chapter 25

Mandalore

Obi-wan had landed on the planet a few minutes ago and was currently being escorted by a squad of mandalorians. The last time he came here everyone was going about their daily life and the atmosphere seemed calm. Transports were supplying goods while the civilians were going to work and walking around without a care.

But now everything was different. Entire sections of the city was heavily guarded with transports supplying weapons in different locations. The once flock of people walking around was now men and women in armor ready to kill.

The most noticable change was the different banners signifying the different clans as many of the mandalorians were wearing armor similar to the color of their clan.

The entire planet of mandalore was ready for war and the pacifist planet that everyone once knew was now a mechanized army.

As Obi-wan is being escorted the eyes staring at him did not go unnoticed by him and almost all of them held some form of hatred towards him this time since the last time he was there.

Once Obi-wan finally makes it towards the doors where the current mand'alor was going to be at. The doors opens revealing the same mandalorian that had made the official declaration of war on the republic and was sitting on the throne.

His armor was significantly different from the others as his armor was painted gold with a red mantle that was tied around his neck. Another things was the various amounts of gadgets on him and as he sat down he was holding a long spear while the dark saber was clipped on his side.

As Obi-wan walked towards the middle of the throne room he knew that this was an intimidation attempt on him and was also a way for him to show his authority.

Once Obi-wan makes it toward the center of the room, the mandalore leader starts the first conversation between the two.

"General Obi-wan Kenobi." He says putting a short pause after saying his name.

"I have to say. Your reputation proceeds you. But your little talks are going to get you nowhere and you know it." He says sitting up straighter.

"Why have you come back here? Was it to actually attempt to persuade me to cease this war...or was it to know what happened to a certain someone?"

"Was it perhaps Duchess Satine that you all are so worried about?"

"If you know why I'm here, why countine this conversation and waste both of our times. I'm sure you would like the conversation between us to end and that will start if you give me answers." Obi-wan yells him.

"Because." He says getting down from his throne before walking around Obi-wan.

"Why should I let a Jedi meddle with the affairs of Mandalore. Duchess Satine may have, but I won't. Not this time." He says.

"The republic and the Jedi could have helped your people like we've had always been doing these past years. We could have had peace in the galaxy." Obi-wan begins.

"That is what Duchess Satine was trying to do. She wanted a peaceful solution to our problems."

"And some peace that is." The mandalorian scoffs.

"Satine wanted to force an entire population to go under this pacifist government and think we would magically just follow behind her." The mandalorian says.

"Some of us did, but many of us will never be like this. You must understand Kenobi. We are warriors and their is nothing that can change that. It's in our blood."

"Funny how all these leaders have these sets of ideas of a better future and all it usually does is leads to war and death which you all badly want to avoid."

"After all. Ideals are peaceful. History is violent. That is all there is to it. And it seems none of you will ever understand that."

"But you are making the same mistake that your ancestors had made so long ago. That is what Duchess Satine wanted to avoid, which brings me to the topic at hand. What did you do to her." Obi-wan says preparing to hear the worst.

The mandalorian lingers on in thought before deciding what to do. "Fine. Your question will be answered and after that you will leave and further talks between the Jedi and republic will cease to exist." He says to Obi-wan who only nods.

"You wanted to see her so badly, so here she is." He says as the doors to the side open as Satine walks in cuffed with two guards pushing her forward.

After Satine place as leader was taken she was taken to a secure room were she was watched at all times. No visible acts of harm seen on her and would have looked the same since Obi-wan seen her if it wasn't for her down cast expression.

Another thing was that the two guards had a symbol on their shoulder that Obi-wan knew to well. They were part of the death watch. They had pledged their allegiance like many of the other mandalorians and clans to the current mand'alor. He was everything that they wanted and trusted that he would lead them to something better.

While Obi-wan did notice this he was to occupied with seeing Satine alright which relieved him. He had thought she was going to be under some harsh punishments or worse killed. Seeing her had made all the worry in his chest get pushed out and his mind become more clear to him.

Satine on the other hand did not notice him as she was to busy glaring at the mand'alor who was not fazed by this.

"What do you want now." She says not to nicely. The mandalorian simply points at Obi-wan as she turns to look at him as her eyes widen.

"Obi-wan. Wh-what are you doing here." She says shocked that he was even allowed to come here.

"I came here to figure out what happened here. Mandalore had declared war on the republic. I had to see what had happened to worsen our relations to this point." He says already having an idea why.

Satine only looks away. "I told you Obi-wan. Any harm against the Terran republic was going to pull Mandalore in this war. I tried. I really tried, but the people of Mandalore had spoken." She says in sorrow.

"They want blood for what the republic had did to an ally that some had started to call a brother. They are more similar to us than you know."

"But a full-scale war? They must understand that many of them may die. This might devastate you all even more. You might not even have a planet to call home." Obi-wan says but he knows it too late.

He realizes he was late from the start. There was no way to stop this war from beginning. He was just delaying it and his countless attempts for a peaceful solution was pointless.

"This is what they want. A peaceful solution for this is now gone." She says slowly walking off towards the doors she came from but stops before saying one last thing.

"Goodbye Kenobi and please...please forget about me." She says with her eyes closed before walking off again as a tear drops down her face.

Obi-wan only looks at were she walked off in shock. She had embraced the fact that her attempt for them to be peaceful had failed.

"Now you've seen her and I think it's time for you to leave now. This may not be the last time you see me. And if you do see me again. You will be on the ground dying slowly under my blade." He says threatening him.

Obi-wan only stares at him before walking out the throne room as the guards escort him again.

As he leaves Obi-wan knows with the addition of them in this war. This war will be a whole lot longer and much harder than it originally was.

In slipspace with the infinity

"Everyone to your battle stations." A voice says loudly across the ship as many of the crew aboard prepares for yet another battle.

The infinity was being tasked to cripple the separatist at any means necessary. The use of WMDs was also an option if the situation got bad.

The separatist attack on Zeridian had pissed them off and they wanted them to feel their pain, but much worse.

Which was why they had a few friends with them. Five weird shaped ships were following behind them and they wanted in on this war.

Were they were heading too though. They were going straight towards geonosis. The Terrans had found out about their droid factory there and was going to devastate the entire planet.

While this is happening the ship the Terrans just built was about to start it's first mission.

"Prepare for slipspace. The lives of a planet will be a necessity. This ship will bring the separatist and the republic to their knees." The captain says as smiles crazily as they slowly enter slipspace.