It's off to work we go...

Reading Room

"Welcome aboard Commander." Ricam "Hyena" Nosdal saluted as Kh'Arli came through the docking hatch. Ricam had remained onboard the Corvette to ensure all the supplies, weapons, essentials, and the like were properly handled and put away before Kh'Arli's arrival, and all in all he had done an excellent job. As usual.

Kh'Arli acknowledged Ricam's salute. "Status." Was all he said as he lugged his big duffel bag over his shoulder and began walking towards the Commando's quarters, Ricam following closely behind.

"Personnel are just putting away the last of the weapons, still in their boxes and awaiting your inspection. Food supplies at 100%, ship's weapons and engine status on standby, and unit's quarters assigned. Other than that we're ready as can be, and will ever be for that matter." He finished with his ever present grin filling up most of his face.

Zhom waved a hand in the air nervously. He didn't like to be given non-useful information, much like Ricam was accustomed to add to all his status reports, and basically anything he said.

"Oh," He continued before Kh'Arli could say a word. "And the Captain would very much like to have a word with you too."

Zhom remained silent as the two made their way along the dimly lit corridor. When they reached the area assigned to Lynx's quarters Zhom barely took a moment to drop his bag at the entrance to his room and then indicated Ricam to lead the way to the bridge. "Take the lead then." Was all he said, giving away no indication as to his frame of mind.

Ricam grinned and without wasting any time headed down the corridor again. He was slightly surprised at Zhom's easy going, as he had been expecting a complaint of some sort, but then again he supposed Zhom also wanted to have a word with the Captain before they set out for their first destination.

Zhom followed Ricam's lead although he knew the way as well as anybody else on the ship. He really didn't want to see the Captain now, but then again he had expected as much and wasn't about to be so lacking in protocol to not inform the Captain he had come aboard. What Zhom really wanted was to sleep. He had only slept three hours in the last four days, and would need the rest before they set out for their first mission, whatever that might be.

The Captain, a man of average height and build, and with an impressive flight record, sat in his chair, looking at datapads and checking the various status reports his crew were one by one giving him. When they had all finished he turned and saw Zhom and Ricam standing by the door. He walked over to them and saluted. "Welcome aboard Commander Kh'Arli." He said and extended a greeting hand. "I trust everything is to your liking."

"Indeed." Zhom responded. "Fortunately we haven't had any delay problems, and that is always good."

The Captain nodded. "There was something I did want to comment with you though."

Zhom looked at the Captain intently. There was something in his voice he didn't like.

"As you were docking we received a priority one call from High Command. We're to depart immediately to the Sluis system where they've been witnessing ever increasing Imperial incursions. For the moment it's only a recon flight, but you might be expected to go into action."

Zhom studied the datapad the Captain handed him intently. "Very well Captain." He said after viewing all the details. "Inform me as soon as we depart for the system. I'll be in my quarters."

On his way back to his rooms he told Ricam to get the unit together in the Ready Room for an informal briefing. Needless to say he was furious at this turn of events, but there was nothing he could do about it. The only consolation was that the hyperspace Jump to the Sluis system would take a couple of days, and that gave Zhom enough time to carry out his duties and get the rest he needed. As long as nothing else popped up.

As the two commanding officers of Lynx arrived to the quarters area they saw many of the unit's members making themselves at home. Waikachan, the large Wookie, looked at the entrance to his room with a clear sign of astonishment on his face. Unbeknownst to him it had been specially modified to fit his size, as had the room next to his which belonged to Pier Das, who stood at the entrance to his quarters conversing with his friend Eadrain, the Jedi assigned to Lynx. They all saluted Zhom as he walked by and entered his own room, the door swishing closed behind him.

Ricam on the other hand took the time to have a few words with all of Lynx's members and inform them of the latest news, and soon enough they were all ambling at a leisurely pace towards the Ready Room, many even hoping they wouldn't have to wait too long before seeing some action.

Five minutes later, and with a packed but hushed Ready Room, Zhom "Cheetah" Kh'Arli made his entrance. He walked up to the front of the room and indicated for everyone to be seated, as they had stood up to salute him.

"This is a custom I would like to change." Were the first words he said. "I've always considered it a waste of time and energy to be permanently saluting and standing up when I or Lieutenant Nosdal appear. As of today we require that only in the presence of high ranking officers you show us this courtesy. Elsewhere just bear in mind we belong to the same Commando Unit and nothing else. Is this understood?"

"But now to more serious matters." Zhom pressed a button on the side of the Briefing Monitor and a star system appeared. "This is the Sluis system. Reports have come in stating that for the last two months more and more Imperial and unmarked vessels have been making their way through here, on many occasions attacking and destroying neutral ships going about their own business." He pressed another button and the screen zoomed in on a particular planet and its three moons. "We will be reverting back to realspace here," He marked the spot with his laser pointer. "And Wolfshead Squadron will begin a recon flight of the area and neighbouring planets." A number of small red dots started moving away from the two larger ones which indicated the Wolf's Den and the Post-Haste. "Team Alpha and Team Beta will be stationed aboard the Bear and the Unicorn in case Wolfshead come across enemy capital ships. If this is the case we move in to disable and capture the ship, taking prisoners and especially retrieving any information. This is our main mission, so we're moving in with light weapons for disabling and stunning. We're to keep the killing to a minimum."

Lynx Commando's members looked at their own datapads and browsed through the other details of their mission. Suddenly a beep sounded on Zhom's wrist communicator. He looked down at it and then spoke to the men and women of Lynx again.

"We're making the jump into hyperspace in three minutes. We'll conduct a more formal briefing thirty minutes before reversion. Until then I suggest you get as much rest as you can. That's all for now."

He picked up his things and headed straight for the exit, leaving Ricam in charge of any doubts the rest might have. He headed straight for his room, and once inside locked it shut. Less than a minute later he was in his bunk, eyes closing rapidly and thoughts disappearing equally as quick. But just before he succumbed to slumber one last thought passed through his mind. 'It's off to work we go then.' And then he was asleep.

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