Blood of Mandalore

Chapter Five: The Triumph

The day before the Triumph, Mando and Cara arrive in Naboo airspace which was a sight to see. The atmosphere and the boundary in space was buzzing with ships of all makes and nations. Citizens and supporters from all corners of the Mid Rim and the Republic have crowded to the eastern side of the planet. The east was painted with the colors of life itself: greens and blues divided neatly and when they bordered, it was a beautiful swirl and dotting of both shades. The capital of Naboo, Theed, was built thousands of years ago on this side of the planet.

The other half of the planet, however, was a grim and heartbreaking scar from the Empire. Descending into the atmosphere, Mando could see the stark contrast from luscious green and blue earth to the scorched remains.

"You wanna know what caused that?" Cara's husky voice filled his ears.

"Half the planet gone? Was it-?"

"-Operation: Cinder? Sure as hell was."

Cara was on-world during the last stand in the war. After the Emperor fell, Naboo was razed by the Cinder relays until they went offline. Everyone thought it was the end until high-ranked Imperials began to rule over worlds as their warlords. Naboo was no different. Memories began flooding back for the former shock trooper, far more quiet than her usual self. She stayed focused on piloting the ship. She now had the bigger ship compared to the Mandalorians.

Cara follows signals and comms directing all landing ships to space stations where they registered their spot. There was no longer enough space for someone to land due to the volume of visitors.

The two are shuttled down with dozens of other celebrants. The ship had a few guards. The surface, however, was under extreme guard. It was the most either of them had seen in one place.

"Chain code." The guard's robotic voice reverberated through their helmets.

They scanned everyone leaving the shuttle. Cara, still used to her outlaw ways, was hesitant. Yet she felt relief wash through her shoulders as she was sent through without incident. As a Marshal and her service taking down Gideon's Remnant, her crimes were pardoned.

"Chain code."

It was Mando's turn. For him it was still also an alien concept. He rarely used his chain code. He always preferred finding access points that did not require scans. Just like Cara, he too was cleared and sent along without fuss.

Visitors were directed down a designated path carved out by the Monarchy itself for this occasion. Streamers, banners, flags, so much fluttered in the cool air. Naboo has always been deemed a world perfect for vacations due to its beaches, lush landscapes, the cultures within its cities, and all the works. Even after the west was ravaged by the Empire.

Every participant, whether they be citizen or foreign, must go through a massive and open structure. Mando could read the signs despite all the bodies obstructing his vision. He had already set his helmet to drown out the hundreds of voices around him and Cara.

"The Triumphal Arch," Mando hums to himself.

The entrance was indeed a massive and ornate stone arch, decorated lavishly with statues; friezes of history and themes according to Naboo tradition. The arch itself continued on becoming a long tunnel with plenty of space to tell the histories.

The entrance focused on the early history of Naboo: the formation of the planet, evolution of native life forms that would become the Gungans, the colonization by the humanoid peoples that migrated from the core, the works. Once humanoid civilization was established and Naboo sprang from a mere concept to a reality, grand frescos began to portray the history of the Naboo people.