SithLore

***Balmorra, Colonies Region, Grid Coordinates M-10***
***Imperial Naval Offices, Administrative District***

Doren tapped an anxious thumb upon an onyx holotable, desperately seeking to maintain his patience. "Desk", Vassyl groaned into one of the suite's micro-transponders, "Any word from the Hydra?". "Negative Captain", a younger man's voice called back, "Shall I inquire into the orbital facility?". "No, there's no need for that", Doren dryly answered, "I suppose they'll get here when they get here". "Very good Sir", the attendant offered in return, "I'll be on call if you require anything else". Silence enveloped the room once more, and Jaeman Officer returned to his own internal musings. He was tired, or at least, more so than usual. The proceedings seemed to last an eternity, and now, as was typically of High Command, Doren was to be their mouthpiece. Oh how he looked forward to gaining a courier of his own further down the road. All things in good time, after all.

Rhoden put the cap of his full dress uniform on and straightened. Hopefully this would be interesting. Or not... displeasing, at least. He rushed to the hangar and boarded Inferno's Lambda shuttle just as the shuddering of the Hydra's deck announced their arrival. He'd not been informed what he had been called in for, but it was priority one.

The shuttle lifted off of the deck and headed for their destination. The trip was quick and silent, Rhoden ran through mundane tasks even the Other One would have found boring on autopilot during the trip. Finally, with a satisfyingly smooth landing, the shuttle set down and the ramp lowered. Rhoden stood, smoothing his uniform and walked briskly to the office.

He entered and smiled lightly, "Captain." he said, nodding slightly and straightening.

"Commander", Doren answered back, sounding as if he'd not had anything to drink in several hours. "Please remain standing", Vassyl continued, leaning back into his seat. Something about the man's complexion was paler than usual, and his dreary, yet ever-alert eyes seemed swollen and ancient. The weakened brown orbs drifted down to the holoconsole controls embedded in the table. Depressing one of several buttons, the seemingly anxious Captain spoke so softly it was barely audible, "We are ready". Then, without warning, a short, toned woman appeared in the air, bearing a trim and well fitted naval uniform. "Lieutenant Lia Ghiv, Secretary to High Admiral Christorn Ivy, reporting", the woman announced, prompting Doren unenthusiastically to add, "Line Captain Doren Vassyl, in attendence".

"Commander Rhoden Garrick Carbine, acting Executor of Inferno Task Force, know that this session is being recorded and will be available for review at a later time", Ghiv delivered flatly, before narrowing her eyes on the militant member of the Imperial peerage, "Some time ago, an investigation was conducted in the aftermath the Infernos' recent mission to Sullust, using information gathered by the Security Bureau and Naval Intelligence. At O' Seven Hundred Hours, three days ago, the investigation confirmed a profundity of evidence suggesting that Commander Carbine violated military procedure according to several naval and military bylaws, and operated outside of strict mission parameters. At Twenty Four Hundred Hours, two days ago, intermediary committees determined the Commander's case was to extend to a military tribunal".

Doren's face continued to contort with discomfort as the Lieutenant continued her speech. A lurid mixture of disgust and apprehension washed over the Commander's associate and colleague, as if he was simultaneously attending a bad holodrama screening and a funeral at the same time. "At Thirteen Hundred Hours, yesterday, Naval Command assembled in quorum to deliver a ruling. At the conclusion of their deliberations, the representatives of the Admiralty found Commander Carbine guilty of all charges, with a four-to-two super-majority. High Admiral Tec Willis drafted the draft notes of the dissenting members, which may be accessed through the main legal database: other case notes will be released within twenty four hours".

Knots bore down on Doren's stomach, yet despite it all, he mentally steeled himself for what came next. "Captain Vassyl, please approach the Commander", Lia unwaveringly requested, watching as her counterpart rose like a marionette. As Doren took each successive step nearer to Rhoden, his face seemed to betray anger. Veins bulged, cheeks reddened, and then- nothing, a blank expression, that was soon creased over with a pained and irrevocable sadness. "Commander Carbine, you are hereby relieved of military duty until further notice. Your rank and continued service will be confirmed or denied after a further period of examination. Concurrently, you are to remain on base under the statute of civil detention until the final verdict is reached. Any attempts to flee will be considered an act of desertion".

Slowly, to the point of being forced, Doren slid a hand into his tunic pocket, and produced a small piece of jewelry, akin to a knuckler in design. Donning the metallic instrument, the Captain pressed his hand against the Commander's rank plaque, disengaging it's magnetic clamps, and sending the colored strip plopping into Vassyl's hand. The open hand then balled into a disquieted fist, as Doren's sad gaze met Rhoden's own once more. "If the convicted intends to apply for an appeal at a later date, he may do so now", the Lieutenant hissed with an air of finality. Ever so slightly, Vassyl shook his head from side to side. His manner was not one of disappointment, but rather his eyes seemed to pleading at the young Carbine, begging him not to indulge any further trouble.

"I see." Rhoden said, "I have no intention to apply for an.. appeal." he added. Career suicide, if one looks past the euphemism. His mind ran quickly through scenarios of how to proceed. Theoretically Inferno would be informed of his predicament, or at least that he would be unavailable for the time being. Jorvan would act as he saw fit, whatever course of action that may be Rhoden trusted the man.

Rhoden gave the Captain a small smile, "I presume you'll have tasks for me--or perhaps you'll transfer my datapads down." he said, "I don't like wasting time."

"Very well: that will be all for this session. Thank you Captain", the Lieutenant concluded, vanishing at the same swiftness with which she appeared. Immediately after her timely departure, Doren's shoulders slackened as he released an audible, lengthy sigh, before returning to his seat. "The intention is to have the Infernos provide support for the Black Star Task Force", Vassyl began, sounding much more lively, and having regained much of his vigor. Lacing his hands together on the table, Doren shot Rhoden an understanding glance, and continued, "You're welcome to read up on the details if you wish, but the detention will be brief: it's a formality more than anything else". Vassyl visage darkened once more, "The decision has already been made: you are to be demoted to the rank of Lieutenant".

"What's more", Doren carried on, "An interim council has been put in place to oversee the Inferno Unit, and High Command is actively seeking candidates to assume the leadership position". Attempting to lighten matters, the Captain smiled and went on, "I suppose you'll have more time for training this way: while you no longer command the unit itself, you will remain a part of its strike team. The military isn't through with you just yet Mister Carbine, there is still much work to be done". Demotion was certainly a setback, but hardly a fatal one in the grand scheme of one's career. The former Commander could just have easily been discharged, or imprisoned for war crimes. Surely, it was not a pleasant development, but things could have been much, much worse.

Rhoden raised his eyebrows as the Lieutenant left, "Black Star? Interesting." Rhoden said, his eyes narrowing slightly at the name. He'd not been satisfied by the follow up reports to the investigation into the company. But perhaps he would be able to evaluate them for himself.

Rhoden listened carefully as the Captain continued, "I see." he said, he extended his hand and tapped the rank plaque which had just been removed from his uniform, "Do hold on to that, Captain. I'll be back for it soon." he said his eyes glittering.

Rhoden looked and sounded as calm as ever, but he was both infuriated and ecstatic at the same time. Infuriated that his work would be so set back, a situation which could and would be remedied one way or another, but a setback nonetheless. Ecstatic because--for the first time in weeks--his mind was clear. He kept a smile from spreading across his face. He knew he could manage his mind long enough to return to Darik, if indeed that was necessary at all.

"Oh, and Captain." he said, "Please do tell Mr. Jorvan what the situation is before he tries to find out for himself."

***Modular Space Station Utopia, 72 Hours Later***
"Keep your manners about you Lieutenant", Doren muttered over his shoulder, a sense of impending dread welling within him, "And for the love of all that is good, maintain proper posture: he has a thing for symmetry". Traipsing across the onyx floor of the main hangar with Rhoden and a retinue of soldier in tow, Vassyl stopped short just behind the landing safety markers, and glanced out at the alabaster frame of a Sentinel-Class Shuttle floating into view. As soon as the transport touched down, the loading ramp slowly descended in a matter of moments, followed by the measured stomping of officer's boots. The beat was almost musical, as if each step was calculated and timed perfectly. Eventually, a tall, built figure walked out into the light, and paused to survey his surroundings.

The individual was not human. Bearing dark orange skin, and a set of head spikes which partially protruded through his olive-drab hat, the man might have almost been mistaken for a Zabrak, were it not for his slightly depressed nose and clouded white eyes. He was Elomin, and an older one at that. All the same, signs of strife and life on the battlefield could be easily surmised from various scarring and tempered muscle that characterized the man's face and upper torso. Approaching the Captain, the aged warrior towered over his colleagues, and provided a swift and courteous salute, "Captain Vassyl, yours is a popular name these days: it's good to put a face to such a colorful record".

"You humble me with your praises Lieutenant General", Doren politely offered back, providing his guest a proper salutation, "You're quite the personality yourself from what I've read of you". The Elomin's eyebrow raised for a moment, as he swayed from side to side, peering about the Captain's stance. A bead of sweat slide down from Doren's forehead as the examination perpetuated for approximately two minutes, before the army officer nodded approvingly and Vassyl finally allowed his arm to fall slack. Stepping away from his visitor at an angle, Doren somewhat nervously drew the middle-aged gentleman's gaze towards Rhoden, and added, "Lieutenant Carbine, squad leader of Inferno Strike Team One". Locking eyes with the young heir, Vassyl continued, "Mister Carbine, allow me to introduce Lieutenant General Vaikonmordius Z'fra Odromasigh, the new executor of the Inferno Unit".

Vaikonmordius' complexion shifted some in light of this new information, and the Lieutenant General slowly strode towards the Lieutenant, and proceeded to look him up and down in a ritual similar to the one the Captain had endured. This procedure, in contrast, lasted closer to five minutes, after which the Lieutenant General merely commented, "I see", and turned about to continue his procession into the farther reaches of the hangar. Working to keep pace with his colleague's longer strides, Doren labored alongside Odromasigh, who initiated further inquiry, "Tell me Captain, what all has been prepared so far?". "The essentials and basic weaponry", Vassyl answered back, "Though the larger pieces are pending your approval, otherwise they will return to the naval storehouses: the Lieutenant probably has greater information about what we're dealing more so than I do however". Vaikonmordius stopped mid-step, and turned to face Rhoden once more, silently anticipating some sort of statement from the Carbine Heir.

Rhoden's lip curled in a semi-genuine smile, "Your concern is touching, Captain." he growled, he had no patience to modulate his voice to a smooth tone. He followed the Captain and watched as the Lieutenant General's shuttle came in. The man--an Elomin--walked down the ramp and examined the Captain in response to the man's greeting.

Rhoden's eyes flicked to Doren as he was introduced, the Elomin proceeded to look him over too. Finally the Lieutenant General spoke "I see." he said. Rhoden doubted he did. Rhoden fell into step with the Captain and Lieutenant General with an easy stride. The Lieutenant General asked of the preparations, not that there was anything really to take.

"All that's left to do is retrieve data from the various labs and operations." he said modulating his voice now. Utopia had been a pain in the neck to oversee the construction of and was specifically suited to serving the Task Force's needs. Now they were being transferred to inadequate facilities that were easily as accessible--if not less so in some ways--than that of their current home. Fortunately the base remained his project, and most of the critical components which made it a viable outpost had been provided at his own expense. He would continue to use the facility, for its labs. But also as a home, since Coruscant had fallen into Rebel hands.

His ears twitching slightly, the Lieutenant General displayed his first indication of interest at the mention of the station's labs. Halting the procession just outside the hangar's lift access, Vaikonmordius turned, and addressed Rhoden directly, "If all that remains is to collect the files from the aforementioned facilities, I propose we accomplish two tasks at once. If you would, Lieutenant, gather your squad mates and whatever combat reserves you have on hand in the largest of the laboratories, I wish to conduct psychological evaluations before we depart for Obroa-Skai". The Elomin paused after delivering his orders, his shimmering eyes fixed on Rhoden, seemingly waiting for him to lead the way and make the necessary preparations.

Vassyl, for his part, grew increasingly nervous at this development. He knew not what the Lieutenant General meant to insinuate by requesting such examinations, nor could he predict how Rhoden might react to them as a result. There was nothing inherently accusatory about Vaikonmordius' tone, and, while all military operatives received regular medical checkups for the physical and mental, superior officers were in their right to request additional tests at their leisure. Perhaps it was merely a means for the new XO to familiarize himself with his combative wards. Perhaps it was more than that. The Elomin were well-regarded when it came to fine details, and tale of Odromasigh's tactical feats were not lost on Vassyl. Hopefully, whatever the motive, the means would prove cooperative and willing.

"Ops, Carbine." Rhoden said, activating his comm, "Please send someone to retrieve relevant data for Inferno's needs and have it transferred to the Hydra." he said, he switched his comm to alert all personnel in the Task Force, "All available personnel report to medical for psychological evaluation." he said.

Rhoden turned on his heel and made his way to the medical bay, giving one last comm call as he did, "Dr. Mayers, prepare for a psychological evaluation--the entire Task Force will be evaluated, make the appropriate preparations."