Tanagis V - Durza home
It was early morning, and the sun was just starting to peek through the trees. Golden rays shone through the windows and splashed light across the worktable. Marin sighed and pushed a few strands of hair out of her face as she bent over the worktable. Her saber lay in front of her, partially disassembled as she worked on the wiring within.
Ethan had been up for a while, decompressing at the range before heading back inside to brew some behot. With two mugs in hand, he set out to find Marin, figuring she'd be up. He honestly wasn't surprised to find her in the workshop, and moved over to set the second mug off to the side of where she was working. "Vaar'tur, lass..."
She looked up at him and smiled. "Vaar'tur ..." She said softly. "Didn't mean to wake you, Et'ika." She sighed then. "You wanted to talk to me about something?"
"I was already up, actually...and aye. That I did." A moment's pause, then... "It has been proposed as an option, and I think it would be a good idea...that you spend some time training with the Marines as part of an exchange program."
That got her attention, and her gaze snapped upwards to meet his. The mere thought of such a thing left a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach that she couldn't identify. She was quiet for a moment as she mulled it over. "Might I ask the reasoning...?" She inquired after a moment. She couldn't think of an instance where such a thing had been done before.
"Well, Mar'ika...learning the tactics associated and how they operate could do you some good. And I can't really effectively teach you myself."
"Why not...?" She asked curiously, turning around for a moment to close up her saber's outer casing. Though, the thought had occurred to her that she might learn more about her father.
At that, he shrugged. "For starters, I'm a bit rusty...and they've no doubt developed a good few new tricks since my time, anyway."
She reached over and gripped his arm firmly. "What else...?"
"Well, Karrde and I thought it might be good for you to spend some time with them, anyway. Besides...it only makes sense, given Jarius' history."
"Aye..." She said softly. And then she grinned. "Aren't you worried they might try to recruit me...?" She asked.
Ethan chuckled a bit at that. "Would it be such a bad thing if they tried, Marin? It would certainly help prove to yourself that you're good enough."
"Ori'haat..." She said after a moment, taking a sip from her mug. "It will certainly be interesting..." She paused. "How long are we talking?"
"Several months, most likely." He replied evenly, not sure what reaction to expect.
Marin frowned slightly. She had a general idea of how long training should take. "And am I going all in?"
At that, he nodded before taking a long pull from his own mug. "Aye...regulation attire, appearance, everything."
She took another sip and took her saber in her free hand. " Am I allowed to bring my jetti'kad?"
"I believe there's a provision for that in the program, aye."
She frowned slightly. "There is? Has such a program been implemented before?*
"Not to my knowledge, nayc...there would have been little purpose."
"How so...?" She inquired softly.
He shrugged again. "To my knowledge, there hasn't been someone with your particular training and skill-set, before."
She nodded, but gave him a bit of a look, as if she were waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"Well, Marin...you've been cooped up here quite a bit recently, think it's time you got out of your comfort zone a bit again and interacted with a new group of people."
She paused then, and eyed him for several seconds over the rim of her mug. "What... exactly are you implying...?" she asked carefully. "I've had several interactions with the Marines over the last several years. Especially concerning Kyr'tsad.."
"I'm implying...that you're letting recent events get to you too much for my liking. And this program would be a good way for you to get a fresh start for the time being."
At that, she sighed. He had a point. She had been beating herself up about the whole situation. Frowning, she took another sip and looked over at him. "Have you spoke to Sharon about my Intelligence duties? I'm assuming they'll be postponed for the duration?"
Ethan nodded at that, his response even. "That I have. Everything is in place for you to do this without conflicts in your duties. But, they will all still be there should you wish to continue upon your return."
Her eyes narrowed slightly then, and she straightened. " 'Should I wish to..' " she murmured before her gaze snapped to his. "You really think they might try to recruit me for real..."
"It's always a possibility. And so, it's best to be prepared should that eventuality occur."
She leaned forward on the stool, propping her elbows on her knees and cupping the mug in her hands as she mulled that over. "The thought had occurred to me, elek. But part of me wonders if it's because of my skill-set, or my family lineage... or both..." She frowned then. She'd not told him yet of meeting the old man.
"If they did try recruiting you, I can assure you it would be based almost entirely on your abilities. You have a well known name, aye, but you don't expect anything because of your lineage. You'd rather earn it through your own merit. That alone should earn you a bit of extra respect."
Nodding, she took a long draw from her mug. "Ethan... I probably should have told you this before. During my travels with Ryneas, I learned a few things, about Jarius... and my family in general.."
At that, an eyebrow rose, but he wasn't going to press the point if she didn't want to volunteer information. "Lek?"
She nodded. "Lek... we had gone searching for the person who may have taught Arianna what she knows. We found him. He taught her mother, as near as we can tell." She sighed. She wasn't quite sure how to tell him. "He told me a story... of how his son had been gone for a long time. And... I didn't realize it until I saw a few things around his home." Her gaze locked to his. "Ethan... that man is my... ba'buir.."
Ethan listened to this in silence, waiting several moments to be sure she was finished before replying. "I see, and what are your thoughts on this?"
She shrugged, clasping her hands firmly around her mug. "It... was... unexpected, certainly. but not unwelcome."
Catain – Marine Recruit Depot
Even given Ethan's assurances, Marin was still nervous. She'd arrived earlier that day, and had begun initial processing. With her, she carried very few personal possessions. Enough to fit into a small satchel. Most notable among them were her lightsaber and Jarius' tags - along with a few other items. She also carried a sealed set of orders, signed by both Master Karrde and Admiral Connors. She knew that anything else would most likely be confiscated until her training cycle was complete.
That being the case, she wasn't entirely sure how this was going to work. She knew regular Marine training could take up to six months. She frowned slightly. And Ethan had said it could be several months, at least. She sighed, and absently brushed a few strands of hair from her face as she made her way towards the intake center.
It was much like she'd expected of such a building: Plain and functional. This was a military installation after all. Squaring her shoulders, she stepped inside. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust. And when they had, she sighed. There was a sizable line. She'd already been issued her uniform and dogtags before coming to Catain. Connors had seen to that. And she hoped it wouldn't cause issue. Shaking her head slightly, she entered the line.
As she did so, the young man in front of her glanced back, taking quick note of her appearance, as well as the name on her tags. While young, he was still several years her senior, and had a solid 4-5 inches on her, as well. Facing forwards again, he spoke up just loud enough for her to hear. "And what exactly is a delicate thing like you doing here, eh? Shouldn't you be home trying on dresses or something?"
Biting the inside of her cheek, Marin took a deep breath. She had to remain calm. She knew not everyone hailed her buir as a hero. After another second or two, she replied. "Really, I was fighting off Death Watch when I was ten..." she said in a very matter of fact tone, her gaze forward, and her voice pitched just loud enough to reach him.
That garnered a derisive snort. "Right, I forgot...you're a Durza. You must think that name makes you so very special and better than the rest of us. I've got news for you, girl...this training isn't for little girls that got in on their dead father's name."
At that, she rolled her eyes. "If you think that's why I'm here... you're wrong." her voice was quiet, and surprisingly even. "I don't expect anything because of who my father was..."
"We'll see about that," the man said as he sneered again, muttering in contempt as he turned around. "High and mighty prissy little girl."
Again, Marin bit her cheek, reminding herself to breath. This time, she said nothing. responding to him only seemed to make it worse. Again, the line moved forward, and she focused on that for the moment, ignoring him.
The silence made him huff and glance back for a moment, then looked to the one in front of him, who had been out of the conversation. "This what we've become now? Daycare for girls?"
At that, Marin fixed her gaze on the wall over his head. She knew what he was trying to do. She could see it in his eyes and sense it in the Force. And she was determined not to fall for it. She also knew, that her temper could, and had gotten the better of her several times. Especially where her family was concerned.
"You want to watch your mouth?" the one in front of him said as he turned around to look at him. "You may not think much of her, but I would bet a gold eagle she could mop the floor with your tail."
"Her?" he said as he gestured back to Marin. "Easiest eagle I ever won."
That caused the corner of her mouth to twitch as she fought a grin. She locked eyes with the other young man and gave him a small nod of thanks. She really didn't want to fight the one who was goading her, but oh was he asking for it...
"We have a problem here?" a Sergeant at the head of the line asked as he looked down the line. Obviously, their voices had carried up to the head of the line and had gotten his attention.
Marin's eyes widened slightly at that, and she shook her head as she straightened. "No, sir. Not from me." She was trying hard not to haul off and punch the young man in front of her in the nose, and she knew the Sergeant could probably read it in her body language.
"And you, recruit?" he asked as he glared at the younger man. Marin could see in the look that the Sergeant knew exactly who had started this.
"I thought I was entering an elite fighting force," the younger man said as he had straightened up at the look. "Not a boarding school for girls who need to be tending things at home and not getting into things they shouldn't be handling."
Marin gritted her teeth against a scathing retort. "And you would know exactly what about that...?" she snapped, pinning him with a glare. "You think you know who I am... and who my family is. You are wrong."
"Sergeant Colins," another Marine, this one with the rank insignia of a captain, called out as he walked up to the line and looked over. "We have an issue here?"
"Nothing I don't think we can't work out, Captain Ittei," the sergeant said as he looked to the officer and then back towards Marin and the young man. "Rather, nothing I don't think a matchup can't resolve. What say you, recruits?"
She took a deep breath and nodded, resisting the urge to reach for Jarius' tags. As much as she found it comforting, she felt such an action wouldn't help the situation at the moment. "I.. think, that is acceptable, Sir." she said after a moment, though her gaze lingered on the one he'd addressed as Captain Ittei for a second or two.
The Sergeant motioned the two forward and had the rest move away and then nodded to the two of them. "Anytime."
The boy, feeling glad for the chance, popped his knuckles real quick then moved in quick, arm raised back to the side of his head to throw the first punch.
Marin sighed, and rolled her shoulders for a second or two as she studied her opponent's footwork. She thought a moment and tossed her satchel to the boy who had defended her. With her hands free, she spread her feet and left her hands by her sides for the moment. A deep breath and she opened herself to the Force. Just enough to anticipate his moves.
Not that she couldn't read them. He telegraphed horribly, and she found herself wondering if he'd had any kind of martial training. It didn't appear so. She continued to watch him, breathing slowly as he barreled in. When he struck forward, Marin simply sidestepped calmly. She knew that would anger him.
He stumbled after his blow missed and quickly turned to face her again, inching forward as he raised his hands in a stance and then threw a jab in her direction.
Marin continued to keep her breathing slow and even, as she could feel anger trying to creep in. Sure, she had a right to be angry, but she knew from experience that it only distracted her focus. She sidestepped again and grabbed his wrist, twisting his arm slightly before shoving him away.
He cried out at the twist and stumbled backwards this time as he regained his footing from the shove. He grumbled under his breath as he rubbed his wrist for a moment then tried to change his tactics. Feinting to the left, he tried again for a right blow to catch her in the belly, keeping his left ready for a blow to her head if he connected.
Marin sighed, and sidestepped, grabbing his right wrist and pulling firmly. This would cause him to stumble past her. As he did so, she blocked his other hand before moving to sweep his legs from under him.
At that, she rolled her eyes. "Come on, shabuir..." she muttered. "Surely you can do better than that...or are you in shock over a girl kicking your shebs..." she hadn't realized she'd slipped into Mando'a.
He got up slowly, glaring angrily at her and muttering, "What did you just call me?"
At that, her lips twitched. "It means 'Jerk' she clarified, her gaze sliding towards Captain Ittei for a moment before she moved in, circling him for a moment before ducking around him and driving an elbow towards his kidneys.
She watched as he stumbled from the blow, and just shook her head. She wasn't really proud of what she was about to do, but her family's honor was on the line. Closing her eyes briefly, and breathing some words in Mando'a, she gripped his shoulder and took his feet from under him again. This allowed her to snake her left arm across his throat as he slid to his knees. When he had, she began applying slight but firm pressure, slowly cutting off his air.
He struggled against it, hands trying to reach around behind him to get a hold of her. But he couldn't grab her, and resorted to trying to pry her arm loose around his neck. Even then, he was failing, for Marin's arm was almost like a vise, holding him in place. Within a few moments, his eyes started to roll back and he slipped into unconsciousness.
The sergeant, watching all of this, walked over and rested a hand on her shoulder. "That's enough, recruit. Any longer, and it becomes something else."
With a sigh and a shake of her head, Marin let go and pushed to her feet. "Yes, Sir." she said softly. "I had no intention of going that far." She sighed again and whispered something under her breath in Mando'a.
The Sergeant looked up at Ittei and had gotten a nod from the officer before he called two other enlisted men over. "Carry him to the med building, make sure he's okay when he wakes up. Then send him on the first shuttle out of here."
That got Marin's attention, and she frowned. "You're sending him home." She couldn't say she was terribly surprised. He reminded her far too much of the stories Jarius and Ethan had told her about J'oran. 'But would that stop him from behavior like that?' she doubted it.
"He might get another chance, but it won't be in my training unit," Ittei said as he looked at the young man get carried away. "I won't abide anyone that has issues with his teammates. If he can't work and train alongside them without causing trouble, how is it going to be in a combat situation?"
She nodded at that, knowing all too well what might happen. And she was sure he did too. "I understand," she said softly, yet firmly as she turned to the young man who had defended her to reclaim her satchel.
"Let get back to this," Ittei commented as he nodded to the other personnel there. "Get these recruits checked in, briefing in ten minutes."
Marin blinked then, but nodded, accepting her satchel back before she moved back to the line. It seemed that everyone had relaxed a bit. And the line moved faster too. It wasn't quite five minutes later that she'd made it through the line. When asked to fill out the standard paperwork, Marin just shrugged and informed the officer that she had done so. She then presented her sealed orders, signed by Steffan Karrde and the appropriate Cataani officers.
The sergeant, who had overseen the processing, looked over the orders, looked at her, then read the orders again. He nodded softly at this and motioned for the captain to come over. Ittei walked over and looked over the order sheet that the sergeant handed him. Like the NCO, he read it over a few times and looked at her. "Everything else check?" he asked Colins.
"Aye sir," the NCO said as he looked at her.
Marin stood and waited while they looked over her orders. They were genuine. However, the situation was anything but normal. She looked at the Sergeant for a moment before her gaze went to Ittei. "Sir...? Is there a problem...?" she asked softly.
"No," Ittei said as he looked over her orders again. "I know some of your reputation, Recruit Durza, but I'm still curious as to why you're here."
She gave him a somewhat curious look at that, and then a slight smile. "I could explain if you wish, but I don't feel it's something to be discussed here." She shrugged slightly and absently brushed a few strands of hair from her face. Her normally long hair had been cut, but was still long enough to put up in a manner acceptable to being in uniform.
"Another time," Ittei said as he handed her the orders and gestured towards a set of doors. "Briefing room is in there. We'll assemble in five minutes."
