Ask Mandalore Mission to Mandalore: The Palace

[Minerva Wren]

Getting off the walker, Minerva heard the fighting in the nearby chamber. She rushed in past the ruined door and saw Eisa, Kyp and Srucayr. They stood over two dead pirates. Nodding with approval she remarked.

“Well done.”

Suddenly Minerva paused upon seeing the chamber they were all in now. It was vast and its remaining furniture not destroyed or broken was covered in dust. The former windows were shattered with its glass contents scattered all over the floor. On the other end was the throne and above a broken window with its two sides cut through.

Filled with awe and eyes widened the young mercenary exclaimed. “This is the throne room!” The Mandalorian holstered her pistol and carefully walked through the chamber, as if trying not disturb the ghosts that may linger here. As her boots crunched pieces of glass on the ground with each step Minerva slowly looked all over, taking in the ruined splendor of her forebears. Then she stopped several feet away from the throne’s steps.

Standing still the warrior glanced upon the throne, to make sure her eyes are not deceived.

How often the path of our people, good or ill, was decided here? Too many to count. Some of the greatest triumphs and tragedies of Mandalore’s history happened in this very room and I am standing in it!

Consumed with a storm of emotions Minerva the proud warrior let out a loud mournful cry for all close at hand to hear. Falling to one knee and still gripping her vibrosword in the left hand she bowed her head in full reverence to the throne of Mandalore.

“Honored ancestors forgive us. We have fallen so far that brigands loot your very halls while we squabble amongst ourselves like petty children. None of us are worthy to unite Mandalore, not a single one.”

Minerva said, her whole body trembling all over. Grief soon turned into fierce determination as Minerva continued.

“From this time forth I, Minerva Fhirdiad, first of my clan pledge my life for the preservation of Mandalore. To fight in its name, to avenge its shame, to honor its creed and to stand with my vode as equals.”

Subsequently Minerva stood up and looked back to the others. She was no longer a simple mercenary; she had become a crusader. A new kind for a new era.

Spoiler: Mandalorian Crusader Theme

@Faust Rex @Arclight @Forsythe Crowholde @Topher @Reyn @Die Shize @Fantasy Liver @Rhogar

 

[Gett'se Vizsla]

Watching Curse claw and slice at the Nagai pirate, Gett'se was a little disappointed when the little droid was flung free and the pirate made a run for it. A blaster bolt from his peacemaker put an end to that. Peace was made and the pirates were finally dead. His forearm hurt. Taking a glance at it, he could see where the Nagai's blade had penetrated his suit and blood stained the tear. He shook off the pain for the time being, put it to the back of his mind as he holstered his blaster and wandered off to find Reiel.

It wasn't a long search, he found her standing over the corpse of a pirate who looked as if he had been worked over.

"Reiel." He greeted the woman as he approached. Gesturing with his wounded arm to the pirate who lay dead at her feet he continued. "Did he tell say anything useful?" He asked. He wanted to ask how she fared in the fight, but couldn't bring himself to do it. He knew she was a competent warrior, and didn't want to seem overly concerned.

@Faust Rex @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Dregg Starr]

Dregg Starr
Dregg, got up and took a few steps back to let Reiel do her work. He had been wounded and wanted to make sure that it wasn't anything serious. Dregg walked over to some rubble and sat down on it. He begun to inspect his arm as he listened to the pirate be questioned and tortured for answers. The bolt had scraped past his arm, damaging the fabric and burning him around the joint of the elbow. Some of the fabric was stuck to the burns on his arm. Dregg reached into one of his pouches, pulling out a cloth and some antiseptic liquid. He poured it onto the cloth and begun to rub at his wound. He gritted his teeth and winced as his wound stung quite harshly. He swore under his breathe as he wiped at the wound and pulled away some of the fabric. Dregg looked up at Reiel as she addressed him as chief. He gave a hearty laugh and shook his head "Chief? I'm no chief, at least. I haven't been for quite some time". He said believing that she was addressing him as a senior or leader even though this likely wasn't the case. He then turned his head to look at Casany who had just come back to them. She threw a beacon at Dregg who caught it with both hands. He placed it by him as he listened to her and put his minimal first aid supplies back into their pouch. He then closed his fist and smashed the beacon. He nodded at her comments on torture, still sat on the rubble. "I hear ya. Sometimes though, it's necessary. Not only for information but to send a message". Dregg sighed as he said that, it was unfortunate but true. Dregg had participated in more brutal acts of torture in his life. He had done some terrible things to terrible people. although that didn't make it justified. "I've done many things in my life. The sad truth of it is...gouging a man's eye out isn't even the worst..." Dregg's mind begun to wander to the things he had done, to the revenge he had inflicted on the gang members who had killed his clan. The sheer brutality he inflicted on the 3 he and his remaining kin had caught. The brutality he had inflicted as a mercenary in the few conflicts he had fought. "I uh...you live a long life. You do a lot of...terrible things I guess" He said, shaking his head and snapping out of his trance of memories. Dregg stood up and brushed himself off, his Kama had been greyed with dust and rubble. "Anyways kids. We got some more pirates to kill. So lets regroup with everyone else, shall we?" He said hoping that everyone was alright. There was no more blaster fire ringing through the palace. Only words being exchanged and the footsteps of his Vode.

@Die Shize @Arclight @Minuteman75 @Topher @Fantasy Liver @Forsythe Crowholde @Reyn @Rhogar ​

 

[Reiel Mal Crowholde]

The sounds of the fight ceasing barely reached Reiel as she stood there, gazing back at the dead pirate whose remaining eye remained open, empty, as it gazed at the palace's ceiling. Anger subsiding, she was left feeling a little disgusted with herself at the deed she had just committed in the halls of their forebears.

Torture came with the job description of being a hunter, but she could not help but feel displeased that it was something that had to be done in a place where she planned to pay her respects and reverence for the people who took her into their fold with open arms. This was the first time she had ever set foot on their homeworld, much less its capital city and place of power, and yet instead of silence she was met with her arguing vode and a pack of pirates desecrating the palace. Sadness and violence ran rampant beneath the cover of her iron skin, and while her method of making the captive talk could still be considered tame, Reiel still felt dissatisfied that she had to turn her words of torture into reality.

She turned to Dregg who was conversing with Casany, the impassivity on her face dissolving to make way for her usual bright smiles upon hearing the older Mandalorian laugh. Later, Reiel reminded herself. Do some self-reflection later when everything's done. You've got more thieves to eliminate.

The young Mandalorian soon perked up upon hearing Gett'se's voice, striding up to meet his approach. She passed by Dregg, giving the older Mandalorian's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "We do what we have to do," she told him before shifting her focus on her other vod.

Gett'se seemed to be hesitating about something, or at least that was what Reiel felt. But she wouldn't assume that her hunch might be correct. For all she knew, he might just be worried–

"Oh, um, yes. We got the location of the pirates' hideout – Concordia. They also have a getaway transport east of the city," she replied, noticing the wound on his arm when he gestured. Where Gett'se hesitated in showing his concern for her, Reiel made up for being open about her concern for him. She gently grabbed his arm, her hand holding onto his vambrace as she stepped closer to him, helmeted head tilted down as she inspected the wound.

"You're hurt," she murmured, worry seeping in her quiet voice. Reiel let his arm go and began to retrieve her medpac before he could say anything about it. Quick and methodical, she began to clean the cut before spraying an even amount of antiseptic on the wound and bandaging the afflicted area. Satisfied with her work and now assured that the wound would not be infected, her hand remained on his bandaged arm as she continued to answer his earlier question.

"The base is fenced, and they have mounted guns on two watchtowers for defense. He said there's not much of them left, but we still have to be careful. They have a ship east of Sundari – at least ten reinforcements, a heavy repeating blaster on board, and the ship's got a mounted gun as well," she reported. "Ah, and they have a rancor on their base as well!"

Reiel noticed belatedly that she was still holding Gett'se's arm. She looked away, face red in embarrassment, and quickly but gently released her hold. Her gaze soon found the throne room ahead, suddenly wanting to head there to pay her respect and reverence but Dregg was right. She could always come back later once the pirates were dead.

For now, they have work to do.

@Arclight @Faust Rex @Minuteman75 @Reyn @Topher @Die Shize @Fantasy Liver @Rhogar

 

[Gett'se Vizsla]

Where Gett'se had been hesitant to show concern, Reiel was not. He felt her grip his vambrace and bare his arm, concern in her voice as she retrieved her medpac. She didn't even give him a chance to tell her he was fine or that he didn't need help, and he was too busy wincing at the sting and scrub of the antiseptic to complain.

"Got too close, one of them got the drop on me." He admitted quietly as his mind flashed back to the chaos of battle, the rush as he had charged in ahead of the scout walker and the melee that followed. He could still hear the Nagai's screams echoing in the back of his mind, still fresh.

He snapped out of it as Reiel began to explain what they had learned, nodding when she finished. He also noticed her hand linger on his arm as she spoke, long after she was done cleaning his wound. She realized to and looked away before releasing her hold, softly. He tried not to read too much into it, she was always very touchy, but he couldn't help but wonder.

"A Rancor?" He sounded a little shocked, regarding the corpses that lay around them. Clearly they held some level of competence if they had managed to capture a rancor to keep. Flexing his hand, he felt the antiseptic still burning but beginning to numb his wounded arm. Reiel had done good work and had saved him the trouble of doing his own first aid, something he wasn't used to.

"Thank you." He spoke quietly to her back before turning his attention to the elder vod who had seemed to be lost in his memories. "Copy that. Looks like we have our work cut out for us."

@Forsythe Crowholde @Faust Rex

 

[Dregg Starr]

Dregg Starr
Dregg agreed with Reiel's sentiment. It was nice to be in the company of people who could understand. There wasn't much company on Nar Shadaa and the little he got barely understood his ways. He, looked over at Gett'se and Reiel. He could see a spark between them and smiled under his mask, thinking about something which he did not and probably could not have in his life. He had a gut feeling that for the rest of his life he'd be dedicated to restoring Mandalore and probably couldn't find the time to find someone. Dregg cleared his throat before addressing his fellow Mandalorians around him. "Okay people, we've got a base on Concordia and a ship to attack. I'm gonna head over to Concordia now, do some scouting ahead. So, whoever will be joining me meet me on Concordia, meet me near their base. I fly the Firespray-31 so please, don't mistake it for a pirate ship. When we meet up, we'll make a plan then assault their base.". He said before making his way down the stairs. Dregg, would nod at the others as he walked by. "Stay safe everyone. And I guess for Eisa, may the force be with you". He nodded at her before leaving the building and returning to his ship.

Whilst onboard he reloaded his whistling birds, he now had 12 inside. Then, he placed the remaining 6 on his ship in to his pouch. Dregg felt it was necessary to check his wounds and so unarmoured and grabbed his medical kit onboard. For a better fix to his wound, he wiped it down again with some antiseptic spray and placed a gauze pad on it before bandaging his arm. He checked on his shoulder too which had been shot. There was no terribly permanent damage to his shoulder, at least nothing which will stop him from fighting. So, Dregg placed his armour on and manned his ship. He started the ship up and departed from Mandalore, on his way to Concordia. ​

 

[Srucayr]

Srucayr would nod to Kyp and Eisa as he exited the room, making his way to the grand hall where the throne was. His visor was locked on the throne then shifted to the Mandalorian who was making a proclamation. Heavy boots carried him beside Minerva. "Welcome to the fight." One hand rested on the head of his warpick before his gaze shifted to where Dregg, Gett'se, and Reiel were. "Been some time since I have seen Mandalorians outside my Clan on the planet." he said to Minerva. "I don't know what their plans are, but I have been trying to cleanse the Aruetii filth from our home for a very long time."

 

[Kyp]

"Aye I'm with you too I guess." Kyp replied to Minerva, with decidedly less enthusiasm than his fellow Mandalorian. This proclamation made him feel one of two ways. On the one hand, he liked being by himself, losing himself among the stars. On the other hand, he loved his Mandalorian heritage. He didn't think he'd quit being a mercenary anytime soon - it paid the bills and gave him some great fights - but he could be persuaded to work with other people outside his clan for the good of the culture.

"Seems the next step would be finding the rest of these pirate slimeballs then." He said

 

[Reiel Mal Crowholde]

There will come a time, ad'ika, where you will be faced with the choice of removing your helmet. Not for breaking the Creed, no – but out of sheer reverence once you've beheld the haunting splendor of the ruined halls of our forebears or a fierce devotion and love for another being. You are a grown woman, reliable and independent, and as your father I have relinquished every right to make decisions for you after you've passed your verd'goten. Whatever your choice might be for baring your face, I will respect it. I have taught you the Way of the Mandalore, but it is up to you to choose between the Old and the New. Following one path from another will never make you any less of a Mandalorian as I am.

The throne room was only a few steps away. Heart pounding against her sternum, Reiel turned to look back at Gett'se, returning his gratitude with an uncharacteristic quiet nod before taking a few steps forward. Earlier she had felt like an impostor among her people, but now?

Having fought with Gett'se along with their other fellow Mandalorians completely dispelled the self-doubt in her mind and heart. Here she stood after helping her vode eliminate outsiders that dared defile the very halls and armor of their people, a true Mandalorian who now gazed at the ruined splendor of the capital city's seat of power.

Her name was Crowholde, a clan created by their alor – a Vizsla foundling who desired to build a family, a covert of his own. But the Way of their clan did not make them any less of the House they came from, and they were the ones who learned from the past. The ones who learned that hubris and arrogance was the easy way to ensure someone's downfall.

Let us, your elders, uphold the Old Ways of our people. You, our children, are free to choose your path to pave the way for our future. May your choices be wise, young ones. For Mandalore!

With the adrenaline from the fight wearing off, Reiel was left with pride, mourning, and an immense feeling of love for the culture and way of life of the people who took her in without any second thoughts. It was overwhelming.

Reiel stopped by the throne room's doors, going down on one knee. It felt as if she was the only person here, the others tuned out into blessed white noise. And it was easy to imagine her adoptive father's presence beside her, one of his large hands on her shoulder, a supportive and encouraging smile on his face.

He was right about one thing, in a way, as she lifted her gloved hands to the sides of her helmet and moved to slide it off of her head. Face bare for everyone in the throne room to see, Reiel bowed her head and closed her eyes. Tight.

The helmet came off, but not out of a fierce devotion and love for a single being.

For Mandalore. For my people. For buir.

She pressed one closed fist to her forehead, then to her lips, and finally to the iron heart of her armor – a revering salute she learned from the life she once had before walking the Way of the Mandalore.

Forward, compatriots. To conquer or die.

That was what the ex-pirate captain who raised her taught Reiel. But given the history of the Mandalorians and the conversation she had with Jedi Knight Fiach Dubh many moons ago, she found it prudent to change the words, to show the hope for a future where their generation and those who would come after them would never make the same mistakes their forebears have committed.

Reiel raised her head proudly, tears in her eyes as she proclaimed,

"Forward, Mandalore. May your children learn from your downfall, and may the mistakes of the past unite them – with bonds stronger than the likes you have ever seen."

It was surprising that she had managed to speak straight.

She stood up seconds later, turning to look at her vode behind her and sniffling like a lost foundling. Reiel had always been open with her emotions and found no shame in showing them, but now, faced with other battle-hardened Mandalorians, she felt a tinge of embarrassment adding color to her face.

I didn't mean to be emotional was what she wanted to say, but all that came out of her was another sniffle. Shyly, Reiel wiped the tears from her eyes before putting her buy'ce back where it belonged. She was done paying her respect – it was time to get back to business.

"I'll stay here," she said, voice still a little wobbly from crying. "Someone's got to keep the enemy reinforcements from returning to their base. There's also the matter of recovering whatever they looted from that getaway ship east of the city."

She turned to Dregg who was preparing to leave, and gave him a wave. "Safe travels, chief." Okay, so the nickname stuck. As long as he was fine with it, however. "Let's hear from you soon. Take care."

Clearing her throat, she continued in a more even tone, "So, I guess we're splitting the team into two, huh? One team goes to strike the base on Concordia while the other attacks the getaway transport. I'm signing up for the latter. Thoughts, concerns? Who will sign up for Team Concordia Assault to join Dregg and Team Capture Pirate Getaway Ship?"

@Arclight @Faust Rex @Minuteman75 @Topher @Reyn @Fantasy Liver @Die Shize @Rhogar

 

[Eisa Wex]

Well this was certainly a turn up for the books, a Jedi - of sorts! Standing beside various other Mandalorians in the throne room of the Palace, and strangely enough she wasn't getting guns pointed at her. Rather it seemed to be the opposite, the Mandalorian zeal for combat seemed to wash away from those who in turn stepped into the chamber, it was quite a profound experience, watching as at First her crew mate, Minerva, then everyone else who filtered in and out of the room treated the chamber with a degree of reverance - some taking stock of their heritage, some making oaths and pledges. All taking it pretty seriously.

Standing off to the side, at the entrance of the chamber the fiery haired spacer deactivated her lightsaber and with folded arms leant against the door frame, her eyes narrowing as she watched the various helmeted warriors play out their respects, form bonds and of course plan for their next steps towards reclaiming this world in the name of Mandalore. Her eyes narrowing as she felt the currents of the Force, resonate around her, seemingly spiking at points when the pacts were made to restore the world back to its former seat of glory.

A slight grin crossing her lips as her gaze shifted over towards Minerva, knowing for certain that of the Mandalorians around her, her crew mate would have the greater level of tolerance for her 'Jedi' ways. "Think your Ancestors heard you" Eisa commented as she casually nodded towards the thrones, before her attention shifted towards Dragg as he unveiled the next of the targets that they would be looking to strike at, seemingly at a base where the pirates had holed up on the neighbouring moon. A light nod being offered in response to the gruff Mandalorian's words of thanks and wishing that the Force be with her. "Same to you" She offered with a flash of a sincere smile, that quickly twisted into a grin. "Will See ya, when we gate crash the next party" she added before giving the man a quick punch on the arm.

"Right Minie!" Eisa called out into the moving throng of helmeted and armored warriors that had assembled. "Gonna go get these rocket launchers locked up before Curse can get her little pincers on them, and will fire up the Rim Hopper" She added, as she pushed herself off from the wall, before clipping her lightsaber onto her belt - stopping for a moment to just take a look at her weapon hanging off of her hip, a sight that she hadn't really envisioned seeing again any time soon, yet all the same it was quite nice to see it back where it once was.

"Ret'urcye mhi" the fiery haired spacer called out with a slight flick of a wave of her cybernetic hand, as she walked out of the throne room and back tracked towards where the AT-RT had been parked up. Scrambling up onto the scout walker the spacer fired up the machine's engines once again, before adjusting the controls to make the walker slowly turn itself around, the lumbering machine, proving to be quite more than a handful from what she had anticipated. "Curse! We're heading back to the ship now bud" Eisa shouted out, before pushing on the controls to make the walker advance back towards where the Rim Hopper was parked.

 

[Srucayr]

Srucayr would stare at the throne for a few more moments. He remembered when he was a boy, and he would find a way to explore the once great gem of his people. His prayers were his own and his visor would shift to Eisa, and despite his deep rooted disdain for anything bound to the Force, she had earned this moment to be in the gem of his people. But every day she remained on his planet, he'd ensure she earned the privilege to be there. "I will be in the main hall." He said to Kyp and Minerva as he turned to leave.

Heavy boots would carry him to the doorway, and once more the ancient set of beskar paused besides Reiel. "Show no regret with those tears. It's not often our kind make the pilgrimage back here. Rejoice. Today we sent Kad our offering of blood and he found it fitting to preserve us. The Destroyer wishes to see us restore our home to our people."

 

[Kyp]

"Concordia for me. I've never seen it." Kyp said, a bit softly. He was slightly ashamed that he'd never made a pilgrimage to Concordia. It was just another thing that he felt made him a bit of an "other" among the Mandalorians besides him being a foundling and him being a Lepi in a culture primarily dominated by humans. But apart from wanting to see the great moon, Kyp also volunteered for that particular mission because, well god damn hunting pirates at their hideout sounded super fun.

"Who's coming with?" he asked, hoping Gett'se would come along. He didn't like working with most people - although he certainly felt more comfortable with fellow Mandalorians than others - but he hoped Gett'se would come. Someone from his clan would make him feel more comfortable.

 

[Gett'se Vizsla]

Gett'se followed the others into the once grand throne room of their people. He looked upon the ruined hall with a mix of wonder and contempt. This was what his people had been. This was how they had fallen. The room was grand, splendorous. The glass shards strewn across the floor were stained with colors, the architecture was spartan, but rich.

He couldn't help but think back to his buir's warnings, of the dangers of idleness and ease. Is that what had happened to the Mandalorians who once ruled from these halls. Had they fallen prey to stagnation and sloth, the whispers of Arasuum that promised peace and leisure.

He watched from the back as many of the gathered peoples made their oaths and pledges. He looked away as Reiel's helmet bore her face, though he could only see the back of her hair. It was brown.

He felt conflicted. He had held the Way of the Mandalore so dear to his heart, the Way that his buir had instilled in him since he was young. His beskar'gam was his skin, the buy'ce that he wore his face. Not a soul lived who had seen under his shell except his buir, and even then only before he had taken the Creed.

It was isolating. But he found comfort in the isolation.

But in this day alone he had seen so many faces, had seen the faces of those he would call brothers and sisters. He wasn't sure what to make of things anymore. Was it the Way to keep ones shell even around those who he might call clan when they so easily bared themselves to him.

When he turned his gaze back to the assembly he was glad to see that Reiel's helmet once more sat on her head. He respected the weight of her emotion at the sight of the throne but had not felt right to gaze upon her face during that moment.

Not like this. The stray thought passed through his mind to be immediately squashed beneath his mind's heel. The errant thought was far too presumptive.

"I will aid in the assault on the ship. If we strike hard and fast we can seize it before a message can be sent." He said as he stepped forwards, giving Reiel a nod.

 

[Minerva Wren]

The former founding listened to Dregg Starr as he announced their next move. Funny most of them had just but they’re now already planning a counter-attack together. Minerva grinned savagely at the prospect. The brigands were not done paying their debt of blood.

Then Reidi paid her own homage to the throne. Minerva bow her head in respect to her sister in arms.

Minerva turned toward Kyp when spoken to before shaking her head. “You don’t have to follow my path brother. That pledge I made was only meant for me.” Subsequently she nodded to Srucayr, he was truly dedicated to his version of the way. Then Eisa, her captain, made her remarks, causing Minerva to pause.

While the helmet masked her expression, the former Jedi would sense the other’s initial surprise followed by silent gratitude. Once again rendered speechless Minerva thought. Red is no Mandalorian but she is a true comrade.

“Thank you burc'ya.” She finally answered while trying not to sound too emotional.

Had to maintain a reputation after all. While Eisa went off to fetch Curse to return to the Rim Hopper, Minerva stayed. She is still part of the crew but her kin needed her right now. After everyone finished saying which mission they will take, Minerva spoke.

“I will aid the attack on the ship. Now let’s get going already.”

She gave a side glance toward the throne once more. Destiny is upon us. With that thought Minerva turned and marched out of the throne room. They had much to do after all.

The End​