I Hate the Office

[Caid Centurion]

Kuat

The sleek Justice-class shuttle that had been repainted in matte black slipped serenly into the appointed docking bay at the Kuat Drive Yards. Once the vessel had nestled softly to the durasteel deck, a loading ramp extended. Behind two armed members of his security detail, Caid emerged dressed, typically, in a dark blue working uniform that was largely devoid of decoration save for indication of rank.

As both himself and Captain Velez stepped past the security, they filed behind the two officers at a comfortable distance. Given this visit had been arranged well in advance with the CEO of KDY as well as the Admiral of the Kuat System Defense Fleet, Caid was not surprised by the small collection of people that awaited him in the hangar. Inhaling steadily, the large Admiral leveled his silver-green gaze in the direction of his destination and the KDY officials there.

[member="Lorelei Darke"]

 

[Quietus]

The KDY CEO was not there, however, and was instead represented by the familiar face of DiVanca Leonardi, Director of Operations. Turned out as always in a smart dress suit, the blond haired woman greeted [member="Caid Centurion"] as he approached, stormy grey eyes lifting from a datapad in her hands in a short nod.

"Admiral Centurion, I will be taking your appointment today," the woman tucked the datapad under one arm and proffered a hand to shake, "DiVanca Leonardi, Director of Operations, a pleasure. We have an itinerary worked up, but if there is one place or another you would prefer to start, feel free to speak up."

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid's silver-green gaze fell to the familiar form of DiVanca Leonardi, but his face betrayed none of his internal thoughts. Just as well - he surmised she was quite accustom to various glances and perhaps the occasional ill-advised comment. "We have met before." The Admiral made the declaration with no air of superiority...merely the inflection of reading from a non-fiction work. Extending his hand, he gently took DiVanca's in a firm grasp and gave it a firm, single shake before releasing.

While chivalry and romance and whatever was not lost on Caid, he preferred to treat every individual he met in the discourse of official business the same. They were regarded with the respect afforded a professional of any grade or position until they deemed themselves undeserving. "This is your place, I am at your whim." Truth be told, he cared not in what sequence information was provided. In accordance with treating her as a professional, he trusted she would execute her duties in a logical fashion...with due respect to her own time and his.

If she didn't, well they could have a polite sidebar. He did do one thing that was not, exactly, typical of most senior officers. Motioning to the junior officer standing slightly behind and to his right, Caid introduced Captain Velez. "This is my aide-de-camp, Captain Velez. I trust my office, probably him specifically, provided his contact information for you and my direct contact information for the Queen in advance of this visit." Again. Statement of fact. So sure was the Admiral, that he neither expected nor left much an opening for a response. "We are ready when you are, Ms. Leonardi."

[member="Lorelei Darke"]

 

[Quietus]

DiVanca hardly blinked as the man brushed off the introduction. They'd met, but truly only in passing. Aside from formalities, it hardly mattered. The woman pulled her datapad from beneath her arm, checked off something and then passed it to one of her aides.

"They did," she returned pointedly, grey eyes glancing to Velez, "we're happy to have you, Captain. Let's get started."

A tour of the Drive Yard facilities and docks pertaining to Republic ships and projects took them the better part of several hours. Given the vast array of ship types on order, there was a good deal of information to cover including upgrades and modifications, as well as a few additions. All in all, it made for a long and dry sort of venture, unless perhaps you happened to be turned on by such things.

DiVanca just happened to be a business woman who took her job very seriously.

"Gentlemen, that concludes our tour. Tomorrow will be flight training and exercises to test the newest batch of fighters in the morning, and weapons testing in the afternoon. You're both welcome and encouraged to attend. Is there anything more I can do for you today?"

[member="Caid Centurion"]

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid showed no signs of discomfort during the tour. Quite to the contrary, the Admiral was very interested in all that was presented. He firmly believed that he could not be effective at his job if he did not have a solid working knowledge of the general designs being employed. Given the fact he still maintained an element of tactical responsibility, he could not afford the inherent politics of his job to detract from his combat prowess. That was certainly a struggle given his schedule, but he tended to sacrifice a great deal of free time to keep his skills sharp.

As the tour did come to an end, Caid glanced briefly to the young Captain. Velez did not indicate having any questions. As a result, the Grand Admiral returned his attention to DiVanca. "We would be most honored to attend, but I think we are all set for today." The Admiral paused only briefly as he motioned for his entourage to remain where they were for a moment. The security detail recognized the indication and moved away to establish static positions of overwatch for however long it would be necessary. "There is one thing of a more private matter, Ms. Leonardi, if I might have a moment of your time."

Once DiVanca had consented, Caid guided her away from his group until they were reasonably out of ear shot. "You'll have to pardon my discretion. Privacy if something it seems I have to schedule these days." A thin smile touched his lips for only a brief moment as he continued. "I would very much enjoy your company at dinner this evening if you are of a mind and availability to acquiesce to the request." Silver-green eyes focused on the woman rather intently. "For sure, this is motivated not out of business but personal desire to know you beyond the confines of your position with KDY."

Clearly Caid did this...more or less never. His emotional connection with other people was almost...well...it did not really exist. If someone engaged his interest, he approached them quite frankly and without any real level of undue implied intimacy. This was, for sure, an effect from being raised in a female-dominated society. The seduction of women just wasn't done.

[member="Lorelei Darke"]

 

[Quietus]

A blond brow lofted faintly over grey eyes before setting firmly in what was some form of perhaps mild irritation. Her gaze swept over him like a gale blowing in before a storm.

"Mister Centurion, were I of such a mind I would hardly be standing with the title and position I have today. I'm afraid business protocol is very clear - flattering though your request may be - personal relations with clientele simply isn't done. However, if you wish to further discuss our business ventures in detail, I would be more than happy to accompany you."

[member="Caid Centurion"]

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid's expression remained as it...usually was. If the words of DiVanca stung him, he did not readily show such. This was not to say that rejection did not effect him, it felt the pang, but he chose to ignore it altogether. He'd never really much been raised to have any form of emotion on Dathomir, and it had been easier to live his life as a precision instrument shrouded in blunt honesty. "Admiral Centurion," Caid corrected. He did not do so to try and press some level of authority over DiVanca, he was simply complying with her not-so-silent request to remain purely professional.

"No, nothing you have presented thus far has come as even a remote surprise." Fact, Caid did not show up to any engagement unprepared regardless of the battlefield. That meant he was more than sufficiently aware of what was presently in progress. Offering a simple nod to the woman, he prepared to make his departure. "Have a pleasant evening." Caid had taken no more than a handful of steps before he stopped and turned to face the woman once more. "The Galactic Republic does, however, expect that Her Majesty will make herself available tomorrow."

No demand. Just fact. Caid was beautifully ignorant of whatever personal perception [member="Lorelei Darke"] had of the Republic or its machinations. To a fault he just didn't care. In his mind, until such a time as they ceased to be KDY's largest client, the head of the organization most certainly would be on hand for any visit by a ranking member of the Government to which she, currently, belonged. Reaching Captain Velez, Caid nodded to the man. "We retire to the Residence for the evening, Captain."

"As you wish, Admiral."