Star Wars OPEN The Final Stand-Chapter 2- accepting new players

IC: Safina
Eriadu... Controlled Falling


Safina watched as the turmoil played out on Farnun's face. She could also sense it in his soul. Their connection through the Force was as strong as ever.

It hurt.

The moment seemed to last for an eternity.

He looked as if he might say something, but in the end, he just turned away. Safina felt as if her universe was imploding.

"Farnun, I..."

She stopped herself before she finished the sentence. What would be the purpose of saying those words? It would just make it harder, hurt him more.

This is not about what I want. If I truly love him, I have to let him go.

She turned and shuffled down the embarkation ramp onto the soil of Eriadu. She could see Master Jahid, and walked toward him. It was the hardest journey she had ever taken. She had to force her legs to move.

It is a strange thing. We do it so naturally, but when we must concentrate on the simple act of walking, consciously moving each muscle and joint, we find the complexity of it to be astonishing. No wonder they still can't make droids that can do it in a way that seems natural, thought Safina.

Controlled falling, she had once heard a non-bipedal sentient describe the motion.

Controlled falling.

Safina fought with all her will to control herself as she staggered toward her new Master. No matter how hard she tried to fill her head with idle thoughts, she crushing pain of Farnun's rejection pulled her down, down.

As she trudged along, she noticed a Y-wing starfighter parked nearby, with what looked like a well-seasoned pilot leaning against the chassis. An idea hatched.

Finally, Safina faced Master Jahid and exhaled. Even breathing was difficult. She noticed her face was wet and realised tears had left streaks down her cheeks. She wiped them with her hands.

"Master Jahid," her voice wavered but she continued on. "It is good to see you... in person. The trap at Sullust. Vader is there, on a destroyer hidden within the asteroid belt, ready to pounce on any rescue mission to the prison barge orbiting the planet. We need to disable the destroyer, then we can mount the rescue mission. We need pilots; a sneak attack within the asteroid belt, perhaps? We should move quickly."

Safina suddenly felt exhausted. The effort of making that report had taken her last reserves.

She turned to see Adon and Serra approaching. She could not let them see her like this. She moved away respectfully as they addressed Tanal, found a corner hidden behind a starfighter, and fell to her knees.

She did not burst into hysterical sobs. She just closed her eyes and hugged herself, as the pain flooded into and washed over her entire being.

@Taylor Neir @Beskar_Whistle @greyjedi125 @Master Vo

 

IC: Farnun Venat
A Mask for a mask

'Hold.It.Together.’

The scoundrel demanded of himself as he turned away. His eyes were closed, his fists were balled, his jaw set. The inner tidal wave was crashing against what defenses he'd built over the years, stressing all fractures, testing, challenging, threatening the entire structure of his resolve.

Farnun only managed to take a few steps before he stopped cold and felt a massive shiver run through his frame. The tidal wave was about to break him and he needed to 'turn the tide' immediately- desperately so.

In his mind, he sought the spark of all his anger and resentment: That single, defining and unforgettable moment.The death of his parents. His mind’s eye recreated the scene with crystal clarity for him. There it was, the Star Destroyer, looming over the planet. Farnun witnessed the orbital bombardment of their Resistance Camp by the Empire. He was returning from a mission and all he could do was watch helplessly from an unarmed ship as red rain poured down mercilessly.

His own screams had nearly deafened him inside the ship’s cabin. His fists bled from pounding relentlessly on the canopy glass. Countless turbo lasers spat their indifferent fury as they wiped out everything he ever loved - that’s when the dark spark appeared.

Standing in the cargo bay, Farnun sighed as he felt the heat of the spark burn away the tidal wave of despair. The scorching of weakness and feelings brought him relief. It surprised him that he still held on to such foolish notions, even after all this time.

So then, why was he finding it so difficult to take next step away from her?

Farnun grunted, resisted the urge to turn and look back over his shoulder and marched himself directly to what he so desperately needed in this moment.

Adon had been gracious enough to provide him with the items he’d requested, items that were both practical and symbolic.

Safina had made her choice- and as had he.

Carefully, Farnun inspected every piece of gear he found inside the crates before donning them, going over the weapons and armor he had been furnished with. The vest, the thigh plates and shin guards, these he donned with near ceremonial care.

His eyes hardened as he now inspected the imperial weapons. Over time, he’d become familiar with these. Farnun took a moment to imagine the circumstances in which Adon had acquired them. The thought brought him a small, yet fleeting smile. The scoundrel needed to get back into the thick of it: fighting the Empire, that's what he was good at. Fortunately, Farnun was quite familiar with BlasTech weapons and found them very fitting for his present and future needs. There was something poetic about using the enemy's weapons against him.

Last but not least, Farnun regarded the helmet, which stared back at him without expression.

This Mandalorian helmet with its T-visor. It had a history and it represented so much. Within himself, Farnun knew he wasn’t necessarily worthy of it, but right now, he needed it - badly. This helmet was not just for protection: It was a covering for his shame. He needed it to help him move forward- not only from the present moment, but from his past as well.

No. There was nothing he could do to change the past.

Farnun took the helmet in hand and held it a moment longer.

As long as there was an Empire, there was no hope for paradise. Therefore, the only thing left to do, was to fight the Empire - and hope.

Another sigh escaped the scoundrel’s nostrils as he placed the helmet upon his head. This would be his new face, his new resolve. His shield against self delusion.

Turning now, he felt himself ready.

With weapons holstered and slug over, the 'Armored Scoundrel' walked steadily back to rejoin the others.

Tag: @Taylor Neir, @Beskar_Whistle, @T4M1-7, @Master Vo

 

GM Update

IC: Tanal Jahid
Eridau

Tanal wasn't surprised by Safina's response or by Adon's for that matter. He knew that Safina was only thinking about others. A very Jedi like trait but she still had much to learn as did Tanal.

"Safina, that will come in time trust me. For now think about the present moment, as your captian, freind and Mentor, I urge you to not allow their position to Cloud your judgement. We will meet up with Rebel command soon and discuss things then." Tanal explained before Safina walked away. He couldn't blame her. Another armored being also approached. Tanal knew who it was.

"Farnun, great to see you again in person. Although I wasn't expecting this." Tanal said pointing out the armour that Farnun had decided to Don. Presumably a spare set from one of the two Mandolorians. Speaking of, the Nutolan Jedi turned his attention to the mando who greeted him.

"Don't worry. We will sort something out with Rebel Command. I must thank you for helping my crew out of a tight spot." Tanal began.

"By the way I never caught your name." Tanal said as he went to turn away to where his Padawan had disappeard to. The Mandolorian responded.

"Tanal Jahid, Jedi master and Captian of the scarlet vessel of Falcon Squadron. If you'll excuse me a moment." Tanal Replied and he wondered off to where Safina had vanished to. He soon found her and sat beside her.

"You alright, Safina?" He asked.

TAG: @T4M1-7 (Combo), @greyjedi125, @Beskar_Whistle, @Master Vo

IC: Avinn Neir
Sullust space, prison barge.

Avinn pushed back against the young gun gun Jedi.

"You are weak young one. The jedi have blinded you. Why do you hang onto the light? Why won't you give into the temptation of the dark side. It'll clear your mind and we could help to rid the galaxy of the traitorous Jedi order" Avinn explained as his Yellow blade hummed at his side. Avinn studied the young Jedi padawan as the fight continued around him in a flurry of red, green and even a single blue blade.

TAG: @noiamyourFADAH (combo?), @Darth Starwalker, @ThatguyWGlasses

 

IC: Safina
Eriadu


Safina arose from her crouching position and faced Master Jahid. His Nautolan features, or at least her unfamiliarity with their expressions, did not betray how much he might have known about her internal torment.

She sighed, regained her composure, then set her face in a neutral expression.

"I am sorry. I... failed Master Jahid. I did not obtain the lightsaber parts of my mission. It was not as easy as I thought it would be. I..."

She looked away for a moment, her gaze reaching to the distant horizon. How to phrase it?

"I was not ready."

With the words, came realisation.

"I am not ready to become a Jedi Knight, yet. And that was your purpose, wasn't it? To test my readiness for the path, or to see if I would stay with it."

A new sense of determination came over Safina. It was the only way to numb the pain that tore and ripped inside her guts. Her look became hard.

"But I will train harder than ever. My path is clear now. Nothing will distract me."

She bowed before her master.

"I await your orders."

@Taylor Neir @greyjedi125 @noiamyourFADAH @ThatguyWGlasses @Darth Starwalker @Master Vo @Beskar_Whistle

 

IC: Adon and Serra Haran
But first, an induction!

Adon and Serra glanced at each other as Tanal introduced himself and quickly turned to talk to Safina, who was clearly battling internally with herself. It didn’t take any adjustment for Adon’s helmet to catch the conversation.

Adon couldn’t help but smirk at the irony of the situation, which Safina seemed to be unaware of despite Adon’s previous offer for parts to service her lightsaber. She had gone to Hutt space to find lightsaber parts and left without finding them. However, the ship she left on was stocked with most of the parts she likely needed, including a few complete sabers. In a way, she had succeeded in her mission, though not in a way she had probably expected.

As Tanal and Safina spoke to the side, Adon looked over at Farnun, inspecting the armor he had given the man. All in all, he wore the suit well. Whether it was the Force, fate, luck, or anything else, the suit seemed to be made for him, even though it certainly wasn’t. With a quick reach over, Adon found a concealed button on the ear panel of the helmet and pushed.

Instantly, the inside of the helmet changed from a dark metal shell to a bright hub of information for Farnun’s eyes to peruse over. His vitals, such as heart rate, appeared imposed against the inside of the cheek plates. Boxes lined the sides that, when looked at long enough, would toggle through information like armor status, linked weapons systems, and atmospheric conditions. The visor itself, which had previously darkened Farnun’s view outward, suddenly scanned and displayed true color, as if the glass simply wasn’t there. Further exploring would yield a toggle for thermal and infrared views. At the same time, audio began feeding into the helmet, counteracting the muffling effect the helmet created otherwise, and even amplifying faint sounds. Of course, Farnun’s voice would also be picked up by an internal microphone and projected out of the vocoder so others could hear him.

All in all, it was likely a bit sensory overload to most, but to an experienced Mandalorian who had worn a helmet for years, it was a very welcome experience.

Serra eyed the suited scoundrel as well, inspecting and reflecting. Her own induction had come after her original family had been destroyed, and she had found refuge with Clan Haran long before. She had said goodbye to one family and been welcomed into another she already had considered hers. Not knowing Farnun’s past, she could only imagine what must have been going through his head putting on the helmet. Most people around the galaxy understood a degree of what their helmets represented, but it was another thing altogether to put one on for yourself the first time.

“Well met, vod,” she said to Farnun with a nod. “It is good to see the aliit grow again.”

Adon smiled and nodded in approval, then recalled the odd look Farnun had when he had heard Serra call him by the same title. He leaned over slightly toward.

“Assuming you plan to keep that armor beyond the mission, your first lesson is this,” Adon said. “You, Serra, and I are vode. Others would say ‘comrades’, but for us it translates more closely to brothers or sisters. Serra is my vod, and I am her vod. Now, so are you. We are part of an aliit, a clan, or family, if you prefer. As you can probably tell by now, families and clans are not limited to blood relations.”

“Aliit ori'shya tal'din,” Serra interjected before Adon continued.

“Family is more than blood, as that saying goes. Adoption, as my father did with Serra when she became Mandalorian, is common, and anyone willing and able to wear the armor is able to become Mandalorian. Human, Rodian, Wookie, Verpine…if they can wear it and follow our tenets, they are welcome.”

Adon paused a bit to let the information soak in, while he himself reflected back on the conversation before with Farnun. The man was still working through the past, which made Adon wonder how he would take to the idea of being part of a clan. Admittedly, he hoped Farnun would take to it well, and he had one final bit to share that he thought might help.

“Another thing,” he added, finally looking Farnun directly in the visor. “By taking the helmet and becoming Mandalorian, your past is no more. You are cin vhetin, a white field and a blank slate. Not a Mandalorian in the galaxy will judge you by what you have done up to this point because that is not who you are anymore. Farnun the Mandalorian will only be judged by what he does going forward. Join Clan Haran and you will share in its long history and traditions, but your own reputation and history is clean and ready for you to write.”

Beside them, Serra could feel her fur rise as Adon gave Farnun his ending speech. It was nearly identical to the speech Adon’s father had given her, albeit a good bit shorter given the circumstances. Even still, the memory of it felt fresh, and she could feel the emotions she had felt. Clan Haran was no Children of the Watch, but a formal induction certainly had its share of rituals, perhaps the most of any ceremony except maybe a death ceremony. For now, given Farnun was preparing to go into battle armed as a Mandalorian beside Clan Haran, Adon’s speech was a good field induction, and the first in far too long.

TAG:
@T4M1-7 @Taylor Neir @greyjedi125 @Master Vo

 

IC: Farnun Venat
Standing at the threshold

“Woah! Woah! WOAH!!!”

One moment he had been contemplating his current situation and the next, light, color, sound and data rushed in, suddenly flooding his senses. It was as if his helmet had been sleeping, muting the world around him, before coming awake and illuminating everything in sight.

Farnun was astounded by the level of vivid color and clarity the Mandalorian Helmet suddenly offered, as opposed to a few moments ago when the world seemed grey. The helmet’s HUD with all the streaming data was astounding. The audio fidelity was like nothing he’d every experienced before. He could hear everything with district clarity. Farnun toggled, zoom in, zoom out, audio enhanced variable sources, thermal scanned his surroundings and did so much more. A whole new world had just opened up before his very eyes.

Aside for being incredibly amazed, he was also becoming aware of a growing feeling inside himself. Did he dare, could he even afford…to hope?

“Adon….” He finally manage to say, his tone still sounding amazed, even as his head swiveled in every direction, much like a blind man having his vision restored.

With his helmet now fully functional, there was no missing Serra’s words.

“Aye.” Farnun responded, though he did not understand every word she said, the sentiment was clear. Thankfully, he did not have to wonder overlong as to her words, for Adon made things clear as he now spoke.

“Vode…” Comrades. Brothers

Farnun repeated the word, now knowing what it meant. He also wanted to get the correct pronunciation. This was important to him.

“Aliit…” Family. Clan

'Aliit ori'shya tal'din'

Hmm. That sounded important. Farnun made a mental note to recall the phrase which was spoken, even as he nodded to Serra and continued to listen to Adon’s words.

This was…felt….’otherworldly’. Could his past really be erased, could he start clean once again and join a new family? Could he become - a Mandalorian?

Hope surged within him. He had nothing left to his name, but lasting bitterness and remorse. He was tired of running, yet, he didn’t wish to fool himself or anyone else. If he did this, it would have to be for the right reasons. His initial opinion of Adon had changed drastically by now. This man was not what or who he had presumed him to be at all.

This offer, to become a Mandalorian, was a saving grace, Farnun could see that- but there was one bit of reality he could not simply ignore.

The scoundrel took in a breath of air and literally forced himself to speak the words he had been holding, his voice would be tinged with perceivable pain.

“My bounty…..” he managed to say. “That’s not going to simply, disappear.” He admitted through unseen gritted teeth. “I can’t bring that upon your Clan, or the Jedi. I’m wanted by the Empire. I'm too High Risk.”

There. He said it. His shame was revealed. It didn’t matter. He had nothing and no one left to lose, but by all that he held dear, he would not defraud any being who’d shown him good will, or done him a kindness. He couldn’t do it to Safina and wouldn’t do it to Adon, or Serra, or anyone else.

"Understand?"

Within himself, Farnun was grateful for the offer, truly. Standing at the threshold of Freedom was in a way, revitalizing. To be a comrade again. He hadn’t been that in a very long time. He wouldn’t mind being that again, at least one last time.


Tag: @Beskar_Whistle, @T4M1-7, @Taylor Neir, @Master Vo

 

GM UPDATE

IC: Tanal Jahid
Eridau

Tanal listened to his padawan. He was certainly amused by it. He placed his hand on Safina's shoulder

"Safina, look at me. You are not a failure, you are strong I saw that when we first, and I still see it know. You have not failed me, you have allowed me to progress your training. That's what this was as you have said. You did not fail your mission, only postphoned it. The future is in consent motion nothing is set in stone, not now, not ever. You are a jedi Safina. You remember what you fight for and allow that to keep you going not because its right, but because you care. You care everyone, I get that. I do as well, but we can't just rush straight in, we need a plan and the one that has been persented to me is pretty good but we must all know what role we play in that plan." Tanal explained puashing every now and again to take a breath. He rose to his feet and held his hand out towards his padawan to assit her up.

"Now rise, I am not your ruler only your mentor and trusted freind. We must gather what we have and that includes you pulling yourslef together." Tanal added before heading back to the group that had gathered since he had parted.

"Farnun, I see you've doned yourslef some new kit. I'll admit I've always been interested in the mandolorians and you certainly fit in. I can used to seeing you like that." Tanal said as he addresed the amoured 'scoundrel' mandolorian before him. He patted Farnun twice on his shoulder before turning towards Adon and his sister.

"So just now you refereed to a plan, tell me about that. I mean it's good plan but we all need to play some sort of role here, just know that Fme and my crew are happy with ours." Tanal finally added as he placed one hand on his left hip and the other hung limply at his side swaying as he breathed in and out. His saber clipped to his belt also rose up and down and his head tails waved inn motion with the low breeze that had suddenly filled the area. The sunset bounced off of the scarlet vessel's paint job on the nearby hill side.

TAG: @T4M1-7, @greyjedi125, @Beskar_Whistle, @Master Vo

IC: Avinn Neir
Sullust space, prision barge

Avinn continued his assualt on the young padawan learner as his fellow inquisitors fought the others. The scene had devolved into a fury of lights as red, green, blue and yellow sabers danced through the air eachone at the hand of it's weilder and flowing with elegence. It was truly a sight to be hold, unless you were on the other end of one of theses deadly plasma bladed weapons, in which case it would hurt you a lot mpore than the person on the weilding end of it. The jedi were certainly putting up some sort of fight but the aim was to tire them out or at least that was Avinn's plan. Once he tired out the padawan the master would soon yeild. Avinn's saber slashed through the air many times and he ignored the padawan's remarks. He reached his hand towards the padawan, palm outstreched aiming to push the padawan against the wall of the prison barge.

"You are nothing in this fight, Ash. Why not give up already, resisting any further will only make things worse. Worse than they already are. The jedi are a dying breed of misfits that do not truly understand the power they are missing out on. Give into it. I know you want to. The Darkness sings a song that can not be ignored. Give in to your anger, use your hatered. It'll only make you stronger." Avinn said as his saber hung at his side and all the while he advanced towards the padawan.

TAG: @noiamyourFADAH, @Darth Starwalker

 

IC: Farnun Venat
The Next Chapter

The ‘armored scoundrel’ saluted Jedi Master Tanal when he’d been dressed. “Yes, sir!” He responded respectfully and with measurable enthusiasm. Farnun held back his urge to say more. They all owed so much to the jedi, including himself. How could they ever repay them? Well, helping them in their hour of need was a good start- at least in his opinion. That’s what his mother would have wanted.

Thoughts of his past threatened to come to the front of his mind, but the scoundrel was well practiced on how to deter such unwelcomed torrent. Turning on one foot, he once again faced Adon.The one who had gifted him with a new…’Aliit’. A family. A Clan.

“Vode...” He said, trying out the new word, that is, once he found an opening in conversation.

Certain words came to mind, but he opted to change his usual approach. Going forward, he couldn’t be the same.

“Do I get a new name as well, or call sign?” He asked, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and expectation which were still detectable. Farnun had yet to learn how to adopt a truly neutral delivery to match his helmet’s vocoder.

“Also, I’m a pretty decent ship’s mechanic. If given access to tools, I can work some wonders. Just point me in the right direction.”

It wasn’t that he was feeling restless, but neither did he wish to be idle, especially before a decisive battle. Shooting at Imperial troops was something he could do with his eyes partially closed. However, preparing for this battle was stirring up old memories- and simply standing around wasn’t going to help him navigate through them. He needed to keep busy, so he could focus on the present and work to secure one more day in their future. He was ready, more than ready, to begin this new chapter in his life.

For what was a scoundrel, but a simple man making his way through the galaxy.


Tag: @Beskar_Whistle, @Taylor Neir, ( @T4M1-7 )

 

IC: Adon and Serra Haran
Strategy Meeting

Adon and Serra both considered Farnun’s questions and concerns, though it was Serra who responded.

“Bounties can be handled. Besides, anyone looking to cash in will likely be looking for the Farnun of half an hour ago, not a Mandalorian. As for your name, that is up to you. I took the name Haran as a surname to honor my new family but took part of my mother’s name to honor my old one too. We of course would be happy if you took the clan name as part of your own, but it is not a requirement.”

Serra suddenly tilted her head back and chuckled a bit at Farnun’s last statement.

“Finally, Adon has found someone else to keep his ship in running condition beside me.”

“I’ve done well enough myself,” Adon argued back at her indignantly.

“If you don’t count faulty airlock hydraulics, a sticky right landing gear, and a somewhat unmotivated hyperdrive motivator, sure,” she chirped back at him with emphasis.

She leveled a tilted look at Farnun that bordered somewhere between amused and skeptical, as if to say that Farnun may have just volunteered himself for a mountain of a job.

As Master Jahid returned, Adon watched and listened as he commented on Farnun’s armor, wondering what thoughts the Jedi had on the matter. After all, Farnun had seemingly worked with him before, so this would likely be a big change.

When the conversation was directed back at him and Serra, Adon produced a holoprojector from a belt pocket, clicking it on. With a few presses of buttons on his gauntlet, the projector displayed the Sullust system.

“As Safina has learned, the main focal point of the trap is centered on the prison barge here,” he said, while the projection highlighted the approximate location of the ship. “If the ambush group is indeed hidden inside or behind the asteroid field, that would put them here.” More highlights of ships appeared in red. “Without knowing the size of either the bait force on the prison ship or the ambush group, we’ll have to be cautious. We can’t afford to drop in on top of the prison ship without first addressing the ambush or they’ll block us in before we can move. I hope I’m overestimating, but I would expect the ambush fleet to have an interdictor in their ranks to cut off hyperspace. My proposal is this: Serra takes her ship and uses the asteroid field as cover. Her ion cannons can cause major problems for larger ships and their shields and propulsion, leaving them open to blasters, torpedoes, and smaller ships. Someone can ride along with her to provide cover fire from a turret.”

Adon paused as the projection zoomed in on the asteroid field and awaiting strike group.

“I’ll follow along in my ship to strike at disabled cruisers, targeting sensor arrays, engines, and shield generators. Priority targets would be any interdictors present, along with their escort frigates. The larger cruisers won’t be as keen to jump into a close quarter fight with bombers and gunships without their escort, and we can avoid the turbolasers by flying close or sticking to the rear of any Star Destroyers. TIEs will be a concern, but assuming we have turrets online and Master Jahid can help with crowd control from his fighter, we should be in good shape. Once the ambush fleet is crippled, all ships will double-time to the prison barge, where we can board, make our pickup of friendlies, and jump to hyperspace before the ambush fleet has time to recover.”

Adon switched off the projector and stashed it back in its pocket.

“The Empire thinks they have the element of surprise with the ambush. They aren’t counting on us knowing about their fleet, so while they’re focused in on the prison ship, we hit them from behind where they aren’t looking and throw them into confusion.”

Tag: @Beskar_Whistle, @T4M1-7, @Taylor Neir, @Master Vo

 

IC: Safina


Safina joins the group as the plan is rehearsed.

"The starship strike at the asteroid field will need to be simultaneous with the landing party on the prison barge. As soon as the Empire knows its ambush is compromised, it will kill all the hostages."

She considers her own skills for a moment, and the best place to deploy.

"I will land on the barge. We should coordinate so that the fighter strike at the asteroid field happens moments later."

She looks significantly at Master Jahid. "It will be close run."

 

GM post.

IC: Tanal Jahid.
Eridau.

Tanal listend to each beings words carefully before making a response to each one.

"You all make valid points and I'm sure we can implement them into one." Tanal explained.

"The Scarlet vessel had been equipped with a few things that may be able to assit. It's refeltive panels make it more difficult to see visually and with the help of my droid I should be able to scramble some of the empires comm signals. We can proviod cover fire for Serra whilst Safina makes her way to the prison barge. Once she's on board we can keep communications open via our comm links unless the empire decide to use the same trick against us. In that case well be cut off from Safina and her party assuming she takes one." Tanal began aiming the last few words at Safina herself.

"Once Safina is on board we can keep the empire destracted but who knows for how long." Tanal added giving time for anyone else to add anything on before they made the final plan.

TAG: @T4M1-7, @Beskar_Whistle