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Thread: [M] Star Wars: The Bureaucrats [Hannelorian & Kach]

  1. #61
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    If there was one thing one could say of Lieutenant Marienna Beren, it would be that she did not suffer fools. When her grey, some would say lifeless, eyes caught sight of the woman approaching her, Marienna made no effort to greet her. Rather, she seemed put off, inconvenienced at best by the distraction. Marienna kept her eyes forward, one foot in front of the other as though marching off into the twilight never to return.

    Perhaps the most irritating bit was Lieutenant Andrews cavalier attitude. After all, what was the sense in asking if Marienna minded the company if she was simply going to do it anyway without waiting for a response. Rude was a word that sprung to mind rather quickly. Though with a moment of further reflection, Marienna largely dismissed her own feelings, mostly. Somewhere in the back of her mind, it pulled at her strangely. This unknown officer inquiring as to the wellbeing of her superior. Was she really a friend? Well, certainly not hers but perhaps a friend of Lt. Fischer's that he had failed to mention. Of course, everyone was entitled to their privacy. Or was this woman a Gurlanin? Surely not, not now anyway. It would be far too risky for them to send in another now.

    It would be cynical to believe that this otherwise unremarkable woman would be a Gurlanin. It would be the proverbial witch hunt, finding a Gurlanin in every closet, in every utility room. No, no, one mustn't think such thoughts. Rather it seemed much safer to simply assume Lieutenant Andrews was little more than a nuisance. The two women offered a stark contrast to one another. Though they shared the same dark hair, there was little else in common. Marienna was tall, slender, with the palest white skin in the sector and the constant faint scent of orchid perfume.

    Marienna looked upon the informal greeting with a sense of disdain or perhaps disappointment. She expected order. There were rules and they were meant to be followed. This was in a sense hypocritical, Marienna herself had the personnel file thick enough to show that she not only did she bend rules, she was the most likely candidate to have broken them. Perhaps she was investing too much thought on this most insignificant matter. Once the two were side by side more or less in lock step, Marienna simply looked ahead, her unflinching gaze watching the objects on the horizon as they moved closer.

    "Lieutenant Andrews." Marienna's tone, while not unpleasant had the distinct quality of 'what on earth could you possibly be on about?' as though she wished for anything but this interruption. "Though it appears you have little care, I do mind." Marienna sighed at the completion of her own sentence, ever determined to get her own jabs in where she could. "I cannot recall being assigned Lieutenant Fischer's keeper." Of course, she did know, or thought she knew how he was doing. A part of her wanted to know more than those simple facts. There it was again, another sigh as she stirred from her own thoughts.

    "Rise to the challenge he did. Lt. Fischer executed his duties with valor. May we all be able to respond to such tragedy with as much grace as he." Marienna found herself in an unusual position, she had the urge to smile, to show her pride in her colleague. However, for the purpose of this interaction, Marienna resisted it, keeping her face perfectly neutral. "Is there a reason for your inquiry? Simply curious? Something more?" She asked, entirely too eager to hear the response.
    Thanks to Hayabusa/Ryoku for the set.

  2. #62
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    Lt Andrews didn't seem at all put off at all by the chilly reception as she walked on beside Marienna. "Apologies leiutenant, I will make it quick. I realize you have been through the ringer as well, you seem to be holding up well though." There was a hint of question in her tone. She shifted her helmet under arm leaving an opening for the woman if she wished.

    She nodded nodded thoughtfully at Lt Beren's assessment, though her interest seemed to be pequed rather than satisfied. Letting out a light chuckle Lt Andrews grinned as she spoke lightly. "You sound like a citation write up. You paper pushers have a unique set of skills!"

    The question seemed to take the woman off guard and she appeared embarrassed for a moment before she recovered.
    "It's not like that... He is very nice to look at, and seems like a good enough guy.." she said wistfully before snappping out of it. "Don't you think so?"

    "I would never hear the end of it from Captain Fischer. She can be a hard ass, but you didn't hear it from me. " She let out a chuckle as a wide grin crossed her full lips. "So I might let that one get away."
    The final battle,
    Pain, suffering; overcome,
    by the united.


  3. #63
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    To keen observers, it was not as though Lt. Marienna Beren simply walked forward it was though she glided along the very ground, or perhaps above it. There was a characteristic grace and easiness with which she trod. Of course, while her face remained calm and almost expressionless, her hands were otherwise occupied. Gloved fingers pressing deeply into her palms, all the while behind her so that no one who wasn't looking too closely would be able to see. If one thing had become blindingly apparent it was that Marienna was not one for small talk. She found it largely pointless, there was little to gain by indulging someone in worthless whims for the fun of it.

    It was, perhaps, the line about sounding like a citation write up that truly irked her. At least, for the time being. Was that all she was to this pilot? A mere paper pusher? There was no denying this was absolutely true. But she had not spent her morning the same way as her colleague? Tending to the wounded, doing what was necessary to ensure the survival of the greatest number of people.

    "Lieutenant, I am uncertain what gave you the impression that I care in the slightest about your little musings?" Marienna spoke plainly, there was no malice in her voice, nor was there hesitation. It was a simple matter of fact statement, though admittedly something of a lie. Marienna did care, and this woman's interest in Corwin was unsettling, perhaps even off putting. Though admitting any of this felt beneath her, somehow as though it would make it worse, because it would be more real.

    "If you are interested in the Lieutenant, I suggest you do something about that. But please, do remember we are all here to do a job, and if that isn't to your liking perhaps military service doesn't suit you as well as flight suit does." Marienna managed a small nod, a small symptom of the quiet anger that was building and was frankly unwarranted. Perhaps encouraging this one to make a move was a mistake.

    Of course, all of this paled in comparison to the pending threat was a Gurlanin insurrection. An uprising which would surely result in the enslavement or further extermination of their kind. The Empire was swift to act when they were attacked. Swift to deliver retribution that was largely unwarranted, unnecessary. This was about to get much, much worse. This is what Marienna should be focusing on. Not her feelings for her colleague, who in this moment was currently her superior. The Gurlanin that impersonated her, all of it... it weighed heavily on her mind. The two would finally reach the logistics office.

    There was one piece of information offered that did stick out, Lt. Andrews had made a reference to Captain Fischer. Corwin's sister? He had mentioned her before, perhaps briefly but not necessarily in passing. "Wait... what did you mean by Captain Fischer?" Marienna asked, taking a pause here before moving to open the door locking mechanism of the logistics office.
    Last edited by Hannelorian; 06-01-2022 at 02:00 PM.
    Thanks to Hayabusa/Ryoku for the set.

  4. #64
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    "Well you are his colleague..." Lt Andrews said for the first time, a bit uncertainly; as she trailed off braking eye contact with Lt Beren. Their boots crunched on the gravel rhythmically in the quiet street.

    Marienna's next remark drew a blush from the woman still looking down at the road as they walked, she ran a finger around her ear tucking in a loose hair before looking to Lt Beren once more. The blush in her cheeks didn't lessen as she scrutinized the woman intently.
    "I will take that into consideration." She replied deferentially before averting her eyes and looking ahead once more. The pair marched in silence until they reached the Logistics office when Marienna spoke once more.

    Whatever timidness had been in Lt Andrews had evaporated quickly at the new question. "Oh. Lieutenant Fischer's older sister. She is a Captain and wing commander aboard the Overseer. We were stationed together since the academy until I requested this posting." Lt Andrews demeanor had flattened slightly though she still spoke with great candor; she seemed to be holding something back. "A real dependable pilot and a great leader, though she could be a hard as steel when she wanted to be; half the rookies joke that she can chew through bulkheads. Corwin seems almost an opposite, the way he is always smiling." She seemed to get glassy eyed once more. She opened her mouth to say more but stopped herself; instead looking to Marienna earnestly, waiting for her to remark.
    The final battle,
    Pain, suffering; overcome,
    by the united.


  5. #65
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    Marienna listened somewhat intently to the reply, more or less confirming what she had already known. Though it was interesting to note that Lt. Andrews had specifically requested to be transferred here, on assignment to this little planet not much in the way of interesting.

    "If you transferred your post to take a shot at a man... or to run from a woman, you're a bigger idiot than I originally assumed you were. Impressive." Marienna's tone was honest, direct, frank. Any number of words could be used, rude did come to mind. Though the way Lt. Andrews was glowing about the Fischer family, she could have honestly been romantically interested in either party. Marienna knew she should not judge, but she did, and she did hard. Her patience for this was wearing desperately thing.

    "If you think he's the opposite of his sister, you'd be mistaken." Marienna resumed "a smile doesn't imply that he isn't a dependable and strong leader. It means he enjoys his job and yes, he happens to be quite good at it." There was a strong desire on her part to reach out and punch the Lieutenant. Something she may or may not have done in the past, but alas, she did not. This posting right now, her job, this is what she lived for. "Do your job, Lieutenant. Be good at something, just once."

    It was as it always was, Marienna's voice never rose, not once. She was eerily calm, and standing there she was the perfect picture of elegance and poise. She was stunning, and she made sure never to give anything away, not the gain of anyone. "Forgive me." Marienna said rather flatly, almost not believing her own words, but she did in part mean them. "On top of taking the lives of our soldiers, the bastards got my best droid too. It's been a long day." Marienna was trying, which was something novel to most who knew her. KV had indeed been taken from her, leaving her crushed beyond words. That was the connection she should focus on. Not on people, no, they always found a way of being awful to one another.

    Maybe it wasn't worth putting the affection she truly felt for Corwin out into the world. Perhaps that was the stupidest thing she could do. Perhaps.
    Thanks to Hayabusa/Ryoku for the set.

  6. #66
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    Lt Andrews mused; The ice Queen had earned her title, and she was certainly living up to her expectations. The woman was fridged. The most shocking part was how matter-of-factly she spoke, like a teacher reminding her pupils of some dull dry fact they could never recall.
    She was a model Imperial Officer.

    Yet she kept the façade of a perhaps too friendly colleague, though her face did tighten at the insult despite her best efforts. She didn't offer a reply, waiting to see if the woman would offer anything else up, and was pleased to see that she did.
    It was as much as she could have hoped for from the glacial woman, though the second bite tightened Lt. Andrews jaw. The woman knew nothing about her and the condescending tone was insult to injury. If she wasn't on a mission she would have given Lt Beren half her mind, and a whole fist.

    So she was visibly surprised by the apology, and nearly agast at the admission.
    Was she commenting on the loss of resources and the blow to the image of the Empire, or did she actually care about the individuals, and, a droid??
    "Don't mention it..." Andrews replied, her bubbly demeanor forgotten and replaced with a somber one. "It has been a long day, for everyone..."
    There was a long pause, a silence seeming to hang over the compound. Then she remembered what she was supposed to be doing; it was too late to revert now. "I will let you get back to your work Lieutenant." She said flatly offering a nod of acknowledgement before turning and marching quickly toward the pilot's ready room.


    The command building was buzzing with activity. At the central hub that the department wings extended from, officers and senior NCO's hustled about to their tasks. Corwin and a handful of other officers; the scarred Sergeant Grag, the thin nervous sub-lieutenant Spears, and the man she recognized as Captain Winters, still in his dusty uniform stood around technical readouts as Senior Agent Cross appeared to be briefing them.
    "That leaves us with this location as the cell's most likely base of operations." Cross said finishing, looking around the small group.

    Captain Winters nodded. "What are your thoughts Lieutenant Fischer? This intel is mostly based on your findings."

    Corwin looked thoughtful, but hesitated. "We cannot let them think they can strike at the Empire with impunity. We maybe able to catch them if we act quickly."

    Captain Winters nodded. "Sup-Lieutenant Spears, take a company of fresh troops and root out this rabble."

    Sub-lieutenant Spears nodded, "Yes sir." He regarded the gathered group with grave eyes before turning and departing. He walked past Marienna, not regarding her, his mind apparently on the task at hand.
    The group now noticed Marienna approaching.
    "Ah, Lieutenant Beren, good to see you up and about." Captain Winters said in a formal tone. "Agent Cross, please catcher her up to speed if you will. I have other matters in need of my attention."
    With a nod, he departed the cluster and headed toward the Naval wing of the command building.
    Agent Cross looked across the table covered in data pads coolly. Corwin and Sergeant Grag kept their eyes on the table, looking over the technical readouts.
    "With the remaining data from your system and our own ongoing investigations, we have narrowed down a location we believe is a base for terrorist elements. We are deploying a strike against the location with the intent to scoop up persons of interest for interrogation."
    The final battle,
    Pain, suffering; overcome,
    by the united.


  7. #67
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    Marienna noted the significant shift in Lt. Andrews tone after she issued her apology. It seemed, rather swiftly, to end their interaction. She did admit that it was somewhat curious, Lt. Andrews never completed her task and found Lt. Fischer. She simply seemed to ask her questions and vanish, as quickly and unexpectedly as she had arrived. Was this the intent? Was she simply there to dig for information? It all seemed rather odd, but never the less it was somewhat expected. Few individuals seemed to possess the restraint she did.

    Marienna nodded her head as Spears and his band of troops moved past her. He did not acknowledge her, but really this troubled her very little. So much had been happening over a period of hours that it seemed plausible that he was simply focused on the task at hand. That was exactly what he needed to be, really what they all needed to be. Hyper focused. When one strikes at the Empire and their resources, the Empire retaliates. Marienna knew that was to follow would not be pretty but it would be swift.

    As she moved, she did so with purpose, and having caught sight of Captain Winters, she raised her hand quickly in salute, standing at attention. "Apologies for my tardiness sir." There was not actual sincerity in her words, she was not particularly sorry, though she would go through the proper motions and hope that this ultimately wouldn't end up in her file. Though, all things considering, it was a small enough infraction on a day where it would probably not go terribly far.

    She moved to the table, casting her gaze down at the contents, the mess of datapads and projections. Lieutenant Beren stood beside Corwin, with her hands neatly intertwined behind her back, as she stood perfectly straight. Traces of her perfume cast around her, small, subtle. She allowed her mind to wander for a brief moment before returning to hear Agent Cross' plan. The outcome, the notion of the strike team was not lost on her. It was almost disheartening to see yet another Imperial acting the same as all of those who came before. Scooping up persons of interest really meant anyone remotely suspected of collaborating with the Gurlanins, their new found enemy at home.

    "I would like to request permission to accompany." Marienna looked over directly at Agent Cross now and nodded her head in affirmation. "If we get close enough to a hide out, I might be able to get a read on some of KVs drives." Or so she had hoped. Only time would tell, but she wanted to be part of this. Not so much for the cruelty of it all, but to try and figure out what exactly was happening here, and how she might be able to help. Marienna understood this would be crossing a line, as she was simply a logistics officer, but she did know the planet, and the people.
    Thanks to Hayabusa/Ryoku for the set.

  8. #68
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    Captian Winters had nodded in acknowledgement of Lt Beren's words, apparently unconcerned with her sincerity, or lack there of.

    Lt Fischer leaned, palms on the table top, over the table; his head snapped up to look at Marienna at the request. One of the few times his face lacked its characteristic smile. His brow furrowed, creased with worry lines as he regarded her with concern.

    Agent Cross's cool look turned to a sour one. "Certainly not." She answered incredulously. "You are office staff, you are hardly qualified for field work." She crossed her arms in front of her chest, satisfied that would put the matter to rest, despite the fact that Marienna technically outranked her.
    A tension began to rise at the table. Corwin didn't know what would give first.
    Agent Cross would doggedly guard her realm, and Marienna would not likely back down. He knew getting KV back was very important to her. Likely Agent Cross chalked it up to trying to steal her thunder, or get back at her for the interrogation.
    He didn't want Marienna out there, in the streets, caught in the crossfire of a raid; but he knew she would likely be able to handle herself. He had read her file, and seen her in action;
    and if she wanted to go, she would likely find a way, even if it meant bending orders.
    The idea of that bothered him.
    Last edited by Kach; 07-11-2022 at 01:50 AM.
    The final battle,
    Pain, suffering; overcome,
    by the united.


  9. #69
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    It would have been surprising if Agent Cross had granted the Lieutenant's request out right. Marienna expected the rejection. What she did not expect was Lt. Fischer's reaction to the situation. His face bereft of his signature smile. He was concerned, though she dared not speculate what he was actually concerned about.

    "With all due respect ma'am..." Marienna began in an exceedingly calm tone. This was, of course, a statement that when said aloud usually meant the opposite. This was certainly the case now. Marienna, while expected the reply, did not intend to settle so easily. "I know this planet. I know it better than you. It's my job to know this planet and every Imperial resource on it." Marienna had now opened herself fully up to attack, not only was she challenging an order, she was open to questions about if she knew it so well, how did this happen? "I have plenty of field work experience, I understand the danger I'm opening myself up to." Marienna was sincere, she did understand that Agent Cross would essentially have to sanction an additional completely unnecessary death.

    "All but hours ago I was attending to the wounded on that same battle field. Let me do my part to help the Empire. Please, I am asking you to reconsider your decision." Marienna had no intention of letting Agent Cross stop her, and indeed, if she was still told no she would inevitably break the rules and do it anyway. But it was important to try to make the case first. It was important to try to do things the right way. She said nothing further, she simply awaited what she assumed would be yet another rejection.
    Thanks to Hayabusa/Ryoku for the set.

  10. #70
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    Agent Cross's brow furrowed in annoyance at Marienna's argument, but she waived a hand dismissively.
    "Very well, if you want to get yourself killed, who am I to stop you? And if you prove to be of some use; I'm sure Lieutenant Spears could use all the help he can get." Her face became serious. "But you will be under Lieutenant Spears' command, if I hear of you overstepping your bounds I will have you disciplined." She looked to Corwin who had turned to look at her, his face unreadable from Marienna's view." You will need to clear it with your department head of course." Agent Cross seemed to add as an afterthought.

    Corwin looked down to the table top, before pushing off the table with his palms and putting his hands on his hips. He glanced at Marienna seeming a bit puzzled. "Alright... but this time I am driving." He informed her, a slight curve returning to his lips.

    Corwin didn't know why he was letting Marienna accompany the assault team, other than he didn't have much other choice. He would have liked to believe she would have listened to him and stayed in the compound; but he wasn't convinced. He understood her feelings though. After what he had seen today, he wanted to get back at the people who committed these cowardly attacks. He wanted to be part of the group that made them pay.

    Agent Cross closed her eyes, bringing her hand to her forehead. "Well you better get going if you intend to keep up."

    Corwin gestured for Marienna to lead the way out of the command building. The faintest hint of a smirk was visible on Sergeant Grag's lips, though it could just have been from the scar along her jaw.

    They walked out of the command building together heading toward the motor pool.
    The final battle,
    Pain, suffering; overcome,
    by the united.


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