Dohr had been sitting quietly in pondering their options inside his head. He felt hunger rolling around in his stomach and stood up to head to the canteen when CC9 responded to Arcas. The Doc couldn’t help but chuckle at the droid behind his mask.

”I have never really had a personal relationship with a battle droid before I met you, CC9, but even with my limited knowledge on the matter, I am fairly sure your processors are not standard model. Certainly your heuristic processor would be a terrible breach of the imperial protocol. Glad to have you on our side…”

“But I agree with you. In a military organisation the size of the Alliance, it is not logical or even useful for every soldier to know all the facts of the bigger picture. Sometimes too much information can cause an otherwise well performing unit to malfunction. It is up to the Alliance and the Talon leadership to decide how much each of us should be made aware of.“

“However within a smaller organisation ie. the Talons themselves, I would argue that information should be shared more freely. We do not need to know where exactly the liberated hardware is heading to as long as we know it will be used in the war against the Empire by the Alliance one way or the other. But any intel beyond that that might be useful for us, should be shared to allow us to complete our mission as effectively as possible.“

“As we are a small unit with practically only one or at best two people sharing a single field or skillset, we should all be equally informed on the missions we get. Any of us can be killed in action or even get run over by a hoverbus and all mission critical intel must stay safe even under such circumstances.”

“But if you will excuse me, I must head over to the canteen to appreciate Heigren’s hard work.”

With a bow, the Kel Dorian left the room and headed out of the recreation room.

Once in the canteen, the Doc picked up two mugs of caf and a varied sortiment of snacks that were suitable for his… diet. He then joined the others on the table without really asking for a permission. They were a team after all and should not have hidden secrets from each other… much. Before sitting down, Dohr bowed to Heigren. ”Thank you very much for this. I have a feeling an officer or three somewhere on this ship might be slightly annoyed at some later point in time?”

“So what is the subject?
This message was last edited by the player at 20:45, Tue 09 Jan 2018.

Kyvarr watched Dohr leave then turned back to Arcas.

"You haven't been with us so you don't know how we operate.  Ever since I've been here the entire team has been involved in the planning stage, just like we were before.  As we're a team of independant specialists and not just rank-and-file, this team tends to operate a bit more democratically like that.  You will have your chance to speak up in briefings.  They'll even be times when you take charge during missions.  If there is a time when your skill set is most important, it is expected you will step up and get us through."

"Now given your training I doubt you'll be taken orders from me for very long.  You're trained as an officer, I'm a sergeant.  But while you answer to me I have a simple rule for when we're on mission.  You either accept my orders, question them at an appropriate time in private or get the hell out of my command.  I will do exactly the same for you when I am under your command."

Kira stared off into the distance, thinking of her past. "Not many people know Mika, but i was raised around machines. My father was a starship engineer with his own place. When i was young he died...." She paused, closing her eyes for a moment, then came back to herself. "Had he lived i might have followed the same path as you Mika....so might have my brother. But when he died our paths changed. My brother became a soldier, i followed a different path." SHe shrugged as she looked at her.

"The way i see it is anyone can become what they want with the drive and focus. Some are more suited to certain tasks....natural talent like you and machines. But if you set your mind to it you could learn to be a bounty hunter.

She allows a wry smile. "But i wouldn't recommend it. Lots of egotistical, thick skulled people to contend with."

Heigren smiled knowingly and gave Dohr a wink.  "You're assuming officers actually bother to check their inventories.  If something is low they generally just shout at some subordinate to arrange extra stock."

He gestured to a chair.  "We were mainly just chatting about the past.  Aderek was telling us about his clinic in the Fringes and Lin was telling us about her colorful past."

"And Lin and Fiarr are going to arm wrestle for who has to crawl through ventilation tunnels!"

CC9 turns to face Dohr as he speaks, inclining its head slightly as the doctor has his say.  As the Kel-dor excuses himself swiftly thereafter the droid watches him go, not interrupting his exit.  Then it turns to observe Arcas and Kyvarr once more.

"Arm wrestling?  I was thinking more blasters at ten paces.  Or perhaps a thousand paces.  Either that or we could just ask Heigren who he'd rather see all hot and bothered, covered in dirt."

Arcas nodded. Although they differed in almost all other regards, she and he were both soldiers. And they both knew the importance of rank and command when lives were at stake. "Agreed" he said, before turning towards the droid.

"If I understood correctly, the ultimate goal of the Rebellion is to overthrow the Empire and reinstate the Galactic Republic. I can relate with that; The Empire failed its citizens and its potential."

"So my question is: How will that happen? What is the starmap from this," Arcas waved at the ship and the few people present in the room "to the Emperor yielding his throne and the over twenty thousand Star Destroyer captains surrendering their ships? Are you going to simply attack the Empire's military assets again and again until you can take the Imperial City by force? I hate to be the critic, but I wasn't presented with a reasonable plan when an opportunity for recruitment came."

"Your criticism is noted but ultimately irrelevant," CC9 responds.  Its monotone makes it difficult to tell how it intends its words to be taken, but what it may possess in logic CC9 certainly lacks in tact.  "You are not privy to tactical information regarding the Alliance.  You do not require it in order to perform your function within the Alliance, you have not proven yourself a suitable candidate of being given that information and you do not have the resources, informational or otherwise, to make a meaningful contribution to the plans for the Alliance.  There is no logical reason you, or any other member of the Talons, would be included in tactical planning of that magnitude.

"It is observed that organic units often become agitated when left in a subservient position, whether there is logical reason for it or not.  I therefore repeat, for clarity: you are not important, valuable or skilled enough - that the Alliance knows of - to be elevated to a tactical leadership position within the Alliance.  That does not mean you cannot earn such a position.  It only means you have not earned it yet."

The droid looks around at the other Talons briefly and then back at Arcas.

"It is a fact that the Talons have not yet fully committed to the Alliance.  The command units of the Alliance are undoubtedly aware of this.  Were I in their place I would keep the bulk of tactical information from you, just as it has been kept from you now, as it is tactically sound to do so.  There is no reason for you to know that level of detail, and if you were given the information then it could be forcibly extracted from your memory cores should you fall into hostile custody.

"I do not know what 'starmap' leads from the Alliance as it stands to the overthrowing of the Empire, as I do not have that information either.  Logic dictates that a vanishingly small core of treasonous individuals can develop their forces, information networks and political influence to overthrow a government structure that vastly outnumbers and out-guns them in nearly every way, but that it is overwhelmingly unlikely to succeed.  The possibility, however unlikely, is categorically non-zero and the leaders of the Alliance have undoubtedly gained information that indicates their chances of success are worth the attempt.  Therefore, logically, there is a plan, even if neither you nor I have that data.

"Unlike you, however, I am a droid.  I cannot earn the privilege of being given that information.  The vast majority of organics view me as a complex and dangerous hyperspanner, at best.  You, irrespective of origin, competence or specialisation, are not so bound, not as are myself and my mistress."

Arcas sighed. "Can you at least tell me who leads the Rebellion? If I can't know what the Rebel alliance is trying to accomplish, can I at least know whose plan we are following, so I can make a decision based on the character of the leader? Or is that also a secret that cannot fall into Imperial hands?"

"Such information is unimportant to myself, but I shall pass on the inquiry to my mistress."  CC9 tilts its head slightly, still observing Arcas.  "Consider, however, that every member of the Alliance is a traitor to, and has committed treason against, the standing government.  It is very possible that such information may be highly sensitive, should the leaders of the Alliance derive their power and influence from positions of importance within the Imperial civilian - or military - structure.

"Nonetheless, it is impossible to know without posing the query."  It pauses very briefly.  "Message sent."

Kyvarr watched the exchange between CC9 and Arcas.  "We've had little time back since the formation of this Alliance so we know little about it.  I know General Sheppard and Colonel Jax believe in it and the Talons believe in them.  That's enough for me.  I don't need a 'starmap', I'm a tactician, not a grand strategist."

"While direct, CC9 is a droid of his word.  He will submit your queries.  Hopefully you get the answers you seek.  He also makes a valid point that we are not committed to this Empire at present.  If their values do not align with the Talons then this team will likely stay independant.  I will likely recommend we stay with the Alliance but I am more comfortable with the military structure than most Talons.  But such decisions tend to be more 'democratic'."

Dohr chuckled behind his apparatus. "Well, some of us are more civilised... or at least used to be. But I cannot say you are completely wrong."



Dohr cast a surprised look at Aderek, but recovered quickly, bowed to Heigren's gesture and took the seat. "So Aderek, you had a clinic too? That is very interesting. You must share the story with me too later on. I used to be running one of my own back on Det Akari when the Talons found me or I found them."

The Doc too a sip of his caf and turned to Lin. "While I have no knowledge of your arm wrestling skills, I would suggest you do not take on Fiarr. She would win one way or the other and I would hate to see one of our new team members in my sickbay so soon."

"Response received."  CC9 tilts its head very slightly, as if considering something.  "The primary leadership of the Alliance are known as Mon Mothma, Garm Bel Iblis and Bail Organa.  This is now a matter of public knowledge, particularly in light of a statement of purpose released by the Alliance.  That statement has now been sent to all Talon datapads."

And, true enough, each Talon gets a 'ping' on their datapad containing a message, signed by B2-CC9 as the sender.  Should they open the message, they will read the following:


'We, the beings of the Rebel Alliance, do this day send forth this Declaration to His Majesty, the Emperor, and to all sentient beings in the Galaxy, to make clear to all the Purposes and Goals of this Rebellion.

We firmly acknowledge the importance and necessity of the institution of Galactic Government. We accept that all must subjugate themselves to that Government, giving up certain rights and freedoms, in return for peace, prosperity and happiness for all.
We believe that the Galactic Government derives its power and right to rule from the consent of the governed. We believe that, should the rights of free beings be willfully and malignantly usurped, it is the unalienable right of said beings to alter or abolish said Government.
We believe that the Galactic Empire has willfully and malignantly usurped the rights of the free beings of the Galaxy and therefore, it is our unalienable right to abolish it from the Galaxy.
We do not take this course lightly. Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes, but when a Government displays a history of usurpation, abuse and moral atrocity, displaying a clear design to subjugate totally and absolutely beings born free under the auspices of nature, it is our right—our duty—to depose of that Government.
The history of the present Galactic Empire is of repeated injuries upon its members, with the direct objective of establishing you, Emperor Palpatine, as absolute tyrant over the Galaxy:
You have disbanded the Senate, the voice of the people;
You have instituted a policy of blatant racism and genocide against the nonhuman peoples of the Galaxy;
You have overthrown the chosen leaders of planets, replacing them with Moffs and Governors of your choice;
You have raised taxes without the consent of those taxed;
You have murdered and imprisoned millions without benefit of trial;
You have unlawfully taken land and property;
You have expanded the military far beyond what is necessary and prudent, for the sole purpose of oppressing your subjects.
We, the Rebel Alliance, do therefore in the name—and by the authority—of the free beings of the Galaxy, solemnly publish and declare our intentions:

To fight and oppose you and your forces, by any and all means at our disposal;
To refuse any Imperial law contrary to the rights of free beings;
To bring about your destruction and the destruction of the Galactic Empire;
To make forever free all beings in the galaxy.
To these ends, we pledge our property, our honor, and our lives.'
This message was last edited by the player at 01:48, Thu 11 Jan 2018.

"Well, Heigren did see me in a rather grimy state when you pulled my sweet behind out of that prison camp", the slicer noted. "But if you insist on not going, then I will do it myself. I am, however, most likely less stealthy than you are with my skills being those of blending in to a crowd. I can also pass for a human easier than any Bothan can, which gives me an edge when operating in plain sight."

She smiled at Dohr's notion. "There is no fear of that. I would not dream of ruining my hands - I am an artist and I need the use of them both to do my magic." She gave the datapad a quick glance and shrugged. "It would seem, our leaders have decided to announce their rebellion openly. A noble gesture, but makes the whole Alliance a target."

Heigren shrugged.  "Your state was hardly your own choice so it's not a fair comparison.  I'd only been on the planet a day or two and I was a matted grimy mess.  Doesn't mean I enjoyed it!"

He was distracted by the receiving of the file from CC9.  He read it twice.

"Gotta give them points for courage.  This is a ballsy move.  Of course it means the Empire will work ten times harder to squash them like a bug.  Still, this is an open declaration of war!  I didn't expect that."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:44, Fri 12 Jan 2018.

"I guess we should take these ideas and shelve them for now.  Since we don't know how we plan to enter the station yet, we can't really nail out a firm plan for when we're on the station."

When Heigren mentions the declaration she skims it.  "I'd say it's a political ploy.  It provides the Rebellion with legitimacy and hopefully will encourage others to join them.  It's also clever in that it puts the Empire on the back foot.  True or not, the Empire now has to try to rebuff these accusations.  The more they insist they're innocent, the guiltier they'll look.  The fact that the Rebellion have summed up the Empire pretty well won't hurt."

"Odds are the Alliance will get squashed regardless.  The Imperial war machine is infinitely larger than what the Rebels could put together.  Hell a single Star Destroyer could wipe out this entire task force without breaking a sweat.  Better to go out the noble martyrs than just another dissident faction."

Kyvarr looked over the information CC9 had sent her then looked over to Arcas expectantly.

"Well I'd say that sums up pretty neatly what the Rebel Alliance intends.  Looks like they've formally declared war.  What do you think about all this?"

Arcas was visibly surprised by CC9's statement. He was expecting some clone war general, not prestigious and relatively well-known senators. He read the declaration carefully, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. If the senators threw their name behind the Rebel Alliance, then it is likely the worlds themselves are behind it. And that made this effort a lot more interesting.

Remembering the bits of political history Arcas knew about the Clone Wars, Bel Iblis attempted to keep Corellia as far away from the militarisation vote as possible. Corellia had always had an independent streak, so having some support from Corellia wasn't that surprising.

House Endeel had always had high view of Chandrila, and their estate has a room dedicated to the various debates that they had had in her soil. If Chandrila has joined, then the Rebels have an endless supply of philosophers and politicians; Perfect envoys to other planets to spread their ideals.

The real surprise was Bail Organa and Alderaan. The planet's disarmament after the Clone Wars was a drastic change and probably still in fresh memory for many of its people. To see her leaders rise in conflict against the Empire is a major political symbol.

Arcas laid down the datapad. "You may color me intrigued. I'm still a bit skeptic about the details, but if the Alliance is led by politicians instead of generals, then their actions are backed with legitimacy. And in this declaration they paint an alternative to the Empire. I just wonder how Mothma, Organa and Bel Iblis see that alternative realized. How I would appreciate the opportunity to talk to them..." Arcas sighed, looking into the distance.

"I'm sure you would.  Still, I doubt even the Brigadier gets close to those three.  General Kota might but not us.  Then again, given the stuff we get up to anything is possible."

While Arcas seemed focused on the politics, Kyvarr was more interested in the military aspects.  "I've heard Bel Ibis is as much a grand strategist as he is a senator.  If he's in charge of the military and he lets the likes of Kota loose this war is going to heat up quickly."  The Cathar reflexively extended and retracted her claws, her mind racing to the chance to bloody the Empire's nose.

Arcas' mind came back from its quick voyage.

"The greatest enemy for the Rebel Alliance will be time. An entire generation has already been raised in the shadow of the Empire. For those it has always been like this. Mothma, Bel Iblis and Organa are old enough to remember life before. The challenge isn't defeating the Imperial military, the challenge is to convince people to fight for a life they have never seen."

Arcas gave a grim smile. "The Empire's most insidious weapon is the destruction of history and knowledge. Because for all its faults, the Empire does bring a sort of stability for its citizens. When the option for a galactic denizen is the lawless anarchy of the Outer Rim, life under the Empire is at least safe and relatively prosperous."

"That is why the Rebel Alliance needs poets and historians as much as it does soldiers and pilots in order to have any effect. They do not need to defeat the Empire's military, they need to ignite the hearts of its citizens." And with Alderaanian artists, that might be very possible indeed, Arcas mused in his mind.

Turning to Kyvarr and seeing her eagerness, Arcas added: "I'm not diminishing the importance of armed operations, I'm just emphasizing the importance of the goals of those operations."

The M4 droid, still hovering not far away, pipes up at this point, projecting Cor's voice.

"The Empire arguably provides stability and safety for its human citizens, and those few near-human species the Empire deems as being 'not too alien.'  The price that all species are required to pay for human Imperial stability is steep indeed.  If you were to ask the citizens of Ryloth if they feel safe or secure, you may not find a very positive answer.

"You are correct, Mr Endeel, in that the effort requires more than weapons, and as you know better than most the brainwashing effect of the Imperial propaganda machine is not to be underestimated.  But as much as the Alliance may need artists and politicians and diplomats, that is not what we, the Talons, are.  That is not our function, as CC9 might put it.  We are the teeth, not the smile."

Mika chuckles.  "I'm not considering taking it up as a new trade, I'm just trying to figure out if there's a prayer of my convincing a bunch of Imps that I'm a bounty hunter.  And you know what?  I think those odds are way too long to even put a fiver on it.  But you know, I've had a bit of experience contending with a few egotistical, thick-skilled people in my time, I think you find that sort pretty regular these days.  A couple people might even accuse me of it, but my skull isn't overly thick, I had it tested.

Mika smirks as she does a light double tap of her skull with a knuckle.

Arcas glanced at the droid. "I never claimed otherwise. The reason I am so adamant about the Rebels' plans and structure is that I don't want to see anyone sacrificed for a plan that has no real chance of achieving anything."

"Commendable enough, but you have no way of knowing what those plans are and you lack the resources to determine whether they could succeed, even if you did know."  The droid maintains its position, looking largely...  Well, not disinterested.  It's a messenger droid.  It just looks like what it is.

"I suggest to you that this move requires something of a leap of faith, which is a commodity that only few of us have in large supply.  Not blind faith, of course - after all, the Alliance maintains at least the fleet we have seen, and I can guarantee from first hand experience that General Kota, at least, possessed a keen tactical mind.  I was, after all, part of the manoeuvres taking place while you and your fellows were being liberated from prison.  These are not feats that the incompetent could do.

"But much work is ahead and we are all a little in the dark as to how we will reach our goal.  Many in the Alliance will not survive the journey from rebellion to restoration.  But if we have faith, and have hope, and we wish to do what we believe is right, the Alliance has the best chance of seeing this through to completion.  It is the most well organised, well-funded and largest of any such groups in opposition to the Empire, open or otherwise, that much is certain."

Cor's calm, soothing tone pauses briefly, before she asks one last question.

"Will you rally the hope in your heart and take this leap of faith with us, Mr Endeel?"

Kira smiled at Mika's comment, knowing all too well she would have. "I don't doubt you have mika. With your skills, most of the people with simular talents would be male, and they would be threatened by someone like you. We may have different professions, but some things are the same."

She knocks on her own head with a smile