Private Clan Negotiations

[Tekton Artez]

Tekton felt… hopeful. From everything he'd heard Clan Gred and it's Vanguard Fleet were worthy allies. Clan Artez was a small clan by comparison, but that didn't mean it couldn't contribute. Clan Artez specialty if it was said to have one would be the Trades. Construction, Mechanics, Engineering, Farming even Doctors and Nurses. They often went into warzones or relief zone or refugee zones and helped rebuild infrastructure. Sometimes from the ground up, although that was often easier than muddling through whatever haphazard so called system was in place in some of the war torn regions of the galaxy.

Half the time people were more interesting in provided contracts to their particular kin group rather than assuring people got the care they needed. Which is where an outside contractor such as Clan Artez came in, combined with the ingrained Mandalorian no nonsense attitude with a healthy dollop of getting shit done, Clan Artez had a modest but well earned reputation in setting up towns more than camps to help shelter those in need.

The Gred Fleet went out of it's way to free slaves, an admirable cause one which Tekton and the rest of Clan Artez supported. Not all slaves had a home to go back to or even if they did were often so harrowed by their experience it was hard to relate to those that managed to avoid capture.

The Gred Fleet needed to start setting up bases, towns, cities which could house there freed slaves with grace and care. This was where Clan Artez came in. Hopefully. All that remained was for Tekton to meet with the Alor of Clan Gred, Mig Gred. Tekton himself was not an Alor, though increasingly his Clan had been dropping more and more hints that he should step up and become so. Tekton sighed. Selecting him to be his clan's representative in this matter was just the latest. He was a decent leader in a pinch he knew, but he had no desire for power, even limited power, he was content to serve, do his part, and yes that meant looking out for his people whether they be Supercommando's, Mandalorians or his Clan, but that didn't mean he wanted to climb the pedestal as it were.

Regardless Tekton believed in duty and knew the day was coming when he'd either have to step up or step down and let another rise to the occasion. A niggling doubt in his mind wondered whether or not anyone else would have the clans best interests.

Tekton piloted his Fang starfighter Claw into the Vanguard Fleets perimeter.

"Gred Fleet this is Tekton Artez, I'm here for a meeting with Alor Mig Gred."

"Roger Artez, welcome to Starstorm Fleet, please dock in the Keros' Kad's hanger."

"Roger that Starstorm"

Tekton piloted his way through the fleet. For a private clan fleet it was an impressive display. If Tekton cared about political machination he might even consider allying Clan Artez to be in the same House. Tekton shook his head at the thought. He hadn't even assumed the mantle of Alor and he was already twisting his thoughts to alliances and allegiances.

"Keros Kad Tekton Artez in the Claw docking now."

Tekton docked and stepped out of the Claw with his helmet and armour on.

Mig Gred

 

[Mig Gred]

Mig was already in the hanger with a surprising tall young man.

“Ok Souma. Focus. Draw the air in around your hand.” He watched as the boy focused, and managed to develop a small ficker of flame. Not for too long, but a start.

“Woah….”

“There you go! Just like that.” Mig then noticed the ship landing, motioning for his sound to head off. “Go check in with Illy, see how his training with your aunt’s going.” Mig would then turn to the ship as his Souma walked off, seeming careful as he did. Tekton Artez would likely notice the mix of people in the hanger. Some clearly Mandalorian, though the armor was much lighter for many and supplemented with various armorweave clothes, and various spacers. Mig walked up, helmet off and clipped to his belt.

“You must be the vod I’m waiting on. Mig Gred.”

 

[Tekton Artez]

Tekton looked around with calm curiosity. It was rare to see a Mando camp so varied. Spacers mixed with Mando's with ease and familiarity, even the Mando's seemed to have a much more relaxed stance in regards to the tenant of the Resol'nar of wearing the armor, supplementing their armour with armorweave.

"Good to meet you, alor." Tekton greeted the scarred Mandalorian chief.

"My clan has expressed curiosity in your mission and methods." Tekton informed him, maintaining reserve.

It was important to be both direct and not give away the house at the start of negotiations. Mandalorians were a forthright people by nature, but they weren't fools. Proper establishment of terms was necessary for every contract. Indeed, it was crucial to their forthright natures that everything be settled before committing to a course of action.

"We have warriors enough, but you have plenty of those already. What we offer is tradesmen. Construction, Mechanics, Engineering, Agriculture, Medicine. Our proposal is simple. You have refugees from your actions freeing former enslaved. We would like to build self sufficient shelters for them to settle in. We can cover these settlements defences as well. What we need are your resources. We have the knowledge and the skills, but we can't build out of nothing. As well as of course the necessary people to inhabit the fortified settlements we build."

Mig Gred

 

[Mig Gred]

Mig nodded motioning to a couple of crate a mechanic was using a table a short while ago. This was already starting well. Mig had his issues with other Mandalorians at time, but so far this wasn’t anything insane. It felt almost normal.

“You know, my Buir (parent) use to say a soldier can’t fight without food. Perks of growing up on a ag world. And I can appreciate wanting to make something more settled for folks than this. For everyone we can bring home feels like there’s more who feel like they can’t go back for their own sake.” Mig took a slow breath though. The kind that said he was weighing option. It wasn’t exactly a secret that there had been times his clan chose to lay low and hunker down when time within the Mandalorians own culture were… rocky.

“I have to be sure though. What guarantee can you give me that they’d be treated fair? Earning your keeps one thing, but there are some vod I’ve met in the past who have been more… strict in how a clan’s supposed to function.” It was years talking, but Mig kept his eyes on Tekton Artez . He was trying to get a read on the man. See how he reacted to the question. To what, in Mig’s mind, were real concerns.

 

[Tekton Artez]

Tekton smiled softly and relaxed considerably. He'd already expected an Alor like Mig Gred who prioritised the rescue of those oppressed would not be a fundamentalist, extremist or fanatic but it was a relief to have it confirmed in person.

Tekton considered his answer carefully.

"My name isn't Mando'a did you notice? When I was adopted I took the name from Clan Artez language. It means loosely translated artisan or craftsman." Tekton asked. "Neither is my Clan name Mando'a. Artez comes from our homeworld's language Eligius. It means skills. Our culture was… officially the term is adopted into the Mandalorian culture when the vast majority of Mandalorians were still Tuang, but we still keep our own traditions. Understand we follow the Resol'nare, but we have our own language, and customs as a subset. Among them is a place of honour for those who are adopted into the Clan to keep some of their home with them. We do not expect them to give up everything they are to assimilate totally into 'The Way'."

Tekton rarely spoke but when he did he considered his words carefully, he wasn't much one to talk of himself either nor brag incessantly, right now though a bit of exposure was necessary.

"Take myself as an example. I am Korunnai our entire population is Force sensitive. Various Mandalorian factions have found me by my very nature to be abhorrent to Mandalorians. The traditions of our clan is service in the trades or as honourable warriors travelling the galaxy. War is just another trade, but it is utilising that trade in service of others that matters. Fighting dishonourably or to apply your trade without service to something greater than yourself is at best a waste at worst almost a crime."

Tekton smiles

"So yes we have our traditions, but I am comfortable in saying they are not intolerant of others. In fact I believe the very nature of our searching the galaxy in service of others would indicate the opposite."

Mig Gred

 

[Mig Gred]

Mig smiled, listening as Tekton Artez explained his clan. In a lot of ways it seemed like there clans were alike. The note of the Force did surprise Mig, but he was never good at sensing it in others without actively checking. Still, this was a good start.

“It’s honestly a relief to hear vod. Mentioned I was from an ag world. Concord Dawn. Mostly kept to ourselves, so have a lot of odd little traditions. Including a bit of our own Force teaching.” He didn’t go into the details, but it did make him smile a bit remembering. He then thought for a moment before responding again.

“Materials are scarce sometimes, but there’s one we have a lot of. Old ships we’ve picked up, whether freighters, slavers, or hulks. Not always great, but they tend to be rugged. Big way we get supplies though is friends.” He couldn’t help but chuckled at himself. It sounded really simple. It wasn’t, of course, but it helped.

“Wouldn’t be hard to help your clan get access to some channels. One of the benefits of not always looking for a fight. Can also help get some folks trained up, let some of our fighters help with training. And if your clan ever needs help, we’d do our best to supply it.”

 

[Tekton Artez]

Tekton nodded with a small flicker of a smile in acknowledgement of the reference to Mig's clan's own traditions. He was glad to hear that Artez was not the only clan welcoming of Force users. Too often Mandalorians clung to their ancient ways to the point of holding a blood feud.

Tekton was of the belief once to warriors had left the battlefield their animosity towards each other should be left there as well. Until the next time they should meet on a battlefield at least. Oh he acknowledged wars were fought with more than one battle at a time or even more than one front at a time, but once the war was over and peace agreed he didn't see the point in holding such bitterness towards a former enemy should they wish for a quiet drink instead.

Tekton nodded.

"Ship hulls and hulks can be turned into excellent fortified settlements with the right modifications. Any that are out of service or even too wrecked to function in space can be salvaged. It will also provide a refuse of harvested materials to reapply to the rest of your fleet." Tekton analysed efficiently his mind already turning to the practicalities.

"Thank you any assistance would of course be welcomed. As I said Artez is not one to turn away from aid whether we be the ones offering it or receiving it."

Mig Gred