The Sting of the Bee

[Feena]

Traitor. Isley had once said that someone he loved was a traitor for going to The Omega Protectorate. Traitor. It was a word the former Archon of the Confederacy was all too willing to accept. After years of abuse, years of being wrung dry by the very people she worked so hard for, this was the lesser of the two evils.
Feena had put in her notice. Feena had packed up her office, her apartment. Feena had left. She was home on Imerria now. Safe. She knew her leaving would not sit well, but nobody would dare come to her out here. Not on this planet. Not with the storms. And not uninvited. They all knew what her little rock could do.

But there was one who had been invited. And this was why she was a traitor, and glad to be one.

 

[Ayden Cater]

There are some offers you cannot turn down. When a message came to his office inviting him to the world of a Confederate defector, and a high ranking one at that, Ayden simply could not let the message go unanswered. Of course there was a chance it was a trap, but as far as traps went it would have been a pretty flimsy one. As well, he had great confidence in his personal skill and power. If a fight did break out, he would be able to fight his way to safety.

Sliding into the system aboard the Stargaze, Ayden had the ship park behind the planet's moon and took a dropship down to the planet. He wasn't really sure what he would find, but he was intent on getting to the bottom of this. If there was in fact a high-ranking Confederate defector on the planet, and if they had access to Confederate files, then this could have been the break they needed to gather some much needed intel on the reclusive Confederacy and what sort of defenses it had.

Stepping off the dropship at the given coordinates, Ayden wore his usual duster and hat combination. It was much more low-profile than showing up in a high-class dignitary shuttle and wearing expensive robes. Plus, Ayden never was one for needless shows of power. So he got off and waited for whoever it was who had called him there to show themselves.

[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

Feena was waiting outside the castle personally with two droids watching over her, one of whom was her husbands protocol droid, K36215.

"K," she said as calmly as she could as the figure approached, "go inside and prepare tea for our guest."

The droid bowed it's metal head and scurried away inside, laving Feena and one security droid with the stranger. Dressed, as she always was, to impress in her favorite turquoise frock with a purple velvet duster, Feena stepped forward to offer her guest a formal greeting.

"Thank you for coming so swiftly," she said, dipping into a stiff bow to the stranger, "I am Feenarah Mason, former Archon of the Confederacy of Indepentant systems. Welcome to Imerria."

She paused as the wind picked up, blowing her thick black curls around her face.

"Oh, we best get inside. The windstorms on Imerria can be quite violent. Please follow me."

She turned with a nod and a smile, leading her guest inside the giant fairy tale castle.

[member="Ayden Cater"]

 

[Ayden Cater]

Ayden took his hat off and gave a sweeping bow, as was only customary, and righted himself with a smile. "Thank you, m'lady." There was not an ounce of condescension or mockery in his voice. He was every bit the proper emissary that he needed to be. It was a mark of respect that he kept his usual attire for the meeting, as strange as that might seem. To those he did not respect, he would indulge them in their grand, fancy attire.

Taking her invitation, he followed her into the castle, careful not to tread too close or too far. He did not seem concerned with the presence of a security droid, nor did he even seem to acknowledge its presence. Instead he let his eyes roam the corridors, scrutinizing every detail for possible clues as to who exactly he was dealing with, and perhaps why she had decided to leave the Confederacy. Were he an inexperienced man, he would take charge and begin asking questions of her. Instead, he let himself be led around and waited patiently for her to begin discussing the matter at hand at her leisure.

[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

Feena led the way, down halls that had once been lined with her husbands troops, but that was before she was Mrs. Mason. Now the halls were painted bright cheery colors, with portraits and stained glass murals, and little tables with fake flowers. Because Feena Mason was a Lady, and she liked to entertain, as rare as the opportunity arose.

"Oh, do excuse the droid," she added over her shoulder, casting a look of disapproval to the droid, "There was an... incident recently, and my safety was put into question. My husband insisted on this as a precaution."

She turned at the end of the hall into a pleasant sitting room with seating enough for any social gathering, and well lit enough to prevent any discomfort. Feena took a seat on a pretty chair with a bright red cushion, and motioned for her guest to sit as well.

"Please make yourself comfortable. A droid will be in very soon with tea. Unless you would prefer something else...?"

[member="Ayden Cater"]

 

[Ayden Cater]

"Not at all. I hardly noticed he was there." Ayden smiled at his host while walking. It was certainly an impressive abode; elegant without being gaudy; the mark of a proper high class presence. He wondered idly about what sort of incident it was. It could not have been too bad, as she walked around with only a single droid for defense, yet the attempt was enough that she apparently did not feel confident of her ability to fend off an attempt on her life. That she would meet with a stranger, one who had fought an immensely powerful woman in a public tournament. It could not, then, have been an attempt on her life. It had to have been a betrayal of some sorts. Something personal.

When they arrived in a large room with many different places to sit, Ayden took his cue and selected a modest chair to sit in opposite of her. "No; tea is fine, thank you." Ayden looked around for a moment before opting to speak. "I assume this is your home. It's lovely." It was a small compliment, but an honest one. That it carried a test to see how she reacted to small compliments in preparation for the coming dialog was purely coincidental. "Will your husband be joining us?" Another simple, honest question with a secret purpose.

[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

The truth was, Feena had been attacked. Her shoulder still occasionally throbbed from the wound left by the bullet, but she had recovered well, thanks to a group of healers (many, former students of hers) back in the Confederacy. It had been a bit rough to keep going after that. She'd spent so long looking over her shoulder, staying up late in the night, finger pressed on her blaster, waiting, ready. Then in the middle of a meeting, a member of the confederacy, a member of the same council she was on, threatened to hunt her down and kill her. In front of the entire Council.

And nobody did anything. Nobody moved to object. He was not restrained. He was not punished. They simply let him leave. It was about that time that Feena decided that she knew exactly who was trying to kill her and she was not afraid of him. There were worse things than death, after all. Being betrayed by the people you worked to defend was definitely one of them.

Feena smiled at the gracious complement, gave a polite 'thank you, how kind', and turned her gaze to the door as it slid open for K to return with an antique silver platter, arranged prettily with tea cakes and a delicate-looking tea set.

"Thank you, K. It looks wonderful."

The droid nodded and set the tray down on the glass table top. Feena smiled as the droid bowed once, and then made it's retreat.

"I'm afraid my husband is away at the moment with our daughters. We are currently looking for a different school for my eldest. She was attending the Academy on Coruscant, but, well... As things are, I'm sure you understand why I had to pull her away. Education is important, but her safety is even more so."

She reached over to pick up the tea pot with careful fingers as she spoke, slowly pouring the amber liquid into both cups.

"Do you take anything with you tea?" she asked politely, setting the pot down, "Sugar? Cream? Honey? Citrus?"

[member="Ayden Cater"]

 

[Ayden Cater]

He smiled weakly and nodded. Coruscant's sacking had affected a great many people. Still, their meeting wasn't one to dwell on such matters. "Citrus is fine, thank you." Taking from her the saucer and cup, he carefully drank from the cup. It did make him feel a little ridiculous drinking out of such a fragile piece. He felt as if it could be crushed in his hand from a sudden sneeze. But such thoughts never reached the surface. He had learned long ago the value of playing into a situation despite his personal feelings. If this was what made her happy and would earn him her trust and maybe even the information she might hold, then he would gladly sit there and drink tea all day.

Deciding that he was permitted to take the first step, Ayden set the saucer down and faced Feenarah. "If I might ask, what was it that led you to separate yourself from the Confederacy?" It was a delicate question, as he didn't want to go too far and say that she was defecting just yet. The last thing he wanted to do was to offend her. He needed her cooperation if he was ever going to bring his plans together with minimal bloodshed. The more he knew about the Confederacy, the better.

[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

Feena placed a slice of citrus on the side of his saucer, so as to allow him to add as much juice to the tea as he wished and passed it over. She then took hers, plain, and took a long sip, slowly and carefully. At his question though, Feena slowly lowered the cup and watched the man across from her with a tiny hint of a smile.

"Ah. I was wondering when you would feel comfortable enough to ask," she replied sweetly, "You needn't feel pressured to be polite to me here. Speak plainly and I will as well."

Formalities. They were good only for pleasing the public. When there was no public to please, Feena was more than happy to speak bluntly.

"You want to know the reason I left. That is a very... long story, but a simple one. I will give you the shortest version:

I put in many years of my life for this. I sacrificed my time, energy, happiness and even my health. I neglected my family and friends to make time to put everything I had into the Confederacy. I brought my department up from nothing until it was the largest branch of the Confederacy.
I did everything. And yet, when the time came, the Confederacy turned on me, abandoned me and made it very clear that now that I had given my all, I was disposable.
I was used and discarded. And that would have been something I could live with, except that I had learned that the Confederacy that I thought I had known, a place that believed in the power of peace, was just another military run organization. Did you know? During a meeting, another member of the Council promised to behead me for disagreeing with him? And he was allowed to just walk out. Nobody said anything about it. Nobody did anything, save for one, and I believe he has left as well."

Feena sighed and took another sip of tea.

"I can prove it all too. I save recordings of everything. Not that I think you would demand proof just now. You are far too polite for that, I think."
[member="Ayden Cater"]

 

[Ayden Cater]

Ayden listened, his tea remaining on the table while he did so. He knew that the Confederacy had schemed to destroy the Protectorate and divvy up her territories, but he never imagined that such brutality would extend even inward. That a high-ranking official could be threatened in a meeting and no action taken to defend her like that? Appalling. He took a moment and drank from his tea, collecting his thoughts. Murdering civilians, plotting to destroy a sovereign state, invading another state's territories and taking worlds from them, attempted mass murder, and now it seemed not even their own officials were safe.

"I must express my deepest sympathies. As time as gone on, with each fleeting meeting I've had with the Confederacy's leadership I've come to expect less and less of them, but even this... I almost wonder if it wouldn't be better if the Sith were power instead of these madmen." He shook his head in disgust. "I wish I could say that I was shocked to hear such a report, but in truth it simply confirms that which I always fears..." For a moment, Ayden seemed to battle within himself before speaking.

"Do you have any other transgressions like this? Reports of forced subjugation of worlds against their will? Executions? I've already compiled a list of things I'm aware of, but it would be extraordinarily helpful if you could add anything to it."

[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

Well! Some understanding! Some sympathy! At last. Feena smiled over her tea cup. It was so nice to talk to somebody about all of this. She'd been keeping it in for so long, not even her husband heard of this. He never approved of the Confederacy. He thought they never appreciated her.
It took this much for her to realize he was right all along.

"Executions, un-lawful bounties... I can write up a full report if that will make it simple," she offered, "There is quite a bit to cover and I would be more than happy laying it all out in a more official manner."

She took a long sip of her tea. He had not yet asked what she wanted out of all of this and she was more than willing to leave that until later. It would not be polite to be the first to bring it up.

[member="Ayden Cater"]

 

[Ayden Cater]

[member="Feena Mason"]

He opened his mouth to speak when his wrist device began to beep. Normally he'd simply silence the thing and continue, but this was an alert coming on a very specific channel. The look he gave Feena was a very, very grace one. "I don't suppose you're expecting more company?" Tapping his comm, Ayden looked back at Feena warily. "Sir, five Confederate warships just dropped out of hyperspace. Damn near crushed us when they came out. It looks like they're deploying dropships to the surface. I recommend you evacuate the surface now, sir."

Calmly he closed the comlink. "So. What am I to believe now?" He held one hand open at his side, his lightsaber snapping into his hand in an instant. "So which is it; you've gone and laid a trap for me, or they're here to keep you from talking?" He made no move to activate his weapon, or brandish it in any aggressive manner. He simply stared at the woman like one might expect a lion to look at a deer before the chase.

 

[Feena]

When mister Carter received his warning about incoming ships, Feena got a similar one through her own communication device from the protocol droid.

"Madam."
"K?"
"I recommend you evacuate immediately."

Her face turned to Aden, a mask of complete horror. She did not need to ask why. She could hear it all from his comm. Her face went white, she jumped up to her feet at the word 'Confederacy', dropping the teacup so it smashed to bits on the ground.

"They... they really do mean to kill me," she said out loud in disbelief, "I can hardly..."

Keter, Felicity, Celeste and the rest of the family were away. The only one she had to worry about was K. She could get her husbands favorite droid out of here easily. But her records, recordings... baby pictures of Celeste and Felicity. She didn't have long to collect those, and once confederacy forces landed, she could not be sure she could ever come back.
She snapped herself out of her state of shock. Now was not the time for this.

"You have to help me. In my office. I have files saved about my time in the confederacy. Important files. I must get to those."

[member="Ayden Cater"]

 

[Ayden Cater]

In that moment, Ayden decided he could believe her. That look of abject horror; that was not a look that someone could fake on command. It seemed as though the Confederacy really had come to plug any holes and tie up loose ends. He tossed the lightsaber up and let it fall down one of his sleeves where it found a holding plate. "Then let's go. We don't have any time to waste." He ran after her, mentally counting down how long they would have before the Confederacy's ground forces arrived and complicated things.

As they ran, he began to type out orders onto the wrist device. The dropship he had used to land with lifted off and retreated to a defensible position. With any luck, the Confederacy would miss it and they could use it to flee after the Confederate troops were dealt with. Even so, it was going to be extremely difficult to dock with the Stargazer with Confederate warships in orbit. In the end, they'd probably have to fight their way out.

[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

She didn't need any further urging. The moment his lightsaber was away, Feena motioned for him to follow her and hurried out of the room, holding the long skirt of her dress so she would not trip.

"Up here," she urged, making her way to the massive stair case, "My office is on the second floor."

They had to be quick. She climbed the stairs, skipping steps here and there. It was so undignified, especially in front of a guest, but there was no time for formalities. Once at the top, she took a left and went down the hall, stopping at the end at a large antique-looking wooden door. she punched in a seven-number long code, forced the door open and slid inside.

"While I download these files, I need you to do something for me," she requested, bending over the terminal, "In the bottom drawer, over there, I need you to grab the box inside. It's very important."

[member="Ayden Cater"]

 

[Ayden Cater]

[member="Feena Mason"]

Ayden nodded and ran to fetch the box. He didn't bother opening it or even attempting to inspect it in any meaningful way. He was more concerned with the approaching Confederate troops. In his mind he tried to think of a benign or peaceful reason that they would show up... in force... unannounced... The list wasn't forming. Either they had a shockingly poor grasp on manners or they were coming to try and silence her. And what would they do when they found Ayden there? Would they stand aside while a foreign head of state attempted to move past? It was not a comfortable question and he let his hand brush against the lightsaber at his side for comfort.

"I'm normally not one to rush, but how long is this going to take?" Ayden shouted back to Feena as he looked around, expecting Confederate troops to come barging in at any moment. Ayden wouldn't have been too concerned with the idea of squaring off against several dozen troopers on most days. Of course, normally Ayden would have had his armor and a proper plan. He didn't have a proper escape route, he didn't know how many enemies were coming or what they were armed with. He wasn't even sure what warships the Confederacy had up in orbit. They could have been frigates or a bunch of Lucrehulks. "The sooner we get out of here, the better."

 

[Feena]

The rushing... was not helping anything. Every time Feena mistyped a number, the system made her start all over, so being careful was key here.
"I'm almost there...."
A final stroke of the key, and Feena had at last transferred the data from her terminal to a datastick.

"Alright, you grabbed the box? Perfect."

What was inside that wooden box, Feena did not explain. Nothing that would change the Galaxy, nothing that would save them now. But if they made it out, Feena would at least have this. She did not know when it would be safe to return to Imerria. She didn;t know when she would see the castle again. So she needed to take this.
Inside were Feenas most prized posessions, her daughters baby blankets; hand stitched with love and embroidered with each girls initials, Felicitys favorite toy when she was younger, pictures, her wedding bouquet; now dried out and crumbling, love letters from Keter, as well as some from previous lovers, and other odds and ends. Important to nobody else, but the Mason family.

"Let's go," she said, sticking the data stick safely in a pocket of her robe, "We can take the servants passage. This way."

She led him down the hall again, through one door, into another hall, this one much less well decorated. Feena and Keter never did have any servants, save for droids, so there really was no need to decorate. The service elevator was just ahead.

[member="Ayden Cater"]