To Whom it May Concern (Invasion of Ord Mantel)

[Chloe Blake]

One would likely be surprised that the man caught what Chloe had said in soft warning, but then again, she'd been too far many places deep in the black to be caught by surprised by much.

Not to mention, all kinds of folk had nifty little tricks for augmented hearing. Cybernetic, genetics, or Force manipulated. Now she wasn't the probing kind to figure out just what manner of origin [member="Ember Rekali"] 's enhanced hearing came by, but she was the sort to offer up a canteen of water to a likely weary man after a good tussle.

Her hand held the oblong brown water canteen up in offering, a soft smile upon her face and bright blue eyes dancing with notable amusement.

"Reckon so, " a parting glance went over towards the unconcious Savrip. "But I've an inkling that he'll have a roaring headache in a few hours time."


"Thirsty?" she asked, jiggling the canteen a bit. "Ain't nuthin' fancy but water sure does well upon a parched tongue."

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Chloe Blake"]

He gave her a slow blink, then shrugged, grinned, and acquiesced. The water was nothing special, with the flat taste of shipboard recyclers -- the woman looked like a career spacer -- but it might as well have been ice cold from a mountainside, and he told her as much. "Thanks," he added, passing back the canteen, and dropped a seven-kilo beskar breastplate over his torso. His armor, part witch, part Keetael and part Mando, began to take form around him piece by piece. He left the human-faced helmet off, for now.

"What brings you to Ord Mantell's hind end?"

 

[Chloe Blake]

Folk have a saying that you can tell a lot of a man by what they wore and how they wore it. Color her curious as she took back her canteen, watching him with rapt interest. Oh it wasn't the sort of look of a woman interested in a man for temporary companionship, but more so involving a curiosity of his origin --- and just what kind of tales he'd have at the acquisition of every piece.

"No trouble t'all," she replied, offering in turn, "Pit stop and looking for a bit of work," she admitted, securing the canteen into her satchel.

A nod went towards his armor, lightheartedly commenting, " Ain't never seen someone wear such an armor medley of different philosophies." she swung her bag over her shoulder, crooked grin on her face.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Chloe Blake"]

"Take a look if you like, if your eye's that experienced. Matter of fact..." With a shrug, he tossed her the heavy beskar mask, then stood and turned in place. "Tell me what you see."

A couple of nearby crewers chuckled, caught his eye, opted to be elsewhere.

 

[Chloe Blake]

[member="Ember Rekali"]

It was a good thing Chloe had just secured her satchel at her back, for she would need both hands to catch the heavy beskar mask. A melodic chuckle would follow as her small thumb went grazing across the dark T-visor, the most distinctive tell along with the fine quality craftsmanship of the beskar.

"Well.. there be some distinctive Mandalorian tells," she began with that crooked grin, bringing it up close to study. There was a clear appreciation of the craftmanship, and her expression would relay keen interest in the design. It wasn't just for mere functionality, but for the appreciation of the culture behind it.

"Aesthetics aside...you've got quality Beskar'gam here." A glance up at the man's breastplate and the leather throat, large blue eyes studying him a bit closer. The curious awe was evident in her expression, bathing it as she took a step closer.

Her time back in the Rogue Jedi order saw her training under a Dathomiri witch, learning one or two spells used more for functionality than strength in power. Their use of hide and the designs, while varied between clans, would be familiar to the Warden. Much like a fingerprint, a leatherworker's cultural imprint and methods of curing and design would shine through.

"Got yourself some Dathomiri in there too,"

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Chloe Blake"]

He grunted, nodded, gestured at the T-visor that was as much symbolic, an aesthetic suggestion, as the genuine article. "Dathomiri, Shardrock Clan. Sort of a catchall for them that find themselves caught between two worlds. Light on tradition, out of necessity. Good eye."

He tapped the two large, round medallions that guarded the fronts of his armpits and linked the little armorweave cape to the armor plate. "Keetael Ube-tel markers. You know the Keetael at all?"

 

[Chloe Blake]

At the mention of the Keetael, Chloe gave a shake of her blonde head in the negative, handing him back his mask with a soft whimsical smile.

"Can't say I know 'bout them personally," she admitted, but the excitement in her eyes would suggest that she had heard of them before. "They be much a part of spacer tales as the angels of Iego with as much mystery that revolves around them."

She shot him a crooked grin.

"But been keen on making my way on over to Draethos some time soon, if'in time and the 'verse see me heading on their direction that is."

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Chloe Blake"]

"Well, you know what they are, an' that puts you head an' shoulders past most. Think you might like running with the Keetael," he said after a moment, Vahla eyes taking on a look of evaluation. "You've got something of the Force about you an' then some, quiet as you keep it. No glowstick, no blaster, and you're a career spacer if ever I saw one. And there ain't that many career spacers who go unarmed, even less that use the Force and know a thing or two about them that use it differently."

He grinned, left his guess implicit. "Someone with your background would love what the Keetael do. There's no better trackers or runners, hand-to-hand fighters too. If I'm readin' you right, anyways."

 

[Chloe Blake]

​

There was distinct mirth that went dancing in Chloe's eyes at that, her grin matching his as pearly white teeth went flashing for a brief instant.

The crowd had thinned some since the end of the fight, but it was clear that the man held enough notice for some curious eyes of the spacers around them.

Ain't one to give a show, Chloe gave a soft lighthearted shrug and shared a secret look that would suggest that he had caught on right.

"Might be." she shifted her bag over her shoulders, "Can't help but pick up a few things here and there traveling the 'verse." a token of amused mischief would sparkle in her eyes, "Trade a few stories along the way,"

She gave a glance around, noticing the wayward curious glances. "No better at hand to hand, eh?" Color her interested, the Warden in her wanted to know exactly how valid was that claim. Turning back to the man, she made the following suggestion. "How bout I offer one to you?"

"One fresh cooked meal on me for any stories you got to tell about the Keetael?" she suggested in barter, "I even have a bottle of Whyren's best been looking to share." Most men might consider that a proposition for temporary companionship, but Chloe was more interested in what the man had to say than a romp in the night; and it was clear in her distinct interest about the Keetael trackers.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Chloe Blake"]
For a moment his own hesitation surprised him -- after all, he'd found little enough soreness in the match against the Savrip whose kinsfolk had carted him away while Chloe spoke. Maybe he was getting old at that. And then, of course, he realized that she wasn't offering him a spar, just a straightforward trade. Yeah. Definitely getting old. "Seems like a fair bit of barter," he said. "Force knows my crew'll have a field day if I'm gone for an evening, but I can take a bit of ribbing for a homecooked meal and some Whyren's. You've got yourself a deal."

He extended a hand. "Ember Rekali. Bounty hunter, privateer, Shardrock clan father, one-time Jedi, all manner of things all in one. And you?"

 

[Chloe Blake]

Her small hand went slipping into his, but her shake was firm, revealing a strength and confidence in the younger woman with the gypsy smile.

"Chloe. Chloe Blake." her eyes went dancing in mischievous lightheartedness, " Navigator, Spacer, one time Jedi, and over all tall tale story chaser."


"Khasaan'l," she then said in traditional Corellian greeting. A small encouraging nod would beckon him to follow her, "The Aurora ain't too far out."

Soon as her hand would slip from his grasp, she would hook her thumbs upon the straps of her satchel.

"I'd ask what ya'll doing here on Ord Mantell, but I doubt anything can top wrestling a Savrip." she'd begin with a slight tease, starting the slow amble towards her ship.

 

[Marth Hy'juun]

Marth was transported to Ord Mantell as back-up. He was new to the Republic, found by [member="Zaren Bouqi"]. Bouqi is a Jedi Knight and Marth's master. "Is Master aware of this invasion? I hope so." Marth thought aloud on the transport to the planet.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Chloe Blake"]

Ember slung his own bag over his shoulder and slotted the mask into place for ease of transport. That, and after a few years as a true Mandalorian, he felt ill at ease without it, at least when it was available. He followed her through the dingy spaceport, towards a graceful-yet-awkward Corellian medium freighter. "Well, the Republic aimed to shut down self-determination for the Savrips, and I was having none of that. I was running guns, medicine, everything they needed to hold on to their bit of independence. Building relations and all, you know how it is. I swear I do more diplomacy now that I'm out of my burlap phase.'

 

[Chloe Blake]

Wandering and weaving through the crowd took a bit of time, but time was something Chloe never had a rush with. Having a bit of company and someone to talk to after long months out in the black was a nice change. This was how she met new people, learned new things, found new experiences.

There was something about simple conversation, that initial getting to know bit of time that always brought a certain joy to the Warden. Her mind would weave potential tales and theories of a sentient's past, only to often times be surprised at the truth of the matter as more depth to their story became apparent.

The lines of age and time etched upon a face would tell a multitude of tales, wisdom, sorrow and joy. It was much a journey to hear about it as it was to experience it.

A knowing smile in agreement would come in, her fingers lightly playing over the straps of her satchel as they walked. A soft laugh came next, "Burlap phase, mmm?" she would muse aloud, "Reckon that explains why they'd itch so much," she'd say in a lighthearted tease.

Nonetheless, there was no denying the seriousness in the matter of supplying the Savrips with whatever they'd need to maintain their independance.

"How long ago was that?" she'd ask in mild curiosity. Oh as Warden she was never much of one to stay under the regulations of one specific order or government entity; her focus lay in keeping the lanes safe and free for all to use. It wasn't in some temple or meditation room, but up in the sky, traveling the black, discovering what was out there just waiting to be found.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Chloe Blake"]

"The burlap? Last Republic op I did was me and Jax Ravos in old Imperial Remnant space, tracking one of Circe Savan's dollar-store White Current adepts. That was a good while back. From there, spent a while helping the Confederacy get up and running, but talk about a place that doesn't stand for anything. Headed for Mando space a handful of years back. My son married a Mando, adopted into the life, and after he died I did the same." He shrugged fluidly. "It's a good life if you make it that, and good principles behind it. I'm not ashamed to raise my son's kid Mando 'stead of Jedi."

 

[Chloe Blake]

There were names in there that she did not recognize. Well after her time, she supposed, but that wasn't something to be too worried about.

At the mention of the White Current and Circe Savan, well her ears did perk up at that. Ain't much of a population that wouldn't be aware of the five hundred thousand dollar bounty on Circe Savan by the Lady Protector a few years back.

Ewok genocide and all the other rather particularly disturbing rumors didn't help either.

An acknowledging nod would come thereafter, revealing "I've only come across a few Mandalorians in my time. Have yet to make it to Mandalore." she admitted, "Most were during jobs as a freelancer with the Pyre-- well Protectorate now." that she spoke of the original PMC that were the origins of the Protectorate spoke about just how early on she'd been on that side of the 'verse.


"More 'long wandering the Rim, battling the Bando Gora." Often thought of as mere spacer tales, the Bando Gora Reavers were quite real for those living on the fringes -- lethally so.

"They've a good bit of family principles that remind me of home," she said with a faint smile at him, before glancing down the docking station.

The familiar shape of her YZ-1200 would soon come into view.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Chloe Blake"]

"You were with the Pyre fighting the Reavers? Holy feth. I caught the edges of that one, cleaned up a mess or two out near Zhar, but Force, Chloe, most Mandos I know would have gotten ground down in a campaign like that. I've worked with Kerrigan a time or two, Siobhan Kerrigan, and it's the Bando Gora that turned her into what she is. If we weren't set for a laid-back evening I'd have a hundred questions about the Reavers."

They turned a corner, and their destination became obvious. "A twelve-hundred. Very nice. Faster than most in atmo, plenty of room for toys. Thought about buying one a while back, but I fell in love with something a little curvier."

 

[Chloe Blake]

Now there was a name she knew, and knew well.

"Aye, Major Kerrigan at the time. Then Colonel. Then Exarch." she said with humor, but there was no denying the respect she felt for the woman.


There was a subtle darkening in her eyes that suggested that the Bando Gora were clearly not the sort of horror she would wish on anyone. Bespin. Denon. Even the old Vagrant Fleet's shadow port were hit hard by them.

"Them Reavers were a nightmare I wouldn't wish on anyone," she admitted, and frankly it was her faith that saw her through it all.

Following the compliment on the Aurora, she shot him a half teasing grin.

"I knew there was a reason I took a shine to you," she said with more lighthearted humor, guiding him up after unlocking the hatch. "I'm sure the old girl will also if you keep on talking about her like that." she said in a quip, "Ember, meet the Aurora Hawk." she said in introduction, passing the airlock into the corridor. A hand went flicking a series of toggles that sent bright lights throughout the first deck and cargo bay of her ship.


"Don't mind questions bout the Reavers if you are so inclined." she said over her shoulder, encouraging him to enter. "Reckon you'll be sick of mine after a while!"

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Chloe Blake"]

"I'll keep'em to a minimum," he said, resting a hand on the Aurora Hawk's nearest bulkhead. Good ship, stout ship, a few tricks up her sleeve. "But don't feel the need to do the same, a deal's a deal. One homecooked meal for whatever you want to know about the Keetael."

He found the galley-slash-sitting-area and sat on a shock couch with a deep clatter of beskar plate. The helmet hissed free, and he rested it beside his boot, under the dejarik table. "Not that I'm averse to lending a hand, of course. Been a while since I had anyone cook for me; not sure I know the etiquette anymore. But let's see, the Keetael."

He started with the basics -- their Force philosophy, their opinion on the Dark Side -- before getting into the really interesting stuff. Tracking techniques, vision clarity like Gand Findsmen, ube-tel or ritual hunts, preferred weapons, trademark uses of the Force.

 

[Chloe Blake]

Times like these were the kind of nights Chloe truly thrived in. Her purchase of fresh fruit, vegetables and nerf steaks earlier had certainly paid off.

Much of the night was spent listening while she cooked, her hair in a messy ponytail and dressed in the same manner of spacer clothes he'd worn earlier, sans her jacket.

Nerf steak, home potatoes, fresh strawberries and a special treat of Uj'alayi for dessert. One couldn't be so close to Mandalorian space and not be able to access the Uj'ayl syrup needed to make the sticky, nut and dried fruit cake.

There was a reason why her old master brought Chloe into the fold of the Order; a truer Order if one would ask Chloe herself than that of the Jedi. She was like a sponge, ready and willing to learn as much as she possibly could.

Not only about the philosophy, but the culture. Boy did her face ever light up once Ember began to discuss tracking techniques, ube-tel rituals, vision clarity...

One night was simply not enough, she would muse as she would bring out one of her granddaddy's special bottles of Whyren's, hearing his words echo in her mind with nostalgic affection.

Fellowship, Chloe girl, this is key. Be it food or whiskey. Fellowship and you will see the Gods blessings at your table.

He was right.