Message from the Dead

[Jake Awaud]

Manda'yaim
Sundri Palace
Great Hall of the Mand'alor

The Orders were specific.

Surrounded by Death Watch Guards, members of the Mand'alors Elite Protectors.

It was the will of his brother.

Mantis and Australis Clansmen wondered the halls as protectors of the Palace, other Clans could be named by the skin on the armor.

No one but Awaud can be trusted.

And yet the young man could not trust a one of them.

Jake, the newest Alor of Clan Awaud, walked into the great hall. Flanked by several Mandalorains in red and black armor. They wore different designs on their chest pieces, but they were uniform in the way they walked. The young Alor walked with the pride of a Chieftain of his clan that were loyal to the culture and people of Mandalore. Yet there was something else in his inexperienced step, urgency.

He paid a salvage crew to look through the wreckage of the ships in orbit of Commenor, in hopes of finding his brother for proper burial of a true Awaud Clansman. Instead they found a Phrik box, and inside it was something of major importance.

A Message for the Mand'alor, the Hell Wolf.

There was something in there as well for Jake, but he could not bring himself to wear it. The symbol of Clan Awaud was only meant for a true traditional warrior, and he was not that just yet. In this moment he was given a mission from the afterlife, and that means he would follow it to the letter. Even if it meant that he could die, as his brother would not hesitate to do the same.

Standing before [member="Yasha Mantis"], the Mand'alor, bowing his head and held a Ancient Data-Holocron under one arm as he saluted the Chieftain of the Mandalorain Clans. Head still bowed he spoke up, "Su'cuy Mand'alor, Vor'e par vorer ni."

Regaining his head he looked into his leaders eyes, "Ma'am I would like you to ask your Guards to leave the room and allow my Force Users permission to manipulate our conversations from here on out."

 

[Yasha Cadera]

Jaster was dead.

The shock consumed Yasha for days, lingering in the back of her mind, for the man whose life passed to Manda was the one who saved hers. Her daughter’s. It burned her conscience. Struck her aside her cheek.

“Su cuy’gar, Alor Awaud. I have much desired to speak with you.” Sitting on the throne rebuilt for her by Clansmen, who wanted to exalt the completion of the past, the amber eyed young woman watched Clan Awaud’s new Alor walk into the throne room. The diffused sunlight poured through the park of windows on Yasha’s right, yet the light did not grace her armoured skin. The Infernal remained locked away.

“No Force User can manipulate a conversation spoken from my lips, [member="Jake Awaud"]. Nor can I remove the Law instigated by my Vode to allow such comforts.” If she had not even allowed [member="Kaine Australis"] to go unpunished after saving her daughter’s life, could she allow Jake to break the law in her own throne room?

Mand’alor the Infernal was bound by the laws of the Empire. Nodding her head, Yasha stood to her full armoured eight foot height and walked toward the secret apartments beyond the Throne Room. She was silent as she walked Jake to a higher place, a personal and secret courtyard connected to Yasha’s personal apartments.

“This is as private a place as exists on Mand’yaim. None but Ambrose and my Aliit have access to this place. You may speak freely.”

 

[Jake Awaud]

Jake looked around the room, seeing the Death Watch Royal Guards and the so called loyal Aliit. He could not say that to the one who devoted to the loyatly of those who serve her. That was one of the many reasons the Clans united behind her, at least those not corrupted by the Undying. War was their culture, yet it was not the only thing that defined them, some would believe his way of thinking needed to be purged. However he followed the True Mandalorains that protected all aspects of their tradition.

As his brother predicted, [member="Yasha Mantis"] would not break the laws that the clans put in place. Jaster knew better then him to ask, but his message was meant for the women, and her alone. Not even Kaine or Ambrose were allowed to listen to this, though Jake was also included and he had things in place for that reason.

He nodded to the Mand'alor, "Understood, though I apreciate you listening to my request none the less."

Waving off the Force Users in Red Armor, they stood at the door to allow no one but the Mand'alor and Alor to enter the room. Securing it so no one else could follow or listen in to the conversation to be held. He followed Yasha into the side room and placed the Data-Holocron on the center table, as well as a single device placed next to it. "So, though I have a gift for you," He paused before looking around the room, "You asked to speak with me Mand'alor, before you knew I had this, what did you want to talk to me about?"

During the Imperial Ball they all gathered at, the leader of the Mandalorain Clans handed a piece of paper that summoned him to speak with her at a later time. Did she already know Jake had recovered the message from Commenors Orbit?

 

[Yasha Cadera]

Mandalorians were arguably the best warriors in the Galaxy, because they had rich home lives and a culture with arts, cuisine and literature of their own. Mand’alor the Infernal was the safe keeper of these elements of the Mando’ade, and although war was a part of her life, she refused to let it overcome her.

This lost her entire Clans, who only saw bloodshed, or the goals of more insidious empires as their own. She knew the jackals at the edges of Mandalorian space held their own beskads to their chest plates, awaiting the moment to wield them aloft and plunge them in her back. Let it not be said that Yasha Mantis, however young, was a fool.

One moment of weakness, one slip too many and the Exiles would attempt their disaster, claiming no doubt some unknowable moral high ground, or a return to darker times. Knowledge of such things brought meetings such as this even further up the import of Yasha’s mind.

Clan Awaud understood the complexities of the Mando’ade better than those who bowed their knee to the shadows.

Once situated in the secret garden and alone, Yasha hit the control on her beskar’kandar, which retracted the wolf-helm from her pretty, yet fierce face.

“I will always listen to the requests of my People, Alor Awaud. Yet, above all if I refused to break the Law to save my own infant daughter, I cannot break it now. Not even for a friend, to whom I owed my and my daughter’s lives.” Yasha watched the sincerity on Jake’s face.

“Yes. I regret that your brother and I lost the chance to reconcile fully for… inaccuracies certain entities continue to spout in their propaganda machines. I wanted to assure him that my responsibility as Mand’alor was one of maintaining our independence from any who would rule from afar… and it is not lost on me that he took this independence farther, by freeing slaves and taking it upon himself and all of you to fight in these harrowing times. Ultimately, Jaster was one I trusted… He was one of two people in the Universe, who knew the truth. I was dying.

When he came to deliver the Aspha Serum to Adara, after the horror of her early birth, he discovered her in such a condition as to look to her anemic and brittle mother. My body had not yet had the time to heal from my ordeals in the Netherworld, and Adara was conceived within days of our return. After Barataria, I was… weak. Barely enough strength to hold my warhammer, let alone wear my armour without the secret aid of my Yalilyr. Australis helped. He cared for Adara, while I slept, but it wasn’t enough.

If Jaster had not come, and if he had not turned his discerning eyes to me, I would be dead. I owe Jaster for every minute of care, for which he refused to take payment… and I wanted him to know although this situation with our northern neighbours continues to grate at our collective nerve, I will stay the course and protect our People from annihilation, or the mockery of a slave’s role. I know this probably means little to his brother, but… the glorious dead remains beside us, if the Aliit is true. I firmly believe that to be the case.”

 

[Jake Awaud]

The words of the Mand'alor as she spoke of his brother in such high praise, Jaster was one of the best warriors their culture could produce. He fought for the true nature of the Mandalorians, one of freedom and right to choose, and offered the greatest form of Order to the Galaxy. A type of Discipline and Order that only a Mandalorian could. Jake looked up to his brother though many saw him as a crazy man a strict.

Jake nodded as the Mand'alor spoke true words of his brothers accomplishes. He was a man of many secretes, one who was loyal to the women before him.

"Jaster never told a soul about what he did for you and this nation," Jake paused as he looked at the ceiling for a second, then back to the women before him, "He knew of your affliction because he suffered from it as well, the man was stuck in the Neitherworld for seven years only to return a frail and skeleton form, when he learned a dear friend of his suffered the same fate, he could not do anything but help you Ma'am, he truly believed you would bring a whole new age for the Mandalorain people, hell the crazy old fool believed you were the Reincarnation of Mand'alor the Preserver."

The young Alor walked over to the Data-Holocron, placing his hand on it, "Even from the dead his last thoughts before he was killed was of you and his final deeds to the Empire of Mandalorains." Looking at the large holographic lock box he continued, "This was recovered from Orbit of Commenor at Jaster last known location, I only saw what was meant for me, the rest was meant for you alone Mand'alor, not even I was allowed to listen to its recording."

He pushed it across the table to [member="Yasha Mantis"], "Press the Center Hexagon to play the recording."

Jake took a step back and activated the Universal Jammer, and placed Ultrasonic Earplugs into his ear. Then let the Mand'alor could receive this message.

Spoiler

Facial Recognition...... Frail Queen with an Attitude
Accepted
Data File...... Found
Activating
Jaster appeared in a holographic form. Around him the sound of a battle could be heard, crew yelling and sparks flashing in the background. Jasters last hours in the Siege of Commenor.

"Hey kid, if your watching this, it means I am dead or lost, and being as I am Mandalorian its safe to assume I lost my life trying to save your aunt from the one time she should not have kicked the bee hive."

He laughed a little, the setting rocked and Jaster grasped the edge of the hologram.

"Sorry, near death makes me less grumpy, any-ho you told me that if I found proof of the Sith's plan to control us, I can make my complaint." A pause, "Well since I am dead and not able to report I have sent my brother in my place, and this is all the information I have."

The setting rocked again, it was the tail end of the battle and Jaster was close to loosing his ship.

"The dark space magicians with somehow glowing black eyes and taller then a bloated Rancor, ya, Emperor Kain Zambr.... Last name too complicated, anyways that kark is less interested in your greatness, and more interested in Adara, the most legitimate next Mand'alor, don't deny it, though she is small... and cute.... along with witty.... did I mention cute?"

The setting rocked again.

"Right, not the time, your daughter is touched by a Dark Force and that force is attracted to the Emperor, I am not a Space Wizard so dont as for the science, all I know is that Adara will become reliant on Kaine should you fail to be by his side. All this is his plan because he wants to assume control as much as he cant to keep the Mandalorains as guard dogs against the Core, on several occasions he has used routes of attack that bypass local check points of military actions because they passed through Mandalorain/Hapan Territories, Free Worlds, Alliance, and Commenoran, all Sith Armada's used the same Hyperspace Lane that passes through Mandalorain Territory thanks to our alliance."

He paused to relay some orders off-screen inautable.

"I also have information stating the your best friend the Emperor is keeping several Exile Clans within their territories, they state it is due to their effectiveness in recent slave uprising and cleansing of Disorderly Factions, i.e. me mostly, but I after your lovingly parental figure of your father made his claim on Mandalore, I had the jerk followed and spied on, he is forming a Mandalorain Rebellion to replace you, best part is the Emperor knows and is going to let it happen, and here is the kicker, most likely going to offer assistance to repel them to gain more favor to marry one of his surprisingly numerous children, are we sure he is not Mandalorian?"

Sparks and wires exploded behind the holographic figure.

"Well the Emperor is more then likely going to end me here, finally getting rid of me after all these encounters it would seem, but I could not forget my farewell present, I prepared a goodbye present for Adara Raxis, and wish to offer my last service to the Empire you created Yasha, be a good kid and listen to your aunt, she is a royal pain, but she knows how to get out of jam better then anyone. I failed her today and my afterlife will never wash away that, you both will need each other more then ever, Kay is the shield and Yasha is the Sword, a story told in the Nomad Fleet and a good one at that."

He offered a Mandalorain Salute, "Peace is for the Weak, Glory to those without Regret."

A large explosion ended the tranmission. Only thing to greet the view was a message that stated 'Data File End'.

 

[Yasha Cadera]

Yasha attempted to smile, to give [member="Jake Awaud"] something other than the stern set to her slender jaw. Jaster had been one of the valiant few, who stuck through the Red Coronation, who believed that her desire to enrich first the food stocks and ecology of their planets was as worthy as throwing into a battle of great renown.

“I wish I could have done more for him.” Yasha said, locking amber eyes with Jake’s. “I was raised, from three months to six years old in the Netherworld. I assure you, I did not intend to spend another seven at the age of thirteen, but the added hell was worth what I gained.

Clarity of objective. Understanding… I hope to only live up to who Jaster saw me to be. All I can do is continue to push.”

The holocron weighed as much as a dozen suns in her hand. Last words. Important enough to put his aliit through the troubles of granting her this chance to once more see Jaster’s countenance. Once Jake was to the side, Yasha breathed in and held the air in her chest, before depressing the button.

“… kick the bee hive…” Yasha couldn’t help the chuckle and smile that came out of her, at Jaster’s way of words. Stepping backward until her legs collided with a chair, Yasha sat down with a thud, cradling the holocron in her hands. As she played the message again, hot tears crawled down her cheeks.

So it was coming to the betrayal of a dar’buir and his band of warmongering relics to end her. What did Carnifex need Yasha for, if Vilaz was willing to rule? What did Ronan’s hate mean if she was a body hung like Monroe’s upon the gate?

Even her own blood refused her… yet that cut was not as deep as the threat to Adara and the Empire. To think a small group of well armed rebels would attempt to destabilize the entire Empire… over Yasha? This was important enough for Jaster to create this message, while his ship burned and he stood dying as a Mandalorian ought: in battle.

Space lane usage, territory augmentation, the siege of Commenor… all to keep the Mandalorians looking outward instead of North. Kaine and Yasha both knew the bloodbath would be vicious beyond reckoning. It would open them both to such outside villainy to be not worth the victories one or the other might eke out. Through Jaster’s wit and jokes, he gave Yasha rope.

More than she needed.

Peace is for the Weak, Glory to those without Regret.

Yasha rubbed at her eyes, steeled up her spine, and stood back up to continue with as brave a face as she could. The woman, who tapped Jake on the shoulder was grim-set, lower lip pressed in a hard line to prevent the emotional swells she wished she wore her buy’ce to hide.

She waited for him to remove the earplugs, before nodding her head and looking away to retain her composure.

“Some Mand’alor, eh? Getting all emotional, shedding tears. I’d say my father would be ashamed of me, but my father’s name is Gray Raxis, and he taught me how to feel this without crumpling internally… thank you, Jake.” Yasha breathed deep, letting out a sordid exhale.

“He… said he had a goodbye present for Adara? And that I have many, many more people to put on my ‘Punch with Protracted Katar Blade’ List.”

 

[Jake Awaud]

Jake turned at the moment that [member="Yasha Mantis"] tapped his shoulder, seeing the women with wet eyes really put it all into perspective. Jaster was a good friend of hers, and loosing him must have been just as hard on her as it was on him. Only difference was that she did not have the time to show her morning of the lost friend.

"Showing your care for the death of a Mandalorian is not weakness," Jake placed the earplugs in his pocket and turned off the jammer, "It shows you do not send your brothers and sisters into their deaths and care for us all, can we ask for a better leader in theses hard times Ma'am."

Jake listened as she asked about the gift, Jaster must have mentioned it in the message. "It really is strange, he did leave something in the chest the Data-Cron was found in,"

He brought out a clear crystal that sparkled in the lighted room. Placing it on the table, Jake had a confused look on his face. "This is a Purification Crystal, an ancient artifact that Jaster found on one of his tours of the Galactic Core, it has the power to purify the Dark Side from any artifact or person quickly, we used it to turn Dark Jedi into Dar'Shadow or Exiled Mandalorian Force Users," Jake looked to the Mand'alor, "I am not sure why he wanted Adara to have this, but Jaster never wanted a War with the Sith like many other Mandalorains do, he just wanted our people to be independent and not be controlled by any foreign body, Mandalorains should be ruled by Mandalorians, at least that is what Jaster believed."

"I know little of Jaster's plans for the Empire," Jake looked to the Data-Holocron, "but he was the best we had to offer in all aspect, a fine warrior, a ruthless merchant, and an exceptional diplomat, if he wants the youngen to have the artifact, then who am I to argue it,"

He took a deep breath and bowed his head to the Mand'alor, "And as the new Alor of Clan Awaud I would like to renew my families oath to you Mand'alor, we serve at the call of the Mandalorain people, and they follow you in these auspicious times."