It was finally time, I was heading to Mandalore. Technically me Anakin, Seris and our masters are heading to Mandalore. I be lying if I said I wasn't anxious. To many things are about to happen.
The mission was formally labeled: Jedi Diplomatic Advisory– Sundari Peace Coalition: Clan Relations and Internal Threat Assessments.
Thanks to my years building my influence with the political leaders between of the Inner, Mid, and Outer Rim as Noctis. Thanks to this I can make the first move, to change the direction of the clone army.
I will establish contact with Duchess Satine first. I will be posing as a follower of Noctis. My words and actions will be an extension of his. The only thing she has to go off is that he has followers in the Jedi order. I know that probably surprised her. Along with that I want to get her and Obi-wan back in contact sooner. That is because I am a hardcore shipper of the two from the Clone War series. They were the only possible couple I actually liked, and I want them to find some happiness in this life.
After that I have to make contact with Death Watch. Bo-katan Kryze, to be more specific. Compared to Pre Vizsla, she is the more trust worthy person. If I can convince her to side with me, I might be able to take over the cloning facility. It will be hard though, she is almost fanatically loyal to Pre Vizsla, and is a Mandalorian traditionalist.
I wonder if I could appeal to her warrior nature, since I want to destroy slavery in the galaxy. It would give traditionalist Mandalorians, a righteous battle to fight. Especially since we would have to go against several organizations like. The Hutt's. The Zygerrians, and Pyke Syndicate. They are powerful organizations and empires. Well I have to see, worst case I fight Pre over the right of the Darksaber and Death Watch.
Lastly is me or should I say my family history. I'm not really obsessed with it, I just don't like to many unknowns in a galaxy like this. I could be related to someone with power and influence. Or a descendant of someone like that, or just a straight nobody alien orphan. Well it doesn't matter about the last one, but I would like to use any advantage I have to my future plans.
"Hey Cain, your making that face again, you okay?" Anakin said loudly.
I then opened my eyes. I saw Anakin, and Seris across from me, in the Jedi Star vessel. I guess I was so deep in thought my face reflected it.
"I'm fine Anakin just thinking."
"Yeah I don't buy that. You made that face again."
"What face, I don't make a face?"
Seris shook her head. "Yes you do Cain, whenever your deep in thought, you make a face like your inspecting a flawless gem looking for literal flaws."
"She's right. Are you okay, is it because of the mission were on?"
Look at these two. I know at this point I can't get anything pass Seris. I've known her for nine years now, Anakin a lot less, but that doesn't mean anything at this point.
"Yeah, I be lying if I didn't say I was anxious to go to Mandalore." Well not completely for the reason's they know about.
"You need not worry yourself Padawan Cain." Obi-wan said.
"I'm sure we will find something about your necklace and the ingot, but if not you shouldn't let this pursuit consume you. I would say the council has been very generous with you allowing you to do this."
Oh Obi-wan, you stick in the mud. I guess because of me Anakin's shenanigans are more tamed or less seen. But since were on the subject of pursuit let's have some fun.
"Your right Knight Kenobi I shouldn't let this personal pursuit consume me. Speaking of which I heard you have a history with the Duchess of Mandalore?"
Anakin and Seris looked surprised and interested.
"Master you know the duchess?"
"Yes back when I was a Padawan with Master Jin. I was sent to protect her from assassination attempts. It got bad to the point that we were on the run for months. It was touch and go for a while sometimes. We had to survive hand to mouth sometimes. But we made it through, and through that we became close friends. After it was save for her to return she went back to Sundari, and I the Jedi Order. Besides that there is not much else to say."
Oh Obi-wan, such a bad liar. "So you and the Duchess never developed feelings for one another, after all those months, besides just being good friends?"
"No we did not , and it would be against the Jedi code to form romantic attachments." Obi wan said with a dismissive tone, but I could feel the lies in his words through the Force. Now's a good time to push him just a little harder.
"Knight Kenobi, the Jedi code doesn't forbid attachments, that is the Jedi councils rules. You are allowed to have attachments in a sense, but you cannot allow that to consume you. We are all living, breathing people with emotions. From the mission logs I read, you were both teenager's, so I can understand if something happened."
"What are you trying to say Padawan, I told you nothing happened, and even if something did, it wouldn't have worked."
"Why do you say that Master." Anakin asked now more interested.
"She's is Mandalorian nobility, I was Jedi Padawan, it wouldn't have worked out. She was dedicated to herself to the ideals of peace and betterment of her people. I would have to detach myself of all things and for the order and the Force." Obi-wan had almost sad knowing look on his face.
"Would you have left?"
Obi-wans eyes opened more. "Excuse me?"
"If she had asked you to leave the order and stay with her, would you have?"
Obi-wan stared down for a moment and was quiet.
"I..."
"Everyone get yourself ready. "Master Plo koon spoke from the cockpit.
"We are about to touch down in Sundari within 5 minutes."
After that there was a awkward silence, no one wanted to continue. Anakin wanted to say something. But Seris stopped him.
Minutes later our shuttle landed inthe dome city, and the six of us prepared to be welcomed by the the Duchess and her security detail.
I know this entire operation was my plan, but In truth, it was a fact-finding peacekeeping operation.
The Council appointed Jedi Masters Plo Koon, Shaak Ti, and Jedi Knight Obi-wan as the official delegates, thanks to the request of Chancellor Palpatine everything went more smoothly.
As we exited the Jedi star cruiser. Anakin gave a familiar smirk.
"You ready to ditch the Masters and go explore the city"
I replied with a half-grin, "Let's at least wait until it's night time."
Obi-Wan raised a brow. "You will not be doing such a thing you two."
Seris crossed her arms. "Let's just focus on the mission, not the drama."
Then she whispered. "Let's not make it so obvious guys."
I just smiled. Seris is finally learn to live a little.
Duchess Satine Kryze awaited us, flanked by her guards and advisors. When she saw Obi-Wan, her expression faltered just slightly.
Obi-Wan bowed.
"Duchess Kryze. It's been… some time."
"Yes," Satine replied, voice formal but brittle. "And yet, here you are again, sent by the Jedi Council. How nostalgic."
Me, Anakin and Seris exchanged glances.
Plo koon then stepped foward. "Duchess it is a honor to meet you. We are ready to begin the meetings whenever you are. The Jedi are at your service."
Satine nodded. "Come this way let me show you the city."
As we walked around I was surprised by the city and the people around me. It was beautiful like the clone war series showed it, and in some places more so."
"So I hear you are a Jedi Knight now Obi-wan. You also have you own Padawan."
"Yes, I do, are you keeping tabs on me Duchess?"
Satine just giggled. "No, but when I my men did the background checks, that happen come up. I am also sorry for the loss of Master Qui-Gon Jin. I know how much you cared and looked up to."
Then Satine asked a question. "Tell me do any of you read the Holo book Dune?"
Plo and Shaak Tii shook there heads.
"I have not read the series, but I hear some in the order recommend it, well at least the first book." Obi-wan said.
Anakin nodded. "I only read the first book, Seris loves that series though , But Cain he.."
I looked at Anakin with a stern expression that said shut up.
The Duchess noticed that but didn't say anything on it. "Good I been reading the series and was hoping to bounce off idea's or theory's."
So tell me Jedi Padawan's, in your opinion who was stronger the Sardaukar vs Fremen?"
Anakin smirked. "Freman. Especially after they learned the weirding way.
Seris nodded. " I agree. Maybe if their fight wasn't on Arrakis then maybe it would be a close fight."
Satine had a blank expression, but didn't say anything.
Then I spoke. "Both Armies were strong, but what matter most was who led them. Their leaders would find the best ways to lead them to victory."
Satine turned to me, her blank expression turning to one of surprise, but she was trying to hide it.
"Well said Padawan?"
"My name is Cain." I then bowed with ease. "I look forward to observing your people's strength and wisdom. Your leadership is inspirational to some within the Temple."
That earned a genuine smile from Satine. "You said some, but what about you? Do you believe in Mandalores pacifism?"
I need to be careful of what I say. To be real I don't care for Satine leadership of the current leadership of Mandalore. I never cared for pacifism to begin with, but I don't condone senseless violence and blood shed. I'm not saying the Mandalorians should go back to their old world conquering ways. Even though back then they were at their most united. Let's not even talk about how in the Kotor series, they were divided over a helmet and became pockets of mercenaries for hire.
Honestly the Mandalorians are a strong warrior people, but the most backwards type of people in the same way. I guess that's their character flaw though. They are the Star Wars version of the Spartans.
But Satine has it so wrong with her way of leading, and that's why her people are divided. Pacifism only works when your one of the strongest, and your choosing to restrain yourself. because your able to fight off opposing sides. By doing so you can say you are truly neutral. But the Mandalorians haven't been that strong in a very long time. They are only truly strong when they are united under a Mandalore.
"Duchess why don't we save this conversation for later, I believe you have bigger matters to attend to, then the view point of a nobody Padawan such as myself."
Satine didn't say anything, but we did continue to walk, I could feel her nervousness, and how on edge she was. We were then shown Mandalore's civil structure, its reconstruction efforts were still occurring in some area's. My shatterpoint sight was allowing me to sense and feel, how truly fragile there peace was.
Later that night after the meetings and talks were being held. I snuck into the duchess room in the darkness. I hid my presence well until I wanted to be noticed.
"Who is there?" Satine said her body jumping up looking in the corner of the wall to see only my golden yellow eyes in the dark.
As she reached towards her nightstand, and tried to call for the guards. I was already by her. My hand over her mouth.
Hello Duchess. It's me Noctis's servant."
That made her pause in slight hesitation. "Now when I remove my hand we are gonna talk just talk. Ok?"
Satine nodded.
I then removed my hand.
"So your Noctis's servant? I thought the Jedi stayed out of politics or taking specific sides."
I stood leaning on the adjacent wall from her. "Duchess we both know that stopped being a thing a long time ago. Especially with how Slavery, crime are rampant in the Outer to Mid Rim. The jedi believe they are following the Force of the will by siding with the republic and democracy, but it's all a load of BS."
Satine eyed me with a curious expression. "You talk as if you know the dealings of politics."
I ignored the comment. "Good job on remembering the introduction phrase. Have you read Noctis's notes on why I am here."
"I have, and I don't agree with some of his views and ideas. I know over the years he has helped me and a lot of other political leaders take down and stop some bad people. That doesn't mean I will allow him to drag my people into another conflict. We finally gained peace, and you would drag us back into another war."
I sighed with frustration. "You are a stupid, and ignorant woman."
"Excuse me?"
I looked at Satine, with a penetrating stare.
"Your people are already part of a war. Death Watch maybe one of the few outliers, but many others agree with them just not there methods. A conflict will be coming to the galaxy very soon and Noctis wants to get ahead of it. Your people are only truly powerful when you are united, and that hasn't happened in a very long time."
"Then what do you call the peace from the pacifism movement ?"
"Your peace is a lie. Yes some agree with you because they lost love ones and are tired of losing love ones to civil conflict. An yes your people's crusades were almost never for good. That's why Noctis want's to truly unite your people for good, to fight for the galaxy and the people of it. That way the Mandalorian people can do what they were meant to do."
I then handed Satine a small drive.
"What is this?"
"It's Noctis's draft plans for the future, and it shows some of the things going on behind the scenes of your worlds. He wanted to make this the last offering to get you to work with him. Either Work with him or he will do it with out you Duchess. That's not a threat but a fact."
"What makes you think I wont tell the jedi about your dealings, you could be expelled from the Order."
I smirked. "Duchess I don't care if you do. I have my own plans for the future, and I made peace with leaving the order a long time ago. So you have no power over me, but good try though. I wouldn't recommend that again though."
I then brought out my black krayt dragon pearl necklace, and the ingot
"I have one more request. Do you recognize this necklace, and can you make out the inscription on the ingot?"
Satine then looked at the necklace and ingot.
"No I cannot make out the ingot inscription, and no I don't recgonize the necklace. Why do you ask?"
I shook my head. "It doesn't matter if you can't, thank you for your time Duchess." I bowed and left her room.
Over the next few days. Me with Master Plo along with Seris and Shaak Ti, would explore Sundari, and the other city of Ronion. I new in the future this place will go through hard times when it's people experience a severe food shortage when the Republic cut off trade due to Mandalore's declared neutrality in the Clone Wars.
If my plans go correctly. Mandalore won't ever rely on the republic for another thing.
Meanwhile, Obi-Wan and Satine began to get closer and closer. An awkward moment in the gardens became a near-confession. Seris and Anakin were always observing so closely. I told them to give the two some space to breathe. If it happens it happens.
On the final evening, during a formal advisory meeting, I with Seris and Anakin snuck out of the dome city. I managed with the help of some expensive mercs to track down a special target. The Duchess who was still on the fence about my plans lent us one of her stealth ships. Our destination Concordia.
"Where are we going Cain? You just said you needed us for a secret mission, but you didn't say for what." Seris asked.
She's right I should start including them on my plans, if I'm gonna start making changes in the order. Now, is the perfect time.
"I been keeping tabs on certain powerful people and organizations after writing my books. Thanks to my money I been researching ways to improve the galaxy, and I want to start with Mandalore."
"Why" Seris asked.
"Becuase I had a vision, I didn't tell the council, but it was bad."
Seris and Anakin looked at each other then me. "How bad?"
"War after war and the Jedi were involved. We were dying, and turning on each other. Jedi young and old being wiped out by those we trusted."
"But Cain, you know how careful we must be with visions, and their meanings." Seris said.
She is right, but right now I need to focus on building my allies and powers, while I can.
"Your right but for right now I need you to trust me and save all the questions until later. I promise I will tell you everything later."
Anakin and Seris were quiet for a while. "Okay Cain we trust you." Seris said.
I nodded. Then I explained who we were searching for. It was Death Watch, but to be specific Bo Katan Kryze.
Seris's instincts kicked in. "We should report this."
I shook my head. "Not yet, we need to make contact first, I really need to get her on my side."
Anakin narrowed his eyes. "Good maybe she might listen if you beat her in a fight."
My eyes burned gold in the dark.
"I know that might be my only answer, but I'm hoping she can listen to reason, if possible accept a chance to be something more."