Blood, Iron, and Turkey Sandwiches

[Ezekiel Dashiell]

Gromas 16
Arceneau Trade Company | Extractives HQ's

---

"We are at peak extraction levels." the tall, bulky Nikto by the name of Buba Nug would growl out to the tall woman beside him. He was detailing the current status of the active phrik mine upon Gromas 16, where Mohc Extractives and Arceneau Trade were present in.

"Better than expected. The Mandalorian Clans will have a higher percentage of tribute for this quarter's phrik shipment." The cerulean glow would reflect upon the four sapients standing around the holoarray, one of which was Taneith Vizsla. The mocha skinned woman was the Mandalorian Clans representative and was the woman in charge of this particular sector.

As the direct contact for the United Mandalorians, Taneith, of Clan Vizsla, served to mediate any purchases or mining on Gromas 16. It was only on Gromas 16 though. Mandal Hypernautics and MandalTech also owned various phrik mines scattered across the several dozen asteroids of different sizes in the Gromas Sector. All around them, the sound of the industrial mining machines gave a soft hum as they continued to mine the precious ore.

"Good," the woman of Clan Vizsla said, taking a step back. "Ensure that it is processed for collection. The Mand'alor will arrive soon." A curt nod was given to Taneith, and the Nyriaanan matched it with one of her own. Spinning on the ball of her boot, the woman pulled out her datapad. Dark brown eyes ran over the manifest. If there was anything else her Mand'alor and Clansman required, Taneith would be the one to ensure he got it.

 

[Ra Vizsla]

G R O M A S 1 6

[member="Taneith Vizsla"]

The fur of the wolf was such an out-of-place thing to see among the stars as the Mand'alor and his troupe of Protectors made their way through the hallway of the station, headed towards Taneith and her subordinates. However, it wasn't very often that Ra parted with his ornaments - it was one of his many hallmarks. Many knew when they saw the fur cloak of the Wolf, Ra or one of his lieutenants were near. It seems this current generation of the Mandalorian Clans took a strong liking to wolves.

Ra made his way into the main chamber of the complex, opening his arms wide in welcome.

"Ah, vod Taneith. It's been too long."

Ra barely remembered her face. Not because it had actually been too long, that was a farce.

He was just bad with faces.

"How are the numbers this quarter?"

 

[Ezekiel Dashiell]

[member="Ra Vizsla"]

"Su'cuy, Vod," Taneith gave [member="Ra Vizsla"] a broad grin, a wide flash of pearly white teeth against her dusky skin. This was the Ra Vizsla she was more accustomed to seeing; the one without adornments or the furs. They are vod before he became Mand'alor, and while the weight of all of Mandalore was now born on his shoulders and she gave him all due respect, he was still her vod regardless.

As he neared, Taneith strode over to the Vizsla, genuine warmth in her eyes at seeing him again.

"Near double last quarter's production, " she told him, slipping her datapad out of the way to be able to clasp his hand and forearm in greeting. The contrast in height would be amusing for anyone spotting the two. At just over 1.651 meters, Taneith was almost a full head and a half shorter than the Mand'alor.

"I have them moving to move the phirk bars in crates, but I can take you to inspect them." she offered. The noise of the mines around them was a low hum, the machines working the great cog that maintained the production of phrikite ore ongoing.

Her eyes gave a slight twinkle.

"And I've a few turkey sandwiches if you are hungry."

 

[Ra Vizsla]

[member="Taneith Vizsla"]

Ra let go of her forearm and turned to greet the others in the area. Ra was many things - some even equated him to a tyrant. But those were people that didn't understand the Mando'ade, that didn't understand their culture. He wasn't a tyrant, far from it. The Iron Wolf was the closest thing they had to a democratically elected president. With the exception of a few blood duels here and there, that's practically what he was. And his favor among people, his favor among his brothers - that was where Ra struck truest. The title didn't go to his head. Instead, he brought it to heel.

And reminded those around him what they fought for in the Core.

"Brother, sister, brother," Ra made his way down the line, and then turned back to Taneith.

"I would love a sandwhich," Ra said, taking one off of the plate and carrying it with him as they were ushered towards the the mining facility's storage area. "And yes, I would love to see it all."

Nearly double?

Ra wondered what was the cause of the increase. He wasn't very privy to mining operaitons.

 

[Ezekiel Dashiell]

[member="Ra Vizsla"]

A new advancement in mining machinery created by Browncoat Arms was the reason for the increase in production. Tied to that were the agile type business processes to ensure efficient and effective use of their manpower and drilling techniques.

A nod and Taneith spun on the pad of her boot. Guiding Ra, she gestured for him to walk with her. The facility was not the largest one within the Gromas Asteroid belt, but it was the oldest. Several improvements had been made since Mohc Extractives first set their base here.

Having caught the faint expression of intrigue when she mentioned the production of the Phrikite ore, Taneith elaborated on the reason behind it.

"Browncoat Arms, Arceneau Trade's Industrial division created a prototype mining drill and machinery that allows a faster collection of the ore." she would say, the pair passing through the wide doors that led them into the facility. A large portion of the security were Mandalorians themselves. Some from Clan Vizsla, others from Shriek Hawk Mercenary Company, which ran under Clan Skirata.

They came across a grate metal balcony that would oversee the refining forges below.

"Along with that, we are using chemical extraction from the smaller piles of debris... powder really, in order to catch more of the ore and melt it down to mix with the Tydirium." the latter was the metal ore required to produce Phrikite.

 

[Ra Vizsla]

[member="Taneith Vizsla"]

"Interesting," Ra said, walking into the holding facility and taking in the masses of phrikite bars being stored. Surely, an enormous sum of money was being sourced into this production. Browncoat Arms and the Arceneau Trade Company were rather larger corporations, after all, corporations that only sought money, trade and influence. In the Clans, they possessed plenty of all three. Ra respected the company's neutrality towards political standings between the factions. Just another money sucking machine in the cosmos that didn't care about how many lives were destroyed on their way towards their greed.

Regardless of motive, the purpose suited the Mandalorians all the same. And Ra couldn't say no to this much phrikite.

"It's a beautiful thing, to see such... idealism behind machinery, such industrial minds being put to work to result in...."

He gestured forward with his turkey sandwich.

"...this."

He took a bite, wiping the crumbs from the corner of his mouth.

 

[Ezekiel Dashiell]

[member="Ra Vizsla"]

A short chuckle shook the Vizsla's shoulders.

"It is... it certainly bodes well for all Mandalorians." mirth shone in her eyes. "But perhaps not as much as a tasty sandwich."

"Simple pleasures, Vod. " Taneith managed to grin out at the man, her head tipping back to regard him eating his sandwich and gesturing towards the facility.

"Simple pleasures." a nod, and she pulled out a datapad. She'll grab her own sandwich in a moment. From here they would take the stairs down towards the actual warehouse. The sounds of industry and of the production line would increase as Taneith led the way. This facility never shut down. It was serviced by three shifts, with the bulk of the labor living in the nearby station that provided residences.

"A few of our Vod have taken advantage and come to secure extra Phrikite, along with other materials for their Beskar'gam." with the new textiles Browncoat was producing, many have become items of note for purchase.

 

[Ra Vizsla]

[member="Taneith Vizsla"]

"Simple pleasures," Ra repeated, leaning on the handrail before they would head down the stairs, overviewing the entire progress of the factory.

He took another bite of his sandwich.

"Say, do you think we could stop and get some jawa juice on the way do-"

The railing broke, collapsing underneath the goliath's weight. "Oh ka-" Was the last thing heard as the elder Vizsla fell off the side of the platform, descending down into the depths of the Factory.

OSHA would have something to say about the safety of Browncoat's industrial standards as Ra would find himself on a conveyor belt, moving through the factory as he became just another load of phrik ore to be smelted.

 

[Ezekiel Dashiell]

[member="Ra Vizsla"]

A curse went ripping from Taenith's mouth, her hands curling around the left over the railing to peer down. The dark slashes of her brow drew forward, the sight that beheld her eliciting a heightened sense of awareness.

There the Mand'alor was, sprawled on the conveyor belt, the hiss of steam and rumble of the machinery leading him closer towards the smelters.

Her head shot up, tracing up the path that he would take. They had less than a minute before Ra became a smothered Ra with Turkey. Sans Jawa Juice.

"SHUT IT DOWN!" she shouted out towards her nearest Vod, two Mandalorians from Shriek Hawk running towards her at the cry of alarm.

A nod and a swift turn of retreating feet pounded the deck, moving to enact the security response they'd all trained in.

Klaxons roared overhead, and the Vizsla shot her dark gaze back down. Without further ado, the woman boldly shot out, jumping from the ramp down towards the conveyor belt below.

She landed with a heavy grunt, crouching down low as pain shot up her legs and back. The conveyor belt was still moving, and there was little time to wait. Struggling up to her feet, Taneith raced to catch up to where Ra lay... hopefully with his sandwich still intact.

And his body of course.

 

[Ra Vizsla]

[member="Taneith Vizsla"]

Machinery attacked Ra. Well, it didn't really attack him. It was just doing its job. But the man was under full fledged assault by machinery that was trying to smelt ore and package it. Hot sparks flew throughout the conveyor belt as mechanical arms flung to and fro.

Ra dodged, spinning in a whimsical circle. It almost looked like he was dancing.

The Iron Wolf dropped down to do a split as a mechanical arm swung through the conveyor belt's path. He winced, hard, sweat dripping down his brow.

His eyes shot off to the side for split second and hastily met one of the technician's trying to shut down the machine.

The technician mouthed the words "JUMP OFF THE BELT"

Ra mouthed back the words "I CAN'T READ LIPS"

Another arm swung, this time with molten lava.

Ra rolled backwards, holding his sandwich high in the air and did a little jig. A thud landed behind him.

Taneith had joined him.

 

[Ezekiel Dashiell]

[member="Ra Vizsla"]

"Haar'chak!" Taneith cursed, jutting to the right and then the left, avoiding the robotic arms that would move and swing over the conveyor belt. At her feet were the shuddering bits and pieces of Phrikite ore, shaking and moving as it continued along.

"Jump off, Vod!" she shouted out at Ra. The roar of the machines was near deafening here, and if he heard her, then here's hoping he would do exactly that -- jump off.

Boots were a bit unsteady as she darted forward, crossing the distance, ducking to avoid another swing of a robotic arm.

"JUMP OFF!" she gestured, motioning towards the metal grate floor at his left. That smelter was getting awfully close.

A few more seconds and the shut off procedures would be initiated.

 

[Ra Vizsla]

[member="Taneith Vizsla"]

Either Ra couldn't hear her through the noise of the Factory or he couldn't hear her through the his own thick plated skull, either way, the man wasn't jumping off.

It was like a ballet, almost. The goliath of a man was moving like a summer's breeze through these industrial instruments in a way that would inspire [member="Funky Balor"] to write a ballad. Everything Ra did, he did to inspire his people. Floating like a butterfly on this conveyor belt could move millions, in their hearts, in their souls. Only with the inspiration of Mandalore herself did the Iron Wolf continue to dance his way through the dangers inherited from being seconds away from packaged and sent off for the lowest bid.

Except, this wasn't really inspiring. This was just ludicrous.

A sledge hammer came down, meaning to impact phrik ore to compact it.

Instead, it knocked the turkey sandwich out of Ra's hands.

Damn!

Ra scrambled for the sandwich.

The technician across the floor continued to work to shut the machine down, shaking his head in disbelief.

 

[Ezekiel Dashiell]

[member="Ra Vizsla"]

It was a chaotic event of comedic proportions. The sandwich went skittering on the conveyer belt. One lettuce leaf managed to fly out, struggling to maintain its crispiness amidst the turmoil that awaited. A tomato slice was precariously close to joining the lettuce, half hanging onto the folds of the crisp bread, the slices of turkey clinging to the bright red fruit as if for dear life.

Another hammer came crashing down in front of Taneith, causing her to skid to a stop and jump back to avoid it. The shutdown sequence was initiated, and already, one could see that the machines were starting to slow.

Didn't mean they were out of danger just yet.

"JUMP OFF!" Taneith shouted, only to shake her head in frustration. When the hammer rose, the Nyriaanan shot herself forward. Powerful legs pistoned, and just as another hammer was about to slid down upon Ra, the woman used every ounce of strength to try and shove the Mand'alor out of the way.

Hopefully, the sandwich would also be saved, the hiss of slowing droid arms and heavy machinery coming to a slow stop.

 

[Ra Vizsla]

[member="Taneith Vizsla"]

Time slowed.

Sparks flew.

Molten phrik poured.

Ra was in the middle of the air, being launched off the belt by Taneith Vizlsa.

She was slo-mo screaming "JUUUUUUMMMMPPP OOFFFFFF".

The Iron Wolf's mouth was equally open in surprise and awe.

His hand outreaching towards the conveyor belt as he was being pushed away.

His green eyes were fixated on the belt as his body flew through the air.

The sandwich.

It glowed beautifully in the orange and golden light of the Forge.

It shimmered under the yellow light of the molten phrik.

His fingers barely grazed it.

The technician across the floor was covering his eyes.

Shaking his head, silently judging the situation, unable to look.

"NOOOOOOOOO" Ra slo-mo mouthed, silently.

And then time sped up.

The two Vizsla's tumbled away from the conveyor belt in a violent display.​

​

Ra sat up.​

​

The turkey sandwich was in his hand.​

​

His eyes lit up, and he took a bite.​

 

[Ezekiel Dashiell]

[member="Ra Vizsla"]

The slow grid of the phrikite conveyor belt came to a halt. For a moment, all eyes from their brethren stared down at the two Vizslas. After a moment, Taneith came up, a groan at having to tackle the Mand'alor. Parts of her protested, but she was well used getting into scuffs.

Swiveling her head over to Ra, she was presented with the victorious glow of a man eating his sandwich. He had managed to save it from the smelter. The small things, but with their lifestyle, it was the small things that made things bright in a time of war.

Taneith's laughter managed to echo through the factory, shaking her head at her Mand'alor. Other voices and bursts of laughter joined, all in good humor.

Easing to her feet, Taneith gave a shake of her head. Eyes bright, she held out her hand to Ra.

"Juma juice, right?" she asked. Down through the production facility, workers were checking to make sure the machines were alright. Notthing was out of place, and all the phrik bars would have been set in their cargo containers.

 

[Ra Vizsla]

[member="Taneith Vizsla"]

"Shaken, not stirred, please."

Ra began stepping to his feet, taking Taneith's hand. Not that he needed it. He was like three of her. It was a kind gesture, though. Ra was getting rather old for his species, his bones creaking under his massive stature.

The Mand'alor looked over at the Factory workers who were laughing at his misfortune and gave them a thumbs up, smiling to himself.

Sometimes, even in the most dire times, a little hilarity was needed.

Even if that meant the almost death of a Mand'alor.

Ra bit into his sandwich again.