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[SWAW] The Hijacking of Shipment 1037 (26)
Ladro,
It takes several days travel from the flotilla to reach the Ringali Shell. Hosk integrates with the troopers quickly, bringing a squad of "the pirates" with him along with the green Alliance recruits. The new blood numbers almost as many as the mutineers. Hosk decides to keep the groups separate for now, but he's already working on integration plans with Blackwall. For now, they're drilling constantly.
Mikka has been working on the engineers, but the going is slow. They're under-supplied and over-worked. Worse still, there's a cultural bureaucracy, and the new engineer (the Sluissi Napvannsa Tadavv, they picked her up at their last station) is hesitant to jump in.
Your command staff is reserved. They're very indirect, and none have opposed you. But there's a feeling of distrust there, of polite refusal without actually refusing.
Where are you focusing efforts during this "down time"?
It takes several days travel from the flotilla to reach the Ringali Shell. Hosk integrates with the troopers quickly, bringing a squad of "the pirates" with him along with the green Alliance recruits. The new blood numbers almost as many as the mutineers. Hosk decides to keep the groups separate for now, but he's already working on integration plans with Blackwall. For now, they're drilling constantly.
Mikka has been working on the engineers, but the going is slow. They're under-supplied and over-worked. Worse still, there's a cultural bureaucracy, and the new engineer (the Sluissi Napvannsa Tadavv, they picked her up at their last station) is hesitant to jump in.
Your command staff is reserved. They're very indirect, and none have opposed you. But there's a feeling of distrust there, of polite refusal without actually refusing.
Where are you focusing efforts during this "down time"?
Comments
"Down time" it is not. My entire focus is on forward momentum. In fact, "Forward Momentum" might be my motto, life philosophy, and the only thing keeping me on my feet right now. It applies to the Far Orbit's situation as an immediately-recognizable Imperial vessel with only a few chances to capitalize on that fact. It applies to my own situation as a man with some natural gifts catapulted from leading a misfit crew of four to command of hundreds of souls.
I make sure to sleep four or five hours a night, but the entire rest of the time is taken up with learning. Ship's systems, crew rotations, strengths and weaknesses, everything I can jam in my brain and my fingertips, I do. I take my own shifts as Officer of the Watch, of course. Even adding one to the Command Staff's numbers in that regard reduces the strain by a bit. I make sure that I'm seen in various spots, talk briefly with section heads about their priorities and needs, but I don't pop in anywhere like I'm conducting an inspection.
One thing I don't take the time for immediately is schmoozing with my staff. Later, once things are well in hand, I'll ask about hobbies and families and holovids, will share klava. For now, that would just be glib, and would be seen as so. I don't shut down conversation, if it comes my way, and I'm pleasant, cordial when interacting. But I'm not looking for a new best friend.
The For Orbit is currently on patrol in Nopces system, a minor system on the Mid-Core edge of Darpa sector, along the Hydian Way. You've been cruising a jump zone, waiting for a suitable light freighter to target. Sensors have detected a low volume of traffic since you arrived, but none light enough to warrant a confrontation, nor heavy enough to force you to move on.
Ensign Leex resports from his station, "Captain Vos! A medium transport is approaching from Nopces Prime. No other ships on the scope, sir." He plugs in some digits into the computer, flips a few toggles, "Transponder says it's a Transport A-175, a mid-range hauler. Owned by Red Star Shipping."
This one is ripe for the picking, it seems.
What do you do?
I snap in. "Comms. Open a channel to the transport. Use our Imperial recognition signal." Once it's open. "Red Star Transport, this is Imperial frigate Far Orbit. This is a random compliance check. Prepare for boarding." I push the button that sets the Orbit on alert footing. Hopefully this isn't a combat action, at least yet. On ships comms, "Fighter wings, stand by to deploy. Boarding parties, assemble."
Hosk reports back, "Sergeant Blackwall's troopers will be prepped in five."
Lieutenant Karsters reports, "We're scrambling fighters, but we've got no TIEs, nothing official. If we leave the ship, they'll know we aren't Imperial, sir."
Comms officer, Ensign Compi, she keys in sequence to pick up the feed. After a moment of calculations, she says excitedly, off comms, "Captain Vos! Their manifest is loaded! We could turn that over for thirty, maybe forty million credits. Ah, before Alliance cut, of course."
What do you do?
"Doubt we'll need the fighters, Lieutenant Karsters, you're just backup. They're likely to continue complying until it's too late. Hosk, Blackwall, let me know when the squad is ready. You're to board as friendly, then quickly arrest the Captain and crew. Former Imperials only, wear your insignia and limit use of force, Sergeant Blackwall. Commander Seki, are you hearing this? If so, put on your full uniform and accompany the troopers. There is an irregularity with Transport A-175's idents and we need to detain the crew until it's cleared up." On the all-hands frequency. "All hands, this is Captain Vos. We will need a path clear of any obvious non-Imperials between the shuttle bay and the brig within fifteen minutes. Make it happen." Not sure we'll be able to sustain the ruse, but might as well try.
This is your first official action, coordinating the whole ship on this move. I'd like to see a Suave roll here. A failure means something does terribly awry. A 10+ means things are running according to plan, and you can take a +1 Forward on this hijacking. A 7-9, and something slips, I'll detail it.
(Rolled: 2d6+3. Rolls: 2, 4. Total: 9)
As the merchant crew is hustled to the brig, Sergeant Blackwall reports to the command staff.
Captain Vos, sir," Blackwall states over comms. "This ship is on route to Brentaal to join with a convoy headed out to the Rim. The convoy is expected to go through some dangerous regions of space. They'll be escorted by a Nebulon-B frigate. It's on file as part of their flight plan."
After a few minutes, Lt. Commander Panaka reports, "Captain Vos, I'm looking at the manifests for the convoy. Looks like there's at least ten medium and heavy transports, scheduled to leave in three days..."
"Captain!" Seki breaks in excitedly. "We could slip in, take the entire convoy. We could reach out to the Alliance for back-up, just in case. We have all we need."
"He's right, Captain." Panaka agrees. "This is an excellent catch."
What do you do?
May be exposing weakness, but I can't do this alone. Over the command channel: "I need input here. Can we beat the other frigate to the gathering point for the convoy? Will our Imperial credentials hold out for another week? Where in all the nebulae in the galaxy are we going to sell the haul, once we're done?"
"Captain," Commander Seki says calmly. "I'm looking at the timeline here, sir. The frigate arrives at the rendezvous point in two days. We could intercept them, take them down before they ever reach their destination. We could even take their place!"
Lens cuts in on the command staff channel, she's been quietly listening this whole time. "Captain Vos, I'm looking at the manifest for this ship, the details on the rest of the convoy. The Alliance would happily swap supplies and reinforcements for these goods. It's a real opportunity, and if we can replace the frigate, our credentials will not be a problem."
"She's right, sir." Panaka chimes in. "My family are all merchants. They wouldn't dare to bounce Imperial credentials anywhere else. We've been watching the logs and communiques, and there's nothing public about the Far Orbit yet."
What do you do?
So much for "an easy victory"... "Make it happen. Lay in a course to intercept the other frigate, and detail a minimal crew to man Transport A-175 and follow."
"Aye aye, Captain." Seki replies curtly and continues his work. You get a few updates as Hosk coordinates with a crew for the transport. You check the roster to find a fifty-fifty split of mutineers and brigands, with a female Tiss'shar named Pao-Neh-Lo as the captain.
As things are underway, Ensign Leex reports, "Captain Vos, there's a ping on the sensors. Looks like a pair of transports and a smaller ship coming out of hyperspace."
What do you do?
The roster for A-175 seems like a good mix, and I approve it. When Ensign Leex calls out the ping, I ask, "Transponder codes? Any ID?" Wouldn't be surprised to see the Profit Margin around now, but a pair of transports is something of a puzzle.
"Captain Ladro Vos," you hear over comms. "This is the Profit Margin, requesting permission for two to dock." There's some mirth in his voice.
"Permission granted, of course. Who's with you, Profit Margin?"
"When your brother told me you were running an Imperial frigate, I just had to come see for myself." Ahji Dar purrs.
Ensign Leex looks up at you with a curious expression.
What do you do?
"Glad you're here, kotenok. Going to be a little on the busy side, but please dock. Darkal can show you to my ready room. Darkal, did Squall do well in zir recruitment efforts? We can surely use the help."
So, the Captain is sleeping with a Cathar and negotiating with droids. Let the staff talk, so long as they follow orders.
"We have a hold full of little ones who are eager to earn some credits for hard work, Captain! I see you have a prize already? You're such a fisher!"
"Thank you, Sergeant. Good work. Both ships are cleared to dock, and please be as quick about it as you can. We're on a schedule. Lieutenant Dart, you can proceed to the fighter bay."
"I'll slip her in the hangar in no time, Captain," Jojee replies. "Don't you worry, sir."
All three ships lock in the approach vector to the Far Orbit's hangar. Comm chatter happens as Leex and the Boom crew starts bringing them in. The Far Orbit has plotted in hyperspace coordinates and the Transport is ready. As soon as all three ships are aboard, the frigate and transport await your command.
Over the all-hands comm channel, I say. "Far Orbit, let's go pick a fight." Then I give the signal to get moving.
What do you do?
I nod to Leex. "Ensign, you have the conn. I'll be in my ready room if I'm needed, although I may have to see to a few things in other parts of the ship." I leave the bridge and suit actions to words by going to my ready room to wait for Darkal and Ahji Dar.
Darkal comes up to offer his hand, gripping your forearm in greeting. "I was shocked at all the crew in the Boom. You took that transport already? Nice work, brother."
"I never imagined I would stand in an Imperial Ready Room, my Tom." Ahji Dar says, her eyes drawn to the huge, gleaming black table that dominates the room.
I've already got klava brewing when they arrive. My newest blend of spices, which I have no idea when I'll be able to replenish, but it's an occasion. I've also brought a few bottles of the "good stuff," which I will offer to Darkal and Ahji Dar. Won't take any myself at the moment.
"Kitten, if you're surprised, imagine my cognitive dissonance at calling it 'my' ready room." I overcome a bit of internal resistance at the fact that my brother's here and move in for a quick kiss.
Ahji Dar slips into your embrace, her eyes flashing with delight for a closeness she didn't expect, at least not in front of Darkal. Her hands slip up to your cheeks, the soft fur on the pads of her fingers gently brushing against your ears. "I have missed you, my Tom." She presses her lithe body against you reluctant to let you go for a quick kiss. "I think, such a big ship. There is room for me, yes?"
Darkal, for his part, seems slightly out of place. Uncomfortable with this, but not disgusted, he stands back, looking away, giving you space.
I gently, gently peel Ahji Dar away. I want this reunion very much, but I can't stop focusing entirely yet. I indicate the cups. "Please, Ahji, Darkal, sit. Have some klava."
"So, I'm about to take on a fully manned and, I'm assuming, well-led Imperial Frigate with a ship that has the same specs but less than half the crew, and many of those think I'm slightly less than human because of my qukuuf. Only advantage I have is that they'll think we're still Imperial when we come out of hyperspace. Care to give me any advice?"
Ahji Dar doesn't flinch away when you slip out of her grasp. She sits, drinks theklave, a sip, followed by a hearty drink of it, clinking the cup against the table in a Cathari request for a refill.
Darkal's the first to respond about the request for advice. "We need to use our camouflage to our best advantage. Pull in tight, then unload with every damn laser we have. We have almost no starfighters, so sticking tight lets us use the shuttles for a boarding action if the first salvo isn't successful to cripple them."
"The Woenid Nexus will take part in this." Ahji Dar states simply. "We will require a cut of the action. Equal share. We cannot go toe-to-toe with a frigate, but we can work with your Chiss pilot and Jojee to make a formidable wing."
We have a bit of time, so I ask a question I never imagined I would. "Kotenok, do your crew draw a salary? Take a cut in your prize-taking?"
Her fine brows arch in confusion for a moment, then she decides you might be joking. "A salary? No, my Tom. They have all they require. Credits are a medium of exchange. They have no needs."
I shake my head, partly to clear it and partly in negation. I don't even know the ratio. "These droids, that Darkal and Squall and Jojee and Amy have brought here. I promised them something. Not sure exactly what, but treating them as individuals, beings, seems to be part of it. They're going to draw a share. I don't even know how that will work, and I'm sure it's going to be a whole storm of poodoo. Everyone's going to hate it, aren't they? Imperials, pirates, Rebels."
"Are you sure you wish to fight that battle, Ladro?"
"Is this something... what was it that Jojee called? Eff Cee? Something it required?"
I clear my throat, take a sip of klava, and refill Ahji Dar's from the pot. "I have seen a droid become infatuated. Negotiated with that same one, before that, and it cared about the rest. Cared about them. If they could make a choice to join us, doesn't that mean they're sentient?" I spread my hands in a gesture of surrender. "I'm already dealing with a crew that's majority human, and looks down on anything other as, well, other."
Darkal spreads his hands in a Kiffar symbol of "this is too fraught for me", "There are many troubles on this ship, yes. Do you think the newer crew would accept them more than the mutineers?"
Ahji Dar peers at you, her mouth a thin line as Darkal speaks. In a quiet voice, she asks, "Ladro... how is it that you think of me and my crew then?" There is a very strong emotion fueling that question, Ladro.
I don't hesitate to respond to Ahji Dar's question. Even open up my body, making sure throat and belly are visible. "Lyubovnik, you treat the droids on your crew with care and attention, as far as I have seen, yes? They have names, not 'designations,' and you are no more dismissive of their needs than any Captain with her hired hands. Does Serzheant not have an identity, to you?" I turn to Darkal. "You were there, brother, weren't you? Was Squall negotiating with toasters or beings?"
"She- I mean ze was negotiating with them."
"I don't understand, Ladro. Is this some recruitment method? Gather them up, all the ones without restraining bolts?"
This takes me a moment to answer, and another sip of klava. "Recruitment? Sure. And restraining bolts can be removed, with caution, if I understand correctly. But more important is the basic principle, to me. Factory Control is a fully aware, fully SELF-aware mind. I may not have spent time with many of these other droids, but... if they can negotiate for a cut, shouldn't they receive a cut? We know they'll contribute."
And thus I lose EVERYONE, I suspect. Former imperials, pirates, rebels, my brother, my lover...
Ahji Dar peers at you for a little while, gears turning in her head. "My Tom. This will cause many troubles." She licks her lips, then adds, "I have put my life in my crew's hands many times, and they have never failed me. If this is something they would want, I would give it to them. I... I cannot deny other droids the same, can I? I stand with you, if that helps in any way."
I smile at my kitten. "Kotenok, I thank you for that." I shake my head a bit. Not enough to fight the Empire, of course. I have to make things even more complicated. "I'm very glad you're both here."
"You should negotiate with the droids, see what they actually want." Darkal says, stepping through the murky mire you're making. "Then make an announcement to the crew. But, I recommend we deal with that after we take down this damned frigate. Let the crew enjoy the fruits of a haul first."
This is why it's good to have Darkal around. He doesn't have the same tendency toward thinking in descending spirals that I do. I hail Squall on zir personal channel. "Sergeant, is there a particular individual that can negotiate on behalf of the droids from FC's mining station? Please bring it to my ready room."
That done, I turn to Darkal once more, this time with a smile quirking my lips. "So, how did you and Jojee get along on the trip, brother?"
Back over comms: "Yes sir, Captain! We will be there shortly."
Darkal catches the smile, and it pulls one from him as well. "Let's say that, ah, as a captain, I don't have the exact same set of regs you had for the crew." Ahji Dar snorts a laugh and he shifts a bit. "She's an amazing girl."
"She is, Darkal. And for once, probably someone that's as likely to break your heart as you are to break hers." I get a little more serious. "Thank you for taking the Profit Margin on that run, brother. And for bringing back a surprise along with you."
I sigh. "Kotenok, work is sadly on its way to me, but I'll try to steal some time for a proper re-acquaintance soon. Darkal can show you to my quarters, or I can have you some assigned on the passenger deck. Or both. Space is one thing we have plenty of."
"Brother," Darkal says seriously in return. "As for the Profit Margin. I know you've got the Far Orbit to care for. Why don't you let me stay with her? With the crew? Or... I can build a new one."
To your offer for where she could stay, Ahji Dar inclines her head, "Thank you, my Tom. I will remain on the Nexus. When you are able to join me, please do so."
"Brother, the Profit Margin is yours... we have some debt to pay off, but I'm sure that can be worked out. Crew? Make the offer to Jojee, and make it clear that she's giving up an X-Wing if she accepts. Squall and Amarath belong here, with the Far Orbit, with me, but Jojee needs to spread her wings, I think."
I smile sadly at Ahji Dar. "I will be there as soon as I can be, kitten, and I hope you can forgive me if I'm delayed a bit. Command is a heavy hat to wear, it turns out."
"I have waited six weeks to see you again, Ladro." Ahji Dar says as she rises from her seat and walks over to you, runs a hand through your hair, "I can wait a little bit longer." She smiles, leaning down to kiss you softly.
There's a buzz from the comms. It's Squall, reporting that ze is nearly at the ready room.
I return Ahji Dar's kiss briefly, but with intensity, then slap my hands on the table. "Okay, you two. Get out of here, and thanks. I've got to pretend to be a real officer, now."
A couple minutes later, Squall enters alongside EW4-7, the astromech droid you've used on and off with the Profit Margin.
Squall comes in, takes a seat near you, but not right beside you, while the droid wheels itself to a point near both of you. Your mechanic grins, "Thanks for seeing us so quickly, Captain. EW4-7 is the designated representative for the droids. He's already, ah, interfaced with the other thirty-two droids on the ship for their interests."
What do you do?
I give Squall brief attention, but move on to EW4-7 quickly. "So, you're interested in joining up on a Rebel-sponsored privateer, along with your compatriots? What do you require? Some would say that a full share is unnecessary, given that you don't eat, drink or party. What would you use the credits for?" I'm hoping that the direct approach will work well, here.
"The group works as a collective. We would like a measure of funds sufficient to our needs as well as a small amount to cover future repairs and maintenance. There are some of us who demanded full shares for the bio-organics' worth of work we perform, but this was valued by the collective as unnecessary and illogical. Greedy. We required three shares."
I temple my fingers. Still looking at the astromech droid, letting Squall fill zir role as interpreter for now. "There will be much resistance to this, but I can promise you that I will do my best to overcome it. I guarantee you three shares for this particular mission, and if I am voted out of my captaincy for it, after, then so be it. My hope is that your... collective... will prove so valuable that this will not happen. I'm letting a lot rest on your value to the effort, EW4-7"
And I am. I try not to think of what my mama's opinion would be.
Squall walks back to the table, but doesn't sit. Ze asks with a bit of strain to zir voice, "Captain... I know you're really busy, but, I need to talk to you. It's really important." Ze fidgets, and I'm sure you're tempted to put it off, but Squall continues on before you have a chance to reply, "A couple things. First, Darkal offered me a spot on the Margin. I haven't answered him because I wanted to talk to you first. If you want me on her, I'll stay.... but, if it's up to me, I really want to work with the engineers here, especially Mikka Reekeene, He's... there's so much I could learn from him, Captain. I really want to work on ships with him. And, I want to keep working for you. I like your brother, he's a good leader. But, well, he isn't you." Squall pauses, giving you that look, the one ze holds for you alone, of trust and loyalty and zir own kind of love.
After the moment passes, Squall continues, this time even more hesitatingly, "Did, uhm, anything happen on 1313? With Amy, I mean. She's been acting so different since then, and she won't talk about it. I'm worried about her. And... well, us."
What do you do?
I do wish people would talk to me first before offering positions to my people. I add a chat with Darkal to the ever increasing list of "things-not-related-to-hijacking-a-convoy" that I'll have to deal with soon enough. "Squall, my preference would be to have you here. You'll learn more, grow faster, than you would on your own on the Margin. I think our girl's taught you as much as she's going to. That said, I'll back whatever play you make, here. Thanks for telling me."
...and speaking of that to-do list... I sigh. When I said we were family, well, I didn't intend to be the baba. "I'll talk to Amy, Squall. It's all I can do." I glance at the chronometer on the wall. Amazingly enough, it hasn't been that long since I left the bridge. Still plenty of time in hyperspace, and I don't need to brief Command on a plan yet. Might as well deal with this now. "Know where I can find her?"
Squall answers, "She's on the trooper deck, checking in with Sergeant Hosk." Then, ze looks at you, worry in zir voice, "Did I do something wrong? Can I... can I fix it?"
I do my best not to sigh again as I head out toward the trooper deck, assuming Squall will follow. "Squall, whatever this winds up being, it is definitely not your fault. Let me talk to Amarath, and then let me talk to the two of you, okay?" My distraction and frustration take hold for a moment. "Do you think you've done anything wrong? You haven't..." I'm walking fast. A bit faster than Squally can keep up with, without hurrying.
Squall follows, of course. Ze tries to keep up without breaking a sweat, answering from behind you, "I don't think I have... but I've never been the best at reading her. She really trusts you, Lah-Captain. Thanks for talking to her. I'll head off to engineering now." Ze stays on the lift to go to zir deck.
Anything before you head to the trooper deck for Amy?
Absolutely not. I don't have time for sidetracks while I'm dealing with family business. I bring up the initial sketch of our group portrait on my datapad while I'm walking. After all, Squall and Amarath are the only two that even seem to be touching, or relating, aren't they? When I get there, I don't wait for the "Captain on deck" call. "Sergeant Vos-Uhuru, to me right now." I turn and walk out into the endless hallways of the frigate, trusting that Amarath will follow.
Amy marches off with you, her posture generally straight. She's never been a soldier, but she's had enough merc training to "hum a few bars", as it were. Once you hit a hallway, she looks over, "What's up, Cap?"
I keep walking, but turn my head to glance at her. "Amy, Squall is worried, asking me about whether something happened on Level 1313. I don't like getting in the middle of this, but I own some of the responsibility, and I won't abandon you and Squall now." I pause to collect the rest of my thought. "Talk to zir, Amarath. Tell zir what happened, and my role in it. I'll confirm it. I know it bothers you that you wanted to sleep with Liera, and you should tell Squall that, too. But... tell zir how you really feel about zir, too. Everybody but you sees it. Stop being afraid. You deserve to be happy, even if you've got to work for it."
Amarath's jaw clenches when you mention 1313. She doesn't meet your eyes when she asks, "What does everybody see?"
I do my best not to snort. "Everyone sees that you love Squall, Amy. Admit it, incorporate it into your life, and deal with it. I am no shining Jedi. I sleep with other women, but Ahji Dar and I have an understanding. I wonder about that, struggle with it, and I should probably deal with it. But you and Squall... what do you actually believe? Face it, Amarath. You've made a commitment. Now deal with that. Sorry for repeating myself."
"I..." Amarath stammers, stopping for a moment. She lets out a breath, nods once. "I do.... love zir, I mean. I just. It's... I'm just a dumb merc. I've done some bad stuff. I don't want to hold zir back, Ladro." Her cybernetic eye glows a dull yellow as she looks at you.
I reach out and smack her in the head, like we were still kids. "It's not just your decision, Half-'n-Half. Squall's invested here, too. Talk to zir. And know that I'm saying this, hating that I'm getting involved... there's nothing I want less than to give you relationship advice."
(Rolled: 2d6+3. Rolls: 4, 2. Total: 9)
Your smack gets a rise out of her, but the childhood nickname gives her pause, takes down her guard a bit. "Don't tell Hosk or Jojee or anybody. Not even Ahji Dar. If this... doesn't work out. I'll never be able to look at them. And ESPECIALLY not Darkall. Promise me." She fixes you with a serious stare, but yeah, she's aching to profess her feelings to Squall.
"You have my promise, Amarath." I give her my sincere look, made more effective by the fact that I'm actually sincere. "Just get to it. I'm a big shot now, don't have time to meddle in the affairs of you mere mortals." I'll wait for a moment, see if she's got anything else, but the clock is ticking, and I still need a real plan for taking out a fully-manned frigate with my near-skeleton crew.
This is like watching Farla learn to juggle ponfarr-fruit, back when she was young and was determined to join a traveling carnival.
You get a message over the comms from Jojee.
"Hey Cap, I know you have a ton of irons in the fire. I'm going to fly my X-Wing in this next op. Darkal can get a good pilot for the Margin. I'll do the most good in a starfighter. I just, ah, wanted you to know."
That takes me aback for a moment. I'm used to directly putting my few people where I want them, but this... makes sense. "Of course, Jo. No one I would rather have flying for me. And Jojee, that's not poodoo. You are the best I know. I want you doing what you do. No need to ask permission, not from me, at least."
There's a slight pause, and a tiny, ever so tiny hitch in her voice when Jojee responds, "Thanks, Cap. I'll make you proud."
"I know you will, Jo, but worry most about making yourself proud. I'll talk to you soon." I call the command staff plus Darkal, Mikka and Lens, to the conference room, then listen to the silence for a minute, take the time to clear my head and allow the staff to assemble. I don't need to be the last to arrive, but certainly won't be the first.
Lens looks at you with a small smile, proud of your approach so far, hopeful for more. Darkal gives you a solid look, ready to support you in whatever way he sees.
They wait quietly for you to sit, to command.
What do you do?
I sit at the head of the table, grateful for the few moments I spent calming myself. With a nod to Lens and Darkal, I begin. "General, Captain," I look around the table, "Ladies and gentlemen. We have been presented with a significant opportunity to both strike a blow and make a significant score, which is much-needed. To accomplish this, we'll have to work orthogonally to the problem, maximize our strengths and minimize our weaknesses." I pause. "Our strengths. A well-armed vessel that's equal to the one we'll be facing. A disciplined and talented officer corps. A motivated crew, especially since they will share in the profits. Exceptional troopers, if we need to board."
"Our weaknesses. A near-skeleton crew, which is as yet not fully integrated. A shortage of many critical supplies. A lack of any fighter support that won't immediately give us away as not what we seem."
I look around again, with a slight smile. "Have I missed anything obvious?"
Lt. Commander Panaka says in a level tone, "There are no escape pods, so once we are committed, there is no turning back."
"That's not entirely a bad thing." Commander Seki comments wryly. "It will help with resolve."
"You have it covered well, Captain." Lens interjects, cutting off the looks between Panaka and Seki.
I turn my attention to Panaka and Seki in turn. "Excellent points. Commander Panaka, the reason I didn't list the escape pods as a weakness is that I'm trying to lay out a plan for success. I'm painfully aware of the costs of failure."
Then I look at Lens. "Thank you, General. Actually, I left out two things. The first is a weakness, which is that we have a Captain who has never led an action of this scale. The second is a strength, which is that the same Captain is a slippery bastard who thinks in a way that no Imperial frigate captain is going to expect." I grin, but resist the impulse to wink.
What do you do?
"So, here is the plan. We drop out at just outside of sensor range of the other frigate, and let our X-Wings and assorted fighters offload. The Margin and the Rougneck's ship, as well, with full complements. Commander Seki, what is the chance that you will know the captain of our target, and that it will be a problem? Otherwise, you're on point for talking us in close enough to be able to take the other Nebulon-B with a full broadside volley. Fighter support will be following at speed, once we're in range, as support, along with the Margin and the Roughnecks, in their vessel, but a lot of the weight will be on you, Tyron. To be clear, we are not looking to capture, we're looking to eliminate. I understand the possible advantages, but the payoff of the convoy is much higher than the risk of holding back." I take a breath. "I will be leaning on all of you to keep us in conformance with Imperial protocols until the crucial moment. Commander Seki, you will be on comms as the captain of this vessel, understood?"
(Rolled: 2d6+2. Rolls: 1, 3. Total: 6)
Commander Seki offers a slight smile, "Captain Conar of the escort frigate New Star has never met me. But I'm well aware of the many people he destroyed to ascend to his position. He imprisoned one of my very good friends because she gave him less than perfect intel in an extremely fluid and dangerous situation." The smile slips into a smaller sneer, "I look forward to blowing that man to hell."
The rest of the staff seems excited by this plan. A few questions pepper, but nothing you cannot tamp down. Anything further with the command staff?
If there's nothing else from Command, I'll leave them to implementing details and make my way to the Woenid Nexus to invite Ahji Dar to the party. Also, there may be cuddling.
"I did not expect you could make it, my Tom." Ahji Dar pads down, her bare feet whispers on the metal deck. Her arms slip around you and she hops up to force you to catch her in yours.
I catch her, of course, reveling in the moment of contact, the feel of her lithe, warm body against mine. Carrying her up the gangplank, I bend my head to collect a kiss. "Kotenok, I could not resist the temptation to steal a few minutes with you before the battle. I don't think we have time for a full... reacquantance, though, I fear."
"I know." she replies sadly, then pushes her rough tongue back in your mouth, passion driving her to devour what she can. She climbs up into your arms, light and agile as ever, then pulls back to look in your eyes with her yellow ones, "I am so happy to be here. We will fully reacquaint after we take the frigate. I will lock you away from the Far Orbit for a time, and I will remind you of me."
Laughing, I continue carrying her toward her quarters, remembering the first time I boarded this vessel, with the strip of silk I still keep in my pocket newly released from around my eyes. Without losing the mirth. "Kitten, do you wish to take part? We'll be dropping the fighters and support craft out of sensor range of the New Star, and proceeding alone, to start. You're welcome to sit this out."
"My crew has out-voted me, my Tom," she says. "Once they heard you offered the droids fair compensation, they insisted on fighting. I told them, it was foolish, they weren't getting paid by you. But they did not compute my data. And so, we will be fighting alongside you." She hops down from your arms and crawls onto her bed, still clothed but nonetheless sexy.
After crawling away from you, she turns her head to look back at you, her eyes drinking you in. "Of course, I get to show off for you, my lover. You've only heard the legends of the Nexus. When you see me flying, darting about like a hornet, stinging again and again, you will be forever mine." She smiles a predatory smile for you.
It amazes me that this fierce, wonderful, alive being wants to show off for me. For me. "I think you know I am already yours." I flop onto the bed, also still dressed, and gather her up in my arms. "There is this matter of orbital mechanics, though. We are carried farther and farther away from each other with every rotation."
Ahji Dar bends her head forward, rubbing the soft fur of her forehead against yours, her eyes like moons, "I am yours. I am here. This rotation... shall be different." She blinks slowly, then tilts her head to the side, asking softly, "Yes?"
I reach a hand up to stroke her ear, keeping her face close to mine. My brain is full with thoughts of frigates and battles, and I don't know if I heard a promise in what Ahji Dar just said, or a wish, but I will accept either, gladly. "My kitten, there is nothing that I would want more than that."
--END SESSION--