Private Through the Hangars

[Rynar Solde]

Rynar nodded, absorbing Vael's description of the hum.
"Alright," he murmured, shifting carefully and easing half his upper body into the engine compartment. The metal walls pressed against his armor as he probed with gloved hands, muttering under his breath.

"Hmm… torque dampers seated… heat sinks solid… coupling tolerances within spec… could be a resonance somewhere deeper…"
He adjusted slightly, crouching on his knees, then reached for his helmet. "Vael… if you're willing, you could power her up and idle the engine for me. Just enough to throttle the sublight systems and see if that hum shows itself. No pressure if you'd rather not."

He tapped lightly along the braces and conduits, muttering as he listened to the quiet hum that ran through the ship even at rest.
"Cupcake," he called softly, voice calm but commanding, "fetch the torque compensator from the pouch."

The nexu's ears flicked, and she bounded down from the wing, padding silently across the hangar floor. She retrieved the small component in her jaws and brought it to Vael, who could hand it over to Rynar if he chose to comply.
Rynar gave a quiet nod, half-embedded in the engine bay, ready to continue once he had the opportunity.

Vael Saren

 

[Vael Saren]

"Not a problem. I trust you're savvy enough to not get yourself vaporized." Vael dropped the entrance ramp and boarded his vessel. In a well practiced motion, the Oathkeeper's engine was brought to life. The machine purred quietly as her pilot brought the necessary components online. He got the ship idling, then walked back out to where Rynar could hear him.

"Hear anything yet?" he asked, "Or should I rev her a bit?" While he trusted Rynar, he wanted to make sure of what the other man needed before continuing. He would rather not come out to see his half-scorched body in the ship's engine block just because he got a bit overzealous.

 

[Rynar Solde]

Rynar adjusted slightly, settling more comfortably on his knees, half-embedded in the engine compartment. He snapped his helmet into place, the HUD giving clear light and shielding him from exhaust and fumes.

"Alright, vod," he said through the comm, linking a private channel directly to Vael's helmet. "If you could… rev her up to the point where that hum usually starts. I'm not hearing it yet at idle. That'll help me figure out exactly what part is causing it."


He traced lightly along the exposed conduits, braces, and internal panels as the engine thrummed quietly beneath him. "Could be a misaligned stabilizer collar, a micro-shifted torque damper, maybe one of the internal compression rings, or even a subtle resonance in the secondary coupling assembly. Revving her will tell me which one."


He paused, listening to the vibration through the hull. "Don't overdo it... just enough to get the hum. The more precise the range we hit, the faster I can isolate the source."


Cupcake padded nearby, tail flicking in sync with the engine's vibrations, her quiet presence a reassuring constant as Rynar prepared to diagnose the transplanted powerplant.


Vael Saren

 

[Vael Saren]

Saren hopped back into the driver's seat and gently increased the drive output. Just enough to hear that hum again. It sounded like, underneath the sound of the engine, someone had turned on a full vacuum cleaner. Not very loud, but high pitched, alongside a subtle metallic tinking.

He watched out of the viewport as Cupcake retrieved Rynar's supplies. He had never known nexu to be so docile, so obedient. It made him wonder if, along with the droid he was looking for, he should also invest in a pet. It would be a lot more persistent care he would need to give, but he was already in the market for companions. Maybe...

 

[Rynar Solde]

Rynar's voice came through Vael's helmet a second later, filtered and calm beneath his own.
"Yeah. There it is. Hear that higher whine riding under the drive?"
He shifted inside the open engine housing, tools clicking softly.


"That pitch tells me it's not your main turbines. More likely a misaligned resonance ring, worn stabilizer bearing, or a fatigued coupling on the secondary flow regulator. Could be one of a few things, but the metallic tinking narrows it."

There was a pause. Something thumped lightly against the hull.
"Cupcake! fetch."

A moment later, the nexu padded up beside the ship, jaws carefully closing around a narrow durasteel component Rynar had pointed out earlier. She carried it like it weighed nothing, tail swaying once before setting it down near the access panel.

"Good girl."
Rynar exhaled quietly.
"I'll swap this once I confirm it's the culprit. Should kill the hum."
His voice softened a fraction before continuing.

"She's the reason I don't mind flying with company, vod."
He tightened a brace, then spoke again.
"Found her on Cholganna. Crash stranded me there for months. Nexu came out of the fog, full-grown. I did what survival demanded."

A beat.

"She didn't make it. Her cub did."
Metal scraped faintly as he shifted position.
"I used the mother's pelt to keep warm. Carried the little one until she could walk. Took years to get her trained. Still got attitude, like a Twi'lek dancer on a bad night, but she never left."

A quiet chuckle crackled over the channel.
"Guess you could say I keep her out of guilt."
Then, more firmly:
"Alright, hold her right there for a few seconds. Let me feel the vibration through this mount."

Vael Saren

 

[Vael Saren]

"That's quite the story," he hummed over comms, "Maybe guilt. Maybe care. Far be it from me to assign value to such a personal experience. I'm just glad for you, that you were able to get such a lifelong partner from it."

He did as instructed, holding the engine at that precise frequency. He mulled over the story he had been told.

"Cholganna. Was that just a crash landing, or did something bring you there? From what I recall, it isn't the most peaceful planet to be headed toward. I can't even recall if there's anything that lives there that's even capable of holding a conversation."

 

[Rynar Solde]

Rynar's voice came softly over the comm.
"I have no idea what exactly brought me into Cupcake's path," he admitted, fingers tracing the worn bearing sleeve. "Could've been sheer luck, survival instincts… maybe the universe trying to balance things. But whatever it was, I'm glad it did. She's saved me more times than I care to count."


He adjusted the new sleeve into place, carefully aligning the coupling, then gave the assembly a firm twist with his micro-torque wrench. The faint metallic tick disappeared instantly, leaving only the smooth hum of the engine under Vael's idle.


A quiet chuckle rumbled through his vocoder. "Korda Veydran, a friend of mine, is the one who finally found me. Pulled me back from Cholganna, back to the Mandalorian Empire, back to my people… after years of self-imposed exile."


Rynar leaned back, settling on his knees atop the wing. He tested the vibration one last time, hands hovering over the panel. The hum was gone.


"Yes," he muttered with satisfaction. Then, a bright note through the vocoder: "haran elek!"
He gave the torque wrench a final click, slung it onto his belt, and rolled smoothly off the wing.
"Alright, vod," he said through the comm, voice calm but triumphant. "That should do it. No more hum."
Cupcake padded close, tail flicking once as if approving, before brushing against his legs.

Vael Saren

 

[Vael Saren]

The relief he felt on hearing that hum vanish was like unclenching a muscle he had not even realized he was flexing. It may not have been a major issue, but knowing he would not have to worry about it any longer was a weight off his shoulders.

"ori'vor'e, vod," he sighed, "I'm glad to have that off my mind. Korda Veydran... I could swear I've heard that name somewhere. It's a good thing he found you, though. Without supplies, living on that planet must've been torture. Even if it is beautiful, it's nowhere any sane man would want to be stranded." Saren powered the engine down, content that the bulk of the work had been done. He was ready to ship off whenever he was done with his newfound brother.

 

[Rynar Solde]

Rynar's voice came over the comm, calm and steady.
"If it ever acts up again, vod… send me a transmission. I can either walk you through it from here, or, if necessary, fly out to your position myself. No excuses."

He reached into a pouch on his belt and pulled out a small jerky stick, tossing it toward Cupcake. She caught it deftly, tail flicking in satisfaction as she chewed.

"Good girl," he murmured, then turned his attention back to Vael. "Alright, follow me."
He led the way off the Oathkeeper's wing and across the hangar bay, careful to keep a steady pace. "I'll show you the Vigo-77. Dean and I call her home. You'll appreciate the layout, practical, simple, but every inch useful."

As they walked, Rynar's tone lightened slightly. "So… aside from being a pilot, what keeps you busy, Vael? I imagine ship maintenance doesn't fill all your hours."

Cupcake padded alongside, ears flicking and tail twitching as she trotted happily between the two Mandalorians, carrying herself with the same quiet confidence she always did.
Rynar glanced back, faint humor in his voice despite the work still fresh on his mind. "I promise, I'm not judging if you start singing in there. But seriously… you handle that Oathkeeper like a pro. Makes my work easier."


The Vigo-77 came into view, sleek and battle-worn, yet clearly cared for, a sharp contrast to the sleek modifications of the Oathkeeper. Rynar gestured toward the entry ramp.


"Here she is. Home sweet home… or as close as any gunship gets. You'll see why Dean and I spend more time on her than in our bunks."

Deanez Vael Saren

 

[Vael Saren]

Dean was a new name, spoken with some fondness. Vael assumed they were close, especially considering they shared the ship. It sounded like he was soon due for another meeting. If this Dean was anything like Rynar, Saren would be glad for it, too.

"No singing for me," he chuckled, "I couldn't carry a tune with a blaster to my head. I actually... well, it's not something I'm usually keen to advertise, but I fill my off hours by building model ships." He turned his head slightly to the side, embarrassed. This was something he typically held close to his chest.

"Find small parts and kits where I can and make them as one-to-one as I'm able. Nothing functional, mind you - not that clever." He stopped at the entrance to Solde's hangar, admiring the Vigo. It was a handsome ship, and clearly well-maintained. He hummed appreciatively at the sight of it. He thought it most impressive.

 

[Rynar Solde]

Rynar's helmet tilted slightly as he glanced at Vael, a faint smile audible through his vocoder.
"I'd love to see those models sometime," he said, voice carrying a touch of genuine interest. "Maybe you can bring a few along next time you stop by."
He gestured toward the entrance ramp of the Vigo‑77. "Come on, then. Let me show you where Dean and I call home."


The corridors of the Vigo were tight but efficient, every panel and conduit optimized for use. Rynar moved with familiarity, his footsteps quiet on the reinforced flooring. He led Vael through the main passageways, pointing out subtle customizations, extra storage bays, reinforced maintenance access points, and a few personal touches that Dean and he had added over time.


"Heads up," Rynar called out as they reached the cockpit entrance, voice carrying lightly so it would travel inside without needing a comm. "Dean, got a guest with me."


He turned back to Vael. "She's… well, you'll see. Dean's got her own way of doing things, but she's a solid pilot and a damn good partner."
Cupcake padded alongside them, tail flicking, ears perked. The little nexu glanced between the two men, clearly curious about the new companion but remaining attentive to Rynar's guidance.

Rynar continued down the passage, offering small commentary about the Vigo's systems and layout. "Practical, stripped-down. No bells and whistles like the Oathkeeper, but every inch counts. It's our home and our workhorse. She's reliable, quick, and you'll notice a few modifications Dean and I added for… efficiency."


He glanced at Vael, voice softening a little. "Makes life easier when you spend more time in a ship than out of one."

Deanez Vael Saren

 

[Deanez]

Dean's voice answered from somewhere deeper in the ship, calm and even, carrying easily down the corridor.

"Copy," she called back. "Give me a second."

There was the faint sound of a drawer sliding shut, followed by light footsteps approaching. A moment later, she appeared in the passageway, wiping her hands on a cloth, dark hair pulled back loosely, sleeves rolled to her forearms. Whatever she had been working on, she had clearly paused without fuss.

Her gaze went first to Rynar, softening just a fraction in that familiar, private way it always did.

"Hey," she said quietly.

Then her attention shifted to Vael.

She took him in with a brief, efficient glance. Not suspicious. Not cold. Just the instinctive assessment of someone used to sharing tight spaces with unknown variables.

A small, polite smile followed.

"Hi," Dean said simply. "I'm Dean."

She inclined her head slightly in greeting.

"Welcome aboard."

Her tone was warm, but grounded. Not overly familiar. Not distant either.

She glanced briefly around the corridor, then back to him.

"Sorry if it's a little cramped," she added. "We optimize for function, not comfort. Or guests."

There was a faint hint of dry humor there.

She stepped aside to give him room to enter more fully.

"Feel free to look around," Dean continued. "Just… if something looks dangerous, it probably is. So maybe ask first."

Her eyes flicked to Cupcake padding along beside them, then back to Rynar, the corner of her mouth lifting.

"And I'm guessing you're giving the full grand tour," she said lightly. "Including the parts you rewired at three in the morning and pretended were always like that."

She folded her arms loosely, leaning against the bulkhead, relaxed and present.

"So," Dean added, returning her attention to Vael, "what brings you onto our little flying mess today?"

Rynar Solde Vael Saren

 

[Vael Saren]

Vael boarded the Vigo, admiring the vessel in its entirety. That's when he felt it, almost imperceptible. A small fluctuation in the air. Vael shrugged it off. He figured he was just imagining things.

When Dean made herself known, Vael sized her up in a similar manner to the way she did him. A Chiss woman, stern and focuser. He could hear in the manner they spoke to each other that theirs was a deep connection. And again, that small twinge in the back of his mind.

"A pleasure to meet you," he said in a measured tone, extending a hand, "My name is Vael Saren. Your partner aided me in the maintenance of my ship and was gracious enough to show me his - yours - as well. I wish to extend the same courtesy to you, both of you. If you need an extra set of hands during repairs while I'm here, I would be more than happy to help."

 

[Rynar Solde]

Rynar's helmet shifted slightly as he glanced between Vael and Dean, a faint smirk audible in his voice.
"Dean here," he said, "is the main reason this ship still exists the way it does. Between her and me, we've kept her flying through more than one… let's call them interesting situations."

His tone softened briefly as he caught the stray comment Dean had made about the rewiring, a small spark of amusement in it. He reached into the compartment he had been working on and pulled out the conduit he had been searching for, holding it up so Vael could see.

"Found it," he said, voice light. "Vael here helped me track it down. One of the very few in the entire station who didn't run me off for poking around or asking questions. Makes him alright in my book."

He tapped the conduit gently against the palm of his gloved hand. "And I swear, if I hadn't rewired that bundle the way I did… next time the autopilot would've tried to drive us straight into an asteroid. Guess we'll have to keep that between us, though."

A low chuckle came from his vocoder as he shook his head. "Alright, Vael. If you're up for it, feel free to lend a hand while we go through the rest of the ship. Just… try not to get us both blown up, yeah?"

Cupcake padded along nearby, tail flicking once, clearly attentive to the conversation, while Rynar gestured toward the corridors of the Vigo, ready to guide Vael and keep the tour moving.


"Dean," he said over his shoulder, "think you can show Vael around while I pop this conduit in? Won't take long, and he might appreciate seeing the ship from your perspective anyway."

Vael Saren Deanez

 

[Deanez]

Dean had been leaning lightly against one of the bulkheads when Vael introduced himself, arms folded loosely, posture relaxed but alert in the way of someone who never fully stopped assessing a room. Her red eyes lingered on him for a quiet second longer than politeness required, not cold, not hostile, just… precise. Cataloging. Measuring. Old habits that never quite faded.

When he extended his hand, she unfolded herself from the wall and stepped forward to meet it.

Her grip was firm, steady, neither challenging nor tentative.

"Dean," she said simply. "Nice to meet you, Vael."

There was no bravado in her tone. No unnecessary warmth either. Just professionalism threaded with something faintly genuine.

At Rynar's comment, one corner of her mouth lifted, subtle but unmistakable.

"That's generous," she replied dryly, glancing sideways at him. "He's leaving out the part where he once rerouted power through a coolant line because he 'didn't feel like crawling under the panel again.'"

Her gaze returned to Vael, eyes glinting faintly with quiet humor.

"It worked," she added. "But I still rewired it afterward."

She released Vael's hand and shifted her weight slightly, gesturing down the corridor Rynar had indicated.

"I can show you around," Dean said, nodding once. "Just fair warning, she looks neat on the surface, but most of her organization is… functional chaos."

She started down the passage at an easy pace, making sure Vael could walk beside her.

"Cargo bay is aft," she continued calmly. "We reinforced the floor plating after a rough landing on Korriban. Power routing runs along the port side. Life support is modified for mixed atmospheres. Comes in handy."

She glanced back briefly to make sure he was following, then added, more lightly,

"And if you're offering extra hands, we'll probably take you up on that. Ships like this always find new ways to break when you're not looking."

Cupcake trotted ahead of them for a few steps, then paused, glancing back as if checking that everyone was still where they belonged before continuing on.

Dean's voice softened just a fraction as she finished,

"Rynar's good at keeping her flying. I'm good at keeping her honest."

A small, wry smile touched her lips.

"Between the two of us, she usually listens."

Rynar Solde Vael Saren

 

[Rynar Solde]

From farther down the corridor, Rynar's voice carried back toward them, muffled slightly by the open engine panel.
"I heard that, you know!" he called out.
There was the faint metallic clink of a tool shifting, followed by the sound of him readjusting deeper into the compartment.

"And for the record," he added, "that coolant reroute saved us three hours and a migraine."
He paused, then gave a sharp, familiar whistle.
"Cupcake."


The nexu's ears snapped upright instantly. She pivoted and took off down the corridor, claws clicking softly against the deck as she barreled toward Dean and Vael with unmistakable enthusiasm, tail lashing once as she closed the distance. she mainly was aimed for deans legs.

From the engine bay, Rynar let out a quiet laugh.
"Easy, girl," he called. "Guests on board."
He reached one grease-streaked glove out from the compartment, ready to intercept her when she got close, voice carrying that same dry amusement.

"Perfect recall," he muttered. "Eventually."
Then, louder, toward Dean and Vael:
"She's friendly. Just… expressive."

Deanez Vael Saren

 

[Vael Saren]

"I can tell Cupcake adds a lot of excitement to the mix," Vael hummed, "She seems like a good girl to me." The crimson-armored warrior drank in the comfortable chaos of the trio's chemistry, both glad of the company and uncomfortable with the frenetic energy. He was a man used to silence and solitude, and it showed in the way he carried himself despite his best efforts. He was tense. Try all he might, he could not unclench himself. Instead, he focused back onto the ship itself.

As Dean had described, the Vigo definitely felt lived-in. It was not clean like those show models on buyers' floors. He could appreciate it for what it was. He was snapped from his reverie when a familiar name passed him by.

"Korriban?" he asked, "That's ancient Sith territory. What could possibly bring someone out that way?" Again, despite himself, he could not hide the edge in his tone. The Sith were an old enemy, and one he held no love for.

 

[Deanez]

not unclench himself. Instead, he focused back onto the ship itself.

As Dean had described, the Vigo definitely felt lived-in. It was not clean like those show models on buyers' floors. He could appreciate it for what it was. He was snapped from his reverie when a familiar name passed him by.

"Korriban?" he asked, "That's ancient Sith territory. What could possibly bring someone out that way?" Again, despite himself, he could not hide the edge in his tone. The Sith were an old enemy, and one he held no love for.

Need a Dean reply. "It's on a traderoute and there are people there we help out."

Dean caught Cupcake just in time, shifting her weight and planting one boot back as the nexu barreled into her legs with all the enthusiasm of a living battering ram.

"Oof," she murmured softly, steadying herself as she dropped one hand to Cupcake's neck, fingers sinking into warm fur. "Easy. I know. You are very fast. Very impressive."

Cupcake chuffed happily, tail flicking as she leaned into the attention, clearly pleased with herself.

Dean glanced briefly down the corridor toward the engine bay, her voice carrying just enough to reach Rynar.

"She tackled me, not the guest," she called back calmly. "You are welcome."

Then she turned her attention back to Vael as he spoke, her hand still resting lightly on Cupcake's head.

"Korriban sits on a trade route," Dean said evenly. "Not a major one, but enough traffic passes through that it never really goes quiet."

She shifted slightly, leaning one shoulder against the bulkhead in an easy, unforced way.

"There are people there who are not Sith," she continued. "Scavengers. Freight crews. Independent traders. Small settlements that formed around the old ruins and never quite left."

Her tone remained neutral, practical.

"Some of them are decent people," she added. "Some of them get ignored because of where they live. Supplies do not always reach them when they should. Credits do not stretch as far when most merchants are nervous about stopping."

She gave a small, almost imperceptible shrug.

"So we help when we can," Dean finished simply. "Deliver parts. Medical packs. Food. Sometimes just information."

Her gaze met Vael's, steady and honest.

"Korriban has a history," she said quietly. "But it is not only that history. Not anymore."

Vael Saren Rynar Solde

 

[Rynar Solde]

Rynar approached quietly from behind Vael, boots barely whispering against the deck plates. He paused just long enough to take in the scene, Dean steadying Cupcake, Vael listening intently, before speaking.

"Well," he said mildly, "looks like I missed all the fun."
He lifted both hands in mock innocence. "For the record, I definitely did not order a tactical nexu tackle."
Cupcake's ears perked at his voice. He reached into a pouch on his belt and flicked a small treat across the floor. She caught it mid-bounce, tail swishing as she retreated a step to enjoy her prize.

Rynar chuckled softly.
"See? Perfectly harmless. Mostly."
He shifted closer to Vael, voice lowering just a touch.


"And hey, if you ever need upgrades, parts, or someone who enjoys fixing things that shouldn't still be flying… you know where to find me."
Then he nodded toward Dean as she finished explaining.
"That's why we go out there," Rynar added. "Not for the ruins. Not for the history. For the people who got left behind because everyone else decided the system wasn't worth the risk."

His tone wasn't bitter. Just steady.
"Someone's gotta show up when the big outfits won't."
He glanced between Vael and Dean, then back down at Cupcake, giving her head a brief scratch with two fingers.
"Besides," he said quietly, "credits come and go. Helping folks who don't have anyone else? That sticks."

Deanez Vael Saren

 

[Vael Saren]

Saren slowly lowered his hackles. They were right, of course. The planet was more than its history, and not every person who lived there had ties to the Sith. He was just getting jumpy again.

"You're right," he said, "Can't let old prejudices stop us from doing what needs doing. But the credits don't hurt, either." A small joke, more to lift his own spirits than anything. He turned his mind away from Korriban and back to the here and now.

"In any event... you said you might have need of me? Whatever I can do to help." He rolled his shoulders, prepping himself for more maintenance. He had to admit, he was eager. This would be the first time in a while he had gotten to get his hands on a ship that was not the Oathkeeper.