A few minutes passed before she began to stir. "Easy, just lay there for a moment before you get up," he said.
"Ray?" Lexi asked, both confused and a little groggy.
"Here," he responded while getting up and walking over to her.
"You won?"
"Yes, a few minutes after eliminating you."
"You shot me." Lexi got up and shot Rayden a glare while patting the dirt off herself.
Speechless, she was annoyed about being shot when she was about to shoot him. He decided to move the conversation along; there was no point in arguing with women and their crazy logic, he thought.
Shaking his head, he said, "Let's go, Lexi. Everyone is meeting at the main area to hear the leaders' closing speech. It's around lunchtime right now, so the cook-off will start soon."
"Hmhp." Lexi caught up to him as they walked back. "Are you going to join the cook-off?"
"I will, but I don't know how to cook that well, so I'll just be an assistant," Rayden said. In reality, he knew how to cook well; living alone back on Earth had forced him to learn since fast food prices had become crazy expensive. He didn't know how to cook food from the Star Wars universe and couldn't start introducing Earth food without explaining how he came up with it.
Turning to her, he asked, "Are you going to join?"
"Yes, my mother made sure I knew how to cook. She started teaching me when I was seven."
"Then you'll have to cook for me sometime." Rayden was intrigued, wondering if she was a good cook. He hoped she was good, even if not at the level of the chefs from *Food Wars*, but also hoped she did not cook those nasty dishes you see in some anime.
"You still owe me lunch from our bet."
"If I remember correctly, I won that bet, but I still offered to get you lunch. Which I did yesterday."
"Yes, but the wager was lunch for the rest of the competition, and you never said it would only be lunch one time."
That was the second time Lexi had left Rayden speechless with her logic.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, he replied, "Let's just try each other's food later. Deal?"
"Deal." Lexi had a small smirk on her face, as if everything had gone according to plan.
=====
As Camren delivered his part of the closing speech, Varn and Elyse sat together behind him, listening quietly. The crowd, a mix of tired kids and excited spectators, focused on his words.
Elyse raised her hand to her head, a faint furrow forming on her brow as she sensed something unusual. It felt like reuniting with an old friend after a long time apart.
Noticing his wife's sudden change in demeanor, Varn leaned closer, concern etched on his face. "What's wrong, Elyse? Are you feeling okay?" he asked, his voice low and filled with curiosity.
Elyse shook her head gently, her eyes drifting upward to the vast expanse of the sky, as if searching for answers among the stars. "No, dear, I'm fine," she replied softly. "I just felt a presence in the Force that I haven't sensed in a long time. Someone from the Order has arrived in the system—someone I know."
A slight shock crossed Varn's face; he couldn't remember the last time a Jedi visited Mandalore. He nodded, contemplating the weight of her words, aware of Elyse's deep connection to the Force.
"We'll just have to wait and see who this visiting Jedi is later," Varn said, taking Elyse's left hand and kissing it to comfort her. In response, Elyse shook her head and hummed softly, resting her head on his shoulder.
=======
At the edge of the Mandalore system, a sleek red Republic Consular-class light cruiser gracefully exited hyperspace, its hull gleaming under the distant light of the stars.
"We have arrived at Mandalore, Master Jedi," one of the pilots announced, turning his chair to face one of the two hooded figures seated behind him. The bridge buzzed with the low hum and the soft beeping of control panels,
"Good. Take us to the capital, Sundari," the taller figure instructed calmly. The slight rustle of his robes echoed in the otherwise quiet bridge as he gestured toward the navigation controls.
The younger, shorter figure next to him looked up, uncertainty written across his face. "Is it really necessary for us to come here, Master? I heard we are escorting the young lady of House Kyrze to Coruscant," he asked, glancing out the viewport as Mandalore became bigger the closer they got to the planet.
"Could she not have gone by herself or her clan escort her themselves?" He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more at stake than just a simple escort mission.
The older Jedi regarded him with a measured expression, the shadows of his hood hiding his eyes but not his wisdom. He could sense the young apprentice's apprehension.
"Patience, Obi-Wan. Be mindful of the situation and focus on what is happening here and now, not on what might happen," Qui-Gon advised his young padawan as they stood in front of a viewport waiting to land on the planet.
"But I must inform you so you can be prepared: House Kyrze has requested the Jedi's help in escorting a young lady to Coruscant because a civil war is brewing on the horizon," Qui-Gon added, informing Obi-Wan of the current predicament.
"A civil war?" Obi-Wan asked, surprise flickering in his blue eyes.
"Yes. You should remember your history lesson, correct?" Qui-Gon replied, turning his head to look at his apprentice.
"Of course, Master. The history of Mandalore is complex and tumultuous," Obi-Wan said, recalling the lessons ingrained in him during his training at the Jedi Temple.
"Then tell me, Obi-Wan, what do you know about the history of the Mandalorians?" Qui-Gon prompted, his voice steady and measured.
"They are a warrior people who, throughout history, have waged wars across the galaxy, ravaging worlds and causing untold death. They are led by a Mandalore, but since Revan killed Mandalore the Ultimate, their society has effectively fractured until Mandalore the Preserver came to power. However, since then, there has been no single Mandalore to unite all the clans. They have been led by dukes and duchesses ever since."
"Yes, that is correct, my young padawan. This civil war is not simply another conflict between warring clans and houses; it is a battle of ideologies. House Kyrze is leading a growing movement of Mandalorians who desire peace and wish to abandon their warrior tradition. Their enemies consist of martial traditionalists who believe in upholding the warrior code at all costs and a fanatical terrorist group called Death Watch, who want to restore Mandalore's ancient ways through violence and terror."
Obi-Wan's expression turned serious as he listened. "And what is the young lady's role in all of this?"
"She is the heir to House Kyrze," Qui-Gon explained. "Her safety is paramount for maintaining the stability House Kyrze hopes to achieve. If she is captured or harmed, it could ignite the flames of war much faster than anticipated."
The young Jedi nodded, understanding the weight of their task. "So we are not only escorting her; we are safeguarding hope for a peaceful future."
"Exactly, Obi-Wan. Our role as Jedi is to uphold peace, and in this instance, it means standing against the tide of a tradition steeped in conflict. We must be vigilant and prepared for the unexpected, as the forces opposing us will stop at nothing to achieve their goals."
Obi-Wan took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. "I will do my best to protect her, Master."
"I know you will, my padawan. Remember, patience and presence are as important as any lightsaber." Qui-Gon placed a reassuring hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder, grounding him in the moment as they prepared for the challenges ahead.
While looking back at the planet, Qui-Gon felt a connection coming from the northern hemisphere. "Oh how interesting."
Tilting his head, Obi-Wan cast an inquisitive gaze at his Master, winding what was interesting.
"I feel a presence in the Force. One of my old friends I have not seen in quite some time," Qui-Gon said, gazing thoughtfully into the distance.
"Who would that be, Master?" Obi-Wan asked, curiosity piqued.
"A Jedi Sentinel by the name of Elyse. I knew her when we were both younglings. I was part of the Heliost Clan while she was in the Katarn Clan. Her dedication to her training and her keen sense of justice always made her stand out." Qui-Gon explained.
"But don't Sentinels get taken from their clans and trained away from Coruscant?" Obi-Wan inquired, trying to connect the dots.
"Yes, when a youngling turns nine or ten, they are tested. If they meet certain criteria during this test, they are taken to be trained as Sentinels. Elyse was exceptionally gifted, exhibiting both strong combat skills, and an innate understanding of diplomacy," Qui-Gon explained, a smile formed on his face as he thought of his old friend.
"So she was taken to be trained?" Obi-Wan pressed, eager for more details.
"Yes, I did not see her for many years until about seven years ago. I was on a mission in a remote system when I happened to meet her while she was assisting a struggling community against a band of ruthless pirates. It was a tense situation, so we decided to band together to repel the attackers. After we successfully completed each other's missions, we parted ways but promised to stay connected."
"What do you think the reason she would be here on Mandalore, of all places?" Obi-Wan asked, frowning slightly.
"Mandalore's current unrest makes it a volatile environment. Many clans and houses are vying for power, and the presence of the Jedi is paramount to maintain balance. Elyse has always had a strong sense of duty; she never runs away from a challenging situation. She could be here to mediate peace talks, support local resistance against oppression, or perhaps investigate reports of dark side activity. Given her abilities, she is likely working to maintain stability in this troubled region." Qui-Gon responded while rubbing his chin and gazing at the incoming capital city.
Obi-Wan nodded. "I hope she is safe, Master. If a civil war were to break out now, even as a Jedi, there is little we can do against entire clans of warriors who have trained in skills they created to fight us.
"Indeed, but if Elyse is truly here, then she will face whatever threats come her way with courage and wisdom. Perhaps our paths will cross again, and we can stand together once more," Qui-Gon ended their conversation on that note.
=====
Outside the domed capital city of Sundari, a Republic cruiser touched down softly on the vast, polished landing pad. A group of guards, clad in sleek armor that offered both protection and mobility, stood in a precise formation alongside a steward distinguished by the emblem of Clan Kryze emblazoned on his attire, waiting for them on the landing pad.
"Welcome, Master Jedi. We are pleased you could make it. I'll be your guide to meet Duke Adonai," the steward said with a slight bow, his demeanor a mix of formality and genuine warmth.
"Thank you for inviting us," replied Qui-Gon Jinn, his deep voice sounding calm.
The steward nodded appreciatively, a hint of relief crossing his features. He then turned, gesturing invitingly with a sweep of his arm as he began to lead them toward the sleek speeder prepared for their journey.
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan Kenobi, followed closely, feeling the weight of the guards' watchful eyes—each one a silent sentinel, ready to respond to any threat. As they walked, the soft hum of the cruiser's engines faded into the background, replaced by the bustling sounds of Sundari—a mixture of voices, the distant thrum of machinery, and the occasional swish of a passing hovercar.
Obi-Wan, ever perceptive, glanced up and down at the guards, noting their tense postures and the way their fingers hovered near their weapons. The steward caught the scrutiny. "It has been a long time since a Jedi has visited Mandalore," he explained, his tone shifting slightly as if acknowledging an underlying tension. "So the guards are a precaution while traveling."
"Precaution?" Obi-Wan echoed, raising an eyebrow. His curiosity was piqued, and a slight edge crept into his voice. Qui-Gon's brow rose in intrigue about the current situation.
"Yes," the steward continued, his voice dropping to a more confidential tone. "Not everyone is happy that we invited the Republic and the Jedi to come at this unfortunate time. Tensions are high, and there are people that see our inviting you as a threat rather than an opportunity for peace."
As they approached the speeder, the seriousness of their situation became clear. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon exchanged a look, realizing they were entering a politically tense environment. They would have to be careful of their surroundings and the people they meet.