Cosen Greshh
I cough some more. "We...we found him! We found him!" I clutch my side. "The Empire was conducting some experiment on Obroa-skai. Gathering up the orphaned children there for gods know what. Gendry was one of them."
Ava Cadera
"And your father liberated the place?"
Cosen Greshh
I narrow my eyes. "My father destroyed the placed. There were no children left to save by the time he arrived. The things that remained in their place did not live long. My mother was the one who found Gendry." I look sad as I think about the memory. "He was the only one left, locked away in a cell all by himself. Gavin and I were only about 8 or 9 years old at the time, and Gendry was even younger. He was so alone and afraid... mom insisted on taking him home." I look up, my exression hardening once again. "He wasn't the monster he is today! I don't know what happened! He was more level headed than me or Gavin. Mischievous, but... not sadistic. Then, last year when all of this started, he changed."
Ava Cadera
"Spare me the sob story. I care little for who Gendry was. He's a feral creature now, and we'll put him down the first chance we get. Consider that Tor gra'tua for your father." I turn and walk back towards a metal cabinet and start searching inside.
Cosen Greshh
I sit up, defiance in my face. "You think its that easy? Just like you think taking Coruscant will be easy?" I spit blood onto the floor. "I wish you luck. Truly, I do. You'll need it."
Ava Cadera
I turn around, catching Temari's eye and silently ordering her not to strike Cosen again. I had this handled. To Cosen, I ask, "Have you ever heard the concept of a Mandalorian Battle Slave? In wars past, Mando'ade would take captives from all worlds they conquered. Typically, the slaves were used to carry weapons and armor, spare ammo packs, rations... basically anything that needed carrying. Other slaves were used as sport; forced to fight each other, or sent out into the woods to be hunted." I find what I was looking for in the cabinet. "But a Battle Slave was a very special type. In certain circumstances, when it was deemed a situation was too dangerous to risk an Mando'ade life on, they would arm their slave with weapons and send them instead." I walk over to Cosen and show her what I'm holding; a slave collar. "So, here is what I'm going to do. I'm going to strap this onto you, and maybe onto your brother if he ever regains his strength, and I'm going to send the both of you in as part of the vanguard."
Cosen Greshh
I straighten. "You can't be serious."
Ava Cadera
"Ori'haat. Deathly serious." I unclasp the collar and hold it close to Cosen's face. "You know, I've heard your mother is quite familiar with these. Good thing you inherited her slender neck." I clip the collar around her neck. "Now, there is the plan. When we reach Coruscant, Temari here is going to take you down to the surface. You are going to find your Revolution buddies, and you are going to rally them against their Republic oppressors. Start riots in the streets, break window, tip over speeders. Sow chaos for me, and make the people understand that Mandalore the Risen has come to liberate them at last." I tap her on the nose, and say in a mockingly sweet voice. "Do that, and I'll consider being nicer. Do exactly as I say, and you won't have to sleep in a cell. You can even see your brother again if you really do a good job." I drop the sweetness and say the next words as a threatening growl. "But, if you even think about defying me... Temari is going to press the red button. And let me assure you, once its pressed, there will be no second chances. She presses the button... and I'll have to settle for your brother."
Cosen Greshh
I give her a horrified look. "What does HJ even see in you?"
Ava Cadera
"He sees a woman who can get stuff done." I stand up and look to Temari. "I'm done with her. Take her back to her cell until we reach Coruscant." I hand her a remote control for the collar, the voltage cranked to maximum. A lethal shock is only a press away. "I trust your judgement."