Strategy
The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the Naboo palace as Braylen, Padmé, and Anakin gathered in one of the private meeting rooms. This had become a space where they could discuss matters openly, away from the formalities of politics and the prying eyes of others. The serene atmosphere of Naboo provided a backdrop that allowed for honest and reflective conversations.
Padmé, sitting at the head of the table, looked to Braylen and Anakin, her expression warm but serious. "Now that we're all rested, I think this would be a good time to finish the conversation we started," she said, folding her hands on the table.
"Yes, of course, Your Highness," Braylen replied with a respectful nod before turning his attention to Anakin. "First, Anakin, seeing visions is a rare and often dangerous gift. Even people with the best of intentions have made terrible choices because of what they believed their visions meant. Do you understand?"
Anakin met Braylen's gaze, his youthful face marked by a new maturity. "Yes, I understand."
"Good," Braylen said with a hint of a smile before turning back to Padmé. "Now, Padmé, I promised I wouldn't lie to you, and I never have. So, where do we begin?"
Padmé glanced at Anakin, her curiosity evident. "If you wouldn't mind, can we start with Anakin's visions?"
Braylen nodded. "I don't see why not."
Anakin took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "Okay, my first vision was of two Sith fighting. One of them wore dark robes, but his hood was up, so I couldn't see his face. But the feeling I got from him was... suffocating. The other Sith he was fighting was you, Braylen. But the robes you wore—they were different. They looked like the robes Revan got from the Star Forge."
Braylen leaned back slightly, his expression thoughtful. "Interesting. Go on, Anakin."
"My second vision," Anakin continued, "was of you, Braylen, addressing soldiers. They wore silver armor, and there were thousands of them. They seemed to be listening to you like... like you were their leader."
Braylen's face remained calm, but his eyes studied Anakin closely. "Tell me, Ani, what do these visions make you feel?"
Anakin looked down for a moment, gathering his emotions before speaking. "Afraid."
"And why is that?" Braylen asked gently, his tone encouraging Anakin to dig deeper.
"Because I don't want to lose my father," Anakin admitted, his voice trembling slightly.
Braylen's expression softened, and he reached across the table, placing a reassuring hand on Anakin's shoulder. "Thank you, Ani. I don't want to lose you either."
He took a deep breath, then looked over at Padmé, who watched the exchange with a mixture of concern and hope. "It seems you were right to suggest we start with this, Padmé. Visions can be difficult to interpret, but they can also be warnings or possibilities. We need to understand what these visions mean before we take any action."
Padmé nodded in agreement, her expression pensive. "Then we'll work through this together. Whatever the visions mean, we won't let fear guide us."
Braylen gave her a grateful smile, and the three of them shared a moment of quiet determination. As they faced the uncertainties of the future, they knew that their bond, forged through trust and shared experiences, would be their greatest strength.
Braylen's words carried a gravity that filled the room, and both Padmé and Anakin listened intently as he continued to speak, laying out the truth that he had always kept transparent with them.
"I have never hidden the fact that I am a Sith from either of you," Braylen began, his gaze shifting between them, the calm authority in his voice clear. "But neither of you has ever truly seen me as a Sith. I only allow friends and family to call me Braylen, but to everyone else, I am Darth Vetris—a Sith. Who you saw in your vision, Ani, was not the father or mentor you know. It was Darth Vetris, a side of me you've only heard of but have never actually met."
Anakin and Padmé exchanged a glance, both processing the weight of Braylen's words. Anakin's expression was conflicted, but he remained silent, allowing his mentor to continue.
"What you saw, Anakin, were not the actions of a protector or a teacher, but those of a conqueror and a Sith. My master has always been obsessed with Revan—her power, her history, the path she carved out between light and dark. I suspect that your vision of me wearing those robes, like Revan's, won't come to pass for years yet. It may be the Force's way of saying that I am meant to face this other Sith you saw. But remember, the future is never certain, and visions can be misleading."
Anakin furrowed his brow, his thoughts clearly swirling with questions and fears. "So, does that mean... you'll become like him? Like that other Sith in my vision?"
Braylen shook his head gently, meeting Anakin's eyes with a firm but compassionate gaze. "It means that there are many paths ahead of us, Ani. The Force might show us possible futures, but it does not bind us to them. We still have choices. And since we cannot see the future with absolute certainty, what we do now is crucial. That means we plan, and we train—to grow stronger and to prepare for whatever may come."
Padmé, who had been listening closely, placed a comforting hand on Anakin's shoulder. "Anakin, Braylen's right. Whatever the future holds, we will face it together. The vision doesn't mean that it's your fate, or his, set in stone."
Anakin looked between them, the tension in his posture gradually easing as he absorbed their words. "Okay. I'll do whatever it takes. I'll train harder, and I won't let fear get the better of me."
Braylen nodded approvingly. "Good. Remember, fear is natural, but it can't control us. We prepare, and we stay vigilant. Together, we'll face whatever comes."
In that moment, the three of them made a quiet pact. The path ahead might be uncertain and dangerous, but they knew they would walk it together—guided by trust, strength, and the resolve to shape their own destiny.
Braylen took a deep breath, letting the weight of the moment settle in the room. He knew the gravity of what they were discussing, and how the choices they made would ripple out beyond Naboo, potentially changing the course of the war that seemed to loom on the horizon. He met Padmé's steady gaze, then glanced at Anakin, who stood beside her, the determination clear in his eyes.
"Your Highness, we have some very hard choices to make that will determine the fate of Naboo," Braylen began, his voice low but firm. "During my investigation, I uncovered blatant corruption within the Republic. The Senate has ensured that funds and resources flow primarily to the wealthy, leaving everyone else to fend for themselves. The Senate is being manipulated, and I suspect a Sith is pulling the strings, controlling not just the Republic but the Separatists as well."
Padmé's expression grew more serious as she processed his words. "Which leaves us with a very uncomfortable reality. If we align with either side, we'll be at their mercy. And I don't trust the intentions of either."
"That's not an option," Anakin interjected, his fists clenching at his sides. "We can't let Naboo become a pawn in someone else's game. It's our home. We need to find a way to protect it—on our terms."
Padmé nodded, but her concern was clear. "But what do we do then, Braylen? How do we keep Naboo safe without becoming entangled in the Republic's or the Separatists' schemes?"
Braylen considered her question carefully. He knew that any decision they made would have consequences, and they couldn't afford to rush into anything. "We need to become self-sufficient," he said slowly, the plan forming in his mind as he spoke. "Naboo has resources, but it lacks the military power to defend itself against a larger force. We should start building up a defense force—one that is loyal to Naboo alone. Not to the Republic, not to the Separatists, but to the people of this world."
Padmé's eyes widened slightly, but she nodded thoughtfully. "You mean like a militia? It's a dangerous path, Braylen. If the Republic sees us arming ourselves, they may consider us a threat."
"Yes, but it's a risk we must take," Braylen replied, his tone steady. "We have to walk a fine line—one where we're strong enough to protect ourselves but not openly declaring our independence from the Republic. If we can maintain that balance, we may be able to negotiate from a position of strength, rather than weakness."
Anakin nodded, a fierce determination in his expression. "I can help with training, Braylen. Between the two of us, we can start preparing the people, teaching them to defend themselves. It'll take time, but it's better than doing nothing."
Padmé took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. "Then that's what we'll do. We'll keep our efforts discreet, but we'll ensure that Naboo is ready for whatever comes. I'll reach out to trusted allies, those who might be willing to support us without drawing too much attention. And I'll need to keep up appearances in the Senate—at least for now."
Braylen nodded, a sense of purpose settling over him. "We all have our roles to play. But remember, this is just the beginning. If we're going to stand against the forces manipulating the galaxy, we need to be ready for the long road ahead. We'll do whatever it takes to keep Naboo safe."
Padmé looked between Braylen and Anakin, a small but determined smile forming on her lips. "Then let's get started. For Naboo—and for our future."
With their course set, the three of them stood united, knowing that the challenges ahead would test them in ways they could not yet imagine. But together, they would fight to ensure that Naboo remained a beacon of hope and strength in a galaxy slipping ever closer to war.
Padmé listened intently to Braylen's suggestions, her mind already working through the names of possible allies. The first person that came to her mind Mina Bonteri, a senator of Onderon. Padme knew that she always believed in diplomacy, even with those the Republic considered enemies. She decided to reach out to her first mentor and get her support discreetly.
Braylen nodded, appreciating her quick understanding, as Padme shared her plan. "Good. The Force is on our side in one respect—no one outside of Naboo knows the true extent of our recovery efforts. Our progress is still a secret, which means no one will look too closely when we start asking for support."
Padmé caught on quickly, her expression determined. "Exactly. That means we have time to strengthen our defenses and build alliances. We need to make sure that, if the time comes, we can defend ourselves. We can't afford another invasion of Naboo."
Braylen agreed, his focus sharp. "You're right. And if you can, Padmé, see if there are any planets that have fallen out of favor with the Senate—worlds that might need help. Offer them alliances, trade partnerships, or whatever they need. It's about building a network of mutual support that won't rely on the Republic's approval."
Padmé nodded thoughtfully. "I'll start those conversations. I'll also keep the Chancellor in the dark about our true progress, telling him that it could take Naboo years to fully recover. With any luck, he'll leave us alone, believing we're too weak to pose a threat."
Braylen's expression was firm, his voice filled with resolve. "If we do this right, the Republic will be so focused on the Separatists and the war that they won't see us coming until it's too late. By the time they realize, we'll have built a stronger Naboo and taken a few allies with us."
Padmé placed a hand on Braylen's shoulder, her gaze filled with determination. "We'll protect our home. We'll give our people a future worth fighting for."
Braylen and Anakin nodded in agreement, the three of them united in their resolve. As they prepared for the challenges ahead, they knew that every decision they made now could change the fate of Naboo—and perhaps the galaxy itself.
Braylen sat cross-legged in a quiet chamber of the Naboo palace, his eyes closed as he sank deeper into meditation. The air was still, but his mind was anything but. The recent meetings with Padmé and Anakin had stirred his thoughts, and a realization had struck him like a lightning bolt during the stillness of his reflection.
The figures he saw in Anakin's vision—the soldiers clad in silver armor—suddenly made sense. They were Mandalorians, warriors whose prowess and history were unmatched in the galaxy. And that armor... it had to be beskar, the nearly indestructible metal that only they wielded. The implications of that revelation rolled through his mind, bringing a mixture of excitement and dread.
"Very clever, Master," Braylen murmured to himself, as he realized that this was Darth Tanya's plan all along. "The Republic has no authority over Mandalore. They wouldn't see it coming. But uniting the Mandalorians? That's not something that can be done lightly. Mandalore hasn't had a true leader in years."
The thought of a Mandalore—a unifying figure for the scattered clans and warriors—stirred a deep unease in Braylen. The position wasn't just a title; it was a mantle, a responsibility that required strength and the respect of the clans. And the only way to truly claim it, to be recognized as the rightful Mandalore, was through the possession of the Darksaber—a symbol of leadership among their people.
"But the Darksaber was lost long ago," Braylen mused aloud, furrowing his brow. "Without it, no one can claim the title of Mandalore. So, what is your plan, Master? How do you intend to make me Mandalore? That's the only way you could hope to bring them under your control."
His thoughts turned to the woman he had known as his master, a strategist who was always several steps ahead, weaving intricate plans in the shadows. Braylen chuckled softly to himself, a mix of admiration and frustration in his tone. "I guess that's why you're the master, and I'm still the apprentice."
He took a deep breath, letting the realization settle within him. If his master intended for him to claim the Darksaber and the title of Mandalore, then there were even more layers to this game than he had initially seen. It wasn't just about fighting the corruption in the Republic or preparing Naboo for what was to come. It was about building a power base—one that could challenge both the Republic and the growing Separatist movement.
As Braylen emerged from his meditation, a newfound determination took hold of him. His path was becoming clearer, but it was also more dangerous than he had imagined. To find the Darksaber, to claim the loyalty of the Mandalorians—those were tasks that would require cunning, strength, and a willingness to embrace the darker aspects of his nature.
But if it meant ensuring a future where Naboo and his loved ones could be safe, then he would do whatever it took. And as he stood, his mind drifted back to Anakin's vision—of himself, commanding a legion of Mandalorians. Perhaps the Force was guiding him toward something even greater than he had envisioned.
