The New Republic's ambush was successfully thwarted and the Iron Duke managed to get out of it with fairly minimal losses. The larger ship certainly handled itself better than some of the smaller capital ships out there that also ended up seeing combat of their own. Then again the Duke's success was owed in no small measure to its fighter pilots that bravely cut through the enemy until the latter had no choice but to either flee or surrender. The squadron that managed to get the most kills happened to be Nightshrike, and in accordance to the terms established during the fighting that very same squadron was now being treated to free drinks in one of the classier establishments on Ator - the commodore's home planet and also the place where the Duke retreated to make repairs and resupply.

"More beer!"

The previous skirmish with the Republicans proved quite productive... in more ways than one. For starters a bunch of pilots were promoted or otherwise awarded medals for their exemplary skill and contribution in battle. Seth Qorbin and a few of his men were amongst them. This as such was further cause to celebrate, that is on top of having managed to prove themselves better or at least more aggressive than the other squadrons aboard the Iron Duke. Of course these were at the end of the day merely pretexts really. What military man wouldn't choose to go and get himself hammered and subsequently laid whilst being granted a shore leave? Especially if that leave would only last for a measly 48 hours...

"Well everyone, looks like the girls want to show me the local sights so i'll be a gentleman and accept their gracious offer. Be seeing you sometimes tomorrow and if not... don't come looking for me!"

And with a stylish wave Nightshrike's Gamma-2 pilot left the premises - one attractive human female clinging to each of the fellow's arms. A few of the other pilots made some comments about the sly bastard but Seth for one remained silent. Then again it would've been somewhat hard to speak in the middle of a drinking contest that the humanoid lizard challenged him to. Roughly two dozen emptied glasses were already lying on the table and the Onderonian knew that although he could still probably keep going for maybe another half that, chances were the cursed Trandoshan would likely still be the one standing in the end. The large scaly humanoid just seemed completely unaffected after all...

"Dane! Come switch with me..."

The summoned flight leader didn't even try to decline. Whether it was because of regular hierarchy or just willingness to continue having a good time... well it didn't really matter much as far as Seth was concerned. For what was worth he suspected it was more the latter anyway though. What sane individual would still give a rat's ass about ranks and such when they clearly no longer applied after all?

"Oh and Dane... be sure to switch with Walsh or Pops when you feel you can no longer continue. Maybe even Quizan for that matter. If it's a matter of wills alone then she's definitely stubborn enough to win."

And with that piece of advice Seth made his way to the bar, where he was quickly approached by the Blitz commander.

"I see you're enjoying yourself Qorbin..."

"I see i'm not the only one, am i now?"

"Indeed you're not, indeed you're not. It was nice of you to have everyone treat us as well. You know... I may just start getting to like you more than the other COs. Don't tell them i said that though."

"Not to worry. Your secret is safe with me..."

Grabbing his refilled glass, Seth raised it slightly towards the other commander and then turned around and subsequently made his way towards the terrace. It was nice outside and the clear and somewhat chilly air really helped keep the Onderonian somewhat focused. Having fun was great and all but there were after all certain limits that just shouldn't be crossed. Or if they absolutely had to be crossed then a proper time and place needed to first be guaranteed. Right now that was definitely not the case however.

"Hey chief, thought i'd saw you leave earlier. Anything wrong?"

Ahh, the trusty and concerned XO coming to check up on him. Granted Seth wasn't entirely certain of her reasons but then again he wasn't particularly concerned about them either. At least not at that time at any rate.

"Nah, just wanted to get some fresh air. Also felt like having a smoke as well. Care to join me?"

Aria Zane gave a slight nod and reached her hand to take a cigarette from the pack her commanding officer was now presenting her with. Seth himself followed suit and after placing the cig between his lips he produced a lighter with which he first lit Aria's and then his own. He took a long drag, which he shortly afterward washed down with more liquor.

"Say chief... are you by any chance angry with Baric? You know, for requesting a transfer after our last fight?"

The Onderonian slowly exhaled and then slightly shook his head.

"On the contrary. He had certain beliefs that apparently weren't quite compatible with my own. He had the courage to let me know and he also had the common sense not to stick around and compromise those beliefs for my or anyone else's sake. That is a position that i can actually respect."

"I see..."

"Then again between him and Pops, i actually do feel worse about the latter also leaving. Even if it was because of my own suggestion. Still, switching the Interceptor's cockpit for the war room should be a good move for him. With his head i'm fairly certain he'll better help out from that position. Especially since natural tacticians are fairly rare in my experience..."

"I agree. Still, this means getting more new pilots to replace them and there's no telling if and how good they'll be."

"Aye, candidates are supposed to arrive tomorrow. I'm apparently expected to meet them and validate their orders before they can board the Duke. Say, want to help with that?"

"Sure, i've got nothing better to do on my day off."

The Onderonian frowned slightly as he turned to face the woman. The words themselves definitely appeared sarcastic yet neither the tone nor face expression betrayed hints of it. Hmm... was it perhaps the drinking making him see things that weren't really there?

OOC:

Alright, so this is supposed to be a mini-story meant to provide the new NS recruits with a chance to introduce themselves and develop their characters. That said... proceed!

Tainted sat on the shuttle, looking out across the hanger through a viewport. Busy scenes did not bother him, having grown up on Kuat he had seen far more chaotic things than a shuttle landing. The nearest passenger was another Academy Graduate. An older man who seemed to know his way round a cockpit. Judging by his test scores, Tainted summised he was probbably a former smuggler or commercial jock, given the choice to sign up or spend a time in one of the many Imperial detention centres. Suddenly he aware of the other man speaking.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.” Alc said as he turned to face the older man who was looking with a smirk on his face.

“Oh nothing.” he replied. Alc raised an eyebrow. The older man was still slightly grinning.

“Im Senior Crewman Yrvron Alc, most just call me Tainted. I saw you run in the training simulator back at VENA, you fly like an experienced pilot.” Alc offered a verbal Olive branch. The Older man's shoulders seemed to sag in defeat. He figured that Alc was probbably not going to leave him alone.

“Well if you must know I joined the navy back 2 years ago. During a battle my fighter was hit and i crash landed on a planet some outside Imperial Space.”He stood up and walked to the viewport. It seemed to Alc like he was almost glad to be talking about this. Alc wondered if he had ever really told anyone about this before, but just as Alc was about to speak, he carried on.

“The crash made me loose part of my memory but I used the navcomputer in my fighter to find out where I last was and who I last worked for. Up until last month I have been traveling, planet to planet, spaceport to spaceport, until I found my way back to the Naval Academy. So I guess you can say I am experienced."

Alc frowned. It was a realisation to him that flying a real TIE was a lot different to the simulators. And to think this man had been through all that AND was willing to sign up for another tour? Alc shook his head at the craziness. Would he be strong enough to do the same in his place? he hoped so but doubted it.

“We will be arriving in 5 min.” the shuttles pilot announced over the internal comlink.

Alc sensed that the moment was over and remained in his own thoughts, but the older man, whose name he still didn't know, had earned his respect and admiration. Even if the older man did not want it. Suddenly the shuttle was on the deck, Alc grabbed his bag and followed the veteran down the ramp. Two Uniformed petty Ofiicers were stood nodding as he went past. Here we go Alc thought to himself.

OOC:

I had to do this at work on the worlds oldest and slowest Laptop. Apologies for any spelling or grammar mistakes but for some reason, the damned machine wont let me copy and paste from notepad into word.