Anija Ordo
From The Gungan Council
Mac O'Shennanigans
Contents |
[edit] Early Life
[Excerpt from the family journals found following the events on Onderon]: Her mother....Mariya, had been sent by the Jettiise to infiltrate and study Mandalorian culture to determine if they were a threat to the Jetiise. In her efforts to blend in, she became friends with one Var'ik Ordo. The two grew close to one another, and soon, they married. It was only after Mariya had given birth to their daughter Anija that her treachery against the Mandalorians was discovered. When Var'ik found out, he was furious.
She had hidden her true purpose all this time, claiming to love him. She had given him a child, but that didn't negate what she had done. Her actions were treason against the Mandalorian people. He pleaded with the elders, but nothing could be done. He knew the consequence of such treachery. Var'ik was beside himself with grief and anger. The honor of Ordo must be satisfied. If not for him, then for his young daughter. With quiet deliberation, he undertook his task. The punishment for such treachery was death. He had cut Mariya down. Not even a chance...but he was doing what he felt was right...Once he had done the deed, her buried her body deep in an unmarked grave, hoping the local creatures wouldn't find it.
With that done, he took his young daughter to Corellia and left her in the care of a local orphanage with very clear instructions. She was never to know of her Mando'ade or Jetiise heritage. He hoped that by doing so, her could spare his young daughter the shame and heartache which now tainted her clan. [End Excerpt]
Having been abandoned on Corellia at the age of five, Anija quickly fell in with a street gang in order to survive. Most of her time was spent pilfering food and small electronics from local merchants. She was a part of the gang for most of her childhood and into her later teen years.
[edit] A Fateful Encounter
At the age of 17, Anija had been given the task of breaking into a Firespray at the local spaceport and making off with as much as she could. Little did she know that this one act would change her life forever. Sneaking aboard the ship in question proved to be a mistake, even for a skilled thief like Anija. The owner, a Mandalorian by the name of Giarc Ordo cornered her. After a brief fight, Giarc threw her in a cell. He wasn't completely with out heart, and tended to her injuries, but only as much as it suited his own ends. Once she was sufficiently healed, he forced Anija to work for him. Being that she was a rebellious teen, she didn't take well to that. When she saw her chance, she ran. Ducking into a nearby cantina, she tried to lose her pursuer.
The attempt failed. Giarc cornered her near the back of the establishment, attempting to force her back to his ship. It was then, that another Mando'ad by the name of Mac intervened. He offered to 'buy' the girl from Giarc and save him the trouble. At first, his offer was refused. But eventually, Giarc's greed won out. Mac released her, taking her on as a trainee. She didn't trust him at first, but over time, they came to respect each other. Their success as a bounty hunting team helped Anija find a purpose. He later adopted her into his clan and began trying to dig up information on her past. After a few successful jobs, Anija branched out on her own, taking solo jobs.
[edit] Life as a Mercenary
[edit] Pearl of Kalori
Not long after, Anija took her first major job. She got hired on the help with the raid on the Pearl of Kalori. It was well planned, but ultimately turned into a disaster. The pirates had a respectable force, but the passengers and crew put up a hell of a fight. Anija found herself facing off against a Sith Knight, attempting to by her comrades time. What she didn't realize until later into the battle was that he far outmatched her in skill. Captain Blackthorn, also assisting in the raid, came to her assistance. The distraction allowed Anija to slip away along with the rest of the boarding party.
[edit] Hapes and Dantooine
Shortly after, she met up with a couple pirates on Hapes. That was a risky proposition, seeing as it was an Imperial world. When one Ramixam Thaylen instigated a bar fight, Anija and another patron came to his aid. They were far outnumbered by Hapan Security, After slipping away, they roamed the city, and later parted ways with Rami.
Anija and Kali then went on their own adventures in the Hapan capital city. Including a run in with one Giarc Ordo, who had been hired by the Imps to provide specialized training to their security forces. Having infiltrated the Imperial garrison, the two women had a simple goal: steal small items that would not be noticed, but that would hamper Imperial efforts. They were successful except for one hitch: Giarc. He cornered the two women as they were making their escape.
The two Mandalorians squared off, beskade at the ready. Anija didn't trust the man one bit. She knew he still harbored anger for what had happened. What surprised her was Kali. The blond had guts. She stood up to Giarc, giving as good as she got. The two women had become fast friends, and Kali wasn't about to let some armored brute hurt her friend. The two traded blows for several minutes. Slowly, Giarc began to gain the upper hand. He was, after all, taller, stronger and more experienced. He dealt Anija a stunning blow as her struck her across the helmet. Falling to the floor, she gazed up at him knowing she was staring her death in the face.
Suddenly, Giarc crumpled. Kali had shot him, taking out his knee. Though Anija realized that the blond had just saved her life and she should cut her losses, she had to ensure that he would not follow. There was only one way. Straddling his chest, Anija knew she had the upper hand. She could let him go, but she knew that would not stop him. He wanted her dead. That left her only one option: Kill him to save both herself and Kali. Steeling herself, Anija did the one thing she had hoped she never had to. Her hands shook as she finished him. But what else could she do? Silently, the two women hid the body and cleansed the corridor befor they got what they had come for. With that done, they boarded Anija's ship and fled Hapes.
Dantooine was their next stop, but it was a rough one. An Imperial world, the two women had to tread carefully. It was here that Anija truly got to see Kali's abilities. She was an amazing fighter. Where she had learned to fight like that, Anija didn't know. That is, until one of the mercenaries confronted her. The one-armed man accused her of being a Sith. Kali denied it, but as they left, she seemed sad and even more confused than she had been before. Could the man's accusation be true? Promising that she would help Kali uncover her past, the two women gathered some needed supplies before they made their way towards the extensive network of caves. The crystals within were rumored to have strong connection to the Force. Perhaps one of them could hel Kali uncover her past. The two women knew it would be painful, but Kali insisted.
[edit] Meeting Xan
[edit] The Return to Manda'yaim
After several months of working on her own, Anija finally returned to Manda'yaim and to Mac. He had taken her in almost a year ago now, and had helped her find a purpose and a place that she felt she belonged. It had not been an easy year either. Anija was changed. She was harder, tougher. And less trusting of those she didn't call friends. It was this part of her that caused her to clash with one of the new arrivals. A man calling himself Xan Qenadius. The young man had guts, she'd give him that. But she didn't take well to his advances at first. They talked a little about his time on Tatooine, and his impressions of Mandalore and Keldabe. Anija was tense after one of her last jobs for Mac, and on edge. She was curt with him, probably moreso than she should have been. It surprised her even more when he admitted that he too had had a run in with Giarc. And not only that, but he had Jetiise heritage as she did.
Xan seemed to draw in on himself a little when she mentioned the feelings of some towards the Jetiise. Though he did share his own encounter with Giarc. the hut'uun had tried to kill the one that raised him. And obviously hadn't come out the winner on that encounter. The two had talked for a while longer, adjourning to her apartment to discuss more sensitive things. And that was where things changed.Xan kissed her. That alone surprised her given his words of only a few moments before. She wasn't mad, just surprised. Until now, no one had taken much of an interest in her. They talked for quite some time. Eventually both turning in. When Anija woke later, Xan had left a message summoning her to the cantina. When she arrived, she ran into Mac. She hadn't seen him for a few days. Talking with him, she hesitantly revealed meeting Xan and his advances. This concerned Mac, for he wanted a good husband for his sister. When hse made her way towards the table where Kane, Mac, and the other were, he followed.
And that's when things got interesting. Mac confronted Xan, which the other did not take well to. There was a scuffle. Anija tried to calm the two men, but only succeeded in alienating Xan from her efforts. Xan left angrily, only to return later to try and drink his anger away. Anija did the same, trying to avoid him. But that was impossible in a place such as this. eventually, Anija realized that she had been wrong to push him away. Even in her drunken state, she managed to make her way to Xan's apartment. She wanted to apologize.
Kane had come to visit Xan, and found Anija slumped against his door. With concern, he summoned Xan. They got her into the apartment, and Xan insisted he lay her down on the bed and sit with her until she came to her senses. That didn't turn out so well. Anija, even in her inebriated state was still a decent fighter. She was angry that Xan had attacked Mac. They traded blows for a while, but that only gave rise to their true feelings for each other. Even with Kane in the next room, they made love. Ir was strange to Anija, yet she felt that perhaps they had finally settled their quarrel. She accepted Xan's proposal of marriage, even against Mac's objection. She was an adult. Mac presented them with the deed to a ship. An older HWK-290, they maintained it lovingly, and christened her the Par'jila, which meas 'triumphant' in Mando'a. After the short ceremony, they got down to business. Kane explained why he had come. He had a job offer for them. One that would pay extremely well. They accepted and spent a month working for him.
[edit] Cultural Differences (Imperials)
It wasn't long after that that Anija went off in search of her own heritage. Mac had been able to dig up some information concerning her parents, and Anija couldn't quell her desire to know more, even though she knew that it would draw the wrong kind of attention. And it did. As she floated between planets in an attempt to mask her searches, she was spotted by an Imperial ship. They captured her fighter, drawing it into their bay and surrounding her.
She had nowhere to go. The Commander of the ship challenged her to a duel. Anija knew that if she refused, it would end badly for her. The two faced each other across a short expanse of decking. It was a rough fight, and Anija soon found herself out-matched. The Enthian commander was set on one thing: a trophy from a Mandalorian. What that was, Anija soon found out. A human tooth. It did not come easy.
He bested her, and took his trophy. She was then stripped of her beskar'gam and dumped in a cell like some common criminal. What shocked her was that the Enthian came asking questions regarding her culture. Warily, she told him basic info, doing her best not to reveal more personal things. While she was speaking, another Imperial entered the room. A Chiss by the look of him. The Chiss ushered the Enthian from the room, immediately moving to his purpose. The interrogation.
Yes, Anija had been trained under harsh conditions. But nothing prepared her for this. The Chiss himself backed off, instead depending on technology to do the dirty work. Having forced her to chain herself, her interrogator proceeded to use words to guide her actions. Not his voice however. Instead the bland and emotionless voice of a droid. It was that, combined with the muscle relaxant that brought her most painful memories to the surface. The death of her parents. While she had not been there, somehow she was seeing it as if she had been.
The mental assualt continued. Until finally, she cracked. Whispered plan tumbled from her lips. But even that wasn't enough. Suddenly, she was bombarded by light and sound. Try as she might, she tried to block it out with no success. Suddenly, the light and auditory assault ceased. Anija found herself floating. Again, she was injected with stimulants. Again the droid spoke, informing her of the effects of the latest drug. After a few moments, she found herself overwhelmed with the desire to speak. She couldn't seal her lips anymore.
Everything she knew about Kane's plans tumbled from her lips. What happened next shocked her. She was released from her weightlessness and carried to a chair. A meal had been laid out. But before she could enjoy it, several soldiers entered the room. Forcing Anija to her feet, they stripped her and scrubber her down roughly, caring nothing for her modesty. And then they were gone, leaving Anija to pick on the shattered pieces of her psyche.
It was surprising then when Hardrad returned. And of all things, began instructing her in the ways of his people. It was strange that he would do such after their initial encounter. He patiently guided her through some basic movements with the vibro-axe. And then, as he left she found the vibro-axe still in her grasp. Moments later, the power in the brig died, leaving the area lit only with emergency lighting. Anija knew she probably wouldn't get another chance. But her rescuer was not who she had expected. The appearance alone scared her. As they crept through the corridors, they ran into a patrol. Anija's rescuer made short work of them, allowing Anija to slip off the ship and to her own people.
[edit] Velusia
Mere days after Anija's experience with the Imps, the pair were invited to Velusia. The planet was to be the site of a beach party for both Rebellion and members of the Underground. As she was still recovering from her ordeal, Anija stuck close to Xan. Eventually, she loosened up, introducing herself to others. Later on in the evening, Anija and Xan introduced themselves to Jaeger Delaroche. He was a smuggler and an excellent pilot. Since their less than satisfying results working for Kane, the pair were looking for other income options.
After chatting with a few other of the attendees, they retires to the Par'jila. The next morning, Anija met with Callista Thanewulf, Kane's current love interest. The two had become fast friends the night before, and Callista had asked Anija to start teaching her some of the language. Having spent the better part of several hours going over the language, the two moved on to more personal issues. It was here that Anija learned more of Callista's past while sharing some of her own.
[edit] Thyferra
Following Velusia, many in the Underworld came together once more for a large scale raid. This time, the target was Thyferra. The world where much of the galaxy's supply of bacta was produced. There was one minor problem: Thyferra was controlled by the Sith. In order for the raid to be successful, the Sith had to be sufficiently distracted. And that was where Kane came in. Kane came to Thyferra under the pretense of selling the Sith defense droids, but really, it was a distraction for the larger operation put in place by Saede. While the Sith were occupied by the droids, Saede's flagship, along with Morgan Blackthorn, Marcus Gray, and several other smaller ships owned by other Underworlders swarmed the ships carrying the bacta. The attack was shift and precise, allowing the Underworlders to make off with a good portion of Bacta. Some of it was sold back to the Sith at inflated prices. Still more was kept in reserve for use by the Underworlders themselves.
[edit] Beskar'gam and the Quest for Truth
Following the Events on Velusia and Thyferra Anija helped Xan construct Callista's beskar'gam. The process was one long steeped in mystery, but nnow again, the metalworkers among the Mando'ade we re called to fashoin beskar'gam for one of their own. Callista was to marry Kane, and by doing so she would become ful Mando'ade. Fashioning the armor itself did not take long, and then Anija and Callista decorated the plates according to Callista's preference. the result was a beautiful golden green with black accents. With that done, the two women left on a quest of their own: to discover what the could about their individual clan histories. In her own searching, Anija had come across a reference to a clan Than'uulf.
The two women spent the next month searching out information on both clans. Their search at first led them to Oro as they traced the history of the ancient lightsaber in Anija's possession. In the midst of their search, the two women encountered one Mael Rakim. When Mael first encountered Anija, he saw her potential. Like all of the first born children in Ordo, Anija had been marked. The tattoo on her wrist marked her as a candidate for the next Ordo Alor. Mael was getting old, and he felt that young blood was what the clan needed. The tests and trials he put Anija through were far more than anything Mac ever had.
After their return to Mandalore, Anija and Xan again played a role in fashioning beskar'gam. This time for Eliar of Clan D'ael'mor. The young man had recently passed his own trials, and had approached Xan to construct his beskar'gam. THe result? Midnight black beskar'gam. This was his attire for Callista and Kane's wedding the following week. The wedding was simple, as most mandalorian ceremonies were, and yet it was elegant. Kane wore the traditional white beskar'gam and Callista her new beskar'gam. An occasion such as this created a place amidst the normal flow of things where people could come together and set aside other concerns.
[edit] A New Alor
About a month later, Anija, Xan, Lilly and others of Mac's vode were invited the the Keldabe Kiss. The Kiss was Mac's bar, and Anija had even worked there on several occasions. Now, was different though. He had called them together for one specific reason. His uncle was aging, and had suffered a bad injury that was slowly sapping his strength. THe reason? Mac's uncle had named him Alor of clan Gaecel'ic.
[edit] The Quest
Two weeks later, Anija and Xan, along with several form D'ael'mor, and Mac, answered the Mand'alor's call to Naboo. Once there, they discovered the reason. Nomad, along with several Jedi. Their mission? To recover an ancient weapon that was rumored to be able to stop the Sith. The challenge was to get the Jedi in the group onto Onderon without arousing the sith's suspicion. The plan? The Mandalorians were to bring the Jedi in on a supposed prisoner transfer. Things went mostly according to plan... except one thing. Once the group reached the ancient temple, they were separated by a cave-in, which also blocked comms. Anija's group was able to find a way around the obstacle of the evil presence and its undead minions. In the process, Mac went missing. Eventually, the two groups met up. But due to the events of that mission, Anija didn't trust Axel... who had been Jarrod's padawan. The young man was insuffereable, and even in the scope of the mission, he was disrespectful to not only her, but the Mand'alor as well.
[edit] Trails to Val'halla
A week after the events on Onderon, Anija and Jarros met again. This time on Corellia. But this was not a social call. Even from Jarrod's brief message, Anija could tell that something was wrong. Only when they met, did she find out. He had stolen a holocube from the Jedi Archives. But not just any. No; this one contained information on her family. Things the Jedi would rather bury. What it contained was shocking, and heart-wrenching. After viewing some of the contents of the holocube, Jarrod insisted that Anija leave. He obviously knew that someone was onto them. With great reluctance, Anija agreed, slipping out before several Jedi descended on the building. She watched silently as Jarrod was hauled off. What would happen to him, she knew not. What she DID know was that he had given everything to protect her.
[edit] A Turning Point
((work in progress))
