Lord Greshh

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Mandalore the Risen

I nod. “Then she should be found and punished. The Revolution needs to have justice for their fallen leader.” I look at HJ. “In the meantime, I need you do to something very important for me; I need you to convince Cosen to stay loyal to me. Without Gavin, she is the one the Revolution will listen to.”

HJ Twilight

“Me? Heh. She and I aren’t exactly friends. We aren’t enemies either, but... well, she might still be secretly upset that I left her for you. Besides, I thought you hated her.”

Mandalore the Risen

“I do, and she hates me. Damn, if only Temari hadn’t removed that collar...” I mutter that last bit more to myself. “She’ll surely try to rally her peers against me now. She needs to be kept in line or else everything will fall apart.” I back back to the communicator. “Where is she now, Jerus?”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Mandalore the Risen

All the color drains from my face when I hear that Gavin has been killed. “What? N...no. That can’t be right. He wasn’t...” I stand up and back away, unable to hide the panic. “How could this happen? He’s a Sith! He should have been able to stop it!”

HJ Twilight

“Easy, now. Even the best of us can be taken by surprise. Especially if we are betrayed by those we consider allies.”

Mandalore the Risen

“But if he’s gone... the Revolution will turn on me! They’ll think that....” I try to look determined. “I have to show them I killed Saxon. I need to make an example of that entire Clan to prove I wasn’t behind this...”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Becca Twilight

My heart sinks. How could Jakito and I not have sensed this? Unless... I look down at the baby in my arms. His power in the Force was almost overwhelming. Being so close to such a powerful source may have somehow blinded our senses to the Saxon betrayal. "Understood." I put the commlink down and look to Korré. "Don't worry. We'll keep you both safe." I walk over and place Val back into her arms. "Just relax. We'll wait here for Xan to arrive."

Korré

"Who were you just talking to?"

Becca Twilight

"Zar'kun Je'and. He was just updating me on the situation. Nothing to be worried about. I promise."

HJ Twilight

I call Dad and Grandpa over the holo. "Hey guys! Just wanted to let you know I'm okay. Nobody tried to kill me or nothing. Guess they figured it would be too risky or... maybe they thought I'd be at the rally." I look at Ava, who is with me in my room. "What happened? Is everyone alright? Ava told me Gavin was injured."

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Becca Twilight

I quickly answer my comm before its pinging wakes baby Val. I hear what Zar'kun says, but I don't reply. I just stare at the hologram of Xan in Korré hand.

Korré

"Is there something wrong, mi'lady?"

Xanthippe Naberrie

"No time to explain. There has been an... incident. I'm coming to get you. Lock the doors and don't let anyone inside."

Becca Twilight

While Jakito goes to lock the doors, I look at Korre. "Ask her where she is."

Korré

"Uhh... Where are you, mi'lady? Are you far? Is it going to take you long to get here?"

Xanthippe Naberrie

"Not far. I'm on my way now. Just need to take care of a few things first." I look as intense as I can through the tiny hologram. "Don't trust anyone. Everything is falling apart. Until further notice, everyone is a potential enemy." Without further explanation, the hologram cuts out.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Mandalore the Risen

I wave my hand. “Granted. I need to go find HJ and make sure that bastard didn’t send any kids after him.”

Jakito Twilight

Meanwhile, during all of this chaos, Becca and I are visiting Korré in her room. While the new mother sits propped up in bed, Becca sits on a sofa close by, holding the newborn in her arms. I sit next to her and look down at the sleeping boy. “So, Valkorion, huh? Interesting name.”

Korré

I smile sheepishly. “I can’t remember how I came up with it, but I like it. Though I admit, it is a bit of a mouthful.”

Jakito Twilight

I shrug. “He could use a nickname. Like Val.” I think it over in my head. “Yeah, I like the sound of that.” You know, we never did catch your last name.”

Korré

“Hmm... I don’t know. I prefer his full name; Valkorion Durantus. Sounds quite noble, don’t you think?”

Becca Twilight

“Durantus? Is that your last name? I just realized you never told us that. It’s always just been Korré.”

Korré

“Well, that’s because Korré isn’t my real name. It’s my handmaiden name. You see, when Naboo girl enter the service of a noble woman, they abandon their birth names and take on handmaiden identities. My real name is Kordelia Durantus. But, as long as I serve Senator Naberrie, I know no other name but Korré.” Speaking of the senator, my holo communicator on the side table begins to beep, showing a transmission from Xan. “Ooh! I need to get that quick! I don’t want it to wake the baby!” I grab the holocomm and answer. "Yes, Mi'lay?"

Xanthippe Naberrie

I look very panicked. My hair is a mess, and I keep looking around, as if expecting someone to appear and attack at any moment. “ Korré! Stay where you are! I’m on my way!"

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Mandalore the Risen

I glance over my shoulder. “I just shot one of the most prominent members of my army dead. Do you really think it wise to tell me he had some compelling arguments?”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Mandalore the Risen

I don't look at Zar'kun. Instead, I stay focused on my Clan Chiefs. "Would anyone else like to voice their disagreement with how I lead or the company I keep?" I pause to allow them to reply, but none do. "Good to hear. You should all feel proud of your warriors today. When the Saxons showed their true colors, your men sprang into action and put a quick end to their insurrection. Now, all that's left is the cleanup. I expect all members of Clan Saxon to be tracked down as soon as possible. Now that their Allit'alor is dead, they have two options; swear loyalty to me or die like him." I turn away and begin to stalk off back down the hall.

Marcogar Wren

I lift my blaster over my head. "All hail Te Motir Mand'alor!" The rest of the Clan Chiefs follow my lead, chanting 'Te Motir Mand'alor' over and over again, even after Mandalore has left the room.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Zarka Saxon

"Wait... Hold a moment. Let me call my lieutenants. I'll speak to them and find out who gave them the order to attack."

Corridan Ordo

I aim my blaster. "Touch your commlink and you die. You've already betrayed Mand'alor once. I won't give you the chance to do it again."

Zarka Saxon

I hold my hands out to show I'm not reaching for anything. "There could have been a miscommunication! Or... or someone manipulated them into acting outside of my orders!"

Marcogar Wren

"You are responsible for the actions of your men, Saxon. If they took matters into their own hands, it is you who are at fault for not training them to follow orders..."

Khomo Fett

I sneer, drawing my blaster on the man I once considered to be a friend. "Clan Saxon is one of the most disciplined clans there is. They take orders from no one by their Allit'alor and the Mand'alor herself."

Zarka Saxon

I stare at Khomo in surprise. "Gar sa, Khomo?" I turn towards Mand'alor. "I challenge you to single combat, Mand'alor! You know something here doesn't add up! You're just letting your dislike of me cloud your mind! I have been nothing but loyal to the Mando'ade! It is you who have strayed for the path! Making ally of the Jedi and Republic diplomats! Allowing them to use us as pawns in their war! You think none of us knew what this was all really about? You never wanted to conquer Coruscant! All you wanted to do was please your Jetii lover!"

Mandalore the Risen

I fire a single shot between Zarka's eyes. As he slowly collapses to the ground, I fire off several more shots into his body. "Challenge denied." I say, trembling with anger.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Hunter Ordo

A transport shuttle flies down and lands in the spot where the crowd once was before they all scattered. “Come on, Talion. Let’s get this traitor back to base.” I turn back to Jerus. “Meet us when you can. I trust you can handle Cosen better than us.”

Duny Saxon

“I’m not a traitor! I was only doing as I was instructed! I had no idea this was part of a coup!”

Hunter Ordo

“We’ll talk about it later.” I jerk my thumb towards the transport. “Now let’s go.”

Zarka Saxon

Back at the command center, I am in on a recreational room with the other Clan Chiefs. I lightly spar with Khomo Fett, throwing kicks and punches back and forth while others either watch or lounge around in chairs.

I duck a roundhouse kick, catching his foot and spinning him to the ground. “Nice try, old friend, but I fear your brain is slipping.” I chuckle, holding out a hand to help him to his feet. When the doors opened and Mand’alor enter, I smile up at her genuinely. “Ah! Our Sole Ruler has joined us at least! Looking to join in on the tournament? See what your Clan Chiefs have got?”

Mandalore the Risen

“I know precisely what you’ve got,” I point my blaster at him. “Traitor!!”

Marcogar Wren

I, along with several of the other Clan Chiefs, am understandably surprised. “Mand’alor? What’s going on?” I look at Saxon, who looks most confused of all.

Mandalore the Risen

“So, word has not reached you all yet? Allit’alor Saxon here has betrayed us. He organized an assassination attempt on Gavin Greshh and his Revolution leaders, presumably to undermine my alliance with them. Had the plot not been thwarted by LOYAL warriors, I have no doubt I would be his next target.”

Corridan Ordo

My jaw drops, and I glare at Zarka. “Is this true? How could you do this?”

Zarka Saxon

“I gave no such order! I have no idea what your talking about!” I back away from all the angry looking Chiefs. “This... this is some sort of mistake!”

Mandalore aThe Risen

“First you go behind my back, then you deny your involvement? Have you no honor, Allit’alor?”

Zarka Saxon

“I have more honor then...!!!” I catch myself, biting back my anger. “Clan Saxon is fiercely loyal. We would never turn against their Mand’alor!

Mandalore the Risen

“Oh, they are loyal to their Mand’alor: you! Because that’s your end goal; killing my allies to weaken my position, turn everyone against me, then kill me and claim the title for yourself! Don’t tell me I’m wrong!”

Zarka Saxon

“This is ridiculous! This... this must be some kind of frame up! I’m a battle tactician! I plan battles, not schemes! ShT your describing is more the game of that Sith Witch Naberrie, not me!”

Mandalore the Risen

“Stop talking or I’ll execute you here and now.” I shrug. “Come to think of it, I might just do that regardless and save everyone a lot of time.”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Cosen Greshh

I begin to calm down a little, but I don’t let my guard down. “Where is my mother? Did you murder her too or was it just my brother?”

Hunter Ordo

“Last I heard, she was helping Temari with repairs.”

Cosen Greshh

I exhale slowly. Of all the Mandalorians, I found Temari to be the most honorable. I didn’t fully trust anyone, but I could not imagine her being in on this conspiracy. “Find her. I need to make sure she is safe.” I look at Jerus. “And I want off of this planet. Myself, my mother... and my father. We’re done.”