"Just humor the droid," Shem noted. "I've already had a... thorough discussion with the higher ups and the crew. Freebird will assume emergency control if the situation calls for it, but for now we're just support."
Tseb stared at the Rishii. Next to the repurposed floating orb of doom, he seemed the most to Tseb like a leader. He definitely already was. The others, with what limited info the Rodian had, seemed quite eccentric. He’d heard good pilots always were and he’d take that as a promising sign. Still something annoyed him about the Rishii’s words. The call to “humor” D1-R3CT0R would’ve been taken as an insult by anyone with flesh and bone but the droid didn’t flinch. It remained where it was, motionless, with only the slightest change in elevation as it hovered about a child’s height off the ground. The droid was unnerving sure, and it was nice to know there were contingencies, but Tseb was raised not to judge a book by its cover. It was undoubtedly the shell of an old imperial droid, but it was still just a droid and subject to its programming. Was this cover so dangerous? Or was it the shadowy benefactors that The Freebird needed contingencies for?
Tseb let go of his stare as “The Director” started answering questions.
"Though maybe let's hear what we're going after first? Unless this is just a test, that is?"
“This is not a test. Stay or leave. This is a choice. A choice that will determine membership of the Squadron. As a militia you will be awarded freedoms standard soldiers are not. The trade off here is that operations undertaken by this Squadron will be markedly more dangerous. Make your choice with the information that your life is on the line. Is that understood?” The Director said, staring at the Mandalorian through what Tseb believed to be its only eye.
"What is your favorite color, and why?"
The Director pivoted to another. If Tseb hadn’t found the smaller, and younger, white haired man to be eccentric, he would surely have found his question to be. ‘A droid’s favorite color? I mean… C’mon.’ Tseb thought to himself. If he was a betting man, Tseb would’ve had his money on none.
“I do not have a favorite color.” The Director answered simply, disregarding the attempt at sideskirting the one question rule with a why.
It was exactly as Tseb thought, although he did get a chuckle out of that one.
“Nice try! I’m willing to bet that’s classified information.” The Rodian joked, opening his mouth for the first time in the briefing.
“Let’s ask again after we complete our first mission. Maybe that’ll change.” Tseb called out to the white hair, indicating his willingness to stay as others received answers to their questions and began to leave.
Just a few more questions were taken before the group’s time to decide was over.
“If there are no more questions. I believe we have what remains of the group. Welcome to the Starlight Squadron.” The Director finished AND Tseb looked around. There was himself, the mandalorian, the small white haired man, and the man with bandages over his eyes in addition to a few others who hadn’t piqued Tseb’s interest.
“You can make your way to your fighters. We will begin the patrol alongside The Freebird shortly. The patrol routes have been transmitted to your fighters. Look over them when you get a chance. Although we are not expecting much, be ready for combat.” The Director dismissed those that were left only after scanning the room quite literally.
Hangar Bay
The Head Technician for the Starlight Squadron, a verpine by the name of Zedge, roamed the hangar bay doing his first routine inspection of the other technicians’ work. Good work all around was to be expected, although his standards were a bit high considering his people’s talent for technology and its optimization. He tried to relax when it came to non-verpine technicians. He decided as long as the fighter was operating at its full capability, he couldn't ask for much more.
Zedge stopped for a moment and looked over the shoulder of
Saul Whesai
. He hadn’t been the one who okayed Saul for service in the Squadron but he trusted that whoever did had a good reason. That said, Saul did not do anything like a verpine, few technicians did, but there was something else here. Something that piqued Zedge’s interest.
“Hello Saul. How are you making out on this fighter?” The verpine asked simply, looking over the information on it and its pilot in his datapad.