A Transfer (Darksword)

[Makiro]

A small flash in the midst of the Kuat system was all that heralded the less-than-triumphant return of the RSS Tython to Republic Space proper. As the injured Foray-Class Blockade Runner limped her sorry way towards the growing silhouette of the lush planet of Kuat, a contingent of Aurek Strikefighters came up beside her, ready to escort her to the Drive Yards.

On the bridge, her captain, the half-Echani Tanis Alithma, sighed melancholically as she looked towards the faint ring visible around the verdant planet. This had been her first major failure on a mission; and it had been against pirates no less! She was sure that the sick feeling in her stomach would not have been so strong had she let the Tython be so badly damaged by a well organised military, or even militia. But pirates? She shuddered at the thought of what her superiors were going to say…

Fifteen minutes later and the sparking ship was nudging her way slowly into a docking space in the giant ring of the Kuat Drive Yards. As she came to a shuddering halt between two great docking platforms, her orange-tinted engines shut down and docking tunnels were extended to her hull.

Good, thought Tanis, at least I didn’t kriff that up…

After the inevitable stream of docking forms and other assorted datawork that followed, Tanis received an ominous summons to the office of Admiral Rek Yamic. She boarded a small hover train destined for the main administrative complex and sunk into her seat, fearing what was to come next.

When she arrived at the unimposing door to the Admiral’s office, she checked that her characteristically pristine uniform was… well, characteristically pristine, and rapped sharply on the durasteel surface. A button inside the room was pressed, and the door slid smoothly open, admitting the terrified – albeit resolute – Echani.

Seated at a small desk in the middle of the room was the Admiral. Old and close to retirement, he did little these days but fill in forms and check over datawork, but he was still a respected soldier with a distinguished service record, and Tanis respected him for that. He looked up at the nervous captain with surprisingly smiling eyes, and Tanis could not help but smile back.

“Tanis, my dear girl! It has been too long.” He sounded truly sad as he spoke. “I like what you’ve done with your hair!”

Tanis put her hand up to her silvery blonde hair that was, as usual, pulled into a tight bun underneath her dress cap. Her dress cap! Tanis swore silently as she pulled the cap off her head, messing up her bun in the process.

“Thank you, captain. Please take a seat.”

Tanis did so. The Admiral steepled his fingers and rested his chin atop them, his grey eyes glinting as the silently surveyed her. He coughed lightly.

”Captain Alithma, he said, his formality putting Tanis back on edge, ”I have asked you here today so that we may discuss your future in the Republic Navy.”
“I’m sorry, Admiral! It was a mistake, I wasn’t prepared for the attack; I was caught off guard.” Tanis hung her head sadly. “I will, however, be prepared to accept any punishment you choose to give me.”

The Admiral laughed, surprising Tanis yet further. ”Punishment? No, my dear girl, you are not to be punished , you are to be commended!”

Tanis stared in shock, and was about to enquire as to whether or not the Admiral had become deranged, when there was a sharp knock from the door. The Admiral smiled gleefully, and pressed the door release button on his desk, allowing the person access.

[Darksword]

Davis sighed inwardly, knowing this wasn't going to be too pleasant, though he was going to go through with anything pertaining to his orders. He walked in quickly, taking in the scene of the Admiral and the Captain in a glance. He marched forward and stopped a foot or so behind the Captain, snapping to attention and saluting sharply. "Commander Davis Cari'Tan reporting as ordered, Admiral sir!" He glanced to the Captain and saluted again, then nodded. "Captain." He crossed his arms, his ebon colored claws reflecting light off their surfaces.

[Makiro]

The Admiral rose from his desk and saluted the new arrival, before breaking into a warm smile.

"Tanis... Captain Alithma: this is Commander Davis Cari'Tan, one of our most distinguished officers. He is going to serve under you."

Tanis stared in shock, her mouth hanging wide open and her eyes flitting from one man to the other. Remembering whose company she was in, she quickly regained her composure, and opened her mouth to speak.

"But..." She stopped, words failing her. "But I performed abysmally on my last mission - I almost lost the Tython!"

The Admiral laughed heartily, "Yes, my dear girl. But you didn't lose her, did you? And one mishap - no matter how grave - would not detract from the rest of your distinguished career."

"But, Sir, with all due respect, if I had lost the Tython, I would have lost the beings aboard her as well. You would not promote me then, would you?"

"No, Tanis, I would not - your death would have rather interfered... Nevertheless, you did not lose the Tython, and you are being assigned command of a squadron."

Tanis opened her mouth to object.

"Alithma! That is an order!" The Admiral's smiling eyes had turned hard and cold. "An investigation crew will be sent to survey the area around which these pirates assaulted you, and you and Commander Cari'Tan will be posted to Yaga Minor, where you will begin patrol duties immediately. You have until the Tython is repaired to get accquainted; I suggest you begin now! Dismissed, Captain Alithma, Commander Cari'Tan."

Tanis saluted and shoved her cap back onto her head. Turning around, she barely even looked at the Shistavanen commander before storming out of the room. Walking some way along the corridor outside, she came across a metal bench, set amongst a small display of yellow flowers and sat down, a sulky expression plastered across her face.

Back inside the office, Admiral Yamic smiled apologetically at Commander Cari'Tan, before pulling out a datapad and burying himself once more in his work.

[Darksword]

Davis watched the exchange without saying a word, his face impassive except a small twitch at the side of his mouth. He nodded to the Admiral as Tanis left, saluted sharply and muttered "Sir", then about-faced and left the office. He quickly sniffed the air a moment, wondering which direction the Captain had gone, then quickly followed after her. He saw her after a moment, sitting on a bench. He quietly walked behind her and stood at attention, leaving her be for a moment before saying. "Captain sir!" He saluted sharply, despite he being behind her, and waited for her to reply or to at least nod.

Silently, he thought to himself. 'Strange lady...... Must just be confused. Otherwise, Im going to have a hand-full watching out for her and making sure she doesn't make any really stupid decisions.... Also, I need to get to know her.... She's going to be my CO till Im either reassigned again or given my own promotion....' He grinned slightly at that then quickly banished that single emotion on his face, returning to standing rigidly at attention, his face impassive.

[Makiro]

Tanis sat broodily on the bench, mulling over the situation. She had been stupid; the Admiral had rewarded her, and she had tried to throw it back in his face. It was a fragging good job she had known him so long...

A voice from behind her caused her to turn her head sharply, her eyes glaring at the unfortunate being who had spoken. Seeing it was Commander Cari'Tan, however, her expression softened, and she attempted an apologetic smile.

"Commander. I can only apologise for my conduct in the Admiral's office. To be rewarded thus was not... not what I had expected."

She motioned at the seat beside her.

"Come, sit. Or if you'd prefer it, we could head to the cantina and I'll buy you a drink; for apology's sake."

She looked up at the Commander, her silver eyes imploring his forgiveness.

[Darksword]

Davis eyed her a moment, his face impassive, before his lips finally split in a grin. "Apology accepted, though there isn't much to apologize to me." He pointed over his shoulder. "The Admiral is in more need of apologizing then me, though I believe he understands so not much need for any apologizing..." He chuckled. "Anyways, sure, I'd welcome a drink at this moment. Been on duty and on patrol for the last couple weeks. Haven't had a good drink in about three weeks totall."

He politely offered his hand to help her up, then once she stood and they were walking, he eyed her a moment before looking ahead. "Anyways Captain Alithma, my name is Davis Cari'Tan. You can call me Davis if you want.... Now, I take it that a patrol didn't go so well?" He glanced at her, awaiting her answer

[Makiro]

Tanis smiled as the Shistavanen offered her his hand, and, taking it in her own, she rose from the bench. As the two walked along, she kept her gaze firmly on her booted feet, her insides still roiling with embarassment. When Davis spoke, she smiled grimly.

"Ha! You might say that! To tell you the honest truth, Commander, it was a kriffing disaster!"

She paused in her speech for a moment as the two passed through the security gate that separated the higher-ranked officers' quarters from the rest of the colossal shipyards. A tall, uniformed twi'lek, whose blue skin sent twinges of sorrow through her heart, checked their security passes and waved them out of the office complex.

The main thoroughfare of the Drive Yards was simply enormous. A cavernous corridor that ran all the way around the immense ring in which the shipyards were held. MagLev trains and turbolifts shot this way and that, ferrying soldiers, pilots, caretakers, doctors, nurses, scientists, and all manner of other uniformed beings to their various stations. On the vast floor, a multitude of beings hurried about with datapads and cases, all with his, her or its own mission.

Shaking her head in awe of the sheer level of activity - something that got to her each time she visited the Drive Yards - she resumed both her walk and her monologue.

"As I was saying, we were patrolling a minor trade route - checking out a point of exit from Hyperspace that we suspected some smugglers were using to trade illegally accquired weapons - and suddenly, quite out of the blue, three huge ships came out of Hyperspace. Luckily, the Tython is a fast ship, and we managed to disable two of our assailants; or so we thought!

We were fired upon, and, well... the Tython was badly damaged. Thanks to the fast action of her pilot, we managed to make the jump to Telos IV. From there it was a simple matter of making the jump to here, and, well, the rest you know already."

She blushed slightly as she spoke, still stinging from her performance in the Admiral's office. Presently, they came to a halt in front of a docked MagLev train. Walking through her open door, Tanis took a seat on one of her utilitarian benches, and beckoned to Commander Cari'Tan to do the same.

[Darksword]

Davis nodded as she spoke, simulating the scene in his mind. As she beckoned him to sit, he glanced about a moment before sitting down next to her, sitting back sighing for a moment. "Well, that has happened to me occasionally...... Not the best kind of situation to be in..." He chuckled. "Well that should change with you taking command of my battle group. No smuggler fleet will be wanting to attack it, especially if my flagship is involved..." He smiled as he thought of his Interdictor cruiser.

"The Freedom's Avenger... A Interdictor-class cruiser. Very affective againest all kinds of vessels, and with its gravity well generators, very good at capturing ships..." He thought about that a moment then glanced at her. "Anyways, anything I should know about you or are you just a normal captain who just follows orders?" He grinned, looking away to glance around the train at the other occupants.

He then brought up his hand and scratched one of his ebon colored claws againest a metal bar next to him, making a small screeching noise as he sharpened his claws, one by one, as he waited for her reply.

[Makiro]

Tanis surveyed Davis' face closely for a few long moments, considering how much she should tell him. Finally, after what seemed like an age, she spoke.

"My full name, as you know, is Tanis Alithma." She paused as the MagLev train hummed into life and began its long dash towards the residential block. "I was born on Chandrila, in the Bormea Sector. It is a beautiful world, Commander Cari'Tan - one to which I hope you will one day have the pleasure of travelling. My father was the Governor, a most impressive man, happy in his marriage. My mother, however, was not his wife.

"I was born to my father's mistress, an Echani - to whom I owe my looks. My mother died during childbirth, and I was adopted into my father's family, supposedly as part of a grand publicity stunt to win the next election. Needless to say, after a few years my adopted mother became suspicious of the origins of my father's bond to him, and eventually they divorced.

"I moved with my father to his house by the shores of Lake Sah’ot - a beautiful dacha, worthy of any noble - and we continued as if life had always been this way. I was allowed to embrace my Echani heritage, and I soon became proficient in the martial arts, as well as in the use of various bladed weapons."

She glanced down at her left hip, where hung an ornate vibroblade. The weapon's beautiful silvery blade reflected the bright light of the MagLev train's illumination system, and caused it to dance in intricate patterns across the half-Echani's pale face.

"This," she said proudly, "is Thyrsus - my ceremonial vibroblade. It is beautiful, is it not?"

[Darksword]

As the Maglev train sped along, Davis silently listened to Tanis, nodding occasionally and smiling slightly. As she turned her attention to her ornate vibroblade and spoke of it, Davis nodded in agreement. "I am not a user of blades usually, but even my inexperianced eyes can tell that is a beauty of a blade...." He grinned. "Im more of a ranged combat person.... A blaster is my weapon of choice..." He reached down and patted his blaster, it's black surface polished, though marks of constant use are all along it. "This is my most useful weapon.... Anyways..."

He glanced at her. "For me, my life is a common story. I was raised by my parents to be a good kid, student, friend, and other things. My mother mostly cared for me while my father was out patrolling and protecting the Republic. I barely knew him sadly..." He stared at the opposite side of the train for a moment, his face blank, before he shrugged. "He died when I was 15 or so. I decided that day I wanted to join the Navy after that... Well after 10 years or so of service and now I'm a commander and in charge of a battle group of deadly Republic vessels...." He glanced at her again and grinned. "Till I was reassigned to you today..." He glanced up as the train started to slow down as they neared their destination.

[Makiro]

Tanis smiled as Davis spoked, waiting as the MagLev drew to a smooth halt. Rising from her seat, she made her way out of the doors and onto the small platform outside. She turned to Davis and waited for him to do the same, before setting off at a brisk stride towards her favourite cantina: The Flaming Frigate – although now that name seemed infinitely less amusing than it once had.

She turned to the smartly dressed canine and smiled warmly.

”Come now, Commander – or, whilst we are off duty, might you permit me to call you Davis? – I am sure your life story is not as “common” as you are making it out to be. What of your life in the Navy? May I ask whether you have been involved in any major conflicts?”

Tanis knew that, as Davis’ new commanding officer, she would be obliged to read every one of his military records. However, she was keen to hear to hear the stories from the man – or rather the Shistavanen – himself.

[Darksword]

Davis followed along behind Tanis, grinning as they walked towards the nearby cantina. "Well, my military life is slightly differant. Yes I have been in a few large engagements and dozens of minor engagements." As they walked into the pub, he glanced about the slightly darker interior, spying a nearby, empty table. He tapped Tanis on the shoulder, giving her a small pull on her uniform, then walked over to the table and sat down. He waited till she was seated as well before continuing.

"As I was saying, I've been in many engagements. I have had 10 years experiance in the Navy and out of those 10, 4 of them I've been in command of the Freedom's Avenger, my Interdictor-class cruiser. Even before then, I've had some experiance commanding vessels, as I was a weapons officer and one time I had to take command of a Hammerhead-class cruiser MKI because the captain was killed."

He stared over her head a moment in thought, then returned his attention to her. "One of my better engagements was when me and a couple captains, my Freedom and two other Hammerheads, went againest a Sith battle group consisting of 5 vessels. I advised my fello captains to take the right and left flanks with their vessels, while all our fighter and bomber squadrons launched." He grinned slightly as the image of the battle took place in his mind. "That battle was costly but I helped save the lives of hundreds of people..."

He frowned. "I just wish that we hadn't lost most of our fighter squadrons in the action... I lost many good pilots that day..." He thought a moment then shrugged. "Anyways, other then that, Ive been in dozens of minor engagements with small battle groups, pirate bands, convoy's, etc, nothing to be proud of."

[Makiro]

A shiny waitress droid wheeled up to the table and Tanis removed her peaked cap from her head, letting her silvery white hair fall in tumbles around her shoulder. Resting her elbows on the plasteel surface, she lay her chin atop her intertwined fingers and listened as the droid reeled off a list of the current special offers. Ordering a pint of Corellian spiced ale, she waited for Davis to order, and then turned her silver gaze upon him.

"I know it's not very ladylike..." she explained sheepishly, "but kriff it, I'm off duty." She grinned brightly, her eyes twinkling in the low light of the Cantina. Pushing a strand of white hair off her alabaster forehead, she thought for a few moments, before adopting a more quizzical expression.

"If you don't mind my asking, Commander Car'Tan... Davis, is there anyone special in your life?"

She knew it was a forward question, and certainly one from which she would have recoiled, but these sort of details could prove invaluable in later life - should any... issues arise. And besides, she was curious.

[Darksword]

When the service droid came to get their orders, Davis decided on a Alderaanian ale. At her comment, he chuckled and shrugged, though when she asked him the question, his smile changed to a sad frown. "No, I've never had anybody like that... Been a loner for many years, never see anybody other then my mother and a few friends... And besides..." He chuckled quietly. "I don't get out much other then a couple cantinas and a short vacation here and there...... Usually very busy with the Navy or just enjoying the peace...." He chuckled, eyeing her a moment, a questioning look in his eyes. "Why you ask?"

As he said this, the droid returned with their orders, setting the drinks down in front of them and zipping away quickly to the next customer. Davis quickly took his drink and hand a long gulp of the cold drink. He sighed then set the mug down and returned his gaze back to Tanis, waiting for her answer.

[Makiro]

Tanis thanked the droid and took a long draught from her ale. She sniffed, and fixed her intense stare on Davis once more. She decided to be honest.

"To be honest with you, Davis, you never know when this sort of information will come in useful. During war, family and friends can cause... complications..."

She paused, a familiar pain rising in her heart. Taking a deep breath, she squashed the unpleasant feeling and began once more.

"As you well know, the Sith are... well they're animals. They will stop at nothing to win the Galaxy. Not even the bombing of civilian worlds. It is important that I know what sort of bonds you have, should the Sith... well should they decide to act against the worlds on which those bonds are to be found."

Tanis paused again, wondering just how honest she wanted to be.

"And besides," she said, smiling, "I was just curious."

She took another deep drink from her ale, this time savouring the spicy flavour, and the way it warmed her from the inside as it travelled down her throat.

"How's your drink?"

[Darksword]

Davis eyed her unblinkingly, his electric blue eyes narrowed slightly as he took another gulp of his ale. He shrugged and said. "The drinks fine. I enjoy it from time to time and if it's in small amounts... Though I prefer not to be intoxicated." He set the half-empty mug down and pushed it a few inches away. He then crossed his taloned hands together and set them on the table, still staring at Tanis. His stance changed slightly, his back going straighter and any humor disappearing from his face. He waited several minutes in silence then said.

"One thing I know Captain, is what the Sith can do. I've watched them bomb civilian targets and vessels. I've seen them in action againest fello Navy captains." He leaned forward and muttered. "They killed my father in battle... More like slaughtered if reports are correct..." He sat back and eyed her. "I know why you ask that question Captain, and know this. Even if I did have somebody like that, it would never get in the way of my duty... Even if I was to lose that person forever..." He stared at her intently for a moment then pulled his hands back, going in a more relaxed stance.

"And why you would just be 'curious' at all surprises me... Slightly." He chuckled, sitting back and trying to relax, putting the memories and that unpleasant part of the conversation out of his mind for the moment. He took the mug again and took another deep drink from the cool ale.

[Makiro]

Tanis nodded solemnly.

“I’m sorry… about your father I mean.” She said, falteringly. As Davis expressed his surprise at her curiosity, Tanis smiled mysteriously. “As I’m sure you know, in our line of business it isn’t often that one is able to meet new people. For the best part of a year I have had very little company save my crew,” she lowered her voice and said, in a false whisper “and if I’m going to honest with you, not every one of them is as fascinating as you might think!”

She took a swig from her mug, again relishing the taste of the drink she had not been able to enjoy for nigh on ten months.

”I must admit that I’m impressed by your dedication to duty – even if it is, at this moment, mere words. Not every man would be able to remain strong through such adversity; for some the mere thought of losing a family member is enough to send them scurrying to the other side.”

Biting her top lip thoughtfully, she surveyed Davis carefully.

“It almost did me…”

[Darksword]

Davis grinned slightly as she spoke, then he shrugged slightly at her words. "I don't have anything to lose. My duty is the only thing I really care about and wish to do. Otherwise, it is all secondary or minor...." He shrugged again. "I've never met anyone who has interested me in that way, so I have no one to care for but my crew, the citizens of the Republic, and the Navy..." He sighed sadly. "It is kinda a lonely life but I get through it... That's why I am always on patrol... It's the only thing i can really do. Besides..." He grinned slightly. "I seem to scare most people I meet... And I don't enjoy most people's company other then Navy personel... This is actually one of the few long conversations I have had off duty...."

He chuckled then sat back. He then returned his gaze on her, his eyes slightly serious again. "If you have no problem telling me, may I ask what you meant by what you said...? What almost happened...?" He seemed slightly uncomfortable and cautious, his claws tapping againest the metal surface of the table as he waited.

[Makiro]

Tanis smiled weakly, noting the uncomfortable way in which Davis' claws tapped the plasteel surface of the table. She took a deep breath.

"I feel I have pried into your life quite enough for today; I probably owe you for that.”

She sighed heavily as she wrenched the burning memories up from her heart.

”You must promise me though, that you will respect me when I stop; this is not a story I feel I can fully tell… yet.”

She waited for his answer before beginning.

”I did not start my military career in the Navy. In fact, I was much more interested – and perhaps talented – in the field of starfighter combat, and so it was to the Fighter Corps that I enlisted after graduation.

As you may or may not have heard, I flew Aureks for quite some time. There was nothing I loved more than the feel of the yoke in my hands and the rush of the World past my cockpit. Nothing, that is, except Aryn…”

She stopped for a few moments, remembering the Twi’leks flawless blue skin and sparkling eyes.

“Aryn and I… we were lovers. We flew many missions together, some successful, some not so successful, and one… one that was a kriffing disaster…”

She stopped again and took a deep drink from her ale. She sniffed, fighting back a wave of tears.

“We had been sent on a routine seek-and-destroy mission – searching for a band of pirates – when he was… he was killed. It is not a topic about which I enjoy talking, Davis, but I feel I owed you that much. Perhaps we shall speak more about Aryn at a later date. Now, however, will you permit me to buy you a second drink?”

[Darksword]

Davis listened silently for several minutes, nodding occasionally and grunting quietly in response. When she asked him the question, he grinned and shrugged. "Sure, though I'm gonna be getting something a little less potent..." He eyed her a moment after replying, then said. "I apologize for bringing up the subject about this Aryn... I know what it is like to lose somebody..." He fell silent then took a final gulp of his ale, setting the empty mug down and glancing about the room, his claws tapping againest the table's surface again.

He stayed silent for several minutes then turned back to Tanis. "I am at a loss of what to say now... Have you anything to ask of me or wish to talk about? I am never good with conversations unless there's a purpose to them..." He gave a half-smile, then suddenly lifted his snout and sniffed the air, noticing the smell of nearby meat cooking. He considered it a moment, then pushed it to the back of his head, deciding to get some dinner later.