Chasing Shadows

[Riamah]

This was the cat's first exposure to bacta and its healing qualities. What had happened to her to cause her the need to be put in there, she really didn't know. As the liquid left the tube and a towel was handed to her, she looked down and saw her belt gone. That belt held her weapons and while she was good at hand to hand combat, it felt odd not being there.

Accepting the towel, the smell of the catnip involved stoked her senses and her whiskers started twitching. It was certainly a wake up call and she was far more alert now. Her eyes cleared and Ailuros looked around what appeared to be a medical bay and blinked the last bit of bacta out of her eyes.

There were four droids wandering about taking care of their duties and hooded figure waiting for her. Wishing she had the time and opportunity to properly clean herself, she let out a mental sigh and knowing she wasn't going to make a good first impression.

"Hello. What is this place?"

From his words, he implied they were on a ship.

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

Her host chuckled at the question, “This my dear [member="Ailuros"] is Medbay C3L4, not the most romantic of names but it was the closest bay to the hangar where they brought you in. Would you care for some food or something to drink?”

Once she gets her bearings she would see her belt along with the rest of her gear were neatly folded on the table behind her host, with no easy way to reach out and grab them without anyone noticing.

 

[Riamah]

Doing her best to get the bacta out of her fur, Ailuros dried off and listened to what the hooded form said. It was obvious that this was medbay, but on or where was it located? When he gave her the answer, her ears, whiskers and tail drooped slightly before she thought of a better way to ask her question.

"What is Medbay C3L4 located in or on?"

As she looked around the room and gained a better footing, the cat noticed her belt with everything in it. She also noticed its location and knew she would have to wait to get it back. In actuality she was used to running around without clothes on, so the fact she was standing naked in front of him and the medical droids did not bother her.

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

Yulol frowned, or perhaps grimaced, it was hard to tell. “My Dear [member="Ailuros"], I just told you The Chaos Harbringer, flagship of the Red Ravens. I am sure you have heard of them, yes?”

 

[Riamah]

He was correct, but had told her that before she was fully aware of what was going on around her.

"You are right, sorry."

The Red Ravens was a new name to Ailuros and she shook her head.

"No I never have."

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

Nodding at [member="Ailuros"], “No need to apologize under the circumstances. Considering that we are more active around the Rim than the Central Core, well let me explain then. The Red Ravens are a group of independent traders and ship captains who band together to fight piracy and break the central’s hold on commerce to the outer rim. We have established freeholds on various worlds were trade and commerce are king. While we respect local laws, we have a series of laws of our own. Our leader is a zabrak named Daxton Bane. A wise and noble man, who is greatly slighted by his enemies and those envious of what he has achieved. He is actually waiting to make your acquaintance, once you are refreshed and your gear has been returned to you.”

 

[Riamah]

Her curiosity clearly perked, Ailuros tilted her ears forward to listen to what figure said. Her tail's end curled slightly and waved back and forth a little.

"Sounds like you fight piracy with a form of piracy."

It didn't intend to come out sounding like an insult or anything, but might be perceived that way. Her words came from not knowing when to hold her tongue and when to speak.

He had asked a moment ago if she was hungry or thirsty and her stomach let out a growl at her that she was sure he heard across the short distance. Her whiskers dropped a little when it did that, but the truth would be obvious.

"I am a little hungry actually."

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

The idea for some reason seemed to amuse Yulol quite greatly. “Well that is one way to look at it, @Ailuros. I am sure the oligarchs from Central Core would certainly agree with your assessment. But where are my manners? Please the gear we found you in is on the table behind me. You may wish to check. We do apologize that your weapons have been discharged. But only as a security precaution, I hope you understand. We will return the energy clips after you have met with Daxton. Tell me when you are ready or I can inform the chef to prepare you something to eat.”

 

[Riamah]

The cat was surprised he even offered to return her belt to her. Even if the gun was disarmed, it still had her sword as well as the other various tools she had thought to bring. If he allowed her to, she would place the belt on her body and stand ready.

"I understand all too well, thank you for letting me keep my other tools though."

Debating on if eating would be better or meeting Daxton was more important, Ailuros decided food would be better. She would probably be less cranky with a full stomach. Then again, she didn't want to upset their leader by keeping him waiting.

"Maybe a ration bar on the way to meet him would be better. I don't want to make Daxton mad."

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

Yulol waited patiently for[member="Ailuros"] togather her things and get prepared. “Not to worry my dear. Perhaps in time, you would see we aren’t as bad as rumors make us out to be.” After making sure she had ample choices from the stock of ration bars, helead the way of the med bay. Parked outside the lab was a hover cycle with an attachment to haul passengers behind it.

Yulol indicated that this would be their mode of transit, “Forgive the lack of amenities, but the size and distance involved would take too much time if we are to merely walk to our destination.” As soon as they were seated, the vehicled sped off as Yulol continued his dialogue, “The Harbringer is an Executor Class Star Dreadnaught, and is the flagship of Daxton Bane. It has however undergone extensive modifications making it a much more versatle mobile defense platform. This ship alone is a great deterent against pirate attacks against our shipping lines, so much that most of the criminal elements on the outer rim have an understanding that Red Raven vessels are to be untouched and we would return the favor.”

“Don’t worry about Daxton, he might look fierce but I have not met a fairer or more generous man. Just be honest and tell him why you were there and answer any questions he might have. So be before I introduce you, you have any questions for me?”

 

[Riamah]

Looking over the variety of ration bars, Ailuros picked the ones that had the highest protein amount and left the others laying there. Placing the extras into her belt and opening the first to eat it on the way to the speeder. Climbing in, she tilted her head curiously as Yulol explained why there was the need for the speeder.

"I've been on large ships before where something like this was needed."

Her own people didn't have such ships, but with the Empire there were. It was with them that she been on such ships.

Listening to what he said and his words of advice about being honest, the cat gave him an almost offended look.

"What purpose would it serve to lie?"

She was almost pure innocence and wouldn't consider lying or trying to hide the truth. Honor was of high value to her and that she took from her people. It was one of the many questions she had, but kept it to that one for now.
​
[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

Yulol probably could have answered the question posed by [member="Ailuros"], he just didn’t know how to do so without sounding cynical or jaded. He glanced at her face to see if he could catch a glimmer of her intent, before shrugging softly to himself. “Its only fair that I should give fair warning.”

The doors swung open to an observation deck where a Zabrak dressed in an expensive spider silk tunic sat, observing the star as he sipped wine from a golden chalice. A large crystal decanter filled with an amber gold liquid, obviously liquor, stood silent witness to their arrival.

“May I present Lady Ailuros, my lord Daxton Bane.”

The Sith’s eyes caught her in his gaze, the yellow and orange orbs seemed to watch her in amusement before he spoke in a soft rich voice. “The pleasure of your acquaintance, my dear Lady Ailuros. I trust you have been treated well, by my people.”

 

[Riamah]

Heeding the warning, if that is what it was intended as, Ailuros nodded. The trip didn't take long and soon enough they arrived at what appeared to be an observation deck. In her time on the Imperial ships, this was one place she had never been. That was assuming all ships were equipped with something like it.

The doors opened and Yulol announced her. There was a first time for everything and this day seemed full of them for the cat. Doing her best to take everything as it came and roll with the punches, she was still surprised at the welcome she was getting.

As with her people, she generally wore no clothing, just her belt. While when she was with the Empire, they made her wear at least a shirt. She was on her own and didn't subscribe to the normal codes of society unless she needed to.

Meeting Daxton's eyes without any fear, she gave him a slow blink. In cat language that indicated she meant no harm, but it was also displayed in her body. Giving him a nod before answering.

"Yes, sir. They have treated me well."

Unsure of how to address him, she kept it to a simple sir.

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

Chuckling softly, he indicated for [member="Ailuros"] to take the seat beside him. “Please do not call me sir, it makes me feel old like a Jedi prune. Do call me Daxton or Bane, all my friends do. After this I do hope we will become friends, so call me either. This is Akribian Brandy, one of finer products of the Outer Rim, would you like some?”

“Forgive me for saying this, but look ready to spring out of that seat and run for dear life. You have nothing to fear.” As he said the last phrase an overwhelming sense of calm seemed to envelop them, “You have my word as a Red Raven that no one will try to prevent you from leaving if you so wish. I will have to admit, your arrival was quite unexpected. Would you be so kind as to share with me what brought you to this world?”

 

[Riamah]

She took a seat next to Daxton when he indicated for her to do so, but kept herself on her toes. He requested Ailuros to call him either Daxton or Bane and not sir, she nodded, but remained silent as he continued on about the drink he was having. Offering her some, the cat nodded.

"I would like to try some. I had something that bubbled once that was really good."

Attempting to make her relax, he commented on the fact she looked like she was going to jump up and run for her life. Chuckling a little, her ears spread out a little. It wasn't that she was scared or wanted to run, but was rather curious and wanted to know about what was going on around her. The atmosphere around them changed and she started to relax even if she didn't know she really had been tense at all. In giving his word that nobody would prevent her from leaving if she wanted to, Ailuros shook her head.

"No, I'm curious and don't want to leave."

​Daxton asked what brought her to them and Ailuros considered how to answer it. Did he want a long story or the short version? Deciding to keep it simple and then elaborate if he asked for more details.

"I'm not fully clear on how I got to be here exactly. Last thing I remember was reaching for what looked like a pyramid in a tomb where I was treasure hunting. Next thing I knew was waking up in a bacta tank."

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

A servant droid appeared carrying a second cup similar to the one Daxton was using pouring her an ample portion, before handing it to [member="Ailuros"], “Here you go my dear. This particular liquor endulges the senses and not bludgeons you into insensability. Swirl in your glass, and the rich aroma of red wood and mahogany where this vintage was stored. Sip but dont immediately swallow. Let it roll on your tongue and palate before you swallow.”

Should she follow his instructions, the experience would something completely new. The alcohol would be like soft velvet, slightly sweet with hints of fruits, nuts and honey. It caresses the throat as she swallows, the fine heat that follows mellows out and relaxes the muscles while all the senses seem to notice so much more.

“Treasure hunting? Ah now I see. Did the pyramid you mentioned glow dark red? That is called a holocron. It is a device used by Force Users to store information and even training. That particular holocron was designed for one specific person, a Jedi Master who I wanted to convince of my cause. When you touched it, it triggered Its defenses and sent out an activation beacon, which is why, you can imagine our surprise to find you on the temple floor. As a precaution, I had them place you inside one of the available tanks to speed your healing.”

For a moment he is silent and then he asks he another question, “What do you think of my observation deck?” Aside the chairs and table, there was little other furnishing, the rooms lights were dimmed to allow them a majestic view of the stars through the observation windows. If she bothered to check she would see that the stars indicated that she was nearthe planet where she landed her ship.

 

[Riamah]

Accepting the glass with a nod of thanks, Ailuros listened to what Daxton said on how to go about drinking the brandy. Taking her time at it, she actually enjoyed the feeling it brought her.

"Yes, it glowed a dark red. There wasn't any treasure there though really, not what I was led to expect at least."

She knew a little about ​holocrons having spent a small amount of time with the Rangers within the Silver's, but had never actually seen one.

"Thank you for doing that."

There was a moment of silence after her thanks and then he asked what she thought of the observation deck. Taking a little bit to look around, her tail twitched at the end slightly and the cat looked back at Daxton when she was done.
​
"Depends on point of view, I suppose. The look out is wonderful, but if that wasn't there, the room would be rather bland and simple. There is no, how to put it, personal touches here. No art, pictures or trinkets on the walls or laying around. It's not a bad thing, it just is."

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

“Ah excellent you do see what many fail to comprehend.” He acknowledged [member="Ailuros"] observation, “You are quite correct, there are no piece to distract or admire, that is actually intentionao. You see, this space is where I spend my time communing with the Force with foresight. Through silent meditation, I can sense the push and pull of over a thousand destinies, I can see where I am most needed and I can plan accordingly. True, it is far from perfect, sometimes the Force throws a wild card in to keep me on my toes. Take for example this world, I saw an awakening in the Force and assumed I knew what to expect. So imagine my surprise when we found you........unless.....if I may, can I see your hand?”

The Zabraks touch was light and gentle, as his fingers studied her palm, “Well it seems the Force was right after all. Has anyone told you of your potential to use the Force?”

 

[Riamah]

His words felt like praise to her and she almost felt like preening a little. That is if cats preened, either way it made her feel good and pleased. He went on to explain the room set this way for a purpose and that was communicate with the Force. It wasn't something Ailuros knew anything about other than bits and pieces she had heard in passing both with the Rangers and Empire.

When Daxton asked to see her paw, she allowed him to take a look at it and when he was done, she looked at him slightly confused. Looking at her paw and back at him, she shook her head.

"No, nobody ever approached me about it. The thought never crossed my mind to ask either."

She wondered how it was possible, but didn't ask the question.

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

“Well they should have. Based on the Force has shown me, you carry within you great potential but its locked inside. Had you been found at a much younger age, the awakening would be far easier. But there still may be a way, no its far to risky to ask that of you. It could awaken your latent Force abilities......” Daxton seemed hesitant to continue, as if weighing the odds of telling her or not.