Project Prime Clone: Tesla Carid

[Kalen Conner]

The High General of the Brotherhood and President of the New Confederacy of Independent Systems, Drush Hunaam, sat waiting in his office of the Independence Parliament Building on Jomark. He was expecting three very interesting individuals, three bounty hunters, two of whom has Mandolorian heritage. He was looking for the perfect warrior and soldier to become the new prime clone for the N.C.I.S' army of clone troopers. The previous prime clone's DNA has run its course due to being used to its full potential and it was time to find a new candidate for the job.

Drush had a simple yet difficult task ahead for the three hunters to prove which one of them was the best person for the job. He would not tell them what the reason behind the assignment is until after the Agitator has determined the winner of his little 'contest'. For now Hunaam would just inform them of the bounty itself and the rules of engagement. The High General was not just looking for superior effectiveness but a high sense of discipline and loyalty as well.

Looking at the datapad on his desk, Drush, reviewed the information he had on each of the three candidates for the P.C. Project. The first is a twenty-six year old Mandolorian woman and covert ops specialist known as Jenna Wolf. The next is an eighteen year old Mandolorian male and combat specialist known as Tesla Carid. Last but not the least is a twenty-five year old melee and unarmed combat specialist known as Traask Nadill.

"Welcome," the ancient being said after the candidates were ushered into his office by his temporary secretary. He looked over the three intimidating individuals and smiled confidently, "I have asked the three of you here because I need the best for the assignments I need completed," he explained to the warriors that was standing before the President. Drush opened a draw in his desk and produced three datapads containing information on each candidate's target. He waited a few seconds before speaking again, "I want these individuals brought back and alive. Godspeed, friends," Hunaam started out sternly but finished with a cheerful smile as he gestured for the hunters to go about their business.

 

[Livgardist]

One week later

Tesla studied the datapad again. He sat in a chair in the passenger area of the smuggler's vessel, his feet on a table as he read through what he had. The datapad had given away only two things about his target; his name, and his last known location. Zechs Montari, and the planet of Velmor. Hiring a smuggling vessel to take him there, Tesla had descended deep into Sith territory, the destination being Velmor. It was a habitable planet occupied by the Sith, with rich natural resources, and consisting to a large part of grassland.

The capital was Den Velmor, a beautiful city with architecture to rival Mandalore itself. Many spaceships, mostly Imperial in nature, came and went from the city's spaceports every day. A simple ship like this one would catch no notice, and nor would Tesla, who, for once, had not donned his Mandalorian armor. This was no hunt for a madclaw wookiee - this was a hunt for a quite possibly human and intelligent foe, which meant subtlety was needed.

He had therefor donned civilian clothes for this - black pants and leather boots of below knee-length, a simple and loosely fit white shirt with the neck open a few buttons down to reveal his muscular chest and give a sloppy appearance, and the finishing touch being a knee-length reddish coat that hid the two vibroblades he carried for this mission, as well as a Bryar pistol he had bought in Nar Shaddaa specifically for this hunt, not wanting to go through the trouble of carrying an assault rifle. Even if he did, he would not be able to use it, since this bounty was to be delivered unharmed.

"We've landed." The pilot came out to tell him. "We'll stay for twenty-four. If you need another ride, let us know and we'll take you on. Not many people pay cash and up front, and not as generously as you. I guess it really is true, what they say about being rich as a Mandalorian."

Tesla had been lost in thoughts, and hadn't even realized they had landed. He nodded silently to the man, who left him alone with his thoughts. Soon after, the Mandalorian stepped off the ship, and entered the Den Velmor Spaceport. A couple of Imperial customs agents walked by, but none of them tried to question him. His duffel bag thrown over his right shoulder, he began to make his way through the streets of the city, searching for a cantina, which was as good a place as any to start asking questions.

In time, he found one. Cheerful music greeted him as he entered. He slowly approached the bar, sitting down on a stool as he ordered a drink. Tossing some coins to the bartender, he nodded to him.

"Busy place." He said.

The bartender nodded, wiping the counter with a piece of cloth.
"Yeah, we do alright. Most of our customers are Imperials." He nodded his head towards Tesla. "You don't look like an Imperial. You new to Velmor?"

"Yeah. Mandalorian." Tesla replied. The man stared at him for a moment, then shrugged.

"We get all kinds here these days." He muttered. "You looking for someone?"

"Yeah. All I've got is a name and a last seen location. Was told that part involved Velmor. You know anybody who can give me a tip or two? Both about the man himself, and where to find him." He tossed a couple of credits to the man, who took them with a wry smile.

"I might just be able to help you..." He mused.

 

[Master Maverick]

Zechs had been on Velmor for no particular reason other than wanting to get away. Events as of late had kept him busy and he felt he deserved his much needed alone time.

He was about 5 miles north from Den Velmor, in an old house that had been unoccupied for... no one knew how long. It was dusty and dark, but it was out of view in the middle of a mountainous expanse of forest.

In the few days he had been there, he had cleaned up the cottage, gotten the power back and the water running. He even cleared a little yard around the house and clarified a path to the front door. It was quaint, but most importantly no one knew he was here.

After his morning routine he went outside, wearing civilian clothing, and took out his sabers to practice. He started off slow, precise and careful. Gradually he increased the speed until he was fending off 10 opponents at the same time. The blades were but a blur and he 'fought' ferociously for 8 minutes straight. At the end of it, he had some beads of sweat and his breathing was heavier than before, but he felt good.

After, he withdrew his blades and proceeded to just meditate. For hours he would just sit in his front lawn, cross-legged and riding the waves of the force, feeling out for what could be a couple of miles, touching everything he came across. For too long had he been unable to do this, and he relished this opportunity.

 

[Livgardist]

Tesla came to the dark alley just in time. It was dark, and he had scouted out the area around before going there to make sure it wasn't some kind of trap. The information broker was on time, and alone, though, as agreed. She was a young woman, barely past eighteen, his own age. She didn't recognize him as a Mandalorian since he didn't wear his armor. As he approached her, she held up her hand, and said:

"I'm not alone." She was bluffing. "So don't try anything funny. Just because Gorbo vouched for you doesn't mean I trust you. You got the money?" Tesla nodded, tossing her the bag of coins, having no intentions of double-crossing her. She picked up the bag and searched its contents, nodding as she pocketed them. "Good. I looked around for the man you were looking for, for you. Nobody by that name has been registerred landing on Velmor for the last few months.

However, docking authorities keep a pretty good eye on all ships passing through the planet's orbit. I bribed a man working for the docking authorities. He told me that an unidentified ship, probably a smuggling vessel of some sort, was spotted on radar entering orbit a few weeks ago. It disappeared from radar in a region about five-ten miles north of Den Velmor. They figured it was smugglers." She shrugged. "Could've been something else, though. The region is pretty wild, perfect for somebody wanting to disappear."

Tesla nodded.
"How do I get there?" He asked.

"Talk to Jax in the Pad Workshop. He can set you up with a speeder bike."

"Thanks." With that, Tesla turned around and left.

*****

A few hours later, the speed pike was roaring past the landscape with Tesla onboard, wearing his Mandalorian armor. His eyes searched the landscape as he made course towards the more mountainous regions. It would be difficult to find a hideout there, but he was hell-bent on trying. His first lead was the exact coordinates for where the ship had disappeared out of radar reach, and that was where he was first heading.

 

[Master Maverick]

Hours had passed since he last opened their eyes. Snapping open, he 'heard' something coming. It was quite a distance away towards the southeast. Annoyance was the first emotion to hit him. He just wanted to be alone. Why couldn't people just stay home and rot there. It would be much more enjoyable for himself.

It neared rather slowly, as the echoing off of the mountains allowed him to hear it long before he would get that close.

He stayed there, in his position and musing over the situation. His eyes widened as he remembered his ship was landed towards the southeast, out of view of himself, but somewhat camouflaged. Obviously there was only so much one could do with a grey shuttle and it would be easy to pick out if one got even a little close. But from afar it would look like nothing peculiar. There were crags and rocks strewn over the mountainside, and the shuttle was to look somewhat like that.

Regardless, he closed his eyes, getting back into his meditative state, but keeping an ear on whomever happened to be approaching. Ready for some much unwanted company.

(Not that he knows who you are, he just hates people, so it doesn't matter who you are, he'll hate you regardless.)