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Captain Piett had enough. He looked at the screen of his datapad, then tossed it in the corner of his office. He would have to deal with getting a new one, but his steward would look after it. Commander Gherant was wise enough to stay silent when his fellow Axxilan was in this mood. Piett seldom let slip his mask of bland indifference, but when he did it was scary.
“Two of the bridge personnel in the brig by courtesy of Thundering Herd! Every day there is an incident between the navy and these dirt-pondering filths!” Piett stood up and paced back and forth in his office.
“We addressed it during staff meetings several times,” Gherant knew it was just pouring coaxium into Piett's ire.
“Yes, and it led nowhere aside from me getting dressed down because I could not keep the Executor officer's cadre and personnel from the provocation of our army contingent! Admiral Ozzel took quite pleasure in it, while that bastard Veers had a field day!” Piett abruptly turned to face Gherant. Commander tried to be smaller which was hard considering his above average height.
“Firmus, calm down,” Gherant had known Piett since Axxila antipirate fleet and when he was angry bad things happened or good things depending on the situation.
“I AM CALM! I will not let my people be beaten up by some army halfwits,” Piett was everything but not calm, however in his brain the plan was forming. It was not nice, but I would give a message to General Maximilian Veers to keep his men in line.
“I am not happy either, especially when that kid Nash Windrider ended up at Medbay after he met Thunderers. But what do you want to do? We did everything according to the service regulations. We are out of legal options,” Gherant wished they could do more but the Imperial Navy was not Axxilan antipirate fleet.
“In that case, we will do something unorthodox. Tell me, when was the last time you went to the gym, Ignatius?” Piett turned on his heel and smiled at Gherant who gulped.
“Am I thinking what you are thinking?” Gherant felt that the future would probably land them in a very tricky situation.
Piett picked his slightly dented datapad from the ground and tapped it. The schedule of the ship gym designated to Thundering Herd officers flashed on the screen. They had 30 standard minutes until a certain General would work on his muscles.
“Time to change for work out. I will pick you up in 15 minutes,” Piett gave Gherant one of his toothy smiles with his perfect set of artificial teeth.
“It will land us in huge trouble,” Gherant stood up.
“Or it will give Veers a desired message,” Piett patted him and darted to the door to change. He put on a standard naval tracksuit which was intentionally slightly larger to make him appear smaller and more vulnerable. He was almost looking for what was about to come. He picked Gherant exactly after 15 minutes. The man looked unhappy but followed him.
“The plan is, you are watching my back, but if things get out of hand you will make sure to get lost,” Piett whispered as they stood in front of the gym blast door.
“Are you aware, of what you are and what you can do?” Gherant asked if it was necessary. Piett was subjected to quite horrific body modifications, he mentioned something occasionally to Ignatius, but it was what he was capable of that scared him and saved his life and the lives of other men under his command on Axxila.
“Yes, but they are not. The bar with the baddies scenario,” Piett tapped the panel and walked into the Gym filled with Thundering Herd officers, who stopped to do what they were doing on various machines and looked at two sailors. The heavy silence hung in the air. Piett quickly assessed the situation. It would be a rough ride. Gherant was at his flank not happy, but ready to do what had to be done if the situation asked.
“Here comes the General,” Piett murmured and looked up at General Veers. The man was huge in uniform but out of it dressed in a tank top and shorts he was gigantic.
“Captain Piett, I presume you two got lost,” Maximilian Veers looked down at the diminutive Executor's skipper.
“I am perfectly where I should be, General,” Piett replied, looking around nervously. It was about to lure the enemy into the trap. Gherant to his honor played along.
“Captain, perhaps you should…,” Gherant murmured when Colonels Covell and Stack stood behind them.
“Commander is right, sir,” Colonel Covell said slowly.
“Oh really? I do not think so,” Piett tilted his head and gave Veers a nervous smile.
“What do you want here, Captain?” Veers tried to comprehend why two navy gentlemen hurled their soft skinny arses here. The Navy and Army had their differences since the first sentients found out that wood floated.
“There were incidents around the ship. I can hold my men, but you do not, General. This brings me to the idea of friendly sparing. I want to personally see what you are made up from, “ Piett smiled again.
“Do you think I am an idiot, Captain?” Veers could not believe his ears. What the navy midget proposed was suicide, he would put him into a coma with just his little finger.
“I want to settle things differently between us. The official way was tried and not working. Time to use good old sparring filled with camaraderie to make sure that the losing party will make sure no more brawls between our men will be happening,” Piett stretched his hands and cracked his fingers.
“I will send you to the infirmary, Captain. That would raise a question. Nobody wants ISB getting involved,” Veers heard some whispered stories about Piett being an extraordinary pirate hunter and Vader's man, but the truth was he doubted all of it. Piett was just a snivelling naval rat without any spine.
“Commander Gherant is a witness if you …win and there will be some injuries he and your officers would give a statement I hurt myself on some gym machine, what about this?” Piett tried to look as harmless as possible hoping he was not overdoing it.
“You must be crazy. But why not if you lose you will make sure my Thunderers would not be bothered and if some navy prick decided to bother them, they would not have it in their records,” Veers knew about the animosity between the navy and Thunderers. The rest. The lack of action made men bored and when bored they were trying to find some fun, not always wisely.
“I like those conditions, the same goes for you. One thing when we start your men or Commander will not interfere, no matter how intense it will get,” Piett outstretched his hand towards General Veers, who shook it.
“Make a room. Good Captain is about to learn how Herd fight,” Veers barked and his men moved aside.
“General, I have no formal martial arts training. I am more freestyle,” Piett smiled, unzipped his hoodie and tossed it to Gherant. He had black henley under it.
“You can still back off, Captain. It will not be a fair fight,” Veers tried to give that man a chance to get lost. When it was still possible.
“With that, I fully agree,” Piett said and moved into action. He jumped and his fist crashed between Veers' eyes, next he hit with a right to the chin. Veers staggered and made several backward steps. The man of Piett's complexion should not hit him with such force. Veers ducked out of the next hit. Blood filled his mouth from cracked lips. This was not friendly sparring. Piett smiled and Veers almost swore he saw him sniff the air like some predator who took a whiff of the blood. His men gasped around him.
“General do not let him get away with this,” It was Covell or Starck.Hard to tell. Veers lunged at the smaller man, who just pivoted avoiding him. Piett used the momentum and brought his knee hard into Veers' abdomen, the satisfactory crack telling him some ribs were not as hard as General wished them to be. Veers doubled down. The shock and pain was on his face.
“Firmus stop, please for Boonta's sake stop,” Gherant called frantically, but it did not stop there. Piett grabbed Veers' head with both of his small hands and hit it with his knee. Hard. The cracks of broken bones were sickening. Veers collapsed and the last thing he remembered was Piett's sneaker kicking his chin.
“Stop, kriff... Firmus…stop. You will kill him,” Gherant looked around at the shocked Army officers. The whole fight was done in seconds. It was as brutal as Gherant expected. Piett stopped in mid-move. He was about to kick Veers into his groin.
“So gentlemen? Who is next? You?” Piett pointed at Covell.” Or do all of you want to show me my place? I just brought down your beloved General. If he is the best of you, I guess…” Piett provoked.
“You bastard!” It was Starck who lost his nerves and the brawl started. Gherant did the only possible thing to get away from the fight. Piett was no doubt in heaven and using his body to its full modified potential and liked it. He was brutal and fast. The last man who went down was Covell curled into a ball of pain after a well-aimed kick into his balls.
“Firmus, now tell me how will you explain this,” Gherhant unhappily pointed at groaning men on the floor. Piett smiled at him with his bloodied lips. One of those army boys got lucky and cracked his lip.
“You…who are you?” Starck was pulling himself to sit up. His hand was hanging at an odd angle.
“It is not important who I am, rather what I represent. I represent his imperial majesty's navy. I will not tolerate brawls and disruption caused by Thundering Herd. My men and women and taboo for your kind if you must beat something, beat each other and spare me of paperwork. And there is no surveillance recording so tell at infamery you tried some …dirtpounder training or something. Also, boys if you tell somebody you were beaten by me, who would believe you? Look at yourself, huge muscular guys and me? Tiny dried-up sailor,” Piett used his henley to clean his face. He took his hoodie from Gherant and zipped it up. He left with Gherant, who looked very unhappy.
“Firmus this will end us. End us! What if the Admiral finds out? What if lord Vader finds out?” Gherant was angry at himself, he allowed Piett to go with his insane plan.
“Those Army men are proud, they will not spill the tea,” Piett replied. The only downside was those men saw him fighting or rather was on the receiving end and his secret got to more. War was still there and anything could happen. He walked with Gherant to his quarters and continued to his. The shower and some paperwork before getting on the bridge. The time ran fast and when his shift was over and he passed the command it was time to visit the Army. He met Covell and Starck near the Medbay and both gave him a wide berth. Arm in the sling and bacta patches were tale-telling. The infirmary was giving Piett the creeps. He spotted his physician who gave him a disapproving look but pointed him to General Veers' temporary stay.
“Good evening, General. I hope you feel better,” Piett said and sat on the chair near Veers' bed. General had a fixation on his jaw among other medical equipment. Veers took out the datapad and taped it on the screen. Handed it to Piett.
“You will eat with straw for a week or so, but you can drink with it. When they discharge you I owe you a drink,” Piett handed the datapad back. Veers gave him a sharp nod tapped at it and handed it back.
“Only if I spare again with you? General, I am not fond of … physical violence,” Piett said seriously.
“Bantha crap, Captain,” it took all will to be able to say. It hurt like hell. He stopped to regard Piett as a soft naval gentleman. That man had some history and lectures he gave to him and his men hurt a lot.
“Look, it would not be fair. I … did it only to protect my crew. I know that you are not taking me seriously so I decided to convince you to cooperate,” Piett replied and smiled nervously. Veers sighed and tapped the reply.
“You adjusted the training and the battle simulation to keep your Herd from troubles and also your Colonels are now very invested in not messing with the navy. I appreciate it very much, General. I do,” Piett said seriously. It worked. The plain and simple violence was sometimes the best way. Datapad again exchanged owners.
“Calling you Maximilian?” Piett asked in disbelief, this man offered him to be called on the first name basis after the base delta zeroed him and his men as a bonus. Veers nodded and showed a thumbs up.
“I am Firmus. Com me when you will be out and ready for a drink,” Piett stood up. He noticed Veers outstretched his hand. Piett took it and shook it briefly. It took almost two weeks for Veers to text him to meet him in the officers' club at the observation deck. Piett confirmed and was curious if the first-name basis stood still or if it was just too many painkillers in Veers' system. He spotted General sitting in the booth in the corner of the club. The secluded place with a good view from the window. Piett slipped in and looked at the drink Veers was drinking. It had a strange paper umbrella on it and was pink.
“I presume you feel better,” Piett said instead of greeting.
“I do and my men too. You made an impression, Firmus,” Veers chuckled and rubbed his jaw. It was still sore, especially during laughing and vigorous chewing.
“Good to hear on both, Maximilian,” the whirl of the bartender droid made him look up “Novanian grog large glass and a small cup of Yyeger sugar,” Piett ordered. The look he was given by Veers was utter disbelief. “I like sugary sweet things and potent alcohol.”
“I am not saying anything. Look I like fruity cocktails with umbrellas, whom am I to judge you?” Veers asked and it was true. He would not order his favourite when he was with his men. It was not worth the jokes he would be given afterwards.
“Ask me already. I know that is nagging pretty deeply,” Piett's dead sunken eyes were looking into Veers.
“You are not built to massacre men like me and my officers with such ease. When you punched me, it was like an AT-AT kick, “ it was out. Veers had to know. There was something in a petite naval Captain. He remembered Commander Gherant screaming at Piett to stop and he realized why Piett took Gherant with him. Not as a witness, but as somebody who would stop him if necessary.
“You told me it would not be a fair fight, Maximilian. I knew it would not be but not for me but for you and your men. Before the navy, I was fighting with Free Axxilans against pirates, clankers and frankly anybody who decided to prey on Axxila. It was a paramilitary organization. Child soldiers, some body modification, extensive combat training and assorted things. If I put it mildly, Naval Academy was heaven and spa for me,” Piett turned to observe the tender droid who put his drink and cup with sugar in front of him. When he moved away Piett continued after stuffing a full spoon of sugar in his mouth “your clearance is enough to get this information about me.”
“After you explained to me how to keep my Herd in the pen, I checked your dossier. Those are exact words written there, plus that you are a specialist in hand-to-hand combat and guerrilla warfare among other things,” Veers was trying to comprehend what made man eat sugar like that, but perhaps it was some peculiar Axxilan dietary custom.
“Aye. Aye,” Piett nodded and sipped the grog.
“I had no chance, right?” It was hard to admit for Veers, who prided on being a skilled fighter and seasoned veteran.
“Honestly?” Piett asked carefully after Maximilian fulfilled his part and rubbing salt in his wounds would not be wise.
“Honestly. Firmus, look I let the situation with brawling get out of hand. The Army and Navy coexist but there is rivalry. I want to apologize for making you go that far” It was the hardest for him to say.
“No, you do not. I get the rivalry and I suggest using it for something positive. Grav-ball ship tournament or something similar,” Piett was never fond of such things but he understood how to use them.
“You are a genius, did you know that?” Veers chuckled, the sports activity would take time and energy from petty quarrels and strengthen the morale.
“You read my dossier, Maximilian,” Piett replied innocently.
“Tell me you are also modest and humble,” Veers smiled and toasted him with his drink.
“Kriff you,” Piett replied and raised his drink.
“You already did it, do you remember?” Veers laughed.
“I do. Maximilian no matter of friendship, I will not spare with you or fight with you even in a friendly match,” Piett said suddenly, all serious.
“To friendship,” Veers raised his glass again and noticed how Piett relaxed when he did it.
“To friendship,” Piett replied.
“May I ask you something?” Veers should not press but he wanted to know why Piett didn't want to spare him.
“I will try to answer unless it is classified,” Piett winked at him naturally.
“Why? I thought sparing was preventing my fighting skills from becoming rusty,” he hoped, he didn't offend Piett.
“Honestly?” Piett sighed and turned the cup with the rest of the sugar into his grog.
“If you do not want to answer my question it is fine too,” Veers offered the way out if Piett wanted.
“I have fought since I was ten. I know my trade too well. Killed with my bare hands so many times I lost count. When I fight I seldom let my opponent go. It is in my nature. I do not spare. I do not engage in hand-to-hand combat unless it is necessary. You coaxed me out of my shell, Maximilian,” Piett whispered and looked at Veers searching for his reaction.
“You took Commander Gherant with you. Not as a witness but to stop you if you got too much carried into the fight,” it made sense suddenly why Piett took another Axxilan with him.
“Ignatius knows me very well. I have dragged him from command to command since our time in the Axxilan Antipirate. Yes, he was there as a safeguard measure if things got too ugly,” Piett mixed his grog with a spoon to dissolve sugar there.
“I presume your psych evaluation…” Maximilian wanted to bite his tongue. It was something you didn't ask your friend.
“Passed with flying colours. You know for certain missions, you need certain people with specific sets of talents and skills. Governor Tarkin was very satisfied with me being his aide for two years,” Piett smiled and this time it was a warm smile.
“No way, you managed to stay with the great Tarkin for two whole years?” Veers could not believe his ears.
“Sometimes I will tell you some stories which I can. He was a great man to serve with,” Piett made a toast.
“Does your no-match policy include sabacc?” It was time to change the topic and having a closer relationship with the Navy would do good.
“Is it an invitation to rob me of my credits?” Piett liked to play sabacc but had no opportunity to do so on Executor.
“We play every Monday, you are invited if you wish to take Gherant after all you are the rich navy man and poor dirt pounders need to replenish their meagre funds. You know I have a family to feed, “ Veers teased.
“Gherant will rob us all. Does your wife approve of gambling?” Piett teased back.
“No, no she will be so angry if she learns about sabacc nights. She caught me and my son playing it and we had no end to how it could lead us to troubles,” Veers made a mind note to call his wife and son after he would return to his quarters.
“You have a holos with you right?” Piett was curious how Iron Max's wife looked. He was not disappointed when Veers took a small holo emitter. The next hour was spent above family holos. Piett found out he liked to listen to his friend. He was a family man and all those plans for next shore leave were like they should be.
“I must bore you with my babbling,” Veers pocketed his emitter, “are you married?”
“When we toast to Our wives and sweethearts, I am still with sweethearts....occasionally,” Piett replied with a smile. He was not family material.
“I like the toast and the reply to it,” Veers chuckled.
“You don't seem to be type for the traditional unofficial reply 'May they never meet'.” Piett looked at his chrono and the glasses in front of them. Time ran so fast in pleasant conversation. Veers checked his own.
“Next week, same time, same place if duty allows? We need to outline the Grav-ball tournament,” Veers asked.
“Of course and Maximilian, I am sorry for making you eat with straw,” Piett meant it.
“My friend I think your trashing started a magnificent friendship and please never do it again it was horrible. Especially mixed protein paste,” Veers shuddered and Piett chuckled.