"In truth, it was much less a frame job and more of a convenient happenstance. As for who was truly behind the attack...I did get who it was, but I want to be absolutely certain the choice was truly their own before I expose them. Mandalorians can be touchy when accused of instigating a civil war."

“That’s a good idea. We already know how Mand’alor reacted when she thought it was Zarka Saxon. She isn’t in a great state of mind to be given false leads.”



“Yeah, you told me how panicky she’s been lately. I wonder how HJ feels about all this.”

"He's actually hopefully already talking to her. Jerus suggested he get in contact with Temari Ordo and he was doing so last I spoke. Though, if I could have a word in private, Jakito, Becca." I beckon them outside and into a room across the hall.

I watch them leave. “Still doesn’t trust me. I really have no right to be surprised, but it still bugs me.”



“It’s probably a private family thing. No need to be offended. I’m sure in time, if you behave yourself, they’ll start letting you in more on their secrets.”



“Behave myself? Wow, less than twenty four hours as a mother and you’re already handing out scolding. I see how it is.”



I smile sweetly. “Come on, mi’lady. Let’s take a walk. I’ve been laying around for too long and need to stretch my legs. We’ll leave the Sith Hunters to their business for a while.” The nurse droids swarm around, insisting I need to rest, but I shoo them away and let Xan help me out of bed.



Once Jakito and I are in private with Zar’kun, I put my hands on my hips. “Alright. What’s this about?”

"Manda'lor, our ally, HJ's greatest love, is our culprit. I didn't want to mention it in front of Xanthippe and Korrè because, well, Xan can be a bit...vengeful."

“Xan getting mad at someone for conspiring behind her back and plotting to kill her?” I glance at Becca. “Pot, meet kettle.”



“Don’t joke, Jakito. This is serious.” I frown, thinking hard about what I’ve just heard. “Why would she do this? Did her exhaustion and paranoia really push her this far?”

"Perhaps, though perhaps it wasn't so simple. Focus on the Force for a moment, let it flow through you and listen to it." I wait until they're done to continue speaking.

I reach out with the Force. “I sense... a lot of strong emotions. Very raw and visceral. And beyond that...”



“Darkness... like a constant malevolence. It isn’t just one person either. It’s... like a miasma of bad feelings.”

"There's a faint taint still on the planet, the faint remnants of Kreia's time here. It will fade with time, but until it does, everyone is susceptible to it unless they've trained to resist it." I sigh. "I think this is what lead Ava to have Gavin and probably Cosen if she hadn't survived, killed. And she used members of the Clan most outspoken in opposition to her. In other words..."

“She’s securing her power base, wiping out all possible threats to her absolute rule.” I shake my head. “Typical behavior of one influenced by the Dark Side.”



“But she never tried to take us out, so either she hasn’t fallen so far as to turn on her closest allies, or she knows she has no chance of taking us out.”

"I think more importantly, it's not such specific influence. I think the taint amplified her paranoia about Zarka Saxon and Cosen Gressh specifically, and once she'd succumbed to its influence, it found other people to affect. In fact..." I call HJ. "How did talking to Ava go?"

I sign as I answer. “The ‘talk’ went terribly. Grandpa... Ava was behind everything. She couldn’t get over her feelings against Cosen, and orchestrated the whole thing just to have her killed. If that wasn’t bad enough, Cosen swore vengeance and stormed off before I could stop her. And now... now I don’t know what to do or even think.”

"If it helps, her attempt on Cosen wasn't entirely her idea. Kreia left her taint upon this world through the Force. It's fading, but it will be some time. And as for Cosen Gressh herself..." I furrow my brow in thought before letting out a long sigh. "She has lost more to this fight than anyone else I think. Let her have some peace before she throws her life away."

I pause for a few moments before answering. “Yeah, your right. She’s done enough for us. Let her at least try to enjoy some time with her mom and... well, I guess that’s it. As for Ava... I’m glad this wasn’t entirely her, but Kreia’s taint didn’t put these negative thoughts in her head. It amplified what was already there. She’s always hated Cosen, and she’s been paranoid about Saxon for a long time too. Maybe I’m just being overly sensitive, but I don’t know if I can just let this all go. At the very least, I need time to reflect on it.” I pause again, but not as long as before. “Oh, uhh... now that you know the truth, I need you to keep it a secret. Absolutely nobody who doesn’t need to know should be told. Otherwise, it might make things WAY worse.”

I glance at Becca and Jakito before sighing. "I trust that Temari and Ava found a way to handle it the Mandalorian way, so unless I have to, no one will know. Say hi to your aunt and uncle while I've got you on the line though."

I smile despite myself. "Hi, Auntie Becca! Hi, Uncle Jakito!"



"Hello, HJ."



"Hey there, kid!"



"Good to hear your voices. Lets me know you're all okay. And yes, Temari does have a plan. She and Ava are gonna fight for the title of Mand'alor. If Ava wins, I guess all will be forgiven... or at least the past will be the past and she will be allowed to make a better future. But if she loses, I guess she's back to being plain old Ava Cadera. To be honest... I'm kinda rooting for Temari."

"How long before it takes place?" I glance at Becca and Jakito and motion them to head out into the hall again. "We'll meet you there to make sure things stay honest."

"Challenging the Mand'alor is huge in their culture. Everybody is going to want to turn out to watch this fight. It's going to take a while to gather the whole Mando'ade army in the Senate Square, so you have plenty of time. It probably won't take place until tonight after dark."

"Then we'll take some time to rest up as well. Unexpected excitement and all that." I smile. "You should rest too, grandson. I'll see you tonight." Ending the call, I exchange a few quick words with Becca and Jakito before heading to rest. It would be a long night with a challenge for the title of Manda'lor going out.
[END SCENE]

Later that night, I sit in the rooftop garden of the hotel/command center. Most of the other Mandalorians were already gathered in the Senate Courtyard, including Talion Wren and his clan. I, however, was not really feeling any of it.



I walk out into the garden, smiling when I see Kamari. "Ah, my son! There you are! I've been looking for you everywhere." I come over to him, but my smile fades when I realize he isn't happy. "What's wrong? Aren't you excited for the challenge?"



I look up. "Not really... Father." It still kinda felt weird referring to Corridan that way. He was Kam's dad, yes, but my mind was still that of Hunter Twilight. "I just... this whole thing with Clan Saxon..."



"Don't worry yourself about that business. Mand'alor dealt with it. The traitors have been punished, and those that remain have renounced their former Allit'alor." I sit down next to Kam. "Why, I hear that after the duel, Kaira Saxon herself will publicly pledge herself to the Mand'alor, and be named the new Allit'alor of Saxon in return. Such is the way of the Mando'ade; the past is the past, and the future is what we make of it."



"This is the way." I say quietly. "But I just... I don't feel right about it. Any of it. I'm... " I sigh. "I'm shaken, Father. I used to understand how our society worked, but now... I mean, I was so sure the Mando'ade worked a certain way; that I could trust the people around me would act with integrity and honor. But all this backstabbing and assassination is... well, its causing me to..."



"Doubt." I say, nodding with understanding. "I understand. We live our entire lives in the Mando'ade, being told things are one way. Tradition dictates all of our actions, so much so that we begin to forget that it IS possible to deviate. There are those among us that decide that our way isn't right for them, and so they leave to become Dar'manda. Sometimes, it is a mutually agreed upon path, and the individuals go peacefully. Others, as you saw today, decide to not only abandon tradition, but to lash out at those who still hold true. In the end, all things happen as they should. At least that's what I believe." I pat my son on the back. "For example... I think what happened to you all those months ago... when that Sith nearly took you from us... I think that was part of some greater plan."



I give Kam's father a confused look. "You think me nearly getting my brain fried was part of a plan? Huh. Sounds more like your helmets been dented too many times."



I chuckle. "I'm serious. We Mando'ade do not speak often of religion, but we do have gods. It is my belief that Kad Ha'rangir led you to that confrontation with that Sith because it was part of your journey. You needed that near fatal experience so that you could grow and change... and so you have. Since you returned to us, you have shown yourself to be a much wiser man. Far more caring and and humble as well. The perfect qualities of a Mandalorian Warrior." I lean close. "In that same way, this incident today needed to happen. Moments where we must stop and reconsider our place in the universe need to happen, or else we will become stagnant and fall pray to Arasuum the Sloth."



I sit quietly, listening to his words. "I suppose there is truth in that... but that doesn't change how I feel."



"Of course it doesn't. Only time will make do that. And even then it may only dull your feelings, not actually change them. But you can't dwell on it. Mourn the lost, but march ever onward." I stand up from the bench. "Come on now, boy. We can't miss the challenge. It is an elder of our own clan who seeks to claim the title, after all." I begin to walk away.



After a brief hesitation, I rise to follow Kam's father.