Social Protocol (Cara)

[Akio Kahoshi]

Steps echoes through the vast hallways of the ship as Akio made his way through it to the brig. It was deep in the ship, where even if a prisoner escaped it would be unlikely they would get off the ship before getting caught. And on such a large ship, the brig was substantial. Capable of holding hundreds of people if necessary, which still accounted for a small fraction of the entire crew complement. If more was needed than that, well the ship's officers probably had larger issues than brig size to deal with.

Just after the battle of Csilla, the brig was empty save a couple of the usual suspects and a single blonde woman separated from the others. It was this woman that he had come to meet, and while some might be surprised at the Emperor's arrival no one that had been on the bridge during the battle was surprised at her presence there. Moving to the transperisteel walled room, he activated the comm to speak with the woman.

"I hope you're finding the accommodations comfortable, they are your design after all."

 

[Cora Passek]

Cara looked up seeing the Emperor standing there. She had little respect for people who disrespected her. And he had greatly done so when he had insulted her ship, her design. "Next time I'm adding pillow-top mattresses. Other than a little to the small side, I could get used to it." She said with a smile. This, the usual Cara. Wasn't the first time she'd been in a cell, and wouldn't be the last either.

She glanced down her nails cleaning a little debris from beneath one. Still covered in a little bit of grease from her efforts to get the ship working in the midst of battle. A few scraps and bruises, mostly her own doing, or the ship rocked unexpectedly and the poor thing fell. Things she was not used to. Space battles, never had she done anything like this. "Hope you like your gāisǐ de ship. Though it needs to be rewired, more durable to be brought in to carry the extreme load." Still smiling. She didn't really give a crap that she was in the brig. Been there done that many times, and the simple fact was, she had designed the locks herself. She could get out anytime she wanted but chose not to flirt the rules further.

 

[Akio Kahoshi]

"Pillow top mattresses will probably be considered to costly, and not befitting of those normally sent here," Akio replied in a droll tone. "Wouldn't do to have the prisoners sleeping better than the normal crew. We would probably end up with enlisted committing crimes just to get sent to sleep here."

Softly he tapped his fan against his chest, as he always did when he was thinking. "Aside from the electrical issues, the ship performed flawlessly. And even though we might have preferred not to, we did get to see the backup systems in action. Over all, not a bad shakedown cruise. However after reviewing the battle, there are some changes we would like to make for the full production models. Nothing to significant, mostly changes having to do with space allotment. The external hull would be left untouched, so the ones currently being built will not need to be started over."

 

[Cora Passek]

"Oh, no, you know just one on the ship, just for me." She smirked, playful as ever for one sitting in a brig. "You know, each ship has a personal cell with my name on it, that kind of thing." A chuckle followed, "Cause I have a feeling I'll be spending time down here a lot."

She nodded, now it went to business and she knew it but still smiled. "I know my job. I know it gāisǐ de well. Inside and out, my hands start to finish. So looking to mass produce now, yes?" She asked considering what changes he wanted. "I know a few placement things that need to change. Stars know not all your crew mechanics are my size and that panel could not be reached by anyone even a hair bigger than I. So ... what did you have in mind?"

 

[Akio Kahoshi]

Her joke was noted, both amusing and not amusing because he knew her words were not entirely false. He also suspected she might really try to design such a feature into any new ships. Perhaps he would need to talk with the invidiuals who approved her designs before production. A thought he put aside for the moment.

"Also had a few reports of control panels being a bit to low for use while standing, probably need to raise those a few inches. But the changes I mean are a bit larger. While a fighter heavy design has its uses, especially when engaging these 'Klaxxi' as Admiral Garec calls them. However with the Juns and Lees we already have substantial fighter support. By cutting down on hanger space and converting some of the remainder to shuttles, we can double the number of troops I think. Bringing us to two legions per ship. That would be a significant game changer for ground incursions. Of course this would also require increased life support, and more power allocated to bunk space. Do you think such a change would be possible?"

 

[Cora Passek]

"Hmph," She mused a bit, thinking. "Control panels are in the small, easy." She let that set for a while.

There was no computer or datapad in front of her at that moment, her personal effects removed. Idly she rapped her finger on her knee as she leaned forward, eyes flicking back and forth doing mental calculations. "Yes, possible yes. Really will need to boost life support, as well as the backup system, which I am so glad worked flawlessly." An actual thankful tone in her voice. "Power allocations can be made, so long as the grid is redesigned. Current one, isn't standing. I have to wipe it from the board as it is. Whether you like it or not, substandard wiring was used. Saw it when I took it apart at the shield junction. It was not what I asked for, nor told them needed to be in a ship of this size." She gave a shrug, it was a small annoyance to her. Nothing she couldn't handle.

"You know a datapad would be nice ... I can actually work from my cell you know." Still smiling, clearly being in the brig didn't bother her in the least. "Cause I know you want me on this now, and .... well with that in mind, I've got to have something to work with. I just have this feeling that I'm sitting in this cell to 'contemplate my actions'." She used the little air quotes to emphasis her point. "So, whenever you want to let me out is fine... Could actually use the vacation time."

 

[Akio Kahoshi]

"Oh, that reminds me," the Emperor said. "Your official punishment has been decided. One month house arrest. You will be escorted to and from your office, but otherwise not allowed to leave. There will be guards present at all times. And please do not try to escape, it will be found out immediately and I would really prefer not to have to increase the terms of the punishment. Far too inefficient."

Punishment given, he returned to the ship designs. "I will have someone look into the wiring system again. If they purposefully used substandard systems, they will be executed. In the mean time I can get your effects so that you can begin work here." Deactivating the cell's comm, he used his own to call for an aide. It would take a few minutes to run from her room all the way to the brig. Once the call had been made, he reactivated the cell's so that he and Cara might continue their discussion.

 

[Cora Passek]

She lofted a brow, and gave a small shrug. "Guess I'm eating a lot of delivery and or takeout foods." It didn't really phase her in the least. She'd been through so much more than most, house arrest was nothing. "Escape? What in the star's name would I do that? Cushy house, fine living, I've my wines. I get a month of peace and quiet. Not to mention, extra protection from bounty hunters." Another shrug, "Way I see it is in a cell or under guard I'm far safer than I usually am."

Maybe she was trying to be annoying, but she really didn't see house arrest as an issue, not at all. Seemed like a decent deal for her, didn't exactly feel like punishment.

"Executed?" She questioned, worry and concern instantly expressed in her features. "It was likely done as a cost effective measure, not knowing the specs and loads they need to carry like I do. Likely a simple error to save a little money, not realizing the effects. Surely that isn't a capital offense. " Least she hoped not. The idea of killing someone for that seemed far too harsh too cruel. "It could have been a simple mistake, surely not worth the execution of one man."

 

[Akio Kahoshi]

"It potentially put the lives of every man and woman on this ship in mortal danger, including yours and mine. One man's death, to prevent risking thousands more in the future. Yes, it is harsh, but such is our way. The Empire has always been both harsh and fair, it is our strict adherence to the law that makes us so different from other nations."

One might be surprised that Cara, who had killed people herself, was unsettled by the potential execution of someone. Akio had pegged her as such before though, she killed targets but cried if a civilian was harmed. It was a respectable trait in his opinion, though he did not have the luxury of crying over innocent blood. His job was to insure the survival of the Atrisian Empire, regardless of the means he had to take to do so. Collateral damage was unfortunate, but also unavoidable. He had to be strong in such circumstances.

Soon after a panting aide entered the brig apparently having sprinted the entire way. Which was certainly a significant distance aboard this ship. Using the small assess panel, the aide slide the datapad and a couple other of Cara's items into the cell. The Emperor thanked the aide, who then retreated to catch his breathe elsewhere.

 

[Cora Passek]

@[member="Akio Kahoshi"]

Cara looked at the floor, not liking this in the bit. It sickened her that such a simple mistake, such as a cost saving method, could be the difference between a person living and dying. Eyes moved only to see the aid and Cara came up to the slot and took her few items she was allowed. A sigh followed. She didn't want to speak, didn't want to say a thing.

Sitting back on her bed, she set the items to the side, sighed and didn't look back up. Loss of innocent life pained her more than she liked to admit. Despite her will to kill, her desire to destroy a certain group no matter what, innocent lives lost were hard to take. And this .... this could be her fault. But she knew she'd asked for a very specific wiring, for a reason, and it was simply not on the ship. She didn't get it.

The happy Cara was gone. Completely. Cara sat there completely somber, not liking it in the least. It made her want to break the contract and run. But she wasn't a fool. Knowing completely that she was always guarded, always watched for her own protection. Atrisia could not afford the loss of their only ship designer, so she was protected, nearly as well as the Emperor but not in the obvious manner that he was. She did everything she could not to cry. There were few things that effected Cara, and it was this that really got to her. People didn't understand that underneath her carefree manner was a deeply troubled and conflicted woman.

"But ... surely .." She just stopped. There was no use arguing it. It was going to happen likely before she could even get out of the brig to do something about it. All she wanted to do was find the person responsible and tell them to run. Get them out. But here she was helpless, completely and utterly helpless.


"What else do you want?" She asked, datapad in hand already jotting things on it without even looking up again. Unlikely that she would. And very likely that she'd cry the moment he left but for now, she had to keep it together.

 

[Moira Skaldi]

@[member="Akio Kahoshi"], @[member="Cara Sampson"]

"You required my expertise, Majesty," a calm...impassive voice spoke up as Moira suddenly materialised seemingly out of nowhere behind the Emperor, stepping up to his side. She had an unnatural ability to suddenly appear and without making any noise. Useful traits for a terrorist or an assassin....She was unarmed, her blaster pistol and bolter had been given up outside, though she did not need weapons to kill, for she could be described as a living weapon herself. Reborn as an instrument of death and purged of organic weaknesses. A simple punch to the throat would suffice to crush an organic, perhaps two if he was armoured. Doubtless Imperial guards, the Emperor's finest, sworn to give their lives for their sovereign if need be, were close by and watching her every move, for she was a stranger to them. Being properly paranoid was a virtue. Doubtless she was aware and did not care much, though she had taken careful note.

It was indeed ironic...years ago, though for a machine built to last that might seem like tremendously little time, Admiral Kahoshi, as he then was, had offered her a job. Things seemed to go full circle sometimes and Moira had an appreciation for the cyclical moving of history. Back then she had been human...it had been before Contruum...after that events became blurry for a while. Never one for introspection, Moira did not bother much with it. She was not a wet hen after all.

"The ship designer you spoke of," she continued impassively, refering to the blonde locked in the cell. A statement, not a question. Question implied lack of information. Cold eyes flickered over to Cara. The damage to Moira's face had not been repaired yet, burn had been ripped apart revealing the hard metal that truly made her what she was, one eye was an intimidating crimson.

She gazed upon Cara Sampson...and her look hardened. She found herself...caught off-guard, as perplexing and unnatural as that was. Those lifeless eyes focused upon the woman and seemingly blotted everything else out as she processed information at a rapid rate. She was...familiar. Immediately various images began flashing through her HUD, trying to find match-ups with persons she knew, looking past the facade of hers, every nuance of hers was run through her internal database and checked, bringing up a number of records.

Running search Programme 666...
Running...
Scan...complete...
Perfect match found: Subject is....Cora Passek
Organic (worthy)....Terrorist, anti-Sith zealot....ship designer....
Not informed about new allegiance to Atrisia! Control at risk.
Mission parametres...unchanged...

The gears were visibly moving in Moira's mind as she processed this. For a human all this happened at an alarmingly fast rate, taking just a few seconds before she found her match. Her still organic looking eye flashed red behind her human irises before it resumed ist nomrla colour. For a human it would seem like she just had to look at Cara and then she knew immediately, but caught off-guard she was She had not been informed about Cora travelling to Atrisia or being employed by them. Cora had slipped from her grasp! In a certain way it made sense...Cora was a genius ship designer...and Atrisia loathed Sith, although they were quite willing to pragmatically cooperate with the Fringe - and there was the unidentified Dark Master on Csilla, though whether that had been a Sith was information Moira did not possess.

"Ms. Samspon," she said impassively, voice deathly calm. Cara, or rather Cora, would know that look on Moira's face. It was her 'I am displeased' look. Oftentimes it was the prelude to her murdering someone.

 

[Cora Passek]

Cara did not look up at the new person, "Lovely, more people to see me in a brig. This is such a joyous night! Let us pray to the giant green god Gahala." Sarcasm more than clear. A phrase she'd used more than once. But then, she did look up, and what she saw more than caught her off guard. She blinked, just blinked. It was one of those holy fething poodoo moments that only come maybe once, twice in a lifetime. "I .. .er ... um... .... ... um... hi?" She had no freaking clue what to say but right now, that look, she was just glad that there was transperisteel between her and ... Ruby.

Words were going to be exchanged, Cara needed to know something. "So I guess your name never was Ruby, was it?"

 

[Akio Kahoshi]

While it was always disconcerting to have Moira simply appear, he was not particularly alarmed by it. That was what his Imperial Guards existed for. What was most disconcerting was her lack of skin, and the droid nature underneath. It was something that would need to be repaired swiftly, because droids were often not taken as seriously as organics.

Or, after the clockwork incident, taken too seriously.

As the two women spoke to each other, a single eyebrow arched. His fan ruffled a little bit, but it was mostly a subconcious act of thought rather than having any real significance. "I take it I do not need to introduce you to each other then?"

 

[Moira Skaldi]

@[member="Akio Kahoshi"], @[member="Cara Sampson"]

Moira remained calm in the face of Cara's confusion, eyes locked on her. Those steady blue eyes had a piercing quality to them that was difficult to describe. They felt like they were boring inside you, because they literally were. Scanning, probing, unearthing records, aliases. It was good that Moira still had a measure of power over her...Cara belonged to her. She had gripped her tight and raised her from perdition.

At least she had not ended up in the Protectorate without supervision...where she would have ended up if she had encountered 'Exarch' Kerrigan was obvious. Moira was not being jealous at all with this assessment. "I have many names. Ruby is one of them. You can call me Moira Skaldi," she said calmly, voice modulated to be just a bit softer. Barely anyone would notice it, though Cara might. "I see you have maintained your penchant for getting into trouble," she said very dryly. Sometimes Moira could be rather snarky when the mood hit her.

She tilted her head to the side at the Emperor's query. "We met before. When she was in dire circumstances." This indirectly voiced confirmation that Moira did in fact know about Cara's previous life.