Ziost - Crown of the Sith Empire

No. I could talk about anything with you.

"I was more concerned that I was negatively impacting your leave. I didn't want to be a poor guest again, Colonel." The apologetic tone in his voice slipped away, returning to the conspirstorial. "And maybe I should be grateful for subversives never truly disappearing. There is something to be said for job security." He chuckled at his bad joke, shaking his head.

"Though I'd rather we lost the internal conflict. A focused, authoritative state presents a unified defense against the rages of chaos and decay. Disciplined, and orderly. As all things should be." He nodded, seeming to cheer a bit.

"It's an open question whether or not Malgus might have been able to create such a society. I'm less sure about it. Demonstrating that a coup was successful seems likely to breed more plots, be they loyalist or selfish. But I do wish for a future where we are no longer at each others' throats and where we no longer continue to break our own windows and call fixing them progress."

"Likewise. One where every citizen knows security, and peace." He nodded in agreement with the Colonel. Finishing his glass, it was now his turn to refill both. Raising his glass in the air.

"To a secure and ordered future?"

Raising her glass to meet his she cried, "K'oyacyi!"

He smiled, widely, at her return of the toast in Mando'a. Taking a long drink, he paused the conversation, savoring it, and more importantly, enjoying her company.

"So, Colonel. What's your plan after this mission? Returning back to Corellia?"

"That was the plan, but if the Eagle experience a renaissance then Corellia may need an ambassador who can remain at least within a sector or so of the system," she replied with a wet smile.

"What about you? Going to continue with the current security assignment? You could also put in for a transfer, I hear Bex Company needs a new CO..."

"We both know I'm not cut out for unit command." He smiled back. "But I'm with you, someone has to stand against threats like the Eagle. Special Operations might be needed." He leaned back.

"I was thinking about putting in for a special assignment. Special team of misfits, a ship of some kind. Respond to threats without direct oversight, quickly, efficiently. Both within the Empire, and without." He looked to her eyes. "Think it's worth a shot?"

Then another pause. "And if whatever assignment we're both given after this, if I'm not under your direct command..." a pause, nervousness there. "Could I ask you something personal, Colonel?"

"Certainly worth a shot, though I don't know what this shuffle is going to look like. There will always be a need for special operators though. Most things are more easily solved with a knife than a turbolaser," she said with a nod.

"Sure Rook, you can speak freely."

"Things shake out well, we end up outside of the same hierarchy." Suddenly, he felt his skin flush, heat rising in his face. Grabbing his glass of wine, he took a drink, pondering his words. "And find ourselves with free time."

Abort mission. Abort mission. Kriff. Don't abort just go. Her answer doesn't change professional admiration and respect. And she's a friend, redardless.

He set the glass down, confidence returning, even in the face of her famously intimidating stature.

"Would you like to go out, in a potentially romantic fashion?"

Hala's eyes flashed and she blinked once.

A bit stunned she still managed in a level tone of voice, "That.... is not a conversation that I am able to have with you while I am your commanding officer."

She twirled her glass idly in her right hand, thought better about it, and moved it to her left. Then she added in a more apologetic tone of voice, "I'm sorry Tyber."

It felt as if ge had been holding his breath for some time. Then her answer. The expected deflection because of uniform code.

Then she said his given name. The first time she used it, alone. That and her tone softened the blow. He looked to her, offering a smile.

"Don't be." The smile was genuine, as he picked up the wine glass. "I would have regretted not asking." His eyes found hers, relaxing back into the chair.

She gave him a small nod then lifted her glass to her lips and swallowed its remaining contents.

"No regrets then, good," she smiled.