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[Malia Jae'Nor Hollis]

Malia had taken a full year off from all forms of service. But it was no secret why. The stubborn woman had worked up until her water broke, on duty. Her growing belly combined with a determined attitude spoke volumes about how she felt. She may be pregnant, but she would not be given special treatment. It would not make her weak. She, as well as her child, depended on it. If Mal had indeed taken it easy and not worked to defend everything she held dear, her daughter would never grow to appreciate true love and sacrifice for the greater cause. Neo had, of course, wished she not work at all. But he was not a Mando, and would never understand why a woman would place being a soldier above being a mother.

Keziah had been born, healthy and beautiful, hours after being helped to the med bay. And Malia's leave had begun.

But her daughter was walking now. A fighting spirit, through and through. Mali's cousin Surianna had come to stay with them for a time, aiding in the mothering of two children. It would not be easy. And Neo was not making it any easier. He knew that Surianna intended to stay as Malia took her mantle with the Imperial Republic forces again, and it displeased him greatly. Each moment of anger, he took out on Mali behind closed doors. This hastened the young woman's desire to return to a group who saw not her faults, but strengths.

She would be meeting Quinn again tonight in an informal setting. One of her husband's cantinas. It was more upscale than a lot of surrounding restaurants, and would provide the privacy for them to speak. This would be part interview, part catching up. And Mali was anxious. She wanted to return.

She dressed simply, but sharply. A long sleeve turtle neck type sweater, the color a calming cream, covered the bruises and marks well enough. It was matched with dark slacks and close toed business shoes. Her long hair was let down. The whole outfit was obviously expensive. She dressed to impress. It was not trashy, being tight and showy. But well fitted. How she was raised.

Mali waited on the owner's balcony, leaning slightly over the rail waiting for Quinn to come so she could motion for him to move up the stairs. This space provided a private bar and staff to assist with serving. Some of the music below could be heard, but not enough to make conversation strained and impractical from the supper table set out behind her. There were also sofas to move to when they were finished eating.

[Jared Quinn]

Jared had been contacted by Malia a few weeks before, he had been mulling over a secondary ODST unit but at the moment he knew he needed a capable XO. He had Staff Sergeant Ghear but he had plans for the Hapan Sniper other then being a XO of a still highly experimental unit who could be on the chopping block at any point. His clothes clashed with those of the upper levels greatly, while most men wore suits or tailored clothes Jared wore old clothes.

What caused him to stick out the worst was his worn bantha leather coat, the old coat moved loosely around the soldier as he walked with a purpose. What set him apart even more was the fact that most of his clothes looked in similar condition to his coat which was worn and comfortable. All in all Jared looked extremely out of place but it didn't seem to bother the man to those who didn't know him.

His thoughts on a place for Malia in the unit and knew the perfect place, of course he was planning on telling her exactly how dangerous their operations were and the peril she might be in. He knew they would talk about that and other things during their meeting so he pushed on before seeing the Cantina ahead, the first thought that came to mind for him was how high class it looked compared to the cantinas he was used to visiting.

He saw Malia as he got closer and waved his hand so she would see him as he approached the cantina, not that it would truly have been hard to notice the 6'2" man who clearly looked like he was lost given his attire.

[Malia Jae'Nor Hollis]

Malia let a smile of relief cross her lips as she spotted Quinn, and pointed to the edge of the staircase. Two guards were positioned there, they would let him through without speaking. The security was not for Malia herself, but rather for the small toddler who had fallen asleep on the couch behind her, wrapped in her mother's leather jacket. Dark curls were almost all that were visible in the mass of child and material, but a cheek bone and glimpse of full lips could also be spotted. She would look very much like her mother. Kass was with his father, off planet. Suri was with them. For now, Malia relied on a nanny when she conducted business. The woman stood behind the couch, waiting. Malia hated to be parted from her child. As she turned to watch the child's chest rise and fall, it almost broke her heart. Life would be changing. She would go long periods of time without her Kezi and her Kass, the two single beings in the galaxy she loved more than life itself.

But sacrifices must be made. And it was for their own benefit that Malia knew her choice had been made before she could stop to consider her return.

It wasn't until she heard Quinn's footsteps that she moved. Mali scooped up the bundle in her arms, kissing the forehead, and leaning in to press her cheek against her daughter's soft face. She took a deep breath before handing her over to the woman, who turned and took the girl out through the servant's exit. They would go to the apartment early. Malia exhaled, composed her face, then turned to Quinn. It was very rare she trusted anyone to glimpse her family life. No one in the Imperial Republic Military until this moment had seen her be anything but a soldier. The distinction was something she would not slip up on.

She nodded her head, indicating that this meeting was to be as informal as possible. Probably her last. Malia wasn;t sure of her worth yet. So many things had happened since she went on leave. Some she had seen on the news, but others she guessed had happened behind the closed doors of the government. Her dissolving marriage and two wonderful children consumed much of her free time, but not enough to stop the worries of what she would go back to from gnawing at the edge of her waking thoughts, and darkening her dreams as she slept. Tonight, she would enter back into that world, the one of thrills and fears and excitement and glory.

"Welcome, Jared Quinn." Malia's tone was strong, and although she felt nervous, it was more of a curious excitement. Her tone showed. "Thank you for meeting with me here." While Mali was not one to judge, her husband was. Mali was comforted by Quinn's casual appearance. She felt this way about most of her buddies. But Neo disapproved. He only agreed to the preemptive meeting if it happened on his turf. They both knew Malia would be in no danger. It was his pride. She, however, valued many other things above pride. Honor was one of them.

She motioned to the table, a silent invitation to sit. She would let him take a seat first. As the hostess for tonight, rules were reversed. "I have cooks on hand, order anything you'd like. They will prepare it to your specification." Malia had not set out menus. She did not want him to feel uncomfortable.

[Jared Quinn]

Jared nodded as Malia greeted him, the last time he had seen her was the day before his re-assignment to Kuat where the ODST project had come to life."Motherhood looks like it suits you Malia, but I understand the draw to pick up your armor and weapon in these troubled times."

He was still worn from the events over the last few months including Kamino and then the mad dash on Coruscant and Kuat."I'll say it right now, The army could use you. We need experienced recon commanders in the field instead of these green kids the academy keeps sending us. But I might have something that might interest you more."

It was then that he settled into the chair across from her easily, Jared knew her classification but also had heard the new casts detailing the black armored men who seemed to operate in a small squad, of course he'd done as much as he could to squash any reports about them."I'm fine food wise right now, but if you have some corellian whiskey I'd happily take a glass of that."

In truth Jared knew he didn't need to interview the woman who was standing there with him, she looked fit and ready for a fight as most soldiers did including himself. He was there to see if he could possibly offer her the upcoming XO position that was opening within a few weeks, it would give her time to accustom her self to the armor and the way they operated."This position will keep you away from your family for months if not years thought Malia."

With that he pulled out a datapad detailing the unit before he slid it onto the table for her, his eyes watchful of her and their surroundings as had become his nature.

[Malia Jae'Nor Hollis]

Mali smiled at his remark. A saddened, bittersweet smile. It came as a slice from a double edged sword. Malia loved being a mother, but there was a calling for her, here. And she couldn't shake it, not for having everything she had ever wanted in her children. That's why, after only 6 weeks, she began training again. Her body was pristine, in top condition. Part of her justified this as the preparation should the Mandalore call her to arms. But another part of her knew the real reason. She wouldn't be able to stay away. Not for all the money her husband offered, not for the millions of reasons why she would do anything for Kassius and Keziah.

"Tihaar for me, please," she said, not responding to his cautioning words right away. Somehow, she knew she'd need the familiar drink in her system before she did. Not for courage, no this went deeper. A reckless move always called for alcohol. Danger was being promised, as if they could exchange it from hand to hand. A dangerous, reckless game. That they were both adept at playing.

She sat after Quinn, thinking. Watching. He knew she was interested. So she didn't bother pretending to be otherwise. Her deep eyes considered him and the offer, a prize worth more to her than gold. Not the glory, either. But the ability to use her skills for something much greater than home life could ever afford. Not that mothers weren't important, because they were essential. But Malia's soul needed to fly.

"I'm listening," she said, cocking an eyebrow as he cautioned her she would be away from her budding family for long periods of time. It was something she almost expected. It was why she took an entire year off, to be with her daughter. It was something she could see coming without the Force's aid. He slid her a data pad, and she caught it easily. Her other hand reached for the drink set in front of her. "Another, please. I'm going to need it." She took a deep drink, setting down the glass and cupping the data pad in her hands. Like Pandora's Box. Her turning point. From here, there was no going back, and she full well knew it.

She only waited a few beats before turning on the small computer and read over the information, eyes scanning the members of the team, and the very vague overview of mission parameters. It was ... new. Dangerous, but thrilling. "What in God's name happened while I was gone? I thought the Special Operations forces for the Imperial Republic were all disbanded?" Her voice came out in a shocked whisper. Not from secrecy. But from the information.

[Jared Quinn]

He took the glass from the waiter and sipped it as she went over the information, he knew some of it was vague but then what they did was vague. He knew ODST could be called at any moment to assault a DCC base or deal with a underworld figure on some far flung republic world. It was a matter of the day and what needed their attention the most."We're technically not Special Operations, We're specifically Army Special Forces. General Cognatus merged the old ARC program and a few others into this project and now we're the die that's being cast to restart the special forces wing of the military."

Jared also knew that some of the names she might recognize from his old recon unit on Fondor, the newer names all had long histories of going into the breach with short odds in their favor."Now, I'm not offering you a simple commission in the unit. I need a new XO of the unit and with your training plus your long record I think you'd fit right in."

[Malia Jae'Nor Hollis]

Malia’s eyes kept scanning the documents, a force of habit. She was memorizing the words. Not much content, other than names and a few very glazed over details of involvement in a few past events, most that she had not heard of. Malia knew she had taken off a great deal of time in maternity leave, but had done so knowing this moment would come. The moment she would knowingly and willingly step away from her family.

So much ran through her mind. Mentally, Malia called herself a coward. She was running away from Neo, partly. But it was a huge gamble. If he was angered, well … she would be leaving Kassius in his care, and that was something she could not change. Keziah at least would be cared for by her staff until her cousin could arrive. Mental preparation was key. It involved so much emotional detachment, something that had been easy for her up until her first naturally born child made her way to life, living and breathing. Malia would no longer look at mothers and think them weak. Even being apart was a sign of immense inner strength.

The carrot in front of her blinders, the offer for XO, was the first thing to make her break concentration and look up, her perfectly stoic features changing. Her mouth curved into a frown, very slightly. “Excuse me?” She said, her tone clearly confused, not insolent. “Did you just say I’d fit right in? As XO?” This is a mistake … the thought repeated in her mind. Malia had only been thrown into leadership before, never really training for it. And it was something she had to work for constantly.

[Jared Quinn]

Jared watched as expression changed when she noticed he had spoken about the XO position within the unit, he was sipping some of the corellian whiskey as she finished speaking."That you did, I'm currently without a XO and am in need of one. Mind you the XOs job isn't like most units, whoever my XO is going to be will have to have battlefield knowledge and be able to think on their feet."

He took another sip of his whiskey while he let that sink in, he knew the unit was run unlike any other within the IR scope of military operations; he also knew that alot of what they did was classified above top secret do to the nature of the unit.

Edited by Jared Quinn, 17 October 2009 - 05:52 PM.