Chapter X. 7931.7xx to 7932.241 CRC
Chapter X. 7931.7xx to 7932.241 CRC
“A lifetime of memories.”
The Korun’s eyes widened in surprise – then he mused, “I guess this is why you knew enough to debate about Homonix Rectoria and Odan-Urr’s view on the Force.”
Oi Wan nodded, “My physical skills may not have come back with those memories, but the knowledge did.” he agreed
“This is a heavy burden you carry.” Mace sighed
“But I’m not alone.”
“You are not.” the master of the Order agreed, glancing at Arya and Arkous, suddenly understanding better why it had to be Arkous that trained the teenager, and no one else
“I know you can’t tell me everything.” a smirk, “The future is always in motion, after all.”
Obi Wan laughed – it was rather paradoxical in his case, but true nonetheless.
And somehow, traveling to the past only proved the well-known warning all Jedi tied to the Cosmic Force were repeatedly given more true.
After all, things had already changed quite a bit, in a mere year since he’d been back.
“But I’ll tell you what I can.” Obi Wan nodded, “When it is pertinent.” a smile, “Change is a good first step.”
The master of the order nodded at that, “Not everyone is going to like it, but it’s clear we’ve been resting on our laurels for too long.”
Obi Wan silently agreed, thankful that this Mace was less jaded than his friend had been – he knew that his Mace wouldn’t have taken as well the fact he wasn’t told everything right away.
Once more, he mourned for the version of his friends he had known – so beaten and broken by life.
They hadn’t been invited to the presentation Dooku did to the council about the Order’s reputation in the galaxy – but similarly to the one about their dwindling numbers, the repercussions were quickly seen when the first class of students from the Great Western Sea Lyceum, one of the most prestigious university of the planet, came to visit the Temple and were granted temporary access to the public area of the Archives.
Several classes of far younger students followed, that, without any surprise, spent more time with the youngling and the initiates.
Of course, those changes didn’t go unnoticed – but even the Senate, as corrupted as they were, couldn’t find a good reason to prevent the Jedi from opening their home to the public.
Obi Wan had taken advantage of the downtime in the Temple to submit his dissertation on the Jedi-Mandalorian conflicts, for his Galactic History module, quickly following with another on the current Mandalorian civil war for the Galactic Geo-Politic module.
Like all dissertations for the training module, they were available to all students who took the courses, but also the knights and masters that asked about it. With the newly started exchange program with the students of the Lyceum of Coruscant, the dissertation was also available to their students.
Which is how Obi Wan found himself corresponding with a young student who had rather heated opinions about both topics.
This – really wasn’t how the returned Jedi thought he’d meet Satine Kyrze again, but at twelve-year-old, the future duchess was just as much a force of nature as she’d been at seventeen, and somehow, she’d managed to get a hold of Arkous’ holo-frequency to persuade him that a face-to-face meeting was essential to ‘further their scholarly endeavor’. The pureblood Sith had found it hilarious – and accepted a meeting.
It was Obi Wan who’d insisted on Little Keldabe to be the place where they met, as the district was a bastion of True Mandalorian culture that didn’t look favorably at the New Mandalorian, despite being on Coruscant.
“I don’t see how a Jedi can be so fascinated by a culture of death and violence!”
“You mean a culture that emphasizes protecting and teaching its children and is one of the more tolerant of aliens in the galaxy?” Obi Wan answered dryly, “Yes, how could a Jedi ever admire the virtues of education and tolerance?”
“They are bloodthirsty warriors!”
“Some of them are, sure.” Obi Wan agreed, “Do you think the Mandalorians are the only people in the galaxy with a blood History?” a smirk, “I mean Naboo spent over three thousand years fighting each other and the Gungans, yet they are among the most peaceful planets nowadays.”
“See! Isn’t it proof that peace is the end-goal?”
“Sure. But the Nabooian haven’t denied their culture along the way.” the padawan retorted heatedly, pointing out, “I speak the language of your ancestors better than you do. I know more about their poetry and their food than you do!” he pointed out, “You have no right to judge people without knowing anything about them!”
Arkous had left the two of them to their debate, keeping an eye on them from afar while engaged in his own heated debate with what appeared to be an Armorer, Obi Wan noticed, before getting his attention back to Satine.
Culture, it seemed – had been the right argument.
Because culture was a sign of civilization, and hearing a Jedi tell you the people you despise had a deeper culture than your own was rather stunning for a girl who admired them for their peace-keeping ways.
Seeing that she was starting to be distressed, he relented a bit, remembering that she was still rather young.
“I’m not telling you that the New Mandalorians have it wrong on everything, peace is a laudable objective, and war for war sake’s is something nobody should wish for.” he admitted, “But the world isn’t made of black and white, and you can’t reject a whole culture without making the effort of understanding it first.”
“And if I still don’t like it?”
“Then you don’t like it.” Obi Wan shrugged, “But that doesn’t give you the right to refuse the existence of people who don’t agree with you.”
The young teenager was looking conflicted.
“Alright.” she agreed, “I can learn things. I’m good at that.”
Obi Wan smiled softly, “You are.” he agreed
And strong-headed enough that once she’d taken up a challenge, she wouldn’t give up halfway, he knew – not that he told her, he knew far too well her temper to tempt it.
¤.¤.¤
Arya had made a first stop on Nar Shaddaa, despite the planet being out of her way – after all, when one wanted to find information on illegal moves, the den of debauchery that was the planet was one of the best places to look.
Especially given that her current focus – the Offworld Mining Corporation, a recent firm that had been quickly rising in the mining business, was known for their ties with the Hutts.
It didn’t take her long, lurking in the cantinas, to hear some rumors, not only about the company, but more importantly, about their more shady dealings. She wasn’t really surprised to learn that Offworld Corp made liberal use of slaves – Obi Wan had already told her as much, and for someone working with the Hutts, it was all but expected.
More surprising, had been learning about the Arcona Mineral Harvest Corporation, a small firm on rise, who was known for buying slaves’ contracts, freeing them, and giving them a job. Obi Wan had told him about it too, thought he’d easily admitted that all he remembered about it was the few things he’d learned as a teenager, so not much. Understandably, the half-Mirialan had been a bit leery about the company – that looked a bit too good to be true. Nobody just freed slaves and gave them a new life without being either a true philanthropist, or hiding some skeletons in their closet.
Learning the truth wasn’t too hard – as she was lucky enough to stumble on the man who owned Arcona Corp, and his wife.
And the least she could say – was that the couple was rather unorthodox, as the man was a Zygerrian, who came from a long line of known slavers, while his wife was a Cathar former slave. Shintai M’rin was a nar-depur, a reformed slaver who’d changed his ways and left his old life behind for the love of his wife, who’d been a slave in his family since their childhood.
Arya’s senses had quickly told her that – as rare as these stories were, the couple were genuine — and Arcona really was as benevolent as it appeared.
Her talk with Shintai and Naluka had lasted long into the night, as clearly, both had a common enemy in the Offworld Mining Corporation. Arcona Corp hadn’t made themselves many friends among those that worked with the Hutts, with their policies regarding slaves – and it was becoming quite evident to them that Offworld had been tasked by the Cartel to put their company six feet into the ground.
Arya had left Nar Shaddaa with the personal holo-frequency of the couple, and had quickly put Shmi in touch with them – before heading toward Telos.
Even warned, it had been startling to land on the planet.
There was a heavy security force on the planet, but it wasn’t really needed, as most of the population had all but fallen obsessed with UniFy’s Katharsis, a gambling den that relied on violent fights, and where a victory could set someone for life.
Everyone was singing praised of Xanathos du Crion, who’d saved the planet from his father’s reign, and so on, not even knowing the then teen had worked with the man during his attempted coup against the neighboring planet.
Even better, the young new governor was acting to protect the natural resources of the planet thanks to his partnership with UniFy.
Of course, Arya, thanks to Obi Wan’s memories, but also to the time she’d spent on Nar Shaddaa, knew about the ties between the supposedly ecological company and Offworld Corp, that was well-know for their destructive ways when mining.
And from what the returned Jedi had told her – if they took too much time exposing the fallen Jedi’s activities, it would all but condemn the planet, whose natural sites would get destroyed, and would go from a popular touristic world to an impoverished industrialized one.
With her cover as a smuggler, it hadn’t been too hard to lurk around Katharsis, and but a few days to confirm what she already knew – in other words, that the violent fight that so fascinated the population were, in fact, rigged, and that half of the money went back toward UniFy. She’d quickly spread the rumor around – next was left to prove the ties between the front company and Offworld Corp.
Since the population was so obsessed with Katharsis, even the mere rumors of the fights being rigged had caused some backlash – and it hadn’t taken long before Xanathos du Crion showed his true face, ordering the security forces to bring order back to Thani, the capital city. This hadn’t been a good move – the planet had been in a civil war barely ten years earlier, and still remembered the dictatorial ways of his father.
Infiltrating the Sacred Pools, where the first mining machines were being unloaded and larges crates bearing the seal of Offworld Corporation, hadn’t been all that hard for the former Imperial Agent, as was setting a few discreet holo-cameras.
It was as she was getting ready to head back to town that she’d felt someone approach – not merely a guard, but a Force user. Xanathos du Crion didn’t feel like the mad dogs she’d met on Korriban – thought, clearly, the young man wasn’t all there either.
He was tall, wearing simple but high-end clothes, with aristocratic features, intense blue eyes – and a simple broken circle scar on his left cheekbone.
“A small-time smuggler? I expected better,” he drawled as he arrived in the area, “still well-done for coming this far.” a smirk, “But I’m afraid you won't be leaving the area that easily.”
“You don’t look very surprised by all this.” she pointed, gesturing at the mining material around them, “But I guess you wouldn’t be, since you’re the one who allowed it!”
He laughed, “So what? These are merely old rocks! Rocks that’ll make me rich!”
“Yeah, you would need some money, wouldn’t you. After all, you’ve managed to empty the vaults of your company in a mere few years, even while pilfering the planet's own resources, talk about bad management.”
“What does a smuggler knows about managing an empire?”
“An empire? So it’s not just a corporation now?”
“Offworld is merely the first step in my vision!”
Arya rolled her eyes.
The tall human in front of her had incriminated himself more than enough by now.
“Ah well,” a smirk, “I’m afraid I’m not quite a smuggler, but also a licensed bounty hunter, which means I can arrest criminals as long as I’ve got a proof of their crimes.” she told him, “Thanks for admitting to your crimes, I’ll be taking you in now.”
“You think I’m going to come peacefully?” he laughed again – and she wasn’t surprised to see a red lightsaber appear in his hands
She smiled – now she could arrest him not only as a bounty hunter, but as a Jedi. She pushed a button on the command tied around her wrist to stop the recording and live-broadcast he hadn't know about, and stopped hiding her Force presence.
The fallen Jedi looked visibly surprised, clearly not having expected her ability to hide her Force signature – something rather paradoxical, given that he knew how to do it.
“I don’t need you to come peacefully.”
The fight didn’t last long – Xanathos wasn’t a bad duelist, but he was young, and hadn’t grown up in a galaxy at war. His attempt at Force chocking her was batted away with but a thought, making the other’s eyes widen in disbelief.
“Who are you?” he eventually asked, understanding that he was loosing their fight, “You’re no Jedi!”
“I never claimed to be one.”
Compared to the war on Melida/Daan, it honestly had been a far simpler affair to track down the fallen Jedi, force him to admit to his crime, and arrest him. When Arya had left Telos behind, there had been some unrest on the planet following the arrest of their current governor. But the new government was already shaping up to take care of things, as the planet hadn’t been as completely destroyed as Melida/Daan had been over her centuries of war – as for Xanathos, he’d been condemned to exile, as it was known that fallen Jedi were to be given to the Jedi, as a regular prison wouldn’t hold them.
The council had been quite stunned to see the Shadow arrive with the lost padawan in tow, and even more when she’d quickly pointed out that while he was clearly no Jedi material, and a criminal that had to serve a sentence – he was also not irredeemable.
“So, what would you have done with him?”
“Keep him in one of those Force-free cells you have and schedule some time with a mind-healer.” Arya shrugged, as it felt rather evident to her, “Falling was his choice, but given that he was sixteen, it’s also clearly a failure of the order.”
¤.¤.¤
Mace looked like he had a headache – and Obi Wan, when she’d retold the meeting later that evening, had been laughing so hard he’d nearly fallen from his chair.
He did agree that it was a failure of the Order – they gave such an emphasis about individual choices, that they too often failed to give their young the support they needed in their formative years, when they inevitably made mistakes.
After Xanathos du Crion had ended in the Order’s cells, and his sentence had become known, it hadn’t taken long before Qui-Gon Jinn himself came knowing down their door, looking far too furious for a Jedi master – but then again, Jinn had never been a model Jedi.
Arya had taken one look at the angry master on their door-step, prevented him from saying anything, and decreed, “Ok, let's go to the training room, then we’ll talk.”
Jinn hadn’t been given a chance to protest – and given his anger, hadn’t really minded the occasion of venting his turmoil in a more physical way. Arkous had trailed behind them, Obi Wan in tow, the smile on his face telling all that the padawan needed to know about the situation – the Sith knew this was going to be an entertaining show.
And it really was – as unconventional as he was, Jinn was the Ataru master of the temple, despite his large frame, and for all that he was a consular Jedi rather than a guardian, he could outmatch and outlast most of them.
The sparring session lasted nearly two hours, and by the end of it, all anger had been drained out of the man along with his stamina.
“Xanathos will never walk the path of a Jedi again.” he said tiredly, all but dropping on the floor in defeat
“Sure.” Arya agreed, surprising him, “That doesn’t make him some sort of monster under the bed, just a misguided young man.”
“Once someone has touched the Dark side, they can never come back to the light.”
“Bantha-shit.”
The profanity startled a laugh out of him.
“That man is far too ambitious to be a good Jedi, and he lacks a correct moral compassion.” a shrug, “Ambition isn’t a bad thing in plenty of lines of work, and a moral compass can be rebuilt. That’s what the mind-healing sessions are for.” she explained, “If anyone who strayed from the right path even once was hopelessly lost after, there wouldn't be any use for prisons, we’d be better off just executing them. But things aren’t that clear-cut, thankfully.”
“For regular people maybe, not for Force users!”
“Do you really think that your Force powers makes you that different from the rest of the galaxy? We’re just like anyone else on that point.” a shrug, “Sure, there are some hopeless assholes who should never be freed, mad as a hatter psychos that shouldn't see the light of day either… But mostly, there are numerous regular idiots who need to be taught better, and Xanathos is the latter.”
Obi Wan’s former master visibly struggled with her affirmation, before blurting out, “That’s heresy.”
Arya laughed loudly, “That’s rich coming from you, master Jinn. About half of the traditionalists think you should be in a cell right by your padawan’s side.” she pointed out to him, startling him, “Your own opinions are often seen as heretical, but the second someone says something you don’t agree with, that’s your answer?”
This struck home, the man really not liking being compared to his detractors – and Arya wasn’t wrong, he knew it well. Jinn had always been a bit too grey, a bit too emotional, a bit too disregarding of the rules, for many people in the order.
“Do you really think… He can be better?”
The fragile hope in his tone broke something in Obi Wan’s heart – Jinn had healed, over their years of partnership, and he’d nearly forgotten, how raw and broken a man he’d been, how long he’d carried the weight of his guilt and failure as Xanathos’ master, of the wound left behind by the teenager’s betrayal…
“He’ll never be a Jedi.” Arya reiterated, “But a better man than he currently is?” her eyes grew distant, thinking back to the fallen Jedi she’d fought
Just like Obi Wan had told her – he wasn’t a good man, but he wasn’t hopeless either.
“If he wants to, then he can.” she finally settled on, “And that’s what the mind healer is supposed to help with.”
The next day, Qui-Gon had gone to the High Council to ask to see his fallen padawan – they’d told him this would be decided by the prisoner's mind-healer, who’d rather quickly accepted, as he felt there were some unresolved feelings between the two that needed to be laid out to help Xanathos progress – and maybe Qui-Gon too along the way.
The day after, he was once more on their door-step, this time with a bottle in hands and an apology on his lips.
Somehow – Obi Wan’s former master had become a regular visitor. Which meant it was only a matter of time before he stumbled on Feemor Din during one of his visits.
And clearly, the shared mind-healing sessions with Xanathos and his mind-healers had helped, as the first thing the grey Jedi had done was to apologize to his former padawan and offer to reinstate him – but only if he wished to.
Sehn had been rather stunned, as he hadn’t done the details behind why he’d never seen his grand-master, and had rather understandably been incensed on his master’s behalf for his accidental repudiation. Something that seemed to make Qui-Gon approve of the young Noorian all the more, much to Arkous, Arya, and Obi Wan’s hilarity.
That evening had been spent in heated debates, quite a bit of alcohol had been drank – and Qui-Gon and Feemor had ended up crashing in their spare bedroom, Obi Wan sharing his room with Sehn.
He was starting to understand more and more what Arkous had meant about Arya’s habit of gathering strays – and he found himself understanding all too well why Arkous didn’t mind.
After all, little by little, the Mirialan was gathering around them all those who had been his family once upon a time – all of this in a near accidental way.
Sure enough, those relationships weren’t the same as the old ones – but they were all shaping to be just as close, and just as enjoyable, as they’d been in another life.
When he’d woken up the next morning, to see Feemor and Qui-Gon, bleary-eyed, around the breakfast table, Sehn on the floor with Padfoot, Blanche and Kagetsu, Arkous in front of the stove cooking up a pile of some sort of spicy pancakes, and Shmi and Arya happily talking in the couch, he hadn’t been able to control the burst of joy/love/gratefulness for the strange couple, without whom he didn’t know how he’d have handled this second chance at his life.
He didn’t even find it in himself to feel mortified when the two caught the feelings over their bond, sharing back their own fondness without missing a beat – this was after all something they’d been teaching him, how to accept and embrace his feelings despite his Jedi upbringing.
¤.¤.¤
The New Year Fête days came by quickly, and was far more joyous than the previous one on Melida/Daan.
Arkous, Arya and Obi Wan had taken a trip to little Keldabe to enjoy some uj’alayi and tihaar. By now, all three of them were familiar figures in the Mandalorian district. The returned Jedi had been rather amused to notice that, somehow, the warrior people had better seen the odd couple for what they truly were than the Jedi.
Because, as much as they blended in easily in the temple – neither were truly Jedi. Not only because they didn’t shy from the Dark Side – thought Obi Wan hadn’t seen Arya use it yet, merely speaking with her made her knowledge of it clear – but for their core philosophy.
Jedi were peacekeepers, not warriors.
Arkous and Arya thrived in battle, and both had fought quite a few times in the unofficial arena hidden under the largest cantina of the district… Not that Obi Wan could blame them, as now that he was finally more honest with himself about his skills as a warrior, he was finding himself regretting never having gone down in that ring in his previous life – and right now, he was still too young, as the fights were only opened to those over fourteen-year-old.
“Are these… live blades?”
Obi Wan turned toward the incredulous voice, stunned to see the young, though still familiar, face of Satine Kyrze.
“They couldn’t well use lightsabers here.” he answered, “Still, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
There was a stubborn tilt in her chin, “I told you I would learn about them, didn’t I?”
“That you did.” he agreed, “And what have you learned?”
Satine sighed, far heavily than a child should, before answering.
“That I was narrow-minded and had a superiority complex.” she said with a disgusted frown, impressing Obi Wan
The self-assessment was harsh, probably far harsher than she really merited, but merely being able to say something like that about herself proved the young teen-aged girl’s strength of mind.
“The first attempt on my life I remember was when I was three years old.” she admitted, “Most of what I remember of my childhood is violence and death, which is why father eventually sent me to Coruscant. For my safety.” a sigh, “And life here was everything it wasn’t on Kalevela.”
“Safe. Bloodless. Cultured.”
“That and more.” she agreed, “I love it.” she reiterated, “But… They’re also the same people who’ve taught me my people were but a band of savage barbarians whose ways were better left entirely forgotten…”
There was anger in hers eyes. Because for all that she despised violence – Satine was purely Mando, stubborn and proud, hot-headed and hard-headed.
“Yet you told me they were wrong. And you were right.” she glanced at the arena; where Arya had just down a Devaronian Mando twice her size, “I still don’t like violence.” she admitted, “But that’s not all there is to Mandalore, is it?”
“It isn’t.” he agreed
“I hadn’t even realized I missed the food until you made me come to Little Keldabe.” she admitted, “Or the liveliness.” a cute frown, “I had nearly forgotten the tales my sister used to tell me as a child.”
“Your sister?” Obi Wan prompted
That – had been a complicated relationship, he remembered, with Satine aligned with the New Mandalorians while Bo-Katan had instead enrolled in the Death Watch…
But right now, there wasn’t the sadness/longing/bitterness that used to tinge Satine’s aura when she talked about her sister, a life-time ago.
“Bo is… stubborn.” Obi Wan struggled no to laugh at that, talk about a pot calling a kettle black, “She’s also a proud Mando.” a sigh, “The only reason she hasn’t joined the True Mandalorians yet is that she knows she lacks training.”
“This is something your father should have seen to.” he couldn’t help but say
Teaching your children to fight was a tenet of the True Mandalorian code – but also an age long tradition for all the clans.
“He should have.” she agreed, “Which is why Bo is furious against him…” a sigh, “But I understand why he didn’t.” a shrug, “We’re on the edge of civil war. Sending us to Coruscant ensured our safety. But finding a fighting instructor would have been too much like siding with the True Mandalorians…”
“Which the Jorad’alor really can’t afford to with how unstable the situation is currently.” Obi Wan understood
The Jorad’alor was a rather recent position, barely two hundred years old – it had been established as a counterweight to the all powerful Mand’alor, a way to give back their voice to the clans, and had also fallen on the shoulders of the clan Kyrze. It was a diplomatic position, mostly – but even diplomacy among the Mando’ade tended to be rather more violent than among any other people.
“Precisely.” Satine agreed, before starting to cough, “What is that?!”
Obi Wan realized the poor girl had grabbed his mug instead of her own – and as much as he’d kept his taste from it from the future that wouldn’t be, tihaar really wasn’t something most twelve years old would enjoy.
“Your master lets you drink something like that?” she asked, flabbergasted
“Arkous is… unconventional.” Obi Wan settled on with a shrug
“Well, he comes from a specie who loves children but is also rather… hands-on when it comes to education.” Arya said, surprising Satine, who hadn’t heard the couple approach
“You say this as if you were any better.” the returned Jedi pointed out, rolling his eyes
Arya didn’t grace him with any answer, instead stealing one of the spicy honeyed cakes from his plate.
“Still,” she said as if he hadn’t interrupted her, “It’s good to see you learning more about your people.” she told the young girl with a proud smile, “Admitting that you lacked knowledge, and taking the steps to correct said lack of knowledge, is something many adults are incapable of.”
Satine had blushed under the praise – but quickly, any embarrassment had been lost, as she easily fell into conversation with the trio of Force users.
She remained with them deep into the night, following them along the traditional dances and rhythms – not always quite familiar with them, yet falling into them easily, as if her blood remembered for her.
They’d discreetly dropped her back in the dormitory of the very private, upper end, school where she resided – and hadn’t separated without officially sharing their holo-com frequencies this time.
Over the next few weeks, Obi Wan had met a few more times with the girl, eventually meeting her sister. And Bo-Katan – had been as much, if not more, of a surprise, as Satine’s willingness to study her culture had been. Because while she was already brash, and pure mandorkarla, this wasn’t yet the hard woman who’d aligned with the Death Watch – merely a teenager who wanted the best for her people.
And finally – the mission Obi wan had been waiting for came around.
¤.¤.¤
Of course – the first time around, he hadn’t been there for the debacle, as he was on his way to Bandomeer and not even a padawan yet. But the repercussions had been felt by all among the Order.
Master Dooku’s last official mission, thought it had taken him over a decade more before officially leaving the Order.
The Massacre of Galidraan.
Not, of course, that they had any intention of letting things go the same way again.
Which was why Mace Windu had been warned not to take any incoming mission regarding the Mandalorians at face-value – and why, in turn, Arya had been sent away toward said sector, taking the chance to perfect her cover as a smuggler along the way.
“When I was told that another expert on Sith matters had been found for the mission on Ryloth, I must admit I hadn’t expected it to mean that a mythical pureblood Sith had been found.” had been Dooku’s first comment when Arkous and Obi Wan had been called to the council along with the man, his padawan, and the other knights who had been drafted for the mission on Galidraan
Needless to say, this had provoked some startled mutters from said knights – and of course, no surprise from the Council, who’d had time to come to terms with his specie since the meeting with Feemor Din, over half a year ago.
“Well, it does make me an expert.” Arkous pointed out easily, not bothering to deny the veiled accusation
Obi Wan had to refrain from rolling his eyes, as he could clearly feel through their bond that his master was enjoying riling up the Jedi master – and gob-smacking the knights in the room.
“Yes, yes,” Mace had managed to say with far more levity than he had felt back when he’d learned about the man’s true nature, “master Arkous belongs to the otherwise extinct Sith specie. He’s also a crèche master who has raised several thousands younglings who became successful Jedi, over the course of three thousand years.” he eyed Dooku pointedly, “If we can get back to the mission briefing?”
The lapidary answer seemed to cut the incoming questions short, none of them having expected the Council to admit so clearly to the red skinned Force user’s origin.
“We’ve received a request from the Senate to take care of a terrorist organization that has been hitting not only political targets, but also villagers.” master Koth said, making a few holo-pictures of destruction scenes pop up
The scenes were gruesome, whole villages destroyed, and it was visible that not even the children were spared.
“But,” the Zabrak Jedi said, “while your mission is to take care of the insurgents who’ve perpetuated such an atrocity…” another document popped up, “There seem to be some discrepancies in the report that reached the Senate.” he explained, “Which can probably be attributed to how unstable the current Mandalorians factions are. As such, we’ve included a report on said factions. Study it, and act accordingly to what you actually witness once on site.” as if an afterthought, he added, “Master Arkous will be this mission’s leader.”
Of course, this provoked a few more mutters – that were quickly interrupted by Yoda’s cane echoing on the ground, “Act like Jedi you should, and not younglings.” he said pointedly, “Seniority master Arkous clearly has, and the right field of experience for a combat mission. Learn from him, you should.” a smirk, “After all, learn from him, I did.”
“I’ve booked a training room.” the Sith Lord told the dozen of Jedi who’d be going on a mission with them, “This will give us a chance to familiarize with each other’s fighting style.” he smirked, “And to let you alleviate any doubts you may have about my competency.”
Obi Wan was amused to see that the offer was taken on rather enthusiastically – Jedi were curious by nature, after all, and the casual way the Council had mentioned Arkous’ past had only raised more questions than it had answered. Since the man’s rumor had already been going around the temple as Yoda’s former crèche master, reconciling this fact with his nature as a Sith was difficult, and all agreed that a few rounds of sparring may well be what everyone needed to get a better idea about what the man really was.
Obi Wan – really wasn’t surprised to see Dooku was the first to step on the ring to face his master.
The duel between Arkous and Dooku was – impressive. The aging human was renowned as the best duelist of the Order, and though he hid it quite well, it was rather clear to the returned Jedi that he enjoyed it greatly – perhaps a bit more than a Jedi ought to, but Obi Wan really couldn’t judge him for this.
Seeing the intense bout of saber fighting had made the knights own fighting styles look rather tame, thought none of them were bad at it – they were being sent on what was probably a violent mission after all, and has been picked for it for a reason.
Obi Wan had his own chance to go against some of the knights, something he relished in, as by now, he’d regained enough of his muscle memory that fighting against sparring partners his age was rather predictable – and only the strongest of the senior padawans were really a challenge anymore. As such, he’d also easily trounced Komari Vosa, Dooku’s padawan, a young woman who had half a decade on him and clearly didn’t like to be beaten by someone so young – remembering her fate, the returned Jedi hadn't been too surprised by her excessive pride, that really wasn’t a good trait for a Jedi.
His abilities had earned a few appraising glances from both the knights and Dooku, but he was getting used to it as he’d raised a few eyebrows already by flying through the junior padawan study modules.
The week it took to get to Galidraan, that was an outer rim world, meant that the team of Jedi got more than enough time to get to know each other, and peruse the files they’d been given about the current Mandalorians factions.
“I see what the Council meant when they said there were discrepancies in the reports.” knight Fisto had been the first to muse around the second day, “According to what I’m reading, the one accused to be terrorists are men who work for the current leader of the system. And the current Mandalore hasn’t shown any ambition as a conqueror. This doesn’t fit.”
Obi Wan nodded, “The Haat Mando’ade do act as bounty hunters and mercenaries, but they don’t accept just any contracts.” he agreed with the Nautolan
Their suspicions already awakened were only confirmed by the meeting with the governor. The man, an old human, wearing richly ornamented clothes, and greed oozing from his aura, had obfuscated and answered with false-truths and even outright lies to every question they’d asked.
“This.” Dooku muttered as they headed back to their ship, “This is precisely what I’ve been warning the Council about! This man is only looking to make use of us like… Like attack hounds!”
“But the Council wasn’t fooled.” Roonan knight Halsey pointed out, managing to somewhat soothe the seething master
“They weren’t.” Dooku agreed, looking suddenly both more tired and more hopeful, “They haven’t just let things be lately.” he eyed Arkous shrewdly, “Since you woke up, I’d say.”
“Sith are good at stirring up Jedi, aren’t they?” the red skin man answered with a smile that showed off his sharp canines
The answer made the knights laugh, as they’d had the travel to get used to Arkous’ caustic brand of humor.
“So, since the governor is clearly lying, what do we do?” Fisto asked the Sith – who was, after all, the mission’s leader
“How about asking the pretty Mirialan?” a familiar voice interjected, making quite a few of the knights stumble. Obi Wan held in a snicker as Arya appeared, wearing her smuggler’s outfit, and gave a rather salacious wink to her husband, “I’ll even give you a discount for the intel, handsome!”
Arkous snaked an arm around her waist, “How about a drink about my starship, and we’ll discuss your pay?” his smile was just as lascivious as her's, making Obi Wan wonder when he'd gotten used to their seduction game, that worked so well as a smoke-screen, “I’ve even a private cabin.”
Obi Wan rolled his eyes as most of the knights fell behind the couple, all of them surprised by the unforeseen mood swing of their mission leader. Then they hurried behind him, as he’d sent them a sharp call in the Force.
“What the kriff?” padawan Vosa all but shrieked, earning a sharp glare from her master – the returned Jedi rolled his eyes, used by now to the girl rather abrasive character
By the time they’d all piled back in the ship, Arya was sprawled against Arkous’ side in the largest of the mess’ couches, both of them already with a drink in hand. Obi Wan didn’t bat an eyelash, and sat on the Shadow’s other side, shamelessly picking some of the grilled skewers she’d somehow procured on the way.
“So?” he asked
“That governor is an idiot who doesn’t know how to encrypt his files.” Arya sighed, “His password is his life day, for kriff’s sake!”
She took out a portable holo-unit, and lines of text appeared in the air.
“And this…” a smirk, “Is the contract he’s signed with Mand’alor Fett himself to pacify three villages.”
“So what is he playing at then?” Human knight Olan Tillisk wondered,
“Clearly, he’s trying to use us to get rid of the guys he’s hired… But why?”
Another document popped from Arya’s holo-unit – this time, it was clearly a banking statement, “Money.” she dead-panned, “Our dear governor has recently received a rather generous donation of nearly ten thousand credits.” she frowned, clearly annoyed, “Though the senders were less inept than him, so I haven’t been able to trace them yet.”
“Nonetheless, we’ve now got the confirmation the Haat Mando’ade aren’t the people we’re looking for.”
“So the next step is taking a look at the destroyed villages.” Dooku mused
“And speaking with the Mand’alor.” Arkous added
Most of the knights winced.
“Jedi don’t really have the best history with Mandalorians.” Fisto was the one to point-out
“Well, then that’s a good thing I’m not a Jedi, eh?” Arya smirked, stretching out – Obi Wan was amused to note that several of the knights had trouble keeping their eyes off her as she did this
He eyed Arkous, wondering how the Sith would react – and was rather surprised to see that he was both amused and smug.
“Let them watch all they want, it’s not as if they have a chance.”
The returned Jedi startled, not having expected the other to be able to talk to him mentally that easily. The Sith raised an eyebrow – reminding him that of course they could talk mind to mind that easily – they had a rather powerful Force bond after all.
The next day, while the Jedi contingent was taking off toward the nearest of the destroyed villages, Arya and her SandwalkingMooka were taking off toward the last known position of the Haat Mando’ade.
“Su cuy’gar, Mand’alor.” Arya greeted, rather thankful to have spent enough time in Little Keldabe that she had unlocked both the MandalorianLanguage and Cultureproficiencies
She’d been escorted inside the Mandalorian encampment by a couple of Mando’ade in armor, but thought they clearly wondered what business a smuggler had with their leader, they hadn’t felt the need to worry about her presence.
Arya was amused to notice that in three thousand years, some things hadn’t changed among the warrior people – most wore armor with distinctive color schemes and their clan’s sigil, and the camp was a beehive of coordinated chaos.
But with its few hundreds of souls, the camp felt – small – to Arya, who’d been used to clans moving together by the thousands, even during the war against Zakuul. She’d heard about the way the Galactic Republic had nearly destroyer them “preemptively” a few centuries before she woke up, and had been disgusted by it – but until now, she hadn’t really seen just how deeply it had impacted them.
“Su cuy.” a Mando'ade answered shortly – not unwelcoming, but clearly not one to do small talk before getting down to business
He wasn’t the tallest of the people around, and felt rather young to her senses – but he stood with the quiet self-assurance of a born leader, and just by looking at his posture, it was evident he was a good fighter.
“I’ve got a recording for you to see.”
He gestures to her to go ahead, and she could see the people around her watch her carefully as she got her holo-unit out. This time, it wasn’t their contract, or the banking accounts of the governor she pulled out – but the plea for help he’d sent the Senate.
She felt anger grow around them, as the old politician put on a tearful face, telling about the savage ways of the True Mandalorians, those terrorists who’d started to destroy wholes villages, down to the children, without any mercy.
“As you can guess, after such an… impassioned speech, the Senate has agreed to send a team of Jedi.”
The anger was tinged with worry now – with how often they’d been on opposite sides, the Mando’ade knew better than most just how terribly effective Jedi could be in a fight.
“But Jedi are not the Senate’s attack dogs, contrarily to what some would like to believe.” she pushed on, “So they decided to do their own investigation of the situation.”
Now, the worry was replaced by curiosity, while Jango Fett, no matter how furious he felt, kept on listening – impressing Arya by the tight leash he was holding on his emotions.
“Finding your contract with the governor wasn’t hard.” she pointed out, “So they understood that all wasn’t as it seemed.” a smirk, “And Jedi don’t like being taken for idiots any more than Mando’ade do.” there was some laugh at that, “So they’re investigating the villages, and are open to work with you, since clearly, someone has been trying to put us against each other.”
“The Jedi wants to work with us?” an incredulous voice echoed among the armored men around them – and while he’d been the one to talk the loudest, he wasn’t the only one to echo the feeling
“They do.” she agreed, “But they also realize that you don’t have the best shared history, which is why they sent me with their proposal rather than just barge into your camp.”
This made most people around her pause – and she could feel that their leader was weighting his options.
“What would we do?”
“Find who's behind those massacres.” Arya said, “As their mission is to put a stop to them. I’ve the holo-frequency of the master in charge of their mission with me, and the first draft of a hiring contract, to tract said culprits.” she concluded
Around her, the noise rose as all started to talk. For now, Jango was mostly listening, taking in the reaction of his men – quite a few were against on principle, as just as she’d said, Mando’ade didn’t have the best history with the Jedi. But others were more angry at those who had tried to push them against each other – fighting voluntarily was one thing, being manipulated into a fight quite another. Finally, some were rather curious, as they knew the reputation of the Jedi, and wanted to see how it would be to fight by their side, rather than against them, for once.
Eventually, he nodded, “I’ll make a call with that Jedi, and we’ll take it from there.” he gestured at her to follow him, and headed toward what must be his personal tent, a Mando on his left side.
They settled around a small table, three drinks were poured in metal tumblers – Arya wasn’t too surprised to recognize ne’tra gal, a sweet black ale that was the go-to drink of many Mando'ade during the day.
Both Mando’ade having taken their helmet off, she saw them exchanging an approving glance.
“So, what’s your stake in this?” Jango finally asked
Arya eyed him thoughtfully.
She could lie and keep to her cover easily – but according to Obi Wan, this man had played an important role in the galaxy’s descent into turmoil, but could also help stabilize the whole Mandalorian sector.
She spread her senses, knowing the unnatural glow of her eyes could be attributed to the dim light of the tent, and focused on him.
Jango Fett was a harsh man. Proud, yet not uncaring of his clan. But he still hadn’t done much as a Mand’alor, feeling reluctant to step in his father’s steps despite having inherited his title – because he didn’t have his father’s vision, and knew it. Jango Fett was a good leader, but he didn’t feel like he could be the kind of man who brought his people together either. Still, Jango was fiercely proud of his people – he just didn’t think they needed him, hadn’t realized how the situation was degrading in the Mandalorian sector, despite Adonai’s Kyrze best efforts.
Jango was also a dangerous man, there was no doubt about it.
But right now – he didn’t have any personal grudges against the Jedi, and while he’d more or less run away from his duty as Mand’alor, he could be reminded about them.
¤.¤.¤
“My husband’s padawan is very fond of Mandalore.” she told him, “And right now, Mandalore needs its leader.”
The two Mando’ade shared a stunned look, and eyed her sharply. With a sharp smile, she casually put her lightsaber on the table.
“You are a jetii?” Jango Fett’s right hand asked incredulously
Arya shrugged. She still didn’t felt like a Jedi, not any more than Arkous felt like one, for all that he’d taken Obi Wan as an apprentice.
“I’m a Force user.” she agreed
Jango eyes her for a long moment, mind whirling.
“You didn’t need to reveal this.” he easily guessed, “But you want more than just working together on this mission, right?”
“I have… nothing concrete.” she told him, “Rumors and suspicions, but no proof…”
“But?”
“But it seems quite probable that not only has Kyr’tsad survived the battle of Korda VI, but they are the one who’ve arranged to put us against each other here.”
Shock, then fury, ran in the Mand’alor’s veins. Arya understood all too well – after all, Jango had lost his adoptive father, Mand’alor Jaster Mereel, on Korda VI.
“And it is very possible that Kyr’tsad is allied with people trying to move against the Jedi.” she added
She couldn't say much more – for now, the Sith had remained discreet enough that the ways they’d acted against the Jedi and the rest of the galaxy were all but impossible to prove.
There wasn’t much to be found in the destroyed villages.
Echoes of violence/fear/death, flashes of vision of men wearing Mandalorian armors… If they hadn’t been warned, Dooku mused as they gathered the bodies to give them at least a funeral pyre, it would have been so easy to believe that Jango Fett and his men were the culprits.
Knight Tillisk had managed to put back together a droid, who’d recorded part of the attack before being destroyed – and while the assailants were clearly Mando’ade, wearing the beskar’gam armors unique to their people, they were all painted black and blue, and bearing the jai’galaar sigil of House Vizla.
“Your eyes are drilling in my back.” Arkous told the aging master as he settled by his side to eat his midday ration
“You’ve managed to settle the worries of the knights with your little sparring session in the Temple.” Dooku told him, “But they didn’t fight you like I did.”
“None of them were skilled enough to be much of a challenge.” the Sith agreed, “Though they don’t lack potential. But you were good enough to truly feel my nature, weren’t you?”
“You are clearly a Dark Sider, for all that you are thoroughly different from all that we learn about the Sith in History classes.”
“I’ll reassure you.” Arkous smirked, “Even in my days, I was the exception, not the rule, your records aren’t wrongs. Most Sith were ruthless, destructive forces of nature. I was just lucky enough to be put on the path of balance.”
Dooku nodded, seemingly having expected it.
“You are balanced.” he agreed, “Which means us Jedi are going about it the wrong way, doesn’t it?”
“Jedi profess to strive for balance, but you are just as obsessed by the Light side as Sith are by the Dark.” Arkous confirmed, “You did yourself a disservice in getting away from your old code.”
“Passion yet Serenity…” Dooku mused, “It is not that easy, is it?”
“Of course it isn’t. The Dark is greedy, and tries to control. The Light allows one to fell into complacency far too easily.” the Sith shrugged, “I did my fair share of atrocities as a young Sith assassin. I killed my master before I was sixteen years old.”
“I’ve been… Struggling with the Temple’s complacency recently.” Dooku admitted, “I see now that things have started to change since you woke up.”
“Not me.” Arkous corrected, amused, “I’m not altruistic enough to try to save the galaxy.”
“Yet…”
“You can blame my wife.” Arkous rolled his eyes without heat, “She is altruistic enough for it.”
Dooku let out a startled laugh at that, eyes suddenly lighting in understanding, “Not a smuggler, then?”
As if on cue, Arkous’ holo-com beeped.
“Nuya Jen’Nwit?”
“Arkous, meet Mand’alor Jango Fett.”
Later that evening, the Jedi transport was landing near the SandwalkingMooka. Thought they hid it better, the Jedi felt just as dubious about cooperating with the Mandalorians as the warriors felt, and the next few hours were spent with each watching the other more or less discreetly, while Jango Fett and Arkous talked business.
Arya, still in her smuggler garb, easily laughing and drinking with Obi Wan, had helped to relax the Mando’ade – especially once the returned Jedi had slipped into Mando’a more and more as the evening went on, the familiar feeling of the camp making him a bit more nostalgic than he’d wanted to admit.
Of course, Arya could feel his mood slipping, which was why the teenager had soon found himself drowning in cuteness, as Padfoot, Blanche, and Kagetsu made their best effort at distracting him.
Then – the governor of Galidraan made a mistake.
Calling about a new ongoing attack – while Arkous was sitting at the same table as Jango Fett.
The Mand’alor had watched the leader of the Jedi team with confusion and amusement, as the man, a vicious smirk on his face, made the shady politician talk, and incriminate himself more and more. While the Mando entirely agreed with the tactic – he was pretty sure that a Jedi shouldn’t take so much pleasure in letting the idiot dig his grave. But then again, he’d come to understand, in a mere few hours, that neither Arya nor Arkous were regular Jedi.
After that – the alliance between Jedi and Haat Mando’ade was a done deal.
The Jedi had boarded their vessel, Arya had taken Obi Wan along, arguing she may need someone to man her turret, and a few Mando’ade ships had taken off with them, Jango Fett’s first among them.
The fight – no, the slaughter – was still ongoing when they arrived. Half the Haat Mando stayed in the air, immediately attacking what was indeed Death Watch’s forces, while the Jedi, and the rest of them landed, taking the ground fight to them too.
It was both harder and easier to fight against the Kyr’tsad than the Melida and the Daan – because the traitorous Mando’ade were far better trained than the Melidaan Elders, making the fight more complicated, yet at the same time, since they were trained warriors, Obi Wan felt far less compunction in fighting them seriously.
To the returned Jedi, the harsh battle – felt strangely familiar, and it was only the colors on Jango’s armor that prevented him from calling the man Cody when he warned him of an incoming attack.
Arya, he noticed, hadn’t taken her lightsaber out, but fought with the short sword he’d seen her use in Little Keldabe’s in one hand, and her T-181 in the other – making a rather discreet use of the Force, merely enhancing her body with it, reminding him that she’d spent years hiding her Force sensitivity.
The battle was long, and brutal – and the fighting by their side, the Haat Mando’ade were reminded of just why the Jedi were renowned warriors.
In the end, Tor Vizla had escaped with one of the few Kyr’tsad starship that hadn’t been shot down by the Haat Mando’ade, making Jango let out a primal scream of fury.
“Hut’uun!”
“Well,” Arkous had mused, “this is a rather auspicious start for our collaboration.” just out of the fight, the Sith was looking rather exhilarated, like most Mando’ade or Arya herself were — and, Obi Wan had to admit, just like he probably looked like too, “We’ve got ample proof of Kyr’tsad involvement and of the governor, and while he’s escaped, I’d say Tor Vizla has lost quite a few men today.”
Jango Fett grumbled, still visibly put out by his father’s killer escape, but knowing the other was right.
“This means our mission is over, right?” Kit Fisto mused, looking a bit put out – even Jedi didn’t like being made fool of, like the Kyr’tsad had tried, after all
“Finished?” Arkous smirked, “It’s only starting. We’ve been tasked to put a stop to the terrorists who attacked Galidraan. And while they’ve left, it’s pretty clear they aren’t going to just stop their actions.”
“But they’ve probably gone back to the Mandalorian system. The Republic doesn’t have any authority there.”
“We aren’t the Republic, aren’t we?” Arkous pointed out, “Besides, we’re not rude enough to just barge in, it would be rather impolite.” a smirk, “But since the Kyr’tsad have made terror attacks on a Galactic Republic territory, it’s only normal for them to be labeled as terrorist. As such, the Mand’alor has graciously agreed for some Jedi to work with his men in hunting them down.”
They’d headed back to the Haat Mando’ade’s camp, Obi Wan working on healing what he could with Force healing, the rest being taken care of by regular means.
Now that they’d fought together, amusingly, the Mando’ade were far more amicable – which the Jedi were reacting to differently. Kit Fisto, amusingly, was settling the best among the rowdy warriors. Dooku, always rather reserved, felt a bit out of place, though he remained cordial. Knight Tillisk, whose life had been saved by a well-timed push from Silas, Jango’s right hand, had somehow become fast friends with the man. Amusingly, all, Jedi and Mando’ade alike, were also sending speculating glances to Arkous, Arya and Obi Wan.
The first for his fighting style that was clearly far more bloodthirsty than any Jedi ought to be, the second for her abilities as a mere smuggler – since most didn’t know she was a Force user – and the last for the skills he’d shown despite his age.
¤.¤.¤
“You’re where?”
Mace wasn’t screaming – but this was a close thing. Near him, Yoda was cackling, and master Giiett was looking to be struggling not to laugh.
“Please explain, how a pacifying mission ended up with you following the kriffing Mand’alor home?” the master of the Order asked tiredly
The following explanation was heavy with implied yet unsaid hints about Obi Wan’s past-future. By the end of it, the Korun master was massaging his temples tiredly, “I guess this would explain it, yes.” he sighed, “Since this is shaping to be a longer than expected mission, I’ll arrange for a rotation once you’ve decided with the Mand’alor and the Jorad’alor how many of our own they’d allow in their system.”
As the communication shut down, Dooku raised an impressed eyebrow, “I know you say it’s all thanks to your wife, but truly… The Council has changed, and for the better. A year ago, they would have never condoned a mission that had drifted so much outside of its parameters, even if it was for the better.”
“No wonder you were about to leave.”
The grey-haired Jedi’s eyes widened, “How do you…”
“I don’t know how the Jedi don’t feel it, but to me, you’re edging between Light and Dark.” the Sith answered plainly, “You’ve touched the Dark side often enough that it has left its mark, and it has only added to the frustrations you already had against the Order.”
Dooku sighed.
“You’re… Not wrong.” he admitted, “I’ve always been a bit too interested in old Sith History.” a sigh, “And I knew that meddling too much with those artifacts meddled with my mind, but I hadn’t realized how much until I met you, paradoxically.”
“You were manipulated.” Arkous shrugged, “It’s natural enough, since Jedi are so afraid of the Dark side, they don’t teach how to tame it rather than be used by it.” he smirked approvingly, “But you’re not weak-willed, just seeing it could be used, rather than use you, put you on the path.”
“I guess I’m not really a Jedi anymore.”
“You’re no Sith either.” Arya reassured him, entering the conversation as if she’d been following it all along – which probably was the case, given her bond with the Sith, “But this galaxy could use a few more grey Force users.”
Obi Wan, who’d arrived with her, eyed Dooku with curiosity – he remembered the man as a Sith, and an enemy, but if the master could be derailed from his path, he certainly wouldn’t mind it.
“Grey?” he mused
This was what Qui-Gon had often been called, once upon a time – and true enough, the consular, far more impetuous than regular Jedi, had flirted with the Dark Side a few times.
He eyed Arkous, “That’s what balance is, in the end, isn’t it?” he mused
Dooku’s eyes widened, not having expected such a comment from a padawan.
“But it’s far harder than merely choosing one side or the other.” Arya answered, “Because you have to find your own limits, your own morality. Would you use a Dark Side ability to save a life?” a smile, “I know the first time I used Force Lightning as an electroshock to revive someone in front of a Jedi, they nearly went into cardiac arrest themselves.”
Arkous snorted, “Well, master Bakarn was set in his ways, but also a dedicated healer, the dilemma was a bit much for him. But he got used to it in the end.”
“There is a Light side equivalent to Sith Lightning.” Obi Wan couldn’t help but point out, “Emerald lightning focuses on righteous anger, the need for justice.”
“Then it’s not a Light Side ability,” Arkous shrugged, “it’s just a Dark Side ability used with uncorrupted feelings. Any ability using feelings is technically of the Dark Side, it’s just that over time, Jedi seem to have forgotten that not all Dark Side abilities are evil.” he rolled his eyes, “Of course us Sith made it rather easy to forget since most of us were psychopathic mental cases.”
“I always felt it rather hypocritical for Jedi to frown so much about emotions when their most effective healing methods all rely heavily on empathy.” Arya added musingly
Obi Wan nodded – it had surprised him too, when he’d started to learn, but clearly this was one of these things many people knew, yet didn’t talk about.
“Anyway,” Arya told them, “the Jorad’alor is about to arrive, Jango wants you in for the meeting.” she told Arkous, turning toward Dooku, “You’re welcome to, as are both of your padawans.”
“As if Obi Wan wouldn’t be welcomed.” Arkous snorted, “I’m pretty sure half of Jango’s men would adopt him if they didn’t know I’d kill them for it.”
Obi Wan sighed at the easy threat – thought he had to admit that knowing that someone would fight for him was a rather pleasant feeling. While the Jedi had though it was a joke, the first time he’d told it – most Mandalorians, somehow blessed with a better sense for latent danger, understood well enough that it really wasn’t.
The Force users piled out of the Sandwalking Mooka, from where Arkous and Dooku had been making their report. Komari was waiting nearby, probably called mentally by her master, and they quickly met with Jango Fett, who was waiting in what was both the war room and throne room of the Keldabe Fortress, siege of power of the Mand’alor.
A place Jango Fett had returned to for the first time since Jaster Mereel’s death.
Apart from them, there was already Silas waiting, along with Myles, another of the Mand’alor’s clansmen, along with A’kei of clan Awaud, a Twi’lek who’d been a foundling, adopted by a Mando’ade after being rescued from slavery, and had since become a renowned armorer.
The five Force users felt Adonai Kyrze arrive long before he barged into the room like a tornado of fury. If they hadn’t had the time to get used to Mando’ade’s ways, they would have feared the man was intent on killing his leader.
As it was, he did shoot at Jango, who avoided only to be decked in the face, returning the favor a moment later.
Apparently satisfied, the leader of clan Kyrze calmed down, and put his hand to his chest, saluting Jango.
“You were gone too long, Mand’alor.” was one of the first thing he told the other, looking – and feeling – exhausted, “My job is to be the voice of our people, Mand'alor, not to lead them.”
Obi Wan felt a flash of regret from Jango, but he merely answered gruffly, “I’m here now, Jorad'alor.”
4316.165.9 CRC – birth of Arya Lunika on Benduday (5th day of the week) of the 6th week of the 1st month of the year 4316 while in Hyperspace (3661 BBY / -7 ATC)
4320.412.0 CRC – Fluffy Mooka boarded, death of Sayah and Leelai Lunika, Arya Lunika registered to the Korriban Academy as “Jen’Nwit” (Little Shadow) by Darth Arkous (3657 BBY / -3 ATC)
4322.742 CRC –Arya saves Lyn’Me, they become sisters (3655 BBY / -1 ATC)
4323.273 CRC – Arya Lunika escapes the Korriban Academy and is recruited by Cipher Eleven (3654 BBY / 0 ATC)
4325.323.0 CRC – Deaknal (Born from the Wind) Raheth (Sandwalker) adopts Arya Lunika (3652 BBY / 2 ATC)
4328.444 CRC – Return to the Empire, Deaknal promoted (3649 BBY / 5 ATC)
4330.974 CRC – Lyn’Me escapes Korriban (3647 BBY / 7 ATC)
4331.165.0 CRC – re-birth of Padfoot, Arya leaves Dromund Kaas on her first solo mission (3646 BBY / 8 ATC)
4331.721 CRC – finding of the vergeance and re-birth of Blanche on Lothal (3646 BBY / 8 ATC)
4332.211 CRC– finding the vergeance of Ossus (3645 BBY / 9 ATC)
4332.231 CRC– return on Dromund Kaas (3645 BBY / 9 ATC)
4332.315 CRC– mission on Nal Hutta starts (3645 BBY / 9 ATC)
4333.164 CRC– arrival of Ketan Seva on Nal Hutta (3644 BBY / 10 ATC)
4333.333 CRC– Arya becomes Cipher Seven (3644 BBY / 10 ATC)
4333.923 CRC– Darth Arkous becomes a member of the Dark Council, Deaknal is promoted from Keeper to Minister (3644 BBY / 10 ATC)
4334.233 CRC– Dash.a Ellan becomes a Privateer for the Republic (3643 BBY / 11 ATC)
4334.762 CRC– War starts again (3643 BBY / 11 ATC)
4334.943 CRC– re-birth of Kagetsu (3643 BBY / 11 ATC)
4334.954 CRC– death of Sel-Makor (3643 BBY / 11 ATC)
4335.625 CRC– birth of Jela’Me, son of Lyn’Me and Xenloth Nor (3642 BBY / 12 ATC)
4337.172 CRC– death of Vitiate’s Voice in the Empire (3640 BBY / 14 ATC)
4340.835 CRC– battle against Revan (3637 BBY / 17 ATC)
4340.064 CRC– destruction of Ziost (3637 BBY / 17 ATC)
4341.174 CRC– Eternal Empire offensive (3636 BBY / 18 ATC)
4341.342 CRC– Arya wakes up (3636 BBY / 18 ATC)
4341.461 CRC– visit on Tython (3636 BBY / 18 ATC)
4341.512 CRC– defeat against the Eternal Empire, death of Darth Marr, Arya in cryostasis (3636 BBY / 18 ATC)
4346.364 CRC– Arya rescued and waked up (3631 BBY / 23 ATC)
4346.415 CRC– battle of Asylum (3631 BBY / 23 ATC)
4346.061 CRC– journey to Odessen’s core (3631 BBY / 23 ATC)
4346.074 CRC– Firebrand’s assault on Zakuul’s infrastructures (3631 BBY / 23 ATC)
4347.122 CRC– Arcann’s retaliation (3630 BBY / 24 ATC)
4347.413 CRC– assault on Zakuul (3630 BBY / 24 ATC)
4348.272 CRC– battle against Tenebrae (3659 BBY / 25 ATC)
4351.xxx CRC– Arkous starts living on Tython (3656 BBY / 28 ATC)
4383.xxx CRC– death of Deaknal (3624 BBY / 60 ATC)
4408.xxx CRC– death of Xenloth and Lyn’Me (3599 BBY / 85 ATC)
4439.xxx CRC– Aayla’Me becomes Grand Master (3568 BBY / 116 ATC)
4517.xxx CRC– death of Aayla’Me (3590 BBY / 194 ATC)
4568.xxx CRC– Arkous takes Arya’s pod to Coruscant (3539 BBY / 245 ATC)
6945.354 CRC– birth of Fay (1031 BBY / 2621 ATC)
6976.xxx CRC– Ruusan Reformation, Fay gives up her lightsaber (1000 BBY / 2652 ATC)
7080.075 CRC– birth of Yoda (896 BBY / 2756 ATC)
7919.653 CRC– birth of Obi Wan Kenobi (57 BBY / 3598 ATC)
7930.234 CRC– return of Obi Wan Kenobi, awakening of Arkous (46 BBY / 3598 ATC)
7930.262 CRC– awakening of Arya (46 BBY / 3598 ATC)
7930.265 CRC– second anti-poison (46 BBY / 3598 ATC)
7930.471 CRC– Obi Wan becomes Arkous’ padawan (46 BBY / 3598 ATC)
7930.654 CRC– Quinlan saves Aayla’Secura, Arya gets Pol Secura arrested (46 BBY / 3598 ATC)
7930.923 CRC– gambling cession at the Outlander (46 BBY / 3598 ATC)
7930.962 CRC– arrival on Hetzal Prime (46 BBY / 3598 ATC)
7930.971 CRC– arrival on Melida/Daan (46 BBY / 3598 ATC)
7931.212 CRC– counter-offensive begins (45 BBY / 3599 ATC)
7931.423 CRC– return to Coruscant (45 BBY / 3599 ATC)
7931.475 CRC– Feemor’s presentation (45 BBY / 3599 ATC)
7931.642 CRC– first reformations (45 BBY / 3599 ATC)
7931.7xx CRC– pranking war (45 BBY / 3599 ATC)
7931.814 CRC– first meeting with Satine Kyrze (45 BBY / 3599 ATC)
7931.863 CRC– arrival on Telos (45 BBY / 3599 ATC)
7931.945 CRC– capture of Xanathos (45 BBY / 3599 ATC)
7932.222 CRC– battle of Galidraan (44 BBY / 3600 ATC)
7932.241 CRC– meeting with Adonai Kyrze (44 BBY / 3600 ATC)
Fluffy Mooka – Defender Class light corvette, lime green paint job (Sayah and Leelai Lunika’s starship)
? – Praetor Class frigate (Exchange slave cargo)
Ember – Fury Class light corvette (Darth Arkous’ starship)
? –X-70B-Phatom (Cipher 11’ starship)
Unfettered Mooka – XS Stock Class light freighter, lime line around the hull (Davin and Dash.a Ellan’s starship)
Ziost’ Revenger – Terminus Class destroyer (Darth Marr’s flagship)
SandwalkingMooka – DeepWater Class light freighter, double lime- line along the top of the hull (Dasha’s starship)
Red Bird – HT 2200 Class light freighter, black band with blue borders all around the hull (Shmi’s ship)
- Repository(enhancement): unlocks the Repository System
Kitsune Weave(clothe, leveling, LV30):+30 Physical Defense
FuurinKiba (weapon, leveling, LV30): +1 AG, +32 Cutting Damages
- Saya(enhancement): +10 Force Reservoir
KageShin (weapon, leveling, LV30): +1 WIS, +31 Shadow Damages
ShiroInu Tessen (weapon, leveling, LV30): +1 LUCK, +30 Cutting Damages
Trill-181 prototype (weapon, leveling, LV30, adaptable: blaster gun/carbine/rifle): +30/32/34 Energy Damages
Arkous’ Shoto Saber (weapon, leveling, LV30): +1 AG, +32 Force Damages
- Adegan Crystal (enhancement): +1 INT, WILL and WIS
- Daiyoukai Claws (enhancement): +2 damages
[Arkous’ Shadow Weave (clothe, leveling): + x Physical Defense) ]
(bXP)New Proficiency: Mando’a Language / Mando’ade Culture
current XP: 16 045
current LV: 37
XP to next level: 715
ARYA LUNIKA AGE 29 LV 37
BODY: Agility (15/1:16) / Strength (11/1:12) / Endurance (11/1:12)
MIND: Intelligence (12/2:14) / Willpower (15/2:17) / Wisdom (12/5:17)
Heart: Presence (10/4:14) / Instinct (12/3:15)
UNIQUE: Luck (30) / Element (17) / Godly (28)