Breaking Foundations: Political Stances

[Elessar Stavit]

"Commander...Commander Xilarian," the rang out as the leader of Shadow Squadron walked towards Tor Station which orbitted Balmorra.

The Imperial Star Destroyer Superior was docked at the station in preparation for the transfer of Shadow Squadron to the Super Star Destroyer Draconian. The cermony, which also marked the end of the Balmorran Year, would take place in two weeks as the Draconian was staffed and final preparations were made for its lauch.

The voice belonged to Lieutenant Elessar Stavit, a member of Shadow Squadron, who raced to catch up with his commander.

"Have you heard the news, sir?" he said, finally catching up, "They replaced Commodore Tomar as Commander of the Balmorran Military. What's going on?"

[Silus Xilarian]

Silus walked down the corridor on the ISD Superior, making his way to the airlock. He had to check up on the move at Tor station. Mainly he had to make sure Shadow Squadron's fighters didnt get mixed up with any other TIEs, a mistake that could happen all too easily. After that, there were a few minor details for him to handle before he turned in for the night.

Just as he reached the airlock he heard someone calling his name. He turned to see Lieutenant Elessar Stavit sprinting towards him....

"Have you heard the news, sir?..........They replaced Commodore Tomar as Commander of the Balmorran Military. What's going on?"

Silus smirked for a moment...

"Yeah I heard....Have you seen Oddball?"

Silus motioned for Stavit to follow, as he continued toward the air lock...

[Elessar Stavit]

Stavit took a step with Silus, his voice continuing.

"Yeah, Kam went on ahead of us to the station. He wanted to check out the casino, and since he's off duty, well...he can. 'Parently there's some heavy duty sabacc players there this time. Kam wants to see how he'd do against 'em."

He saw the look on Silus' face.

"Hey I don't make 'em I just fly with 'em.

"You want a drink? I'm buyin' this time."

[Silus Xilarian]

Silus kept on with Stavit following closely....

"You and Oddball are the only ones checked in right now, have you heard from anyone else?"

Silus kept himself straightlaced as they walked. He had a few things to discuss with Shadow Squadron. Things he would rather discuss away from an Imperial Military Installation.......

[Elessar Stavit]

Stavit shook his head as the two entered the airlock.

"Bette 'n Val have yet to check in. I think they started some of their 'R&R' a bit earlier," he smirked, then his face fell briefly as he remembered how he would do the same with Raine Hapes, the dead member of their squadron.

Elessar grew quiet as he followed Silus.

The two exitted the airlock and into the station.

"I need a drink Commander. Want one?"

[Silus Xilarian]

Silus kept his eyes forward as he and Stavit made there way through the airlock and into the station...

Lets find Oddball first, and we'll go from there..

He thought for a moment then removed his comlink...

"TC, you there?"
"Im here Sir."
"Have T25 bring the Dragon to Tor Station, and notify where you dock at, and notify me if anyone tries to board before I get there..."
"Yes Sir..."

Silus and Stavit continued down the hallway towards the Casino...

[Kam Dapp]

"Twenty, that's me again then" Kam said with a cocky smile, as he watched his credit counter increase by a sizable amount. He pressed a button on the screen, and the number vanished.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to call it a night" the pilot said, as he got up and headed for the bar. Ordering a Frijj Juice, he turned his head to see a pair of women looking his way, talking amongst himself.

This might normally have gave Kam the courage to go over, but he wasn't intrested. He knew fully why they were looking his way. Not his looks, not his personality, but the large number of credits to his name. And that was the last thing Kam cared about. Sighing, the pilot took his drink, and headed for an empty table in the corner.

[Elessar Stavit]

"Barkeep get me a couple of Golgathan Fires," Stavit said as he approached the bar.

"What?" he said as he looked at Silus, "I like the spicier stuff."

He saw Kam sitting in the corner counting his credit chips on the datapad from his take on sabacc.

"Guy's a frelling card shark I swear," he smirked to Silus as he grabbed the two drinks, "C'mon, let's join him."

The two SS pilots sat down with their wingman, and greeted each other.

"You sure you shouldn't change your callsign to Cardshark or something," Elessar said with a smirk, "At the rate you win card games, you could be a professional gambler."

[Silus Xilarian]

"Ya know, I kinda like that. Besides, you're far too weird.... Oddball is a gross understatement, and I hate understatements"

Silus glanced back over to Stavit and winked....

"And hurry up and finish your drinks so we can have an emergency meeting...

[Elessar Stavit]

Stavit drained both of the small glasses quickly, then ordered a glass of water.

"So," he said in between coughs from the alcohol, "What's this emergency meeting about?"

[Kam Dapp]

"Well, I am thinking of changing my callsign" Kam said slowly, ignoring Elessar, "I just dont know what to".

Slowly taking a sip of his drink, he tried to keepa smile off his face.

"Hey, maybe I could share one. Rather than fly by myself, I go with one of the others, help them. Think any of the girls would go for that?"

[Silus Xilarian]

"Bette might if you asked nicely, but you'd probably have to fight off Val....."

Silus took a sip of the drink Frosty had ordered for him. It had to be the godawfullest thing that he'd ever tasted, but he'd tolerate for now. Besides, it was alcohol...

"And about this meeting, Id rather wait til we got on my ship to talk. You could say that its, highly classified....Oh...and speaking of Bette and Val....You havent heard from them, have you Kam?"

[Kam Dapp]

"She might?" Kam replied, missing his humour entirely.

He closed up his credit counter, neatly slotting it into his jacket pocket.

"I last saw them a few days back before I went in the medical bay for Ruutums Flu. They not back yet?"

[Elessar Stavit]

"I haven't seen 'em," Elessar offered, drinking more from his water.

"C'mon Commander you're holding out on us. What's up with Commodore Tomar getting replaced? And word has it you were talking with Emperor Kiterix few days before it happened. What's going on?"

[Morewind]

He'd been watching for long enough. In fact, although he recognized all three of them...the bartender still nodded to him. It was them all right.

General Silus Xilarian along with Lieutenants Kam Dapp and Elessar Stavit. All three members of Shadow Squadron. One of them was definately loyal. The others...question marks.

And that was his job...find out if they were loyal or not.

The man put down several Balmorran Credit Chits and walked over to the trio in the corner.

"Good evening," he gave a small smile, "May I join you?"

[Silus Xilarian]

Silus offered a slightly confused smile, as he slid his chair over slightly, allowing room for the man to sit. He'd never met this man before, at least, he didnt think he had. He wasnt dressed like a pilot though. Convenient enough, he was holding up Silus' meeting....

"Actually, we were just getting ready to leave, but is there anything I can help you with?"

Silus studied the man. His facial expressions, posture, hand gestures, keeping a watchful eye. Something wasnt right....

[Kam Dapp]

Looking at the new man, Kam noticed that his vision appeared to be blurring. Looking down at the bottle in his hand, he slowly read the label.

Corellian Ale - Not my drink!

Hoping nobody noticed his mistake, especially whichever drinker had his drink, Kam took another drink from the bottle, and pretended to be listening to the conversation.

[Morewind]

"I wanted to make sure I had the right table," the man said.

"I was sent here by some mutual friends of ours. I was recently assigned to the Draconian by those..mutual friends."

[Elessar Stavit]

'Frosty' raised an eyebrow, "To do what? Gauge loyalty or something?"

[Morewind]

"That, I'm afraid, is classified, Mister Stavit," the man said.

"But I can atleast introduce myself, I am Morewind..."

He extended his hand, "It is a pleasure to meet all of you."

[Silus Xilarian]

Silus narrowed his eyes a bit. As Morewind extended his hand, Silus stood up....

"As I said, we were just getting ready to leave. We have preparations to make for the move, Good day Mr. Morewind..."

Silus shot a glance over to Stavit. The young pilot must not of realized that now wasnt a good time to be opening up a can of worms....

[Morewind]

Morewind's arm caught Silus'.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Those 'mutual friends' are in high, high places, Mister Xilarian. All the way to the top if you get my drift."

[Silus Xilarian]

He didnt want to be here. This guy was obviously up to something, and Silus had no clue who sent him, until his last comment. He offered a polite smile...

"But wont these mutual friends Be a bit disappointed if everything wasnt in order by the end of the year?"

[Morewind]

"That's why I'm here, MIster Xilarian," Morewind uttered, "To ensure nothing does happen.

"Now...I believe you were on your way to your ship? I have something I want to talk with you. With all of you."

[Tod Marr]

"Where the frell!?!?!? I've been lookin' all over the station for you guys! First I checked the lounge, then the hanger - I thought you'd at least be in the hanger. Kam have you seen what the tekkies have done to your ship? Never mind that - then I checked the pool hall, and now here! There's some high-up cabinet slimeball snoopin' round lookin' for us and he's evil lookin' and gangly and ahhhhhhh.........blonde. He's definitely blonde. Maybe you know him Mister Morewind....."

The expression on his face suggested that he blatantly knew he was in deep crap. But his eyes were hoping that Morewind - whom he'd met half an hour earlier whilst playing in the arcade foyer - would either buy it (fat chance of that!) or decide to let it pass.

Stavit shook his head with a grin as if to say something along the lines of "You big-mouthed idiot!".

[Morewind]

"Ah, Mister Marr," Morewind let a very small smile come to his face, "A pleasure you could join us.

"General Xilarian was about to take us to his personal ship. You will join us."

[Val Torre]

"Morewind." There came a laugh as the recently-introduced stranger to Shadow Squadron felt a pair of bare hands pat his shoulders. Behind him stood Val Torre who wore a greatly amused face, he stepped forward although kept one hand firm in place so that his arm casually draped over Morewind's shoulders as though he and the commander were good friends. "I presume it has something to do with bowel trouble."

He laughed again with an exasperated look but kept his arm around the man's shoulders and pulled him in a little closer in a half hug.

"Good evening gentlemen." He declared finally, "My appologies for not arriving sooner. Had I known we would be in the presence of such grand company--" He paused and looked to the fellow in his arm and smiled devlishly. "--Now, Mister More...wind, what is on the agenda for tonight?"

[Morewind]

"You will remove your hand from my shoulder, Mister Torre," Morewind said smoothly, "Or else I will do it for you."

He waited, and the hand still wasn't removed.

The Inquisitor's black-gloved hand reached up, then slowly grasped Val's hand. As Morewind removed it, he pressed a small device (about the size of a pushpin) on the pilot's bare hand.

Suddenly, Val was sent to the ground as an electrical shock pulsated through his body. After four seconds...it stopped and Morewind removed the device.

"You don't need to place a hand on me, Mister Torre...not at all."

He sighed and looked at Silus, "Shall we go?"

[Val Torre]

"Ah! Krast!" Val cursed from the floor, feeling the hand which had been assaulted. The sensation he had felt was numbing and unique, for those for seconds his muscles had spasmed uncontrollably completely incapacitating any degree of free will over one's own actions.

"Little, slimey, son of a--" He grunted as he clambered unsteadily to his feet, nursing his hand. His teeth grinded behind tight lips which caused reddened cheek bones to protrude from his face slightly. Then balling the fist which didn't burn he lunged towards Morewind ready to strike.

[Elessar Stavit]

For someone who was leaning back in his chair, Elessar moved fast, grabbing Val before he could damage his career any further.

"Whoa there, Commander," he said quickly, "I'd be careful if you hit him. You might get slime all over you."

He shot a glare at Morewind, then raised an eyebrow at Xilarian.

"We going?"

[Silus Xilarian]

Silus had came out of his chair when Morewind sent Val to the floor in convulsions. When Val had gotten back up, Frosty had barely beaten Silus to him. With all the commotion, he hoped he could find a way out of the situation a bit more easily...

"Get him outta here.....Dapp..Dapp....back to reality....go with them....I'll meet up with the rest of you in a bit"

With no further hesitation, Silus signalled for Morewind to follow him....

[Tod Marr]

Maniac looked over to Val who was still guarding his injured hand...

"Like I said - slimeball!"

His voice was loud enough for Val and Frosty to hear them, but quiet enough so that Morewind didn't hear.

[Morewind]

Morewind and Silus walked from the bar, in the general direction of Silus' ship.

"I wanted to warn you, General," Morewind said immediately upon exit, "Not everyone in this Empire is what they seem."

The two stopped and the Grand Inquisitor looked up at Silus.

"That is what I am here for. It's what the Inquisitors are here for. To help you."

[Silus Xilarian]

"With all due respect, I can assure you, my squadron is loyal, Sir"

Silus kept his eyes set towards Morewind, showing no signs of deception....

"If someone in my squadron were a traitor, then they would be dealt with swiftly, you wouldnt have to soil your hands with it...."

[Morewind]

"Still," Morewind said succintly, "I prefer to know. Kiterix and Vorrann prefer to know also."

He looked towards the group of Shadow Squadron members, "Are you so sure they are loyal? Have they said anything about the recent change in command?"

[Silus Xilarian]

"They are curious about it, im sure, but they would be more comfortable asking me about it than they would an inquisitor. I allow them a bit more lee-way than most officers do, as far as they're conduct is concerned, so im sure they get a bit edgy when someone of your standing is around. Im sure you understand what I mean...."

Silus kept polite with Morewind, though he didnt like the fact that his squadron was "on trial". His first instinct was to ignore the inquisitor and go on about his business. But he was mindful of his actions, prefering to take the heat off his squadron.

[Morewind]

"Of course," the Grand Inquisitor stated, "But you are not the only being asked about their loyalty.

"But if you do see anything, please let us know."

[Silus Xilarian]

Silus nodded politely to one of the station techs walking down the hallway and returned his attention back to Morewind.

"Sure, I'll keep you informed, Sir"

Silus smiled politely at Morewind..."I should kill you right now, Sir", he thought to himself, not breaking his smile.....

[Morewind]

"Thank you, General," Morewind nodded, as a small smile came to his face, "All though I'm not sure you could do that, without damaging your career."

"Good day, General...you might see some more of me in the future. After all...we have so much in common."

The he gave a salute, a three-fingered salute, and disappeared into the throng of Tor Station personall.

[Elessar Stavit]

"Guy's a creep," Stavit said as Morewind and Xilarian wandered off. He patted Torre on the back, then crossed his arms.

"I got no clue what the commader wants with him. But I think something's up."

He looked over at Torre, Marr, and Dapp, "Whatta you guys think?"

[Val Torre]

"Something's not right, Frosty." Val answered, he rubbed his numbed hand, feeling now returning to it as he tried to regain some degree of respectable composure. "There's a great deal of change going on in the Empire."

Without realising he was doing it, Val had leaned in towards Stavit in a conspiratorial fashion, perhaps the incident with Morewind had already made an impression on the commander. "But I don't like it, man. It's like we're all strapped into a ship at full throttle with no-one at the helm and no way of slowing down."

[Elessar Stavit]

"Yeah something's up," Stavit replied, watching Silus and Morewind talk.

As Silus and Morewind finished their conversation, Stavit made one last comment, just out of earshot of Xilarian, "I'm beginning to wonder how he got his promotion too."

[Silus Xilarian]

As Morewind walked away, Silus turned back around and headed back to where Frosty, Maniac, and Razor were standing. The look on his face lead on that he wasnt very happy...

"Razor, you ok?"

[Val Torre]

He glanced over to Stavit and gave him a nod of agreement.

"As okay as you can be after having a billion volts shot through your body." He answered irritably, shooting Silus a fiery look. The two had never seen eye-to-eye, well at least Val had never seen eye-to-eye with their replacement leader and to say that they had first met on uneasy terms would be an understatement.

"What does that bloated, hot-air balloon want from us, Silus?" He asked still angry from before, then his tone changed a little to one hinting at suspicion. "What does he want with you?"

[Tod Marr]

"Hey guys, I don't mean to if I sound a little naive and all, but maybe we're over-reacting here. I mean, what if the guys just some loser with no life and no commision from Infernal Repairs!"

Okay, so he was trying to crack a joke in attempts to ease the situation, but it was still a possibility. But the "attack" on Val before suggested otherwise.

"On the otherhand somebody's betrayed the Empire and we don't know about it - and this guy's combing our hair to see if we had anything to do with it!"

[Elessar Stavit]

"Yeah," Frosty replied, "He could just be someone lookin' to ruffling some feathers."

He pursed his lips as he considered his thoughts.

"But if this is serious, I don't understand why now. We never had any problems with Millard. Now with him gone and Tomar removed...maybe the new commander's a little paranoid.

"Who is the new commander anyway? Scuttlebutt hasn't said anything about that."

[Silus Xilarian]

"Calm down ,all of you. There's no need to freak out over all this. That guy was an inquisitor, its his job to be a prick. The only reason I can think of for him to be here is because I called a meeting without stating a reason..."

Silus looked around at the group for a moment. It was pretty obvious that they were still upset, but there wasnt much he could do at this point to help that...

"Now, if you guys wanna head back with me now, we can discuss this, but I dont wanna talk here, not with the inquisition roaming around..."

[Tod Marr]

"Yeah - nobody expects the inquisition!"

Tod turned to Silus.

"So Top - what's the meeting about exactly?"

He spoke as they walked. Silus led the way, the rest of the squadron following close behind.

[Val Torre]

Silently Val followed allowing his thoughts to roam freely as he skulked steadily behind the rest. He had been embarrassed and humiliated. It stung but he deliberatly fronted his usual cool, casual look within moments to refill his ego.

"Whatever it's about, let's hope it doesn't last too long. Sleep sounds good right about now." He finally grumbled to nobody in particular.

[Elessar Stavit]

Stavit lagged a bit behind, "What you'n Bette have another late night last night?"

He chuckled then lowered his voice.

"Meet me in the flight deck after th'meeting."

Without waiting for a response, Stavit resumed his pace with Silus.

"All right...so you looking forward to bein' on the Draconian?"

[Silus Xilarian]

Silus continued his pace down the hallway, making a turn towards the docking bay number that TC-10 had just transmitted to him. Without breaking stride, he glanced over to Marr..

"I missed your smiling face, Maniac, so I decided we should have a meeting. That makes sense, right?"

With a thin smile Silus glanced over to Stavit who had just come up beside him.

"Wont be much different than the Superior, it'll just take longer to fly around. I hear the beds are softer though, and they dont squeek when you move..."

Silus' thin smile broke into a slight grin as he glanced back towards Val...

"Thank god for that...."

[Elessar Stavit]

Elessar snorted and chuckled.

"You're worried 'bout Val?" he raised an eyebrow.

"I'd be worried about you. I tell ya, those bunks at the Superior could get kinda squeaky."

He kept on as the group began reaching the docking bay.

"There was one night, Rain and I," then he shut up and went silent.

Rain

He still missed her.

Damn whoever bombed Castle Millard. If I ever find out who did it... his thoughts trailed off.

Stavit gave a smile, "Atleast you guys keep it down 'kay?"

[Val Torre]

"Keep it down!" Val scoffed in response, still simmering in his foul mood although now his thoughts were somewhat preoccupied by what Stavit had said about seeing him after the meeting. What did he have to say? Did he know something Val didn't?

"Right, here we are!" Val announced upon entering the hanger bay, not that the others need informing that they were at their desired destination but rather it was to nudge the proceedings along. He clapped his hands together with mock-enthusiasm looking over to Silus. The life now back in him that he had found a new victim since Morewind. "What does the good general have to offer us strapping, young lads?"

He looked over to the others with a puzzled look on his face, now enjoying himself once again. "Want me to go first?" He asked with a grin, holding his trouser-fly. There was a silence, he looked back to Silus with false suprise and said: "Oh! It's not one of those meetings! Sorry."

Val coughed, still in his act, regaining his composure he stood straight once again. "Please proceed, sir."

[Bette Davis]

Bette pushed herself out from underneath her TIE in time to catch a glimpse of Torre pretending to undo his pants. She walked around the bank of fighters, and gave a cat call. The four men turned to look at her.

Shooter waved, "Hello boys, I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" Silus moved around Maniac into her line of vision, and she saluted. "Sir! I apologize for missing your meeting, sir!" Then she relaxed her stance and added, "The techs were planning on screwing with my ship, I had to send them packing."

Bette wiped her greasy hands on a rag which she stuck in the back pocket of her grungy coveralls. The mood of the others was striking her as very ...odd. "Did someone die? What's going on guys?"

[Elessar Stavit]

Stavit smirked, "We haven't had th'meeting yet. Just 'bout to have it though."

He crossed his arms and waited for Silus to open the door to his ship.

"You seen those Inquisitor guys walkin' around here? We had a run-in with 'em."

[Silus Xilarian]

Just as Stavit spoke, the door to Silus' ship opened. Silus stepped in first and stepped over to the side, waiting for everyone else.

"Come on in, and forgive the mess"

Ironically enough, the interior of the ship was spotless, not a thing out of place. As the rest of SS stepped on board, the ramp closed behind them and Silus walked by them en route to his office....

[Val Torre]

A smile slipped past Val's attention at the sight of Bette but he quickly stepped back from the foreground and steeled his nerves again. Silently he followed the others into the general's ship and looked about discreetly, refusing to look remotely interested or impressed.

[Bette Davis]

Bette jogged over as the other pilots filed into Xilarian's ship, and got a handful of Torre's butt as he walked up in front of her. "Inquisitors? I haven't seen any. Been with my ship, or did you not hear my excuse?"

[Silus Xilarian]

"I heard you Bette, and to answer your question, I have no idea what those techs are doing around your ship. I cancelled the removal of your engines days ago..."

Silus stepped into his office and sat behind his desk. After everyone was in the room, the door shut behind them

"So does anyone care to guess why we're here?"

[Elessar Stavit]

"You're promotin' alla us?" Stavit asked as he walked in Silus' ship.

He crossed his arms and leaned up against the wall.

[Kam Dapp]

Slowly pushing against a wall, Kam slid down until he was sitting on the floor.

"You've decided that life is dull, so you're going to put all our names in a randomisers, and mix all of our current situations up. Make things more intresting" He slowly said, careful not to slur his words.

[Silus Xilarian]

"Actually thats not a bad idea. I think you and Bette could trade places for a little while....."

Silus cut a glance over towards Val...

"I think Razor might enjoy that."

Before Val could get out a comeback, Silus started speaking again...

Now, as Im sure all of you know, Commodore Tomar has been moved to Logistics, and Sarrin Vorrann has been promoted to full Admiral and placed in command of the Balmorran military. As of right now, I honestly cant tell you whats going on, its a bit above my head. But if you guys have anymore questions, I'll do my best to answer 'em

[Elessar Stavit]

"Since you got promoted are we?" Stavit grinned, "And does the move to the Draconian mean we get new ships too?

"Of course if we did move to new ships we'd have to name 'em all over again.

"Bette," he grinned at the female SS member, "Wouldja come up with something better than 'Man Eater'? I keep hearin' the techs talk 'bout it. 'Parrently they think that's not th'only thing you eat."

[Bette Davis]

"Who says I didn't think about that when I named her?" Bette winked at the younger man, and then straightened up against the wall of the office. "If you ask me, and you did, all this rearranging is bullshit. Logistics? Frack, Silus, you and I both know that the Commodore deserves better than krasst duty like that."

She looked around, and then added, "Should I be talking this loudly?"

[Elessar Stavit]

"I dunno," Stavit replied, "It is General Xilarian's personal ship."

He looked at Silus, "Any idea why Commodore Tomar was reassigned? He's pretty tight with Grand Admiral Millard. He have anything t'do with it?"

[Silus Xilarian]

"See that wall? Notice how the door is shut?"

Silus continued as Bette looked back...

"This room is sound proof, just like every room on this ship. However, this is the only room that cant be monitored from the bridge, so feel free to speak as loudly as you want in here. Away from here, we dont discuss this, understand?"

Silus looked around the room for a moment...

"As far as Vorrann's promotion, it came from Kiterix, same place mine came from, and yes Bette, I think Tomar's demotion is crap..."

[Val Torre]

"It's all crap." Val finally decided to chime in having held his tongue at Silus's earlier quip since he had extended him the same courtesy moments before.

"If I'm completely honest here--" He began, standing upright after leaning against the wall at the back. The irony being that he is being far from completely honest. "--I would say I have a pretty good sense of smell and lately there's been that awful stench, y'know, like a rat."

Now walking towards the group slowly he added to his concerns. "It's like we're in the dark and things are moving in the shadows all around us and it wont be until the last minute when it comes to the crunch when we feel the hand of our puppeteer come crashing down upon us!" He stopped behind Oddball and slapped his hand down on the already unsteady pilot's shoulder.

"Truth be known; the further down the ranks you are, the less you know and the less you will be told. But personally, I was perfectly happy under Millard's command. Now, something doesn't feel right and things aren't looking good."

[Bette Davis]

Bette slid down the wall to sit on the floor next to Kam. "Are you okay?" She caught a whiff of his breath, and reeled backwards silently. He smelled like he'd ingested enough alchohol to pickle a gundark.

"Okay, so...we know nothing. Or, little to nothing. Promotions are being handed out like candy, and the chain of command is basically being rerouted. Yeah, I'd say its bad news."

She shrugged, and brushed Oddball's hair out of his eyes. "On the other hand, if we just do our jobs, this won't bother us. Politics are for politicians, I'm just a fighter jock."

[Kam Dapp]

As Bette brushed his hair away Kam, trying to look as sober as possible, looked into her eyes, and smiled sloppily.

Now's your chance, now's your chance, now's... he thought to himself.

"But you're the most beauuuuutiful fighter jock there is" He said, almost immediately regretting it.

There goes your chance, there goes your chance, there...

[Silus Xilarian]

Silus shook his head slightly at Kam as a grin broke across his face. For the moment, the mood lightened. It was short lived however. Looking to his side slightly, Silus made eye contact with Val, who was seemingly staring a hole through him.

"Val, do you think having a few more stripes on my rank plate is making this situation any easier for me? Honestly, I wanna know. In case you're wondering, you have just much of an idea about whats going on as I. The only difference is, whoever it this rat is, they want you for your skills, plain and simple. Me however, they want me for you. Im expendable now ...you arent..."

Silus paused for a moment and looked around at the group...

"Now, I dont like Vorrann being in charge, just like all of you. He played his political card and bumped Millard out of the driver's seat. But in all honesty, theres nothing I can do about it. Millard left, and hes not showing any sign of coming back. And until he decides to come back, im along for the ride, just like all of us...."

[Val Torre]

"Wow!" Val laughed, crouching down next to Kam he looked at Bette judgementally and then tapped his comrade on the shoulder and said: "You have had a lot to drink!"

Then quickly he stood and stepped back to get out of range of Shooter's swing. He shot Bette a wink whilst wearing an amused grin and turned back to Silus as he addressed him. As he spoke, Val's expression changed from one of amusement to that of confusement and he finally settled on bewilderment.

"Woah there, general sir!" The commander said, raising his open hands defensively. He stepped back a little and gave his superior an increadulous look. "I meant no offense that time. We're all in this together, Silus, no need to point fingers and whatnot. I wasn't accusing you of being in the know or anything. Let's not get angry with each other!"

Again he went silent, eyes quickly surveyed the expressions of his comrades and how they reacted to what he had said. Val hoped it would work after Silus decided to jump down his throat and he thought to himself as he lowered his hands, "Take that, you son-of-a-bitch!"

[Bette Davis]

Bette's jaw dropped and she launched herself across Kam to try and do bodily harm to Val. He easily sidestepped and avoided her, while Oddball got a handfull of....well yes. He was grinning as Bette pulled herself to her feet, and she looked down at her chest.

She picked his hand off the front of her coveralls, and shoved him in the shoulder with her knee, knocking him completely over. He giggled as she listened to Silus and Val. Torre's attitude was not apparent to most, but she knew he was trying to make the newly appointed General slip up.

He thinks Silus is in on this. Bette shot him a look, which was ignored, and then shot Silus one as well. It was almost like being at a tennis match, and she decided to keep her mouth shut for the time being.

[Elessar Stavit]

Elessar shook his head and couldn't keep himself from laughing.

Kam finally got what he wanted the most.

"All right guy, let's all cool our jets," he said as he saw the exchange between Val and Silus, "If the General says he doesn't know something, then fine...he doesn't know anything."

That he's telling us.

"Just do us a favor, General...keep us informed. We only hear rumors and stuff like that. Try 'n keep us up on what's goin' on."

[Silus Xilarian]

Do ya really wanna know the bullshit im being fed? Silus thought as Elessar spoke...

"I'll be sure to do that, and I hope the rest of you will keep me informed. So far, rumors and stuff seems to be the only information im getting........"

Silus paused for a moment.....

"And if you recieve any direct orders from Vorrann, or even The Emperor, orders that arent filtered through me. Please watch yourselves. I dont know if the situation will ever come up, but id rather you disobey than get killed. I WILL defend you, even if its a court marshall....dont forget that...."

[Bette Davis]

She nodded, and then sent Val a look. It read "We need to talk." Bette wasn't sure about how serious Silus was about defending his pilots, but she sure as hell wasn't about to let her flight group get torn to pieces by some conflict between higher-ups. If that was what it was.

"What about the Inquisitor? You want we should be helpful, or should he...have an 'accident?'" Bette affected a thick mobster accent, but her words were serious.

[Elessar Stavit]

Elessar nodded, "I'm sure we can ask Stark to take him on a 'training mission' and have him accidently 'lose him'," he referred to the sometimes member of Shadow Squadron, Ned Stark.

"Whatta ya say General. Can we kill him?"

[Bette Davis]

Without pause, Bette smacked Stavit in the shoulder. "You dumb kid, of course we can't kill him. He's an Inquisitor." Inside her stomach churned in exasperation marked with fear. If Silus' ship was being tapped (something she wouldn't put past an Inquisitor) then such an open threat would be quickly heard and dealt with.

Her question had been posed as a joke, although she'd been serious. It left you with arguing room when the Inqusition knocked on your door. Bette made a throat cut gesture and shoved the younger pilot against the wall out of frustration.

[Elessar Stavit]

"Ow!" Stavit said as he hit the wall.

"Hey c'mon it was a bit of a joke. I just don't like people poking into what I do and when I do it. For the Force's Sake I'm only a pilot."

But a part of him recognized he'd gone too far. And his eyes said, 'Sorry.'

[Silus Xilarian]

Silus watched the two argue for a moment. It was clear what they were asking, even clearer when Stavit came right out and said it.

"Bette's right, we cant kill him. In fact, I want all of you to stay as far away from them as you can. I dont like them being around this much. And I sure as hell dont trust em...."

If the room was tapped, Silus would know it. Unless of course, one of the Squadron members was recording the conversation. It was a sickening thought that there might be a mole, but it was one that couldnt be dismissed....

"Lets just try to go on about our lives somewhat normally and not try to put too much thought into this....