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Chapter Text

Among the many traits that rational creatures share, the desire to know is a very strong trait. Often times, it takes the form of curiosity, leading into cruel gossip and daring quests just to discover the unknown. The Star Wars galaxy is no exception to this rule, as the galaxy is so vast and politicians are so infuriating. One such group subject to both the awe of the galaxy and the control of politicians is the Jedi Order. As they found knowledge is so valuable, they often share with their fellow members any certain facts or wild theory they may have on a subject. One such subject is a strange alien that Madame Jocasta Nu welcomed into the Temple.

"Did you hear?" A young knight asked her friend. "Did you hear Kito that there's a new Jedi in the Temple that no one has ever seen the species of before?"
"Know it, Lulu?" Kito looked up at her. "I'm the guy in charge of his room!" He said, waving his datapad around.
"Ooo!!" Lulu bounced, her many head tails bounced with her. "What's he like?! At least, I think it's a he."
"His ID lists him as a male, but who knows if that true thanks to language barriers." Kito shrugged his shoulders. The Kel Dor pointed to a section in his datapad. "From what I can tell, this guy has never been in our system before."
"Huh?" Lulu said, peering over his shoulder. "What do you mean? Is it cause you don't recongize the name or…"
"Forget the name, those are easy to replace with all the work our Jedi Shadows do. I'm talking about his gas preferences."
"Gas preferences?" Lulu blinked.
"Did you forget that my species can't breath oxygen?" Kito gave her a pained look from behind his breathing mask.
"OH!" Lulu said. "Those gas preferences!" The Nautolan rubbed her head. "What do those have to do with knowing this guy never been in our system?"
"You should try to follow the facts more often than the rumors Lulu." Kito shook his head.
"That's why I came to you!" Lulu lightly punched him. "The rumors do say that he's a species that no one has ever seen before."
Kito sighed. "When ever a non-oxgyen breathing Jedi gets their own room, they need the room set to a specific air quality so they don't suffocate. Since the Jedi Order has taken in so many different species, we have pretty much plugged in every basic air quality needed in our system."
"And???"
"Usually, when a new Jedi asks for a specific room, the Jedi will mention a few particulars on the air quality or just ask for the standard. If they ask for the particular, all I have to do is pull up the basic model and edit it slightly. For this guy however…" Kito opened up the gases on his datapad. "Requests a very specific kind of gases in a combination we have never seen before here at the Temple. I had to create his specific air quality from scratch!"
"So if his speices had been seen before, we would already have the means to take care of him!" Lulu cried. "Thanks Kito!"
"Hey, his speices could have been seen before, but never stayed at the Temple." Kito tapped her shoulder.
"True…" Lulu sighed. "Any thing else you got on him? Like color? What kinds of color he could see? Kind of food he needs to eat??? Whether he likes couches or chairs to sit on???"
"He only requested a bed." Kito said, glancing back at his datapad.
"Oh! The minimalist type!" Lulu said. "He'll fit just fine here with us! Since attachments to the material world are discouraged."
"I think it’s more that he wants us to make certain his bed is made correctly." Kito said, pulling up the datapad closer.
"Huh?" Lulu said. "Why would he be so worried that his bed wasn't made correctly?"
"Cause he wants his bed to be titled at 45-degreed angle."
"That's…weird." Lulu said, lost for words.
"You can stay that again."
"What's this guy's name again?"
"Are you kidding me?"
"Nooo. I'm just going to the fact and not the rumor." Lulu smiled.
"It's uhh…Something."
"Oh come on and try to say it."
"Gar-ra-bold-didid?"
"Huh? Try that again."
"Garibaldi." A new voice rumbled.
Lulu and Kito jumped at the strange voice. Turning behind them, they finally got a good look at the stranger. The stranger, Garibaldi, was completely covered in a suit that looked like a cross between armor and an encounter suit. It had patterns dance throughout the design, said patterns dancing by fading in and out of existence. He had tubes, breathing around his neck, directing their eyes to the helmet. It was long, totally covering the face of the stranger, with an single green eye as a center piece. The only part of Garibaldi's gear that did not seem to be part of the suit was crests painted upon it. On his right breast was a blue gem held by two figures, one silver, the other gold. A mythosaur decorated his shoulder pad. On the other shoulder, a rectangle shield with a sword and number 5 on it was painted on it.
"You're Garibaldi?" Kito asked.
"Yes." The stranger nodded, his voice sounding like low thunder. Glancing at the two of them, Garibaldi spoke up. "Who are you?"
"Uhh…I'm Lulu!" The Naulotan cheered. "This here is Kito, my friend!" "Who are you?" The stranger said again.
"We're Jedi Knights! We help people across the galaxy, serving wherever the Sente sends us!" Lulu answered.
Garibaldi's shoulders slightly stiffened. "Who are You?"
Kito placed a hand on Lulu's shoulder. "Lulu here is a Jedi Counsular who loves learning everything about everything. But she doesn't hoard it all to herself, so she constantly goes on missions to help teach those in Outer Rim."
"Knowledge is a gift that can help or hinder you through-out your life. It's really best to have teacher so you don't get lost along the way!" Lulu giggled.
"That said, she doesn't hang out around the Temple very much, so she spends most of her time catching up on the gossip."
"Hey! I missed out on so much! I need to know!"
Kito shook his head. "I'm an assistant Quartermaster. It's my job to see to it that everyone's needs are satisfied here at the Temple. If your quarters are uncomfortable or you are lacking necessary supplies, come talk to me. Everyone deserves a place to call their own, even a home within a home."
Garibaldi looked over both of them before nodding. He stretched out his hand to the datapad. "Quarters?"
"Would you like me to take you to your quarters?"
"Yes." Garibaldi nodded.
"Follow me." Kito said. "The non-oxgyen levels are right down the hallway."
"I would warn youuu…" Lulu began. "To get on a breathing mask, but something tells me you're covered."
A short whistle was heard from Garibaldi. Was that his laugh?
The group went through the check-point in-between the oxygen and non-oxygen sectors of the Temple. Lulu was the only one who needed a breather mask, though she had some trouble getting the correct breather on due to her head-tails. Kito had to direct her to a breather that the overachiever could fit directly into her nostrils. Luckily, there was no more difficulty after that as they reached Garibaldi's room shortly.
"Here is your room sir. Your air preferences have been set and your bed has been installed." Kito said as he opened up the door. "You can set a password for your door lock on your own time. If you want a key, just ask."
"No want." Garibaldi rumbled. "Only come…for what is needed."
Lulu and Kito were slightly taken aback. "Of course. That is what I am here for." Kito said. "We'll…leave you to get settled."
Garibaldi nodded before going into his quarters.
"Hey! Garibaldi!" Lulu called after him. "If you need company, we can meet up later! How's dinner sound?"
"As I'm standing here." Garbaldi rumbled with a nod. "Perhaps when the clock strikes seven chimes?" He said before the door closed.
"I think he said sure???" Kito wheezed as Lulu hummed.
"Yep! He did! Let's come back here for a late dinner!!" Lulu said as she pulled Kito along the hallway.
"You didn't ask me if I would come!!" Kito's cry's echoed as they left the sector.

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Garibaldi glanced around the room. With flicks of his wrists, he pulled out two different machines and turned them on. With the data pulling into his helmet's POV, he quickly concluded that the main room lacked any listening or recording devices. Carefully, he prowled the whole quarters, leaving no stone unturned lest a bug be left on. Only once every inch was covered was he satisfied that no one would be listening in on him.

Putting away his machines, fifteen-year-old left out a laugh. "Who knew that pretending to be a baby Vorlan would be this much fun!" Boba Fett Garibaldi smiled beneath his helmet. "Oh how I'm going to enjoy taking these creative liberties!"

Chapter Text

"-as such, the Order needs to carefully deliberate between these two groups regarding the situation on Mandalore. Death Watch seems to be most powerful, but they are incredibly hostile to anyone who is not with them. The New Mandalorians are very welcoming to the Republic and open to the Jedi. They are, however, a very recent development-"

Jocasta Nu glanced away from the speaker to her companion. The time-traveler/dimension hopper would randomly pick out different meetings to attend around the Temple. From the Achieves, the different councils, classes, and the creche, Garibaldi hid himself in attempts to find knowledge that was never written down in books. Her friend Master Tholme said that he even caught Garibaldi down below in the depths of Coruscant and within the Senate building. Today, it seemed the situation on Mandalore caught his eye, so much so that he insisted on walking into the room with her.

At first, Jocasta was eager to see how Mandalore would fit into her new companion's path, as Garibaldi did tell her that he had never been to Mandalore before in his path life. Though the Force granted, the boy next to her had left the galaxy when he was ten years old and only returned when he was fifteen. Any chance to learn more about Mandalore was taken by both Librarian and Ranger.

All eagerness from Garibaldi, however, left him when he entered and surveyed the room. The change was subtle, as the boy kept up a stiff persona whenever they left their private chambers, but it was change nevertheless. Garibaldi kept clutching his fists just like Master Windu who was in the room nursing a headache.

As the meeting went on, Jocasta could not help but become annoyed as well. There were two main groups that the Senate wanted the Jedi to help; the New Mandalorians or Death Watch. Of course, the Senate was rather basis and wished for the New Mandalorians be decided upon, but the Jedi had been exercising their own restraint lately on whom to send their efforts towards. Unfortunately, the meeting was all about which extreme to help. Order or Chaos. Those who wish for war to never occur or for war to never end. Every time one person would suggest one side to help, another person would counter with a point from the other side. At this rate, the Jedi would be here discussing whom to help at the next meeting at well.

"Leave…" A rumble was heard from Jocasta's side, causing all in the room to turn their way towards her.

The main speaker gave Jocasta's companion a pained look. "Do you…have something to say, uh…Mr?"

"Garibaldi." Her companion flatly said. It seemed that he did not originally intend to speak as silence followed.

"So…" The speaker said, motioning for him to continue.

Whistles came from the strange suit. "Leave them be." Garibaldi stated. "They are enroute to their own self-destruction."

Confusion leaked through the Force. "Who? Who are you speaking of Mr. Garibaldi? The New Mandalorians or Death Watch?"

Garibaldi stood up. "Yes." Was all he said as he started to leave.

"Hey!" One of the younger members shouted. "You can't just say that and not give a clear answer."

Garibaldi froze at the statement. "Death for the one who poisoned the soul in an attempt to save the body. Death for the one who burned the body in an attempt to save the soul. Death for they are murderers." He finished, walking out of the room.

"The nerve!" The speaker irked. "He didn't even say who we should help."

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When Madame Jocasta returned to her desk after the meeting, she discovered essays waiting for her. Within the stack were many published articles, primary sources, and recent crafted essays all about the history of Mandalore, from the New Mandalorians to Death Watch, shifting between philosophy, culture, and battle-styles of the people. Yet judging by the majority of the paperwork being about the True Mandalorians, complete with a primary source of the Supercommando Codex, the Chief Librarian had a feeling her companion had plenty to say about who the Jedi Order should help. "It seemed that the Force has willed a third, more balanced option." She smiled.

Chapter Text

Boba knew he had to set up Sidious for his own-down fall. This was difficult, as Sidious had been playing politics longer than Boba had been alive, but not impossible. Alone, Boba could not do it. With others, he could start somewhere.

Actually blaring Sidious's deeds and evil intentions to the wider galaxy was out of the question for the moment. The galaxy was not ready for such a display. But that didn't mean Boba couldn't dig up plenty of evidence for that glorious day. He was trained as a Ranger after all, experts in gaining and getting out information. Once this information was given to the right people, wheels could be turned.

Boba leaned back into his chair. The Chancellor had wanted to meet this strange alien. Why not give him a chance to meet said alien up close and personal?
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There were many benefits to being the Chancellor. Of course there was respect, money, and influence. But the greatest benefit, in Palpatine's mind was the ability to get whatever he wanted. Who would refuse the most powerful man in the galaxy what he desired? If such an imbicle existed, there were other ways the Chancellery would allow him to get want he wanted, if by indirect means.

A Red Guard opened the door to his office, allowing a guest to walk through. "Chancellor Palpatine." The boy bowed before him. "Thank you for your invitation!" Anakin Skywalker beamed at him.

"I'm just pleased that you could visit me today, young Skywalker." Palpatine flashed his public smile. "You and Master Kenobi have been far too busy with all the missions the Council keeps sending you on. It must be so tiring after such long missions." He said as he went to pat Skywalker's shoulders.

"But it's so wizard too!" Skywalker smiled, his Force aura blazing in the Force like the sun. "Master Obi-Wan took me swimming on this last mission! Did you know that there whole planets made out of oceans!? We didn't get to go to one this time, but Master Obi-Wan promised that I would know how to swim by the time we got to go!"

Palpatine continued smiling as the boy rattled on. It was good that nanny Kenobi was teaching Sidious's future apprentice how to swim. Such an important skill was necessary when fulfilling his master's missions. It was a pity that Skywalker had to be born on a desert planet, resulting in the lost of such an skill.

"And Master Obi-Wan said I was a wonderful Jedi this mission! He's noticing how valuable I am!" Anakin cheered.

"That is wonderful. I see you are taking our talks to heart then if you are performing so well." Palpatine said. "Though tell me, did your bring your new friend that I wished to meet?"

"Ah-huh! I'm showing him all over Coruscant since he's so new!" Anakin nodded. "Hey Gari…" Skywalker turned around only for disappointment to dash his sunlight. "Excuse Chancellor." The boy bowed before walking back to the door. "Come on Garibaldi! There's nothing to be scared of!" Young Skywalker waved the stranger into the room.

At last, Palpatine was able to gaze upon this stranger. He appeared to be humanoid, though who knew what laid behind that encounter suit. Palpatine's eyes widened at the sight of patterns dancing upon the suit whereas the painted areas reminded. The suit seemed bulky as the breathers pulsed, but Garibaldi walked with ease.

The stranger fixed his single green eye upon Palpatine. Suddenly, the Sith Lord felt a chill that he hadn't felt since the days he killed his former Master. Not a chill of conscience, that died long ago, but the chill that someone knew him.

"Come Garibaldi, Anakin, sit down. It would be a pity that all these treats my servant got me would go to waste." Palpatine calmly smiled as he gestured to his desk.

"Yippee!" Skywalker cheered as he rushed forward, followed closely behind by Garibaldi.

Palpatine carefully studied the stranger: how he walked, how he ate, how he sat down. Garibaldi seemed so inconsequential, as if he was nothing like that Master Kenobi. Yet Palpatine wanted to know more…

With stealth that had fooled the Masters of the Jedi, Sidious peered into Garibaldi's mind, only to find something so alien that he had to instantly back out. It was so strange, so foreign that Sidious could not read any thought that drifted through Garibaldi's mind. It was as if a whole another langauge ran full reign in Garibaldi's head. Rage boiled through Sidious as he realized that he couldn't even read emotions within Garibaldi. It was as if he was so alien that he felt different to everyone else. But, he couldn't. Everyone that Palpatine had encountered had been filled with fear, power, ambition, anger, sadness, or just pure selflessness that it was radiating off of them. Greed, lust, vanity, sloth, and pride was so universal that Sidious could read a whole room and play with everyone within moments of knowing their vices. For Garibaldi to have nothing…

No. Garibaldi couldn't have no desires. Everyone, even those Jedi, had desires that could easily be used for his own purposes. His mind must naturally be thinking in his native tongue. That or shielding, which was impossible considering that Sidious was one of the most powerful Force-Users in the galaxy. He played games around Yoda for crying out loud! No…Palpatine will have to play the long game.

"It is most honorable to finally meet you Mr. Garibaldi." Palpatine said. "You are very difficult to meet."

"Good." Garibaldi said absently.

"Perhaps we could help one another. It is easier to get what we want if we were allied. Things are so much more difficult when one is alone." Palpatine said. Leaning back into his chair, Palpatine spoke. "Governing this Republic is tiring. So many voices vying for their own desires, not caring for anyone else. They are so caught up in their bricking, they overlook other people's needs and the citizens of this Republic suffer for it."

"The Jedi try to help. But we can't do enough." Skywalker added. "We don't have enough power. People keep getting in the way because they are so selfish." He drooped as he said those words.

"If only we had the power to step over them. Then we could stop their selfishness from hurting innocent." Palpatine gazed off into the air traffic of Coruscant for added effect. "But you seen to not be one of those selfish people, if you are friends with young Skywalker here." He said as he slowly whirled back to his guests.

"He's so nice!" Anakin said, his sun-like Force Presence blazing through the room again. "Garibaldi's helping me with my reading, even though no one asked him too!"

Ahh yes…Another skill that Palpatine can hand off the learning process too. It seems this Garibaldi will have his uses, even if he is as pathetic as Kenobi.

"What a kind deed!" Palpatine said. "Not many would do such a kindness for a poor boy here. Why, I say it is worthy of a favor. Tell me, Garibaldi, how could I thank you for helping my friend?" Sidious smiled for the two, but the smile was even wider in behind his mask. Tell me, Palpatine thought to himself, tell me what you want.

Garibaldi cocked his head in thought. After a moment, he spoke. "Cookie." He asked Anakin, pointing to the plate next to their tea.

"Oh! Of course!" Anakin said as he brought the plate closer to Garibaldi.

Meanwhile, Sidious inwardly groaned. That wasn't a sufficient answer! "Surely there is something that I could help you with?" Palpatine said, keeping the anger out of his voice.

"Hey Garibaldi?" Skywalker spoke up. "Why don't you ask him to help you with those talks that the Council asked you to take care of? You know, the one with those people who take foreverrrr with negotiating?"

"I was a Senator before I took on the office of the Chancellor." Palpatine added. "Negotiating is practically second nature to me. And with my benefits as the Chancellor, we could, together, negotiate swiftly and decisively for the Jedi." And it would give Palpatine more time with this unknown player.

Garibaldi looked to Skywalker. "Would such a thing be wise?" He asked the boy.

"Ah huh!" Skywalker nodded. "He'll help!"

Garibaldi looked over to Palpatine. "Very well. I accept your aid."
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"Soo…." Anakin started as they were flying to Dex's Diner. "Did I do good?"

"You did. I really needed that help from the Chancellor. Thanks to you, I could get it." Garibaldi said. "Turn next right."

"Got it!" Anakin said as he flew the speeder right. "Though I don't get why you couldn't ask him yourself."

"If I don't know how to properly order a milkshake, how could I ask the Chancellor for help?" Garibaldi countered.

"That's because you never tasted a milkshake!" Anakin shouted. "Trust me, after Dex's, you'll never want any other milkshake again!"
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Palpatine looked up when his office door opened. Garibaldi entered the room, carrying different papers and datapads. His breathing sounded more like rumbles than breaths. Palpatine doubted that this alien would do well at stealth.

"Ahh! Welcome Garibaldi!" Palpatine called out, raising to greet his guest. "It is good to see that you arrived. The delegates are already waiting."

Garibaldi walked over to Palpatine's desk. Two delegates, humanoid but definably alien, seemed pleased at his arrival. From their looks, their pleasure seemed solely due to fact that the negations could begin.

"Now that we are all here…" Palpatine said, "Shall we?"

"One thing first." The first delegate spoke up, named Anirab. "As per our customs, our meetings are to be recorded for future references. If one should refuse, then we cannot commence."

"Well, I have no problem with that." a little man in funny hat said. "Go on ahead, let your droid record us." the delegate, called Abbut, said.

"Garibaldi?" Anirab asked with a pointed look.

"It will be alright Garibaldi." Palpatine encouraged him. "This will not come back to bite."

Hesitant, Garibaldi nodded. Palpatine mused how easy it would be to use this stranger for his own purposes.

The R2 unit next to Anirab, an Gen'Dai (whatever that was), beeped before starting the recording. "Now," Anirab said, "We may commence."

Garibaldi sat down at a chair, only for Anirab to speak. "The Giants have arrived in a new playground." He said.

Abbut peaked behind his shoulders before speaking. "Crab Nebula crawls again."

"Where does the mantis go to pray?" Garibaldi asked.

"Point 5." Anirab muttered. "They win the golden house in their games."

"The squids have not been heard nor seen playing." Garibaldi said.

Anirab spoke, "Never underestimate your substitute products. They may replace you if you take them lightly. "

Garibaldi rolled his head. "Why step up when the background is so comfortable?"

It took a surprising amount of will-power for Palpatine to keep his smile. What kind of negation was this? What kind of langauge was this? Palpatine was certain they were speaking Basic. But it still made no sense! The whole meeting carried on in such a way, leaving Palpatine very confused. When the meeting was over, Palpatine pulled Garibaldi aside.

"You must pardon me, but do tell, what were you all talking about?" Palpatine asked the strange alien.

"You seek meaning?" Garibaldi asked back.

How rude, Palpatine thought to himself. "Yes. It was all rather confusing."

"Then listen to the music, and not the song." He nodded before leaving the room.

When everyone else had left the room, with the door closed, Palpatine cried out. "What in all the Sith Hells is that supposed to mean!?!?!"
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Meeting #4

"Oh goody! I say that went well!" Abbut said to Palpatine. "About as fruitful as Sherri's Baskets!" His hat slightly bounced as the near-human clasped his hands. "Say…Do you want to go out for some Jovian Sunspot? I finally found a place that makes them!"

It took so much willpower for Palpatine to not stab that man right before him. Only four meetings with the man, and his word pattern had already driven him crazy. Even worse; whenever Palpatine would go to peak into Abbut's mind, he found nothing, no thoughts or emotions. This was infuriating as Abbut was clearly planning something! What was he, a droid?!

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Meeting #7

"Did you notice that we had a rather warm day yesterday?" Anriab said as the meeting began. "Most unusual, wouldn't you agree?"

Palpatine simply sat in his seat, fluming. The Gen'Dai was supposed to be dead! He somehow survived being in the close radius of an explosion! And he just walked it off as it being a rather warm day?!?!

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Meeting #9

"So the willow trees must scuttle carefully." Anirab nodded.

"Excuse me?" Palpatine spoke up. "Does this mean that the party should or should not happen?"

With a very serious look, Abbut answered him. "Does Saturn have rings?"

How does that answer the question!?!?!?!?!

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Meeting #10

Looking back, Sidious did not know what set him off. It could have been a phase, a word, or even someone breathing. But whatever it was, it ticked him off so much that his room was suddenly in need of redesigning. Trying not to think of the paperwork necessary to redo the office, Palpatine instead focused on his breathing. Channel that burning anger into cold hate. Yes. Cold, unsuspecting hate. Cold hate that did not just set off Force Lighting across the whole office. With the three delegates inside.

Sidious paced around the room, not caring if he stepped on a broken glass shard from his window. They were dead. They had to be dead. After all, Palpatine noticed some burnt flesh right where Anirab was standing. And Abbut's hat was in tatters. Since he never went without it, he too must be dead. And that Garibalid fellow… he was safe. Sidious took care of the problem with his power. A dead man can't bite him in the back.

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"Everyone all right?" Garibaldi asked.

"Whew! I say that the Sith performed well!" Abbut said, rubbing his cyberunit head. "I got all the reflections necessary!"

"I lost a few nerves, but nothing I cannot regrow." Anirab said as he looked down to his redish-pinkish "body". "The most important part is we're all alive."

"Only one thing left." Garibaldi said. "R2-D01?" With a whirl, the R2 unit came out of hiding. "Did you get the full recording?"

With happy beeps, R2-D01 ejected a disk, complete with a recorded movie of Palpatine going full-Sith mode.

"Good girl." Garibaldi told the droid, giving her a head rub. "Did you know it’s the quiet ones that change the universe?" Chuckling, he took the disk. "I'll try not to be too loud and take all the credit."

Chapter Text

One of the main rules in bounty hunting is that no job is exactly as it appears. A good bounty hunter needs to be prepared for when things turn south, or just get plain weird. With his reputation, Jango Fett proved that he could take on any situation. Though, even he would admit, there were times when situations got too strange for a simple man, such as this one.

All Jango had to do was lure the Jetiise to Geonosis, let Tyranus deal with him, and then be off. Of course, Tryanus managed to connivence Jango a little longer so to ensure that Kenobi was dealt with. Soon after, Jango discovered two little intruders that attempted to rescue Kenobi. That attempt was swiftly ended as Jango sent the little Jetiise and Senator into a cell. On top of that, Boba decided that a droid factory would be a wonderful place to explore. That son of his made Jango want to pray to the ka'a with all the mischief he got into.

Of course, those were the simple matters that naturally arose. What was not so simple nor natural was the newest associate of Tyranus.   A human male in an antique business suit just showed up one day, demanding to speak to Tyranus. Since he looked so out of place to all the rich corporation bosses that Tryanus associated with, such as Nute Gunery and Wat Tambor, and that the human had no connections to any part of Tryanus's Confederacy; Jango refused to let him in, only for Tyranus to appear and tell him to let this Mr. Morden in. That man's smile was so smug that Jango was slightly tempted to punch Mr. Morden right then and there.

Sensing something was not quite right, Jango searched his sources for this Mr. Morden. There was nothing on any of the official sites. Silently sighing, Jango searched the unofficial sites and underworld. That is were things got interesting.  Mr. Morden was not part of any organization, despite claiming to be representing his associates. Considering that Jango couldn't find who those associates of his were, the Mandalorian was growing concerned. There were reports of this Mr. Morden popping up here and there, gaining audiences with various people of power, but never something substantial. All reports claimed that Mr. Morden would only ask one question: what do you want?

Unnerved, Jango went back to Tryanus with his findings, only to be pushed aside again. There was a party in the area and Tyranus wanted him and Boba to attend…This job was getting more complicated by the minute.

Then, then Morden had the nerve to walk back with his ever smug smile, just baiting Jango to deck him right then and there.  The bounty Hunter only held back when his infrared vision caught sight of some…thing next to Morden. The alien was among the strangest Jango had ever seen, a cross between a preying mantis and a spider. Nearly as tall as Morden, the alien walked calmly as cat about to catch a trapped prey. Jango's eyes widened as he realized that no one else saw that thing yet everyone gave the alien enough berth to walk impeded. And of course, another one had to enter the room! Excusing himself, Jango walked out of the room, swearing that Boba would stay securely at his side for the remainder of the job.

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That stupid show keeping Jango stuck here longer quickly turned into a jail-break. Somehow, two hundred Jetiise snuck past the Geonsian security to free three prisoners? And Tryanus was completely calm about this? Mace karking Windu was right there challenging Tryanus to step down and guy greets him like an old friend? An arrogant old friend, but what the kark?!?!

As soon as Windu was distracted, Jango put on his helmet and blasted fire at the Jetii. The Jetii had enough sense to get out of the range of blaster fire by…leaping of the ledge into the battle below…Those damned Jetiise are so lucky for their Force-powers. 

Sending Boba back to the Slave 1 and away from all this nonsense with Jetiise and Morden, Jango stayed on the balcony with Tryanus. All the Geonsians fled the field; bullies too scared to act once their victim punches back.  Nute Gunery remained, too eager to for any chance for the Senator to die. And of course, Mr. Morden was still there with his…friends. 

All Jango had to do now was simple. Protect his client and quite possibly get his vengeance upon the Jetiise today. Do his job and get out to Boba.

Looking back, Jango should have recongized the increasing tend that the universe likes sending him complicated matters.

A reptilian Jetii leapt upon the balcony, green lightsaber in hand to kill Tryanus. Yet before Jango could shoot him, another hand physically grabbed the Jetii and sent him back down to the battlefield. "And stay down! Today's your day to live! Save glory for another day Trebor!" A new figure said in the act of pulling up onto the balcony. A humanoid in green armor straightened up on the ledge, with Jaster's mythosour on his pauldron.

Surprised, Jango lowered his pistol. What was a member of Jaster's clan doing here? And conversing with the Jetiise? The bounty hunter carefully studied the armor, searching for any clues of the wearer's identity. On the other pauldron was a symbol of a 5 with a sword running through whereas the chest had a stone held by two figures, one silver the other gold. Those belonged to no faction or clan that Jango had ever heard of.

 Stepping back, Jango realized that the armor was not Mandalorian at all, seemly all one piece and all encasing on the body. One green eye surved the balcony with tubes pulsing, his fingers close to the weapons by his belt. Two pistols, a lightsaber, a metal cylinder, and other little things hung upon it. A rifle was slung on his back…was that a proto-disintegrater rifle?!

Tyranus was the first to speak. "Ahh…Garibaldi. Your arrival is quite a surprise."

With equal familiarity, Garibaldi answered him. "I seem to recall that I'm always surprising you Master Dooku. Oh wait, my apologies. Count Dooku." The humaniod gave him a bow, only to jump securely onto the balcony proper.

The Stranger was unaware of the turmoil now in Jango's mind. Where had he heard that name before? Yet try as he might, the information was locked behind a door that only made Jango enraged the longer he pounded at it.

"You are correct in that regard. It would be strange for you to stop now after so many years." Tyranus smiled. "Though you must know, you will not be throwing me off balanced today, Stranger."

"Who said I was here to face you in combat, Dooku?" Garibaldi asked, his body language revealing a smirk that laid hidden underneath his helmet. Turning aside, Garibaldi pointed the rifle at the others on the balcony. "After all, I got an appointment with fallen angels. Now, if you excuse me, I need to go kill some bugs."

Nute Genery and his people immediately reacted in fear, terrified they have been confused with the fled Geonsians. Yet Jango could expertly tell which angle the blast would fire. To all, it would seem that Garibaldi was firing into no where. To Jango's HUV, Mr. Morden's friends would have a very bad time tonight.

The rifle letting out a wail, Garibaldi opened fire upon the things next to Morden. Many blasts got contact; piercing screams filled the air of a dying creature that believed it was safe from doom. Blurs filled Jango's HUV as the as the blaster bolts were cut off and another scream reached the sky.

The other thing knocked Garibaldi to the ground, with a scythe driven into Garibaldi's side, rifle thrown aside in the commotion.  The creature loomed over Garibaldi's body; it's black body finally visible to all.  Switching HUVs, Jango could at last see the many, blazing orange eyes of the creature.

"Did you think you could kill us imposter?" A voice escaped from the thing, raspy and raging in equal measure.

"Who are you calling imposter?" Garibaldi chuckled, his breath slowly returning to him.

The thing raised its scythe-like arm and stabbed him again, slitting open his armor and reaching bone. Garibaldi let out a scream that reminded Jango too much like Boba in turmoil. Why, the bounty hunter didn't know.

"You're no Vorlan, imposter. Not even a baby." The thing declared.

"Have you even seen Baby Vorlans?" Garibaldi gasped.

"I fought, I raged in our war dances longer than Morden's race had been alive. I know what makes a Vorlan imposter." The thing said, drawing closer to Garbaldi's helmeted-face. "Reveal yourself imposter. Reveal and die."

Garbaldi let out a blood-choked chuckle. "Funny you should mention death."

Jango immediately stepped back. He knew when a man was going all out when faced with doom.  And Garbaldi was reaching for a weapon on his belt.

"Tell!" The Thing raged, pushing its scythe deeper into the opening created.

"Well…the truth is…" Garbaldi said in-between coughs. "I'm actually the adopted nephew of Death Incarnate."

The Thing went slack. "What?"

"And here's the funny thing about Death." Garbaldi said, getting stronger. "Death always goes where God send her. And being Death's nephew, though adopted, I too got sent on a mission."

Rising up his head from the ground, Garbaldi stared down the Thing. "And I got a message for you from the Almighty Himself. Would you like to hear it?" 

Without waiting for an answer, Garbaldi brought two weapon from his belt to the Thing. A scream like a demon being born was unleashed from the Thing as Garbaldi ignited a lightsaber and metal staff into it.  "You're late for your Judgment, mortal." Garbaldi whispered into the creature's ear.

Jango reacted, lighting up his flame thrower on the Thing. It took to it like mosquito to flame. Blazing up, the Thing howled and swiped uncontrollably, unaware of where the threat was coming from.  Garbaldi took the opportunity to stab the creature again with the lightsaber, the metal staff disappearing.

A scream roared in Jango's ears, burning rage cutting through his ear drums. Even greater was the scream ringing through Jango's mind, hollow and harsh like the sand dunes of Tatooine. Yet Jango grinned behind his helmet, knowing it was the death scream of an monster so strange…

The smile dropped off Jango's face once he saw what happened to the body. Or, rather, what didn't happen to the body. No falling, no roasting flesh, no grunts from Garbaldi as he pushed the corpse off him. No. For the body simply phased out of existence.

Checking his HUV, Jango searched the area again, ignoring Mr. Morden's cries of denial behind him. There was nothing, not even on the Infrared light screen.

Saving that strange thing for another time, Jango went up to fallen Mandalorian. "Vaabir gar linibar Gaa'tayl?" He asked, reaching out his hand.

Garbaldi froze when he looked at him. His breath was still hitched, his life-blood slipping out, but his voice came out nevertheless. "Vaa aalar guuror haran soletar?" he said as he took Jango's hand.

"Gar liser su aalar." Jango said as he pulled the Mandalorian up. Checking out the wound, the bounty hunter was faced with another surprise. The suit was switching itself back together. Not the wound, Jango could still see the bone and torn flesh, but the suit itself. It was as if the suit was protecting the wearer from getting any more injuries in that spot. "Vaabir gar kar'taylir meg's bic cuyir-"

"Elek." Garbaldi answered. "Rifle?" He asked, pointing to the proto-disintegrater rifle.

Jango quickly grabbed it, handing it to the other warrior. "Gar got at rejorhaa'ir ni vaii gar got ibac."

Garbaldi chuckled. "Shol'shya ca'nara." Looking up at Jango's helmet, he reassured him. "Ni'm too atin at ash'amur." Looking past Jango, Garbaldi spoke to Mr. Morden. "I was going to make an appointment with you as well today, but I must…*cough!* postpone…"

Morden stepped back, clearly unnerved by the stranger. For once, the smirk was gone.

Garbaldi tried to stand on his own before collapsing on Jango. "Olisk. I'll have to postpone my appointment with Grievous too." He said, clutching his side.

"You know about Grievous?" Tyranus finally spoke. Jango had completely overlooked the man since he collapsed at the death of the first creature next to Morden. His face had grown terribly pale and his outfit was ruffled as if a minor explosion happened.

"I know he's in desperate need of some therapy." Garbaldi coughed. "I also know Grandma Nu is going to kill you for messing with her Archives."

Tyranus went stiff, his hand reaching for something on his belt, yet paused.

Garbaldi ignored Tyranus, turning back to Jango. "I know that I'm not the one who usually asks this, but…what do you want, Jango Fett? Because right now, not even Boba knows." Jango was stunned, unsure of what to say. Right now, when faced with a reminder of the past and the possiblity of a shaky future, Jango honestly didn't know anymore.

"Please…Stay alive." Garbaldi said to him. "Please, Boba needs you." With that, Garbaldi lunched a grappler hook across the arena. With more strength than Jango thought he had, Garbaldi threw himself down into the arena with the other Jetiise. Rolling the landing, Garbaldi took out his pistols instead of a lightsaber and started firing. Unbiddenly, Jango was reminded of Kote' on Kamino fighting even though he was so, so tired and beaten.

Shaking himself out of it, Jango left the arena. Enough of this nonsense that Tyranus kept luanching. Boba needed him far more than Jango needed his blood on the battlefield. That, and Jango had a growing headache that needed some meds…

Chapter Text

"You thought that was a good idea!?!?" Master Che cried. "Going in on your own to face creatures this galaxy has literally never seen, with no back-up and high-chance of failure!?!?"

Boba winced on the hospital bed, bare of armor. As one of the few who knew Boba's true identity behind the helmet, Master Che was also one the few who could berate him for being stupid. She was the one who had to patch him up after all. "I had a distingrator rifle and a lightsaber."

"And what if you lost them? Your armor was cut through! You were cut through straight to the bone! If it wasn't for your suit binding itself up, you would have bled out to death or gotten the wound infected!"

Boba decided to not tell that he did indeed lose that rifle for a moment. "The foe's dead. Mission accomplished."

"Oh don't you dare pull that crap with me young man." Master Che snapped. "You almost died. Should have died." Sighing, Master Che rubbed her temple. "Do you know how lucky you are that your lungs didn't get punctured? Do you?!"

Boba gulped. "Increasingly, with every check you do."

"At least someone acknowledges that around here!" Master Che said, waving her hand. "I have to go check on Skywalker and Kenobi now! The boy got his arm cut off and they want to make him a Knight! Not with that reckless behavior I say!"

Boba flinched. That meant…"Why do they want to make him a Knight? He's only 19…"

"Something about bravery and how we need more Generals out in the War that we somehow got ourselves into." Master Che muttered. "Don't you dare try to sneak out to go join the solider boys the moment I turn around."

"Hehe…Don't worry, I'll wait till after you leave the room." Boba said, getting Master Che's head-tails to twitch. "But…what did you say about war? And Solider boys?"

"War was declared onto the Separatist movement. And again, somehow, we Jedi are in the thick of it as Generals! Do you know how many solider boys just called me General today? 15! I'm the Chief Healer, not a General!"

"Where did they get these Solider boys?" Boba asked again despite knowing the answer.

"From the same place you helped Madme Nu find in the Archives after it got erased. It turns out it had a whole army of clones waiting for us there!"

"Oh no…" Boba groaned, sinking into the bed.

"Oh stop the drama. What's wrong?" Master Che said, though her hands revealed how she was ready to help.

"I can never go outside without my armor ever again."

"Why not?" Master Che said, her head-tails swishing in confusion.

"They'll recognize me." Boba said, finally understanding why Kosh never left his encounter suit despite being able to breathe oxygen.

"Who?" Master Che asked, concerned. "Your foes from the other dimension? Or people who knew you from the other time?"

"Everyone…" Boba groaned.

Before Master Che could inquire further, her comm lit up. A voice that was Boba's buir but wasn't his buir came out of the comm. "General Che! We need your help down here! One of the troopers got a concussion!"

"I'll be with you shortly." Master Che responded. Gently squeezing Boba's arm, she gave him a soft smile. "Stay here. I will be back. The door will be locked except for my most trusted staff."

"Thank you." Boba whispered. With that, Master Che walked out, leaving Boba to his thoughts. When she came back an hour later, her face was pale as if she had seen a ghost.

"Boba…" Master Che began once the door shut. "When you said "Everyone', did you mean to say, EVERYONE IN THE KARKING GALAXY?!?"

Chapter Text

Boba had his fun, really.  Watching people trying to figure out the mystery of what he is when they should be focusing on WHO he is just so entertaining.   But that was before the Clone Wars began. Unfortunately, Boba had to get off his encounter-suited butt of joy and get serious.  Too many people needed saving and one certain Sith Lord needed tearing down.  A Vorlan wasn't what they needed…

But Boba still needed his fun, and boy where there plenty of roles to play. That, and somebody needed to get out of the way. Oh Mr. Morden, ready for some fun today?

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"Ahh…Finally found you." A rumble went through the tunnel. The mere voice shook Morden more than the vibrations shook the tunnel.  The human whirled around to face the voice, attempting to keep his breath from gasping.

"So soon after our last meeting?" Morden answered Garibaldi, covered in his organic armor.

"Not soon enough I think." Garibaldi shook his helmet. He had the rifle at ready while other weapons where close behind.

"You know," Morden began, "It is a surprise to see a Ranger here, and a Garibaldi at that. Shouldn't you be at Babylon 5? This planet is little too far out from your hideaways."

"This galaxy is a little too far from your pathways, Morden." Garibaldi countered.

Morden waved his hand aside. "Sheridan told to get out of the galaxy, so we did." He smirked.

"The Shadows were called to the Rim by Lorien. Besides, did you really think that one line gives you permission to do what ever you want? Oh Hell no." Raging rumbles filled the air. "Leave. Now."

   Morden laughed. "The last Vorlan who said that to me got pushed back. What makes you any different, Imposter?"

The words from Garibaldi's lips fell upon Morden's ears like the wave crashing upon the sand. "Because I know that you are alone."

Morden froze. "What do you want?" He asked, his lips having suddenly gone dry.

"I want to be like a Shadow today." Garibaldi remarked.

"Sorry…what?"

"Shadows track down what people want so they can grant their wishes. And I want to grant wishes. So many people...so many wishes for happiness." Garbaldi shrugged his shoulders as if he was describing cereal. His lone green eye focused in on Morden. "I believe it's high time Vir got his wish, don't you think?"

Morden snorted. "Nice try Pretender. You pulled the wrong bluff."

Garibaldi pulled out a knife. A long knife. "Morden…Your head would look nice on a spike."

Oh crap. "What do you want?"

"I would like you to tell your Masters to leave. This galaxy doesn't and will not belong to them. Your place has been saved on the Rim. But that will only happen if you walk out of here alive."

"How do you know that we will even reached the Rim?"

"I don't. Just as I don't know if you even got to Rim in the first place. Our times are not quite aligned to begin with. After all, you were not with the Shadows when they left the galaxy."

So neither of them knew entirely what was going on, Morden mused.  "What if I don't tell my associates your message. What if we stay?"

The rifle was loaded. "Then I kill you. You go on the spike, your masters back to the Abyss. Either way, you will be out of the galaxy. Just say hello to God for me."

Stepping carefully back, Morden thought it over. "I will go now. We shall see what my associates say about this. They will learn about what you did on Genonsis."

Garbaldi nodded. "See ya."

Taking the opportunity to escape, Morden rushed down the tunnel.

"Hey Morden!" Ducking, the man looked back to see Garibaldi waving at him…just like Vir. Oh that son of-

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Boba can neither confirm nor deny that Mr. Morden made it out of there alive. After all, he was a dead man walking.  And Boba was a terribly good shot.