WotH Chpt 30

==War on the Horizon - Chapter 30 ==
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===Fending off the Predators as a World Recovers===
"It is wondrous to see what has changed," Obi-Wan said as he looked at the recovered sections of Mandalore, the scars slowly being retaken by growth as the machines did their work.
 
"I was able to devote most of our resources to restoring Mandalore's biome," Satine smiled as she looked over the scars from the bombing centuries ago.
 
"Many people are not happy with the state of things though," Anakin said as he looked at the greenery. "Peace is all well and good, but there are times when you have to fight to preserve that peace."
 
"I believed that once," Satine nodded at the young padawan. "But I have seen the results of war and want no part in it again. If I can spare my people from it, I will do."
 
"And what of preserving your culture?" Anakin asked. "Surely that is important."
 
"A culture of ignorance and savagery?" Satine asked. "Of endless war and efforts to conquer the galaxy?" She shook her head. "No, I aim to change that. No longer will the Republic or our neighbors be scared of a band of Mandalorians rising up to threaten them."
 
"I believe you have asked enough questions, Anakin," Kenobi cut in. "We have the information required to perform the task that has been asked of us. So we should go and handle it."
 
"The Banking Clans have been trying to buy out the machines that we need to restore the planet. And I require someone that they must respect," Satine looked at her once lover. "And I fear that the longer we hold out, the more likely they are to resort to acts of violence to get what they want.
 
"We'll handle it," Obi-Wan agreed. "But patience is a must. Anakin, I expect that if they try something, it will happen soon. I want you to watch over the restoration droids while I attempt to negotiate. If they do attempt something, please try to limit the damage and get evidence that it was the Banking Clans that decided to try something."
 
"Yes master," Anakin sighed. "I'll do my best."
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===Soldiers Signing Up===
Beloria System, Seswenna Sector, Outer Rim Territories
 
"Reason for enlisting?" a bored Twi'lek asked as she read over the paperwork.
 
"I hear the pay and benefits are nice," a man grinned as his T-Shaped helmet was held to the side. "I've got a family to support and, if I'm honest, they're kinda tired of living life onboard a ship," the man gestured back to an older Corellian freighter. "Besides, sometimes the competition is good enough that you might want to join them. Well, that and you told that Death Watch bitch to get lost."
 
"Alright then, Kit Strurn," the Twi-lek handed him the datapad with his instructions on it. "You'll head out to boot camp in two weeks, and we'll assign your family temporary quarters while you're in training."
 
"Everything looks good to me," Strurn shrugged. "Do I get to keep my armor?""You'll be issued kit according to the job that you end up with," the woman sighed. "We have a pretty distinct uniform," she gestured to the black uniform with gold trim that she currently wore, the chevron on her collar indicating her rank. "We're a professional military here, not some militia unit."
 
"Got it," the Mandalorian clapped his hands together. "I'll start working on getting my wife and kids moved into the housing that's been set aside."
 
"I'll send over the team assigned to handle that when you signal you're ready."
 
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"Dad, why are we staying here?" Kit's oldest asked.
 
"Because I'm tired of exposing you and your siblings to danger," he knelt and pulled his daughter in for a hug. "I want what's best for all of you, and sometimes that means that we have to do things that we didn't expect."
 
"We're Mandalorians," Kit's heavily pregnant wife smiled. "But we're as we are supposed to be. We hold to the traditions because they bind us together as a culture, but we also know that time changes, and that we must adapt to them or we die. We are not pacifists, nor are we terrorists, we simply are what the old ways dictated. And now we have found a group that we can join. Just as Canderous Ordo joined with Revan in the days of the Old Republic."
 
"And, now I don't have to worry about Pirates taking you hostage nor us going hungry if I have failed in hunting a bounty," Kit picked up his daughter and tucked her into the bed. "Now get some rest, we're going to see some of the simulators for the big droids tomorrow."
 
"Thirteen weeks of training is a long time," Kit's wife said as he closed the door to the kid's bedroom. "You might miss the birth."
 
"I don't think that they'll prevent me from being here," Kit pulled her in and kissed her forehead. "And they've got good medical care here. Not many mercenary groups have dedicated hospital ships. That this one possesses one speaks much about their values."
 
"I just worry." she leaned her head against his shoulder.
 
"I know," Kit held her close for a bit before pulling her into their bedroom. "Let me ease some of your worries for a bit," he wagged his eyebrows and winked.
 
"You're insufferable," she groaned. "But I love you anyway."
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===A Meeting===
"Sienn, please stop, can't you tell the poor boy is already about to burst?" The grizzled veteran chuckled as his girlfriend made the waiter turn bright red in the face.
 
"Aww," the Twi-Lek frowned. "But it's so much fun."
 
"I don't need us temporarily banned from my favorite bar," the drill instructor glared. "Again."
 
"I'll be good," she sat down directly onto Thompson's lap and wiggled a bit before grinning. "And someone's happy to see me."
 
"Thanks," Alan nodded at the waiter as the young man brought over their drinks, the blush still showing heavily on his face as he refused to make eye contact.
 
"You promised me meat," Sienn spun around to face Alan after the waiter left.
 
"You'll get your meat," the man chuckled. "One way or another, at least. I'm supposed to be meeting with Packer. He said something about making my current position permanent."
 
"So you'll be stationed here permanently?" Sienn asked.
 
"Thompson might well have to be stationed here with situational awareness like that," Packer grinned as he patted his old friend on the shoulder before taking a seat at the table. "But I can understand you were somewhat preoccupied."
 
"There a reason why we're here instead of doing this at work?" Alan took a sip of his beer as Sienn moved off of his lap and into her own seat.
 
"I just got planetside," Packer shrugged. "I need a break before diving back in."
 
"Fair enough," Alan shrugged. "So, food first, or business?"
 
"Let's get business over with, then move on to food," Packer flagged down a waitress to ask for a drink. "So, you've got a choice. You can stay here on Beloria and keep doing what you're currently doing. With the Instructing on the side and deploying as we get contracts. Or we can move the two of you to Serenno. Where you'll be getting a pay bump and a leadership position training all of the new cavalry that comes from there."
 
"How long are you willing to discuss each position?" Sienn cut in. "Because we can get the rest of the details later."
 
"I've already got the documents written up for both," Packer shrugged. "I'll send 'em over tomorrow for you to look over them."
 
"In that case," Alan leaned in. "What was the first real action against a military force here like?"
 
"Really fuckin' odd," Packer started. "First…"
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Chapter 30