I look over the building tops towards the horizon, or what little I can see of it. The shield over the Senate District was still up, but the clans were already rallying to their attack positions. “Come on, Temari. Don’t let me down.”
I turn away from the shield dome and take out my holo communicator. With a few clicks, I bring up my father’s image. “Buir, the assault on Presidential Palace is about to begin. Is the fleet in position?”
“They are, Mand’alor. Lydia Viszla commands the fleet. She await your orders.”
I smile sadly. My father’s dedication to the Mando’ade way of life forced him to view me as his leader, not his daughter. “Tell her to hold position. When I give the command, I want Basilisks deployed to my location.” I pause a moment, then in a softer voice, I say, “Buir... what can you tell me about the Clan Chief Zarka Saxon?”
I take a few seconds to give my answer. “I knew Zarka Saxon when I was younger. We weren’t friends, but I saw him around during gatherings. Corridan Ordo and I invite him on a few game hunts, but he rarely came along. He isn’t the type that is easy to get along with, as you probably know. I broke his nose once too.” I think a little more before asking “Do you remember the name Tarro Blood?”
“He’s the one who killed Ba’buir Braden, right? Mother spoke of him on occasion.”
“That’s the one. He and Zarka were pretty close once. That is, until the Great Hunt when Zarka busted Tarro’s knee and forced him out of the game. You can imagine, that left a lot of us wondering; were they ever really friends, or was Zarka just playing nice, waiting for the right moment to strike?”
“Why would be turn on Blood? From what I understand, he was nobody.”
“Exactly. Blood wasn’t born a Mando’ade. He wasn’t even adopted into a clan. He was an Alderaanian noble until Hedarr Soongh started training him to fight. He proved himself, and was given a set of beskar, but not all of the Mandalorians viewed him as true Mando’ade. Zarka Saxon was among them. He is likely one of those who view foundling and clan adoptions as lesser than true born Mandalorians.”
I frown. “So he’s an elitist, and he isn’t above betraying his supposed allies.”
“Not blatantly, and not without reason. He is loyal to the Mandalorian way of life, and especially loyal to the Mand‘alor. If you give him orders, he will carry them o it without question. You can count on that.”
“So... he won’t challenge me?” It was a weak thing to ask, but my anxiety at the prospect was enough to put me beyond caring.
“Oh, make no mistake. He will most definitely challenge you. But you can rest easy knowing it won’t be until our current enemy is defeated.”
My nerves flair, and for a moment, my panic turns to anger. “But why? I’ve done nothing wrong! In fact, I’d say this is the closest any Mand’alor has ever come to conquering the galactic core! Is this all because...” I catch myself, and in a quieter voice, I ask “Is this all become of my relationship with HJ Twilight?”
“Your relationship, the allies you keep among the Jedi and Sith, and even your age are possible reason. There is also your clan; Cadera is one of the least loved among the clans. Ever since my father’s refusal to answer Mand’alor’s call and betrayal. I did what I could to restore our honor, but not everyone could be so easily pleased. Especially considering who I married.”
“What do you mean? Mako was a famous bounty hunter in her own right even before she met you!”
“But she’s no Mandalorian. She’s an honorary member of the clan, but she’ll never wear beskargam or ride a basilisk. Some Mando’ade, like Zarka, see marrying outside of the clans as weakness. I broke Zarka’s nose to prove that wasn’t so, and he never spoke a word about my love life again... but I have no doubt he thought about it often. Now here you are, a half breed child from a dishonored clan, demanding a veteran warrior bow down and call you Mand’alor. He would probably claim it as his duty to challenge you, though deep down I’m sure his motivation would be little more than jealousy.”
“The problem is that many others probably feel the same way, and if he issues his challenge, I worry that he will gain a lot of support.”
I momentarily break my business like demeanor and speak as a father to his child. “Remember that you ARE the Mand’alor, and he only wishes he was. You defeated Mandalone the Victor in fair combat. You earned the right to stand we’re you do. Remind your people that when the time comes to pick sides, and remember that Clan Cadera AND Clan Ordo will absolutely plan their flags in the sand next to yours.” I take a quick look around before adding “Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum, Ad’ika.”
I bow my head. “Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum, Buir.” I end the call and turn towards where my warriors are gathering on the platform below me. Now was not the time for lamenting possible futures. Now was the time to focus on the present and prepare for action.
END OF SCENE
