Private Spark of Resistance

[Garrion Der Rædwulf]

Garrion had received the transmission not long after making his speech. It only took him a few rotations later to become 'popular' overnight. It was both a blessing and a curse. The General had no need for the notoriety of being some... "face of Resistance", nor did he desire to stroke his own ego musing over the idea. He simply appreciated the fact that it had allowed him to make vital contacts, to sew the seeds of collaboration in an effort that would eventually be capable of opposing the Sith and their cohorts directly.

The curse? It was only a matter of time before a target was put on his back. Still, it was worth dealing with the inconvenience of potential assassinations if it meant he was responsible for sewing the discourse which led to those bounties placed on him. Clearly he was doing something right.
Garrion had his suspicions... being asked out to this corner of the Galaxy. Daxam II. It was near the High Republic, yet equally close to borders of the Sith Order. His strategic mind couldn't help but appreciate the convenience of its location, meaning it would be a valuable means of harassing Sith supply lines and retreating to space unfamiliar to the enemy. While not his typical means of warfare, he'd had the experience of being on the receiving end of it. Harassment campaigns were quite valuable in stalling offensives, as had been proven with the Crusades of the Pius Dea.

Regardless, given the seclusion and intense caution with which the message was delivered to him... Garrion doubted that his invite was sent with malicious intent. It was a rather simple directive: Coordinates, and a means of identifying himself once he'd made his arrival.

Exiting hyperspace, he'd arrived in the system. Piloting his small vessel towards the planet, he'd cautiously move through the planetary asteroid ring, having to correct every minor shift as he still found himself adjusting to the new ship. As he did so, he couldn't help but notice the large space-station as he did so. Then again, it was blended in well with all the surrounding clutter.
Not long after passing the station, two Tornado II's (their design completely foreign to him, let alone their classification) came up behind him. He presumed they'd been docked on asteroids, being as he hadn't seen them during his approach.

"Unknown craft, identify yourself."

Messing with the interior mechanisms, Garrion fumbled around a bit. Ra'a'mah gave him a brief breakdown of how everything worked when she'd loaned him the ship, yet, he was still struggling to recall how the transmitter worked.

"Unknown craft, respond or we will open fire."

Finally finding the button, Garrion replied:

"Apologies, I'm still learning the functions of my craft. I am Garrion Der Rædwulf, I was invited and instructed to land near somewhere called 'Green Heaven'."

After brief silence, a reply was given:

"No problem, General Garrion. We'll guide you down."

Garrion tagged behind the two fighters, passing over the jungle and following them into the cave, managing an awkward landing as he tried to guide the ship inside.
Stepping out, he shook hands with the two pilots... initially surprised that one of them was an alien before remembering this was something he'd already become... slightly accustomed to.

After being instructed where to find their boss, Garrion asked with an obvious curiosity: "And who am I supposed to be meeting?"

"Jonyna Si. You'll know her when you see her." One of the pilots remarked with a slight sarcasm, before climbing back into his cockpit.

"That's helpful..." He muttered to himself. A bit peeved by the informality, but, he assured himself this would be the simple reality of whom he was dealing with. Regardless, it wasn't exactly a make-or-break if they still acted like 'Rebels', he needed allies, and from the looks of things... this could still be a promising arrangement.

Garrion watched as the two fighter-bombers exited the cave entrance, and slowly made his way towards where he'd been directed.
Entering the command center, the old man was... a bit surprised to see how it operated. He'd worked in similar conditions before, but, this base reminded him he was to be meeting with the leader of an insurgency.

Though he hadn't yet laid eyes on his 'host' yet, he was already getting the sense this partnership would be different from what he'd been expecting initially.
It also didn't help that never in his life would he have expected to be seeing droids among the general staff, causing him to blink in confusion for a few moments as one passed him by, being addressed as a comrade rather than a metal servant.

Jonyna Si

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Garrion Der Rædwulf​

It was easy to slip into old habits around these parts. This base, Green Heaven, had once been home to only a handful of people. Tenacity Cell. Jonyna's second family. Technically her first, depending on how you saw it.

And yet, she knew better than to slip too far into familiarity. Nowadays, the base was filled out by just under a hundred men, and countless other part time occupants. First a rebel base, then a jedi shadow base, and now a base for a much larger rebel force.

The cathar walked amongst the halls of the old ship, Defiant Core. A crashed Trade Federation frigate, turned into a makeshift hub for rebels. In the back of a cave, hidden by several layers of defense.

Back in the day, it was just a ship in a cave.

But she couldn't be so casual nowadays. The imperials and sith were craftier than the empire of old.

She looked to the droid in front of her, who seemed to be waiting for her.

"Yes?"

"The new arrival is waiting for you."

"...ah."

She stood, letting out a sigh. For a moment, she adjusted herself. her posture, her hair, her fur. Most importantly, she adjusted her coat. Making sure both of her swords were visible, as she walked out.

The first glimpse he got of her was that flame colored hair, and the striking blue eyes. That, and the sheaths at her side. Black and White.

"I take it you're Garrion?"

Her voice had a bit of a boom to it. Artificial. An old habit she'd picked up during her days on the jedi council. Making herself sound a bit louder to cut through the noise.

 

[Garrion Der Rædwulf]

"And you must be Jonyna." He replied in acknowledgement, looking her over for a moment. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't expecting someone human to be organizing things here, though I suppose it's consistent with..." Garrion caught himself trailing off.

"I- mean no offense. I'm simply not used to working directly with Rimkin." A slight pause made Garrion realize it was probably best he stop mentioning the obvious... and not use slang one could easily find offensive with newfound allies.

With a slight exhale, he sat aside the stigma and pride one expected to be attached to every commanding officer, and prepared to admit his fault. Something which sat him apart from the likes of the Imperials.
"Allow me to correct myself: It matters not who I'm working with, so long as we both stand on the same principles. I apologize if I've made a poor impression. Truly, we seek the same thing, and I won't allow my... misguided reservations to impede that."

After a period of silence, Garrion continued: "Considering I haven't been thrown out, I'll assume you're still interested in working together." Soon after, he slowly removed a glove and with it the last barrier between him and accepting that he'd be working with aliens, before extended his bare hand.
"To fighting for freedom." He left the offer of a handshake open. It was up to her whether or not she'd accept it.

"And if we can move past this... bump. It would be a pleasure to discuss our future cooperation."

Jonyna Si

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Garrion Der Rædwulf​

Jonyna just raised an eyebrow as she watched the old man fumble over his words for a minute. She'd seen plenty of prejudice in her long life, but she'd never seen someone come to terms with their own bigotry in real time like this.

Still, she couldn't be picky at the moment. This one wasn't a mando, wasn't a sith, and he clearly was well spoken by his speech's proof.

He was just a bit of a bigot. She could handle that.

"For freedom indeed. Yes, I think we can move past that. I am Jonyna Si, Sentinel of Harmony and Rebel Leader. Though, if you ask the imperials, I think the term they'd use is 'warlord'. They say such rude things about me, I'll tell you that much."

Jonyna motioned for him to follow. "How much do you know about rebellion warfare, Garrion?"

 

[Garrion Der Rædwulf]

"I understand your methods more than you might expect." He replied, following her close behind as she led him. "Though I prefer more conventional tactics when applicable, I can acknowledge when it is best to employ more... subtle warfare. Severing supply lines, harassment campaigns, attacking financial assets... these are not foreign concepts to me." He stated with assertion, not arrogance. A clear distinction.

"I understand you wish to evaluate my competence, and I assure you, I am who I claim to be. Though, it is wise to be suspicious. I imagine it isn't a common occurrence for someone such as myself to... appear out of thin air."

Not allowing her a moment to contest his statement, he added with calm composure, stopping only to take the occasional breath:

"You have at minimum anywhere between 30-50 crewed ships stationed here, the make and models of which are unknown to me, and at least twice that number of personnel, an orbital space station, several automated turret defenses, a number of firearms which I haven't yet been able to distinguish, an advanced communication and intelligence network, and well hidden and fortified operating base situated strategically close to both the Sith Order and High Republic. I presume you've been operating out of this location for some time.

Judging by the nature of your manpower base, and the terminology used by yourself, it is to be assumed you operate as 'freedom-fighters', the cause rallying you I can only imagine is one aligning to goals similar to mine."

After providing her his evidence, he paused for a brief moment before continuing: "I take it you require me for more than just filling the shoes of 'a' general." He probed. "I sense you're well aware of the faculties of your organization... as well as its flaws."

He stopped in his tracks.

"You have need of someone to help re-organize your forces into a more... traditional force. You're preparing for what's to come: Retaliation against our common enemy."

Jonyna Si

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Garrion Der Rædwulf​

Jonyna went quiet, letting the man talk. Her eyes never left him, as she examined every subtle movement. She was judging him in that moment. More than just his competency of the spoken word, she'd met plenty who could do their research and bullshit their way through a conversation. No, she wanted to see how he handled things. How he handled himself, her men, her equipment.

He admitted ignorance, that was a good sign.

"I need you for a few things. The simple fact is, we're shortstaffed in one particular place I can't easily find. Leadership. I've got plenty of hotshots and firestarters ready to change the galaxy, but very few of them know how to chart a campaign. For the record, this isn't even a quarter of our full fleet. I've got eleven more of those stations, spread across the entire south eastern portion of the galaxy. Never staying in one place for too long. Never committing to a single planet."

She led them back into the ship, past a set of protocal droids that seemed to be in the middle of translating an intercepted message.

"I want one thing clear, if you're going to join us. I need a leader willing to play dirty. The imperials are our current target, simply because I'm trying to figure out a way to actually hurt the sith. You want a conventional war? Go back to Naboo. I don't play fair, I don't go easy, and I have very little mercy for those who subjugate. I don't care who you are, what you are, or what you stand for. I believe in freedom for everyone. And if that means I have to carpet bomb an imperial base with dirty bombs to get the people that freedom, then I'll do that. Are we clear?"

There was a ruthlessness to her voice that hadn't been there before. A stubborn belief that had been worn down from decades of conflict.

The kind soul that cared for the people wasn't there right now. That side of her was hidden away. Right now, Garrion stared at the Blade of Justice. The Eye of the Storm.

 

[Garrion Der Rædwulf]

Garrion listened as she laid out her terms. "Indeed we are, whether or not I fully agree with you." Was his reply.

He weighed his next words... carefully, able to tell this was someone who'd seen- perhaps too much death. And yet behind the mask of a hardened rebel, Garrion was able to see this wasn't her only trait. It couldn't be, not with who she surrounded herself with, and how comfortably people had spoken of her.

"However," Beginning slowly, "It is unwise for one to devote themselves wholesale to either pragmatism or 'noble war'. There is a time for decisive action, yet there is also a time for compassion. If you are to become beacons of the freedom you wish to deliver unto others... you must conduct yourselves in equal measure restraint and retaliation. The day I toss my principles aside, the day I become no better than those I fight."

He remained silent for a moment. He hadn't intended to lecture her, only remind her of the baseline which made them who they were. His gaze filled not with moral superiority or the detached stare which suggested he was talking at rather than to her. No, it was that of... sympathy. As someone who'd spent nearly all his life devoted to warpath causes, he was able to find solace that he wasn't the only one to be dealing with the consequences of it. And, he'd hardly allow that person to lose themselves to it, as he'd fought hard not to.

"Though I believe this is known to you." He added, subtly referring to the fact she was who she was, to her people at least. Someone looked up to, someone entrusted to guide the course of her rebellion, and what it'd stand for.

His words were... uncanny for a man such as himself. If he'd been telling the truth, and he really did hail from a cult of humano-centrict crusaders, one would hardly expect anything but a cold indifference toward 'collateral damage', as it were.

"If... you deem me worthy of working with you, what is it exactly you'd have me do? You've alluded to multiple tasks at hand needing addressing. I am curious what you think me capable of."

"Then again... I suppose this evaluation isn't over."

Jonyna Si

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Garrion Der Rædwulf​

"First off," Jonyna started, leading him deeper into the ship. They entered what looked to be a command center of some kind, a holotable displaying the entire galaxy, though focused on the wild space portion of it. Across it, several battle lines drawn.

"You need to catch up on our intel. I won't tell you where we are, who we have on our side, and what weapons we have. I expect you to find that out all on your own. Consider that your first test. Familiarize yourself with our assets. I've got two generals thus far, and I suggest you meet with both of them. Gress D'ran is our lead ground general, head of an old walker battalion of the GADF. He's the biggest hardass you'll ever meet, and is a man whom his men trust more than the sky itself. The second is Zoro Igala. My hand picked naval commander of our fleet. A fleet I built myself as part of the jedi. Find him, ask him why, and how that's changed. Understood?"

She paused, turning and giving Garrion a smirk.

"There's plenty more, but you'll have to find it. I don't expect you to uncover it all, but I do expect you to learn the important ones. The ones that aren't as important? Consider those my little surprises for when we get into trouble."

 

[Garrion Der Rædwulf]

It wasn't exactly convenient to have vital information gatekept from him, yet, it also gave him a valid excuse to get to intimately know the inner workings of the faction, and get to know those behind the scenes who allowed the machine to operate.
She seemed to underestimate just how far he was willing to go when digging... But, perhaps he'd let her think he wouldn't dig for everything, and stay a few steps ahead.

But, he'd been given some crumbs with which to start. He could work with that, he'd done more with less in dire situations, and now he had the luxury of not being immediately needed anywhere.
Once they were done here, he'd make his way around, maybe access some files without explicit permission. After all, she'd practically dared him to do so.
Though, turning his focus back to the present, Garrion nodded in acknowledgement.

"I'll consider it my first assignment, I suppose... Though, I'd been expecting something more, immediate?"

He tapped his fingers against the holotable in a brief rhythm as he thought for a moment.

"You've given me a thread to follow, which is appreciated. But, I'm going to need something to focus on aside from that. I could be of more use if I weren't spending my initial time here buried in ledgers and skimming reports. If I were given a task of sorts to handle that needs addressing, I would happily do both." With that, he was quiet for a moment, seemingly allowing her to think on his statement before continuing with:

"I believe I've made it clear I intend on maintaining a continued working relationship. It would be helpful to have something to base its foundation on."

Jonyna Si

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAGS: Garrion Der Rædwulf​

Jonyna's brow furrowed at the thought.

"...Zoro is currently planning a deep strike on the planet of Caragash in the next few days. You want an assignment? Plot a course for them home. Six waypoints, no straight lines. His fleet with be leaving in two days, and we'll be prepping for it with omnidirectional waypoints. Every ship will need a different exit route. It's how we keep them off our tails. You want an assignment? That's the job. Get them back home safe."

Jonyna stared at the man for a moment. He was willing to step up, and seemed to have a level of initiative. That was good.

Let's see how he did.

"I'm needed elsewhere, so I'll leave you to that. I take it I can trust you for that much."