Make Waves

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

Ossus
The shift of powers were beginning to happen. The struggle of The Jedi being merged with the Republic had been the main indicator of concern when Halcyon was in charge — people labeled the Jedi as guard dogs. Overqualified soldiers, acting out The Republic’s work for them and disregarding the objectives The Order was supposed to have. It had been a merger before her time, as had the exodus of the Jedi been before her time to administration. It was time to act on that, but to act on it took steps.

Predominantly investigating those who had the same interests as her, but who were less rational with their dealings. A severance was not of interest to the young Jedi Master.

A gentle decline was more up her ally, as per why [member="Kian Karr"] and his Shadows had been set in motion to investigate the ranks of the current Republic leadership and some of their more private affairs. Or, their publicly recorded affairs as the case may be, and it be their motivations that were private.

A secondary wave of motion was reaching out to the clone of her friend to convey the information collected by the Shadows, and twist his arm in her favour. It shouldn’t be hard — the Republic’s Sweetheart oft’ got what she wanted when her tongue was silver. She would meet said [member="Zane Watts"] at the training unit for his elite group. A location not often visited by the fair Kiffar.

Except one thing that was yet out of grasp, but still in the works. The war was a distraction on multiple variables.

 

[Zane Watts]

Ossus.

When on tactical deployment out in the eastward fringes, Strike Ops took what it could. In this case, the Valiance-class Star Destroyer Execution in Autumn hung over the Jedi library world like the blade of damocles, a weapon poised over one of the Jedi Order's many beating hearts. This weapon was more like a shield, however. Within the hallowed halls of the venerable weapon of war, men and women served to protect their beloved Republic.

In the very depths of this vessel, a holographic simulation room was active. Five Jedi Knights moved as a perfect strike-team, slicing their way through the holograpic forms of Sith troopers clad in black. One sapphire blade led the charge, cutting a wide scythe through two simultaneously, before advancing around the next corridor.

Amarant Squad seized total victory, even in training.

However, during said training, Zane's communications device in his armour started beeping. Standard stuff.

"Watts. Go."

"Boss, we've got Grandmaster Grayson en route from the Temple right now. Her shuttle's ten minutes from landing. She's here for you."

"The kark did I do now?" asked Zane, met with an unassuming 'I dunno'. The line closed.

"Feth," he said, looking over at Amarant Squad. The mind-meld dissipated instantly, as it often did. There was no jolt back to reality, as many melds often did; this was their normal operating feeling, switching it on and off between solo and squad modes. This was utterly SOP.

"Well, boys, I got a date with the boss lady. I'll be back. Hit the showers, go chill."

The second [member="Kiskla Grayson"]'s shuttle landed, Zane would be there, clad in dark blue uniform, looking the perfect image of a Republic soldier - and a Jedi, with the lightsaber sitting on his belt. Whatever she wanted, well, this was going to be a surprise.

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

Kiskla had a tendency to be incredibly vague. At least this time she’d given an announcement of forewarning, although without context. It was a habit of hers, to be enigmatic; and while it was mostly for protective purposes, it often extended to other faucets of her life.

So when the vehicle game to a stop, and the blonde-haired girl stepped from its containment, there was no air of expectation to greet her. Nothing had been set for when [member="Zane Watts"] stood posed in his pressed uniform. These quarters were less than the traditional curve the Order was balancing in, but Kiskla was fairly lackadaisical so long as everything was under control. When punishment was due, she was one to administer it — often severely enough for resentment to shadow the punished’s judgement afterwords.

“Hope I’m not interrupting too much over here.” Oh, how understated that was. She was about to disrupt a heck of a lot in this quadrant of the planet. “Commander Watts, I’m here for a few minutes of your time without interruptions.”

 

[Zane Watts]

"Nothing I can't make up later," Zane said, perfectly amiably. It was one training round in a long series of rounds of training. Missing one wasn't going to kill him or his boys. Besides, they were all probably off doing something stupid anyway now that he'd given them leave to go have some fun. However, her request was curious. It wasn't often that she came up to talk to the Strike Ops commander; most times Zane was left to his own devices, and with good reason. Black units generally needed-- nor wanted-- no oversight. His job was dangerous enough as it was.

[member="Kiskla Grayson"]'s request wasn't too difficult and Zane found himself easily acquiescing. "Right this way, ma'am," he said, gesturing towards the large doors at the back of the Star Destroyer's hangar. There were plenty of nearby reception rooms and Zane would lead her there easily.

"So what brings you out this far? Not often that I get the pleasure of receiving guests, ma'am."

He was curious. Very curious. This whole thing was going to be an interesting potential; the fact of the matter was that Kiskla had her own agendas as a leader and she was here for a reason. She wouldn't be here without one.

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

“An investigation that confirmed some concerns.” Kiskla replied, following the lead of the commander. This was his territory in the granular spectrum of things, and although she familiarized herself with the blueprints of all structures on the planet — he knew better. But she daren’t say that out loud. Ever. This investigation had been of an individual that had rubbed her the wrong way since day one. Her father, an ancient comrade of hers had requested her help in drawing his son out of his way of life, and sending him on a more fruitful path. She had attempted, and found him later to be Chief of Military in The Republic. Talk about grinding her gears! She couldn’t stand the dude. But this went beyond personal contempt, this went to her protective instincts over her Order, and now she was going to operate on precedence.

“And some more investigation confirmed your immaculate combat record and ascension of ranks, Commander Watts. You’re dedicated to The Republic, that’s for certain.” She glanced at [member="Zane Watts"] “-More dedicated to politics than The Order?

Are you familiar with the Politics of The Republic?”

Two questions. Both essential, but one a little more loaded than the other.

 

[Zane Watts]

Concerns? Zane's immediate question was 'what did I do now' - but he never said the sounds to make the words. Fortunately, because apparently it wasn't about him. Apparently it was about someone else, someone in a position of power. CC? No. No way. He was a good guy, that.

But this was no ordinary discussion. Didn't take a genius to tell.

"I'll be honest with you, boss lady," Zane said, dropping all pretense, sitting back in his chair and scratching his right eyebrow for a second. "You want total honesty right now, I'm guessing. I've seen Republic politics. I've been thrown headfirst through them. Back during the Reformation League campaign-" referring, obviously, to when he had led the charge through Ruusan, Iktotch, Hoylin, et cetera, and the humanocentric Reformation League had plagued the Republic- "I was the special military attaché to the Senate. Chancellor Serifen was one day from making me Supreme Commander, after I spent the better part of a year as his bodyguard and advisor. I've seen the politics. I don't have a taste for it, but I've played the game. I've led investigations and seen shady Senators throw themselves from their pods when they realised that we had them caught. I hate people like that, wasting our resources and time." Darren Brunswick had not been a good man, for his lying, cheating, stealing and dealing. He tried to raise a personal army. He killed himself when the Republic found out, publicly. The coward's way.

He looked her in the eyes, perfectly level. "As for where my loyalties lie... I was born, mentally conditioned, to be loyal to the Republic first. It's not something I can change. I've got less than ten years and every single one of those until my body gives in will be in service to the Republic military. I'm a soldier first, boss. It's what I do. It's all I've got."

[member="Kiskla Grayson"] had asked for his answer - well, there it was. On the plus side, you couldn't get a more loyal soldier to the cause.

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

"That's not all you've got." Kiskla replied "-- It better not be if you're a commander ascending ranks. There's got to be more leadership there." His honesty had been noted, and apparently accepted as Kiskla didn't dwell any further on his response. She preferred his partiality to The Republic, but his ties to The Jedi meant he wouldn't outright screw them over. That decision would remain hers to make.

"You've got to have much more than a good track record if you're going to propose a promotion of sizeable proportions to the Chief of Government." She kept that level gaze, unwavering with that chilly white stare. Those snowy irises used to be cerulean, like watery pools --- but they had been toasted from the inside out from too much Force Light.

"You see, Zane, a league of investigators have uncovered a conspiring case against the Chief of Military --- including an explanation for his missing in action status." Kiskla rolled up the sleeves of her jacket at this point, as if the conversation were as mediocre as discussing the cloud formations "--Chief Saelari may not favour, but training with dark siders is certainly not something she'd smile upon either. When this information reaches her, The Republic will need a new Chief of Military. Someone capable and experienced. Your transcripts communicate both--- but can you?"


[member="Zane Watts"]

 

[Zane Watts]

"On the plus side, put a Force-user in as SUPCOM and you'll get someone who can watch the Senate for more Darkies," Zane said offhand, naturally using the military shorthand for supreme commander without even thinking. It was, in some ways, a valid point. The Sith had infiltrated many things in the Republic. Someone who was trained in ferreting them out would be handy, where their eyes watched over the highest point in the land.

As for her proposal, her accusations, everything, all of it - the commando leaned back into his chair, reclining slightly. He was very literally being offered the job of command of the entire Republic military. This was an offer he'd been given before. Last time, he'd turned it down. He didn't have the experience or even the maturity back then to handle the job. He'd learned a lot since then. he'd been rotated back to training, taken the time to grow up a little bit. He'd learned how to work with people instead of just blasting them first. He'd done a lot of growing up. Sure, he was still the same Zane Watts, but he was Zane Watts with a little of the hotblood taken out.

"I won't lie. I'm someone who enjoys going out and getting laid, having a few drinks. That's public record and I'm not going to hide that. It's also not a scandal if I'm not in a relationship... so, whatever," Zane said laconically. Accompanied by a shrug, he let that roll off his shoulders. He had his bad traits. So what? His gaze turned to stone, momentarily. "I will say this. I'm the best at my job - best damn commando the Republic has. More than that, I'm good at getting people to work together. I'm that kind of Jedi you want to teach battle meditation to, couple it with a mind meld, and I can run an entire damn space battle from the comfort of my command chair."

He looked at her. "Flying a desk wasn't in my career plan. But if you want me as Supreme Commander, I can tell you right now there are very few other line officers who could make enough of a difference. Pick me and I'll do the best damn job I can give the Republic. Let my record do the talking."

[member="Kiskla Grayson"]

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

Long legs shifted beneath the table to make room for her knees beneath the surface as she crossed them. "It's not my place to offer you the position." Kiskla said frankly. She'd been on Dagobah when this turn of events hit the Galactic Republic's governing structure. Marcello had filled her in on the talks, but she'd found out more later that she was supposed to have been part of the triumvirate. Which would have made for a very sloppy exit if she ever did want to separate the church from the state cleanly. "It's just my position to put the idea in your head, and.." She shrugged "Give you my permission." In reality, commander and experience or not, Kiskla was his leader. He worked for her. This transition would end those ties. He would work for The Republic solely. For the democratic states and autonomous groups.

"I can also give you the direct line to Chief Saelari." Kiskla had come prepared for that, and reached into her pocket to retrieve a data chip with the CoG's personal channel information. "To introduce yourself." She held out the tiny card of information for [member="Zane Watts"] to retrieve.

He hadn't raised any opposition to her suggestion. In fact, he seemed sold on it. "Chief Saelari will be informed if your predecessors happenings prior to your arrival. Courtesy of my investigation team.

Your timing will be impeccable-- just like your record. Just think of The Republic first, and not your gonads and the government should hold up.
Priorities."

 

[Zane Watts]

This was all standard operating procedure. Would it look like Kiskla was trying to install her own new leader? Potentially, but a Force-user in charge of the military wasn't unheard of. Most people would know the difference between Zane the soldier and Zane the Jedi. Hell, he'd willingly turn in his saber if he had to - but chances are he wouldn't need to.

Zane was going to have to get his dossier... well, he'd probably need to get it cleared. Hell, the only person with the clearance to open it was now being ousted. Chances are he could make it a matter of public record now. it would mean that Jedi Strike Ops would likely be disbanded, though. Not necessarily a bad thing, but still - he'd have an entourage of four Jedi Knights at his side as Supreme Commande,r a new flagsnip, everything. New wars on many fronts to fight. The defence of the Galactic Republic was going to be his business.

So many thoughts were swimming through the clone's mind at that point that he almost forgot to snatch up the datacard he was offered. Two fingers took it in, staring at it like it was gold - the key to his future.

"Don't worry. I'm not dumb enough to mix business and pleasure like that," Zane said... well, that was a partial lie, but he knew when it was serious time. Attahox was not serious time. "I can handle this. Thanks for the vote of confidence."

[member="Kiskla Grayson"]