Vigilante problems (Burden of the Mandalorian)Pt.1

[Valah Hagen]

The Chandrilan never knew peace. Within her mind or in the physical world around her. Always a problem to solve. Mostly within the conflicts ensuing on her home planet, with crime in the underground and political agendas that served only those who were well invested in the industries that served thier own. As Valah and her brothers went thier seperate ways, She found herself heeding the call of the renowned Mandalorian enclave under her mentor and friend, Keatoch. Through intense training, travel and understanding, she returned to Eyok to find the city was worse than before. With crime, illegal substances, and corruption plaguing the area, it was found that the policing forces distributed had given up on Eyok. Weither it was due to the forces being corrupt or other reasons remained to be seen. Taking up refuge in her own safehouse, Valah keeps her armour at the ready to try and change her city for the better. ​

 

[Valah Hagen]

"Welcome to our mid-day edition of S-44 News! Your only news channeled frequency for Sector 44 , Eyok, Chandrila. I am Cednil Trobell reporting live in the district. In today's news, I have my crew with me as we examine the rural area and the conditioning of Eyok 44. As you can see from our live feed, the fire that crippled Vortek Estates, just s a few days ago is still fresh in the minds of the local population. With forensics on the scene, the Mayor has still not ruled out the possibility of foul play, as the systems and alarms were up to code. With governmental taxation at an all-time high, many of establishments and businesses are still struggling to stay afloat. And now with the fire, It will surely create more problems for tourism and locals in the area."

Valah's covered hand would press the small icon, ending the live feed on the local news in the area. It had only been 24 hours since she returned home, and it was clear that the sector was in a battle of its own. She had known of several places where a lot of the locals would hang out, including a cantina by the name of Zuzette's. It was time to pay a visit and hear first-hand what had become of the community.

She puts on her armor. Upon leaving her safehouse, she entered the lock code twice on the faulty security system. Exiting into the streets, many individuals pass her by. A few cruisers and speeder bikes in a traffic jam.

 

[Valah Hagen]

Valah enters Zuzette's to see a few patrons present. Normally it would be busy. As she sits at the first round table near the corner, she glares at the streets as she notices two individuals running as fast as they can. Her stare is interrupted by a familiar face.

"Now there's a familiar face I ain't seen in a while...How ya been doll?" Ozzo Asks

As Valah looks up and breaks her concentration with a smirk she replies.

"Not bad Ozzo. Can't say the same for Eyok. Where is security?" She asks as she looks back to the streets to see three individuals fighting and crashing into tables at another establishment.

"Ahhh...I'll get right to it love. It ain't been the same since ol' what's it's face took over. Said we needed funding...Resources were pulled elsewhere. Guess it's more important for security to protect the rich. Leave the poor to wipe themselves out. Most of us got our own security. (He says as he taps on the blaster that is holstered on his side)


"Innocent people will be caught in the crossfire... Buildings are being destroyed...Homes... Robberies ... "

"Tell me about it. I shot one of those bantha rat pieces of trash just the other night trying to take my top stash. It's not an every day thing...But it's getting there."

"This is our sector...Our home... We deserve peace...And a fair chance at life just like everyone else in this galaxy...."

"I agree... But no one's gunna stand up to a Mayor.... Or his magistrate... The whole things rigged... Half the crime committed in the sector is probably his doing."

As Ozzo finishes his statement he sighs... He then turns around towards the bar top. "Ya... Know... It ain't all bad though... Could just move t.... "

As he turned back around just as fast, she was gone.

 

[Valah Hagen]

Valah would return to her apartment and notice the security panel on her unit door sparking violently, showing signs of intrusion. Her door was slightly ajar. (Someone was clearly here) She thought to herself as she cautiously entered her unit.

"A warning to whoever is here... You don't want me to find you..." She boldly states as she lightly canvases her hallway. Nothing seemed out of place, except the living quarters where the couch was. There was a Human within view. Backs to her iris'. As she carefully approached unarmed, the human turned his head to see her coming.


Andrew Lonek

 

[Andrew Lonek]

"Hi there....(clears throat)... Ahh yes, I did want you to find me. IN FACT... I found you just in time...Lonek.. Andrew Lonek.. And I am under the assumption that sector 44 has seen it's better days, no?" Lonek asks while staring at Valah Hagen .

He was comfortable but more so prepared for any interaction, no matter which way it might go. He traveled far to finally find her, and of course, there was an agenda at play.

"P.s. Ive seen crime scenes that looked better than this place."

 

[Valah Hagen]

"You break into my place just to insult the décor?" Valah snapped, blaster unwavering.

Her nerves were rattled by the sudden appearance of the man. How did he get in? The security panel was activated. And what was his purpose? With a past like hers, anyone could have been after her for revenge or to prove a point.

Andrew Lonek

 

[Andrew Lonek]

Andrew chuckled. "Not at all. I'm here because you need me. ""Oh I don't need anyone"" ---He mimics--- then waves a hand dismissively.


"Sure, sure, lone wolf and all that. Very on brand for you Mandalorian types." He leaned forward now, boots dropping to the floor with a thud. His face shifted slightly, losing a bit of the smugness. "But you want this city back? Really take it back? You're gonna need a little more than a cool helmet and a few stolen datapads."

 

[Valah Hagen]

"You obviously helped yourself to my collection.."

Valah narrowed her eyes. "And what, you think you're the missing piece?"

 

[Andrew Lonek]

"Please. I'm not a piece. I'm the whole karking puzzle," Andrew said, flashing a cocky wink.

"I've got resources, tech... a few friends in places that still care about planets like this. And — lucky you — I'm bored."

 

[Valah Hagen]

She studied him, finger still resting on the trigger. "Why?"

 

[Andrew Lonek]

Andrew's smirk faded entirely now.

"Because I hate bullies. And because watching people like you fight alone when you could be winning with a little help? It's just... bad business."

 

[Valah Hagen]

A tense silence stretched between them, only the hum of neon signs outside buzzing through the cracked window.

Finally, Valah holstered her blaster. "You so much as breathe wrong, I gut you."

 

[Andrew Lonek]

Andrew clapped his hands together. "Excellent! See? Already best friends."


He stood, brushing imaginary dust from his sleek, jacket. He then clears his throat

"Now. First order of business — we pay a visit to a certain Mayor who's been funneling all your tax credits into his 'offworld investment opportunities.' And maybe... crash a few of his fancy parties."

 

[Valah Hagen]

Valah bent to pick up her helmet, sliding it back onto her head with a hiss of compressed air. Her voice came out modulated, cold and dangerous.

"Lead the way, partner."

 

[Andrew Lonek]

Andrew grinned, already tapping at the holographic interface on his wrist. "Oh, I intend to."

Outside, the rains of Eyok fell harder, streaking the city in blurred neon. In the darkness of Sector 44, a spark had been lit — one that promised fire to come.​

 

[Valah Hagen]

The battered apartment became their unofficial war room over the next few days. Between planning raids and gathering intel, it somehow transformed into a half-decent workshop — at least by Sector 44 standards. Spare parts, stripped droids, broken blasters, and cracked power cells littered every surface.

Valah wasn't sure when it happened, but Andrew had taken over half the space with his gadgets, tools, and high-end tech — gear that had no business existing in a slum like this.

She sat cross-legged on the floor, armor plates spread out around her like pieces of a puzzle, as Andrew crouched beside her, sleeves rolled up, a vibroscrewdriver between his teeth.​

 

[Andrew Lonek]

"Okay," he said, voice muffled, "first lesson: your left pauldron's attachment points are so rusted they're held on with hope."

 

[Valah Hagen]

Valah glares at him through the T-shaped visor of her helmet. "It's seen a few battles."

 

[Andrew Lonek]

"Yeah, and it's a miracle it didn't leave you in one," Andrew muttered, tossing the screwdriver onto the floor with a clatter. He tapped the armor plate.

"We upgrade this with a hex-weave carbon overlay. Lighter, stronger. Blaster rounds won't punch through as easily — and bonus: it'll stop making that embarrassing clanking sound when you move."

 

[Valah Hagen]

She huffed, low and skeptical. "Lighter armor means less protection."