Private A New Horizon

[Zephyr Krayt]

A way off the beaten track lay the isolated settlement of Clan Krayt who, like all Mandalorians, had spent the best part of the last few years in hiding from their Imperial and Sith overlords. It was a relatively small clan compared to that of his previous clan which had spanned across several systems with the true number of members unknown but they seemed willing to take in the extra Mandalorian despite Zephyr assuming they would have a close-knit nature for such a small clan.

There weren't many questions asked about his reasons for leaving his previous clan but it seemed that knowing the name of the clan was enough of an answer. Some other clans had become disillusioned with Australis and Zephyr didn't want to make any enemies based purely on the sigil attached to his armour. At least, this was half of the reason he told people. The other half was that he needed to leave Australis to avoid being found by his Imperial mother who knew which clan had taken her son in twelve years ago but he kept that reason to himself.

By chance, he had befriended a member of Clan Krayt over the course of a few shared missions which had eventually led to him being invited into the clan after expressing being discontent with his own. While hesitant at first, not wanting to be branded a traitor by his own clan, he accepted and was put into contact with the Alor, ultimately deciding that the risk of staying in Australis was too high as confirmation of his mother being alive meant she would be able to find him relatively easily. The Alor since his first contact had perished and the new Alor put him into contact with one of the clansmen called Talo Krayt who he was here to visit.

With all ties to his former clan cut and the Krayt Dragon sigil placed on his shoulder plate, Zephyr was as much a part of the clan as anyone else who roamed these grounds, though it didn't yet feel like it. He was woefully unknowledgeable about the clan and its workings and with only one friend in the clan, he felt like he was being thrown into the deep end. He had first been tasked with finding Talo. It seemed this clan liked their Mandalorians free range.

Using the description of the armour he had been given by Raya, it didn't take too long to pick the man out of the handful of armoured warriors going about their business. He hoped Talo had been informed of his arrival otherwise it was about to get awkward. He approached the Mandalorian and intercepted him. "Talo?" He asked and upon confirmation he would offer the other his hand in greeting. "Zephyr." He introduced himself. "Raya told me to meet you. I just joined the clan." He told Talo in an almost questioning tone, waiting for him to either look confused or confirm that he was expecting the man.

Talo Krayt

 

[Talo Krayt]

Talo had only planned to be at the outpost on Thakwaa for less than a full day before returning to the stars in the search for either more work, or for more leads on his parents. The reaons for his return was simple, as a sign of his gratefulness for Krayt taking him in as a kid, he would give a quarter of his earnings to the clan whether it be credits or beskar he managed to salvage.

As the Mandalorian had begun preparations to depart from the outpost, he only needed to actually purchase transport off of Thakwaa. Unfortunately, for him, before he could do so the voice of a male addressed him. Looking over his shoulder, Talo set eyes... or in this case, T-visor, onto a Mandalorian he didn't recognise but bared their clan's sigil. A series of questions ran through his head as the man spoke, was he new? Was he part of another cell that operated under Clan Krayt? For the young Mandalorian didn't recognise the voice of the one standing behind him, or his armor.

Turning his body to face the other Mandalorian, Talo's head tilted down slightly as he glanced at the hand that was extended to him. Talo's arms remained firmly at his side as he chose to ignore Zephyr's gesture, Talo remained quiet after Zephyr had revealed Raya had sent him as well as being a new member of the clan. Raya was wrong for that, yes, they were best friends.. family even but she of all people knew he didn't like to stay in one place for too long and now she was saddling him with some newcomer.

After internally cursing the Alor, Talo finally spoke up "And?" he asked rather bluntly, indicating what he was supposed to do about it. If the circumstances were different and this Mandalorian was a simple Foundling, he wouldn't act so standoffish but because Zephyr obviously came from a different clan he would have a hard time trusting him, as he didn't trust any outsider that wasn't a Foundling. "Tell Raya I'm sorry but I was getting ready to leave, you'll have to find someone else. For whatever it was you needed." Talo stated as he turned to walk away from Zephyr. He was in no mood for babysitting, regardless of his loyalties to Raya.

Zephyr Krayt

 

[Zephyr Krayt]

The response he got was certainly not one he was expecting, though thankfully his surprise was masked by his helmet. The Mandalorian withdrew his hand after it became clear the other wasn't going to shake his hand. He only knew Talo for mere seconds and yet he was already starting to get a sour taste from the man who seemed unwilling to help. For a clan that was so reputable for their intake of foundlings, this clan member didn't seem particularly keen to talk to a new member. Although he already was Mandalorian, the concept was the same.

Zephyr knew it would be unwise to make enemies in the clan before he'd even got a group of friends but he felt that his question was justified and would be supported by others if they knew. "Is that how you treat your Alor? Weren't you taught any respect?" He asked in attempt to provoke the other Mandalorian into changing his behaviour. He didn't need Talo to be his friend but he needed to learn about the workings of the clan somehow and he was simply doing as suggested by the Alor.

The Mandalorian hierarchy was well known and it was no secret that Alors commanded the most respect within a clan and based off of Talo's voice, he seemed to be a similar age to Zephyr so the pair would be on equal footing so he didn't hesitate to call the other out on his perceived lack of respect. He had a long way to go in proving his loyalty to his new clan but pledging allegiance to his new Alor seemed like a good start.

Talo Krayt

 

[Talo Krayt]

Talo was a relatively calm and stoic man, with little things getting under his skin or angering him. One of these things was his relationship with Raya with anyone questioning it or threatening it swiftly making an enemy of the Mandalorian. Zephyr was now walking on very thin ice due to his provocation. Stopping in place, Talo stood as still as a statue with the only thing moving being his fingers as they curled into fists, tightening together so intensly his fists had a slight tremor to them.

Slowl, Talo rotated his head, looking over his shoulder "Choose your next words carefully, Newcomer." the Mandalorian threatened, his otherwise stoic voice falling into a low and cold tone. Zephyr knew nothing of his relationship with Raya, of how she was the first friend he made when he arrived on Teth and the only person to stick up for him amongst the other children. No one cared or respected her more than he did and with this Zephyr character daring to question it made Talo's chest feel hot with anger.

Eventually, his shoulders rose and then fell as he let out a quiet sigh under his helmet. Fingers uncurling, the Mandalorian realised he needed to keep his cool and wouldn't give the other the satisfaction of angering him to his full capacity. Composing himself, his back remained facing Zephyr but he would address this other person "What would she have me do?" he relented, not for Zephyr's sake but for Raya's - she had the entire weight of the clan on her shoulders and at such a young age, the least he could do was do this one favour for his friend.

Zephyr Krayt

 

[Zephyr Krayt]

Zephyr watched to see how his words had affected Talo by identifying any body language which would give insight into his emotions so he was conscious of the fact the Mandalorian's hands had curled into fists. He was not undeterred or unnerved by such a threat, seeing it as standard behaviour for one of their kind, and he didn't feel the need to apologise for his words since he had approached the man in a friendly manner and was met with hostility so he was only returning the favour. He hadn't intended to personally attack Talo but he wanted to prompt the man into doing what it was said he would do.

However, Talo's following words made Zephyr reconsider. It was clear that he and the Alor had a good friendship otherwise she would've never sent him to Talo and his theory was supported by Talo's reaction to his words which made Zephyr concede as he didn't want to get on the wrong side of the Alor. "Alright." He held his hands up in defeat, clearly not intenting to say any more on the matter and trying to urge a sense of diplomacy which is what they would need if they were going to get anywhere.

"Well... Teach me about the clan. Like, do you have any customs that are different to other clans? I was raised in Australis if that helps for comparison." He tried to initiate a more civil conversation but had no intent of apologising for his earlier words. Arguably, he was under prepared for the clan but he needed to leave his old clan as soon as possible to avoid being found by the Imperials who would be interested in the information he had gathered over the years and likely viewed him as easy to manipulate because of his ties to the Imperials through his mother. He would never betray the Mandalorians and after his last encounter with Imperials, they were starting to catch on.

Talo Krayt

 

[Talo Krayt]

"Australis?" Talo wondered, letting out a subtle scoff. Talo was mistrustful of other Mandalorians that didn't belong to the clan but... Australis? That was a completely different ball park. With their reputation and track record of making enemies out of almost anyone, it made Talo all the more suspicious of Zephyr. He also picked up on the fact he was 'raised' as part of the clan instead of born to it. Interesting.

Gesturing with a flick of his head, Talo conveyed for Zephyr to follow as this talk would be best on the move than stood in place. "I'm not sure what there is to say, our customs are marginally the same as other clans. We're accepting of Foundlings from all backgrounds as you can see--" Talo paused for a brief moment before quickly correcting himself "--All except ones touched by that power the Jedi use, the Force. Our helmets, we only take them off in front of those we trust or members of our own Clan. We settle disputes through single combat and the right of Alor is also decided through combat - although, we all respect Raya-- Alor Raya too much to challenge her. As it is her birthright." Talo explained as he toured Zephyr through the Thakwaa outpost "Oh, and it would be best if you learned Tusken sign." he added rather vaguely.

Finally walking to a halt, he turned to face the new member of the clan "That's everything. Anything else the Alor requested of me?" he asked stoically, although there was a hint of aversity. Whether Zephyr confirmed or denied that Raya required him to do something else, before doing so, Talo would nourish his own curiosity. Folding his arms, Talo leaned back slightly although his T-visor remained locked onto the newcomer "You mentioned being raised in Clan Australis. You're a Foundling then, where do you come from initially?" Talo asked. not at all hiding his suspicion.

Zephyr Krayt

 

[Zephyr Krayt]

Talo didn't have to say anything for Zephyr to make a good guess at what he was thinking. He knew of the reputation of his former clan and the strained relationship they had with some other clans but he didn't want to be judged prematurely because of where he had come from. Mandalorians operated on the policy of a clean slate for newcomers so he hoped Krayt would follow through on tradition but even if Australis was criticised then Zephyr wouldn't defend them. He had cut ties with the clan now. While the split had been amicable, as it was understood that he needed to lay low, he was not without his own criticisms of the clan.

When gestured to do so, the Mandalorian followed the other, matching his pace. Zephyr nodded in agreement of the sentiment against Force Users as he had always agreed that they didn't have a place in the Mandalorian culture. Those who used the Force risked becoming corrupted and betraying their own people so it made sense to be wary of those with that kind of power. The helmet situation worked for him too as so far he was just another Mandalorian to the Imperials but as soon as they caught glimpse of his face then his armour couldn't provide him anonymity anymore. The clan was sounding like the one he should have been in all along.

The Hapan remained silent while Talo spoke, allowing him to finish first. "Makes sense." He admitted upon conclusion. It was obvious that with the clan's ties to Tatooine it would be beneficial to learn some of the local lingo, especially when Tuskens too were known for their prowess in Krayt Dragons. It all seemed simple enough and he didn't expect it to take long to settle in. "No but..." He started but it seemed Talo had his own questions to ask first.

"Yes." Zephyr replied plainly. He had been raised not to be ashamed of his foundling status so made no attempt to hide it. However, the tricky part associated with such information was his past before joining the Mandalorians which he often lied about to some extent. "I'm from Hapes but born on Rhen Var." He replied before following up a moment later. If Talo knew of the inhospitable and desolate conditions of Rhen Var then Zephyr's answer would likely be met with some confusion as to how he could've been born there which led him to the unavoidable truth. "My mother was an Imperial stationed there." He knew there was no point in lying as it would just be worse for him when the truth eventually came out and the information he had given alone wasn't incriminating enough to warrant any mistrust, or so he hoped, since Mandalorians didn't discriminate between adopting the children of their enemies or civilians. "What about you?" He asked in return.

Talo Krayt

 

[Talo Krayt]

Talo was committing what the newcomer said to memory - he was a Hapan but born on Rhen Var... Rhen Var? That planet was practically inhospitable. Raising an eyebrow behind his helmet, Talo was about to question him on the circumstances of his birth but Zephyr was already on his way to explaining. Zephyr revealed his mother was an Imperial, while Talo's helmet was expressionless, the face behind it was another story; his eyes were widened in complete surprise.

Posture remaining stiff, Talo took a small step backward "You have Imperial ties?" he asked, masking the suspicion in his voice. Maybe Zephyr had turned over a new leaf, but he needed to remain vigilant for the safety of his clan - for now, Talo would keep a cautious eye on the newcomer. It was too suspicious to have an Imperial background and leave his original clan - what if the Imperials had gotten to him in the period before joining Krayt, what if they had got him to forsake Resol'nare... what if he was a spy?

Talo would need to determine this over time but for now, he would indulge Zephyr's own question. "I was a Foundling from Tatooine." Talo answered plainly as well as vaguely - Raya and only a few members of the Clan knew of Talo's history: a street rat from the slums of Mos Eisley with no last name nor family. Talo turned to walk, continuing the tour and decided to try and dig deeper into Zephyr's past and motivations "Why did you leave Australis?" honestly, Talo could think of a variety of reasons for anyone to leave Clan Australis but he needed to know Zephyr's specifically.

Zephyr Krayt

 

[Zephyr Krayt]

It was always a risk when revealing the more controversial part of his history. Some were understanding but not all were trusting. It was understandable that Mandalorians wanted to protect themselves, their culture and families as much as he wanted to but it was frustrating to be discriminated against because of his past so he often tried to account for the distrust he had gained from some by making grand gestures to prove his commitment to the Resol'nare and Mandalore. Judging by Talo's body language, he was not one of the understanding ones. "No. I did." He clarified. He knew revealing that his mother had survived the attack, unbeknownst to him for twelve years, would likely implicate him further so he chose to omit that fact.

"My place is with the Mando'ade. I did not choose the Imperials but I chose the Mandalorians." He tried to gain Talo's trust. "Betraying our people would be a pretty good way to get hunted by every Mandalorian across the galaxy." He commented. Being a spy for Imperials would be a pretty stupid move when the Imperials would never protect you from the Mandalorians who would eventually hunt you for your actions. "I know what you're thinking but I would never betray Mandalorians." He said with conviction. "You know the saying: Gar taldin ni jaonyc; gar sa buir, ori'wadaasla." He spoke calmly, not indicating any distress from Talo's apparent suspicions. It was something he had grown used to.

"Oh, how... fitting." He commented. It was no surprise Talo was taken in by Krayt then given the strong ties they had to Tatooine. "Well, for a couple of reasons really..." He spoke casually despite the fact he guessed he was being scrutinised by Talo. He knew he had done nothing wrong so he had no reason to worry, no matter what others thought. "I didn't want to be seen as an enemy by other Mandalorians for my clan and the Alor made some... questionable choices which is what resulted in other clans, and some of our own members, becoming disillusioned." He replied. There was another reason but he didn't think he was nearly trusted enough by Talo to share it, especially as it raised suspicions of him being a spy, as the Imperials thought.

After a moment's hesitation, unsure if it was a wise decision or not, Zephyr decided to give Talo an offer. "Do you have anywhere to be?" He asked before following up. "I have been given a tip by someone in the Bounty Hunting Guild that someone is selling Beskar on the black market and I was going to reclaim it. I could always use an extra pair of hands." He offered, hoping he could gain trust from Talo by working with him and also proving his dedication to the Mandalorian culture. "There's no commission but money isn't the motivator here."

Talo Krayt

 

[Talo Krayt]

Zephyr probably sensed Talo's mistrust increasing and felt the need to assure him he wouldn't betray the clan or the rest of their people, raising a... fair point in the process. Gar taldin ni jaonyc; gar sa buir, ori'wadaasla - 'nobody cares who your father was, only the father you'll be.'. Talo's intense stare against Zephyr faded for a second as he slightly turned his head away, silent, before his T-visor once again met Zephy'rs "Aliit ori'shya tal'din." the young Mandalorian responded, a sort of confirmation that he acknowledged as well as understood the newcomer's defense.

The newcomer's comment regarding Talo's own origins earned him a raised eyebrow from within his helmet - Zephyr almost sounded mocking, that or Talo was reading too much into it. As the new Krayt explained his reasoning for leaving Clan Australis, he felt himself nodding at every few words, despite their current dynamic the Mandalorian couldn't help but find understanding for his reasoning for leaving, only wondering why he didn't leave sooner.

"I understand." he stated, acknowledging Zephyr's reason. It was good enough for him... for now. Strangely, Zephyr then asked if he had anywhere to be "Yes." he responded bluntly. Half-lying. While he didn't exactly have somewhere to be, he was ready to book passage off the planet but his mind quickly changed when Zephyr explained why he asked. Someone selling Beskar, who probably wasn't Mandalorian was enough to make him drop everything.

Without hesitation, Talo changed his tune but this time sounding cold and determined "Let's go." he commanded, turning to make his way to the outpost's hangars "Do you have a ship?" the Mandalorian asked while still keeping up pace.

Zephyr Krayt

 

[Zephyr Krayt]

Zephyr was grateful that Talo seemed to accept his defence. It was a saying he had overheard in his previous clan which gave him comfort as it reminded him that he was not accountable for the actions of his mother and they did not reflect his own demerits and he used the phrase to help remind others the same. He could understand Talo's caution but with Mandalorian principle he should not be held to the standards of his parents and once reminded, it seemed Talo respected that. Despite their rocky start, it seemed Talo had at least accepted the newcomer but they were by no means on good terms as Talo still seemed quick to get away. However, he soon changed his tune upon Zephyr's proposal, surprisingly.

"Yeah." He replied, keeping in pace with Talo as they approached the hangar. He led the other Mandalorian to the ship and opened the hangar door. Once the walkway hit the ground and he step foot onto it, there was the sound of skittering claws on the metal floor and a moment later a mooka appeared in front of the pair, its tail feathers wagging as excitedly greeted the two men. "Hey, buddy." Zephyr crouched down to pet the excited animal before scooping him up and rising to his feet. Once Talo was inside, he closed the door and made his way to the cockpit.

The Mandalorian sat in the pilot's seat and placed the mooka in one of the passenger seats where he stared at Talo, interested in the newcomer. While he set the cockpit up, he gave a brief bit of context to Talo. "I found him alone as a baby after a battle and he had no means of fending for himself." He explained and after everything was set up, the engine rumbled to life. After the flick of a few more switches, they were off and once they left the atmosphere and entered hyperspace, he swivelled the chair around to look at Talo to explain what he knew.

"The beskar is on a cargo ship. We need to let down their defences long enough for us to dock and then we can go in and steal the beskar back. Easy enough." He told Talo.

Talo Krayt

 

[Talo Krayt]

Upon confirmation that the other Mandalorian owned a ship, Talo slowed down his walking speed and followed Zephyr to his ship's location. Arriving at the newcomer's ship, Talo did not expect to be greeted by a mooka and he wondered if the little creature was a 'stowaway' on Zephyr's ship, that suspicion was quickly put to rest when Zephyr greeted it casually. Talo watched the interaction between the pair quietly and stoically before following Zephyr into the cockpit.

Sitting in the co-pilot's seat, he felt a pair of eyes on him before swivelling around slightly in his seat to see that Zephyr's mooka was watching him. Smiling slightly under his helmet, Talo outstretched his right arm and curled his fingers which allowed the mooka to sniff at him and sate its curiosity before giving it a quick rub around its head, all the while Zephyr explained how he came upon his small companion. Swivelling back around in his seat, Talo folded his arms and stared at the open space outside of the window.

Zephyr went on to explain where the beskar was located and what the best method of taking it back would be, as he did so, Talo simply stared forward and listened intently. "We'll take out their hyperdrive so they can't escape, does your ship have grappling harpoons?" Talo wondered, still staring forward but eventually turned his head slightly in Zephyr's direction "I assume you want to pilot while I man the gunner's chair?" Talo proposed, aware that this was Zephyr's ship and that the Mandalorian may be more comfortable piloting it than letting another do so.

Finally, the Mandalorian would ask one more question "Do you have any idea what the opposition will be like? I'd imagine them being well-trained if they are to defend Beskar from pirates... or us."

Zephyr Krayt