Chapter Text
Obi-Wan slept for nearly three days after the ritual. So did the other Jedi. And, presumably, Mother Talzin, but it was hard to tell since (according to Seventeen) the Nightsisters had gotten her onto a ship and off Manda’yaim almost immediately.
When he did wake, it was to find Jango sitting next to him in the bed, sitting up against the wall, reading a datapad.
“How’s it look out there?” Obi-Wan asked around a yawn.
Jango set the datapad on his lap, smiling at the Jedi. “Green,” he said. His smile twisted. “And very muddy.”
“Ah, yes.” Obi-Wan dragged himself up into a sitting position, leaning along Jango’s side. “Worren did estimate it would rain heavily for several days."
The bedroom door opened near-silently. Jango and Obi-Wan watched as Boba, looking carefully down at the tray of food he was balancing, crept quietly into the room and towards the bed. He glanced up to see both adults watching him.
“Obi-Wan!” he exclaimed, stealth forgotten. “You’re awake!”
Obi-Wan grinned back at the child, and felt Jango reach over and take his hand, lacing their fingers.
“I am indeed,” he said to Boba.
Boba set the tray on the bed before climbing up himself, sitting at the foot and facing the Jedi.
“Good, because you’ve missed too much fun already.”
Obi-Wan arched an eyebrow. “Oh? Why don’t you fill me in.”
Jango squeezed his hand.
Sundari News
ANCIENT JEDI RITUAL SUCCESSFUL IN SAVING MANDA’YAIM
7- As hoped, the ancient Jedi ritual, performed by six Force users (primarily from the Jedi Agricorps) last night has successfully brought life back to Manda’yaim. Described as a way to reverse the damage of the Dral’han, the ritual has already had several immediate effects. Reports from across the planet consistently cite rain, new plant growth, and sitings of indigenous Mandalorian fauna. Some ancient bodies of water, such as the Kelita River, are already starting to show signs of rejuvenation. We interviewed Mando’ade present at each of the ritual locations, asking them-
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[Communication_Recording_sulca_7]
Obi-Wan, the Mand’alor told me the ritual went well. Make sure you and the others are resting fully - I don’t need to tell you that what you’ve done is unprecedented in modern times, you’re allowed to be tired. We’re closing the last enrichment zone here next month, I’ve already accepted the Mand’alor’s invitation to visit once we’re done. I’m so proud of you.
Concordia News
MAND’ALOR PROMISES HOMESTEAD LAND TO WOULD-BE FARMERS
7- With Manda’yaim’s ecosystem restored, Mand’alor Mereel has set his sights on improving the planet’s agricultural might. In an announcement today, he promised tracts of land suitable for homesteading to any willing to commit to farming the land. No experience necessary, as training and guidance will be provided by the-
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[Communication_Recording_silas_7]
[Fwd: Clan Kast cordially invites you celebrate the riduurok of Silas and-]
Obi-Wan, you and Jango have to come to this party. Please. The old bavodu’e have been pestering me to marry for years, and I know I will lose it if I have to spend the night hearing them tell me they told me so, you two have to be here to keep me distracted (or hold me back.) Please tell me you’re free.
It rained for nearly ten days straight. Jango enjoyed the time. He spent his days sitting as close to Obi-Wan as possible, listening to and taking part in conversations among the group of Jedi currently staying in Jaster’s compound. Tal Passik kept giving him knowing looks, but he kept his distance so that was fine.
Jango got to watch Kokoa Klevidu and Madam Nu have an argument about where the Jedi holocron was going for safekeeping that very nearly ended in a physical fight (Kokoa was fierce, but nobody was really all that surprised when Madam Nu won.)
Several of the clones came and went throughout the day, visiting with the Jedi in between other parties and mischief they were getting in to throughout the city. At some point, Tal Passik, Plo Koon, and Mace Windu had started sharing stories of missions they’d gone on as Jedi knights, and the room was suddenly packed with over a dozen eager clones, hanging on their every word. Even Jango had to admit the stories were pretty entertaining, though, and it was only the late-meal bell that could convince the group to break up.
When Jaster wasn’t in planning meetings with his council, working out what they would do as soon as the rain stopped, he was spending time with them too. He was nearly as eager as the clones for Jedi stories, but Jango wasn’t the least bit surprised to see that it was Madam Nu’s stories of archaeological exploration that had him most interested.
It wasn’t entirely fun and games, though. The night before they were set to leave, Jango was with Obi-Wan as he told the Coruscanti Jedi about Maul, and the conversation Obi-Wan had had with the Zabrak about his Sith Master.
The news that the Sith master was either a former Supreme Chancellor or the current Supreme Chancellor was certainly alarming. As was the news that the Nightsisters of Dathomir now had a resident Sith apprentice. But the Jedi seemed just as relieved as they were concerned. Jango remembered his early years with Jaster, always trying to hunt down Tor Viszla to defeat Kyr'tsad. Imagined how much harder it would have been if they didn’t know who was leading Kyr'tsad. And was completely sincere when he wished the Jedi luck and happy hunting as they departed Manda’yaim.
Eventually, though, the rain did stop. The Agricorps Jedi said their goodbyes and returned to their planets. Jango watched Obi-Wan closely, worried that now that reality had set in, he’d be depressed or lonely, trapped on the planet. But he never caught a single sign that Obi-Wan was unhappy.
On the contrary, Obi-Wan eagerly dove into the plans Jaster and his council had started, offering advice and suggesting ideas. It didn’t take long for Jaster to throw up his hands and declare Obi-Wan the Agricultural Minister for Manda’yaim (a move that had Vizsla bucking for a fight, but when Jaster reminded Vizsla that “Mando’ade are not farmers, they’re warriors” and therefore it didn’t matter that Obi-Wan hadn’t sworn the Resol’nare, he shut up pretty quick.)
Because Jango wanted to be with Obi-Wan, and because Jango wanted to help, he was one of the first to volunteer to work. They had farmland to scout, fields to till, seeds to plant, crops to grow. The days were filled with hard work, but he found himself with plenty of time to think.
One day, he stood up from where he’d been weeding a row of Dry Gene Wheat. He wiped his hands off on his pants, looking to Obi-Wan a few rows over. Somewhere behind him he could hear Boba laughing at something Bly and Rex were saying to each other. Obi-Wan looked up and caught his gaze, smiling at him, soft. Jango thought about the strange circle his life had become, farming Mandalorian land with his family, and smiled back.
Coruscant News
TRADE FEDERATION COMES UP SHORT ON QUARTERLY EARNINGS
8 - For the first time since the year of the Naboo crisis, the Trade Federation did not meet its quarterly earnings target. This has sent shockwaves throughout the financial markets, hitting the Banking Clan especially hard. A spokesman for the Federation blamed the shortfall on “an inaccurate prediction of Mandalorian imports”. We’ve been reporting for years about the sharp increase in Mandalorian food imports, so what’s changed? We talked to our expert, who said-
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[Communication_Recording_macewindu_8]
Plo, I just spoke to Senator Organa. He’s convinced that with the Mand’alor agreeing to cover costs for the PKA recruits, he’ll be able to quash any further criticism in the senate. Please tell me that was the last hurdle.
[Communication_Recording_plokoon_8]
It was. I’ll contact the Mand’alor and arrange for our first recruiting trip to Keldabe.
Keldabe News
MAND’ALOR TO HOST FIRST HARVEST CELEBRATION IN OVER 700 YEARS
8 - Nearly a year after the Vheh’goten - the Jedi ritual that brought life back to Manda’yaim - Mand’alor Mereel has announced a great planet-wide Harvest Celebration. While there were some small crops over the last month - mainly greens or root vegetables - this season is seeing the first major harvest of our new farms. This promises to be a day of feasting, as well as celebration for the thousands of Mando’ade who have worked-
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Jaster thought this might be the happiest he’s ever been. Skin flushed from the mug of ne'tra gal he’d just finished, he looked out over the full hall of happy, feasting Mando’ade.
Keldabe was full of feasts, as it had been yesterday, and as it would be tomorrow. Though it was only their first year, thanks to Obi-Wan’s work and guidance they’d had a good harvest. In a celebratory council meeting yesterday, he’d let the clan leaders watch as he completely cancelled their next food order with the Trade Federation.
This feast was a little special, though. Before the meal was served - and ka’ra, what a meal. Jaster felt fit to burst, but was still tempted to grab another plate of roba pie - Obi-Wan had stood up in front of the assembled Mando’ade (Jaster’s council and their immediate families, as well as a few dozen clones) and swore the Resol’nare. The Jedi had jokingly told Vizsla that he was doing it just to ease the traditionalist’s sensibilities, and Jaster swore Vizsla had kriffing laughed. Would Obi-Wan’s miracles never cease?
And now, with the feasting done, and the partygoers just about to cross over into drunk, Jaster had one more reason to celebrate.
Catching Cody’s eye across the hall, he nodded towards where Jango was speaking to Seventeen in a corner. He was sure that his well-meaning ad was pestering Seventeen with advice, again. Bless Seventeen for humoring him. He’d be serving with a jetii, for Force sake, he was not going to have to worry about things like “how to barter in Hutt space” or whatever it was that Jango was talking about now.
Cody made his way out of the hall, while Jaster slowly made his way over the head table. Obi-Wan and Boba were still there, looking at something Waxer and Boil were showing them on a datapad. When the Jedi saw Jaster coming, he raised an eyebrow. Jaster nodded, and Obi-Wan quietly asked Waxer to set the datapad aside for a moment.
Jaster stepped up on the low dais the head table was on, giving him an extra foot’s height from which to speak to the crowd.
“Oya!” he shouted, and grinned at the slightly tipsy returns of “Oya!” he got from around the hall.
“We’ve got one more bit of business before we bring out the Tihaar.” He waited for the cheers to die down.
“Jango, ad’ika, can you come up here?” Seventeen gave Jango a shove, and Jaster watched his confused son make is way through the room.
It warmed Jaster’s heart to see many of the clones give Jango smiles, or even playful shoves or pats on the shoulder as he passed. Not only did Jango work alongside many clones in the agricultural fields, but he’d started up a shockingly active social life over the last year. Jaster didn’t really know what had happened, but Jango was suddenly hosting sparring tournaments on Primedays, monthly meshgeroya games, he cooked late-meal at a different dorm building each week. And it was having effects. It was no longer strange to see Jango surrounded by a dozen or so clones each time he was in public - and not just the ones that lived with Jaster. In a move Jaster could not have predicted a year or two ago, Jango had even formally adopted several of them.
Jango came to a halt in front of Jaster. “Buir?” He asked. Jaster gestured him up onto the dais, and placed his hand on his son’s shoulder.
“I have something for you,” he said, smiling warmly. A muffled clank behind him told him that Cody had re-entered the hall. He angled his body so that Jango could see Cody walking in with a familiar crate.
“Buir?” Jango asked again, voice hoarse now.
“Jango has kept our ade safe!” Jaster shouted to the now silent hall of Mando’ade. “And he has provided for them. Today, I am proud to return his beskargam to him.”
The enthusiastic cheers and applause were gratifying. But nothing compared to the look in Jango’s eyes as he lifted his buy’ce out of the crate.
Jaster was absolutely sure that this was the happiest he’s ever been.
Lessu News
ORN FREE TAA LOSES REELECTION, BLAMES EDUCATORS
9 - Orn Free Taa lost his reelection to the Galactic Senate today, and after finishing his current term will no longer represent Ryloth to the Galactic Republic. On Coruscant, Free Taa was well known for multiple corruption scandals, but he’d been reelected by the people of Ryloth many times. What made this election different? “Education,” says Jedi Master Oret. He’s been spearheading the adult education campaign on Ryloth for the last year. Typically, the Jedi Educorps focuses on childhood education, but a year ago they announced an exciting expansion into adult education, calling it “an important step toward protecting our democracy.”
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LEGENDARY AHCH-TO, BIRTHPLACE OF THE JEDI, FOUND
9 - In what’s sure to be the most exciting archaeological find of the year, a Jedi Explorcorps team has announced they’ve rediscovered the planet Ahch-To deep in the Unknown Regions. A spokesperson from the Jedi Corps confirmed that a more extensive team will be sent to fully study the site of myths and legends, but so far pilots report finding several sites that appear to be ancient temples. This opens a wider discussion among the Jedi about their origins, and-
[click here to read more]Jabiim News
BRAINROT VACCINE DELIVERED BY MEDICORPS
9 - After decades of suffering and losing millions to repeated outbreaks of the dreaded Brainrot Plague, the Galactic Republic has finally come to Jabiim’s aid. Congressman Alto Stratus made an announcement this morning that the Jedi Medicorps would be arriving within the week with a delivery of newly developed vaccines. The Jabiim Council has made many petitions to the Medicorps over the last several decades, but the organization has been understaffed and under budgeted, limiting the reach of its research and service teams. It’s unclear what’s changed in the last couple years, but-
[click here to read more]Mos Espa News
SLAVE REVOLT ENDS IN HUTT ASSASSINATION
9 - The slave revolt that broke out three days ago seems to have come to a stunning and violent conclusion. For anyone living out in the wastes who may have missed it, three days ago a slave revolt started in Mos Espa. Reports are still being verified, but everyone seems to agree that the slaves were supported by the Mandalorian faction of the Jedi Agricorps stationed near Mos Entha. One woman we spoke to says she’s not surprised: “Mandalorians hate slavers. I don’t know what anyone expected to happen when they got here. Good riddance, I say.”
[click here to read more]Coruscant News
PALPATINE DEAD AFTER ATTACKING JEDI TEAM
9 - Reports are coming in fast on this one, folks - here's what we know. An investigative team of Jedi masters and Mandalorian commandos (catch up on that surprising development in last month's deep dive into new Jedi policy) confronted the Chancellor in his office, demanding he return with them to the Jedi Temple for questioning. This team has apparently been tracking the evidence of other Sith in the galaxy, and has been doing so since Count Dooku of Serenno's death a few years ago. One witness to the altercation said "It was so weird. The Chancellor seemed to be losing it. He immediately started shouting about order, and he even got one of the Mandalorian's name wrong - called him Sixty-something instead of Seventeen. He usually seemed so sharp, but I guess he was getting up there in years. The Jedi team stayed super calm, seemed really professional. Then the Chancellor shot them with some sort of electro-cannon? Only I didn't see him holding anything. But there was, like, lightning flying all over the place. The Jedi and the Mandalorians weren't stumped for even a second, it was amazing. They immediately jumped in, and-
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Keldabe News
MAND'ALOR MEREEL RETIRES, HANDS DARKSABER TO SON FETT
14- Jaster Mereel, Mand'alor the Reformer, has ruled over a transformative period of Mandalorian history. His successes were celebrated today in a touching ceremony attended by the Clan leaders, as well as many members of House Mereel. But, the Mand'alor said that he has accomplished all he set out to do as Mand'alor, and that it was time to step back to new leadership. The Keldabe arena was overcome with thunderous applause as Mereel handed the Darksaber to his son Jango Fett. He was barely able to get a word out before the crowd unified themselves, chanting "Mand'alor te Buir!" It's not often that a Mand'alor is so quickly given their own title, but I suppose there's no real mystery about what Mand'alor Fett's main contribution to Mandalorian history will be. After the ceremony, the new Mand'alor and his-
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