- 36 BBY -
Petyr raises his hand, signalling the attack. The True Mandalorians are on the final moon of Shukut, fighting the last clan of the Mandalorians remaining in this war that still stands against them. The aerial battle is already in full swing, and now only the ground offensive remains. The Mandalorians charge forward, making their way through the forest and taking out any and all opposition. Throughout the war, Petyr has honed his skills in strategy and martial arts, using every opportunity to grow and refine his techniques. But it was now mostly over, and officially, the Great Clan Wars ended a few months ago.
Mandalore has suffered greatly during the war, and as Petyr predicted, it has only strengthened the New Mandalorians' position as a result. Their pacifist ways were seen as preferable compared to the war. All the death and destruction were wearing on the minds of the people. However, the capital of the True Mandalorians under Petyr wasn't suffering. In fact, Petyr used this chance to further his influence and increase his hold over the Clans on Mandalore. He utilised the Death Watch and the other Clans as a means to weaken the New Mandalorians, then acted as the saving grace, intervening to defeat those respective factions.
The Death Watch remnants still exist out there, and they haven't given up on their ways, but Petyr doesn't want them to disappear anyway. He has a plan in mind on how to unify the Mandalorians under his rule, and while he could go ahead and replace all of them, it would be an enslavement on such a ridiculous scale that he can't be bothered. The galaxy will take care of it for him, and eventually, those who scream for peace will shout even harder for someone to help them when they are faced with the harsh reality that the galaxy abuses those who have something of value and can't defend it.
The True Mandalorians sweep through the enemy ranks. Petyr aims his WESTAR-35 blaster pistol, also known as the MandalTech Jai'galaar model blaster to the left, shooting an enemy Mandalorian between the eyes.
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Petyr has used his firm control over MandalMotors to acquire Concordian Crescent Technologies, also known as WESTAR, as part of his growing business empire. And so far, it has been a fruitful idea. Because he won't stop there. Petyr has found a group that has just created its company, focusing on blasters and blaster rifles. The name of the company: BlasTech Industries. Petyr is in the process of acquiring their business and merging it with Concordian Crescent Technologies.
An explosion takes Petyr back to the fight, which they are winning easily. He walks forward and into the last remaining hold of the Clan. A few moments later, the fight is over, and with it, the war is won.
Behind him, a modified RZ-3 A-wing interceptor lands, and Arla jumps out of it. After dealing with the KDY, Petyr simply created the good starfighter A-wings himself and will, in the future, sell them under MandalMotors. He made the RZ-1 A-wing interceptor and then the RZ-2 A-wing interceptor.
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Naturally, there were things he wanted to add, which you could do without using the special abilities Petyr had access to. So he came up with a modified version of the RZ-2, and after a series of successes, he created the RZ-3 A-wing interceptor.
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Petyr turned the 'future' success of both the RZ-1 and the RZ-2 on its head and made an RZ A-wing on steroids. The Maximum atmospheric speed of the RZ-2 would have been, if he hadn't already created it: 1'350 kph. The RZ-3 had over 1'900 kph. That doesn't mean that you had to fly that fast, or could, but Petyr managed to clock it at that speed. To put this into perspective, the TIE/D Defender Elite will clock at 1'800 kph.
The RZ-3's maximum acceleration sits at 5'880 G, compared to the 5'200 G of the RZ-2 and 4'300 G of the TIE/D Defender Elite. It was equipped with a hyperdrive system, energy shielding, targeting systems, navigation systems and an ejector seat, of course.
But where Petyr truly went off the rails was when he designed the RZ-3's armament. Apart from the warhead launchers, missiles and the tractor beam projector, the RZ-3 possesses a new and improved kyber crystal-powered set of twin laser cannons. The energy output was so great that Petyr had to add a way to release all of hte energy when it wasn't in use, giving the RZ-3 the possibility to reroute and add that excess energy into the energy core, for uncertified amounts of boosts.
"How was it?" Petyr asks.
"Fast."
"Well, I hope so. How was the handling?"
"You mean you didn't check?" Arla asks.
"Of course I did, I am asking how you find them."
"Well, it handles a bit hard when you turn more than 150°, but I could manage."
"Haha, you're ridiculous."
"I'm ridiculous? I'm not the one who furthered the starfighter and weapons industry in a few years, what the entire galaxy couldn't do in hundreds," Arla says.
"Well... I thought you'd need something special after all."
"So, what are you planning with them?" she asks, moving on.
"The usual. They weren't influential in any way, which is why we saved them for last. They will bolster our numbers, and I'll use them for security. The blaster industry is expected to experience exponential growth in a few years. War does that for the arms industry."
"So the galaxy will suffer and you will prosper and get rich... or richer. Is there more than limitless?"
"Having official resources will be helpful. It's a way to 'wash' the resources I use to create the Mandalore will have to be rebuilt, and the New Mandalorians won't get things done as fast and as efficiently as we will," Petyr says.
"And what about Akiva? Will you invest money there?"
"No. Mandalore and Akiva will have nothing to do with one another, and it must remain that way. It is my ticket into the Confederacy of Independent Systems," Petyr explains.
"I got a message from the Satraps. The Pykes have launched their first attack on the police force in Myrra. They seem to want the spice you sold them desperately. At this rate, they will become a problem for us."
"No, this is perfect. I sold the spice to the Satraps for this very reason. It is easy to control criminal groups like the Pykes, since we know their goals and desires. To take control of Akiva, the Satraps must either disappear entirely, or I will need to join them and then do it gradually. This was one of the two possible outcomes, but one that will help us either way," Petyr says.
"And what about Damask Holdings? Satrap Drommuk Beren has contacted them for help against the Pykes and to force you to tell them where the planet is, which we apparently fled from," Arla says.
"Damask Holdings? That does change things a bit. I thought they would contact the Black Sun or bounty hunters... or maybe even your brother. But Damask Holdings? I suppose it could work; we just need to ensure we're thorough. Yes, that could work," Petyr says pensively.
"Are you going to make lemonade out of the lemons you were just handed?" Arla jokes.
"I will make money out of it. Come, let us get back to Mandalore and attend the 'peace meeting' the New Mandalorians so desperately hope for."
"Satine Kryze didn't sound desperate, though," Arla says as they make their way to the RZ-3.
"She has learned well. But there was a very slight tremor to be heard at the end of a sentence, whenever she asked a 'rhetorical' question. And she hid her right hand behind he back. She knows that a fight with us is the last thing she needs. Because even if it wouldn't look good for us, she knows that she won't win. Republic support or not."
"I see. Very well then."
.
In the biodome city of Arla, which Petyr has started to build, the representatives of the True Mandalorians and the New Mandalorians meet. Despite Petyr using his resources to have the city built, it was considered neutral ground. Arla was both annoyed and flattered that Petyr created a city for her. But she had to agree, because he was thinking of naming an entire planet Arla. So the city was preferable to her.
At the front of the New Mandalorians, Duchess Satine Kryze sits in her traditional gown. At her side are her guards and advisors, who have stood by her and agree with her message of peace. Additionally, two Jedi are sitting next to the Duchess, one young Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, with whom the Duchess has gotten very close, and his master, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. The door to the incomplete conference hall opens.
Two True Mandalorians hold the door for the Mand'alor Petyr Baelish. His second in command, Arla, follows right beside him, dressed in her heavily improved armour, which is a mix of beskar and phrik—Petyr's gift to his lover and student. Behind them, four True Mandalorians follow, also in full beskar armour, armed with the newest blasters of Concordian Crescent Technologies. Additionally, they also carried a beskad, a traditional Mandalorian saber made of beskar, and Mandalorian vambraces on both forearms.
Petyr walks forward and sits down in front of the Duchess.
"Welcome, Lord Baelish, to this peace conference. I am glad your 'conquest' allowed you to make the time and arrive here," Satine starts.
"I am glad to be here, Lady Kryze. I am equally happy that I could 'resolve' the war so that we can have this talk," Petyr fires back.
Both of them have refused to use the correct title of the other. While Satine called Petyr a conqueror who enjoys violence, he called her weak and at his mercy. However, Petyr doesn't care about this little game, as he has been doing it for a lot longer than the little bird in front of him.
"I was not aware that the Jedi were invited to our meeting. I assume they are here for your protection?" Petyr asks.
"They are here as a neutral party to ensure peace can be achieved throughout the Mandalore sector."
"So they have been sent by the Jedi Council to bring peace, then?"
"Yes."
"Truly? Then, if you don't mind me asking, why have you never entered a battlefield and solved the issues? Or helped the wounded? Brought food for those who needed it? What is your use if you don't do what you are here to do? Or are you a political play to try and intimidate me?" Petyr asks.
"We have been helping the Duchess and keeping her safe, so that peace can return to Mandalore, as soon as the war ends. We are not generals, Mand'alor, we are, as you said, peacekeepers," Qui-Gon Jinn says.
"Is that so? Then I wonder why you carry one of the strongest weapons known throughout the galaxy at your hip and use the universal constant you call the Force for offensive purposes."
"Lightsabers are about how the Jedi wishes to be seen, and are not intended to be a display of power," Qui-Gon explains.
"But you didn't bring a picture of it here; instead, you brought the weapon here and are ready to use it, quite aggressively as well, should something go wrong. You see, it is that hypocrisy that your Jedi Order gets to decide who should rule which planet and where peace has to be established, that bothers me. And now, you brought two of them here to our peace talk, Duchess," Petyr goes on.
"Master Jinn and Obi-Wan are not here as a means of intimidation. They were assigned as my protection against assassination attempts from all sides. They have the right to be here. After all, you brought your men with you as well, carrying weaponry. How is that different?" Satine argues.
"You are not wrong. It is your right to complain about weapons during this meeting, as it is mine. However, these people are my people. The Jedi are not your people; they are outsiders."
"Is this truly what you wish to talk about, Lord Baelish? I thought we were here to talk about the future of Mandalore and how we may achieve peace," Satine says.
"Heh, peace. These are the Stars filled with wars. There is no peace as long as freedom exists, and freedom will also give rise to greed. Your vision is not only flawed, but naive," Arla says.
The people turn to Arla. The Jedi Master looks interested, and Obi-Wan narrows his eyes. Satine has an angry look on her face, combined with disgust.
"How was there anything else to be expected from the sister of a man who performs criminal acts for money? Jango Fett is a criminal and a member of the True Mandalorians. Are we to take his actions as part of your ideals?" Satine asks.
"My brother keeps to the Supercommando Codex, which Mand'alor Jaster Mereel set up. He is familiar with honour and Mandalorian values. Things you have long forgotten," Arla says.
"The only honour you and your kind know is that of murder and violence. You manipulate and lie to rise in power and station. That is why I brought the Jedi with me, to make sure your lies are revealed," Satine admits.
"You should watch what you say, Duchess. On Mandalore, everyone is accountable for their words," Arla says and places her hand on her blaster.
The tensions rise, and Qui-Gon looks at Petyr, who hasn't done anything.
"Won't you do anything?" he asks.
"Why would I? Arla is right. Anyone, be they king, servant, senator, or messenger, is judged equally. That's what makes Mandalore so much better than the Republic and its corrupt senate," Petyr responds.
"And in what way? That you kill those who speak against you or disagree with you?" Satine asks.
"No, that we are honest with ourselves and others. We don't hide behind 'good intentions' to fill our pockets. Everything is clear and open. If you respect our customs and meet us with honour, you will be treated the same. But if you think you can threaten us or pressure us, then you will meet Mandalorian steel," Arla says.
"Come now, Satine. You were on Coruscant and studied there. You should have seen behind the curtain, no? I know that you mean well, even if we don't agree on the methods, we can at least agree on that. The bureaucratic inefficiency, influence peddling by corporations, and a general lack of responsiveness to the needs of the people," Petyr says.
Satine looks down, thinking about Petyr's words. The truth is that she knows him to speak the truth in that regard. Her father told her about it and warned her to be cautious and not to trust them. Mandalore is an 'object' of interest to the Republic. Petyr has managed to steer the discussion back to a point where the Duchess can mellow out somewhat and arrive at a place he wanted.
Satine looks at Petyr with conviction now.
"What exactly is it you would want to ensure peace on Mandalore?" she asks.
Petyr smiles.