MandalMotors Hall

As the Fett entered, Kaine made his own way over to the table and found a seat. Showing respect, he removed his own buy'ce. Fett's point was well made, but there were good and proper reasons for requesting a meeting of the clan chieftains. As the man had said; Clan Australis tended to keep to themselves and mind their own business when it came to Mandalorian affairs.

Yeah, we do. Figured if we're doing things that might affect the other Clans we owed an explanation before the fact, out of respect.

Kaine saw the holo of the Ordo arrive, and had noted a Rakatan, good indication of Aliit D'Ordinii's presence. Shabla Damocles looked as happy as usual, which amused Kaine. He couldn't read Rakatan faces worth a damn, so he didn't try, the fingering of the knife when the beady eyed alien looked at Kaine told him enough. That was fine and good, and fair enough too, he hadn't always shown the other Clans the respect he was attempting to today.

Still some others to arrive, and he wasn't going to repeat himself. Kaine Australis was no politician, preferring shooting to talking in most instances, but as an older man, a grandfather, and a Field Marshal, he wasn't the man he had been in his younger days. Hotheaded still, to be sure, but tempered by experience. The greatest teacher failure was, as someone had said, probably a Mando'ad, though Kaine couldn't recall who, and he'd been taught well.

War is coming. I'm here because I don't want to see Mando fighting Mando in the wars to come.

That would do for openers, and no one could really argue with the sentiment. That was key to speaking with vode, even the ones that didn't like you; you had to speak sense. Lying or trying to manipulate them would just piss them off unnecessarily.

Damocles Ordo [RETIRED] Orrick Awaud Kaalin Karr Erik Itera Tor-Illyas Kryze [RETIRED] Brayark Vizsla House of D'Ordinii

Kaine heard Damocles say some things from his hologram, and he gave the man the same respect and attention he would give to a particularly rancid fart. Whatever his opinion was, Kaine wasn't particularly interested in listening, so he focused his attention on the rest of the vode. He nodded to Brynden as his holo appeared, meeting the man's gaze.

I said I don't want to see Mandos fighting Mandos. I'm here to make an offer that should any aruetiise place good coin for Mando'ade to fight Mando'ade, I will better the offer. Fight with us and get paid, or stay home and get paid for it. Whether Mando'ade choose to accept or not is up to them, but the offer is there.

Kaine met Galaar's eyes.

No, there's nothing wrong with Mando fighting Mando, I just prefer not to kill Mando'ade if it can be avoided.

As for the rest, well, Kaine was limited in what he could share, lest word reach unfriendly ears of the future plans of his own Clan and their allies and associates, but he could at least warn his own people.

War is always coming, ner vod. I speak of my own Clan and our allies. Sooner or later, we'll be fighting aruetiise. I'd prefer the vode to join us or stay home, and i'll put credits up to show that i'm serious.

Kaine pulled out a flask of tihaar, and took a sip, all the talking was making him thirsty. The burn and sear of the liquid took the edge off, and he relaxed a little.

Mandos can make their own decisions, i'm just here to make the offer. If war comes, and I see a vod on the wrong side, they'll get the glorious death they deserve, I just won't enjoy it.

He couldn't see how anything he'd said could be argued with by any sensible and logical being.


Galaar Vhett Damocles Ordo [RETIRED] Reyn Skirata

Clan D'Ordinii was often thought of more as an economic power than a military one. Aurelius knew that was because the clan took the ideal that it was just another form of warfare. A form they were particularly gifted with. He stood up to respond to the Australis Mando.

-Aurelius
You are a weak coward. Your plan would slowly bleed the clans dry of both reputation & funds. In the short term, things might look fine. Your clan would suffer some minor economic hits. But it would soon be known that other clans are unwilling to fight. Our prestige would drop. People would stop offering clans contracts for mercenary work. & your own clan would slowly need to pay out fewer & fewer of the bribes needed to keep the other clans docile. Any clan foolish enough to take your offer would only be agreeing to die slowly of a thousand cuts, all while watching your own clan become the dominate power.

He pauses a moment to take stock of the others gathered. His gauntlet creaked under the pressure of his grip on his knife.

-Aurelius
You say you don't want to see mandos killing each other. But poverty & rot kills as surely as any blade. & your plan would soak your hands in the blood of countless mandos.

Kaine still couldn't see how anything he'd said could be argued with by any sensible and logical being. He could also see that the Assembly Mandos were reacting to his plan as if they were aruetiise in Kaine's eyes. It was disappointing, but hardly unexpected. Still, he'd done what he came here to do, assuage his own conscience about the wars to come. If Mando fought Mando, it would not be because he had done nothing to prevent such an outcome.

Hah. Kaine laughed without much humour, he certainly didn't feel humour right now.

All these conflicting views, ner vode. The Assembly reminds me of the old Empire. Words are dangerous? I say, only a coward would believe that words are dangerous.

He took another sip of his tihaar, then put the flask away.

I've come here to make this offer, and it's made. You can discuss it among yourselves, and Mand'alor, and decide on the course for the Assembly and your own Clans. I would expect no less.

Kaine stood up from his chair.

I'm not here to convince you to accept. That's up to you. Run fast and shoot straight, vode.

And he headed for the door, his task done, though his heart was a little heavy. Despite their apparent intransigence and wilful misunderstanding of his offer, Kaine still valued the lives of his vode. He had spoken truly, he'd take no pleasure in killing Mando'ad in an aruetiise's war.

Galaar Vhett Damocles Ordo [RETIRED] Reyn Skirata House of D'Ordinii

Another holo appeared in the room, a shirtless sweaty Kaalin appeared in view. He appeared with a smirk on his face, eager to hear what was being discussed amongst the other clan leaders. His excitement was quickly smothered by the realization of Kaine Australis' appearence. "Dar'manda..." He muttered under his breath, his arms now folded in front of his chest. He hadn't much experience with the man personally, but being declared Dar'manda was not something to be hidden from Mando'ad. His sudden call for the clans was surely a curious move and Kaalin was intrigued to hear the reasoning.

After several minutes had passed, Kaine finished his declaration and departed the hall. Kaalin was astonished. How can a man with his reputation come into the hall and speak with such a devilish tone. His decision to do so made him worthy of Dar'manda indeed. Kaalin was unsettled by the whole thing, his thoughts racing for answers for which he didn't have. Kaine's motives weren't clear, at least Kaalin didn't think so. He kept quiet for the moment, watching as Manda'lor stepped forward from the shadows.



The Manda'lor was right, and Kaalin couldn't help but agree. Despite Kaine's past, the fact that he came to the clans with a warning was admirable. No one wanted to see Mando'ade blood spilled, especially from ner vod. Kaalin keyed his intercom channel, enabling him to speak with the other Aliit'alor. "Manda'lor is correct. It is up to the other Aliit'alor to decide on what they wish to do. Whatever contract you take, know that there is always a risk. What Kaine has done is given everyone a warning, and to pick your contracts wisely. If you decided to pick a fight with Mando'ade on the other side, be prepared to continue your duty by following the Codex with honor and dignity. If you think differently, I suggest you pick up farming with the rest of the civilian populace." Kaalin paused for a moment, his arms now braced against the console in front of him. His intentions weren't intended to anger the other clan leaders, but to remind them of their culture. Forgetting their culture was to live without a soul, and Kaalin thought it important to remind everyone of that, even if they disagreed with his comments.