Secrets & Shadows (Brennan Cabrol & Veiere Arenais)

[WolfMortum]

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Bridge of the Praetor IV Assault Cruiser​

Deep Space​

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The anger was fierce and largely apparent upon the Knight of Ren, clad in black as he stepped onto the Bridge of the Praetor IV, all but one figure ahead whom had called Brennan Cabrol to his location. The Crew and all military personnel aboard the foreign vessel had given him nothing but respect in his passing yet this was no vessel of the First Order and their meeting was vastly unorthodox and in complete defiance of their original agreement made so many years ago.

The last time they had come face to face was on the eve of the Jedi Enclave of Svivren's destruction, Veiere Arenais and Brennan Cabrol; One Apprentice, One Master. The attack by the One Sith Empire had not been expected, yet the assault on Brennan's life and the subsequent change in loyalties and his alignment had been used to suit both of their interests. Outside of the Order of Ren's knowledge & Caehl's Superior [member="Samka Derith"]...Beyond the Commenor Systems Alliance and even the former Jedi Master's wife, [member="Lady Kay"]. They had remained in contact. It had taken great care and had not always gone to plan. The attack on the Queen of Commenor had been masqueraded as a personal feud against the Jedi, yet in truth it was a reminder to Veiere of why the Knight of Ren had undergone such torment, such a drastic change in direction and against the knowledge that his Master had turned to politics, Caehl had sought to ensure that Veiere remembered their arrangement..

"Are you out of your goddamn mind..." the words echoed across the empty bridge, aimed towards the end of the catwalk surrounded by the officer stations all currently unmanned in the vessels drift, the mechanical overtone of his Helm barking furiously at the older man caped in black robes, the dark-side of the force swirling throughout the control station to the Assault Vessel, a feat in itself for his Master's typically restrained pursuits. "More than two decades of planning, the humiliation and the violence, the torment to bring us this far and you break character now..." Caehl's words rose, yelling through through his vocal unit so much that it distorted in parts as he moved to close the distance between them. He did not however draw upon his weapon, they two were not enemies as all had been led to believe.

"Do you not realize I have the First Order Security Bureau and Decitus breathing down my neck...-Your line better be damned reliable, my every movement is sought after for their peace of mind. If they for one instance question my loyalty I am a dead man...".

 

[WolfMortum]

Brennan Cabrol's capture to the Sith during the devastation of Svivren had been unfortunate. The story had been somewhat different from those he had recalled it too, yet there were reasons for this, namely his Padawan's life and ability to see farther than the Jedi Order ever had done. To be brought into the Dark Side willingly, to embrace chaos in order to know it, this was what they had in common however it had been Veiere's encouragement that had forced this upon Brennan, not the capture of the Sith alone.

They had been the target of interest, the One Sith. Veiere, in "exile" upon Alzoc Three yet never out of reach. It was thanks to his information that the Alliance forces had attacked the Sith installation that Brennan had been held upon, Veiere's doing that the boy was released from his slavery to pursue his own cause. The rivalry between them both had grown since then, the boy whom had trusted Veiere ever resentful, not having known nor expected to undergo such brutality at the encouragement of the Jedi Master he had once trusted...

"No one's followed you, there's nothing to tie you to me nor this location Brennan, calm yourself..." Veiere sought to reassure him. Brennan had grown fond of the First Order, the Knights of Ren had become his home, his family after a gracious defeat and a violent incarceration; there was no question to whom he was loyal to and he had proven that several times over, often making life difficult for Veiere to contain their contact. "I met with your superior on Varonat...-You should know I'm seeking to strengthen my relationship with the First Order, but that's not why I wished to speak with you. There are other problems I need dealt with...".

The Dark Jedi Order, it was a move that Veiere knew would ultimately reach many former associations and peoples of which the Commenor Systems Alliance had dealt with; Galactic Politics had seen his face, the former King of Commenor who's wife still resided over a governing nation of multiple words and a naval power silently supported by multiple other military powers and manufacturing companies financed in war.

"I'm going to assume you've heard about my recent...-Change of priorities" Veiere worded it indirectly knowing not the reach of Brennan's grasp over the galaxy and how much the Order of Ren was able to follow or otherwise. His superior, Samka knew of Rannon by Veiere himself; whether or not Brennan had been informed of this however was a different story as she, like all others were led to believe that should either of them come face to face, that they would kill each other.

"I need eyes on those who would oppose me...-I need you to do what you've learned from the Order; insurance so to speak...-An unknown element to protect both of our interests..".

 

[WolfMortum]

"You risk exposing us both for what..." The Knight of Ren glared back at Veiere in disdain, "So I can come here and be your lapdog, again?!". Veiere's comment about both of the pairs interests being protected caused Brennan to sneer under his breath, knowing not whether that was a threat and promise of intentional blackmail or whether the old fool had simply lost his mind and failed to realize just how much had changed since their last face to face.

"Just because you have found your confidence in the Dark-side of the Force Veiere, does not give you the excuse of ignorance...-You have barely scratched the surface of this power. It will be fueled by your emotions but it will also fall prey upon your confidence. Your ridiculous dispute with the Jedi you created has done nothing but show the galaxy you are not to be trusted where silence and time could have helped you to build and prepare your people..." Caehl Ren did indeed have information on Veiere's movements of late though he hadn't gone through the Order of Ren to get it. Before their demise, the Omega Squadron had been keeping tabs on the Ren's secondary interests beyond their duty to the First Order and his former Master had always been one of those said interests. His problem however was that he had lived the entirety of his life as a Jedi and though he might have felt justified in his actions, Veiere Arenais knew not the Dark Side of the force compared to the years spent training within it's influence as Brennan had.

"If you have Enemies, they are your own. This is not a problem of the First Order, nor is it a concern of mine...-And don't you dare challenge me as though I owe you anything Veiere. Do not forget everything I have done, everything I took upon myself because you believed it to be 'necessary risk', everything that has come down on your head is your responsibility", Veiere knew well the path that Brennan's training had taken him during his initial years as a Disciple of the Order of Ren. An Efficient and silent killer, he was one of few Assassin's within the Order that had maintained their credibility for eliminating high profile targets and leaving no trace to the First Order in the assignments he had taken on. The Sith, the Jedi, Politicians especially that sought to oppose the First Order's mantle of the Galaxy. Brennan knew all too well what Veiere was asking of him; he would only be so lucky to have the Knight of Ren 'remove' his problems for him.

"You were a Master of the Jedi Order...-Now you're less than an Acolyte to the Sith yet you seek to talk down to those who have earned their place in strength and dominion over the Force. Who the hell do you think you're talking to right now, I am not the boy you sent to slavery back on Svivren...".

 

[WolfMortum]

[member="Brennan Cabrol"] wasn't entirely incorrect...-And far be it for Veiere to give him a hard time when the Knight of Ren was fairly justified in his frustrations for the truth they had for so long kept under wraps without near so much as direct contact as things were just now...-But the way that her was speaking to Veiere just wasn't within acceptable parameters of comfort. Surrounding them, the Force flowed with such prominent power fueled by the two's presence and control over the Dark Side of the Force that Veiere could almost taste the anger rolling off of Brennan's aura, the very air itself tightening around the Knight of Ren's right knee giving the younger male further justification for his emotional outburst as Veiere took a hold of him with a telekinetic grip and applied pressure against the back of his leg, forcing the Ren to buckle under his own weight and drop to a single knee before him while the Dark Jedi Master simply stood and watched quietly.

Time would do Brennan no favors, the pressure continuing to be applied until Veiere was certain he would hear a sound of anguish coming from his young associate. "Brennan, this was not how I wished to deal with you but if you're going to be act like the child you speak of, then I will treat you like one..." his release would loosen and eventually free the Knight of Ren following the bold statement, Veiere hoping that he had proven his control over the Force remained, despite his lack of knowledge in Dark Side abilities known among the Order of Ren and the Sith Empire. "Alas, you're not wrong..." Veiere's expression contorted, his shoulders rising and falling with a huff of breath as he turned to gaze out one of the nearby view ports to the Bridge, right hand rested upon his left, his hand brushing against his chin thoughtfully.

"I suppose this means I have one of two requests now then...-If you're able to get passed this little demonstration of mine..." Veiere slowly turned to gaze back upon the Knight of Ren, Brennan of whom looked none too pleased with Veiere though wouldn't necessarily come away with nothing from all of this. "Knowledge as they say, is power...In exchange for teaching me what you know, I could divulge a number of locations important to the Jedi...-As broken as they have become" his shoulders shifted again, this time in a shrug of indifference; "As well as a list of names and last known locations for your Order to do with as they see fit", for he had spent much of his life committed to the Jedi Order and held a great deal of information not so privy to the Knights of Ren nor many outsiders at all. These, the names of old friends and former allies that he would be willing to give up for the self empowerment of his own. Certainly Brennan might see value in such an offer were he able to restrain his anger some...

"Lastly, I need the names of reliable soldiers...-The Dark Jedi Order is forming a small fleet and we could do with some strength on the ground to back us up in our many pursuits...-Details I think I'll keep to myself if you don't mind".

 

[WolfMortum]

Veiere Arenais had crossed the line. Forced to bow before a broken man, the Knight of Ren fell silent, his helm and armor doing him great justice to hide the glare and grimace of his anger flaring for what this supposed Master of Dark Jedi was imposing upon the Knight of Ren; Veiere had always been focused upon the Force, Telekinesis and Telepathy always one of his greater practices among the abilities taught within the Jedi Order where as Brennan had favored a far more direct approach, training to perfect his use of the lightsaber and numerous other variations of melee weapons that could sever limbs or break in ones chest. The pressure around his knee lasted not more than ten minutes, yet it was enough to secure a silent and vicious promise to himself that he would repay the favor one day when the opportunity was best; Caehl Ren however had been taught well by the Order of Ren and biding his time, remaining patient and awaiting ones weaknesses to be exploited was among his list of skills and talents having served him well as an assassin of the First Order.

Climbing back to his feet, there were a number of responses he could attack the former Jedi with. The reminder that Brennan had already sought to threaten and intimidate the man's wife before, let alone having knowledge of his families whereabouts and the few true things that Veiere still held love for in the Galaxy; yet to anger him further would do neither of them any good, especially in the face of the elder mans next offer of exchange. "If you believe that I would train you in all that I know after what you've done, you're going to be sorely mistaken, Veiere..." Caehl seethed through his Mask, the disguise of his mechanical overtone doing nothing to hide his anger and resentment towards the Dark Jedi, though he was not quite finished; "Any Intelligence you can offer that we are not already aware of may buy you some leniency...-In exchange I would consider offering you data of my own personal understanding and learnings of the Dark Side of the Force but it's on you how far you get and how much effort you put into learning such things".

"After this meeting is done, you and I are through...-You will not contact me again nor will you involve me in any of your dealings with the First Order least you need further reason to retreat from the Galaxy" The Knight of Ren made his position and opinion upon the Dark Master well and clear, he had gone and burned a valuable bridge and source of information today.

 

[WolfMortum]

Veiere Arenais lowered his head in a half nod of resignation though his gaze faltered and he had not the desire to pursue any further discord between the two of them. Moving across the catwalk, he would cross the bridge and pass the younger Knight of Ren, gesturing for the man to accompany him to the command terminal near the back of the operations center, inserting an empty datachip into the terminal and pulling up the holo-grid for which would display a series of locations, four corners to one larger square hovering before the pair of them at eye level.

"The Jedi Enclave of Haashimut, Bespin, Ambria and Dray Two" Veiere announced, turning to glance over his shoulder to Brennan momentarily; "I'm transferring everything I have on these locations now. I've not been to these site's in some time, mind you but if there's anything left to be found, you will know the locations and security codes to get to them", Bespin itself remained within First Order space, he knew not the status of the Enclave there though that was not his problem any longer; "Given your love for all things Sith, I'm going to compensate you for your meeting me here. Glee Ansom and Erudol may make up for whatever has become of Bespin". The Terminal screen flickered and a flash of green signalled the transfer of data was complete, Veiere turning and handling the small device over to his former apprentice.

There however seemed to be hesitation in his eyes, a not-so-distant hint of remorse and guilt as he looked upon the masked figure seeing only the young Boy Veiere had taken on as a Jedi staring back at him through the black Visor of his helm. The moment that passed seemed to carry a tremor within the force, their hands both upon the chip in it's exchange that Veiere glimpsed something elusive, a flash of images he could not identify to be neither past nor present yet somehow felt suddenly shaken all the same; vulnerability and immense emotion welled up inside of him as he looked upon [member="Brennan Cabrol"] suddenly questioning everything they had done to reach this point in life and what, by consequence would become of their futures.

"What they did to you...-The Sith. You did not deserve it" He spoke conclusively, a tone that suggested both genuine regret yet the need to distance himself from their meeting, "Embrace life, Brennan. I will interferre no longer...-I will await this data of yours but you will not hear from me again, my young friend".

 

[WolfMortum]

Caehl Ren stood silently to the right of [member="Veiere Arenais"], only a pace behind the older man with his eyes upon the holo-image that flickered to life before them both. He listened to what Veiere had to say though concentrated more on the evidence that was put before him. Bespin, it was a world that had scarred him greatly and one he had neglected to visit since. Were the Jedi Order still to have a location there that was active, it was a cell that could not be tolerated by the First Order and one he would seek to visit first. The others however he knew very little of and thus found himself pleasantly surprised by Veiere's offer not turning out to be completely useless to him; at-least, not yet in any case.

"A Woman by the name of Alia Fedahkin will be in contact with you".

The Commander of Iron Mantle, she would not question the exchange but follow obediently and think nothing of it other than another typical duty for the First Order, one that like many of her peoples actions would be stricken from record and kept in the dark. As fierce as his resentment towards the old fool was, Caehl would not deny him the chance to further descend into the dark side of the Force. If fate was good enough to the Knight of Ren, then whatever awaited Veiere's future, perhaps he would feel some of the pain and torment that he himself had gone through.

What sentiment followed next left the Knight of Ren silent, responding none to the old man's suddenly distant gaze and his encouragement for the Ren to take life into his own hands and embrace it. Where previously there was power, now Veiere had found himself in a moment of inner turmoil though for what, it remained unclear and Caehl was growing suddenly tired of this charade to want to question it any more.

"We are through here" He informed the fallen Jedi, pocketing the data-chip safely away and turning to head towards the entrance out into the corridor. He could feel the shift in Veiere's attention landing upon his back yet he was not attached to the old man's ways any longer, he would not remain and amuse an old man's dying dreams for a past so broken and no longer within his control. What was done, had come and passed them by, left them both worse off. Their time in the Jedi Order, whatever loyalties they once owed one another, it was all dead and buried now.

Veiere was one such loose end that Caehl Ren could now consider to be tied.

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End.​