Curiosity...

[GM Craig]

The garden is pleasant. Plenty of shade, sheltered from the cold mountain winds, and offers amazing vistas of the surrounding highlands. The sun shines off distant snow-capped mountains. Closer in, trees and shrubs provide quiet cul-de-sac areas with benches for quiet conversation, all around a central winding walkway of white stones. The garden is open to the sky, and white puffy clouds float by lazily in an azure sky. There are perhaps 20 people in the garden, mostly in twos and threes, engaged in quiet conversation. Within a cul-de-sac, noises from beyond are muted thanks to the foliage.

Major Antilles nods at you. "Of course I would be happy to help. I'll answer any questions you have if I can."

[Keshani]

"Well, it's more of a personal type question, I guess. So if you don't want to answer I understand, but I'm curious.

She held her hand out to indicate the surrounding area.

"I read the plaque on the statue about Alderaan's disarmament. I hadn't known about that before. I really haven't been very many places off of my homeworld.

"The Statue....struck a chord with me."

She took a minute to just breathe in the scents of the vegetation growing around her and the smell of the fresh cool air before continuing.

"But you're a military officer, right? I....guess I'm interested in the different perspective on what all of this means to you. If you don't mind."

She was surprised at the difference in how much more relaxed she felt with the Major not in uniform. She knew she'd have to get over that if she did, indeed, agree to join the Rebellion, but that was something to deal with later.

She also was surprised at how comfortable she felt talking to him. She supposed it was the surroundings, but spending so long talking to Trax on the trip to Alderaan had helped, as well. It was much easier talking to people when you could convince your mind that they weren't the enemy.....

[GM Craig]

"Peace is a foundation principle for Alderaan. A conscious choice made by those who survived the Clone Wars, and taken up by every generation since. We chose to be a peaceful people. But being peaceful does not mean we are pacifists - peace must be defended. We have no lethal weapons on Alderaan, so our military is built around defensive technologies and non-lethal weapons. We use stun sticks and ion rifles. We do not deploy turbolasers, but rely on shields and planetary defence ion cannons. The ships that defend our trade routes from pirates use ion cannons and EMP missiles to disable hostiles and raiders. I am a military officer, but I see myself as a protector not a fighter."

[Keshani]

She nodded, thinking about that.

"That makes sense, but how does the Rebellion fit in to that then?", she asked

[GM Craig]

He is quiet a moment. "Alderaan can defend itself. But even if we made an impregnable fortress of our world, other people suffer under the yoke and lash of oppression. For some of us, standing by from a point of safety and watching the rest of the galaxy suffer is not an option. We do what we can, but every day the number of refugees grows larger, and every day we hear news of greater and greater atrocities committed by the Empire. For some of my people, that pushes them to the point where they cannot stay idle.

"We gave up the weapons of war because the Clone Wars seemed futile. Nothing had changed, so in the end all the fighting was for nothing. Some people see that there may be a chance to do something - that fighting now would have a point. That we could help the Galaxy become a better place through fighting. But our goal is not violence - our goal will be to help others. Sometimes that will be benevolent aid missions. Sometimes that will be helping refugees build new lives. And sometimes...

"... sometimes that will be destroying the war machine the Emperor has created. Not to cause death or destruction, but to prevent death and destruction from coming to other worlds."

[Keshani]

She was quiet for a while after he spoke.

Finally she spoke, her words feeling loud after the silence, even though she spoke softly.

"I want to help."

[GM Craig]

He nods. "The rebellion would welcome any help. How do you think you might do so? You are a little young for combat duty, but there are many ways to help. The rebellions biggest task right now is building a base. I understand you have some technical skill. The alliance could certainly use someone with your skills, determination and courage at the new base. It is remote, in rugged country. The alliance is literally hacking a base out of nothing, while dealing with wildlife, scarcity of resources, and the danger of Imperial spies and probes. I cannot guarantee that would be a safe assignment. But it is an important one. And you would not be alone. Second Lieutenant Webster has also agreed to join the Rebellion. She will be heading to help decide a location and start building a new base."

[Keshani]

"Danny's going?" she asked, interest evident in her voice.

"I'm good with security type stuff...I was thinking I might look into the Intel aspect of things. But I am happy to help wherever I can...I'm...not exactly a stranger to manual labor".

She looked down at the ground for a minute, pushing away memories, again, of her time on the Station.

"What kinds of things do they need help with?"

[GM Craig]

"Well, if that is of interest to you, there's all sorts of things they would need help with. They're building a base and landing pad in the wilderness. Power, security, construction, patrols, supplies, computer systems, sensors. There will be a great deal of work."

[Keshani]

She nodded.

"Okay. I can do that.."

[GM Craig]

He nods. "I'll arrange a meeting. It will be soon, perhaps even tonight if you are amenable."

[Keshani]

She nodded again, a moment of intense overwhelmingredients washing over her.

"Would I be leaving right after that? "

[GM Craig]

He shrugs. "I suppose on what happens at that meeting. The Alliance is still very new, so I'm not certain what plans or schedules they even have right now. I do not doubt there would be time to take care of any business you had before leaving."

[Keshani]

She nodded. "I will wait to hear from you then." She smiled. "Thank you for meeting with me"

[GM Craig]

[OK if we warp a bit, or do you want to run through the details?]