Zyra shrugged, "And I can think of MANY things I'd rather do then have my head stuck in greasy swoop bike engines all day.  You and Rainbow are a pair.  I swear he's only happy when he's flying a starship or fixing one."

Devon ambled in, pulling off the biker jacket he'd got from somewhere.  Possibly realizing it was so dirty he'd mess up the furniture if he hung it over the back of a chair, he dropped it and the backpack he was carrying next to a chair before homing in on the food table.

The others hadnt seen much of Devon since he'd left the bar the previous day, he'd vanished on his speeder, only to return late at night and leave early the next morning.

"Evening, Ladies." he said cheerfully. "I've been exploring.  Spent a lot of time just cruising around on my bike, seeing what's what.  Didja know they got an artificial beach here?  It goes on forever - you could walk for days and not get from one end to the other."

Devon slumped into a chair, plate of munchies in one hand, caf in the other.  He looked from Mika to Zyra and back whilst they talked, then appeared to remember something.
"Oh yeah - and I bought Mister Blossomdancer this."  A few brief moments of rummaging in his backpack and Devon produced a plastic bag with a shops brand name on the side and tossed it onto the table.  Whatever was inside was clearly soft and not breakable.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:56, Thu 05 Sept 2013.

Mika chuckles.  "Well, if it's what we like to do, what's wrong with us doing it instead of getting drug off to some old opera?  You should let him give the 'Shrike an overhaul."

"Yeah." grinned Devon.  "That would save me a lot of work..."

He appeared to think for a moment.
"But then again... I can see the attraction in making him sit through the opera - probably the same reason I bought him that."  he nodded to the bag on the table.

"Take a look, if you want."
Devon leaned forward conspiratorially, an evil grin plastered across his face.  "We HAVE to make him wear it."

SHeila came in as Devon was talking about the bag.  "Who'd you get what?"  She wasn't dressed up, after the dinner and show last night, she had spent today doing useful shopping and had found a couple libraries to spend the afternoon in.

Zyra chuckled at Mika's comment.  "You think I can make Rainbow do anything he doesn't choose to?  I thought you knew him better than that.  He's awfully. . .stubborn.

I'm sure he'll spend time with the ships if he wants.  More likely tinkering with new designs.  You know about a year ago he sent a proposed upgrade for the Z-95 to Incom?  Something about four engines instead of two and something about some sort of moveable wings?  Never heard back of course."

She peeked in the bag and grinned at Devon.  "Good luck getting him to wear that."

'May I?" IF not stopped or refused, Sheila will look in the bag.

Mark walks in a few minutes before the meeting time and despite the Talons being deep in conversation, his entrance causes a stir.  The commander is dressed in an exquisite double breasted tuxedo, that seems to fit him like a second skin.  He is clean shaven and his hair immaculately brushed.  To the initiated, they can tell Mark isn't really comfortable being in such attire as he regularly brushes his jacket with his hand, almost like a nervous tic.

He looks around those gathered.  "I see several of you are here.  Sola I imagine is joining us by proxy." he quickly looks to CC9 for confirmation before looking to the others.  "Anyone heard if Rathon, Vyn and Forim are coming?"


OOC: Arin, Heigran and Flash need to indicate if they are coming to the meeting or not

A few minutes later Flash shows up, wearing his usual clothes, a simple jumpsuit.  He looks over Mark's outfit for a few moments.  "Nice suit boss."

He orders dinner and a lomin ale from the datapad.

"Be my guest." answers Devon. "I think he'll look wonderful in it.."

Shortly after he'd finished saying this, Mark made his entrance.
"Not got a clue if the others are turning up."  Devon paused to look Mark up and down. "Either you lost a bet, or you're due in court.  Which ever, Rainbow, I decided to get you something you'd be more comfortable in."
Devon handed the bag over - and even managed to look reasonably sincere whilst he did it...
This message was last edited by the player at 22:52, Fri 06 Sept 2013.

"I'm just glad he's not dressed p for a funeral.". Mika continues to graze on the bounty.  "Hey boss, when we're done, I'd like to have a quick word."

SHeila watched the 'entertainment' while she got some thing to eat.  She didn't order anything extra, just took some of what was provided.

Although she had to admit, Mr SHeppard was a damn fine looking man.  Just not admitting it out loud.  Highly inappropriate. Just enjoying the scenery.

"Care to have that chat now Miss Stell?  The food hasn't arrived yet and we wont talk until we eat."

He gestures to a quiet corner.

Having cleaned up the outfit he had bought in the Claws district, Arin entered the premises in the black leathery ensemble with blue accents. And even if it had been second hand clothing, he made it look very good, far better than the scrounged jumpsuit. The ex-Imperial did his best to give everyone a friendly smile, even Flash - either he had lost his senses finally or he had gotten somewhere with the Chief of Security. At least they were both still alive and not bleeding profusely.

"Good evening, everyone", he said in a friendly tone. By the sound of it, he was going to be playing nice. He gave a glance at the transparisteel windows. "What kind of a heavy security brig have you brought us in to, Sarah?" He chuckled slightly. "Worried that we'll get drunk and blow the place to smithereens?"

As Arin looks out the window he - along with anyone else looking in the same direction - notices a bunch of people carrying sound equipment walking along.  Probably off to some part or another.  An entertainment droid buzzes along behind, its disco-style entertainment lights and holotransmitter currently off.

"''Oh, Vyn won't be here, so Don't wait for him."  Janine announced to the world at large as she sat down with her food and fizzy drink.

"Well, alright.". She follows e commander to the corner.

Mark chats in a chatlike fashion to Mika.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:33, Sun 08 Sept 2013.

As small talked ensued and people caught up on the adventures of the past two days, dinner was served by waiter droids that rolled in and out silently, placing the dishes on the table without so much as a clatter.  Drinks were provided quickly and were always prepared to perfection.  The meal was highly enjoyable and business was not discussed.

After dinner the waiter droids brought around drinks of whisky and port as well as cups of caf for those who preferred.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:20, Sun 08 Sept 2013.

Mark ate his meal in silence and accepted a glass of Corellian whisky for after the meal.  He took a quick sip, noting the robust flavour, ensured all the Talons were listening and that the waiter droids had left.  Then he spoke.

"Well I hope you've been enjoying your leave.  It's certainly been a trying few months.  I can assure you that things will get harder.  For now I want to raise three issues with you all.  I should point out that Sarah has done a full sweep and declared the room safe."

"First off, happy news.  The final sale of our merchandise has concluded and your individual shares will be forwarded into the accounts Miss Starflare made for you by tomorrow morning.  There should be enough for you all to get in lots of trouble."

"Secondly, we need to discuss the leadership structure of this team.  Recently we have lost both our space force commander and ground force commander.  As such we are missing most of our leadership cadre.  Therefore we need to fill these two roles.  These roles have control over the team and answer to myself and the XO.

Now at present you are all of same rank.  What I want is for you all to nominate who you feel would make the best ground force commander and best space force commander.  I will review the nominees and make the final decision when we get back to base after shore leave.  Nominations should be sent to myself or Sarah.  You can nominate yourself or someone else but be sure to provide rationale for your nominations."

"Finally we need to talk logistics.  Sarah and I have made contact with a local fixer.  Styles himself a high-level dealer in all kinds of goods.  Claims he can access all kinds of goods from starfighters and larger craft to ground vehicles, armaments and medical supplies.  Even says he has a few potential recruits for us, a medical specialist and a tank expert.  The question is though what do you think we need to expand our operations?  We have some liquid capital right now so I want to open it up to you to suggest what we might need."

Mark sits back and gestures to the Talons, indicating it is there turn to talk.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:09, Sun 08 Sept 2013.

Flash, likewise, keeps to himself during his meal and just eats.  He's got the look about him of someone who's used to eating quickly because you just don't know when someone's going to shoot at your ship or try and board you.  As a result he isn't too delicate about his table manners (though he's also not a slob).  He makes sure he has very strong caf nearby and drinks deeply through the meal.

As the CO speaks up Flash listens intently.  He nods from time to time and then, when Rainbow Blossomdancer is done, he clears his throat.

"I'm not gonna kid anybody and I don't see a need to vote silently.  Sheila for space force commander.  Nobody's better suited.  I don't have the temperament to lead.  She's hands-down the best choice."  He spares a nod at Sheila.  "Ground force commander, I say Devon.  The droid over there is probably better suited," he nods to CC9, "but not everyone's gonna be happy following a droid.  Sorry," he adds to the battle droid, "but it's true and I'm guessing you know it better than anyone.  But I reckon CC9 should be advisor - ground force 2IC, sort of thing."

Then he puts his empty caf cup down.  "As for what we need to grow, I think that's the wrong question.  I think we should be asking ourselves which direction we want to grow in.  Cos right now we're space battle specialists - for the most part, I mean - but we could go anywhere pretty easily.  We've got more strength in the skies than on the ground but we're small and flexible.  So I'd say what direction we wanna go in will define what we need to have to get it done."  He looks about.  "Make sense?"

Mark nodded as he listened to Flash's choices.  "Personally I'd elect the person whom you trust to lead you into battle and bring you out again alive, not the person people are happy following.  If you think CC9 is better suited then he should be your choice.  I don't care if the person is flesh or metal, they need to get the job done and keep people alive."

He turns to Sheila and Devon.  "Just because you've been nominated you don't have to accept.  Think carefully over the next two weeks, all of you.  Command is not an easy job and it's not for everyone.  It carries a heavy burden with it.  Also remember you could always nominate a combined space/ground force commander if you think someone is suited."

Flash just shrugs.  He doesn't offer his opinion on Mark's statement that CC9 should be his first choice; the Duros has had his say and he's not going to grandstand.

"I'm quite impressed with your last statement Flash.  I had thought you'd want some oversized manly gun or ship.  But you are right that we should consider where we want to go with this organisation.  Personally I feel we are a little light on our ground capability.  We've conducted a few operations where we could use more ground support.  Though I hear some of you have purchased some swoops which could be used for such a purpose."

Flash laughs with good humour.  "Oh, I want all kinds of huge fast ships with massive guns.  Sure I do.  But while that'd be a heck of a lot of fun it's not necessarily what's best for the Talons."