The Glowing Eyed Nutjobs

[Keira Cerdulan]

Bastion

[SIZE=11pt]It was more or less just the routine now, right back off to Bastion for tiring nonsense and rigid discipline. That was how things seemed to go for Mastiff Squadron, the hounds had been put back onto their leash, fun was something that appeared as much as it disappeared.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]More than all of the Squadron one in particular had a hatred for this dull drivel of routine, the far too orderly work Bastion made them do: and that was Keira Cerdulan, commonly known as Hotshot among the Squadron and far more properly as Mastiff-7, she was the most recent addition to the motley bunch of potentially reformed criminals turned Imperial pilots, an unpredictable and rowdy former pilot: about as suicidal as back then, a favored choice being flying almost exclusively one of the Sith-Imperial Interceptors.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]The main hangar where the fighters rested in the base had become where the Corellian had decided to frequent during these off trips, hunched over systems (one of her laser cannons, which she had deemed faulty) with the hiss of a fusion cutter working away, the hotshot Corellian only worked on her own vessel. A respectable and impressionable little rat: she was a voice to Mastiff Squadron as a whole but more than anything she hungered for glory. It was a weakness, as much as it could be a use to those more “dark” parts of the Sith Empire.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt][member="Darth Maliphant"][/SIZE]

 

[Darth Empyrean]

The Sith wandered through one of Bastion’s various military bases, he let his eyes wander. Their set up was brutally efficient, yet in despite of this they carried Imperial Architecture to boot. Imposing, regal, and he supposed when he thought about it, somewhat efficient in itself; as it has stood for a few thousand years with minimal improvement. He tapped his chin as the group he wandered with led him into the next room;

“-and here, we have Mastiff Squadron. One of the elite starfighter wings defending Bastion.”

“Officer on deck!”, another voice called out from the distance, many groups now forming formation before him with imperial salutes.

Maliphant hummed slightly as he wandered over to the group, wearing a somewhat regal sith uniform that declared not only his rank as Major of the Imperial Military, but as Governor of Bastion; the very planet they stood upon. His electrum gaze slowly fell on Keira, identifying her as the leader of the group off her insignia alone. The Sith’s voice came low, imposing and demanding of respect;

“Lieutenant Cerdulan, a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance.”, he said with a smile.

“How goes the daily training?”

[member="Keira Cerdulan"]

 

[Keira Cerdulan]

Keira remained rather sluggish at the usual mighty call to present themselves to an officer, if anything she was vaguely annoyed at having to pause on her repairs and minor modifications, but such was serving the Empire and especially being garrisoned on Bastion. All this etiquette nonsense came in droves.

Not that she would ever vocalize the gripe (without being substantially boozed up first)

Keira was quick to show was suicidally fearless she was, the moderately small Corellian girl looking up to the Sith without a hint of some mighty respect or deference. Truthfully it was just the look of someone talking to a person. Thankfully she didn’t hear the part about the “elite” nature of Mastiff squadron, that man would’ve probably gotten more rounds of drinks than he could fit. Rare to get that sort of praise.

“As fine as ever...Sir?”

A hint of confusion fell into what she should call him, skimming over the man she took note of a handful of traits that would’ve warranted a different name. Suicidally fearless didn’t mean she was going to piss off her superior officers. She also didn’t voice her idea of “when in all hell did I become a Lieutenant?”

[member="Darth Maliphant"]

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Unknown to Keria, Maliphant heard and felt her emotions, the confusion and disrespect she held for her superiors, if not internalized. Only the basic requirements of her persona spoke to his rank, and it forced him feel abrasive as only a Sith could; if only the pilot knew the power that stood before her, what it was capable of.

Ego, as most Sith knew it.

“Major Dorian Harper, Darth Maliphant, and Governor of the planet you live on.”, he said with a wink.

“And yes, Lieutenant, you are promoted as of earlier today. You now lead Mastiff Squadron.”, he seemed to finish with a coy demeanor, its very nature taunting more than teasing.

“I’d recommend you mind what you think around me, just a tip.”

[member="Keira Cerdulan"]

 

[Keira Cerdulan]

Keira wasn’t intentionally like this, it was simply how she had grown up and been around for much of her entire life. Her career in the Empire has been so painfully short compared to all that that scrubbing it away was a task that wasn’t quite complete, or near complete, as usual it depended on who you asked. So many opinions about the Mastiffs.

She had a chuckle at the wink, well at least there was something in the man away from the usual bureaucratic bores of the Empire. She hoped at least.

“So you’re one of them?”

She was making some strains to talk more, Imperial, rather than her rough dialect born of the Underworld. There was no malice in Hernandez intentions here, it was just something that instinctively came on when referring to certain things. But she didn’t leave time to dwell on it.

“Wait!-“

She was quick to shut up and straighten back up, trying to not go down to the usual stuff and keeping her utter shock at bay.

“I mean, thank you for informing me, my Major-Lord-Governor Sir!”

It still showed though, quite the title: just blend them all together.

[member="Darth Maliphant"]

 

[Darth Empyrean]

For a moment, he let the ‘Major-Lord-Governor-Sir’ title sit in his mouth, mulling it over before shaking his head, determining it wasn’t as pleasant as he liked. With a subtle laugh, he offered her a reassuring smile before speaking;

“Darth Maliphant will work, Lieutenant.”, he said with nod.

“Now, could you run me through your squadron? I’d like to see who’s apart of it.”

Motioning her forward, Maliphant would quietly follow with hands behind his back in a form of authoritative formality. Something about his stand, the way his braid fell down his back, the way his shoulders were pulled back, all gave the presence of a Lord, someone to respect if not fear; yet for those few force sensitives he would give off no actual presence within the force. It was a forced ability he had committed himself to for the sake of ensuring a constant level of grounding; to never rely too much on The force as a whole, but it showed itself even more when faced with a true opponent.

Today however, was not the time for thoughts of war, instead he would appreciate just what was due for his planet and its defenses. With the great library being constructed, it never hurt to see where else the planet could be improved, after all.


[member="Keira Cerdulan"]

 

[Keira Cerdulan]

"Of course, Darth Maliphant."

Well it least it wasn't lord, Lord truthfully left a sour taste in her mouth. Those scuzzy Crime Bosses on Cademimu liked being called lord, to be treated like all mighty lords too...well, not like they weren't practically. She gave a barely noticeable head-shake and got her mind out that cesspool of a planet, all the more happy to be on Bastion over it.

"I shall indefinitely make an attempt, Major-, I mean Darth Maliphant."

Amusingly enough she wasn't actually intimated or afraid of the Sith, she simply was still in a bit of shock about that quick promotion...she wouldn't hear the end of it. Her mind currently was racing, she needed to prove herself an ample leader to actually keep the respect of the men of Mastiff Squadron, and make sure their ire stayed away from her. She paused for a few moments as they walked. clearing her throat.

"May I speak, Darth Maliphant?"

She seemed to drop that name every time she spoke, maybe some attempt at boosting up his ego.

[member="Darth Maliphant"]

 

[Darth Empyrean]

The title of Darth was more requested out of a Sith’s pride in earning such, and was less of a boost to his ego to use it, as much as an insult to not. Still, he appreciated her ability to follow instructions, and as she moved he would follow with little issue; though her feelings were certainly heavy within the Force, something she likely didn’t understand in those moments.

He idled with a hum as she requested permission to speak, taking a moment to let her ponder her request; silence that drew on her confidence, just as it would anyone, only to have him speak up quietly.

“You may.”, he said as they walked along.

She may not be afraid of Sith, but it was a fool’s errand to not fear death when it looked you in the eye. Many a man had made such a mistake, and while it was certainly illegal for a Sith to kill an imperial citizen, there were always ways to punish the insubordinate without death. The thought of which brought a small smile to Maliphant’s cruel lips, only for his electrum gaze to turn towards Keria.


[member="Keira Cerdulan"]

 

[Keira Cerdulan]

Fear was simply bad for business, a good Interceptor piloted needed no fear for the ships they flew, breakneck speeds and relatively poor armor made for a...rather high...morality rate to say the least. It made for a fine subordinate though, at least one that would reliably get work done instead of cowering in front of their superiors, in whatever form those superiors might be taking form in. Be they higher ranks or the Sith kind of superior.

Clearing her throat, the Corellian spoke. Maybe a hint of hesitance behind her voice.

"The squadron may be a little, abrasive, to the sudden change in leadership. As a warning, and less pressing of what I wanted to say: why chose me to lead?"

She assumed he had something to do with the sudden promotion, it all seemed like it blended together too well.

[member="Darth Maliphant"]