For the first time in his life, in his naval career, Chief Petty Officer Davis questioned his sanity.  His screens were blank, there had been no ships incoming.  Even if a ship had been inbound, it couldn't possibly have authorization the come aboard, and it would have been stopped by the vast array of defenses that the Super Star Destroyer Atrus could bring to bear on any intruders.  It could not possibly happen, there was no way that the blast doors of the hanger had opened, inconvievable that any ship could be boarding.

And yet a small, dark craft was setting down on the polished deck of hanger bay alpha-six.  It was of an odd design, like nothing that he had ever seen in his twelve years of service to the Empire, a matte black that almost seemed to absorb the light around it, totally lacking the running lights or markings that Imperial, Rebel, stang, any organized galactic or planetary government required as a matter of course.  It's two laser batteries swept forward of the cockpit, with a third sweeping up and over the darkened transparisteel, reminiscent of a stinger.

His finger crept towards the alarm, moving on training rather then any real mental ability, but before he could touch it a hand grabbed him by the shoulder, spinning him around.  His dark brown eyes widened in surprise, in shock, seeing a face that had been on wanted posters across the galaxy for the past year and a half.  A pleasant, almost amiable smile crossed the man's face, making it seem to light up, almost diminishing the aura of menace swirling from behind a dark, silken blindfold that covered the newcomer's eyes.

"Were I you, I would think twice about touching that," Jovak Macloid said slowly, more instructing then threatening.  "I would rather not cause a commotion."

Cheif Davis had lived through the rebellion, had seen his friends and family die at the hands of the New Republic, had knowingly given orders that had sent some of the best men he had ever known to their deaths.  He had made it through all of that, considered himself to be a strong man, a proud officer, but he couldn't handle that simple, sincere, gentle smile.  As a warmth spread down his leg, he nodded, all of the blood draining from his face, starting to shake lightly.  "Of...of course...but...of course not sir."

"Don't worry Chief."  Jovak murmered softly, almost intimately into his ear.  "This will all seem like a bad dream tomorrow."  With that he tossed a small handful of dust into the air, and the Chief knew no more, dropping to the deck with a hollow thump.

..............................................................................................

Japheth couldn't help but let a smile cross his face.  There was an absence in the Force, a slight ripple where there should be none, and that could only mean one thing.  He leaned back in his chair, going over some reports, not really paying them as much attention as he could, letting his senses spread out throught his ship, keeping track of the familiar presence, or in this case, lack of presence, that he had not detected in a very long time.

His patience was rewarded before too long, as the door to his office slid open, and a man dressed in a dark jumpsuit, a variety of pouches arrayed at regular intervals across this belt, and probable more covered by the dark cloak that he wore like armor around his broad shoulders.  The man walked slowly into the room, a playful grin etched on his face, seemingly nonchalant despite walking unnanounced into the office of one of the most powerful men in the galaxy.  Coming to a halt in front of Japheth's desk, Jovak bowed very low, showing his respect for the Commander in Chief, for a very old friend.  Coming up from his bow with a slight flourish, the dark man snapped to attention, rendering a salute, and sounding off.  "Lieutenant Commander Jovak Macloid, reporting as ordered, SIR!"


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LCM JMac/DEF/VEN/VE/(=A=)(=SA=)(=MA)(=FOCE=)(MC1)(VC)

Lusthawk 8

The idea of an honorable fight is a joke. What is honorable about harming another human? To win a fight, you have to forget about honor, forget yourself, and lose yourself in a cold burning fire. You have to strike until your target stops moving, smile as they bleed, and kill what soon will be no more then a red pulp a thousand times in your heart before you commit to violence.

Haven't seen you since around the time I joined.  Welcome back.  Got any idea where they'll be sticking ya?

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SC/ESN Than Sion/Kaph 5/Wing 1/mSSD Atrus/DEF/VEN/VE(=A=)(=*SA*=)(=MA=)[LoM][VC:S][CBV](x2)[MC:1][MC:2][GWC]

--SC of Kaph Squadron

3rd Place in Wiki.

After a heartbeat at attention, Jovak dropped into a rest position, only to jump back into rigidity by the sharp command "ATTENTION!"

JMac was momentarily surprised by the harshness of his commander's voice, by the frustration he could hear in it, feel emanating from the Naval Commander in Chief, though he didn't betray any of his emotions openly, schooled for years in maintaining his compusure.

"Reporting for duty, if only it was that simple, Jovak.  Do you have any idea what I had to do in order to track you down?  Any idea what you've done to the Empire, to yourself?"

"Sir...I..."

"You what, Macloid!"  Japheth spun his datapad around on the desk, plugging a card into the side of it, letting a series of information scroll, then sighed as he remembered that the pilot couldn't read a word of it, reaching out and setting the datapad onto "reader" mode."

"Jovak Macloid, Lieutenant Commander Vast Empire, alias JMac, alias Jonathan Nai, alias Merthin Dubb, alias Vlarnt Edgar.  Age 25.  Homeworld, Corellia."

At that JMac couldn't help but mouth a few other names that were apparently not in the records, though he fell still at a sharp glance from his superior.

"Wanted for the murder of Lucas Mest.  Wanted for questioning regarding the brutal murder of Alannis Beir.  Wanted on fifteen counts of assualt.  Wanted for the destruction of New Republic Research Cruiser NRN-67, along with the death of all hands.  Wanted for questioning regarding the mailicious killings of 157 citizens of Coryl City.  Wanted for impersonating a New Repubic officer.  Wanted for theft of New Republic Freighter NRSS-32."  The computerized voice droned on for a good while, listing every deed of his that the Republic could prove, and several that they were simply fairly sure of, finishing with "this criminal should be considered armed and extremely dangerous.  If you believe you have seen him, do not attempt to confront him, simply call your local authorities immediately.  Information leading to capture or termination will be rewarded with ten million credits."  As it stopped, Jovak opened his mouth, hesitating, then saying.  "Well, I've never impersonated an offi..."

"I wasn't finished."  Japheth snapped, the anger in his voice bringing JMac up short.  He tapped on a few more keys, bringing a female voice from the datapad.

"Jovak Macloid, Lieutenant Commander, callsign JMac.  Wanted on three charges of dereliction of duty.  Wanted on charges of unauthorized absence.  Wanted on charges of violating a direct order.  Wanted for violation of Imperial Military Code Articles 99, 127, and 146.  Wanted for charges of missing movement.  If you see this criminal, proceed with extreme caution, and inform Vast Empire Military Police immediately.  Information regarding this man will be rewarded with a sum no less then 1,000,000 Imperial Credits."

JMac had absolutely nothing to say to that, inwardly devestated, always knowing in the back of his mind that he had broken faith with the Empire, but still torn apart by the knowledge of what he had done to the only place that had ever been a home to him...to have that knowledge thrown in his face by one of the men that he had enlisted with, by one of his oldest friends.

"Pheth...sir...I...I acknowledge my failures, and I will not betray my Empire again.  I freely accept any punishment you see fit for my crimes."  That said, Jovak fell silent again, rigidly at attention, not a muscle moving.

"Yes, you will.  I am going to do to you exactly what you've always told me your worst nightmare was.  You will be working as my wing adjudant, making sure that Phoenix Wing runs smoothly, making sure that my pilots stay alive.  Understood."

"Sir...thank you...Sir YES SIR!"

"Dismissed"

With that JMac spun on his heel, his cloak billowing slightly behind him, then pausing as Japheth left him with one parting shot.

"And Jovak...if you leave again, don't bother coming back."



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LCM JMac/DEF/VEN/VE/(=A=)(=SA=)(=MA)(=FOCE=)(MC1)(VC)

Lusthawk 8

The idea of an honorable fight is a joke. What is honorable about harming another human? To win a fight, you have to forget about honor, forget yourself, and lose yourself in a cold burning fire. You have to strike until your target stops moving, smile as they bleed, and kill what soon will be no more then a red pulp a thousand times in your heart before you commit to violence.

Welcome back
 
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*Flash Was Here...*

WC|NTO/LCP Shazam/Phoenix 1-1/Phoenix Wing/mSSD Atrus/1VENF/VEN (=A=) (=*SA*=) (=MA=) (=*FOCE*=) [CBV*] [LoM] [LSM] [MC2] [VC:S] [SV*] [DSM] {Platinum Writing Medal}

Phoenix Wing Commander and Training Officer