Officer on the Deck (Alva Calvarona)

[Salaza]

The Apex, an Imperial Phantom ship, sat in orbit around one of the large moons of Yaga Minor. A little ways outside of Imperial territory but enough that they would not seem a threat to anyone but passing Mandolore ships. But even then their cloaking tech was operational in case of an event. The ship itself was awaiting a private shuttle from the heart of the Imperial Remnant territories itself. An important guest was to meet with the ship's captian and Admiral of the Imperial forces. The entire crew awaited the shuttles' arrival, everyone in line and standing at attention while the chiss leader, Admiral Eobarda Tarkin, stood at the very end. Behind her stood her second-in-command, Commander Posku, trying to look as impressive as she did as his superior had a very commanding and enduring tone and air about her.​

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Whe the shuttle arrived every officer, with the exepction of the two, saluted as [member="Alva Calvarona"] had exited. She was here on the Apex as a councilor on matters of the Imperial forces with the Admiral herself. As she apporoched both she and Posku had saluted as the others. The admiral mainted silence while awaiting Alva's response, showing how asstute and proper and formal she truly was.​

 

[Alva Calvarona]

[member="Eobarda Tarkin"]

Yaga Minor. . . it was an odd choice for a meeting if one were to ask Alva.

However, this was the location given and she was here now. The location to make the acquaintance of Admiral Tarkin aboard the Chiss woman's personal phantom ship, The Apex. In truth its stealth technology was rather impressive, though Alva personally preferred other designs to stealth craft. Perhaps the fighter pilot in her. Regardless whatever she thought of the ship meant little, since the business she would be meeting with the Admiral over took much greater precedence.

So stepping onto the vessel and offering her own salutes to the ones she received as well as to offer one to the Admiral as due the Chiss' station as a superior officer, Alva greeted Tarkin with hopefully proper response. "Captain Calvarona reporting."

 

[Salaza]

"Captain." the chiss cooed at her presence. "Welcome aboard the Apex." She then gesutred and said "Right this way." before walking off with her towards the Admiral's private deck.​

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Commander Posku ordered everyone back to work as the admiral and captian walked off. He glanced back to see as the chiss admiral was very astute and stern with her walk as she lead [member="Alva Calvarona"] towards the privaye deck. As they walked they would pass by other members of the crew, stopping to give a slute while making sure there was enough room for them to get by. Admiral Tarkin gave no indication or anything. She was silent the entire time, her red eyes like head-lights as she directed the captian with her path.​

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Eventually they came to a small double-doorway, Admiral Tarki stopping and finally speaking to ask "Tell me captain, what sort of enviorment do you find the most relaxing?"​

 

[Alva Calvarona]

[member="Eobarda Tarkin"]

"Thank you for inviting me maam." Alva followed the Admiral diligently through the vessel after being motioned to do so. Members of the crew saluted as they were passed, leaving Alva to assume that the dear Admiral Tarkin must run quite the tight ship as everyone appeared very committed to proper formal protocols with their superior officer. Of course assuming they weren't putting forth extra measures for their guest because of the visit. Regardless Alva kept her attention on the Chiss woman in front of her until they finally came to a stop and the Crinan girl found a question pointed her way.

"I personally don't care since we're already on your ship, but if I had to pick the nicest spot it would be a terrace overlooking a valley much like on my homeworld." Crina was a rather beautiful world if Alva boasted, and she would boast often. The world stayed that way because of its isolationism and secrecy and she had every intention to fight to keep it that way.

 

[Salaza]

With that answer Admiral Tarkin had typed something into a nearby consol for the door. After a moment of waiting there was a small pin sound. From there Tarkin opened the door to reveal a sight that should not have been. Instead of a room on a ship or the like, both looked to see a view of a terrace that overlooked not a vally but a large hillside with a running lake and clear sky. Two service droids had turned, both hold trays of glasses or wine in them. In reality this was the ship's holo-deck and Tarkin's personal quaters she frequented whenever possible.​

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After allowing [member="Alva Calvarona"] a moment to take it in Admiral Tarkin gave a amused "Shall we?" gesturing for her to enter first. Once she did the chiss would follow, the door closing behind, before asking "Refreshments?"​

 

[Alva Calvarona]

[member="Eobarda Tarkin"] ((My bad I didn't get the mention))

Oh, perhaps she should have expected something considering how pointed the question seemed in retrospect. Why ask what the Admiral had if there weren't some way for the Chiss woman to achieve it. Alva held back a sigh at her own ignorance, but tried to assuage herself that Crina was not a world with expansive holo technology. They performed much better in regards to creating technology to better arm an individual, as well as handle a variety of environments. Still, her homeworld definitely needed to expand its knowledge more, especially being an Imperial stronghold.

"Yes, let's." Taking a step into the room the young Captain looked around taking the view of the rolling hills in, tempted to try and lean over the terrace's edge for a look. "Water or whatever you want to drink is fine, I'll give it a try. You're hospitality is quite generous."

 

[Salaza]

The chiss only gave a little bow when [member="Alva Calvarona"] commented her hospitality. With a little nod to one droid it came over, offering a glass with a jug of water set for her. Pouring her a glass it then took a few steps back after having served her. The other droid was already making a drink for Admiral Tarkin, her awaiting hand finally filled once a cup was filled with wine.​

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Tarkin gestured to the seat opposite a small table where the captain was free to sit. Either way Tarkin took her seat on the other side, sipping her wine for a moment before putting the cup down. The whole time she barley gave much noise or indication of how she felt. Just those cold red eyes that seemed to stare out at everything.​

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Finally she spoke, saying "Now then, my dear captain, shall we begin?" after she gave her answer Tarkin followed with "I'm sure you've read into my personal history by now. As I have yours. And as you'll probably see I'm quite qualified for whatever command you plan to give unto me." ​

 

[Alva Calvarona]

[member="Eobarda Tarkin"]

Alva knew that her homeworld was also behind in droid technologies so seeing the various machines at work was entertaining in a way as well for the young woman. Still, she wasn't here to gawk over the things she had become accustomed to after so much Imperial service. However, she wasn't the senior officer so she wasn't looking to insult the Chiss by seeming impatient. So what the Crinan did was grab her glass of water and waited as she took a seat at the table waiting for the Admiral to speak, and then reply once she did. "Command I give you? I'm more relaying what others have informed me of than it was my decision. And that decision was actually that you're to be given a sizable portion of the Imperial Navy that remains after things have taken the turn they have. They believe you're highly capable and command is of the mind you can readily put down the various warlords popping up with their stolen forces and made up titles."

 

[Salaza]

"We're working with what we have and then taking from others." Tarkin replied. "But we need more. If we're hoping to have the Imperial Forces be what they once were it means needed to take from others. Dealing with whatever warlords or run-of-the-mill adversaries is one thing, but if we manage to convert enemy troops into our own, think of the potential." ​

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[member="Alva Calvarona"]​

 

[Alva Calvarona]

[member="Eobarda Tarkin"]

The Admiral had a point, and Alva knew it was something the command staff were working feverishly on. Still, it was a huge point. "You're right Admiral, we're trying our best to think of more ways to ralley soldiers to our banner. We're working on sending agents out to known Imperial Strongholds or where support for the Imperial Banner remains high. We do get recruits from our current systems but I agree we could do more. We're just looking for the right way to galvanize everyone into action after we've reclaimed our lost glory."

 

[Salaza]

"Something I'm hoping we can achieve." the chiss beamed before sipping down more wine. When she finished the glass was empty, Tarkin then saying "And once we do we can further discuss enhancing the fleets. I feel the need to find at least one worthy opponent whilst our forces grow. Though I'll warn now: I'm not the type to jump into a losing battle. If the odds are indefinitely against us, I will not risk my life or ship for that sake. Clear?"​

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[member="Alva Calvarona"]​

 

[Alva Calvarona]

[member="Eobarda Tarkin"]

Alva had to think about that one. Only for a moment though as she sipped her own drink and smiled back at the Chiss Admiral who very much seemed a capable commander. "A losing battle isn't an unwinnable one. And not all battles are meant to be won anyway you know, they can serve different purposes. I understand your concerns though, it isn't the Remnant's desire to foolishly doom its soldiers to death. If casualties are to be suffered they would be for a worthy purpose they would do so willingly, not by imposition of command. I do hope, however, that you don't mean should the Empire require aid in a dismal situation you would leave without trying. If you mean to call retreats when we are failing and victory is unattainable then I don't believe command will have a problem with that if it saves us face and lives."

 

[Salaza]

The chiss didn't seem to react at first. She only stared again with her deep red eyes. She was quiet as [member="Alva Calvarona"] explained the tactics of a battle and a losing one at that. When she finished the admiral leaned back in her chair and rested her chin on a waiting hand. She seemed to contemplate what to say before finally having it.​

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"Do you play chess, captain?"​

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[member="Alva Calvarona"]​

 

[Alva Calvarona]

[member="Eobarda Tarkin"]

Well that seemed a little odd, because Alva knew the answer was simply yes or no. The answer being yes, she had played chess before, but the real problem was, she honestly wasn't considering herself a master player by any means. Still, she was curious where this train of thought was going so she answered simply. "Casually yes. A few times with family or friends but not terribly often. I don't believe it is a bad game though. What are you thoughts?"

 

[Salaza]

With [member="Alva Calvarona"] answer the chiss snapped her fingers. The table in front of them opened, a small chess board rising out. All the pieces were set, though closer examination could show they were just holograms like everything else in the room. The resemblance was uncanny almost, making it hard to tell real from fake.​

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"You can see what seems like a fair game, yes?" she asked, indicating the chess board. She tapped something on her side before a majority of pieces vanished from Alva's side. "And now it's not. But would you still wish to play with these odds? If yes, then tell me how you intend to win."​

 

[Alva Calvarona]

[member="Eobarda Tarkin"]

Alva watched the table reveal a chessboard hidden away, prepared for a game. Its hologram status revealed as the Chiss Admiral fiddled with some controls and a number of pieces on the Crinan woman's side disappeared from view in a blink. Alva was honestly a little hurt her words were taken to mean ill by the other across from her. Still, she had to wonder if there was a reason for Tarkin's concern. So reaching forward, Alva flicked her finger toward King on the board, unsure if it would fall like a real one would. "I would go right for the king and kill him and win. If he's gone no one is there to command the others, no one is there to give orders, and if they still wish to fight maybe I do flee. . . .though I hope you weren't asking me to actually think of a chess move. If you were I was thinking to say ignore the rules and throw one of my pawns to knock the King over instead. Though I apologize if that seemed silly."

 

[Salaza]

The hologram only wavered when [member="Alva Calvarona"] had flicked at it. However as she stood there with her hand out the chiss reached up and held her by the wrist. She kept a grip on her to keep her from pulling back, her pure red eyes still looking into hers with an almost burning intent.​

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"It was silly." she began. "Because you forget. The king is not the only one to give orders. There's the queen. The bishop after her. The knight. Any one of them can easily claim the crown and call themselves leader by the time you've wasted all resources trying to take down only one king. You need to strike a heavy enough blow. Not by force but by showing your enemy how nothing they do can earn a victory. Demoralize them first. And then..." she held her plam over Alva's hand before smacking both onto the chess board, the pieces all disappearing. "...you've won."​

 

[Alva Calvarona]

[member="Eobarda Tarkin"]

Alva found herself shocked as she watched a hand take hold of her own and her gaze became locked in surprise and suspicion as the Chiss woman grabbed her. The Imperial fighter pilot was rather dubious of the intention at first, not understanding why the Admiral would be mad or lash out at her. The rather intense tone Tarkin had as well didn't help at first, until Alva came to realize it was because her answer wasn't satisfactory enough. The slamming of her arm on the table though left a scowl on her face somewhat she couldn't completely erase with the anger she slightly felt toward the other woman for the overly dramatic display. At least it was easing to know that the Admiral felt strongly about being a proper leader. Ignoring her feeling of being perhaps shown up or her arm hurting, Alva admittedly would say at least that Admiral Tarkin earned every remark command had given her to bear the responsibility to lead the fleet.

". . . . .that's a strong way of doing things, I apologize if I took the question lightly. Although you bring a fine point, Others can grab command and lead, but they can also squabble and scramble for it over each other too. Finding a way to do that before a fight begins would be another good way to dismantle an enemy. Perhaps that's why the Empire has found trouble of late, too many groups with differing ideas and no one force strong enough to unite them yet. . . .but perhaps this time around we can be. I. . . believe command made a fine decision for their Admiral for starters."

 

[Salaza]

With her remark Tarkin chuckled in her throat, her red eyes closing for a moment before a smirk looked back at [member="Alva Calvarona"] . She finally eased up on the captain's hand to take away any sore feeling she might have had; or resentment for the action for that matter. Oddly though her fingers seemed to trail against the woman's knuckles as she moved away from her. An odd little movement that made it unclear if the chiss meant it or not. After that she gestured for the nearby droid to pour more wine for her into her glass.​

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"Strength has nothing to do with it." she began, while awaiting her glass to be filled. "Battles are not won simply by numbers or weapons. They're won by being clever." Once her glass was filled she picked it up, commenting "Apologies for the hand." before finally sipping again.​

 

[Alva Calvarona]

[member="Eobarda Tarkin"]

The Imperial Squadron Commander watched the Chiss woman's hand leave her own and drew back once sure she was free to do so, mostly trying to focus on letting go of feeling irritated over it when it was really nothing serious. Holding back a sigh, Alva took a drink from her glass and listened to the Admiral as the other woman waited for a refill of her own. "Its fine, perhaps I'm a tad touchy as a pilot, need it to hold the yoke and all. I can agree with you on being smarter on your opponent. . . .but it is nice when you are the one with strength as well. I hope to see the Imperial Navy become quite the monster in the future again someday soon. I don't think it will be quite that far off."