Prologue
"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading."
- Lao Tzu
"You're not hearing me, Admiral," Commander Carth Onasi pointed out in a sharp tone, his eyes narrowing. The sound of loud klaxon alarms coming from outside the impressive Fleet Command structure momentarily diverted his attention to the windows just behind him that overlooked the Fleet Military Academy adjacent to command. While the sound set his nerves on edge, the noise was short lived and no alarms went off inside the building. Still, he checked his communications device on his wrist; no warning of a pending attack. Must have been the cadets he'd noticed practicing outside on his arrival.
"Graduation day; final exercise," the Admiral explained, answering Carth's unspoken question.
Carth nodded his understanding. Boot camp culminated in a capture the flag exercise. It marked the end of their training and gave the winning team bragging rights. Carth let go a long breath; it felt like a different lifetime since he'd graduated: as it should. He was on his second war in his Fleet career, and things were not going well for the Republic with their current conflict with the Sith. This brought his thoughts back to the assignment he just got handed. It was the type of order that those in the military referred to as a BOHICA order; bend over here it comes again. While not unusual in the armed forces, he'd expected more from Admiral Connors.
"As I was saying, this mission, from what little I've been told, just doesn't make any logical sense. I've got orders now that require me to take a Jedi on board my ship with no real objective, Admiral. How do I deploy a ship and her crew under those circumstances? It's basically a cruise to nowhere," Carth noted with a edge in his voice.
The career military Captain had seen a lot over the past 22 years. Admiral Paul Connors was actually a friend, at least the closest thing Carth allowed to friendship anymore. That meant he met with him for drinks when they ran into each other, which averaged a few times a year. That was about as close as you got to the Captain now: drinks and some small talk, on occasion.
By forty years old, Carth Onasi had served during the Mandalorian Wars and now in what had become a full out war between the Republic and the Sith. He had a deserved reputation of being one of the best pilots in the Republic, an outstanding tactician, a master with firearms and his loyalty to the Republic was unquestionable.
"Now Carth, we've been all through that..." the Admiral started, eyeing Carth sternly as he began.
"You have your orders, Captain. That's the end of it," he finished brusquely, wishing fervently he didn't have to require this of Carth. He understood all of his reservations, yet he had to follow the orders as well.
The seasoned soldier disliked having to deal with Jedi, ever since the defection of the Jedi Revan and Malak to the Sith. They'd fought with the Republic, going against the Jedi High Council to do so during the Mandalorian Wars. Carth for one had been glad for their help; he'd respected them for it. No one could deny that it was Revan's leadership that had turned the tide to the side of the Republic, crushing the Mandalorians. The Mandalorians fled, fleeing Mandalorians, now there was an oxy moron if there ever was one.
It was also Revan though, who insisted on taking many of the Republic's ships deep into the Unknown Regions in pursuit of the defeated Mandalorians.
When Revan and Malak finally returned, it was as Dark Sith Lords, attacking the Republic with their own ships and Republic soldiers turned traitors. It was a lesson in distrust of everyone, which the Captain was not going to forget. It was one thing for a Jedi to be influenced by dark powers, but for high ranking Republic Military members to betray the ones they'd sworn to protect was another matter altogether. The starship Captain never fully understood the whole Force thing, it was too ambiguous, he preferred the concrete. There was not any gray area to the solitary man, there was black and white, wrong and right, especially now.
This whole mission, as it had been explained to him was nothing but a hazy pile of gray, and that didn't sit well with the cunning military tactician.
"I know all about following orders, Admiral. No one has to remind ME of my duty," Carth nearly shouted, his nostrils flaring.
"No Captain worth a frak would sit back without questioning this bizarre assignment. I mean a Jedi coming in, taking over my ship, with no mission plan, no objective, no explanations, just a lot of mumbo jumbo about the Force and secrecy. I don't blindly follow ANYONE!" he blew out a breath, gesturing angrily with his hands as he continued. "People doing that are what got us in this mess in the first place and I will not be a part of it," the battle scarred Commander finished, placing his hands on hips, fixing his Admiral with a look that was on fire.
Bastilla seemed oblivious to Carth's outburst as she continued to stare out at the training field, seemingly watching the senior cadets on the training area. It had been well over ten minutes since the stern but beautiful Jedi had said anything. Her attention completely riveted on whatever she was staring at out the window. Carth had wondered if she was in some kind of Jedi trance, but was happy she was at least keeping her annoyingly large mouth shut long enough to let him get in a word edgewise.
"Now Carth, no one is asking you to blindly follow anyone. The command of the Endar Spire is still yours; the mission however is under Bastilla's authority. The details are classified Captain, even above my clearance. I know I don't have to explain the necessity for that, to you particularly, especially in these times. Now..." the Admiral started, eying Carth sternly as he began.
"That's the end of it," he finished brusquely.
The Fleet Admiral wished fervently he didn't have to require this of Carth. He completely understood his friend's reservations; he had a few of his own along the same lines. The Republic was losing though, even after Revan's death, and they were running out of options. This was a necessary gamble and he, for one, was glad that the Jedi had chosen Carth to be in on it, always welcoming any chance to stack the deck in their favor.
The Jedi turned from the window with obvious reluctance, turning her gaze onto the Admiral.
"Admiral, don't forget I will need Private Kerkes," she paused, raising her chin before continuing. "And I'll also need Private Trask Ulgo assigned to this task. I don't know your military jargon, but I'll need them both on the Endar Spire. They're cadets here- graduating today."
Turning to Carth she added, "My shuttle will leave from here and go directly to the Endar Spire Captain. There is much to do, I expect us to be on our way by 0900 tomorrow, and-" she didn't get the rest out before she was interrupted.
"On our way to where? We need a destination to plot a course, which you say you can't give me," the handsome Commander's eyes narrowed as he stabbed a finger at the huge window. "You're cherry picking two noobs from the Academy to go on this mission? You want to explain why when I have a fully staffed vessel? Don't tell me, let me guess, you can't tell me that either," he turned his attention to the Admiral. "Come on Paul, this is all really frakin irregular. There's no way you can expect me after-"
"Calm yourself, Captain. You will be given the navigation coordinates as needed, without the final destination however; not even I possess that knowledge. That information will be given to you as needed, as it will be given to me, I trust. As far as my personnel requirements go, that's none of your concern." She held up a hand as Carth's mouth opened.
"I will tell you this: I need Traviata's talents for this assignment,. She's vital to the mission," her steely eyes met Carth's. "Just as I require you," the Jedi looked briefly at the window and then back to the Captain. "You're correct, this is an irregular mission and more than that, the very fate of the Republic hangs on my completing my objective," Bastilla began walking to the doorway.
"So please, Commander," she paused cocking an eyebrow, "a little more cooperation and a little less drama, if you will," the beautiful, petite brunette's walk was soft and inhumanly fast. She stopped briefly at the Admiral and gave a slight nod to him. "Thank you, Admiral Connors," and just like that she was gone, leaving Carth glaring at the doorway while the Admiral stood watching the Captain.
Private Traviata Kerkes' lungs burned, her legs ached, as she sprinted down the last few yards to her goal: Team Bravo's flag.
As squad leader she had no intention of letting her team down, and more than that, she really hated losing, especially to the bad guys (in this case it was Team Bravo).
Dodging a pair of Bravo's Rangers, causing them to collide with each other, the Private did a forward tumble picking up the holocron, which was the designated flag in this final exercise of boot camp.
After an appraising glance of the holocron, she deftly tucked it into the inside pocket of her uniform field jacket. It had taken her a while to get used to the uniform. Spending all of her adult life training and working for Republic Intelligence, she'd never been required to wear a uniform. Being a largely covert unit, that particular branch of the Republic Military had no use for uniforms. Founded during the Mandalorian Wars, the organization was relied on more now than since it's inception.
Traviata had spent most of her time since joining, cultivating skills that were handy to have, not to mention required if you wanted to live long while in deep cover.
Ranging from protocol to weapons specialist, as well as hand to hand combat expertise, her training had been varied and extensive.
Her natural aptitude for linguistics was identified early in her career, so that education had been intensified, leaving her with a firm grasp of more languages than most could even name.
Belonging to that branch of service required a huge commitment. It had taken years, and it meant no ties to anyone, not that she had any to begin with. It also meant no prospect of having any in the future.
That was fine by her; she had a deep, passionate love for the Republic and for the Military. She was determined to make a difference and help end the Sith menace to the Republic. The determined patriot really had no desire to do anything else.
She'd only just reached the rank of Lieutenant, and had been looking forward to her first solo mission when she'd received her new orders.
Due to the on going war and after careful review of our resources, it has been decided that we must redeploy our assets.
Report to the Naval Academy for reassignment; it is felt you will best serve the Republic in that capacity.
Sacrifice Today,Victory Tomorrow.
She tried to keep her resentment at the reassignment buried down deep. If was hard for her though, having to go through the formalities of basic training. Humiliating really, considering the training she'd received previously, and she wondered who she'd pissed off enough to rate this exile.
Starting over at 38 years old was a big pile of suck for the one time lieutenant.
She knew complaining would get her nothing but stuck in some sector away from the action, minding a communications beacon or something equally exciting. So she kept her mouth shut, followed orders and counted the days until she'd get her duty assignment.
"Vee, what the frak are you waiting on? Burn sky until you see lines!" Trask's slightly irritated voice over the headset in her helmet broke into her thoughts.
Well, there had been one consolation to her recent turn of events: Trask. Their friendship was instant and had only grown as they went through the rigors of Basic.
"Where are you now?"
She looked around as she moved down the rocky rough terrain, stirring up a cloud of dust. The environment made it difficult to keep their position unknown. Trask had broken off from her earlier, heading the opposite way, without explanation.
"The hill you just went up, I'm across in the valley." He cleared his throat before continuing. "I'm in jail actually; I was the distraction that got them off your ass. Now win this thing Vee! By the way, drinks are on you after."
Vee smiled. That was just like Trask and one of the reasons she cared so deeply for him.
"Alright, alright, I'm going. One thing though, the losers are buying the drinks, and that will be Bravo Team. I've seen you drink Trask, and I don't want that bar bill!"
Seeing the two Rangers she'd dodged earlier taking aim for her she fell to the ground whipping out her blaster pistol. Two shots and bingo, an alarm screeched on their ID bands for the game, turning red as the irritating noise stopped.
The adrenaline running through her veins, she scrambled to her feet and began a full out run toward the Alpha team border. The one time undercover agent wondered why they left Trask able to communicate. Probably in order to monitor our encrypted frequency, she figured. Trask had helped out Alpha team more than he probably realized.
Creeping quietly to the top of the next hill, cursing under her breath as her feet lost traction on the loose gravel covering the area, she was able to make out her friend in the detention area. There were three of the opposing team members guarding him and two more of Bravo's squad were in Alpha's jail; that left three more unaccounted for.
If she made a run for it, they'd be on top of her instantly. No doubt the other three between her and their goal line would be as well. That gave her an idea. This actually was right up her alley and it was time to put some of her training to work. The determined soldier had a plan, and put it into motion as soon as she'd decided her course of action.
"Squad leader to Risotto. You and your partner meet me at these coordinates. You're going to take the package home and I'm the distraction. I'm going for Trask," she ordered while typing in the coordinates for the Alpha Ranger team. Hopefully Bravo team would take the bait.
"Affirmative Squad leader. Location received. Risotto out," the cadet's heavy breathing indicated she was running while acknowledging the order.
"What the hell Kerkes?" Risotto shouted when Traviata handed her a medpak, conveniently the same shape as the holocron, and then muted their comlinks.
"You guys are the distraction, I'm carrying the package. They're monitoring our coms," Traviata said in a rush.
"They'll follow you, I'll bust out Trask and then haul jets on the backside of this range of hills," she said pointing.
The course was covered with many different hills which made for excellent cover. They were also a great place to be ambushed. The only way her plan would work was if Alpha team took the bait and put everyone on pursuing Risotto.
She knew it was a risk, but she also knew that it would work. Big risk, big gain.
"If we head straight for the border they'll stop us," Traviata explained, sensing Risotto's hesitance. She had to have her full commitment to the plan, or it wouldn't work. "You're fast and agile; you can lead them on a wild yunax chase, acting like you're just evading them. It's the classic bate and switch," she added.
"We win this way and leave no man behind," Traviata trailed off knowing she had her convinced.
"Fine. You better make it Kerkes. One person is not worth our objective," Risotto reminded her, while running off toward the Alpha Border. "Sacrifice equals victory," she shouted the Republic military war slogan out as her parting words.
Traviata stared after the young tough cadet, hoping fervently that her plan would work, determined that it would. She would save Trask and complete her mission.
She met no resistance on her way to release Trask; she'd crept right up the jail. With no guards there, the only thing holding him was the sensor that automatically set off a very loud alarm if he crossed over.
"I knew you'd come back for me, Vee," Trask said catching his friend in a quick hug.
"You'd do the same," she said stretching up on her tiptoes returning his embrace. She let her eyes search her friend and then the surrounding area, having the most intense sense of déjà vu.
"They're all gone; they went after the holocron," he said misreading her distracted behavior.
His eyes widened as his friend quickly patted the bulge in her pocket. This rescue just got complicated.
"What the deuce? You're a few starships short of a fleet, Vee," he said straight faced.
"Ready to make some noise?"
She smiled, not waiting for his reply. She grabbed his hand and yanked him past the sensor and then the pair ran off in the direction of their border, the loud alarm announcing Trask's escape.
The two friends met no enemy resistance on their way, which had been a distance of approximately three klicks from Alpha's border.
Coming up to the final mound, before reaching their goal, the one-time Lieutenant ran even faster than her normal blistering speed. Bypassing the rangers at the mouth of the field opening, she raced up the hill, leaving Trask and the Bravo soldiers looking after her in astonishment.
"Where does she think she's going?" Vee heard over the comlink in her helmet, briefly wondering that very thing herself.
The move was instinctual, not planned at all; she just knew there was no other way to make it to the goal line. All the dedicated soldier knew was that she wasn't letting them lose, no matter what it cost her.
When she got to the top of the mound, she dove off the top into a back flip, her body twisting and turning in the air.
The Squad leader landed on her feet in a crouch. She did an internal inventory; other than some strained muscles, she felt fine. The athletic soldier was dismayed she hadn't broken at least one bone. Not entirely intact though she thought, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the dusty ground.
Apparently, the years of training were going to be useful, even as a Private in Fleet, making her feel a little bit better about the entire transfer situation. At least all that work wouldn't go to waste; in fact it might give her the advantage when in a conflict with the average black boot.
It was quiet for a moment as everyone on the field stared at her, all momentarily taken off guard at what they'd witnessed.
Traviata's mind screamed, RUN!
Out of her crouch she sprang into a sprint, zigzagging as she evaded the blaster bursts aimed at her as everyone regained their focus on their new target.
Rissoto chanced a backward glance, and then her muscular form stopped in its tracks, watching Vee cross the border to safety. Two soldiers from Bravo's team on Risso's six tackled her, the trio rolling into the dirt landing with a loud thud.
Pinning her down, despite her struggling, they searched her pockets in vain as the cheers from Alpha team roared out. Risotto's cocky grin told the story and Bravo team realized they'd been had, the Alpha squad's soldier's grin turned into a chuckle, as the klaxon sounded their victory. The pair pinning her down released her in disgust, swearing under their breath. Risotto now sank into the dirt, her face echoed her relief that the dangerous plan had worked.
Simultaneously, things started to happen then; various Fleet Officers started walking out onto the field as Alpha team's victory was announced over their comlinks and victory dances started all over the field.
Risotto decided she wanted a word with the squad leader and walked over to Traviata slowly, coming to stand directly in front of her. "That was still an awfully big risk you took. It could have just as easily gone the other way," she said while taking off her helmet.
The older soldier took off her helmet as well, revealing her short blonde hair, now matted to her head from the exertion of the day. "You're right, it was a risk," she agreed nodding, running a hand through the tangled mess on top her head.
"But you know what? I think that's exactly what it's going to take to win this war. Big risks and we just executed it brilliantly" she added solemnly.
The two stared at each other for a moment, ignoring the hooping and hollering of their team mates. "Maybe, you're right," the shorter brunette extended her hand to the older woman. "Good job, Kerkes."
The squad commander reached out and shook the offered hand, "You know it wouldn't have worked without you, and," she said gesturing to the group now gathered around them, "well all of you. It took everyone to do this."
Traviata extracted the holocron from her pocket and activated it. It was the Fleet Admiral.
"Attention," she barked out to the group, nudging Trask who was now beside her. Everyone quickly followed suit, all staring at the larger than life version of the Admiral now seeming to float above the holocron like some type of spirit.
Private Kerkes knew he had offices here at the Academy, but she'd never seen him in person. From her time working in Intelligence she knew the Admirals for all the military branches had offices in most of the Republic sectors, staying in whichever location best suited their needs at the time.
She glanced over at the base in front of them. The training grounds for field exercises began about one klick from the base's buildings.
It was a huge facility, with the shuttle bay docks closest to where they were now. Forward and to the west of that was an immense building with floor after floor of offices. Her eyes went to the top floor wondering if he was actually there watching, speaking to them from that location."Congratulations, Alpha Team. This is always the high point for every class that comes through, a time to put all that you've learned to the test. That was quite a display of skill we saw out there from everyone involved today. We know that all of you will go on to be an asset to the Naval Fleet and will serve the Republic loyally," the Admiral finished with a salute.
Everyone was ordered in by their CO; the exercise was over. They were to report to the barracks, get cleaned up and get their duty assignments to see where they would be deployed. It was an order that everyone temporarily ignored as Alpha team converged on Traviata. Lifting her onto their shoulders, they carried her around the field for a victory lap before carrying her off to the barracks. Even some of Bravo team joined in. After all, they were really all on the same side: the Republic.
"Sorry about that, Carth," the graying Admiral said nodding at the Captain, now standing beside him, gazing darkly out the window.
"Oh don't be sorry for THAT, Admiral Connors," Carth's stone faced expression didn't change as he spoke. "What you can be sorry for is for allowing the Jedi to commandeer my ship," he quipped. The Captain was enraged that he'd rushed halfway across the galaxy for this, and expecting anything but what he was now faced with.
The Admiral let go a deep sigh, mentally preparing himself for the showdown he knew was coming with his favorite officer. If only the haughty Jedi had approached Carth differently, then he knew the entire conversation would have gone another way.
If she'd only explained to him about Kerke's years of special training and transfer from Intelligence. If the young Jedi had at least of asked the war hardened soldier for his help, instead of demanding his cooperation while giving him zero details, then he knew the military professional would have been much more receptive to this unusual assignment.
Knowing Carth's history with his mentor turned traitor, Saul Karath, she should have expected his reaction. Saul had been Carth's CO for many years, fighting against the Mandalorians together. Admiral Connors knew that there had been some hero worship on Carth's part, up until the day Saul had tried to convince the soldier that they were on the wrong side of the conflict with the Sith.
Saul didn't want to lose, and if that meant switching his loyalties, then so be it. The moment Revan and Malak had returned from the Unknown Regions with an immense Sith armada, Saul was convinced that the Republic could never prevail. After all, he witnessed first hand what they unleashed on the Mandalorians, without the aid of the added resources they were now in control of.
Thankfully, Carth had not seen it that way. It was his steadfast loyalty to the Republic, as well as his other considerable skills, that Jedi Master Vandar had mentioned when insisting on the Captain's assignment to the covert mission.
The war weary Admiral walked over to his massive desk, gesturing to a chair, knowing full well that the irritated Commander would refuse the offer.
Carth followed him briskly to his desk, his face a cloud of anger.
"I don't have time to sit; I've got less than 24 hours to have my ship and crew mission ready, with no idea of the mission's parameters or most importantly its objective," the Captain paused, placing both hands on the desk, leaning onto his fingertips, bringing the two face to face.
"What exactly is going on here Paul? You owe me that much," Carth's deep voice asked barely above a whisper for the first time during the strained meeting.
"You're right of course; I owe you a great deal more than that my friend," the Fleet Commander said coming around the desk to his long time ally, and sat on the edge before continuing.
"I owe you more than I can ever repay you Carth, you and I both know that," he said, his voice now thick with emotion.
Carth turned to face his friend, his head shaking in disagreement. Connors held up a hand in protest, effectively silencing the Captain.
"Don't argue with me about that point," he stopped, clearing his throat suddenly choked by emotion as he remembered the dark days when he'd been unaware of his wife's whereabouts after the first attacks by Revan. It had been Carth who'd facilitated their reunion, getting her to safety, putting himself at great risk to do so.
Both men were lost in their own thoughts of that time period, Carth allowing himself to remember the attack on Telos IV. It was something he usually tried to avoid.
He'd raced to Telos IV, his home world, as soon as he heard of the attack. The brutal assault had been a complete surprise, unimaginable really. The patriot didn't arrive in time to save many. The streets were strewn with the dead, people dying in front of him as he made his way to his home. Too late, the words continued to still echo in his head after four years. He'd been too late to save them. He was able to locate Paul's wife though, and get her safely evacuated.
"Fine. You're right, you owe me big. Put your credits where mouth is for a change. Hand this annoying Jedi mission off to someone else then or tell me what the frak is going on. You've got the clout to get away with it," Carth regretted the words as soon as he said them.
He blew out a breath. "I'm sorry Paul, I didn't mean that. You don't owe me anything and I'm not one to shirk my duty," he said sincerely, pinching the bridge of his nose. With great effort he pushed away the painful memories.
"I know that very well, Carth," his friend replied honestly.
Twenty years the Captain's senior, he'd been his flight instructor at the Academy. The two had become friends after discovering they came from the same home world, knowing many of the same places and people.
"How's Jaycee doing?" Carth asked, a slightly forced smile on his face, his tone lighter. The tension was still there though, simmering, ready to flare.
"Good. She was hoping you'd come over for dinner, stay with us when you were here at the Academy," he hesitated giving Carth the chance to respond.
"Tell her I wish I could, but I'm apparently going on an urgent mission somewhere, for something," Carth paused, feeling his anger rise; he tried to tamp it down. "In other words, tell her what ever you usually do when I can't make it."
"I'll confer your regrets," the Admiral said, with a sideways smile.
"Okay, this is everything I know, though it isn't a damn sight more than you know already. This mission comes from the Jedi High Council; Master Vandar Tokare contacted me personally. He wanted you, specifically, as well as Private Kerkes," the Admiral took a deep breath, pausing briefly. "There had been no mention of Private Ulgo until just now when Bastilla requested him."
Carth's eyebrow shot up at that. "I wonder why the sudden addition? That's strange," he trailed off. "I'm sorry, go on Paul," he added.
"Master Vandar says that this mission, while technically a Jedi matter to contend with and while risky, could prove to yield results that would turn this war in our favor. I know you're wondering like I was, Carth, why they aren't using a Jedi strike force team then," the Admiral remarked.
"Crossed my mind," the Captain's voice dripping with sarcasm. "I mean, it's an odd play for the Jedi High Council, if they're telling us the truth. They usually keep this kind of stuff in house," he scratched the stubble on his jaw, his mind quickly working the problem.
"Exactly, Master Vandar says the success or failure of this mission will have far reaching ramifications for the Republic. Bastilla is the only Jedi to be on the mission, her presence deemed essential."
"It's basically an escort mission, though the final destination, I'm told, is undetermined at this time. The threat level is high, I'm assuming because of Bastilla. We all know about Bastilla's Battle Meditation capabilities, and I would imagine Malak would like some revenge for her killing his Master as well..." he trailed off as Carth's features tensed, instant hatred in his eyes.
"He's not the only one who'd like a little revenge, I only wish Revan was alive so I could personally exact a little vengeance myself," the Captain rubbed the back of his neck feeling much older than his forty years, he heaved a deep breath, his mind quickly dissecting all the information he'd received over the past hour from the Jedi and the Admiral.
His mind drifted briefly back to the day his home planet of Telos IV had been bombed into oblivion. It was Revan's order that his one time hero, Saul Karath, carried out. The thought of Saul made his blood instantly boil, and the thought of him still drawing breath was something Carth wanted to rectify personally. The Captain had been chasing after the slippery Sith Commander for years; but Saul was always one step ahead of him. Maybe this mission would finally give him the chance to not only take care of Saul but Malak too.
Ridding the galaxy of those two was worth almost any risk.
"You need to know one thing Admiral," making up his mind, the Commander pulled out a datapad from his jacket pocket and began punching at it busily while continuing to talk. "It may be Bastilla's mission, but it's my ship and crew and I will not hesitate on pulling the plug on this thing if I feel the need," Carth paused at the Admiral's held up hand as he nodded in agreement. "I mean it Paul," the suddenly energized Captain emphasized his last words.
"I know, I know and I wouldn't expect any less from you," the Admiral slapped Carth on the back, leaving his hand on his shoulder. "Word of warning Carth," he continued, while taking a hold of the Captain's arm with his other hand. "Be extremely cautious and don't trust anyone, especially this recruit transferred from Intel. You know that I agree with all of your reservations, but we really have no choice but to go along with this assignment and see where it leads. Doesn't mean I LIKE having you go off with so many unknowns," the Fleet Commander finished.
The two of them stood like that for a moment until Carth's comlink came alive with activity, his datapad flashing varied status reports from every department on the ship.
"Duty calls, Paul. Permission to return to the Endar Spire, Admiral?" Carth asked, coming to attention.
"Permission granted, Commander," Paul replied.
Carth gave a crisp salute to the Admiral, the kind you only see between experienced officers who really respect each other and military protocol.
"Safe travels my friend," the Admiral said returning the salute. "Keep me informed; I'll be following your progress very closely."
Carth eyed his datapad, then his comlink and gave the Admiral a quick nod, "Thanks, Paul. I'll send you updates," he acknowledged before turning towards the door, taking quick strides while talking into his wrist communicator.