After the Hammer's Fall (Talon, Clan Cadera)

[Adara Raxis]

The ship seemed abandoned the minute it docked, leaving [member="Talon Richwood"] vastly on his own. Adara rushed off with her father and brothers, Sigurd & [member="Reyn Australis"], off into places the young Mandalorian hitchhiker had no access to. Murmurs rocked through the medical ship, as injured warriors were whisked off, and the armours collected from the dead were being rushed elsewhere for cleaning and settling for the families of the dead.

Whispers of the former Mand’alor’s death and flimsy revival consumed those who spoke around Talon, although for the most part, the Clan Cadera and Clan Raxis warriors busied about their work.

It would be some hours before the ship docked with another station above Wayland, no sight of the teenagers who rescued Talon.

Days later, Adara swept into a canteen on Wayland in her beskar’gam and took up a plate of food. It floated beside her, setting itself down on the table, as fork and knife rose and began cutting up the meal into manageable bites. While her telekinetic powers handled her meal preparation, Adara removed her helmet and set it beside her.

Where had that [member="Talon Richwood"] gone? He’d… no. He didn’t see anything… did he? Before she could ponder any more, a gigantic wolf-cloak armoured Yronwulf set down another datapad and flimsy.

“More orders, Adara. The fleets require guidance, and the rest of Clan Raxis is working on Concordia as the Sith rush it.” Yron set a mug of stim-caf mixed with hot cocoa beside Adara and sauntered back to give more orders to the busy and hectic facility.

“Rrrrrrrgh. So much for a quiet lunch.” Adara flicked on the datapad, and started reading the first report.

 

[Talon Aegis]

Location: Wayland
[SIZE=11pt]Ship: [/SIZE]Axe Class Corvette
[SIZE=11pt]Equipment: Talon's Tactical Gear (armored) , A280 blaster rifle, [/SIZE]WESTAR-35 blaster pistol [SIZE=11pt]x2[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666984558105px]Tags: [/SIZE][member="Adara Raxis"] | [member="Reyn Australis"]

[SIZE=11pt]Events directly proceeding Hammerfall:[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Talon stood there outside of the ship, as he looked around his party disappeared. Tired and barely holding himself up. Walking down the street, his vision was blurry, faces seemed to mix together. Walking up to a hotel, he had difficulty reading the sign, eventually he figured it out. Dropping a bag of credits onto the counter and was handed a key. Slowly he trudged up the stairs, it felt like a year by the time he reached his room. Opening he immediately let it close and decided to just flop onto the bed, as soon as his eyes closed he was out cold.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]A while later:[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Talon sat there in his ship looking at the landing pad he was directed to. Looking at the surrounding place he had faint memories of Mandalore. Last time he was here he was nearly killed and that was about it, one thing that was clear in his mind was a man being revived, but the faces of the strangers were blurred.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]His ship had landed and he hopped out quiet. Walking around he checked out a couple stores, eventually he reached the bar he used to go to. Walking in he took a breath, his face covered. Stepping towards the bar he took a seat, and ordered a drink. Sitting there his eyes fixated on [member="Adara Raxis"], she looked very familiar. Turning to his drink as it was placed he was confused.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Why did she seem familiar, he doesn’t remember meeting anyone who matched her features. Taking off his mask he pulled down his hood and started drinking, occasionally he would look back and he kept trying to remember but he couldn’t.[/SIZE]

 

[Adara Raxis]

“Thank you, Yronwulf.” A timid groan echoed from Adara’s throat as she flicked past another of her mother’s endless reports. How did Yasha do this all day and night?

No wonder she was so grumpy and tired during Adara’s childhood. Mand’alor the Infernal was twelve times busier than Adara was now, but the bustle of preparing Clans Cadera, Australis, Corek, and Raxis for extraction away from the impending Sith seemed as never ending as her days in Boarding School.

Her armour chafed at her neck, an unfamiliar weight on her frail body. Sipping her cocoa-mixed stim caf, Adara sent another couple of orders and okayed the packing load for the Wolf Fang fleets, before they rushed off to the unknown Galaxy in which the Clans would seek protection.

Then, she saw a glint of familiar armour. Yes, covered with a cloak, but… no… Mandalorians were practically legion, they all looked the same…

A piece of steak rose to her mouth, and she bit it, chewing and swallowing while looking incredulously at [member="Talon Richwood"]. The man looked over at her…

…. no… yes?

Oh gosh. The teenager whimpered and set down her datapad. She couldn’t possibly ever or even for a single moment consider asking the man, no. She couldn’t! It would be way too embarrassing.

So the girl did the only thing a teenager in her position could possibly do.

She wrote a quick order to one of the pilots, who helped extract her father & brother from Mandalore, and asked them to check on the man for her.

A grumbling man in Raxi’gam walked into the tavern and set his hand on Adara’s shoulder, scanning the room with his HUD scanners.

Only one nod was what it took.

Yes, that was the same armour. Same markings and same man. The hidden MIlitibus ex Infernis ruffled, guards in silence and hidden for all parts, except for one at the door and another at a window.

Adara was never alone. However did Mother get used to such… babysitting? Sighing, Adara let her lunch float toward the cloaked man’s seat, and with her Clan Raxis chaperone, walked over to him.

“I never thanked you. You found my father in time to save him… I’m sorry I never thanked you. It was all so overwhelming, and… well, my mother was dying, you see, and, and the only thing she could speak of was… seeing Baba. So… you don’t even know who I am, do you?” Sitting on the seat across from [member="Talon Richwood"] at his table, Adara smiled. Someone who didn’t know her? Her mother? She sighed in relief. “So… thank you. Without you I never would have found my father and brother in time.”

 

[Talon Aegis]

Sitting there Talon realized too late that he had been staring for a while. His HUD flared up on the inside of his helmet and he took a look. It was [member="Adara Raxis"], father Kaine Australis. Reading this he stopped and wondered why she was here. Putting on his mask and preparing to leave, she sat down in front of him, and he decided to sit back down and remove his mask. The expression on his face was confusion, he still had no clue who she really was. "I am very sorry, but I do not know who you are."

Deciding against revealing that she looked familiar, he said. "Also isn't Kaine dead, I found him and my records show he is." He struggled to remember his last time on Mandalore for he's tried to repress it. "Wait, no, he survived, I just never rescanned him."

Shaking his head, "I'm sorry the last time I was on Mandalore it was... tough, and I try not to remember it." While the outside it looked like Talon was doing well, inside it was a battle over his emotions. While he spoke he was looking at the table. Truly he didn't want to come back, but decided to see if his childhood house survived.

 

[Adara Raxis]

The sheer idea a Mandalorian wouldn’t know the former Mand’alor’s daughter was one of complete fun! Adara could be anybody, then! A moisture farmer, or a fashion designer, or a girl named………. Berthe.

Ew. Maybe not Berthe.

“There was so much technological interference, I’m sure it seemed like my Baba was dead, but… but he wasn’t.” She let the sweetness of her smile cover the blatant lie caused by [member="Kaine Australis"]’ and brother Sigurd-Adolfo’s corpses. “His heartbeat was weak, when I and my brother Reyn got to you.”

Sighing lightly, Adara put on her most sympathetic look, taking her fork and eating another mouthful of food to ponder over how despondent [member="Talon Richwood"] appeared.

“Mandalore was a tragedy, but… we’re going to fix it. You know that, right? Why else are we here on Wayland? Why, most of us are reconvening elsewhere, to strengthen and regroup. Isn’t that why you’re here?”

 

[Talon Aegis]

Talon chuckled, "No, he was dead, my technology has its own network and isn't affected by EMPs. I don't remember much but I do..." looking around he shook his head grinning. "Now's probably not the place. I must thank you though, I would've been another casualty of the war if you and your brother didn't save me."

Listening to how they were going to fix it his shook his head, "I am not here to rebuild, I frankly don't know why I'm here." This was a blatant lie, but he'd rather not talk about it.

"So what brings you to this bar?" This was an actual question, there were more fancy places she should probably be for her rank.

[member="Adara Raxis"]

 

[Adara Raxis]

“There are plenty of instances where heartbeats are too faint to detect, even with EMP resistant scanners.” Adara smiled, setting down her knife and fork with the precision of a princess. “Maybe he’d blipped on you. It’s possible, how else could he be alive with my mother right now? [member="Kaine Australis"] never truly died. You helped make sure I could find him. You helped save the Mand’alor’s husband and son. We should be thanking you.”

Ah, another Mandalorian with the lost stroke of a heady tale to him. Adara covered a sigh, by eating more of her pristine lunch, and washing it down with another cocoa-and-stim-caf gulp.

“I needed something to eat away from prying eyes. With mother in intensive care, and father by her side, my brothers, sister and I are the only ones left to give orders and prepare our extradition. There are thousands of Mandalorians who need to be saved from the Sith, before their murder units cleanse the areas completely. I’m looking over the reports from Clan Raxis on Concordia… but… I suppose it’s a little more serious than you were expecting for a flippant teenager, who clung desperately to saving her parents.” Adara tried to find a smile in it all, managing a half-smile with all things considered.

“And this bar is run by my family. So, it’s another safe place… you don’t know why you’re here? Aren’t you the same Mandalorian, who introduced himself to my parents, when they danced at the casino? And you’re still here… you could be on the other side of the Galaxy. Do you really not know why you’re here?” Adara moved her head to the side, her Clan Raxis Chaperone leaning back in his chair, as he ordered a drink of tihaar.

[member="Talon Richwood"]

 

[Talon Aegis]

Talon, distrusted her reason for her father not showing up on his scanners, he knew what he saw and felt, but he'd rather not pursue the topic. His shot had been refilled, but he just left it there. "I see, trying to take a break from responsibilities and stress, sometimes it's nice to get away from them."

The part where her parents owned the bar surprised him a bit, he thought they would just have one in their house. "Yes I did meet them at the casino before the attack, it was quiet a night, very fun and relaxing, and while yes I could be on the other side of the galaxy I chose here. Honestly it's for personal reasons that I'd rather not divulge into."

"So after we last saw each other, all it's been is work and rebuilding." Talon was not the best at talking with others most of the time it was him on jobs, so this was a change in pace for him, he enjoyed it letting out a little smile. "Also how has your brother and father been, never really kept up with Mandalorian news or leaders."

 

[Adara Raxis]

Tapping her datapad and flimsies, Adara shrugged. “Work followed me anyway. But… I don’t mind, if it gives my parents more time to recuperate, then it’s worthwhile, right?”

“There’s been plenty to do. I suppose you’ve recovered, eh? I didn’t stop to check…” A member of the Clan owned the bar, not necessarily her parents. Being a member of a Clan meant having access to multiple resources. Even if it was a nameless member of Clan Raxis who held the ownership, being part of the Clan meant Adara was as safe as she could be, without a series of battle cruisers above her.

“No need to get too personal. Agreed.” Adara sipped her cocoa-laced stim-caf, sitting back and watching the man she didn’t even know by name. Did he know? Was he suspicious?

If he told anyone Adara used the Force on Mandalore, would her mother have her culled, like the others? Removed from the Force? Adara kept light, a teenager with too many troubles, but she continues looking at him with tempered blue eyes.

“They’re fine. Baba and Sigurd are… they’re perfect. We saved them in time, and they’re… grateful.” The more she watched [member="Talon Richwood"], the more Adara wondered if he did believe her.

“Worried for mother, but… fine. We’re still wondering if mother will survive, or… well, she’s got a better go of it now, Baba always did help her recuperate." If Talon didn't believe her.... could she let him go??

 

[Talon Aegis]

Talon listened intently, he wondered if she thought he believed her excuse. This put him a little on edge, but he still remained calm on the outside. "I have made a full recovery, apparently my right arm had shrapnel in it, but that was about it for the serious injuries." He let out a little grin. This was a lie, currently he was testing her, to see her reactions to when he does lie, his right arm was actually shattered and the shrapnel landed in between his heart and lungs.

"I'm sure your mother will be fine, she did seem to be in very good health when I last saw her, maybe a bit of that carried over." At the moment he was a bit optimistic for her mother, based on how she sounded about it, he thought she would survive but scarred from it. Talon kind of sat there after that, he couldn't think of anything to ask and the drinks just kept coming.

A little indicator on his HUD flashed, the light going over a small amount of table, it read his ship was ready to leave. Even with this he sat there turning his helmet off and waiting.

[member="Adara Raxis"]

 

[Adara Raxis]

Adara’s eyes narrowed as she looked at [member="Talon Richwood"] ‘S shoulder and side. Nothing but a bit of shrapnel in the arm, eh? Blue irises milked into crimson, the whites of Adara’s eyes dissipating for jet black. Her true sight bored onto the Mandalorian. Her brow quirked. Shrapnel...

... the physical desecration of Talon’s body was a sensible phenomenon. Metal and ceramic in flesh made partial putrid by time since injury. Festering. Reknitting bone in suture, flimsicast and alcohol.

“Oh? How beneficial for you... to do so well when millions others were not nearly as fortunate.” Adara’s lips pursed, a dark glint to her eyes. Why lie about his injuries? Was he preparing to attack her, here in this Raxis-Owned taverna?

Or did he think she was a silly little girl-child, the Mandalorian-inept daughter of a seven foot behemoth and a dead father, adopted by the man who saved her life? Married her widow-mother?

Buir’s little frail princess, too ignorant and too anemic to be of use.

How dare this.... opportunist think he could threaten her by attempting to lie? But could she afford to make him an example? Or was it better to watch him closely, see if he’d notice or care in time?

Nibbling on her cheek, Adara picked up her mug of cocoa-and-stim-caf.

“Yes, not even the Sith Emperor could kill my family in the end. I’m sure you’re right and mother will be fine. You should stay... see for yourself. What’s one more mouth to feed and rib cage to heal? Among our thousands?”

 

[Talon Aegis]

Talon sat there his head cocking as her eyes turned into black, was this her figuring out his lie? His face turned neutral for a second before another drink came over. The doctor that looked at him didn’t understand how his body healed so well, most people don’t recover from either. “During the conflict it was unfortunate for many, and I am grateful that my injury could be considered minor to some of them.”

For a minute he was uncertain of what she was going to do, was she going to attempt to kill him, or maybe just have him assassinated. Reclining in his chair, his hands were removed from the table. They were loosely crossed on his chest, they were visible to her. “You are correct, the Sith could try to destroy this place but you people are quite resilient, but…” he was stuck on this next part for he didn’t know how to respond.

“Usually my profession requires me to move around a lot, but I may stay for a while, currently on break.” Sitting there he leaned back forward resting his arms back on the table, a grin on his face.

[member="Adara Raxis"]

 

[Adara Raxis]

“You keep talking as if I’m supposed to believe you. You do realize how this works, right? Me, Forcie. Dirty, dirty Forcie, strange powers, see through beskar’gam like HUD sensors. You, normal sapient, live good life…. right? You get that? Your heartbeat shifts, your body is a book. and I mean that literally, even though books are antiquated, it’s simple to see and it’s also kind of offensive to fourteen year old me, that you’d even try to run away from the fact I see you, [member="Talon Richwood"]. I see you and I don’t buy it.” Adara sighed and pushed her fingers along her nose, up to the ridge between her eyebrows. “Gosh. You’re as bad as my myriad brothers.”

Shaking her head, Adara rose her hand and clicked her fingers. Everyone in the taverna went still as statues.

“Look me in the face, Mandalorian to Mandalorian, and tell me your scanners didn’t falter. That my dad and brother were dead on the ground. So… so many people would believe you, over the Mand’alor’s daughter, the girl, who doesn’t want to die for breaking the law. You get that don’t you? Or are you too new to all this? Do you not get it? Do I need to spell it, like one of my little childish brothers? My father and my brother weren’t dead, dude. Their heartbeats only momentarily blipped off your radar. They were alive, and they came home, and they’re here. Alive.

There’s no other way… so how about you stop lying and let the vode help you, unless you’re another one of those fly-by-night Mandalorians who wear armour but don’t actually believe the Vode is here to help. That’s what we’re here for, to love and care for each other. To help each other out. Your injuries were nothing like what you said, so either you’re faking being a Mandalorian, and thus being a jerk to a bunch of religiously devout people, who believe helping the collective helps Manda, our form of heaven, or you’re just that level of distrustful and ought to be mind-shifted before you leave.”

 

[Talon Aegis]

A slight chuckle came out of Talon. "I do have to admit, I have underestimated you, and I don't run away from the fact that you see me, I run away because you can see me." The grin on Talon's face was gone by the end of the statement, and he placed his mask back on before pulling his hood up.

When all the people in the room stood still a sight laugh came out of Talon. Deciding that it was best to sit still he just sat with his head cocked listening. "Why does it sound like I want to turn you in, I mean I could get paid for it, but you did give me a second chance. I could've been left to die and no one would've cared. Truly I owe you a thousands times over, so I felt that not taking your life was a suitable way to bring me out of debt." Going any further on this topic would probably lead to information best left quiet loose.

"No, I don't believe in the Vode, frankly don't even know what it is. To me it seems like a great savior that watches over and protects the people, I've lost too much, to believe in that. I know what I am, I'm a broken man, borderline insane, but even with that I am not stupid. My injuries were worse than I described because I was withholding the truth, like you were." The grin from his face was completely gone. Under the mask he looked like what he was, a fractured person, managing to hold together by the loose strands of hope.

Deciding he was done he stood up and got ready to walk out. Putting his hand to his comms he didn't much care for the others to overhear. "Get the ship ready, we're leaving in twenty minutes." Looking back he cursed to himself and sat back down. "Abort the sequence."

Removing his mask his face was yet again emotionless, and he sat quiet. His crystal blue eyes just stared right at her, seemingly empty. Currently he had no plans, no motivation to kill, nor one to harm, he just waited. Normally he would have just shot her by now, but he didn't want to be wanted on his home planet.

[member="Adara Raxis"]

 

[Adara Raxis]

“… are you… are you mentally alright?” Adara raised an eyebrow, as a sinking feeling crept into her mind in tandem with Talon Richwood’s admonition that he wasn’t a Mandalorian in the first place.

“If you do not even believe in the strength of the Vode, then you don’t deserve the armour you wear. Being a Mandalorian isn’t about having defensive fashion statements. It’s a way of life. We wear our armour as symbol of our beliefs, not as some… mercenary plunderers fething their way through the stars.” Adara growled, “There is no amount of credits you would get that would make the hell put upon your head worth my capture and the truth revealed. Nobody would ever believe that an untrained teenager could do anything of the sort. Especially when my father and brother were never dead.”

Standing up, Adara’s telekinetic powers shifted her meal into a take-away container, while the data pads she needed to peruse flowed into her bag.

“I do hope you enjoy the remainder of your meal and drinks. They’re on the house. And once you’re finished, please leave. I can’t trust outsiders being around my family right now. There are too many dangers and not enough time. Thank you for the conversation. Fare well.” With that, Adara walked briskly through the taverna, with its’ silenced statue-like folk. Several beings rushed behind her, clearing the exits as they went.

By the time Adara walked away from [member="Talon Richwood"] and was no longer in sight, the people in the tavern once more began to move, as if nothing stopped them in the first place.