The Senate Building, Coruscant…
Haron was looking over the reports from the battle, apart from the catastrophic losses the Jedi suffered in the arena the Republic had come through the Battle of Geonosis with very light casualties and inflicted big losses on the Separatists so he would call that a victory.
"It is a good start to the war despite having an army now and a reasonable navy at our disposal I am aware we lack a dedicated command structure to lead it." Palpatine said to Haron and the rest of the senators present. "So Duke Ordo, I would appreciate your input and direction in creating the Republic Military Command and what direction we should take in the war now."
All faces turned to Haron and he schooled his features to remain neutral, this was he knew a difficult decision. If the vision Luna had came to pass then he could well end up fighting the same military he would be helping to set up but he also realised it was a perfect opportunity to learn its structure and vulnerabilities not to mention place some of his own there just in case.
"Despite the victory the Republic Military will need the right people in the right position to operate effectively. Officers of the Judicial Forces and the Jedi are a good place to start but even they might not be the best choices so with your consent I will look through all the active senior officers and members of the Order to find those that are best suited to lead the war effort. Till that time there are two steps that we can take to ensure the Separatists do not gain the upper hand." Haron told them and Palpatine looked at him curiously wondering what he was going to suggest.
"While I am sure that the Jedi Order and the Judicial Forces are more than up to the challenge I agree they might not all be suited to front line positions, those files will be on your desk by tonight. As for your proposals?" He asked and Haron told him.
"First we must create an early warning system along key avenues that the Separatists might use to invade Republic Space, so I suggest a number of listening outposts are established in specific areas to ensure the Republic has enough time to respond to any incursion. Second, in event of any worlds being invaded that we pursue a policy of defensive fighting at least until we have a competent military command structure in place, inflicting as much damage as possible while reducing our own losses."
"Won't that give the Separatists time to recover after Geonosis? To gain the momentum?" A Senator he didn't recognise asked him and Haron nodded.
"Perhaps but they will have other droid factories than Geonosis and sending incompetent people to lead the Clone Army will only cause a lot of waste and losses even though it is quicker and it takes far longer to create and train a clone than it does to make a droid. It might be slow but it is better and with the heavy losses that they suffered at Geonosis we have a little breathing room. We can use special clone units for occasional raids on Separatist targets to slow them down as well. We can conduct most campaigns needed from here if required but I will find us a short list of reliable choices to deploy in the short term." Haron answered and Palpatine nodded.
"I agree, the Separatists with their droids chose quantity over quality so we must do the opposite and choose quality over quantity. I may have a few choices of my own for key positions though that will need your input." Palpatine added.
Puppets already I see, Haron thought with concern. He knew these people if they were right about him being Sith would be there to enforce his will and see his decisions done. However while he was against this he couldn't tip his hand just yet and it would give them some idea by watching them of where the key weak spots might be. Who they might have to target in the future.
"Very well Chancellor. I must get to work immediately." Haron said and left the room, glad that Din was back on Reijar and out of the way where he would be trained safely rather than be made a potential tool of their enemies. His skin crawled being the same room as Palpatine and to be honest he could only hope to not give himself away and find some useful Intel.
He would also need a spy network of his own though Haron realised as he returned to his new office in the building to begin work, not just to keep him up to date with current events and potential moves Palpatine might make but to provide useful information for the future.
Haron knew the next few weeks were going to be extremely busy for him but the money for his services was extremely good and the inside information he could gain would be extremely useful for many different reasons. The road was very risky but as his people said; 'The greater the risk, the greater the reward if you succeed'.
Haron stood with his arms folded and his expression stern and focused in one of the Senate Building's many 'Situation Rooms'. Since there was no defined military command centre or a dedicated area for such things Haron was using one of the Crisis Suite rooms that the senate used during emergencies to command a battle that was happening on the far side of the galaxy.
His focus was on the holo displays in front of him which showed the Separatist attack on Excio Prime, he was surprised it had taken them a week or so to do anything but it was hardly shocking that they had chosen this particular target hence why he had already put units there as a tripwire against invasion.
"Why strike such a small and insignificant world? Surely they must have more important targets to direct their resources towards?" A cold and clipped voice from his side said. The accent was almost like Posh English like some of the old Purebloods had spoken which was possibly one of the reasons that Haron disliked it so much.
"Admiral Tarkin, true value does not have to be tied to just its own resources but what it leads too later." Haron replied to the cold and hard man that Palpatine was pressing to see rise quickly up the ranks in the new military and Haron could see why.
Tarkin was he admitted an excellent administrator, everything he had charge of ran smoothly and to time if not ahead of time hence why Haron had put him as an admiral. He was cool under pressure and never lost focus, he might have admired that about the man if he also wasn't a psychopath. The man had literally no empathy or guilt at all! He did as he thought was logical and proper and cared nothing for what anyone else thought, everyone was an object to him.
A perfect administrator for the future Empire Haron realised and knew that at some point it would be a good idea to ensure the man went no further than he had now.
"Exactly." The voice on his left said, interrupting his thoughts. "Taking Excio Prime would cut off Republic access to the mineral rich Excio Cluster, those worlds provide much of our durasteel and cut off from Republic help they would fall quickly allowing the Separatists to exploit those worlds instead." Colonel Meebur Gascon explained from the console on which he stood. The Zilkin might only be a foot tall but he had a good mind for strategy and was one of the better choices for Republic Command which Haron had discovered so far.
"Hence why this world has to be protected even at the expense of other seemingly more important positions. Now." Haron said turning back to the battle which was taking place in orbit. There were six Acclamators in orbit against a Lucrehulk and five destroyers, not good odds and so Haron had to concentrate.
"All fighters launch Commander." Haron ordered the Clone Officer which was leading the formation. "Have the Assault ships stay our of range and focus all attention on shields and point defence while staying out of capital ship range. Have five squadrons of bombers and heavy fighters hide behind the nearby asteroids then once the separatist fighters have engaged the assault ships send them to attack destroyers before any that survive once the destroyers are gone return to assault ships which then are to combine fire on the Lucrehulk." Haron told the Clone Commander who nodded.
"Yes sir."
Haron watched the battle field map and saw the heavy losses on both sides but his plan to use the fighters and bombers worked well, the fighters and bombers were able to strafe the destroyers taking them apart while the enemy fighters were concentrating on the assault ships. He saw one go down but the others held strong till they were able to surround and engage the Lucrehulk and strike at it from different angles.
As they wore down its shields Haron wondered who had thought the clones a good idea, they weren't droids! He thought with rage, they were living beings and capable of being so much more than just expendable soldiers. He didn't hold the same beliefs that some of his people did about clones, that they were just mere copies of actual people and saw this existence was just slavery.
Pure and simple.
He felt revolted at having to use them and at the Sith for creating this whole situation.
The battle was won he thought as the Separatist ship erupted in flames from the remaining ships combined fire, it would be fine for now until reinforcements could be sent.
This was the fourth attack this week that he had repulsed and knew actual proper commanders in the field would be the best thing here but going through the entire list of Jedi Knights and Masters not to mention commanding officers in the Judicial Forces was taking awhile.
But at last after more than a few late nights he had managed to create a decent list of choices for field duties. Many of the Jedi were taught surprisingly military tactics from a young age, not unlike his own people but looking at their psychological profiles many didn't have the right mindset for war. It was stressful and hard on people, he knew this first hand as the guilt over ordering men and women to go to their deaths came back again but he accepted his role and had made his peace with it long ago even if the guilt persisted. A Jedi was supposed to be compassionate and control their emotions but in reality they would suppress them and had little idea on how to deal with emotional trauma.
That was the reason he had only chosen around a thousand of the Jedi to be a part of the military, those that he felt could handle the demands of combat with around another thousand provisional choices in case of emergency. The Judicial Forces thankfully resembled a military in some ways so it was easier to sort through and as such had better selection processes.
Still some he thought with annoyance had gotten their positions through family connections and not skill but he was being pressed to give them high ranking positions, like a particularly annoying piece of work named Kendal Ozzel, a man from Carida who likely would have been commanding this battle if Haron hadn't transferred him to guard a polar listening post far from the fighting. The man was a coward and had little strategic or tactical sense in his head but his family was wealthy and so he had gotten the rank of major.
Seeing the battle was won he turned to Tarkin and Gascon and told them.
"Ensure reinforcements are dispatched as soon as possible, now gentlemen I have a meeting with Chancellor and the Jedi." He said and they nodded in acknowledgement before he left the room and went to the elevator which would take him up to the Chancellor's office. His mind going back to the battle and realised that apart from lacking a main capital ship which was assured would soon be sorted with the introduction of the Venator-class Star Destroyers courtesy of Kuat Drive Yards they lacked a fast and nimble fighter to protect the larger ones from fast interceptors. Such a fighter would have been extremely useful in the last battle and was something he needed to speak to the Chancellor about.
Arriving sooner than he hoped he sighed and composed himself before walking into the room, seeing a large number of Jedi in the room sat opposite the Chancellor and his Loyalist Committee. It honestly made the relationship between the two bodies look adversarial and that was sometimes the case as different agendas pushed against each other Haron thought with derision.
"Chancellor, the Separatists have been routed at Excio Prime." Haron told the old man sitting at his desk. The old man smiled benignly which only made standing here more unnerving to him.
"Excellent, I knew my faith in you was not misplaced. Now I have been reading your list of Jedi selected for field deployment and it is rather small isn't it?" Palpatine said holding a pad which Haron presumed contained the list.
"Indeed, it is insulting that the Jedi Order is having to be scrutinized by an outsider let alone a Mandalorian. We have served the Republic faithfully for thousands of years and need no barbarian to tell us how to protect the Republic." One of the Jedi said sharply, looking very affronted the Iktotch that he knew now was Master Saesee Tiin a hard-headed member of the Jedi Council. He could tell this attitude towards him was shared by the other Jedi in the room as no-one rebuked him and Haron merely raised an eyebrow before asking him a very simple question.
"How many wars or even battles have you fought in Master Tiin?"
His question seemed to throw the Jedi off balance as clearly they had expected him to say something else but Haron just waited for them to answer before saying.
"Can't remember? Then I will tell you, one battle. The only battle you and those that survived it fought in was the Battle of Geonosis and how did that turn out for you?" Haron told them, enjoying slightly rubbing salt in the still fresh wound. The looks of disgust and annoyance on their faces was almost enjoyable but he pressed on.
"I have fought in many battles, I know what it can do to those that fight a war and many simply cannot handle the strain. Some are born to do it and their natural ability shines through, others grow into it with time and can become very competent if they survive. Many however simply have no idea how to lead or to handle the strain commanding soldiers to go and die places on you. So I choose to be more selective with who gets a military post and who doesn't so those that I feel can handle the stress are put in while those that might not can be put into other work where they are more at home." Haron told them sternly which only made them look more irritated at being talked down too.
"I know you for example are one of those that I chose for a military post as are the majority here, as the situation becomes more stable then other Jedi can be tried on a temporary basis to see if they can indeed cope but for now only those that are strong enough should enter the war. Incompetence or an inability to cope with the trauma those who command will face only prolongs the war after all."
The Jedi it seemed wanted to contradict him but but they couldn't find a logical argument which they knew he would tear to pieces. Using this opportunity to speak to the Chancellor about the light starfighter issue.
"We seem to be lacking in a light starfighter to protect our larger ships and bombers from Separatists, I have compiled a list of candidates." Haron told the Chancellor and handed the datapad over to him. The Chancellor took the pad and scanned its contents before asking almost absent-mindedly.
"Any particular choices?"
"Two, the V-19 Torrent from Slayn & Korpil. They are spending a lot of credits to push for this one, I know eight senators who have been pushing for them to get the contract received considerable credit donations from them. The other is a personal favourite, the Z-95 Headhunter from Incom Corporation, a smaller but reliable and capable company." Haron told Palpatine.
"I see, why do you favour the Z-95 Headhunter?" Palpatine asked with curiosity, senators receiving bribes was hardly even worth mentioning but he wanted to know why Incom was Haron's personal choice.
"A few reasons really." Haron said before going into detail. "The V-19 is fast but only really in a straight line which is not what we need for the fleet, the ARC can do nearly everything it can just as well if not better. The Z-95 can turn much easier which is far more useful in a fighter on fighter situation and is not only comparable in terms of armament but has the option of fitting a hyperdrive making it have far greater range especially if the carrier is destroyed. I also happen to have shares in in Incom so that is the reason why I will leave the choice for which fighter to use to a fair test." Haron said surprising them with his open admission that he had shares in one of the companies in question and the Jedi not to mention the Loyalist Committee looked at him with suspicion and disdain.
"A fair test? With the military advisor pushing for one choice while pushing aside another capable choice? Hardly fair." One of the senators scoffed and Haron just shook his head, not fazed at all as he knew just how to shut him up.
"Well I know you are being paid by Slayn and Korpil too so instead I intend to find two pilots from the Jedi Order who can really put the candidates through their paces. Master Plo Koon and Young Anakin Skywalker, easily the best pilots in the order and an impartial voice to make the decision." Haron told them and while the grumbling senator received dirty looks from his fellows the Jedi looked surprised they were being involved in this, the master in question was Kel Dor so it was hard to tell his expression at a glance but he stared at him with his head slightly tilted as if studying him.
The Senators were annoyed but the Chancellor it seemed was thrilled and said.
"Excellent, no one could doubt that they are an impartial voice in this test. Arrange it as soon as possible Duke Ordo as I would appreciate the chance to see the demonstration." Palpatine said seeing it as a chance to gain greater trust from Anakin who delighted him by recently confiding what he had done the Sand People that had killed his mother.
It boded well for his future plans.
Haron gave his excuses and went to find Skywalker, he had not forgotten Luna's thoughts regarding Skywalker...that he was important in this and having him under Palpatine's thumb was not a good outcome so he would need to try and help the boy in anyway he could rather than let him become a puppet of the Sith.
His own ability in Force Tracking as it was called by the Jedi was as good as ever despite not having used it in awhile, he could feel the presence of Skywalker in the force in an office nearby and he was not alone. Haron smirked as he felt the warm and bright aura of Padme Amidala with him and knew from the feelings that were virtually radiating off them just what the pair were up too.
Deciding for his own amusement to not knock Haron simply walked straight into the room and saw the pair with their lips locked together and bent half over the desk. The sound of him entering instantly spooked Padme and Anakin who jumped apart with their faces flush.
"Duke Ordo! I was just..." Anakin said struggling to think of something that would explain what he and Padme were doing but Haron with a smirk on his face with his own amusement of the situation said.
"Having a quiet moment with your wife?" He said seeing the alarmed expressions on their faces he decided to let them off the hook. "I am a married man myself, I do these things with my own wife! Do not worry I won't tell anyone, its not my business."
They seemed to relax at that before Haron told them the reason for his visit.
"It seems however I am in need of your skills as a pilot. The Republic Fleet is in need of a fast interceptor and I need the best pilots, Master Plo Koon and yourself to test it and give us your honest opinion which is the best choice." Haron told them.
Padme looked at Anakin proudly, glad to see his talent recognised but Anakin himself they both noticed looked unhappy about the news.
"Master Plo is more than capable of doing the test, I have other things to do." Anakin said but his voice was..sad, like he really wanted to do this but didn't feel he should. Haron and Padme frowned, not sure what to say at first.
"Like what?" Haron said knowing that whatever was bothering him it was better he and Padme helped him deal with it rather than leave him open to more manipulation from Palpatine. "Although you and your master are top of the list for a military posting you haven't been given one yet."
"Top of the list?!" Anakin said seeming surprised and a little excited for a moment before deflating slightly. "Duke Ordo, I...I appreciate your faith in me but I am not the person I was...not with this." Anakin said and his eyes went to his new prosthetic arm with self-loathing.
"Oh Anakin." Padme said with concern and rushed to give him comfort while Haron frowned, now seeing the reason for his sudden lack of confidence. He had seen it before, had experienced it himself and knew that the only way to get him out of his funk was make him see that he hadn't hit rock bottom yet.
"Anakin. You're right." Haron said with a sigh. He said surprising them and making Padme look at him furiously for saying something like this. "You are not the person you were, no one ever is when they experience a trauma and you have experienced one that few can even comprehend...but you can use it to become stronger. Stronger than you ever were before. You learn far more from defeat than you do from victory." Haron explained. "You want to become stronger, I can help you do that if you want it. Dooku might have beaten you this time but if you learn from this then next time you meet him you will be ready for him."
Haron told Anakin this hoping that he might realise that his defeat did not mean the end of his life as he knew that it sometimes felt like that in times like this, Padme was scolding him but he paid her no attention. Anakin was thankfully considering his words and said with a look of determination that was a welcome sight given how this could have gone if he had misjudged it.
"Teach me."
- x -
One of the landing platforms was the best place they could find to train and so the next day Haron stood there with his spear in hand and Anakin his borrowed lightsaber since he had yet to replace the one he lost on Geonosis, thankfully this time Haron thought it was set on training mode given what happened when they first met.
Anakin charged, using the basic cleaves of Form 5 again which Haron easily deflected away from himself. Seeing he was hesitant about using his new arm, timid even so Haron told him firmly.
"If you hold back then this is never going to work, now actually attack Skywalker." Haron said sharply and Anakin seemed to be incensed by that and actually started attacking properly, his arms hurting from the impacts but still Anakin stayed far too close to the basic moves in the standard sequence.
This allowed Haron to predict each move he made and finally with his spear as leverage force the lightsaber to the side and mock jab him in the chest, ending the spar. Anakin seemed disheartened as Haron had just defeated him the same way Dooku had.
"You are competent but you stick too much in the basic moves, that is how Dooku beat you. He is a master of lightsaber combat so he knows those moves by heart. To defeat him, you need to not only practice until you become skilled enough to use the more advanced moves but string them together in your own unique style. Make the form your own and Dooku will struggle to match it." Haron told him and put himself in the ready position again and Anakin did likewise.
This time when Anakin attacked he started mixing his sequences together and became a lot less predictable which meant he was at least listening and starting to learn.
They traded blows for a few minutes before breaking apart, sweating a little from the fight but smiling a little too. Both of them enjoying the little spar.
"Is there anything else I could do to defeat Dooku?" Anakin asked, not sure if he trusted Ordo yet but the man it seemed wanted to help and he seemed to give good advice. Haron thought for a moment before telling him.
"Learn about Form 2, that is his form unless I am much mistaken so you can learn its weaknesses. It means you know what to expect when you see him next and he doesn't in regards to you. But don't try to solve all your problems at once, if you think about everything you're up against all at once, you'll crack. Just because quick action is needed doesn't mean you have to be rash too, one problem at a time."
"How do you know so much about lightsaber fighting?" Anakin asked confused given the order hardly published publicly about it while considering his words and Haron smirked and told him.
"You forget, my people and the Jedi have been fighting for centuries. Knowing your enemy is half the battle, learn to understand your enemy and you will find a way to defeat them." Haron said with a slight smirk before changing the subject. "So how is married life treating you?"
Anakin seemed taken aback by the change of subject but frowned before saying.
"We are going to be apart so much...hardly see each other." Anakin said with misery knowing as soon as he and Obi-Wan got their missions they would be away from Coruscant for very long periods of time while Padme was here. Not being with her seemed unbearable in his mind and he was not sure that they would be able to cope.
"Then you make the most of the time together you can find." Haron said with a warm and understanding smile. "I miss my wife and my children everyday...we speak on the holo but its not the same which is why I intend to travel back home every chance I get. While it would be nice to have them here with me it isn't safe and I would rather them be safe. It is a team, a marriage...both of you have to put as much effort into it as each other for it to work. There might be times when you love each other more than life itself, other times you might hate each other and it can be very tough and hard but...its worth it." Haron told him, knowing the pain of being separated too well, he ached to be back home with his wife and children but if they were to try and prevent the disaster Luna had foreseen then he had to be here.
He and Anakin stayed silent after that, taking it all in before resuming their ready positions. Continuing to spar while thinking deeply on the women they loved and what they were facing to be with them in the future.
A Week Later…
From the observation platform of one of Coruscant's many space stations Haron stood with many of the Loyalist Committee and the Jedi High Council not to mention the Supreme Chancellor watching as Anakin and Plo Koon put the V-19 and the Z-95 through their paces. Obstacles and mock dogfights had been set up to test them both to the limit and discover just which ship was better.
The pair of them were like poetry in the cockpit, easily some of the most graceful and precise piloting Haron had ever seen and he saw Padme looking proudly at her husband out of the corner of his eye. He smiled himself glad in his own way to have helped in some way.
The Chancellor too was smiling but despite his apparent warmth Haron still felt very cold and unnerved around him, especially with what they suspected. He was not sure if it was through the force or not but given the Jedi didn't seem to notice a thing about him Haron thought perhaps it was him being subconsciously aware of a flaw in the man's performance he wasn't sure.
They waited for both pilots to complete their course and land in the small docking bay, they had taken turns in flying both ships and company officials were sure to be watching with eager anticipation as the contract would be a major revenue stream for them if they got it. Once Anakin and Plo Koon finally arrived on the viewing platform Haron asked.
"Well gentlemen, please tell us your thoughts? We are eager to know." Haron asked them and Plo Koon spoke first.
"The V-19 is comparable to the Z-95 in many respects, it has a similar armament and its speed in straight flying is the same." Plo Koon said before turning to Anakin to provide his own thoughts which surprised the younger Jedi who was always being told to not interrupt, Plo Koon it seemed was more accepting of Anakin's opinions and so he would give the deal breaker.
"But in terms of manoeuvrability the Z-95 is superior in both atmosphere and in space. The controls are far more responsive and the engines react quicker. If we are looking for an interceptor then the Z-95 is definitely the better option." Anakin finished, he had liked the ship a lot and wondered if he could get hold of one to try and make some modifications of his own.
The Senators who had been bribed by Slayn and Korpil looked very unhappy as the endorsement of the Jedi Order was pretty much a death knell for their case, the Jedi had considerable weight to their word so it would be hard to argue against their report and endorsement.
"Excellent, then I will contact the Incom Corporation and place our order for their starfighter. When combined with the new Star Destroyers and our existing equipment the Republic's security will be assured." Palpatine said and Haron nodded feeling very happy as the military contract would bring in a great deal of revenue for Incom and therefore him as well.
The Senators who had been on the payroll of the Slayn and Korpil looked over at them and said with derision, clearly angry at not receiving the contract and therefore the sums promised to them for securing it.
"Must you always wear that armour!? It is deeply insulting." One of them snapped and Haron not to mention many others looked at him with raised eyebrows. The Senators were of course wearing clothes expensive enough that you buy a small starship with the money spent on them while Haron like he did every day wore his armour and weapons which ironically were just as expensive if not more.
"To whom I wonder senator? A Mandalorian is never caught defenceless and while I know the most danger you have ever been in is when you might not fully chew your food I have been in battles and fights and know to expect the worst." Haron said with a cold derision and a glare than instantly shut the senator up in fear of him. Palpatine, Anakin and Padme too he saw looked slightly amused at the put-down while many of the Jedi looked at him with dismay. The senators grumbled and Haron knew some of them were going to try and eliminate him at some point and to watch his back.
He knew making enemies was not a wise move but it couldn't be helped in a such an environment.
- x -
Later on the shuttle back to the surface which Haron begrudgingly shared with the Jedi he stood alone while the Jedi clustered together, he gave Skywalker a smile which the young man returned which might well be the last smile he had for awhile Haron thought sadly. He and his master would soon be assuming command of an entire legion of Clones and actually meeting the Separatists in battle. It would mean Haron himself had to command less battles and get on with establishing the basic military structure for the Republic while creating his own network for information and a web of contacts.
"Appreciate your silence I do." A voice said suddenly to his side and he turned, looking down to see Yoda had managed to sneak up on him and Haron honestly kicked himself for paying so little attention.
"I have no intention of causing internal strife, my revealing what I know of your history would only create distrust in a time of war. Do not think that this means we have forgotten what you did to my people Master Yoda or forgiven even if the Republic and Jedi have." Haron said quietly but coldly to Yoda whose ears unnoticeably dropped.
"A grave error on the part of the Jedi and the Republic it was, it should not have happened." Yoda said almost like he was trying to say sorry but Haron only stared coldly at him.
"You were part of that invasion! You burned Mandalore!" Haron said accusingly with repressed rage. "Rather than fight us on the battlefield you bombarded us from orbit and scorched the surface my people's home! It took nearly a century of hard work just to make the atmosphere breathable again and we still haven't managed to restore any vegetation after six centuries! The people there have to live in protective structures, the planet is dependant on supplies from other worlds to survive and don't get me started on how many you killed that day." Haron said and Yoda's face fell, looking ancient at the memory of the massacre he had committed in the name of the Republic during the Mandalorian Excision as a younger knight so many years ago.
"Much younger I was then, eager to make my legend. Learned that day I did how important life is." Yoda told him looking deeply troubled at the memory of how cocky and careless he had once been in his youth. "Seeing death on such a scale, realise I did how fragile life is and how it must be protected. Saying sorry, not enough it is I know but feel that you are here for a reason and that you have a role to play in events I do." Yoda told him and pointed at him with his stick.
Haron stared at him with suspicion and anger, whatever he might be now Yoda had committed at great atrocity against his people and it had not been forgotten, even if the Jedi had written it out of their own history. He didn't trust the old being that in some ways reminded him far too much of another old man on another world that he had learned from long ago didn't help his view of the Jedi Grand Master either.
But at the same time he was the leader of the Jedi Order and if he was right about Palpatine then to stop him he would need the Jedi's help. Haron decided even though he wanted as little to do with Yoda as possible to at least give the old man a hint of what he suspected.
"While I can be sure of nothing, I have my suspicions so I will tell you what I feel I know. Palpatine, it all leads back to him. The Jedi are dealing with a Sith Lord unlike any seen in thousands of years and trapped in a plan long in the making, heading for a catastrophe...all I can suggest is be prepared." Haron said and Yoda looked at him curiously, studying him just as Haron studied him right back. A battle of wills almost to see just who was willing to break first.
Yoda didn't look very surprised somehow and Haron wondered if maybe the old being had already noticed some clues of his own that had made him suspect Palpatine, he was nearly nine hundred years old after all and if you didn't learn a few things in that time you would have to be very stupid.
And while his own attitude towards Yoda was coloured by his people's history with him Haron didn't think for a second that Yoda was stupid or would ignore his hints.
Reijar, Ordo System…
The absence of Haron Ordo was felt keenly by his family and friends although Deera Ordo was home now to help oversee the training of the next generation of Ordos along side her sister in law while making occasional visits to Iokath and Zakuul to check on their progress.
Under her watch Lelia and Markus young though they were sat at computer terminals being put through the same programs that Haron, Deera and their cousins had gone through at their age albeit with a few tweaks of their own to ensure they were up to date. They had even redesigned them to appear like a sort of game targeted at their current age for them to play so not only were they learning but having a little fun too.
"They seem a little young to be doing this." Ara said with concern for her son, especially since Astoria would be going through the same thing when she was older. Deera frowned a little but reassured her.
"I know it seems extreme but this easier than what Haron and I went through when we were the same age, believe me it was harder on us than it will be on them and we will be making sure that they are okay. This is the time were we instil in them memory builders, development of their basic skills before advancing to more difficult things later. House Ordo has always trained from very young and it has made us much stronger than even other Mandalorians...its a tradition you just don't break." Deera told her as while she knew the training was hard and difficult as long as the children were supported they would get through this and become stronger for it.
Neville and Hannah's son Frank had been offered the same training but had decided to handle their children's training themselves and wanted to wait till he was a little older. It was of course their decision and understandable in many ways so they didn't press the situation.
Either way though they all would soon also start learning from Luna who was easily the better force user among them, to start channelling the force and begin developing their powers.
Din meanwhile was standing with the professional warriors was they showed him the basic unarmed combat stances the Mandalorians used and took him on runs to build up his body. Din was worried about Haron being on Coruscant alone but did his best to train so that he would be worthy of wearing his grandfather's armour.
Preparing the next generation was of course an important duty and if there was war in the future it was vital that when the time came...they were ready to face it.
Wild Space, Same Time…
Hyperspace scouting was perhaps one of the most dangerous jobs in the whole galaxy, jumping blindly down potential hyperspace routes with no idea if they were stable or what might be waiting on the other end was to say the least hard and potentially deadly work and it was justly well paid as a result and those that did daring.
The scouts hired by House Ordo were no different, they were a rowdy bunch to say the least and lived their lives on the edge because they knew each jump might be their last so they lived for the day and swore to themselves that they would leave no regrets behind, this was also why many had chosen to never have a family so they hurt no-one when they passed.
So when they in their explorer ship made their next jump they were ready for the end but thankfully it didn't happen and they found and empty star system with only a distant star and a small number of planetoids.
Boring, they all thought and logged it before the sensor alarm started going off, registering ships nearby...a large number of ships!
They honestly panicked for a moment thought that they had stumbled onto an alien armada and they were going to have to perform a perfect first contact or be blown out of the stars only for the ID scan to tell them that all these ships were a known design and not moving or responding to their presence at all.
Looking at the ID scan again they realised that all of the ships were exactly the same class, a rather large type of ship built by the Rendili Stardrive company known as the Dreadnaught-class Heavy Cruiser. The interior and exterior lights were still running but nothing else happening at all.
Two hundred of them! Just floating in space seemingly abandoned in pretty much perfect condition.
"Holy crap!" The ship's captain exclaimed with joy. "That's the Katana Fleet! Oh we are going to get a huge bonus for this boys!" He said with excitement, knowing his paymasters would absolutely love this discovery which had fallen right in their lap and pay well for it.