Aboard his new Gladiator-class Star Destroyer, Fenyang observed the deck with a detached sense of calm. Imperial soldiers, wearing unmarked Imperial-made uniforms, still filled the massive halls of the cruiser. An army gifted to him. An insult. Some of the more prideful Mandos chose to walk away from his rule, for this reason. He didn't blame them for leaving, either. If unity was impossible for the Mando'ade, conflict would breed strength for their burgeoning army. And strength was precisely what they needed.
What the dissenters did not see was the opportunity here. The Mandalorians were so weak that, had Lord Raze decided to, he could have crushed and subjugated them with ease. The Mandalorians would need guidance to become truly independent, greater than the puppets of the Sith Empire. But to gain independence, they must begin to walk. They must take steps to secure their own future. They must start the buildup of their industries. It would take great effort to redeem the greatness of Mandalore from its pitiful state.
He thought back to his homeworld - New Mandalore. They had a decidedly different approach to the redemption of Mandalorian society. They abandoned their tradition as warriors to focus on economic and political greatness. Admittedly, Fenyang still had some fondness for his home. It was hard to break from tradition, even harder as a Mandalorian. So many had become singularly obsessed with ritual and symbol that they had forgotten their meaning. Symbols symbolize. Mandalorian symbols symbolized power - be it moots, codes of honor, beskar'gam, or even the world and language of the Mandos themselves. But a symbol is no substitute for the real thing. That is what the traditionalists missed, and what the New Mandalorians, for all their faults, understood. The Old Mandalorians had become a shadow of themselves, selling their 'warrior code' to the highest bidder. It was sickening. And they had the gall to accuse him of abandoning their ways. While they built the empires of others, did the dirty work of cowardly offworlders.
He supposed he wasn't much different, as long as the Sith held as much power in their relationship as they did. It was another area the New Mandalorians could be of us. Providing an economic jumpstart to the army of up-gunned terrorists and mercenaries. At least, that's what he thought the New Mandalorians would consider their army. What would they think of him, now? His parents? They likely knew he was Deathwatch, but now he was something else.
He was Mand'Alor. It still felt like a dream, a dream that only the coming battle on Lothal could shake. What did it mean to be the Mand'Alor, now? Was he still Deathwatch? Ordo? A single warrior? Did he need to build a dynasty?
These questions would have to wait for later, as Darth Raze's apprentice approached the bridge. The Togruta would be interesting. He hoped to keep the Sith at an arms length throughout the extent of their 'alliance,' to give the Mandalorians time and opportunity to build up their own strength. Their power would no longer be limited to symbols and wanton acts of terror and violence. As long as they could manage this relationship with the Sith, their opportunities for growth were...endless.
"This crew is performing more adequately than expected." Was Fenyang, though? He had never commanded a force so large. In truth, behind his passion and excitement lay fear. He was afraid he would fail his people. "Your master has trained them well."
@Wit