Footprints in the Sand

[Arla Ordo]

The sand dunes of Ordo rivers of golden grains covered everything except the few oasis found at the equator. Arla sat just outside the first of the completed biodomes. During all the weeks she had been here working on making Ordo habitable for the clans, and to reestablish their presence she tried to figure out why she kept having doubts about herself, and her abilities.

Rianna had made sure they had a RMSU on hand for any kind of injuries and she was certain she would keep it up and maintain it until they could reach the water source below the surface.

Right now the Alderaan Royal Engineers were working on installing a geothermal generator that would use the planet Ordo to heat or cool the biodomes.

Insides the Ithorians were working with them to create fields where they could farm, and create a food supply for the clan. Course the Ithorians didn't come cheap, they requested to build biodomes to cultivate bacta or kolto. They were the subject matter experts when it came to agriculture.

Ithor was under the care of the Mandalorians and while the Ithorians were traditionally isolationists they saw an opportunity to provide technology, and maybe in time be rid of the Mandalorian presence on Ithor.

There were two more biodomes to be built that would allow the Clans to build homes and be protected from the burning heat of Ordo, and yet the oasis would remain untouched, perhaps even sacred since it was a natural wonder of Ordo.

The Alderaan Engineers would also help to build wells to the water source beneath the surface. Perhaps in time they could change the face of Ordo, but right now getting water to the biodomes was the first order of business.

As Alor she was accountable for the care of the clan. The desert heat and sand reminded her too much of Tatooine, at night she sat staring at the sands waiting for a Hutt hunting party to crest a dune and begin killing everyone and drag her back to the Cantina, and take Avrum from her.
Avrum, he was so smart such a pleasure to have. He was part of her sanity. She loved him with all that she had, the reward that she had earned during the battle with the Omega was being fashioned into a trinket for him.

There were days she was lonely and in need of adult companionship, adult conversation even. Avrum for as smart as he was, he was still just a child.

She had no contact with his father, and the father had no presence in Avrum's life. He wouldn't know the boy if he fell over him. No one ever asked about it, and she felt no reason to explain, only to tell those that she was around a lot that he was her son. Most just assumed he was adopted, and she wouldn't correct them it didn't matter among the mando'ade family was family whether adopted or biological.

Arla knew that across Ordo there were ruins some hidden beneath the sand, others stood hollow, abandoned arcing to the sky as silent sentinels reminding visitors of a time long ago.

One of those cities was where she was headed today. She wondered if she would find evidence that Canderous Ordo had lived there. She laughed lightly to herself, she had told [member="Cole Dagos"] his name was Cancerous Ordo.

 

[Arla Ordo]

A shipment was arriving from MandalTech, her buir [member="Ordo"] was sending them some Basilisk War Droids, and a supply of the force pikes she requested. Another vision she had for the Clan and the planet, the desert sands would serve as a training grounds. So much vision she had to supporting her Clan and making them greater warriors than they already were.

She had studied with [member="Anija Betna"] for a bit as an engineer, and learned some techniques from [member="Azrael"] that helped her along in supporting those around her. Then add in all that [member="Arrbi Betna"] had taught her about weapons, and what her buir Ordo taught her about farming and she had the tools she needed.

She had mined the beskar herself in the mines of Mandalore for her armor, she had tanned and treated the hides that made her boots and gloves, and she always wore the talisman that @naimes andross had given her when he claimed her as his little sister. The talisman influenced her courage, and gave her greater focus. [member="Verz Horak"] had given her courage to move forward and know that she was never alone.

She sighed this conversation she had in her head about what to do, who to call, and what else could they use to have a home.

Food, water, shelter the essentials, but as Mandalorians they needed to keep their skills honed, and they needed to have credits to buy and support the essentials.

That meant bounty hunting, raiding and selling, salvaging, and trading. She had an idea that in the ruins they could do some salvaging, repurposing, and things to sell.

So they needed transportation to the ruins, and a way to protect what they found.

Arla sighed a bit too heavy, Avrum looked up his eyes settled quickly on Arla questioning without words if everything was alright. She smiled, "it's fine, buir is just..thinking" He smiled getting up to come and sit by her laying his head on her arm. Unconditional love flowed between them.
"Tomorrow I have to leave you here with Cate while I scout out the ruins."

Avrum's eyes filled with tears immediately he hated her leaving him all the time. He wanted to be with her and she always seemed to be running off. Arla pulled him into her arms hugging him tightly as she pressed her lips to his forehead, "we'll have breakfast then I'll go. If you are good for Cate, I'll take you the next day with me."

That promise seemed to placate him, easing his fears, at least for a little while.

 

[Arla Ordo]

Morning came and breakfast with a bright eyed blonde haired boy who wanted to delay her as often as he could with smiles, and looks of longing to go with her almost made her not go. But it was important that they do go.

Within the hour as the sun slowly crept over the horizon Arla found herself heading off. Her green eyes scanned ahead watching for signs of life, signs of movement, she had a hard time believing that the planet was bereft of life. The steady winds across the sands erased any evidence that someone had been there, or anything had walked, slithered, or crawled upon the millions of grains. Perhaps now was the time to go into the hourglass business with so much sand, a thought for later.

Ahead the remnants of the city loomed up to kiss the sky, it did not look very big from where she was but it could be deceiving. The sands of time could have washed over all of it hidden it from sight, or it could be all that was left. She did not know, and that was why she was here now. She wanted to know, needed to know to ensure her people were safe.

The transport was glided down to rest just outside of the ruins, Arla without her armor carried her pistol in the holster which hung low on her hip. As she started past the first remnant of the city she felt dwarfed by it, much taller than she thought and the winds had kept the signs of age from building but weather worn and growing smooth on the edges the evidence of time having passed.

She reached back scratching her head, long fingers rakes through the long red tresses, "ok...let's...look around" The few with her began to spread out. Arla wondered how big had this place been? How much lay beneath their feet? A bigger question...why was it left abandoned.