The Second Mandalorian Crusade: Ne'tra Kyr

[Azrael]

REPOST FROM THE CACHE

Tales of the Journeyman had been almost harped on to the degree that the Field Marshal spoke about them. Concord Dawn was their sister planet, and had been left in the hands of these guards who - while they weren't Mandalorian by name - their honor and practices spoke for them, and allowed the famed culture to accept their work as being proven worthy of the Manda. Guilt is what was echoed though every time Gilamar spoke of these men and women. He felt it was his fault, his duty to make sure they were backed up properly by the Vod, and that hadn't been the case.

The Sith had stormed in one too many times and taken out their ranks, thinning the heard until only a few brave and hardened Journeyman were left on the planet to fend for themselves. It was the people of the planet, though, that seemed to worry the Field Marshal the most, and he'd been planning this intervention and support structure for some time. All of this Azrael had gleaned from the older man as he had been working alongside the Field Marshal not only in constructing his own armor, but in assisting the engineer in his plans to strengthen Mandalore, and bolster their ranks before and during the Dark Harvesters had arrived. Where was Azrael though?

Azrael was in jail. Earlier that same day he had been commissioned by the Field Marshal to scout ahead and check out what kind of welcome the Mandalorians might receive when they came en masse to provide help and assist in getting the people of Concord Dawn back on their feet. That hadn't gone so well. Instead of being able to report exactly what he found, the Journeymen had gotten to him first. At first they had been surprised to see a Mandalorian, but that surprise had quickly waned into bitter-resentment. He'd gone in without his normal weapons, which had put him at their mercy - so he'd stayed relatively calm when they took him into their custody and stuck him into a holding cell. Still strapped with his basic armor, Azrael was standing before an energy field that kept him from getting to anything they took from him, namely his commlink and transponder. They had killed both signals upon arresting him, his ardent request that they do the right thing had fallen on deaf ears.

From his point of lockup, he was watching the time, knowing that the fleet would be here very soon. A fleet that the Journeymen only half believed. The only part that they said was plausible was that they were coming, but to give aide was not exactly something they were gambling on, despite his protests. By now though, Azrael knew that if he was kept and found by the Field Marshal, hot head thinking would over-power compassion and there were be hostility brimming immediately.

"I get it, you've been left out in the cold and the Mandalore nor the 'ade have come to your aide. You were put in charge of this world and you think you've been abandoned. But when that fleet lands, and it should be soon, the Field Marshal and the vode are going to come in bearing supplies for the planet, and help and relief for you. You keep me here, you might get something else. You really want to take that chance with the weight of Mandalore stacking the odds?"

"The Manda don't care 'bout us, boy!" One of the Journeyman spat at him. "They left us here to rot and get picked off by the Sith. Where were they when my platoon got pinned down for three weeks and hadn't any ammo to speak of. You say the Manda is coming here, fine. Let them see what they did to us, and they can get the same welcome as you."

"Argh...you osik...you're going to put all these people in jeopardy if you don't let me out. At least let me communicate, tell the Field Marshal what to expect."

"Nice try boy, just sit and stew, maybe you'll get a front row seat." A laugh of derision came next as the Journeyman in question exited the barracks and left Azrael alone with his thoughts and the gentle hum of the force field keeping him at bay.


@[member="Basaba Willamina"] @[member="Texam Halion"] @[member="Jaden Taacyn"] @[member="Gilamar Skirata"] @[member="Kila Cadau"] @[member="Ordo"]

 

[Sturgis Tal'Verda]

Concord Dawn: Fett Homestead

Concord Dawn. It had been his family's home for generations upon generations, and for equally as long, the Vhetts had been protecting its people. Many people on Concord Dawn considered themselves, and were considered Mandalorian...But over the last few years they seemed to have been forgotten by their Mandalorian brothers and sisters. Abandoned by their own Manda'lor in their time of need. Crushed under the heel of the Dark Lord Mordin, enslaved, tortured for what felt like years. Sherruk still had his fair share of scars. And though the Mandalorians came, they left nothing but destruction in their wake leaving a trophy force that did nothing but eat the little food that was left and rest their heads.

What brought these thoughts of anger and resentment to the mind of the dark-skinned High Protector of Concord Dawn? News had arrived that a Mandalorian scout had showed up nearby. With a grunt, Sherruk plunged his plow into the barely fertile soil beneath his feet and tore the pale dirt from the ground. Standing to his full height, he took the rag from the dirty work shirt he wore and wiped the sweat from his brow. The others members of his clan could finish plowing the field, Sherruk had other business to attend to.

Donning his armor and taking his speeder into the town he sighed at the graffiti that adorned the walls of the buildings. Death Watch's symbol and murals glorifying RC and his raiders. The images made him sick but he could not deny that for some, RC understood them better than the Mandalorians ever would. Entering the jail he looked over to the Journeyman protector guarding the Mandalorian in his cell. The building itself was run down, half of it crumbled, leaving a fraction of what the building once was usable. The Force Cages that had been salvaged now sat within a few steps of the front door. The sight was pitiful.

Nodding to the Journeyman protector to leave, the man saluted and left, leaving Sherruk and the Mandalorian alone. Just before he began to speak, he recieved a message via comlink. "Sir, multiple Mandalorian ships entering atmosphere...There's a lot of 'em!" Cursing under his breath he looked over to the Mandalorian again. "Send a small force, be prepared for anything." He had left the orders purposefully vague, he knew that his men would pull out all the stops, fearing another invasion. "What is your business here?" he asked now to the Mandalorian behind the Force cage.

@[member="Azrael"]

 

[Azrael]

Seated on the durasteel bench that had been driven into the duracrete beneath his feet by rail spikes, a fair assessment that this was just as run-down as the rest of the moon, and it's inhabitants were not faring nearly well enough to support themselves in any reasonable fashion. Azrael had already seen the wake of ruin in the path of the threats against their sister planet. It was his first visit to Concord Dawn, and so far things weren't going well. These stubborn Journeyman were starting to severely irritate the young Mandalorian who sat brooding over the thick-headed warriors who had put him into capture. He could of fought back but what would that have proven? It would of proven them right, and he certainly didn't need to explain to Gil why he had attacked the people they had come to aide. No, he had to sit here, unable to tell the Field Marshal exactly what was in store for them, and what to expect. He only hoped that the silence sent alarm bells and made the Mando'ade ready for something to go against their landing.

Footsteps drawing closer sounded with clear clacks against the duracrete as another armored individual came to see to the prisoner. He was an authority figure by the way he was addressed. Raising his head, but keeping his slightly slumped position, both hands resting over his kneecaps. His grey eyed gaze cast directly to the other side of the prison, at the cache of his armor and weapons they had peeled from him, and the force barrier shield between him and it. Having that taken from him was a rather serious crime in his eyes, and it was taking some measure of will to force him to defer to them for the time being. The larger armored individual stepping up towards the field after the other Journeymen took point and went out to meet the incoming Mandalorian fleet. His less than friendly demenaour rose to meet that of Vhett as he slowly stood.

"Believe it or not, we were coming to make right the state we left this planet in. I was sent ahead to see about preparations and to figure out the best course of action to take first, where you needed the most help." Azrael said in a straight-forward manner before looking at where the men had left from and then turning his gaze back. "Apparently the places most in jeopardy are between your subordinate's ears." He didn't greatly enjoy being called 'boy', but he also knew that they weren't in charge, this man seemed have more clout. What he'd do with this information was left up to chance, but he didn't have much hope with the 'warm welcome' he'd been given when he had arrived. "Let's get one thing straight though, no matter what you think or believe, I can promise you this. If they find me here held prisoner by you and your men, aide isn't likely what is going to be offered." He was still willing to help at this point, but he wanted it made very clear that they were playing with fire by capturing a Mandalorian on a peace mission.

@[member="Sherruk Vhett"]

 

[Gilamar Skirata]

Concord Dawn

Gilamar had been among the first groups of Mandalorians to set foot on the ground of Concord Dawn for the operation. Now he stood along with several Rally Masters under a tent designed to be "Home Base" for the operation until the Dar'aranov was OK'd to land. Wind and dust swirled around them outside as LAATs other troop transports ferried troops to the ground. Since the operation began he had heard no word from Azrael, the top ranking Rally Master in the operation. He had been sent earlier as a scout and his silence did not bode well for the operation.

Looking to one of the other Mandalorians in the tent he sighed. "Still no word?" A solemn nod from the Rally Master. "We should have just came in and did what we needed to do!" said another Rally Master. Pressing his lips together behind his helmet he pushed the air from his mouth in a frustrated sigh. "Regardless we need to at least set up a peremiter around the area...We don't need more blood on our hands than we already have..." This drew a sage-like nod from the others. Just at that moment a young initiate burst into the tent. "We've got what looks like a sizable force of Journeymen headed our way...They look ready for war." Gilamar's eyes widened as he rushed out of the tent.

"All men! Lower your weapons to stun and do not engage unless I give the order!"

@Ordohttp://starwarsrp.net/user/1367-ordo/ @Azrael @Ka'ika Skirata http://starwarsrp.net/user/2005-kaika-skirata/@Kila Cadau @Texam Halionhttp://starwarsrp.net/user/2096-texam-halion/ @Natalie Kolesnikova @Aria Lissiri @Jaden Taacyn @Adelaide Baldesarrahttp://starwarsrp.net/user/2085-adelaide-baldesarra/​

 

[Sturgis Tal'Verda]

With a dissatisfied sigh he looked over to the Mandalorian now imprisoned before him. Was what he said true? Had the Mandalorians truly come back to aid them? The biggest question out of all of these weighed heavily on his shoulders...

Could he take the risk?

Would he risk his people's lives? The ones he had sworn to protect? Tightening his armored hand into a fist he spoke again, this time with a stronger voice. "I'll ask you again, what are you here for?" His voice was accusing, the desperate voice of a leader who knew he had two choices. The voice of a leader that knew that no matter what choice he picked, if he was wrong, his people would suffer for an even greater time. But he needed to be sure. "How do I know you aren't just-" his speech was interupted by the crack of an old com on the desk. "High Protector Vhett! We have encountered a large Mandalorian force just outside the city! Your orders?"

Sweat dripped down his brow. Looking from the com to the Mandalorian, his mask hid the fear in his eyes.

@Ordo @Azrael @Ka'ika Skirata @Kila Cadau @Texam Halion @Natalie Kolesnikova @Aria Lissiri @Jaden Taacyn @Adelaide Baldesarra​

 

[Adenn Gra'tua]

Adenn Gra'tua had been waiting for a while for orders, he checked his weapons "I don't have any weapons that go to stun..." He said to himself "so I either will have to shoot them in the legs or go in close quarters"
Right then he heard a command to lower his weapons and to set to stun "still can't set to stun" he mumbled "but I won't kill them" he said and stared off towards the incoming enemy force.

 

[Preliat Mantis]

Preliat slowly walked out of the tent behind Gilamar, the fresh, green-as-grass look gone from his face. He pulled the bolt back on his rifle, setting the rifle to stun, as ordered. However, the beskad on his back was not exactly a 'stun' weapon, but nonetheless, the young man did as he was told. He walked beside Gilamar, his black hair pulled back and braided on the sides, flowing in both the wind and when he walked."Do you really think they'll attack us sir, or are they just worried?"He posed, holding the rifle diagonally over his chest, his movements less uncoordinated now.

He hoped that the Journeymen were not truly preparing for an attack, he had enough violence for a while after the Dark Harvest campaign. He still had nightmares, and he still hadn't really worked through it, either. He hoped that a distraction such as this would bring him out of the slump he was in.

@Ordo @Azrael @Ka'ika Skirata @Kila Cadau @Texam Halion @Natalie Kolesnikova @Aria Lissiri @Jaden Taacyn @Adelaide Baldesarra @[member="Gilamar Skirata"]

 

[Azrael]

The narrowing of his gray eyes sat squarely on the High Protector as he again questioned his purpose for being here as if Azrael's own answer was complete poodoo, and he was fishing for actual truth. Derision echoed in his gaze as Vhett followed up with another question to speak to the trustworthiness of the Rally Master he was questioning. Only then did some slight satisfaction come in the way of news to the people he had sent out to scout ahead. Lifting both arms to cross over his chest, the bionic digits tapping in a rhythmic pattern over his right bicep.

"Just what? Baiting you? Well I think that landing party your men just encountered speaks to the contrary." Azrael said with an ungrateful huff in his breath. He did not personally enjoy being kept from his vode, and especially questioned on the merits of his earlier actions. It was somewhat expected though given the history of the planet and the Journeyman who had fought and died in the name of Mandalore without the aide thereof. "Way I see it, you've got two choices. Either let me go out there and ease the tension with the Field Marshal and explain the misunderstanding, or take your chances on the forgiveness of the Mando'ade." Azrael gave a suggestion straight-forward, adding in at the last some food for thought. "Just remember Vhett, Mando'ad draar digu."

Whatever order Vhett gave now was certainly going to sway the odds one way or another if more of his people were put down, or if they were able to work together in a campaign to restore Concord and his remaining brethren. Azrael could only do so much from behind the protective barrier that kept him at bay, and held him hostage in the prison. Vhett only had a short time before he'd be having to make a decision that would alter that course. Would he go with his gut, or would he use some common sense and approach the Mando'ade with a semblance of trust that they were not here to work against them.

@[member="Sherruk Vhett"] @[member="Preliat Mantis"] @[member="Adenn"] @[member="Gilamar Skirata"]

 

[Gilamar Skirata]

The sun was bright. So bright, the glare was disorienting at first from all of the armored men and women before him. In the distance he could see the dust displaced by the repulsors of Canderous-Class tanks. He cursed an ancient Mandalorian curse as he raised his helmet, clipping it into place and clapping a gloved hand on the young Preliat's shoulder. "I hope not." The answer held weight that he did not want to leave on the young man's shoulders, but the words sort of slipped out. Stepping forward, his cape fluttered out behind him, his boots crunching over the pebble speckled landscape to meet the force ahead. Despite the slaughter that was waiting to unfold, there was but one question that he had.

Where was Azrael?

@[member="Preliat Mantis"] @Ordo @Azrael @Ka'ika Skirata @Kila Cadau @Texam Halion @Natalie Kolesnikova @Aria Lissiri @Jaden Taacyn @Adelaide Baldesarra​

 

[Sturgis Tal'Verda]

With a growl Sherruk deactivated the containment field. "You win Mandalorian." he muttered, raising a hand to the com installed in his helmet. "This is High Protector Sherruk Vhett, you will stand down! I will be there shortly." Behind the wall of gold and red armor, the man's face was contorted in discomfort. Bested by what he concidered to be a mere child. What Azrael would do next was of no consequence to him now, but he thought it a good idea to bring him along. "Grab your kit and let's go. I've got a speeder outside waiting."

And that was the end of it. Sherruk left the building, the door sliding out of his way with a hiss and snap that should have warranted immediate attention. It only brought a stronger realization that Concord Dawn needed the Mandalorians in order to heal. They had sick, hungry, and who was he to deny his people aid? With their fields razed and many of them beyond repair and many of its buildings in need of repair...There was just no other way.

The sun blazed as he waited for the young Mandalorian.

@[member="Azrael"]​

 

[Preliat Mantis]

Preliat looked out to the still figured in the distance, slowly grasping his helmet. With trembling hands, Preliat slowly placed it on his head with a tightening seal. He looked over at Gil after he spoke.

He opened his mouth to speak, to ask him something. But he failed to find the courage to ask him it. He was just waiting for whatever may come.

@[member="Gilamar Skirata"]

 

[Azrael]

An inward sigh of relief was taken as the deactivation of the field was initiated. Grey eyes still wary on that of Vhett, but for the time being, he needed to get word to the Field Marshal. With his gear stored just across the way, Azrael moved to start piecing together the plates and slipping on every piece of equipment and weaponry they'd taken from him earlier. He said nothing to Vhett for the moment as he wasn't entirely sure of the man's intentions - despite letting him out of their holding cell. Once the ear-piece was affixed, he initiated transmission and setup a party line for the vode.

:: Attention vode, this is Azrael. There was a misunderstanding during my initial scouting. It has been resolved, the Journeyman near your position are not hostile. We're coming to you. :: That said in plain basic while he accompanied Vhett to his right flank and headed out of the makeshift prison to the transport that was prepared. "Like I said, we're here to help. Now, tell me - what can we do?" He asked in honest sincerity as they both boarded the craft to head towards the location of the Field Marshal's fleet. Azrael was anxious to make an assist to Concord Dawn, and had already seen some of the destruction's wake that had been wrought by various forces trying to take Mandalorian territory.

As much as Azrael wanted to pay back in kind to those who would dare try and invade, it was Concord Dawn that needed the most attention. He wasn't entirely comfortable alongside the Journeyman, but he would do his part in coming to their aide. It was the civilians he wagered that lost the most material and wealth. They had been a thriving planet, but now they were a wasted shell barely hanging on. Azrael aimed to fix that.

@[member="Sherruk Vhett"] @[member="Preliat Mantis"] @[member="Adenn"] @[member="Gilamar Skirata"]

 

[Gilamar Skirata]

The familiar voice of Azrael brought a smile to his face. Raising his arm he called out to his men, "Alright! Alright! Stand Down!" he shouted over the com. He knew Azrael would come through. Letting his weapon hang at his side, he removed his helmet, clipping that to his waist as well.

 

[Adenn Gra'tua]

Adenn flinched when a voice screamed into his helmet. Saying to stand down. He felt slightly relived. Adenn took a step back and stretched "they better be standing Down too" Adenn said in his private comlink. He looked over at Gilamar who was taking off his helmet "don't expect me to take off my helmet" he said to no one "so," Adenn said to Gilamar "what do you want us to do now" he hooked his thumb in his belt "wait for the rally master to get back?" he stood, waiting for a response.

@Azreal@Gilamar Skirata@[member="Sherruk Vhett"]@Prelait Mantis