He squeezed the textured grip of the training blaster firmly, stopping just short of strangling the weapons stock. Hold on too tightly, and the tinniest of motions would throw off your aim, too loose and the recoil (a slight as it was compared to that of a slugthrower) could send the bolt errant. Trained soldiers would have used both hands to steady the weapon, but Hilter never pretended to be a marksman. Holding the weapon with two hands made him feel awkward, so he fired in the much less accurate style of a freestyle smuggler or criminal. There were advantages to firing one handed (primarily the fact that you had your other appendage free to do something important) but when it came down to it, if Hilter Afdol was in a situation in which he needed to fire a blaster pistol in anger, it probably didn't matter what technique he would be using.
He squeezed the trigger several times, letting a series of red coherent beams of energy down the range toward his vaguely humanoid shaped target.
He frowned as a nearby computer screen flashed his results: three misses and two non-fatal hits. Yeah, if he had to resort to his shooting skills he was as good as done and it would be only partially due the fact that he had the blaster skills of a drunken, half-blind Gamorrean.
He spent a few minutes more sending low-powered bolts down the length of the range, noticing that he was precise if not accurate; he had managed to scorch a small section of the wall behind the target with repeated misses.
He replaced the blaster, and turned toward Bel Iblis, who had watched the pathetic display in silence.
"General, I think I've demonstrated an impressive capacity to hold the left side of the line."
The Corellian smiled, but like most of his actions, the gesture seemed somewhat forced. Hilter had begun to read the famed Senator's son: he was not particularly happy to put up with Hilter... and maybe the Union itself as a whole. It was subtle little things, the small sighs and deep breaths, but it was evident if you looked hard enough.
He doesn't have to like it, as long as he give the Imperials hell.
There were several Directors who weren't particularly enamored with their positions, men who used the Union (and were used in turn) to advance their agenda, but for various reasons did not enjoy the fact that they were often summoned to the
Midas for meetings of a group of the Galaxy's elite. Rico Belgardi was a perfect example- without the Union his company would just be another second rate purveyor of low quality spacecraft and a flow of tourists to Pavo Prime to make any credits. Belgardi might not relish his seat at the
Midas'stable, but his namesake company was a leader in field as vast and disparate as medicine, agriculture and banking. More importantly, Belgardi was too afraid of the consequences of what would happen to his company (not to mention himself) if he crossed the Union.
For some reason, Hilter didn't think Bel Iblis tremble at the notion of betray or otherwise defying the Union.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
A wise adage, and although cliché, it still rung true. Bel Iblis may not like the Union, but he would quickly find out that without them, his chances of freeing Corellia from the Imperial's grasp would be virtually impossible. And as long as Hilter was working for the GLF (though most people didn't realize it, Hilter's association with the GLF was more as a result of his friendship with Brutus Nogoth and the intellectual challenge facing the Empire provided than anything ideological- he could and probably in time move on) anyone that hurt the Empire was his logical ally.
Bel Iblis made motioned for Hilter to follow, and began leading Hilter deeper into the interior of Liberty Base. Hilter paid attention to the running commentary, noting the sophistication of the base, and marveling at the ingenuity of its design. Corellians had a reputation as excellent engineers, and their handiwork lived up to the lofty things Hilter had often heard.
As they made there way down a hallway that appeared almost totally completed, Hilter interrupted Bel Iblis.
"General, I must admit that I am impressed. The Union will most certainly benefit from the addition of such a well-organized and well-led organization."
The praise was probably unnecessary, but Hilter had learned from his political forays that there were few bad things that could come as the result of a compliment.
"I have some information I would like to share with you."
Hilter produced a datapad from one of his pockets. The Union had sources and contacts across the Galaxy, benefiting from the work of crime syndicates, intelligence operations and corporate enterprises. Many didn't even know that the information they were passing along eventually reached the Union, but that didn't diminish the quality of the intelligence.
"We have received feelers from an Imperial officer, Colonel Jazon Teraroc, who is trying to defect. He is currently stationed on Selonia, but is of Corellian descent. He was recently slated for promotion to Lieutenant General, but in the interim has attempted to resign his commission twice, an act that has been denied due to the fact has handled sensitive information. He has attempted to contact the Coalition, without success. The datapad contains more pertinent information."
Hilter handed Bel Iblis the datapad.
"I am also available to aide you in contacting and extracting Teraroc in any way that I can."
