Flashpoint: Rise of Solus

[Raz Solus]

She knew this was a moment that would be marked down in history. The Mandalorian history was fragile, and it had the potential to be wiped from the galaxy. The Sith were looming constantly, always just barely out of reach. Other clans believed the Sith to be complacent and slow, but Raz knew better. It only took allowing one strike against her people for the Sith make vast advances in their fight against the Mandalorians. She had rallied several other clans to her cause, to the Solus cause. It was time to finally take it a step further.

Raz walked towards the encampment where she knew the Vizsla alor to be. She was adorned in her full beskar’gam, and she was flanked with several of her clansmen. Orsen Vizsla was known for his slimy techniques of always avoiding direct confrontation. He came into power by being a yes-man and cutting deals under the table. There was no doubt that the man either laid a trap for her or just plain had something planned to get out of facing her.

She knew he had information on her, especially as he began to see clans under his house following Solus one by one. Raz gazed up at the path ahead, walking towards the large, ornate tent Orsen kept for himself. By now, there were whispers all around as curious onlookers began to come out of their tents. No one was surprised by her arrival, and word of her rallying Mandalorians to her cause had reached far and wide.

She came to a stop outside of the tent, paying no heed to all the quiet chatter all around her. Beneath her helmet, her eyes were fixated on the entry flap of the tent, her fingers flexing and loosening as she shook off some jitters. This was a big move to make, and it could very well end in her death. She closed her eyes and exhaled as she opened them again.

“Come out, Alor Vizsla!” She called out to him, “You know why I’m here. You know what needs to be done. It is time for you to step aside and recognize Solus as a house. I will give you one chance to accept this change before I invoke my right to fight you for it.”

 

[The Gatekeeper]

Orsen Vizla knew that this was coming. His spies and told him as much, and despite all the times they had relayed him bits of information, they had never been completely wrong. Sure, the information needed sifting, but there were nuggets of truth, and those nuggets were what had kept the Alor ahead of the game for all these years. Word reached his ears of this upstart Solus's arrival moments before she arrived, and it didn't take a genius - though that was what he was (and oh-so-humble too) - to figure out what she wanted.

But upstart or not, they had grown to the point that no one could ignore them any longer. They destroyed important Imperial assets and turned the attention of the entire galaxy on Mandalore. She was going to want to fight - because that seemed to be all these "badgers," as they liked to fashion themselves, ever wanted to do - and Orsen wasn't interested in that. Despite wearing his armor and jetpack, he'd not seen the battlefield in several years now. His daily marksmanship training was superb, but his blade work was... not so outstanding. He preferred other ways to pass his time.

Oh, that shouting. She was already here and screaming out for him, which meant any preparation time to consider what he would say or do was at an end. He let out a sigh and rose, slipping his helmet on as he already felt his blood pumping up. But he was a Mandalorian still, and above all, he was a survivor.

Alor Solus, he said, greeting her by her proper title. No need for the shouting. Come in, let's discuss what you're after, he said, pulling aside the tent flap and motioning inside. I don't bite, he assured her since she would no doubt be skeptical. @Sreeya

 

[Raz Solus]

Her eyes narrowed as she saw him emerge, his voice smooth and articulate. She knew he was the type to use his words more than his guns. Raz could respect that in someone, but it wasn’t appropriate when it meant having your entire clan hide while the wars waged on. She didn’t move as he gestured for her to step inside, and she grinned beneath her helmet, “No, Alor Vizsla,” She called out, “I think we can discuss whatever it is you have in mind out here. In front of your brothers and sisters.”

Raz crossed her arms over her chest, not budging from where she stood. By now, the entire clan around him was watching the exchange. She could feel many eyes on her, and Vizsla would feel the same. Raz was less concerned about her actions, but she knew he was in the spotlight. She wasn’t going to do anything on his terms, especially when she didn’t owe him that. He had been the face of inaction for a long time, and there was no denying that his own people were beginning to grow tired of him.

This was a pivotal moment for Solus. They had originated from within Vizsla’s ranks back in the day, and how Vizsla faced demotion from a house to a clan. There would be unrest among the people, but no one could deny Solus had become prominent lately. Raz stood proud and was unfazed by all the staring and whispering. She patiently waited to see what he would do, half expecting him to pull something suspicious.

 

[The Gatekeeper]

Orsen let out a slight sigh as she obstinately stood there, crossing her arms defiantly. It wasn't shocking, he supposed, given her reputation. She took no guff, and she seemed to lack any level of diplomacy. He wondered how that would result if she ever brought the Mandalorians onto the galactic stage. He had already heard of people calling for her as next Mand'alor.

He pulled back the flap to his tent so that there was a direct line to the people outside and fastened it there. I'm not going to shout at you out here, he said, motioning to a small table set for two. We'll eat and discuss your proposal, he said. You can even share my food if it will make you feel better, he said to show that the food wasn't poisoned. And he'd try her foot and drink if she insisted. She - and everyone else in the camp - knew that for her to decline his offer would be to spit on Mandalorian traditions of hospitality as much as him declining her duel afterwards would be if they could not come to terms.

With the flap open, the Alor took off his jetpack and set his helmet on the table before sitting, waiting for her to pick whichever seat she would like before taking the opposite. By now the people around the outside of the tent were at a distance, but all watching curiously to see what would happen. She would have her public viewing that she wanted, but without the inconvenience of everyone butting in. We were once close allies, he said, referring to her Clan and House Vizla. What do you want from me? he asked, looking up to either her eyes or helmet regardless of whether or not she'd taken a seat. Such was the Mandalorian way, and while she may not have thought much of him, it wasn't an accident that he'd kept his position this long.

 

[Raz Solus]

Proposal? Raz had to keep from scoffing at his choice of words. He didn’t even sound like a true Mandalorian, and more like one of those Imperial Republica snobs she saw on the Holonet speaking politics. So far, all the rumors about him were turning out to be true, and she immediately decided she didn’t like or trust him. However, hospitality was hospitality, and she didn’t want to rile the situation up more than it already was.

With the flap open and everything visible to everyone, she held up a hand to keep her fellow clansmen at bay. She stepped forth, moving into the tent to sit down across from Orsen. Raz eyed him curiously for a long moment, thinking back to his commentary about allies, “Yes, we were,” She remarked, “That was before Vizsla decided to bow before a Sith,” There was distaste dripping from her tone. She couldn’t blame Orsen for the actions of his ancestors, but his inactions as a House leader were problematic.

“I think you know clearly why I’m here,” She said, not touching any food or drink. Orsen was the type that would poison his enemies, and she had no desire to fall victim to that, “I have won the allegiances of the clans under the Vizsla banner. Vizsla stands mostly alone now, and I’m here to ask you to step down as a house and recognize Solus as the house you swear your allegiance to as a clan,” She knew it would be hard for him to hear, “Solus has been taking the fight to our enemies directly and your people want to be a part of it as well. We need to rally together for a cause we can believe in. We will no longer wait to react, but strike first. I need Vizsla on my side, and I know..” She looked at him for a long moment, “I know despite your less than honorable means of how you got here - you do care about your people at the end of the day.”

 

[The Gatekeeper]

Orsen didn’t back down when she challenged that he hadn’t done what was best for the Mandalorians. But she was young, and likely only remembered a time when the Empire was weak and ineffective. She wasn’t alive in the days when the Empire could have glassed Mandalore before the civil war.

You condemn me for doing nothing, but if I’d acted as you wish before the civil war, our people would be gone, he stated without a hint of question in his voice. She would never understand, and he wondered if it was even worth explaining. He knew where this conversation was going, and he could only hope that this woman and her impulsive Clan wouldn’t be the downfall of the entire Mandalorian people.

He listened to her demands in silence, saying nothing for a moment as he considered her words. There was a quiet that hung for several moments before he spoke again.

Vizla has been a House for generations. They’re a proud people, and whether they want to fight or not, they won’t want to sacrifice the traditions of their ancestors, he said. He knew he was finished. It was evident to him at this point, but he wanted to see his people preserved nonetheless. To merely roll over was to dishonor the people he was to represent. So what becomes of House Vizla?

 

[Raz Solus]

Raz was surprised he didn’t lash out. While he did challenge her proposal, he did so with finesse. She was mildly impressed, and she remained silent for a few moments. There was no doubt that if there was a way to get out of this without fighting, she’d take it. She was all for traditions and honor, but if more civil arrangements could be made, she wouldn’t be above it. It may not have been the badger way, but did anyone truly know what it meant to be Solus anymore? She only had it as her name, and she was the only one that took up the reins when the time was right.

She kept her gaze on his, her expression blank, “Yes, you did what you had to for our people,” She muttered, “Which included being an attack dog for the Sith. I’m not concerned with what you did prior to the civil war,” Raz leaned forward in her seat, “It’s what you did after it came to light that the Sith wouldn’t hesitate to destroy us. You continued to do nothing,” She had to fight to keep emotions out of her tone, “You know it, and your people know it. There isn’t anyone among them to rise up to challenge you because everyone expects you to murder them in their sleep. You know the reputation you have.”

Raz paused for a moment there, “You have the chance to change that. If you swear your allegiance to Solus, you will continue to exist as a clan under our banner. You will align to a House that is willing to fight and strike back against the Sith. We can no longer be afforded the luxury of abstaining from a fight - we are now cornered and trapped. We can either lash out or we can die.”

She sighed, looking down, “I’m asking you to put aside your pride and do what’s best for your people, Orsen.”

 

[The Gatekeeper]

Orsen was well aware of his reputation within the Clans and Houses. It was part of the reason he had always kept his status as Alor. No one wanted to challenge him because they knew they would die in their sleep. In fact, he couldn't promise the same wouldn't happen to Raz someday because he'd be lying if he said he wasn't angry about this. As much as he wanted to maintain his position it wasn't enough to make him put his own people at a detriment. If revenge came someday, it wouldn't be today. Mandalorians never forgot.

What options did he have? He would lose a duel. He'd not spent time on the battlefield. He had many skills, but a single duel was not one of them whereas the young woman in front of him had already earned her reputation on the battlefield... and she was young. Younger than the Alor who had lost a step over the last decade.

And what guarantees do I have that as soon as we swear to you, you don't wipe us out or take your revenge for what you see as our negligence in our duty? Send us to the front line to die in your war against the Sith? he asked. He was a man who had done just those types of things to his enemies, and Solus... well, they could say they were different, but there were never guarantees in life, were there?

The conversation was a losing argument, and he knew it, but he wasn't going to walk his Clan into the lion's mouth even if it meant he had to die in a duel. But he also couldn't argue with one thing: the Sith would be coming. The attacks that Solus had exercised would bring repercussions on all the Houses, and they were pulling more warriors in with each passing day. Vizla was out of options: abstaining meant either killing their fellow Mandalorians or dying, and he refused to do either.

 

[Raz Solus]

Raz smiled at his words, “Do you really think the badgers will let you have all the glory to yourself by sending you to the frontlines alone?” She actually had to laugh at that one. Solus was known for rushing into battle, and the fact that Vizsla thought they would send others in their stead was absurd. Nevertheless, it was a valid concern, and it was one she had about her alliance with the rebels, “I gain nothing from wiping out Vizsla,” She explained, “We are at the point where we need to come together under one banner. We can’t afford to keep up in-fighting, as that only aids the Sith.”

She knew he wasn’t stupid. He was considering his options and they were fighting against his own pride and ego. He would know in the end there was nothing to gain from fighting the way things were set in motion. Raz eyed him quietly, meeting his gaze. She said nothing for a moment, giving him time to digest things. His men were waiting outside, just as hers were, and it was a crucial moment in history for Solus waiting to happen.

“There is nothing but honor in standing up for your people and ensuring that the continual survival of our children is assured.”

 

[The Gatekeeper]

There was silence for a moment as Orsen considered her proposal. He would have loved to find a way out of it or a means of getting around it. Maybe he should have made a move earlier or joined with Solus's attack before now. But he hadn't, and no matter how much he ran through the things he could have done differently, they were in the past. If he refused now, it would be a duel, and he would lose. The only thing he gained from a duel was his pride.

Very well, he finally said with a nod. He didn't like it, he didn't agree with it, but he accepted it. Vizla would live on, and one day would return to its glory, but for now, it was his fault that they had fallen. Perhaps it was time for him to die in glory on the battlefield, or maybe he should have taken her up on the duel, but he could still do things for his Clan.

I'll be at the front nonetheless, he said. He may have dishonored his Clan now, but he could reclaim his honor on the battlefield. It was the only thing that would alleviate the shame he felt. Alor Solus.