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.