A Stew Best Served Cold

[Count Sam]

"Well private Roger I can help you but I only extend my hands to those who prove themselves to me and to the Empire." He spoke once again. While normally any Admiral would just shout at the private and throw him away Kelvin decided that it would be best to use this private as much as he can and then maybe try to help him but of course nothing was certain in the Empire.

"Maybe you can prove yourself to me by capturing a Jedi and bringing him to me?or well maybe smuggling some drugs and weapons to the mobs in Alliance space, I am sure I can arrange that. I am willing to help you but you will have to prove that you are useful to the Empire first."

 

[Michael Scott]

"That won't be a problem sir," Roger replied, "I am a member of the Empire just like you and I overhead some intelligence guys talking about some person on Coruscant. Supposedly she is on the verge of creating some sort of a superweapon for the Alliance. The only problem is that we don't have access to Coruscant as members of the Empire, but I do have a solution. Her name is Grace Uuagrick, we need to capture her. Perhaps if I had authority to hire a bounty hunter and have someone else to back me up in case something bad happens. Maybe Captain Mistral and I could go, it would give us a chance to bond and become better allies."

 

[Count Sam]

"Well then it is settled then...bring this woman to me alive and I will make sure to help you and pay you well along with who ever will join you...including the cap'n if he agreed to join you on this mission." The Admiral spoke knowing well that not a lot of people would be able to resist the amount of money he was going to offer.

 

[Syn]

Mistral looked at the Admiral and listened to the privates plan as he spoke about a woman on Coruscant. When the subject of money came up Mistral scoffed to himself as he took a drink. he didn't need the money there was nothing he wanted as he heard his name offered to join the private and nearly choked on his drink. "Excuse me?" Slowly Mistral recovered as he began to brush himself off and stood up looking at the admiral and private as he spoke. "If it is an order I will carry it out, but private I will tell you the same thing I tell my men, no civilians are harmed, we are trying to win hearts and minds and prove we're better then the enemy. That has meaning so you break my rule I'll throw you out an airlock. Understood? Slowly Mistral looked at the admiral as he spoke "As for the money sir, send my cut to an orphanage. Help foster a little good and care for the children who's parents are going to die."

 

[Michael Scott]

"Admiral," Roger managed after suppressing his thoughts about Mistral, "since we are old friends and I have more money than anyone can imagine, I will finance this mission myself and that will leave no evidence of Imperial involvement. As for you Captain, I can assure you that we will not instigate any attacks, nor will any non-combatants be harmed. Like you said, we're here to win the hearts and minds of the galaxy, but it can't be done if the Galactic Alliance manages to create a weapon that can end this war before it starts. I read on the holonet that she is on the verge of finishing technology that will allow us to track and follow an enemy ship into hyperspace. With this we can follow a retreating vessel to it's headquarters. I hope Captain Mistral can find the right transportation, when he does we'll be on our way to Coruscant. Until then Admiral, I expect you'll be working on my commission and finding my son, you might want to keep an eye on the news while we're gone. Good evening sirs," Roger saluted for the first time as he left the bar.

 

[Allu'rah Danan]

Kiada quirked an eyebrow as the Captain told her to remain calm. An odd request. Except she understood when his face stretched and distorted before reforming itself. "Krath!" she gasped at the shapechanger. She tried jumping to her feet, away from him, but only got tangled up in her own feet and fell from her chair ungracefully. Groaning, the Twi'lek pushed herself up off the floor. Eying him suspiciously, she said in a near whisper, "There's a peko-peko in the kaadu's nest." It was the code they had established to identify help pick out their allies. The proper answer to the prompt was 'And there's a tusk-cat in the grass.' When he gave her the answer she sought though, Kiada heaved a sigh of relief.

"Well I guess that partially explains all the blanked out sections on your file," she said. "Can't say I was expecting that. But if there's nothing else Cap'n, with all due respect, we really should make this brief. They may not recognize your voice, but they saw you come in here with me, and I'm not so fortunate as you to just be able to change my register. Where you were just demoted, and where I don't agree with all of the Sith policies, they'll be scrutinizing us." Leaning against they table and folding her arms over her chest, she lowered her voice once again to a hushed whisper. "You know as well as I that they just deployed some troops and a couple of Sith to Ord Mantell to quell another uprising. My credits are on that thug Vok and his crew. I overheard one of the Admirals discussing the matter with those two Sith at the base earlier. May even have been Kelvin right outside they were talking with. Those rebels were flaunting themselves far too openly. We aren't ready to make our move yet. Still so much to do. My father already has announced his retirement and has got the house on the market. They've booked their passage to Ryloth. It'll be easier for a couple of Twi'leks to disappear on their ancestral home world than anywhere else. Better get that pretty wife of yours shipped out, Cap'n."

Pushing off from the table, the Commander moved towards the door before looking back over her shoulder at Denton. "Now, if we're done, I'm gonna go speak with that La'Ashaad woman. It's rare to see her on base," Kiada said, a slight hint of awe to her voice. "Wouldn't surprise me if the Grand Admiral recalled her from the field. I swear, her file might as well be empty for what's in it. Still, I've heard about her skill set. If we can recruit her, she'd be a boon to our cause, especially at finding others."

 

[Count Sam]

"Well cap'n don't worry killing civilans was not the thing that I had in mind and especially when you are representing our peaceful Empire. About the money I assure you you will need a lot of it to pay a good bounty hunter. Also your noble request shall be done cap'n Mistral and private Roger I shall find your son as I assure you." The admiral spoke in a serious tone as he took a sip from his drink.

"Just remember that I want the woman alive and without a single scratch. We do need her after all. Cap'n Mistral you will be leading this mission so please do not let me down.If you also can't find a shuttle then I am sure I can arrange one for you."He added as he looked directly at the cap'n

"So do you have any question or anything you would like to add cap'n?"He asked in a friendly tone.

 

[Syn]

Mistral looked at the Admiral as he shook his head and spoke. "No sir, I'll bring the woman back here alive." Slowly Mistral turned around as he went back towards the bar and sat down getting another drink as he mutters to himself. After several moments Mistral slowly looks around the bar as he noticed the woman in the black hood and slowly thought to himself."Intelligence operatives great just what I need." Slowly Mistral moved as he took one of his bracers off and rubbed the scars turning in his seat as two of his men came in wearing leather uniforms similar to his and sat down. Quickly Mistral spoke to them just loud enough for La'Ashaad to hear if she was trying to. He wasn't petty but the private wanted to buy his rank and that just pissed him off. "Listen I am going on a mission... with private Cantrell. Now listen I want the men ready for pick up when we return to Bastion, get one of the sith to come with you for delivery understood. Good I think we have to show that you can't buy your way through the ranks boys." Slowly Mistral turned around in his seat as his men sat down next to him and covered views from each direction.

 

[Saint]

Norm was sitting back with his four teamleaders. The Urban Troopers were sitting around their own table, reflecting on a couple of their most recent missions since the Sith came into the Empire. Things had been little different for them as due to their specialization, they weren't really intermixed with the Sith or anybody else for that matter. However, there were subtle differences... like in the wording of their orders, or the hint at a certain expected result.

He'd heard the shapely Twi'lek Commander's comments about Private James Henderson... or was it Anderson? Whichever... He was dead and gone now. Being an Urban Trooper, and especially with the high op-tempo Norm and his guys were pulling, bullshet inspections didn't happen all that often... if at all. In fact, the Sergeant couldn't remember once in the past few years that he'd been part of any -real- inspection... Not his squad anyway.

He and his men however, did honor the silence given to their fallen comrades, even pouring out some of their drinks on the floor as a sign of reverence. Some may have considered it a waste, but to Norm and his men, they would've bought the dead a mug just the same, so a little off the top of their own was no loss whatsoever. Not for the meaning of the gesture anyway, and even if they did find it a waste, let them come and say something to him. At a moment like that, Norman "Suicide" Saint took that shet seriously.

Caught up with some small talk amongst his team leaders, Norm didn't really catch much of what was going on at the bar... or anywhere else in the tavern for that matter. Most of it wasn't his business anyway. He and his men were only here for a couple of days, then it was back on another mission. With a war brewing in the foreseeable future, the Urban Troopers were pulling a -lot- of assignments.

 

[Ender]

Denton's face remorphed into the more familar face. He flexed when he returned to his normal figure. Then he stood up, with a sad face. "In private, we will discuss this more. It's unbecoming for a pair of officer's to have relations, especially of the illicit type." he said starting an act as he walked out, winking to the Commander. "Which unit do you serve with Commander? The 32nd Assault Fleet? How'd you like a transfer to my ship?" he asked as he took a seat next the La'Ashaad woman that Kiada had indicated.

 

[Allu'rah Danan]

Kiada put on her best smoldering gaze as they left the private area. She knew the game well. Pretending that they were having an affair was an ideal smokescreen for their activities, for the secrecy. Although, she thought, maybe that's why the private thought I was available. My reputation must be spreading. She nodded at Captain Denton offer though. "It would be an honour to serve with you Captain. But only so long as you allow me to serve from a fighter. I have no desire to hide away on the bridge of a Star Destroyer when I could be in the cockpit of a TIE fighter."

Getting to Najira La'Ashaad's table was no easy task for the Commander, but she made it, and with minimal bumping and stumbling to boot. "La'Ashaad is it?" the Twi'lek asked the hooded woman. "I'm afraid I don't know your rank, or really how to address you. Then again, you intelligence operatives almost operate outside of the chain of command, am I right? Anyway, can I buy you a drink? I have some business I'd like to discuss with you."

 

[Raider]

*Outside the bar a convoy of three landspeeders slowed to a stop. A man stepped out of the middle vehicle and waved his hand in a silent order to the Stormtroopers assigned to guard him to remain in their respective landspeeders. He was not expecting this matter to take very long. Open the bar door slid and through it walked Imperial Admiral Lucien Darch. It could not be more clear from the way he carried himself that he was not here for a drink. His eyes swept the room, lingering for a fraction of a second longer on fellow Imperial Admiral Kelvin Wahia, before he assumed an erect position.*

"Atten-Shun!"

*He barked in a command voice. The sound of scraping chair legs against the floor and the rustle of men and women rising to their feet filled the bar before being replaced by silence.*

"Commander Atar, a moment, if you will."

*His voice was not raised as it had been when he'd ordered the room to attention. He had spoken the words in his normal speaking voice, but it was certainly more of an order than request he had made.*

"The rest of as you were. Enjoy your drinks."

*With that Admiral Darch turned in a smartly executed turn and walked out of the bar. Fully expecting the commander to follow him out of the bar. He did not wish to pursue the discussion he would have with her inside. The Imperial Military did not critize its members in public.*

 

[DoomMuffin]

I had drawn the short straw back at the barracks so I would have to drive my drunken platoon back to base. "Kriff" always the short straw. We had gone to the "Stormy Cantina" & pretty much all of the troopers were inside with Commander Atar enjoying the revelry. I was outside in the cool Bastion night reading the Stormtrooper manual, on a coded data pad, for about the 15th time. I was trying to memorize it.

All the cantinas were full of rowdy Troopers & military personal along the strip of road, it seemed like every trooper from 4 different quarter bases were off base & drinking. But frig if the Imperial Palace didn't look impressive in the sharp spot lights.

I noticed a hover convoy made up of 3 heavily armed landspeeders. I wasn't sure why but instinctively I was cautious as speeders slowed to a halt & a gray gray suited man stepped down. He waved the others not to follow. Walking with purpose towards the door next to next to me. I didn't get a good look at him until the lights over the door shone some light on his identity.

To my surprise it was Admiral Darch. I hasn't a quick salute, which he simply ignored. He walked through the door swift & with purpose. Soon silence fell in the bar, fading in to hushed whispering's through the door. As soon as he enter, The Admiral walked out, a stern look on his face.

((Sorry if i took to many liberties, with faces places, or actions/inserting my character Narwonk Kreek into the situation))

 

[Miranda]

Najira slipped her throwing-knife away and gazed down introspectively at the sharp little design she had made in the table's surface. How curious, she thought the herself and then sparked herself a cigarillo. Thin wisps of smoke danced around her concealed features and outlined the air above the booth where she was seated. Intelligence agent in a billowing cloud of smoke haze, how poetic.

The covert Mirialan woman had finished her drink and was deciding whether or not she was tired of this place and its lack of information when out of the blue (pun of course intended) the cerulean-skinned Twi'lek who had been engaged in serious oration earlier approached her with an affable disposition. Najira regarded her for a moment, she was certain that she had studied this woman's file a few months back, but there were so many thousands of mercs, soldiers, commandos, cadets, infantry, recruits, and - the various other synonyms for such people within the hierarchy of the Empire. Najira strained her diligent memory for a name, and found it with apt timing, "Commander...Atar, if I'm not mistaken?".
Najira then flexed her linguistic prowess and shifted into the spoken forms of Twi'leki for the rest of her response, "my rank is of little concern I'm sure, but to say the least I'm sure you are my superior. Please, I'll have whatever beverage takes your fancy."
The Mirialan inhaled her cigarillo again and the smoke accented the vibrant purple tribal tattoos on her lips and chin.
"So, what is it you would like to discuss? I'm afraid if it's a military matter I highly doubt I can offer much, unless it's information you're after?"

Before there was time for any more conversation Admiral Darch had entered the scene and had basically cut the air of the cantina with a most dominating knife. Najira slinked back into her seat and ignored the obsequious pomp and circumstance that had followed as Darch made his appearance. She did however give a small gesture of rank acknowledgement and then proceeded to ash her smoke. Najira observed with a certain reconnaissance as the Commander - Kiada - was instructed to follow the Admiral. The Twi'lek had piqued Najira's inherent and intrinsic curiosity, hopefully the Admiral wouldn't take too much of her time.

 

[Allu'rah Danan]

Kiada snapped into a salute with everyone else when Admiral Darch entered. No one even dared bat an eyelash. She held her breath as his eyes swept the room, and her innards turned into ice when he called on her to follow himself outside. She didn't dare throw a sideways glance at Captain Denton, and kept her eyes trained on the door. Even though all eyes in the cantina were on her, she wouldn't meet any of them lest she accidentally implicate herself or anyone to anything. That Admiral Darch was actually quite a reasonable man did nothing to placate the Twi'lek. She was always nervous when dealing with Admirals, even Denton before he had been demoted.

As the Commander stepped out and saw the three landspeeders filled with stormtroopers, it took her a moment to remember that it was just the Admiral's guard and probably not a firing squad come to shoot her out behind the bar. Despite her roiling fear, however, her outward disposition was completely calm and serene. As the door closed, she saluted Darch and remained so until he would allow her to be at ease, in which case she would stand, still tall and rigid, with her hands clasped behind her back and her feet about shoulder-width apart. "You wanted to speak with me Sir?" she barked in the emotionless manner that was expected of her. Meanwhile in her head, she was running scenario after scenario through her mind of what he wanted and what he was going to do with her. No, stop that! she scolded to herself. Focus. Think of flight simulations if you must. Just stay calm.

 

[Saint]

Norm and his men all popped to attention when the Imperial flag officer called them up. It was one thing for someone else to call the room to attention, quite another for the Admiral himself to do so. On top of that, this was a tavern, a supposed relaxed environment. Rule was that you didn't call places like taverns, restaurants, and the like to attention when -anybody- walked in. Soldiers needed their down time.

"This guy must be must be -real- high on himself," Norm muttered to his team leaders as they re-took their seats. He shook his head lightly as he took up his Tatooine Sunrise, downing a gulp and a half. After the liquid burned down his throat, he gasped a light sigh and added, "Tha's why I prefer t'drink off-base gents." Some muttering and a couple of nods followed his remark, the team leaders in general agreement.

Looking over towards where the flag officer was, Norm saw that he called the Twi'lek officer over to him, probably for a royal ass-chewing or worse. Giving his head a light shake, he remarked, "And -that's- why y'don't open yer big mouth on base. I'ss jus' not safe." The conversation went from there, speculating on what sort of punishment she would receive, or if she would suffer the same fate as the Private she had toasted. One thing though, this little group kept their voices low and their hands to themselves.

 

[Count Sam]

As the other Admiral walked in Kelvin did not bother to look as he kept on drinking from the cup in front of him. He also smiled a cunning smile as everyone around him stood up as he knew well that something interesting was going to happen today with the presence of this Admiral. Of course Kevlin did not stand up and the reason was not only because he was at the same rank Admiral Darch, but also because it was his free time which he was supposed to spend it freely as any other man who was present in the bar today.

"Well easy Admiral I don't really see a reason to ruin the soldiers freetime like this...I am sure we will have a lot of free time to critize our soliders when the war starts." Kelvin said as th Admiral walked out in an emotionless tone. He knew well that the Admiral was already out but at least he was sure that Darch was able to hear his words.

 

[Raider]

*Darch's jaw clenched in displeasure at Admiral Wahia's words as he exited the bar. He could not believe the Emperor had elevated that low life to the rank of admiral in the Imperial Navy. What did that damned pirate know about the proper way to lead a naval force that consisted of more than one ship used for pillaging and plundering? Proper criticism of one's abilities and flaws before war broke out would save more lives and win more battles than after a blunder had cost the Empire personal, ships, and victory. He pushed his displeasure of Admiral Wahia aside as he turned to face Commander Kiada standing at attention behind him. He returned her salute with the crisp motion of a man who had done it for over half a life time.*

"At ease, commander."

*He said as his hand his arm fell back to the side. His hands clusp together behind him at the small of his back. Feet shoulder-width apart, back straight and erect, as he assumed the same position he had put the commander at. His expression was unreadable as his dark eyes bored into hers.*

"Yes commander, I must certainly do. Am I to understand that a fourth recruit under you has been killed by the Sith? Why is it that TIE fighter recruits that are part of the 32nd Assualt Fleet are being struck down over matters like..."

*His left hand vanished into one of his uniform's pockets and withdrew a datapad that his eyes flickered down to for a moment before returning it to the pocket from where he had pulled it.*

"A uniform violation? The proper wearing of the uniform is something that should have been drilled into them by the second week of training. The loss of a recuit over it is something I find unacceptable."

 

[Allu'rah Danan]

Relief was certainly not the word to describe how the commander felt, but she certainly wasn't playing a loop of all the ways the Admiral could have her executed through her head anymore. There was still a tightness in her chest though as she answered the Admiral. "I wish I could say Sir," she said, her tone losing some of the bark it had possessed previously but none of the respect. "I know I sent Anderson to strip all the blasters in the armory repeatedly to help him remember that lesson. Perhaps I should have scaled his punishments." Kiada bowed her head, too ashamed to maintain eye contact with Admiral Darch as she realized how negligent she had been. While she hated coming across as cruel, this was no summer camp. It was the Imperial Navy. Perhaps she could suffer through the hate of a few troops if it meant keeping them alive.

"I agree that I have failed him and the Empire through my neglect," Kiada said, utterly sincere. "I have dedicated my life to service. I will not lose any more recruits. If that means I must be punished for me remember the lesson, so be it. I will accept whatever penalty you feel appropriate, Sir." The Twi'lek hoped that what Darch had in mind was not too ruthless. Ultimately, she wanted to keep her life. That was important. Secondly, she would prefer to keep the same number of limbs and other extremities she currently possessed. Thirdly, although less important than the prior two, she would prefer to keep her rank. She had only been promoted to Commander a little over a year ago, immediately prior to Darth Judicar's ascension to the head of the Empire, and was still adjusting to all the responsibility. However, Kiada knew that excuse was a weak one at best, and she dared not use it as a shield. If there was one thing she knew, it was that Imperial officers, no matter their rank, despised excuses.

 

[Syn]

Mistral perked up and went to attention when he heard the Admiral, he raised an eyebrow at the commander being called away as the man left and he sat back down speaking to his men. "Well I think it is time to go out the back boys. As much as I don't want to look foolish I also don't want to be late in the morning." Slowly Mistral stood up as he put down some credits looking at the bartender. "Make sure these men leave with good morale understood." As the bartender nodded Mistral patted his men on the shoulders as he walked past Norm and his men and gave a quick salute. "Troopers." Quickly Mistral slipped out the back as he walked towards the barracks. He was going to have a long day and a private to teach a lesson too.