Reprising Bad Decisions

[Caid Centurion]

[member="Athena Heron"]

Caid watched with a subtle smirk as he finished the mug of water in his hand. Remaining standing and leaning against the counter, Caid filled up another mug of water before allowing his silver-green gaze to settle on Athena once more. The Dathomir native didn't linger in his position for very long, moving towards the table after his moment of silent appreciation passed.

Leaning over the table, he selected a healthy portion of meats and some fresh fruit that he'd stocked up on prior to departing the Dosuun system. Sliding into a seat, Caid ate a few portions casually before a chronograph on the wall beeped three times. Bright gaze turned in the direction of the chronograph, they were contained in his stateroom and all of the common rooms. He synced them to whatever he needed...be it a training timer or, in this case, hyperspace transit time counter. He'd not realized how long they'd slept after their...escapades. Then again, the routing he'd devised wouldn't take more than a day worth of travel time. They still had several hours remaining.

Following another long gulp of water, Caid fixed Athena with an inquisitive gaze. "You know. It occurs to me I know precious little about you...while you, perhaps, know a fair amount about me." Caid would easily define full name, partial parentage, and former professional associations as a fair amount. "What's your story...how did you even end up apprenticed to Cameron? Why the Sith?"

 

[Athena Heron]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

Charcoal-gaze narrowed on his silver-green eyes. But it was a thoughtful look with maybe just a smidge of hesitation. The last person she trusted with this knowledge was the Sith Lord Cameron, himself. Finishing a nibbling bite of cracker, she gripped a glass of water.

"Cameron is an easier question to answer," a small smile tugged at her pink lips. She took a sip of water. "I was about to see some serious punishment at the Byss Sith Academy for...interrupting lessons. However, the professors were simply wrong and I was only trying to correct their idiocy." She huffed over the rim of the water.

One usually so calm and calculating, this was a rare burst of emotion for the Omwati.

"Cameron happened to be visiting that day. He found out what was happening and, well, you know the rest. As for how I came to be with the sith in the first place..."

Flecks of molten yellow flashed in her dark depths. Anger radiated from her form. Grip tightened around the glass of water. Bare shoulders rose and fell as she took a calming breath. "Slavers came to where my family was, on Omwat. They enslaved my entire family. Murdered my mother and father. They took my younger brother. And they sawed off my wings. A sith found me when I escaped the camp. He got me off planet and dropped me off on Byss."

Pink lips thinned.

"And don't you dare give me pity, Caid."

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid piqued a curious brow as he placed another piece of meat into his mouth. When he'd finished chewing, he could only laugh softly. "Pity." Silently, Caid contemplated that particular emotion, an emotion he didn't tend to harbor much these days. The harsh reality of life was such that people would always continue to die for any number of reasons. It was unfortunate that she'd not had any family past a certain point. Likewise, he surmised that the loss of her wings was undoubtedly a pain that lingered to this day...maybe not physically but perhaps emotionally.

"The circumstances of your life are unfortunate, but whatever happened has made you who you are." Caid shrugged slightly with a thin smile. "From where I'm sitting, that seems to be pretty good." In that moment, a thought had occurred to him. "Your apprenticeship, no matter how brief, to Cameron makes sense. You are birds of a feather, it would seem. No pun intended." Caid did not immediately offer an explanation because, in all honesty, it was not his story to tell. Perhaps Cameron had shared it already. The reality that he'd saved the woman from some sort of negative fate, however, perplexed Caid. That...most certainly was not the Cameron that he knew of, heard stories of. The Cameron he knew didn't care about anyone other than himself.

He probably just wanted to seduce her.

[member="Athena Heron"]

 

[Athena Heron]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

A timid smile pulled at her pink-lips at Caid's compliment. It was still early but, he seemed to leech some of the lingering anger away from that moment. Flecks of yellow in her eyes receded to black. Tattooed nose crinkled.

She took a sip of water and nibbled on some more food, shifting slightly in the stool. To her credit, her eyes remained fixated on Caid's face as opposed to other...features. "I am not offended by your comment," she observed dryly, though there was a ghost of a smile lingering on her lips.

Birds of a feather.

"But why is that puzzled look on your face?"

She had always been inquisitive. Probably why she got into so much trouble.

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid's response was quick and simple. "Your inaugural interaction with Cameron does not...exactly conform to what I know of the man." Shrugging his shoulders slightly, Caid was content to leave it at that as he returned his attention to his food briefly. Once he'd finished chewing, he offered Athena just a tad more. "I suppose, however, it was still something he did largely for himself...so perhaps not so inconsistent with his history."

Waving a dismissive hand, Caid stood from his seat, making his way around the table to the side where Athena sat. "It doesn't much matter. So...do you see yourself remaining with the One Sith? I mean it seems the only real positive experience you had was with a man that has retreated to the Outer Rim once more."

[member="Athena Heron"]

 

[Athena Heron]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

Gaze drifted as Caid moved but snapped quickly back up. Face turned thoughtful. Fingertips came up to tap against a pair of pink lips.

"It is true that my current ties with the One Sith are purely so I can take advantage of the academic institutions that they provide. However, there aren't many places that welcome the darkside in the galaxy. My ties are what I make of them. Why do you ask?"

A hand rose, her fingers snaking around his wrist to tug him closer.

 

[Caid Centurion]

[member="Athena Heron"]

Caid responded to the gentle tug by simply sliding closer to the Omwati. Offering her a shallow nod of his head in response to her statement, Caid offered his own view. "I was merely curious. After all, there are those that served the One Sith because they believed in their mantra of Death to the Jedi Order. I find this to be a rather narrow-minded and improbable life-goal. There are other organizations that cater to the dark side, however. Perhaps not those built purely around the Sith Arts. If it is merely knowledge that you seek, I daresay you needn't allow yourself to become beholden to any organization."

Pausing for a moment, Caid allowed his silver-green gaze to focus in on Athena. "Is that it? Just knowledge? Or do you desire something...more out of life?" Caid wasn't exactly an idealist, but he could respect a general progression towards justice and order. His was not a personality that melded well with chaotic, unstructured, or corrupt society.

 

[Athena Heron]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

Fingers slowly released his wrist. She nudged his shoulder with her own as she listened. "No, you're right. I am not tied to the One Sith, nor do I feel like my loyalties would remain long to any one organization. Perhaps just to myself."

Pink lips offered a thin smile. A hand went up to play with dark, charcoal strands of her own hair.

"I've wanted revenge for so long," a pained look crossed her tattooed-features. "I still want it. I think. And the knowledge will help me become strong enough to get it. And help me find the answers about what happened to my brother. I realize my goals may sound short sighted and trite to you, Caid. But it's where I'm at now. And I think you know this about me but I'd like to give you fair warning. If anyone gets in my way to achieve this, it's not pretty. I'm not safe or nice."

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid listened intently before replying. "Sounds to me what you need are resources and access. I know of an organization that can grant you both...and no small amount autonomy. There are sacrifices, however." That was the way of life anyways. It was very often the case that one had to give up something in order to get what they wanted.

"You would have to be able to give the illusion of being a zealot." Caid could not particularly care less if Athena had any real ideals on the political scale. The fact that she was, more or less, a complete open book was actually a good thing. The First Order would, at the very least, enable her to continue her own investigations and empower her with a great deal of resources to do so. The number of people that would question the actions of a Knight of Ren was...very small.

Managing a thin smile, Caid posed a question. "How good is your roleplaying?"

[member="Athena Heron"]

 

[Athena Heron]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

The finger currently curling around her feathered-hair paused. Hawk-like eyes settled on Caid. "Roleplaying? You tell me." A wicked smile flashed on her lips. Fingers drummed against her thigh as her look turned thoughtful. More resources and autonomy were never things to simply walk away from.

And it was Caid. She valued his opinion, though she'd probably never admit it outright.

"A zealot for which organization?"

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid easily returned the grin, shrugging his shoulders. "Oh I'm not sure. We didn't exactly...get to that." Had there been time? The amount of foreplay involved had been minimal at best. It was a waste of time when pure carnal desire was just...so much easier to sate.

"The First Order, comes to mind. Relatively new enough to prevent you from being..." Two digits lightly traipsed over Athena's thigh. "...recognized, so to speak."

[member="Athena Heron"]

 

[Athena Heron]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

Her wicked grin widened. Twisting in her stool, she sat in front of Caid's standing form. Fingers came up to wrap around his neck, entrapping him in a measured embrace. "First Order," the Omwati whispered against his ear, as if tasting the faction on her tongue.

They were zealots. There was a mystery figure in power. The Supreme Leader. She wasn't even sure if it was just a figurehead or a real being. There were rumors of spies. Caid wasn't lying about the resources. They had armies of....people. Citizens loyal to their cause. To this...Supreme Leader.

"I'm assuming you mean the Knights of Ren, specifically? And I'd like to know...," she nibbled lightly on his ear before pulling back to face him, "if this is the method you use for all your recruits?"

Her sharp mind put little details together. The last readings on his ship. That sector of space. Caid's knowledge of the First Order. She assumed he was with them. And she was about to find out of that assumption was right.

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid remained largely motionless as [member="Athena Heron"] wrapped her fingers around his neck. Her question was simple enough answered. "Yes, I do," was the response that he gave the Omwati as she pulled back to face him fully once more. For the time being, the young Ren did not bother distinguishing to which of her questions he was referring.

This subtle reality of her intuition would not have been cause for concern. If he had not already judged her to be an exceedingly intelligent woman, he would never have approached her for her assistance. Certainly he would never have made mention of the First Order. The organization was enjoying a rather consistent strings of success merely hiding in plain sight. "You needn't answer at the moment. We have rather a great deal to accomplish anyways."

Silver-green eyes drifted in the direction of the chronograph once more, specifically the hyperspace timer below it. They would be arriving within the Corstris system in a few hours, and Caid was tragically aware that last night hadn't provided much time for...proper rest. Stepping away from Athena slightly, Caid began retreating towards the rooms exit. Pausing in the threshold, he turned his head to look back at Athena over his shoulder. "I suspect I need some actual rest after the previous day's activities."

A pause.

"You should consider the same." Caid slipped out into the corridor shortly thereafter, returning to the pile of clothing from yesterday to deposit in a container prior to retiring to his room.

The door was closed but certainly not locked.

 

[Athena Heron]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

"You are such a tease, Caid Centurion." Voice fluttered after him like the wings of a bird as he retreated. Of course, she wasn't just referring to...physical things. Picking at a few more food items and rehydrating, she enjoyed the quiet moment of solitude the cantina had to offer. Athena spent most of her time in her studies or training.

The majority self-taught.

She could certainly turn on the skill of being a socialite but it was exhausting. Once satisfied on nourishment, she made her way back to her quarters. The blanket was stripped off her form and she crawled into bed, settling beneath the sheets. Caid said he wanted rest and she respected him enough to let him have it.

As for the business of the First Order, she tucked that away into the back of her thoughts.

 

[Caid Centurion]

Next Day

Caid had slept roughly another four hours before the ability to fall back asleep had eluded him. All things told, it amounted to roughly eight complete hours of rest which was typically what he attempted to maintain, knowing that at his activity level his body needed at least eight hours a night of recovery for optimum performance. Roughly two hours after waking, the Ren had made it through his typical morning routine of training, meditation, and nourishment.

Seated in the pilot's seat in the cockpit, Caid's silver-green gaze glanced at the navicomputer. In a matter of moments, the VCX-100 made the reversion to realspace as Caid pulled back on the hyperspace motivator controls. The temperate world of Corstris lingered in the distance. The planet had practically zero orbital defenses. Cameron Centurion had preferred to rely solely on anti-air defenses and a veritable army of training force users and soldiers sequestered in the mountains. Those that took oaths to serve within Shadow Force were required to say goodbye to their families and recruited, typically, from a young age. That was not to say that members of Shadow Force did not end up creating their own families, there were plenty of relationships within its ranks...among the privileged.

It wasn't getting into the planet's atmosphere that would really be the trouble. It was leaving that Caid had concerns about. His last effort had only succeeded because a former apprentice of Cameron's at the time had, effectively, allowed him to escape.

[member="Athena Heron"]

 

[Athena Heron]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

Luckily for Caid, there was no sleep-walking during those few hours. Sleepy eyes cracked open, her body feeling the shift out of hyperspace. Something about flight made these subtle shifts in space travel easier to feel for the Omwati. She slipped on some leggings, boots and a deep plum dress with a belt around her waist.

A lightsaber hilt was clipped on. It was the same one Cameron gave her, long ago. Before he disappeared. Before she disappeared.

Fingers trailed through her feathered hair before she slipped from her room. She stopped in the cantina, grabbing some water and eating a light but filling meal. Finally, she made her way to the cockpit, lightly padded footsteps stirring along the hull-plating. She slid into the co-pilot's seat next to Caid.

"Tell me everything you know about this place. What can we expect?" She wanted all the details to build a strategy. To survive. Though, she doubted if they were captured....they'd be killed outright. Then again, perhaps. Cameron was always a difficult one to read.

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid's eyes never left the planet looming in the window. He did, however, respond to Athena's inquiry. "Honestly...you can probably expect smooth sailing for most of our arrival. There aren't really any orbital defenses to speak of. Anti-air defenses could be a problem, but I have a flight profile mapped out that should prevent being tracked. A distraction, so to speak."

Pausing for a moment, Caid keyed in a number of commands to the navicomputer. Instantly, the electronic displays changed, indicating a slightly altered approach path. Rather set the vessel to automatic control, Caid preferred to fly the flight profile manually, manipulating the flight controls as if he'd been born behind them. "The information is no doubt stored on Cameron's personal terminal at the Corstris Palace. This is good for us in regards to the fact that the bulk of his forces are based out of the Citadel in the mountains. However, he's guaranteed to have any number of traps in play. Seeing as we'll be infiltrating his residence..."

Slowly, Caid turned to regard Athena. "...you're going to be the bait. You'll approach the estate from the main drive. Your connection to Cameron, no matter how brief, should at least get you onto the grounds. Security will merely presume you've been here all along on a training mission for the Grand Lord. When you get inside, I need you to disrupt the power to the facility and then make your way to the second level south patio."

Shifting his gaze back out the window, Caid manipulated the controls to begin re-entry interface. "The entire planet effectively worships Cameron. He returned some time after killing Lord Alathor to bring some measure of order to the people of Corstris. Since then, he has slowly manipulated the society to the point they practically see him as a deity. I wouldn't expect us to find any allies on Corstris."

 

[Athena Heron]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

"It would seem we are in this alone and together." It was the same plan as when they first met. However, she didn't realize she'd be dropped off alone. In her head, she was expecting more of a call from the shuttle. It made sense. But Caid could just as easily abandon her if things went horribly.

And she wondered if he would.

Regardless, the Omwati was up to the challenge. The idea of death was a little thrilling. "The sacrificial bird, am I?" She teased quietly, giving Caid a look.

"I'll find out very quickly if I'm not on Cameron's list. But Caid," she had to ask the obvious. "Did it ever occur to you that Lord Centurion might just give you the information you seek if you just asked?"

Of course, there was no fun in that.

 

[Caid Centurion]

"We are." There was no other way. The last thing he needed was for the entire Order of Ren to be breathing down his neck about personal affairs. In truth, he had approached Athena not merely because of her past history with his father, but because he'd judged her in their fledgling time together as someone he might yet be able to trust. If she betrayed him of course, it was an easy matter to merely tip off Shadow Force.

To her last question, Caid stifled a laugh. "Yeah I've tried the diplomatic approach with him once already. Let's just say...he was less than receptive." In all honest, Caid did not expect Athena to merely have free roam of Cameron's palacial estate. What he was counting on was the caretakers of the home to recognize Athena, lending credit to the story that Cameron had sent her for a reason. Caid only knew that the Sith Lord frequently did this with those apprentices and other females he intended to seduce through...experience. It had provided the distraction for his first incursion onto Corstris.

Within a matter of twenty minutes, the light freighter was sweeping low over the landscape of Corstris. Large tree-tops stretched for several kilometers in every direction as they approached a small clearing. After nestling the vessel onto the ground, Caid unfastened his crash webbing and came to his feet. Abruptly and without prompting, he closed the distance to Athena, pulling her lithe body firmly into his grasp with a simple yet passionate kiss to the lips. The embrace lingered for but a few moments before Caid gently pulled away. "Don't worry. I'm definitely not losing the pleasure of your company for the return journey."

It was as close to 'I won't let anything happen to you' as his rather blunt charm permitted.

[member="Athena Heron"]

 

[Athena Heron]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

A gasp escaped her lips at the sudden tug and deep kiss. There was a moment of surprise before her lips met his in return. Caid had a way of leaving her breathless. Perhaps he was the more dangerous one of the two.

"I should hope not. For your sake, of course." She grinned. The smile faltered. Since the slavers, Athena had walked the path of revenge. A very narrow path where she could easily remain detached to anyone. Her connections were shallow - where'd they'd cause the least amount of pain. Caid was beginning to shake loose some of those foundations and it was...terrifying.

Steeling herself, she looked out the viewport one last time so Caid wouldn't see the flicker of emotions cross her tattooed-face.

And then there was the matter of Cameron. He wasn't supposed to be there. But what if he was? And why hadn't he supported Caid - his own flesh and blood? She knew the Sith Lord always orchestrated things for himself. Wouldn't he see the benefit of making an ally of Caid rather than an enemy? And she wondered if the Sith Lord knew Caid would react this way. If he was orchestrating this entire thing, or at the very least, expecting it.

He was not a man she wanted to be on the wrong side of. But she realized she would also not betray Caid. Chin tilted back to Caid as she followed him out.

"I've memorized the house. I know my exits." Chin lifted. "And this is my authoritative face. Do I look intimidating?" She barely kept her pink lips from twitching into a smile.