[SWAW] We need to talk [S6 Kelb]

Adam

Nill was quiet as you were escorted off the Starburn. In fact, she seemed overall less chill than she normally does — she almost seems angry. When you finally reach the Ebon Hawk, and the airlock door slides shut behind you, you have a moment before the crew will get there to meet you. Nill looks at you expectantly, "do you want to do this now? Or later?"

Rich

"If it's short, now. If you need time, later." I glance at Pem. I know he's solid for this, he won't crack.

Oh eight hundred? That is forever from now

Adam

Pem shrugs, "why don't you ladies chat it up, and I'll round the crew up for briefing?" He rests his rifle on his shoulder and heads off.

Nill waits for him to leave before saying, "I know that guy. He was a student of mine back at the academy. Why'd you just cave to his demands?"

Rich

Nill taught at the academy? Wait... THE Academy? Wow. She's really under-charging me. I give her a serious look, sort of touch her forearm, "It's a job, Nill. It's actually the same job I took for us, but with more creds and more jobs after it."

Perhaps working with this guy is the problem? I offer,"Do you need to beg out of this op? I can work you out of the rotation, if that's what you want." I hope she says no, but I'll offer it.

Adam

Nill shakes her head, and slips away from your touch. "I'm not worried about the job," she replies, "and I don't care about the creds, either. Trek is a kriffing whack-nut, Kelborn. Don't tell me you didn't get a vibe off him."

Rich

I suck in a breath through my nose because she's right. "Yes, he seems like a vine snake, waiting for the best moment to strike and take someone down." I shrug, "I assume that'd be his superiors, or if we foul the mission, it'd be on me. Except, surprise surprise, I don't plan on failing. I owe Baltan one."

"What aren't you telling me, Nill?" I ask with a plain tone, one of respect, but also, "don't lie to me".

I think I'm observing Nill here. I may have to Manipulate her.

Rich

[Kelborn]

Observing (Reading) Nill:
(Rolled: 2d6+2. Rolls: 4, 5. Total: 11)

Rich

[Kelborn]

Spending 1 of 3 hold:
What is Nill really feeling?

Adam

Nill narrows her eyes, not liking that this is dipping into the personal realm for you. You ask what she isn't telling you and she rolls her eyes, "I kriffed him. Happy?"

Nill is particularly angry about something. You're reading jealousy about Trek's accomplishments.

Rich

I shrug, "Nill, if I had a cred for every bad bed decision I made, this ship wouldn't be in hock." I smirk, hoping she gets the vibe.

Jealous? I offer my opinion, "You know, the guy looks like a caged animal. Aren't you glad nobody holds your reins anymore? I know I don't miss it. I like working with a competent team that covers each other's backs instead of knifing them."

Spending second of three hold:
What does Nill wish I'd do?

Adam

Nill tries to keep a stone face when you ask how she feels about working with a team that cooperates. You get the impression that doesn't matter much to her... She is an ex-operative, after all. "Kelb, I've been in hock to enough people to know that Jaina was screwed long before you showed up. You don't make deals with the people Jaina did unless you're in trouble. I've never felt like someone was holding my reins — but Trek doesn't have any business working with us."

She wishes you'd drop Trek's ass and let her dredge up a few contracts instead.

Rich

I let this mission drop? She can just shut up or walk as far as I'm concerned. I signed contracts, I'm in. Which means the team's in.

But this Jaina thing, "What would it take for us to get out from under these people who Jaina owes? How can I get your help on that one, Nill?"

Spending last hold

Adam

Nill pauses a moment, considering the question, "you really want to pay off Jaina's debts, and hand her back a ship she walked away from? ... I want in, Kelborn. I want a say in this team, what jobs we take, and a proper cut of the action. Like Jazz. I don't care if you have more say, I just want some say."

You can hear Pem returning with the rest of the crew, just down the hall.

Rich

I eye Nill for a moment, surprised that she's asking for this. I never expected it, must have read her wrong all along. She seems so detached, I barely considered her a long-term commitment. I figured I'd get a cycle out of her, tops, before she moved on to a more lucrative or professional career.

She's smart, capable and well-trained. She isn't Mandalorian, and that's a plus. Jazz and I have a certain way of doing things, and she would be a good balance. Also, she should have a line on new work that Pem and I would never access easily.

Turns out Trek is giving me bennies before we even start this job.

I answer her question about Jaina first, "Yes, Nill. Jay was stuck with me while she had this ship. If I can get those monkeys off her back, she can fly free, like she is meant to do. She's real important to me, even if I'm not the right girl for her."

A moment passes. I can hear the team chattering, Pem telling them some joke about a rancor's breath or something. "As for you taking on a larger role, consider it done. We'll work out the particulars as we go. You're an excellent operative and I like working with you, Nill. I'm glad to see you step up, the team will be better for your input. Don't be afraid to challenge me about jobs and planning. Once we hit the dirt, I remain field leader unless I say otherwise. Can you accept these terms?" I offer her a hand.

Adam

Nill shakes her head when you try and reason out why you're helping Jaina — it doesn't make sense to her, but she's not going to push you at the moment. Especially not after you've agreed to let her take on a larger roll. She nods, accepting your terms and briefly shakes your hand. "I still think dealing with Trek is a mistake... The job might not be, but Trek is."

Rich

I give her a level look, one of respect, letting her know I hear her concerns. "If he puts the team at risk, we space him. But we do it smart. Agreed?"

Adam

Nill thinks on it a minute, then nods. "Fine... But you watch him, alright? Business only."

Jazz rounds the corner first with his trademark smile, and pats you on the shoulder, "so you squeeze that pig for all the creds in the galaxy? We good to land?"

Rich

"Yeah, Jazz, we got a good deal going." I answer with a grin. "This is a manhunt, but we need intel from the target, so we will be doing an extraction before termination. The names he gives up will most likely be our next targets, so we need to be smart."

I go ahead and address the team, get Squall scanning the datafeeds on the planet for anything she can scrape, and make sure folks are ready to roll. "Jazz and I will be aerial. Squall, you stay on ship. Nill, you run things with Pem and Macks. You three are our hunters, and you'll be working with Lieutenant Ores and his platoon when I'm not around. Any questions?" I assume there aren't any.

Then, as we begin our decent, I tap Jazz's arm and say, "Jazz, I need to rap with you about something personal real quick."

Adam

The crew starts getting busy setting up for the op, and Jazz follows you off to the side.

"What's up, Kelb?"

Rich

I take a breath, because this is going to be a shock. I mentioned that Baltan was in a cartel after Jaina told me, but well, he probably wanted to be part of this decision. "This Abyssin, he's part of Baltan's crew. The Empire is out to take Baltan down." I put a hand on his shoulder, looking into his eyes. "We're going to give Baltan a good death, Jaster. I wanted you to know."

Then I wait.

Will he be happy to take down Baltan, after all he did to me? Or is he allegiance to our old squaddie greater than any hurt feelings over the exile?

Adam

Jazz shrugs, "Baltan was a sleemo, Kelb. I wouldn't mind putting a blaster bolt between his eyes myself." He looks you in the eyes, "I'd think you, of all people, wouldn't really care if he got a good death or not..."

What did he do to you, Kelb?

Rich

Well, there's a reason I didn't hesitate to take this job, but I'm not about to explain it to Trek, or even Nill. I didn't even mention it to Jaina.

Baltan laid the blame for the entire blown op at my feet. I was drummed up on charges and offered exile or death. I knew Jazz was going to follow me either way, since he felt responsible (he was, in a way), so I chose exile.

Probably the hardest decision of my life. I still wonder if I made the wrong choice.

So yeah, we have history.

Adam

Jazz looks around to make sure no one's looking, then leans in close and whispers, "killing this guy... If that's the way you want this to go down, you know I've got your back — but if we dropped that sleemo at the Duchess' feet... Well..." He lets you finish the thought.

Rich

"Yeah, I know. I'm still mulling that over. It would be sweet. Maybe you could get back in." Not that the current regime has much use for soldiers like we were. "But for now, we work our way up his slimy food chain, and get paid for each and every hit. When we get to Baltan, you and me, we'll have a chat about it." I grin a wicked grin.

Then, like it's just a little thing, "Nill wants to take a larger role. I'm letting her try things out with Beta team this time. She should be able to open doors for new work." I'm not asking him it its okay, not out loud. But he knows he can object.

Adam

Jazz accepts that answer. Or at least, he seems to. When you mention Nill asking for more authority, his eyebrow raises, "Oh? Sweet, Kelb... Yeah that works." He scratches his chin, "she, uh... She finally got the balls to talk to you, huh? That's good. You happy with that?"

Rich

I punch Jazz lightly in the shoulder, "Alright, punk, you've been holding out on me. What's the deal with you and Nill? Something going on?"

Adam

Jazz does a single take, not sure what to make of that question, "Uh... Nothing really, Kelb." His tone sounds sincere, "we've just been chatting. We had a couple drinks back on Kestic, talked about what we see ourselves doing. Shit like that. I dunno... I've just been thinking lately, is all... Nothing's going on though..."

Rich

I chuckle once, just a sharp exhale through my nose, really. "Jazz, it's zeng. I'm happy you two are friendly. I hope there's something there, you know? I think you two would be a good match, that's all."

I'm heading to find Squall, check in with her, see if she has anything for me.

Adam

Jazz eases off a bit when you dismiss pressuring him, and lets you head off to find Squall for an update.

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