#ch: torian cadera

[lavampira]

the MOST beloved battle couple cuties <3

[tiredassmage]

lighting, fashion, and interesting shot wins on darvannis tbh

[wiltf]

bar fight

ao3//

First thing. Was the way they had bumped into her. And she hadn’t needed to have been sensitive to know what it all meant. With the hands and the eyes and the sloppy grins, expression slipping into sleazy. I’m not that kind of girl anymore, Catiel says, voice just not quite hitting that tone of joking, and ducks under their arms. Keeps on walking.

Except they are still those kinds of men. Handsy and paying for drinks she didn’t want. Her personal bubble was sensitive at the best of times, and the neck of the bottle cracks under her fingers. Not even breathing was going to help her now.

Two step dance, because they are drunk and she is stone cold sober. Bar stool wretched from underneath her, and force be with her, collides with the one next to the first asshole with enough collateral it would be a good three days before he woke up. Catiel hoped at least. One helluva headache.

Duck. Misses the swipe, leg swinging out to catch the stumble. There are names being shouted, and another person thrown in. Not part of the original group, or were they? Catiel didn’t bother to keep up, elbow blocking a blind jab, left fist coming around. Meeting the sternum with a how do you do, and she dives into a roll, before whatever they had came back up to say hello.

But actions have consequences, and the bar was getting involved now. One too many wrong punches and chairs thrown and Catiel takes a polite step to the side, as someone connects with the edge of the bar. Long enough to find her drink, still cracked, barely holding on. Drinks deep, and oh. There he was again. All hands and no sense.

Catiel knows what it was like to be hit in the head by a bottle. And she was glad to share the experience, in that moment. Too hard? Pokes him with the edge of her boot. Maybe there was a grunt, except it was lost to the noise and the fighting and the way Catiel has to all but twirl away.

“You’re late,” is what she says, when she crashes into Torian’s chest. One long look from him, both of them, holding it a little too long.

Until she breaks it with a sniff, turning around. Not her fault. Entirely. Whatever. She didn’t have to justify herself. And it was easy enough to walk out through the crowd, a clear path formed of those wanting to get out of the way. Occasionally throwing a grunt aside, but she swipes another bottle, two glasses, holding them above her head.

Nearly there. But the blind left catches her off guard. As does the way a body falls before her, and. Torian is quicker. Arm catching Catiel around the waist, manages to get all the air to leave her body. Yet not a drop spills, and she doesn’t need to turn around, to see that he was fighting the smile. Face far too smooth when she finally looks back, one foot on the stairs.

“Oh, shut up.”

[resol-nare]

Auberil can have Torian back sometimes. As a treat.

[randomlygeneratedstring]

[hightail-it]

[valeroyeaux]

this scene from asteriuh and eleonna's reunion came into my mind, unbidden, after I decided that asteriuh and risha are in love

[hoiist]

feat. @erinmccomics‘s Khim 

[nameislooney]

[rangerslayer-97]

SWTOR OC Masterlist (Darth Malgus Server)

Characters within undercut. This will be updated as I stupidly make another character and as each one progresses their story to track their in-game age.

This post will be consistently updated.

**Since Tumblr only allows 10 screenshots, I'm only putting in 1 legacy and my main 8 characters. By that I mean my first character I made per class (now called Origin Story).

Zor-El Legacy will be a separate post.

Baliss Legacy:

1. Jedi Knight Violcrik (Republic/Republic Saboteur)

Species: Human

Sexuality: Bisexual (mostly leans towards women)

Type/Discipline:

Primary: Juggernaut/Vengeance (DwT)

Secondary: Guardian/Vigilance (DwT)

Alignment/DnD Alignment: Dark Side Tier V/Chaotic Evil

Birth Planet: Alderaan; Core Region

Family Connections: Father (Status & Name Unknown), Mother (Status: Deceased - 0 BTC, Cerise Skywalker), Alexest (Twin sister, Status: Alive), Kateake (Half-sister, Status: Alive)

Relationship(s): Lana Beniko (Fling)/Kira Carsen (Girlfriend)

Year of Birth/Age: 10 BTC (3663 BBY); 20yrs (JK Prologue - 10 ATC)/25yrs (Rise of the Hutt Cartel - 15 ATC)/26yrs (Shadow of Revan - 16 ATC)/27yrs (Prelude: Rise of the Emperor/KOTFE Chapter 1 - 17 ATC)/27yrs (KOTFE: Chapter 2-9; same age due to carbonite imprisonment - 22 ATC)/28yrs (KOTFE Chs 10-16 & KOTET - 23 ATC)/31yrs (Onslaught - 26 ATC)/32yrs (Echoes of Oblivion - 27 ATC)/33yrs (Legacy of the Sith - 28 ATC)

2. Bounty Hunter Kateake "Kat" (Imperial/Imperial Loyalist)

Species: Human (Cyborg)

Sexuality: Straight

Type/Discipline:

Primary: Mercenary/Arsenal (DwH)

Secondary: Powertech/Pyrotech (DwT)

Alignment/DnD Alignment: Light Side Tier V/Chaotic Good

Birth Planet: Alderaan; Core Region (ran away at 16)/Imperial Space (Drifted between planets after running away)

Family Connections: Father (Status & Name Unknown), Mother (Status & Name Unknown), Violcrik (Half-sister - Status: Alive), Alexest (Half-sister - Status: Alive), Blizz (Adopted son - Status: Alive), Rekkr (Son - Status: Alive)

Relationship(s): Torian Cadera (Husband)

Year of Birth/Age: 10 BTC (3663 BBY - few months younger than Violcrik); 20yrs (Bounty Hunter Prologue - 10 ATC)/25yrs (Rise of the Hutt Cartel - 15 ATC)/26yrs (Shadow of Revan - 16 ATC)/27yrs (Prelude: Rise of the Emperor/KOTFE Chapter 1 - 17 ATC)/27yrs (KOTFE: Chapter 3-9; same age due to carbonite imprisonment - 22 ATC)/28yrs (KOTFE Chs 10-16 & KOTET - 23 ATC)/31yrs (Onslaught - 26 ATC)/32yrs (Echoes of Oblivion - 27 ATC)/33yrs (Legacy of the Sith - 28 ATC)

3. Smuggler Alexest "Alex" (Republic)

Species: Human

Sexuality: Bisexual

Type/Discipline:

Primary: Gunslinger/Sharpshooter (DPS)

Secondary: Powertech/Pyrotech (DwT)

Alignment/DnD Alignment: Light Side Tier 1/Chaotic Good

Birth Planet: Alderaan; Core Region (separated at birth)

Family Connections: Father (Status & Name Unknown), Mother (Status: Deceased - 0 BTC, Cerise Skywalker), Violcrik (Twin sister - Status: Alive), Kateake (Half-sister - Status: Alive)

Relationship(s): Corso Riggs (Boyfriend)

Year of Birth/Age: 10 BTC (3663 BBY - 5mins younger than Violcrik); 20yrs (Smuggler Prologue - 10 ATC)/25yrs (Rise of the Hutt Cartel - 15 ATC)

4. Agent Zeski'azere'rrasha "Zeski" (Imperial)

Species: Chiss

Type/Discipline:

Primary: Operative/Concealment (DwH)

Secondary: Mercenary/Arsenal (DwH)

Alignment/DnD Alignment:

Birth Planet: Csilla, Unknown Regions

Year of Birth/Age:

5. Trooper Rekkr Cadera (Republic/Republic Saboteur)

Species: Human

Sexuality: Straight

Type/Discipline:

Primary: Vanguard/Tactics (DwT)

Secondary: Powertech/Pyrotech (DwT)

Alignment/DnD Alignment: Light Side Tier 3/Lawful Evil

Birth Planet: Odessen, Wild Space

Family Connections: Kateake (Mother - Status: Alive), Torian Cadera (Father - Status: Alive), Blizz (Adopted brother - Status: Alive), Mako (Aunt - Status: Alive), Gault (Uncle - Status: Alive), Knight Violcrik (Aunt - Status: Alive), Captain Alexest (Aunt - Status: Alive)

Relationship(s): Jaxo (Fling)/Elara Dorne (Wife)

Year of Birth/Age: *Standard SWTOR Timeline - 9 BTC/19yrs (Prologue - 10 ATC)/**24yrs (Rise of the Hutt Cartel - 15 ATC/25yrs (Shadow of Revan - 16 ATC)/26yrs (Prelude: Rise of the Emperor/KOTFE Chapter 1 - 17 ATC)/26yrs (KOTFE: Chapter 2-9; same age due to carbonite imprisonment - 22 ATC)/27yrs (KOTFE Chs 10-16 & KOTET - 23 ATC)/30yrs (Onslaught - 26 ATC)

***24.5 ATC/19yrs (Prologue - 43.5 ATC)/24yrs (Rise of the Hutt Cartel - 48.5 ATC)

*Standard Timeline

**STORY AFTER REKKR'S CLASS STORY IS NOT CANON

***Kateake's Timeline (Timeline reversal)

6. Sith Warrior Ríkr (Empire)

Species: Human

Sexuality: Bisexual

Year of Birth/Age: 10 BTC/20yrs (Prologue - 10 ATC)/25yrs (Rise of the Hutt Cartel - 15 ATC)/26yrs (Shadow of Revan - 16 ATC)/27yrs (Prelude: Rise of the Emperor/KOTFE Ch 1 - 17 ATC)/27yrs (KOTFE Ch 2-9; same age due to carbonite imprisonment - 22 ATC)/28yrs (KOTFE Chs 10-16 & KOTET - 23 ATC)/31yrs (Onslaught - 26 ATC)/32yrs (Echoes of Oblivion - 27 ATC/33yrs (Legacy of the Sith - 28 ATC)

Type/Discipline:

Primary: Juggernaut/Vengeance (DwT)

Secondary: Sorceror/Lightning (DwH)

Alignment/DnD Alignment: Dark Side Tier 5/Chaotic Evil

Relationship(s): Malavai Quinn (Husband)/Pierce Morgan (Fling)

7. Jedi Consular Violexa Dorne (Republic)

Species: Human

Type/Discipline:

Primary: Guardian/Vigilance(DwT)

Secondary: Assassin/Deception (DwT)

Alignment/DnD Alignment: Dark Side Tier 3/Chaotic Good

Birth Planet: Odessen, Wild Space (Birth)/Ossus, Outer Rim (Raised)/Coruscant, Core World (Raised)/Tython, Core World (Trained)

Family Connections: Rekkr Cadera (Father - Status: Alive), Elara Dorne (Mother - Status: Alive), Torian Cadera (Godfather - Status: Alive), Kateake Baliss-Cadera (Godmother - Status: Alive), Violcrik Baliss (Aunt - Status: Alive), Alexest Baliss-Beniko (Aunt - Status: Alive)

Year of Birth/Age: *7 BTC (3660 BBY - Year of Birth)/17yrs (Prologue - 10 ATC)/**22yrs (Rise of the Hutt Cartel - 15 ATC)/23yrs (Shadow of Revan - 16 ATC)/24yrs (Prelude: Rise of the Emperor & KOTFE Ch 1 - 17 ATC)/24yrs (KOTFE Ch 2-9; same age due to carbonite imprisonment - 22 ATC)/25yrs (KOTFE Chs 10-16 & KOTET - 23 ATC)

***46.5 ATC (3606.5 BBY - Year of Birth)/17yrs (Prologue - 63.5 ATC)

*Standard Timeline

**Stories after Violexa's class arc is not canon

***Timeline Reversal (Fitting into Violcrik's main timeline)

Relationship(s): Felix Iresso (Husband)

8. Sith Inquisitor Ceréza (Empire)

Species: Human

Type/Discipline:

Primary: Assassin/Deception (DwT)

Secondary:

Alignment/DnD Alignment: Light Side Tier 1/Chaotic Good

Birth Planet: Dromund Kaas; Outer Rim (Birth)/Korriban; Outer Rim (Trained)

Year of Birth/Age:

[lavampira]

torian + romanced BH on the cadera banner

as I said in this post (and like. many many other times on my blog over the years lol) I've never cared for how the cadera situation was handled even from the BH class story, but torian reaching a point where he's able to admit that he's repressed his complicated feelings and face that they are, in fact, very complicated feelings, and begin to process his own thoughts on his past, his own honor, and the present mandalorian issues through that lens and how his family's legacy was used is actually interesting.

[tiredassmage]

local knucklehead can pretend he’s a complete hardass all he wants and yet when his boy walks back in the room!!!!!

screaming, crying, rocking in the fetal position, etc, I wasn’t prepared to get so EMOTIONAL that’s our son boy though that’s his boy!!!! Kid, he’d do anything for you!!!!!

[wiltf]

arc and rise

 How easy it was for Jedi to lose their cool, even after finding apparent peace at Tython, but she couldn’t say much herself these days anyway.

ao3//

Brave to consider how the Jedi followed her further down. Having already waved Torian and Gault off, to settle into position either side, Catiel knew they could only be baited so much further. A cramped area wasn’t the preferred place to contend with Jedi, but Catiel had some faith that a few warning shots fired from either side would temper them. Nearly there.

It’s like a shift in the air, when lightsabers are drawn. A little too careless of the Jedi, showing emotion where there should be none. Catiel was almost surprised they had given her the upper hand at that, by revealing their impatience and uncertainty. Truly a pitfall of the trainings dolled out, after the Sacking. So many young Jedi, so eager to please, to do better. To get revenge. Clearly, Catiel was just a small marker for these ones, a small victory in the face of the screams of Coruscant.  

But that was their mistake, to assume so much so early. Stopping in the middle of an empty marketplace, Catiel carefully places her hands on her hips. Blaster under one, hilt of her saber under her other. Shakes her head slightly, before turning to look over her shoulder. Three had followed her down. Well, she’d been dealt a poor hand before.

“Whatever they told you to do, I suggest going away and ignoring whatever happens next.”

Clearly they weren’t thrilled with that talk, with how one of them, possibly the youngest, raises his lightsaber upright immediately. Ah, a padawan. Judging from the way Torian talks at her ear, he noticed it too. No doubt in his sights now.

“Please.”

There’s a round of fire, coming from her left and right. With some focus on the balls of her feet, Catiel bounds up and away, watching as they scatter. They were right in aiming for the padawan first, and with a critical eye, she aims another three shots at their legs. Not with intention to harm, but to warn them to back off.

“I’m not kidding.”

“Neither are we, hunter.”

Energy crackles up her side, and Catiel barely manages to duck in time, as a lightsaber sweeps where her head had once been. Older, probably closer in age to herself. Remembers Coruscant, angry. Hurting and accusatory. Catiel aims her elbow at his gut, and flicks herself around to catch his saber with her own. Pouring off of him, dangerous emotions that he should’ve controlled years ago. Blames her kind for what happened, and Catiel muses if only he knew.

But the lightsaber in her hands has the third, the one caring for the padawan, back up. Call a name that’s distinctly Alderaanian. ‘Organa’. Well, it wasn’t the first time she’d stuck it to nobility. Catching the blade, Catiel can only hold the gaze of the angry Jedi, and aim blindly over her shoulder with her blaster. A few more shots from the left join her own, and she hears the scuffle of boots moving further away.

“Don’t make me hurt you,” she says, as sweetly as can be, before Catiel throws her weight behind a push. Smacks Organa in the face with the Force, with him disappearing behind stalls and crates, many breaking under his weight. No noise suggested he was getting up anytime soon, and Catiel moves on quickly.

Now the third Jedi steps forward, perhaps reading her intent, perhaps just readying for the worst. If they knew better, Catiel was sure they knew not to have gotten involved. That she wouldn’t have purposely thrown a flash grenade down towards them, only to catch them unawares as they looked away. Padawan or no, when they rush Catiel, she pulls her lightsaber around herself in a defensive circle, only to match them blow for blow. So long it had been since she’d wielded it, but it was like second nature, combined with the freedom of letting the Force in. It made her feel powerful, alive.

Overpowering the padawan was child’s play, with each blow landing on their saber, forcing them towards the ground. And each time the third got close, it was another round of bullets, forcing them off once more. Until Catiel hears the boss! at her ear, a mere warning, until she finds the source of the panic.

End of her saber was poised at the throat of the third, millimetres from searing the skin. In her left hand was her blaster once more, aimed directly at the head of the padawan, sprawled on the ground now. A tie, perhaps, as the Jedi held firm despite the blade at his throat. His own lightsaber was barely against her gut, and she could feel the heat through her armour.

“Let me walk, and I won’t kill them.”

No words, no play. Nothing to suggest they were willing to move. Catiel didn’t want to have her hand forced, so she aimed the blaster at the padawan’s right hand, shooting as they’d gone to reach for their saber once more. A piercing scream filled the air, and Catiel could see the change. The sheer resentment at such an action filled the older Jedi’s face. How easy it was for Jedi to lose their cool, even after finding apparent peace at Tython, but she couldn’t say much herself these days anyway.

“Let me walk.”

Despite the whimpers from the padawan, neither of them moved. “I don’t want to shoot them again,” she warned, aiming for the leg this time. Surely they would yield. Hard pressed to find a Jedi who would standby and let their fellow, or perhaps their student, die in such a way. “Please.” Again, says it again, and she may have even let her blade tip a little closer, a little more honestly. Singes the collar of their robe, and yet they don’t flinch.

“Catiel, enough.”

It’s a voice that hadn’t been heard in years, and Catiel would be lying if she said it didn’t take her by surprise. To be expected, having been on his territory, but they had parted over Nar Shaddaa, never to be seen again. With a raised brow, she looks over her shoulder, taking in the hulking frame of Evir Veila Novak. The only mark to have gotten away.

But whatever bravado she had prepared died on her tongue, as with one hand, he held Mako by the arm. She was struggling against him, a genuine look of fear on her face at the sight of Catiel between two others. Mako mouths something, and Catiel doesn’t understand it. Not when her sight almost runs red. “Evir, I’m warning you.”

It didn’t stop him. Not from setting his own blade alight, tipping the edge towards Mako. She freezes immediately, stops pushing, instead seemingly trying to push away from the lightsaber. “As am I.”

Fuck. There’s a standoff, that almost drags out for hours. Studies Evir, the tiredness in his eyes, and how his saber seems to tilt towards Mako, a little more intently. No, Catiel knew, she could never go through with a sacrifice. Never had before, never would consider it, ever. With a scowl, Catiel presses a button on the hilt. In an instant, the light goes out, the hilt shrinks. Disarmed.

“Throw them over here. Now.”

Once she slid blaster and saber along the ground, Catiel raises her hands in the air. At her ear, both Torian and Gault speak up, and she finds Evir’s gaze. “Don’t shoot him. It’s fine.”

Evir nods towards the other Jedi, who immediately rushes to the padawan’s aid. Releases Mako, who takes a few careful steps forward, before all but falling into Catiel’s arms, apologies filling the air. Holding her close, Catiel shushes her as gently as she can, but doesn’t take her eyes off Evir. Something in him had changed, she could feel it. Whilst there was always something jovial about him in their few weeks skirmishing Nar Shaddaa, now he just seemed cold and unfeeling. A part of her assumed that nine years on Nar Shaddaa would do that to a person, but maybe it was Coruscant just eating at him.

“If you’re after a bounty, Catiel, I suggest departing Coruscant and not coming back.”

Jaw tightening, Catiel knows she had to explain. If anyone understood, Evir would. The rest of her team were just following her at this point, not knowing the true intentions for coming to Coruscant undercover. But the words don’t want to come out, and Catiel could only sigh.

He steps closer then. Careful and calculated steps, stopping only to pick up her weapons. Eventually, Evir stops before her, and reaches out. Catiel doesn’t stop him, as his fingers find the slide of mask along her jaw, lifting it up. Not so much that the other Jedi could see, but enough that she knew the colour of her eyes was exposed. Evir huffs, before returning the mask to its place.

Making his way over to where Organa had yet to reappear, Evir calls over his shoulder. “I’ll give you leave until tonight.” Generous, no doubt, as the Republic would be up in arms knowing someone like Catiel was on their world once more.

Except, it was now or never. “They know about Nem.”

Cryptic, yes, but how else was she supposed to explain that somehow, her ship had been bugged. Files had been downloaded. The mobile base of operations had been tapped into, and her apartment on Nar Shaddaa was destroyed. Someone knew too much, and that her only lead had brought her back here. Back home.

Evir is just as evasive, not biting into it. “Plenty of people do.” Nem, a myth. Apparently the name haunted the halls of Tython, a threat to those who dared step outside the boundaries of light.

“Evir, they know everything. About Nem and… Sorca.”

Only then does he stop. And it’s no longer a dispassionate stare, nor one of disappointment. Perhaps Catiel could call this one fear, with how he turns. She can feel the way Mako looks at her, and how Gault asks the question he’d been repeating for months on end once more.

‘Who are you, Catiel Jast? What have you done?’

“I have to save her, Evir. I owe her that much.”

Organa on his feet, if a little wobbly, and Evir dismisses them all. Protests, especially when Torian and Gault emerge from their positions. But Evir doesn’t take notice of them, nor the vague threat about reporting this up the chain. “Do it then. I don’t care,” he says flippantly. “Tell Iva’adi herself for what it’s worth.”

Catiel doesn’t linger on that name, nor on how the three Jedi disappear down the walkway. Not that they were in the most secure spot, but Evir is pacing before them. Taking into account how her team looked remarkably antsy, too, she just didn’t know how to break the information down. How to dissolved the feeling that was eating at her gut.

Until Evir stops suddenly, mid turn. Looks at her, dead on, with a particularly heavy gaze. “I’m coming with you, then.”

[resol-nare]

Out of curiosity, I decided to take my Akk dog to Taris with Zhaim. And I gotta say, I'm liking this dynamic of just Torian, Zhaim, and Akk dog.

[voidendron]

One Moment

Star Wars: The Old Republic Words: 1′369

“Torian?” Her feet carried her to him as if they had a mind of their own, arms flinging around his neck to pull him into the tightest hug she could muster. It lasted but a moment before they were both scrabbling to pull that old helmet off of him.

Spoilers for: KOTFE Ch. 14, Mandalore’s Revenge

Warnings: None Ship: Bounty Hunter/Torian Cadera Characters: Ar’eonis’terrinxx (Grand Champion), Shae Vizla, Khomo Fett, Torian Cadera

Allies, Theron had said, and left it at that.

She hadn’t known who or what to expect as she piloted that little shuttle. She hadn’t known who or what would meet her when she landed at the coordinates on Darvannis.

She couldn’t say she’d expected Mandalorians, but she also couldn’t say that she didn’t welcome the sight—quite the contrary! The familiar armor style, blasters and rockets and blades carried in well-trained hands, visors covered in dust and grime as their wearers turned to look at her as she cut through the camp.

A few she’d seen in passing—among the crowd when she won the duel to get into the Great Hunt, gathered around Mandalore the Vindicated or in one of the many hunting parties she’d joined up with for a quick big game hunt over the years. Most, however, were strangers to her or at least had changed their armor if she had ever seen them before.

Even so, surrounded by strangers, it was a welcome sight. A sight she hadn’t realized how much she’d missed.

The Alliance was important to her, of course; she’d grown to care for it, her troops, but being among her brothers for once…

Terrin couldn’t help but grin a little as she strode to the tent one of them was gesturing for her to go to.

The first to greet her upon entry was a Mandalorian man—one of the few who, like her, wasn’t wearing a helmet. Although his was probably nearby, whereas hers had been lost with her crew and (now returned) ship years ago. He crossed his arms and gave her a once-over, an easy grin coming to his face. “Well, you’re on the wrong planet! The Hutt Pleasure Worlds are a dozen parsecs out.”

Terrin put her hands on her hips, looked him over as if she were a critic, grinned right back. “Really? ‘Cause I could’a sworn you were a dancer. Ya sure this is the right place?”

That earned her a snorting sort of laughter from the man. “Oh, I like this one.”

“Shut up, Khomo.” The speaker came from a small side room within the tent. Her armor may have gone through some small changes, but that voice and red hair? Oh, Terrin remembered it well. “You’re in good shape for a dead woman.”

“Shae Vizla—been a long time. Heh, can’t say I was expecting Mandalorians.”

“We’re what you got.” Her scowl seemed to deepen, then. “Heard you need a factory pulverized.” There was something different in her eye. Something…determined, less of the playful “fight for the hell of it” that had been there when they first met on Rishi or even when they’d faced Revan. The years had matured more than just Terrin, it seemed.

Khomo shifted from where he stood at the table, hands moving to his hips and looking like he was ready to go get his hands dirty. “A dozen clans stand with Mandalore the Avenger…—” Anything else he said faded to the background.

Mandalore the Avenger..? Terrin’s grin faded, replaced by a scowl that almost mirrored Shae’s. “…What happened to your predecessor?”

Shae—Mandalore—averted her eyes for a moment, shook her head. “I’m sorry. Zakuul hit your adopted clan hard; he died fighting.” The stern expression returned within moments. “We’ve been under siege these past few years. Clan Vizla survived better than most. I ended up Mandalore mostly by accident.”

Mandalore the Vindicated…dead? The last she’d seen of him…it had been when she was still in carbonite. That nightmare hellscape where she had to strike him down with her own two hands. She mentally cursed out Valkorian, though received no response.

“Half the clans are scattered,” Khomo added. “Most of the rest are trapped on the heartworlds.”

“When your spy-boy offered a chance to hit back, I agreed. Been on defense too long.”

Terrin’s expression hardened as she locked her jaw. If Arcann hadn’t made this personal before… “Then we fight together, Mandalore. Against Zakuul and the galaxy.” Red eyes drifted from Shae, to Khomo, then back again as a growl crept into her voice. “We’ll topple Arcann yet.” For Mandalore the Vindicated and what scattered members may be left of Clan Lok. For her brothers among the other clans. For her Alliance, and the galaxy.

“Right now, I’d settle for one good victory.”

Shae gestured for the table in the center of the room and turned it on. Terrin leaned on it as she scanned the troop deployments, listened to Shae and Khomo explain what was already being done about that factory, and what they still had to do. Rotating teams, one in position and ready to take down that energy shield on the factory.

Fortress or no, they’d win this. They had to. The Alliance needed that GEMINI template and one less Skytrooper factory would be better for everyone in and of itself.

Switching the table off, Shae nodded to Terrin. “You want to be useful? Capture the perimeter guns and retarget the factory.” Her eyes shifted to the entrance behind Terrin and she gestured for whoever must have entered to come over. “Torian!”

Torian.

…Torian?

If it was possible for one’s brain to get an error message, Terrin’s certainly did when she heard that name. She stood rigid for what seemed like far too long before finally turning to face him. Could she really be that lucky?

The armor was unfamiliar, scuffed with scratches and blaster burns. It was black, sleek, new—not the gray-and-yellow she last remembered him in. But it was the helmet that really caught her eye. That helmet she’d thought was lost forever when it hadn’t been on board the Rust Bucket when Theron returned the ship to her. She’d known she left it there, in the room she’d shared with her husband—she’d been so distraught to discover it missing. Torian had had it made for her.

And now here it was, looking her right in the face.

It was repainted, resized to fit him, the visor covered in dust and the scope broken off and paint chipped along the edges, but she’d know that helmet anywhere. He’d really held onto it, after all this time…

“Riduur.” He was breathless, the disbelief in his voice clearer than any cloudless night.

“Torian?” Her feet carried her to him as if they had a mind of their own, arms flinging around his neck to pull him into the tightest hug she could muster. It lasted but a moment before they were both scrabbling to pull that old helmet off of him.

It fell to the sand at their feet as Terrin held his face in her hands. Familiar blue eyes locked with hers, thumbs traced the scars at his cheeks, and the smile wasn’t long to find his lips. He was scruffy, like he hadn’t shaved in a few days, and sweat made messy bangs stick to his face. But it was Torian. Her Torian.

“What are you doing here? I… I know how long it’s been, but…” She had to stand on her toes, and even then Torian still had to lean down just so their foreheads could touch. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath when he brushed a loose strand of hair from her face. “I’ve missed you,” she whispered. “So much.”

He murmured something in Mando’a, something she didn’t recognize but that brought her comfort with the way he said it.

When he pulled back to look her in the eyes again, a grin found its way back to Terrin’s face. One hand found the edge of his chestplate and she dragged him into a kiss.

Terrin didn’t care that Shae cleared her throat behind them, or that Khomo had crossed his arms impatiently. She knew they had something to get to—ASAP—but she just wanted this one moment. One moment, with the husband she’d thought she lost. One moment, to taste his sweat and the smoke that clung to him and look into those eyes she’d missed so, so much.

One moment, before they drew their weapons and charged headfirst into battle, side-by-side for the first time in years.

Just one moment.

[randomlygeneratedstring]

What is one of the first things Mandalorian woman asks her husband after a long separation?

“You good to fight?”

“Better than ever.”