what.
"But first…" she added with a teasing smile, giving her love no time to react as she pulled him into a deep and passionate kiss, the former ARC Trooper offering no resistance as he eagerly returned his wife's affection, the two standing in silence as they relished the absolute bliss that radiated through them. And as the sun set in the distance, Fives let his mind wander back to where it all started…
Where he found the Truth…
In Conspiracies.
The End
~*May the Force Be with You*~