Jex - Meeting with Major Tibbero

[GM Craig]

Jex finds Major Tibbero at the appointed time, in his new office. Well, a hole carved in the rock with a curtain over it probably counts as more of an office that the loft in the barn that used to house the high command. A step up.

His desk is a plank of wood over a pair of storage crates, and his computer is a small, hand-held datapad.

He looks up as Jex walks in. "Trooper Koneth. Have a seat, and tell me what's on your mind."

The offered seat is a barrel.

[Jex]

"Major, I have been giving substantial thought to the offer the KDF has extended to me.

First of all, I am honoured that you consider me suitable for this commission.

I find myself, however, somewhat hesitant in accepting it. I assure you it is not anything in regards to the KDF or the Royal family.

I am unaware if you know much about my background, but it is somewhat pertinent  to my dilemma.

I come from a distant world called Curran. At the time I left it was not under Imperial influence or control. As near as I can tell, there was nothing the Empire desired on Curran.

Curran is a sparsely populated world, with several urban centers, and pretty much sustains itself, and not much more. It is controlled by several competing gangs, and for the most part you either belong to a gang, or are a slave. There are some independant organizations and there is the ability to move vertically through the classes.

I was born a slave and was fortunate to be able to work my way into freedman status, at the same time as maintaining my independance from any gangs.

During this time I set a goal to change the way things work on Curran, to bring a more secure and beneficial order to the chaos the runs rampant. I did realize that my skillset and education were severly limited so long as I remained on Curran. With that in mind I left the planet to begin my education.

I drifted into bounty hunting as a means to pay bills, and also learned several needed skills, ones that will be needed when I return to Curran.

If I accept this commission, I am sure additional skills will be developed that will be useful to me in my goal as well. But therein lies my concern.

I know that I will return to Curran someday, and if push comes to shove, that is ultimately my top priority. I know that I am currently unprepared to complete that task, but I know it will come time to do so eventually.

If I understand correctly the commission being offered me, it involves a pledge of loyalty to the crown. This is a reasonable request and under different circumstances I would have no hesitation giving it. But I know that sometime in the future I will return to Curran, and for me at least that will be the top priority at that time. Can I in good conscience  make a pledge to Karvis with that in mind?

Another area of concern lies in my own personal introspcetion the last number of weeks. If I am to bring lasting change to Curran, my character has to be strong and clear. To prepare myself for that I must develop the habit of acting in an honourable fashion in all things, even in the face of disagreement or conflict with others. I still have a long way to go with this."

Jex gives a wry grin, then focuses intently at the Major.

"Please don't misunderstand waht I am saying, I do not believe the Crown or the KDF would intentially ask me to act in a dishonourable fashion, at least as they define honour, but I recognize that there may be differences in definition between the chain of command and what I see. I am not sure that I can causually bend my own values to fit those of the Crown and KDF, at least not in the really important areas.

It may be that no conflict will arise, but it would not be fair to myself or the KDF and Crown to not at least consider it.

The commission is an honour, yet at the same time a serious responsibility, and unless I am fairly sure that I will be able to fulfill those responsibilities honestly and to the best of my abilities, it does not seem right to accept it.

I know these have been a lot of words, and my mind is not fully decided yet. I felt that getting my thoughts into the open may help to clarify and facilitate my decision.

I would welcome any input or advise you could give me."

[GM Craig]

Major Tibbero looks at you carefully for several seconds.

"Koneth, you've brought up a few things. Let me see if I can address them.

"First, a commission is normally awarded for a lifetime, it is true, but you are certainly able to ask the crown to accept your resignation at any time. When you feel it's time to move on, you resign - as long as it is not in the middle of action. The Crown will, if it can afford to do so, release you. This is not an oath of servitude, Koneth. I plan to retire myself one day, and I'll resign my commission when I do.

"Second, the oath is one of loyalty to the crown. You will be pledging loyalty to the crown, to work in the best interests of the crown, and to always reflect positively on the crown through word and deed. You will be the crown's representative wherever you go, as long as you hold that commission. Seems to me you're doing that already. A commission just makes sure everyone in the KDF knows it too - even those whom you don't interact with on a daily basis.

"We are an honourable people, Koneth. I agree that sometimes war calls for stern measures, but at least as a commissioned officer, you would have a better chance to influence those measures. As a commissioned officer, you will have a seat at the table. With you as a trooper, I have to exert a great deal of influence to have your voice heard. Your mission to recover medical supplies in Plarn was a good example. The best way to make sure you're not being put in conflict with you scruples is to be guiding the decisions that are being made.

"Finally, I think you're a good fit. You are honest, loyal, have integrity and professionalism, and you see the bigger picture. You'll have a lot more leeway in your actions as an officer than you do as a trooper, and you'll have a lot less micro-managing from high command. Plus, as an officer, you'll be my deputy."

He sighs after the long speech.

"The choice is yours, Koneth. If you're worried about being ordered to do something against your moral code, that's far more likely to happen as a trooper than as an officer." He shrugs. "It's up to you, but I would encourage you to accept. You're officer material, Koneth. And, given your future plans, spending some time in a leadership role will certainly help you later in the liberation when you return home."

[Jex]

Jex stands up, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Thank you for your time. You have helped to clarify a few things in my mind. I need to think a bit more on it, but I will get you an answer before the week is out."

[GM Craig]

He nods and takes up his datapad as he says, "Glad I could help."

[Jex]

[OOC - Craig, since you control the timeline, just make a new post or topic at the end of the week (game week) and I will respond then.]