Post by Nicole on Aug 24, 2011 16:13:09 GMT -5
Concord Dawn: Alliance Meeting
While the clans struggled to find their leaders, Ranah and Zev had opened up the MandalMotors citadel for refugees from the war with the Vong as well as that of the recent clash with the Federation. Leaving Mandalore and heading back to Concord Dawn, they were thrown back into the restoration efforts over the planet as well as on the surface. Zev knew Ranah had contacted the Alliance. He knew the proposal inside and out as he had been the one to whom she had read her proposal to. Revising it multiple times she had gone ahead without him, but Zev trusted her to do the right thing.
Focusing his efforts mainly in the capital of Concord Dawn he lived out of bombed out ruins and labored to pull the rubble from the streets and homes they would later reconstruct. That was when word reached him that the Alliance would be coming. They would have some time to prepare. And prepare they did. Overtime the city would be transformed into a city of survival tents lining the cleared streets. While most of the dust and soot had been cleared from the sky, the world still seemed gray and uninviting. The Mandalorian’s however did not seem glib or weary; they sang songs while they worked to keep morale up.
It would be this scene that would welcome the Alliance when they finally touched down on the planet. A large circular building with blown off dome which still clung to the side of the building in a fit of snarled masonry. Inside there would be a large table. The rooms inside where indistinguishable from the next, each one merging with the next in a tangle of a Mandalorian’s lost life. The bodies had been pulled from the rubble and given the rites as they were burned together. A family of four it would seem by the only surviving pictures. They weren’t even able to identify the names. Zev thought it a fitting place to hold council with the Alliance, so that they might see firsthand what the abandonment of the Republic had cost the Mandalorians.
He waited patiently, resplendent in his Mandalorian armor, two guards stationed at the entrance to the building. They would be brought into the intersection that the house stood on so they would have little to walk.
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Post Fri Aug 12, 2011 9:56 pm by Nicole
While Zev manned the former citadel of Concord Dawn's Capital, Ranah was on the street below, speaking with the people who made their home on the streets instead of the buildings that had once stood nearby. Ranah was busy speaking with a mother, who held a child in one arm and another tucked against her leg, speaking of how her husband had been killed as a warrior in the resistance to the Federation. As she spoke Ranah could see a sense of sentiment in the woman's eyes as she spoke of her husband, but in the three of them Ranah never saw once hint of regret, if anything they were prideful they had stood up and fought for their home.
"One day I'm going to be a warrior like my father was!" the eldest child shouted up at Ranah, her golden orbs settled on the lad and a hand rested on his shoulder as she knelt down eye-level with him, a nod from the Resol was given as she grinned and spoke.
"Indeed you shall be. Maybe even greater than, but don't forget.. either of you." she glimpsed to the youngest and then back to the older boy.
"That you were both here when your people stood up and drove out a superior force, by determination alone." Ranah stated.
"Not a Superior Force, just a better armed one." the older boy quipped back.
Ranah chuckled, giving him a pat on the shoulder before she teased, "Better be careful of this one, he's getting good at those lines, he might be Resol one day." the boy grinned largely before running off to catch up to one of his friends.
Ranah's eyes looked back to the mother, " I promise you, your husband's sacrifice will not be forgotten, nor shall any of our fallen brothers and sisters.." Ranah's voice rose at the end. "I envy them! For they died as warriors on the battle field. " Ranah drew her blade from it's holster on her leg and held it up skyward.
"Cuy'val Dar! (To those who no longer exist!)" she shouted.
"Cuy'val Dar! Cuy'val Dar! Cuy'val Dar!" came the unisoned voice of those around.
With such Ranah sheathed her blade back in it's holster before she turned about and headed towards the doors of the Citadel to join the Mand'alor.
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Post Fri Aug 12, 2011 10:30 pm by Praenuntius
Re: Concord Dawn: Alliance Meeting
Post Fri Aug 12, 2011 10:30 pm by Praenuntius
From the broken domed building he could hear the haggard cheers of the working crews as Ranah made her return to the citadel. Looking around the gray and black walls, he couldn’t help but lament the loss of so many. No Gods had ever held Zev’s beliefs but he knew he could never forget the slaughter committed that fateful day. Nor the slaughter he unleashed in his fury. He didn’t regret it. An eye for an eye, that was the Mandalorian way.
Moving through the crumbling remains of the citadel he would meet Ranah coming down the street. As always she inspired the men and women she passed. It didn’t take him long to realize where the cry originated. She had instigated it and along with her cries spurred the crews to even greater efforts. Taking a few steps from the entrance and away from the guards he had posted, he stood on the street to capture his wife with a stare.
As always his features where concealed beneath his helmet, scarlet glossed plates glistening in the pale sun overhead. “Inspiring the troops again?” She might catch the hint of pride and warmth in his brief greeting. He was so very proud of his wife. “They should be here soon. We should get ready.” Cracking and thudding back up the sidewalk he slid her arm through his, remaining silent as they entered the hollowed shell of the citadel. Only that lonely table and the forlorn stack of data pads detailing the efforts and the attack by the Federation. Chairs had been set up around the table.
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Post Fri Aug 12, 2011 10:46 pm by Nicole
Ranah's helmet was tucked beneath her arm as she stepped up to Zev as he intercepted her. Her free arm was with his as she followed him down the street, neither allowing nor disallowing him to lead, they both knew where they were going, they simply kept pace.
"The people need no inspiration. They're Mandalorians." she stated, casting a glimpse towards him, even if she did hear the pride in his voice at least she quipped a small grin towards him. "But they do need reminded from time to time that we haven't forgotten them. That the work on Mandalore will soon benefit us all." she replied. "Concord Dawn was never envisioned to have two planets worth of our people on it in such a short time. Once Mandalore can be inhabited more freely again, then they at least will be able to spread out. " she replied.
"Once we establish the remaining clans, they can retake their lands on Mandalore. The lands that do not get claimed should be set aside for agricultural purposes for the rest of the people. This winter will be tough for most of them, we have to ensure we have food." Ranah replied, tightening her grip on Zev's arm slightly before she loosened to step inside the doorway and move with him to the top floor where the roof was missing, open to the skies above, a light wind already casting it's breeze in through the rooftop.
She glimpsed back towards Zev after a moment, "Do you know when the soil on Mandalore will be fit to farm again?" she asked him.
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Post Fri Aug 12, 2011 11:01 pm by Praenuntius
Listening intently to everything he was being told, he couldn’t help but agree. She had a knack for seeing the things he just couldn’t get to. Perhaps that is why they made such a great team. He continued on in silence until she asked her question. “Preliminary reports suggest within the year. But they haven’t begun reseeding, it could be more, could be less.” A finicky answer he didn’t like.
He gave a roll of his shoulders and continued on around the table and in a few clicks removed his helmet. Setting it upon the table so that his visor faced him, he looked over the reflection they cast. Side by side, “As far as food goes – Oburade has been working on that and with Duncan’s assistance we should be able to cover food shortages on Concord Dawn as well as that on Mandalore. We will be cutting it short but if the estimates are right, we should be able to harvest next year’s crop on time here, as for Mandalore.” Again he shrugged. Ranah had the right of it when she spoke of given the clans their old territories back and setting the rest as agricultural land. Concord Dawn had been mostly agricultural but in the past few years had been urbanized to make room for the rapidly climbing population.
Now with Mandalore being reclaimed and cured of its toxic plague, they would be able to spread the populations out and turn Concord Dawn once more into the bread basket it used to be. Pulling one of the data pads from the stacks he touched the screen and a holographic display of the crop yield estimates for next year on Concord Dawn. “I’m not sure if Oburade is being optimistic or not, but if these figures add up correctly by next year Concord Dawn will be feeding itself and most of the sector.”
Turning off the projection he set the data pad aside, while his stormy eyes searched for her golden gaze. “Not like our people haven’t been on shortened rations before. We’ll get through and hopefully we won’t have to tighten the belt to do it.” Ranah saw firsthand just how hardy the Mandalorian people where. Their planet had just been ravaged not more than a few weeks ago and yet they had crawled forth from the ruins and declared that they were not beaten. Their spirit was not crushed, they would remember and they would live on.
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Post Fri Aug 12, 2011 11:57 pm by Nicole
Ranah sat her helmet next to Zev's on the table, facing the opposite direction in irony as she glimpsed back towards him, her eyes studying those stormy orbs which told her of the progress and how long it would take. She stepped over to him, there was concern in his eyes, such a firm and unyielding expression on the rest of his face though, her fingers rose up, a light trace of one along the scar on his cheek before she nodded to him.
"Worry not, our people are strong. We will make it with or without anyone elses help." she replied lightly before she drew back from him and took the datapad he'd referenced and plugged it into the dataport on her wrist, downloading it's details for further review at a later time before she placed it back into the stack, all useful information.
Just then, there was sound of a distant rumble in the sky. Ranah's eyes came upward as she scanned the darkening clouds and glimpsed back to Zev. "I hope he arrives soon, else he may get wet." she smirked some.
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Post Sat Aug 13, 2011 12:08 am by Praenuntius
The forecast had called for rain and with the distant rumble it looked more than likely they would all be rained upon. Scanning the sky with his keen eyes he bit back his uncertainty. Ranah was right they would live one way or the other. It was the asking for help that disturbed him the most. Oh he could see the reasoning of it. After all he had been the one to propose it, but he still felt uneasy trusting this new Galactic Alliance that had formed in the wake of the Republic power vacuum.
Even if the Alliance had spurned the Republic, they were willing to pick up the debt the Republic owed the Mandalorian people, if this Vincent Lightbringer was to be believed. Turning his gaze back on the table and then on up to his wife’s golden gaze, “They shouldn’t be much longer – I doubt they will be scared of a little rain.”
“I just hope I’m doing the right thing Ranah. For our people, it just sickens me that the Federation can come in here and wipe us out at will. I had thought it would be so simple, starting the movement, getting the people to rise up and cast off their chains…” For a man who had seen so much devastation throughout the Vong war, it was amazing he expected anything less from the Federation.
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Post Sat Aug 13, 2011 12:17 am by Nicole
Ranah turned back to Zev and crossed her arms, folding them neatly across her chest as she tilted her head with a slight perk of her brow and a serious comment for her to reply.
"Do I need to break your nose again for you to realize that you're the best and that we, myself and the people out there.." Ranah pointed to the narrowly viewed street through one of the holes in the wall. "chose you because we trust you to do the right thing."
Ranah exhaled a little bit, "If I thought it was a bad idea I'd of never went along with it." she replied, giving him a playful shove before smirking. " besides... we're not so easily put down and wiped out."
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Post Sat Aug 13, 2011 12:25 am by Praenuntius
Zev knew better than that. While people would follow you one day, they would shove a dagger in your back the next. What they were doing could easily be considered treason. The Mandalorian’s had never asked for help in the millennia they had existed. And while she was right, they wouldn’t be a pushover, Ranah knew just as well as he did that they could wipe out their fleet and bombard every planet in the sector should it please them. This was the only feasible course of action. A defensive pact to help them get on their feet once more, “Would that I had the faith in myself that you and the people put in me,” he cornered her with his hard calculating eyes. His voice soft so as to take the sting out of his words, “I just want what is best for our people, I don’t second guess this Alliance, I just don’t want to shame us all, I don’t like asking for help and certainly not from the leavings of the Republic.”
This Vincent fellow spoke a great deal even seemed a great warrior. Unfortunate that they had never met on the field of battle, Zev would have been able to gauge the man’s intent. Shaking his head he moved close to Ranah, “It’s not that we wouldn’t put up a fight and a valiant one at that… Defiant to the last… Its that we would fight until the last until we forced them to shell us from the air. I don’t doubt the tenacity of our people or our indomitable will to survive – but I’ve seen what fleets like that can do and it…” He was tensing up, she might feel the rage boiling to the surface, “Sickens me to have to call in debts to look weak in front of our people…But I see no other course. May you all forgive me if it’s the wrong one.”
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Post Sat Aug 13, 2011 12:39 am by Nicole
Ranah's arms, formerly crisp across her chest released as she approached Zev, she could sense the anger in him and as she got within range she grabbed him, stepping as close as to stand just before his face and speak with a tone just as low enough that he could hear it.
"Then don't ask. Let them offer it. " she whispered to him, her golden hues focused right on his as she drew in a slightly quickened breath. Part of her wanted to smack him and yell at him to wake up, but the majority of her saw the injured look of pride in Zev's eyes. Her rigid stance against him softened slightly after a moment as she brought her hand forward and touched the chestplate of his armor before looking to it and then back to his eyes.
"At minimum we need supplies that they can provide us and we have a few things that might benefit them. If nothing at all we can determine this Alliance's views on the Federation. Learn about them as much as we can while they're here. "
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Re: Concord Dawn: Alliance Meeting
Striking a chord with Ranah was always a risky pursuit. He hadn’t meant to offend his wife. But she seemed to soften when she saw his eyes, how torn he was between the decisions. Having seen so many truly deplorable acts committed in the Vong war. Ranah had been to her own hells, though he had never asked, he saw that edge to her looks.
Again as usual Ranah had the right of it. Don’t ask for it, let them offer it and then seize upon it. “We do have Phobium to offer, as well as the new deposits found on Mandalore.” And of course the rigorous training that all Mandalorians underwent, they would have a full deck to play with. However the job of Diplomat did not fall on the Mand’alor, he was a leader, a warrior, but not seasoned in the art of politics.
He nodded his head after his last words, “We will learn as much as we can. But you, Resol will need to back me up. I am not the accomplished word smith you are. You saw how I screwed up with the Federation. I will do the talking but you pull me aside the moment you think we are getting a bad deal.”
His smile said his thanks, his hand touching her bicep was reassurance enough that he at least felt better about the decision. Felt like the Mandalorian Government wouldn’t just be taking something, but also giving something in return. There was no shame in a fair deal after all. That’s how most Mandalorian’s lived. They got paid to fight wars so the wealthy could sit back in relative ease and comfort.
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Post Sat Aug 13, 2011 8:16 pm by Nicole
Ranah's eyes lingered on Zev's as he asked for her to back him up, she bowed her head slightly, eyes lowered only momentarily as she commented, "As is my oath as Resol, I will answer any call the Mand'alor wishes of me." she replied. She stepped to him once more, bringing her hand up to touch his jaw as she brought his eyes to hers and gave a small glide of her fingertip along his brow as she valued the bold features of the Mandalorian before her.
"And on a side note, I'll always back up my husband." she replied, taking her finger and giving a playful touch to the tip of his nose, "The Federation is led by the Sith, and the Sith scheme far too much, in the end, they underestimated us. The battle will not be remembered where we screwed up, but were we succeeded and gained our freedom." she told him, her eyes focused firmly on his.
"You are a leader of one of the strongest races of people in the galaxy. A Mand'alor of our people and for our people. Our worlds may be damaged, and left in ruin, but we will persevere. You will lead us to the future, to rebuild and secure ourselves. You will be Mand'alor et Ori'gehaat'ik. (the Epic )." she replied, casting him a sly grin before giving him a firm and coercive punch to the shoulder. "Assuming you start acting like one." she retained her grin as she stepped past him back to the table.
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Post Sun Aug 14, 2011 5:11 am by Praenuntius
Remaining where he was, he looked into her golden gaze. Every time he found himself looking into Ranah’s eyes he couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking, what she was feeling. For once he didn’t have to guess, for it was written plain as black on white, love and admiration. Stormy eyes would hold that gaze throughout. Zev was speechless that she could put so much faith in a man who had so little real experience leading people beyond the field of battle.
He didn’t dwell in those thoughts, instead focusing on the strength and determination that went into every word, every subtle touch of her gloved hands. Even with a layer of cold metal, she guided him to resolution within himself. Ranah was right, she always was, he would be a good leader so long as he remembered where he came from and who he ultimately served. The people, his wife; those where all that mattered and so long as he took care of both, he could never go wrong.
While he was too humble to ever believe he would be Ori'gehaat'ik, he could only smile at the sentiment. The punch would jolt him from her gaze. The smile exchanged for an arrogant grin as he brought a metallic hand to her butt in a light hearted slap. Joining her as she walked, the offending hand would weasel its way around her waist.
Looking over his enduring wife, he couldn’t be more proud of her. “You are right. I am the Mand’alor and its time I started acting like it. We will survive. We will remember and we will have our vengeance. The Federation owes us a debt of blood, as do the Sith. We will make the Alliance see the treachery of the Federation and the Darth who wields it.”
Stopping before the table he removed his arm from her slender waist, still staring at her with the strength and bull-headed determination that had seen him through many dark perils. “We will ask nothing of this Alliance. Let them come and see what has happened since the Republic abandoned us. Let them see that we do not forget, that we do not surrender… We are Mandalorians. We are defiant to the last. If the Alliance wants an alliance, then let it be forged in the blood and fire of battle. The Sith are our common enemy, the Federation the puppet they hide behind.”
He finally turned his eyes to the destruction all around them. “You are right Ranah Vrei, my Resol. I will lead our people to a future. A future with hope and strength; we will regain our footing, one way or another.”
Abruptly he took her in his arms and kissed her deeply and passionately. It was a romantic dream. Perhaps it was even foolish, but a man and a woman could dare to dream. With or without the Alliance they would find some way, some how to fight off the scourge of the Federation and the Sith.But in the last few minutes with his wife, he had truly begun to realize the important role she played in his life and just how valuable she was to him.
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Post Sun Aug 14, 2011 10:57 am by Ra_Leader_IPrincessLeia
Leia responded to the message from the new Resol of the Mandalore Sector. The holo vid, which did not have the same crispness as it would have in years previous, before the Vong war showed a tall elegant woman in her military uniform and her brown hair pinned up loosely in braids.
“Resol of Mandalore Rehan Vrei, I am Princess Leia Organa-Lightbringer Jedi Master and President of the New Galactic Alliance. It is my honor to meet you and very much appreciate your congratulations of the new governing body of what was formerly the New Galactic Republic. I would also like to congratulate you on your leadership ability during these long struggles with the Yuuzhan Vong, and other elements. You have surely proved your capability time and again. Allow the New Galactic Alliance to prove theirs. It is a shame for you to have had to ask our help, for indeed though the New Galactic Alliance splintered from those that left you to fend for yourselves during this struggle at the outset of the conflict with the Yuuzhan Vong, we take the responsibility upon ourselves and offer our assistance.”
Leia’s bright brown eyes were completely sincere. The Mandalors had been hit hard by the foreign threat, and still continued to fight, to win. It was their way. Leia was a warrior and she understood their code, their strength.
“High Admiral Vincent Lightbringer, Vice Admiral Mialaca Atek, and myself would like to personally come to Concord Dawn to meet with you. We believe the Resol of the Mandoalore Sector and her people deserve nothing less than our personal attention.”
Leia meant it, she would not send an envoy to such an important meeting. The Mandalorians were an entire race of warriors and very skilled diplomats they deserved to be met by warriors like themselves.
“Resol Rahan Vrei, we will be on our way shortly, when was arrive be sure the Alliance is willing to repay its debt to the Mandalore people. You do not need to ask for our assistance, for we know well what we owe to you and the Mandolare people.”
“Haat, Ijaa, Haa'it” The words were every bit as true for this New Galactic Alliance as it is was to the Mandalore. Leia did hope that when they arrived the Mandalorian culture would reverberate into their own soldiers. The training to become a soldier of the Alliance was not easy, but it was nothing like the tests of the Mandalores. Leia could envision a wonderful peace between their two great governing bodies.
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Post Sun Aug 14, 2011 11:49 am by Nicole
Ranah's eyes cut crisply towards Zev as his hand smacked against her armored ass plates. A slight grin curled at her lips before he joined her more at the table, seizing her by the waist and turning her to him once more, demanding her attention for his words as he came to terms with himself and what she'd said to him.
As the clarity settled to Zev's mind, her lips curled to a small smirk. His eyes scanned the destruction around them as he made his vow to see them through. She placed her hands on his sides and gripped slightly as she drew his focus back to her. "And I will be there helping you every step of the way. Mand'alor may be leader of our people, but no one ever said he had to do it by himself." she commented, making her own little vow to stick by his side.
No sooner had the last word left her lips than Zev had seized her and taken them with his own. Her gloved hand gripped at his neck as she pulled tighter against him, daring to savor that dream with him. Her eyes closed as she shared her deepest of compassion with him. Even now, there was a term:
Behind every great man there is a greater woman.
While such a phrase was not always entirely accurate, this is where it had originated, a woman, supporting her man, giving him strength and the focus he needed to be a great leader, a great husband and a great man. Zev was all these things, he just didn't always see it the way she did.
As her lips drew back from his, there was a lingered moment of reflection on the enjoyment but she soon shoved him back, curling her lips to a slight smirk at him as she folded her arms and leaned against the edge of the table.
No sooner than she'd touched it than there was a beeping from her wrist as an incoming message alerted her. Her eyes glimpsed towards Zev for a moment as she tapped it and angled her wrist towards the table where the holographic representation appeared. Ranah's eyes focused on the woman, studying her face, her hair. She seemed very regal, yet there in her eyes, even over the holonet there was the look of a warrior in her eyes.
If that hadn't been enough then the name certainly had been.
Ranah's form straightened a little as she listened to the rest of the message standing near shoulder to shoulder with Zev. Ranah's golden orbs focused as she gave the best unemotional look she could. While the woman's words gave her great joy, and certain appreciation, she couldn't betray the image that Zev wanted to portray. A strong people.
As Leia concluded her message Ranah's eyes glimpsed briefly to Zev for any signs that he wished to interrupt what she was about to say. She then returned her focus on the blueish image before her.
"Madam President, thank you for your kind words and generous offer. Mand'alor Khandrr and I would be more than honored for you and the High and Vice Admirals to join us here. We await your arrival. Haat, Ijaa, Haa'it, Madam President." With that Ranah's head bowed. It was a short response, she honestly didn't know what to say, she'd never been anyone of political influence before, and the Alliance offering so immediately left her almost speechless. Here she was expecting a whole song and dance, like they had done with the Federation during the armistice. Hopefully the speechless look hadn't crossed the holonet, to truly place a Mandalorian in such a position was almost... exhilarating.
As the image faded away Ranah's eyes looked to Zev again, a questioning look if she'd faltered in her response. "They do us a great honor by sending her - she is a legend, a warrior, but also a humanitarian, she will not let what has happened to us be brushed aside." she told Zev. The name Leia Organa was not one easily forgotten even in the years since the Rebellion.
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Post Sun Aug 14, 2011 2:12 pm by Praenuntius
The words spoken before their embrace had been heard. While she hadn’t vocalized it before, Zev knew she would have his back. She was equally tenacious and every weakness he held, she only reinforced with her own strength. Ranah Vrei was a force to be reckoned with and while he had never faced her as an enemy, he was more than intimate with the fortitude of her resolve. There was no better woman for the task of keeping Zev in line and no woman he would rather have. His lips seemed to say as much as those stole those few minutes away from the world.
Zev had led men on the field of battle. He had been prepared since Duncan came to his farm during his childhood. Prepared for the life of a warrior, he had never imagined he would be leading the mighty Mandalorian nation. He still expected to wake aboard the Adenn Naast and realize this was just all a dream and that the Federation still held dominance over the Mandalore sector. Reminding himself each and every day where he had come from and who his responsibility was to.
Shoved away he took in that golden gaze seeming to share to the emotion held there. There was a passion brimming to the surface, a swelling of pride and admiration, mixed in with his own feverish love. Neither of them may have voiced it as openly, but with looks like the one they now shared, there was no reason to say anything at all.
Before he could say anything at all, the silence was intruded upon by the beeping of Ranah’s wrist. Catching the look before she angled the holo projector over the table so that he might see the image as well, he knew of Leia Organa. There wasn’t a Mandalorian that didn’t know of her or her legendary exploits across the galaxy. Some even said over a pint of ale, that she was a Mandalorian who had forgotten to don her armor. His face betrayed none of his previous emotions, his posture even changing as it became more rigid. Broad shoulders looking more like an impenetrable wall as stormy eyes took on that steely cast.
Brows furrowed as he took in every word Leia said. Listening intently he could say that he was overjoyed the New Galactic Alliance was more than willing to step in where the Republic had failed them. And even better, they knew just how it had shamed the warrior spirit of the Mandalorian’s to call in the debt.
When his wife looked to him, he gave a subtle shake of the head. Zev could sense the unease in Ranah, though he could only hear the confidence when she spoke. When the message was relayed he made sure the projector was off before studying his wife once more. The impassive expression remained over his visage however. He was relieved there appeared to be no games, but he remained cautious and vigilant. “You did well Ranah and they do honor us in sending Leia Organa. We know of her.” Her Husband however was relatively unknown to Zev. He had to be a great man to be the consort of Leia.
“Our work is not yet done however. They have made the offer. Now we must accept it in a way that does not make us appear weak.” Touching the otherwise invisible panel on his forearm, he flipped it open and pressed a few buttons in rapid order. Bringing his arm to about chest height, “Mand’alor to Adenn Naast, XO have the prisoners brought down. We have also cleared the Alliance to land here, expect them promptly.” With that he closed the flap, ending the communication to the ship above.
“It’s time we executed the false Mand’alor for his crimes against his people.” Ranah and Zev had planned this out on their journey back from Mandalore, while Zev had wanted to do it on Mandalore, Concord Dawn was ultimately where the greatest sins had been committed by the traitorous Mand’alor. While he still professed his innocence and tried to defend his actions, no one could overlook the fact he had told Mandalorian’s to remove their armor, or the tragedy of Concord Dawn. All of it eventually leads to the false Mand’alor.
They would wait for the leaders of the New Galactic Alliance before they hung the false Mand’alor, so that they all might see a little justice served. An even greater present was just forming in the back of Zev’s mind as he regarded his wife in silence, eyes twinkling with mischief.
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Post Sun Aug 14, 2011 3:00 pm by Nicole
"Our work is never done Zev." she told him, focused on those stormy orbs that regarded her with such fervor. Her eyes glimsped to his forearm as he touched it, listening to the order he commanded, a recollection of what they had spoken of on the trip from Mandalore to Concord Dawn. Her eyes returned to Zev's after he'd completed his command, her breathing deepened a little.
While she wanted to believe the former Mand'alor was innocent, his actions had long since spoken louder than his words. The fact that he would cooperate with the Federation in the beginning, betraying the needs of his people for himself was reason enough, speaking the orders which devalued and destroyed their way of life, their very ideals was far more. A true Mand'alor would have never bowed, never knelt and never complied.
If he'd of died in defiance it would have been far more honorable than to die as a traitor to his people.
Zev and Ranah were being merciful in the manner of his execution, certainly any number of horrible misfortunes they could've used, a simple, clean hanging was far more than what he deserved, but he was still a Mandalorian - a traitor, but still one of them.
Zev's expression hadn't gone unnoticed by her however, a rise of her brow and a curious look spread across her face as she saw the deviant look rising in his eyes and across his face.
"What're you up to now Khandrr?" she inquired.
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Post Sun Aug 14, 2011 3:26 pm by Praenuntius
Scheming of ways to get his wife out of her armor he might have said. However all she got was a grin that promised as much and something a bit more devious. Zev had been toying with the idea for some time and her actions today only confirmed what he had already told himself. He pointed away from the table, signaling his desire for privacy with her.
Turning in that direction he stopped near a broken and crumbling wall. Zev had thought long and hard about what had occurred since Ranah came back into his life. Since the Federation retreat and the long weeks they had spent together rebuilding the Mandalorian nation. She might see this thigh compartment open at his behest, perhaps even hear the whisper of cloth over glossy metal as he pulled something from the hidden compartment before closing it.
When she came up beside him, the item, whatever it was, would be clenched in his fist. Zev would look anything but humble. An enduring man with a proud posture, the fierce look of a combatant, letting the silence continue on, he regarded her as she might regard him. Seeing in her all the qualities in a woman he desired: strong, enduring, passionate, cruel but just and above all, loyal. There were many more qualities, intelligence, exquisite beauty and an arrogance that only rivaled his own. What she saw he couldn’t say, but what he did know for certain, she saw something she liked. “Ranah.”
The stony face suddenly filled with the emotion he had been holding in, love, admiration, unflinching loyalty, “Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar'tome, mhi me'dinui an, mhi ba'juri verde.” And with that his hand opened. What lay there was a tattered round piece of cloth, its edges frayed, its dark background fading, but clear enough was the outline of the Vrei clan sigil. Zev belonged to no clan having instead preferred a mercenary life.
But even so, there was another sigil in his hand, on a black ground stood the white mythosaur skull he wore so proudly on his shoulder and T-visor. While this wasn’t part of the ceremony, he knew both would mean something to Ranah. Zev had no way of knowing who it had belonged to, only that like all the people under his command; he remembered each one he had lost. He had carried it ever since that fateful day on Mandalore. He never thought to see Ranah Vrei again and yet here she was. It may not of been appropriate given the impending delegation from the Alliance and the arrival of their prisoners, but Zev could wait no longer. She deserved more than just words.
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Post Sun Aug 14, 2011 4:18 pm by Nicole
Ranah was even more suspicious now as Zev guided her to one of the crumbling rooms left of the upper floor, it was far too small for them to hold the meeting in, but large enough for two Mandalorians to have an intimate moment. Ranah's eyes focused on Zev's, even more in the appearance of overwhelming emotion appearing on the man's face. Ranah had not seen such a look on Zev's face in a long time, since he had first shared his true feelings those years ago.
Ranah's eyes widened just a little as Zev spoke those sacred words to her. She looked down to his hand as it opened, presented the two sigil to her, one her own, the other of the same symbol Zev wore on his armor, the mythosaur skull. Ranah's hand placed into Zev's as she looked back to his eyes, her own proclaimed only the deepest of affection for him, the way she had always. Soon her forehead rest against his as she closed her eyes and spoke, " Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar'tome, mhi me'dinui an, mhi ba'juri verde, Zev."
Ranah's hand fished the Vrei cloth from Zev's hand as she brought it up while close against him, fingers worked it carefully into the top of Zev's armor from the neck, leaving it concealed beneath the plate as she leaned back and looked to his eyes.
"Keep it close to you Zev, for you are as much a part of them now as I. M'riduur." she spoke soft, while she took the white skull and placed it in the same location beneath her own armor.
"I am one with you in all things Zev."
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Post Sun Aug 14, 2011 4:46 pm by Praenuntius
It was only fitting that the sigil became his to wear. Officially of the Vrei clan, he would soon incorporate it in his suit, more than likely over the chest. Though the cloth sigil would remain with him, while they had already gone through the ceremony, their own exchange of words, he just wanted to reaffirm the vows taken.
When she was done placing his sigil he closed the gap between them. Placing his hands over her biceps, he gave a tight squeeze. “In all things Ranah.” The emotion began to drain away from his face, both his hands falling away. “Riduur.” There was work to do his tone seemed to say. While he cherished the tender moment, they had to be prepared for their prisoners as well as the delegation.
Leading them away from the room and back to the table, he took his helmet and put it back on. He had stolen enough time; it was time they went back to work. Clearing his head of thoughts of secluded moments with Ranah, he focused instead on preparing his statements and proposals to the delegation.
All they had to do was wait for the delegation to arrive. In the meantime they had the restoration efforts to oversee and take charge of. As well as setting up the gallows from the uppermost floor of the dome.
----------------------
Re: Concord Dawn: Alliance Meeting
Ranah's eyes lofted skyward as a shadow crossed over them. The slow lumbering form of the Sentinel passing by with it's symbol painted on the underside of it's wings in stark red caught her eye as it landed atop one of the larger ruined buildings. Any larger and it would've had to go to the temporary spaceport outside of the city.
Ranah's eyes broke away and returned to Zev after a moment as she considered and then commented, "Mand'alor, would you accompany me to speak with our prisoners prior to the Alliance's arrival?" she questioned him, casting a look towards him as she reached and picked up her helmet, tucking it beneath her arm.
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Post Mon Aug 15, 2011 9:35 pm by Praenuntius
Zev had always watched the incoming Sentinel marveling at the ingenuity of the pilots as they brought the shuttle over a mostly intact building. Nodding in the direction of Ranah, his gaze concealed by the T-Visor. “I will accompany the Resol as she questions the prisoners.” Judging by the size of the shuttle they would be under heavy guard.
He took the initiative leading the way away from the table, stopping only briefly outside with the two guards he had stationed there. “Clear the datapads off of the table, take them back to my tent.” They saluted as he moved away from there, thankful that it hadn’t started to rain just yet. The sky was certainly threatening a downpour; he had felt the humidity earlier.
They would meet the prisoners at the base of the ruined building. The building itself had been a large squat building, only a few floors, some sort of warehouse from the looks of things. The prisoners were held under a heavy guard of twelve Mandalorian’s and three sentry droids. Furthermore they were bound and chained together.
Being shuffled into a small closest just as Zev and Ranah entered, the Mand’alor would stand aside and cross his arms across his chest. His anger palpable and easily sensed as he said nothing, the guards anything but gentle as the made the Senator and the false Mand’alor kneel before the Mand’alor and the Resol. The guards would spread out behind the prisoners, no more than a foot behind them in case either of them tried to lunge towards the Resol or the Mand’alor.
Nodding at the man as they formed their semi-circle he looked to the Resol waiting for her to begin the interrogation.
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Post Mon Aug 15, 2011 9:41 pm by Nicole
Ranah's hardened eyes settled onto the two men as they were made to kneel before them. Ranah said nothing for the moment before she pointed to the Senator and nodded to one of the guards behind him.
"Unshackle him." she commented, her helmet still tucked beneath her arm, a brief glimpse towards the bruised face of the former Mand'alor. "Put him in his cell till time for the execution." she replied, stepping off to the side as she awaited the Senator to be unchained and then pulled up to his feet as Ranah motioned with her hand towards the door leading to the street.
"Senator, walk with me." she commented, a glimpse given to Zev to ensure he would attend, along with a pair of guards. She stepped out onto the street, awaiting the man to proceed with her.
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Post Mon Aug 15, 2011 9:46 pm by Praenuntius
The Mandalorian guards worked efficiently. Unshackling the Senator with a serious of clicks and the tinkle of chains being dragged away as the false Mand’alor was pulled back to his feet by his shoulders, arms bound behind him. The Sentry droids went with the eight guards that would accompany the puppet to his cell where another beating would occur.
The Senator while ruffed up was in fairly better condition, still wearing the clothing he had been incarcerated in, he had a slight odor of shit and piss. The guards left him alone for the moment, as the Senator would not doubt stretch and test his newfound freedom. Zev watched on, catching the look for his wife, but he would be the one to follow the Senator out the door, taking two guards with them as they did.
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 12:40 am by NemoSD
As the Mandalore was dragged away, he said in a firm, strong voice, "You've grown into a strong warrior. Absent of the wisdom of age, but that takes time." His face was stern and strong, "You are not the true Mandalore yet. I still live, and do you really intend to kill me tied up, against a post, like a common criminal? There are still those who are loyal to me and our ways. You are a popular upstart, but if you do not start adopting some of the old ways again... well you saw what happen when I strayed to far."
The Senator watched what was going on and only nodded towards Zev and Ranah, "Why carry on this charade. You've made up your mind, and surrounded yourself by puppets, you do not think I can not see that? My strings were cut, it helps you see the strings," he turns to look at Zev, "Beware your puppet master..."
Despite being finally untied, and he stood, did not try and run, and and gave the look of a man who had resigned himself to death.
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 12:54 am by Nicole
"You want to move on past the charade?" Ranah repeated, turning to glimpse at the Senator, before stepping right up to the man, her eyes locked right on his. "So be it."
"You mean nothing to me, at all. Killing you would be nothing more than giving the people a scapegoat to the slaughter. Your puppet master is sacrificing you. Did you really have anything to do with the bombardment of this planet?" Ranah questioned, her eyes narrowing, she could already sense the truth in the matter, yet she would give this one opportunity to speak the truth.
"You would do well to learn from the Mandalorians and never give up to the end. There' is always chance, always a possibility even unto the very end Senator." Ranah commented.
"I offer you yours. Speak the truth of who is behind the attack, speak it to me, the people, to the ambassadors from the Alliance and we will set you free. Let you leave with the Alliance in their protection. If you lie, then you seal your fate with death. Dropping you from the gallows.." Ranah stated, pointing upward towards the one being constructed above atop the building they were standing next to. " Is nothing I would dare break a sweat over. If you wish to live, then this is your chance, your people betrayed you, offered you to us, is it not time to speak against them?"
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 12:58 am by NemoSD
"Very well, I will do as asked, I will confess everything, and who is to blame, without reservation or hesitation," the Senator said, "And then you will kill me, either through action or inaction, but it is the best I can hope for."
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:00 am by Nicole
"Then confess Senator, only the truth will set you free."
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:04 am by NemoSD
"I have heard that statement before," the Senator said, "I would like to wait for the meeting with this Alliance. They are more likely to keep me alive and protect me then you are."
He stood firm, the look of a man who knows he is playing chicken with a freight train.
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:09 am by Praenuntius
Zev watched the false Mand’alor, his beaten and bruised face, the way his pride welled in those shining eyes. There was a Mandalorian in there somewhere. “Stop.” He said to the guards as he moved away from Ranah and the Senator, she had already gotten what she wanted without so much as a threat.
“Your compliments,” he spit on the ground before the Mand’alor. “I have summoned the Chieftains, let the clans see me. We will see who is Mand’alor.” The Mandalorian Guards forced the ex-Mand’alor to his knees as Zev neared. “But I can assure you of one thing, unlike you, I don’t dance beneath the puppet master because I have to, but because in order to meet the Master, I must first dance. You will die the traitor you are. Your excuses do not excuse what you have caused.”
He wouldn’t hit the bound man, as much as he wanted to strike him, as much as he wanted to make the man rue his fury, he knew better and restrained that anger. A coiling serpent in the pit of his stomach as his mood soured and dipped. “So if you’ve got something to say, best say it now, because the moment you reach the scaffold, is the moment you die. No more words, no more treachery, no more riddles, you had your chance at dying a Mandalorian.”
--------------------------
Re: Concord Dawn: Alliance Meeting
Ranah took one step further as she growled a bit beneath her breath and spoke once more.
"Then understand that you will give your testimony from the gallow and if you dare speak an ounce, one single word of untruth then it will be the last that leaves your lips before you have the life strangled from your body." Ranah made every word so perfectly clear before she stepped back and nodded to the two guards, "Return the Senator to his cell. "
Her eyes then looked to Zev before she moved to stand a few steps behind him, off to the side, her arms folding behind her back as she observed the two of them.
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:28 am by NemoSD
The Senator only nodded and said, "I have but no choice to accept your terms."
The Mandalore stood up, forcing the warriors to allow him to. "I was never a puppet. I made a choice for our people. I did not wish to be Mandalore, but no one else could be. So I took that burden. The Federation were the only ones to come to our aid. They were the only ones to fight for us. An Alliance with them was a must..."
He seemed to flash with anger, "The Warriors of the Shadow, you brought about the deaths, the destruction, brought upon our people. We had peace, but the children wanted to play adults, and burned the only bridge we had.
"Congratulations Mandalore, you believe you are the only one. You've had the choice forced upon you. Likely by a trusted adviser. Take charge of your duties before it is to late, and take the Mandalore title the proper way, in combat."
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:41 am by Praenuntius
When the Guards holding the ex Mand’alor down where about to kick out his knees, Zev stopped them with a shake of his head. “Do anyone say I was special? Hmm? Did you hear that from my own lips while you where rotting away in a cell?” Zev laughed, a cold and cruel thing, to think he almost felt pity for the poor sack of flesh before him.
Ranah was behind him he knew. Watching and weighing, he reminded himself this wasn’t a show for her or his guards. “It’s easy to sit there in your position.” Zev was still taller than the man, “and point the finger – but what it boils down to, you sold your people. We needed a way out? Pssh. There isn’t a Mandalorian here that has told me to surrender. There wasn’t a Mando on Mandalore, on Dromund Kaas that wanted surrender. You think we just decided one day we wanted freedom? Are you that blind and ignorant of your own people? You speak of the old ways – what do you know of the old ways?”
“You who told our people to remove their armor, you who sold our way of life for a few privileges like some lap dog looking for treats. We Mandalorian’s we don’t care for government, we don’t care for politics, we just want to do as we please – that’s why we have the Chieftains, the Mand’alor that brings all the clans together in common cause. But again, what would you know of the old ways? You sold us to a Sith. You are areutii. A Mandalorian never forgets. You didn’t battle for the title, it was bestowed upon you by a Sith. As I said, you are no Mand’alor, you are not Mandalorian. You will hang and the clans will decide who their leader is.”
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 8:58 am by Nicole
"A Mand'alor isn't chosen by battle." Ranah stated boldly, " Only the ignorant truly believe that." she stepped forward, standing near shoulder to shoulder with Zev as she cast her eyes upon the former Mand'alor before them, her arms tucked crisply behind her back where her hands clasped.
"A real Mand'alor, a true Mand'alor, is chosen by the people, for it is our choice to follow him, to give him any credence to that title, to call him Mand'alor."
Ranah gave pause to let her words sink in, "You may have called yourself Mand'alor, the Federation may have facilitated you to do so, controlled you, but you were not Mand'alor, you were a puppet. You lost your very way, and forgot your people entirely. We will not be ruled by an outside Force, some of us, most of us, would rather die than to bend knee."
Ranah moved forward more, coming right up to the man before her as her eyes settled so firmly on him, " And on a personal note.." Ranah accentuated with her gloved balled fist right in the man's face, hard enough that no doubt the man before her would sway back.
"Do not ever think the Vrei will stand by while you tarnish our name. My family have sacrificed more for their people longer than you have spoken word through your serpent's tongue." she replied, casting a well placed aim of her saliva right on his face before she turned back, only the will of the Force giving her strength not to kill him right then and there as the anger bubbled up just for a moment, her eyes turned and looked to Zev before she moved and stepped on around him, "If you'll excuse me Mand'alor Khandrr, I have things to attend to." she commented, having noticed the small flash of light on her gauntlet which spoke of newly stored message.
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:34 pm by NemoSD
"Then the people are truly run by children," the Mandalore said. "Ones with short memories. I earned my title before the Federation even knew we needed help. Kill me now, I do not want to see the future that you so blindingly are leading us into. Your lack of understanding spells a short life for your little government."
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 3:00 pm by Praenuntius
Crossing his arms over his chest he said nothing while Ranah punched the bound man. The guards took out his knees thereafter, sending the ex-Mand’alor plunging to his knees once more. Saying nothing to Ranah as she passed, he only nodded. The silence wore on as Zev finally stepped forward. Looking down on the kneeling man with his hard merciless eyes, “We recall quite well how you took the mantle. We also recall the Sith who was at your side. As I said, we do not forget.”
He reached forward to wipe the spit from the man’s face. He didn’t feel sorry for what Ranah had done. She had done exactly was he wanted to but responsibility and duty restrained his urge. “You’ve spoken many times. We’ve all had to listen to you. You never listened to us. You never welcomed us to the table, you only took the scraps, you above all should know that the Mandalorians are worth more than table scraps.”
He sighed visibly, having retracted his hand, disappointment ringing hollow in those frigid slate grey eyes. “I won’t fail where you did. I may be dancing, but the Spider will have to come out to eat its prey. It’s then that the moves I’ve made while dancing show their true meaning.”
He shook his head, a sad smile spread across his marred visage. “Fret not, I am not the Mand’alor yet, but judging by my actions and Ranah Vrei’s support, it won’t be long before the title is earned. You are not the prophesized end. Nor am I. I may look like a puppet, dance like one, but unlike you, I’ll choose death before I betray their trust and die like a true Mandalorian – standing for what I believe in. Standing, that should mean something to you. You’ll have your death soon enough.”
Zev leaned in again, the ex-Mand’alor properly restrained by the guards behind him. He whispered something then before standing up and ordering the man to be taken to his cell and prepared for his execution in the coming hours.
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Post Thu Aug 18, 2011 4:07 pm by Nicole
It wasn't long before the Marev exited hyperspace over Concord Dawn and proceeded down to the surface. In truth they were a bit hurried as the shuttle swooped down over the capital, landing amongst the rubble of a collapsed building. Tarja and A'den were the first two to depart it, no doubt the others would make themselves useful while the two were gone. Afterall, they were here to witness the execution that was to come.
Tarja was still coated in the, now hardened and dried green goo-dung mix with black sand all over her armor. And she smelled like a latrine. She supposed she was thankful she couldn't smell it, even if it did make her skin crawl at the thought.
They didn't seem anymore out of normal than usual she supposed, though she wasn't certain if people were stepping out of their way due to their fierce look or the smell of herself, eh, either way she wasn't having to wait on anyone.
Her eyes glimpsed towards A'den with his pack slung across his back, " You could've let me at least play with it for a bit longer." she pouted.
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Post Thu Aug 18, 2011 4:22 pm by Praenuntius
The datapad, the helmet and the breastplate where all packed primly in the bag slung over his shoulder, his helmet was off, the black acidic blood had stripped the crimson paint and while the smell was hideous he quite liked the new color to his armor. Spiraling black streaks intermingled with green flecks splattered over his breastplate and forearms.
Of course A’den wouldn’t of been A’den if he would’ve have left without taking a trophy or two. They had preserved the Tra’cor heads in the hold of the shuttle until a time they could be stuffed and mounted for all to see.
A’den had blonde wavy hair, curling at the edges, his visage also pocked with the scars of war. Though not nearly as bad as Zev, he prided himself on not getting his ass kicked after all. A perpetual smirk was ever flowering across his lips. His dark eyes narrowed and turned on his companion, it was hard to look stern, and “I think one night was more than enough Tarja. Besides if he ever found out,” he ran his thumb across his neck and chuckled.
So they had a night of fun in the mask. What was the worst that could happen?
Zev had taken his post once more at the savaged dome building, a canvas having been erected over the table, vid screens where propped up showing the latest progress from across the sector. A’den had kept the contents of his bag a secret from even the shuttle crew. The Resol and the Mandalore would not be expecting them, not quite so fast.
The guards stopped A’den, “Come on, let me see my brother. I’ve got a present for him. Better get the Resol if she ain’t here.” He glanced once more at his delectable companion while one guard went into inform Zev of their arrival.
He leaned close, the smirk warping into a grin, he whispered, “You smell like shit, why didn’t you take a bath in the lake like I told ya too?”
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Post Thu Aug 18, 2011 4:39 pm by Nicole
Tarja eyed A'den with his little comment, she shook her head, and proceeded on to the building where they'd been told that Zev and the new Resol were stationed for the time being. As they were stopped Tarja stood just behind A'den, they would not be denied, but A'den did always have a more diplomatic flair, Tarja personally would've just made a hole and headed on.
Though the big mouth of Khandrr the younger just had to talk about her smell. She tossed her arms upward some, dramatically.
"The last thing I wanted was to hang around that lake any longer than I had to. You weren't the one that was almost eaten by a Tra'cor." she muttered before she turned her way and moved towards a water hose that was laying on the sidewalk, fished through one of the holes in the rubble before she activated the nozzle, and began to hose her armor off, casting a look towards A'den.
"You know you smell just as bad."
While the clans struggled to find their leaders, Ranah and Zev had opened up the MandalMotors citadel for refugees from the war with the Vong as well as that of the recent clash with the Federation. Leaving Mandalore and heading back to Concord Dawn, they were thrown back into the restoration efforts over the planet as well as on the surface. Zev knew Ranah had contacted the Alliance. He knew the proposal inside and out as he had been the one to whom she had read her proposal to. Revising it multiple times she had gone ahead without him, but Zev trusted her to do the right thing.
Focusing his efforts mainly in the capital of Concord Dawn he lived out of bombed out ruins and labored to pull the rubble from the streets and homes they would later reconstruct. That was when word reached him that the Alliance would be coming. They would have some time to prepare. And prepare they did. Overtime the city would be transformed into a city of survival tents lining the cleared streets. While most of the dust and soot had been cleared from the sky, the world still seemed gray and uninviting. The Mandalorian’s however did not seem glib or weary; they sang songs while they worked to keep morale up.
It would be this scene that would welcome the Alliance when they finally touched down on the planet. A large circular building with blown off dome which still clung to the side of the building in a fit of snarled masonry. Inside there would be a large table. The rooms inside where indistinguishable from the next, each one merging with the next in a tangle of a Mandalorian’s lost life. The bodies had been pulled from the rubble and given the rites as they were burned together. A family of four it would seem by the only surviving pictures. They weren’t even able to identify the names. Zev thought it a fitting place to hold council with the Alliance, so that they might see firsthand what the abandonment of the Republic had cost the Mandalorians.
He waited patiently, resplendent in his Mandalorian armor, two guards stationed at the entrance to the building. They would be brought into the intersection that the house stood on so they would have little to walk.
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Post Fri Aug 12, 2011 9:56 pm by Nicole
While Zev manned the former citadel of Concord Dawn's Capital, Ranah was on the street below, speaking with the people who made their home on the streets instead of the buildings that had once stood nearby. Ranah was busy speaking with a mother, who held a child in one arm and another tucked against her leg, speaking of how her husband had been killed as a warrior in the resistance to the Federation. As she spoke Ranah could see a sense of sentiment in the woman's eyes as she spoke of her husband, but in the three of them Ranah never saw once hint of regret, if anything they were prideful they had stood up and fought for their home.
"One day I'm going to be a warrior like my father was!" the eldest child shouted up at Ranah, her golden orbs settled on the lad and a hand rested on his shoulder as she knelt down eye-level with him, a nod from the Resol was given as she grinned and spoke.
"Indeed you shall be. Maybe even greater than, but don't forget.. either of you." she glimpsed to the youngest and then back to the older boy.
"That you were both here when your people stood up and drove out a superior force, by determination alone." Ranah stated.
"Not a Superior Force, just a better armed one." the older boy quipped back.
Ranah chuckled, giving him a pat on the shoulder before she teased, "Better be careful of this one, he's getting good at those lines, he might be Resol one day." the boy grinned largely before running off to catch up to one of his friends.
Ranah's eyes looked back to the mother, " I promise you, your husband's sacrifice will not be forgotten, nor shall any of our fallen brothers and sisters.." Ranah's voice rose at the end. "I envy them! For they died as warriors on the battle field. " Ranah drew her blade from it's holster on her leg and held it up skyward.
"Cuy'val Dar! (To those who no longer exist!)" she shouted.
"Cuy'val Dar! Cuy'val Dar! Cuy'val Dar!" came the unisoned voice of those around.
With such Ranah sheathed her blade back in it's holster before she turned about and headed towards the doors of the Citadel to join the Mand'alor.
----------------------------
Post Fri Aug 12, 2011 10:30 pm by Praenuntius
Re: Concord Dawn: Alliance Meeting
Post Fri Aug 12, 2011 10:30 pm by Praenuntius
From the broken domed building he could hear the haggard cheers of the working crews as Ranah made her return to the citadel. Looking around the gray and black walls, he couldn’t help but lament the loss of so many. No Gods had ever held Zev’s beliefs but he knew he could never forget the slaughter committed that fateful day. Nor the slaughter he unleashed in his fury. He didn’t regret it. An eye for an eye, that was the Mandalorian way.
Moving through the crumbling remains of the citadel he would meet Ranah coming down the street. As always she inspired the men and women she passed. It didn’t take him long to realize where the cry originated. She had instigated it and along with her cries spurred the crews to even greater efforts. Taking a few steps from the entrance and away from the guards he had posted, he stood on the street to capture his wife with a stare.
As always his features where concealed beneath his helmet, scarlet glossed plates glistening in the pale sun overhead. “Inspiring the troops again?” She might catch the hint of pride and warmth in his brief greeting. He was so very proud of his wife. “They should be here soon. We should get ready.” Cracking and thudding back up the sidewalk he slid her arm through his, remaining silent as they entered the hollowed shell of the citadel. Only that lonely table and the forlorn stack of data pads detailing the efforts and the attack by the Federation. Chairs had been set up around the table.
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Post Fri Aug 12, 2011 10:46 pm by Nicole
Ranah's helmet was tucked beneath her arm as she stepped up to Zev as he intercepted her. Her free arm was with his as she followed him down the street, neither allowing nor disallowing him to lead, they both knew where they were going, they simply kept pace.
"The people need no inspiration. They're Mandalorians." she stated, casting a glimpse towards him, even if she did hear the pride in his voice at least she quipped a small grin towards him. "But they do need reminded from time to time that we haven't forgotten them. That the work on Mandalore will soon benefit us all." she replied. "Concord Dawn was never envisioned to have two planets worth of our people on it in such a short time. Once Mandalore can be inhabited more freely again, then they at least will be able to spread out. " she replied.
"Once we establish the remaining clans, they can retake their lands on Mandalore. The lands that do not get claimed should be set aside for agricultural purposes for the rest of the people. This winter will be tough for most of them, we have to ensure we have food." Ranah replied, tightening her grip on Zev's arm slightly before she loosened to step inside the doorway and move with him to the top floor where the roof was missing, open to the skies above, a light wind already casting it's breeze in through the rooftop.
She glimpsed back towards Zev after a moment, "Do you know when the soil on Mandalore will be fit to farm again?" she asked him.
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Post Fri Aug 12, 2011 11:01 pm by Praenuntius
Listening intently to everything he was being told, he couldn’t help but agree. She had a knack for seeing the things he just couldn’t get to. Perhaps that is why they made such a great team. He continued on in silence until she asked her question. “Preliminary reports suggest within the year. But they haven’t begun reseeding, it could be more, could be less.” A finicky answer he didn’t like.
He gave a roll of his shoulders and continued on around the table and in a few clicks removed his helmet. Setting it upon the table so that his visor faced him, he looked over the reflection they cast. Side by side, “As far as food goes – Oburade has been working on that and with Duncan’s assistance we should be able to cover food shortages on Concord Dawn as well as that on Mandalore. We will be cutting it short but if the estimates are right, we should be able to harvest next year’s crop on time here, as for Mandalore.” Again he shrugged. Ranah had the right of it when she spoke of given the clans their old territories back and setting the rest as agricultural land. Concord Dawn had been mostly agricultural but in the past few years had been urbanized to make room for the rapidly climbing population.
Now with Mandalore being reclaimed and cured of its toxic plague, they would be able to spread the populations out and turn Concord Dawn once more into the bread basket it used to be. Pulling one of the data pads from the stacks he touched the screen and a holographic display of the crop yield estimates for next year on Concord Dawn. “I’m not sure if Oburade is being optimistic or not, but if these figures add up correctly by next year Concord Dawn will be feeding itself and most of the sector.”
Turning off the projection he set the data pad aside, while his stormy eyes searched for her golden gaze. “Not like our people haven’t been on shortened rations before. We’ll get through and hopefully we won’t have to tighten the belt to do it.” Ranah saw firsthand just how hardy the Mandalorian people where. Their planet had just been ravaged not more than a few weeks ago and yet they had crawled forth from the ruins and declared that they were not beaten. Their spirit was not crushed, they would remember and they would live on.
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Post Fri Aug 12, 2011 11:57 pm by Nicole
Ranah sat her helmet next to Zev's on the table, facing the opposite direction in irony as she glimpsed back towards him, her eyes studying those stormy orbs which told her of the progress and how long it would take. She stepped over to him, there was concern in his eyes, such a firm and unyielding expression on the rest of his face though, her fingers rose up, a light trace of one along the scar on his cheek before she nodded to him.
"Worry not, our people are strong. We will make it with or without anyone elses help." she replied lightly before she drew back from him and took the datapad he'd referenced and plugged it into the dataport on her wrist, downloading it's details for further review at a later time before she placed it back into the stack, all useful information.
Just then, there was sound of a distant rumble in the sky. Ranah's eyes came upward as she scanned the darkening clouds and glimpsed back to Zev. "I hope he arrives soon, else he may get wet." she smirked some.
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Post Sat Aug 13, 2011 12:08 am by Praenuntius
The forecast had called for rain and with the distant rumble it looked more than likely they would all be rained upon. Scanning the sky with his keen eyes he bit back his uncertainty. Ranah was right they would live one way or the other. It was the asking for help that disturbed him the most. Oh he could see the reasoning of it. After all he had been the one to propose it, but he still felt uneasy trusting this new Galactic Alliance that had formed in the wake of the Republic power vacuum.
Even if the Alliance had spurned the Republic, they were willing to pick up the debt the Republic owed the Mandalorian people, if this Vincent Lightbringer was to be believed. Turning his gaze back on the table and then on up to his wife’s golden gaze, “They shouldn’t be much longer – I doubt they will be scared of a little rain.”
“I just hope I’m doing the right thing Ranah. For our people, it just sickens me that the Federation can come in here and wipe us out at will. I had thought it would be so simple, starting the movement, getting the people to rise up and cast off their chains…” For a man who had seen so much devastation throughout the Vong war, it was amazing he expected anything less from the Federation.
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Post Sat Aug 13, 2011 12:17 am by Nicole
Ranah turned back to Zev and crossed her arms, folding them neatly across her chest as she tilted her head with a slight perk of her brow and a serious comment for her to reply.
"Do I need to break your nose again for you to realize that you're the best and that we, myself and the people out there.." Ranah pointed to the narrowly viewed street through one of the holes in the wall. "chose you because we trust you to do the right thing."
Ranah exhaled a little bit, "If I thought it was a bad idea I'd of never went along with it." she replied, giving him a playful shove before smirking. " besides... we're not so easily put down and wiped out."
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Post Sat Aug 13, 2011 12:25 am by Praenuntius
Zev knew better than that. While people would follow you one day, they would shove a dagger in your back the next. What they were doing could easily be considered treason. The Mandalorian’s had never asked for help in the millennia they had existed. And while she was right, they wouldn’t be a pushover, Ranah knew just as well as he did that they could wipe out their fleet and bombard every planet in the sector should it please them. This was the only feasible course of action. A defensive pact to help them get on their feet once more, “Would that I had the faith in myself that you and the people put in me,” he cornered her with his hard calculating eyes. His voice soft so as to take the sting out of his words, “I just want what is best for our people, I don’t second guess this Alliance, I just don’t want to shame us all, I don’t like asking for help and certainly not from the leavings of the Republic.”
This Vincent fellow spoke a great deal even seemed a great warrior. Unfortunate that they had never met on the field of battle, Zev would have been able to gauge the man’s intent. Shaking his head he moved close to Ranah, “It’s not that we wouldn’t put up a fight and a valiant one at that… Defiant to the last… Its that we would fight until the last until we forced them to shell us from the air. I don’t doubt the tenacity of our people or our indomitable will to survive – but I’ve seen what fleets like that can do and it…” He was tensing up, she might feel the rage boiling to the surface, “Sickens me to have to call in debts to look weak in front of our people…But I see no other course. May you all forgive me if it’s the wrong one.”
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Post Sat Aug 13, 2011 12:39 am by Nicole
Ranah's arms, formerly crisp across her chest released as she approached Zev, she could sense the anger in him and as she got within range she grabbed him, stepping as close as to stand just before his face and speak with a tone just as low enough that he could hear it.
"Then don't ask. Let them offer it. " she whispered to him, her golden hues focused right on his as she drew in a slightly quickened breath. Part of her wanted to smack him and yell at him to wake up, but the majority of her saw the injured look of pride in Zev's eyes. Her rigid stance against him softened slightly after a moment as she brought her hand forward and touched the chestplate of his armor before looking to it and then back to his eyes.
"At minimum we need supplies that they can provide us and we have a few things that might benefit them. If nothing at all we can determine this Alliance's views on the Federation. Learn about them as much as we can while they're here. "
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Re: Concord Dawn: Alliance Meeting
Striking a chord with Ranah was always a risky pursuit. He hadn’t meant to offend his wife. But she seemed to soften when she saw his eyes, how torn he was between the decisions. Having seen so many truly deplorable acts committed in the Vong war. Ranah had been to her own hells, though he had never asked, he saw that edge to her looks.
Again as usual Ranah had the right of it. Don’t ask for it, let them offer it and then seize upon it. “We do have Phobium to offer, as well as the new deposits found on Mandalore.” And of course the rigorous training that all Mandalorians underwent, they would have a full deck to play with. However the job of Diplomat did not fall on the Mand’alor, he was a leader, a warrior, but not seasoned in the art of politics.
He nodded his head after his last words, “We will learn as much as we can. But you, Resol will need to back me up. I am not the accomplished word smith you are. You saw how I screwed up with the Federation. I will do the talking but you pull me aside the moment you think we are getting a bad deal.”
His smile said his thanks, his hand touching her bicep was reassurance enough that he at least felt better about the decision. Felt like the Mandalorian Government wouldn’t just be taking something, but also giving something in return. There was no shame in a fair deal after all. That’s how most Mandalorian’s lived. They got paid to fight wars so the wealthy could sit back in relative ease and comfort.
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Post Sat Aug 13, 2011 8:16 pm by Nicole
Ranah's eyes lingered on Zev's as he asked for her to back him up, she bowed her head slightly, eyes lowered only momentarily as she commented, "As is my oath as Resol, I will answer any call the Mand'alor wishes of me." she replied. She stepped to him once more, bringing her hand up to touch his jaw as she brought his eyes to hers and gave a small glide of her fingertip along his brow as she valued the bold features of the Mandalorian before her.
"And on a side note, I'll always back up my husband." she replied, taking her finger and giving a playful touch to the tip of his nose, "The Federation is led by the Sith, and the Sith scheme far too much, in the end, they underestimated us. The battle will not be remembered where we screwed up, but were we succeeded and gained our freedom." she told him, her eyes focused firmly on his.
"You are a leader of one of the strongest races of people in the galaxy. A Mand'alor of our people and for our people. Our worlds may be damaged, and left in ruin, but we will persevere. You will lead us to the future, to rebuild and secure ourselves. You will be Mand'alor et Ori'gehaat'ik. (the Epic )." she replied, casting him a sly grin before giving him a firm and coercive punch to the shoulder. "Assuming you start acting like one." she retained her grin as she stepped past him back to the table.
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Post Sun Aug 14, 2011 5:11 am by Praenuntius
Remaining where he was, he looked into her golden gaze. Every time he found himself looking into Ranah’s eyes he couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking, what she was feeling. For once he didn’t have to guess, for it was written plain as black on white, love and admiration. Stormy eyes would hold that gaze throughout. Zev was speechless that she could put so much faith in a man who had so little real experience leading people beyond the field of battle.
He didn’t dwell in those thoughts, instead focusing on the strength and determination that went into every word, every subtle touch of her gloved hands. Even with a layer of cold metal, she guided him to resolution within himself. Ranah was right, she always was, he would be a good leader so long as he remembered where he came from and who he ultimately served. The people, his wife; those where all that mattered and so long as he took care of both, he could never go wrong.
While he was too humble to ever believe he would be Ori'gehaat'ik, he could only smile at the sentiment. The punch would jolt him from her gaze. The smile exchanged for an arrogant grin as he brought a metallic hand to her butt in a light hearted slap. Joining her as she walked, the offending hand would weasel its way around her waist.
Looking over his enduring wife, he couldn’t be more proud of her. “You are right. I am the Mand’alor and its time I started acting like it. We will survive. We will remember and we will have our vengeance. The Federation owes us a debt of blood, as do the Sith. We will make the Alliance see the treachery of the Federation and the Darth who wields it.”
Stopping before the table he removed his arm from her slender waist, still staring at her with the strength and bull-headed determination that had seen him through many dark perils. “We will ask nothing of this Alliance. Let them come and see what has happened since the Republic abandoned us. Let them see that we do not forget, that we do not surrender… We are Mandalorians. We are defiant to the last. If the Alliance wants an alliance, then let it be forged in the blood and fire of battle. The Sith are our common enemy, the Federation the puppet they hide behind.”
He finally turned his eyes to the destruction all around them. “You are right Ranah Vrei, my Resol. I will lead our people to a future. A future with hope and strength; we will regain our footing, one way or another.”
Abruptly he took her in his arms and kissed her deeply and passionately. It was a romantic dream. Perhaps it was even foolish, but a man and a woman could dare to dream. With or without the Alliance they would find some way, some how to fight off the scourge of the Federation and the Sith.But in the last few minutes with his wife, he had truly begun to realize the important role she played in his life and just how valuable she was to him.
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Post Sun Aug 14, 2011 10:57 am by Ra_Leader_IPrincessLeia
Leia responded to the message from the new Resol of the Mandalore Sector. The holo vid, which did not have the same crispness as it would have in years previous, before the Vong war showed a tall elegant woman in her military uniform and her brown hair pinned up loosely in braids.
“Resol of Mandalore Rehan Vrei, I am Princess Leia Organa-Lightbringer Jedi Master and President of the New Galactic Alliance. It is my honor to meet you and very much appreciate your congratulations of the new governing body of what was formerly the New Galactic Republic. I would also like to congratulate you on your leadership ability during these long struggles with the Yuuzhan Vong, and other elements. You have surely proved your capability time and again. Allow the New Galactic Alliance to prove theirs. It is a shame for you to have had to ask our help, for indeed though the New Galactic Alliance splintered from those that left you to fend for yourselves during this struggle at the outset of the conflict with the Yuuzhan Vong, we take the responsibility upon ourselves and offer our assistance.”
Leia’s bright brown eyes were completely sincere. The Mandalors had been hit hard by the foreign threat, and still continued to fight, to win. It was their way. Leia was a warrior and she understood their code, their strength.
“High Admiral Vincent Lightbringer, Vice Admiral Mialaca Atek, and myself would like to personally come to Concord Dawn to meet with you. We believe the Resol of the Mandoalore Sector and her people deserve nothing less than our personal attention.”
Leia meant it, she would not send an envoy to such an important meeting. The Mandalorians were an entire race of warriors and very skilled diplomats they deserved to be met by warriors like themselves.
“Resol Rahan Vrei, we will be on our way shortly, when was arrive be sure the Alliance is willing to repay its debt to the Mandalore people. You do not need to ask for our assistance, for we know well what we owe to you and the Mandolare people.”
“Haat, Ijaa, Haa'it” The words were every bit as true for this New Galactic Alliance as it is was to the Mandalore. Leia did hope that when they arrived the Mandalorian culture would reverberate into their own soldiers. The training to become a soldier of the Alliance was not easy, but it was nothing like the tests of the Mandalores. Leia could envision a wonderful peace between their two great governing bodies.
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Post Sun Aug 14, 2011 11:49 am by Nicole
Ranah's eyes cut crisply towards Zev as his hand smacked against her armored ass plates. A slight grin curled at her lips before he joined her more at the table, seizing her by the waist and turning her to him once more, demanding her attention for his words as he came to terms with himself and what she'd said to him.
As the clarity settled to Zev's mind, her lips curled to a small smirk. His eyes scanned the destruction around them as he made his vow to see them through. She placed her hands on his sides and gripped slightly as she drew his focus back to her. "And I will be there helping you every step of the way. Mand'alor may be leader of our people, but no one ever said he had to do it by himself." she commented, making her own little vow to stick by his side.
No sooner had the last word left her lips than Zev had seized her and taken them with his own. Her gloved hand gripped at his neck as she pulled tighter against him, daring to savor that dream with him. Her eyes closed as she shared her deepest of compassion with him. Even now, there was a term:
Behind every great man there is a greater woman.
While such a phrase was not always entirely accurate, this is where it had originated, a woman, supporting her man, giving him strength and the focus he needed to be a great leader, a great husband and a great man. Zev was all these things, he just didn't always see it the way she did.
As her lips drew back from his, there was a lingered moment of reflection on the enjoyment but she soon shoved him back, curling her lips to a slight smirk at him as she folded her arms and leaned against the edge of the table.
No sooner than she'd touched it than there was a beeping from her wrist as an incoming message alerted her. Her eyes glimpsed towards Zev for a moment as she tapped it and angled her wrist towards the table where the holographic representation appeared. Ranah's eyes focused on the woman, studying her face, her hair. She seemed very regal, yet there in her eyes, even over the holonet there was the look of a warrior in her eyes.
If that hadn't been enough then the name certainly had been.
Ranah's form straightened a little as she listened to the rest of the message standing near shoulder to shoulder with Zev. Ranah's golden orbs focused as she gave the best unemotional look she could. While the woman's words gave her great joy, and certain appreciation, she couldn't betray the image that Zev wanted to portray. A strong people.
As Leia concluded her message Ranah's eyes glimpsed briefly to Zev for any signs that he wished to interrupt what she was about to say. She then returned her focus on the blueish image before her.
"Madam President, thank you for your kind words and generous offer. Mand'alor Khandrr and I would be more than honored for you and the High and Vice Admirals to join us here. We await your arrival. Haat, Ijaa, Haa'it, Madam President." With that Ranah's head bowed. It was a short response, she honestly didn't know what to say, she'd never been anyone of political influence before, and the Alliance offering so immediately left her almost speechless. Here she was expecting a whole song and dance, like they had done with the Federation during the armistice. Hopefully the speechless look hadn't crossed the holonet, to truly place a Mandalorian in such a position was almost... exhilarating.
As the image faded away Ranah's eyes looked to Zev again, a questioning look if she'd faltered in her response. "They do us a great honor by sending her - she is a legend, a warrior, but also a humanitarian, she will not let what has happened to us be brushed aside." she told Zev. The name Leia Organa was not one easily forgotten even in the years since the Rebellion.
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Post Sun Aug 14, 2011 2:12 pm by Praenuntius
The words spoken before their embrace had been heard. While she hadn’t vocalized it before, Zev knew she would have his back. She was equally tenacious and every weakness he held, she only reinforced with her own strength. Ranah Vrei was a force to be reckoned with and while he had never faced her as an enemy, he was more than intimate with the fortitude of her resolve. There was no better woman for the task of keeping Zev in line and no woman he would rather have. His lips seemed to say as much as those stole those few minutes away from the world.
Zev had led men on the field of battle. He had been prepared since Duncan came to his farm during his childhood. Prepared for the life of a warrior, he had never imagined he would be leading the mighty Mandalorian nation. He still expected to wake aboard the Adenn Naast and realize this was just all a dream and that the Federation still held dominance over the Mandalore sector. Reminding himself each and every day where he had come from and who his responsibility was to.
Shoved away he took in that golden gaze seeming to share to the emotion held there. There was a passion brimming to the surface, a swelling of pride and admiration, mixed in with his own feverish love. Neither of them may have voiced it as openly, but with looks like the one they now shared, there was no reason to say anything at all.
Before he could say anything at all, the silence was intruded upon by the beeping of Ranah’s wrist. Catching the look before she angled the holo projector over the table so that he might see the image as well, he knew of Leia Organa. There wasn’t a Mandalorian that didn’t know of her or her legendary exploits across the galaxy. Some even said over a pint of ale, that she was a Mandalorian who had forgotten to don her armor. His face betrayed none of his previous emotions, his posture even changing as it became more rigid. Broad shoulders looking more like an impenetrable wall as stormy eyes took on that steely cast.
Brows furrowed as he took in every word Leia said. Listening intently he could say that he was overjoyed the New Galactic Alliance was more than willing to step in where the Republic had failed them. And even better, they knew just how it had shamed the warrior spirit of the Mandalorian’s to call in the debt.
When his wife looked to him, he gave a subtle shake of the head. Zev could sense the unease in Ranah, though he could only hear the confidence when she spoke. When the message was relayed he made sure the projector was off before studying his wife once more. The impassive expression remained over his visage however. He was relieved there appeared to be no games, but he remained cautious and vigilant. “You did well Ranah and they do honor us in sending Leia Organa. We know of her.” Her Husband however was relatively unknown to Zev. He had to be a great man to be the consort of Leia.
“Our work is not yet done however. They have made the offer. Now we must accept it in a way that does not make us appear weak.” Touching the otherwise invisible panel on his forearm, he flipped it open and pressed a few buttons in rapid order. Bringing his arm to about chest height, “Mand’alor to Adenn Naast, XO have the prisoners brought down. We have also cleared the Alliance to land here, expect them promptly.” With that he closed the flap, ending the communication to the ship above.
“It’s time we executed the false Mand’alor for his crimes against his people.” Ranah and Zev had planned this out on their journey back from Mandalore, while Zev had wanted to do it on Mandalore, Concord Dawn was ultimately where the greatest sins had been committed by the traitorous Mand’alor. While he still professed his innocence and tried to defend his actions, no one could overlook the fact he had told Mandalorian’s to remove their armor, or the tragedy of Concord Dawn. All of it eventually leads to the false Mand’alor.
They would wait for the leaders of the New Galactic Alliance before they hung the false Mand’alor, so that they all might see a little justice served. An even greater present was just forming in the back of Zev’s mind as he regarded his wife in silence, eyes twinkling with mischief.
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Post Sun Aug 14, 2011 3:00 pm by Nicole
"Our work is never done Zev." she told him, focused on those stormy orbs that regarded her with such fervor. Her eyes glimsped to his forearm as he touched it, listening to the order he commanded, a recollection of what they had spoken of on the trip from Mandalore to Concord Dawn. Her eyes returned to Zev's after he'd completed his command, her breathing deepened a little.
While she wanted to believe the former Mand'alor was innocent, his actions had long since spoken louder than his words. The fact that he would cooperate with the Federation in the beginning, betraying the needs of his people for himself was reason enough, speaking the orders which devalued and destroyed their way of life, their very ideals was far more. A true Mand'alor would have never bowed, never knelt and never complied.
If he'd of died in defiance it would have been far more honorable than to die as a traitor to his people.
Zev and Ranah were being merciful in the manner of his execution, certainly any number of horrible misfortunes they could've used, a simple, clean hanging was far more than what he deserved, but he was still a Mandalorian - a traitor, but still one of them.
Zev's expression hadn't gone unnoticed by her however, a rise of her brow and a curious look spread across her face as she saw the deviant look rising in his eyes and across his face.
"What're you up to now Khandrr?" she inquired.
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Post Sun Aug 14, 2011 3:26 pm by Praenuntius
Scheming of ways to get his wife out of her armor he might have said. However all she got was a grin that promised as much and something a bit more devious. Zev had been toying with the idea for some time and her actions today only confirmed what he had already told himself. He pointed away from the table, signaling his desire for privacy with her.
Turning in that direction he stopped near a broken and crumbling wall. Zev had thought long and hard about what had occurred since Ranah came back into his life. Since the Federation retreat and the long weeks they had spent together rebuilding the Mandalorian nation. She might see this thigh compartment open at his behest, perhaps even hear the whisper of cloth over glossy metal as he pulled something from the hidden compartment before closing it.
When she came up beside him, the item, whatever it was, would be clenched in his fist. Zev would look anything but humble. An enduring man with a proud posture, the fierce look of a combatant, letting the silence continue on, he regarded her as she might regard him. Seeing in her all the qualities in a woman he desired: strong, enduring, passionate, cruel but just and above all, loyal. There were many more qualities, intelligence, exquisite beauty and an arrogance that only rivaled his own. What she saw he couldn’t say, but what he did know for certain, she saw something she liked. “Ranah.”
The stony face suddenly filled with the emotion he had been holding in, love, admiration, unflinching loyalty, “Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar'tome, mhi me'dinui an, mhi ba'juri verde.” And with that his hand opened. What lay there was a tattered round piece of cloth, its edges frayed, its dark background fading, but clear enough was the outline of the Vrei clan sigil. Zev belonged to no clan having instead preferred a mercenary life.
But even so, there was another sigil in his hand, on a black ground stood the white mythosaur skull he wore so proudly on his shoulder and T-visor. While this wasn’t part of the ceremony, he knew both would mean something to Ranah. Zev had no way of knowing who it had belonged to, only that like all the people under his command; he remembered each one he had lost. He had carried it ever since that fateful day on Mandalore. He never thought to see Ranah Vrei again and yet here she was. It may not of been appropriate given the impending delegation from the Alliance and the arrival of their prisoners, but Zev could wait no longer. She deserved more than just words.
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Post Sun Aug 14, 2011 4:18 pm by Nicole
Ranah was even more suspicious now as Zev guided her to one of the crumbling rooms left of the upper floor, it was far too small for them to hold the meeting in, but large enough for two Mandalorians to have an intimate moment. Ranah's eyes focused on Zev's, even more in the appearance of overwhelming emotion appearing on the man's face. Ranah had not seen such a look on Zev's face in a long time, since he had first shared his true feelings those years ago.
Ranah's eyes widened just a little as Zev spoke those sacred words to her. She looked down to his hand as it opened, presented the two sigil to her, one her own, the other of the same symbol Zev wore on his armor, the mythosaur skull. Ranah's hand placed into Zev's as she looked back to his eyes, her own proclaimed only the deepest of affection for him, the way she had always. Soon her forehead rest against his as she closed her eyes and spoke, " Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar'tome, mhi me'dinui an, mhi ba'juri verde, Zev."
Ranah's hand fished the Vrei cloth from Zev's hand as she brought it up while close against him, fingers worked it carefully into the top of Zev's armor from the neck, leaving it concealed beneath the plate as she leaned back and looked to his eyes.
"Keep it close to you Zev, for you are as much a part of them now as I. M'riduur." she spoke soft, while she took the white skull and placed it in the same location beneath her own armor.
"I am one with you in all things Zev."
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Post Sun Aug 14, 2011 4:46 pm by Praenuntius
It was only fitting that the sigil became his to wear. Officially of the Vrei clan, he would soon incorporate it in his suit, more than likely over the chest. Though the cloth sigil would remain with him, while they had already gone through the ceremony, their own exchange of words, he just wanted to reaffirm the vows taken.
When she was done placing his sigil he closed the gap between them. Placing his hands over her biceps, he gave a tight squeeze. “In all things Ranah.” The emotion began to drain away from his face, both his hands falling away. “Riduur.” There was work to do his tone seemed to say. While he cherished the tender moment, they had to be prepared for their prisoners as well as the delegation.
Leading them away from the room and back to the table, he took his helmet and put it back on. He had stolen enough time; it was time they went back to work. Clearing his head of thoughts of secluded moments with Ranah, he focused instead on preparing his statements and proposals to the delegation.
All they had to do was wait for the delegation to arrive. In the meantime they had the restoration efforts to oversee and take charge of. As well as setting up the gallows from the uppermost floor of the dome.
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Re: Concord Dawn: Alliance Meeting
Ranah's eyes lofted skyward as a shadow crossed over them. The slow lumbering form of the Sentinel passing by with it's symbol painted on the underside of it's wings in stark red caught her eye as it landed atop one of the larger ruined buildings. Any larger and it would've had to go to the temporary spaceport outside of the city.
Ranah's eyes broke away and returned to Zev after a moment as she considered and then commented, "Mand'alor, would you accompany me to speak with our prisoners prior to the Alliance's arrival?" she questioned him, casting a look towards him as she reached and picked up her helmet, tucking it beneath her arm.
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Post Mon Aug 15, 2011 9:35 pm by Praenuntius
Zev had always watched the incoming Sentinel marveling at the ingenuity of the pilots as they brought the shuttle over a mostly intact building. Nodding in the direction of Ranah, his gaze concealed by the T-Visor. “I will accompany the Resol as she questions the prisoners.” Judging by the size of the shuttle they would be under heavy guard.
He took the initiative leading the way away from the table, stopping only briefly outside with the two guards he had stationed there. “Clear the datapads off of the table, take them back to my tent.” They saluted as he moved away from there, thankful that it hadn’t started to rain just yet. The sky was certainly threatening a downpour; he had felt the humidity earlier.
They would meet the prisoners at the base of the ruined building. The building itself had been a large squat building, only a few floors, some sort of warehouse from the looks of things. The prisoners were held under a heavy guard of twelve Mandalorian’s and three sentry droids. Furthermore they were bound and chained together.
Being shuffled into a small closest just as Zev and Ranah entered, the Mand’alor would stand aside and cross his arms across his chest. His anger palpable and easily sensed as he said nothing, the guards anything but gentle as the made the Senator and the false Mand’alor kneel before the Mand’alor and the Resol. The guards would spread out behind the prisoners, no more than a foot behind them in case either of them tried to lunge towards the Resol or the Mand’alor.
Nodding at the man as they formed their semi-circle he looked to the Resol waiting for her to begin the interrogation.
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Post Mon Aug 15, 2011 9:41 pm by Nicole
Ranah's hardened eyes settled onto the two men as they were made to kneel before them. Ranah said nothing for the moment before she pointed to the Senator and nodded to one of the guards behind him.
"Unshackle him." she commented, her helmet still tucked beneath her arm, a brief glimpse towards the bruised face of the former Mand'alor. "Put him in his cell till time for the execution." she replied, stepping off to the side as she awaited the Senator to be unchained and then pulled up to his feet as Ranah motioned with her hand towards the door leading to the street.
"Senator, walk with me." she commented, a glimpse given to Zev to ensure he would attend, along with a pair of guards. She stepped out onto the street, awaiting the man to proceed with her.
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Post Mon Aug 15, 2011 9:46 pm by Praenuntius
The Mandalorian guards worked efficiently. Unshackling the Senator with a serious of clicks and the tinkle of chains being dragged away as the false Mand’alor was pulled back to his feet by his shoulders, arms bound behind him. The Sentry droids went with the eight guards that would accompany the puppet to his cell where another beating would occur.
The Senator while ruffed up was in fairly better condition, still wearing the clothing he had been incarcerated in, he had a slight odor of shit and piss. The guards left him alone for the moment, as the Senator would not doubt stretch and test his newfound freedom. Zev watched on, catching the look for his wife, but he would be the one to follow the Senator out the door, taking two guards with them as they did.
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 12:40 am by NemoSD
As the Mandalore was dragged away, he said in a firm, strong voice, "You've grown into a strong warrior. Absent of the wisdom of age, but that takes time." His face was stern and strong, "You are not the true Mandalore yet. I still live, and do you really intend to kill me tied up, against a post, like a common criminal? There are still those who are loyal to me and our ways. You are a popular upstart, but if you do not start adopting some of the old ways again... well you saw what happen when I strayed to far."
The Senator watched what was going on and only nodded towards Zev and Ranah, "Why carry on this charade. You've made up your mind, and surrounded yourself by puppets, you do not think I can not see that? My strings were cut, it helps you see the strings," he turns to look at Zev, "Beware your puppet master..."
Despite being finally untied, and he stood, did not try and run, and and gave the look of a man who had resigned himself to death.
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 12:54 am by Nicole
"You want to move on past the charade?" Ranah repeated, turning to glimpse at the Senator, before stepping right up to the man, her eyes locked right on his. "So be it."
"You mean nothing to me, at all. Killing you would be nothing more than giving the people a scapegoat to the slaughter. Your puppet master is sacrificing you. Did you really have anything to do with the bombardment of this planet?" Ranah questioned, her eyes narrowing, she could already sense the truth in the matter, yet she would give this one opportunity to speak the truth.
"You would do well to learn from the Mandalorians and never give up to the end. There' is always chance, always a possibility even unto the very end Senator." Ranah commented.
"I offer you yours. Speak the truth of who is behind the attack, speak it to me, the people, to the ambassadors from the Alliance and we will set you free. Let you leave with the Alliance in their protection. If you lie, then you seal your fate with death. Dropping you from the gallows.." Ranah stated, pointing upward towards the one being constructed above atop the building they were standing next to. " Is nothing I would dare break a sweat over. If you wish to live, then this is your chance, your people betrayed you, offered you to us, is it not time to speak against them?"
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 12:58 am by NemoSD
"Very well, I will do as asked, I will confess everything, and who is to blame, without reservation or hesitation," the Senator said, "And then you will kill me, either through action or inaction, but it is the best I can hope for."
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:00 am by Nicole
"Then confess Senator, only the truth will set you free."
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:04 am by NemoSD
"I have heard that statement before," the Senator said, "I would like to wait for the meeting with this Alliance. They are more likely to keep me alive and protect me then you are."
He stood firm, the look of a man who knows he is playing chicken with a freight train.
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:09 am by Praenuntius
Zev watched the false Mand’alor, his beaten and bruised face, the way his pride welled in those shining eyes. There was a Mandalorian in there somewhere. “Stop.” He said to the guards as he moved away from Ranah and the Senator, she had already gotten what she wanted without so much as a threat.
“Your compliments,” he spit on the ground before the Mand’alor. “I have summoned the Chieftains, let the clans see me. We will see who is Mand’alor.” The Mandalorian Guards forced the ex-Mand’alor to his knees as Zev neared. “But I can assure you of one thing, unlike you, I don’t dance beneath the puppet master because I have to, but because in order to meet the Master, I must first dance. You will die the traitor you are. Your excuses do not excuse what you have caused.”
He wouldn’t hit the bound man, as much as he wanted to strike him, as much as he wanted to make the man rue his fury, he knew better and restrained that anger. A coiling serpent in the pit of his stomach as his mood soured and dipped. “So if you’ve got something to say, best say it now, because the moment you reach the scaffold, is the moment you die. No more words, no more treachery, no more riddles, you had your chance at dying a Mandalorian.”
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Re: Concord Dawn: Alliance Meeting
Ranah took one step further as she growled a bit beneath her breath and spoke once more.
"Then understand that you will give your testimony from the gallow and if you dare speak an ounce, one single word of untruth then it will be the last that leaves your lips before you have the life strangled from your body." Ranah made every word so perfectly clear before she stepped back and nodded to the two guards, "Return the Senator to his cell. "
Her eyes then looked to Zev before she moved to stand a few steps behind him, off to the side, her arms folding behind her back as she observed the two of them.
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:28 am by NemoSD
The Senator only nodded and said, "I have but no choice to accept your terms."
The Mandalore stood up, forcing the warriors to allow him to. "I was never a puppet. I made a choice for our people. I did not wish to be Mandalore, but no one else could be. So I took that burden. The Federation were the only ones to come to our aid. They were the only ones to fight for us. An Alliance with them was a must..."
He seemed to flash with anger, "The Warriors of the Shadow, you brought about the deaths, the destruction, brought upon our people. We had peace, but the children wanted to play adults, and burned the only bridge we had.
"Congratulations Mandalore, you believe you are the only one. You've had the choice forced upon you. Likely by a trusted adviser. Take charge of your duties before it is to late, and take the Mandalore title the proper way, in combat."
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:41 am by Praenuntius
When the Guards holding the ex Mand’alor down where about to kick out his knees, Zev stopped them with a shake of his head. “Do anyone say I was special? Hmm? Did you hear that from my own lips while you where rotting away in a cell?” Zev laughed, a cold and cruel thing, to think he almost felt pity for the poor sack of flesh before him.
Ranah was behind him he knew. Watching and weighing, he reminded himself this wasn’t a show for her or his guards. “It’s easy to sit there in your position.” Zev was still taller than the man, “and point the finger – but what it boils down to, you sold your people. We needed a way out? Pssh. There isn’t a Mandalorian here that has told me to surrender. There wasn’t a Mando on Mandalore, on Dromund Kaas that wanted surrender. You think we just decided one day we wanted freedom? Are you that blind and ignorant of your own people? You speak of the old ways – what do you know of the old ways?”
“You who told our people to remove their armor, you who sold our way of life for a few privileges like some lap dog looking for treats. We Mandalorian’s we don’t care for government, we don’t care for politics, we just want to do as we please – that’s why we have the Chieftains, the Mand’alor that brings all the clans together in common cause. But again, what would you know of the old ways? You sold us to a Sith. You are areutii. A Mandalorian never forgets. You didn’t battle for the title, it was bestowed upon you by a Sith. As I said, you are no Mand’alor, you are not Mandalorian. You will hang and the clans will decide who their leader is.”
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 8:58 am by Nicole
"A Mand'alor isn't chosen by battle." Ranah stated boldly, " Only the ignorant truly believe that." she stepped forward, standing near shoulder to shoulder with Zev as she cast her eyes upon the former Mand'alor before them, her arms tucked crisply behind her back where her hands clasped.
"A real Mand'alor, a true Mand'alor, is chosen by the people, for it is our choice to follow him, to give him any credence to that title, to call him Mand'alor."
Ranah gave pause to let her words sink in, "You may have called yourself Mand'alor, the Federation may have facilitated you to do so, controlled you, but you were not Mand'alor, you were a puppet. You lost your very way, and forgot your people entirely. We will not be ruled by an outside Force, some of us, most of us, would rather die than to bend knee."
Ranah moved forward more, coming right up to the man before her as her eyes settled so firmly on him, " And on a personal note.." Ranah accentuated with her gloved balled fist right in the man's face, hard enough that no doubt the man before her would sway back.
"Do not ever think the Vrei will stand by while you tarnish our name. My family have sacrificed more for their people longer than you have spoken word through your serpent's tongue." she replied, casting a well placed aim of her saliva right on his face before she turned back, only the will of the Force giving her strength not to kill him right then and there as the anger bubbled up just for a moment, her eyes turned and looked to Zev before she moved and stepped on around him, "If you'll excuse me Mand'alor Khandrr, I have things to attend to." she commented, having noticed the small flash of light on her gauntlet which spoke of newly stored message.
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:34 pm by NemoSD
"Then the people are truly run by children," the Mandalore said. "Ones with short memories. I earned my title before the Federation even knew we needed help. Kill me now, I do not want to see the future that you so blindingly are leading us into. Your lack of understanding spells a short life for your little government."
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Post Wed Aug 17, 2011 3:00 pm by Praenuntius
Crossing his arms over his chest he said nothing while Ranah punched the bound man. The guards took out his knees thereafter, sending the ex-Mand’alor plunging to his knees once more. Saying nothing to Ranah as she passed, he only nodded. The silence wore on as Zev finally stepped forward. Looking down on the kneeling man with his hard merciless eyes, “We recall quite well how you took the mantle. We also recall the Sith who was at your side. As I said, we do not forget.”
He reached forward to wipe the spit from the man’s face. He didn’t feel sorry for what Ranah had done. She had done exactly was he wanted to but responsibility and duty restrained his urge. “You’ve spoken many times. We’ve all had to listen to you. You never listened to us. You never welcomed us to the table, you only took the scraps, you above all should know that the Mandalorians are worth more than table scraps.”
He sighed visibly, having retracted his hand, disappointment ringing hollow in those frigid slate grey eyes. “I won’t fail where you did. I may be dancing, but the Spider will have to come out to eat its prey. It’s then that the moves I’ve made while dancing show their true meaning.”
He shook his head, a sad smile spread across his marred visage. “Fret not, I am not the Mand’alor yet, but judging by my actions and Ranah Vrei’s support, it won’t be long before the title is earned. You are not the prophesized end. Nor am I. I may look like a puppet, dance like one, but unlike you, I’ll choose death before I betray their trust and die like a true Mandalorian – standing for what I believe in. Standing, that should mean something to you. You’ll have your death soon enough.”
Zev leaned in again, the ex-Mand’alor properly restrained by the guards behind him. He whispered something then before standing up and ordering the man to be taken to his cell and prepared for his execution in the coming hours.
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Post Thu Aug 18, 2011 4:07 pm by Nicole
It wasn't long before the Marev exited hyperspace over Concord Dawn and proceeded down to the surface. In truth they were a bit hurried as the shuttle swooped down over the capital, landing amongst the rubble of a collapsed building. Tarja and A'den were the first two to depart it, no doubt the others would make themselves useful while the two were gone. Afterall, they were here to witness the execution that was to come.
Tarja was still coated in the, now hardened and dried green goo-dung mix with black sand all over her armor. And she smelled like a latrine. She supposed she was thankful she couldn't smell it, even if it did make her skin crawl at the thought.
They didn't seem anymore out of normal than usual she supposed, though she wasn't certain if people were stepping out of their way due to their fierce look or the smell of herself, eh, either way she wasn't having to wait on anyone.
Her eyes glimpsed towards A'den with his pack slung across his back, " You could've let me at least play with it for a bit longer." she pouted.
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Post Thu Aug 18, 2011 4:22 pm by Praenuntius
The datapad, the helmet and the breastplate where all packed primly in the bag slung over his shoulder, his helmet was off, the black acidic blood had stripped the crimson paint and while the smell was hideous he quite liked the new color to his armor. Spiraling black streaks intermingled with green flecks splattered over his breastplate and forearms.
Of course A’den wouldn’t of been A’den if he would’ve have left without taking a trophy or two. They had preserved the Tra’cor heads in the hold of the shuttle until a time they could be stuffed and mounted for all to see.
A’den had blonde wavy hair, curling at the edges, his visage also pocked with the scars of war. Though not nearly as bad as Zev, he prided himself on not getting his ass kicked after all. A perpetual smirk was ever flowering across his lips. His dark eyes narrowed and turned on his companion, it was hard to look stern, and “I think one night was more than enough Tarja. Besides if he ever found out,” he ran his thumb across his neck and chuckled.
So they had a night of fun in the mask. What was the worst that could happen?
Zev had taken his post once more at the savaged dome building, a canvas having been erected over the table, vid screens where propped up showing the latest progress from across the sector. A’den had kept the contents of his bag a secret from even the shuttle crew. The Resol and the Mandalore would not be expecting them, not quite so fast.
The guards stopped A’den, “Come on, let me see my brother. I’ve got a present for him. Better get the Resol if she ain’t here.” He glanced once more at his delectable companion while one guard went into inform Zev of their arrival.
He leaned close, the smirk warping into a grin, he whispered, “You smell like shit, why didn’t you take a bath in the lake like I told ya too?”
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Post Thu Aug 18, 2011 4:39 pm by Nicole
Tarja eyed A'den with his little comment, she shook her head, and proceeded on to the building where they'd been told that Zev and the new Resol were stationed for the time being. As they were stopped Tarja stood just behind A'den, they would not be denied, but A'den did always have a more diplomatic flair, Tarja personally would've just made a hole and headed on.
Though the big mouth of Khandrr the younger just had to talk about her smell. She tossed her arms upward some, dramatically.
"The last thing I wanted was to hang around that lake any longer than I had to. You weren't the one that was almost eaten by a Tra'cor." she muttered before she turned her way and moved towards a water hose that was laying on the sidewalk, fished through one of the holes in the rubble before she activated the nozzle, and began to hose her armor off, casting a look towards A'den.
"You know you smell just as bad."
