Ask What We Need is a Hero (and Some Luck)

[Xim Zhan]

Savroia glistened like a basket of jewels against the dark night ot Ord Mantell. With the night came a spell of peace as denizens dared venture outside for needed supplies. The casinos, the tourist trade lifeblood of the city were almost empty, safe for the few broke, desperate, addicted, and spice-addled who dared try their luck at games of chance when their city was, in effect, besieged.

It was into one of these casinos that a pair of black abd blue clas Mandalorians walked, @Xim Zhan and @Atuu Skirata. Having been on the far side of the world, the pair had heard tel of two ‘dragons’ that wrought havoc on the city each day at dawn and dusk, gliding off into the wilderness a different direction each time. Nobody had seen anything like the beasts and nothing seemed to be able to stop them as they descended and feasted on anyone unlucky enough to be outside or near a window . . . For 5 days now this had kept up and anyone that could had fled or taken to sheltering inside; but this could not be left to endure or the city would be ruined. That was the biggest concern of the offworld powers that controlled the money-making ventures in Savroia, don’t damage the merchandise; the city needed to remain a glittering jewel of financial vice.

It was nearing midnight, local time, as the two Mandalorians walked, armed and uncontested in the front doors of the Glittering Jewel Casino. Inside, it was nearly empty. Rows of slot machines stood idle. The few dealers who had braved the outside to come to work were mostly bored, making idle chat. A few weary souls ied their luck in hopes of making enough credits to escape the city; hopefully before sunrise. At the bar across the grand hall sat another Mandalorian and a child , @Larrik ; but aside from a knowing nod, Xim ignored them.

The pair of Watchers had a few hours to burn, their ship safely tucked away in an underground hangar. Time to hunt for information or try their luck. Pointing to a slot machine, Xim playfully elbowed at Atuu’s midsection as he flipped a coin between his fingers, “What do you say brother? A single pull could net us more riches than the price on these dragons. Less chance of getting eaten too.” He knew it wasn’t really an option, but for Mandalorians, this sort of work was bread and butter. This was the only thing some folk seemed to think their culture was good for.

@Rimrald @LouJoVi

 

[Larrik]

It was strange for Larrik to be back in Ord Mantell, even more as a tourist. Things didn’t end well when he left the planet, but the boy felt safer in being next to one of the Mandalorians of the Rancor Squad, a woman called Kyra. No one would be stupid to meddle with them. He loved how people respected their armor and couldn’t wait to have his own.

No, its name is beskar’gam. Larrik thought, remembering the lessons of Mando’a. It was still pretty new for him, so most of the time that he tried to say something in this language, the boy ended up pronouncing it wrong. But it was fine, the Morellian was sure that he would catch it eventually.

But Larrik wasn’t sure if he would survive to have more lessons in the future, because he was slowly dying of boredom. Kyra had taken the Morellian with her to pick her payment after she helped a local businessman with some criminals. Unfortunately, he didn’t participate in the most interesting part of the job.

It wasn’t fair! If he was going to become a Mandallorian, he should learn how to fight some thugs!

At least, Kyra was nice enough to pay for a large glass of choc milk for him. It was a pleasant surprise when they discovered that the Casino sold his favorite beverage. Blessed be the fact that there was a family hotel over there!

While he drank the chocolate, Larrik saw more Mandalorians arriving. He never saw them before, but he took the nod that Kyra gave to them as a signal that they were friendly. The Foundling wondered what they were doing here. Probably something more interesting than what he and Kyra were doing.

@The Mad Hammer @Rimrald

 

[Atuu Skirata]

Ships parked safely, a town with a stark lack of criminals on the streets and lurking in the corners. Atuu would have thought this was a paradise had it not been for the creatures eating everyone.

Approaching the dazzling casino shoulder to shoulder with Xim, Atuu felt a small sense of accomplishment. These two had after all, been working on a number of jobs together recently. He felt their comradery building beyond just being two Mandalorians in the same place. No it was blossoming into something more, something they and the other members of the reformed Watch would likely all be feeling - it was pride if he had to put a word to it. He was proud to be helping those in need, while adhering to his ways.

His train of thought broken by the question from Xim and with a chuckle Atuu responded <"You know what they say, fortune favors the bold... Why not?"> he responded, fishing a cred stick out of his belt pouch and dropping it into the closest machine to the bar where they would meet Larrik.

With a pull of the lever the rollers on screen spun wildly

And a prize screen appeared over the interface before long "Winner! 780 Credits!"
It then spit out a loaded credit stick with the earnings on it. (Rolled 78/100)

With a chuckle Atuu nudged Xim back saying <"Come on then, give it a go - this machines hot!"> Atuu would wait while Xim plays if he does, or continue towards the bar where he eyed the child, likely the foundling they needed to meet, and get some information from. @The Mad Hammer @LouJoVi

 

[Xim Zhan]

Xim chuckled, “Nah. I’d prefer to keep my luck bottled up for the dragon.” He waived away at the slot machine, turning instead to make his way toward the Mandalorian at the bar and her young protege in tow. If anything seemed out of place, aside from the lack of customers, it was a single Mandalorian and a child slurping down chocolate bantha milk at this hour.

Sliding onto a bar stool a few stools down from the kid, Xim looked toward the mechanized barkeep. He held up two fingers and inclined them to the tap to indicate he wanted two of whatever was on top. One for him, one for @Atuu Skirata . Slipping his helmet off, the Mandalorian plopped it unceremoniously beside him, closer to the young @Larrik. Keeping his eyes facing forward, Xim inclined his chin upward as if to carry his voice before speaking to the stranger of a kin. “Bit late to have your kid out for snacks ain’t it?” Before he turned a twinkling playful eye, and a smile that tugged barely noticeably at the corner of his mouth, toward the youngling, “No need to worry kid. Dragons can’t hunt at night. The starlight messes with their delicate senses,” he chanced a glance at Atuu before adding, “or something like that. Nothing a good blaster can’t handle,” he patted the E-11 hanging from his belt alongside his beskad, opposite his holstered Westar.

@Rimrald
@LouJoVi

 

[Larrik]

Larrik continued watching the other two Mandalorians while he drank his choc milk. The two talked with each other a bit, but the boy couldn’t hear anything. At this moment he wanted to have the keen hearing of a Sephi. He would have easily heard what they were saying.

When he noticed that the two were walking toward the bar, Larrik immediately turned away, not wanting to maintain eye contact. They could be mad because he had been spying on them. He was now staring at the barman in front of him, a young Togruta who seemed to know very well how to make drinks. Or at least he made good choc milks.

A voice next to him made Larrik jump. The two Mandalorians were now next to him and Kyra. The one that spoke didn’t seem angry, so the boy considered that they didn’t see him spying. His companion turned to look at the two newcomers, analyzing them. She wasn’t so relieved like the Morellian.

After some moments, the woman finally spoke. “It’s still early, it wasn’t going to make him feel sick. My name is Kyran and this is Larrik.” she said, while tapping the boy’s shoulder. “Who are you two?”

“What dragons?” Larrik asked, interrupting Kyra. He wanted to know what the guy was talking about. The Morellian was starting to learn that some Mandalorian liked to talk using metaphors. He wondered if it was the case.

@The Mad Hammer @Rimrald

 

[Atuu Skirata]

<"Very well, one of us has to keep our luck."> Atuu replied with a chuckle as they approached the bar. Slipping his own helmet off and saddling up on the seat next to Xim he would look over the other two Mandalorians present chiming in to Xim's words after he finished and switching to basic "The whole reason this place is a ghost town kid, there are a pair of drexl that've been causing some havoc here." Atuu would make it a point to leave out the fact that these beasts had been eating people for the last few days.

Starting to speak again after Kyran and Larrik addressed Xim and himself. "We're here to try and help deal with those beasts. Are you two here to do the same? Seems awfully dangerous to bring a kid, even if he is a foundling." (@LouJoVi)

Atuu would then turn his attention to the bartender and order whatever ale they had on draft. Taking a sip and throwing down his newly won cred stick before turning to Xim and speaking in Mando'a <"Whatever you're eating or drinking, put it on my tab tonight Vod."> (@The Mad Hammer) he concluded tapping the stick and looking at the bartended who seemed to get the non-verbal message.

 

[Xim Zhan]

Xim raised an eyebrow and cocked his head at the barkeep as if to say ‘you heard the man, put it in his tab,’ as the keep places his two orders of house ale before he and Atuu. Absentmindedly picking up the drink, Xim turned his attention back to their new company at the bar. “Dragon hunting is not exactly what one would call a solid career choice, but when in the neighborhood, we drop in. Still,” he winked at the kid and took a long draw of his ale, draining the majority of the tankard before slammibg the cup back on the counter and continuing, wiping the froth off his mustache as if nothing had happened, “It tends to pay the bills, fills that Mandalorian niche people so much assume about our nicely too. Gods how I miss my farm!”

Snapping his fingers at the barkeep, Xim pointed to the empty glass, signaling his need for another. Leaning toward @Larrik and looming over the top of his head Xim offered a warm smile to Kyran, “If the kid isn’t a bounty of yours, he’d be more than welcome to tag along.”

“You any good with a blaster or a blade Larrick?”

@LouJoVi @Rimrald

 

[Larrik]

The mention of real dragons made Larrik far more interested in what the two other Mandalorians were talking about. This would explain why Savroia was so empty since he and Kyra arrived here. This was a surprise for the boy. He thought that it only happened because some rich person had secured all the city for some big party.

Was something like that possible? Larrik had no idea, but if he was full of money, he would do something like that. The casinos of Savroia had so much cool stuff. The Chance Cube had a champagne fountain for rich clients. The Foundling was sure that with the right number of credits, it could be turned into a choc milk fountain.

It would be a dream coming true.

"We aren’t here for the dragons. I came here to solve some stuff, since it wasn’t dangerous I brought him." Kyra said, obviously maintaining the fact that she was going to pick money in secret. There wasn't any need of saying to these two Mandalorians. Meanwhile, Larrik was discreetly rolling his eyes. This entire thing was so boring.

The offer of tagging along with the other two Mandalorians in their hunt made Larrik smile. "I'm learning how to use a blaster and vibro weapons." he said immediately, already finishing all his choc milk. He was prepared to jump out of the bar stool and follow them.

Unfortunately, Kyra decided to give her opinion about it. "No, you are still new in your training." she said, while grabbing him by the arm.Then she turned at the two men. "I don’t mind receiving some other credits by hunting with you, but he'll need to stay away from danger." Larrik rolled his eyes again.

She was so boring.

@The Mad Hammer @Rimrald

 

[Atuu Skirata]

<"Well then, you should learn from experience not just training."> Atuu retorted, the woman not wanting the foundling to attend the hunt was not surprising but if he is a foundling, he would need to be on the hunt.

Shooting a look to his partner and then the young Larrik, Atuu would smile at the boy and lean in speaking in basic "Our hunt begins soon, if you can sneak away without getting caught, you're more than welcome to join us Vod." He would also refill his glass and start drinking another ale leaning to speak with Xim <"We can keep the foundling safe, I told him if he can sneak away he can join us. That will be the first test.">

Atuu would continue to drink his ale, and finish it. Standing to leave for the hunt unless someone else engage with him beyond this conversation. @The Mad Hammer @LouJoVi

 

[Xim Zhan]

Xim’s eyebrows waggled playfully, “I heard.” He whispered as he pointed at Kyra, “I think she did too.” He laughed at her disproving body language became apparent at the veiled attempt at secrecy. Xim resched beneath the bar to his boot and pulled out his thermic bladed knife, worn with grooves in the handle from countless fingers and grips in work and battle, but clean and sharp.

He spun the blade in between his fingers before slapping it on the bar before Larrik and speaking aloud, eying Larrik’s keeper. “But my brother is right. The ancient laws of Mandalore all but dictate each and every Mandalorian seek to gain the honor of combat. What better way than with dragons that rival the mighty mythosaur? Itnis The Way. You are both welcome to join us; to deprive one who is capable and willing to seek honor for himself and his clan would be to dishonor his people.”

Turning his eyes to Larrik, Xim added, “Take the knife. A true Mandalorian goes nowhere unprepared. May it bring you honor and may you bring honor by it.”

Cim turned to his fresh pint and picked it up, taking a deep draw.

@Rimrald @LouJoVi

 

[Larrik]

Larrik smiled when Atuu whispered that he could go with them if he found a way to sneak away. It wasn’t going to be difficult for the Foundling. The boy had learned how to be stealth since he had become an orphan and before being taken by the Rancor Squad, his job needed him to be this way.

Unfortunately, Atuu didn’t seem to be the most stealth type. Because he immediately talked with Xim about what he had said to the boy. Even if it was in Mando’a, Kyra could easily understand it. Larrik wanted to facepalm himself. His chances of sneaking away went down the drain.

After Xim gave his opinion about the situation, Kyra stared at the two for some time. The Foundling was sure that she was starting to think about what she should do now. When she turned to look at him, Larrik stared at her with big pleading eyes. “Please!” he said, while begging for her to allow him to participate in the hunt.

The female Mandalorian sighed, before turning back to the other two. “Fine, we are going with you.” she got up from her seat. Larrik finished his choc milk and left the glass in the bar. He immediately grabbed the knife that Xim had given to him. Meanwhile, Kyra put her helmet on. “Do you know where these dragons made their nest?”

@The Mad Hammer @Rimrald

 

[Xim Zhan]

Xim chuckled, he offered a wink to the kid. “Well,” his eyes moved to the female Mandalorian, “theres the rub in’t it? Seems like they show up on the edge of town about sunrise and sunset.”

Standing, Xim downed the rest of his beverage and gave @Larrik a squeeze on his shoulder. “S’pose we ought to get set up. I’d prefer to be ready to shoot than not. We could bait the trap. Seems like live bait should do the trick.” He offered a wicked grin before removing his hand from the boy’s shoulder and grabbing his helmet in both hands. “Come on kid, we can go for a walk, see if we can find a place to set up. You can show me your skills with a blaster.”

Sliding his helmet back over his head, Xim gave a knowing nod to Atuu. “<See you at sunrise brothers,>” he spoke in Mando’a knowing his fellow Watcher would be prepared come time for the hunt. A two-pronged approach to two dragons would hopefully allow them to split the monsters and maybe bring them down.

Outside, the empty street and cool air was relatively silent, safe for the soft footfalls of the lightly armored Mandalorian and foundling. “So kid,” Xim extended an open hand to shake Larrik’s, “My name is Xim Zhan, Death Watch.” The man paused before correcting himself, “Endless Watch now. How long have you been riding shotgun with your friend?” He jerked a thumb back toward the casino to indicate the woman Larrik had been sitting with.

Stopping in an empty intersection, Xim looked around before suddenly jerking his Westar-93 free from his thigh holster and offering the hilt to the youngling. “Lets see if you can hit that trash can.” Xim pointed about a half block down to a small dumpster lying on it’s side. He wanted to see of the kid was familiar with the Mandalorian weapon and it’s functions.

@LouJoVi @Rimrald

 

[Atuu Skirata]

Atuu would smile hearing the woman relent and allow the foundling to accompany the Watchers.

Listening to Xim for a moment before chuckling "Aye, I hear they like to eat little ones first, as an appetizer before they feast on larger prey." Atuu would motion like a bird of prey flapping its wings for a moment. Putting on his helmet a moment after Xim, Atuu would trail the two, checking his carbine and pistols one last time.

<"See you at sunrise."> Atuu responded in kind, breaking off from the pair to wander down a street in the opposite direction. Opening his comm and doing a quick check, working. Atuu would continue to wander, poking into a building with an open window here, or an abandoned building with the door open there. Until he found a three story rise, with an accessible roof plus some top cover.

Looking down over the streets nearby Atuu would clock Xim and Larrik, queuing his comm <"I have eyes on you both from up here, and if we are lucky - I should get the jump on the beasts if they are baited in at sunrise."> He would finish, releasing his comm and shuffling a few crates towards the ledge of the building. Resting his carbine on the ledge and adjusting some of the surrounding clutter to even better hide his appearance while keeping an eye on the foundlings ability with a blaster.

@The Mad Hammer @LouJoVi

 

[Larrik]

”Then we don’t have much time.” Kyra said, while raising from her seat. Larrik smiled excitedly and jumped after her. However, the two stopped at their tracks when they heard that the Foundling was going to be the bait. The boy wasn’t afraid, thinking that it was a good opportunity for an adventure.

On the other hand, the woman didn’t seem very happy with it. However, she already agreed with it. Stepping back now would only show that she was a coward. With a nod, she allowed the boy to go after the other Mandalorian, but still continued watching them from afar, together with Atuu.

Larrik walked next to Xim, but stopped abruptly when the Mandalorian mentioned the Death Watch. “Aren’t they, like, bad?” he remembered having heard that this group caused trouble many years ago. Something about wrestling power in Mandalore or something like that. “What makes you different from them? Are you good guys now?”

“Two days. It has been since we left home. Usually I’m with other people.” normally, it would be Hauron who would take him around. “But I’m a Foundling long enough to have practiced with a blaster.” he grabbed the weapon that Xim offered to him and pointed at the trash can. While his finger lingered in the trigger, the boy remembered everything that he learned so far.

Then he fired.

And the bolt hit perfectly on the trash can.

@Rimrald @The Mad Hammer

Spoiler: OOC

Rolled a 16 for success with the blaster

 

[Xim Zhan]

Xim nodded slowly as the kid took aim and smoked the dump bin. “Nice shot kid, but now,” he took the weapon back and with a few deft movements detached the foldable stock and transformed the weapon into a light carbine, “can you do that with this. If we’re hunting a dragon you’ll have to be able to put a lot of shots down range accurately.”

Xim turned his vision to the sky trying to see if he could search out Atuu. Not seeing him, Xim nodded again, content with his kin’s hiding spot. Turning back to Larrik, Xim explained, “Good guys and bad guys are often in the eye of the beholder young one. Our predecessors did unspeakable things in the name of our people, things some of our own vod disagreed with to people that could not fight back. The Endless Watch on the other hand are not terrorists. Preying on the weak and vulnerable of those who stand against our people is not a strategy that we embrace; but we still will do whatever we must against the enemies of our people. Look around little brother, even in this den of vice, Mandalorian men and women live and breathe. It is the calling of the Watch to preserve the young here, to bring those who are called into The Way.”

@LouJoVi @Rimrald

 

[Atuu Skirata]

Sitting in his perch above the streets, Atuu would continue to scan the horizon with a pair of macrobinoculars. With helmet placed on the crate next to him he enjoyed the chilled breeze as he rarely seemed to be helmetless these days.

Slowly and methodically watching over the horizon he would begin to pick out potential directions of approach - making note of an increase in terrain height here. Higher positioned buildings there. It was tried and true old school surveillance, nothing sexy just necessary grunt work.

Flipping vision modes briefly, Atuu would lower the binoculars from his face, turning to the east - starting to see the sun peak out from behind the tree tops. He would queue his comm while stowing the binoculars and sliding the helmet back over his head.

<"Might need to wrap up the blaster training with the foundling Xim. Suns coming up and those beasts will be back soon... probably."> He concluded, shouldering his carbine and watching the routes he believed might be the approach.

@The Mad Hammer @LouJoVi

 

[Larrik]

The sight of his perfect shot made Larrik smile. He was really learning how to properly use a blaster. It was no surprise, Hauron was a great teacher. The Foundling was sure that under his tutelage, it would be a matter of time until he developed an incredible marksmanship.

Maybe he could even become a sniper!

Larrik watched Xim turn the weapon in a carbine and happily accepted it. “Cool! I never used one of this type before.” in a matter of fact, the boy trained with a light blaster. He never thought that there existed a carbine that was light enough for someone like him to carry. The Foundling wasn’t the most muscled Mandalorian around here.

“Then, I’m happy that you are the good guys now.” Larrik said, before smiling at Xim. “The Galaxy needs more people to help.” he prepared to to practice some more with his new weapon, but stopped when he heard Atuu’s voice. Their target was going to arrive any time soon.

@The Mad Hammer @Rimrald

 

[Xim Zhan]

Xim smiled underneath his helmet as he nodded. “Don’t lose that gun. It has saved me from a good few pinches before.”

As the first rays of sub seemed to peak over the horizon, Xim looked from it toward where @Atuu Skirata was encamped high above. “Aye. It is time.”

Down the street, Xim sighted a speeder up on blocks. The terror of the city had allowed the more daring of the criminal element to move about mostly unmolested as they pillaged to their hearts’ content. Pointing it out, Xim wrapped his hand around @Larrik ’s shoulder, giving the boy a slight shove in that direction. “Set up under there. Whatever happens, you stay there. Shoot the dragon in the eye as soon as you get a chance. Then get to stronger cover,” Xim pointed toward a nearby stairwell that creeped down into the inky cool darkness. “Somewhere they won’t eat you.”

Turning, Xim sauntered down the street, his hand absentmindedly insuring his beskad was still in place hanging from his hip as he reached for his E-11. At the + intersection at the end of the block, the man stopped. Looking left, right, up and down, Xim’s HUD scanned the still dawning sky. All he need now do was wait. Easy bait here in the open. With his blaster cradled in one arm, Xim began to beat a fist on his chest plate as he began to sing, deep and loud, the song of their people. It carried on the still morning air, announcing his presence to all.


“Motir ca'tra nau tracinya.
Gra'tua cuun hett su dralshy'a. Taung!

Motir ca'tra nau tracinya.
Gra'tua cuun hett su dralshy'a.
Aruetyc runi'la solus cet o'r prudii an.

Motir ca'tra nau tracinya.
Gra'tua cuun hett su dralshy'a.
Aruetyc runi'la solus cet o'r.

Motir ca'tra nau tracinya.
Gra'tua cuun hett su dralshy'a.
Aruetyc runi'la trattok'o.

Sa kyr'am nau tracyn kad, Vode an!

Motir ca'tra nau tracinya. Gra'tua cuun hett su dralshy'a. Taung!

Bal kote, darasuum kote,
Jorso'ran kando a tome.
Sa kyr'am nau tracyn kad, Vode an.”

@LouJoVi @Rimrald

 

[Atuu Skirata]

Spoiler: Dice Roll

66/100 to spot the approaching beasts

Scanning the horizon, observing his terrain, watching his corridors. It all paid off for the normally sky side Mando who was now finding himself in operations on the ground more and more often.

Queuing his comm to the two at street level

<"From the North. Bearing 072. Two flying beasts - heading into town. You're going to have company Xim."> Atuu concluded as he adjusted his grip on the carbine and fired at the lead beast. His bolt traveling a good distance and making contact with the beasts chest. It would let out a shriek in pain and likely anger. It would seem that these beasts are used to being the apex predator of an area. Now, the hunters would become the hunted.

As the beast at the front regained it's composure it would begin to fly in the general direction Atuu shot from, still unaware of him entirely, but beginning to figure it out. At the same time, the second beast was still making way towards the singing that beckoned it to Xim. @LouJoVi @The Mad Hammer

 

[Larrik]

”I’ll not!” Larrik said, while looking at Xim with a serious expression. The boy had learned how the weapons were important for the Mandalorians, being considered essential to their culture.Because of it, he understood how it was important for the older man and would protect it until the end of this hunt.

Suddenly, the Foundling felt the atmosphere in the street change, with a heavy silence falling over the place. He wasn’t a Force user, but a shiver ran down his body. The creatures were coming and the locals were fleeing from it. For a moment, Larrik thought that he wasn’t prepared to deal with it.

“O-okay.” Larrik gripped the weapon, before rushing to do what he was ordered to do. He was trembling a bit while climbing the stairs, even contemplating if he should run back to Kyra. The boy was close to doing it, but he stopped when he heard a chant.

The boy knew some of these words, immediately recognizing that it was mando’a. He stopped for a moment to listen to it. Xim was chanting this war song and Larrik felt all his fear disappear. With a determined smile, he rushed to his position. Now he only needed to wait for their arrival.

@Rimrald @The Mad Hammer