[h2] Commander Stader Volger
89th LSC CO
Aside With Mika Ganishka[/h2]

The giggle threw him. A rough sounding amused chortle that came from the captain before her abbreviated history and sector politics lesson. What threw him was how human it sounded; an odd bit of character he could now add to his description of the former pilot. A description that now included a level of swagger and arrogance that he normally associated with strike craft pilots. 

A level of arrogance that included a system claim staked at the beginning of this venture. Which while a big claim; Volger could admire for her simplicity. No talking in circles or round about schemes. A simple exchange of titles and powers for service. 

But her last statement caused him a brief spell of puzzlement before understanding dawned on him. 

[i]'You don't know. He never told you.'[/i]

His amusement became obvious. A grin splitting through what had been a mask of annoyance. Granite features crumbling. 

" You don't know what I'm here for do you?" His head cocked as he took a step back. He head not having to crane up and his not having to crane down. Though, truthfully, it made no difference in their gazes. "I'm surprised. Truly, it's an open secret of the Imperial Lances." 

He wondered whether he should continue. Leave her with that bit of mystery and see what came of it. But, he decided it would be more useful to see her preparations. Easier to counter when you knew what others started with. A jabbed his arm mounted TacPad. A white noise jammer that would wash out most regular listening devices. 

"Allow me a bit of history myself. I report to FOSCOM. Which reports to the Imperial Intelligence Bureau, not Imperial Intelligence. A distinct difference but you wouldn't understand unless you took a paycheck from one or the other." A teasing grin as he tapped an emblem on his pauldron. A subdued triangle with a circle. An '89' visible barely among the polychromatic cloaking. "All of which was created back when the Imperium had a nasty bout of civil war around a few century ago." 

He threw an arm around, encompassing the room but seeming to gesture past it. 

"Back when Imperial Lances were sent into the black on their lonesome. The best pilots of the Imperium. Not the most loyal. Not the most trustworthy. The best pilots. The Achilles, Gilgameshs, and Masamunes of their times. Great warriors and killers suddenly at the edge of the verse. The power of the Empire at their fingertips but none of the burden or the expectations. Ships, ACs and soldiers at their beck and call. Why serve in heaven when you can rule in hell; if even for a minute. I'm sure you get the picture." 

His grin now turned melancholic. 

"So no longer would a Lance embark members of the Imperial Army. Instead, they would use us. The support companies. Specially trained and screened. To support the Lance of course but that's a byproduct sadly." He tapped the sidearm still holstered in a crossdraw. "My objective is to make sure this Lance stays within the bounds." 

A meeting of gazes. Understanding, dawning as Volger continued. 

"I'm a loyalty officer [i]Captain[/i] Mika Ganishka. A capable one for sure. But my goal is not to drag a prince to glory. Nor is it to babysit a Lance  And definitely not help a pirate make a play for a title after her side lost a brushfire war." The last part said with a slight bit of venom. 

"But don't worry. I need certain criteria for any action. My personal feelings have no say; protocols and rules. So stay in line, do your job, and if you want to use my troopers for anything; you let me know ahead of time so I can plan for it."