Tea with the Enemy

[Anastasia Rade]

Anaxes

She had been adopted years ago into the Mandalorian culture by Azrael. After the death of her parents at the age of three she had been sold into slavery. The Mandalorians had given her the loving family that as a child Ana had always wanted. The young woman was happy with her situation but she always wondered about her parents. She dug around a little but had come up rather short only finding that her parents had been Imperials. Her father she knew had been a Grand Moff but that was only because she had his hat.

Curiosity of who they were caused the young woman to stick her nose where it didn't belong and contact the Imperials. All she wanted was information and answers. Why was her father kept out of the history books? Was it because of his death?

It was at first very difficult to get anybody to listen to her but one [member="Hans Vaiden"] did listen and agreed to meet with the former Grand Moff's daughter. Ana knew full well that meeting him could all be a trap but she couldn't help but want to know.

If things went south Ana had a backup plan on how to get out of there. In truth,she had several backup plans. She knew he wasn't giving information for free but what he wished for in return was something she would figure out when she got there.

She had requested they go out for tea and not stay at headquarters? Was it called that? Either way she wanted to be out in the open. What was that saying? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

 

[Hans Vaiden]

​

Roan's Tea Shop
Sirpar Hlls, Anaxes

Yeah, that's right, tea. When the young Mandalorian had sent for a fairly indiscriminate Holomessage, Hans was determined to fulfill it to the letter. When she asked for a "tea party" styled meeting to discuss things, Captain Vaiden assured her that matters would be held over a freshly brewed cup of it. Imported all the way from Corellian, the leaves of this particular brew were a little bit strong for the officer's tastes, but adding a little sugar to it seemed to distill the herbal leaves. It was all an rustic setting, with an antique interior entirely constructed of wood. While Roan's wasn't exactly the most famous shop here on the lower levels of Anaxes.

Often times, young cadets attending the newly refurbished Imperial military academies regularly visited this little shop. On an even rarer occasion was when some members of the prestigious families in the surrounding areas attended as well. It was more so for a change of atmosphere rather than the delectable taste of brewed tea. Relaxing in an oak-made shop while hiding from your Drill Instructor or clan leader must've been heaven.

But Hans wasn't here to hide from anyone. He was here on business and many of the patrons had noticed his rank, and that placid look upon his features. Only a handful of guests remained, chatting quietly in the backdrop or otherwise keeping to themselves as Hans patiently awaited his own special guest. It appeared as if nothing ill-mannered was going on here

Nothing at all.

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

Ana had chosen not to wear her armor for this little meeting. She didn't need to attract anymore unneeded attention on her than what was already there. Instead she chose a plain black casual dress that she had gotten for a date but than decided to go with something else. It would work on an Imperial world after all, wasn't there signature color black? It seemed to be so from what she was seeing as she made her way to the tea shop that [member="Hans Vaiden"] would be waiting for her at.

As she made her way through the streets and past various groups of cadets of the academy Ana couldn't help but wonder how life would be had her father lived. She would have more than likely followed in her father's footsteps and have gone to the academy. As it was she hadn't and the thought of doing so now didn't cross her mind. The Empire had abandoned her so why would she? Besides she loved her life now, Ana had not only a loving family but a boyfriend that she just adored. He was truly something special and she wasn't going to throw any of that away. This was just being curious about her past.

As she entered the quaint little shop Ana easily spotted Hans as he was the only one sitting alone. Everyone else seemed to be happily chatting away. All smiles Ana went over to go introduce herself to her host. "Captain Vaiden, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Anastasia Rade." She had been told before that she looked just like her father which was probably why she was getting all these looks.

 

[Hans Vaiden]

It was a life outside of the military that Hans couldn't comprehend. How civilians went about their daily lives without a care in the world. They smiled their ignorant smiles and took joy in such tiny things that it was almost more of a waste of time than pursuing their actual desires. So unorganized, so undisciplined, and just so... unnatural. The other patrons here, however, weren't exactly like the rest of the galaxy's and many of them bore the traits of your average soldier or sailor. Anaxes was a proud world holding strong ties to the Republic fleet, Imperial fleet, and even their own planetary fleets dating before those times.

Their company, though it was distant, was welcomed.

So, he simply awaited for his guest with an insurmountable quantity of patience, slipping away into his mind's deviations before the Mandalorian strode through the door. The Captain observed her with his cold, green eyes and a calculating gaze. No smile, no extension of pleasantries, nothing. At least not until she finally walked up to him. Hans rose from his seat with a slight grin on his visage before he extended his hand.

"It's a pleasure, Miss Rade. I am Captain Hans Vaiden of the Imperial Navy." It was a well rehearsed line of his, how he introduced himself to everyone. "How're you today?"

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

"The pleasure is all mine Captain Vaiden. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me, I'm sure your a busy man." She smiled as she straightened her skirt out before taking seat. Even as a Mandalorian Ana had been taught how to be social and polite. This included even to those one may see as a threat or the enemy. The Rally Master was in no way a politician but she knew how to play the game quite well from watching her brother work with other factions.

He may have agreed to this but Ana doubted that he was just going to tell her what she wished. Nothing was ever just handed to her in life. He was going to want something in return which he hadn't reviled as of yet. The thought that he was going to try to get her to turn crossed her mind but that was a given. Captain Vaiden would want more and what worried her was it was something she couldn't give.

Normally she was one to get straight to the point and forgo pleasantries but she found in these situations most she worked with enjoyed mindless chatter. Ana didn't see him being one of those but she did kind of want to try the tea here. It did smell really good. "Before we get down to business, can I get you a cup of tea?"

[member="Hans Vaiden"]

 

[Hans Vaiden]

Hans smiled politely, seating himself before the finely dressed Mandalorian warrior-princess. He wasn't exactly a busy man anymore. Not since his little escapade above Byss, not anymore. What the Sith had determined was conquest only spelled doom for his following days, typically consisting of outer-edge patrol work and reinforcing garrisons. Otherwise training was all he did. Sweating in peacetime always conserved blood during war, and he knew that fact from first-hand experience.

When she offered to arrange for tea, Hans dismissed the notion. "No, Miss Rade, you don't need to worry about that at all. I've already arranged for a pair of cups for us." The Captain gave her a small smile, casting a glance towards the neatly dressed worker. A few dark stains were noticeable upon his apron, most likely from tea spills, but he was otherwise a cleanly dressed man.

"Here you two lovers go," the man said, setting down a pair of teacups before Hans and Anastasia. "Enjoy." He sent a wink towards Hans, who was already flabbergasted enough to gape at the notion that he was dating this woman. Light tinges of pink faintly appeared and disappeared upon his cheeks, vanishing almost instantly before he set his business face back into position.

"So, what kind of information do you desire, Miss Rade?" The man gingerly lifted his own cup to his lips, testing the steaming brew with tentative lips before lightly blowing on it.

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

It was a good thing that Ana hadn't been drinking anything otherwise she might have choked a little. There was no way she was dating this Imperial. Not that he wasn't attractive in his own unique way but she had someone at home. Hans would more than likely be disgusted to know she was seeing a nice decent Republic man whom she deeply cared for. "Thank you," she smiled at the waiter and than Hans trying her best not to make a face or blush like her companion for the evening was doing.

Taking a sip of she thought of how to phase what it was she wanted. Ana was sure what she was looking for would sound silly to him and he wouldn't understand. Ana really just wanted answers and to stop searching for answers for what could have been because what she had right now was quite good.

"I'm looking for information on my father Cedric Rade and was told you could help me. I don't expect for you to just tell me without something in return, so name you price." She grinned taking another sip of her tea. Things were about to get very interesting.

[member="Hans Vaiden"]

 

[Hans Vaiden]

"Name my price?" Hans looked surprised, actually raising an eyebrow and casting another inspecting glance over her. The Captain leaned forward calmly, replacing his shocked look with a smile. The tea smelt good the background hum of conversation masked his voice more than anything. "I need a few blood samples. I'm sure you can oblige me with a pint of that, once I tell you of your father and all of his deeds."

Oh he knew Cedric Rade alright. It wasn't a personal matter, like Hans meeting the man face-to-face, but what he'd done had been erased from the records many long years ago. He figured it was imperative to just get straight to the point with what he wanted in trade for information regarding this girl's family. But she was Mandalorian - they could hardly be trusted. At least she'd come here alone, seemingly without weapons, and was naive enough to meet a Star Destroyer Captain in person.

"I'm sure that's a small price to pay, is it not?" The man smiled, gingerly sipping at his tea.

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

She blinked a little at his request. Ana would have thought that he would be looking for something else from her not her blood. What did he want with that? What's so special about my blood?" Ana questioned trying to keep herself as composed she she could taking another sip of the tea. The Rally Master assumed that he would have wanted some secret plans not her blood. What did he want with her blood?

The Graug used to take blood samples from her for their own experiments. She never knew what they did but she had no doubt it was sold to the Sith or used in some twisted way. Ana had always told herself that she wouldn't let people use her again even if it was just her blood. Giving her blood to the Empire was probably a bad thing no matter how curious she was about her family. Before she shot the whole idea in the foot though Ana was willing to sit here and listen to what he had to say. The blood could be for something harmless. "What do you want from my blood?"

[member="Hans Vaiden"]

 

[Hans Vaiden]

What was so important about her blood? Besides being the direct descendant to a former Grand Moff of the Imperium, it would be almost impossible to prove her genetic trace to him anyways. When Anastasia had contacted Hans regarding the matter, skepticism was naturally a factor in his decision to meet up with her. Any old gal could claim to be the firstborn daughter of the great Cedric Rade and then pose as his heir to gain information, and maybe even power.

"I need your blood to actually confirm this whole thing. Giving you information regarding this man is like picking up some man off the streets and telling him Imperial secrets," he said, "I, along with my advisors, merely need a piece of assurance that you're actually his daughter."

That polite smile of his was set in place once again. "I trust that wouldn't be too much to ask, Miss Rade."

[member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Anastasia Rade]

She shook her head and smiled slightly at his response. He only wanted it for a DNA test which made sense as any girl could walk in here and state that they were his only daughter. The fact that she was a Mandalorian made her whole story doubtful but still he had met with her. Perhaps he had just wanted to amuse a pretty girl and now she was being paranoid. No, of course not. That makes perfect sense and I'm happy to provide proof."

If they wanted to keep daddy dearest's affairs secrets a secret from anyone but family it had to be big. The thought of such madeher cringe but even at that she still wanted to know. He had been her father after all and when she was little the now Mando had wanted to be just like him. Ana now was left wondering just how many planets had he destroyed. "The only thing I have left of my father is his hat. It's silly I know but I like it anyway as it reminds me of where I came from. I have always been interested in learning more."

[member="Hans Vaiden"]