Are star ship began to descend to a nearby forest a few clicks away from the Concordia mines. The tension was thick as the three of us prepared for the worse. We checked our light sabers, and gathered our Jedi cloak hoods.
"I still think this is a bad idea Cain, I will still have your back but we should have at least told someone. Just incase things go south, we don't know how many men they have." Seris said.
"Your not wrong, but that just means we need to take this seriously, and not let them get the better of us." Anakin said smirking.
"Your both right, but remember we aren't here to fight them. We are here to talk to one person, and that's it."
As we exited the ship and saw the tree's around us, Seris brought out the map showing the direction to the mines. Within moments we ran using Force enhanced speed to clear miles of tree's in minutes.
All three of us ran, sometimes jumping between trees and cliffs. We moved so quickly, that if others saw us we would be nothing but blurs. Sometimes Seris would jump and flip between tree branches like she was dancing in the air. Anakin and I cleared ridges and cliffs like we were jumping over tiny puddles.
Within 10 minutes we arrived at the tree line.
We saw the Mines just a few more miles away. There was a small fire near the mines entrance and by the entrance stood one person clad in blue Mandalorian armor.
"Is that her?" Seris asked.
I nodded. "I paid the mercenaries to make some noise nearby. She should be the only one here to guard the base."
"Okay Cain, it's your show" Anakin said placing a hand on my shoulder.
There is no turning back now, I have to make this encounter work, and get Bo-Katan on my side.
We approach the fire and Bo-katan standing by it with her helmet still on, I could tell her posture, the way she looked around the scenery. She was alert and ready for anything.
The moment we got close enough she snapped to our position pistols drawn. She fired a few shots our way but I used the force coating my arm in a barrier to deflect the three blaster bolts.
"Whoever is there state your self before I aim to kill you?"
That's a lie if I ever heard one. All three of her blast were aimed center mass, she was already trying to kill us.
"I've come to speak with Bo-katan of house Kryze. I need to speak with you about the future of Mandalore, it's culture as warriors, and conquerors."
Bo-katan kept her body at the ready, her mask hiding her face, but Cain could tell she was possibly narrowing her eyes in suspicion.
"What do you seek from the Kryze member? Are you some bounty hunters or did the duchess finally grow a pair and decided, that Death Watch is a threat that needs to be taken seriously?"
I took a step closer my golden eyes glowed faintly from the fire.
Bo's head shifted for a second.
"Your a child? but your eyes!" Bo then gesture for Anakin and Seris to move closer to the light.
"Your all children, and from what it looks like Jedi, probably apprentices. So are the Jedi and the republic taking a interest in Mandalores politics?"
I shook my head. "No I am here to talk to you, I want to establish contact with you."
"Why? Do you kids want to join Death Watch or something, and what's your name kid?"
"No that's not why we are here. I am here to talk to you about getting death watch to join the Jedi mainly me against a battle that is soon to come, and help your people redeem themselves. From being bloodthirsty warriors and conquerors to protectors and guardians of the weak."
I paused for a moment.
"I know your better than this version of Death Watch. You don't believe in your sisters way of only peace which I agree with. Your people are warriors through and through. If your not in a war with others your at war with each other. But I know the people of Mandalore, are powerful when they are united, and can achieve better things then just conquest."
The tension in the air became thick. The fire between us crackled low, casting shadows across the broken stone.
Bo-Katan stepped forward taking off her helmet, and showing her face. Her short red hair flowed just past her ears, and her light green eyes had a sharp gaze to them. She gazed at me longer and deeper then I would have liked. Her expression was cold and stoic while on guard. Her tone sharp as viroblade.
"You speak like you know us. Like you know me. But tell me something, little Jedi."
She took another step, armor gleaming in the orange light.
"Why would I, let alone all Mandalore trust the Jedi. You have been our enemy for centuries and your the lapdogs of the Republic."
I met her gaze, steady.
"Under your peace the galaxy has burned so many times and if it wasn't from a fallen Jedi, it was from the corruption of the Republic. Mandalore may be divided, but we haven't fallen so far to not remember or conflict with the Jedi."
Bo-katan continued.
"Do you know of the Mandalorian Crusades? When our people carved out empires only to be slaughtered by your precious Republic and its Jedi dogs?"
I nodded once.
"Of course I do"
Bo's voice rose.
"Do you remember the Mandalorian Wars? When Revan, one of yours, rallied Jedi to wage genocide against us in the name of justice? And the Mandalorian Excision?" Bo snarled. "When your Order ordered the complete extermination of our warrior culture. When Mandalorian cities were flattened. Archives erased. Our entire identity targeted, because you feared what we stood for? "
She wasn't wrong all those things did happen, but she is leaving out the the big reason for these conflicts and what the Mandalorian's did.
I first let the words settle. Let the pain behind them ring. Then I spoke, calm hearted, clear minded and, direct.
"You're right."
Bo blinked.
I stepped forward, into the firelight.
"I know about the Crusades. The Wars. The Excision. I know that Revan, a Jedi, became the monster you feared, and then later tried to stop it. I know the Republic and Jedi Council's saw power they didn't understand and chose fear."
I let that settle before continuing.
"But don't forget, the Cathar Massacre On the world of Cathar. Because of that your people ignited the spark that motivated Revan and Jedi to join the war. That wasn't the only planet there were so many others."
Bo scowled.
"Your people targeted civilian colonies and factories, such as on Wayland, bombing and wiping them out. You all started war without reason, but to expand your empire. You sided with the Dark Jedi Exar Kun and more. The Mandalorians have such a long history of war and blood shed, but I know your people are capable of more then that, and you can help lead them to that. Way better then Pre Vizsla ever could."
Bo's eyes narrowed. "And what do you know about Pre Vizsla? What does a child know about someone like him?"
My golden eyes flared in the firelight.
"I know he talks about honor, but builds his power in shadows like a coward. I know he doesn't gather warriors in the open, but whispers in caves, poisons the minds of clans with words of glory and fear, but never action that builds anything. He talks about the ways of Mandalore of old, but what did that get your people? Fight constant wars and either killing others and being killed. Then your divided and when you finally united nothing but civil war."
I stepped closer again.
"I know he will drag Mandalore into a grave and call it tradition."
Bo said nothing. She stared into my eyes like she knew me.
I tilted my head, voice softer now, piercing.
"Tell me, Bo. What does Death Watch do for the weak? For the starving? For the slaves?"
"Why would it matter about slaves? Those who are to weak to help themselves should die, it's survival of the fittest."
I pressed.
"You say survival of the fittest but no one is born strong. Not everyone comes from a wealthy house surround by men and women who would fight to protect their people. Death Watch wants Mandalore to rise. Then rise for someone who doesn't have a voice. Free the oppressed. Shelter and train those who can't protect themselves. Don't just fight for blood and glory, fight for those who have no one. If you do this you will never not have a battle worth fighting for."
Bo's eyes widen slightly as she looked towards me. She was looking at me with the eyes like she heard this before.
"You want an enemy? You have many. Corrupt nobles. Slavers. Syndicates. The Huts. Pick one. Not your sister, and not your people who do not want to fight. Your sister wants to restore and unite Mandalore. So your people are not stuck in dome cities and your people can see and feel the sky and wind on their faces again."
Bo's hands clenched into fists, armored gloves creaking.
My voice dropped low, calm and final.
"Should we, children like you say, do the job you adults won't?"
I turned slightly, gesturing to Anakin, "He is a former slave". Then to Seris, "She's born from a bloodline sacred by Jedi. They never stop trying to help the galaxy."
"Or will you do what a true Mandalorian would?"
I took one final step forward. My eyes glowed like suns. My voice like thunder wrapped in silk.
"Will you take the Darksaber… kill Pre Vizsla… unite your people as protectors, not tyrants?"
I raised my hand once again.
"Or will I have to in your stead?"
Anakin and Seris looked surprised by my statements. Anakin more proud then surprised. Seris seemed impressed
Bo-Katan didn't move.
Not away or forward.
The silence stretched. The fire cracked low.
Then… she looked at my hand.
"… What is your name Jedi?"
I smiled, just barely. "My name is Cain"
Bo-katan kept staring into my eyes, and it was starting to get hard not to notice.
"How old are you?"
"I'm thirteen soon, and I will be fourteen. why?"
Bo ignored my question and kept asking more of her own questions, like she was looking for certain answers.
"What about your parents do you know their names or where they are?"
I stared at her for a moment puzzled and surprised she asked that question. For some reason the Force started tugging at the back of my brain.
"No I don't have any memories of my parents or who I was before arriving at the Jedi temple."
Bo's eyes narrowed like she was disappointed.
Then Seris spoke up. "Why are you asking these questions? Almost all younglings come to the temple not knowing their background or former family."
Bo-katan sighed. "It's nothing. It's just you spoke the same way a old friend of mine did. Both of your ideals and that intense stare you have. It's just a coincidence that you both have golden yellow eyes."
My eyes opened slightly wider. There's no way ! Is Bo the key to finding out about my family.
I then reach into my pocket pulling out the ingot and I pull out of black dragon pearl necklace.
"Tell me do these two items look familiar?"
Bo- katan eyes widen with surprise. "She stepped closer to me her face held would looked like fear and a tinge of anger.
"Where did you get this?"
"It was found with me, when the jedi came to find me when I was a child. Apparently I was also found with this ingot as well. It has Mando'a script on it, but the script is faded so I can't translate it."
"This isn't possible where is the woman who wore this necklace?" Bo-katan said. Her voice was strained and she was agitated.
My eyes narrowed. "I swear to you I was found with this. Do you know who this Krayt dragon pearl belonged to?"
Bo's eyes narrowed, Anakin and Seris looked at each other. Both could tell the situation was getting more and more intense.
I put the black pearl and ingot in Bo's hands.
She took it and stares at them with a deep intense focus.
Then Anakin, Seris and I notice Death Watch members flying down surrounding us.
"Who are the intruder's. One trooper said.
The three of us were surrounded by at least 7 members.
"Cain this is getting bad, I think we might need to call our losses here."
"Stand down!" Bo-katan said with strong authority in here voice.
One of the members looked at Bo, his blaster still raised.
"Are you sure?" The man said.
"Yes look at the boys eyes. That golden yellow, and look at his skin and face. who does that remind you of."
Murmurs were being heard all around us.
"It can't be?"
"It's not possible?"
"Is she alive?"
Seris looked confused. "Cain I don't know what's going on, but it's clear they are talking about you, and it seems like you might be the reason we live tonight."
"Or they might want to kill us even more now?" Anakin said. Then Seris nudged him for saying that.
The Bo spoke up. "Death Watch look at this." Bo holds up the black Krayt dragon pearl. "I this ingot also has a message."
Bo hold's up the ingot showing the inscription. " It says Tore and Pre have betrayed me and tried to kill me, they killed my lover, but they will not kill my legacy. If you find this protect my son he is the hope of house Vizsla and possibly all of Mandalore."
My eyes opened wide. Oh shit, now this is intense. I don't know how to take this revelation, especially if my parents are possibly dead. Am I part of Clan Vizsla?
I then spoke up, breaking the silence.
"Bo-Katan. what does this mean?"
Bo's eyes looked more intensely at me, but not of caution of a possible enemy. She looked like her eyes were sparked with a new conviction.
"It means Tore and Pre Vizsla, have been lying to us for a very long time, and they will pay for that. This necklace belonged to who I believe is your mother. Selene Vizsla, She was the leader of Clan Vizsla, and one of the staunch opposers to the Pacifist sect of Mandalore. She and others rallied Mandalorians who wanted to continue to seek a glorious purpose and not senseless fighting. Tor and Pre didn't agree with her vision completely, but she was a incredible warrior and new how to rally people. She did not hate the Pacifist and thought they had a purpose, but even now I don't know what she saw in them."
Bo then handed me the pearl and the ingot.
"Selene called us the True Mandalorians. We were gonna show the galaxy that we were better then our history. But she went missing along with her trusted warriors, Tor and Pre said she was dead, but no body could be found not even her necklace or armor. Since that day Tor Vizsla led us and when he died Pre his brother became our leader. The True Mandalorians died that day and we became Death Watch."
I looked around me the Death Watch members didn't have their blasters trained on me. They just stood their listening. I took everything in and yet some of this didn't make sense. My mom was part of the True Mandalorians, and was their leader?
I wonder if I could use this to help get Bo to my side? If I can then I can figure out the stuff about my parents later. I came here not expecting much but now I have more answers then I expected. I better make use of this opportunity.
"Bo-katan. Does this mean you will take over Death Watch and ally with me?"
Bo shook her head. "Just because your Selene's child doesn't mean your not our enemy. Your a Jedi and grew up in Jedi ways, not Mandalorian. But mark my words Pre Vizsla will pay for his lies and deceits. That I swear to you on the name of house Kryze."
I nodded. "Is there anything I can do to prove myself and join the ranks of Mandalorians?"
Personally I know Mandalorians are a warrior like culture that don't really care about species or races. But that doesn't mean they are open to all. Becoming a Mandalorian was an ideological and cultural commitment, not a matter of heritage. All Mandalorians, whether born into the society or adopted. All were expected to follow the Resol'nare (Mandalorian tenets) and the Canons of Honor. Any person who failed to live up to these ideals could be considered dar'manda" ignorant of their heritage", even if they were a native Mandalorian.
The Resol'nare are the Six Actions or core tenets of Mandalorian life, focusing on cultural practices.
1.Ba'jur: Educate your children in the ways of the Mandalorians.
2.Beskar'gam: Wear Mandalorian armor.
3.Ara'nov: Defend oneself and one's family.
4.Aliit: Be loyal to and contribute to your clan.
5.Mando'a: Speak the Mandalorian language.
6.Mand'alor: Rally to the Mand'alor when called upon.
I looked at Bo-katan, my eyes burning with conviction. I know what I must do in order to get, Bo and Death Watch on my side.. "Will you adopt me under house Kryze teach me the Resol'nare , until I prove myself ready to earn my house name?"
Bo's eyes widen. Anakin and Seris looked surprised as well. Even more murmurs were heard throughout the crowd of Death Watch members.
Bo's eye's narrowed at me. "I am banished from house Kryze, why would you ask me of all people? Is this war you talk about the important you will ask a bunch of so called terrorist to aid you?"
I pulled out a data chip and tossed it to Bo.
"What is this?"
"It's the names of Mandalorians who are as we speak training a army of clones of a Mandalorian named Jango Fett. Whether you want to believe it or not Mandalore is gonna be the face of this war in some way or another. Those clones are trained in your ways and tactics, even your language. But their are slaves in a sense, only bred to fight the war of the republic but even worse. If you teach me and ally with me, we can stop this before it get's worse."
Bo's hands tightened at the words I said.
"They cloned a mandalorian and others are part of this scheme. Tell me Cain who in the republic came up with this abomination of a army?"
Good she took the bait. Now time to see if this will get her on my side completely.
"It was a Sith lord. So far others don't know it. and I can't share yet, but the Sith are running the republic in secret."
Anakin and Seris eyes widen. "The Sith?" Seris said.
"Cain this is big why haven't you said anything to the council?" She continued.
I smiled. "Trust me I have my reason's and you will find out soon."
Bo-katan then spoke. "Cain if everything you say is true. You have earn the right to be brought into the ranks of the Mandalorians. That doesn't mean your one of us yet, but out of respect for your mother and the ways of Mandalore I will give you a chance to prove yourself."
I nodded. "Thank you"
"Don't thank me yet because, you now have another responsibility."
I tilted my head in confusion. "What responsibility is that?"
"The responsibility of the Darksaber, you will have to lead and redeem Clan Vizsla. Which means you must kill Pre Vizsla as well."