Road to Glory

[Dutch]

The Silk Specter glided soundlessly through space. The navcomp was set for their destination, and they would arrive at the asteroid belt soon. The ship's owner stood in the meeting room, blue eyes staring down the holotable at the center. A section of the belt was highlighted and zoomed into, a derelict dreadnought floated lazily next to it. Par'jila- Mandalorian for victory- had been lost for near fifty years now, originally planned to spearhead their attack on the core years ago. That was until a Republic spy derailed the ship, and stranded it out in the reaches of space. Luckily one of Mandalore's own spies had relocated the craft. Only hitch was Raol Vain and his band of raiders that had found it before the Mandalorians. The dossier she had collected on the man had earned a healthy hatred from the woman. Removing his stain from the galaxy would do many a favor.

It wouldn't be long now, and Mandalore lifted her helm from the table to pull it on. The seals hissed, and the HUD lit up. Now a faceless figure in gleaming silver and white. All four hands moved over her belt, triple checking to make sure all her weapons were there. Blasters, knives, and batons. A few buttons and switches were toggled on her gauntlet, each bringing up a new reading onto her HUD. The ship's systems were optimal, her suit's hardcomp was pristine, and from her self-monitoring algorithm, her own vitals were good.

Once assured that she was ready, it was time to rally her team. Each had been picked by hand. Shannon Bralor, as the Mandalorian Fleet Commander would be needed to approve of the ship's condition. Not to mention her specialty in naval boarding party procedures would prove priceless against the unorganized pirates. Ari Weyland, the personal quartermaster for Mandalore's special operations would be needed to get Par'jila's weapons operational asap, as well as be on hand for any equipment failures. He wouldn't know it, but it was also a chance for Mandalore to see what the man could do in combat. A true Mandalorian was one who was as skilled at war as their craft. Finally there was Thel Valamdaee, chosen for the most obvious reasons: Shock and Awe. A massive beast of war, the man would be unstoppable in the confines of a ship. Needless to say, Mandalore was quite pleased with her choices. With her lower hands propped against the holotable, a third arm pressed a button on it to open the ship's comm.

"Ma'ade, come to the conference room. It is time."

Her voice crackled through the ship's intercom, metallic sounding through the speakers of both helm and ship. She removed her finger from the comm button, and rested her top hands over her belt. Mandalore would wait for her three companions, her excitement at the pending fight hidden by her helm.

[Jazen]

Within the confines of his room aboard the Silk Specter, Thel carefully oiled the vibroblade in his hands, the small cloth sliding almost gently along the length of the blade. Most weapons would not require such careful attention, but this vibroblade was not most weapons. This sword was special; Thel had earned this blade many years ago, back when home to him was still amongst his people. His species. It had been with him when he'd joined his new family, the Mandalorian culture, followed him into many battles since. It was a part of him now and he cared for it like he cared for himself.

The room in which he resided was small, barely large enough to contain his massive frame and the equipment and armor he'd brought with him for the mission. At first, Thel had considered leaving some of it behind or at the very least, finding another place on the ship for it. In the end, however, he'd found a more apt solution; he simply wore his armor even while he slept. Slightly uncomfortable, true, but Thel was able to ignore the minor discomforts that brought in favor of being able to keep all his gear on hand.

Thel's silent work was soon interrupted by the ship's speakers coming to life, the crackle signalling the incoming words even before they were spoken. It was time, it seemed. Thel had not felt the tell-tale rumbling of a ship slipping from hyperspace but he had a tendency to lose himself when it came to the preparation of his gear. Their arrival had simply slipped past him. An issue that would not arise when the time for action was needed. And that time was drawing very near. Thel's mandibles pulled back slightly, revealing the rows of razor sharp teeth within; it was probably one of the most intimidating smiles people had ever seen. And Thel wasn't even trying to be menacing.

It didn't take him long to gather his equipment; most of it was already on his body. His blaster, a rifle and two shorter vibroblades were quickly locked to his person, his true sword quick to follow as it shifted to its standby mode. Thel almost bounced at the thought of it tasting the blood of enemies in the near future. When all the little gadgets he might need were added to his person, Thel reached over to the small table where his helmet rested. Like all Mando's, his armor was made for him and him alone; his helmet reflected this while retaining the true Mando heritage. Staring at himself in the T-shaped visor for a moment, Thel snorted and turned to the door, which slid open without a sound as he passed by it.

His footsteps echoed down the ship as he found his way to the meeting room, his presence only slightly announced by the way he had to duck through the doorway to enter. Once inside, however, he pulled himself to stand at his full height, taking a spot across from the singular person who awaited him there. The Mandalore; the latest to hold that role after the last one had to "give" up his title.

Thel knew little enough about this new Mandalore, other then the fact that she was a woman. That and the fact that she had earned her new-found title as leader of their culture. That spoke volumes in its own. Clacking his teeth together slightly, he bowed his head in regards to her, the rest of his body unmoving as his neck did all the work to move his head. "Mandalore. Valamdaee, at your service. We have arrived then?"

[Meira]

"You mean to tell me that it was this little thing? That's it?"

"Yessir."

"But it's pristine! No dirt or grease or nothing on it."

"Look closer. You see there? It's chipped."

"Well I'll be... I thought I had sharp eyes."

Ari shrugged his shoulders and leaned back in the chair. The man across from him, who was now currently cross eyed as he examined a pressure valve from his weapon, was apparently named Frank, but everyone called him Sarge. Ari had met him not long before leaving for the mission, and the two had talked shop the whole ride out. Sarge was a lover of weaponry, though also a self professed layman when it came to technicalities. So when he came to Ari with a rifle he'd apparently been having trouble with, Ari was more than happy to help.

Standing, Ari turned to a number of containers that lined the large weapons table behind him. It only took a few moments of rummaging for him to find Sarge a replacement. "Be gentle when you're disassembling the rifle, Sarge. If you gotta force it, you're doing it wrong." he said, handing over the part. Sarge touched it to his forehead by way of thanks as a voice came over the comm system.

"That'd be you, Weyland." Sarge said, his focus back on reassembling his rifle.

"I reckon so." Ari said, half to himself as he collected his helmet from the workbench and tucking it under his arm. Soon to follow was his side arm, holstered securely, and his blaster rifle which he slung over his shoulder and allowed to hang at his side.

When he'd been brought on with the Spec Ops team, it had been to maintain Mandalore's armor. The suit was intricate and vital to the man's life, and was a full time job in its own right. Because of this, and the nature of his skills in general, Ari had never really been taken into combat. He'd been part of some campaigns, but his contributions had always largely been in the before and after stages of a battle. Prep and repair, this was his world.

Now they had a new Mandalore, one who didn't need someone dedicated to her armor and on hand at all times. Ari half expected to be transferred back to Concord Dawn. Instead, he found himself tapped for a quintessential Spec Ops mission. Why he'd been picked, Ari couldn't say. But he'd be lying if he said he hadn't gotten just a touch excited at the prospect. Being part of a boarding party, fighting pirates, it all somewhat reminded him of his time with The Brokers. And that, in turn, reminded him of Ereik and Brinn. Ari wondered when the sting of that loss would fade away.

For the time being, he shook the thought from his mind as he entered the conference room. Already there, Mandalore stood waiting. Across from her, the giant form could only belong to Valamdaee. Ari hadn't met him, but one didn't have to. He was pretty sure there was only one giant lizard man walking around on the ship. Ari gave a quick salute as he entered and silently took a place at the side of the table, wondering at the differences the armor these two wore compared to the standard layout of his own. He'd have liked to get a hold of their armor and get familiar with the tweaks, but maybe now wasn't the best time. Maybe some other day.

[Apillis]

There was a strong measure of fulfillment to accomplishing missions in the name of Mandalore that Shannon simply never felt during her bounty killer days. For the latter was merely a paycheck to paycheck life-style of preying on the dregs of galactic society. There is no real pride to be found in such work, merely the monotony of wading through the filth of what humans and aliens spawned from their respective cultures. While some Mandalorians may have lowered themselves into finding glory in such work through the primate line of thought being the battles themselves is where honor was to be found. Shannon herself only found emptiness in such work, doing only because it was work--easy work that catered to her skill set that had been taught to her from the day she could walk; and the battles were more often than not--trifles, lowlife criminal scum rarely ever had the training that could compare to that of a Mandalorian to that of her caliber.

Hence why being back amongst her Mandalorian brothers and sisters once again following through an agenda of worth and has true honor attributed to it, Shannon could feel pride in what she did once again--attain glory amongst her people once more. But the vacuum left by her predecessor she could not abide, and while in the eyes of her critics it may have been arrogant for one as young as her to lay claim being Fleet Commander, nevertheless she fought hard for it and wrested control of it. But her reasoning, while ambitious and perhaps self-involved, was that she wanted to make certain that the direction in which the Mandalorian fleet went was in the proper course, and her unyielding confidence in the belief that she knows the course in which for it to be successful, and thus through her the Mandalorian fleet will have a record of continuous prosperity in her hands. To say the least it is the perspective of a megalomaniac, but there it was, an extreme self-absorbed confidence that she knows the way for the Mandalorian fleet... whatever it may be.

How any of that concerns this mission is simple, the derelict ship they are reclaiming is from the Mandalorian past--a fleet of old. And that she views to be in her domain as Fleet Commander, and naturally wishes to oversee its reclamation but more so have a hands on part in it. Besides, there are few among the Mandalorians these days who knows their old naval tech as well as she does. Once again, her view of herself is a certainly an arrogant one, and unwaveringly confident in her abilities--and limitations, and this in her eyes is 'her area'. For one as forceful as she can be, she would be damned if anyone were to try and prevent her involvement. However, given the developing... relationship... that has been budding between she and Mandalore, it seems she has been welcomed to such a mission as she had been chosen for it; or perhaps her being chosen is strictly platonic. Either way, it would be a lie to say Shannon does not find a certain mischievous enjoyment in being at the new Mandalore's side.

In her customized grey Mandalorian battle armor that has been lightened greatly by the removal of several plates and replaced with fiber mesh and armor-weave pieces for a less restrictive armor for when piloting. Shannon with a natural dauntless stride, her grey kama lightly flowing behind her, headed for the conference room of Mandalore's vessel. Amongst the soldiery and perhaps a little more so as a bit of s showing for Mandalore's eyes, Shannon carried herself a certain intrepid cavalier air that just seemed to exude from her. Stalwart with an absolutist confidence and self-assured proud bearing.

A faint smile formed on Shannon's soft lips, shot in Mandalore's direction with a pale grey eyed gaze, while she cradled her helm under her left arm. It would be an immense understatement to say that Shannon enjoyed the pulchritudinous Mandalore's company, and all the more fun with subtle gestures of whimsy. Crossing her arms under her chest she awaited Mandalore's lead, while keeping that faint smile of hers.

[Dutch]

Mandalore waited for her team to assemble, not surprised to see the entryway shadowed by the hulking form of Thel. A wry smile would spread unseen within her helm. Sheer size alone made him formidable, and if he could block halls as well as she assumed... there would be a lot of dead pirates soon.

"Mandalore. Valamdaee, at your service. We have arrived then?"

She nodded once to bow in return. Cyar'ika had to stand from leaning to look up at him, well enough to show the much taller Mandalorian respect. "Thel, thank you for coming. We will be at our destination soon."

Her tone was warm, welcoming despite the metallic tinge given by her helm's speaker. One hand lifted to gesture for Thel to move further into the room. Just in time as Weyland entered behind him. Mandalore turned her helm towards him, offering a return salute with one hand while another gestured for him to move to the table as well. Between Thel and Ari, half of Mandalore's team stood well more than a foot taller than her. Where some might see that as making the Codru-Ji feel smaller, it in fact made her feel quite powerful. These were the type of people that rallied behind her, these were the warriors of her kind. Clad in their armor, with faces stern and ready, Mandalore was proud to call them hers.

"Ari, you went over the guard team's equipment yes? No matter what we cannot risk the Specter. I doubt we'll have to retreat, but I'd rather have that option open than not."

Cyar knew her question was moot. That was one of the reasons she had chosen him. She knew that not only was their equipment at optimal condition, but it was likely that while they slept he took liberties to check in on the entire crew's weaponry. The Mandalore still had to discuss possible armor upgrades with the man. But that would have to wait.

And then Shannon strolled in. Head held high with that air of unshaken confidence. It was impossible to not notice the Fleet Commander when she entered a room. Mandalore was quite grateful for her helm at that moment, for a mixture of a grin and a light blush warmed her face. No greeting, not salute. Play it cool Bralor... thought the woman as she tried to regain her composure.

"Bralor. Late as usual."

Mandalore hoped her voice sounded casual yet welcoming. Not slightly anxious and embarrassed. With her entire team assembled, a single hand moved down to the console and thumb the button that closed the conference room door. For a moment she contemplated removing her helm, but chose against it a split second later. Instead she thumbed a couple more keys, and the holotable zoomed more onto Par'jila.

"We've confirmed that Par'jila's weaponry is far from operational. Coupled with it being outdated, we will have no issue boarding. The only thing they have operational at this time, is the life support systems. Full gravity, air, and shielded cargo bay. We should be able to land straight away, and it sounds like the bay will be quite occupied. Until we're through with them." A couple more keys were pressed, this time several new windows popping up to reveal blueprints of the ship. "I have our objectives already chosen. Uploading to your hardsuit computer now."

Another couple keys were pressed, and her team would receive the blueprints with highlighted sections. Plan was simple. Board the ship, disable the life support. Most of the pirates would get spaced, those not in the command/ living space levels. Those would have their own backup power sources. Those would be were the 'worthy' of their enemy would be. Those would be the ones to face the fury of the Mandalorians. Mandalore turned her helm to face each of her team in turn before speaking.

"ETA ten minutes. If anyone has any questions, ask now."

[Jazen]

There are a number of factors that determine how professional an individual, or a group of individuals, is. How they handled themselves and conducted themselves on the field of battle, how preparations for an operation are handled, how negotiations are conducted. Punctuality. Attentiveness to the commands of superior officers. The latter two in his mind were shown in all their glory when, only moments after Thel himself had entered the room, his fellow comrades joined them.

The first of his comrades for this mission was a man Thel knew little enough about, although he knew his name and face. Ari Weyland. As noted, Thel knew little about the man; the little that he did know was that Ari was specialized in the construction and maintenance of a wide variety of armor, weaponry and computer systems. With that in mind, his purpose on this mission likely had to do with handling the Par'jila's delicate old computers and to assess the level of damage to the ship itself, possibly repairing anything that wouldn't require a docking station. Thel's equipment had gone initially to the smaller man, for inspection to ensure that it would not pose to great a harm to their objective...or the ship they were riding on. Thel had not minded...but his sword he'd kept. That was his duty to maintain and not even the Mandalore could make him break that vow.

The other to enter Thel knew slightly better than Ari. It was hard not to, when that person was the current Fleet Commander of their space force. Shannon Bralor. Thel had heard the misgivings among the others, of how someone so young should not be leading an armada meant for war. That job should belong to someone more experienced, someone older...in some cases, some had even suggested that her being female was why she did not deserve the role. Thel, however, was not one of them. This woman, from his understanding, had fought for the position she now held, pushing aside all others. She'd obviously done something right, for the job had been given to her. And she so far had proven she was cut for the job. Woman, man...thing...gender never determined one's position from Thel's experience. The fact that the new Mandalore was a woman was a prime example of that; deeds, not gender, was what would determine how one was acknowledged and remembered.

Thel gave both his comrades a bow of his elongated neck when they arrived, acknowledging their presence before turning his attention back to their leader. The Mandalore greeted both the newcomers in kind, then pressed a few keys on the holotable before her. In seconds, a holographic image of the Par'jila was before them, several locations along her outside being marked in a different color. Weapons, their entry point, location of the bridge and critical systems...moments after this was shown, the schematics were displayed instead. Thel would be reviewing them in greater detail when his helmet was on but for now, he made do with narrowing his serpent-like eyes to take in as much details as he could.

And that was that. They all knew the basics of the plan; now was the time to inquire about loose ends or worries. Thel was the first to speak up. "Do we have enemy numbers, any knowledge of what kind of weapons or hardware we might be encountering? These pirates, as feeble as they are likely to be, have the advantage of being the first to the prize. This means they have had time to prepare for any trouble and with the close quarters of the corridors, could be a serious threat if taken unaware.

I know these questions might be asking much in expecting answers, but any additional intel that I have, the better I can plan for....complications. Oh and before I forget the most important thing..." he said, his jaws forming that terrible smile from before..."any issue to me being first in the door?"

[Meira]

"Checked and rechecked, ma'am." came Ari's response to Mandalore's question. "Everything that passed my bench is in peak condition."

Another being entered the room and Ari offered her a salute as well before returning to his rested position. Soon, Mandalore began the briefing. It was all pretty straight forward, really, but Ari straightened up and focused his eyes keenly as the display marked off their objectives. He now knew he was being brought along to work on the weapons systems. He had some skill with weapon computer systems, though not on quite such a large scale, if he was being honest. But in the end, it was all much the same. And with the ship being older, it was likely the systems were much more simple than the more modern vessels he'd worked on before. One thing was for sure, thought. This Mandalore was certainly testing him. He was going to make sure he didn't disappoint.

Mandalore asked for questions, but Ari shook his head. He knew his role and there wasn't much else to prepare for. Whatever they would face, they'd face it when the time came. Valamdaee voiced his own questions, and Ari stood by for the answers. When he asked about being first through the door, Ari smiled.

"I gathered that'd be the idea." he said with a grin. "I imagine you're a one man shock and awe campaign."

[Apillis]

Shannon had a neutral expression in response to Mandalore's comment, though she was the last one to enter the room, she was not actually late, "Nonsense, Mandalore", Shannon replied nonchalantly, "I arrived precisely when I meant to.", she then smirked a little clearly in jest out of reciprocation to the little jab Mandalore threw at her.

With her helm tucked under her left arm and her fingers threaded under her chest, Shannon stood casually listening to the debriefing by Mandalore. But as she listened several things came to her mind, but the vast majority of which would be answered by boarding the old bird rather than holding things up with questions that cannot yet be answered or determined. But there was a nagging question she had about the old Mandalorian leviathan they seek to recover.

"Mandalorian ships regardless of how derelict can withstand a lot of punishment, it's how we've always made them, so no matter what we do to take it back, there is little concern short of blowing the whole damn thing up", Shannon started off by stating, but it lead to her inquiring, "But... like any Mandalorian vessel true to those who created it--it will have many powerful armaments both outside... and inside. My question is are we certain that they have not managed to get its defense systems and protocols up and running? Otherwise, whether we board or not, this will be a very short mission. But if they haven't--then that's an opportunity for us to shorten the mission to our favor and agenda. A true Mandalorian vessel's security defense systems can prove to be quite brutally... efficient."

Shannon is not quite a straight in-your-face warrior. Oft she relies on her blaster and varying gadgets Mandalorians are notorious and feared for employing in battle. But more than any of that she is a strategist, and therefore immediately seeks the most devastating method as to how to annihilate the opposition with the least amount of resources and confrontation required, so then to better prep for future battles where said resources can be utilized in larger, more important confrontations. And if the security measures of the old Mandalorian leviathan can become operational, they can decimate the pirates quite decisively.

[Dutch]

Mandalore showed no sign of reacting as her team made their voices known. One by one they sounded, Ari being the only one with nothing to ask. Thel and Shannon queried, and Cyar'ika smiled to herself. They were planning, thinking. This would ultimately lead to their victory. Not sheer brute force, not unthinking barbarism. They would wage war, they would conquer, they would take back. Mandalore thumbed a few buttons on the console once more before her steps began to lead her closer to her team. One hand moved to point at the dossiers and statistics that had popped up over the holo-table.

"You all bring up good points. Do not worry ma'ade. I would not have us step onto Par'jila without being fully informed. Raol Vain and his followers certainly will not be pushovers. Luckily for us, their equipment is basic at best. They are raiders and pirates, not the organized and heavily armed Republic. What they lack in weaponry, they make up for in ruthlessness and dishonor. Do not show them a drop of mercy. We will receive none." She turned her helm towards Shannon and nodded once.

"Unless they have dar'manda with them- which my intel suggests they do not- they will not be able to access the majority of Par'jila's network. It only responds to commands given in our tongue. A major advantage for us. However I do want Weyland to check the weaponry systems before any automated defenses are activated. For now, we take them down with our might alone." Her steps took her to stand before all three of her team.

"It was my intent to have Thel enter first." Mandalore reached up to place a hand on Thel's chest plate. "Fight furiously, but more importantly... fight smart. Be mindful of your surroundings." Two more of her hands reached out, one to rest on Ari's arm while the other took Shannon's hand into hers. "That goes for you two as well. Watch each other's back. Four of us will enter the ship, four of us will stand at the bridge at the end. That's an order."

Mandalore let her words sink in before she gave a pat to Ari and Thel, and a squeeze to Shannon. She gestured for them to follow her, and began to make her way to the docking bay. The walk was short, as the blockade runner wasn't the largest of ships. Upon entering she returned the salute given by the team that would stay and guard the Specter. The display of her HUD dinged, nearly at their destination. Mandalore peered back at her team.

"Helms on ma'ade. It is time."

The alarm sounded, and the ship could be felt slowing to a stop. The bay door began to slide open, yellow warning lights flashing as the stars were open to them. Thirty some yards away was the massive Par'jila, her docking bay door open with nothing outside a life support shield to keep air in. Cyar'ika took a couple steps back before she began to run full tilt forwards. Just before reaching the edge of the hatch the jetpack behind her ignited to launch the woman forward, out into space and towards the other docking bay.

[Jazen]

Aside from Thel, only Bralor had questions regarding their current mission. Ari had none, or at least none he thought were worth mentioning. He did, however, have a comment regarding Thel's final request. Turning his head to his smaller comrade, Thel's mandibles clicked together a few times before he drew them into a wicked grin.

"Close, my brother. But its not shock and awe...its shock and terror"

Bralor had a valid injury when she fielded her own concern, Thel twisting his neck to watch her as she spoke. Thel had been serious when voicing his concerns about the enemy having set up traps in key corridors that they would have to utilize to reach the bridge. It should have occurred to him that the enemy might not have to use their own traps to do so. If they had indeed managed, but some miraculous fluke, found a way to use the ships own defenses to their benefit, well...this would be a very short disaster. But if they hadn't and Ari could patch into them...even outnumbered, the odds would be drastically altered in their favor. Well, more so then they were already.

Luckily, their new Mandalore was up to the task of not only answering their questions, but providing them each with exactly the information they needed. For Thel, there were reports of possible enemy numbers, weapons they were likely to have on them, information about the lead pirate Raol Vain and his closest or deadliest comrades. It was exactly the kind of intel Thel could use and wanted. The fact that they weren't a combat trained unit was helpful too; true warriors would stand their ground or think on their feet if the situation became dangerous. These pirates? They would scatter and flee and Thel would be more than happy to reward such actions with a trip to the afterlife.

The knowledge that the enemy would more then likely not be able to access the ship's defenses was also welcome news. Not only did it mean that they would not have to face such a problem, it also meant that they could use the defenses for themselves. Advantage, them.

Thel had to turn his head down to peer at their leader as she put a hand to his breastplate, a sign of respect and caution as she shared what little words she could with each of them. Thel had every intention of fighting with all the brutal force he had to bare as much as his mind; an intelligent creature on the warpath. His eyes did raise slightly when he saw how the Mandalore addressed Bralor...a hand in hand usually signified some greater form of affection, at least in his knowledge of the human species that made up a great deal of the Mandalorian forces. It mattered not...for now. He knew his job; fight, kill, survive, protect.

And that was it. The time for talk was over. One by one they followed their leader out of the briefing room for the short trip to the docking bay. Thel was on her heel, ducking his head slightly to pass through the parts of the corridor that weren't height friendly for him. Thel, for his part, was silent during the journey and the short wait for the order to go. When it came, Thel lifted his helmet and locked it firmly onto his head. His HUD came to life before him, information from the briefing room displaying in various locations for him to skim at his leisure. He drew no blaster yet, no blade, not even his sword. He wouldn't need them...yet.

As soon as the way was clear for him to launch, Thel was gone. The Mandalore had started running as well, but her smaller body could not match Thel's massive strides. Fitting, considering he planned to be the first to land. The pack on his back ignited just as he reached the door, propelling his massive frame into the dark of space. For the next few moments, it was as quiet as death around him, the blackness of space closing around him like a cocoon. Thel used those quiet moments to think, to plan the method behind the madness to come, to prepare the steps that would follow. It felt like an eternity. In reality, it was only a few seconds before Thel's body came crashing through the shield covering the docking bay, his jets firing to slow his descent to something just sort of bone jarring.

He landed with such a boom that it echoed throughout the docking bay, bracing his landing with one of his arms in a three point stance. The group of men he'd aimed himself towards all turned to face the source of that massive sound; their eyes said all Thel needed to know. A fully armored Mando was a terrifying sight to behold. A fully armored Thel was beyond that fear. His size and armor alone would have been enough to put fear into their hearts; his helmet was the nail in the coffin. Tusks to either side and a curving spike atop his head gave a new level of menacing to his appearance. It was just enough to make the men he'd landed before hesitate in the wake of his appearance.

Thel didn't waste it.

Before the first man could even register what was happening, Thel was on him. An armored glove grabbed him firmly around the neck and with a terrible crack, Thel snapped his neck and cast him aside. The next man followed the path of his comrade, as Thel's armored boot smashed him in the chest, sending him crashing over a pile of nearby crates they'd been using to play cards a moment ago. By now, the fellow pirates had finally come to the conclusion that they were under attack and started to react. Thel's sword, his Ra'bratos, sent the first man's head flying, even as blaster bolts from his rifle left smoldering remains where the other two's heads had been.

Return fire came at last, bouncing off the durable beskar armor he wore. Snarling both in joy and animal bloodlust, Thel did a quick turn behind the nearby pile of crates, grabbing the moaning body of the pirate with a crushed chest. Roaring a battle cry, Thel charged forward towards another set of pirates, firing as he used their comrade as a shield. And thus the battle began.

[Meira]

"Close, my brother. But its not shock and awe...its shock and terror"

"I can't imagine why." Ari replied, a wry smile gracing his features.

Mandalore moved around the table then, giving reassurance with words and hands. He nodded his head at her words, even if they weren't really needed in his mind. At the insistence of looking out for one another, Ari's eyes connected with both Valamdaee and Bralor. He gave each a nod before turning back to Mandalore who was issuing the order that they all survive. Well, Ari was never one for disobeying orders.

"You got it, ma'am." he replied as he fell into line to exit the room.

The order to helm up came and Ari lifted his up and settled it onto his head. It clicked into place and he could hear the short hiss as it sealed. In a few moments, his HUD blinked to life and the schematics and information Mandalore had sent uploaded.

Then the bay door lowered and the emptiness of space filled his vision. Well, empty wasn't quite right. There, as if ready to be plucked from the stars, the Par'jila waited for them. Mandalore and Valamdaee began their run toward the door, the larger making his jump first with Mandalore right behind him. Ari turned to Bralor and gestured with his hand toward open maw of the bay doors.

"After you, ma'am!"

Taking up his position, Ari waited for Bralor to get her running start and followed quickly behind. Like the others, Ari activated his jet pack as he exited the ship. "YEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAW!" he cried as they sailed through the silence of space between the ships. At the last moment before entering the Par'jila's docking bay, Ari rotated his body so that he came sailing through in a more upright position, his feet slightly in front of him to brace as he landed.

Already, the firefight had begun. Ari moved quickly to cover as he scanned the area for where his vod had landed. Valandaee was already wreaking havok, so Ari advanced as well, using the giant reptile's distraction to his advantage and moving around to the sides. He fired on a few pirates running for a door and then ducked into cover again, bringing up the ship schematics on his HUD.

"I think I've got the bay control room here to the side, ma'am." he said. "Ready to push forward."

[Apillis]

The sentiment of their gathering before the mission itself took underway brought a smile to Shannon's face, the moment was yet another reminder of why she returned to her people. But the sentiments were over and now was the time for battle--for warfare--against usurping dregs of the void stepping beyond themselves attempting to lay claim they had no right to by decree of the Mando'ade. Putting on her helmet as they approached the ship doors, hooking up her air supply she checked her suits systems and helmet's HUD systems a few times to make certain they were functioning properly.

Shannon smirked a little by Ari's politely allowing her to go ahead of him upon the opens having been slid open. The Fleet Commander sprinted out of the vessel, and pushed her foot off of the door platform lip launching herself into the dead of space before firing her jetback. Traversing the void between their vessel and the derelict Mandalorian ship, Shannon simply stared at it pensively via the HUD of her helm. Both a relic and the very heritage of her people right there before, it never ceased to stagger her just how much they have lost over the ages through constant warring across the galaxy. But to exert their strength through the sheer power of their raids was simply their way, and the loss of such technology might such as the grande vessel before them was the unfortunate loss that at times occurred by fulfilling their cultural practices. But then again, such things can always be built again... or reclaimed--like now.

Yet it was no surprise the moment they boarded there was already a firefight. The over-sized lizard went about his rampage at their assailants, while Mandalore and Ari blasted those who made the mistake finding themselves at the business end of their cross-hairs. But Shannon was in no mood for the finesse of a blaster with the pirate leader's fodder he was tossing at them from the onset, "I'll work a right flank.", Shannon uttered over the quadruples' HUD com channel. Firing her jetpacks burns once again she flew just a couple feet off the vessel's metal floor as she took off to their right. Not even using her eyes to look, but rather just using her peripheral as her helm's HUD targeting systems honed a clumped group of four pirates, she casually extended her left arm in their direction. A small explosive wrist launcher rocket fired from her left wrist's wrist launcher--the rocket's fiery explosion burst in the midst of the four pirates. While two died from the explosion, two others were severely wounded and knocked out of their cover leaving them easy pickings for the others.

Shannon headed right for an open corridor, Shannon informed her companions over their com channel via their helms' HUDs, "I'll meet back up with you when the right flank is clear.", just as rounded a corn she quickly came to a halt finding herself before five pirates. Swiftly altering the settings of her left wrist launcher as the pirates turned their guns on her. Whether it be luck or skill, Shannon was only a split second faster, for in the next instant a fountain of flame poured out of her left wrist launcher. The corridor in that instant was filled nothing flame, screams, and the burning remains of a quintuple of pirates...

[Dutch]

It never ceased to fascinate her simply how silent it was out in space. Being a Codru-Ji, the woman was used to being able to hear everything that went on around her. To hear nothing, pure, simple nothing was a rare thing.

"YEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAW!"

Maybe not so silent after all. Mandalore smiled as Ari's enthusiasm cried out over their comm. That was what made her people truly great. Not only were they bred for battle, but they craved and desired it. Relished in it. Flourished in it. Thel showed this as he broke through the bay shield, Mandalore watched as he charged straight in and began to wreak havoc. Her pace began to quicken, she too wanted to be down there in the fray. She wouldn't have to wait long. Sound suddenly rushed back into existence as Mandalore slid through the shield. Screams, blaster fire, and the thunder of Thel's steps as he tore through the enemy ranks.

With a front flip her jetpack shut off and the Reclaimer landed in a four-point stance, both feet on the ground as well as her lower set of arms. Her upper pair was already drawing two of her blasters. A pair of bolts were let lose, striking on pirate in the throat and chest. Cyar'ika stood and her lower arms drew the second set of pistols at her belt. She began to stride forward with a confident pace, only pausing to put a few shots into an attacking pirate.

"I'll work a right flank."

"Hit them hard, Bralor." Cyar responded before swinging all four of her pistols to shred a Gamorrean apart. She wasn't going to repeat the same mistake as she did on Ordo. Eleven days submerged in a kolto tank was her reward for fighting one in close quarters.

"I'll meet back up with you when the right flank is clear."

"... Come back to me Commander. That's an order." Mandalore hoped her voice didn't sound overly concerned. She knew Shannon would be able to handle anything thrown at her. Even then her Mandalore would still worry.

"I think I've got the bay control room here to the side, ma'am. Ready to push forward."

Mandalore turned her crested helm towards Ari and nodded once. "Seal off the area and help Thel clean the bay out. Only open the hatch to let Bralor back in."

The pirates in the bay were already thinned out considerably thanks to her strike team, their show of overwhelming force coupled with surprise lead to a swift and brutal victory. Mandalore slid one of her pistols back into its holster before she thumbed a couple commands into her suit's gauntlet. The signal for the Specter to land was given, and the nose of her ship slid through moments later. Cyar was already on the move towards the nearest terminal. She could hear her ship's engine's power down as it landed, and smiled at how smooth the first stage of her plan had went. A computer spike was pulled from her belt and in a couple of seconds had sliced through and opened the comm throughout the ship.

"Raol Vain. This is Mandalore. You and your men have desecrated what rightfully belongs to my people. While you stole it without a fight, we will reclaim it with blood and steel. Your lives are forfeit. I am coming for you."

[Jazen]

Thel was an one man, Mandalorian wrecking crew.

After dropping the first group he'd encountered, Thel had begun systematically working his way through the hangar, clearing any pirate that dared to put themselves in his path. The average person watching his actions might see him as a raging beast, no method to his violent madness. Someone with even the slightest hint of tactics, however, would see his movements for what they were. His actions weren't random nor driven sorely by his drive to fight, to make his enemies bled beneath him; while that was part of the plan, he was also paying very close attention to the actions of his allies and moving accordingly.

The others had been hot on his heels after his entry and every action they undertook Thel was aware of, at least to some degree. He knew Bralor was clearing the right frank, her actions punctuated by explosions and the screams of her victims. Their Fleet Commander was a terrible force to be reckoned with indeed. The Mandalore and Ari were, more or less, clearing through the center of the hangar, Thel made his approach move towards the left. When Ari noted through the comm that he had control of the hangar, and the Mandalore's orders came through, Thel responded swiftly.

"Your wish, Mandalore." Then he went to work.

Thel's size allowed him to clear distances far faster than your average man; combined with a swiftness someone of his statue had no business having, Thel could easily move from one place to the next within seconds. It was this key aspect, along with Thel's long honed experience in combat, that let him do what he did next. The bodies of the men he'd just killed hadn't even hit the floor before he was moving, rifle in one hand, sword in the other. A pair of pirates exposed themselves from cover to fire upon him; the first was missing a face before he could get a shot off, the second found himself ducking for cover, right up until Thel's sword left two shiny new holes for his brain to see out through.

One by one, Thel dropped any enemy that came into his path. Several fell even before he got there, taken down by Ari's or Mandalore's weapons instead of his own. A man reeled back to toss a thermal detonator; his arm landed as his feet a moment later, the device blowing its wielder to tiny little pieces. Another was lifted clean off his feet as Thel impaled his sword through the man's sternum, then flung the body into his comrade and blasted her before she could recover. Most the pirates by now, those that hadn't managed to flee in time, were lying dead or dying around them. Those that weren't, well...they didn't last long either.

The last one Thel encountered was a pig-faced Gamorrean. Thel had seen the Mandalore blast one to roast pork earlier, likely to avoid dealing with the creature in close combat. A wise move considering the circumstances. Thel, however, wasn't in the same situation. So when his rifle clicked empty as the beast charged, Thel dropped the weapon without a second thought, lowered his blade...and meet the pig force for force. Or rather, tactics with force. Slipping aside as the pig swung at him with his hefty axe, Thel grabbed its wrist as it passed by and snapped it clean with a sickening crack. Before it could even response, Thel wrapped a massive arm around its neck, snapped one of its knees out with a powerful kick from behind and squeezed his arm tightly around the pig's neck.

The snap of bone echoed about the quiet hangar. Snorting, Thel released the pig to slump dead on the floor and scooped up his rifle, reloading it calmly. His heavy footsteps echoed throughout the hangar as he came astride of Mandalore, his sword snapping back into place at his waist. "An effective surprise raid, Mandalore. The real fun begins now though; surprise we no longer have and the corridors ahead lack the space the bay had in breathing room. Perhaps we should consider a pincer attack; come from two sides instead of one to catch the enemy unaware."

Thel turned to eye the others before continuing. "Your call, commander."

[Meira]

With the go ahead from Mandalore, Ari moved to some cover beside the entrance to the bay control room. He crouched by the door panel and pressed his hand to the surface. Nothing happened. He did it again. Still nothing. A shot collided with the wall not far from his head and Ari had to turn and bring up his rifle to shoot the offending pirate. One shot to the chest sent the man to the ground and Ari turned back to his task.

"Di'kutla." he grumbled. The panel sounded a tone and a red light flashed. Ari's helm tilted to the side. He glanced around the hangar bay and noticed small red lights flashing throughout. Was it some sort of security function? Perhaps a sensor response to the blaster fire? Manual controls seemed down, but the panel responded to his voice.

"Open." he said, but the tone sounded again and the red light flashed. Oh. "Tenn." he said, and a lighter tone chirped with a flash of green light. The door opened and Ari was met with a barrage of blaster fire from within. He ducked beside the door and shouted for the others to cover, but they seemed to be out of the range of fire for those pirates within the control room.

"NAU'UR GOORE!" he called out before throwing the flash bang grenade into the room. He turned his head away just before it ignited and filled the control room with a burst of light and sound. In an instant, Ari whirled himself to his feet and through the door, taking their disorientation to his own advantage and eliminating each of the four men in the room.

With those men dispatched, Ari moved quickly to the controls and commanded them on the same way he had with the door. Mandalore had been right. The ship was engineered to work only for their kind. He smiled behind his visor as the controls came to life before him. Methodically, he sealed off any entrances to the bay, leaving the corridor Bralor occupied for last. Once she was back in, Ari sealed it off and moved back out to help Valamdaee clear out whatever stragglers still dared to breathe. It didn't take long.

Ari followed the others to stand near Mandalore as she made her announcement to the Raol Vain and his men. Valamdaee made a suggestion after she finished, and Ari took the moment after he finished speaking to make his own report of what he'd gleaned from the ship's systems.

"Ma'am. The ship's sensors have detected the blaster fire in the bay. That shut down manual controls. But we can bring them back up with voice commands in Mando'a. Here." he stepped over to the terminal. She'd sliced into the system, but it was limited. "Tolase'gotal" The terminal went blank for a moment, but then the screen came back to life, full function restored.

"You were right, ma'am. This ship was made for us. The only thing I don't know is how far this manual systems shut down extends. I could be the whole ship, or it could be just the hangar bay area."

[Apillis]

Down the corridor where Shannon stood at one end, at the polar end of it, its entrance door resided. She begun walking toward it when she heard another small unit she estimated to be the size of the last she had just incinerated. Stepping past the burning remains of those she reduced to chard figures on the cold metal floor of the corridor, she held out her left wrist once again as she holstered her blaster that was held in her right hand. The moment the door slid open a fountain of flame yet again flowed out from her wrist launcher. The two closest to the door found themselves immediately consumed in flame and screaming in agony for the remain couple seconds they hand left.

"... Come back to me Commander. That's an order."

Shannon smirked in reaction--not at the order or the words, but the tone she picked up in which they had been given, "As you wish.", she answered warmly. Checking how much fuel she had for the wrist launcher's flamethrower, Shannon saw it was running low. Immediately she begun to switch its functions, but the there were three other pirates beyond the door were moving in on her. One was already stepping through the door and about to take aim at her. No time for cover Shannon had to improvise, her wrist launcher was set to her tow-cable by default from her switching off its flamethrower function.

The Mandalorian Fleet Commander did not mind, whether it be improvised thought out tactical choice or just unconscious reaction or both, her next reaction was a brutish and severe one. Firing the tow-cable of wrist launcher, she swiftly whipped around him. Stunned by being wrapped up by the cable, the pirate was about to take aim at her once again. But with a violent yank the wrist-launcher begun reeling in pirate to her taking him right off his feet. The second he was at feet, from her right wrist launcher a retractable blade the length of her forearm shot up. Shannon wasted not a moment in plugging the pirate at her feet through and through with it a few times making certain he was dead, ignoring the droplets of his blood running down the visor of her helm.

Yanking the dead pirate up to his as the blade of her right wrist launcher retracted back into its concealed place. The two remaining pirates from cover at on the other side of the corridor door begun firing at her. Which was the very purpose Shannon yanked up the dead pirate--to use him as a human shield. As blaster shots pelted the corpse of their fallen comrade as Shannon hid behind him, casually from her utility belt she took out a plasma grenade--armed it--and tossed it down the corridor and through the open door to the two remaining pirates. She heard clambering and cursing in fear suddenly silenced by the plasma grenade's fiery explosion.

Nonchalantly Shannon disconnected the tow-cable from her left wrist launcher letting her human shield flop heavily to the cold floor. From her utility she reloaded another tow-cable to her wrist launcher, and reset its function back to its short-range rockets. Immediately she headed back to Mandalore and the others, "What's our next modus operandi? Whatever the most efficient pathway to the bridge should be our only focus. Once there. Whatever they have waiting for us is superfluous, the ship will be ours once again. Unless we want to take a detour to the engineering or security decks."

[Dutch]

Mandalore closed the comm down and turned to face her team. All three had returned to her, spattered in enemy blood but clearly uninjured. She herself had not a single mark on her shining armor. Thel's words were heard, but for now Mandalore kept quiet. Her hands moved to slide the other three pistols into their holsters at her hips, and turned as Ari came close to show her what he had found.

"You were right, ma'am. This ship was made for us. The only thing I don't know is how far this manual systems shut down extends. It could be the whole ship, or it could be just the hangar bay area."

Shannon spoke her mind, bringing up valid points. Going straight for the jugular, a predictable move from the Fleet Commander. Gunning for the bridge would be the most direct path to follow next. It would also likely have the heaviest resistance, and likely be rigged with traps. Behind her team, she could see the ramp to her ship lower, the squad that would hang back taking point. Their rifles swung around to scan the area. Mandalore put a hand on Ari's gauntlet.

"She has been waiting for us, for a long time ma'ad..." Mandalore patted said gauntlet and moved to step closer to her team. "Patience, Commander. They will be expecting us to rush the bridge. The engineering bay will be our next destination. We can vent the ship from there. Only the command deck will be unaffected."

"Mandalore!"

The voice echoed through the massive hangar bay, and she peered around the bulk of Thel to see two of her guard team approach. A wounded twi'lek was dragged by them. His green skin was spattered in blood, clearly not his own considering his only wounds were a couple of blaster burns at his gut. Her men dropped the man onto his knees before her, their rifles now trained on him.

"We caught this or'dinii trying to send a message to Vain. I shot him before he could get the comm to his lips."

The gruff voice of their Devaronian brother grated through his helm's speakers as he handed a comm device to Ari. Mandalore stayed silent as she stepped around Thel, the only sound being her boots on the metal floor. The twi'lek spat at her, but she ignored the glob as it slid harmlessly down her chest-plate. He grinned pointed teeth at her.

"You have to be kidding me... this little schutta is your leader? Vain is gonna enjoy making her squeal for death!"

A rifle butt to the back of his head forced the twi'lek to his hands and knees. Mandalore held up a hand for her man to stop. She stepped right up to the twi'lek, her lower hands at her hips. Without a word her arm reached down to grab one of his lekku, and wrenched him back onto his knees. He screamed and a stream of colorful curses followed. Her hand pulled one of her knives from its sheath, thumb and pointer finger pinching the blade for better control. The woman leaned closer, looming over him.

"Squeal."

Her voice echoed as the tip of the knife was then driven into the twi'lek's neck. His hands grabbed at her armor, struggling for a way to stop her. But Mandalore did not stop, not until she felt the blade slide into his spine. Cyar let the dying, paralyzed man fall. Wiping her blade on his clothes, she then stood and sheathed the knife.

"Weyland, patch yourself into their comm. I want regular updates on what the scum are saying. Bralor, cover our rear flank and roast any who try to ambush us. Thel, take point. We move for the engineering bay."

Mandalore keyed up the commands on her suits navcomp to show their path on the ship's schematics. The hall would lead straight from the bay to the ship's main lift. It was likely they'd meet resistance on the way.

"Shaadlar, ma'ade."

[Jazen]

It didn't take long for both Ari and Shannon to rejoin Thel and the Mandalore, each returning from the tasks they had been undertaking while Thel had been...house cleaning. Each of them had remained in constant contact with one another; if one had spoken, they all had heard it. At least, all that they were allowing the others to hear. By that, Thel knew that Ari had been the one who'd taken mechanical control of the hangar bay, while Shannon had cleaned out any vermin who might have tried to come at them from another angle. The hallway she had returned from was still smoking.

Each made their report, their opinions known as they gathered once again. Thel took all the knowledge that was handed him and evaluated them for himself, although he knew that the Mandalore would be making the final call. With the knowledge that the ship responded to them alone, plans for strikes on the key areas of the ship, the bridge included, could be made. If the ship bowed to them, then they could use that to gain a greater advantage then they already had over their foes. Shannon's point was valid too; the faster they cut the head off the snake and regained full control over the ship, the better their chances of finishing this without injury, death or damage to the ship itself.

Thel kept his musings to himself, but he didn't need to voice them as the Mandalore made her judgment. From her words, the Mandalore understood just as well as Thel did that a straight attack for the bridge would not be the best option they could utilize. Instead, engineering was the next destination, a place where they could clear out the excess vermin while leaving the meat of the operation for them to devour. It was a good idea; now all they had to do was...

Thel's thoughts, however, were interrupted as the holding squad suddenly approached, dragging a prisoner between them. Thel snorted behind his helmet at the Twi'lek pirate, who seemed to be unfazed by the fact that he was surrounded by his enemies. Or injured, for that matter. Thel was about to deal with the insolent fool when the Mandalore passed him, stepping forward herself to handle the man.

It was over in an instant. The Twi'lek showed absolute defiance and an almost cocky attitude despite his situation, a sneer painting his bloody features. He got a nice little love tap on the back for that, but it was nothing compared to what came next. Calmly, coldly, her movements precise and to the point, Mandalore brought him to his knees, pulled out a knife...and put the man down so fast his eyes were still opening in shock as he hit the floor, dying. Without a second glance, Thel looked to their leader, as she once again proved why she had earned her place.

Smiling beneath his helmet, Thel bowed his head slightly in response, drawing his rifle in front of him. "It would be a pleasure, Mandalore." Turning his massive frame around, Thel eyed the direction the path on his HUD was showing him to follow, studying the little map briefly before taking off, his strides controlled so that the others could follow with less effort. He did gain a little distance from them, but that was the point of taking point; you wanted to see things before the rest of the team was too far into the trap.

For the first short moments, no one seemed to challenge them. By the time they were halfway to the lift, Thel's motion tracker finally detected movement ahead of him that was not friendly. The blood in his body boiled as the rush of combat pushed the adrenaline through him once again. Increasing his stride, Thel watched the path ahead, where the passage turned into a four way junction. Two men suddenly appeared from their hiding spot, weapons leveled...and one went down with a horrible crash as Thel's armored boot smashed into him with speed, Thel's mass and momentum allowing him to follow through and crush the man's chest beneath him as he hit the ground. His partner was still reeling from Thel's armored arm smashing into him as the same time; his suffering ended as Thel put a bolt through his head. And Thel hadn't even slowed.

"Is there not a single worm on this ship that can fight?!" Thel laughed through his comm, even as more pirates appeared from cover, weapons trained and sending bolts ripping through the halls. The lift was beyond them, behind a wall of weapons and fear raked scum; Thel signaled to the others behind him of the waiting trouble before reporting. "About two dozen cannon fodder between us and the lift; lightly armed, but they have the benefit of makeshift barricades and cover. There's a corridor next to this one that comes out further ahead; suggest we distract and flank."

Thel rushed to the first available cover he could see, which was currently occupied by two current tenants. The first fell with a hole the size of a man's fist in his chest from Thel's rifle; the other attempted to melee him with the butt of his rifle. Thel's armored gauntlet latched onto the man's skull, dragging him behind the cover as Thel ducked to avoid the barrage coming their way. The man squirmed and howled various curses...right until his words turned to screams before a sickening crunch signaled the end of the man's complaints. Dropping the corpse at his feet, Thel eyed the squad awaiting them.

"Or we could plow through...I might just enjoy that approach a bit more."

[Meira]

His smile returned when Mandalore touched her hand to his gauntlet. He nodded his head. Well, if she'd been waiting so long, he was gonna be sure and treat her right. He turned back to the console as Bralor approached. He was trying to dig his way into the controls, but the system was an old one and he was having to work his way backward through most of it, trying to figure out the commands and codes as he went. It appeared that the shut downs were designed to work in sectors. So, for now, their advantage was limited to the hangar area. But if the rest of the ship functioned in a similar manner, it wouldn't be too difficult to extend their control as they moved. He would just have to find terminals as they went.

Just then, the guard team brought over one of the pirates. Ari was handed the Twi'lek's comm and again turned his attention away from the chatter to focus on the device. He connected the comm to a datapad he had in a pouch on his hip and busied himself with hacking into the comm system. With that done, he linked the patch to his suit's comm and now had the pirate communications playing into his ears. He listened, distracted only momentarily when the Twi'lek screamed in agony as Mandalore gripped his lekku. He might have died screaming, but Ari had to credit the man for being defiant to the end. There was at least some honor in that.

"Weyland, patch yourself into their comm. I want regular updates on what the scum are saying."

"Already done, ma'am." Ari replied, the self satisfaction somewhat hidden by the mechanical alteration of his voice through his helmet. "Vain is barricading himself in the bridge. Two teams moving this way. They'll have a hard time getting through the lock down, though. Guard team should have no trouble."

Within a few moments, they were moving again. Valamdaee was hard to keep up with, But Ari kept pace well enough behind him. When more pirates appeared ahead, Ari didn't have much to do other than provide cover fire while Valamdaee did his thing. It didn't take long for him to take out four of their enemy while the rest of their little team caught up.

"Save some for the rest of us, Valamdaee." Ari called over their comm channel, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Ari took his cover behind an outcropping in the corridor wall. Bringing up his HUD, he could see the adjacent hallway Valamdaee spoke of. It seemed like a good enough approach. "How about you distract, I'll flank." he said before moving to dash for the corridor.

As he moved into the open, Ari let loose a barrage of blaster fire. He rounded the corner, the parallel hallway just a few meters ahead. He approached, rifle leveled and ready, but as he neared the corner, two pirates rounded at the same time. Ari lifted the nose of his rifle up under that of the pirate. The pirate's stray shot collided with the ceiling, causing the light to fail and casting the corner in shadow. Ari let his rifle fall, the strap around his shoulder preventing it from being lost. His hands grabbed the pirate's rifle and arm while his helm came flying forward to give the human man a famed Keldabe Kiss. The man fell to the ground, out cold. His partner was still around the corner, however, and had managed to get a shot off in the moments it had taken Ari to dispatch the first.

In the dimmer light, the shot was not well aimed, but it still managed to graze Ari across the shoulder. The crimson plate took the brunt of the shot, but the black armor weave beneath frayed slightly and Ari could feel the sting of a slight burn. It was nothing, but Ari made sure to repay the man. His hand shot out, pushing the pirate's rifle up and into his nose where blood instantly flowed. Ari's armored hand grabbed the stunned man by the hair and slammed his face into the wall once, twice, and then brought it down to finish with his knee. There was a sickening crunch and then the man fell to the ground.

"Clear." came his voice over their comm as he waited for either Mandalore or Bralor to join him before moving in to flank the pirates that guarded the lift.

[Apillis]

Abiding by the plan and Mandalore's order, but the order in of itself only managed to make Shannon smirk like teenage kid with dirty thoughts as she retorted, "I always have an eye on your rear flank, Mandalore.", perhaps Shannon was getting a bit too casual, but oft it is merely a method for her to keep a cool head, preventing her from simply adopting a severe attitude that at times leads her to blowing up whatever opposes her while damning the consequences.

Looking down at the dead twi'lek before they begun moving, Shannon remarked upon a recollection she had from childhood, "You know. If you cut along the membrane at the base of a twi'lek's head where it meets their tendrils. You can slip the skin right off the tendril like a sleeve. Then let it sit out in the sun for a awhile to dry up so it can be treated to be made into leather, it makes for a decent stocking. My da' taught me that out on bivouac when I was kid.", nonchalantly shrugged, "Something to keep in mind in case you need it."

The second the group found themselves under fire again, there couple pirates moving in on them from their rear flank. Shannon drew her blaster, but they were already firing before she could get a shot off, even a wild one for suppressive fire. Which lead her to swiftly take cover behind the nearest obstruction between herself their rounds. With a quick lean out from behind her cover she fired blaster striking one of the pair square in the chest. His body flailed for a fraction of a second before falling heavy to cold metal floor.

But simultaneously upon shooting the one pirate the other fired his slugthrower at her in turn. Firing three shots, his first two she heard whiz right by her right ear, while the third skimmed the left side of her helmet with a loud PONG! as it ricocheted off of it. Quickly Shannon got back behind cover. She touched the area on the left side of helmet that the bullet had struck, and sure enough their was a small dent there. With a bit of a pissed off grumble, Shannon took out a small plasma grenade from a utility belt pouch, and tossed it from behind her cover. The plasma grenade rolled to the pirates feet, screaming out a curse in terror as he turned to get to the nearest cover he could find, it was too little to late--he was engulfed in blinding flames of plasma.

Stepping out from behind her cover Shannon moved on catching up with the rest of the group...