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Arden Kryze

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Bakura/Salis D'aar Slums
15:22 local time

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The infamous Senator, Princess, and eventually General of two organizations, Leia Organa, once famously spoke highly of Bakura as "a second Alderaan". Despite having an impressive hatred and prohibition against droids, Bakura could almost be seen as a type of paradise on the backside of the Galaxy. But just like every bright and golden paradise in the galaxy, Bakura also had its darker side.

And in this case, that darker side was the slums of the planet's capital.

Arden's ship was parked safely on a landing pad in the space port. His droid was left on the ship, but that was nothing new for him. There was talk in the underbelly of the galaxy of some very old and very sought after tech surfacing on the black market. Apparently it was not only from during the Galactic Civil War, but also from Mandalorian origin. A tag like that would send any collector and numerous other types of colourful characters head over heals to get their hands on it. It was also likely to attract the unwanted attention of the rightful owners of those artifacts.

Arden wasn't known for being a good person at all. One might even assume that he was there to get the items for his own personal exploits. If people wanted to believe that, they could do so. But underneath the cold and heartless exterior was a closely guarded love for his own people.

He was seated at a small noodle bar counter built into a shack. A mug of some awful local drink sat in front of him with a straw reaching in underneath his helmet. His armour had drawn many looks. Usually it would be a bad thing. But today he blended in quite well with other outlanders that came to the planet in search of this valuable collection. The drink was finally done and he left the noodle bar, leaving a few credits alongside his drink. He tugged at his jacket over his armour and adjusted his holsters. He knew the auction's general area. But he still needed to find the specific location and time it was going to go down. Apparently he still had a day or two, but he still needed to get some intel on the area.

He started to wander the area, keeping an eye out for anything that seemed capable of pointing him in the right direction...

@Feng Mian
 

Song Wren

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Song rarely ventured this far out into Wild Space. She stuck closer to the Outer-Rim territories, or the Inner Rim for safe measure, but never before had she stood so close to the edge of the known galaxy. Bakura, a world bordering the Unknown Regions, was a planet described as the next Alderaan, a perfect utopia, but no planet was perfect. Song had learned that long ago in her many travels across the galaxy.

What brought her so far out of her comfort zone, however, was news of an auction. A bidding war over old tech and armor. Some dated as far back as the Clone Wars, some were plucked out of long-ago battlefields. Some were from Mandalore herself, and the bodies of her fallen kin.

That was why Song was there. She wanted to see the collection for herself, and if she could, buy it out. But, if one rumor had it, and the items were stolen, unlawfully taken, then she’d do what she must.

Their religion, the Creed, was built around their armor. If someone outside the Clans, someone unworthy of its possession, had taken it, then it was a great dishonor to Mandalore, and it would be Song’s responsibility to make it right.

She hoped that wouldn’t be the base. Last thing she wanted on her hands was a gunfight. She wore River’s armor to honor him, and through his name, give him the fame and glory he deserved. Not to make the public fear it, but respect it. Respect him, dead or not.

Song drifted towards what she believed where the auction would be held, apparently inside some random brothel, when she caught him. A familiar face, but not one she met before: another Mandalorian. She tensed up at the sight, not out of fear or suspicion, but interest.

Carefully, she approached him from behind. Although she ought not to surprise him, knowing any Mandalorian, she moved up to his side and said casually through her voice modulator, “It’s not everyday you see a Mandalorian this far out, no?

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Arden Kryze

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As he walked he heard a processed voice speak up beside him. He glanced towards the voice and raised an eyebrow behind his visor. "No' everyday you see a Mandalorian at all." he remarked. He looked ahead again and walked with the new arrival. "I take it you're here for the auction as well?" he asked him casually.

"I will admit tha' havin' another Mando on this definitely makes things easier. Though, I'm still tryin' to figure out where exactly it's bein' held. You go' any leads on that?" he asked him as he walked through the streets. His eyes scanned the area, keeping an eye on the various sketchy characters around them. The streets were bustling. Outlaws and scum walked around, minding their own business. Beggars and dregs hung around places with a lot of traffic. It reminded him of Coronet City in more than a few ways.

The two of them seemed to attract some eyes. Especially from local thugs and gangsters. He wasn't surprised, though. Having more than one Mandalorian in one place at a time was a rare occasion. "I hope you go' your senses open, sunshine. 'Cause this isn't a simple walk through the market." he spoke up, his hands sticking close to his holsters.

@Feng Mian
 

Song Wren

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I am,” answered Song, nonchalantly.

She was glad the Mandalorian hadn’t turned her away, and instead engaged with her as they walked side by side through the bazaar. Though he was a stranger, nameless and faceless, she trusted him more than anyone else in that corner of the galaxy. They were Mandalorians, bound by the Creed, and it was only natural that they could rely on one another for support.

She might’ve been worried if he was an imposter, but she could tell by his Beskar’gam, the colors and patterns drawn over it, that he was the real deal. He could be trusted, for the time being.

I’ve heard a rumor or two,” she said, following the man’s gaze out through the crowds. “Supposedly, it’s being held in some lavish club. A market brothel. Most of Bakura’s elite plans to attend, and a few tourists like ourselves, but I doubt we’ll be seeing any more of us. Mandalorians.

Her eyes wandered out through the market again. Past sleazy vendors barking at strangers to buy hand-shaped souvenirs or fresh fruit, or bums slumped against walls begging for change. It was another moment of searching that she spotted the brothel near the bazaar’s edge, the entrance wide open but guarded by a hefty-looking Gamorrean. No doubt to keep the rabble out.

See that over there? It’s just ahead,” Song said and thumbed over to the establishment. “By the way, my name isn’t ‘sunshine.’ You can call me vod, or you can call me River. Take your pick.

She was a little stoic now, not because she disliked the nickname, but because she was on edge. She caught a few suspicious glances thrown her way, and the closer they came to the brothel, the more she felt her stomach knot. She had a bad feeling about this.

@KinkyPrawn
 

Arden Kryze

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Arden chuckled at his explanation. "A brothel, huh? Now tha' must be a sight. A bunch of rich suits shufflin' into a cheap brothel in a slum district." he quipped as they walked. He continued to talk, both pointing out a rather suspicious setup as well as urging Arden to call him by his name...something that the Mandalorian completely ignored.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever makes you sleep at night, mate." he said as he started walking straight towards the guard. "That has got to be the place." he confirmed as he saw a rather posh-looking man enter the premises. The ID scanner in the Pig's hands only served to complicate things. But unlike his comrade, Arden was cool as a cucumber. With a smile he marched up to the Gamorrean. "Top of the mornin', chap!" he greeted happily...though the Gamorrean didn't seem very amused. He glanced at River then back to the Pig. "Alrigh' since you wanna be like that, mind lettin' us in?" he asked casually, which only received a snort from the guard.

"You really want to be like that? Fine, how about this?" he asked as he pulled out a handful of credits. This finally got a good response. The Gamorrean eyed the credits, then the two Mandalorians, then the credits once more. After a few seconds of thinking it took the credits and stepped aside to let them in. He looked at River and smirked wide enough to even be seen through the emotionless T-visor. "Alrigh' off we go." he quipped as he entered.

The place was as one would expect, but as they ventured in, they were led to an underground area. It had a big hall filled with chairs and a podium at the front. People were either standing around, getting their seats, or talking. "We found it, alright. Let's see wha' were dealin' with." he spoke softly as he looked around.

@Feng Mian
 

Song Wren

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The brothel acts as the cover,” she said with a shrug. The set-up was a suspicious one, she knew, but she figured Bakura’s elite were always like that. It was the last place law enforcement, or Rangers of any kind, might look.

Song watched the other Mandalorian, slightly amused as he spoke with the Gamorrean. She was tempted to step in, punch the guard in the throat and move on, but it was much more entertaining to see the encounter play out. For a moment, she thought the Mando would do the same, whip out his blaster and cause a scene. Thankfully, he only took out a handful of credits. Not long after, they were through.

The brothel foyer was large and lavish. Nothing she might have expected in the slums. Paintings, antique weapons and silken curtains hung from the walls. A carpet with a thousand different patterns sewn into it stretched over the floor.

A few men and women, clearly working there given their lack of… attire, watched them carefully. Song even caught one woman staring, before snapping her gaze straight ahead, much to the smitten woman’s hushed laughter. If only they knew the truth. Still, most of them showed a marked interest in the Mandalorians, and suddenly Song wasn’t sure if she was the hunter or the hunted at that point.

They descended down a stairwell and into a wide chamber, with seats and a lifted podium up front. Suited strangers rabbled on in whispers, ignorant to the new arrivals.

Yeah,” said Song, taking a seat in the back. “Let’s see.

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Arden Kryze

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Arden strolled around, listening to the different topics being discussed and getting a feel for the place. He made sure to keep an eye on River who seemed to be way out of his element. He couldn't help but smirk at his reaction to the looks the employees gave the two Mandalorians. One scantily clad lady came past with a tray holding a few cocktails. "Here you go, boys." she said with a sultry tone as she offered them the glasses. Arden made sure to check how many other patrons were drinking the same thing before accepting it. "Cheers, luv." he said politely as he took a glass and slid its straw in underneath his helmet.

As he slurped at the drink he watched her move on and offering the other guests the same drink and behaviour. He also saw her expertly sliding a few credits out of one man's pocket and into her skimpy clothes. "Might wanna keep an eye on your pocket around these people." he said to River. It was an obvious precaution, but one that was still worth pointing out. As they moved he made sure to study over the items being advertised. Some were useless, only good for ornaments in one's home. But some items, especially the armour and gear, was still usable and in good condition.

After probably half an hour of mingling, looking around and blending in, he managed to get a hold of a program for the auction. "Look at this." he spoke softly as he pulled River aside to look at the pamphlet. "Today's auction is for small things, nothin' serious. They are havin' an exhibition for the people to ge' a good look of the products. Tomorrow is the big one. So that doesn't give us a lot of preppin' time. And judgin' by the look of it, breaking in an' trying to steal the stuff at night isn't gonna go down well." he explained to him as he looked up at the page.

He handed the paper to River and looked around once more. "No reason for us bein' here any longer. So wha' about we ge' out of here and reconnoiter the area?" he asked him to hear his input.

@Feng Mian
 

Song Wren

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Song didn’t refuse the cocktail, but after a quick whiff, she carefully dumped it into a nearby plant, the roots lapping up the alcohol like fresh water. She wasn’t one to get drunk, or mildly buzzed, on quests and events of such importance. No telling if or when the enemy might strike, and the Mandalorian rather devoted her attention to the men and scantily-clad women around her.

Aside from one or two pickpockets, which Arden was quick to warn her about, Song didn’t feel too intimidated by the lavish gathering.

Though she did feel out of place. In her full armor, next to another Mando, she stuck out like a sore thumb in the crowd of nobles and scantily-clad servers. At least, now that they were acquainted with the club and its patrons, returning to the auction another day might make things smoother. Or worse, now that the element of surprise would no longer be on their side.

Song stared at the pamphlet and nodded. “Then we wait for tomorrow? Alright.”

Better to be late than early, but the Mandalorian was a rather impatient, and she had hoped her stay on Bakura would be a short one. Then again, it was only an extra day, and now she had company to keep her occupied. So far, the other Mando hadn’t gotten on her nerves, so that was good.

I got you,” said Song, at his last remark. “Let’s do it. You lead, I’ll follow.

Although Song tended to spearhead missions, she wasn’t sure what else to think of the suspicious auction, as well as the other man. She was curious to see what exactly he had planned for the coming tomorrow.

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Arden Kryze

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"Alrigh' sunshine. Let's ge' out of here." he said as he turned and made his way to the exit. After waving away a few ladies trying to drag them off for some fun he led the way down an alley. "We need to scou' out the area. Any diversions, escape routes, everything. I'll take the fron' half of the square, you take the other. Keep your comms open. We'll mee' in the market square in an hour." he instructed before giving him a light salute and disappearing into the crowd.

For the next hour he mingled with the crowd and kept an eye out for all the good corners and alleys. While looking, he found a warehouse for all kinds of construction vehicles...and a lot of fuel. He made sure to hide his grenades in a spot where they wouldn't be seen. "Oi, mate. I organised a little diversion for us." he radioed in. Seeing as his time was running out, he casually strolled through the streets towards the market square. Then he waited.

He sat on a bench, idly watching the people walk past. His eyes darted around the T-visor, scanning each individual, each corner, which ones looked off. He made sure to look for any T-visor heading his way.

Once they met up he organised a room at a dirt cheap hotel for the two of them. It was dirty, sketchy, and not the place a person would spend the night at out of their own free will. Perfect for the two mandos looking to keep a low profile.

"Don' worry abou' the place. As long as you don't touch anythin' you should be fine." he joked as he fell onto one of the beds. "We can lay low for now. The place has a good view of the brothel. We can monitor from this floor or the roof. I'll go ou' to get somethin' to eat later." he explained as he sat up and took his helmet off. He wasn't sure what River thought about the Resol'nare or "The Way" but that didn't stop him from catching some fresh air.

@Feng Mian
 

Song Wren

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Song twitched. She didn’t like being called sunshine, especially after giving the Mando her proper name. Although the two shared a rather tentative relationship, a short-term partnership to deal with the auction, she hadn’t earned his name herself. Perhaps that would come later, in time, or maybe not at all. She no longer cared. What mattered now was the mission. Reconnaissance. It was exactly what Song would do.

As they split apart, the Mandalorian rarely mingled with the crowd. Several poorly-dressed ladies did approach her though, and tried to strike up a conversation. They threw about every line in the book, coaxing Song to remove her helmet so they could “see the handsome man hidden inside.” She found the attention funny, annoying, and embarrassing all at once. Was this what River did in his free time?

Her thoughts were dispelled when the other Mando contacted her. A distraction? She sighed. Song had a feeling she knew what he meant.

When everything was said and done, Song retreated back into the market. She found the man seated patiently on a bench, but before she approached him, she wiped a smear of lipstick on the side of her helmet. One of the ladies had been head over heels enough to leave her mark, one she didn’t take too kindly, but she didn’t care. Song was only glad to be out of there, and back with the other Mando.

Together, they made for a cheap motel in the slums. A terrible place to stay. For Song, not the worst, but still a definite low. She wouldn’t be surprised if she fell straight through the floor at first step. Although, what really surprised her was the man removing his helm.

On instinct, Song turned away. She barely caught a face, but she was too hesitant to look again to see.

I’m sorry,” she said, uncertain. “Do you not… follow the Way?

She had known those who didn’t follow Resol’nare the way others did. Song herself wasn’t much of a fundamentalist, especially when legends like Bo-Katan or Sabine Wren never practiced it. But to keep her identity a secret, to honor her brother River? She did what she thought was best.

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Arden Kryze

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Arden laughed as River whirled around to avoid seeing his face. "I've been told I go' a face that'll make an onion cry, bu' come on! That's jus' rude!" he joked as he fall back onto the bed. River asked about his beliefs in The Way, but he merely socffed. "Cowardly tradition for a cowardly time in our history." he quipped as he sat up. "That tradition only became a thing a century ago. Before that, takin' one's helme' off was as normal as takin' a dump." he continued as he picked up his helmet, looking it over. "Besides, I became a Mandalorian late in my life. Stupid traditions such as takin' one's helmet off is meaningless to me." he finally finished.

"You can turn around, you know." he said to River, before rising to glance out of the window. He pushed a shutter down with his finger as he looked around the area. He returned to his bed, laying down and closing his eyes. "So, what? You believe in The Way an' all that?" he asked him out of curiosity.

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Song Wren

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Cowardly tradition. The words rang in her head, like an insult to everything she understood and believed in as a child on Krownest. However, she said nothing, and remained silent throughout his spiel. He was right though. Resol’nare was a custom which emerged sometime after the Great Purge, a means to inspire devotion to the Mandalorian cause when it was on the verge of extinction. The legends before them never followed it. Never cared like she did.

Still, in the spirit of her late brother, Song wouldn’t break tradition. Her opinions on the matter were irrelevant if River believed differently, because for all intents and purposes, she was River.

I see,” she said, with a careful nod. She would respect the man’s beliefs.

Slowly, obviously hesitating, Song turned around to face him. She blinked. He was as she imagined he might look. He wasn’t half-bad to look at, if only a little rough around the edges. Still, the bounty hunter felt rather uncomfortable staring, and her eyes wandered over to the closed window. She sighed, then sat against her own bed.

Yes, I believe it. It’s how I was raised. How my tribe, Clan Wren, has done it for the last century. Though I know it’s strange. You aren’t the first Mandalorian I’ve met who doesn’t practice it. Doubt you’ll be the last, either.

Just the way things are,” she said. “No pun intended.

After a short quiet settled between them, Song asked, “What clan are you even from? I don’t think you’ve ever mentioned it.” Nor a name, which she was curious to hear if they were going to be working alongside each other for the next day or so.

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