NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Bump

OOC: Bump

OOC: I already bumped it. :headbang:

Beriza takes the seat offered.

"I can see that they treat you well...Mandalore himself doesn't accept such opulence aboard a warship. And the quarters on the rest of the ships..."

She laughs. "Well, I'm not one to talk. Half of my quarters are workspace."

She leans forward, the nervousness she'd been feeling showing in her mannerisms and voice for the first time.

"Listen, if you've gotten used to not having a sister, or don't want a sister, just tell me, and I'll leave, and I apologize for bothering you."

Casir smiled.

"Beriza, one of the things I've missed the most in my life, is my sister. I can still remember that day...I thought you were ! The only family I ever really had since that day was Outer Heaven, and my master. Outer Heaven's too big to really be a family, and my master died...Beriza, I'd love to have my sister back."

He then laughed quietly.

"We have so much to talk about. Please dig in, the food won't last for long..."

You thought I was dead? After that crazy rescue attempt you pulled? I saw them shoot at you. It's one of the few things I remember about that day.

Casir shook his head.

"I was too agile, but seriously, the stuff the De*th Watch told us about the Mandalorians, I thought they'd have their fun with you, then kill you. God damn, I killed alot of Mandalorians since then, before Master showed me the way. Now I think of how much of a lie the De*th Watch were..."

Casir smiled at his sister. She seemed quite hungry. Casir was too, none-surprising. Stretching his arms, he took a leg of Nerf, and dug in.

Actually, one of the Maril soldiers and his wife had been trying to have a child, with no success, so he took me in. They raised me until I was fifteen, when they were killed. Since then I've been working in the Maril Fourth. Started out a an engineer aboard the headship of that fleet, climbed my way to be chief engineer...then in a battle I had to go to the bridge for something, there was an explosion, the captain and first officer were killed, and since the badly injured comm officer and I were the highest ranking ones there, I got a field promotion.

Casir nodded.

"I see, interesting to say the least. Although you were so aggressive when you were young, I'm surprised your not on the frontlines."

I've done that, too, and my fleet has a reputation for being the ones to take a beating and keep on, almost as much as the First Fleet. To be honest with you, that would be better than captaincy, but Mandalore put me where I am and kept me there because I'm good at it. I still prefer engineer--

*the comm device at her hip goes off, and she looks at her brother*

One moment, please.

*Activiating the device*

Captain Fett, apologies for the interruption, but Mandalore has called an 0600 meeting regarding the current situation.

Thank you, Vriz. Don't worry, I'm returning to the ship at some point tonight.

Very good, Captain. Out.

Casir heard the message over the speaker a few seconds later.

"Nice to hear we've been included."

Casir ate some more Nerf, before setting it down on his plate.

"So, Engineering, what kind? Is that fixing hyperdrives? Or making weapons?"

When Mandalore calls a meeting like this, it's for all Clan Leaders and the most senior officers in the fleet.

As to what type of engineering...I fixed -- well, still fix, in my free time -- engines, and when it comes to weapons and the like, I tinker. My current pet project is fixing the flaw in the jetpack design, thereby making it less likely to explode upon activation. It's coming along nicely.

The frightful planet was glimmering in the heat radiating off of the bright planet, as the shockwaved crust of Malachor V frightened all. Admiral Herede ordered the entire Republic Fleet under his command to follow the warship, and now it led them to Malachor, a broken and taboo Mandalorian world, where it screamed with the pain of the Sith during the war of Exar Kun.
"Now I've got you." Admiral Herede whispered, as the ship slowly stopped on the planet's surface. But things seemed to change, as they reached the gravity swerves of the planet, the ships began ramming into each other, causing a magnetic pull.
"Hold steady!" He yelled, as the people could not control the Valor, as it was rammed into by a multitude of escort fighters.
"We head for the planet's surface carefully!" He forced.

When Mandalore calls a meeting like this, it's for all Clan Leaders and the most senior officers in the fleet.

As to what type of engineering...I fixed -- well, still fix, in my free time -- engines, and when it comes to weapons and the like, I tinker. My current pet project is fixing the flaw in the jetpack design, thereby making it less likely to explode upon activation. It's coming along nicely.

Casir laughed.

"Your jetpacks EXPLODE?" He asked, half surprised, quarter concerned, quarter amused.

It only happens about one out of every hundred activations, but I find that an unacceptably high number. Something wrong with the combustive material inside them. I have it figured out, though. I had only barely figured it out when I contacted you.

Casir smiled and nodded.

"Luckily our jetpacks aren't prone to such mishaps." He commented.

Rieade walked down to the shuttle bay and took his, formerly Draxz's, shuttle and flew over to Mandalores flag ship. After he landed, he hurried to the bridge to find Mandalore, and get this meeting over with. He had other buisness to attend to.

To: Admiral Herede
Fr: Shalara Smi-Star

I have taken command of Master Prec's fleet until we can discover what exactly has happened to him. Our doctors and Jedi healers are working on it.

M -- The meeting is scheduled for everyone at 0600, Commander. Do not think that you can --

*Comm officer* Mandalore, Sir! We have just received word that Republic forces are approaching Malachor!

M -- Call everyone here now. The meeting starts as soon as everyone gets here. We have been lenient with these Republic dogs, but an incursion into our space will not be tolerated. Send this message to the Republic Fleet.


Republic Forces, you are ordered to withdraw from Mandalorian space immediately, or you will be destroyed. This is your only warning.
*****************************************************************
Beriza's comm unit went off again, but she had barely activated it when her second in command started speaking.

Captain, Mandalore has called an immediate meeting! Republic troops approach Malachor as we speak.

B -- Right. We'll be there. Captain Fett out.

Casir got the same message.

"Well, we better go. C'mon!"

If Beriza was observing him closely enough, she'd be surprised to find his brother at this very moment leaping over the table, with his right hand planted next to his plate. She'd be even more surprised to find that he did this from a seated position. Landing deftly, Casir didn't wait for his sister, instead, he left the door open, and ran toward the turbolift.

Beriza was out the door right behind him, and headed back to the shuttle bay. With a word, she activated her shuttle, and jumping in, she ran it through the start-up routine. After clearence was gained to leave, she eased the shuttle out, then blazed toward the Ultrinnan.

Casir did the same, and a few seconds after, he found himself out of the dropbay. Hitting the engines, he shot forth toward the Ultrinnan, and overtook his sister.

His comm unit would click.

What, is this a race, brother?

Casir smiled.

Why no, little sister, this is the speed my shuttle averages at. And anyway, I meetings, lets get it over with, shall we?

That's the average attitude. In all likelihood, at least half of the fleet will be sent out. My unit, certainly. In any event, the Ultrinnan is the 2K long ship right in the center of the Maril first. This thing takes its time to warm up, but now that it is, I'll see you there.

She punched a few buttons, sending the little shuttle to its preferred rate of travel, and it sprang forward, quickly getting lost amid the bigger ships.

I told you...I like playing with engines.

Casir smiled.

You're not the only one...

Hitting a glowing red button on the control wheel, the engines glowed an inferno red, and the ship shot forth at twice the speed it should. Around him, the Mandalorian fleet shot past, and Beriza came into view. Increasing the acceleration a little more, Casir found himself cruising next to Beriza.

Nice try, but you're going to need to warm up quicker.

Pushing the Shuttle to it's maximum, Casir went past Beriza, and after a few seconds, found himself cursing.

Carefully maneuvering and slowing, Casir came to a halt barely a few meters away from the wall. Letting out a sigh of relief, he activated the repulsorlifts, and lowered the Shuttle Ramp.

Beriza's shuttle came to an easy landing, and the Marilian workers were cursing (amongst themselves) about the new hotshot who had almost given them a new window.

B to C -- I wouldn't do that again if I were you. There's a difference between showing off, and blowing up...which is what you would have done if you'd hit that wall. All docking bay walls are two feet of solid titanium. Anyway, this way.

*She begins leading him toward the conference room.*

Casir laughed.

"I wasn't showing off, and anyway, I...fine. Just don't do that again, or I'll tell Mandalore you're encouraging me." He said jokingly.

Casir followed Beriza to the Conference Room.

I don't encourage any sort of foolish behavior. Aside from that...If I really wanted to race, you would have known it. Well, here we are. Looks like we're just waiting on Clan Master Lo'dan.

*Mandalore had brought Rieade with him, and the other Maril captains were filing in.*

Prezak arrived a few minutes later, accompanied by Colonel Volgin and Captain Marius. Looking around, he said,"Sorry I'm slightly later than I planned. My regular shuttle needed further repair, so we had to find a replacement"

OOC: Kaymiril, Malachor V is at the edge of Sith Space, not in Mandalorian Space. The Mandalorians can't abide the planet, it is a hated place that symbolizes their slavery to Exar Kun. They will not go near the planet. Revan used that cultural taboo during this war, that's the whole point.

M -- You're always late, Prezak. Doesn't matter if everything's going as planned, you're always late. I plan for battles with you that way. All joking aside, we have a serious issue.
Republic forces have entered are space, and are closing in on Malachor. While the planet itself is inhospitible, from there, several key planets can be targeted. We cannot let this occur. Captain Fett and Captain Eirven, take Fourth and Second to deal with this. Prezak, I also want one of your divisions to accompany them.
Onto other topics:
This ghost ship that came by earlier...there is something seriously wrong with it, and it has the Republic scared witless. I believe caution is advisable in this situation. Avoid conflict with it unless absolutely necessary.
Reports say that Nar Shadaa has turned to ally with the Republic, Rieade, I want you to deal with that.
Duros is currently vulnerable, Clan Master Fett, I would like you to capture that planet. Prezak, take the rest of your forces and accompany him.
Fifth and Sixth Maril Divisions will remain here, and their ground trops will deal with the Republic forces currently on the moon. In the meanwhile, I will take First back to Mandoloria, and see what I can find on the Zabrak homeworld. Second, meanwhile, you have your orders.
Are there any comments or questions?

OOC: FYI history lovers, it was the Masassi that were enslaved by Exar Kun, not the Mandalorians.

OOC: Kaymiril, Malachor V is at the edge of Sith Space, not in Mandalorian Space. The Mandalorians can't abide the planet, it is a hated place that symbolizes their slavery to Exar Kun. They will not go near the planet. Revan used that cultural taboo during this war, that's the whole point.
OOC: But I still don't want the Republic there. Captain Fett's tough, she'll be able to handle it.

Prezak nodded silently, and motioned to Marius to take the orders down. He decided then and there what he was to do,"Captain Marius will lead the 5th Storm Division to support Captain Eirven, and I place him under his direct command. I will lead the remaining 4 Divisions and accompany the Outher Heaven Clan"

Mandalore nodded.

OOC: Don't presume that I mix up the Mandalorians and the Massassi. The Massassi were Kun's personal slaves, but the Mandalore of that era swore loyalty to Exar Kun, and it caused a Mandalorian Civil War, in which the Sith devastated the Clans. Malachor V was where Mandalore swore loyalty to Exar Kun. Mandalorians wouldn't go near the planet. That was a cultural taboo used by Revan to build the Mass Shadow Generator and then prod the Mandalorians into Malachor V, and then activating the Generator, killing all of the Mandalorians and all of the Republic officers and Jedi that still questioned him/her.
On another note, I'm going to be off the computer for the most part of the next week or so. Please do not do anything drastic during that time. Thank you.

History lovers

OOC: This isn't an exact history. While they may not like it, they are soldiers, this is war, and the Republic is getting far too close. The simplest solution is to not set foot on the planet. Drive the Republic away, then get out. That's all Mandalore wants.

OOC: The beginning of a long post, I believe. Also, I watched clone wars micro series and that gave me the idea of writing Darth Nihilus against a Jedi Master, just for some lightsaber to lightsaber antic battles, you know, the occasional interestingness...

Above the rotten skies of Nar Shadda...

"Damn Republicans!" Xim Despot yelled, as his yacht exploded from another Mandalorian battle charge, the spirit battered Mandalorian veterans vying for shuttle escapes to Dxun, to rejoin with the Mandalorian glories.
"You are of the exchange now!" A mercenary yelled as he fired quickly at incoming Mandalorian ships, their weapons substandard. Although the skill was great, the Mandalorian revolters couldn't hold back against the oncoming assaults. They were getting decimated, mostly because the Exchange had the upper hand in numbers and technology.
Blaster Fire shot everywhere, and the space was wrecked and littered above Nar Shadda, some pieces drifting into the moon's atmosphere. After hours, the battle was won, but without a certain casualty.

Of the thousands of Mandalorians that revolted, a few hundred elite escaped to Dxun.

(OOC: Okay, you guys got a few Mandalorian veterans. I doubt that makes a difference, but hey.)

IC:

Malachor V...

Jedi Master Durrin Fass, an elite Jedi Master who most of his time on Eres before the Mandalorian ravage years ago, was aboard the Valor when the grip of Malachor reached into his soul, the dark side clawing at his heart.

After what seemed like seconds, he now tracked down the deathly Sith Lord that styled himself as Darth Nihilus, and now he faced him off against Nihilus as the rumbling belly of Malachor began to subside for the docking Herede fleet.

Nihilus was a tall, lumbering powerful beast, who drained power from the attacks of the Force Durrin lunged at him, and his lack or corporal form made him almost unaffected by the sheering of the lightsaber. The Jedi Master jumped up and drew out a purple lightsaber in his left hand, and a green one in his right, as he lunged with is left, only to have it blocked sideways.

The Jedi twisted around and stroke down with his right, his robes swiftly moving along, but the Sith Lord grappled his hands, and Durrin flew back, but stopped in midair and threw a massive unearthed rock. It was deflected, and in the smoke Nihilus leapt towards him, but the Sith vanished when Durrin swiped down, to have a red lightsaber blindly strike down, but the Jedi Master lifted sand in a vortex to cover his trail.

Durrin attempted to valorize his strength, but the Sith Lord simply drained it from his hands as he moved, and Durrin slashed left, but the red lightsaber blocked it again. Purple came swooping down, to meet it held by the spare hand, and Durrin's left hand was becoming drained, his numbness settling in. He disciplined himself through the Force, but it made only Nihilus stronger. To reply, Durrin leapt and struck down, and flurried a massive set of blows. Nihilus blocked each perfectly and began draining his life, as the purple string emerged once again.

Two lightsabers were thrown, but Nihilus once blocked it again, and he leapt up into the rock and hissed towards Durrin, but the Jedi Master blocked with both, launching Nihilus into the rock, but it missed the stabbing end. This is once powerful Sith Lord. Greater than Exar Kun himself! Durrin thought, but it wasted the precious protective seconds. Nihilus hallucinated him, and Durrin faced off against multiple Nihilus', but he was mistaken once again. Discipline of a Jedi. He thought. He was wrong, when all the Nihiluses he saw, actually could damage him, and Durrin was executed within seconds, unable to battle multiple Sith Lords with the power of Hunger. There were simply techniques within the Force that there is no defense. Durrin found that out, at the hands of the once Republic soldier, now Sith Lord.

Rieade cursed mentally at being given the job of inteligence. While others got to fight, he got to do recon...He saluted Mandalore and hurried back to the shuttlebay.

Clan Master Lo'dan hurried up to Rieade as the clans left the meeting. He put his hand on his old friends shoulder,"Don't get angry because of what you are doing. You were always the best at that sort of thing, Mandalore's just playing your strengths."

"Curse this damn weather!" The soldier gleamed when he looked up at the mocking clouds, angry and sudden.
"Think on the bright side;" Another began. "What Mandalorian would come here?"

Clan Master Lo'dan hurried up to Rieade as the clans left the meeting. He put his hand on his old friends shoulder,"Don't get angry because of what you are doing. You were always the best at that sort of thing, Mandalore's just playing your strengths."
Captain Fett walked up to Clan Master Lo'dan with a data padd in her hand.

"Sir, Mandalore asked me to give this to you. He says to decrypt it after you have taken Duros."

Prezak looked at Captain Fett. He always felt intimidated by this woman, but still..."Thank you, Captain. I'll do as he says"

She nods and returns to her own shuttle. Starting it up, she tractor beams Casir's shuttle so that her brother could get out without causing damage, and heads to the leadship of the Fourth Maril Division, to give orders and make preparations to move.

Casir nodded.

"Yes Mandalore, believe me, we cannot fail."

Casir turned to Prezak.

"Well Prezak, we have a planet to take. Get your forces rallied and have them enter formation. We'll be leaving in two hours."

Rieade gave his friend a grim smile and stalked off down the corriders.

"yes, i always was good at intelligence, but i wasnt Draxz's favorite student for no reason," he thought to himself. "Oh well, I suppose theirs nothing I can do about it...just get on and finish quicly..."

The Maril Second and Fourth were ready to go in less than an hour. The Fett's Reprise receives a comm signal from the head of the Maril Fourth.

Hey, just thought I'd say good bye. I'd bring a souvenir back for you...but it's Malachor, what is there to bring?

The comm shuts off, and the fleets moved forward, finally jumping off into hyperspace.

"Set up a defense perimeter around the fleet. God knows what kind of sick beasts roam around this force-forsaken planet." Herede commanded. "Where are the damn Jedi?"

Meanwhile, on Dxun...

"Okay, is the squad ready?" The soldier asked his crew, a motly few thousand men, all cold and shivering, planning carefully for this day. "Remember, take the ruins, knock out the Mandalorian camps around it. And...go!" He yelled, as the blaster fire from his rifle began spurting around violently, supporting his troops, running towards the Mandalorian camps.

After many Dxun months, the Republic troops trapped on Dxun would finally be able to reach it, hopefully, and make contact with Herede.

OOC: You do realize that I have the ground troops from two sections of the Marilian fleet (ie: a small army) on Dxun, hunting?

IC:
Troop Commander Dervon of the Maril Sixth noted the movement first. The vehicles were pulled up, creating a barrier, and the Mandalorian troops fired at the oncoming rebels. A comm was sent to scout camps, and within minutes, more Mandalorian warriors were buzzing in from all sides, attacking the Republic forces.

OOC: You do realize that I have the ground troops from two sections of the Marilian fleet (ie: a small army) on Dxun, hunting?

OOC: Yes. Yes, I do. :D

IC:

"An ambush!" The republic soldiers yelled, as blaster rifle filled the airy jungle fog, as the mandalorians fired at the weakened republic troops.
"Throw the flash grenades!" The soldier yelled to his partners, as the men pull out blinding flash grenades. It might make both sides temporarily blind, but at least they could crawl away while the heavier troops get into place. They were getting slaughtered. They had to do it, or the thermal detonator they were saving for the internal camps.

Casir nodded.

"Yes Mandalore, believe me, we cannot fail."

Casir turned to Prezak.

"Well Prezak, we have a planet to take. Get your forces rallied and have them enter formation. We'll be leaving in two hours."

Prezak nodded mutely, and set off for his own ship. Once he was aboard, he sent Captain Marius to the head of the 3rd Division, instructing them to remain with the Maril fleet until they were ordered otherwise. The remaining two divisions, along with the 5th that was to rendevous with them at the first waypoint, formed up, and sent a comm signal to the Outer Heaven fleet,"We are ready to move when you are"

"Are the ion beams ready?" The technician asked his erstwhile friends, as the men began jumping around everywhere, and the breathing thump of Malachor frightening them all.

"Let us prepare the assault of Onderon, once our reinforcements form Revan and the others have arrived, then, and only then, can we strike with all our might. The last fist of the Republic hammer." Herede thought.

OOC: Alright, this would be like a prelude to the battle of Malachor. Obviously, unless a clan masses up an entire army, the chances of them defeating Herede's entire fleet on Malachor is fairly small, despite all the damage they took during their attempts.

Bump

The fleet prepared to enter hyperspace toward Onderon on Revan's order.

OOC: I'm temporarily handing over my fleet to Revan since I can only be here once in a while.

"Prepare the Assaulters." The technician from Iridonia arrived to send, as the massive Mass Shadow Generator hummed and beamed around, supported by the lumbering engines of the four republic capital ships.

Bumptacious

OOC: well, it seems as if this RP has closed. sorry it couldnt go on longer i suppose. good RPing with you guys.

Yep, Good Job. The end of the Mandalorian Wars. We'll just stick to the formal ending and say bot sides were destroyed, and such. I'll start a sign up for the Jedi Civil War later, when I have the time.

Upon the bridge of his ship; Severino Jeriacor watched in horror at the events of Malachor that now were wrought; the core of the world sundered; and ships plummeted to Earth; he felt the force buckle, tear, a gaping wound in the fabric of it....Something severed there.
He turned, seeing the dark robed figure stride forth to stand with him; gazing out across the ruined world.
"Revan's plan worked well...."
"Chronos; you can't possibly condone-"
"Of course I can, we have victory do we not; this was the sundering of the Mandalorian war effort. Look, how will they recover. Revan, has led us to victory; I can taste it on the air."
"I sense only the dark side here..."
"A willing sacrifice, I'm sure"
"It cannot be so; war makes no one great; here there has been a massacre; Republic troops; jedi; Mandalorians...." Severino paused as he heard his apprentices lightsabre ignite; spinning; his own blade surging to life to parry the blow. "What are you doing!?"
"Ending this, Master; the war has made me stronger; made me more than your apprentice. I am reborn with the insight that Revan saw when he enacted this plan. I will not yield to compromise; the only way we can win this war, is through strength, unyielding strength." He pushed, "You are unfit to command"
The blades met again, clashing as the two Jedi duelled; before Chronos brought the blow through his Master's torso, watched his eyes light up with pain, sadness; and then fall away.
Chronos took his Master's lightsabre and then turned to the bridge, activating the communications. "Lord Revan; this is Chronos De Drakan; Lord of the Jedi Fleet Deliverance...We are ready for your orders"

Can I be a Jedi that retunrs to the Republic after the Mandolarian Wars and have fought at Malachor?

Sure. I'll have a spot open for you.

OOC: As my last post may suggest; I plan on following Malak and Revan ;)

K. I kinda deduced that. ;)

OOC: I'm going to use this thread to expand on one of my chars, b/c she's been bugging me.

IC:

Well, another war over...and one soon enough to begin...

Beriza Fett was sitting in the docking back, working on her shuttle that she finally had a chance to start repairing.

"Okay, give it a little bit of power."

She promptly dropped and rolled backwards as flames shot out.

"DAMN IT, ENSIGN, HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU TO EASE THE POWER UP! YOU CAN RUIN A SHIP THAT'S RUNNING PERFECTLY WITH THOSE SORTS OF STUNTS!"

The flames stop, and an engsign pokes his head out of the shuttle. "I'm sorry, Bri. I can never figure out your controls." He puts up his hands defensively. "I know, I know, I've been working with you since before I could walk...but it's just too...different."

Mandalore sat in the med bay of the Ultrinnan, getting a prosthetic arm. He looked at his old friend Prezak.

"I don't know why the droids insist on this, Prezak. With an arm like this, it is only a matter of days or weeks before I am replaced."

He chuckled.

"Do you remember the wagers we used to make, between us? You were supposed to die first, then Draxz, then me. Looks like we wagered wrong. I owe you what...fifty?"

Prezak smiled,"Seventy five if you include the interest and the changing of odds through the time. And they insist because you can still lead, that's why"

Mandalore shakes his head. "A droid arm is worse than no arm at all for fighting purposes. It can't react as fast, it has no muscle memory. No...promise me to give my successor a hard time until he proves himself, and then give him your full support."

Prezak nodded slightly,"It's such a shame... I'm going to be the last one left, the only one who fought in the civil war."

He turned, and looked out the viewport at the starfield outside,"Do you miss the old days?"

"Often. Days where I actually knew my men...eating cold rations, sleeping in caves, on dirt, in the rain...there were no doubts then...only resolve. But society has room for doubts once it achieves stability."

Stability? You sure you're alright in the head? We're anything but stable

Do you remember how our people were just after the Sith Wars? It was chaos...it was anarchy. Now the clans have some system of government, even if their resolve has been shaken momentarily.

He shrugged,"It is of no great consequence. My fleets are decimated, the Scion clan is lucky to still have a standing force of any kind"

Yes...You and Khiraebanaa were hit the hardest. Maril is beginning to pull back together...and I think even Casir lost a dungeon ship or two. It was a bitterly fought war.

So many dead... still, we took many Republic ships with us. That is how we lost so many, by ramming them as they advanced. The Scion way is costly, to be sure... but we are effective. We may be more so now

"You ram into other ships because you don't listen to me. That was always your way, Prezak. If you met a durocrete wall, you'd rather go through it than over it."

The Best star wars movie is the attack of the clones

Prezak turned on his heel, his face flushed with anger,"We covered your retreat with ships that were barely running as it was, and still we fought. Maybe my way is flawed in certain aspects, but your losses would have been much greater had I not done what I did."

By this time, the prosthetic arm was attatched, and Mandalore stood up to his full height of 5'11". Walking over to Prezak, he punched his old friend across the face with his right arm -- his good arm.

"I told everyone who was able to get out. The many men you lost are a tragedy...but you made that call...not me."

The Mandalorian leader's voice was low and dangerous.

"They would have died anyway. Those ships were damaged beyond repair. Would you rather I told them to stand down so that the Republic could blast them to dust? At least they died as they lived, as followers of Mandalore

"Followers of Mandalore, bah. These men are not nerf to be herded. This war should have ended sooner...now...all that is left is to rebuild."

Which I doubt either of us will live to see the end of

"No, probably not. But we can start it." He looks at the bruise forming on Prezak's face. "That's a lovely shade of green. Almost matches your eyes."

It was the same thing he'd said almost thirty years ago...after they'd first met and fought.

Prezak laughed,"A few minutes in a bacta tank will sort that. I might keep it though. I'm tempted to give you on back, but I know it wouldn't work2

"Indeed. If you ever want to try, though, you know where to find me."

No, I think it can be left where it is

I remember that you almost matched me punch for punch the first time we fought. What happened, Prezak? Get old?

Not old. Just wise. You broke a few ribs the last time, and it hurt like nothing else I've ever encountered since. That was a long time ago now... look at what we've accomplished

More than I thought we could, when we started out...less than we probably could have, from my vantage point now.

Hindsight is a terrible thing, isn't it? You look back on what you've done, and you think,' I could have done that different, and done better'. We did something never attempted before, and we came close to our objective.

If it hadn't been for that damned ghost ship, we would have succeeded in crushing the Republic, as well. They are weak. If we had but a hundred thousand more men, I would take five years to rebuild our forces, and then go after them again...and they would lose.

Don't blame yourself. The Sith had a hand in that ghost ship, and the Sith will always fight the Jedi, and thus the Republic. One day, Mandalore, the Republic will fall... and we will be there to fill the gap

The Sith on that ship killed indiscriminately. We lost more ships to it than to any republic fleet.

It's the Sith, I would expect nothing less

"I am glad it was destroyed though...it seemed hopeless for a few weeks there...on both sides."

Well, we need not fear the Republic trying to gain retribution. The Jedi will insist that they search for the Sith, and they are too weak to mount an offensive

The Republic considers it done and over with. We will not bother with their negotiators and ambassadors attempting to make a treaty...this is done for the moment, but not for always.

Now comes the time to rebuild. I must find a successor before too long, as I lost mine in the war

I have three men who think they are my successor. None of them are truly able. The quarrel among them will bring out my true successor, who will not abide their mindless battling.

Prezak laughed softly,"Classic Mandalore, always playing off people against one another. It's a gift"

"Not to the ones getting played off, Prezak."

He shrugged,"True, but you can't have it all."

No, indeed.

We must decide what is most pressing for rebuilding. The other clans are already in the throes of building new ships, but I lack the resources required. Is there anything you could do?

He nods. "Send plans for your ships to any of our shipyards. For our people as a whole to flourish, all parts must work...and work together."

Yes, that much is true. I'll send the specifications over, along with some of my technicians. There's some things in Scion ships that you will not have seen before, so I will make sure they tell you everything

Mandalore nods, his arms crossing over his chest as he looked out the viewport. "Should I live that long."

You've still got some years left in you, don't write yourself off just yet

"If you insist."

He seems so despondant about this whole buisness. What to say?

"What is the state of your forces?"

We are at roughly half of our previous strength, and are beginning to rebuild.

You seem to be the strongest of the clans then

We were the largest clan to begin with.

Always a useful attribute

Indeed.