Hey, I know what Melkor is looking out for...
But you are both doubtful about Nidar's claims of inevitable success, yes? That is espousing caution.
If you military guys want to loathe this political interference... then feel free! That suits the set-up well. Though Melkor is military as well; he's not just a pen pusher.
"You misunderstood me, General. The fact thay you disagreed with Commodore is not a problem, I might even share some of your concerns. It was the way that you expressed your opinion that I find unacceptable. The sucess of the Empire, and especially of military, was always based on the proper respect for hierarchy. We make sure that only best suited individuals raise to the leadership positions, and their orders are clearly followed. There might be some place for discussion, but when order is given there is no room for questioning. Emperor himself listens carefully to his advisors, but when he makes a decision, his Will prevails unchallenged. He won`t allow the constant bickering and squambling that destroyed the Old Republic to return, not in the New Order!
Yet you bluntly insulted your direct superior, Commodore Nidar, and- even worse, you didn`t salute him. Does it mean you don`t aknowledge him as military leader of this operation, which means that you can`t participate in it? Surely a disobience of high ranking officer can`t be tolerated? What would happen if your own underlings didn`t aknowledge you as Captain?" -Melkor seems to be slightly irritiated yet condenscending, like a teacher explaining something obvious to the ignorant pupil.
"Indeed, I can`t comprehend how experienced officer can behave in such a childish way. Perhaps you were disappointed that Nidar was chosen over you? He is a young, determined man, who won`t hesitate to do what must be done, and posessing the Will to suceed at all costs constitutes half of victory. He is not constrained by old ways, having courage to reject the standard military tactic of ground invasion to a full naval assault, which, if sucessful, would result in no casulaties for us. Unfortunately the situation isn`t so simple" -Melkor sighs -"We have political matters to deal with, and such attack would be a political disaster, turning the Senate against his Majesty. This is why I need the advice of such experienced men as you and Jarek. If we cooperate, we will suceed and be rewarded by the Emperor, but if not....." -Commisar`s voice and stare are again cold as ice
"If you don`t show respect to Commodore as your superior and follow his orders, I will have to remove you from this Taskforce, which will most likely mean the end of your career, if not harsher consequences. But I am sure you shall prove to be reasonable man and there would be no need for such drastic measures. Will you apologize to Commodore Nidar for your behaviour?"
"Yes sir, next time I see the Commodore, I will apologise. I wonder however, if you would get beter reactions from your underlings if you did not patronise us." He nodded as he sipped again at the wine. " Anyway, I've been meaning to ask you. I have never worked under the command of a Commodore, how does the command structure go? You, him Myself and the other Captain?"
Just so people know the situation, the task force is led by the Commodore.
But few people are going to question the will of the Emperor as chanelled through his personal representative in the form of Melkor.
Hence, Commodore and Commissar work in tandem. On the whole, the Commissar will set the overall tone of things- like vetoing a bloackade or naval assault- but most military decisions get left to the Commodore (and he in turn is happy to devolve them downwards to the other Captains and the Generals- he'll give generic orders and leave the details of how to achieve them up to you) whilst the Commissar will head up the social/political side.
Talking of which- do remember that Imperial Captains, and to a lesser extent Generals, are not combat characters and have a social skill set. Such people are important personalities- an ISD Captain is a notable person indeed- and can play the politics game as well as the military one. It is the Commander who is the pure fighting type. So remember you can play Melkor's part of the game as well as the Commdore's one.
True, True. EDITING.
"Yes sir, next time I see the Commodore, I will apologise." He nodded as he sipped again at the wine. " Anyway, I've been meaning to ask you. I have never worked under the command of a Commodore, how does the command structure go? You, him Myself and the other Captain? And who's in command of the fighter-wings and such on board our respective Star Destroyers?"
OOC: Gah! *Twitches* I hate being an underling that must be respectful.
Originally posted by barbarossa
True, True. EDITING."Yes sir, next time I see the Commodore, I will apologise." He nodded as he sipped again at the wine. " Anyway, I've been meaning to ask you. I have never worked under the command of a Commodore, how does the command structure go? You, him Myself and the other Captain? And who's in command of the fighter-wings and such on board our respective Star Destroyers?"
Melkor seems to be satisfied by Trebeis`s reaction:
"Indeed, it seems you are a reasonable man after all. You must understand that I am trying to improve your situation. Nidar was angered by your remark at the Conference, he is a proud man who is unlikely to forget it soon, he already seems to be minimimalizing your role in this operation . I don`t want personal grudges to disturb our mission.
And Commodore has all competences as Admiral would posess in regard to the command of the Taskforce. He is at the top of the military chain of command in this Fleet. I am here to see that Emperor`s orders are carried out, and to deal with the political difficulties, and I expect Commodore to follow my advice, especially in my area of expertise, otherwise I will be forced to contact Coruscant in order to discharge the Commodore from this operation and take other necessary measures.
Know that I won`t let any any foolish order given by Nidar to remain in motion, and we can cooperate to oppose him if he acts in unreasonable way. But to do this we must behave as professionals, personal insults are beyond the level of people like us. I wish to attend Nidar now, perhaps you can go with me before you return to your ship?"
(Ush, am I right that Commodore has Admiral`s authority, but limited in scope to the Taskforce? It is a temporary position, right?)
Well, we are getting very technical here.
But basically an Admiral's job is to command a fleet. If we take a British colonial era view of that, then there wiill be a set amount of fleets in the Empire (the Biritsh distinguished theirs by colour) and each is led by an Admiral from a flagship (which often also has a Captain, to command the ship whilst the Admiral command the fleet).
Now, of course, technically there are several ranks of Admiral, but nvm that for now.
But not all groupings of ships are going to be the size of a fleet, not by a long shot. When a group of ships is dispatched from a fleet, the most senior Cpatain (longest service) is considered to be in charge of where those ships go.
However, if a specific group of ships, not a whole fleet but still a group, is given a prolonged task or area of operations over which it has authority, then a Captain is made Commdore (often the senior but not necessarily) and gets total authority over that force much as an Admiral does over a fleet- however, he is still in command of his own vessel, with a Captain's responsibilites.
So very similar to a small scale Admiral, yes.
Technically Commdore is a temporary rank, yes, but then so was Brigadier/Brigade General in the army and people often stuck at it for years looking for a break to be made General. Commodore, unlike a senior Captain, is a distinctve rank with its own markings and so forth.
The idea of 'permanency' in rank is really related to the people you command. An army Captain, for example, commands a Company, but in the era this all dates from, if there were too many Captains in a Batallion, he could easily find himself a Lieutenant again, maybe drawing a Captain's pay but with a Lieutenant's position. Only once you got to Colonel in the army did you really have permanency; in the navy, it wasn't until Admiral- even Captains could find themsleves without a ship (or other position in the navy, sailing a desk, perhaps) and without effective rank.
The only thing that makes a Commodore more temporary than a Captain, then, is that if a Captain can keep hold of his ship it is a guaranteed position. A task force might disassemble- but then a successful Commdore might immediately be given a different task force, or wait until one becomes available and become Commdore again... and so forth.
"No, though I am confident he is a competent second-in-command." Melkor examines the man. -"And I think I have introduced my Assistant, Sareitha Adeleas? She is a very gifted young woman."
(Would lower rank member of Commisariat also have a military rank, Ush? I assume some people there deal with something resembling intelligence, even it it is only for subsidiary purpose, like my Assistant doing research for me. Propably there is no feared secret police like in most totalitarian regimes on Earth.)
I am going to see how Nidar is doing, and Trebeis is accompanying me.
You work with military staff; your underling is a Lieutentant.
Victorious is currently a model of efficiency as technical crews are hurried around the ship, accompanied by various miniature droids making strange squeaking noises as thet race around the floorway, threatening to trip you up. All parts are being checked prior to departure.
The Bridge itself is also busy, as people run around both in the command area above and in the technical pits beloiw, where a constant stream of feedback is coming from the operators. Rather than standing by the window looking out into space as many a Captain does, Nidar is actively involved with this process. he looks up as you enter.
"Commissar, welcome back to the Bridge," he says. He nods slightly at Trebeis. "Captain," he says, flatly. He extends a hand to a subordinate, who places a datapad in his hand.
"I have that information you requested on the disposition of my ship for the operation," he says, extending the pad towards you, Melkor. "Also my disposition plans for the task force when we arrive."
Advance team, you are leaving now. Any final preparations or things you want to do before arriving on Lanzar? No time for more prep once you are there.
General Coll, General Atar is calling a strategic planning meeting on the Victorious. You can bring your Commanders.
There is also a message for Deviant's Squadron Leader to report to the Commdore.
Trebeis nods, then Salutes the commodore. "Sir, I would like to make an apology for mu earlier behavior. It was unfounded, and I accept any punishment you may have to dealt to me." Looking around, he continued "And sir, if I may say so- You bridge is a model of efficiency." He once again looked around the bridge. He could play this game.