The Legacy of House Ordo

by Sage1988

Five souls from Earth survive its end and find themselves in a different galaxy, Harry finds himself born into House Ordo one of the most powerful Mandalorian Houses. As the chaos of the Clone Wars spreads how will he and the others fair?

17. Chapter 17 Unification Part 1

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Star Wars.

Hi there, this is easily the longest single chapter I have ever written and it was an interesting one to do so I hope you all enjoy it!

Thank you to everyone that read and reviewed the last chapter. You guys are the best!

On with the chapter...

Chapter 17 – Unification Part 1

Reijar, the Ordo System…

The Canderous followed by the Crusader-class corvette carrying the rest of their warriors flew gracefully into the small spaceport.

Ara and the children where waiting there for them with Markus and Astoria standing at their mother's side while Corridan was in her arms still being so little he couldn't really stand yet and Grahuur was standing watch nearby. His tall presence intimidating even the warriors who were close by.

The children eagerly looked up as their father's ship descended and parked itself. The moment the landing ramp descended and Haron walked out flanked by Deera and Din the children could not help themselves and ran forward.

He knelt down and caught them both in his arms and spun them around with them squealing with excitement while he laughed and told them as he pressed kisses to both their heads.

"Oh I missed you all so much!" Haron said with slight tears in his eyes as he might not be able to do this with them soon. Markus was literally sprouting up before his eyes and Astoria was not that far behind he thought sadly, wishing he had not been away so long. With the pair still in his arms he walked over to Ara who was carrying Corridan with a smile and gently Haron kissed his wife who was glad to have him home.

Grahuur looked at him with searching eyes that Haron returned, not sure about the wookiee yet but he seemed loyal enough and they gave each other a nod of acceptance. Grahuur seeing all was well went to return to the tree-house he was building for his family in the forests that surrounded the compound finding it far more to their liking than to live within the compound.

- x -

Settling into the children's playroom Haron smiled as his two oldest children showed him their toys which he indulged for them.

"This is my space ship." Markus said with all the energy of a boy of four and he started explaining all the 'adventures' he had with his ship. Haron smiled, dearly wishing he had the imagination as his son. Markus was so bright that honestly he was astounded and wondered just where he got this from.

Astoria though came up to him with her animal toys.

"These are my pets daddy." She told him in her cute little voice which honestly brought a lump to his throat as she called him that.

Daddy.

These were his children he thought again, having to remind himself that this was real and not some dream as he let Astoria tell him all their names and personalities, she was as creative as her brother Haron thought with amazement and played with them both well into the afternoon.

Corridan, not wanting to be left out of the fun crawled over to him and Haron smiled and held out his arms encouragingly and he eagerly crawled his way over so he could be with his father and siblings. They all cheered as he made it over to them and Haron lay on his back with all three of his children beside him.

- x -

Later that night once the children were finally in bed Haron caught up with Luna who surprisingly was not in the least bit angry at him not being on Coruscant any more. Instead she was only too happy to tell him of her recent adventure and how that had impacted the training of her students including Lelia who was now safely tucked up in bed.

"By building up a strong bond of friendship and trust between us all and keeping our families close we can have an anchor. Someone to help us stay balanced or help us remember what is important as long as we confide in them and learn to accept ourselves. We can now cast strong force illusions and expand the abilities we can call upon too." Luna said with excitement. Haron just smiled, seeing how delighted she was to find a more steady path through the middle of the force.

"The class are advancing so fast, Lelia especially. She has a real talent for it, when she is older she will be my star pupil. Frank meanwhile is doing so well, he is such a darling." Luna said with a genuine passion for teaching it was almost infectious.

"Then this." Haron said as he poured a glass of wine for all six of them; himself, Ara, Neville, Hannah, Luna and Deera all sat around the dinner table and shared a meal for the first time in ages. "Is a celebration of not only our achievements, but that we have come so far together as more than just friends but as a family. And there is nowhere else I would rather be right now than right here with all of you." Haron told them and they all smiled as they drank to that as they enjoyed their meal.

- x -

Deera laughed as she fell back on the bed and Zara came down on top of her, she kissed her girlfriend and their mutual passion soon took over as their tongues did battle with each other. Their hands deep in each others hair and pressing their bodies together.

"You could have come for dinner you know." Deera told her girlfriend in between kisses but Zara who sat up long enough to take her top off just said.

"Your brother might have gotten used to me but I don't want him to know just what we would be doing under the table all night." Zara told her while licking her lips. Deera laughed as she sat up to take off her own jacket and top before saying.

"You are incorrigible!" Deera said but felt her resolve weakening as Zara ran her hands over her chest.

"Only for you. God's I wish we could do this more often." Zara said before finally saying what she had wanted to say. "Will you marry me?"

Deera stopped, looking up at her with shock, not able to believe she had asked that for a moment before asking.

"Are you serious?" Zara bit her lip, her nervous tick as Deera well knew before she answered.

"Yes, I have been with all kinds of people but you are the only one that I cannot get enough of. I want to be with you, to share my life with you and be with you always regardless of what any one thinks or comes our way. So...will you marry me?" Zara said and Deera with her heart thundering in her chest before with the biggest smile she had ever made she kissed Zara with all the passion she could muster and telling her only after they broke for a quick breath.

"Yes, I'll marry you."

- x -

"I hate the fact that I have to go away again to all the other houses but as Yusagi pointed out if I want their loyalty I have to prove to them that I deserve it." Haron told Ara as they prepared for bed, she too was not happy about it as she slipped out of her clothes.

"We get you back for a few days then you have to go rushing off to visit all the other houses? Seriously I had hoped the mask would have had more impact." She said as she slipped beneath the covers.

"I think we are only getting as far as we have because of it, still given that we still have to deal with whatever clans stay loyal to Vizsla and arrange an appropriate display as I go around I think we can have a few days to ourselves." Haron said as he slipped in beside her and with one arm gently pulled her against him. She didn't resist but sighed as she leant against him.

"And if we don't take advantage of the situation someone else will. You have to go but for tonight Mr...you're mine." She said sliding on top of him, Haron leant up to kiss her but she pushed him down and put a finger to his mouth. "No..no...tonight I am in charge."

He smirked knowing he was going to enjoy this as she started rocking against him.

---

Sundari, Mandalore…

Satine exited the hover car that brought her back to her palace, her mind still disturbed deeply by the events of Coruscant and while she still remained neutral in the war, it had come at a high price.

Almec was standing there to greet her and the stormy look on his face let her know that he was already aware of what had happened. She sighed to herself as she disembarked from the car and turned to face him but before she could utter a word, he unusually spoke first.

"I hope you are happy Duchess." He told her with anger clear in his voice which was so at odds with what she had seen in the man before that was powerless to speak as he proceeded to talk sharply to her.

"You have successfully reduced the territory you controlled to one planet from a thousand in less than a day! You have gotten us beholden to the Republic and now our world is about to starve if I cannot find some way of feeding an entire planet! Your complete lack of thought and total idiocy has created a true emergency so go and attend the opera while I do the real work of fixing your mistakes. Good evening." He told her and then walked off, leaving Satine behind with the Protectors who were looking very anxious at what had been said.

Satine wanted to go after him and try to help fine some solution to this problem but her shame at creating the issue stopped her. She instead retired to her room and got ready for bed although she doubted she would get much sleep tonight.

That was assured by a swift and brutally worded letter from the other members of the Council of Neutral Systems. She read the words with resignation as she could already guess what they said.

And she was right, due to the crisis and her recent interactions with the Republic despite many members of the Council being a part of it they felt she was no longer the person they felt comfortable leading the council. They hadn't rejected her membership but now she was a mere member rather than a leader or even a leading figure thankfully though trade options were still open so she would pass those details to Almec in the hope that they might help.

Satine honestly felt at the lowest she had felt in so many years, she had been so sure that her path was the right one, that her decisions were right and now all it had blown up in her face. She could just imagine Bo's accusing eyes glaring at her and put her head in her hands with depression hitting her.

- x -

Almec meanwhile was fuming as he considered the situation Satine had put him in, wishing dearly he had just found another planet to base himself on but now he was stuck here and facing an enormous humanitarian crisis that honestly he had no idea if he could solve.

Given his limited resources he knew however of one way that might just solve the problem if he was willing to make some very seedy alliances.

So he prepared himself to talk to the Hutts and maybe other criminal cartels across the galaxy in the hopes that he could keep Mandalore afloat.

---

Krownest, the New Kleyman System...A Few Days Later

The formation of five Kom'rk-class fighter transports appeared out of hyperspace before racing faster towards the surface. On the small bridge of one Ara stood with her arms folded while the towering presence of Grahuur was at her side. She was still not used to having him constantly at her side but at least he was stoic and not afraid to drink the others warriors under the table. She smirked a little as when some of the younger warriors had questioned his ability to protect her he had shown his displeasure by making sure they remembered just how fierce a warrior wookiees could be.

When they got out of the medbay that is she thought with amusement at how easily the large wookiee had handed their asses to them.

Still she turned her focus back to the task at hand, most of Vizsla's clans had defected to other houses when the news he had been excommunicated for working for the Separatists had spread, afraid of being isolated from the rest of Mandalorian society and trade. However a few clans had remained loyal to the man and annoyingly for Ara personally at least one of them was Clan Wren.

Seeing her homeworld in this life in the viewscreen ahead made her grimace, she hated that place but since regardless of her personal feelings in this life the Wrens were her family she had to deal with this herself and force her sister to finally break away from Vizsla. According to the information that they had most of Wren's warriors were away from home with Ursa so it was only a meagre force that was guarding the place.

And she had done her homework on her sister's husband, a proud Mandalorian but was not a warrior himself. He was an artist and so wasn't as likely to fight given the forces arrayed against him but just in case he did she had brought more than enough warriors to deal with the few people they had left.

Plunging down into the atmosphere the cold, icy planet did not evoke any feeling of nostalgia for the past given how much she had hated this planet. The Mountains and forests too did nothing for her and instead she focused on the target. As the much smaller Wren compound came into view she saw a group of maybe ten warriors flying towards them so she told the pilots.

"All ships deploy our people."

"Yes Duchess." They answered and underneath each transport a door opened, lowering a rack upon which twenty four warriors sat each. The warriors activated their jet-packs and launched themselves clear of their mother ships, outnumbering the defenders by nearly ten to one.

The Wren Warriors seemed to see the great numbers arrayed against them and flew away, back down towards the compound just as Ara expected them to do. Alrich was no strategist and would try to negotiate rather than fight and even if he did try she had him badly outnumbered.

Landing on the largest strip near the stronghold that wasn't a frozen lake she walked out of the ship without her helmet which was unusual but she wanted the Wrens to see just who she was. Grahuur at her side already had his large and personalised bowcaster in hand which she admitted privately to herself was a very powerful weapon in its own right.

Their feet dug into the snow the moment they left the ship and Ara sighed before walking forward, leading her warriors to the compound. It was fortunately for them not a long one but the cold was not a problem either way. Her warriors had armour with temperate regulators built in and Grahuur thankfully had his fur to keep him warm.

No ambushes in the short walk which again proved that Alrich was no warrior she thought with a slight disdain but only because he hadn't really tried to stop them so far. The sight of the compound and around fifteen warriors between her and it was nearly a relief.

One of the warriors took aim at her but quick as a flash Grahuur had his bowcaster ready and fired a bright green bolt straight at the offender who went down with a shot to the heart. The rest of them all looked in surprise at how easily one of them had been downed before a figure on the balcony above cried out.

"Stop! There will no fighting." Alrich Wren said loudly and the warriors reluctantly lowered their weapons before holstering them. Ara's warriors moved forward and disarmed them while Ara herself with the towering presence of Grahuur beside her came face to face with Alrich.

"Ara. What are you doing here? You are not part of Clan Wren any more." Alrich said and Ara just shook her head at his boldness especially when you could see Grahuur would easily break you in half with one word from her.

"Good thing I am part of House Ordo now then. As to why I am here, that reason is two fold." Ara told him sternly which made him almost step back with her intense gaze. "First is to make sure that a rogue clan is brought into line rather than continue to support a traitor, believe me if you weren't family House Ordo would have had no trouble wiping you from the face of the galaxy but since you are I came in person to give you one last chance to rejoin Mandalorian Society." Ara told him and she could see the fear in Alrich's eyes although she knew it was not for himself but rather for the second reason she had come here.

"The second reason however is a more pleasant duty, to see my niece for the first time." Ara said and strode past Alrich without a backwards glance, Grahuur kept the man from following her while she strode into the nursery which had once been hers. In the cot nearby she saw a little girl, barely a year old with slightly tanned skin and dark hair. Ara looked down at the little girl and smiled, reminded a little of her own children who unfortunately had never had the chance to get to know their cousin.

"Hello Sabine." Ara said gently and the little girl seemed to regard her with curiosity for a moment before smiling in that adorable way babies do and thrusting out her arms, begging to be picked up.

Ara was only too happy to oblige and picked up her little niece. The little girl snuggled into her and Ara was amazed at how trusting Sabine was but gently held her and hummed a little tune for her.

Alrich was allowed into the room by Grahuur and looked in terror as his precious daughter was being held by her. His worry was unnecessary though Ara thought as she cradled the little girl. She would never hurt her own niece but since she needed to bring the errant clans into line and get her sister to stop being silly in supporting Vizsla she made a decision.

"I think that Sabine might like to meet her cousins. If Ursa wants her daughter back then she had best come to Reijar in person, make sure that she knows that and do not fear. I would never hurt my own little niece." Ara told him sweetly and Alrich visibly paled before her eyes.

"NO! YOU CAN'T!" He yelled but as he tried to run forward to try and stop her only for Grahuur to grab him by the throat and hoist him up as Ara walked right past him with Sabine in her arms. The wookiee let him go to follow his mistress and the other warriors back to the ships. The sight of the clan's future Countess in the arms of Ara nearly sent Wren's few remaining warriors into a panic but none risked a fight with the little girl right in the centre of it.

Ara returned to the ship which immediately took off the moment she and the other warriors were aboard. Grahuur gave her a look at what she had just done but she reassured him.

"She is my family so no harm will befall her, I only seek to make the other clans realise that supporting Vizsla will have consequences especially my idiotic sister. Vizsla is a traitor to his own people and I will not stand for it." She told him and he seemed unsure but accepted that as the five ships made the jump to light-speed for the return journey to Reijar.

- x -

Vizsla Camp, Unknown Location…

Pre Vizsla was in a very dark mood as he saw his support dwindle to a fraction of what it had been. The information he had exposed about Satine had the required effect but the rest of his people would not remove her, fearing a Republic invasion.

He sneered at their cowardice especially as he had an alliance with the Separatists to support them as long as he was crowned their leader! However Dooku was not taking his calls and it did not take a genius to figure out that he had been abandoned by the Sith Lord. He dearly wished to bash Dooku's head in but he had even greater problems as more than half of the clans that followed him had deserted the moment he was excommunicated by the other houses.

Excommunicated Pre thought with anger, the sheer nerve of them he fumed! He was trying to bring their people back to their true path and restore his family to their rightful place as their leader! They were content to waste away in peace he thought with disgust.

He saw Bo Katan studying him and honestly if she wasn't so useful he probably would have taken his anger out on her but he was distracted by one of his few remaining loyal warriors.

"Sir, we have an emergency priority message coming in from Krownest for Countess Wren." He told him and Pre frowned before barking out.

"Then get her here then. Why bother me with this?" He fumed and the warrior ran off to fetch the woman in question who at least had stayed loyal to him he thought. She knew her place he thought with satisfaction.

Ursa came in quickly to hear whatever the emergency was with her home, a hologram of her husband Alrich appeared looking very frightened.

"Ursa! Thank the force! I need you home right away!" He said quickly, so fast in fact that it was hard to follow what he was saying.

"Alrich, slow down. What's happening?" Ursa asked wondering just what had her normally calm husband in such a state. Alrich seemed to listen to her a little as he slowed down after taking a deep breath.

"Ara came here to Krownest with Ordo Warriors at her back!" Alrich said trying to get to the point but Ursa merely frowned.

"Ara?! She has no place coming in our family's home after she deserted her family and refusing to do her duty!" Ursa said with anger but Alrich interrupted her with the real emergency before she could go any further.

"SHE TOOK SABINE!" Alrich shouted trying to get a word in.

The atmosphere in the tent suddenly became instantly more tense as Ursa was rendered speechless and then horrified at what her husband was telling her.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP HER?" Ursa yelled at her husband who only yelled back.

"How could I when she outnumbered us ten to one and with a super strong wookiee as a bodyguard!?" Alrich shouted with anger. "She said if we want her back then you have to go to Reijar and get her yourself!"

Ursa with a cold feeling of terror in her gut at her daughter being taken as a hostage suddenly cut the link and said as she exited the tent.

"I am sorry your grace but I have to go!" Ursa said, her walk swiftly turning to a run as she made her way to her ships, her own warriors following her before taking off at a rapid pace.

Pre watched with horror throughout the day as other clan leaders in the camp were contacted by their own families who presumably had similar stories of other members of their family being taken as hostages. One by one they all left the camp in a constant exodus until finally he had only his very own warriors.

Death Watch was in the space of a day reduced to forty warriors and four ships.

Pre honestly could not contain his temper and Bo Katan and the other warriors quickly gave him space as he smashed up the empty tents in a fury.

---

Reijar, the Ordo System…

A few short hours later the ship belonging to Clan Wren exited hyperspace near Reijar and sped quickly down towards the surface. The sight of the warships in orbit did nothing to deter Ursa from going down with her warriors and fighting all the way to the surface if she had too. But the sight of fighters appearing all around them made her pause, ARC-170 heavy fighters alongside Fang-class interceptors in large numbers. Ursa gritted her teeth as a transmission from them came through.

"You will proceed to the following co-ordinates immediately and land, fail to do so and we will shoot you down." A cold male voice said and Ursa with a feeling of powerlessness told the pilot.

"Do what he says."

The pilots looked at her with a bit of hesitation before doing as she told them. The ship descended into a landing area near the compound that she presumed must belong to House Ordo and it was she thought with surprise, a considerable sized fortress. Easily the size of a town or small city on its own, on a moon that had three cities already. The ship landed and she saw a large number of Ordo Warriors present. Far too many to fight and win she thought with a grimace and so she walked out of the ship with her head held high.

Her warriors tried to form a shield around her but she dismissed it with a flick of her hand and stood forward, facing the much larger number of Ordo warriors. They too parted though as a person that honestly Ursa could have strangled with her bare hands appeared.

Her sister.

Ara she thought with annoyance was looking even better than ever, taller than her by a little and just as beautiful as their mother who she greatly resembled. Ursa herself took after their father and it had been a sticking point between them for years. Walking straight up to her though Ursa could not help herself as her anger got the better of her and she threw a punch straight at her estranged sister.

However with a speed that honestly defied the eyes Ara caught her arm and with strength that would have matched the enormous wookiee she had at her side Ara bent her arm behind her back and forced her to her knees, Wren warriors looked ready to intervene but Ordo's own people raised their weapons to deter them.

"Nice to see you too sis." Ara said with a smug smile on her face that only got Ursa more angry.

"Where is my daughter bitch!?" She yelled but Ara only raised an eyebrow as if unfazed.

"Playing with her cousins, while I try to get some sense into your head before you bring ruin down on Krownest by following that ass-hole." She told her stubborn older sister who struggled but was unable to break free. "And remember you could never best me hand to hand and I've gotten a lot better since I left." Ara warned her before letting her go.

Ursa fell forward and glared at her younger sister who honestly had always been far too aristocratic and was smirking at her.

"He is our duke! You should have been honoured to marry him." Ursa said with anger at the loss of face they had suffered due to that. Ara's face twisted with disgust.

"That creep tried to screw me before we were even engaged whether I wanted to or not and I most assuredly did not." Ara told her with burning eyes. "He openly betrays his own people by siding with the same arsehole that orders attacks on Mandalorian colonies and would be quite content to be his puppet leader! Honestly if you can defend that then you are honestly a fucking moron!" Ara told her and Ursa found herself eager to argue but to be honest she could hardly deny what her sister was saying.

"We need a strong leader of Mandalore. Pre..." She started to say but Ara interrupted her.

"Pre is a tool! A prideful son of bitch that will only bring ruin to us! While he has been sucking at the Sith's cock for a tiny bit of power we have been doing the real work of building up the people and to be honest if I didn't want to deprive Sabine of her mother then you would have been shot down while I raised her myself! Be grateful that I do have some loyalty to family because you never had any to me!" Ara told her sharply and walked off followed by her Wookiee who created a truly intimidating presence.

Ursa looked around and saw plenty of looks of disgust being aimed her way by the Ordo warriors which given their numbers and their reputation for being tough made her feel very exposed. She got up and told her warriors to wait there before going into the compound.

The knowledge that Ara had been prepared to shoot her down was alarming but the fact her daughter was nearby didn't let her dwell on it. She followed Ara until they finally reached some kind of play room which had a two way mirror observation window.

Her breath was stolen by the sight of her daughter, bring a smile of relief to her face as she saw her brilliant little girl sitting there playing with three other children, two older children helping her with blocks and the fact the girl looked so much like a younger Ara only made her realise these were her nephews and niece she was seeing for the first time.

Ursa knew they were family but she wasn't sure if she could accept them as that yet. She turned to Ara who was looking at the children with a smile on her face and asked bitterly.

"So what happens now?" Ursa asked knowing there was no way she was going to simply be able to take her daughter and leave. Ara turned to face her and the smile disappeared.

"You find another house to serve, not mine since I know your pride won't allow it but you leave Vizsla and join with a new house. Be a part of society because if you don't then this girl will never have the right to wear the armour nor the boy you're carrying." Ara said calmly.

Ursa froze with fear and shock, how the hell did Ara know she was pregnant again? She hadn't even told Alrich yet or that she was having a boy?

Honestly she had always been a little afraid of her younger sister, she always seemed to know just what was going on or what you were thinking. Never had anyone ever lied to her without getting caught. And now Ursa was starting to realise that if anything her time away had only made Ara more capable and dangerous. So much so that Ursa decided to take her advice for the first time.

"I will swear us to House Farr but don't expect any play dates any time soon." Ursa said with a scowl but Ara only smiled which just riled her up more since she knew her little sister had gotten what she wanted. She even said.

"I expected as much."

- x -

With the clans of Vizsla now dealt with and Sabine now back on her way back to Krownest with her mother there was the matter of Deera and Zara who regardless of Deera's rank and position decided to not only get married but do so in a quick wedding with only close friends and invited family. As Neville, Luna, Hannah, Ara and the children waited inside with Zara and the registrar, Haron stood with Deera outside. All had forgone any formal wear and were getting married in their armour.

Haron meanwhile as Deera's brother was taking the role of father of the bride and giving Deera away. Honestly he was unable to believe this was actually happening, that his little sister was getting married. He turned to her with a serious face, worried she was in over her head but not going to treat her like a child.

"Are you sure about this?" He asked her and with a smile she told him.

"More sure than I have ever been in my whole life about anything. I love her and she loves me."

Haron smiled a little, seeing how deeply his little sister cared for Zara and promised to himself not to interfere but also swearing that if Zara hurt Deera there wouldn't be a hole deep enough for her to hide in.

However just before they could open the door and walk inside a guard came to them, followed by a familiar blonde.

"Vysa? A little warning you were coming would be nice." Haron said with a surprise as their other sister appeared. She was he noticed feeling more nervous than she was trying to look.

"I just thought I might...visit." She said and he and Deera studied her for a moment before she finally admitted the reason for her visit.

"I just wanted to see where my mother came from and...learn a bit more about...our family." Vysa admitted with some reluctance but they could both feel that her desire was genuine.

"Well then, you arrived just in time to be a guest at my wedding." Deera said with a small smile for her sister who blinked and honestly said.

"Shit I didn't mean to intrude." Vysa said, feeling very self-conscious that she had burst in at such a moment but Deera, not letting her flee grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to her left side while Haron held her right with a smile.

"Come on then." Haron said before opening the door and dragging a very self-conscious Vysa through the door, Haron and Deera made their appearance and despite the surprise of Vysa being there they all accepted it and watched as accompanied by her siblings walked up to Zara who was honestly more starstruck than she had ever been before at the sight of her wife-to-be coming towards her.

As the registrar gave the couple their vows everyone looked on with happiness as Deera had at last found her happiness. Luna who was sitting with Lelia and Din and the last free woman there was smiling too. She did wish sometimes for a partner of her own but so far she had found no-one that really got to her on that level.

As the vows were finished and Deera and Zara formally became a couple, all of them applauded even Vysa awkwardly. While the married couple disappeared to celebrate their wedding night Vysa found herself being presented to the rest of Ordo's inner circle.

"Vysa, this is Neville, Hannah, Luna and my wife Ara. Then we have our ward Din." He told her, each of them shaking her hand while she nervously looked around, wishing for a moment that she had chosen another time to get curious about her family and culture.

"You're my big sister like Deera aren't you?" Lelia said, coming up to them. The brave six year old smiling at Vysa who was at a loss in how to deal with her youngest sibling who was smiling that young toothy grin at her, not having any experience with children. Vysa with an encouraging look from Haron knelt down so they were on the same level and said.

"Yeah, I guess I am." She said with a nervous smile only to be surprised when Lelia threw her arms around her and gave her a hug. Not sure what to do Vysa just put an arm around her and hugged her awkwardly.

Markus and Astoria wandered up too, not sure of this woman that looked so much like their aunt and was apparently although neither of them had seen her before now. Ara walked up to them and with Corridan in her arms prevented them from walking any closer with a concerned look on her face. Not sure if she could be trusted just yet.

- x -

Neville and Hannah later that night after putting Frank to bed discussed it as they prepared for bed themselves.

"She seems nice enough." Hannah said with a shrug, not sure of this new woman that had crept into their lives. Neville being a little more cynical than her just said.

"I still don't trust her, could just be hoping for a place to hide after a crime for all we know." Neville suggested to his wife who was now stripping down and lay on the bed suggestively.

"Maybe but she's Harry's problem. Now come here." She said with a suggestive smirk on her face and with her finger made a beckoning movement and Neville, eager for a night's pleasure with his wife did not need any encouragement.

- x -

Ara meanwhile was with her children, watching the newcomer with suspicion. Vysa likewise was sitting there watching her with fear, not used to having such a stern and powerful gaze levelled against her.

"I understand you want to know about your family." Ara said eventually. "That's fine but I won't tolerate any threat to my children. Do you understand?" Ara asked her coldly.

"You're a bitch. But yeah I understand." Vysa said with a sarcastic voice but quiet enough that the children didn't hear her swearing. Ara studied her both with her eyes and with the force. Seeing she was at least being honest she nodded and they both waited in silence while the children played before putting them to bed, unaware of the tension between the two women.

When Haron finally came back it was a blessed relief from all the tension and he came over and kissed his wife and children before taking Vysa out of the room.

"Your wife is scary." Vysa said with a frown on her face but Haron only smiled before telling her.

"Ara is one of the most bad-ass women I have ever known, in good company with yourself and Deera." He said with a glint in his eye knowing he had been lucky with the women in his life so far. Vysa did he felt take some pride in being called that. "But you will never find a more loving mother, stronger warrior, smarter administrator, caring wife and loyal friend. Once you spend time with her, she will get used to you." He reassured her but she looked unconvinced.

"Yeah, I am not sure about that." She said with a disbelieving voice before they arrived in a room filled with holoprojectors and she promptly changed the subject, not wanting to think about the uphill battle she was likely facing there. "So what the fuck is this place?" Vysa asked.

"A teaching room we use for the younger children but if you want to learn your heritage this is the best place to do it. So are you ready?" Haron asked her and she looked at him with annoyance.

"Yeah just get on with it." She said and Haron kept on smiling before activating the room.

The lights dimmed and a holographic environment was created around them. An image of a man in Neo-Crusader style armour appeared, fighting with a large blaster repeater against different alien species.

"Since you're new to this we will start at the beginning with the man that started us on the road to where we are now...Canderous Ordo, our ancestor." Haron said as she looked at the man just cutting through those he was fighting like wheat with awe. "He came from a world named Ordo, a barren world that had little to its name but the hard people that came from there like him. During the Mandalorian Wars Canderous proved himself a capable warrior with a mind for tactics and leadership, riding his Basilisk War Droid into battle." Haron told her as the images changed, showing the man in question riding his war droid into battle against the Republic and cutting them down.

Vysa stared at the holograms with amazement as Haron continued.

"He fought for his Mandalore till the Battle of Malachor 5 where he and the rest of our people were beaten by the forces of Revan and Meetra Surik." Haron told her showing holographic recreations of those events. "He was forced to watch as all their weapons, droids and ships were smashed before he wandered the galaxy, seeking work as a mercenary."

They both watched as the now armour-less Canderous acted as hired muscle for crime syndicates before finally arriving on Taris.

"While working for the Exchange though, he met up with Revan again. Together they escaped the destruction of Taris. Then he accompanied him to all the other worlds in search of the Star Forge to stop the Sith from taking over the galaxy." Haron explained as the image showed Canderous meeting and joining forces with Revan as they travelled across the galaxy, fighting all kinds of enemies till finally together they defeated the Sith at the Battle of the Star Forge.

Vysa, Haron noticed was looking a little surprised that she had such an important ancestor but Haron knew they were only getting started.

"After this he followed Revan for a while till they parted company for the last time, but before he did that Revan gave him the Mask of the Mandalore and told him that he must restore the Mandalorian people for the wars to come." Haron told them as a recreation of the event appeared before them. "And that is what he did."

"He travelled the galaxy and unified all the Mandalorians who were lost and displaced by the war. Forming new clans and houses that exist even to this day. He led them against the Sith before taking his people and delved into unknown space where he found this world and others and settled his people here. He founded this moon as his family's future home before going on to unite much of the Mandalorian people before his death." Haron explained, the hologram showing the founding of the very compound they were standing in now.

"But our legacy continued. Throughout the centuries that followed House Ordo prospered, rising in numbers and in power. We served the Sith as mercenaries before finally aiding the Order of Revan and becoming involved in the Galactic War that followed the Cold War. They joined the resistance against the Eternal Empire before becoming a part of the government of Mandalore the Avenger and the Eternal Alliance, fighting alongside the Jedi and the Republic in the Third Galactic War." Haron told him.

She listened wide eyed as he showed her the different people House Ordo had produced throughout the centuries all the way to the present day. Finally closing down the teaching room's history program Haron turned to Vysa who was looking a little stunned at the family history she was a part of. Haron guided her out of the room and asked her.

"Any other questions?"

She seemed to take a moment to organise her thoughts before telling him.

"Yeah only about a million."

Haron smiled as he led her down towards the yard.

"Then I will answer them as best I can. I will be leaving to visit all the Mandalorian houses soon, come with me and any other questions you might have I will do my best to answer them." Haron offered.

Vysa was shocked and finding it hard to believe that he would want her along when he met the other houses.

"Won't they ask questions...you know about me? Won't that cause you problems?" She asked confused and he just smiled.

"If it was going too then they aren't worth being allies with in the first place." Haron said with a smile. "I am not going to ignore or hide you, you are my sister and a member of this family. If anyone has a problem with that...well in your colourful language...fuck them." Haron told her with a smile.

Vysa honestly was shocked and even felt herself tearing up a little although she would never admit it. She couldn't believe he was willing to jeopardise his chance at becoming Mandalore...over her? She thought with disbelief, no one had ever taken that kind of risk on her behalf before and honestly she was more touched than she could ever put into words.

She only managed to punch him in the shoulder but smiled while she was doing it. He just kept smiling that same stupid grin which only made her feel even more emotional.

---

Republic Military Command, Coruscant…

The Republic Military Command Centre which for now was still located in the Senate Building till the new headquarters could be finished was in a state of complete chaos.

It seemed like what had been a certain victory was now almost flipped into a growing sense of defeat as not only had all present campaigns stalled but the Separatists had mounted an enormous multi pronged assault on the Republic. A massive wave of droids washed over Republic worlds without end it seemed.

Worse with Duke Ordo gone no-one was really directing the Republic's military strategy any more and Senators were using political capital to instigate campaigns for their own benefit which stretched the clone army even further.

"I know the situation is grim but we are deploying more Jedi to lead on the front lines. So the situation should begin stabilizing soon." Mace Windu said in the command conference but the senators who had included themselves in the meeting scoffed while Admiral Tarkin said with a cold dismissal.

"Yet it doesn't seem to be having much of an effect. Need I remind everyone present that of the different fronts the Jedi have been leading all but a few are collapsing. I think that Duke Ordo was right to selective over just who gets a military position." Admiral Tarkin said with a glance of dismissal. Ki-Adi-Mundi who was attending the meeting with his senior colleague on the Council took immediate offence.

"The Jedi Order have been serving the Republic for thousands of years! We are quite capable of defending it in this war." He said with arrogance to Tarkin who coldly dismissed his statement.

"The results say otherwise, many previously promising campaigns are being lost over the Jedi's inability to lead and conduct this war in a competent manner. Perhaps your order is becoming obsolete and outdated in the current age. Now gentlemen if you excuse me I must attend to a struggle on Haalgar." Tarkin said and walked out the room with his head held high, leaving the Jedi standing there with proverbial egg on their faces and many senators talking among themselves about what Tarkin said.

- x -

The Jedi Temple, Coruscant…

Yoda grimaced as notifications of more Jedi casualties came in from the different fronts, stabbing at his heart over yet more Jedi being lost in this war and not just knights and masters but padawans whose careers had been so full of promise and now it was snuffed out before their time.

He wanted to pull as many back from the front lines as possible and in fact had done so but the Council was fighting his decision leaving him feeling very old and that the Jedi Order was dooming itself with its own pride.

So much potential...squandered Yoda thought sadly.

Which made his efforts to prepare for the worst all the more important he thought, doing his best to reassure himself that he was doing what he could to safeguard the Order's future. Master Sabla was doing her best to copy the different holocrons in the vault but it was slow going and his secret group was currently on the planet Hoth which was isolated and remote enough to easily hide a Jedi Sanctuary if not the most comfortable place Yoda thought knowing how cold that planet was.

But he was starting to believe it was not enough, hence why he had a request to make of the latest member of the Returned as they were becoming known.

He found her in the Room of a Thousand Fountains, meditating in the peaceful setting. Yoda smiled as he made his way towards her. She seemed to sense him and opened her quite enchanting blue eyes and smiled at the sight of her saviour.

"Master Yoda." She said with her smooth and almost musical accent. He nodded kindly at the younger woman who was strangely in a way even older than he was.

"Master Morne. Hope prepared you are for your trip? Hmm? To go home?" Yoda asked her and she smiled sadly.

"Home. The Ossus I knew was lost a long time ago Master Yoda but to see if it has started to recover from the Cron Disaster is worth a trip no matter what I find. Not to mention if it has begun to recover then perhaps it might be usable as a Jedi Sanctuary again. Either way, we won't know until we go there." Celeste said with a hopeful look in her eye.

Yoda smiled, he had found a team of Jedi to go with her to Ossus in secret and see if it was suitable to be a home to the Jedi Order again.

---

Keller Major, the Outer Rim…

The planet of Keller Major was a vital transport link in moving military equipment and supplies around the battlefields of the Outer Rim and was a position that the Republic could not afford to lose given the current situation especially. To that end the Republic had sent the one general they had who they could count on to deliver victory.

Anakin was as usual leading his troops from the front. His blue lightsaber blazing away as it cut through droids left, right and centre while Ahsoka at his side could barely keep up with her master as he cut his way through the battlefield. Behind them Rex led the clones as they fought the droids with his usual calm and unbreakable confidence.

However a potential problem appeared as the leader of the attack appeared before them.

"Ventress." Anakin said with irritation at the woman's presence. The Dathomiri woman smirked at his anger and said with a smirk as the droids advanced around them.

"Skywalker and his brat. Oh I am going to enjoy this." She said with a smirk while Anakin told Ahsoka.

"Take care of the droids snips. I will handle her." Ahsoka looked like she was going to argue but looking around at the situation she nodded reluctantly and said.

"Yes master." Before going back to cutting down droids.

"Got her so well trained haven't you. It's almost cute, by the way nice armour. Not that it will help you." Asajj said with a cruel smirk, taking a moment to admire his new armour before leaping forward with her twin red lightsabers already lit. Anakin rather than meet her head on though like he might have done before leapt slightly to the side so the strike missed easily before force pushing Ventress hard to the right.

Her eyes widened at the change to their routine and even more so as she was blasted straight off her feet and into a group of B2 droids, she felt the pain in her right arm as it was at best bruised from the hard impact. Staggering to her feet quickly she was met with a blue lightsaber straight in her face which she barely managed to block as Skywalker was on her so fast she could barely keep up with him. She could feel the light and dark sides of the force surging like a storm inside him which was directing all its fury at her. She tried to grab him in a force choke but she felt his own force wall resist the attack in a way she had never seen before.

Sweat was running down her face from the effort and was struggling to understand just how in the hell Skywalker had become so much more powerful in such a short space of time. She was actually becoming scared as she felt the blade of his lightsaber nearly take her head off if she had not managed to step back at the precise moment.

Seeing this duel was going nothing like she had expected and worse that the brat and the clones were now advancing on their position she called out to her droids.

"Shoot him now."

The B2s all turned and started shooting at Skywalker who leapt backwards and began to deflect the blaster fire while the brat came up with the clones behind her to protect Skywalker. Asajj used this as an opportunity to escape and ran for her ship knowing her master was not going to be pleased about this.

- x -

Anakin saw Ventress escape much to his own frustration but also the retreat of the Separatists which made him sigh in relief. This was the second campaign in a week and he was not sure when he and his forces were going to get an opportunity to rest. With all the fighting across the galaxy he had no idea just where they were being sent next.

"Master, are you okay?" Ahsoka asked seeing the dark look cross his face before he made an effort to smile and told her.

"Fine snips. Just wondering where we are going to be sent next." Anakin said with a slight weariness in his voice. A beeping on his comm link seemed almost like fate was answering his question and with a tired sigh.

"Speaking of which." Anakin said before activating it and a hologram of the Chancellor appeared before him and Ahsoka.

"Anakin, I assume you have managed to drive off the Separatists on Keller Major?" Palpatine asked and Anakin nodded.

"Indeed, they are in full retreat."

"Excellent, as always of course." Palpatine said with a smile but then told him. "Unfortunately I have just discovered a large Separatist taskforce led by none other than Nute Gunray himself is heading towards Naboo with the intention of invading again. I have diverted Master Kenobi and his 212th Attack Battlion and four Victory-class Star Destroyers but it will not be enough so I need you to take what forces you have and go join its defence. Senator Amidala has already returned home to help co-ordinate defences." Palpatine said.

The mention of Padmé being there was enough to get Anakin on it straight away but he managed to avoid rushing off and told the Chancellor.

"We will depart for Naboo immediately Chancellor." Anakin said and Palpatine nodded before closing the transmission. Anakin turned to Ahsoka and Rex and told them.

"No time to rest we need to get to Naboo straight away."

"Yes sir, but the men need some down time soon. Even we clones get tired sir." Rex said and Anakin nodded.

"I know the feeling Rex but we are needed at Naboo."

"Yes General." Rex said tired but Ahsoka was more vocal about her own worries.

"Master, the clones are getting real tired. They really need some down time!" Ahsoka said and Anakin nodded sadly.

"I know Ahsoka but we all do but until this Separatist push is blunted that isn't going to happen." Anakin told her. "At least they can rest on the way to Naboo, in the meantime though we're going to craft you some force armour." He told her.

Ahsoka blinked before suddenly becoming excited.

"Really like yours?" She asked him, having loved the force armour her master had crafted with Master Tuwan and now her master offering to help her craft her own.

"It will be shaped to your requirements but it might be like mine, we'll see." Anakin said before walking with her to the gunship that would return them to the Resolute.

- x -

As the ships raced towards Naboo, Anakin and Ahsoka both sat cross-legged in the middle of an empty room with a pile of materials and cloth between them.

"Now, first thing you need to remember is that with the Force anything is possible. You have to let go of what you believe is possible and let the force guide you to where you need to be. Now close your eyes and let the force flow through you. Let the image of the armour form in your mind." Anakin told her, now being the mentor rather than the student, guiding Ahsoka as Tuwan had guided him.

The force began to build in the room as with his guidance Ahsoka let the force flow from her to the materials in front of her.

"Let all your emotions and thoughts flow free, hold nothing back so the armour can be truly be yours and in tune with the person you are." Anakin told her gently. The two sat there for hours as the materials were shaped by the force between them. Ahsoka had never delved so deeply into the force before and the incredible sensations and sheer power of it was both humbling and awe inspiring as she considered just how small they all were compared to the force and how much about it they still had to learn.

Finally though, just as over half a day had passed they opened their eyes and Ahsoka saw just what she had created.

It was a clearly a combat outfit that was tight fitting but flexible enough that Ahsoka would be able to move easily, it had a tunic without sleeves in dark orange and crimson with golden trimmings as were the leggings that came with it. Gauntlets and boots which rose to her knees with similar colours lay next to them but had grey armour plates covering them.

Ahsoka was wide eyed as she picked up what she had created and looked at them with awe as she felt the force inside them. She quickly changed into the new outfit and smiled with amazement as she felt in heighten her connection to the force and how well it fitted her yet was so comfortable.

"I guess you are a fan of Satele Shan?" Anakin asked with amusement as he realised that despite some differences in colour Ahsoka's force armour greatly resembled the outfit that the legendary Grand Master was known for wearing. Ahsoka blushed a little before saying.

"When I was a youngling in the temple she was one of my favourites. I always dreamed I could be like her."

Anakin smiled, never having known that about her but was glad to. Ahsoka had quickly become one of the most important figures in his life and he was glad to have her with him and share with her all he knew. Checking the chrono he saw that they still had a few hours before their arrival on Naboo he told her.

"Let's get something to eat and then we'll do some sparring to see how well that new armour of yours handles." He told her and she smiled, eager to test it out.

---

Reijar, Ordo System…

Haron sighed as he prepared himself to welcome Duke Ijaa Yusagi who would soon be joining him for the expedition to visit all the other houses. All the clans were sending a group of their warriors to bolster the procession and to impress them with Ordo's power a small squadron so ships would be used rather than just one.

He knew the importance of this but it was still annoying to have to leave home once again when he had only just got back and he was going to miss more of his children growing up. That infuriated him more than anything. He wanted to punch the wall with frustration but restrained himself so he didn't end up breaking his hand.

While he waited for the older Duke to arrive Haron went to check the notifications from his stock portfolio. All his investments were doing well he saw with satisfaction especially those that benefited from military contracts like Incom and Koensayr. Incom especially was doing very well as Republic Special Forces were starting to use the U-Wing while orders for the ARC-170 and the Z-95 Headhunter were rising with the need to increase and replace equipment during the rising war.

He read into Incom's notifications and saw they were apparently with the increased capital starting a new project that would apparently combine the best elements of the two other fighter designs, so far not much about it had been done yet it was only known as the 'X' project.

Haron smiled as he saw profits rising but also sent a request to Ordo's own design team for a possible conversion of the U-Wing. While it was a very decent gunship it might be useful in another capacity if the aft compartment was converted and a hatch put in the front for the pilots. This way the aft compartment could be turned into a bomb bay if a ventral door was put in underneath it to drop them through.

Or alternatively they could put in two forward missile/torpedo launchers connected to a magazine at the back. Both would give their forces a dedicated bomber which could move in space and atmosphere at considerable speed and with good protection. However to produce the amount of parts the hidden and public shipyards were going to need to get them ready within two years Haron was going to have to order the use of the factories on Iokath. Hostile droids were still very high in number around there which was why they hadn't been willing to do it before now but with the Skytroopers now being constructed along with the worker droids they had the means to defend the workers and clear out those areas. This would also be a big help in getting the Dreadnaughts refitted into usable condition.

He shut down the terminal and making sure his armour was in order he left the room to head down to the landing strip where the other Duke was soon to arrive.

Seeing the procession standing there to greet Ijaa Haron caught the eyes of the different leaders present, many from his own clans like Lom Caldera and Jor Vortena who was leading their new warriors from Zakuul. They looked the part of Mandalorians at least Haron thought with a smile, wearing their armour well. It was even partly beskar as an asteroid with a small vein of it had been discovered in the Zakuul system. Not a huge load but enough to give at least some of their warriors good quality armour even if it wasn't the best. He had a team of experts tracking the asteroid in the hopes they might find more but he was doubtful.

Giving each of the unit leaders from each of the clans a nod of greeting he was rewarded with looks of awe when two of the new Basilisk war droids lumbered into view to form part of the honour guard.

Looking at them Haron was proud of the work the scientists had done, making a mental note to ensure they were duly rewarded for their hard work. The droids not only carried all the equipment the old ones like the heavy armour, mechanical claws, shock-wave generator rods, rapid fire laser cannons, thrusters for flight and strong sensor clusters but his engineers had added micro-missile/grenade launchers and a deployable defence shield.

The assembled warriors look looked at them in awe and Haron smiled at their enjoyment, they would he hoped be a good way to impress the other houses.

The honour guard came to attention as the gunship carrying the duke descended and landed on the field. The landing ramp dropped and Duke Ijaa Yusagi stepped out followed by a group of his warriors in their Samurai themed armour. Haron and his warriors bowed to greet them, Ijaa and his warriors bowed in return.

"Welcome Duke Yusagi, thank you for your offer to accompany us on our journey." Haron told him as the man approached, both wearing their helmets as was the custom. Ijaa took his off and Haron did the same before Ijaa spoke.

"My role here Duke Ordo is to see for myself if you are the one to lead us. I and the others will have tasks or tests for you to perform so you can prove yourself to us. It will not be easy nor will that mask get you half as far as you expect." Ijaa said, Haron despite the words was not fazed and told Duke Ijaa.

"I was already expecting that, you might be more aware of all the other houses and their practices than I but I am not that ignorant. Just as I know you expect me to carry out your house's tradition of creating a beskad albeit without actual beskar since it is so rare." Haron told him.

Ijaa looked at him without anger but with judgemental eyes, assessing his worth and commitment before nodding in acceptance.

"Then perhaps you might succeed. What material are you going to make your blade out of?" He asked him sternly.

"Since I have faced lightsaber wielding opponents in the past and well may need to in the future, I have decided to create my beskad sword out of phrik as a substitute to beskar." Haron told him and Ijaa looked surprised but intrigued as phrik was very expensive but perhaps even more durable than beskar itself. It was also relatively easy to shape into what shape you wanted and more accessible.

"Then I will enjoy watching you complete the process, if I might ask though just what ship will we be travelling in? If it is to be in the transports we will need many of them for such a number of people." He said looking at over the warriors although his eyes were drawn to the Basilisks. He smiled a little at that.

"Since this will be a long journey and we have no real idea of just what tasks might have to be completed we will be taking one of the best ships House Ordo has. Allow me to show you since it is waiting in orbit." Haron said as he walked over to his ship, smirking as he knew Ijaa would not be expecting this.

The transport took off, followed shortly after by other transports carrying the rest of the procession led by Haron's own ship.

Haron standing in the cockpit of the ship saw the large Lucrehulk in the distance, flanked by two of the Dreadnaughts and four Crusader-class corvettes. The Lucrehulk had the dark green paint job that identified it as House Ordo's and was in fact the first they had captured during the Separatist raids.

The transports flew into its enormous hanger bay were lines of other transports sat alongside ARC-170s, Fang-class Interceptors and Y-Wings. A freshly built sister ship to the Ordo's Revenge, the Star Chaser was sat in there too in case a cloaking device was needed.

Mandalorian personnel milled around all the ships to ensure they were maintained and ready to go.

As they disembarked from their transports Ijaa looked around having never been inside one of these massive ships before and nodded in approval.

"Good, showing what you and your family have taken is a statement of strength. They will take you more seriously now." Ijaa said with a neutral voice.

Din and Vysa who had been already aboard preparing for their departure walked up to them. Din, being well trained in protocol by now bowed in greeting while Vysa who was still unsure if she should come awkwardly did the same.

"Duke Yusagi, allow me to introduce my ward Din Djarin who you have already met and my half sister Vysa Mortegsen." Haron said with pride. Din quietly received a slight bow in turn from the old duke before Ijaa turned to Vysa with questioning eyes.

"I was unaware you had another sister. I was aware only of the other two." Ijaa said and Vysa's eyes widened with nerves as she considered just what the hell she was supposed to say before Haron did what she had not expected and told the unvarnished truth.

"She is the daughter of my father's mistress." He said sadly before reaching over and taking her hand to give it a slight squeeze in reassurance. "My father was as you know broke many of the tenets of our people and banished Vysa's mother from our home before she was born to try and cover his shame. We only learned of each other recently but I already consider her a member of my family and will be honoured when she is ready to do the same." Haron said with a kind smile that Vysa thankfully returned while looking at the Duke with worried eyes. Normally she wouldn't care what he thought but was worried that Haron might suffer if he did not like what he heard.

Ijaa after considering them all for a moment however nodded in approval.

"Then you are both far better people than he was and young Din is lucky to have you. This journey promises to be an educational one." He told him. "Now let us create your sword."

Haron nodded while both Vysa and Din looked a little proud of themselves and relaxed as the stern Duke gave them his unofficial blessing.

---

Naboo Orbit, Naboo System…

Anakin's three Venator-class Star Destroyers dropped out of hyperspace near the beautiful and peaceful world of Naboo. Already in orbit were two other Venator-class vessels alongside four Victory-class Star Destroyers in formation.

From the bridge of his star destroyer Anakin watched with Ahsoka, Rex and Captain Pellaeon at his side.

"Sir, incoming transmission from the Negotiator, its General Kenobi and Senator Amidala." An officer said and Anakin and the rest of his people turned to face a hologram of Padmé and Obi-Wan which appeared on the bridge. The sight of his wife made Anakin smile but fortunately no one realised just why he was smiling.

"Anakin. Thank goodness." Padmé said with a smile on her face too before unfortunately they became all business.

"Nute Gunray's fleet will be here within a day and our numbers will just about match his." Obi-Wan said trying to get to the matter at hand.

"Then it will be a battle of skill. Something we have way more of than that slime ball." Ahsoka said with a confident smile, wishing it was a ground battle so she could try out her new armour.

"No battle is certain Commander but it is true we have the edge in skill." Captain Pellaeon said with a slight smirk.

"Well put Captain. May the Force be with us." Obi-Wan said before cutting the transmission and Anakin turned to Rex.

"Best get out pilots ready Rex. This is going to be a tough one." Anakin told him, Rex the loyal soldier obeyed without question.

- x -

Three Hours Later…

Formations of ARC-170s, Y-Wings and Z-95 Headhunters held in front of their mother ships as they all prepared for battle. Leading the squadrons was Anakin himself in his Delta 7B while Ahsoka flew at his side.

Obi-Wan stood on the bridge of his flagship and braced himself for the arrival of the Separatists.

Soon the waiting was over.

A Lucrehulk led the taskforce with frigates and destroyers around it. Droid fighters filled the air as both sides massed for battle. Nute Gunray on the throne of the command ship sneered as he considered the revenge he was about to inflict on the Naboo for his humiliation. The fact there were more ships defending the planet meant nothing to him and he told the droids.

"Attack."

The droids surged forward without any hesitation, the Republic fighters and capital ships immediately opened fire.

Anakin engaged his engines to full and dived straight into the fray followed by Ahsoka and the rest of his pilots. His hand never moving off the control stick and keeping a near constant pressure on the trigger for his blasters given how many droid fighters there were around.

Drawing deeper on the force he felt it guiding his hand and helping him know just when to turn, when to dive, to roll and when to fire. Time itself seemed to slow down as the whole battle unfolded before him. Ahsoka while not as skilled a pilot as her master nor as powerful did the same thing with similar results.

But through their bond, strengthening with each day and mission they spent together something was happening. The two slipped deeper into the force and their reflexes seemed to grow even better and their minds thought as one. Their presence in the force surging as their powers combined and enhanced each other.

The other fighters were too busy to really notice it just yet but the two of them began moving together in a near perfect harmony, dancing through the enemy formations with lethal precision.

For a moment there was no Anakin or Ahsoka, they were one person fighting in two bodies, tearing their way across the battlefield.

Obi-Wan, from the bridge of his command ship sensed what was happened and honestly raised an eyebrow in sheer surprise. His master had spoken of this when they had talked of the ancient Jedi and their exploits and abilities. He had not truly believed it existed but his master had assured him it did.

Anakin and Ahsoka had achieved a force meld.

Obi-Wan for once in his life was speechless, he had never thought to see it but this type of bond was indicative of a supreme level of trust and caring about each other not to mention a high level of skill in the force. That Anakin and Ahsoka had come so far they could do it...it was he thought with pride in them humbling. Fighting so closely together that they were able to strengthen each other in a personal sense and through the force.

He smiled, proud of both of them for managing this however dangerous he felt attachments could be but then again he thought with a smirk who was he to talk?

With Anakin and Ahsoka creating an opening the bombers rushed forward and started strafing runs on destroyers and frigates. Proton torpedoes slammed into the fragile structures of the Separatist support ships while the Victorys used their powerful turbolasters to start hitting the Lucrehulk at long range.

Nute Gunray watched with his own rage building as his ships advance was halted and the Republic began to press against him when the ship's captain reported.

"Shields are failing, all ships full retreat!" The ship's captain said and Gunray sneered with anger at his revenge being snatched from his grasp by the same pair of Jedi and the Senator again!

- x -

"A full retreat sir! They're gone!" A clone lieutenant cried out with triumph which was echoed by the other clones on the bridge as they witnessed the Separatist ships jump to hyperspace.

Obi-Wan smiled with the victory, glad at least one world was being spared the Separatist onslaught today.

A short while later when all the fighters had returned Anakin and Ahsoka stood with him, Padmé, Pellaeon and Rex on the bridge it was amusing.

"We did what?" Anakin and Ahsoka said together, still not sure of what had happened out there but knowing it had been perhaps one of their most incredible moments.

"Its known as a Force Meld." Obi-Wan said with a smile as it seemed the two of them were struggling to separate themselves and were now speaking it tandem with each other. "A force bond that connects you both so you can move and fight as one, don't worry it will ease with a bit of separation." He told them amused.

"I did not know the Jedi could do such things...impressive." Captain Pellaeon said while Rex was trying to hide his own amusement at the pair of Jedi he served with.

"It is very rare but yes, such things are possible. However now that Naboo is safe I have something to tell you." Obi-Wan said becoming serious. "Give the situation across the galaxy the Council feels that having a powerful unit to support key campaigns already ongoing may alleviate the pressure on the Republic. So my Battalion will be working alongside the 501st Legion and our fleets merged with each other and Victory Squadron. Captain Pellaeon will be promoted to Admiral to command the force and we will move around the galaxy to support other fronts." Obi-Wan explained to them.

Pellaeon looked very surprised at his sudden promotion but did feel a bit of pride at that while Anakin and Ahsoka were at least glad that Obi-Wan was who they would be working with. However Anakin was now concerned as he was about to teach Ahsoka how to expand the range of her emotions that she could use to strengthen her and her connection to the force. Including her more negative feelings.

Obi-Wan he realised would likely sense it and intervene which to be honest was the last thing Anakin wanted as he knew he would not understand. He would continue to train her regardless but it was not exactly ideal and he could only hope to hide it from Obi-Wan.

---

Aakka Orr, Outer Rim Territories…

Aakka Orr was a moon in orbit of a gas giant, it was rocky and difficult to live there but it was home to a small colony of humans who wanted to live in peace from most galactic affairs while trading some of the minerals they discovered there for supplies.

However the Clone Wars had cut the small colony off from the larger galaxy and it was struggle to feed themselves with little to no trade. The people were starving and had no real hope of managing on their own.

Until Kerra Holt had arrived.

"Akka Pii." She said pointing on a diagram of the star system, specifically another of the moons. "That is the answer."

"How? Its completely covered in water even if its the only other moon with a breathable atmosphere." The Colony Administrator said with a dismissive voice. Keera wished he would learn to actually think about his problems rather than just have a single track mind but she pushed her impatience with him aside and continued talking.

"But it is also teeming with sea life and certain areas are rife with vegetation under the water. If we modify some of your mining machines to be water tight they could gather the food from there, I can show you how and with it you wouldn't need to trade so much for food." Kerra told the gathered crowd who all shared looks of doubtfulness and then eventually hope as she showed them how to feed themselves.

She had found her fellow Jedi did little of this she thought with disapproval, helping people and very rarely in the Outer Rim for worlds not part of the Republic. She frowned at their apathy to the people they were sworn to help, how political the Jedi had become and neutered in doing the sort of work they should be doing around the galaxy.

Just as well she was doing something she supposed.

Some people needed help finding ways to sustain themselves, some needed to be protected and/or learn to protect themselves. So merely needed a mediator or someone to speak on their behalf.

Not all of these roles were things she was particularly skilled at but she could do them. She could help these people who had only heard of the Jedi in legends and show them that some did care and would try to make things a little better than when she found them.

---

Jedi Temple, Coruscant…

In a room that was usually used to test younglings on their gymnastic mastery, a teenage girl was standing on top of the high poles with a blindfold on. She had her lightsaber in hand and its blue blade humming as she did her best to balance on the beam.

Her ears straining to hear any sound that might let her know whatever was coming next, till she heard the slightest noise to her right and managed to twist herself in time to block a blaster bolt from a training remote and using the force to guide her managed to leap onto another further away before batting away another blaster shot. This carried on for a good few minutes as she defended herself while balancing on the top of the poles.

A sudden snap hiss however announced the arrival of a new threat, she jumped again just a lightsaber blade lunged at her and was about to parry when she felt herself being thrown off the pole by a sudden force push.

She flew the short distance to the ground but thankfully the entire room was lined with padding just in case someone fell to prevent injury. Falling on the padding knocked the wind out of her regardless and she pulled her blindfold off and looked up with annoyance at Master Anari who was standing on one leg, on tip toe on the pole above her with a smirk.

"That was cheating." Bene said irritated at the Jedi Master who only leapt down and landed with the grace of a lifelong dancer before offering her a hand to help her up which Bene reluctantly took.

"That was winning." Master Anari told her with a smirk. "Your opponent will not always be as honourable as you, rules are fine for sparring but in the real world, in a real fight there are no rules. Remember that or you are giving your enemy a whole arsenal of underhanded tricks to use against you. So why not develop one of your own? Whether it is a secret weapon, changing fighting styles in the middle of a fight to throw them off it doesn't matter as long as you always have something up your sleeve. As for your performance on the poles it has gotten better. When you started you couldn't even last a minute but now you are getting better at holding yourself." Master Anari told her.

"Your skill is improving and will continue only if you continue to push yourself." She continued and despite her attempts to remain modest Bene could not help but feel pride in the compliment but then Master Anari said something that honestly terrified her. "So go and get a shower because I am taking you out tonight. Wear the outfit I left in your room, no Jedi robes tonight." She said sternly and Bene nodded uncomfortably.

- x -

An hour later Bene was standing with Master Anari in a noisy club, bright flashing lights and noisy music was playing while displays showed various sporting events across the galaxy and gambling tables were swamped with people eager to place a bet.

"Must we come here Master?" Bene asked nervously looking around, not being used to this environment at all and her outfit didn't make her feel any better. Formfitting fabric leggings that clung to her legs and a top that was only a bit more than a bra over her chest. Her face also had lipstick and blusher on and her hair was tied up in a knot behind her head.

"If you are going to learn to not only to fit in anywhere you might find yourself and to relax then yes my apprentice we must." Master Anari said with a smirk, her own black leather pants, boots and similar top was attracting far too much attention already and despite having the much more physically...mature Twi'lek next to her Bene herself was receiving a few admiring looks too which only heightened her embarrassment.

Master Anari led her over to the bar and placed an order for two drinks which the bar man was only too happy to give her especially as she smiled at him. Bene had never seen a master use their beauty and charms like this before and it was so against everything she had been taught that a Jedi should behave it was scandalous.

Offering her a drink Bene nervously held it before an expectant look from Master Anari made her sip it and the spicy exotic taste nearly made her spit it back out but she managed to drink it in one go. The burn it created was hard to take and she really wanted a drink of water but Master Anari told her.

"Don't worry, it will pass in a moment, now tonight there is something else I want to show you. How to win at gambling." Master Anari told her with a smirk and that made Bene gasp.

"No Master Anari! I refuse to learn that! It isn't right for a Jedi to gamble!" She said although thankfully she managed to keep her voice down. Anari only smiled at her naivety before becoming serious and told her.

"According to whom? Jedi Masters who have all their needs supplied by the Republic and never need to hide? Bene the day may come when you find yourself without resources and alone without anyone to turn too. When I was fighting in the New Sith Wars I was stuck in Sith territory for nearly six months before I managed to get back to the Core Worlds and let me tell you I went hungry a lot of nights. I had to learn how to survive on my own with my own wits, body and will in any way I could. To get credits for food and hide in plain sight because if I was obviously a Jedi or was revealed myself to anyone then the Sith would find me in a heartbeat. I don't do this to embarrass you Bene, but to prepare you for the day when you may face a similar trial." Anari told her young apprentice.

Bene was stunned, she knew so little of her new master's life and the knowledge that she had learnt this to survive when isolated and alone was now making a lot of sense. How she seemed to always fit in wherever she was and had no real shame or phobia of acting outside what was supposed Jedi behaviour. She had needed to or she would have been killed by the Sith and now knowing the reason why Master Anari was doing this made it seem less seedy and more acceptable.

So she did not complain as her master led her over to the sabacc table and watched with awe as her master took professional gamblers for all they were worth and walked away from the table with a large pouch of credits. Her arm around Bene's shoulders she led her out of the club and some stores where they picked out a few outfits for more of these 'educational field-trips'.

- x -

Meanwhile back in the Temple, Master Tuwan having refused a military commission stood among the gathered younglings in one of the assembly halls used for large gatherings, his face animated as were those of the younglings, even the apprentices listened intently to what he said.

"Then just as the Nexu surrounded Master Hellencha, her back very literally against the wall she reached into the force and leapt so high in the air she was able to grab at the top of the impressive walls of Ujion in a single leap. The highest in her entire life but wasted no time in swinging herself onto the top of the wall just as the pirates came in their ships to steal from her the incredible crown of Ujion's lost royalty. They aimed their ship's weapons at her but she stayed cool and leapt straight onto the cockpit of one of the ships. The pilot in his panic fired and his shot hit the ship opposite and she leapt from ship to ship with such grace it was almost like she was a bird in flight, letting the pirates who were so desperate to end her shoot each other before finally jumping back onto the walls and running to her own vessel so she could deliver the crown to the museum that would preserve it for future generations." Tuwan told the enraptured younglings, speaking of his old friend the famed Jedi Treasure Hunter Master Hellencha who had spent much of her career dashing around the galaxy looking for historic treasures to preserve and save from fortune hunters.

The younglings were amazed, this Jedi Master was never taught about in their history lessons and she was so cunning, noble and smart half of them had discovered a new hero.

Tuwan smiled, hoping his stories of great Jedi they had never heard of would inspire their imaginations and get them to be daring, to chase their dreams and push themselves harder in their training. So few mavericks were ever taught about beyond particularly famous examples and he wanted these young Jedi to be willing to push the limits and let themselves dream of what they wanted to be when they finally passed the trials.

Tuwan was hoping that through the young and those like Skywalker who would push boundaries, the Jedi Order might find itself again and become the great order it once was.

- x -

The Jedi Council had called a meeting in private to discuss a matter that for once had little to do with the rising war.

"The Returned are starting to become dangerous to the Order." Master Tiin said in holographic form as he was on the other side of the galaxy fighting the Separatists.

"Some of our less focused members are starting to question our practices and the rules of the Order." Master Kolar added, also a hologram.

"They question why we are so tied to the Republic and its 'whims' as they put it, feeling the Order is nothing more than the Republic's enforcers and not guardians of the peace or helping the people of the galaxy." Shaak Ti spoke with a look of concern on her face.

"It doesn't help that there are rogues out there doing as they please rather than following the will of the Council." Master Kcaj said. "This Kerra Holt is refusing to appear before the Council and is interfering in the affairs of different worlds without our consent or guidance. Then there is Tuwan Fulr and Minisa Anari teaching the younger members of our order to be disobedient and lessons that only encourage falling to the Dark side. And lastly there is Skywalker and Tano who are falling closer to the dark side every day with their constantly flaunting of our rules." He said listing off the key offenders in his mind.

"Falling to the dark side? I would dearly like to see how you justify that comment Master Kcaj? After all their actions have been nothing but positive for not only the order but the galaxy as a whole." Master Kenobi said from the side, he had nearly been excluded from the meeting at the insistence of some like Master Tiin for being too close to the 'problem'. "The only real charge that could be levelled against them is not obeying the will of the Council and that is hardly a crime. Some of the greatest members of our order have been at least partly maverick if not full blown."

"People like Count Dooku perhaps? Who leads this war against us. He too disobeyed the will of the Council." Master Mundi said jumping on a potential flaw in Kenobi's argument but Master Kenobi who was very gifted with words easily deflected the attack.

"If you can only draw on a single example then your argument is flawed Master Mundi." Kenobi said. "Count Dooku's reasons for leaving the Order and turning to the dark side are not relevant to this matter as he left the order rather than these people who have chosen to be a part of it. They care about the galaxy and the Order. What you consider a threat is merely them expressing their individuality and if we enforce universal conformity on our members are we not stifling creativity? If so then we perhaps should replace the Order with droids programmed to do our jobs." Kenobi finished.

He looked at Master Windu who had created a new lightsaber fighting form rather than conform to the ones that already existed in particular. Master Windu nodded in understanding, while he was one of the most strict masters to the code in the Order he was at least in agreement with Kenobi's argument. Follow the rules but you had the right to be creative within them and so far none of them had broken the rules yet.

"Is this about the Order's safety? Or about the authority of the council and the rules we set?" Master Fisto asked with a look of concern on his face. "Because to me it seems the only real danger is the council not being obeyed. I have met and spoke to both Masters Fulr and Anari and both of them are caring and skilled masters who only want the best for the order. Kerra Holt has been helping many who are in need with the war and with life in general. Skywalker and Tano? I know there are ongoing concerns about them but at the same time they are becoming two of the greatest Jedi of our era already at such a young age. Their accomplishments in the war so far speak for themselves."

"All good points. The Order will only grow stronger by allowing free thought to flow and by allowing people to express themselves. If someone does break the rules then we should act but not judge people who might. If we become so judgemental then we are no longer Jedi, but dictators." Master Plo Koon said calmly. He was concerned too about some but to act prematurely in his mind would only make the situation worse.

"The Jedi Order, arrogant it has grown if such meetings on such matters are called." Master Yoda spoke with a voice that sounded tired and worried. "The Returned, a window they offer, a view into what our order used to be and a criticism that is valid. Shows us the flaws in ourselves and no one likes that to be seen. Perhaps more flexible our order needs to be, many problems both past and future are of our own making. Dooku, left us he did and fell to the dark side because too tied to the Republic he thought we were and discarded the lives of Jedi too easily. On this, right he may have been although wrong he was too turn to the Sith." Yoda said with his great age telling. The Council was divided on his opinion as some listened and felt his words had merit while others felt he was wrong to think there was any flaw in their teachings.

"Need we do to think deeply on who we are and what we do. Servants of the force the Jedi are meant to be, go where we are needed we must. If reflect on ourselves we don't, then learn we never will. Take time we will to reflect on this situation to see if action is needed and if so what." Yoda told them firmly.

Many members of the Council like Masters Tiin, Kolar and Mundi were not happy about this while some did feel that they needed to consider how they truly felt about this like Masters Kenobi and Fisto. This issue was not solved and it needed to be before something split the order in half.

---

Orbiting Venato Prime, Mandalorian Space…

Haron had been working in the forging facilities they had brought with them from Reijar under Yusagi's guidance ever since they had left and now the result lay before him.

A beskad sword, a single curved bladed sword with with a hand-guard to protect the grip. To Haron it looked more like a scimitar than anything else but it was he thought with pride a fine weapon.

Made of phrik it was very light when he picked it up and it cut through the air with barely a ripple Haron noticed and the balance of it was very good. He fixed the scabbard up which like the sword of made of phrik in case he ever needed to use it as an off-hand weapon. He had added a decorate finish of electrum with some dark green painted patterns for decoration as was common in individualised weapons.

Yusagi looked at him with approval.

"Good, you have the discipline of a true warrior and the patience and delicate touch to refine a lump of metal into a strong weapon. We will test you on your swordsmanship later but first we must prepare for the meeting with Duke Ma'Gard." Yusagi told him.

"Joy." Haron said with a deadpan voice which only made Yusagi raise an eyebrow before asking him.

"What will House Ma'Gard want of you to gain their support?"

Haron frowned as to be honest he did not know them that well and admitted it.

"I don't know."

"At least you admit you have no answer rather than pretend you do. The first part of wisdom is knowing what you do know and what you don't." Yusagi said and Haron nodded before he continued.

"House Ma'Gard does not just respect strength, they will want you to prove that you are willing to step outside the rules to accomplish whatever goal you set and more to the point that you can create a plan on how to do it. That you have a problem and you do something about it. Credits also help but only if you get them by the ways I mentioned before." Yusagi told him.

Haron nodded and did his best to think on what he said, House Ma'Gard was he thought more complicated than he had thought but he could sense Yusagi was telling him the truth and so he was grateful for his guidance on this.

To that end he thought about how to achieve a way to get credits and step out of the law, he pondered this and smiled as he realised a way to do all of this in a single stroke. It was to be honest illegal but given who they were robbing he would be doing the galaxy a favour.

"I think we should head down to the surface as I think I know how to do all these things and more." Haron said, someone he had become aware of during his time travelling the galaxy and knew was a pain in the backside of no less than two of the major crime syndicates in the galaxy who would be only too happy to see him fall.

Yusagi looked at him with confusion and then apprehension over what he might have planned.

- x -

A short transport ride later, they set foot in the capital city of Venato Prime, Victre City.

It was a noisy place Haron thought with a slight smile, a lot of casinos, bars etc. and had become a major stopping point for people entering and leaving Mandalorian Space. At his side Din and Vysa followed at his side while his guards stayed close. Vysa was much more used to this sort of place than even Haron himself and smiled as she considered having some fun while she was here but hopefully there would be time for that later. Din meanwhile was struggling to contain his own urge to look at everything and Vysa swore to take the boy out for a night on the town...it was part of his education after all.

The Ma'Gard Tower was a fortified skyscraper in the centre of town that held their living quarters and other facilities. The guards at the entrance allowed them in and while the number did worry them a little it was ignored as they made their way to Duke Alain's office.

Upon arriving after a long elevator ride they walked in to find the duke sitting at his desk with his three grandchildren beside him. Seeing him Haron smiled and stepped forward.

"Duke Ma'Gard, good to see you again."

"I suppose Ordo. Now what are you going to do to get my family to support you? When I could just go my own way?" Alain asked and Haron nodded.

"The way I have been told you want someone not afraid to bend the rules and can put together a plan to achieve whatever goal is set. So if you are up for it, how about we kill Rttakl L and steal his collection?" Haron said with a smirk.

The four Ma'Gards were speechless at his suggestion as was Vysa especially as they knew just who Rttakl was.

"Are you mad?" Katale Ma'Gard with exasperation on her face.

"Who is Rttakl L?" Din asked not knowing who that was but Vysa enlightened him.

"Rttakl L was a relatively small crime lord who went big after the Zygerrian slavery empire collapsed. He stepped into their territory and has become one of the biggest crime lords in the galaxy involved in all kinds of shady and downright nasty businesses. Only the Hutts and the Pykes can really challenge him now and while I know they would love to see him fall the man is a beast with the highest security imaginable. All the while collecting a massive collection of art and treasures from across the galaxy, most of it stolen." Vysa told Din, wondering if her elder brother was crazy to even suggest it.

Haron however was just smiling.

"Killing him is my job not yours, yours is to help steal as much of the man's collection as we can. I have a plan to get close enough to enter his building and disable his security to kill him. I have a ship with a cloaking device that can get us right up to the door and inside if we choose to use it. There I will create a distraction for the rest of the team to clear out his collection. If of course you don't care for the money that this could bring you then by all means tell me what else you have in mind?" Haron told them with an expectant look.

As he predicted none of them had anything and then one of Alain's grandsons, Andre grinned and said.

"I'm up for it."

"You would you twit." His older brother Tyr said with an exasperated look. "But if you are taking him along then I'd better go too to make sure he comes back alive."

"You two." Alain said with a look of annoyance before turning to Katale and told her. "Sweetheart, keep an eye on them. You know what they're like."

Katale sighed knowing she was being dragged into another scheme while the two boys looked annoyed at being talked to like that but let it go clearly showing this wasn't the first time.

Haron meanwhile turned to Vysa who was now intrigued on just what he was planning but the sound of this was too good to past up so she nodded with a smile while Din just looked at him confused at why he would do this.

"Trust me Din, I will not enjoy this but if we are to unify our people then I need to get those like House Ma'Gard on side. Sometimes you have to stretch your notions of acceptable when confronted with reality." Haron told him quietly and Din nodded, not sure he agreed with it but knowing why it had to be done.

---

Nar Shaddaa, Hutt Space…A Few Days Later...

The Smuggler's Moon was one of the most lawless places in the galaxy, Vysa knew that all too well having grown up here and if you had the credits you could find almost anything your heart could ever want.

With a freighter they had acquired specially waiting nearby with the team they had assembled already prepared in the nearest dock they could find to Rttakl's base, Haron made the rest of the journey on foot. He had forgone his spear and sword not to mention painted his armour a solid white colour with an orange coloured body suit underneath to prevent it being traced back to him so easily. All of the members of the team had done the same but that was just a precaution as they intended to leave no witnesses behind. This particular colour scheme was also used by a particularly violent group of Mandalorian mercenaries who would be blamed for this if anyone did live to see them as a further measure of covering their tracks.

He saw the perimeter and took a deep breath as he drew himself deeply into the force, casting a notice me not charm on himself and when he caught sight of the lobby of the building, beyond all the computer security that wouldn't be fooled by his charm he apparated. Appearing straight pass the bulk of the security which kept people out. Pass the security scans, automated turrets, guards and more.

Haron did not let himself be elated by this as he walked into the facility, straight pass people while keeping himself under the charm until he discovered a guard that was on his own and not wearing a mask. Haron concentrated with his magic and will before silently casting the Legilimency spell.

It was not a very pleasant experience for Haron as all of the worst thoughts of one of Rttakl's top men rushed through his mind but fortunately he was able to find what he needed...the location of the security office and an image of what it looked like.

Haron with the information now in hand walked the rest of the building to be as close as he could before apparating again, straight inside the security room.

Appearing right in the centre of the room a bank of monitors surrounded him manned by a series of droids who with live power lines to a private generator so they could run without interruption all hours of the day and were loyal to the one they were programmed for.

Smart Haron thought, a pretty good security system but he thought while drawing his blasters, not good enough.

He fired with both blasters shooting down two droids at a time till all the droids were down and without wasting another moment started accessing the layout and discovering just where their targets were.

Rttakl was on the top floor, how predictable Haron thought with dismay seeing the fat human sitting on a throne via the security feed. The bulk of his collection beyond a few particularly prized pieces was a few floors down. Haron now knowing the location plugged in the remote communication device into the command console. It lit up and started humming as remote access to the security system was achieved. The slicer on the freighter now had full control of the system and started deactivating the external defences while turning internal turrets on the guards on the inside.

Haron shot the door controls to prevent anyone from getting in before apparating up to the top floor, seeing Rttakl at his desk Haron wasted no time with pointless banter and started shooting the crime lord who was all but helpless.

The yellowish white bolts hit him hard in the head and four knocked him out of his chair. Haron went over and checked, feeling him die before he even hit the floor. Looking around Haron saw the few particular pieces around were not worth bothering with as they were more sentimental rather than expensive. Looking out of the window he saw the freighter appearing and holding itself against the building on the level that housed most of Rttakl's collection. A hatch usually used for transferring cargo opened and a laser cutter sliced into the side of the building. Haron smiled before apparating again back to the security room to destroy all the security recordings and ensure no trace of their involvement was left behind.

- x -

When he appeared later and watched as the team he and the Ma'Gards had brought were clearing out the collection it was almost comical with droids running back and forth with carts containing statuettes, paintings, jewellery and other valuables that were being looted. Vysa he saw with a smile was holding a particularly expensive moss painting from Alderaan and smirking widely as she passed him. Haron went to help and saw a particularly interesting few items hanging on a wall nearby. It was a small section but looking at it he saw that all the items there were in some way connected to the Jedi or the Sith.

Statues not unlike the ones in Chancellor Palpatine's office which were clearly Sith in origin plus some paintings or other pieces of artwork. On the Jedi side a few ancient tomes and fragments of artwork clustered around a pair of ancient looking katanas with green emeralds in the hilts. While Haron knew nothing of these personally he knew some of it was likely to mean something.

So he took one of the droids that was running back and forth and started carefully taking the pieces that could be carried and putting them in the basket, vowing to look at them properly later. Rushing back to the ship with his haul he was greeted by Katale Ma'Gard who gave him a laugh before saying.

"I don't know how you managed it but I will make sure my grandfather sides with you now. This has gone to be one of the biggest heists in history!" She said with exhilaration running through her.

"Pleasure to be of service." Haron thought with a smirk under his helmet before going back to help take some more stuff in the precious time they had left.

When they had taken all they could they returned to the ship and blasted off, clearing the planet was fast as possible and meeting up with the Star Chaser which they transferred their gains to and scuttled the freighter to ensure no chance of tracing them remained.

Haron returned the Ma'Gards to their grandfather a day later with their much larger share of the spoils although he, Vysa and his men took a small share of their own. Haron in particular kept hold of the Jedi and Sith stuff along with a few pieces that he might have a use for later.

Returning to the Lucrehulk he was met by Din and Ijaa who greeted him. Din was actually amazed at some of the stuff they had recovered and while Vysa was showing him their gains Ijaa spoke to Haron.

"Not quite how I thought you would do it but I have to admit it achieved the objective. Duke Ma'Gard has formally declared his support for you and named his grandfather Katale as his heir."

"I thought he might, I know that it might not be the sort of thing a Mandalore should engage in but if we are going to succeed in uniting our people and securing our place in the galaxy again then we will need to be willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that. Myself and others that I know and trust believe that when the Clone Wars end then a new war will begin and if we as a people are to remain free then we need to be ready." Haron said, deciding to share at least some of his fears with Ijaa who looked at him with suspicion but seemed to let it slide before delivering a report.

"I suppose I should let you know that a team sent to Pre Vizsla's last known location turned up nothing. It seems he has gone underground." Ijaa told him and Haron nodding having expecting this to happen.

"We'll get him eventually." Haron said. "But for now it is off to Ralmiz to seek another ally."

---

Republic Camp, Ambria…

The Battle of Ambria had been a ground and space battle but was now won and allowed Anakin and his people to get a little rest before rushing off to their next crisis point.

Rex was sleeping in the tents or on the ships with the rest of his brothers, all starting to get really exhausted by all the fighting and travelling. Each day they seemed to be rushing off to some new planet to fight in some harsh battle whether it was in space or on the ground.

As Jedi; Anakin, Ahsoka and Obi-Wan were dealing with better as they could meditate to recover their energy after a battle but even they were starting to get tired.

Hence why Anakin had started to teach Ahsoka some of what he had learned from Revan's writings and from Master Tuwan. To prevent Obi-Wan from learning what they were doing at least for now they were doing so slightly away from camp.

"Channelling all your feelings both positive and negative will give you a lot more strength in the force and personally in the things you do." Anakin said, unusually stern as he trained his apprentice who listened to him with a much more quiet demeanour than was normal. A sign of how much trust she had in him which did stoke his ego a bit. "But it can be dangerous, if your feelings get the better of you then you might do things that otherwise you wouldn't. When I did this the first time on Maridun I nearly impaled a Separatist officer due to how much anger I felt towards him. So to combat that, you have to create a code to guide you and fix it in your mind."

"What kind of code master?" Ahsoka asked him, a bit worried as she remembered that incident and now sure how close to breaking the Jedi Code her master had come and wondered if she was to learn to do this, how did she keep the dark side...her own in-particular in check?

"That is a question only you can answer, because it reflects the kind of person you want to be." Anakin told her, she looked uncertain. "I made mine out of the principles that I hold most dear, the things that mean the most to me. The people who mean the most to me." Anakin said, smiling at Ahsoka so she knew that she was one of those people. She smiled herself feeling happy of the trust he was showing in her.

Just then as Ahsoka was thinking deeply on what her master had said she saw something a short distance off.

"Master. Is that Master Swan?" Ahsoka asked with confusion as she caught sight of the Jedi Master who had been fighting here before them. Anakin wondered what just what had Ahsoka so interested unless Master Swan was spying on them he thought with annoyance. When he saw her himself he realised just what had Ahsoka so confused.

Master Bultar Swan was standing alone, a bit of a distance away and with her eyes closed but while doing this she was making movements that resembled martial arts. He felt the force surging around her and Anakin could scarcely believe it but the evidence was right in front of his eyes.

"She's using moving meditation." Anakin said with surprise. He and Ahsoka were not sure what to make of it as neither knew of any other Jedi in the order that used this technique except them until now. Granted neither of them knew a lot of the other Jedi really well including Master Swan but none of them seemed to use it.

They crept closer and watched her as she fluidly moved through her katas and in some ways it was educational as neither of them had considered using it for unarmed combat. However it seemed she was more aware than they thought as she suddenly stopped and turned to face them with her eyes open.

"Skywalker. Tano. Out for a midnight stroll?" She asked them with an unconcerned look on her face. Knowing they were busted the would be spies looked at each other before getting up.

"Sorry, Master Swan, we just didn't know anyone other than us used moving meditation although we use it with our lightsabers rather than unarmed combat." Anakin said with a slightly sheepish look on his face from being caught but if she was annoyed the other Jedi who was only a couple of years older than him didn't show it.

"Using it with your lightsaber training? I have to admit I never tried that." She told them without too much worry although did sound intrigued by the idea. "I learnt of meditation in movement before the war when I was studying different martial arts around the galaxy and have been using it ever since. It certainly helps keep you in shape if nothing else." She said with a strange attempt at being light hearted.

"Perhaps we could all train together master? See if we can help each other?" Anakin suggested, eager to have someone who he might debate and share ideas with for once among the Jedi. She seemed amused a little but smiled.

"If you are willing to Master Skywalker then by all means. Perhaps I can share some of the techniques I have learned to maintain a little awareness while you are doing it if you show me some of the force forms I noticed you use earlier?" She suggested with a smile and Anakin smiled too, feeling like she was treating him more as an equal than other Jedi did.

"By all means Master Swan." Anakin said.

He began to walk her and Ahsoka too through some of the Force Forms he had learned from Master Tuwan, Ahsoka to his satisfaction picked them up rather quickly thanks to her prior training from him. Perhaps due to her great discipline Master Swan too didn't take too long to pick them up either and soon she was guiding them through her style of moving meditation.

When they took a brief break, Master Swan spoke to him.

"I have to admit Master Skywalker I had my doubts about you before but you are perhaps the most gifted Jedi I have ever met, never has someone advanced as fast as you have in thousands of years. If you remember that you are only human and can make mistakes then if anyone is going to bring balance to the force, its you." Master Swan told him with a certainty in her voice that honestly Anakin was taken aback by even if Ahsoka smiled proudly at him. No other Jedi had said that to him and it was a major boost to his ego.

"Maybe you would like to learn some force forging Master Swan?" Ahsoka said eagerly. It was so rare to find another Jedi who broke the mould and she was far more supportive of them than the others. Anakin was a little annoyed at Ahsoka for making the offer without consulting him first but only a little as he too would possibly have done so later.

"I have to admit I am intrigued, I notice the armour you are both wearing and it is quite impressive." Master Swan said with an almost admiring look.

"Then let's see if you can make a set of your own Master Swan." Anakin said and the older woman smiled.

"Thank you Anakin, I would appreciate that." She said calling him by his first name.

"You are welcome, Bultar." Anakin replied with a smile.

- x -

Unknown to the other Jedi though, someone was watching them with a smile on his face.

Obi-Wan was glad to see Anakin make more friends within the order and while Master Swan was not someone he had thought of as a friend for Anakin she would he hoped be a good influence. Watching them both share what they knew and aid in not only their own Jedi training but Ahsoka's as well, it was rewarding Obi-Wan felt to see Anakin become a more rounded and capable Jedi.

Master Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan thought with a sad smile, you were right. I only hope I have trained him as well as you would have.

Obi-Wan watched as Anakin guided Master Swan in making her own force armour, taking satisfaction that he was growing into a fine man and pondered on their moving meditation. It was he thought impressive and wondered just where they had learned it. Not from each other he thought as they seemed surprised the other had known it but it was regardless an interesting concept.

He would have to try it himself he thought with a smile.

---

Ralmiz, Mandalorian Space…

As the ship moved towards their next destination Haron, Din and Vysa were both training with Ijaa and his people to pass the time.

Haron was using his new one handed sword to duel with Ijaa, the man might not be force augmented as Haron was not to mention more than two decades older but his skill with a blade was more than enough to keep Haron on his toes.

"You waste too much energy." Ijaa said with the stern edge of a very strict teacher with an exceptionally awkward pupil. He proved his point moments later when after too hard a strike he skilfully stepped to the side so Haron's arm went wide and with a precise jab made Haron drop his sword. "A sword is not a blunt instrument, it is a precise weapon that needs dedication and focus to master properly. Conserve your energy and master your economy of motion." Ijaa told him with a stern eye.

"Understood." Haron said managing to control his irritation as tried to not fight while relying too deeply in the force. It might be a great tool but it would do him no good to become dependant on it. They resumed training as the clanging of their blades filled the room, Haron however was starting to become more reserved in his movements and much more precise as his own discipline and experience grew. Ijaa found picking through his defences much harder this time.

"Duke Ordo, we have arrived in the Ralmiz system." A voice came over the intercom and the pair stopped fighting as they realised they needed to prepare to meet with Duke Ralmiz. They cast their eyes over to Din and Vysa who were training with Ijaa's own men.

Din was doing well for his age and getting more than a few hits in before they took him down which made Haron smile with pride at his ward. Din was probably one of the best young warriors in his generation and continued to improve as he got older, when the time came to reforge his grandfather's armour Din was going to do his family proud.

Vysa meanwhile was sparring with some of Ijaa's guards and while her technique was a little 'unpolished' perhaps meaning raw and brutal she was a fierce and capable fighter, laying a strong beat down on several of Ijaa's men.

"Hold." Ijaa called out before approaching the warriors. He looked them over and told Din first.

"You have the makings of a fine warrior young one. Your heart and passion is in your fighting and it served you well, continue to train and you will only improve." Din they all noticed took a great deal of pride in that. Ijaa then turned to Vysa who was annoyed at the interruption of the fight and told her with a calm measured tone.

"You fight like us despite not being raised as one. Your heart and passion is in your fighting, your actions...you have the spirit of a Mandalorian and perhaps a highly skilled one but something is holding you back. During the fight there were moments of hesitation when you seemed to doubt yourself. Why?" Ijaa asked her.

Vysa looked stunned for a moment by his comment and told him with an angry expression.

"I don't hold back for anyone." However Ijaa was unaffected by her apparent anger and regarded her for a moment before cutting straight through her mask with ease.

"Yes you do, you want a family but are afraid of being hurt. Of being rejected like your father rejected your mother and you." Ijaa said not holding back however much it might hurt her.

"Hey." Haron said with anger as he saw and felt the pain Ijaa's words left his sister with. Not holding back and with the force enhancing his strength and speed stood between them grabbed Ijaa by the scruff of his neck. The man's own warriors looked ready to attack Haron but he waved them off.

"Haron, get out of my way." Vysa said with her anger turning cold. He let go of Ijaa and did as she said, smiling as his sister smacked the older man right in the face, knocking him back.

"I am not afraid." Vysa said before spitting on the floor next to him.

"And she will never be alone because we are her family." Din said bravely stepping up and Vysa with a small smile ruffled his hair pressing a kiss to his forehead in thanks for that.

Ijaa might have been angered by the hit but instead seemed to approve strangely.

"Perhaps, my dear. But one thing I know for sure is you will be one who breaks the mould." Ijaa told them before walking off with his men, not offended at all.

That left Haron, Vysa and Din alone. The three shared a look before they all smiled and Vysa grabbed both of them by the arm dragged them out of the room.

- x -

The system that Ralmiz resided in, home of the House of the same name was harsh with two very strong suns that baked most of the planets within their reach. Ralmiz itself was just far out enough that it was able to maintain an atmosphere and in oasis's sheltered by mountains dotted across its rocky and desert covered surface enclaves stood were many of its people lived although there was a large number of orbital space stations that served as not only industrial centres but to house its people too.

The compound on House Ralmiz was located on one of the oasis that dotted the planet and the heat of the planet was as bad as Tatooine, all of them despite the temperature regulators in their suits were sweating in their armour as they stepped out onto the sandy surface.

"So what will House Ralmiz want from you?" Ijaa asked with a voice that was like the crack of a whip. Haron still angry with him for what he had said to Vysa earlier answered without looking at him.

"To prove that I have the commitment, the will to survive regardless of what adversity I face. A test of my endurance is likely." Haron told him while doing his best to keep his hostility in check. Ijaa, unconcerned by his attitude just said.

"Good."

So he and Ijaa along with some of their warriors walked into the compound, the number of Ralmiz warriors around them was large and the looks of suspicion sent their way. They ignored these looks as they continued forward and saw Duke Ralmiz himself looking at them from the doors of his home.

"Dukes Ordo and Yusagi welcome to my home." Duke Sarek Ralmiz said with an imperious look. "You will take the challenge?" He asked with a questioning look.

"I will." Haron said, having already expected this. He had been reading up on House Ralmiz and knew the trial each of their warriors had to go through to prove they deserved to be called warriors.

"Then I hope you are ready for it." Duke Sarek said with a dismissive look in his eye that Haron could endure what he and his warriors had, so many didn't.

"We shall see." Duke Ijaa said with a quiet certainty.

- x -

Two Days Later…

The burning heat made the simple shroud he had been given to protect his back and head seem pointless. The sweat off his brow was horrible but he endured it as he must endure this he thought with a shallow breath.

House Ralmiz demanded a trial of all their warriors before they were allowed to don the armour, they must survive a week in the harsh desert with no food or water beyond what you could find yourself.

Apparently it proved endurance and the will and intelligence to survive which House Ralmiz prized.

Haron personally thought they were insane, nearly half of those that took this trial didn't survive and were swallowed by the sand.

And he thought with fury, it wasn't just the heat and the burning sun that could take you down as there was the various creatures that wandered the desert looking for food.

He just found the carcass of one of them he thought, the smell was appalling given how quick meat rotted in this heat but he forced himself to pull one of the exposed bones free and used a rock that jutted out of the sand to sharpen the already damaged bone to a point so if he happened upon one of the predators he wasn't completely defenceless.

When he had his makeshift weapon he carried on walking towards the mountain.

He needed some shelter from this heat, he thought desperately, somewhere he could hole up until the full seven days had passed and he could be picked up. He could use his magic to help survive and the cooling charm was at its finest in keeping him moving rather than be stuck still where he was during the hottest point of the year. But first shelter would be needed or he was likely to suffer a heat stroke.

He forced himself forward, drawing on the force to give him the strength to keep going despite the effects of the heat starting to get to him. Sensing the area around him he could at least avoid most of the creatures that were around including much to his surprise a sarlacc he thought with alarm. On the third day when he was starting to flag even with the force he finally managed to reach the mountain and found a cave at its base.

Sensing something within Haron was cautious about entering given that he could certainly sense a creature inside but looking around there were no other caves around and with the cold of the night coming he would need the shelter, he had nearly frozen the last two nights.

So with a steadying breath he walked in.

The cooler interior of the cave was a relief and he managed to conjure a ball of light to illuminate the cave so he could see. A snarl ahead of him made him stop and ready himself as the creature he had sensed appeared in front of him.

It was a large sand coloured lizard of some kind with four spindly looking legs and at the end of each of them were knife like claws and its wide and large mouth had teeth the size of daggers. Haron gritted his teeth and readied his primitive dagger.

The creature ran forward at a surprisingly fast speed but with the force guiding him and own training Haron ran froward and slid under the creature before it was able to bite him and forced his sharpened bone straight into its body and tore it around roughly.

The creature screeched with pain and tried to twist away from him but that only made the injuries Haron inflicted on it worse. The man in question quickly got to his feet and with his now bloody bone in hand turned to face the creature as half its insides started falling out. Sensing its pain and wanting to put it out of its misery Haron used the force to make a very precise jump and stabbed the creature straight in the head.

It struggled for a moment before falling to the floor dead. Haron did pity the creature but he had to do this he thought sadly.

Looking at the creature to see if he could eat it he saw its skin was covered with scars and looking at the meat he could tell the creature was sick with something. He grimaced as he knew this was only going to make him sick in turn and so with the force he picked up the creature and carried it to the mouth of the cave threw it as far as he could.

With that done Haron went back inside to explore his temporary dwelling.

Recasting his light spell he looked around and saw it was a reasonably normal cave now the creature was gone and rather than danger he could sense it was a good place to hide from the heat of the day and the cold of the night.

However as he reached the end of the space he discovered a pair of surprises.

A clear pool of water rushed through the cave before disappearing again in some underground river. He smiled carefully looking the water and the rock around it for any sign it was dangerous, thanking his uncles survival training before seeing it was safe and took a very long drink, the cool refreshing taste was like nectar on the lips and throat after the last couple of days. He sighed with pleasure at finally relieving his thirst before looking up to see something he hadn't expected on the other side.

A simple stone sarcophagus lay on the other side of the small river and judging by how old it looked it had to have been there for thousands of years. Haron was bewildered as it was not the practice of House Ralmiz to bury their dead in the middle of caves in the desert and he was wondering if this had been here longer than they had.

He carefully jumped across the small river and landed on the other side before wandering up to the sarcophagus, he examined it and saw on the stone lid something had been carved. Covered by dust he had to wipe it away so it was legible but saw not only a name but a symbol.

Xaset Terep and just below it was the ancient symbol of the Revanchists.

Haron was incredibly surprised as he had not expected to find this but had heard in his own history lessons that the Revanchists had fought and defeated a Mandalorian fleet near here and wondered if this was something to do with that battle. It would be he thought with sarcasm a hell of a coincidence if it wasn't.

Curiosity made him use the force to open the sarcophagus, not sure why but perhaps just to see what was inside and while any bones had turned to dust a long time ago there was something inside that was preserved.

A suit of ancient Mandalorian Armour, the same pale colour that his own suit had once had.

One of the missing Bloodguard suits Haron thought with amazement, he did not know the fate of all the members of the Bloodguard but knew that all the suits had disappeared before or in the immediate aftermath of Malachor 5. This Xaset Terep he thought looking down at the sarcophagus must have bested one of the Bloodguard but died and been buried with the armour.

Well done Jedi, Haron thought with a slight respect and carefully removed the armour before replacing the lid so the Jedi's grave would remain undisturbed from now on. Looking at the armour he was smiling as that left only one suit left to find. Granted he didn't expect to find it but given the force had led him to this one and the Mandalore's too perhaps it might eventually lead him to the last.

Regardless though he thought, he had more days to survive in the desert.

So knowing that while he had water he had no food he would still need to rely on the force to survive.

So he settled himself down and began to draw deeply on the force, immersing himself deeply into it so he might save his strength and replenish it. This was he thought going to be a long few days.

- x -

When he finally emerged from the cave a few days later Haron activated his beacon and let everyone know where he was to be picked up. He held a bundle made from his own clothes to carry the armour in and waited patiently for the shuttle which arrived not ten minutes later. The ship landed nearby and he walked out to it with the bundle and Din appeared at the ramp with Vysa to greet him.

"You are nuts to go through with this." Vysa said seeing the sun burn he had and shook her head before offering him a canteen of water which he gratefully took a swig from before Din asked him.

"Are you okay?" Din asked with concern seeing the reddened skin but Haron just smiled and told him.

"I will be fine, now let's get back to Ralmiz's compound. I don't know about you but I am sick of being in this desert." Haron told him and they returned to the ship.

Haron was instantly going to give the Bloodguard suit to Vysa but something held him back, she had been offered a suit of beskar and turned it down as the Durasteel suit she had created was 'more her' and wasn't going to change it.

Haron wanted her to have the best protection but he was not going to force it on her besides he could feel a push from the force away from giving it to her, he had no idea but he could just feel that this suit was not meant for her.

He might have given it to Din but knew the boy wouldn't wear anything but his grandfather's pure beskar suit.

So who? He thought to himself with confusion. He was sure that the suit was meant to go to someone but who.

Waiting for the ship to arrive back at the compound Haron put his own armour back on and it was a big relief to have it after enduring the desert in rags. The weight of his weapons a comfort after having to rely on what he could make from what he found.

The ship soon arrived back at the compound and Haron walked out of it with his own people, Din and Vysa at his side. He approached the interior of the building and once inside he felt the cold air kept there by the different cooling units. Ahead of him was Duke Yusagi and Duke Sarek Ralmiz but surprisingly there was another standing there.

Duke Vorxel N'Val stood there in his own armour and all three greeted him.

"So you survived the desert, then are a warrior. House Ralmiz will stand with you." Duke Sarek said with a slight bow which Haron returned. "Duke Yusagi has convinced Duke N'Val to join us here as he has a request in return for his involvement."

"I see and just what is that?" Haron asked, outwardly he was calm but inside was angered that Yusagi had jumped the gun so to speak but glad to at least not have to travel all the way to meet House N'Val but wondering just what was he going to have to do to get him onboard.

"I want a voice in the establishing of the new fleet. A say in what ships we use. My house has a number of designs that we think would be perfect for a future fleet." Duke N'Val said and Haron wondered with a headache if they would have to build their ships just to keep them happy but since they did have a history of being very good at space warfare Haron made a concession.

"Then you will have it, present your designs to the other house leaders when we all meet on Graavis, but this might give you something to think on until then." Haron said and used his datapad to call up the images of the Mirshko-class Heavy Cruiser. A hologram projected the ship above them and they looked at it in surprise.

"The Mirshko-class Heavy Cruiser, the eventually replacement for the Dreadnaught as our heavy cruiser. Heavily armoured and armed with an impressive fighter capacity. Team that with the Atin-class Battleship." He said diplomatically switching over to its larger counterpart. "Potentially the future capital ship of the Mandalorian Fleet and I will be happy to discuss the plans with you all when we meet up but since there are many other positions in the fleet I will be eager to see just what you house has in mind." Haron told him.

The other three dukes looked at both designs with interest as they realised their potential. Din and Vysa too smiled as they liked the feeling of being at the centre of events.

Duke N'Val in particular seemed really interested in the two ship designs and smirked before telling them all.

"I too will like to see just what we can present. But I believe that Duke Ralmiz has an asset that may be of value." He told them and they turned to the local leader who told them.

"My house has preserved ten Janus-class Battlecruisers and is now in the process of reactivating and upgrading them. They too can serve a role in the fleet." He told them.

Haron however was unsure as was Duke N'Val as the Janus-class was a very old design and far more of an old fashioned capital ship. Rugged and well armed but had no fighter capacity, they were also slow and had little manoeuvrability. But he admitted until they got more Atin-class in service they might just do as a substitute.

"Then they will be considered too. But for now there is something else." Haron said, turning to Duke Yusagi and offered him the bundle containing the blood guard armour. "I discovered this in the desert, but be truthful this would have been more harder without your help so I offer this to you as a thank you. I trust you know what to do with it." He said passing the armour to Yusagi who took it and peered inside. His eyes widened at the sight of the special armour and he then looked up to say.

"I will enjoy reforging it with my sons. I am appreciative of it, given what it stands for and I intend to continue my support of your campaign to become our leader...Mandalore." Yusagi said with a small bow. Haron returned it, glad more of the houses on board now and hopefully soon the rest would follow.

---

Azure, Mid Rim Territories...

The planet Azure had remained loyal to the Republic in the Clone Wars and due to significant codebreaking facilities there as well, it was guarded by a large force or at least it had been prior to Haron Ordo leaving the Republic war effort.

Due to the pressure being put on the military for certain campaigns key units had being transferred away from this key world, largely due to few caring the value of this planet to the war effort and caring more for their own wealth and status. Now a much smaller force guarded this key facility and somehow the Separatists had learned of it.

Now General Grievous approached with an enormous army, wrecked Republic cruisers lay in pieces all around the planet's orbit while on the surface the few surviving clones and their Jedi General Master Agen Kolar recently named to the Jedi Council did their best to hold them off while crucial data and equipment was destroyed.

"Stand strong men, we can defeat this assault." Agen told his clones but the massive number of battle droids marching towards them said otherwise, made worse by the parting of the battle droids as General Grievous appeared on the field.

"I think not Jedi, this should be interesting." Grievous said with his sinister electronic voice and pulled four of his stolen lightsabers out, igniting them and engaged Kolar.

The Jedi Master was a master of Form 4 combat with some skill in Form 5 as well which gave him a strong offensive and defensive base but the rapidly spinning blades of Grievous were an assault unlike anything the Kolar had ever encountered. He strained himself hard to hold off the relentless barrage of lightsaber blades coming at him and the speed of the attack began to tell, Kolar straining to maintain his defence.

Grievous, sending weakness locked sabers with the Jedi and started laughing in his face, wanting to look him in the eye before suddenly impaling Kolar through the chest with one of the lightsabers he hadn't managed to block.

The clones watched with horror as the Jedi Master fell and Grievous claimed his weapon before the droids resumed their march.

---

The Senate Building, Coruscant...Hours Later...

"The loss of the Azure and its facilities means my people and those of the Than Hegemony no longer feel that being part of the Republic is in our best interests. To that end while we will not be joining the Separatists, we announce our secession from the Republic." The Kalderan Commune Senator said, his pod floating in the centre with the insectoid Than Hegemony pod floated along side.

This caused an up roar in the Senate and while the chair called for order Palpatine was unconcerned. The fear and panic created by the worsening of the situation was playing straight into his hands with the situation perfect to pass certain laws and amendments which would help his rise to power later. It also diminished the public trust in the Jedi as they received a fair amount of criticism for failing to prevent the situation from getting this bad.

Senator Amidala he thought with satisfaction was being quiet, she in the past might have tried to convince the two races to stay in the Republic but few gave her any voice now. He sneered under his look of concern.

She was brave to still attend the session and not send the complete fool Binks in her place since few wished to speak to her now, just as he predicted (even if he had secretly encouraged the feeling) she had become something of a pariah in the Senate for the Mandalorian mess and now only a few key allies were keeping a discreet contact with her.

He was not too concerned with the Than and the Kaldarans breaking away from the Republic, they would be reconquered later but right now he had a potential problem to deal with.

Haron Ordo and his group had been busy, gaining support in the other houses of Mandalore and it was a potential problem for his future plans if they were unified but even then he was not too concerned.

It was an irritation but one that needed to be watched.

So while killing him had appeal it might only make Ordo a martyr to his cause so he needed him back here till a plan to destroy him could be put together and before he could accomplish too much.

- x -

The Jedi Temple, Coruscant...

The Temple was in mourning for Master Kolar, his death had hit the Temple hard when so many had believed him one of their very best and a member of the Jedi Council albeit for only a few short weeks. So many had thought if anyone could stop Grievous he could.

So it was almost with a fever that more Jedi were trying to learn force forging to create force armour of their own so they might stand some kind of chance against the monster was plaguing them.

Tuwan was now holding classes for many Jedi before they left in the hope it might give them more of a chance out there. He had never seen a creature such as this and honestly was growing very worried for all the Jedi that had to leave the Temple or fight in a war that honestly he didn't feel should be fought in the first place and certainly not by the Jedi.

Seeing Minisa and her padawan wearing their freshly crafted armour brought a smile to his face a little as he saw the young Jedi take the girl under her wing but as he walked the corridors of the Temple lost in thought he unknowingly entered the medical area where the most serious long term cases where held.

He looked up and saw a middle aged Chalactan woman floating in a bacta tank, he knew she was Master Depa Billaba who had succumbed to a coma after the loss of many of her clones during the Battle of Haruun Kal and being very badly injured herself. He didn't blame her he thought with a sigh, death seemed so widespread now it was hard to see any real light at all.

He put his hand against the tank and tried to see if he could wake her with the force, he knew many masters including her previous master Windu and even Yoda himself had tried but perhaps she was more open to it now after so many months asleep. Or so Tuwan hoped, dearly wishing to give the Temple some good news right now.

He felt her mind, still locked away but slowly it was opening he smiled she was coming back to them. He just needed to show her it was safe to emerge from her coma and rejoin the galaxy again.

He sent his reassurance to her and slowly in the tank her eyes began to open.

---

Well that is the end of chapter 17, I hope you all enjoyed it and please leave a review to tell me what you thought!

Mirshko is a word I found in a Mandalorian dictionary site I discovered. It is supposed to be the Mandalorian word for courage.

Atin meanwhile is from the same site and means Stubborn, tenacious or capable of endurance which only seemed right given the ship the Atin is based on.

The Janus-class Battlecruiser is like the other two designs based on a Battlestar ship but specifically the Janus-class Heavy Cruiser from Battlestar Galactica Deadlock game.

The Than and the Kaldarans are two races from the Andromeda TV series starring Kevin Sorbo.

Next Chapter – Haron continues to build up support among his own people while Anakin fights and makes a plea. Celeste Morne goes on an expedition and Republic faces a rising tide.