Task Force Inferno

[Ben Kenobi]

***Borleais, Orbital Shipyard & Refitting Station***


The Imperial II-class Star Destroyer Grey Wolf hung silently in close station with the busy network of station satellites of Borleais, her hull was partially covered in a cascading shadow given off by the massive ring-style Refitting Station though she was not docked, no, she stood ready at the call of the Grand Admiral during his visit there. This meeting was to be, albeit brief, though certainly vast in importance for the future of the Imperial Military. With the growing activity of the Sith fanatics and the incursions along the Prelemian by the Galactic Alliance; it was time for the Empire to continue to adapt and advance lest it be found in stagnation and rot.

A single Lambda-class T-4a Shuttle, the Impervium, gently dropped from the belly of the Grey Wolf’s hangar; extending her wings to the locked position, in a single powerful ignition of her engines she was off and ahead of her twin TIE Defender escorts that flanked the shuttle en route to the station. In the distance another Imperial warship was cruising by while squadrons of TIE/LN Starfighters flew patrols and flooded this air space. Two Carrack-class Light Cruisers hung near the station and static defenses were in multiple key locations

“Shuttle Impervium to Refitting Station Control; requesting immediate landing clearance. We’re transmitting our payload now.” The shuttle pilot dutifully executed a routine conversation with the traffic control operator and once news of the Grand Admiral’s visit arrived, the Impervium’s course altered slightly towards a designated VIP Hangar where he would be received.

Preplanned as this visit was, the VIP Hangar was very near a particular heavy cruiser that was sitting in the massive magnetic locks of the station. She was not a new ship, in fact it was nearly five cycles old. But the way the engineering crews and technicians poured across her exterior hull, refitting her with fresh armor plating, a new paint scheme that was irregular for the Imperial Navy and a small engine refit and upgrade; one would most certainly think and indeed believe that this cruiser was the gem of the Navy’s attention. In truth, at current it very much was.

An Imperial Escort Carrier was also nearby and tugs were currently ferrying a flight group of Alpha-class XG-1 Starwing Assault Gunboats from its cavernous maw towards the loading bays of the heavy cruiser. There was also a compliment of the rare V38 TIE Phantoms to be installed into the cruiser’s TIE racks as well.

Moving in, the Impervium tilted slightly to port so that the occupants in the passenger hold could be given an appropriate view of the Hydra; the Imperial Navies’ newly refitted Enforcer-class 418 Heavy Cruiser. Within the hold, the Grand Admiral viewed and visually inspected his charged investment with the intuitive feeling that this endeavor would go a long way to leveling the strategic field and even tipping the scales back into the Empire’s favor. Sitting back once he was satisfied he gave a nod to the pilot and they resumed their present course, coming to the VIP Hangar in the next ten minutes or so.

Before the ramp touched the ground, the white uniformed Grand Admiral was already making swift strides down and his polished boots clanked briskly onto the pristine hangar deck, two of the intimidating black clad Death Troopers swift in his wake and silent as their namesake. A Naval Captain was there to greet the Admiral with a smartly organized wall of Stormtroopers standing at stark attention just as if they’d been hewn from statues themselves. The remainder of the entire hangar was devoid of personnel for security purposes. Despite this reception, the Grand Admiral did not slow his pace to speak to the Captain, instead he moved in and the lower ranking officer slid to the side and fell into step.

“Admiral Kraiov, welcome on behalf of Major General Samuel H. McCollum…”

The poor captain, sent to be the sacrificial lamb in McCollum’s stead, was cut off, “That will be all captain,” Argus Kraiov’s tone was stern and unwavering, he was not at all entertained. “You may dispense with the pleasantries and inform the General that his presence is no longer welcome at this meeting. I will be having words with him personally at my next convenience to reeducate him on the importance of addressing his commanding officer’s orders in a prompt fashion.” McCollum had been given this project nearly two weeks ago and his timeline had long expired by several rotations. His failure in being tardy had not put Argus in the most pleasant of moods being a project that he was personally interested seeing launch this very day. “Time is a luxury, captain. A luxury we do not have; our enemies never rest and neither should we.”

Stunned at the dismissal of a General to a meeting on his own assigned station, the captain didn’t quite know how to reply. “Of course sir, I’ll relay the message personally.”

“Very good, you are dismissed captain.” Smartly the captain made to rush away though Argus stopped him. “Captain, is Commander Carbine present?”

Swiftly he checked his datapad, “Yes sir, the Commander arrived sometime last week and has been overseeing the final preparations of the Hydra. His arrival increased the operational efficiency by over 85%.”
Argus nearly stopped, “By the Throne, what has McCollum been doing?”

The captain began to answer though once again he was cut off as Argus spoken up, “Stay that thought captain. It does you credit to cater to me, though it is unwise to throw your commanding officer under the walker despite his obvious incompetence. You are dismissed.”

With the departure of the captain, Argus wasted no time in resuming his venture and he arrived within the nearby Ready Room Gamma-Nine without further interruption. Inside sat the Chief Technician and Chief Engineer, two men of high standing that had delivered much of the Hydra’s refit to the specifications of the Grand Admiral. They both stood as Argus entered to the shouting announcement of Major Pelletier, the commander of the Imperial Navy Troopers assigned to the Hydra. Typically the current unit of IN Troopers in a contingent of a single platoon would be handled by a Lieutenant or perhaps a Captain, but due to the sensitivity and importance of this mission, Major Pelletier had been selected. Further attendance accounted for the two squadron commanders of the V38 TIE Phantom Squadron and the XG-1 Assault Gunboat Squadrons respectively and of course the Executive Officer of the ship Lieutenant Commander Jodine Mercado, who interestingly enough was a woman; in the Imperial Navy it was not often a female officer ever rises far or to a notable station, though it should be said here that every commanding officer was handpicked by Grand Admiral Kraiov and if they were present here, then they were exceptional indeed.

Argus did not care, male or female, if you excelled in your field then he’d utilize your expertise to the fullest; though he was still a part of the older mindset that was not quite the mainstream of Imperial society any longer, of human supremacy. If you were a member of an alien species then you were secondary. Though even so, there were several noted alien members of Argus’ most trusted inner circle. Despite his speciest ways, he still recognized talent.

Finally at the far head of the table stood Commander Rhoden Garrick Carbine. Argus nodded and entered the room, “Carry on gentlemen and lady.” He moved to the head of the table, “Please be seated.” He surveyed the room and waited patiently for everyone to settle back in, a serving droid came and placed a fine sample of Corulag Brandy in a small vessel and while he ignored the droid altogether he accepted the delicacy and partook for a moment as did others to their own orders.

Finally he set the cup down and cleared his throat. “Excellent, let’s begin. Mr. Carbine what is the status of the Hydra?”

[Rhoden Carbine]

Rhoden paced through his temporary office, though from the current state of it one might be inclined to think it had been in use for too long a time. Datapads lay scattered about, the bed was a nightmare of sheets and stains, and even the all to rare genuine paper documents of high priority information were scattered about. Not for much longer though, Rhoden Carbine was scrambling to return the room to a livable state, truly happier than he had been in the last week. He had been brought on to oversee the final stages of the refitting to one Enforcer-418 Cruiser the importance of which Rhoden knew not. It was fortunate, perhaps, that he had been brought in. The resident officer formerly in charge of the operation, one Major General McCollum, was as pitiful an excuse of an officer as Rhoden had yet seen, an impressive accomplishment all things considered. Rhoden had mourned silently throughout his brief time on the station the need for any and all personnel, quite personally he wouldn't have minded turning to Lord Vader's motivational methods in the General's case.

Rhoden's desk comm pinged, "Carbine." he said, slapping on the receiver. "Commander you are to report to Ready Room Gamma-Nine immediately, Grand Admiral Kraiov will arrive shortly." the voice came from the table. "Acknowledged." Rhoden said, looking around his office and cursing, the arrival of the Grand Admiral was interesting and not unwelcome, but it would certainly delay his departure from the wretched station later. Grimacing he grabbed several datapads, a rather hefty stack of papers, and headed for the ready room.


As expected the Admiral asked about the status of the Hydra. "Armor and hull refitting fully completed as of one hour ago, fighter squadrons are being loaded and checked as we speak." Rhoden began, glancing at the first of his datapads. "Engines currently offline, refitting and maintenance to be completed later today. Shields, weapons, and tractor beam replacement and optimization was completed three days ago. The main reactor had to be removed due to unforseen difficulties." Rhoden continued. The reactor, in fact, had been fine until the so called technicians of the team had gotten to them. "Interior redesign was completed prior to my arrival." he concluded. "Detailed reports and full logs are available at your request, sir." he added.

Rhoden might have asked what the ship was to be used for, but he knew better than to ask questions of that sort. The luxury, top-of-the-line additions, and major systems upgrade was enough to tell him something big was going on, his conclusion had been either Special Forces or Imperial Security Bureau.

[Ben Kenobi]

As with all such things Argus had been expecting the nature of complications; the reactor was an unforeseen issue though it appeared that sending the Commander in a week ago had been the first step in toppling this problematic project. What a shame it’d still taken so long to accomplish on account of one lousy Major General. Certainly to the Grand Admiral’s annoyance, he would terminate the General’s posting here and send him to some backwater. In due time of course, once all the fact were in.

The most refreshing of all was Rhoden’s successes here at the orbital station. Not only had he nearly put the project back on track but it seemed his clever insight was producing a level of motivation for the underlings surrounding him. It seemed that all in all, the vessel would be complete within the span of thirty-six to forty-eight hours which was fantastic news. Argus took a good look at Rhoden and in his mind it was thusly confirmed; Commander Carbine was indeed the man for the job he had in mind. Though, as he compiled his thoughts on the matter he had the attendant droid retrieve multiple copies of Rhoden’s work and for a few minutes Argus scanned over them, fully intent on reading them thoroughly once he retired back to the Grey Wolf.

Though scanning through he spotted a key note. Returning his gaze back to the room, “Commander, be sure to implement the installation of the ECCM System onto the Hydra as well.” Typically the ECCM System was reserved for full scale Star Destroyers and other vastly important ships. To have one installed on a heavy cruiser was rare due to the expensive nature of the devices. The Electronic Counter-Counter Measure System was designed to do precisely as suggested by the name of the device and counter electronic countermeasure systems such as communications jamming and sensor jamming. He set aside the reports and folded his hands on the table, glancing to the door the Death Trooper caught the signal and he departed the office and sealed the door thus establishing this Ready Room as secure.

“By now all of you are likely quite curious as to the exact purpose of your mission here. Before I reveal this information let it be known that everyone here is to be held under oath that this information remains classified until we are prepared to go public with it. This information is on a need to know basis and only you select individuals shall be privy to it at this time.” He stood from his seat and pressed an icon on the table after uploading a datafile. Instantly at his command the room went dark and the holoprojector presented a simple stylization of a symbol that slowly and continuously rotated above the table. “I doubt many of you are familiar with Inferno Squad; more than 30 cycles ago during the First Galactic Civil War there was a unit of Black Ops Soldiers, Special Forces by the unit designation of Inferno Squad. They were an elite unit designed for infiltration, extraction, assassination and other various clandestine operations.”

“Some time after the destruction of the second Death Star, Inferno Squad betrayed the Empire and went rogue, even to the point of joining the rebellion. The cause behind this defection is classified to the highest levels and frankly, is not pertinent to this briefing but it should be known that one member of Inferno Squad remained loyal to the Empire and was even shot by his own unit members while attempting to enforce the orderly rule of law during their ill-fated mission.”

“The name of Inferno Squad has been sullied by this black mark and buried in the archives ever since. While we have no intention of granting pardons to traitorous filth; we are also not beholden to their crimes and Inferno Squad belongs to the Imperial Military, not to terrorist propaganda. However, this is simply a side matter to the actual purpose of this brief. The primary item is a need of the Imperial Military. While our Imperial Army Soldiers man the front lines and defend us elsewhere, Stormtroopers pound the battlefield at strategic flashpoints, and our Omega Company Death Troopers execute the most tenacious and deadly of fronts against the enemies of the Empire… we lack the hand holding the knife at the spine of our foes. We have every other tool at our disposal, other than an efficient organized unit of military operatives.”

“The ISB and Imperial Intelligence have their Agents and clear enough they are effective, but these men are spies, not true soldiers. The Empire is in great need of a Black Ops Unit that is capable of stealing behind enemy lines and extracting high value targets, sabotaging shield or power generators, assassinating enemy generals… as to remedy this, I give you the new Inferno; Task Force Inferno.” The image changed to view a black armored Special Agent with the red sigil of Inferno on his helmet wielding a BlasTech E-11 Rifle. It was an imposing figure and one that promised to deliver. “Capable in both aerial and ground combats, Inferno Squad will fill the gap in the Imperial Military, effectively assigned under the Chain of Command of the Imperial Navy.”

Again the image changed and this time to the Hydra. “The Enforcer-class 418 Heavy Cruiser Hydra will be the unit’s permanent duty station. The Hydra will be equipped fully with aerial assets, ground assets, Stormtroopers and of course Inferno Squad itself. Over time the Task Force will have room to grow; assigning Inferno Squad its own vessel and additional assets will effectively give Inferno a means in which it can independently operate if it is necessary to do so and not such a large force that it can go unnoticed in many scenarios.”

He looked to the female in the room, “Lieutenant Commander Mercado, you will continue to serve as the Hydra’s XO and as Commander Carbine’s second in command.” With that the room turned swiftly to the Commander at the end of the table. “Commander Rhoden Carbine, I am assigning you command of the inactive unit; Task Force Inferno, you will have four weeks from this day to vet and handpick your Squad and the Hydra’s crew while providing any additional training that you deem necessary. At the end of this four week period, Task Force Inferno will be transferred to active duty status. You will have full operational control of the Task Force and in your chain of command you will answer only to the Office of the Grand Admiral, and of course that of the Grand Inquisitor should she be in need of your unit. Though any unit commander may formally request your Task Force’s deployment at your discretion.”

Finally he returned to his seat and took it, once readjusted and comfortable he concluded. “This assembled team will effectively give the Empire a means with which we may strike back against the Alliance’s Operators and much more.”

[Rhoden Carbine]

Rhoden nodded in acknowledgement, the ECCM system was not something which was normally outfitted on cruisers, however the station had a few on hand. Rhoden would take no small amount of personal satisfaction from relieving the General of one.

The Grand Admiral glanced to the door and his Death Trooper escort exited, sealing the door behind him. Rhoden turned his gaze back to the Admiral, perhaps he would be learning something more of this strange cruiser. The Admiral began speaking, and as he did so Rhoden's eyebrows slowly rose. The Admiral was describing a special forces unit ages old, and unlike others in the room Rhoden had heard of the squad. He had worked directly with them on one occasion, and one only, he was severely displeased to hear they had become traitors to the Empire.

The Admiral continued on to detail the Hydra as the resurrection of Inferno Squad as a Task Force. His next revelation, however, caught Rhoden entirely off guard. Blinking Rhoden replayed the words in his head. He had just been appointed the Commander of one of the Empire's best units, if not the outright best. Capping his surprise and satisfaction--and cutting off the stream of names that had begun flying through his brain at the Admiral's indication of personally picking soldiers--Rhoden opened his mouth.

"The ECCM will be equipped immediately, sir. A list of personnel, along with anything else that comes to mind within a reasonable realm of possibility, will be transmitted to you within forty-eight hours." Rhoden had several requests for specialized weapons and experimental devices, however one change was foremost in his mind. Inferno Squad would be well served with Carbine Shadowguard armor. Rhoden would have to make the time to visit the Hydra immediately, in all his time overseeing the project he had yet to set foot on the vessel himself. But all this could wait...

"Is there anything else you require, sir?" Rhoden asked, "Perhaps a stay on the station, we can have quarters readied immediately. It would certainly be an honor to have you observe the launch of this rather unique project." Rhoden paused, "Though of course you may have business elsewhere." he finished. Strictly speaking he likely didn't have high enough authority to set up quarters for the Admiral, but clearing it through General McCollum would be only too easy. The General would likely spend some time attempting to smooth over his failures with the Admiral, Rhoden would spend the same time reading and adjusting to his new boss, while perhaps dragging up some of the General's past failings to be more easily seen. With any luck Rhoden would be well acquainted with the Admiral and the General would be thrown to some distant posting.

Not to mention it would be nice to have someone who actually knew a thing or two to speak with over the morning tea. Captain Halin had proven to be an amiable if clueless colleague to dine with. The Admiral, always assuming he had the time and interest, would provide far more interesting discussion. Rhoden scowled inwardly--any dine in with the Admiral would likely have the added presence of the General, groveling endlessly, but it was a small price to pay...

[Ben Kenobi]

Right off Argus could count more than a dozen appointments in which his presence was so required. But after all, he was the Grand Admiral and was it not his schedule that he set himself? Not so, it was to the needs of the entirety of the Imperial Military as of late; though this still didn’t mean he could make a few alterations in said schedule. He nodded once, smartly, and flashed a grin that hadn’t arisen in some time since his latest posting. This setting would not be overly boring and seeing a vested interested launched first hand for the betterment of the Imperial war machine and society would be a fine engagement as well.

“I believe I’ll accept your gracious offer Mr. Carbine. However, I insist we have dinner aboard the Grey Wolf. I trust you’ll welcome a change in setting from our engineering branch back to a ship of the line where you belong. We’ll let the good General settle my arrangements for later this evening.” He flicked an icon on his datapad and a holo of his immediate schedule came up, with a slight movement he extinguished the next two rotations of dates. “I believe your own assessment will have to accompany my stay, Commander. Forty-eight hours. Let’s see that the Hydra is polished up on all technical ends and please, consider the full force of this station behind those efforts to see it done. I will inform General McCollum personally.” He almost let out a sigh though managed to maintain his sharp demeanor, “I owe the General a few words as it is.”

With that he stood up, a sign that this meeting was ready to be adjourned. “No, Mr. Carbine. I’ve no further requirements though I would very much like to see the Hyrda break from drydock within our timeline. So I must counter; is there anything that the Imperial Navy can do for you and this project that you may be underway at a swifter measure?”

Once the meeting adjourned the Death Troopers accompanied the Grand Admiral through the station where they were intercepted by General McCollum finally and the General proceeded to entertain Argus on a lengthy tour of the work stations though once they arrived at the engineering wing in question that was devoted to the Hydra, Argus silenced the General and he made to personally inspect the key elements of the project; of course however, he made sure not to interfere with the active work for he refused to be an excuse for further delays on the staff’s part. In addition, with Commander Carbine overseeing the project, there was no true need for Argus to be here for the Commander knew his task and now he knew his own invested interest in seeing it to completion.

Through the day Argus never spotted Rhoden, the Commander was so busy that he hardly held station at one point for very long and Argus’ own tour of the project area was ended around noon and he returned to the Grey Wolf for additional administrational duties he needed to see towards; project importance or not, the gears of the Imperial war machine marched ever onwards and engagements along the Hydian Way towards the Gordian Reach held reports he wanted to check up on.

The remainder of the day was typically executed and went along without incident though when dinner came to be, Argus dispatched his personal Lambda-class T-4a Shuttle to go and fetch Rhoden Garrack Carbine and the General McCollum to escort them the short distance over to the Imperial Star Destroyer in orbit.

A fine dinner was presented and while McCollum didn’t deserve this setting, his rank and position was to be noticed. For a ship of war, the Grey Wolf sported a fine dining quarters where diplomats and other respected personnel were to be doted on, here the crew broke out the fine silver and meals prepared by the finest culinary artists aboard the entire ship. Here the gathered commanders of Kraiov’s flag command wore their finest attire including that of the Grand Admiral, dress uniforms rarely taken from their stationaries.

All in all it was an interesting night where rank made its way into a less formal zone to allow stories of valor in the field of the Empire’s service to be exchanged between the hosted gathering. Argus was most interested in hearing of the Campaign into the Unknown Regions. He’d have given much to be there though he was unable to attend. Imperial Battalions landing on the Chiss capital of Csilla… what a glorious offensive it had been; needless to say though mention of those bloodthirsty Mandalorian’s involvement was not brought up. Argus, when prompted, regaled his audience with the fearsome tale of combat versus the Yuuzhan Vong on Telos IV as the Imperial 3rd Fleet engaged a truly terrible foe and found victory only through nearly a month long campaign across the planet’s surface to take the Vong stronghold and finally climaxed in the assault on the Yuuzhan Vong Worldship, ending the threat and saving the world before its inevitable destruction.

In the end the night was concluded and before departures were to be made, Argus made it a point to tour the next day alongside Commander Carbine. He wanted to see good progress made where it needed to be done the most.

[Rhoden Carbine]

Rhoden smiled slightly as the Grand Admiral accepted his offer. His smile broadened, inwardly at least, when the Admiral insisted upon dinner aboard the Grey Wolf. Furthermore from the man's body stance and the almost imperceptible change in his voice Rhoden could tell he was no more pleased with the General than Rhoden was.

The Admiral proceeded to inquire as to any requirements that would lead to the Hydra's timely launch. Rhoden smiled again, he raised a datapad and pulled up Carbine family assets within the sector. "We can start with getting the technicians and crew from this station off that ship and anywhere else, anywhere at all." Rhoden said. "There is a Carbine Shadowguard transport within two-hours' time of this location, equiped with all the necessary equipment I have, they will be able to greatly increase the speed at which the Hydra is made ready, sir." Rhoden said. Clearly with reluctance the Admiral approved the orders and the meeting ended shortly afterward. Two hours later Rhoden had his technicians.

"Where'd they dig this thing up?" Commander DaVene said as his men spread out and began their work. "Oh I'm sure this was a fine ship before the so-called technical crews of this station got to her." Rhoden responded a distinct note of distaste in his voice. The Commander's lip twitched in a smile as he walked off. Rhoden went off, overseeing the safe transport and modification to over five dozen sets of Shadowguard armor, which would serve as Inferno Squads armor. The Shadowguard technicians proceeded to essentially tear apart everything that had been completed to date, deftly putting it back together modified, improved, or fixed. By the end of the day the only thing that yet remained was the reactor, which the Shadowguard transport conveniently had enough parts to repair and would be completed by the morning.

"We'll have to work a touch over our normal duty hours but it'll get done, sir." Commander DaVene said as Rhoden readied himself to leave for his dinner. "Very good, Commander. Once the work is complete place your report and leave." Rhoden said, pausing and turning back as he made to leave. "Oh, and it was good to work with some competent people again, Commander. Don't touch the Phantom's." Rhoden added, jokingly. The Commander smiled, raising his eyebrows and nodding slightly.

Dinner with the Admiral went well, idle talk and the more interesting stories of their lives, of which the General had few to share, and a few philosophical matters during which the General merely sat silently. Rhoden was happy and relieved to find the Admiral more than pleasant company, having been forced to spend the past week with incompetence and dull witted washouts. Rhoden was ferried back to the station and had time only to look over Commander DaVere's report and schedule a tour of the vessel tommorow, which required only a final checklist that the Commander and his crew had insisted on performing--apparently not fond of handing the Hydra back over to its previous handlers.

Rhoden woke early and met the Commander, the General--who looked rather sullen--and Grand Admiral Kraiov at the boarding tunnel. "Rather fortunate the transport was able to spare some parts for the reactor, that would have delayed our efforts by several days alone." Rhoden said. The Commander shuffled his feet slightly and glanced at Rhoden, his eyes narrowed but he didn't comment, presumably the transport could actually leave, Rhoden would be following up on that.

[Rhoden Carbine]

The tour of the Hydra went well, the General remained silent, Commander DaVene glanced only occasionally at Rhoden speaking several times into his commlink during which he could distinctly be heard saying something about a reactor, and the Admiral made only the occasional comment allowing Rhoden to tour his new command and oversee final preparations. The final destination on the tour was the bridge.

"Commander on deck!" Lieutenant Commander Mercado said, smiling slightly as Rhoden walked in. His uniform, which he suspected would be worn rather rarely in favor of his armor, was not the standard Naval officer grey. Rather it was black, with red trimmings, the rank plaque of which contained a border of pure gold. Walking up to the array of windows Rhoden looked out over the bow of the ship. The Hydra was not the standard white of the Imperial Navy, but was a sleek black now bearing the blazing red logo of the Inferno Task Force on each side of the wedge. Rhoden turned sharply and gave the Grand Admiral a salute, once returned he stepped forward and provided the appropriate lists and requests.

The names of the Inferno Squad, Dirys Jorvan, Haly Sopol, Justin Veimkh, Arvil Kross, Delaine Armik, Sylwen Raya, Zafre Molne, Olin Barsh, Barwin Kein, Dorn Pyrs and of course the Commander himself. The Admiral spoke briefly of Rhoden's request, noted his impression of the Shadowguard armor, and left.

Once confirmation of the Admiral's return to the bridge of the Grey Wolf came through the Hydra broke off from the station and rose out turning to face the vast expanse of space, of which the only notable object outside of the stars was the massive Star Destroyer which was the Admiral's flagship. The stars stretched and broke into the blue swirl of hyperspace as the Hydra hurled away from the wretched station it had been refitted at.

Rhoden went to his quarters, which were well furnished and would rival that of any flag officer below perhaps the Grand Admiral himself, a small stand stood empty bathed in light. Unclipping the long slender form of a lightsaber from his belt, a lapis blue with swirls of gold, he placed it upon the stand, memories flying through his head. He, of course, hadn't the faintest idea how to use the weapon, but it would forever remain an object of great importance to him. Rhoden turned, it was time he met the rest of Inferno Squad.

Rhoden entered the briefing room and ten sets of eyes turned to him. He gave a short speech, and for a long while the group engaged in conversation as they got to know each other. Rhoden and Haly Sopol became quick friends as they spoke over their training, Rhoden being particularly impressed with her skill in using the Xerrol Nightstinger which was a far too rare weapon.

Following the discussions with the squad Rhoden returned to his quarters, having the first decent cup of tea aboard a warship in a long time--excluding the dinner of the previous night, in any case--before retiring for the night. His last thoughts as sleep engulfed him were of elation at escaping the dreaded repair yard and the even more personal joy at the thought that he would be instrumental to the deaths of the rebels, who had taken so much from the galaxy--from him.