I, in no way, hold the rights the Star Wars and or the Universe it surrounds. This story is just a reflection of the characters I create and who just happen to fit into their own little corner in George's wonderful space opera.
I'd like to give thanks to the talented Author Karen Traviss, who inspired this story, with her books, Hard Contact and Triple Zero.
Thank you for giving my little fiction a chance, while not finished I hope to be working on this story to the most of my abilities, if there are terms and or Star Wars references you are unclear of, check out the glossary at the bottom of each chapter. The Star Wars Wiki is also quite useful.
5 is on the way
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CHAPTER 4
Calaron Sector (Kessel Sector), Dark side of the Garrison Moon
Mission clock: Day 2, 6:40, 42 BBY
Cyare bounded off down the exiting ramp and towards the small welcoming party that had gathered at the mouth of the hidden cave entrance. Though the heavily modified S40K Phoenix Hawk-class craft had not yet landed completely, it was obvious the animal was excited to be "home". Though, this home was actually quite surprising indeed, the meidium sized Mandalorian clan had held up here for some time, 7 years to be exact, which was unusual for a nomadic peoples. Their hide out on the dark side of the lightly moon served as a great defence and an even better place to disapear.
Hoda emerged next, carrying off a rather large and awkward shaped box, he grunted, fumbled for the thing and almost nearly dropped it, if it wasn't for a pair of extra hands, he would've.
"Hod'ika," the man in a forest green jumpsuit began. "I'd almost think your losing your edge! This thing isn't that heavy."
The man laughed and hefted the box away from Hoda, who in turn slid his helmet off, they both shared the same smile, even if the much taller and paler man looked as his complete opposite. Brothers.
The slight whine of the Firespray mocking ship's engines finally powered down as Lizean stepped off the medium sized fighter's deck. She carried a large weapon case and appeared to be staring deeply into a palm sized datapad when she was stopped at the foot of the ramp. She would've nearly walked into the man if it hadn't been for his bright white armor sticking out like a soar thumb in the pale light. "I take it from your bounty report that all things went well…" He dragged the last word out and eyed the case.
She nodded and spun the loot to her front, an eager smile eased onto her lips. "See for yourself if you wish."
Bryen plucked the gun from her grasp and eased the clasping open. The dull matte silver finish reflected beautifully against the pitch-black foam that held it in place. "And how did you manage to steal away this beauty?"
The dismantled prototype DB-19 stealth carbine was really a spectacle. Because of it's special mixes of Tibanna gases the bolt was completely naked to the eye and because of the specialized system of sound suppression, the only thing that might alert the target would be the clicking of the trigger.
Lizean opened her mouth to start talking but haulted, some out landish story wouldn't fool him, "We made a little extra on the job and decided to treat ourselves."
"Hmmph." His grandfatherly smile held and he nodded, "you two deserve it."
He began walking and snapped the case shut, she followed.
"I know it's been a hard year. With the loss of so many and the damage we suffered to our little fleet." He sighed and handed the gun back to her. "We all have to pitch in to benefit the rest of the clan. Shame though. With my bad back, I'm letting you kids have all the fun."
They paused and he clasped her frim on the shoulder, "Vor'e, my dear."
He then turned a corner and disapeared into a corridor. She wondered if he know how much his approval meant to her.
Along with her DB-19 she had picked up a pair of smaller pistols and that short double ended vibroblade. They had already found their respectable places amonst the many pouches, compartments and holsers that lined her equiment and form. She was passed by another friend and exchanged a smiple hello before she turned, with casing slung to her back and began walking back towards the docking bay.
Their living quaters actually lined the inside of the docking bay, while perhaps not being the most comfrotable, was defiently the most confienante in case of an attack or an emergancy, closest to the ships. When Lizean arived, she wasn't shocked to see the door in it's usual fashion, pried about a foot open, Cyare had made this a habit of hers since she was a kitten. She could hear a vicious series of slurping and growling through the crack, as she pulled the rest of the door open, it closed behind her with a thump.
Her miniature Nexu leaned over a bowl in the far corner of the room lapping away at whatever meal some one had left for her there. Adian was the only one of her three roommates present in the considerably small room, containing four bunks, a refresher and a worktable. He was out cold on the furthest bunk away from her, he had recently gotten home from a successful mission two days ago, and she wondered why he'd still be so idle. It wasn't like him.
She painstakingly removed the many tools and accessories from her armor and eventually slid that off too. It always felt odd being out of it, like a subconscious nakedness. Her skin pricked and a shiver ran down her spine, the actual temperature of the caverns was colder then usual today. She complied her things neatly into her bunker and sat down, the trip home was more exhausting then she thought because it wasn't a minute later that she fell into a deep sleep.
Bright images floated into her consciousness. She was back on the rainforest lush planet Phindar, the planet governed by the twisted Syndicate. Her clan had taken rest there when she was young, her preteens. So close to Mandalor, but so far away from the true objective that every Mandalorian sought, to regain their true lost home. Images flashed by, of her mother, of her training there, of the strange gangly indigenous peoples. The Phindar system lay many light years away, across the outer rim to be exact.
Her awareness of the images repeated like a ghostly holo and then beaded away like a liquid in zero-g. The deepness of the dark became shallower and light pierced the thin layer of skin that protected her pupils. She sat up right, palms kneading her eyes softly and swung her legs over the bottom bunk, Adian stirred also across the room.
To Lizean's surprise, Fayre leaned above her with a stern grimace, which was surprising for the young woman's usually warm spirit. She had not often seen her sister at heart the past few years after all. Her warn features only helped support she now faced the simplicities of a somewhat day-to-day life. Marriage and baring children was the last thing on her mind. But who knew that following her heart would give way to two baby boys?
She some what loathed the role as a mother and that was something Lizean felt she could sympathize towards. She knew her friend wanted back the life of a Mercenary. She loved her children dearly, yes, she was bound to them now, but it was choking her. She yearned to be free of all ties again.
Fayre nodded to Lizean slowly her voice reeked of urgency, "suit up. I'll be waiting on board the Phoenix."
She wasted no time in turning back around and storming out. Lizean didn't question the request, but she was curious, Fayre wouldn't have come in and barked at her if it wasn't urgent. Lizean also took note that she was suited up in her dusty brown and black armor, minus the helmet, hair brilliant red in a tight system of knots. She was ready for whatever mission she had her attention on and her resolve wasn't the least bit benign.
The room was quiet for a moment; the bright overhead lights had been flicked on, drowning out the dim blue that the holo readout to her left had supplied earlier. These rooms were here for the bachelors and bachelorettes, the ones with out children and a spouse.
Lizean pushed the pile of flesh and fur that had curled upon her lap to the floor and reached for the sealed bunker. The Nexu watched intently and her tail began to twitch, jaws clamped and she paced in a circle as Lizean dressed. Cyare knew there was a job to do. Adian had been half way through with his garb before Lizean had gotten the chance to stretch her legs, he grumbled some as he slide on his armor. The buff man was the first most and best melee combatant she had ever known.
He slid his dust white gauntlets on and extended the duel vibroblades for a quick instant. Cyare froze and stared at them, her eyes fixated like a Rylothean fire moth to a flame. Lizean spoke a soft "Udesii." Calm yourself, and the feline snorted then walked for the door to sit by it impatiently. No more then two standard minutes passed by before she was ready, she noted Adian had pulled his tattered kama on and sat down. Inspired she figured she'd follow suit. Pulling her cape from the storage, she hooked it to her shoulders; the cape was shaped much like an upside down U. The long strands of fabric always came in handy if a serious injury was in need of bounding.
She wanted to ask him why he was acting so sluggish, but thought better of it. Outside she could see a hundred meters off that a small group was helping lug items into the sleek Hawk-Class craft. Fayre, Hoda, his brother Ryahan, in forest green and a blued clad Raff awaited her, Cyare trotted to her side and Adian finally emerged. A team of 6? She had never once worked with this large of a company in her life and she wondered for what reason such a large group was needed for.
Lizean slid her helmet onto her temples and tugged at the two bandoliers and her shiny new DB to her shoulders tightly. Adian passed her with his long strides, his armor, save for a portion of the helmet, gauntlets and codpiece where a shiny polished silver; he was a man for the frontline, the assortment of blades and the lacking blasters, proved this.
The semi-circle of Mandos opened for the two newcomers and Fayre nodded to them both. She was the one to go to for special opt and information gathering so naturally she let them in on what the rush was about. Lizean was confused at the fact that Bryen was absent.
"We have an emergency. A two person team was sent to the Anthos Sector to gather intellegance on a possible known conctact that may have leaked the location of this Moon to some rather unfavorable guests." She hardened her tone, "We will not tolerate hostage situations. Our goal is to send those damned di'kut into orbit and bring our siblings home."
Straight to the point, Hoda mused.
"Right," Lizean mouthed inside of her helmet, she had a bad feeling about this. So did everyone else. Final preparations were taken and they filed onto the craft. They had supplies for a good two standard weeks, Fayre, at their briefing, mentioned she'd be disappointed if it took them more then one. The trip to the system would take a little over 4 hours, perfect time for preparations.
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Chap 4
42 BBY: Star Wars Cronology, 10 years before the battle of Naboo
S40K Phoenix Hawk-class star fighter: The aunt of the famous Firespray line of star ships (mad popular by boba fett)
Tibanna gases: Rare gasses, reviered for their clean buring ablility and the special qualities they form in blaster bullets
Vor'e: Mando for "Thanks"
Mandalor: Home planet to the Mandalorians
Di'kut: Moron, Useless, Insult