As she was about to go down the hallway to her private chamber, she heard a voice calling her from outside the door. At first she paid no mind to it, it was probably just another admirer from the new recruits, but after the second call she froze. No way...it couldn't be...
Curious, she turned around and saw a familiar face grinning in the door, and accidentally dropped some of the files in her hand. She blushed, quickly picked up the files, and bolted to the door.
"Captain Nivenna," the man saluted as she opened the door.
"C-c-commander Brennis!?" She said, completely flustered. "What are you doing here!?"
Brennis sighed. "Yeesh, you made it sound like you didn't expect me to come back alive! I mean, I know my job in dangerous and all, but c'mon, have a little more faith in me!"
"Well, yeah, but..." she said, slowly composing herself, "Aren't you supposed to be on Hoth investigating the disappearance of a few soldiers?"
"We are," he said smiling, "But Corelia was right on the way, and I figured I'd stop by and visit my home."
"Understood," she nodded.
"Always the professional," Brennis said, laughing. "So, how's things been with 'The Lady' lately?"
"Not well," she said, looking rather annoyed. "All day long the recruits have been laughing at me, and I have no idea why. Even most of the lieutenants have been acting off. Is something off with my hair, or..."
Suddenly, Brennis broke into laughter.
Nivenna blushed. "What!? What's so funny!?"
He wiped his eyes, and then gave a big grin. "Well, you see...I think I know why that is. In fact, that's part of the reason I came to talk to you. You have a meeting with a possible new lieutenant by the name of Borikk, right?"
She looked surprise. "Yes, how did you know?"
"Well, y'see, Borikk is actually a good pal of mine. We met him during one of my boys' missions a few months back. A very skilled mechanic, Ithorian at that."
"So what does that have to do with the attitudes?"
"You know how all the recruits have been calling you the 'Sith Commander' due to your 'harsh' training, right?"
"Yeah..."
"Well, they're laughing because they think the 'Sith Commander' is going to get the pants scared off of her."
"What?"
Brennis grinned sheepishly. "All I'm gonna say in your interview today is...try not to be intimidated. Trust me, there's no easy way to describe it."
"Okay, I'll try to remember that," she said, still a bit confused.
"Alright," he laughed, "I'll bring him to your office."
Nivenna sat down, puzzled as to what he meant by being intimidated. Sure, she wasn't fearless, but she wasn't quick to being frightened, especially by new recruits. Even if this particular recruit was suggested to a very high position despite having no prior history with the rebellion, she'd never felt intimidated by someone of lower rank.
Then the door opened, and Nivenna nearly fell off of her seat. At first sight she couldn't stay focused enough to tell exactly what "it" was, but it was huge. Over seven feet in height, massive upper and lower body, and a head similar to that of some kind of slug.
"Excuse me miss', is this th' room of the 'Nivenna' ol' Brenn' spoke fondly of?"
"Y-y-yes," she said, trying to recompose herself yet again.
"Good!" He said, sitting down on a chair. Nivenna swore she saw the room vibrate.
"N-name?" she said, bringing out the paperwork for who she assumed to be "Borikk".
"Just Borrik, young miss, nothin' more, nothin' less," he said, laughing very deeply, DEFINITELY causing the room to vibrate.
"Species?"
"Ithorian."
She had to do a double take. This was an Ithorian!? Yeah, she had only ever seen a few Ithorians, they weren't exactly common. But Ithorians were tree-huggers, more peaceful than even the Gran! And the Ithorians' sluggish heads are massive...and yet his seemed to fit perfectly with the rest of his body! What's next, a male Selonian Bounty Hunter!?
Borrik laughed "Sorry if I seem kinda frightnin', I'm not gonna' hurt ya little miss."
"I-I'm not frightened..."
"Yeah, I get it. Gotta keep up th' professional, right? Just keep doin' your thing."
"Right," she said, pulling his profile from the drawer.
"So you're a mechanic?" she asked, looking through the data.
"Yup, I have quite a bit of experience with repairin' and buildin' all sorts of things. Got anythin' in here that needs fixin' so I can show ya?"
"No, that's not necessary," she said hastily, fearing whatever she needed fixing would get crushed by his massive hands. "This is all looking very promising...why do you wish to join the Rebellion?"
"Eh, you fellas' are the only people I really know, so I'm up for poundin' some Empire faces in."
"Only people you know? What do you mean?"
"Ah, that's a sad tale young miss'. I wouldn't want to waste your time with th' sorrows of an old man."
"No, please tell me," Nivenna said, suddenly getting interested. Whatever this guy's back story was HAD to be interesting.
"Well as I'm sure you know...I'm not exactly th' nicest thing to look at."
She nodded.
"On my old home Ithor, roughness isn't really smiled upon...we're considered to be a pacifistic group of slugs, and, well, we kinda live up to that expectation. Fighting of any sort is strictly forbidden on Ithor, no matter what th' situation. No aggressive attitudes, no combat training, just studyin' books and talkin' to plants."
"Mhm," she said, writing it down.
"Y'see, I've never been much like that. Sure, I like nature as much as the next slug, but I'm not the kinda guy who's just gonna sit around all day readin' dumb ol' books. I like workin' on weapons and vehicles, and knowin' how to use em'. We Ithorians can be such tough fighters, it seems a shame to waste all this potential."
She had to agree. He certainly was a force to be reckoned with.
"So, you left Ithor because you didn't like the culture of your people?" she asked, getting engrossed in the story.
"Nah, young miss, I got kicked out."
"Got kicked out? As in, exiled?"
He nodded. "One day I noticed an Ithorian bullin' a few of the youth. I'd had a pretty bad day so far, and the sight of the cussin' and no-good behavior didn't bring out good feelin's in me. So I walked up an punched the little bugger in the face. He certainly learned his lesson."
He sat back in the chair to the surprise of Nivenna, as if he was done with the story.
"...and?"
"Hmm?"
"What else happened after that?"
"I told ya already young miss, they kicked me out."
She looked shocked. "They exiled you from Ithor for punching someone!?"
Borikk nodded. "Ithorians despise violence, and get rid of anyone or anything that seems potentially dangerous. So, they kicked ol' me out."
"Wow..." she said, still taking it all in.
"Then you lovely folk took me in. They weren't exactly comfortable around me at first, but th' youngun's got used it. They've been quite surprised at my work and seem very impressed by my various talents and potential."
"I'd certainly agree," Nivenna said, smiling. "Someone as big and experienced as you would definitely be a valuable soldier, especially since you also seem good-natured. I'm starting to see why Brennis recommended you."
"Aw', thanks young miss. Your kind words mean a lot to me."
She put an approval stamp over the profile. "You're good to go sir."
"Thankya miss...erm..."
"Nivenna."
"Ah, yes, Nivenna. Have a good one!"
A few seconds after Borikk left, Brennis walked in with a massive smirk on his face.
"I don't think I've EVER seen you jump like that before," he said, laughing.
"Don't even start."
