Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Star Wars.
Wow, this has got to be the longest chapter I have ever written! This chapter was meant to be two parts originally but I decided to make it one big one as I was writing it.
This chapter will set up a new faction for the future of the galaxy. It will not be immediately a thing but it will be hinted at here. It is something of an X-over faction.
Review Responses from last chapter…
Starpottergeek - Thank you! Given how much time has elapsed between Kotor and the Prequels it would be pretty hard to prove or disprove Anakin being related to Revan or his companions although I did think about it. Lothal at the moment has little value to the story but it will make an appearance eventually. The Chiss? They are pretty hard to bring in but perhaps. As for the alien races you mentioned? I will look into it and see if I can find some role for them.
Blaze1992 - There will always be those that are more reasonable and those that are more inflexible and when facing an ideological crisis like the Jedi are that will drive some to the edge. As for Mandalore, sometimes peace is not possible.
raw666 - Interesting idea, I to be honest rejected a lot of Star Trek designs as most just wouldn't work in the Star Wars fandom.
haubs66, Sozin's Flame, please don't1, Abyss Trinity, mastercheif1229, jmknz777, RoyalTwinFangs, frankieu, Not Blanket - Thank you!
red demon161 - I am glad you approve, Haron and Anakin have a lot in common and he is able to be a more sympathetic ear for him when he needs one.
Okami Princess - Glad to hear! I have to thank Tellemicus Sundance who was a big help in finding the names. As for the ships it might be a while before they are ready for action but while they might be too late for the Clone Wars, they will serve in another. As for Anakin and the Jedi? Palpatine still has a lot of hold over Anakin and the perfect weapon to destroy them with. As for what might happen regarding the changes in the order? We shall see soon enough. But there is someone else who might be able to help Anakin when the critical moment comes.
Cam . Katarn - Haron is the official War Advisor, it not being clear is my fault as I overlooked it. Sorry! As for the ranks; Akaan'alor is the equivalent of a Jedi Master, Akaan'aran is a Jedi Knight and Hibir is a padawan or student. No, I didn't intentionally copy the Jensaarai so if there are any similarities is it coincidental. Thrawn would admire Haron's skill as a tactician and strategist but he is very cold so at the most he would know not to underestimate him. Luminara is a highly regarded master which she doesn't really deserve but as a traditionalist she is highly regarded but pride comes before a fall. Anakin is doing what he thinks is right and he knows what he is doing could be considered dangerous but bare in mind he isn't trying to bring the order down in his mind although some might see it that way. As to who will replace Adi Gallia? That will be made clear in the next chapter.
Joe Lawyer - Thank you! I think the Returned provide a vision into a Jedi Order that was superior to the current one. Some are bound to respond to that or reject it. The Ruusan Reformation and Odan-Urr I think in the long run are what really brought about the end of the Jedi Order.
Haron is getting paid quite a lot for his services, it is letting them establish a spy network and backdoors on Coruscant right under the Republic's nose and he even managed to enrich his own business holdings by getting them military contracts.
Inspiration19 - If he had more contact with the populations of those planets perhaps but he is on Coruscant and dealing with the politicians directly not the people. His people are taking in refugees to settle on Mandalorian worlds and they will in time become Mandalorian increasing their population. He has made a few useful contacts. Chuchi perhaps might be useful but her planet's leader from what I have learned was a close ally of Palpatine and would not want to get close to Haron for that reason. As for the Wookiees? There is something planned for them but I cannot say too much at this stage.
Some more will be posted at the end of the chapter, there were too many to put at the start.
On with the chapter…
Chapter 20 The Future of Mandalore
Derelict Ship, Deep Space…
The total silence of the ship was only broken by the smallest of sounds from Maul and Savage as they drifted in space. The darkness itself was broken suddenly by the search lights of a ship hovering just above it. The new ship descended and docked with the small escape craft, once the outer hatch had a hard seal a black blade of energy with a white aura around it started cutting through the door. The thin material was no match for the blade and was sliced through easily leaving a glowing circle as it was superheated until it was kicked free from the rest of the door, creating a hole large enough for three men and a woman in Mandalorian Armour to step through.
They had hand held torches as they looked around the small escape vessel, there wasn't much to see but the apparent leader of the group who was holding the lightsaber in his hand till he shut it down and holstered it before coming up to Maul.
He was intrigued by the strange patterns on his skin not to mention the matching ones of the other one. He took a hold of his chin and moved his head around a little before letting go. He looked down and saw the broken end of what looked like a lightsaber which he carefully picked up. Turning back to the red and black one the man in Mandalorian armour, known as Pre Vizsla stared at him.
"What are you?" He asked, knowing they couldn't answer but he couldn't help himself. His curiosity had been peaked since these two were no Jedi and yet they had the weapons of one.
"Should we rub them out?" Bo-Katan said behind him with rifle already prepared to do just that but Pre Vizsla shook his head.
"No." he told her. "I want to hear their story. If they're an enemy of the Jedi, then they're a friend of mine. Load them up." He ordered and returned to their ship while Bo-Katan and the two men lifted the pair of brothers out of the escape craft and into their own ship.
Bo-Katan, while loyal to her leader and would follow his orders looked uneasily at the two before carrying out Pre's commands.
A short while later the Death Watch cut the pod loose and with their two other ships made the jump to lightspeed, Pre now in the cockpit of his own ship removed his helmet and turned back to look at the brothers, his expression curious and interested in what they might be.
- x -
Death Watch Camp, Unknown Location…
The three ships returned as fast as possible with Maul regaining consciousness briefly before slipping back into sleep. Pre watched as his ships came in to land at the camp which was small and contained all his remaining forty warriors and the only other remaining ship.
The fact he and his true warriors were having to live in tents like refugees was almost enough to get Pre seething but he held his temper and sent both the two mystery warriors they had found the medical droid. They had little in terms of supplies and cybernetic parts were very expensive but they fitted a replacement arm for the taller one with yellow markings while the medical droid made adjustments to the red one so its strange mechanical legs were something more normal.
Maul was the first to stir, the increase of warmth and oxygen making it easier to rise and looked around with suspicion on his face, almost scowling until he saw his brother on the bed next to him, still unconscious.
"Savage." Maul said and tried to get up but had not regained his strength yet and fell back on the bed, unable to get up.
The entrance to the tent parted and Pre entered with Bo-Katan and another of his men at their side. Pre hadn't bothered with his helmet and Bo removed hers as soon as they were in front of Maul.
"You're not Jedi. So, what are you?" Pre asked, stroking his chin as he studied them and awaited Maul's answer. Maul was not pleased by being in this position and Bo with a smugness born of rather foolish confidence pulled out her blaster and pointed it straight at Savage's head.
Maul committed her face to memory and vowed to make her pay for that later but with his own strength diminished by being nearly dead he could only relax back into the bed and answer the man's questions despite the fact he was short on breath.
"We...are...Sith." Maul said with a breath between each word and Pre clearly knew what the Sith were from his history lessons as a child and more recent history with Count Dooku.
"Do you serve Count Dooku?" Pre asked wondering if these were some of his servants. The mention of the old man that had taken his place as apprentice instantly enraged Maul who snarled as he gave his response.
"I serve no-one!" He said and Pre was now confused as he knew the Sith's rule of two and asked.
"I thought there could only be two Sith. A master and an apprentice." Pre said while studying him. Not sure of what this was just yet.
"We are...brothers." Maul said, suddenly out of breath again. "The true lords of the Sith." Maul added with venom to his voice as he considered the betrayal he had suffered at the hands of his former master.
"What happened to your ship?" Pre asked, now intrigued even more and seeing they were probably another Sith faction and if that were the case perhaps this was the chance, he had been dreaming of...to change his situation. Maul's answer only made that hope grow.
"Destroyed by Jedi." Maul said with hate in his eyes. This only made Pre even more eager to form an alliance with them and he quickly asked.
"Do you know which Jedi?"
"Kenobi!" Maul growled out, his hatred of the man clear with every single note, something that delighted Pre. He smirked as he turned to Bo-Katan who nodded before turning back to Maul and asked him.
"And what do you seek now, Sith?" Pre asked with an almost excited look in his eyes as he could hardly believe his luck.
"Fortune and Power." Maul said.
Pre was now eager to make an alliance with these two and said to the droid before leaving the tent.
"Fix this one's legs and do what you can for the other."
- x -
After Maul's legs were finally repaired and he had recovered enough of his strength he got to his feet and walked to Pre's tent. Behind him a guard watched his every step and as Maul stopped for a moment the Death Watch Guard shoved him forward before threatening with his blaster.
"Go on." The guard ordered and Maul again was having to work very hard not to lash out and kill the fool with the force and continued walking forward until he entered the tent.
Pre Vizsla stood in the tent with a number of his warriors around him including the orange haired one that had threatened Savage before. Pre however dominated the room and gestured to the table.
"In time for tea." Pre said. "Come join me." He offered but Maul knew it was a demand not an offer and knew when the time came, he would make Pre rue the day he had crossed them, even if he had rescued them.
Pre sat down and Maul joined him before Pre poured.
"Made with the florets of the Cassius Tree, it's good for your health." Pre said, with a smile trying to break the ice while handing Maul a cup which he took and sipped from, half expecting it to be poison but it was actually rather nice. Maul then took a closer look at the helmet Pre wore and saw the markings it had.
"Your mark?" Maul asked, wondering just which group he and Savage had fallen in with.
"The sign of House Vizsla, I am Pre Vizsla, we are the Death Watch. Descendants of the true warrior faith all Mandalorians once knew." Pre said, getting up and looking at the far wall almost like he was giving a speech. The pride in his voice was unmistakable but he turned and walked away from the table as he continued speaking.
"Now my people and I live in exile because we will not abandon our heritage. Our people were warriors, strong, feared...now they're ruled by the New Mandalorians who think being a pacifist is a good thing. They have given away our honour and tradition...for peace." Pre said with disgust as he paced around the tent.
Maul was only half listening to him as he looked around the tent and saw the warriors standing there, even with his years in exile he knew the situation with the Mandalorians was far more complicated than that and in fact many were still warriors. Pre Vizsla was merely using this as his rallying call to seize power, Maul realised with a plan forming in his mind and his own enjoyment of the situation growing.
This was a golden opportunity to take power for himself and build an army of his own so that at last he could take vengeance on his old master and gain power for himself. Meanwhile Pre was continuing with his diatribe.
"Duchess Satine and her corrupt leadership are crushing our souls." Pre said, picking up his helmet and pressing it against his forehead like some kind of comfort blanket. "Destroying our identity." Pre said with his anger coming back and slamming it down the table. "All the while other Mandalorian houses sit back and do nothing, clinging to peace like frightened children...refusing to take up arms again even to help me remove her from power...to scared of the Republic. That is our struggle." He said with a snarl.
"If they are weak..., why do you wait?" Maul asked, now curious about the situation in Mandalorian Space. Pre was clearly ambitious and Maul now recalled from all the catching up he had done with the current state of the galaxy that the other Houses had excommunicated Vizsla for collaborating with the Separatists who were despised by the Mandalorians and they were in fact waiting for Satine to fail so they could swoop in and pick up the pieces after she fell.
He was almost smirking although he hid it. The other house leaders were clearly wiser and smarter than Vizsla and they would never accept him as their leader whatever claim he had to the Mandalorian throne especially if it was largely in his head. But Maul thought he might prove useful just yet.
"The Duchess has powerful allies, including your Jedi friend Kenobi." Pre said to answer Maul's earlier question. The mention of his most hated enemy made Maul almost seethe with rage. "He is also responsible for our exile as is the Republic's little puppet Ordo." Pre told him with hatred. "Perhaps fortune brought us together." Pre suggested and Maul who inside was now grinning with an almost sadistic glee rise while managing to look stoic.
"It is the will of the force."
- x -
Maul was standing with Pre as he considered his plans. The Death Watch had skilled warriors that could be counted on and apparently more lived on Mandalore itself in hiding but they would take too long to rally. So, with a conflict with the Republic and Jedi likely they would need to form a larger and more powerful force much faster to stand a chance of success.
"We can assemble an army, beginning with the Black Sun." Maul said, his mind already going through all the Underworld knowledge he had that was likely to still be in date.
"They're a crime syndicate. Hardly a force to rally with." Pre said dismissively which honestly Maul found ridiculous for a supposed leader. Pre was so narrow minded he didn't even seem to understand the logistics of war but from what Savage had discovered after speaking with Bo-Katan Pre's deputy it was usually her that dealt with that. Something she was skilled enough at that Maul was actually considering keeping her alive after they were done. Still Maul would be able to use his greater intelligence and experience to make the most of this alliance.
"They can provide us with the resources we need to sustain a war...without the scrutiny of the Republic." Maul said, adding the last part with more emphasis as for this plan to work they had to make sure the Republic and the Jedi knew nothing till they had taken Mandalore and entrenched themselves.
Pre seemed to think this over before smirking and Maul seeing that playing with Pre was going to be child's play added.
"But we will need more warriors and skilled people for our army. While highly skilled and capable your Death Watch is not large enough to take Mandalore let alone force the other houses to submit to your rule. Have you any thought on where we might recruit more warriors?" Maul asked, knowing that despite his rather limited vision Pre probably knew Mandalorian society better than he did.
Pre seemed to think hard for a moment before nodding with a sinister smirk came onto his face.
"Yes, we are the not the only outcasts from Mandalorian society who want to return to the old ways. It will take some time, but I think we can recruit them to our cause." Pre said and Maul nodded.
"Good, while we are doing that though we must look into expanding our forces through other means. I have some thoughts on who we might recruit and how we might acquire additional resources. But first we shall recruit the Black Sun to our cause, not only will their supplies be useful to us but more so their information." Maul said, crime syndicates would give him a great deal of information to plan his campaign with.
A Few Days Later…
Maul stood in the camp with his growing forces, with the subjugation of the Black Sun and their acquisition of their supplies, meaning that at least they were now well provisioned...and the unexpected arrival of the Pyke Syndicate who had joined them rather than oppose them he was finding a better position to plan his assault from.
Still, he would need a larger army to take and hold Mandalore. Pre Vizsla was currently working on his recruitment of Mandalorian mercenaries to bolster their forces but he would need to work on multiple fronts. Maul was glad that Pre was such a fool but it did force him to take a more active hand in gathering their forces so he would need to send out teams to get more.
He had already dispatched Savage on the first one.
- x -
Nightbrother Settlement, Dathomir…
The transport Death Watch had given Savage was fast enough to get him there and the sight of his former home put a frown on Savage's face as he considered the Nightsisters were gone but at least the brothers were still alive.
The settlement though had fallen into some disrepair as they had no guidance from the Nightsisters anymore and Mother Talzin had apparently abandoned them. Something that infuriated Savage but he did not show it, his brother would have his head if he did.
Landing in the village he saw the thin but strong forms of his clan coming out to greet him. While the Mandalorian pilots looked on with concern he left the ship and disembarked. The brothers came up to him looking at him with awe.
"Brothers." Savage said imperiously. "I have been sent to make you an offer, an opportunity has presented itself for us to find a new beginning and gain power for ourselves. Our leader Darth Maul is assembling an army so we can take the power the witches denied us. Come with me and learn to use the powers we have been denied by the sisters and take the galaxy for ourselves." Savage said and walked back into the ship to wait for those that had the will to try and gain power.
Slowly they came, first one then a few more until twenty of so of the brothers stood in the passenger compartment as the ship took off and left the planet. None of them looked back to the Nightbrothers that had chosen to stay behind or the little girl with gray hair and skin not to mention night-sister tattoos on her face who frowned at the ship as it flew away.
- x -
Trandosha, the Mid Rim…
Maul and Bo-Katan flew down to land, Bo clearly not comfortable around the Sith at all but Maul cared not for her comfort only as long as she was loyal and obeyed orders.
The think jungles and forests made finding a place to land outside one of the Trandoshan cities tricky but a clearing had been prepared for them by the ones Maul was coming to visit in hopes of bringing some much-needed muscle to his new Shadow Collective.
Finding the spot Maul noticed three other ships were present already and smiled, sensing no threat from the Trandoshans that were standing down there...only hunger for the hunt and their greed for credits.
Perfect for his purposes.
The ship landed in the clearing and with Bo-Katan following him reluctantly out of the ship where vicious looking Trandoshans were waiting for them.
"Welcome to Trandoshan Lord Maul. We are most intrigued by your offer." The leader of the Warmakers, a clan of Trandoshan mercenaries hissed out.
"Indeed, sanctuary with Mandalorian space to conduct our business without the scrutiny of the Republic and Jedi." The Trandoshan in charge of the Blackscale Clan who specialised in raiding the Wookiee home world Kashyyyk for Wookiee slaves to sell on the black market. The chief of the Zssik Clan nodded at their side, they might be rival slavers but the war and the Republic stationing forces on Kashyyyk for its protection had made business impossible for them. They needed somewhere they could store their...wares till they were ready for sale and neutral space where the Jedi and Republic wouldn't go to hide in.
Both of which Maul was more than willing to provide.
Seeing they were already on board with his plans he prepared himself for the next part of his plans, acquiring the credits he needed for the next stage of his plans.
- x -
Castell, the Colonies Region…
The planet Castell had become a haven for the underworld for centuries as well as for the Commerce Guild who would often move dirty money through its shadowport.
So, if you were looking for hired muscle then this was the perfect place to go and that was part of the reason Maul had come here with the Death Watch and the forces he had gathered so far.
The Commerce Guild Base here was a storehouse for much of their dirtier money, millions of credits worth that they would never admit to having and it was heavily fortified as such but never had the banked-on a Sith with Mandalorians at his command along with Pyke ships to swiftly come in and steal their ill-gotten gains.
Maul stood with Savage and their newly armed Nightbrother guard while they and the Death Watch charged the flimsy battle-droids that guarded the place. It was almost laughably easy to break through Maul thought with boredom and they breached the defences and forced their way inside.
It was laughably to seize the facility and even better he saw a stockpile of equipment and ammunition piled around the facility. Better still was the hanger of old AT-PT walkers that the Commerce Guild had been using for extra security. While they were hardly the best vehicles for a ground battle, they should still give his forces some extra firepower.
The Commerce Guild base personnel though provided some relief from his boredom as he tortured them for useful information but had little of any real use. Eventually he became so bored that he went with some of his Nightbrothers to gather mercenaries to their side.
The common hideout for mercenaries looking for work was a rowdy bar and Maul was only too glad to find so many hired guns here to bolster their fighting force. They signed on so quickly for the rates he was offering.
He failed to notice however one of the mercenaries that had refused his offer sneak away to her VCX-100 light freighter and leave the planet very quickly. She was a human woman with blonde hair and green eyes, while the rates he was offering had been good she had other loyalties...family loyalties.
- x -
Reijar, Ordo System…
On a quick visit home Haron was taking the rare opportunity to observe Luna training her students and to learn a few new skills himself.
"The point is to trust in the force to lift you and keep you lifted as you wrap your body within it." Luna said with a kind but firm voice which Harry found quite strange as it lacked her normal airy tones but she clearly knew what she was doing as he was able to levitate himself with the force under her guidance. Around him Hannah, Neville and the other more advanced students were doing the same with smiles on their faces, flying around with childish glee on their faces.
Haron with regret let his feet return to the ground and told her.
"You are an amazing teacher; I can think of no one better to create this new group." Haron told her with pride and she smiled brightly before saying.
"A teacher is only as good as their students. I was blessed with his group." Luna said but Haron put a hand on her shoulder and spoke.
"Then the reverse is also true. The students are only as good as their teacher and let me tell you that this wouldn't be possible without you." Haron said with a proud smile.
Luna hid her emotions well but Haron could tell she took a lot of comfort from that.
"She's the best teacher in the world!" Lelia and Markus called out together with their bright childish smiles.
Everyone smiled at their enthusiasm but they were interrupted by the sight of Ara coming down the path with Grahuur and more surprisingly Vysa looking rather harried for some reason.
Ara however prevented him from asking any questions or greeting them by coming right up to him and grabbing him by the scruff of then neck and telling him with anger on her beautiful face.
"You got me pregnant again!" She snarled in his face which he was intimidated by completely but the sound his wife being pregnant with their fourth child was enough to make him smile and pick her up so he could spin her around while and while tried to punch his chest she soon was hanging on to his shoulders with a small smile on her face.
"While we did not plan this don't think for a second that I am not excited about this." Haron said while Grahuur smirked alongside the rest, sure his mistress was safe with her mate. Vysa lost her look of worry for a moment and told them.
"Do I have to give you two the basics of using protection?" Vysa said with a smirk but Ara sighed with annoyance.
"It rarely works with us. We use it but we conceive anyway." Ara snapped at Vysa who was still not used to her. Luna smiled.
"It is the will of the force. But since you are not here to train and I can tell you were rather unsettled when you came here...what do you need to say?" Luna said to Vysa who she hadn't really gotten to know, while taking a moment to study her properly.
The woman was certainly reasonably strong in the force although its channelling was limited somehow, perhaps with more training she could open herself up properly to the force but that was a matter for the future Luna thought turning back to the matter at hand.
Vysa frowned before turning back to Haron and telling him.
"We have a serious problem."
- x -
Zara and Deera were both working on reverse engineering the Iokath technology which was proving harder than they had hoped in some areas but still the work was progressing.
"I think if we can increase the density..." Zara started saying but Deera without even looking up said dismissively.
"It won't work, too dense and the energy transfer is thrown off."
Zara however looked annoyed at the dismissal and was not ready to let go of the point.
"But if we don't the heat transfer will rupture the components."
"If they can't carry energy, they aren't worth installing." Deera said, too caught up in her work to even notice Zara's tone. Zara, very quickly became fed up of this and got up from her seat to pull the data pad Deera was working on out of her hands to finally get her full attention.
"Hey." Deera said with surprise as the pad was yanked from her hands. Zara stood over her with the pad in hand.
"It seems I finally have your attention! Why won't you even consider my ideas?" Zara said crossly. Deera herself now irritated at the interruption stood up so she was face to face with her wife.
"Because they won't work. The density increasing means they lose their ability to carry energy current." She told Zara shortly but Zara didn't accept that.
"Then we need to find a way to fix that otherwise this whole exercise is pointless. A bit like talking to you." Zara said which only inflamed Deera.
"Excuse me!?" Deera said with anger making her face flush.
"No, I don't." Zara said with her own face flushed too.
They seemed to run out of words after that and just stood there glaring at each other for a moment before Deera blinked and suddenly asking.
"Is this our first argument?" She asked with her breath shallow. Zara seemed to realise she was right and spoke.
"I guess so, we really are a married couple now." Zara said with a small smile. "We're a right mix, aren't we?"
That was when a light went on in Deera's head and she suddenly realised just where they were going wrong.
"You are right about the density." Deera said with her mind rushing through the possibilities which surprised. "What we need is to find the right element or compound to merge it with to increase the rate of energy transference." Deera said before going over and giving her wife a kiss straight on the lips, saying when she stopped so they could breathe. "You are amazing."
"We need to argue more often...if it gets you to admit that." Zara said with a suggestive smirk.
They would likely have done more private things had a knock at the door distracted them.
"Countess Ordo." Din said from the other side and the pair were thankful to have locked the door rather than have the young boy see something he shouldn't. "There is an emergency, Mandalore itself is danger."
That made the pair instantly break apart and ready themselves for what they assumed was a crisis meeting.
Death Camp, Unknown Location…
Maul was standing in the centre of the growing camp with a sense of accomplishment that he allowed himself only for a moment as gathering the army was a fairly simple part of his plans and there were many more stages in the campaign to come.
Their army was growing as mercenaries from Shlangii and Castell were drafted to their banner and a basic fleet was now assembled from the different factions including many pirate captains from the Pontonese, a pirate fleet that haunted the galaxy and the raiders known as the Blaze, a group of pirates who preyed on under defended worlds around the Outer and Mid Rim. They were eager for safe haven in Mandalorian Space so they could expand their raiding across the rest of the galaxy.
Combined with what they already had it was a considerable force.
However, Pre Vizsla was about to prove if he was a truly useful pawn or not. Maul and Savage watched as he greeted a pair of very vicious individuals who would add some useful skilled fighters to their forces.
"Vizsla. Who would have thought a stuck-up prick like you would come crawling to us for help?" A tall and scarred forty-year-old human male said. He sneered which revealed several false teeth and a completely shaved head. He was Forcus Hemdarc, the leader of the Mandalorian force known as Terror Brigade. Dressed in an orange jumpsuit with beskar plates painted white he looked to Maul's eyes ridiculous but Forcus and his warriors had a reputation for ruthlessness and not caring what they had to do to get paid.
"If the chance of getting revenge on those that exiled us is possible though, count me and my warriors in." Chop'aa Notimo said with a vicious grin made all the more intimidating by the large scars that covered much of his face and ruined eye, leader of the Dar'Manda a fellow group of Mandalorian exiles that had until now worked as mercenaries and gunrunners for the Separatists. Their armour was a pinkish red lined with gold and a black bodysuit underneath.
"That's right, you help us retake Mandalore and all of our space will follow. You will get everything you desire." Pre said with a vicious sneer.
Maul just shook his head; he was completely hopeless so easy to predict. Taking over from Pre would be ridiculously easy.
Bo-Katan meanwhile was fuming as were many other members of Death Watch as yet more criminals were recruited, she honestly was feeling so revolted by all this as she saw the deals Maul and Pre were making, letting the criminals run free in their space. She honestly was sick to her stomach as she could see the chaos that had killed her parents coming back again and worse the sight of the Terror Brigade and Dar'Manda...the latter especially as they had tried to slaughter her entire family!
Bo-Katan was really starting to wonder if being here was ever the right decision, her guilt over what she had helped bring about...the excommunication of her sister and of all the problems on her home world. All the tiny steps which had seemed acceptable at the time had led her here and it was terrifying as she looked at what was going to hit Mandalore now.
Unless, she thought quietly to herself...she did something about it.
- x -
Reijar, Ordo System…
"You're sure?" Ijaa's hologram said as Vysa reported what she had seen.
"Yes, I'm not dumb." Vysa said at the perceived insult, frowning as she continued to brief the other house leaders who likewise where there in holographic form. Haron gave her a look that told her to get serious and she sighed before repeating what she knew.
"So far Maul and his brother Savage alongside Death Watch have managed to get the Black Sun, Pyke Syndicate, a bunch of Nightbrothers, The Blaze Raiders, Warstalkers, Blackscale Clan, Zssik Clan, Pontonese pirates, mercenaries from Castell and Shlangii not to mention the Terror Brigade and Dar'Manda to form this new 'Shadow Collective'. Word has it he is going after the Hutts next with the express purpose of conquering Mandalore. Offering some of them free use of Mandalorian space in return especially if they help suppress all the houses and ruling over it all." Vysa told them, irritated at having to explain this yet again. The house leaders looked shocked and a few even a little fearful.
Haron meanwhile was now hiding his own fears about this situation behind a calm mask. This was exactly what he had feared might happen that Vizsla would find someone else to back him but never had he imagined it would be Maul and this cartel of criminals!
"The criminals are bad enough but...Terror Brigade...the Dar'Manda? Clearly any sense of our ways has deserted him." Sarek said with a furious look on his face.
"It will be like the old days again!" Sel'ban said with worry. The days when criminals and insurgents had run riot around their space. The Ma'Gards and Eliza Kane looked deeply unsettled and/or furious about this given they had lost family members due to that time of chaos. The rest of the House leaders themselves were angry about this situation...but especially about Terror Brigade and the Dar'Manda.
They were the worst of all Mandalorians, so bad many had fled their space after stealing armour and equipment. Contrary to what some believed, it was not their way to kill all their criminals. They had prisons for law breakers or especially dangerous criminals, that was what the Terror Brigade was, escaped criminals who were trained to in their ways.
The same with the Dar'Manda who were what remained of a house and its clans after a failed attempt to overthrow House Kryze over a century ago. They made their living largely as mercenaries and gun runners with occasional forays into slave taking.
Haron couldn't care less about Satine but this was something he could not ignore...he had to respond and fast before they got any stronger or managed to entrench themselves.
"Rally our forces." Haron said loudly, to make sure they all heard him. The house leaders and his inner circle all looked at him with surprise.
"Which ones?" Harlan asked and Haron said with gritted teeth.
"All of them, rally everything we can as fast as we can. We cannot let Maul and his scum get a foothold in our space. We can handle the criminals and the rest of the exiles but only if we act quickly." Haron said with a sense of foreboding about this.
"What about these Sith brothers? I respect you of course, but how are we going to deal with them?" Ceta asked and Haron felt a headache coming on as he considered the danger they represented. While he was fairly confident, he might be able to deal with one of them there was no chance of him taking them both on by himself and none of the others had the experience he did in fighting force wielders with lightsabers and if Maul escaped then their secret was out. He thought for a moment and then he saw a possible way to not only deal with the Sith but also get the threat of Republic invasion off their backs for good.
"I know of a Jedi who has a history with these two. I think I can get them here and if we say the Jedi were supervising the liberation of Mandalore, perhaps we can get rid of their threatened invasion at the same time. So, I will get us the Jedi to deal with the Sith brothers while the rest of you rally your forces. This is going to be biggest battle we have fought in for years...we'll need warriors, the Sky-Troopers, whatever Basilisks and ground vehicles we can get our hands on and the ships to fight and carry them with. Whatever you have do get it done." Haron said, taking charge without even thinking about it and while many of them didn't like the idea of asking the Jedi for help they knew this situation was too dire to argue.
They were short on time and this was essential for their future...the future of all Mandalore...maybe even the future of the wider galaxy could be decided in the next few days.
Republic Military Docks, Coruscant…
The flight deck of the Resolute was the largest open space on the ship and today it was being put to a much more enjoyable activity at least for the men of the 501st.
"Gentlemen." Anakin said with pride as the clones stood to attention right in front of him. Admiral Pellaeon at his side who was also smiling. "Your bravery on Umbara not just in the face of the enemy but even a rogue general won us the day and did yourselves and your brothers proud. So today in honour of your achievement in saving the Republic and for your exceptional loyalty, by order of Republic Military Command I am delighted to be one to give you all the Medal of Valour." Anakin said with pride.
Rex looked uncomfortable at the honour as Anakin, Ahsoka and Admiral Pellaeon walked over to each of them and pinned the medals on their chests. Some of the clones looked glad of their achievement while others took it stoically and a few looked ready to reject it as none of them felt they deserved it, but it was not over yet.
"Fives, Rex stand forward." Anakin then said with a smile, knowing he was going to really enjoy the next part. The two clones looked surprised but did as they were told. Once standing in front of their men and before and Anakin and Pellaeon both of whom were smiling, turning to the Admiral, Anakin nodded letting him do the honours for Fives.
"Fives." Pellaeon said, addressing him by his name rather than his number. "Your actions in capturing the enemy fighters saved the lives of many clones and ensured a victory from what might have been a costly defeat. In honour of your achievement, I am pleased to present you with the Medallion of Honour. For your outstanding service to the Republic, you will also receive a promotion to the rank of Captain." Pellaeon said before taking the gold medallion with its scarlet ribbon and placing it around the surprised Fives' neck. The other clones all looked at him with smug looks, glad for him.
Rex too smiled for Fives; glad his achievement had been recognised although the promotion had been a surprise. But for Rex at least, Anakin had a greater surprise.
"Captain Rex." Anakin said to bring the attention back to them. When he had it, Anakin kept talking. "Without your clear and incredible loyalty to the Republic the Umbara Campaign would have ended in certain failure. Your bravery in the face of adversity and quick thinking saved potentially tens of thousands of lives. In honour of your extraordinary efforts and achievements, I am truly honoured to not only promote you to the rank of Commander and present you with the Chancellor's Service Medal." Anakin said and before Rex could object Anakin put the gold medal with a blue and silver silk ribbon around Rex's neck and placed the command marking on his chest.
Ahsoka and the rest of the men all smiled brightly at the promotion of the much-admired Rex who would now have effective command of the unit under Skywalker and Admiral Pellaeon.
"Sir…I." Rex said, not able to believe that this was happening before he managed to speak. "I don't deserve this, the men that died…this belongs to them." Rex said, not wanting any glory or even recognition for what he had done. He was a soldier and it was his duty, that was all he needed and wanted.
"Yes, it does, but you are the one that led them." Pellaeon said with a smile, liking the man for his dedication and humility. "You are the one that stood up first and questioned Krell. Men like you who can truly be trusted with the responsibility of command are hard to find."
"The Admiral is right Rex." Anakin added with a smile, grateful that he had an Admiral that actually saw Rex as a man and not just another clone. "You stood up for your men and saved all their lives. You led them in their darkest hour and pulled them through, if any one deserves to be promoted or that medal…it's you." Anakin said putting a hand on Rex's shoulder. At his side Ahsoka was beaming from ear to ear for her friend.
Seeing all them were against him and seeing with a slight turning of his head that his brothers too were all for it too. Feeling very much like he was being ganged up on Rex swallowed and nodded before saluted his commanding officer, the Admiral and Ahsoka. They saluted back as did the men while Rex felt very much that he was out of his depth.
- x -
The Jedi Temple, Coruscant…
With so many experienced masters and knights still on the front lines of the war it fell those that remained to teach the younger generation that would one day be key members of the Jedi Order and continue its mission to protect the Republic. And with the return of the Sith it had become much more necessary than usual to demonstrate proper lightsaber and duelling techniques to the younglings.
So today they would get to see two Battlemasters fight.
Cin Drallig stood looking as regal as possible in his robes while on the other side of the duelling circle Minisa Anari stood with a smile on her face as she wore her usual black leather outfit. The audience that had gathered was excited to see two highly skilled duellists going at it in a competition of skill. Master Teras Sinube sat with a group of younglings and told them all.
"Now pay attention to the way they stand, how they hold themselves and how they manage fighting against each other. There is much to learn if one takes their time and observes carefully." He instructed to them all and they were only half listening but enough managed to heed his words.
Cin Drallig was looking to Lexia who was holding his robe and looked herself very intrigued at what was going to happen while Bene watched from Minisa's side, not really sure if she was supposed to cheer for anyone but was interested to see just how her current and former teachers faired against each other.
The two masters walked forward and activated their lightsabers, Cin Drallig's green blade appeared while the sapphire blue blade of Minisa's did the same. They both observed the formal fencing salute with their lit lightsabers and then put themselves in the ready positions. Cin put himself in the formal one handed, blade at the side stance of Form 2 fighting while Minisa fell into the overhead position favoured by Form 3 users like Kenobi.
The pair didn't move for a moment but then Cin lunged forward with a probing jab that was meant to make her jump back or bat it away so he close move closer and press his attack only for Minisa in the blink of an eye to roll forward underneath it and swipe at Cin with her own lightsaber but he managed to jump in time to avoid it.
Minisa however used the precious seconds this bought her to get to her feet and in another surprising twist started using a combination of Forms 2 and 6 together to attack Cin. She would lunge and parry with him before using the force in the push/pull and slash techniques and then just as Cin was starting to resort into Form 3 for his own defence Minisa surprised him yet again by switching to Form 4 to feint and switch around Cin Drallig, never stopping and becoming almost a blur of motion as she darted around him at a terrific speed that he was having a hard time matching.
The Jedi watching were amazed, Cin Drallig was one of the greatest swordsmen the order had produced and even Masters Yoda and Windu held his skills in high regard but Minisa already had him on the back foot and just as he was about to regain some ground, she would switch to a different form of lightsaber fighting and send him right back into being defensive again. Many awed looks graced the faces of the padawans and younglings at the skill on display.
Then as time went on, they started to see Minisa was slowing down slightly, she was tense as if she was having to concentrate to maintain her assault. The Jedi watching wondered if she had expended her energy and if so then Cin was surely going to take the upper hand any moment now.
Cin did notice her sudden weakness and felt assured of his own conservational style, it was winning this duel for him and he began to use Form 5 to overwhelm her defence and end this duel. For a moment Minisa looked done for and Bene along with those that had been almost cheering for her felt deflated while those that had been on Cin's side during the engagement smiled, sure of his victory.
However just as it looked certain the duel was about to end, Minisa's face suddenly became completely serious and any tension vanished as did her apparent weakness, matching Cin move for move. The crowd was stunned as none of them had realised that Minisa had been faking this entire time, to lure Cin into a false sense of security and it had worked as the old master seemed stunned and unprepared when she switched to another form, one that few had seen.
Suddenly her strikes began stronger and far more unpredictable as launched almost staggering attacks against Cin in quick bursts while using the force to make small leaps around him that was so fast you could barely keep up with her. Those who were trying to see just what style she had switched too found this hard as they were seemingly unconnected and you could never tell just what Minisa would do next or where she would attack from. There was little momentum in her strikes but they were launched with great strength and speed that was almost overwhelming Cin the moment she started.
The senior and more skilled lightsaber experts present eventually realised to their shock and disbelief that Minisa was using the last and most difficult form of lightsaber fighting…Form 7 also known as Juyo. Given she was only just coming up to her thirtieth birthday this was astonishing for one so young.
Cin…they all realised was doomed.
He struggled on, trying his best to hold off the overwhelming assault Minisa was unleashing on him but he had no time to recover and find his footing before he found Minisa was standing there with her blade only the tiniest part of an inch from his throat. A smile on her face as she had proven that not only was she a true battlemaster, but a prodigy of lightsaber fighting who had been studying all the forms since she was only eight years old even if she had only practiced from twelve or so on.
Something she had never stopped doing, ever.
Cin, beaten to his own surprise had no choice but to deactivate his lightsaber and surrender. With that, the duel was over and Minisa deactivated her own weapon and returned it to her belt. She gave him the traditional bow of respect which he returned albeit with some reluctance.
"Master that was amazing!" Bene said with awe on her face as Minisa came back over. A number of other Jedi especially the younger ones too were looking at her with the same awe they would the most famous masters of the Order if they happened to appear at the door. Minisa just smiled and told her apprentice.
"It is merely a matter of practice and concentration Bene. Train hard and master not only your body but your mind as well and all forms can be learned." Minisa said with an encouraging smile.
- x -
Anakin returned to the Temple with Ahsoka, unfortunately missing the duel between Minisa and Cin Drallig and unfortunately Tuwan was teaching some of their new allies in using their full emotions and discovering their own personal codes so he was too busy to speak with them today.
Obi-Wan however was there to greet them, talking with Bao-Dur, another of the Returned who had stayed at the Temple and spent his days upgrading the Temple's technology and defences.
"Anakin, Ahsoka. I trust Rex and the others were happy about their rewards for their service on Umbara?" Obi-Wan asked with a pleasant smile and Anakin smirked alongside Ahsoka who answered.
"Rex was his usual self but I think they all deserved it." Ahsoka said brightly, glad for their bravery to be properly recognised. Anakin and Obi-Wan nodded while Bao-Dur in his soothing voice said.
"It is a shame I rarely get to meet some of these clones as I really would like to work on some of their weapons and vehicles but I am content here for now." He told them with a small smile.
"Indeed, Master Bao-Dur was just telling me how he and Master Paratus had been upgrading the training droids and the remotes with special programs and improvements to use in event the Temple ever comes under attack." Obi-Wan said, knowing that while hopefully they would never be needed but given the hostile nature of the galaxy it was far better to have them in case they were ever needed.
"Master Kenobi! Master Skywalker!" A voice said and they all turned to see a young padawan running up to them, seemingly out of breath. "There is an urgent call for you from Reijar, Duke Ordo is being very insistent."
That brought them all up short as none of them had any idea just what could be so important that Haron would communicate with them like this. However, their curiosity made them part with Bao-Dur who quite happily returned to his work while they went to Obi-Wan's room to hear just what had Duke Ordo reaching out to them so suddenly.
Arriving in the bland and simple room that Obi-Wan kept in the Temple they closed the door and a hologram of Duke Ordo appeared, he was they all noticed looking very tense.
"About time, listen I don't have much time to explain but I know where Darth Maul is." Haron told them and all of them blinked.
"Well, where is he?" Anakin asked with a frown, knowing that the Sith Assassin was the one responsible for too many Jedi deaths already including the man who had killed Qui-Gon, the man who had saved him from slavery.
"On his way to Mandalore." Haron said with folded arms.
That statement stunned all of them and Haron sighed before telling them.
"He's assembled an army of criminals including Death Watch and is planning to invade and take the planet for himself." Haron told them hoping to get to the point. "My people might have been willing to allow Satine to run the planet into ruin but we will not accept an outsider spreading rot and corruption through our space." Haron said before turning to Kenobi who was looking troubled at the danger to the woman he loved even if they could never say it.
"What I am offering you is Maul and his brother on a plate, me and my people are rallying our forces to deal with the rest of his syndicate but I can't deal with those two on my own. But this is your chance to catch them, do with them what you will. Maybe even find out just who his former master is." Haron said, hinting to the fact that Maul might be able to unmask the Sith mastermind that threatened them all was a huge opportunity.
"What are we waiting? Let's go!" Ahsoka said with eagerness to track down and slay these monsters once and for all. However, both Anakin and Obi-Wan looked uneasy.
"Ahsoka, you realise since this is not Senate sanctioned, we won't be able to take the Clones with us and will be all alone if something goes wrong." Obi-Wan told her, making she understood that this mission if they chose to take it could lead them to them being abandoned if they were captured.
Ahsoka did look a little worried at that as they had never really gone behind the Council or the Republic's backs like this before. Anakin however, ever the bold one spoke up.
"But this kind of opportunity might never come again. We need to take it." He urged them and at Anakin's urging Ahsoka was back on board but Obi-Wan was not. Anakin noticed and said to his former master. "Obi-Wan, if Maul conquers Mandalore…what do you think will happen to Satine? Especially if Maul finds out how much she means to you." Anakin implored Obi-Wan knowing that she was to him what Padme was for Anakin.
The mention of Satine being in danger was enough to make Obi-Wan alarmed and he frowned deeply before nodding. Haron nodded, relief clear on his face before telling them.
"My forces are gathering in the Graavis System, meet up with us there. Hopefully we can get there in time." Haron said and all them nodded before the hologram cut off.
Death Watch Camp, Unknown Location…
Pre was standing with Maul and his brother looking very proud of himself and almost buzzing with anticipation as at last Mandalore was withing his grasp, the chance of revenge on all those that had wronged him…turned their backs on him was at hand.
He saw the group assembled and smirked knowing victory was assured, given all they had managed to bring together and the complete collapse of Mandalore's infrastructure it wouldn't even be necessary to fake being heroes. They can just conquer the planet.
He was however surprised as a group of very heavily armed Mandalorians entered the camp, all the others looked at the outsiders with suspicion but Pre allowed them to approach. The apparent leader who was wielding a very large but powerful looking blaster cannon stood in front of him.
"Cousin." The man said and the familiar voice made Pre start with surprise before asking.
"Paz?" Pre asked him with confusion, having not seen his cousin in many years as he had run off to join the Children of the Watch. He was shocked to see him here and asked. "Just what are you doing here, after all this time?" Pre was genuinely confused at why his cousin would come back now of all moments?
"Because this is a chance to at last restore our people to their true way." Paz said, frustration coming into his voice. "Not all of the Watch agree but myself and those with me do. You on the throne of Mandalore will see our people return to their rightful path. We will fight with you to ensure that happens." Paz said and Pre saw some very well armed warriors behind him. Pre was secretly thrilled as it gave him some well-honed fighters to call on to deal with the criminals after Pre didn't need them anymore.
Stormfront, Graavis System…
A growing fleet was forming around the Lucrehulk that served as the flagship from the Mandalorians and their command centre for their first major military action in centuries.
Haron stood on the command deck as he watched ships coming in, heavy cruisers, corvettes, starfighters, captured Separatist ships and whatever else they could manage to pull together in such a short time was being assembled here.
He was wondering how they were going to work together as one he worried that although they were all more or less trained in the same tactics and used similar equipment, they wouldn't be able to fight as one. He had confidence in their leadership and their skills but could they work together? He pondered; he had no real time to test it before hand so it would happen for the first time in the heat of battle.
Vysa who had joined them for this assault stood alongside with Ara and Grahuur present too. He would rather she not be here given she was pregnant but she would never allow anything else and he wasn't going to force the issue. Deera and Zara too were with him while Luna, Hannah and Neville held down the fort at home. With the Jedi around they didn't want to risk bring Luna's students into the battle just yet.
The other houses leaders too were arriving slowly, joining him on the bridge while they waited for the Jedi who he could sense where on the way. Just as Duchess Eliza arrived with her trademark smirk though another ship arrived without any one else.
"Its markings are unknown sir. Should we take it out?" The gunnery officer on the bridge said, looking to him for the others for guidance. The others all stared, wondering just what he was going to do and before he could order them to do just that he felt a tremor in the force which made him stay his hand and frowned under his helmet before saying.
"No let them land, I will meet them in the hanger bay." Haron said before walking out of the room without any explanation to the others who looked shocked. Din however ran up to him.
"Duke Ordo, is this wise?" He asked, Haron was amazed as the boy seemed to be growing like a weed and had become a gangly teenager in the blink of an eye. He wasn't tall enough to wear his pure beskar suit just yet although that time would come soon, so for this battle…Din's very first he had been loaned some armour in his size. The boy was standing proudly in it as he felt more a warrior than ever which only made Haron smile wider.
Proud of the boy, knowing he was worthy of it.
"Wise? Perhaps not but in life many things we do are not wise, I have always trusted my instincts and I am willing to see if this proves useful or not." Haron told Din. It was perhaps foolish but he was sure in the force that whoever this might be was important.
A ride in the lift later he was on the hanger deck with warriors and support personnel moving around starfighters, shuttles and landing craft in preparation for the assault. Some looked up as he came past, walking purposefully with Din and his guards across the hanger deck. The unknown transport landed on the deck and Haron stopped, his hands always close to his weapons if they were needed.
The ramp lowered and out came a group of people in Mandalorian armour, Haron wondered just who they were as they all had completely dark blue armour, that particular colour was not connected to any one group. Haron had no idea at first just who these warriors belonged too until their apparent leader disembarked and all became clear.
The leader was female, the armour showed that, her armour had a bronze finish and some rusty red colouring teamed with a green kilt, dark green pants and a fur coat of some kind but her helmet stood out most of all. It had a golden finish with somewhat elaborate decoration and design not to mention five distinctive small horns on the top.
"Haron Ordo." The woman said while Haron's guards glared at the woman's and Din himself looked at her strangely. As if partly in awe. "I-". She started to say but Haron now knew just who they were and put a hand up to stop her.
"The Armourer, I have heard of you and your Tribe. Children of the Watch, extremists who uphold the most ancient of our traditions including that one must never remove their mask or they cease to be Mandalorian. I know who and what you are." Haron said coldly, religious zealots he thought with annoyance. Just what he needed right now. Din looked at them with confusion as he was not familiar with many of their most ancient rituals and customs yet.
"It is the Way." The Armourer said simply and Haron wanted to roll his eyes knowing that trying to reason with her was not going to get him anywhere.
"What is it you want?" Haron asked, trying to get to the point and the Armourer if she took offence at his attitude didn't show it and went straight to the matter at hand.
"Some of our own have broken from the Tribe to aid Vizsla in conquering Mandalore, largely because their leader happens to be cousin to Pre Vizsla, they disgrace Mandalore by bringing these criminals here and for that reason alone we will fight with you before we leave." The Armourer said simply.
Haron frowned at how presumptuous the woman was and told her.
"Why should I accept your help when I don't trust you? By your own admission some of your own people are helping Vizsla bring this nightmare down on our world. How can I be sure of your integrity?" Haron asked keenly.
Her guards didn't take kindly to that nor did his and they plus Din all the aggressive stance in response. The Armourer he could sense was glad surprisingly and told him.
"If you become the Mandalore, if you succeed in this mission our people will be all the stronger for it. We have watched your struggles and accomplishments and no one else has truly stood a chance of bringing back our people to the true way until now. You can count on my people wanting that rather than the chaos having a Sith sitting on Mandalore's throne would bring." The Armourer said plainly.
Haron could sense she was indeed sincere in that at least. She wanted their people reunited albeit not for the same reason as him. He didn't want to trust them but if what he had heard was true, they were exceptional warriors and he needed the best for this assault. That made his decision and he nodded reluctantly while the others all looked at him in surprise.
"For this battle then, we will fight side by side. But I will be watching you." Haron said with an edge of warning. The Armourer nodded in agreement, able to accept that. Haron held out his hand and the Armourer took it, shaking to seal their agreement.
- x -
The Jedi Shuttle arrived at the same moment Haron was meeting with the Armourer, from the cockpit Obi-Wan, Anakin and Ahsoka all looked out at the fairly sized fleet the Mandalorians had assembled. Anakin and Ahsoka were impressed at the variety of ships present while Obi-Wan was concerned at them having such a fighting force at their disposal given their aggression towards the Jedi.
Anakin piloted their shuttle towards the Stormfront, guiding the shuttle into the familiar looking hanger and setting it down with ease. He was again impressed to see the large number of landers and starfighters the Mandalorians had assembled and noticed some familiar designs like the ARC-170 around but some he had never seen before. However, he did see Haron standing not too far away with a group and soon departed the ship.
Stepping out onto the hanger deck was in some ways like when he had barged into their meeting on Graavis as he, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka all left the shuttle and walked towards Haron, feeling the suspicious looks being sent their way but Haron welcomed them warmly.
"Anakin, Ahsoka, General Kenobi thank you for coming on such short notice. Myself and my people will appreciate it once Maul and his brother are dealt with." Haron said with a genuine smile, glad those he could trust were here. Anakin nodded and shook his hand.
A short ride back to the bridge later they all stood with the Armourer and the Jedi in the briefing room. The other house leaders looked at the Jedi with suspicion as they didn't trust them at all given the rough history between their two groups but it was the Armourer strangely that they trusted the least.
She was a zealot, a complete fanatic that could bring a lot of trouble to their culture. Haron needing to get the meeting back on track spoke.
"We now have our taskforce and the next course of action is to go to Mandalore and liberate it from Maul's forces or if we are lucky hit them before or while they are invading the planet." He said before a hologram of the world in question appeared. "The focus of any invasion will be Sundari, the centre of government so that is where the battle will be." Haron said.
"Do we know exactly what sort of resistance to expect?" Duke N'Val asked and turned to Vysa who nodded before answering the question.
"A small fleet of Pontonese and Blaze ships have come over to Maul's banner, usual corvettes, light freighters and starfighters with modified bulk freighters acting as makeshift warships." Vysa said, her contacts having fed her this information. "They have managed to acquire some AT-PT walkers and the fighter transports but not much else in the way of armed vehicles but they are well equipped with blasters, rockets and other weapons. Also, they have plenty of supplies now the Hutts have been threatened into helping them.
"Wonder how long that will last?" Ceta Farr said with a shake of the head that they all agreed with. If you force a hutt to help you, then expect to find a knife in your back soon after.
"I know that Maul and Savage are dangerous but do we really need the Jedi here?" Lila Kast asked with distaste aimed at the Jedi who all frowned but Ijaa spoke.
"Have you ever faced a force user?" He asked plainly and the outspoken duchess found herself unable to answer as Ijaa made his point. "Of course not, most of us haven't and one of the few ways to defeat one is with another force user. The Jedi and us might have had our issues in the past but the Sith will cause us much worse problems in the future if we don't handle them swiftly." Ijaa said shutting the duchess down while Haron nodded gratefully to Ijaa before adding his own opinion.
"The Jedi here today are some of the strongest their order has ever produced. While not one of us Anakin has a warrior's spirit as does Ahsoka and Obi-Wan Kenobi remains the only one who has ever bested Maul and Savage in the past. They are the best allies we could hope for in this fight."
"Just as well then." Ara said sternly. "That we get back onto the subject at hand. We do have little time."
"Less than you think." Harlan said with worry, drawing their attention as he had just received a data burst from Mandalore. "They've already started their invasion."
Nightbrother, Orbit of Mandalore…
The Kom'rk class transport that served as Maul's flagship for the invasion was surrounded by many other types of ships from all the factions of the Shadow Collective as it plunged down from orbit towards the capital.
Sundari Orbital Control was able to see them easily as they dropped out of hyperspace and then approached the planet. It was undermanned due to budget cuts and those that were there were hardly skilled personnel. They were panicking as none of them had any training in just what to do and worse in her efforts to demilitarise the Mandalorians Duchess Satine had ordered the removal of any defensive weaponry or shields from the domed city at the beginning of her reign so apart from alert the Protectors which thankfully one of them had the brains to do they were near completely powerless to do anything about what was about to hit them.
They did close all the blast doors that they had but were unable to do anything else. Maul and his forces had no opposition as they landed. Maul disembarked from his ship with Savage at his side and smirked at the pathetic blast doors. Too thin and poorly secured so together he and Savage reached out with the force.
The door shook inside its frame and struggled to resist but under the intense pressure of their combined might it buckled and started to rise, their associates who were gathering around them looked on in shock and more than a little fear as the metal twisted and was forced up, clearing the way for them.
With the landing zone now secure and the door open, the transports that carried most of their troops began to land and unload their cargo. Mandalorians, mercenaries and more all charged with excited yells into the city while landers unloaded the walkers they had managed to acquire. Chop'aa Notimo, the leader of the Dar'Manda revealed his most powerful asset in this invasion at the same time, a large droid with multiple legs came out of one of the transports.
It was a mean looking machine and Maul was already planning to copy them when he had the means to counter his former master's army which he was sure to send against them.
"Onward to victory and spoils." Maul called out and the Shadow Collective members wasted no time before charging with blood curdling cries into the city.
The civil defence alarm sounded, alerting the Protectors and worried civilians to the danger but none of them had a single clue just what to do. The Protectors all rushed forward with their shields and blasters ready. They had training, basic training but the sight of so many hardened mercenaries coming running towards them had them terrified. Some did manage to stand their ground and started firing back but just as they were getting started the heavy clunking of the AT-PT walkers could be heard and they looked up to see the walkers come through the passage and extend to their full height. Their single heavy blaster locked on the Protectors and fired without a moment's hesitation, their small and flimsy shield was no match for the heavy blaster and broke instantly on contact. The men being thrown back and then to make matters worse the Mandalorian warriors flew over the walkers and used their rockets to blast the few that were still standing or were helplessly on the floor. The explosions tore them and their flimsy armour apart, leaving the invaders unopposed as they advanced deeper into the city.
The people of Mandalore, many already hungry and some ill were in a total panic and had nowhere to run too. The vicious thugs fired at anything that moved or if they were feeling merciful only those that dared to fight back. People were getting gunned down and robbed ruthlessly and those that caught the eye of the invaders for either their own pleasure or for potential slavery were dragged off screaming; men, women and children.
- x -
Korkie watched from the window of the apartment where he and his friends were staying, his face was full of horror at what he was seeing. The sheer wanton destruction and savagery of the invaders was hard for him to stomach. He felt a little comfort at the blaster that he was carrying at the insistence of some since the downturn of Mandalore. His Auntie Satine who he had tried to help as much as he could rarely left the palace these days and while he and his friends did what they could to help the people and fight corruption they had all become very used to being armed.
It was becoming far too comfortable he thought having it there.
"The invaders are spreading through the city section by section, advancing towards the palace with increasing speed." Soniee told him while she used what surveillance systems were still functioning to monitor the situation. The fear on her face was clear by the tense way she held her pad and the tightening of her face.
"The Protectors are helpless. They haven't the weapons or training to fight an enemy like this." Amis told him as he looked out the window, monitoring the comm traffic. His usual flippant attitude completely gone with the situation being so bad.
"We can't stay here Korkie, they'll be here any moment." Lagos said with a fearful look down the hallway of the apartment. Just as she said that an explosion blew out the door of the apartment and a group of vicious looking Trandoshans came in. Korkie and hie friends took whatever cover they could and raised their weapons, ready to defend themselves even if they weren't completely used to using them yet.
"Take the females. They will fetch a good price at market." The leader hissed in their language which Korkie understood and the fact they wanted to take Lagos and Soniee as slaves only enraged him. "Kill the males."
"Fire." Korkie yelled to his friends and they started shooting at the Trandoshans who were already shooting stun blasts at them. The cluttered apartment gave both sides cover and Korkie as he tried to protect his friends looked around for an exit but found no way out. He gritted his teeth as he realised, they were trapped and knew that either they fought their way out or be captured or killed here.
However, they had to do neither as suddenly the Trandoshans were shot in quick succession from behind. Korkie and his friends looked on in surprise but then ducked back down again when a group of Death Watch soldiers appeared behind them and Korkie readied himself to keep on shooting until a familiar voice spoke.
"Korkie! Stop! It's me." A female voice said and the apparent leader took off her helmet, revealing someone he had not seen in years.
"Aunt Bo." Korkie said with astonishment before he instantly became suspicious again. "You are with them!" He said raising his blaster again as did his friends but Bo-Katan raised her hands and looked at him pleading.
"Korkie…I never meant for it to get his far. I should have stopped this but right now if we are going to save our family and Mandalore I need you to trust me." Bo-Katan said with an urgent pleading to the only family she had other than her sister. She had never meant to hurt either her sister or her nephew…despite her problems with Satine, she loved them both and only wanted them safe.
Korkie glared at her, not sure whether or not he could take that chance but she was still his aunt. It had been her that taught him to shoot and even some self-defence lessons behind Auntie Satine's back. So, he lowered his weapon and despite being scared his friends too his lead and did the same.
Bo-Katan breathed a sigh of relief as he stood down and told him.
"If we are going to save our world then you and your friends are going to need some far better protection, come with me." She told them and with her warriors, the Nite-Owls led the four youngsters out of the apartment and to a waiting speeder. They raced through the city at breakneck speed and all around the smoke plumes rose as the invaders spread further and further out.
Korkie felt a cold weight settle in his stomach, this felt like the end of an era. Like everything would be different after this and his friends too looked unsettled at the prospect. Lagos put a comforting hand on his shoulder while Bo-Katan told him.
"We will save this world, save Satine." She told him as they arrived at run down looking house. She got out and they all followed her lead with confused looks.
"Why have you brought us here?" Amis asked, feeling very much like his was a trap but Bo-Katan just glared at him and pulled down a part of the wall to reveal a hidden control panel. She keyed in some sort of access code while Korkie and his friends watched with astonishment. The door opened and she led them inside before pulling an old desk aside to reveal another panel which she then put another code into. That made a part of the floor retract and reveal some kind of safe which then rose up.
Korkie was wondering just what his Aunt Bo could be hiding here that was worth so much security but he soon got his answer as she went over to open the safe.
"Satine thinks she got rid of all the beskar armour our family held apart from the suit I wear. Well, that is not true, I took and hid the other suits we had and stored them away. They should fit the four of you." Bo-Katan said with a small smirk, quite proud of herself for that. The safe opened and revealed four suits of beskar armour that would just about fit Korkie and his friends.
They all looked at the armour with a sense of foreboding and Korkie's feelings of this being the end of an era intensified as he picked up a pale green and white coloured helmet. Staring at it for a moment with trepidation before slipping it onto his head.
- x -
Back at the palace however things were looking far less positive as Satine sat on her throne, an impending sense of doom settling upon her. The explosions outside and sounds of blaster fire ringing in her ears as she remembered the last time, when so much had been lost and in this darkest moment she started to wonder if maybe she had been so foolish as to not see that her people did not want to be pacifists…maybe if she had done as some had advised her such as Bo that she must show strength and been the warrior people had said a Mandalore must be?
But no, she thought with sadness, that was not her. She hated violence and knew that it would inevitably end up in a place like this. She was perhaps thinking that maybe she could have found some middle path though she sighed.
It was far too late for regrets now Satine thought sadly as the door was opened and she saw Almec wander in but he was not alone as a pair of vicious looking Zabraks and worse Pre Vizsla came in, the colour drained from her face as she realised her last ally had abandoned her and her head fell. Behind him members of the Dar'Manda and Terror Brigade massed and she rose to her feet.
"Duchess." The Red and Black skinned Zabrak said with a chilling calmness to him. "I am truly delighted to meet you as I believe you and I have a mutual…acquaintance. Obi-Wan Kenobi." Maul said and Satine felt a chill run up her spine as she realised just who this Zabrak was. She had only managed to learn the barest amount about who had killed the wise master Qui-Gon Jinn…a Darth Maul she recalled with fear taking over.
"Well Satine." Pre Vizsla sneered from behind Maul. "At last, you will face justice for your crimes." He said with a vicious smirk. Satine noticed that Maul didn't look too pleased at his outburst and Satine looked down at him with disdain.
"Yet I do not need to hide behind someone else like you do. Without Maul, you are nothing but an overly ambitious mid-level politician who has gained delusions of grandeur due to a past that is hardly even his." Satine said mockingly and glared at him. "Such a shame, if House Vizsla had been born with a true man, then I think everyone would have been better off."
Her words hung in the air and Pre not to mention another warrior nearby shook with fury. Maul however only laughed loudly which outraged Pre, Satine taking the smallest of pleasure in that.
When Maul stopped laughing, he told her in his sinister way.
"You have spirit. I see now why Kenobi wanted you. Still, you will see him again, I sense he will be here soon." Maul said smugly, sounding almost happy about it.
Satine was now even worse than when they had come in. She could see his obsession of Obi-Wan was close to insanity, she just hoped he wouldn't come however much his comfort would have meant to her in a time like this. Maul wanted to destroy him, that she was certain of and she just hoped Obi would stay away.
Later that day as Satine sat in a cell and her people quaked with fear in their homes while others burned in the remains of theirs, a fleet of ships dropped out of hyperspace along the same vector as the invaders.
Clustered around the five Lucrehulks that led the fleet and carried their ground forces, the fleet moved forward. One Lucrehulk that carried only their starfighters began launching them, five hundred fighters all took off and assembled around the fleet. The Janus-class Heavy Cruisers placed themselves between the Lucrehulks and the enemy ships in orbit while in the vanguard, Recusant-class light destroyers, Munificent-class frigates, Dreadnaught-class Heavy Cruisers, Crusader-class corvettes and fighters assembled.
- x -
Maul in the palace, was looking around the balcony while considering his next move, Vizsla would need to be removed he thought. The fool might have gotten them here but he was fast outliving his usefulness and the Prime Minister Almec who might be a useful puppet had told him that if he challenged Vizsla and the fool accepts it then he would become the leader of Death Watch.
However, his plans to remove the fool were ruined by the data boards he had installed in the throne room showed an alert as ships began to arrive. He blinked for a moment as he realised that his plans were in danger. He gritted his teeth as he had expected his former master to come for him but not so soon! He was almost panicking as he considered having to face Sidious with his clone army.
However, as data came in from the ships in orbit were not Republic or Separatists, instead he realised they were Mandalorian vessels.
Maul was able to relax for a moment as he realised his former master had not come for him but then felt a familiar tremor in the force. One that caused him to snarl with rage.
"Kenobi!" Maul sneered out as he felt the annoyingly calm presence in the force his rival created. However, he also felt another…no two other Jedi with him. Neither of which he was familiar with and both were extremely powerful…one more than even his former master!
Skywalker! Maul thought with surprise but he and Kenobi often worked together he remembered and suddenly the opportunity to interfere with Palpatine's plans had fallen right in his lap.
If he killed Skywalker before he turned to the dark side.
- x -
In orbit Haron stood with Duke N'Val to command the battle in space before heading planet side. He saw the Blaze and Pontonese ships moving to meet them since they had cut off the only means of escape.
Comm scan revealed that like most pirate fleets they were ships that had been taken in raids, heavily modified but Haron was an expert on pirates. He had spent years hunting them and knew their ways intimately. Pirates rarely fought in a proper fight, they preferred attacking targets that couldn't really defend themselves. They didn't do well in direct battle against a trained and equipped enemy, they were hit and run not head-to-head combat.
"Have fighters begin to harass the larger ships while destroyers and cruisers engage corvettes. Janus class will provide long range fire support on the Dauntless-class vessels." Haron ordered, noticing that the pirates had managed to bring some larger luxury cruisers and converted into makeshift heavy cruisers. Potentially even enough to threaten their corvettes and destroyers. He also saw they were using mostly light freighters and even some CR70 corvettes.
"Aye sir." The communications officer ordered and Haron watched as the fleet moved to engage. The fighters made up of U-Wing bomber models, ARC-170s and Fang-class interceptors rushed into combat with the Crusaders providing gunnery support against the light freighters employed by the pirates. The Recusants and Munificents charged in with the corvettes to engage the enemy corvettes and keep them from interfering while the fighters used the gap they created to slip through and begin to harass the larger ships. The Dauntless-class were strong but lacked any laser cannons for dealing with fighters as they usually had the light freighters for support.
A group of Action VI type transports, modified to fight corvettes came charging in alongside another Dauntless from lower orbit but Haron then revealed a secret weapon he hadn't had to use in a while. The specially modified Null Cannon ship moved out from behind the Janus class ships and as soon as it had a clear shot fired at the formation. The intense energy blast spread out and covered the enemy formation, their engines spluttering as they lost power as the Dreadnaughts closed in.
"Most impressive." N'Val said and Haron nodded with a smirk.
"I keep it as secret as I can." Haron told him before N'Val mentioned.
"Duchess Kane wants to try and capture of their capital ships. Might have useful intel."
Haron shrugged. "It will be a good test for the Skytroopers at least. Allow her to do it." Haron said, perhaps the design might be worth the effort and it would let them test the combat droids in the real world.
Haron watched as his much more organised force slowly started taking apart the pirates before a path to the surface was finally clear and turned to the duke.
"I leave the command to you Duke N'Val. Try to enjoy yourself." Haron said with a smile before leaving the bridge where he could sense N'Val's enjoyment in taking these thugs apart. A quick ride down to the hanger bay, he discovered Din, Ara, Vysa and Deera all waiting at the drop ship for him.
"Best get a move on." Haron said as he walked into the compartment where he saw the Jedi were waiting too. "Brace yourselves. This might get a little rough." Haron warned them as he got strapped in. Kenobi, Skywalker and Tano who were used to rough insertions from the war didn't comment although Skywalker and Tano rolled their eyes, saying without speaking. 'Duh!"
- x -
Eliza Kane was almost buzzing with excitement as her boarding pods launched from one of the Lucrehulks and smashed into the hull of the leading Dauntless-class ship. The gears of the drill made an awful sound as the used their cutting gear to clear the last obstacle before the doors opened and allowed her warriors and the Skytroopers to disembark.
"Clankers!" One of her warriors muttered under his breath but Eliza only smirked as the Skytroopers with the instant reflexes afforded to them by their programming gunned down the few pirates still around, allowing her and her warriors to exit the pod safely.
"Secure the ship, focus on the engine room while I handle the bridge. Now, have some fun." Eliza said with teasing voice but her warriors did not hesitate to follow her orders. She ran with her people and droids around the poorly maintained corridors of the ship. The pirates were clearly used to being the boarders and not the ones being boarded because all resistance collapsed soon after she boarded.
Only the bridge held out and the door was easily breached with an explosive charge, she led the forces inside shooting with the thermo-vision letting her see through the smoke. She downed them all easily with the last one probably being the captain. He died trying to reach a console and curious at what could be so important she walked over and accessed it.
It was she saw the navigation station and what could be so valuable eluded her for a moment until she saw a bunch of destinations stored in the computer, places that the ship went to frequently that were not ports or even shadowports. Hidden places off the regular hyperspace routes.
Hide outs, Eliza thought with her interest now stoked. These might be useful she thought, taking some to give to Ordo when this was over and kept a couple for her own private use.
Always better to have a backup plan or somewhere to run too she thought with her calculating smirk.
- x -
The transporters plunged towards the surface of Mandalore, taking dead aim on Sundari. The clouds made seeing ahead of them difficult but sensors guided them through it.
The Jedi sat on other seats with Grahuur who barely fitted into the narrow seat. The towering presence he made was intimidating and Ahsoka's attempts to engage him in conversation only earnt her a glare which made her stop straight away.
"Grahuur isn't much of a conversationalist." Ara said with a smirk at the little Jedi being intimidated. She didn't want to the Jedi here but it would she granted be easier to deal with Maul and his brother with their help. She was just glad that none of their children would be anywhere around the Jedi.
"Din and Deera, you know." Haron said with a smile, realising he hadn't introduced the rest of his family to the Jedi. "This is Vysa, my other sister." Haron said and Vysa nodded while smirking at the Jedi. Obi-Wan nodded to the young woman as did Anakin and Ahsoka before Haron made the last introduction.
"And this is my wife and the mother of my three soon to be four children, the strongest and smartest Duchess Ordo there has been for generations…Ara Ordo." Haron introduced with pride and Ara didn't look impressed at the introduction and instead glared at the Jedi.
"My husband might vouch for you, but you had best hold your own. We will not carry you." Ara said sternly and the Jedi seemed a little put off by that. An alarm suddenly made all of them tense. A voice from the cockpit said.
"Incoming enemy troops sir." The pilot told them and Haron said.
"Prepare to drop. Ready your packs." Haron said and turned to the Jedi with a smile as he put his helmet back on while the others did the same.
"What do you mean…drop?" Anakin asked and Deera was the one who answered.
"We don't need ships to fight in the skies…Skywalker." She said, smirking under her helmet as the floor opened beneath them. The Jedi and Grahuur who were on seats away from the door watched in astonishment as the seats holding the Mandalorians lowered and released the restraints holding them. Then to the shock of those watching and not familiar with their tactics shifted out and let themselves fall for a moment before activating jetpacks and taking flight.
Haron felt the thrill of flying, something he had not really lost since he had first flown on a broomstick at Hogwarts and despite everything he had gone through since he still got that thrill of flying through the air…jetpacks and the force only made it better he thought with a smile before becoming serious.
The cloud of perfect cover for an ambush especially for those using jetpacks like they did. A warning in the force made him dodge to the left as blaster fire appeared out of the clouds. Deera, Ara, Din and Vysa likewise did the same before returning fire.
Haron let the force guide his hand so he could see the enemy wherever they were hiding, his blaster bolt hitting with pinpoint accuracy. Ara, Vysa and Deera all did the same and their shots were as deadly as his while Din who was now experiencing his first battle at age fourteen. Perhaps too young but his skills were excellent and he needed to experience real combat to improve now.
He was providing himself a good shot Haron thought as he saw him down some Terror Brigade thugs that came out of the cloud. They all peeled off though into individual fights, Haron saw one going for the transport that was carrying Grahuur and the Jedi so he frowned and turned quickly to intercept. He was a tricky bastard to hit Haron thought with gritted teeth but he managed to get a glancing blow on the guy's pack. The fuel tank was breached he screamed as he flew off out of control before exploding. With the transport safe Haron peeled off to find another target.
From the small cockpit of the transport the Jedi and Grahuur watched at the chaotic aerial battle going on outside. Not even their own aerial troopers fought this well in the air they all marvelled as they watched Deera Ordo close in on an enemy soldier and swipe with incredible accuracy with a knife, slicing into the fuel tank and then kicking him hard off the ship before using the blaster in her other hand to gun down two more in quick succession.
Ara was enjoying the chance to cut loose and seeing one enemy coming towards her she managed to shot him down with ease before doing a spin kick while standing on the hull of the ship, one of the warriors who had been trying to sneak up on her getting hit right in the helmet and thrown from the ship.
Din meanwhile was terrified as his first battle raged around him. He landed on one of the ships heading towards the surface and it was a challenge standing given the high speed. Din was having a hard time keeping his awareness of everything was going on around him but managed to keep his pistols in hand and shoot at the enemy warriors that appeared around them. Providing cover for the ship as it raced towards the surface.
- x -
On the docks of Sundari where ships carrying goods used to dock, many of the Shadow Collective's ships were parked and the Shadow Collective members were setting up deflector shields, missile launchers and heavy laser cannons. These weapons potentially threatened the entire invasion force as they could inflict heavy losses.
However, the Shadow Collective was so focused on the enemy outside, they failed to consider the enemy inside.
Men and women in Mandalorian armour wearing the colours of House Kryze perched nearby and seeing the enemy was completely distracted they unleashed a barrage of missiles straight at the heavy weapons. The enemy soldiers had no time to react as the missiles hit and exploded, throwing some off the platform and plunging straight down to their deaths on the desert floor below. Others were helpless as the explosion caused by the missiles and equipment exploding threw them off their feet.
The warriors ran forward and while four hesitated the others shot the helpless criminals on the ground. The apparent leader turned to the four that hesitated and scolded them.
"If you hesitate in battle you are going to get killed. If you have a shot take it…otherwise they will kill you." She told them sternly but was unable to say a thing more as the transports landed, alongside the warriors already in the air.
Haron was the first to land and had his pistol pointed at the leader who cried out, seeing he was going to shoot.
"Wait!" She shouted throwing her hands up and taking off her helmet, revealing Bo-Katan underneath.
"Bo-Katan Kryze." Haron said with distaste, knowing her reputation. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't cut you down right now." He said sharply. She looked worried but Korkie, quickly interjected while removing his own helmet.
"Because she's helping!" He said desperate not to lose a member of his family.
Haron knew who Korkie was of course and he was really much like Satine albeit perhaps more willing to take action than she was. He had no reason to hate the boy so he frowned, seeing they were wearing the traditional colours of House Kryze and not Vizsla, even Korkie who was supposed to follow in his aunt's footsteps and mindset made Haron wonder if maybe this was genuine.
As his allies and the Jedi landed, he probed their feelings. They did seem to be sincere about this and he could sense their desire to save Satine. As the other house leaders who had joined the assault set foot on the landing pad while they waited for their vehicles to be unloaded, they stood in a line against Bo-Katan who seemed nervous of the imperious looks they were giving her.
"This one…she betrayed her family by siding with Vizsla against her own sister." Ijaa said with a flat and emotionless tone, the others were more open in their dislike.
"She helped bring these invaders to Mandalore." Ceta Farr said with distaste on her face at being here.
"I didn't mean for this!" Bo-Katan protested but Sarek cut through her argument.
"What you wanted means nothing, its what you've done that is at hand." Sarek told her with anger in his voice. "You helped bring the misery of Maul into our lives and your sister may not have long to live because of it." Sarek said which thankfully brought them back to the matter at hand.
"Yeah, so maybe we should not be wasting time with more accusations." Anakin said, wondering just how much family apparently meant to the Mandalorians if this was there reaction to someone who had betrayed theirs.
"For now, since she appears genuine in her desire to saver her sister and this planet, she can fight besides us. Her fate and that of House Kryze will be decided later." Haron said taking charge as the Basilisks and Canderous tanks were finally unloaded before giving his orders. "Onward into the city."
The warriors around him cheered and rushed forward, some taking to the skies while others ran on the ground. The Jedi were a little put off by the enthused reaction the Mandalorians had and just shrugged to themselves before running forward to join in the fighting.
The AT-PT walkers started forward towards their position as did the Shadow Collective's different soldiers but their lack of cohesion as a fighting force hindered them from truly organising whereas the Mandalorian houses had worked together before, used the same tactics and equipment and were fighting as a more unified group. The Canderous tanks moved forward and opened fire with their mass driver cannons, the fragile armour of the AT-PTs shattering like glass and falling over as their cabs exploded.
The Basilisks then advanced with their grenade launchers, firing them straight into the enemy lines blowing apart the enemy soldiers if they could be called that before turning their rapid-fire laser cannons on the downed enemies. Missiles from the Death Watch, Dar'Manda and Terror Brigade then appeared as those warriors flew in from overhead. However, the threat sensors on the Basilisks detected the incoming threat and deployed a portable energy shield to block the strike.
The Allied Houses however with the way now clear took to the skies and started shooting the enemy warriors who started shooting back.
Haron led them from the front, blasters in hand as he flew through the air and cut down warriors left and right without hesitation.
On the ground the Jedi had their sabers out and were deflecting blaster bolts that were coming in from seemingly everywhere, they fought alongside the Mandalorians who now they were in battle didn't give this strange alliance another thought.
While the Mandalorians among the Shadow Collective fought on, engaging in blaster fights and hand to hand combat with the Allied Houses warriors, the rest of the disorganised Shadow Collective forces began to fall back. Unable to hold the superior firepower being brought to bare against them. Soon Maul's Mandalorian allies too found themselves being forced back towards the palace as the Basilisks and the tanks added their overwhelming firepower to the assault. Either by laser or by mass driver which most of them could not withstand.
- x -
Vysa was using her own jetpack to fight and wondering what the hell had made her join with this assault when she had already done more than she had too by warning Haron and the others of the danger. She had used her own contacts to find the strength of the enemy force, even what equipment they had but instead of leaving it there and going her own way she had joined in the assault, even engaging in a mid-air battle alongside her half-siblings.
Why was she risking her life for this planet? She thought to herself incredulously, she had never even been here before and never met anyone who lived here. She knew it was important to a Mandalorian but she wasn't really sure she wanted to be considered one. Some resentment left over from her childhood and the constraints of a culture that she barely understood prevented her from making that leap.
She was however able to enjoy the fight though she thought with a smile, grinning as she used her two blaster pistols and the two mounted on her shoulders to cut down Trandoshans left and right with ease.
Then, however she found herself face to face with a man in Mandalorian armour, the same white plates over an orange bodysuit. She pointed her blasters at him and fired but saw to her astonishment that the shots only damaged the paint that covered the plates, revealing the silvery grey metal underneath. She gritted her teeth as she realised, he must have a stronger concentration of beskar than normal. She saw him raise his blaster rifle and fire, she rolled out of the way in time to avoid most of his shots but her durasteel pauldron was clipped and she winched, feeling it twist and break. She dived behind a downed walker for protection but she could almost feel his smirking face as he advanced as easily as she heard his footsteps even with the battle going on around them.
She had no grenades, something cursed herself for but with only moments before he cleared the walker and had her within his sights again, she had to act fast. She had a sword but that would mean getting close enough to use it. Her repulsors and flamethrower would likely be useless too so she would have to try with the only two weapons available to her…her cable gun and the hidden blades she kept in her gauntlets and boots.
She took a steadying breath as her heart was thundering in her chest and the moment his foot was visible from around the walker's collapsed leg, she fired her cable. It wrapped around his leg and she pulled with all the strength she could muster while rolling towards him. The man went down with a yell but before he could cut himself free, she lashed out with her leg and with a swift click buried the blade of her right boot straight through the gaps in the plates and into the man's throat.
"By the Force! You just killed Forcus Hemdarc!" A voice said and she turned with blasters already in hand to see Katele Ma'Gard standing there. The awe in her voice was clear.
"Who?" Vysa asked while she got to her feet pulling her blade free as she did so, feeling annoyed with herself for getting into this situation. Katele was only too happy to explain.
"Forcus Hemdarc is the head of Terror Brigade…the worst and most violent of all Mandalorian criminals." Katele said with awe in her voice, unable to see each other's face since they were both wearing a full helmet. "A ruthless killer and you just took him down so easily!"
"Wouldn't be the first ruthless killer I've taken down." Vysa said with some of her usual swagger coming back into her voice. "Now let's get moving, plenty more where that came from and I reckon I can take down more than you." Vysa said, laying down the challenge. Katele was only too ready to take that up.
"Oh, you are on."
- x -
Paz Vizsla unlike his cousin was at the front lines with his warriors as they found themselves under attack, his heavy blaster cannon was firing at the false Mandalorians that was coming his way. He and his men unlike many of their supposed allies did not flee at the sight of danger.
However, he thought with gritted teeth, these false Mandalorians were tougher than he had thought they would be and had not only superb training but worked well as a group. He found his cover being removed piece by piece and grimaced as he was faced with having to retreat when he was disturbed by a death rattle. He turned to see his men had been slaughtered while he was trying to fight off the other warriors, worse his body went cold as he saw the unique helmet of the Armourer with her blasted tools in hand standing over them.
He was struck with fear as he could almost feel her judgemental eyes upon him and as he got to his feet, he saw he was surrounded by the Armourer's own warriors along with warriors of House Takan and Farr. He was aware they all had weapons pointed at him but gritted his teeth and decided to try and die with at least some dignity.
"What you have done, betraying the Tribe…this is not the Way." The Armourer said sternly and Paz told her with anger.
"This was the best chance to make our people follow the way again. Instead of running and hiding we could have come out into the open." Paz said but the Armourer just told him.
"Bringing this rot to Mandalore will only drive our people further from their true selves. Once you were a part of the Tribe but no more." She told him and without anymore hesitation she moved at a speed which defied the eye, on him before he could even blink and with her prongs, she grabbed hold of his helmet before forcing it off.
Paz was too shocked as he felt the air on his skin and cried out with rage.
"NO!" He knew what she had done was the ultimate humiliation, taking his helmet off him like this was to show everyone that he was never a real Mandalorian and then before he could say or do anything she hit her heavy beskar hammer straight into the back of his skull, killing him instantly.
Yal Takan and Ceta Farr who had been watching were astonished at the scene before them but wasted no more time as they continued the attack, they had a battle to win here while the Armourer too just walked away after casting Paz's helmet aside as if it meant nothing.
- x -
Ara and Deera were fighting a group of Black Sun soldiers led by their Vigo, the thugs he had brought were fairly easy to overwhelm as they were outnumbered and facing Mandalorians with armed vehicles at their backs. Their armour if it could be called that was laughable in the protection it provided while the beskar armour they wore could hold itself well against the double-barrelled pistols the Black Sun used. As their warriors forced the Black Sun Guards back some of their people even took dropped pistols as trophies.
Deera commanded a Basilisk forward, the lumbering droid walked forward before turning its powerful blaster cannons on the Black Sun guards. Their poor armour was no match for it and it cut them down mercilessly, leaving only the Vigo alive.
The Falleen looked around and was horrified to see all his guards dead but before he could move Ara hit him with stun blasts from her pistol, it took a couple of shots to take him down. She smirked as she ordered.
"Binders, secure him and take him back to the landing zone." She ordered and the warriors didn't hesitate to follow her orders. She saw Deera turn to look at her and could feel her curiosity before Ara shrugged and told her. "Hopefully he will have some useful intel for us. If not, we can just kill him later."
"Understood." Deera said, accepting her reasons before they continued on with the attack while soldiers took the Falleen prisoner back to their ship to secure him for interrogation later.
- x -
The attack in the western section of the front however was starting to bog down as the Dar'Manda put up a fierce fight. Ijaa, Harlan, Sarek and Ge'hark led the struggle there but Chop'aa had revealed his secret weapon.
He too had a Basilisk war droid.
How the hell the Dar'Manda had managed to get hold of this rare and priceless droid was completely unknown to them but it was forcing their warriors to take cover rather than continue to the advance as most of them hadn't strong enough armour to withstand its blasters.
"We need the tanks!" Harlan called out from his position to the others but Sarek who had managed to get a line to the armour squadron shook his head as he relayed the request.
"All armour is committed elsewhere!" Sarek told them much to their dismay. They all gritted their teeth as they knew they were in deep trouble.
"Call in some in regardless! We need a Canderous to take that thing down!" Ge'hark said but Ijaa shook his head.
"You all have much to learn." Ijaa said before getting to his feet with his customised rifle in hand and then started running out into the open while firing at the droid much to the surprise of everyone. They all expected him to be killed instantly but Ijaa made erratic jumps to the side and rolls that threw off the droid's aim while shooting at the joints with accuracy that was almost impossible. The other warriors looked on impressed as Ijaa with each shot as he ducked and dived like a much young man rendered the heavy droid slower and less able to move till the machine couldn't even support itself and collapsed to the ground before Ijaa rushed forward and stabbed his Beskad sword straight into its eye. The machine spluttered and eventually failed.
The other warriors were awestruck by what Ijaa had just achieved and cheered wildly as they leapt from their cover, bolstered by his incredible feat and charged.
Chop'aa who had been leading his men with confidence due to the droid but now it was gone suddenly felt very vulnerable and sweated as he was about to call a retreat to the palace when suddenly Harlan and Ge'hark managed to catch up to him and while Harlan tackled Ge'hark with his impressive strength smashed a crushguard gauntlet into his face with enough force that even with his helmet he was knocked out the moment his head hit the ground.
Sarek too helped by drawing a set of binders and securing the leader of the Dar'Manda so he could face trial later.
- x -
Rook Kast was leading a group of five warriors in holding a position near the city's central mural, one that showed an ancient battle between the Jedi and Mandalorians but snipers from House Kast were striking down her warriors with ease and she was losing the struggle with no means of escape. She was fuming at this turn of events when only a day before they were celebrating their conquest of Mandalore and planning for the future.
As the last of her warriors went down, leaving her alone and surrounded, Rook was surprised to hear a familiar voice.
"It's over Rook! Come out! You've got nowhere left to hide." Rook recognised the voice of her great aunt immediately and frowned before shouting out.
"You'll shoot me down the moment I move!" She called out, her suspicion high as was her anger towards the Great Aunt that had barely been there when her parents died nor made her the heir, the most suitable member of their family.
"No, I won't. Because I want you to come home!" Lila Kast called out, walking into the open with her helmet off as her warriors looked on in worry. Din who was with them looked on in surprise at the fierce duchess who now looked far more emotional than he had ever seen her. "To come back and be a true Kast again! There's still a chance for you to live past today. A chance for you." Lila told her great niece who she had always struggled to deal with. Being around children had always been awkward for her and Rook had been a difficult child at the best of times, so full of rage and anger so Lila had no idea how to handle her. "To be more than Vizsla's pawn."
Rook was angry that Lila would dare say these things to her! After years of having no connection with each other that she would try and claim kinship now! She stood up, not caring if it was a trap as she was so angry but the shot never came. She saw Lila had removed her helmet and left her scarred and ugly face for all to see and it made her sick.
"Pre at least does something! What do you ever do?" Rook snapped at her aunt who was affronted before answering back.
"If building a new army and navy not to mention unifying all our people is nothing then Vizsla is completely useless." Lila told her shortly. "We are not ready for war with outsiders yet! The work goes on and as we do our people get stronger, true strength not a brittle unity that Vizsla would bring as a puppet of the Sith who have betrayed us in the past and brought ruin to our people time and time again. His days are numbered and you know it, it won't be long before Maul kills him and takes full control. I don't want you to be there to go down with him." Lila said with an actual pleading in her voice which shocked all of them. Rook took off her helmet so she could actually confirm that and was shocked to see that Lila was truly pleading with her to come home.
Dropping her blasters into their holsters she walked forward until she was face to face with Lila who was actually looking at her with eyes of sadness.
"You remind me of my sister, she was just as fierce and intelligent as you. If the disease hadn't taken her, she would have been much better for you than I." Lila said with regret. "Your parents too, they would have been proud of you as a warrior but I implore you Rook…come back. Your exile can be undone and you can stand tall and proud again." Lila said, her eyes pleading with her.
Rook was surprised, never having imagined that Lila could say those things and even appear vulnerable.
She stepped forward as if to embrace her which Lila was hoping she might do but then…without warning she used her wrist blade stab Lila straight in the neck.
The shock of those present was complete, Rook snarled at her great aunt who was shocked at the suddenness of this and told her with spite.
"Do you think a few pretty words can make up for all the slights against me? I hate you; I have always hated you and I always will." She kicked Lila away, pulling the blade free and sent the bleeding woman to the ground with a final spitting on her.
Din who had only an adopted family now was infuriated at her actions and with his cable fired while Rook wasn't paying attention. It wrapped itself around her neck and he used his pack to make a small leap while yanking the woman towards him. He slammed her head with his foot as they met in the middle and knocked her clean out.
Din looked down at the woman with disgust and stripped her of her weapons before calling for Kast warriors. "Give me some binders."
One of the warriors came over and handed Din a set which he quickly used to restrain Rook with before saying with surprising authority.
"Help me get her back to the landing zone." Din said before going over to Lila Kast who was unfortunately gone as the blade had done too much damage for her to be saved. She was already dead by the time Din reached her and he closed his eyes briefly in mourning.
He then closed her eyes and while the Kast warriors readied themselves to take the restrained Rook back to the landing pad Din placed Lila's helmet on her chest in a final respect.
"We'll take her now kid." One of the Kast warriors said with a mournful voice. Din could understand why, their great duchess was dead and now they were entering into an uncertain new era without her guidance.
Din could only hope her heir was up to the task ahead of them.
- x -
A half hour later they finally reached the entrance to the palace, Anakin with his blue saber swinging cut through enemies with ease while Kenobi and Ahsoka followed a little less eagerly behind him. Around them Mandalorian warriors were firing, ending the enemy before they could get very far.
Haron was at Anakin's side, his twin pistols in hand as he cut down another thug and looked at the other house leaders managed to catch up. They all sounded rather harried and was glad to see them all here, then he noticed one was missing.
"Where is Duchess Kast?" He asked suddenly and those that didn't know could only shrug but Din who managed to catch up with them told him regretfully.
"She's dead. Rook Kast killed her. I took her into custody."
The news that perhaps one of their most experienced warriors and hunters was dead shocked the Mandalorians, not least because it was her own great niece that was responsible was an awful addition to the moment. Haron gritted his teeth and spoke.
"We fight on! If her death is to mean anything then we fight on." He told them all. And all the Mandalorians present nodded before Haron told Din with a hand on his shoulder. "You have done so well today. It is incredible that this only your first battle. You have made not only me but your parents and grandfather very proud." Haron told him and those with the force all could feel the overwhelming emotion building up inside Din at those words. Haron smiled as did Anakin and Ahsoka as they could see the bond between them.
Obi-Wan meanwhile was distracted by the unique aura that Sabine created in the force, he could sense her she was so close and what she was feeling. Her fear was the strongest emotion but also worry, for him and for her people. That spurred him on as Maul now held another person he cared about in his grasp and without even waiting for Anakin and Ahsoka or the Mandalorians either he charged forward while everyone else chased after him.
The force led Obi-Wan to a courtyard rather surprisingly rather than the throne room. There his heart almost stopped in his chest as he saw Satine being forced to kneel at Maul's feet, the sight of pain on her face was enough to infuriate him but all he did was grit his teeth as he saw how unlikely it was that he would be able to get to Satine before Maul killed her. Especially as at his side was his beast of a brother Savage and Pre Vizsla who was smirking widely along with Almec and a number of other thugs.
He sensed rather than saw his allies arriving behind him and Satine's eyes widened at the sight of not only him but Korkie and Bo-Katan who removed their helmets and looked as worried as he was at Satine's current position. She was wearing none of her usual finery and instead in a rather bland dress with her hair loose and unkept but the fear in her eyes was what scared them the most.
Haron's gaze meanwhile was focused on Pre Vizsla who snarled at the sight of him which Haron returned with a cold glare. Bo-Katan looked unsettled as Pre looked at her with contempt. Both Dukes put their helmets back on and Pre drew the Darksaber while Haron drew his spear. The Armourer looked at the spear with disapproval but then curiosity as she wondered just what was going to happen next.
Maul meanwhile was looking arrogantly at the Mandalorians before focusing in on Kenobi who had his saber in hand already but kept it unlit while Satine was in danger.
"Your nobility is a flaw, a weakness shared by you and your duchess." Maul said with a vicious grin as he suddenly grabbed Satine in a force choke and lifted her off the ground. She grasped at her throat while Obi-Wan and the others watched helplessly.
"Let my aunt go!" Korkie snapped and Bo-Katan pointed her pistol straight at Maul who only smirked before moving Satine right between them, using her as a human shield which made Bo hesitate.
"Happy families. Siblings are the dearest thing, aren't they?" Maul said confidently with a smirk which was echoed by Savage behind him. "I know my brother is my closest ally. Shame your sister was never yours." He said although no one was sure if he was talking to Satine or Bo-Katan. Satine's eyes met Bo's and the warrior sister told her pacifist sibling.
"I'm so sorry!" Her voice was desperate for her sister to understand and Satine despite still grasping at her throat managed to give her sister a small smile to let her know that she forgave her. She gave one to Korkie too who was terrified at the position they were in.
"You know if your former master had not been so arrogant, he might still have been alive today." Maul said turning his attention back to Kenobi who scowled at the insult towards Qui-Gon, something that Anakin was only too happy to copy given how highly they both held the man. "If he had only waited rather than charging after me alone…perhaps he would have been the one to train Skywalker and you would all have been happier."
"Enough!" Ahsoka shouted out as she saw the pain Maul was making Master Kenobi and Anakin feel, she wished she could have met Qui-Gon as all the Jedi she respected spoke so highly of him, at least those that had known him and she was not going to let him do any more damage. "Let the duchess go! There is no place left for you to run!"
"Perhaps." Maul said with a smirk before turning Satine to look at him before saying suddenly. "Perhaps not."
Then without warning his lightsaber was inside and impaled its red blade straight through Satine's chest. She gasped out in pain while the crowd reeled in shock, Maul without a care threw her towards Obi-Wan who caught her and laid her down on the ground with fear on his face while Korkie and Bo-Katan rushed forward. They all looked down at her and Bo-Katan grabbed her hand.
"Satine." Obi-Wan said desperately and she in great pain looked up and told him with laboured breaths.
"Know this Obi-Wan." She said with great effort. "I love you; I have always loved you and I always will." She before putting a hand on Korkie's chin and squeezing Bo-Katan's hand with the other. "All those I love; my family are here with me." She said with a grateful smile and then she seemed to slip away right before their eyes.
The three of them were grief stricken when they all realised, she was gone, Obi-Wan closed his eyes and sank to the floor while Bo-Katan and Korkie knelt at her side, consumed by their own grief.
Obi-Wan sat there, lost in his grief and loss while Anakin and Ahsoka looked on with great concern as they felt his pain but then saw or rather felt something they had never seen before…not in Obi-Wan Kenobi.
A welling up of anger inside him, of pain just ready to burst free and with a sudden charge Obi-Wan moved forward and lit his saber faster than of them could see. Maul had his saber out already which was the only thing that saved him. Anakin and Ahsoka looked on in shock as Obi-Wan struck at Maul with all his rage and anger but with the attack a fierce fight broke out between Maul's forces and their own and they found themselves unable to help Obi-Wan as they were themselves attacked by Savage who roared like some kind of beast as he swung his saberstaff at them.
- x -
Haron watched while Satine was killed solely to spite Kenobi and whatever his problems with Satine, he was disgusted at how callously Maul had killed her just to hurt Kenobi.
If Kenobi didn't kill him, chances he probably would.
However, he was distracted from the Jedi vs Sith fight by a duel of his own.
Pre with the Darksaber lit came charging at him, Haron moved the spear in time to block it and kicked Pre while they were locked to send him back with a glare on his face. Pre under his helmet winced with pain but quickly got back on his feet and charged again which Haron responded too by moving his spear around in a helicopter like swirling motion to deflect the attacks away before using his repulsor to shock Vizsla. The other man was thrown back and Haron was nearly on him before he managed to recover in time to block the strike.
It was the first time Haron had seen the Darksaber up close and he was impressed, the saber was ancient but it had its own presence in the force and through that he could feel it was actually fighting against Vizsla somewhat. The saber did still work for him but it was heavier than it should have been and was slowing him down. The black blade with a white aura and lightning which crackled with the emotion Pre was feeling and resembled a more traditional sword blade than a normal lightsaber while also being slightly shorter.
Haron put those thoughts aside however as the fight continued, the blade hammering his spear as Pre tried to force his way through Haron's defence. But while they were engaged in another blade lock Haron noticed to his astonishment that the metal was glowing, like it was being heated by the blade.
It all his previous fights with lightsaber wielding opponents using beskar Haron had never seen this, it was possible he supposed to break through beskar with a lightsaber but there had never been a lightsaber with that kind of power in centuries. Haron realised to his own worry that the longer this duel went on for the more likely his spear would warp or break.
Seeing the metal glow orange, the longer Pre pressed the Darksaber's blade against it, Haron knew he had to do something and drew on the experience he had gained to suddenly side step, causing Pre to stumble forward given how much effort and his own weight he was putting into the strike and ducked down while stabbing the spear's sharp point into Pre's unprotected side as he stumbled past.
Pre was immediately gasping in pain as the sharp metal pierced through his bodysuit and then wretched free leaving blood leaking from his side but before he could react Haron was on his feet again. He spun the spear around and pierced it straight through the visor on the man's helmet with a single powerful thrust.
Pre was killed instantly and fell to the floor the moment Haron pulled the spear free. He looked down at the corpse with disgust and spoke.
"The strongest will rule Mandalore, but that was never you Vizsla." Haron said with a glare and was about to join the rest of the fight when he saw the Darksaber had fallen to the ground. He could feel it reaching out to him, Haron had never seen this in an object before but he couldn't help himself and picked up the Darksaber while returning his spear to its scabbard. He felt its weight in his hand and its force aura reverberated with his own. Haron was in awe of the weapon and wondered just what made it so different to other lightsabers he had seen and even wielded before.
However, he just clipped it to his belt as despite his curiosity there was a fight going on, he drew his blasters and started shooting again.
- x -
Savage had always been strong in the force but his powers had been enhanced by the sorcery of Mother Talzin and then trained by Count Dooku and his brother. This meant he was a beast when it came to combat and his endurance was someone of legend.
He focused his attack on Skywalker as that was the one his brother truly wanted dead although exactly why didn't make sense to Savage given it was Kenobi that Maul hated more than any other. But he followed his brother's orders and attacked the Jedi.
Anakin sweated as each of Savage's attacks hit home, holding a defence against him was tiring as the Dathomiri male just kept battering away at him. His arms ached with the pressure but fortunately he was not alone in this fight.
Ahsoka darted in and slashed at him with her two sabers and that forced Savage to defend himself which gave Anakin a chance to recover and strike back but Savage managed to block him too. For such a large brute he could move very quickly Anakin thought with astonishment.
But Ahsoka and him soon found their rhythm and Ahsoka would dart in and out with lightning-fast switches and feints while occasionally landing small strikes that would compromise his mobility while Anakin drew deeper into the force to match Savage and mount an overwhelming assault. Anakin used his growing mastery of Form 5 to unleash a powerful barrage of heavy cleaves and powerful counterattacks on Savage that soon started to take a toll as he couldn't keep up with both him and Ahsoka using their combined skills and forms in unison.
Finally, he moved to stop Ahsoka from slicing at his side Anakin was able to stab him straight through the gut. The Dathomiri Zabrak reeled from the blow, added to a moment later when Ahsoka stuck her own lightsaber through his back a moment later.
The pair watched with astonishment as green mist seemed to start leaking from Savage as he fell to the ground, he seemed to shrink before their very eyes and his chest armour dissolved leaving the Zabrak naked from the waist up as the mist leaked out and swirled around him. The horns on his head shrunk down too leaving them much smaller and his eyes changed from being the typical yellow and red of a Sith to a pale grey that looked so different it was hard to believe what they had been moments before.
Savage looked Anakin in the eye and told him with regret as he lay dying.
"The dark side never gives, it only takes. Remember that." Savage warned him before falling back and becoming one with the force.
Anakin and Ahsoka both looked on with a chill running up their spines, not knowing just why Savage had told them that but his words stuck with them. They turned to see Obi-Wan and go to his aid but they realised immediately he didn't need it.
- x -
Maul and Obi-Wan were completely focused on each other as their sabers moved around them at an incredible speed, Obi-Wan's fury pushing him to higher and higher levels of speed and ferocity that Maul was managing to match which only spur Obi-Wan on even more.
Maul snarled as he fought Kenobi, the one Jedi more responsible for all his years of misery and pain that any other. He was glad to have taken something else from Kenobi and would be delighted to see the man's prized student dead at his feet while stopping Palpatine's plans at the same time.
But that of course would mean making sure Kenobi watched as his former student died Maul thought as he did his best to fight on.
Obi-Wan meanwhile was in perhaps the worst place he had ever been in, he had had seen his own master die to this Sith and now the woman he loved too had died at his hand.
For the first time in his life, Obi-Wan no longer cared about any of the rules of the Jedi or the Republic or in fact anything else at all apart from taking Maul apart!
Drawing deeper and deeper on the force Obi-Wan continued to press the attack and Maul defended, neither talked allowing their lightsabers to the do the talking now.
Obi-Wan was growing more and more frustrated by his inability to break through Maul's defence and wasn't sure where to go, that brief moment of hesitation allowed Maul to counter attack and drive Obi-Wan back. Obi-Wan gritted his teeth as he found himself unbalanced and unsure of whether to counterattack or defend when time seemed to slow down and like they were coming from a long distance away, he heard the voice of Qui-Gon for the first time in years.
"Don't centre on your anxieties Obi-Wan. Keep your concentration here and now where it belongs." The words were spoken differently though than they had at the time, softer and gentler than the firm reminder they had been on that fateful mission to Naboo all those years ago.
Then he heard the voice of Satine speaking.
"I've loved you, from the moment you came to my aid."
He honestly could feel their presence, sense them in the force reaching out to him and felt their love and caring trying to ease his pain.
Obi-Wan's mind began to clear and he started to think more clearly as he could feel Satine and Qui-Gon trying to aid him through the force. How this was possible he did not know but he was himself again and regained the ability to think. The reminder of Qui-Gon also made Obi-Wan realise the key to defeating Maul so he gritted his teeth and got on with his plan.
He fell back into his defensive stance again, putting up a perfect wall of defence against Maul's attack while preparing himself for the next stage of the plan.
Maul quickly realised that Kenobi was no longer blindly attacking in a rage which infuriated Maul in turn as it meant he was far more difficult to defeat. So, he persisted and was about to start taunting Kenobi again when suddenly the Jedi changed his fighting style in the blink of an eye.
Instead of sidestepping and deflecting attacks away Obi-Wan started using parries followed by heavy strikes with a two-handed grip on the saber. Rolling away from any attacks he couldn't parry till finally he managed to slash into Maul's chest.
The Sith gasped for breath and looked to Kenobi in a mixture of surprise and shock but then he eyes gazed briefly like he was seeing something in the force before coming back to the moment and saying as he fell to the ground.
"The future…is…" Maul started before slipping down and adding a word that Kenobi couldn't hear but noticed he was smiling.
He wondered just what had Maul seen that could have made him smile and wasn't sure he was going to like it and realised that he might have just cost the Jedi their only chance to find out just who the Sith Lord was. He felt ashamed for putting his own wants ahead of what was best for the Jedi and the galaxy as a whole and turned to see Anakin and Ahsoka were fighting against Savage Opress and then finish him off.
Obi-Wan was only glad that whatever the future might hold, Anakin and Ahsoka were prepared to face it.
When Maul and Savage fell, the Shadow Collective members lost their spirit and realised it was over. One by one they surrendered and were led away to the prison. Haron looked over to see Almec being led away with at least an attempt of dignity. Haron had no respect for him however, the man was a political opportunist and had changed sides the moment it suited him. He was highly capable as an administrator since he had kept Mandalore going for as long as he had but due to his own ambition Haron couldn't afford to have that man in a position to affect things from now on.
He watched Kenobi walk over to Korkie and Bo-Katan and knelt down by the sides of Satine's body. Despite what problems they had in the past he told his warriors.
"Have a burial party prepared for Satine Kryze." He said which surprised some but they nodded. Korkie and Bo-Katan in particular looked grateful for that. Seeing Anakin walking over to Obi-Wan Haron stopped him and whispered to him.
"Kenobi will be hurting for a while; it might do him good to know that you are there and maybe having him speak to Master Tuwan as well. Loss of those we love cuts deepest as you well know." Haron warned Anakin who nodded, remembering the lost of his mother all too well and went over to Obi-Wan. He put a hand on his shoulder while looking at him with concern, Ahsoka hovered nearby, not sure what to say in this situation.
Obi-Wan looked up and stood, face to face with Anakin and accepted a hug from him. This was a shock to Anakin as he had never seen Obi-Wan like this before and he had always been so strong but now it was like he was seeing Obi-Wan for the first time. The man underneath the mask as it were. Seeing that Obi-Wan was as human as he was honestly made Anakin feel a great deal of empathy for him and hugged him to let the man know he was there for him. Ahsoka took her lead from her master and joined in and giving her support to Obi-Wan.
Korkie felt his aunt Bo's arm around his shoulder and to be honest wasn't sure he wanted it there, he hadn't forgiven her for deserting their family and siding with their enemies, not to mention bringing all this misery and destruction to Mandalore but at the same time she was now his only remaining relative and she had saved him rather than look the other way.
Ijaa and the Armourer meanwhile walked over to Haron who took the Darksaber off his belt and both looked at it with awe.
"You have the Darksaber. And won it in fair combat." Ijaa said with a rare note of being impressed in his voice. Haron nodded slightly before saying.
"It is a strange weapon." He remarked, not sure what to make of it. The Armourer then spoke up.
"And a more noble weapon than that spear, it has even warped the metal somewhat." She noted which made Haron take his spear out again and saw to his dismay that Armourer was right, he could see distortions in the metal caused when the Darksaber had hit it and realised the spear was compromised. He was mournful in a way as the spear had been a faithful part of his arsenal for so long but now, he would either have to reforge it or abandon it as a weapon.
He was leaning towards the latter when he felt the weight of the Darksaber in his hand, it was heavier than he thought it would be and frowned before saying.
"It feels heavy, too heavy to use in a fight." He said with doubt in his voice but the Armourer simply said.
"That's because you're fighting against it. It wants to be wielded by you. Don't struggle against it." She told him with a tilt of her head. "It is said that when the Darksaber is in the hands of a true Mandalore that our people will be truly reunited and rise again. Just as it brings downfall on those that are unworthy of it like Vizsla." She remarked, knowing it had been handed down to Pre rather than him winning it in a duel as it should have been and he had suffered nothing but misfortune and brought more down on Mandalore itself as a result.
Haron just looked down at the Darksaber, it didn't feel like it was a dark side relic. In fact, if anything it was completely neutral in the force which he found comforting, much more like him than any of the lightsabers he had held in the past Jedi or Sith. He lit it again and held it in his hands, allowing himself to connect to the saber. It instantly felt lighter and easier to wield. He shut it down after a few moments and returned it to his waist because there were more important things to think about.
"Secure the city, any of the invaders left are to be dealt with harshly. I will arrange for supplies to sent to Mandalore to aid the crisis here." Haron said, with Satine now gone support for the planet could be restored. He would allow them to lay Satine to rest but he and the remaining Kryze family needed to have a talk about the future.
- x -
At the other end of Sundari a group of thirty or so members of the Death Watch, Dar'Manda and Terror Brigade had gathered in a freighter they had hijacked and were rushing away from the city.
The apparent leader of the group was a member of Death Watch, one of the more opportunist members of Death Watch who had a clan of his own prior to Vizsla's excommunication.
Gar Saxon was infuriated at this outcome as his plans to increase his own power were ruined and knew they would have to go into hiding as the victors were sure to come after them. He swore that when the chance came to gain the power he wanted, not only would he seize it with both hands but he would crush those that would oppose them under foot.
- x -
The moment that Satine's body was interned in her family's crypt Obi-Wan was very sombre. The loss of Satine stabbed at all of them but they were unable to fully process it right now.
"I suppose we had best get back to the Republic." Obi-Wan said sadly as he took one last look at the place where the woman he loved would lay forever.
"We can stay a little longer." Anakin said with concern, wondering just what to say and Ahsoka, herself very worried for the senior master added.
"We can stay as long as you want." She said quickly but Obi-Wan shook his head.
"I appreciate the offer but we have to convince the Republic not to invade Mandalore and I would prefer to be as far from here as possible." Obi-Wan said, not sure what to feel right now especially with what had happened during his final duel with Maul.
His own loss of control had been bad enough, one that he needed to come to terms with but more so was the unexpected contact with his late master and Satine through the force…something that most of the Jedi Order refused to believe was possible.
That someone could still have a sense of self after becoming one with the force.
He honestly wasn't sure of what to think of this. He needed more guidance and wasn't ready to tell Anakin about it till he could make sense of it himself.
The Next Day…
The Jedi had left with only a message to say they were leaving, Haron wasn't to upset about that as it meant they didn't have to be polite anymore or hide how they were going to deal with the prisoners they had taken.
The Mandalorian ones especially, he thought with a frown.
They were all kneeling on the ground with their hands gagged, bound and stripped of their armour including Chop'aa of the Dar'Manda, Almec who had defected to Maul and Rook Kast, the little bitch that had killed one of their best and most trustworthy leaders. Something that angered him greatly.
So, he stood in judgement of them. Ara and Deera at his side while Vysa and Din were close by. The other house leaders and other prominent figures including Korkie and Bo-Katan where there too as he had something to do with them after this business was done.
"You have all brought the worst scum in the galaxy to Mandalore, some of you are that scum. Betrayed our home world and dirtied what it means to be Mandalorian. There is only one punishment for this crime, you will die here, on your knees and unable to speak with no armour and no honours granted. Your names will be erased and if remembered at all will be with distaste as a warning to others. Savour these last moments for they will be all you know." Haron said sharply and pulled out his blaster as did a number of guards. The prisoners were not even able to look their executioners in the eye being bound the way they were.
Without a single moment's hesitation, Haron fired straight into Rook's head as did the guards into which ever prisoner they were lined up with. The bodies fell to the floor and with a nod the droids came in to remove them for disposal before Haron turned to the crowd with a look of encouragement from Ara, Deera, Vysa and Din.
"The stolen armour of Death Watch, the Dar'Manda and Terror Brigade will be melted down and its beskar used to strengthen that of others. To make new suits and give it to those that are truly worthy of it." Haron said with the pressure of command falling on him as the day they had been working for so long was finally here and he honestly had never felt pressure like it before but he kept disciplined and made the speech he needed to make.
"The loss of the Duchess Lila Kast is like an open wound. To be killed in such a way by your own kin is a heavy weight for us all to bare. She was a steady rock at the centre of our culture and her solid presence will be greatly missed by us all." Haron said with a heavy heart, especially as Lila had been an ally for so long. The others all bowed their heads in silent mourning for a moment before Haron continued. "But as one day ends another will begin, the rule of one duchess ends a new one rises. Step forward Morli Kast, new Duchess of House Kast." Haron said, raising his arm and the crowd parted to allow a young woman, only a few short years older than Din step forward.
The poor girl looked terrified Haron noticed, pale skinned with rather dark brown hair rather than tanned like her grandmother Lila's granddaughter was a very inexperienced young woman and one that now had to take leadership of one of their most powerful houses. Haron felt bad for her as he knew what it was like to carry the weight of so much expectation on your shoulders. He told her gently.
"The weight of command is heavy but you will learn to bare it, if you are unsure then you only need to reach out to us for guidance. We have all known the weight that a Duke or Duchess must carry." Haron said to the girl and she looked up at him with a look of surprise before nodding and telling them all.
"I will lead my house Duke Ordo…I will honour my family's legacy." She said, while her voice was shaking a little it was sure in her statement. Haron could feel the hidden strength inside the young woman only waiting for a chance to reveal itself so he told her with a smile.
"I have no doubt you will Duchess Kast." Haron said before telling her. "The armour of Rook Kast will be returned to your family for you to do as you see fit with."
Morli nodded, a look of anger at the mention of her distant cousin and what she had done but accepted it and vowed to have that armour smelted down the moment she could.
"Good. Because there is one thing left for us to do before we deal with any other business." Ijaa said as he stepped forward, a look of small pride on his face as he did. "With the death of Satine Kryze, it is at last time for us to name the new Mandalore. One who has already proven his ability to lead us and brought us together in the face of a genuine threat. All hail Mandalore the Unifier." Ijaa said and knelt before Haron who was calm on the outside but trembling on the inside as all the Mandalorians around the room followed suit. Even Korkie and Bo-Katan eventually albeit reluctantly and Haron nodded and looked around.
"Thank you, my friends. This is the highest honour that can be held by any Mandalorian. Rise." He said and they all got to their feet. "I have spoken many times of my fears for the future and the danger posed by the Republic should it fall under the thrall of the Sith. All my efforts have been towards trying to prepare our people for that storm should it come or rather when it comes." Haron said with a frown which they all copied, not sure if he was right or not but Haron pressed on regardless as Haron felt Ara and Deera send reassurance through the force.
"Whether my worries for the future come to pass or not I will build up our space so that as a power in the galaxy we are strong enough to stand apart. Industrially, scientifically, artistically and every other way. Our people will be strong again and to that end, I must now turn to the matter of House Kryze." He said, turning to Bo-Katan and Korkie who both looked nervous but stood in silence as if preparing themselves for his judgement.
Haron didn't keep them waiting long.
"While the actions of your aunt Korkie Kryze have been a thorn in my side I will not judge you for them." Haron said, surprising all of them who had expected him to exile the pair of them. "I see no reason why House Kryze cannot be a part of us again. Since I cannot trust your other aunt for her supporting Vizsla to the level that she would betray her own family I cannot trust Bo-Katan with leadership of House Kryze." Haron said with a cold look sent at Bo-Katan who looked unsettled at the reminder of her own actions.
"I will allow House Kryze and House Vizsla's remaining vassals to be amalgamated into a new house under Korkie. Bo-Katan since she did in the end make the right decision she may advise and support him as he learns to be the new Duke." Haron said which shocked all of them, Korkie in particular.
Both he and his aunt were surprised by his decision as were a number of house leaders but they accepted it as Korkie was by all accounts a smart boy and with the guidance of a warrior like Bo-Katan he may become a respectable figure in their society and perhaps even a leader.
Korkie turned to look at Bo-Katan who nodded slowly, everyone looked on as he stepped forward and knelt before Haron.
"You honour me with your trust in me Mandalore." Korkie said nervously. "House Kryze will remember your mercy and faith in us and we will stand by you, that is our vow." Korkie said and Haron nodded in acceptance.
"I think you will too, aid supplies for the people will be arriving shortly and to ensure the future economic prosperity of Mandalore…I intend to construct a new shipyard here. One large enough to service our largest ships which has been a long-standing problem ever since we acquired capital ships and intend to create our own. Construction modules will be arriving shortly and soon Mandalore will be producing the starships to defend not only the home world but all Mandalorian worlds from any further trouble." Haron told them, shocking them all with his announcement as while they all knew it was necessary just how they were going to afford this was a question none of them could answer.
Haron, Ara and Deera however were all smiling inside as they knew that Iokath's factories would enable them to get the modules for the shipyard built at a much lower cost and in record time. Work to build the shipyards would be a major boost to Mandalore's economy as would operating them when they were finished and get the planet back on its feet.
It also gave them a place to properly build and maintain capital ships, something that if war came would be essential. The Lucrehulks in particular were proving difficult to service and so the shipyard would be large enough to manage them.
Eliza Kane, who was feeling very pleased with herself having captured two of the Dauntless-class starships used by the pirates leaving her with two capital ships stepped forward. Then then informed them of what she had found aboard them.
"I managed to capture the navigation data from one of the Blaze ships, it gave us a comprehensive list of their hiding places. Perhaps that could be useful to us." She said with her custom smirk.
"Duchess Kane, you do your people a great service, that would potentially be very useful indeed. Yourself and Duke Harlan will need to check and secure those hideouts as soon as possible. If we need a secret base or two, they will serve well, I hope. As will any Death Watch hideouts that Bo-Katan might feel like telling us about." Haron said with a smile fixed to his face. He knew that Eliza had likely kept some locations for herself but with his position still new and the loss of Duchess Kast he had to be careful. Everyone also turned to Bo-Katan who nodded, being Pre's number two, she had knowledge of all his hideouts.
"There is already a fight in the underworld." Katele Ma'Gard said, telling them what was happening thanks to her own contacts in the crime world. "The loss of so many Blaze and Pontonese captains and ships has left a huge vacuum of power, the survivors are now being preyed on by other large groups. A faction led by a pirate captain named Stakar Ogord has already taken advantage and is spreading his own groups around." She told him, not sure if Stakar was going to be better or worse than what had come before but he was already way above them in one regard, his faction had a clear code to follow including to never trade in children.
That was a vast improvement over the previous two factions already.
"We will see if they become a threat or an ally in due time." Haron said before making a new announcement. "What I have learnt though from this invasion is that rogue Mandalorian factions and groups may well be a threat to us in the future, to that end we will assemble a taskforce under the command of Duke Ge'hark and Duke Sarek. We will allow those that have not been exiled a chance to return home…if they refuse though, we will not give them the chance to join our enemies." Haron said darkly. He hated this but he was sick of groups like Death Watch and Terror Brigade representing them on the galactic stage and more to the point he wasn't going to allow any Mandalorian rogues to be used against them either as puppet leaders or to attack them. Using their knowledge of their methods to undermine them.
The others nodded, it was ruthless and some did look uncomfortable about this but the situation had only come about due to weak leadership, it was bad enough that the Armourer and the Children of the Watch had slipped back into the shadows without any more disloyal groups being out there. Both Sarek and Ge'hark were strict loyalists and firm in the code. He could trust them to do what needed to be done.
Haron felt awful, he didn't want to do this but did he really have a choice? He asked himself with worry. But there was another thing he had to order.
"Given that we will certainly be outnumbered if war with the Republic should come, we will be needing superior intelligence to turn the tables on them rather than it become a battle of attrition. Duke Taken, Duchess Ma'Gard, I charge you both with the creation of an intelligence network around as much of the galaxy as we can. Funds will be allocated to that effect." Haron said knowing that as useful as weapons and ships were, they would be useless without the intelligence to focus their use.
"It will be done Mandalore." The Dukes and Duchesses replied, Ara at his side gave his hand a squeeze to let him know she was supported him which he truly appreciated more than he could say in that moment. Deera and Din too signalled their approval with a nod.
- x -
In depths of the palace later that night when a forge had finally been located Vysa stood in her armour with Haron and Deera who were in thin workout clothes as they warmed up the old forge. Ara stood nearby with an expectant look on her face.
"I still don't get why we are down here." Vysa said with confusion, she was still wearing her damaged durasteel armour which she needed to repair but instead of doing that she was standing here with the armour of the head of Terror Brigade, her siblings and sister-in-law with no idea why. The heat of the room was making it unbearable as she stood there and had to shed her armour till it was laying in pieces around her and she was in her sweats like her siblings.
"Do you know what is special about this armour?" Deera asked her with a smile on her face. Vysa shook her head, knowing it was beskar but nothing more than that.
"It is not a normal suit of beskar armour." Haron said with a smirk. "Thousands of years ago they discovered a vein of beskar that was stronger and lighter than even the normal metal. They only found enough to make ten suits. One for the Mandalore and nine more for his bloodguards."
"Over the centuries all the suits were lost, but over the last few years we have found them and brought them home. I wear a suit of it as does Haron, Deera, Neville, Hannah, Luna and Ijaa while another suit is being kept for Lelia when she grows up along with a spare suit we've kept." Ara said from the side, the spare being Haron's earlier suit before he replaced it with the Armour and Helm of the Mandalore. "You have just won the last bloodguard suit in honourable combat, you are Mandalorian. You start to see where we are going with this?" She asked her with a probing look.
"You think I should take the suit? And wear it?!" Vysa said with surprise as it finally dawned on her what Ara was getting at. "But it doesn't fit me!"
"It will after we reforge it into something more your size." Deera said with a look of happy expectation. "We are going to teach you have to reforge beskar."
Vysa was astonished that they would share this secret with her not to mention actually do it with her. What was this she thought incredulously, a rite of passage? Then again, she thought with sadness, the act of forging your own armour was a family tradition in Mandalorian culture, done with your family.
They were her family she thought, glad of that now as she started to accept them as such but was determined to hold on to some aspect of her individuality.
"Okay, but I want it in my own style, got it?" She said with a challenging look in her eye. The other three just smiled and Haron spoke.
"We expected that much, don't worry while the standard design is good its not something we enforce." Haron told her and readied their tools and giving her a questioning look. "So shall we begin?" He asked her.
She now started smiling herself as she nodded.
It was a very long process she discovered as each piece of the existing armour had to be melted down individually and rendered into a silvery liquid form that allowed it to be poured into the moulds they had created for her armour. Done with the utmost care to avoid spilling any they then sealed it in stone before waiting for hours for it to set and then with a simple hammer smashed the stone to reveal a perfectly formed piece of armour.
It took them hours before finally they managed to complete the reforging. Using the same bodysuit as House Ordo warriors used, they carefully attached the newly formed plates to it which were painted either green or black. They even put a flap at the back which Vysa insisted on. The legs and boots soon followed as did the pauldrons for the shoulders and even made some new Mandalorian vambraces in her size. The only piece of the original suit that was unchanged was the JT-12 jetpack which they attached to the back.
Then finally it came to the helmet.
This wasn't the same shape or design as used by normal Mandalorian warriors, with a visible filter mask, pipes running from it around the helmet and a large tinted visor. Vysa picked up the helmet and smiled, loving the feel on the metal and the look they had. It would be even better when she had managed to install the Tactical Eye Display and the blaster mounts on the back.
But more than that it was she realised with a pang of warmth in her jaded heart, the first thing she had truly done with her family.
It was almost two days later when they did emerge with Vysa in her new armour and Din who looked at it with admiration and she smiled at him before removing her helmet and giving the boy a megawatt smile that dazzled him a little, almost enough to make the teenage boy forget what he was here to tell them.
"Duke Ordo." Din said after taking a moment to get his head together after seeing Vysa like that, she was fast becoming his first crush they all realised with a smile. "The team of experts you hired to chart the course of that asteroid from the Zakuul system has just been in contact. Apparently, they found something."
Temple of Malmourral, Zardossa Stix…A Week Later…
The Great Mother of the Frangawl Cult, otherwise known as Mother Talzin who was desperately trying to regain a more physical form and restore her full power so that she could overthrow both the Sith and the Jedi to rule the galaxy with her sons.
That dream was dead now, she thought with grief kneeling on the steps of the temple with her hands on her face.
First her clan, now her sons were lost to her she thought with anger.
The Jedi had killed them as they tried to raise an army to fight the Sith.
Talzin, consumed with her grief and anger screamed into the night's skies as she raged at the injustices she had been subjected too and knew just who to blame.
Kenobi…Skywalker…Dooku…Sidious.
Those four names made her want to spit on the ground with rage as she considered just what they had taken from her.
And she would have her revenge, Talzin vowed with a snarl on her ghostly face.
The coming ritual might give her all the power she needed but if it failed, she would need a backup plan to regain her body and become more powerful than her enemies.
A vision had led her to Commenor, to a collector of rare antiques where she had discovered an ancient scepter among his collection. It was a creation of the Sith and had the ability to collect then store dark side force energy, she had never dreamt of using such a device but if she could collect enough energy with the scepter, it would not only help her regain a physical body but give her the power to destroy both the Jedi and the Sith for their slaying of her family! She raged.
Sorry to those that might have wanted Maul to have more of a presence in the future but for this story he goes no further. I did think of letting him go on but decided against it in the end.
The Pontonese and the Shlangii are a direct reference from a Doctor Who episode 'The Ribos Operation' staring Tom Baker as the 4th Doctor.
Vysa's new armour resembles the Remnant Yavin Trooper Armour from Star Wars The Old Republic game albeit with a jetpack and Mandalorian vambraces. A JT-12 Jetpack like those used by Jango Fett or Death Watch. It also has the shoulder mounted blasters like Migs Mayfield from the Mandalorian series.
Please review and let me know what you thought?
More Review Responses…
BlackWatcher1234 - Funny you mention Ashoka as that is the focus of chapter 22. Haron will make a difference at least in part.
Bariy - The Witches of Dathomir are an interesting group and there is a plan for them in the future.
Eliazar - Thrawn will appear in this story in the future but beyond that I can't really say anything right now.
LuMax03 - I really appreciate that as I did as much research as I could before starting the story and having you take the time to say you like it means a lot to me.
aesir21 - Luminara is I think very flawed and given more credit that she should. We have seen her arrogance get her into trouble before and more to the point she was Barriss' master and didn't even seem to notice what was happening to her.
letalis nex - Glad to hear you like the story.
Guest - Happy to hear you are enjoying the story. You will find out what happens in regards to Mandalore in this chapter and both Kenobi and Haron will have much to do. As for Satine? You'll just have to read it.
mad thought - I know, I think if Barriss had truly confided in Ahsoka as to what she was thinking and feeling her fall might have been avoided but Barriss like Anakin weirdly doesn't really ask for help when she needs it. Her master also has been interfering and Luminara never seems to learn from her mistakes.
Hadrian . Caeser - You will see the effects of the more liberal Jed in the future and what that means to the Jedi. I can't say too much right now though or it would give the game away.
HowlnMadHowie - Barriss and Ahsoka arc will still be happening in chapter 22 in fact. As for Ventress not being there we shall see. The name for the new Mandalorian Order comes from a Mandalorian language dictionary site I found.
Black Magic99 - I know but the order is not connected, they might be the same order but they don't truly get to know each other so they would never see if someone was falling or not as history as shown many times. I intend for this story to go as far as the Original Trilogy at least.
AnthonyR89 - Halo ships are awesome; I know what you mean about the Jedi and I thought that too but there is no indication in the new canon that Mundi ever trained a student. And there have been cases of them not training padawans before but being elevated to the council. Its something the Jedi Council seem to give for being accomplished rather than teaching as far as I can understand. Trying to get Mundi off the Council would be a losing battle as he would be fighting the Jedi who don't like him anyway and he certainly doesn't want to make it too public because it will only give Palpatine something to weaken their reputation with. To be honest I had forgotten about the Corellian Jedi, I am sorry for that and I will look into it.
Woolleymammoth - Don't worry that isn't going to happen.
Callum Runchman - Padme bashing isn't going to happen but I do find her very naïve. Ki-Adi-Mundi I agree needed some sense knocking into him. Not that it will stick. As for Ahsoka's trial you are right he will do something but what might surprise some.
DarthEmrys - I know, I feel the Jedi were far too complacent and had they done even the barest planning they might have done a lot better in the purge. Glad to hear you like it although probably not. I know, you need to make your soldiers know you appreciate them or they won't fight as hard as they might for you. And the Clones are great soldiers, there is a surprise coming there.
Antex-The Legendary Zoroark - Happy to hear you are happy about the story.
Next Chapter - Ahsoka is in a lot of trouble and her friends are in a real rush to save her while Anakin's movement tries out their new way of being Jedi. Yoda meanwhile continues his attempts to preserve the Jedi Order if the worst should come to pass.