Solasta's squad were on foot conducting their security sweep and looking for a gang of smugglers in the Bacta Warehouse District on the planet Rendili when the comm relay snapped to life and the driver of their ground transport spoke, "We're being recalled to Base. Be prepared for pickup in four minutes at these coordinates, and Dinn, the Base Commander has requested you report to the office at his quarters ASAP. Over."
The squad Captain spoke into his comm and asked, "Corporal, why would the Commander be asking for you at... oh, look it's 03h15, when he should be in bed sleeping?"
"I don't know, Sir. This is as much a surprise to me." Solasta said into the comm in her helmet.
The entire ride back to base the captain complained at having to pull his four squads from patrol before they had completed their sweep. Solasta sat quietly trying to figure out why they were told to return to the base in the middle of the night, and more importantly why the Commander would ask for her specifically.
When they arrived at the compound, the driver parked the armored walker and they could hear the engines powering down when the green light above the door lit up to let them know the driver had disengaged the mag-locks on the rear gantry and it would now be safe to open the door and lower the ramp.
Solasta hoisted her plasma cannon over on shoulder and grabbed her gear before heading down the ramp onto the grey concrete where she was approached by a very official looking Lieutenant wearing a formal dress uniform, perfectly shined boots, and not a trace of having seen a single battle about her. The Lieutenant immediately studied her and scrutinized the Cathar that was dressed in combat armor, before looking at her data pad, then back at Solasta a second time. "Corporal Dinn." she asked.
"Yes Ma'am," Solasta replied, and gave a stiff salute to which the Lieutenant said, "Follow me," and started walking towards the speeder that was waiting for them.
"Lieutenant, I'm still in Field Dress and would prefer to change before meeting with the Commander," Solasta said. The Lieutenant stopped to look her over before saying, "You're fine the way you're dressed Corporal. The General does not like to be kept waiting," and motioned towards the speeder. During the brief four minute ride from the compound to the Commander's Quarters neither the driver nor the Lieutenant spoke a word to Solasta.
Arriving at the Commander's Quarters she was ushered inside the modest building, which had an office space just inside the entrance for the Commander to conduct business when he wasn't at the Administrative Building, and his living quarters attached directly behind it.
When she was shown into the office she noticed the many pictures of battles from planets across the galaxy that hung on the walls, the large padded chairs for visitors to sit in, and the Commander who was sitting at his desk in a housecoat, clearly having been unexpectedly woken from sleep by the guest sitting across from him. In one of his chairs sat an older woman who was dressed in a formal Republic Uniform and wore the rank of General.
Addressing both she stood to attention, saluted, and said, "Corporal Dinn reporting as requested, Sir."
The Commander, who looked tired and haggard, said, "Corporal Dinn, this is General Garza and she has just traveled from Coruscant to speak with you."
The General rose and said, "Thank-you Commander, you can leave us. Please shut the door on your way out so that we have some privacy"
The Commander hesitated before rising from his chair, clearly irritated at having been woken from sleep and now put out of his own office. "If you require anything, just press the comm and someone will assist you," he said as he left the office, closing the door behind him.
"Please be seated Corporal," the General invited.
Solasta said, "Ma'am, if it's all the same I'm still field dressed and would prefer to stand."
"Oh, I'm sure the Commander won't mind if you sit on a chair in your armor." said the General and motioned for Solasta to sit while she took at seat the Commander's desk, so Solasta sat.
"I've reviewed your record Corporal. You completed Basic Training, graduated in the top of your class for both Specialization and Combat School, and was promoted to the ranks of Specialist, then Corporal. You have been stationed here for almost three years and have not formed any real bonds with any of your fellow soldiers, a loner if you don't mind me saying so, and have a few minor reprimands for not following orders in the field -"
Solasta spoke up to say, "Ma'am, in each instance I was proven to have tactically made the right decision when I had to improvise on the fly."
The look of surprise in the General's eyes quickly turned to disapproval as she furrowed her brow at Solasta for interrupting her, and said, "Corporal it is this quick thinking and improvisation that I need. You finished Carida Academy a promising soldier but have sat on this planet since graduation not advancing yourself, which oddly will have worked in your favour, and makes you an inconspicuous asset for a special mission. What we're about to discuss is classified information that you will not discuss with anyone outside this office, do you understand Corporal?"
"Yes Ma'am" Solasta said.
"Your father served the Republic Navy with distinction, you were raised on Ord Mantell, and your Birth Registry is listed as Nar Shadda. With only a few small modifications to your file, we could present you as a native from Nar Shadda even though you have extensive knowledge of the Avilatan Regions on Ord Mantell, which makes you uniquely qualified for what I need," General Garza explained.
"Which is what exactly, Ma'am," Solasta asked.
"Corporal, I would like to submit your file to the Commander of Havoc Squad, the Republic's elite Special Forces, for an opening in his team that needs to be filled. They are currently on Ord Mantell trying to locate an ZR-57 orbital strike bomb that the Separatists have managed to steal from the Republic," said General Garza
"General, I don't understand why I need to present myself as a being from Nar Shadda if you require my knowledge of Ord Mantell to locate a stolen ordinance?" Solasta asked.
"The SIS have reported some... anomalies with Commander Harron Tavus' communications, however with his squad's expertise in subversion it is proving difficult to determine if there is anything we need to be concerned about, or if this is a normal part of his operation, so I would like you to regularly report back directly to me with how things are progressing. If there aren't any concerns you will simply have been promoted to Sergeant and joined one of the Republic's most elite SpecForces groups, but if there are concerns you will contact me immediately. This of course means you cannot divulge your familiarity with the planet or region. Understood?"
"Yes Ma'am, understood," said Solasta.
"Then you're on-board, Corporal?" asked General Garza as she stood. "Yes, Ma'am," replied Solasta also standing.
"Good then, I hereby promote you to Sergeant." said General Garza, "You will pack and be ready to ship out at 07h00 for transport to Ord Mantell."
"Ma'am?" asked Solasta.
General Garza smiled, then said, "Oh, I already took the liberty to submit your revised files to Commander Tavus and he's accepted your application."
