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[Andorreth Vikar]

Recently I'd gone to Mandalore for a job, while doing so I'd come across several different armories. Unfortunately I'd had to drop the weapons I'd taken. Following the logs I'd pulled from the armories I'd found that there were several other temples scattered around Mandalore one of which was in the icy southern pole zone of the planet. I'd taken the Dauntless and piloted her to Mandalore alone and now I was setting down on the roof of the temple.

After grabbing my gear and making sure I was strapped I headed down the cargo ramp onto the roof. Locking my helmet into place as I hit the temple roof I waited as the ghostly green HUD system lit up like winter Carnival. I knew that the hellish maroon outer filter on my helmet had flicked to life with the programmed image in place. Doing a quick scan of the roof I looked for any kind of access hatch. After a few seconds I found one bending down I brushed snow away from the access hatch and ejected the hidden blade from my right gauntlet.

Stabbing the blade into a crevice I ejected the wickedly curved blades along the forearms of my gauntlets and activated the heating element in the left arm set. Waiting a moment or two I watched as the blades began to glow a warm orange and slid them through the hardened crust of ice along the hatch. Melting through the ice I pried open the hatch and tossed the hatch against the roof flat. Flicking on my amber helmet lights I glanced down into the darkness. Then I simply jumped into the abyss, triggering the thrusters in my boots I came to a soft landing and flicked my HUD to recognize security measures. Intriguingly the ones that were installed weren't active then again this was a facility they pulled weapons from to be on display.

After looking at the schematics I'd downloaded of this place I saw what I was looking for the armories. Then again there was also a trophy room which is where sabers from either captured or killed enemies would be. That'd be my first stop I had a feeling the blades I was looking for would be there, I'd found sabers on the last job that had seemed almost right for me. I knew that the sabers I found here would be the ones now only to find them...

 

[Andorreth Vikar]

As I'd begun moving towards the armory I heard movement around me, skittering as if evaluating my progress. Reaching around my back I smoothly drew Serenity from its sheathe, the royal blue blade blending into the darkness of this place. Suddenly as I began entering the armory I heard a growling snarl and going into a shin slide to enter the armory I flicked my right wrist to the left and immediately back to the right taking off the legs of the creature that'd tried attacking me. It laid there howling mournfully up until I drove Serenity through its skull. Looking to the right of the entrance I saw a transport bag and looking at a workstation a mod for Mandalorian gauntlets. Walking over I looked it over and attached both mods to my gauntlets. They were lanvarok launchers I realized though much smaller and more concealable than I'd ever seen.

Grabbing everything I could from this armory I stashed it in the bag and began heading back towards the trophy rooms. I heard them in the darkness and reaching down I engaged the sound dampening stealth unit on my belt. Disappearing from existence I watched them nervously begin pacing. I retracted the hidden blade on my right gauntlet and moved into the trophy room slowly. As I entered the room I felt....called towards one of the cases. "It has been a long while since anyone worthy of these blades has been here Prince...as it sits you've proven that a set of these sabers are to be given to you. The designs of all these weapons are also yours to do with as you choose Prince of Corellia..."

Blinking I said "I...I'm not sure why I am being given these things not that I'm complaining mind you. I was simply seeking a set of sabers that fit my style and personality. I felt a set of dual sabers that could be wielded as a set, individually, or as a staff would be for me. Though the fact that I'm hearing your voice makes me think that there's something here far more valuable than just weapons. Long lost knowledge perhaps?"

"Ahhh you're Echani, at least in part Prince of Corellia. Echani even in my time were known for their skill as adaptable combatants. In regards to long lost knowledge claim sabers that speak to you and we'll see." With that the spirits' voice left me to choose. I recalled the blades that I'd held the last time on Mandalore twin sabers. Elegantly constructed, with hilts and slim plates of beskar. The dark wood over the beskar hilts inlaid with gold filigree. One blade aqua and the other a guardian blue, when I'd locked them together they took on the aqua color. There'd been crackling electrical sparks that'd danced along the blade almost as if wreathing the blade in electrical energy. Sheathing Serenity along my back once more I suddenly I felt pulled towards a specific case and walking over I noticed one that'd frozen over, engaging the heating element on left forearm blade I melted through the cracks and scraped away a thick layer of ice.

After doing so I saw exactly those blades. Popping open the locked case I looked towards the sabers and brought my right fist horizontally against my left vertical open palm and bowed in respect to the weapons and paid tribute to the memory of their prior owners. Only after having done this did I pick the sabers up, holding one away from myself I ignited it with a snap-hiss and saw the aqua color along with the electrical energy. Deactivating it I placed it against my left thigh plate before magnetizing it in place, igniting the other blade I smiled as the guardian blue blade snapped to life. The same electrical energy running the length of the blade I deactivated the blade and once again bowed to the case.

"You've great respect Prince of Corellia, I admire that about you. There is in fact hidden knowledge here, though it's to you to find what it is. I will neither guide you, nor give hints as to what is hidden here. Follow your instincts and you may find some clarity and things that may help you later. May the Force be with you Prince of Corellia...." With that the voice withdrew and I began to consider where lost knowledge would have been hidden in what amounted to a mausoleum...

 

[Andorreth Vikar]

As I ventured back out into the icy atrium of the temple I heard what sounded like a repulsor drive. I hadn't been tracked here though, I was sure of that. Then the unmistakable sound of landing gear setting down. So someone had either followed me here without my knowledge or come looking for old weapons the same as I had. Taking a seat on the ice encrusted floors I sat and waited for whoever it was to make an appearance. The hidden blade in my right gauntlet itching for release...I heard footsteps on the the roof above me and snow fell from the ceiling above against my armor. Moving away from my previous seated position I moved off into the gloomy, shadowed corners and waited for the person or being above to come down. Hopefully nobody that'd be interested in causing problems....

[member="RC-0883"]

 

[RC-0883]

Bunker gestured to the the Iron Pilot in gratitude. Hopefully he would keep to himself about RC-0883's unauthorized procurement mission. He watched the transport loudly ascend into the atmosphere, attaching the Grenade Launcher Module to his DC-17, this was supposed to be quite mission but Bunker didn't do subtle. Checking his GPS against the coordinates given to him, this was definitely the right place. The auto-camouflage activating in Bunker's KPA-01 Katarn Armor turning him into pattern of grey and white. He surveyed the area, flipping through his visor filters, he caught brief glimpses of movement off in the distance and a clear heat signature directly below him. Bunker thought about using some detonation tape for a rapid ceiling entry but he wanted the goods inside intact. "Let's check for a door first," he said to himself. He found an access hatch close by already forced open. Bunker fired the rappelling line from his belt and eased over the edge belly-flat. With his weight supported by the line Bunker thrust his upper body through the hole aiming his blaster to where he expected to be an armored guard. Instead he met the gaze of still, young man seated on the icy floor seemingly waiting for him. "He must be a Force User" he thought. They all seemed to have a mystic sixth sense. The Commando slowly lowered the rest of his body into the room, but kept his weapon pointed at the man. Still seeing no reaction from the man RC-0883 went about his collections. Eyeing the armor rack containing the objectives of his impromptu mission, he stuck up conversation, knowing he could level the Temple with the custom ordinance in his pack should anything go sideways.

"You're not a guard or you would have shot at me already. You can drop the tranquility trance thing you jetiise do and introduce yourself. Depending on how long you have been here there isn't much time before we are noticed. You know who we are stealing from, right? This is A'den Skirata's private armory, he is the local Warlord for now."

Bunker gently placed the Kama and Energy Buckler Gauntlet in the top section of his pack and equipped the nicely polished Mandalorian Personal Heavy Repeating Blaster to the bottom of his Ammunition Supply. Awaiting the young man's response.

[member="Andorreth Vikar"]

 

[Andorreth Vikar]

Smirking at the announcement that I wasn't a guard otherwise I'd have fired on him. Looking at him I said calmly "Name is Andorreth Vikar. Had I wanted to shoot you you'd have never heard the shot, as for warlords... I don't rightly care who the local warlord is let alone his name. As it is he took the weapons of his foes as trophies then let them gather dust. Which to me anyways shows a lack of respect as a warrior something proper Mandalorians would know."

Just then the creatures I'd come across earlier came back. This just kept getting better and better, unlatching my helmet I placed it against my chest-plate and magnetically locked it in place. Using a new power I'd been learning I disengaged the magnetic lock on my left thigh plate and pulled the saber from its position there with The Force. As it hit my palm I ignited it with a snap hiss and spun off to the side flourishing the saber out to the side then back in front of my body. As tempting as it'd be to use some of the powers I'd learned of on Eshan I didn't know this man and I wasn't sure about him knowing the extent of what powers I had just yet... Ejecting the segmented beskar razor whip from my left gauntlet I flicked it out and away from my body.

Glancing over towards this new person I said "By the way, I'm not Jetiise. I'm just a man looking for knowledge and ways to keep me and the ones I care for safe. You're Mandalorian, at least in part, the armor you have is Katarn yes?" Ejecting the blades along my left forearm I heard the howls of the creatures and rolling my neck I said "Come on you shifty karkers...." Odds were we'd be fighting a whole pack of them soon. All I'd wanted was the sabers and knowledge was that too much to ask for? Glancing back to the man I shrugged my shoulders and said "Mandalorians are big on honor, but bigger on family as I said I'm here for ways and knowledge that'll help me protect mine. If you'll do me the honor helping me clear these creatures from trying to kill either of us later then that'd be appreciated."

Just then one of the canine forms moved blurringly fast towards the man and the beskar whip attached to my left forearm flicked out and wrapped around the creature's throat. Jerking my left arm back I simply tore out the creature's throat and then there was movement. Send one out first let the rest move into position....these were apex predators and now that blood had been spilled more would flock to the hunt...

[member="RC-0883"]

 

[RC-0883]

Three more creatures stormed through the door, frozen saliva clung to the beast's jaws like another set of teeth as they snarled. A quick burst from Bunker's new Heavy Repeater silenced the beasts. A dozen pairs of yellow eyes now stared at him from darkness outside the door. RC-0883 shouted two words before he put every bit of his power on the trigger of his weapon, "Hatch! Now!" Whether it was the growl from outside or his own, Bunker didn't know, but it was deafening. Blaster fire poured out the door testing the intelligence of the predators. Most backed away, clear of the line of fire, some didn't and were shredded in the doorway making a small pile of carnage. He could only hold this rate of fire for so long before it depleted his finite ammo supply. In just few seconds into the battle, [member="Andorreth Vikar"] jumped out the hatch in one leap. Just a moment of panic struck the Commando as he figured his own escape when the young man offered his hand through the opening. Counting the seconds Bunker backed up continuing to keep the beasts at bay .......3.......2........1........ He dropped the new the heavy blaster to hang by it's short ammo line and leaped with the strength of a man faced with death if he failed. The room filled with the pack of deadly canines as Bunker caught the gauntlet of the fellow thief and was pulled to safety with ease despite his heavy load. Unhooking two grenades from his belt, Bunker dropped them into the opening. Both men covered as the building shook slightly beneath them. Only two canines fled the Temple, one trailing a massive amount of blood on the white snow. RC-0883 laughed in the wake of the battle that had ended with his art. The Iron Major had forgotten the joys of a mercenary life.

"I guess the chakaar won't be keeping his Trophies. Did the Force give you an exit strategy? Because my previous ride will deny any knowledge of even knowing me." Bunker asked his new comrade.

 

[Andorreth Vikar]

Following the firefight that ensued the man said that the chakaar wouldn't be keeping his trophies. Then he asked if The Force gave me an exit strategy. Smirking I said "Well I mean since we're here I'd say steal a Mandalorian's ship. Odds are that since this temple is used as an armory and also has had ships here in the last week that there is a hangar where the cargo ships land to pick up weapons. Odds are there are some shiny toys that whoever owns the gear in the temple will have kept there. Either it's a personal vessel stored here or it's a captured vessel that sits there as a trophy. In any event that'd be where I'd start looking, as for me... there's something here that I need to investigate for myself."

Shrugging I deactivated the saber and retracted the beskar razor whip into my left gauntlet. "Not sure it'd make sense for a non-force user and it'd take longer to explain. In any event I'll head down further into the temple with you as the hangars are likely further down as well. Perhaps a bit of continued teamwork until we part ways?" As it was I sensed something....ancient below us, deeper than where the hangars would be and I had the sense that the spirit I'd conversed with earlier meant me to go that route. I guess I'd be working with this man at least a little longer before I faced the dark levels of the temple alone...

[member="RC-0883"]