Setting: Journey to Mandalore | Sundari – Capital City
The Assignment
The mission was formally labeled:
Jedi Diplomatic Observation – Sundari Peace Coalition: Clan Relations and External Threat Assessments
In truth, it was a fact-finding peacekeeping operation.
The Jedi Council appointed Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padawan Anakin Skywalker as the official delegates. Cain requested to be included and was granted permission under Master Fay's recommendation—with Serra Keto added as auxiliary support, under Cin Drallig's approval.
Cain met the group in the Jedi starcruiser hangar. Anakin gave a familiar smirk, already wearing his field cloak.
"You ready to babysit more politicians?"
Cain replied with a half-grin, "Only if you promise not to punch one this time."
Obi-Wan raised a brow. "That was one time. And he was armed."
Serra crossed her arms. "Let's just focus on the mission, not the drama."
Cain didn't answer immediately. He glanced sideways at Obi-Wan, thoughtful.
This isn't just diplomacy.
This is a chance… to redirect fate.
Cain's Private Reflection (En Route)
In his private quarters aboard the diplomatic cruiser, Cain sat with his holonote open.
Obi-Wan and Satine… I remember their history. From the outside, it was love quietly buried beneath duty. But from what I feel through the Force—it was something real.
If they reconnect now—before the war, before Anakin falls—maybe both of them find reasons to let love in, not shut it out.
Serra will anchor Anakin's impulsiveness. And I'll keep an eye on the fractures forming in Mandalorian society.
Death Watch is still in the shadows… but not for long.
He closed the note and stood, cloak brushing the floor.
Time to walk the first path that war will try to erase.
Arrival at Sundari – The Political Core
The Jedi cruiser descended into Sundari, the domed capital of Mandalore—a world caught between pacifism and buried fire.
Duchess Satine Kryze awaited them, flanked by neutral guards and advisors. When she saw Obi-Wan, her expression faltered just slightly.
Obi-Wan bowed.
"Duchess Kryze. It's been… years."
"Yes," Satine replied, voice formal but brittle. "And yet, here you are again—sent by the Jedi Council. How nostalgic."
Cain and Serra exchanged glances.
Anakin leaned toward Cain. "That... wasn't friendly."
Cain whispered back, "Oh, it was. For them."
Satine turned to Cain. "You must be Padawan Cain. I've read reports of your insight during Outer Rim disputes."
Cain bowed with ease. "I look forward to observing your people's strength and wisdom. Your leadership has inspired some within the Temple."
That earned a genuine smile from Satine. "You may yet become a fine diplomat."
Tensions and Threads
Over the next two days, the Jedi party was shown Mandalore's civil structure, its reconstruction efforts, and its fragile political peace.
But Cain saw more than the façades.
Certain guards wore armor older than the pacifist era. Tensions among the Clans were growing—especially from those near Concordia. Bo-Katan was missing from the delegation. Her absence meant something.
Serra pointed out weapons caches during a walk through the city's edge. "They're preparing for something."
Cain nodded. "Or someone is."
Meanwhile, Obi-Wan and Satine began to thaw. One conversation about Mandalore's infrastructure turned into shared laughter. An awkward moment in the gardens became a near-confession.
Let it happen, Cain thought silently, observing.
Let them have the moment the war will try to steal.
Shadows in the Plains
On the final evening, during a formal peace reception, Cain excused himself with Serra and Anakin to scout a report of missing Clan scouts near the southern plains.
There, they encountered signs of covert Death Watch movement—damaged transmitters, modified helmets, encrypted comms.
Anakin's instincts kicked in. "We should report this."
Cain stopped him. "Not yet. If we tip them off, they'll just move deeper. We watch. We learn."
Serra narrowed her eyes. "And when we're sure?"
Cain's eyes burned gold in the dark.
"Then we strike."
End of Mission – Planting the Seed
Back aboard the Jedi cruiser, Satine approached Cain privately.
"I saw what you did. Not just in the field—but with Obi-Wan."
Cain inclined his head. "I believe people who lead worlds should be allowed to lead hearts, too."
She studied him.
"You're not like the others."
"Maybe I am," Cain said. "Or maybe I'm just what we forgot the Jedi could be."
She didn't reply. But her gaze softened.
And somewhere in Sundari… Bo-Katan returned, her armor dusted and her fists clenched.
Force Codex Entry – Log 009
Subject: Mandalore – The Quiet War
The seeds are sprouting. Satine still believes peace can hold. But the cracks are widening. Death Watch isn't gone. They're preparing. Quietly. Carefully.
I saw Satine and Obi-Wan nearly reconnect. That bond matters. Not just to them—but to the war they'll soon face.
I won't push them. I'll just make sure they get the time to choose.
Mandalore must become a shield, not a battlefield. And Bo-Katan… she'll need to decide what kind of warrior she wants to be.