Ask [Rattatak] Down with the Slavers!

[Celeste Stythani]

Two Mandalorians. This could only get interesting. She didn't have many information on the two, but she was told that they are very skilled in what they were doing and that's why she hired them in the first place. They were supposed to arrive any minute now and so she was waiting for them with Everett. She hadn't brought any more guards or aides, since she wouldn't need them anyway. She had, however, chosen to bring at least one men to additionally ensure her safety, because she didn't know the two Mandalorians anyway and even though Celeste was a rather sociable, easy-going person, she was also misstrusting.

The last couple of days had been rather rough and there was lots of work, so she was more than glad to go on an outside mission again. Also, this mission was very important for the future of Rattatak since many innocent lives were at stake and so she was eager to get started. The mission's goal was clear: Eliminate the slaver and his thugs. Celeste has been working on freeing the tribes for many months now, but this next target was different. He was supposed to be very organized and even more ruthless. His security system was supposed be rather advanced and his thugs were apparently well trained.

The Rattataki sun was unrelentlessly burning down from above as always, but Celeste had gotten rather used to it. She always dressed accordingly, meaning that even though she was still sticking to darker colors, the fabrics were rather light. She didn't wear a lot of armour to protect her, but she was hoping that the Mandalorians would make up for that with their Beskar. She had never interacted with Mandalorians before and so she was extremely curious about how this little get-together would work. A friendly, warm and welcoming smile was already on her lips while she awaited the duo.

@Burpee @HoneyMagpie

 

[Jado Veren]

TRIGGER WARNING: Panic/Anxiety

The Kotir-Class Gunship dropped smoothly out of hyperspace for Jado, very much unlike his own ship. He'd requisitioned it from the Mandalorian Crusade after leading the fighter squadrons over the skies of Contruum in his own ship, which had unfortunately taken heavy fire from a repeater entrenchment. He still had intentions to go back for the ol' G1-A and get her repaired, but there were jobs to do and slavers to kill in the mean time. Genova hadn't come along all that willingly for this one, though the job requirements had nothing to do with it. It had everything to do with their client: a Sith.

While Jado had no love for the Sith as a whole, this Celeste Stythani that had reached out to him seemed unlike the reputation her Empire had. He'd readily agreed to assist her in killing slavers, especially considering he had once been slave on Rattatak himself. If Celeste really wanted to turn things around for the hellhole, toppling the slavers than ran things would be paramount to her campaign. Assuming the job worked out for the Verens, there'd likely be future jobs to come out of it for them, too.

Seeing the orange globe of Rattatak through the viewport induced a splitting headache in Jado and he grabbed the side of his helmet with a groan. "Uaaghh...Gen, could you..?" he said through gritted teeth. Anxiety started to build in him as painful memories that had largely been suppressed within his armor cracked into his psyche. Turning shakily out of the pilot's seat, he braced himself against the hull as he made his way out of the cockpit. He didn't make it very far before he found himself crouched on the floor of the ship and hyperventilating.

Of course this would happen while their Mando pilot had taken a quick break. Sometimes your past catches up with you whether you're ready for it or not. Rhyys pulled the metal helmet off his head and tossed it beside him, squeezing his eyes closed firmly and trying desperately to get a hold of his breathing. The splitting headache had faded but there was still a deep sense of unsourced dread he was fighting to keep at bay.

@HoneyMagpie @LadyRen

 

[Genova Veren]

A Sith. The Veren clan were really under the employ of a sith. Genova wasn't really sure how exactly to feel about that and her long-running silence on the matter said just as much. She'd heard tales of the dark space wizards, and their Jedi counterparts, but up until now, she had been rather lucky in avoiding much interaction; her commune was especially wary and did their utmost to steer clear of such individuals. Perhaps that was why the Lorrdian was feeling so cautious - a lifetime segregated from them and their kind certainly fostered a particular attitude.

The Sith and Mandalorians were (supposedly) allies, but Genova knew enough of history to know how easily alliances crumbled, as well as how quickly friends turned foes. It had happened in the past, why not in the future, again and again? The Sith weren't exactly known for their honourable nature...

I have a bad feeling about this...

And for more than one reason. Rattatak. A nightmare of a planet, and Genova knew all too well the wounds this planet had laid on @Jado Veren. Not just the physical scars, either. From her seat, she noted his subtle shaking within moments, and the pained demeanour only confirmed her thoughts. Anxiety was sitting in, those ugly memories taking root once more. Her clansman had made no secret of his past, in a way, he owned it and Genova respected him for that. He was in no way lesser of a warrior, and she wanted him to know as much.

Taking the controls, she offered her comrade a passing pat, one of reassurance and support. “Ibic Kelir spirba, vod. Bic ratiin kelir. pPrtaylir, gar cuyir dralshy'a than te buyacir.”

Genova knew all too well her battle brother would accept no pity from her, but she hoped (somehow) he could sense the genuine comfort she wished to offer. That's what clans do, they help one another, no matter the fight.

@Burpee

 

[Celeste Stythani]

Celeste was becoming slightly restless and impatient as she was pacing in the broad sunlight. She and Everett had gotten here on foot since the rendezvous point was a rather remote spot. They had quite a journey ahead of them until they would reach the so called "city of slaves", but it was important that they would keep a low profile and that was why they would continue their journey on foot as well.

Her own ship was safely locked and hidden away in a canyon up north, located in a spot where neither the Mandalorians nor the Natives would spot it. She was not particularly mistrusting in regard to the hired Mandalorians, but she couldn't ensure that there was not anyone else who had intercepted the transmission again.

She had been rather careful with what parts of information she had transmitted, so she was planning on filling them in on all the details once they were finally here. It took, however, another half an hour until an impressive assault-ship came into sight and while she had used the spare time to chat with her bodyguard, she was still the tiniest but annoyed.

She still swallowed those up-boiling, negative feelings and focused her attention back on the ship. "Try to be friendly to our guests" she instructed Everett with a half-serious, half-amused tone with a smirk on her lips while she watched them descend. Interestingly enough, she could sense a slight feeling of unease coming from the ship and this made her curiosly raise an eyebrow.

A duo of a strong, ancient warrior guild nervous? Something seemed to be wrong with that. She couldn't help but to become a little suspicious but she would neither place her hand on her blaster nor on her lightsaber. She had become much more cautious within the last few weeks, but she would try to remain unbiased and as open-minded as always.

@Burpee @HoneyMagpie

 

[Jado Veren]

...Inhale. Two. Exhale. Inhale. One. Exhale.

Gen was right. He was okay. Stronger than the storm. He wiped the tears from his pale blue cheeks and picked up his durasteel helmet from the floor next to him and slipped it over his head. Jado was in control, and Jado would not falter. With a quick hop, he was back on his feet in the area behind the cockpit, resuming control of his breathing and thoughts. The past was in the past, and there were slaves here with futures ahead of them. Dralshy'a than te buyacir, he repeated in his head like a mantra to re-center himself.

Walking into the cockpit, Jado could clearly see the Rattataki surface quickly approaching now as Genova was preparing to land. He placed an armored glove briefly on her shoulder to indicate his recovery, and hopefully communicate some amount of thanks for her earlier words of reassurance. Out of the viewport, he could see who he assumed to be Celeste as well as a second stood to her side. She hadn't offered many details when she hired the two Mandalorians, so Jado would remain skeptical until the terms had been laid out.

With the slight quake of touchdown, Jado turned back to yell just in time to see their pilot running back to the cockpit from the lavatory. Jado slapped him on the shoulder as he passed with a slight shake of his head. Checking to make sure his usual gear was in its proper place, he unlatched the side door of the gunship and slung it open, disembarking with a heavy thud into the red Rattataki sands. Since he was sporting his jetpack for this particular mission, he'd opted to go without his crimson cape. Instead, he carried a red cloth wrap around his hips and thighs, with the phoenix of Clan Veren emblazoned on the area over his butt.

Waiting first for Genova to dismount, Jado would approach the foreign duo with his battle sister at his side. Trying to get a read of Celeste's face led to slight frustration in him. She wore a sincere smile as her honey blonde hair tousled in the breeze. Her appearance, while beautiful, was practiced. Jado had to remind himself as much when he remembered who this woman's allegiances were to. Stopping about three meters from his employer, Jado placed his hands on the front of his belt in a show of non-aggression, away from all of his weapons.

"Sorry for the delays." he stated simply. He wouldn't offer excuses, and he would expect none would be accepted.

@HoneyMagpie @LadyRen