Pvt. Mardin was waiting with a message for Keondre that the Captain would like to see him.  Keondre warily tried to find a COM to call him first.  There was a comm unit on the inside of the Hangerbay but the grind of the gantries made audible communication over the failing device difficult at best.
        "Damn," Keondre thought to himself.  "Just one more friggin' thing to make my day complete."  He mumbled in his brain all the way to the rendezvous point on the message.
        The Captain's briefing room was a large office set off of the bridge of the ISD.  As Keondre passed through the bridge he noted that the technical crews seemed a little exciteable -- and that Izo was nowhere to be seen.
        Once the grey doors parted, Keondre saw into the grim office.  The Captain's large black desk, usually devoid of clutter, held three small cases.  Izo and Gragara were speaking quietly behind the desk.  Both men were standing with heads together in concentration.
        When the doors opened, Izo looked up.  A quick look flickered through his ice eyes and he excused himself and walked past Keondre onto the bridge.   Gragara looked up with a grim smile and gestured the Lt.. inside.
        Not bothering to watch Cmdr. Izo leave, the Lt. marched forward and stood at attention a few feet in front of the Cpt.'s desk, his eyes still forward.
        Gragara gestured to one of the black -- and patently uncomfortable -- chairs facing the desk.  "Please, Lieutenant.  Have a seat."  The Captain seated himself behind the desk.
        "Yes, sir."  Keondre answered without emotion.  He sat in the chair to the Cpt.'s left.  He still did not make eye contact with his superior.
        Gragara studied the young man briefly.  He sighed a little and sat back in his tall grey backed chair.  "Jarrell ...  Keondre, I wasn't sure until I met them.  I couldn't risk the security leak.  And I didn't know what .... kind of people we'd get."  The Captain stood, and paced with his hands clasped behind his back.  After a while he spoke softly, "We got better ... and worse than I had hoped."
        "That's why the sudden change of plans.  It was not my intention to spring this assignment on you."
        The Captain turned his eyes toward Keondre.
        Keondre's brow furrowed slightly.  "Sir?" he asked in typical drone-like fashion.
        Gragara smiled wryly.  A twinkle of amusement showed in his grey eyes.  He continued to pace.  "Lieutenant.  I choose you for this assignment because I knew that you were the best man for the job.  Don't let injured pride make that decision incorrect."
        The Captain faced Keondre again.  "You know that you are capable of what I'm asking of you ... even if you don't like it."
        The puzzled look on Keondre's face strengthened.  "I don't understand, sir.  I cannot pick and choose assignments.  Emotions towards my duties are... irrelevant. They just are."
        Gragara's eyes became measuring.  There was a long pause while he evaluated his third in command.  Then a decision was reached and the Captain became all business.  "Very well, Lieutenant.  You don't have to understand now.  But do try to understand in the future.  Think about it."
        "You will be escorting the ... persons currently in the Main Hangerbay of the Relentless through Republic space.  In that capacity you will be required to act in a covert position."  The Captain's rapid fire orders were interrupted by a pause.  "Keondre?  Do you own any civilian clothing?"  Gragara asked gently.
        "Sir, no sir."  Keondre replied ungently.
        The Captain chuckled to himself.  "Very well.  See the quartermaster before you depart."
        Then he was business once more.  "You may also find yourself in traitorous Imperial held space.  It is imperative at these times that you be perceived as a ... civilian.  An uncomfortable assignment, Lieutenant, but one I'm sure you can rise too."
        "You heard the briefing in the sickbay.  That's as much mission specs as I can give, granted our current lack of information.  Therefore, you will have to  ... rely," the Captain's lip curled slightly, "on the expertise of your companions.  You will remain in a position of authority, but I strongly urge you to listen to Cpt. Ap-Queeb's suggestions."
        "While the man can be very irritating, he is also very ... cagey.  Any questions, Lt.?"
        Keondre actually spent a moment to think about that one before answering. "No, sir. I... No."
        Gragara nodded, more at the pause then at the answer.  "In these boxes are the proofs of intent," the Captain gestured to a black metal box approx 8"x8"x8",  "the payment for the ... freetraders"  here he pointed at the strongbox last seen in Lt. Dinre's panicked arms, "and something that I hope will aid in your task."
        With this last, the captain pushed a red metallic box across the desk top toward Keondre.  The box was 3" tall, 8" wide and 2' long.
        Keondre opened the box, looked at its contents, and couldn't help but smile just a little.  His face soon returned to normal, however.  "Thank you, sir. I'm sure it will... I mean, let us hope it doesn't come in handy."  The slight smile returned.
        The Captain was very carefully not smiling at the Lt.'s reaction, but his eyes had their twinkle once again.  "Of Course, Lt., of course."
        Keondre looked at his Captain expectantly, waiting for him to continue or to excuse the Lt.
        "Well, Lt.  If you have no questions? ....  The Captain paused.
        "Actually," the Lt. interrupted, "When am I to deliver payment to... our guests?"
        The Captain shifted a little.  "Lieutenant.  Possibly the single most important aspect of this mission is your ability to work with our ... guests.  You'll have to impress your authority on them while making sure that the Reb.. Republics don't turn on you.  In order to do this, you will need every tool," the Captain gestured at both the money and the weapon, "in your arsenal.  I won't be there to back you up.  The minute those freighters leave the deck, my influence over their crews ends.  As does my knowledge of what they are doing."
        "You'll have to rely on your own discretion as to when to reward or when to ... take other action."  The Captain nodded firmly.
        "Understood, sir." The Lieutenant stood and saluted his Captain.
         "Good"  Gragara said firmly.  And then more quietly, "Good luck, Jarrell."  He saluted his third-in-command.
        "Thank you, sir."  Keondre collected the boxes and left.