The Crew

[ THE INTERVIEW | PERSONNEL ]

The Interview
By Dave Powell

The door closed behind the tall man. Ral'Rai waited, wondering which of his colleagues would strike first. A mental bet was placed on Commodore Shammaa.

"Minister, I must protest at the breach of protocol and potential security lapse." The Mon Cal was quite indignant.

"I win again." Thought Ral'Rai, absently. He continued out loud, "I appreciate your concern for security and protocol, Commodore, but I needed to know. Of all the candidates we've interviewed over the past few days, has anyone come close to our standards?" He looked from one to the other.

"I take your silence as agreement. There's no doubt that these Nova Dragons lack experience in the type of operations we are proposing, they most certainly don't have sufficient hands to run the Hammer at their current strength, regardless of their skills. What I do get the feel for is their integrity, reliability and, above all, honesty. I think we're all agreed on how sensitive Project Hammer is, quite frankly it's a political nightmare, but I firmly believe that it offers a partial solution to our desperate supply problems. One ship won't turn this war around, but one idea can. With the right people to start it off, Project Hammer can prove itself. With the burden of proof behind us, there'll be more support at senior levels, with more support we'll be able to spread the net wider, there are more men and women out there with the skills and character to make this Project a success." He paused, "But only if we get the right start."

Commodore Shammaa stared at the floor, he agreed with the Minister, but his problem was how to agree, without letting Admiral Ackbar know. There would be repercussions. He raised himself back to his full height, "Tides wash the beach clear", he mused.

"Minister", he began, "As you are well aware, there has been significant opposition to the Project from Naval High Command. I must confess that largely I have agreed with their viewpoints. Most of the candidates we have seen over the course of these interviews have, quite frankly, reinforced my negative perceptions. That notwithstanding, Project Hammer has been authorised by Mon Mothma. I swore an oath of allegiance to the Leader of the Alliance. It is Mon Mothma's will that Project Hammer go ahead. I cannot, nor will not oppose her. This Falor and his Nova Dragons, they intrigue me. His tides are even and predictable, good qualities. He knows the storm and how to pilot it. He tends his school and keeps them from harm, if he can."

The Mon Cal folded his arms. "I will support you. The Nova Dragons offer our only realistic chance of launching this operation on schedule."

Ral'Rai breathed a sigh of relief. Now if only the Ambassador would concur… A simple majority would be good enough, but unanimity made the case stronger.

The Alderaanian watched the two men, watching her. To tell the truth, she'd thought the Nova Dragons were probably the best candidates from the start, based upon the Intelligence reports. She agreed entirely with the Minister, what they lacked in skills in certain key areas, they made up for by an obvious willingness to learn, an ability to adapt, and, the clincher for her, a complete lack of respect for the Empire and all it stood for. Whether they would admit it or not, the Nova Dragons were as good as a part of the Rebellion, with or without being part of Project Hammer.

"As you know, I have been a supporter of this Project from near the start. I have seen it grow from an idea into a possibility. I think with the Nova Dragons, we have the chance to see the possibility become a reality. I know I have sometimes slipped into a desire for revenge on the Empire after their heinous crime against my homeworld, it is an honest desire, but one which I no longer have the luxury to indulge. Minister, I, too, will support you with the candidacy of the Nova Dragons."

"Thank you, both." Ral'Rai was already moving ahead mentally, there were logistics to be worked out, Letters of Marque and contracts to be drafted. He needed to select an 'Advisor' to act not only as his eyes and ears with the Nova Dragons, but to act as a mentor, and perhaps trainer.

He keyed a button on the desk, "Tomar, could you find Mr Falor and show him back, please."

Tomar acknowledged the request, and set off back to the area that served as an off-duty lounge, where he had left the Etti a while back.

***************

On leaving the office, Kethan was led down a corridor to a large, open room, sporting an antiquated serving droid and an even more battered autochef. The aide, Tomar, asked him what he would like. Kethan wasn't feeling particularly hungry, but he accepted the offer of some Blue Milk.

Quietly sipping his drink, Kethan reflected on the earlier events. From his limited understanding of what Project Hammer was designed to do, he thought that it had merit. With his business brain fully in gear, he'd analysed what he knew of the situation of the Alliance. It needed supplies in the worst way, and the finances to pay for those supplies were lacking. That, of course, assumed that the potential suppliers would even speak to you. It brought back bad memories of the kickbacks he'd seen his father forced to pay out to ensure construction of homes for needy Etti, rather than a luxury estate for some ungrateful Imperial official. The more he thought about it, the less Kethan liked the state of the galaxy. The more he thought that Project Hammer would be able to start to change that state. He hoped that the rest of the Nova Dragons would agree with him. He wouldn't, couldn't, order them to join him, assuming that the Alliance saw fit to offer the Nova Dragons the option. As much as he felt he was a fast study of anything new, Project Hammer didn't strike him as a one-man show.

He stared down into the bottom of the glass, willing The Force to help him relax, to free his mind, at least temporarily, of the whirl of images and ideas that swirled around his brain. A slow, even exhalation brought him back to a centred state.

"Excuse me, Mr Falor, but the Minister would like to see you, now."

Kethan raised his head slowly and saw the youthful face of Tomar, the Minister's aide, above him. Slowly, he uncoiled himself out of the low chair, drawing up to his full 2.2m height, towering over the aide. The moment of truth had arrived.

***************

As Tomar ushered him back into the room, Kethan didn't need his limited Force talent to tell him that the mood in the room was not the same as it had been on his first visit. He'd sat through enough business negotiations in his time to recognise that there was a mood of calm resolve here. Of course, it had been his experience that that was not always a good thing.

Ral'Rai Muvunc was the first to speak.

"Thank you for your time, Mr Falor. I'm sorry we took so long, but I'm sure you can appreciate that this is a sensitive situation."

"Not a problem," replied Kethan. "Gave me some time to think."

A momentary flash of uncertainty washed across Ral'Rai's face. Quickly suppressing any negative thoughts, Ral'Rai continued.

"Based on our background research and confirmed by our interview, my colleagues and I would like to invite the Nova Dragons to become the core of Project Hammer."

The Minister paused there, obviously waiting for Kethan's response.

"I'm flattered, Minister, but I can only provisionally accept your offer until I have had a chance to discuss this with my people." He smiled, "It's one of the major drawbacks of trying to run a mercenary unit as a democracy. That said, I think they'll want in."

He stopped, considering his next words carefully. "Of course, if we could at least begin some discussions… I understand that, until we are fully committed, there will have to be omissions of operational details, but a bare bones outline of project aims, limits and resources would make my life a lot easier when it comes to selling this idea to my team."

Ral'Rai glanced at Commodore Shammaa, he was rewarded with an almost imperceptible nod. Good, no objections from the Navy.

"That can be arranged, but we will need a final answer sooner rather than later." Ral'Rai thought that would be forthcoming, all of their background reports suggested that, whilst the Nova Dragons were an unusual and somewhat disparate group, they accepted or rejected deals very quickly.

"Not a problem. If I could have access to a communications relay? I'm afraid my Barloz is a bit underpowered in that department. I'll speak to my seconds and sound them out."

Ral'Rai nodded his assent to the request, "Tomar will arrange things for you."

Kethan shook the Minister by the hand, and nodded politely to both the Commodore and the Ambassador, before leaving.

Kethan was surprised to see that the communications stations was less advanced than that installed on the Wild Fire. He shrugged. It looked like it would do the job. He keyed in the encryption code for the Nova Dragons' main communications channel. Both systems were voice only rather than holographic, so there was less delay on the signal.

"Kethan?" mumbled a sleepy sounding Sullustan voice. "Do you know what time it is here?" Syl wasn't overly happy at having been woken in the small hours of the morning.

"Hello, Syl. How are you? Apart from sleepy." Kethan kept his tone bright, his favoured tactic when Syl was grumpy. "I'm well aware of what time it is back on Cuirass II, I'm still working on that time zone myself. Listen, I'm transmitting a data file on that Alliance project we discussed before I left. They want us to take it on. I need you to sound out the rest of the unit. We need to go in on a united front. If anyone wants out, then they're free to walk. If you can get back to me as soon as you can. Hopefully I'll have some more details by then. OK?"

Syl took a moment to answer, Kethan surmised that he was probably skimming the details of the Alliance proposal.

"Have you actually read this file, Kethan?" Syl's voice held a tinge of incredulity.

"Read it twice, cover to cover. You'll find my notes appended to the end. Don't start with me that there isn't any detail. I know what's missing. Unless and until we commit, then that's all we're getting. Financially it looks pretty sound. Philosophically, it's rock solid." He paused, "Syl, you've known me for what, four years now? Sure, I know I've cut a few business deals that have gone sour, but have you ever known me make a choice for the Nova Dragons that didn't feel right?"

Syl digested his friend's words. He racked his brain for counter arguments, not that he particularly disagreed with the contents of the proposal, he just felt that as Kethan's second in command, it was his duty to come up with issues. He could find none strong enough to stand scrutiny.

"What's the food like there?" Syl's way of agreeing obliquely never ceased to amuse Kethan.

"Worse than Grat's cooking!" He chuckled. "I'll take that as meaning you're in, old friend."

"Yeah, I'm in. I'll get Chaide, then we'll gather the rest of the group. I'll get back to you in about 4 hours?"

"No problem. Speak to you then."

Kethan closed the channel. At least Syl might slip in a couple more hours of sleep. He knew his rest would have to wait a while yet. He turned to the still waiting Tomar.

"I guess I need to sit down with the Minister and work out a few details. Can you let me know when my Number Two calls back?"

"Certainly, sir. Shall I escort you to the Minister's briefing room now?"

"Please. We have a lot to talk about."

***************

The door to the briefing room slid open, revealing a rather weary looking Tomar.

"Excuse me, sir, but Mr Falor asked me to alert him when his people called back."

Ral'Rai looked up from the datapad the two men were poring over. "I think we've gone about as far as we can, without the final agreement of the Nova Dragons as a whole." He turned back to Kethan, "Do you think they'll agree with your decision? I can't decide whether I find your democratic approach refreshing or confusing."

Kethan shrugged, "I'm fairly confident. I wouldn't have let it get this far if I didn't think that the majority would be with me. Their motives will vary, no doubt, but we'll do the job that's asked of us. I'd best go, Syl gets worried if I leave him waiting."

"Of course. I'll be waiting here for your answer."

The tall man left the room, chopping his strides to maintain pace with Tomar. "Almost onboard, and still they won't let me run around on my own. Caution mixed with courtesy. Works for me." Kethan was absorbed with his thoughts and strode a couple of paces past the communications room before realising that Tomar had stopped.

Slightly chagrined Kethan made a play of stretching. Tomar grinned, he obviously wasn't buying it, though he did at least try to hide it.

"Channel 155. I'll be waiting out here when you're finished."

"Thanks." The Etti ducked into the communications room and sat down. Keying in the channel he waited for Syl.

"Kethan?"

"I'm here. What have you got for me?"

"To cut a long story short, we're in. I almost had to get Kal to sedate Krib when I mentioned a Capital Class ship! I think he's bucking for Chief Engineer. At least it'll keep him from screwing with the Wild Fire's systems." Syl paused, a chill thought swept over him. "We ARE keeping the Wild Fire?" The YT2000 may well have been Kethan's ship when Syl first met him, but it had become more than just a conveyance between the stars to him. He carried on, fearful for the moment of what Kethan's answer might be, "Chaide's here as well, he wanted a word."

"OK, put him through. Oh, and as for the Wild Fire, even the Emperor himself wouldn't make me part with her. Mind you, the Ice Witch will have to go. We'll need the money for a down payment. Sorry, Chaide, go ahead."

"No problem, Kethan. What I would like to know is, what are we getting into? I'm with you all the way, but…all the way into what, exactly?"

Kethan scratched the stubble on his chin, "I'm going to call it privateering. I've had some extra details, and now I can confirm that we're in, I'll have plenty of briefing material when I get back. The basic premise is the Alliance have a captured YVG Corvette, The Hammer, what she lacks is a crew. That's where we come in. We'll provide the backbone of a command staff, and then we can recruit the rest of the crew. Minister Muvunc and I were just going over the records of some likely people when you called. I'll bring all that with me. Our core mission will be to disrupt Imperial shipping, don't know exactly where yet, that's one of the operational details I'll get shortly. Mostly we'll be on our own, masquerading as a Customs vessel, at least until our cover gets blown. Then we'll be more of a raider. Nothing we haven't done already, just on a grander scale. We hand over 50% of our take, then we make payments on the ship. Trust me on this one, I've seen the numbers and it should be doable. We'll be able to request support or be offered it if the Alliance invoke a clause to direct certain operations themselves. Comments?"

"Only one. What the hell do any of us know about running a Capital-class ship?"

"Not a great deal, as yet, I'll grant you. We'll be getting an Alliance 'advisor' and I've spoken to Ral'Rai about the need for an experienced second officer, no offence, Syl, hopefully one with some Imperial Customs experience. Dallara's resume gives us a lead pilot, JD has had training on the armament load out this YVG will be carrying. As for the rest of us, well, we study hard and we learn fast. We'll get plenty of help from Ral'Rai, he's sold on this operation, he wants it to be a success more than anything. I'll see about arranging a shakedown cruise, once we have the new crew fully assembled. Look, I'd like to discuss this further, but I need to get back into my meeting. I'll conduct a full briefing when I get back. Shouldn't be much more than a week, two at the outside."

"OK, Kethan, we'll speak to you then."

The connection clicked off. Kethan breathed a sigh of relief. "Project Hammer, meet the Nova Dragons. May the Force guide us all." He thought. Rising from the chair, he rejoined Tomar, who'd respectfully stayed outside the room, and returned to the conference room.

Minister Muvunc looked up, "Do you have a final answer for me?" Ral'Rai needed to know, now. No time for pleasantries.

"You have a command staff for Project Hammer," beamed Kethan.

Ral'Rai returned the tall mans' smile. "Excellent. I have a good feeling about this."

And so it begins...

[ THE INTERVIEW | PERSONNEL ]