Vali and Narfi

Roleplaying Blog Private and Selective RULES | DOSSIER | WRITER

[vali-and-narfi]

                                                      [Revamped on 9/15/2020]

                                                RULES   |   DOSSIER   |   WRITER

non-exclusive

crossover-friendly

established Star Wars AU

[vali-and-narfi]

loyaltyandchaos​:

Fives and Rex looked at each other. They probably really should have told the general about everything, otherwise their misunderstanding would only increase. Especially after all they’ve learned.

Fives was the first to speak. Rex sometimes interjected his remarks and told what Fives did not know and could not tell himself. They took a bit of a risk opening up to the Asgardian so much. But it is better to let him understand them than to be angry at their distrust.

“We tried to save Dogma, even the Jedi tried, but the senate wouldn’t listen. He was sent to Kamino and decommissioned.”

Finished Rex.

Vali’s eyes softened at them, chest hurting in sympathy for the clones’ anguish over their fallen brothers. 

“I can’t even imagine being in your position that day,” he lamented, thinking of his own brother. “I’m so sorry.” 

Upon hearing about the clone trooper, Dogma, Vali’s brow quirked curiously. “Decommissioned? What does that mean?”

[vali-and-narfi]

loyaltyandchaos​:

Time passed. Rations gradually became less and less. If this continues, they will soon starve. But that was less of an issue compared to the looming threat of the droids and the fact that help might not arrive in time.

But it seems that General Narfi himself decided to deal with the issue of food for the soldiers. He brought something edible and it was something big enough to feed the men.

“Oh yes, that’s enough for all of us. Thanks, general”

“I’m a senator, Commander Cody--Senator Lokison. I’m not your general,” Narfi corrected with an insulted sneer of his lips. Your general, he specified, because something told him the commander was thinking of his Jedi. “Your hunger and fatigue is making you delirious, it seems.” 

A thought occurred. 

“Commander, set up a fire for supper. I shall join you.” It would be a first because up until now, Narfi never sat down with them. He was never seen eating to begin with.

[vali-and-narfi]

rcfekjwtaardby​:

Over the next few days, Rex and the others got a little used to the clones of General Vali. Although sometimes they were surprised to see an Asgardian along with his clone at the same time. But that didn’t stop Rex from spending that time preparing. The mission seemed easy, but if they make stupid mistakes, they will be in trouble. These plans were designed for them alone, given Vali’s words that he would be alone.

Therefore, when Rex saw Vali in the hangar, he was surprised, but did not show it. Plans could easily be changed if the general changed his mind or had a different plan.

“We land on Hypori and first capture the communications station, which is sure to contain important data that can help the Republic. After that, we can send a message to the clankers to come to a convenient place for us to destroy them.”

Vali hummed in contemplation. The way his brows furrowed and lips pursed suggested that he thought that there was left for improvement regarding the captain’s plan, but he chose silence instead. He was going to leave the 501st alone for this mission, and he meant every word of it.

“Tell me about Umbara,” Vali said instead. “I know I said I’ve read the report, but it had only been General Kenobi’s account. I want to hear your side of the story--someone who was there, someone who had to live through it.”

[vali-and-narfi]

rcfekjwtaardby​:

Perhaps they still had a chance. If reinforcements or other assistance are not available, they will have to rely on Narfi. And then maybe they’ll get lucky. Cody hated giving up.

“It will be done. It won’t be a big problem. We played our opponents more than once.”

Kenobi was good at it. Now Cody had the opportunity to show what he had learned during this time. He gathered the men and gave them a plan according to which they would all act. Not that they have much of a choice.

Narfi expected that it would most likely take a while before anything came to fruition. Only a few rotations passed, and rations were already growing scarce. He was used to the Einherjar, Asgardian troops who thirsted for battle more than sustenance. Nonetheless, he took it upon himself to aid in hunting and scavenging for supplies. This newfound sense of responsibility was logical, but Narfi couldn’t help but feel...oddly sentimental.

Dragging the carcass of a large creature--that he failed to identify--by the horns, he trudged back to camp. 

“You think this will suffice?” Narfi asked as he dusted off his hands.

[vali-and-narfi]

rcfekjwtaardby​:

“I must have gone crazy. But I saw General Vali when I was leaving the cafeteria and he just walked in the direction of the hangar.”

Jesse told Fives as they walked to the bridge. He wasn’t happy about being commanded again by someone else, but as long as they weren’t sent on suicide missions, he wasn’t about to rebel.

“I think I also saw the general in two different places. I doubt he would have been able to change direction so quickly.”

When they reached the bridge, they met a very worried Rex.

“Something wrong, captain?” “I don’t know what’s going on, but General Vali is on two bridges. Plus I’m getting more and more reports of him being seen elsewhere.”

Jesse and Fives looked at each other.

“So none of us imagined it.” “And how can this be explained?” "Maybe the general have clones?” “And they all act exactly like the general? And besides there was no any clone with him when he arrived.” “Maybe we should ask him about it? Well, so there are no surprises later.” “Let’s leave it at that. We don’t need any more trouble with him after all this mistrust. If he wants to, he’ll tell.” “Whatever you say, cap”

Vali spent the next few days educating himself with the ins and outs of the Resolute, all while amusing himself with the clone troopers’ reactions to his own clones. It was good practice, he convinced himself.

Despite what he told Fives about going it alone, he waited for Captain Rex at the hangar when they finally reached Hypori space.

“What’s your plan, Captain?” General Lokison asked, significantly more restrained than he was at their first meeting. While he had his fun, he possessed enough experience to understand that missions expected certain gravitas.

[vali-and-narfi]

rcfekjwtaardby​:

“Of course sir”

Cody didn’t believe this story. No one is throwing commander droid heads around, especially with useful information. But it’s better to leave it. If this is some secret that Narfi wants to keep, so be it. Moreover, this is not their main problem.

So they really have a problem. Hostages… They’ve been betrayed, and besides, they’re negotiating with Narfi’s brother about Asgard’s resources. Cody doubted that these negotiations would succeed. Help may not come. Even if the Jedi try to break through the blockade, the Asgardians might get in the way. This is not how Cody wanted to die. Certainly not as a bargaining chip in the game of the Asgardians.

“And what shall we do then?”

“When Vali refuses to give into the Koorivars’ demands, their next move would be to have me talk my brother into it instead,” Narfi deduced, his knuckle under his chin in contemplation, before he looked up at the clone commander.

“Our goal now is to force General Desyk to come here personally. What that means, Commander Cody, is that we must eliminate all options of long-distance communication. Act as if they were all destroyed during the crash. They’ll have nobody to blame but themselves.”

“When that happens--well, I suppose we’ll see,” the senator turned on his heel and promptly started walking back to his post. The slightest hint of a smirk played at his lips. “One step at a time, Commander Cody.”

But Narfi was already two steps ahead.

[vali-and-narfi]

rcfekjwtaardby​:

Cody and his men spent this time relaxing. This was what they needed before the big battle. Everyone was calm and tried not to think that this might be their last fight. Cody thought about writing some kind of touching letter to Rex so that he would not be very sad because of his death, he even managed to sketch out a draft, but he was in no hurry to send it yet. It would be stupid if he sends a message and survives. Rex will not let him forget about it until the end of his days.

After a while, Narfi came to them with the head of a battle droid. It was indeed the droid commander.

“Oh, it looks like we got a present! Yes, it’s a commander droid. Crys, restore that thing’s memory!” “Copy that!”

Chrys took the droid’s head and plugged it into the datapad, starting to dial in the right frequency. Cody looked at the Asgardian.

“Did you go to reconnaissance?”

“No. I left that to your men, remember?” Narfi reminded with retrained condescension. “I kept watch as promised and never left my post. The droid’s head only so happened to fall on my feet. Perhaps the Norns are on our side this day, Commander Cody.”

Assuming Cody was smart, the senator doubted he would be free of suspicion from the very little effort he put to his explanation. Should that be the case, the clone commander wouldn’t have anything to prove otherwise. After all, Narfi never did leave his post--that much, at least, was true.

From the data mined from the droid commander’s head, it was concluded that the ambush was orchestrated by the planet, Kooriva, and spear-headed by their very own General Cron Desyk--all of which Narfi already deduced on his own. What piqued his interest, however, was the discovery that Desyk was currently negotiating with Vali for Narfi and his caravan’s freedom in exchange for Asgardian resources.

“We’re hostages. The Koorivar forces guarding this planet are keeping us from getting any help from our allies,” he summarized, addressing every clone trooper in his vicinity. “That said, I wouldn’t expect anyone to come to our rescue anyway because Vali will certainly not send any.”

Knowing well that Vali was having a good laugh out of the whole debacle, Narfi scowled.

[vali-and-narfi]

rcfekjwtaardby​:

Well, that was fair. It is difficult to establish trust when there is no trust from the beginning. They voiced their suspicions, Vali reacted. If they act separately, there will be nothing wrong with that. This is not a difficult mission, despite its possible duration. There shouldn’t be a big big fight here. Even if something happens, one of the guys will look after him if need be.

“Understood, sir. See you at Hypori.”

Fives saluted and turned around and walked down the corridor. He needed to find Rex.

Finally in his quarters, Vali found himself reminiscing to a time much simpler, when he had only just barely come of age and was eagerly searching for purpose. He thought he belonged with the Einherjar, to serve along with the rest of Asgard’s warriors. However, Odin thought otherwise, and who was he, the God of Mischief’s firstborn, to oppose the All-Father himself? 

He remembered well how Odin’s decision dampened his spirits. Then again, sitting in a room by his lonesome despite his newly-acquired title of General, despite the legion of soldiers supposedly under his command, he can’t help but think that, perhaps, his grandfather had been right about him all along. Perhaps, it simply wasn’t in his nature to work well with others, no matter how much he wanted to.

Vali opened his eyes to realize that he had fallen into a short nap. Glancing at the chrono above the door, he surmised that he awoke just in time for supper. He pushed himself upright, an arm propped behind him while the other he used to rub the sleepiness from his eyes. As he was doing so, a being completely identical to himself materialized from a shimmer of the brightest green and stood at the end of his bed.

“Most of the clones are probably in the mess hall by now,” he said. “Perfect time to do a little bit of exploring if you don’t want to be interrupted.”

“It is quite a quite a remarkable vessel,” his clone smirked. “Do you think I can do that on my own?”

Vali’s brow quirked, his lips pursed, unimpressed and a little bit annoyed. A second later, two more clones appeared on each side of the first.

“We’re going to be seen,” warned the second, arms crossed over his chest in disapproval.

“Who cares, to be honest?” Vali groaned as he fell back against the mattress with his head resting on his hands. “All you’re doing is knowing your surroundings. No one can fault us--me--for that.”

“That’s not really the issue here, is it?” The third asked.

“They will learn of you eventually. I don’t really have any intention of hiding, but I don’t have the intention nor obligation of explaining myself either.” Another clone took shape behind the first three.

“You!” Without looking, Vali pointed to the fourth, to whom all the other clones turned. “I want sustenance. See if there’s anything worth eating at the mess hall.”

The fourth only nodded and, just as quietly, swiftly exited the room.

“There, a distraction,” said Vali. The remaining clones looked to each other for a brief pause before following suit.

“Dibs on the hangar!” The third clone gleefully proclaimed, breaking into a sprint down the hallway.

“Dibs on the bridge,” said the first and second in unison. They immediately stopped in their tracks to stare each other down.

“Luckily for us, the Resolute has two bridges!” The first grinned.

“The clones aren’t idiots,” the second frowned. “They’re going to wonder why Vali’s in both bridges at the same time.”

“Who cares, to be honest?” The first said with a shrug of his shoulders, his tone and inflection exactly the same as the original’s.

“What was the point of sending the fourth to the mess hall then?!” The second’s voice carried throughout the hallway. It couldn’t be helped when the first was already a significant distance away in just a few languid but impressively lengthy strides.

“Didn’t you hear? Vali wants sustenance!”

[vali-and-narfi]

rcfekjwtaardby​:

@vali-and-narfi [x]

Cody raised his eyebrows in surprise. Interesting. So Narfi was trying to show them his respect? Nice try.

“No, sir. You can use our names. Clones rarely use their numbers nowadays.“

Cody honestly would not refuse to rest. But there is a battle ahead… Maybe it was worth trusting Narfi and believing in the Asgardians? It’s not the best plan, but they’d rather go into a suicidal fight rested than tired.

“As you say, sir. It would be nice to get some rest.“

For the first time since the beginning of their endeavor, Narfi was...pleased. Commander Cody was surprisingly easy to talk to. Narfi expected doubt and resistance, brought upon by Vali’s experience with the 501st Legion. The clone troopers in blue certainly weren’t shy about displaying their disapproval towards his older brother. Narfi had yet to exact his punishment on them for that.

There was doubt from Cody, which was entirely understandable--smart, even, but the important thing was that he listened to orders despite the fact. Narfi could very well use that.

“I found this.”

It was well into the night when Narfi approached the clones’ makeshift camp. In his hand was a severed head of a B1-series battle droid. Judging by the mess of protruding wires and split metal on its neck, it looked to have been savagely gnawed on.

"The gold plating on the back of its head indicates that it is a commander droid, correct?” He held it up, dangling the head by the neck. “Does anyone here know how to retrieve its memory?”

Meanwhile, klicks away to the northeast was a deserted clearing littered with remnants of what once was the company of droids that the clones spotted only hours earlier.

[vali-and-narfi]

rcfekjwtaardby​:

@vali-and-narfi [x]

Fives’ impression of Vali changed by the minute. Fives wasn’t sure what to think of him. On the one hand, yes, he was an outsider and many did not trust him. Umbara was fresh in their memory. Plus that overheard conversation. But on the other hand, Fives saw how benevolent Vali was. How sincerely he admired his brother. What will be best for them all?

When Vali said that he knew that Fives was eavesdropping, Fives felt uncomfortable. If they start their collaboration like this, then if things go wrong, it will be their fault too. Maybe they should trust Vali and see how it goes.

“I’m sorry for eavesdropping. Perhaps I overreacted. I’m sorry about that. We shouldn’t have treated you with questions from the start. It’s a terrible way to work together. And… We won’t ask you every step of the way, sir. I apologize for our behaviour. It will be better if we act together than if we are divided.“

“Oh, you misunderstand me, Fives. I wasn’t asking,” said Vali, his tone teetering on the line between unforgiving and sympathetic. “I have given you no reason to mistrust me, but you, Captain Rex and General Skywalker have given me enough to mistrust you.”

The door slid open, and he stepped inside, but not without turning around to face the ARC Trooper once again.

“I am grateful for your assistance, little brother. You are dismissed. I will see you in Hypori,” Vali grinned, deceivingly wide, as he slid the door back shut.

[vali-and-narfi]

rcfekjwtaardby​:

“CT-6876 - Tick, sir! Likewise, sir. I heard that the Asgardians wield a special kind of Force and I am interested to see it in battle! “

Tick could be forgiven for his excitement. This was his third mission. No longer shiny, but not yet as experienced as he would not like to appear. His past missions were relatively easy and Fives was glad that the kid managed to keep this enthusiasm in himself. Fives like Tick. The kid is a funny guy and could get promoted if he  reach his potential. Fives just hoped he’ll live long enoght for that.

"I think we will all have the opportunity to see General Vali in action.”

Vali quietly hummed in contemplation. When he and Fives finally arrived at his designated chambers, he didn’t need to be told that it was previously occupied by one Anakin Skywalker. He didn’t even need to slide the door open just yet. There was no mistaking it. Skywalker’s Force signature was--in all sense of the word--strong, but Vali thought it more accurate to describe it as pungent.

“You know, when I first met General Skywalker, I don’t believe he liked me very much,” he began. “I mean, not at first. He was very charming, very bold and eager--that is, until I told him that I’d be taking over the 501st for the time being.”

"Judging from that and from my very brief interactions with you and your brothers, I can only assume that you care deeply and are fiercely protective of one another, which I do understand and wholeheartedly support.”

Vali turned around and leaned back against the door with his arms crossed over his chest. With a surprisingly darker gaze and and a reserved smile, he looked to have matured from his high-spirited curiosity of everything around him. Instead, he looked like he had gone through this many times before.

“That said, I know you were eavesdropping on me earlier, Fives. I know you heard what my brother said about you--or rather, what he would do to you--but please understand that he is only being protective of me too.”

“I’ll tell you what,” said Vali as he pushed himself back upright and faced the door. “When we get to Hypori, you and your Captain can proceed however you wish. Leave me out of the equation. As much as I would appreciate fighting alongside you and your brothers, I’d rather go it alone if I will be questioned at every turn. It’s very inconvenient, annoying and--to quote my brother’s words--abhorrently insulting.”

[vali-and-narfi]

rcfekjwtaardby-moved​:

He had completely forgotten how the Asgardian felt about the Jedi. Or rather, the possibility that the Jedi would be in time to save them. Cody was used to relying on the Jedi and he didn’t like the situation at all. What is the point in the fact that their organic enemies will be destroyed someday, when his brothers and himself can be killed today?

“I beg your pardon, sir. Habit.“

Well, that perfectly illustrated that children shouldn’t have been on the battlefield unless they were Padawans and their Master was around. Underestimating the enemy is the worst of evils. And they, the clones, pay for these mistakes. If General Kenobi or even Skywalker were here, they would have come up with a better plan for handling this situation. But they will have to rely on the forces that they have left and Asgardian. And of course, that the Jedi will still have time to help them. Cody hated relying on blind chance. It was as annoying as calling the serial number.

“Commander Cody, sir. My name is Commander Cody. ”

If he was to die today, then Cody wanted the Asgardian to show even an ounce of respect for him and his rank. He’s Marshal Commander damn it.

“Ah,” Narfi acknowledged with a vaguely surprised blink of his eyes. “I was under the impression that your names are reserved for use only amongst your brothers and close friends. Very well, Commander Cody.”

He gestured towards the camp with a quick upwards tilt of his chin. “I suggest resting for the time being, Commander. I extend that to the rest of your men. Allow me to keep watch. Asgardians don’t require sleep as much as most do.”

Narfi looked to the northeast, as per Cody’s information. His brows furrowed in focus as he heard the distantly faint marching of metal and annoyingly incessant whine of modulated voices.

“I know I’m not a soldier like my brother. I know that I’m a mere politician, and even then, I have yet to prove my worth as such. However, I must ask that you trust that I am capable of keeping watch at the very least,” he implored.

[vali-and-narfi]

rcfekjwtaardby​:

Fives listened to the general without interrupting, although he did not understand what he was saying. He realized that there were two divisions of the Asgardians. Some of them were cool as ARC-troopers, others are very cool, probably as cool as a commando like Delta or Omega. And Vali wanted to be one of those first cool guys, but it didn’t work out.

He blinked in surprise when Vali suddenly turned his attention to the trooper with the cannon. Tick, as the trooper was called, stopped and patted his cannon proudly.

“Yes, that cannon destroyed a lot of clankers, sir! When we get to the planet, I’ll show you this baby in action!”

Fives smiled. Vali behaved like a cadet, who for the first time found himself among the older brothers, who already had the opportunity to wear real armor and have weapons.

“If you like, sir, I will show you the armory. But first, I will show you your room.”

"Clankers,” Vali echoed with a soft chuckle just as he reached for the blaster cannon in Tick’s arms. It was the first he heard of the word. It certainly had a better ring than ‘droids.’ 

He felt the full weight of the cannon in his hands--significantly lighter than his gauntlets, but he kept that tidbit to himself. (Ulfur was easier shown than told.) Regardless, it looked to be an impressive weapon on its own. Eyeing the sextuplet barrel, he could only imagine the utter satisfaction of decimating ‘clankers’ with it.

Vali positioned the cannon accordingly by its handle and trigger with surprising familiarity, as if he had done so many times before.

“Right! My room,” he remembered just as he was getting lost in the moment. He looked to Tick and carefully handed back the cannon. “I’ll be looking forward to seeing you in the battlefield then, little brother. What’s your name?”

[vali-and-narfi]

rcfekjwtaardby​:

Cody winced as the Asgardian addressed him by his designation. He remembered General Krell, who named Rex and the rest of the 501 men by their designations. It was not good. And Cody decided for himself that if things go further, he will take action.

“The scouts have returned. A company of clankers has been found in the northeast. They are not moving anywhere, they are probably waiting for orders. If we are lucky and the Jedi can pick us up in the next hour, we will not have to fight them. Otherwise, we will have to fight them with those forces, what do we have left ”

Cody would rather not go into another battle. They’ve already lost too many men. Plus, they don’t have much supplies and the Asgardian child prince, who is not General Kenobi at all.

“What did I just say about relying on the Jedi?” Narfi asked with menacing intent veiled by his dreary tone. “Look around you, Commander. There are no Jedi here--only you and I, and we will make do.”

Narfi thought back to a previous conversation with fellow senator, Mon Mothma, who graciously extended an invitation to her home planet of Chandrila. He believed it to be a cleverly concealed ploy to woo him into granting them the Asgardians’ security from Separatist forces. 

Asgard’s intention has always been to provide protection to all Republic allies. In fact, they already began spreading the Einherjar among the underdeveloped planets first. It was a dangerous and expensive decision that shocked the Senate, but it encouraged more planets to join their cause and, even more so, caused the rich and industrialized to grovel at Senator Lokison’s feet.

As irony would have it, Narfi now paid the price for dangling that prize for too long. 

“General Cron Desyk, I believe his name was, of Kooriva,” he softly mused, but audible enough for Cody to hear. “Senator Mothma warned me of him, but a direct attack was the least of my expectations. I wasn’t prepared, and I mistakenly underestimated his moxie.”

With a sigh, Narfi dropped his arms to his sides and turned to face Cody fully, expression dark but full of purpose.

“Not heeding Senator Mothma was my mistake, and your men--brothers--suffered the consequences. I don’t expect you to accept my apology, but either way, you have my word that our enemies today--the organic ones, at least--will die screaming.” He pulled back one side of his coat to reveal one of his swords, the half of Kedjur. "I will personally make certain of it, CC-2224.”

[thequotejournals]

I learned not to trust people; I learned not to believe what they say but to watch what they do; I learned to suspect that anyone and everyone is capable of ‘living a lie’. I came to believe that other people - even when you think you know them well - are ultimately unknowable.

Lynn Barber, An Education (via thequotejournals)

[vali-and-narfi]

rcfekjwtaardby​:

Apparently, the Asgardian was not happy with what happened. None of them were. But they cannot change anything with regrets. They still have work to do.

Remembering General Krell and everything that happened on Umbar, Cody had his own doubts about the Senator. But of course he tried not to show it openly. Everything went well so far. Except that the Asgardian had no intention of trusting the Jedi. Knowing Skywalker, one could assume that he would cope with his task. They just have to wait.

“Yes, sir. I’ll take care of it.”

Cody saluted and went to take care of everything.

At the very least, the clones worked impressively quickly despite their circumstances, being that it took less than an hour for the 212th to regroup and settle down. It was rather quiet too. Narfi could barely hear the muffled modulated chatter. Then again, there was neither the time nor mood for it.

Furthest to the side of the camp was the makeshift station where the wounded were being tended to by the outnumbered medics working double the time. Further than that were the fallen, left on the ground, covered in dirty sheets to spare what little was left of their dignities--if there were ever any to begin with. They were only clones after all.

From the corner of his eye, Narfi saw Cody once more.

“CC-2224,” he called to attention, grimacing. His arms were folded over his chest, and by the way that his forefinger scratched at the fabric of his sleeve, one could only assume that the senator’s patience was already running very thin. “Any word from your men?”