The [i]Crusader[/i] stood in front of the briefing table. To others looking at him he could easily have been a droid beneath the armour. Only very occasionally did his chest move to show him breathing. He put a datacard into the holotable and, begrudgingly, a hologram appeared above the table. Flickering slightly.

“This is the planet Lola Sayu. It has been a prison that’s changed galactic hands almost as many times as Coruscant. It once again lies within Separatist space and there’s something buried beneath the surface of the planet that I need to recover in order to reclaim Mandalore, and build it into the strong nation it used to be. Before the [i]New Mandalorians, [/i]or [i]Death Watch[/i]. True Mandalore.”[/color]

Tamara Hycin gave a curious nod, motioning towards the projection. [color=lightgray]”Getting you into Separatist Space… getting you here, even. That’s something we can do. We’re independent enough that getting you there isn’t going to cause an intergalactic incident. The thing is…”[/color]

One of the assembled foremen, a human scavenger, chuckled as he pointed towards the planet. “You want to bring a star destroyer to dig around in some dirt. That sounds like a great plan.”

Crusader turned to the scavenger. “Well I heard you people were scavengers and understood how to find and extract valuable material. Under battle conditions no less. If your reputation is merely an exaggeration then I can take the business of the First Order elsewhere.”[/color]

Jax Andarin stood with his arms folded, observing the holographic display of the planet with a stern expression. [color=a2d39c]”What is it you’re looking to dig up? And why is it valuable enough you’re expecting resistance to us hauling it?”[/color] He turned his gaze towards the Mandalorian. [color=a2d39c]”And, to address the Acklay in the room… Are we expecting a droid garrison or a Ranger fleet to try and stop us?”[/color]

Crusader turned to Jax. “What is my business, as is how valuable it is.” He tapped a few keys and the hologram shifted to the orbit of the planet. “The Separatists have been using it as a prison again, officially it’s for their most hardened criminals. Unofficially they’re using it as a black site for their special operation branches. We can expect to encounter one Providence, and two Munificents in orbit. We’ll have assistance when we get there.”

Tamara Hycin gave a look towards one of the flight officers standing next to her, who immediately stood more upright as he was being addressed. She whispered a few words to him, and he rushed out of the briefing area. [color=lightgray]”The entire fleet will be prepared to assist, in the event there are any unnecessary complications. The last thing we want is our backs exposed if the Separatists catch wind of our salvage job.”[/color]

Jax shook his head slightly, eyeing the holographic display carefully as he ran the numbers in the back of his head. [color=a2d39c]”If we move quickly enough, we can blindside them before they have time to call for help. But if we’re going to be effective in helping, we need to know how big the objective we’re securing is.”[/color]

The mandalorian nodded to Tamara. “If you feel that is necessary so be it, though I have faith in this vessel and those already standing by to assist.” Turning his attention back to Jax. “We’re looking for a chamber that’s roughly the same size of a Consular-Class Cruiser, which this vessel has a bay specifically designed for and from what I’ve seen from the schematics this bay also should possess the tractor beam transmitters. Allowing the ship to move into position above the target and then haul the cargo aboard.”

[color=a2d39c]”Should we be expecting heavy anti-air defenses planetside?”[/color] Jax’s gaze turned over towards a few pilots who were milling in the back of the small assembly attending this briefing, who gave him a nod in recognition that this too was on their minds.

The map zoomed in on the cracked part of the planet. “Not where we’re going. What we’re looking for is somewhere closer to the planet's centre. Interferes with electronics which makes targeting systems virtually useless. There won’t be any weapons down there capable of tracking a starfighter. Let alone successfully landing a shot on one. No, the Separatists probably don’t even know what we’re looking for is down there. It predates them. Our only issue with them is that they probably wouldn’t let us just walk in and take it.”

Tamara nodded, turning her gaze over those members of the Junkers Union assembled. [color=lightgray]”For most of you, you understand your roles and positions. For those of you on salvage jobs, you have two hours to secure and store safely any of your current projects. We will be dumping what we do not need to accommodate this job. I do not need to stress to any of you how vital it is you are on your ‘A’ game, people.”[/color] Chief Hycin’s gaze fell on Jax, who gave a smirk and a nod in acknowledgement. [color=lightgray]”Shuttles will be leaving in fifteen to take officers to their respective frigates. Be prepared to give those droid-fuckers what they deserve, boys.”[/color] A collective murmur and buzz began to fill the briefing room as most of the officers began to break off and relay orders to their subordinates. Tamara and Jax remained stationary, with Tamara turning her gaze back to Crusader. [color=lightgray]”The trick will seem to be in identifying the chamber. If targeting systems and scanners are rendered inoperable, I take it you’ll need visual confirmation.”[/color]

“I’ll go down and tag the chamber personally. You don’t need to worry about that.”

[color=lightgray]”Very well. We can keep a shuttle on standby for you, unless you have a more specific transportation request.”[/color]

“I will have transportation available already once we arrive insystem. Now, you have a ship to prepare. Don’t allow me to get in your way, make your preparations to get us underway.” Without so much of a second thought, Crusader walked out of the open doors and moved away from the bridge.

As soon as the blast doors closed behind Crusader, Tamara lowered her head and let out a sigh. Jax took a step forward, only to be interrupted by his superior as she raised a finger in his direction. [color=lightgray]”I don’t want to hear it.”[/color]

Jax shook his head, slowly circling the holotable to stand directly opposite Tamara. [color=a2d39c]”I’m excited to take down some clankers, Tamara, don’t get me wrong. But this isn’t just a normal contract to take down pirates. We’re making a move against the Separatists directly, and the Alliance is going to declare us pirates… or maybe even terrorists. And I think there are people here who aren’t comfortable with that.”[/color]

Tamara slowly lifted her head, her cold eyes meeting Jax’s with a look of quiet rage that almost made the pilot recoil. Her tone was low, and the pacing of her words ever so slow. [color=lightgray]”This is my ship, Jax. This is my fleet, and do not make me remind you that I own your ship. I do not know where you got it through your thick skull that this was a democracy. If you don’t like that, you are free to walk away, Andarin. But you will be walking away with nothing.” [/color]

She held Jax’s gaze for a moment, before turning her gaze to the exit and leaving the briefing room. Jax stood there for a few minutes in absolute silence, his gaze on the dimmed holo-emitter of the table in front of him. He took a deep breath, and pulled his comlink up to his lips. [color=a2d39c]”Scavs… I want pre-flight checks and payloads ready within the hour. We’ve got some ships to scrap.”[/color]