Private Strike: Questal | Saga of Iron and Ash

[Romul Saxon]

W A R M A S T E R
Iron Covenant Deep Space
Core Worlds​

Tag: Yuri Maji

Space was so vast, so infinite, that it was quite easy for the Iron Covenant to conceal itself on the Sith's doorstep. The Mythos Yards were the center of the Mythos Fleet's vast armada; mobile factories that could produce munitions and ships when the Fleet found itself far from Kestri. Romul disembarked on one such now, his heavy beskar'gam clanging against the metal flooring of the massive station. The interior smelled heavily of smelting metal, ionizing radiation, and thick oil; in other words, good for a Mandalorian factory.

Site Dah'no sat on the outermost fringes of the Quetzal system, too far to be considered in the system as it was easily a half-parsec from Quetzal Prime's heliopause. Romul had seen intelligence reports of the valuable mineral Ardanium on the world. Control of that resource would be absolutely vital for the Mythos Fleet's efforts as it prepared for its invasion of the Tapani sector, but first the Iron Covenant needed confirmation, and then control, of Ardanium production.

Romul needed a Mandalorian that had an intimate knowledge of industry, not just firearms. He could provide enough brute force alone, but another Mandalorian with that technical background would be able to siphon the intelligence they needed. With those parameters, exactly one came to mind -- the prodigy (prodigal?) son of the late Shai Maji: Yuri Maji . Romul had only met the Shistavanen once. This second meeting would be quite a different tale.

 

[Yuri Maji]

The Fleet didn't wait for anyone, a lesson Yuri quickly learned when things got underway. They had barely organised and set up the Ironworks modules in the Yards before work started pouring in. The assembly lines were prepared and duties were distributed, they were ready for whatever came their way. Already the day began with some challenges and the engineers had their hands full.

Standing with his team in one of the landing bays, Yuri waited with a smile when a familiar scent caught his attention. Golden eyes wandered over to the entrance as the Old Boar approached. "Romul!" He called out, his usual thoughts on the man set aside for the big moment they all waited for. He jogged over and gestured for him to halt. "Stay clear, we're waitin' for incoming ships." He instructed, quickly turning with hands on his hips to face the atmospheric shield. A few moments later, four massive frames reflected in the void and quickly drew closer at a respectable speed. The moment they entered the hangar, the piercing howl of their engines split the air, dying down to a mighty rumble as they slowed to touch down.

The four Basilisks eyed the small crowd and two bowed their heads low. Their faceplates split open and test pilots emerged, earning a cheer from the group. A major test was just completed with flying colours. "Major breakthrough, right now." Yuri began with a glance up at Romul. "This is the second squadron built already with the new Yards, tenth squadron ready to deploy to the Fleet and the onboard intelligence is working perfectly." He explained to the man, lighting a cigarette to celebrate the moment.

When the excitement died down and the Basilisks were escorted to their storage unit, Yuri finally took the time to face Romul properly. "Welcome to the mobile Ironworks, Saxon. What can we do ya for?" He asked with a toothy grin. He knew it wasn't a social call, he wanted something.

Romul Saxon

 

[Romul Saxon]

W A R M A S T E R
Iron Covenant Deep Space​

Tag: Yuri Maji

"Maji!" the Warmaster boomed. He was mid-stride when the Shistavanen prompted him to halt; Romul stood on his heel, planting his weight firmly, and followed Yuri's own body as the smith turned. He quickly saw what Maji was looking at; the four craft that, as they approached and entered through the atmospheric shield bays of the hangar, were unmistakably basiliks.

Romul inhaled deeply through his nostrils as he watched each of the four mechanical beasts touch down heavily, growling electronically. Mandalorians all around them clapped and whooped as the pilots emerged triumphantly from their cockpits. Evidently, there had been a test run of some kind; Romul did not cheer, but a wry grin spread across his face, masked by his hoary white beard. He listened to Maji without a word as he explained to Romul the triumphs of their latest run of basilisks, then watched the beasts stride from the hangar entrance deeper into the bowels of the Mythos Yard station.

"Welcome to the mobile Ironworks, Saxon. What can we do ya for?"

"Fine work, Maji," Romul boomed approvingly, watching the tail-end of the beasts as they disappeared into the ironworks. He carelessly thudded his fist 'lightly' against the Shistavanen's chestplate, a strike that could nock down a small tree. "I have never ridden a basilisk; the last of Clan Saxon's warbeasts were lost in the Second Excision." Romul turned his neck downwards to look at the Shistavanen. "Ardanium, Maji. What do you know of it?"

 

[Yuri Maji]

Romul seemed surprisingly pleased for a change with how things were shaping up, even hurling a hefty blow to the Hound's cuirass with enough power to knock him back. It caught him by surprise, though he was quick to recover. It felt good, knowing that people were genuinely impressed with his design. Sure, Sahan Dragr showered him with praises, but he was his friend so it didn't mean as much as it likely should have. Other people were also happy, it gave him a healthy boost in confidence that he sorely needed.

The two warriors walked together through the halls of the Shipyard while Yuri listened to Romul. He scoffed at Romul's remark, sparing a judgemental look up at the warrior. "That's your own problem, schutta, the Howlers have been in service for decades." He quipped, meaning every bit of disrespect that came with his tone. He was, however, stumped about Romul's next question. He thought it over for a moment. "I mean... you can probably roll a mean one with it." He jested with a half-hearted laugh.

He grew serious for a beat as they walked. "I know of it. Karkin' amazing material, I'd love to use the stuff for our reactors. But it's karkin' impossible to get if you don't wanna shovel up a small fortune for the stuff. From what I know, there's only a few places that can mine the stuff." He explained, plucking the pair of shades Sahan gifted him to slip onto his muzzle. "Why, what's up? Ya find a place we can get some?" He asked with another glance up at Romul.

Romul Saxon

 

[Romul Saxon]

W A R M A S T E R
Iron Covenant Deep Space​

Tag: Yuri Maji

"Why, what's up? Ya find a place we can get some?"

Romul grinned fiercely. "Precisely."

He didn't elaborate there in the open bay where others could hear them. Instead, setting a heavy hand against Yuri's shoulder plate, Romul steered them away from the foundry and towards the interior corridors, past the smelting floors and the racks of half-assembled war machines, until the noise of the Yards fell away behind a blast door marked for restricted access. The room beyond was spare: a war room with bare metal walls and a single darkened holotable dominating its center.

Romul left Yuri's side to thumb the activation panel, and the table hummed to life, casting pale blue light up into the hollows of his beard as a star system rendered itself above the console. A yellow world spun there, ringed by a scatter of moons, its surface mottled with the deep umber scars of open-pit mines.

"Questal." The old boar rumbled. "A 'backwater' Core world. Sparsely populated; a planetary government in the world's capital, Gralleenya, but beyond that, it's no jewel. But pretty doesn't make it valuable to the Fleet. Its extensive Ardanium deposits do." A datafile began to list off to the right of the planet's holoprojection. "From what intelligence we could surmise, Questal's industry is aging and controlled by corporations we believe infiltrated by the Sith." He turned from the table to face the Shistavanen fully, the blue light carving harsh shadows into the old scars on his face.

"I could send my warfleet in there and burn Questal, and with it their refining equipment that we don't have. So unfortunately, I need more subtle tactics and a vod who knows their way around mechanics." He tapped two fingers against Yuri's own chestplate, the same spot the smith had taken his blow moments before. "That's you."

He let that sit a moment before the corner of his mouth pulled into something almost like a smile. "So. Still feel like celebrating, Maji, or does that sound like work to you?"

 

[Yuri Maji]

Romul's grin told Yuri everything he needed to know, the man was planning something possibly dastardly. Were it anyone else, they likely wouldn't be quick to jump to the occasion... luckily Yuri wasn't like most people. He was, however, still skeptical of Romul's plans despite following along toward a more secluded spot.

Ushered inside, Romul left Yuri's side and made his way to a holomap in the center of the room. Yuri spared a look around with an amused grin. "In case you didn't know, Saxon, I do have a girlfriend." He quipped with a hand on his hip. Following along, he focused on the map as the Boar explained his plans. Questal was the target and, with a little application of critical thinking, Yuri could already see Romul's plan for the planet. "Obviously the Sith infiltrated them. The karkin' parasites stick their mitts in everything." He grumbled as he followed the holomap.

Finally Romul turned his attention back to Yuri. The Hound braced for the hard poke at his cuirass while a daring grin took hold. "So you want me to help you hijack a whole mining operation from under the Sith's noses?" He remarked as he looked up at the man, gaze drifting between him and the map.

"I want first pick on the loot. That Ardanium would make a massive difference on our reactors." He commented, facing the Boar with confidence. "And something else. I help you, you recognize clan Maji in the records." It was the Hound's turn to poke Romul on the chest, a durasteel hand with enough power to press him back. He refused to argue or negotiate, his golden eyes met Romul's gaze with determination.

Romul Saxon

 

[Romul Saxon]

W A R M A S T E R
Iron Covenant Deep Space​

Tag: Yuri Maji

"I want first pick on the loot. That Ardanium would make a massive difference on our reactors." He commented, facing the Boar with confidence. "And something else. I help you, you recognize clan Maji in the records." It was the Hound's turn to poke Romul on the chest, a durasteel hand with enough power to press him back. He refused to argue or negotiate, his golden eyes met Romul's gaze with determination.

Romul spread his hands. "You'll get all the Ardanium you need, and more, if we succeed." His smile was boarish, but it quickly turned into a scowl as he went over Maji's second request. It had caught him so off guard that the first time hearing it, it'd simply gone one ear and out the other. "Clan Maji. . . isn't in the records? What do you mean?" His growl was more out of offense on the Shistavanen's behalf than towards Yuri himself. Romul hadn't been aware that the Clan of the respected Shai Maji wasn't even recognized.

 

[Yuri Maji]

Yuri blinked at Romul's question, a tilt of his head signifying his own confusion over it. "They... never were." He remarked, hands gripping the top of his chestplate as he idly leaned against the holotable next to him. Was Romul under the impression this whole time that they were in a clan?

"I'm a stray, Saxon. When Ma got kicked out of her old clan, she never joined another one." He explained to Romul with a calm voice to clear up the miscommunication. "Maji is just our surname, nothin' to do with any clan. And seein' as I never pledged to any clan or Alor, I figured I'd turn the family name into an official clan." He stepped closer to Romul, looking straight up at the man. "And I need another clan Alor to vouch for me and Vara if we're gonna make a clan." He lingered for a beat before turning to leave the room.

On the one end, it felt good that Romul was under the impression that the little family of mutts were their own clan. But on the other, he felt rather inferior. As if he needed to prove himself again. But it was over, Vara was game for it and he was tired of being a stray. With this approach, both he and Vara would be able to claim that they belonged.

Once outside, he waited for Romul to emerge and fell in beside him. "So, ya got a game plan or are we just gonna improvise planetside?" He asked the old Boar.

Romul Saxon

 

[Romul Saxon]

W A R M A S T E R
Iron Covenant Deep Space​

Tag: Yuri Maji

Yuri's calm demeanor did nothing to abet the revelation that stunned Romul. He'd heard stray comments denigrating the Shistavanen and his mother among hearthfires and in between commandos' banter, but word of it had always been met by reprimand from the Alor. Shai Maji had been an exemplar of Mandalorian ideals, and her son -- although not the rank-and-file supercommando -- was still ever an honorable Mandalorian in his eyes. The smaller Mandalorian stepped towards Romul now, and their eyes met. There was fire in Yuri's and what looked like shame in Saxon's.

"Maji is just our surname, nothin' to do with any clan. And seein' as I never pledged to any clan or Alor, I figured I'd turn the family name into an official clan. And I need another clan Alor to vouch for me and Vara if we're gonna make a clan."

The words lingered with Romul as Maji left the room. He leaned his knuckles against the holotable, head down, not looking at anything in particular. He didn't know why the fact that Yuri's clan wasn't recognized as such unsettled him so. It wasn't so much a stain on the honor of Clan Maji so much as it was on the rest of the Mando'ade who had let such heroes down.

Romul looked up, recomposed. As soon as they returned from Questal, this would be rectified.

He exited from the chamber, seeing that Yuri was waiting him. Wordlessly he fell into step, with Yuri falling in at his side. "Nothing complicated," Romul grinned fiercly as they made their way towards the waiting dropship. "By the time we hit atmosphere it will be the dead of night. Infil, indent, extract. Once we recon what we need, a precision strike can take out their defenses so we can recuperate the ardanium." He cast his gaze aside to the Shistavanen. "Heavy ordnance as a backup wouldn't go amiss."

 

[Yuri Maji]

Yuri spared a sidelong glance as Romul explained the plan, a silent infiltration and recon mission in preparation for a more organised operation. The realisation drew the Hound to a pause as he looked over his kit. "Kriff, uh... okay. Hold that thought." He quickly fell into a jog back to the hangar, returning a few short minutes later with his helmet, jetpack, rifle and another potentially useful item for them to use.

"If we're doin' recon, might as well have something proper to do it with." He remarked as he rested the enormous gun case on his shoulder. Romul didn't need to see the Hound's face to know that he was smiling like a maniac. "Bought this baby a few months ago, haven't had the chance to use it." He continued as he followed beside the old Boar.

He was quiet for the walk toward their ship, only looking to Romul once they boarded it. "Ya know, I can bring my Basilisk along if we need support." He suggested, setting his gear down on an open seat before taking his helmet off. Out of habit he drew a cigarette from a pouch, but stopped just before lighting it to glance at Romul. A wordless request to see if Romul minded.

Regardless, Yuri settled in and made himself comfortable for the short ride. Thoughts twirled in his mind about the oddity of Romul asking him when there were others available... not to mention the apparent worry about the Hound's family.

It was strange to see such uncharacteristic care from the giant.

Romul Saxon

 

[Romul Saxon]

W A R M A S T E R
Iron Covenant Deep Space​

Tag: Yuri Maji

"Kriff, uh... okay. Hold that thought."

"If we're doin' recon, might as well have something proper to do it with. Bought this baby a few months ago, haven't had the chance to use it."

Romul took stock of the massive rifle that Yuri had retrieved, encased in an even larger box that the Shistavanen was balancing on his shoulder. "I approve," the Warmaster rumbled heartily, although he knew that Shai wasn't asking for it. Long-range heavy weaponry was the perfect type of weapon for this mission, however. Romul always chose to fight up close and personal with his enemies; sniping from a distance almost had a cowardly feel to it. But the Alor was a tactician; he understood its practicality, and as such

He was quiet for the walk toward their ship, only looking to Romul once they boarded it. "Ya know, I can bring my Basilisk along if we need support." He suggested, setting his gear down on an open seat before taking his helmet off. Out of habit he drew a cigarette from a pouch, but stopped just before lighting it to glance at Romul. A wordless request to see if Romul minded.

Romul was settling uncomfortably into the too-small pilot's seat in the cockpit, attempting to gingerly tuck his knees somewhere so they wouldn't interfere with his access to the ship's control panels. "Too loud," the Old Boar grumbled as he began going through the pre-flight systems checklist. He flipped a couple of switches. Everything was running well. Romul paused as he realized the Shistavanen had gone uncharacteristically quiet for a moment, and turned to see him holding a tabac stick with an expectant look on his face. Taking the stick, he lit it, blew out a big stream of smoke, and handed it back lit to the Shistavanen.

The dropship took off, exited the hangar of the massive station, and launched into hyperspace.

The hyperspace jump was quick. The dropship reverted in high orbit above Questal, a world of various biomes and terrain, a green-blue sphere in an otherwise black void of space. "Preparing to descend. Maji, run a final scan on our landing zone."