Ask You Will Answer

[Douglas Hudson]

Following on From This Thread​

"Chief, Lieutenant Velt has arrived, shall I send him in?"

Douglas Hudson looked up from the datapad he was reading to regard his com system for a moment. He was already busy as all hells but he had asked for Lieutenant Velt to report to him on the Prison Break. There were things he need clarifying before he had to address the Prime Minister about the same thing.

Gods and Force that was going to be one hell of a conversation.

"Send him in, please."

With that in mind, Douglas moved back to his datapads. The day to day running of the Sector Rangers was often more work than people expected it to be. Many Rangers seemed to be of the opinion that being a Ranger in a position of command was an easy thing. That sitting behind a desk was, somehow, the least important thing a Ranger could possibly be doing with their lives. As though keeping the Rangers relevant in the eyes of the Galactic government and arranging for his Rangers to keep from being arrested by local law enforcement was something he did for fun.

Noting that Corran had been escorted into his office but not looking up from his datapad, he gestured for Corran to stand in front of his desk. Forcing the Lieutenant to wait wasn't out of any pettiness - he really did need to finish the document on the datapad before they began. When he did speak he did so without looking up from his datapad even for a moment.

"Lieutenant Velt - thank you for finding the time." he greeted the Ranger before putting the datapad down with a small smile, "Been meaning to talk to you for awhile."

Gesturing for a seat for Corran to bring it over so he could sit in it, Douglas leaned back ever so slightly in his chair. It wasn't very often that he had Rangers in his office and doubtlessly Corran was anxious about the reasoning.

"Report on your success finding us a mobile base." he instructed the Ranger, "The datapad reports... only say so much after all, I want your opinion as the boots on the ground."

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

It was one of those days where you woke before your alarm event went off. Corran had even set it earlier than usual. A summons by Chief Hudson's office had arrived days before and he had would not be late or disorderly. It would be the first time these men would meet in a professional capacity. Lieutenant Velt was normally rigid and clean in his attire, but today he looked even more cadet-like than usual. His jacket was secured up to the neck, shirt and pants ironed, boots polished. The Sector Ranger badge and the insignia of his rank shined from detailed cleaning. Unfortunately, Corran's blond hair remained rebellious as ever.

He stood before the executive assistant, hands behind his back; an exemplar of stoic discipline. Well, except for the way his fingers fiddled out of sight. Anxiety roiled in his mind. What could Chief Hudson possibly want? As if reading his thoughts, the Chief beckoned him into his office. Corran strode in with even, regimented strides and came to stand before the head commander of the Sector Rangers. He gave a crisp salute before transitioning to parade-rest. Hudson didn't even acknowledge it; his eyes remained preoccupied with the datapad screen. This didn't offend Corran in the slightest. It was the prerogative of higher echelons of command to make subordinates wait. Same as it was on the trade ships.

"Yes, sir," the disciplined Ranger replied when finally addressed, "I make time for my commanding officer, Chief Hudson, sir." As professional as his tone was, there was a small touch of familiarity that tinged it. After the Corellian Ranger Station massacre, Hudson had specifically given the then rookie ranger some advice on dealing with grief and enduring the worst of it. They both had come a long way since then.

Lieutenant Velt glanced over his shoulder at the chair pointed out to him. He placed it front and center across from the Chief and took his seat. Corran's posture was upright, shoulders squared, and boots symmetrical on the floor. He had studied his organized and precise reports for hours in the previous days. Being prepared for anything had become something a personal principle. The lieutenant nodded and clear his throat, "Yes sir. We recently acquired a Quasar Fire II-class Bulk Cruiser to be used as a mobile headquarters to support Sector Ranger operations beyond stationary bases. It has ample hangar space to receive and disembark personnel who are often on the move in their various sectors and it is not a sufficiently armed vessel to be viewed as militaristic. the ship has been christened the Lighthouse." The blond ranger took a shallow breath before continuing. "Contacts from my trade fleet days had requested aid in tackling increased piracy and skirmishes over mineral rights in the Velcar Sector. In exchange, they would disarm their ad-hoc private militias and supply some vessels to the Sector Rangers for our use."

Now came the tough news. Corran inhaled through his mouth lightly and exhaled through his nose. "Securing manpower for the policing effort was a challenge, sir. I had to call in personal favors and rely on some outside help to meet the demand. There was some... internal structural damage to the freeport space station in the region caused by an exchange of fire between our personnel and arms smugglers among their volatile cargo." It was always good business to end a report on something positive. Letting bad news linger could often lead to an unsatisfactory meeting. "I am happy to report the Lighthouse's refit for our needs has been completed on schedule, sir," the young ranger finished before tightly shutting his jaw firmly.

@Nefieslab

 

[Douglas Hudson]

Douglas paid attention to Corran as he began his more informal report on his success in gaining the mobile HQ that the Rangers had now. It was quite the addition to their armory, even if it was something that most Imperial commanders would have considered 'insufficient' in a lot of ways. For a militaristic regime intent on holding the population of their domain hostage, he supposed it might be insufficient but for the Rangers it was quite enough for now.

Despite their recent inclusion in battles against the Sith invasion forces, the Rangers were not soldiers. Primarily they were police and their means supported that task, especially the Quasar Cruiser that had been acquired. It had taken some time to acquire, mind, but that was also to be expected since they couldn't simply buy one outright given their budget constraints.

The Lighthouse was as decent a name as any though Douglas was not known for his space-faring nature.

"Ah yes, Lighthouse; a fitting name."

Not that Velt needed to know that, of course.

"Lieutenant I want you to know that your work has not gone unnoticed by the brass. In some cases, your missions have been brought up by myself to the Prime Minister of the FWA herself. The operation for Lighthouse is but one example of fine work on your behalf." the Chief admitted with a small smile, "You are a star within the Rangers, respected by other Rangers and the general public has a rather bright, if somewhat limited, view of you as well. It can be argued that only Rangers Aran and Onn have services comparable to yours, with most of Ranger Onn's achievements being far from the spotlight and Ranger Aran, understandably, having lost much time."

He leaned back in his chair casually.

"There is talk of you making Captain, Lieutenant Velt."

Douglas' smile was gone as he spoke.

"But how do I explain to the Rangers who serve with us, the FWA brass and the general public that our rising star, Captain Velt, presided over the loss of two prisoners and the ignoble death of a veteran Ranger?" he asked rhetorically, "One through direct contact with prominent Sith agents... and one through sheer INATTENTIVENESS!"

The Chief was not a stereotype and despite what so many new Rangers thought, he did not often lose his temper. Douglas was a calm and collected man even in the face of Sith attempting to kill him on Coruscant. It said a lot that that same Chief was now scowling, his fist having impacted his desk. Taking a deep breath, Douglas sought to calm himself even as he continued.

"... leaving aside how you manage to lose a legless man for the time being, I would have you answer for your actions in the confrontation with Darth Raze."

Douglas let out a slow breath and rested a hand against his temple.

"Answer me this, Lieutenant Velt; why did you surrender your weapons when the Sith demanded it? It is not the policy of the Sector Rangers to obey the demands of terrorists and named enemies of state so, please, explain your reasoning."

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

Corran felt an urge to dent his eyebrows as his superior conveyed a review of his service. His brow didn't furrow, of course; held in check by long-instilled discipline. Lieutenant Trys Aran was the Sith Hunter. A living legend before Corran joined his first mission to secure Outpost Blue. Darmus, his mentor and friend, was of similar accolades. Not for engaging Force-users in direct combat, but for his quick-thinking and technological prowess. Having Corran Velt's name among that esteemed pantheon felt... odd. The Prime Minister knowing of him, the public's awareness, and even respect among ranks of his fellow Sector Rangers was news to him. Had he allowed his face to move, it would have expressed visible surprise at mention of promotion. All this time, Corran was just doing his job. But if the Chief was saying it... could it be true?

But. There was always a but. The real reason for his summoning finally arrived. Lieutenant Velt had suspected being called to stand before his commanding officer wouldn't be a pep talk. Chief Hudson's raised tone and clear displeasure did not rattle the blond ranger. Even when his fist pounded on the desk, Corran remained a monument to restraint. Memories of an authoritarian freighter captain, spittle flying from his gaping maw, cursing a younger Corran at point blank range briefly surfaced before submerging. Hudson would have to do better than that if he wanted to get a rise out of his subordinate. Perhaps a slap, even if Corran couldn't feel its sting.

When it was his turn to respond, Lieutenant Velt spoke with a monotoned stoicism. Rigid and orderly. "The Sith had already penetrated the prison's defenses and reached their target before an organized defense could be rallied. Scores of personnel had been killed or wounded. Rangers Coulter and Onn had begun engaging two Sith and I arrived on the scene to support their containment efforts." As stiff as his words were, Corran's eyes said more. They met the Chief's face and seemed to be recalling the event, detail by detail, behind the irises. "Ranger Coulter was levitated by a Force ability and used as a hostage. Friendly fire had a high probability. Knowing the situation of the facility, everything I did after that point was casualty reduction." There was a pause. "Sir."

Hallways littered with bodies. Burnt torsos sliced open from one end to the other. It would have been shocking had Corran not seen it before. This was just the way Sith fought. "Having obtained his objective, Darth Raze seemed intent on leaving the prison. I surrendered my visible weapons on the chance Vera Coulter could have been released. Had we resisted more fiercely, all three personnel present at the event might not have survived. And we would not be having this conversation." Corran knew what Sith were like. The Chief would plainly see the razor-thin scar that ran from his supper cheek, across his nose, and ended at his eyebrow. Leaving oneself vulnerable to their whims was never a sure strategy. They always tricked you. Much like they had with Vera. "I maintained a hold-out weapon for defense of myself and Ranger Onn. We did not have to use it and were able to direct recapture of the released convicts, triage of wounded, and evacuation of survivors upon Sith departure."

Although it was unspoken, it was plain on the younger man's face that he believed, given the circumstances, he had done the best he could.

@Nefieslab

 

[Douglas Hudson]

Douglas listened in silence, doing his best to reign in his temper to be the regular Chief that Corran should expect. Listening to his thought process and his regurgitated report without expression for the most part, Douglas did raise an eyebrow at the pause before the addition of "sir". Did Corran Velt think that he was above the regulations and the chain of command? That calling the Chief Ranger "sir" was suddenly a big imposition because he was being asked to account for his actions?

The Chief took a datapad from his side and made a note of it on the file without turning his attention away from Corran at all.

"Casualty reduction is an admirable goal." Douglas agreed, his gaze boring into Corran unflinchingly, "I fail to see why you believed a Sith Lord actively breaking into a secure facility would share that goal. A hostage, to a Sith, is a corpse in waiting and you cannot stand there and tell me that you don't believe that yourself."

Ranger Coulter was proof of that and Corran's opinions on Force Sensitives was known to the rest of the Rangers. His experiences with them would not allow him to be this naive, surely?

"You entrusted the safety of yourself and Ranger Onn to a holdout blaster, despite believing that resisting even with a full loadout would have resulted in your deaths." he pointed out the slightly flawed logic in Corran's wording, "Curious that you draw attention to the rescapture of released convicts... talk to me about the other Sith Lord. Talk to me about how one of our two highest security prisoners managed to release himself despite an obvious lack of legs."

Douglas leaned back in his seat.

"Did you, or any of the other Rangers attending the scene, checking on the other Sith Lord at any stage? Am I missing a second Sith infiltration? Give me something here, Velt. I don't want to sit here and have an argument about the escape of a legless man - give me something that can excuse it."

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

No rage, distrust, or disrespect swelled within the blond haired man sitting before the highest ranking Sector Ranger. Not knowing the feeling himself, Corran could only imagine the pressure Chief Hudson felt from all those he corresponded with or reported to. Those who never encountered Sith in combat couldn't possibly understand the lengths they went to; killing, maiming, or torturing all they could. Even at the cost of their own lives. Shrill cackles surrounded by fire echoed in Corran's mind. "I believed at the time, sir, that Darth Raze was seeking to vacate the premises as quickly as possible. Management of time seemed more pressing than murder. Having achieved his goal, and we having been flanked by an advanced Sith combat droid, our options seemed limited." A deep purple and green bruise clearly colored Lieutenant Velt's right cheek. "I couldn't risk killing Ranger Coulter ourselves in the crossfire. She had already been hit by Ranger Onn's blaster and a stun round fired from myself due to the Force-control." His teeth clenched on a few words behind unmoving lips; chewing over what to say next. "Sir, trusting Sith with mercy is foolish. I put faith in their self-interest to depart without wasting time to butcher survivors." In Vera's case, that had been a gamble she lost. And he would bear it forever.

Others might have assumed talking about an amputee escaping practically undetected would be the worst part of this discussion. Lieutenant Velt was thankful for it. Reliving the loss of Vera Coulter had been haunting his mind ever since he walked out of that facility with her corpse. What he could have done differently. A million choices he could never attempt. He inhaled through his nostrils, still meeting the withering authority of his superior without flinching, "No sir. No personnel checked on the second Sith Lord prisoner at any point. A secondary action was taking place in the facility's hangar where Rangers Virtus and Uutkik engaged a Sith warrior and a contingent of soldiers. After-action analysis and testimony by Jedi Vahn Berand indicated that a second Sith had infiltrated the prison's control room and had significant control of all operations. Jedi Berand, in fact, was prevented from assisting by reinforced blast doors sealing them out."

One of the many regrets that plagued the blond ranger. He had reacted to helping his mentor and friends who were in danger, but instead found himself outmatched and boxed in. Would have going to the control room changed anything or merely led to greater loss of life? "I believe the engagement in the hangar and the release of Non-Sith prisoners is evidence of planned diversions to allow escape by previously pacified high-value Sith."

@Nefieslab

 

[Douglas Hudson]

So instead of believing in the capacity of the Sith to show mercy, Douglas was being asked to believe that the Sith were not expected to kill an enemy purely because their main objective had been met. Based on Corran's assessment of the personality and goals of Darth Raze. Given that Ranger Coulter had been killed ignobly because Raze seemingly did not give a damn about a hostage situation not ending in death... he was inclined to believe that Corran had made the wrong choice.

Was it the only choice available to him at the time? No.

Was it the best choice available to him at the time? They would never know. Instead they had to live in a Galaxy where what happened, happened and had to be adjusted to. Douglas hadn't smoked in nigh on a decade at this point but he felt the urge to have a cigarette burning in his veins even as he instead took the time to consider Corran and his answer in silence.

"So your assessment is that the Sith were better prepared than we were." he half-asked, an eyebrow raised, "They had distractions ready and access to out control room, all of which hampered your ability to retain the prisoners."

He rubbed at his temple with his fingertips.

"Ranger Onn believes that the facility was compromised well and truly before the attack. He goes on to postulate that the Jedi stand to be the source of this breach in security." he revealed more of Darmus' report that Corran would not have been made privy to, "What is your opinion, Lieutenant Velt?"

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

Silence was preferable to immediate outburst. Either the man sitting across the desk was mulling over what had been said so far or was suppressing frustration. Both were signs that the Chief hadn't been totally infuriated by what had been said so far. His summary was succinct and clear. Corran supplied a curt, professional nod, "Yes sir. Your understanding of my assessment is accurate." It wasn't an easy thing to suggest that your team had been out-thought, out-planned, and out-fought. Especially when one led that team. Sith were not just street gangs or organized crime. They held a unique league of their own. This wasn't the first prison they had decimated. Nor the first Ranger station. And likely not the last.

Description of Ranger Onn's view of events would have made Corran's brows raise in surprise if he wasn't already more granite than man at present. The two had not collaborated at all and yet their findings were aligned similarly. Darmus was an expert in facility systems and technical readouts. If he found something among all the evidence and recordings that led him to believe the prison had been compromised, then Lieutenant Velt was likely to put stock in it. Except for one small part.

For the first time, the blond ranger moved his eyes downward in clear display of thought. Reflecting on what he knew and what his friend and mentor claimed. He looked back up and met his superior's eyes with certainty. "I concur with the Ranger Onn that the facility had been compromised before the attack. It's difficult to refute their knowledge of the base's layout and where the weak points were, sir." It was here that he paused, preparing himself for what he was about to say. "I am uncertain to the extent of the Jedi being responsible for the breach fully. It is understood that they interrogated the prisoners, but how that led to their location being revealed is unclear." When Lieutenant Velt was just Ranger Velt, any chance to place blame on Force-users would have eagerly been taken. Now... now he couldn't do it. Jedi like Brienna Lanaamer had ignored his bigotry and still gone beyond to aid him. If he, himself, didn't have direct evidence of their negligence, he couldn't commit to it.

But there was more to say. Corran leveled his gaze with Chief Hudson; a clear display of seriousness. "Sir, in recent years the Sith have been able to strike with extreme ferocity at many of our facilities and others. You recall the incidents at the Corellian Ranger Station, the Coruscant Prison, and Sector Ranger Headquarters." All had been disasters in their own right. "Captured Sith aren't prisoners. They're beacons."

@Nefieslab

 

[Douglas Hudson]

Douglas had heard that kind of defense for a result before - that the other side had prepared far better and there was nothing, reasonably, that could have been done differently. That the loss wasn't due to anything the losing side could possibly have done and it was all due to how much better the other side were. Too bad, so sad but better luck next time. It was an argument that he had heard many times before... from the managers of Huttball teams when they lost.

"The other side just played better." he raised an eyebrow, "The Sector Rangers are not some bottom of the league Huttball team that have just been beaten black and blue by the Coruscanti Chargers. You do not get to give me an answer that blames every failing of our people on the preparations made by the enemy."

The Chief let out a breath and seriously considered asking his assistant for a glass of cold water. But he had had enough luxuries today so he refrained for now, focusing back on the matter at hand.

"Raze outplayed you - partially true. But no matter how much prep they could have done, a proper counter could have ruined them. You and I both know that plans are only in place until contact with the enemy." he raised a hand, "I'm not going to tell you how you could have improved; you will. I want a report in a week on how you would have co-ordinated the defense if you had to do it again."

Because, left unsaid, there was the chance that they just might have to do that several times in the future. If bringing Sith to a prison facility brought more Sith in to save them? Fine. But next time it should be an outcome that was prepared for, one that could be accounted for given the Sith's proclivity for rushing in to rescue their own favorites.

The legless one hadn't been a favorite though... that had been entirely on them.

Douglas listened to Corran's assessment of Darmus' report and he would have to say that, by and large, he agreed. Until there was evidence to actually suggest it, Douglas didn't believe the Jedi were the source of the leak. The Jedi had no motive to leak the location themselves and their presence was far more limited in the Galaxy than the Rangers, who had small outposts and bases across the Galaxy.

He did, however, just blink a few times at Corran's last remark.

"... If I wanted a trite soundbite for the holonews, I'd ask PR. Your job isn't to quip about how hard it is to keep terrorists locked up, Velt, it's to make the Galaxy a safer place."

Douglas held a finger up, calling for silence as he stared hard at Corran for a long moment. Reaching into one of the drawers of his desk, the Chief placed a Ranger ID card down atop the desk. From where Corran sat it would be clear that it was an ID badge with his own name and details... with one major difference in rank.

"I'm going to make you Captain, Velt. Do you know why I'm going to make you a Captain?" Douglas raised an eyebrow, quickly continuing before Corran could answer his first question, "Better question; do you know why you're going to dislike the fact that I'm going to make you a Captain?"

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

The conjoined assessments by Darmus and Corran did little to deter the Chief from laying down the law. Authoritative rebukes supplied his view. The Sith were not all powerful beings. Every plan they concocted, every scheme they designed, every ploy they laid out could be frustrated. Or even stopped. Only someone who had survived battle with the Sith could make such a claim without sounding ridiculous. Both men in the room had. An order for self-reflection and paperwork to be turned in at the end of the week was not a concern. The lieutenant had a long track-record of being precise and prompt with all his documentation. Only challenge would be reliving the incident over and over. That he did not look forward to.

There was a point to Corran's 'soundbite' but Chief Hudson wanted to hear none of it. Best left for the paperwork in the 'recommendations' section. As commanded, the blond ranger sat obediently in silence and endured the withering gaze of his superior. He made his breathing shallow, nearly imperceptible, to appear rigid and unmoving. An old trick learned from an old trade ship captain who always ordered line-ups at port stops. Anyone not meeting standards suffered scorching wrath. An item was procured from behind the Chief's desk and plopped facing Lieutenant Velt.

It was an ID badge. Much like the current one he carried. All his personal information was there, correct and accurate. It took him a moment to detect the subtle difference. The rank of Lieutenant was supposed to be there. Why was it Cap-

For the first time in the entire meeting, something other than expressionless respect was shone. Corran's eyebrows dented and his mouth opened a little in confusion. Jedi teachings made more sense than this. He had come into this meeting expecting a grilling, followed by paperwork and a demotion. Everything since first sitting down all but confirmed that outcome. This? This was truly hard to comprehend. Chief Hudson began to spell it out but didn't provide a clear answer. Yet.

"No, sir, I don't know," Corran replied, visibly stupefied, "Why are you making me Captain, sir?"

@Nefieslab

 

[Douglas Hudson]

If there was one thing about Corran Velt that Douglas could count on despite everything it was that he would turn in the report, probably early, and it would be impeccable. He had never met another Ranger who knew how to write reports with such effortless finesse as Corran and he doubted he ever food. It seemed that the Ranger knew that the constant war against bad paperwork needed to be fought just as well as the war on the streets.

Truly it was a vile enemy.

Looked like Velt didn’t know why Douglas was making him Captain and that was good – he would hate it if the Ranger already had an insight as to his thinking. Surprising some of his Rangers never got boring. There was just something about being able to shock a seasoned detective that assured Douglas that he still had that magical “it” that had gotten him the job in the first place.

“Because we need Captains.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“The Rangers are currently on the back foot, especially after our last new Captain died a pointless death.” He remarked coldly, “Let me make this clear to you, Velt. When you’re a Captain, you’re the face of the Rangers. You kark up again? The Rangers as a whole suffer.”

Douglas had liked the same Captain he had just dragged out over the coals for dying a pointless death but it didn’t change the fact that said Captain dying had put a hold on a lot of plans for the Rangers. Even less useful, Douglas hadn’t actually been able to say with honesty that he had died during some important mission.

He wanted to avoid having to go on the holonet to say that another Ranger Captain had died after doing something dumb.

“I can make you a Captain, Velt, but I cannot keep you a Captain.” He remarked bluntly, “Not while your shame still lingers. The Ranger Captain who let a legless Sith Lord escape without opposition? It will destroy the public’s faith in us… if you don’t bring them something else to distract them.”

Douglas pushed the badge closer to Corran.

“If you take that badge, you become a Captain? If you don’t bring me a Sith Lord in chains by the end of the next six months? I’ll be taking it back.” He narrowed his eyes ever so slightly, “And it won’t be Captain Velt or Lieutenant Velt who leaves my office if you fail in this duty. Am I understood?”

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

Corran's eyes lifted from the badge that sat before him and looked to the Chief, listening intently. His face remained perplexed, exactly the same as when the promotion was introduced, but it remained this way for a different reason entirely. Hudson had said something so disturbing that it genuinely shocked the lieutenant. He had called Captain Roland Rook's death... pointless. The Mandalorian had been a mentor and tireless servant of the law. He had died in combat against the Sith. Chief Hudson's words were cold, bitter, and cruel. This was not the same man that had reassured a young and rookie Corran after the devastating massacre at the Corellian Ranger Station. Had the position of head commander made him so indifferent to the lives of his subordinates if they disappointed him? Or had the crises of his tenure turned a man dark and empty?

The badge with the clear insignia of captain still beckoned. Lieutenant Velt's features returned to a neutral expression. A bargain had been offered. Take the badge, capture a Sith Lord or fail and be demoted to Ranger status or ejected from the organization entirely. Captain. The rank alone commanded respect. Even how it sounded. Corran had long coveted the title of captain ever since his teenage years working on the trade lanes. All the authority. All the respect. Finally a way to make his mother and long-gone father proud. The badge was his to take. Corran lifted a hand from his lap and placed his hand over it, grasping it firmly.

And slid it back towards Chief Hudson.

He sat upright, shoulders squared and resolute. His face once again unreadable and stone. "Sir, I must respectfully decline." There was no doubt in the younger ranger's face. "If you believe there is shame on my record, then I cannot in good conscience accept a promotion. If I am to become Captain, I want it to be based on my merits alone. An honor bestowed upon me by my superior with pride, sir." Their entire discussion had hinted nothing of pride in Chief Hudson for the lieutenant. Temptation had never been more powerful than when that rank sat within reach. He even touched it. But he couldn't do it. Not like this. Not stepping over the grave of his friend and comrade, Roland.

"I will still have the post-action analysis report of the Byblos Prison on your desk within the week, sir." Velt's face, while unmoving, gained a serious edge. His eyes seemed sharp with commitment. "My efforts against the Sith and criminal elements we strive to defeat, sir, will be redoubled." If it took capturing a Sith Lord to become Captain, then that's what he'd do. On his own terms. Professional neutrality once again enshrouded the lieutenant as he awaited the judgement of his commanding officer.

@Nefieslab

 

[Douglas Hudson]

It seemed that Corran was offended on behalf of Roland… good, maybe he would do something about it and try and make sure he accomplished more. Roland Rook had been something of a friend to Douglas and it hurt that he was gone but he had come to accept a truth that he didn’t like and it was a simple one at that.

Roland Rook lived a good life and died a stupid death.

He didn’t die defending FWA space from Sith on the warpath, he died poking around a world that even the Jedi weren’t stupid enough to try going back to after their first attempts at reclaiming it had resulted in even more deaths. Ajan Kloss had been on warning lists since it had first been sacked but to go there, alone, after the second attack?

When Corran turned down the promotion, Douglas raised an eyebrow but otherwise didn’t react beyond that. It was a choice, he supposed. That it was a decision he didn’t agree with was irrelevant in the end. Taking the badge back, Douglas didn’t put it back in the drawer but instead tucked it into one of his pockets, as though he planned to be taking it out again relatively soon.

“It’s not an opinion to say there is shame on your record from the prison break. If you wish to try and wipe it clean first, that is your choice and I'll respect that, Velt.” Douglas acknowledged without inflection, “You are hereby barred from advancement until you have captured a Sith Lord, or higher, to replace the one you lost without a fight. I'm sorry but there has to be something to counter the prison break.”

His gaze twitched down to a datapad for a moment before Douglas looked back up at Corran.

“Bring the other Rangers in on your report if you wish – let it be a collective learning experience.”

There was silence for a moment.

“I hope the next time I speak to you in my office, Ranger Velt, I am sharing good news.” He admitted, his features softening ever so slightly before becoming more neutral again, “Dismissed, Ranger.”

Maybe he would have that glass of ice water after all.

@TerranSteel

 

[Corran Velt]

Corran's gaze did not move as the long-sought rank vanished into the Chief's pocket. He didn't care look at it to avoid an assumption of greed or second-guessing his decision. There was doubt in his whole person that this was the best path. No promotion or favor was accepted by a Velt without earning it first. Hudson reiterated his stance with the banning of any advancement without the capture of a Sith Lord or higher. Corran was unsure what the title system of the extremist religious organization was, but he could probably figure it out on the fly. For the rest, about the report and hoping for good news, the blond ranger replied with a firm, professional nod.

'Dismissed' was a word so ingrained in muscle memory that Lieutenant Velt practically rose to his feet rigidly before the Chief even finished speaking. Boots clacked together in a rigid stance of attention followed by a stiff salute. Dropping his arm to his side, Corran performed a crisp turn on his heel and marched out of the office of his commanding officer. It was a good thing that training and years of discipline instilled in his teenage years allowed his body to go on cruise-control, because his mind was focused on the task ahead. He'd seen a Sith Lord. A real one. Their power was undeniable. Even the maniacal, shrieking ones were tough and that one ended up dead. To capture one and keep it locked up? That... would take some thinking.

Beyond that, hidden by these dwellings on duty, other seemingly impossible thoughts crept. Hiding beneath words like loyalty, honor, and service. They scurried and whispered temptations of the natural man. Unbound by laws and conduct. Corran Velt had originally disliked the Chief for his professed devotion to the Jedi and diminishing the efforts of his own organization. But as the lieutenant's opinions on Jedi and Sith became more nuanced, he had softened on the Chief. Today had changed that. Not for the ultimatum or questioning of Corran's actions. Authority had that right. What Hudson had said about Captain Rook... unnerved. If he was cruel and indifferent about the passing of one of the most respected Sector Rangers in recent memory, what did he really think about the rest?

As polished boots clacked against the floor, echoing against the hallway walls, a curious thing occurred. For the first time in his life, Corran Velt... questioned. If Chief Hudson was a cruel, cold, vile man instead of merely one in differing opinion, then he was wrong. And if the Chief was wrong about this serious of thing, what else was he wrong about?

//END THREAD

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