WotH Chpt 19

==War on the Horizon - Chapter 19 ==
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===Meeting with the Jedi===
"They do not appear to be the same as the other mercenaries that were on Tarkin's list," Yaddle agreed. 
 
"There are so many of them," Dooku said as he looked over the newly manufactured spaceport. "And they are much better equipped than the others that we spoke to."
 
"Hmm," Yaddle agreed. "It is as if we have stepped into the past and we're greeted by one of the armies of the Jedi Lords."
 
"Good morning!" A cheerful voice called out. "I'm Major Sheppard, the Executive Officer of the Marksman Mercenary company. I believe that we spoke earlier this week."
 
A dark haired man stepped forward, the way he moved implying that he was dangerous. 
 
"Indeed we did," Yaddle gave a small bow. "Jedi Master Yaddle at your service."
 
"Well, if you'll follow me I'll give you a tour of what is allowed to be seen by the public," a polite smile appeared on Sheppard's face as a truck pulled up. "Please, after you."
 
"You are not what we expected to find," Dooku eventually spoke. 
 
"I take it you've met our competitors?" Sheppard asked. 
 
"Yes," Dooku nodded. "They were… Less than impressive."
 
"They seemed to be less uniform than your group," Yaddle reclined in her seat. 
 
"We're not from around here," Sheppard said as the truck came to a stop. "We're from a pretty remote area of space and merc groups spring up all the time. Some of them are more like the group you encountered. But the most successful ones tend to be a bit more professional."
 
"I see that you possess a modest fleet of ships," Dooku says as he looks at the visible sections of the base. "That may be needed if I am persuaded to hire you."
 
"You won't run into a more professional force in the Outer Rim," Sheppard looks at the new recruits with pride. "Is there anything specific you'd like to see?"
 
"I was hoping to meet Colonel Hull," Dooku replied. "Is he present?"
 
"Colonel Hull is on one of the training fields," Sheppard points in the distance at where flashes of light are fading in and out. "We're training our new artillery crews and he's helping out as a forward observer."
 
"May we speak to him?" Yaddle asked. "We wish to make an informed decision."
 
"Of course," Sheppard smiled. "You're going to want some ear protection though. Artillery is loud."
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===Colonel meets someone he REALLY doesn't Want Too===
 
"Kilo-1, no joy," I say as I look at the grid that I had indicated. "You were off by a few hundred meters."
 
"Copy that, sir, our observer's still working on callouts."
 
"Hey, Hull!" Sheppard's voice cut into my comms. "Got some potential customers that wanted to meet you!"
 
"One minute! Kilo-1, fire for effect!"
 
The training shell hit the target, flinging chunks of dirt and grass into the air.
 
"Good effect on the target, Kilo-1!"
 
"Glad to hear it!"
 
"Keep training, I'll be back to check up on you," I hopped into the nearby jeep and drove back to where the Ballista were parked. 
 
As soon as I laid eyes on a familiar form, my heart leapt into my throat and the hair on my arms stood up. 
 
Allowing myself to feel the fear for a minute, I took a deep breath and steadied myself before I parked the Jeep and got out. 
 
"I'm Colonel Mark Hull," I greeted one of my nightmares. "I heard you wanted to speak to me."
 
Dooku frowned at me for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I wish to see what sort of man would seek to build something like this."
 
"Then let's hope you like what you see."
 
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===Strong Impression===
"I wouldn't say we were working for the good guys," I answered Yaddle's question. "But we were working for the least bad of the nations back where we are from. When you've been locked into a war for two centuries, there isn't really a "light" side to pick from. Only varying shades of gray."
 
"Then how do you claim to be doing the right thing?" Dooku asked. "If you come from such a world, surely morality is ambiguous."
 
"Sure, I can see how you would think that to some extent," I shrug. "But everyone in our unit operates under a code of conduct. There are things we will not do, and lines that we refuse to cross. I'll not claim that we're perfect. In our line of work, eventually a civilian will get killed or something will go wrong and we have to pick the least bad of several options. But for the most part, we strive to maintain a standard of excellence."
 
"And how do you enforce these 'standards of excellence'."
 
"The punishment depends on the crime," I reply in between sips of coffee. "Minor offenses like petty theft for example tend to be docked pay and a week or two in the brig. Major offenses… Well, it depends on the crime. Murder and rape get you sent to a firing squad immediately. Grand theft involves a hefty fine and removal from the unit with all pay. The rest of it is really on a case by case basis."
 
"Hmm," Dooku strokes his goatee. "And are you willing to follow the orders of the one who hired you?"
 
"To a certain extent," I glanced at Yaddle. "But we prefer to maintain independent command structures from our employers unless the contract specifies otherwise."
 
"Give me the night to consider this," Dooku stands up. "Should I hire you, we can discuss the terms of the contract then."
 
"Seems fair to me," I stand up and shake his hand. "I'll be around."
 
I waited until the two Jedi left before turning and walking into my house, collapsing into my chair as the emotions I had stuffed down bubbled up. 
 
"I just met Dooku," I exhale. "And I'm still alive."
 
Grabbing my notepad, I jotted down a bunch of notes for the fine print of the contract to go over tomorrow before collapsing in bed as a lump of weary flesh. 
 
"And we get to do it all over again tomorrow," I sighed, rolling over and closing my eyes, the darkness allowing me to drift off to sleep. 
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===Observations===
"That man," Dooku said once he and Yaddle were safely back on his ship. "Did you sense that?"
 
"Yes," Yaddle nodded. "A sudden jolt of fear that he buried deep within."
 
"What reason would he have to fear us?" Dooku paced for a minute before sitting down. "It is of no serious consequence anyway."
 
"But why were they at the bottom of Tarkin's list?" Yaddle mused. 
 
"The Marksman seem to be new to this region," Dooku stroked his goatee. "They likely have not built up the same reputation that the other groups have."
 
"I think I shall speak to Colonel Hull tomorrow, and see if we can work out an equitable arrangement."
 
"Tomorrow then," Yaddle agreed as she moved to her cabin. "Let us hope for a quick resolution."
 
"A Jedi is never late, nor early, but arrives precisely when the Force requires it," Dooku teased before moving to his own cabin. "Good night Yaddle, thank you for remaining with me in these dark times, a friend has been most needed."
 
The door slid shut behind him. 
 
"The darkness still hovers over you, old friend," Yaddle sighed. "But I will do what I can to drive it back."
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Chapter 19