Thane watched his squad leader pass out the durra-sheets, with the mission briefing. Thane could tell she was still hurting from the fighting in the Lehon System, to entire Phoenix wing must be hurting, friends lost, New Republic forces giving us a beating. There might not be any physical damage, but the emotional damage was there, Thane could. He looked around the room, which normally would have been full of Viper pilots, now it was occupied, with three rookies, and their Squadron leader who was exiting the room. Thane looked at his fellow crewmen, they had looks of excitement, this will be their first mission with Viper, but the Chief’s warning is what that remembered. Space is no playground; there are so many dangers out in the “Big Black”, Pirates, Rebels, etc. Thane knew the risks, even if he was escorting a high-ranking intelligence officer; there is no need to grow complacent. Thane looked at the other rookies nodded and left the room.

Thane was on his way to the mess hall, when one of his fellow new recruits stopped him, Amacuse.

“Undertaker, wait up.” Said Amicus quickly walking over to Thane

“You may call me, Thane; Undertaker is just a call sign. Do you need something?” Thane said trying to be as polite as possible.

“No, not really, I just saw that you were heading towards the mess hall, and I wondered if I could join you.” Asked Amacuse

“Yes you may, Amacuse.” Replied Thane

“Please, call me Cayden.” Replied Cayden chuckling

The two made their way to the mess hall, Thane with hands behind his back. The mess hall doors parted in front of them, their wasn’t much activity in the room, just a few cooks, and some Imperial staff drinking. Cayden and Thane selected a table, sat down and began to eat. Thane had steak, was drinking water, he thought it’s was a bad idea to drink liquor before a mission. Cayden was eating some sort of sandwich, and was drinking juma juice.

“So what did you do before you joined the VEN?” asked Cayden

“I could tell you, but its not very good table conversation.” Replied Thane

“Why did you do something bad?” asked Cayden

“In some people’s eyes yes, I was an assassin, a bounty hunter you might say.” Said Thane calmly looking at Cayden for his reaction

Cayden stared at the Black skinned Zabrak, “You were an assassin, why did you join the VE?” asked Cayden
“Not long ago, my brother was killed by a group of Rebels in a drunken fight, I knew that I could not just go around executing Rebels because of what they did, but I wanted revenge on the New Republic as a whole, so I joined the VE. I knew they would appreciate my abilities, and I missed fighting along side good men and women, plus they had a catchy recruiting jingle.” Thane said laughing

Cayden sat in his chair, stunned at what he had just heard, but he could not help feeling better that the man he was sitting next to was not a mad man.

“So what did you do?” asked Thane

“I worked on star fighters for most of life, I have always had a great love for star fighters and piloting. I joined the VE when I heard that they were recruiting members for their naval force.” Replied Cayden

The two continued their conversation, while eating when the third new recruit came into the mess, Topdog. He nodded in Thane and Cayden’s direction, got something to drink, and left.

“Not really talkative that one.” Said Cayden jokingly

Thane grinned a little, but he has seen that type of man before, quite, not really enjoying the company of others. Thane was like that for awhile after his brother was murdered, so he gave Topdog his space.

“I’m going to my quarters; I need to get some sleep before our mission.” Thane said getting up from the table.

“Big day tomorrow, I’ll try and do the same.” Cayden replied happy to be on his first assignment with Viper.

Thane walked to his room, in his usual hands behind his back posture. When he arrived to his room, he laid on his bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking his new assignment. Finally after awhile, sleep crept in and Thane was out. Six hours later Thane got up, and started his routine calisthenics, 100 push ups, 100 sit ups, and 100 leg lifts. Thane hit the showers, and then made his way to the flight deck.