A Man(dalorian)'s Story - MAJ Kadon Beir
“Tention on deck!” the sharp order seemed to echo in the small room. Seventy-five people sprung up out of their chairs into seventy-five renditions of “attention.” “I am Chief Gunner’s Mate Phillips, this is Yeoman 2nd Class Mershin and Communicator 1st Class Cerin.” He pointed at the two grim men standing behind him. “We will be your Drill Instructors during your time here on the Basic Training Wing of Platform Daedalus. The first and last words out of your mouths better be ‘sir!’ Am I right?”
“SIR YES SIR!” The assembled group yelled in unison. Phillips cracked a smile and then said,
“Fine then, follow Ensign Farens to in-processing.” A short Naval officer stepped forward and led the first row of people to his office door. A tall man stepped forward and rapped three times sharply on the door.
“Enter!” The man stepped into the office and the door slid closed behind him. The Ensign looked up and a look of surprise crossed his face and then disappeared. This man looks to old for this! Farens thought to himself. “Name?”
“Kadon Ma-,” he paused, almost panicking about giving away his real surname. He never made that mistake before. “Beir.” The Ensign shot him a boring glance and said,
“Listen recruit, don’t make a big deal about it, we don’t care what kind of past you have… just as long as you never had a background with the Rebels. You’re in the Emperor’s Hammer now, as long as abide by our rules we don’t care.”
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Sometime in the past
“Steady son! Now slowly squeeze your finger back on the trigger… good now keep going and remember to hold you breath.” An ear-shattering explosion rang out across the plains, and a 2-inch square of steel disintegrated. “See shooting from about 300 yards isn’t too hard with this rifle. You’ll get the hang of it.”
“Can I practice more on my own?” the boy, who was about 18, said.
“Sure you are going to need all the practice you can get when the Cadre administers the test.” The boy went back to breathing slowly and then released the trigger, sending another 14.5mm round flying towards its target, another piece of steel. “Remember clean the rifle up and then meet me back at home.”
“Sure enough…father.” Kadon Malkan replied, smiling as he disintegrated another steel plate.
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“Hand-to-hand combat is essential when in combat, you never know when your weapons will be inaccessible or destroyed. You will then have to fight your enemy up close and personal. This test will determine who among you is the best fighter in a melee. Kadon you are up against Mishkin. Kadon sighed. Mishkin is the best fighter mainly because of his muscles but if Kadon played his cards right he could use speed and a more intimate knowledge of fighting to win. The two teens were pushed into the circle and their peers cheered them both on. They both dropped into low profile stances and began shifting weight from foot to foot, being prepared for anything. Kadon decided it was time to start this. He shot out a quick right jab, which was followed quickly by a hook from his left that circled around. He hoped to catch Mishkin off guard. It almost worked. Mishkin knocked away his left arm and Kadon’s trick worked. Mishkin just barely noticed his hook. He began a dodge and Kadon only managed to get a glancing hit with his knuckles. Mishkin wasn’t stupid and grabbed hold of Kadon and pulled him towards himself. Mishkin only knew how to wrestle and deliver punches, Kadon knew a bit about the martial arts and here was his chance to prove it. He went with the pull as Mishkin pulled him in for his next move. Kadon didn’t stop, as he passed Mishkin he twisted around and then fell back, kicking up with his legs and catching the big teen in his gut. Kadon immediately pulled towards the area where Mishkin’s thumb and fingers met, and was freed. Mishkin went flying and landed with a thud on the ground. Kadon started to rise and turn towards his opponent when he realized that Mishkin had quickly recovered and was bull-rushing him. Mishkin collided into Kadon and tackled him to the ground. Mishkin started to pin Kadon down when Kadon managed to kick the back of Mishkin’s head with his right leg. He then jabbed with his left and felt a sharp pain as his fist connected with Mishkin’s cheekbone. The pain quickly subsided as Mishkin began pummeling Kadon. Kadon took about seven blows when he freed his right hand and grabbed for his knife that was belted around his right thigh. It was a fast movement, Mishkin thought he was dead. Kadon attempted to roll up and both masses went up and over and rolled with Kadon on top. He pulled his knife and had it at Mishkin’s throat instantly. He called out “Finisher!” Mishkin’s eyes were wild with fear. Kadon drew back his knife and then helped the larger boy up.
“Kadon I always said you were smart, too smart for your own good, but you have proved me wrong.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’d never do that to my best friend.” They clasped hands and went to a table that had water bottles sitting on it and then stood around the circle and watched as the rest of the boys went at it and eventually Mishkin was named best at wrestling, and Kadon was considered best overall, another was named best boxer.
Multiple reports echoed across the plains as the prospective warriors moved into the shooting part of their test. They each fired an old slug thrower that their forefathers had most likely tested with. Kadon managed to place second but was considered an expert marksman regardless. A ceremony was to be held that night to honor the ones chosen for the Warrior Cadre and to also celebrate the end of the growing season. Mandalorian food and drink was in ample supply and all twenty of the “aspirers” were inducted into the Warrior Cadre. Not one of them was lacking any of the Arts of Combat.
Kadon’s father was proud and finally gave him his beloved rifle.
“Take this, it served me well but my job now is mainly to lead the Cadre, not give it supporting fire.” He handed the rifle, wrapped in fine furs to Kadon, who stroked the soft fur and then replied,
“I’ll put it to good use.” Kadon noticed two men attending the party. One was dressed in the uniform of the Empire; another wasn’t dressed like a Mandalorian and certainly wasn’t one. They kept away from each other and eyed each other suspiciously. Each was in turn taken into the Council’s Building and they then left the town entirely. His father was called to the Council and didn’t arrive back home until late the next morning. When he did come home, he looked tired, but there was another emotion that was on his face. Kadon couldn’t place it. He knew something was terribly wrong but he knew enough not to ask what the problem was. Whatever it was it was big.
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“Some of you are going to the ‘Fighter Jockey’ part of Daedalus. I wish you good luck. MOST of you are going to get assigned an apprenticeship on a starship to learn you trade in the Imperial Navy.” 8 weeks. Only 2 more to go. Kadon could handle it. This training was easy compared to what he used to know and now that all the washouts had been kicked out everything was even easier as the DI’s relaxed and began instructing them on some of the things they should really know. “Now, if you wish to volunteer for Flight School please see the Flight Office Commander and leave an application on his desk by the end of the day-cycle today! His office is just down the hall. If you know you can’t hack it don’t sign up. Admiral Cyric doesn’t want morons joining his TIE Corps!” Kadon thought about it. He had about 105 hours in a tug, so at least he was accustomed to cramped cockpits, zero gravity, and no oxygen. Perhaps he should sign up. As soon as they were dismissed he reported into the Flight Office Commander’s office and filled out an application.
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Kadon found out what was wrong. His entire Clan had been accused of aiding the Rebel Alliance. They were neutral to the struggle and everyone in the Clan knew it. This wasn’t right. The Empire had fabricated that “evidence” and now they were all going to be imprisoned or killed over it. Most likely killed. His clan would never give up that easy. A Nemesis Clan must have done this. Rivalry was common but every Clan had a “Nemesis” which they always held in hostile regards. He looked up into the night sky and could see the shapes of the two ISD’s blotting out the stars. Multiple falling stars came from the Star Destroyers and everyone knew what they were: Imperial Stormtroopers. One of the Emperor’s best legions no doubt. He wouldn’t underestimate the power of a Mandalorian Warrior Cadre. His father began gathering his gear and made his way to the “Citadel” a barracks building for the unmarried Cadre. The War Droids were kept here. Sadly, three were out of commission from their last battle with Clan Ragnos. Only two were left operating and even then not at full efficiency. They had the power to level cities but they didn’t have enough power, weapons, or ammunition to challenge a company of stormtroopers. Even with the rest of the Cadre considered in with personal weapons and combat armor they were sure to lose. The stars stopped trailing lines of fire and then faded from sight as their hulls cooled down. “Father our first battle! Let me go into battle at your side!” Kadon managed to say. He was too excited; he was about to taste his first battle against someone.
“What do you mean ‘we'?" You are going to get off this planet. I have arranged for a smuggler to take you out of here. It is too late for anyone else.” Kadon saw Mishkin rush by the house and head towards the Citadel, dressed in his combat armor, and attempting to get his helmet on. Kadon grabbed his rifle and armor and made his way to the Starport. A Bothan met him there and quickly rushed him into the cargo transport. Kadon then hid his equipment in one of the storage boxes and then belted himself in as the Bothan took off at almost full velocity. The comm. system crackled to life,
+++Attention Corellian Transport Ajax, stop to be scanned and boarded. We are doing a contraband check. +++
“Stopping now,” the Bothan said. He looked at Kadon and mouthed “sorry” and then said, “prepared for boarding.” A loud thump resounded through the ship as the shuttle’s boarding clamps attached to the transport’s access hatches. Kadon and the Bothan met the Imperials at the hatchway. An officer and two spacehands with “boarding guns” walked on. Boarding Guns were flechette pistols, perfect for close in boarding operations. The officer glanced at the Bothan and then began asking questions and poking through the boxes. Kadon became nervous as the officer neared the boxes where he had put his things. The spacehands were busy watching the officer. He decided that it was now or never. He lunged out with his body and grabbed the hand of one of the spacehands and then twisted in inwards and jammed the index finger back. The boarding gun went off and killed its owner instantly. He then pointed it at the other spacehand and pulled the index finger of the dead man. It roared again and the man’s upper body was gone in a mist of blood. The officer was already drawing his blaster pistol and shot as Kadon shot the boarding gun at him. The officer died, but his shot managed to catch Kadon in the side. He slumped to the deck and then the universe left him for a short time.
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His first live flight in a TIE Fighter had gone over smoothly. A TIE was much more easier to handle than a tug. He had mastered gunnery practice quite easily, destroying all the containers and then some Z-95 drones. It was surprisingly easy, but he suspected real combat to be much harder.
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The bar smelled of alcohol and narcotics very inviting smells when you were used to them. Kadon sat with his back against a wall in a small alcove, drinking some strong drink, native to that particular establishment. His blaster lay on the seat next to him, ready to take out any threat and introduce them to the floor as it took out one of their legs. His last bounty had brought in about 1,000 credits, not enough to maintain a good or long living but enough until the next bounty. His Mandalorian Armor was still in his clan’s scarlet red and gold coloring, he wore it with pride. Most assumed the color was a personal mark as a Bounty Hunter, but he wore it in pride of his old Clan. A woman, about his age stood at the bar drinking. He knew something wasn’t right about her. She carried herself like she was very sure of herself. Even just standing around, drinking, her body language said there was something more to her. She looked up from her drink and noticed Kadon staring. He tried to look away but couldn’t. She began to approach him and he knew that something was going to happen.
“Hi. What’s so interesting to look at where I’m standing?” she said. Kadon’s jaw was failing to move. She was quite attractive. Long brown hair framed her thin face and the faint blonde highlights accented her looks.
“Errrmm…” he stumbled over what to say next, “nothing really.”
“Well I couldn’t help notice you staring either at me or near me.” she replied. Kadon instantly recognized the bulge of a BlasTech pocket blaster of some sort in her left breast pocket in addition to the larger one she wore on a holster. She doesn’t take risks, she must be in the business, but…
“Well are you going to ask me if I want a drink?” She said. Kadon almost fell over after being quickly separated from his thoughts.
“Sure, I suppose. I didn’t get your name though.”
“Keira, Keira Sarick.” she said while wiping down her ale glass.
“Kadon Beir, pleased to meet you.”
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The shuttle settled with a resounding thump and then the door hissed open. Sub-Lieutenant Kadon Beir rose from his seat and retrieved his spacebag from the overhead compartment. The hatch hissed open and the stark smell of a hangar bay hit him. He was the only person on the shuttle other than the crew who he let off first. He stepped down the ramp and was met by a Naval Lieutenant.
“Permission to come aboard sir!” Kadon said with a salute.
“Granted, Name?” The officer said.
“Sub-Lieutenant Beir, Kadon.” The Lieutenant looked at his datapad and then motioned him away from the shuttle.
“Welcome to the ISD Colossus Sub-Lieutenant. You’ll learn that the pilots mostly keep to themselves in their Wing-Room and the Commodore is always down there when he’s not on the bridge with the Cap’n. I hope you have a strong appetite for the drink if you know what I mean.”
“Oh. I read you sir, no problem.” Kadon replied bewildered at his surprisingly lax reception.
“Take that turbolift there to Level Five, hurry up or you’ll miss your ‘Welcome Aboard’ party!”
Kadon slung his spacebag over his shoulder and dashed for the turbolift the Lieutenant pointed out to him. He took it to Level Five and when the door slid open he immediately noticed the sign labeled “Welome aboard SL Bier!”. Then he noticed the misspelled “welcome” and “Beir” and wondered what was going on here. He heard noise from behind one of the doors. He approached it and it was labeled: “Wing VIII Rec-Room”. A recreational room!? The Imperials know how to make someone happy! He thought to himself. He walked toward the door and it slid open to reveal a scary sight to behold. A Rear Admiral (!) stood in the center of the room spinning around trying to drink from a large stein full of some type of alcohol while pilots of varying ranks stood around him in a circle cheering him on. A Major stood (only through support of his elbow on a passed out Commander) drinking from an even larger stein at the bar. Well, they at least showed up in dress uniform. Kadon thought as he noticed the messy array of dress uniforms. The cheering stopped and everyone turned to look at him as he stood in the middle of the doorway.
“Come there SL, don’t worry none of us will bite, yet. At least everyone but Mel, but you’ll have to talked to Major Bayron about taking care of that.” The Admiral said while taking occasional sips from the stein and steadying himself. “It’s a celebration in your honor! Please join us and meet the members of Wing VIII, the Flight Wing I wouldn’t give a thousand others for.”
“Yes SIR!” Kadon said dropping his bag to the side and started introducing himself. Kadon felt for the second time in his life that he had found a home…
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