Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

[Chask274]

Concord Dawn
Outside of Shonruss
1400 hrs.

The speeder slowed to a halt at the edge of the forest clearing, it's single occupant hopping out as it's engines shut down with a whine. Moving to the back of the vehicle, Aiden opened the trunk and pulled out two sizeable crates, as well as a large table. Being as efficient as possible, he set up the table a short distance away from the speeder and put the two crates next to it. Opening one of them, he began laying it's contents on the table as he thought ahead to what the afternoon would entail.

Not too long ago, he'd been contacted by some of the higher ups about a new recruit to the Dominion. The man was evidently a former GAR soldier and veteran of the fall of Coruscant who'd requested to join their ranks after being arrested and spending some time in the detention center. When his request had been granted, Aiden was assigned to help train him on Dominion protocols, and if needed, further his education on Mandalorian culture. Not being on any critical assignment at the time, Aiden happily accepted, and collected the supplies he'd need for such a task before sending this Shiro Hama a message telling him to meet him at the clearing Aiden was in now.

Finished with laying out the gear on the table, Aiden settled in to wait for Shiro to arrive.

@Minuteman75 @Mad Dog

 

[Minuteman75]

With newfound freedom came responsibilities. Shiro knew the importance of duty rather well, his mother instilled that idea into him when a small boy. Having been freed recently, the former GAR officer had been messaged about where his training will be at. Riding in an shuttle from Mandalore, sat in the back, wearing a gray tunic uniform, pants and with light brownish boots Shiro waited for them to touch down on Cocord Dawn. For someone who is suppose to be knowledgeable about civilizations, I forgot that they live on this moon too

He admired the view from the cockpit as they got closer and closer to their destination. In spite of his older age and experience, Shiro felt like a dumb young recruit going into basic, kinda embarrassed that he took so long to. Sure he knew how to handle most weapons and exercise often in prison but he needed to be put back up to speed, if he was going to serve Mandalore effectively.

"Man I feel nervous and excited."

Shiro Yama murmured quietly, just as they past through the atmosphere. Soon enough the forest was very much evident to see in the front. Then the shuttle pilot landed them, close by the woods' edge where a parked speeder laid. With Zar, the guard in tow Shiro got up and walked the ramp once it was lowered. Normally he would appreciate the surroundings but Shiro was focused the task at hand. Spotting Aiden at the table, where the gear was at as well,

Being clueless in the way of the Mandalorians, Shiro Yama opted to go for the safer route with a short salute toward the younger man who happens to vastly outrank him.

"Reporting in as directed sir." Shiro explained, guessed old habits do died after all was his analysis.

 

[Mad Dog]

Zar had traveled with Shiro to the forested area. Although Zar liked the man, ever since he first freed the man from his life of rot in the prison, he couldn't help but suspect he'd been given babysitting duty."Calm your nerves, It's just a bit of light training.." Zar let out a laugh,"Well... I guess in comparison to the Republic.. You might be in for a bit.." Zar let out more than a couple laughs while speaking.

"Su cuy'gar vod. Zar."(Hello brother) Zar said to Aiden, Zar had heard of the Fett clansmen though had never met, his gold lined black armored hand outstretched for a traditional Mandalorain handshake. Zar saw the long table filled nearly to the brim with different weapons, tools, and devices,"What'd you have planned first?" Zar said to Aiden in basic for the benefit of Shiro, Zar knew Shiro had learned a bit of Mando'a but the languages mastery was still a bit of a ways off for the man.

 

[Chask274]

Watching as the shuttle dropped off the two men, Aiden straightened up and waited for them to approach. When Shiro gave his salute and greeting, Aiden responded in kind, giving a Mandalorian salute with a closed fist held over his heart and a slight bow. He returned Zar's handshake firmly as well, "Su cuy'gar, vod. So you're the man who helped oversee Shiro's request, eh? Glad you're here, it'll be nice to have an extra hand with this." Turning back to the table, he picked up a blaster rifle and tossed it to Shiro.

"I figured we might as well start with the basics, see how good you are with a rifle. You'll notice there's about eight steel targets scattered in the treeline thirty meters behind me. Let's see if you can hit them all twice in under a minute."

 

[Minuteman75]

Examining the gun once tossed to him, Shiro made sure to familiar himself with it for a few seconds. It had been a very long time since he wielded a blaster, truth to be told. He listen to Aiden Fett present his test. Eight steel clad targets situated among the trees in scattered formation to shoot before a minute pass. Shiro Yama took a deep breath then released. As soon as that happen, training and experienced kicked. Swiftly, he aimed the gun to the farthest target on the right and pulled the trigger, blasting a bolt to the chest area.

He worked his way from left to right, hitting all targets with single shots, before repeating the process this time on the right flank. On the third in the left, he scratched the target's side before correcting the mistake with a second shot. He hit the last one with only a few seconds left on the time. The targets were each sizzling with smoke in the center mass. Not bad he noted but Shiro knew it wasn't his best absolute timing, prison had made him a bit rusty.

Well I'll get better with more practice. Shiro thought, reloading a new power pack into the weapon.

 

[Mad Dog]

"pirusti Ni'll cuyir, I wasn't sure you'd remember anything about blasters after five years in the hole.." Zar said with a slight laugh. Zar liked Shiro, even with his republic background,"Also I didn't know the republic used blasters.." Zar shared a laugh with Aiden. Zar took up a spot next to a nearby tree, sure he wouldn't be needed much until sword play came up. Zar placed his hand on the pummel of his Long-Vibrosword.

 

[Chask274]

Watching Shiro move through the targets, Aiden remained silent, simply nodding when he was done. "Not perfect, but not bad either. Glad to see your time behind bars didn't affect your skills too much." At Zar's comment about the Pubs not using blasters, he made a sound that was half snort, half laugh and shook his head. "Maybe some, but the ones I've fought sure as hell did.... Anyways, the way I figure it, Shiro, is that the weapons handling and basic squad tactics you picked up in your Republic training should transfer pretty cleanly into how the Dominion runs things. Mandalore was the Republic's main training center for quite a while, after all, so I don't see a need to drill you on things you already know. What I will be teaching you, however, is how Dominion squads actually work."

He paused for a moment to collect his thoughts, then continued. "While we do have a rank structure and chain of command, it's less regimented than the ones the GAR had. We don't typically have assigned squads, at least not ones that last more than a single operation before splitting back up, and when we work together in small teams, it's mostly just everyone working together cooperatively. Sure, whoever has the most experience or seniority will step up and help coordinate things, but it's mostly a team effort. Does that make sense?"

@Minuteman75 @Mad Dog

 

[Minuteman75]

Shiro had to roll his eyes at Zar's joke, he expected something along those lines. When Aiden Fett spoke, he listen, soaking in his instructor's information about the Mando military structure. He placed the weapons on the table and considered what has been said. A less than regiminatal system and mostly temporary-based squads. Such a thing would make many a former GAR officer gashed their teeth what they would call as heresy.

Typical militaries required existing units of people to work together first in training then in combat. It was designed to form a bond between the squad mates that they have to learn to work together or else fail. Some would say that the Mandalorian way was very arroggant maybe it was a little bit, yet there was obviously a method to the madness. Shiro had a good guess and then said.

"It is very different from the former Grand Army, but it does make sense. I think I can guess why. Warfare is a key component to the Mandalorian way of life. So raised from early youth to defend the clans and Mandalore there would no need for assigned squads for the most part, since cooperation for survival is already instilled to the Mandalorian warriors. That is unlike other armies who often have to train its recruits from scratch about the bascis and to operate as a team."

Pausing, he added a question. "Though I do wonder. How do you get members from one clan to fight alongside rivals from a different one? It is my understanding that there can be...feuding between families."

 

[Mad Dog]

Zar listened intently to Shiro's words, He'd picked up quite a lot on the Mandalorian way of life already. His question about the cooperation of the Mandalorian clans was an easy answer for any Mandalorian, but a common question among those not raised in the lifestyle.

"Although the Mandalorian clans have their differences, with House Skirata obviously being the superior of the houses, all of Mandalore comes first. Especially when it comes to an external conflict. It is the preservation and betterment of Mandalore that is held above all else in each one of us that allows us to work together flawlessly, often without even knowing the names of the men fighting beside us. Mandalorian tactics are taught from a young age, you're correct in that statement, which aids even further in the success of our operations." Zar stated as he leaned against a nearby tree. He was looking forward to Shiro's success, and had already accepted him as an adopted brother to Mandalore. Not that that would allow Shiro to bypass an initial hazing however.

 

[Chask274]

Aiden gave an approving nod in response to Shiro's answer. "Precisely. Practically every vode I know was taught how to shoot and fight as soon as they were big enough to hold a weapon. With such deep rooted training, it's pretty easy for any of us to work together smoothly. As for getting rivals to work together, well...." Before he resume speaking, Zar filled in with a pretty accurate answer, although he earned an eye roll and an amused snort with the boastful statement about House Skirata. "That about sums it up, yeah. One of the six core tenets Mandalorians are raised on is that the word of the Mand'alor is law. If they send out a call to arms, everyone who's able to responds, and they work together to follow the Mand'alor's orders, no matter what banner they are under. I can cover the rest of those tenets later if you'd like, but for now let's get back to business while we've still got daylight."

Retrieving a sheathed sword from the table, Aiden handed it to Shiro, then drew his own from it's scabbard on his belt. Taking a defensive stance, he held his blade up diagonally across his body. "Let's have a little test of your swordsmanship. Try to land a hit on me."

Spoiler: OOC

So sorry it took so long to post, I spaced out and forgot it was my turn here.

 

[Minuteman75]

Shiro pondered on the answers of his instructors. A war-like society, with clans that fued constantly with one another in word and deed yet unite behind a common cause should their civilization call upon them. It would take a strong leader to command such a stubborn and fierce people he finally realized. No wonder they resented Republic rule, for they were not as devoted to a regime who did not know them as they would be to one who has earned and maintains their loyalty. Fascinating lifestyle indeed..

Understanding bred further admiration within Shiro. That feeling was discarded with surprise when Aiden Fett handed him a sheathed blade and told him what they will be doing. Sword practice?! Great he thought cynically. While talented in both blasters and CQC Shiro was no skilled swordsman, true he could handle a combat knife very well, but dueling swords, he was at best a novice.

Nobody's perfect, suck it up and learn.

Shiro sliently reminded himself, with a sigh he pulled out the sword from the sheath, discarding the latter item. Then he tried to copy Aiden's sword posture, looking awkard as a result. Steadying his heart and mind, Shiro sprang forward and swung the sword downward, attempting to strike Fett's upper body by the chest. A classic rookie mistake in progress.

 

[Mad Dog]

"Stay calm, Shiro. Your opponent isn't going anywhere, you needn't lunge so dramatically. Your blade is long let the end of it strike your opponent, not the hilt." Zar said after Shiro's first swing, sounding almost exactly as his own father had when he was young.

"And don't forget, he has a blade as well. When making your attacks try to include a defensive element, even in your offensive strikes." He said, his right hand returning to the pummel of his own long-blade.

Shiro was quite obviously new to the idea of holding a blade longer than a standard kitchen knife, hopefully by the end of the day Aiden, and Zar could change that. Shiro had skills of his own, there was no denying that, all they needed to do was build on the foundation of those skills.

Spoiler: OOC

Apologies as well I must have missed my alert for this thread.