Dha Verda Werda (D8, EN)

[Claymore Frost]

"Well, you like this stuff. I just tolerate, because know a ton about mining. I'm more interested in slicing and pod-racing... But, I would be a bad date if didn't let you look around." He jumps back on his feet. "Ladies first..." He blows a bit to Jyress.

[Raven Cadera]

"You have a difficult choice coming to you, Raven, I do not envy it and for that I am sorry. Yet, I cannot allow this to go any other way. When I left the protectors I took with me enough Beskar and armament to give me time to prepare, set up on my own. However, what I found in that solitude was merely haunted thoughts and so I turned my attention to the past. My friend, your friend now, the archaeologist was of a like minded individual. Unfortunately, only the Empire had the money to foot our bill and we had to buy in," he explained.

"When I left for my search into the history of our people I left all of that Beskar, all of the armaments, all of it is behind in my safe-house. Hidden somewhere out there in this galaxy. I tell you this, Raven Cadera, because I played a part in the death of your parents. A friend, Vanito Cadera, he asked me for a favor. Help getting onto Concord Dawn, and I gave it to him. Family, as you see, was important but.. in truth.. I knew what he was going to do, I just didn't want to admit it. Perhaps.. perhaps I hoped it would change something. It didn't change enough and an old friend was taken from me. It was my fault your father died, your family died. At least... in some small part."

"Let me live and the safe-house is yours, otherwise.. I accept whatever else you deem appropriate. I offer you this chance, Raven Cadera. Judge me as you see fit as one of the true Mando'ade," he said.

Raven felt something snap in her mind as she listened to him, and she grabbed Hayar by his jacket as she pushed him up against the wall. The armor did enhance her strength, but not as much as her emotions did. "How dare you even try to bargain for your life... You're not even sorry. Don't even pretend you are! Robin was just..." her voice broke. Raven, who hadn't cried in years, felt her defenses slip. Like an old dam that been poorly patched up to keep it holding.

"We were just children," she cried through gritted teeth.

"Why should I trust you? You clearly have no honor or even humanity. You're not even sorry for what you've done!"

[Honor]

"I'm not," he said, honestly, having grunted as Raven threw him back against a wall. Bringing a hand up he put it on her wrist, "I did not say it would be easy. Nor did I say it would be fair. Know that I only speak the words because I know the wrong I have caused you, child," he said, looking to her. In his eyes she could see it, clear as day if she had the mind, sorrow, perhaps, or just an old broken man. Well, an old broken man who was built like a tank still, but old and broken of spirit all the same.

"You will have many more chances to learn these lessons... let this be your first. Sometimes, you are forced to choose. Heart, or mind. A warrior cannot always have both," he spoke the words.

[Honor]

"Looks safe Mr Frost," Jyrvess pulled the tarp aside to peer underneath, "Well then what do we have here?"

Underneath was something ancient, something old and un-moving. Nor would it likely ever move again, and yet.. the historical value of the several meters tall, an Iron Beast. In the Mandalorian tongue it was known as a Bes'uliik. More simply, to the greater Empire, it was known in the histories as a Besalisk War Droid.

[Raven Cadera]

"I'm not," he said, honestly, having grunted as Raven threw him back against a wall. Bringing a hand up he put it on her wrist, "I did not say it would be easy. Nor did I say it would be fair. Know that I only speak the words because I know the wrong I have caused you, child," he said, looking to her. In his eyes she could see it, clear as day if she had the mind, sorrow, perhaps, or just an old broken man. Well, an old broken man who was built like a tank still, but old and broken of spirit all the same.

"You will have many more chances to learn these lessons... let this be your first. Sometimes, you are forced to choose. Heart, or mind. A warrior cannot always have both," he spoke the words.

"You are vile. Dar'manda..." the word was harsh and scathing. Her hands trembled as she held him, though not from the strain of the effort.

Why did she have to make this choice? No matter what she chose, she would be failing someone.

Her shaking stopped and she eased her grip on Hayar as she took one step back. "I'm still alive, but they are dead. I remember them, so they are eternal. Tyber, Artemis, Robin..." she reached for her sword as she spoke in an emotionless yet strained voice. "You will not join the Manda. Your name will not be remembered except only as Dar'manda. Today, your disgusting existence ends."

Today, he would die. It would not be a full revenge for her family, but it was the right thing to do.

[Jyrvess Ertil]

Jyrvess stared at the monster for a moment, trying to recall its like. Her attention turned to Raven as the conversation she was having turned harsh. "Miss Raven...I believe this is some sort of...monstrous war droid. It's been a while but...didn't your people once make use of droids?"

She looked at Clay then and shrugged, "Doesn't look like its going to be of much use to anyone outside of ceremonial and historical."

Then of course the situation got worse....

"Miss Raven. Are you sure about this?" Her eyes were back on the team leader. "My apologies for interrupting."

[Honor]

"You are vile. Dar'manda..." the word was harsh and scathing. Her hands trembled as she held him, though not from the strain of the effort.

Why did she have to make this choice? No matter what she chose, she would be failing someone.

Her shaking stopped and she eased her grip on Hayar as she took one step back. "I'm still alive, but they are dead. I remember them, so they are eternal. Tyber, Artemis, Robin..." she reached for her sword as she spoke in an emotionless yet strained voice. "You will not join the Manda. Your name will not be remembered except only as Dar'manda. Today, your disgusting existence ends."

Today, he would die. It would not be a full revenge for her family, but it was the right thing to do.

"I am just a man, one who has lost all sense of feeling. Regret has long left me, as has my conscience. I know not my fitting punishment. If you feel that it is just, then so be it. Guard your spirit, young one, do not become me," he closed his eyes and awaited whatever came with the final stroke.

[Raven Cadera]

"Miss Raven. Are you sure about this?" Her eyes were back on the team leader. "My apologies for interrupting."

Raven didn't quite register what they had found, but she heard Jyrvess say her name, and she snapped back angrily. "He must die! He allowed my parents, my brother, to be killed! He had a choice to do the right thing, and he chose instead to assist their murderer - their blood is on his hands. The blood of my brother who was just a kid!"

With a firm grip on her sword, it left its sheath. It had once been her mother's blade, and it was only fitting that her spirit found some vengeance this way - united with her daughter and her weapon. Even if it was tempting to give him a slow and painful death with her whipcord, in the same way her brother had died. No... she was not Vanito. She was not the same as The Hangman.

The curved vibrosword was raised in a two-handed grip, and with a solid stroke, Raven delivered a coup-de-grace, as the strong vestiges of Mandalorian honor in her at least gave him a swift death.

[Claymore Frost]

"Ok, well we can look the fight then." He puts hand on his pistol, but stays in the holster. "Mandalorians being Mandalorians..." He looks at Jyrvess.

""Or not..." After hearing Raven.

[Honor]

"A clean kill," came the voice from behind.

[Raven Cadera]

Raven stood still as she watched the body collapse in front of her, unmoving even as she felt her face underneath the helmet was getting wet with silent tears. She heard the voice, but didn't move or look behind her.

Why did this moment feel so hollow?

Without a word, she slowly wiped the blade clean of blood, each movement careful and deliberate. Mechanical even.

[Mandalore]

Mandalore nodded, though she wouldn't see it. Stepping forward he moved to the droid, Kagr and Dredgen were behind him. Each of them felt some sort of connection to the moment, even if they didn't fully understand, and gave the woman her space.

[Varina Ordo]

"Oh dang," Varina murmured out loud. She had left Raven to some sort of privacy so all she saw was an execution strike.

[Jyrvess Ertil]

Jyrvess crossed her arms at the reaction, "So be it then," There was a clear hurt on her face but strangely it seemed less about her tone but more at her words. Her own thoughts had turned inward, an old scab torn open again. The librarian remained like that for awhile. Staring down at the ground, or really beyond it...

She didn't even really notice the presence of Mandalore.

[Honor]

"Areutii, speak," he said on his approach, "what have you foun-.." he cut himself off. Holding a hand he returned to her a moment to reflect inward. Instead, he himself reflected on something else, something far greater. Something.. glorious.

[Jyrvess Ertil]

Jyrvess blinked registering the Mandalore's arrival, "An ancient war droid. A weapon of your people if my memory serves me correctly." Her voice is somewhat distant, much of her mind still focused inwardly.

He must die! He allowed my parents, my brother, to be killed! He had a choice to do the right thing, and he chose instead to assist their murderer - their blood is on his hands.

She must die! She allowed my parents, my brother, to be killed! She had a choice to do the right thing, and she chose instead to assist their murderers - their blood is on her hands.

I didn't know, I should have known, I didn't know, I should have known, I didn't know, I should have known...

She must die! She allowed my parents, my brother, to be killed! She had a choice to do the right thing, and she chose instead to assist their murderers - their blood is on her hands.

I didn't know, I should have known, I didn't know, I should have known, I didn't know, I should have known...

She must die! She allowed her father to be killed! She had a choice to do the right thing, and she chose instead to assist his murderers - his blood is on her hands.

I didn't know, I should have known

His blood is on her hands.

I didn't know, I should have known

His blood is on her hands.

I didn't know, I should have known

Father's blood on my hands

Outwardly her eyes lost focus again, staring at the floor.

[Raven Cadera]

Reaching up, Raven's gloved hand brushed down against the cold surface of her helmet. What had once been her mother's helmet, and had been among the few possessions she had brought with her from Concord Dawn when she had to flee.

She wanted nothing more than to run and leave this place now, but the silence that had fallen behind her now made her turn and look. And so she stood, emotions raw and painful, as she looked up at the now unveiled War Droid. Behind the visor, blurry eyes looked at the others around... and Raven felt the weight of her decision bearing down on her.

A Basilisk War Droid was something she never thought she'd ever see in her life.

[Mandalore]

"I claim this Bes'uliik for the Mando'ade," he says, shouts. Kagr beats his chest in acknowledgement of the claim, Dredgen's concerns lay elsewhere. "Should it ever operate again, it will serve the one we claim Mand'alor, always, and until the Bes'uliik ceases function once more or the Mando'ade are all returned to Manda."

The proclamation is made.

Mandalore's word is stone.

[Raven Cadera]

Raven wordlessly showed her acknowledgment of the claim with a nod and holding a closed fist over her heart, but she did not beat her chestplate.

It would be a long night to secure everything here related to the dig and the Bes'uliik.

And she would have to secure anything that belonged to Hayar Cadera, in hopes of finding anything on this safehouse. Perhaps then, she could make up for what her decision had cost the group.

[Jyrvess Ertil]

Jyrvess recovered somewhat from the encounter, "Will there be time to move it before the Empire decides to dedicate significant forces to the recapture of this facility?"

She added, "If I may...while you are preparing to love I wish to look around and see if I can discover anything about this place. I will of course provide you with anything I learn. If such is your desire." Her eyes turned to the Mandalore, not meeting his visor least he would see her own internal turmoil.