Cassandra’s ship, a Kom'rk-class assault ship designated the Lancelot Albion, touched down in a desolate region of the Karufr Highlands just outside of the Riverne B2 kyber mine. As the ramp slowly lowered and she came down from the ship, she gave a glance around the area. A soft wind blew across her face with slight echoes in the air because of it.
She stepped off of the ramp and proceeded towards the entrance of the mine. The ship rose back into the air, the ramp closing as it moved, and took off back into the sky. As she entered the mine and moved down the beginning sections of the shaft, about twenty minutes would pass before she came upon a large open chamber with hundreds of crystalline structures of varying colors. The crystals had been morphed due to the growth of kyber crystals, long harvested at this point, but the lingering effects remained. It was one of her favorite places, easily one of the most calming locations despite its remote location.
Compared to the upper reaches of the mine, which often had miners and researchers, this area was off limits. Today was an exception, with the upper levels cleared out. She had sent a communication to the Regent, Zxyl Bes'uliik, and requested a meeting with him. Given the political nature of their positions, the meeting needed to be discrete. Due to this, it was sent through an encoded message within an R2 unit along with supplies to Caleria. The encryption code had been directly sent to him in order to prevent anyone else from trying to get to it.
The only caveat, would be if the droid made it or not. Or, well, of course if he decided not to acknowledge the meeting request and not show up. There would be a two hour window, so now it was a matter of waiting…
The Regent of the Brotherhood had spent his time since leaving Kasiya previously - when Arx Capital Exchange’s flagship, the Cosinga-class Heavy Corvette Eternal and her crew were mercilessly destroyed on a landing pad in the Kasiya Spaceport - hunting down any trace of the Collective, to little success. They had become adept at hiding themselves, working in the shadows, and blending into their surroundings. There was no telling just how deep the infiltration of the Brotherhood went, at this point. The Dathomirian-Mandalorian had met with several, including the Praetor to the Grandmaster and known nomad Malfearak Asvraal in that time, sending each on a highly classified mission for the Exchange - and themselves.
The General had been sitting calmly in his office aboard Mattock Station when the R2-series unit had arrived at his his main office, with the one inside the Dark Ascent being treated as an auxillary, and took note of the encoded message’s encryption protocols and its sender. The leader of the “Republic” of Taldryan. The two had traded messages every so often due to the nature of his position as de-facto head of the Traditionalists, a Taldryan faction bent on returning Taldryan to its roots and dismantling the notion of republic in its entirety, but this message was different. It was a request to meet, though it did not say why. Speculation had formed in the Elder’s mind as various scenarios and outcomes played within his mind. The likelihood that it was a trap was considered, given the remote spot on Kasiya that had been chosen, but also unlikely. Attempting to remove the Regent from play would play disasterous for the Taldryan Republic’s relationship with both the Traditionalists and The Council that fed it important arms and equipment.
After some deliberation, Bes'uliik decided to accept the invitation to meet in secrecy. The Mandalorian left his consort and assassin behind, preferring to instead heed his own counsel in this interaction. After appropriating one of Arx Capital Exchange’s Xi-class shuttles, he piloted it alone and in solidarity to the point in the Kasiya Highlands where he had been invited. The Naur'alor and Iron Beast of Mandalore reflected on many things during his journey to the new homeworld of his home clan within the Brotherhood, from the state of the Brotherhood and Taldryan to progress and asset reports on the Exchange itself.
The journey was short. As the Supreme Chancellor Consul’s Kom'rk-class Gauntlet came into view, the Regent took stock of the surrounding areas. Empty. He carefully set the command shuttle down on its landing struts, staring at the redhead from behind his helmet and the transparisteel viewport for a moment before pushing himself from the pilot’s chair and carrying his heavily armored form to the loading ramp. Zxyl emerged moments later. The wind wisped at his armor and the crimson cape that surrounded his uniquely crafted beskar as he descended, proceeding up to the Equite and stopping several paces before her.
“I am here. What is it you wish to discuss?” the man asked, a dark foreboding otherworldly echo mimicing his every word. He had changed.
“I’ll get right to the point, as I know that is what you prefer.” she started as she turned to face him, her hands together in front of her. Her face was in a stoic, solid expession. “I know you’ve seen your fair share of wars, conflict…death. I want to know how you manage it.”
That last word changed her tone as well as her mental state. “Being a mandalorian, you remind me a lot of my old clan from when I was younger. A lot of them had experience and knowledge in that regard, in particular how to manage it and cope with it while strengthening themselves from it. But ever since I walked away after choosing not to join them when I came of age, I have not been in contact with them. They firmly believed in the aspect of you are either in, or you do not exist to them. The issue is that prior to the Great Jedi War, I had not been in any major conflicts like it. Much less as a leader whom soldiers devoutly followed.”
She briefly looked down and let out a small exhale through her nostrils. “I still have nightmares to this day of those who perished, following me into the vanguard. Those who chose to join it because I was there, either to be at my side or to attempt and protect me. Including several of my best friends from Ostara who, in hindsight, had no business being in the vanguard forces. But I was naive in allowing that. And it haunts me.”
“The recent attack in Port Kasiya by the collective, seeing the death and our comrades fall yet again…for the first time, anger formed within me. I didn’t just incapacitate or maim, I straight out killed some of them in pure malice and retribution. That…is not something a Jedi does. And while I feel remorse for those actions, strangely enough…I do not regret them. Because if I had not done it, more would have died. I know that much.”
Zxyl raised a hand to the chin of his helmet, rubbing it momentarily as he considered Cassandra’s words and question. It was not an easy one to answer, nor should it be. The Dathomirian turned Mandalorian felt it kind of odd that she of all people would be reaching out to him for counsel, however. Bes'uliik considered her words carefully. He needed to be tactful with his response. The woman was clearly struggling with something going on in her head.
“I have,” he started his reply, “And the only way to manage it is to disconnect yourself from the emotions of the conflict and moment. While that will not always be possible, it is an important skill. Each conflict, no matter the losses suffered or gains earned, is exactly like the one that came before it. Death and destruction are commonplace in this galaxy.”
He paused for a moment.
“I am not saying to normalize it. It is not normal. It never shall be, but it is the circle of life. The endless circle of space and time.”
The Regent studied her from behind his helmet, gauging her response to his words. This could not have been the only reason that the Consul had called him here. To this remote location on Kasiya. No… there was something else.
“You did not ask me to meet with you to talk about how to work through conflicts and wars,” he declared, “So what is it you really wish to discuss Tyris?”
“On the contrary, it is.” she countered, her gaze returning to him with a reinforced expression showing determination and resolve. “You should know I don’t mince words, nor push paths unless I have intent behind them. And the intent of this is that while I may have shirked away in the past, I want to return to the fold as a mandalorian and strengthen myself both as a leader, and a person. That is why I chose to reach out to you out of everyone, our political status be damned. So long as I am at this impass mentally and spiritually, I’m a hinderance to both the Taldryan Republic and Taldryan as a whole. Despite our differences, I need to become better. Stronger. It just has to be in quiet, and away from the senate’s prying eyes else things could become very difficult for not just us, but our vision and the Traditionalists as a whole.”
Zxyl listened keenly to the intent of her words. Did she really wish to be a Mandalorian? It was not an easy thing to do, to be. Especially if it was something you wished to pursue with Bes'uliik’s aid. His strict adherence to the Mandalorian Creed above all else meant that it was not an easy road to travel upon nor see through to the end. He was tough as nails on any who wished to join the Mandalorian religion, because he was not afraid to hunt down dar'manda that failed to follow the basic tenants of the Creed.
He had to be sure this is something that the Equite wished to do.
“I care not for political status. My position as leader of the Traditionalist forces is an accidental one. You…” he paused for a moment, “Wish to be Mandalorian? To take the Creed, and follow its way of life? You chose to come to me instead of a different party, such as Ankira. Why?”
This was a question that Zxyl Bes'uliik required an answer to, full stop, before they could proceed further. The Mandalorian General needed an answer to determine exactly what it was she was hoping to attain, and why she hadn’t approached many of the other Mandalorians in Taldryan.
“Because you I know, not her. I know your resolve to Taldryan, what lengths you would go to in order to protect it, protect us. I want to do the same particularly after what you did for us on Ostara.” she replied. “We would still be trapped there if it were not for you.”
She paused for a moment. “With the latter, I know you did not wish it thrust upon you. Before they departed, several of the Admiralty told me as such, that they could not put their faith nor loyalty into a republic they did not trust to do right by Taldryan itself. They trust you, and you were the only of the Taldrya around that they fully respected having been their former Proconsul. In turn, they kind of pushed you onto the pedestal.”
She paused for one more moment.
“I recognize their fears, especially with the control the senate has taken in terms of the military. Even the Fleet Admiral answers to them now, their authority being transitioned out of its autonomous state under the Chancellor after what happened on Saijo. Even I have to watch myself with them, and that worries me for the future of the clan. I must be able to protect it…even from them.”
Her words made it seem as if she sympathized with the Traditionalists, something she could never overtly declare in any other kind of situation. Especially with the usage of the word clan, a term abolished by the senate in favor of its republic moniker as a unified people and system, with a weakened outlook on the Brotherhood.
Zxyl weighed his options in this moment. He could leave, and in essence leave both Cassandra Tyris and the Taldryan Republic in a weakened state. But her use of the word clan did not go unnoticed. Nor did the rest of her words regarding the Admiralty. It was true that the Mandalorian General - a rank he had earned not really through leadership, but his resolve and determination on the battlefield with his fellow Mando'ade - did wish to see Taldryan return to the old ways and its poor misguided Republic Senate abolished… But he wished no harm upon the citizens of the Caelus System, who until recently shared a relationship with the clan but were in fact not its citizens.
Since moving to the Caelus System under his friend and ally Rian Taldrya, the clan had always had a tumultuous relationship with its people and heads of state. But they were there to serve each other, a mutually beneficial arrangement and feudal system that mirrored the one between The Council and Seven Clans of the Brotherhood. Now the Republic enforced its will, even unknowingly, and the Mandalorian’s expertise and knowledge had taught him that Republics became Empires. They were not to be trusted, under any circumstances… But this situation was different. Cassandra was one of the many that were left behind to fend for themselves on the now ionic and stormy moon of Ostara, no supplies and no reinforcements.
The situation was unique, and would require a unique approach from the both of them. Tyris’ move to become a follower of the Creed may help dissuade the formation of such an empire; to help keep so many wrongs from needing to be righted. The moment weighed heavily on the Regent of the Brotherhood as he stood there motionless and silent for several moments, debating his choice.
“If you wish to be Mandalorian, you must fully devote yourself to the Creed. There is no half-veiled attempts. If you are putting your trust in me as a former Foundling turned Naur'alor to guide you down the correct path, I will, but I have a few conditions.”
He paused for a quick moment, before continuing.
“The Creed is everything, and without it the Mandalorian people would not be who they are. It is the core of our religion. Its tennets are strict, but fair. To submit to it is to put it above all else; family, friendships, personal and professional loyalties. You must be willing to do so, and abide by its rules. You must be willing to undergo an examination of your abilities, not just in combat but your mentality. You must be willing to bear beskar properly, and ensure those who do not are not given the opportunity to wear it. Your word will mean everything. To break it is to break the Creed. I will not stand for such things from anyone who wishes to call themselves Mandalorian, Cassandra Tyris. Do you agree?”
She gave a firm nod, and spoke in a rusty dialect of Mando'a, clearing not having spoken it in some time. “Ni vaabir.”
I do.
“Very well, Consul,” the Regent declared, “Then you will have your Proconsul take over your duties for such a time as you make a small trip.”
The Mandalorian produced a data disk containing a specific set of galactic coordinates, stepping forward and handing it to the Equite without apprehension. Coordinates that, upon inspection and comparison, would lead Cassandra Tyris to a planet unknown to her within Mandalorian space. The planet Nau'ur - the former home of Clan Bes'uliik, now the home of the Regent General’s covert.
“Meet me here when you have the time. I will make time. Let me know when you are ready.”
The Dathomirian-Mandalorian’s voice, along with the dark otherworldly echo that mimicked his words, gave no hint of emotion.
She looked at the data disk, the first thought in her mind being if Taldryan would be fine with her gone for a while. There was immense trust with everyone, but the same worry came across her mind as did after the war: if anything happened to any of them due to her actions. With a sharp inhale and exhale, she gave a firm nod to Zxyl.
“I can head there shortly, just need to make a trip back to Port Kasiya and gather a few things. Afterwards, I’ll head that way.” she said firmly as she began walking the way she came, giving several taps onto her wristlet where she kept her datapad stored, sending a signal to the pilot of her ship that it was time to return and retrieve her. “Until then, best wishes to you and safe travels Regent.”
She raised her right arm into the air and flicked her wrist outward twice before she lowered it and left the chamber. As she made her ascent back to the surface, her ship began its descent. Suddenly out of the corner of her eye she saw a missile flying through the air toward it. She slapped her ear to activate her comm before her hands went into the air to grasp onto the missile.
“Albion, get out of dodge now!” she yelled out. Telekinetically she managed to grasp onto the missile and slightly alter its trajectory. It narrowly missed the ship before it slammed into one of the giant grey mounds of rock and dirt.
It was then that she sensed something, that hadn’t been there a moment prior. A murderous intent filled the air, almost up to intoxicating levels. So much so that she was able to turn around and saw a black robed figure standing above the cave she had just came out from.
The figure jumped down to the ground and reached into their robes to reveal a silver handled lightsaber. Almost immediately it was ignited with its bright red coloring with no words spoken and the figure charged forward at her with a heavy downwards strike.
Instinctively she shifted to the left and out of the way of the strike with grace and speed, her own lightsaber now in hand and ignited. It’s frost blue color and effect, a stark contrast to the enemy’s red. She swung around from her left and slashed her saber across the air in an attempt to catch the figure from behind, but just as fast as she had moved they moved as well. They ducked downward from the slash and swung their leg outward, just fast enough to catch Cassandra’s leg. She fell to the ground, but with a fast-acted augmentation rolled from her position as the red saber plunged into the rock and dirt where she just had been a moment prior.
Whoever this is, they were good. It both excited her…and frightened her.