"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.