On Thin Ice

Posted on Fri Jan 31st, 2025 @ 12:18pm by Major Babs Betany & Damiysha Ghuma-sar

1,239 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Some Like It Hoth
Location: Base Commander's Office
Timeline: Day 1

Babs led Damiysha down a frost lined corridor. "We have made the decision to minimally heat certain spaces in the base. There should have been fuel and supplies waiting for us, but it seems the advance party from base FP-01 have been delayed with our supplies. So we are starting off on the back foot." As she talked her breath created clouds in the air. Soon they arrived at a small cupboard which had been turned into an office for the general. Stepping inside, it's instantly a little warmer, and the relief on Babs' face is almost palpable. She sits behind the desk which had been brought in and gestures to the Jedi.

"Have a seat, I am sorry I can't offer you any refreshments at this time."

As they navigated the corridor Damiysha did some quick calculations in her head regarding the resources required to keep a place like this heated and the effects on energy consumption if one were to only heat specific portions. When they stepped into the office it was immediately clear that isolation was of such high quality that it would most certainly be beneficial to cut certain areas off from central heating. "I will take the colder conditions into account." She had brought plenty of warm clothing and there were meditation techniques a Jedi could use to steel oneself against the elements. "So we're operating under the assumption that we're on our own for the time being?"

Babs gave Damiysha a grim nod. "That we are. Once we are dug in and assured we can hold this position indefinitely we will try and find out why FP-01 are not answering any communications. However I am not risking the safety of my team further. So until then they are on their own. As, unfortunately, are we." Babs leaned back in her chair and for the first time her demeanour softened slightly. "I will not lie to you, our journey here was difficult and while the squad are well trained and dealing with the situation... they expected a better arrival than this. So I would ask you to be mindful of that fact when speaking to them? Last thing I need is them succumbing to despair before we can get the supplies we need. That's one of the reasons I wanted to speak with you privately. A visible Jedi presence might remind them that the Republic hasn't forgotten them, but it is also a visible sign of the danger we face."

Damiysha nodded at that assertion, "I am well aware that the Jedi reputation can be a gift as well as a burden, but I'll be sure to let them know that I was sent here under the same mission parameters as yourselves. Obviously I wasn't expecting a feast, but barely any supplies to last the week.." she let that hang in the air for a moment. "Had I known, I would've packed more useful supplies in my hold." She had brought some offerings to the personnel. Things she knew were somewhat universally liked by Republican Troopers, as much as such a thing could be asserted of a group as diverse as them. Though not necessarily survival supplies. The smattering of brandy, chocolate, some fresh fruits, board and card games wouldn't stave off the cold for long. "So, we're establishing a perimeter, are we planning on sending out a scavenging crew for missing parts?"

Babs waved away Damiysha's thoughts of what she would have packed. "No one could have known, but we are here now." Babs then tipped her head to the stack of padds on her desk. "Yes, first secure the base, then we will see if there is anything to be salvaged within the immediate vicinity. Our priority is to survive until the next supply drop, which I have been told will be in a weeks time. Along with a shortage of food there is also a shortage of fuel, so I'm limiting travel to foot for now. If you know how to wrangle a tauntaun then acquiring some of those will be helpful for ongoing operations. They can survive the weather and graze on lichen and other wildlife which somehow manages to survive here. Keeping them will be relatively cost neutral in terms of resources, and will allow us to preserve fuel."

There was a moment's pause before Damiysha nodded, "I've been trained to soothe and compel lesser guarded minds. Though I've never encountered a wild Tauntaun I'm sure I could leverage that in this instance." She looked over the stack of padds she motioned for. She wondered if the request was an immediate one or something that was on a long list of things they needed done. "Do you require any help with the defences or perimeter?"

“Whatever help you can give will be appreciated.” Babs seemed to soften a little, and let the officer mask slip for a moment so that Damiysha could see the tired worry underneath. “To be frank, my main concern right now is to be able to secure this base and hold it indefinitely. If we cannot do that then I cannot guarantee these men and women their safety, and they followed me here. They wee expecting food and warmth and support when they got here and instead I will have to ask them to work double shifts to get this place up and running. Rest right now is as valuable as food, so if you are willing to take a patrol or two to help plug the gaps, I would consider it an immense favour. And I do not take any of my debts lightly.”

Damiysha nodded at the request for help on patrol duty. It was a perfect opportunity to scout the environment and see if there was anything that would immediately catch her eye. There had to have been a reason the Council had deemed Frostpoint to be important enough to send a Jedi Knight, even a newly minted one. "Let me know when you want me out there, and I'll be there." She gave a small bow of the head, "and let us not speak of debts and favours."

"You have my gratitude none the less." Babs gives the woman a small nod. "Welcome to Frostpoint Master Damiysha."

There was a moment that bordered on shock. Damiysha didn't think the first time someone referred to her as a Jedi Master it wouldn't be much different than when she had gone around outposts on her own as an Apprentice. Her lekku twitched at the honorific. "I think, in the interest of not putting too much of an emphasis on my presence here," she referred to the early mention of a Jedi putting the troops on edge, "it would benefit us both to do away with titles and honorifics." She rose to her feet and put out her hand again, "Feel free to call me Miya."

Babs hesitated for a moment. "I am happy to refer to you as Miya, in front of the troops I would prefer you refer to me as Major or Major Betany. But when we are alone Babs will suffice." She then gave Miya her first genuine smile. "Please, never Barbara, I reserve that dubious honour for my mother who had to give birth to a giant." She then took the jedi's hand giving it a quick, firm pump before she released it. Her grip warm but business like.

 

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