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+--- Thread: Tales of the Mandalorians (/showthread.php?tid=4468)
Tales of the Mandalorians - Dieter Schprokets - 01-04-2010
![[Image: Msite_logo.jpg]](http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww39/MalexaMalte/Msite_logo.jpg){kind=logo}
"Gentlemen", the Mandalore began, "I've called this meeting to give you your new garrison duty assignments. We have restructured our deployment plans to keep in mind the needs of all our clients, new and old."
He faced about two dozen pilots in the briefing room, and turned and pointed to a map on the large viewscreen.
"The idea is to keep our ships in 4 Major Deployment Centres, and 2 Minor ones, for rapid grouping and deployment. Consuls have been assigned Commands of these different sectors."
He continued.
"The 4 Major Deployment Centres are Omega 3, Omicron Alpha, California, and Omicron Theta. The 2 Minor Deployment Centres are Sigma 13, and Gallia."
"Ships in Omega 3 can service BAF, or hit targets in the Omegas or Rheinland. Dha Piruna commands in this sector, which we call "Bretonia/Omega". Use of the Omega 3-Cambridge and Cambridge-Leeds Jumpholes can even allow relatively quick deployment to Bretonia's northern front, or even Dublin or the Taus. The following pilots shall make up the permanent garrison of the Bretonia/Omega sector : Jatne Rayshe'a, Estreker E'tad, Cuun Inya, and Jorsair Hett."
"Ships in Alpha can help Outcast or Blood Dragon clients, or hit Kusari, the Colonials, or IMG. Sagitarii commands in this sector, the "Malta/Tau/Kusari" sector. These pilots are the garrison here; Brokar Ehn, Je'Karta Sh'ehn, Kotra Troun, and Kad Tua."
"Ships in California can quickly get to Magellan, Cortez, defend Coronado, or help in Liberty. Briikase commands here, the "Coronado/Liberty" sector, and Parjir Tad, Mirdala Shecu, Gaklgo Kote, and Aden Kotra are assigned to this sector." These pilots smiled. This was the coziest, least dangerous assignment, being in Liberty, since it was close to home in Coronado, and also next door to Curacao, where the Warriors could spend their pay on far better diversions than the poor saps on more remote assignments.
"Ships in Omicron Theta shall mostly be used against Corsairs and Order, and should the Bounty Hunters decide to accept the contract renewal, it shall be our base for assisting them. Diane Blane commands here, the "Omicron" sector". Pilots Duraanir Solus, Tracynla Resol, Keske Droter, and Gra Jetiise are to be based here. The most danger, and the most honour, can be found in this sector, but don't be foolhardy in pursuit of the latter."
"Ships in Sigma 13 can move to hit targets in Rheinland, Kusari, or the Omicrons. It is a multipurpose station, and Diane Blane also has authority in this sector, "Sigma" sector. Currently only Katrar Caar is based there. He will be reinforced shortly once we scale back operations in Gallia." The lone pilot, Katrar, grimaced. He'd have a lonely, and likely dangerous, few months.
"Ships in Gallia are there for two reasons; firstly to fulfill the objective of Operation Kenvir Nen Caar; the intel-gathering and scirmishing contract with focus on the Gallic Royal Navy and Council Militaries, and secondly to support the Temporary Autonomous Zoners in their dispute with the Gallic Royals. Ge'tel Gra'tua commands in this sector, "Gallia" sector. Three pilots are assigned there; Troch Ta'raysh, Solu Vode, and Vomas Kote. Solu; you will join Katrar in Sigma 13 once the Zoners resolve their issues with the Gallian Royals." Solu nodded acquiesence.
The Mandalore folded his files, and nodded curtly to the assembled pilots.
"Right, Warriors. Hop to it."
And so they did.
------------------------------
Less than one week later, Solu Vode opened his encrypted message pack in Lorraine.
The message was terse. Redeploy to Sigma 13.
Solu Vode immediately prepared his ship, and his nerves, to run the gauntlet to Omicron 80, reflecting what a waste of time and fuel THAT had been.
Tales of the Mandalorians - Sassafras - 01-05-2010
After the meeting, I walked back to my ship for the return trip to Los Angeles. I thought long and hard. That damn Bishop knew I wanted the Omicron Sector, but he gives it to Diane! Now I'm stuck with California. I grimaced as the acid burned my stomach. I clinched my fist.
"You," I yelled at a passing ship tech. "Is my ship ready?"
"No Consul Briikase, it's almost finished being fueled"
My hand drifted to the ion pistol on my belt.
"I want that ship ready in five minutes, do you understand me?" I whispered.
The ship tech's face drained of all color. I saw a wet spot form on his leg.
"Ye, yes Consul, right away," as he turned and ran.
I continued walking to where my ship was docked. The tension releasing. There's something fishy going on between the Mandalore and Diane Blane. She always gets the best assignments. Come hell or high water I'm going to find out. And when I do, someone will be taking a vacation, permanently.
Tales of the Mandalorians - Dieter Schprokets - 01-08-2010
Mandalore Bishop waved the young pilot in, and asked him to sit down.
Reiner Hatsau did so.
The Mandalore stood up, looked the man in the eyes and spoke slowly.
"You have been working for us for three days. You have downed 16 targets, albeit assisted by the Bretonian Armed Forces."
Reiner nodded. "If it is not enough...."
William laughed aloud.
"Not ENOUGH?!? NOT ENOUGH?!?!? If I had a dozen more like you, we'd be the richest men in Sirius!"
Reiner nodded slowly, his modesty, though sincere, utterly comical under the circumstances.
"Well, sir, I do not like to lose. That's all. And I suppose I can fly and fight well. Always could."
The Mandalore looked speechlessly at his man. He shook his head and muttered. "I suppose."
He sat down at the desk and began to open a very old box which lay on the table. He drew out a short, cold grey blade and held it in his hands.
"It is a Murcyur, an original. It is ancient. The metallurgy is utterly forgotten. There are metals in this blade that are almost impossible to find in Sirius. It is a Warrior's blade." He looked on the weapon fondly.
He held it out to the Warrior, curved handle first, and gestured to him to stand.
"Performance such as yours simply must be rewarded, and rewarded well. The blade is yours. Guard it carefully."
The young pilot took the blade with awkward thanks, and balanced it in his hands. It was extraordinarily light, and sharp.
The Mandalore spoke again. "I have not seen fighting like this for some time. Dha Piruna did indeed achieve this sort of professional skill, and Ranov'la Aran as well. But they were seasoned pilots."
He sat, then smiled.
"I have never fought that well. Even at my peak, which I fear is behind me. Now I usually just drive this desk.." He laughed wryly.
"You it seems, are just getting started."
Reiner again said his thanks, but was clearly taken aback by the generousity of the gift. Understanding his awkwardness, the Mandalore dismissed him. As Reiner left the room, the Mandalore said some parting words. "Keep it up, son. You will go far."
Very far indeed.
Tales of the Mandalorians - Dieter Schprokets - 01-11-2010
The Mandalore had a decision to make.
The Mandalorian Flagship, the Mhi Motir, was a Royal Liner bought in the days when the Mandalorians were based entirely in Bretonia (as opposed to simply being incorporated there, for specific tax reasons.) It had had it's purpose; entertaining clients, conducting business, and the like.
It was a stunningly attractive and luxurious vessel, and was now a stunningly useless one. Why?
Coronado was not Bretonia. The ship was simply not safe in open space, and if it was left in drydock, that defeated it's raison d'etre.
For the purpose of doing hardnosed business, the offices on Barrier Gate sufficed nicely. They were not too spartan, and were suited for the task.
For the purpose of entertaining clients, Curacao was very close by. The Mhi Motir would often head to Curacao, unload clients for some R and R on the surface, then shuttle them back. But that made it a very expensive bus, and only that. Why would anyone in their right mind stay on a starship in orbit around a resort planet, when the planet itself beckoned?
So William was forced to reckon with the fact that the old girl was superfluous. An operating expense which could no longer be justified.
The Consuls were united in support of the decision he had to make, and that made it easier.
The Mhi Motir would be stripped, sold.
And then reborn. Into something that projected power.
The opportunity was there; all that was neccessary was to accept an offer which was already on the table.
The Mandalore poured himself a scotch, went to the viewscreen, and he spoke quietly.
"Get me Dennis Jameson, please."
There was a pause of a minute and a half while subspace ether was channeled appropriately, and then, more mundanely, when the Administrative Assistant on the other end spilled, then cleaned up, her coffee. Coffee went well with Cardi, or so it was said.
A voice at the other end gave acknowledgement.
"Minister, the arrangement we had discussed before. It is still possible?"
Tales of the Mandalorians - Dennis Jameson - 01-11-2010
[Signal redirected.]
...
[Please stand by.]
...
[Connection established.]
Ah, good day. Yes, the offer is still on the table so to say... In fact, I've had that little beauty finished for quite some time now, and I was starting to wonder when you'd finally accept it...
[The vessel has been equipped with an advanced fusion drive, a modified weapon architecture so that you may equip with your standard munitions and we] took the liberty of inserting an advanced command and control module so that the ship may serve as you had intended.
Please retrieve it when you have time. I shall accompany you to your headquarters so that I may aid in the final system checks before the proper launch of the vessel.
Right... I guess that's all for now. I'll be awaiting your crew transports and engineers.
Tales of the Mandalorians - Dieter Schprokets - 01-11-2010
The Mandalore smiled.
"Excellant. Thank you Minister. We will begin mobilizing resources to Valetta Shipyard immediately."
"Your offer of an escort is appreciated. We intend to move it to Coronado as soon as she is ready."
The Mandalore said his goodbyes and disconnected.
He then finished his scotch, poured another and called for the Consuls to be assembled.
Time to tell them about their new, very dangerous, toy.
Tales of the Mandalorians - Dieter Schprokets - 01-12-2010
Valetta shipyard was an impressive place.
Teams of Mandalorian crewmen were being trained by the shipwrights, weapons specialists, engineers, engine technicians, shield technicians, and actually cooks as well.
The Mhi Motir had been reborn, and she was not a gentle beast. A reconditioned Storta class, she was in excellant shape, and had had her share of battle. She would have still more.
A substantial amount of the Mandalorians' resources were poured into her. She was to be the bulwark of defense in Coronado, and could also be made available to defend Omicron Alpha if need be.
The ship would be crewed primarily by Outcast technicians for her shakedown cruise and dozens of subsequent flights. As Mandalorian crews were trained, the Outcast ones would stand down, until eventually, she would only be staffed by the Mandalorians themselves.
On this, the day of her maiden launch, all systems would be proven.
Finally in orbit around Malta, a small mixed escort of Mandalorians and Outcast Guard pilots assembled.
![[Image: storta1.jpg]](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc267/dietersmeep/storta1.jpg)
Once the reactor status had been confirmed, the weapons and shield systems were tested. All systems, save some minor issues, were fully operational.
William Bishop stood on the Bridge with his Consuls, in awe of the power he was seeing displayed here. Nothing by House Military standards, but certainly more firepower than the Mandalorians had ever yielded.
Save for Luc McLeod's brief ownership of a Blood Dragon battleship. The word "squandered" entered his mind, and lingered and refused to leave.
The reactors had responded well under load, and it was time to test her engines.
Diez. Nueve. Ocho. Siete. Seis. Cinco. Cuatro. Tres. Dos. Uno!
The ship shuddered, and began to cruise towards the jumphole, escorted by the Outcast Guard fighters.
She entered hyperspace, and began to run the gauntlet of Tau space, avoiding Colonial and Kusari patrols, flying high above plane when needed.
![[Image: storta25.jpg]](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc267/dietersmeep/storta25.jpg)
Baffin. And safety. Just one more jump...
Meanwhile, Consul Sagitarii, in his Gunboat the Caribdis, was holding off some scoundrels who had happened to get their hands, somehow, on Tridente Gunships. And oh, they were learning what a Conference class could do in the right hands.
The Mhi-Motir jumped to Coronado, made secure by the Consul's efforts, and made a beeline for Barrier Gate.
Once there, final calibrations were made to the command and control systems by Minister Jameson.
This job done, the Mhi Motir settled into her new home. And her new masters.
![[Image: storta2.jpg]](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc267/dietersmeep/storta2.jpg)
Tales of the Mandalorians - Dieter Schprokets - 01-15-2010
The Mandalore stood before the assembled pilots, and gave the command to stand at ease.
"Mando-a, RA-CIR!"
He strode back and forth as he spoke.
"Today we honour two Warriors by elevating them to the rank of Alor'ad."
He stopped, looked at one man in the front row, and grinned at him
"Jacek Aspen, come forward and receive your insignia. You are now Alor'ad, 'Leader of Men'"
Jacek came forward, took his simple rank insignia and pinned it on his black tunic. He saluted sharply, then took the forward place of the Alor'ad, before his squad.
The Mandalore then paced to the other side of the assembled warriors, and stopped in front of a young lady.
Who had a cat in her arms.
He looked at her and smiled.
"You too my lady.", was all he said. Her name was not generally known, but the young eccentric with the love of felines was a damn good pilot and squad leader, and the Mandalorians rewarded results, and cared not about quirks.
She came forward, took her rank insignia quietly, and took her place at the front of the ranks.
The Mandalore dismissed the pilots, to roaring applause.
Tales of the Mandalorians - Dieter Schprokets - 01-19-2010
The Warrior Reiner Hetsau and the one simply known as Wolf stood before the Mandalore at his command chair on the flasgship Mhi-Motir.
He finished his paperwork, and looked up.
"You are likely wondering why you are here. I won't mince words."
He reached into his tunic and pulled out two simple rank insignias.
The mark of the Alor'ad. Both pilots eyes went wide.
"You are hereby field commissioned to the rank of Alor'ad. Some may doubt my wisdom promoting realitively new pilots, but you two spend more time in space than some asteroids I know, and I simply WILL reward effort like that."
He pinned the rank insignia on the two now not-so-junior pilots.
"There is more to being a Mandalorian than skill or seniority."
He sat on his command chair.
"There is a less quantifiable thing called heart. And you boys have that in spades."
He dismissed them, with a respectful nod.
"Victory, Alor'ad."
The pilots gave their respects then walked away.
The Mandalore leaned back in his chair, glad that so far today he had been able to ignore the pounding in his head.
Note to self, he thought.
Do not go drinking with Hispania squadron after an outing. Tequila hates you.
Tales of the Mandalorians - Dieter Schprokets - 01-24-2010
![[Image: mmheader.png]](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc267/dietersmeep/mmheader.png)
Leeds was a smokey, polluted planet. It was not at all clear to the Mandalore why the Kusari wanted it so badly.
They sure seemed to, though. In spite of it being, at this point in Bretonia's history, the nexus of hopelessness for the nation.
Which is why William was here. The poor and desparate could, under the right circumstances, make good recruits.
He walked into the bar.
He looked into the back corner.
He saw four men at one table who could not have been mistaken for those who had something to lose.
Moreover, they were wearing the coveralls of a certain facility called "Newgate", which presumably had recently housed them. And they were talking about flying.
Pilots.
William walked to the table and sat down to a very silent welcome, which thawed immensely when he grinned and took out a bottle of 12 year old scotch.
And thus was born "Carina Squadron"
The poor old girl would probably suffer apoplexy if she ever met the men who fought under her name.
No matter. The enemies of the Crown would die, and the Mandalorians would profit.
Scotch often sealed deals of greater and lesser import for the organsation.