Talon Nest Conference Room - 24 hours later

Upon leaving the freighters in Rann's care, the Talons immediately set course for Talon Nest, the asteroid base that served as the Black Talon HQ.  It took the better part of six hours to get there as Mark insisted on a complex route to ensure they weren't followed.  By the time they got there, despite the fact half the Talons had never been here, everyone was happy just to grab a quick bite in the mess, and grab some rack time.  After that there was little time to explore as Mark had called for debriefing.  Fortunately as Mark always ensured there was food at these things, hitting the mess was not necessary.




OOC:  Talon Nest is a hollowed out asteroid, strip mined and abandoned.  It's in a remote sector in the Outer Rim, outside of Imperial space (so nowhere near the Phindar sector).  Of the Talons only Zyra, Mark, Flash and Devon have been here before.  Zyra picked it up for the bargain price of nothing.  Externally it looks like an asteroid, the landing bay has been concealed.  It has no external monitoring or sensor equipment which makes it not show up on sensors but means it can't detect incoming ships.  It has a cavernous hangar that easily fits the Nightshrike and several ships.  It has sleeping quarters for 50, mostly dorms, but there are so many empty rooms for storage and the like, everyone can have their own area.  It has few amenities.  The place is maintained by a couple of maintenance and cleaning droids.

If anyone wanted to submit a private report to Mark on the mission (i.e. team leaders especially, but anyone in general) you had plenty of time to send him a message.  Else lets debrief!
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:57, Wed 10 Apr 2013.

Cor has spent a lot of time ordering her droids about.  Her primary priority was and is the droids of the outfit; that includes not only her own (the two B1s needing repairs to get them operational) but also the newly-acquired droids from the three freighters.  Two R2s, two cleaning droids and five maintenance droids - not at all a bad catch.  Let the space jockeys mess around with the freighters; her job has just started.

The Umbaran spends far too much of the intervening 24 hours making repairs to her B1s and reprogramming the new nine droids.  While her own droids remain hers the new nine droids are programmed to be Talon property, not her own.  With a new pair of R2s, in particular, repairs to both the Nightshrike and the droids will be a great deal faster.  Unless the other Talons override her and sell the droids off, of course.  That's a possibility she's considered, and she's ready to object to it.

She's reclusive and mostly unresponsive for the intervening time - even for her.  Focussed entirely on the droids she forgets to eat and often simply doesn't hear knocks on her door.  She only manages a couple of hours of sleep before heading to the conference room.

When she enters Cor is led by CC9 and she is blindfolded.  After being led to a seat she pulls the blindfold off and exchanges it for a pair of dark glasses, yawning delicately behind one hand.  After getting CC9 to bring her some caffeine of some kind (she doesn't care what as long as it's strong) she sits up in her chair, drinking it slowly and looking somewhere between asleep and hung over.

CC9 has spent the time since the mission dealing with prisoners.  He makes sure they're away safely, as he promised, with no injuries as long as their lack of aggression remains.  Once that is done he makes sure that all bodies are disposed of in a suitable manner (either dumping in deep space or incineration) and that all of the stormtrooper armour and any still-functioning weaponry that can be scavenged is.  He orders a couple of PK droids to take the broken B1s back to the Nightshrike.

Having done that he stops to recharge.  Nothing like a good hard recharge after a vigorous battle.  With batteries refreshed CC9 spends the rest of the time patrolling the Nightshrike and, when they arrive at Talon Nest, examining Nest security (such as it is).  He makes several notes to bring up with the Talon leaders when it becomes necessary and/or ideal.

A few minutes before the debriefing he rouses his mistress and waits while she refreshes herself.  Blindfolding her he escorts her out to the conference room, leaving the two repaired B1s to patrol Talon Nest in a basic security pattern.  He stands slightly behind her chair when she's all set up with drinks.

Mika hadn't been worth much after they left the freighters behind.  First she'd been helping to direct a battle, then she'd been stuck being a replacement assault team commander, then back to her comfort zone as an engineer and finally pilot/captain of a ship that just might turn itself inside out with the stress of a hyperspace jump in a structurally challenged ship.  She'd been unwilling to leave the bridge for the whole trip.

She did push herself to cover her shifts on the 'Shrike, being their best cap ship pilot (at least in her own mind) and she found a moment to talk to Shepard about Heigrin.  She didn't delve into specifics, just mentioned tha t the guy seemed a bit unstable under stress.

Hitting the base though, Mika found a nice little out of the way room she could call her own and fell into a deep sleep, not even boering to change clothes.  Getting up with extreme difficulty, she spends an extra quarter hour in the fresher, ran her clithes through it too, removing most of the wrinkles.

Stumping into the brifing room, Mika mutters greetings to any in the room, grabs herself a stim drink and some pastries.  She'd burned a lot of energy the day before and skipped a couple of meals, some fast energy was certainly called for.

Zyra was already in the briefing room as the first Talons rolled in.  She was engrossed in a portable computer, tapping away furiously and flipping between various screens.  She also had a portable comm in her ear which she was speaking in to regularly, seemingly recording messages and taking notes.

When she saw the state of the Talons coming in she looked over to them and said.  "I've told the mess droids to prepare some hot meals and sandwiches.  The commander may think we can run on caff and sugar but I think we need something a bit more substantial."  She waved her hand to the customary trays of sweetcakes, pastries and caff on a side table, a regular at all of Mark's meetings.

What Flash has been up to is probably a mystery to most.  As soon as getting back and surveying his fighter to make sure its systems are still hunky-dory the pilot heads straight for his bunk.  There he remains, cloistered in his room, until the debriefing.

He's clearly in a hell of a good mood when he gets to the conference room.  Strolling in like he walking onto a yacht Flash heads straight for the refreshments.  Caff and pastries!  Nummy!  He grabs a hefty plate of them; the growl from his stomach is audible as he plonks easily down into a chair and lounges back comfortably.  With a casual salute to Mark he gets to the eatin'.  Every now and then he grins and chuckles to himself, looking as pleased as Punch (not that said puppet is something he's ever experienced).

Once they get back, Sheila is irritated, but she has somethings to do first.  She starts with working on the injured. That would be Xil and Heigran and anyone else that needs it.


That should take a while,  Somewhere between medical care and whatever else, she grabbed an hour or so of sleep, then showed up to the debriefing.

Arin walked in to the refreshed, only barely removing his flightsuit before he was in there, and once in he stood there for about ten minutes before exiting and draping him in the jumpsuit he had managed to dig up before the mission. He really needed something new to wear, but that would have to wait for a proper moment.

A number of thoughts ran through his head. He had already drafted a message to send to Mark and depending on Mark's answer, he was possibly going to have a long talk with one particular member of the Talon crew.

He walked out of the quarters he had been assigned and picked up a plate, filling it with food. It had been a long flight and he really needed to fill himself up to the brim before passing out in his cot before the briefing the next day.

After a good, long sleep, Arin sat down to work on a design he had had in mind. If they could get the funding for it somehow, it would make a good fighter with heavy firepower and enough maneuverability to make a difference. It might not outmaneuver a T.I.E., but it could hold its own against it and pack enough punch to do considerable damage on smaller capital ships as well.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:27, Fri 12 Apr 2013.

Once freed of the clutches of Sheila in medical, Devon - perhaps inevitably - gravitated towards the hanger to check on the condition of the Talons small fleet of ships.  A quick inspection was enough to satisfy him that nothing too bad had happened to the fighters - the worst was Flash's Cloakshape, but that had belonged to Phindar Petroleum so their mechanics would have to fix it.

Confident that no-one would chew him out for not getting straight to work, Devon gave some brief instructions to the maintenace droids - they could start on the easy stuff - and headed for his bunk.  Time to sleeeeeeeeeeeep.


When he arrived in the debrief room, Devon looked better.  Although he was still stiff and favouring his injured side; a change of clothes, a shower and some much needed rest meant he no longer looked like a total embarrassment to be the same species as.
Homing in on the munchies, Devon began loading a plate.  He rolled his eyes at Zyra's idea that they couldnt live on just caff and sugar.
"pssh.  Lady, you just listed the two main food groups." he told her cheerfully, before lowering himself - with a couple of winces - into a seat.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:23, Fri 12 Apr 2013.

Mark arrived a few minutes before the scheduled briefing but seeing everyone was there he began.

"I know we haven't been back long, but you've all had a chance to adjust and get some rack time so let's get to it."  He could see several Talons clearly hadn't taken the opportunity to rest but that wasn't his issue.  He wasn't their father.

"First off I imagine you all want to hear about Mister Nallis.  He's still in a coma and we're told there's no telling how long he may remain like that.  We left him in the bacta tanks back in the Phindar system.  Mr Pertwee will arrange the best medical care for him."

"As for Mister Pertwee himself, he'll be remaining in the Phindar system.  After he has arranged sale of the freighters, he's going to take over day to day operations of Phindar Petroleum for us.  With the last mission we can purchase a majority share in the company and expand the fleet.  That will mean money and fuel rolling in for us."

"Now you'll all be receiving a percentage of the proceeds from selling the freighters.  I can't tell you how much that is yet, it will be based on what the XO and Mr Pertwee can get for them.  The XO is setting up numbered accounts for you out of the corporate sector and your money will be transferred to those."

"We've decided since he had no family, we'll be forwarding Grayrrhyn's share to the alien refugees we saved from Phindar Prime.  They were the closest thing to family he had."

"Now lets get down to the mission debrief.  I've deliberately not invited Heigren to this meeting as I've had a couple of concerns raised we may wish to discuss.  We can invite him later."

He looked around the team waiting for someone to start.  Given the number of messages he'd recieved, he was sure people would have plenty to say.

Mika looks around.  There was something about these debriefs that made her think of school, on those occasions she hadn't ditched out.  The teacher would ask a question, just about every one knew the answer, but no one wanted to speak up.  Well, she was getting tired of letting herself be intimidated.

"If you ask me, we had problems not keeping each other in the loop...  and maybe biting off more than they could chew."  She was quite up to arguing for a more adherence to the command chain, being the rebellious type herself.

Cor leans forward slightly.  "I have several ideas about how to address that issue.  One primary concern on the last mission was uncertainty of the conditions of the two teams."  If she's upset about Grayrhynn's death or Xil's medical state she isn't showing it.  "By installing vital monitors into various forms of Talon equipment I can monitor the life-signs of Talon members on future missions - right down to tell-tale biological reactions such as elevated heart rates and drop in blood pressure."  She shrugs.  "I am no medical expert, of course, but programs can be set to signal alarms should a member's vitals drop below or elevate above their species's normal range."

Arin nodded. "Cor is very much right about that", he said. "The Empire studied the same kind of equipment as far as I know, but technically I suppose they would be best run through some kind of a modulated comlink system that activates if one of the parameters goes outside the acceptable limits. That way, there would be no transmissions unless something goes wrong - at which point it does not really matter that much anymore."

Cor shrugs one shoulder lightly.  "Over the encrypted Talon comms system it should not make any difference if the equipment transmits a micropulse of information every few seconds.  The likelihood of someone monitoring the relevant frequencies in the first place is very minimal and the amount of information is exceedingly small, even when encrypted."  She wraps her hands around her caff cup to warm them.  "In most places there is so much wireless information being constantly streamed about that a few blips in the noise make no difference at all."

"Lambar, why don't you continue pursue the idea of including some sort of life monitor in our equipment?  Ms Masters could probably help you given her medical and technological skills."

"Trake, would you care to clarify your statement further?  How did you feel the communication chain broke down?  Or people exceeded their role?"

"Remember everyone, this is a time to look objectively at our actions to make our next assault better, we're not assigning blame so feel free to speak constructively."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:56, Fri 12 Apr 2013.

"She probably means when a certain Commander decided to make an attack run on an Imperial Patrol Vessel in a ship nearly as old as he is while being supported by a wingman in an unshielded craft that is even older.  You do realise Phindar Petroleum weren't happy with the shape their Cloakshape was returned in?  I should take it out of your share of the profits."

From her light tone it was clear Zyra was teasing the commander and wasn't really rebuking him.

Flash shakes his head and gulps down the mouthful of food he's been chewing.  "Nah," he says firmly, "not possible.  She couldn't have meant that.  There's no starfighter as old as the Commander."  He's still in a downright jovial mood.  "That was a fun ride, that Cloakshape.  Fun ride."

"What I did was stupid, reckless and would have resulted in disciplinary action, suspension or dismissal from any regular military force.  The move was not one of a military commander, but some reckless thrill-seeking spice-addicted glory seeker.  The kind of person you'd expect to see when attacked by a band of pirates, the very part we were playing.  If we'd stuck to traditional military style discipline and tactics, it increases the risk of the battle being linked back to us.  Imperial Intelligence isn't stupid.  Hence the strange decisions, erratic tactics and lack of comm discipline.  We needed to look the part, we needed crazy.  Maybe I should have put Allen in charge of the operation."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:03, Sat 13 Apr 2013.

Mika looks about, a bit uneasily, not sharing in with the jovial mood, "Well there was a lack of coordiation among the snubs.  Then there were times on the 'Shrike that I wasn't able to keep my eye on the ball and cover all the basis.  Of course, there was the not knowing what was going on with Xil and the poor Wookiee.  Then when Heigrin and I was assessing the freighter, he charged the bridge with no idea of opposition.  On the other hand, we'd not have the freighter if Heigrin hadn't charged, I was ready to cut losses and bug out."

"The XO can speak to your role on the Shrike, though she has said nothing to me thusfar that would be construed as negative.  She tells me you handled sensors while Lambar was on communications and that you both performed well.  On reviewing the data I think your handling of the second boarding team was admirable, especially given the rushed circumstances you were placed in.  Xil and Gray's situation we may never know what happened there.  Heigren, well, he's another issue.  I'm most interested in the 'lack of co-ordination among the snubs' as you put it.  Could you elaborate on that?"

"Would anyone else care to input?"  Mark didn't want Mika to feel like she was being singled out.  Quite the opposite, feedback was the whole point of these sessions.  Especially when he himself, hadn't seen any real issues with the fighter teams, well none that Mika should know about anyway.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:54, Sat 13 Apr 2013.

"From the perspective of boarding team leader," CC9 states, "I am unaware of which variables caused the collapse of Beta Team.  That may have been unforeseen variables or it may have been a miscalculation on my behalf.  Alpha Team performed more adequately with the same equipment; Beta Support responded suitably to the emergency and one of the Talon organic members survived as a direct result.  I have sent a more detailed report to the Commander but to the boarding team members I state that our mission was a success."  Without pausing he adds, "There were casualties but considering the opposition they were minimal."

Sheila nodded at Cor when Mark suggested she could help with the medical stuff.  Honestly, she really couldn't give an opinion of the boarding parties, she didn't know enough about what had been going on. On the other hand, the medical clean up hAd been ..busy....

"CC9 is right." Mark agreed.  "We took 1 fatality and 1 seriously wounded but we captured three out of four fuel tankers, destroyed another tanker, vaped four TIE's and crippled an Imperial capital ship.  What's more I think we protected our identities, the identities of our civilian helpers and our links to Phindar Petroleum.  The XO will track the aftermath to confirm that over the next few weeks.  Overall we did much better than I could have hoped for."

Mika manages to not meet anyone's eye, "Oh, early on, there was a, uh, disagreement about taking out the freighter guns or disabling them.  I wasn't giving my full attention to e comms, but I got e feeling ere was some confussion as to who was supposed to be in charge of what."

Flash shrugs in a vague, non-committal fashion.  "We got 'em down.  Some things y'make up as you go along, there's no way of tellin' how a ship's set up until you're right in front of it."  He lets out a short laugh.  "Shielded, armed, escorted an' we still beat 'em down."

Mark considered Mika's words.  "Mr Branden disagreed with my instructions to destroy the gun turrets.  However, when given a direct order by myself he obeyed it.  I do not have a problem with my orders being questioned, only with clear instructions being disobeyed.  I also told Mr Branden he could take it up with me in debrief if he wished."

To Flash, she shrugs,  "I'm not complaining about the result, you guys did great."

At Mark's comments, Mika responds by sitting back in her chair.  "Okay."  She crosses her arms across her chest, waiting for the discussion to play itself out.  She'd put in her two credits as requested, thoguh she was relieved that no one had wanted her to follow up on her own shortcommings.

Mark considered Mika's response for a moment then turned back to the others.

"If any of you need to speak to me privately, let me know after the meeting.  I have a few of you who have already expressed such a wish."

"One clear issue at the moment is the chain of command.  With Webb still on leave and Nallis in a coma, we will need to restructure the Black Talons command structure.  However I plan to leave that for now.  Until further notice there is no rank disparity among you, you're all the same.  Ms Jax will remain my XO and I will retain command.  If anyone wishes to apply or nominate someone for a command position, do so after the meeting."

"The final thing I wish to discuss is Heigran.  I have had a few seperate reports concerning his actions.  What are your thoughts on him, and I don't just mean the mission.  Is he a potential asset or a liability?"

Cor waits a few moments and puts her hand up hesitantly.  "He, uh..  His... forthright... advances are a little unnerving to me.  Though I am uncomfortable with most such attention."  She glances about cautiously and shrugs slightly, shrinking back in her chair a little uncomfortably.  "I don't have, uh, any opinion of his other... skills.  And while he acted rashly during the support team action he was grief-stricken over the loss of his friend."

Zyra nodded in agreement.  "I can't imagine what he's been through.  Growing up under Imperial persecution all his life.  Being treated like a second-class citizen or worse, much much worse.  He's grown up hating Imperials.  Then a week ago he sees half his community get killed by stormtroopers, the other half forced to flee.  Then to have his friend killed by Imperials. . .well I can't imagine how I'd react."

"I know Heigran had three jobs in the mission.  He was to play the role of a pirate captain to confuse the Imperials, prepare a fake distress call for Cor and to help Mika on her rescue mission.  His antics as a pirate captain were a little. . .excessive though I must say his distress call was fantastic.  I'm going to save it in case we need it in the future.  As for his work in Mika's rescue team. . .well I wasn't there."

Mika rushes to Heigrin's defense.  "He fought damn well and we'd be one freighter less had he not finished the assault all on his own.  I was ready to give up run away."

Mika speaks with a surprising passion, eyes flashing with anger.  Seems lie there might be a bit more lurking beneath the surface.

"From your mission report, a withdrawal was probably the smarter course.  Still I can't speak for playing it safe on this mission."

"The real question is, do each of you trust him enough to have him on your team?  When life or death can be measured by the skill and sometimes restraint of your fellow Talons, you need to be able to trust each other."

"I trust him more than TIE-boy over there," Flash says bluntly, tilting his head toward Arin but keeping his eyes on his Commander.  "And for the record I think you're makin' a mistake with this rank equity thing includin' him.  We know next t'nothin' about him an' what we do know doesn't inspire a lot of confidence.  Not in me, anyway.  Can't speak for anyone else."  He keeps his voice even and matter-of-fact.

"You seem to want to make this personal, 'Flash', do you? You are a skilled pilot, but one day you will put yourself in a mess where your skill alone won't get you out of the mess and this 'T.I.E-boy' will be theone to pull your blue ass out of it. You don't know much about me, that is granted, but if you would take a moment to look at more than the initial screen of the datapad, you might find something that would change you little and very narrow mind. Thereis a narrow line between being heroic or stupid and currently I think you stand far closer to the latterwith your opinion. Then again, opinions are like assholes - most creatures have them. You are just being one."

The ex-Imperial sounded rather weary - not because of the mission as he had had a good nights sleep, but the constant jabs at him by the Duro were getting tiresome. If the blue-skin was not going to tone it down, there'd be trouble.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:26, Sun 14 Apr 2013.

Sheila debated saying anything.  She knew what she wanted to say, but here wasn't the place. So she spoke carefully. "I had time to 'recover' from my training before I joined the Talons.  Mr Branden has not.  Having acted as his wingman, he needs a chance to, I would say. I can't speak to having to lead him, that wasn't my job on this mission."  She thought a moment more.  "As for Mr Heigren,  I can understand the behavior on the ship.  I'm not sure if it's a good thing if he's going to lose it like that all the time, but at the same time, as Ms. Trake says, it worked this time and I was able to patch him up well enough."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:32, Sun 14 Apr 2013.

Well, thought Devon with an internal sigh, looking from Flash to Arin and back. That didn't take long to start...
If he was honest with himself, Devon had had his own worries about letting a former Imperial fly combat for the Talons.  But... Sheila was right - it had worked.  This time.
Let's see if we can't divert them...

Devon fiddled with his datapad whilst Sheila spoke, then leaned forward as she finished, wincing as he shifted position.  Perhaps if he and Sheila got the conversation back on track, then Flash and Arin would stop aiming at each others throats for a few seconds...
"What's worrying me is how much of our success was down to dumb luck - I mean, yeah we got out with three freighters, and we got Xil into care in time to save him... but, if Heigrens crazy charge hadn't worked?  He'd be dead and Mika woulda been on her own."

This message was last edited by the player at 17:51, Sun 14 Apr 2013.

Zyra quickly spoke up, ever the peacemaker.

"I think we'll find Heigran will settle down, well at least as far as combat goes as he deals with the traumas he has had to deal with so recently.  I don't think we can judge him fairly at present.  The amount of death of loved ones he has witnessed in the past week would be too much for any of us.  Give him time. . .and support."

"I think young Arin and Flash need to do likewise.  Flash is always one to speak his mind and not care about diplomatic niceties.  It's got him more kitchen duty than the chef droid to date.  Flash, you've been open and honest about your opinions of Arin, perhaps you need to discuss it further with him at a later time.  Give Arin insight into your thoughts.  It is likely he will be your wingman again or you his."

"Arin, whilst Flash is. . .direct, you must surely accept that he has a point.  Not a week ago you were leading an Imperial stormtrooper squad and before that you were an Imperial pilot.  I'm not questioning your loyalties but do you expect people will forget decades of atrocity in a week?  I'm sure there are others at this table who do not trust you either but are unwilling to speak openly like Flash.  Right or wrong, people will see the Empire when they look at you and What it represents.  Give it time, maybe talk to Sheila about how she adjusted."

"You also accuse him of being quick to judge you, but aren't you doing the same?  I'll agree Flash has been rude to you, but you've been very quick to retaliate.  Is it standard Imperial procedure for officers to call fellow pilots 'assholes' in official briefings?"

"Personally I think we all need time to work on our team-building.  We've suffered losses, changes, new faces and great adversity, all in a very short time.  As such I've discussed with Mark how to resolve this.  He thought a week of intensive training would be the answer.  Fortunately wiser heads prevailed."

Zyra ignored the inevitable glare from her commander and pressed on.  "Instead, we're all going on leave together.  Two weeks, all expenses paid to a special locale I have chosen for you.  Two weeks where you'll all have nothing to do but relax, unwind, get to know each other.  Transport leaves tomorrow at 0600 station time, so be sure to pack."

She consulted her datapad.  "I've sent account details to your datapads for your new numbered accounts.  I've placed five thousand credits in each one, profits from the fuel sales.  Once Rann sells the freighters you'll get the rest of your pay.  So feel to spend it all on lavish gifts for your favourite Zabrak."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:39, Thu 18 Apr 2013.

Mark stands, finally turning his scowl from Zyra to the rest of the team.

"We will discuss issues of rank when we return from leave.  Anyone who wishes to nominate themselves for a command position can put an application forward to me during the next two weeks.  Kismet, the XO will supply you with transponder codes for the Ghtroc freighter we captured.  Have them installed by tomorrow.  Recruit whoever you need.  Lambar, we're going to be away for two weeks so ensure our droids have their work schedules.  Again, recruit who you need."

The commander leaves the room.

Zyra watched the commander go.  She grins conspiratorially at the group.

"Maybe I should order Heigran to get the commander drunk while we're on leave.  I mean the truly paralytic, end up naked, shaved and chained to a tauntaun with a tattoo of an Ewok on his butt kind of drunk."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:59, Mon 15 Apr 2013.

"Another thing I'd like you to all consider is that when you all receive your payment for this mission, the organisation will also be receiving a large credit infusion.  So any ideas on how we should spend that money should be forwarded to me.  Mark has already indicated we need a stock of concussion missiles."

Flash shakes his head as the Commander leaves the room and then looks over at Zyra.  "Sorry, but this is bullshit and if I'm the only one willin' to say it then, well, there y'go."  He waves a hand at Arin.  "Right now, Branden, your opinion doesn't mean squat.  A week ago you were leadin' a kill-squad and we've only got your word that you've suddenly come over all nice.  The Commander was crazy lettin' you anywhere near th'Nightshrike, let alone a fighter.  Now you're in th'heart of Talon Nest when y'should be a system away stuck doin' paperwork under constant surveillance until we can be damn sure you're not a fuckin' Imperial infiltrator."

He looks around the room briefly.  "If any one of you thinks I ain't got a point then you're not fuckin' thinkin'.  Infiltration's not a new weapon of war.  He might be sincere, he might be on the straight an' narrow, an' my concerns might be completely baseless - I got no problems at all admittin' that - but not one o'you has any proof of that, he can't provide any, an' nobody seems willin' to state the damn obvious.  Oh no, it's down to emotional, erratic, half-cocked Flash to point it out.  I don't like this guy but this ain't about personal bullshit and it ain't," he adds with a glance at Sheila, "about acclimatisin'.  Not about adjustment or sittin' Branden down and talkin' about his feelin's.  It's about security - has everyone but me fuckin' forgotten that the Empire will want us dead if they ever find out about us?  We're not a book club.  We're a paramilitary group opposed to th'biggest governmental force in th'Galaxy."

He leans back in his chair and crosses his arms.  "I ain't gonna countermand th'Commander's decisions.  I'll follow orders.  But I think he's crazy t'let a new ex-Imp in this completely this quick.  At th'very least he should be constrained to th'Nightshrike and kept outta meetings until we can be more sure."

Mika, glad to see the surge of conversation is well distant from her, still isn't overjoyed at the confrontation between Flash and Arin.  Flash certainly has a point, but was going about it all wrong.  If he thinks Arin isn't to be trusted, then he should be watching and waiting, trying to make Arin think they'd all been snowed.  If Arin is a plant, making him a target wasn't going to expose him.

She thought about the question of command.  She certainly wasn't well suited, of that she could be sure.  But the others seem not good for it as well, each for their own reasons.  Even Zyra and Mark seem to have their short comings.

Zyra's expression didn't change during Flash's tirade.  She could be just as easily listening to Flash recite poetry.

"Your points are certainly valid, though certainly a little brusque.  Surely you realise I research every new candidate thoroughly, doing extensive background checks and even doing periodic checks on all of you?  I'm the intelligence officer and my job is to keep Mark supplied with good intel.  I for example know about that little incident between you and the mayor's daughter when you were fifteen.  I also recall you were probably a nanometre from being scrubbed from flight duty with the PHA when Mark requested your transfer.  Your former CO was so happy he threw in a case of very fine Corellian Whisky.  I still have a bottle I pilfered from Mark's stock."

The commander put his faith in each of you.  You should trust in him."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:22, Mon 15 Apr 2013.

Sheila scribbles something on a padd and hands it to devon

Flash throws his hands up in the air.  "Great.  Well done.  I got issues with my former CO, so clearly I'm wrong to be concerned.  Way to undermine legitimate concerns.  I do trust the Commander," he adds, leaning forward and glaring at Zyra, "so don't say I don't.  I wouldn't be here if I didn't trust 'im.  I just said I'd follow his commands.  But you know as well as I do that he doesn't want unthinkin' drones under his watch.  He wants people who'll think.  An' sure, I trust you t'be a good intel officer.  But you didn't have th'chance to do a check on him before he was already aboard the 'Shrike an' you sure as hell haven't taken us all aside to so much as assure us he's on the up-an'-up.  So we gotta use the info we have.  An' of course I'm bein' brusque.  I don't mess around an' I don't talk behind people's backs - not that I expect anyone to actually appreciate that."  He looks CC9 over.  "Except maybe th'droid."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:33, Mon 15 Apr 2013.

CC9 doesn't offer an opinion.

Zyra moved to reply, then paused as if contemplating something she hadn't considered.

"You know something Flash, you're right.  You were appointed by Mark as our security chief, which means you should be directly involved in all matters of Talon security, both internal and external, which would include new employees.  I apologise for this oversight and will raise it with Mark immediately.

I propose you put forth a detailed plan on screenings and security checks of future employees at your earliest possibility.  As we grow as a legitimate group we'll need those checks to protect ourselves.  If you think there are any retograde steps we should take with current employees, include those to."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:05, Mon 15 Apr 2013.

Flash blinks and leans back a bit, apparently completely taken aback by the sudden change in Zyra's tone.  He places his hands on the sides of the chair and pushes down, standing up slowly, and then he nods once, curtly.  "I... right.  Yes."  He doesn't glance about the room; he just watches her a few seconds.  "Yeah, sure.  I'll go get that written up now.  Sorry for...  Right."  He heads for the exit without another word.

Arin sighed deeply. "I ask myself, what I'd do if I were in your boots. The answer is, I would probably be about as paranoid about myself as anyone else, but there is the difference in being suspicious and being simply rude. Imperial Officers do not call those serving with or under them assholes in a briefing, but then again we are not in the Imperial Navy and I would say, Flash's comments would have earned him time in the brig, if we were."

"Honestly speaking, I do not expect any of you to trust me for now - I expect you to trust the Commander and his decissions. If he puts me in charge of a wingpair, then I ask you to work with me. I am a professional officer and even if I used to work for the Empire, I do not work for them anymore. I feel I have much to give for this group - both as a pilot and as an officer. Flash might be a more skilled pilot than I am, but I have also my strong points and I hope you keep them in mind."

"Would you prefer he acted politely to your face and then spoke ill words behind your back?" CC9 asks in his normal flat monotone.

"No. I am simply saying, there are two ways of saying things, even in this kind of a situation. You can say it either politely or impolitely and I would prefer a professional approach to things which means polite."

"Then you suggest that saying the truth in a socially unacceptable way is grounds for jail time?"  CC9 tilts his head.  "I would have calculated that honesty is more professional - and important - than politeness.  Talon Two has no reason to value your feelings over the security of the Talons.  I do not apologise if you find that fact offensive."

"Calculated? Well, that is somewhat understandable as you are a battledroid and you have little appreciation for the niceties that we organics prefer."

Cor sighs and rubs her forehead.  Tapping her personal (non-Talon) commlink she speaks discreetly into it in Umbaran for a few moments and then turns to her B2 droid.  "CC9, please, perhaps you should attend to the B1s, perhaps discuss your ideas for security measures with Mr Allen."  There's an edge to her tone which suggests that it's not a suggestion.  She tilts her head toward the door.

"You have no concept of my capacities.  Your statement is founded on ignorance and is therefore irrelevant."  CC9 nods to Cor.  "By your command, mistress."  Giving Zyra a precise salute he leaves the room in his steady, thumping gait.  "I will send one of the PKs to have you brought back to your quarters when you are ready."  His footsteps recede into the distance as he heads out and back toward the hangar.

Arin gave Cor a weary smile. He was very much thankful for her intervention - after all, she had been thefirst one in Talons to actually make him feel really welcome and not like the enemy. The battledroid was reasonably disturbing and the wayit echoed the sentiments of Flash, it was somewhat annoying.

Once Sheila gets her padd back from Devon, she will head out.

Mika breathes a loud sigh of relief.  Not that Flash and the droid didn't have valid points, but greth skies could they beat that bantha to death.

"Don't sweat it Arin, we don't all have you in our sights."  She suddenly winks and gives Arin a smile that makes the anything-but-well-manicured Mika look almost like a teenager, which she was not so long ago.  "Besides, I for one would like you to think well of me.  After all, thinking well of me won't hurt if you're watching our backs and might just be convenient if you're and Imp plant thinking of turning us in."  She gives a chuckle.

"Zyra, you said there were some sandwiches around here some place...?"

As if on cue, a serving droid walks in with two covered trays and two carafes that it places on the table.  One tray contains sandwiches, the other hot food.  The carafes contain nerf milk and pava juice.  From a recess the droid draws out glasses and places them on the table.



OOC:  Debrief is effectively over unless you wish to discuss things with Zyra.  Remember to prepare a gear list for the trip and take care of any jobs you wish to before the transport goes.

Devon quickly reads Sheila's pad and then slides it back across the table to her.

He watches the back and forth between CC9 and Arin with only a couple of winces at the droids blunt comments.

He chuckles at Mika's comment, and grins.
"Yeah, what she said - I'd be lying if I said I didnt have some worries before the mission... but so far?"  he shrugs.  "You seem OK.  Oh, and seriously, Arin?  Don't waste your time trying to bicker with CC9 - it never works.  I'm still trying to work out if that droid just has a kink in its programming or if its got the driest sense of humour I  ever saw.  And as for A9..."

Leaning on the table, Devon got carefully to his feet and smiled at Cor.
"Cor, your droids are weird; don't ever change them."  Devon scooped up his mug of caf and plate of munchies.  "I better get down to the hanger - stuff to do.  Hey Mika, when you're done filling your face - wanna come help me with those transponders?  I kinda got a hole in my side and cant seem to get about like I usually do..."

Cor sighs again, though for a different reason this time.  She looks at her hands and tugs on each finger in turn, stretching them out.  She has a few scratches here and there from the prior 20 hours of solid work she's put in.  "Actually, yes," she says to Devon, without looking up.  "Both are true.  He has a couple of... quirks, and also what you might call a sense of humour.  I... believe I should be back at the Nightshrike now.  Most likely sleeping."  She calls for a droid on her commlink and runs her fingers over her blindfold lightly while she waits for it to arrive.

Mika sticks her tongue out at Devon's comment about her stuffing her face.  "Yeah, I'll be down in ten.  You older folk don't move all that well even when you don't have holes in you to fall back on."

Mika wasn't callous and she likesthe mechanic, but if he was hurting all that much, he'd be in the infirmery, not at  debriefing.

That said, she investigates the hot food and a glass of juice.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:33, Tue 16 Apr 2013.

Hearing Mira's quip at Devon, Zyra smiled.  "Personally I make it a rule never to make jokes about the people who prepare my food, pay my wages or service my starfighter."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:34, Tue 16 Apr 2013.

Mika gives Zyra a grin, "Smart.  Of course I'm not a snub jock.  I'll stick to the full sized ships and if any of the Talons break a sweat on servicing them, it's gonna be me.  Besides, he started it."

A memo goes out to everyone's datapad.

'Since we are going on vacation, only blaster pistols vibroblades and stun batons will be permitted on the transport.  No explosives of any kind.  Anyone carrying with a non-approved weapon will have it introduced to the airlock.  Anyone bringing a heavier Talon-owned weapon will be charged for it's replacement cost.  Be at the transport by 0700'

Mika reads the message on the datapad and scowls.  "We're going on vacation so the first thing we have to do is get up at the crack of dawn, not that there's a dawn around here to crack."  She mutters, finishing off the hot food and grabbing up a sandwich and another juice and carrying them down towards maintenance.

As she makes her way to join up with Devon, she runs over her default equipment load.  She'd most likely take it all, the weapons were tame enough.  Not knowing what's available to do at the place, she'll have to take stuff to go exploring about, macrobinoculars, grappling spike launcher, glow rod....  And if it's a complete bore, she'd take her blaster kit and tool kit, maybe get a little work done.

Entering maintenance, she looks around.  "Devon, where'd you get to?" she calls out.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, so to speak", Arin said. "I will do my best to live up to the expectations." He quickly browsed through the short message. Shore leave - he'd get to buy some new clothing, perhaps, to replace the rather scruffy-looking overalls he had obtained from the closet, they had been abandoned in to. And some other things, as well.