The Custodians are animated by an unseen presence. Mounting a counter-offensive against the Mandalorians, they emerge from their cover spots and fire a concentrated volley of shots against the invading clones. Blaster bolts crash against the ornate armor plating covering the attackers’ bodies. The clones fall like sheaves of wheat against the reaper’s scythe. Hollers of anguish are the last cries of the suicidal warrior zealots, their armor suits clanking knee-first against the hard tiled ground.
After a few tense moments of silence it is clear that the enemy’s reserves in this sector have been exhausted. Obi-Wan severs his battle meditation by re-opening his eyes. The other men look around in momentary bewilderment, as if awakening from a vivid dream. Kenobi asks to use one of the Custodians’ commlinks. He communicates with Raffe, still performing his duties in the war room. The lieutenant tells Obi-Wan that Bail Organa refuses to leave the Palace, even though a Mandalorian gunship has landed on the balcony outside the throne room.
Kenobi scowls at this news. The warlord can now do anything he wants to the King. “Mereel will not stay”, Obi-Wan declares. “We will continue our fight from the shadows. We will strike at the occupiers from below, as did the Killiks of old.” Kenobi informs Raffe to initiate the backup protocol. The tunnel leading to the Redoubt will be caved in by detonation packs when the General and his party of Custodians makes it to the fallback position.
In the throne room, Bail Organa stands in front of his guards with his arms spread out to his sides. The Custodians have their hands on their heads in a gesture of surrender. Bail implores the aggressor to destroy him alone and let his people go. A bead of sweat travels from his tussled hair to his prominent brow.
Facing the King stands Jaster Mereel, the great conqueror from Mandalore. Cape flowing in the breeze from the open balcony doors, Mereel lifts up his heavy repeater rifle. The weapon is carried aloft on a harness chained to hooks on the outer shell of Mereel’s armor. Its heft enforces the gravity of the steps Mereel takes towards the captive King. His Mandalorian honor guards stand at the ready behind him, deadly sharp vibroblades unsheathed and ready for slaughter. Mereel tells Bail, “You may yet prove useful in my designs.”
Bail tells the conqueror through a harsh whisper, “Might does not make right.”
Jaster Mereel smiles. “When I dine from the skull of the Chancellor, perhaps you will change your mind.”
To be continued.