Searching for Gurlanin (Mandalorian Empire Dominion of Ord Mantell/Qiilura)

[Aedan Miles]

Aedan let an almost cheerful smile spread across his face as he looked down at the woman his eyes still demonic above the obviously false smile. "Was that so hard?" His smile turned savage and almost manic as he lifted a hand slowly curling it into a fist suddenly exerting his control over the force to crush the woman's heart giving her the swift death he promised. He turned his eyes on the others not a shred of sympathy in his mismatched eyes as they glared down at them letting them know through this simple glare that he didn't just think he knew they were below him. He turned his back on them looking at Tuula as he did and nodded his head whispering softly to the Gurlanin. "As I said Tuulu slow and painful. I will have medics come over to see to your people and escort them out of here they don't need to witness them. Not all of them at least." He strode away the cloak of darkness and fear following him as he moved his eyes cold and deathly while inside he hated what he had to do sometimes. But as he had vowed long ago he would do what others couldn't for the betterment of the galaxy. He stopped a way away from the rest of the captured Gurlanin's before speaking calmly and slowly so as to not spoke them one hand pulling the ring from his finger and returning it to the necklace. "I believe it is time we got you all somewhere more comfortable but first introductions. My name is Aedan Miles Alor of Clan Cabur Akaata and Warden of Mandalore. I have medical personal on their way right away. I would suggest that you have the young leave this area with some people to look over them of your own species. I feel your previous hosts are about to get their just dues and personally would not like to see the young sit through this." As he spoke the Wookie Admiral was sat on the bridge of his ship having listened in to all of the passing moments he contacted @Ambrose Cedera calmly. "The Southern mountains quickly they are trapped in caverns under them the slavers collapsed the exits to keep them penned in." He next contacted the one person he knew the Admiral and Warden would be needing soon whether he would ever admit it or not. "Captain Maddox this is Admiral Drake it is imperative that you capture those who have arrived and leave them to the Red Fang to deal with. The Warden will have need of your presence as soon as possible." [member="Livia Maddox"]

 

[Livia Maddox]

Location: Orbit, Ord Mantell
Objective: 1 Find the Missing Gurlanin
Allies: @Deius Koman’na [member="Mia"] [member="Akita Silasrune"] [member="Alkor Centaris"] [member="Strider Garon"] [member="Aedan Miles"]
Enemies: Slavers

“N..no.. wai-Gali-I lov-“ She died with her last word yet exhaled from terrified lips. Gali grit his teeth and screamed, clutching his lover to his wounded chest.

“Thank you, Warden. The young must learn to love the taste of fresh, warm meat… be glad Ambrose sent me. If he’d come, he would have made the children bite their first kills.” Tuulu snarled, nodding all but two of his squad to his side.

“Many thanks, Warden of Mandalore. We thought we were alone in our imprisonment. You saved us, many blessings to your House. Many blessings to Mandalore and Clan Akaata.” One of the elder female gurlanin transformed from a wounded greying woman to a greying lupine, nudging the young on and letting one of the wounded ride prostrate on her back.

The fur on Tuulu’s back bristled as his growl burst from his throat. All but one of the gurlanin soldiers, and several of the captured pack transformed into lupine forms, stalking in a circle with yips and howls breaking across the hangar bay deck. The young and wounded were herded off, two older females leading them away limping to the medics.

“We’re going to eat you limb by limb.”

Vaina snarled and leapt out for the deceased woman’s body, shaking her powerful head and trotting off with what would serve as a meal for the wounded and the youngs’ keepers.

Some of the slavers began to struggle, bringing up a feeble defence as the pack of lupine shapeshifters lunged, Tuulu at the lead. Screams did not die quickly, no.

Aedan said die slowly. They would die by inches.

“Fire at will. Disable their engines, there might be hostages aboard!” Captain Maddox gave a snarl of her own, grinning like a she-devil at the thrill of this caustic battle. The Venator emptied its’ berth of fighters, the space between her small battle group and the slavers becoming a tangled mess of slag and squadrons.

“Clear our channel. Prepare the Red Fangs for boarding. Gabby, slice through their comm systems and send the targeting system ice. Oya, crew! Pull the teeth from that star destroyer in the next five minutes and I’ll open the casks of rum we pilfered off the Wheel!” The crew went up in a roar, which was momentarily lost on the Naboo captain. Her ring buzzed on her finger.

“Aye Captain! You heard Captain, get peddlin’ you swabbies!” Commander Nelson roared, driving the crew forward, and coordinating with the rest of the battle group.

Aedan… he was wearing his. Livia clutched her hand over her ring for a moment, concentrating on the peace and healing of her own in hopes something would pass through. Training. She’d need more training on that.

Admiral Drake’s voice coaxed into Livia’s private channel, the wookie’s brogue slamming into her cheek. Livia bit down.

“Another push and I’ll have them. We’ve disabled three cruisers’ propulsions, they’re being towed by the Roash and Damsun… Admiral… is he…” Holding the ring on her finger, Livia searched the sensations she could discern. “… I’m coming.”

Cutting off the comm signal, Livia glanced to the viewport. The turbocannons on her ship blasted through a squadron of slaver TIE sentinels, on their way to rend a large tear in the hull. Explosions dotted the back half of the Venator-Class, their engines combusting and the ship lilting to lee.

“Keep impressing me, and I’ll have to find harder ways to drive you, my lovelies. Solid work. Keep up the pressure until they’re dead in the water. Prep the gunships. All Red Fangs, board that Venator. Do what you do best. Mr. Nelson, you have Command.” Swooping from her seat, Livia rushed with her cane pumping on the floor, until she got to her own starfighter.

“Admiral Drake, clear me a passage, I’m coming aboard.” The battle was all but won, now it was time for her most pressing war.

 

[Rapax]

Location: Qiilura, Forest
Objective: 1 Find the Missing Gurlanin
Allies: @Deius Koman’na [member="Mia"] @Akita Silasrune @Alkor Centaris [member="Strider Garon"] [member="Ambrose Cadera"]?
Enemies:

He stopped to hear Ambrose explain the situation and dart off and change into a flying creature he followed becoming the same flying creature using the force to increase his speed the faster they get there before the slaves are transfered or worse the better, He had blood to shed and heads to collect and no doubt he might be asked a few questions once this is all over but that shall be after the other gurlanin are safe and sound once again.

 

[Gilamar Skirata]

Location: Ord Mantell Shipyards

He stood at a viewport that overlooked the world of Ord Mantell. The planet looked dead, but the specks of light on the dark surface said otherwise. From here he could see the haze of pollution and manufacturing hanging in the atmosphere. A glass of Corellian whiskey was in his gloved hand. He was back in his armor now, his helmet hanging from a clip on his belt. To either side of him stood leaders of industry. Corrupt as they were they proposed an alternative to the mandatory public service.

They required the lives on the world to sustain their industrial empires and lifestyle. As a compromise they offered the droid foundries of their world and the salvage, repair, and shipyards to the Mandalorian Empire. He would bring the offer to [member="Yasha Cadera"] but he had a feeling that she would agree to the terms.

Mandalorian interference with the world and its dealings were to be minimal, and while he agreed, he doubted Yasha's soft heart would stay out of the conditions of the world for long. He clicked the glass with the other men and women around him and took a long sip of his whiskey. Ord Mantell was a corrupt and harsh world, but now it was a Mandalorian world and as long as they played their cards right they would stay a Mandalorian world for years to come...

 

[Mig Gred]

Location: Orbit, Ord Mantel
Objective: Board transports to find missing Gurlanin
Allies: Any Mando'ade

A Kom'rk that looked like it had been through an entire war and back flew close to a group of slave transports. The Kom'rk slowly neared one of the transports so the members of Clan Gred could board and free the slaves. To most, the clan probably looked more like a group of outcasts or ragtags. The only similarities between anyone were the clan insignia and their weapon of choice, the Trayc'kad. Mig Gred, the alor of the tribe, watched from the cockpit of the transport and eyed the slave transport ships.

"Liddin, fly towards that one there." The female Mandalorian nodded before pushing the old warbird's throttle forward and bringing her to life. Mig then quickly got on the comms, calling out to the others. "The is Mig Gred, alor of Clan Gred. We are approaching one of the slaver vessels and preparing to board." The old transport then latched onto the nearest docking port. "Alright Mando'ade! Let's take care of these demagolka." Mig then ignited his Trayc'kad's lightsaber blades and opened to hatch before sending a quick burst of Force Lightning into the ship. He was sure no Gurlanin were in harms way as he did, he couldn't sense them there, and it made sure the way was clearer at least.

The group only met light resistance at first, but this only made Mig think they were putting more guards on the prisoners. "Ok. Garel, take a group to the rear. The rest, come with me to the bow. Comms on." It didn't take long for Mig's group to find trouble though. Blaster flew towards the Mandalorian, causing them to take cover. "Well, these guys won't just give up. Didn't think this would be a blue milk run."

[member="Livia Maddox"] [member="Aedan Miles"] [member="Ambrose Cadera"]

 

[Ambrose Cadera]

Location: Qiilura, Forest
Objective: 1 Find the Missing Gurlanin
Allies: @Deius Koman’na [member="Mia"] [member="Akita Silasrune"] [member="Alkor Centaris"] [member="Strider Garon"] [member="Rapax"]
Enemies: the avalanche

"Admiral Drake, your news is heard. We are zeroing in."

The world round us becomes a blur as the sky is our dominion. We race, this new gurlanin forming up beside me however hesitantly at first, as natural.

While my pup is strong, I fear these brawls are beyond her. It is a parent’s fear, guiding me to double the velocity as the wind picks through my feathers.

‘There.’ A telepathic nod to both this new gurlanin and Mia. An avalanche of stone over the caverns below.

As I fall from the sky, I transform once again into a hard-headed Ispersi Ram. I use my velocity to thunder into the rock from the side. A bit of the face crumbles.

But not enough.

As the others catch up, I chuff and paw the dirt. I can feel them now, weak and struggling.

“Newcomer. Help me with these rocks. Vano, Deius. We found them. Requesting demolitions.” Soon. Soon our people will be free.

 

[Aedan Miles]

Aedan nodded maintaining his mask of indifference as he heard the man scream behind him as his lover died. Taking a deep breath Aedan stilled his heart and emotions away as his eyes settled into a blank mask and he followed the Gurlanin's from the Hangar leading them to the crew quarters and mess hall plenty of room for them to get sorted and for medics to check on them. After a few moments he turned to head to a secondary hangar boarding a shuttle there and crossing back over to the Bane he made his way to the command suite forgetting to seal the doors behind him as he just reached his sanctuary and broke his masks shattering as easily as glass. His eyes now filled with dismay as he stood there in the center of the command suite mismatched eyes looking up at the ceiling as tears fell from his eyes and he slowly sank to his knees slamming a hand against the hard wood floor angrily as he snarled out mostly to himself. "I had no choice... They were slavers they deserve death... SO WHY DOES IT HURT SO MUCH?!" He punched the ground repeatedly blood falling from his hand to the ground around him before finally he let an anguished scream leave his lips and collapsed forward folding over till his forehead rested on the ground.

[member="Livia Maddox"]

 

[Livia Maddox]

Location: Orbit, Ord Mantell
Objective: 1 Find the Missing Gurlanin
Allies: @Deius Koman’na [member="Mia"] [member="Akita Silasrune"] [member="Alkor Centaris"] [member="Strider Garon"] [member="Aedan Miles"] [member="Mig Gred"]
Enemies: Slavers

Livia’s personal starfighter was the fastest in the Blood Fleet, or else Livia had more work to do. It made short the distance between her ship and the Bane. A constant thread of comms showered over her ears. The crew were better than their word. The Venator-Class was weaponless. Engineless. And now, a Kom’rk joined the relief effort. Two squadrons of fighters flanked the Kom’rk, protecting it from the dwindling fire of slavers too terrified or beset to scarper off.

“Alor Gred, you are cleared for boarding, our squadrons are coming alongside to guide you in.” Livia smiled as Commander Nelson gave Clan Gred their landing position. Further in the ship, a squad of Mandalorian Empire Death Watch rushed to the Gred reinforcements’ side.

“Alor Gred, I’m Finnick. We’ve got slavers holed up ahead. A couple of my soldiers went to circumnavigate and their comms went dead. We’re yours to command, Sir… blue milk or not, eh?”

If only Livia’s physical rehabilitation was farther along on her leg, she could sprint through the Bane. No need to ask where he was, Livia curled the hand with her ring into a fist and rushed as fast as she could to the Warden of Mandalore.

“Come on, come on, come on… Admiral Drake get your turbolifts cleared for higher acceleration, this is a warship not a confounded pleasure cruiser.” Livia rattled on, her eyes turning to the dust on a rail. The filter of the atmo. No other way to show her concern, Livia grunted at the staggering emotion wafting through the rings, which speared her in her swelling gut.

Making it to the Command Deck, Livia saw the opened door and the crew too respectful to reach forth and close it. A silent figure passed her a holo-recorder and showed her what Aedan had done. She inhaled and held it.

No wonder Drake called her from her ship. A hissing exhale. Passing the holounit back, Livia walked to the command suite’s open door. Calm to the tempest, Captain Maddox glared at the crew.

Not a word, not a single word.

She entered and shut the door. There he was, her lover and companion collapsed. Bleeding.

“Well, I see the floor got its’ comeuppance. Jolly good on it, I’m certain this time it’s learned its’ lesson.” Clipped and proper, Livia took hold of a bacta kit. She knelt with her right knee, the left straightened along Aedan’s side on the floor with the help of her cane. Some might have called her actions brave, others plain courageous. Livia trusted Aedan with more than her life. Quiet were the hands, which wiped the blood off swollen knuckles. Torn knuckles. Livia’s thumb brushed along the top of his hand as she held it firm and applied a bacta spray bandage to the ruined tissue.

“You’re human, my love. When all else is stripped away, that’s all we have left. You hurt, because you're not lost. Oh my dear.” Triage done, Livia tugged at him, urging his body closer. Her fingers brushed the hair away from his face, thumb taming the tears she found there. “Come. Let’s get you up and let me take a proper look at you. Alright? Eh? I’ve got you. Can’t lift you by myself. Not from the floor.”

 

[Deius Koman'na]

Deius Koman'na
Location: Qiilura, Forest area
Objective One: Find the missing villages
Allies: ME/ [member="Ambrose Cadera"] | [member="Akita Silasrune"] | [member="Mia"] | [member="Aedan Miles"]
Action: Prepare a plan of Attack on Enemy Combatants

As new orders surfaced from one the still functioning comm units from the rest, Deius nodded towards Vano to go ahead. "I'll catch up." He encouraged as he slowly moved towards where he had left his helmet to serve as a distraction. His fingers released the remaining straps over his chest and took in a large in take of air.

Chest burned with pain, but the new rush of fresh unburnt air cleared his head, hands now nestled his damaged helmet. A small grimaced as Deius peered into the blaster hole and carefully removed the comm unit inside it and left the now junked helmet on the ground. Much as his chest piece, all broken and far from useful to him currently. Perhaps he would reconsider a heavier set of true beskar armor, but the durasteel and plasteel were both light and easily replaceable.

Thoughts of credits and budgets soon dispersed as he focused back to his mission and quickly began to ran straight towards their new objective. His feet carefully guided him through much of the forest path, but even as he grew confident with his stride and even pace, the pain only grew around his chest. He staggered over an overgrown root and nearly slammed into a low hanging branch. Each time he lost slight footing and each time he tasted dirt.

Deius soon discovered his acquired taste of forest undergrowth, though fortunately his objective came to sight. Slowly he eased his pace down to a quick walk, his body thankful for the calm even as he prepared himself for more combat. Instead the mountains before him challenged him in a different way all together.

Oh yeah, I can't fly. Deius muttered silent curses, perhaps enough to make a War Master blush, he nodded his way and readied himself. Fingers poised, his legs coiled and he jumped and quickly grabbed hold to the boulder and started his climb upwards the mountain. Careful eyes focused on each step, each cropping and how each finger held for dear life the further the ground level grew between it and the young Mandalorian boy.

Breath slowed to a near ragged pace and sound, clearly he had not given himself enough time to recover but for the moment Deius refocused himself. Slightly thankful he had forgone his battered helmet and chest piece, the weight alone allowed his weakened strength to push his climb upwards, but the pain his chest continued. Gritted teeth he tensed his fingers and pulled himself up, his foot caught a ledge and with sheer will he latched himself to yet another crease with his fingers and held for a moment.

Air was craved throughout his body, his poor nose and mouth could not provide enough, with exhaustion pilling up to a near dangerous degree Deius pushed through the pain and continued his accent up the mountain. With one last pull, Deius scrambled upwards and collapsed ontop of a mountain passing, if he had enough oxygen going into his head Deius would have noticed the others of his kin attempting to dig through rocks and boulders.

Unfortunately he continued to gasp for air, his tired arms slowly unlatched his utility belt and laid it next to him. His last remaining fragmentation grenade and a single thermal detonator he had nicked from one of the mercenaries, were now offered to the others. Just, going to let, myself catch some air and rest.

 

[Ambrose Cadera]

Location: Qiilura, Forest
Objective: 1 Find the Missing Gurlanin
Allies: @Deius Koman’na [member="Mia"] [member="Akita Silasrune"] [member="Alkor Centaris"] [member="Strider Garon"] [member="Rapax"]
Enemies: the avalanche

“Word from Ambrose! They’re close, in those rock formations!” Vano raced forward, two of her squad still holding the one injured mercenary who was left alive.

“Deius, please tell me you can stand.” Vano watched Deius from the anonymity of her helmet. If she had to carry him around… but no. Deius was up, sore but up. A breath of relief echoed out of her buy’ce, as the leader of the Death Watch squad gave hand signals and rushed off.

Combining forces with the rest of Ambrose’s pack, and the strange new gurlanin by their side, Vano rushed with explosive charges, busying herself with a proper scan of the debris and the demolition vectors possible with the armaments they had.

“Ambrose, we need more. Another charge, or it’s not going to blow clean.”

“Make due. They’re fading.” Ambrose continued to claw at the debris, rustling rocks and miniature slides down to give some modicum of progress.

“Stop distracting me, then… Deius?” Looking to the boy, who climbed the mountain wounded, Vano scaled down to his side, clipping an emergency line to Deius’ belt and taking hold of the thermal detonator.

“This… this will do it.” Vano handed the charge to her second, and climbed down the cliff face with Deius clipped on in case he fell. Down at the bottom, Ambrose paced, swiping at rocks. “Keep doing that and it’ll fault.”

“Blast it. Get our people out.” The final word from Ambrose Cadera was enough for Vano and the Mandalorians to trigger the explosions. Covering his daughter with his body, in case of debris, Ambrose was first through to see if the blasting worked. Growls, chitters and echoing voices poured from the damaged rock.

There. In varying states of repair, gurlanin, twi’lek and human captives huddled and limped toward the light. With a single chuff from Ambrose, and a comm from Vano to Admiral Drake and [member="Gilamar Skirata"], the search for gurlanin turned from revenge to rescue.

The relief effort would start the moment Captain Maddox’s ships touched down.

 

[Gilamar Skirata]

A long range transmision reached Gil when he was touring the droid foundries on Ord Matnell. Something had happened on Qiilura. He cursed under his breath and activated the beck-and-call from his helmet. A few minutes went by before his ship landed in a junk clearing. When he was aboard he listened to the message in full.

A message went out to Kyrimorut and a pair of cruisers were mobilized to head to the Qiilura system to provide support. The Mandalorian Empire would be in Ord Mantell soon enough, but it looked like he was headed for Qiilura now, only a few jumps away. His shuttle flew from the surface and brown haze turned into the star speckled black of space. With his coordinates in he punched the hyperdrive and stars began to stretch and the blue of hyperspace enveloped him and his ship.

[member="Ambrose Cadera"]

 

[Mig Gred]

Mig turned to see the Death Watch members come in, and help them from where they were pinned. Apparently they were now under his command. Finnick then asked if this was a blue milk run or not. The lightly armored Mandalorian chuckled a bit. "This is an osik viinir (dung run) if you ask me." Mig then looked around, un-igniting the lightsaber blades along his Trayc'kad's edges. Mig closed his eyes, trying to feel for the others. Before opening them again and turning to where the enemy would be waiting. "We'll to deal with the slavers and find the Gurlanin first, then look for the rest of your team." He then flicked his Trayc'kad into its blaster mode. "Oya (stay alive). Let's move."

[member="Gilamar Skirata"] [member="Ambrose Cadera"] [member="Livia Maddox"] [member="Aedan Miles"]

 

[Rapax]

Location: Qiilura, Forest
Objective: 1 Find the Missing Gurlanin
Allies: @Deius Koman’na [member="Mia"] @Akita Silasrune @Alkor Centaris [member="Strider Garon"] [member="Ambrose Cadera"]?
Enemies:

He was about to use his magic but explosives are a quicker way to clear away rocks, He was pleased that after the explosion to see his kin and other species come out and he trotted over and started to assist in healing and helping them out of the avalanche. He doesn't know what will happen now that they are safe with the Mandalorians present but for now hes just prowling around helping out and healing who he can until then.

 

[Aedan Miles]

[member="Livia Maddox"]


Aedan smiled at her tiredly as he felt her reach him her presence in the force seeming to push away the dread and despair that had been welling up as he felt her treating his knuckles he looked up and forced a smile on his lips for her knowing that it wouldn't reach his eyes and that the once shining mismatched yellow and violet eyes were now dull and listless. "Yes sorry. I take it you heard or saw a recording of what happened?" He slowly pushed himself upright before reaching down offering his hand to his love to help her to her feet as well his eyes now reflecting the nervousness at what Liv might feel seeing what he had done. Seeing the part of him that scared him to the core. He pulled her to her feet and than wrapped his arms around her his face burrowing against her hair as he whispered softly to her. "I am sorry you had to see me like that Liv..."

 

[Livia Maddox]

Location: Orbit, Ord Mantell
Objective: 1 Find the Missing Gurlanin
Allies: @Deius Koman’na [member="Mia"] [member="Akita Silasrune"] [member="Alkor Centaris"] [member="Strider Garon"] [member="Aedan Miles"] [member="Mig Gred"]
Enemies: Slavers

“As opposed to what, seeing you halfway?” Livia rose up with Aedan’s help, comforted by his hand. His smile hadn’t returned. Eyes dull as dried flowers left in the sun. Stroking her fingers along his cheek, Livia gave a warm and uniquely personal smile for the man who shared her days.

“I saw. Those gurlanin and their eating habits made me wish to create an entire line of lupine cutlery. I know, I know. How macabre. Manners for all. My motto. It’ll do us well enough when... well..” smiling down with a blush, Livia guided Aedan’s exhausted and paling body to the couch, pushing his shoulders down to sit perched on his lap. How unprofessional.

“Oh! Oh now, love. Oooh oh oh.” Fast in the embrace, Livia stroked his back and held him as tight as she could. The task of Mandalorian protection was neither easy nor without risk. Aedan put both shoulders into his work, and tonight it got the better of his humanity.

“I promised to take all of you, Aedan Miles. Not only the good. I’m no blushing virgin looking at her first crush. Whenever you do what must be done, I promised to be by your side to fix it and fix you. I will never be blind to you... and never be afraid.” The stern ship’s captain pulled up on her top toes to kiss him, holding firm.

A chime came to Livia’s comm. The blood fleet disabled the engines and weapons systems of all the slaver ships. The Red Fangs were boarded, cleansing out the slavers and leaving only the innocent behind.

Livia was aware of the chatter in her ear, sending discrete messages as she could, but her main mission was assuring the health and well-being of the Warden of Mandalore. Her lover and friend.


“Gred! Behind you!” The Mandalorian roared, firing into the thick of slavers yet resisting on the ship he and Clan Gred boarded.

The battle was swift and brutal. In the calm afterwards, a stillness reigned. Finnick grunted and sheathed his beskad. Sounds of fighting diminished.

Until... they were gone.

Finnick rushed the corner and to his left was a door sealed by crude metal.

“Anyone got a blast charge?!” One of the Gred clan obliged. The door blasted open, and on the interior of the room...

... the slaves.

“We found them. Repeat, Captain Maddox, we found the captives. They’re alive...”

“Good work Finnick. Ensure none of the resisting slavers are. Maddox out.”

It would not take long before another communication came to Livia’s comm. A simple: Mission Accomplished.

Qiilura belonged to Mandalore, now.

Sending down a relief effort from her ships, Livia knew the rescued gurlanin and people of Qiilura would need more than a good day’s meal. Yet, the system was under Mandalorian control, and if the Infernal’s flagship, the Hell Wolf was any indication, Mand’alor herself was coming to oversee the relief and reintegration of Qiilura into the Empire.

Yet for Livia only one task held her mind. Tending to Aedan. It was, ultimately, beyond politics and the strange Mandalorian life, all that mattered.

 

[Ambrose Cadera]

The gurlanin and rescued beings sat under quick-brought structures, wrapped in blankets. Passing the supplies out were the engineers and relief workers, who came from Captain Maddox’s ships. Dedicated and oddly… colourful, the relief crew might have been better defined as piratical, if one looked too closely.

Beggars not being choosers, I suppose. Mand’alor the Infernal made planetfall not long ago, surrounded by engineers and her chattering aunt, the architect. Peggy Fitz-Kierke rolled up both sleeves of her jumpsuit and started barking orders, to teams going to each of the abandoned villages to repair any damage.

The Infernal asks for nothing from my fellow gurlanin. Offers of kinship are unspoken, but present. Qiilura will be preserved for its unique culture, yet all who wish to take more of the Mandalorian way are welcome.

I sit in my beskar’kandar, having taken ‘human’ form. I let my daughter Mia’s head drift to my shoulder. It would do me no benefit to tell her how proud I was at her hunting for survivors.

“You, Rapax. Come meet the Infernal. You impressed me today, your speed and ferocity are worth having around. Stay. Join our pack, if you would have us. All the past is forgiven. Cin Vhetin for all who ask it of Mand’alor.”

The captives from the Slavers’ fleet are returned, many with curiously full bellies. Tuulu remains in lupine form, heavy pads crunching at the undergrowth beneath his paws, as he trots beside Yasha. Chuffed, that lad.

As the banners of the Infernal overcome the tattered slaves’ rags of fear, I feel a renewed persistence in my Mandalorian culture and gurlanin heritage.

Fin. [member="Mia"] [member="Rapax"] [member="Aedan Miles"] @Deius Koman’na [member="Gilamar Skirata"]

 

[Mig Gred]

Mig heard the warning and quickly wheeled his around, using the lightsaber blades of his Trayc’kad to send bolts flying back at the slavers. He used his blade to quickly slice into them with the grace of a Jedi, but the ferocity of a Mandalorian. The other Greds followed, using their own weapons as either blasters or blades to fight off the enemy. The combined effort of the two groups of Mandalorians made the battle a short one. Swift and precise. The Force sensitive man the followed Finnick to the crudely blocked door. He used the Force adjusted an internal nob for the lightblades of his Trayc’kad, lengthening the blades just in case the charge failed. Thankfully it worked like a charm.

He kept his guard up until the smoke cleared, revealing their goal. The captives. Mig lowered his blade and placed it back on his back. He then looked at Finnick, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Jate borarir (good work), Finnick.”

After that, Qiilura was Mandalor’s. The members of Clan Gred stayed until the captives were returned. Mig told Liddin to use the Kom’rk’s small passager bay to take small groups down to their homes. Mig waited on the surface, being sure everyone found their homes and families.

[member="Ambrose Cadera"] [member="Livia Maddox"] [member="Aedan Miles"] [member="Rapax"] [member="Gilamar Skirata"] [member="Deius Koman'na"]