Playing in the Sand (Mandalorian Dominion of Aargonar)

[Strider Garon]

Location: Bridge of Command Ship
Objective: Finish Spiced Caf

The Ash'amur-class Dreadnaught exited hyperspace with her escort in the Aargonar system. The Mandalarian command ship and company had their sights upon the planet Aargonar, she did not have much to offer for it was a dusty desert planet with barely any life to it. But to the Mandalorians it was an opportunity to make an easy expansion and all they had to do was make a claim ground side by installing a base of operations, an outpost for the Mando'ade to use at their will. Such a planet could easily be used as a staging point, private and classified research base, a epic training ground or for the more sinister side of the warrior culture's train of thought. It could be used as a remote holding location for prisoners of war for the Sarlaac pits would make for great tools in interrogations and full on sentencing and punishment. So what most so as a waste of effort, Mand'alor saw opportunity.


Sitting stoically upon the command chair of the Ash'amur was Field Marshal Strider Garon. The warrior was fresh from recovery, his neck bared the horrific scar from his brush with death back on Vorzyd IV. And no sooner that he was able for duty he was off into the stars collecting more territory for the glory of Mandalore and their rights to rule the galaxy. His helmet was safely placed on the left and command console while he patiently and calmly worked on his cup of spiced caf.


After a long gulp of his caf, the old man would place his attention to the bridge crew "Launch fighters to recon the planet, Send the advance team planet side while we get this Dar'aranov prephab base ready"

This mission was a cake walk, a easy task to take the battle worn warriors off previous battles, wounds and losses. There was talks amongst the troops that there was a Hunt in the works which would be good for moral. The Engineers were excited to get to work on making this planet a permanant hold. Plus it would be nice for them to work without blaster bolts zipping past them. Now they can actually focus fully on the task at hand.


Strider took to the cup of stim caf once more, his direct mission was to finish this cup before fully evolving himself into this task.

 

[Primordus]

Miles was in the crew quarters part of the ship, he preferred fiddling with his tools instead of being up on the bridge. He placed some of his knives down on his lap and began sharpening them to a fine point. He didn't want to remove the scratches and notches though, those are what made his blade unique, what made it his. He got up on his feet and tucked the knife comfortably into his boot and then spat into a bucket. He made his way over to a window, they were going to begin descending onto Aargonar. A dusty planet, probably end up as a hunting or training ground, maybe some poor sucker would find his way into a Sarlacc. Still, he wondered how Gouka Steak would taste. Miles began suiting up in his combat gear and headed up to the bridge. Suddenly a weird thing happened...

Miles could go for some Stim caf​

 

[Halik Falkosi]

Halik reveled in this sort of operation. He did not care for the establishment of bases. He saw little need for them. A world like this offered no threat to them as they spread out to conquer. It was not as if they would have to worry about their rear lines being harassed by the natives. So to Halik this was a bit of a waste of resources. However, the important thing about this operation, the aspect that he enjoyed greatly, was the ability to hunt. Clan Falkosi was out in force, ready to kill.

As soon as their transports landed and the bays opened they swarmed out. Many riding out on speeders. Glory meant conquest. And where conquest failed to be properly attainable, then the next best thing was the killing of great beasts. Many would target the Sarlaacs. While largely immobile they still offered some difficulty in killing. Yes, large weapons would kill one with ease, but where was the honor and glory in that? No, a true warrior would fight in the very maw of the beast, cutting tentacles and targeting the mouth of the creature. Some of Clan Falkosi would target those creatures, but Halik was interested in far greater prey. His target was instead the great Gouka dragons which offered a particularly strange challenge in hunting.

 

[Naimes Ahn-Dross]

Location: Ash'amur Class Dreadnaught; Hangar Bay
Allies: Mandalorians; [member="Arla Balor"]

​

...they hadn't made their descent for the planet, Aargonar, which meant that Naimes could still be found onboard the Ash'amur Class Dreadnaught. He was prepared to disembark for the surface of the planet however this was not necessarily a military exercise which meant that the soldier wasn't in a rush to make it to the ground. There were plenty of other Mandalorians who could take his place on the advanced recon teams while he awaited some word from the commander, Field Marshal Strider Garon, as to what the next course of action would be. At the present there was some talk that a competition may play out on the surface of the planet, a hunt where participants could win themselves great prestige, for whatever reason this didn't seem to interest Naimes who showed the idea a majority of indifference...

...presently Naimes could be found in the Hangar Bay of the Capital Ship watching as fighters and transports carrying the advanced recon teams launched. He stood on a walkway above the main level of the hangar which allowed him to see what went on down below. Laying his hands on a metal bar he leaned forward, at ease, while making his observations quietly. Dressed in practical attire rather than combat gear Naimes wore a combination of loose fitting clothing that afforded some movement while trying to look less informal then his garb might have certain individuals see him. He only carried his Fett Kal Trenchknife, sheathed over his right hip, at the moment seeing as how further arms were required. On a Mandalorian vessel it might have been something of a conundrum to see a soldier not in his armor but it ever available to him when required. As an Icarii Naimes had a certain lack of concern when it came to death; he needn't always wear his Beskar'gam...

...shortly after arriving he'd sent word to Arla Balor informing her of his location as well as data on the imminent departure to the planets surface however he hardly seemed prepared. No matter though. Today was not a day where warfare was to be their primary concern; he'd been in touch with command and his orders were to act as a patrol and complete military maneuvers on the barren planet below. It might seem a frivolous effort but one never knows if enemies lay in wait to strike. Naimes always took his duties to heart regardless. He need not agree with his superiors as long as he obeyed their orders and completed them efficiently, Field Marshall Garon was an insightful man so he did not question anything that came to him from on high as it were. Presently he need only wait for Arla to arrive in the hangar where they could discuss the mission...​

 

[Ryan]

Location: Planet Side
Objective: Advance Team recon

The one of many bastards of Strider Garon would load up on the transport ship as directed. Clad in beskar'gam and a ancient design of a large shield tightly gripped to his left side. The mandalorian soldier was going to head down with the Advance recon team to secure the Prefab base landing zone. Sides from making sure the area was safe, they also had to make sure there was no enemy contacts to be had. His father was at the helm of this mission and he would do him no honor in failing this simple task.

He loaded aboard the ship with a mixture of Mandalorians and Red Legionnaires all volunteers to hit the ground first. Once all aboard Drake would signal the Pilot and the transport would take off once cleared by traffic control. They had a fighter escort with them all the way to the ground. They would hang about making a patrol around of the immediate area giving aerial recognizance for the warriors on the ground.

The Transport would hit ground side and the soldiers aboard would pile out, strategically taking up defensive positions till they all were cleared from the ship and after it took off to return back to the command Ship. Drake was positioned far forward, his shield up at the ready covering most of his body while he had his westar blaster drawn and aimed off in the distance at nothing. He was kneeling down in the thick sand as he heard the commands from the rear that the transport was taking off.

Moments later the transport took off and the mixed crew of soldiers that made up the recon team would reform for further instruction.

 

[Arla Ordo]

[SIZE=12pt]Location: Ash’amur Class Dreadnaught; Hangar Bar[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Allies: Mandalorians, [member="Naimes Ahn-Dross"][/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Arla was looking at the duty assignments she drew a single finger down the list looking at the names of those familiar to her, and not. Who was she working with this time out, she arched a brow when she saw the familiar name of Naimes. Her last pairing with him had been a learning experience.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She the hesitant commander partnered with the devoted duty sworn intelligent, tactical soldier. She had a lot to learn from him. She wondered why he was not a Rally Master, he certainly had the skills for it. She put the data pad down. Just as she did her comm went off, a messaged arrived Naimes was in the hangar.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]Gathering her gear, the same as before her sniper rifle, her pistol, and made sure her knife was inside the slot of her right leg. She donned her buy’ce and headed to the hangar.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Through the curves and turns of the corridors she finally entered the hangar. She panned from right to left to find him. There he was, he looked as ready as he could considering they were doing what amounted to patrol duty.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Slowly taking that deep breath she needed she walked towards him, “Su’cuy Naimes” She smiled though he couldn’t see it, she often smiled when others couldn’t see her do it. It wasn’t a secret but under the buy’ce who could tell.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“You look ready to go, are you?”[/SIZE]

 

[Primordus]

Miles went into the kitchen area or staff room... Wherever they had the Stim caf machine and made himself a drink. He liked it black and he blew on it to cool it down. He left the room and headed off to the right towards the bridge. He passed some of his old friends he knew from a while back and said hi to them and had a short conversation and then continued his way to the bridge. He had a sip of his stim caf, it tasted a bit off, he wasn't sure how, but it did. So he decided that he should toss it, so he just dumped it on the floor and casually walked away whistling, some one else would clean it. He finally got into the bridge and leaned against the back wall, he looked out at the planet for awhile. Pretty thing, nice shade of calico, or was it beige. Eh it didn't matter what colour it was, what mattered was it looked nice. He looked at the commander of the operation, [member=Strider Garon] he was a respectable Mandalorian, even older than Miles himself, though not too much older. Miles pulled out his knife and began examining it while whistling a tune he had stuck in his head.

 

[Preliat Mantis]

The Field Marshal found himself in the same room that [member="Strider Garon"] was in. Preliat looked...less than happy. In fact, the best way to describe his facial features was doubtful, at best. His eyes lingered over the old man, and stayed at the scar for a bit before he glanced up at the man's facial features. He studied them, like he studied everything else. A leering, piercing gaze of a man full of hate and regret.

"I grew up on a desert planet."


He slowly walked over to the window that looked out to the vacuum of space, turning back to Strider.


"Why are we here?"

 

[Ginnie Dib]

The securing of Aargonar had a great deal to do with the development of a secure base in the shifting sands. Aditya glanced out the window and padded over to [member="Strider Garon"] and her brand new fiancé [member="Preliat Mantis"]. "Reminds me of Sabarene. I sent my drill teams to hit the subterranean water tables when Echani and Epicanthix groups colonized the place. . . do you have any idea how tricky it is to avoid getting sand in prefabricated gear? Gee wilikers, Field Marshals. Gee wilikers. Is this planet worth the resources we're throwing down onto it?"

Taking a back seat to any combat (she hoped. She really, really hoped), Aditya stepped out in her brand new Beskar'gam (how did Mando'ade walk in these things?) and ran her finger along the seam line of the expanding plates allowing her stomach to protrude without much loss in protection. Much anyhow. Her expertise as an engineer and the owner of both a shipyard and mining company came to the forefront of this mission. Did her fine, after Vorzyd Aditya wasn't looking for any adventure that couldn't be solved with a five minute change of scenery and a mug of hot cocoa. Heavy on the marshmallows, light on the sugar.

"And didn't I see on the specs that there are subterranean worm dragon things lurking around? 'Cause lemme tell you plate tectonics are one way to 'hear movement out' but it's not a guarantee. So, you want these base prefabs to be moveable after the initial drop? Or are you just looking for a way to stop it from sinking into the loamy sand? How's your neck? I don't see stimcaf coming out of a wound hole so that's some form of improvement."

 

[Catherine Romanov]

Location: Ash'amur Dreadnaught Command Bridge
Objective: Final review of schematics and other plans

This was to be her first mission since she got her beskar'gam. To say that she was excited would be an understatement. As an engineer, Catherine would play a vital role in the construction of the Dar'aranov Prefab Base. But she wouldn't be alone. There would be tons of other Mandalorian engineers involved as well. What sets her apart, was that while the majority of the engineers would remain in the rear performing backend functions, Catherine specialised in frontline engineering, being a combat engineer. When the time came, she would be there in the thick of things with the frontline soldiers, providing forward engineering advice and guidances to the vanguard. She also condcut field repairs, providing little downtime whenever necessary.

She was also more than capable of handling herself in a firefight, then again what Mandalorian can't fight. She has proven to be a essential addition to include, being more than just a excellent warrior, with her engineering expertise always ready to provide a technological edge to any situation. Distinctly different from her engineering brethren, she relished being in the frontlines, where most of the action was taking place. She was hoping to put her newly-acquired beskar'garm to good use.

Cath was to be going down with the fourth wave. Being a trained pilot as well, she was to assist the pilot of the dropship, before disembarking upon arrival of the landing zone(LZ).

As for now, she remained in the command bridge of the Ash'amur, pouring over the schematics within earshot of the expedition leader, [member="Strider Garon"]. Still clad in her usual skin-tight suit, she would only don her armour, when the time came. It was, anyway neatly stored within a nearby locker, several footsteps away. She also of course had a steaming cup of stim caf in her hand, so graciously shared by Strider, who had made it his immediate mission to finish his.

 

[Not Ordo]

[member="Isabet Skirata"]

Everything has a beginning. Even things that you'd rather not see. Sand was caught by a terrible wind and turned into a billowing cloud mass as the aging man trudged toward a cave mouth. The man in the dark armor looked skyward as a ping in his HUD announced the ships approach.

"Soon," he told the air as he walked into the cave that hid one of many safe houses. They would rise again soon.

 

[Adenn Gra'tua]

Location: Ash'amur Dreadnaught Command Bridge

Having already decided recon to not be his thing as of the moment, Adenn Gra'tua stayed on the ship that he had been on since it's arrival in the star system, clad in his full custom beskar'gam minus the helmet, which was held under his right arm, so if he had to speak to anyone before they had stepped foot on the planet he could do it face to face, and not face to helmet. As Adenn looked at the other mandalorians on the bridge with him, he realized he only recognized two of them, Field Marshal [member="Strider Garon"] and [member="Preliat Mantis"], he knew both to be very capable warriors, but other than those two, not a single face or helmet was familiar to the bounty hunter, which was strange, as he was used to doing these kind of things with the men and women he knew.

Adenn though the planet of Aargonar looked nice from space, but he knew it wasn't as good looking as Tatooine on the surface, Aaragonar seemed more unique, but how the planet looked didn't matter at the moment, as the man had yet to set foot on the planet until most other mando's had the chance to, which was good, as Adenn could hopefully get acquainted with the people whom he didn't know.

 

[Not Ordo]

The light in the cave, or rather, lack there of, was a stark contrast to that of the sun beaten world outside. The caves were attached to what was at one time a base in one forgotten war or another and was now home to the Kyr'tsad, the true Kyr'tsad, not the weak bitter children that bedded whomever paid best.

"Get the ships ready to join the Mando fleet." he said to a tall Wookie in beskar'gam.

The wookie grumbled a hushed response that spoke of things that was better suited to a funeral pyre.

"It's sooner than planned but we're ready enough here. Get me a line to their flagship when preparations are finished."

[member="Isabet Skirata"] [member="Strider Garon"]

 

[Not Ordo]

Spoiler

[member="Strider Garon"] [member="Miles Rorke"] [member="Halik Falkosi"] [member="Naimes Ahn-Dross"] [member="Drake Garon"] [member="Arla Balor"] [member="Aditya Amadis"] [member="Preliat Mantis"] [member="Catherine Maxwell"] [member="Adenn Gra'tua"]

Twelve thousand seasons....had it been so long? The old feet of the tired, dying creature stood again on the parched ground. Ancient grey eyes gazed once more at the barren landscape, lost in thought and for the first time in many years, the weight of age reached his heart. The Mandalorian people, so full of life, so full of determination and vigour were coming. No, some were here even now.

He leaned heavily upon his staff as he did what he had always done, he watched. Clouds thin as silk crossed the upper atmosphere as he gazed, and nought but sun and sand knew he was there.

 

[Tarrif Yao]

Tarrif Yao was excited beyond belief. His very first dominion! In fact his very first participation in the Mandalorian war effort! He hoped he could gain some honor in this experience as well as make some good friends for later adventures. He hurried to the hanger bay. He was assigned to go with advance recon to scope out the terrain. As a demolitionist he had experience when it came to defensible positions and reading the land for traps. He also like to think of himself as a reverse architect. Though admittedly, it was much easier to find weak points and thoroughly destroy something then it was to build up something with minimal weak points.

He brushed back his newly singed hair as he entered the bay. He had never been on an Ash'amur-class Dreadnuaght before and was astounded by the size. He looked around till he found someone who didn't look to busy.

"Is this the advance recon transport?" he asked the nearby Mando. "This is my first assignment and I don't want to disappoint the boss by being late."

 

[James Rorke]

James saw his father enter the bridge and gave a nod of acknowledgement, but stayed near the majority of people. There was a lot of stim caf, but James was looking somewhat pretentious with his stim tea. It helped him relax before a battle if there even was one, that was unlikely to happen though since it was a desert planet, but the Sarlaccs might cause issue. He took a sip of his tea as he looked around the bridge. His father, [member=Miles Rorke] was leaning against the back wall admiring the planet and the operation leader [member=Strider Garon] was sitting in the command chair as he should be. There was also an attractive young woman who he didn't know sipping on some stim caf ([member=Catherine Maxwell]). He saw as the operation flagship was entering the planet's atmosphere and just sipped his tea as the beautiful view filled the front of the ship.

 

[Naimes Ahn-Dross]

Location: Ash'amur Class Dreadnaught; Hangar Bay
Allies: Mandalorians; [member="Arla Balor"]

​

...Naimes had continued to survey the hangar during the approach that Arla made, he didn't seem to notice her though it would be impossible to say for certain, until he heard her voice and his head turned to the side so that he could regard her momentarily. As he wore no helm, no armor either, his expressions were open to interpretation to anyone who saw them however it was fair to say that the man was fairly impassive at this moment while responding..."Arla Balor. It seems as though we were destined to meet again."...perhaps a not so subtle cue that it was not mere coincidence that the two of them were being teamed together during these operations. Naimes would never admit to anything he might have known already; like a loyal soldier he made his reports to someone higher in the chain of command...

...turning towards Arla he would have allowed himself to stand squarely with her before tilting his head to one side..."Almost."...came the answer to her question..."My beskar'gam is aboard the transport that will ferry us to the surface. It won't take long to prepare myself once we're on our way."...not that this was the reason he was not ready at this exact moment in time. Glancing back over the railing and over the catwalk to the hangar down below Naimes seemed occupied in thought, he had odd senses that allowed him to pick up certain things now and then, however soon he was prepared and would state..."Ready Rally Master. Lets make a good time with our patrols."...then motioning to Arla he would have turned to head down the catwalk until he found stairs that lead to the ground level of the hangar...

...as his feet hit the ground once again Naimes would have lead Arla towards the Transport that was designated as their own, this wasn't a combat situation so Drop Pods were not necessary, before boarding it himself and relaying the orders he had to the pilot. According to what Naimes knew they would be patrolling another barren patch of desert with little in the way of excitement guaranteed to either of them. This would amount to a small field exercise for Arla and himself where observations would likely be key though maybe if things went smoothly they could get in a bit of hunting as well...

...the Beskar'gam that Naimes had spoken of would be waiting for him and once everything was in order Naimes would have found a place where he could change into his armor. Privacy wasn't necessary, he was prudent regardless of who was around him, though he would find a place out of the way in the transport. Within moments of the two of them boarding the engines of the transport would have begun to warm up signifying that they were close to departure...​

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Kalizka"]

The man in the beskar mask walked up a rocky ridge to Kalizka.

"Evening, friend," he said, raising macrobinoculars to rest against his helmet's eyepieces. Something a out this place suggested the appropriateness of a companionable solemnity. "Sandstorm's dying off that way. The Sith Empire-" He pointed off across the desert. "-they took a sarlacc and twisted it into a siege engine years back. I'm off to clean the wound. Can I offer you some water before I'm on my way?"

 

[Not Ordo]

[member="Ember Rekali"]

The aged Neti couldn't help but smile at the man as he approached. The armor was very traditional, if one knew their history. It spoke of times long since changed and worlds far displaced from Mandalore. He had watched this man before a time or two and he couldn't help but think he was missing something for his quest.

"Have the Keetael taken to Ube-tel alone, Friend?" Kalizka smiled, "Or is it a penance you've taken?"

Kalizka nodded and looked at the parched world.

"Water would do me good, Field Marshal."

 

[Ginnie Dib]

Some ways off from [member="Kalizka"] and [member="Ember Rekali"], a child played in the sand. The thirteen year old child of [member="Ordo"] hopped up and down on a sand dune, watching her Beskar'gam's boot prints press and extend in the desert, until they stretched into miniature avalanches down the dune. Nothing stuck on Aargonar, or so it seemed to the petite Mando'ad Goran'ika. As Ginnie played on the sand dune, she was attempting a feat of herculean proportions to a person of deaf ears.

Ginnie was trying to sing. Her Buy'ce gave her the ability to hear when it rested atop her head, but how much of her own distorted and deaf-toned voice could filter through the gear and into her head remained to be seen. "Lavender blue, dilly dilly lavender green. My Daddy loves me, dilly dilly, Mommy's his queen. I love them sooooo dilly dilly I love them sooooo. We'll be alright dilly dilly I forgot the last woooords. . . I made notes! I did it! I made notes! Real ones and they sounded! They sounded like more than grunts and stupid Ginnie deaf sounds!"

The girl hopped in the air and landed on the dune, rolling down in the sand with a giggle on her lips and her blaster pistol firmly in its holster. "Oh yeah, no one can hear me out here!"

Falling backward, she started making a sand angel out of the bottom sand of the dune, calling out in a cheery voice. "I'm gonna learn singing!" After all, music seemed awfully important to all the other kids. Hopefully the ad'ika would soon learn why.