- 49 BBY -
- Mandalore -
(3rd Person POV)
Petyr walks through the halls of the MandalMotors tower, with Arla following closely behind him. Founded by the Mandalorian general Gustav Zenlav, MandalMotors has grown to be a large corporation, headed by a board of executives under the authority of a single CEO. The company's headquarters are in Mandalore's capital city, Keldabe, where its hundred-meter-tall tower adorned with their unmistakable business logo became a well-known landmark around the city. MandalMotors is primarily a manufacturer of starships, although the Mandalorian corporation is also notable for creating several speeder models, gunships, and at least one class of ground-based tank. Over time, MandalMotors have developed a reputation for its outstanding ship designs and powerful military vessels.
MandalMotors is a largely neutral company and a driving force behind Mandalore's economy. It sells its many products to any interested party willing to pay the necessary credits. That means that they sell to Death Watch as well, who are willing to pay for their services, but as the Mand'alor of all the Mando'ade, even if some don't want to accept it, and leader of the True Mandalorians, Petyr can't have that. So he is on his way to meet with the CEO of MandalMotors and the rest of the board of executives.
More than two years have passed since Petyr returned to Mandalore and announced his wish to protect the people, instead of just warring against the Death Watch. The Supercommando Codes, which Petyr's predecessor established, were already a good step in the right direction for the pacifist New Mandalorians, but it didn't seem like it was enough for them. So this had to change. However, Petyr wasn't yet certain how he would change that. He had a few options, one of them simply giving the people what they wanted, but that wouldn't be within his nature. However, manipulating things to later have the people do what he wanted, out of their own free will, was within his nature. And that's what he was going for. Petyr couldn't understand how you could truly wish to be a pacifist in a galaxy as war-torn as this one. It was the sign of true ignorance in his opinion, but that was something he could use.
"Mand'alor, Petyr Baelish, welcome. The board is expecting you," a secretary says, bowing her head slightly toward Petyr.
During these almost three years on Mandalore, Petyr had been attacked a few times, but he handled it with strength and justice, not with anger and violence that everyone expected from him. This made him respected by the clans and their chieftains and the New Mandalorians as well.
They walk through the door and pass several police units armed and ready to protect the board members should it be necessary. Because, as Petyr's aide and official protector, Arla was allowed to carry weapons anywhere on Mandalore, and that unnerved many people if they were alone in a room with him. Petyr walked into a large, extravagant office, with the board members sitting in a U-shape at a marvellously looking desk. He can already see what they are thinking and the air of arrogance they display. But that isn't anything new for Petyr. As the former Master of Coin in Westeros, he is used to others looking down on him or underestimating him. It is one of his favourite tactics to use.
"Greetings, esteemed board executives. I am glad you have agreed to this meeting." Petyr says, standing in front of them.
No chair is being offered to him, as a sign that they are superior to him. But he isn't bothered at all. The secretary from before comes up to him and places a nice chair for him to sit on. He smiles and thanks her, sitting down. He can see the confusion on the executives' and the CEO's faces, but they don't realise that he already has many different people on his payroll, and the secretary is one of them. So naturally, she would make sure he was taken care of.
"Now, I am happy to start our discussion," Petyr says.
"Discussion? What discussion?" one of the executives asks, enraged.
"You don't honestly believe that there is anything to talk about, do you?" another asks.
"Mand'alor Petyr, with all due respect, don't you think you have done enough already?" the third asks.
"Whatever do you mean, gentlemen?" Petyr asks.
"Don't play with us, Mand'alor! You have been busy talking to our customers for a while and buying a lot of the materials we need for production," the first one says.
"Ah, you are talking about my acquiring the transportation firms." Petyr nods his head.
"And the mines that sold us the necessary materials!" the first one shouts again.
"From what I was told, you have started to buy most mines in the Mandalorian sector, isn't that right, Mand'alor?" the third one asks.
"Indeed. What of it?" Petyr asks.
"The problem, Mand'alor, is that we naturally need the minerals and resources from your mines to build the different spaceships, speeder models, and gunships. The longer we don't get to build, the faster we will lose customers and therefore money," a fourth executive says.
"What is it you want, Mand'alor?" the CEO finally speaks.
"Yes, what do you want? Will you give us what we need or extort us?" the first one says.
"When I wanted to talk to you two years ago, when I was still new to Mandalorian politics, you came up with ridiculous lies and excuses not to see me. You had the most economic and political power, even if unofficially, on Mandalore. Yet now, that things have changed, you have agreed to meet with me. Don't blame me for playing the game when it was you who set up the board." Petyr says and looks at the CEO.
"I understand. You have our undivided attention. What is it you wish to talk about?" the man asks.
"The future of Mandalore and the position of MandalMotors has in it," Petyr tells them.
"What do you mean by that, Mand'alor?" the second man asks.
"I am talking about how you, as board executives of MandalMotors, can do your part in making Mandalore a better place," Petyr explains.
"A better place? As if you care about that?!" the first man scoffs.
Petyr looks at the man and narrows his eyes.
"If you speak to me in that way again, I will stand up and leave," Petyr says calmly, threatening the man.
"You-"
"Of course, Mand'alor. Please excuse him, he has a fierce temper," the CEO says.
"As I was saying, it is time to talk about the future of MandalMotors and how we can change it to create more efficient ships, speeders and gunships. It is time to move away from it somewhat, at least for now, and most importantly, it is time to start thinking about who you sell things to." Petyr tells them.
"You are, of course, talking about no longer selling to Death Watch," the CEO says.
"Naturally. The Death Watch are a thorn in the side of Mandalorian progress and don't represent what it means to be a Mando'ade." Petyr says.
"And yet, that is how the Mandalorians were formed many years ago. Some might claim that the Death Watch are more Mandalorians than the New Mandalorians and even the True Mandalorians," the second executive says.
"Mando'ade used to be warriors with honour, and while there is nothing honourable during war, the death of civilians isn't something that is necessary. This is precisely what Death Watch is doing to pay for the vehicles it buys from you. They are not Mandalorians in anything except their martial skills. And even that is not as impressive as you might believe." Petyr says.
"We are not a political group, Mand'alor Petyr. We just do business and build spaceships. We cannot do anything about what other people use them for."
"No? Very well then." Petyr says and stands up. "Then I am happy to tell the Mando'ade about your stake in the matter that the vehicles you sell are being bought with money that has the blood of innocents on it. We shall see what the people think about that."
"Mand'alor, please." The CEO stands up and runs after Petyr. "Please, let us talk about it. I understand your concerns and agree that we need to change that. If you allow, the papers will be brought to you shortly."
"I accept. Send everything to me by the end of the week, and I'm sure we can figure things out. Despite what you believe, you wouldn't be making any money if the Death Watch had its way. So I believe you will profit from this more than you understand now. Good day." Petyr says and then leaves the building.
.
Petyr makes his way through the streets of Keldabe, greeted by men and women as he passes. Arla follows behind him as they make their way to the Oyu'baat. The Oyu'baat is an ancient hotel and tapcaf, the oldest cantina on the planet, which has been open for several thousand years.
Oyu'baat means 'universe in Mando'a and serves as an unofficial centre for the loose government formed by the chieftains of the various Mandalorian clans. Since Petyr arrived, he has spent millions upon millions of credits to invest in Keldabe. He bought and improved the construction firms and renovated the Oyu'baat, turning it into a very modern and technologically advanced building that would soon become the official government building.
"Petyr, the clan chiefs are here to see you," Arla tells him as they make their way up to his large office.
"Good, has everything been transferred yet?"
"Yes, the credits were transferred, and the men and women of all the respective clans who agreed should now be arriving," Arla says.
"Perfect."
They make it to his large office, where the chieftains of several Mandalorian clans are waiting for him, with male and female clan members. Petyr was knitting a tight band between the clans who agreed, or were willing, for some reforms, and had them send him some of their clan members to learn and to work for him, while they got their usual pay. This gives them a chance to see Petyr's changes he will implement first-hand and then report back to their clans. At least, that was the official idea he presented. Credits were a resource; Petyr could create limitlessly, so using them was the easiest way to get things done. And he was very good with people, so he could either replace the clan members or simply convince them of his ideas.
"Mandalorians, greetings. I am glad you all could make it. Welcome." Petyr greets the many men and women and sits down.
"Greetings, Mand'alor. We are glad that you are a man of your word and not another weak politician," one of the chieftains says.
The others chuckle as he says that, and even Petyr chuckles. The only one who doesn't find that funny is Arla, who is about to beat the shit out of them. But Petyr stops her and stands up.
"I understand that you all knew Jaster Mereel, and he was a good Mand'alor. Naturally, the reports I gave you on his death might not be true, and you may even doubt the recordings I presented to you. But I believe that there is a way we can ensure that I am anything but weak and deserve my title as Mand'alore. And if all of you are willing, I am ready to prove it."
"Oh? In what way?"
"Now, I'm also interested."
"Simple. I offer all of you a chance to get the title of Mand'alore from me if you defeat me in a fight. You may decide the rules, you may decide the place and what we are fighting with. The winner takes the title and the other vows to serve for life, and his entire clan."
"I accept!"
"Seconded."
"Aye, let's do that."
"Very well. Let us commence."