Ask Brothers in Arms

[Song Wren]

Song Wren, bounty hunter and hired gun.

She arrived on Lah’mu after receiving a public transmission, a plea for help from an isolated settlement. While broadcasts like that weren’t uncommon to her, she caught the mention of payment. Being low on credits, in need of minor repairs and being in the general area, Song decided to head down to the backwater planet to see what she could do.

And partly because it was the right thing to do.

The villagers were ecstatic to know she was there to help, familiar with the Mandalorians of old. Although she was nothing close to old legends like Sabine Wren, she knew how to fight. From what she was told about these mysterious raiders, she had good reason to believe thwarting their next attack would be a piece of cake.

She’d receive her payment and go.

After sundown, she had the locals to board themselves up in their homes, stay out of sight, to avoid collateral. Decked in her full suit of armor and armed to the teeth, though covered in a heavy cloak for camouflage, she waited for her would-be attackers. Waited until she spotted one figure coming into the settlement aboard a speeder.

In the dark, it was hard to tell who it was, but Song took a stand in the middle of the gravel road and aimed her blaster to the armored stranger.

“You’re not welcome here,” said the Mandalorian in a low voice, to the distant figure. “Throw down your weapons, else I’ll do it for you.”

Little did Song know she was facing another Mandalorian brother, and little did they know either.

@Timmen edit: new thread participant

 

[Adenn Rytt]

Adenn was hoping Lah'mu would be a Brief retreat for him and L'ewvan (Etr). A time for his newly adopted son and him to Train and practice their skills and provide rations for their return to the others. They had landed during the afternoon and spent much of it Drilling and Excersizing, Adenn Showing L'ewvan Proper foot work and stances with his Beskad and Rifle drills to help improved the boy's Overall Strength were only a few of the various excercises they performed.
As the sun began to set, they made camp and Adenn decided to go for a brief walk. He followed a gravel road he had come across and hummed one if his favorite songs. Suddenly, there came a familiar sound; the click of a rifle the shifting of stones. Then out of The darkness he saw a shapless figure rise up out of the gravel and in
a deep voice called out

“You’re not welcome here, throw down your weapons, else I’ll do it for you.”
Adenn stopped and raised his hands above his head
"I dont know who you are, But you've chosen a terrible person to rob."
He heard in the distance gravel shifting as L'ewvan began to come closer to him he twisted his head around to the boys direction.
"Olaror nayc Gebi'shya at olar ad! bic cuyir buruk dayn olar bal Ni dont copad gar at ve'ganir shupur'yc. Yaimpar at camp bal Ke'pare par ni!"
[come no closer to here, son! It is dangerous out here and I do not want you to get injured. Return to camp and wait for me]
He gritted his teeth as the boy gave an affirmative and began to return to the distant fire. Adenn returned his sight to the shadow
"If youre going to rob me Id suggest choosing how you go about it very Carefully. Your next move could determine if you keep your life."
he said in a low growl​

 

[Song Wren]

Her blaster’s aim didn’t waver for a second. She half-expected the armored man in the dark, hard to see as he was, to pull out a blaster and start firing. Although it was strange for the raiders to be composed of one man. Where were the rest the settlers had told her about? Was this a scout, or their leader? She had a lot of questions, but when the man spoke to a shadow beside him, she was left with even more.

Mando’a. The man was speaking Mandalorian.

Her Mando’a was near perfect, having left Krownest only in the last year, but from her distance, she could only catch a few words of what was said. “Son,” and “it is dangerous,” and “return to camp.” So, the stranger wasn’t alone. But still not in the way she expected. It was obvious he was of Mandalorian descent, but with a family?

“Rob you?” she echoed his next words back, almost insulted. She was a bounty hunter. She didn’t just rob people out of the blue. Song was there to protect.

Knowing there was only one way to figure out just what was going on, she lowered her blaster a few inches, then said to him in Mando’a. “Ni cuyir Yustapir, be Ha'yr Nadutr, olar at cabuor ibic lataraa. Meg cuyir gar?” (I am River, of Clan Wren, here to protect this settlement. Who are you?)

She eyed the man and gestured to a single street lamp, saying in basic, “Step into the light.”

@Timmen

 

[Adenn Rytt]

Adenn give a sigh as the Mandalorisn came forth from his would-be Highwayman. He did as requested, kneeling down and Resting himself on his knees, bowing his head to the warrior.
"Pirusti urcir, Yustapir be Ha'yr Nadutr. Ni cuyir Adenn be Ha'yr Rytt"
[Well Met, River of Clan Wren. I am Adennof Clan Rytt]
His armor was Older, a pale Green with Fading Gold Patterns which ran along its surface. On his Gun belt hung a Beskad saber in its wooden Scabbard. He rose his head to look at the warrior
"Forgive me if I insulted you, sir. Had I known I was speaking to a fellow Mandalorian I wouod not have accused you of Thievery."
He place his hand on his Comm, recalling L'ewvan who by this time was no doubt halfway back to camp. He returned his attention to Song, tilting his head slightly as he recalled the intel she"d given him;
"Are you alone in protecting this village? Perhaps L'ewvan and I could assist you. We would ask for no reward, of course. The boy needs more combat experience and I feel the need to repay you for besmirching your honor."​

 

[Song Wren]

Song felt a wave of relief, followed by curiosity, at the man’s reply. He was a Mandalorian, not simply by the way he spoke, but the way he looked. His armor was old, perhaps older than hers, with an unfamiliar mix of green and gold. On his waist was a scabbard and a Beskad saber, which alone said enough. The man was an accomplished warrior, not a sleazy raider looking for credits.

She lowered her blaster, lodged it into its holster, and approached the man.

“You’re fine, vod,” she said, with a short and respectful bow of her head. “I was the one who threatened you first. Thought you were one of the raiders, but clearly, I was wrong.”

She watched him press his commlink and call after the stranger he had been talking to before. His son, or a foundling? To the Creed, it made no difference. Whoever this “L’ewvn” was, they were close to the other Mando, and that was all she needed to trust them. Honor ran deep in the Clans, and Song knew there was nothing to fear from either of them.

“Yes, it’s just me here. Though I wouldn’t ask you to help me if you’ve come to the planet to explore,” said Song. “But if that’s what you want, at least let me split the reward with you. Halfway. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I let a brother help me for nothing.”

“I’ll admit though,” she said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever heard of Clan Rytt before. Are you all that’s left?”

Song had met one or two Mandalorians that were. Like Hirojani, of Clan Andro. It was sad knowing that, even generations after the Great Purge, Mandalore was still on the brink. She hoped that wasn’t the case for Adenn.

@Timmen

 

[Adenn Rytt]

Adenn Bent his head in sadness, a twinge of pain he thought had exstinguished through his Meditation had roared to the forefront of his chest. He remained calm but still the pain lingered in the background like a subtle and dull Fragrence.
"With the utmost respect sir, You would not. We are an old clan but were obscure even before our fall. L'ewvan and I are that are left of Clan Rytt. My people were Slaughtered on Ord Cantrell, and L'ewvan was taken a slave for 9 years before I found him again. I suppose I was lucky and was away from the clan when it all happened..."
He paused for a moment, Hearing L'ewvan approach again.
"I would hate to insult you once again sir, and so I will accept your offer. L'ewvan and I are at your service."​

 

[Etr Wyara]

The name L'ewvan was still strange to The boy once known as Etr. He was happy to have shed the name given to him by a master but he would need more time to get used to it. For that reason he'd nearly missed the call from his Buir, another thing he was getting used to calling his uncle.
"L'ewvan, Come and meet me back where you found me. I've found something you ought to see."
L'ewvan Would repsond as quickly as he could once it registed the littlw voice and his helmet was talking to him
"Yes sir. I'll make my way to you now."
He gave out a small sigh, A stash of beef Jerky Awaited him at the fire but he supposed it would have to wait for now. He turned around and made his way back to his father who sat in the light of a lantern with another Mandalorian. L'ewvan joind his father and bent his head in respect.
"Su cuy'gar, Sir. I am L'ewvan Rytt, At your service."

 

[Song Wren]

Song frowned. Another Clan dangling on a single thread. The thought made her sad and angry at the same time. To the Empire for causing this, to the great Houses, including Wren, for not coming to the support of lesser clans. It was no wonder the Mandalorians were a dying breed, even after a hundred years without the Sith. One day, Song hoped to see them thrive again, as it was in the days of the Old Republic.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” she said, solemnly, then raised a hand to her chest. “Kapr val udes pirusti.” (May they rest well)

The Mando turned to see the shadow from before approach. To her surprise, it was a boy no more than fourteen, his voice high and figure thin, but with the air and respect any Mandalorian might possess. She smiled. It had been a long time since she had seen a foundling or a son of Mandalore so young. It gave her an ounce of hope in these dark times, and reminded her of her brother, River, from her childhood.

“Good to meet you, L’ewvan,” said Song, bowing her head in return. “And you too, Adenn Rytt. You’ve got a good heart. I haven’t seen a foundling in a very long time. I’m sure he will grow up to be as strong as either of us, if he’s as good with a blaster as he is with Mando’a.”

Song glanced back to Adenn. “Has he fought before?”

She figured he might've, else the other Mando would have left him to stay safe at their camp, but she knew some raised their foundlings differently. Song herself endured rough childhood with her father, who handed her a single knife and left her to survive the harsh Krownest wilderness alone for an entire week. At the age of eight. Not that she was complaining now. It taught her a great many things.

Such was the way.

@Timmen

 

[Adenn Rytt]

Adenn placed his hand on his chest
"nu kyr'adyc, shi taabir chaaj'yc be'chaaj"
[Never gone, Only Marching Far Away.]
"I thank you for you for your sympathy, River. Its a hard universe out there for we few souls left who truly wear the armor. There's fewer and fewer of us as the days go by, Im afraid."
In earlier years Adenn Rytt would have written of L'ewvan as useless. Too old to be a foundling by Traditional norms, especially among Rytts. That thought madr him remember his own Childhood, or he should say the end of it... where Fighting pits on the main ship determined who was a man and who was a corpse.
"He has seen little combat, Im afraid. Only really two engagements with a few months of sparring practice. But I think his training is coming along nicely over these last couple of months. He's got fire in him and a good head on his shoulders. Were he any younger i'd probably have him sit this'n out but he's getting too old to be left around camp. "

 

[Etr Wyara]

L'ewvan bowed his head
"Please sir, Even If I lose my life I would have served a higher purpose than I could have even dreamed of not longer than 5 months ago. I am Inexperienced but I know how to shoot and I can fight. I wish to fight and to learn how to fight correctly in battle."

 

[Song Wren]

Never gone, only marching on. The words made Song smile. It was something those in her Clan used to say to those who passed, her brother River included. It always made her heart lift, believing that out there, River was still there. Marching on, watching as she continued his work even after death. It was why she hadn’t stopped since taking on his armor. It was the way.

“Yes,” she said, with a solemn nod. “But you are the fourth Mandalorian I’ve met outside of Clan Wren, and it brings me hope knowing we’re not all gone yet.”

She turned to Adenn’s foundling, L’ewvan. He was so young, she was tempted to refuse his offer of help, afraid that he might die in the eventual firestorm and that she’d be responsible for it. She didn’t want to risk the future of Clan Rytt on what was simply guard duty for her. Still, Adenn was insistent, much like her father in training her, and L’ewvan was eager to learn. She wouldn’t refuse either of them the fight they were looking for.

“If that’s what you want, I won’t stop you,” said Song to the young foundling, before she shifted her focus back to the older man. “I will keep an eye out for him, of course. I only ask that neither of you do anything too… heroic. If I’m to die, then it is the way. There are many more of Clan Wren, but you are the last of Rytt.”

She looked over her shoulder a second time, unsure when the raiders might arrive, but thankful now that she wasn’t alone.

“But from what the settlers have told me, chances are these raiders are nothing more than inexperienced pirates. Who knows, they might turn tail and run at the sight of us.”

It was unlikely to happen, but the image made her smirk. Mandalorians were slowly building their reputation again across the Outer-Ri. Her last bounty had simply surrendered at the sight of her armor. Perhaps, in a matter of time, Song will have gained enough of a rep to track down her brother’s killer, and exact terrible revenge. It was all she ever wanted.

@Timmen

 

[Adenn Rytt]

Adenn smirked under his helmet both at L'ewvans desire to fight and at river's willingness to allow the Jarma to fight. He was, admittedly, Frightened for his new son, but he admired his fire.
"Such is the way, Vod, The Experienced lead the inexperienced and the knowledgeable shall teach the ignorant. I thank you for your promise, L'ewvan and I will not fail you."
he turned to his son
"I expect you to keep your head, you follow this man's lead, you follow my lead, and you'll see daylight yet."
Adenn Rose from his position turning back towards their camp
"We must go and retrieve our weaponry. I suspect they will be here soon."

 

[Song Wren]

“Please, go on ahead,” said Song. “I’ll wait here and keep watch.”

She nodded to the other Mandalorian, then to his son. As little as she showed it, at least from underneath her helmet, she was deeply grateful for their help. Song had fought alone against pirates and raiders before, but she never left unscathed. It was always with another, whether a fellow Mando or an outcast smuggler, that she managed to pull through. Having Adenn and L’ewvan at her side was something of a guarantee, then.

A guarantee that she might live to see the night’s end.

As they left for their camp, Song took position at the town’s edge. The homes around her were boarded up, the doors locked close, the men and women and children inside hiding in their basements. All of them waited in bated breath for what would inevitably come. It was her duty to make sure they left their homes in celebration than in chains.

Song checked her own belongings too. A thermal detonator, her loaded DL-44 blaster, the ceremonial sword of her late brother. It wasn’t much, but to her, it was enough. She’d been through worse with less.

Pulling out a pair of infrared binoculars, she looked out into the vast flat plain surrounding the settlement. At first, there was nothing. At second glance, that was when she saw it. Them. A company of raiders, at least six speeders with a pair on each. So, by her count, a dozen or more. The real problem was that they were all heavily armed. And armored. More than what she was expecting.

@Timmen

 

[Adenn Rytt]

Adenn and L'ewvan walked back to their camp, they walked in silence, taking the situation very seriously. Adenn checked his A280, to Ensure it was was loaded and its power pack was fully Charged. His Beskad had been recently repaired since its damage on the wheel and he grabbed a sharpening stone, giving the blade a few rubs to keep the edge good and sharp. He bowed his head
"Ca'a cuyir dral" (blessed are the strong)
His son give the correct response
"Ibic cuyir miai" (this is the way)

 

[Etr Wyara]

L'ewvan bowed his head
"Par val malyasa'yr parana katagine vhetin" (They will inherit the sweetest fields)
His father seemed prpud of his response, he gave him an approving nod
"Ibic cuyir miai"
he raised his head;
"Ibic cuyir miai"
his Father had sent him to the task of reading the clans book The Rimr Be Haat or "Book if Truths", hed begun learning the correct prayer responses and was becoming familiar with reading and writing Mando'a.
he returned to checking his E-11, it was a little dirty but still usable, eventually he'd master the beskad, and one awaited his graduation but for now he was given a clumsy Bludgen to use.

 

[Song Wren]

Song looked over her shoulder hoping to see the father and his son’s return, but only saw the empty streets of the settlement and the single wavering lamp. She sighed. The Mandalorian didn’t believe for a second they had turned tail and ran, not for the Creed, but the raiders had come sooner than either of them expected. She could only pray they were ready and arrived before things went awry.

But it went without saying that Song wouldn’t wait for the raiders to strike first.

She pulled out an extended rifle, and through her visor, looked through the scope. Five hundred meters and closing. Two hundred and fifty. One hundred. Now, she could hear the roar of their speeders, even the occasional battle cry of the marauders, but she was quick to silence that too. With a single shot, she fired into one of the swoop bikes. The bolt struck the engine, and the man driving it was engulfed in a fiery explosion.

One down, eleven more to go.

The man who was seated behind the driver leapt off in time, crashing into the ground, but they were the least of her priorities. The other marauders, realizing they were found, suddenly broke their tight formation. They moved at angles, twisting and turning, and Song knew it was impossible now to continue her distant firing. So, she set her rifle aside and clung to DL-44 blaster. For the fourth time that night, she checked her sword too.

There was a very real chance she’d have to use it.

@Timmen

 

[Adenn Rytt]

Adenn and his son Hurried back to Song, the blaster fire had caught them by surprise and the lack of it after the single exchange concerned them deeply. They had returned within a few minutes and found Song sitting at her original position. The sound of the Speeder bikes grew louder with every passing moment.

 

[Etr Wyara]

L'ewvan hurried back with his father. The sound of the approaching pirates grew louder and louder with each passing moment until finally shouting couls be heard nearby as the Pirates spotted the Trio, they began firing on the Mandos. L'ewvan immediately hit the ground, ducking in the gravel behind some larger stones. He took aim and began to fire, at the small silohuettes, hoping to hit some. Of course, this drew their fire and he was forced to remain under cover.

 

[Song Wren]

The split formation of the speeder bikes was a setback. Now that her rifle was a worthless husk, at their speed and distance, she had to rely on her own quick focus and her DL-44. The bounty hunter ought to have been afraid of the approaching men, outnumbered and outmatched, but the Mandalorian inside her didn’t give them a single ounce of fear. Though what she was facing now had to be some of the worst odds she was dealt, she’d endured worse and still won.

Besides, she wasn’t alone. Not anymore.

As the raiders started firing from the speeders, their shots slamming into nearby houses, moisture vaporators and patches of stone and grass, Song and her newfound friends started doing the same. However, the sheer number of their enemy had her and L’ewvan pinned behind cover. One look past it and she might nick a shot to the chest or worse, and she wasn’t sure if the risk was worth it.

But she had to do something, else they’d be surrounded.

Without a second thought, she took a couple paces back from the rocky cover then ran head-on into it. At first glance, she might’ve looked crazy, but that was far from the truth. On the last second, she activated her jump boots and suddenly she was launched over the rocks and into the sky. At least, a few meters above it. While mid-air, she took aim with her blaster and started firing at the closest speeder she could find.

Of four bolts, it was the last that hit home. Right into the chest of one of the drivers.

The speeder swerved out of control, a zigzagging mess, before it crashed into a random moisture vaporator and exploded. The raider with him had leapt off at the last second too, sparing himself the same fiery fate, and stumbled into the dirt.

Two down, ten more to go.

Song landed back into the ground with a thud, but found herself now exposed out of cover, while a third speeder was headed straight for her. Her eyes widened in surprise.

@Timmen

 

[Adenn Rytt]

Adenn shook his head as the Wren Flew well over his head and into the open ground.
I need to get one of those
He thought to himself.
She was very exposed and open to the hostiles and with a speeder coming in fast, no less! Adenn Quickly took Aim and fired at the speeder, he managed to hit the driver, causing him to veer off away from River.
"Find cover, Wren!"
He called out to his new Comrade. He turned to L'ewvan
"You, cover me, boy!"
He drew his blade and charged down, cleaving the arm off one of the pirates, a nastu looking Weequay, who squealed with pain as he stared down at his hand which squirmed in the dirt, still holding its Dl-44. Adenn Would quickly follow up with an upwards slice, forcing his guts to spill out as he fell befoee the Mando. Rytts next movement was swift, as he tackled the Weequay, using the corpse as short order sandbags and taking cover while firing on the others, trying to Keep the other Pirates at bay.
@Feng Mian