Year 13:3:17 after the Great ReSynchronization (22 BBY)

The Governor of Concordia stood before the window of the stateroom with his arms behind his back looking out into the night at the city below. Lufarr, a city of metal nestled against tilted mountain ridges and overlooking the Central River Valley. However ill he looked upon the time spent with his uncle, Kalis had to admit that the place had a certain calm about it that made it feel more like home than anywhere in Sundari. He closed his eyes before the window, but no sooner had he done this did he hear the rhythmic fall of footsteps down the corridor. From the sound of it, there were others not far behind.

"Governor Vizsla, they've arrived."

Kalis turned to see the pair of Mandalorian Guards and coming into the room just behind them, the clan chiefs Thita Farr and Safar Lok. He gestured to the guards who then made themselves scarce leaving the Mandalorian leaders alone with the governor.

"I apologize for calling this meeting at such short notice," he said motioning for the two to be seated. "Do forgive me."

Thita Farr shook her head and waved off the apology. "Nonsense boy," she said. "When I heard the entire Merrick clan and their kin had come to Lufarr days ago, I expected to get some word from you on the matter."

Safar Lok nodded. "Yes, I've heard also that there's been resentment from some on Kalevala what with the death of their Prince and all."

"Resentment?!" exclaimed Farr, "The fool tried to kidnap Satine on her own ship full of Republic troopers and two Jedi knights, one of whom is Kenobi of all people. And the other Jedi seems to be of similar renown as well…"

She went on about the failed attempt by Tal Merrick aboard the Coronet, but Kalis was no longer listening. At the mention of the Jedi who'd killed Tal, his mind drew back to the parting words from Ora Opel-Merrick. 'Promise me you'll kill Anakin Skywalker.'

"Governor, where are the other chiefs?" Lok asked, looking about the room. "Should we expect them to arrive soon?"

The clan leader's question brought Kalis out of his wonderings and he shook his head. "It'll just be us tonight," he said taking his seat at the head of the long table. "It seems Clan Merrick's resentment as you called it Farr, has led to their wanting the overthrow of Satine."

"So now they will fully commit to our side then," surmised Farr.

"Clan Merrick also wants to replace Satine with their own representative Prince Lon," Kalis went on, "and asked for my support and that of my Concordian allies. In return he would name me Prime Minister of Mandalore."

Lok frowned. "Did Lon really think you'd accept such a useless offer? If he wants to remove Satine that's fine, but he doesn't have strength enough to suggest that we follow him."

"Not that we ever would," Farr said. "Lon has more of a mind about him than his older brother did, I'll give him that, but he is not a man I'd follow."

"Nor I," added Lok. "He'd be better suited joining with us. Whatever plan he has to overthrow Satine will never work with him and his kin alone."

"It will work," Kalis said. "Which is why I accepted his offer."

The look of bewilderment on the faces of the two clan leaders brought the hint of a smirk to the face of the young Vizsla. They looked at Kalis and then at one another, each obviously unsure of what to say about this surprising declaration. Farr finally found herself and when she spoke made a noticeable attempt to steady her voice.

"And why, I ask, would you do something like that?" she asked. "Surely you understand what we have been working towards here. What will all of this have been for if you're simply going to play second fiddle to the Merricks?"

Lok put a hand out to calm her. "Thita, I'm sure Kalis has a good reason for his actions," he said, though his expression held uncertainty about it.

"Lon Merrick has enough manpower and resources to be a viable threat to Duchess Satine," Kalis went on. "He's smart enough to orchestrate a plan to success, and with my support he is sure to do it. Which is why I want men and women from your clans, along with those of Horus Tagen, and under the leadership of Commander Gar Saxon and Rook Kast, to make up that support. Once they've joined Lon on Kalevala they will help him bring his plans to fruition and when the moment to strike comes, they will make sure he fails."

"That sounds more like what I wanted to hear," Thita said. "How many of ours do you need?"

"Twenty from each of you," Kalis answered. "I want a list of each individual you are considering before the night is out and after the morning's meal we'll finalize those chosen before you depart."

With that, he dismissed the great chiefs and retired to his study. He sat before the desk, grabbed his datapad and began sifting through the documents that had been transmitted to him. In between his planning and political maneuvering, he still had to set aside time to do the job of his office. When it came to the proper direction of Mandalore, he and his uncle differed on ideology, but Kalis appreciated the care Pre Vizsla took in considering the needs of the people of Concordia. The people were not for want where he could provide it. The same could not be said for those on Mandalore who looked to Duchess Satine. She has it in her mind that she was doing right by the people, but outside of those domes cities, Mandalore was struggling. Many have had to turn to the black market to attain necessary resources that should be provided by the government, and should they be caught, prosecuted for their crimes. For this reason, since coming into his position, Kalis has set about managing the black market on Mandalore with Prime Minister Almec, who had already dabbled in the business, though then perhaps more for personal gain. It was he who Kalis was waiting to hear from. A shipment of goods was to come in today to the docks and he wanted to be sure they were delivered as promised. It was another half hour til he received the notification of an incoming transmission. The holographic image of Almec appeared upon the desk.

"Governor Kalis, I apologize if I kept you waiting."

"It's not an issue Almec," Kalis replied. "I've just been going over some reports."

"How was the meeting with Thita Farr and Safar Lok? Did they agree with your plan?"

"Of course they did. There was never any doubt."

"If I may Governor," Almec began. "Why go through all the trouble of infiltrating Clan Merrick, putting them in position to take out the Duchess, if you're going to stop them anyways?"

Kalis sighed. The other three grasped his plan well enough, or at least trusted Kalis' judgement on it. "If we sabotage Lon before he is ready, Satine will never know she was in any real danger. By allowing Merrick to put his plan into motion and stopping it before he does away with Satine, I gain the Duchess' trust and prove my loyalty while we also remove conflicting opposition that stands in the way of our own operations."

The small image of Almec nodded, satisfied. "I see."

"Now on to what I wanted to speak with you about," Kalis started. "There should have been a fresh shipment of food and medical supplies for the rural citizenry brought to the docks today."

"Ah yes, it arrived as it should," Almec replied. "There was no problem."

"And you're using InterTrade Shipping for the imports, as I instructed?"

"Indeed. Their planetary representative, Siddiq, found the offer we presented more than agreeable. We could have bought him for less."

"I don't doubt it," Kalis said. "But the more money we put in his pockets the less room there'll be for another. There will be goods coming in regularly and I want them properly handled. The Captain of the Docks, Woldak, has recently come under my employ and raised on Concordia. He should cause no trouble."

"That is very reassuring," Almec said, then seemed to hold off on what he wanted to say next.

"What is it Almec?"

"Uh, there is something else I wanted to bring to your attention," he began. "I've been in contact with Moogan traders and I think they'd be a reliable resource for regular shipping of goods."

"Hm, Mooga is a part of the Commerce Guild, which is closely aligned with the Seperatists," Kalis said. "Tal Merrick has already made the mistake of getting in league with the Seperatists and look what came of it. I do not want any sort of affiliation with their movement. Should it be found out—"

"I assure you Governor, these people are very discreet," Almec stated. "I've worked with them before and they will not divulge our dealings to the Guild."

"Then I have your word Almec," Kalis said. "I leave this business to you and trust that I do not come to regret this decision."

Author's Note: It's been 4 days past a year since I first released this story and I soon after put it on the backburner. But even without a new chapter since April or so, the story still gathered a consistent monthly viewership. So I've started it back up as you see and I won't make any promises but hopefully the writing hindrance is past me now. I do appreciate words from the readers, mainly just to see what sticks out to you so I can continue in that fashion in the future.