HoloNet News The Old Ways in New Times

[Lex Solus]

Mandalore, capital
1716 local time

Lex had been wallowing in the mix of emotions he felt for the past few days, ranging from contempt to outrage, his psyche taking the damage of the constant anger he felt. It had pushed him to train more and fight harder, but he knew there was something to be done about the issue. A small group of Mandalorians had agreed to lay their arms down and collaborate with the Empire, capitalizing on their lack of leadership. Now, they were once again bound by leash and chain to serve an Empress that had likely never stepped foot on Mandalore, and a kingdom with an evil history.

He stepped in front of the camera and turned the lights on, the broadcast ready to go. He cleared his throat and took his helmet off, holding it by his waist as his message was broadcast to Mandalorian space, the backdrop of the fallen Jedi temple behind him.

"Years after our successful struggle for liberation, we find ourselves united swiftly and by chance, though our union is weak and tentative. Under the rule of a stranger, a man whose name does not inspire fear nor respect to any one of our peoples, we risk our nation toppling once more into civil war, or even worse--the complete and overwhelming subjugation of the Sith Empire."

"What has this man done for us? What has he done to show he deserves his title, other than step forward and claim it when it was presented on a silver platter? His speech may have been charming and executing a dissident when you outnumber him is easy enough, but I believe it is time for our Manda'lor to prove himself."

"Fenyang, I challenge you to defend your illegitimate rule through Taung. One on one combat, close range and with blunt weapons, as they did in the old days. Try to be deceptive and shirk your obligation and spend your life slowly consumed by dishonor."

@Fine Dining Set

Open for reactions and the Mandalor's response​

 

[Fenyang]

Moments before this post.​

A Mandalore's rule was defined by the challenges, the challengers, they face. After he took the title for himself, the insipid, lazy cowards that composed today's generation of Mandalorians saw fit to mewl at him. Because that's what it was - mewling. None of these challengers had come to face him in person, merely scurrying off to whatever wastes they found appropriate.

A message came from Mandalore. His world. The root problems of these self-serving cowards run deep into the heart of Mandalore - it was not particularly surprising that one on his capital world would be angered by a proud, true Mand'Alor. They had been conditioned to fight for anyone or anything but their own world. When one with plans to restore their planet appeared, it was natural that these pretenders would be outraged. It was like a man raised in a cave seeing the sun for the first time: The shining light of truth burned those who fumbled their lives in the darkness of ignorance. What was surprising is that this one had declined to introduce himself. How would Fenyang be able to distinguish him from the other dozens of Mandalorians who had tried to lecture him in the past week?

This one repeated a tired message - that Mandalore now served the Sith. It would take time to correct the idiocy that had taken hold of his once great people, it seemed. When would they realize that they could only succeed when united into a single fist, the first of the Mand'Alor? Did they not realize that the Sith Lord, Darth Raze, would use their own traditions against them to compel them into his service had he not risen to the challenge? Could they not see that the Mandalorian people were almost eager to follow Raze, because he at least had pushed the Mandalorians into action, something that no Alor or other leader has done in over a century?

He would make arrangements. In the capital city, where the message was shot, a hundred-foot hologram would appear, bearing the visage of Fenyang Ordo, the ruler of the Mandalorians.

"I am the Mand'Alor, and Mandalore is my domain." He paused, considering how to make this moment educational for those still living in cursed ignorance. "When first my rule was challenged, I exacted judgement. The second time, I showed the mercy of a man who loves his people. I begin to lose my patience." "Now you sit on my world, living by my grace alone, far away from the Crusade your brothers and sisters have thrown themselves to. Is that not a rich irony, my people? He accuses me of cowardice while he sits on my property. Accuses the Mand'Alor of weakness, while I fight a great war for our people's liberation. " He sneered, audibly, into the comms. "It must be far easier to criticize than to act."

"Traitor, my plan remains the same. I will not come to you. If you truly had the heart of a Mandalorian, you would have come to Lothal already, either to kill me or to aid your brothers in combat. You have done neither. Ponder on your failure to act, while I continue to pull our people to greatness." The hologram shut off after, leaving the square as quickly as it appeared.

He had a war to win. And, as a wise Mando once said, it was worthless to argue with idiots. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

@vamp