Chapter Five
Bo-Katan had managed to get her troops prepared and now she could relax for the rest of the voyage to Mandalore though it would be a very short one. However, she knew she could not relax... not until she had told Pre the truth about their child. Luckily for her, Maul and Savage had taken the droids and the Pykes and gone ahead to Mandalore, signaling when they would begin their reign of terror. So when she saw that Pre was alone in his tent, she had to admit that for once, she wasn't worried about him being surrounded as would normally make her comfortable.
"In time for tea Bo, come join me," he said immediately after he saw her. She noticed it was his favorite kind of tea and smiled to herself as she drank it in. "You look troubled, is something on your mind?" he asked. How he reads my expressions so well is beyond me, I can't even understand them sometimes myself when I see them in front of a mirror she thought.
But when she answered, she stated there was something she had to tell him after sipping some tea. "Is it about the brothers, the thugs, or Mandalore?" he asked. "No, it's something about us," she admitted. Pre raised an eyebrow, suspicious of what she had to say though not entirely beyond reason just yet. How can I say it to him without it being overwhelming for both me and him? Bo asked herself silently.
Then she concluded that the only way to do that was to do it honestly. "Remember the last time we made love, which was on Mon Calamari, if my memory isn't mistaken?" she asked. "I'm listening," he answered. "Well... a few days after that, I began getting cramps and morning sickness and I hadn't had cramps since my last period three months ago.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is that the tests I took shortly after that came out positive. As of right now, I carry our child in my womb," she said, pulling one of Vizsla's hands to her belly. He gulped more than enough to make himself cough in surprise at what she had told and shown him. "How come you didn't tell me this when it actually began?" he asked after several minutes of silence.
"Because I feared what you would say or do to me if you found out I beared your child on the eve of our duty's completion beginning," she answered. "You never need to fear what I will do to you, this child you bear shall be our heir when I am Mandalore and my time to step down has come," he said. Bo smiled, relieved that Pre would never harm her or their child, and kissed him on the cheek before thanking him aloud. "Hey, I know you already got one baby on the way but want to get some more loving in before we have to leave for Mandalore?" he asked.
She laughed, glad that he still retained much of his old sense of humor and nodded to admit acceptance of his offer. He grabbed her hand then and lifted her from her chair before sweeping her into his arms. She screamed in surprise and laughed when she realized how silly her own scream sounded as he smiled down at her. "Not so fast, Your Highness, we still have the whole night to kill, remember?" she asked as she stroked his chin.
"You say that like you want it all night long," he said. "Why else would I say that, jackass?" she snapped back at him. "Watch your tone little lady, just because you're pregnant doesn't I want give your butt some smacking," he replied, encouraging the romance of the situation. "Just get us underway before the night's gone; it will be faster than we'd like it to be as it is," she said before they began.
"A new face on Mandalore will require someone not in the favor of Death Watch but has also fallen from the graces of the Duchess. Someone who currently resides within the prisons of Mandalore. Do you know anyone like that, Savage?" Maul asked. "No brother, I will need to access the records on Mandalore and possibly the Duchess' own knowledge in order to find that out," Savage answered.
I had never planned on killing her before I have my revenge against Kenobi at any rate. Only thing that truly stands in my way besides him is Lord Sidious and I will deal with him soon enough Maul thought to himself. "Then we keep the Duchess alive at least until she relates the information we need to us then we wait for Obi-Wan to fall into our trap," he said aloud. "How do we know Kenobi will take the bait?" Savage asked.
"Like any member of the Jedi Order, Obi-Wan will feel compelled to selflessly sacrifice himself to save her life. But from what I've heard, Kenobi also has a personal tie to the Duchess, making him more likely than the rest to help her. She will report what has happened as best she can to the Republic and beg Kenobi to come. And because he cannot help himself, he will... then we'll have him," Maul answered.
"You say that like the Order will not help the Duchess or her Mandalorians," Savage said. "May I remind you that the Jedi are servants of the Republic? Mandalore is a neutral system and that means that the Republic has no authority in Mandalore. Kenobi will have to come alone if he wants to save the Duchess without involving the Republic and alone he will come," Maul replied.
"Sirs, we'll be nearing Mandalore soon and I suggest we get ready for our little party. Wouldn't you says so?" a Pyke asked. Maul saw Mandalore on the horizon and nodded at the alien, stating that he had done well to remind the brothers. "Savage, go with the Pykes to the Central Bank and perform a robbery.
"The Kuat droids shall cause chaos elsewhere so that Death Watch can have all their prisoners in one place while those they destroy are separate. Once you have performed the feat, let me know on the comlink if at all possible. If you cannot, I will assume that Vizsla and the Death Watch have captured you and sent you to the prison. In the meantime, I shall contact him once the attacks are under way and let him know that it is time for him and Death Watch are needed on Mandalore," Maul said.
The Pyke nodded as did Savage and while they went about dispersing themselves amongst the targets highlighted, Maul stayed in his ship. He would need communications nearby once he saw that the attacks had started which didn't take long to start at all. Savage was soon reporting being on his way to the bank, the Kuat droids were destroying the targets they were assigned. As an added bonus, the droids were killing any and all innocent people caught in their paths with the blasters created for them by Xizor.
Excellent, that shall fuel Vizsla's credibility all the more positively. He will be needing it when he makes his entrance into Mandalore after I give him the signal he thought to himself. Maul made the signalling transmission and watched as the magic happened before his own eyes. Soon, the citizens of Mandalore were rallying to the Sundari Palace, demanding answers to the attacks from Satine.
She will attempt to calm the people down but they will be far too aroused by the attacks to listen to reason. Distasteful, they will side with Death Watch when the criminals and my brother are rounded up he thought with a smile. He also smiled at the fact that it would soon be time to dispose of that idiot and his short sighted fools. Especially that girl, Bo-Katan, that Vizsla enjoyed sleeping around with so much.
"Duchess, the shipping docks are under attack!" Neptune shouted. "By whom, Death Watch?" she asked. "No, it appears to be a crime syndicate. Our guards are helpless against their numbers and the people are demanding we do something to stop them," he answered.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let us go answer their concerns to the best of our ability, Prime Minister," she ordered. Dressed in formal speech attire, Satine was surprised to behold a massive crowd of angry Mandalore citizens who were also scared. "I need you all to remain calm, these attackers are just thugs brought on by the lowest element!" she began. But as she continued, she noticed the people becoming increasingly aggravated but that was hardly the worst of it.
It began to spiral out of control when Pre Vizsla and the Death Watch came in, chastising her government for being weak in the face of this new threat. "Death Watch, guards stay back! Vizsla, you must be the one responsible for these attacks!" she said, immediately guessing why they were here. But his answer surprised her beyond all belief and while she knew he was lying, the people didn't.
"No I am not responsible but I can offer a solution," he said. Stunned, she helplessly watched as he continued to speak before the people where she had been just moments ago. Taking his helmet, he began by introducing himself as Pre Vizsla of Clan Vizsla. "Death Watch is here to save you from these intergalactic gangsters that threaten our great city; this is a war and we will win," he added.
The people began applauding at his words and the Duchess' surprise turned to sad humiliation as he continued. "Join me and let us defend Mandalore against the criminals. We need action, not pacifism," he concluded. "Do not listen to him! His war will cause the end of Mandalore as we know it," she said at last, having heard enough of his lies.
But he immediately countered by saying that they were under attack. "There is no time for discussion!" he said to more applause. He then began taking off on his jetpack with two soldiers he had came with before leaving, he stated one more thing. "The name Mandalore will inspire fear into these thugs!" he said as the people chanted his name.
Satine sensed that there was no point in attempting to persuade the people that Vizsla was a fraud and a thief of political power. Besides, if I did that then next thing I know, the people of Mandalore will be throwing trash and glass bottles at me. Even spitting on property with my stamp on it in retaliation for me crushing their hopes and dreams that orient around Vizsla she thought. Then she ascended back up to the Palace and sat on the throne she knew she would not be holding for very much longer.
"Open up the bank, we're here for a withdrawal!" a Pyke said as he pointed a blaster pistol at the guards of the Central Mandalorian bank. "Guards now!" the commander said as a signal for more soldiers to come out from behind the door. "The Pyke family is attacking the vaults, send reinforcements," the same commander said into a comlink. At that point, the Pykes couldn't help but laugh as they stepped aside to reveal their secret weapon: Savage Opress.
Igniting both ends of his double-sided lightsaber, Savage held out the weapon in front of him in hopes that the guards would be stupid enough to make him use it. To their satisfaction, they were as the commander ordered his men to fire on him. For Savage, this was all too easy as he spun his blade in full circles in front of him, deflecting fire right back at the men who sent the bolts out. Two guards survived and began retreating as he held his saber out in front of him again, growling under his breath as he finished them off before cutting an entrance into the bank.
With the Pykes following him, Savage gave no thought or room for thought as he continued deflecting blaster fire and cutting soldiers to ribbons. Their screams of agony fueled his arms with strength and the fear of those alive fueled his own power. At some points during the fight, it came to a boiling point as he decided to use the Force to throw soldiers aside. Those immediately caught in the shockwaves did not survive and those who weren't survived along long enough to be gunned down by the Pykes.
And as Savage continued to clear a path to the credits that would be robbed from the bank, some of the Pykes began planting explosives. Part of the plan had been for Savage and the Pykes to rob the banks before then blowing up the main vault. That part was now being initiated and when the main vault was finally breached, the Pykes took as many credits as they could grab. Then they stuffed them in suitcases just in time for more of their people to plant explosives in the main vault before retreating with Savage.
"If the people are beginning to follow you, it is time for Death Watch to take action. Make sure you put on a good show," Maul said in his transmission to Vizsla. The hologram fuzzed slightly but Vizsla didn't let it bother him so long as the transmission was being sent out all right. "As you wish, Lord Maul," Vizsla replied enthusiastically.
Then he disconnected the transmission and ordered for some Death Watch soldiers to be sent to the shipping bay. The security forces there would need to be liberated from the Pykes and their portion of the Kuat droids there. But when he was asked about the bank, he replied by saying that Savage was there. "I will deal with him myself as I am the only one with the blade skills to do so," he added before disconnecting that last transmission as well.
With our luck so far, he will give me a good enough sample of skill to put on that good show. But at the same time, he won't be easy to take down either; quite formidable Vizsla thought to himself. "Sir, we're approaching the banks and Savage will soon be getting out if our scanners indicate correction in his location," a soldier said. "Good, then circle around and be ready to intercept him at the rendezvous point just like we planned," Vizsla ordered.
The ship was immediately put west of the bank and as he waited, he also heard an explosion emanating from the front entrance. That portion of the plan was complete and soon Savage would be coming out and running from Mandalorian security. Smiling, he prepared his saber for when Savage would undoubtedly be having his ready to face him. However, he decided to leave his helmet behind so that way the Mandalorian people could see his face as he took Savage down.
The ship lowered into a hover above the balcony and Vizsla waited by its exit for Savage to come around. "Keep up, you weaklings!" he heard Savage say in the distance. A woman's scream followed which indicated that Savage had likely thrown someone over the edge. Whether that actually was the case or not, Vizsla wouldn't bother to explore at all.
Then the inevitable came and he ignited his darksaber as Savage charged toward him, running away from the guards only to be forced to ignite his own blade. While the soldiers with Vizsla rallied the Pykes, Vizsla briefly exchanged blows with Savage before knocking him down with a kick. "This monster will never again trouble the people of Mandalore any longer! Take him away, captain," he said to the guards who witnessed.
Though neither they nor other members of the Death Watch noticed, Savage smiled at Vizsla. Impressive bladework, too bad it will not hold against my brother when you intend to betray him. Or me if I am given a chance to retaliate against you, for that matter Savage thought. Then the cuffs came on and he was taken to the Sundari like all the other crime lords.
After the last of the criminals had been rallied and sent to the prison, Vizsla decided it was time to pay the Duchess a little visit. He knew that she would not fight him both out of principle and knowing the people were on his side now. Just wait until I see the look on her face when I take everything from her and become the new Mandalore he thought. Then he wondered how he would dispose of Maul and Savage after he had taken rule of Mandalore from the weak, pacifistic Duchess.
"Duchess, Vizsla and his men have entered the Palace. Should we stop them?" Neptune asked. "How can we? The people are on their side now," she answered grimly.
Then she watched as Vizsla and Death Watch entered, blasters pointing at everyone. Her guards replied by readying their staffs for fighting but she stopped them. "There will be no bloodshed," she ordered. When Neptune tried to dissuade her, she retorted by saying that she would not be persuaded to violence by terrorists.
"Listen Duchess, do you hear the people? They cry out for change, your weak-minded rule of Mandalore is at an end. The resurrection of our warrior past is about to begin!" Vizsla replied. More soldiers came and Satine was helpless as she, Neptune, and her guards were all dragged away to Sundari prison.
But Neptune did not give up too easily and even tried to fight Death Watch on his own before they gunned him down. More of her guards tried to fight them but she immediately ordered them to stand down as she continued to be dragged to the dungeons. Then Vizsla took his seat and became the new Prime Minister whilst Satine observed her sister, Bo-Katan, bringing up the thugs that had attacked Mandalore. Why she dares to slander the family name with her involvement with Vizsla is beyond me but perhaps she will see reason someday Satine thought, pitying her sister.
It wasn't long, thanks to the transports, before she arrived at Sundari prison and preparing for the new life she would undoubtedly be living: as a prisoner. By this time, Death Watch had taken over the prisons and retired the previous guards but they looked at her with zeal beneath their helmets. At last, the Duchess who represented all they hated most about what happened with Mandalore was in their care. Upon arrival, she was thrown into a cell and she watched as the guards she had earlier were also moved to cells of their own.
"You cannot hold me here, I am the Duchess of Mandalore! Your actions will bring our civilization to ruin!" she shouted as she helplessly watched. "Is that you Satine?" a familiar voice she observed as ex-Prime Minister Almec asked. When she said as much, he asked if she was here for a visit or if "peace had betrayed her too".
"Peace exists only in the minds of the faithful," she replied. "And faith has been the greatest disappointment," he snapped. "Only when it is broken... what you did for the people as Prime Minister betrayed their trust," she stated calmly. "And you betrayed mine, destitution leaves little room for faith!
"My actions allowed the people hope in your leadership. The supplies I bought on the black market kept you in power," he noted. "Another error of judgment, the people making willing sacrifices for their freedom. Corruption is not the answer!" she shouted as she placed a hand on her head in pain of what she was realizing.
Laughing, his retort was short and to the point but it also ended their conversation altogether. "Then enjoy your freedom, Duchess. You will have plenty of time to tell me all about it," he said as he sat back in the seat of his prison cell. And as much as the Duchess hated saying so, and didn't aloud, she had to admit that he was right about that.
I forged a government from scratch that brought peace to a world divided by tribal warfare for eons. It was I who redefined Mandalorian 'honor' and brought it back into the good graces of the Republic where my predecessors could not. Now it is all in ruins because of people like Almec and Vizsla... oh Obi-Wan, where are you? she thought to herself. She found herself missing him more and more, to the point where she wished there was some way to contact him.
But unfortunately, so long as Mandalore remained Vizsla's and she was in here, she could not call to him. She would have to wait and bide her time for when someone within might free her and help her contact him. In the meantime, perhaps she could indulge Almec's gloating of her defeat by Vizsla.