Tracks in the sand [Muad Dib]

[Mirshko Betna]

Concord Dawn
[member="Muad Dib"]

Mirshko cursed softly under her breath as she fiddled with some wiring under the control console for Mom's bes'uliik. it was pretty much hers now - she should probably start thinking of it that way. But, she couldn't quite do it. A sigh fell from her lips as she carefully reconnected the wiring and slid it back into the console's housing. A firm tap of her hand seated the access panel securely in place before she scooted out from under the console itself.

The bay the bes'uliik rested in was worn, though well cared for. Much like the rest of Concord Dawn that she'd seen so far. She'd been able to barter for the few parts she'd needed. But she was still cautious. Outside of the small group she'd met on Kuar, she hardly trusted anyone these days. So she kept mostly to herself unless she needed something to fix the ship. it was strange. She'd never thought in a million years she'd .... inherit Anija's ship. But here she sat inside it. She'd had the last several weeks to familiarize herself with it's systems with ANNE's help.

A sigh again. So many reminders of her mother. She'd not felt her die.... but at the same time... she couldn't sense her either. Was she shutting herself off from the Force? Was she captured? So many questions tumbled through Mirshko's mind as she leaned back on the console. The ship was small... barely big enough for two people. It was designed for one, but could carry a passenger if needed. But for now, she was alone. She wasn't sure who to trust anymore.

 

[Muad Dib]

Recent events had seen the Mad Master upon the surface of Concord Dawn. Confederates out for vengeance with mando'ade exiles in tow. Yet things were not what they seemed or as expected. Ra the Undying was no longer Mand'alor, instead a young woman stood in the position of sole ruler. Yet the title was not what it once was. Force using mandalorians had left Manda'yaim, exiled, through the happenstance of birth. It was that or get the "cure".

But now things had begun changing. Some would say that change was like the tide, eventually all things return. Whether that mean force wielding mandos or the edict for them to be exiled once more a only time would tell.

And so it was that the man walked over of the small citys on the planet. Many had residences built into trees, communal fields to be plowed by different aliit, small Spaceports. This city was no different.

The smell of evening meals wafted on the breeze as the man strolled along, a bottle of tihaar gripped in his left hand. A deathstick hung from his right before being placed between lips for a deep inhale. Making a fist with his right hand he felt the freshly knitted bone that was continuing to heal from his fight with a vod on the surface. Neither man was willing to surrender. It was a glorious fight.

A small grin crossed his face as he rolled his shoulders under the tan tunic and continued to walk. His armor was aboard the Devil's Flame on one of the landing pads and it was there he was heading. Though these were mando'ade and he a vod he still carried his weapons. Beskad over his shoulder, Kal at his hip, Bes'briik around his waist, and the revolver on his right thigh. His people they may be, but a difficult history of late meant prudence was necessary.

Strolling across the duracrete pads he paused as he felt a vague presence he thought felt familiar. Stretching out in the force he opened his senses as he sought to find what his eyes could not.

[member="Mirshko Betna"]

 

[Mirshko Betna]

[member="Muad Dib"]

Her eyes snapped open as she felt the brush of presence within the Force. Not that she was exactly hiding her presence. She was muting it, though. Something about it felt familiar. Her eyes narrowed, and she turned and stood, pushing the Bes'uliik's canopy up and away with a practiced motion. There wasn't much for accommodation aboard the small ship, unless she felt like sleeping in the pilot's chair. Which she really didn't at this point. With a sigh, she hopped out onto the upper fuselage and then down to the permacrete of the hangar floor. Out of habit, her hand stayed near her ripper as she edged towards the entrance to her hangar.

 

[Muad Dib]

Head tilted back, scent in his nose. Like a hound he followed the minute presence across the landings headed toward where several of the enclosed hangars sat. Blue eyes glowed in the evening dusk as he closed upon the presence that tickled memories in the back of his mind that he couldn't quite recall. Familiar yet unknown. His curiosity was piqued and so the man followed to satisfy the hunger gnawing in his mind.

Pausing near the hangars he waited as he felt the being closing near. Instinct called to him to lower his hand to the grip if his revolver yet he found himself crossing his arms staying safely away to not be considered even more dangerous then what he typically was seen as. So he waited for the one who approached to come into sight.

[member="Mirshko Betna"]

 

[Mirshko Betna]

[member="Muad Dib"]

As she neared the hangar entry, she could feel her senses tingle. There was something about the presence on the other side of the bulkhead. It felt familiar, but she couldn't place it precisely. A deep breath to steady her nerves and Mirshko palmed the controls to the hangar door. As it slid upwards, her eyes widened. The presence she had felt was standing mere inches from the other side. he wouldn't recognize the armor she wore now as it was new. But, he might recognize certain elements that were incorporated into the design.

There was a moment of hesitation as she paused on the threshold, her left hand resting on her belt close to her ripper. One could never be too careful in such a place, vode or not. And especially given recent events, Mirshko had zero clue about whom she could actually trust. There was something about the man who now stood opposite her. if she had wanted to, she could have reached out and touched him. But something stopped her. Perhaps it was her mind trying to dredge up long-forgotten memories which had been buried by the events of the more recent years. Whatever the reason, she stared at him for several seconds longer than was polite - but she didn't really care.

 

[Muad Dib]

Looking at the armored woman before him he frowned slightly. He recognized her, but couldn't place her. The armor was unknown to him yet had elements that stirred memories within. A vod, by her iron skin, however he knew not her name.

Taking a step back as she stared openly at him he certainly returned the favor. Distance helped as finally memory, presence, and the familiarity of her features came rushing at him. A ghost from his past so to speak. His sojourn into the other realms had frozen his physical aging, and those in the Galaxy experienced time normally. He did not know the woman, but he knew the youth she had been. Slowly he dropped to a knee looking up to her and extended a palm, a miniscule flame coming to life in his palm, a child that resembled the woman standing before him.

"I see the child I once knew in the woman before me. I see your parents in your features. Arrbi and Anija. My friends when I had none. My vode when I was still yet untrusted by the mando'ade. My aliit when I was shunned for being a Mad Knight of the Sith. It was because of your parents I became the Mad Knight of Manda'yaim, and a mando'ad."

Slowly he closed his hand and looked up at the young woman.

"[member="Mirshko Betna"], it's been a long time."

 

[Mirshko Betna]

[member="Muad Dib"]

There was a silence that stretched between them for several long seconds. It was broken only when he stepped back and sank to a knee merely two paces from her. It wasn't what she had expected. But then again, she got the feeling he was rather surprised as well. Her gaze fixed upon his face, much like ship's weapon's tracking their target. It took her several seconds to form words, and when she did, she wasn't sure how coherent they might actually be. Memories flooded to the surface for a moment, robbing her of words briefly.

"I..." she paused and studied the small flame-image in his palm for a moment or so before it disappeared. "Yes..." she said softly. "It has been a long time." Her voice was hesitant and wary. A friend he might be, but even so, she was cautious. "I.... haven't really been that easy for anyone to find, I suppose..." she muttered after a moment. Things in Mandalorian space had certainly kept her away from the Betna homestead except on one or two occasions. A moment of hesitation as she studied his face, and she extended a gloved hand to grip his wrist firmly in the warrior's greeting. "Muad Dib, it is good to see a friendly face in these difficult times..."

 

[Muad Dib]

Rising from his knee he grasped her forearm as she did his. It was strange to him still, seeing the youth of the mando'ade aliits grown. Ginnie, Hawk, and now Mirshko. Time was a fickle thing and he smirked lightly. You could either accept the fates or futilely resist. But in the end time waited for no man or woman.

"When I was returned Manda'yaim had been devastated. Entire clans eradicated. So many .... gone. My clan managed to survive, but our yaim was destroyed. I went and visited what was once the homestead .... I found neither the living nor the dead. I searched for your parents but could find no trace of them, or of you. So I mourned them. Every morning I remember them. Gone but not forgotten."

His brows furrowed at her words. She had disappeared. On the run perhaps, but from someone or from memories, he could not tell. Though he well understood the haunting that could affect oneself and make you become like chaff in the wind, to be scattered on a whim. Releasing her arm he placed his hands on his hips.

"I don't know what you've been through, or what you've had to endure. But we aren't friends. We're family. I was one that answered the call of your parents when you had disappeared. Arrbi and Anija were dear to me, two of the very few that I hold dear, though don't repeat that because I'd just deny it."

His remark was said with a soft smile in an attempt to illicit a moment of mirth in the young woman.sifhing he looked to the sky outside of the hangar.

"Sometimes when I feel alone I look to the heavens. The stars of different systems, both visible and too distant to be seen. And I know that no matter where I am there are those out there who care for me, who call me ner vod. The same is true for you. You aren't alone. If your parents yet live they hold you close in their hearts. And if they have passed they watch from the manda. But you have others who care as well. Others who would cross the Galaxy for aliit."

Looking back at the woman who so resembled her mother he again offered a small smile.

"[member="Mirshko Betna"], you are not alone. You have family out there who care, hearths to visit and warm your bones, food to eat your fill of. A place to rest and feel safe. If you so choose."

 

[Mirshko Betna]

[member="Muad Dib"]

She gazed at him as he rose to his feet, and her face clouded ever so briefly. "I... do not know whether they live or have passed to the Manda. Something is blocking me. I hope that we can at least find out what happened to them..." she whispered for a moment as she gazed off past him, thinking. "I've only returned to Manda'yaim a few times myself. It is not safe there anymore." She frowned again. "But perhaps there are some clues about my parents." She shook herself slightly. "I want to know what happened to them, but I feel that rushing back there right now is not the wisest thing to do."

She listened as he continued, and the corner of her mouth lifted for a moment. That was very like him. He always tried to find some way to lighten the mood in situations such as this. And for that, she was very grateful. "I won't tell anyone..." she whispered, her tone lighter than it had been a few moments before. She followed his gaze upwards for a moment. The stars above were somewhat washed out by the lights of the city around them. But she understood.

"I do choose to..." she said softly as her eyes moved down from gazing at the stars to meet his again. "I want to find out what's become of my parents. And... if possible, I'd like to continue my training." SHe had a good degree of skill with stealth, and her ability with a blade and a lightsaber were decent. She'd trained extensively with Xander Carrick in that regard. But she knew there was always more to learn. And something in her gut told her she'd need it if she was to search out what had happened to her parents. "I'll go with you, Muad."

 

[Muad Dib]

Clasping his hands together in a clap he grinned at the young woman. His return to Concord Dawn was filled with difficult and tumultuous scenarios, nothing like his previous visit to the homestead of Kad Tor. Everything was constantly changing. It was the way of life. Yet there were those you meant on your path that you bonded to for the duration of life's mysteries. The Betna Clan was one such for the Mad Man.

"You have a ride? Or do you need one? My shuttle is on the other side of the port, but my command vessel is in orbit."

He glanced behind [member="Mirshko Betna"] toward the interior of the hangar to lay eyes on a vessel he recognized. A small grin crossed his face at the memory of her parents. Once they were protectors but now the majority of their number were gone, either to the manda or scattered to the stars. Eyes turned back to the woman.

"Home for me is in the Siskeen system. And yes, training is a thing that must be done every day. A new lesson to learn, until we cease breathing, even for me. We can load inside Charlie the Unicorn for the voyage home, if you wish."

 

[Mirshko Betna]

[member="Muad Dib"]

She followed his gaze for a moment and sighed softly. "Sure, it sounds as good a plan as any. it beats pending the entire trip inside a confined area..." she said lightly. Or at least she tried to make light of it. There were so many memories of both herself and her mother tied up in that vessel, and Mirshko wasn't sure what to make of it. She turned back and studied his face for a few seconds. "I can meet you in orbit. Suppose I'll need some sort of clearance code to land on your vessel?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

Her mind was still trying to make sense of everything that had happened in the last few months, and she was very glad she'd come across him. It meant that she wasn't entirely alone in the galaxy, though at times it certainly felt like it.

 

[Muad Dib]

"Broadcast, 'The King is Dead' and they'll know you have permission."

Smirking slightly he nodded at Mirshko and turned toward where his own shuttle was waiting. The events that had placed him on Concord Dawn may have been oddly beneficial despite the scene of battle that had occurred on it's surface as vod had faced off against vod. Yet as the battle was called off and vode had united, begrudgingly in some cases, stumbling over a lost friend was fortuitous.

Climbing aboard the "Devil's Flame" he settled into the pilot's seat and began the pre-flight checklist while also transmitting to Captain Hrakness in orbit upon Charlie the Unicorn to let him know he was about to return and with a guest. Taking the controls as he was granted permission for departure, he raised the ship and set it on an intercept course for Charlie.

Taking the short trip to contemplate on the Betna Clan he sighed and settled into the seat. Spectres of the past, but these did not haunt him but rather have him hope. If Mirshko was alive then berhaps Arrbi and Anija was. But regardless of their fates, Mirshko had returned. Easing the shuttle into the hangar bay he left the shuttle and allowed a few crew members to climb aboard. Blue eyes turned to the magcom field and awaited his vod.

 

[Mirshko Betna]

[member="Muad Dib"]

Her lips quirked ever so slightly at the phrase - and she understood it's hidden meaning as well. She shook her head slightly and chuckled. She never for one moment thought she would run into him again. Events in the galaxy had changed things... places... and most of all people. There were many whom in the past she might have called vod. But now, that number was pitifully small. Maybe even so few that she could count them on one hand. As he turned back towards the docking bay where his own ship rested, she sighed and turned back towards her own.

The contours of the pilot's chair cradled her slender form and she sat back and adjusted her crash webbing. it was still somewhat strange. She'd been using the bes'uliik for months now. It almost felt like it was her own. But there was a slight disconnect still. She wasn't sure what that was. With a soft sigh, she began running through a shortened pre-flight routine that she and ANNE had worked out weeks ago. It was useful when she needed to get somewhere quickly - and it didn't shortchange when it came to safety.

Her fingers flew over the controls as she finished the preflight. As the lights across the control board slowly flickered over from yellow to green, she kicked in the repulsors. The bes'uliik lifted smoothly off the permacrete as she guided it up and out of the hangar. Once clear of the hangar's upper walls, she angled the fighter upwards. Slowly, the scattered lights of the Concord Dawn Spaceport gave way to the darkness of the night sky. And beyond that the blackness of space.

Silently, she repeated the code phrase to herself several times. It seemed to her like a small eternity passed before the deep blue was replaced by the star-speckled blackness beyond. As her eyes adjusted from the brightness of the landing bay, she spotted Muad's ship in a low orbit. Tightening her grip on the bes'uliik's controls, she angled the craft towards the larger ship. it wasn't long before she was within comm range. Blinking through the interface in her HUD, she found a channel, and broadcast the phrase as she continued on her flight path towards the larger ship.

 

[Muad Dib]

Standing in the hangar bay of Charlie the Unicorn and waiting for the arrival of Mirshko he had a moment of retrospection. His life had changed greatly in the time since last he had been with his aliit of vode. No longer the mad dog of Manda'yaim he was a business owner and fleet commander. This ship represented some of the changes that had occurred in his life.

The comlink chirped at his waist and he plucked the communicator from his hip and glanced at it. Captain Hrakness was informing him that the incoming ship had been granted clearance to land because of the phrase the Mad Man had given.

Chuckling slightly he stowed the device and turned to watch as the ship approached the hangar. Time and people changed, but some things stayed the same. Aliit.

[member="Mirshko Betna"]

 

[Mirshko Betna]

[member="Muad Dib"]

Fingers flexing around the flight controls, Mirshlo guided the bes'uliik closer to the vessel. As she flew up and over the vessel's upper fuselage, she had to admire the vessel's workmanship. it wasn't exactly pretty, but it had a nice line to it regardless. It reminded her very much of some of the vessels she's seen of Mandal Hypernautics design. She felt her lips quirk slightly as she realized the flight path she'd been given had given her an impromptu tour. She studied the vessel for a few more moments as she brought the bes'uliik around and down, orienting it to the hangar's magcon field.

Through it, she spotted the hazy outline of a lone figure which waited for her. A brief touch in the Force confirmed that it was Muad himself and not one of the crew. Satisfied, she guided the vessel slowly through the hangar's magcon field to settle softly to the deck. She'd had a lot of practice with it over the last few months, and it had certainly paid off. She paused a moment as she sat in the pilot's chair, contemplating the situation. But she didn't want to keep him waiting. With a sigh to herself, she released the safety latches on the transaparisteel canopy and watched it rise smoothly. When there was enough clearance. she slid out of the pilot's chair and down the sloped fuselage of the fighter. When she reached the edge, she stopped herself by gripping one of the many mhandholds for a moment before she dropped to the deck. She wore her helmet now, as it helped her interface with the fighter.

 

[Muad Dib]

Watching as the ship closed the distance before pausing on the other side of the field, he smirked. The ship entered the hangar and settled to the hangar floor. As the lithe form of the young vod slipped from the cockpit and dropped gracefully to the deck. His smirk faltered somewhat as with the helm over her face, [member="Mirshko Betna"] could have passed for Anija. Seemed he would be haunted by ghosts of vode past.

Moving forward he smiled once more as he opened his arms to encompass the hangar, but also the ship at large.

"Welcome to Charlie the Unicorn. I got it from ... An ally."

While this was technically true, he resisted from calling Aedan a friend. He wasn't sure if either man considered the other anything more then a useful acquaintance. Motioning toward the turbolift with his head he moved his body to the side intending for Mirshko to join him.

"Whatever has happened with Manda'yaim and the vode, the Galaxy at large, or even our respective clans. Betna and Dib will always be allies. We will always answer the call Mirsh'ika."

He spoke without looking into her face. What he sensed from her was something he well knew in himself. Like a cornered predator, the instinct to fight or flight were always near the surface. Being alone always tended to bring these to the fore and he had no wish for either incidents to occur between them.

"You have not given up on your parents. That is good. I fear that most of the mando'ade believe them gone and do not have faith. But if your parents had fallen I think all would know by the ferocity of their last stand. You spoke of training and continuing the search ..."

He paused as the lift doors opened ahead and turned to look at the young woman.

"I offer my services to either, or both."

 

[Mirshko Betna]

[member="Muad Dib"]

She crossed the decking to him and listened for a moment as he described the ship. While she noted the brief pause when he said where he had acquired the ship, she chose not to comment on it. It was....strange to find him, of all people after so many months of being alone. ANd shed dared to hope. He had always done right by her and her parents, and for that she was grateful. Regardless, it was a bit unexpected.

A few moments of silence passed as she looked around the hangar. She got the feeling it was a decently sized ship. Perhaps she'd have more time to explore it a bit later. For now, though, she turned her attention back to Muad as he led the way towards the lift. It was difficult to be around people after so many months on her own. Even if the person was one she trusted with her life. And she was certain he'd picked up on that. While she didn't mind that he had, it was certainly something for her to work on.

As they neared the lift, she paused for a moment and regarded him before reaching up to remove her helmet. "That means a lot to me right now..." she said softly as she cradled the helmet in her arms. "I haven't felt either of my parents die, but I can't sense them like I used to, either..." She paused at his almost question. "I'd like to continue the search for them. I don't know if they are still alive, but I can hope.." she continued. "And, if I'm being honest... yes. I would like to continue to train. Seems it always get interrupted or given a backseat to other concerns.."

 

[Muad Dib]

Stepping aboard the lift he listened to her words. It was true, she would most likely have felt their deaths, as she was their child and a force sensitive. Even more then that she was mando'ad, and family meant everything to them, the very tenents of the resol'nare exemplifying this quality above all else. It was one of the things that had tempered the Mad Man's more asinine and insane urges. When he was unaffiliated he cared little about the repercussions, but now as Alor and head of his House he knew that his actions now affected others. Those he cared about.

The doors closed and the lift began moving. Leaning against the wall he looked the young woman over. She had that rangy look that came from being hungry. Not necessarily in body, bit in spirit. A lean ferocity that spoke of her past, even if she did not utter a word about the specifics. He nodded slightly. Taking his comlink from a pocket he spoke into it.

"Captain, let's head home. The crew needs some leave and my guest needs to collect her thoughts and have a moment to breathe. She has choices to make and needs a reprieve from the lonely road."

Hrakness gave an affirmative and the channel was closed. Crossing his arms he let his gaze drift to the door. [member="Mirshko Betna"] didn't need someone staring at her, she was on edge enough as it was.

"What do you want to learn? And what was the last lead you had to your parents' location? We need a starting place for both."

 

[Mirshko Betna]

[member="Muad Dib"]

As they rode the lift, Mirshko found herself strangely silent for several minutes. She'd thought she would have all sorts of things to say... but words seemed to be failing her. She took a deep breath to try and calm herself and focus her thoughts. It was a long minute that passed between them before she spoke. "Ni... tomad na ru hbaih. Kebise ganar cuyir bid... guryihe va a'yao va ru'du." She looked at the floor before she lifted her gaze to his. "Ni copaanir at hibirar sto yirhaou kad cayata, bal kebise ibac malyasa'yr gaa'tayl ni asas a hbinr."

More silence passed between them as she tried to gather the courage for what she would say next. "Ni ru susulur mayen yirhaou ner sayr o'r gebbar a simir ra sto. Ni chaab val ganar spirba at Manda..." She frowned. "Bic b tyra'de ba'hak... solus ca'nara Ni ganar pabida norac lo Manda'yaim tra... bal at yaim. Ni mar'eyir kaysh Bes'uliik..."

Translations

Spoiler

«I... really don't know. Things have been so... unstable lately.»

«I want to learn more about saber combat, and things that will help me as a pilot»

«I haven't heard anything about my parents in close to a year or more. I fear they have passed to the Manda...»

«It's strange though... the one time I had gotten back into Mandalore space... and to home. I found her Bes'uliik...»

 

[Muad Dib]

He stood quietly. The young woman slowly began speaking, the silence of the turbolift ride finally being broken by the pouring of mando'a from [member="Mirshko Betna"]. Training. It was always good to learn more and hone your skills, something he did everyday. When she mentioned piloting he smiled. Born and raised for a time on Adumar, being a pilot was not a choice but a lifestyle. Flying through the air gave one a sense of freedom. He loved it. Unfortunately he didn't get that as much as he once did.

Yet when she spoke of her parents and the Manda, Muad closes his eyes and sighed quietly. He shared her ill fortune in the search for her parents. So much so that he had ceased trying. But when Mirshko said she had found her mother's Bes'uliik, his eyes opened with a small frown. The many times he had after by the Betna homestead he had never seen the Bes'uliik. Someone had left it there. It was curious.

The doors opened and Muad stepped off, an arm open at his side indicating she should follow. As they walked he spoke quietly.

"As I've said, your parents taught me what it was to be mando'ad. I experienced cin vhetin because of the opportunity given by them, and the Protectors. If it wasn't for certain events that led my path elsewhere, I would have been part of your aliit, of Clan Betna. Regardless you are family."

Pausing in the hall he punched in a code and doors opened into spacious quarters. He nodded his head inside.

"Clean up, rest, order some food. I'll let my people know you have clearance for anywhere you wish to go. I'll most likely be in the hangar where you arrived yesterday. Should be arriving at Kaer 1 soon. And then maybe some training. The Confederacy isn't a bad place and there are several mandalorian clans in their space."

He stepped back to allow her to enter.

"Cuyir at udes ad'ika. Gar ru uhyih ti burc'ya, a aliit. Jibr ratiin mar'eyir a miai."

Spoiler: translation

"Be at rest little one. You are not with friends, but family. Life always finds a way."