Chapter 48 - Politics, Mando style (1/2)
Part 1
Republic Medical Station Sierra-51
Location Classified
”You want to talk here and now?” Obi-Wan ġrȯȧnėd. The Jedi shuddered in the cool air – the thin robe he wore after leaving the nearby fresher apparently wasn't good enough for the cool atmosphere in the station.
”It's reasonably secure.” I shrugged and waved at the rolls of bacta tanks around us. Most of them were empty – this compartment was usually designated for high ranking officers and was in the most secure part of the station.”It's not like the patients here are particularly talkative as you very well know.”
Kenobi gave me a flat look and continued toweling his hair and beard.
”What exactly happened before I awoke as canned food?” The Jedi grumbled.
”You got shot. Or blown up. Perhaps both. I didn't pay much attention after the docs told me that you'll be up and running shortly. We've got another mission.”
”What happened on Geonosis?”
”We got the job done with acceptable casualties. Your apprentice is still recovering in a bacta tank and has a trial waiting for him when he recovers. Oh, yeah. Once we talk with a bunch of spooks we're leaving for Mandalore.”
”Start explaining.” Obi-Wan sounded less than pleased. He was actually pretty grumpy or so the Force told me.
”Anakin's stunts finally caught up to him and it's time to pay the price. While the military police investigates his latest stunt he's grounded. I might be able to arrange a home arrest for him, somewhere with his wife if she recovers. Padme might be able to keep him out of any further trouble until the trial and he isn't dodging the bullet this time.” I pointed at a small cargo crate that was next to the bacta tank Kenobi vacated a few minutes ago. ”Your lightsaber and spare robes are in there.”
”Thanks.” The Jedi muttered. ”How's senator Amidala?”
”Padme's still unconscious though there's some progress in purging her system of the poison. Unless there're complications she might awake sometime in the next couple of weeks. As for her mental condition...” I trailed off. That was fifty fifty at best.
”I see. I hope she recovers. What are we supposed to do on Mandalore?” Kenobi asked. He let the damp towel fall to the deck, opened the cargo crate and started pulling the pieces of his robes.
”Convince the Mandalorians to side with us in the war. The CIS already sent a delegation there and they will arrive a couple of days ahead of us.”
”There's no way the New Mandalorians would side with the Confederacy!” Obi-Wan exclaimed.
”Your girlfriend might be against it, but she's not their absolute ruler.” Kenobi spluttered a denial, however I ignored him and continued speaking. ”I've heard rumors that the Dead Watch will try seizing up power if the Mandalorian leadership decides to remain neutral or sides with us. Do I need to remind you that Kryze and her supporters don't have monopoly of military power on Mandalore? Unless you've been a busy boy and helped that delectable Duchess?” I smirked.
”That's… We're just friends! That's all!” Kenobi ġrȯȧnėd.
”With benefits?” I smiled at the man. Jedi – they were so easy to rile up.
”Veil! Enough! How do you know about her anyway?”
”I read all my intelligence briefings, then request more and expanded ones? Why wouldn't I be keeping an eye on the neutral policies which might join either side? How am I supposed to make realistic contingency plans otherwise?” I asked in confusion. That should have been obvious.
Obi-Wan gave me a long-suffered look and shook his head. ”What did you want to talk about anyway?”
”Ahsoka.” I said and pointed at on of the few occupied bacta tanks in the room.
Kenobi looked up and frowned. The little Togruta was floating in a bacta tank. She was mostly hidden by multiple tubes which were feeding her oxygen, medicaments and food.
”What happened?”
”She got unlucky. There were multiple tunnel exits near her target and Asoka's unit ran into an enemy battalion that was redeploying. They managed to get the job done and seal the tunnels before being overran, however they suffered more than ninety percent casualties. The kid did good.”
”Why's she here instead back on Coruscant on one of the bases closer to Geonosis?” Kenobi frowned. ”My presence is clear, the powers that be want me on the negotiating party to Mandalore.”
”Good question. What do you think would happen to her if your precious Council gets their hands on her, hm?”
”Master Yoda has been cleaning up house and getting our affairs in order after the last fiasco.” Obi-Wan didn't bite.
”Catch.” I pulled out a data-pad from my robes and threw it at him.
He caught it without looking. It was good to see that his wounds and a week long dip in the bacta hadn't dulled his reflexes. While Jedi read through the contents a deep frown appeared on his face.
”I see. This is your fault.” He grumbled and threw the pad back at me.
”That's not fair! I share the blame with Anakin! He's her master. We'll was. I don't think that either the Jedi or the army would trust him with a gold fish, much less an apprentice.”
”Probably. She deserves better. That still doesn't explain why she's here. What's a gold fish anyway?” Kenobi muttered and started changing in his Jedi robes.
”Well, it's a fish with gold coloration. It was a popular pet back on my homeworld… I think. It's been very long time since I was there.” I paused. Hell, I don't think I ever thought about Earth in months… I shook my head. It wasn't like I would be able to visit in a long, long time if ever. ”I pulled rank. The as you say, the kid deserves better. When she awakes, I'll give Ahsoka a choice – she can go to the agri-corps if she wants or she can continue to be an officer. If the Council has any problems with that they can take it up with me.”
”They won't like that. Corrupting the young now, aren't you?” Obi-Wan joked.
”I'm in older Togrutas.” I deadpanned.
”Don't let Master Ti hear you.”
”Oh, she's very well aware of my preferences.” I smirked.
Something in my tone made Obi-Wan turn around and stare at me. ”No way. She's a respectable Jedi Master and then there's you.” He pointed at me. ”Even if you weren't a Sith, there's now way...”
I gave him a smug grin.
”Is there something that you aren't trying to corrupt?!”
”Only delectable women. Why the hell I would want to corrupt anyone else?”
”I'm on painkillers or something. Right? Where is Master Ti? I expected that your minder would be around?”
”Me too. I have nothing against Shaak Ti closely examining me. However your fellow council members had the bright idea that I might be a bad influence and ordered her back to Kamino.”
”I agree with them.” Kenobi nodded sagely. ”We can't have you distracted, o glorious leader.”
”Sarcasm doesn't suit you.”
”I have no idea what you're talking about.”
”What's the plan anyway?”
”When Pellaeon and the spook they sent to brief us finish their steam reunion, we're getting an intelligence briefing and leaving for Mandalore. I have to give it to the man, arranging his girlfriend to come brief is was a slick move.”
”Jealous?”
”My prospective girlfriend is traveling to Kamino as we speak. What do you think?”
”I still don't believe it.”
”Even if I had any evidence that I could produce, Shaak Ti would neuter me if I did so.”
”True enough. She'll do it anyway. Tarnishing her reputation isn't the smartest thing you've done.”
”You aren't protesting.”
”No. I'm just leaving you to dig up your own grave.”
=RK=
Part 2
Republic Medical Station Sierra-51
Location Classified
”Great! Finally we're all here!” I beamed at the other people, who were stuck in a small conference room with me.
Commodore Pellaeon, his girlfriend Helena – the RI agent we were here to meet among other things, Kenobi and myself. Thanks to some kind of meddling in the Senate, neither Organa or Iblis were going to head the diplomatic party to Mandalore. Thanks to my ”good friend”, the Chancellor, I had the distinct ”honor” of doing so myself, instead of another senator. So whatever kriffing disaster was cooking on Mandalore would be my fault – I had no doubt about that. Joy.
We were stuck in a bland small room, which had a round table in the middle. There were twelve chairs set up around it, a built in holoprojector and that was it. At least the place was nicely lit up.
”If you two are done for the moment,” I raised an eyebrow at Pellaeon, who for once was looking rather disheveled, ”Agent Devis could start briefing us.”
”You're about to get kriffed in a way you won't enjoy.” Helena deadpanned.
”Yes, apparently that's the plan. The lack of any diplomatic personnel arriving with you and the missive I got from the Chancellor's office just before we docked were enough of a clue.”
”You didn't mention any of that.” Obi-Wan shot me an accusing look.
”I'm mentioning it now.” I shrugged. ”I'll be the Republic negotiator for our visit with you acting as my aide. No senators or diplomatic staff besides whoever we'll be able to poach from the embassy. At least the ambassador might be of some help.”
”No diplomatic staff. We're being set up to fail.” Kenobi looked less than pleased as he stated the obvious.
”Well, there're a some senators who actually studied history.” Devis rolled her eyes. ”They apparently aren't too thrilled with getting the Mandalorians rearmed or on our side. They fear a betrayal. After all, historically they have been enemies of the Republic.”
”They were my people allies too.”
”That's another point against them.” The Intelligence agent glared at me. I wasn't sure if it was because I was a Sith or because I cut her reunion with Pellaeon short. Probably a bit of both.
”It's also something I might be able to work with.” I smiled.
”The idea's for the Mandalorians to make an alliance with the Republic, not with you.” Obi-Wan added in a dry voice.
”Why not both?” I grinned.
”What did you do?” The Jedi Master narrowed his eyes at me.
”Nothing. Yet.” I spoke with as much innocence as I could.
No one was buying it.
”This is going to be a disaster.” Obi-Wan ġrȯȧnėd.
”That remains to be seen. You have a briefing for us, Agent Devis. Let's get it done so you two lovebirds could return to cuddling or whatever ȧduŀt things you were doing. Just don't speak about it in front of the Jedi or you'll shock the poor sod.”
”I'm not a vɨrġɨn, you know.” Kenobi deadpanned.
”That's a shocking discovery. Do the rest of the Jedi know or did you just handle me a lot of blackmail material?”
”You're supposed to be a general. Act like it!” Obi-Wan ġrȯȧnėd.
”Sure enough. Start briefing us.” I waved at the RI woman.
Helena sighed, gave a sharp nod and put her professional face on.
”The tensions between the New Mandalorians, who are currently ruling on Mandalore and their main opposition – the Death Watch, are about to explode. Even without the CIS' delegation arriving and pressuring the legitimate government, Mandalore is on the brink of a civil war. Unless the situation is handled very carefully we might be the spark that's needed for the sector to go up in flames.”
”That's not necessary a bad thing – the only thing that really matter is that the Mandalorians remain neutral, join us or are crippled to the point that they are no longer a threat.”
Three pairs of eyes stared at me. Two of them then nodded, while Obi-Wan glared daggers at me.
”Those are the acceptable outcomes of our visit, yes.” Helena nodded and earned herself a dirty look from Kenobi.
”What do we know about the CIS delegation, their agents in place and game plan?” Pellaeon asked.
”Admiral Dua Ningo will be negotiating for the Separatists.”
”Well. He's one of the few who might pull it off.” I mussed aloud. ”The bastard came close to making it a Pyrrhic victory above Geonosis. The Mandalorian clan leaders are likely to respect him.”
”That's our reading as well. Besides the above board negotiation, we know that the CIS has been heavily investing in the Death Watch. That's the main reason we believe that a favorable outcome is unlikely. They aren't particularly big fans of the Republic.” Helena added.
”I have a contact who might be useful.”
”That's good. We lost contact with our last agent in the Death Watch a week ago. They're the greatest threat for our interests on Mandalore. Duchess Kryze is a friend of the republic, however the New mandalorian movement she's a part of doesn't have the political clout to forge an alliance with us without support from the opposition.”
”Not to mention that she's against any Mandalorian military adventures.” I added. That was a public knowledge and the main reason her sister was royally pissed off at her. ”Let's be frank – no matter the public face the New Mandalorians have been putting ever since their raise to power, the Mandalorians remain a warrior cultures. The Duchess' policies haven't exactly won the hearts of the majority of the population, merely of the largest cohesive block and the Death Watch are close second.”
”You're certainly well informed.” Helena nodded. ”That's essentially correct.”
I shrugged. I did my homework. After all, Mandalore had been on my to do list for months.
”What do you plan?” Obi-Wan asked.
”Forge an alliance with your girlfriend or play kingmaker.” I shrugged. ”I've changed a government or two back back in the good old days.”
It was time to see which way Bo-Katan was going to jump.
=RK=
Part 3
Senate Chambers
Senate building
Coruscant
”My friends, it's good to see you all here once again!” Palpatine smiled from atop of the Chancellor's personal platform. His eyes swept through the rebuilt senate chamber and lowered as they passed over booths filled up by fresh blood. The attack on the Senate had hit his power-base particularly hard, however it had culled the one thousand five hundred ”neutral” systems alliance put in place by Amidala and her closest supporters.
With his homeworld's Senator out of the way for the time being, Palpatine found it much easier to push forward his agenda. The fact that the surviving senators were scared helped a lot too, he had to admit that. Who knew that the attacks that scattered his plan to the winds, would prove actually useful in many aspects?
Palpatine schooled his expression into a grim mask.
”With everything that has happened, it's hard to believe that the war has gone for a year. We – the Republic and her people – had been dealt many low blows since the Separatist unveiled their true colors – those of merciless terrorists.” Sidious paused for a moment. His expression shifted into one of a grim determination and he started radiating confidence. ”They thought that attacking Coruscant – the heart of the Republic itself with biological weapons would break us. That striking this very building and murdering scores of Senators whose only crime was to doing their duty for the betterment of us all would terrify us into surrender! My friends, they were MISTAKEN!” Palpatine raised his voice to a shout in order to be heard over the applause from the attending Senators.
”There are many questions that need answering. How did we get here? What are we going to do now? How are we going to win this war? I'm here to answer them all!” Sidious made a placating gesture and smiled. Feeling the near adulation of the people present in the chambers wars close to intoxicating. Almost as good as feeling fear and misery.
”In the wake of the latest enemy attacks, there were those who called for surrender. Those who believed that we were losing the war...” Palpatine paused for a dramatic effect. ”The latter group was right.” He stated grimly and lowered his head. The Sith Lord had to struggle not to smile. The cries of protest and fear that followed his declaration were delicious and just as planned.
”Peace my friends! I promised you all answers and I'm here to deliver!” Palpatine raised a hand and waited for the cacophony to subdue. He had their undivided attention. ”Until our armed forces decisive victories over Ryloth and Geonosis, we were losing. That much is true – a fact that none of us can afford to disregard. We were pushed back on all fronts and the sectors we held – they were protected at the price of rivers of blood.” Smile tugged the corners of Palpatine's mouth as he reveled at the rapt attention of the crowd. ”That's no longer the case! For the first time since the Separatists began this conflict we aren't under the immediate threat of destruction. Our Grand Army was finally able to stalemate the enemy on all fronts!”
This time there were a few relieved cheers and shouts.
”However, that's far from enough. Now that we know the true face of the enemy – that of oppression, slavery and murder – we can't do anything less but push for total defeat of the evil cabal that is the Confederacy of Independent Systems!”
Sidious smiled as the majority of senators started applauding.
”In order to achieve victory and never again be at the non-existent mercy of our enemies, the brave men and women in our armed forces need our help! They need more ships, vehicles, weapons and recruits in order to grant us victory! To guarantee that no more atrocities like Ryloth, Naboo and Coruscant happen! To achieve that, my advisers, our best generals and myself had crafted a bill that is vital for the further prosecution of this war. It requires the further expansions of our Clone Army” - making the Kaminoans and their lobby happy, ”increasing production in all our major shipyards and increasing their capacity” - something that the Senator from Kuat and the other major industrial centers would simply love, ”and providing our soldiers with the best possible equipment in more than enough quantity to win!” The various military contractors would be ecstatic at that too.
This time almost everyone was either cheering loud or applauding. Palpatine took a note of those who weren't – all but a few were the surviving members of Amidala's little club, but there were a handful of new Senators as well.
”Finally, but most importantly – it's time for us all to raise to the challenge of protecting our homes! All the best weapons and ships in the galaxy will be useless if there aren't brave beings ready to man them and face the evil that the GAR is fighting as we speak! We, the Republic, are the greatest nation this galaxy has ever seen! It's time for us to step up and prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt!”
Sidious paused for a moment and took a deep breath. He could feel it. The Senators would support the next round of bills and reforms, witlessly expand his power base and bring their precious Republic a step closer to becoming his Empire. When all was said and done, he was poised to emerge from the latest round of cluster kriffing disasters in a much better position he would have held otherwise.
The only problem would be the Jedi – an army which wasn't mostly made up from clones would hesitate when the time to dispose of them came. However even in that regard, all was not lost. The Jedi, their Council in particular were doing a great job of destroying their public support and credibility. Sidious was going to help them along once the Skywalker trial started.
=RK=
Part 4
CIC
Republic cruiser Chimera
Five light seconds from Mandalore
We reverted to real space with bȧrėly a shudder. Moments later, the rest of the battle-group materialized around us and maneuvered to create an armored glove around the flag ship.
A few seconds later the tactical plot refreshed and displayed the surrounding space. There were a lot of ships. CIS ships.
”Separatists fleet elements detected. Designating Hostile One.” The tactical officer announced aloud.
A cluster of dots between Mandalore and its moon Concordia shifted from the gray of unknown to the deep red reserved for hostiles. Other dots were changing color too – some in clusters, other by themselves. There were three cruiser battle-groups in blue – the Mandalorian defense fleet units we could detect.
”Sir, one of those flotilas shows Death Watch IFF.” The sensor officer declared.
”Designate them as potential hostiles. Give me better resolution on those CIS ships.”
One of the blue groups – that above Concordia shifted into amber.
”One battleship. One command frigate, twelve standard Munificents.” Tactical announced.
”That's thirty one potentially friendly Mando cruisers, nine hostile and the Separatists.” Pellaeon stated. ”That we can detect anyway. Unless all of our hosts turn on us or the CIS drops another fleet we should be all right. You have a trick or two up your sleeve, right?” The Commodore looked at me.
”Of course. I'm not seeing any battlestations. Only a ring of defense satellites.”
”The Mandalorians never rebuild them after their civil war.”
”Sloppy, unless they lacked the resources?” I thought aloud.
”Pacifists. At least they tried very hard to appear as such.” Helena shrugged.
”That wasn't a trick!” Obi-Wan snapped.
”No need to defend your girlfriend yet.”
”Commodore, hail our hosts. No matter what they demand, don't let them box in our ships while we're planetside.”
”Not happening, sir. There're a lot of the bastards, but nothing that would relish facing five of our cruisers.”
”Good. We aren't here to play games.”
=RK=
Sundari
Mandalore
The capital wasn't anything like I remember. In fact the whole desert in which the biome city was situated was a forest the last time I was here. At least it was more or less in the same place, though the semi-sphere of gray metal encompasing the metropolis was a far cry from the sprawling skyscrapers and suburbs I remembered. Apparently the Mandalorians had managed to trash the place while I was in a time-out.
When the ȧssault shuttle that brought us down landed, we were met by a pair of honor guards in blue ceremonial armors. They were armed with force-pikes and nothing else. I hoped for their sakes that their garb was made of beskin.
Our greeting comitee didn't bode well for the negotiations. Sending just those two to meet us was a slight – a show of disrespect that would have pissed off most Senators.
”That's not the proper way to meet a diplomatic party, which is here to discuss an alliance.” Helena muttered.
”Oh, it is if the party is representing the Republic.” I quipped. During the cold war, the Republic did try to sunder our alliance with the Mandalorians. While that didn't work too well for them, it was amusing to watch how much fun the locals had in subtly snubbing the diplomatic parties, especially if there were Jedi present.
”You expected something like this.” Kenobi glanced at me.
”Yep. It tells us that the Duchess is in even weaker position that we were led to believe. Unless you pissed her off the last time you were together and this is for your benefit?” I asked.
”We separated on amikable terms.” Obi-Wan glared at me.
”This way.” One of the honor guards waved towards a pair of speeders – which were more cargo platforms than anything else.
”Let's hope that there aren't snipers waiting for us.”
=RK=
We spent our flight through the city in silence. I was busy observing the place. As cities go – it was a nice one. Tasteful buildings, a lot of hydrophonic farms and parks. More importantly – the place was chock full with statues and murals depicting the good old warrior days. So much for the New Mandalorians speaking about the majority of the locals. If they really were all pacifists, the works of art we could see wouldn't be glorifying the warrior ways of their ancestors. Most telling was the fact that from the dozens of statues we saw, not a single one was what you could call a peaceful one even if you squinted very hard.
That was good. I would have been sorely dissapointed to find out that the civil war had castrated the Mandalorians and turned them all into pacifists.
The government building we arrived at was a beautiful work of art – a breathtaking amalgmation of crystal and metal, lined up with statues.
It was also a security nightmare.
A single man met us at the landing pad. He was about one ninety, short blond hair and a bit of beard under his chin. Long face, halkish nose and piercing purple eyes.
”General Veil, General Kenobi. It's good to see you. I'm Prime Minister Alamec. Please follow me. The Duchess is expecting you.”
”Minister.” I nodded. ”Have your Separatist guest made you an offer you can't refuse yet?”
”That's something you need to discuss with Duchess Satine.”
”Oh, we will. We were supposed to meet the Republic ambassador here.”
”She hasn't arrived yet. The Duchess requests your presence immediately.”
I shrugged and waved him to lead. This wasn't smelling like a trap. Yet.
A few minutes later we were led into a large audience chamber. The Duchess was waiting for us on an ornamental throne at the far end. The only other person present was an unassuming man in dark purple robes.
I raised an eyebrow at her. Satine Kryze looked nothing like her sister. She wore a deep blue and green dress. An ornamental head-dress covered most of her head and forehead. Her blond hair was bound by six strange… things on each side of her head. She looked rather down too, at least until she saw Obi-Wan. That apparently perked her up and she stood up to greet us.
I looked around. No sight of guards. Just the Duchess, her Prime Minister and a man I ȧssumed to be an adviser. This was going to be an interesting meeting.
=RK=
Part 5
Audience Chamber
Sundari Royal Palace
Sundari
Mandalore
For a few moments I actually considered being unusually diplomatic, but the I decided to cut to the chase. In the end, unless Satine decided to change her policies to hundred and eighty degrees, she wasn't the person I really needed to talk to.
”Curious. All the briefings about the situation on Mandalore I got didn't mention that your government is this desperate.” I smiled at the Duchess. I earned myself a lot of glares too, from practically everyone but Helena, who simply rolled her eyes at my antics.
”What makes you think that we're desperate?” Satine asked.
I waved at the empty chamber around us.
”This isn't an official meeting. I hope so anyway. If this is all the support you have, I'm obviously talking with the wrong person.”
”It's unofficial.” The Prime Minister stated quietly. ”With whom would you talk if not us? The Death Watch are supporting an alliance with the CIS.”
”You on the other hand wish to remain neutral. Am I right?”
”Of course. This isn't our war.” Satine stated.
”Too bad. That's not an option.” I smiled at her.
”What.” Kenobi turned to face me.
”A Mandalorian neutrality is unacceptable for either side. Perhaps I shouldn't telling you that...” I smiled at the Duchess. ”I'm to either ensure an alliance or remove the Mandalorians as players in this conflict. Sorry, Obi-Wan. That was need to know until we arrived.” I shrugged.
”That's madness! The Republic would never condone...” The Duchess spluttered.
”Please. You can't be that naive. The Republic was ecstatic when you disarmed after your civil war.” Helena added.
”Now that you might rearm and become a threat again...” I shrugged. ”A lot of Senators remember on whose side Mandalore historically fought. The way we were sent here… It's obvious that there are parties that want an alliance between us to fail so you could be dealt with once and for all. Now let's not waste each others time, Duchess. Let's talk realpolitik.”
”Excuse us for a moment.” Kenobi smiled at Satine, grabbed my hand and pulled me away.
”Veil!” He hissed. ”What's your major malfunction?!” The Jedi Glared at me.
”Did I fail to mention my precise instructions? It had something to do with who your girlfriend is. Divided loyalties and all that.” I nodded at the Duchess who was busy whispering with her advisers.
”I'm not compromised! You on the other hand are insane!”
”Am I? I just cut to the chase. I don't know about you, but I don't have weeks or months to waste in negotiations that are likely useless. This whole thing – it shows that Satine is desperate. Not good for our position. So we're going with plan 'B'.”
”What's that particular piece of insanity?”
”Throw the New Mandalorians under the airbus and make a deal with a faction that actually has backing and will support us in the war. If your girl plays her hand well, she might retain some power too.”
”That's not why we're here.”
”Please enlighten me. I'm just a poor old Sith.” I gave him a deadpan look.
”Demented too. We're here to support the Mandalorian government and ensure an alliance with them.” Obi-Wan glared at me.
”No. We're here to ally ourselves with a military power or make sure that Mandalore can't become a threat for the Republic in the future. That by itself tanks all that the New Mandalorians and your girlfriend stand for. Their platform is pacifism. Anything but continued neutrality isn't an acceptable alternative for them.”
”For you that's a bad thing. Kriffing Sith.” Kenobi growled.
”Not my idea, though I agree. Mandalore has to chose side or face a civil war. In either case, their vaulted neutrality is over.”
”That's not what the Republic stands for!”
”It is now. The Separatists hit too close to home with their attacks on Naboo and Coruscant. This is no longer a war fought in the nebulous Outer Rim. It's a problem for the core and that will show to everyone the true face of the Republic.”
”You don't really believe in it, do you? The Republic, democracy?”
”They're useful tools and I will support them until they fail.” I smiled. I was telling the truth. From my point of view.
”I can't… I can't let Mandalore be consumed by this war.” Obi-Wan's shoulders slumped.
”Do you have a miracle ready? There are many things arrayed against us. To the average Mandalorian, we – the Republic and the Jedi are the enemy. Me being a Sith is a mixed blessing at best and my alliance with you will be working against me.”
”I'm a Jedi. In the end I will do what I believe to be right.” Obi-Wan glared at me.
”I don't expect anything less, my friend.” I smiled. ”So I implore you, talk some sense in your girlfriend once we know what exactly we're dealing with.”
”You're going to seek favor from either the Death Watch or another militaristic organization.”
”As of the battle for Ryloth, the Death Watch was a bunch of thugs with just a few decent people in the ranks. They had obviously expanded their influence and membership. Massively so in fact.”
”That bounty hunter friend of yours.” Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes.
”Yeah. Bo-Katan… Kryze.” I chuckled and watched his eyes widen. ”I have a few surprises ready. However, baring a miracle, Mandalore will be a battlefield before we're done here. Take care for your girlfriend. Let's see what our esteemed Duchess wants from us.”
=RK=
Part 6
Audience Chamber
Sundari Royal Palace
Sundari
Mandalore
”Duchess. You wanted to talk. Please do so.” I waved at Satine.
The Mandalorian woman glared at me for a long moment, then turned to Obi-Wan. ”Master Kenobi, I want to formally request the aid of the Jedi Order in maintaining Mandalore's neutrality in this conflict.”
I smiled. That was the only real card the New Mandalorians had to play unless they threw all they believed in away and chose a side.
”That's a strike two, Obi-Wan.” I watched the man squirm. ”Will there be a third way you're going to be compromised today? First she's your girlfriend.” I stated aloud, making the Prime Minister and adviser gasp, while Kenobi glared at me. The Duchess was simply speechless at my accusation. That was definitely something that you didn't do at even an informal diplomatic meeting. It was too bad for everybody that I didn't have time to follow the usual rules of diplomacy. ”Second, you just got placed in a position where your duties as a Jedi and a Republic general are at odds.”
”Veil, just shut up for a moment.” Kenobi growled and looked at the Duchess. ”As a Jedi Master, I'm a peacekeeper… and a guardian of the Republic, of civilization. My duty is to preserve peace.” He gave me a particularly dirty look. ”However, Duchess Satine, my colleague who apparently had never heard about diplomacy, is correct. Unless there has been new and positive developments here on Mandalore, I don't see a way you can possibly maintain your neutrality. We've seen the true colors of the Separatists. They and any organization backing them, won't accept an alliance between our two states. They won't respect your neutrality either.”
”We have the Death Watch firmly in hand.” The Prime Minister stated. He sounded confident too.
”A few months ago, that was the case.” I nodded. ”After Ryloth they started getting droves of new recruits and a lot of popular support.” I smiled. I did receive a few messages from Bo-Katan detailing the Death Watch situation, though I mentioned them to no one.
”That's an exaggeration at best.” This was adviser.