A Mandalorian in battle is an interesting and, in its own way, beautiful sight. A Mandalorian in battle with a Jedi is truly breathtaking.
Having agreed to the mercenary's offer to "warm up a bit" a few days earlier, Revan hadn't anticipated what it would turn into.
They had to wait almost a week for a meeting with the clan leaders. And in the end, less than a third of the representatives showed up, making the plan for a coup pointless. All had to participate, or the venture was doomed to failure from the start.
Revan understood the lack of initiative and the wait-and-see attitude of many clans. After all, it wasn't easy for Mandalorians to trust a stranger, especially a Jedi, and Revan was sure that his affiliation with the Order wouldn't remain a secret for long. They expected not only a detailed plan from him but also the first steps towards its implementation. And with a tangible result.
The former Jedi couldn't stop being surprised by how much Mandalore had changed. On one side were pacifists bogged down in bureaucracy and corruption, on the other, rigid militarists unsuited for subtle "political games," and on the third, the extremist Death Watch, who preferred terror to negotiation. And in the very center of this fighting pit, Revan was now stuck. After all, he had already influenced the state of affairs by his mere appearance. The Watch was alarmed after HK's visit and Bo-Katan's disappearance. The True Mandalorians gained hope for a coup with minimal bloodshed, instead of a full-scale civil war. And the pacifists, represented by Duchess Satine, were clearly wary after Avner Van's visit.
However, it wasn't Revan's first time dealing with planetary-scale intrigues. And he had already planned what to do. The problem was that for the next move, he needed a couple of figures to appear on the board.
And the problem was in the waiting.
Revan didn't like to be idle. Neither did Tyra Nomad. And while the Jedi could occupy himself with training his students, the mercenary didn't have such an opportunity. So, she came up with the idea of organizing a small "Battle Circle" to dispel boredom and, at the same time, test her strength in combat against a Jedi.
Revan didn't object, as he himself wanted to refresh his memories of confronting Mandalorians. And it would be good to know how their tactics had changed over the years.
And if the first few sparring matches were held under relatively equal conditions, i.e., without weapons and Force abilities, then a week later, the fight was already using most of the arsenal each opponent had, with one condition – not to destroy the Dawn Eagle... Which, however, was already a significant limitation.
Tyra almost immediately refused blasters, using them only to distract attention. Not only did the lightsaber serve as an almost impenetrable shield for the Jedi, but Revan, to the mercenary's surprise, could block shots with practically bare hands. This trick didn't work with a flamethrower, and the flames in the confined space caused the mercenary's opponent a lot of trouble. Of the grenades, without the risk of damaging the ship in whose cargo hold the "training" was taking place, only stun grenades could be used. And the jetpack couldn't be used due to the low ceiling. All this limited Nomad, but at the same time gave her the opportunity to gain invaluable experience in confronting an unusual enemy.
Revan, in turn, also couldn't use powerful Force techniques, fearing for the ship's safety. And although the duel couldn't be called equal, it didn't diminish the pleasure.
Dodging a stream of flame and deflecting a few blaster shots, Revan tried to knock Tyra down with a Force push, but the girl anticipated the maneuver and used stun grenades to disorient her opponent. The plan almost worked, but the Jedi relies not only on his eyes and ears in combat. The Force warned its adept in time about the Mandalorian's approach from the left. The grappling hook missed its target, as did the lightsaber thrown forward, but with one difference. Revan missed intentionally.
"Hutt!"
Tyra cursed and became indignant. "Your 'foresight' again! How am I supposed to catch off guard someone who sees the future a few steps ahead?"
"There are ways. And in general, your tactics were correct. I would say that in the old days, you would have easily dealt with any padawan or even a young knight. But you're too hasty. If you had left yourself the opportunity to step aside during the last lunge, you could have found a moment to strike my leading hand,"
Revan replied.
"Just don't lecture me like you do your students,"
Nomad snorted. "I wish I had a short blade made of beskar or cortosis."
"That would be too expensive,"
the former Jedi chuckled.
"A freak is more expensive,"
Tyra shrugged.
"Perhaps then ultrachrome, if you really needed something to counter a lightsaber?"
"Ultrachrome? Good luck finding it in this part of the galaxy. Hutts don't supply it, and you'd have to search for a suitable merchant on the other side of the galaxy. And such a coating would only last a couple of blows before reaching its limit and melting."
"And yet. But your initial plan was heading in the right direction. You persistently tried to disarm me."
"And I almost succeeded,"
the girl reminded him.
"But even without a sword, the Force would have remained with me. Although I couldn't have used all my abilities."
"Don't get cocky, Jetii. I couldn't use all my tricks either. I doubt you would have come out unscathed if we had fought seriously. I wasn't even allowed to use my waxwing."
Revan could have argued with this statement, but there was reason in the Mandalorian's words. The lack of Force sensitivity among Tyra's compatriots was compensated by technology and very sophisticated weapons. Compact stunners and flamethrowers alone were worth something. And over the past millennia, Mandalorians had gone far ahead compared to the rest of the galaxy. It was no wonder the Senate was so scared that it unleashed the Order on the sector. So, the former Jedi gave the mercenary credit, admitting that he might not have been able to defeat her so easily. Although, objectively assessing their capabilities, Revan saw no outcome of their duel in which the Mandalorian would prevail. Unless, of course, the Force willed it.
In their first encounter, both were unprepared for the confrontation. The mercenary didn't expect her opponent to be a Jedi and was flustered, while Revan, in turn, didn't want to kill her and made every effort to capture her alive for interrogation. As a result, the fight was short and clumsy, unlike what these two demonstrated in the Eagle's cargo hold.
Anakin, who tried not to miss any of his teacher's sparring sessions, was delighted. Even Maul, in his eyes, earned a bit of respect from Tyra... and only HK, who occasionally monitored the duels through surveillance cameras, assessed the mercenary's skills as "average, for a simple sack of meat."
"I hope we never have to test the theory in practice,"
Revan replied diplomatically to Tyra's heated speech.
Despite all her discipline and upbringing, the girl was still too young to calmly accept criticism from anyone other than her mentor. And the former Jedi saw no point in arguing.
At that moment, Maul entered the compartment, having waited outside until the sounds of battle subsided, not wanting to disturb the Master.
"Master, I received a message from my man in the Duchess's palace. Those you were waiting for have arrived,"
the Zabrak reported with a bow.
"Excellent,"
Revan barely suppressed a smile.
Finally, all the actors were in place, and the resurrected former Sith could begin the active phase of preparing his plan.
"What happened?"
Tyra inquired.
"Good news,"
the former Jedi chuckled. "The waiting and boredom are over."
"Are we starting?"
the girl asked enthusiastically.
"Yes, inform Sevras that the clan meeting needs to be held as soon as possible. And I will also need an audience with the Duchess. However, I can handle the latter myself if everything goes according to plan. But it wouldn't hurt to have a backup."
"Understood."
"Then I won't keep you."
"I'll be in touch when there's news,"
the mercenary nodded and left the compartment.
"Maul, you will conduct Anakin's training today instead of me. No sparring, just basic movement drills."
"As you command,"
the Zabrak bowed.
"Try not to put too much pressure on him, we don't need to stir up his emotions now. The boy has just begun to feel the balance and to intercept the influence of Darkness in time."
"I understand, Master, and I will not fail you."
"Good. Tomorrow I will have another assignment for you. And today, I ask not to be disturbed."
"As you command."
Nodding in response to the Zabrak's respectful bow, Revan left the compartment and headed for the holographic communicator.
"R2, encrypt the channel. Even the best 'ice cutters' shouldn't be able to track the signal,"
the former Jedi ordered the astromech, who was conducting a standard system diagnostic.
The droid obediently and with undisguised enthusiasm diverted from its routine check and began working on the holographic communicator's console.
A few minutes later, the astromech emitted a joyful binary trill, confirming the successful completion of the order.
"Excellent, good work, R2,"
Revan thanked him and activated the communicator.
A couple of moments later, a translucent figure of Qui-Gon appeared above the holographic projector's surface, greatly surprised to see who had contacted him.
"...Avner?"
the Master of the Order said, not immediately finding a name to address his interlocutor.
"Master Jinn, I am glad to see you,"
Revan greeted the Jedi.
"Likewise,"
Qui-Gon smiled, "However..."
"I will explain everything when we meet."
"I am not on Coruscant at the moment..."
Jinn began.
"And that is one of the reasons I want to meet in person. In an hour, southern docking sector of Keldabe, cantina 'In the Cave of the Mudhorn'."
"How..."
"Believe me, what I have to say is of great importance and directly related to the purpose of your and your student's arrival on Mandalore,"
Revan interrupted.
"I will come,"
the Jedi replied, frowning.
"Excellent,"
the resurrected ancient master nodded and disconnected the call.
Jinn and Kenobi's visit to Mandalore was precisely the event Revan had been eagerly awaiting. These two were supposed to help shift the balance of power on the planet, opening the possibility for an almost bloodless coup. Almost, because there are always victims when power changes hands. They may not be written about in the media or mentioned in official reports, but someone's blood will inevitably become the ink with which the new regime is written. Nothing has changed in thousands of years.
"R2, I will need you today. Wait by the cargo ramp,"
the former Jedi addressed the astromech.
"D-dit, doo!"
the droid cheerfully chirped in response and rolled towards the ship's exit.
Revan, on the other hand, headed for the second cargo hold, which had become a place of confinement for the Duchess's sister, Bo-Katan Kryze, for the past couple of weeks.
Since the moment the girl asked to convey to Satine that she was alive, Revan had visited her every day, trying to get her to talk and gently nudge her thoughts, which were in disarray after the truth about the Watch was revealed. And little by little, he succeeded. The Force had almost no effect on the Mandalorian, and the former Jedi had to rely only on his natural gift of persuasion and his negotiation experience from his "past life."
"How is our guest?"
Revan asked HK-47, who was on duty near the cargo hold door.
"Indifferent answer: Annoyingly calm, Master. The prisoner is not rushing to use escape opportunities,"
the droid replied.
"Good, open the door."
The droid unhesitatingly carried out the order, having prepared its weapon in advance. After all, a prisoner is a prisoner. And no one is immune to escape.
However, Bo-Katan, dressed in a light training suit, which she was given in place of her confiscated armor, reacted calmly to Revan's appearance, as if she had long expected his arrival. She didn't even interrupt the set of exercises the girl diligently performed every day.
"Good day, Bo-Katan,"
Revan greeted the prisoner.
"You've arrived, Wanderer,"
the younger Kryze replied, casting an indifferent glance at her guest.
The girl called Revan nothing other than "Wanderer." He hadn't told her his real name, nor had he mentioned his affiliation with the Order. Therefore, Bo-Katan was fully convinced that her interlocutor and overseer was a clanless Mandalorian mercenary acting in alliance with the Nomad clan.
"I see that imprisonment is not a reason for you to ignore training. Commendable,"
Revan remarked politely.
"I won't be locked up forever,"
Kryze snorted.
"But you won't get out of here without my permission."
The girl froze for a moment and glared at her interlocutor.
"Did you come to gloat? Then you shouldn't have made my living conditions so comfortable,"
Bo-Katan said sarcastically.
The former Jedi laughed heartily.
"Oh, no, I'm not here for that. I don't take any pleasure in mocking someone who could become an ally."
"Ha, dream on!"
Kryze exclaimed dramatically. "Or do you really think I could take your side?"
"Why not? We want the same thing. We need a strong Mandalore, one that has preserved its identity and traditions, not a pathetic imitation of a republican farm planet from the frontier, which will be remembered once every ten years, and even then, only to collect new taxes."
"I already have those who will help..."
"Vizsla, in his pursuit of power, would sooner turn the planet to ashes with all its inhabitants. From his ancestor, who sold his kin on Galidraan, he inherited only vices. And you yourself understand this perfectly. Otherwise, you would have left my ship two weeks ago through that gap in the service channel that you hide so well behind those crates."
Yes, Revan was well aware that Kryze had long prepared for escape but for some reason, was in no hurry. Perhaps she intended to spy on him and gather more information to take back to Vizsla. Or perhaps she planned to figure out what Revan had told her about the kidnappings and the assassination attempt on the Duchess. The prisoner was in doubt, the former Jedi felt it very clearly. And day by day, Revan was further shaking her confidence in her chosen path, forcing her to seek new options. And these, the former Sith intended to ultimately offer the confused girl.
"The Watch is doing something..."
Bo-Katan tried to object.
"And with their actions, they are only pushing Mandalore closer to the edge of that abyss from which there will be no return!"
"As if there are options!"
the Mandalorian snapped.
It was precisely this effect that the former Jedi was counting on, time and again, stirring up the younger Kryze's emotions.
"There are,"
Revan said calmly.
"W... What?"
Bo-Katan almost choked on her next phrase and stared suspiciously at her interlocutor.
"I can offer another option. An option that will preserve Mandalore, revive traditions, and at the same time save our people from the Republic's interference."
"If you mean the Council of Clans..."
"No, I'm not talking about the political opposition, which for several years has only been able to huff with indignation and mourn the past. No. I'm talking about a change in political course, strengthening Mandalore's independence, and establishing its true government. We will be able to unite the Mandalorians under a single banner. To once again become those who were feared and respected in the galaxy for millennia."
Bo-Katan frowned, processing the information. The words were loud, and the promises were rosy. However, these were just words. Revan himself understood that right now, he had nothing behind him except a plan and a couple of relatively loyal people. But he was no stranger to such conditions. And those who knew Revan personally had long since gotten used to the fact that if the former general had a plan, you could bet on it.
"Satine..."
the younger Kryze whispered almost inaudibly.
"The Duchess will play a key role in the establishment of the new Mandalore."
"I won't let anything happen to her!"
Bo-Katan shouted threateningly.
For a moment, Revan thought the girl would pounce on him. An interesting reaction. Their connection with her sister was even deeper than the former Jedi had expected.
"Calm down, nothing will happen to Satine Kryze. Moreover, she will be the one to initiate Mandalore's new policy and lead all the clans."
The prisoner stared at her interlocutor with unconcealed shock in her eyes.
"What nonsense... Satine will never abandon her principles! It was her policy that brought our people to the brink of ruin."
"What if she changes? What if she has something that can outweigh her naive beliefs? What if her faith in the ideals of pacifism is shaken, and the perfect illusory world she has built around herself suddenly crumbles?"
The younger Kryze listened intently to Revan's words and with each second became more horrified. She knew her sister well... and imagined what could happen.
"This will break her. She won't be able to handle it..."
Bo-Katan whispered pleadingly.
"Your older sister is much stronger than you think,"
Revan said calmly. "But, yes, her world will collapse. And then she will need support... family and love."
"Was all this for that? My kidnapping? All to use me in games with my sister?"
Kryze hissed maliciously.
"Your kidnapping was merely a consequence of circumstances. I would have carried out the plan anyway. But then there would have been no certainty about the safety of the new Mandalore's leader. With you, the Duchess's chances only increase."
"Psychopath..."
"I've been called worse,"
Revan chuckled.
"What you're saying is impossible!"
"Nothing is impossible, there are only poorly set tasks and undeveloped plans,"
the former Jedi dismissed calmly.
"My sister won't go for that... And with me... We haven't spoken for too long."
"And yet, upon hearing that you were alive, the Duchess mobilized all her contacts, including those on Coruscant, to find you."
"Family... Clan above all..."
the prisoner whispered almost inaudibly.
"Clan above all,"
Revan repeated. "And I ask you to follow your principles on this matter."
A long silence ensued. Kryze pondered her interlocutor's words, while he waited for the right reaction.
"But why are you so sure that Satine will be ready to take me back into the clan?"
Bo-Katan spoke first.
"Believe me, she will tell you herself soon,"
the former Jedi stated confidently.
"What do you mean?"
"You'll see. In the meantime, think about my offer. If you're worried about your sister, you have no better path."
Revan didn't wait for an answer, turned, and left the compartment.
"If she tries to escape, don't stop her, but keep an eye on her,"
he ordered the assassin droid.
"With readiness: Yes, Master."
"And I have another meeting to attend."
Taking R2 with him, Revan left the Eagle and headed for the cantina "In the Cave of the Mudhorn."
The meeting place was not chosen by chance. The owner of the establishment was from the Nomad clan and, with the clan head's permission, kindly agreed to ensure the privacy of the meeting. And to provide backup, in case of unexpected events. Revan learned about the latter, however, upon arrival.
The cantina's patrons, at first glance, were no different from the usual regulars of port establishments. And if not for the bar owner's remark, the former Jedi might not have noticed that each of those present had a rich military past, even if they skillfully concealed their military bearing.
"A stranger will hear nothing. I guarantee it,"
said Ravt Nomad, the cantina owner.
"Let them not strain themselves so much. The guest is a Jedi and can feel stares full of hatred directed at him,"
Revan warned.
"Everyone here is a professional. Don't worry, kid."
"I'm counting on you,"
the former Jedi said with a polite nod and moved to the far corner of the hall, where private booths were located for clients who preferred solitude.
At Revan's command, the astromech connected to the local security system. His task was to monitor the situation and record what was happening, while simultaneously preventing attempts to remotely spy on the negotiations.
Qui-Gon didn't keep him waiting and appeared exactly at the appointed time.
His disguise still left much to be desired. The strange robe that Jinn put on over his robes didn't so much hide his affiliation with the Order as it drew attention... it looked quite comical.
"Avner Van,"
the Jedi greeted Revan with a smile, having unerringly identified the spot where his interlocutor was waiting.
Revan didn't hide his presence in the Force, so Qui-Gon's awareness was not surprising.
"Master Jinn,"
the former Jedi greeted him back with a nod and gestured for the guest to sit.
"I must admit, your call surprised me,"
Qui-Gon said, settling into the booth opposite Revan.
"It's funny, everyone keeps telling me my name is inextricably linked with Mandalore," the former Sith chuckled.
"And who is so well-informed?" the Magister asked slyly, playing along.
"Good acquaintances."
The interlocutors exchanged knowing smiles.
"How is Anakin?" the representative of the Order inquired.
"Progressing," the Skywalker's mentor admitted with pleasure.
"It's a shame I didn't get to take him under my wing. But I'm glad you became his teacher."
"I don't forbid my students from gaining knowledge from others. If you wish, you can always participate in his training."
"I'm afraid our ideologies will conflict a bit..." Qui-Gon chuckled.
"Really?"
"At least officially. I'm still a member of the Order, don't forget."
"But that doesn't stop you from thinking for yourself. Which can't be said about your student."
Jinn frowned.
"Obi-Wan wasn't always like this. He's difficult to understand at times, but he's a good person. I'm partly to blame for his fanatical devotion to dogma. But, let's not dwell on that..."
"As you wish."
"I suppose it will be easier if we skip the small talk about the weather," Qui-Gon suggested.
"I won't argue," Revan replied, his demeanor instantly serious.
"Bo-Katan Kryze. You wanted to talk about her?" Jinn asked directly.
"In part."
"Do you know where she is?" the Magister asked, without a hint of threat.
"More importantly, not where she is now, but where she was before."
"And where was that?"
"In Death Watch," Revan replied calmly.
"She was held captive for so long?" Jinn asked, surprised.
"It's hard to remain captive when you're the deputy leader."
"What?" Qui-Gon stammered, taken aback.
"Bo-Katan Kryze holds the position of practically the right hand of the Death Watch leader," Revan explained.
"Unthinkable," the Jedi breathed out, "Didn't Death Watch try to kill her sister!"
"And, as it turns out, she didn't know about it."
"Where is she now?"
"Visiting."
Qui-Gon frowned.
"You're not holding the sister of the local government leader against her will, are you?"
"I assure you, not a hair has fallen from her head. And I've left her the option to leave," Revan said, not at all disingenuously.
"So, that message for Satine?"
"Bo-Katan sent it through me."
"And you advised the Duchess to seek help from 'old friends from the Order'?" Jinn guessed.
"That's right."
"Why do you need our presence on Mandalore?" the Magister frowned. "I won't allow innocents or my student to be harmed."
"You don't consider him innocent?" Revan smirked.
"You know what I mean."
The former Jedi nodded with a barely perceptible smile.
"There's no reason for concern," he assured his companion, "Moreover, I'm interested precisely in the safety and preservation of the Duchess and her entourage."
"And what do Obi-Wan and I have to do with it?"
"You've ensured her safety once before," Revan shrugged, "And of the entire Order, I trust only you."
Jinn was flattered by such an address. So much so that even the barriers around his consciousness, which the Jedi had erected before the conversation, wavered, allowing his companion to feel the Magister's emotions.
"I still don't understand."
"I want to arrange a meeting between the Kryze sisters. And while I can take care of Bo-Katan's safety myself, Satine will be under threat. Considering the recent terrorist attack on Concordia, during which one of Death Watch's bases was destroyed, these fanatics might try to retaliate," Revan explained.
"Hmm, quite possible," Jinn mused thoughtfully, "But what's your interest? Have you really become sentimental about sisterly bonds?"
The former Sith laughed theatrically.
"My interest is somewhat more global. I need a united Mandalore. Strong and independent," he said, looking into Qui-Gon's eyes.
The Magister was greatly surprised by this statement.
"For what purpose? From anyone, but from you, I wouldn't expect such a statement. After all, you understand better than anyone what Mandalore is capable of when it returns to its past."
"Qui-Gon, soon the galaxy will face a conflict unlike any it has ever known. And believe me, it will be better for everyone if Mandalore is as I remember it, not this remnant of the Republic, incapable of even defending itself from pirates," Revan stated seriously.
"What do you mean?"
"It will be a long conversation," the former Jedi warned.
"I have time."
"Then order us a kaff or something stronger," Revan said, rising from his seat, "I'll let my people know I'll be delayed."
He walked over to the bar and addressed the astromech hiding under the counter.
"Find Kenobi. He's nearby."
"D-o-o-o?" the droid asked questioningly.
"Make sure he hears our conversation. It will be beneficial for him."
The astromech beeped affirmatively and began to carry out the order.
Revan, meanwhile, began his story, passing on to Qui-Gon a fraction of the information the former Jedi had managed to glean after meeting with Sidious. It was not necessary for Jinn to know everything. And this would be enough to check the Order's awareness of the Sith's affairs.
The entire conversation was, for the most part, initiated for the Padawan. His very presence on Mandalore was causing the Duchess to act rashly. This was noticed by Maul's spies and the representatives of the Clan Council. Obi-Wan had influence over Satine, and this could be exploited.
But there was still much to prepare. And the next step would be a small deal with the Sith.