"I think we split the last round. Lemme see...." Vannin evaluated Hayca's picks, rattling off baseless assumptions about each of them under his breath and listing things like 'funny smile' as if they would have an impact on the soldier's lifespan in battle. When he was satisfied, his volume came back up to a conversational level and he finished his train of thought. "... kind of a limp I guess or not, but you're right about Chompers there, he'll go for sure. And Tats for three? [i]Maybe.[/i]" He bobbed his head left and right, and one could almost hear the loose screw in his head clanging against either side of his skull. "But I'll take the squid over him, if droids don't count. And [i]that one.[/i]" He leveled a finger at Thanner Antares. "[i]That one[/i] smells like a clone vat. I'll go double that he's first." The humor drained from his voice entirely. He knew imperial defectors were a dime a dozen, and sometimes -- like the Captain -- they even came with some useful talents. But this one had a grating air about him that, for some reason, was setting off alarm bells in Vannin's head. "Make it triple, if I'm the one that breaks his neck." 

[b]"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that, corporal,"[/b] said the Lieutenant. Vannin shrugged, as if to say 'Whatever helps you sleep,' and straightened up a bit. He raised his voice, trying to draw some attention away from the myriad powderkegs that seemed to be springing up on every front. [b]"My name is Lieutenant Durod Byron. I understand you folks have been holding your own out here for some time, and Fleet Command is real happy about the way you boy... you folks do work."[/b] The look on his face said that he hoped nobody noticed the blunder. [b]"Now we're here to fill in some gaps, and help you keep doing what you do best. I know this can be a little awkward, and hopefully we'll get used to each other pretty quick, but in the meantime I just want you all to know that I'm [i]not[/i] here to change the way you fellas do business. I'm gonna do my best to stay out of your hair, and together we'll get the job done, [i]your[/i] way. So. Take a few minutes and get acquainted. The new guys brought a little extra gear, feel free to help them square it away, and we'll meet up in the briefing room in two hours. Got a hot new target in mind, should be a good hit."[/b] He glanced at the HK, and a glimmer of dread flashed across his face as he envisioned a brawl breaking out. [b]"Better make that [u]one[/u] hour. We'll get some introductions out of the way and go over the mission."[/b] He came very close to saying 'dismissed,' but decided against it at the last second, made a half-salute, and stepped off. 

Before leaving the hangar he whispered something to Sergeant Sekula. 

Vannin didn't make anything out of that conversation, but he turned back to Hayca and said, "Guess he doesn't want us punching the new guys just yet, huh."