The ship hummed quietly as it entered hyperspace, we were heading back to Coruscant. Our mission on Mandalore was a success. I got Bo-katan to accept me as a Mandalorian in training, her and those loyal to her and the old ways will turn on Pre Vizsla. She will also investigate the Kaminoan facility. Satine is on board, all be it reluctantly. Still it's better then nothing. She changed her tune when she saw the notes about the Kaminoans, and the building of the clone army.
She wanted to go and stop its continued existence, and even get the Republic involved if need be. Good thing I reminded her why that wouldn't work. From the Sith, the assassination attempts, and the inner corruption of the Republic.
I can remember that conversation well.
Two rotations earlier... In a private meeting room with Duchess Satine.
"We should stop this army from being commissioned before it's to late."
"Duchess, it is to late already. The army began production a few years ago, The clones only need approximately 10 years, to reach physical and mental maturity. Meaning they might already have a few hundred already near ready. Not to mention the Advanced Recon Commandos (ARCs) program and many more established."
"I don't care about some specially trained clones. This entire army is an affront to Mandalore, from its people to our culture. Noctis should want to stop this as soon as possible."
I shook my head. " No. Noctis want's to control this army, and adjust it."
"Is that what this is?" Satine pulls up on the holo pad a file on the data chip called. Hybrid Army.
I nodded. "Yes, that is the one."
"Why can't I access it? I told you I was on board so you should include me on Noctis's plans."
This woman truly is foolish. I don't have to share a thing with you. Honestly I just want her to get with Obi-wan and go make babies somewhere else for a few years. I should include her a little more, just to shut her up, but I need to remind her, her place in my plans.
I then stared at Satine. My golden eyes were now gazing at her with a piercing and intimidating stare. Satine backed up slowly. "What are you doing Cain."
I then slowly released a intimidating and eerie pressure on her and the room. I had to keep it as low as possible to not alert the others. I learned this from mother Talzin. She said it's the best way to show your will is stronger then others, and makes them more agreeable to your words. Just be careful, it will not work against those with a strong will.
Satine then reach to her side, probably for a hidden mini blaster. "Do not make any sudden moves!" I said stern and coldly.
My face was stoic and cold. "Now let me make this clear Duchess. You are one of many routes Noctis can take to unite Mandalore. You are a good figure to unite the people, but their are others and better ones to. Just think for a second. " I said gesturing to other files on the holopad.
"The army is gonna happen whether you want it to or not. If you bring it to light, the Chancellor will just help Death Watch or some other opposing group kill you, and then place a figure head that will work for him."
"Wait the Chancellor? Why?"
I said nothing at first and just stared coldly at her. Letting her come to the conclusion herself.
Her eyes then opened wide. "The Chancellor. He is behind the armies creation."
I nodded. "His former master to be exact."
I then explained a few things to Satine. The Sith, the rule of two. Palpatine and him being a Sith lord, and the creation of the clone army and the war between the republic and the outer Rim and it's whole purpose. I kept some things closer to the chest but I gave her the gist.
"I can't believe this. The Chancellor is a Dark lord, and is creating a army to destroy the Jedi and slowly take over the Galaxy. Wait if Noctis knows this why doesn't he bring the evidence before the republic and impeach the Chancellor."
Satine said still nervously shaking in fear.
I released the pressure I had on Satine. I saw the relief on her face. Her posture was more relaxed, and she was breathing normally.
"That wouldn't work. Besides making Palpatine take a midichlorian count test. Which he doesn't have to do. And having a high count doesn't mean anything besides the Jedi missed a potentially powerful member. Him following the Sith religion is not illegal, but owning Sith Artifacts is unless proven harmless by the Jedi Order. Everything else I said has to be proven, and Noctis doesn't have as much proof as I'm talking about, so we are bringing circumstantial evidence. Unless we get his accomplice's to come forth. And no the Mandalorians training the clone army or the Kaminoans wouldn't work."
"Why not? They would be able to corroborate his involvement. "
"No because he did nothing himself. He got a Jedi to commission the army before killing him. His former master to pay for it's creation before he killed him. His former assassin to kill his opposing parties, and his new puppet student to find the perfect DNA templet for the armies creation. And is now the in between man until the army is ready for deployment."
"Wait a Jedi wanted this army created? Is he a pawn of Noctis as well? And who is the in-between man?"
I sighed. "The Jedi is not part of Noctis's plans. As for the in between man. This will have to be a secret that you cannot reveal. Do you understand?"
"I do."
The man's alias is Darth Tyrannus, but his public name is Count Dooku."
"Dooku? the count of Serenno, and a former Jedi Master Correct?"
"Yes. This is all I will tell you for now. I will give you my frequency for my holo. I 'am giving you a codename, and my other contacts through Noctis. Everyone uses codenames, and your identity is only known by me and Noctis. Some are just like you. leaders or very rich and powerful people who want to change the galaxy for the better. Until you meet in person stick to the codename. If you can't get in touch with me or Noctis your last resort contact is this person. Their name is Owl, but you know her as Bo-katan Kryze."
Satine eyes widen. "My sister... She's working with you?
"She is more then that, but that's another secret. Talk to her sometime I know you both don't always see eye to eye, but you both seek a better Mandalore. I believe this is a good way to reconnect. She is expecting a call from you soon, so don't keep her waiting"
I gestured to leave the room. Right as the door hissed open she spoke.
"What am I supposed to say to her. We haven't talk to each other in years, and we didn't leave on good terms."
I sighed. "Duchess may I remind you I am 13 and have no siblings that I know of. So I cannot tell you what you should say, but I believe it would be good to start with a hello and I missed you."
Satine eyes soften. "You are right. Thank you Padawan Cain."
"By the way Tell Obi-wan you love him already."
Satines eyes widen again. "Wait what?"
"He also loves you as well. He told me that if you had asked him he would have left the order for you."
"He really said that?"
I nodded. "Yes. So stop thinking you have time. Cause you don't. Your relationship can work, and I believe in you two. Confess. Kiss, get married and make some babies. You both deserve some happiness. We leave tomorrow, and I called him a few minutes ago."
"You what?" Satine said with a nervous blushing expression on her face. "This is to soon. aren't we to late to do this? He has his responsibilities and I have mine."
"Duchess!" I said sternly.
"I don't care which of those three things you do, but two of them will be done."
Satine blushed in surprise.
"You are a warrior whether you believe it or not. So if you can fight for peace and unity for your people. Then do the same for love and unity with you and Obi-wan."
I said nothing else and left the Duchess.
Back to the present
"I'm sorry Padawan that you couldn't find anything about your lineage." Master Plo said.
"It's alright master, I was glad to be allowed to search anyway. Now I can put this to rest for a while"
"Why not tell them your a Vizsla?" Anakin asked.
"Think about Anakin. Not only is his Clan head the leader of a terrorist group, but is also carrying the Darksaber. He is also a descendant of the only Mandalorian Jedi. He stuck in a whole political mess with Mandalore now. It's more then just about his family history, some might see him as a possible replacement or usurper to the Duchess." Seris said whispering.
"Won't it be a problem since he is half Sephi?"
I shook my head. "Not really. The Mandalorians weren't originally humans. The original Mandalorian people were a gray-skinned, yellow-eyed species called the Taung, who were native to the planet Coruscant. After losing a war against the ancestors of humans, the Taung were driven from Coruscant and eventually found a new homeworld, which they named Mandalore. Over time, the Mandalorian identity evolved from being a specific species into a multi-species culture defined by its warrior code, which includes raising foundlings of other species. This meant that humans and other aliens who followed the Mandalorian creed could become Mandalorians. The Taung eventually went extinct, leaving their cultural legacy to those who followed the Mandalorian way of life."
"That's actually really cool. SO even I could become a mandalorian?"
"Yes. if you prove yourself like I am. Even if I beat Pre, I still have to be accepted by the rest of House Vizsla. I also still have to be accepted by the other clans under it that follow my House as well. You could also start your own Clan."
"How do I do that?" Creating clans can be simple on paper. Branching off can be just establishing clans new branch clans form the main lines. Some examples are like Clan Wren and Clan Saxon who are branches of the House of Vizsla."
"Okay sounds simple enough." Anakin said smirking.
I shook my head. "Not really, that's why I said on paper it's simple. A new clan will only be considered legitimate if enough other Mandalorians recognize it and acknowledge its place within the broader Mandalorian society."
Anakin sighed. "Well I can understand that. But tell you what Cain. When you and if you decide to take over I will join your House and stand by your side. And if the other clans don't accept you, then we can create our own Clan."
"I agree with Anakin and I know the others will as well Cain." Seris said.
I nodded. "Thanks you two I appreciate it."
"No problem. Don't think we are not gonna talk about what you said on Concordia Cain." Anakin said with his expression getting serious.
"He's right Cain we trust you, but you been hiding to much. You should not keep your friends in the dark. Especially when you ask us to follow you into the unknown. If were gonna help you and keep your secrets we need to know why."
Seris is right. Her and the others have been more then good friends to me. Bo taught me a good lesson. I'm fighting for their futures, but they also deserve a say in their own futures. I will have to tell them what's going on and my plans for the future. That also means Plo, Fay, and even some parts I haven't told Talzin. She knows Maul is alive, but not where he is. She hasn't asked me on his location, and for what reason I don't know why. I just hope, she is choosing to trust me after all this time. But for right now I need to start bringing Jedi into my inner circle to initiate change in the order. Or find a new location to start over if I need to.
"You guys are right. I'm sorry I haven't shared everything with you yet. You all have been nothing but patient. Lets get the others together and discuss this over training."
Anakin nodded. "How about you treat us to a meal, Mr. famous author." He smirked.
I smiled. "I wish I could, but I'm broke Anakin."
Anakin and Seris's eyes widen in surprise and confusion.
"How, I heard that your gonna be releasing the final book of your series soon. And what happened to your money from before?" Seris asked confused.
Well she's not wrong. My books are still selling very well. the limited physical copies gave me a lot of credits.
"Your right, plus I'm releasing prequal books about the different houses and the war of the Dune franchise. But My money is tied up with investments. So even when I release these books, I will barely break even until those investments pay off."
"Wait your coming out with more books?"
I nodded. Funny how that's the first thing she narrowed in on and not my investments part. That's a true book fan for you?"
Anakin looked at me with slightly narrowed eyes. "What investments?"
Good at least one person is focused. Just not the person I expected to be focused on that statement.
"It's mostly in medical and technological advancements. Stuff I want to get ahead on in the future. Also I own a apartment on Coruscant and a few other planets. Nothing fancy, but incase I want to get away I can."
"Advances like what?" Anakin continued on.
I smiled and said. "Now that is a surprise for later. I want to not say anything until it actually shows progress. "
"Will one of the books talk about the bene gesserit?"
I chuckled on how Seris was still focused on the books. " Yes that will be the first book released. I am also gonna make a new series of books that will invent a new genre of games people can play."
The two looked more surprised. "More books, and a game? What kind?" Anakin asked.
"The series is called Conan the Barbarian, and the game is called D&D or Dungeons and Dragons."
The two looked at me confused. "What are they about?" Seris asked.
I smirked I will tell you later as well as show you. The book is still being written and the game materials are still being made. The game will take a long while."
The two shook their heads in confusion, but I could tell they were interested in what I was making now.
Soon after that the ship landed on Coruscant as the sun rose, casting golden light across the Jedi Temple's spires.
I stepped onto the landing pad and looked up.
I could feel the weight of the galaxy already shifting. From my friends, to the galaxy leaders and the council. questions were forming and eyes were on me.
I didn't fear them. But I had to be careful of my steps moving forward.
Back on Mandalore at House Vizsla residence
Pre Vizsla stands before a holo communicator.
"So your saying the Sephi boy is Selene's child and a Jedi?"
"Yes sir" The holo image of a death watch member said.
"What did Bo-katan do?"
"She fought the boy and took him in as a foundling. Her and some of the other members know that you killed Selene and will take actions against you."
Pre's eyes narrowed, his face in deep contemplation. "Where is she now?"
"She took a handful of those loyal to her and went investigate this clone army the boy was talking about, and the madalorian mercenaries."
"I see. Keep me informed. I expect Bo to raise the boy up to usurp me. Which I will allow, since he is Selene spawn. I do owe him the right for vengeance. To bad if I know he was alive I would have took him under my wing. It was my brother who wanted Selene dead more than me."
"Are we to do nothing about Bo-katan sir?"
Pre shook his head. "No just keep a eye on her. She won't do anything until she is ready, and from what your telling me she will be to distracted with this clone army and the Jedi to focus on me."
"Yes sir I will keep my eyes on her."
The transmission ended.
Pre looked out at the picture frame on his mantle. It was of him, his brother and Selene. They were all younger and wearing their beskar armor, and smiling.
"How did this happen. How did we go from wanting to change Mandalore together to killing each other for our own ideals? Well Selene, if your spawn proves worthy enough I will let him live and take under him my wing. He will be the next Head of House Vizsla. Or he will join you in the afterlife. "
Pre chuckled. "Who knows he might surprise us both and kill me, then I will be seeing you and the others sooner then expected.