Exterior: Concord Dawn, Mandalorian Knights Enclave.
The recently restored enclave was very similar to the Jedi enclave on Dantooine with some guards and defences posted around the perimeter.
Exterior: Concord Dawn, Mandalorian Knights Enclave, Zen garden, courtyard.
Exiting the enclave with Proxy, Galen found himself face-to-face with a young, busty, slim, curvy, fair skinned Miraluka woman.
She wore a low-cut dark maroon red t-shirt that completely bared her taut tummy, skintight pants and veiled headdress, a black blindfold, long slit skirt, belt and boots.
Galen blocked with the Force as she struck at him with a red blade while a handful of perimeter guards and Mandalorian Knight initiates watched the confrontation.
Defending himself using Soresu as he ignited an ice-blue blade, Galen identified her form as Ataru before extinguishing her saber with the Force, pulling it from her hand, and cutting it in half.
Caught off-guard, she froze for a moment, dropped to her knees in submission, and lowered her head, "My lightsaber... you have destroyed it.
I yield... master. It is as I heard through the Force.
My life... for yours."
"I won't kill you,"
"But you must… another death is the only alternative.
I have nothing else to offer but my death upon your blade."
Marek extinguished his blade, "No, I'm not killing you."
"Then I am now yours. My life for yours.
I surrender myself to you as your slave.
I am yours to command as you see fit.
And I, Visas, shall obey you, my new Master."
As he gestured for approaching guards to stand down, Galen said, "You're hurt, come with me to the infirmary."
"As you wish." obediently replied Visas who tried to stand before collapsing into his arms.
Momentarily thereafter.
Interior: Concord Dawn, Mandalorian Knights enclave, infirmary.
Whilst she treated Visas' wounds with the help of a pair of clone medics, Etain Tur-Mukan Skirata asked, "Does our guest have a name?"
"She says it's Visas, but she wasn't sure." answered Galen, "and another Miraluka of the same name helped General Surik during the Dark Wars."
"She has extensive injuries, what the hell did you do?"
"Nothing. I only blocked her attacks and disarmed her." replied Marek whilst they used the Force to completely heal the Miraluka woman.
"Did she say who sent her?" questioned Etain.
From upon a medical bed, wearing exotic black lingerie with her blindfold and veil, Visas weakly answered, "I was sent by the darkness in which all life dies."
"That's creepy."
Turning her head towards Galen, Visas observed, "Master, there are people speaking with the same voice.
Yet each one is its own… different, distinct, unique."
"Those voices belong to clones."
"Clones? I do not understand."
"Sentient beings born using genetic replication, ideally from a consenting donor." explained Galen who sat by her bedside and gently held her hand which triggered his psychometry, revealing her past, not fazing him in the slightest.
"I'm unfamiliar with such a thing."
"Listen carefully. Feel the Force around us.
Sense their presences, see them in the Force."
Doing as instructed, Visas saw those around her through the Force more clearly, their auras outlining their forms, "I… see them.
They strive towards the light, but they're touched by the darkness."
"What else do you see?"
"I see you. Your presence is warm like a star, full of life and the Force."
"Tell me more." encouraged Marek.
"I see the shades of both the light and dark side, balanced.
Giving me the clearest picture of you, as if your aura even outlines your features.
I… can see you as if I had eyes."
"What do I look like through your sight?" he asked before the pair meditated whilst using Force sight to truly see without seeing.
When they were done, Visas lay back on the medical bed, "Master, what are you?
You are human in form.
But your presence is that of something so much more."
"I'm just a simple man making my way in the universe."
"You are very humble, my Master." observed Visas.
Taking her hand in his, he asked, "Are you alright?"
"I am able to fight alongside you in battle, and am ready to serve you as you so desire,"
"That wasn't the question.
Are you feeling alright?"
"I… yes, I am. Thank you, Master." appreciated Visas who kissed him, much to his surprise, and the amusement of the present company.
As their lips parted, Galen cautiously asked, "Why did you do that?" while his armour analysed his system for toxins.
"You… you care about me."
"I care about a lot of people, Visas.
It's who I am and what I do."
"I was at the mercy of your blade.
Yet it did not strike me down as I'd expected… or hoped.
Yet you spared my life, and allowed me to live with no ulterior motive."
"True strength is knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one."
"There is wisdom in your words, yet understanding it eludes me."
"It takes experience to understand some words of wisdom."
"Please explain."
"With great power comes great responsibility."
"May I have an example where this applies?"
"Imagine you're the only one able to light a fire.
That fire can cook a banquet for yourself and a village while keeping its people warm during the winter.
Or it can grow out of control and burn the village to the ground along with its people."
"I understand, those with power should use it wisely."
Entering the med-bay, Ventress, in red Mando gear with a Nightsister aesthetic, paused as she saw Visas, "You? What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same, Sister of the Night."
"Well, I don't feel obligated to answer you."
"I understand, Sister of the Night.
Yet my answer to your question is that I serve my new Master, Galen."
"What about that creepy Dementor, Nazgul hybrid?"
"I was his emissary… a scout.
I do not wish to be his tool any longer."
"Did he send you to kill Mand'alor?"
"No, their confrontation is inevitable.
He sent me to die, for I am of no further use to him."
"So you're an exile?" asked Etain.
"Yes, I suppose I am." answered Visas.
As he entered, accompanied by Omega, Depa and Caleb, Boba greeted, "Su'cuy gar Galen."
"Su'cuy Boba. Omega'ika. Cal'ika. Depa.
It's jate to see you." returned Marek who hugged his little girl, his brothers, and the Jedi Master.
Slightly blushing, Caleb looked at Visas, "Woah, a Miraluka! What's her name?" then gasped as he looked up at Asajj, "Ventress!"
"Awww, you're cute," chuckled Asajj who ruffled Caleb's hair and kissed his temple, then looked at a cautious Depa, "Your son's adorable,"
"He certainly is," agreed Depa who eased up, sensing no danger, "and fair warning, when he asks you the first question, be prepared for an ongoing game of twenty questions."
"Sounds like I'm in for a trial of patience," mused Ventress.
"Indeed," giggled Billaba.
Dume questioned, "Wait, how did she figure out my Master was also my mother?
Is it that obvious?
How did a Dark Jedi figure it out when the Jedi High Council doesn't know?"
Bursting into laughter, Ventress grinned at the Jedi Master, "And so it begins."
Visas turned to Dume, "I apologise for the delay in answering your question, young one.
My name is Visas, and you are?"
"Caleb… Caleb Dume." answered the young Padawan, "You're very beautiful, Visas."
"I thank you for your kind words, Caleb Dume."
Later.
Exterior: Mandalorian Knights Enclave, courtyard.
Showing some observers a series of movements with Bardan, Asajj said, "This form is called Shii-Cho, the Determination form."
"Why learn Jetii fighting styles for these kad'e?" asked one of the new recruits, not seeing the point.
"Do you ask a marksman why they learn to shoot?"
"Well, no, I just don't understand."
"As with any weapon in your arsenal, learning how to properly wield it makes the difference between it being an asset or a liability." answered Marek.
"Apologies, my Lord.
I didn't mean to be ignorant."
"Speak freely, and those wisest were once ignorant and arrogant.
As for the Jetii'kad forms, the Sith use them too.
Knowing how both your enemies and allies fight can make the difference between life and death.
Not just your own, but for those around you."
"Thank you, my Lord."
"How did you interpret my words, initiate?"
"If a comrade's better at defence and another's better at offence, they can complement each other's styles."
"Very good, and a prime example of that is Generals Skywalker and Kenobi."
For education's sake, Caleb asked, "Did the Jedi really create this form?"
"All seven traditional forms of Jetii'kad combat are of Jetii origin.
The later variants of those forms, and any additional forms are based on them.
We Mandalore call the lightsaber a Jetii'kad for a reason, vod'ika."
"When do the Jetii learn this one, Buir?" asked Omega.
"It's the first style they learn as younglings, lil 'un.
The one they're taught while learning how to hold a saber.
It came into practice when they made the transition from metal swords to lightsabers."
"How effective is it in battle?" asked Caleb.
"It's a simple technique, and its simplicity is its strength," answered Jusik, "it's a useful form to fallback to, against multiple opponents if your favoured form isn't doing the trick."
Asajj warned, "However, because the ancient Jedi didn't have lightsaber wielding enemies yet, it's ill suited for lightsaber duels against a single opponent."
Bardan pointed out, "Though it's been quite effective against opponents with four or more arms to wield lightsabers with.
Given it will be in practicality the same as having multiple opponents."
One of the initiates asked, "Which form is the most practical for a Jetii'kad duel?"
"Form II, Makashi, the contention form.
Developed specifically for lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat." answered Asajj, "the most well known practitioner in the form is Count Dooku, the CIS head of state."
Standing next to Galen, a Zeison Sha guest instructor asked, "Where does she come from? Ventress?"
"Her past is her own business, you'll have to ask her.
She's been lost for a long time, and I'm trying to help her find herself.
She was alone, without a home, so I opened up mine to her and invited her to join my clan."
"Do you know where her people come from?"
"Dathomir."
As he and Obi-Wan approached, Qui-Gon greeted, "Hello,"
"Su Cuy'gar, Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon," greeted Galen who shook their forearms as Mandalorians do.
"And so the student becomes a teacher before his own training is complete, and being ready?" asked Kenobi.
"If hear you, he does, on readiness, lecture you, Yoda will.
Bardan, Etain and I are not the only ones helping instruct them.
The Jal Shey. Matukai, and Zeison Sha have been helping to an extent too.
And I've been using my own holocrons."
"Then your Knights have a rich, diverse source of knowledge."
Marek turned to the present company as the session ended, "Everyone, we have visitors.
This is Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi of the Jetii Order."
Obi gave a small wave, "Hello there."
Qui-Gon smiled, "Su'cuy an,"
Spotting Ventress demonstrating some movements, Obi stared at Galen in disbelief, "What've you done?"
"I gave a lonely kindred spirit a new home, a clean slate, and a second chance."
"How did I get a student so good-natured and accepting?"
"Sometimes the kindest people are the ones who've suffered most." thought Galen who answered, "This is the way of my people."
"Doesn't it concern you that you've inducted a former Sith assassin into your ranks, and are allowing them to teach?"
"Who someone was before is irrelevant.
Who they choose to be from the moment they become Mando'ade, be it by birth, adoption, vow, courtship, or creed is what matters."
"Indeed."
Omega ran up to Galen and looked up at him, "Dad, are you in trouble with the Jedi Council?"
"Surprisingly not this time, ad'ika."
Obi-Wan knelt down and smiled at Omega, "Hello, little one,"
"Hi, Obi!" excitedly greeted Omega with a hug full of warmth.
Kenobi gently hugged her back, "have you been well behaved?"
"Always." assured Omega before Obi-Wan gave her some sweets and they stepped back from each other.
Sensing a presence, Qui-Gon glanced at Visas with fascination as she stepped next to Marek, "Curious, I've only met one other Miraluka."
"Oh?" asked Visas.
"His name is Prosett Dibbs, a Jedi Master."
"My apologies, but I am unfamiliar with that name."
"Few are. He tends to stay out of the spotlight.
Who are you?"
"I am Visas, Starkiller's servant," answered Visas, "through life debt."
Sensing a disturbance, Galen ordered, "Prepare to move out, we're going to Khorm," then muttered, "and I have a bastard's neck to snap."
Later.
Exterior: Khorm, Imperial base.
Arriving via basilisk war droids and gunships, a platoon of Mandos descended upon the Imperial bucket heads with impeccable precision and ferocity, catching them off-guard while several prisoners were broken out by a commando squad.
Cutting down dozens of Stormtroopers and acolytes, Starkiller led his forces to victory over the Imperial garrison.
When they were done, an officer with a ridiculous bushy moustache approached Starkiller, "I knew my strategy would work!
This will be the day Kendall Ozzel gets- agh," before being cut-off by his throat being crushed by the invisible hand of the Force.
"You're as clumsy and cowardly as you are stupid.
You have failed the people of the Republic for the last time," reprimanded Starkiller who snapped the pitiful worm's neck with the Force before incinerating him with lightning.
Starkiller turned to see the shocked expressions of Plo and Kit, "What?"
"Don't you think that was a bit much?" asked Master Fisto.
A trooper chimed in, "With respect, General, we were all thinking about it.
And Lord Starkiller had the authority to do it."
If a Kel-Dor had eyebrows, Plo would've raised one, "Lord?"
"Out of respect, non-Mandalorians often address Mand'alor as a Lord." explained Marek.
"I see… best not let General Windu hear that.
He'll accuse you of being a Sith Lord."
"Wouldn't be the first time."
Kit inquired, "Why did you kill Ozzel?"
"I know what he did.
I killed him for his crimes, and to save lives."
"Can you give some more context to the last part?"
"How many millions would've needlessly and unnecessarily died because of his incompetent tactics?
Or his cowardly actions?
What if he gave the enemy intel that resulted in a second sacking of Coruscant, as quickly as he gave away your location?"
"Good point, though I cannot condone your using execution so lightly as a disciplinary action."
Marek turned to Wolffe, "Make sure what he did goes on record so people know what really happened."
"How? We don't have a media outlet from the troopers' points of view."
"Make one. Troops of all kinds write their own accounts of the battles anyway.
They can share them in a news journal." suggested Etain.
"That's an amazing idea, cyar'ika," praised Commando Darman.
"What would we call it?" asked a trooper.
"Well, the public seems to love the 501st.
Maybe 'the 501st journal,'," suggested Comet.
"Or every division gets their own magazine to help distinguish which division they're reading about." suggested Tech.
As she nonchalantly wrapped an arm around and pulled Tech close, Asajj praised, "You are a genius," and gently kissed him, leaving the commando utterly speechless.
Turning to Marek, Kit asked, "When did you recruit Ventress?"
"Dantooine."
"Are you sure she's on our side?"
"Her new sabers are designed to reflect the wielder's connection to and alignment in the Force."
"Creative."
As she walked over, Asajj asked, "Didn't Master Yoda teach you how rude it is to talk about someone behind their back?" before holding up one of her sabers, revealing a bright purple blade.
Plo asked Asajj, "What does purple represent in your case?"
"My ongoing struggle with the dark side." she answered, "the darkness will always be a part of me, but I'm not giving it power over me."
"That is a struggle I am willing to help you with should you ask."
"May I see your saber? The Jetii want to see its special feature," requested Galen before being handed the saber, the blade of which became refined, sharp, and pure white.
"Well, there you have proof Mandalore's on the light side of the Force," commented Iden.
Mando'a translations.
Mand'alor - Sole ruler of the Mandalorians.
Mando'ade - Mandalorians.
Cal'ika - Little Caleb.
Omega'ika - little Omega.
Su cuy'gar - So you're still alive.
Su'cuy - Hi.
Jate - good.
Kad'e - swords.
Jetii - Jedi.
Jetii'kad - lightsaber, sword of the Jedi.
Buir - parent.
An - all.
Ad'ika - Little one.
Cyar'ika - darling.