Post by Nicole on Aug 24, 2011 17:33:34 GMT -5
Remnant of a Once Proud Name- Continued from other Board
The old Ibelin-class starship appeared out of hyperspace over the war-torn wasteland of a world; a ship, that like the planet below, still bore the marks and scars of war. The vessel was obviously in combat shape, but scars from enemy fire, and off colored plating show the nature of field repairs, and the lack of an overhaul since before the war began.
The interior of the ship had not fared better, with all of the wall panels having been removed showing the nuts and bolts, the electrical conduit, and the pipelines, that are normally well hidden and out of sight. Light panels barely functioned, leaving the ship already darker then was traditional for a Federated Stardrives ship. Loose bolts and panels vibrated as the hyperdrive spun down, and standard sublight engines powered up, running through start cycles. Footsteps complemented this routine noise as the crew of the warship, went about their every day functions.
"Lieutenant, please give me a scan of the system," a man said, his brown and red uniform fairly well kept. The wings, and command badges on his chest showed signs of tarnish, that has been valiantly foot off through frequenting shining, resulting in a bronze red color instead of the original gold. His shoulder boards marked him as a commander in the Federated Navy. The Federation of Allied Systems was a small government, even before the Vong, but when Gyndine fell, it became poor and small, having retreated back into its strong hold system of Circarpous Major, which was then lost in a supernova. The only fragments that remained of the Federation were its fragmented Navy and refugees.
Since then, they had come together under the daughter of one of the Federation's heroes who had died long before the Vong were even on the scene. Under the leadership of Darth Varya, as Nyi-Sai Ralt had come to call herself, the Federation had united its military forces and settled Dromund Kaas. the new Federation of Dromund Kaas took shape, and assisted the effort against the Vong.
After the way, they began to scout worlds that had been destroyed, and determine usefulness. One such would was Mandalore. At the time, it was considered to expensive of a project to restore, but Darth Varya, the elected President for life of the Federation, had decided to lay her claim to it and had a sensor network detect traffic. Two ships arriving in less then a day of each-other had triggered that sensor network.
"Sir, scan reports no additional unauthorized traffic," the Lieutenant responded, looking up from his screen. He wore a newer uniform, having abandoned the brown and red colors for a gray and red color scheme. His chest decorations were silver, and new, and his rank was worn around the cuff of his sleeve, embroidered in. A much simpler and less decadent uniform then the old FAS style which the commander wore. The Lieutenant's uniform was the more common on the bridge of the ship, with only the older officers wearing the old style.
"Very well, triangulate LZs and give me a targeting solution on each of the two ships on the surface," the commander replied.
"Pause Lieutenant," a female voice says. As the two officers turn to look at the voice, they quickly pop to attention, as does the rest of the bridge as an Ensign struggles get an announcement that a Darth is on the bridge. Darth Varya wore a simple leather tunic, which seemed to almost be painted black instead of dyed, giving it a unique 'cracked' effect which on closer inspection is obviously done on purpose, and a pair of brown form fitting pants, which flare just below the knee and blouse as they are tucked into a pair of modest black boots. Her hair, straight white, runs down her back freely, in the exception of a tight braid in the Jedi fashion. She calmly, slowly walks towards the two officers, each step accenting the light beeps and tweets from the various consoles, the only sound other then her footsteps and light breathing on the bridge at this moment. Her brown eyes scan the faces of her officers, most of which reflect respect, but a few reflect fear. It was all the same to her though. You respect what you fear. "At your ease," she finally says, and the officers quickly get back to their duties.
"Darth Varya, I was just about to..." the commander starts.
"Inform me of our arrival over Mandalore?" Darth Varya responds, "And why are we not over Dromund Kaas?"
"My Lord, we received a response from an activity beacon, and your orders were to investigate when we detect unusual activity..." the commander started to say before being cut off by Varya.
"Yes, those are my orders, however when I am being transported, my destination is more important then beacons," Darth Varya snaps back, and then brings the back of her hand across the commanders face, knocking him to the floor. She readjusts the glove on her hand, and then turns to the Lieutenant, "He gave you your orders."
"Yes M'lord!" he responds as he jumps to whisper into the ear of one of the bridge crew.
Varya offers a hand to the commander to help him back up, which he takes cautiously. Once the man is back on his feet, Varya says to him quietly, "Do you know where you went wrong, Commander?"
"I did not consult with you prior to course change?" the commander said, trying to ignore the pain in his face, and the blood running down from his lip and nose.
"Excellent! Now you know what mistake not to make in the future," Darth Varya responds. "Send me a message if anything interesting occurs with our two contacts."
"Yes m'lord," the commander says in response as Varya leaves the bridge.
---------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 4:21 pm by Nicole
Ranah's eyes diverted their attention from the intruder in the ruins of her old family home. She scanned the tactical alert on the visor of her helmet, flashing the arrival of a vessel in orbit. A powerful vessel. Frak, it appeared her little reminiscing was just going to have to wait. Her question of what was in it for her still went unanswered as she approached Dussa and stepped right past him with only the slightest of comments to escape her.
"That's what I thought. If you'll excuse me, I must be leaving."
Ranah was no fool of the current state of things within the Mandalorian people. People were very much unhappy with whom controlled them. Mandalore itself was poisonous. Being on the planet was left for those of..stronger will. Especially when those whom remembered it's glory now had to witness it's struggling days.
Fortunately the atmospheric poisons had cleared, one could actually breathe without equipment, of course if you were caught in a dust storm, inhaling the particles could certainly prove deadly. No, most of the people had relocated to Concordia first and then later to Concord Dawn. Things around Mandalore itself had grown quiet in recent times.
Of course the alert had not been a welcome one, the last thing Ranah wanted to do was leave after she'd just gotten there, risked getting there. Only to find that a Federation warship was approaching orbit. No doubt she'd triggered some beacon of some kind she'd missed on the sweep she'd done. She always was better at finding people than machines.
Dashing up the steps and out into the orangish light she headed on towards the Crusader-class Corvette that perched nearby. It's symbol was a newer one, even if the ship appeared to have been through hell and many battles itself. In truth, it had. That logo, Warriors of the Shadow, it stood for an insurrectionist group of younger Mandalorians whom were displeased that true Mandalorians were not leading their people. Infact, they were even responsible for hits on some smaller government buildings and vessels.
It was no surprise that Ranah was hauling ass up into her ship, she hadn't fully powered it down in her earlier landing, one never did know when they were going to have to run. And by the looks of what her ship's computer had told her, she was well outclassed - but not out of the game.
Ranah dropped into the cockpit and gave a brief glimpse over readouts to ensure the Sith that had greeted her in the dwelling hadn't done anything to her vessel. Finding nothing she gave a few commands to the droids whom assisted with the other systems aboard her ship and soon they were rising up away from the Vrei Homestead. "Farewell home." she commented symbolically as she nudged the throttle forward faster, rocketing up into the atmosphere.
"Frak. They're closer than I thought.." she commented, diverting her course away. "Q9, plot a course out of here."
---------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 4:35 pm by NemoSD
"Commander, activity in quadrant four, the larger of the two ships we tracked... our readings show it is spinning up a hyperdrive," a crewman, in one of the newer uniforms, reported out never taking his eyes off of his console.
"Thank you Mr. Ekldi," the commander responded, "Lieutenant, prepare tractor beam, launch the alert fighters, and translate the targeting solution into a lock."
"Aye aye sir," the Lieutenant said, before echoing off the commands to the relevant crewmen. The lights on the bridge suddenly went darker as a general alert sounded through out the ship.
"Mr. Ekldi, how long before that ship breaks atmo?" the commander asked.
"Five minutes sir," Pettyofficer Elkdi responded.
"Thank you, when the hyperdrive starts to spike, please let me know," the commander said, then turned to another crew member, "Mr Talli, transmit a message to them informing them to shut down their engines and prepare to be boarded."
"Yes sir," the red haired woman said, before keying up her console and speaking the message into it.
Turning to the lieutenant who had just finished barking orders he said, "Go alert Darth Varya of the activity."
"Yes sir," he said, snapping a salute, then heading off the bridge.
"Mr. Jevi, do you have weapons lock?" the commander asked.
"We have lock with primary turrets and missiles Commander Rathi," the weapons ensign responds.
"Very well, disable safeties, and prepare to fire on my order," Commander Rathi says, then looks at the holo display in front of him, which has the corvette highlighted in red, and their ship highlighted in green, with the two alert fighters being blue. Rathi hits a button on his console and says, "Blue 4, blue 5, status."
"Blue 4, weapons armed and ready, proceeding on intercept," came the crackling voice over the comm.
"Blue 5, weapons armed and ready, proceeding on intercept," echoed a second voice through the comm.
-------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:01 pm by Nicole
Ranah uttered a small growl beneath her breath as she watched the one red blip on the screen turn into three. Two of which were more quickly approaching, it only meant one thing - fighters. While her ship was fast, it wasn't that fast.
"Shields up. " she ordered her droid counterpart. " How long till we can jump to hyperspace?" she inquired.
"Five minutes."
Ranah growled a little and punched the droid as she slid out of her seat. The next response almost made her want to blast it into bits but for the moment she required her annoying droid.
"Hitting me will not lessen the time required for an accurate plotting of a safe jump to hyperspace."
Ranah scowled a little, " Perhaps not, but it'll make me feel better." she grumbled on her way over to the weapons controls. Checking the readouts. They'd be in range a few minutes before they could jump to hyperspace, this wasn't turning out to be a fun little trip home like she'd thought.
"Activating point-defense system. Lasers powering up."
-------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:12 pm by NemoSD
"Commander, detecting weapons powering on the corvette. It has brought all its weapons online," Pettyofficer Edlki reported quickly, "The corvette is in weapons range."
"Thank you Mr. Edlki," Rathi replied, then keyed on the comm to the fighters, "Blue Group, hold back an assume escorting position on the corvette, do not engage." Before even hearing the acknowledgments from the fighters he turns to one of his officers, "Scramble the remaining fighters," then turns his attention to weapons, "Fire a warning shot across the corvettes bow, and comms, has the ship acknowledged?"
"No sir," the red headed comms operator responded.
"Then inform them that failure to respond will result in our assumption that they are hostile, and we will open fire and destroy their ship," Varya says as she walked onto the bridge. "Commander, you have the tractor beam ready I assume?"
"Yes m'lord," Rathi responded, popping a quick salute, then turning back to his console.
"Then I suggest using it," Varya replied.
"Unidentified Corvette, this is the FNS Tulak Hord, ordering you to stand down, power down shields, weapons and engines and prepare to be boarded, failure to comply will result in the destruction of your vessel by order of Darth Varya of the Federation of Dromund Kaas. Repeat, power down shields, weapons and engines," the red headed women said into the comm.
Rathi nodded to Varya as she suggested he lock the tractor beam on, and turned back to his lieutenant who had just returned. "Activate the tractor beam, Lieutenant."
"Yes sir," he replied, then echoed the order. A few moments later, the tractor beam was locked on to the corvette, just as few shots of one of the Tulak Hords primary weapons flew past the forward screen of the corvette.
------------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:33 pm by Nicole
Ranah grumbled as things seemed to begin getting worse. How could she guess that she of all, a Vrei could've let her guard get down so much as to have a FNS ship on her ass. The message came over the comms again, she didn't answer it. She knew who they were, any acknowledgment or revelation of who she was, was like signing her death warrant anyway.
Just then there was a massive halt of her vessel as the tractor beam snagged it and a few blasts of energy bolted by the bridge windows, narrowly missing the shields. Ranah groaned again.
"Q9, when we're free, evasive maneuvers, put Concordia between us and them." Ranah instructed, glimpsing back towards the computer interface ahead of her as she activated the tactical interface with her helmet. She had a perfect view of everything behind them, graphics of the ships, including the Tulak Hord as well as the basic information such as weapons, fighters in the area, and shie-- wait.. they were running with no shields? It hadn't been the first time she'd been in a fight, but the first time she'd been up against a Ibelin-class.
Weapons began to rotate back around, pointing towards the massive warship's tractor emitters and the crisp laser bolts streaked across the expanse between them. Followed by more from the PDL gun.
"Q9, punch the engines, I don't care if we burn up every drop of our fuel reserves, get us out of here."
Just then the engines which made up most of the rear section of the vessel flared brighter in an attempt to drive them ahead and out of range of that ship. The fighters they'd have to deal with second.
--------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:42 pm by NemoSD
"The tractor beam emitters have been hit," cried a voice from the bridge pit, "They are offline, no other damage detected, armor is holding."
"Damn it," Commander Rathi said, turning half in fear to Varya, "They..."
"I heard the report Commander, it is not your fault, it is a flaw in this ships design. It was not meant as a patrol ship, but as a line ship," Varya sad calmly, "Have the fighters pursue, target the corvettes hyperdrive with a single missile, the way that ship is running hot, even a shield impact should disrupt the hyperdrive long enough they will have to start to spool it up again."
"Yes m'lord," the commander said, before turning to his Lieutenant, "Fire a single concussion missile at the ships hyperdrive, order pursuit by the fighters, weapons free."
"Lieutenant, amend the orders, weapons free, aim to disable, and have the helm put us on a pursuit course," Darth Varya added.
Meanwhile, a single missile fires from the Tulak Hord, streaking past the fighters which were at full speed quickly over coming the corvette and opening fire on the massive engines.
--------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:59 pm by Nicole
Just when Ranah was about to do a little victory dance a missile was launched, one which the PDL computer had picked up. The buffering phrase "Tracking" was flashing on Ranah's helmet as her ship tried to avoid as much laser fire from the fighters as she could, a bit of ingenuity and a whole lot of luck had her taking minimum damage. Just when Ranah thought for certain the PDL would take care of the missile the ship's course changed just enough that it passed behind the dorsal fin of the engines and impacted against the shields with a massive rumble.
"Frak." Ranah felt the explosive force rumble through her ship even as the shield level indicator began to fall.
"Ranah, with focus on our engines our hyperdrive safety protocol is preventing our jump. You must prevent any further strikes there as a direct hit could cause an overload of our engine core."
"Switching weapons to automatic firing." Ranah commented, though she wasn't entirely certain whom she told these things to, her droid could care less. With five laser cannons on each side of the ship and that PDL, it looked like a fine laser show coming from the Crusader as it's engines continued to propel it forward at speeds exceeding the recommended safety thresholds. The corvette began to rumble as those engines began to heat up, but Ranah wasn't about to call it quits just yet.
"Range from Concordia?" she questioned, considering a daring maneuver into the atmosphere of the planet, with any luck the larger vessel wouldn't be able to pursue. Even as the fighters continued to peck her shields to death, frell, they were already down to thirty-percent.
------------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:07 pm by NemoSD
"The corvettes shields are failing," Edlki announced over the comm chatter coming from the pilots organizing their own attacks.
"Excellent," Rathi said, then turned to his Lieutenant, "Have the Major prepare a detachment of marines to meet our soon to be guest at the airlock."
"Aye sir," the lieutenant said, before running off to key up a wall clam and relay the order.
"Don't get over confident Commander," Varya said, watch the graphical representation of the fighters engaging the corvette, "I am authorizing the discharge of two torpedoes at point blank range from those fighters."
"Ver well m'lord," Rathi said, then keyed up the fighter comm system, "Blue 1, blue 2, authorization to pickle a single torpedo a point blank range is here by given, transmitting safety overrides now."
*****
The corvette was dancing across space, holding in a straight line, but dancing all over said line. While following the ship was easy, placing shots into its engines, not so much.
Then a smile crossed the pilots face as he heard the authorization to fire off a torpedo, an act he did, although not quite as quickly as his wing man.
-----------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:19 pm by Nicole
The tactical computer on the Crusader had picked up the rising signature in the two fighters as the torpedo's safeties were taken off and they became hot. Ranah knew it was only a few moment's time before her shields would be failing and as the two fighters fired off their torpedoes, the first one to launch was met with and immediate explosion as the PDL targeted it and sent a bolt to take care of it. Ranah was certainly curious to see how this fighter would pull off having his torp shot almost point blank range to himself.
However, the second one, the wingman who launched a blink of time later landed his torpedo right against her shields, exploding with a full loss of the Corvette's shields, Ranah herself was thrown to the deck as the ship shuddered heavily from the explosion, sending it's course into a drift as sparks showered down all over the bridge.
The droid had managed to stay in place, was now reporting an overload in the engines from that last little explosion, the engines, which were being over pressed were starting to reach their critical limits. Ranah wasn't feeling too suicidal today, she'd fought to her best and slammed her fist down against the metal surface of the droid, leaving a small dent in it's cone like head.
"Shut them down."
Just then the Corvette began to slow, slowing till it's engines gave a brilliant snuff and were out. "Q9, emergency override of your safeties, scramble all database entries pertaining to the Warriors of the Shadow and our navigation records around the Mandalorian Sector."
With that Ranah glimpsed towards the weapons locker on the bridge and yanked it open, shouldering a rifle and a blaster on her hip as well as a few improvised explosives she made her lone trek towards the hatchways that would be used to board the ship, waiting for her would be foe to enter she stuck the explosives above each hatchway and then stood in the connecting spar from the bridge to where she was, arms folded across her chest as she waited.
--------------------------------
Re: Remnant of a Once Proud Name- Continued from other Board
"M'lord, the corvette has powered down systems," Rathi said, "We lost one fighter, but the pilot has reported a successful ejection."
"Very good Commander," Varya said, "Lets pick up our new guests."
**********
The airlock sealed with its customary hiss, and a few seconds later, the loud mechanical thunking of the walkway being extended began. The marines had their weapons leveled, with Varya standing towards the back, her double bladed lightsaber in hand, but not activated.
"Prepare to board boys," a man in sergeant stripes said, and opened up the Tulak Hords airlock door, and the entire unit followed, stacking themselves at the door as a tech came up and plugged a datapad into the door, which began to override the lock. Once the tech was ready, the sergeant looked towards a man in the back wearing one of the brown and red uniforms with major rank insignia, who then looked to Varya.
"Proceed," Varya said, and stepped back slightly.
The Major nodded, then turned to face his men and said, "Breech, breech, breech." The tech at the door hit a button on his pad, and the doors slid open. The second the doors opened, two marines, one on either side of the door, threw two concussion grenades into the doorway, and once the booms resounded, two marines in heavy armor lead the way in, weapons at the ready, followed by two more in heavy armor, before the more moderately armored marines followed.
-------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:39 pm by Nicole
Ranah stood silently, just inside the hatchway leading to the cockpit as she waited. She certainly wasn't just gonna open up and let them in. She waited, letting them waste their precious time in overriding the door securities, she supposed she should've been grateful they didn't simply blow it off, at least she wouldn't have to replace that later on.
She tilted her head back as she heard the shouting just on the otherside of the door, she was wise enough to know military protocol, her family had been very much military and as the grenades toppled in and boomed, she, whom was wearing thick Mandalorian armor stepped back just enough to level her blaster through the door at them, her hand, unseen on the otherside of the hatch rested on her own lightsaber, though the indication was very obvious as she pointed right at the marines who entered her vessel. A simple comment issued.
"I hear piracy is on the rise, you people seem well equipped."
-------------------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:48 pm by NemoSD
"Lower your weapons," they shouted, followed by, "And get on your knees now!" as the first few marines came to a step, in their heavy armor, armor perfected through out the Vong war, and the training from that period showing.
As another few marines moved into the room, their weapons leveled, they continued to shout, "Lower your weapons and get on your knees now!"
-------------------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:57 pm by Nicole
Ranah motioned up with her blaster towards the bombs planted above the doorway, if they could just see the grin rising beneath her helmet. She shook her head slightly. "Would be careful about shooting in here, those things over your head don't react well to lasers." she commented.
"You have attacked my vessel without provocation and entered it without permission. I am well within my rights to terminate you to defend my property."
Yeah, that's it Ranah, they're the bad guys here.
----------------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:59 pm by NemoSD
The marines were completely unphased by the explosives, although one turns back and the click of his helmet microphone indicates that he has switched off his speakers. The remaining marines continued to yell at the armored women, getting closer, once again ordering her onto her knees and to lower her weapon.
------------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:09 pm by Nicole
Ranah was calculating her chances. She was already envisioning detonating the explosives, and if it didn't blow a hole in her ship, she'd rush in, strike them dead with her lightsabers, and then send a massive force push down the boarding tube and then... well.. she hadn't gotten that far.
She stood there, standing off with the space marines who were ordering her to stand down. She didn't want to, it wasn't the Mandalorian way, Madalorians fought to the end. But she wasn't just a Mandalorian, she was very manipulative, all she had to do for the moment was reign in her powers, keep them from noticing and she'd have an advantage on them. Her hand resting on her lightsabers pressed the open slot back into her thigh piece, hiding them away into the built in armor holster.
With a small click she drew her blaster back, stepping from her sheltered position in the doorway she holstered her blaster at her hip, her eyes right on them as she brought her gauntleted hands up. She was more curious as to how they'd handle her, it wasn't uncommon for a Mandalorian to have a few dozen built in weapons in their armor, what were they going to do, make her strip naked?
-----------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:22 pm by NemoSD
Two of the marines rushed forward, and drew the blaster out of the holster, and any other visible weapons, while the remaining two kept their weapons leveled. As this was going on, the rest of the platoon filed in and started to spread through the ship, clearing it. Finally, the major, and Darth Varya entered the Corvette.
The Major was discussing something over the comms with one of his soldiers, and said, "I don't care if they droid says do not pass, just shoot it, no one will care."
Varya looks at Ranah, and smiles faintly, "I am sorry for the chaos Mandalorian, had I known one of you were on board, I would not of ordered this ship captured. I am sure your lack of registration is easily explained." Varya waved the major over, "Please escort this Mandalorian to the VIP quarters, and provide her with some clothing she can wear," then turning back to the Mandalorian, "I would like you to join me for a meal later so we can discuss your misfortune as we tow your ship to be repaired, please come dressed comfortably and not in your armor. If you need anything, the major will have two marines outside your door to assist you." Varya's smile was calm, relaxed, and did not give any hint of anything but sincere apology. Her emotions even seemed to match her sentiment if one could feel those.
------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:30 pm by Nicole
Ranah's eyes glimpsed towards the Marines that took her weapons, part of her contemplated fighting, even her very blood was screaming at her to kill. She supposed it was part of her upbringing, to never surrender. This felt like she was betraying that, and in retrospect everything a true Mandalorian stood for.
Ranah's head tilted towards Varya as she told her to come to dinner, not dressed in her armor, a simple uttered phrase as she walked by, "You must know nothing of the Mandalorians. I go no where without my armor, and if your people do anything to my ship I'll make sure you pay for it." she replied, cockily and walked on out with her little escort, another little uttered slur, "Ne shab'rud'ni"
-------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:42 pm by NemoSD
"And you must know nothing of me, if you think I believe a Mandalorian would resort to insults as part of a kind invitation," Varya says smiling as the Mandalorian walks away, then turns to the Major, "Search the entire ship, only one life sign was detected, but that does not mean their are not more. Salvage any data you can, and secure the IFF, give me an exact copy of it, and then reinstall the original."
"Yes m'lord," the major said, trying not to roll his eyes at being order to do a routine search. Varya nodded, then turned and left the corvette, and boarded the Tulak Hord once more.
A few hours later, a message was sent to Ranah stating, "You are invited to dinner, please remember to not be wearing your armor, if you feel more at ease with it present, one of the marines can carry it with them to the meal if you would prefer."
---------------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:49 pm by Nicole
"To be honest, I'd rather show you what I'd rather resort to, but that likely would end up not so well for me." she commented, glimpsing between the armored marines before being escorted off to her 'special room'. She paced back and forth slightly, surveying the room and any useful accesses it might have. Truth be told she could probably cause a good bit of damage, eye for an eye kind of thing.
She had no doubt that the "kind" woman knew everything, especially the symbol on her ship, but for the time being she wasn't pressing it, not that Ranah had any doubt that it wouldn't come in at some point.
She glimpsed towards the message and snorted at the liaison which brought it to her.
"I and my armor decline the invitation. We're not hungry." she replied, slouching against the viewport and glimpsing back out into space.
---------------------------------------
Re: Remnant of a Once Proud Name- Continued from other Board
"Ma'am, I was informed you might decline the investigation, and I was told to inform you that there are currently four Warriors of the Shadow waiting to be executed, by joining Darth Varya for dinner, she would stay the execution," the messenger replied, obviously nervous.
---------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 8:05 pm by Nicole
Ranah tilted her head back towards the messenger, a slight chuckle before Ranah called the bluff. "I find that interesting considering the Taung have been extinct for a few thousand years." she glimpsed back away.
"Tell your Mistress that my response is that she's a hut'uun and a liar."
---------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 11:45 pm by NemoSD
"It is not mistress, it is Lord or Darth, and I will not utter such profanities about her," the messenger said with a blend of fear and indigence. "Moving on, the only other thing I have been allowed to say is that to remind you that at present you are a guest aboard this ship, and you have been invited to a dinner by the owner of the ship."
With that the messenger clicks his heels and does an about face, and starts to head out, then pauses, and says, "Oh I almost forgot," and pulls a holovid disc out of a pocket and keys in a code on the terminal, sticking the disc into the slot. An image pops up of a Mando, his armor on the ground around him having been removed forcibly, tied to a chair with the cut up remains of his armor around him on the floor. His face has been beaten beyond recognition, and the section of his arm where a clan tattoo is often placed his been cut, with the flap of skin on a table. "If he is not a member of the organization that your ship is associated with, and neither are you, then you two are just common criminals I guess."
------------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 11:52 pm by Nicole
That vid.. Ranah focused on it as she narrowed her eyes. That tattoo she knew well. Well enough rather, and enough that the final little comment would be the messenger's undoing. Ranah's hand suddenly snapped upward, focus given as she seized the man by the throat and began to choke the life out of him, a stronger anger brewed in her massively as she brought her hand down, the seamless holder for her lightsabers flipped open and she drew one, activating it as she walked over to the messenger, her eyes on his with such a deadly precision.
"There's an old phrase about not killing the messenger." she replied with a snarl. " But do not think that you are untouchable male. Take me to your Mistress immediately, or meet your maker now." Ranah's fingers tightened on the force, just a bit more force and she could've easily crushed his throat, instead she relaxed, dropping the man back to the deck.
"Now."
-------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:02 am by NemoSD
"Her Lordship has asked that you not meet her in armor," the messenger said coughing, "She believes it disrespectful..." he pauses for a moment, tilting his head as if listening to something. "Very well, her Lordship has said you may proceed as you are..."
He keyed open the door, and lead the way out. Four marines in heavy armor, and one man in Mandalorian armor appear to escort Ranah to meet with Varya. The Mando steps up to Ranah and whispers, barely audibly through the helm comms, "Why is that when there is shit, the Vrei step in it?"
------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:09 am by Nicole
"It is disrespectful to fire upon my ship, it is disrespectful to seize me and keep me against my will, and it is disrespectful for anyone to insist I remove my armor." Ranah pointed out quite insistently.
"So unless you want me to start taking this ship apart piece by piece, lets get this over with." she replied, shoving the lightsaber back in it's holster which once again retracted back into her thigh armor. Ranah had shown her hand in using the Force there, perhaps giving some emphasis that she had best be not pushed too far.
Regardless, she appeared to be getting somewhere at the moment, as she stepped out, her eyes glimpsed towards the Marines and then towards the other Mandalorian, though she certainly couldn't be completely sure it was indeed a Mandalorian, just because someone wears the armor, doesnt make them one.
Regardless, she uttered the slur, "Aruetii" Traitor. She glimpsed back towards the messenger, awaiting her little path to be taken.
---------------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:15 am by NemoSD
"Quite the mouth on you young one," the Mando said, leading the group the short way down the hall, "You will find the traitors path as you called it far more rewarding then you think." He stopped at a door, which opened up into a conference room, a small one, but devoid of occupants except for one. Darth Varya sat at the far end, wearing a red dress of some form.
"Welcome Ranah Vrei, it is a pleasure to meet you on more sociable terms," Varya said, smiling, and then waved her hand at the marines and the Mando who stepped out of the conference room. She sits back down, and places the hilt of her lightsaber on the table in front of her, and then says, "If you would be so kind as to place yours on the table and remove your helmet, I do not believe such a request is dishonorable or out of the line?"
---------------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:25 am by Nicole
Oh how Ranah wanted to punch the other Mandalorian for that comment, she drew in a deep, frustrated breath and slowly let it back out. Her eyes diverted back towards the conference like room and the woman dressed, sitting there. A glimpse towards the retreating marines and the Mandalorian as they left, leaving them alone.
Ranah smirked some to that comment and question, her fingers rose up, taking her helmet and giving a small twist, unlocking it with a hiss as it depressurized, she brought it down, fiery red hair spilling forth from within as she sat it down on the edge of the table and focused back on the Darth. Her fingers togged the holster again as she withdrew the lightsaber and placed it next to the helmet on the table, moving to take a seat across from the table, eyes settled on the woman with such contempt.
"You seem far too pleasant to be convincing." Ranah finally stated.
-------------------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:33 am by NemoSD
"That statement would have more eight if I was attempting to convince you of something," Varya believed, as a droid brought out a meal, and set it before Varya, then another droid brought out a meal for Ranah. "Now, before we talk, lets enjoy our meal, I am sure you have been some time without a hot meal?"
------------------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:43 am by Nicole
Ranah folded her arms and leaned back against the chair, studying this woman, such a humorous little response. Even so she simply replied, "Most people don't seize other people's vessels just to offer them dinner." Ranah commented. "And you haven't had me killed, and you're being far too patient for me to think you dont want something." Ranah surmised.
Her eyes glimpsed towards the meal that was brought in, before glimpsing back over towards the woman.
"Forgive me if I decline. I'm not hungry, and it could be poisoned. So what do you want?"
-------------------------------------------
Re: Remnant of a Once Proud Name- Continued from other Board
"Your ship was unlawfully present in Federation space, however I have been assured that Mandalorians are not criminals," Varya said, taking a bite of her meal, then looks up across the table, "It also seems to have been vandalized, unless of course you are indeed a criminal and are associated with the organization that it would seem you are?"
She nods over to the server droid who starts a holovid, which has the Mandalorian from the earlier vid, and three others in similar condition standing against a wall with a squad of soldiers leveling weapons at them.
"These four were caught trying to sabotage our shipyards over Dromund Kaas, they claimed they were members of Warriors of the Shadow," she pauses, "Do you know the difference between a criminal, and a legitimate freedom fighter?"
----------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 1:00 am by Nicole
Ranah's eyes narrowed a little as she listened, a muscle tightened in her jaw as she gritted her teeth a little. Ranah's arms uncrossed, her armored arms coming to rest on the table as she leaned forward a little bit, focused right on the woman as she commented.
"Last I checked my family owned a piece of that planet. I can trace my rights to it back a few generations. How far have you been able to trace back your ownership?" Ranah mocked her.
"Everyone's freedom fighter is someone else's criminal." Ranah commented. "Do you know the difference between an Occupation and a Legitimate claim to a region of space?" Ranah sneered.
"When their people start trying to blow up your shipyards, they obviously don't like you." she smirked some, leaning back so smugly.
----------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 1:08 am by NemoSD
"That would be incorrect, a freedom fighter has a chance to win," Varya says, "But you are right, I have no real claim to Mandalore, or the surrounding systems. Quite frankly, they are not worth the trouble of protecting either. My efforts are thanked with terrorism, and the relaxed laws I ask are followed are ignored."
"Worse still, a man I spent so much time and effort installing as Mandalore then becomes more concerned in his own wealth and decadence." Varya pauses, "My problem is I can not just leave Mandalore, after all, surrender is not an option?"
"But I am ahead of myself, to the matter at hand. Have I mistaken these men and women for criminals, or are they legitimate claimants to the planet of Mandalore and the surrounding systems? If they are, how do you know? Understand, their life is in your hands."
---------------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 1:16 am by Nicole
Ranah's brow perked slightly at this line of questioning and comments. Ranah grew quiet, though in the end she simply added, " A Mandalore is not installed, a true Mandalore wins the heart of their people and makes the people want to follow them. We knew from the beginning you controlled a puppet Mandalore." she added.
"They appear Mandalorian, but appearances can be altered. You want to know if I know they're Warriors of the Shadow." Ranah commented, " The answer is I don't know. I can hardly see them, having a symbol is hardly proof of anything. However, I do know one of the true Warriors of the Shadow. He could very well clarify on this matter, but you'd have to let me go in order to get that answer."
----------------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 1:23 am by NemoSD
"I was unconcerned with them, only you," Varya said, "As you say a symbol is nothing." Varya keyed a comm, and says into it, "Order them to fire," then she looks back over to Ranah. "We will take you to Dromund Kaas where we will repair your ship, and replace your droids. Once there we will have a talk me and you, as I would not mind an apprentice, and your training is obviously incomplete."
"Of course if you do not wish to work with me, I understand, you have a few hours to think about it though," Varya says, then stands up from the table, grabbing her saber, and walks out of the room, leaving you alone in the room to consider her words.
-------------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 1:38 am by Nicole
Ranah's eyes narrowed as she said nothing, only a rise of anger within as she listened to this one. She drew in a deep breath and slowly exhaled it back out, taking her helmet and putting it back on, twisting it back in place with a sealed click before she picked up her own lightsaber. Her eyes were upon it for a moment before glimpsing back towards the door that the woman had just left, she replaced it in her holster and closed it back, stepping through the doors.
She came face to face with her friendly marines and Mandalorian escort, a narrow of her eyes as she was led back to her quarters and put back inside. Ranah paced back and forth slightly before she decided to get a bit more drastic in her skills, approaching the view port she'd lounged against earlier she once again, for the fifth time drew out her lightsaber. A brief moment to activate the gravprojectors on her boots she stepped up onto the rim and sent a sudden twist of her saber towards the port, rupturing it.
The entire room began to suddenly decompress an she wasted no time in heading out before anything sealed her in again, no sooner than she'd managed to step out onto the hull she began to walk away from the open port up the side of the vessel, a small antenna rising up from her helmet as a signal was broadcast out. All the while this armored woman walked along with a glowing crimson lightsaber in her hand.
-----------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 1:58 am by NemoSD
"Uh, Commander Rathi, we have a decompression in the crew areas... uh, the VIP quarters," a crewmen reported up from the pit, "Area is sealed off and venting has ceased."
"That is where we put the Mando bitch... she still in there?" Rathi asked, moving to look at the console.
"No life signs sir," the tech said, "Scanning around the ship... one moment... sir she is on the hull."
"Let her go," Vayra said coming onto the bridge. "If she wants to reject my gifts, that is fine. To be honest, if she lacks this much wisdom, then she is of no use to me, she'd be no better then the current Mandalore."
"Very well m'Lord," Rathi said.
"Detach her ship, and make the jump to hyperspace," Vayra said.
"She is still on the hull M'lord," Rathi responded.
"If she is smart, she'll know to jump," Vayra said, then walked off the bridge.
------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 2:05 am by Nicole
Re: Remnant of a Once Proud Name- Continued from other Board
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 2:05 am by Nicole
Ranah watched as her ship detached and began to drift away from the moving vessel. She certainly wasn't going to let her vessel go, she deactivated her grav boots and pushed off against the ship, launching herself off of it and towards her drifting vessel. With any luck she'd be getting out of there pretty damn quick.
Once she was within a few meters her visor sensors began to relink back with her tactical interface on her vessel and her commlink with her astromech was restored. " Q9, give me a three second burn of the port thruster, open the starboard hatch. " with that both she and her ship seemed to move towards each other, Ranah drifted into the decompressed port of her ship, sealing the hatch she started recompressing her ship. First thing was first, she'd have to go and access her internal sensors and sweep every inch of the ship now.
-----------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 2:16 am by NemoSD
"Lieutenant, make the jump to Dromund Kaas," Rathi orders, looking up at the screen as the corvette comes back to life.
A moment later the large warship accelerates away into hyperspace, pulling the corvette with it for a moderate distance before it finally manages to break out of the wake.
--------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 2:25 am by Praenuntius
-A new signature would appear over the network system that had been put into place by the Federation. An ancient Providence-class starship would appear one hundred kilometers from the damaged corvette and the Ibelin. Weapons bristling along smooth, sleek exterior of the vessel, scorch marks blemished the otherwise well maintained hull. The command tower was a flurry of activity as shields where brought online. Zev was caught in the middle of the beehive of action. Readouts where fed directly to the HUD inside his helmet. One eye saw the streaming reports as they went through the checks common after each jump, the other saw the report of two ship signatures. One damaged the other leaving the area in a hurry.
Switching the HUD off with a tap on the right side of the helmet, he stood up and regarded the vast darkness before him. Ranah had sent a signal that meant she was in danger and needed to be pulled out. But with the Ibelin leaving, there was nothing left for her to be pulled out of. Robbed of his chance for battle he sunk back into his chair with a sigh. “Did we manage to get the signal location?” No one responded immediately. Zev knew to wait however, they were disciplined and well seasoned, and if no one answered they didn’t have an answer to give him.
A few minute passed by before a brother responded, “The damaged ship appears to be where the signal came from. “
Nodding he tried to find the tiny speck that would be the ship and the person inside of it. “Bring us in, send our greetings.” The streaming data had confirmed it was a corvette though no name could be found in the registry.
"This is Adenn Naast. Burc'ya vaal burk'yc, burc'ya veman." Came the challenge. -
-------------------------
Re: Remnant of a Once Proud Name- Continued from other Board
Ranah sighed a sigh of relief as the sensors reported nothing out of place. She shook her head, probably would've checked stuff better had she not been pinged by another ship. Great, just what she needed, this one better not be Federation too.
Though when the message came across she instantly had a grin. She replied back, trying to not seem like she had a grin from ear to ear under that helmet. "Adenn Naast, this is Vrei, Ori'vod, Ib'tuur jatne tuur ash'ad kyr'amur."
She gave pause long enough before adding in, "Tell Zev he owes me a drink."
-----------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 2:54 am by Praenuntius
-Zev grinned inside his helmet. How long had it been since they had last seen each other? “Open the bay doors bring her in. Order flight crews to stand down and get the technicians to the bay.” Standing as he gave the order he surveyed the deftness in which his crew took to relay the commands to the appropriate sections of the starship. While the Federation was retreating for the moment they had triggered all kinds of sensors on their way here. While Zev had never shied for a fight he also didn't pick impossible battles. "Bring us around to Concordia." At least they might be able to make something of this trip. The flight crews had been ordered to stand down, the shields would remain up until they had to be brought down to admit the corvette into the docking bay.
When the preparations had been completed, Zev took the communications himself. “This is Zev; your drink will be waiting. Enjoy the ride.” About then she would feel the tug and pull of the tractor beam. The ship would right itself to maintain a stable line of sight as it corrected its course and began to make for the moon, Concordia. Terminating the link he made his way to the lift but not before giving the bridge to his trusted brother, A’den. Keeping his link with the command module he would be apprised of any situations as he made his way through the interior of the ship.
She would find him standing in the bay amidst repair technicians with arms crossed over his chest a slight lean to the right as he tapped his foot in mock impatience. Beneath his T-Visor concealed a grin that hadn’t left since hearing her voice. His scarlet tinged battle suit was in stark contrast to the boring slate-grey of the bay itself.-
------------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 9:55 am by Nicole
Ranah was more than ready to be off her ship, she still had a bad feeling in the dark thoughts of her mind. Letting the Adenn Naast tractor her ship in was probably better than using her main engines since she still wasn't sure if there was any damage to them. She left her droid to figure it out and figured Zev would be generous enough to have someone take a look.
She descended down the rampway, heavy boots echoed down it til she came almost visor to visor with Zev, her eyes glimpsed over the scarlet colored armor. She supposed the humor was neither could see what the other was doing, but both knew the other had a smirk to match.
"Dont even say it. -I- managed to chase them off before you got here."
----------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 11:53 am by Praenuntius
“Uh huh,” would be the automatic response. Scanning the ship with his eyes he couldn’t help but chuckle. “If I had to guess,” by now he was running his fingers along the scarred exterior of the ship, “you blew your engines trying to escape.” Taking a look up the ramp he finally spun around, she might not see his smirk, but she could hear it. “That doesn’t explain how you broke out of that Federation vessel?"
"Mind if my Techs take a look at it?” He would question a few moments later.
When Ranah gave her approval the engineers moved in on the ship. Zev already knew what they would find and lucky enough for Ranah they were pulling into Concordia where it wouldn’t be all that unreasonable to find the parts needed to repair the engine damage. Like a swarm of locusts they began crawling over the hull though none of them entered the ship proper. Scanning equipment was being used to determine if there were any bugs or other unexplained anomalies the Federation may have left behind.-
---------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:03 pm by Nicole
Ranah glared a little, Zev always was too damn good at reading damage. She folded her arms slightly, eyes following him as he ran his fingers along the blisters on her ship. When he insinuated she was trying to escape her arms came down and her body grew rigid as she bolstered up and growled.
"I was not escaping, I was making a ba'slan shev'la."
Though when he seemed more curious as to how she got out of the Federation vessel she seemed to calm some, perhaps she did have a few tricks that Zev wasn't aware of. She replaced her arms crossed and tilted her head, a small grin lingering within.
"Federations are idiots, and you forget, it's me we're talking about." she gave motion over herself with her hand, gloating.
Her eyes glimpsed towards her ship and the techs after before she shrugged, "I probably could fix it, but they're faster. Just make sure they dont frak up my software, the last time they tried to update it and it took me a month to get it back to the way it was - the way I'm use to." she commented, turning with Zev as she nodded her head.
"We need to talk. "
----------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:49 pm by Praenuntius
-Zev could tell she didn’t agree with his choice of wording. While it hadn’t been prudent to point out the obvious, Zev worked more in logic than he did emotions. The rebuttal she gave him was more than satisfactory. Nodding towards his tenacious guest, “I’m sure you gave them a talyc akaanir.” Indeed the Federation where morons trying to prop up a self proclaimed Mandalore. The Mandalorians had been in open revolt ever since the Warriors of Shadows had emerged to ease their plight and retake their lost heritage.
Their sigil could be seen on the far side of the docking bay, the only color to the otherwise bland gray and black hues that dominated the interior of the ship. Catching the Head Technician with a look, “You heard the lady, don’t break her software. Just get a list of the parts you’ll need. We’ll be uploading cargo here in a few hours.” With that he let the man go and pointed towards the turbo lift at the far end of the bay. He knew enough not to get in his technicians way, they would handle scanning the ship and making a detailed report on the damages incurred and the parts needed.
“She’s in good hands.” He said as they began to walk, passing several Mandalorians before reaching the lift itself. Stepping inside he waited for her to join him before looking over, “We’ll be entering geosynch with Concordia shortly. I don’t plan on sticking around long. Just enough to get some supplies and whatever parts you need for repairs,” He didn’t comment on the metals he needed to test out a new alloy he hoped to reinforce the hull with.
After a few lingering moments of silence, he regarded her once more. “Fancy piece of work out there. Don’t know how you did it. M’Are!” The door popped opened and would deposit them in Zev’s personal quarters. About half the size of the command bridge the accommodations boasted the many trophies and victories of the Warriors of Shadow. The windows had been shuttered so there was no view at the moment. Just as promised however, the Mandalorian made his way over to the wet bar and pulled out a prized vintage. Two glasses were set on the counter as he poured each a drink before setting the bottle between them.
Leaning on the counter he reached up with both hands to pull his helmet off. A few clicks could be heard as he twisted it one way and then the opposite and then finally the opposite way once more before the suit depressurized. Setting the helmet on the counter, an arm around it, he regarded the female Mandalorian. The battles he had fought where facts savaged into his visage. Long silky tendrils of obsidian hair pooled around an olive toned complexion. Brought together by the trimmed short box beard he sported. Slate-grey eyes where hard and cruel having that piercing quality that always made one wonder whether he saw you or the wall behind you. Taking the drink in a hand he brought it up, a toast.
“Mandokar.” He said solemnly before bringing the drink to his lips and taking a larger sip than usual. Letting the liquid ferment in his mouth before swallowing he set the glass down and waited for her to start talking.-
------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 2:46 pm by NemoSD
-Listening Post 12a, Concord Dawn-
"Umm, did the Tulak Hord indicate more ships were coming?" a man said, wearing plain civilian clothing, "Because a cruiser just showed up."
"What?" another man said, moving over towards a console. The room was laid out like some kind of small scale call center, with the various intelligence workers blending in as some kind of tech support center for MandalMotors. In fact, it did serve as a call center, with all of its workers hand picked by Federation Intelligence.
"Report that in to the Tulak Hord, it is an older design but I am not sure if an Ibelin can take it, we may just ignore it," the second man said.
"Yes sir, transmitting data to FedCom and the Tulak Hord."
---------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 3:29 pm by Nicole
Ranah was quiet as she joined Zev in the lift, her head tilted towards him as he commented on how she'd made her escape. The answer was more than simple, and far from settling, infact she didn't even want to speak it. They had let her go. The darksider she felt there was more than capable of engaging her in battle, the ship was more than twice as deadly as her own ship, and there were more of them than her. Ranah had excellent logic, even if she refused to be a pawn in other's little games.
She followed Zev into his quarters, watching him move to take the bottle, pouring their glasses. When Zev removed his helmet her eyes settled on him, lingering for a moment before her own hands mirrored the procedure to get her own helmet freed, tucking it beneath her arm she slowly approached him and took the drink as he made his toast, her hand raised up in it, drawing it to her lips to take a drink, savoring the fine brew. It had been a long time since she'd gotten to enjoy a good drink like that. Her own golden orbs were a stark contrast to Zev's, but she focused on his, seeing their battle hardened inquiry of what she wanted even without words.
She glimpsed towards her helmet for a moment before she spoke.
"They let me go Al'verde. While I facilitated my own escape, in the end, they could've killed me. Their leader, this.. dalyc.. seemed far too willing to accommodate me, she even dropped hints about pulling out of the sector, evidently we're wearing them down." she couldn't help but try and hide the grin.
"I knew I had to tell you as soon as I heard that. That being said, I doubt we've seen the last of them, when I left the planet they were far too near to be a random patrol." Ranah informed him, though she glimpsed back to her glass, a swirl of the remaining liquid before she swallowed it with a small wince at the suddenness.
"And they captured the four we sent to their shipyards, killed them while I was watching."
The old Ibelin-class starship appeared out of hyperspace over the war-torn wasteland of a world; a ship, that like the planet below, still bore the marks and scars of war. The vessel was obviously in combat shape, but scars from enemy fire, and off colored plating show the nature of field repairs, and the lack of an overhaul since before the war began.
The interior of the ship had not fared better, with all of the wall panels having been removed showing the nuts and bolts, the electrical conduit, and the pipelines, that are normally well hidden and out of sight. Light panels barely functioned, leaving the ship already darker then was traditional for a Federated Stardrives ship. Loose bolts and panels vibrated as the hyperdrive spun down, and standard sublight engines powered up, running through start cycles. Footsteps complemented this routine noise as the crew of the warship, went about their every day functions.
"Lieutenant, please give me a scan of the system," a man said, his brown and red uniform fairly well kept. The wings, and command badges on his chest showed signs of tarnish, that has been valiantly foot off through frequenting shining, resulting in a bronze red color instead of the original gold. His shoulder boards marked him as a commander in the Federated Navy. The Federation of Allied Systems was a small government, even before the Vong, but when Gyndine fell, it became poor and small, having retreated back into its strong hold system of Circarpous Major, which was then lost in a supernova. The only fragments that remained of the Federation were its fragmented Navy and refugees.
Since then, they had come together under the daughter of one of the Federation's heroes who had died long before the Vong were even on the scene. Under the leadership of Darth Varya, as Nyi-Sai Ralt had come to call herself, the Federation had united its military forces and settled Dromund Kaas. the new Federation of Dromund Kaas took shape, and assisted the effort against the Vong.
After the way, they began to scout worlds that had been destroyed, and determine usefulness. One such would was Mandalore. At the time, it was considered to expensive of a project to restore, but Darth Varya, the elected President for life of the Federation, had decided to lay her claim to it and had a sensor network detect traffic. Two ships arriving in less then a day of each-other had triggered that sensor network.
"Sir, scan reports no additional unauthorized traffic," the Lieutenant responded, looking up from his screen. He wore a newer uniform, having abandoned the brown and red colors for a gray and red color scheme. His chest decorations were silver, and new, and his rank was worn around the cuff of his sleeve, embroidered in. A much simpler and less decadent uniform then the old FAS style which the commander wore. The Lieutenant's uniform was the more common on the bridge of the ship, with only the older officers wearing the old style.
"Very well, triangulate LZs and give me a targeting solution on each of the two ships on the surface," the commander replied.
"Pause Lieutenant," a female voice says. As the two officers turn to look at the voice, they quickly pop to attention, as does the rest of the bridge as an Ensign struggles get an announcement that a Darth is on the bridge. Darth Varya wore a simple leather tunic, which seemed to almost be painted black instead of dyed, giving it a unique 'cracked' effect which on closer inspection is obviously done on purpose, and a pair of brown form fitting pants, which flare just below the knee and blouse as they are tucked into a pair of modest black boots. Her hair, straight white, runs down her back freely, in the exception of a tight braid in the Jedi fashion. She calmly, slowly walks towards the two officers, each step accenting the light beeps and tweets from the various consoles, the only sound other then her footsteps and light breathing on the bridge at this moment. Her brown eyes scan the faces of her officers, most of which reflect respect, but a few reflect fear. It was all the same to her though. You respect what you fear. "At your ease," she finally says, and the officers quickly get back to their duties.
"Darth Varya, I was just about to..." the commander starts.
"Inform me of our arrival over Mandalore?" Darth Varya responds, "And why are we not over Dromund Kaas?"
"My Lord, we received a response from an activity beacon, and your orders were to investigate when we detect unusual activity..." the commander started to say before being cut off by Varya.
"Yes, those are my orders, however when I am being transported, my destination is more important then beacons," Darth Varya snaps back, and then brings the back of her hand across the commanders face, knocking him to the floor. She readjusts the glove on her hand, and then turns to the Lieutenant, "He gave you your orders."
"Yes M'lord!" he responds as he jumps to whisper into the ear of one of the bridge crew.
Varya offers a hand to the commander to help him back up, which he takes cautiously. Once the man is back on his feet, Varya says to him quietly, "Do you know where you went wrong, Commander?"
"I did not consult with you prior to course change?" the commander said, trying to ignore the pain in his face, and the blood running down from his lip and nose.
"Excellent! Now you know what mistake not to make in the future," Darth Varya responds. "Send me a message if anything interesting occurs with our two contacts."
"Yes m'lord," the commander says in response as Varya leaves the bridge.
---------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 4:21 pm by Nicole
Ranah's eyes diverted their attention from the intruder in the ruins of her old family home. She scanned the tactical alert on the visor of her helmet, flashing the arrival of a vessel in orbit. A powerful vessel. Frak, it appeared her little reminiscing was just going to have to wait. Her question of what was in it for her still went unanswered as she approached Dussa and stepped right past him with only the slightest of comments to escape her.
"That's what I thought. If you'll excuse me, I must be leaving."
Ranah was no fool of the current state of things within the Mandalorian people. People were very much unhappy with whom controlled them. Mandalore itself was poisonous. Being on the planet was left for those of..stronger will. Especially when those whom remembered it's glory now had to witness it's struggling days.
Fortunately the atmospheric poisons had cleared, one could actually breathe without equipment, of course if you were caught in a dust storm, inhaling the particles could certainly prove deadly. No, most of the people had relocated to Concordia first and then later to Concord Dawn. Things around Mandalore itself had grown quiet in recent times.
Of course the alert had not been a welcome one, the last thing Ranah wanted to do was leave after she'd just gotten there, risked getting there. Only to find that a Federation warship was approaching orbit. No doubt she'd triggered some beacon of some kind she'd missed on the sweep she'd done. She always was better at finding people than machines.
Dashing up the steps and out into the orangish light she headed on towards the Crusader-class Corvette that perched nearby. It's symbol was a newer one, even if the ship appeared to have been through hell and many battles itself. In truth, it had. That logo, Warriors of the Shadow, it stood for an insurrectionist group of younger Mandalorians whom were displeased that true Mandalorians were not leading their people. Infact, they were even responsible for hits on some smaller government buildings and vessels.
It was no surprise that Ranah was hauling ass up into her ship, she hadn't fully powered it down in her earlier landing, one never did know when they were going to have to run. And by the looks of what her ship's computer had told her, she was well outclassed - but not out of the game.
Ranah dropped into the cockpit and gave a brief glimpse over readouts to ensure the Sith that had greeted her in the dwelling hadn't done anything to her vessel. Finding nothing she gave a few commands to the droids whom assisted with the other systems aboard her ship and soon they were rising up away from the Vrei Homestead. "Farewell home." she commented symbolically as she nudged the throttle forward faster, rocketing up into the atmosphere.
"Frak. They're closer than I thought.." she commented, diverting her course away. "Q9, plot a course out of here."
---------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 4:35 pm by NemoSD
"Commander, activity in quadrant four, the larger of the two ships we tracked... our readings show it is spinning up a hyperdrive," a crewman, in one of the newer uniforms, reported out never taking his eyes off of his console.
"Thank you Mr. Ekldi," the commander responded, "Lieutenant, prepare tractor beam, launch the alert fighters, and translate the targeting solution into a lock."
"Aye aye sir," the Lieutenant said, before echoing off the commands to the relevant crewmen. The lights on the bridge suddenly went darker as a general alert sounded through out the ship.
"Mr. Ekldi, how long before that ship breaks atmo?" the commander asked.
"Five minutes sir," Pettyofficer Elkdi responded.
"Thank you, when the hyperdrive starts to spike, please let me know," the commander said, then turned to another crew member, "Mr Talli, transmit a message to them informing them to shut down their engines and prepare to be boarded."
"Yes sir," the red haired woman said, before keying up her console and speaking the message into it.
Turning to the lieutenant who had just finished barking orders he said, "Go alert Darth Varya of the activity."
"Yes sir," he said, snapping a salute, then heading off the bridge.
"Mr. Jevi, do you have weapons lock?" the commander asked.
"We have lock with primary turrets and missiles Commander Rathi," the weapons ensign responds.
"Very well, disable safeties, and prepare to fire on my order," Commander Rathi says, then looks at the holo display in front of him, which has the corvette highlighted in red, and their ship highlighted in green, with the two alert fighters being blue. Rathi hits a button on his console and says, "Blue 4, blue 5, status."
"Blue 4, weapons armed and ready, proceeding on intercept," came the crackling voice over the comm.
"Blue 5, weapons armed and ready, proceeding on intercept," echoed a second voice through the comm.
-------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:01 pm by Nicole
Ranah uttered a small growl beneath her breath as she watched the one red blip on the screen turn into three. Two of which were more quickly approaching, it only meant one thing - fighters. While her ship was fast, it wasn't that fast.
"Shields up. " she ordered her droid counterpart. " How long till we can jump to hyperspace?" she inquired.
"Five minutes."
Ranah growled a little and punched the droid as she slid out of her seat. The next response almost made her want to blast it into bits but for the moment she required her annoying droid.
"Hitting me will not lessen the time required for an accurate plotting of a safe jump to hyperspace."
Ranah scowled a little, " Perhaps not, but it'll make me feel better." she grumbled on her way over to the weapons controls. Checking the readouts. They'd be in range a few minutes before they could jump to hyperspace, this wasn't turning out to be a fun little trip home like she'd thought.
"Activating point-defense system. Lasers powering up."
-------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:12 pm by NemoSD
"Commander, detecting weapons powering on the corvette. It has brought all its weapons online," Pettyofficer Edlki reported quickly, "The corvette is in weapons range."
"Thank you Mr. Edlki," Rathi replied, then keyed on the comm to the fighters, "Blue Group, hold back an assume escorting position on the corvette, do not engage." Before even hearing the acknowledgments from the fighters he turns to one of his officers, "Scramble the remaining fighters," then turns his attention to weapons, "Fire a warning shot across the corvettes bow, and comms, has the ship acknowledged?"
"No sir," the red headed comms operator responded.
"Then inform them that failure to respond will result in our assumption that they are hostile, and we will open fire and destroy their ship," Varya says as she walked onto the bridge. "Commander, you have the tractor beam ready I assume?"
"Yes m'lord," Rathi responded, popping a quick salute, then turning back to his console.
"Then I suggest using it," Varya replied.
"Unidentified Corvette, this is the FNS Tulak Hord, ordering you to stand down, power down shields, weapons and engines and prepare to be boarded, failure to comply will result in the destruction of your vessel by order of Darth Varya of the Federation of Dromund Kaas. Repeat, power down shields, weapons and engines," the red headed women said into the comm.
Rathi nodded to Varya as she suggested he lock the tractor beam on, and turned back to his lieutenant who had just returned. "Activate the tractor beam, Lieutenant."
"Yes sir," he replied, then echoed the order. A few moments later, the tractor beam was locked on to the corvette, just as few shots of one of the Tulak Hords primary weapons flew past the forward screen of the corvette.
------------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:33 pm by Nicole
Ranah grumbled as things seemed to begin getting worse. How could she guess that she of all, a Vrei could've let her guard get down so much as to have a FNS ship on her ass. The message came over the comms again, she didn't answer it. She knew who they were, any acknowledgment or revelation of who she was, was like signing her death warrant anyway.
Just then there was a massive halt of her vessel as the tractor beam snagged it and a few blasts of energy bolted by the bridge windows, narrowly missing the shields. Ranah groaned again.
"Q9, when we're free, evasive maneuvers, put Concordia between us and them." Ranah instructed, glimpsing back towards the computer interface ahead of her as she activated the tactical interface with her helmet. She had a perfect view of everything behind them, graphics of the ships, including the Tulak Hord as well as the basic information such as weapons, fighters in the area, and shie-- wait.. they were running with no shields? It hadn't been the first time she'd been in a fight, but the first time she'd been up against a Ibelin-class.
Weapons began to rotate back around, pointing towards the massive warship's tractor emitters and the crisp laser bolts streaked across the expanse between them. Followed by more from the PDL gun.
"Q9, punch the engines, I don't care if we burn up every drop of our fuel reserves, get us out of here."
Just then the engines which made up most of the rear section of the vessel flared brighter in an attempt to drive them ahead and out of range of that ship. The fighters they'd have to deal with second.
--------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:42 pm by NemoSD
"The tractor beam emitters have been hit," cried a voice from the bridge pit, "They are offline, no other damage detected, armor is holding."
"Damn it," Commander Rathi said, turning half in fear to Varya, "They..."
"I heard the report Commander, it is not your fault, it is a flaw in this ships design. It was not meant as a patrol ship, but as a line ship," Varya sad calmly, "Have the fighters pursue, target the corvettes hyperdrive with a single missile, the way that ship is running hot, even a shield impact should disrupt the hyperdrive long enough they will have to start to spool it up again."
"Yes m'lord," the commander said, before turning to his Lieutenant, "Fire a single concussion missile at the ships hyperdrive, order pursuit by the fighters, weapons free."
"Lieutenant, amend the orders, weapons free, aim to disable, and have the helm put us on a pursuit course," Darth Varya added.
Meanwhile, a single missile fires from the Tulak Hord, streaking past the fighters which were at full speed quickly over coming the corvette and opening fire on the massive engines.
--------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:59 pm by Nicole
Just when Ranah was about to do a little victory dance a missile was launched, one which the PDL computer had picked up. The buffering phrase "Tracking" was flashing on Ranah's helmet as her ship tried to avoid as much laser fire from the fighters as she could, a bit of ingenuity and a whole lot of luck had her taking minimum damage. Just when Ranah thought for certain the PDL would take care of the missile the ship's course changed just enough that it passed behind the dorsal fin of the engines and impacted against the shields with a massive rumble.
"Frak." Ranah felt the explosive force rumble through her ship even as the shield level indicator began to fall.
"Ranah, with focus on our engines our hyperdrive safety protocol is preventing our jump. You must prevent any further strikes there as a direct hit could cause an overload of our engine core."
"Switching weapons to automatic firing." Ranah commented, though she wasn't entirely certain whom she told these things to, her droid could care less. With five laser cannons on each side of the ship and that PDL, it looked like a fine laser show coming from the Crusader as it's engines continued to propel it forward at speeds exceeding the recommended safety thresholds. The corvette began to rumble as those engines began to heat up, but Ranah wasn't about to call it quits just yet.
"Range from Concordia?" she questioned, considering a daring maneuver into the atmosphere of the planet, with any luck the larger vessel wouldn't be able to pursue. Even as the fighters continued to peck her shields to death, frell, they were already down to thirty-percent.
------------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:07 pm by NemoSD
"The corvettes shields are failing," Edlki announced over the comm chatter coming from the pilots organizing their own attacks.
"Excellent," Rathi said, then turned to his Lieutenant, "Have the Major prepare a detachment of marines to meet our soon to be guest at the airlock."
"Aye sir," the lieutenant said, before running off to key up a wall clam and relay the order.
"Don't get over confident Commander," Varya said, watch the graphical representation of the fighters engaging the corvette, "I am authorizing the discharge of two torpedoes at point blank range from those fighters."
"Ver well m'lord," Rathi said, then keyed up the fighter comm system, "Blue 1, blue 2, authorization to pickle a single torpedo a point blank range is here by given, transmitting safety overrides now."
*****
The corvette was dancing across space, holding in a straight line, but dancing all over said line. While following the ship was easy, placing shots into its engines, not so much.
Then a smile crossed the pilots face as he heard the authorization to fire off a torpedo, an act he did, although not quite as quickly as his wing man.
-----------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:19 pm by Nicole
The tactical computer on the Crusader had picked up the rising signature in the two fighters as the torpedo's safeties were taken off and they became hot. Ranah knew it was only a few moment's time before her shields would be failing and as the two fighters fired off their torpedoes, the first one to launch was met with and immediate explosion as the PDL targeted it and sent a bolt to take care of it. Ranah was certainly curious to see how this fighter would pull off having his torp shot almost point blank range to himself.
However, the second one, the wingman who launched a blink of time later landed his torpedo right against her shields, exploding with a full loss of the Corvette's shields, Ranah herself was thrown to the deck as the ship shuddered heavily from the explosion, sending it's course into a drift as sparks showered down all over the bridge.
The droid had managed to stay in place, was now reporting an overload in the engines from that last little explosion, the engines, which were being over pressed were starting to reach their critical limits. Ranah wasn't feeling too suicidal today, she'd fought to her best and slammed her fist down against the metal surface of the droid, leaving a small dent in it's cone like head.
"Shut them down."
Just then the Corvette began to slow, slowing till it's engines gave a brilliant snuff and were out. "Q9, emergency override of your safeties, scramble all database entries pertaining to the Warriors of the Shadow and our navigation records around the Mandalorian Sector."
With that Ranah glimpsed towards the weapons locker on the bridge and yanked it open, shouldering a rifle and a blaster on her hip as well as a few improvised explosives she made her lone trek towards the hatchways that would be used to board the ship, waiting for her would be foe to enter she stuck the explosives above each hatchway and then stood in the connecting spar from the bridge to where she was, arms folded across her chest as she waited.
--------------------------------
Re: Remnant of a Once Proud Name- Continued from other Board
"M'lord, the corvette has powered down systems," Rathi said, "We lost one fighter, but the pilot has reported a successful ejection."
"Very good Commander," Varya said, "Lets pick up our new guests."
**********
The airlock sealed with its customary hiss, and a few seconds later, the loud mechanical thunking of the walkway being extended began. The marines had their weapons leveled, with Varya standing towards the back, her double bladed lightsaber in hand, but not activated.
"Prepare to board boys," a man in sergeant stripes said, and opened up the Tulak Hords airlock door, and the entire unit followed, stacking themselves at the door as a tech came up and plugged a datapad into the door, which began to override the lock. Once the tech was ready, the sergeant looked towards a man in the back wearing one of the brown and red uniforms with major rank insignia, who then looked to Varya.
"Proceed," Varya said, and stepped back slightly.
The Major nodded, then turned to face his men and said, "Breech, breech, breech." The tech at the door hit a button on his pad, and the doors slid open. The second the doors opened, two marines, one on either side of the door, threw two concussion grenades into the doorway, and once the booms resounded, two marines in heavy armor lead the way in, weapons at the ready, followed by two more in heavy armor, before the more moderately armored marines followed.
-------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:39 pm by Nicole
Ranah stood silently, just inside the hatchway leading to the cockpit as she waited. She certainly wasn't just gonna open up and let them in. She waited, letting them waste their precious time in overriding the door securities, she supposed she should've been grateful they didn't simply blow it off, at least she wouldn't have to replace that later on.
She tilted her head back as she heard the shouting just on the otherside of the door, she was wise enough to know military protocol, her family had been very much military and as the grenades toppled in and boomed, she, whom was wearing thick Mandalorian armor stepped back just enough to level her blaster through the door at them, her hand, unseen on the otherside of the hatch rested on her own lightsaber, though the indication was very obvious as she pointed right at the marines who entered her vessel. A simple comment issued.
"I hear piracy is on the rise, you people seem well equipped."
-------------------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:48 pm by NemoSD
"Lower your weapons," they shouted, followed by, "And get on your knees now!" as the first few marines came to a step, in their heavy armor, armor perfected through out the Vong war, and the training from that period showing.
As another few marines moved into the room, their weapons leveled, they continued to shout, "Lower your weapons and get on your knees now!"
-------------------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:57 pm by Nicole
Ranah motioned up with her blaster towards the bombs planted above the doorway, if they could just see the grin rising beneath her helmet. She shook her head slightly. "Would be careful about shooting in here, those things over your head don't react well to lasers." she commented.
"You have attacked my vessel without provocation and entered it without permission. I am well within my rights to terminate you to defend my property."
Yeah, that's it Ranah, they're the bad guys here.
----------------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:59 pm by NemoSD
The marines were completely unphased by the explosives, although one turns back and the click of his helmet microphone indicates that he has switched off his speakers. The remaining marines continued to yell at the armored women, getting closer, once again ordering her onto her knees and to lower her weapon.
------------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:09 pm by Nicole
Ranah was calculating her chances. She was already envisioning detonating the explosives, and if it didn't blow a hole in her ship, she'd rush in, strike them dead with her lightsabers, and then send a massive force push down the boarding tube and then... well.. she hadn't gotten that far.
She stood there, standing off with the space marines who were ordering her to stand down. She didn't want to, it wasn't the Mandalorian way, Madalorians fought to the end. But she wasn't just a Mandalorian, she was very manipulative, all she had to do for the moment was reign in her powers, keep them from noticing and she'd have an advantage on them. Her hand resting on her lightsabers pressed the open slot back into her thigh piece, hiding them away into the built in armor holster.
With a small click she drew her blaster back, stepping from her sheltered position in the doorway she holstered her blaster at her hip, her eyes right on them as she brought her gauntleted hands up. She was more curious as to how they'd handle her, it wasn't uncommon for a Mandalorian to have a few dozen built in weapons in their armor, what were they going to do, make her strip naked?
-----------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:22 pm by NemoSD
Two of the marines rushed forward, and drew the blaster out of the holster, and any other visible weapons, while the remaining two kept their weapons leveled. As this was going on, the rest of the platoon filed in and started to spread through the ship, clearing it. Finally, the major, and Darth Varya entered the Corvette.
The Major was discussing something over the comms with one of his soldiers, and said, "I don't care if they droid says do not pass, just shoot it, no one will care."
Varya looks at Ranah, and smiles faintly, "I am sorry for the chaos Mandalorian, had I known one of you were on board, I would not of ordered this ship captured. I am sure your lack of registration is easily explained." Varya waved the major over, "Please escort this Mandalorian to the VIP quarters, and provide her with some clothing she can wear," then turning back to the Mandalorian, "I would like you to join me for a meal later so we can discuss your misfortune as we tow your ship to be repaired, please come dressed comfortably and not in your armor. If you need anything, the major will have two marines outside your door to assist you." Varya's smile was calm, relaxed, and did not give any hint of anything but sincere apology. Her emotions even seemed to match her sentiment if one could feel those.
------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:30 pm by Nicole
Ranah's eyes glimpsed towards the Marines that took her weapons, part of her contemplated fighting, even her very blood was screaming at her to kill. She supposed it was part of her upbringing, to never surrender. This felt like she was betraying that, and in retrospect everything a true Mandalorian stood for.
Ranah's head tilted towards Varya as she told her to come to dinner, not dressed in her armor, a simple uttered phrase as she walked by, "You must know nothing of the Mandalorians. I go no where without my armor, and if your people do anything to my ship I'll make sure you pay for it." she replied, cockily and walked on out with her little escort, another little uttered slur, "Ne shab'rud'ni"
-------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:42 pm by NemoSD
"And you must know nothing of me, if you think I believe a Mandalorian would resort to insults as part of a kind invitation," Varya says smiling as the Mandalorian walks away, then turns to the Major, "Search the entire ship, only one life sign was detected, but that does not mean their are not more. Salvage any data you can, and secure the IFF, give me an exact copy of it, and then reinstall the original."
"Yes m'lord," the major said, trying not to roll his eyes at being order to do a routine search. Varya nodded, then turned and left the corvette, and boarded the Tulak Hord once more.
A few hours later, a message was sent to Ranah stating, "You are invited to dinner, please remember to not be wearing your armor, if you feel more at ease with it present, one of the marines can carry it with them to the meal if you would prefer."
---------------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:49 pm by Nicole
"To be honest, I'd rather show you what I'd rather resort to, but that likely would end up not so well for me." she commented, glimpsing between the armored marines before being escorted off to her 'special room'. She paced back and forth slightly, surveying the room and any useful accesses it might have. Truth be told she could probably cause a good bit of damage, eye for an eye kind of thing.
She had no doubt that the "kind" woman knew everything, especially the symbol on her ship, but for the time being she wasn't pressing it, not that Ranah had any doubt that it wouldn't come in at some point.
She glimpsed towards the message and snorted at the liaison which brought it to her.
"I and my armor decline the invitation. We're not hungry." she replied, slouching against the viewport and glimpsing back out into space.
---------------------------------------
Re: Remnant of a Once Proud Name- Continued from other Board
"Ma'am, I was informed you might decline the investigation, and I was told to inform you that there are currently four Warriors of the Shadow waiting to be executed, by joining Darth Varya for dinner, she would stay the execution," the messenger replied, obviously nervous.
---------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 8:05 pm by Nicole
Ranah tilted her head back towards the messenger, a slight chuckle before Ranah called the bluff. "I find that interesting considering the Taung have been extinct for a few thousand years." she glimpsed back away.
"Tell your Mistress that my response is that she's a hut'uun and a liar."
---------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 11:45 pm by NemoSD
"It is not mistress, it is Lord or Darth, and I will not utter such profanities about her," the messenger said with a blend of fear and indigence. "Moving on, the only other thing I have been allowed to say is that to remind you that at present you are a guest aboard this ship, and you have been invited to a dinner by the owner of the ship."
With that the messenger clicks his heels and does an about face, and starts to head out, then pauses, and says, "Oh I almost forgot," and pulls a holovid disc out of a pocket and keys in a code on the terminal, sticking the disc into the slot. An image pops up of a Mando, his armor on the ground around him having been removed forcibly, tied to a chair with the cut up remains of his armor around him on the floor. His face has been beaten beyond recognition, and the section of his arm where a clan tattoo is often placed his been cut, with the flap of skin on a table. "If he is not a member of the organization that your ship is associated with, and neither are you, then you two are just common criminals I guess."
------------------------------------
Post Thu Jul 28, 2011 11:52 pm by Nicole
That vid.. Ranah focused on it as she narrowed her eyes. That tattoo she knew well. Well enough rather, and enough that the final little comment would be the messenger's undoing. Ranah's hand suddenly snapped upward, focus given as she seized the man by the throat and began to choke the life out of him, a stronger anger brewed in her massively as she brought her hand down, the seamless holder for her lightsabers flipped open and she drew one, activating it as she walked over to the messenger, her eyes on his with such a deadly precision.
"There's an old phrase about not killing the messenger." she replied with a snarl. " But do not think that you are untouchable male. Take me to your Mistress immediately, or meet your maker now." Ranah's fingers tightened on the force, just a bit more force and she could've easily crushed his throat, instead she relaxed, dropping the man back to the deck.
"Now."
-------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:02 am by NemoSD
"Her Lordship has asked that you not meet her in armor," the messenger said coughing, "She believes it disrespectful..." he pauses for a moment, tilting his head as if listening to something. "Very well, her Lordship has said you may proceed as you are..."
He keyed open the door, and lead the way out. Four marines in heavy armor, and one man in Mandalorian armor appear to escort Ranah to meet with Varya. The Mando steps up to Ranah and whispers, barely audibly through the helm comms, "Why is that when there is shit, the Vrei step in it?"
------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:09 am by Nicole
"It is disrespectful to fire upon my ship, it is disrespectful to seize me and keep me against my will, and it is disrespectful for anyone to insist I remove my armor." Ranah pointed out quite insistently.
"So unless you want me to start taking this ship apart piece by piece, lets get this over with." she replied, shoving the lightsaber back in it's holster which once again retracted back into her thigh armor. Ranah had shown her hand in using the Force there, perhaps giving some emphasis that she had best be not pushed too far.
Regardless, she appeared to be getting somewhere at the moment, as she stepped out, her eyes glimpsed towards the Marines and then towards the other Mandalorian, though she certainly couldn't be completely sure it was indeed a Mandalorian, just because someone wears the armor, doesnt make them one.
Regardless, she uttered the slur, "Aruetii" Traitor. She glimpsed back towards the messenger, awaiting her little path to be taken.
---------------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:15 am by NemoSD
"Quite the mouth on you young one," the Mando said, leading the group the short way down the hall, "You will find the traitors path as you called it far more rewarding then you think." He stopped at a door, which opened up into a conference room, a small one, but devoid of occupants except for one. Darth Varya sat at the far end, wearing a red dress of some form.
"Welcome Ranah Vrei, it is a pleasure to meet you on more sociable terms," Varya said, smiling, and then waved her hand at the marines and the Mando who stepped out of the conference room. She sits back down, and places the hilt of her lightsaber on the table in front of her, and then says, "If you would be so kind as to place yours on the table and remove your helmet, I do not believe such a request is dishonorable or out of the line?"
---------------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:25 am by Nicole
Oh how Ranah wanted to punch the other Mandalorian for that comment, she drew in a deep, frustrated breath and slowly let it back out. Her eyes diverted back towards the conference like room and the woman dressed, sitting there. A glimpse towards the retreating marines and the Mandalorian as they left, leaving them alone.
Ranah smirked some to that comment and question, her fingers rose up, taking her helmet and giving a small twist, unlocking it with a hiss as it depressurized, she brought it down, fiery red hair spilling forth from within as she sat it down on the edge of the table and focused back on the Darth. Her fingers togged the holster again as she withdrew the lightsaber and placed it next to the helmet on the table, moving to take a seat across from the table, eyes settled on the woman with such contempt.
"You seem far too pleasant to be convincing." Ranah finally stated.
-------------------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:33 am by NemoSD
"That statement would have more eight if I was attempting to convince you of something," Varya believed, as a droid brought out a meal, and set it before Varya, then another droid brought out a meal for Ranah. "Now, before we talk, lets enjoy our meal, I am sure you have been some time without a hot meal?"
------------------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:43 am by Nicole
Ranah folded her arms and leaned back against the chair, studying this woman, such a humorous little response. Even so she simply replied, "Most people don't seize other people's vessels just to offer them dinner." Ranah commented. "And you haven't had me killed, and you're being far too patient for me to think you dont want something." Ranah surmised.
Her eyes glimpsed towards the meal that was brought in, before glimpsing back over towards the woman.
"Forgive me if I decline. I'm not hungry, and it could be poisoned. So what do you want?"
-------------------------------------------
Re: Remnant of a Once Proud Name- Continued from other Board
"Your ship was unlawfully present in Federation space, however I have been assured that Mandalorians are not criminals," Varya said, taking a bite of her meal, then looks up across the table, "It also seems to have been vandalized, unless of course you are indeed a criminal and are associated with the organization that it would seem you are?"
She nods over to the server droid who starts a holovid, which has the Mandalorian from the earlier vid, and three others in similar condition standing against a wall with a squad of soldiers leveling weapons at them.
"These four were caught trying to sabotage our shipyards over Dromund Kaas, they claimed they were members of Warriors of the Shadow," she pauses, "Do you know the difference between a criminal, and a legitimate freedom fighter?"
----------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 1:00 am by Nicole
Ranah's eyes narrowed a little as she listened, a muscle tightened in her jaw as she gritted her teeth a little. Ranah's arms uncrossed, her armored arms coming to rest on the table as she leaned forward a little bit, focused right on the woman as she commented.
"Last I checked my family owned a piece of that planet. I can trace my rights to it back a few generations. How far have you been able to trace back your ownership?" Ranah mocked her.
"Everyone's freedom fighter is someone else's criminal." Ranah commented. "Do you know the difference between an Occupation and a Legitimate claim to a region of space?" Ranah sneered.
"When their people start trying to blow up your shipyards, they obviously don't like you." she smirked some, leaning back so smugly.
----------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 1:08 am by NemoSD
"That would be incorrect, a freedom fighter has a chance to win," Varya says, "But you are right, I have no real claim to Mandalore, or the surrounding systems. Quite frankly, they are not worth the trouble of protecting either. My efforts are thanked with terrorism, and the relaxed laws I ask are followed are ignored."
"Worse still, a man I spent so much time and effort installing as Mandalore then becomes more concerned in his own wealth and decadence." Varya pauses, "My problem is I can not just leave Mandalore, after all, surrender is not an option?"
"But I am ahead of myself, to the matter at hand. Have I mistaken these men and women for criminals, or are they legitimate claimants to the planet of Mandalore and the surrounding systems? If they are, how do you know? Understand, their life is in your hands."
---------------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 1:16 am by Nicole
Ranah's brow perked slightly at this line of questioning and comments. Ranah grew quiet, though in the end she simply added, " A Mandalore is not installed, a true Mandalore wins the heart of their people and makes the people want to follow them. We knew from the beginning you controlled a puppet Mandalore." she added.
"They appear Mandalorian, but appearances can be altered. You want to know if I know they're Warriors of the Shadow." Ranah commented, " The answer is I don't know. I can hardly see them, having a symbol is hardly proof of anything. However, I do know one of the true Warriors of the Shadow. He could very well clarify on this matter, but you'd have to let me go in order to get that answer."
----------------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 1:23 am by NemoSD
"I was unconcerned with them, only you," Varya said, "As you say a symbol is nothing." Varya keyed a comm, and says into it, "Order them to fire," then she looks back over to Ranah. "We will take you to Dromund Kaas where we will repair your ship, and replace your droids. Once there we will have a talk me and you, as I would not mind an apprentice, and your training is obviously incomplete."
"Of course if you do not wish to work with me, I understand, you have a few hours to think about it though," Varya says, then stands up from the table, grabbing her saber, and walks out of the room, leaving you alone in the room to consider her words.
-------------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 1:38 am by Nicole
Ranah's eyes narrowed as she said nothing, only a rise of anger within as she listened to this one. She drew in a deep breath and slowly exhaled it back out, taking her helmet and putting it back on, twisting it back in place with a sealed click before she picked up her own lightsaber. Her eyes were upon it for a moment before glimpsing back towards the door that the woman had just left, she replaced it in her holster and closed it back, stepping through the doors.
She came face to face with her friendly marines and Mandalorian escort, a narrow of her eyes as she was led back to her quarters and put back inside. Ranah paced back and forth slightly before she decided to get a bit more drastic in her skills, approaching the view port she'd lounged against earlier she once again, for the fifth time drew out her lightsaber. A brief moment to activate the gravprojectors on her boots she stepped up onto the rim and sent a sudden twist of her saber towards the port, rupturing it.
The entire room began to suddenly decompress an she wasted no time in heading out before anything sealed her in again, no sooner than she'd managed to step out onto the hull she began to walk away from the open port up the side of the vessel, a small antenna rising up from her helmet as a signal was broadcast out. All the while this armored woman walked along with a glowing crimson lightsaber in her hand.
-----------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 1:58 am by NemoSD
"Uh, Commander Rathi, we have a decompression in the crew areas... uh, the VIP quarters," a crewmen reported up from the pit, "Area is sealed off and venting has ceased."
"That is where we put the Mando bitch... she still in there?" Rathi asked, moving to look at the console.
"No life signs sir," the tech said, "Scanning around the ship... one moment... sir she is on the hull."
"Let her go," Vayra said coming onto the bridge. "If she wants to reject my gifts, that is fine. To be honest, if she lacks this much wisdom, then she is of no use to me, she'd be no better then the current Mandalore."
"Very well m'Lord," Rathi said.
"Detach her ship, and make the jump to hyperspace," Vayra said.
"She is still on the hull M'lord," Rathi responded.
"If she is smart, she'll know to jump," Vayra said, then walked off the bridge.
------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 2:05 am by Nicole
Re: Remnant of a Once Proud Name- Continued from other Board
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 2:05 am by Nicole
Ranah watched as her ship detached and began to drift away from the moving vessel. She certainly wasn't going to let her vessel go, she deactivated her grav boots and pushed off against the ship, launching herself off of it and towards her drifting vessel. With any luck she'd be getting out of there pretty damn quick.
Once she was within a few meters her visor sensors began to relink back with her tactical interface on her vessel and her commlink with her astromech was restored. " Q9, give me a three second burn of the port thruster, open the starboard hatch. " with that both she and her ship seemed to move towards each other, Ranah drifted into the decompressed port of her ship, sealing the hatch she started recompressing her ship. First thing was first, she'd have to go and access her internal sensors and sweep every inch of the ship now.
-----------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 2:16 am by NemoSD
"Lieutenant, make the jump to Dromund Kaas," Rathi orders, looking up at the screen as the corvette comes back to life.
A moment later the large warship accelerates away into hyperspace, pulling the corvette with it for a moderate distance before it finally manages to break out of the wake.
--------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 2:25 am by Praenuntius
-A new signature would appear over the network system that had been put into place by the Federation. An ancient Providence-class starship would appear one hundred kilometers from the damaged corvette and the Ibelin. Weapons bristling along smooth, sleek exterior of the vessel, scorch marks blemished the otherwise well maintained hull. The command tower was a flurry of activity as shields where brought online. Zev was caught in the middle of the beehive of action. Readouts where fed directly to the HUD inside his helmet. One eye saw the streaming reports as they went through the checks common after each jump, the other saw the report of two ship signatures. One damaged the other leaving the area in a hurry.
Switching the HUD off with a tap on the right side of the helmet, he stood up and regarded the vast darkness before him. Ranah had sent a signal that meant she was in danger and needed to be pulled out. But with the Ibelin leaving, there was nothing left for her to be pulled out of. Robbed of his chance for battle he sunk back into his chair with a sigh. “Did we manage to get the signal location?” No one responded immediately. Zev knew to wait however, they were disciplined and well seasoned, and if no one answered they didn’t have an answer to give him.
A few minute passed by before a brother responded, “The damaged ship appears to be where the signal came from. “
Nodding he tried to find the tiny speck that would be the ship and the person inside of it. “Bring us in, send our greetings.” The streaming data had confirmed it was a corvette though no name could be found in the registry.
"This is Adenn Naast. Burc'ya vaal burk'yc, burc'ya veman." Came the challenge. -
-------------------------
Re: Remnant of a Once Proud Name- Continued from other Board
Ranah sighed a sigh of relief as the sensors reported nothing out of place. She shook her head, probably would've checked stuff better had she not been pinged by another ship. Great, just what she needed, this one better not be Federation too.
Though when the message came across she instantly had a grin. She replied back, trying to not seem like she had a grin from ear to ear under that helmet. "Adenn Naast, this is Vrei, Ori'vod, Ib'tuur jatne tuur ash'ad kyr'amur."
She gave pause long enough before adding in, "Tell Zev he owes me a drink."
-----------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 2:54 am by Praenuntius
-Zev grinned inside his helmet. How long had it been since they had last seen each other? “Open the bay doors bring her in. Order flight crews to stand down and get the technicians to the bay.” Standing as he gave the order he surveyed the deftness in which his crew took to relay the commands to the appropriate sections of the starship. While the Federation was retreating for the moment they had triggered all kinds of sensors on their way here. While Zev had never shied for a fight he also didn't pick impossible battles. "Bring us around to Concordia." At least they might be able to make something of this trip. The flight crews had been ordered to stand down, the shields would remain up until they had to be brought down to admit the corvette into the docking bay.
When the preparations had been completed, Zev took the communications himself. “This is Zev; your drink will be waiting. Enjoy the ride.” About then she would feel the tug and pull of the tractor beam. The ship would right itself to maintain a stable line of sight as it corrected its course and began to make for the moon, Concordia. Terminating the link he made his way to the lift but not before giving the bridge to his trusted brother, A’den. Keeping his link with the command module he would be apprised of any situations as he made his way through the interior of the ship.
She would find him standing in the bay amidst repair technicians with arms crossed over his chest a slight lean to the right as he tapped his foot in mock impatience. Beneath his T-Visor concealed a grin that hadn’t left since hearing her voice. His scarlet tinged battle suit was in stark contrast to the boring slate-grey of the bay itself.-
------------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 9:55 am by Nicole
Ranah was more than ready to be off her ship, she still had a bad feeling in the dark thoughts of her mind. Letting the Adenn Naast tractor her ship in was probably better than using her main engines since she still wasn't sure if there was any damage to them. She left her droid to figure it out and figured Zev would be generous enough to have someone take a look.
She descended down the rampway, heavy boots echoed down it til she came almost visor to visor with Zev, her eyes glimpsed over the scarlet colored armor. She supposed the humor was neither could see what the other was doing, but both knew the other had a smirk to match.
"Dont even say it. -I- managed to chase them off before you got here."
----------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 11:53 am by Praenuntius
“Uh huh,” would be the automatic response. Scanning the ship with his eyes he couldn’t help but chuckle. “If I had to guess,” by now he was running his fingers along the scarred exterior of the ship, “you blew your engines trying to escape.” Taking a look up the ramp he finally spun around, she might not see his smirk, but she could hear it. “That doesn’t explain how you broke out of that Federation vessel?"
"Mind if my Techs take a look at it?” He would question a few moments later.
When Ranah gave her approval the engineers moved in on the ship. Zev already knew what they would find and lucky enough for Ranah they were pulling into Concordia where it wouldn’t be all that unreasonable to find the parts needed to repair the engine damage. Like a swarm of locusts they began crawling over the hull though none of them entered the ship proper. Scanning equipment was being used to determine if there were any bugs or other unexplained anomalies the Federation may have left behind.-
---------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:03 pm by Nicole
Ranah glared a little, Zev always was too damn good at reading damage. She folded her arms slightly, eyes following him as he ran his fingers along the blisters on her ship. When he insinuated she was trying to escape her arms came down and her body grew rigid as she bolstered up and growled.
"I was not escaping, I was making a ba'slan shev'la."
Though when he seemed more curious as to how she got out of the Federation vessel she seemed to calm some, perhaps she did have a few tricks that Zev wasn't aware of. She replaced her arms crossed and tilted her head, a small grin lingering within.
"Federations are idiots, and you forget, it's me we're talking about." she gave motion over herself with her hand, gloating.
Her eyes glimpsed towards her ship and the techs after before she shrugged, "I probably could fix it, but they're faster. Just make sure they dont frak up my software, the last time they tried to update it and it took me a month to get it back to the way it was - the way I'm use to." she commented, turning with Zev as she nodded her head.
"We need to talk. "
----------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:49 pm by Praenuntius
-Zev could tell she didn’t agree with his choice of wording. While it hadn’t been prudent to point out the obvious, Zev worked more in logic than he did emotions. The rebuttal she gave him was more than satisfactory. Nodding towards his tenacious guest, “I’m sure you gave them a talyc akaanir.” Indeed the Federation where morons trying to prop up a self proclaimed Mandalore. The Mandalorians had been in open revolt ever since the Warriors of Shadows had emerged to ease their plight and retake their lost heritage.
Their sigil could be seen on the far side of the docking bay, the only color to the otherwise bland gray and black hues that dominated the interior of the ship. Catching the Head Technician with a look, “You heard the lady, don’t break her software. Just get a list of the parts you’ll need. We’ll be uploading cargo here in a few hours.” With that he let the man go and pointed towards the turbo lift at the far end of the bay. He knew enough not to get in his technicians way, they would handle scanning the ship and making a detailed report on the damages incurred and the parts needed.
“She’s in good hands.” He said as they began to walk, passing several Mandalorians before reaching the lift itself. Stepping inside he waited for her to join him before looking over, “We’ll be entering geosynch with Concordia shortly. I don’t plan on sticking around long. Just enough to get some supplies and whatever parts you need for repairs,” He didn’t comment on the metals he needed to test out a new alloy he hoped to reinforce the hull with.
After a few lingering moments of silence, he regarded her once more. “Fancy piece of work out there. Don’t know how you did it. M’Are!” The door popped opened and would deposit them in Zev’s personal quarters. About half the size of the command bridge the accommodations boasted the many trophies and victories of the Warriors of Shadow. The windows had been shuttered so there was no view at the moment. Just as promised however, the Mandalorian made his way over to the wet bar and pulled out a prized vintage. Two glasses were set on the counter as he poured each a drink before setting the bottle between them.
Leaning on the counter he reached up with both hands to pull his helmet off. A few clicks could be heard as he twisted it one way and then the opposite and then finally the opposite way once more before the suit depressurized. Setting the helmet on the counter, an arm around it, he regarded the female Mandalorian. The battles he had fought where facts savaged into his visage. Long silky tendrils of obsidian hair pooled around an olive toned complexion. Brought together by the trimmed short box beard he sported. Slate-grey eyes where hard and cruel having that piercing quality that always made one wonder whether he saw you or the wall behind you. Taking the drink in a hand he brought it up, a toast.
“Mandokar.” He said solemnly before bringing the drink to his lips and taking a larger sip than usual. Letting the liquid ferment in his mouth before swallowing he set the glass down and waited for her to start talking.-
------------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 2:46 pm by NemoSD
-Listening Post 12a, Concord Dawn-
"Umm, did the Tulak Hord indicate more ships were coming?" a man said, wearing plain civilian clothing, "Because a cruiser just showed up."
"What?" another man said, moving over towards a console. The room was laid out like some kind of small scale call center, with the various intelligence workers blending in as some kind of tech support center for MandalMotors. In fact, it did serve as a call center, with all of its workers hand picked by Federation Intelligence.
"Report that in to the Tulak Hord, it is an older design but I am not sure if an Ibelin can take it, we may just ignore it," the second man said.
"Yes sir, transmitting data to FedCom and the Tulak Hord."
---------------------------
Post Fri Jul 29, 2011 3:29 pm by Nicole
Ranah was quiet as she joined Zev in the lift, her head tilted towards him as he commented on how she'd made her escape. The answer was more than simple, and far from settling, infact she didn't even want to speak it. They had let her go. The darksider she felt there was more than capable of engaging her in battle, the ship was more than twice as deadly as her own ship, and there were more of them than her. Ranah had excellent logic, even if she refused to be a pawn in other's little games.
She followed Zev into his quarters, watching him move to take the bottle, pouring their glasses. When Zev removed his helmet her eyes settled on him, lingering for a moment before her own hands mirrored the procedure to get her own helmet freed, tucking it beneath her arm she slowly approached him and took the drink as he made his toast, her hand raised up in it, drawing it to her lips to take a drink, savoring the fine brew. It had been a long time since she'd gotten to enjoy a good drink like that. Her own golden orbs were a stark contrast to Zev's, but she focused on his, seeing their battle hardened inquiry of what she wanted even without words.
She glimpsed towards her helmet for a moment before she spoke.
"They let me go Al'verde. While I facilitated my own escape, in the end, they could've killed me. Their leader, this.. dalyc.. seemed far too willing to accommodate me, she even dropped hints about pulling out of the sector, evidently we're wearing them down." she couldn't help but try and hide the grin.
"I knew I had to tell you as soon as I heard that. That being said, I doubt we've seen the last of them, when I left the planet they were far too near to be a random patrol." Ranah informed him, though she glimpsed back to her glass, a swirl of the remaining liquid before she swallowed it with a small wince at the suddenness.
"And they captured the four we sent to their shipyards, killed them while I was watching."
