After revealing a glimpse of the future to Obi-Wan, Obi-Wan largely sided with Kote. The two then headed to their destination: the armory.
Kote showed Obi-Wan the agricultural machinery currently being built in the armory.
"Uh… shouldn't it be ground vehicles or something?" Obi-Wan pointed at the harvesters being assembled inside.
"Only by developing agriculture first can we develop everything else. Vadir is now an agricultural planet, exporting a vast amount of food. Of the planet's four continents, three are dedicated to growing food and developing mining. Only the continent we are on is inhabited by people; the rest is worked entirely by droids." Kote explained why the armory was assembling harvesters.
Obi-Wan nodded, indicating that he hadn't misjudged him; he was still the same Kote.
"Then let's have a reporter conduct an exclusive interview to conclude this investigation. It's been over half a year; Lott Dodd has long wanted to return to Coruscant. Let him go; anyway, the Trade Federation's army has already been disbanded, and we still need to contend with the Judicial Department for ships." Kote told Obi-Wan his plans.
Three days later, Kote found a holonet reporter with the widest reach in the Galaxy to conduct an exclusive interview with him.
"Hello, Duke Kote Vizsla, thank you for allowing us to conduct an exclusive interview. As one of Mandalore's current de facto rulers, can you tell us why you achieved your current accomplishments at the age of nineteen?" The female reporter from Coruscant smiled as she asked Kote.
The recorder next to them was documenting the interview.
"This brings me to my parents. They were both outstanding talents in Mandalorian society. During an assassination, my parents were killed, and I was subsequently expelled from the Vizsla Clan. Soon after, war broke out. During the war, I adopted many children and formed a clan with them, and then, as everyone knows, things progressed." Kote casually recounted these little-known stories.
"I didn't realize you had such an experience before. May I ask what feelings you harbored when you adopted those children?" the reporter pressed.
"That was when Death Watch was clearing out a branch of the Wren Clan. I originally intended to scavenge for things to sell for money after the battle, but I suddenly encountered the first child I ever met in my life. I couldn't watch him die before my eyes, so I rescued him. But he had nowhere to go, so he could only follow me scavenging, and that's how the group grew large." Kote recounted the scene at the time.
"That's truly touching. So, your later company, Free Mandalore, was also established on this Foundation?" the reporter asked.
"No, Free Mandalore and Vadir Shipyards were built by my parents; I was merely forced to inherit them. But it can also be said that it was for these brothers to have food and a better life." Kote wiped away two tears.
"Can you tell us about the Outer Rim Protectorate Alliance and the New Death Watch? I heard the latter was founded by you; can you personally respond to that?" The reporter asked a rather sharp question.
"This question is quite interesting. The Outer Rim Protectorate Alliance was founded based on the Free Mandalore Security Company's role as the Foundation, due to the current situation in the Outer Rim. Members who join receive protection from the Alliance members and are not exploited by some mega-corporations on trade routes." Kote answered about the Alliance's situation.
"As for what you call the New Death Watch, that is a more complex situation. Initially, this organization was funded and paid for by me, used to maintain security within the Mandalorian Sector, to eliminate smugglers and pirates. But now it is one of the armed protection organizations under the Alliance, and it is the New Death Watch, an official cooperation between the Alliance and the Republic in the Outer Rim." Kote introduced the current New Death Watch to the people.
"Not only are you good to your own people, but you also promote the environment of the entire Outer Rim; it's truly a blessing for the Outer Rim. But how do you view the current belief among some that you and the Mandalorian Government are now building an army?" This was the reporter's true purpose, finally asked.
"I believe all reporters should have some understanding of this matter. After all, hearing is one thing, but seeing is believing. Have any of you seen a shipyard capable of building a powerful fleet on Mandalore? I think not, let alone a fleet. Those thirty-odd frigates are Mandalore's old reserves from many years ago. Based on these, they want to falsely accuse a Councilman loyal and devoted to the Republic. I think because they did such a thing, they assume everyone else is like them." Kote subtly mocked the Trade Federation's group of guys, saying they could only bark.
"I think Duke Kote is tired, so this exclusive interview concludes here. Thank you again for accepting our interview!" The female reporter, seeing that there was enough content, ended the exclusive interview.
The recorder paused at this moment, and Kote stood up, thanked the people around him, and then returned to Vadir's military camp.
Subsequently, the reporters present immediately began creating news.
"Shocking! Duke Kote's Childhood Was Like This…"
"You'd Never Imagine Councilman Kote Is Such a Person!"
"What's the Difference Between the Trade Federation and the Protectorate Alliance? Do You Know?"
As a bunch of chaotic news spread across the holonet, the footage of the exclusive interview was broadcast on tens of thousands of planets. On Coruscant, however, this footage did not cause much of a stir, because more things were happening on Coruscant every day; only a few Councilmen paid attention.
"Councilman Kote is indeed of a similar mind to us. In the Senate, we can become allies and do better things for the Republic." Senator Organa said to Councilman Mothma next to him, watching Kote's influence.
"I also believe Councilman Kote is someone who wants to make the Republic better and will not be bribed or bought by others." Mon Mothma also agreed with Senator Organa's opinion.
In the Speaker's office, Palpatine watched Kote's interview.
"Very clever tactics. He didn't even let the investigation team find any flaws throughout the entire process. He's truly a talent. He even used these reporters to launch more counterattacks, improving his reputation. However, this method is very similar to the methods my Master gave me before. What astonishing talent." Palpatine praised Kote as he watched the exclusive interview.
"Then you must join me now, otherwise, who knows what unexpected things might happen. Let you develop, and when the grand plan succeeds, you will be my best assistant. That way, I can concentrate on studying the alchemy in those manuals." Palpatine admired Kote more and more, realizing that he was even more dazzling than Palpatine himself at that age. But precisely because of this, he needed to keep him by his side; destroying the Jedi required him.
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