Pre Vizsla gripped the Darksaber tightly and launched himself high into the air with a fierce battle cry, the black blade trailing dark energy as he descended.
Obi-Wan pivoted and raised his blue lightsaber horizontally above his head, the familiar hum of his weapon meeting the unique sound of the ancient Darksaber as he blocked Pre Vizsla's devastating downward strike.
Kenobi pushed his opponent back with controlled force, then leaned backward to avoid another vicious swing, ducked under a third attack, and brought his blade up to clash with Vizsla's once more in a shower of sparks.
In a dazzling flurry of strikes and parries, azure met obsidian in a deadly dance. Both combatants were forced to dodge incoming attacks when they couldn't block them effectively. At one point, Kenobi caught Vizsla's wrist mid-swing and leaned back to avoid the Mandalorian's follow-up punch with his free hand.
The Jedi Master continued evading the man's Darksaber with fluid movements, then suddenly spun around and pushed out with the Force, sending the armored warrior flying backward through the air with considerable impact.
Three Death Watch operatives immediately moved to break their leader's fall, catching Vizsla before he could hit the rocky ground. Regaining his footing quickly, Pre Vizsla shoved his subordinates aside and charged back into combat with renewed fury. The Darksaber whirled through the air in a deadly arc, and Kenobi barely managed to dodge the strike. Acting with lightning reflexes, the Jedi executed a precise kick that sent the Darksaber spinning from Vizsla's grasp as it clattered across the stone floor.
Being temporarily disarmed of his prized weapon didn't mean Pre Vizsla intended to end the confrontation. Closing the distance rapidly, the Mandalorian leader dropped low and struck his opponent with a powerful tackle. As the Jedi staggered backward, the Death Watch commander made a desperate dive for the fallen Darksaber.
Obi-Wan dropped to one knee from the impact, with Matt moving to assist him. The Jedi waved Matt off, and his ally reluctantly stepped back. Facing his opponent once again, Kenobi watched as the Mandalorian activated his jetpack during the renewed fight, taking to the air for tactical advantage.
This aerial strategy left Pre Vizsla exposed, however. Kenobi quickly recognized the opening, rolling forward and using the Force to launch himself into the air in pursuit.
As he closed the gap with Vizsla in mid-flight, he delivered a swift uppercut to the man's chin, followed immediately by a devastating left hook. With a Force-enhanced spinning maneuver, he grabbed the governor and spun him around before hurling him directly toward the three remaining Death Watch members below.
The Darksaber's blade automatically retracted as it hit the ground between the combatants, while Pre Vizsla crashed down on all fours, glaring with pure hatred at the Jedi Master, who regarded him with calm, focused determination.
Pre Vizsla struggled to his feet and pointed directly at the three allies with accusatory fury. "Warriors, eliminate them all!"
Without hesitation or warning, the three Mandalorians simultaneously fired concussion missiles from their gauntlet-mounted launchers.
Seeing the projectiles streaking toward their position, Obi-Wan dodged the incoming missiles with acrobatic precision. He expected them to detonate at some safe distance behind their group. Unfortunately, these weren't ordinary explosive devices—the missiles curved impossibly in mid-flight, redirecting themselves toward him and his two companions with guided precision.
Without hesitation, Obi-Wan grabbed Satine's arm and rushed toward the damaged elevator shaft. Using the Force, he quickly pulled Matt along with them as all three plunged down the maintenance shaft, landing heavily on the lower level despite escaping the fiery explosion and debris that cascaded from above.
Back on the upper level, the Death Watch operatives cautiously approached the destroyed elevator shaft to assess the results.
"Should we pursue them and confirm the kills, sir?"
"Negative," Vizsla commanded decisively. "There's insufficient time for a prolonged search. But don't concern yourselves—we'll have another opportunity to deal with the Duchess very soon."
Satine, Obi-Wan, and Matt emerged from the mining facility covered in soot and debris, moving slowly toward their parked speeder. The Duchess was the first to break the contemplative silence.
"I suppose this changes everything we thought we knew about the situation," Satine said quietly, watching as Matt helped the slightly injured Obi-Wan reach their vehicle.
"How could we have been so thoroughly deceived?" Kenobi asked, his voice carrying the weight of professional disappointment.
"Well, I did save your life back there. And you saved mine," Satine pointed out with a slight smile.
"True, though mine was certainly the more dramatically heroic of the two rescues," Obi-Wan replied with characteristic dry humor.
"If you two are finished with your competitive reminiscing," Matt interrupted with obvious weariness, "I'd prefer to return to civilization and rest after this exceptionally long day. The government on Mandalore also needs to be immediately informed about this latest and rather significant development."
"We can definitely agree on that priority," Kenobi said with a faint but genuine smile.
Satine simply shook her head with obvious amusement at both men's behavior, and the three survivors departed the mining facility together.
"So... whose speeder am I riding on this time?" Matt asked practically, looking between Satine and Obi-Wan with mock concern.
Several hours later, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Matt Murdock walked alongside Chancellor Almec, Senator Tal Merrik, and Duchess Satine toward the Duchess's personal diplomatic vessel at the main spaceport.
The busy docks were filled with clone troopers maintaining security, Mandalorian honor guards, and various Senate officials who were present because they hoped to participate in the upcoming crucial discussions with the leaders of the neutral systems.
"If Pre Vizsla successfully escapes our custody, we'll have no way of determining how extensive the Death Watch network actually is," observed Tal Merrik, the distinguished senator from Kalevala, his concern evident.
"It's becoming increasingly clear that the Separatist Alliance is providing material support to Death Watch operations," Kenobi stated with professional certainty.
"I fundamentally disagree with that assessment. I've repeatedly told you that I'm determined to keep Mandalore out of this galactic conflict," Satine replied with a slightly cold tone, her pacifist convictions unwavering.
"Given our recent discoveries and the current security situation, I'm afraid that complete neutrality may no longer be a viable option," Kenobi said gently but firmly.
Satine clenched her fists and barely suppressed her frustration with the entire situation. "I thought that all of you would understand and respect my position on this critical matter. I will never willingly participate in this destructive war."
She walked away from him toward her waiting ship, leaving Kenobi standing there with his head hanging slightly in disappointment. He felt a reassuring hand on his shoulder and looked back to see Matt removing his Matt helmet, offering him an understanding and sympathetic expression.
"Thank you for the support, Matt," Obi-Wan said with genuine gratitude.
"So... I can see there's quite a complicated story here," came an amused voice.
They both turned to see Steve and Natasha approaching the group, accompanied by Anakin Skywalker, Captain Rex, and Commander Cody, all arriving to provide additional security for the diplomatic mission.
"General Kenobi, reporting for escort duty as ordered," Anakin said with his characteristic confident smile.
"Anakin, I'm genuinely glad to see you here," Obi-Wan replied with obvious relief. "Steve, Natasha, your presence is especially welcome after everything Matt and I have endured during this investigation."
"Hmm. You sound unusually exhausted, Master," Anakin observed with concern.
"I'm finding myself somewhat weary of dealing with the local population's extremely rigid commitment to pacifism," Obi-Wan admitted as he walked with the enlarged group, acknowledging Commander Cody with a respectful nod, which the clone commander returned professionally.
"For people like us who are accustomed to taking direct action when necessary, that frustration is completely understandable," Steve commented diplomatically, earning knowing smiles from the other military personnel.
"So what exactly happened during your investigation?" Natasha asked with professional curiosity.
"Do you want the comprehensive report, the brief summary, or something in between?" Matt offered with tired humor.
"The medium version sounds appropriate."
"How about I give you the lawyer's version instead?"
"Then we'll be standing here discussing this until tomorrow," Anakin joked good-naturedly as the enlarged group boarded the elegant diplomatic vessel, which smoothly lifted off moments later, leaving the politically complex world of Mandalore behind them.
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