Take The Long Way Home

[Alden Kyr’Nau]

PLANET: Geonosis
LOCATION: Golbha City
DATE: Shortly after the events of the Mandalorian Civil War Counter Strike

The events of the Mandalorian Civil War had torn a planet and a people apart. Everything that needed to be said about had been said many times in the past. The two sides of the war while neither truly evil had both done unspeakable things. They both had beliefs they could not set aside. They both had done much to alienate those who simply wanted to follow the Resol'nare and create a strong people. Many had been caught in the crossfire and Alden was just one of those poor unfortunate souls. However, he had managed to escape thanks to the help of a man named Daxton Bane and a small group of like-minded people from The Confederacy of Independent Systems. People who had seen the potential atrocity brewing at Sindari Prison and took it upon themselves to free those unjustly incarcerated.

Now Alde was sitting in the office of a man he'd never met before, never even heard of before, Darth Metus. From what he'd been told the man was a powerful Force user. Had to be to bear the title of Darth. He was also one of the people in charge of the CIS, perhaps the person in charge of the CIS despite the fact that many of the planets were independently run. Alden was not quite sure how he'd wound up in this office. Oh, he knew the individual components of it but despite understanding the little pieces the big picture still overwhelmed him. How had he become the man chosen to represent the freed prisoners? The one who had to beg asylum and refuge from a figure such as Darth Metus? Alden simply did not know and he felt overwhelmed. He was no leader, at least, not his own mind.

So here he was in a large imposing office. He sat in a chair on the other side of a desk and he waited. Despite feeling overwhelmed he maintained good composure. There was no tremble in his body, no restless fidgeting of his foot, no wandering gaze. He sat hands on the armrest gaze locked on a point on the far wall. He seemed to be at attention but there was a certain lax posture in his muscles that suggested he was ready to move should he need to. Someone such as Darth Metus might note that his seeming comfort despite his position is slightly at odds with the kind of person he claimed to be. Was it a sign of a change in bearing due to extreme circumstances? Or something else? Surely a man who'd once been a farmer should be visibly nervous sitting in that office. But he was a Mandalorian and he had survived Sindari Prison and by all accounts proven himself in the process. It was hard to say if he was odd or not.

 

[Malok]

[member="Alden Kyr’Nau"]

One could not help but feel responsible.

Before the Alor of House Naak entered his office, the Sith Lord was fixated upon the past. Although his sulfuric gaze looked forward, his mind replayed the aging scenes over and over again. Darth Metus had to seriously ask himself - in light of all that was happening recently - if he could have stopped it. If he had not abdicated his claim of Sole Ruler to Ra Vizsla, would Mandalore have expelled his kind? If he had rallied his Empire against the Clans, would his rule yet persist? Would the Mandalorians have been better with him as their King?

Or would they be worse?

A heavy exhale fell from the Sith's lips as he dismissed these thoughts. There was nothing that he could do about the past now. Even for all his might and prowess in the Force, the passage of time would elude him. All that he could do...and all that the Exiled could do...was look towards the future. And that was where the Survivor came in. According to the reports, the man who now entered his office had been liberated from the depths of Sundari. He was a man just as Sensitive to the Force as he.

He was a leader among the Exiles. Hell, he was their leader.

And now they needed a place to call home.

"Welcome to Geonosis." began the Sith, addressing the man who now sat before him. "I trust your journey was well."

Small talk. Bah. It broke the ice well enough. Leaning forward, Darth Metus soon placed his hands flat upon the desk. "Let us speak candidly. Mandalore has turned its back on us - on you, on me, on everyone remotely in touch with the Force. It's either Exile or Death, in one form or another." His hands folded together, neatly. "So, the question is, what are we Exiles to do? Do we run? Do we surrender? Do we fight?" He shook his head, gently tousling the mass of dreadlocks.

"Or do we start over again?"

A huff escaped him.

"Tell me your thoughts. Where do you and your Naak stand?"

 

[Alden Kyr’Nau]

The man across from Alden finally speaks. During the delay between entering and the start of the conversation, Alden had time to consider Metus. To say he knew little of the man was a fair assessment. That Metus was a powerful figure Alden knew, that he was Mandalorian, that he'd once had a chance to be Mand'alor Alden was also dimly aware of. But like many his experience with the politics of the high and mighty was limited. He did not know the man who claimed the title Darth, did not know why Metus had made the choices he had. He certainly didn't judge the man for leaving Mandalore in Ra Viszla's hands as some might have. It was a common mistake of those who have never lead to assume that they could do a better job. Alden did not know if Metus had made the right choices, even with hindsight who could say that if he'd made different ones things would have turned out better? What was, was best not to dwell on it.

When Metus finally deigns to speak Alden is surprised something distinctly human in his presentation. The opening comment almost seemed awkward, the shake of the head, the decision to simply press to the heart read to Alden as signs of a man slightly uncertain how to proceed. Alden had expected the Lord to be more imposing, more commanding, no more demanding. However, Metus was being genial or near enough. Which wasn't to say the man lacked qualities of leadership, no he did have the presence of one who leads. Alden was merely surprised that he was not putting on the aloof airs one might expect from a Sith Lord, perhaps Metus saved such posturing for his enemies or those he needed to cow. Why try and intimidate someone whose fate you already had control of?

There is a long moment of silence but it is not awkward and it isn't Alden ignoring the question. His countenance has shifted to one of a man in thought, lips pursed, a hand resting on a chin, eyes staring into the middle distance. He is giving Metus's question due consideration before answering. "By becoming exiles we have already started running." He says finally each word slow, carefully considered. "By refusing to allow Ra Viszla to cure us of our... affliction... We have already refused to surrender." Dropping his hand into his lap he meets Metus's gaze. "Fighting isn't an option. Even if House Naak had the numbers to oppose Ra Viszla I would not do so. There are no winners when Vod fight Vod, though he and his has rejected us they are still Vod. Mandalorians, followers of the Resol'nar." That left them with only a single option, didn't it? "House Naak will start anew, where we find succor we shall build a new Manda'yim and once we have we will stop running, we will fight if we need to defend ourselves, and we will never surrender. I do not yet know where House Naak will make this stand, will you give us land and a place to call home? Where we can each follow the Resol'nar as our conscience demands. If you will, then we will stand with you Lord Metus. If not then you still have our gratitude for your people seeing us free of prison but we will search for another place to call home."

[member="Darth Metus"]

 

[Malok]

"I won't turn any vode away, especially given the state of Mandalore." came his response.

Briefly, there was a pause in verbage whilst Darth Metus reached across his desk. His fingertips found the buttons of a console which, upon pressing one, promptly caused an azure light to shine between them. A projection soon formed, presenting the current member worlds of the Confederacy as a magenta cloud amongst the black of space. Each world was illuminated as well, for easy viewing. It was clear that the Sith continually monitored the progress of his nation.

"I will give you - and our kin - their new Manda'yaim. The only matter left is selection. Personally, it is my recommendation to start anew on Tythe or Nelvaan. Another candidate is Relovian, which has expressed great interest in joining the Confederacy. Choose and give your Naak direction to settle there. Then we can discuss your place within my Confederacy."

[member="Alden Kyr’Nau"]

 

[Alden Kyr’Nau]

The response while not unexpected is still welcome and Alden smiles broadly at Metus. "You have my thanks, Lord Metus." He says inclining his head in respect. The three potential worlds that may play host to his House are given and Alden gets to his feet looking to Metus for permission. Assuming he gets a nod, Alden would inspect each in turn and view what information he can on them. "A wasteland, a tundra, and a jungle." Alden says musingly, each had their advantages and disadvantages.

Some might have argued for Tythe, it was a wasteland world after some disaster years ago and it would be a challenge to tame it. Most thought that Mandalorian's should seek hardship and challenge, there was some truth to that. The Resol'nar called for one to have the strength to defend their family, village, and house. Yet his people had suffered already and were already facing an uphill battle when the majority of their brothers wanted them dead. For this reason he also decides against Nelvaan.

"I think Relovian would be best." He finally says to Metus. His hand tapping on the world. "We will help bring this world into your Confederacy and in doing so create a new home for our people." It seemed to him the best place to start.

[member="Darth Metus"]