Year 14:3:15 after the Great ReSynchronization

In the years following the Great Clan Wars Duchess Satine's government have held to advancing the notion that their group was unified under one banner. As to who's banner, this question had become one that threatened to splinter the already fractured body of the New Mandalorians until Satine was chosen. Even still, there were some who resented the young Duchess' rule, namely those of Clan Merrik, who claimed that as one of the oldest and strongest clans on Kalevala, that they, not Satine and Clan Kryze, deserved to be the rulers of the Mandalorian people. Satine, ever the pacifist, and wanting to avoid another war, looked to appease the family of Tal Merrik the Elder and that of his wife, Clan Datt, bestowing upon the chief of Clan Merrik the title of Prince of Kalevala. The princely reign of Tal Merrik ended when he fell ill in 10 aGrS, at which time his son, Tal Merrik the Younger took on the mantle of Prince and within a year was named Mandalore's representative in the Senate.

The Duchess is all too trusting of the wrong people. If she had any sense about her she'd have eliminated this threat. As it happens, I'm dealing with it.

After Tal's failed and foolish attempt to assassinate the Duchess aboard her own ship in the company of two Jedi no less, rumors had begun of his younger brother Lon Merrik's desire for revenge. Kalis cared little for the machinations, save for when they posed the risk of interfering with his own intrigue.

"Governor Kalis, as a citizen of Concordia I am sure you understand our plight," Prince Lon Merrik said. "Those of Concordia have long since been removed from the matters of the Mandalorian state and resentment of Satine's government runs hot on this moon."

Kalis sat at the head of the table in the stateroom that housed the mural of Mandalore the Ultimate. Seated at the opposite end was the prince and to the man's left, shrouded in a black veil, was the widow of the late Tal Merrik, Ora Opel-Merrik. On either side of the table were near a dozen fellow clan members and those of Lon's mother's family, Clan Datt.

"You're telling me something I already know Prince Lon," Kalis said, leaning forward in his chair. "What I don't know is of this plight you speak. Perhaps after you've explained what it is I am sure to understand we may come to some...understanding."

"Satine's government—"

"Satine's government?" Kalis interjected. "I was under the impression it was all of yours. All you New Mandalorians."

"How things may seem are not always how they are, governor." Lon said. "What should be is not what is, you see."

Kalis leaned back in his chair. "I'm sorry Prince Lon, I don't," he said. "But if you would be so kind, do tell me what I should see."

"Gladly, governor," a half smile playing on the man's lips. "Regardless of the facade presented to the masses abroad, people like you and I know that Mandalore remains a world of factions all vying to promote their own sectarian ideals."

"Indeed," Kalis nodded.

"What we need is a true unified Mandalore," Lon said. "A Mandalore that incorporates the likes of the Concordians or the likewise alienated populace of Concord Dawn and more representation from those of planets such as my Kalevala. But that can not be done under the current administration, that has become all too evident. Satine is weak and calls upon the likes of the Jedi and the Republic to solve our domestic problems, as she has so recently shown with the recent business here on Concordia. This Council of Neutral Systems, her insistence to stay out of the war, she continues to play at intergalactic politics, remaining blind to the matters that plague our people. We can not have a leader in power who looks outside our realm while, as the saying goes, has not set her house in order. We need a leader who can do what needs to be done. Who can make the decisions that move our people forward into the future. We need—"

"We need you," Kalis said.

Prince Lon, visibly annoyed at having been cut off a second time, nodded. "Yes," he said. "Satine's time in power is near an end. My family along with those of Clan Datt and Opel will make sure of that. As Governor of Concordia we ask that you join your loyal supporters to our own to supplant Satine and the royal family of Clan Kryze."

"It is my understanding that you and the Duchess are on the same side," Kalis said.

"But not of the same mind on matters of the state, as I've already stated, governor," Prince Lon clarified. "And once we have rid the administration of those who taint our government, I will show my gratitude for your support by naming you Prime Minister, answerable only to me. You will have the proper representation you so desire."

"Proper representation in Mandalorian society is all well and good," Kalis said, "but I am already Governor of Concordia and share the Duchess' confidence. What reason do I have to risk my position to join you in your coup?"

Lon nodded his head in agreement. "A understandable question," he said. "But one easily answered. People like you and I, we have always craved power. I can see that in you. We ascended to our positions in less than desirable circumstances to be sure, but even still, we can never be satisfied. You rule a near barren moon. And I a toxic desert planet. But together, we could have all of Mandalorian Space."

There was a pause as Kalis put his hand to his chin and furrowed his brow, feigning uncertainty.

"How much longer are we going to skirt around it, Prince Lon?" asked the Datt clan member to Lon's right.

Lon made as if to give a rebuke, but Kalis spoke first. "Do tell."

The prince gave his cousin a disapproving glare before addressing the governor. "In addition to your supporters her on Concordia," he said. "We need Death Watch."

Kalis smirked. "You have the wrong Vizsla," he said. "The one you're looking for is off freezing on some moon."

Prince Lon chuckled. "Let us do away with these falsehoods. Do not think us fools, governor. You have Death Watch in your pocket."

At this, Kalis reached into his pocket and came out empty, displaying his open hands to the prince. "You are mistaken Prince Lon."

Lon's face darkened, "I am not one to be toyed with, governor."

"And I can't give you something I don't have," Kalis said. "What I can give you is Concordia's support."

The prince was taken aback by the sudden change in situation. His expression immediately became more cordial and a smile fell upon his face. "Of course, of course," he said. "A man can't give what he doesn't own...though I do ask that you bring the matter to your uncle's attention, wherever he may be."

"I will," Kalis said, rising to his feet. "You have my support Prince Lon, of this I swear."

The prince rose to his feet as well and the two men came around the table and shook hands and gave a short embrace. When they separated, the widow, Ora Opel-Merrik, was at the prince's side. She removed her veil to reveal a face of mousy features and long curly blonde hair that fell onto her shoulders. She turned to Prince Lon.

"Brother, may I have this moment with Governor Kalis?"

Lon exchanged a glance with Kalis before nodding to his sister-in-law, "Don't be long." He gave a final glance at Kalis and went to join the others of his group who were making their way out of the room.

When the room had emptied, save for the guards posted at the door, Ora came closer and when she spoke, her words came out in little more than a whisper. "Governor Kalis, you are a mysterious man."

"I'm not sure what to say to that," Kalis said. "I like my privacy."

"No," she replied, shaking her head, keeping her eyes down and never meeting his gaze. "There's something about you. Something different. I don't know what, but I just know. I can feel it."

Kalis studied the woman for a moment. He reached out with the Force and there was indeed a sensitivity about her. He'd thought there had been little reason to hide his power while amongst his fellow Mandalorians. His Master Sook Wun had told him how rare of a case he was amongst Mandalorians as very few of their people were endowed with the Force. Kalis could not even recall any mention of Force users within Mandalorian society. Yet here was one right in front of him.

"I see..." he said.

"I feel that you're the one," she said. "Something is telling me that you're the one who can help me."

"Help you with what?"

"My husband was murdered, and I want the one responsible dead."

Not what I was expecting.

"With all due respect Princess Ora," he said, "murdered is probably not the best word to use in this situation. Your husband held a royal vessel hostage and attempted to assassinate the Duchess. Furthermore, the person who killed your husband was a Jedi. A very good Jedi from what I hear, and unless you put a tracker on him somehow, it'd be very hard to find him, especially amid a galactic war."

"I am well aware of that," she said. "I am not saying it will be able to happen soon. No, not now. Not for a long time." She finally looked up at him, and instead the sorrowful eyes Kalis expect, what stared up at him was dark and filled with malice. He'd begun to fill the darkness flowing about her now. "Promise me, that one day you will kill the Jedi who took my husband. Promise me you'll kill Anakin Skywalker."

Kalis stared down at the woman and took her hand in his. "I promise," he said, watching her expression soften.

She drew her hand away from his and Kalis watched as she made her way from the room. When she had gone he motioned for his Captain of the Guard Hos Runn.

"Send some men out," he said once the captain was at his side. "Find Rook Kast and Gar Saxon. I have a mission for them."

Author's Note: Hope you enjoyed the chapter! It's been a while since the last update and I feel it's worth it because I honestly was going to go in a totally different direction before I had this idea that made of Chapter 4 just a few days ago. Anywho, again, no promises on when the next update will be but judging by my current pace it looks like once a month—I can only hope I can speed that up. Oh yeah! If you guys are interested in finding more of my work in the meantime, check out AlterOne at s/3035223/1/AlterOne .