Private Flint and Steel

[Tiberius Rath]

After watching the rest of the crew disembark on shore leave, Tiberius eventually stepped out himself after ensuring that his executive officer had the watch and everything in hand. It was an early lesson in an officer's career not to become overly friendly with subordinates. One wished to be both respected and liked, but this often did not entail actual friendship. As such, Tiberius made a point of avoiding drinking with any but the senior officers and enlisted and even then only on sparse occasions. Sharing in hardships with the crew and recognizing individual acts of bravery were far different than pretending to be their friend and leaving them feeling betrayed when hard choices needed to be made.

So, Tiberius joined the rest of his officers at the establishment they drifted to for but a brief moment before slipping away.

Best to let them have their fun.

Rath found a quiet, out of the way pub and sat down with a datapad in hand, sipping a cold brew, eating a fresh meat pie, and going over the requisition orders for tomorrow. There was always something that needed doing to keep a warship in working order. Tiberius enjoyed the change of scenery from his personal quarters, however temporary it might be.

Fiona Tierney

 

[Fiona Tierney]

The opportunity to stretch her legs was refreshing. Fiona didn't have anything she needed to buy but any opportunity to grab a drink and some local cuisine was always welcomed. She wasn't one to get stir crazy but the first rule of her line of work was to stay sharp and learn all she could. Heading out into port with the others gave that opportunity as well.

Moving off the beaten path that was a crush of Republic Naval personnel, she found herself drawn to a less populated pub. Looked one of those places only locals went to. Perfect. Gave her a chance to potentially glean information or make connections for another job in the future. Yet upon entering there was one Commodore Tiberius Rath sitting at the bar, reading.

Without a word, she slid into the barstool next to him. The bartender immediately came over.

"Any local ale will do, something I can't get on the path more travelled. Oh, and I'll have whatever savory pastry the gentleman next to me is having."

Speaking of gentleman, Fiona turned to grin at him. Messing with the Commodore was extremely easy. Perhaps it was the age difference. Perhaps it was due to his position in the Republic. There was something she was trying to pry from underneath the surface.

"You've been avoiding me"

 

[Tiberius Rath]

Of course the mercenary managed to track him down. He should have expected that. She certainly had the repertoire for it. Did she see him as a quarry to hunt down? Another large game animal? Tiberius grunted. Maybe he came here, away from the eyes of the crew, because he wanted her to find him. The grizzled Commodore knew himself well enough to surmise that this was the most likely explanation of his subsconscious decision making.

"Busy," Tiberius replied stiffly, "Warships do not run themselves, contrary to popular belief."

His gaze swung from his datapad to her, noting her devilish grin and restless energy. A hunter indeed.

"The fare is better than you'd think," He nodded toward the mostly finished meat pie.

Yet, almost anything would be considered a delicacy after so long on Republic rations aboard the ship.

"You strike me as a dangerous woman, Fiona. How did the Republic end up with your contract? I assume the Sith would pay more for a mercenary of your caliber."

Fiona Tierney

 

[Fiona Tierney]

"Dangerous? You give me too much credit. Just well trained."

Fiona was one of those people who did their best to matter the situation because their reputation was on the line. It was a point of pride for her to get the job done and get it done well. A competition with herself constantly to see what she could achieve next. After her mercenary career? She wasn't so sure, although she would need something with the same drive.

"This is true, Tiberius." Ale was set in front of her, along with the meat pastry. She offered a small thanks. "I do not support the notion of slavery and the Sith seem very fond of subjugating sentients for absolutely no reason but terror. Second would be the rumors I have heard about the Sith and youngsters."

Fiona let the words hang in the air.

"I am a killer. I've committed war crimes. Yet I am no psychopath. There is a morality to my method. I have to lay my head down at night Tiberius."

Picking up her fork, she cut into the pastry.

"You're right, a vessel does not run itself. I will leave you to your work."

Tiberius Rath​

 

[Tiberius Rath]

"Hmm. War crimes. You shouldn't have told me that," Tiberius grumbled, appearing to still be mid-perusal of his datapad.

"Now I have to arrest you."

Dark eyes flicked up to stare at her over the edge of his datapad and in their depths a flash of dark humor shone like light off obsidian, then he nodded at her food.

"After your meal."

Lips pursing, Tiberius set down the datapad again and picked up his drink, sipping thoughtfully, then wiping the back of his hand across his mouth, clearing the foam from his beard.

"Do you plan to lay your head down in the spaceport? We should discuss the latest you've uncovered about the saboteur."

Not a saboteur yet and perhaps not ever. Tiberius Rath did not know the officer's intentions or who he truly worked for, only that Fiona Tierney had sniffed him out and would now have the task of hauling him out like a ferret yanking a rabbit from its hole.

Fiona Tierney