Planning Phase

[Mandalore the Siren]

Mandalore sat back and propped his feet up on his desk as he watched the holovid of his plans. He had to admit, this plan was essentially flawless. The Republic would never even know what hit it. The time to enact his plan was drawing closer and closer, and he was getting restless. Mandalore shut off the holovid, and picked up his helmet with the force. He slid the helmet onto his head and walked out of the room.

He thought he would go down to the battle circle, and show some of the new recruits how it's done. As he strolled out, his men called out, "All hail the Mandalore!" He walked up to the recruits around the battle circle and said, "At ease soldiers. So who thinks their man enough to battle me?" An awkward silence followed, but eventually a brave, but very cocky, new recruit spoke up, "I'll take you on Mandalore. I can beat you!" Behind his helmet, Mandalore raised an eyebrow, "Is that so?" he said, "Well, seeing as I'm the challenger, you choose the rules." The recruit thought for a second, then laughed, "Alright, only vibroblades. And you have to fight with only one arm!" Mandalore chuckled, "Fine then, I accept these rules."

The two fighters stepped into the circle and Mandalore's left hand was tied behind his back. The referee called the duel on, and the recruit charged headlong at Mandalore, screaming his lungs out. Mandalore easily blocked the attack and quickly parried. Then, he turned to the offensive, striking at the recruit. He unbalance the recruit and knocked him to the ground, pinning him with his boot. "And that's how it's done," he said, as the recruit scrambled out of the circle, heavily embarrassed.

Mandalore turned to face the crowd of recruits that had gathered, "Are they're anymore challengers?"

[Mengo]

Mengo watched as the other recruit was taken down easily. Moron, Mengo thought. Never let your guard down, don't get cocky.

"I'll fight cha, and you can use any weapon and handicap yourself in anyway. You'll win, but I'll give more sport. Rule #10: Flater and respect your employer. Rule # 6: Don't show all your tricks, Mengo reminded himself as he took his rifle from his back and stepped up.

Rule #3: Know your weapon(s), he thought as he examned his rifle. "Ready when you are."

[Mandalore the Siren]

Mandalore chuckled as the youth stepped up to his challenge. He admired his courage and his tenacity. Still, Mandalore wasn't going to hold back. The men needed to be prepared for anything, including whatever Mandalore could throw at them. He strode into the battle circle, ordering his helmet to perform a quick scan of the recruit's weapon. It was a prototype of sorts, not much special about it. "Prepare yourself soldier, your in for a hell of a battle," Mandalore challenged, as he grabbed a hilt from his belt and pulled the blaster cannon from off of his back. He pushed a button on the hilt and a black blade shot up from the hilt, a soft buzzing coming from the blade. The shocked look of some of the recruits amused him, and he twirled the blade a little. "Your move," he said to his challenger.

[Mengo]

A lightsaber? Mengo thought. "Well, thats a nice blade you got there," he said as he backed up, rifle ready. Hmmm...I wish I hade a jet pack.

Mengo raised his rifle and aimed. It took only two seconds to do this, and he felt the kick opf his rifle as a blaster bolt flew towards his employers hand, another folowing aimed at his leg. Alright, be on you guard Mengo, you don't know how well he can use that thing.

[Mandalore the Siren]

Mandalore simply grinned in response, and waited for the bolts to draw closer. With two quick flicks of his wrist, he swung his lightsaber in a quick circular motion, deflecting both blasts into the ground. He raised his blaster cannon, and in response, fired of three quick blasts. "Let's see him deal with that," Mandalore thought to himself.

[Mengo]

Mengo rolled to the side, dodging two of the bolts. The other sliced through his thigh armor, wounding his leg a little. His leg pained him a little as he stood.

Mengo walked closer to his employer, rifle at the ready. If I get close enough and get that saber out of his hand I might win. I've never been bested at wrestling. "Very nice," he called out.

Mengo walked even closer. He was about ten feet from Mandalore. Mengo shot twice before gunning it straight at him. Mengo dropped his gun as he he dove for Mandalore's legs, reaching for his saber hand. He had no doubt that his shots had missed.

[Mandalore the Siren]

Mandalore grinned. The recruit had just fallen right into his trap. Mandalore quickly dropped both his weapons and raised both his hands. A mysterious force flowed from his hands, stopping the recruit three feet from himself. Mandalore chuckled and tossed the recruit into the air, letting him plumet back towards the ground. The recruit was picking up speed, but, moments before he hit the ground Mandalore caught him. Mandalore summoned up a little more energy and sent a quick burst of lightning into the recruit, and finally let him drop to the ground.

[Mengo]

Mengo, although surprised, was not fased as he was slung around. "I've had worse than this," he called out, his voice slured. "Have you ever escaped an explouding ship? I didn't think so-"

The lighting was a shocker. What? he thought as the Force lightning flowed through him. His body twitched for a second, and then it took him another nine to get up. "Whoo! What was that? That was-" And then the pain. Mengo doubled over, but kept his feet. Never show all your tricks, Mengo thought, forcing back a grin.

[Mengo]

Mengo's breath slowed as he stood before his employer. Definitely need a jet pack, he thought. And when I get a chance I want Force resistant armor, along with electricity resistance.

"So, what happens now?" Mengo asked. "I have to admit, I didn't expect to win but that was fast." Maybe I can get a promotion, he thought. Perhaps be one of his body guards or adviser/general type dudes. That'll give me the money I need.

[Mandalore the Siren]

Mandalore strode over to the recruit. "Soldier, come with me. You've got guts and I like that in my recruits." Mandalore started to walk back to his command center, with Mengo following closely behind. "I've got some major plans and I need people like you to get them right. Now tell me, you got a name, soldier?"

[Mengo]

"Mengo, sir," Mengo replied. At last someone knows a true Mandalorian when they see one, he thought. "Might I ask what the plans are?"

Finally, a real job, Mengo thought. And hopefully some real fighting. Maybe I can get a basilisk and some real battle armor. I'd love a Starviper.

[Mandalore the Siren]

"Mengo, eh?" Mandalore said, "Well, this plan is going to sound incredibly impossible, but once you see the strategy, your going to agree that it may be the best plan ever made." Mandalore turned his head towards Mengo, "We're going to capture the senate. All of it. Every last senator, and his entourage." Mandalore said, grinning, regardless of whether Mengo could see it.

[Mengo]

"Nothing's impos-" Mengo began but was silent when he heard his employer's hand. It is possible, but it would take lots of planning, he thought.

"How exactly would we do this?" Mengo asked. "It would take lots of men and gas by my rekoning." And then he saw Mandalore's grin. "But I've the feeling you have something else in mind."

[Mandalore the Siren]

"My plan has already been in action for several months. Hand-picked recruits have been slowly replacing senate guards. Soon, my men will outnumber the guards. Then, when they are gathered together, we strike, using our numbers, as well as our skill to take them hostage. Also, we must kill the Empress of Mandalore, for she is not with our cause. She will be in the Senate when we strike." Mandalore turned his head toward Mengo and continued, "You'll be with me. I will go straight to the Mandalore Senate ring. We strike there, killing the Empress and declaring all-out war on the Republic. Then, the captured Senators are escorted to Mandalorian shuttles, and taken back to Mandalore." Mandalore finished and turned his whole body to face Mengo. "What do you think, recruit?"

[Mengo]

"Interesting," Mengo said, meeting his employer's stare. "I think it is brilliantly made. But what if one is bought? And what of the Jedi? They seem to know everything. I have little doubt they'll find out."

This is my chance, Mengo thought. I finally have a chance to make it big. And the chance for the greatest hit in the world. "You said I'd be going with you? And what would my job be?"

[Mandalore the Siren]

"Fear not Mengo, the men I have sent ahead are intensely loyal and have been put through rigorous training for this assignment. They will not fail nor will they be bought. As for the Jedi, they are completely unaware of our existence, and I have my ways of clouding their minds. They feel a slight disturbance, but they do not expect what is to come," Mandalore reassured with absolute certainty. "And as for your job, once we are on my flagship, you will see. No follow me, we leave at once.

A few minutes later, both men were strolling threw the hangar of the Black Siren flagship, the Insatiable, as they sped towards Coruscant at hyperspeed. The mandalorians continued threw the hangar, passing shuttles preparing for what was to come. They arrived at a large durasteel blast door, and Mandaore turned to Mengo, "This will be your assignment," he said very seriously, pressing a button next to the door. The doors slowly opened, revealing a Basilisk that was being fitted with proton bombs. "You will be flying this basilisk, running bombing runs on the Jedi Temple. Those foolish Jedi must know who they are dealing with. You will be the one to show them that. Can you handle this?"

[Mengo]

Mengo followed his employer and listened as he explained things. They boarded a nice capital ship, where Mengo was then told his assignment.

He was silent for a moment as he digested and looked over this news for reasons why Mandalore would give all these things to a new recruit. There has to be a catch... he thought. I highly doubt my reputation has proceeded me.

Knowing that his employer would be losing patience, Mengo decided to mull it over later. "Yes, I've hat experience with Basilisks. Mind you, I've never flown one with a live bomb strapped between it and another, but it won't be harder than flying with a dead bomb." Mengo paused to reorder his thoughts. "Might I ask who will be covering us? And where can I suit up? I'll meet my men after that."

[Mandalore the Siren]

"Your regular armor will do just fine. The basilisk will provide most of the protection you need. As for your fighter escort, you'll have two more basilisks backing you up. The key to this mission is catching them unaware, so we can't spare any more fighters. Besides, if you do this right, you should be able to get out of there before any sort of resistance arrive. I'm sure you can handle it," he concluded, smirk hidden behind his mask. " Now if you'll excuse me, I need to prepare my personal escort,"he said, beginning to walk off. He stopped himself halfway to the door and turned his head back to Mengo, "Oh, a little advice on piloting the basilisk, just let it become part of you." With that, he turned and left the hangar.

[Mengo]

Mengo turned from his employer after their conversation was over. Going up his new ship and friend, he found a helmet. It fits, Mengo thought. I wonder what all it does....never trust gifts from your employer.

The helmet air sealed and Mengo went over to an oxygen pump. Hope I won't be in space long, the tanks they gave me aren't that big. He filled them and then got onto his Basilisk. Using the radio, he talked to his wingmen as they mounted. "The name's Mengo. I'll be helping drop the bomb. You'll be listening to me. I'm sure you've been briefed, so just be ready."