Silent Vows

[Caedus Sadow]

The shaky relationship that had been forged in the past months was a tedious one at best. In recent history, it would seem that the jedi have seen eye to eye with the mandalorians in many instances. This, however, was not always so. From times as ancient as the mandalorian wars to exar kun and even the great wars...the sith and mandos had roots that ran far too deep....so deep as to make caedus uneasy...especially given recent circumstances. He stood on a balcony overlooking capital city from the newly erected jedi temple on mandalore 2. The city seemed peaceful...ironic really..the most warlike culture in the galaxy had suddenly become one of the most safe. One of the many signs that galactic matters had completely gone to hell. It was hard for even a jedi to concentrate on one matter the way things were going as of late. A high ranking general and clan leader had died less than a week ago. Delso had been more than these things to caedus...he had been a dear friend and powerful ally. The president spokesman for the order, black moon, an the coalition was gone. He had promoted helping them in their war efforts. Now without him and with the cicil war now going on..the eyes of the the galaxy waits to see who will retain the favor of mandalore the immortal.

It had taken weeks for the council to approve of the construction and even longer to convince the clan leaders to allow it. Caedus had been appointed by the council to recruit force sensitives in the mando sectors and keep mandalores council. Their natural skill would only make a more formidable jedi yet this was not without risk. These were war like people..and he must tread carfully.

Ahh but caedus had lost track of time.It was time to report to the council..and he had an audience with mandalore to tend to.


Ooc: don't judge it. Lol so out of practice. I'm not done with it though

[Jalua Solast]

At the outer edge of the sector, the Black Moon Navy approached, delta formation bringing in extra defensive capabilities to the warships. On board the flagship, Jalua was stood in the hanger waiting to get onto her shuttle. After contacting KnightFire and Admiral Price again, she had arranged for a specially designed assault ship to be delivered. This would be used to help the Empress to move silently between her targets if necessary to keep her hidden from all types of ships. The Empress herself was wearing her Mandalorian-made armour with the improvements she herself had spent months on merging into the suit. Her lightsaber was on the right side of her belt and her old Jedi lightsaber on her left for use in emergencies. On a strap was an improved Coalition rifle, one of the latest prototype versions which had been produced to help the Coalition to remain competitive with the other factions in the galaxy. She held this rifle downwards across her chest-plate, in front of a pistol which was strapped to her left leg just below her hip. In addition to this, a knife was strapped to her right leg. There was two reasons why she had decided to use a knife rather than a vibro-blade, one being that she could sharpen this on long journeys to help keep her from boredom and another being the completely silent approach. A vibro-blade made a soft hum and although recently the noise on latest models had been reduced to silence, it still created a noise pattern which was detectable by droids and listening devices across many spaceports and public buildings. On top of her armour was clothing draped around her which was usually worn in warm climates. Although Mandalore was a temperate climate, it was at the higher end and had a very warm jetstream which passed over the capital. Lauren was fitted with a similar set up except she wasn't wearing a full helmet and had Coalition made armour instead. Her weapon was also modified and similar to her sister's. Together the two of them waited for the flagship to get into position within the floatila so that they could launch for the homeworld of the Mandalorians and hopefully speak to the Mandalore himself.

[Dan Zorko]

Dan hobbled across the hangar bay, with Don carrying Jaya in tow. "Sir, I must still protest, we need to get you to a bacta tank ASAP." Don was saying. Dan held up his cane. "In due time, my friend. I told you I was seeing the Empress off first." he said. He approached Jalua, who was still stunning, even in her battle gear. "We will await your signal with the Mando's answer." he said. "As much as I don't want you to rush, please do be careful."

[Caedus Sadow]

Holochamber
Jedi Temple-Mandalore
Council Transmission 11456

".....The new leader to this fold up empire remains unclear master." Caedus answered. "There are rumors of a sudden rise to power. It seems someone that does not hail from within the imperial ranks is gaining support, popularity, and military support. Where this man's financial backing is coming from is yet still elusive...as is this man. The fact that he remians elusive makes me uneasy. Someone with so much power and gained it so quickly is bound to have a name, yet the people within the empire only refer to him as 'the prince'."

Caedus finished waiting for a reply from the council. Their transluscent blue images sat before him in a perfect circle. There was a moment of silence before Master Dahc spoke.

"Your concern is well noted Master Sadow, especially with the dissapearance of the Dark Lord of the Sith. The dark side is clouding all. I fear that something terrible may have reared its ugly head before the galaxy. There are reports that Kavar has fled known space and others that suggest he is closer and stronger than we would believe. This matter, however, we must leave to the Watchmen of our order. It is in them that we trust to bring these dark mysteries out into the light. I fear we must give ourselves over to more pressing matters. What do we know of the coalition's current situation?"

Caedus took a moment to consider the question.

"In short...we know very little about the situation. All that we know is that some sort of civil dispute has lead to skirmishes and dog fights throughout their territory. Some of the coalition has remained loyal to its leader Jalua Solast, while the rest have defected in favor of an alternative that we currently know nothing of. There are reports that Black Moon is helping the deposed leader."

"Very well. We will begin to send aid to Jalua once our investigators have sorted out what may have happened and perhaps this pirate lord as well. But let us turn to your situation master sadow. What news of Mandalore and our new friendship?"

"It seems to be working out well..." Caedus paused for a moment before continuing. "..but the Mandalorians aren't known for their hospitality. Our closest friend and political ally in their government has died of undetermined causes. I am to report to Mandalore the Immortal as soon as this council has adjourned to asses the situation and pay respects. Triton is to recieve the funeral of a hero."

He felt a bit uneasy about the death of Delso. he hadn't felt him die within the force, yet he felt there was something else there...elusive.

Very well.. you will be charged with overseeing our relations with the mandalorians and pressing our case within their government.

"As you wish master."

The figures dissapeared and Caedus made for the Imperial Palace.

[Triton Delso]

The surface of a black obsidian throne felt smooth beneath his newly adorned armour. Triton felt that the armour rejected him even though it had needed very little adjustments to fit him. It does not belong to me. This is Krant's armor.... he thought. The set of armour, however was nothing compared to the helmet. It felt stifling and made him feel like his head was in some some sort of dark, cold, embrace. It was all he could do to sit on the smut throne with the same intimidating posture as his fallen brother, but this was a cup that had been passed to him by his comrades. The clan leaders had surprisingly chosen Delso to carry on the legacy of Mandalore the Immortal. The most successful leader since the Mandalorian wars could not be allowed to be human. He must seem to live up to his title. and so he shall....

Delso straightened up now, dismissing any doubt or reluctance from his mind. This was his life now and he would embrace the full of it despite the anguish he felt. The real General Delso would be remimbered as a decorated hero of his people, yet he as he was...would no longer exist.

Mandalore turned slightly as a courier entered the throne room. He felt an unusual twinge of power course through him when the man bowed to his knees before him.
"Rise...what news do you bring me?" Delso almost jumped in surprise, though it could not be seen. They were his words, but the voice was not his own. He heard the voice of his lost leader coming through the vocabulator in his newly adorned helmet. "speak!" he spat as to wipe away any sign of...well whatever he may have seen looking up from the marble floor.
"Master Jedi Sadow sends word....he will be here within the hour."

Delso sat still for the moment. Krant had always shown a slight reluctance to work with the jedi, and he must show the same.
"Very well....i will see the jedi and he shall have my council." The messenger didn't budge from his spot.
"Have you more to say?"

"yes Mandalore. We have word that a Coalition cruiser has just touched down....."

[Jalua Solast]

Jalua and Lauren jumped down from the side of the transport just has it landed. Barely stopping, the shuttle flew back into the sky, leaving the two heavily armoured figures on the landing bay. Walking forwards, Lauren and Jalua had no idea how the Mandalorians would treat them, they may attempt to use the recent events to their advantage. Heading forwards from the landing pad they followed the wide empty path to where three Mandalorian soldiers stood still. They seemed to be ready for combat but not provoking any either, so Jalua led the way with her assault rifle ready in both hands across her chest. "We are here to visit the Coalition Embassy" Jalua stated. Her voice was distorted slightly through the helmet and it was unclear if the soldiers actually knew who she was or had even been accepting them.

[Caedus Sadow]

The journey from the temple to the imperial palace was a time consuming one. It did give Caedus time to prepare however. He had been going over the points that he would bring up in Mandalore's prescence. This kind of council would require all of his wit and charm. Any attempt to persuade the Mandalore with the force would end badly. Mandalore was an intelligent and refined beast and there would be no shortcut.
Caedus drew many blank stares from thecitizens and traders as he passed through the merchants quarter on the way to the palace. If he could consider them citizens that is....the jedi knight was not used to being in a place such as this...a planet with its entire population as a standing army. Mandalore II had become a very safe and at the same time very dangerous place.
He finally approached the palace steps. As he passed through the courtyard he could not help but look at the many statues of past great warriors of these people, but there was something else there as well...he couldn't put his finger on it but it was almost as if..
Caedus followed the trail that the force placed before him. There were two faint force prescences within the confines of the imperial palace but there was something different about them. He could not put an identity with the force signatures...someone was masking them.
His meeting with Mandalore would have to be delayed. Caedus swiftly made his way to the landing pads on the eastern side of the palace. As he walked through the elegant marble columned foyer he saw two heavily armored figures standing on the landing pad beset by two of Mandalores Death Watch. Caedus stopped in his tracks and moved to stay out of sight. he felt all too comfortable about the situation when he should feel on edge...so he would be patient and see how this played out.

The soldier on the right nodded to the other and both brandished their rifles. Then one of them spoke. "The Coalition is no longer a functioning government in the galaxy in the eyes of Manda'lor. It is unclear who can be trusted. We have not documentation of any Coalition landings in the city today...let alone the palace." The other soldier then piped up "tell me then why you would land in the imperial palace to get to your embassey." Neither of them had lowere their rifles.

Ooc: its easier to say you landed in the palace if that's cool. Ill change it if not.

[Jalua Solast]

Jalua wasn't impressed by the soldier's attitude and attempted to walk around them. Blocking her way, Jalua raised her rifle a little higher and so did Lauren. "Safer route" Jalua said simply, not giving an inch of room for the soldier in her way. Lauren stepped between them and took a look at the soldiers. "We are here to speak to your government, but like you said, it is unclear on who can be trusted. If we came here publicly, then we would no doubt bring trouble behind us. Empress, show them your face". Jalua looked at Lauren in disbelief, this was meant to be a covert meeting with Delso, revealing her face wouldn't be the best idea. Lauren turned her view from the soldiers to her sister and the silence between them was painfully obvious. Eventually Jalua complied and took off her helmet. "Take a DNA sample if you still don't believe it's me" Jalua said, with the rifle being slung across her back has she held her helmet under her arm.

[Caedus Sadow]

The soldier stood glued to the spot...none spoke and disbelief could be seen through both of their visors. After a moment the guard who had done most of the talking and who was clearly the superior activated his wrist comm and spoke very softly into it. After that the other guard piped up.

"So...she finally decides to show her face again? Its about time..." before he could finish the sentence the commanding officer struck him across the face. "You will show proper respect for a galactic leader!" he barked. "You will notify command immediately...now get out of my sight.'

The soldier seemed taken aback by his commander's actions and staggered a bit from the strike.He quickly regained his balance and hurried off toward the palace entrance as ten elite deathwatch poured out onto the landing pad and began to form a defensive perimeter around their new coalition guests.

"Forgive us your majesty...perhaps now we can skip the preliminary checks. What brings you to our capital city?" the guard had lowered his rifle and backed away.