Revan had never liked politics. Under any circumstances, he tried to steer clear of the Senate and planetary governments. Political life in the Republic was simply too dirty a business. What was the cause? Was it the politicians who placed their own interests above all others? Or was it the system itself, incapable of reacting quickly to changes across the galaxy? There was no single answer. There was only the fact that the space of the Republic was fraying at the seams. More and more disgruntled citizens emerged, more and more planets needed aid... and all the while, the Senators took longer and longer to reach decisions.
Revan, however, had no patience for delay. Just as he couldn't stand the Jedi Order's passivity during the Mandalorian Wars, he couldn't tolerate the inaction of the Republic's political apparatus now.
Apathy is death. Kreia had deeply ingrained that thought into the consciousness of her student.
But no matter how Revan tried to stay out of politics... time and again, he found himself drawn into the very heart of state intrigue on an interstellar scale.
As the Dark Lord of his own empire, the former Sith had possessed the power and the means to attempt to reform the workings of planetary governments, making the galaxy better, more united, and stronger than it had ever been.
But now, finding himself at the center of the events surrounding the Mandalorian Duchess, Revan was limited in his capabilities. This was frustrating... but at the same time, it was exhilarating. It was a challenge! And the former Jedi had never run from difficulty.
The plan for the "game" was ready; the pieces were taking their places.
Less than a standard day after the "failed assassination attempt" on the Duchess, Revan was invited to the palace for an audience. This was expected, especially after his brief conversation with Qui-Gon Jinn.
The Duchess was seeking a meeting with her sister, and Revan could help with that. More accurately, Bo-Katan Kryze was walking beside him now, along with Tira Nomad. All three were clad in armor, and the women were wearing their helmets, yet this did not bother the palace guards in the slightest. After all, a Jedi was among the guests.
Qui-Gon met Revan and his companions directly at the speeder landing pad.
"Thank you for agreeing to meet so quickly," Jinn greeted the former Jedi.
"This meeting is no less necessary for me than it is for the Duchess," Revan shrugged.
"Who are your companions?" The Jedi nodded towards the armored women.
"Tira of Clan Nomad and... our informant from Death Watch, whose name I would prefer not to disclose yet," the former Jedi introduced his companions.
Qui-Gon wanted to object and insist on knowing the unknown Mandalorian's name, but decided to keep silent nonetheless.
"How is Kenobi?" Revan decided to change the subject slightly.
"He's fine. He'll wear a joint stabilizer for a week and then be good as new," Jinn replied, leading his guests away. "The shooter?"
"He died during his escape attempt. He lost control and crashed his airspeeder."
"Hmm, yes, the law enforcement reports indicated he was also wearing Death Watch armor?"
"That is correct," Revan confirmed.
Qui-Gon thoughtfully rubbed his beard. The Jedi sensed something. Despite the fact that all the evidence pointed to Death Watch, Jinn doubted their involvement. The Force indicated a deception. Revan sensed the same, carefully monitoring his companion's mood and surface thoughts.
"Are you trying to figure out why Death Watch would need to assassinate the Duchess?" Revan chose to steer the Jedi's thoughts a bit.
"Yes," Qui-Gon nodded. "They've been virtually inactive for so many years, but suddenly they decide to become active."
"They likely felt they could succeed in overthrowing the legitimate government," the former Jedi surmised.
"But why now?"
"After the incident with Naboo?" Revan hinted.
"You think the same people who orchestrated the conflict between Naboo and the Trade Federation are involved here?" Alarm flickered in Qui-Gon's emotions.
"I wouldn't rule out that possibility," the ancient one nodded grimly.
"Sith," Jinn breathed out.
Revan nodded again.
"You also feel this vague sense of dread, but cannot pinpoint the source?" the former Jedi decided to confuse his companion further.
"Yes," Qui-Gon agreed.
"Something is brewing around us. Darkness is gathering over Mandalore. And the Duchess is at the center of it all," Revan said thoughtfully.
"Is war coming?"
"Which I hope to avoid. But I will need assistance."
"Assistance? What kind?" Jinn inquired.
"First and foremost, we must ensure Satine Kryze's protection. The welfare of the entire Mandalorian people will depend on whether she can maintain power."
"We are doing everything in our power to protect the Duchess," Qui-Gon assured him.
"But it is not enough. As long as Death Watch exists, Kryze will not be safe. The recent attempt succeeded by sheer miracle. Imagine what would have happened if we hadn't been nearby?" Revan shook his head.
"You propose eliminating Death Watch?" the Jedi frowned.
"Ultimately, we will hold them accountable for all their actions, but the Duchess must act. She and the Mandalorian people."
"Otherwise, it will look as if the Jedi are once again meddling in Mandalorian affairs?" Jinn guessed.
"Which, after the Great Purge, would only undermine the remaining trust in the Republic and the Order, and permanently turn Mandalore against the Jedi and the Senate," Revan finished.
The former Sith hadn't lied in a single word. Qui-Gon sensed the sincerity in his companion's voice, and the Force gave no reason to doubt Revan's arguments.
"The Duchess is a pacifist. We shouldn't expect decisive action from her," Jinn noted, pointing out a clear miscalculation.
"Convictions change," the former Sith shrugged. "All that's needed is a good motivation to change priorities."
"And you have it?"
"Not me," Revan shook his head.
"Bo-Katan?" Qui-Gon realized.
"Yes. I hope the sister can bring Satine to reason. Because if a Sith truly stands behind Death Watch, we have very little time."
"You think they will take decisive action?"
"They tried to kill the Duchess. I'd say that's pretty decisive, wouldn't you agree?" Revan smirked.
Jinn nodded grimly.
"I just hope we can prepare Mandalore before the army arrives," the former Sith said darkly.
"What army?" Qui-Gon asked, confused.
"Most likely mercenaries, or, in the worst-case scenario, the Republic Judicial Corps."
"The Judicial Corps?!"
"Yes, under the guise of a peacekeeping operation."
"But only the Republic Senate can deploy the Corps here!"
"Which may well contain a Sith or their sympathizers," Revan pointed out the obvious fact.
"Impossible! Although... the Sith have always craved power. Their appearance on Coruscant is only a matter of time... But we couldn't have been so blind..."
"Qui-Gon, you yourself understand perfectly well that there are Force techniques that allow one to completely hide one's presence or to masquerade as an ordinary, non-sensitive person," Revan said softly.
"But... Surely there is no one among the members of the Order who could sense a Sith even under such a disguise? We couldn't have lost our skills and become so complacent!" Jinn wondered.
"Even in my time, not everyone could break through a high-quality concealment technique. Now... I don't know how good your Masters' abilities are, but no one in the Temple noticed the Darkness in me while I was there... Except, perhaps, the Grand Master."
"That is hard to believe. Though I understand that the Order is weaker and very different from what it was before Ruusan," Qui-Gon said dejectedly.
"It is better to accept it as a given. Otherwise, the Jedi may miss a threat that will lead to their demise."
"You know something?"
"These are only my conclusions and a premonition. Whether to believe them is your decision."
Jinn fell into thought.
They walked the rest of the way to the Throne Room in silence.
They were already expected in the hall. There was none of the solemnity Revan had witnessed during his previous visit to the palace. Satine was in simple, yet expensive clothes, without excessive accessories of status. Her retinue was absent. Only Obi-Wan, whose knee was fitted with a mechanical stabilizer designed to reduce stress on the joint, stood beside the Duchess and held her hands in his.
However, Revan already doubted that their arrival was expected. Kryze and Kenobi were standing face-to-face and quite close to one another. The former Sith was certain that had their arrival been delayed by a couple of minutes, the scene revealed would have been slightly more intimate. The Padawan was one step away from kissing the Duchess. And Satine didn't look like she was opposed to it.
Noticing the entrants, Kenobi and Kryze quickly turned towards the entrance and stepped away from each other, maintaining the appearance of strictly professional relations.
"So the rumors weren't lies," Nomad whispered quietly, but Revan heard it.
As did Qui-Gon. However, everyone chose to pretend they noticed nothing.
"Knight Van, I am pleased to see you again," the Duchess greeted Revan.
"Thank you, Duchess Satine," the former Jedi bowed in return.
"Who are your companions?" Kryze shifted her gaze to the women behind Revan.
"Tira Nomad," the mercenary introduced herself.
"And our informant from Death Watch," the former Sith indicated the second woman.
Bo-Katan merely snorted irritably in response and gave only a slight nod to the Duchess as a greeting.
"You brought one of those terrorists here?" Kenobi stepped forward with a slight limp, his hand resting on the hilt of his lightsaber.
However, a moment later, Satine's delicate hand rested on his shoulder, and the Padawan retreated.
"Everyone deserves a second chance. And if this brave woman has decided to turn away from the wrong path, she will always be welcome here," the Duchess said with a smile.
"Pah, still bleating like a Tartanian goat," Bo-Katan smirked disdainfully, which surprised Satine.
"Are we acquainted? Your voice... is very similar..." the elder Kryze said, carefully examining the nameless Mandalorian, beneath whose visor her sister was hidden.
"Death Watch plans to kill you soon, and then commit genocide against your supporters. And you, instead of preparing for the confrontation, hide behind the Jedi and make yourself look weak and helpless," Bo-Katan blurted out quite rudely, stepping closer to Satine.
"That's impossible. They don't have enough resources or supporters to stage a coup..." the Duchess began, but Revan interrupted her.
"Your enemies are backed by the Governor of Concordia, who has been amassing forces and resources for years. Plus, he is supported by your mysterious patron from Coruscant, which guarantees us the swift invasion of a small army to 'prevent civil war'," the former Jedi said softly.
"That cannot be!" the Duchess objected. "Pre Vizsla is my friend. Concordia is a peaceful planet."
"Which has several fortified Death Watch bases," Revan added.
"You are talking nonsense, Knight Van. I don't believe you," Satine cut him off.
"Do you believe me?" Bo-Katan took a step forward and removed her helmet.
"Sister?" the Duchess stared at the younger Kryze, utterly shocked.
"Hello, Satine. It's been a long time," Bo-Katan said coldly.
The elder Kryze seemed unsure how to react. Her emotions contained joy at the reunion, fear, and confusion...
"Wait... So you're... in Death Watch?" the Duchess asked, lost.
"Yes, and that is why I can confirm every word spoken by this Jedi." Bo-Katan nodded toward Revan.
"But... how could you..." Duchess Kryze's shoulders slumped.
At that moment, one of Satine's aides entered the hall—a secretary, one of four in the Duchess's retinue.
"My Lady, I have..." the newcomer stumbled mid-sentence upon seeing the two sisters together.
Just as he took a step back toward the door, Bo-Katan drew a blaster and fired a precise shot, piercing the secretary's chest.
In the next instant, three lightsaber blades were halted near the Mandalorian's neck. Jinn's green and Kenobi's blue clashed with Revan's silver blade, which had moved to protect the younger Kryze. The girl was not being attacked, merely warned. However, Revan decided to play it safe to avoid incidents caused by overly impulsive young and lovesick Padawans.
"What is the meaning of this?" shouted Satine, whom Obi-Wan was shielding from her sister.
"That was a Death Watch informant," Bo-Katan replied, holstering her blaster. "He recognized me and was likely going to report my betrayal to Vizsla."
"Soran?" The Duchess turned a disbelieving look toward the body of the slain man.
"Death Watch has infiltrated everywhere, sister," the younger Kryze said calmly.
"I think we should talk in a more... ah, secure location," Qui-Gon suggested.
"My office. It is reinforced in case of an attack on the palace. It's safe there," the Duchess replied, still trying to overcome her shock.
"Then..." Jinn began, but Satine interrupted him.
"I wish to speak with my sister alone," the elder Kryze declared.
"I don't think that's wise," Kenobi objected. "She is with Death Watch..."
"She is my sister!" Satine yelled.
"Clan over everything," Bo-Katan nodded, as if assuring everyone present that she would not harm her own sister.
"I don't think anything terrible will happen if we allow the family to reunite," Revan supported the sisters.
Jinn nodded in agreement. Kenobi had to yield.
The representatives of Clan Kryze withdrew into the Duchess's office, leaving the Jedi and the Mandalorian alone.
"Qui-Gon," Revan addressed the Master, distracting him from watching his Padawan pacing the Throne Room like a caged beast.
"Yes?" Jinn responded.
"Do you have a way to contact the Temple? Preferably the Grand Master."
"Yes, but why do you need to?" the Jedi was surprised.
"I need to know what is currently happening in the Senate and if the Judicial Corps has made any moves," Revan explained.
"You believe our adversary has already begun to act?"
"And has been for a long time," the former Sith agreed with a nod.
"Very well, I will try to contact Yoda."
"Thank you."
Meanwhile, a quiet conversation between Tira Nomad and Kenobi reached Revan's ears.
"Stop pacing in front of me, jetii," Nomad said tiredly. "You're starting to make my head spin."
Obi-Wan said nothing but complied with the request, freezing in front of the door to Kryze's office.
"You're worried about her," the mercenary stated the obvious fact.
"She is my friend," the Padawan replied dryly.
"Or more than a friend?" the Mandalorian slyly inquired.
"I don't know what you mean," Kenobi dismissed her, quite unconvincingly.
The mercenary struggled to hold back a laugh.
"Calm yourself, jetii. You're not the first, and you won't be the last."
Obi-Wan remained silent, moving to the wall and leaning his back against it.
"Feelings are beyond the control of mortals, that's what I was always taught," Tira said, looking up at the ceiling.
"What are you talking about?" the Padawan said, trying to sound detached.
Nomad turned her gaze to Kenobi. Her helmet obscured her face, so her companion didn't see the cunning smile.
"Have you heard of Rakshata Ran?"
"No," the future Jedi shook his head.
"She was the head of Clan Ran even before the Great Purge," Nomad began her story. "And she fell in love with a Jedi."
Kenobi flinched at those words.
"She was a very skilled warrior. Fearless and strong. But the trouble was, she couldn't find a worthy companion... Until one day, her path crossed with a certain Jedi." The Padawan was now listening intently, catching every word. "He was sent to arrest her. Don't ask me why; I don't know. And it doesn't really matter which of them was right or wrong. What matters is that a fight broke out when they met. And Rakshata lost. The Jedi captured her... but she captured him, too, however strange that sounds."
"He fell in love with her?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Yes, and she with him. It turned out their destinies were very similar. Both grew up without parents, under the care of mentors. Both went through many battles. They were lonely but didn't seek a partner because they had long since lost hope for love. He because of the Order's rules, she because of a string of bad luck."
"What happened next?"
"He failed his mission and left the Order. And she happily accepted him into the clan. And neither of them ever regretted it."
Kenobi looked surprised.
"What was the Jedi's name?" he asked with interest.
"I don't remember his name, but it doesn't really matter. In the clan, he received a new one—Avan Ran."
"And the Mandalorians accepted him? What about Rakshata? Did the Mandalorians' attitude toward her change? Did her clanmates accept her decision?" Obi-Wan peppered her with questions.
"Not everything went smoothly. Initially, many were displeased that a Mandalorian would associate with a Jedi. The Clan was visited by the Mandalore himself to clarify the situation. Rakshata almost clashed with him when he expressed his disapproval of accepting a Jedi into the clan, even a former one. But it was an internal clan matter, and the final word still belonged to Rakshata."
"And what happened?"
"The Jedi challenged the Mandalore to a duel in the Battle Circle," Nomad smirked. "He wanted to prove he was worthy of Rakshata."
"Did he win?"
"Of course, he lost," Tira shook her head. "Without weapons or Force techniques against a Master of hand-to-hand combat, the Jedi had no chance. However, he showed his resolve and his willingness to protect himself, his chosen one, and the path they had chosen. The Mandalore named him dar'jetii jate buir—'former Jedi and good father'. I know it sounds strange for an outsider. But for a Mandalorian, it is a high compliment."
"So, he became one of you?" Kenobi said with a slight smile.
"Yes. Despite all the difficulties and obstacles, despite having been enemies, Rakshata and Avan chose to be together. It was their path. Their strength of spirit is something to envy. Both went against their own people and found happiness. I love that story... even though Clan Ran was destroyed during the Purge," Tira finished.
Kenobi flinched at the last words. Before meeting Satine, the Padawan had been certain of the Jedi's holiness and infallibility. He believed that all their decisions and actions were justified. But after visiting Mandalore several years ago... when he saw what the orbital bombardment had turned the planet into... and the kind of people who live here. His faith had been shaken. Conversations with his Master only raised new questions. Then the meeting with Avner, who used the Darkness but did good things and defended the Republic... The mercenary's story...
And now, his rekindled feelings for Satine. His belief in the dogmas of the Order was weakening with every passing second.
Revan felt the struggle going on inside the Padawan. Qui-Gon undoubtedly felt it too. However, the Master was not in a hurry to restore his student's peace of mind or guide him onto the true path with kind words. Instead, he stood next to Revan and, just like the former Sith, listened to the conversation between Kenobi and Nomad.
"Aren't you going to intervene?" Revan asked.
"No," Jinn shook his head. "He deserves a chance at happiness. Even outside the Order."
"Won't you regret losing a student?"
"If he decides that his life will be better outside the Order, then who am I to stop him? We are not the owners of our students, not even their relatives. We are mentors. Our business is to guide and protect from evil, not to compel service to empty lines of the Code," Qui-Gon replied.
"You are a good mentor," Revan said with a smile.
"This time, yes. It's a shame things turned out differently with Xanatos," Jinn replied with sadness in his voice.
"Is that the one you spoke of earlier? The one who was your apprentice?"
"Yes... He fell to the Darkness, and I couldn't help him."
"Not everything is within our power, Qui-Gon. We cannot think for others. And the Darkness... it always seems like bliss at first, an allure that is difficult to resist. And sometimes it is impossible to explain what awaits the student. No matter how much you caution your charge, sooner or later he will touch the Darkness, and at that point, it will depend only on him whether he stands firm or falls. Xanatos could not. You just have to accept that." Revan placed a hand on Jinn's shoulder in a gesture of support.
"Thank you for your words," Qui-Gon nodded. "Apparently, I just need time to accept all this. As for Obi-Wan, I will not discourage him if he decides to leave the Order. He is trained and has already proven that he can resist temptation. And his impulsiveness will pass with age. He is ready for trials and could become an excellent Knight. But now it is up to him to decide."
"Thank you," Revan thanked the Jedi.
"For what?" Jinn was surprised.
"For your wisdom," the former Sith smiled, his eyes fixed on Tira Nomad, who gave him a barely perceptible nod.
The mercenary had brilliantly carried out Revan's request. It didn't matter whether the story Tira told was true or fabricated. The important thing was that she had guided the Padawan's thoughts in the right direction. He wouldn't have listened to Revan, which is why they had to act indirectly.
Kenobi will grow closer to Satine, and his convictions will in turn influence the Duchess. Obi-Wan is accustomed to fighting evil, not displaying the passivity characteristic of pacifists. And this trait of his will help guide Kryze along the path set out by the former Sith.
It only remained to wait for the results of the conversation between the two sisters. Great changes would soon occur on Mandalore.
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