Log:Mandalore: Future Talks

Mandalore: Future Talks

OOC Date: October 28, 2021
Location: Mandalore Sector - The Reckoning
Participants: Valeska Jaivon, Boba Fett and Hadrix Kora Clan Kora

The ships in this cavern of a docking bay are impressive. The famed Slave I, Dengar's Punishing One, Montross's Hell's Anvil, Bossk's Hound's Tooth, the list goes on. The Woor'tra is far from intimidating looking, unless you account for the repair patches on the hull giving it a 'winter camo' sort of splotchings of grays and whites intermingling on the massive engined blockade runner that is still ticking and creaking with the change of temperature on the hull.

Landing ramp down with the figure of Hadrix Kora descending with his usual droid pairing - the antique B1 and the more modern ID10 on his five and six positions. Fully armored and carrying the chunky shapes of databank drives in one hand, fingers looped through carry handles.

<<"Be respectful, Val'ika.">> speaking on private comms at first, <<"Bullet is more than he seems, there's a reason he runs the guild.">> stopping at the foot of the ramp, visor turning to see if there's a welcoming party, pointed blasters or other fun surprises for this trip.

The names of the various ships in the docking bay are lost on Valeska, but the "Reckoning" itself she has heard mention of quite a few times. Many of the missions she's been on with the Kora have been 'for the Reckoning' or this mysterious 'Bullet'. But that is how legends are made and by the time she is exiting the Woor'tra with Hadrix, Valeska is filled with more than an appropriate amount of dread.

A much smaller Mandalorian walks alongside the Kora Al'Verde; Journeyman armour painted predominantly red and a noticeable limp with each rolled step on her left side. She could say something quippy about always being respectful -- nevermind nearly getting into a bar fight with a Shistavanen one time over a thrown condiment bottle -- but the shellshock of the recent Mandalore mission coupled with the weight of where they are gets the fiery merc to take the advice to heart. <<"Understood.">>

Anyone who lands on the Reckoning has to present the right codes to the right people. This ship did that. The Journeyman fighters outside escorted it in and then broke off back to their flight pattern.

Once inside the group that disembarks the ship are met by a contingent of four IG-Droids from the BHG, which can be denoted on the markings on their torso plating. The tall spindly droids march on the deck of the expansive hangar and stop as they reach the pair.

One of the droids speaks up in a harsh metallic tone. "Business here?" It asks of both of them.

<"Aye, specific to Mr. Bullet."> the left hand holding the drive blocks shifting slightly, a miniscule raising before they tuck back close to the big man's side again. The center of Hadrix's t-visor sweeping slowly to one side, then the next, keeping the droids in view while his stance slips to something like 'rest'.

Hands not moving but feet shifting to part to shoulder width and coming to rest again as he starts to speak again, <"I'm part of the crew that has been bringing duranium plating and turbolaser components - I have something new to bring - assuming Mr. Bullet isn't traipsing off somewhere vaporizing a particular bounty."> a slight jerk of his head towards Valeska, <"She helped retrieve it - thought she'd like to meet the man himself.">

With the approach of the droids, Valeska takes a slight step back to keep just behind and to the side of Hadrix, letting him do the talking. She has some weaponry on her; just a DL pistol in full view on her hip and a vibrodagger tucked on her belt at the small of her back. She is concentrating incredibly hard on making sure she doesn't make any movement that could be mistaken as her reaching for either of them. Arms hanging at her side, Valeska is pretending that she has suffered a terrible injury that has rendered them both paralyzed. Which isn't too difficult considering the right one still hurts like nobody's business from the slug that was dug out of it only a few days ago. Or was it yesterday? Hard to recall.

Valeska offers a slight but wordless nod of affirmation as Hadrix references her. Let us not accidentally trigger the kill droids.

The droids fall silent as they stand there staring at the both of them. They seem like they might not even be functioning anymore until finally one of them speaks again in a tinny voice. "Mister Bullet is there." The droid says as its left hand snaps up violently fast like it was spring loaded and reverse chopping something in to halves. Instead. It just points behind and beside the two.

To the Firespray-pursuit Special.

At the foot of the weathered green and red ship a armored man stands now, where the ramp had not been extended before it is now. He is in similar armor to Val's own, his done in colors mirroring his ship, in hue and condition of being equaly weathered. He walks toward them both, an EE-3 rifle held in his right hand, but aimed down at the deck as he moves. Once close enough he pauses, and his black mirror visor stares at them both. LIke the droids, it takes him a moment to linger before he speaks.

"Welcome to the Reckoning." His icy voice says through the helmet.

Turning to the approach, nodding to Gor, <"Been a while since I was here, last time I recall more shooting and fewer IG units."> again the drive cores are lifted and Hadrix's head tilts towards Gripper who floats into place, but does nothing more for the moment,

<"This ship is ancient tech, but it has a lot of room for... modification; we found part of the Mandalmotors archives down there that you might be able to appreciate and put to better use than a lot of Concord Dawn's tendency to wait, wait some more and then wait again."> cores up, moved in his grip that Gor could quite easily take them if he were inclined.

<"Specifically, when we were sure it was Keldabe we found, I was looking for this. I thought the Reckoning's name could be made more apt with the old Mandalmotors plans for a cruiser sized Mass-Driver cannon."> Gripper's holo-projector engaging while Hadrix speaks, showing at first the wireframes for the old Keldabe class cruiser, being stripped away until the primary weapon that ran down the midline of the ship was all that there is, several cut-aways broadcasted and rotating.

She flinches. She can't help it. The droid's sudden movement makes her blood pressure drop; her body feeling immediately cold for a split second before heat rushes back in to fill the void. One can almost see the T-visor blinking as she processes that the droid is pointing a long, robot finger and not a gun.

A slow-turn joins Hadrix's and Valeska takes in the visage that is, apparently, Mr. Bullet. Introductions are left to the wayside which is all well and good for her. She's notoriously bad at them. Instead, Valeska offers a dip of her helmet and a respectful keeping-her-mouth-shut.

Hadrix's explanation pulls her attention; perhaps only just now realize the full scope of that mission and the information they had managed to attain. Curious as ever, Valeska is watching the older Mandalorian. Expressions are kept at zero in their line of work, but body language could still reveal thoughts that words do not.

Gor reaches his black leather clad left hand up to take the offered object. He looks down upon it for a moment until the holo image comes up which averts his stare on to it, the glow of the image dimly reflecting off of his armor and visor. He waits a moment before he looks up at the two of them both in turn before settling his stare on to Hadrix. "Repairs have been extnsive." He starts. "They're coming along though... But before we make new additions to the superstructure we have to make sure what is already here is functioning properly..." The object that Hadrix passed over though gets a little bobble in Gor's gloved hand. "This is good work though." He grimly admits through the helmet. "Mandalore's enemies are not just within the gravity of its system star... Far from it in fact... They extend deep in to the Core. Especially once this system's heart is burning again. The fires of a active forge always call the dogs of war."

Gor shifts his attention to one of the four IG-Droids. "Get them updated listings on what we need here." The droid acknowledges and starts to turn, its upper body turning before its lower half does. As the IG-Droid clanks off toward the nearest corridor exit, Gor looks back to Hadrix and Val. "Many clans have been helping with repairs. Others are still not quite... so welcoming. Your continued support will be well rewarded in the near future, I assure you both."

<"The work is rewarding. Building something worth an effort."> Another slow nod, <"And you're right, once they notice things are waking up here, they're going to start looking for clans to fight their wars for them - if history traditionally repeats themselves.">, helmet inclining fractionally towards the hologram display and then the drive cores.

<"Keldabe can be further useful as well, better than the Butte that has been building up - thought to ask if you'd be willing to put the Reckoning into synchronous orbit over it. The expedition work could start working towards making it a focal point. The old capital revived. Symbols and how they inspire with the meanings people give them."> a slight shrug is given, <"Just throwing ideas at the wall - but if you're willing and want to coordinate it'd be appreciated."> the red glow behind the visor's right branch shifting slightly, to the path the leaving IG had taken.

<"Whether you agree or not, I'll be seeing about retrieving more parts and materials to keep repairs moving. I'd like to see this craft up and running at full."> Hadrix's grin in his voice and his head is moving again, taking in the hangar with a slow sweep.

The conversation is like listening to two rancors gnashing on gravel; voices with a grit and texture that rattles the bones. Taking in the back and forth, Valeska is looking around the cavern of a hangar imagining a huge gun being built into this already massive ship and pondering its effectiveness against the ancient enemies of Mandalore showing up for round two. Or is it three? Four?

<"The tower itself was incredibly preserved,"> Valeska chimes in; a much softer tone to the two rolling boulders that have been echoing in the space. <"Dust but no sand. Untouched by the razing Keldabe suffered. Tech might even be salvageable and made functional if the scrapped don't rip up too much of it. And the tavern's kitchen made an excellent field surgical room."> A cant of her head towards Hadrix though her visor remains on Gor. <"Nothing says screw you to one's enemies than retaking a capitol and raising the banners, yeah?"> A one-shouldered shrug. <"Aside from just slagging them outright, I mean.">

The data cores are slipped in to a leather pouch on Gor's belt. He then lightly shakes his helmet. "We are not yet ready to be close to Mandalore. We're too big of a target. There are stolen ships down there, armed with bombs. Armed with weapons of power that could dent us if we got too close and were not up to snuff yet in taking them out of the sky... Soon though." He nods his head once to those last pair of words.

Gor's eyes go then to Val and he stares at her a moment. "Your new to your armor." Gor says to her, apparently taking a guess based on signals he's picked up on. "Lets hope whomever you took it off of stays dead? Be careful out there, because if they're not... they will likely chase you for the rest of their life..." He says this with a almost cold humor touching his synthesized voice.

That IG-droid that marched off is on its way back as two more figures come out of the corridor, a Trandoshan in a yellow flightsuit and a Gand lumbering along while sucking on its filtered amonia mask.... They draw near and stop moving a few paces away to observe the meeting.

The IG-droid offer Gor the updated listing disc. Gor takes it and flips it over in his left palm before offering it to either Val or Hadrix to take. "Outer hull is coming along nicely. Almost finished. We need to brace the armor though with new modern impact foundation. The big kind. Hard to get. Worlds like Kuat. Fondor... capital ship hubs. This will be a tough get for the quantity we need, let alone shipping it here... Could draw a lot of heat if done poorly."

Reaching for the disc, the data receptacle is considered momentarily. Turned to reflect the light before lifted once more to hand off to the ID10 to slot into her, clicking and humming emitting from her chassis.

<"Sluis is still outside of Republic, Order or whatever this new Empire's influence. Independent. Could be a source for at least one raid."> head ticking to one side and angling as if he were gazing in the direction of the worlds in question, <"Fondor is under the Order's control. Strike them and the Republic may decide to follow-up, thinking we're potentially siding."> chin lowering and the visor to the floor while he calculated, practically clicking and humming like the droid at his side.

<"Fondor was where they built the big Star Destroyers. Those bracings and impact foundations could be there in deconstructed state. Cargo pods waiting to be pushed out and picked up."> nodding to himself, <"Mr. Bullet - it would appear Kora and any clans who decide to join in might make a trip to Fondor... Just may have to be a bit quieter than we usually are, eh"> a rippling liquid chuckle shaking the big man's chest as plans begin to formulate.

<"It's an upgrade from my first set,"> Valeska replies, squaring her shoulders and allowing herself to grin a little within the safety of her helmet. It can be heard quite clearly through the vocoder. <"Assured the one I inherited it from will no longer have a use for it."> With a several meter fall from a star destroyer's command tower, if the stab to the former owner's neck hadn't killed him, the impact onto the sand certainly would have.

The idea of leaving someone behind to survive and exact revenge, though, is given the weight it demands in Valeska's head, sending the man offering the advice speaks from no small amount of experience. She would have to make sure the length of any hunter's 'rest of their life' is abruptly cut short. Or just leave no survivors.

Easier said than done from the newest of the Mandalorians.

The conversation veers back into the realm of business and plans. Just a might more relaxed than when she first came aboard the Reckoning, Valeska plants her hands on her hips; only a brief glance to the droids to make sure they're not taking that as an aggressive action. <"Going quieter than usual for us is still quite loud, Hadrix. You thinking full infiltration or distraction and pilfer?">

"The First Order is on its way out." Gor replies with a cold sincerity as though he's speaking with inside information on the topic. "They are beaten to their knees, curling their limbs in upon themselves like a dying spider." He nods once then. "If you're targeting something, then aim for their stocks and supplies. This new Sith Empire will only be happy for your efforts."

Another look is sent Val's way. "Well, for your sake, I hope you're right." He tells her of the armor. "It takes quite awhile to exorcise the ghosts from those sets." He adds before his eyes look between the both of them. "If you can hit a First Order installation and acquire some of those foundation supports, it will speed us along quite nicely. So keep me informed, and again... your help is appreciated."

With that said, Gor starts to turn to walk toward where the other two hunters are waiting, the Trandoshan hissing lightly and the Gand taking another puff on his mask before huffing a low rumbling laugh noise.

<"Fondor it is then."> Hadrix confirms, looking then to Valeska to answer her two questions with a single, <"Probably">. Gor's turn, denoting the end of the discussion acknowledged with <"Always a pleasure, on both counts, Mr. Bullet."> the two hunters acknowledged with as polite as his broken voice can manage with, <"Bossk, Zuckus. Good to see you're still alive since Corellia."> ticking to fingers off his helmet from the corner of the visor before he turns next to start towards the ramp of the Woor'tra, the Wind in The Void.

<"This might be the kind of fun we could use after Keldabe."> chuckling and ascending with Clankah and Gripper returning to flank postures with the two mandalorians bracketed between them, a chin toggle switching to clan comms,

<<"Pheegus.">> <<"Commander.">> the Ithorian's translator vocalizer drone, <<"Time to go.">> <<"Acknowledged.">> moments later the engines begin to fire, outsized and maybe even overpowered, creating a raucous din in the hangar bay.

Oh, great. Now she's got that to think about. Holding her arms out in front of her, Valeska inspects her gauntlets then the breastplate; any piece she can see. This suit must certainly have a history. Previous owners prior to her and the Remembracer attacker. Just how old was this armour, anyways? Is it possible it is actually an heirloom; passed down from parent to child and that those of the line are still alive? Would they come looking for her? Chase her from plant to planet? Always nipping at her heels from the shadows? Waiting for their opportunity to take it back by force?

No. That's insane. You'd have to be crazy to do something like that. Right?

<"I'll keep that in mind, Mr. Bullet. Thank you for your time."> She regards the two new arrivals as Hadrix addresses them by name. She doesn't have enough spunk just yet to ask which one is which. And besides, her ride is walking off without her. <"A pleasure,"> is tacked on as natural as you please; as genuine as the vocoder will allow her tone to be.

A bit of a two-finger salute from the brow of her helmet and Valeska turns to follow Hadrix up the ramp of the Woor'tra before she becomes a permanent fixture on the Reckoning.