Yaim'ol at Manda'yaim

[Krenis Skirata]

Manda'yaim. Home, perhaps even more than Kamino was at this point. Not that Krenis ever intended to go back there. Not since it was Techno Union territory, from what he had heard. They had survived as well, unfortunately, and he had heard that a CIS had existed not long before he was awoken from his long sleep in stasis. But they were gone now, for which he was grateful. He wasn't sure how well he would handle knowing that the Confederacy of Independent Systems remained in existence.

Krenis uncrossed his arms and stepped away from the viewport of the shuttle as it headed down towards the spaceport in Keldabe. This was where the last battle had been fought, in one of those alleyways, where his brothers had tracked him down and he killed some of them and he was overpowered. His insides roiled at that. Nothing felt quite as horrible as killing a brother in arms, especially ones that shared your face.

But he was here again, after centuries of stasis. What had happened to his clan? Were the Skiratas still at Kyrimorut? Did they even still exist? He wasn't sure. That was why Keldabe was his first stop. He needed to check on some records. Maybe even see if his bank account still existed or if it had been frozen by the Empire. Maybe his auxiliary account was still in place then.

The ship touched down gently and the boarding ramp lowered. Krenis strode out, pausing to speak with the customs officials, greeting them quickly in Mando'a before moving on to gather his small luggage. He hadn't brought much here. If all things worked out, he would be re-equipping himself here instead of having to rely on Republic weapons, or even the old ARC trooper equipment. There was a war going on and technological superiority made winning much easier.

He strode off into the streets, savoring the welcoming feel. Krenis was back with his people, his family. His old family was long dead for the most part. First stop, the bank. That was a rather long and difficult process, as they had centuries of data and data-losses to sift through. Eventually, they told him to come back later. So he wandered out, picking up some food from a vendor and making his way to an information droid.

"What's the state of Clan Skirata now?" He asked, "And where are they at?"

The droid whirred at him for a few moments before answering. Interesting. So the new clan chief was [member="Gilamar Skirata"] and they were famed for construction and mercantile activities now, while many members were off in the galaxy. That was good to hear. Now to find and set up a meeting with them.

He sent a message through the holonet and wandered around the city, wondering who among these new Mandalorians he would meet.

 

[Strider Garon]

Strider saw the crimson form of a soldier clad in ARC trooper armor, markings of the republic branded upon him. There was a time the old man was considered friend of the republic but recent events have spoiled such relations. Now that did not mean the long in toothed mando was going to go out of his way and give the wonder lust soldier a hard time or a public beating. No, instead he took it upon himself to make this stranger his business, what else was the hound of keldabe to do this day anyways?

The mandalorian marshal was not one to be sneaking around as a tail, no, he was more blunt then that. He would walk straight up to the arc trooper, cutting into this path making it very clear that there was going to be some form of confrontation, either that be of friendly or not, was entirely on how the two handled themselves in the throws of non essential diplomacy.

Strider was clad in beskar'gam, his buy'ce was magnetically clamped off his left hip as he apprached [member="Krenis Skirata"] . The old man was of average height, mightily shouldered and deep of chest, with a massive corded neck and heavily muscular limbs. His piercing gaze was dark and sullen with deep smoldering brown eyes focused upon the new comer. The warrior bares a long black mane, properly groomed that bustled in the wind with every step he took. He was a named man in the mandalorians, legendary to some, infamous to most as the Hound of keldabe. He was a professional soldier, feared in battle and well known for his endless thirst for life's pleasures.

"Welcome to Mandalore!" His deep resonating voice rich with concordian accent would break the ice. Strider did not know the man was of clan skirata, nor a fett clone let alone mandalorian through and through. Hence why the introduction was in galactic basic and not Mando'a. "I am Field Marshal Strider Garon!"

 

[Krenis Skirata]

[member="Strider Garon"]

Krenis paused as a man approached, clearly a warrior and built like a bull. Not one he'd wish to tackle in a fight, to be certain, and Krenis thought he looked familiar from some of the recent histories he'd been studying to gain a fuller picture of the state of the galaxy. Called the Hound of Keldabe, if he had the right person. The man certainly had him to be sure, heading directly for him and clearly intending to get in his way about something.

Krenis stopped fully, crossing his arms as the man stopped in front of him and introduced himself. In Basic, even. Krenis must not have looked near as Mandalorian as he had in the past. Perhaps it was a good chance for a more direct introduction. He smiled.

"Su cuy'gar, al'verde," Krenis said, almost tripping over the long-unspoken syllables, but he remembered them quickly enough, although his accent was different. Probably to the modern ear, his accent was archaic, like something out of history. Which to be fair, he actually was. "Krenis Skirata."

He stopped there, catching sight of someone else. Someone he thought had been dead for a long time. A young woman with orange hair and beskar'gam walking through the street, but then she was gone again. Just another flashback. He bit his lip for a moment to ignore the gaping hole he felt. His voice softened as he spoke again, almost to the level of a choked whisper.

"I have not been home in a very long time."

But that was enough of that. He straightened himself and squared his shoulders. "Do you know the current state of Clan Skirata?"

 

[Basaba Willamina]

[member="Strider Garon"]

Someone was coming and they had gotten the old man to move from his chair... and stop with the pudding. Strider loved his pudding and sponge baths. He never missed those... so this was something important as Basaba stood at the ready but took off her helmet. Slowly clipping it to her belt as she listened to the ones there and watched with the rail pistol on her hip and her upgraded cybernetic arm in the armor. A basilisk shockwave generator was nasty against fleshy things before she popped her neck with a loud audible sound as the man mentioned clan skirata and there was a couple of them running around here or there.

 

[Arla Ordo]

Arla walked along the street there was much to do today and there were new arrivals coming home. She often wondered at those that came back what did they expect to see when they set down.

Were they looking for family, or connection? Or was this a time to come back and find who lived and who died? The life of mandalorians held many ups and downs. All the invasions that had been done in the last few years had taken the lives of many.

She looked across and could see [member="Strider Garon"] , she had not seen him for some time he after all had been the one responsible for putting her Buir [member="Ordo"] into a prison cell after all the evidence that her sister [member="Anija Betna"] and Buir @Rianna Ark'lim had brought he did not listen. Did not ask either. She was angry at Strider. She did not know when her anger would cool, but there was a new face about [member="Krenis Skirata"] he was asking about Az' Clan.

Another sad story. Was there no happiness on Mandalore any more.

[member="Basaba Willamina"]

 

[Briika Munin]

It was a crisp sunny day, perfect for taking a stroll about the township of Keldabe. With the harvest activities far behind them, and holiday season to look forward to just ahead, the Hokan's decided to take time away from their farm and enjoy a little city life for a change. Jair ran ahead of his buire along the boardwalk. [member="Graad Hokan"] and Briika's son was getting big like his dad; the five year old was solid through the body already from doing his fair share of chores on the farmstead. Hopefully the young boy would get some height soon as well or a tank he may become.

Both older Mando'ade were dressed in their respective colored beskar'gam, his green, hers silver, though their helmets were off and clipped to utility belts. Hands were intertwined as the married couple trailed behind their ad. [member="Mesh'la Detta Hokan"] was not with them. The eldest child of Briika's was off with her friend, [member="Aden Dral"], fishing most likely as the young pair generally did when they had free time. It seemed to be more often than not as of late that the teenagers were together. Bree wondered….. but kept that thought to herself for now. Mesh'la's adoptive father would have a field day if he even suspected any monkey business was going on with his daughter, having taken the nine year old at the time of their riduurok as his own after her own father went missing and presumed dead during the time of the Netherworld event.

"How about we stop and get some lunch? Think Jair will sit still long enough for a meal out?" Bree casually asked her ruggedly handsome riduur.

[member="Arla Balor"] [member="Basaba Willamina"] [member="Krenis Skirata"] [member="Strider Garon"] @Mando's

 

[Judah Lesan]

Harvest had been bountiful. Graad had the pleasure of watching his daughter's friend wrestle in the games, and now he saw less of his daughter than usual. He knew she was nearing the age where he would have to give her over to another, but he wasn't ready. At least [member="Briika Hokan"] had given him a son to love, and her heart to cherish forever. The vhett followed in stride wearing his armor. His fingers were intertwined with his blonde riduur's and he could hear the laughter of his son as he ran ahead of them. Atin was with Mesh'la, he always was anymore. Graad was considering another pet for Jair.

"He eats almost as much as I do, ner cyar'ika. I think he will sit still long enough to eat and then be off again. He's got so much more energy than I remember ever having."

He lifted Briika's hand to his lips and kissed the top of it. They were truly in love, sharing with each other what they both had lost before. They'd given each other a family again, and Briika hers long before Graad ever asked for Briika to be his Riduur. It was a simple time for them, and good season to celebrate what lay ahead. Graad was looking forward to the coming year.

Graad could smell the carnival food. It smelled delicious. He smiled knkwing there was a stand not to far which had excellent food. Perhaps Briika wouldn't mind walking and eating.

"One of your favorite stands should be open, unless you want try a more sit down meal. I am getting hungry though."

[member="Briika Hokan"] [member="Strider Garon"] [member="Arla Balor"] [member="Basaba Willamina"] [member="Krenis Skirata"]

 

[Strider Garon]

" Morutar yaim, [member="Krenis Skirata"] !" Strider would respond in kind. Wasn't like the old man could assume and know that this soldier was mando'ad but he was confused to the fact he was a skirata. The marshal thought he knew all the Skiratas, guess he was wrong. "The great clan of Skirata is still alive. Old man Gil is aliit alor, and Azrael our Lord Mand'alor is still missing in action" Was his reply back to the inquiry.

"How long has it been since you were home?"


[member="Graad Hokan"] [member="Briika Hokan"] [member="Arla Balor"] [member="Basaba Willamina"]

 

[Briika Munin]

The city streets were full of Mando'ade milling about. It was such a nice day not to be stuck indoors like the past few with the early winter rains hitting the moderately warm area. Briika missed the snow that would be covering the north country right about now and making Enceri a winter wonder land, but Keldabe was her home now; where her heart was and that was all that mattered.

"Elek… Let's stop and get some nerf sliders and a big basket of ale battered fries. We can eat under the big veshok tree in the square. That way if Jair wants to eat and run he can," the golden blonde responded, giving a little squeeze to [member="Graad Hokan"]'s hand, then added with a contented smile.

"You know it seems just like yesterday bal ad was born. Time seems to go by so fast when one is happy."

And, happy Briika was. The country baar'ur visited her patients during the morning, then came home in the afternoon to help her riduur on the farm. Life was good for the Hokan family. Graad and her had even talked about having another baby… but time would only tell. Family was a big part of Mandalorian culture being one of the tenants of the Resol'nare they followed. Even [member="Mesh'la Detta Hokan"] appeared to be so while studying as her apprentice in medicine and spending quality time with [member="Strider Garon"]'s teenage boy, [member="Aden Dral"]... Maybe a little too happy.


[member="Arla Balor"] [member="Basaba Willamina"] [member="Krenis Skirata"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

"I love the way you think."

It was true there ad was a bundle of energy. In fact he could be considered a grazer when it came to eating. He was constantly moving, and constantly eating, and as long as he didn't lose control there was no need to worry about his eating habits. Briika did a good job with him, and was more patient with the rambuncious energy than Graad seemed to be. He was a good father, but this was his first experience with a young child. The boy would be nearing the time to learn how to handle weapons though, and Graad was looking forward to putting his energy toward something more productive.

Briika was not the only one who was happy, and he nodded at her comment. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the top of it after she gave it a squeeze. Graad whished Mesh'la was with them, but her eyes were on her own future, and Graad understood that all to well. Perhpas he would not have if Briika had not come into his life, but the need to share life with someone was a string desire for any person, and the young girl was not that anymore. [member="Mesh'la Detta Hokan"] was becoming a woman.

"I could not be any happier, and evertime I say that something comes along to prove me wrong. I thank the Manda everyday for you, ner cyar'ika, and our aliit."

He smiled as they came up to the small stand which Briika liked and ordered a family order of sliders and a bucket of ale battered fries. Whatever they didn't eat they would give to a needy person on the street, after all it was the time of year to be considerate of those less fortunate, and knowing what Graad had been through, the vhett had a soft heart despite his rugged exterior. When they sat at the tree, Graad stopped for his daily remembrance as usual, and then began to divy up the food.

"So I was thinking that we could go up north to see ner buire. It has been a while, and Jair will enjoy the snow I am certain. What do you think?"

[member="Briika Hokan"] [member="Strider Garon"] [member="Arla Balor"] [member="Basaba Willamina"] [member="Krenis Skirata"]

 

[Krenis Skirata]

[member="Strider Garon"]

"Vore'e, field marshal!" Krenis replied, tearing his eyes away from the where he had thought the woman had been. No, what were the odds she would still be here as well? It was time to move on. Fight this war against these One Sith killers and then come home. Set up his own homestead and find a wife. Have a family. Be a proper Mando'ade that way. Not a lone whose only life was combat. Many thought that was what their people centered around, but they were wrong. Family was their culture. Combat was a way of protecting them.

He listened as he heard the news, trying to keep his expression if not positive, neutral. Gil was the clan leader? Azrael the Mand'alor? He had never heard of these people before, let alone of his clan as leader of all them. Hard to believe even. But time changed. His face strained a little at the question and he gave a slight cough, trying to decide how to explain it. Honestly and straight-forward seemed the most proper way, hard as it may be.

"About eight hundred years, give or take, if I calculated right."

[member="Graad Hokan"] [member="Briika Hokan"]

 

[Strider Garon]

Eight hundred years? The old man nearly chocked on the reply as for a man of such age was fairing well in the looks department. Much better then himself, all leathery and wrinkled with age 60. " Well..... Eight hundred eh? Whats your secret?" The hound was serious and a tad bit jealous. There had to be some medical voodoo happening here for he did not look like a Anzat nor did he look like a darth master of force wizardry. Though, his looks did look very familiar, actually to the point that the old man wanted to say Fett. He was no stranger to fett clones, there had been a few lost in time and there had been a few reincarnates with the same cloning mechanism. But it fit, he was a fett clone, 800 years would mark him down for the Clone wars of past and him inquiring of clan skirata adds more evidence to such. But Strider did not want to make assumptions just yet. Let the lad tell his story first.

[member="Krenis Skirata"]

 

[Krenis Skirata]

[member="Strider Garon"]

Krenis gave a half smile at the sudden and shocked surprise. That was to be expected after all. Humans didn't live that long, no matter what medical sorcery they could invent. Entropy was irresistible, even for them. He raise an eyebrow. Was that... jealousy he caught a tinge of in the voice as well? Did the man wish to look young and attractive for the ladies still? If Krenis had known Strider's reputation, he would have known the answer to probably have been a yes. But centuries in stasis kept him rather out of the Mandalorian gossip circles.

"Involuntary Imperial stasis treatment," Krenis said after a few moments of trying to decide how best to describe it. "Palpatine's lackeys didn't like that one of their supposedly loyal supercommandos went rogue and was fighting a guerrilla war against them on Mandalore."

He shrugged, trying to push back the memories that were slipping past on the streets once again. "Not a recommended treatment. Has some nasty side-effects."