Chapter 38: Call setting things in motion
Location: Mandalore - Palace communication room (10 min before call meltdown)
The Duchess was wearing her usual headdress and dress as she always does while dealing with formal matters, in the colours of 'weakness,' as many would call it among Mandalorians; even if she would call it regal purple and blue with some green highlights.
She could be seen entering the large communication room of the main palace she ruled from on Mandalore. Quickly following behind her were two old ministers in horrible colored robes, bright green and bright orange.
The two men were among her most trusted ministers, both in place since her father, the former Duke Adonai's time of rule.
'They keep trying to stop me, and I will not. I need to find a way for 'them' to see reason. Right now I do not have a firm hold, and many are plotting against me… Even them, I'm sure.
How long can I not give the Republic a firm answer? How long before the corruption in the Senate grows so large that Mandalore is invaded in the name of peace due to greed?' the Duchess thought to herself before stopping her train of thought to answer the two men
"Both of you know that the moment I stop trying to communicate, Deathwatch will go all out once more; they have always been eager to… Have you both forgotten the past already?
Have both of you forgotten the last time they did? We lost so many of our people for nothing. In a senseless civil war. How many more would we have to lose due to outsiders fanning the flames? Also, how many outsiders came to try to take my life since I was a mere child, and even now?
No, I will keep trying to convey that their ways are barbaric and will doom all of us; peaceful coexistence with the Republic is the only option. But without handing away our freedom." Duchess Satine spoke to them with emotion
This showcased that these conversational points by both men have been brought up many times before, close to the point of the Duchess becoming mad from emotion, due to the repetitiveness of it all.
However, she was able to control her emotions quickly enough, not letting them see to much. The ministers, though, after hearing her say this, both men fell silent, albeit reluctantly, and moved to stand behind her in silence when she started to dial the call to both groups once again.
'Typical, just token complaints… if they had not been afraid of losing power and such their way of life, I would have replaced them… but with whom… I need 'Her' with her; most would be cowed into forgetting plots… forgetting attempts to my life… I likely need to make many concessions but for the betterment of Mandalore and our people… I need that woman on my side.' Duchess Satine thought to herself
Something that is getting more and more a given due to the situation and people around her. She knew she could not show too much emotion, so she took a steadying breath, watching Deathwatch's call be answered once more.
The call connected and showed a bald, middle-aged man with a clean-shaven face, with the mark of Deathwatch burned on the right side of his face across a hideous scar in a faint attempt to hide it from view.
[Well, well, well, look whom we have here once again. So what nonsense will you spout out now, girly… Same prattle about how big and bad we are, and that we need to sit in the corner for being bad… come on? I'm waiting!] the man began speaking sarcastically, and with such venom and disrespect, one could already guess how this call would go and end.
"That way of speaking is not necessary; act like a proper adult, and we would be able to get somewhere with these meetings finally." Duchess Satine answered back in a dry tone
[Hahahaha! Oh, hilarious, girly… these calls of yours are shite, and you damn well know it! Don't try to act all proper with me because no matter what you are… NOTHING! But a Weak little traitor like the Republic dog lover you are!] The man laughed before saying the last part with pure disgust
Just as the Duchess was about to try and explain once more about the reason for the call and why the ways of Deathwatch are not a good idea and would be the end of all Mandalorians, she noticed the call to the third member connecting.
Well, not so much noticing as hearing the harsh-sounding voice of said person.
[...Better make it worthwhile, you piles of Rancore Shites!...] Chief Catra Cleo Gryphen growled out through gritted teeth
This made both her and the image of the current head of Deathwatch with the alias 'Brute' look at her in shock, never expecting the chief of the final faction to finally accept the call out of all the hundreds of attempts being ignored before.
Both the Duchess and that man of all people had been busy talking or screaming; in his case, to go quiet and looked at the other caller, who looked ready to rip people apart limb from limb.
Both would have stayed silent wisely, but 'Brute' did what a brute tends to do and was anything but silent.
[Look at that! Little itty bitty I am 'Neutral' decided to show her pretty little face… So finally done dolling up and playing house or what…] The man began speaking in a condescending tone, likely due to his annoyance at having to deal with the Duchess once again
The Duchess, hearing this, was shocked; her eyes widened and her mouth agape, which she quickly schooled back into an emotionless mask. While behind her, you could see the two old ministers in the back with mouths wide open as well, quickly closing and turning pale instead, knowing full well how things would be going.
These ministers wisely said nothing and moved out of the room, closing the door quietly behind them.
'There goes my attempt for a civilised call once again… how to gain her support now…' The Duchess thought to herself when her thoughts were interrupted… By Chief Catra exploding.
[If it is not the 'Tiny Boy' pretending to be a 'big boy'… LISTEN HERE! SHITHEAD! I KNOW WHERE YOU ARE, SO SHUT YOUR TRAP!... Now then, shitstain, you better make the next words count because they might keep you relevant a bit longer.] Chief Catra stated with such a sickeningly sweet voice and such a kind smile that would make people paranoid about a knife stabbing them in the back
[Or What! You won't do fuck all, girly; your side is no better than these peace-loving Republican dogs! Like the Traitors they are!] Brute called back
'*Sigh* Guess I have to find out who will replace this man, hopefully someone I can have proper conversations with.' Duchess Satine thought, staying wisely silent on the side
[Or what? HAHAHAHA! That's a good joke, little man… better start digging.] Chief Cleo said, her sweet voice and smile turning murderous before ending the call
[... ehm… boss seems near the Gryphen clan grounds; a lot of activity is happening… also we lost contact with our scouts…] From Brute's side, this was heard from a man entering the room
Brute paled and became calm and alert right away… quickly ending the call from his side as well.
"That could have gone better. She finally accepted the call, and it ended like this…" Duchess Satine mumbled, rubbing her forehead, shaking her head
'Back to work and do damage control… I just hope they won't fight in the cities; too many died in the civil war… any more, and Deathwatch will have a large number of fresh recruits. I need to find a way to truly gain everyone's support.' She thought, closing the console and walking out of the door
When she left the room, her ministers and some guards who waited outside followed behind her.
— — — — —
Location: Concordia - Moon of Mandalore
At a Small base inside the wall of a large crater on Concordia, barely visible due to a large hangar door that is covered with the ground from the crater, camouflaging it and hiding it from view.
Many armoured Deathwatch soldiers were seen running around, building emergency barricades and mining the only way in.
Other troops were loading supplies into a large cargo ship to bring along in case of abandoning the base.
Brute could be seen in the background jumping up and down in agitation, yelling orders to prepare to fight.
In the background, a small group in Dark Blue armour could be seen loading up a Krom'rrk with supplies and fellow Blue-armoured troops.
"We need to hurry and go to the next place; we can't stay here." one whispered to another
"Move it, morons, we're leaving now…" a stern woman's voice sounded out at her fellow Dark Blue-armoured man.
They quickly saluted and moved aboard just when she wanted to follow; Brute, the base commander, and the Deathwatch faction leader's voice was heard.
"Bo-Katan! Where do you think you are going?" Brute yelled out, making her stop for a moment
"Leaving; my orders do not cover dealing with that woman… I am returning to command. Good luck." Bo-Katan said sarcastically before the ramp closed and the engines started to roar to life, lifting them off the ground
Brute's face underneath his helmet went pale, knowing full well a well-trained Elite unit had just left, leaving him and his man to fend for themselves.
Seeing Bo-Katan and her group leave, he knew he was done for and that the main leader had given up on him and his man. He paled more beneath his mask and watched as his man had stopped where they had been, also watching the group fly away.
"What are you standing around for? Get to work!" Brute started yelling and jumping around again, seeing that everyone moved quickly again in quick order.
— — — — —
Bo-Katan looked at the hologram of the main commander at Deathwatch command, who had just connected from the handheld disposable communicator in her hand
"We are on our way as of this moment, doubt they will last long." she stated to the armoured man in the hologram
[He had outlived his usefulness long ago; for now, return at once and do not linger… that woman does not fool around.] the man stated
"I know; we stay to watch; we will be targeted ourselves. Any news from the groups that left a while ago towards Bandomeer?" Bo-Katan asked curiously
[Yes, and it is good we are not outright hostile with the 'Gryphons' yet. Return for now, and new orders will be given out.] the man said before ending the call
Bo-Katan looked at the small device in her hands, her fingers tightening around it in frustration at gaining an answer that was not an answer once again.
"Bastard still does not trust us…" she mumbled, putting the device away
"We only get cleanups and babysitting. What else did you expect, boss…" one of the men around grumbled
"Just hope the Duchess does not do something to gain his ire, or we likely have a fight between…" another mumbled before Bo-Katan whipped her head his way, having him go quiet
"Do not speak of that woman around me!" she snarled at them. This made everyone go quiet, and the rest of the trip went on in silence
'Idiot sister, not knowing Deathwatch is the future, why did you have to be so blind and corrupted by the Republic… just stay out of our way. We will make Mandalore great again!' Bo-Katan thought to herself, silently fuming and tapping a finger on her thigh.
— — — — —
Location: Mandalore - Gryhen Compound
Chief Catra Cleo Gryphen left her private office in a foul mood, making the noisy command center go dead silent
"CHARLIE! DELTA! FULL GEAR AND TO THE SHIPS! NOWWW!!!" She bellowed in pure anger, her voice bouncing off the walls, making it echo multiple times around.
Everyone saw her put on her helmet and walk outside, likely to gear up and move to the few ships still left.
Just when the door closed, you could hear people breathe again and start working quickly to call both remaining groups to get ready and to note that the chief is in a foul mood.
Anyone encountering the chief in the hallways could hear her fuming voice about a tiny bastard that will be used as a Rancore lure when she got her hands on him. Making these clansman salute and hasten away to do their duties.
Before long, the chief had left the armory and joined both Charlie and Delta groups. Just before entering the Krom'rrk that had stood at the ready, a few people arrived, dropping a hover cart with dead people on it.
"Reporting, Chief Gryphen, these scout guys are dealt with; from them, marks them be deathwatch." A Group of Mandalorians in dark brown colored armor with a mark the chief recognized.
'Fuck, Clan Vor! They must be here for the girl… not on my watch; she's my boys anyhow.' Chief Catra thought, with twitching fingers near her pistols
"Why are you people here…" she was interrupted as if the other side had been ready for that question
"For Sera Vor, it is time for her to 'assist' in growing the clan." the man in the lead stated
"Then you're too late. She is on a hunt with my people and already, by your clan's rules, belongs to my son now." Chief Catra stated, knowing full well what she's doing is likely going to anger her just-mended relationship with her son and likely keep him far from home all over again.
"Where are they now?" the man asked in a grumbling tone, likely knowing he won't like the answer
"Where are they, I wonder." Chief Catra stated with a smug tone of voice, seeing both Charlie and Delta already spread out, ready for a close, nasty brawl
The man looked the chief in the faceplate before turning around and flying away, followed by his group.
"Listen up! Our target would have been the tiny Brutes group on Concordia… I'm done with that little pest! Sadly, this group of Clan Vor, adjusting the plans, we stay home and on alert." Chief Catra stated
"And clean up this mess and send the weapons and armor to the old man for recycling." Both groups heard her command and started to move after the chief had gone back into the compound, her foul mood a multitude worse than before.