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Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars: The Clone Wars. I only own the OC Jayden Shan/Darth Khan.
Mandalore was the fifth planet in the Mandalore system of the Outer Rim Territories, not far from the Hydian Way trade route. The homeworld of the multi-species cultural group known as the Mandalorians, the planet was known as Manda'yaim in the Mandalorian language, and was named after the legendary conqueror of the vibrant world, Mandalore the First.
Mandalore the First's Taung warriors slew the indigenous mythosaurs and tamed the savage landscape, solidifying Mandalore's place as a powerbase and the center of Mandalorian space for millennia to come. Mandalore was covered in a rich natural landscape, largely unspoiled due to its sparse sentient population. The world was blanketed in lush veshok tree forests, dense jungle, sprawling hills and grassland well suited to farming, inhospitable deserts of white sand, and numerous rivers, lakes, and seas. It was also the only known world in the galaxy, with the exception of its moon Concordia, to possess the unique, nearly indestructible iron ore known as beskar, an element capable of withstanding blows from even a Lightsaber.
The Mandalorians have always had a hard past with the Jedi Order, given that there had been sixteen years of conflict between the Mandalorian warrior culture and the Galactic Republic during the Old Republic. A war that would be come to be known as the Mandalorian Wars.
The Mandalorians especially had a negative opinion on the Jedi after the Jedi Knight, Revan, alongside his friend Malak and the Revanchists, turned the tide of the war in the Republic's favor. Driving back the Mandalorians, Revan forced a final showdown with Mandalore the Ultimate at the Battle of Malachor V around 3960 years ago. Revan personally defeated Mandalore in single combat as the Republic and Mandalorian fleets battled above Malachor V, and the activation of the superweapon known as the Mass Shadow Generator devastated both the planet and the participating fleets.
The Mandalorian Wars had long-reaching consequences: Revan forced the defeated Mandalorians to disarm and hid Mandalore's Mask, the symbol of their leadership, and both he and Malak were turned to the Dark Side of the Force while investigating the Sith influence that had caused Mandalore to go to war. Many of the soldiers and Jedi who followed Revan in the Mandalorian Wars joined the two new Dark Lords of the Sith as they formed their own Sith Empire and invaded the Republic in a subsequent conflict known as the Jedi Civil War.
So, with such a violent history between Mandalorians and the Republic, it confused Obi-Wan Kenobi as well as the Jedi Council as to why a Mandalorian saboteur attacked one of the Republic cruisers.
This latest attack spiced up rumours in the Republic Senate that the Duchess Satine was building her own army as the leader of the Council of Neutral Systems, which makes for over 1,500 worlds that want to stay out of the conflict.
Which is why the Jedi Council has tasked Obi-Wan with going to Mandalore to see the Duchess and ascertain the truth.
Oh, a part of me is not looking forward to this. Obi-Wan thought as his starfighter jumped out of Hyperspace and beheld the planet of Mandalore and it's moon. disengaging from the Hyperspace transport ring, the Jedi's starfighter accelerated towards the planet, it's destination being the massive bio-cube city called Sundari, the capital city of the new Mandalorians.
Docking at the landing pad, Obi-Wan opened the cockpit and stepped out of his starfighter, finding transport already awaiting his arrival.
"The Duchess awaits you, General Kenobi." The guard informed him. Obi-Wan nodded as he approached.
"Far be it from me to keep the Duchess waiting." The Jedi Master remarked as he got on, crossing his arms while the guard turned and pressed a button to have the trnasport take them to their destination.
Some minutes later, Obi-Wan found himself entering the throne room, which was quite a sight to behold and hadn't changed much since the last time he had been here. Aside from the image of the Duchess being in place of the previous leader. The Jedi's attention shifted when he spotted a man coming from another part of the room.
"General Kenobi." Prime Minister Almec greeted the Jedi Knight as he approached. Obi-Wan sent the man a nod of greeting.
"Thank you for meeting with me, Prime Minister Almec." He thanked, shaking the man's hand. Almec nodded with a smile.
"I welcome you as a servant of the people, but I am trouble by the false rumors that brought you here." Almec confessed, the two men turning and walking towards the throne at a moderate pace as they waited the Duchess' arrival. "Mandalore would never turn against the Republic. The Duchess Satine values peace more than her own life."
"Oh, I'm aware of the Duchess' views." Obi-Wan remarked knowingly.
"Master Kenobi, Mandalore's violent past is behind us." Almec said, turning to the Jedi as they stopped. "All of our warriors were exiled to our moon, Concordia. They died out, years ago."
I'm not so certain of that. Obi-Wan thought as a certain Mandalorian bounty hunter came to mind. "Hmm, are you certain? I recently encountered a man who wore Mandalorian armor. Jango Fett."
Almec scoffed with a slight look of disdain. "Jango Fett was a common bounty hunter How he acquired that armor is beyond me."
A new voice then announced it's presence. "Well, Master Kenobi." Both men turned to see none other than Duchess Satine, accompanied by two of her guards and Senator Tal Merrek. "My shining Jedi Knight to the rescue once again."
The Duchess took her seat on her throne, which made a shimmering sound as it lit up at her sitting down. Despite himself, Obi-Wan couldn't stop the small smile at seeing Satine again.
"After all these years, you're even more beautiful than ever." He confessed. Satine's lips twitched at his compliment, but her expression remained an indifferent one as her tone became serious.
"Kind words from a man who accuses me of treachery." She accused.
Obi-Wan blinked before he shook his head. "I would never accuse you of personal wrongdoing, Duchess. However, a Separatist saboteur attacked one of our Republic cruisers. A Mandalorian saboteur." Obi-Wan took out a holocording that showed the Mandalorian sabateur in action, and he saw Satine's expression shift to surprise and refusal. And sensing her emotions through the Force, he knew she had nothing to do with it like the rumours were accusing her of.
"You must be mistaken." Almec chimed in. "No Mandalorian would engage in such violence. Not anymore. Where is this prisoner now?"
"He took his own life, rather than submit to questioning." Obi-Wan said grimly, recalling seeing that for himself. It bothered him how some would be willing to take their own lives to keep their words to themselves. "I know these commandos fought in many wars, often against the Jedi."
Satine didn't like what his words implied. "Every one of my people is as trustworthy as I am."
Senator Merrek tried to intervene. "I know we sound defensive-"
"Clearly, your investigation was ordered because the Senate is eager to intervene in our affairs." Satine accused with fury in her tone.
Obi-Wan was calm despite the accusation. "My investigation was ordered by the Jedi Council."
Satine was caught off guard at this and her expression softened as she relaxed a little more that this wasn't a political matter but sanctioned by the Jedi. "I stand corrected. General Kenobi, perhaps you'd like to join me on a walk through the city." She held out her hand for him to take.
Accepting it, he helps her out of the throne and they walk away.
There was a comfortable silence between Obi-Wan and Satine as they walked, with two of Satine's guards trailing them at a respectable distance to give them privacy. As they walked, Satine looked at Obi-Wan.
"It's so good to see you again, Obi-Wan." She admitted, dropping any formalities with him. "Despite the circumstances."
"Your peaceful ways have paid off." Obi-Wan told her. "Mandalore has propsered since the last time I was here."
The Duchess let out a sigh. "Not everyone on Mandalore believes that our commitment to peace is a sign of progress. There is a group that calls itself Death Watch. I imagine these are the renegades you're looking for. They idolize violence and the warrior ways of the past. There are those among us, certain officials, who are working to root out these criminals. It has been an ongoing investigation."
Obi-Wan frowned. "How widespread is this Death Watch movement?"
Satine shakes her head. "It's hardly a movement. It's a small group of hooligans who choose to vandalize public places, nothing more. We shall soon have them in our custody. We've tracked them down to our moon, Concordia," She said confidently.
"I hope you're right, Duchess." Obi-Wan said.
Concordia was a moon of Mandalore. Prior to the end of Mandalore's wars, insurgents turned Concordia into a mining base. The mines almost destroyed the moon's forest. However, when the war ended, the mines were abandoned and the forests began to grow back. After the Mandalorian Civil War, all of Mandalore's warriors were exiled to Concordia by the New Mandalorians and were presumed to have died out.
At least, that's what they think.
By the time of the Clone Wars, Concordia had become a province of Mandalore with its own governor. However, Concordia's governor, Pre Vizsla of House Vizsla's Clan Vizsla, is actually the leader of the splinter group, Death Watch.
At Death Watch's base of operations, Vizsla, clad in armor and helmet, was in communications with one Count Dooku of the Separatists. "I do not understand why the arrival of this Jedi doesn't upset you. You promised to support the Death Watch forces so we could overthrow the Duchess Satine and her weak, peace-loving government."
"And I will keep my promise." Dooku said calmly despite the aggravated tone Vizsla used with him.
"But how? If the Republic interferes now, Death Watch will not be able to take over the planet." Vizsla pointed out.
"Consider, once the Senate orders peacekeeping troops to Mandalore, the people will be surrounded by a military presence. Most distasteful. They will rebel." Dooku countered, and Vizsla saw where he was heading with this.
"And rally to Death Watch." he finished with a grin. Dooku nodded. "Our insurgency will grow stronger."
"Yes. And Duchess Satine shall fall." Dooku assured. "But, if the presence of Kenobi troubles you greatly, I shall send my Apprentice, Darth Khan, to assist you should anything happen." His tone ended any arguments Vizsla would make and ceased transmissions there.
Back on Mandalore, Obi-Wan and Satine were still on their walk around the city, and also in a slight debate about conflicts and peacekeeping. "A peacekeeper belongs on the front lines of conflict." Obi-Wan argued. "Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to do his job."
Satine sighs and shakes her head. "The work of a peacekeeper is to ensure that conflict does not arise."
"Yes, a noble description, but not a realistic one." Obi-Wan said.
Duchess Satine eyes him skeptically. "Is reality what makes a Jedi abandon their ideals? Or is it simply a response to political convenience?"
Before Obi-Wan could respond, the memorial shrine in front of them explodes violently, sending the people close to it flying. Obi-Wan quickly shield Satine to protect her from any rubble that was flying from the explosion. Around them, the people were screaming and running away in either fear or pain.
"Are you all right?" Obi-Wan asked.
Satine nodded. "I'm fine." She said, looking over at the scene with worry. She then rushed over, Obi-Wan following her, and they found a few people lying on the ground injured, and Satine kneels next to one, helping to support him while her guards surround the scene.
"Hooligans couldn't have arranged an attack of this scale," Obi-Wan points out.
"Then this must be the work of an off-worlder," Satine argues. Obi-Wan was about to say something when something behind Satine caught his eye and his eyes narrowed.
"Are you sure of that?" He asked. Satine followed his gaze and her eyes widened at seeing an orange hologram of a symbol.
"The sign of the Death Watch." She gasped.
Obi-Wan crouched down to Satine. "This goes far beyond vandalism. This is a political statement against your government, and against you," He told her. "You're not safe here. I'm taking you back to the palace."
He offered her a hand which she took and was helped to her feet. Obi-Wan kept her close as he looked over the guards and the crowd that was forming.
"I want to interview everyone here. Nobody leaves this scene." He ordered one of the guards who nodded.
People gasped as a person shoved by them, catching Obi-Wan's eye and he knew the runner had to be responsible for the attack. So he chased after him. The man started running around the shrine, occasionally pushing people out of his way. He heads down the steps beneath the shrine, and Obi-Wan follows him quickly. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, Obi-Wan notices him looking around in a panic, finding himself with no where else to go.
"I only want to talk!" The Jedi told him, stopping at the doorway.
Apparently he doesn't want to talk, because he immediately draws a blaster and starts firing yellow colored bolts at Obi-Wan, who dodged, then rolls and ignites his Lightsaber to deflect and block the next few shots, one a well-aimed deflection knocking the man's blaster out of his hand. Seeing his weapon lost, the man charges at Obi-Wan who deactivates his Lightsaber and drops down onto his back, sending the man overhead with a push of his legs, and quickly got to his feet as the man groaned.
"I don't want to hurt you," Obi-Wan says placatingly, then notices Satine appearing in the entryway, looking at the scene. "Stay back!"
The man then does something unexpected, and runs to the balcony railing, getting on it before turning to Obi-Wan and Satine, arms held out.
"Calhava bru'chun, Dralshye'ran!" he cries out. He then leans backwards and falls off the building to his death.
The man hits the glass floor below with a sickening crack, and the crowd surrounding the area gasp in shock. Obi-Wan and Satine rush over and look down at the scene, and Satine holds a hand to her mouth in horror, before rushing to the lifts. Obi-Wan follows her to the lower level, where she rushes to the side of the fallen man who now weakly stares at them.
"Se solu, se kad, se Darasuum kote," he says weakly.
"What is he saying," Obi-Wan asked but was ignored.
"Kadi, se norm'iim," he continues to say.
"Ki, kadi norm'iim," Satine responds to him quietly.
Whatever she said seemed to do the trick, as the man gave one last look to the sky before his head fell back with his eyes closed, and he died.
"He was speaking in the dialect they use on Concordia, our moon," Satine said.
"I shall like to visit this moon of yours. Perhaps we can accompany the body," Obi-Wan suggested.
Satine shakes her head as she stood and looked at him. "The Concordian moon is a province with its own governor. You'll need me to escort you."
"That won't be necessary," Obi-Wan refused.
"Actually it will. You won't make much progress without me there, especially since you've been involved in the death of a Concordian." Satine said in a serious, firm tone.
"I didn't kill him!" Obi-Wan reminded.
"I know. That's why I'm still talking to you," She says with a glare to Obi-Wan, before walking away. Obi-Wan sighs, a worired expression on his face to these events that were happening.
Dropping out of Hyperspace, the Rogue Shadow shot towards Concordia and entered the moon's atmosphere, soon coming to Death Watch's base of operations where several Death Watch members were waiting, including their leader. The heavily modified Fury-class Sith Intercepter slew it's acceleration and began to land. Once it had perfectly landed, the ramp began to lower and Jayden strode down with purpose, coming to a halt before Pre Vizsla.
"Pre Vizsla." Jayden greeted. Vizsla gave a nod after staring at Jayden's mask for a little longer than necessary. In fact, all of the Death Watch members with him seem to be staring at Jayden, or rather the mask, and Jayden could sense a mix of emotions coming from them through the Force. And none of them were in any positive direction.
"Darth Khan." Vizsla said, bringing Jayden's attention back to him. "Count Dooku assures me you can handle the Jedi if it comes to that."
"I have killed several Jedi, Mandalorian. But do not underestimate Obi-Wan Kenobi, for it leads to the downfall of many who want to take him down." Jayden warned. He stared at Vizsla for a moment before he spoke. "And I wouldn't reach for that blaster if I were you." He turned his head to stare at a Death Watch member, who had a more slender frame which meant it was a woman. In fact, Jayden spotted a couple of female Mandalorians present.
"Where did you get that mask?" The woman demanded.
"Bo-Katana..." Vizsla looked at the woman, who looked at him, her hand not straying from where her blaster was holstered.
"You know what that mask is, Viz. You know who it originally belonged to... and who took it." Bo-Katan said with growing fury in her voice before she turned to Jayden. "You are not a Mandalorian, are you?"
"Never said I was." Jayden retorted, his hand lightly tracing patterns on one of his Lightsabers. "But if you have something to say about my ancestor's mask-"
"Ancestor?" The female Mandalorian beside Bo-Katan interrupted. "Your ancestor is Revan?!"
"Koska!" Vizsla barked, silencing her before he turned to Jayden and took off his helmet, revealing his eyes were narrowed. "That mask... is of Mandalorian make and origin, a mask known to be worn by one warrior who was once a Jedi after he took it from it's rightful people. And you claim to be of his blood?"
Jayden stared at Vizsla. "I don't claim. I am. I am the descendant of Revan, and I am aware of the... negative impact he had on your people after the Mandalorian Wars. But I would advise saying anything else or you risk my Master breaking his end of the bargain made between you and him."
Vizsla stared at Jayden, and Jayden stared back with a hard look behind his mask. He watched Vizsla's hand twitching near his holstered pistol. His eyes then narrowed and he drew his red Lightsaber just as Vizsla took his pistol out, and slashed diagonally upwards with the tip of his blade catching the skin underneath his left eye and going up just near the inner corner of the eye.
"Gah!" Vizsla yelled, falling to a knee while clutching a hand to his face. All the gathered Death Watch members pulled their blasters out and aimed at Jayden, with Bo-Katana and Koska Reeves getting ready to fire. "Stop! Stand down!"
Reluctantly, they did so as Vizsla stood, still holding a hand over his wound.
"The only reason... I don't have my men shoot you to death is because of what your Master has promised us." Vizsla warned. "But the minute all benefits on both sides end, you will be terminated for your ancestor's crimes against the Mandalorians and that mask will return to it's rightful people."
Jayden stepped forward until he was eye to eye with Vizsla, then reached up to push his hood down and take off his mask. "I look forward to it." He said firmly, then put his mask back on and turned to go back up the ramp of the Rogue Shadow. "If you have need of me, I will be in my ship. Until then, don't bother me or risk getting worse than a scar. That was your only warning from me."
Vizsla glared after him before looking at one of his men. "Axe, keep an eye on this ship and inform me of everything he does."
"Yes sir." Axe Woves nodded.
On his ship, Jayden looked down the ramp before looking ahead as his astromech, R3, wheeled up to him and gave off a few beeps. Jayden gave a small grunt in response as he took off his mask.
"Keep an eye on Death Watch, R3. And make sure you're listening in to their communications." Jayden said as the ramp was raised. "I doubt they'll be cooperative with me given my bloodline, so let's try and stay in the loop."
R3 whistled an affirmative.
Sometime after the bombing at the shrine and the suicide of the one who was responsible for it, Satine had a transport shuttle ready and prepped to take her and Obi-Wan to the moon of Concordia. The Duchess had changed into more suitable and less formal clothing than what she normally wore to show her role as Duchess of Mandalore. When Satine, her guards, and Obi-Were were aboard, the shuttle took off towards Concordia, which was soon in sight in mere moments.
As Obi-Wan gazed at the moon, a thought came to mind as his brows furrowed into a light frown. "I thought Concordia was an agricultural settlement."
"Before the end of our wars, they turned it into a mining base. The sheer number of mining facilities here nearly destroyed our forests. They're finally growing back," Satine informed him.
Entering the moon's orbit, the shuttle flew over a pretty site; green from the newer forests surrounding the bright city that they were headed to. The shuttle landed in the hanger where Satine and Obi-Wan were greeted by an official looking person escorted by two guards.
"Duchess Satine, you are most welcome," He says charmingly
"Thank you, Governor Vizsla. May I present Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, representing the Jedi Council. Governor Vizsla is one of the officials I spoke of. He has been working to find the members of the Death Watch," Satine introduced the men to each other.
The Governor wastes no time in getting down to business. "I take it you've heard the rumours about Satine, about how she's supposedly leading Mandalore into an alliance with the Separatists," Governor Vizsla says with a small amount of displeasure.
"Our only instructions are to seek the truth," Obi-Wan assures him then raises an eyebrow at the bandage under his left eye. "Did you hurt yourself? That wound under your eye is quite close to it."
"It is." Vizsla cleared his throat. "I... got it during an accident most recently." He looked to the side as a coffin, containing the man who bombed the shrine, passed them. "This was the man who bombed the memorial shrine?"
Obi-Wan nods. "Yes. He was apparently part of Death Watch."
"A worrisome prospect. If you'll pardon me, General, we must attend to the body," Vizsla says, walking off to follow the coffin, along with his guards. Satine moved to follow when Obi-Wan gently grabbed her arm to halt her.
"I need a favor from you. Please keep Governor Vizsla occupied at dinner," Obi-Wan said.
Satine stares at him. "Where are you going?"
"I'd like to see one of these mining facilities for myself," Obi-Wan says with a small grin.
"You mean you want to determine if they're still operational?" Satine asks him knowingly with a stare.
"I hope to determine they're not. I want you to wear this earpiece so that we can stay in contact, In case you run into trouble while I'm gone," Obi-Wan says, handing the earpiece to Satine.
Satine took it and out it in her left ear as Obi-Wan turned and jogged towards one of the speeders, straddling it when Satine called out to him. "Remember that you are here under my protection. Please try not to cause problems where none yet exist."
Obi-Wan started the speeder up and smirked at her. "Think of me as searching for solutions,"
Satine rolls her eyes with fond amusement. "I have to tell you I'm opposed to all of this."
"I'd be disappointed if you weren't," Obi-Wan responded with a grin, then shot out of the hanger on his speeder as Satine shook her head fondly before going on inside to meet with Vizsla.
Obi-Wan traversed the lands of Concordia, seeing his destination coming up. He slowed the speeder to a halt as he arrived at the entrance to one of the mining facilties. Shutting the speeder off, Obi-Wan got off and approached the doors, which opened automatically at approach. Entering, Obi-Wan found himself in the mining tunnel of the facility with nothing but the silence for company.
If Anakin was here, he'd mark a remark. Obi-Wan thought as he made his way down the tunnel, eyes narrowing as he saw light up ahead, though it was faint from this distance so he took a light jog to speed up the walk and soon arrived into one of the facilities, one that did not look abandoned at all given that the machines were powered on yet not operating yet.
"Dones't look abandoned to me." Obi-Wan mused with a suspicious frown. He looked to his right and noticed a line of Mandalorian jetpacks and beside them were Mandalorian helmets. He approached them and picked up one of the helmets, seeing it was the same as the one the Mandalorian saboteur was wearing.
Which means he was a member of Death Watch, which means-The Force alerted him to danger and Obi-Wan turned around to see a Mandalorian charge him with a roar firing yellow blaster shots from his pistol but Obi-Wan had the helmet take the shots instead, though was soon tackled to the floor by the Mandalorian, who flipped over Obi-Wan and disappeared just as the Jedi got to his feet and drew his Lightsaber.
Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes as he searched for his attacker, with the only sound being his Lightsaber humming.
"I am here on a diplomatic mission." Obi-Wan announced, looking around. "Under the protection of Duchess Satine."
"We do not recognise her rule." Obi-Wan whirled around as a Death Watch member leaped out of his hiding space, firing off a shot at Obi-Wan who deflected it with his Lightsaber then spun around to kick the blaster out of the Mandalorian's hand. As Obi-Wan raised his Lightsaber, it was shot out of his hand by a second Mandalorian from above.
the first Mandalorian threw a punch at Obi-Wan who blocked with his forearm, blocked the right fist then delivered a few punches to the Mandalorian though his helmet protected him. Going for a third punch, Obi-Wan was countered by the Death Watch soldier who got onto his left side, earning another punch from Obi-Wan. The second Mandalorian ran up, grabbed Obi-Wan's right arm, wrenched it then delivered a punch to Obi-Wan's face followed by a double punch to the stomach, knocking him down.
The last thing Obi-Wan saw as he looked up was a boot coming to his face then it went dark.
A few beeps from R3 brought Jayden out of meditation and he looked to his astromech as he wheeled up to him, beeping and whistling a few more times, alerting him to something that made Jayden's eyes narrow.
"So, Kenobi went investigating." Jayden mused quietly. He looked ahead, humming quietly to himself in thoughtfulness. "It won't be long before he discovers Death Watch, and perhaps Vizsla is leading it. Best prepare to deal with any mistakes that man makes. Though the reveal of myself will be prove of the Separatists aiding Death Watch, I doubt it will be of great important if the Duchess Satine wants to keep her planet neutral and out of the war. She is quite the stubborn woman."
R3 whistled.
"Keep an eye on things, R3. Alert me if Kenobi is close." Jayden said, earning a beep from his astromech.
Obi-Wan groaned as he came too, part of him thinking Anakin was the cause of his aching head. However, he recalled what had happened and found himself suspended in some kind of device with a yellow rayshield on either side of him, as well as two Death Watch members, he was quick to realize his situation.
"Commander wants us to sweep the area." One of the Death Watch soldiers informed the other. "To check for any other Jedi until he arrives."
The other one scoffed as he gestured to Obi-Wan as he held up the Jedi's Lightsaber. "This one's harmless enough without his Lightsaber. The boss will love this." The two walked away as Obi-Wan struggled a little, trying to figure out a way out of this predicament when one popped into mind and he quickly contacted Satine, reaching for the com on his wrist device.
"Duchess, please acknowledge." He implored.
"Yes. Certainly." Satine responded slowly. She must be trying to not alert Viszla.
"I'm in a bit of an awkward spot. I'm being held by the Death Watch." Obi-Wan quickly explained the situation."
"Sorry to hear that."
"There's a tracking function on your comlink. Follow it due east to my location."
"I don't know if I can do that at the moment."
Obi-Wan nearly sighed in exasperation. "It's extremely urgent!" He urged.
"Perhaps some fresh air would do me good."
"Take a speeder, it's rough terrain." Obi-Wan quickly said.
"Oh, I'll find my way, never fear."
Now assured that rescue was coming, Obi-Wan looked at where the two Death Watch members were stationed, and noticed one at the controls of the smashing machine qhich made a feeling of unease grow within the Jedi's stomach. That unease was quickly proven when one of the Death Watch members were contacted by their commander, whoever it was.
"Yes sir." The Mandalorian said, then turned to his comrade. "Start the machine. Time for the Jedi to meet with his fatal accident."
"With pleasure." The other Death Watch member chuckled darkly as he pushed a button, turning the machine on. Obi-Wan watched as some rocks were brought to the crushing machine and reduce to smaller bits of rock, and then dropped into a metal grinding that reduced them to dust.
"This is not good." Obi-Wan muttered, really glad Anakin wasn't here to make his usual remarks. He would never hear the end of it as always.
"Where exactly are you?" Satine's voice came on the comm a few seconds later.
Obi-Wan nearly rolled his eyes but restrained the urge. ""Listen for the loud metallic clanging sound. That'll would be the machine about to smash me into bits!"
A few seconds passed and an alarm started to blare, getting the attention of the twp Death Watch members who looked towards a blinking red light. "There's some kind of disturbance at the entrance. Let's check it out." One of them said and rushed out with his fellow Death Watch member.
Another few seconds passed before Satine darted past Obi-Wan who couldn't help the dry remark. "Well, it certainly took you long enough!"
Satine turned and shot him a look while heading for the controls. "You know, I haven't saved you yet!"
"Yes, no need to remind me of that." Obi-Wan retorted sarcastically, seeing he was getting closer to the crusher.
"Be patient." Satine scolded, climbing the ladder towards the controls.
Patient, she says! Obi-Wan shook his head." I happen to be a bit short on patience right now!"
"Now, let's see, one of these..." Satine muttered to herself, examining the console.
"Satine, turn the machine off!" Obi-Wan yelled.
"I'm trying!" Satine yelled back.
"Satine!" Obi-Wan pressed, getting incredibly close to the crusher now.
Satine finally hit the final button and the crusher stops moving, allowing Obi-Wan to pass by unscathed. Obi-Wan sighed in relief as Satine moved on to the next control board that was linked to the grinder. Before she could get closer to it, a Death Watch member grabbed her from behind and restrained her. Satine fought back, then spotted how close Obi-Wan was to the grinder and kicked a bucket in to stop the mechanism just as the shield suspending Obi-Wan went out.
The Jedi Master landed on the bucket and pushed off with aid from the Force, then came back down with a dropkick to the Mandalorian holding Satine, sending him into some crates. The second Death Watch member tried to grab Obi-Wan but was thrown beside his partner, knocking him out as well.
Satine lead the way to the lifts and brushed dust off her shoulder as they entered. "For a man sworn to peace, you take an unseemly pleasure in the injuries of others," She said.
"For a woman sworn to nonviolence, you didn't seem concerned that I could've been killed back there!" Obi-Wan shot back.
"But you weren't, and I still haven't heard my thanks," Satine retorted.
"Well, you certainly haven't changed," Obi-Wan couldn't help but remark with both amusement and exasperation.
The lift came to the top and the doors opened, where they were immediately greteed by a Death Watch soldier. Obi-Wan quickly acted, punching him twice in the face to knock him out. Obi-Wan then noticed something.
"This is not the way we came in." He pointed out.
Several Death Watch members noticed the duo and fired on them from afar, causing Obi-Wan to grab Satine's hand and duck for cover as the yellow blaster shots went past their heads, hitting the elevator and sending it plummeting to the floor below. Seeing their situation, Obi-Wan knew they had to do something.
"We'll have to stand and fight." He determined, then glanced at Satine. "Or in your case, just stand." Satine shot him a glare for that as the Jedi Master stood and reached for his Lightsaber... only to remember Death Watch had taken it.
Blast! Really glad Anakin is not here. Obi-Wan thought.
He looked up at the sound of jetpacks, spotting three Death Watch members flying towards them while shooting. Looking around, Obi-Wan spotted the rifle from the knocked out Death Watch soldier and pulled it to him with the Force. He fired back at Death Watch, striking one in the middle before ducking back into cover. Spotting the jetpack on the unconscious Death Watch member, Obi-Wan grabbed it and launched it towards the remaining two jetpack users, firing a concentrated shot at the jetpack. The explosion that it resulted in dealt with the other two Death Watch members.
Smoke from the explosion obscurred Obi-Wan's vision and he squinted his eyes. Suddenly, a Mandalorian lunged from the smoke with a grunt, tackling Obi-Wan to the ground. The Death Watch member was on his feet first, weapon out and aimed at the Jedi.
"You there!" Satine shouted, gaining the Mandalorian's attention as the Duchess threw a rock at his helmet, barely hurting him really but it did draw his attention away from Obi-Wan as he fired at Satine who ran for cover. Obi-Wan quickly kicked his legs out from underneath him, then delivered a hard kick to the chest with the fall knocking the Mandalorian warrior out.
"Satine!" Obi-Wan shouted in worry, rushing to check on her but she gave him a reassuring smile.
"I'm alright." She assures.
Hearing ship engines, Obi-Wan looked up as three Mandalorian crafts took off into the air before the Jedi then noticed a new Mandalorian approaching with guards behind them, this one the apparent leader given way he moved and the cape over his right arm which he brushed aside as he strode towards them. Without the slightest bit of remorse, he shot one of his fellow Mandalorians as he passed them, making Obi-Wan's eyes harden at such carelessness and coldness towards one's own comrade.
It was then that Obi-Wan noticed he also had his Lightsaber with him.
Obi-Wan stepped out of cover and faced down the Death Watch leader who came to a halt and reached up to remove his helmet, revealing the face of Pre Vizsla.
"Governor?" Satine gasped in shock.
For generations my ancestors fought proudly as warriors against the Jedi. Now that woman tarnishes the very name Mandalorian," Vizsla says proudly, although hatefully at the end. He took Obi-Wan's Lightsaber and tossed it to the Jedi. "Defend her, if you will!"
Obi-Wan caught his Lightsaber and ignited it without another word, staring at Vizsla with a focused expression. Vizsla smirked as he took a hilt from his back and activated a black blade.
that hums with a strange whistling sound.
"This Lightsaber was taken from your Jedi Temple, by my ancestors during the fall of the Old Republic. Since then many Jedi have fallen upon its blade. Prepare yourself to join them!" Vizsla exclaims, pointing the Darksaber at Obi-Wan.
Vizsla charges forward with a battle cry, and Obi-Wan blocks his attack, striking back with a few of his own. For a non-Force wielding combatant with a Lightsaber, Obi-Wan did have to admit that he's a little impressed that Vizsla can handle a saber as well as he can. Of course he's by no means a match for him as he easily Force pushed Vizsla away.
His troops catch him and he shrugs them off, charging at Obi-Wan with a twirl again. Obi-Wan dodges and knees him in the chest, causing Vizsla to stumble, and then kicks the Darksaber away. Vizsla responds with a series of kicks and punches that knock Obi-Wan back, allowing Vizsla to reclaim his weapon.
Vizsla charged, activating his jetpack to boost him into the air for a downward attack, but Obi-Wan Force leaped to meet him, delivering a couple of quick punches then spoun them around to send Vizsla to the ground before his men, the Darksaber deactivating. Obi-Wan landed on the ground and stood up as Vizsla panted, getting to his own feet and glaring at Obi-Wan.
"Warriors-" He started to order when a form dropped down in front of him, one Obi-Wan recognised.
"Khan." He stated.
Jayden stood up and stared Obi-Wan down. "He's mine." He told Viszla simply and activated his red Lightsaber as Obi-Wan activated his blue one. Vizsla scowled but gave a nod, stepping back with his men.
Obi-Wan entered Form III: Soresu as Jayden entered Form II: Makashi. the two charged and their Lightsabers clashed in a mix of red and blue, the vibrant hums of their Lightsabers filling the air next to the clashing sounds they made upon impact with each other. Obi-Wan went downward but Jayden leaped over, twirled his saber and brought it down but Obi-Wan blocked it and pushed him off, with Jayden quickly leaning back almost acrobatically to avoid a side slash that could've severed his body into two halves. He spun around, twirling his Lightsaber behind him to parry another attack from Obi-Wan, then pointed his blade at him.
Obi-Wan tightened his grip on his weapon as Jayden now held his saber with both hands, holding the blade in front of him. He went for a high strike, but Obi-Wan blocked, then went left, then right, then downward, with each attack being blocked by Obi-Wan. Jayden spun around for a slash swing but Obi-Wan blocked it, engaging a saber lock.
"I should've known Dooku was behind all of this." Obi-Wan grunted as Jayden pushed back.
"Did Skywalker earn that mouth from childhood or did he learn it from you with stating the obvious?" Jayden retorted, then broke the saber lock to go for a low attack but Obi-Wan jumped over him, parrying an attack in the air and landed on his feet in time to block a follow-up attack from Jayden.
"Finish him!" Vizsla shouted, drawing Jayden's attention as he looked to see the three Death Watch members launch the missiles from their jetpacks. Jayden quickly leaped back and out of the shot as Obi-Wan dodged each of them fluently. Jayden struck his hand out and caught the missiles with the Force, beginning to turn them towards Obi-Wan and Satine's location.
"Satine!" Obi-Wan called and turned to run with her, scooping her into his arms and jumping into the elevator shaft as Jayden threw the missiles towards them, hitting the wall and causing an explosion that Obi-Wan and Satine narrowly avoided being caught in as they landed at the bottom of the elevator shaft.
Jayden narrowed his eyes, deactivated his Lightsaber and walked away as Death Watch examined the destruction.
"Should we go after him, sir?" One of the Death Watch asked Vizsla, meaning Obi-Wan.
Vizsla shook his head with a smirk. "No. There's no time. Don't worry. We'll catch up with the Duchess soon enough."
The next day on Mandalore, Satine had a transport ready to take her to Coruscant to speak to the Galactic Senate about staying out of their affairs and ensuring that Mandalore, as well as the other 1,500 words, remained neutral in the Clone Wars.
"But if Pre Vizsla fled, we have no way of knowing how widespread the Death Watch movement really is," Tal Merrik said as he walked with the Duchess, Almec and Obi-Wan.
"Given the appearance of Darth Khan, it's obvious the Separatists are supporting the Death Watch," Obi-Wan states.
Satine looks appalled by the idea. "I disagree. I told you I wanted to stay out of this conflict."
Obi-Wan shakes his head. "Given the current situation, I'm afraid that may no longer be possible," he tells her gravely.
"I thought you of all people would understand my position on this matter. I will never be a part of this war," Satine says angrily, storming off to her ship with Senator Merrik and her guards. Obi-Wan watched her go before letting out a tired sigh, feeling exhautsed from all of this as Anakin approached with rex, Cody and some Clones, having been assigned for escort duty.
"Reporting for escort duty, General." Anakin said, standing at attention.
"Anakin, am I glad to see you." Obi-Wan said with relief, and his old Padawan sensed his tiredness and noticed it on his expression.
"You look tired." He pointed out.
"The peaceful ways of the locals wore me out a bit." Obi-Wan said, though Anakin looked skeptical as the two departed for the Coronet to escort Satine to Coruscant.
And that's it for this chapter. I just had to have Jayden involved in this somehow, and meet several Mandalorians sooner rather than later, especially due to his bloodline as Revan's descendant, and we all know what impact Revan had on the Mandalorians during the Mandalorian Wars. Sp yeah, Death Watch ain't friendly with Jayden at all.
And yes, that scar Vizsla gets is sustained from Jayden's Lightsaber.
We'll be nearing the end of the season two portion of the story, and into season 3... where things really get interesting.
