Private An Unlikely Savior

[Jenn Kryze]

Beskar'gam
​

| Location | Kaddak
| Objective | Save a lost Valkyrie

Kaddak was not a good world for a Padawan to find themselves in.

With the Karjr of the Mandalorian Enclave far too busy with protecting their own worlds to police those at the frontier in any meaningful capacity, criminal activity had picked up right where it had once been left off, and all manner of unscrupulous individuals now flocked to the world to trade in weapons, spice... and, sometimes, Sith artefacts. That was why Jenn and her Clan had chosen to strike out against the criminal underworld: no more than a handful accompanied their Alor on this mission, hiding themselves with ample cloaks as they pretended to peruse the goods on display on the market, haggling for weapons and armor. Waiting for someone to slip up and reveal the presence of beskar in their stock.

That plan, however, would never come to fruition. Katherine was a stranger to this world, and she stuck out like a sore thumb - attributes that might lose someone their life, or their freedom on Kaddak. And when the poor girl chose to run rather than risk capture at the hands of the Crimson Glaives, a bandit outfit of ill-repute prowling through wild space, the brutal reavers chased after her through the market, quickly gaining on her as she bumped into all manner of people, whereas they scared off anyone standing in their way. It was only a matter of time before they finally got their hands on her, and Force help her if they did-

Looking over her shoulder to see her pursuers closing in on her as she ran resulted in her practically stumbling into a stranger head on. A figure clad in a simple cloak that would have been forgettable, if not for the unmistakable Y visor staring her down beneath that hood. The face of a warrior people undaunted by the odds staring them down, ancient enemies of the Jedi...

A Mandalorian.

Those heavy footsteps grew closer and closer now, the savage reavers quickly reaching her. And yet, the stranger's visor did not turn from the Valkyrie, staring her down in silence from behind the dehumanizing visage of her helmet... until a pair of hands came down to yank the poor girl up by her wing. The man's companions soon joined him, all three of them, staring at the girl's wings as if they were made of gold. One even pulled a vibroblade from her belt, igniting it with a grin as another moved to hold Katherine steady.

And then... there was the crack of a blaster, the heat of several bolts of plasma whizzing close to her. The sudden release of the weight that had been pressing down on her as the pirates went to hold her in place to cut into her wings. And before her stood a figure who had now thrown her cloak over her shoulder to reach for her pair of pistols, barrels still aiming where the group of four had been. Nothing could hide the armor underneath now, and how it gleamed in the sun. For a moment, there was only shocked silence... and then, panicked screaming as the crowd began to disperse, merchants leaving their stalls - only for a few of them to be stopped by the four other Mandalorians hiding among the crowd, a few more cracks sounding out as they made short work of their bodyguards.

And Jenn, for her part, turned her helmet back towards the girl, the Y visor looking right through her.

"You alright, kid?"

​

Katherine Holt ​

 

[Katherine Holt]

“So our only options are to either refuel on Kaddak, or take a risk and jump to the next planet and hope we have enough fuel to land?”

Katherine’s astromech co-pilot let out an affirmative series of beeps. The Padawan let out a sigh, debating the options in her head.

“The latter’s too risky, let’s head down to Kaddak and refuel.”

What could possibly go wrong?​

She should’ve taken the extra risk.

The moment Katherine had left the starport, she felt as though there were multiple sets of eyes watching her. It wasn’t an unfamiliar feeling, she’d gotten used to it on Coruscant, or anywhere she went really. The large pair of blood-stained wings on her back were quite the sight. Especially given their size in proportion to the Padawan herself.

But as she moved to enter the market, she caught sight of someone looking her way, nudging his fellow standing beside him. Both wore clothing that Katherine would attribute to ‘bandits’, with a particular emblem on their shoulders. One after another, until a total of four were making a beeline towards her.

Katherine didn’t hesitate to start running.immediately bumping into someone as she did. The place was packed, and the Padawan barely got through a quarter of the area it without smacking into someone.

The sound of her pursuers shouting caused Katherine to glance back, at the worst possible time. She turned her head back, just in time to run straight into a cloaked figure. Unlike the others, this one was more sturdy in consequence Katherine stumbled back and fell to the ground.

She froze where she sat, staring up at the all too familiar visor looking down at her. A Mandalorian, of all the people she would have ran into…

Katherine didn’t think things could get worse, until she felt a pair of hands grab at her wings. She let out a sharp cry of pain at the rough treatment, immediately attempting to struggle. The Padawan’s hand went down to her belt, desperate to grab her lightsaber. But two of the bandits restrained her, holding her in place as a third drew a vibroblade.

Emotions and adrenaline running high, Katherine began to draw the Force towards herself. Fully ready to just blast the bandits away, even in the middle of a packed market.

Until with a quick series of blasts, each one of her pursuers crumbled to the ground. The pressure on Katherine released, and she looked up at her unlikely saviour. A fething Mandalorian.

She could hear the sounds of others nearby, but Katherine’s eyes never left the armoured warrior standing before her. The Padawan scrambled to her feet, not daring to remain in such a vulnerable position with a potential enemy.

Katherine was tense, she was confused. Her hand hovered just above her belt, ready to grab her lightsaber if needed.

“...Yeah.”

Jenn Kryze​

 

[Jenn Kryze]

​

| Location | Kaddak
| Objective | Question the Valkyrie

The girl did not trust her - that much was clear as day. Not that Jenn could blame her, given the circumstances - both immediate, and general. That lightsaber, the winged girl's presence in the Force... oh, it left very little doubt as to who and what she was. The Enclave was at war with the Galactic Alliance and the meddlers of the Jedi Order, making the figure before the Valkyrie an enemy: and, in the wake of the successful raid against the Alliance's Inner Rim, the devastation left behind served as quite the motivator for the war machine to start depicting the proud warriors as bloodthirsty monsters.

And yet, even as the Valkyrie's hand hovered above her belt, the figure before her remained calm, returning her pistols to her holsters. With the rest of her Clan having dispatched the immediate threats in the area, she could afford the girl some measure of goodwill, if only to assuage her fear. Judging by how the Crimson Glaives had gotten the drop on her, as well as her youthfulness, Jenn felt safe enough in deeming her to be a Padawan, rather than a Knight.

"Kaddak is no place to be for someone like you", warned the Mandalorian calmly. "I am not here to hurt you or imprison you."

​

Katherine Holt ​

 

[Katherine Holt]

"Kaddak is no place to be for someone like you"

“You don’t say.” Katherine replied, unable to hide the sarcastic note in her tone. She glanced around at the marketplace they were in. It was practically a ghost town now, with the only other people present were more Mandalorians. Katherine noticed that they all bore the same kind of armour, of which was adorned with a particular emblem.

The winged Padawan fell into thought for several moments, trying to remember what she learned when she had gone down the rabbit hole of Mandalorian history. She might not be able to remember every single word she had read, but images were another thing entirely.

“You’re of Clan Kryze, yes?”

Katherine felt the hairs along the back of her neck stand up. She didn’t like just standing out in the open like this, even if there were Mandalorians around, especially so. Despite the Alor’s calm demeanour, the Padawan couldn’t quite shake the tension in her body.

This was after all the first time she was interacting with a Mando, and not outright fighting them.

“What’s the plan?” Katherine asked, knowing well enough she wasn’t going to be able to leave quite yet. “Because I highly doubt they were just a four-man band. And something tells me that news travels quickly in this city.”

Jenn Kryze​

 

[Jenn Kryze]

​

| Location | Kaddak
| Objective | Hunt together

Armors of blue and accented with white, adorned by a stylized symbol of a Clan more than a millenia old... these Mandalorians truly looked like warrior-heroes, who had somehow found their way out of a history book and into the ugly, ugly reality of the present. The woman who stood before the padawan, for her part, did nothing to move as she caught her looking at her vode as they scanned their surroundings for any more threats in the immediate area, before heading towards her to regroup.

"I see you have studied my people", answered the mysterious figure. "You are correct. I am Jenn, Alor of Clan Kryze. These warriors are Henryk, Karrys, Ruusaan, and Ko'ren." As they were named, each of the Mandalorians dipped their head in turn, giving silent, but no less polite greetings to the Valkyrie before them. One of them, Ko'ren, appeared to be a Twi'lek, given the particularly unique shape of her helmet. Taken aback as she was by the girl's question, the Ersansyr took it in stride, waving a dismissive hand towards the slumped bodies of the pirates who thought to harm the Padawan.

"They belonged to the Crimson Glaives. We planned to work our way up their chain of command throughout the day, but it seems our plans will have to accelerate. We are headed to their warehouse now. You may come with us if you wish, Jetii, or return to your ship with one of my warriors to see to it that you arrive safely. The choice is yours."

​

Katherine Holt ​

 

[Katherine Holt]

Despite the seemingly friendly nature of these Mandalorians, it still unnerved Katherine to be around so many. Their people, the Mandalorian Enclave and the Galactic Alliance were at war. And the New Jedi Order had its duty to protect those that couldn’t defend themselves. But at the same time, it didn’t mean these Mandos; of Clan Kryze were part of the Enclave.

Not every Mandalorian agreed with the group’s bloodthirsty actions, at least as far as Katherine’s research had informed her. It just depended on how lucky the winged Padawan was, to find herself in the company of friendly Mandos.

Her luck hadn’t exactly been the greatest lately.

Katherine was a bundle of conflicted emotions, but the Nobles hadn’t taught her to be disrespectful. So for every one of the Mandalorians that dipped their head, Katherine returned the gesture.

As Jenn explained the situation with the ‘Crimson Glaives’, the Padawan thought of the options available to her. Particularly of the fact there really wasn’t much of a choice.

She couldn’t go back to her ship, as it was no doubt still refuelling. Meaning she’d just be waiting there, and likely be discovered by whomever the Glaives send out to investigate. Sure, Jenn had assured one of her warriors would remain with her, but Katherine still didn’t like option two.

“Option A it is then. I can’t exactly go anywhere else right now, so why waste that time doing nothing?”

Jenn Kryze​

 

[Jenn Kryze]

​

| Location | Kaddak
| Objective | Hunt Together

For a Padawan to come across a small group of Mandalorians with no ill intent towards her was a stroke of luck, to be sure... and Jenn was in no hurry to inform the Valkyrie of where her allegiances lie. A lengthy conversation about morals and loyalty was not why she had come here, and they could ill afford to waste time on petty talk. Clan Kryze was present on Kaddak to secure the border and maintain some measure of control over the lawless world, if only to draw out the criminal mastermind behind the planet's resurgence as a haven for scum and villains... not to pick a fight with a Jedi, lost so very far from home.

"Then let us be away. We've wasted enough time here already." That was all Jenn had to say before looking up to the sky... and, naught but a moment later, her jetpack roared to life, taking her in the air along with the rest of her warriors, expecting the girl to follow them with her wings - but, should she find herself unable to do so, then Ko'ren and Ruusaan would be quick to dip back down and take her with them along the skies, flying with a certain speed and grace seldom found in those born without the gift of flight.

<Second time saving a Padawan. At this point, we might as well ask them who their master is, send them a message to let'em know their students are getting mucked up where they shouldn't.>

<It's either wanderlust, or the wrong place at the wrong time. I don't think any of them are stupid enough to think they can take us on.>

<Oh, you never know. Youth breeds arrogance, or whatever it is the Speaker likes to say, aye?>

<Shut it, all of you. We have a job to do. I will decide what to do with the Valkyrie once we're done here, got it?>

A concert of <Yes, Alor!> was Jenn's response on the comms as they neared the warehouse, setting down on its roof as Karrys, the team's pilot, pulled out a small device and secured it against the durasteel frame of the building, feeding information right into her helmet on the heat signatures within.

"I'm reading twelve signatures, Alor", reported the pilot, her voice carrying from her helmet this time in an ostensible effort to keep Katherine in the loop. "Plan of action?"

"Explosive charges at four entry points on the roof, then throw a Kalevaa Cocktail in. We'll make entry then." As soon as the order was given, the warriors hurried off to the locations she pinged on her HUD, before turning towards the Padawan. "Any useful tricks you've got up your sleeve? These bastards aren't your run of the mill scum, and they pack a punch."

​

Katherine Holt ​

 

[Katherine Holt]

Katherine remained where she was for a few moments, just simply watching the Mandalorians launch up into the air, one after another. She still couldn’t quite shake how surreal the whole situation felt. It wasn’t that long ago that she had seen a similar sight in the skies of Ryloth.

The Padawan was very out of her depth right now.

Focus Katherine, you have an objective.

With a strong flap of her wings, and little bit of Force amplification, the winged Padawan launched up into the air and followed behind the Mandalorians. Though she was only able to trail behind them. For as fast as Katherine could be, she couldn’t quite match their speed

And she certainly couldn’t hear the conversation that was going on between the group. Not that she would’ve been able to hear over the sound of the jetpacks.

Eventually though, they arrived with metal boots clanking against the rooftop as the Mandalorians landed. The Padawan was more quiet, almost like a feather, before she walked over towards Jenn.

“I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve, but I can adapt depending on what they’re carrying.”

Jenn Kryze​

 

[Jenn Kryze]

​

| Location | Kaddak
| Objective | Breach and Clear

One by one, the warriors of Clan Kryze placed the explosive charges in the designated positions, before pulling out a pair of grenades from their belts.

<Karrys, ready.>

<Ko'ren, ready.>

<Ruusaan, ready.>

<Henryk, in position. Transferring detonation codes to you now, Alor.>

Jenn inhaled sharply, setting down her own explosive charge onto the roof: each of her warriors had chosen a corner, and she would go down the middle with the Padawan at her side. As she turned the explosive's outer layer clockwise, then pulled it up to prepare it for detonation, her voice lifted from her helmet.

"Having a Jedi on our side will be a nice change of pace - and a surprise for them. Exploit that. Now, step back, and get ready..."

​

Just as her warriors had, she pulled a pair of grenades from her belt, the both of them with a different shape and function - the two prime ingredients of what she lovingly called a Kalevala Cocktail, so named after the homeworld of her Clan. Before long, she activated each of the shaped charges simultaneously through her helmet's HUD, all five of them blowing a hole through their respective portion of the roof. Even as the pirates within fell to panic and confusion, the Mandalorians remained disciplined, throwing the flashbangs in first - before following up with the EMPs grenades a few seconds later.

It was then, and only then, that they hopped down through the holes they had made, jetpacks slowing their descent - and allowing them to fly about the warehouse as they pleased, firing their blasters at the disoriented pirates. Heavy armor and fearsome weapons were no match for tactics, disorientation, and a dash of ruthlessness. It was a carnage.

​

Katherine Holt ​

 

[Katherine Holt]

She watched as the Mandalorians worked with swift and unified precision as each one of them set their respective charges. They worked similar to GADF squads Katherine had occasionally observed while on missions. Although, she imagined the Mandos would scoff at the idea of being compared.

Katherine grabbed her lightsaber, waiting for her moment as the explosives went off, and the mix of flashbangs and EMPs followed. The winged Padawan dove down into the warehouse right behind Jenn, folding her wings in as she passed through the new exposed hole in the roof.

Where the Mandos remained airborne, zipping about with their jetpacks, Katherine opted to take her fight to the ground. She hovered for only a few seconds, before falling into a dive heading straight towards her intended targets.

A group of thugs had seemingly stumbled into one another, stunned and discombobulated by the flashbangs. Katherine descended upon them like a white-feathered bullet. She slammed right into the middle of them, stopping with a small slide. Her wings unfurled shortly after, the large wingspan knocking the thugs back. That seemed to bring them to their senses in that moment, enough to aim their blasters.

Click. Click. Click.

The EMPs had done their work splendidly, but just in case…

Katherine ignited her lightsaber, swinging the blue blade in swift and short swings, destroying the barrels of every weapon pointed towards her. She ducked a second later, dodging a vibroblade aimed towards her head. The Crimson Glaive thug appeared to be still bleary, but not enough to cause him to swing too wildly.

She raised her lightsaber up, intercepting the next swing. A momentary pause of surprise when her lightsaber didn’t cut straight through it. But Katherine couldn’t let her focus slip, as a pair of thugs attempted to grab her. Only for them to get intercepted by her hand, that promptly Force pushed them into a nearby stack of crates.

The Padawan knocked the vibroblade aside, before falling into a low stance and sweeping a leg out. Her opponent tumbled backwards, giving her an opening to slam the butt of her lightsaber hilt into the man’s head.

Jenn Kryze​