Home Again Home Again, Dinkity Dink.

[Deleted]

"It sounds simple enough. I think a sleeper operative would also be effective. Would you like me to set one before leaving the planet?"

It all sounded like child's play. Sapphire was already formulating a plan in her head that she would solidify after landing. Sabotage of ground units was always quite easy when operating alone. At least, for a person with Rose training it would be.

[MikDaTv]

"That won't be necessary. Your mission ends when our invasion begins. However, any long term trouble you can cause for the Imperials will be a nice bonus to put in your employee review." The General answered.

"As soon as we begin our invasion, your to extract yourself however you see fit, or you can wait for the invasion forces to reach you."

[Deleted]

"Understood..."

Now Sapphire's mindset changed. Long term sabotage was a skill that required very little direct contact with the enemy. Short term preparations were a different set of skills altogether. This might turn into a challenge yet.

"I trust that I'll have free reign on tactics? I may need a substantial budget."

[MikDaTv]

The general pushed a few buttons on his datapad after withdrawing it from his uniform pocket. "Any Equipment you may need can be taken from the supply office using your ID card. Foxhound has first access to all Ranger supply systems. I'll see what i can do as far as funding goes. What did you have in mind?"

[Deleted]

"It would be a risk to insert with any explosive ordinances that I might need. I'll also need access to money for contact bribes. I'll be working fast, so I won't have time to establish my usual connections."

In fact, Ambellina was quite used to working in places where she had already established a network. However, just like on Orlais, she would be mostly alone for this assignment, with one or two sources of outside aid once she was planet-side.

[MikDaTv]

"We got you covered on explosive ordinance. Instead of actual explosives, you can insert with a case full of IR Strobes. Just place them on a target. They'll run for weeks before their battery runs dry and when our birds are flying overhead, they'll know exactly what to shoot at." The General said. He held up his hands about 3 inches apart. "They're about that big, flat, come in various colors so you can pick the best one to blend in with what you place it on."

"I'll see what i can do for you in the disposable funds department. This being a short term mission I don't know what i can get authorized. Write me an E-mail detailing your estimated amounts and anything else you'd like. If it's within my power to get it for you, i'll see that you have it before you leave."

[Deleted]

"Thank you."

Ambellina clasped her hands before her chest once again. Her eyes sparkled. Her gods had delivered her to a place where she might be useful.

"With those assurances I will take my leave...I'm sure the Grays have missed me sorely."

[MikDaTv]

General Hawk chuckled. "I'm sure they do. I'll leave you to it then. Welcome aboard." He turned and showed himself out. He would have some admin work to do if he was going to free up some company funds for Sapphire to use for her mission.

[Deleted]

From there Ambellina went directly to the supplies office and arranged for a few boxes of strobes to be carted to the bay where the Johnny 5 was located. She had a habit of getting men to do what she wanted very quickly. In addition to this she bought a few sets of clothes that she packed in her personal bag.

With her ordinance in tow she entered the hangar. Smiling, she approached Gray Team and nodded to each of them in turn. She could not yet tell them apart in their armor without noting the personal customizations, but she was able to greet them individually.

"Runt, Hefty, Tank, Senior...It appears as though I'm part of the team now."

[MikDaTv]

"Eeyyyyyyy look who's part of the family." Runt said from his place, calibrating the Johnny 5's belly turret.

Hefty was busy loading power cells into portable ammo cases. He merely nodded at her presence.

Senior stood up from where he was kneeling and took his helmet off. "General Hawk gave you the go ahead?"

[Deleted]

Sapphire gave Senior a playful wink.

"I'm so official I can hardly bear to be around myself for all of the authority."

She gave a tinkling laugh and directed the man with her supplies to load them onto the orange ship which she still hid her distaste for.

"So, what do you say, Senior Chief? Give a girl a ride?"

[MikDaTv]

"Thats what the orders say." Senior confirmed. "We'll have you there in a jiff."

Hefty grabbed his APC Array Gun and walked up the boarding ramp of the ship, heading to the cockpit.

Runt rolled himself out from under the belly turret and wiped the oil off his face with a rag before putting his helmet on. "Ready to go kill some bad guys?"

Senior pointed towards the boarding ramp. "Mount up Runt, we're going to need an action plan for landing on Kashyyyk."

Runt gave Senior a very mocking salute. "Yes sir captain tight pants sir." He said before turning and heading into the ship.

Senior brought blinked at the com symbol on his heads up display which opened a channel to Hefty. "Hefty, plot us a coarse to Kashyyyk through Shili. Make it as fast of a course as possible."

"Already on it Senior" Came the reply.

Senior hand signaled for Tank to get on board and gestured towards the ramp. "Sooner we leave, sooner we can come back."

[Deleted]

Smiling from ear to ear, Ambellina took up her personal affects and glided up the loading ramp, threading her arm through Runt's. The moment had come for action.

"Once more into the breach, dear friends."

[MikDaTv]

Tank walked up to the cockpit where their new fake transponder had been installed. The guy that installed it did a good job but Tank didn't trust any work that was not his own so he started to examine the small device.

Hefty slid into the pilot seat and started the power up checklist. His fingers flew over the switches, turning things on in order by memory.

Senior walked up the ramp and headed back into the cargo bay where all the crates holding their supplies were being held. The four man team had taken the time to color code the crates so that they knew what was in each one at a distance. He began to double check each crate to make sure they were all sealed shut.

Runt took Ambellina into the ships lounge and sat down on the couch, using the small game table there to place his datapad. He gave it a few quick taps and smiled. "Hey, you really are official." He said, spinning his datapad around and showing her what was on it. A display of her picture and code name apeared was on the screen. "I liked Lady better as a codename.... but Sapphire seems to suit you."

[Deleted]

Sapphire smiled coyly, giving the clone a wink as she sank into the couch beside him.

"Well, I am still a Lady, you know...that much will never change."

Reaching into her bag, the young woman pulled out a pendant that fit neatly in her palm. It was a silver-cast flower with eight petals, native to Orlais. Carefully, her dextrous fingers took hold of one of the petals and gave a slight tug. She extended the silver trinket to Runt with a warmer smile now.

"A bit of a silly tradition, but here...This is a petal of the Orlesian Rose. Operatives on my homeworld used to divide these unil they met again, with the promise that wherever they went they would never truly be alone."

In certain situations the splitting of the Rose was dangerous. If the operatives worked closely together, the silvery petal could be used to identify them. However, their destinations would be far apart. Sapphire felt safe enough to share with her new brothers.

"Will you accept?"