Star Forge - 43 (Patreon)

I smiled widely as the door on the wall across from us opened to display a cluster of Kaminoans. Their usual serene expression had a hungry edge to it. Skirata barely shifted his head to acknowledge them.

"Honored Mandalorian," The lead Q-Tip spoke with barely contained restraint. "We have verified the samples. You claim to have another fifty-three more sources."

I nodded, "Yes. I want all of your current clones as well as removing the control chips, enough ships to hold them, and the accelerated aging removed."

The speaker blinked its large eyes. It turned to face the others. They conversed in a high clicking sound that I took to be their native language. My translator didn't pick it up.

"I apologize, Honored Mandalorian," The same Q-Tip said. "We cannot remove the accelerated aging. There is another option. We can inoculate each one to slow the process once puberty triggers. This will have the side-effect of slowing the aging process and extend their lifespan."

Skirata chuckled, "Half a million teenagers going through puberty for ten years."

"How many clones do you have currently?" I asked.

Another short cluster of clicks.

"Each batch number at fifty-thousand," The Kaminoan replied. "We have six batches running from decanted to pre-teen."

"Three-hundred thousand," Ahsoka stated.

"Inoculate all six batches and remove any control chips," I said firmly. "Further, provide the ships needed to transport them. Including any medical droids and other mechanical staff."

A much shorter cluster of clicks.

"Agreed upon delivery of the remaining samples," The Kaminoan countered.

I paused, letting them stare into the black bar that blocked my eyes. Silence could be an amazing negotiation tactic.

"As we begin the inoculation process," They added.

I nodded, "And the ships?"

"Apologies, Honored Mandalorian, we were only provided ships for the first batch," They replied. "At double capacity you would be able to transport two batches."

The two options I could come up with were waiting to see what Bo could gather or simply steal a fleet of ships. It would be fun to play pirate for a bit. Ahsoka knocked on my chest-plate to get my attention. She shook her head. Was I really that transparent?

I tilted my head just a touch in her direction. She rolled her eyes. Reading the body language of a fully armored individual was one of her well-honed skills. I guess I could make multiple trips.

"We will provide transport for the rest of them," I said. "It will take time."

They nodded.

"And the equipment provided for their training?" The Kaminoan asked.

I shrugged, "Return it to the previous client. We don't need it."

Skirata slowly turned to study me.

"Are you sure about that?" Skirata asked.

I nodded, "They'll wear proper armor when the time comes."

"How long will it take you to retrieve the remaining samples?" One of the other Kaminoans asked.

I activated my omni-tool. It was tempting to pop into my Warehouse, grab the sample, and turn it over to the Q-Tips. The more cautious part of me said that it was a bad idea. If they thought that the sample was stored on the ship they could potentially decide that turning it into scrap was a good way to get what they wanted without having to give away the clones.

It was time to visit Coruscant.

Taking a round trip would make it harder for them to guess where I had setup base. It would take some time to get back to the Corellian Run right through to Coruscant. The trip was not a short one even after hitting a stabilized route. At least a week in-transit before adding however long the business took. I wanted to get the business with the clones handled a fast as possible. It took a murder investigation for Obi-Wan to find the planet. That led me to believe that they weren't in regular contact with anyone.

I couldn't count on that. My plans would go the shit if Palpatine discovered my machinations.

"One month," I replied. "Galactic Standard. I will be in contact if my timeline changes. Will that be enough time for you?"

The Kaminoan relaxed a little, "Yes. One Galactic Standard Month will be enough time to inoculate the batches if we start immediately."

The Kaminoans hurried out of the room.

"We need to talk," Skirata said before I could return to my ship.

I tapped my helmet to signal opening a private channel. My communications network pinged his. It was answered with authorization. Ahsoka and Asajj recognized the motion. They fell into step with us as we walked.

<Go ahead,> I motioned for him to follow me.

<What are you going to do with them?> Skirata asked.

I paused in front of one of the windows that looked out onto a vast stretch of clones.

<They're kids,> I replied. <They deserve to decide what to do with their lives. Foundlings as long as they want.> I let out a single, dry laugh. <Removing an army before the war starts is a nice bonus.>

<What war are you talking about?> Skirata asked.

I continued walking to my shuttle. <This army was made for one. We're all waiting for something to start.>

<Lucky how a new Mand'alor appears when a war is on the horizon> Skirata said flatly.

I nodded.

<I've heard about your work,> Skirata said. <Someone claiming the title of Mand'alor gets a lot of attention. Every Mandalorian able to look into your past has done so.>

We paused in the welcome room outside the landing pad where my shuttle rested.

<Do you have a question?> I waited.

<How did you get off Alderaan?> He asked.

<I rigged a high-altitude shuttle to break atmosphere enough to line up with a satellite,> I replied easily. <The ants weren't worried about us once the final ship left.> I paused. <They didn't worry about us as much. Getting a ship space worthy was more important to them. I was able to get Queen and Rain to the pod as long as I didn't engage them directly.>

<That's it?> He clicked his tongue.

I tapped my helmet, <Airtight with a filtration system that I can wear indefinitely.>

<Interesting choice,> Skirata stated.

<I always thought the stories of group of commandos launching themselves through space to board a ship were awesome,> I chuckled. <Would you like to continue this conversation on my ship?>

He studied me for a long, silent moment. There was a good chance that he was talking to someone. He wasn't the only Mandalorian that had been recruited to train the clones. A fan-boy thrill ran along my spine. Jango and Boba Fett were here. Was he talking to Jango Fett?

<I'll be bringing a friend,> Skirata said.

He walked off back the way we had come. I rolled my eyes under my helmet. Did he practice dramatic exits?

We got to the Red Dawn without an issue. I would pick up the other samples once we reached Coruscant. Hopefully, anyone keeping tabs on my ship would think that I was stationed there. It was enough of a disaster to hide a few hundred secret locations within boroughs the size of countries.

It would take a few days to reach the Corellian Run then another week on from there. There was no way in hell that I was going to spend all that time in the ship. I was going to use the doors through my Warehouse to get things done.

Skirata and a friend wanted to talk to me before I could get started.

His ship wasn't anything special. A gunship like dozens of others I had seen through my travels. I would have overlooked it without any sort of cloaking systems. Social camouflage. However, the ship that followed it was one I would recognize anywhere.

Slave One.

I met them at the hangar when they landed. The two exited their ships wearing their full armor. It was a good thing I had my helmet on. I was freaking out. It was only the briefest flashes of coherence that muted my helmet completely. My habit of constantly keeping my helmet on played in my favor. Asking me to remove it would break a big taboo.

I will not repeat the sounds I made in that moment. I'm honestly not sure I could ever make them again. How could I not? I was meeting Jango Fett, the real one, as equals to discussing the future of the clones. Claiming the title of Mand'alor would most likely further complicate things.

Ahsoka and Asajj waited nearby as the ships landed.

Kal Skirata stepped ahead as the three converged, "Let me officially introduce myself. I am Kal Skirata. This is my colleague, Jango Fett."

The Mandalorian in silver and blue inclined his head.

"Kiskin Aurelian," I returned the nod. "Mand'alor."

"He's serious," Fett stated.

"And taking the boys," I continued. "I'll invite them into my clan. You both can let me know if you're close to any of them. I don't want to separate family."

There was a long moment of silence as the two of them spoke on their own frequency. I was tempted to ask Carrie to tap into their signal. It probably wouldn't take that long. It would probably be easy considering they were on my ship.

"Tell me about Deathwatch," Fett said.

I raised my eyebrows even if he couldn't see, "You will speak to me with respect, or I will teach you why you should."

"I'm not the type to bend my knee just because you got a fancy glowstick," Fett replied.

"This is about disrespect." I tilted my head slightly. "Manners make the man."

Fett let out a single, dry laugh, "I have some history with Deathwatch. How did you deal with them?"

"I challenge Vizsla to a duel in front of them," I explained. "He lost. I disbanded Deathwatch. Anyone that wants to be a real Mandalorians are welcome. Those that signed up for other reasons were removed without their armor."

"What is your next move?" Fett asked. "You met with the Dutchess, you met the clans on Concordia, and now you have an army of foundlings. Are you planning on invading Mandalore?"

"Yes," I replied easily. "Not violently. I'm going to settle in one of the stretches of badlands. I have no problem with letting them live their lives. I told Satine the same, they may live on Mandalore, but they are not Mandalorians. It might shock you, but there are planets out there that have more than one culture."

Fett sighed, "I've been to Mandalore, there isn't enough space for more cultures. The place is desolate outside of a couple patches with a few patches of civilization. The population would double with you showing up with the boys."

"I have a plan that I've already tested on Tatooine," I said evenly. "I told her, and others, not every Mandalorian needs to carry a blaster. There is more to it than violence."

Fett stared at me for a long moment before turning his attention to Skirata who nodded.

"Let's see how your plan works, Mand'alor," Fett said.

Fett returned to his ship. He left without another word.

A Brush With Greatness
+100 FP
Fanboy Moment
+100 FP
[ROLL – BANK – SHOP]

BANK.

[Balance: 400 Forge Points]

It was a relief that I didn't have enough for the mask. I had the impression that it would work against me when meeting Fett.

"This is an interesting ship," Skirata said. "Old Republic."

I nodded, "I have found some interesting things along the way."

"More interesting than fifty specimen from an extinct species," Skirata added.

"Yes," I chuckled. "I'll tell you more if you stick around."

Skirata took that in, "Let me have my boys, and you've got my support."

"No," I said not missing a beat.

Skirata tensed at the words.

"I'm not holding your family hostage," I continued. "Your boys are going home with you. That isn't up for negotiation."

The older Mandalorian very slowly relaxed, "Understood."

"I'm not buying your loyalty," I said soundly. "I need to calculate the route to the Corellian Run. It was good meeting you, Skirata."

"Good to meet you as well, Aurelian," He replied.

I laughed, "No one calls me that. Call me Kiskin if you must. Most people call me Red."

"Red the Mand'alor," Skirata chuckled. "A war approaches and a Mand'alor appears."

Ahsoka and Asajj came up to stand beside me as Skirata returned to his ship.

"How did it go?" Ahsoka asked.

I cocked my head to the side at her question then winced when I realized what she meant. The entire conversation had happened on a secure signal between the three of us.

"We're good," I said. "They interviewed me. Made sure I wasn't a joke, or that I wasn't going to sell the kids to a slaughterhouse."

"A slaughterhouse?" Ahsoka snapped.

I laughed.

"That is not funny," She glared at me.

"I thought it was," Asajj cut in. "Are you sure everything is fine? It looked like you were going to start blasting a few times."

I nodded, "I almost did."

Asajj nodded understandably.

"Let's set the course," I said. "Then we can get to work."