CHAPTER FOUR
Ever since their foundation, the Mandalorians had always been in the 'middle' when it came to galactic affairs. During the Old Sith Wars, they had strongly favored the Sith as allies until the Dark Wars, when their then-Mandalore united them against the Sith Triumvirate.
Three hundred years later, when the resurgent Sith Empire had made its move to invade the galaxy, they once again had the Mandalorians as allies. This would soon change again when the Mandalorians fought against their 'traditional' allies during the New Sith Wars. However, they did not remain friends with the Republic for long; the devastation brought upon the Mandalore sector by the Post-Ruusan Republic saw to that.
Following the Mandalorian Excision, the former nomadic warriors remained a neutral faction at best. Even during and after Emperor Palpatine's reign were they caught in the middle of the Galactic Civil War, working alongside both the splinter Imperial factions following the Battle of Endor and the New Republic.
When the Mandalorian Protectors arrived to help the Republic defeat Darth Vorath's forces, it had been briefly thought that they had turned a new lead. But nearly ten years of little to no assistance from the mercenary-warriors during the rebuilding after the Imperial-Sith War had proven those beliefs wrong.
Because of their wavering loyalties, it was decided that, in sending representatives of the two Jedi Orders to unite the various galactic factions, it was decided to send two Jedi- one of each order, light and dark- to Mandalore in order to cater to whichever side the Mandalorians were leaning towards.
And it was just Jaden Korr's luck that he was chosen for the mission.
He still wasn't sure why the Jedi Council had chosen him; having just returned from Dromund Kaas after a long philosophical discussion with the Revanchist, who he knew was trying to turn him over, he just wasn't up for another mission.
"You are a great Jedi Knight," Master Baran had told him while assigning him to this mission. "You are wise enough to handle negotiations and powerful enough to fight in case things go wrong."
Jaden supposed that was true, and he had decided to accept the mission. However, he instantly regretted it when he saw who he would be traveling with.
"Trust me," the former Sith Lord Starkiller had said upon meeting Jaden. "I'm not looking forward to his mission either."
During the Imperial-Sith War, Starkiller- then known as Darth Stalker- was a Sith Lord under Darth Vorath. According to Jaden's master, Kyle Katarn, Stalker, before the war, had tricked him and fellow Jedi Toah Jarsan into following him to Vorath. Years later, shortly before the Battle of Coruscant, Jaden and his master had encountered Stalker at the Battle of Borosk, which saw to Stalker's apparent demise.
However, Stalker had managed to survive the encounter but must had been heavily scarred, which explained his cybernetically covered body and masked face. It almost made Jaden think that he was evoking a certain Sith Lord. The Sith Lord had also since changed his name to Starkiller.
The two of them sat in the cockpit of the Rogue Shadow, Starkiller's personal ship, which Kyle Katarn had hijacked on Tatooine and placed in the Alliance's custody. As the unchanging portal of hyperspace streaked past the shup's viewport, Jaden attempted to pass the time and try to make small talk with the Dark Jedi.
'Cause if we're going to be allies, we might as well act like it, Jaden thought.
"So," he said casually, "what type of ship is this? I can't say I recognize the model."
"It's one of a kind," Starkiller replied, his tone sounding bitter. "Created by Sienar Fleet Systems."
"How did you come across it?"
"It was a gift," the Dark Jedi said, not turning to look at Jaden. "I can't recall who gave it to me."
Jaden had a feeling that wasn't true. "Was it from Vorath?"
"No," Starkiller said. "Definitely not."
Jaden nodded, deciding not to say anything more; it was clear that the Dark Jedi was not in the mood for conversation.
The ship's autopilot beeped, indicating that they were approaching their destination. Starkiller deactivated the hyperdrive, bringing the Rogue Shadow into the Mandalore system. As they began to approach the fifth planet of the system, Jaden noticed a small fleet of ships surrounding it. He couldn't tell if they were Mandalorian or not, but he somewhat doubt that they were friendly.
Once they were within short distance of the planet, a gravely voice broke through the ship's comm system. "Unidentified craft, you are in Mandalorian space. State your business immediately before we eliminate you."
Starkiller leaned forward in his seat to respond. "This is the Rogue Shadow, carrying representatives of the Jedi Order."
There was clearly a sneer on the Mandalorian's face when he spoke again. "What business does the Jedi have with us? And why should we care?"
"Let's just say that we carry good advice for your people. Like, say, how to prevent your planet from being abducted."
There was a short pause before the Mandalorian finally said, "What are you talking about?"
"You should know," Starkiller said. "Have you not heard of the incidents at Kaal and Kashyyyk? Or does Mandalore not get the HoloNet?"
The voice growled, most likely trying to come up with a witty retort, but no such reply came. Instead, the Mandalorian said, "You are clear to land in Keldabe. A dispatch will take you to our leader."
"Smart choice." As Starkiller severed the connection, he seemed to notice Jaden's wry smile. "What is it?" the Dark Jedi asked.
"Nothing," Jaden said hastily. "It's just that you could stand to sound a bit more...grateful."
Starkiller scoffed. "I have no need for such manners."
Jaden shrugged. "You never know," he murmured. "You just might."
*
Author's note: remember way back in the second episode of Invasion about Starkiller/Darth Stalker retreating to the Unknown Regions, finding a Rakatan device, and transferring his consciousness to new clone bodies?
Yeah, I decided that wasn't a very good idea and decided to change it to what you just read about him and the Borosk thing. A lot more simpler.
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