The Tyranny of the Jedi (Alt KotOR Saga): The Mandalorians

[Ascension]

((Oh, I understand your reasoning, and they do too, it's just that they're proud of their new Mandalore, and they're kind of overreacting with the eagerness to serve out of embarrassment over the whole impostor thing. Anyway, whenever you want to get underway, do so.))

[Mando Knight]

"Kir, Rada! Let's go! The sooner we get to Kashyyyk, the sooner we can get things sorted out!"

Gavik heads towards the Wild Shadow, promising anyone who wonders where he's going that he will return to the fleet shortly, but must take care of some pressing matters first. He also reminds the field marshal: "Get everyone to the ships, and be ready to defend yourself if Vaklu gets too... inquisitive. Prepare two hyperspace courses: one to Kashyyyk in case Shan decides to give us a second chance; and another to Rhen Var, in case she doesn't--it should be an out-of-the-way enough system to avoid any accidental fleet engagements. I will contact you when I know how Shan reacts to our recent events."

[Ascension]

"Yessir. We will see you again soon, sir, the whole lot of us."

[Graybacca]

I wouldn't mind flying suitable modified Teroch-type gunship for Mandalore, hey we could call it Mandalore One for when showing the flag is important, but I’ll still keep Wild Shadow for the more low key functions, say Kir.

Kir follows Gavik to the Shadow and takes him to Kashyyyk.



Use Computer (1d20+12)[32]

[Ascension]

The Shadow's trip to Kashyyyk is short and uneventful. Upon arrival you see the entirety of the Shan Fleet in orbit around the Wookiee homeworld.

[Graybacca]

Kir get on the comm. and hails, Shan flag ship Quicksure, Wild Shadow to Quicksure requesting permission to land, we bare an urgent message from are New!! Mandalore, Mandalore the Honorable

[Ascension]

A bewildered communications officer answers.

"Umm... Wild Shadow? I don't think we were expecting any... wait, what's that? Lady Shan says to let them land? Alright then... Wild Shadow, you are cleared to land aboard the Quicksure. Please use the main hangar..."

Meanwhile...

The intercom in Cee's cabin squawks to life and Bastila's voice floods the room.

"The Mandalorians are back... could you come to the hangar to meet them with me?"

[Liliedhe]

"Interesting. Will wonders never cease?"

Suitably curious Cee moves down to the hangar bay to meet up with Bastila.

[Graybacca]

Acknowledged Quicksure, Says Kir. Kir brings the Wild Shadow in for a landing on the main hanger deck, after shutting down the ship Kir gets up and heads to the landing ramp once out side Kir says to Bastila and Cee, Lady Shan it is my honor to introduce my Mandalore, Mandalore the Honorable. Kir indicates Gavik.

[Mando Knight]

((Wait... was that my cue? I'm confused... and Ascension hasn't posted... and I was kinda expecting Shan to react to the introduction...))

[Ascension]

((I was waiting for you to step out of the shuttle. You know, Kir introduces, Gavik steps out and waves looks stern, then Shan and Cee react.))

[Mando Knight]

((Ah. Right...))

At hearing Kir's introduction, Gavik steps out of the shuttle, carrying the Axe of Mandalore the Ultimate in his left hand, the hand positioned centimeters from the axehead, which is pointed towards the ground... because he wants to keep his right hand free, and because he hasn't gotten used to carrying a 10 kilo axe around yet...

Despite the added load of a 10 kilo axe to his normal load of armor and weaponry, he's standing straighter than normal, almost like a tiring weight was lifted from his shoulders, and a given a load that he's glad to bear...

[Ascension]

"Is that the same...?" Bastila asks Cee in a startled aside. But the question is unnecessary. It's undeniably Gavik... and yet, not Gavik.

"I see you... ah... found a solution to your problem with Mandalore's actions..." she says aloud.

[Mando Knight]

"Yes, I have. It turns out that the being we thought was Canderous Ordo was in fact a shapeshifter, possibly an agent planted by the Sith. I fought him in a duel on Dxun for the title, and in the middle of the fight, I sliced through his mask and he changed his face into mine. After killing him, I was presented with this axe... the axe of Mandalore the Ultimate. I decided to come here, to ask to join forces with you. Vaklu was dealing with the Sith, so I fear that my people will be targeted when he finds out about the leadership change. My people no longer have any worlds to call our own, so we will not be able to support ourselves during this war... and joining your fleet is far preferable to joining Revan or giving myself over to the Sith."

[Ascension]

After only a moment's hesitation, Bastila replies, "We accept your generous offer."

"We need the help," she thinks to Cee.

[Mando Knight]

"Our fleet is not as large as it was in the previous war, but we may have enough to make a difference. I will be back shortly... I need to call what remains of the Mandalorian fleet."

He offers Shan his free hand, gives her a firm handshake, then returns to the ship and opens communication to the flagship back in the Onderon System.

"Master Shan has agreed to join with us. Rendezvous with her fleet at Kashyyyk ASAP. Take everything of value from the Dxun complex before you leave--I don't want Vaklu to find any of our toys for him to play with when we're not home."

After sending the message, he once again disembarks from the Wild Shadow.

[Ascension]

All the Mandalorians of Dxun arrive at Kashyyyk four days later, leaving a bewildered Vaklu in their wake. While not all of Shan's men are pleased to be working alongside the Mandalorians they so recently fought, and vice-versa, the discipline of the Mandalorians and the dire straits both fleets are in help prevent infighting. The combined armada is impressive, and it is sure only to grow in strength as revolutionary fervor spreads throughout the Republic.

[Graybacca]

At the mention of ship Kir begins to think of place where they could acquire some ship or of a place where they can take it over and produce there own replacements.

Using Educated Talent {Knowledge (Galactic Lore) (1d20+7)[17]}

[Ascension]

((ENGAGE PLOT HOOK DISTRIBUTION MODE!))

Fondor, Tallaan, and Obulette are possibilities, given their shipbuilding potential and the volatile political situation in the Tapani sector... but any attempt to manipulate Tapani politics could just as easily blow up in the manipulator's face.

The Sullustan megacorporation SoroSuub is one hostile corporate takeover away from serving your every need, and its Outer Rim location would be difficult for the Republic to protect, but its near-complete domination of the planet of Sullust would ensure that it has a sizable self-defense force.

The Sluis Van shipyards are a definite possibility, and also located in the difficult-to-defend Outer Rim.

The politics of the Hapes Consortium are complex enough that a sufficiently devious agent could probably wrest virtual control of the Hapes Cluster and make use of its production capability. Even more so than with the Tapani Sector, though, politics is serious in the Hapes Cluster. One wrong step...

Rothana lies near Wild Space and would be easy pickings... if it hasn't already been seized by another force due to its vulnerability.

Everything else lies too near the Core or another strong political entity to be considered.

[Liliedhe]

Watching the new Mandalore in his barbaric finery strut from the ship and make his declaration, Cee hides the amused twinkle in her eyes under the shadow of her hood and just nods gravely to Bastila's reasoning.

[Mando Knight]

"We'll need a friendly shipyard... preferably something in the Outer Rim. Unless you already have contacts somewhere, Master Shan... we may have to take the planet by force, but I'd rather not, seeing as that might endanger the shipyards. We'll need to prepare for war, while lying low at the same time. The Outer Rim, or possibly even the Unknown Regions, might be the best place to do so."

He paces about, trying to calculate what to do...

"We'll also need a planet with enough foundries to construct land vehicles--I don't doubt that Revan will have some of his own, given that when he's done with his Order, there probably won't be enough experienced Jedi to counter the Sith... or us. The more high-quality vehicles we have, the easier it will be to level the playing field."

[Graybacca]

Mandalore I think I may know of some targets to hit for ship and maybe a take over of the shipyards, I think are best bet is Rothana shipyards, they lie near Wild Space, but also there is Sluis Van shipyards it is also located in the difficult-to-defend Outer Rim, the last one I would recommend is the Sullustan mega corporation SoroSuub is one hostile corporate takeover away from serving are every need, also its Outer Rim location would be difficult for the Republic to protect, but the one big disadvantage is that mega corporation SoroSuub and its near-complete domination of the planet of Sullust would ensure that it has a sizable self-defense force. Thought a raid of the shipyards to steel some ship maybe a better option at this one. say Kir

[Mando Knight]

"I would rather have a port than a few extra ships--Rothana or Sluis Van seem to be good targets. What do you think, Master Shan?"

[Ascension]

"We should try Rothana, I think," Bastila replies after a moment of contemplation.

"Small population. Fewer innocent victims," she telepathically communicates to Cee.

"But first we should wait and see if my padawan heed's Cee's advice and returns to Onderon... I'll send a small scout ship to hide nearby and contact them with news of our location if they return soon. That should give you time to organize your new fleet as well."

[Mando Knight]

"Good. I may have left Onderon too hastily as well, I admit... I was trying to err on the side of caution regarding Vaklu."

Gavik then takes a shuttle to one of the Kyramud cruisers. ((Need names for the big ships, please!))

[Graybacca]

Mandalore I think now would be a good time to give to Call to General Vaklu and find out where he stands in this war, is he any enemy or friend still.

[Mando Knight]

"Good point. we should give him the benefit of the doubt, anyway."

Once at the bridge of the Kyramud battleship, he tells the comm operator to dial Vaklu's number (as it were...)

[Ascension]

Mandalore travels to the flagship of the fleet, the Shuk'orok, or Crushgaunt to the non-Mando'a savvy. Her sister ship, the Mirsh, looms large beside her. Yes, the Mirsh is a Kyramud-type.

Behind the two largest vessels lies the trio of Jehavey'irs: Tar'kyr'am, Dar'yaim, and Prudii.

Spoiler

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Gah! I knew this would happen! One look at Mando'a and I'm trying to make a lame joke in it!

One call to Vaklu later...

"You! What have you done with Mandalore? And his men! They're all gone!"

[Mando Knight]

"Ah... sorry. We ran into some... technical difficulties with the previous Mandalore, and so I'm in charge now. To play it safe, I had the fleet evacuate to another system until we could... sort everything out, in case you disapproved of the change in leadership, and wanted to bomb Dxun because of it."

[Ascension]

"Bomb Dxun? Why would you think I'd want to bomb Dxun?" Vaklu replies unconvincingly. In fact, from the tone of his voice, you wonder if he's already done it.