A Light Within [UCM]

[Auburn Sioda]

[media]https://youtu.be/g-jGHbkM8e4[/media]​

Sliabh na Seanóirí.

A mountain named from Before, and has lived on through the Return, but shrouded in fog at the base most of the time... But today was different.

Auburn stood facing the mountain, dressed in simple clothing. Soon the Mandalorians would arrive, all called by one [member="Adenn Kyramud"] because of a conversation the Queen and Mortui Alor had just a few days prior. She had told him about the Mountain at his request, and mentioned she didn't know if anyone would be able to map the winding caverns deep within. He said one word to her.

Bet.

Now, she waited. A message had come to her yesterday, heralding the future arrival of the Clans today. The Queen's only question now was: Who would come to prove her wrong?

 

[Adenn Kyramud]

Adenn didn't know how to say the name of this mountain, nor how to spell it, but he wasn't on Domhanda to do either of those. No, he was there to explore some underground area and map it out for Auburn Sioda. She had told him about an unmapped area and how no one could map it, Adenn didn't believe in the impossible and simply said "bet." Then he'd contacted other Mandos and told them about the place, several had said they'd be coming, and now it was just a waiting game.

Standing out on the landing pad, some of his clan members nearby, Adenn was checking his HUD while waiting for his allies to arrive. His men were ready as well, but they were waiting for now. All in all, they were just waiting, and there was little prior knowledge of the underground area they were to explore. Soon enough they may get a briefing from Auburn, but Adenn didn't know yet. So for now, Adenn and his men would wait for his allies arrival.

[member="Auburn Sioda"] [member="Mig Gred"] [member="Nicair Claden"]

 

[Nicair Claden]

He'd heard the call for a challenge. A mountain, and the mysteries of what lay within it. It had seemed more and more that he'd been traveling and fighting far more than he'd done in the past. One planet to the next with Antisoch always as a stop in between to monitor the condition of his people and his rule.

To say it was a miracle the planet wasn't a heaping wreck floating in space was an understatement. For whatever reason the Sociph were... behaving themselves. It caused the man to turn up his nose at the very thought of it. Like a parent of rambunctious children he felt they were planning something. Unlike a parent, the Sociph wouldn't surprise him with urine in a drawer or coloring on the walls. If they did, it would pose a far worse problem than bloody conflict.

Kheir was, what Nicair assumed to be the emotion, enjoying himself and his newfound freedom off of the desert planet. It could be considered bad parenting for the man to bring the 6 year old to explore uncharted cave systems. In any endeavor, however, it is required to have someone that can fit in small spaces. While Kheir was relatively tall for his age, as most vong are, he was still the smallest member of their little expedition.

"Nic', why you bring me?*" The two spoke to each other in Socishi or Mando'a. Kheir was favoring Socishi and thus Nicair responded in kind.

"Because, Kheir, I need someone who won't hit their head and can fit in small places. That person being you.*" They walked slowly up to his vod awaiting them.

"Adenn, su'cuy. Gratitude for the invitation. We could use a break from the desert sun." He turned to Kheir, "Kheir, say hello.*"

"Soo'cuu'gr."

He'll get there.

[member="Adenn Kyramud"] | [member="Auburn Sioda"]

*Translated from Socishi cause I'm lazy and languages are hard.

 

[Shoden Moz]

((Here at request of [member="Auburn Sioda"]))

It was not the invitation to visit given by the likes of [member="Adenn Kyramud"] that had brought Shoden Moz-Excron to visit the planet of Domhanda. Unlike the Mandalorians there, she had come for a far more personal reason, an open invitation that had been sitting on her desk at home for what felt like months. Until recently the young woman hadn't had the reason to leave her safe home, though the nagging of her aides kept her there even if she had the opportunity unknowingly regardless. This place was dangerous, they said. Who knows what could happen, they'd say. Honestly it was annoying, and she was grateful for the one aide with her who finally broke down and let her go. She'd wasted no time with the short research, deciding to wear clothing similar to stuff one on Domhanda would....

She didn't meet with the others, those like [member="Nicair Claden"], instead taking her own direct route to meet with Auburn directly. This woman was dating her Father, and she hadn't the privilege of meeting her in person once. So she was eager to pass judgement on her... She kept her stump-wrist tucked under her good arm as they made their way there to meet her, nursing a cig the entire way as they looked at the beautiful city and surrounding nature. How would Auburn respond to her presence, she wondered.

When she did arrive to Auburn's location, she gave a small bow, and almost adequately managed to greet her in Auburn's language. "Dia duit, an Bhanríon Auburn." It was a clumsily pronounced way to say 'Hello Queen Auburn' but, it would have to do. "You sure know how to keep away from coming to see me don't you?"

 

[Mig Gred]

An Enigma-class corvette landed near the meeting place. The corvette had become a Gred staple really, but it thankfully was a simple transport today. From off the boarding ramp, Mig and his close friend Ilik walked off. He looked around, taking a breath and feeling the world with the Force. He walked up to where [member="Nicair Claden"] and [member="Adenn Kyramud"] , waving at the pair before speaking.

"Nice to finally not meet you two and it be either war or bad news."

[member="Shoden Moz"] [member="Auburn Sioda"]

 

[Auburn Sioda]

Auburn turned to the unfamiliar voice, with very rough pronunciation. It took but a moment for a smile to grace the queen's features, as she recognized [member="Shoden Moz"] from a picture [member="Darlyn Excron"] had shown her. She had always wished to meet his daughter, and had sent the young woman an open invitation some months ago to the planet. It was lovely to see her wearing Anam-style clothing, it suited her in Auburn's opinion. Whether or not that was because Shoden had red-hair like the Anam had absolutely nothing to do with it. Not at all.

"Ah, my apologies. I've been engaged in planetary matters these past months. It is wonderful to finally meet you, Shoden. I would offer you refreshments, but, well. All I have is general rations for traveling. The Mandalorians are gathering to prove me wrong about these caverns, supposedly. Would you like to join us?"

[member="Adenn Kyramud"] [member="Nicair Claden"] [member="Mig Gred"] [member="Taru Cadera"]

 

[Adenn Kyramud]

Adenn noted the arrival of both Mig and Nicair, he nodded to both as they approached, though Adenn did note the presence of the vong child.
"Su'cuy Nicair, it's been some time since last we undertook anything." Turning to Mig, he nodded to him as well and continued. "And su'cuy vod, thank you for coming as well."

Looking them over, Adenn motioned behind him towards a cave further up a path, and the presence of a woman. Along with another, one that hadn't been there last time Adenn had checked.
"Auburn is up there, waiting for us. I don't know who the other one is, but either way, I don't think it's best we keep them waiting."

That said, Adenn nodded once more before turning to face the pair of woman standing up the hill. Activating his jetpack, Adenn flew up towards them in a blast of air from his jetpack. The flight to where they stood wasn't far and Adenn was there in moments. In his hands he had his new E'care gun(in sig) and held it in a loose grip, but was clearly ready to use it. Then he noticed that Auburn and the stranger were speaking, so they knew each other. Sighing behind his helmet, Adenn holstered the gun on his hip and landed with a thump.
"Su'cuy to you as well stranger, and once again to you Auburn. My aliit are coming," He jabbed a thumb over his shoulder indicating Mig and Nicair. "Mind filling us in on what we need to know before we head in. On that note as well, I volunteer as point man." The cockiness in his voice was palpable, and he didn't try to hide it.

[member="Auburn Sioda"] [member="Mig Gred"] [member="Shoden Moz"] [member="Nicair Claden"]

 

[Nicair Claden]

"Give it time, vod. We'll have some fun, yet." The man smirked grimly under his helmet. He motioned for Kheir to take his place on Nicair's back and activated the repulsors in his boots once the child did so. It was fortunate that he was used to the extra weight of a jetpack where Kheir now rested, else his use of the new method of propulsion and unbalanced nature of having the boy on his back would have thrown off his landing.

Nicair, while relatively untrained in more traditional force use had become quite adept at reading individuals through it. Being able to see intent was important for a Qer'ak on Antisoch. Though he'd never before met the one called Auburn, he'd been on this planet before when his sensitivity was new. A certain dancer came to mind.

He'd never seen light like the one he witnessed on glancing at Auburn. It distracted him just long enough that he missed the first half of what Adenn had said though it wouldn't have taken much to piece it together. He didn't personally know the stranger and he didn't figure any of his fellow Mandalorians would either.

[member="Adenn Kyramud"] | [member="Auburn Sioda"] | [member="Mig Gred"] | [member="Shoden Moz"]

 

[Taru Cadera]

Taru had, with his Uncle's permission, been allowed to fly around in his armor. It was basically still brand new, and it was his. All his. His own in making, and his own in use. The built-in jetpack was of great use, and the only real reason which he had given to Adenn before jumping off of the landing pad was that in the caves there wouldn't be much use for them. (He didn't wait for a reply) Either way this short flight wouldn't waste much fuel. As he flew back to where Uncle Adenn was, he noticed Mig Gred and another man talking with Adenn. But as he neared, the group flew up to where two women were waiting. Taru presumed that one of them was the Auburn Sioda, but he was guessing off of hair color. Then again, both women had red hair so he was once more at a loss.

His peaceful flight ended abruptly as he tried to land for his first time in the armor a few meters from the group. However, he somersaulted as he descended so fast and continuously that he became a wheel of mandalorian. But he did manage to right himself before touching his feet to the ground a meter or two away from his Uncle and the others. "Ba'vodu! Yir borarir! (Uncle! Everything works!)" he yelled gleefully. "Jii tion'tuur narir mhi pabida at slanar at cerar? (Now when do we get to go to the mountain?)" he asked with the air of an impatient teen. (Taru refuses to speak any language other than Mando'a, but he understands Basic perfectly).

He really was impatient at the moment, partially because he was about to face the unknown but also because of this being a chance to use his beskar'gam to its fullest. In his hands squirmed the form of a small pure black nexu. "Arceus cuvir su." (Arceus be still)" he whispered softly while petting the lil furball...

​

| [member="Adenn Kyramud"] | [member="Nicair Claden"] | [member="Auburn Sioda"] | [member="Mig Gred"] | [member="Shoden Moz"] |​

 

[Shoden Moz]

"Mandalorians love challenges, I highly doubt you'll be disappointed in their results. Unless you get them drunk they'll keep at it until they get what they want." Shoden glanced off in the corner of her eye to spot the flying mandalorians, taking the most direct route there that they could. She also caught onto the body language of the one leading the charge up, [member="Adenn Kyramud"] couldn't have spoken more clearly to her if he tried. "I think I will take you up on that offer though. Could be fun." He was followed by two others, the more collected [member="Nicair Claden"] and the, energetic [member="Taru Cadera"]. Of course [member="Mig Gred"] was out in the back but, she was more invested in the present and immediate future than the one taking his time joining her and [member="Auburn Sioda"]. Shoden chuckled lightly, and took another puff of her cig before pointing at Adenn with her stump wrist.

"Ni susulur yirhaou gar kyr'yc aba'yer o'r a babar'r. Ni mirdir Ni hwa hiibir ceratir o'r e'dr cad olyay kelhr." She gave a smirk at him, her Mando'a more practiced than what she learned for Auburn. Being Darlyn's daughter, she felt it important she can share in certain cultural values he found himself invested with, this being one of the easier ones. And being related to Yasha, he'd gotten more than his share of spilled tea, which he often shared with her after she 'convinced' him to have a few drinks. Well, with her snark gods appeased and her choice to join solidified, she gave a small nod to the others, though took a minute looking at Taru. After a moment she held her cig in her mouth and pulled out of one of her hidden pockets one of her emergency lolipops, offering it to the kid. "Shoden."

Translation:

Spoiler

I heard about your last adventure in a cave, I think I should take point in case there's moss

 

[Auburn Sioda]

Auburn smiled at [member="Shoden Moz"]'s retort about Mandalorians. She truly was Darlyn's daughter, adopted or otherwise, and it was nice to see. "Well, if we're successful here today, there will be plenty of drinks to go around." A small laugh came from the queen, before the Mandalorians jetpacked their way over to the two women. Such novel technology! A look of confusion washed over the queen's face, as the all spoke at least partly in Mando'a. She really should have had Darlyn teach her more.

"Sew'cou... gar? I didn't pronounce that right at all... But anyways, the caverns within this mountain have been largely unexplored due to the very few days that a thick fog doesn't conceal the entrances. This was once the resting place of a sacred spring, but during the Collapse was most likely destroyed. Most explorers either come back within a few hours, and some don't come back at all."

[member="Adenn Kyramud"] [member="Nicair Claden"] [member="Mig Gred"] [member="Taru Cadera"]

 

[Mig Gred]

Mig followed [member="Nicair Claden"] and [member="Adenn Kyramud"] up to where [member="Auburn Sioda"] and someone else were standing. He listened carefully as Auburn explained what was going on. The caves apparently had something to do with the Collapse. A place where a sacred spring to her people before it. This intrigued Mig a lot, particularly given the connection this whole world had to the Force. If it was a sacred place.... He looked over to Adenn for a second, then back to Auburn. He was clearly curious, and was quick to speak up.

"So we could be dealing with something that has a connection to the Force, considering what was here? This could be interesting then."

[member="Shoden Moz"] [member="Taru Cadera"]

 

[Adenn Kyramud]

Adenn turned to watch Taru as he came in to 'land.' It was rough, but better landings would come with practise. Chuckling, he replied to his excited nephew.
"Iupe at susulur(glad to hear it) Taru. Mhi cuyir kovid o'r catnat(we're headed in soon)."

Turning his attention back to the stranger, Adenn chuckled at her comment. If there was moss in there, he'd be ready for it this time around, not like last time. Shaking his head in amusement, Adenn continued to listen for now. He was silently impressed that she new Mando'a so well though, but kept that well hidden. Turning his head to Auburn, he listened as she absolutely butchered the Mandalorian greeting. Sighing behind his helmet, Adenn was going to say something, but Mig spoke faster. Chuckling at the last bit, Adenn silently nodded his head. Then he took it as his turn to speak.

Turning first to Shoden, he said.
"I still insist I take point, in case something comes out to attack. Wouldn't want the unarmored people in the front now. Besides, a little explosion won't hurt me with my new armor." Then he turned to Auburn. "Those explorers aren't Mandalorians, especially not us. We'll find that spring if it exists still and map whatever we can." Now he turned to gaze at the cave entrance. "Indeed, this'll be very interesting."

Turning to the group with an obviously cocky grin on, Adenn chuckled once more before speaking. "Well, let's go cave exploring." And with that marched straight into the cave entrance. Not bothering to wait for anyone, he just went straight, following the cave and once it got dark enough, turning his helmet spot lamp on to illuminate the way for others. Sure he had night vision, but this made everything more eery, something he liked. Thus Adenn went in, weapon at his side, no real plan, just action.

[member="Mig Gred"] [member="Auburn Sioda"] [member="Shoden Moz"] [member="Taru Cadera"] [member="Nicair Claden"]

 

[Nicair Claden]

He and the one he knew to be Auburn had never met, but her Mando'a sounded much like something Kheir would attempt to speak. The vong was learning, but being six his ability to understand more than one language wasn't the strongest, seeing as the first he'd ever learned was Vongese. Translating it was a pain.

Nicair could appreciate the straightforward approach [member="Adenn Kyramud"] was taking. It was a fair point that the explorers weren't Mandalorians, but it could also be true that they were better trained in genuine exploring.

"*Come on, dad, there's no time to lose.*" It was then that Kheir broke his hold on Nicair's kama and strode forward behind Kyramud. The Sociph was taken aback for a couple of reasons.

The first was that Kheir was often more withdrawn than this in most situations, social and otherwise. Striding so confidently forward with his small frame towards what could be certain death was a shock.

The second was that Kheir had referred to him as dad. Socishi didn't usually have words for the term seeing as it often carried more of a personal attachment than something like father or patriarch. What Kheir chose for dad was like some sort of mixture of Mando'a and Socishi.

It took him more on his heels than the little one stepping forward to danger.

Dad. He was Dad now.

[member="Mig Gred"] | [member="Auburn Sioda"] | [member="Shoden Moz"] | [member="Taru Cadera"]

 

[Auburn Sioda]

Auburn nodded in response to [member="Mig Gred"] and was about to speak before [member="Adenn Kyramud"] chimed in. A small smile graced the queen's face as she noticed the excitement from the Mandalorians. She was pleased that they were so willing to assist her with this task, and followed behind them towards the caves. The children's excitement was particularly amusing to the queen, despite her small worries of the danger that may lurk within the caves. Before the group entered, the Queen felt they should learn the history.

"Before the Collapse, the Loch na Beannachtai would be seen by millions of pilgrims from across the planet. It was first formed after the first of our gods died. The Beannacht gathered around her body, and cremated her with their flames. Her ashes joined with the soil, and within the year the spring formed. People came from the furthest corners of Domhanda to see it. History tells us that just being near it, even the most grievous of wounds could heal in only a few hours. Water from the spring by doctors for healing, as well."

As they entered the cave, Auburn held up a ball of flame in her hand in order to assist with the lighting. It was then that a thought crossed her mind: How were they going to map the caverns?

"I have the entrance caves memorized, but when we get further in, how do you all plan on mapping it? We'll need to mark the walls of where we have and have not been, and possibly even split up to cover more ground. These caverns are extens- take a left here, if we go to the right it will just lead us to an exit high up on the mountain."

[member="Shoden Moz"] [member="Nicair Claden"] [member="Taru Cadera"]

 

[Taru Cadera]

As he followed the rest of the group into the caves, Auburn asked as to how they would be mapping the caves. Normally Taru would say that the GPS would be of help, but there was to be no to barely any signal within these caves. But that didn't mean that Taru couldn't map these caves. He spoke so that the others could hear him and not just to Imp, partially to brag about the armor, but also to answer Auburn's question. "Diamtayr. Vhekaj daukdauka bal ka'ulya. (Imp start mapping footsteps and direction.)" \<\<\ Starting now. />/>/ . Tiny lights lit up the soles of his feet, and then went out as the AI began to track the steps and their direction. This all would later be able to be downloaded and siphoned to any datapad which Auburn might have... But this would also only track his footsteps and no one else's so if they got lost then they would stay lost until found through verbal and physical locating.

Taking the left which Auburn had told them to, he trudged forwards. If there was climbing ahead or if the came across a canyon of sorts, Taru was ready, and already flexing his extendable wrist blades and checking how much fuel he had left in the jetpack. not a lot, but enough for a couple more minutes of flight, even if 1/3 of these would be falling. Everything was working and nothing scared him, but he did flinch when Auburn had held fire in the palm of her hand which had definitely not been there beforehand. Being Force Dead had its benefits, but not knowing that such magic was possible was not one of them. At least next time he wouldn't be surprised. Hopefully.

[member="Adenn Kyramud"] | [member="Mig Gred"] | [member="Auburn Sioda"] | [member="Nicair Claden"] | [member="Shoden Moz"]​

 

[Adenn Kyramud]

Adenn half listened to what Auburn had to say about the caves history, it didn't greatly interest him, so he ignored it for the most part. He himself didn't need the light that came shortly thereafter, because of his helmet, but he appreciated the sentiment. Turning slightly to face Auburn, Adenn tapped his helmet to show that he was mapping the caves with his helmet. With his 360 degree helmet camera, Adenn was able to see the tracker that Taru started as well. Chuckling at that, Adenn spoke over his shoulder to his nephew.

"Kandosii Taru, fine piece of tech you have there."

Chuckling again, Adenn took the direction Auburn indicated, still moving at the head of the group, not caring to be careful. He oozed confidence with every step. Scanning his head though, Adenn made sure to take pictures of anything of interest, who knew what they could be used for.

[member="Taru Cadera"] [member="Auburn Sioda"] [member="Nicair Claden"] [member="Mig Gred"] [member="Shoden Moz"]

 

[Talon Aegis]

(( Here with [member="Adenn Kyramud"] permission, if you would like me to leave I can))

Talon would sit in the cave quietly reading a book quietly sitting around a fire. He was quiet and looked up when he heard the group approaching. He left the fire on and hid in the shadows. The dancing flames helped conceal him. He planned on letting whoever pass and follow them in exploring the cave. He just sat quietly wondering why he took the job to explore the cave. He was suppose to be looking through the cave seeing if there was anything valuable, all he found so far was just rocks and crystals of little to no value.

 

[Talon Aegis]

(( Thing posted twice, sorry, just delete this one))

 

[Mig Gred]

Mig followed [member="Auburn Sioda"] into the cave, making a small fireball of his own. He actually stayed pretty quiet now, his eyes closed as he focused with the Force. If what Auburn said was true, it would be easy to follow the Force signature if this spring still existed. He smiled slightly at the thought. Either way, Mig simply followed the ruler's lead for now.

[member="Talon Richwood"] [member="Adenn Kyramud"] [member="Taru Cadera"] [member="Nicair Claden"]