Finding a New Home (Das/Grace/Rebs)

[Tipp Gray]

ooc: This is just an intro for my character, just getting him acquainted with the higher powers in the Alliance Intel. It won't be long, but will clear up a few things about Tipp's past and lead to possible storylines for the future.


Alderaan was gone. I had to accept that. It was not easy, but it was the truth. Nothing in the galaxy could take that back.

"I can do this," I whispered to myself. But could I? That didn't matter now. I was in over my head. I had finished at the university, despite what had happened to my home. If there was one thing I knew, it was that I needed the education. Knowledge is invaluable at any age, but at my age, well, it was worth the extra effort.

Sure, I had a lot of pent up anger. Who wouldn't? The Empire had blown up the entire planet of Alderaan because Vader didn't believe Princess Organa. Still, I had kept my cool, continued my life, and landed an opportunity to get the revenge I sought.

The Rebel Alliance had recently offered me a gig as an agent, and undercover of sorts. I had no military background, but I think that is part of the reason they chose me. Besides that, I was smart, a quick thinking young lad, in decent shape with a certain hatred for the forces they were fighting.

At face value, it was almost too good to be true. There was more involved, however. I would be forced to give up my life for their cause; my friends, the little family that I had left, my chances to succeed and make money in the business field, it was all sacrificed for the greater good. I hate to say it, but I was a pretty selfish guy growing up. Something changed when my home was destroyed, something clicked inside of me.

That was what brought me there on that fateful day. I had to meet with the people in charge, the people that would control my future. I had no idea who they were. I had never heard any names, never seen any pictures. I knew it was the right thing though. Deep down, I knew.

[Grace Van-Derveld]

As the new Agent sat across from the Assistant Director's desk, Grace flipped through his file slowly without saying a word. There were casual glances given now and again, but the only thing stated by the veteran spy was a simple hello when he entered. It was just assumed he should take a seat.

The room was far more warmer then the greeting. There were no signs of anything personal inside. It was functional, clean and the furniture was comfortable. The icy demeanor came natural to Van-Derveld; it just came with the job and the nightmares of the past that haunted her still.

Every word was read, every picture committed to memory. Medical tests, psyche evals, school grades with majors and minors, financial status with tax returns, and a listing of field scores in hand to hand combat and blaster accuracy; they were the only skills they had time to test before the meeting.

Gray did not have to wait to terribly long his file was short. She tapped to the front page of his file and set it aside. Now the object of her complete focus was sitting before her. Tipp Gray. An Alderaan survivor that had nothing to lose. It made him either a valuable ally or a loose cannon.

Brown orbs sized him up without a flicker of brow or lip. She has seen quite a few "Grays" in her life, most ended up dead within a month of coming on board. "Are you sure you really wish to do this, Mr. Gray?" The Assistant Director spoke with crisp authority. She wasn't outright scary but Grace did not hide the fact she was not impressed with Gray, whom she thought would be easily killed.

[Tipp Gray]

What a way to start off. She asked me the same question that had been eating away at my head since I was first contacted. I said "Yes" without waiting too long. I really did want to do it. Where else would I go? Right then and there I made my decision, and I was completely satisfied with it. If only I had known what was in store for me.

"Miss Van-Derveld, I may not be a decorated military officer or a renown outlaw, but I assure you I am both willing and capable." Well, I was at least willing. In truth, I could use some training--my blaster skills were acceptable, but I was no hand-to-hand master. Still, I felt like I could do it. There was much more to this job than fighting and shooting, and we both knew it.

[Grace Van-Derveld]

"And you are completely satisfied with the notion that you have to kill?" Grace wanted agents that could do their job without hesitation. "Or possibly be killed? Acceptance into Alliance Intel means a giant target is covering your head and there are millions of Imperials that are going to try and take you out, beat you into submission for information, and torture you endlessly for jollies."

Her nostril fanned out with a deep inhalation. "Again, are you so sure to volunteer yourself so quickly?"

Gray's psych profile said he was a good candidate, Alderaan aside, but even they were wrong sometimes.

[Tipp Gray]

"When it comes down to me or them, I know I can pull the trigger. And there is only one thing I'll give my life for; that is to see those bastards go down. What is one more Alderaanian life?" I gave an uneasy smile, more for my own sake than Van-Derveld's.

"You had your mind made up about me before I came in here, didn't you?" Maybe I was being a little pushy, maybe not. We'll let someone else decide that. But I needed this, and I was not going to let this opportunity go. "I look good on paper, but not exactly what you're looking for. You want to offer me a low-level security job or refer me to military training then come back. Am I right?"

Okay, I was definitely being pushy. "I can do this."

[Grace Van-Derveld]

The Assistant Director's eyes went wide with surprise to Gray's response but slowly a crack in her lips took shape as Van-Derveld began to laugh. "Oh how I should send you to those places after your terrible assessment about me."

She picked up another datapad and stood up to walk around her desk. "Rule number one, never assume you know what your boss is thinking."

The height advantage was disconcerting as Grace peered down at Gray. A simple technique in intimidation which even the most burly Operative felt belittled with brown eyes dark and disapproving casting a shadow upon them. "Rule number two, never throw your life away needlessly. We all have something to die for for Mr. Gray," she held out the datapad, "It takes a braver man to find something to live for."

Her eyes had softened, as did her voice. She was not heartless. "Think you can do that Mr. Gray?"

[Tipp Gray]

"Yes, ma'am." I really respected this woman. I listened to her words carefully, and took them to heart. I felt he had something to live for--to see the end of the Empire. It had taken a huge blow after the Rebels destroyed the second Death Star, along with Palpatine and Vader, but there was still work to be done. That is what I lived for.



ooc: alright, we don't have much more to cover. We can end this with you closing it, then I'll get started on the mission Das conjured.

[Grace Van-Derveld]

"Good." She wiggled the datapad still in her hand. "Report to Director Belargic for debriefing and assignments."

Gray took it as ordered and stood up to leave, but just before he stepped out, Grace had one last thing to say.

"Good luck, Mr. Gray, and may the Force be with you."

[Tipp Gray]

I was just at the door when I heard the words. They brought a smile to my face. I didn't turn back around to look at her, but I knew she could see my reaction. I left the room and headed for the Director's office--and my new life as a Rebel.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Continued in Total Meltdown (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=15850)...