Pott
The ghostly-blue image of Admiral Nonconna crossed his arms in front of Captain Pott. Don't star at the leg, she told herself, not even if it's a hologram. Nonconna's wrinkled face was twisted between disappointment and apprehension. She began to feel nervous as well.
"Admiral—"
Nonconna gave a dismissive wave of his hand. A man of few words, in her career, Pott had learned it was more important to understand what the Admiral did not say rather than what he made verbally apparent.
"We'll wait for him before we begin. It's his operation now. We will receive the Unbowed shortly."
"I thought you were in command of this mission, Admiral?"
"The commander has taken a personal interest in the Trigonas Systems," Nonconna said. "I can't say I'm not glad to have him around."
"What of the reports of the skirmish near Suul?" Pott asked.
"I believe that may be the catalyst for his intervention."
Minutes passed with Captain Pott standing rigid at attention. It reminded her of her academy days on Sabis, all fiery and headstrong. She met Nonconna there when he was just a commander under Captain Doserie after the war with Exar Kun. A second hologram began to flicker into existence. Pott cleared her throat and forced her back to stand even straighter. A man appeared wearing a cloak and robes over a heavily modified republic chest plate. He had a young face, with a thin scruff of beard that ran from under his nose and around his strong jaws.
"Good, you're both here."
The hologram of Admiral Nonconna gave the at ease for the captain who was relieved to relax her protesting back. "Commander Revan," Nonconna said. "
The image of Revan regarded the both of them. "Admiral, Captain, where are we in regards to Trigonas?"
"I've got three good ships waiting at the rendezvous point, Commander, the Morning Rises, the Kuris, and myself aboard the Stalwart. Once Captain Pott and the Jedi arrive, we will make the final jump to Tul Trigonas. By the way, Captain, were you able to come up with a name for your new Cruiser?"
"Yes, Admiral, she's the Solidarity now. HHC-KW33 doesn't have quite the same ring to it."
She caught a glimpse of a smile cross the Supreme Commanders face. "Excellent," Revan remarked, "and you've ensured Master Taan will be joining us?"
Nonconna deferred to Pott. "Yes, Commander," she replied. "It took a bit of nudging, but he and his apprentice will be arriving momentarily. The Solidarity is currently holding over Dantooine as we speak, sir."
"Good," Revan said. "There's not a Jedi in the galaxy I'd trust more to handle the negotiations than N'Chun. With his and your combined experience with this system, Admiral, I am confident we can ensure an easy and peaceful agreement."
"There is still one matter I am concerned about, Commander," Admiral Nonconna said.
"Admiral, by all means," Revan opened his arms. "I'm all ears."
"Sir, it has come to my attention that you ordered a preliminary investigation on the outskirts of the Trigonas Systems."
Revan nodded. His face belied nothing, but Pott felt honesty from him, as if the man had nothing to hide. "Three days ago I sent out a small group of frigates to patrol the border of Mandalorian and Trigonas space. Outside Suul Trigona, I believe."
"They encountered more than just a routine investigation, or so I am told."
"Admiral—" Pott said, and again she was cut off, this time by Revan.
"Let him speak, Captain. I cannot afford any misgivings on this mission." Pott felt a cool wave of relief wash over her. She gave a curt nod and was silent.
"They encountered a Mandalorian convoy."
"Commander, they encountered a forward party for a Mandalorian invasion of the Trigonas Systems."
"And beat them back, if I recall. A victory."
"At the cost of all three ships!" The Admiral's voice rose.
"A narrow victory, then."
Pott watched Nonconna seethe. "With all due respect, Commander, my men and I are prepared to die for the Republic, but if the Mandalorians are in the Trigonas Systems, we could be walking into a trap."
This time, Pott captured Revan's smile in her memory. It flashed just briefly, radiant and jovial before submerging under his gruff demeanor. "I'm counting on it, Admiral." Revan's eyes betrayed his outward bravado; even as a hologram, Pott saw the wheels and gears of the Supreme Commander's mind. Whatever he knew but did not share, she imagined that he knew what he was doing. "Captain Pott, you will inform me when Master Taan and his padawan are aboard your ship. Admiral Nonconna, report back when Captain Pott arrives at the rendezvous."
"Yes, Commander," the two officers said in unison. The image of Revan gave a salute, which they returned.
"May the Force be with you," he said and disappeared.
Pott looked to the Admiral for any direction. He gave her a stern look, unfamiliar to her. "You have your orders, Captain. I want this as clean as possible. Be ready for the Jedi. We'll be waiting."
The image of Admiral Nonconna flickered and disappeared; Captain Pott was alone on the bridge of the Solidarity, surrounded by her crew.
"Captain Pott, transmission from the Jedi."
She turned out, straightened her uniform, and put on her best face. "On screen, Lieutenant."
A droid pilot appeared. "Hammerhead Class Cruiser KW-33, are you ready to receive the Jedi?"
"This is Captain Pott of the Solidarity. We are ready to receive the Jedi." She turned to her crew. "Open the doors and lay out the mat, we've got guests.
The transport docked with the cruiser with a dull thud that reverberated throughout the bridge. As the Jedi entered onto the bridge, Pott snapped to attention. Her crew followed suit.
Master Taan took a step forward from behind his escort. "As you were, never seen a Jedi before?"
Reluctantly, the crew returned to their duties. Pott let the hum of the engines warming up fill her with comfort. Soon they would be out of this system. Master Taan stepped towards Pott. She did her best to muster a smile, halfway between gloating and apprehension. If Taan felt any irony on his being here, he was a master of calm. She had never liked Jedi; she hoped it showed.
"And you, little tusk," he said. The familiar tone put her off, "can breathe easily whenever you're ready."
Hesitantly, she allowed herself to fall to ease.
"There, that's better." He gave her a toothy smile. This was a completely different Jedi than the one back planetside. Even on her ship, he was in control. "I believe we have a mission to attend to, and a treaty to broker, if we're lucky."
"Yes, Master Jedi," Pott replied. She turned to face the emerald that was Dantooine. The ship began its ponderous turn toward empty space. "Take us out of here. Rendezvous with Admiral Nonconna."
The lieutenant locked in the coordinates. "On your command, Captain."
"Take us out of here, Lieuteant."
Stars turned to starlines as the cruiser made the jump to hyperspace.
As she watched space turn to the blue void, the padawan she met on the planet took a position next to her.
"Solidarity, huh?" Brene mused. "Nice name."