"Hapan is not completely isolated from the outside world; we have our own ways of obtaining external information." Sesayia's voice carried an almost fanatical reverence.
"I have been observing him for a long time, Captain Visa. Lord Kurt Vizsla, he led Mandalore to rise again from the ruins. He dared to stand against a behemoth like the Trade Federation. He is building a new, powerful Mandalore, and that is exactly what Hapan needs!
We have been stuck in our ways for too long. My mother and the First Princess only want to maintain this decaying, so-called order built upon the enslavement of men."
She pointed to the city outside the window, "Look at it. It seems orderly, but in reality, it is filled with Death Qi. We need change. We need a powerful external force to break this deadlock, and I, Sesayia, am willing to become Mandalore's representative in Hapan, dedicating the resources, strategic location of the Hapan Cluster, and even... myself, to Lord Kote's cause.
This is not just for the throne; it is for Hapan's future, and also for... my own heart." As she finished speaking, a slight blush appeared on her face.
Visa fell silent. She realized that this was not just a power struggle, but a gamble by a princess trying to grasp an external lifeline, mixed with personal emotional projection. The risk was enormous, but the potential reward was equally astonishing: bringing change to a closed star cluster and incorporating it into Mandalore's sphere of influence—this was definitely something Boss Kote would be interested in.
"I need to contact my ship," Visa finally said, her voice low. "This matter far exceeds the authority and scope of a mere captain. I must report to Duke Kote."
A bright light instantly burst forth in Sesayia's eyes. "You agree? Thank you so much, Captain Visa!"
"Don't think too simply. This is just a chance to contact Duke Kote. Whether you truly succeed depends entirely on you."
Sesayia brought Visa back to the Spaceport.
Visa saw a sight she absolutely did not want to see: Trade Federation ships!
Seeing the massive ships, Sesayia knew these were the helpers her dear First Princess had brought in, definitely in preparation for the throne. But it seemed the First Princess, clever her entire life, was momentarily foolish. Had she not read the reports about the Trade Federation, which devours people without spitting out the bones?
Visa immediately contacted the First Officer and others still aboard the veronia.
"First Officer, the situation has changed. We are involved in a huge mess," Visa said concisely.
"Listen, immediately use my authorized channel to contact Duke Kote directly. Report the situation here: the lost Hapan Cluster has reappeared, there's a court coup, Second Princess Sesayia is seeking Mandalore's protection and pledging allegiance, and the First Princess is collaborating with the Trade Federation, likely bringing a large number of battle droids, as this is their usual tactic.
Although the First Officer on the other end of the communicator had seen the Trade Federation ships, he hadn't expected such a massive incident to occur in the palace just moments after his boss went in!
"Maintain the highest alert," the First Officer told everyone aboard the ship.
Ending the communication, Visa looked at Sesayia. "Now, I'll take you to contact Duke Kote. Wait, how did you know that I, a regular Mandalorian, could access the Duke?!"
Visa suddenly realized something was wrong.
Sesayia was startled, but she still replied.
"I have been investigating Lord Kote all along. Regarding you, I didn't choose blindly. This information was carefully selected from intelligence dealers."
Sesayia even looked a little proud as she said this.
While Visa and Sesayia were having their private conversation, another meeting was taking place in Taa Chume's palace.
General Dourde's stout figure sat on a reinforced chair specially prepared for him. Taa Chume, a woman who was equally beautiful but carried an air of arrogance and impatience, was warmly hosting him.
"General Dourde, you and the gifts you brought are a true blessing! With the Trade Federation's help, that wretch Sesayia will absolutely be unable to compete with me!" Taa Chume said triumphantly.
"Your Highness, the Trade Federation is always happy to assist friends. Your promise, regarding your ascension to the throne—" "Of course! Of course!" Taa Chume quickly assured him. "As soon as I become Queen, everything in Hapan can be opened up to the Trade Federation."
"Since that is the case, Your Highness, I believe we should plan in advance. Delays breed trouble. Why don't we strike tomorrow, before the Second Princess fully understands the situation?" Dourde suggested.
Taa Chume hesitated. "Tomorrow? Won't the preparations be rushed..." "Speed is paramount," Dourde interrupted her. "We will transport the droids into the core area of the palace and seize Princess Sesayia directly. Afterward, our ships will immediately arrive from other star systems to help you secure the throne."
Swayed by Dourde's confidence and the depiction of a swift victory, Taa Chume gritted her teeth: "Fine! I will follow the General's plan! We strike tomorrow!"
Outside, a small servant who overheard everything immediately sent a message to the Second Princess, but was discovered by another servant who shouted loudly. The First Princess heard the servant's shout, stepped out, and immediately ordered the eavesdropping servant killed.
"Replace all the carpets here with new ones. They are too dirty," the First Princess calmly ordered.
Dourde rather admired this ruthless woman, but the Trade Federation did not need such a strong-willed female ruler.
In the Mandalore Shipyard, Kote finished the live simulation test of the new Fang fighter and jumped out of the cockpit, expressing satisfaction to the designers. Just then, his private communicator vibrated.
It was an encrypted communication routed through Omen, originating from the veronia.
Kote walked to a quiet spot nearby and answered the call. Visa's anxious face appeared in the holographic projection.
"Boss Kote! Emergency situation! This trade mission seems to have unearthed something massive."
Listening to Visa's report, Kote's brow gradually furrowed. The Hapan Cluster? A closed matriarchal society? A princess vying for the throne? The Trade Federation? And what was this about Second Princess Sesayia explicitly pledging allegiance?
The amount of information was huge, but Kote quickly grasped the key points: a potentially strategically important star cluster might defect to Mandalore, and the Trade Federation was preparing to intervene.
"Are you safe right now?" Kote first asked about the safety of Visa and the others, as that was the main priority.
"The Princess is aboard the ship. Since the situation seems to have deteriorated, it is safe here," Visa explained the current situation.
Kote pondered for a moment. The Hapan Cluster was located on the Inner Rim, a unique position. If Mandalore could control it, it would be strategically significant for Mandalore's layout in the Outer Rim and even the Inner Rim. Sesayia's defection was an excellent opportunity, but rashly intervening in the internal politics of another nation, especially militarily, carried immense risk. However, Hapan had not joined the Republic.
"Let the Princess speak with me. I want to know what she is thinking."
At this moment, Princess Sesayia was called over by Visa to face Kote.
The moment Sesayia saw Kote, her face instantly flushed. After all, Hapan people have extremely high aesthetic standards, and she had fallen for Kote's appearance the first time she saw him on the holonet.
Furthermore, his speeches and his ideals for the future had captivated her.
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