SW: A Lesson in Mando'ade

The bar was quiet, its occupants keeping to themselveas as Aira-ty walked through the door. She scanned the room with her helmet, most of the patrons of the place were Mando'ade, several were in armor speaking in hushed voices. The one she was looking for wasn't hard to spot as he raised a glass to her in greeting from his seat at the bar. Seeing the familiar sand gold armor brought back memories to Aira-ty, memories from a different time when things had been simpler. Whether they were happier times was open to debate and thinking of her beloved children and grandchildren she was fairly sure which side was likely to win that particular debate.
“It's good to see you again vod.” the Mandalorian said as he poured Aira-ty a glass.
Aira-ty smiled at the old Mando, taking the seat besides him as she took her helmet off and set it on the bartop. The Mando looked at her for a surprised moment before shaking his head and taking a sip of his drink.
“You haven't aged one bit. It's been what, nearly twenty years?”
“About.” Aira-ty replied. “How have you been Kal?”
Kal Skirata shrugged. “I'm getting old Aira-ty.” he chuckled. “I don't suppose you know what that's like do you?”
“No,” Aira-ty replied quietly as she sipped her drink. “Not yet.”
“Eventually though,” Kal said with a faint smile. “If you'd had any mirshe you could have been the next Mandalore the Immortal.”
Aira-ty's face dipped into a frown. “I was not Mand'alor material, still not. Fenn seems to be doing alright.”
“He leaves us alone and doesn't ask much, just that we fight when he calls.” Kal nodded. “A good Mand'alor if there ever was one, and these Vizsla scum can't stop being spineless cetare.” he snorted derisively. “Super Commandos my shebs!”
Aira-ty watched the old man's features, seeing the spark of anger in his blue eyes as he spoke. Mandalore had changed much since the Clone Wars, now it was an Imperial puppet state with House Vizsla sitting at the top. Granted the Vizslas knew better than to directly impose their will on the other houses and clans. They had enough trouble with the current Mand'alor Fenn Shysa and his guerilla war against the Empire, they didn't need all of Mandalore to rise up and tear their little empire to pieces. For now they were playing it smart but unless they were fools they had to know that the current situation couldn't last.
All it would take would be for the Mand'alor to rally the houses and clans to his banner and House Vizsla would be torn to pieces. Aira-ty had met Fenn on more than one occasion, Kahan was supplying the Mand'alor with weapons and armor for his war against the Empire and she knew that Fenn had no intention of leading a general uprising against the Imperial puppets. He recognized—rather smartly if Aira-ty was honest—that destroying House Vizsla would only ensure a swift and overwhelming Imperial response. The Mando'ade were unmatched fighters but Aira-ty didn't want to place her bets if an Imperial fleet showed up in orbit. Firepower and numbers counted for a lot.
“What did you want to see me for Kal?” Aira-ty asked as her thoughts turned back to the old Cuy'val Dar sitting besides her.
“There's a girl running around Mandalore named Sabine Wren. She's apparently a member of House Vizsla that's been fighting for this new resistance movement against the Empire.” Kal took another drink. “She's calling on all Mandalorians to unite behind her and rise up against House Vizsla and the Empire.”
Aira-ty looked at him incredulously. “Does the or'dinii'ika not realize what that would do?”
“Probably not.” Kal remarked. “She's young and rebellious. She probably was one of House Vizsla's trainees at that Imperial academy they set up. Obviously ramikadyc didn't take with this one.”
“What do you want me to do about it?” Aira-ty asked as she leaned on the bar and sipped her drink.
“Not sure, but I thought you'd like to know.” he set his drink down, looking thoughtful. “How's Boba?”
“I don't know.” Aira-ty replied as she stood. “He doesn't talk to me much.”
“Shame,” Kal remarked, reaching for Aira-ty's helmet and handing it to her. “The kid has the potential to be a great Mand'alor, and I know Fenn wants him to have the title.”
Aira-ty said nothing as she took her helmet and placed it on her head, putting a hand on Kal's armored shoulder and giving a powerful squeeze.
“K'oyacyi.”
Kal snorted, downing the last of his drink.
“Ib'tuur jatne tuur ash'ad kyr'amur.”
“Make sure you remember that.” Aira-ty chided as she placed her helmet on her head and headed towards the door.
Walking back out into the sunlight she considered what Kal had said. Did she want to find this girl and find out exactly what crazy ideas she had gotten into her head? Considering what might happen if she succeeded. Aira-ty gritted her teeth, imagining even more Imperials crawling all over Mandalore. It was bad enough to have the local Imperial sympathizers in House Vizsla controlling everything, but an actual Imperial military presence in force? She shook her head, she was going to have to find the shabla girl.

Sitting in the cockpit of the Sleek Blade, Aira-ty considered her com terminal for a time. She could simply lift off and go home. In fact that was what she wanted to do. Go back to Concordia and see her children and grandchildren, find her husband no doubt in his shabla workshop. She sighed heavily, punching in the access codes to her com terminal and waiting as the call went through the necessary scramblers.
She needed to go to Clan Wren, but she knew where they stood on the political spectrum. They were Imperial aligned. They'd never bother talking to her, especially not after the role she'd played in destroying what remained of the Death Watch. She sighed heavily, hating to call in a favor but she didn't have much choice if she was going to find this girl and make sure she didn't bring the might of the Empire down on their heads.
“Aira-ty.” a distorted voice came over the comline..
“Fenn.” she answered. “I need a favor.”
“I thought you might.” he replied. “You never call me, it's always your riduur who contacts me.”
“I'm working alone at the moment.” Aira-ty replied. “I need an audience with Clan Wren.”
There was a pause before Fenn replied incredulously.
“You realize what you're asking? They're traitors.”
“I know, but they won't see me. They might see you. You're the Mand'alor.”
“You should have been the Mand'alor, haran, Boba should be the Mand'alor.”
“That's not why I'm calling Fenn.” Aira-ty said sharply, not wanting to revive the old argument. “You've heard about the Wren girl?”
“Yeah, idealistic verd'ika.” Fenn said with obvious disdain.
“She wants to overthrow House Vizsla and throw the Empire off the planet.” Aira-ty said severely. “You can't dismiss this, she'll bring the Empire down around our buy'ce.”
Fenn was silent for a time and in that time Aira-ty began to glower at the companel. Her temper was saved somewhat when Fenn spoke finally.
“I'm sending you a set of coordinates. Meet me there and then we'll head to Clan Wren's compound.”

The halls of Clan Wren's compound seemed oddly silent as Sabine followed her mother through the corridors quietly. The tension in the air was palpable and after the argument in the main hall she was unsure just how much more could really be gained or said between them. Still, this was her mother and her home, she had to bring her mother around if she was going to have any chance.
“Why?” she asked quietly. “I can't believe you've stayed with the Empire.”
Her mother paused, looking over her shoulder at Sabine for a moment before she spoke, turning forwards once more.
“I didn't have a choice. After what happned it was side with the Empire or be wiped out. I kept the family safe, which is more than what I can say for you.”
Sabine winced, knowing that her mother was right but what was she supposed to have done?
“Mother, with the Darksaber I can—“
“I told you, it is a symbol, and one that you did not earn. Do you think the clans will follow you once they know the truth?”
“They don't have to know.” Sabine said determinedly.
“So you'd lie to serve your goals?” her mother asked harshly, turning to face her. “Is that your oh so noble rebellion's creed?”
Sabine swallowed. Why was her mother being so difficult about this?
“If father was here.”
“Your father is the reason we are aligned with House Vizsla and the Empire.” her mother said with barely concealed emotion. “After everything that happened he was taken by Gar Saxon and is a prisoner in all but name.”
“So won't you help me free him?” Sabine urged, sensing an in.
Her mother shook her head. “It's so simple to you isn't it? Wave the Darksaber around, charge in and win the day.”
“It can work.” Sabine said as her mother turned a corner. “If I have your help.”
They stepped out onto a balcony and Sabine realized they weren't alone. There were two armored figures standing silently as they waited for Sabine and her mother to join them. Looking between the two of them, Sabine hesitated. These weren't members of her clan. One of them wore solid green armor with red markings on their helmet and the other was in all burgundy red.
“What is this?” she asked her mother tensely, sensing a trap.
“A chance.” her mother said as she placed something in Sabine's hand.
Looking down, Sabine realized her mother had handed her the Darksaber.
“Mother?” she asked uncertainly as her mother stepped aside.
“If you wish to lead the Mandalorians, you must first prove yourself to these two.” her mother said with finality.
Sabine turned back to the armored figures. Just who were they and what did they want with her? For that matter, why was her mother deferring to them?
After a moment's hesitation she stepped towards them.
“I am Sabine Wren of Clan Wren.” she ignited the Darksaber, its snapping hiss piercing the snowy air. “I wield the Darksaber and I intend to unite our people against the Empire.” she swallowed. “Will you aid me?”
The green armored Mandalorian snorted, the sound audible through his helmet as he shook his head.
“Ori'buyce kih'kovid verd'ika.”
The red armored Mandalorian stepped forwards, speaking as they did so with a woman's voice.
“She's dar'manda, what did you expect?”
Sabine frowned, addressing the armored woman.
“What does that mean?”
The red clad woman shook her head, her voice was obviously disdainful.
“You don't even know your own tongue. You should go back to your Imperial aruetii'ika. My husband speaks our language more than you and he was a jetii!”
Sabine didn't follow most of the Mando'a words but she understood the last word.
“A Jedi?” she asked in sudden excitement, forgetting herself for a moment. “Are you saying that there are Jedi here on Mandalore? Will they fight the Empire?”
The strike came out of nowhere, Sabine had no warning as the gauntleted fist of the armored woman struck her in the stomach. She collapsed, dropping the Darksaber as she coughed violently and nearly heaved.
“If you were wearing proper beskar'gam you wouldn't be on the ground puking up your epan.” the woman snarled. “You wave the weapon of the Kyr'tsad in front of me and claim to be seeking to unite the Mando'ade even though there is a sitting Mand'alor already. You're not Mando'ade, you're dar'manda.”
Sabine swallowed, catching her breath for a moment as she rose to her feet, gripping the Darksaber in her hand as she steeled herself.
“Who are you to judge me?” she snarled back. “I don't even know who you are!”
“Mandokarla.” the green armored Mandalorian remarked.
“Osik!” snapped the red armored woman, her helmet twisting to look at her companion. “Kaysh mirsh solus.”
The green armored figure shrugged, chuckling inside his helmet.
“Don't laugh at me!” Sabine snapped as she adopted a fighting stance just like she had practiced with Kanan. “Are you going to fight me or mock me?”
The red armored Mandalorian turned back to face her, reaching up and removing her helmet. Sabine hesitated at the face that greeted her. It was framed by sea green hair tied back in a bun, long pointed ears were standing near vertical above her head as vertically slit golden eyes glared at her intently.
“Who are you?” she asked uncertainly.
“I am Aira-ty Nokta of Clan Gotevaar'la.” the woman said as she reached into her kama and produced the hilt of a lightsaber. “I carry the blade I crafted by my own hand with the crystal my daughter gave me.” she ignited the lightsaber, the purple blade hissing menacingly in the cold air. “And I am going to show you what a true Mando can do with it.”
Sabine was vaguely aware that her mother was watching her but her attention was taken fully as the woman—Aira-ty Nokta—came at her. She was like something from legend, wielding the lightsaber with the same ease with which Kanan had. Only this was something different, something far more dangerous. She'd heard the stories as a child, of Mandalorians who had slain Jedi and taken their lightsabers but this woman claimed to have crafted her blade herself and had even said she was married to a Jedi. Just who was she?
Try as she might, Sabine could find no weakness in Aira-ty's defense and her offense was sorely lacking against her opponent who seemed to move with equal ease despite the full armor she wore. Sabine had cut down her armor so that she could move fully, yet this woman was matching her move for move despite the heavy armor she was wearing. When her leg lashed out and caught Sabine in the stomach again, sending her sprawling, Sabine wasn't sure what she could do against such a foe.
“Get up.” Aira-ty Nokta snapped. “You want to overthrow the Empire? Free Mandalore? You can't do it from down there on your knees!”
Sabine gritted her teeth, the cold air rushing down her throat forgotten as she tried to cope with the pain of the repeated strikes against her abdomen. How could she get back up? It hurt just to look up at her tormentor. She glanced over at her mother and saw the mixture of concern and disappointment written on her features. She was being tested, and she was failing miserably. They were right, all of them, how could she do what she claimed to want to do if she couldn't stand up after a beating?
With a shout she rose again, swinging as she gained her feet. Aira-ty Nokta stepped back, deflecting her saber strike and delivering a punch to Sabine's face. She intercepted the strike, catching Aira-ty Nokta's fist on her forearm. It felt like she'd been hit by a cargo crate as she staggered  but she brought the Darksaber down in a chopping motion. Aira-ty Nokta blocked it with her own amethyst blade, the two sabers snapping angrily in the frosty air above their heads. Sabine gripped the arm that had swung at her, glaring fiercely across at her opponent.
“I won't lose to you!” she barked.
“You already have.” Aira-ty Nokta said grimly.
Sabine lost her balance as Aira-ty Nokta's saber disengaged, falling forwards as she compensated for the sudden lack of resistance. The Darksaber came down, glancing off of her opponent's pauldron, leaving a black scorch mark as the sound of hissing metal echoed through the chill air. Ice entered Sabine's stomach and she heard her mother cry out in sudden alarm. Staggering, Sabine looked down at Aira-ty Nokta's saber hand. Her saber was still off, and a hidden blade had extended from beneath her gauntlet. It was that blade that was sending shafts of ice through Sabine's insides.
She staggered away from Aira-ty Nokta, the blade coming out of her covered in her own blood. As she fell to the ground she let the Darksaber clatter to the floor, holding her hand against her stomach as her mother came to her side worriedly.
“You didn't say you were going to kill her!” Sabine's mother snapped angrily as she held Sabine in her arms.
“And I didn't.” Aira-ty Nokta said as she retrieved the Darksaber and handed it to the green armored Mandalorian. “I didn't hit anything vital, she's going to need bacta but she'll be fine.” her golden eyes fixed on Sabine harshly. “Get a proper set of armor before you try to lead anyone into battle against the Empire.”
Sabine looked up at Aira-ty Nokta's piercing golden eyes, speaking through the pain.
“Teach me, please! I want to be stronger!”
Aira-ty Nokta snorted and shook her head.
“Di'kut.”
“Kote lo'shebs'ul narit!” Sabine's mother barked suddenly.
Aira-ty Nokta glared at Sabine's mother angrily but before anything more could be said the green armored Mandalorian came forwards and offered his hand to Sabine. She hesitated a moment before taking it, wincing as he lifted her to his feet.
“Lets get your wound treated verd'ika. Then you're coming with me.”
Aira-ty Nokta snorted. “You seriously taking this or'dinii?”
“She's got spirit, and she wants to see Mandalore free of the Empire.” the green armored Mandalorian replied. “That's enough for me.”
“Jareor.” Aira-ty Nokta remarked.
“Perhaps.” he replied. “But she's got mandokarla.”
Aira-ty Nokta shook her head, walking past them and reentering the clan Wren compound as Sabine looked to the green armored man.
“Who are you?” she asked, wincing at the pain in her stomach.
He turned his helmet back to her.
“I am the Mand'alor, and from this point on you are my verd'ika. You want to be Mando? I'll teach you. You want to strike the Empire? I'll show you how to do it without getting everything you care about destroyed.”

The Sleek Blade settled into the hangar of the Gote'vaarla compound, landing in its berth and powering down. Aira-ty descended the boarding ramp and was immediately greeted by a welcome cry.
“Mommy!”
Aira-ty smiled warmly as Ay-lana came running across the hangar towards her. Seeing her youngest daughter after what she'd just had to deal with down on Mandalore was a relief and she easily scooped Ay-lana up in her arms, holding the little girl up against her side as her daughter wrapped her arms around her shoulders.
“Did you have a good trip?” Ay-lana asked.
“It wasn't anything special.” Aira-ty replied as she kissed Ay-lana's cheek. “Where's your father baby?”
“He's coming.” Ay-lana said as she beamed. “He told me you were coming home!”
Welcome back.
Aira-ty's mind was filled with warmth as Kahan's voice filtered through her thoughts. She turned to see him walking across the hangar towards them. When he reached them he embraced them both, kissing Aira-ty tenderly.
“I missed you.” he said gently.
Aira-ty snorted up at him, smirking.
“You act like I've been gone for a while.”
“First a bounty, then a meeting with one of your old friends?” Kahan replied. “It certainly was longer than normal.”
“Where's Jaeriel?” Aira-ty asked as she and Kahan walked through the hangar towards the living quarters.
“She and Sigma are off playing with the twins, running around somewhere.”
Aira-ty snorted, looking at Ay-lana.
“Well, at least you came to see me.”
“Of course!” Ay-lana chimed in as she hugged Aira-ty tightly. “I missed you mommy!”
“I missed you too baby.” Aira-ty said as she leaned against Kahan.
She thought about the girl she'd tanned the hide of down on the planet and felt a swelling of pride in her own daughters. They'd be proper Mando'ade, not like the Imperial jahaatir that House Vizsla prided themselves on.