101 Chapter 98: Rise of The Mandalorians Episode I
Mandalorians.
One of the oldest cultures, and some of the most badass warriors in the entire galaxy.
Who time and time again pushed the Jedi and the Galactic Republic to the edge of defeat, and gotten screwed over many times. Simply ending up as the pawns of others, like the Sith Empire's of old.
But those were the Mandalorian's of old.
Who the Mandalorian's of today can't even hold a candle to.
The only ones who might've were the True Mandalorian faction, first led by Jaster Mereel, and then by Jango Fett.
But due to the 'Battle of Galidraan' the True Mandalorian faction died out.
Leaving us with only the stubbornly naïve pacifistic New Mandalorians and the disgusting terrorists of 'Death Watch' who spit on all Mandalorian traditions,no matter what they say, and most of whom don't even deserve to be called Mandalorians in my opinion.
Two extreme sides, and nothing in the middle.
Exactly like the Jed and the Sith.
Which I am have begun trying to fix.
So while I'm at it, why not do the same for one of the people's and culture I respect with all my heart.
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Sitting in a chair, in one of the newly reconstructed conference rooms within the Great Jedi Library I faced several people.
Serra and Yenalli.
Komari, and her now Padawan learner, Sia-Lan.
The two of them being a perfect master/apprentice pair in my opinion.
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan.
The latter in the last fews years starting to resemble his appearance in Episode 2 onwards, with a badass beard.
Finally HK-47 and Dooku, the latter of whom is participating in the meeting via hologram.
"Thank you all for attending this meeting. I know it was short notice but what I have to discuss with you can't wait." I explained.
Well it could, but by then things would be much worse than they currently are.
Which I want to prevent.
So here we are.
"What's the situation Van?" Komari asked me.
"As you all know by now I have HK-47 running multiple missions simultaneously for me. One of which is monitoring certain events and situations, and then informing me if they change. And one of those situations has just changed. Just a few days ago HK-47 informed me someone found and acquired the darksaber." I said.
Shocking everyone, except HK-47, for all Jedi know of the darksaber.
The unique lightsaber crafted by the only known Mandalorian Jedi in history, Tarre Vizsla.
"Who? Who has the darksaber?" Qui-Gon asked me.
"Pre Vizsla." I revealed. "A member of clan Vizsla, a direct descendant of Tarre, and from the information HK-47 has been able to uncover, the current leader of the violent Mandalaorian faction Death Watch." I spoke.
I then pulled out a mini holoprojector and showed everyone the proof HK really did collect that shows Pre Vizsla now leads 'Death Watch'.
Since I needed evidence to back up what I already know.
Otherwise no one would believe or worse, question how I knew what I did.
Which I definitely cannot have.
Looking at the information everyone grimaced, except for Obi-Wan.
He started excluding fear, worry, and slight killing intent.
Me knowing exactly why.
'Death Watch' is a threat to his precious duchess.
"Obi-Wan, calm yourself." Qui-Gon spoke.
When he did Obi-Wan snapped out of his daze and reigned in his emotions.
"Right, sorry everyone." Obi-Wan apologized.
"Hey, it's fine." I told him. "You're just reacting in the way any man would if their girlfriend was in danger."
"What? Satine is not my girlfriend!" Obi-Wan exclaimed.
"Right, sorry my mistake. I meant to say wife." I spoke.
Obi-Wan sputtering after I called Satine his wife.
But he didn't truly refute my words.
That's very telling.
"Alright Van, that's enough. Stop bullying Obi-Wan." Yennali told me.
"Oh but it's so much fun and he makes it so easy." I said.
Earning myself a flat look from Yennali.
Which I easily ignored.
"Okay, all jokes aside, the situation is serious." I spoke. "Now that Pre Vizsla has the darksaber if he were to reveal he does to the general Mandalorian people it might cause them to turn to his side and this in turn could allow Pre to gain enough support to rule the Mandalorians as the new Mand'alor. And if that happens we could end up with another Mand'alor along the likes of Mandalore the Ultimate or the Indomitable. And we all know how the stories of those two Mand'alor went."
"We must inform Duchess Satine and her government of this immediately." Obi-Wan spoke up immediately after I finished talking.
"No, we're not doing that." I said.
"Why not?!" Obi-Wan in an irritated tone.
"Think it through for a moment Obi-Wan. Pre Vizsla is the current governer of Concordia. You really think he hasn't used his position to embed spies into Satine and the New Mandalorians government? If we were to tell the duchess and her government any of this she might end up having an "accident" giving Vizsla exactly what he wants anyway."
"Then what are we supposed to do?" Obi-Wan asked.
"We're going to the Mandalore sector to handle the situation. That's the reason I called this meeting in the first place. To inform you all of my plan and get your assitance with it." I explained.
"You have mine." Obi-Wan immediately spoke up.
"Hold that thought Obi-Wan." I told him. "For my plan doesn't just involve dealing with Pre Vizsla and 'Death Watch' but helping the Mandalorian people truly unit under one banner."
"To what end?" Dooku asked me.
"I wish for the Mandalorian sector and its people to become a member state of the Galactic Systems Alliance, or at least our allies." I revealed. "To that end, helping them out of their current state is absolutely necessary."
"What do you mean by their "current state" Van?" Serra asked me.
"I mean helping the Mandalorians not have to choose between becoming blood-seeking terrorists or living under the rule of a stubbornly naive government that simply wishes to erase their people's own history." I explained. "Because both options will eventually lead to the end of the Mandalorians people and their culture."
"No, Satine and her government do what they do to preserve the Mandalorian culture and its people." Obi-Wan spoke.
"Really? By believing words can always win out and dissolving their own military?" I asked. "Obi-Wan I thought you would've learned not to be so naive by now. Even if the New Mandalorians choose not to attack anyone it doesnt mean no one will attack them. Tell me, do you want Mandalore to undergo the same tragedy as Naboo? Because if duchess Satine continues being so stubborn and set in her pacifistic ways that is exactly what is going to happen." I spoke.
"Commentary: My master is correct." HK-47 began. "If those immensely disappointing pacifistic New Mandalorian meatbags continue to lead the Mandalorian
people, then the Mandalorians will be slaughtered like you organics slaughter animals for sustenance to maintain your fleshy and watery chassis."
"So if neither the ways of 'Death Watch' nor the New Mandalorians is the correct path for the Mandalorian people in your opinion Van, then what path is right for them?" Qui-Gon asked me.
"Off the top of my head, the path the Mand'alor Jaster Mereel proposed." I said.
Making both Dooku and Koamri visibly flinch.
Given their sorted history with the 'True Mandalorian' faction Jaster founded.
"Jaster who?" Sia-Lan asked.
"He was a Mandalorian and Mand'alor who wanted to bring forth a change to the Mandalorian people and culture." I began. "Creating a set of rules he dubbed the 'Supercommando Codex' Jester began spreading his personal message that to fulfill their need for battle the Mandalorian people should act as well-payed soldiers for hire or honorable mecenaries, and not follow the same path as the Mandalorians of the past who acted as raiders, brigands, and conquerors. A lot of Mandalorian's agreed with Jesters' ideals and before long he had followers. The group Jester having formed becoming known as the 'True Mandalorians'. But naturally not all Mandalorians liked the ideals Jester and his followers were spreading amongst their people. Namely 'Death Watch, who was at the time was led by Pre Vizsla elder cousin, Tor Viszla." I spoke. Having learned the two Viszla leaders of ' Death Watch' were actually blood-related and not just part of the same clan. Which explains a lot of their similarities. "To make a long story short the then 'Death Watch' and 'True Mandalorian' factions began warring against each other. During this period Jester was killed by 'Death Watch' and so the mantle of Mand'alor and the leadership of the 'True Mandalorians' fell to Jesters' son, the now bounty hunter Jango Fett."
"Wait, what?" Serra asked.
"That doesn't make any sense. If Mango Fett took up the mantle of Mand'alor then why isn't he leading his people?" Yennali asked me.
When she did I looked at Komari and then Dooku.
A moment after I did so Komari spoke up.
"Because, the 'True Mandalorians' were wiped out by the Jedi." Komari revealed.
Shocking everyone, except me, HK-47, and Dooku.
For when I was Dooku's apprentice he told me about the incident on Galidraan.
Which I told to HK-47.
Moving on.
After her shocking reveal to the others Kokari and Dooku told the story of Galidraan.
How the then governer of the planet, who was in league with 'Death Watch' managed to summon a Jedi taskforce to his planet and then pit them against the 'True Mandalorian' faction.
Resulting in the deaths of everyone in the faction, save for Mango Fett.
Finishing the story both Komari and Dooku looked ashamed, and their emotions matched their looks.
"I made a rush in judgement." Komari said. "If only I hadn't. Then Mandalore would likely be a different place today." She said.
"Master, it's okay." Sia-Lan said.
"Yes, it is." Dooku added.
"I had no idea." Obi-Wan spoke.
Hearing this causes Dooku to smear. "Of course you didn't young Kenobi. For instead of admitting fault the Republic and the Jedi decided to lockdown all information concerning the events of Galdiraan. That is when I first noticed the arrogance of both organizations." He spoke. "Leading me to where I am today."
"Right. So anyway, back the the main point. The Mandalorians." I said. "Before we begin resolving their current situation we still need one more thing."
"And what is that?" Komari asked me.
"A leader they can all rally behind." I said. "Luckily we know just the person for the job."
Komari and Dooku's eyes widened when they understood what I was saying.
"Van, are you serious?" Komari asked me.
"Deadly." I replied. "For if we are to save the Mandalorians from themselves then his assistance is paramount." I spoke.
Referring to a certain bounty hunter.
Looks like the time for us to meet face to face and have a nice long chat has come.
