57 Requiem for Mandalore

=RK=

Part 3

=RK=

Hangar

Royal Palace

Sundari

Mandalore

"It's good to see you again, Captain Trek." I returned the salute of my chief black ops operative. "You come bearing gifts I see." I waved at the transport landed behind the Clone.

We were into one of the private palace hangars – a large one that was mostly empty if you didn't count a pair of air cars parked at the far end. It was good place to unload some sample of the gear I could provide the Mandalorian corporations along with a present for my wife to be.

On that note, I was going married tomorrow, no matter what Skirata and his buddies decided to do. For the last two days they were busy debating over supporting my bid for Mandalore or not. At least very few of them had any qualms on taking part in planning the downfall of the Death Watch and taking part of the fun when the time comes.

"General. We brought the hardware we requested and I have a briefing ready that covers the more sensitive matters you had us handle." Trek nodded.

"Good work. Have your men unload the cargo and follow me."

A few minutes later, we were on board the transport, sitting in it's small cafeteria, which was swept clean for any surveillance devices. Nevertheless, I used the Force to make sure we won't be overheard. We sat around the smaller of the two tables over a cup of Caf and my man started speaking.

"First, Failsafe." Trek stated.

That was the project to establish a few hidden colonies where Force sensitives could be kept safe along with their families. Trained too and when everything was set up – carefully indoctrinated to see things my way.

"The Yavin IV site is being developed ahead of schedule. We have the prefab colony up and running and our guests have set up comfortably. Initial defenses are operational and we're proceeding with properly concealing the site while excavating the underground complex. Additional defenses would be build in when their bunkers are complete."

"Splendid. No problems with the guests?"

"They're glad we managed to get them out mostly in one piece and that we're keeping them under the radar of both Jedi and CIS brand Sith."

"It won't wast, but that's good enough for now. Bastion?"

"We've reactivated the base. The codes you provided worked like a charm. Given it's location and the extensive asteroid fields in orbit, it would make for a great industrial site, so we've tapped the system for project Forge as well." Trek gave me a searching look.

"Ah. I don't believe that a proper survey of the system was ever made. You found something interesting I take it?"

"A lot of useful stuff in the asteroids. Given the radiation thrown by the local star, the unremarkable planets in system and the high metal content in the asteroids, we can easily hide extensive shipyards in there and none would be the wiser unless they come in for a close look. There are enough resources to actually support a decent shipbuilding effort without imports."

"Once we bring all the machinery and specialists necessary, which won't be happening for the time being." I sighed. Well, Forge was a piece of long-term planning anyway. "Status of the Silencer?" I changed the topic.

"We'll have the prototype ready on time. As you know, it was build around a freighter we gutted and modified extensively. It's projected to have an acceptable fire rate and range, though it would be very vulnerable if it comes under fire. The first proper cruiser mounted version is still a few weeks away and the ship it's being fitted on is an obsolete craft even if it's in a good repair."

"Can't be helped. I won't risk losing control over that piece of hardware by giving it to the Republic at large." Letting it fall in CIS hands, which would be almost inevitable with too many of their and Palpy's agents still running around despite the best effort of the Republic intelligence services, would be even worse.

At least I would have an ace up my sleeve shortly.

"What forces can you bear in this conflict?" I waved around us.

"Mandalore? We've pulled back and scaled down our operations as much as I dare. So about a battalion of infantry, two armored battalions and two experimental artillery companies made by various weapon systems we've been testing."

I winced. Oh, unless everything went to hell I wasn't going to waste my special ops boys in a slugging match on the ground, but it was nice to have them on my disposal – even if they were going to be just a drop in the bucked if the worse happened.

"Space assets?"

"A bit better. Three refurbished Captor class cruisers – they're our main strike arm. We've converted them into heavy missile platforms. Thanks to our RI friends we have hundred and fifty of the new missiles for field testing per ship, the rest are standard concussion warheads." Trek grinned.

"What new missiles?" I apparently missed an R&D memo. Or, more likely, it was with Piett back above Geonosis. My aide was back on Yularen's flagship, dealing with loads of my less sensitive paperwork, while I was busy playing diplomat. It was character building for the poor bastard.

"The X-Ray laser warheads. It's an old technology that hasn't been used in, well millennia – the deflectors stopped such systems from being useful except in such numbers that they weren't economical or so the engineers tell me."

"Yet the boffins made them work?"

"In a manner of speaking. They are big damn missiles, so we'll be able to carry a limited number on anything that isn't a glorified missile platform anyway, have various problems that still need ironing out and are quite expensive to make useful against modern ships…" Trek trailed off his recitation.

"But?"

"Some testing apparently promised good results so we were tabbed for field testing a limited production run. The new missiles have the potential to significantly extend engagement range or give us much more potent alpha strike capability if used to augment a fleet's firepower. While they last anyway. The big bonus is that the laser head missiles would be much less vulnerable to Guardian interception and the like which can be useful if the weapon works as advertized."

"Once we're done, you're to go speak in person with Pellaeon and brief him on what you have available. He'll be in charge in space unless heavy reinforcements can arrive."

"Understood."

Huh. I had only mentioned the idea of laser warheads for missiles in passing while talking with the R&D people only to be assured that while they were useful when deflector technology was still immature, the thing were more than obsolete nowadays. It seems that someone played with the concept anyway and might have found a useful way to make it work.

Score one for the boffins. This sure was a pleasant surprise.

"We have five old Thranta War-cruisers ready to deploy with seven more being refurbished by various private contractors.

"The name doesn't ring a bell." I raised and eyebrow at Trek.

"Alderaani built escorts. Three hundred and fifty meters long, five heavy turbolaser canons, ten laser canons, decent shielding and speed for ships of that size. Our refits have Guardian installed along with disposable missile pods, which makes the ship quite sluggish, but I believe the increased firepower is worth it."

"Huh. We'll see how they'll handle. Have you used them in combat?"

"Only shakedown cruises and weapon testing." The Captain shrugged. "We have eight frigates of various origin as escorts and that's it, sir."

"That's great work, given what you started with. Does that explain where most of my funds went?"

"Along with some investment in various shipbuilding and industrial corporations." Trek nodded. "Just as you ordered, sir."

"Well done. How does the search go?" I asked.

"We've cleared about fifty percent of the facilities you can remember. A lot have been either destroyed or looted. Some have their support and stasis systems fail, making almost everything useless, though we continue to find mostly intact sites. We've already recovered enough small arms and light vehicles to outfit an army. Most of the heavy equipment requires extensive maintenance and in some cases either upgrades or partial rebuilds to be useful. A lot of the high end armors we've recovered are better than almost everything but custom made suits we can find on the market today. We've been throwing them new paint-job and plan to use them with your permission."

"Small arms and shields should be okay. Keep the armors in reserve until you find a way to make them less distinctively looking like imperial kit. That goes for the heavy equipment too."

"Understood. On that note, we would need a few orders of magnitude increase in support personnel if we're to make most of the recovered gear useful any time soon."

"I'll see what I can do. We'll be looking for help from RI and their colleagues too. I take it you haven't recovered anything of real note besides the chips and what we'll be providing the Mandalorians with?"

"Unfortunately no, general. We hit three sites that should have contained the good stuff as you put it. However, one was destroyed, one looted and the last had it's support systems fail and was partially breached by an earthquake when we reached it. The sensitive data and gear had been destroyed as the primary vault purged itself."

"A pity. When will you able to sent teams in the heart of former Imperial space?"

"About a month. We've been hitting the sites easiest and fastest to reach as ordered."

"That would have to do. Carry on. I have another meeting with Skirata to attend." I finished my Caf and stood up.

=RK=

Part 4

General Veil's quarters

Royal Palace

Sundari

Mandalore

"Obi-Wan, what am I to do with you?" I shook my head at the morose Jedi sitting on my couch.

Kenobi sent a glare my way. "It's your fault, I know it." He grumbled.

"Well, I might have mentioned something about that to Bo..." I trailed off and smirked, before sitting in an armchair facing my guest.

"Satine thought that it was a splendid idea!" The Jedi bemoaned.

"It is." I nodded sagely. If I was going to take one for the team, no matter how enjoyable or useful for me it was going to be, I was determined to rope in Obi-Wan too. Misery and marriages loved company. "You said yes, right?"

When Kenobi didn't give me a nod or other sign of confirmation, I became mildly concerned. He was one of the more reasonable Jedi and I've been corrupting his life long indoctrination for months so… Kriff, he didn't, did he?

"Kenobi..." I trailed off.

"I told her I needed time to think..." Obi-Wan muttered.

Oh, boy. Kriff it, I was a Sith and a general, not a kriffing relationship counselor! How the hell did I find myself in this position?!

"Obi-Wan, I'm well aware that most Jedi don't know how to deal with the opposite gender when feeling and all that stuff are concerned, but I had the vague impression that you had more than a few braincells to rub together. What the kriff is there to think about? You're in love with the infernal woman and I gave you a way to marry her that the Council can't really go after you about! It's not like you would be marrying primary for political gain!"

At least I was unexpectedly lucky on that front for a second time. While I didn't love Bo, there was undeniable attraction between us and she was great in bed. If I was lucky I might fall in love with her. Given that as a Sith it took an extreme amount of luck to be able to marry Ashara and not have Jedi and Sith coming for our heads until the Jedi Council went mental and sent the assassins years later, that was more than I believed possible ever since ending in the academy on Korriban.

The only downside of this arrangement was sacrificing the budging relationship I had with Shaak-Ti, though that wasn't a big price to pay considering that I still wasn't sure if I liked her because of who she is or because of how much she was like my late wife… I shook my head and looked at the Jedi hogging my couch.

"Isn't it?" Obi-Wan snapped at me. "If it wasn't for your bid to become Mandalore, there's no way in the Nine Corellian Hells that I could ever think marrying Satine!"

"Really? The only one stopping you is yourself, Obi-Wan." I gave him a disapproving look. "The Council would frown at you if you marry her… So what? Are you going to let that stop you? Of course, after you kriffed and didn't say yes, this might be a moot point."

"It's not that simple!"

"What makes it complicated? Will you stop being a Jedi? Will you stop protecting the Republic if you marry?" I groaned in exasperation. Jedi!

Kenobi closed his eyes and sighed. "Will I? I've been asking myself that for days." The Jedi slumped back on the couch. "Marrying Satine means becoming a Mandalorian. Can I be a Jedi after that?"

I snorted. "There have been both Mandalorian Jedi and Sith."

"Thousands of years ago perhaps. There has been too much bad blood since then."

"Yet we're here to make an alliance with Mandalore."

"You're here to take over the place." Obi-Wan snipped back.

"What I said. It's the one way to be reasonably sure that too many Mandalorians won't chose to back the other side."

"It's Sith shenanigans, that's what it is."

"Naturally. Depending how you look at it, this whole war is Sith shenanigans. Or just the newest installment of the time tested tradition of Jedi and Sith killing each other and burning half the galaxy in the process." I nodded sagely.

"Not helping."

"Did you expect me to be helpful instead of sarcastic? You kriffed up by the numbers. Now man up or at least Jedi up, go find Satine and start groveling. Convincingly."

Obi-Wan gave me a long suffered look.

"You came to a Sith for relationship advise of all things." I snorted. "So my advise is thus – go find Satine, grovel, apologize convincingly, swear to marry her tonight then kriff her senseless."

"I should have known this was a bad idea." Obi-Wan groaned.

"Yep, you should have."

"Don't you have Death Watch to deal with?"

"Little old me? I'm a proper Mandalore candidate – no killing the opposition before the Clan leaders have their say. I leave that for our special ops boys and the local security services."

"So tonight?"

"They will be hitting all illegal Death Watch operations while we're getting married." I nodded. "You would know that if you attended the last few meetings."

"I got tired of watching you and Skirata haggle. Besides Satine needed some advise…"

"Needed you in bed you mean."

"It wasn't like that!"

"Kenobi, get off your high horse and go grovel. I have to do some preparations for tonight."

"More scheming?"

"You know me so well."

"You're a menace."

"Thanks for the compliment."

"Damn Sith."

"Still singing the party line?"

=RK=

Part 5

General Veil's quarters

Royal Palace

Sundari

Mandalore

I examined my reflection in the large mirror in the bedroom. My armor was polished and would be shinning if it wasn't for the black paint job that almost, but not quite swallowed any light that fell on it. My eyes reached the stylized Imperial symbol – now my Clan sigil – painted above my heart and I smirked. The Empire might have been gone for almost four millennia, but it was far from forgotten. It might yet rise from the ashes of the past if the Republic leadership screwed bad enough to force my hand.

It was an emblem I've fought under for more than seven decades before ending in the future. One could say it was as much a part of me as my lightsaber.

Once I was sure that my armor was spotless, I went to the bed, where the rest of my gear was ready to be put on. A small smile tugged my lips – Sith and Mandalorian cultures were among the few still existing that you were expected to wed while clad in your best armor and carrying enough weapons to fight and win a small war. Well, that was certainly true for the Sith Warriors and I was one at heart.

I picked my gunbelt and strapped it around my waist.

This was going to be an interesting evening. When Obi-Wan finally vacated my couch, he went to make up with Satine and a few hours later an amused Bo confirmed that we would be having a double wedding tonight.

I hoped that my people who were running the GAR unit protecting the Jedi Temple could give me a recording of the Council when they learn about the wedding.

I hooked up one lightsaber on my belt and placed the second in a more secure location – a custom made compartment in my armor.

I could imagine what was happening all around Mandalore right now – Republic Commando teams and units of the local security services were getting into position, ready to strike every known illegal Death Watch operation. Just to show that the government wasn't singling them out, various other criminal enterprises were about to be hit at the same time. It was going to be a thin excuse, but plausible enough.

When all was said and done, the ordinary Mandalorian citizen had no love for drug dealers and some of the other, nastier things the Death Watch had their fingers in.

I put a vibro-knife in my right boot, then grabbed a grenade bandolier – perhaps an overkill, but given my luck with wedding and women…

I shook my head and grabbed a custom made black cape – it looked light, as if made of silk, yet the material was a synthetic armor weave that might hold up to a blaster shot or two. I put it on, locked it on above my shoulders and grabbed my helmet. A moment later I was in front of the mirror, giving myself one final examination.

I looked like a proper Sith – an imposing, intimidating figure.

It was time to face the music.

=RK=

I met Obi-Wan in the corridor leading out of the guest quarters. He was in his GAR issued armor, though it was polished well enough that it was practically shined under the lamps soft light. He wore light brown, almost red robes over his armor, which did nothing to hide the symbols painted on his shoulders. One was the Republic stylized Republic emblem on his left shoulder. On the right I could see half the winged sword that was the familiar sign of the Jedi Order of old – an actual sword, not the stylized lightsaber of today's Jedi.

"Going with the classics I see?" I nodded at his shoulder.

"Satine was insistent that I must chose a Clan symbol."

"It actually suits you. Once you finally get your head straight and forget the propaganda, you would probably be the first proper Jedi this galaxy has seen in the last few millennia." I gave him a thumbs up.

"Thanks. I think." Obi-Wan gave me one of his patented strange looks.

"Let's not let the ladies waiting or we will get shot."

"Something tells me you aren't joking."

"We're marrying Mandalorian women. Not showing in time for the wedding without a proper battle to distract us is simply not done."

"We're becoming Mandalorians." Obi-Wan sighed.

Given his expression, Kenobi obviously wondered how the hell did he end in this position.

=RK=

Death Watch Sub-HQ

Industrial District

Sundari

Mandalore

Niner, the leader of Omega Squad used the built in zoom function of his new armor to examine their target. It was a warehouse – one among many in this district. Instead of using that to hide, the Death Watch idiots were announcing their presence for everyone to see – banners next to the main entrance complete with a squad of bored looking Mandalorians lounging around.

If this was a trap, the supposed guards outside weren't let on the secret or had nerves of steel.

A single click over the encrypted comm informed Niner that Dar – the demo expert was in position, ready to blow up the main entrance and the poor bastards clustered around it.

Another click, which carried a different code segment confirmed that Fi was in position, providing overwatch and sniper support. Niner glanced left and saw the last two members of his team – Atin and the still in training Corr slid in position allowing them to put the entrance under cross fire.

That only left the local law enforcement to arrive and ensure that no one would be running away. Niner glanced at the mission clock that was counting down in the upper right of his HUD. Fifteen more minutes and the attack could start.

All over Sundari and most large Mandalorian cities, Commando units and local law enforcement were getting in position for tonight's raids. It was the one thing Generals Skirata and Veil had agreed on.

While he waited, Niner allowed himself to think about the bigger picture on Mandalore, though that didn't stop him from carefully scanning the surrounding area. To put it bluntly, the situation was weird. The clone could understand why General Veil wanted to become Mandalore. This planet was ready to blow up, it just needed a spark and there was no lack of people ready to provide it. Arguably the arrival of a Separatists task force to "escort" their ambassador was that spark.

Yet… Pops Skirata was right too – none of them could be sure that Veil had the right reasons for becoming Mandalore, the right ideas for the future of the Mandalorians. Unfortunately, while if you asked him, Niner would be ecstatic if Skirata could become the next Mandalore, the Clan leaders were unlikely to support the old man. From what he got by quietly listening to the discussion between the generals, there were very few viable candidates, with only Pre Vizsla and Veil being the ones having a realistic chance.

That put an interesting twist to the situation. While Niner haven't fought under the Sith general, he had heard good things from buddies under his commands. Yet, that by itself didn't make the man a good candidate for Mandalore – something that concerned Niner quite a lot, because he did see Kal Skirata as his father and Mandalore as home, even if his allegiance was first and foremost to the Republic.

On the other hand… What did make a good Mandalore? At the very least, from what he knew, general Veil would make a decent Mandalorian and he would be one very soon. That wasn't something he could say for Vizsla and his Death Watch, the kriffing outlaw scum.

Niner continued to observe the warehouse and hoped that the generals knew what they were doing.

=RK=

Part 6

Royal Palace

Sundari

Mandalore

It was a small room. Empty with the exception of three banners suspended between wooden poles. On the right it was the Imperial – my – symbol, painted in black on a sheet of navy blue. In the center was suspended the Mandalorian skull like emblem on yellow fabric. Finally, the Kryze Clan emblem – a stylized blue V on white.

I was about to marry for a second time and it was anything but a grand affair as one might expect from warrior people. All that it took was an exchange of vows, that didn't even had to happen in person. A comm call or a text message was enough – technically. For a moment I allowed myself to think about Bo's reaction if I tried to pull such a stunt on her. She would be either amused or pissed enough to shoot me.

Eh. Probably both.

My lips twitched at that thought. Just like Vette.

I shook my head, chasing a way the wave of nostalgia and sadness brought by that thought. That was in the past and I was about to make a commitment to the future.

The door opened with a quiet hiss, revealing Bo-Katan in all her glory. She wore the same armor in which she faced me during our "spar", painted in deep, almost sparkling blue. It was adorned with her clan's symbol on the chest above her heart, the shoulders an on the helmet she carried in the crook of her right arm. A long, flowing cape in the same color flowed behind her, barely touching the floor. Her short red hair was held in place by a silver diadem, crowned by a pair of flowers that looked familiar but I couldn't place. She had a pair of blaster pistols on her waist and a lot of built in weaponry even without a rocket pack.

Bo stopped and gave me a long look, then smirked.

"You would do."

"You're definitely the better looking of us." I shot back.

"Naturally." Bo walked in and the door slid closed behind her.

Despite her bravado I could feel a silver of uncertainty coming from her. At least she was excited by the prospect of marrying me and not entirely from what the marriage could do for her.

"You know, I had lost hope of actually going through with this – with anyone." Bo muttered and walked next to me.

Given that those born in the Mandalorian culture usually married young – shortly after becoming sixteen, I could see where she was coming from. I think.

"No one lived up to your standards?"

"Fishing for compliments? You barely make the cut too." Her smirk was back in its full glory.

"The things you do to my pride." I chuckled.

"Someone has to keep your ego from getting too big. I volunteered myself." Her smirk was replaced by a wan smile. "Thank you."

I raised and eyebrow in response.

"Kenobi. I understand you made the idiot pull off his head from his ass. I was about to start hunting him when he crawled back and started apologizing to Satine."

"I'm glad to be of service. Besides you share some of the credit – I told him you'll kneecap him if he doesn't shape up."

"I would have done worse." Bo muttered. She gave me a mischievous smile. "Shall we? Before the guests start thinking that we started our wedding night a bit early."

I nodded and offered her my hand. She took it, entangling her fingers with mine. I looked in her eyes and allowed myself a genuine smile. Perhaps this might actually work.

"We are one when together." I spoke in Mandalorian.

"We are one when parted." Bo repeated the first part of the vow and continued with the next.

"We share all, we raise warriors." We finished together.

There wasn't any earthshaking revelation, no shift in the Force.

Just three simple sentences. No fuss.

I leaned forward and caught her lips in a searing kiss. For a moment I was lost in Bo's eyes as our tongues dueled.

It wasn't until we had to separate for a bit of air until it dawned on me. I was married. I had a partner to share the burdens and to face the future with.

Somehow that simple fact filled a void I didn't know was even there. I smiled and leaned back into Bo, seeking her lips again.

=RK=

Death Watch Sub-HQ

Industrial District

Sundari

Mandalore

Niner watched the mission clock, which hit zero and started ticking up. He sent three clicks over the comm just as three armored shuttles slammed into the flanks and back of the warehouse and started disgorging armored officers.

The guards had just enough time to jump from the bench and few stools they were lounging on, when a missile screamed between them and slammed in the door they were supposed to protect. The tandem warhead detonated, breaching the entrance with a jet of plasma and exploding it's secondary fragmentation warhead. The detonation wiped out half the guards and threw the rest away like ragdolls. A moment after they landed in broken clumps, the unlucky bastards were cut down by accurate blaster fire.

Niner didn't have to give any orders. A moment later, the front of the warehouse was obscured by smoke grenades. That was his cue and the Commando left his hiding place, deactivated the cloak and brought up his shields.

Atin and Cor met him at the entrance, with Dev lagging behind thanks to his heavier armor and gear. Fi was still on his perch, looking for any uninvited guests.

"Breach and clear." Niner ordered. Fortunately the missile had blown up a large enough hole for them to squeeze through, though it also make the entrance a bit problematic.

A concussion and frag grenades went in courtesy to Atin and Cor. A moment after the dual detonations, the pair squeezed through the breach and opened fire at whoever or whatever was still alive.

=RK=

Part 7

Royal Palace

Sundari

Mandalore

Obi-Wan stood at parade rest in the small room where he was supposed to get married, with only a trio of banners for company. It's been almost ten minutes since he arrived and there was no trace of Satine.

The usually stoic Jedi was getting more and more nervous by the minute. First, he had never imagined that he could be in this position – awaiting his bride to be to arrive. The way he had been raised, the Code that was supposed to guide his actions – they all screamed to him that he was about to do a mistake. Kenobi knew that those feeling should be troubling him, very much at that.

Yet, they barely registered. Instead, all he could think about right then and there was Satine and the fact that she wasn't here, next to him. Obi-Wan was becoming rather concerned – even afraid – that the woman he loved had reconsidered. That his kriff up in the morning had made her reconsider marrying him.

The Jedi in him was all right with that. That part of him was almost relieved that he was being stood up. Yet, Obi-Wan Kenobi the man – he was terrified that probably the best thing that ever happened to him was about to slip out of his grasp and it was going to be his own fault.

The Jedi was so deep in his thought, that he didn't sense that someone was approaching before the door opened quietly. Obi-Wan gasped in relief when he felt Satine entering the room and whirled around. The Duchess confidently strode in and smirked at Kenobi, mirroring her sister's favorite expression.

Obi-Wan simply stared at her, drinking her visage. Satine was clad in azure form fitting armor, which was mostly covered by a robe in much richer, darker blue silk. A cape of the same cloth flowed behind her like a river. Her hair flowed around her shoulders like a halo kept in place by a golden diadem.

Kenobi's eyes barely registered the helmet she carried or the blaster pistol on her hip. He was too busy trying to compare this armored version of Satine with the woman he knew for the last decade to pay proper attention to her attire.

The Duchess frowned. "Not that I don't appreciate the reaction, but… Kenobi! Stop drooling!" Satine's voice snapped like a whip.

"Wha… Ah. You look stunning!" Obi-Wan shook his head and tried to salvage the situation.

Satine glanced down at her armored figure and chuckled. "If I knew that all it took was to don an armor, I would have done it years ago."

"Yes..." Obi-Wan cringed when his brain caught up to his mouth. He shook his head again in a vain attempt to clear up his mind and concentrate.

"Who would have thought… The mighty famous Jedi brought low by little old me." Satine laughed in delight.

"True enough." Kenobi sighed. All his self control and composure – they simply melted around Satine once he admitted to himself that he was in love with the woman. Once he stopped trying to fight his feelings…

"Oh, my. Were you afraid that I won't show?" Satine asked after she studied him for a few moments. "Serves you right." She growled. "Never pull such a stunt on me, Obi-Wan." Satine added quietly, in a pained voice.

"I…" Obi-Wan found his throat suddenly dry. He could feel her pain even now. When he went to apologize in the morning, Kenobi was stunned by the heartbreak and feeling of abandonment, of betrayal that was coming from Satine. Only then it dawned to him how much he kriffed up.

"I won't, I swear." He took a step forward and pulled Satine into a one armed hug. She melted in his chest and sighed quietly. Obi-Wan calmed down a bit, when he felt her relax and let go of her anger.

"Don't do this to me again, Obi-Wan." Satine muttered in his chest.

Kenobi hugged her more tightly and kissed her forehead.

They stayed that way for a few minutes, content to just feel each others presence.

"Perhaps we should go on, before either Veil or your sister come to check on us." Obi-Wan whispered.

Satine chuckled quietly. "That would be just like Bo."

"I won't put it past Veil either."

"I guess that they're already married and having fun, with no care for the guests."

Obi-Wan froze for a moment, listening to the Force. "I think that they're behaving themselves. For now."

"Jedi tricks?"

"I'm a man of many talents." Obi-Wan boasted.

"We'll put that to the test later." Satine gave him a wicked grin, holding a promise for things to come.

"I see." Obi-Wan smiled, while trying to regain his self control.

It wasn't working – he was more akin to a hormonal teenager right now instead of a Jedi Master. For a moment he wondered if all the mess that came with all these feeling and a relationship was worth it. Then the woman he was embracing squirmed in his hug in quite the interesting way and all thoughts of property and Jedi stoicism went away.

Obi-Wan found that he had made his decision – even if all of this was wrong, he no longer cared.

Satine squirmed out of his hug and took a hold of his free hand, locking their fingers together.

"I hope you won't try to run in the last moment." The Duchess gave him a not entirely amused smile.

"That never crossed my mind." Kenobi told her the truth.

"We are one when together." Satine spoke in Mandalorian.

"We are one when together." Obi-Wan repeated with a proud smile on his face.

"We are one when parted." They spoke in unison. 'And let us never be separated.' Obi-Wan added in his mind. The very thought that that they might be robbed from a future became unthinkable.

"We share all. We raise warriors." They spoke the rest of the vow as one.

A sudden urge gripped Obi-Wan. He pulled Satine to his chest and slammed his lips into hers. For a split second she was startled, but then relaxed and leaned into his needy kiss. Obi-Wan wanted, needed to hold her. To never let her go.

He was too lost in the kiss, in feeling Satine's love to notice how the Force subtly shifted as some possible futures winked off and myriad others became came into reach…

=RK=

Part 8

Royal Palace

Sundari

Mandalore

The informal reception following my wedding was much more politically charged than I would have liked, not irksome to say the least. Yet, I didn't have a reason to complain – it everything was going more or less like planned for now.

"I think Satine has the right idea and dragged Kenobi to the bed skipping this..." Bo whispered, while smiling to our guests.

"Either that, you you'll need to kneecap Obi-Wan." I shot back and nodded to Horus Yomaget, who just entered the reception hall flanked by a pair of heavily armed and armored members of his clan. They were carrying a long thin container each. Their Clan Leader was wearing a richly decorated heavy armor and had an ornate blaster pistol on his waist.

Ah, Mandalorian weddings – everyone comes to the festives armed to fight a war. I've missed this atmosphere.

"It's very good he came." Bo muttered as we headed to greet the newest guest.

"Indeed." I whispered back.

Given that MandalMotors was the biggest and most powerful corporation on the planet, the support of its CEO and clan leader was vital for our success. Yomaget and the half a dozen other clan leaders in here with us represented a big enough power block to give me more than a reasonable shot at becoming Mandalore.

Horus smiled when we approached. "Congratulations! May you face worthy enemies and raise honorable warriors!"

"Thank you." I gave him a respectful bow. "May you Clan prosper..."

"And forever be covered in glory." Bo finished.

"I come bearing gifts." Yomaget waved at his companions.

The one to the right stepped forward and presented the case he was wearing to his Clan Leader. Yomaget picked it up and opened the container with a flourish.

"A matching set of beskar vibro-swords for the newly wed!" Horus grinned as he displayed a meter and half long gleaming blade.

Next to me, Bo gasped. Given the fact that most known beskar mines were depleted and the rest had considerably lower output than in the past, this gift was wort king's ransom.

"This is a truly generous gift. Thank you very much." I gave the man a half-bow, with Bo following suit.

"Clan Leader Yomaget, you and you Clan's crafters have my heartfelt thanks for this gift." My wife added.

At that moment we heard a quiet commotion from behind and turned to see what was up. Obi-Wan and Satine were walking towards us, hand in hand.

"So Kenobi didn't run away from my Sister." Bo sighed.

"A double wedding?" Horus asked from my right.

"It was a close call, but the Duchess managed to persuade Obi-Wan that she's more important than his Jedi hang ups."

"Is he the reason she's been more reasonable as of late?" Yomaget asked.

I glanced at Bo, who smiled. "He's been good for her. Who could have imagined it? It took a Jedi of all people to make her act as proper Mandalorian."

Meanwhile I looked over the crowd. Everyone invited was here.

"Let's give them our congratulations, then I have something special planned for everyone." I stated.

"Does it have something to do with that hangar you've had off limits since yesterday?" Bo asked.

"Yep. I hope you didn't spoil the surprise."

"Nope. Let's go. It will be interesting to see if you know me as well as you think you do."

"I think you'll be pleasantly surprised, wife."

"Bold claim, husband of mine."

We reached the other couple while they were exchanging pleasantries with Clan Leader Maxine Auwad and her husband – Thang. Their Clan had risen to prominence during the New Sith Wars and helped Mandalore recover as a powerhouse in that period. While they had lost a lot of power since then, the Clan was still an influential one. The fact that Maxine was CEO to the biggest weapon manufacturing consortium in Mandalorian space after MandalMotors was even more important.

"Sister, congratulations for finally bagging your Jedi. May you two raise powerful warriors." Bo beamed at Satine. "And may you become a proper Mandalorian." She smirked at Kenobi, who looked uncomfortable at her words.

"Obi-Wan, how does it feel being a Mandalorian Clan leader in your right?" I needled him.

Before Satine can plant her elbow in his ribs, Kenobi smiled and nodded. "Actually surprisingly good."

"I have the nagging feeling that the Jedi Council will blame me for corrupting you." I smirked.

"No doubt." The Jedi Master winced at the thought.

"Now that all the pleasantries are out of the way," I spoke aloud, using the Force to boost my voice, "I have an announcement to make. "First thank you all for being here!" All but Skirata and Satine's Ministers were here as a sing of support for my bid to become a Mandalore. "I want to bring two items to your attention. First, a tradition from my homeworld – It's customary for the groom to present his bride a gift on their wedding day. For that and the second item, I would like you to follow us to one of the palace's hangars. Second – I made certain promises to the Clan Leaders present and it's time to deliver."

"This better be good." Bo smiled mischievously.

"You'll love it."

=RK=

Private hangar

Royal Palace

Sundari

Mandalore

We were all assembled in the dark hangar bay, when I used the Force to switch on the lights. I grinned when I fell Bo freeze in surprise. She did nothing to try and conceal her shock and stunned disbelief at the sight gracing us.

Two three meter tall war-machines were resting in the center of the hangar. One was painted black and had my sigil on its chest. However, my wife's attention was on the other – it's twin which bore her Clan's emblem and colors.

The machines resembled a mechanical hybrid between Zalorian rock-lion and Karran beetle. The six limbed war-droids rested on front pals, complete with razor sharp metal claws. The rear half of the machines had a distinct insectoid shape – four rear legs and carapace like armor.

On the back, where the customary control saddle used to be, we could see open armored shells of cockpits.

Needless to say, the Basilisk were bristling with weapons – laser canons, missile pods, point defense clusters, the improved shock-wavegenerator rods that formed their faces and a pair of modified pulse cannons.

"Mine?" Bo eventually asked. Through the Force she felt like a little girl who was told that Christmas came early this year.

"Yours. Go ahead." I smiled.

Bo's first step was wary, then she shook herself up and walked nonchalantly to her droid.

"Pilot?" The machine inquired.

Bo glanced my way and I nodded.

"Yes." She spoke aloud.

"Scanning." A sensor pod lit up, illuminating my wife with a beam of blue light. "Scan complete. Pilot biometrics locket. Please enter the cockpit for DNA scan and imprint."

At this, Bo hastily scrambled up the Basilik and got into the command module, which sealed behind her.

"Two brand new Basilik droids – I think they're an ample demonstration that I know what I'm talking about. These particular designs were upgraded with modern weapons and electronics, new shields too. As you can see, they have a cockpit for additional protection of the user, though it's not AT weapon proof once the shield is down." I pointed at the transport in the back of the hangar. "There are two sample Basilisk for MandalMotors and one for the Consortium." I nodded at Yomaget and Auwad. "There are also sample of personal shields, as well as the new armors and small arms issued to the GAR along with some capital ships schematics."

"That's more than enough." Horus muttered after a few moments of stunned silence.

Unless I got my modern history horribly wrong, the last time a Basiliks had walked on Mandalore had been shortly after the Great war I took part in thousands of years ago.

As if reading my thoughts, Bo's war-droid let out a mechanical roar and took a step forward. A moment later, her delighted laughter could be heard over its loudspeakers.

I grinned as I felt my wife's delight and happiness through the Force. I let her play with her new pet and turned my attention to Skirata, who had a thoughtful expression on his face.

Then my comm started beeping in alarm and I growled. Of course something had to just go wrong tonight. I raised my arm and switched the unit on. "General Veil." My answer wasn't a grow. I think.

"Veil. I need help." Kole Ordo's pained groan came from the other side.

=RK=

Part 9

Private hangar

Royal Palace

Sundari

Mandalore

Some times I wonder if this whole galaxy is cursed – there's always this or that problem that needs fixing – by me no less. That or it's just the old fashioned curse of being a Force Adept.

Perhaps as a kid I shouldn't have wished to live in interesting times…

I suppressed a grow and glared at my comm. I was supposed to mingle with the Clan Leaders, win myself some political points and go enjoy my wedding night. Instead…

"What's the issue?" Somehow my voice sounded more or less normal instead of filled with rage growl.

"Death Watch took my daughter. Called it insurance that I won't vote for you." Ordo hissed. Somehow I recon he'll be blaming me for that.

On the other hand… "Did they came in wearing Death Watch colors?"

"No, but it was the same bastards who threatened me a few days ago. They were in their full kriffing glory then."

Very thin plausible deniability, yet good luck proving that the minions didn't work on their own. Unless – I needed a prisoner or two to interrogate.

"How long ago?" I asked.

"A few hours. I kriffed up. The first I knew something was wrong was just as they readied concussion grenades. I managed to graze one before they grabbed Mira." Ordo sighed. "They gave me the ultimatum and stunned me." He added glumly.

"That gives them enough time to go to ground." I mussed. "General Skirata, see that any high level prisoners from tonight raid are brought here. Call in the troops to go over any unsecured computer records about Death Watch holdings, including personal property and rented buildings in three to four hundred kilometer radius of Clan Ordo's compound."

"I'll see to it."

If they had gone in and out using anything but speeders, they would have been detected – the local defense forces were on high alert ever since the CIS task force arrived, which got even higher once we came to join the party too.

"Veil, Mira has a tracker implant, just in case. She knows to activate it some time after she gets kidnapped or something." Kole added.

Ah. That way it won't be detected by a cursory scan, especially if it was a part of some kind of cybernetic implant. At least the man was properly paranoid, even if whatever measures he had taken weren't enough this time.

"How longago?"

"A few hours. Half a day at most."

"It's not up yet, is it?"

"No." He muttered.

Of course, there was no guarantee that they would keep the kid somewhere where the signal won't be blocked, but we might get lucky. I was nice to have a backup plan anyway.

"If that's truly a Death Watch stunt, Vizsla is getting desperate." Yomaget muttered.

"Unless I'm reading the political situation wrong, while your support…" I waved at the Clan Leaders around me, "isn't enough to make me Mandalore, it's more than sufficient to block Vizsla from being elected to the title. He has to know that I'll be going after him after his people tried to kill my wife and me a few days ago. Only the traditions around the position of Mandalore has prevented me from doing so already."

It was frowned upon one Mandalore candidate murdering another, unless it was in an honor duel witnessed by many Clan Leaders. That particular tradition tended to keep things more or less civilized.

"I'm sure that Vizsla will be swearing on his honor that this wasn't a sanctioned operation. It may even be true – his people aren't the most disciplined or honorable bunch." Maxine added. "Not that it really matter."

=RK=

Death Watch Sub-HQ

Industrial District

Sundari

Mandalore

"Cor, smoke, Dev – take that thing out!" Niner ordered while trying to make himself as small as possible behind a column that was being chewed up by heavy blaster fire.

A huge spider droid, one of the CIS nastier machines, was active in the back of the warehouse. The thing had taken out a whole squad of the local law enforcement – despite their relatively decent gear and the fact that they knew what they were doing. All the training and experience in the world couldn't help you when you're caught in the open by a pair of heavy repeating blasters. The thing had been hiding in a large cargo container – one of many stacked all over the place in this part of the warehouse.

It'slaser canon had been an overkill.

It still might be Niner's doom if Dev didn't hurry up and take out that kriffing droid.

"DEV!" The commander shouted when a blaster bolt blew a chunk of the column before grazing his shoulder and popping his shields. Even without touching his armor, the shot released enough thermal energy to unpleasantly heat up the plate.

Instead of being vaporized, Niner heard the tell tale sound of Ion grenades going off, followed by the roar of a rocket engine. After that only the sound dampeners in his helmet kept his hearing intact as a missile detonated mere meters away.

"Omega One, Overlord. Do you copy, over?" The sound of the mission controller hissed in Niner's ears.

"Overlord, Omega One, copy. Over." He answered and dared a glance over his cover.

The Spider droid was mostly intact, though the damn thing had a neat hole burned in it's torso by the plasma jet of the anti-armor warhead. It's legs were also spazming too, though it wasn't clear if it was because of the explosion or the Ion grenades.

"Omega One, Overlord. Be advised we need any high ranking Death Watch members alive if practical. Recover any records and hardrives. That's priority one straight from Overlord Actual. Over."

"Overlord, Omega one. Copy. Recover high ranking enemy combatants and records. Intel gathering becomes primary objective. Over."

Niner briefly wondered what the Death Watch do to warrant change of ROEs mid op. He suspected that he'll find out sooner than later and wouldn't like the answer.

"Omega One to all Omega elements. Mission change. Intel recovery takes priority."

"Roger that." Cor answered.

"Really? No more blowing up stuff?!" Dev whined.

"Keep your toys locked, Dev." Niner groaned. Sometimes dealing with his men was like overseeing overgrown, trigger happy children. He supposed so anyway. It wasn't like he had a kid to really compare them.

"Movement, two o'clock!" Atin shouted.

=RK=

Part 10

RI Medical Facility

Location Classified

There was no end of the dreams, of the nightmares. Seeing Padme dying again and again—it felt like eternity spent in the deepest pit of the Nine Corellian hells.

The dreams started out similar, almost carbon copies of each other. At first they were disjointed – making almost no sense. Padme in pain, screaming his name.

Then it got worse as the nightmares grew more tangible, more real. The hellish dreams started changing too. Now his

Padme wasn't the only one dying in agony.

Anakin screamed as he felt his limbs being cut away by a blazing lightsaber. He stared without comprehension as Obi-Wan of all people shook his head sadly and left him to burn next to a river made of molten rock. He felt Padme dying in despair, while whispering his name.

The nightmare shifted again.

Huh. That was new one, yet Anakin wasn't looking forward to seeing it – experiencing more pain and despair.

The new nightmare started innocently enough. Anakin found himself atop the Senate building at night, looking at the lit up spires surrounding the Jedi Temple in the distance. Yet, it was different this time. More solid than any of his previous dreams.

Anakin blinked and gasped. In a heartbeat the world around him had changed. There were cruisers – both Republic and Separatists dueling in the skies above him. The Jedi Temple was burning while fighters and bombers clashed overhead.

His attention was diverted by a pleased, cruel cackle coming from behind.

Anakin gasped as he saw himself kneeling in front of a cloaked figure.

"What is thy bidding, my master?" His doppelganger rasped.

"Rise, Lord Vader and let us finish this. For first time in millennia, two masters of the Dark Side will face each other. Do take care of your former Master."

"Anakin, how could you?!" The young Jedi knew this voice.

He looked to the right and saw two more figures. They were clad in black bulky armor that was vaguely familiar, yet none of them wore the insignia of the Republic, nor that of the Jedi Order.

"I did only what I had to!" His doppelganger growled and pointed at a small lump on the roof that had been hidden by his figure.

For a moment, Anakin stared in incomprehension at Yoda's broken body.

"You were supposed to be the Chosen One! You were meant to bring back balance to the Force!" Obi-Wan shouted in despair.

The other armored man simply shook his head in disappointment.

"So you chose to be a fool. Did you really think that you could protect them by siding with him?" Veil nodded at the cloaked figure next to Anakin's double. "Padme and your children were retrieved by my people. Don't worry. I'll train them myself."

"You traitor!" The doppelganger roared in fury. "They were all right! You did all of this!" The other Anakin made a sweeping gesture at the burning Coruscant.

"Don't you love when a plan come together?" Veil chuckled.

The doppelganger gave out an incoherent roar and charged, moving so fast that the real one missed when his double drew his lightsaber and ignited it. Yet, Obi-Wan was faster. He met his former apprentice and their blades clashed in front of the two Sith Lords.

One blue and the other crimson. To Anakin's utter surprise, his mentor was the one brandishing a lightsaber with the color of freshly spilled blood.

Veil drew his own weapon in a move matched by the unknown cloaked figure. Two more crimson blades came to life and the Sith Lords, for what else could they be, charged at each other.

Anakin stared in shock at the battle unfolding before his eyes, when the world shifted and he found himself back in Padme's apartment at Republica. Instead of finding his wife, the confused Jedi found himself face to face with Obi-Wan, who looked different – older, grimmer than Anakin had seen him before.

"She's not here, Anakin. Padme's away, safe from you."

All Anakin could do was stare at his former Master with disbelieving eyes. Kenobi took a step forward, his hand falling on the hilt of his lightsaber. The Jedi Master's eyes changed their color, becoming sickly yellow.

"I won't let you hurt her again."

Anakin took a step back as Kenobi drew his weapon and ignited it in one smooth motion.

The dream changed again, becoming less tangible. All he could hear were Padme's screams of pain as she called his name.

Slowly, quietly at first, another sound made itself know – a delighted laughter.

It felt like an eternity before Anakin could make out faint whispers within the laughter. Even longer until he could understand them.

"What will you do to keep her safe?" Someone whispered. "I can save her you know. Just open your heart for my power."

Anakin stared Padme's pained face, while chilling wind blew through his very core. He screamed in despair and fell himself falling. A moment later, he hit a hard, cold surface and felt warm liquid splashing over him, before the chill returned with a vengeance. He gasped coughed when cool air met his lungs.

Anakin blinked a viscous liquid from his eyes and tried to see where he was. Thank to the Force he could feel multiple people in the room around him. It took him a moment to process that he was surrounded by armed and armored Clones – something that made him relax for a moment.

Then they aimed their weapons at him and Anakin had a split second to be surprised before they opened fire.

=RK=

"Orders, sir?" One of the clones surrounding Skywalker's wet body asked.

"Sedate him again, clean him up and put him in another tank. I'll inform the General that Skywalker awoke." The Captain in charge ordered.

"We're already giving more than enough sedatives to kill an ordinary human with his weight." A medic interjected.

"He's a Jedi. He can handle some more drugs." The Captain shrugged.

"If he can't?" The Medic asked.

"Accidents happen. I'll shed no tears over the bastard anyway."

There were no more questions.