Best Kept Secrets [Cadan]

[Tari Gasha]

[January 17th, 2523 - Approx 2am]

They had taken on James, Cadan and Layla back on the fourteenth on Persephone. Layla was James' little sister and apparently dating Cadan in some fashion. It was an interesting situation to say the least. Things were definitely different with Cadan from what she remembered last she saw him. Luckily for the both of them they each had similar secrets that they preferred to keep kept. So neither of their covers were blown. Tari had no idea what the little Layla knew about her new beau, chances were though it wasn't much at least in that sense.

She'd given him a couple days to settle in on the ship and of course when they were far from planet-side before she made a request of him. Tari had slipped him a note to meet her in the cargo bay. Sidney, Roger and her all knew there were things they didn't know about this job. Since she knew Cadan she knew chances were he would at least know a little more than them.

Tari was wearing her normal gettup for her nightly work-outs, no need to dress up any for mister Ashdown, though she had grabbed her widely unused dagger and brought it with her. She wasn't one for violence unless there was no other choice, this was business and choices were low right now. She'd come to care in her own sort of way about this crew and she would do what she needed to get the information that might be the difference between life and death.

She wouldn't actually kill or even hurt Cadan if it all could be helped. He didn't know that though, despite the fact that they had crossed paths on many occasions he didn't know her very well personally.

The thief heard Cadan approaching, she ceased her routine and waited. Leaning against the stairs up to the catwalk grinning. "Good morning Mister Ashdown, very lovely to see you, as always." It sounded like a nice greeting, but there was an annoyed undertone in her voice. "Been a long time since I saw ya last, seems lots has changed. Got yourself a little girlfriend now huh." Tari pushed herself off the stairs and walked toward him, starting to circle him. Both to make him possibly uncomfortable and to cure her need to not sit still. "The Captain's little sister at that! Rather convenient don't ya think?" She laughed with the last of her words to him. It seemed a little too convenient in fact, she was suspicious of that fact.

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Outfit

[Cadan Ashdown]

Cadan was worried about this little meeting. Tari knew his secrets just as he knew hers this was going to be quite the little game. She could expose him but if she did for sure he would do the same. She had been with the crew though, built some trust maybe even gone as far as pretending to be friend with them.

As soon as he walked in he was assaulted by her. Her tone suggested she still held a dislike for him, but it was mutual. Then the circling, like a shark coming in for the kill. Cadan scowled as she continued. "She 'as nuffin' ter do wif this."

Cadan stepped forward in to her path that she was walking to circle him. "I would prefer ya keep quiet abaht the bleedin' past. if ya Kin' Deaf a Dicky Bird abaht me your secret will be aahhht as 'eaven and 'ell." He told her with almost a bark. The his scowl drifted and went to a straight face.

"We can always ask me ol chum Rider wot 'e knows abaht the bloomin' Bo-le Of Glue of us. Na can't we?" She would know that Rider is who he works for and that he would be able to out Tari for what she is. Then Again it was only a bluff, by now his letter had reached Rider and Cadan would be on the outs with him.

He had to do something and the bluff would be the best he had. She wouldn't dare cross that line would she? No, They would Airlock her for sure if they knew her whole past. Here even she had to be here to just take advantage of the situation. Probibly even stole from the Duke himself. She was that type you know, the one that could never get enough.

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Deaf a Dicky Bird = Keep Quiet
'eaven and 'ell = well
Bo-le Of Glue = Two

[Tari Gasha]

Tari was amused, she had struck a chord with him. Perhaps the situation was just an odd coincidence. Cadan seemed to genuinely care for the girl. She grinned at his defensiveness about her. "Wai! Calm down there dear Cadan. I'm not threatening your girl."

She moved around him when he stepped in her path so that she kept moving. Her grin warped into a wide smile as she turned to face him. "I'm not looking to out ya either, an' I'll take it as a kindness that you take care to not do the same to me. Else all bets are off. I suspect you have more to lose in that situation." She was betting her words on the chance that Layla knew nothing about Cadan's extracurricular activities.

Yeah Tari knew the Duke, hell she'd met him in person awhile back. Another damn crime lord that had too much power, if you asked her that is. "You know full well that you or I ain't nothing to folks like Rider,' She spat his name like it was a bad taste in her mouth, 'The man reminds me of that Mei Yong Ma Duh Tse Gu Yong, Minerva Colt. 'Cept he's a political figure to boot."

No she had no plans of dealing with the Duke, no more than she had to at least. Tari just wanted to know what they were getting into. "You see Cadan. The entire purpose for this little meet an' greet is that I'm pretty sure you know something that we don't. An' while it's surely out of character for me, I tend to give a damn about these people on this ship." The undertone of anger fell into her voice again, the thought of harm coming to them. The thief glared at the man in front of her and moved closing the distance between them. "If you got any idea what in the gorram hell is really going on with this job you might do well to let me in on it. 'cos if one of them gets hurt over this, you can bet your ass that I'll hold you fully responsible." Her words were a whisper of rage and promise of pain. Tari wasn't one for violence but in this case if something happened she might well break her promise of never killing anyone.

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Wai = Hey
Mei Yong Ma Duh Tse Gu Yong = Motherless goat of all motherless goats

[Cadan Ashdown]

Every word from Tari's mouth was raising Cadan's temper like being hurled toward the sun. Sure she wasn't threatening Layla, at least not to harm her, but she was more then willing to use her against him. Everyone had their weakness. At least those of us who are human. This, this woman, no she-devil on the other hand cared for nothing but herself. What made her happy on this day, on a whim it would change though and she would stab the whole crew in the back.

'Care for them, Ha.' She wasn't fooling anyone but herself. She was right though he had more insight in this then any of them. To much insight in fact. This job was doomed from the moment SIdney had contacted Rider. Cadan now was the gatekeeper to it all. A few words and he could save them alot of trouble but it would certenly spell disater for him and Layla as well. "Alwigh'. Alwigh'. This Corn on the Cob aint wot it seems. the duke 'as far more at stake then a few documents."

There was a bit of hesitation before he went on any further."If things Scapa Fla saarf just get aahhht of there and cut your losses before someone get killed alwigh'." Cadan's hands balled in to fists. He wanted to strike at her but even in his anger he couldn't bring himself to do it. He instead lossened his fist and quickly reached up to the back of her head pulling her head to the side leaning in to her ear and wispering. "I Lord Mayor if ya Ness this up. I will make Bobby ya pay for it Ya understand."

There was no question by the sound of his voice that he was willing to take any action needed to make sure this all played in his favor. He didn't want things to go down like they will but he had no choice.

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Corn on the Cob = Job
Scapa Fla = Go
Lord Mayor = Swear
Ness = Mess
Bobby = Sure

[Tari Gasha]

Tari could tell she was making him angry, good, she was angry too. Though her intent wasn't to anger him, just let him know that things were different with her too. He wasn't the only one who could change. She listened to him, his words, vague details. Things they had already assumed.

Before she could reply to his furthering words he put his hands on her. While surprised of course it made her rage even worse, to lengths she had rarely felt. Tari reached for Cadan's wrist, twisting herself from his hold, uncaring whatever hair she lost in the process. She used his own wrist to control his movements, making him turn his back to her as she pulled her knife from her waist. Pressing the cold metal against his throat, careful not to make him bleed..yet.

The thief had her own words to whisper in his ear except it was louder than a common whisper, "Don't you ever put your hands on me again Cadan Ashdown. You got no more need on this boat, your job is done. You're just along for the ride and while your precious Layla may miss you. I'm sure the men who find themselves a bit overprotective of her won't miss you a bit." The anger and rage were stressed in every word that left her mouth.

Tari hadn't intended to get physical or violent with the man but he pushed her, and pushed her in the wrong direction. She took a deep breath before gathering herself and pushed him away. Putting some distance between them before she did something she would end up regretting. "Gorram it Cadan! I ain't looking for a fight and I ain't lookin' to mess up your plans...just don't, don't touch me." She stumbled a bit with her words, trying to bring down her temper.

[Cadan Ashdown]

As she wipped herself around him he quickly let go of her head. He had no intent to fight, no even if she didn't have a knife he wasn't likely to win. He wasn't a fighter, he relied on wits for battle and this battle was quickly turning from wits in a direction he wasn't ready for.

Little of her words actually made it in to his thoughts at this point. Though he was starting to finally get it she cared for someone or something on this ship. She had her reasons for staying and he his own. After she got done making her threats she pushed him off.

Stummbling forward Cadan was ready to take an action he had to, to resolve the situation and his opportunity was hanging right there in front of him in the means of the hatch control for the crane. One botton press and it was all over. He would be done for to but if it was his life or both of theirs he might as well be ready to do it.

He turned to face her before reaching for anything. "Ya 'eaven and 'ell fin' ya wanna try me tari?" A sheepish grin crossed his face not even the slightest bit of fear showing through. Though he was full of fear he wouldn't be able to do it but he could bluff with the best. He grabbed the control. "Drop the Drum and Fife or we bof Scapa Fla for a sugar and spice lil' space chalk."

"Wot do ya say we figure this aahhht then." He was more then willing to negotiate a truce here. They had little choice at this point really. She came at him with the knife and they both would be making their grand exit. Wit not muscle thats what it came down to, and wit was where he excelled.


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'eaven and 'ell = Really
Drum and Fife = Knife
Scapa Fla = Go
Suger and Spice = Nice
Chalk = Walk

[Tari Gasha]

Tari's breathing was ragged and short, like she'd run a marathon. The adrenalin ran through her body with no outlet. She looked up at Cadan when he spoke, she was leaning against the stairs again. Her words were staggered while she tried to catch her breath, "If I's gonna kill ya Cadan I woulda just now, but you can plainly see I haven't."

Tired, she was tired. Tari slid down the cold metal of the stairs to sit on the floor, dropping the knife next to her, but not so far that she couldn't grab it. Her eyes never left Cadan, watching his actions closely. Despite the seriousness in his voice she didn't believe he'd actually pull the trigger, so-to-speak. She rolled her eyes at him, "Is what I was tryin' to do, then you went and put your hands on me."

The anger was still there, mixed with the rage. It wanted blood, Cadan's blood to be exact. Tari worked to keep it from taking over, but it had gotten close when she had the dagger at the man's throat. "Jus stay over that'away and we'll get along jus fine for now Cadan." She didn't trust herself at this very moment.

[Cadan Ashdown]

Cadan was beginning to wish he had brought a gun with him to this meeting. She was down right crazy. She didn't kill him because that would be to much explaining. What would she do dump him in to space and not mention it. Like no one would notice or something. Yeah she was stuck with him till they got to New Cannan.

At this point they had little choice but to talk it out. Find some comprimise that will leave them both happy, and alive. "Alwigh', Rider needs this job ter get done so that a certian politiction gets nicked. if things daan't Scapa Fla wite I am dead." He was forth coming with that part. "I'm not the only wahn at risk 'ere either." He wasn't going to explain that any further. Truth be told they were all at risk.


He let go of the control and flopped to the floor as his nerves calmed. He let himself slide all the way on to his back looking up at the ceiling. If she was going to kill him she wouldn;t get away with it at least. "I'll 'elp wif the bleedin' stealin the bloomin' document. sum extra mince pies ter keep things quick 'ey? Really even that would stop what was comming they were going to kidnap the fake companion, and if that didn't happen the job wouldn't be complete. That had to happen for the Duke to be happy. If they got her back after that he didn't care. The Alliance's spys had to be there and see the companion get picked up so they could follow.

"Whatever 'appens i'll 'elp aahhht as West I can." That was the best he could offer right now. He just hoped she would accept it. SHe had no choice about it. He wasn't going to say anymore.

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Nicked = Arrested
Scapa Fla = Go
Mince pies = Eyes
West = Best

[Tari Gasha]

Tari had never been in this particular situation, one where the level of anger and rage was so high that it nearly took over. She felt like a different person at the moment and she definitely didn't like this person. That's why she had told Cadan to stay over where he was. She continued to try and catch her breath while he talked, explaining a little more about the job.

So his life was on the line, and apparently he wasn't alone. Which could mean that the crew might die too if the job went south, depending on the Duke's mood at the time. She sighed, Cadan may not be her favorite person but she didn't want him to die. "If there's going to be another politician there, I'll probably need the back-up on getting in and out, so thank you." She mused about the possibilities the job was expanding into.

The level of security will definitely be higher than they had expected, better class of men too probably. Politicians had money to burn and some were paranoid enough to want an entire Alliance cruiser following them around all the time. Hopefully this guy wasn't that bad off. Tari grinned at Cadan, "I think we'll get along famously. It'll be different to work with ya than against ya."

[Cadan Ashdown]

It seemed they were finally working toward an agreement of sorts he had given her everything bit of information he was willing to part with really. Once they were on New Cannan maybe things would work out. No one had to get hurt and they could get their crew member back. All that mattered was that the Alliance had sent out its tail hopefully and they would see what was going on there.

"I guess we can make this work." He replied to her with a bit of a laugh. Like they had much choice really. There was no reason really that they couldn't, as long as they both could keep themselves from over reaching. A good first step though we be to make sure not to touch her. "Wot exactly was aw the bleedin' excitement abaht at first? seems we bof might be a lil' touchy these days." Again he laughed not really expecting an answer. Yeah that was way to much fuss over all this.

At leastnow they both knew their secret was safe with the other for the time being. Now to keep focused on the job ahead and get this over with so that him and Layla would be safely out of the Dukes hands.

[Tari Gasha]

Tari was starting to calm down some, finally, she was catching her breath just fine now. Some of her anger subsided too, bonus. Luckily Cadan seemed ok with the fact that they would be working together on the job. Especially now that she knew security was probably going to be a pain in the ass. More eyes the better on that point.

She sighed at his rhetorical question, "Things change it seems. Even for us lowly thieves eh?" Tari hesitated a moment, she felt as though she needed to make something clear to him and hopefully he would hear her this time. "I do care about these people Cadan, in my own way. It's a new thing for me so I'm still learning how it all works, being with folks for an extended time."

Standing up and stretching, it was time for her to get back to work. "I appreciate the meeting, and the keeping quiet. Don't know how my little set-up will change after the job though, so I'd like to enjoy it while it lasts yeah?" That was her way of telling him they were done here, he could go. She had left her knife where it was, since there was no need for it any longer.

She let out a deep breath once he had left the cargo bay. Tari went back to her routine work-out. Silently worrying about how the job would affect her standing on the Trinity and wondering what all she should tell Sidney about what she'd learned from Cadan.