Back To The Roots

[Revenchent]

It was time to stop moping. Time to stop reveling in mistakes of the past and the possibilities of what could have been. Time to accept Galaar and Bluejay's fates, both destined to fall at the hand of a brother. Time to make amends and help repair a culture long since corrupted by a Mandalore no longer in power.


During his time in the Dreadguard, Calico had been an active voice against Mandalore Gilamar Skirata. He had gathered those Mandalorians who shared his views under a single banner, and declared the great Mandalorian Empire Dar'manda, and a disgrace to the legacy of their ancestors.

Of course, times change. Clan Tal'verda was massive now. It swelled within the borders of the Omega Protectorate, filled with force dead warriors and heroes of crusades against the Sith. All that Calico could have hoped to accomplish had been done. The upstarts within the Confederacy were now dead, their leader killed by his own hand, and their enclave on Drunkenwell obliterated when the planet was glassed.

Tal'verda stood as a political figure now, yet the rest of the Mandalorian clans had thrived as well. A new Mandalore had been chosen--one Calico and the 'True Mandalorians' as they had called themselves approved of. The alliance of the True Mandalorians had been disbanded after Azrael took to power, and those within the wayward clan slowly returning to Mandalorian space.

It was a slow task, and Calico, as the de facto leader of the wayward clan, needed to make some sort of ties before he handed the title off to a younger warrior.

The birth of his son had spurred him on to make contact. It was a short message to one [member="Valerie Vizsla"] and an invitation for some kind of talks. The Vizslas had caused some form of trouble in the past, but Calico knew them to be a somewhat respectable clan. They could make for good allies, and even better, good friends.

It was so that Calico and his wife [member="Zandra Fenni"] awaited on the edge of Keldabe. He was dressed in his lighter infiltrator kit this evening--Katarn armor would have drawn unwanted attention, it was a sure sign of Clan Tal'verda-- and held his helmet under his arm.

He set his weight back against the engine of the the speeder they had procured a week or so earlier, and scratched at his thin beard. "I hope they show..."

 

[J3C0]

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

Valerie moved with quick practiced steps that told of a warriors stance. Her body swayed from side to side, the heavy spear in her hand remained still, and her head never shifted from its forward gaze. The confident young woman wore her own custom Beskar'gam, a suit of overlapping iron plates that provided maximum protection, coupled with maximum movement. Emblazoned on her right shoulder was the mark of Clan Vizsla, three deep claw marks that appeared like gashes.

The symbol had connotations that many found unsettling, it was the mark that the Death Watch had born after all.

Valerie didn't seem to mind.

Her forefathers had founded the Death Watch, but long before then they had proven to be strong and honorable warriors. Men and women who had fought on the side of the Mandalorians for centuries, and had fought for what was best for their people for an equal amount of time. Valerie was unquestioningly loyal to her people, she wanted what was best for the Mandalorians, what was best for her Clan.

That was how it was, that was how it would always be. If someone questioned that commitment, they would be met with a hard right hook to the face. Rounding a corner, Valerie came upon the two people that she was supposed to meet.

Her HUD identified them immediately, and behind her helmet she smiled.

This was one of the first steps, one of the first big pushes that she and Bestala would be taking. Clan Vizsla was small right now, they had no real power to speak of, but through alliances forged in blood, they would grow.

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Zandra herself knew... practically nothing about her husbands culture. She knew bits and pieces about his past. Where he came from, what kinda political drama he had to deal with, all that boring jazz. But she was Echani, would always be Echani, even if she was the Galaxys worst one ever. Sure, she could marry a Mando, live with him, raise his child, but his culture would always be confusing to her.

The woman stood by, back leaning on the speeder as well, arms crossed in front of her chest. Zandra wore no armor at all. It just wasn't done. The less she had to hold her down, the better. She liked feeling light. That was a good excuse for dressing like a street walker, at least. Even after having a kid, her sense of style never changed. Silver bralette, white shorts, torn neon green stockings and boots. Of course, she never went anywhere without Calico's oversized trench coat that she'd 'borrowed' ages ago. He never asked for it back. She never offered to give it back.

"If they don't show," she grumbled, shaking her white hair away from her face, "you're cookin' dinner tonight."

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

"Looks like you're cooking, cyar'ika." Cal joked, tilting his head toward the approaching figure. He recognized the insignia of Clan Vizla anywhere. They had been infamous during the Clone Wars, though he truly did not know their current situation as of late.

It seemed they might have been in decline.

"Su cuy burc'ya, gar Vizsla?" He asked in greeting. He cracked a slight smile at the woman, more than used to speaking to individuals with anonymous faces. If anything, he was a bit odd for not wearing a helmet. Zandra herself stood out here in Keldabe--almost everyone wore beskar in one form or another. Casual clothes were the oddity here.

Quietly, Cal turned to his wife. "I asked if she was Vizsla." He explained, motioning with one hand toward the young woman. The Chieftain of Clan Tal'verda pushed off the back of the speeder and offered his right hand.

"I'm Calico Tal'verda." He motioned toward Zandra. "This is my wife Zandra. It's good to meet you."

[member="Valerie Vizsla"] [member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[J3C0]

[member="Calico Tal'verda"] [member="Zandra Fenni"]

“Valerie Vizsla.” She said as she slowly came to a stop directly in front of the man and woman. The butt of her spear impacted against the ground causing a slight crack in the pavement, though she did not mean it as a method of intimidation or anything of the like, the weapon was simply rather heavy and it was quite a bother to carry it around all the time.

The front of her helmet snapped open, two metal plates folding to the side to reveal a youthful face, long scar running down her cheek.

“A pleasure to meet the both of you.” There was a hint of a smile on her face as she said those words, and it was the truth. This was a profitable relationship between two clans, or it could become one. There were always alliances and blood feuds within the Mandalorian clans, always. The Mand'alor could stop them of course, but bad blood remained sometimes. “Before we begin, I must know you understand, associating with us may bring backlash.”

The Vizsla's due to their ancient reputation were not well liked.

Though they were different now, rumor still clung.

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Ah. That language that Zandra didn't understand. She was trying to learn. Seriously trying. But language was just not something she'd been able to pick up. Accents on the other hand were easy to fake.
She looked from one mando to the other, feeling every bit the outcast here. It felt a bit like waking straight into a nest of flesh eating insects. Still, cal gave her a translation. Thank the stars for that.

As the woman introduced herself, gave her warning, Zandra pulled a cigara out of her jacket pocket, lit up and stuck the blunt tip in her mouth.

"Yeah, I think we kinda expected that, " she mumbled through the smoke.


[member="Valerie Vizsla"] [member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

Cal lifted his shoulders in a slight shrug. Reputation had long since ceased to be something he cared about. Reputation had not saved Galaar over Drunkenwell. Reputation hadn't stopped Bluejay from coming at him with a knife outside his own home. It wasn't worth much these days, and that lesson had come with a rather hefty price to learn. Straightening up, he tilted his head in a slight nod.

The Mandalorians had turned the Dreadguard away some time ago due to the last Mandalore's opinions on clones. Opinions revolving around the subject that clones were not people, and could not become Mandalorians because of such. Azrael was different, people were equal again, and the Vizsla's had a bit of Calico's sympathy. They, like his clones, deserved a second chance.

"When you regain your place of honor, we won't like so bad, Miss Valerie." He pointed out as Zandra lit up. He made a point to lean away from the smoke--the stuff made him sick. "My clan understands your position. We found ourselves in a similar one under the last Mandalore, but times change."

He shoved his hands into the pockets of his outer coat, and began to tap habitually on his leg plate. It made a distinct thud with each tap, a motion that had driven more than a few young men and women under his jurisdiction insane. "I want our people united again. We can't afford to hold onto old grudges with the Jedi and the Sith running around unchecked. They're going to turn their attention on us, eventually." He paused for a moment, dark brown eyes fixating on her spear. "Mmm...someone in town put that piece together?"


[member="Zandra Fenni"] [member="Valerie Vizsla"]

 

[J3C0]

[member="Calico Tal'verda"] [member="Zandra Fenni"]

Valerie nodded.

So they were of a like mind. She noted that he had said Sith and Jedi. That was an important distinction to her. There were those that would side with the Jedi, those that would fight the Sith brazenly when the Jedi were weakened, when there were a dozen other factions filled with Force users that thought themselves better all around the Mandalorian Empire.

Priorities were important.

Apparently Calico knew this.

“I did.” She said with a bit of a satisfied smirk. “I forge most of the weapons and armor for Clan Vizsla.”

There was pride within her tone, pride that came with working with ones hands. Valerie would tell more if Calico asked, though she didn't really see the need for such. Instead she decided to move business right along. “For now, we operate mostly within the outer reaches of the Empire. We've been conducting mercenary work in the Tingle arm. Our next step is setting up a base of operations within the Empire, a home.”

She didn't mention whether it would be on Mandalore, or somewhere closer to the action.

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

The mention of the weapon in the other womans hand caught Zandras full attention. It was a sick weapon for sure. Her bright grey eyes scanned the spear. She made that? Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed her new husband leaning away from her. Feth. She forgot he hated that. Quickly she threw the smoking cig on the ground after taking a long drag, and stepped with her boot to put it out. There.

"Made that yerself, eh? Impressive. Couldn't put something like that together for me, could ya?"

Never hurt to ask.

[member="Valerie Vizsla"] [member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

Smiths who could work beskar were a rare commodity as of late. A bit ironic considering the Mandalorians' rise to prominence in recent years, but true nonetheless. Too many of the younger Mandos were obsessed with glory, and gave the art of warfare the entirety of their focus. While it was a respectable path for any Mandalorian to walk, the capacity of one being to kill another was not the only skill the Mando'ade had need of.

Beskarsmiths happened to be one of the rare commodities the culture needed.

Cal bowed his head in a show of respect toward the young woman--he had attempted to master the art, and failed miserably. He simply lacked the dexterity and the attention to detail that it needed. Premature aging had dulled those traits long ago.

"Tal'verda is positioned mostly in Protectorate space. Abregado-Rae to be precise. We're on good terms with the being in charge there." The droid rather than being, but that didn't need to be pointed out. "Some of our younger lads are against the Mandalorian Empire...I am myself, honestly."

The former Grand Marshal reached over, and draped an arm over Zandra's shoulder. No one knew concretely that she was Echani, though they might guess as such. Relations between the two warrior cultures were famously bloody, and she would likely be ostracized by the majority in people in Keldabe if they knew what she was. An open sign of affection from a known Mando would clear any thoughts that she might be Echani--no Mandalorian worth his salt would touch an Echani woman.

None other than Calico, anyway. "But we understand the need for it now. As much as I'd like to return to the old ways, we need to be stalwart. Maybe once the bathrobe brigade is put down, we can go back to our roots." He paused for a fraction of a moment, and flashed a warm smile toward the relative stranger."Skirata is gone, and with him a good bit of the corruption that drove my clan out."

His gaze flickered over to the spear for a moment. Whatever question he might have been readying to ask about it was replaced by further inquiries about the Vizslas. "The Vizlas deserve their second chance as well. I can personally assist up with your endeavors, along with some of my warriors. We'll only require a few credits to feed the boys."

"And it is a damned nice spear."




[member="Zandra Fenni"] [member="Valerie Vizsla"]

 

[J3C0]

Valerie paid close attention to the man and the woman, she smiled when the woman asked, though it quickly disappeared when Calico kept on speaking about future plans.

Against the Mandalorian Empire?

She supposed he meant against the past Mand'alor, a man that Valerie herself held no love lost for, even if she felt the same about the current one. A frown settled on her face as the thought, and eventually she nodded slightly as Calico finished. He made sense, an alliance between the two clans, all Valerie needed to do was provide the credits for food. This was something the clan could do, they had major income from several different worlds outside of Mandalorian space. Mercenary contracts mostly, or payments from investments.

“I will have to speak with my sister.” Bestala would no doubt agree almost immediately, she left most of the politics and leadership to Valerie. “Clan Falkosi and Rodarch are set to back us as well. I'm confident with Tal'Verda by our side, our four clans ca become a driving force.”

That was all she wanted, to have an impact, and it seemed that Calico and his clan wanted the same. To guide their people safely.

Suddenly she remembered. “It's possible! But will take time. I don't like making shoddy weapons.”

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

The Echani was having a hard time staying interested in this conversation. Something about the last big head mando, or something. They both hated that guy. Okay. She could kind of follow this. Kinda.
She leaned against Cal, curious about his sudden display of affection. That wasn't like him. Still, she wasn't complaining too much. She was his... wife. Sweet Stars! That would take some getting used to. In any case, why shouldn't she get a little public affection? It was nice.

"Well! That's mighty kind of ya," she replied with a grin, "I think we'll be fast friends, you n' I."

[member="Calico Tal'verda"] [member="Valerie Vizsla"]

 

[Revenchent]

This was good. With the Vizslas, Tal'verda would have its foot in the door. When the Vizslas found themselves uplifted into power once more, they would remember who had offered assistance during the hard times. Calico had no issue with their return to prominence--the Vizslas had been a respectable clan in the past. Perhaps they would help to drive the Mandalorians toward a worthy goal: preferably one involving the eradication of the Jedi and Sith Orders.

"I'll tell my boys to be ready to mobilize. All you need to do is shoot me a message." He reached down for his helmet, and slipped it on over his head with one hand. The familiar HUD set him at ease. Walking about without it left him vulnerable--time fighting the bathrobe brigade had taught him such.

"Tal'verda will eagerly assist you in your endeavors, Valerie." The rest of the clan would follow him without much opposition. The civil war over Drunkenwell had resulted in the deaths of all those against Calico's rule, and though the thought was a tyrannical one, the Chieftain was grateful for their loyalty. "I intend to move the clan closer to Mandalorian space, eventually. Should make things easier--if you're keen on making something for Zandra, I can pay you."

[member="Zandra Fenni"] [member="Valerie Vizsla"]

 

[J3C0]

[member="Calico Tal'verda"] [member="Zandra Fenni"]

Valerie shook her head.

“That won't be necessary, consider it a gift...just don't expect it tomorrow.” Crafting took time, crafting weapons took even more time, for her at least. She was at heart and armorer, making beskar'gam and other armors was what she was best at, making weapons was a side project. The Spear she held had taken her weeks and dozens of tries to complete, and even know Valerie could see and feel its imperfections.

Something she wasn't really pleased with.

Still, nothing said she couldn't try for this woman. It was a way to build trust and friendship, plus it would give her some more work with weapons, which she needed to do anyway. With a smile she looked away from Calico and turned to his wife. “What were you thinking?”

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Imperfections? Zandra saw none of it. The weapon looked smooth as the finest shimmersilk to her untrained eyes. But truth was, Zandra wasn't much of a weapons gal. When she fought, she liked to fight with her flesh. None of that shooting from a distance nonsense for her. She wanted to get in there, really meet her enemy, get to know them, in a sense.
Still, that didn't mean she didn't use weapons ever.

"I've had training with a blade," she answered, "I prefer something light, something that won't slow me down at all. Small too. Easily stored. Other than that, I ain't too picky."
The woman shrugged.

"Thanks for this. Awfully kind of ya."

[member="Valerie Vizsla"] [member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

Cal wasn't entirely sure as to the Vizslas plans. He sincerely hoped they were true to their word; working to better the Mando'ade as a whole rather than themselves. Still, he maintained some private doubt as to their desire to help--until Valerie agreed to craft Zandra a blade.

He had worried that Zandra would feel like an outcast in Mandalorian territory. Anyone who showed her kindness here would find themselves on Calico's good side, and Valerie had done just that. He bowed his head in thanks.

"I can make hot cakes. Not much of a smith, I'm afraid." He threw Valerie a lopsided grin, though it was hidden by his visor, and have Zandra a gentle squeeze.

"The next time you bring your allies together, don't hesitate to call us. I'd like to meet who we'll be working with." He paused abruptly, his lips pursed in what might have been a dumbfounded expression. Was it smart to mention their son?

"What do your people number now? I've heard the Vizslas had lost a large amount of your people...if that's the truth, then I'm deeply sorry."


[member="Zandra Fenni"]

[member="Valerie Vizsla"]

 

[J3C0]

[member="Calico Tal'verda"] [member="Zandra Fenni"]
(Give me a bit of time, I’ll do a factory sub )
Valerie took on a grim expression.

“Two years ago our clan was slaughtered. My Sister Bestala and I were the only ones that remained. We've grown since then, but we number only thirteen.” She looked slightly hurt, but she knew that each of those thirteen men and women were the absolute best of the best. She loved each of them dearly, and to her they were like blood.

That was Mandalorian culture of course, but Valerie took it to heart.

Technically speaking she was the only blooded Vizsla, the only one of them connected to the ancient names like Pre and Shae Vizsla. The only one that was truly connected to the family. That didn't matter though, not in their culture, not to Valerie.

 

[Revenchent]

In that moment, Calico felt an unspoken kinship with the girl. It sounded too familiar, too coincidental. Clearly, their meeting was meant to be.

Girl. Not woman, girl. Shab I'm getting old.

"Their memory lives on." He stated with a bit of pride. Cal had learned not to dwell on the painful memories. "Tal'verda met with a similar fate in the past. Our clan was wiped out by the Jedi Order shortly before the Jedi purge. A handful of survivors in stasis survived up until recent times." There was a short pause. "We've only just returned to prominence."

There was another pause. Cal would need to decide where to commit to. The Protectorate had given them a generous offer, but fully allying with the Vizslas and the Mandalorians as a whole just felt...right.

"I have something more we can offer." He blurted out. "The old flagship of the Liberty Convord, and my personal destroyer when I lead the Confederate military...the Ge'hutuun. A San-Hill Star Destroyer. It's suitable for living, and combat ready."

Hopefully, Zandra wouldn't disapprove of his increased support. "The Vizslas are welcome aboard, if you like."


[member="Zandra Fenni"]

[member="Valerie Vizsla"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Zandra couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at her husbands offer. Generous. What was he playing at? Did that mean the Protectorate were out of the picture now? She'd have to talk to him later. Work on a strategy here. Were they criminals? Were they mercenaries? Were they working to rebuild his clan? Zandra... wasn't so sure his clan would accept her.

Then it hit. They weren't expected to accept Zandra the Echani. They would accept Zandra the human, though. None of them would know. He wouldn't tell them. It would be secret. True that her heritage was almost nothing to her now, but still... Her own husband was ashamed of what she was? Nah. That couldn't be it. She had faith in Cal. But what then? Afraid the rest of them wouldn't accept her? Afraid she might soil his reputation?
She was over thinking things.

She narrowed her eyes. Fine. Well, from the sounds of it, at least they'd be based in space mostly. Zandra could forgive just about anything if it meant she could travel the stars again. She could be Zandra the super blonde human woman... in space.

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[J3C0]

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

Valerie visibly brightened at the offer, but not because she wanted to take it. She knew that the man was genuine, that he intended to go into this partnership with everything he had, much like Valerie did. The young woman shook her head however.

“My thanks for the offer, but Vizsla has plans.” She didn't like ships, she wasn't good at them.

Bestala was a strategist. She could take a fleet and batter anyone to the ground, she could take an army and smash the opposition. Valerie? She was only good at kicking over castles. Siege craft was her specialty. Any Fortress, any fortification, Valerie could tear it down. That was what she did best, that was what she had always done best.

“We have a plan.” Her voice was confident. “The first step is building a fortress.”

Location was key, both she and Bestala knew that. The Vizsla's new home would be located outside the Empire, meant to expand the borders even further. From there, it would all begin.