A Match for the Mandalore

When we arrived back at Telos station, the militia was in full celebration, the Sith dead, their home mostly intact. There were faint sounds of celebratory blaster fire and cheers all over the station. Lt. Grenn was actually smiling as we departed the shuttle.



“Thank you all,” he said, grasping Ladria’s hand in a crushing grip. I saw her wince slightly.



“No thanks necessary.” She answered, and gestured at our group. “May we have a minute, and some privacy?” She smiled engagingly.



“Of course, of course,” Lt. Grenn said heartily. He waved at a nearby door. “I’ll see to it you’re not disturbed.”



We followed Ladria into a small room off the docks. There were several chairs scattered around. Canderous took one, and I sat on the floor, leaning on his legs. He placed a hand on my head, and I leaned into him, smiling. All the rest of the Mandalorians stood, and so did Bao Dur. There were enough chairs to seat everyone else. Ladria herself stood in front of our group, looking grave. Once everyone was settled, she spoke.



“Darth Nihilous was commander of the Ravager. He’s dead now, and no longer a threat to the Republic. Or any one else,” she added, with a glance at the Mandalorians. “I learned from him that Kriea has returned to her place of power, and that is where we must go next. She is the key to ending this threat.”



“Where is she, General?” Bao Dur’s quiet voice cut through the stillness in the room.



“Malachor V.”



The storm that broke over the room was deafening. The Mandalorians broke into a collective shout, Bao Dur started violently, and Canderous swore so savagely I flinched. I understood that this place had significance to many of us in the room, not just Canderous and his men, and my heart contracted with sympathy and fear.



Canderous spoke when everyone had settled. “Are you sure?” he asked quietly.



“Yes.” Ladria answered, her face calm but her eyes boring into his. She looked up, and met Bao Dur’s gaze in an expression I really didn’t want to see. There was regret, and fear, and sadness, and memory. I shuddered, and looked up at Canderous. His face was set in a mixture of resignation and grief. I touched his arm, and he looked down at me, trying to reassure me, but I shrugged it off.



I’m sorry love. Can I help? I felt how shaken he was, and tried to lend him some support.



I’m fine, Wildcat, was all he answered.



He stood, and went over to Ladria, conferring in a low voice. She nodded, and Canderous gestured to me to follow as he gathered up his men. I joined the group, puzzled. He had not let me in on his thoughts, and I couldn’t read his face.



“Men,” he addressed the six mercs, who were all showing a mix of anger, frustration, and a light of battle. They wanted a piece of the evil that had invaded the ruins of their home world; it was written all over them. “I’m going to ask you all to do something that is harder than taking out the Ravager. I need the six of you to get to Dxun and alert my second where I am, and the situation here. If this mission fails, we need to be prepared to fight. Report everything, including about Jennet, and prepare for our return.”



He filled in Dax and the other Mandalorians of the situation as quickly as possible. Their looks were grave. A short silence followed, then Dax spoke up.



“Sir, it sounds like you need every hand you can get. Wouldn’t it be better for us to come along?”



“Under other circumstances, you’d be right, and there is nothing I would like better than to have my kin with me in battle, especially this one. I know you all want a chance to revenge yourselves for Malachor V, but this is not the place for it. We were defeated by an honorable foe, and our numbers are decimated. It’s a different universe we live in now, and we will survive. What I need from you is to make sure that happens. Go to Dxun, wait for my return. Give us a week, then Jarxel will know what to do. Dax, you’re in command.” He took Dax aside then, and conferred privately.



What’s up?



I’m getting things set for when we get back. We still have the trials, assuming we survive, and I want as much in place as possible.



Gotcha.



The Mandalorians left, with much saluting and back-slapping and male encouragement. To my surprise, all of them bowed respectfully to me as they headed out. Angus even gave me a “Take care of him, now, lass.” with a wink and a pat on the shoulder. I bowed back, smiling.



Dax approached me before he joined his men. He had kept his clan brooch, and Jareth’s, and it glinted where it rested on the collar of his shirt. To my utter shock, he hugged me. He was never one to do that, even when we were partners. I hugged back, Canderous not quite glowering in the background.



“I’m glad we’ve met again, Jennet Jax,” he said formally once he’d set me back on my feet. “It’s good that we’ve cleared up our misunderstanding.”



“I’m glad too, Dax. I wish things had been different for you.”



Dax was tall, even taller than Canderous, and I had to tilt my head back to look at him. His untidy black hair was falling over his forehead, and his blue eyes were serious. He leaned over and murmured in my ear, “That one…is she promised?” I glanced over my shoulder at his nod, and caught a glimpse of Mira’s bright head as she talked to Ladria and Atton.



“Not that I know of,” I answered, suppressing the smile that wanted to escape. “She can kick your ass in ways I never thought of, you know.”



“Yes, she’s a worthy fighter,” he said thoughtfully.



“And she’s a Jedi,” I pointed out.



“True. No one’s perfect. If the Mandalore can have a jetti trained mate, however…” he let the thought trail off. “Well, I need to go. The Mandalore has asked me to prepare as much as I can for your return, and to vouch for your worthiness as Mate.”



“So you’re my champion, now?” I asked, teasing.



“Something like that, yes,” he said, all seriousness. I blinked.



“Well…thank you,” I said, trying not to sound as surprised as I was.



What the hell?! I shot at Canderous.



Just go with it, Wildcat. I’ll explain later. Tell him you’re honored, and he’s worthy.



“Thank you,” I said again to Dax. “I’m very honored, and you are a worthy champion.”



“It is I who am honored, runi riduur Mandalore,” he said simply.



He had just called me the soul mate of the Mandalore. I was surprised, and touched. I thanked him again, trying not to sniffle and ruin it.



“Dax…” I had thought of something. “Canderous mentioned that because we had traveled together, there may be…political issues, and possible…rumors.” I felt myself growing red, but needed to know.



Dax looked uncomfortable, but answered readily enough, “Some may…assume. That’s why Mandalore appointed me as Champion, partly. But none will doubt your worthiness if I have anything to say about it. Rumors die. No one who sees you two will doubt you are mates.” He looked at me, and smiled. “I could wish that it were true; you are worthy of a Mandalorian, and I knew it then. But you are well suited for the Mandalore. I envy him his happiness in you.” He paused, and smiled. “Be well, Jennet. See you at Dxun.” With a wave, he was gone.



“Safe journey, Dax,” I called after him.



Mira wandered over when Dax left, gazing out the door. “Well that was a tall hunk of handsome,” she said admiringly.



I lightly elbowed her ribs. “He’s Mandalorian. You’re Jedi.”



“That might change.” She mused.



“You’re thinking of quitting the Order?” I asked, surprised.



“Oh, no, not that.” She looked at me, serious. Her amber eyes were thoughtful. “But the Jedi order is decimated, and they may have a few new rules when they get reorganized. She nodded at Ladria and Atton. “Especially if they have anything to say about it.”



“True.” I nodded.



“Sure you don’t want to become a Jedi?” She asked, a wicked grin on her face.



“I’m just getting used to becoming Mandalorian. Too much on my plate,” I said unthinkingly.



“Becoming…Oh my Gods, you’re marrying Canderous?” She squealed.



Of course, that’s when the room was silent enough to ring her words around it. I blushed furiously, knowing it was too late to hush her. Canderous looked at me, and was smiling. I thought he’d be irritated, we’d agreed not to mention it until the mission was over, but no, he was calm and looked like he’d just cleaned out a room full of Sith single handed.



“Yes.” I answered, loudly enough for everyone to hear. Might as well enjoy it, now that the cat was out of the bag. “He asked me just before we left for Telos.” I raised my voice, and said generally, “So we better get this thing over with, so you all can be at my wedding!”



Sorry. I didn’t tell her, she just figured it out, honest.



No problem, Wildcat. I’m proud you’re going to be my wife, and everyone here probably all ready figured it out too. It’s a bright bunch of people.



He came over to me, and kissed me thoroughly. I felt my toes tingle, and kissed him back. A cheer went up around us, and everyone was babbling congratulations.



“We have something to look forward to,” Ladria said, smiling. “Congratulations, Mandalore,” She kissed his cheek, then mine. “Jennet.” She looked around, and her face grew somber. “I’m sorry to put a damper on the celebration, but we need to discuss some things before we leave.”



We gathered again, and Ladria filled us in on the fight with Artis and Darth Nihilus, and what she had learned. We were all quiet. The enormity of what was before us sank in, and we sat there, each of us absorbing its importance.



“Your link with this Kriea,” I asked uncertainly. “Forgive me for asking, but what will it do to you if you have to kill her?”



Atton looked up at that, glaring at me briefly. He didn’t want to think about it, but someone had to. I gave him a sympathetic look. He relented, and nodded, his face set. We both turned back to Ladria, who was calm and serene as ever.



“I don’t know,” she said quietly. “It might kill me, too. But it must be done, and I am the one who must do it. I can’t make any battle plans; we have no idea what we may face. I do know that Kriea is strong with the dark side, and is highly accomplished with mind tricks. I need you all to be prepared to be manipulated mentally. All we can do is go, and try to mend this rip in the Force.”



We all nodded, and filed out of the room. We met Lt. Grenn again, who tried to get us to stay for a while, to honor our part of the battle. Ladria gracefully declined, and we made our way back to the Ebon Hawk. None of us felt much like celebrating, anyway.