The Way of Ordo

[Zach]

A man is nothing more than what he stands for. A Mandalorian is nothing more than he can accomplish. Kel thought about the differences between his past life as a soldier, and his new one as a Mandalorian; the duties and responsibilities he was charged to uphold against the the customs of honor and tradition among an entire race of family. His home had once been the Imperium. A soldier, standing guard at the gates of paradise, while he was thrust into chaos by the Sith. What had once been a dream, had quickly become a nightmare. And now, Kel found himself even more detached from his true self than ever before. Before learning the ways of the Force... before becoming the slave of a Sith Lord... before nearly earning his freedom, as a Sith Crusader - only to be stopped short, and shipped across the galaxy as nothing more than a nicely wrapped gift.

Kel Vizsla - once Kel Magna, stood as a proud Mandalorian. Rehearsed in the dialect and customs of the clan-based society, Kel was a packaged shipment from Darth Vendis, the High Arcanist. Kel was to serve as Mando'ade, as a true patriot and honorable warrior. He was to exist as a Mandalorian, and contribute to their impressive structure in any way he could. It was not Kel's mission to treat the Mandalorians as his own flesh and blood - as his Aliit. 'Is this all that's left for me?' he asked quietly in the depths of his mind. It was almost instinctive to relay the thought telepathically to those around him, but the Nautolan resisted. It was a common technique he'd practiced under Darth Vendis, and his master, Oonoo. Both were powerful beings of the Force, and had taught him much about his Force-based abilities. How even, to hide them from view.

'There's always a catch...'​

Never again could Kel reveal that he was attune with the Force. Now, alone in the galaxy, and without even the Dark Side to call upon, Kel Vizsla sat alone in the Proving Grounds of Clan Ordo, in the unified area where the major clan associated with the Minor Clans to have sworn allegiance. Marec - the primary provider of Clan Ordo's navy crews, specializing with marines, pilots, and starships; Copad, where the majority of the clan's infantry and combat engineers originated; Xesus, of those to specialize in subtlety with the ever-protective Nightmen and the chilling touch and effectiveness of Mandalorian infiltrators and reconnaissance experts. They were not the most hardened warriors among the Mandalorians, but every man had a tool of his trade. Even Mandalorians had those with special skill sets - whether they rang true to the classic Mandalorian stereotypes. Lastly, there was Clan Vizsla - the primary provider of Shock Troops infantry and supplies. Most of the Iron Fist members had originated from Clan Ordo itself, as the most elite warriors of the clan, but a good number of others came from Vizsla. It was this clan which trained and specialized general forces into emergency combat situations. It was this clan that Kel hailed from, and would need to prove himself in.

As the Nautolan thought about his circumstances, the Proving Grounds rustled with activity, save his room alone. Kel stood in the room, silent and without time as the day passed. He had only his thoughts, and the twisted reality he had come to know and accept. It was not a choice... it was a matter of his survival. If Kel ever strayed from the Mandalorian, if he ever drifted from his mission... he wouldn't last a day. Vendis would find him, and the Sith Lord would not be merciful. It would be years until Kel saw the sun, decades of torture and pleasure, never to grow accustomed to the agony or grace bestowed upon him. It would be untold insanity. The thought sent a shiver through Kel's spine, and his face was gaunt below the armored helmet.

He didn't know why he sat in the room for so long. Perhaps he was merely thinking to himself until he was ready to begin a training exercise, but how long it had already been was unclear. Perhaps in time, another would show himself, and drag Kel from his silent wallowing.

 

[Raif]

"Well now, I think I've seen everything..."

Jon Viggo walked slowly towards the newcomer, his helmet clipped on his equipment belt and a wry grin crossing his features. With the civil war finally over with and things seeming to be more stable, the clans were seeing a boom in terms of recruitment. As the second-in-command of Clan Ordo, Jon made sure that he knew who all of the incoming recruits were, and he tried if possible to meet as many of the new warriors as possible.

This being sitting in front of him, though, was probably the last person he was expecting.

"It's not often you see a Nautolan around here. Welcome, I'm Jon Viggo."

Jon held his hand out when he got close enough, peering at the other warrior. On the outside Jon appeared to be nothing more than a youthful and curious young officer trying to get to know the men who would be serving under him. Beneath the surface, however, was a much different story.

Jon and Royston Spektor were one and the same. And Royston Spektor was blessed with a holographic memory, a memory which had kicked into high hear when he had seen this Nautolan from a ways off. At first he had thought the amphibious being had simply looked familiar, but as he drew nearer he knew it wasn't just a resemblance he was seeing. This being sitting in front of him was the exact same he had seen competing in the Sith Acolyte tournament not too long in the past.

There was a Sith posing as a Mandalorian...it was a story that rang a little too close to home for Jon/Royston's tastes. Most worrisome of all though, is that he hadn't been aware of this 'personnel movement' before it occurred. That rankled Royston even more, given that he was a man who survived by the quality of his intelligence.

Jon would have to pay special attention to Kel Magna, or whatever the man was calling himself now, and find out what exactly he intended to accomplish with his little masquerade.

 

[Zach]

"Well now, I think I've seen everything..."

The voice came quite suddenly, startling Kel at first as he turned his head a fraction to the right. The voice had come from behind him, in a soft, but strong voice. It sounded... almost familiar, but without a sense of recognition. Kel couldn't actually see the man, but the neural-relay system in his helmet instantly targeted the man from the side of his HuD display. The helmet only took track of the figure's thermal signature and immediate vital signs, to show the individual's status, but nothing more. There was an arrow tugging at the side of the screen to show that he was behind Kel's are of vision, but it didn't disturb him too much.

"It's not often you see a Nautolan around here. Welcome, I'm Jon Viggo."

Again, the voice came out soft and course, but surprisingly warm and friendly. He knew Kel was a Nautolan? But... his face, the tendrils on the back of his head, they were hidden beneath his armor - or, at least tucked away from being vulnerable and exposed. He didn't know how the man knew of his species, but it was sure enough to say that he was perceptive, and had good instincts. Kel turned his head a fraction further to face him and rose, sliding on the soles of his boots with a half-spin to stand."The Nautolan people tend to keep to themselves. I, however, am no different than any other man or woman to the Mandalorian cause. Thank you - I am Verd Kel Vizsla, of Aliit Vizsla Ordo," he replied, extending his arm to clasp Viggo's hand. Kel's armored fingers met halfway up Jon Viggo's forearm, slapping into a solid greeting.

For a moment, Kel looked straight at the man, his helmet dangling from the side of his hip as his features stood out sharply in the light. He seemed... mysterious, as though nothing of thought or emotion could shed from his appearance. It was troubling in a way, but Kel dared not call upon the Force to sense the Mandalorian's feelings. "I must admit... I am new to Mandalorian society, but I have known the path of honor and Mando'ade respect. I have also known of you, the right hand of Apollo, and Ordo. Clan Vizsla is of Clan Ordo - and I am Mandalorian under your command," he replied, inclining his head respectfully. Kel meant every word he'd said to the man, but he'd been worried that his recent arrival would seem as though he weren't committed. No... this was a different leaf, and a new chapter of his life that called for an oath of loyalty. And, for some reason, Jon Viggo stood out as a sort of larger figure for his destiny. Kel didn't need the Force to recognize that... it was pure instinct.

He couldn't push that worry from his mind, however... How had Viggo known of Kel's species? Had he seen a revealed portion of Kel's green skin? It... he knew that there were ways to identify things naturally through the Force, and just simply knowing. Perhaps... perhaps it was possible that Viggo was sensitive in Force. He doubted the man was attuned with the power, since Mandalorians don't believe in using the tool as a crutch, but even Mandos could be capable of the power. Maybe Jon Viggo was one of those Mandos, where it effected their daily life in subtle ways. "I take it you like to keep tabs on everyone under your command - Ordo, Marec, Copad, Xesus, and Vizsla alike. The Clans have seen a phenomenal burst of activity in the last few months. It's been an honor to be a part of that established movement," Kel assured him, releasing the grip first.

 

[Raif]

"I take it you like to keep tabs on everyone under your command"

Jon couldn't help but laugh out loud as Kel spoke those words. If the Nautolan only knew who he was dealing with, he would realize just how ironic those words truly were.

"Well, I guess you could call it keeping tabs. I prefer the term 'gathering intelligence.' At least, it sounded more impressive that way when Apollo put me in charge of it."

Jon tapped the top of his helmet as he finished speaking, motioning toward a small holorecorder he had installed there long ago.

"I'm a bit of a tech nerd, I guess you could say. I hope this doesn't come out sounding too creepy, but I've been watching you and I like what I've seen so far. I think you can be quite the asset for our clan."

Jon's smile stayed on his face, warm and welcoming as always, but he was circling in on the real point of what he wanted to say.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, Kel, but what did you do before answering the call and joining the Mandalorians?"

Here it was. Jon was eager to see what sort of lie this being was about to feed him.