Rebecca swiveled around in her chair to see a tall young man standing at her desk. "Oh, hello." She smiled. "What's your name..." she glanced at his rank, "Lieutenant?"
"Richard Dakk, at your service." He flashed a grin.
"Well, Lt. Dakk, the admiral is at a meeting with his excellency, the Emperor. He hasn't returned yet, so please take a seat and wait." She said, then started to return to her work.
Dakk grinned, then sat on her desk and leaned forward. "This looks like a good spot." He said, then took a long look at her.
"There's a bench at the wall. You'll be more comfortable over there." She said without stopping her work.
"But I'm comfortable right here!" He reached over and tilted her chin with his forefinger. "You're a pretty thing. How long have you been locked away in the depths of these offices?"
Rebecca moved away from his touch and stepped away from her desk. "Almost a year." She opened up the back cabinet and started searching for some files.
"Well that sounds incredibly dull." He replied. "So, what do you do during your free time, sweetheart?"
Rebecca shot him a look. "What do you want, Lieutenant?" she asked, not enjoying his prying.
"How about a date?"
"No. Now get off my desk."
"Why not?" He grinned. "I can show--"
"I'm not interested in cocky Nerf like yourself." She interrupted, then paused when the main doors opened and Okins hurried inside. Thank the maker....Daddy, your timing is perfect. "Admiral, Lieutenant Dakk is here to see you."
Okins unlocked his office door and hurried inside. "Make your case fast, son. I'm in a hurry."
Dakk gave Rebecca a wink before stepping into Okins' office. "Sir, I request reassignment to the new flagship, Executor.
"Request denied. Lord Vader is the one to select crew for his personal Star Destroyer. You'll have to put your request through to him yourself. Anything else?" Okins asked while going through his desk drawers.
Dejected, Dakk sighed. "I believe that's all."
"Good. Dismissed." Okins said, sternly. "Oh, and don't let me catch you flirting with my secretary again. It's not a good way to earn my good graces if you ever want a reassignment anywhere else. Do I make myself clear, Lieutenant?"
Dakk pursed his lips. "Very clear, sir." He turned and left the office quickly.
Rebecca watched him rush out of the office, then walked over to her father. "How did your meeting go, Daddy?"
"Better than expected, actually." Okins said, packing up several small boxes. "I myself got reassigned."
"Really? Where are you going now?"
"Really? Where are you going now?"
"It's a temporary command aboard the Star Destroyer Aggressor. Unfortunately, it's a year long campaign towards the Outer Rim territories."
Rebecca's excitement faded. "Wait...a year?? Why so long? What do you have to do?"
Okins sighed. "It's the nature of the mission. For security reasons I can't disclose the details of my mission for the Emperor. Just know that it's one of great importance."
"When do you have to depart?"
"In a week. It's enough time for me to close out my office here. Any appointments I have set up starting tomorrow will have to be transferred to Admirals Mercer and Rollins." He walked around his desk to give Rebecca a tight hug. "Are you going to be alright?"
"I think so..." she said, quiet. "I'll miss you. This place won't be the same without you, Daddy." She said with a small smile. "Who will strike intimidation into the hearts of new recruits now?"
Okins laughed. "My fellow admirals will have to pick up the slack." He escorted Rebecca back into the waiting room and locked his office door for the night. "I know this will be a difficult time for you, and me as well, but it could also be the setting stone for my career. Command of a star-ship is nearly every officer's dream."
"Alright... just promise to comm me. All the time."
Okins kissed his Rebecca's forehead as they headed back to their apartment. "It's a deal. I'll be back before you know it."
