So, I'm back with another chapter for you all.
As we get to see whether Valerie's worst nightmare will come true.
As such I won't keep you here for long, and as always, all credit for this idea goes to World, and a special thanks to Bleach and everyone who's supported me so far. For I haven't gotten this far without your support.
Also as always, all rights go to their owners as I own nothing!
PS: If you're interested in beta reading future chapters, PM me and we can talk about the details.
'Come on! Move kriffing faster you hunk of junk!' Valerie thought to herself as she pushed her old speederbike harder than she usually would.
But given the circumstances, she didn't care about any long-term consequences this might have on the vehicle.
Not when the potential future of her Clan was at stake!
As the speederbike raced across the wastes of Concordia to where her Clan had settled for this season.
So, when she caught sight of the enclave it came as a relief, but that relief was quickly smothered when she saw the smoke rising from it.
Seeing this and assuming what had happened, Valerie once again pushed her already overtaxed speeder to and past its limits as she barreled towards her home.
Once she was close enough, Valerie stopped the speederbike, HARD!
But just as Valerie jumped off the speederbike and started running towards where she knew the Clan would be gathering did, she hear what she feared most.
As she could hear the sound of blaster fire, and shouts!
Hearing this Valerie immediately started sprinting towards the sound, knowing what she would find there.
But before she could get to the source of the sound, she saw something come flying out from the center of the enclave.
As it took her a moment to realize what it was, she then realized, much to her horror, that it was Nars.
Valerie then watched as Nars fly through the air until he finally came crashing through a wooden wall of one of the nearby buildings.
'The Chief isn't holding back this time,' Valerie thought to herself, as her worst fears were realized.
At which point she immediately ran to where she had seen him land.
John was quickly making his way towards his attacker, as he fully intended to finish what they had started when his attacker had confronted him at the communications relay when he had first arrived on world.
"I thought we were keeping a low profile," Cortana commented and Chief made his way to where his enemy had most likely landed.
"We were," Chief replied simply.
As there were many times when he could've gone all out but hadn't decided against it.
For it would've drawn unwanted attention to him, but at the same time, circumstances had required him to put himself out there, as it were.
But at the same time, the Spartan wasn't going full out.
As John was taking actions that he felt would be more than enough to send the message that he wanted, while at the same time ensuring that his enemies didn't have a full idea of his capabilities.
Still, this wasn't the situation that John wanted to be in, but it was the one that he had been forced into. And now he had to live with the consequences of his earlier inaction.
But those were consequences he was more than willing to live with, especially considering the fact that they were brought on by his own actions.
So, he continued making his way towards the building that he had thrown the Mandalorian through, John fully intending to make an example of him for everyone here.
Valerie had finally reached the building in which she had just seen the Chief enter not only seconds before she got there.
But instead of rushing in, she took a moment that Nars might not have to think.
Even though she knew that this might cost her brother his life, she could easily join him if she didn't go in there without a plan.
Still, that was easier said than done, as Valerie wasn't sure as to how in the nine Corellian hells she was going to convince the Spartan to listen to her, let alone spare her brother's life. Even so, Valerie knew of one or two ways she could try, but if all else failed...
Well, that would be the last resort, as she quickly made her way into the building.
It was small like most of the other buildings in the enclave, but at that moment it seemed to be the largest room in the galaxy.
As Valerie finally saw the broken body of her brother, it was obvious that both his legs were broken from the angles they currently were, that and his left arm, most likely due to the fact that was the first body part that came in contact with the building, as evidence by a couple of wooden splinters coming out of his arm.
But that wasn't what concerned her that most at the moment, as she saw the Chief standing over him with a blaster aimed straight at his head.
Silently cursing herself, Valerie realized that she had taken too long to come up with a plan, and considering the fact that she knew that Chief would not haste to pull the trigger, Valerie knew that she was without any options.
So not knowing what else to do and wanting to save her brother.
Despite knowing this was a horrible idea, Valerie lifted her weapon and sent a blaster bolt flying only inches from the Chief's head.
Which obviously caught his attention, as the Spartan then spun to face her, drawing another weapon as he did so, and she was certain that he would've shot her if it wasn't for the fact that he recognized her from their mission on the Bloody Talon.
Still, that didn't stop him from asking what was in all honesty an obvious question.
"Why?" John then asked.
It was the only word needed.
"As he's my vod..." Valerie stated.
For a moment, a dead silence fell over the small room, the cursing of Nars the only thing that could be heard in there.
Valerie had no idea what the Chief was thinking, but the fact that hadn't attacked or turned to kill her brother was a good sign.
Still, at least to her, it seemed as if he was consulting someone as to what he should do in this situation.
But then again Valerie could easily be imagining it, as she was hoping that there was something, anything she could do to sway his decision.
Still, this didn't stop her di'kut of a brother from taking the opening that she had created. As he then brought out a blade that had been hidden in his vambrace, at the same time Valerie, realizing what he was about to do, cried out!
"NARS DON'T!" Valerie cried out.
But before Valerie could act, she watched in stunned silence as then she saw the stun bolt come from Chief's weapon, as he used it to make sure that Nars didn't follow through on his actions.
For a moment they just stared at one another, Valerie not sure what to say.
As there was nothing she could say, as by her actions she had allowed her bother to nearly injure the Chief.
Knowing this; Valerie suspected that the only reason as to why the Chief hadn't killed him was as a favour to her.
Then again that might be just wishful thinking on her part, as Valerie knew that the Chief wouldn't haste in killing anyone that was a threat. So, she guessed that there was a reason as to why he had only knocked out Nars, then again, he could've done it for a number of reasons.
But this didn't change the fact that she had nearly allowed him to be injured by her actions.
So, when the Chief made his way towards her, she didn't move but merely waited for him, as she didn't want to make any sudden moves on the one hand. But on the other, she felt a great sense of shame wash over her, as Valerie knew what would come next.
'I have to come clean with him...' She then thought.
The thought of which of course terrified her, but then again, given what had taken place Valerie knew that she had to redirect all his attention towards her and away from her vod.
As she would keep her promise to her ba'buir, it was at this point that the Spartan stopped in front of her.
There were no words we needed between them, as Valerie fell in behind the Chief as the two of them went back to where she knew her Clan elders would be gathered.
Valerie followed Chief in complete silence, as she wasn't sure what to say, let alone if she should say anything.
But such thoughts were quickly forgotten, as she could now hear the yelling coming from the center of the enclave. As Valerie could hear the outrage from who she assumed was the head of Clan Spar.
Which did indeed turn out to be the case, as she could hear her from here.
"-broken the Canons of Honor, and I demand that he face punishment!" The Zabrak demanded of leaders of Clan Einhherjar.
Valerie flinched on the inside, as she knew that Clan Spar still abided by the Canons of Honor rather than the Supercommando Codex put further by Jaster Mereel; for they felt as if this was closer to the true ways of the Mando'ade.
A fact that Valerie could respect, but at the same time she knew the punishment the Canons of Honor called for, for those who broke its codes. The most often one being death, especially for those who showed no honour.
"Let us hear what the challenger has to say about this," Her ba'buir said as everyone there turned to face the two of them.
As Chief and Valerie arrive at the gathering, and quickly join in the conversation.
"What has happened to your attacker?" Akara asked/demanded to know.
"Knocked out with a stun bolt," Valerie informed everyone there.
To which a sudden silence fell over the gathered group.
It was Valerie's ba'buir who finally broke the silence.
"Is he okay at the very least?" The old man inquired.
"For the moment," John supplied.
As he knew that the injuries he had inflicted on the man weren't fatal, but if left untreated they would be, even so, John knew that they still had some time before the injuries he had inflicted on Nars would have any lasting effect, especially considering the fact that bacta, the miracle cure, as Cortana called it was readily available.
Thou for a major mark up throughout the sector.
A fact that John hoped to address in the near future if he hoped to stabilize the sector, but that was something he could worry about later, as he needed to deal with the fallout from being attacked by a member of Clan Einhherjar.
As John was in completely uncharted territory, as he had never dealt with anything like this before, and since he couldn't rely on Cortana to help him out of this situation, it would be up to him and the voices of restraint to prevent this from becoming a blood bath. As Akara seemed dead set on making an example of Clan Einhherjar.
Which John saw as a waste, as he had already made an example of five other Clans that had refused to submit to him. And thou he didn't much care if he had to do so again, the Spartan would prefer not to do so unless completely necessary.
Because he knew that actions like that tended to make enemies if done one too many times.
As such John would also like to show that he only solutions to situations like this wasn't to simply eliminate the problem, as he wasn't trying to imitate Genghis Khan when it came to his enemies.
At least not yet…
"Has he done this before?" John then inquired, breaking the silence that had unexpectedly fallen around them.
As he was trying to gather more information on the man who had attacked him months earlier, but it came as some of a surprise when Valerie spoke up.
"This isn't the first time Nars has done this," Valerie said, starting down the road she already knew the end too.
"Is this true?" Akara then asked her grandfather.
"It is..." He admitted to her, which won him a curse from the leader of Clan Spar.
At which point Valerie knew what she had to say because she felt it would be better that it came from her rather than the Chief himself. That way some of the blowback from his actions would also fall on her as well, hopefully softening the punishment that her vod might receive, as it would be spread out between them.
"He's already attacked the Chief once before," Valerie admitted, which got her the immediate attention of the Chief and Akara.
Still, it was Akara who asked the question she had dreaded.
"How would you know this?" Akara then asked as a strong suspicion started rising inside of her.
For a moment Valerie didn't say anything, but she then thought about her current situation, and realizing that there was no way for her to back out now, Valerie revealed the truth to them.
"As I was there when this took place..." Valerie admitted.
To which the Chief then turned to look at Valerie after she said this, as she could tell that he somehow knew this but hadn't been sure.
Still, that was the least of her worries now, as she now had to deal with the unexpected anger of Akara!
"Kriffing, dar'manda!" Even through the helmet everyone there could tell Akara was completely incensed by what she was hearing.
As she saw this as more proof that Clan Einhherjar had lost their way, just like most of the other Clans throughout the sector. A fact that only made Kosk's argument from earlier seem true.
But before Akara could fully get going on Valerie, and by extension her Clan an unexpected voice spoke up.
"If I may," An old man said as he came to the front of the group.
Valerie instantly recognized the older Mandalorian with black armour with yellow and silver details.
As she had seen him drop into Goren's tapcafe often enough, but what she hadn't known was that he and the Chief had started working together.
Then again maybe she should've put more stock into the rumours that the old man entered into a partnership with someone.
Still, such things were merely afterthoughts now, as Valerie knew that depending on what the old man said, it might very well decide whether her Clan had any future.
"The fact is that through one of your own actions, your Clan has broken one of the Canons of Honor. As such, given that it was the challengers' honour that was damaged, it should be up to them as to what their punishment should be," The Historian pointed the fact out to Akara.
Something which Chief was thankful for, as despite their recent, friction both he and the old man did have one common goal at the moment.
Which was doing what was best for the sector.
Something that was going to prove difficult to do at the moment given the fact that the head of Clan Spar felt as if she had to make sure an example was made, a fact that was clearly shown in her suggestion of what Clan Einhherjar punishment should be.
"I for one say that this transgress is worth a "Game of Annihilation" as their punishment!" Valerie winced on the inside when she heard what Akara had suggested as their punishment.
For in a "Game of Annihilation", your whole Clans legacy and memories were completely eradicated from the Mandalorian people. A fate worse than death in many Mando'ade's eyes, as there were two deaths in their eyes.
The first one was when you psychically died, and the second and most permitted death was when people stopped speaking about you, as this was seen as your soul's death in many Mando'ade's eyes.
Though there were groups that called that once that happen, said soul joined with the Manda. Which was little comfort given the current circumstances.
As everyone in Clan Einhherjar now waited to hear what the old fool had to say.
"Thou I agree that this is a fitting punishment given the circumstances," Valerie could see several members of her Clan seemly deflate as the old man said this, "but it isn't the only punishment that I can think of given what has taken place."
"What are you suggesting?" One of the members of Clan Einhherjar then asked.
The Historian then took a moment to compose himself, as he knew that this was more for Akara than for anyone else. As the old man wanted to not have this situation degenerate into a blood bath.
As there was more than enough Mando'ade blood being spilled these days.
"An ijaat entye," He then said.
Something which Valeria, and seemingly everyone else here hadn't heard of before, except for Akara.
"I think of heard of that," Akara said as she calmed down from her earlier outburst.
"I would've been surprised if you hadn't. As these dates back to the times before the first crusades when the first Taug warriors were still settling Mandalore." The Historian said.
"What is it that your purposing?" John then inquired of the two of them.
As he, like everyone else here didn't even know what an ijaat entye was. Still, if John had to guess it was something to do with honour, given that it was the first word used, as for the debit part.
He had absolutely no idea what that could mean.
Surprisingly, it was Akara who explained just what this was.
"What the utreekov is suggesting is that you let them live," The disdain in Akara's voice made it clear that she very much wanted the Clan to pay a heavy price for their transgressions against their code and traditions.
"In exchange for that they would be pledging their services to you," The Historian made sure to add in this last part.
"Is it similar to a Life Debt?" The Spartan then inquired.
As it was the closest thing John could reference.
To which the Historian nodded, which brought up the next question.
"Who will decide when they have repaid their debt?" John then asked.
As it was a legitimate question, as he could see how such an oath could be easily abused by the one who owed it, the same way that many species abused the Life Debt made by Wookiees.
Thankfully for everyone there, the old man cleared any misconceptions that anyone might have.
"A third party would decide that." The Historian turned his head slightly to look at Akara, "Though they would have to have either witnessed the event or be well respected to judge accordingly." The Historian explained.
Which obviously meant that Clan Spar would be the ones to judge when this debit of honour had been repaid.
Still, there was one important question on the Chief's mind.
"What happens if they break this oath?" John then inquired.
To which Akara replied instantly.
"If the Clan in question had been found to have broken the oath," Akara then turned to look at Valerie as she said this next part, "They are obligated to hunt down and kill the aruetii."The Zabrak said this last part as if it was a curse.
Then again it was rather deserved, as the Clan had broken the rules and the code of honour demanded a certain punishment must be weeded out for all involved.
"If they don't?" Chief then pushed.
As he knew that this might happen, to which Akara replied happily.
"Then, all Mando'ade are obliged to hunt down and kill the dar'manda," Akara made it clear to everyone there that she and her Clan would be the first ones to do so should they break their oath to the Spartan.
Still, John knew that it wasn't Akara's commencement that he would need for that to work, but rather that of Valerie.
As she had proven that she was willing to cover for her brothers' mistakes amongst other things, knowing this Chief knew that he would have to have someone keep an eye on her and her brother in the future.
Knowing this, John knew that there was one person who he had to ask before he commented on this course of action.
"What do you think?" John then asked his AI companions' opinions on their options.
"Well, for starters I know you didn't just spare her brother just because," Cortana pointed out this obvious face.
As in any other situation, John would've killed him regardless of whether he was Valerie's brother or not. So, it led the AI to conclude that John had something else in mind for Nars and Valerie.
"I figured that it was best to have the locals sort this out," John replied, reminding Cortana yet again that he hadn't accepted these people as a part of humanity.
Then again, she knew that it was easier for him this way, as it prevented him from asking some rather unwanted questions.
Questions Cortana was certain that her Spartan would have to ask himself eventually, and hopefully she would be there when he did.
"And seeing how that has worked out, what are you planning to do with them?" Cortana inquired.
"Simple, you have the original files for the ORION Project?" John then inquired.
"I do why?" Cortana asked even though she knew the answer.
"We need to field test something," John said cryptically.
He meant that they needed to figure out just what kind of technology was available in terms of genetic augmenting. As Cortana could tell, John was thinking five years into the future at this point in time.
Even so, Cortana could not find herself disagreeing with what he was prepossessing.
"Just make sure they're alive first. As Akara might disagree strongly with what you're thinking." Cortana then warned him.
As it was obvious that the Zabrak was out for blood.
"Leave that to me," Chief then assured her, as he then turned to look directly at Valerie.
"If that were to come to pass, would you follow through with this?" The Chief then asked Valerie.
Because the Spartan knew that in all likely hood that it would be her brother that would break the oath.
Still desperate knowing that this question would come Valerie couldn't help but take a moment to think about what she would be forced to do if her di'kut were to put her in That situation.
Then again… she then looked at her ba'buir, who for his part seemed to know that she was looking at him and gave her a small nod. At which point Valerie knew what she had to say.
"I will, even if I have to hunt down my vod personally..." Valerie said solemnly.
As she would do so, even if she knew that it would break her this inside. Something which her ba'buir seemed to pick up on this, as he then spoke up.
"As will the rest of the Clan," He then assured them.
But John didn't reply, as this wasn't the solution he wanted, but given the circumstances, it was probably the best one he could get.
Still, there was one problem with this, as John then turned to look at it.
As John and Akara already knew what the other wanted and started one another down, the tension between the two of them was notable to everyone standing there. As the silent contest of wills played out between them, everyone there silently held their breath.
That was until Akara finally broke what everyone assumed was eye contact with the Spartan.
"Fine," It was clear from the tone of her voice that Akara wasn't happy about Chief choice.
But she knew it wasn't her place to choose for him, as he was the person who had originally challenged Clan Einhherjar, so it would be up to him to decide what he would do about this matter.
While for Chief's part, he was just glad that Akara's second in command; Kosk wasn't here. Because if he had been here alongside Akara, John wasn certain that he would've been forced into doing something he would've rather not of done.
But the fact was that Akara had only accepted this purpose because the honour debit was something that the Mandalores of old had accepted, that and the consequences of them breaking this oath.
Still Chief felt as if he would need to keep an eye on Clan Spar in the meantime until they left the world.
As he knew that what had just taken place here wouldn't play out well between Kosk and Akara, nor the hardliners in their Clan.
Still, the Spartan hoped that his fears were unfounded, as he would become very busy in the next couple of weeks, especially considering the fact that he had essentially become the guardian and benefactor of several Clan that were under his influence as the Historian put it.
"Are you doing, okay John?" Cortana asked.
"To a point," Chief replied vaguely, hoping that Cortana would understand what he was getting at.
She did, as Cortana knew that John was very much out of his depth, as playing politics, even as simple as this was a struggle for him. Still, if the AI was thankful for anything, it was the fact that there wouldn't be long-lasting consequences should they make any mistakes here.
Because with a galaxy this big and the financial resources they now had available to them, it would be rather easy for him and her to slip off this moon and find somewhere backwater that could base on until the UNSC hopefully came to pick them up.
"Doesn't surprise me, as things are rather backwards if you ask me," Cortana commented on the Mandalorians themselves.
As they were in a sense backwards, it had worked for them, but at the same time, it wasn't, as this backwardness was artificially created.
Chief and Cortana knew under Mandalore's Jaster and Fett, the two men had made at least an effort in trying to reform the Clan system. But those attempted reforms hadn't had enough time to take root before the Republic had meddled with Mandalorian affairs once again.
Which once again wanted to made Cortana want to attempt to put her plan into action, as with everything that was taking place here, she knew that there was now a chance that her plans could be successful, and if only one of them panned out on Concordia it would be more than enough for what was to come.
"So, what is to become of Nars?" One of the members of Clan Einhherjar then inquired of the Chief.
It was at this point the Spartan realized that the conversation had carried on while he had been talking with his trusted AI.
"Nars is to be sent off world until I recall him," Chief stated simply coming back to the conversation.
As this was honestly the best choice for everyone at the moment.
Besides, Cortana had plans for the black sheep of Clan Einhherjar. But for everyone else there, there were mixed reactions.
Even so, no one argued with the Chief's decision, mostly because everyone there knew that Clan Einhherjar was in no position to object to such a ruling on his part.
"I'll will make sure that it is done," Akara said, making it clear that there would be no debates about this.
To which nodded simply as he then turned to his ally in all this.
"Can you handle the rest here?" John then asked the Historian.
To which he nodded slightly.
"I can, though I would recommend that you wait for me on the other end," The old man said.
To which Chief nodded in response as he trusted the old man to be able to keep Akara in check. At which point he turned around and started walking away from the gathering.
"Where are you going now?" One of the heads of Clan Einhherjar called out after the Chief as they watched him continue towards the speeder bike he used to arrive here.
"I'm going to finish this, with Clan Dyre," John stated simply.
As the Chief saw no reason as to why he should drag this out any longer than he had to. Because he could end this today, then why would he wait any longer?
Because in the immortal words of the Prince: All injuries should be done all at once so that they offend less.
Because John knew the longer his little crusade went on, the more likely he was to draw unwanted attention to himself. Besides, he knew that if he completed this blitz in less than a standard week then the reputation, he would be able to gain from such a feat would be more than sufficient to keep other challengers.
At least he hoped, as the Chief was still learning about the Mandalorian code. And he hoped that this would be the case.
"I hope you know what you're getting yourself into. As Clan Dyre alor isn't known for holding back." The head of Clan Einhherjar warned the Chief.
"I wasn't planning to either," Chief replied as he then got on the speeder bike that he had been provided and started making his way towards the compound of Clan Dyre.
For this little side adventure would end today.
Chief and Cortana knew they only had so much time before the Galaxy started to break apart, and before that could happen the two of them intended to make use of every second of it before it all came crashing down around them.
Mando'a Dictionary:
Ba'buir - can mean either grandmother or grandfather given the context
Vod - Can mean brother, comrade, *mate*, sister given the context
Alor - Can mean leader, chief, *officer*, constable, boss, and even Chancellor given the context
Aruetii - traitor, foreigner, outsider
Di'kut - idiot, useless individual, waste of space (lit. someone who forgets to put their pants on)
Dar'manda - A state of not being Mandalorian - not an outsider, but one who has lost his heritage, and so his identity and his soul - regarded with absolute dread by most traditional-minded Mando'ade
Ijaat - Honour
Entye - Debt
Utreekov - fool, idiot (lit. emptyhead)
So that is all she wrote, I hope you enjoyed it.
So, we got to see Chief kick Nars shebs in, which was well overdue.
Even so, we get to see what becomes of him and his sister another time, as the Chief has a bigger fish to fry at the moment.
Also, an apology as to why this took so long to come out, but I had a draft and didn't at all like it, so I scrapped it and started over from scratch. As both writing and editing take quite some time on my part.
Also, a quick note since I see it keep coming up in the comments, yes, I know my spelling and grammar are not the best, but I'm doing the best with the tools I have available to me, still if your frustrated with the story's grammar and spelling, I'm more then open for people to beta.
As I keep plugging for one at the stories being, so if you want to try and make a difference reach out and we can work together on this.
Anyway, this is going to be the last time I address this, as I have more things to do, such as the fact we have hit two milestones and I have an extra thing for you all to celebrate hitting these milestones!
As we can see, the Historian's view on the history of the Mandalorians and more recent events.
I hope you enjoy it!
In the long history of the Mandalorians, we have had many leaders, though it would take longer than I would like to list them all.
I will, for time's sake, speak of those Mand'alor that despite their final legacy did leave their mark on the history of the Mandalorian people.
Firstly, I will start with Mandalore the Conqueror, as he was the first in a long line of Mando'ade that would set the groundwork for the Mando'ade to be a galactic power up to the present day in the galaxy.
Though much has been lost about his reign, it was through his actions that the Mandalore sector was established and the military forces that would terrorize the aruetiise for generations to come.
The success of the Conqueror; Mandalore the Indomitable took the crusades that had been crafted and forged in the fires of war and took them out of the Mandalorian sector, seeking new worlds to conquer.
But while blazing a trail towards the core worlds, the Indomitable came into contact with a cult that would come to hunt Mandalorian history.
As in the Empress Teta system, the Indomitable would come into contact with the brotherhood of the Sith.
After a brief exchange, the two agreed to a duel, the winner gained control of the other forces.
At which point, Indomitable made his way to face Ulic Qel-Droma in single combat on the planet of his choosing.
Thou he fought like the warriors of old, the Mand'alor was beaten by the darjetii and per the terms of his previous agreement, the Indomitable rallied his crusades to Brotherhood's cause.
And with that, it would be the first time and certainly not the last time that the Mandalorians would come to serve under the banner of the Sith armies, a trend that would continually repeat up to the current day.
Despite the jetiise claims, rumours still abound that even today some Mandalorians have dealings with Sith or Sith off shots.
I for one, seeing how every partnership with the Sith had ended, see nothing to be gained by an alliance with these sons of demagolka.
Personal feelings aside, we now come to the success of Indomitable Mandalore: Mandalore the Ultimate, seen as the greatest of all Mand'alors.
For it was under his leadership that the Mandalorian people saw their peak in terms of power and territorial expansion, as for years before he fought wars that battle-hardened the Manda'ade, while the Republic was still recovering from its last war.
As the Ultimate made sure to avoid any Republic territory until he was ready to launch his attack on the Republic.
Thou some have questions as to why they followed this strategy, many could not argue with its results.
Once he was ready, the Ultimate launched a lightning strike into the Republic, with a great many worlds falling to his forces in the opening months while keeping the Republic on the backfoot.
It seemed that he might be in a position to launch an assault on the core itself, but that was until the Jedi Reven and his followers entered the war, at which point the war started to turn.
Many speculated as to why the Ultimate was unable to adapt to Raven's strategy.
I for one thing that it was merely that the Ultimate had been too spilled by victory that he had forgotten how to deal with the bitter reality that came with defeat.
Even so, the Ultimate hadn't lost his will to fight, as he attempted to regain the momentum and was lured into Revens trap at Malachor V, where a large chunk of his fleet was stationed.
During the ongoing war, Reven boarded Mandalore's ship and challenged him to single combat, just as was done with Mandalore the Indomitable.
Having no other choice given what was at stake, the Ultimate accepted this challenge, and though little detail survives about what took place aboard the flagship.
We do know that after a long struggle, Reven was able to fall the Ultimate and with that spring his trap.
After which, suffering heavy losses and without leadership, the Mandalorians did the unthinkable.
They surrendered, and with that, they were disarmed and scattered across the galaxy becoming nothing more than bands of thugs and mercenaries.
I only take comfort in the fact that despite my people's loss, it was the match that would burn the jetties in return and though their actions reverse the damage they had a case, still, I would admit to not including the rumours to this day that the Ultimates plan of conquest of the Republic wasn't his original design. A fact that was seemingly confirmed by the next leader of the Mando'ade after the fall of Ultimate forces in orbit of Malachor V.
That Mand'alor being; Mandalore the Preserver.
Originally known as Canderous Ordo, he had originally been a part of the crusader's forces of Mandalore the Ultimate.
He, like most after the disastrous battle at Malachor V, was set adrift in the galaxy, eventually becoming a mercenary on the world of Taris.
Thought it seemed that fate had other plans for the Preserver, as he would come into the service of the man who had broken the Mandalorian people.
That person being an amnesiac Revan, though not aware of it at the time, the Preserver would come to travel with Reven and his companions to stop his former friend and apprentice Malak and his Sith Empire from destroying the Republic.
As to why the Preserver wanted to save the government that had laid his people low, I can only speculate.
Still, that did not change the fact that he was a warrior, and being an enforcer for the criminal scum of the underworld was probably a fate worse than death for him.
Even so, as the Preserver travelled with Revan, the two of them grow close enough that after Darth Malak's defeat at the Star Forge, he received the mask of Mandalore the Ultimate, thou this came at the price of a promise to Revan.
In exchange for this, the Preserver was tasked with reuniting the Mandalores, after this Revan would leave for an unknown space. After which would start to bring the Clans back together, and also see that to face a changing galaxy that Reven had hinted at.
I honestly see it as something of an irony that to clean up the mess, the Jetties turned to their great enemy for help, not only once, but twice.
Still, after finishing his business with the second Jedi, the Preserver left them to continue his previous work to ensure that the spirit of Mandalorian civilization was preserved.
To this effect, the Preserver suggested several reforms to help strengthen the Mando'ade and to improve certain aspects that he thought were lacking in our society.
Though these proposed reforms would be ignored by most of his successors.
The next Mand'alor of note is Mandalore the Lesser came to show that despite the efforts of the previous generations, we would fall victim to outside forces yet again.
It was my opinion that any dealing with the Sith isn't in Mandalorians' interest. Thou many of my kin may disagree with me, I see that every time that was have done so has only resulted in defeat and shame.
Such was brought on by his actions, as after gaining the position he immediately undertook a strategy that would benefit his masters, as he launched a blockade of the Hydian Way.
With the blockade in place, the Lesser waited for the jetiise to make their move.
But it was not the jetiise who would face him, but a band of pirates and smugglers that would break his blockade with late Republic help.
Somehow managing to escape that disaster it was later found out that agents of the Sith Empire had rigged his games in order to create a new Mandalore under their thumb.
Still, the Lesser was brought to an end by Mandalore the Vindicated.
Thou I feel that his title was undeserving given that he was nothing more than another puppet who thought nothing of the Clans or the reformers that the Preserver had set into motion.
But despite stalling, the reforms both suggested and implemented by Mandalore the Preserver were eventually implemented. And over the decades which allowed the reforms to take root, the Mandalorian people had managed to study themselves to the point where without a leader they were able to start negotiating with other nearby systems for protection in exchange for certain materials and trade deals.
Needless to say, this didn't go unnoticed by the Republic, seeing this as a threat to their power and having visions of the Mandalorian crusades, even though we were in a loose alliance at the time.
The kriffing aruetiise took this as a threat and as such launched a preemptive strike against the whole sector.
Forcing the Mando'ade onto the backfoot and 'Successfully' pacifying the sector.
If you call razing worlds from orbit pacifying that it…
Finally, we reach Mand'alor the Restore, probably the most important Mandalore's for ensuring that the Republics efforts after the infamous preemptive strike on the sector didn't have any lingering effects other than the slow decline of the sector and the Mando'ade as a whole.
Though much of his history is lost due to the aftermath of the war with the jetiise, it was greatly understood that she was able to rally the Mando'ade from across the galaxy in a crusade to retake the sector and destroy the caretaker government that had been installed.
The last thing we heard of her was that she stepped done once peace with the Republic was assured and went back to a career of bounty hunting.
But despite her effort, the damage had been done.
Once again, the Mando'ade were scattered, and any progress for reforms was lost. As slowly but surely Mandalorian society would slowly degrade, with any attempts to stem the damage either seemingly effective or at worst seemingly making some headway the aruetiise would send some the Mandalore's way.
Seemingly content to let the Mandalores fade away into nothing on their own.
Which reached a tipping on by the time of the election of Mandalore Jaster Mereel, a well-respected Journeyman Protector before he was exiled, came to claim the mantle of the Mand'alor at a time of deep crisis for the Mando'ade.
By this point, the people of the Mandalore sector had degenerated so much as to become nothing more than petty criminals and pirates throughout the sector.
Seeing this, and knowing that if this wasn't stopped, then the Mando'ade would fade away, becoming nothing more than myth and legend.
Knowing this, Jaster Mereel crafted a new guild line for behaviour and ethics for the Mando'ade, that new guild line being the Commander of Supercommandos.
The codex was meant to act as a guideline for the Manda'ade in this changing time and to help set them on the right track.
Still, the Codex won't be accepted by all Mando'ade and would form their faction: The Death Watch to oppose Jaster Mereel's reforms under restoring their warrior past.
But their past actions only show this to be a front. For they continue the practice of piracy and ship jacking that had become all too rampant throughout the sector.
The first major battles of the Mandalorian civil war took place on the world of Concord Dawn, on which after engaging Death Watch forces, Jaster and his True Mandalorians were forced to retreat and regroup.
They were helped by one of the local families on the planet.
But that help came at a price, as Tor Vizsla and his Death Watch raided the farm.
Demanding to know where the True Mandalorians were, killing the family except for one boy, a boy that would prove pivotal in the coming years.
As he helped lead Jaster and his True Mandalorians away from the farm and to one of the nearby towns that the Death Watch was planning to resupply from.
Jaster, the boy and the rest of the remaining True Mandalorians launched an ambush of Death Watch forces.
During the fighting, Fett helped with setting an explosive on tanks, while also killing the scum who killed his family.
Once the battle was over and having proved himself, Jaster took in the young Fett. Raising him as his own son.
After which years would slowly drag on, in which the True Mandalores would be lulled into a false sense of victory.
With the Death Watch laying low, Jaster would take on jobs while the war to both fund his operations, while trying to be a good example of the Codex he had penned.
That was until during what he was expected to be a routine job, Jaster's worse fear had been realized.
As many of the True Mandalorians including him had believed that the Death Watch had been broken, but on the world Korda Six those illusions would be broken.
Once they made the planet fall and started making their way to rescue the pinned-down planetary PDF forces the true reason for their mission became apparent.
For this job was nothing more than a set-up by the Death Watch to wipe out the True Mandalorians. As they shot the ships from the sky and immediately came under attack, as Jaster attempted to get everyone regrouped, the team led by Montross launched an attack at the ion cannons that had brought them down.
Having ignored his orders, Jaster ended up saving Montross's life during the battle.
Though his efforts weren't too last long, as a Death Watch counterattack was immediately launched on their position. Many would've thought that Mandalore might've survived the battle if he hadn't been betrayed by Montross, seeing an opportunity to claim the title of Mandalore by his leader's death.
But this was stopped by his Mandalores adopted son; Jango Fett, who upon returning castes out Montross after being elected leader of the True Mandalores.
Now with Jaster Mereel dead, and his adopted son Jango Fett taking control of the True Mandalorians, Fett would find limited success fighting against the dar'manda.
They being happy to use hit-and-fade tactics against the True Mando'ade.
Forcing Fett to follow any lead he could in an attempt to track down the Death Watch, which lead him to the world of Galidraan.
After doing a job, Fett then went to get the information he had been promised by the governor of the planet.
But this had turned out to be a ruse, as it turned out that once again Tor and the Death Watch had set Fett up.
Framing the True Mandalorians for a crime they hadn't committed, Fett was forced to escape from the governor's place to regroup with his men.
But little did Fett know that the a had called the Jedi in to do their dirty work, claiming that the True Mandalorians had massacred a large swath of peaceful protesters.
Having been framed, and unwilling to hear their side of the story, the Jedi attacked and slaughtered the True Mandalores to a man, with the solo experience of Jango Fett.
With that blow, the True Mandalorians were broken, and it seemed that the Death Watch had won the war.
As any True Mandalorians, including myself, either went into hiding or adopted the same hit and fad tactics that the dar'manda had used against us for years.
But despite this resistance, it seemed that all was lost.
For what remained of the True Mandalorians were scattered, the Mandalore enslaved and the sector falling apart it seemed that our fate was all but certain.
But in what seemed like a miracle, Jango was able to escape his chains, reclaiming his armour from the kriffing governor that had originally sold him into slavery.
With that accomplished, Fett then went on a one-man crusade and personally took down Tor Vizsla and his Death Watch.
There aren't many details as to how he accomplished this, but with Death Watch was defeated, Jango resigned from his position as Mandalore and became what is considered the best bounty hunter of his time.
But now with what had taken place in the galaxy, it seems that a new Mand'alor is needed, especially with the death of Mand'alor the lost.
As Fett met his end on the red sands of Genosis at the hands of the Jedi Mace Windu just weeks before his promised return. But that matters little now, as the position of Mand'alor has opened once again. And with the fate of the Mando'ade hanging in the balance, I fear for the future for the first time in years.
As we truly stand at the edge of the abyss should the wrong leader rise to power.
So let me start with who I believe is already disqualified for the position, and should they rise to power, it would be the end of the Mando'ade.
Most obvious of which is Satine Kyze and her sect of heretics, for no true son or daughter of Mandalore would follow an obvious puppet let alone a dar'manda.
For it was under her 'rule' that the whole sector had been exploited to fuel the growth of her sect.
As most of the Mando'ade have been forced off world, and in most cases out of the sector to find work. While most of the sector had expected a de-industrialization on a sector scale.
Most of the goods that now come into the sector come from Republic space, where before we had been at least self-sufficient in most industries.
That and she and her cult have also attempted to corrupt what it means to be a Mandalorian, something she should know from birth.
For she rejects all things Mandalorian and instead embraces a dar'manda philosophy given to her by an outsider force.
Thou I can somewhat understand why Satine is doing this, but the fact is that she is destroying the very people she claims she wants to save and replacing them with something else entirely…
Something I truly find unforgivable.
Next being on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, is that of Pre Vizsla and his neo-Death Watch organization.
Needless to say, I do not believe I need to explain why he is unfit to rule.
But for those who don't, Vizsla not only brought back the kriffing dar'manda but also see himself as an heir to the true ways of the Mandalorians of old.
I have read some of what he has put out, and simply put there is absolutely no way what he has planned succeeding given the current state of the Mandalorian people.
For he is a dream, that is willing to cut corners to reach his goal.
His willingness to ally himself with the CIS shows that he's now better than the New Mandalorians in that regard. Because if he did have the ability and strength to do what he claims, he wouldn't need the backing of the aruetiise, let alone a false lying to strengthen his claims to rule the Mando'ade.
Finally, the last of the candidates; that being Jango's own son Boba.
Despite being the official son of Jango, Boba has his own agenda.
One that's clouded with hate for the Jedi that kill his father, I do hope that he can get over this.
For I know that in the near future, Mandalore will need the Clan of Fett yet again.
Now the only two candidates I can see possibly taking the position of Mand'alor at the moment.
The first and most obvious is Spar, the Resurrector as his followers, who in my honest opinion is probably the best person to take the title.
Clone or not, he is to be considered a son of the late Mandalore, though I disagree with his choice to fight on the side of the CIS.
I can understand it, given that there is little reason why he should side with the Republic given its previous actions. Still, I do hope that he can work with the second man I consider runner-up for his position.
For they both do want what is best for the sector, even if they don't see eye to eye on everything.
The fact is that Spar, through his actions, has helped once again show that what Jaster and others before him worked so hard to build wasn't entirely for nothing.
Finally, we get to the Master Chief, and honestly, in my personal opinion, he is fit to take the title of Mand'alor should the need arise.
For he seeks to keep the sector out of a war, which is, under the current circumstances, understandable.
As he seeks to play kingmaker while ensuring that when the sector is prepared for when it eventually gets dragged into the conflict. And though I might disagree with some of the things that he is doing, I can understand where the Chief is coming from.
Because as of now, we have little in terms of an army, let alone a fleet.
It had only been in the last couple of months that he's been able to gain Satine's 'blessing' to create and build a fleet for the sector.
Thou most of it having been purchased beforehand, the Chief only needed the official approval of the New Mandalorians so as to not get a reaction from the jetties.
I must also note that the Spartans have also taken an interest in the sector as a whole.
He both sponsors and provides jobs to the local population of the sector, which in turn has made it where he should he choose so, make, or break a candidate for leadership by giving his support. Or if he chooses, take the title and position of Mandalore for himself.
But on the other hand, I know that if he should be forced to take the position of Mand'alor, then it would be only under the need of extreme crisis.
A crisis I fear for not only the sector but for the soul of all Mando'ade.
Anyway, that's all I have to say for now, and until next time, have a good one.