Young Writers Society

Part of Sirejj was curious to see what Tarkin would do to this phindian when he got her back to the city and into a cell. He had no doubt she had some sort of plan in mind, or else she wouldn't be so carefree.

"Do you have a name?" He asked. Names gave power. It was a start to unravelling her.

"I do indeed!"

Tarkin rolled his eyes, but let them talk. Sirejj seemed to be drawing information out of her, even if it was fairly useless information.

"Would you care to share it or will that be added to the list of things we have to pry from you?" He said with a smile, as if it wasn't even a threat at all.

"I don't give my name to enemies, sorry." She returned the smile; it was a disjointed smile, as if the expression didn't come naturally to her. "How about you? Have you got a name that you'd care to share?"

He chuckled, but it was colder than before. "You're smarter than you look." She was. She was hard to read, but she was in her element now. Chatty. Playing games. Returnings his jabs like it was just fun to her. Wait till they had her in a cage.

"No, I'd like to leave my name from the record for now." He glanced at Tarkin then back to her. "Perhaps later when we're better acquainted." His last sentence had a subtle sharpness to it.

"Fair enough." Her tone cooled just slightly, but she was still comparatively upbeat. "What were you doing on Atoa, then? Anything special?"

Tarkin's jaw tightened, and he glanced at Sirejj. They were close to the house, now. He'd take the Phindian down to one of the meat freezers to question her. Let her be surrounded by his family's dead prey. Maybe that would shake her sunny disposition.

"Chasing ghosts" would have been a quippy remark if the circumstances would've been different. Since that's close to what they were doing, he refrained from making that joke.

"And that interests you why?" He replied.

"I'm a curious person. You never know what might be useful down the line!" She raised an eyebrow. "Maybe I could help you. There's no need for all the unpleasantness I'm sure the good Governor there is going to rain down on me. Maybe we can work something out."

"I think not," Tarkin said flatly.

"The best chance you have is to tell us who hired you. You may have to break some promises if your life is on the line. Then maybe."

"Again, I can't tell you. I'd love for my wellbeing to be preserved, but unfortunately that's not something I can budge on."

"I'm sure we can work something out to convince you," Tarkin said as they neared the gates.

Sirejj was curious to watch Tarkin's interrogation. He'd let him take out some anger on the Phindian first and then slip in and attempt to pry into her head.

As they neared the gates Sirejj lowered the spear so it was almost touching her. "One wrong move and you're pinned to the ground with your own weapon, just so we understand each other."

"Oh, there was never any doubt. You're a quick one--you and the Governor both. I know when I'm beaten!" She looked up at the mansion. "You have to wonder how much money went into this place. And where the money came from."

"Free labor and savvy business practices," Tarkin supplied. "And many years of making ourselves indispensable to the Core worlds."

"At least you're honest."

Sirejj found himself quite irritated at her attitude. He looked forward to questioning her if Tarkin left him anything to question.

As they entered the gates there was quite the stir. The governor was wounded and they had captured an offworld prisoner in the forest; it drew everyone's attention. Sirejj stared down anyone who appeared too curious, most knew meddling would get them in trouble. Even the servants weren't quite sure how to react. There was the pounding of boots as a detachment of guards made their way towards them.

"Take her to freezer two," Tarkin told them, passing the Phindian over. "I'll be with her shortly." He turned to Sirejj. "I'm going to medbay to have this patched up. Shouldn't take more than half an hour, but I want you to wait until I'm there to interrogate her before you go inside."

"You don't think I'd tell you everything I got out of her?" He had planned on waiting but one could never pass up an opportunity to question orders. "If you insist. I'll make sure she gets there without incident."