When Earth Meets Air

[Hans Vaiden]

When Earth Meets Air​

High Orbit, Anaxes​

[member="Tmoxin Temi"]​

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It had only been weeks before that Fleet Command was being established, with the rest of the seemingly incompetent members of the admiralty board being tried for treason and executed summarily. Hans had to admit that it was a little heart-wrenching to have to let go of his former Stormtrooper Commander, Jaz Killian, in favor for someone more... worthy. The Star Destroyer Captain had yet to find a suitable replacement for his age-old detachment commander and just hours prior to this moment had he found the perfect one.

"Ready the hangar bay. I want the one eighty second's finest out there, now." Captain Vaiden ordered, strolling down the grey-lined corridors with authoritative impunity. It was great to be in charge, and he could almost smell the signs of fear and intimidation from the naval crewmen and troopers that he passed. That bitter, acidic smell of terror-induced sweat.

Hans stopped abruptly, jabbing a finger at one of the naval troopers. "What's your name, son?"

"Varlow, sir." The Sergeant replied hastily.

"Your job right now is to acquire some StimCaf for both myself and my guest. Now move it."

The man looked a little dumbfounded by the request. I mean, who asked for coffee on an Imperial Star Destroyer?

"Oh, right," he caught the trooper just as he started, "Fix yourself some too while you're at it."

"Yes, sir."


Hans barely caught the flicker of poorly hidden grin as the Sergeant quickly strode out of the hangar, heading towards one of the food service bays.

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

Changes were afoot in the hallways of Imperial headquarters, offices and on board The Scourge an Imperial II-class Star Destroyer; changes which were whispered, shouted, cursed and written in the blood of executed Admirals. Commander Temi tried to take it all in stride and after the initial shock of capital punishment for traitors - which appeared a thinly veiled exercise to weed out ineffective leadership - she wasn't quite as nervous on board the destroyer as she would have been a few days before. In fact, after Admiral Rein's speech about rewarding ambition, Tmoxin was hopeful there was a new post in store for her. She had nothing but respect for Warmaster Hauntruss but despised her current Lieutenant-Colonel, Gunnar Rube who once called her "expendable" after a disagreement over military strategy.

Tmoxin was escorted by a lower-ranking officer into an area just outside of the main bridge which held a set of smaller rooms for hashing out naval tactics. Not one for small talk with anyone lower in title than herself, she sat quietly awaiting the meeting for which she was called. This was not out of rudeness, as the Hapan officer held manners in high regard, but merely how the intricate game of power was played.

[member="Hans Vaiden"]

 

[Hans Vaiden]

It was unlike an Imperial officer to care for those under his command. Well, Hans did. The archaic role models of an Imperial society like Grand Moff Tarkin, Admiral Thrawn, Admiral Piett, and even Darth Vader cared little for their material resources. To them, a man wasn't worthy anything but a grain of salt. But further down the line in regards of rank, the more precious life became. A soldier was a soldier; fit to fight, serve, and die for this Empire at a mere command. Captain Vaiden knew that his men and women would follow their orders to the letter - he just preferred that they lived long enough to fight another day.

He didn't want anyone who sought glory. He desired for someone with ambition, intelligence, and a willingness to bend to his rules. It was never too much, though he doubted this Hapan noble would bend easily, especially given her race's tendency to gravitate towards female leaders.

Hans was already walking towards the meeting room, a pair of Stormtroopers flanking the doors as he arrived. The Captain gave them a curt nod, a silent command being passed as one of them moved to tap the panel to side open the door. Hans strode in with what grace he could muster: shoulders leveled, chest solidified, and chin upwards. He looked little more than one of those predatory parade ground Drill Sergeants, a green intensity sparked within his eyes as they came to rest upon the Stormtrooper commander.

"Commander Temi," he started. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Inspecting eyes surveyed her curvy form with a quickness. Very acceptable, to say the least. "I trust you'll find everything in accordance to Imperial Standard. That is how things are done here." Hans moved further into the room, the Sergeant from earlier entering after him to dispense the mugs of Stimcaf to both parties with curt manners. "Thank you, Sergeant. You're dismissed."

The naval trooper gave a sharp salute before moving out.

Hans took a delicate sip from the steaming mug before easing himself into the seat at the head of the table. "Now, Commander Temi, tell me a little about yourself. Tell me about how you plan to glorify this magnificent empire, cater to its Sith leaders, and bend to their every whim."

He took another sip, hiding a testing smile behind it.

[member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

Commander Temi’s eyes landed on Captain Hans Vaiden’s tall and athletic figure as he entered the room. Her first impressions were that he was a by-the-book officer, younger than she expected and quite handsome. And highly disciplined with each motion, step, pass of the stimcaf mug. But as she knew all too well first impressions could be deceiving.

Tmoxin was used to being appraised, especially as a female in the mostly male establishment of Imperial culture where unlike on Hapes, female officers were few and far between, but Captain Vaiden did so with unexpectedly piercing green eyes. He didn’t sit close to her but at the head of the table, establishing even in seating, his position over hers. When he asked for a summary of her skills, she deliberated momentarily. What to tell and not to tell? Did she admit that after her decorated service to the Queen of Hapes she became a criminal racketeer? Sure, she hadn’t directly killed anyone like a lowly mercenary, but did she did embezzle money from both a crime lord and shipping magnate at the same time. Which nearly made her smile to think back on it.

“My background is what you would expect from an officer,” she answered, leaving the stimcaf untouched for the moment. “I began my career in the Hapan Royal Navy and then I worked as a member of the Royal Guard under the Queen’s direct command for five years in the Hapes Consortium. I was decorated for exemplary service and was recruited by Warmaster Hauntruss. In service of the Imperial Inquisition, I lead my platoon The Blood Monarchs on a successful siege on Ashera to eliminate Jedi cultists. To go up against a group of Jedis and only lose a handful of men… well, I hope you’d find that impressive. Of course, any loss is unfortunate. Tmoxin left out the part about having help from a veritable army of Sith Lords during that battle. And like the last omission there were many other exclusions from her resume, but she could only hope they would not be blatantly obvious.


“My strategy for glory is to win each battle one at a time. Relentlessly. I think that also answers the question of how to appease our Sith Leaders. Do you agree, Captain?”

[member="Hans Vaiden"]

 

[Placeholder 018]

"On approach vector. De-cloaking in three."


The Espada Class transport became a tangible object in the space just beyond the Star Destroyer. It was a small cruiser, though it was armed to the teeth, carrying various turbolasers and a reactor of unidentifiable origin. The swift little cruised came to a halt at the bow of the Star Destroyer, and quickly transmitted authorization codes.

"We are not ready to receive visitors. There's nothing on the schedule that say-"

A click of the teeth, made the Imperial Officer stutter. Sylvanan's mechanical voice, shrouded in a metallic voice changer, clipped through the comm system.

"I am here to speak with your Captain. If you will not admit me, you will be the brunt of my complaints Ensign." He barked. "My codes are up to date. Open your gangplank, I will speak with your commander directly."

There was an uncomfortable silence, broken only by the soft beep of the recognition signal. A docking tube extended directly from the chassis of the Espada, connecting with a receiving orifice on the side of the destroyer. The entire ship rumbled as the two vessels made contact. Sylvanan pushed up from his captain's chair, turned over the controls to his second, and marched purposefully toward the link, coat swaying at his feet.

He did not feel the depressurization as he strode down the thin slab of metal that connected the two ships. On the other side, a group of Stormtroopers awaited. Sylvanan nodded his helmeted head, and drew in a great breath. "If you would be so kind as to escort me, gentlemen."

[member="Tmoxin Temi"] [member="Hans Vaiden"]

 

[Hans Vaiden]

She gave an almost expected reply. Tmoxin detailed her escapades with the Hapan Royal Navy and her other work with various governmental agencies before delving into her more recent affairs as a Stormtrooper Commander over a supposed group known as the Blood Monarchs. It was quite the intimidating name, Hans had to admit, but only time would tell if this young woman had what it took. Especially when she kept information from him on the first date.

Hans smiled. "Anything else?" The mug of coffee was half empty, or was it half full? "Have you ever been pursued by bounty hunters or mercenaries? I ask because there's quite a large bounty on your head, Commander. That's a lot of money to be spent on just one measly, little Imperial officer. Now wouldn't you agree?"

Captain Vaiden had ignored her last words, regarding the Sith. He'd get to that subject soon enough.

However, before he could get to anything else, a beep resounded from his wrist. The comlink-chrono hybrid of his flashed with a warning, giving a brief assessment of what had just happened. Hans only glanced at it for a second, registering what just took place with a calm smile upon his features.

Whoever this was just came aboard one of the most heavily defended vessels in the fleet. Not the sort of thing you saw an everyday traveler tread upon, that's for sure.

[member="Tmoxin Temi"], [member="Sylvanan Tal'verda"]

 

[Placeholder 018]

No one made a move to stop him. The two Stormtroopers clad in obsidian armor at his sides deterred any such thoughts. For all these men knew, Sylvanan was ISB come to investigate their Captain. No one in their right mind would stand in the way of the secret police, and the stranger very much looked the part, clad in a mixture of durasteel, phrik, and a leather coat that fell down to his ankles.

He wasted no time in making a B-line for the Captains quarters. Security was bypassed with the flash of an identi-code. Any dissenters were discouraged by the bulky soldiers that escorted him, be it with a shake of the head, or a tap of the illegal Disruptor rifles they carried.

It was a short walk to the captain's quarters. Sylvanan, standing at two meters and lacking an inch of skin to show, looked very much like the Imperial boogie man as he stood outside the doors. He knew the Captain was having a meeting. He knew the man's views. He knew rumors of his new Stormtrooper commander. A woman as well - unexpected for a xenophobe.

That means there would be some working room. Sylvanan wrapped pointedly on the door. His escorts stepped to the side, backs pressed to the wall to deter anyone from bothering those inside.

[member="Hans Vaiden"] [member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

So Captain Vaiden had done his research. Clever man, she thought. Obviously she would have done the same if their roles were reversed. Tmoxin could already tell that this officer was much more astute than LT-Colonel Rube. And even though she was curious to see how far-fetched her bad reputation had become in the galaxy to outsiders, she replied: "Yes, between my post on Hapes and my post now with the Inquisition I was involved in various activities which made me a target. Ultimately it was a misunderstanding over finances." If Captain Vaiden had truly dug up the specifics of her past, there would be no need to go over them in painstaking detail.

Tmoxin directly gazed now at her potential commanding officer. She finally took a sip of stimcaf, although it would have been much more palatable as wine and she knew somewhere on board, alcohol would be stored for the officers. But l'll find it later, Tmoxin thought.

"Have I done things I'm not proud of?" she asked and shrugged demurely. "If I wanted a fairly tale romance with my own pride, Captain I would be at the helm of the Galactic Republic but very unhappy there. Using Jedi as soldiers..." She trailed off knowing that the Sith also used acolytes as fodder for the battlefield.
"I don't believe in fairy tales or romance for that matter. I'm more pragmatic when it comes to matters of the heart." She leaned back, feeling as though she had exposed too much of her personal beliefs.

She also noticed the beep of Captain Vaiden's chrono and his calm reaction to it. Something was happening on the ship but as she searched Hans's attractive features for information, he gave nothing away.

[member="Hans Vaiden"]

 

[Hans Vaiden]

Captain Vaiden merely held a pensive gaze upon the woman. She was intriguing. Every word she uttered was full of nothing but hidden truth, though she did keep a number of secrets from him. It wasn't that Hans knew everything about this woman's past or her reputation for gaining that bounty, he just had an innate talent to observe and analyze people. The way she pursed her lips before responding, the flickers of her eyes, and her hand wrapped gently around the mug of Stimcaf. The Captain gave her a slight smile, deciding to let up on his intrusion into her past life.

"I take it you'll find the Scourge more than adequate in all instances. I'm sure you've already seen my men, the one eighty second Stormtooper legion along with the best crew in the entire Imperial navy." He ran his fingers through his brown hair, combing it to the side. "We've state-of-the-art recreational facilities, a top-notch chow hall, superior weaponry than your average class two Star Destroyer, and some of the best fighters and ground craft around."

He finished the mug of Stimcaf. "So, what do you think, Commander?"

Tmoxin wouldn't even have a chance to reply when Hans heard muffled footsteps outside of the door before knuckles rapped against it. Probably the latest guest. It was a wonder how his own men stationed outside of the room even allowed him to get so close, but there was nothing he could do now. The only protection he had on him was the measly blaster pistol fastened to his hip.

Oh well.

"Come in."

[member="Tmoxin Temi"], [member="Sylvanan Tal'verda"]

 

[Placeholder 018]

(Apologies for taking awhile to post. RL got in the way.)

It was rude to barge in on meetings. Incredulous to waltz into the office of an Imperial Captain without a word of warning. Ridiculous for one to flash an ISB badge for the purpose of meeting with a certain someone and his newest addition, but Sylvanan had done it.

He was nothing special - he'd simply put in the time and the effort to achieve this. The Captain was in no way his subordinate, they were equals, and as the Stormtrooper Commander would find out, she was on their level as well. It was why he had come at such an awkward time.

The door hissed open, and Sylvanan strode forward quietly. He was bolt upright, his head bowing forward in a show of silent respect. He flashed a sign for apologies in Arkanian sign speak, and folded his arms behind the small of his back.

"Captain, Ma'am, I apologize for the rudeness of my coming." The door closed behind him. "But I have news for the both of you that you very much might like to hear."

The obsidian helmet tilted backward. "Is your office swept for bugs? Top to bottom? I'm sure you know how overly curious the Sith can be."


[member="Hans Vaiden"] [member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

What did the Commander think? Well, the Commander was quite ecstatic over the idea of having a legion of stormtroopers under her helm. This is the kind of opportunity I’ve been waiting for, she thought. The kind of chance that small-minded Cryax Bane would never have taken on her, even though during her Raven tenure, she helped secure valuable shipbuilding contracts, even contracting out a Mon Calamari Admiral for their fleet. So ungrateful! And come to think of it, she mused, it's really not such a bad thing that Captain Vaiden is so good looking. Normally she wouldn't mix business and pleasure but Tmoxin wasn't really one to play by the rules, even her own.

In any case, she tried not to let her excitement show and with only a small tilt of her chin, opened her mouth to answer, but a quick knock on the door stopped her short. The Hapan officer put her hand to her side where her blaster was holstered when the unknown figure in black armor entered the room. She looked over at Captain Vaiden who appeared as nonplussed as she. But was he actually? Did he know the identity of the mysterious interloper? Or was their first assignment as Captain and High Colonel to eliminate the stranger in front of them in the name of self defense?


[member="Hans Vaiden"] [member="Sylvanan Tal'verda"]

 

[Hans Vaiden]

Hans gauged the initial entry of this black-clad newcomer with an appraising eye. He warranted the man no respect, nor did he harbor any ill thoughts against him except for the fact that he was in the middle of introducing himself to his new, good-looking detachment commander. Green eyes flickered from boot to helm in an instant, promptly assuming that this man was of some secret police or intelligence agency - maybe OSI or the ISB. Either one didn't matter, but it was rather peculiar to have such an agent show up right now.

Movement from his left caught his attention: Commander Temi tentatively darting a hand for her blaster. Captain Vaiden smiled and held his hand palm-out to her. "Easy, girl," he cooed. It was nice to know that she was ready to jump in and eliminate any threat to himself or the Scourge in an instant - even if it meant her life. Loyalty was hard to come by and this attractive young woman was already proving herself tenfold.

However, he listened intently to the man's words with sincere interest. News? That was always appreciated in his eyes - even if it wasn't true. Sometimes rumors and false truths bore more answers than did the real deal. It was a complicated style of thinking, but Hans always seemed to know what he was doing. But this man had intrigued him already, and Hans dearly hoped he wasn't going to just shoot him for leaving himself vulnerable.

That would've been very ill-mannered.

"Bugs? There's no bugs here, stranger." He peered sorrowfully into his empty mug, "While I do like to keep my enemies close, I don't enjoy them being that close."

Hans cocked an elbow onto the table. "So, what is this news you speak of?"

[member="Tmoxin Temi"], [member="Sylvanan Tal'verda"]

 

[Placeholder 018]

It was not that Sylvanan did not trust the Captain. Rather, he was reassured by the tone the Star Destroyer commander adopted, and more than a little amused at the Stormtrooper commander's reaction. He held up his gloved hands in mock surrender, and the low metallic twang of his voice broke the quiet.

"I'm unarmed, unless you count the fists." He wiggled his fingers. Silence. "I don't."

A quick redial scan of the room with his HUD confirmed Hans's words. There were no monitoring devices within the office, the Sylvanan flicked the short range jammer built into his gauntlet out of habit.

"I'll be short. My name is Sylvanan Tal'verda, I run a few cloning outfits, and provide intelligence for your Empire when it has the need." He quipped, arms falling down to his sides. "I've heard you are not particular fond of our overlords-- and I doubt you would allow someone with conflicting views to be your second. Pretty face or not."

He gave a moment's pause, and turned toward Tmoxin. "No offense m'lady. Now, I was saying...ah, yes... You see there are others like you Hans, who would see the religious cults put in their place."

Without asking for any form of permission, Sylvanan sidled up to the desk. He was two meters tall; about average this day and age, but the suit he was forced to wear made him look far more alien and intimidating than he would have wished.

"You could say I am a representative for those people. The grapevine informs me that you might be one of us, and I could not miss the opportunity to get you, and your promising second alone."


[member="Hans Vaiden"] [member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

Normally Commander Temi didn't take well to being called a "girl" but when the word came out of Captain Vaiden's mouth... well, it was a little charming, she had to admit. She put both hands on the table where they could be seen and leaned in to listen to the newcomer.

When this Tal'verda character said "I've heard you are not particular fond of our overlords" she glanced briefly at Hans. That was an interesting development and hadn't come up in any of her own background checks that she had done on him. But she supposed voicing these views aloud was akin to treason, and if revealed, could get you swiftly locked away or executed as many had been recently. Commander Temi herself still had remnants of the Ni'Korish tenants embedded in her own psyche. Plus she had witnessed first hand how Sith Lords act on the battlefield. Their drive to slaughter was relentless and bordering on madness. During those battles she had been very careful to hide her fear, knowing the darksiders fed on it. But the tactics they used in warfare were not the normal rules of engagement to say the least.

But just who were these "people" of which Tal'verda spoke? Was he part of a small splinter group? Or was there a Shadow Empire that had formed without the Imperial Inquisition knowledge? Although Tmoxin had already made up her mind to support Captain Vaiden no matter what his endeavors, she couldn't help but wonder what dangerous enterprise he was mixed-up in.

[member="Hans Vaiden"] [member="Sylvanan Tal'verda"]

 

[Hans Vaiden]

Hans wasn't exactly fond of discussing some very... pertinent information right in front of his crew's newest addition. Especially regarding things that could've been considered high treason, a crime punishable by death. The Captain didn't particularly plan on being burned at the stake by his Sith Overlords or subjected to extreme levels of their famed Force Lightning, so he cast a wary, judging glance at Commander Temi before turning back on the newcomer.

The Imperial officer had been weighing this man from head to toe ever since he'd stepped within the confines of the conference room. Not too tall, not too bulky, but it was his visage that caused the lump of nervousness to arise in Hans's throat. Green eyes stood fast against the black-plated visor and his similarly hued attire. However, before the man's metallic voice could utter any more words about his organization, Hans had a few of his own. As Captain of this vessel, he felt a little entitled to be the one asking questions and steering this conversation.

He held a hand up. "Be that as it may, you've just come onto an Imperial Star Destroyer. What's your name?" Hans was all business now. "And how did you get aboard my ship? Surely you couldn't have just waltzed right in if you were some sort of insurrectionist or rebel. Perhaps you're Imperial personnel," He sent a gaze towards his exotic suit, "But that's something I can't tell merely by eye."

[member="Tmoxin Temi"], [member="Sylvanan Tal'verda"]

 

[Placeholder 018]

(A thousand apologies for not posting sooner. I've been in and out of the hospital for the past two days, broken bones and such.)

A rebel? Never.

Sylvanan audibly snickered at the very word, though there was no superiority in his mirth. He was just another not-so-special individual in a galaxy full of extraordinary people. Extraordinary people that happened to shape galactic politics and steer civilizations toward whatever they wished.

And he couldn't even survive without a bio-suit.

"I'll be frank, can I be honest with you, Captain?" He quipped, leaning forward with the slightest show of interest. "As I've said, my name is Sylvanan Tal'verda, and if you've any knowledge on my clan, I do not associate."

Within his helmet, Sylvanan grimaced. His folk had gone and made themselves famous for starting two of the quickest, bloodiest wars in recent galactic history, and then thought it was a good idea to cause a split in the Mandalorian Empire. Not only that, they'd pioneered the...industrialization of turning off the midichlorians in one's body. The latter, at the very least, Sylvanan was proud of.

"Imperial Personnel? For a time, yes, I was in Darth Hauntress's personal legion when this conflict began...a conflict that's six years too old, if you ask me." He added sharply. He reached down for his belt, producing a rebreather, and began to pop the seals on his helmet.

The obsidian headpiece came away with a quiet crack. What was beneath looked almost ordinary. Human in structure, but Arkanian in complexion. His hair, skin, and lips were a ghostly pale white. His eyes glowed a faint shade of blue, a sign of some sort of genetic engineering.

Just as quickly as he removed the helmet, the rebreather was stuffed into his mouth. "The Sith consider this their Empire. They are wrong." He gave a moment's pause. "I've taken a considerable risk removing my helmet. I have no immune system, extensive exposure is death, so I ask that you take some form of faith in my actions and words. As I've said, there are people who are non-too happy with the status quo. Not only in the Empire, but around the galaxy. I would see that changed, Captain, Commander."

[member="Hans Vaiden"] [member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

Tmoxin pretended to keep her eye on the Scourge’s infiltrator but really listening to Captain Vaiden, trying to pinpoint telltale signs of whether he actually knew the man in obisidan armor. But she came to the conclusion that Hans was as puzzled by this development as she was.

Then when Tal’verda said he had at one time been under Darth Hauntress’s command, her focus did not waver from the agent or inquisitor or whatever he was. And even though Commander Temi didn’t know him from a random battle droid, she felt almost bonded to him in an inexplicable way. Here she was in her career also under Warmaster Hauntress’s command and at times yes, Tmoxin also felt that her alliance with the Sith was a means to an end. A very bloody and painful end if you say this aloud, you silly fool, she thought.

When the man finally took off his helmet, she realized how pale and sickly he appeared. What had happened to him? Was this another monstrous health anomaly caused by the Sith or had his health been drained from him in another way?

Either way, he looked like death warmed over and she believed him when he said he was putting his life in danger by exposing his immune system to the elements. She had no questions for him presently but waited on tenterhooks to see what he would say next.

[member="Hans Vaiden"] [member="Sylvanan Tal'verda"]

 

[Hans Vaiden]

If Tmoxin thought him removing his helmet was life-threatening, Hans was sure his arrival aboard the Scourge was even more so a threat than the very air he breathed. If he gave the word, that pretty faced Stormtrooper commander would put a blaster hole right between his pale, chalky eyes.

But he wouldn't. That was a little too rude.

"Sylvanan." The Captain tested the word as if it were a decadent piece of cake - with poison in it. "I'm sure you can understand why I asked your name twice." He smiled, "A test, if you will. Once upon a time I happened to cross an enemy agent, so I sucker punched him. He cursed aloud in his native language, a dead giveaway. You're no spy, but you're certainly not one of ours. At least not anymore."

Forest green eyes studied a stark white face with a pensive glint.

"You've a very convincing argument, Mister Tal'verda." The Imperial officer shot a look towards Tmoxin before he careened an elbow over onto the table, propping his chin up. "But I'm still hesitant as to whether I should apprehend you for illegally boarding an Imperial Star Destroyer - no less - if you don't impress me right this instant."

Hans solemnly fingered the empty holster at his hip. "Seeing your face means nothing to me. Give me plans as to what you intend to do, give me statistics. How many men do you have? Anything really, just impress me."

[member="Tmoxin Temi"], [member="Sylvanan Tal'verda"]

 

[Placeholder 018]

The slightest tinge of arrogance rose within Sylvanan. It was a spark that ignited in his very core. How dare this Imperial demand that Sylvanan impress him. The Arkanian was above such things.

That natural reaction was quickly stifled. It was his Arkanian blood that gave him his pride. Pride and arrogance blinded you to the truth. They killed you. Sylvanan would not fall prey to such trivial emotions.

"I wakes aboard your ship without a soul trying to stop me." He said pointedly. There was no sign of fear or intimidation in Sylvanan's expression. Rather, his was a countenance of absolute confidence.

I'm right and you'll come to understand.

"That should be proof enough, I would think, unless your ship is not run as tightly as I would expect...and if that were the case-" Sylvanan turned partway, and clicked his tongue against his right molar. The invisible ballistic shield came online without a sound. "Then I've made a bad call. You see, Captain, we chose you for your views, your efficiency, and your skill in the field. That, and you are far more amicable to change than the bathrobe brigade."

His eyes narrowed as he offered a warm smile, though his lips were covered by his rebreather. He spoke in facts, but the tone he chose bespoke of charm. This was not his first rodeo.

"I would not take you or your esteemed colleague for slaves to a religious system, after all."





[member="Hans Vaiden"] [member="Tmoxin Temi"]