While Councilman Kote was still in the Council, waiting to depart for Mandalore with others to conduct an investigation, a major event was unfolding on Coruscant.
After Qui-Gon's death was announced, Jedi Great Master Dooku, disillusioned with the Jedi Order and the Great Council, made his final choice: to betray the Jedi Order and assist the Sith.
However, Great Master Yaddle discovered this and tried to persuade Dooku to return, but she was ultimately killed by Dooku, who had completely fallen into darkness.
Furthermore, during the blockade of Naboo, Jedi Great Master Sifo-Dias felt that the future Republic would definitely need an army. So, he sought out the Clone technology of the Kaminoans, which Plagueis had mentioned at a banquet earlier, and with funding from Damascus Holding Company, ordered an army of three million Clones for the Republic.
But during a conversation, he informed Count Dooku of this matter, and was subsequently murdered during a recent mission, with the remaining plan taken over by the Sith for future actions.
At this moment, the Clone project on Kamino had quietly begun, and everyone except the Sith and Councilman Kote was completely unaware of it, still living in an era of great peace, completely oblivious that the current Republic had already embarked on a path of no return.
But this had nothing to do with Councilman Kote, who was currently surrounded by reporters. Because of the impending investigation into Councilman Kote and Mandalore, reporters were swarming at the entrance of the Council building.
"Councilman vizsla, do you believe someone is deliberately targeting you?"
"Please answer, Councilman vizsla, were you instructed by anyone to repeatedly confront the Trade Federation in the Outer Rim?"
"Councilman vizsla, what is your opinion of Governor Gunray!?"
Various reporters chattered around Councilman Kote, hoping he would say something newsworthy for the holonet. After all, the recent hot news was related to the Naboo invasion and its personnel, for example, Queen Amidala had given an interview expressing dissatisfaction with the Trade Federation and the current Republic.
These people also wanted Councilman Kote to say something different to make a story.
Spider, as a close bodyguard, protected Councilman Kote, preventing him from being directly questioned by reporters.
"Move aside, move aside! The Councilman needs to return to Mandalore to lead the investigation team!" Spider pushed and shoved the persistent reporters.
Taking advantage of this, Councilman Kote quickly boarded his speeder and left the area.
"These guys are like bees around honey, constantly circling the Commander every day. Should we make them shut up?" Spider suddenly blurted this out, clearly exasperated.
"Relax, Spider, it will only get busier. After all, we are currently at the center of politics; every word and action represents Mandalore and the Alliance. Moreover, if we make such moves, others will seize upon them and exaggerate them, which is not good for us." Councilman Kote said, sitting in the speeder, urging Spider not to be so impatient.
"You're right, Commander, but if they investigate, will it be disadvantageous to us? After all, our enemies are not just the Trade Federation; those mega-corporations are also envious of what we've done in the Outer Rim. For them, this completely hinders their development and oppression of the Outer Rim people." Councilman Kote spoke of the actions of these mega-corporations.
"Then why don't we just let them investigate us? Those fleets absolutely cannot be seen!" Spider immediately became anxious. This wouldn't do.
"I told you not to panic. We already have a countermeasure, so for now, let's return to Mandalore and see if anything has been overlooked." Councilman Kote said, accelerating.
But what he didn't expect was that Lott Dodd, along with a task force from the Jedi Council, investigators from the Republic Judicial Forces, and some reporters, were waiting for his arrival at Councilman Kote's shuttle.
As soon as Councilman Kote arrived at the landing pad, he saw a crowd of people he didn't want to see.
"Damn it, how did they get here faster than us? Didn't they say the investigation wouldn't start until next month? It's only been half a month!" Spider cursed under his breath.
Councilman Kote told him to keep quiet, as they were in front of reporters. Spider quickly shut up.
"Oh, isn't this Councilman Dodd? What are you all doing here?" Councilman Kote asked, feigning ignorance.
"Of course, since we are unfamiliar with the Mandalorian Sector, we are preparing to go with Councilman Kote." Lott Dodd said, as if it were obvious.
At this moment, the two Jedi assigned to the task force stepped forward.
"Hello there." This was Obi-Wan.
"It's been a few days, Big Brother Kote." This was Anakin.
Councilman Kote saw this and thought, what kind of investigation is this? They're all my people. Let's go to Mandalore first for some fun and relaxation.
Actually, Palpatine had entrusted the Jedi Council to select the members of the investigation team. Anakin had suggested to Obi-Wan that they go to investigate, as both of them were very familiar with Mandalore and better suited for the investigation. Everyone thought it made sense, so they were dispatched.
But this was also the Jedi Council's purpose: to see if Anakin would protect the people of Mandalore during this mission.
"How is Anakin's training coming along?" Councilman Kote first spoke to Obi-Wan, leaving the others aside.
"He is very obedient, just as Great Master Qui-Gon said, he is a child of the force, but still a bit short compared to you." Obi-Wan compared the two.
"Because he is still too young. After all, at his age, I hadn't even come into contact with The Force. In the future, he will definitely be stronger than both you and I." Councilman Kote looked at little Anakin.
"That's true, but are they also coming with us?" Obi-Wan pointed at the reporters, as some incidents in the past had given the Jedi Order a bad impression of reporters.
"These are reporters accompanying us. After the investigation, the entire itinerary and everything seen and heard will be made into news and sent to the holonet, so they will follow our journey." Dodd explained.
"The Council never said that reporters should accompany the investigation to Mandalore, and many things are confidential. If leaked, the consequences would be dire, and besides, the Judicial Department will be recording everything. What use are they?" Councilman Kote said calmly.
"Then let's record what can be made public, how about that, Councilman Kote? It can also let the people of the Republic know the current situation on Mandalore." Lott Dodd asked for Councilman Kote's opinion.
Hearing Dodd's suggestion, Councilman Kote nodded. Indeed, this would allow people in the Galaxy to understand what the current Mandalorian Government was like and how its people lived. Perhaps it could even attract some entrepreneurs from the Galaxy to invest or visit.
"Alright, but you must keep a close eye on these fellows. If any accidents occur, Mandalore will not be held responsible." Councilman Kote nodded, allowing these individuals to travel to the Mandalorian Sector with them.
Immediately, Lott Dodd and the reporters began to whisper, clearly these were reporters he brought to slander Mandalore. However, he could also make them write positive things about Mandalore, the kind where even if they tried to find fault, they couldn't. He could even bribe them, after all, some people would do anything for news, who cares if it's real news as long as it's sensational enough.
As Councilman Kote, Anakin, Lott Dodd, and several Judicial Department supervisors boarded Councilman Kote's shuttle, the remaining reporters could only take a company ship to Mandalore.
×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×
Read Extra Chapter Visit My Patreon
I have only 1 tier
19$ Tier – Access to 40 advance chapters
patreon.com/Lempil
patreon.com/Lempil