Chapter 6: Welcome to Mandalore

Diplomacy by gunpoint! As the Clone Wars rage on, and the divide between the Separatists and Republic grows with the list of casualties, hundreds of worlds within the Republic turn against the over 1500-world-strong council of neutral systems, who refuse aid of any kind to aid the Republic's war effort. Chief among them is the planet of Mandalore, led by the council's new leader, Duchess Satine. With more Republic worlds threatening to cut trade unless the CNS disbands and capitulates, the Separatist Parliament sends an envoy party led by Lelouch vi Britannia and Leila Breisgau to open up their own lines of trade, which does not go unnoticed by sinister actors.

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“I don’t like this.” Nunnally pouted, the young girl standing on the bridge of their ship, staring into the blue and black swirls and patches that made up the hyperspace lane around them. The girl was dressed slightly differently, as her skirt and white shorts were longer, reaching her knees. She pulled her hair up in a high ponytail and donned a pink cape held by a flower-shaped clamp below her emerald butterfly choker.

"You don't like that we're not traveling with a small fleet," Lelouch replied as he walked up to her, dressed like always. Nunnally's mood wasn't improved even by the truth. Unlike Geonosis, where they arrived secretly with thousands of battle droids and droid star fighters, they had none now.

All they had was the single Sphyrna-class Hammerhead corvette, which, to her annoyance, was an unarmed model with only stronger shields than normal.

"It's a needless risk when we could just blast our way through," HK-47 added, Nunnally happy that someone seemed to agree with her.

"Mandalore isn't too deep into Republic space, so we must worry about this. Besides, its sector is considered neutral; we can't violate that by arriving on a warship or with hundreds of battle droids." Leila reminded them both, HK-47 and Nunnally, making annoyed sounds, but not fighting her on this, not when this was an important mission for her.

Leila had even dressed the part for it, as she had walked onto the bridge in a regal, deep purple long-sleeved gown with red piping and accents. A fitted bodice had vertical panelling and a white high collar with a small capelet, with the emblem of the Separatist parliament marked on the chest. The look was finished with a red belt cinching her waist.

“Wouldn’t that include me as well?” HK asked, prompting another presenter to respond.

"You're an exception; we're hoping they can forgive, but do keep your hands far from your blaster unless absolutely necessary." Anna Clément remarked. The woman was dressed to impress; this was an important meeting, and they couldn't afford to look unkept, though she kept messing with her hair, trying to get it just right.

HK turned to her, and despite having no true face, they could get the feeling he wasn’t pleased, a notion proved by how dry his response was. "As much as it pains me to say, your little friend has ensured all my weapons have been hard-set to stun. If I were to try and kill one of your meat bags, it would take considerably more effort."

As he spoke, his gaze shifted to where Inoue and Araki sat, both much like Anna, dressed in their best clothing for this.

Nunnally turned to her brother, hoping he would see reason. “We could have brought along the entire group.”

"Perhaps next time, we don't need them to interpret this as a show of force, especially as our names and faces have been exposed to the wider galaxy." Lelouch didn't budge, though he was impressed that Inoue was able to get her hands on HK's blasters and hard-set them to stun. He guarded them with his life. It probably had something to do with Araki. She probably powered him down and added some fail-safe programs to him.

The door to the bridge opened, and another walked in, the eldest of the trip's passengers. "Quite right, children. We're approaching them as friends and possible business partners. That means we need to unclench our fists and set our weapons down." Mina reminded them, the woman dressed much like Leila, as this was an important task, and she was handling it as a representative for the CIS.

The least she could do was wear the uniform.

“Oh, you see us as weapons.” Nunnally joked, leading Mina to pull the girl in and hug her quickly. One that Nunnally was happy to return, expressing her strength despite her small build.

"Oh, hush, Nunnally, you know what I mean." Mina joked, grateful that Nunnally let her go, as the girl had some serious arms. She almost felt bad for her son, whom Nunnally loved to hug when she could.

Perhaps that is why he is taking his physical fitness so seriously these days. Oh well, it is food for thought.

The ship's captain turned to address the group, though his gaze remained on the senator over the children. "We're coming out of hyperspace, ma'am."

Moments later, they exited hyperspace and entered real space once more. Around them was nothing but the dark expanse of space, but in the distance, and approaching was a beige planet, with portions covered in white clouds and light brown sandstorms. It looked…like a dying world, nothing like the luscious green and red moon which orbited the planet.

This was their destination, Mandalore.

Leila, a little nervous, turned to Mina and asked. “Mina, what’s Mandalore like?”

"It's a planet with a complicated history. Many would think of its warrior culture and centuries-long feud with the Jedi, but such issues are issues of the distant past." Mina was more than happy to reply, as she understood what Leila was feeling. One only had their first envoy deployed once, and in such circumstances, she could imagine the poor girl was placing more pressure on herself.

“Yet, they’ve left scars on the planet.” Anna frowned as Mandalore…wasn't a pretty sight. She had read before they left that the planet once boasted large forests, great blue lakes, deep jungles filled with life, and wonderful seas.

None could be seen now, as centuries of fighting and destruction had seemed to sap the life from the planet.

Mina nodded, as she had heard her old friend lament such a fate for his planet, and how, despite the planet seeming to die around them, his people continued to fight.

"Scars which, to this day, have not healed, and yet up until recently, the planet was far from peaceful. It's only under their current ruler that they've taken steps to truly leave the past in the archives." She concluded that despite her refusal to join up with them, Mina had no ill will for the Duchess; quite the opposite, she respected the woman for her work.

“It sounds like not everyone is happy with that, though maybe the Jedi know Mandalorian warriors best, and that's why they want them," Araki added, as they didn’t forget what gave them their opening for this whole mission.

"I have no reason to think the Jedi council has made any moves against Mandalore; they're 'peacekeepers' after all," Mina replied, though she chuckled as she said peacekeepers, as to any separatist, soldier or not, the Jedi had long lost such a title. After all, what peacekeepers held military rank and led troops in battle? If peace was their goal, why reject any offers to work with the CIS? Hear their side of things?

"Peacekeepers, my ass," Lelouch muttered, only for Mina to grab him by the ear and pull him.

"Language, young man. I know you read the thesaurus for several tongues so you can find less crass words." Mina scolded, pulling on his ear again before she let go, leaving him to rub at it.

"Yes, ma'am."

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Having entered the planet's atmosphere, they saw that it was just as barren as they had thought it would be from space. They flew over some settlements, all domed to protect their inhabitants from the now hostile environment, but they ultimately ignored them.

Their goal was to build the largest of these cities, one with smaller outposts and facilities scattered throughout the landscape. When the ship reached its port, port workers slowly guided it in before the hammerhead docked.

Waiting for them was an older man, well into his 60s if not older, leaning on a cane while he was protected by 3 bodyguards and his assistant. The man smiled as he watched the group disembark from the ship.

"Oh, friend, welcome back to Mandalore." He greeted them as they approached, and Mina smiled once she spotted him.

"Oh, it's good to be back, though I wish it were under better circumstances." Mina greeted him with a handshake and a hug between old friends before she turned and introduced the two sides. “Children, HK-47, this is my old friend, Sak Bukang, former senator to the Republic Senate."

Sak chuckled at the introduction, as it reminded him of his days as a senator, if only the more fun bits. “I’m more of a busybody old man these days. Please, let me guess..." His eyes looked over them before he pointed to each and called out their names. “Lelouch vi Britannia. Nunnally vi Britannia. Catherine Sabathra, Leila Breisgau, Yoko Araki, Naomi Inoue, and Anna Clément.”

Leila nodded as she stepped up, accepting the older man's handshake and speaking for the group. “You got a perfect score, sir.”

Sak grunted, the sound being deeper due to his age. "Well, a certain someone loves talking about the lot of you and mentioning how you'll lead her to growing more grey hair?" He joked at Mina's expense. The woman only shook her head before her friend spied the very clear battle droid, though a much older model. “I wasn’t informed of the droid.”

He didn't raise his voice; he didn't need to as he turned a questioning but guarded look towards Mina.

Mina didn’t believe him weak, nor was she about to allow this to turn into an incident, as she was quick to explain. “It’s something of a matter of protection; the parliament insisted on it."

Sak raised an eyebrow but didn't immediately dismiss her claims as he looked over the children once more. It was a shame they were there, but he wasn't born yesterday, and he didn't last 23 years in politics by being a fool.

He could see it in their eyes, especially the siblings; they were trained and experienced killers. "I would have assumed 3 of your number would not need such protection, considering the mark you left on the battlefields. I assume he's not going to be an issue?"

HK-47 spoke for himself, having been instructed to keep the sarcasm and quips to himself when speaking to others. “No, sir, I shall refrain from any unwarranted violence.”

"Well, this is encouraging. Let's not waste time. The Duchess is a busy woman, one who was not easily convinced to accept this unusual request," Sak instructed, gesturing to a Hoover car that sat, waiting for them, its driver standing next to it.

"Then we shall endeavor to put our best foot forward by arriving on time." Mina agreed.

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20 minutes later, they arrived at the palace. It was far different from what Lelouch and Nunnally would have expected. Still, they understood that many things about the wider galaxy were nothing like home. For one, most people seem to wear the same clothing, even those they assumed to have a higher social standing and greater wealth.

Secondly, they didn't need to wait to meet with the Duchess as they were led into the throne room, a large space with wall-to-wall windows to one side. The light of the city permeated the space, granting an excellent view. "It's huge in here," Nunnally uttered, speaking softly to not draw attention to them.

Lelouch nodded as he focused on just how…inviting the space seemed to feel. Even when they looked to the far end and saw the throne, one flanked by the Prime Minister and another on which the Duchess sat as she waited for them to approach, they didn't feel like they were meant to feel small.

“A lot more…open then Pendragon.” He replied, speaking as softly as his sister.

“That’s not a high bar to clear, brother.” Nunnally shot back as they reached a respectable distance from the throne. With Leila at her side, Mina, who led them, bowed to the ruler. The rest of them follow suit.

"My lady, Duchess Satine, please allow us the chance to thank you for accepting our request and permitting us safe passage to your world and your court," Mina spoke.

The Duchess Satine Kyrze was not the typical ruler. Even seated, Lelouch could tell she was a tall woman, her blonde hair done up to suit the attire she wore. But it was her eyes, those striking blue gems, that seemed to glow due to her pale skin. They were eyes that held strength and a lion's will. They were the eyes of a monarch.

But unlike the eye Lelouch saw in his nightmares, they held life to them, and they held emotion. One didn't need the force or a connection to it as refined as Lelouch's to see just how much she cared for her people.

When she spoke, she didn't mince her words or give them needless pleasentries. “In most other situations, I would have refused the request out of hand. However, Aliit’aan Bukang said neither Mandalore nor I have any grievances with the Separatist cause."

Aliit’aan, Leila would need to recall that for later. But it was at least a good thing that Mina's friend was able to convince the Duchess to have this meeting.

“However, I have no desire to partake in your blood-soaked war, so if this is just a means to convince me otherwise, you may as well leave now.” Satine finished, her gaze moving from the group to the battle droid.

“Especially when you brought…them with you.” She frowned, as this…was crass, but also flawed. Why bring just the one? Their security had already screened the rest of their ship and could confirm they hadn't brought any other weapons, so why just the one? Was this a commando model?

Tal Merrik, a prince from the fellow CNS world, Kalevala, spoke up. Leering at the group with barely hidden contempt. “Yes, why bring soldiers with you for this apparent peace trade negotiation?”

Mina left it to Leila to speak. “We are loyal to the separatist cause, my lady, as you are to your people. However, we come not as soldiers but as members of Senator Bonteri's retinue."

With that done, Mina added, placing a hand on Leila's shoulder. "They're young and wish to learn more about how one handles the affairs of their people without needing something as final as a blaster."

Before Satine could speak, Tal beat her to the punch. “As if they would ever use such weapons, they’re fallen Jedi Padawans, aren’t they?” He accused the 2 siblings, who needed to answer for this.

“That is incorrect. If you're aware of us, then you're aware that my sister and I have never had any connection to the Jedi. We have access to the force, but we choose to use it for the people, not the order." Lelouch started, ignoring how Tal glared at him like the nobles from back home.

Yes, ignore it. He's done it before, and knowing his luck, he'll do it again, as he couldn't act like an angry child and lash out…particularly as it wouldn't be pretty by the time he was done.

“Then you wouldn’t mind surrendering your lightsabers, would you?” Tal again spoke for the Duchess, the woman doing a remarkable job of not snapping at him as he pointed to their visible lightsabers on Lelouch and Nunnally's side. "After all, as non-Jedi, you're not obligated to carry them unless…you believe you'll use them."

"Enough." Satine cut him off, sparing him a withering glare which shut the man up, but was subtle enough that most would have missed it. Her advisor cowed, and she turned her attention back to their guests. "While this meeting is far from conventional, they may be permitted to carry their weapons, provided they don’t flaunt them and seek non-lethal means to defend themselves in the rare event such is needed.”

To this olive branch, the separatist party bowed in gratitude. “Of course, Duchess. We thank you for your words. However, I understand the need to protect your neutrality in these trying times, as proof of our peaceful intentions." Lelouch reached for his weapon, a carefully designed and built curved hilt lightsaber similar to the one Count Dooku uses.

Grasping it, he held it out for one of the Duchess's men to take from him.

"I hand over my weapon, on the condition that it be secured and returned to me when we leave your planet." His sister followed suit, holding out her lightsaber hilt, which resembled the standard design, only having a guard built into it to protect her hands.

Despite being the one who suggested it, Tal was caught off guard by the move, as even the Duchess seemed surprised, but this proved they weren't Jedi. So she nodded towards one of her guards, and the masked man approached the two and carefully accepted the weapons offered. “I accept this gesture of goodwill and can assure you that nothing shall be done to them, and that you will have them returned to you when our business concludes, but don’t think it will buy our allegiance to the separatists.”

"My lady, our parliament has authorized us only to discuss issues of trade and industry, not war or defense," Leila retorted.

“And should we refuse your claims?” The Duchess asked, to which Leila was prepared.

“Then trade shall continue, my lady.” Mina hid the smile of pride as she saw how the Duchess and her court were caught off guard by Leila's quick retort. "It's morally reprehensible, and a failing of intelligence if we tried to coerce your hand by holding essential trade back. Of course, if we can come to an agreement favorable to both sides, that trade will only increase."

At last, the prime minister of Mandalore, Almec, spoke up. "You'll find morals quite rare in politics, young one."

Leila knew that; she had seen it enough times in the Separatist parliament. She had recalled hearing about such stories from her father and his concerns for the faults in the E.U., but that only galvanized her.

So she met the Prime Minister's gaze and held it. “In such times, it's more important than ever to hold onto our morals and principles; throwing them aside for victory will only lead to tragedy."

"A sentiment I agree with, else I would have arrested you all and contacted the Republic to apprehend you," Satine spoke up, a ghost of a smile on her face as they must have passed some test of hers, maybe of character, maybe of intent-they couldn’t be sure as the woman let the smile slip and return to a passive, decisive ruler. "We can continue these talks at dinner. You'll be free to explore the city for now, but I remind you you're our guests and must abide by our laws."

“We thank you.” Mina thanked her as one of the servants approached them. The Duchess stood from her throne and turned to leave, followed by her entourage.

"Right now, I'll show you all to your quarters." The servant gestured towards a different path from the one the Duchess had taken. With no objections and hoping that their things would now be offloaded from the ship, they followed the man.

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Far from the Mandalorian capital and further still from any prying eyes sat a camp built and controlled by the Death Watch. Within the largest of the buildings stood a man wearing full Mandalorian armor, helmet included. It was all darker blues, with his 2 blaster pistols on his hips and a jetpack fixed to his back.

Surrounding him were screens showing information for plans he had been working on with his lieutenants when the news came in. Once he heard it, he had ordered them out and made an important call to their…benefactor.

“Dooku, what are you doing? Sending this Separatist envoy to Mandalore.” He demanded, as this was not what the Count had promised them.

Dooku hardly looked surprised by the sudden call and question. In truth, the former Jedi master had been expecting it. “I did not send anyone; it was done through a vote of parliament. Any moves on my part would have…exposed our dealings.”

The Mandalorian growled as he could take much less of the Count's realpolitik. "You're already involved, or are you trying to back out now?" He challenged, as he had ways to make the Count regret that.

Ways that were as obvious as they were childish, but Dooku would play ball…for now. “I wouldn't dream of such; you and I share the same goals. In fact, this can be used to our advantage.”

“How?”

Dooku smirked, as he knew the brute would not see the opportunity being presented to them. But he wasn’t working with him for his intellect. “Tell me, was your spy able to confirm if the duchess informed her guests of the growing security problem on Mandalore?”

The Mandalorian paused, surprised that Dooku so casually revealed he knew they had spies within the Duchess palace. But he got over it just as fast. Dooku was just as slimy and two-faced as any politician. Of course, he would have his ways of knowing. It was how he knew to contact him when he had done such a good job covering up his involvement in this.

But the Count needed an answer, so he gave it: "No, she kept the attention on them and their true intentions, whatever those may be." Truth be told, he didn't buy it. This had to be some move to get Mandalore to join the Separatists while under the Duchess. The CIS recognized that Mandalore produced the galaxy's top warriors.

The Clones of the Republic were created from the DNA of a Mandalorian. Their armor was inspired by their superior armor. Even their instructors, their best and brightest clones, were all trained by Mandalorian instructors.

Mandalore was strong, and despite the weakness instilled in its people under the Duchess, it still had the potential to be strong. He knew that Dooku and this new party of Separatists wanted that power.

But he was wrong on that front, as Dooku pointed out. “Of that, I can bet it’s as they claim. Senator Bonteri is one of the Separatists' more dedicated but reasonable members. She would never sign off on clandestine operations that could undermine this peaceful outreach.”

"How does that help us? The last thing Mandalore needs is more peace-loving fools, " the Mandalorian asked. If that were true, it would only further shame their people and history.

“It helps you because it means an attack on her and her party would be seen as a grave injustice, one that will be a great embarrassment and failure of the Duchess's government," Dooku stated, the man uncaring about offering up his own fellow separatists as sacrificial pawns.

The Mandalorian would have perhaps questioned it, as well as the trustworthiness of a man who would do such, but he never trusted Dooku much to begin with. He was using him, and the same was true the other way around. And this…this could be turned to their favor. "And you'll use that to stroke the flames for retribution against the Duchess. Threatening war." He stated, to which Dooku nodded.

“This would provoke a response from the Republic and their Jedi. To protect this sector, they'll send troops to guard the planet. Your fellow Mandalorians would be surrounded by clones and their warships, Jedi and their lightsabers." The Mandalorian nodded, as he could already see it.

The assassination, the fallout, the Separatists threatening a response akin to that Ryloth went through, but long before a single battle droid stepped onto the planet, the Republic would come, Mandalore's second greatest historical enemy. Led by the Jedi, their biggest enemy, whom the Mandalorian warriors have battled since the days of the Sith Empire.

Seeing both invade their world, occupy their land, and try to enforce their laws on them…it was just the spark they needed to restart the flames of Mandalore's pride.

 “Which would only drive more Mandalorians, true Mandalorians, to wake up, we'll grow stronger, we'll have the people behind us." The Mandalorian finished, as the plan was one he could happily approve of.

“At that juncture you may attempt to seize power. Should you deliver certain senior officials, I — as head of the Separatist Parliament — shall regard it as Mandalore’s apology for the tragedy that occur. That will not, however, persuade the Republic to withdraw; if anything, their forces will grow,” Dooku said.

Oh, he hoped it didn’t. It wouldn’t do if his people couldn’t rekindle their traditions by slaughtering weak Republic troops and striking down Jedi. "I welcome it, under our true rule, Mandalore will remind the Jedi and Republic who we are, and we'll do so as members of the Separatists."

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Oh, boy, did I start this later than I thought I would, and not even because of work. I was writing out comments for stories that I read, and well, that takes time. It's a large reason why I don't do it as often, despite the fact that I'm fairly active on such sites. Yes, I could leave shorter ones, but…I just have too many thoughts on chapters I need to get out.

But while this came out late, like by a few hours, as I'm not done yet, writing this when I'm around two-thirds of the way done, I'm not running on fumes like I was last week, when I could barely keep my eyes open. Because of that, I was able to get more done with this one, as I really wished to explore Mandalore and its politics leading up to its larger role in the Clone Wars.

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And done! It's not as long as I thought it would be, but I got through my notes without much issue for this one, and I think it's a pretty fine setup. It's loosely based on the episode The Mandalore Plot, only it's going to be longer and cover more of Mandalore itself since, unlike Obi-Wan, most of our cast have never been or know anyone who lives there.