Cascka returns to Jerry's office, still perfectly preened and perfectly composed. Now that he had a firm grasp of who Cascka's mother was, Jerry was evaluating her with different eyes.
This wasn't just manners. This was a lifetime of discipline and a very, very careful upbringing by a mother who, if she was even half honest, had slithered through the halls of power in the galaxy since before the Current Era in human history. Thousands of years of skill and experience.
He almost found himself wishing he could see her conversations with Sir Philip and Admiral Cistern. This was a being who could give both men a run for their money, and a tantalizing glimpse as the real power in the universe... and for all her possible malice she was still a doting mother, clearly out for yet more in what had to be a legion of grandchildren. Not unlike his own Catholic mother before she'd passed come to think of it. How big was Rikaxza's dynasty? Would her own child even know? Would she tell him?
Jerry busies himself making green tea for his guest. He'd found that many aliens would stand, and even enjoy the stronger green tea brew known as sencha that he'd picked up a taste for during his time in Japan, and some, like Nagasha, were generally just fine with the yet higher grade matcha.
Jerry quickly whisks together some of the frothy beverage, handing the cup to her with the same western style saucer she'd been using earlier. Purely a practicality in an office situation that was semi formal like this. It wouldn't do to have one's guest spill on themselves.
Cascka bows her head. "Thank you for this, I must say, I find your humility and willingness to serve one who would serve you most... enlightening about your species. I have heard many things about humans, but it seems there are as many facets of your kind as there are stars in all the heavens. A most... vibrant and fascinating vein of life, an undreamed of diversity I imagine has been brought around by the harshness of your cruel space."
A strange look crosses Cascka's face as she slowly sips her tea, as if trying to decide if she should say anything further before settling on silence.
Jerry took his place on the other side of the desk and considered the young woman before him. Measured, considerate... but he was getting an interesting vibe from Cascka. Like she was consulting some sort of play book. Almost like... she was a nerd squad member. Once the thought occurred to him, it all fit.
She managed to make her social awkwardness into a virtue via grace and restraint, an altogether different technique than Sir Phillip had taught the nerds. She simply would not let others rush her... at least in a controlled circumstance. She was clearly putting her best... coil? forward, as part of a job opportunity. Jerry would be interested to see how Cascka would react when she was caught off balance or was rushed by circumstance... her mother did say she lacked a spine... but to Rikaxza that could mean all manner of things such as not being willing to kill or make hard calls like Rikaxza clearly could.
They continue to sip tea in silence for a moment. She doesn't feel the need to fill the air with meaningless talk, and so they sit, slowly evaluating each other, until the tea is drunk, and Jerry refills both their bowls. Finally, he begins to speak.
"Thank you for your patience madam, I felt I needed a moment of respite before properly continuing our discussion, and I did not want to leave you waiting in my outer office, you are an honored guest, and a candidate for my senior staff after all. Plus you enjoyed the tea previously. Or you seemed to. Is it to your liking?"
When Cascka smiles it's with her eyes as well as her mouth, the serpentine woman could light up the room, and that, at least, was a behavior that seemed all Cascka and not whatever coaching she'd received.
"Yes Captain, it's excellent. You called it matcha? I do hope someone is growing this glorious plant off Earth, I'd like to consume it often, and I'm afraid shipments from cruel space will be outside of my budget even if you do select me for this position."
"I think we're all in that boat for now, but yes, I've had the appropriate plants added to our hydroponics facility, and there's plenty of storage. Many men and women aboard the Dauntless take comfort in this simple tea as a way to relax. It and other creature comforts, along with necessities like the drink we call coffee were laid in for a very long journey, longer than we've been through even now... which is a good sign considering we were pretty much expecting to all die on the trip."
That got Cascka's attention, just like Jerry had hoped. "Oh my. You all... came out to the wider galaxy expecting to die?"
Jerry nods "It was a near thing too, if we hadn't armed the Dauntless we'd have been in serious trouble when the pirates pounced on us. The galactic government's about as toothless as the closest thing we have to a comparable global organization back home on Earth. One man got taken, but managed to escape his captors."
"Pirates." Cascka practically spits the word. "I had heard that humanity had some run-ins with their ilk on the news. Not that I had much of a chance to watch the news, but it seemed to be all anyone could or would talk about for some time there. Humans in general too once word about your species' unique features came to light."
"Not you, though?"
Cascka's skin grows dark in a way that Jerry knows to equate with a blush in Nagasha.
"Well, this is not to say I wasn't interested or curious... but I try not to be a gossip, Commander. It's an unpleasant trait in all people. Besides, the gossips didn't actually know anything of substance, they only had vague ideas and guesses. Like, there was a summary about humanity after your initial classification that suggested your people had been attacked shortly on leaving cruel space, taking dozens, if not hundreds as slaves. Now we know only two men have been captured, and both were only captured temporarily."
"Still seems like a lot of information for random office gossip."
"I... didn't say it was in my workplace did I?"
Cascka's nerves seem to be getting the better of her, her grip white knuckled on her mug of tea before she takes a steadying sip of tea.
"Captain, I must ask a small favor of you."
Jerry holds back his sigh of relief. If she'd lied to him, he'd have given her a second chance on revealing he knows her lineage, but she'd have been on thin ice for getting the job. Thankfully, Jerry found he had indeed had a good read on the young woman. If you could call someone potentially centuries older than you 'young'.
Jerry sets that nightmare rabbit hole aside of wondering if he qualifies as jail bait for most of his wives, and gives Cascka his full and detailed attention.
"Anything for my crew Cascka."
"I must ask for your discretion. What I'm about to say, it mustn't leave this room."
He nods quietly, and Cascka withdraws a small device from her purse, quickly triggering it.
"This is a scrambling unit. Generally I don't recommend them for all but the highest of security conversations, as it can clue people in that there's something worth listening to happening if you are under surveillance. I am aware you will almost certainly ask me for blueprints for your intelligence officers to use, and will gladly provide them for you, regardless of the outcome of this interview. They are not available on the open market, as my mother's... organization, designed and built them."
Cascka takes another slow sip of tea.
"My mother's name is Rikaxza. She is the mistress of the Seven Tails of the Nagasha, of which you have had a brief clash with one of its sub clans. While I regret the deaths of my sisters, they were cruel without restraint or discipline, unlike my mother, who wields cruelty as a weapon. She is an... extreme woman. Some of my sisters fail to learn the whole breadth of her lessons on how to... more or less rule part of the galaxy."
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"So you're a princess of a sort."
"Of a crime family I suppose, but I have foregone all claims to the ‘throne’ so to speak. I am a civilian by the terms of her organization. I do not even have a family name anymore. I ah... this is quite personal, but I would not hide it from you if you're to trust me and command me. I... am squeamish about killing. I am a skilled adept. Skilled in the axiom battle arts among others, it's why you seek me after all, but when I was small, some women from a lesser clan that did not understand the power they nibbled at attempted to kidnap me. I was scared. Terrified. Calling on the power has always been easy for me. Easier still than it was for some of my sisters after decades of study. I snapped their necks without even a blink."
"Sounds like a perfectly clean instance of self defense to me."
The Nagasha woman offers Jerry a mournful look.
"It was. Mother's lawyers didn't even need to "lean" on anyone. It was barely investigated... and it made my heart weep. Not for my assailants, they made their choice, and were I not capable even then, goddess only knows what fate could have awaited me. I likely would have been rescued... but if the math didn't add up for the expenditure of resources..." Cascka shudders. "I mourned for the loss of innocence I experienced, and I mourned for a galaxy that could let life slip through its hands so easily. It's so easy to kill... so many barely even bother living it seems. I'm not a pacifist... but my mother's work is... beyond what I can do. I respect her, but I joined the monastery to seek inner peace. Now. With you and your ship, I hope to see something of the universe, and perhaps do a bit of living."
Well, that more or less settled things for Jerry, the woman was either a phenomenal actress or entirely in earnest, both could be entirely valuable.
"Well it's nice to hear a sensible voice about killing outside of Cruel Space."
Jerry's comment was simple, and designed to get a bit of a reaction, he wants to know what she knows about him... and Cascka didn't disappoint. It was a good thing that the young lady in question didn't want to go into her mother's line of work, because she wears her heart on her sleeve. Jerry's smile draws a flustered expression from the serpentine alien. His axiom senses weren't great still, but he could see the energy shifting around her.
"I... am very pleased to hear you say that Captain, but I'm rather surprised as well. I have... well."
"Seen the security footage of my shoot out in the plaza with your sisters I assume."
Cascka does her best to look apologetic. "Yes."
"Rikaxza getting them for you doesn't surprise me. But allow me to further comment on the contents. I took a staggering amount of life there, along with my wives. I'm still not quite dealing with killing, or abetting the deaths of that many sapient life forms. Killing should always be hard. Life is cheap in this galaxy where immortality is but a short nap away. I share your concerns that people in the wider galaxy end lives too easily... but then, there will always be people who kill with ease. Whether here, or in Cruel Space, and that is a tragedy."
"I am... relieved to hear you say that. I know my mother was saying that you'd surprise me, but the martial record of humanity since leaving cruel space is... impressive to say the least."
"Better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war. I like to believe the Undaunted at least as a faction of humanity only offer what we are given. Open hands are met with open hands. Closed fists with closed fists. I'm no pacifist, but I'd like nothing more than to live a peaceful life. We will do what we must to protect ourselves, our shipmates and our families. I respect your positions Cascka, you are not joining us as a soldier... but I'd like to know I can count on you to defend us as we'll defend you."
A small riot of emotions plays across Cascka's face, settling on a firm, mature conviction. "Yes Captain, you can count on me."
Jerry nods slowly, considering her words. "Good. You know all the details about the position, but I have a question about your application. It says here that you have been certified a master in more axiom techniques and methods than I knew existed. Albeit that's a low bar to clear."
"Yes, I have mastered numerous axiom disciplines in my time at the Grand Monastery. I am most adept at the weaving of Axiom energy, but I wield it as efficiently as any other axiom user."
She waves her hand and conjures a bright green flame, briefly illuminating Jerry's office.
"I have even been afforded the opportunity to study Apuk warfire in detail, though I am pledged to keep that secret by the battle princess who instructed me. It's rather difficult without the natural way that the Apuk interact with axiom, but it's entirely doable with enough talent and discipline."
"I see, that's excellent, exactly what we really need. All Undaunted troopers are to receive basic Axiom training, and I fully intend to make a full go of it. I've always enjoyed martial arts, and I'll not miss a martial art that allows me to throw fireballs around and punch through tanks."
"You're quite competent from what I saw of the security footage. Crude. But perfectly serviceable. I'm sure with careful refinement I'll be certifying you as master within a year or two. Many of you humans have shown incredible growth in axiom. The leading theory is you've all got something of an imagination for it... and because you've lived without it all your lives, you can more easily sense and pull on axiom. It leaves you with something of an internal weak point as you're limited somewhat to axiom in the environment, but in many ways that's a benefit, and will balance out over time."
"Really? Only a year or two?"
Jerry raises an eyebrow and Cascka eagerly nods.
"Oh yes. I'd have to observe you in person of course, but your acceleration ability alone, while hard to perceive, shows some excellent technique already. If I may ask, what inspired such movement? I'm fascinated to learn how you reached this stage in training without formal instruction."
"Oh. Uh." Jerry blushes. "There was a TV show I really liked in school where a lot of the abilities I tried were showcased. I also enjoyed sci-fi and fantasy novels like many of the men who came on this mission. While I'm not nearly as methodical as say, Franklin Smith, whose exploits I'm sure you've heard of, once we had the basic techniques and ideas of what we could do thanks to Smith and his colleague Vernon Shay, it was just a matter of taking the tools and working my way there. I've spent most of my life training with various skill sets and weapons. This is just another tool."
Cascka nods slowly, deep in thought. "Yes, a mix of visualization, prior ideation and as you say, being a student of skills... Yes, I think I see where some of the prodigious talent humans show for axiom is coming from. Not so much a natural gift so much as a consequence of extensive training in multiple disciplines. Sensible. I'd like to see this TV show as well." There's a gleam in her eye now that Jerry doesn't fail to notice as Cascka departs on a tangent about visualization and axiom use.
A scratch of Jerry's pen on paper interrupts her train of thought as he passes her a contract. "Well, based on all this Cascka, I'm prepared to offer you the title of Axiom Master for the Crimson Tear. No military rank, and you will receive due compensation as a civilian specialist. However the five year commitment remains, and I understand if you..."
Cascka immediately picks up the pen and signs the contract. "Shall I swear my oath now Captain? I've made my choice. I have stood alone for long enough."
"No, I think we'll save it for a mass swearing in of new civilian staff in the near future if that's alright with you." Jerry takes the document and runs it through a small scanner built into his desk for electronic filing.
"Captain, I do have one other thing to address with you, now that I'm in your service."
"Go on."
"My mother has heartily encouraged me to make this move, and has reminded me extensively to write to her and my father. While I would like to, as I love my parents. I suspect that she's using me as something of a spy. I am... not quite sure what I should do about that."
Jerry takes that onboard, perfect. Exactly what he'd hoped for. Not only did she know, she brought the potential compromise to his attention.
"No secrets here Cascka. Your mother was that priority transmission that came in just now."
Cascka lets out a groan familiar to teenagers with overbearing parents the galaxy over. The young woman had clearly been expecting this, but was still frustrated.
"Goddess's veil. Do I even want to know what she said?"
"Nothing bad. We had a frank conversation about a variety of things, you were one of those subjects. I asked if you were a spy, and she said no. Mostly. She was very clear that she hoped to gain a better understanding of humanity through your daily life with us. I have no desire to keep one of my people from writing to her parents, and our culture is hardly anything we need to hide."
"Ah. Phew. I had thought she might have mentioned my love life or something."
"Oh... she uh, mentioned she thought you and I would be a smart match romantically. Several times actually."
"I fucking knew it!" Cascka delicately holds a hand to her lips, clearly embarrassed after that outburst. "Oh. Excuse me Captain."
"No, I think that's fair enough under the circumstances." Jerry grins. "Well, Master, care to join me for lunch? I can introduce you to some of the other senior staff, then we can see about getting you a billet so you can go retrieve your things and embark."
"Muh-master?"
"Well you are going to be my instructor, that is the appropriate title from student to instructor if I was studying under you at the Grand Monastery is it not?"
"I. Well. Yes. Uhm. Lunch. Lunch sounds good."