War Stories [Bryce Bantam And Carlyle Rausgeber]

[RIP Carlyle Rausgeber]

Admiral Carlyle Rausgeber was no stranger to the Core worlds. Although he came from the Unknown Regions, Rausgeber was something of a Core-phile. A keen adherence to history and an admiration for the Empire meant Carlyle often spent his few sparing weeks away from the burgeoning empire of the Unknown Regions, making pilgrimages to the planets which had produced once legendary figures of the ancient Galactic Empire. Although most of his time was spent working his way around the Galactic Alliance's territory to the neutral systems.

On this excursion, Carlyle was finding out more about Orson Krennic, a local of the planet whose work with kyber was legendary. Carlyle had taken some time out of his commission to journey to the mans home planet, trying to find out more about the weapons director. After three days of trawling through museums, and sorting through archives kept from the era, Carlyle had decided to take up rest inside a pub for the evening.

The Admiral's Hotel was one of the classier locales. Built beside the spaceport in Satrivan City. Rausgeber entered, attired in a red overcoat, with a black and white checked vest underneath. No one would dare suspect his identity from the outset. To any locals, Rausgeber was just a wealth eccentric with a taste for history. The admiral passed through the patrons, and sat himself at the bar. "One corellian ale," He ordered to the barman, passing the man payment. "On the rocks, if you don't mind." He added.

[member="Bryce Bantam"]

 

[Bryce Bantam]

Bryce thanked the bartender as he took the cloth towel filled with ice and placed it on his cheek. He had been hunting a particularly rough Houk named Ceadbrof Tuug these past few days in the slums of Lexrul and it was good to be back in the light of the upper urban area's. Ceadbrof and his gang had tried to flee to the middle rim to escape Coalition justice, so Bryce had been tracking them for weeks to recover what they had stolen from the Temple of Binaros. This hunt was also personal for Bryce as he had deep friendships with those harmed and wanted to avenge the Bereth-Aku monks they had roughed up in the process.

With the bad guys now in custody, and other than a few broken bones, some lacerations and the shiner forming on Bryce's cheek everyone had left in one piece thankfully. Bryce left the others to take the criminals back to Coalition space while had deverted to this very watering hole, and get cleaned up before he left to deliver this volume of the Book of Takodana back into its' rightful owners hands.

He was about to leave when a man in a red trench coat passed by and sat down right before ordering a beer on the rocks which caught Bryce's interest. Curious he had remembered reading something just a few weeks ago about a man ofnote to the Coalition who had the same tastes in beverages. It was a man of some military skill, a hero to his people, and a veteran of the Omega event. Bryce had recently flown against this man at the battle of Auseru and had taken an interest in the man ever since. Now the ice loving man here now was surely not who he was thinking of, but to understand this mans love of ice may help in some small way for him to understand his opponent should they meet again.

Turning back around Bryce walked over to a stool next to where the brown haired man has sat. If one was looking they would see Bryce was dressed in a slightly worn red bomber jacket which had the symbol of the coalition on the chest pocket just below his captain's rank bars. As Bryce sat down he ordered the same thing as [member="Carlyle Rausgeber"] before looking over at him to get his attention. Once Bryce made eye contact, he smiled and leaned in to speak with the man hoping to strike up a conversation.

"So ice in ale, interesting stuff, any reason why you like it so? Oh wait, where are my manners, name is Bryce, but some folks just call me BB for short."

To confirm his introduction was genuine Bryce held out his hand, as he did the "Hell Burners" fleet insignia would have been easily spotted on his upper sleeve by the shoulder should one be observant enough to size up a stranger looking to talk with them.

 

[RIP Carlyle Rausgeber]

The officer turned to the one who had interrupted him. Carlyle looked over him, and from a glance, it appeared he was just a spacer. Some form of ordinary scumbag, who perhaps was trying to scam the admiral. However upon closer inspection, he noted he was military. Judging by his scruffy attire, he was either an Alliance captain, or more likely one of the brigands from the Outer Rim Coalition. A rump state which had formed itself in Kathol territory. The admiral reciprocated the gesture, and gave the man a firm handshake.

"My name is Carlyle," He began curtly, he was at least trying to hide his disdain for the enemy he fought against, "And I am not as fortunate to have been bestowed a nickname." He paused, and observed the man some more, his pale green eyes matching his. "The ale is a quirk of sorts." Carlyle admitted, "Something I remember from another era. When the barman would use to undercut us with watered down mead. It was something that I drank for years on end, without knowing the difference. And now when I taste some good Corellian ale, it is a little too strong for my palette. Ergo, the ice."

[member="Bryce Bantam"]

 

[Bryce Bantam]

"Carlyle, as in Admiral Carlyle Rausgeber, well yes, yes you are."

Bryce withdrew his had and thumped it on the bar top excitedly. Now that he looked at the man more closely he could see it. Age was about right, hair, oh and that posture, like he had a lit saber of his stuck up backside yes this was him.

"Now you are one of the last people I expected to meet today. I mean feth, a real life hero of the order, out here among us commoners who would have though it."

Bryce was hamming it up a bit but he was honestly excited to meet a rival in a noncombat setting. What had gone from a simple question was now a full blown meet cute. He had so many questions now running through his head, it was tough to decide how to begin. Lifting his hand to his chin Bryce cracked a wide smile as he rubbed his well groomed beard.

"I know you may see it as beneath your station but from one commander to another will you join me in a drink, to honor those we lost at Auseru?"

If Bryce's intel on Carlyle was correct then he should not be able to refuse such a request. It was noted repeatedly in the reports on the stuffy admiral that he highly care for the men who served with him. If he was to refuse such a request, it would be out of character and Bryce would at least be able to confirm or deny this little bit of data.

Looking back over to the barkeep Bryce raise his hand and place a good stack of credits on the bar. "Two Corellian Starfires please, double, doubles."

The barkeep must have served the drink before because he smiled back and left to retrieve the ingredients. When he returned he placed two large highball glasses in front of each man and proceeded to full them up two thirds of the way with good Corellian ale. Next placed two double tall shot glasses and filed them to the top with Starfire 'skee. Bryce picked up the shot glass and dropped it into the ale. Then taking the highball glass he raised it to [member="Carlyle Rausgeber"] and toasted him saying.

"To the dead, may we never forget their sacrifice!"

If Carlyle returned the favor Bryce would chug the concoction as quick as he could, then wait to see the reaction on Carlyle's face which he hoped would be priceless.

 

[RIP Carlyle Rausgeber]

Carlyle was taken back. Was he... famous? The admiral wasn't sure how to feel about all of this. Here was an enemy, a combatant from the other side, who had possibly seen the destruction, and by association, the deaths of thousands of men under Carlyle's command. The officer looked visibly uncomfortable, he wasn't sure how to react. There was a certain code among the Dosuunian officers. Among one's superiors, you are reserved, and polite. Among your subordinates, you are a firm, yet fair taskmaster. And to the public, you are the stoic face of law and order. But at this very moment, Carlyle was stuck. Who was he to this man?

The officer decided to play stoically at first, "I prefer not to drink to the dead personally," The admiral began, his tone even, yet it concealed an edge to it, "I know your Alliance may do things differently, but the sacrifice of our dead will not be celebrated. They will be remembered. But we will not sing their names in revels until the Jedi burn in Sullust's fires and the Galactic Alliance surrenders to Supreme Leader's will."

The admiral was slightly indignant, "That isn't to take away from your sacrifice," The admiral added apologetically, "You and your men served honourably, and their sacrifice will be remembered as the blindly loyal who died for the lies of the Jedi." He starred into his glass of ale, and took another sip, and toyed with the glass of starfires offered by the barkeep, "But they have done nothing but make thousands of widows and take countless children from their parents embrace."

[member="Bryce Bantam"]

 

[Bryce Bantam]

Bryce saw the moment of confusion, and it quickly turn to contempt as he stoically justified his beliefs. Bryce smiled before slamming down the drink in his hand alone. [member="Carlyle Rausgeber"] was not going to capitulate, and why should he. The dogma of the order was strong and Bryce had no doubt he was a true believer.

"Well I will drink to them, sing the songs of those who truly believed in what they did, and the poor souls forced to serve their brutal task masters."

Bryce held a moment to let his not so subtle insult sink in, his tone dripping with sarcasm. As he did, he took the drink Carlyle was playing with dropped the shot in and slammed down the second starfire. The drinks burned in Bryce's stomach as the firely liquid did it's thing. Bryce knew if he kept up at this pace he would be hammered in no time. However he had a ace in the hole, he could talk and use his gifts of healing at the same time. So as he conversed with the old war horse he was also detoxify his blood stream using the force.

"That next shot was to good ole first order arrogance. You talk about the widows and orphans, look at your karking self in the mirror Carlyle. How many good men have died only trying to defend their homes from your warmongering. Innocent women and children who's blood is soaked into the soil of the worlds that now have that black and red flag waving over it? How many old and infirm have been crushed under the First order issued boots? Tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions? Our sacrifice is not for the Jedi, feth I believe you that the Jedi lie. Because the live a lie in their ivory temples. If I had my way I'd be a doctor in a hospital caring for the sick. But I can't, because those that rule with oppression and fear will not let me. I'm a warrior, and with that comes responsibility. In my heart I want to be a pacifist, I will never start a fight. But throw at me or threaten an innocent an I promise I will finishing it with all the furry of one of your precious Ren worshipers."

Bryce signaled for another round and the bartender, seeming now engaged in the conversation complied quickly.

"There is a old saying Carlyle, know your enemy and know yourself and you will never be defeated. Well I'm gonna pose this to you, I say you know neither."

 

[RIP Carlyle Rausgeber]

Carlyle was affronted by the man's blatant lying. "Thousands of pirates, terrorists and murderers have died resisting us. You are correct." Carlyle began, his tone cold, "Call it harsh, call it cold. But that is progress." The admiral paused to assess the man, he seemed to have fought in a few wars, and spoke with at least some authority on the subject. "If ten thousand violent, uncivilised savages must die so one thousand good, loyal men may make their home on some desolate moon, so be it." Carlyle drily remarked, "I will personally push the button, and bombard their godforsaken territory, and you know why?" Carlyle asked, "For the sake enforcing law and order among those who shy away from it. For securing a new home for our people. For expanding the reaches of civilisation. That is not murder. That is not warmongering."

The admiral's green eyes glowered into slits, "If one wants to see true warmongering, one only needs to look to the Galactic Alliance, and their degenerate Eldorai counterparts." Carlyle began, his tone filled with fury, and contempt. Particularly when mentioning the Tagyran Alliance, "This war, the reason we were on Mustafar, Rutan, Barkesh, and Asmeru. It was not out of a war of aggression." He began, "It is a war of defence, you speak of wishing to be a doctor, helping the poor and other noble professions." He paused, "You are not alone. We had thousands like you on Kaeshana. Relief workers, teachers, doctors and scientists, there to rebuild a planet abandoned by its masters. Nearly all wiped out by Alliance guns and Eldorai hypocrites." Carlyle glared at Bryce, "So just you remember this, war, our incursions into Alliance space. They will not end, until, like the One Sith over Castameer, they are wiped out. The Alliance has proven its worth as a traitorous, underhanded organisation. And we will have no satisfaction until they yield their will to Supreme Leader, or they are cast to the void."

[member="Bryce Bantam"].

 

[Bryce Bantam]

Force could he really be that blind? Bryce could sense no falsehood when he talked about those he had slaughtered in the name of his fascist rule. Was the dogma so thick it skewed reality... All these questions and more ran through Bryce's mind as he slammed down the shot by itself and simply sipped on the ale looking at Carlyle with a look of sadness and disillusion. One thought out of all of them came into the forefront of Bryce's brain, one dangerous piece of information that nagged at him. Life has smartened him up quick to how no one man's truth was the real truth and absolute truth usually rested in between the each side accepted facts.

"Will get back to that while glassing the innocent, and crusade against the alliance thing you just threw out there, but rewind a bit for me. Details on Kaeshana have been hard to come by than most. You got any solid proof of the atrocities you claim? I mean hard proof, not the normal Bantha poodoo propaganda your war machine spits out on the regular, because we know that is all cooked up to sway the masses. From one soldier to another, what the feth happened there?"

Bryce's tone went from cocky and confrontational to calm and inquisitive, his posture matched that as well. His eyes were calm now like pools of water deep with curiosity. He would listen to [member="Carlyle Rausgeber"] with an open mind, take what he had to say and weigh it fairly against what he already knew.

 

[RIP Carlyle Rausgeber]

Carlyle welcomed the scepticism of the ORC captain with some warmth. Perhaps there was hope for the other officer after all. "I was at Kaeshana, the officer in charge of securing orbit, and facilitating the deployment of equipment and supplies to the surface. It was the usual, escorting civvies to their destinations, and ensuring they had the gear to establish the hospitals." Carlyle replied, "When the Alliance, and her ships arrived we had recieved no warning at all. Nothing." Carlyle added, his voice taut, and tense. "We hailed them on all comm signals. Told them that they couldn't violate our ships. Couldn't have them hinder our efforts....."

"And we received nothing but hypervelocity fire and their X-wings." Carlyle looked grimly at the younger officer, "We had no chance, no time to try and talk things out. No time to stop the madness." He said, he licked his lower lip, "The Galactic Alliance came to Kaeshana, not as liberators, or as saviours, but as the aggressors in a war on a scale nearly un-imagined." Rausgeber solemnly informed him. "Before I knew it, my crews were under fire. The stormtroopers sent to secure the surface, bombed by Alliance ships and our humanitarian staff left alone and afraid." Carlyle's voice had changed. It was now cold, and melancholy, "I never wanted this war." his gaze met Bryce's blue eyes, "Devastation like this. Madness, like this. I wanted the peaceful life, a life of securing trade lane. Creating a safer Galaxy, for all of us...." Carlyle took a long pause. He looked glumly, "But it only got worse."

"The Alliance hadn't brought only ships, but armies. Armies and hordes of Sith." He spat, his tone becoming venomous and bitter, "After defeating the One Sith, and proclaimed they had saved the Galaxy from the 'Dark Side'," Carlyle sardonically continued "Countless dark siders, which we assumed were incorporated into the NJO, rushed to assist GADF in their attempt to dislodge our troops," Carlyle continued, "I was one of the authors of the Kaeshana after action report, submitted to the Moff Council," He diverted the story somewhat, hoping to explain that he knew his stuff, he had some insider knowledge. "I authored the orbital battle segment, and was given copies of the other reports made by military intelligence, the FOSB, and representatives of Supreme Leader's spy network. And what I learned was horrifying," Carlyle paused, and took a sip of his ale.

"When the fighting broke out, dozens of medics, and civilian personnel began to make their way to landers, hoping to escape to orbit," Carlyle began, "None of them did, the Alliance had used an old One Sith trick. The Force Storm. An elemental attribute of Sith knowledge which changes the weather to one's whim. For the one we experienced, of this scale, there must have been a dozen Sith Lords projecting it." Carlyle continued, his voice low, and venomous, "The thunderstorm they summoned, and subsequent blizzard slammed dozens of landers filled with civilians to the ground, annihilating them on impact." He paused.

"Scores more died when artillery bombardments aimed at the stormtrooper security detachments for our refugee camps, hit the civilians quarters. The destruction was indiscriminate. Killing Eldorai seeking shelter from the storm, and our medical personnel alike." Carlyle seemed to tense up, nearly tearing up, "Entire battalions of freshly trained stormtroopers found their life force drained from their bodies. An entire Star Destroyer crew, plucked from the heavens, and destroyed by the forces of this Alliance." Carlyle's tone became darker now, "There is no doubt, in our mind, that this, this abominable misuse of the Force was perpetrated by the Galactic Alliance and their Tygaran sychophants." He growled, "These vile hypocrites, who use Sith to slaughter by the thousand what they cannot do man-to-man." Carlyle snarled, "We were lucky to have won Kaeshana. Lucky the slaughter was not larger. But it taught us one thing." Carlyle's eyes returned to match Bryce's gaze, "We can never, ever be on the defensive back foot, ever again."

[member="Bryce Bantam"]

 

[Bryce Bantam]

Bryce was the one now trying to be stoic but decent was not in his nature, he look on intently using his empathy to feel the man's pain. It was real, so much to the point that images began flowing into Bryce's mind, he was watching live parts of the battle, snap shots from Carlyle's perspective. It gave him pause.

"Know, your enemy..." Bryce mumbled under his breath. Pausing for a second he then continued in a more level tone.

"We did have operatives there but not many, mostly observers who were told to study the battle and care for the wounded. Some got sweep up in the conflict and we have similar reports but noting in the detail you described. You mentioned these battle reports, can you get me copies, redacted of course where needed. We all have our secrets. I don't know if they will be believed them but knowledge never a bad thing and I want to present these to my superiors."

Funny thing was Bryce was a superior, he had been out on a walkabout then the conflict had taken place and now only had second hand reports, mostly from the GA. Comparing the two would give Bryce a better understanding of the event.

"As you think on that can I get you something it eat? To be honest I'm famished and I have a feeling we have much more to discuss."

Bryce waved to the bartender who was pretending to wash classes and he quickly came over surely expecting another drink order and a big tip.

"We are going to be dining in this evening, I want your best bottle of wine, top of the top shelf, a filet minion medium rare and a house salad, big house salad. Carlyle what can I get you?"

[member="Carlyle Rausgeber"]

 

[RIP Carlyle Rausgeber]

Carlyle contemplated the man's request, "I will see what I can do," Carlyle began, "However, as you quite correctly suspect, these reports would be decimated in terms of value from our more...." He paused, "Powerful operatives." There was no illusions about what he was talking about. The Ren. Although Carlyle knew little of them. He knew enough to steer clear of them, and that if any unnecessary information were to be leaked by the admiral, his head would end up on a silver platter. "Dinner, dinner sounds lovely."

"A rare steak, cut does not concern me, along with the salad." Carlyle then paused, "I want it bloodier than your mother on the rag, and give me another ale! Easier on the ice this time."

[member="Bryce Bantam"]

 

[Bryce Bantam]

Bryce laughed at [member="Carlyle Rausgeber"] comment, not just a normal laugh but a heart felt one of surprise. Officers of the First Order were not really known their humor and was nice to see the stoic veneer of the admirable admiral beginning to soften. Still laughing Bryce slapped Carlyle on the shoulder a little harder than he meant but still in a playful fashion.

"Bloodier than what? Yeah sure all that on my tab."

As they waited for their meals the bottle of wine came out and Bryce made sure their were two glasses, one for him and one for his new friend-a-mie. Pouring them both a generous glass he was sure to taste it to make sure all was as it should, and Bryce let the mood settle a bit before speaking again.

"Those powerful operatives you speak of, they wouldn't happen to use objects such as these would they?"

As Bryce spoke he pulled a small item from his jacket. Palming his old Shoto Lightsaber he placed it down beside Carlyle so he could easily get to it if he wanted to.

"Got it from the temple library on Voss, it has seen better days but still works."

Bryce wanted to see how Carlyle would react. A sabers was a very polarizing thing. To them they brought awe, other revolution and disgust. Would it be forbidden contraband to him or a curious object that his keen intellect and love of history would want to review. Once again Bryce was more interested in the reaction it would create then what the reaction was.

 

[RIP Carlyle Rausgeber]

"I suspect you already know that Mister Bryce," Carlyle wryly smirked, "All I will say, is that the agents of Supreme Leader are all powerful, and operate with near impunity." Carlyle continued, "They are a constant reminder of two things." He raised one finger pointedly, "One, the ever present need for success in the face of Supreme Leader." He began, before raising another finger, "And the usefulness of force using assets."

"Your Corellian ale," The barman said, passing the pint to Rausgeber.

"Thank you," Carlyle replied, sipping on his drink, and eyeing Bryce. "Force users, Sith, and Jedi, are mere mirrors of themselves." Carlyle informed him, "The extremist elements, the zealots of both light and dark are the worst." He said, "Unless they are reigned in by an army, they become too dangerous." Carlyle informed the ORC officer pointedly, "We already see that with the Galactic Alliance, deploying Jedi as generals, and having them wield too much power."

"In the old days, hundreds of years ago, the last Order of Jedi which did that, was overthrown by their non-force using soldiers." Carlyle said, "And had it not been for them, and the creation of their Empire, the conflict which had engulfed the Galaxy may have scarred it forever more." Carlyle continued, "We must constantly keep the force in check. I'm not saying all practitioners of it are necessarily bad, or a threat, but there is one maxim which remains consistent throughout all of history."

"With great power, comes great responsibility." Carlyle continued, "And the Jedi, and Sith are neither."

[member="Bryce Bantam"]

 

[Bryce Bantam]

Bryce looked in intently as Carlyle spoke of his understanding of the force. It was as one expected and a very military based understanding of it. Bryce did not feel the force within Carlyle so it was not surprising he would see the force in such a way without the incite of being able to feel it.

"Carlyle, you speak of this supreme leader with such reverence. Are they a god like figure within the First Order? Do they command the force as these disciples of Ren? Or is it just by divine right that they command such power?"

Bryce was honestly very curious of the relationship between the military and this supreme leader. It was with fanatical devotion they seemed to follow their commands. Was this a product of force born control or the result of skilled indoctrination and dogma. He hoped [member="Carlyle Rausgeber"] would be able to enlighten him further on the subject.

 

[RIP Carlyle Rausgeber]

"I don't know of his origins, but he is somewhat of a God-like figure among some. For me, he doesn't carry that, I just respect the man," He elaborated. "To understand why he's so beloved, you have to understand what the First Order was before we were united." Carlyle began, "I come from Dosuun you see, and before his arrival, it was a backwater. Crime was rife in the urban centres, we were economically stagnant, and really, there was no future for us. I mean, I joined the navy, and patrolled the outer reaches of our territory, but other than smugglers, and the occasional pirate, there was nothing."

"That's the story all over our empire. Dosuun wasn't as bad, because at least we weren't ravaged by pirates, or attacked by Ssi-Ruuk." He explained, "But our corner of the Galaxy had nothing going for it. It was only when Supreme Leader and his praetorian guard of...." he paused to think of the word for Ren, "Disciples, bureaucrats, and troopers arrived, did things change. He was like us, he had had his plans to establish on Eridau thwarted, and foolishly bombarded the planet as he left."

"It was a devastating, emotional mistake, in retrospect, but the fact is, he leaned from strength to strength. He needed a power base, and he found it on little old Dosuun." Carlyle explained, "By investing heavily in industry, and commerce, he turned Avalonia from an urban waste, almost exclusively holding slums and bureaucrats, into one of the Galaxies wealthiest capitals. Unemployment, which was at near forty percent, was slashed to just under two, with the institution of conscription and new infrastructure projects."

"Millions, if not billions owe their lives, and livelihoods to him." He continued, "So, really, there is not too much of a religious cult. More so an appreciation for what he has built. Admittedly, some of the more, uncivilised among my fellow citizen, believe he is a diety." He admitted, "But that comes with the territory of annexing the Unknown Regions."

[member="Bryce Bantam"].

 

[Bryce Bantam]

Bryce listened intently as [member="Carlyle Rausgeber"] continued to expound on the virtues of the Supreme Leader, intently taking mental notes on not just what he was saying but how. It was not fear that drove Carlyle but love, loyalty and respect. There were contentions what were much stronger than any normal tyrannical regime and made those who served it the more deadly of an opponent. Bryce understood the power or love and fear. Both were tools used by the ruling classes. Those who fought out of fear or love of money were more easily defeated. For fear has it limit and when you fear death more from an opponent that whose who rule you, then your spirit and will to fight breaks. With money their was an old saying, what go is all the money in the galaxy if you weren't around to spend it. No the virtues Carlyle expounded on were the most dangerous kind...

"So what happens to those who don't see things as your imperious leader wishes, those who resist his will?"

Before Bryce could continue the food was served. He was going to say more but was honestly hungry as feth so instead he raised his wine glass, saluted his new luncheon companion and took a deep drink before digging in to his newly arrived salad.

 

[RIP Carlyle Rausgeber]

"For progress to be made in any society, one must do away with dissidents." Carlyle calmly explained, "And in the case of our Order, there are many kinds." Carlyle continued, "At the base level, we have pirates, and smugglers. Their damage to commerce, and the livelihood of business must be met with a swift end." Carlyle reported proudly, "Be it through the gallows, or incarceration."

"The next are the murderers, and rapists. As well as other common criminals." Carlyle continued, "Vermin who are dealt with harshly." he added, "The penalty for murder is severe within our society. Those who kill, or maim are sent to the labour camps. There they learn the meaning of true suffering, working the pastures and helping colonists on far flung moons establish themselves." he added, "They learn their misdeeds through improving our society at minimal cost."

"Beyond them sit the political activists," Carlyle continued, "They are dealt with in two ways." Carlyle added, "If one simply disagrees with the government, and espouses a different opinion, they are not silenced." Carlyle continued, his voice slow, as he emphasised his point, "Dissent is not a bad thing. We live in a Galaxy where many different people live very different ways of life." He gestured to Bantam, "Us talking right now is what I mean. We can accept that. So, as long as your opinion is not harmful to the public, we do not silence you." He then paused, and took a sip, "And what is meant by that, is that if someone were to come out into public, and cry out blatant falsehoods about us. About our war with the Galactic Alliance, and about our government, then actions must be taking. Litigous, our otherwise. But it is otherwise harmless."

"When dissent becomes anarchy. Even rebellion. That is when we have the troops step in to protect our citizens from such chaos and disorder." Carlyle continued, "When we have people killed on the streets, and property destroyed, then an example must be made of them."

[member="Bryce Bantam"].

 

[Bryce Bantam]

Progress and destruction, it was amazing how as soldiers would could compartmentalize our lives into little boxes. These people matter to me so I will morn their death and pain. The people over there not so much, are beneath me so I need not feel... Bryce took pride that at least at this time in his life he was not able to rationalize in such a way. To most having anything but feelings of loathing and anger towards an enemy was obscene, to Bryce however he really tried to look past such blinding emotions to the truth. This was the way, the force born principles he had come to embrace and from that was able to appreciate an enemy combatant not as a rival but as a person, to look through the surface and get to know a little about the main within.

Finishing the last of his cup of wine Bryce used the last bit of bread he had so soak up the an jus from his steak before wiping his lips on his napkin.

"Well Carl it has been a pleasure, I honestly would love to stay longer and chat but I'm afraid if I don't dash soon I will disappoint some very needy squibs on Skor. Here, not sure you will be able to get those reports but should you get permission from high command I'll be sure they get in the right hands."

With that Bryce stood up and extended his hand in a very formal way. It was one last gesture of friendship, for as soon as he left this bar, he and [member="Carlyle Rausgeber"] would be back to being enemies.