Jurassic Chaos | Mandalorian Empire Dominion Of Myrkr

[Ra Vizsla]

Ra ran his hand through the tall grass, looking upon the jungle.

The Empire was here surveying restoring the potential of restoring the Mandalorian hold over this planet. Ra didn't wish to overreach his people's grasp - he was rather conservative in holding together the territories of Mandalore, and didn't wish to spread them too thin. However, this planet was special.

It was the only known natural habitat of the Ysalamiri, a favored pet of the Mand'alor.

"Tell me," he turned to the others that had joined him.

"Tell me of....the secrets of this world."​

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The Caverns Below​

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Horns rang out through the massive cave systems of Myrkr.

The beating of the drums began.


An army was amassing.


A massive carnosaur stood atop a temple mount, deep below the depths of rocky Myrkr, in the unexplored Underworld of Myrkr. A massive, brilliantly blue-skinned humanoid rode atop the beast, raising his spear to his subjects. While his visage was massive and awe-inspiring, savants of history might recognize him as looking slightly akin to the now extinct Taung species.

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"Te pirta Manda'lor olarors!​

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Val olaror par mhi! tengaanar an tal bal taakur!​

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Vi cuyir te ade be te choruk!​

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Laam jii!​

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Laam jii!​

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Teh te chur vi olaror!"​

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It was an ancient dialect of the Mandalorian language, but whatever it translated to, it wasn't very positive sounding. One thing could be clearly translated, however.​

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The Children of the Stone were aware of this new Manda'lor,​

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and would soon be meeting him and his people.​

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Objective: Subjugate the Children of the Stone and integrate them into the Mandalorian Empire...or wipe them out.​

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“Daddy. [member="Preliat Mantis"] I need a new Bubbie...” Yasha pouted and did extra chores for weeks to get her father to understand the necessity for a new family pet. Bubbie had been her beloved friend, her personal dreamcatcher. [member="Aditya Mantis"]’ beloved Vornskyr was a special order, but Vornskyr were from Myrkr, right?

So all Yasha had to do was find a stray Vornskyr puppy and raise it as her own, right?

It was on the way to Myrkr that [member="Baiko no Kaho"] gave Yasha a research project on the planet to which she intended to descend. Jungles, Ysalamiri, Vornskyrs…

Geography and astral history were yawn-worthy for the twelve year old, until she shouted and stuck her finger on the same passage. Thrice. Thankfully, this adventure had her best friend Kaden along for the ride.

“… known as the location of ancient car-no-saurs, gigantic liz-ard apex predato-oh… OOOHH!!! BAIKO!!!! Baiko I want a Carnosaur! Do they still exist!? I could… I could ride a Carnosaur into battle! Like a Besu’liik! Change of plans, I want a vornskyr and a… are those Mando’ade vessels?” Yasha padded over to the viewing bay transparisteel in her tabi socks, kimono shirt and black hakama.

A series of Mando’ade vessels veered past to land on the planet. Yasha grinned. “MANDOS!! [member="Kaden Mantis"], look! Mandos! We’ve gotta go down, hurry, hurry Baiko, hurry! I’ve got to get changed.”

 

[Gilamar Skirata]

Valyr​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Fju9o8BVJ8​

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The beskar bars of his cell slid open as the daybreak bells rang throughout Void Sector. The old man groaned and swung his legs over the edge of his cot and let the chill of the morning run up his body from the permacrete. All around him similar groans and moans echoed in the halls as Beskar'gam clad mercenary guards tossed morning ration packs into the cells. A familiar hand wrapped its fingers around his cell bars. The disgusting hands were formed with flesh bound and bound again to keep shape.

"Morning sunshine." The Gen'dai's head poked its way through the bars, a toothy grin greeting the old man. A fellow prisoner, the Gen'Dai Dark Jedi who fought for the Sith Empire had been captured by Gilamar years ago for the Silver Jedi. A swollen lipped grimace from Gil was all the provocation he needed before the Gen'Dai filled the room with his body and snatched Gil up.

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"Gurrghhrghrgraplgbph!"

"I heard they don't really clean these refeshers, probably want to keep your mouth shut old man." The Gen'dai pulled the sopping wet hair into his fist and lifted the aging Mandalorian's face from the toilet before throwing him into the stone wall. "See you tomorrow, old friend." Gil spat blood onto the floor. His face was a swollen mess, again.

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His hammer struck hot metal, the blow sending a shiver of pain up his wrist. Broken? Probably. He paused and looked to the guard standing in the corner of the workshop. "I think I broke my wrist..."

"Not my problem old man, why don't you just use the Force or whatever to lift the hammer. Oh wait!" Gil grunted at the ill placed joke. Even if there weren't Ysalamiri all around him, he didn't have the Force to begin with. This was the wrong call. "What, you don't think my jokes are funny old man?"

Crrrack

The sound of metal on flesh. Blood spattered on the workbench Gil was standing over. The other inmates paused and then went back to their crafts. "Laugh you steaming pile of-" He paused and sighed. "You know what...no." He picked up the hammer and smashed it against his own chest, leaving a a scratch on his armor. "Prisoner 20-22 is violent and armed! Requesting Prisoner Suppression and extraction."

"Now listen here you karking-" The shock collar around his neck erupted in electrical arcs, sending energy through his body. Gil went limp and fell tot he floor.

It wasn't five minutes before a struggling old man was getting shoved into more water and thrown back into his cell, drenched in sweat, cold water, and his own blood. He shivered underneath his blanket and fell asleep, exhausted, hoping that tomorrow this hell would end.

 

[Kaden Farr]

Kaden was tugging at the collar of the shirt he was being forced to wear. The fashion was not his style at all, and he certainly despised it. Baiko has even forced him to shave the pitiful excuse of a beard he had been trying to grow. Kaden looked more like an Atrisian school boy than he did a warrior of Mandalore.

”I hate it,” he said with enough teenage angst to fill the bridge of the ship. “This is not fitting to the resol’nare and certainly not conducive for fighting. This is Myrkr, and I should be dressed to fight if needed. I am not some soft handed noble boy that needs bodyguards.”

So his complaints didn’t get him anywhere. Baiko didn’t seem to give his opinion and room for consideration. What was she trying to do by making him look Atrisian instead of Mando’ad? His hopes of not being caught were dashed when Yasha mentioned mandos. She didn’t just mention it, she screamed it.

”That’s it, I’m getting out of this thing,” he said as he headed toward his quarters. Kaden wasn’t going to return until he was in his full suit of armor, and carried enough weapons to destroy all of the Netherworld if he was asked to. He didn’t understand how Yasha could embrace this part of who she was. Hopefully she came dressed and ready to fight. Kaden missed the little rekr. His Yasha was underneath all of the prom and proper that Baiko forced on her.

[member="Yasha Mantis"]

 

[Darth Athora]

Kervo sat atop his speeder as it hovered in place. His golden eyes traced the many twists and curves that were his speeder's engine. His ride was a marvel to look at. One he built by hand from scratch. He had always been a bit of a tinker and to think that this was his latest masterpiece. He took pride in his work, especially his speeder. It was like a child to him. A metal and deadly child he rode into battle after battle.

As the Mandalorians started moving out, he placed his helmet onto his head, raising his hood on top of his helmet and began cruising alongside his comrades. Kervo stayed vigilant as he rode atop his speeder, turning his head from side to side to get a full view of the immediate area. The Mando forces were strong in number and their gear. Any disruption from conquering the planet would be met with some serious force.

[member="Ra Vizsla"] | [member="Kaden Mantis"] | [member="Gilamar Skirata"] | [member="Yasha Mantis"]

 

[Not Ordo]

[member="Ra Vizsla"] [member="Yasha Mantis"] [member="Gilamar Skirata"] [member="Kaden Mantis"] [member="Kervo Namadi"]

The small man stood, rifle cradled in the crook of his elbow like a new born, and spat through his teeth at the ground. He could smell the prey on the wind. The world teamed with life and the thought of hot blood oozing between his teeth made him shivver visibly.

He said nothing. He wasn't here to chat and hold hands. He came to hunt, to chase, and to kill. That was the long and short of it. It was balance in its purest form. The strong culled the weak until they were too weak to hunt and then returned to the ground to nourish the plants. Simple, natural, perfect. That's why he followed. Mandalorians were hunters and their game was everything.

He pulled his helmet up and pressed the buy'ce down over his face. Yellow eyes peered out silently from the T-shaped visor and he blinked his HUD active. The talking and standing needed to be over. He needed to be away from these beings. He needed prey and the bigger the better.

 

[Baiko no Kaho]

Baiko answered the ungrateful young man by pulling a concealed blaster pistol out of her sleeve and shooting Yasha in the back. The blaster bolt dissipated on the armour weave fabric and Baiko merely tilted her head to the side.

“It behooves the wise to be underestimated, not overconfident. Beskar’gam is one form of armour, Master Kaden. A crutch of vulgarity. A barking dog. Do not mistake it for a crown. Do not think your peasant's point of view is the only way to remain safe from harm.” Baiko tilted her head and stopped [member="Yasha Mantis"] from rushing out, turning her around to fix the pins in her hair.

“You are here at Myrkr with your father, to find a new pet. Not to include yourself on another piece of Mandalorian nonsense. Yes?” Baiko tipped Yasha’s chin up, speaking in Atrisian so the boy couldn’t comprehend. The Atrisian was fantastically aware that Yasha turned less the hell child the furthest she got from Mandalore. Yet, [member="Ra Vizsla"]'s educational support had been invaluable. Perhaps it was time for Baiko to attempt a reconciliation with the culture who caused the death of her beloved [member="Aditya Mantis"]. “[member="Adora Namadi"] is meeting us on the surface, and we will find your your precious pet, and we will leave. Yes?”

Baiko watched Kaden leave and sighed. It was impolite of her to wish the boy met a carnosaur without armour and a gun. He was a fine child, [member="Silas Mantis"] was doing a fantastic task at raising him into a warrior.

Yet, Yasha was destined for more than a warrior’s life. Baiko felt it in every touch of her hand. The girl couldn’t be allowed to waste her life, and her father [member="Preliat Mantis"]’ sacrifice. Where was Preliat? Once the children were ready, Baiko took them to the surface to meet with Adora, and settle down at the main staging point, where Baiko felt the small group were safest.

 

[Adora Namadi]

There were few things that could pull Adora away when she was caught up in research. There was just so much to discover in so little time. There were times in which the girl was convinced she was but a test subject away from a big breakthrough, only to be flat out denied with the introduction of an outlier. That was part of the fun, though. If discoveries were easy to come by, all that was worth discovering would've already been brought to light.

Still, research, particularly the type that required one be cooped up all day and night, was a lonely business. Neither her siblings nor many of her fellow members of the Empire were exactly the best conversationalists when it came to equations and biology. Well, that, and Adora didn't exactly have the attention span to explain just what she was talking about. It wasn't her fault her fellows weren't educated. No, they just weren't lively enough, not in the right sense, not for her path of career.

A pet, on the other hand. That would be perfect. And it just so happened there was a small party already forming to get a couple Vornskrs. It seemed almost too perfect not to jump in on, not to mention a fine way to stretch her legs, expand her horizons, whatever other terms one could wish to coin.

And so, Adora waited on Myrkr's surface for the rest of the little party. A datapad in hand, plugging away at hastily typed notes, she wasn't quite completely absorbed in her work, her attention split between the notes and the overall new surroundings. Still, she was a bit jumpier than usual, with plenty of energy to spare. The adventure that would surely ensue was one that had been a long time coming.

[member="Ra Vizsla"] | [member="Yasha Mantis"] | [member="Gilamar Skirata"] | [member="Kaden Mantis"] | [member="Kervo Namadi"] | [member="Baiko no Kaho"] | [member="Kal Ordo"]​

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“It’s not that bad, Kaden… unless it is. Do I look stupid? I… I thought I looked nice.” Yasha’s face fell, eyes hidden behind the large yellow-pink visor which protected them. If [member="Kaden Mantis"] thought her girl-clothes looked hateful… that there was something wrong with having softer hands, maybe her yummy smelling lotion Daddy [member="Preliat Mantis"] bought her wasn’t as awesome as she’d thought.

But she liked her hands smelling like flowers and not cracking. Yasha caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and her shoulders rose. Daddy wanted her to live a Lady’s life, to be happy and safe away from war… was that wrong?

“Yes, Baiko.” Yasha stood as the image of the perfect daughter, a young Lady with hands clasped in front of her navel, neck straight as a ballerina en pose. Kaden left to change and Yasha sniffled.

“I like my clothes.” She looked up at Baiko when the elder was finished with her hair. “That blaster bolt didn’t even hurt.”

“The difference between a peasant and a noble has nothing to do with the nature of your birth, little Rekr.” Baiko said, as she draped [member="Ra Vizsla"]’s necklace over Yasha’s neck to complete her outfit. Baiko touched her finger to the wolf medallion and smiled. “When one realizes they can be more than one aspect of their personhood, that is nobility. Your mother was a ballerina, an engineer, and a fighter. What Emperor Kahoshi saw in her was not the noble birth of a fallen Panathan Citizen, but the nobility of rising to each occasion she found herself within. Kaden will either learn to understand and rise to each occasion with the poise and dignity it requires, or he will lock himself into one path and the hard single-mindedness of the peasant. You, my little Rekr, are noble.”

“Thank you, Baiko.” Yasha said, as Kaden came back in wearing the sum total of his armaments. She didn’t understand why her breath went funny, when she saw him.

“[member="Adora Namadi"]!” Yasha bounded over to Adora, a grin on her visor-wearing face. She stopped short of hugging the stranger, staring up at her pink hair. It was way too cool! Maybe Daddy would let Yasha dye her hair that colour?

“Are you r-ready? I’m ready! Oh! What are you working on? Is it s-sci-science? Is it?” The diminutive Epicanthix girl decided then and there that she liked Adora, and would keep her safe from harm.

“Oh wow, this place is stellar. Look at that tree! Oh and that one!” Yasha clung to [member="Preliat Mantis"]' hand, letting his quiet authority settle her as she searched this new place. He was a quiet man by nature, and his solemnity usually rubbed off on the girl, but today was a day of excitement! A new Bubbie. An adventure with her father and her friends. How could it get any better?

Oh right. Mandos.

(NB. Preliat used with permission)

 

[Kaden Farr]

”You cannot just shoot her,” Kaden shouted after the fact. His eyes were glowing with heated anger. The boy knew [member="Baiko no Kaho"] would never do anything to harm [member="Yasha Mantis"], but it still didn’t need to be done to make her point. ”And wearing the beskar is part of the six tenets of my people. It may not be a crown, but it is our way. Yasha is Atrisian and Mando’ad. It cannot be the wishes of her father to make her abandon the resol’nare entirely is it?”

Kaden and Baiko agreed on things to the same degree that oil could mix with water. She needed to understand how Kaden saw things if they were ever going to come to an understanding. It wasn’t that Kaden wanted to be contrary, but he didn’t want to see Yasha lose a part of who she was.

”You don’t look stupid. It’s...” Kaden eyed the adults in the room. ”It’s different, and not what I’m used to, but you are pretty.”

Kaden darted out quickly after saying those words and seeing the Mandalorians. He didn’t want Yasha to hit him for saying something any mando woman would hurt him for, and he didn’t want to be caught in something other than what he was supposed to be in. What would Silas say?

He leaned against the door after it closed and just listened. Clearly his words had hurt Yasha’s feelings. He listened to what Baiko said. Kaden wasn’t single minded, was he? It bothered him, so much so he huffed off and grabbed his blaster rifle, the knife Silas had given him, and his gauntlets. He kept the armorweave on, and returned with a shrug.

”Let’s go get a pup...”

[member="Adora Namadi"]

 

[Baiko no Kaho]

Baiko tilted her head to the side, “You have never been told [member="Yasha Mantis"]’ history.”

She said it as a fact, a curious point which settled some of the conflict she felt radiating off the boy. Baiko folded her hands in front of her. “Aditya Fitz-Kierke was not Mando’ad. Yes, Aditya came to Mandalore for [member="Preliat Mantis"]. Yes, Preliat Mantis was a Field Marshall, but neither of Yasha’s parents were raised Mando’ade. They are Epicanthix. Aditya of Panatha, Preliat was raised in the slave fields of Ordo. Neither of her parents underwent verd'goten. Neither were adults at thirteen. All she’s learned has been what her father has deemed fit to teach her, or is taught by [member="Ra Vizsla"]. Our Yasha is much less ‘Mando’ad’ika’ than you think. She wants to be Mando’ad, but her family, the Mantis Clan you love so much, are not Mandalorian. Why do you think Preliat, Silas and Yasha speak Epicant instead of Mando’a? Only Preliat and Silas took to Mandalore, and your beloved Silas only came as a teenager to find his brother. Do treat her with patience, and open your mind. It would do you well to learn her birth culture as much as she is learning your own.”

Maybe if Kaden realized the Mantis Family were displaced to Mandalore, and not naturalized cultural Mandalorians, he would settle. “Come! Ms. Namadi is waiting.”

Baiko bowed her head to Preliat as he came with them, quiet as the graves he’d dug. The presence of Mandalorians filled Baiko with a thread of doubt, but she powered through and offered her hand to [member="Adora Namadi"].

“Ms. Namadi, do join us. I must speak with you after the hunt for the pups is concluded. Your research may interest my company.” The jungle opened around them, and Baiko got her bearings. Where was the settlement where the Vorskyr pups could be found?

 

[Silas Mantis]

He wasn't fond of [member="Kal Ordo"] being free, of all the Liberator's notable fighters, he seemed to be one of the seldom few not dead or imprisoned. The only reason Silas could come up with as to why was that the old man had no loyalty, to Monroe, to the Undying, or to anything other than that damned rifle. He'd also shot his niece.

Regardless of his distrust he made no remarks to the man, instead he simply donned his helmet and drew the fur hood up over the buy'ce. Wordlessly he moved his speeder onward. Truth be told he'd have preferred to be on Shriek, but his aging basilisk had taken a beating in Sundari, with some dar'manda rocket gouging out a large section of its underside. The repairs would take time.

On the back of the speeder he noted how vulnerable he felt. He was no more exposed here than he was on the basilisk, but he could not rely on the bike to watch his back, or to obliterate anyone who got in their way. It was just odd, as was what he saw next. Aditya's ship, the one supposedly ferrying his brother, niece, and son to Atrisia for a quieter life. Or in Kaden's case, some time with his compatriot, and to acquire some proper education. The likes of which Silas never really had, and the little which he did was forfeit when he left home as a teen.

[member="Yasha Mantis"] had somehow gotten Preliat to bring her to Myrkr, which meant [member="Baiko no Kaho"] and [member="Kaden Mantis"] were also here. He'd let Kaden go along in order for him to have a chance to learn something other than how to best destroy an enemy position with all the explosives he could lay hands on, wisdom in other areas were just as vital in war. All the same he was alarmed to find them here.

"Taking the long way home?" He called out to Baiko, slowing his speeder to a halt.

[member="Adora Namadi"] [member="Kervo Namadi"] [member="Gilamar Skirata"] [member="Ra Vizsla"]

 

[Ra Vizsla]

[member="Yasha Mantis"] [member="Silas Mantis"] [member="Baiko no Kaho"] [member="Kaden Mantis"] [member="Adora Namadi"] [member="Kal Ordo"] [member="Kervo Namadi"] [member="Gilamar Skirata"]


Ra looked up, the skies gentle and calm above peaceful Myrkr. The jungle below the outcropping ahead of them teemed with life, the chirping of birds and other wildlife unaware as to what stirred beneath.

Everything was unaware of what stirred beneath.

Ra crossed his arms. The prison wasn't far from here, neither were the beginning of Miri Farms's main locale. It was a wonderful place for the first site of construction of a new fortress, and many Mandalorians had been brought here to begin the innerworkings of the first day. But he could feel it in his gut... there was something not quite so simple about this place. Something dangerous.

He wasn't aware it was beneath him, though.

Not until the ground opened up beneath his feet after a shattering CRACK erupted throughout the ground, and the Mand'alor disappeared into a cavern that had formed below.

 

[Adora Namadi]

Maybe if we introduced this enzyme here...The rough scribbles could hardly be interpreted by anyone other than their artist, though whether or not she'd recognize what she was thinking of later on was another question entirely. That was another part of the struggle, though, remembering the thought process behind these hastily marked notes.

"Adora Namadi!" She almost dropped the datapad, snapped back to reality by the image of a young girl bounding up to her. She almost expected the kid to run into her, stopping just short of actually making contact. The momentary panic was somewhat eased by the addition of the rest of the group, far better than the brief idea that she had somehow gotten roped into some sort of babysitting gig. Vornskyr or not, being left alone with any child would've hardly ended well, as far as Adora was concerned.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be." She could still feel the palpitations caused by the image of a child running at her and she would've killed for some caf. Nothing too out of the norm. She glanced down at the datapad, temporarily forgetting what she'd been scribbling at to begin with. "Uh, yeah, science stuff. Well, it was. Now it's just an attempt at modern art. Maybe time for a career change."

She was perhaps a bit too fast to offer her hand to the handmaiden, shaking the others' with a grip that started firm, quickly dissipating like she wasn't quite versed in handshake etiquette beyond what they said on the holonet. At mention of research, she perked up. "Yeah, sure, of course. What sort of research are you looking at?" The pet was the main goal of this business, the prospect of new work was an added and much appreciated bonus.

[member="Baiko no Kaho"] | [member="Kaden Mantis"] | [member="Yasha Mantis"]​

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[member="Silas Mantis"] | [member="Kal Ordo"] | [member="Kervo Namadi"] | [member="Gilamar Skirata"] | [member="Ra Vizsla"]​

 

[Atsushi Ono]

"Move that right over here!" Sometimes he hated droids. He just couldn't understand them and it seemed like they didn't understand him half the time either. Construction droids were the worst of them, and of course he was running this ship's supply drop. He cursed behind his helmet as the droids banged a large plasteel container against the shuttle as they attempted to drag out materials that would become the foundation of Ra's fortress on Mykyr.

Had the Civil War not killed so many Mandalorians and MandalMotors workers he would have been working with flesh and blood, but the Mando'ade needed live bodies on more important tasks and so here he was, stuck with R2-DDumb and BB-Eats Glue and their air headed companions.

"Sir, everything seems to be going according to the projected schedules. Prefabricated temporary bases have already been set up and the men have making steady progress on-" The ground swallowed up the young Mandalorian that had been speaking. In fact, the ground swallowed up almost everyone and everything in the area, Mandalore included. Dorn felt his stomach rise into his throat as the ground fell from beneath him. Smaller ships fell as well, freefalling with no one to pilot them. Shipping containers tumbled like a metal avalanche into the gaping pit.

What in the Seven Corellian Hells was happening on Mykyr?

[member="Adora Namadi"] [member="Ra Vizsla"] [member="Silas Mantis"] [member="Baiko no Kaho"] [member="Kaden Mantis"] [member="Yasha Mantis"] [member="Kal Ordo"] [member="Kervo Namadi"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

“Thank you, Kaden.”

Yasha’s cheeks reddened as [member="Kaden Mantis"] ran away. He thought she was pretty? Mando girls weren’t supposed to be pretty, but fierce. Yasha thought in her childish way she could be both. Taking her father’s hand was easier after Kaden came back in the clothing [member="Baiko no Kaho"] chose for him.

The jungle air wafted around her, clean and fresh despite the cacophony of Mando’ade securing their position. [member="Ra Vizsla"] stood perilous and mighty in the distance, surveying another planet which was falling in line with Mandalore herself. She smiled as she tried to look at [member="Adora Namadi"]’s screen, comforted that the Gurlanin Mand’alor was present... even if he was far enough away to be but a golden armoured spot in the distance.

“I like science. My Mama was an en-engi-eninieer... en-gin-eer. But... I’m better at art, too.” Yasha kept hold of her father [member="Preliat Mantis"]’ hand, taking her bearings as the burble of the Mando’ade went on around them.

“Where’s the nearest settlement?They’ve been breeding Vornskyrs without the poison on their tails… I don’t mind a poisonous tail on my pet, but Daddy might get scared. Right, Daddy?” Yasha looked up at him, relaxing with his sense of quiet and calm.

“Hi, Uncle [member="Silas Mantis"]! We’re getting a puppy!” Yasha waved at her uncle, grinning underneath her goggles. “Do you like my outfit? Kaden said it’s pretty.”

That was, she grinned until a rumbling sound caught her attention. Ra was standing aside, then he was gone.

“Oh… where did Ra go? He was right over there…” Yasha pointed, then jumped back as [member="Dorn Skirata"] and a ton of supplies disappeared.

“Daddy!” Yasha yelped as the ground beneath her feet rumbled, seized open. She jumped away from the tear, foot skipping off the next rock and rolling away.

“Kade! Baiko! Adora! What’s happening?!” She watched the ground, moving toward the largest of the trees around the settlement.

 

[Not Ordo]

The ground shook as he started walking off toward the tree line. His yellow eyes opened wide with surprise as cracks formed underfoot. Hot air burst from the cracks as the pressure from hidden tunnles rushed out and spewed dust and debris at the gurlanin.

And the next moment he was falling. His grip remained on his rifle but he hit hard and felt his teeth tear into his tongue. He rolled to his side and looked into the darkness of a large cavern. The area lit minutely by the crack that had deposited him so unceremoniously into darkness. He stood, vision mode cycling through the spectrums as he lifted his rifle to his shoulder.

Heat signatures, large ones showed on the thermal mode and he couldn't help but realize that hunter was most definitely about to be prey. His shatter rifle bucked against his shoulder as he fired at the nearest lifeform but the raging roar it solicited did not sound like a death cry. It was rage, he knew it instantly. He was going to need a bigger gun or to get very very close, and he didn't see any weapons falling from the sky.

[member="Kervo Namadi"] [member="Baiko no Kaho"] [member="Adora Namadi"] [member="Yasha Mantis"] [member="Kaden Mantis"] [member="Silas Mantis"] [member="Ra Vizsla"] [member="Dorn Skirata"]

 

[Ra Vizsla]

[member="Yasha Mantis"] [member="Silas Mantis"] [member="Baiko no Kaho"] [member="Kaden Mantis"] [member="Adora Namadi"] [member="Kal Ordo"] [member="Kervo Namadi"] [member="Gilamar Skirata"] [member="Dorn Skirata"]

"What the..."

Ra's jetpack was trying to ignite, but apparently had suffered damage in the fall. He could hear the loud drumming of instruments throughout the cavern's darkness.

The Undying took a knee, looking up, and feeling himself for injuries in the dark. Nothing, just a few bumps and scrapes thanks to him always wearing his armor. Man, what a good idea that is.

The sky was so far above.

It almost looked like a single star in the night's sky, if Mand'alor wasn't sure it was still day.

Then he heard it, a single unified cry.

Laam jii!​

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Laam jii!​

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Laam jii!​

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Ra brought out his spear in the darkness, turning on his infrared. All he saw was bright red.​

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And then a massive blow to the back of his helmet, his visor shattering from the impact.​

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The mighty Mand'alor collapsed, unconcious, and everything turned to black.​

 

[TB-705]

In the jungle...

"They're here, Goldenmane," said a Togorian pirate.

Long had Thengil waited, pirating the edges of known space with the band of Togorians he'd freed from that mongrel Epicanthix's cages, searching for a worthy prey. He'd heard tales of this new Mandalorian Emperor and his crusade upon the Force. Such a foe might prove a challenge. So Thengil had sought him out, obtaining information from Force sensitive Mandalorian defectors about this [member="Ra Vizsla"]'s flight plans.

The plan was simple: find the mandalorian exploratory team, slaughter them, then retrieve their equipment for himself. His small, cloaked boarding shuttle landed on the surface of Myrkyr without incident.

He stood with crossed arms as his second made the report.

"And what of their Emperor?"

"Tracks look like he fell into a cave."

* * *

A figure landed in the tunnel, knees bending to absorb the fall, then rearing up straight. A haughty Cathar clad in an exosuit, with gauntleted paws. The dim light filtering through the canopy shone through the hole in the earth above, revealing an umber furred face marred by a litter of scars, each a tale of battle. He moved deeper into the cavern, confidence clothing his movements, the cruel grace of a natural born hunter. In the darkness, his eyes shone in the like twin suns, burning and yellow, darkening at the edges to helium ash. Gold beads in his braided mane clacked together lightly with every step he took as he followed the tracks left by the Emperor of the Mando'ade.

His presence exuded an aura of fear. In the trees above, no birds sang. In the tunnel below, no rats skittered.

 

[Kaden Farr]

Kaden was stunned to learn the history of the Mantis Clan. They were not really Mando'ad? He breathed in a sighed. This was something to take in and adjust to. Kaden had never stopped to think about why Silas spoke another langiage with his brother, or why Yasha had never really learned Mando'a when she was younger. There were no words, so Kaden simply nodded.

"I am sorry, Baiko... I will try and do better."

It was the understanding he needed at least to ensure he would not try an tear apart everything she was doing for Yasha. There was one thing Baiko had to recognize though. Yasha was also Mando'ad, and she would be the first to have a verd'goten. He hoped the woman would not deny her the right to have that. Yasha was more deserving than most her age.

The pink haired girl had Yasha's attention for the moment, so Kaden simply followed from behind. He had chosen to keep the armorweave on, but he was still heavily armed. Kaden saw it as his duty to keep Yasha safe.

The ground began to shake. Ra was now missing. Yasha was freaking out. They needed to find stable ground.

"Yasha, find solid ground... away from the tear. Keep moving... I am right behind you."

Kaden looked to the pink haired scientist. "You're coming too." Kaden grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the tear as it started to rip the ground toward their ship. He hoped it would not be swallowed.

"Si'buir, Preliat, Baiko... I will help Yasha find her pup. You explore what is happening here. I will not see her swallowed up to death again, nor should she be near this."

[member="Ra Vizsla"] [member="Adora Namadi"] [member="Silas Mantis"] [member="Baiko no Kaho"] [member="Yasha Mantis"]