Ask Consortium of Struggle

[Carrick]

The ship had been left adrift in space, the engines having been hammered into submission by the weapons of the Tinnel IV defence forces. It hadn’t been a hard space fight since the ship had mostly been out of control – no shots had been returned by the transport and the only transmission that had been received from the ship had been the captain’s final log, giving a warning about how the ship was out of control and it’s cargo.

Said captain had not managed to mention what the ‘grave threat’ was before the transmission was disconnected.

As their ship moved up to the side of the transport, Carrick made sure to double check the full-body environment suit he had equipped himself with. While the Mandalorians on the ship with him were, by default, fully armoured up, he wasn’t. And in a Galaxy where there was literally a zombie plague ravaging most of known space?

Having a fully secured suit and helmet was a must.

Himself and the two Mandalorians were the only people on the small shuttle as it approached the transport under his guidance. Parking up against the hull of the ship, Carrick spoke up as the ships were connected by a docking ring.

“Alright – nobody plays the Hero.” He commanded bluntly, “Nobody goes anywhere alone. We do NOT split up for any reason; we have no idea what the threat on board the ship was and I will not have any of us facing it alone.”

He drew his rather plain, undercoated, lightsaber in his right hand.

“Arm up and we’ll head onto the other ship when you’re ready.”

@Forsythe Crowholde @Minuteman75

 

[Minerva Wren]

Boarding actions by nature were up close and personal. Minerva was at the hull, gripping her blaster rifle. She had already installed a new clip minutes ago. In the back of Minerva’s mind something occurred to her.

Carrick must’ve pulled a lot of strings to get us this opportunity. The benefits of a senator. Still it begs the question why involve himself in this operation directly? He could’ve just sent Reiel and me in to handle this.

Of course that’s what most of her former clients tended to do. But the senator of Tinnel IV insisted on being a part of this. Was it out of some lingering sense of duty from his days as a Jedi? Perhaps there was a secret shipment he was expecting but wouldn’t it be more easier to have Reiel fetch it for him?

Whatever his reasons, Minerva shrugged it off for the time being. I need to do this. Armand’s killers are still out there. That thought buried in his mind the widow heard footsteps and noted Carrick’s environment suit. Another reminder why I love being a Mandalorian. Subsequently with an amused smirk underneath the helm she listened to his blunt instructions.

The tone in the former Jedi’s voice was serious, Minerva noted further. “Same to you pen pusher.” She replied, checking the sights on her rifle for the last time.

@Forsythe Crowholde @Nefieslab

 

[Reiel Mal Crowholde]

Spoiler: Theme

​

Reiel wondered what occupation she would be saddled with had Buir not adopted her and taken her into the Mandalorian fold.

She could paint and draw, skills the ex-pirate captain who raised her made sure Reiel honed, as well as singing and playing the hallikset. They were parts of her that Buir embraced as well, and back in the day when she wasn't busy with bounty hunting she would always be in the common room back in the old covert at Maldo Kreis, teaching the foundlings to read, write, and even sing and draw. Maybe she could have been an artist... or a teacher. Hells, maybe she could have been a singer. She even toyed with the idea of being a Ranger once, having been in awe of one particular Cathar she'd worked with.

Reiel knew that she was better off as a Mandalorian, though. It wasn't an occupation, per se, but she thought the identity suited her best.

She hummed a wordless song quietly under her breath as she checked her gear. Reiel was sure that Minerva had heard her sing back on Mandalore – the small Mandalorian thought it good at the time to break off the growing tension between her gathered vode with a little bit of singing. It was embarrassing and didn't really achieve the effect she had intended, but at least there were some who seemed to appreciate the song. It helped calm her then, and it sure as hell helped her now that she, Carrick, and Minerva were off to an undertaking wherein the danger they were about to face was yet to be identified.

Reiel kept humming, lowering the volume as Carrick spoke. Eyes on the rifle she was inspecting for the final time, the small Mandalorian ended her wordless song with a satisfied nod before grinning up at her sorcerer.

"Pretty sure that's how horror holo-movies end up going south," she joked lightly as she slung her blaster rifle over her shoulder. Her blaster pistols were strapped in place, a pair of vibroknives tucked to each boot. Her flamethrowers were functional, as well as her whipcord thrower.

There was amusement in her voice, but she intended to take his words and this task seriously.

"I'm ready whenever you are, Senator. Vod."

@Nefieslab @Minuteman75

 

[Carrick]

The simple truth of the matter was that Carrick didn’t need to be here on this misadventure but he was because he wasn’t about to let his skills atrophy due to lack of use. Sitting behind a desk and issuing orders was all well and good for most people but he had been a Jedi Knight and that was training and instinct that didn’t just go away.

No, it was part of him and every now and then he needed to actually use it. If it promoted the image that he was some kind of warrior leader of old? Well that was just good PR.

He didn’t think that, between the two of them, the Mandalorians actually needed his help to make sure the ship was clear of active threats but still. Rolling his neck as best he could within the confines of his spacesuit, he nodded to the two Mandalorians.

“Alright, we’re going to head up to the bridge first – I want to see if there are any records that didn’t get transmitted.”

The doors opened and they were inside the ship, the corridor quiet and empty in a way that very few spaceships could ever actually hope to be. Glancing up and down the corridor, he noted the signs pointing toward the bridge and started to walk. Using the Force to muffle his footsteps ever so slightly, he held his lightsaber at the ready in his right hand as they approached a corner in the corridor.

Raising a hand for the Mandalorians to hold, Carrick leaned around the corridor to take a look before leaning back against the wall with a small huff.

“Well, the good news is that the smuggler crew won’t be an issue.” He explained, “The bad news is that killed them is still here.”

Around the corner there was a scene of bloody horror as the remains of one of the smugglers was busying being smeared across the walls of the corridor by the hulking mass of flesh and sores that was the AMS-tainted Wookiee. It was alone and now that they were deeper in the ship they could hear warbling roars in the distance.

“They smuggle wookiees as well as droids – and their infected. Ideas?”

@Forsythe Crowholde @Minuteman75

 

[Minerva Wren]

Listening to her sister’s wordless song Minerva gave a quick nod in respect. Indeed she remembers Reiel doing the same before they entered combat on Mandalore. It was very welcomed given the circumstances. Armand loved music, from Bith jazz to the ancient battle songs of their people.

Suddenly she could see Armand’s heartwarming grin. By Manda he always loved to smile whenever there was an opportunity. The warrior lowered her head silently, paying her respects to her departed lover. Armand, I will avenge you and raise our children. Your love for us and our clan will be honored, no matter what it takes.

Underneath the helm Minerva fought back tears that threatened to stream down. The grief was still as raw as a fresh wound. I know death will claim us all in the end but…it will always hurt. Despite her best efforts a single tear dripped down her right cheek. Grateful for its concealment Minerva paid attention to Carrick’s plan to head for the bridge.

Soon enough the doors slid open for them. Keeping her blaster at the ready, Minerva advanced cautiously on the left side of Carrick and Reiel. It didn’t take long for her to notice the haunting silence that hung in the air. The sheer emptiness of the hallway added to the feeling.

Following the senator to a corner of the corridor she pressed herself against it. Hearing what he said caused Minerva to grimace and the disturbing roars some distance away. She had been on Nar Shaddaa when it was overrun by the infected years ago. Sometimes she still has nightmares of that horrid day.

“Blast or cut off the heads. It's more efficient than shooting into their chests. We should also take advantage of the hallways to negate their numbers if possible.” Minerva replied to Carrick.

@Forsythe Crowholde @Nefieslab

 

[Reiel Mal Crowholde]

The last tones of the song were hummed more quietly than she had done previously, tapering off into a wordless agreement as Reiel moved to follow Carrick and Minerva. The silence of the ship they now boarded was unnerving, to say the least, and while being paranoid about her surroundings was something she had already learned how to control there was something about this silence in particular that made the small Mandalorian feel equal parts curious and worried.

As far as she knew smugglers didn't usually keep quiet when they're in their territory, and the smarter ones were always on the lookout for unwanted stowaways in their ships. And for a ship that now housed some nameless "grave threats"? Droids going out of control was something that people usually had some sort of a backup plan should things go south. But it was terribly odd leaving a ship like this adrift in space, and one thing she learned from her father about ships ending up like this one meant only one thing – crew's dead. The how's and why's would then be uncovered afterwards.

Reiel was no Force-sensitive, but she was starting to have a bad feeling about this.

She simply inclined her head to the side to show her agreement to the plan, trying to muffle her footsteps as much as she could. Working with Carrick before had its own perks, and Reiel was quick to step back and take cover when he moved to raise a hand. Alright, so the smuggler crew wouldn't be an issue now, would they?

Somehow, that really didn't offer her any ounce of comfort.

As if on cue, she picked up distant roars, the noises sounding like those of a Wookie but warped, unhinged. The small Mandalorian closed her eyes, pressing the hand holding a blaster to the side of her helmeted head as she muttered under her breath the summation of what she felt earlier and now,

"Ooh, shit. Nice."

It wasn't, really.

As it turned out for the smugglers, smuggling Wookies aside from the droids bit them on the backsides and more. Randon wasn't really a distant memory for Reiel – but she appreciated Minerva's words all the same. The smaller between the two Mandalorians worked best when she was shooting, and besides this was just target practice. Or so Reiel liked to think to ease the justified concern she felt.

Target practice, sure. But the targets are going to be actively trying to kill you, mind. Try not to get bitten or something.

"We can always consider the consequence of getting outnumbered, though," she said quietly. "Perhaps we can mitigate that. Use the battle droids against the infected?"

Reiel always did have the weirdest plans.

@Nefieslab @Minuteman75

 

[Carrick]

Negating their numbers was all well and good but a Wookiee was able to tank hits from all but the most powerful blasters without much issue. He didn't like to think how bad it would be with something like AMS running through their rotten veins. The damned stuff would stop them feeling pain and increase their strength tenfold without any kind of stamina loss.

It was... not great but, hey, what else could happen?

"Absolutely delightful." he agreed with a drawl, "Thankfully a lightsaber should still be something that is absolutely effective."

After all, lightsabers were only not effective against other lightsabers and beskar - neither of which would be used by some diseased and un-dead Wookiees. He adjusted his grip on his lightsaber slightly, rolling his neck slightly. The damned suit made every motion kind of uncomfortable but not enough to stop him from doing what he needed to do.

Using the battle droids against the infected?

"Not a bad idea but we're still going to need to get through this one first so let's get this done - I'll try and keep it locked in place, you two start blasting."

Carrick moved round the corner and immediately regretted it, taking a thick Wookiee arm swipe to the chest that sent him flying into the side wall. Slamming into the wall violently, he bit out a curse as the helmet broke open. Several ribs were already objecting and he felt like things were going dark - a concussion? Kark it all!

What was not even slightly better was when the Wookiee grabbed him by the throat and started slamming him against the wall again.

@Minuteman75 @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Minerva Wren]

“Zombies, it had to be zombies.” Minerva muttered sarcastically to herself. She now was certain they'd have to improvise. Story of my life. Thought the Mandalorian.

Wookiees on principle were tough fighters but the very idea of zombified verizon caused her to shudder. Underneath her breath she cursed the virus and the Sith. What happened to Nar Shaddaa years ago, was completely their fault. I would’t be surprised if those cultists unleashed the virus on other worlds.

Before Minerva could think any further about it when suddnely Carrick was grabbed in front of her. Before the warrior could do anything the senator was getting slammed by the abomination. The undead being let out a roar at Carrick.

Swifty Minerva aimed and fired seven blaster bolts toward the Wookiee’s head.

@Forsythe Crowholde @Nefieslab

 

[Reiel Mal Crowholde]

Reiel was good with improvisations. Not the best, sure, but at least she was good when it comes to doing that. Buir also taught her to remain calm in the face of danger. She'd had her moments of panic, sure, but panic was not enough to make her freeze in place when her body was already moving on autopilot, her mind processing the best course of action when Carrick was sent flying by a single swipe of the infected Wookie's arm.

She didn't stop to look how her sorcerer was faring, at least not yet. A second spared to glance at him was a second well wasted, and when his grip on his lightsaber loosened and the weapon dropped on the ground with a loud "clank!" the small Mandalorian was quick to holster her blasters. She rolled out of the Wookie's way as it charged towards the downed politician, one gloved hand swiping the deactivated saber as the sound of the Wookie's roar and blaster fire erupted above her. Rising to her feet quickly just as Buir taught her, Reiel surged forward and pressed the lightsaber's button to activate the weapon, the saber's green glow reflecting off of her armor. With an upward swing of the lightsaber the pressure in Carrick's throat would immediately disappear as the weapon sliced through flesh and bone, severing the Wookie's arm in one fluid motion.

Angered by the blaster fire pelting it and the loss of its arm, the infected Wookie chose to inflict violence at the nearest source of its misery. Before it could turn to face the two Mandalorians, however, Reiel had already sliced through the Wookie's shoulder and down to its hip in a diagonal slash, cutting the infected being in half. Both halves crashed to the ground in a mass of flesh, bone, and blood.

All that noise was supposed to attract more of the infected in their place but none came, and Reiel took that as a blessing from Kad as she deactivated Carrick's lightsaber once more before finally allowing herself to rush over to him. Dropping down on her knees beside him, the small Mandalorian carefully clipped the saber to her own belt for the meantime before reaching out to gently clutch the sides of her sorcerer's helmet.

"Senator– Carrick, speak to me," she told him, one hand dropping to his chest as if she could feel for broken ribs through his suit. As much as she wanted to let every ounce of worry for him to get out, Reiel knew that she had to restrain herself to keep her head clear.

...and also to hide the extent of her relationship with Carrick from Minerva. This was a secret that protected them both from the outside world and its threats and dangers. As much as Reiel trusted her vod to keep this a secret should the former slip? It would be much better if Minerva didn't outright find out at all.

But, damn. This was going to be a little difficult, hiding how concerned she truly felt.

Could Reiel call Carrick her boyfriend already, though? Was she his girlfriend?

"Don't move yet. Try to heal yourself first," she told him, her voice surprisingly calm for someone who was close to bursting out with sheer worry for her sorcerer. Reiel frowned as she belatedly caught sight of his damaged helmet. "Shit. We have to do something about this."

@Nefieslab @Minuteman75

Spoiler: Dice

Rolled to see if other infected will be attracted by the sound of gunfire. Odd for yes, even for no.
Rolled a 2.

 

[Carrick]

He could breathe again and that was good - Carrick didn't really know how he was going to get out of the situation he had found himself in. Thankfully it seemed that he didn't have to, it seemed that Reiel and Minerva would be able to get him out of it for him. Dreadfully handy to have allies on hand who were not likely to freeze up in combat situations outside the expected.

The Wookiee brains that sprayed all over the front of his helmet were less useful and less welcomed but he could deal with them. During his time as a Jedi he had seen death and during his time as a politician he had waded through enough shit that some viscera wasn't going to be the end of him. Coughing, he rubbed at his throat for a moment, trying to get some feeling back into the very important part of his body.

Groaning in pain through his damaged throat, he winced as he moved and winced again when someone touched his chest. He wasn't down and out just yet but there were some ribs floating where there shouldn't be right now.

"I'm... alive." he managed to gasp out, his voice hoarse as he wiped some of the blood off the visor of the helmet, "... not going out that easy..."

Because that had been easy - absolutely...

He groaned again as he pulled himself up to his feet with a wave of his hand in Reiel's direction. They didn't need to touch the helmet and it was, oddly enough, better if they didn't. After all, there was atmosphere in the ship for breathing - it was there to limit the risk that he could get some fluids into himself that could carry AMS. Cracked at the visor was, it was still accomplishing that task better than no helmet at all.

"I can see through the Force." he explained to the two Mandalorians, "Don't need my eyes... but healing... it takes time."

Time they didn't have, not really. He soothed the pains as best he could, using the Force to grant himself Force Sight and holding out a hand to Reiel, tilting his head to one side slightly.

"As striking a figure as a lightsaber-weilding Mandalorian cuts, I would like my blade back please."

Usually he would have teased Reiel about how concerned she was for him but he only did that when there wasn't any actual danger to him or her. In the first five minutes, their current mission had proven otherwise.

@Forsythe Crowholde @Minuteman75

 

[Minerva Wren]

Just as Minerva thought they were in trouble, Reiel intervened. Her fellow Mandalorian’s quick thinking with the lightsaber both saves Carrick and eliminates the zombie. While Reiel checked on the senator Minerva kept her blaster at the ready and looked around for more hostiles. So far none.

Letting out a sigh of relief she remarked. “Good thing you brought that glowstick Carrick. It’s not every rotation one gets to fight undead walking carpets.” Letting out a brief chuckle Minerva reloaded her weapon with a fresh clip. Subsequently further roaring erupted nearby followed by raging footsteps.

Oh crap!

Soon enough a trio of Wookiees, with decaying flesh and some exposed bones appeared on the other end of the hallway. Spotting the intruders the zombies resumed their mad rushed Alarmed, the widow readied herself. Taking a deep breath before releasing it Minerva suddenly charged toward them. Then she opened up with a furious barrage against the trio.

As suspected the blaster bolts only pissed them and they focused solely on her. Midway in the hallway, Minerva activated her jetpack and flew back, firing another barrage. She was trying to distract the hostiles long enough for her allies to make their move.

@Forsythe Crowholde @Nefieslab

 

[Reiel Mal Crowholde]

Reiel's worried expression melted into that of relief when Carrick spoke, assuring her that he was fine. But just because he told her that he was didn't mean that she would immediately stop worrying. The infected Wookie did quite a lot of damage than what she'd expected, and the small Mandalorian wouldn't be able to tell except for the fact that she'd known Carrick for quite some time now, and she had learned to keep an eye on his actions to see if they reflected his words.

It was painfully obvious that her sorcerer was in pain, so Reiel didn't waste her breath asking if he was fine. Pressing the lightsaber back in his waiting hand, she fought the urge to smirk at his remark about her wielding his saber and shook her head fondly instead.

"We'll give you time. Heal yourself."

It wasn't a plea, but more of a command – anf perhaps the first time she used that tone on him. Rising to her feet and pulling out both of her blasters, Reiel growled in frustration at the sound of more infected Wookies ambling the trio's way.

"The dead ought to stay dead, Kad-damn it!" grouse the small Mandalorian before following Minerva's lead. While the infected were busy shambling after her fellow Mandalorian, Reiel raised her blasters and opened fire directly on the nearest Wookie's head. Blood and viscera exploded along with the infected's brains as the shots cracked it's skull open, sending the undead crashing towards the nearest Wookie.

@Nefieslab @Minuteman75

 

[Carrick]

Being beaten half to death by an Infected Wookiee was no one's idea of a good time but Carrick wasn't about to let that stop him. If anything, it just proved that they needed to get the ship sterilized before something worse happened. He wasn't sure if the Infected would survive if the ship crash landed onto Tinnel IV but he wasn't about to risk lives finding out - it would be poison for his approval ratings.

Alternatively if the people knew he had used his "evil Jedi magic" to help save them from disaster? Well it would help tremendously. Certainly there would always be those who decided it was "the plan all along" but trying to change the minds of such fools was wasted time. It was slightly planned but the situation itself wasn't - just how he planned to handle it.

And anyone who didn't plan to handle a situation like this was dumb.

Taking his lightsaber back, he tried to smile before remembering that his visor was so cracked and fogged that no one would be able to see it anyway. He didn't need to pull the face to make it seem like everything was okay at least. Time was a factor in Force Healing and he could "see" the Infected arriving with the Force.

"Don't be a hero now Reiel."

Heroes fought valiantly.

Heroes fought bravely.

And heroes died.

Taking a breath, he focused the Force in on himself and started focusing on some of his wounds. It quickly became apparent that he didn't have a lot of time, however so he needed to prioritize. Worse, the pain from the injuries themselves were distracting... enough that he was only able to lessen the pain from his ribs as he healed them. Bruised, badly, before the healing, they were still tender but no longer quite so bad.

Reaching out with the Force, he used it to Pull at the Wookiee that Reiel's fallen enemy was collapsing onto. With the weight and the sudden Pull at it's legs, the Infected was sent sprawling to the ground.

@Minuteman75 @Forsythe Crowholde