Tales of the Mandalorians

[Dieter Schprokets]

Valetta shipyard was an impressive place.

Teams of Mandalorian crewmen were being trained by the shipwrights, weapons specialists, engineers, engine technicians, shield technicians, and actually cooks as well.

The Mhi Motir had been reborn, and she was not a gentle beast. A reconditioned Storta class, she was in excellant shape, and had had her share of battle. She would have still more.

A substantial amount of the Mandalorians' resources were poured into her. She was to be the bulwark of defense in Coronado, and could also be made available to defend Omicron Alpha if need be.

The ship would be crewed primarily by Outcast technicians for her shakedown cruise and dozens of subsequent flights. As Mandalorian crews were trained, the Outcast ones would stand down, until eventually, she would only be staffed by the Mandalorians themselves.

On this, the day of her maiden launch, all systems would be proven.

Finally in orbit around Malta, a small mixed escort of Mandalorians and Outcast Guard pilots assembled.

Once the reactor status had been confirmed, the weapons and shield systems were tested. All systems, save some minor issues, were fully operational.

William Bishop stood on the Bridge with his Consuls, in awe of the power he was seeing displayed here. Nothing by House Military standards, but certainly more firepower than the Mandalorians had ever yielded.

Save for Luc McLeod's brief ownership of a Blood Dragon battleship. The word "squandered" entered his mind, and lingered and refused to leave.

The reactors had responded well under load, and it was time to test her engines.

Diez. Nueve. Ocho. Siete. Seis. Cinco. Cuatro. Tres. Dos. Uno!

The ship shuddered, and began to cruise towards the jumphole, escorted by the Outcast Guard fighters.

She entered hyperspace, and began to run the gauntlet of Tau space, avoiding Colonial and Kusari patrols, flying high above plane when needed.

Baffin. And safety. Just one more jump...

Meanwhile, Consul Sagitarii, in his Gunboat the Caribdis, was holding off some scoundrels who had happened to get their hands, somehow, on Tridente Gunships. And oh, they were learning what a Conference class could do in the right hands.

The Mhi-Motir jumped to Coronado, made secure by the Consul's efforts, and made a beeline for Barrier Gate.

Once there, final calibrations were made to the command and control systems by Minister Jameson.

This job done, the Mhi Motir settled into her new home. And her new masters.

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