[SIZE=medium]Crossfire was running through the task he was obliged by his master to do. He was glad it gave him time to be with his companion, the Jai’galaar’s computer; they had been in the middle of exchanging lines of programming when they were so rudely interrupted by his master. Crossfire did like his master and was grateful that he brought the Jai’galaar and Crossfire together, but he could be very unpredictable at times. Crossfire wheeled to the cockpit where he could monitor the communications array, holocenter feeds, starport information, and the ship security systems including the camera emplacements. He was talking to the ship's computer, when he observed a various curious interchange. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]The rusty sensor droid rounded the corner of Berth 21. A human male was sent face first into the dirt as a janitor droid swung around and bounced off the back of his helmet producing a pleasant ding.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium] [stupid organic] Crossfire bleep blooped to the ship computer.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]The high quality sensor droid carrying the janitorial droid, re-adjusted his flight to compensate for the occurrence and continued. Suddenly, it hovered to stop and stared forward. The claws of the grappling line opened up and the janitorial droid fell to the ground with a rattling clang. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]The little sensor droid stopped and seemed to be scanning in the direction of the YT 1300 Your Lucky Day settled in it’s patch of dirt. Crossfire recognized his master looking around the outside of the ship, obviously allowing himself to be seen. The sensor droid began to hover closer, sticking close to the various ships to avoid detection. Crossfire recognized his Masters intention was to be noticed as he did these foolish kinds of thing sometimes to gather information, and referred to it as “baiting the Aiwa“.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]So Crossfire thought he’d help matters by uploading a single trace into the nearby port computer linking his master’s DY-255 to a opened case on Corellia of a missing team of 5 Mercenaries and 1 security droid and the death of the mercenary leader and one port official. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium][It is true and so far no bounty was posted so it should hurt] the ship computer stated.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]The plant complete and knowing no other information would be found outside of basic knowledge that the armor was linked to a MandalMotors pilot who worked in the R&D/production department, and that the YT-2000 Jai’galaar was registered to him. No other data would be found as His master tended to be careful with many of his other jobs, which there were bounties for.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]Satisfied, Crossfire scanned the sensor droid and the half of a janitor droid to see if anything could be found to link them to a particular owner. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium][If I find the owner I may offer to fix the janitor droid for him. Those units deserve better.] Crossfire mentioned to the ship computer.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium][I deserve a lubrication break after sitting in this dust warren] the ship replied replied.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]Y4 D261 PM aboard the Mobquet[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]As the Mobquet got underway Uta commed Ordo. "Vod, cut your external speakers." This came across the comm itself, but since Uta had already cut his external speakers, no sound came from him directly. Uta did a fine job of scanning the citizenry of the Taras streets, facilitating the secret conversation.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]"Cut vod," Ordo replied awaiting the information Uta wished to convey, with eager anticipation. He wanted any Idea other than going to the DeadCenter, and he hoped Uta had one.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]"I don't really think this is a great idea. That is, getting treatment at the MedCenter with this quarantine on. You'll likely come out worse than you went in. Or not at all." Uta paused as if contemplating his next words before emitting a heavy sigh, as if to say ’might as well get to the point’, "I. . . I would rather try to use the Force on you again - Yes again. And you know it, than you walk into that cesspool." There it was that was confirmation of a suspicion, Ordo liked being right.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]"I figured you were the culprit but I had to play it out. There was no way being tough could have help me recover so fast and I was raised on a farm in and panther country," Ordo replied over the internal comm system built into his Buy'ce. "I say we tell Lir you have some med gear or know someone who does and she' off the hook. Because I want nothing to do with the gathering place of Imasi's sick and dying."[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]Uta's chuckle was a welcomed sound as it came across the comm system. "Yeah, good idea. I'll tell her I have some rudimentary equipment, and I'd rather take my chances using that on you, than drop you into that mire of disease."[/SIZE]
"Great I have some calls to make before the meeting tomorrow, Lets get outta here." Ordo said relief evident in his voice. He was not overly fond of the force, but he had no qualms about being healed, and he trusted Uta with his life.
[SIZE=medium]Ordo sat quietly as they approached the MedCenter. The building was large and of a similar style as the rest of the city but with obvious differences. The roof was covered with air conditioning units and vital systems for powering air scrubbers. The large transparisteel front was well built and looked clean, other than the speeder that was jutting out from the lobby area. The scene was grizzly, the sick patrons were crying and screaming in what appeared to be various stages of shock the medical staff scurried from one person to the next treating those most seriously injured first. The front desk was in shambles, corpses littered the floor a blue Twi’lek lay awkwardly to one side while his head was several feet away, it open eye frozen in eternal terror. Had Ordo not seen battle before he would have been in shock like the other beings staring at the terrible sight, but as it was this wasn’t the first and would likely as anything not be the last time he saw gross injustice and brutality. His only hope was that if he was able he could stop it from happening unnecessarily. [/SIZE]
"Considering that there is a quarantine in effect,” Uta began saying to Lir initiating the ruse they had discussed to get as far from the MedCenter as possible, “I think that I would prefer to keep my vod out of that cesspool. I have some rudimentary equipment, and would rather take my chances with that, than with a place full of death."
The diminutive Defel shrugged a motion that briefly brought her into existence, “Back to the Port?” Lir seemed satisfied as long as her record was not tarnished with a lost hunter she would be satisfied. They began to turn around when Uta began motioning for Lir to hold on. As he finally, noticed the carnage that was once the quaint MedCenter patient drop off and lobby area.
“Actually wait a minute, this doesn’t look good. I want to check it out" Uta said focusing on the scene before him.
Though the destruction was evident that the terrible event that must have taken place was over and things were already calming down. The security personnel were on site. The fact that they were taking statements and not firing blasters was a clear indication he could do nothing to better the situation other than satisfy his own curiosity. Ordo had no need for another investigation when he felt he still had a more pressing one to get under way.
In response to Uta’s request Lir pulled up, pulled a 225 out of a cubbyhole in the front of the speeder, and got out following Uta. Ordo reluctantly followed suit, he could hardly let the two warriors walk into even potential danger while he sat on his shebs, watching. Ordo moved to take a left flanking position hanging back a few steps behind Uta allowing the double XL Mandalorian to take point as they approached. Interested, Ordo watched as a Doctor approached a man who had fallen down beside the speeder; she was carrying a large needle and looking intent on sticking the poor man with the instrument. After a moment, she said something Ordo could not hear and walked away leaving the man lying there alone. As Ordo watched, the medical teams move about he noticed his vod abruptly pulled his Relby out of its holster and discreetly rested it ready to lift and fire. Ordo reacted dropping his hand down to his DY-255 and began scanning the area for threats. Uta was a force user, and could sense things Ordo simply could not. However, nothing happened and Uta seemed to relax enough to show he didn’t expect an immediate attack. Ordo couldn’t imagine what it was like to feel things through the force he had his gut and instinct coupled with experience in various lines of work to aid him, not some mystic energy, and as far as he was concerned, it was rather better that way.
Shortly after assessing, the area Uta began moving to help administer first aid and assess injuries. Ordo had no interest in joining in, bedside manner wasn’t really on his resume, and his investigative nature won over so he started canvassing the gathered crowed eaves dropping looking for someone who seemed to no more than the rest. Ordo over heard a conversation off to his left about a member of the desk staff being Sith and a Jedi had come and put him down. ‘Not likely’ Ordo continued meandering. “He just sped up rammed the building, and jumped out swinging.” A man was telling another to Ordo’s left rear. Ordo turned taking in the two who were speaking The “Man” was a Togruta, tall and slender with sharp fangs common to his species, while the other was an older Cathar woman, with light tan fur that had begun to gray around the face and chin .
The Cathar was obviously acquainted with the Togruta, as she rested her hand on his forearm as she gasped at his story. Ordo listened closely as the man conveyed his tail pausing only to assure her he told the truth. He even mentioned that the man at the speeder had fired streams of lightening from his fingers at the rampaging Jedi in clone trooper armor. ‘That’s why the doc went at him with the big needle; she was going to eliminate him as a threat. Maybe she looked at him a figured he had enough to deal with.”
Satisfied with that, he moved closer to the Imasi police, hoping to catch some of what was being said. He did not hear it all but he ascertained that the Jedi was sedated and rushed to a room inside the hospital, and the doc was evading the request that he be produced. Ordo felt he knew enough to be satisfied, and started heading back to the floater. He cut his external speakers ad commed Uta again.
"Vod sound like some Forcie, No offense, went nuts and started hacking the desk staff apart before finally being put down. Now he's missing inside the center." Ordo said as Uta was doing his best to help. "Vod you hear me?"
"Yeah, Yeah, I hear you." Uta replied over the comm, sounding somewhat distracted. "Missing? As in still at large?"
"No, inside the center on a stretcher. The authorities are trying to get him, now." Ordo replied.
"Alright, he's contained it seems, and he's their problem." Uta said irritation seeping into his voice. "I'm getting nowhere fast on this quarantine and illness. And I don't want to be here all that much longer - they don't even have a treatment for this epidemic. Let's track out of here." Uta was right this was high water and Ordo did not feel like being beyond his depth. Uta stood and began walking back from the MedCenter to the floater before continuing "And vod, it apparently manifests itself as flu-like, with neurological symptoms, hallucinations, and all sorts of things. Whatever that means. So, if it looks like I'm going to go nuts. You put me down hard and fast." Flu-like? Hallucinations? It sounded like a long night of Tihaar and an early wake up, but he knew his Vod was serious, and he seemed to think this carnage was the result of a hallucinating Jetiise, with overzealous jetiise’kad.
“You have my word Vod," Ordo replied. He hated the thought of killing his vod, but to preserve Uta’s honor he would do what he must, "And I agree we need to get moving now."
They all reboarded the floater and made the steady trip back to the starport. Ordo thought, about the scenes he had witnessed today the Ondyts, the stone pens, and the MedCenter. It seemed Ordo had picked a bad place to blow off steam, or a good one depending on how you looked at it. He forced himself to refocus. There was the matter of the Eopie lead he had gained from Lian to be followed up on. As if on cue his datapad vibrated, which indicated Ordo had a message. It was Crossfire Ordo’s custom R3 unit. Crossfire explained that it had observed a small sensor droid scanning Ordo while Ordo looked around the outside of the YT-1300 your lucky day, and dropped a lead about Ordo’s identity in an attempt to aid Ordo’s bluff.
Did you scan the droid? Ordo typed back the question.
Yes the astromech replied, a highly modified sensor droid. It is registered to one Bane Kayjer, a known Corellian smuggler.
All right good work keep me posted for more information Ordo typed back noting that registering the droid was probably one of the smugglers few legitimate acts.
As they pulled up to the Starport Ordo got out and said his farewells to Lir before walking with Uta into the starport.
"That 1300 in berth 3 is where Lian said some Eopies were loaded. My R3 unit said he saw a sensor droid scanning me while I was looking around out side. Chances are the droid and the ship belong to the same person; a smuggler, named Bane Kayjer and I’m willing to bet he has no real interest in what he’s doing, other than getting paid. I intend to find out more if I can about the pilot."
Ordo said to Uta pointing toward the smugglers ship with his Bowcaster.
"Smugglers, Can't they just stay legit?" He asked rhetorically. His bilious tone denoted his irritation. "There's a direct way to find out more. We go up and say 'hi'. With an explosive charge or two." Uta says as he fingers the pouch holding one of said sapper charges, "If he's got the eopies, then he may very well be mired in those herders deaths."
"I can't think of a better way. Tonight when it's quiet we'll see what is going on with our friend" Ordo nodded toward berth three.
"I was thinking more along the lines of walking up to the ship, knocking on the door and quickly planting two or three charges to blast through the hatch. Then I figure we board your ship, and I use the Force to heal you.” Uta said simply as if it was the most logical course of action in the world.
"That may attract too much attention." Ordo said restraining himself from saying 'let’s do it'.
If they blow the hatch, the ISD would be on them in no time and with the sensor droid monitoring the ship their chances of surprising the smuggler were quite slim. Ordo didn’t need any attention that would result in processing his information into even this planets log. Anything more than landing and take off and he would have either bounty hunters or Eff and her ‘friends’ bearing down on him. He’d kept out of the galactic lime light for a long time and he planned on keeping it that way if he could. A brief image of the male ondyt’s eyes locked in a hate filled gaze, knowing its mate was dead crossed Ordo’s mind. Ordo wanted to storm the ship strap one of the charges between Tayjer’s knees and start asking questions, but this wasn’t the time or place for it. Ordo had credits and if the smuggler was like any he knew, and coming from Corellia he knew a lot, he could be bought. No, customer would be worth more than a few thousand creds. All Ordo had to do was get Uta to agree. Ordo and his Vod decided grudgingly to put off the encounter with the smuggler until a more convenient time opting instead to try and heal up, before the meeting Sil had called at the government house. Ordo once again boarded his YT-2000, inspecting the boarding ramp as he went up to ensure no ‘surprise’s were waiting, he took note that the ship was slowly being overtaken by the red Imasi dust that seemed to cling to everything. He would definitely want to give it a thorough lubricating as soon as he could make time.
Ordo settled into position according to Uta’s instructions and the healing trance began. Ordo didn’t slip into a dream but he wasn’t quite conscious either. He saw images of his once fiancé. She was in some sort of clear container that pulsed with energy she was unconscious it seemed. Their was a huge male figure in a heavy engulfing cloak that moved about staring at Bria inside the electrical cage. Then he saw someone he recognized. The tall blond human female was unmistakable. It was Eff, as if hearing Ordo’s thoughts she turned looking about as if she could feel his presence. “Ordo?” she said “I have her, Mandalorian.” The deep resonant voice from his dream said as Ordo was thrown again into the mist from before.
Ordo woke abruptly the next day at 0500 hours and began his morning rituals, the pain from the Ondyt fight completely washed away by the force when his Vod had finished healing him. He didn’t know exactly when Uta left but he had at some point gone back to his ship. Ordo assumed it was just in his mind but even some of the old scars that marked his face and body looked faded. Ordo moved through several stances of a kata, before turning to endurance training, but nothing took place before a good cup of caff. Ordo had finished his drills and training at about 0600, and stopped to eat breakfast. His heart was pounding in his chest from the flurry of activity that he had just put himself through. He focused his thoughts and calmed his breathing readying himself for his final kata. He lifted his Rykk blade and stared into its reflective surface, the scared hard faced man he saw stared back with steely grayish green eyes. He needed to be in complete control of his emotions if he had to put down a force user and he was concerned with the number of them present in such a small city. He practiced his technique of ‘no prisoners’, which was designed to give a darksider no emotions to feed off and provide a lightsider no insight to his next move. “No prisoners” he said to the man in the reflection before he began slowly tensing and flowing into a defensive position, holding the blade in both hands while he pointed the tip down at the deck of his cargo bay.
He completely emptied himself of emotions even the beast deep inside him, that was at the greatest depth of his emotions, was quieted. Ordo swung the blade up at a sharp angle until it rose over his head then spun on his front foot bring it back down cutting the air in an X pattern. Spinning the blade in an aggressive series of circles he whiled forward the blade moving quickly changing directions in mid swing regularly, which was designed to throw off opponents, he pushed and pushed himself forcing his now burning muscles to more speed and heavier strikes. The whole time he had only one solitary thought ‘take no prisoners’, he repeated the phrase over and over as he finished his Rykk blade kata. Panting Ordo sat down where he stood on the cold durasteel deck plating. He would never be able to defeat a jetiise’kad with a Rykk blade but he could try. As he was sitting there his longtime companion and constant antagonist R3 arrived, moving as fast as his wheeled feet could take him.
The little droid beeped so rapidly that Ordo almost didn’t catch it. Then it whirred around and sped back to the cockpit. Ordo was so shocked that the little droid had no off hand quip, he jumped up immediately and ran after it. Once in the cockpit the droid brought a string of data up on a holoprojector highlighting a string of code in a subroutine that made very clear the starport was scheduled to detonate at exactly 0900 hours. Ordo had to move fast, there were many ships in the starport and he knew he had to get a warning to as many as possible. Ordo ran out of his ship wearing only his Kama his bare feet sending up clouds of dust as he moved. His scared chest and back were sweaty and his equally scared face was turning red as he sprinted to where Lian stood. Ordo’s large dark black clan tattoo on his left shoulder and his red and black family tattoo on his right, flexed as he pumped his arms skidding to a stop near Lian. Her lovely eyes widened in her beautiful green face, as she took in the sight of the broad shouldered, heavily muscled Mando rushing toward her.
“Lian crossfire just found a subroutine that has set the starport to blow in two hours, get your beautiful green body out of here and get these ships in the air so I can stare at you later." Ordo said as he ran over to Lian "I'm going to warn some on my way back to my ship.
As Ordo turned to run to the nearest ship, yet another YT-1300 painted midnight blue, Lian grabbed Ordo’s wrist and with wide eyes said. "Show me."
Ordo rushed her over to his ship racing up the boarding ramp and down the corridor to his R3 unit ‘crossfire’ and showed her the still highlighted strings of code.
"Now do you trust me enough to listen?" Ordo said as he started his engines and commed Uta to warn him. Lian scanned the data turned and rushed off the Jai’galaar with only a nod to show she believed him.
"Crossfire forget what I said about the memory wipe." Ordo said to the droid "and try to get me through to Ikalur, please we need to talk."
Ikalur does pick up, with an, "Ikalur."
As Ordo was about to reply to Ikalur Lian’s voice burst over the starport loudspeakers.
"Taras City Starport, this is Lian. Get your ships, get out. It's likely the starport will be blown off the map in about an hour and half. No time for hesitation or doubts here, get on your ship, get out. If starport staff can help you, let us know. If you've got stupid questions or just want to whine, that's what your mother's for. Don't call us. IF you have cargo in the port you can expect that we're moving it out now, again, don't call about it or I'll leave it. Got it. Good. Get the kriff out of here."
"This is Ordo, what is going on. The government is up to something and the spaceport is going to blow in an Hour and a half. I need details. I don't like not knowing Ikalur, and we both know Sil will have every pilot here meeting him to get their ships or their services and we both know who he'll target." Ordo said as calmly as possible as he lifted off from his dirt patch and pointed his ship in the direction of the out skirts of Taras city.
"The spaceport too? I've heard that they're targeting the MedCenter, the HoloCenter and NU. It's not the government Ordo. It's an invasion. Sil is going to beg help of anyone who will listen, anyone who is still well. Oh, I don't doubt he'll take advantage if he can to stick a knife in NU, but he's not our biggest problem right now." Ikalur paused considering the situation for a moment then continued, "I don't think you should go to that meeting. They may target the Government House as well."
"An Invasion. Alright do you need protection at NU?" Ordo asked with concern, even as he cursed himself for being soft toward women "If not I need to find somewhere to regroup."
"I called from home when I found out, and the building should be clear by now. I don't trust any public place . . . you could come here." Ikalur said
"On my way," Ordo said turning The Jai’galaar back toward the city.
Y4 Day 262 0900 AM
Ordo banked left pulling the freighter around and headed back toward Taras. From a distance he could see areas that once held prominent buildings but now held only rubble and in a few minutes the Taras starport would be one of them. Ordo did not know exactly why he had accepted Ikalur’s offer of hospitality, and he wasn’t entirely sure what he would say or do when he got there, but something had to be done even if he were the only one to do it. Ordo did not know who these invaders were but he knew they had stopped, if they weren’t he may never find Bria, or find out who had taken her.
His Gold armor longed for the day he could find the ones who had taken his dear one, and the grey armor he had made feared the thought that it may leave its locker. Ordo shook himself physically, one thing at a time Ordo, fight the fight in front of you first.
As Ordo approached the city he saw the bright flash of an explosion to his right. He checked his chrono. 0900 I hope Uta got out. Ordo saw the debris and the smoke rise from the starport, he wasn’t a great judge of explosions but if anything survived it was damaged and would need major repairs. Good thing that droid was monitoring the starport systems.
Ikalur’s building came into view and Ordo deftly maneuvered the 1300 into an open landing space. Ordo went through standard landing procedures. He called up displays of internal and external readouts and ensured his ship was in order.
“Crossfire run diagnostics on the ship and talk to the computer I want no surprises when we leave.” Ordo said, “If we have to fight these invaders, I wouldn’t want some little thing to get us scrapped.”
Crossfire beeped an affirmative and whistled a string of binary that Ordo didn’t quite catch before turning and extending his complink appendage to the ships port. Ordo headed back to his training area and packaged his gear into his footlockers and put on his kute, the jumpsuit his armor attached to. I may draw some attention up here in Mandalorian style armor, maybe discretion would be better.
Ordo put on his blue workers overalls and a cap, and then took the uncertain walk toward Ikalur’s apartments.
Ordo arrived at the door and rang the buzzer. He was greeted not by the lovely Chiss executive but a well maintained protocol droid. The droid was a right at Ordo’s height and had a pleasant, if mechanical ring to its voice, and judging by the speed of the response to his ring had been waiting for guest.
"Oh, Captain Ordo. If you will follow me, sir.”
Ordo followed the droid into the sumptuous apartments; his workers coveralls carrying a small backpack over one shoulder and a DL-44 low on his hip. He looked more like hired maintenance than Mandalorian, the only thing that may have given him away was his scared visage and his close military style hair cut. He tried to hide his approval of the décor, not wanting to completely lose a hard earned reputation as an ‘ornery warrior’ by giving more than needed attention to the luxurious dwelling. Ordo entered the living area, which was all done in crèmes, whites and tans, and was pleased to see a silver caf service that sat on a low table before a crème nerfhide sofa. Ordo noticed a Holoprojector positioned on the same table, and above it, an image of a species He was unfamiliar with.
The being was a pale shimmering white, with large, silvery lidless eyes and a gaping lipless mouth. Is that some kind of new fish?
Ordo looked up to see Ikalur enter the room from the other direction; flawlessly coiffed, as always it seemed and wearing a jumpsuit covered by a sheer short-sleeved knee length wrap In a stunning red that matched her eyes and was belted in black. Ordo was awestruck for a moment as the beautiful Chiss woman walked to the sofa and sat while her droid poured her a cup of Caf.
"This," she said without preamble, “Is what Sil will be showing to his audience."
She leaned forward and her black hair caught the light and sent Ordo’s thoughts spinning to Bria whose hair had seemed to catch the light in the same way. She hit the switch at the base of the projector, which forced Ordo to collect his wit and focus on the ugly alien’s lipless mouth. The mouth went into constant motion, opening and closing, fishlike before it began to speak.
“Imasi. We are the Ikrat." The flat, hollow, and shrill voice grated from the creature. "Surrender or die. We have turned father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, herder against the herded, ill against doctors, doctors against ill. We have brought your mighty ones to their knees and murdered your future. We have given power to those that would do our bidding and you turn on each other like sharks. Your weak bodies suffer and stop at our whim. Choose life and keep living. Surrender. Or die."
When the message was done, Ikalur flicked it off.
“They have a ship in orbit now, no word from Imasi Station and you can add IPD Headquarters to the targets that have been successfully hit. NU is lending our small fleet to the endeavor and hoping that Sil can find pilots for the ships at least." She picked up her cup. "Seems a rather hopeless cause."
After the recording Ordo looked at Ikalur and nodded to the image of the being on the holoprojector it's lidless, lipless face staring back.
"These beings maybe advanced but they are vulnerable. That is why they did not attack directly. The dust here would probably dry them out. See," Ordo, pointed at the eyes. "No lids and they referenced sharks; any other predator could have fit the analogy. They are probably from a watery or at least damp environment. In addition, if they have only one ship that is cloaked, they likely as anything rely on their technological edge rather than straight military power. If we could get aboard their ship, we could likely convince them to either die or leave quickly. The trick would be getting the cure for the disease out of them."
"Perhaps," she agreed thoughtfully. Then with a slight quirk of her lips that nearly approached a smile, "You make defeating them sound easy. The cure . . . would be in their computers. And if they are so fragile, perhaps they are afraid, fearful."Ikalur responded "Even if they are defeated, without the cure, we may all die here. Or worst case scenario, they are defeated, and some maniac leaves Imasi taking the illness with him to other worlds."
Ordo nodded his agreement. "Make no mistake, these Ikrat, have coordinated well; take out key structures, weaken the people, and create fear and confusion. And with out knowing the class of ship they have or it's armament, we simply can't know for sure." Ordo paused calculating before continuing. "If they are vulnerable to hot or dry environments and if we can damage their ships environmental controls we could force the cure out. There is, however, no real way of knowing. I cannot imagine what they would want with Imasi. This planet is out of the way, no major hyperspace lanes that I know of hit here, so it is not that strategically important. They may be testing the waters, so to speak." Ordo moved to pour himself some caff, and then he realized he was a guest and looked at Ikalur. "May I?"
"Please. I was distracted." Ikalur paused a moment and thought before she continued "The test so far is a resounding success. If it doesn't stop here, we're in trouble."
Ordo poured himself some caf, and removed the cap he was wearing; his grayish green eyes squinted slightly as he tried to hatch an effective plan. He took a drink of the rich dark liquid in his hand, and looked into Ikalur's eyes. "Well, as beautiful as you are, and as tempted to stay and enjoy your company as I am, something has to be done. Ordo shrugged and looked away from Ikalur's fetching eyes and to the still frozen Image on the holoprojector, "Time is something we don't have. If you need pilots I can be one, if not I'll fly after the ship myself and see if I can cause enough damage to give them pause. I don't know what else to do."
"Something," she agreed as a small crease appeared between her eyes. "I wish I could do anything nearly so proactive. I'm no pilot."
"You never know what you could do, if you gave it some thought." Ordo said eyeing her again this time, appraising her.
She was slender, but not frail. She could hold her own if she was taught properly.
"How are you at computers or slicing?" Before she could answer. Ordo added, "You've also helped already with your hospitality, and supporting the troops is as important as being one. I have been on my own for a long time, and a little friendly help means a lot."
She gave him a startled look, which then turned thoughtful. "I'm no pro," she admitted, "By a long shot. But . . . I've committed at least two acts of computer based industrial espionage, so not utterly hopeless either. But I've never piloted even a small spacecraft, nor am I proficient with any sort of weaponry." Her tone was not apologetic or evasive. Simply informative, which made Ordo all the more confident that hidden under her beautiful cold exterior there lay a strong fighter, she just needed to be drawn out.
Ordo looked at Ikalur considering the options “I have special cargo holds below the deck plating. We could get into position fire an escape pod and hide while they search for us then we could find their computer terminal between you and my R3 unit we could have a chance. If we run into trouble leave it to me, I may be able to find a few others to help. Maybe Sil would have some men." Ordo Grinned "and you could enjoy my charm and good looks for a while longer."
Her eyes fell and she sighed. She glanced back up and nodded, and conceded a small quirk of her mouth at his last words. "Let me change into something a bit less shoot-me-dead-red," she said rising. She was gone three minutes and reemerged in grey and black.
With a nod, she said, "I'm ready."
"Oya Ikalur!" Ordo said with a grin "let’s get you a blaster. Anything in my stock is yours to take."
Ikalur's grin would barely count as a smile on most women, but she offered it to Ordo. Together the two boarded Ordo’s ship Ordo
looked at Ikalur then produced several blasters.
"These should suit you," He said appraising her once again.
She looked at them as if unsure before picking up an ELG-3A which she held somewhat awkwardly.
"Here let me show you some basics. May I?" Ordo motioned to adjust her grip and show her how the blaster functioned. After they were both satisfied he took her to the cockpit and introduced her to Crossfire.
The little droid couldn’t help but let a series of bleeps and whistles out regarding her figure and asked if she is a droid.
“Chiss” Ikalur said causing Crossfire to beep a swooning sound.
Ordo opened the comm. And tried several signals. He leaned back in the nerfhide seat, which groaned a little less than usual due to his lack of armor, and told Ikalur "I can't get Sil on the comm. I was hoping to find a few others to get on the crew so we can up our chances of finding a cure and making it out. Any thoughts?"
“I do." She said as she pulled her commlink out and checked her datapad then spoke in to the device, "Captain Zalo, this is Ikalur . . . I wonder . . . that is, I imagine you will be wanting to do something about the Israt and I have a Mandalorian, and a ship, but he needs a crew. My first thought was you."
Ikalur handed Ordo the commlink and he introduced himself, "Captain Zalo, I am Ordo of Clan D'ael'mor of clan Ordo. I am here with Ikalur. I have a plan to get aboard and slice these Israt computers and bring the cure back, but I need a crew, so far, only Ikalur and I are on board. Will you help?"
"It's always nice to meet another Mandalorian," Zalo said cheerfully. "Seems my ship was damaged in the spaceport's destruction, so it's not flyable. I have another here who would also be interested in dealing with this invasion force? Where would I meet you?”
"I'm aboard my ship," Ordo replied with just a hint of relief in his voice, "I am at Ikalur's apartment landing pad. you can meet us here. I will explain my plan when you arrive and any that can help will be welcome."
"I'll be there shortly then with a friend, Zalo out."
As Ordo finished his conversation with Zalo his own datapad vibrated and showed a message form an unexpected friend. As he read the words he resolved that no matter what the cure or at least a treatment for the Imasi plague had to be found.
“Rhan here. Regarding incident concerning a wide spread illness. No needs to report to me or respond but be sure before you leave you, make sure whatever is plaguing this planet does not reach any Mandalore protected space.” The message Rhan relayed to Ordo, was timed so well, Ordo was taken aback for a moment. Maybe the force is involved in this. Ordo held the belief that the Force was nothing more than the means the Manda used as it interacted with the galaxy and that although the force was powerful it ultimately emanated from The Manda and was subject to It. So, the fact that a crew was coming together so well, felt like evidence to Ordo that the Manda was behind them.
Ordo checked his datapad and responded to his former commander’s message, what was he doing here?
"Vod Rhan. Oya, Manda ner vod. I have a crew and we are planning a strike to get the cure and end this invasion now. This threat will be stopped here or I will go to the Manda fighting."
Day 262 Midday
Ordo sat in the cockpit as he had been going over diagnostics and readouts from his R3 unit who had run a scan on Ikalur, before he whistled again and ran off to engineering. Ordo looked out the view port and saw two human males approaching; one was tall wearing a black trench coat that was buttoned down the front, and the other was wearing a midnight blue set of Corellian powersuit armor. I wonder if his ship is the midnight blue one. Ordo walked passed Ikalur and nodded toward the ‘common area’ he had fashioned for guest and crew. She followed calmly and sat on a nerfhide bench near the caf machine, as Ordo continued to the boarding ramp to greet the newcomers. Ordo pulled his DL-44 out and held it behind his back as he walked down the ramp, and stopped to lean against the hydraulic strut that lowered and raised the platform.
"You must be Zalo and Co. welcome aboard the Jai’galaar. We are gathering in the common area, the Caf is brewing and when it's done we'll flesh out the plan." Ordo’s deep voice sounded just a bit gruff, but he hoped it was otherwise nonthreatening.
"Yes, I'm Zalo, and this is my associate Dax ya," Zala said as he gestured a gloved hand towards the one in a midnight blue colored powersuit.
Satisfied Ordo turned and walked back up the ramp into the ship, and holstered his DL-44 as he went. The ships polished durasteel deckplates rang under the men’s feet with the old sweet sound that Ordo held as dear as they walked through the corridors.
"Nice to see you again, Miss Ikalur," Zala said as he bowed his head slightly.
Ikalur nodded to Zala but you'll gave Dax a raised eyebrow and a neutral glance.
The man in the midnight blue armor grinned and looked back at Ikalur "Why hello lovely, fancy meeting you here".
"Mister Ya." Ikalur responded dryly in a way that barely warranted being called a greeting. Ordo laughed to himself, and tried not to grin outwardly.
"So the plan..." Zala said after a moment.
Ordo poured himself a cup of caf and gestured to the rest gathered that they are welcome to do the same.
"The plan is fairly simple. We fly out of the gravity well as if we are trying to escape the planet. They will likely try a capture us and tractor us in. When that happens we'll hide in some smuggling compartments under the port and starboard deck plating near the cargo bay. When we hide, R3 will fire an escape pod and hide in engineering. Once aboard we will need to make our way to a terminal and try to slice into their system to steal the cure, and then try to disable their tractor beams. When that's complete we can get Ikalur back on the ship, while I look for some vital systems to destroy, but I won't start until I see Ikalur back on the ship. If I can make it back to the ship in time after sabotaging their ship, I will leave with you. If not I will try to steal anything they have and come down alone. I am confident there will be heavy resistance, but they seem to be aquatic or amphibious so they may be weakened if we can hinder their environmental controls. I know that there are a lot of what ifs, but I think it could work." Ordo looked down at his Datapad and typed out a message. "We may have the Honor it seems to have one of my commanders along, I didn't know he was here but Vod Rhan may need a pick up. Any questions?"
Ordo stood in front of the assembled group a beautiful Chiss woman, two freelancers, and a droid. He took a long drink from his MandalMotors mug and sat on the counter/workbench waited for their response.
Ikalur’s mouth tightened at Ordo’s words about her being safe before he saw to the sabotage. She likely thought he it was because of her gender, and in truth that had been part of it, but Ordo also knew she was at least partly known on Imasi and would be trusted with the cure far more than a Mandalorian who no one had heard of and two freelancers.
Her voice was lovely though not exactly warm as she spoke, "We should wait and take off with the main taskforce. If they scan the pod and decide it's empty, they'll come looking for us. If they have something else to think about, it may slow them down a bit."
"Rhan, huh?" A slow grin spread itself across Zala's face. "It'd be nice to see him again," then he added "But no. There do seem to be a few things that could go wrong with your plan, but it's nothing that couldn't go wrong anyway with something so sketchy. However you shouldn't try to go out a hero by yourself," a slight still grin present on his face. "I'm under the impression we need to destroy this invasion force or at least make them realize Imasi is protected and retreat. I was an Imperial commander at one point, so I'm a soldier. I'm not going to run."
Ordo nodded his approval obviously, impressed "Mandalorians have no word for hero. We view protecting those who come under our care as a duty; we only have a word for coward. So that said I just felt it would be wrong for me to volunteer you against your will. So you'll not get a complaint from me if you stay and help. If Ikalur wishes to stay, also we can have R3 pilot to the surface as long as the cure gets to the sick ones. The cure is paramount to this mission."
"How do we know they just won’t outright shoot us?" Dax said.
"I'm guessing that's a risk we'll have to take. Is there anything you'll need? I'm not sure how badly the spaceport was hit and whether our ship is destroyed or not...but I did have some thermal detonators and some sensor and lockbreaking equipment," Zala asked Ordo.
Ordo replied to all. "Detonators and lock breakers are a good start, if we get separated we may need them for whom ever can use them best."
Ordo looked to each one pausing a moment on each “We can go about this however is decided upon by everyone. Unlike Zala, I'm no commander, I was in R&D. If we go now alone we run the risk of getting shot down if we go with the main assault force we run the risk of being shot down. The ship is black to help us sneak up on the enemy but I make no guarantees." Ordo shrugged and took the last drink of his caf. "I'm ready when you are. Vod Rhan will be waiting at the Medcenter this afternoon. I'm under orders that I take him along other than that I will be the pilot, I need a Co-pilot, and gunners would help if we go with the main group. Other than that you can make do what you like just tell me what you decide." Ordo calmly picked up a pile of black armor and walked toward the cockpit followed closely by Crossfire and a little less closely by Ikalur.
“I think we should let the main force distract them, and try to sneak aboard or let ourselves get "captured". Other than that, we should get started immediately, cure's waiting," Zala said, before he glanced back at Dax. "I would like to go back to the remains of the starport, see if my ship is functioning and get some gear from there then, and be back before you pick up Mr. Rhan"
"Agreed." Ordo said over his shoulder as he went "See you soon as you get back, cargo area is free to use to prepare what you need." the little droid beeped as he followed.
After just a few moments Ordo’s comlink beeped, and a familiar voice came across, and filled Ordo with vigor he had not realized was lacking.
"Ner’ Vod? This is me Rhan, I advice you to see how your actions in this invasion and protection of this planet will reflect to others regarding relations with Mandalore. If you have made promises that you must keep I will not order you to deter them nor will I hinder your actions. But be it as it may as a Commanding Officer I must take responsibility for any interactions and possible repercussions this might or might not affect Mandalore as a whole.” Rhan paused briefly and sighed, “And I do have one order for you ner'vod. Tell me who else will be accompany that is apart of Mandalore, and I insist that I join you on your way to Manda but more so finding a cure." His voice sounded almost excited at the last words. Ordo did not know what brought Rhan to this backwater planet but, it was evident he wanted a cure as much as anyone did.
"Uta Wan Murono, was with me but I have not been able to reach him since leaving the starport this morning a 0800. I have three atruiise, one droid and myself so far. A Chiss woman Ikalur and two humans named Dax and Zala." Ordo paused as his own excitement was growing, before he continued. "You just tell me where to pick you up Vod and I'll be honored to have you join me."
Day 262 afternoon
"I am at the MedCenter, I will ask more questions when I see you ner'vod. Drive safely," Rhan replied.
"Oi, and this Zalo wouldn't happen to have a first name of Athrin? Kinda tall male? Seems like an Imperial?" Rhan added.
Ordo responded "Yes that is the Zalo I have with me. Imperials are a kind of scrawny lot though Ner Vod. Is he tough enough?"
"Tell that to his face and tell me how tough he is, just be sure I'm there with a MedKit though when you do,"
Rhan said, masking his laugh with a cough. If Rhan thinks that much of Zala, that’s more than enough for me. Ordo made notes in his head again storing the enumeration of events and cataloguing the information he had received until now. Just in case.
When Zala returned to the cockpit Ordo had already donned his black Armor and was waiting in his new pilot seat. “Have a seat.” He said motioning to the co-pilot’s chair. Ikalur was still sitting quietly at the sensor station where she had sat as Ordo attached the Black Durasteel plates to his kute.
Ordo wasted no time, and took off for the Medcenter and his friend Rhan. As they approached Ordo looked at Zala and stood.
“Take the stick.” Ordo said as he tried to convey trust with his base voice.
The YT-2000 Jai’galaar made a soft landing at the Medcenter and Rhan approached. As Rhan drew closer Ordo lowered the boarding ramp. He grasped his Vod’s forearm firmly and smiled, "Vod Komo, Su Cuy'gar, welcome aboard the Jai’galaar. The Caf is still hot, and you're welcome to take any station that you want." Ordo laughed at Rhan’s comment about calling him Sir, and added,“We’re all Vode here, Ner Vod.”
Ordo then hurried to the cockpit as they all prepared to join the main battle group and the fight for Imasi.
(GM and Player approved all interactions)
As the small fleet rises off of Imasi and hits orbit, a fleet of fighters arrays itself in front of them, and then, as one, attacks. The Imasi fleet is outnumbered and outgunned, though the Ikrat have no discernible advantage in regards to speed or shields. The defenders find themselves hard pressed to defend anything but themselves. The target remains the larger ship, but finding it when it's cloaked isn't easy either.
It's only when some of the fleet do get close that the larger ship begins destroying them that it becomes easier to pinpoint. Crowding the vessel, as long as the Imasi defenders can do so without getting killed, eventually reveals the shape of it as the get beneath the field that is cloaking it. The ship is all white, long and slender, and ribbed with a defined pattern. At even intermissions four huge wheel-like edifices encircle the main body.
Docking bays are not easy to find, but they are there. It is as they finally find one that Uta shifts his hold on his A295 silently, to cover the others in the jai’galaar's cockpit. His finger tightens on the the trigger.
Day 262 AMish
Ordo watched through the view port of the YT-2000 Jai’galaar as the miss matched fleet of Imasi defenders rose from the surface of the dusty dirt ball of a planet and into the atmosphere.
It didn’t matter in the least to most of these people that their little epitome of dirtside planet was completely useless for much other than its tasty little fungi. This was their home. The place was dirty, dusty, inhospitable, and unwelcoming, but still home, yaim, and they would not sit and watch it fall. Ordo knew he would do the same for Manda’yaim and for that, this ragtag band had his respect.
The small crew he had managed to acquire was no less impressive. Three Mandalorians who would normally have charged for their services while off duty. Well maybe not Rhan, he is the chivalrous sort. A Chiss executive who only today learned the pointy end of the blaster goes at the other guy, an Imperial Pilot (according to crossfire’s digging), a former Imperial commander turned freelance, and last but not least the droid. None of whom had any idea when they came to the backwater world they would be fighting for it days later.
Ordo was lifting off when the guilt of singling Ikalur out got to him and he had to say something like an apology. Ordo glanced at Ikalur out of the corner of his eye and noticed that she looked at him in return. “I didn’t mean to offend you, when I insisted you be safe before, we start planting explosives.” Ordo looked straight ahead, as he continued, not allowing himself to tare his eyes away from the viewport to steal another look at his lovely crewmate, “you just remind me of someone that I have missed for a long time. It’s the way you carry yourself, and you’re all business approach to people. I just wanted to say sorry that’s all.” Ordo stared out the viewport as they flew, and thought of the last time he had seen Briikase and the strange dreams he had been having.
“There is no offense. Simply the knowledge that my presence is as mush a liability as asset. Perhaps more so.” Ikalur responded sounding matter of fact, as usual.
“Don’t talk like that.” Ordo said calmly, trying to sound instructive, rather than reproving, “I know you’ve never done anything like this before, but I have. If you start doubting, you’ll end up on my list of lost friends that have gone to the Manda, and I be reciting your name along with the others every morning and night.” Ordo looked back to Ikalur and made eye contact for emphasis on his next words. Her striking red gaze meeting his greenish grey eyes, unfalteringly, “you’re an asset, and that is all you should think.” Ordo tried to remain matter of fact but once again, care seeped through. I am going to have to work on that. Just in case.
She him a half smile, but said nothing.
They finally broke the atmosphere, and Ordo felt like as if he were finally at home. The blackness of space poked through with tiny points of light representing thousands and thousands of destinations, all of which were only a few calculations away. Ordo considered doing a few micro jumps and just leaving it all behind. Striking out to the next system and continuing his life. It was risky in a gravity well but hardly impossible. However, he could not simply run off when so many brave beings would fight and die leaving the galaxy to be harassed by these Israt. He would never forget how Atruiise fought while he ran off. The thought was ridiculous. Ordo’s mussing was interrupted by the sound of Dax at the gunner’s station.
“Contacts, up ahead where the ship should be. May I suggest we avoid the major fight? We are here for a more important reason than to dogfight.”
Ordo cringed at the thought of not fighting through the fighters that were closing on the main group.
"I hate missing the fighting Dax, but your right. We need to try and get that cure or treatment before they blow us up." Ordo replied slightly frustrated that he was skirting the battle, instead of plowing into it cannons blazing. Ordo looked to Athrun "I'm going to get some black behind us hold on."
Ordo was more animated than any of those present had seen him up until now. He loved flying. He lowered the inertial dampeners that normally kept everyone from being affected by G-forces of flight and yanked back hard on the steering yolk pulling them nearly perpendicular to their previous position, and did a quick roll for added amusement. His ship was like many others of it kind but he loved it just the same. Ordo was smiling from ear to ear, as he said, "This is your captain speaking, please keep your seats and tray tables in their upright and locked positions we may run into slight turbulence."
Zala looked partially startled as Ordo jerked the steering, and barely had enough time to grab onto his seat. The sudden movement of the roll however was enough to put pressure on him and keep him in his seat. He strapped himself in partially to protect himself from the next sudden movement.
"Next time warn me," Zala said with a slight grin himself. He pushed open his visor as he checked the scanners.
"These are just smaller capital ships. Getting to the main one might be a problem. If we can find it," Zala added as he looked up at the view screen. "Maybe in the back behind the support ships?" he said as he pointed at the scanner.
Ordo looked at the view screen and thought for a moment about his tactics training. He had trained briefly back on Corellia and then again in Mandalore academy. This made him confident that what Athrun said was their best bet.
"Dax? Do you see anything from where you’re sitting?" Ordo asked casually as if the last stand for a planet wasn't taking place just a short distance away. "I'm going to level out slowly so we don't draw too much attention. And try to get behind the battle where that flagship may be." Ordo leveled out gently and worked to keep just out of sensor range of the fighters as he moved to bypass the fighting and find the lead ship.
“I have an idea, it should work. Just give me a minute” Dax said.
Ordo waited following his course as the other man worked out his idea what ever it was. When Dax spoke again he sounded confident and at home.
“I guessed where the flagship was, and it paid off.” As the imperial spoke an image appeared on Ordo’s main view screen, “Those red dots are weapons being fired from the cloaked ship. Thankfully, what it fires is not cloaked. Assuming the weapons run the length of the ship, we are looking at a ship roughly 1,500 meters long, Or in other words Imperial Star Destroyer size.” Dax paused for a moment to catch his breath. “So we have the position of the target, now we just need to find the door. May I suggest we look for launching fighters?"
Ordo was impressed again at the quick thinking by the other man and did not have any qualms about acknowledging it. "Nice work Dax, Vor Entye." Ordo said, "Turning too. Mark point 2250 by point 6350. Keep your eyes peeled for fighters everyone." Ordo maneuvered the ship for maximum view of the location indicated by Dax. "Let’s hope they are too busy to see us coming."
Ordo noticed as Zala's eyes occasionally glanced up at the window, but he was glued to the scanners. Zala watched the scanners and Ordo could have sworn he smelled gear oil burning as the man’s eye darted back and forth over the screen.
"There," he said suddenly. "Fighters approaching at two o’clock."
Ordo looked up and right to see what Athrun was indicating. "I see them." Ordo said squinting slightly, "Dax, two fighters at your two. Is there any sign they see us or are they trying to flank the main group?" Ordo had begun slowly turning toward the cloaked ship if he hit the thrusters they could probably close the distance and destroy the fighters quickly but they would also be giving themselves away. On the other hand, they were getting close the cloaked ship and now they knew where it was. Ordo tensed as he prepared for either one, and said a silent prayer, just in case.
Ordo caught sight of Ikalur out of the corner of his eye as he was looking at the readouts and instruments "How are you holding up there, Ikalur?"
"I'm holding on." She replied as she griped her seat, and looked a little greenish.
Ordo kept from grinning although it was not easy and started adjusting his vector to intersect with the place Dax previously indicated as a possible location of the enemy vessel.
Dax focused intently on the fighters, they seemed not to notice the ship. “No, I think they are just flanking the main group.” Dax paused before he added “The heading they are on, if you were to reverse it, it leads back right to the middle of what we assume is the cloaked ship.” Dax put a redline on the vector and put it up on a main screen.
"That’s good enough for me. The trajectory seems right." Ordo said his hands flying over the instruments as he prepared to make a run on the cloaked vessel and find a docking bay. Ordo opened the internal intercom for a ship wide announcement. "Everyone, we are preparing to break for the cloaked enemy ship. I have the inertial dampeners on so you should be spared the G-forces but please hold on and make ready for evasive maneuvers this could get rough real quick."
Ordo waited for others to get set then made a down ward banking turn sending the Jai’galaar into a spiraling dive before flattening out under where the cloaked vessel should be and then hit the thrusters intending to come up underneath the enemy ship and find a docking bay or a soft point that they could cut through.
They had made a hard run at the ship, and if Ordo had not pulled up they would have probably made an unceremonious splatter mark on the behemoths hull, as the broke through the cloaking field and came face to face, well face to belly at least, with the massive vessel. It was long and slender like a torpedo with four equidistant edifices encircling it. The hull was bright white and smooth vaguely reminiscent of a Mol cal cruiser. They have color issues it seems. Ordo followed along the side of the ship keeping close enough to avoid most turbolaser-class weapons, I hope, but with enough room to turn if he found a docking bay.
Docking bays however were not easy to find. Ordo was getting ready to break off and look for an area that they may be able to clamp on to and cut a hole when an opening presented itself.
Ordo’s excitement grew and he pointed out the viewport at the small white walled opening. Ordo stood almost leaping from his seat to turn and adjust his deflector shields to full front as they angled toward the bay. As he reached up, he saw Uta standing in the entryway to the cockpit with his A-295 trained on the crew.
Ordo froze, his face lost all expression. He had dealt with a few force users in the past and knew they could sense things he simply could not but his gut told him something wasn’t right. This was not like Uta to just stand silently with a weapon trained on his allies. Ordo’s blood went cold, as the events of Imasi and his vod’s odd behavior came flooding into his mind. Ordo could barely speak when he looked at the blank T-shaped visor of his brother’s Buy’ce.
“Uta vod?” Ordo's voice came out deep, hollow, and broken as he watched Uta's finger tighten on the trigger.
Suddenly the Jai’galaar took a hit to the port deflector shield rocking the ship. At the same moment Uta fired.
Ordo tried to spin away from the blaster bolt, but was hit in the arm, which was better than the full blast to the chest that it would have been. The Ship spun toward the open docking bay and slammed into the side of the entrance as it entered, which did a fair bit of damage if the sparks from the deflector panel indicated anything. However, Ordo had no time to worry over it, Uta who had just a moment earlier had full advantage was now off balance enough for Ordo to retaliate and hopefully disarm his vod before things got any further out of hand. Ordo lunged at Uta, and kicked at the much larger Mando’ad’s legs intending to knock him off balance and follow through with a elbow smash to Uta’s head. Ordo's mind rushed to recite hyperspace calculatons, and fought down the apprehension of fighting his friend. Ordo had never had to use 'no prisoners' on a forcie before, and if it didn't help he may not live to again.
Uta jumps the kick and dodges the elbow, using his weapon as a Force club to push Ordo back into the ships control panels. Ikalur shoots at him, and he deflects that into the space Ordo is occupying. The shorter Mando has an instant to move and spare himself the hit, which may well hurt worse than the first one, or move and let the already damaged control panel take the hit instead. He lifts a fist and Ikalur is plucked from the floor. Her eyes go wide and and her mouth gasps for the air Uta's Force grip denies her. At the next hint of resistance or attack, he hurls the woman at the the person responsible. Then Uta turns, scrambling to get out, which takes him on a collision course with Rhan. As Rhan comes into sight the tall sentient pulls a thermal detonator.
Y13 Day 262 PM - Aboard Ikrat Ship.
Ordo fell back into the control panels and braced himself to launch back at the large Mando. Ikalur who was not accustomed to fighting force users turned and fired at Uta with impressive speed and dexterity for some one who only just recently learned to hold a blaster. The red bolt flashed into existence and shot toward Uta, leaving the unmistakable smell of superheated oxygen in the small cockpit, and was promptly redirected at Ordo. Ordo grabbed his helmet off the consol, he had intended to hit Uta with it (repeatedly), but got it up to his face in time to catch the bolt. The blaster bolt slammed into the side of the helmet and the helmet smashed hard into Ordo's face gouging his chin and smashing his lips into his teeth gashing them and loosening his poor defenseless chewing implements. When Ordo lowered his helmet, his face was a bloody mess and Ikalur was suspended in the air grasping her throat and gapping for air. He stepped toward Uta raising the bloody helmet and growling through bloody teeth.
“Put her down, Vod.” Ordo growled as he moved forward, though it likely wasn’t that clear.
Uta did not even look at Ordo, just violently tossed the gapping Chiss woman at him. Ordo barely had time to react catching the woman as she slammed into his chest. They both fell into the pilot’s seat, Ordo first and Ikalur on his armored chest. I should have been more specific.
He moved as quickly as he could, laying Ikalur in the seat before turning to race after Uta. He put his bloody helmet on his head, grabbed his Rykk Blade from the wall and pulled his DL-44 as he ran from the cockpit.
Ordo rounded the corner a few meters behind Uta who stood a short distance from Rhan. The taste of blood with its heavy coppery sweetness was on Ordo’s lips, and he let it run out refusing to swallow the precious liquid as he leveled his blaster at Uta and got ready to down his force-wielding friend.
Ordo did not hesitate; he just squeezed off three shots at Uta's back, thinking only of the need to end the fight before something worse could happen. The shots hit solidly, but did not seem to daunt the larger Mando. The smell of carbon and scorched oxygen hit Ordo like a hammer to the chest. His Vod who had saved his life and fought large mated ondyts with him was now trying to fight his way off the ship.
Flashes from the Medcenter and the grizzly scene that was the wake of another force user’s rampage raced into Ordo’s battered head. This was too much to be a coincidence; this had to be the work of the Imasi disease, Uta would not have ever opened fire on his vode, at least not with out warning. Like Ordo, Uta would not want to add to his list of dead vod by killing them, and Ordo had just shot his ailing brother in the back trying to put him down. Ordo’s stomach tightened into a knot he wanted to help his vod not kill him, the Ikrat on the other hand, they needed to experience pain, death by pain. Ordo clenched his jaw growling again inside his helmet, this would have to end here, or by the Manda, he would come back from the dead and eat the hut’uun alive, probably with netra’gal (tihaar is to fruity).
Ib'tuur jatne tuur ash'ad kyr'amur. Jare Ikrat entye ash’amur!
Ordo saw Rhan move from the other side of Uta hitting the wall at a quick sprint taking two steps along it and springing at Uta. Rhan’s knife-edge strike connected and sent Uta and Rhan both to the deck. The sound of the armor clad Duros striking the deck was at once like the clash of cymbals in a Corellian symphony and the bang of a hammer on a Mandalorian anvil. Ordo took a step ready to pounce and help Rhan, but halted briefly as Uta slammed Rhan into the ceiling using what must have been the force. Rhan started to move, pushing himself off the floor at the same time as Uta, and Uta promptly slammed him once again into the ceiling. I hope Rhan didn’t hurt my ceiling.
Ordo made a fast decision. Fights among families were some of the most vicious and as Mandalorians this was doubly so. Ordo moved to attack the big Mando before he could completely regain his footing. He sprinted at Uta and immediately went into the emotionless attack of 'no prisoners' releasing a snap kick at Uta's midsection. The kick connected and sent the bigger Vod skidding backwards before he crashed back down to the deck plates. Uta in well-trained Mandalorian fashion clawed out his Relby K-23 and began spraying the corridor with blaster fire as he tried to gain his footing. Ordo hit the deck a rolled to a knee then swept at his dear Vod’s Legs. As he did Rhan's glaive hit Uta in the shoulder, which stunned him long enough to go down as Ordo swept his feet out from beneath him.
Ordo could not wait for Uta to regroup and shot forward bringing a hammer fist strike downward at Uta’s buy'ce, hoping to knock him out so they could continue the mission. Ordo’s strike found home and the loud ‘thunk’ sound of his Vod’s helmet striking the durasteel was both sad and gratifying. Ordo hated fighting his vod and just could not get over the urge to close his eyes and wake up on Mandalore drinking and telling stories together instead of the current state of affairs.
Uta however, did not seem to be able to see how wrong the situation was and reached up wrapping a long fingered hand around Ordo’s thick neck. Then wasted no time at all and carelessly tossed Ordo against the bulkhead, which produced another much louder clang, before continuing his desperate escape.
Ordo struck the bulkhead shoulder first then his already battered head bounced like a wee ball of the polished durasteel wall of the corridor before he landed face first on the woefully scuffed deck plates. He laid there for just a moment before he forced himself up to take a knee. Ordo had fought some rough battles, but the only thing he could think of that could make this one tougher would be if Uta were a Wookie, because he had sure hit like one.
Ordo looked to Rhan as he began pursuing Uta.
“Tsikala, Ner vod?” Ordo asked as he turned to see if he could see the detonator, which would provide all the excuse he needed to have a very bad day, and even more excuse to give the invading shabla Hut’uun a very stern talking; to in Blasterese.