Jabiim class Corvette - New Hope
High Orbit
Tirahnn
"Ma'am?"
"Your response Ma'am."
The bridge feel silent as the message in its entirety was played through, the speech ringing through the vessel until the last word was uttered. The crew silent as they awaited the response from their commander, the Lieutenant whom they had followed through so much pain and anger. The woman sat quietly in her command chair, elbows pressed into the arm rests with hands steepled together as she remained still with her eyes closed. She was processing it all, looking back over everything that she had done and now such an event was brought before her as to make a monumental choice.
In one hand there lay those orders for those 'loyal Republic forces of the true government' to amass at Colla IV, and any whom had an inkling of self preservation would have brought their forces there immediately. Upon the other hand lay possible destruction, an arrest of those whom supported the Prime Minister gone rogue. This woman though was somewhere stuck in between, and she knew that she would be forced to choose a side else she herself be called one or the other by those that now opposed one another.
For her this was quickly becoming the most life changing decision that was now present and awaiting an answer. She thought to herself on a myriad of feelings and memories. The man whom had protected her and risen her from a life of prison would call upon her to hold fast to the oath that she took. The inner self told her to preserve herself and to turn to those that amassed at Colla IV. One choice or the other, neither the better option and neither the lesser of two evils.
Support the Prime Minister or enter into open Rebellion.
"Ma'am?"
The voice sounded out as her crew was still awaiting her response. Slowly she rose from her chair, her arms coming down before slipping behind her back, hands clasped. Stepping forward to the view screen as her eyes flashed open, she looked upon the world below before motioning with a simple nod. The communications were opened across the vessel, the static filling the air for a moment before she spoke.
"Before us lies a choice, one that is about to tear families apart. We should be focused upon the threat that the One Sith poises towards our world. Rather we must now face a choice that if a side is not chosen for ourselves, one shall be forced upon us."
For a moment she stopped, her mind focusing as she chose her next words carefully. The crew upon the bridge watched in silence as she slowly turned to face them, the stoic woman keeping her eyes upon those that were standing before her. The silence drawing many from their seats before she let out a soft sigh.
"When I became an officer I took an Oath, that Oath was to the Republic, no matter what happened to it or how it changed. Thus I must remain loyal to that Oath, and I must execute my duty. If there are any on board whom wish to disembark and join those at Colla IV, I wish you the best and I hope that you live a long life for I may no longer see your faces again. I go into the future knowing that prison or death is the final destination."
Silence fell once more as she looked at those before her, her eyes moving over the bridge crew. She waited and watched for she would hold no animosity towards those that decided to leave. Then something caught her attention, her communications officer gave a salute before returning to their position. Slowly, one by one the bridge crew took up their positions before the vessel began to sound off.
"Engineering reporting all hands on deck."
"Maintenance reporting all hands on deck."
"Medical reporting all hands on deck."
Slowly, one by one, each section of the vessel called in and reported all hands were at their stations and awaiting her command. The loyalty that those whom served with her was staggering, humbling to the woman whom merely allowed a soft smile to cross her lips. Now was to come the most difficult part of all, a simple message and an apology.
Nodding to the communications officer, it was clear whom they would be contacting. The woman whom was gathering forces at Colla IV, the one whom seemed to be that which would rise up upon the issuance of a warrant for the Prime Minister's arrest and any whom supported her. Quietly she bowed her head for a moment before raising it once more as she spoke.
"Senator Organa..."
A pause for a moment came as she collected her thoughts.
"Senator Organa. When I became an officer I took an Oath to the Government of the Republic. This oath was to protect it, no matter what it became. Your call to gather at Colla IV, while in some eyes may be the right course, I must view it as an open Rebellion against the Government that I sworn an oath to defend. I am a soldier, and whilst I see the problems that have arisen from the Prime Minister's actions, I must take the course lain out before me.
Thus, it is with a heavy heart, that I must inform you that I will face those whom threaten the capital. I go to the future knowing that death or prison awaits me, for I must do what I believe is the proper course, just as you must ensure your actions. All I ask is that my crew, those whom have loyally followed their officer, be granted clemency and shown some form of mercy.
Signed, Lieutenant Cristina Zeitlin."
There was no going back now, she had made her decision. While the Republic had become a shell of what it had once been, it was still the Republic. She took an oath to defend the government, and now there were two to claim the title. She did all that she could, and in the end when the only decision was to be burned by the fire, or burned by the oil, she chose what she felt was right. Perhaps there would be others to make a similar decision, though in that moment she knew what she was to face.
There was no going back now, she had made her decision. While the Republic had become a shell of what it had once been, it was still the Republic. She took an oath to defend the government, and now there were two to claim the title. She did all that she could, and in the end when the only decision was to be burned by the fire, or burned by the oil, she chose what she felt was right. Perhaps there would be others to make a similar decision, though in that moment she knew what she was to face.
With a heavy sigh she lowered her head, closing her eyes for a moment as if saying a prayer. All that she could do now was stand for the oath she had taken, and hope that her only request would be honored. Those whom stood at her back did so out of loyalty, not for any sense beyond serving their commander.
With that she looked upon the Capital of the Republic one last time, the hour that would mark the end of her career was fast approaching and she would stand before it and accept it without any show of weakness or cowardice.
[member="Faith Balor-Organa"]
[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]
