The sound of tapping had ceased from Arcas' little workstation as he followed the conversation. He allowed the others to talk as he pondered on the situation himself. When Cor gave the questionnaire, he had formed his own opinion. After giving his digital answer and listening B0-B1's rationale, Arcas rose up and cleared his throat.

"Good points have been made. I am with B0-B1 on this one, but for slightly different reason.

If this group's philosophical goal is the dismantlement of the Empire, I believe our expertise  lies somewhere else than the Rebel Alliance. They are a large organisation who have to devote resources to logistics and management, as we witnessed with the mission they gave us.

As Ms Daochi stated, the Talons are fundamentally an intelligence team. I personally believe that a competent, independent group of intelligence operatives has a better chance of hurting the Empire by exposing its hypocrisies. Corrupt deals, political imprisonments, propaganda offices, all of those are ripe targets.

And if we do not have the resources to take on some task, we can give our intel to the Alliance and let them conduct a strike.

As for the question of leadership, I agree that Ms Lambar has the most administrative expertise and she knows the older members of the Talons very well. If she needs help or insight in figuring out strategies and finding targets, then I am more than happy to assist."

Arcas gives a slight bow and sits back.

When Mika voices her opinion Cor's eyebrows rise in a visible, if brief, expression of surprise.  It doesn't take any kind of psychic to see that was not the answer the Umbaran was expecting.  She notes off decisions as Arcas and B0-B1 voice theirs and finally nods.

"Then we have our direction," Cor states.  "We have yet to receive the votes of Ms Kira and Ms Daochi, but with five voting to remain independent, two to join the Alliance and one abstaining, remaining independent has the majority.

"Therefore, we are now - and in the foreseeable future - the Black Talon Squadron, independents."  Cor touches her lower lip thoughtfully, toying briefly with the piercing there, staring at the datapad with the look of someone with much on her mind.  Shaking herself slightly, she then looks about the group with a small smile.  A new link pings on the datapads of the Talons, marked 'Black Talon Leadership' - https://doodle.com/poll/ud332cvgy2pcyvw3

"Our second order of business, then, is our new leader.  The poll is up, though most appear comfortable voicing their support openly.  I have left everyone's names in the list for the sake of ease."

With the meeting not going quite the way Cor expected, she carefully avoids making assumptions.  How people vote in private can vary significantly from how they vote vocally, and she prefers the certainty of something concrete.

Dohr smiled at Cor and gave her a slight bow. "Well, I have already voiced my opinion and will vote likewise. I would like to see you holding our reins, Cor."

The Doc turned to face B0-B1. "But I too share your sentiments, B0-B1.  I hope the offer to join the Rebellion still stands after this. I trust the Colonel and the Admiral to back us up as much as they can, but they are holding such important positions that their hands might be somewhat tied. Then again, I would assume our role in the rescue operation still counts later on. I did, however, vote for remaining independent, just in case someone wonders."

Mika is quite surprised to hear the vote to stay independent.  The main reason for her was the connection to Mark, but then several of the others joined the Talons after Mark had left, so why would they feel the same?  She also thought that the military types would like being part of the Rebellion, the sort of life they were used to.

Well, she was probably the least military-like of all of them, maybe even including Heigren.  It was something of a relief to not have to salute just so and bunk in with the others all of the time and everything.

"If we're going to stay independent, that opens a lot of questions that I guess we finish the leadership vote before Cor starts answering them.". The smirk on her face makes it clear the she thinks Cor is pretty much a sure thing.

"Well this will be fun.  We have a grand total of two ships and what equipment is on board them.  Without the resources of the Rebellion, we're going to need to make some serious credits just to keep the ships fuelled and power in our blasters."

Fiarr smiled, clearly not bothered by her own statement.
This message was last updated by the player at 02:16, Wed 23 May 2018.

Cor keeps her gaze on the poll as the results roll in, rubbing the corner of one eye with an absent-minded gesture, catching herself and forcibly lowering her hand to the table as she realises what she is doing.  After a few moments she looks up.

"Yes," she nods to Fiarr, "money.  Perhaps few find it as much of a fascination as I do, but with the Nightshrike sadly lost to us, I no longer have as many concerns about the funding of the Talons.  I was keeping track of our resources since we lost the Colonel, and am quite comfortable doing so in the future.

"With the poll results in," she adds, confirming Mika's suspicions, "our leader has been elected.  Thank you for the trust you have placed in me.  If I can perform the task as well as Devon, I have no doubt we shall flourish."

The little Umbaran straightens her shoulders and tilts her head from side to side, eliciting an audible 'crunch' from her neck.  She probably needs to take up space yoga.  Her expression settles into one of confident, calm seriousness - her game face.  The subtle but visible shift in her demeanour would be familiar to anyone who has done business with her before but it may be the first time the Talons have seen her thus.

Then she levels her gaze directly at the Zeltron.

"Mr Heigren.  Prior to this change you felt it necessary to notify me of your decision to leave the Talons, a warning which I appreciated.  Are you still set on this course, or will you stay with us for now?  Whichever way you choose the Talons will support and respect your decision."

Heigren considered.  "When you were planning to join the Army I had no interest.  If you're staying independent. . .well I might stick around.  I might need to vanish from time to time to check in on my business but if you need me I'm here."

Cor nods easily and offers Heigren an even, white smile.

"We can work with that.  I am glad you are staying with us.

"That brings us to the next part of Talon business, then.  Our first order is reassignment of our designations.  The Brigadier and Colonel have left us and are not, in the foreseeable future, returning to our ranks.  With Devon and Mr Blaque also gone, along with Ms Masters and Mr Allen, that leaves the ten of us."  She types up a few quick notes and gestures over her shoulder, her M4 droid projecting a list of names and numbers.


Cor scans the room briefly.  "Please update your personal records if need be and become accustomed to your new designations.  Also, I would like for the team to consider developing call-signs, such as Sgt Dulvan's handle, 'Hammer.'  The more firmly we keep our identities under our control, the better off we are as an organisation."

She stands and heads to the coffee droid, speaking to it in her native Umbaran.  It beeps at her and dispenses a steamy mug of caf in extremely short order.  She remains standing for the moment, green eyes flicking from person to person, glowing faintly in the dimmed light.

"Next, the matter of our direction.  Remaining independent gives us more flexibility.  Importantly, it also changes the nature of the assignment given to us to liberate supplies from the Imperial station, as we will have significantly fewer Alliance resources than before - and, of course, we have just lost our shipjacker.  I have been informed by Colonel Jax that we have been relieved of our obligation to complete that mission, due to the necessary change in our organisation.  However, we can still complete it if we wish.

"I would like to hear your thoughts on the matter, Talons."

Cor takes her seat again, leaning back slightly.

Fiarr shook her head.  "Time is against us.  Without fighter support we are limited to hijacking ships on the ground.  We still haven't found a suitable one.  We've also lost access to the Gamma shuttle so our plan to go in as a prison transport or bounty hunters is also shot to Sith."

"One option is to go in when the Task Force goes in and lies low.  If they manage to take the place quickly enough it's possible we can go in and salvage some valuable stuff before rescue forces turn up.  Other than that I'd say we need a brand new target."

”I concur with the assesment on needing a new target. One thing we need to figure out is whether we want to begin investing time and effort in finding a base of operations somewhere on solid ground or perhaps a ship big enough for the ten of us to operate from and to carry the freighters as well as perhaps some fighters for emergency support. If the latter, I would think a larger bulk freighter would suffice if properly modified, but it would probably take quite a bit of time, effort and credits to transform in to a suitable mobile base - I am sure, Four would have some input on the matter. Also, the matter of obtaining fighter craft is an issue, but it should be solveable”, Lin said, still looking like an ordinary human rather than Pantoran with her disguise on.

Cor tilts her head from side to side - no crunching this time, more of a contemplative gesture.

"The Talon Nest was never handed over to the Alliance, so we still have that, and sufficient ongoing funds to cover its upkeep.  A base of operations is not a concern, though we will need to spend some time there determining what modifications it requires to adapt it to our exact needs.  As for the matter of a single larger ship," she adds, shaking her head briefly at Lin, "it is not something with which we need concern ourselves just at the moment, for matters of sheer cost if nothing else.  As our finances stand we would need to liberate or steal a vessel to afford anything the size of, say, the Nightshrike.  Almost six hundred thousand credits is no small investment.

"According to stock schematics," she continues, "the Ghtroc alone can carry between ten and fifteen crew members, though not in particular comfort.  The Voidsong can carry almost as many, considerably more if cargo space were sacrificed.  Simply moving our team from place to place, or providing berths, is of no issue - even if the Nest were not available.  Armaments, on the other hand..."

She sighs.  "The freighters are not combat vessels.  That is very true, and a matter I have been giving serious thought to since I bought the Voidsong.  They will require heavy modification in that regard - but many a light freighter has been adapted for effective combat use.  Nonetheless we may still need a pair of warp-capable starfighters for support, or fighters with hyperspace transport rings, or models that we could dock to the exteriors of the freighters for warp transport.  Ships are not my speciality, of course, and I would defer to those more suitable for advice before coming to a decision, though there are many Clone Wars models available on the various markets."

She looks over to Mika, bowing her head briefly to the young human.  "In addition to modifications for combat, we will also require modifications for smuggling cargo.  If you could coordinate those efforts with Talons Two and Three for combat purposes and Talons Five and Eight to cover smuggling, that will expand the capabilities of our operation immensely."

Kira listens to the conversation with interest. Her former mentor trained and taught her as a bounty hunter...his former profession, but when kira was with him and his crew he was captain of a mercenary vessel. His jobs, though mostly legal, were not always up to the standards of the empire.

....he did dabble in smuggling.

Kira knew a little about these things, but not a lot. With the group changing their preference to staying independent, it opened up some options to the human, some she had briefly thought of when she joined and talked to devon in a  quiet corner of his profession and some of his past exploits.

Kira looked at Cor with a slight smile. Though my training was mainly as the aim of a bounty hunter, i have known some experience...a little, with smuggling. Even helped with a ship jacking once. Given some time, training and pratice maybe i can get better at it." The human shrugged as she finished talking, then looked around. "With Devon gone, maybe...just maybe mind you, i could help fill that hole."

"Can I suggest another idea?

There are resistance cells popping up everywhere.  My current business works to smuggle these groups needed supplies, mainly food and medicine.  What if we focused on propping up these movements?  We could get them weapons and even our expertise.  Better yet we could pick a planet or sector that seems to be ready to rebel and help form a real resistance movement.  Supply them, support them, lead attacks.  Give them a chance to succeed against their overlords rather then just have them cut down.

When I was stuck on that hellhole I came from, I coordinated communication between a few disparate groups.  I always remembered thinking how much we could have done with some direction and integration.  We could supply that.  We've got military experts, medics, mechanical experts, smugglers.  We could do a lot of good.

I suggest we worry less about big armed ships.  What we have could transport a lot of cargo if we could sneak them in.  Instead, lets help people on the ground throw off their oppressors."

The Zeltron speaks with passion throughout, never touching his glass.  Clearly this cause means a lot to him.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:10, Fri 25 May 2018.

Arcas rubbed his chin, looking up at the ceiling lamp in deep thought. "I agree with Heigeren. Establishing good relations tend to lead to boons and oppotunities. Many worlds have records of old Republic ordnance depots which they might part with."

"Another direction is pirates. Based on my experience in the Imperial Navy, there is no shortage of armed pirates preying on less-traveled space lanes. If the... improvised nature of their equipment is no issue, we could re-purpose our fuel depot idea to liberate some pirate group of their tools. And do some good for the galaxy in the same time."

Mika gives Cor a nod.  "Sure thing, work with Fiarr and Kyvarr for combat mods for the two ships and work with Heigrin and Lin, and Kira, on some smuggling mods."  While she tries to appear casual, it's clear that the changes in number assignments has her a little confused.

"Mark might have his own plans for Talon Nest, but that doesn't mean we can't use it too."  She thinks about mentioning the upkeep and consumables and all of a cap ship, the fuel, coolant, atmo, food stores and all of the 10,001 parts they'd have to stock to maintain a cap ship for very long.

She glances over at Kira, "I've not done a whole lot of ship-jacking, but I've hot wired a few security systems in my time.  We team up on ship jacking, maybe we can put something together."  Then to the group generally.  "Heirgrin's idea has got a lot going for it and we're still helping out our friends and allies, but one of the things we've had going for us is being, uh, open to taking opportunities when they come along."  She holds up a hand and shakes her head, "I'm not talking about going pirate or the like, but there's others we can take out to help the common folk other than the Imps and pirates, corrupt planetary governments, corporations supporting the Imps, crime bosses, no need to limit the options."

She starts doodling some notes on her pad with random thoughts on upgrades to the ships when she remembers another comment of Cor's that almost got lost in the press.  "Oh, and if we're picking nicknames, what about Speedy.  I was thinking of Ratchet or Spanner, but then folk would figure out I'm a mechanic right away."  With the sooty smudges of engine grease and her ever-present tool kit, it wouldn't be a stretch for people to figure that out even if she called herself Mistress Starbuckle.

"I was intending to direct us toward relief work, at least in part," Cor agrees, nodding to Heigren in particular, "but I may as well clarify to forestall speculation in one particular direction: even if I thought the team was willing to take on pirate work, I am not.  I have no intention of running the Talons as a pirate band.  Pirate-hunters, of course," she adds, now nodding to Arcas, "is a different matter altogether.

"Many of these ideas can be combined.  There are plenty of war-torn or oppressed areas in need of relief, which are also locales of pirates - often preying upon relief vessels.  I agree with Heigren that this would be an excellent use of our time, but also with Mika in that as independents we have the capacity to pick and choose our missions and targets."

She drums her fingers on the table briefly before directing her next comment to Mika.

"The Colonel asked if we wished to keep the Nest or turn it over to the Alliance.  I elected to keep it neutral at the time.  Since neither she nor the Brigadier will interfere with the operation of the Talons, as they are no longer a part of it, the Nest is ours to use as long as nobody has found it and decided to squat in it."

Dohr nods to his friends. "I too agree. The mission to steal supplies from the imperial station was not exactly a walk in the park to begin with, but now without the rebel support, it would be suicide."

The Doc takes a sip of his drink and continues: "And while I agree with Heigren's idea, it is along the same lines I had in mind as well and something I have been doing before joining the Talons, I also agree with Cor. We need to make sure we can defend ourselves and if need be, take the offensive. Therefore we do require at least two fighters as well as better armament and defences for the freighters.

We have a base, though we have stripped some equipment from it, where to do the required modifications. I do have to admit though that I am completely useless in such work myself. But all that requires money, a lot of money. And as far as I know, we must currently make do without the Rebel alliance money. Therefore we will need to dig up some credits of our own."

The Kel Dor thought about it for a second or three.

"I share Cor's sentiments; we cannot turn ourselves into pirates just to help our cause, but.. stealing from pirates themselves... or the imperials... It is not really piracy, is it? We would be.. hmm... let us say, liberating and retrieving stolen goods, right?

But money is where I can be of help. During my years, I have gathered a fair pile of credits and have been saving them for a rainy day. And I think the day has come now. So I can help purchase needed equipment or parts for the ships. I do not have enough to get us a new 'Shrike or anything, but it should be of some help nevertheless."

”I concur. I do not care for piracy, but we would do well to provide people in need with supplies and help. I would think, there should be hidden caches of equipment from the Clone Wars still around the Rim. Finding them would probably provide us with not only supplies to deliver but possibly even ships left in reserves. It should not be impossible to extrapolate the locations of such caches from historic data from the war”, Lin said. ”And with proper ships and equipment, we could even rid the Rim of some pirates, which would make the locals a bit safer and provide us with even further resources.”

Lin was considering multiple options for the Talons. The supply caches, should they be able to find them, would provide ample opportunities if properly exploited and their location was kept hidden. Of course, there was the possibility, at least some of them were already found and occupied, even used as bases for some more sinister groups. Of course, ridding the galaxy of such parties would be a good thing. They’d need to think ahead, though, and conduct proper intelligence gathering and reconnaissance, which would fall in to the specialties of Cor, Fiarr, Heigren and herself as well.

Fiarr looked at Lin with interest.  "Sounds truly fascinating Lin.  I assume that means you have the inside track on these caches you speak of?  I won't ask how you convinced your contacts to share."  She gave Heigren a knowing wink.

”So far I have nothing ferrocrete. However, with a conflict of galactic scale, there has been a vast number of caches. The easy ones are most certainly gone, and some of the better hidden ones as well, partially to pirates, partially to former combattants. Some are too dangerous to approach, most likely, but there should be some for us to find if we wish. The fact, I have no solid leads on any does not mean I could not obtain them - I do have a rather good connection with some people that might know or at least know someone who knows of the caches”, Lin replied. She did not seem cross about her idea being questioned like that.

”Finding battlefield salvage would be somewhat easy as well, if we went looking for certain locales - probably even easier than finding an unopened cache. Both take time and effort, though, and there are no guarantees of succeeding. However, finding a good, unopened cache would probably provide us with plenty of things to pass on to any aspiring rebel cells or civilians, if that is what we are looking to do.”
This message was last edited by the player at 17:54, Sun 27 May 2018.

"Why bother with a treasure hunt?"  Kyvarr grunted, ever the pragmatist.  "There are thousands of Imperial supply depots out there, full of modern equipment.  Obviously they'll be well guarded but I prefer a straight up fight to traipsing around the galaxy looking for hidden stockpiles"

”Oh, we can go and fight the Imperials head on. Let us attack a supply depot somewhere, just as soon as we have a full fleet and a battalion of troops available. And never mind the people livin on that world, I am sure the Empire will be lenient with them as they have not done a thing”, Lin said her words oozing with sarcasm. ”But since we do not have a fleet nor a battalion of troops, I suggest playing things smart. It might be, we will never find a single supply cache that is intact, but keeping an eye out for them can provide us with a surprising haul of things.”

Kyvarr glared at Lin, steel in her gaze.  "I don't tell you how to flutter your eyelids at pretty boys or slice a computer, don't presume to tell me how to plan a military supply raid."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:44, Wed 30 May 2018.

"There is no need to become sarcastic, Lin," Cor notes in a mild tone, "you are not being belittled and the Sergeant is no fool; like any of us she simply has her preferred tactics.  Such diversity is essential within the Talons, as we need a broad variety of methods to achieve our goals.

"Between the ten of us we no doubt have a strong network of contacts; both suggestions, of following up rumours of caches and of investigating supply depots that may be effective targets, have their merits."

Cor taps a few times on her datapad and then puts both hands around her cup to soak up some of the soothing warmth and, at least partially, to stop herself from rubbing at her eyes.

"As the sentiment seems to be that our time would be better spent charting our team's future rather than continuing infiltration of our prior target, I will notify the Colonel to that effect and advise her that we remain open to Alliance contracts as independent operatives.  In the mean time," she adds, "we will return to the Talon Nest, so as to familiarise our new members with our base of operations, secure quarters there and assess the need for modifications and equipment."

She looks about the team, her eyes lingering briefly on Heigren as she does.

"Are there any questions or concerns?" she asks.

"None with me.  I just need to know where to bring my things.  I can be ready to leave in under an hour."