40 oz to Freedom

[Anastasia Rade]

Alderaan

Ana had been spending a lot of her time in Republic space getting to know her neighbors so to speak. Since the alliance between them and the Mando's Ana felt it would be good to meet them and begin to work together. It had thus far been very fun but exhausting at the same time. The young woman barely got any time to herself as she was always chatting someone up trying to make a good impression.

Tonight however was one of those rare nights she had to herself on the lovely planet of Alderaan. Ana had spent the day being shown around some fancy politicians so the other thing she wanted now was a stiff drink in some hole of the wall.

After asking a few citizens Ana had found her way intoThe Flying Monkey and into a seat at the bar. Setting the helmet down next to her she went ahead and ordered an Alderaanian ale for the time being. Normally she went for the harder stuff but she would start with this. The night was young and she knew this wouldn't be her only drink.

[member="Orick T'ane"]

 

[Orick T'ane]

Orick wandered into The Flying Monkey out of boredom mostly. He was waiting for the shipwrights and techs to finish with the ship before it was ready to go. His first command. It both scared him and got him excited. He had yet to give his ship a name and he had been going over ideas for days now. he spent so many years aboard the Ranger that it was really the only name he knew.

He walked in and was surprised to see how dead it was, there were various Republic military personnel. Which made sense, there was a very large military presence here and he knew it. Hell I'm part of that presence. He also noticed the Mandolorian sitting at the bar. Pink was a weird color for armor, but it looked well worn , which he knew only happened one way. He walked over and sat down next to her, " Bartender, corellian wine" He turns to [member="Anastasia Rade"] next to him. " How are you liking Republic so far?"

 

[Anastasia Rade]

“I’m enjoying it very much, Alderaan is a beautiful planet.” She smiled as she took a sip of her drink. It wasn’t as strong as she was used to but it would do. Ana could always get another drink if she wanted one or perhaps get something even stronger next round. “Everyone has been very welcoming. It’s not every day I get escorted around a military base followed by politicians giving me a tour of the city.” She didn’t get such treatment at home and Ana was glad for that. It was exhausting and she wasn’t as into the politics of it all as they may think. Ana worked with the Mandalore because he was her brother and he needed her.

“How is tonight treating you?” She questioned as she took another sip of her drink. The cantina she liked, it was nice and quiet and she did enjoy company. “I’m Anastasia by the way. It’s nice to meet you.”

@Orick T'ane

 

[Orick T'ane]

He chuckled a bit, " They gave you the grand tour, huh. I'm sure everyone was very well dressed and made sure you saw everything they deemed important. Pompous show off's if you ask me. They are trying to buy good will and votes for the next couple of months. " He shrugged, his tone was playful, and lighthearted. " I'm glad you like it though. It is a pretty nice place, all in all." He said as the bartender returned with his drink.

He turns to her as he picks up his glass." Pleasure to meet you Anastasia, I'm Orick. So far the night has treated me well. It's still young though, so who knows what will happen.." He smiles at her as he held up his glass slightly, " To new allies and new friends."


[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

"I know. It was fun though to amuse them for a bit." She had been able to get a peak in on some fancy military projects that she figured she wouldn't have otherwise. Playing along and batting her eyes at them as all apart of the game. Ana was glad though that was all over with and she could relax for now. She had a feeling they would be knocking on her door come tomorrow.

"Nice to meet you Orick," she smiled as she picked up her glass to clink with his. "To allies and friends." Ana stated before taking a sip of her drink. She assumed that with the big military presence here that he was apart of it. He certainly wasn't a Jedi nor a politician. "So, what do you do? Military?"

The pink armor spelled out in big bold letters what she was. His was less loud so she was curious.


[member="Orick T'ane"]

 

[Orick T'ane]

He smiled at her as she told the story of her time with the politicians. He knew without a doubt who and what she was, and yet that only made her more interesting. He had been here for a week, finally linking up with his ship. The newly delivered Spearhead-class cruiser was getting it's final check up before he took it out on it's shakedown cruise.

" I am military, I guess." He shrugs " I've only been back in the uniform for around 3 months" He realized that he was out of uniform and looked nothing like an officer in the Republic navy. " I probably should have said something at the beginning, I'm a captain. I'm here to link up with my first command." He still wasn't sure why he had been given his command so quickly, but the needs of the republic were great, as noted by the lovely pink armored warrior sitting next to him.

He had spent as many years away from the Republic as he had spent in it, and he still felt more comfortable away from Republic military types than he did with them.

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

Ooo, a Captain. Ana had never been that great at flying. She did well enough not to crash at the spaceport but beyond that she was useless. Her focus had always been trying to catch up to where others were age were socially. Training with Azrael had never included flight school. She was lucky to have the ability to request a transport to take her where she needed to go. "So I take it Captain Orick one of those beautiful ships in the hanger is yours?" Ana grinned as she took a sip of her beer. She knew boys and their toys. The Rally Master even had a few of her own.

She couldn't help but be a little curious as to what he was doing when he wasn't in uniform. The way he stated that he 'guessed he was' military made her think it was definitely not leave time but just doing his own thing.

"Oh? Business, pleasure, or a bit of both?" Ana knew full well that if he had been given orders that he wouldn't be allowed to talk about such. It was the way of the military even with her there were many things she was privy to that she couldn't tell a soul.

[member="Orick T'ane"]

 

[Orick T'ane]

He chuckled lightly as she asked about his ship, " Well I do have a ship in the hanger, but it's far from beautiful. it's an old light freighter that I managed to get my hands on." he let out ha deep sigh, the Ranger had seen him through many tough tines and trials. His eyes seemed to fade for a second as he lost himself in the past, the many times that old boat had been his only friend and home.

" My ship is way too big to put in one of those hangers. It's out in high orbit right now. I had a couple of days of leave I was able to take and decided to take my own ship out here to meet up with the new one." He shrugged as he downed the last of his wine, " I hate the way the uniform fits so I tend to not wear it until I have to. I've never been one to follow the dress code too much, as far as I'm concerned as long as I can fight, who cares what I look like." He smiled, " Call it a bit of both, business and pleasure."

He gave her a solid once over and couldn't tell much about her beyond the fact that she was a warrior of some kind. All Mando's seem to wear this armor so it's hard to tell who does what. " What about you, what is it that you do, Anastasia ?"

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

"I bet it has sentimental value to you which makes it better than the new fangled things I saw even the huge one in orbit," Ana nodded as she finished off her drink. If his ship didn't fit in the hangers here it had to be like a capital ship which was impressive considering he had only been back for three months. She could understand keeping that with sentimental value though. It was why she refused to make a new set of armor and just upgrade what she had.

"I have gotten used to the armor over the years," she stated. Ana hadn't grown up in the culture but instead had been adopted in after being rescued by Azrael. As a young woman trapped in captivity Ana had dreamed of being a princess and wearing pretty party dresses. What she was now was far from that but that didn't mean she didn't enjoy what she did. She still got out and would wear a pretty dress from time to time when she was invited to a gala or event that called for such attire. "I wanted to dress to impress my hosts." It was important for her to do so as the Mandalor's sister otherwise she would have probably shown up in this pretty dress she had seen while window shopping.

Ana had to pause for a moment to think about his next question before answering. She wore many different hats amongst the Mandalorians so it was hard to pinpoint exactly what she did. Lately she had been doing these meet and greets on behalf of the Mandalorians as she could be friendly when she wanted to. "I'm a Rally Master and command a team of soldiers in times of war. I can also serve as a battle medic at the same time. In times of relative peace I do a lot of meet and greets and help the Manda'lore with odds and ends." It was important to stay on good terms with allies always.

[member="Orick T'ane"]

 

[Orick T'ane]

He nodded at her statement, the Ranger had been there for him when everything else in the galaxy seemed to be falling down around him. It had been the only home he had known for a very long time. He wasn't sure what he would do with the old ship now, given the likelihood of actually retiring from his new job. Maybe I can store it some where until I get out. Or maybe it'll be sold at auction after they pronounce me dead in some rat hole of a system. His thoughts always seemed to be a distraction lately, his mind second guessing his heart on the decision to reenlist.

" It honestly won't take much to impress the folks around here, Mandolorian battle armor is a great way to be the bell of the ball, as it were." He had noticed the armor that she wore, and the fact that it was clean but well worn. He didn't know much about the culture of the mandolorians, except for a few of the more common principles, but he did know that their armor was almost sacred to them. It was a walking trophy case of battle scars and reminders that they were harder than a durasteel hull.

" Rally Master? Is that like a rank or is it more of a title? I'll be honest, I haven't coma across many Mandoloroans except the occasional bounty hunter, and they don't talk much about the culture." He wondered about how ti worked. she seemed to do a lot within the society. Was it more like a tribal setup? Did everyone wear many hats depending on what the situation called for. We could learn from that. diversity withing our ranks could do wonders for our abilities in and our of war. He would be thinking about this for many days to come, knowing that where was no simple answer.

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

He had a point, they all had seemed enthralled by her armor. She had gotten questions on where this or that scratch came from. She could go on for ages about the different battles she had been involved in. It was weird for her to be enamored for something other than her looks but she would get used to it. The older Mandalorians seemed to embrace it and telling tales of old seemed to be their favorite thing to do. I bet I would knock their socks off in a dress." She grinned with a smile. If given a chance Ana would do just that.

As the bartender came back over to their corner of the bar Ana flagged him down for another round for herself and [member="Orick T'ane"] . She was in no rush to go anywhere and from what she had gathered neither was he until command arrived. Ana had a rather strong tolerance when it came to alcohol so another drink wasn't going to make her tipsy or incoherent.

The intervention of the bartender gave Ana an opportunity to formulate her response. The last thing she wanted to do was bore him with Mandalorian culture but if he was interested she did enjoy sharing. It was good for others to understand. Once the bartender left to get their drinks she was left to begin her explanation. "It's kind of like a rank title. Everyone starts out as an initiate and as one grows they rank up to Rally Master and than a Field Marshal which is the highest you can go except for Manda'lore of course. There is always only one sole ruler."

Ana paused as the next round was brought and took a sip before speaking again. "There are also different roles and leaders within each clan farmers, engineers, medics and teachers. We do what we do to protect our family, the people we love." She lightly smiled as she took another sip. Ana would do anything to protect her family and she knew they felt the same.

She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow when he mentioned run-ins with bounty hunters. "You must have really upset someone to get them to hire a bounty hunter. What happened?" Most hunters she knew got their target but it looked like this time he didn't.

[member="Orick T'ane"]

 

[Orick T'ane]

He smiled faintly at the thought of her in a dress, she was already a knockout in armor, the idea of her in a dress was one he was going to be fighting off the rest of the night. He took a sip of the wine as it was set down in front of him, listening intently as she explained how the rank structure worked. It seemed like a very simple design, but one that obviously worked well.

The clan structure wasn't a new concept for him to understand, the mandolorians had just given it their full and total devotion and because of that it worked. It had worked well enough to push the Republic to a stand still on numerous occasions over the years, and recently it was that structure that the Republic was counting on to help in these new conflicts. " You're entire culture seems so simple yet there's an elegance to it. I have heard about the six rules or something like that, that guides the entire thought process of the clans. I wish the Republic spent less time arguing about the thousands of rules we have and more time making things better for the galaxy. Perhaps the best thing we have done in decades is stop to talk to you mandolorians."

He chuckled as she brought up the bounty hunters, " Oh no, not after me. I may have run afoul of a few underworld types in my time, but nothing bad enough to get hunters after me." He had spend his fair share of time running from one person or the other, but never over a bounty. " Not that I haven't come close to it at one time or another. My former occupation was delivering goods to people that other people said were restricted or forbidden." His days smuggling were likely in the past now that he was back in the Republic military. It was a blessing only in that he knew when he was getting paid and where he was sleeping every night, but the freedoms were something he would miss as long as he wore the uniform.

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

"Yes, the Resol'nare. It's the guidelines of Mandalorian life which consist of wearing armor, speaking the language, defending yourself and your family. Raising children as Mandalorians, contributing to one's clan welfare, and of course when called upon by the Mand'alor, rallying to the cause." Ana had learned it before deciding upon joining her brother's clan. They had made it a simple choice for her as everyone had been so kind and welcoming to her willing to teach Ana all she needed to know. She didn't have children or a family of her own yet but Ana did enjoy training the children in the clan when she had time. Her brother was the Mand'alor so that one was a no brainer.

She had done her research on the rules and politics of the Republic before coming here so she didn't look like a complete idiot in front of her hosts. "It would be nice if they could agree on something and stop the political nonsense which does nothing but give everyone a headache. I'm glad the Republic and Mandalorians were able to come together and rally under a common goal. It's progress." She paused to take a sip of her drink. "We try to keep thing simple and not argue but of course there are disagreements amongst clans at times. It may cause a brawl but it never lasts long. Later the same people whom were throwing punches as one another will be sharing some laughs over a pint." The Mandalorians were weird that way.

"Bounty Hunters on a hunt are all business. Some Mando's are strictly bounty hunters while others do it when they are strapped for cash or just for the thrill of it. I never have myself but my brother has. Off duty bounty hunters are a very friendly bunch." Az had only done it once and that was to help Ana face her past.

"You should come to Mandalore and meet them sometime as my guest. I think you would like it and I could promise a real tour not a fluffed up one." He would be surprised at how friendly everyone was. It would also be a good for someone in the Republic military to see what Mandalorians were really all about. He had hung out with the underground so she had a feeling he would fair well with her crowd.

[member="Orick T'ane"]

 

[Orick T'ane]

Orick nodded as she told him about the Resol'nare, that was exactly what he had heard. Of course it made more sense now then it did when he heard it last time, he was still sober and so he might even be able to remember it if he was asked again." Yes that's what I heard, the Resol'nare" His attempt at pronouncing the word failed bit he got it close enough to be understood. " It's just a no nonsense way to go about your life."

He chuckled softly as she described not only the Republic but also her people's way of debate, " I'd imagine that the point would be well made after you have pounded it into your opponents head long enough, but that's the difference that is the most glaring. We are governed by a group of politicians that have, for the most part, done nothing else in their lives, they have been politicians and that's it. They don't understand the costs or implications of what their decisions truly mean. By contrast, everyone in your culture is a warrior and they know the cost, most of the time personally, of the decisions they make. They are leaders because they are respected for what they have done and not because thy can convince people that the will do something."

He knew what she was talking about when she said bounty hunters were all business, there was more than once, he had to duck because a gun fight had broken out between a hunter and a target. Most of the worst things he had seen involving bounty hunters had involved other species and not mandolorians, but he had seen a few drinking between jobs, and they seemed jovial enough.

He smiled as the offer of visiting Mandolore, " That would be a neat trip to make, one that i am sure I would enjoy, especially since you would drop the fluff tour. i have actually mentioned this to the higher ups. Well not that I needed to visit Mandolore, but that if we were going to work together we needed to share experiences within each other's cultures, so that we had a better understanding of who we are and why we are working together. I don't think there is a proper understanding of your culture. I know there's a good understanding of ours, we push it down everyone's throats so often, I'm sure your children could tell me as much about the Republic as most actual citizens can."

He did wonder though what had happened to that recommendation he had sent to the admirals. It was almost exactly what she was offering him. He mentally shrugged, if they were going to ignore his idea, then when the opportunity presented itself, he would take it upon himself to make it happen. " I can see why you were sent here." He smiled as he took another sip of his drink.

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

He seemed to understand their culture well enough without having even stepped foot in their territory yet. The way they did things was simple yet made complete sense. The leaders ought to be those whom have been in battle before not someone who was groomed for the position and never saw a battlefield before. The politicians she saw today looked like they would cry if they broke a nail. That was not what they needed in power. The military had ranks but they had to listen to the senate first.

"Yes, the children do and it puzzles them. Our Mand'alor earned his position while politicians earn it with credits. He fought in countless battles plus to become the next leader he fought off challengers. If someone thinks that they can do better they are welcome to challenge him." Ana couldn't say enough good things about her brother. He had given her something when she had nothing. He was a wonderful leader and she would back him on anything. She wasn't the only one with such sentiments.

"We can go whenever you want." She smiled as she took a drink. Ana had already spoken to her brother about this so she knew they would have no trouble. She was just glad that he seemed so willing and excited even. The Rally Master fully agreed with his reasonings for the trip it's why she had offered. "I spoke to the Mandalor about similar reasons for such visits. As allies we should get to know each other better especially if we are to be expected to fight with each other. We need to be able to feel each other out and form bonds. Learn to trust each other because without that we are dead in the water." She wanted to know without a doubt the guy next to her had her back. The battle field was not the time to figure that out.

"I have one request though," she paused to take a drink. "A non fluffed up tour of the Republic. Please?"
He seemed to understand their culture well enough without having even stepped foot in their territory yet. The way they did things was simple yet made complete sense. The leaders ought to be those whom have been in battle before not someone who was groomed for the position and never saw a battlefield before. The politicians she saw today looked like they would cry if they broke a nail. That was not what they needed in power. The military had ranks but they had to listen to the senate first.

"Yes, the children do and it puzzles them. Our Mand'alor earned his position while politicians earn it with credits. He fought in countless battles plus to become the next leader he fought off challengers. If someone thinks that they can do better they are welcome to challenge him." Ana couldn't say enough good things about her brother. He had given her something when she had nothing. He was a wonderful leader and she would back him on anything. She wasn't the only one with such sentiments.

"We can go whenever you want." She smiled as she took a drink. Ana had already spoken to her brother about this so she knew they would have no trouble. She was just glad that he seemed so willing and excited even. The Rally Master fully agreed with his reasonings for the trip it's why she had offered. "I spoke to the Mandalor about similar reasons for such visits. As allies we should get to know each other better especially if we are to be expected to fight with each other. We need to be able to feel each other out and form bonds. Learn to trust each other because without that we are dead in the water." She wanted to know without a doubt the guy next to her had her back. The battle field was not the time to figure that out.

"I have one request though," she paused to take a drink. "A non fluffed up tour of the Republic. Please?" What she had been put through was not whet she had been hoping for when she came here.

[member="Orick T'ane"]

 

[Orick T'ane]

He nodded, he didn't know who Mando'lor was, but he did know that he was a warrior, and a pretty kriffing good one at that, if rumors are to be believed. His beliefs were in line with the mandolorians on that aspect. warriors should lead, or at least they should hold a bit more power than politicians. He wasn't trying to get promoted to the point that he would be in charge, that responsibility wasn't something he strove for. But command was earned, and while he didn't think he had dome anything to earn a command, he had one. It was his job to ensure that his people had the best possible chance to survive in a fight.

The chance to connect with the Republic's allies was invaluable, the lives that could be lost due to miscommunication on the battlefield could be massive. One set of standard procedures could change the way each side supports the other. Orick chuckled at how prepared for this she was. " I am going to go out on a limb and guess that you have been waiting for the right person to offer this to. Seeing as how you have already spoken with the elders about it. Either that or my higher ups are just dragging their feet on something that us soldiers already know."

He laughed lightly as she asked for a real tour. " Of course, Rally Master. I am at your disposal. What would you like to see, and would you like to change into something a bit more comfortable first?"

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

He was half right on his assumption as she had been looking for the right person to offer this to. Someone whom she believed would be able to go to Mandalore with an open mind. Ana knew that some of the soldiers still had reservations about the whole alliance thing or were set in their views of the Mandalorians. Orick she hoped could help change that stigma in both directions. Speaking with the higher ups about her idea had been quite easy. She got along well enough with most of them even Strider whom drove her crazy from time to time. "You could say that," she smiled as she finished off her drink. "The Manda'lor and Field Marshals are reasonable people and thought I had a good idea. I thought green light before going was a good plan and seems like I was right."

Ana had to pause and think about what it was she really wished to see. She had come to listen to blah blah never had she actually thought someone would ask her what she wanted to see. The Rally Master didn't really know much about the planet except for it was fully of military personnel. "How about I get washed up and changed into one of those nice dresses I brought and you take me to where you normally go for fun around here? I don't know much about Alderaan." Even though she had come here mainly for business there was nothing wrong with having fun which was why she had brought a few changes of clothing with her. He could show her around the Republic and she would show him around Mandalore. It not only sounded like a good idea but fun as well

[member="Orick T'ane"]

 

[Orick T'ane]

Orick nodded as he listened to her explain how she had gained permission from her superiors, it made sense to him to gain that kind of permission before meeting with the Republic. It made it easier for her to offer up solutions without having to constantly be in contact with her own people back home. That kind of flexibility was one of the reasons he had been so interested in seeing their world. " Regardless of what the Republic and the media would have people think, to fall into the trap of thinking you were nothing but savages would be a huge mistake. You're a galactic power and obviously very forward thinking."

He thought about a place to take her that wouldn't be too bad, she had asked for him to take to a place where you normally go for fun, but was she asking for a place that was fun or a place HE would go for fun, those were two very different directions on the spectrum. Orick supposed he could compromise and take her to the nightclub that that crazy Bith owned. there was plenty of music and more than a few games of chance to be played. He had always had fun there, and the chance to show up with the mandolorian delegate was too good to pass up. " That sounds like a lovely idea, I could meet you just outside the reception area. It's that big area that nothing ever happens in, where they always seem to make you wait for a lot longer than needed"

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

"I think they look at us that way because of the armor. It can kind of be intimidating plus all they hear about is our wars. They don't seem to care what else we do but oh well." Ana knew that she could spend her whole life trying to change the way the media thought of them. It wasn't worth it but changing the views of the Republic military was something else.

She had left out the fact that she was close to the Mand'alor in hopes of going somewhere fun. Ana doubted he would take her to where he really went for fun and instead tone it down. Ana was in her own right was a warrior and had been through hell in her life. She could handle anywhere he took her.

"Sounds like a plan, I'll meet you there in about an hour?" Ana only needed to shower and change which was something that she could accomplish relatively quickly. As she spoke Ana dug around a little in her pouch to grab some credits to pay for their drinks. She wasn't sure if he was planning to change. Ana doubted it but she had no idea where he was taking her and she didn't want to know. Better it be a surprise.

[member="Orick T'ane"]

 

[Orick T'ane]

"An hour works fine for me, I'll meet you there for sure." Orick headed back to his small room and pulled open the wardrobe along the wall. He had no intention of going out with her while wearing the clothes he had on. He might not go all out like he was going to a wedding but he wasn't going to look like a slob either. He pulled out a pair of slate grey pants and a dark green shirt and laid them on the bed. A quick shower later he was dressed and pulling his hair back into a loose ponytail. He kept the boots he had on before, mostly because they were too comfortable for him to care what they looked like. He Slipped his belt on and tucked his holdout blaster into the small of his back. He had been alive long enough to know that anywhere you went these days was going to be potentially dangerous. Carrying a pistol had become as natural to him as wearing shoes. It was just the way the galaxy was these days.

He looked at the glowing screen of his wall clock and knew that he still had enough time to meet [member="Anastasia Rade"] at their meeting place without looking like he had rushed. He didn't want her to think that he had gone all out, he wanted her to see a casual guy that decided to not look like a bum when he took her out on the town. She may want to have a real time out and not the parade she was shown, and she may be a warrior of great skill. But he wasn't going to forget that she was a lady, and he was just enough of a gentleman to remember how to show her a good time. If she wanted to brawl, well that could be arranged too, but it wasn't near the top of his list.