He shouldn't have passed, he shouldn't be smiling right now. There were many things that Cassian Abrantes shouldn't have been doing at this very moment, but somehow the fates sided with him on this day. He was surprised to say the very least, he coul hear her, still arguing as he passed her on his way into the gathering room. She couldn't believe it, yet somehow he had done it.
Not perfect, far from it actually.
That in itself, was the surprise. What made him so happy, was probably something taken out of Aurelian's playbook. That ability to have that smug look on once's face, when you know victory is achieved, regardless of the reasons behind it. For the first time in his life, he had a smug look on his face, and gods he couldn't way to throw it in her face when she opened those doors.
Veylan looked down at the final report one last time before sliding the datapad across the desk.
"You passed, barely." she added. "Your scores meet the minimum standard required for reinstatement. Nothing more."
"So I've heard...."
"You are restored to operational duty as Intelligence Administrator and General. Effective immediately, you will be placed on probation for twelve months. You will report for a full evaluation every thirty days. Physical readiness, psychological stability, weapons proficiency, judgment, and operational performance will all be reviewed. One failed assessment will trigger further review. Repeated deterioration will result in suspension from operational duty. I will be overseeing every evaluation personally."
"That doesn't surprise me in the slightest."
Veylan folded her hands in front of her. "Let me make one thing clear, if the decision belonged to me, you would never return to intelligence operations. You would never command troops in the field again, and you would never be placed in a position where someone else's life depended on your judgment."
Cassian studied her for a moment before the corner of his mouth lifted into a small smirk. He gave a slow nod of his head. "Then I am grateful Veylan, that it is not up to you."
He sat there as she stood up, and walked out, not daring to say another word to him. Cassian took a deep breath as he watied a moment or two before in turn stood up to leave. While this was a victory, he knew in every sense. He had to be incredibly careful now, a victory but small. Because from here on out, the slightest hiccup could completely relieve him of his duties and authority, permanently. This may have been what she had wanted all along, he had been tossed a lifeline, and he had to treasure it, and protect it for dear life.
This was far from over.
