[MCF] Recruiting an Ace

[Tank]

Creed weaved in and out of the air traffic on Arkanis. The city was bustling and alive and the speeder at Creed’s fingertips matched the buzz of activity. The cities police were mostly stationed downtown, the way they always were on graduation day. It meant Creed could put the pedal to the metal and let loose with little risk of drawing unwanted attention. A speeder in the skylane in front of him stopped suddenly. Creed dropped the throttle, forced the nose down and barrel rolled underneath the stopped speeder. Creed threw the throttle back into full and pulled up back into the skylane in front of the stalled vehicle.

“You trying to kill me?” Dula Ce, his superior, said quietly. Dula was never uncomfortable and never anxious. The comment was one of conversation, not genuine concern.

“Kill you? I just saved you.” Creed shot back in a similar conversation tone; but much more focused on another high speed maneuver in which he shot between two airspeeders in a vertical position which caused everything in the speeder to be disheveled once more.

“Oh? It looked like you had plenty of time to break to me. And we’ve passed it!” Dula said, arching an eyebrow to pilot. As he eyed the Naval academy they’d just passed.

“Nah, not your life. I was saving you time.” Creed pushed the throttle to the max after leveling out the speeder and hit the afterburners. He pulled up on the control yoke and brought the airspeeder into a loop. He cut the engines and dove straight down from the skylanes in a free fall plummet towards the ground. Creed kicked the engines back on and pulled out the dive inches from the ground. Creed slammed on the brakes and they found themselves parked just outside the Naval Academy. “And I didn’t pass it.”

“No, no you didn’t. You have completely disheveled my neatly pressed military uniform however. I’ll not be able to meet Zeb Varon in this state. You’ll have to take over.” Without letting Creed utter even a stammer of protest Dula Ce exited the airspeeder and began walking down the street.

“Blast it!” Creed muttered. He didn’t mind going on recruiting missions like these but he wasn’t the most conversational of men and this new recruit could be a valuable asset. Dula was either putting a lot of faith in Creed or was very upset with his wrinkled attire, honestly Creed had no clue which was the case. Creed leapt out of the airspeeder. He too was dressed in military attire but it was nowhere near as immaculately decorated as Dula’s. Creed had served for years under the GA and won several medals but it was nothing compared to Dula. Every inch of his uniform seemed to be covered by a medal, patch, or insignia of some sort.

Creed looked at the file that had been worked up on the new ace pilot coming out of Arkanis’ Naval Academy. He took a good long look at the picture and closed the file. The young man had to have been increadibly intelligent to have graduated with so many degrees: Majors: Space Combat Flight and Aerospace Repair – Ranged Combat – Historical War Strategy. Minors: Business.

Creed was just happy to get it through the academy alive and with honors, forget multiple degrees. Creed had arrived moments after the end of the ceremony it seemed as many graduates and their families were intermingling. Creed quickly spotted Zeb and made his way towards the man. He took a breath and prepared to introduce himself.

“Hello Zeb. My name is Lieutenant Creed Braxton. I represent a group of talented individuals such as yourself who are looking to achieve their full potential as Naval Pilots. Would you mind giving me some of your time?” Creed asked politely. The Mailoc Fleet subscribed to strict rules and regulations when it came to recruitment. They had to make sure the fleet’s location above all was safe and also make sure that the ideals and beliefs of the Fleet were always represented accurately.

 

[Ellquin]

As the crowd of students and their families began to disperse a feeling of cold emptiness rolled through Zeb like a winter chill. He slumped as the prospect of actually finding a career played in his mind. He had just graduated at the top of his class, but had nowhere to go and nothing to do. Knowing there were a few trade routes near Arkanis put his mind at ease to some extent. A job as a freighter pilot could get him on his feet.

As he pondered the best way to carry on, Zeb noticed a man in military fatigues headed toward him. He felt butterflies for a brief second, knowing it was common for students to be recruited after their graduation, but they quickly died down. Certainly, nobody would be here to recruit Zeb Varon. Although his name could get him anything he wanted back home, here he was just another graduate. His family wasn't known in the aerospace sector and he did not recognize them man.

As he came closer Zeb decided to turn away, to avoid an awkward moment of eye contact.

It was at that moment that the man spoke to him. “Hello Zeb. My name is Lieutenant Creed Braxton. I represent a group of talented individuals such as yourself who are looking to achieve their full potential as Naval Pilots. Would you mind giving me some of your time?”

Shocked, Zeb stammered, “H-How do you know my name?” Who in the kriff was this guy? Zeb thought. Not knowing what to do, he corrected his posture and waited for the man to answer. A feeling of unease was growing in his gut. Zeb was not used to recognition here on Arkanis.

 

[Tank]

“H-How do you know my name?” Zeb stammered and was clearly taken aback by Creed’s introduction. Creed shot the pilot a sideways smile, one that was sure to pique the man’s interest.

“Inquisitive!” Creed said emphatically. “I love that in a pilot. Always looking for new methods and manners of doing things I’m sure. We’re looking for pilots, skilled pilots. You’ll get your fill of action and excitement for sure. But it’s not just about flying, it’s about providing security. If you’re interested there’s a cantina across from the spaceport downtown, the Paper Heart I believe it’s called. Meet me there in ten minutes, got an errand to run first but I’ll meet you there. I’m sure you have family and friends to say good-bye to first.”

Creed gave Zeb another smile, turned, and left without saying a word more. Dula Ce had done the research on the man. They knew that the man would probably have a falling out with his family over his choice in career and would be left with little prospects and alternatives. However circumstances only molded a man, they were only the fuel that made men run. It was personality and integrity that gave a man character and that is what Dula Ce needed to know about Zeb. If Zeb was presented with an opportunity to show off his skill while giving safety to those who needed it; would he go for something more self-gratify or would he leap on the opportunity?

Ten minutes later Creed found himself seated at a booth in the basement of the cantina with a nice tall glass of ice water. It was a habit he’d picked up since being on the blistering planet of Queyta and now rather enjoyed as he traveled about the galaxy. He was watching the door carefully. He’d already paid off the owner of the cantina to keep the basement empty while Creed did his business. The bartender had been shown Zeb’s picture and would show the new graduate down to the basement when he showed up. Down here in the basement of a seedy cantina was where Zeb’s world would be changed and he would be given a chance to lead men and save lives; if he took the leap of faith.