Satine broke away from Kenobi and rushed toward the explosion site, her diplomatic composure giving way to genuine concern for her people. She saw several civilians injured and trapped beneath chunks of debris from the blast. Without hesitation, she knelt on the ground and began helping them extract themselves from the rubble, her elegant robes quickly becoming dusty and torn. Kenobi soon joined her efforts, working alongside other concerned citizens who had rushed to help.
Obi-Wan surveyed the destruction while continuing to assist the wounded, his trained eye taking in the tactical details of the attack. "There's no way common vandals could have orchestrated an attack of this magnitude," he observed grimly.
"Then this must have been the work of outsiders—perhaps Separatist agents trying to destabilize our government," Satine replied, though her voice carried a note of uncertainty.
Kenobi spotted something behind the Duchess and his expression grew even more serious. "Are you certain about that?"
Satine was confused by his tone, even more so when she saw the grave look on his face. Following his gaze, she turned and saw an orange holographic symbol spinning ominously for all to see, projected onto a nearby building's wall.
"The symbol of Death Watch," she whispered, her face paling as the implications hit her.
"This goes far beyond simple vandalism or outside interference," Obi-Wan told her sadly, his voice heavy with the weight of realization. "This is a deliberate political statement against your government and a direct threat to you personally. You're not safe here in the open. I'm taking you back to the palace immediately."
When several of Satine's security guards arrived on the scene, having responded to reports of the explosion, Kenobi quickly handed her over to their protection before addressing them with authority. "I want to interview everyone who was in this area. No one leaves this scene until we've gathered all possible information."
Out of the corner of his eye, Kenobi noticed someone shoving people aside in their haste to flee the area. Without a word, the Jedi took off in pursuit, his robes billowing behind him as he gave chase. Leaving the plaza area, they raced down a flight of stairs and then through a narrow corridor that led deeper into the city's lower levels. Eventually, the man Kenobi was pursuing reached a dead-end balcony with nowhere left to run.
"Please, I just want to talk," Kenobi called out, raising his hands in a non-threatening gesture.
The suspect didn't see it that way and immediately drew a blaster, firing multiple shots at the Jedi without warning.
Kenobi rolled to avoid the blaster fire, then smoothly drew his lightsaber, the blue blade humming to life. He deflected the incoming bolts with practiced precision, one of which ricocheted back and struck the criminal's weapon, sending it spinning from his grasp. Seeing that he had no other options, the man charged directly at Kenobi in desperation, but was quickly grabbed and thrown to the ground with controlled force.
"As I said, I don't want to harm you," Kenobi said firmly. He soon heard footsteps approaching rapidly and looked back to see Satine rushing toward them despite his earlier instructions. "Stay back—it's not safe!"
Obi-Wan's momentary distraction gave the cornered suspect the opportunity he needed to make his final escape. He moved to the edge of the balcony, climbed onto the safety railing, and spoke in clear Mando'a: "For Mandalore and the future of our warrior culture!"
As Kenobi and Satine watched in shock, they saw the man throw himself over the edge, falling to the plaza floor far below. They rushed to the railing and saw that the drop was considerable—spider web cracks had formed in the duracrete around the impact site, and civilians were already gathering around the fallen figure.
The two quickly made their way to the lower level, pushing through crowds of concerned onlookers as they approached the dying man. Satine was the first to reach him, kneeling beside the severely injured Death Watch member who was clearly in his final moments.
"Se solu, se kad, se darasuum kote," he whispered weakly, blood trickling from his mouth. "Kadi, se nori'jim."
"What is he saying?" Kenobi asked, crouching beside them.
Satine didn't answer immediately, but leaned forward and spoke softly to the dying man in his native tongue. "Ke'pare." The man's eyes fluttered closed as his breathing stopped, and Satine turned to the Jedi with a troubled expression. "He was speaking the traditional dialect they use on Concordia, our moon. He said something about 'the sun, the saber, eternal glory' and mentioned 'the way of the warrior.'"
"I need to see this moon of yours," Kenobi said with determination.
"Concordia is a semi-autonomous territory with its own governor. You'll need official escort to gain access—preferably me."
"That won't be necessary. I can handle this diplomatically on my own."
"Actually, it will be absolutely necessary," Satine corrected him firmly. "You won't make any meaningful progress without proper introduction and credentials, especially since you were just involved in the death of a Death Watch operative."
"I didn't kill him," Kenobi said defensively, his voice carrying a note of frustration.
"I know that, and I believe you. That's precisely why I'm still willing to help you," Satine replied, her tone softening slightly.
"Obi-Wan!"
The Jedi Master turned and saw Matt approaching them rapidly, his enhanced senses clearly having guided him through the crowd to their location.
"Matt, where have you been?" Kenobi asked with obvious relief at seeing his companion safe.
Matt stared down at the recently deceased man for a long moment, his enhanced senses picking up details that others might miss—the scent of explosives still clinging to the man's clothing, the calluses on his hands consistent with weapons training, the quality of his gear suggesting organization rather than random terrorism.
"I noticed someone had been following us during our tour," Matt replied, his voice carrying a note of professional frustration. "Just as I managed to confront her, the explosion occurred near your location. What exactly happened here?"
"I'll explain everything during our journey back to the palace," Kenobi replied, already planning their next moves. "We need to travel to Concordia immediately—this investigation has taken on new urgency."
Several hours later, Matt and Obi-Wan found themselves aboard a sleek Mandalorian transport vessel, having departed from the main docking bay outside Sundari and now flying steadily toward Mandalore's largest moon.
It was a surreal experience for Matt, contemplating the sheer randomness of the interstellar travel he was now experiencing regularly. Only recently, travel between Earth's cities had seemed like a significant journey, and now he was casually flying between worlds as part of a galactic diplomatic mission. Being out among the stars was still somewhat overwhelming, even for someone who had adapted to many extraordinary circumstances.
"So what exactly should I expect from this Concordia moon?" Matt wondered aloud, his analytical mind already working on the investigative possibilities.
"Isn't Concordia primarily an agricultural settlement these days?" Kenobi asked, looking toward Satine, who had changed from her formal diplomatic attire into more practical traveling clothes suitable for their investigation.
"Before our civil wars ended, they converted most of it into a massive mining operation," Satine explained, her voice carrying a note of old regret. "The extensive mining facilities nearly destroyed our ancient forests completely. Fortunately, now that the mining has been significantly reduced, the ecosystems are finally beginning to recover naturally."
The transport approached what appeared to be a thriving settlement and entered the hangar bay of the largest governmental building in the area. It touched down on a designated landing platform, and Satine, Kenobi, and Matt disembarked along with two security guards who were accompanying the sealed coffin containing the Death Watch operative who had taken his own life on Mandalore.
As they descended the boarding ramp, the three investigators were promptly greeted by a distinguished man flanked by several uniformed guards. The coffin was carried respectfully behind them by Satine's security detail.
"Duchess Satine, you honor us with your presence," the man said with what appeared to be a genuine and welcoming smile.
"Thank you for receiving us on such short notice, Governor Vizsla. Please allow me to introduce Master Obi-Wan Kenobi of the Jedi Council and Matt Murdock, who is serving as independent legal counsel in this matter." Satine gestured toward each man in turn. "Governor Pre Vizsla has been one of the officials I mentioned earlier—he's been instrumental in our efforts to locate and apprehend Death Watch operatives."
"I imagine you've heard the disturbing rumors circulating about our dear Duchess—allegations that she's secretly planning to align Mandalore with the Separatist Alliance," Vizsla said, his voice carrying what seemed like genuine concern and disappointment.
"My only mandate is to uncover the truth, regardless of where it leads," Kenobi replied directly, his diplomatic training keeping his response carefully neutral.
Vizsla's attention turned to the coffin as it was being transported away by Satine's security personnel. "Is this the individual responsible for the bombing in the capital?"
"Yes, he was apparently a Death Watch operative, though we're still investigating his specific connections and motivations."
"This is indeed a troubling development," Vizsla said, shaking his head with apparent dismay. "Master Kenobi, if you'll excuse me, we must attend to the proper handling of the deceased according to our traditional customs."
As Vizsla and his guards departed to oversee the funeral arrangements, Kenobi caught Satine's attention with a meaningful look.
"I need to ask a favor of you," he said quietly.
"What kind of favor?" Satine asked, though her tone suggested she already suspected what he had in mind.
"Please keep Governor Pre Vizsla occupied this evening—perhaps invite him to dine with you and discuss local administrative matters," Obi-Wan suggested.
"And where exactly will you be during this dinner?" Satine asked, her voice taking on a more pointed tone.
"I'd like to conduct some independent reconnaissance—examine one of these supposedly defunct mining facilities in person," Kenobi explained.
"You mean you want to verify that they're truly non-operational and not being used for other purposes," Satine said, her tone becoming more accusatory as she understood his real intentions.
"Actually, I want to confirm that they're not being used for weapons manufacturing or other military purposes," Obi-Wan corrected, pulling out several small communication devices and distributing them to Matt and Satine. "I want both of you to wear these so we can maintain contact in case any of us encounters trouble while I'm conducting my investigation. Matt, I'm counting on you to help keep Satine safe during the dinner."
Matt nodded his acceptance of the responsibility, while Satine shook her head in obvious exasperation with the entire plan.
"Remember, you are operating under my diplomatic protection here on Concordia," she reminded him firmly. "Please try not to create international incidents where none currently exist."
"Think of me as someone dedicated to finding solutions to existing problems," Kenobi replied with a slight smile as he walked toward a speeder bike parked in the hangar bay.
"I want you to know that I am completely opposed to this entire approach," Satine said with obvious frustration and concern.
"I'd be genuinely disappointed if you weren't," Obi-Wan replied with characteristic dry humor as he mounted the speeder and flew out of the hangar into the gathering dusk.
Satine watched him disappear into the distance and shook her head again with a mixture of affection and exasperation.
"It's strangely comforting to see that he hasn't changed significantly since our last encounter," Satine observed in a tone that mixed fondness with resignation.
"In my experience, people rarely change their fundamental nature, Duchess," Matt replied thoughtfully. "That can be both reassuring and problematic, depending on the circumstances."
"Very true," Satine sighed with obvious weariness. "Come then, let's not keep Governor Vizsla waiting any longer than necessary. We have our own roles to play in this investigation."
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