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

[Jafan Bibble]

Location: Lothal
Tags: Delphi Larkspur Jonyna Si

"Yeah, Hi. Pretend I don't even exist."

Jafan raised his hand in greeting towards the Cathar before going back to being quiet. This hadn't exactly been what he had signed up for, but it wasn't like he could complain about it at the end of the day. He was doing something instead of just stood staring at a wall. All of this fancy smancy science talk was well above Jafan's paygrade. That was to mean, he wasn't even getting paid for any of this. Not that he expected payment. It was his own big mouth that got him into this mess.​

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAG: Delphi Larkspur Jafan Bibble

"Construction materials would be our biggest priority. We can only ship so much, and a planetary reconstruction requires a lot. Our plan was to recycle as much of the war materials as we could, but that's still a tall order. If you could provide extra, that'd be much appreciated." Jonyna nodded.

Just try and move past the fact that you struggle to read. Don't bring attention to it. You're a jedi master, you should be able to.

"As for your bodyguard, the Maclunkee's is free for all who assist in the reconstruction, however small a part. Fresh food to lift the spirits, ya know?"

 

[BB-610]

THAT REMOTE PLACE​

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


BB-610 believed him. He was eager to, really; both brothers were close friends of his. The droid dreaded to think how his stunt aboard the Maw’s flagship during the annihilation of Exegol would have gone were Jasper not there to bail him out.

The shutter of his optic telegraphed his surprise, a brief double-take; he’d need a few seconds to digest what had just been said. BB-610’s whistling reply carried an initial air of bemusement, but it was soon weeded out for encouragement.

He announced his congratulations, bweeping that this would make Jalen an uncle. The astromech wasn’t entirely aware of how awkward it sounded in hindsight — it was an attempt to lighten the mood, if nothing else.

Nevertheless, he hardly envied his poor friend’s position, nor that of the soon-to-be mother.

With the subtle hum of his motors, he inched closer, chassis pressed against Jalen’s leg. BB-610’s head clanked harmlessly to the side, left to linger with all the charisma of a puppy propping its chin atop one’s lap.

He droned something quiet; a solemn cry to speak of his sympathies. The droid chirped more in addendum, tone discernibly more uplifting — he assured Jalen that the Jedi was going to do great, and that once Jasper returned, their bond would be stronger than ever.

 

[Aloy Vizsla]

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

Aloy slowly nodded as the gravity of Laphisto's situation was made clear.

The old Vizsla wasn't sure what to make of the man himself but his story hit close to home, reinforcing her decision to leave on behalf of her granddaughter, who Tae'l Vizsla was right to hide on account of her secretive origins. So too did it remind her of Jademar Eurisa , who she hoped would never have to see what her adoptive people had become.

"I... when I was still young, and ignorant, Mandalore had just concluded it's war with the Silver Jedi, and the subsequent purge by the Sith. I would have agreed with the crusaders then, bitter as we all were."

"Then I adopted my first child."

One could almost picture the smile behind her otherwise grim façade.

"She's a Jedi now, out there somewhere, fighting the good fight I suppose."

Aloy once regretted that her first daughter had chosen that path and not the Mando'ade, even if she carried her mementos and lessons well. But thinking on it now, so many Mand'alors and civil wars later, a part of her was glad the girl had been spared that strife.

"I suppose what I'm trying to say is, even if I don't understand the force, I know it's one's actions and one's creed that makes them Mandalorian, not your M-count, or lack thereof."

"Anyway," she cleared her throat "I'll stop harassing you about Ordo and the Diarchy now."

The Mandalorian chuckled dryly, turning to Leonis again.

"This all reminds me, Leonis, we spotted another group on our way in, headed to that old temple. Do you folk get Jedi out here often?"

Having learned more of her granddaughter, Jedi could either be exactly what she needed, or quite the opposite.

 

[Delphi Larkspur]

Lothal
Tags: Jafan Bibble , Jonyna Si

"Construction materials would be our biggest priority. We can only ship so much, and a planetary reconstruction requires a lot. Our plan was to recycle as much of the war materials as we could, but that's still a tall order. If you could provide extra, that'd be much appreciated."

"Understood," Delphi nodded. "We'll have the furnaces set to produce duraplast. It's the toughest stuff we can make and will hold up overtime while not taking too long. We've already got scrap set to be loaded into the Molecular Furnace, so it should be quick and easy."

The young woman glanced back at Jafan, who had insisted on silence. A playful smile came to her face momentarily before she shifted her focus back to the task at hand.

"Anywhos," she continued, "If you're looking to make specific structures, we can fabricate some more unusual parts if you're willing to share schematics. Our forges are large enough to make light-freighters in-house. We'll have plenty of room for pre-fab housing units if that's the plan."

Anything to replace what had been lost...

 

[Jalen Kai'el]

Lothal
Tags: BB-610

Delta-7​

Jalen sighed, leaning down and patting the astromech on the head.

"Hey, it's fine," Jalen insisted. "I appreciate the positivity, honest. I... know he'll be back. It's just a matter of when."

There was still much to do in his absence. It seemed like that was always the case. A trillion beings to heal, not enough healers to go around. With war raging on all sides of the Galactic Alliance it seemed inevitable that he, of all people, would be stretched thin. At least, if anything else, Lothal could become a sanctuary.

After everything it had been through it deserved to be a sanctuary of all places.

"Alright, there's one thing I need to check up on," Jalen stated. "Think you can come with me?"

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto gave Old Man Leonis a firm nod, followed by a short, respectful bow.

"Thank you, Commander."Turning his attention to Aloy Vizsla , he listened carefully as she spoke, his expression reserved but attentive. When she finished, he dipped his head slightly in appreciation, his voice soft with a flicker of genuine warmth.

"Thank you for your understanding. It means more than I can say." Then, with a small, dry chuckle, he added: "It's strange, though. Of the three Mandalorians I've known and walked beside without a blaster aimed at my head… two of them are Vizslas." He gave her a sideways glance, almost amused.

"Strange, given our Clans usual.. history as Rivals." With that, he tapped out a quick command on his wrist console. Moments later, several gunships broke atmosphere, beginning their descent toward the mountain ranges in Lothal's southern hemisphere.

"I'll make sure the site is handled carefully. Last time I was there, most of the ancient systems were buried under rubble. Some of those old computers might still be salvageable… assuming the carbonite chamber hasn't completely collapsed." His voice dropped slightly at the mention of the chamber, but he didn't dwell on it. Instead, he looked back to Aloy and Leonis, nodding once more. he had hoped his talks here at least clarified that the Diarchy wasnt some power hungry war mongering empire.

even though they were a militaristic nation. in fact he had developed the culture and personality for the Lilaste order to be more akin to a psudo mandalorian clan than anything which now that he looked back on it was quite amuzing " oh any by the Way" he looked towards Aloy " if the black fleet or even members of the Lothal Protectorate" he gave a nod towards leonis " are ever looking to make a few extra credits as strange as it is for a mercenary company to do. but we also have our own mercenary companies "

 

[Old Man Leonis]

Lothal
Tags: Aloy Vizsla , Laphisto

Lothal Protectorate, Lucy​

"This all reminds me, Leonis, we spotted another group on our way in, headed to that old temple. Do you folk get Jedi out here often?"

"Often," he noted. "Commander Solarus was good friends with Valery Noble of th' New Jedi Order. She may be here. Th' mission was organized by a younger lad though, used to be a local. Lookin' to reconnect with home, he said. I suppose we're all lookin' for somethin' to reconnect with these days..."

Those Kai'els were a curious bunch indeed. They seemed to always find their way back to this place in some way shape or form. It seemed like their futures were intertwined.

" if the black fleet or even members of the Lothal Protectorate" he gave a nod towards leonis " are ever looking to make a few extra credits as strange as it is for a mercenary company to do. but we also have our own mercenary companies "

"I'll have to respectfully decline," Leonis stated. "Protectorate has never been big on loaning out her services. We don't like leavin' home, so yeh won't find us venturin' out yonder any time soon. I'd say leave yer credits open for fresher blood."

He paused for a moment. It was a curious pause, one that denoted deep thought. For a moment, Leonis's gaze fell onto the blaster at his hip. It was a worn Westar-35, clearly one that had seen a lifetime of use. It sported scratch marks and some cosmetic damage, as well as clear signs of modification. Yet, even so, it seemed polished. Well cared for.

"I don't know much about Mandalorian Culture," he noted, "But I'm curious about a name I've heard from... one of yer kind. Saxon. I... think it's a family. Would yeh be so kind as to enlighten me on th' significance?"

After all...

Lucy certainly never liked talking about it. This may be his only way to get answers.

 

[Aloy Vizsla]

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

"Old bad blood doesn't mean so much as new bad blood." she chuckled dryly to the draconic one.

"When I was Alor of House Vizsla, I worked to redeem us of sins from a generation ago. I've grown tired of counting old sins."

That wasn't to say that she did not hold grudges however, in that way she was more traditional than she let on.

"Even still, I'm afraid my mercenary days are long behind me. I'm looking to settle down."

But so too did she remember her allies, one of their names immediately drawing her attention towards Leonis as he went into detail about the visiting Jedi. Though she was hardly a member of the Galactic Alliance, even if they had a contract, she recalled fondly storming her new flagship beside the Grandmaster, and the aid rendered to her daughter.

"I know of Noble. We fought together during the Caldera crisis, before I lost the arm."

It was not apparent which of her missing arms had been taken that day. She crossed them, deep in thought for a moment as she wondered if Jenn Kryze still fought beside the Jedi or if her clan had moved on since. Perhaps then she should reestablish contact with Clan Kryze, who she doubted would support the neo-crusader cause either.

Her thoughts quickly ground to a halt as another name clawed it's way from her memories.

"But I'm curious about a name I've heard from... one of yer kind. Saxon. I... think it's a family."

"Saxonnn." her voice ground more than usual.

The former Alor turned her maw-like visage to the horizon, or at least what she could make out between collapsed buildings.

"They were loyal to House Vizsla, once, before my lifetime." she chuckled bitterly.

"Their last alor was Romul Saxon, who led The Enclave to war against the Galactic Alliance shortly after the passing of our Quartermaster, who rebuilt our people after the purge. They had different ideas of what it meant to be strong."

Aloy shook her head, recalling a certain duel in the aftermath.

"Clan Saxon's the reason my fleet exists, why we follow our own rules now."

"And why I only support the underdog. That's how your boy and I met, not long after we spoke against Saxon."

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto gave a firm nod and a respectful dip of his head to both Aloy Vizsla and Old Man Leonis as they declined his offer. It was a bit disappointing, sure but he understood. Some warriors stayed close to their roots, and that was something he could respect.

"Well, as kin, you'll have my blade should the request ever be sent out." He gave a small, reaffirming nod as he said it, the words spoken like an oath more than a courtesy.His gaze lingered on Leonis a moment longer, brow raising slightly as he mulled over the name the man had mentioned earlier. He squinted faintly in thought before letting out a small hum and a frown.

"That must be a new house…" he said after a beat, then glanced toward Aloy for a bit of context. "For me, anyway. Might've come up sometime in the last few thousand years or if they were around during the Mandalorian Wars, I never encountered them."He gave a small shrug, speaking plainly now."Not that I met many houses back then. Even now, I've barely crossed paths with more than a handful Vizsla, Solus, Skirata, Ordo, Fett hell i even encountered a few from clan Lok at the time."

There was a short pause as he glanced toward the sky, the faint hum of descending gunships still in the distance, then back to the two standing with him."Can't say I'm much help on that front. I barely know the galaxy as it is. I've only been awake and about for the last twenty-some-odd years."His tone stayed casual, but there was weight under the words time lost, and time still catching up.

 

[Old Man Leonis]

Lothal
Tags: Aloy Vizsla , Laphisto

Lothal Protectorate, Lucy​

"Their last alor was Romul Saxon, who led The Enclave to war against the Galactic Alliance shortly after the passing of our Quartermaster, who rebuilt our people after the purge. They had different ideas of what it meant to be strong."

"Not... a family with a favorable reputation then, eh?" Leonis noted.


"Lucy... yeh sure yeh ain't wantin' to share yer heritage with our boy? Yeh don't have t' hide it from him, yeh know... Deny all yeh want, but I see it in yer eyes. That stuff is the grease that makes yer engine tick."

"Fynch... look, the world I come from is complicated. There's a few hundred years worth of baggage I'm not looking to burden you with. Lothal is a place separate from my past... let's just keep it that way."


So they were once loyal to house Vizsla. The implication there was pretty clear: Traitors. Of all the things that one could do, betrayal was the ultimate shame. It didn't matter who you were. These things transcended all cultures. It was enough to help the old man piece together the things he had never been able to ask. Laphisto seemed lost on the matter. Said they must be a newer house. Perhaps he was a lot older than he let on.

Must be nice to age so gracefully.

"Thank yeh kindly," he finally stated after a moment of silent contemplation. "Sorry 'bout that, just th' musings of an old man. 'Fraid I've lived a rather isolated life here. Figured I'd take th' opportunity to remedy some... well, long standing ignorance from a time long past..."

 

[Aloy Vizsla]

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

"It... depends on who you ask." Aloy admitted with a nervous shrug.

"Folks that supported the Enclave and crusades probably see Saxon as heroes."

"Others as worthy opponents. Romul was a titan on the field."

She sighed, drumming fingers against her arm in metallic rhythm.

"Still, we made peace with the ones who came after. A girl took lead, Celt Saxon I think. We both served in the protectors."

"Thank yeh kindly," he finally stated after a moment of silent contemplation. "Sorry 'bout that, just th' musings of an old man. 'Fraid I've lived a rather isolated life here. Figured I'd take th' opportunity to remedy some... well, long standing ignorance from a time long past..."

"Eh, it's no trouble." she waved dismissively, trying to laugh off the old memory.

"I've taught so many foundlings by now, what's one Aruetii? Besides, I've got enough stories to make you appreciate isolation."

"For me, anyway. Might've come up sometime in the last few thousand years or if they were around during the Mandalorian Wars, I never encountered them."

. . .

The old Vizsla slowly turned towards him, and she suddenly didn't feel so old anymore.

"Clones wars," she clarified, taking a step forward "Close to a thousand years ago. That's the first mention of Clan Saxon."

"I..." she rose a finger, then hesitated for a moment, only to raise it again.

"...how old are you, exactly?"

 

[Laphisto]

His gaze shifted toward Old Man Leonis as the man spoke of remedying some long-standing ignorance. That struck a familiar chord in Laphisto, one that sat a little too close to home. He knew that beat. He'd walked it more than once.The thought made his expression shift, a faint frown tugging at the corner of his mouth.

He had missed so much while trapped in carbonite whole eras lost to the void and even more time spent stumbling through the aftermath, trying to make sense of the pieces left behind. So in a way, he understood the feeling Leonis described all too well. Waking up in a galaxy that moved on without you… and trying to find where, or if, you still fit. it wasnt easy and to a degree he was some what dissapointed he couldnt lend aid
When Aloy spoke of the Protectors, Laphisto's lone ear perked slightly.

"I don't think I ever really found out what happened to them," he said quietly. "It was… good. Seeing the Mandalorians trying to make a change—for the betterment of the galaxy. To stand for something greater than just war. To be protectors."

There was a note of Sorrow on his voice, laced with Disapointment. "I'm sure we could've done a lot of good." He paused, lost in memory for a moment. He had joined their ranks not long after reuniting with Clan Ordo, when he had officially sworn into their fold. For the first time in a long time, it had felt like purpose. Like belonging.

Laphisto raised a brow. "Clone Wars?" He'd heard that term before once or twice from old veterans, or in fragmented records. He'd even met a few beings who claimed to be from that era. It never sounded like a good time in galactic history. Then again, what war was?

His gaze drifted for a moment as his thoughts pulled him inward. If the Jedi of that time had known about him, he had little doubt what they would've done: drag him to the front lines like always. Send him to fight some Sith, some separatist, some new threat of the week. And when it was over? Freeze him again. Bury him. Forget him. Wait for the next war to thaw him out like some relic. He was caught in that train of thought when Aloy Vizsla 's question pulled him back.

His ear twitched slightly, and he blinked, refocusing."Well… that's complicated." There was the faintest hint of a grin as he rubbed the back of his neck."Biologically? I'm about two hundred and ninety-six. But if you count all the time I spent in carbonite… I was born roughly eight thousand years ago." He paused, doing the mental math, then gave a small, thoughtful nod. "Give or take fifty years if I'm off." Another beat. "Yeah… those numbers sound about right. More or less, anyway."

 

[Old Man Leonis]

Lothal
Tags: Laphisto , Aloy Vizsla

Lothal Protectorate, Lucy​

"Well… that's complicated." There was the faintest hint of a grin as he rubbed the back of his neck."Biologically? I'm about two hundred and ninety-six. But if you count all the time I spent in carbonite… I was born roughly eight thousand years ago." He paused, doing the mental math, then gave a small, thoughtful nod. "Give or take fifty years if I'm off." Another beat. "Yeah… those numbers sound about right. More or less, anyway."

"And here I am with one foot in th' grave," Leonis wheezed. "I'd sooner ride a purrgil then reach a hundred..."

Stock human genetics didn't seem to hold up past eighty, and with all the combat Leonis had seen his was probably more weathered than most. It certainly didn't help that the old Commander decided he could be a fighter pilot one last time when the Empire of the Lost moved in.

"I've taught so many foundlings by now, what's one Aruetii? Besides, I've got enough stories to make you appreciate isolation."

"Say... if yer a lady of knowledge..." the Commander began again, "Would yeh be willin' to take a look at m' sidearm? Had it for... roughly fifty years by now."

With a shaky hand, Leonis drew Lucy, flipping the Westar-35 to present Aloy the grip of the blaster.

"Ain't nobody 'round here got a clue what the damn thing is," he muttered, "But I'm pretty certain she's one from yer kind."

 

[Aloy Vizsla]

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

Aloy narrowed her eyes at Laphisto, though to the outside world it appeared a masked stare.

"...I see." she answered after a time.

"Well, you don't seem your age."

Whether she spoke of his appearance or how he carried himself was anybody's guess when it came to an urakto'sheb like Vizsla.

"Say... if yer a lady of knowledge..." the Commander began again, "Would yeh be willin' to take a look at m' sidearm? Had it for... roughly fifty years by now."

She turned to the Commander, tilting her head at the customized blaster. It was careful, the way she took it in both hands, gently tracing the painted slide with her mechanical thumb. It was turned over once, twice, then thrice until she found what she was looking for. It was surely modified, but had all the tell tale signs.

"Well I'll be damned." she said, a quiet surprise bleeding into her tone.

"That's a genuine WESTAR-35, and not clone either. She's got a new slide, flared magwell, but she's an original Concordian Crescent Tech make, straight from my homeworld. I've worked on a few, but true Westar's been hard to come by since The Fall."

"They used to be a staple of my people's, in fact a lot of my boys and girls carry copies. I bet she's served well."

Aloy nodded in satisfaction, offering the gun back grip first just as it'd been offered to her.

"It's a fine piece, and I'm guessing the internals are quality tech too. Some are waterproof, or even particle beamers."

"I'm curious though..." she'd tilt her fanged visage the opposite way "...how'd you come by her?"

While Aloy Vizsla doubted very much that it was a trophy, given it'd entered his care before the purge, but one couldn't be too careful.

Nor could she disregard the possibility that her kin struck first if so, in which case it was well earned.

 

[Old Man Leonis]

Lothal
Tags: Laphisto , Aloy Vizsla

Lothal Protectorate, Lucy​

"I'm curious though..." she'd tilt her fanged visage the opposite way "...how'd you come by her?"

"Well... that's th' story of a younger man," Leonis sighed. "I... was might close with her handler. She's a ragin' fire that still keeps me up at night, even as my weary ol' bones begun a'creekin'. A real mysterious thing, she was. Weren't much a talker, less so a listener. Not that she meant to be rude or nothin, more she just weren't much concerned where folks were from. Yeh got the idea she was runnin' from somethin, yet yeh'd never know what. Everythin' was all wrapped up in that veil she hid herself under. Mind you, lil ol' me weren't a worldly fellow, so that woman running across my timeline was like crossin' paths with a specter. S'pose I was naive enough to think I could take on her burdens... fight th' good fight and take on what she was gettin' away from. In th' end, though, only my burdens were lifted up...."

Leonis took the grip of the blaster into his hand, his old fingers trembling ever so slightly. He ran his thumb over the faded paint before stowing it back into its holster.

"It's a strange thing." he muttered. "Yeh watch someone go twenty-to-one and walk away like it were nothin. Make's yeh feel soft... mortal. Like yer surrounded by superheroes. Then yer old and brittle... and yer all that's left. Yeh can't help but wonder why yeh kept on kickin' while stronger folks didn't. Frankly, I'm far too old t' be able to linger on those things anymore. I've got work to do and a shorter amount of time to get it done."

He paused, glancing towards the horizon. The sun shone brightly over the quiet plains of Lothal, the wind rustling through the tall grass of the shallow hills.

"S'pose I'll leave findin' answers to the philosophers."