Nar Shaddaa

Hala approached the Imperial compound with Celna in tow. She presented her credentials to the guard outside then asked to see the duty officer to make sure that Celna was given temporary quarters and that the Republic senator should be informed of her arrival as well as her father.

Vec had just gotten off-duty from his afternoon patrols, perhaps just in time to hit the refresher before the party. What was not seen was the good job he was doing to show that he was dragging his feet there, figuratively. He was meandering the halls with his helmet in his arm. Upon sporting the Imperial officer heading towards him, he stood off to the side to allow her to pass with proper respect given to her military standing.

Hala's eyes scanned his armor briefly before finding the rank insignia.

"Good evening Sargeant," she said politely, nodding her head as she pulled her attention away from her pad.

Vec gave a curt nod in return at the general and relaxes somewhat in his posture, which isn't much. " 'evening, Colonel. Sergeant Vec Gunnar. My squad and I have been recently flown in to serve. If you need anything, make the call." That probably should have gone without saying, seeing the great differences between their ranks but unlike some of the Sith here, he wasn't here to look pretty or brood.

By the same token, Hala clearly wasn't here to fight. A veteran with the stance of unhealed injury who was likely never going to see front line deployment. She wasn't pretty either, but carried herself with the demeanor of one who was not just a politician or a Sith's pet.

"Good to meet you Sergeant. If there is a situation that requires you, I will most certainly call. If you need red tape clearing up, well.... that is what I am here for, officially. 'Military liaison', so let me know if I can smooth your way."

Vec gave a slow shake of his head at the gesture and his hand brushed his chin in a contemplative gesture. "Eh, that's more generous of you, Colonel. I can't say I find myself needing anything like that around here. You see, even if we're a rough 'lot from the Outer Rim, we know our place. It ain't my role to start trouble. Nah, not on my own. I leave that for the higher ups. I'm just a grunt who fights battles. If I got into a tangle, that's because someone else told me to."

He gave a derisive snort. "Heh, sorry. I get the feeling you're talking about business. I can't flippin' say I have a good enough imagination of what sort of liaison-ing things are there to do around here, Colonel. I ain't one who wants to end up in a bind with those Hutt or looking for a Republic Link Pal."

"Ostensibly it's to help inform the diplomats and politicians about military matters, opinion, and protocol, but since it's going to be lead by a Darth then I'm unfortunately more of a minder I think. Someone with a rack of ribbons and medals to get them out of trouble or be brought to table like a political prop. Not that any of that is my official role, but I'm sure I'll be asked to pull out my class As before this is over to impress some Republican senator," she said with a rueful smile.

"Don't worry Sargeant, pilots from Alderaan won't be flying close air support missions for our troopers until long after we've both been put to pasture. And even then, I still wouldn't count on support from the Hutts."

He gave a few small nod at Hala. "So that's the score, yeah? For a moment, I was glad to see more official military types around here but figures that it's a Darth that's going to be running the show. So things happen, I should just roll with it? Do you happen to know which Darth is that? I got lumped into escorting a Darth on my way in. First time I took an assignment on a luxury ship."

"You're not too optimistic on both, yeah? Can't say I am either. Not that I get much say, I just work here." He gave a hapless shrug. "Pardon the dumb questions, may I ask why we having this get together here, then? Were venues just cheaper around here?"

He understood the need for peace talks, just couldn't fathom why other parties had to be involved to muck it up further.

"I've been told it's Darth Xevious. I don't know if any of the other Sith will have a high level effect on things, but it's the Darth that's officially in charge. Having an obviously self-interested third party does nicely for ensuring the relative neutrality of the venue, tactically speaking. It also allows for doubling up on a diplomatic mission to the Hutts. Saves time and taxpayer dollars, at least that's the pitch I'd expect. If there's another motive behind it, then I'm not aware. Above my paygrade, that's quite certain," she said, tucking her datapad under her arm so that her gloved hands were free. Given that, she then began gently massaging her right hand for a moment before rolling it to flex and work out some kink.

It was perhaps hard for him to get too politically invested to know the differences between the Darths and their purpose. However, this one did ring familiar with him, as he did escort him and shared a relatively short dinner. "If the reason doesn't seep past you, I doubt I'll ever know much about it then. Thanks for the tip, Colonel. My squad are already getting chatty being here and it would have been nice to put those rumours to rest. We're usually put in the middle of nowhere or some sort of point of interest. A developed city like this, ain't no where near our usual posting. The last thing I want to be dragging back some of my troopers because he's got a death stick addiction or a taste for zaltran dancers. 'Know far too well what could happen here."

"Anyway, that's bound to be peanuts what you've got to be concerned about, Colonel. Speaking directly to the Darth can't be an easy routine."

"'Peanuts' isn't the way I'd put it Sargeant. I'd be lying if I said my focus was on the wellbeing of a single trooper, but I don't have a squad reporting to be and that's not my duty here. Even still, it's not like one entitles me to a fancy title or a posh room like the VIPs, and it certainly doesn't mean your concerns are lesser than mine. Just two soldiers here, trying to keep us and our's alive. And if I can help make sure you and your's stay healthy, I'll do that. The RoE should help alleviate any itchy trigger fingers and I haven't heard rumor that the Republicans are spoiling for a fight either. Tonight may show differently, but we'll see."

She finished massaging her hand at let it hang just slightly awkwardly from her hip again.

"What's it like, speaking with the Darth you came in with? Who was it too, if you don't mind. Normally I only have to deal with Sith Lords. I've been lucky that I'm somewhat insulated from Dark Council politics. Small blessings."

"Your concern is appreciated. However, I'm not itching for a fight, Colonel. I've already had my share of assignments where I've spent months without end looking at the same pile of dirt in front of me. Some transparency in the situation would be nice. If we're fighting, I'd like to know we're fighting. If I'm shooting, I'd like to know who I'm shooting," he gave a small shrug. "Worse part about potentially fighting in a place like this, not everyone is going to be uniformed and there are way too many angles here. I've seen my good share of them during my patrols. Fights tend to be short too, no one has much reinforcements to speak of."

He gestured to the hallway space they were taking up. "These metal walls are a nice slice of home but this ain't anywhere near a fort."

"Darth Xevious," he said plainly, not making a big deal of it. It wasn't like his duty came with any more prestige because of it. "It's as close as I got to any Sith Lord. Just got to the point of small talk, nothing big. He even bothered to ask for my name, funny that."