Final preparations

You leave the throne room, hop into your ship, enter the coordinates into your navicomputer and speed to the place, where Revan once decimated the great Mandalorian army in a single battle. Coming out of orbit, you find hundreds of destroyed ships still floating in orbit. They crash into each other every now and then, due to the unstable gravity of the planet.

Prior to the battle of Malachor, which took place almost 2500 years ago, the planet was fertile and hospitable. Revan used a secret weapon, the Mass Shadow Generator to destroy the Mandalorian fleet with a single strike, at the cost of the planet and half his own fleet and men. After the cataclysm of the generator, Malachor V became a cracked and twisted wasteland covered with jagged cliffs and plagued by constant lightning storms. The gravity of the planet had become unstable, which made it dangerous for starships to wander nearby. The screams and the pain of the fallen still echo through the **** here around their well-preserved bodies.

Lana (disgusted by the sight): How horrible! How could Revan do such a thing? He sacrificed so much just to win one battle... This place is one of the darkest in the entire galaxy and yet, historians praise him for stopping the Mandalorians, even at the price, that's still sensible here to this day. He was clearly going down his dark path when he was planning this massacre... Anyway, let's find the Mandalorian capital ship. Let's see, which pile of junk is the biggest here on the scanner... There! That should be it!

You steer the wheel towards the ship and fly into its hangar, or rather, what's left of it, but that's the most decent landing zone you can find. Flying closer you are getting more and more unnerved by the echoing darkness surrounding the planet, especially the Mandalorian flagship. Once having magnetically fixed your ship to the hangar floor, you grab an oxygen bottle, connect it to your armour, and leave your ship. Having so little, yet unstable gravity around you, pulling you into different directions as the gravity changes, you activate the magnetic seal on your feet to grip you to the floor and turn on the lights of your helmet to see anything in the darkness. Walking your way towards the bridge, you find numerous dead Mandalorians floating about in the corridors of the ship. There was little honour in a **** like theirs. They weren't even given a proper rating place, being destined to float in cold space like some space junk. If the darkness and the dead floating bodies weren't creepy enough, the echoing suffering of the dead certainly was a bonus for it.

Echoing faint voices in the distance: Heeelp uuus...! The pain... The pain....! Where is Gallina...? Is she alright...? The Republic will pay if only I still had both my legs...! Let us rest already...!

Lana (having shivers as you walk): Euugh... This place gives me the creeps! I understand why Canderous hid the mask here. Who in their right mind would come here?! Especially as a **** sensitive, if the sight wasn't enough on its own, I even hear and feel their suffering and anger! Great!

Soon you enter the bridge and find the security chest Eketh mentioned. Surprisingly, it wasn't even locked.

Lana: Strange... Yet, I understand, if anybody gets this far, a simple lock wouldn't stop them anyway. Let's see what's inside... Oh by the ****! The real, golden Mask of Mandelore the First! I can't believe I truly found it! I'll have to show this to all Mandalorians! Father will be proud! That is, if I survive our encounter and he won't kill me on sight for siding with Satine...

Before the darksaber was created, Mandalore's Mask was the artefact that united the Mandalorian clans. It is the original and most powerful sign of Mandalorian unity.

You grab the mask, dash back to your ship, not wasting any time on the dead anymore, and travel to Sundari. About a day has passed since your departure, as you land, you spot a few dozen Republic gunships in the hangar.

Lana (surprised): The Republic? Here? What are they doing on Mandalore? It is a neutral planet! Ooor... Could this be Satine's "favour" which she pulled? Only one way to find out.

You get out of your ship and head to the throne room. You meet tens of clones on the way, all equipped with jetpacks, the proper equipment to fight Mandalorians. Once at the throne room's door, you sense a familiar presence inside. It is just as you have sensed it, it's Obi-Wan Kenobi! He's busy talking with the duchess as you enter.

Lana (with a friendly tone): Master Kenobi!

Obi-Wan: Lana! Long time no see!

Lana (as you approach the pair): Forgive my improper question, master, but what are you doing here? Did you bring the clones with you?

Obi-Wan: Yes, well, the situation here is pretty tricky now. Mandalore is about to face a serious civil war, and the duchess has asked the Republic to intervene on her side.

Lana (wondering): But, is that... legal?

Satine: In dire times like these, we need all the help we can get. I still insist Mandalore remains a neutral system, inviting Republic soldiers into my city would have cost us our unlimited independence, had Obi-Wan not...

Obi-Wan (interrupting): Had I and Anakin not found a small loophole we could use to help her regardless of the Republic's decision. The Senate refused to send an army here unless Mandalore joined the Galactic Republic, a condition which Satine refused outright. Hence, we came here as volunteers, not as official Republic troops. This battalion of my legion stood by me when I proposed the option to assist the locals. And I'm here as a friend of Satine, not as a Jedi or a general. Not on paper at least.

Lana: I see. Well, my presence is very similar to yours, so I shouldn't be having any issues with it, should I? Especially since we are going to fight on the same side.

Obi-Wan: That we'll do, Lana! I would have never forgiven myself had I left my old friend Satine down in a perilous situation like this!

Lana (sarcastically): I understand your friendship is... Deep.

Satine (embarrassed): It's not what you think it is!

Obi-Wan (embarrassed): Lana, don't get us all wrong, we are just...!

Lana (teasingly): No need to explain yourselves, I have no issue with the matter! Besides, you aren't here as a Jedi, so you don't have to act as one while in Sundari, isn't that right, Obi-Wan?

Obi-Wan (not amused): Lana, that's not how it works...

Satine (trying to act serious while blushing): Definitely not! Not to mention, we have important matters to attend to, like organising the city's defense, evacuating the civilians from the lines of battle... We certainly won't have time to do such... "things"! Not as if we would be doing them, had the situation been any different...!

Obi-Wan (facepalming): Ah... I think you have said enough Satine...

Lana (giggling): Well, anyway, all I'm saying, is that whatever you do here, I won't be telling the council anything about that! Promise!

Obi-Wan: There will be nothing you shouldn't be reporting anyway...

Lana: Certainly. Anyway, Satine, I have the mask! With this artifact we might be able to have a few clans to switch sides.

Satine: Wonderful news Lana! I knew I could count on you!

Lana: I'll find a way to let the clans know I have it. Until then, I'm returning to my quarters to meditate, I'll leave you two to continue your date in private!

Obi-Wan (embarrassed): Thank you La... Wait, we aren't dating! We are discussing critical military intelligence and...! Ah, forget it, you don't believe me anyway...

Satine (seductively whispering to Obi-Wan as you leave): Hm, maybe after we are done "discussing critical military intelligence", we could retire to my bedchambers and... "Do some military exercise" before the enemy attacks!

Obi-Wan (whispering back): Satine... How could I refuse the Duchess of Mandalore?

Lana (thinking): I could hear you both, you know!

You get into your room and meditate, there's a lot to think through before the battle. Most importantly, what you are going to do, should you meet Rantar on the field of battle. Are you going to fight him? Kill him even if you must? He's still your father and has done nothing wrong, except faithfully serving his superior and a cause he believes in. Maybe you should contact him, try to persuade him not to join the offensive. Obviously it's futile, but worth a try. You activate your holocommunicator and wait for him to answer your call.

Lana (as he answers it): Hello Father!

Rantar: Lana! I was expecting you to contact me soon. I understand you have picked the side of the duchess in the upcoming conflict...

Lana: Yes, I have... Look, I...!

Rantar: No need to explain your motives, my daughter. I do not want to persuade you to abandon your cause, you have chosen and I expect you to stand by it, no matter what. This is the child I have risen, while you were under my care, before the Jedi have taken you! I'm so proud of the young woman you have become!

Lana: Father... I know it's pointless, but I must ask you... Could you consider abandoning **** Watch...? Just for the day of the battle?

Rantar: You know I cannot do that. This is what I have been working for all my life. You would be asking the impossible.

Lana: I was afraid you would say that. So... We are on opposite sides of this conflict... What happens if we...

Rantar: Meet during the fighting? You know what will happen. We are going to duel and you will defeat me, I have no illusions it would have any other outcome!

Lana: Why are you so certain?

Rantar: Because I have seen how strong you have become, {if CON1 = true}having defeated Bo-Katan was no small feat, not to mention{endif} you are a Jedi knight, the best I have had the luck to get to know. You have no equal among our clans and won't have any among the Jedi soon either. I am so proud of you I cannot put that into words, not even slaying a Mythosaur could make me feel the same! You are my most precious gem and I will be the happiest man alive to fall in battle against you! To see how quickly you have surpassed me is all I wish to experience first hand!

Lana: I... I don't want to fight you! And definitely not going to kill you if we fight!

Rantar: That's not up to you my child, this is the way! If we fight and you win, leaving me dishonoured by spearing me would be a shame I could never get rid of! Don't do that with your old man!

Lana: Which section of the city are you going to attack? If I knew, I could go to the other end of the city and we wouldn't have to fight...! If we both survive the battle, regardless of the outcome, our clan could come together again and we could live as if nothing had happened!

Rantar: I cannot tell you about our plans, nor need to. You might be afraid to do what must be done, but it will make you stronger, I know!

Lana: I see you cannot be reasoned with... So... There's one more thing I wanted to tell you.

Rantar: Anything.

Lana (showing him the Mask of Mandalore): Look what I have just acquired, the Mask of Mandalore!

Rantar (in disbelief): The... mask?! How did you come in possession of that?!

Lana: I found it above Malachor V, locked away safely in Mandalore the Ultimate's flagship. That's where Canderous had hidden it a long time ago.

Rantar: I see... Do you know what that means, my child?!

Lana: I think I do.

Rantar: You have the right to lead the clans! If you defeated Pre Vizsla in a challenge, possessing both the darksaber and the mask, together with your strength, you would be the sole, undisputed leader of all Mandalorians!

Lana: Father, I do not wish to lead them! I'm not fit to lead!

Rantar: Nobody becomes a leader because they want to be. Fate makes them one when they are ready. Oh by the...! I can't believe what you have just achieved! I'll make sure the clans will know about this information before we begin our invasion.

Lana: What? Why?

Rantar: To mentally prepare themselves, should Pre fall, you will be the next with the most legitimate claim to the title of Mandalore. That could turn the whole battle without more than 1 man dying!

Lana: You suggest I should challenge Pre for a duel to avoid the whole ****?

Rantar: That would be the way. He would be **** to accept, unless he forfeits his right to rule. The unity of the clans is very shaky as we speak, when they hear about you, many would rather side with you firsthand. With me among them!

Lana: So you are willing to switch sides?

Rantar: That's not what I said! I will follow Mandalore, be it Pre or you. But the moment he loses to you, I'll be your most faithful follower to the end! Think about that!

Lana: Great, no pressure at all...

Rantar: I have to go, now, remember: Whatever happens, you have made this old Rancor a happy man by being here for him! Be well, Lana!

Lana: Goodbye father.

Lana (thinking as the transmission ends): Oh my, oh my, oh my...! I believe I have **** but to challenge Pre to a duel... That way I could save thousands of lives. Provided, that I win the duel of course. And, that the Mandalorian clans will accept me as Mandalore... I better let Obi-Wan and Satine know about it.

Returning to the throne room, you find neither of them there. You reach out with the **** and sense their presence in Satine's bad chambers.

Lana (thinking): Euh, I guess I know what they might be up to there! Better leave them at it and only tell them about the challenge once they are done.