Log:Drik Plot: A War Briefing

Drik Plot: A War Briefing

OOC Date: April 4. 2016
Location: Resistance Base Landing Tarmac
Participants: Oriana, Jax Greystorm, Ambrosia Greystorm, (not) Dash Rendar, Ackbar, Leia Organa, Kasia Ciph, Poe Dameron, Rake. The Resistance

Standing atop the little makeshift stage - some cargo carts - Major Greystorm is all shiny and new, hair still damp from her finishing round in the bacta tank. Nasty, nasty bacta. Her face reads as a blank slate for now, keeping those who have gathered guessing as to why 'all troops' were summoned. She's got a mic on her collar, linked to the broadcast system in this open-aired hangar. Ought to make her plenty loud...

'All Troops' apparently means everybody. The reclusive, quiet Admiral is in attendance for the meeting, rubbery hands clasped behind his back. He is rarely seen outdoors these days, as the sun of the Ileenium system tends to dry out his reddish-brown skin. As the Major takes the stage, his golden eyes lift a bit, and his head inclines to regard her.

Someone said 'loud'? Dash Rendar swaggers his way into the room, thumbs looped through his gun belt as he wanders. He hasn't been to a real-life briefing in a long, long time, so he's not one hundred percent clear on what he's supposed to be doing. He does spot Ackbar, however, and the Corellian scoundrel makes his way over to stand next to him, offering the fish-man a nod as he turns to look towards the stage.

Rake had his furry backside planted in a chair. The aging veteran of the last civil war was scratching behind his ear with a clawed finger. The last ride in the Outrider having given him fleas or one other pesky parasite that was burrowed into his fur. He mutters something about Dash under his breath while he looks up to the soap box where Ambrosia was moving up to speak.

"Admiral," says Poe as he steps up beside the Head Fish In Charge. He's wearing his flight jacket and has BB-8 at his ankle. He glances around the room, making note of all the faces as they arrive. He nods once to Dash as the other pilot steps up as well.

Another face in the sidelines, General Organa steps into the space of the open hanger. Her Gold-plated shadow toters along several steps behind the woman but for once Threepio is being mostly silent. Mostly. No words or announcements from the princess, it seems this isn't her show. Instead the woman walks to join Admiral Ackbar as well, a warm smile offered to an old friend before her eyes shift to Dash and he earns a nod, albeit perhaps one a tiny bit smaller before she takes her place to listen.

It's a mass gathering, and there is an excited hum in the air of voices who can only try to guess as to what's going on. Oriana is among them but she is situated by the stage, to the side, near the steps. Having been wounded often, and spending more time than she'd like in bacta and still recovering her wounds bring an ache over her body, but it doesn't show as she stands there arms crossed with a serious expression. Big brown eyes look over all the faces quickly, and then turn to focus on the Major waiting for her to speak.

Jax had been on a recon flight that had took most of the day. So he's sitting in a chair next to Rake still dress in his flight suit with a pair of mirrored tinted aviator sunglasses over his eyes and looks completely relaxed.... and possibly asleep from the fact he hasn't said anything in a while. The mutter about Dash cause Jax to set up, "Maker no not another one."

Kasia is somewhere near the back, keeping near the edges and somewhat to herself, being a rather new face here. When Oriana steps onto the makeshift stage, her attention shifts in that direction, watching one of the few familiar faces in the sea of those she doesn't know.

Turning his head slightly to regard first Dash Rendar and then Poe, the elderly Admiral nods his head slightly in way of greeting. His Mon Calamari tends to boom when he speaks, so the Admiral is keeping quiet so as not to distract from the Greystorm elder on stage. Leia, however, gets a raised, rubbery hand in way of greeting, with his wide mouth twitching into a bit of a smile before he turns to listen once more.

"I thee a good number of heads out there, tho let's begin," Ambrosia breaks her silence after a time. Her voice carries evenly, strongly, proudly...residual lisp from a jacked oral orifice and all. There's just a slight twitch in her left brow. "For many of you, this is all exciting and new...you grew up hearing tales of your beside heroes - mothers, fathers, uncles-in-arms. Maybe you've had a taste of what it's like to stare your enemy down and take their life. Maybe, you've felt a taste of what it'd be like to lose your own." She pauses, looking down and shifting her weight to her left leg. A brief lapse of silence, then her gaze snaps forward again. "For those of you whose glimpse of war has been small, hit-and-run raids on storage facilities, interception of intel relays, a little dogfight here and there...I hope you have learned from these experiences, because you will all too-soon be called to draw upon these experiences and apply them to a much_bigger_scenario."

A hand moves to brush some hair from her face, eyes are fixed on Amber as she speaks. It's a mixture of tension and excitement that's happening in her. As her body aches with every shift and move there is only the odd wince here and there while eyes fall over the Resistance, those gathered for a purpose like this. Breathing deep there is a turn, feeling it all draw nearer and nearer. For now Oriana stays back and away so the announcement can be shared.

Dash Rendar offers the General a half-salute and crosses his arms over his chest, fingertips drumming softly on his elbow as his eyes fall on Ambrosia and he begins to listen closely to what she has to say.

Jax looks around and slumps back down seeing that its Mom talking and not Dash talking. He was afraid it was another meeting ran by Dash. The Corellian looks to his right noticing the large Wolfman next to him and gets a nod in a way of a greeting. Then turns his head back to the meeting.

Rake gives Jax a nod, then looks over towards the Admiral and then Leia. Faces he definitely recognized from long years of service in the Rebellion, then the Republic before his retirement brought him to the Rim, and eventually to the Resistance. Granted, there was no reason for them to recognize him. With the mention of those who hadn't yet seen real war, just minor skirmishes, Rake can't help but show a toothy grin, glancing at Dash, then his focus goes back to the Major, before he's starting to scratch behind his ear

Leia Organa herself remains silent, her hands folded before her as Ambrosia talks. She'd spoken with the Major already, shared her opinions and views on what was to come. Now it was time to see how the rest of the Resistance, especially those who hadn't lived to see the Galactic Civil war's bloody confrontations, would take the idea of a straight up battle impending on the horizon.

Ambrosia Greystorm says, "But there are also many of you for whom this game has grown old." Finding some fellow, old rebel faces in the crowd, including Leia, she nods. "I know. And if we ever stand a chance at retirement, we've got to impress upon these young people how /real/ the danger is, and what the galaxy stands to lose, if we are silenced." Ambrosia clasps her hands behind her back. "We've gathered you here today to announce that the Resistance will be embarking on a very /large/ scale mission. If we succeed, we will liberate a very large something from the First Order's fingers. A planet." She lets that sink in for a few moments. "But we won't be acting alone. I leave details to the Sgt," she gestures to Oriana, "to whom this mission matters very much. Squad leaders, Admiral, General...after we are through here, we will be arranging a secondary meeting to touch base regarding this other organization and recon schedule. Be on the lookout for that memo.""

Poe does not look particularly surprised by this announcement. Either he was informed, or he's put enough mission data together to make a healthy guess. He knows some of the younger pilots might be looking his way, so he keeps his expression neutral, his brows furrowed as he listens. He does glance towards Ackbar, then lifts his chin and returns his attention to the stage. BB-8 on the other hand, rolls back and forth and squeaks gently. It's hard to tell if it's in excitement or apprehension. Perhaps both.

Kasia's attention goes from the familiar, to the not so familiar, listening to the Major as she speaks. A crease forms between her brows as she listens, shifting her weight from one foot to the other as she glances away from the stage to study those that are assembled nearby.

Every now and then Oriana looks over the faces watching with quiet curiosity. There are some here who are young, younger than herself, and others aged with wisdom from experience. Having moved up to the stage slowly, but not without more of that echo of grace and poise she keeps hidden the Sgt moves towards Amber with fixed eyes, determined and focused. "Thank you, Major." She speaks with a nod, this clearly being heart through the mic that's before them. Then she turns and regards all those faces, and there are so many of them. It's a touch daunting to be standing before them all but a breath saves her, it stills the calmness and she moves to the mic to continue what the Major had started.

"As the Major had said, our next mission is to save a planet. As she said, war is old to some and new to others. But there is no hiding it, this is war." A pause, she shifts a bit. "Some of us know first hand the brutality of the First Order, or have heard of it through stories and other means. They slaughter, rip babies from the arms of loving parents, kill without thought, and leave a trail of blood and horror in their wake." Another pause, there is a sadness in her eyes, what she says isn't second hand, it's her reality. Taking another breath and looking back up her strength is regained. "I am Princess Oriana Verrni, of the planet Drik. My people have been killed, slaughtered. They ripped our children away, they ruined our lands. They came in like a cloud of horror and pain and ripped my planet apart, tore literally at our flesh. For that reason I joined the Resistance, to fight the evil that is them. And now we have it within our grasp to take a planet back, of innocent people suffering under their rule, forced into their propaganda, into their ways. To free them of that tyranny."

Rake just listens, watching Amber and Oriana now. Siezing a planet was a big deal, but not as big a deal as one might think unless it was one rife with resources or manufacturing. Now comes the sob story, everybody has one, not just princesses and other politicians. People born with a silver spoon just seem to think they have more to lose.

Admiral Ackbar is silent in the wake following Oriana's announcement. He turns his head slightly, watching the others present, getting a read on their reactions. But this only lasts for a couple seconds before the elderly Admiral steps forward and inclines his head. His resonant, booming voice cuts through the hangar, "We are with you, Princess Verrni. Do you have a plan of attack for retaking the world of Drik?" That may be a rhetorical statement, but, well... That's what the Admiral is known for, after all.

Leia Organa doesn't speak. She'd spoken with Oriana, she'd known fom the start. Odds are, there was probably more then a little sympathy from the General for Oriana's past after her own time and losses nearly fourty years go that still hung fresh in her mind like she'd only -just- been freed from the prisons of the Death Star. Only silent introspection crosses behind her eyes as she waits and listens for what the others might say.

Jax does pull his sun glasses down and makes a shocked expression. Though he turns to look at Rake for a moment and gives the wolf man a shrug. Then turns to look at the brass on the tarmac behind him. Then he turns to lsiten to Oriana's speech.

"The plan is yet in its infancy. For that, we will need your counsel, Admiral," Ambrosia interjects 'softly', before stepping back. "We wanted to inform our troops before hashing out the details. Let it be known that any and all opinions, experiences, are valued, and can be passed along to your unit leaders for recommendation."

Looking to Ackbar as he announces support the Admiral gets a small thankful smile as his voice rings out. Then she looks to Amber and nods, turning to regard everyone else. "The Major is right, it is in its infancy. There will be a lot of work, and preparation to be had for this. It may run through minds, how will us, the Resistance take on a power like the First Order alone? And for a planet! It's a daunting task, to say the least. One for us alone, close to impossible." Now she lets that hang, as if there were some subtle point to it. After that pause she continues. "Drik is a lush planet, full of resources, an anchor of use for us. And it's people can help, once free. The trick is just that, getting them free. Well we will not be going into this battle alone. I had made a partnership with the Mandalorian Revivers, a deal. We will not be going to war alone, with us they will send -everything- they've got for this, all they can muster, and be our partners, our allies, in this battle. That alone enhances our odds."

At the mention of Mandalorians, Rake gets a look on his face that's part confusion and part shock. "Are you bloody daft, kid?" the Shistavanen calls out. "The not teach history on that rock of yours? Yeah, the First Order's bad, just like Palpatine's Empire was bad, but the Mandalorians ain't any better. Fortunately, they never had the numbers to be quite as big a threat, but if you're asking us to work hand-in-hand with a bunch of tin-headed Mando trash, a group that's throughout every damned major conflict in the galaxy worked for the bad guys, and not think them bad...." He just shakes his head. "Sorry General, Admiral, Major, but any group that calls themselves Mandalorian Revivers means to bring back the most war-like group of scum in existence. They should be considered enemy damn near as much as the First Order."

he Admiral's head turns at Rake's outburst, the admiral asks, "And you have compiled first-hand recon of this information?" The question sounds like a serious inquiry at first, but then the Admiral turns to face Rake, and his rubbery hands clasp behind his back. His head turns a bit, awaiting an answer, and the heaviness with which his question remains in the air offers the only hint that Old Ackbar is not amused. After allowing the question to stew in the air a bit, Ackbar waggles a wobbly hand at the younger man, "Do not forget that the Empire said the same things about us when we were attempting to dislodge the Emperor." He turns and looks to Ambrosia, "Major, you have met with these Mandalorians before, correct? What is your analysis?"

Now that caught Jax's attention. He looks at Rake, "Did she just say Mandolarians Revi...Yup I thought she said the galaxy other conquering armor plated Dildoes. Their leader tried to start a war with a hutt over a drink and not paying membership dues." Then Rake starts to talk, Jax takes his sunglasses off and turns looking at his mother now watching.

Leia Organa just raises her eyebrows at both outbursts, from Rake and Jax. A look to Amberosia and Oriana before she nods in agreement with Ackbar. "Now is the time to air your doubts, but we cannot base our actions on gossip and preconceptions. It is people's assumptions about the First Order and indeed the Empire before them that lead us to disaster in the past." She nods back to Oriana, signalling for the woman to continue.

Ambrosia doesn't seem particularily phased one way or another by the outburst. That's what they're here for, afterall. Or...maybe she actually dosed herself with some painkillers earlier and is still riding the 'chill' train. "That's a decent enough point, Sarge. I had my doubts, when Sgt Verrni came to me with this information. She has invested a number of hours, weeks, months mingling with their leader and associates. She's also lended her muscle to a number of their little excursions. Bled with them. Trusting her voucher for these people enough, I agreed to attend a sitdown on board their ...I guess you could call it 'mother ship', to get a feel for myself. They seem decent enough. Willing to commit, and when presented with the question voicing my doubts...gave what I felt was an honest answer. They want land to settle and do not seek to make enemy of the First Order, only to then turn about and incur the wrath of the Resistance upon their other cheek. Even if they desired this conquest to take Drik for themselves, they do not have the numbers, nor the resources. Yet." She clears her throat, looking back to Oriana. "We propose an exercise to test our cohesiveness in the field. And their loyalty to the cause."

A brow lifts, the outburst from Rake gets a glance from Oriana. But it's taken in stride, he's welcome to what he thinks after all. As Jax joins in on it eyes flicker to him, and then to Ackbar and Leia as their two cents is put in. So she is silent, listening weighing. When Amber adds to it there is a bit of a turn to face the Major, with a nod. She then turns to face the group to give her own bites and pieces on this. "I have bled, in fact I even died briefly helping them. It's understandable, the concerns. But I have worked with them, along side them, gotten to know them as a people. I have observed the way they fight, I have witnessed their way of life. Learned of them. And while taking on an ally with such a colourful history is a risk, I don't feel it's one that will bite us in the ass. They've sworn to help our cause, I've no doubt that they mean it too. Plus they are warriors, strong and brave; we couldn't do it without a force like that. There are missions being planned, yes. To 'test' them, though I have full confidence in the group it's not my final say on the matter which is why they will be happening. We will need to learn to work together for this plan to work, to -trust- more than what we hear and learn to trust what we -see-."

Jax looks to Oriana, "I'm sorry your highness for the price they charge you. It will be too high." He looks at Leia, " They want to conquer a planet not liberate it. They want us to help them replace one group of conquers with another, your highness. Would you do this if it were Alderaan? Replace one conquering force with another? I was raised to stand up and say no and draw a line. I will bleed, I will die, and I will mourn my friends to liberate a planet. It is a price I understand. But will I conquer?" His eyes settled on Amber and narrow, "I will not. I was raise better than that by my parents."

"The Wookiees didn't rape, massacre, pillage, and enslave entire worlds as a right of passage, Admiral," Rake says in response to the Admiral. "With all due respect, sir. The Empire was filled with xenophobic tendencies, turning the most populace species in the galaxy against anything that wasn't just like them." He just shakes his head, and turns back towards the door. "Guess I'm getting too old and set in my ways, but a Kodashi viper may snuggle up to you for warmth on a cold night, but he'll bite your ass as soon as he's gotten what he needs from you." Suddenly, he wonders what life is going to be like as a private, or maybe if there is much call for scouts in the private sector after this outburst.

There is a sigh from Ackbar. He turns to face the Shistavanen. "I understand your hesitation. But we will be working together with these Mandalorians before the operation begins." The admiral points a rubbery hand at the man, "While your remarks are bordering on insubordination..." The Admiral's hand lowers, "I simply ask that you get to know these people before passing judgement on them. We are still fighting for the Republic, which was founded on inclusion and trust. Do not forget that. Otherwise--" The Admiral turns toward the makeshift stage, hands clasping at his back. "--We are no better than the Empire. Or the First Order."

Leia Organa finally steps forwards, raising her hands to quiet before speaking herself. There's no microphone to augment her words, but the former senator, princess and now general speaks up. "No culture is without its violence Rake," she speaks, addressing the man by first name and then looking back to Jax. "Even Alderaan, peaceful as we were, or Coruscant, a thousand years ago, had bloody and brutal struggles. The Mandalorians forefathers were monsters, some of them almost as terrible as the Emperor himself and eventually they were struck down." A pause in breath and she lowers her hands. "But if we are to damn people who would offer aid for the actions of their fathers...then I should not be standing here amoung you."

Looking at Rake once more folds those hands in front of her. "During the war with the Empire, Mandalore wasone of the planets that was conquered. It was strip-mined and its people enslaved after a long period of peace. Some of their warriors fought amoung our ranks. Were it not for their, the empire's troops may have stood before us in greater number and greater armor. We are not asking you to trust them wholeheartedly nor to invite them here. But give them a chance to help us accomplish a blow against the First Order. Remember, our friends are few and far between."

There's an audible chuff from the Shistavanen, but he bows his head to both Ackbar and Leia. "I'll do what I'm told, but I ain't promising I won't rip one of those bucketheads apart with my bare hands if he even jokes about betraying us," he mutters, before scratching again behind his ear and the back of his head. Next stop though, was a flea bath and then to dowse the Outrider in pesticides because obviously Dash has a problem.

There is a subtle turn to Amber and a nod, and then Oriana faces them again, eyes move right to Jax but she speaks on a whole. A few pained steps bring her forward, determined. "Flt. Officer Greystorm, they will not conquer my planet, or my people. I am their ruler, or will be, if we win. And if I die in this and do not take my rightful place another will follow in that. This an undertaking, it's war. It's freeing a -planet-, and like hell it should matter if it's mine or not, it's a world full of people needing freedom! One thing I am sure about, it's us. It's the Resistance. It's that we are able, strong, and will fight to the bitter end! More than anything my faith lays within the abilities of those I have fought beside, to those I have seen struggle to remove the scourge that is the First Order! No blood will be split in the name on conquering; it will be spilt in the name of freedom that we help people obtain."

To Ackbar and Leia she looks, giving them a nod, the speak true and well, so she has little to add to their fine words.

Ambrosia nods, mic rustling softly beneath a slip of hair. "I understand this is a tense subject. Enlisting outside aid from questionable sources...it's been done before. Not quite on this scale, but it's been done. And yes, sometimes it's bitten us in the ass. But sometimes it works. Thank you for taking time out of your daily regimen to attend this briefing. I'll move to dismiss, unless Sgt has anything else to add to her speech. Next item on this agenda will be to arrange for a meeting between their representatives and ours - in a neutral location - to hash out details concerning a little recon. It'll also allow you all to voice your concerns directly to them and gauge your own gut feelings." Raising a hand in a little wave, salute, whatever, she limps slightly aside and looks to Oriana with a raised brow.

Kasia has been quiet the entrity of the meeting, watching reactions, observing, but now when things begin to settle, she tentatively lifts a hand to try and get attention. "I have a question," her gaze moves from Amber to Oriana, and lingers on the latter. "It may be that this has been addressed in the past, but..." She hesitates a moment longer. "In joining, I've been warned over and over again that the First Order has superior numbers, strength, power, all of that. I know the resistance is strong, so please don't think I'm questioning that, but let us say that everything goes perfectly and you get the planet back." A pause. "If it's something the First Order wants, how do you keep it without putting too great a strain on your own resources?"

Oriana watches her possible future self(Amber) retreats. Boy, that idea makes her pause. Blinking away that idea and looks over to Kasia there is a small smile. "That, is something to address. There are various ideas floating around about that. It's the hope that with a military force on it, that they wouldn't find any use for the planet anymore. One can never be sure though. It will take time to hammer it all out, that's all part of the process. If you, or anyone, has any ideas, or thoughts on this you are welcome to come to me as well, I'll hear what anyone has to say."

Kasia is quiet as she listens, nodding ever so slightly as the reply follows. "My question would then be, why do they want the planet to begin with? That--" She cuts off, smiling a touch apologetically. "If I were making plans, that is the first thing I would want to know, because it establishes value, how much they're willing to expend to keep it, whether or not it's something that yo-- we can afford to do. It would give you an idea of whether or not having a military force would be deterrent enough, or if it would take something more."

"A planet far off with easy access to ever resource a military organization could need." Oriana begins. "That is why, I think they wouldn't expect us to even attempt this. As for -all- the reasons, well trying to figure out the mind of a monster is tricky, and at best, we can only guess. I'm sure more will come to light as time goes on anyway." From there various other people toss out questions, and she does her best to answer what she can until finally the briefing comes to a close and everyone is left to mull it all over.