Buf Fett
Member
Posts: 54
Affiliation: Cooking
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Post by Buf Fett on Jun 2, 2022 3:03:22 GMT -8
It was another beautiful day in Calna Muun. The sun was in the sky above the city and traffic was its usual heavy volume to and from the massive spaceport. Something which spelled massive profits for The Skid Lid Sizzler which was parked out the front of the spaceport building. The roof of the skiff provided shade and protection from the sun's heat as Buf worked over the heated surface of the grill. His beskar cooking utensils working fast as he put on a show for the customers who had stopped at his Skiff and had ordered several servings of the Shaak Fried Rice. Vegetables, Rice and Shaak steaks were diced, cooked, and seasoned to perfection before being served in small take away bowls. Without skipping a beat, he gave the grill a quick clean, before effortlessly moving around the kitchen and shaving some Porg meat off and doing up a couple Taco's
Shereshoy!
Buf excitedly announced, with the pair of customers confusedly shouting the expression back. It was something of a tradition to shout the old Mandalorian phrase when someone ordered a Porg Taco or Kebab wrap. While no one particularly understood the phrase, they were more than happy to join in the excitement as best they could
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Harini Bralor
The Mandalorian Assembly
Posts: 165 
Affiliation: The Mando'ade
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Harini Bralor on Jun 2, 2022 7:10:58 GMT -8
Fionnuala Priest of House Bralor, returning from a small Mando'ade outpost inside the forest west of Calna Muun, joins the line for the Skid Lid Sizzler after finishing up the post-flight checks on her ship, figuring there's no better way to end the day than something hearty and tasty prepared by Buf Fett.
Fett works fast, as skilled with his beskar utensils as any Mando with a blaster or blade, and Fionnuala, a regular customer whenever she finds herself in the city, greets him cheerfully, ::Su cuy'gar, vod! Tion meg cuyir jate ibi'tuur?:: * Taking off her orange buy'ce and tucking it under her shoulder, the diminutive thirty three year old Morganian with pointed ears and an impressive mane of blonde dreadlocks currently coiled into a tight, now rather squashed from being in her helmet, bun atop her head, Fionnuala looks over her shoulder at the line of city residents, workers, and visitors to the world briefly before telling Fett with a smile, "Business looks good. Surprise me, vod, chef's choice."
As she steps aside to let the master chef take care of her surprise order while taking the next customer in line's, Fionnuala tilts her head to the side, an idea occurring to her as she watches Fett perform his artful and entertaining preparation of his delicious cuisine. When Fett's next customer has given their order, Fionnuala asks him, "Any chance you do private catering gigs on the side, vod? If so, I have one that might interest ya."* Hello, brother! What's good today?
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Buf Fett
Member
Posts: 54
Affiliation: Cooking
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Post by Buf Fett on Jun 2, 2022 14:20:18 GMT -8
Each person had a calling in life which brought them true happiness. For Buf, it was the joy and excitement in people when they watched him cook and enjoyed the food he made for them. From pilots coming back from long flights, to students low on their budget, to the casual traveller. His meals restored their fortitude to face another day and continue on their duties feeling refreshed. As such, he did enjoy every Chef's greatest prize: repeat customers.
They were a vital part of a food skiff economy. It was all good and well to park near the spaceport and expose himself to a great amount of foot traffic. But repeat customers provided a certain level of reliable demand. Whether they were the quiet and reserved type, or outspoken and hearty. They all held a place in Buf's heart. Fionnuala was one such customer. His cooking provided her a respite, for a moment, from her otherwise busy duties. He tilted his helmet in greeting
Su cuy'gar vod'ika! The sun is shining and a beautiful day just became more enchanting.
Buf chuckled, flirting a little as he finished off the previous orders and handed them out before turning his attention to the Female Morganian. He was well aware of how long the line was without needing to check it. Thanks to his decision to return to this particular spot, his foot traffic had increased a lot, especially as word of mouth spread. His tight budget never permitted advertisements like the big chain restaurants and eateries. But The Skid Sizzler's unique appearance was plenty advertisement enough that you were in a place for good food
Business is always good when you come by vod'ika. One chef's surprise coming up!
He moved through the very cramped and confined space within the kitchen and pulled out some Gornt meat he had been given by an importer from off world. There had been some tense negotiations which Buf's cooking had helped ease and the man had wanted to show his thanks. Fee was one of the very few people he would use such exquisite meat in a meal for. He laid down some oil on the grill, letting it heat up as he sliced a couple strips off the steak. As he laid the steaks out and set a press atop them, he tossed some noodles down in a basket. His movement freely flowing to a small pot which he poured the base stock into and added a couple extra ingredients into. The heat from the burner working to combine the flavours expediently
Of course I do private catering, gotta make the big credits somehow! Besides, I could never say no to you vod.
He made his last comment with a chuckle as he went about rotating the Gornt strips, searing the meat just right. He removed the press and got to work slicing the meat into smaller chunks. As he next heat cycle went through, he tipped his helmet up just enough to allow him to spoon up a small amount of the stock soup he was cooking and tasted it. Perfectly seasoned as he expected. The helmet slid down back into place as Buf laid out some vegetables on the cook top and gave them a light grill
What would the job be?
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Harini Bralor
The Mandalorian Assembly
Posts: 165
Affiliation: The Mando'ade
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Harini Bralor on Jun 2, 2022 15:37:00 GMT -8
Fionnuala, used to Fett's playful flirtation whenever she drops by and playing her role in return, puts a hand over her heart when he suggests her presence has made a beautiful day even more so, "Cuyir su ner kar'ta, vod," * batting her eyelashes just for effect. Resting her elbows on the counter and propping her chin up in her hands as she watches Fett get to work, his footwork as graceful as any ballerina's as he all but dances around the confined space he has to work in, Fionnuala lets the show that comes free with the meal take her away from the oftentimes mundane and routine ebb and flow of her days when on duty here on Agamar.
Grinning happily when Buf says that he does indeed do private catering gigs, Fionnuala waves his suggestion that he could never say no to her aside with a cheery laugh, "Couldn't say no to the waadar ** is more like it, vod. When asked what the job will be, Fionnuala rests a hand on the counter space set aside for orders that have been completed as she explains, We've got some jaon'yc *** visitors coming from offworld in three days, her fingers dancing subtly in Mando'ade battle sign language to inform Buf that the visitors in question are the Empress of the First Order, her two youngest children, a Witch of Dathomir and her Rancor mount, and a pair of Imperial Knights that accompany them, and I figured we welcome 'em with you there, that sorts out the eats and the entertainment in one fell swoop. The sign language is probably not necessary, but Fionnuala would rather not risk the identities of their guests being overheard, and while most Mando'ade aren't political where credits are involved she would rather Buf knows ahead of time in case he proves to be the exception to the rule. Returning her hand to beneath her chin, she smiles and goes into her sales pitch, We'd compensate you more than generously for the time away from your regular customers, naturally, and for any expenses you incur for ingredients and so on. In addition to the visitors, you'd have a platoon of hungry Mando'ade used to the slop they call food while on duty to feed, so make sure you're well stocked, if you take the gig, of course. Batting her eyelashes, she grins mischievously, Which, I'm, sure you will, since, ya know, you can never say no to lil' ol' me, right, vod?"
* Be still my heart
** Pay
*** Important
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Buf Fett
Member
Posts: 54
Affiliation: Cooking
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Post by Buf Fett on Jun 2, 2022 17:11:22 GMT -8
She was always a good sport, which was what Buf liked most about Fionnuala. As the ingredients became read and finished cooking he started assemblying them together into one of the few non-take away bowls he reserved for special customers such as her
Well, a man has to afford to eat after all, so waadar is always good vod'ika...
He pulled the Noddles out of the water, and began the final assembly as he listened to Fionnuala explain the job. His gaze tracking the hand movements she made to indicate just who these important visitors were exactly. Royalty was few and far between these days, but getting good favour with them was always a boon. The First Order would be easier to traverse if he impressed the Empress with his cooking. Maybe even a chance to cook for the royal court would be in the cards... He shook his head, pulling himself out of his day dream as he slid the vegetables and meat slices into the bowl atop the noodles. He set the bowl on the counter in front of Fionnuala and slipped a spoon and a pair of chopsticks in
Gornt Ramen with Fried Vegetables. Chef's Special, for a Special Lady...
He leaned against his side of the counter, listening intently now as Fionnuala went into more detail about the compensation details and what would be expected. Clan Bralor paid well regularly, but this sort of event would always pay more. He smiled beneath his helmet as she batted her eyelashes and grinned. It was too tempting an offer not to accept, even if it wasn't Fionnuala asking him
I mean... I would be very hard pressed to let you down vod'ika. What sort of a Chef, let alone a Mando'ade, would I be if I did so? It would be a great honour to accept the job. A beautiful smile might swings the heart, but credits move nations. I wouldn't miss it for the world...
He ofered out his gauntleted hand for Fionnuala to shake to seal the deal
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Harini Bralor
The Mandalorian Assembly
Posts: 165
Affiliation: The Mando'ade
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Harini Bralor on Jun 2, 2022 20:39:01 GMT -8
"Haat, vod! * Fionnuala agrees with a grin to Buf's stance on the necessity of eating and the merits of having the credits to do so, raising both hands in the air as though she is in church and moved from listening to a rousing sermon from a particularly spirited preacher. Smiling happily as Buf sets the bowl of his Chef's Special before her, Fionnuala picks up the chopsticks and rubs them together as she leans in to take a deep breath to inhale the scent of the dish, telling Buf, If this tastes as good as it looks and smells, you'll have made me one happy dala, ** vod! Deftly capturing some noodles, vegetables and a slice of the Gornt meat between her chopsticks, Fionnuala brings it to her mouth and, after chewing and swallowing, rolls her eyes up with a satisfied growl, then smiles cheerily and tells Buf, Ni ru'lis ash'amur briikase jii, *** vod!"
Digging in heartily to her Gornt ramen as Buf, in his customarily humorous, flirty and quasi-philosophical way, agrees to take the catering gig, Fionnuala sets her chopsticks down and reaches out to clasp his gauntleted hand with her gloved one to seal their arrangement, smiling cheerily as she exclaims, "Sweet! With Eimhear taking care of the arrangements at the outpost where the Empress and her companions will be staying, and now Buf's agreement to cater the welcome celebration, Fionnuala feels like she's done a good day's work, making her meal all the more satisfying. Like I said, she explains around a mouthful of noodles, they're set to arrive in three days, so let me know if you need us to handle any of the acquisition of materials or whatnot, or if you'd prefer to handle that, give me an estimate of what you need and I'll have the funds transferred to you. After giving Buf the coordinates of the outpost, and exchanging comm frequencies in case either needs to get in touch with the other before the event, Fionnuala waves playfully for Buf to go look after his customers even though he has been doing so all along with the grace, style and flair that have made his unique food stall such an attraction, Off with you now, I think your other customers are getting a lil' jealous of all the attention your giving me," and then digs back into her ramen.
* Truth
** woman
*** I could die happy now
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Buf Fett
Member
Posts: 54
Affiliation: Cooking
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Post by Buf Fett on Jun 3, 2022 1:17:04 GMT -8
I could make you a happy riduur if you ever change your mind vod... *
He teased as he waited for her to try her first mouthful. Her reaction was a fairly common sight at The Skid Lid Sizzler when Buf was making one of his off menu Chef Specials. He chuckled at her exclamation she could die happy. He pointed at her
nayc kyr'am bid Nusujii vod! **
With their deal shook upon, Buf had returned back to the orders and customers that were slowly stacking up. Thanks to his abilities with the Force he could easily set several noodle baskets down whilst cooking a large order of rice dishes. Spices and seasoning seemed to have a mind of their own as they flew through the air. Even as Fionnuala continued to give him details, which he took in, he served up several bowls. He pauses between orders as he moves over to her again
If I'd known this was what it would have taken to get your number, I would have let you know much sooner... I'll get an estimate messaged to you tonight...
He turned back to the queue of customers of varied race and gender. Indeed it was quite clear several of them were very jealous of how close and flirtatious Buf was getting with Fionnuala. He whispered playfully then
You're right, I have made them very jealous. It seems I have a few aru'e for your heart... Leave the dishes in the sink... ***
He moved off and got back to serving up several orders of Porg Tacos and Kebabs. The line joining in the customary shout, before starting work on another batch of fried rice orders. In the back of his mind he was already organizing plans for the feast he would be preparing in three days time. The Rancor would be the most difficult to cater for, given he wasn't sure if they liked their meat cooked or raw. Something he would send Fionnuala a message about later to find out for him. Raw would be easy enough to do, while cooked would simply mean pulling out several burners and turning them into a giant spit roast set up. It was the advantage of his DIY built kitchen, everything was modular enough that he could shape it how he wanted
* spouse/wife
** No dying too soon sister
*** enemies
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Harini Bralor
The Mandalorian Assembly
Posts: 165
Affiliation: The Mando'ade
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Harini Bralor on Jun 3, 2022 11:44:32 GMT -8
Laughing when Buf suggests he'd make her a happy wife should she ever entertain the notion, Fionnula grins and motions towards her bowl as she winks and says, "With cooking as good as this, ni urmankalar gar, * vod! Holding up a hand when Buf jokingly tells her she is forbidden from perishing anytime soon even though she had joked that his ramen was delicious enough that, were she to do so, she would do so happy, Fionnula promises, Nayc ca'nara nusujii, ** promise! Rolling her eyes playfully when Buf jokes about finally getting her digits, Fionnuala bats her eyelashes and quips, An gar at vabiir cuyir tionir, *** vod."
Fionnuala leans in close when Buf replies to her joke about making his other customers jealous, assuring him teasingly, "Vi kar'taylir ner kar'ta cuyir gar, **** vod, then laughs with a nod when told to do the dishes as Buf heads off to look after his hungry patrons. Enjoying both her meal and the entertaining spectacle of Buf artfully and skillfully preparing those of his other customers, Fionnuala finishes up her ramen and, after washing her dishes instead of just leaving them in the sink and giving Buf a jaunty salute farewell, makes her way further into the city.
* I believe you
** no time soon
*** all you had to do is ask
**** we know my heart is yours
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Captain Dice, CT-3949
Member
Posts: 66
Affiliation: N/A; formerly Galactic Republic
Traffic Light: Yellow
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Post by Captain Dice, CT-3949 on Jun 16, 2023 23:13:59 GMT -8
Having left the newly repaired Star Destroyer Victores, Dice's LAAT-type dropship soared through the skies of Agamar, closing on its capital city. Though it was not Mandalore, the captain's impression was that Agamar was such a core Mandalorian territory that it might serve the same purpose in his journey. Though going here at the suggestion of the galactic emperor, with the intention of recruiting warriors to his possibly rebellious cause, could be considered a bad idea, Dice was convinced the Mandalorian people would never make peace with foreign rule, not fully. He also figured a spited and stubborn Mandalorian was more dangerous than any warrior content with serving the Coruscanti empire. Still, he would meet with Harini Bralor first, Octavian's suggestion. She seemed to be an influential figure in Mandalorian politics, so much so that she had caught the eye and respect of the new galactic ruler. One way or the other, he would gain leads on interesting figures to add to his crew. The LAAT gunship would set down wherever Bralor had requested to be met. Harini Bralor |
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Harini Bralor
The Mandalorian Assembly
Posts: 165
Affiliation: The Mando'ade
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Harini Bralor on Jun 17, 2023 10:16:12 GMT -8
Calna Muun - Mandalorian Embassy - Landing Pads
Captain Dice will have been provided with clearance to land at the Mandalorian Embassy in Calna Muun, located near to the city's Council Center. As Captain Dice's LAAT flies over the city, he will note that there are no overt signs that the city or its inhabitants are suffering or oppressed after the Mandalorian and Imperial occupation of Agamar; if anything, in fact, the former backwater world appears to have thrived now that it serves as a hub of trade and activity between the Imperials and Mandalorians, the boost in the world's economy evident in everything from the restored or updated commercial and civilian buildings to the lack of poverty evident among Agamar's native citizens who enjoy more job opportunities than before their homeworld came to be jointly held by the Mandalorians of Clan Bralor and the Imperial forces.
Harini, having been made aware of the unique background of Captain Dice and his comrades - displaced in time and now finding their way in a universe that is unfamiliar to them after so much has changed since their present is now a distant memory to the denizens of the universe now - by the Emperor of the First Order, had selected the Mandalorian Embassy as the meeting point as it would not require that Dice interact with the First Order's troops or commanders; something she imagines would be anathema to one that had fought so hard alongside the Republic forces of his time, with the Republic now gone and only a footnote in the history of the universe that Captain Dice and his comrades find themselves in.
When Captain Dice's gunship sets down on the landing pad it has been directed to, a pair of female Mando'ade are waiting to meet him and his men when they disembark. Harini, armored in yellow and black beskar'gam, is accompanied by Ksenia Itera of House Bralor, who wears red and white beskar'gam. The armor both Harini and her clanswoman wear is well maintained but bear scratches, scorch marks and dents that make it evident neither are strangers to battle, and both women have the bearing and watchful readiness of career military operators. Neither Harini nor Ksenia have weapons in hand as they wait for Dice and his comrades to disembark, but both have KD-30's holstered on their hips, beskar kal's sheathed on their thighs or at their back, and Harini has a Model 4 "Thunderhead" scattergun sheathed on her back. Both Mando'ade wear their buy'ce's, Harini having made the decision to follow Captain Dice's lead where revealing their faces to one another or not is concerned as she is familiar enough with the history of the Clone Troopers that served in the Republic's Army that she suspects he may find it more comfortable to remain fully armored in what is to him an undoubtedly strange and unfamiliar place and time.
For her part, Harini is curious and excited to meet a clone of the famous Jango Fett, an opportunity she welcomes even more due to her love of history, and hopes that she can make the time traveler as comfortable and welcome as she can given the strange, unfamiliar place and time she knows he has found himself in recently enough that it is possible he is still struggling to make peace with all that has happened since his own time and with the uncertainty she suspects he feels about his place and purpose in the new world that he finds himself in. |
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Captain Dice, CT-3949
Member
Posts: 66
Affiliation: N/A; formerly Galactic Republic
Traffic Light: Yellow
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Post by Captain Dice, CT-3949 on Jun 17, 2023 22:40:29 GMT -8
Off the LAAT gunship would step Captain Dice, Lieutenant Acklay, and four more troopers. The entire squad's coloring matched the Bralor colors, funnily enough - a departure from what Dice's 447th Legion reported sported, changing from green to red. Two would wait on the ship, with the pilot. Given the individual power of Mandalorian warriors, the remaining two soldiers were likely not to support some sort of ambush, but more in the hopes that they would defend the gunship, in case they needed to leave quickly, and under fire. None of the troopers removed their helmets, and all were armed with Clone Wars-era weaponry - ready for a fight. Anywhere but Mandalorian territory, it would've been considered quite a lot of firepower for a peaceful delegation.
Dice wore a mixture of Phase I and Phase II clone trooper armor, making the most of the earlier design's thicker plating and the later design's joint flexibility. His armor was adorned with red markings, and at his waist sat both an S-5 heavy blaster pistol and the signature hilt of a lightsaber, along with a flowing kama. His armor seemed to have forgone polishing as of late; scratches and dents covered his armor, save the left shoulder pad, which was shiny and clean. Presumably, it had too damaged to continue wearing. His troops were much the same, with half wearing Phase I and the other half wearing Phase II. Two of the troopers held DC-15 carbines, and the other two hefted the longer rifle variant. They stood in perfect formation behind the captain and his lieutenant.
Acklay seemed larger than the other clones, not taller but better built. He had both a DC-17 blaster pistol and the large DC-15A rifle, holding both at the same time. Were he a smaller man, lacking the droid kill-tally marks which made his right gauntlet nearly black with etches, the posture might've come off as silly, but somehow one could believe Acklay could use both weapons at the same time, and effectively.
"Harini Bralor," Dice called out, extending his hand to the lead Mandalorian. "It's good to meet you. I am Dice, and this is Lieutenant Acklay," he said, gesturing to the squad's leader. "I always wanted to see the Mandalorian territories, as were described to me by our unit's trainers. It certainly has not disappointed so far."
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Harini Bralor
The Mandalorian Assembly
Posts: 165
Affiliation: The Mando'ade
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Harini Bralor on Jun 18, 2023 4:39:40 GMT -8
Harini takes Captain Dice's hand as he offers it to her, clasping it firmly in a way that suggests her's is an extroverted and self confident nature, greeting him with the courtesy and respect she believes one warrior owes another, Captain Dice, and then inclining her head to greet Acklay as she adds, Lieutenant, before nodding a silent greeting to the troopers that were not introduced. Clasping her hands behind her back almost as though standing at parade rest, Harini chuckles in a friendly fashion as she tells Dice with pride evident in her tone of voice even through her buy'ce's speaker, Agamar is only an outpost of the Mando'ade, Captain Dice, and does not compare to the beauty and splendor of Manda'yaim, but I am pleased that you find it does not disappoint all the same. Harini speaks Basic fluently, but has a heavy accent due to the fact it is not her native tongue, her consonants more stressed and her vowels slightly elongated.
Motioning towards her clanswoman, Harini introduces her, This is Ksenia Itera of House Bralor, pausing as the Shownarri inclines her head to greet Captain Dice and his associates, before explaining succinctly, she is the co-pilot of our long-range reconnaissance patrol's Kom'rk, and then turns to point towards one of the several nearby ships also known as Gauntlet starfighters, that Clan Bralor employs as both troop transports and in orbital and surface air patrols in case the Captain and his men are unfamiliar with the ship. The Mandalorians going about their business, performing pre or post-flight checks and refueling or rearming the Kom'rk's wear beskar'gam of many color schemes and hues, ranging from reds or yellows similar to Harini and Ksenia's to blues, blacks, greens and greys, suggesting that there is no uniform color scheme employed by Clan Bralor, each set of armor unique to the warrior wearing it, with the only unifying feature being Clan Bralor's symbol, being incorporated somewhere on each warrior's beskar'gam, with no rank insignias or other means of determining the ranks of the Mando'ade on their armor, suggesting their individual armor tells all of each that their Clansmen and women need to know, just as the Clone Troopers armor, with their unique markings or personal touches identify them to one another.
Neither Harini nor Ksenia display any reaction to the combat readiness Captain Dice and his men exhibit by keeping their weapons in hand, being from a martial culture having left them familiar with and unconcerned by the way some beings do not allow themselves to be at ease no matter how secure their surroundings - and the Mandalorian Embassy is nothing if not secure; manned watchtowers situated around the landing pads, prefab barracks and the main building being utilized as the embassy's operational base, while Kom'rk's return from or depart regularly on combat air patrols, and Mandalorians standing watch over all entrances to the fenced in compound and to the structures within it.
If you will come with us, Captain, Harini says after pointing out the Kom'rk, we can continue our discussion inside the embassy, nodding towards the building they will make their way to as she adds, All of your comrades are welcome to join us, her words spoken in a way that makes it clear she is simply offering the invitation rather than requesting that his men abandon the watch over their gunship should that be the Captain's preference, Your LAAT, beautiful ship by the way, will be quite safe here, you have my personal guarantee of that, and then, leaving it up to Dice to decide whether or not to trust her word where the security of his gunship is concerned, begins leading the way to the embassy.
As they walk, Harini, having noted the lightsaber hilt on Dice's hip, asks, The lightsaber you bear, do you wear it as a trophy or in remembrance of a fallen comrade? Fond of history, Harini knows that there were some clones that managed to disobey Order 66, the directive meant to be ingrained in every clone trooper to eliminate every Jedi in sight when the order was executed, and is curious to learn which camp Captain Dice was in; there is not any hint of judgement in her voice as she asks the question, suggesting she understands it is not her right to judge the actions of any of the clone troopers no matter whether they obeyed the order to turn against those they fought alongside or disobeyed and remained loyal to the Jedi instead.
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Captain Dice, CT-3949
Member
Posts: 66
Affiliation: N/A; formerly Galactic Republic
Traffic Light: Yellow
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Post by Captain Dice, CT-3949 on Jun 19, 2023 11:08:34 GMT -8
Dice gave Itera a nod of respect, before taking in the Gauntlet-class fightercraft. He hadn't had the chance to see one in person, but he had read the reports on Death Watch activity, and knew the fighter slightly. To see it still used was both surprising and reassuring. The First Order's equipment and technology seemed so advanced, so foreign to him, so learning that Clone Wars-era vehicles were still in use, competitive even, was reassuring. It was likely they were not stock models, but that was also a solvable problem. Certainly more solvable than completely swapping out the Victores' own strike craft complement.
When Harini gave Dice her word on the safety of his transport, he gave her a nod too. "I believe you," he clarified as he pointed to the LAAT's guards to stay put. "But if experience has taught me anything, it's the people you don't see."
As Dice followed Harini, he couldn't help but take in the sights. The city, even if it was just an outpost by Harini's words, was still impressive to him. Every corner of the galaxy had their own culture, art and beauty. Still, spending most the war fighting lifeless Separatist battle droids and cheaply assembled Confederate militias had only shown him the most dry and drab sights the galaxy could offer. This glimpse into the Mandalorian culture, while likely a limited and common experience for the locals, was certainly enough to amaze the clone. Especially after the choking death that was First Order-ruled Coruscant. Suddenly, Harini posed her question, and the Captain was forced to stew on it.
He thought back, to when General Callyon had first met the Captain. It had only been a days after Geonosis, after that dustball of a world had taught them all just what war really looked like, better than any simulation. The 447th was far from finished, many more of their brothers wrapping up training, with scheduled reinforcements just beginning their own programs.
But the thousand that were finished had been ground into a newly jaded seven hundred. Three whole companies lost, and with them the clones' innocence. Geonosis had tested them all, and while they had survived, it was hard to say they had passed. Dice himself wasn't the person he was now, or was before - still just CT-3949, a newly promoted squad sergeant only by happenstance and attrition. Other burgeoning units, like the 501st and 212th were units that had done better than others, being formed around the best troopers that had survived Geonosis, at least as much as 3949 could tell.
The 447th, depleted once by that blasted planet and again by reorganization, had little morale to speak of. Then their general arrived. Callyon walked among them, gathered in their barracks. She hadn't ordered them to report to the hangar bay, her arrival a surprise. The jedi explained this was to 'see her troops in their natural state,' waving down those who shot up in order to give her a proper salute. She spent the next few hours, before they all reported to the Acclimator transports waiting to take them to war, getting to know them all. Their hopes, their dreams. Not that it was a diverse set of dreams, but nevertheless, she cared enough to listen. She managed to relight that spark in all of them, in a way that no kaminoan or their therapeutic softwares could ever do.
He looked down to the lightsaber, brushing his thumb across the edge of its activator. "She was my friend," he said, an edge of sadness in his voice. "She died, trying to fix our ship's hyperdrive before it malfunctioned." He wanted to say he wished she had lived instead of him. That she was a better leader than him, both tactically and emotionally. But that was a degree of weakness he wasn't prepared to show, not to a Mandalorian delegate, anyhow. "I know how the war ended, I did my research. Order sixty-six...despicable. I can't believe they actually used it. I mean, we all knew the list of directives. It wasn't a secret, just a bunch of contingencies in case some extreme event occurred, easy to overlook as standard procedure for any army. But now, looking back...I can't help but feel like that cursed order is the whole reason we were made at all. But I guess that's why I'm here, to help my men and I get past our ghosts and find something to do with our future."
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Harini Bralor
The Mandalorian Assembly
Posts: 165
Affiliation: The Mando'ade
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Harini Bralor on Jun 20, 2023 2:25:39 GMT -8
Save for a respectful nod to acknowledge that she understands Dice bears the lightsaber in remembrance of a friend, Harini says nothing on the matter at first; Dice moving on from the topic to voice his thoughts on Order 66 - which he and his troops had known of but had not been present when it was executed as the hyperdrive malfunction that had cast them into the future that is now their present occurred prior to that event - which lead to his concluding statement explaining what he has come to Agamar in search of a purpose that will enable him and his men to move beyond the past and the ghosts as yet lingering from it.
They have reached the embassy's entrance by the time Dice has finished speaking, and still Harini holds her tongue, nodding to the pair of Mando'ade stationed outside the doors that hold them open so that Harini, Ksenia and their guests can enter. Hairini leads the way through the corridors inside the embassy - which has been set up in a way revealing a clear preference for function and purpose over form, little in the way of decoration evident anywhere, and nearly everything designed to be portable or readily rearranged to suit more tactical purposes - and into a room set aside for conferences or strategic discussions. The room is dominated by a circular table, a holoprojector situated in it's center, and Harini gestures towards the seats around the table - round as nearly all tables Clan Bralor use in their homes and places of business are so that all seated around it are equals, no one place holding any more importance than the others - and tells Dice and his men, Please, sit, adding, if you like, so her words are an invitation they can choose to accept or decline as they see fit.
When Ksenia begins to reach for a panel that will close the doors, Harini lifts a hand to subtly tell her comrade to leave them open, not wanting Dice or his men to feel as though are being sealed into the room and allowing them, given their security consciousness, to see anyone approaching the room. While Ksenia takes a seat, Harini remains standing - electing to wait and see whether Dice or any of his men will sit - and, after the matter of sitting or remaining standing has been settled, asks Dice, Would you or your men care for anything to eat or drink, Captain?
Once the matter of refreshment has been settled, Harini motions once more the lightsaber hilt Dice wears, telling him in a respectful tone, It is good that you carry it in memory of your friend. We believe that, so long as we remember those that have passed on, they live on in us. So long as you remember your friend, she is with you still.
::Ni su'cuyi, gar kyr'adyc, ni partayli, gar darasuum,:: Ksenia says in Mando'a.
Harini motions towards Ksenia, translating for Dice, "I'm still alive, but you are dead. I remember you, so you are eternal." We say that in the daily remembrance of those who have passed on. After pausing for a moment spent remembering her own dead, repeating their names in her mind, Harini addresses Dice once more, You say you have come, you and your men, to find something to do with your future. Tilting her head to the side at an inquisitive angle, Harini asks, her tone having a certain degree of puzzlement laced in it, How can we help you to do so? Is it guidance you seek? About how things have changed since your time? About what possibilities are out there for you? Her questions are asked in a tone making it clear she wishes to understand more of what Dice has come in search of; her desire to help him and his men evident in the way she does not rush to give him answers or suggestions until she has a clear picture of what is being asked of her as the representative of her Clan.
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Captain Dice, CT-3949
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Post by Captain Dice, CT-3949 on Jun 20, 2023 16:11:19 GMT -8
Dice sat with a 'thank you,' with the rest of his troops following suit.
The Captain shook his head at the offering of food, but Acklay nodded. "Do people still make orxtle sandwiches? I know its wookiee food, but man, I had one on deployment..." At this, Dice sighed a little.
"A round of waters for everyone as well." When presented with their water and Acklay his food, all the clones removed their helmets, revealing a myriad of hair cuts, tattoos and scars. Dice himself had something of a stubble, short hair with a moderate level of curls, while Acklay was clean shaven, boasting scars all over his face and a straight flat-top hair cut.
When Harini asked what Dice wanted from her and her clan, he shifted a little, leaning forwards. "My men and I...we just came off from the war. I know its been centuries for you, but just last week we were blasting seppie droids and their handlers. We were bred for war, and we're all in our prime. Now...even the satisfaction of winning that war has been taken from us. I was hoping to use what I have left to aide the people I can still relate to. The Republic, the Grand Army, that's all gone, but the Mandalorians are still here. That's a little piece of home, and I'm ready to defend it. You might've made peace with the First Order, but I'm not dumb enough to not see the cracks in the picture of galactic order they'd like to paint. Mandalore is never fully at peace. Give my troops a war to win, and we'll see what good we're still worth."
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Harini Bralor
The Mandalorian Assembly
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Affiliation: The Mando'ade
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Post by Harini Bralor on Jun 22, 2023 16:41:17 GMT -8
Harini smiles unseen beneath her buy'ce when Acklay asks about something called an orxtle sandwich, shrugging apologetically as she explains, Never heard of it, but I'll see what I can rustle up, turning to Dice as she adds jokingly, You're in luck, water we have not only heard of but can certainly have brought in, lifting a finger as she uses specific eye movements to bring up her squad's encrypted comm channel to have some food and drinks brought in for everyone.
After Dice and his men remove their helmets, Harini and Ksenia follow suite; Harini revealed to be a sleepy eyed, dark skinned Chalactan with a mane of black dreadlocks currently worn secured tightly against her head so as to fit beneath her buy'ce, while Ksenia is revealed to be a delicate looking, pale complected Shownarri with a short pixie cut and almond shaped dark eyes.
After listening to Dice's reply about what he has come to Agamar in search of, Harini is silent for a moment before saying with a lop-sided grin that is familiar to those that know her well, "It just so happens that there is a war on Manda'yaim we could use your help in winning."
Before Hairini can explain her statement further, Conaodh Rodarch of Clan Bralor, a diminutive Bimm with a shaggy goatee who appears to be in his late forties wearing brown and gold beskar'gam with his buy'ce clipped to his belt, enters the room carrying a tray piled high with sandwiches, glasses, plates, utensils, and bowls along with a carafe of fresh water, a covered pot with a spicy scented steam rising from it and a sticky looking cake.
Seeing Dice and his men with the helmets off causes a wide grin to appear on the tiny Bimm's face as he starts laying the contents of the tray out in the center of the table, "Oh, I . . . I can't believe it! Looking at Harini as he lays the plate of sandwiches on the table and tells Dice and his men, Only sliced Nerf I am afraid, looked everywhere high and low for orxtle and found none, then addresses Harini, asking, How are you not excited? Look at the legends we have among us, he motions towards Dice and his men, laying down the covered pot and telling them, Tiingilar, hearty meat and veg with just a touch of spices, very tasty . . ."
Ksenia warns Dice and his men, "Very spicy, singe your nose hairs spicy."
Conaodh goes on speaking to Harini as though unaware Ksenia has spoken, "Those faces have not been see . . . they . . . I mean . . . Legends! And you just sit there calmly, then tells Dice and his men as he sets out the carafe of water and glasses, That is our Harini though, nothing phases her . . ."
Ksenia nods, telling Dice and his men, "She is pretty unflappable."
Conaodh sets down the cake and begins laying out the utensils, explaining to Dice and his men, "Uj'alayi. A traditional Mando'ade dessert, a very sweet treat most suitable to enjoy after a meal with, he waves a hand at Dice and his men, Legends! Seriously, it is an honor to just be in the same room with you, then takes a datapad from a pouch on his hip and holds it up as he asks, Is there any chance I could get a holopic with . . ."
Harini motions towards the door, telling Conaodh, "That will be all Con, thank you."
Conaodh, looking disappointed briefly, backs towards the doors after setting the tray down on the table, pointing the index fingers of both hands at Dice and his men as he shouts excitedly, "Leeeegeeeennnnds!"
As the Bimm finally leaves, still heard occasionally shouting out Legends I tell you! to those he passes in the halls, Harini apologizes to Dice, "Sorry about him, he can get a little excitable when away from the field for too long, and then steeples he fingers beneath her chin as she asks Dice, believing his offer to aid them in a war is too good to come without price, How would you and your men wish to be compensated should Clan Bralor accept your offer to help us win our war, Captain?"
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Captain Dice, CT-3949
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Post by Captain Dice, CT-3949 on Jun 23, 2023 2:06:53 GMT -8
"Aww, I would've taken a picture with the guy," Acklay commented. "I mean, can you blame anyone for wanting this jawline on their wall?" Though it earned a few laughs from the other troopers, Dice instead thought over what he would want from Harini's clan. He wasn't short on things to ask for. The Victores was, for all intents and purposes, a private vessel, and its crew made up a private military company. An organization like that had to secure their own supplies and members, or they had to find somebody to formally join who would pay for upkeep.
Another question - reinforcements. His ship currently operated with half a crew and half a troop complement, and their fighter bay was a shadow of its true potential. Not to mention the age of their equipment, though from what he had read, Clone Wars-era weapons and vehicles were not totally outclassed and remained capable on the modern battlefield. Still, his people and their armory needed the same degree of refitting that their ship received, and they simply needed more crew. A squadron of Mandalorian fighters, or a squad of clanless hunters could go a long way...
"I admit I'm not completely sure what I want to ask for," Dice decided upon. "Though I'm sure we'll get our reward emotionally, I think the big material concerns we've got is low crew and vintage equipment. The Victores got a full makeover, free of charge, as a gift from the emperor, but he didn't exactly restock our armory or supply us with new crewmates. The circumstance that brought us here also left us with a lot of empty room onboard. But I doubt Clan Bralor wants to send its newly trained crew to operate foreign ships, or give away an army's worth of war material. I suppose we can figure out rewards later. Maybe we can claim salvage rights or something."
Dice rested his chin in his hand, thinking. "But that brings us to the matter of your war. I don't know what your fleet looks like, but the Victores is a command ship, like the rest of its class. Each Venator is a mobile base of operations, a place where a military force could launch any manner of campaign from. It wasn't unheard of for an admiral to order a Venator to sit above enemy territory and wage a ground war all on its own. I don't have the resources aboard to do that tactic on my own, but for the duration of your conflict, I'd offer my ship as your home away from home - aloriya t'ad,* if my Mando'a hasn't failed me.
"But who is your enemy? Are they organic soldiers, battle droids, a Force-sensitive group? Every enemy needs a different approach, as I'm sure you know."
"Given our luck these past couple weeks, I wouldn't be surprised if she says 'clones'," one of the troopers piped up, and the others gave concerned, tentative laughs. The troopers and Acklay wanted to find it amusing, but none of them could dismiss the possibility - it was well within the bounds of their shown luck indeed. The resulting moment of tension was broken near-immediately by Acklay gagging heavily on the tiingilar. "Blast, that dish...that..." he managed before returning to hacking and desperate water chugging, before gesturing to one of the clones to cut him a slice of the cake, presumably hoping the bready sweetness would tame the fire in his mouth. Rather embarrassed, the clone leaned over in an effort to retrieve a hunk of cake for his lieutenant. Despite the 'touch of spice' tormenting the clone, Acklay refused to ask for any minor relieving medicines from the kitchen, presumably to avoid looking weak towards the man who was so impressed by them minutes prior.
Funnily enough, the other clones managed the meal just fine.
* - 'Second Capital', I think.
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Harini Bralor
The Mandalorian Assembly
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Affiliation: The Mando'ade
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Post by Harini Bralor on Jun 23, 2023 22:39:46 GMT -8
Ksenia laughs when Acklay says he would have taken a holopic with Conaodh, informing him, "Probably won't be the last you see of him, and he'll probably ask again, so your jawline just might end up on a wall yet."
Harini is glad to see that Dice and men appear somewhat more relaxed after either the food or simply due to the fact they have had a chance to learn a bit more about one another, believing it bodes well for them all if they are to be fighting side by side in the future. After Dice has expressed his thoughts on what kind of compensation he and his men would want for their assistance in the battle against the Afflicted and who or whatever is behind them - putting off the matter for another time - and asked about their enemy after offering the use of his ship, the Victores as a mobile base of operations, Harini takes a moment to take in all that has been said before replying, unable to keep from chuckling when Acklay finds out Ksenia's warning about the spiced Tiingilar was not exaggerated.
Addressing the clones' concerns about fighting against other clones first, Harini says, "Our enemy hasn't fielded any clones in the encounters we've had with them, and from what we've seen so far I highly doubt you need to concern yourselves with the possibility that they will. Reaching for her buy'ce and drumming her gloved fingers on top of it, Harini says, Our first engagement against our enemy was during a surprise attack on Obroa-Skai that we subsequently learned had the primary objective of retrieving information from the Celebratus Archives. The information they were after was a cure for a disease of some kind that the majority, if not all, of the enemy troops appear to suffer from. They call themselves the Afflicted, or the Mordolorians, and claim to serve someone they call the Plague Lord, who may be in league with the New Order of the Eye, or some kind of offshoot branch of that order since it was supposedly destroyed by the First Order. In addition to the Afflicted, who may have been Mandalorians at some point given that they call themselves Mordolorians and were led in one engagement by an Otto Von Bralor, the enemy has made use of droids as well as Technobeasts, and made extensive use of trihexalon gas. They show no hesitance to cause massive levels of collateral damage, civilian or otherwise."
Pausing to let what she has said so far sink in, Harini goes on after a moment, "The second and most recent engagement was on Manda'yaim. Pursing her lips in thought, she amends her statement slightly, It might be more accurate to call it a skirmish since a portion of the enemy force retreated underground before we could wipe them out. Unlike the attack on Obroa-Skai, their objective on Manda'yaim was, or more accurately still is, to find a lost Infinity Gate they believe is somewhere on Manda'yaim. If they are right, and gain access to the Gate before we can stop them, they would be able to use it to invade Manda'yaim without needing to engage our orbital defenses, with the aim of spreading some kind of disease or plague over our home world that would, we assume, turn any one that was infected into some variation of a Technobeast that would presumably be under the control of the Plague Lord. The Afflicted claim to be from someplace called Xeraxus, which we have not been able to learn anything about yet."
Ksenia jumps in, explaining, "We were able to learn that the second attack force stopped at a deep space facility in the Unknown Regions known as Terminus, however, and believe we might be able to find out more about the Afflicted or Xeraxus there. We've reached out to the other Clan leaders to try and get their help in searching for the Infinity Gate in hopes of reaching it before the Afflicted do, while also sending a force to Terminus to see what can be learned about Xeraxus."
Harini rubs the back of her neck, realizing that they have just given Dice and his men a lot of information that might be confusing, and so tries to be more succinct, "The short answer is that our enemy has some kind of connection with the New Order of the Eye, a powerful group of Sith Sorcerors and Alchemists. The majority of their forces are the Afflicted, carriers of a disease that seems to be related to the Technobeasts they also use along with droids."
Ksenia jumps in again, explaining what Technobeasts are in case Dice and his men are not familiar with them, "Technobeasts are part organic, part machine. Think. . .zombies, basically. No independent thought except to kill whatever they are sent against. The ones we fought against on Manda'yaim appear to be somewhat unique though, and have a severe weakness against weapons forged from Beskar. Looking over at Harini, she adds, We'd have to get Dice and his men as many Beskar weapons as we could spare before putting them in the field."
Harini nods, tabling that matter for a moment as she says, "Our Clan's fleet is currently divided, part in orbit over Manda'yaim with the rest here in orbit over Agamar, so having the Victores available as a mobile base of ops would be extremely useful. Guessing that Dice and his men have been given enough information for now, she says, I know that was a lot of information, so what questions do you have so far?"
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Captain Dice, CT-3949
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Affiliation: N/A; formerly Galactic Republic
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Post by Captain Dice, CT-3949 on Jun 24, 2023 13:31:05 GMT -8
"Sith warriors hunting for a cure...for a master known as the Plague Lord? You think maybe they were trying to take away our record of this cure?" Dice asked. "I couldn't help but notice that commander you referenced was also named Bralor. Are there any special orders around him, or is he just as fair of a target as anyone else? I know these house wars can get touchy."
Acklay smiled. "Beskar weapons..." The grin grew wider at the repetition of the word. "That'll be fun. Depending, that might solve some of our armory issues, right Cap?" Dice nodded, and Acklay looked back to Ksenia. "These techno-beasts, I remember the boys and I having to study them as part of our general training - nasty buggers. Guess all that studying finally pay off. These new models, they still die to blasters, right? Maybe we can form a few hunter squads, a few soldiers to get their attention and lure them towards heavy gunners. Bring a horde into flamethrowers, blaster turrets, missile launchers...use their animalistic nature against them. If beskar is the only thing that hurts them, a lot more dangerous, but we could draw them into a wall formation of energy shields, pikes and spears. If we can't kill them in the moment, maybe we could have net-launchers and trap them by the dozen?"
One of the troopers laughed. "Sometimes I forget the lieutenant knows how to strategize beyond 'shoot, reload, shoot.'"
Wryly, Acklay turned his head back to the trooper, with a vicious sort of smile. "Sticks, I passed with higher scores on every test they gave us - kaminoans and Mandalorians - than you or anyone else in First Company. It's why I'm lieutenant and you're a corporal. So, please, stow it or help with the planning."
The trooper, Sticks, shrugged. "Hey, how about this - what's an Infinity Gate? You make it sound like its some sort of portal network, linking planets together. Do we know of any other gates' locations? Just to check if they're sitting on one? Even if we don't find their gate, using one to storm theirs could also make for a pretty good ambush."
Dice nodded to himself. "I can't say I've heard of a Xeraxus, but it doesn't sound like your typical colony world. Sith, they like to use places where the Dark Side is strong as their home bases, right? The general often talked about this sort of thing, but I'm no Force user, and I don't know if any of you are. Are there any Jedi left who could help us find this place? I know Mandalorians are capable of killing Force users, I know my clones..." he struggled for a moment, "...can kill them too. But the Jedi are their natural enemies. Might do us some good to find some to help us, while we deal with our own doppelgangers and your wayward clanmate."
Instinctively, his hand brushed over the cool metal of his general's lightsaber. Another pang of loss came over him, though he tried his best to not show it. He wanted to find Jedi also so he could find a resting spot for the lightsaber, for the crystal within now that its wielder was gone. It was a sound suggestion, but Dice internally lambasted himself for trying to push his own personal quest into the decision-making.
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Harini Bralor
The Mandalorian Assembly
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Post by Harini Bralor on Jun 26, 2023 19:38:28 GMT -8
"Von Bralor, Hairini corrects Dice in a dry tone when he notes their foe shares a name with her Clan, explaining further, So far as we know, he has no ties to our Clan. In fact, he claims to speak for a Clan Goregoth, which we had never heard of until we encountered them on Manda'yaim. Von Bralor claims he and his Clan are of Mandalorian heritage, but, she shrugs, there's no way at present to verify those claims and his actions make it abundantly clear he has no affiliation or loyalty to the Mando'ade. Smiling predatorily, Harini declares coolly, He's a fair target, for you or any of us that see him. No quarter, no mercy."
Ksenia, fielding the question from Acklay says, "Blasters will put theTechnobeasts down, eventually, but on Manda'yaim they kept coming even after suffering catastrophic wounds that would have crippled or killed any other man or beast that sustained them. Beskar weapons, on the other hand, cause them to immolate almost instantly. Grinning, she says, I like your ideas about how we can engage them with that in mind though."
Harini, replying to Sticks question about Infinity Gates, says, "You have the general idea. Rubbing the back of her neck, she admits without reservation or shame, I'm no expert, and our Clan leader has tasked others with researching the Infinity Gates so we can prepare as best we can to deal with them. What we do know at present is that the Gates are old, Pre-Republic old, and were supposedly all sealed before being lost to history. Maybe our researchers will find out more information, and your idea about using a Gate to launch a preemptive attack is a good one, but would rely on not only finding a Gate, but also figuring out how to unseal and operate it. Best case scenario, I think, is that we find the Infinity Gate on Manda'yaim before the Mordolorians and destroy it."
Ksenia, replying to Dice's question about seeking out allies among the Jedi, says, "That's a good thought, but I'm not sure the Jetiise are on what you would call good terms with the Mando'ade, explaining, One of our previous Mand'alor's declared a jihad on Force Users, and, she crinkles her nose, there may still be some lingering animosity there. We don't, she adds in reply to one of his other related questions, have very many Force Sensitives among our ranks, but also don't have any issues with them as some other Clans do."
Harini, resting her chin on her hand, tells Ksenia, "The jihad was a while ago, telling Dice, and was before our time, before going with her reply to Ksenia, and from what I understand the Jetiise aren't supposed to hold grudges. It might not hurt to send someone to one of their Academies or Enclaves and see if they would be willing to, if not help us fight the Mordolorians, at least share any information they might have on Infinity Gates. Turning her attention to Dice once more, she says, We sent an envoy to the academy on Corellia once to offer our services in the fight against the First Order, but they turned us down flat, figuring she does not need to add that the First Order, when approached with the same offer, took Clan Bralor up on it. Maybe, she purses her lips in thought, if you or one of your commanding officers were with our envoy, they might look more favorably upon the request than if our envoy went alone."
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