Ask Nevarro That Far Away

[Lex Solus]

Nevarro, outskirts of Nevarro City
1943 local time

The shuttle rocked and rumbled as they tore out of realspace and into the atmosphere, thrusters burning in overtime to get a handle on the ship. Lex held onto the bars embedded from floor to ceiling, pushing his feet into the ground to keep standing. He turned to look at the other Mandalorians. He still couldn't really believe he was doing this. He was joining a side in a potential civil war brewing and he did not have a doubt in his mind that it was the right decision.

"1 minute to landing," the pilot buzzed over the comms, and all the figures in the shuttle seemed to shift in tension as they prepared for landing. Lex wasn't sure how the others felt, but he generally did not prefer stealth. He just didn't find it to be an engaging way to fight. He did, however, recognize the objective of this mission and why it was important.

"Cheer up, vod!" one of the members of the crew called out, breaking the silence that had settled over the Mandalorians.

Lex looked up toward him, staring the man down from within his helmet. The ship touched down before anyone could reply and maybe it was for the better. The doors hissed open unceremoniously, and they all clambered out into a hangar carved out of the stone of a mountain. The inside was hollowed out, littered with rooms of various sizes. Their host approached, eyes darting around to see who was the leader there. Lex stopped short, letting Kotii step ahead and gazing around at the others.

@Darasuum @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Reiel Mal Crowholde]

After much consideration for the mission ahead, Reiel had opted to give her beskar'gam a makeover on the color department. The grey of her helmet and armor had somewhat gained a notoriety on Tinnel IV's underworld, and after being badgered by her assistant about it the small Mandalorian had relented and repainted her armor blue. Of course it would be a hell to repaint it back to grey again once she returned home, but the small Mandalorian had always actively looked for anything to distract herself from the anger she felt towards the current Mando-Sith alliance.

She respected Fenyang Ordo's guts for claiming the mantle of Mand'alor, but he didn't earn it. He would have to work for it, the Darksaber, the Mask of Mand'alor, or any other relic be damned. Many still rallied under the man's banner, and there was never a time where Reiel didn't think of her fellow Mandalorians compromising their people's principles. But as she thought of Arthos's own disdain towards the Sith, she couldn't help but think that there were some who were only doing what was best for their people.

And then there was the matter of a civil war brewing between those who followed Mand'alor and his alliance with the Sith, and those who denounced it. Not choosing a side was almost the height of idleness, but Reiel knew that she would fall if she chose one over the other. She had given her word to a special someone that she would live, after all. And besides she had to be the most un-Mandalorian Mando in the galaxy, so why not live up to that joke title her uncle once gave her in jest?

Still, the fate of Mandalore was a subject Clan Crowholde regarded with utter seriousness. There were Crows who joined the invasion of Lothal not out of loyalty to the man who accepted an alliance with the Sith so the Mandalorians' machines of war would be brought back to life once more. Her clan worshipped Kad Ha'rangir, yes... but its oldest member and founding father glorified Hod Ha'ran as well.

Reiel had faith in her grandfather's decision for the clan to follow the Mand'alor despite the life the Sith had taken from them. Her clan would appear as if they themselves have compromised their principles and spat on the face of the dead, but as the grandchild of Clan Crowholde's alor she knew that he knew what he was doing. His decision divided the clan, but, well...

Crows weren't only known for their intelligence. And there was a reason why Cin, alor of Clan Crowholde, revered Hod Ha'ran.

Reiel was snapped out of her thoughts when one of her vode said something about cheering up. Kotii's Badgers never failed to amuse her, and she knew that they were just as reliable in a fight. Hells, they were the reason why her armor was currently blue instead of the honoring grey. And as the ship landed on their supposed destination the smallest Mandalorian in the group politely made her way to the front to stop beside Kotii, her helmeted gaze lifting up towards Lex Solus. It was her first time meeting the Mando in question, though she'd heard of him and seen him on the news shooting a massive Wermal, then once again when he sent out a broadcast – a challenge – to the Mand'alor himself.

Dude's got balls, and she respected that. Truly.

“Hi,” she greeted Lex, gently waving a hand for emphasis. “I'm Reiel. Nice to meet ya. I may not look like it, but you can trust me to watch your six if push comes to a shove. Alright, I'll stop with that for now.”

...okay, that might not make a good first impression but she had almost always been awkward (and a tad weird). Beneath the cover of her helmet she offered the Badger a genuine smile before her gaze shifted to Kotii.

“I heard about what happened in the Citadel,” Reiel said, her words only for him to hear. “But you're the only Solus'alor for me. The one worthy of the title and honor that comes with it. Screw anyone who says otherwise. You're an honorable man, Kotii – one of the most honorable people I've met, if not the most.”

She would then pat the Chief Badger on the arm if he would permit it, before stepping back and taking her place beside the other Solus Mandos.

@vamp @Darasuum