Blood Ties (Kota)

[Rhoden Carbine]

Rhoden raised his hands slowly, Jorvan kept his by his side. At Kota's comment he spread them as he gave a light shrug. "If it keeps me from being electrocuted, choked, lit on fire, thrown around, or bounced off the walls I'll take it." he said, giving a pained smile as previous encounters continued flashing through his mind.

Rhoden smiled as he was asked for proof, "Well counting out an excursion to a lovely little Sith temple in the middle of nowhere we can start with my helmet's recording, which contains record of the information retrieved at said temple." he tilted his head to Jorvan who carefully pulled out a datacard and slid it forward with his foot. "Now, for a more conclusive result we could partake in a simple running of our blood." he pulled a vial filled with his blood and held it up to the light.

"I've also brought the appropriate data files pertaining to the search of the temple, filed by both myself and the Grand Inquisitor, a charming young woman. I didn't get the impression she was very fond of me. Can't imagine why." Rhoden said, he could practically feel Jorvan rolling his eyes. He smiled and briefly bowed his head. He glanced in the direction of the new arrival into the area, before returning his attention to the Lady Kota. He lowered his hands, but kept them within sight of the gun toting crewmen.

[Corran Vellar]

Ryder approached the surrounded YT and took up a position at the Admirals side. He felt the field that the lizard creatures created but he made no outward notion that he felt anything. The Imperial spoke and held up a vial of blood, Ryder had to hold back a chuckle before whispering in Tann’s ear.

“He doesn’t actually believe you’ll trust a blood sampling he took himself?” He asked. It was more a statement then a question, who knew what possible tampering the Empire could have done to create a blood match.

Straightening back up he watched on as he waited for Lady Kota’s response.

[Lady Kota]

She motioned a few of her men, they moved to cuff him, and took the vial. Once that was achieved she moved to take the vial from her man. "This is what I think of Imperial words." She said and tossed the vial on the ground shattering it. Kota made a motion for another man to come draw blood. "You are extremely stupid, insane, misguided, ill informed, or all combined I don't know which. Whatever the case is I hate the Empire and they me we have an understanding in that, but we will see if you are telling the truth. Mean time you can enjoy the cell with your ysalamiri or maybe it can play with mine." She said as she motioned them to take him from her.

She made her way to the bridge as the alien with the fresh blood went to the med bay. Kota didn't really need the results but it was for the confirmation. When they were well out of Rhoden's ear. "What do want Corran? As you can see I have to deal with this nut job." She said. She wasn't sure what it was he wanted they didn't converse a lot and usually something was involved when they did.

[Rhoden Carbine]

"How eloquent." Rhoden said, holding out his arm as they drew more blood. "Not that I expected you to rely on that particular sample, it was merely a formality." Rhoden smiled lightly. "Yes, yes. I was wondering if you might extend your hospitality to a dear family member. At least you've learned some manners." Rhoden was taunting, prodding, joking. He knew it could result in physical harm, possibly death, but when held at blaster point it was the best way to retaliate. Besides, in some cases, the longer one talked, the longer one lived. Not to mention the remarks which came as though reflex to him gave time for rapid thinking.

"Well, we're in a cell again. Happy?" Jorvan asked sourly. "Not particularly, but hopefully our hosts will be more hospitable soon enough." Rhoden responded, "You're lying." Jorvan said in a resigned tone, "It's called being optimistic." Rhoden chided, "Besides I've got a backup plan." he said, leaning back as though unconcerned and placed his hands behind his head.

To anyone else, especially someone who hadn't been closely observing Rhoden, the position would have meant nothing. But Jorvan recognized the unusual position and precisely what it meant. He gave no visual or audio clue as to his understanding, though he did give near imperceptible signs of change as well.

Rhoden had placed his hands behind his head, more precisely over the back of his neck. Under the skin and well-hidden from most scanners was a piece of hardware that would, if triggered, reduce any organic matter in Rhoden's vicinity to nothing more than a cloud of vapor. Including Rhoden himself. The high-energy explosive would due little damage to anything besides Rhoden and Jorvan, but it would prevent any of the more unpleasant complications. If they were split up, Jorvan would have his own means of disallowing interrogation.

The door slid open and some rather disgusting looking food was thrown in, "Oh." Rhoden said, "At least the food here's better than on Morikin." Jorvan glared at Rhoden and picked up the food as thought it were poison--not entirely out of the realm of possibility, he supposed...

[Corran Vellar]

As the two prisoners were walked off towards their private cells Ryder joined Kota as she walk out. Once clear of eavesdroppers she finally addressed the business man and used his old name. It made his eye twitch for a moment but he recomposed himself.

“Well, m’lady,” Ryder began. “I came to make sure my last shipment of supplies arrived and that it was everything your crew needed.” He took a deep breath as the continued towards the bridge. “Secondly I came to discuss your little Inquisition, recent events have lead me to believe I may be of use as a member of it.”

He looked to the vile of Carbine’s blood in her hand. “And what is this business with the Imperial Commander?”

[Lady Kota]

She stopped mainly because she knew she wouldn't make it to the bridge. "The supplies are fine and why? Argus doesn't know that I know who you are, as far as he's concerned we've never met and I'd like to keep it that way. (Pauses) As far as Carbine is concerned he's telling the truth. All that in front of him was just for show mostly, he's got no clue who I am and again would like to keep it that way. I'm just trying to figure out what the hell he wants." She said.

Kota knew her medical people where capable of fast results, so before she would even come close to the bridge they would confirm what she already knew. Tann had made it back to the bridge and was carefully watching the prisoner, along with Kota. He wasn't sure what Corran was doing here, but if need be he would protect her.

[Rhoden Carbine]

Rhoden pulled something from a small pocket. "What's that?" Jorvan asked, eyeing the small sphere suspiciously. "It's called a toy." Rhoden said, throwing the ball at the side of the wall and catching it as it rebounded. Jorvan raised a hand to his face and took a deep breath. "Is this really the time, Rhoden?" he asked.

Rhoden raised his eyebrows in surprise, "Do you have something else to do, or a means to do it, for that matter?" he asked, smiling. Jorvan grimaced "No, I don't." he said resignedly. Rhoden's smile widened and he threw the ball again, hitting a point just above Jorvan who just shook his head and muttered something about 'immature antics'.

[Corran Vellar]

Ryder paused with Kota in the hall. “I’m all for keeping our secrets, Lady Death,” he replied, using her old name to remind her of their history. “I want to join you Inquisition as a nameless individual, like yourself. I don’t want the Empire knowing Ryder is a member. You’re one of the few sentients in the galaxy that knows I’m Force sensitive and I’d like to keep it that way.” He paused momentarily in thought before continuing. “I’ve recently been having confrontations with Sith and if I’m to have more I’d like to have Inquisitor training to back myself up.”

Ryder stroked his black beard. “As for Mr. Carbine, you could always tell him the blood test came back negative and send him on his way, it’s not like he has a sample of your blood to repeat the test.”

[Lady Kota]

She eyed him, Kota wasn't known to lie about such things. "I kinda only had the grand Inquisitor wear the helmet, it was just how I had the order drawn up. As for Carbine I will see what he wants before I pick him off my ship." She said. The only thing she was out was time at this point. Her com beeped, it was her medical officer. "The test confirmed his story." A bothans voice said over the com. She sighed at that news. "Well you can come with me or wait with Tann." She said as she headed to the cells.

On the way there she pushed her com a few times, it was a signal for a few men to meet her there. She stood at a distance from the cells when she got there. "I confirmed your story imperial, what do you want?" She asked. It was a simple question, if he didn't want to answer she wouldn't care. Either way for her she planned to have him removed from her ship. This way she would at least give him his chance to respond.

[Rhoden Carbine]

Rhoden smiled and dropped the toy into a pocket as Kota entered, "Hello again." he said. She ignored his greeting and said that the blood test had come through positive.

"Excellent!" he exclaimed, "As for what I want, well, that depends." he said, "As a member of the Carbine family you are entitled to the services of the Shadowguard, you would also have access--within reason--to other assets at our disposal." Rhoden said, "You see, the Carbines, by tradition, hold family in high esteem." Rhoden's eyes hardened, "Your father was denied what was his by right of birth and blood, as a result you have lost that too, until today, but still there is much that cannot be repaired."

Rhoden resisted the urge to pace, "The fact that my cousin lost his son, many years that could be spent together, and years too with his granddaughter. That is unacceptable." Jorvan's eyes remained fixed on Rhoden, who took a few breaths and continued on more calmly, "While I would request and suggest you give your true family a chance, given the unusual circumstances I could understand your being reluctant."

"Should you chose to investigate your family further I can provide locations to you, if you're still suspicious of me and my motives I'm sure you can find another way to contact us." Rhoden paused briefly, and sighed "Please don't deny your family. And, don't think of me as Imperial, I am here on family business. My family comes before the Empire in this regard."