Campaign The Heart Beats Again | Lothal Protectorate (plus allies)

[Jafan Bibble]

Location: Lothal
Tags: Delphi Larkspur

"I ain't being weird 'n' grumbly. It just ain't every day you see someone with wei-...funk-...unusual legs."

His people skills left much to be desired as Jafan ran his hand down his face, letting out a long groan. Okay. Now maybe he was being grumbly over all of this. He wasn't purposefully trying to be rude but now he was wondering why he even cared about what some stranger thought? Well...The only reasonable excuse was that if he upset people on Lothal, he might not be able to stay here.

"I ain't used to seeing...aliens that are more..."

Words. Choose your words very carefully Jafan. He frowned for a moment, racking his brain for some kind of word that sounded like a compliment...even if he didn't mean it as a compliment.

"...Unique. It's like...erh...seeing a flower you ain't see before. You want to look at it. It's a...natural phnemo...pheno...natural thing!"

Was he digging himself a hole? Maybe. He was meant to be helping with the rubble building but here he was basically on damage control to make sure this little Lass didn't get too pouty on him, as he held his hands up in the air.

"I...Erh...Where were you headin'? I can...help you get there?"​

 

[Delphi Larkspur]

Lothal
Tags: Jafan Bibble

"I ain't used to seeing...aliens that are more..."

"...Unique. It's like...erh...seeing a flower you ain't see before. You want to look at it. It's a...natural phnemo...pheno...natural thing!"

"Right..."

Well, he was at least trying to change his tone. That was better, so her pout was quick to fade. That was enough for her. Turns out it was actually really easy to get back on her good side. Not really a shocker, Delphi was positive by nature. It took a lot of effort to be upset. The mud-walker clasped her hands together with the datapad tucked under her arm, smiling up at the cloaked stranger.

"Well, since you're offering, I'm on my way to the outskirts of Capital City," she explained, her chipper tone returning. "A woman named Jonyna Si is there leading efforts to supply refugees, and my boss has tasked me to assist in managing the resources we're providing them. I'd appreciate a body guard, Mister."

With a wobble, Delphi turned and began heading towards the outskirts. She gave a simple gesture with her head to signal him to follow. Her movements were odd, almost cartoonish. Her posture, at the very least, didn't seem completely stable.

"I'm Delphi, but you can call me Del!" the young woman introduced. "I'm an apprentice researcher at the Phoenix Initiative, the designated think-tank laboratory of Krinemonen Hydraworks, workin' directly under the lab's super awesome director, the boss I mentioned. I'm sure you saw the big ol' space station above the capital? We're overseeing it's resources for the time being."

 

[Aloy Vizsla]

H O M E C O M I N G
Old Man Leonis | Open​

"Kindred spirits." she nodded.

Lothalites in fact shared a lot in common with her vagrant fleet from the sound of it, even if their mysterious organization had once been proud soldiers before the shadow crusade's end. She said nothing of the planet's debt however, their arms had been paid for long ago, and it seemed the black fleet's presence would be paid for again soon enough.

"Th' Lothal Protectorate has a philosophy: Fight for Lothal and she's yer home, no matter where yer from. She has a spirit we're all tied to, where we return to when we fall. Desperation breeds resilience. I'm lookin' to build somethin' new outa this mess. If yeh want a place in it, make it so."

"The Mando'ade thought similarly, once. I suppose there's some irony in us benefitting from that sorta mentality now."

The Vizsla chuckled softly at the irony, but also that she had not always taken kindly to aruetii influence herself. When she governed Concordia, maybe she'd have taken refugees in small numbers, but she recalled with bitter clarity how she once saw outsiders visiting Mand'alore when she was still the young Alor of House Vizsla.

"Well, I appreciate your hospitality. If you tell your PDF we're coming and point us towards a place with clean water, then I'll go ahead and call my people down to help clear this rubble and such."

"Maybe later we can talk about Doonium for our armor, and training your militia."

All in good time of course, Vizsla had always been a shrewd businesswoman, even when that business was killing folks for money, but first she wanted to see how the old man led his people before she integrated with them, find out if they were moving to another hotbed that they'd be leaving behind, as she had done so many homes by now, or if this was truly the quiet she'd been searching for. Well, not too quiet, she was still a Mandalorian at heart.

"So we've got ourselves an accord then?"

She reached for a handshake, activating her artificial nerves so as not to accidently crush the man's old bones, though it'd be a firm handshake.

All the while her second in command, a crimson armored rallymaster, began to establish a link to the fleet via holo-projector, speaking in Mando'a. There was only one ship in orbit currently, but the rest were prepared to enter at a moment's notice.

 

[BB-610]

THAT REMOTE PLACE​

| LOCATION: Lothal |
| TAG: Jalen Kai'el | Open! ♥


With the tilt of his head, the droid followed, rolling by Jalen's feet as they approached the temple. BB-610 was delighted, whistling a peppy little tune.

The temple, as expected, proved endlessly fascinating. Its halls, while hollow, held such an alluring air of mystique, and the engravings that adorned the world around them held his attention without fail. Light bled through the wall's cracks, dust motes lingering across rays of sunshine. The astromech's internal documentation began with awe.

The droid listened, of course, though he'd certainly stopped to admire his surroundings. A page torn from the history books, left dirtied and yet still so rich with lore — BB-610 could only imagine how it must feel to be attuned to the Force, to bask in ethereal shadows long since cast by their predecessors.

The Trials of Spirit . . .

A name vaguely familiar via sheer osmosis. His knowledge of Jedi customs had been sorely lacking, and what little BB-610 did know had been deliberately tainted by The Eternal Empire.

He was not so lucky to be visited by the phantom touch of Jedi past, incapable of hearing their whispers. BB-610 would have felt far more upset had he not felt so honored to set proverbial foot inside this sanctum.

Turning to face Jalen, the astromech cooed, having asked if the presence of these Jedi ever felt uncomfortable in any way. An earnest, if possibly naïve question — his friends always spoke fondly of the Force's many acts, but he couldn't help but feel as though not every ghostly sensation was pleasant.

 

[Old Man Leonis]

Lothal
Tags: Aloy Vizsla , Laphisto

Lothal Protectorate, Lucy​

"So we've got ourselves an accord then?"

"An accord it is," Leonis agreed, shaking her hand. "I suggest your folks head for Tangletown. Been abandoned for a long time, but it's got facilities for drawin' fresh water from an underground aqueduct. It would bring me some comfort seein' the ol' ghost-town brought back t' life. We'll wire you th' coordinates, just give th' word."

And that was a matter taken care of. A new layer of defense for Lothal, and a strong friend of the Protectorate gained. No doubt his people would sleep a little better with some additional ships in the sky at night. Maybe Aloy's people would sleep better too. Now that the concerns of the Mandalorian were seen and terms were met, there was a new arrival. Large, dwarfing Leonis in spite of his height. The old man's resolve didn't falter. His gruff exterior remained as rigid as ever as he prepared to addressed the armored draconian fellow...

" commander, vod. I don't mean to intrude but I represent the Lilaste order and in turn the Diarchy. I have been authorized to provide lothal with military equipment and enough ships to start a small system defense fleet. Within this offer are three Air'mar Assault carriers. Each of which contains a war forge, a fully automatic factory that can make anything from weapons to make shift shelters to civilian infrastructure to war machines."

"That's all well and good, son," the Commander began, "But ships don't come for free. I'm aware that you were workin' as mercenaries for the Empire of the Lost. Frankly, why you gave 'em your business is none of my concern. If you're looking to provide your arms to the Protectorate, I'm lookin' to know what the strings are. Everyone's got a price, soldier."

And he certainly didn't know much about this Diarchy. All that he cared about was Lothal maintaining it's independence. No overlords, just the democratic system that they had employed over a hundred years ago now.

It was most important that this provision didn't come with foreign oversight.

 

[Jalen Kai'el]

Lothal
Tags: BB-610

Delta-7​

Turning to face Jalen, the astromech cooed, having asked if the presence of these Jedi ever felt uncomfortable in any way. An earnest, if possibly naïve question — his friends always spoke fondly of the Force's many acts, but he couldn't help but feel as though not every ghostly sensation was pleasant.

"No, they aren't all pleasant," Jalen noted. "Some people don't leave behind their best attributes. If their lives were dominated by hanger and rage, they may leave behind raw malice. Dark energy that can harm the physical world. Wither plants, wound people, attack the mind. There's a lot of risk that comes with leaving yourself open to the Force. But... it comes with great strength too."

Jalen tilted his heads, feeling the presences of familiar people in the Force around him. A gentle smile came to his face.

"Did you know Valery Noble is here?" he stated. "Should we come into harms way, she has the ability to lend her strength to others. We call it Battle Meditation. Leaving yourself open to the Force allows others to latch onto you and lift you up. It's an interconnected web... perhaps like a collection of receivers connected to a server, if that makes sense. A receiver is only as powerful as the network it is attached to, so too is that for people like me and Valery."

The young man let out a soft chuckle.

"The lingering feelings here aren't of malice," the Knight assured. "They're of duty, hope, community... This is a good place. You can trust my word on that."

 

[Jafan Bibble]

Location: Lothal
Tags: Delphi Larkspur

"A...bodyguard. Yeah. I guess I can do that. Ain't too much of a problem for me."

He was used to that kind of work at least. Of course, he was used to guarding people in a big city, not out in the wild. Jafan knew he could crack some heads together, but could he do the same with some manner of beastie? Maybe.

"You can call me Jafan. Just Jafan."

Introductions weren't something he was fond of, but considering the lass had introduced herself, it was only fair that he would do the same. Though if he was honest, her name was the only thing he understood from all the...word vomit she just went through. Think-Tanks? Were they meant to be like some kind of giant Bacta Tank with a brain in it or something? Hydraworks? Weren't those a thing with like sixty heads?...Or maybe it was six.

"...Yeah. Real big space station. I had a bit of a Butcher's at it. The size of the thing is absolute crackers."

Jafan didn't really think much about how his own words were probably some form of gibberish of his own. Why would he even think about that? It all made sense to him at the end of the day.

​

 

[Aloy Vizsla]

H O M E C O M I N G
Old Man Leonis Laphisto | Open
​

Aloy nodded more earnestly as their shake concluded.

Not just the customary dip of her helmed chin with which so many Mando'ade responded for a variety of reasons, but a real, up and down, nod. She was thankful in her own way, debts or not. She was eager to begin, and to make a new home for her people away from the endless regime changes and clan rivalries. Honestly she couldn't even count all the civil wars she'd fought in now, or how many times she'd declared Akaan'gaan to distance herself from all the rules and posturing.

"Tangletown? Alright, I'll get my people to work."

She gestured to the rallymaster, who was quick to relay the arrangement and inform The Recluse to wait for coordinates before sending a dropship to scout this ghost town of Leonis'.

Not long after, The Black Fleet arrived in orbit, The Beast of Shukut and her escorts casting a long shadow over the city outskirts.
Honestly she was so caught up in those "new house" feelings that she hadn't even noticed Laphisto speaking with Leonis.

"Kad'harangir! don't sneak up on me like that."

She looked up at the large man, realizing he couldn't sneak up on the dead if he tried. Maybe something was wrong with her helm's audio. She spent the conversation fiddling with a dial located on the joint of her rangefinder antenna, adjusting the audio up and down till she hit a sweet spot.

But she didn't like what she was hearing.

Aloy had devoted her entire life to fighting imperialists. Sith, Final Dawn, First Order, New Imperial Order remnants, Empire of the Lost, she'd fought every kind of imperial out there wearing every color of plastoid you could make a stormrooper. All Mandalorians should, in her opinion, and yet this "vod" of hers was taking contracts from them and the Diarchy, those self styled enforcers of order, who employed Sith of their own.

Same chit, different uniform, she thought.

"What's the Diarchy want with Lothal?" she chimed in, as always.

Aloy crossed her mechanical arms, staring right up at the dragon no matter his size. She'd fought bigger.

"Besides the Doonium, 'course."

 

[Delphi Larkspur]

Lothal
Tags: Jafan Bibble , Jonyna Si

"...Yeah. Real big space station. I had a bit of a Butcher's at it. The size of the thing is absolute crackers."

"..."

Delphi glanced away, awkwardly rubbing at the bridge of her nose. 'Had a bit of a Butcher's at it'? That sure was words he said. She hadn't really encountered this sort of dialect before. Hopefully he wasn't too hard to understand. She could, at the very least, deduce it was an exclamation in regards to St. Maldra's size.

Maybe.

"Anyways..." Delphi continued, "You don't seem like a local. Here visiting someone?"

He certainly didn't speak like a Lothalite.

 

[Jafan Bibble]

Location: Lothal
Tags: Delphi Larkspur

"Nah. I ain't visitin' anyone. I'm here on me tod."

Jafan shoved his hands into his pockets at that, kicking a stray stone along the ground as they walked. It was a question that made sense to ask but Jafan didn't like his own answer. He was always alone, travelling from planet to planet. That was just how the cookie crumbled but he'd take it on his chin. He always did.

"There was nowt to do back home. Ain't been back in...think it's been 'bout ten years now. See, I used to get to my neck in trouble and all. Decided it was best to 'ead off."

He prepared to go on a massive spiel about a story back home, before he stopped for a moment. It was as if he had came to a sudden realisation, looking over towards Delphi and blinked a few times.

"...You 'aven't got a clue what I'm talkin' 'bout, do ya? Sorry. I ain't...used to natterin' with people"

​

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto had fully expected the man's skepticism, but he was still caught a little off guard when they mentioned his last visit to Lothal under mercenary contract for the Empire of the Lost. Still, he was relieved that his arrival wouldn’t be met with blaster barrels and shackles.

When Aloy Vizsla suddenly barked at him for sneaking up on her, he raised a brow in mild surprise. He hadn't intended to do so he’d assumed she’d already noticed him. Whether to feel proud of his stealth or concerned by her reaction was still up for debate.

“My apologies, i didn’t mean to sneak up on you I thought you were already aware of my presence. I’ll try to make more noise next time.” he let a soft friendly chuckle push from his throat.

Clearing his throat and turned his attention back to Old Man Leonis . “There’s no price,” he said plainly. “Most of these ships have already been phased out of serviceexcept the assault carriers, which are the newest in the line. If they don't go to Lothal, they'll likely be scrapped or end up in someone else’s hands. Consider this my atonement for any crime you might be ready to pin on me.”

His expression softened slightly. And he thought back to the tomb in which he awoke in all those years ago.“The only thing I’d ask in return personally that is, is permission to send a team into a remote cave to recover some ancient equipment from a tomb. Beyond that, the ships are a gift to help secure Lothal’s independence.”

When Aloy began her line of questioning, he shifted to face her, arms folding loosely across his chest as he tilted his head slightly.
“Doonium? I wasn’t aware Lothal had any. But I can assure you, the Diarchy has no interest in your doonium it’s not exactly high on our list of strategic materials. No offense, of course.”

He paused briefly, gaze steady. Before thinking over aloys last question, it was a valid remark and considering the past troubled the planet has had with other governments Laphisto wanted to make sure things were clear “As for what the Diarchy wants with Lothal? We want to safeguard your sovereignty. I’ve pulled a few strings, called in a few favors with the Diarchs, and I’ve convinced them that Lothal’s independence is a cause worth protecting.”

He let that sink in for a moment before clarifying, so no one could misinterpret his intent. “To be clear, this protection only applies if your sovereignty is threatened by an external force. If that ever happens, all you need to do is pick up the holocom we’ll come in full force to defend your right to remain independent. Unless, of course, Lothal chooses to join another government willingly. In that case, our guarantee no longer applies.”

Laphisto hoped his genuine offer would help reshape the warped view many seemed to hold about the Diarchy.and those quickly forming about the Lilaste order

 

[Delphi Larkspur]

Lothal
Tags: Jafan Bibble

"...You 'aven't got a clue what I'm talkin' 'bout, do ya? Sorry. I ain't...used to natterin' with people"

"I'm... sort of following," she noted with a sheepish smile. "I must admit that there's a lot of... lingo I'm not picking up on though. I don't know what it means to be somewhere on a... 'tod'..."

But there was something exciting about this new dialect, or at new dialect to her. The Void Terminal was a very drab place, where people didn't have hope for any kind of good future. It was sad, and was thusly a place where people spoke in a sad and boring way. Being out and exploring the galaxy was exciting, and she was always interested to hear how people spoke.

Even if she didn't quite understand it.

"It's fun though," Delphi decided. "My home's a real sad and borin' place where people sorta just... wait to die. They don't speak in a very interesting way there. I do appreciate you slowing down for me though."

There was no comment at all on him saying he used to get into trouble. It was almost like she didn't care.

 

[Old Man Leonis]

Lothal
Tags: Aloy Vizsla , Laphisto

Lothal Protectorate, Lucy​

“Doonium? I wasn’t aware Lothal had any. But I can assure you, the Diarchy has no interest in your doonium it’s not exactly high on our list of strategic materials. No offense, of course.”

"Is that so..."

Doonium had always been what drew people to Lothal. It had been used to construct the superweapons of that ancient Galactic Empire, and no doubt the Empire of the Lost had wanted it for the very same. Yet this man seemed... rather oblivious to the notion of Doonium. Maybe he just didn't fully grasp what it was that Lothal had.

But Leonis did hone in on one thing: Atonement for crimes. A believable motivation for leaving behind outdated equipment with them. Still, he was going to be weary in regards to how to proceed.

"Now... I appreciate th' advocacy yeh seemed to preform back home in yer... Diarchy," the old man began, "And I'm in no position t' deny yer outdated vessels. To that end, they'll be accepted. Calling on yer people to defend our sovereignty, however, is not an offer I'll be accepting. Forgive my caution, but I ain't lookin' for a crutch. And I ain't lookin' t' tie our security t' some distant superpower. I can assure yeh I'd tell th' Galactic Alliance th' same. Th' knot is too tight... that only leads t' someone gettin' strangled. In other words: Th' Lothal Protectorate will accept keepin' yer distance as atonement for yer crimes. If yeh don't mind, that's where I'd like to leave that discussion."

They'd take the ships at least. Anything they could get without getting in bed with this Diarchy.

 

[Aloy Vizsla]

H O M E C O M I N G
Old Man Leonis Laphisto​

He wasn't aware of the Doonium?

Aloy flashed Leonis a glance, appearing as little more than a subtle shift in her visor, as she'd been trained to keep her movements veiled from outsiders. Equally imperceptible however, was the smile behind it. It was either the most outlandish lie she'd heard, or the most genuine innocence a mercenary could possess.

Still, this wasn't her world to negotiate for, much as she'd like to make it her home. Leonis had the right of it though, take the help Lothal can get, call it even, but leave it that. It was practical, and shrewd.

The Vizsla was thankful she wasn't representing a galactic superpower right now.

She gave the two a moment to process one another, shifting her gaze skyward to watch her ships coming in. Dropships were being deployed now, most full of engineers and even what few medics a people like hers could produce. Though Mandalorians were always armed, the rifles and carbines had been left aboard, freeing hands to clear rubble and carry tools.

On their own, a few crews weren't enough to rebuild this city, but they'd be enough to support it.

"You know, that takes me back," she said, pointing lazily at the busy airspace.

"To when we liberated Manda'yaim the first time, from Carnifex the Butcher King."

"Think I've seen more of these cities rebuilt than I have burnt." she chuckled dryly.

Though she'd never admit that she counted each reconstruction of Sundari separately, easily inflating the number.

Finally, she turned to Laphisto, noticing the mark of Clan Ordo upon his armor, which otherwise broke from traditional make. She was an armorer after all, having forged more than half the sets worn by her fleet. She knew the telltale signs, though she'd also known true hearted kin who nevertheless did not value tradition in quite the same ways she'd grown to.

To say nothing of the ways she didn't.

"Laphisto, how does Clan Ordo fare these days? I haven't seen your Alor since Ijaat Mereel was Mand'alor."

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto nodded softly toward Old Man Leonis .
"Understood. I'll be sure to plan any territorial expansion well away from the Instrop Sector. If anything, the Tion Cluster will mark the furthest we'd ever branch out if we even go that far. But regardless of where we go, the offer remains open. Should Lothal ever need anything, support, supplies, or military aid the Diarchy, and by extension the Lilaste Order, will be only a call away. You have my word. You can hold me to my honor as a warrior on that." His position as the head of the Diarchy's naval and ground forces would ensure the promise was kept.

He paused briefly, then continued with a respectful tilt of his head.
"That said… I do have one request. Would it be alright to send in a small team to excavate the tomb I mentioned earlier? Truth be told, it's less a tomb and more… my old prison. There's some ancient data stored there information I suspect I'll need in the near future."

There was a strange neutrality to his voice, almost like he was speaking of someone else's past. He treated the subject like it was a long-estranged family member: important, but painful. Clearly, the place didn't hold fond memories but even so, he had chosen to ask for permission rather than simply show up and start digging into the mountain. A courtesy, at the very least.

Before the conversation could go much further, Aloy Vizsla spoke again, drawing his attention. His ear perked at the sound of her voice, then slowly lowered as he instinctively brought a hand to the sigil of Clan Ordo engraved into the left pauldron of his armor. The moment it made contact, his lone upright ear pinned back against his head.

"I couldn't tell you," he said with a quiet frown. "Last time I had any contact with my clan was before the Neos took over back when they were still the Protectors. I left in search of clues tied to one of my old ships... and by the time I returned, I'd been quietly exiled. The Neo-Crusaders' stance on Force-sensitives doesn't exactly leave room for compromise. Even after my Verd'goten, it didn't matter."

He shifted slightly as the memory stirred painful and frustrating. He had no idea where Ordo had gone, if he'd been run off or worse. But some part of him still hoped - maybe naively - that the old warrior was out there somewhere, still holding to what remained of their clan.

Clearing his throat and shaking his head laphisto rumbled lightly to himself before looking out at the two trying to remain professional" Tia, you are authorized to bring Mau'luk Squadron into Lothal space, along with the assault carriers."

After a few moments the sixteen ships laphisto had promised along side the Tracyn dropped from hyper space " the small ones are yours. The ancient warship is mine." Laphisto chuckled softly at the small joke before letting his arms cross back over his chest " Mau'luk squadron is one of the oldest and most notable fleets of the Lilaste order. I would have hated to see them split up or scrapped, at least this way I know they will be cherished, manuals for proper maintenance and blueprints for all available parts have already been downloaded into the war forges I'm sure you could use Doonium as a replacement for Fyrirdögun though I can't say the quality of the ships will remain the same if enough parts are swapped out."

As Laphisto spoke, a visible wince rippled through his form. A faint, green fire-like glow pulsed briefly through the veins on his neck visible for only a few seconds, but enough to steal the breath from his lungs and tighten the muscles across his body. the glow seemed to be originating under the chest plate after the action had passed laphisto shook his head with a small subtle growl a hand rubbing at the base of his throat. His breath becoming a bit ragged for a few moments

" My apologies where was I?" Laphisto thought for a moment before eventually crossing his arms back over his chest and perking his lone ear once again " oh right. My people are ready to start shipping themselves off your new ships, just need proper personnel to take over"

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAG: Delphi Larkspur Jafan Bibble

The Dawn of Hope's convoy of supplies were coming down in earnest now. Jonyna had set herself up watching as the Maclunkee's went into full operation, offering her temporary services as a waitress for the first round of patrons, before dipping out to check her wrist-pad.

A Ziio came down, and Jonyna was in the middle of checking over it's contents, when she noticed she had visitors.

"Ah, you must be the Hydraworks representative. Miss..." She paused, looking at her datapad and squinting. "Larks...bur?"

Was that a P or a B? She couldn't tell. Damned datapad!

 

[BB-610]

THAT REMOTE PLACE​

| LOCATION: Lothal |
| TAG: Jalen Kai'el | Open! ♥


He had figured as much. The Force surrounded all living things, good and bad, and thus the voices that remained couldn't all be comforting. Jalen spoke of Jedi, though — their will with the Force was palpable, a kindred connection that traversed the cosmos in hearty whispers. The temple was once in good hands, BB-610 was sure of that.

The droid nodded along. He had communed with the Force before. Briefly, of course, and only made possible through Valery, and it had inflamed the mind and ignited a spark for more. As the Knight elaborated on strengths inconceivable for a plucky little astromech, it only got that spark burning brighter.

BB-610 so badly wished he could be like Valery, like Jalen. Their status demanded respect, earning adoration across the galaxy. Every Jedi — from the Council's oldest Masters to the freshest of Padawans — seemed so universally important. The droid wished he could say the same for himself.

Another nod, this time accompanied by a reassured bweep. He believed Jalen's words without a pinch of doubt. Trust went a long way for BB-610, and it had never once occurred to him that his friend may have any reason to lie.

An inorganic being, BB-610 couldn't sense Valery in the same way that Jalen could, nor could she him. Their relationship stood strong in spite of that, a familial bond most unwavering. He wouldn't know what to do with himself if he lost her.

. . .

A whirr, head canted to the side, baby blue optic falling to the floor in pensive thought. Jalen... must feel the same.

BB-610 whined, soft, sombre; somewhat hesitant, unsure if it was within his place to inquire. Nevertheless, his binary persisted, and he asked his friend how he was coping with Jasper.

 

[Old Man Leonis]

Lothal
Tags: Aloy Vizsla , Laphisto

Lothal Protectorate, Lucy​

"That said… I do have one request. Would it be alright to send in a small team to excavate the tomb I mentioned earlier? Truth be told, it's less a tomb and more… my old prison. There's some ancient data stored there information I suspect I'll need in the near future."

"Prison, eh?" Leonis remarked with a frown. "Well, seems like that's yer own business. I'll permit it, but I ask yeh don't damage anythin' of cultural value to th' planet."

He listened in on matters a bit above his pay-grade. Mandalorian clans, banishment from Mandalore... He understood the gravity at least. Perhaps Lucy would have been able to follow what they were talking about...

After a while, including the explanation of the arrangement of this old squadron, the large draconic fellow seemed to freeze up. It was like he had seen a ghost or something, or more accurately had been hit by a cold updraft that chilled his spine. There was a moment of silence before he resumed speaking...

" My apologies where was I?" Laphisto thought for a moment before eventually crossing his arms back over his chest and perking his lone ear once again " oh right. My people are ready to start shipping themselves off your new ships, just need proper personnel to take over"

"I'll send personnel up to meet 'em," the Commander muttered, stroking his beard. "We'll have the numbers to facilitate a transfer..."

Only just barely. The Lothal Protectorate had a good number of men at their disposal, but in the grand scheme of things the population of the planet was not as large as others. Especially if one was taking into consideration the size of planets in the core. They'd have enough to staff the vessels, but they'd be pushing it after that. It was fortunate that Aloy would be staffing her own fleet...

"Well... I s'pose that concludes our business," Leonis decided. "Yer free to go take care of that tomb o' yers..."

 

[Jalen Kai'el]

Lothal
Tags: BB-610

Delta-7​

BB-610 whined, soft, sombre; somewhat hesitant, unsure if it was within his place to inquire. Nevertheless, his binary persisted, and he asked his friend how he was coping with Jasper.

"It's... been strange," Jalen admitted. "I... well, Jasper's always meant a lot to me. I'm rather independent these days, but... y'know, it hurts. It hurts a lot. So many people rely on him for support, it's actually kind of wild. He always talks down his importance, but take him out of the picture and you sort of see the reality of it all. Maybe my biggest worry is filling those shoes in his absence..."

He'd pause for a moment.

"My brother is alive though," the young Knight insisted. "I feel him out there... somewhere..."

The next few months were going to be all sorts of messy. Braze and Phy were working to bring Jasper back, no surprise given that he was their father. Jalen didn't have the luxury of being able to assist, unfortunately. His talents as a healer were far too valuable to allow him leave for such a thing. He just had to trust that the two of them, with the assistance of Corin Trenor , would be able to see his older brother brought home safely.

After all...

"Jasper's partner is expecting a kid, Bee," Jalen finally sighed after a pause. "Not many people know this yet... I'm really worried for them."

He couldn't even begin to fathom what Marissa Shoda was going through. Jalen had only lost a brother...

 

[Delphi Larkspur]

Lothal
Tags: Jafan Bibble , Jonyna Si

"Ah, you must be the Hydraworks representative. Miss..." She paused, looking at her datapad and squinting. "Larks...bur?"

"Larkspur, Master Si," Delphi explained as she wobbled up to meet the Jedi Master, "But I just go by Delphi. I'm only an apprentice researcher, so no need for fancy titles."

She offered a soft smile for a moment.

"If it helps," the young woman added, "Senth is not typically followed by Besh. Their sounds don't mix very well when being pronounced."

Delphi remembered that from when Akar Rhonvogg had taught her how to read basic. He had explained that some people had learning conditions which made it hard to differentiate some letters. It wasn't a tenancy that she seemed to have, but Director Rhonvog said it was always important to be aware of in case such a scenario ever arose. After all, they had a mission to help people. You sort of had to be understood for that to happen well.

"Oh, and this is Jafan," the mud-walker remembered. "He's my body-guard for the day."

Right. Now onto business.

"Well, as I'm sure you've been informed our fabricators have pumped out a good number of clothing supply packs to be distributed," Delphi explained. "We're also offering roughly two-hundred personnel to see the material handed out. Still, these are fresh out of our fabricators, which means our furnaces are still hot. As a good faith offer in hopes of future collaboration, Director Rhonvogg has asked that I offer use of the fabricators to whatever additional material you may want to distribute. Perhaps there's something simple you may have neglected to bring?"