Mercy
Here, have this.
Reviews and criticism are always welcome.
Keldabe, Mandalore
I stood in awe as the beast of a machine ran toward Satine. It somehow looked giddy as it ran and I wondered about its creators. That led down a sad line of thought. The Mandolorians of old were brutal after all. They still could be, but with Tor Vizsla's death, that brutality was no longer at the fore. I was distracted from my line of thought when the droid shook its thrusters with its little metal tail. Okay that was cute for a nine foot tall death machine I will grant.
"Karoya, settle down. I am sorry for being gone so long." The War Droid mewled like a puppy. An adorable war machine of death and destruction. It was painted in Clan Kryze colors of Blue and White. I was surprised about that, but I supposed Satine was the only one it really listened to so it made sense.
"You better be, ori'vod. The poor thing has been acting down in the dumps the whole time you were gone." Another Mandalorian woman walked up beside the machine.
"Bo, I had to go. Mand'alor commanded me to check in on Tara." I had no idea it was Bo-Katan, considering she had yet to make the dumb Nite-Owl helmet yet. Hopefully she never did. She was tall and athletic like her sister. I was reminded that she would look like a young Katie Sackoff under that helm. I suddenly grew a lot more nervous around her. Then I remembered Komari and felt very guilty.
"You painted her while I was gone. I told you I wanted to do that with Ben."
"You were taking too long and I was bored. I did a better job than you and your pet Jetii would have." Bo shrugged. I could sense the death glare she was giving Obi-wan. I am sure Obi-wan could too, but he made no comment. Satine muttered in Mando'a before turning to introduce me. Something about annoying younger siblings. Speaking of younger siblings. I briefly wondered how Tarl and Hylo were doing. Hopefully well.
"Bo, this is Master Luminara of the Jetii. Luminara, this my little sister and resident pain in the shebs, Bo-Katan."
"Pleasure," was all I awkwardly managed to get out. I moved forward to shake hands.
Bo shook the offered hand, but continued speaking with her sister. "I know of her. She helped save Mand'alor's life from those assassin droids. She and Myles Fett are friends. So everyone says."
"More or less." I butted in. I didn't like being ignored. "Is Myles around or helping his father keep an eye on his aunt?" My Question earned Satine a look from Bo. Bo turned back to me, scowling under the helm.
"Yes, Huntress is being kept under lock and key at the moment. And don't say that aloud. Only certain people are supposed to know that."
"Good to hear." I could feel my scar itch with all this talk of Huntress. Even the bone and muscle under my skin was filling with a thousand needles. That day in Iaco Stark's Dungeon briefly flashed before my eyes. It wasn't something I liked to remember. The pain of the force cuffs tended to override the vibroblade's sting. It was very unwelcome.
I decided to think of something else and it was pretty easy to find that "something else." The big robot murder dog for one.
"Can I touch her?" I asked Satine while pointing at Karoya.
Satine shrugged, and stepped aside. Bo bristled at the thought of a Jet'ii touching the bes'uliik. After all it was our kind that had them destroyed. Could Revan be considered our kind at that point. I suppose so. Then again, Revan was a Mythological figure to the Mandos. A vengeful ghost wearing the death mask of the one Warrior to stand against what they did to Cathar. A being whose redemption eventually led to their own. I will admit its pretty metal imagery.
I noted what must have been visual sensors in the mechanical creature's head zero in on the lightsabers hanging from my belt. The beast let out a low growl. I stopped and held out a hand for it to sniff like one would do with a real dog. It cautiously gave my hand a scan and after a moment lowered its metal hackles and I was able to pat on its armored head.
"Jate'uliik, Jate'uliik." I patted its head, calling it the closest approximation of "good girl" I deemed appropriate. The war droid seemed as surprised as Bo that I knew its language. It leaned into my head pats. I was tempted to scratch behind the armor plating, but I didn't want to scrape my finger nails on the beskar plating and the new paint. It would not do if I agitated Bo-Katan any further. Now that I looked at the paint job. It was actually pretty good. The detailing was immaculate. I noted little black Mandalorian symbols painted into various parts. They read: Karoya of Clan Kryze.
I sensed Bo-Katan's curiosity. I couldn't help but blush as I looked over at her.
"How do you know our tongue?" There was reproachful air about her mixed with accusation.
"It's a long story. I can tell you later if you like." Over drinks maybe? I thought to myself. I followed it up with a compliment for good measure. "Great paint job by the way."
I sensed Bo was unsure whether to take the compliment as it was or not. She simply shrugged,
"Whatever."
I decided to return to the business at hand.
"So uhm, I better get a sense of things before my fellow Jedi arrive."
"Right this way," Satine motioned me to follow. The big metal droid nudged her. Satine gave in. "Alright." She climbed up on the war droids back. "Ben, get up here."
"When did she start calling you Ben?" I was curious.
Obi-wan shrugged. "When we met while I was still in the order. I'll tell you the story some time."
Obi-wan leapt up using the Force and landed right behind Satine. I noted that when he wrapped his arms around her stomach he stopped, unsure, and instead decided to lean back and enjoy the ride. It seemed that Satine had told him. He had been too quiet and contemplative since arriving on Mandalore.
People made way for the giant War droid. Some small children both armored and unarmored pointed out the Droid. It seemed the War Droid still hadn't quite become part of the scenery yet. I noted a few teenagers in full armor. I remembered the age of adulthood was around thirteen in their culture. They reminded me of Myles at Galidraan.
Weird, but I suspected it was to account for quick lived species in their ranks. I mean a thirteen year old Chiss would be around 23 physically. Oddly enough Chiss still lived an average human lifespan. Would they be better clone soldiers? Who knows? Well the Kaminoans would, the point as moot as the Chiss were too far away to deal with anyway.
Now the trip to the jail took a while. For obvious reasons the prison was nowhere near the spaceport. Whether by design or accident was up for debate. Taking in the city I noted what really stuck out was the new Recreation center on the edge of town with the word, "MandalMotors" in large Aurebesh and Mandalorian Script was the real eye catcher. It was complete. Didn't take them long. It was near the edge of town. There were also gold-armored Mandalorians that made up the police force patrolling on newer speeder bikes. These bikes were small and easy to maneuver in the city streets.
"Next time I visit, there might actually be meter droids walking about handing out parking slips." The comment was received well.
I sensed Bo-Katan's irritation at the observation. Satine, ever the more diplomatic sister, answered before her younger sister could.
"Mand'alor managed to get a good deal on the bikes. Have you ever heard of holdbacks?"
I had. "The previous years speeders that weren't sold so the dealer will often lower the price in order to sell off old stock. Jango made some dealership happy I am sure." I wondered where the hell Jango and the Mandalorian government put up the scratch for that? Only thing I can think of is tribute from the other clans. We were sidetracked before I could ask. The War Droid seemed to go chasing after something or someone.
Satine tried to control the metal beast but to no avail. She and Obi-wan were along for the ride, doing their best to hold on. The War Droid ran up to Jango and stood sitting rigidly. Judging by Mandalore's posture, he was amused.
"Karoya, you don't need to stand at attention every time you see me." He said in Mando'a as he gave the Basilisk a pat and looked up at Satine. "Satine, glad your back." He gave Obi-wan a quick nod.
I stood awkwardly next to Bo, "So you have any more siblings? Or is it just you and Satine."
"Just Satine and I," Bo asked, "Do you have any siblings?" She didn't sound all that curious. "Right, Jetii abandon their birth clans. Sorry for asking." Her voice sounded anything but apologetic.
I snorted before answering. "A brother and a sister. I recently presided as the priest over my Sister's wedding."
Bo was taken aback. "Priest?" Her confusion was evident as I walked off to speak with Jango.
"Mandalore."
Jango gave me a nod. "Master Luminara now I assume."
I nodded, "Your aid was welcome in completing my trial." I unclipped the sheathed dagger from my belt and handed it to him, hilt first. Jango unsheathed it and looked for the blade. He weighed it in his palm and flicked around his armored fingers with a deftness that made him seem all the more of a lethal warrior. Jango nodded in approval as he sheathed the dagger.
"Is that a Clan Atiniir mark?" Bo asked as Jango handed me the dagger back. There was an uneasy nervousness in her aura.
"What is the deal with them? I sense it is not good."
Jango gave Bo-katan a look. Even if his look was under a helmet, Bo shrunk back under the helmeted gaze of her people's leader. Jango answered with a vague statement.
"They are sworn to me." I barely sensed his own frustration. "Ask Myles if you can't bear to leave it ly."
I shrugged, deciding to get to business. "Officially, you are aware of why I came here."
"Yes, I am aware, I will not be handing her over to the Republic." He almost growled.
Obi-wan and Satine hopped down.
"It may not be so simple. She killed a Republic Senator in the Stark War." Bo-Katan snorted when I called it a War. I continued on regardless. "They will want to take their pound of flesh."
"And the Jetii?" Jango gave me a look despite the helmet that invited me to answer.
"She did kill Ki-di Mindi, and the Jedi would want justice. Preferably imprisonment. Master Yarael Poof is a member of the High Council and will be present with the Republic Delegation. I am sure he will let you know the official stance." Jango shook his head.
"The sentence was already passed. I am merely waiting on the last of the Clan Leaders to arrive. Clan Reau and what remains of Clan Vizsla are dragging their feet. To be expected."
Satine spoke up. "They are weary after you made an example of Clan Wren. It took everything for my Father to get them to come."
"You sound like your Buir. Clan Wren's folly was their own doing. Vizsla and Reau will be here before the execution." There was little doubt in his voice.
"When is that? The Execution?" My question drew all their gazes to me.
"Two days." There was no real emotion coming off Jango despite having to cut off his sister's head in a few days, he seemed at ease. Content.
"I will alert Master Poof when he next makes contact. They should be here before then."
"The Republic will be allowed in as an observer, but I will not have them dictate how we conduct our justice system." Jango was adamant. It was going to be a long couple of days. I should have brought something to read.
"Master Yarael, it is good to see you again." I announced as the Jedi Master stepped off the ramp of the Consular Class ship that had landed at the spaceport.
"And you Master Luminara," He winked, and I couldn't help but grin. That grin faded when I saw who was exiting the ship next. He stepped off the ramp as if he owned the whole planet. He gave a distasteful look to his surroundings before moving to introduce himself. He had a full head of auburn hair, but I recognized him easily enough.
"A pleasure to meet a veteran of the Stark Hyperspace War. I am Lieutenant Governor Wilhuff Tarkin of Eriadu." I shook his offered hand.
"Pleasure." I said neutrally. I was already thinking of a way to take him off the board, but honestly the man did more harm to the Empire than good so leaving him alive was for the better. He didn't seem to be turning his nose up at me for not being a human. As far as I know, he might have become an Evolutionary. That was the fancy linguistic term for the Humanocentric subfaction that accepted Human offshoot subspecies and species. It was hard to read him in the Force.
"Does this mockery of a city have a proper jail? My Cousin's killer may be able to get loose if the jail is in the same rickety state. It wouldn't be the first time." He'll make a lot of friends in this town with that attitude. I grew up on Coruscant. Everything is a town compared to that.
"They do. They haven't let me near her." For the best. I wasn't keen on seeing the Mad Mando all that much if I was honest. Wait, Deranged Dar'manda was a better descriptor.
"Are the Mandalorians intent on executing Huntress? Is there no way we can have her imprisoned and rehabilitated?" Master Yareal sounded genuinely concerned. Jedi weren't really all that into the death penalty as a whole.
"Mandalore Jango has passed the sentence, but has yet to carry it out."
"All the more reason to hurry our pace."
"Indeed," Tarkin frowned at the thought of trudging through Keldade. "I assume you procured proper transportation for the trip?"
I nodded, "Yeah, this way." It was the largest and cleanest speeder I could find. The locals preferred smaller speeders as the streets could get pretty tight, depending on the age of the city and time period the street was built. Not that Keldabe was dirty. Someone had been keeping the streets relatively clean. We hopped into the speeder I had rented for parading the Republic Delegation around town.
We were silent the whole trip, until just before getting to the Jail. Tarkin spoke up.
"Why has this Jango been waiting to kill Huntress in the first place? You think he would have done so immediately upon her capture." Tarkin asked.
"He is waiting on the clan leaders to all be in attendance. Huntress represents an ideology that Jango wants to bury. Huntress is the last potent remnant of that." I didn't mention Huntress was Arla Fett. Tarkin would no doubt challenge Jango in the matter.
It was at the Jail entrance I finally saw Myles for the first time since arriving. I even rented a room for the past day in the Oyu'baat in hopes of seeing him stop by, but he hadn't showed up.
He was conversing with a middle-aged woman with graying hair in all black Jedi robes. She waved her hands in front of Myles' face. He shook his head.
"No, you aren't permitted to see her!. Try that Jetii mir'osik again and I will have you sent home, one way or another. The prisoner is off limits to anyone, but to Mand'alor and authorized personnel."
"Master An'ya?" Master Poof called out. I knew that name as the connection clicked in my head. Master An'ya was the "Dark Woman." She was that edgelord Jedi that trained Ki-Adi Mundi and wore all black. She believed that Jedi should give up their names and go Qui-Gon lite. That being said, it took everything, and I mean everything I had to not burst out laughing. This wasn't the time or place. She probably came here to get some form of closure over the death of her former padawan. So with the restraint of a chained reek in a pottery shop, I kept my mouth shut and emotions well in check.
"Master Yarael, you know that is not what I prefer to be called." She said with a wariness of one who wasn't taken seriously, yet still had enough dignity to stand her ground.
"I don't like entertaining youngling fantasies." Poof said that with such a savage dismissal in his voice that I was impressed. The irritation in Master An'ya's aura felt like this wasn't new to her. He continued before the Dark Woman could respond. "However, you may join our delegation in seeing the prisoner."
"We won't be turned away will we?" Tarkin stepped forward. His imperious nature and the way he looked down his nose at the bigger and taller Mandalorian would have gotten him punched on any other day, but Myles shrugged.
"Mand'alor said some Pubs were coming to ensure the Prisoner was being treated humanely or something. So go on in." The Guard next to Myles waved us in. As Master An'ya passed the Guard muttered an insult under his breath. It was tame by Mando standards.
When we were half way down the hall, Master An'ya whispered, "I do not speak their language, but I hear you do. Why did that guard say?" I stopped to look at her and wondered if I should tell her and why she cared in the first place.
"It depends on if you really want to know?" I shrugged as she snorted with an annoyed shake of her head and continued on down the hall. "I am sorry for your loss." I took the chance to say as I moved into step beside her.
"Jedi don't form attachments." Her voice was neutral.
"If you believe that, then why are you here?" I noted her frown. "I lament never getting to spar with Mundi. I heard you trained him well."
"Not well enough." She admitted. "He could be tunnel-visioned at times. I warned him on several occasions."
I decided to risk asking, but the question had been gnawing at me. "I still haven't heard how Huntress managed to kill him."
The Dark Woman took a breath before she answered. "Huntress is insane, but there is a malevolent cunning to her. She lured Mundi to a warehouse full of explosives. Mundi was skilled enough to sense the trap stopped just out of the blast range. Huntress accounted for Jedi precognition and had a flying droid packed with more explosives fly in from behind and force Mundi just far enough into her initial range. She lit the place up. She killed three other civilians who were working nearby in the blast. Mundi was knocked back enough for Huntress to land and shoot him before he could find all his senses."
Master An'ya's expression didn't change the entire time. When she mentioned Huntress' execution of Mundi, I remembered the space station above Troiken. How she knocked me out before I could regain my senses. She apparently learned not to get close in saber range with a Jedi since then. At least not without a Force-suppressing lizard on her shoulder.
"That tracks. At Troiken she knocked me out rather quickly after I blocked her missile." I looked ahead.
"What manner of training and hurt could create such a monster?"
"Huntress is a victim in her own right. It does not excuse her actions, the real Monster died at Galidraan, and the leash was cut."
The Dark Woman nodded. I didn't know if she knew the exact details of how Tor turned the young Arla Fett into a crazed psycho, but it didn't matter in the end. I maneuvered my way into the front of the column in case someone needed a translator. It wasn't necessary. Myles led us to the entrance of the cell block.
"You know, I had been sitting in the Oyu'baat and you haven't once left this place to say high." I said with mock indignation.
Myles looked like he was going to play along when he let out an exhausted breath.
"I had to be sure she didn't get away, and stayed alive long enough for the Darksaber to do its work." I nodded, and reached out to knock on his shoulder pad with my knuckle. It was the Mando equivalent to a quick hug.
"This must be a trying time."
Myles didn't react but I could sense I wasn't too far off. He wasn't sure how to feel about an aunt he never knew turning out to be a Death Watch psychopath. He looked at his robotic arm.
"It makes me wish I could have at least dealt some damage to Tor at Galidraan. But I was a young di'kutla teenager then." He looked distant for a moment and I patted my hand on his arm just above the wrist gauntlets.
He straightened up and turned back to address the rest of the party. "Alright, this way. She has the whole block to herself."
"Hardly the best place to keep such a dangerous criminal." Tarkin was clearly unimpressed.
"This place is sturdier than it looks." Myles said.
"Am I to assume you are some sort of prince then? I noted your clan sigil." Tarkin seemed to have a talent for pointing out things and sounding insulted at their mere existence.
Myles gave a snort, "Doesn't work like that, Aruetii."
Tarkin shut his mouth. I sensed he was not willing to entertain the "barbarian" further. Myles stopped before a cell in the middle of the block. It had two Mandolorian guards. Arla herself was sitting on her bed staring into space. Her blonde hair was buzzed down for space lice. She looked a lot after her mother, though she had brown eyes instead of blue. She was around the same height as Jango, and was in her middle thirties.
Our eyes met when she looked up at me. They held a malicious gleam as she stood up. There was a steel cap on her shoulder where her prosthetic arm would have been attached. She sauntered up and rested her head on the bars with a grim smile.
"Not even proper ray shielding," Tarkin muttered in the background.
"Of all the Republic lackeys they sent to see me off on my march. It had to be you."
"I volunteered." I said with little mirth. Arla, no Huntress, gave me a grim smile as our eyes met briefly. It seemed we both relived the moments we had fought each other just then. There wasn't much to say. I had no desire to rub her situation and she wasn't in the mood to play games today. Huntress didn't say anything after that, and went to sit down on the bed. I sensed a mix of emotions, but most of all a bitter acceptance and a surprising amount of relief.
"I daresay she is fit and proper for execution." Tarkin interrupted. There was a sense of satisfaction in his voice. "I would have preferred a Republic tribunal, but I find the punishment acceptable. When does the execution take place?"
"Tomorrow," Myles answered. He was clearly uncomfortable saying that. He gestured for us to leave. We did as bid. Tarkin had a pleased look on his face and An'ya seemed out of sorts.
"I would like to see your leader if it is possible" Master Yarael Poof asked.
"He'll be around. The last of the Clan Leader's showed up just before you arrived. They are in the Oya'baat. I'll take you there."
"Is that the name of your government offices?" Tarkin asked.
"No, it's just a bar, Aruetii." The look on Tarkin's face was rather comical as if he smelled a bad fart. I almost broke my usual Jedi calm and poise for a chuckle. I managed to restrain myself.
Despite the Jail being generally close to the infamous bar, we still piled in the speeder I borrowed. I paid for a couple days. I was going to get my use out of it.
Myles took his personal speeder. Hopefully Huntress didn't escape while Myles was gone for five whole seconds.
Pulling up to the Oyu'baat. I noted some disgruntled patrons and regulars chatting around nearby buildings and alleys while the Clan leaders met. Some were openly complaining while others sat patiently.
Upon entering, I saw Jango was sitting on a bar stool inside while the other clan leaders sat in table chairs, giving their leader a good view of them all. Jango nodded in my direction.
"It appears that the Republic delegation has finally shown up." Jango announced. He didn't get up.
"You invited the Republic!" A man in black and red armor stood. He had the symbol of Clan Bralor on his chestplate.
"They invited themselves. Huntress didn't commit crimes against just her own people. If it makes you feel better, they are here as observers, nothing more. Since you're already up, Bralor, you can at least get them some seats. Nothing about to fall apart either." Bralor grumbled, but didn't put up a fight on the matter.
Master Yarael personally grabbed a bar stool by himself. The taller seat would work better for his stature. Master An'ya waited for the chair the Clan Leader of Bralor was bringing her. Why wasn't Rev Bralor here? Was she even the Bralor Clan Leader? So hard to remember these things as time wore on. sDid Jango create the Cuy'val Dar again. I heard that Kal Skirata was missing so it was probably the case.
I took the seat offered when Bralor set it down. I didn't know his first name. He had a sour look. I still said my thanks and sat. Clan Bralor's leader nodded and went to grab Tarkin a chair and sit back down. Myles went behind the bar in the back room. He gave a quick wave to his father and Jango gave him a nod. Myles was going back to the prison. I noticed an unopened bottle of Black Ale in his hand. Must have been for him and the off-duty guards.
After Bralor himself was seated, Jango got back on track.
"Now, back to it. Are all you all happy with the stadium Mandalmotors put up. Apparently they had the design in the backpocket for years."
"It is no Oyu'baat," a woman in green and white armor said. I couldn't see her clan sigil. "But it was well built. One of my sappers that I sent to look for weak points said it would take more explosive than is viable for a terrorist attack to topple it. The new government offices are sturdy and have good avenues of defense in case of attack."
I could sense Jango's amusement. "Glad you approve Rena. What about the rest of you?"
Many of the Mandalorian leaders shrugged. They seemed overall happy with that assessment."
"There are some more sensitive matters we can go through later. Right now I suspect that the Republic retinue has some demand regarding the prisoner."
Tarkin beat Master Yarael to the punch. Clearly he didn't want the Jedi to go on about mercy for his cousin's killer.
"No, While many in the Senate feel your barbaric people have been given far too much leeway in recent years. The capital punishment to be meted out for the murderer of Senator Ranulf Tarkin, and Jedi Knight Ki-Adi Mundi is acceptable." The Mandos didn't flinch at being called barbarians. Considering who was calling them that, it was probably par for the course. I did sense the urge to at least punch the arrogant bastard. But they wouldn't be clan leaders if they were that hot headed.
"Well if the Pubs don't care then, lets get on with it." Bralor said.
"If I may," Master Poof stood before Jango could confirm the sentence in front of the other clan leaders.
Jango wanted to get this over with. Arla being here in Keldabe was a ghost of his past he could not risk letting get the better of him. From what I could tell. I could only imagine the horror of finding out his sister was alive and turned into a monster by the same demagolka who killed his parents.
Jango sighed. I wondered if Yareal could pull this off. I wondered what caused the Force to have me request his presence. That thought was at the forefront in my brain right now. Why, what was I missing? He wasn't the best statesman the Jedi had. What did he have that the Force wanted him here?
"I can only implore you to spare her on grounds that the Living Force is often harmed by such an action." It was the plea of a man who knew his words wouldn't be heard. A couple of the clan leaders snorted. Ironic as Yarael was the best in the Order with mind tricks and could have influenced them all subtly. That was it. It had to be. While I didn't feel anything for Huntress other than pity. Her death was something the Force was reaching out and telling me to prevent. Great. Ironic considering the fate of the prime timeline Arla now entered my mind. She had her mind completely wiped by a Jedi Knight that wasn't the best at using the Force in general. So Bardan Jesik claimed. Well, Master Poof was the best in the order for this type of thing.
I stood up and walked over to Jango. "Mandalore, I cannot convince you to spare her life, but perhaps there is a different way of killing her without physically killing her that would appease both parties."
"And here I thought you were the type of Jetii that did not speak in riddles, Luminara." Jango said. His eagerness to not draw this day out any further was evident in his tone. I shook my head at the remark.
"I try not to be. So I won't go into a lecture on the Force's will and all that. Master Yareal is here because I requested he'd come. I had a vision he would be important in some way. It wasn't until just now I figured it out." Jango, despite the helm, gave me a look that said get on it. It was hard to tell how seriously the Mandos took Jedi visions, but they did know of our precognition. There were some clan leaders leaning forward in anticipation.
"Luminara," Master Poof walked over. He also figured out the reason it seemed. "I will not do so if the patient is unwilling."
"Enough riddles or you will no longer be welcome here." Jango stated in a tone that belied no argument.
"Master Yarael is the best in the order when it comes to mind tricks and the mind in general." I then cut to the chase. "He could alter her mind so that Huntress is no more in the mental sense. Mandalorians don't care about the body if I recall, so long as the spirit is gone. It would be a true fresh start. Cin Vhetin as your people say. I know it technically means to start over after joining and becoming Mandalorian, but was she truly ever given the choice to be a True Mandalorian in the first place."
The Clan leader's turned and looked among themselves. There was evident surprise and concern in their auras that I knew that phrase as per usual.
Jango for his part, turned his head and one of his fists clenched. He was always hearder to read than most. I sensed anger and confusion. There were hints of relief, but my proposal clearly touched a nerve. Jango seemed to relax.
"I call for a council of clan leaders." One of the Clan Leaders said as she stood up. She was in all green. I couldn't tell her age under the helmet.
"By what right," Jango's voice was dark. The woman continued, though I sensed some hesitation on her part.
"Conflict of Interest. Huntress is of your blood. Even if you declared her dar'manda. By our laws, you can still refuse, but we highly encourage you to recuse yourself from this matter." I recognised the Clan sigil now, Shysa. I wondered how she was related to Fenn Shysa. I didn't even know they were a big enough Clan to have this sort of representation.
"I will not allow a Council." Jango waved off Shysa, who nodded. She didn't make the offer for some political ploy. For her part that was. Mandos took their family very seriously. There were some in the crowd of leaders who would have been more than happy to take advantage of Jango though. I was sure Jango already knew which ones wanted to control or replace him.
"Figures the Jetii would try to play their games," Bralor huffed then admitted, "However, I wouldn't want to be in this position either Mand'alor."
"Give me an hour." Jango said. "Now clear the room." The other Clan leaders didn't hesitate. I motioned for everyone in our group to get out of the bar.
"I came here for an execution." Tarkin didn't mask his displeasure. "And here the Jedi are trying to play some sort of game. Pity, I still think their leader will go through with it despite their protests. He can't afford to look weak after all. All these Barbarians know is strength."
I didn't comment as I didn't want to deal with Tarkin and his snobbery. Master An'ya beat me to it by responding and engaging Tarkin on the points of Jedi philosophy. I was glad I wasn't the one. Master Yarael was calming his mind. Planning on the possible mind altering ritual he would have to do. If Huntress was willing. If not, Tarkin would get his execution.
"You did well there," Poof moved beside me. "Gallia mentioned you had a vision and insisted I be the one, now it seems the Force has shown us the way."
"It could be clearer at times, but the Force has a plan for Arla Fett. May I make a suggestion?"
"Regarding the upcoming treatment I assume?"
"I suggest that you do not erase her knowledge of weaponry entirely. She is a highly skilled warrior and that might be what is needed down the line." It was a risk, but I sensed it was the right thing.
Yarael sighed. "I understand. Hopefully she never has to pick up a weapon again. Your reasoning is not unideal. Now I must prepare."
The Clan Leaders were talking among themselves. I noted that Vizsla, Reau, and Saxxon, a man and two women respectively, seemed the least animated. They were standing next to one another having a conversation. They weren't keen on putting forth their opinions. They were the losers in the civil war after all. The man in clan Vizsla colors seemed to be extra agitated pacing back and forth among them. Out of concern. I went to stand close to the entrance to the bar.
"Ahh, Haran. He'll probably kill me."
"Where are you going?" The woman in red said with a Clan Saxxon sigil on her shoulder pad, asked as the Vizsla Clan Leader walked by her.
"To make things right." I sensed no malice from the man. There was a bit of guilt, but not so much as it made him seem too remorseful of his clan's actions. I sensed he had no love for Tor at least, if anything the opposite. He didn't hesitate as he went back into the Oyu'baat shouting, "Mand'alor!"
"He's a dead man," the other Woman in Reau Colors said. They looked at each other before following their fellow in. The Vizsla man locked the door from the inside just as they reached the door. They fumbled with it. The Other Clan leaders turned to look at what was going and made their way over as well.
"Should we go around back?" Saxxon asked.
"Nah, it's too late. That di'kut wouldn't last long enough for us to even get around the building." Reau shrugged.
I chose that moment to walk over and used the Force to open the lock. They looked at me surprised.
"Let's go save your friend." I motioned for them to follow. "Stay behind me. Jango is least likely to shoot me."
To no one's surprise, Jango had the man on the floor, a knee on the man's chest and the darksaber, its weird edged and black blade hovering just over the Vizsla Mando's flight suit covered neck. The Viszla Leader had his arms up, and his arm gauntlets aimed away from Jango for good measure.
"Take the Jetii offer Mand'alor." Shame and regret tinged the Vizsla man's words and aura. "Killing your own vode is what my ba'vodu would have wanted. He would be laughing at being able to cause you pain one last time. Don't let him take anything else from you. Sever his hand from your vode."
I felt more people beside me as Viszla's words hung in the air. Jango's aura, again, was near unreadable. It seemed like minutes. The blade of the ancient lightsaber deactivated and he stood. He pulled up on the Vizsla man's arm lifting him up.
Jango didn't say anything. He clipped the darksaber to his belt. Resting his hand on his hips, he seemed to stare into space for a moment, before turning to look directly at me.
"Fine, but on one condition."
A/N: Had to break up this chapter into two parts. I am not going to say the next chapter will be out shortly because otherwise it will be months in between updates like everytime I say "the next chapter will be out shortly." Anyway, have a good one.