Star Wars: Triad
Episode I: Enter the Empire
The Imperial Guard has placed garrisons on some of the more strategic worlds that produce valuable raw materials or manufacturing to prevent any dissent from becoming a problem. These garrisons wait, poised for the merest word from the Emperor to take control of the local government and hand these worlds to the Empire's greedy grasp.
The criminal Syndicate also has concerns about the future of these worlds. many of them are important logistical centers for exchanging illegal goods for legitimate ones. As the Empire tightens its grip, the use of these inner worlds is becoming more and more dangerous.
On Vorgrell, the ruling Council was dismantled by the Imperial Commander, its members arrested or killed during one terrible night. Betrayal is suspected. Alliances are made. Revenge is planned. And the Noble Houses struggle to keep hold of both their titles and wealth during the tempestuous times.
For the moment, it seems, the Empire is only flexing its muscle. Unease mounts as these sorts of strong-arm tactics threaten to topple the delicate balance of power between the Vorgrell Nobles, the Syndicate, and the new Empire.
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First Epic Series (9 May 2005 to 9 November 2005)
Arica murmured quietly as Garim continued to kiss her with such passion and conviction she thought she might faint if it hadn’t been for his strong arms holding her tight.
As the first sounds of screaming came from the direction of the ballroom, Garim wrenched himself free from their tender embrace, his hand reaching for his blaster while simultaneously circling his charge protectively.
“What is it?” whispered Arica anxiously as Garim edged closer to the ballroom window and peered inside. She hung upon his sleeve tightly as more terrified screams and shouting broke through the peaceful night. All she could think was that Daell must be in trouble, that she and the Duke must have been caught while attempting to escape. Arica tightened her hold on Garim’s sleeve.
“What is happening?”
The surging crowds seemed to abate as guards from House Orsiri filed into the room. Over thirty soldiers dressed in the stoic black and crimson uniform of the Orsiri Guard and carrying heavy firearms poured in from every entrance as though they had been waiting for just such an occurrence.
Lianna fired another quick shot which elicited another chorus of terrified screams and stirred up the surge of movement towards the exit. Quickly dropping the blaster, Lianna launched herself forwards into the throng of nobility, spying Cael up ahead doing the same.
*Droik it Lianna!* cursed Garim inwardly as he spotted the pretty brunette struggling amongst the crowds. Quickly glancing around the ballroom, he unhooked a small shuriken from his belt, took aim at one of the gauze sails hanging from the ceiling, and threw. The star shaped weapon whistled through the air, virtually invisible as it sliced through the master rope holding up the sail, sending meters of fabric and hundreds of glowlamps clattering to the floor.
More shrieks and cries of alarm filled the air as dozens of the guests and several guards became caught up in the gauzy fabric. Garim smiled as he saw Lianna manage to break free from the crowd and head towards the exit.
“What’s going on?” asked a panicked Arica, “was it Daell? Is she in danger?”
“Daell?” Garim looked at his young charge in confusion, “Daell is here?”
“W-well,” Arica stammered before falling silent.
“It doesn’t matter, explain everything later,” said Garim, turning his eye back to the surging crowds. The palace guards were harassing the guests at blaster point, forcing them to remove their masks before moving them on.
“They’re looking for the Duke,” whispered Arica softly, sharing a worried glance with Garim as he turned to face her.
“We should get out of here.”
****
From across the hall, Princess Zara watched the events unfold with barely restrained glee. Only Corin Archell – former Duke and Sheriff - would be so stupid, so arrogant as to discharge a loaded weapon in a room full of people.
Zara turned to Lady Arella, who had somehow found her way back to her side. “Make sure you bring him in alive,” she whispered, rubbing her hands together intently. “I want the pleasure of seeing him beg for mercy.”
The assassin smiled, nodding her head, and then vanished as she threaded her way through the crowds, intent on her prey.
The guards stood by the door, doing checks. Lianna could make out nobility yelling, as she noticed them unmasking near the entrance. It soon became obvious what was happening: the guards were looking for someone specific. While it could easily be the two of them, if they made a move, it would be much easier to force an escape more towards the entrance.
She tossed a glance behind her, confirming the guards of the Duchess were now out of sight. With a little luck, this meant that they were back trying to protect their charge from the ensuing chaos.
Lianna held her breath as Cael reached the door, removing his mask before being waved through. She passed through the gates without incident, nodding to Cael for him to follow her, only to discover that whatever semblance of order existed on the inside was soon dissipating outside.
“Are we the only ones who are willing to walk more than 10 minutes?” Cael asked under his breath at the sight of the various repulsor-crafts now causing a jam on the palace yard.
****
Arica gasped, already out of breath as Garim hurriedly led her through the bustling, panic-ridden crowds of the ballroom. Slipping into one of the adjoining corridors, she pulled her hand free from the Captain’s and collapsed against a wall, holding her side while she caught her breath.
“Wait,” she panted, opening her fan in a bid to generate more air. Her corset was too tight to dance in never mind run in. “I just… I need a minute.”
Garim sighed in frustration and ran a hand through his hair, but he held back and nodded.
“Where are we going anyway?” asked Arica after half a minute had passed, “the groundcoach is by the front entrance.”
Garim shook his head. “It’s too dangerous right now, you saw the reaction in the ballroom and you can bet it’s ten times worse outside. Besides, I remember from years back, when I was bodyguard for your cousin, Master Myklos, there was a secret doorway in one of these rooms. If I can just remember which…”
Arica glanced up and down the corridor, worry etched into her face. Absently she clutched her crystal pendant in her right hand, rubbing her fingers comfortingly against the stone. “Are we really in danger? I mean… could we get hurt? Those guards… there were so many of them, and so heavily armed…”
“I know,” agreed Garim thoughtfully as he tried to get his bearings. Noticing Arica’s nervous fidgeting he walked up to her and held her close. “Don’t worry, we’re safe here now. Besides, I’ll protect you.”
Arica smiled faintly and nodded as Garim led the way through the palace. She still clutched her pendant tightly, so tight in fact that she didn’t even notice when it began to glow dully. Suddenly her head was filled with a series of rapidly flashing images, of a tall room containing a variety of musical instruments and of a delicate blue hand plucking the strings of an electroharp to open a panel in the wall.
Arica gripped Garim’s hand tightly. “The music room…” she murmured distantly.
“Yes,” said Garim in confusion, looking down at the girl. “Yes, now that you mention it, it was the music room. How did you…?”
Suddenly there was a sound of heavy boots marching down the hallway, Garim’s head snapped upwards and his hold on Arica tightened. “They must not have found who they were looking for outside.”
“The Duke…”
Garim nodded grimly. “Come on, the music room’s this way.”
First Epic Series (9 May 2005 to 9 November 2005)
Daell cursed when she heard the first blast shots, the sounds of the brawl reached her clearly, even from her secluded position. She had been about to leave the palace though the kitchens, knowing that she couldn’t possibly return to the main ballroom. There couldn’t be two dancing Twi’leks in the same place at the same time; luckily the number of people, and the normal organised chaos of a big party, would cover that there were two dancing Twi’leks in different places. But not now. Daell didn’t even dare to take a peek at what was happening, she just hoped neither Cael or Corin were involved, although that was unlikely. However, there was nothing she could do. She had no weapons on her, and her position in the palace was an asset they couldn’t afford to lose. *Callous, am I?* she asked herself; she wasn’t sure she liked herself at the moment, but she kept on walking.
Changing her direction, she tried to look normal – or as normal as somebody would be with blast shots firing close by – as she hurried towards the small music room from where one of the secret passages leading out of the palace ended. She bowed her head and waited when she crossed paths with a contingent of Orsiri guards running towards the ballroom, their weapons ready in their hands. They didn’t even look at her, and she breathed out in relief when they got lost in the corridor. Her own familiarity with the palace was her protection, they had seen her enough around not to see her now.
When she finally reached the door to the music room she took a look around before entering. The chamber was in shadows, but her eyes quickly adjusted to the dim lightning, and she could see that it was empty.
She crossed the room, silent on her bare feet, to one of the decorated walls. Each wall was divided in several wooden panels, framed by heavily carved and gold leafed flower garlands around hand painted scenes. The one she was headed for showed a bucolic scene, with maidens playing different instruments in the middle of a grass field. However, if you lightly touched the electroharp cords following the first accords of Orsiri’s glorious hymn the whole panel opened along the framing garland, showing a dark, smooth corridor. Daell stopped for a second, achingly remembering Zayen’s laughing face as he taught her his family’s hymn and showed her the passage. They had entered it quickly when Zara had untimely decided she wanted to practice the piano and made love in the dry coolness of the secret corridor, listening to the princess’s music.
Daell shook her head, shoving the memory from her mind, and quickly pressed the chords in the right order, taking a step back when the panel opened in front of her only to face a heavy and unwavering Merr-Sonn blaster.
“Freeze,” the low keyed voice was commanding and Daell blinked as her eyes followed the weapon to its owner, but only the festooned cuff of a costume showed from the blackness of the corridor.
Corin stepped out of the secret chamber and breathed a sigh of relief, lowering his blaster. “Frak, Daell! I thought you were Zara, I-“ he paused for a moment and scratched his head, “wait a minute, didn’t I just see you leave through the main exit?”
Daell smiled. “An old acquaintance needed a disguise and seeing as he’s no friend of Zara’s I was happy to oblige. Where have you been all night anyway? I never saw you.”
“It’s called a recognisance mission for a reason, the main one being not to attract attention, but then…” Corin’s eyes swept over Daell’s scantily clad figure – still dressed in her dancer’s apparel. He grinned. “I guess that’s not something you’re all that familiar with.”
Daell gave a little turn for him, and giggled, “you like it? Looks much better than that bothersome cloak…” Then she sobered up, “unfortunately the plan didn’t work that well for Cael’s sake.”
Corin nodded, scratching his chin thoughtfully. “I’m sure Cael’s plan would have worked better if that chick he was with knew how to control her… destructive impulses. I mean, I’ve used some methods to avoid being arrested in my time, but unloading a couple of rounds of blaster fire into a crowded room full of guards has got to rank pretty high on the stupid-meter.”
“Stupid or not, it looks like Lianna and Cael managed to escape during all the panic.” Garim saluted the two as he entered the music room, clutching a deeply frightened Arica against his side. Pushing the door close behind them, he reholstered his blaster and strode towards Daell and Corin.
“Arica informed me that the two of you had also taken it upon yourselves to join the festivities. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”
Daell bit back a response and exchanged a look with Corin, who didn’t see very happy as well. “What are you doing here?” she asked, when she saw the captain’s worried expression and Arica’s frightened one. “Did you have any problems? Why aren’t you leaving through the doors like anybody else?”
“I imagine walking through a ballroom full of trigger happy Orsiri guards is not what Captain Moriss considers a good course of action,” Corin answered before Garim could. Turning to the man, he asked. “What’s the situation, Captain?”
“Not good, the guards seemed to have turned their attentions to searching the palace rather than the guests. I think we can assume that Zara’s welcome committee was intended for the Duke here rather than our friends Lianna and Cael, she obviously expects you to find an alternate means of escape.”
Taking a tighter hold of Arica’s hand, Garim led her towards the secret passageway. “Might I suggest that we do so, and leave the explanations for later?”
The thunderous sound of people running on heavy boots reached them and Corin moved out of the passage’s entrance to let the rest in. “That sounds incredibly wise at the moment.”
Arica held back a gasp of fright as the heavy wooden panel closed behind them, plunging the secret passageway into total darkness. Minutes later the door to the music room was flung open and several guards came pouring in, noisily barking out orders to each other as they searched behind curtains and inside cupboards.
Daell felt Arica trembling beside her and so extended her hand to take the girl’s, giving it a small squeeze. She felt Arica return the pressure and smiled. She wasn’t overly worried, the passageway was secure and she was sure nobody knew of it, well… nobody but the four friends. Zayen, Myklos, Corin and Derex had used it constantly in the past during their various escapades. She relaxed against the wall, and closed her eyes, ready to wait until the storm passed.
“I think they’re leaving,” whispered Garim after several more minutes had passed. He shifted his ear against the opening of the wall panel, straining to listen for sounds of footsteps. He could hear faint voices, the scuffle of boots against the floor followed by the heavy thud of a door swinging shut.
Hesitating a few minutes more, he slowly pushed the panel open again, stepping out into the brightly-lit music room.
“It’s all right,” he called into the passage, a little louder this time. “They’ve gone.”
Daell exchanged a look with Corin before turning to the captain. “We’re staying, Captain. It won’t be safe for some time.”
Garim nodded in agreement, although he would have liked the opportunity to question Daell and the Duke as to what exactly they were doing at Orsiri Palace tonight. Still, it was more important that they escaped safely, there would always be a time for questions later.
“I will of course, need to take Miss Odari-Mosora home as quickly as possible – before either of us are missed. The situation out front should be less chaotic now so we may as well go that way and save ourselves some time.”
Holding out his hand to Arica, she stepped gratefully into the well-lit room, barely resisting the urge to throw her arms around him. “It was nice to see you again, Daell,” she whispered hesitantly, offering a small curtsey to Corin. “My lord.”
Corin smiled. She may be scared out of her wits but still the perfect lady. “Arica,” he nodded, “I hope we stop meeting each other in these dire circumstances, or else I’ll start to think you’re bad luck.”
“Oh, stop it.” Daell interrupted, seeing Arica blush. “Don’t pay him no attention, girl. It’s his way of saying he’s glad to see you too. Not very successfully, I’m sure.” Daell got up to pull the lever that sealed them from the inside, and kept smiling at her friend as the door closed.
Garim turned and smiled at Arica, raising his hand and gently caressing her cheek. “You must be tired after all this excitement, with one thing and another it has been quite an eventful night.”
“Yes,” nodded Arica, returning Garim’s smile as he bent down to kiss her softly on the lips, resting his forehead against hers. “I don’t things will ever be quite the same again.”
First Epic Series (9 May 2005 to 9 November 2005)
05 Zeta 75
Arica’s Chambers - Bertrayn Palace, Plateau City
Late Night
Arica sighed as she entered her rooms, pressing her back against the door and closing her eyes. The memory of Captain Moriss’ kisses lingered upon her lips, warm and soft and so toe-curlingly exciting that she wanted to laugh out loud at the thought of it.
Suppressing a small giggle, Arica danced into the room, humming a light tune and twirling in time to her own music before falling upon her bed dizzily. She pressed her fingers to her lips and smiled to herself, sighing again in contentment.
“I guess you enjoyed the ball Ms Odari?”
Arica gasped as she sat bolt upright. There stepping out of the dark corner next to her dresser was Derex, still dressed in formal attire, complete with mask and all.
Before she could say anything he pulled a bright red Rosian flower from behind his back. “I saw it, and it reminded me of you tonight; delicate, and beautiful.”
Arica quickly climbed from her bed, smoothing out her dress properly. “I… that, well that is very sweet of you,” she stammered uneasily, suddenly feeling very warm and exposed. “H-how did you get in here?”
He smiled coyly, moving closer so he could give her the flower. “Now it wouldn’t be any fun if I told you would it?” The man slowly but confidently took hold of the girl’s hand. “After the raucous at the ball, I didn’t get a chance to say good-night,” Derex said, as if that justified his brash actions.
Arica nodded uncertainly, barely able to lift her gaze to meet his. Her heart was beating so heavily in her chest that she was positive he must be able to hear it. “That was kind but… but you shouldn’t have come. If… if anyone finds you here…”
“Then what? Would they shoot me?” he said suddenly stern and worried before he gave way to laughter not two seconds later. “You worry too much.”
“Perhaps you do not worry enough,” said Arica carefully, taking a step back and half hiding behind the pillar of her bed as Derex attempted to take her hand.
“I know that you’re the man who broke in here that time before, the one who tried to steal the Bertrayn ruby? You can try to deny it but I know it’s true.”
Derex remained cool, as he forced himself not to show any signs that could verify the assumption. “Me, a thief? Miss Arica you give me too much credit. I don’t have the skills to infiltrate this palace and steal the family gem. I’m afraid you have must have mistaken me for an obviously very handsome burglar.”
Arica smiled curiously; there was definitely something about the young Mr Foxx that was entirely different from any other man she’d ever met. Something that made her wonder what really lay behind that mask of arrogance and conceit that he seemed so determined to fool people with.
“That’s a shame,” she said quietly, not looking at Derex as she spoke but instead following the intricate carvings of her bed post with her fingers. “I mean, that handsome young man saved my life… and I never got the chance to thank him.”
Derex’s confident smirk faltered somewhat. Was she playing him? Perhaps the girl was not as naïve as she pretended to be. “Well whoever he was, I’m sure he knew how you felt. But enough talk of mysterious thieves.” Unexpectedly, he grabbed hold of the pillar with one hand, and swung around it, clearing the bed in a single leap, landing him on Arica’s opposite side.
Before she could react, he gently took hold of her other hand and brought it to his lips. “Perhaps I was wrong earlier. You were not the most beautiful girl at the ball. I think you are the most beautiful girl on all of Vorgrell,” he said, as his rich brown eyes locked onto hers.
Arica glanced painfully in the direction of the door. What is Evie arrived to dress her for bed, or her uncle decided to wish her good night? What if Captain Moriss saw them? How could she ever explain any of this?
“You… you seek to flatter me unnecessarily, Sir,” she blushed. “Indeed, I am not the most beautiful girl on Vorgrell, w-why I could name you ten ladies whose beauty, talent and advantage far exceeds anything that I may possess.”
“Well I’m somewhat of an expert of beautiful women milady,” Derex responded cockily, “and my expert opinion is saying otherwise. Would, a man bother sneaking his way into your room, and risking great harm to himself, if you were not worth it? And now that I am here, standing before you I know that I would risk much more than Lord Betrayn’s anger to simply be in your presence.”
“And just what do you expect from me?” asked Arica, trying to sound brave although her heart was beating furiously again beneath her breast. “Now that you have risked great harm to be here, in m-my room?”
“I don’t know,” he replied. He could tell she was uncomfortable, so he took a step back to give her more space. “My heart had overpowered my brain, so forgive me if I had not thought this plan through. I-I did not mean to offend or upset you but I see that I have. Perhaps it is best I leave.”
His tone had skilfully changed drastically from his usual arrogance, to that of a harmless love stricken puppy. He turned to leave, but Arica called out. “Wait.” Bingo, it worked.
“You haven’t upset me,” she confessed, biting her lower lip awkwardly, “and I am rarely offended. Even though it is something of a shock to find someone waiting in your room when you suppose yourself to be alone.”
The large grin returned, and Arica could see his eyes light up somewhat behind his black mask. “Well then I am very relieved that you are neither offended nor upset, because such would never be my intention.”
Now, more confident that she wouldn’t pull away again, Derex once again moved closer to her. “Would it be too forward of me to ask to see you again?” he whispered softly. He was close enough now that she could smell the sweet cologne on his collar.
“See me again? Would that I could see you now,” said Arica softly, a faint smile upon her lips. “The masquerade is over and yet still you insist upon wearing a mask.”
Slowly Arica reached up, her fingers tracing the contour of the offending article before lifting beneath to remove it.
“Miss Arica!”
Arica jumped so suddenly at the sound of her nursemaid’s voice that she stumbled backwards and almost hit the floor. Evie eyed Derex quickly up and down and pursed her lips together distastefully.
“I don’t know who you are young man,” she said sternly, pressing her balled up fists into her sturdy hips. “But if you don’t make a quick exit the guards be damned, I’ll box your ears myself and don’t think that I won’t!”
Derex stood frozen in place caught in the moment of surprise.
“Well!” Evie fumed.
As the shock wore off, and he realised it was not an armed guard but a harmless, though still somewhat intimidating nursemaid, he managed to regain his cool composure.
“Of course Madame,” he said politely with a small bow, before quickly grabbing hold of Arica, and kissing her unexpectedly on her cheek. He could almost see the steam coming out of the older woman’s ears as he moved back towards the balcony. “Till next we meet Ms Arica,” he winked, before jumping off, and grabbing hold of the unseen grappling hook that waited below.
With a disapproving huff, Evie marched over to the balcony and drew the doors together tightly.
“Young lady,” she said with a disdainful air as she turned back to her charge. “You have a lot of explaining to do.”
Close to an hour later, Derex was unlocking the door of his apartment, his large smile still plastered across his face. Arica proved to be more of a challenge than he had anticipated. He had her pegged for being naïve and easily swayed, but he learned tonight things weren’t that simple. No matter, he’d still manage to win her over; he always did in the end. As the door slid shut behind him, he pictured some day soon when Arica would be with him and ready to climb into his bed. She would be one of his more proud achievements. His grin faltered some what as he envisioned himself pulling off her red dress. He almost felt…felt…guilty?
*No, no I must just be hungry,” he tried to convince himself as he placed his keys down on a table next to a photo of Zayen, Corin, Myklos and himself. He laughed seeing the four of them on the Halean beach, posing stupidly like they were body-builders. It had been a great day, the 4 young men all competing for who could get the most girls’ numbers. Zayen won, but it had been close….and he was a prince, how could you compete with a prince? Derex suddenly thought of Arica again, and the idea of treating her like that bothered him.
“Guys, what’s happening to me, have I really become soft?” he said aloud, half joking, half worried.
“Maybe you can ask them soon in person!”
Derex spun around just in time to see about 4 or 5 figures hiding in the shadows of his darkened apartment before the blunt end of a blaster rifle connected with his face, knocking him painfully to the floor.
“You really didn’t think Bazlo would forget how you screwed up another of his jobs did you?”
Derex’s vision was blurred and he couldn’t make out who was talking, just wobbly shapes as people drew nearer. He could feel warm blood flowing from his forehead down his face, oozing uncomfortably behind the mask he still wore.
“You were supposed to get the lightsaber, and not only do you not deliver it, but you don’t even have the decency to show up and explain to Bazlo what happened!” the same voice taunted before one of the bloby-shapes kicked him in the head. They continued striking him, over and over until the world around young Foxx faded away into oblivion.
First Epic Series (9 May 2005 to 9 November 2005)
Daell didn’t know how long it had been. Her sense of time had completely vanished in the darkness of the secret corridor, a darkness so complete that not even her Twi’lek sight could pierce. She shifted uncomfortably and braced herself for warmth, her dancer’s attire wasn’t the best choice of clothing for waiting in a dark, cold place. Besides, she was uncomfortably aware of the Duke’s presence at her side.
“Here, put this on.”
Corin’s voice startled her, and she heard him taking off his jacket to put it on her shoulders a second later. The thing was still warm, and she slid her arms through its sleeves with gratitude.
“Thank you. I thought you were asleep, you’ve been so silent.” Daell lied, a little shyly.
“Hardly; somebody has to stay awake to take guard. It’s not impossible that this corridor be searched.” Corin answered, frowning at her small shuddering. “Although it’s improbable,” he found himself rushing to assure her.
“I'm not afraid, Duke, just cold.” she said, an irritated pout in her mouth.
Corin suppressed a smile, he could see that she was crossed, and it’d be even worse if she’d known that he was wearing his night vision goggles and could see every twitch in her expressive face. “Do I detect a hint of anger there, my sweet Lethan?”
“Sweet my ass. I'm as sweet as I'm a Lethan.” Daell snorted. “Don’t sweet talk me, Duke. You know damn well what’s bothering me.”
“Oh, actually I don’t. Care to enlighten me?”
“Where have you been these last weeks? I’ve been worried sick about you. And what the hell are you planning?” Daell outburst echoed against the stone walls of the corridor, but she didn’t notice. “I know you’ve gotten the information you wanted from Cael, whatever it was that chip contained. But you’ve chosen not to tell us – me. Nooo, you’ve just disappeared. I thought we were together in this!”
For a second Corin just looked at her. He was familiar with Daell’s temper. This wasn’t the first time they’d quarrelled, but it was the first time he felt guilty about it. The whole affair of Zayen being still alive had consumed him. According to the Inquisitor’s datachip his friend was indeed alive, even after two years in the Kessel Mines. And the information was reliable, it was dated not two weeks before, it seemed that the Major Severus did believe in being well informed. But he just couldn’t tell Daell about it yet. If he knew her at all, he needed to have a rescue plan already sorted out by the moment he told her, or she’d just jump into the Siren and do something foolish. Too much was in stake to risk that.
He shook his head, sighing. “I'm sorry Daell. I really am. But I cannot tell you just as yet.”
Daell inhaled deeply, and tried to control her temper. She could read the Duke, and his tone had been final. Suddenly she felt defeated. She raised her knees and rested her forehead on them. “Is this ever going to end, Corin?” she said softly, almost choking in the sudden overwhelming feeling.
Corin looked away, slightly embarrassed to bear witness of this strange moment of vulnerability. Daell was a strong woman, and whatever frailties she had, she usually kept them to herself.
“It will. One way or another it all ends,” he said at last, extending an arm to reach the Twi’lek. He gently pulled her to him and made her rest her head on his shoulder. He felt her tense for a moment, but then she relaxed against his body. The sweet feminine scent of her reached him, making him very aware of how long it had been since he’d held a woman like this.
“So, what have you been doing these past weeks?” he asked after some minutes, to break the uncomfortable silence. “I heard you went off world and came back with company.”
“I went to Dorsa. I’ve got Dr. Cle’var’s roots,” Daell said, her voice somewhat muffled against the fabric of his shirt. “And Javier's a friend.”
“A friend, huh?” He asked, his Sheriff past weighing on him. “From your smuggler past?”
Daell tensed at his tone, but then decided to let it pass. “Yes, from my infamous smuggler times - which I very much prefer to my schemer ones, to be honest.” She shrugged, she wasn’t about to explain Jav to him. “I'm tired of being alone, Corin. It’s been too long.”
Piqued against his better reason, Corin bit back a response. He was no one to judge her, and it had been too long. He’d closely followed her actions from the time their fates had clashed, and he knew she’d mourned his friend for a long time. It was just beyond unfair that she decided to make a new start when he learned that Zayen was still alive. But he couldn’t tell her that, so he better shut up.
“So, how much did you make?” he asked, trying to lighten the mood. If he didn’t remember wrong, Vish’s offer had been generous enough.
“I haven’t delivered yet, actually.” Daell answered, as relieved as he was to change the subject.
“Really? Need some help with that?”
“Actually I could use some; the good doctor’s hospital has been heavily guarded since he admitted General Harkness as patient; not to talk about the Imperial Inquisitor…” Daell’s voice faltered. She also was avoiding Mandy’s various spies, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. “I haven’t dared to even make an appointment.”
Corin nodded, he could help her with that. “Leave that to me, I’ll contact Vish and get back to you.” He checked his watch, they had been in the corridor for barely an hour, it was still too soon to leave. “Now, why don’t you try and sleep a little? I’ll wake you in a couple of hours.”
“All right,” she said, burrowing against him. “But let’s take turns. Wake me in one hour.”
“As you wish, my swe-” He chuckled at her sudden punch in his ribs, “I was joking!”
First Epic Series (9 May 2005 to 9 November 2005)
05 Zeta 75
Arica’s Chambers - Bertrayn Palace, Plateau City
Late Night
Evie roughly loosened the laces of Arica’s corset, her brusque face reflected in the half-circle of mirrors in front of which the young noble girl stood. She had barely said a word to Arica since she’d seen off the young man, Derex. But then, Evie didn’t need words to make her feelings known.
Arica sighed, relaxing a little as Evie finally removed her corset, allowing her to breathe properly for the first time in hours. She rubbed her sore ribs, lifting her camisole to reveal a score of bruises covering her skin.
“Oh!” gasped Evie in horror as she caught sight of the bruises in the mirrors. Rushing to her side, she helped to loosen her underclothes so that she could inspect the bruises better.
“Gibbertz and Ham!” cussed Evie in disgust, “that bizit Zara should be ashamed of herself, fie on her! Putting my poor darling through so much pain.”
“Evie!” gasped Arica, surprised at the woman’s coarse language. “Please, it was hardly Princess Zara’s fault, she was trying to do me a favour. She is much smaller than I, that is all. If it is anyone’s fault it is mine, I didn’t want to refuse her generosity.”
“Oh my little pyub,” sighed Evie with a shake of her head. “Sometimes I do believe you are too kind for your own good.”
After helping her young ward into her nightdress, Evie flopped down in a wide armchair, sighing again. She watched the girl as she sat on the edge of the bed and rolled her stockings down to her feet, wriggling her bare toes with relish into the stohl-skin rug that covered the floor. In many ways she was still so much a child and yet, quite plainly she was also a young woman – with a quiet beauty that was already beginning to attract the attention of men.
Evie rose to her feet as Arica sat down at her dressing table, and slowly began to unravel her hair, letting the tight curls fall free about her shoulders. “About the… boy…” she mused quietly.
“Oh please don’t be angry with me, Evie,” Arica pleaded, twisting on her chair and looking up at the stern-faced nurse.
“I’m not angry, I’m disappointed, Arica,” retorted Evie with a sigh. “Have I really spent the best years of my life raising you to be a lady only for you to start behaving in such a disgraceful manner now?”
“Evie…” Arica clutched at the woman’s skirts, pressing her cheek against the sturdiness of her thigh. “Please don’t think of me in such a way, I swear to you nothing happened. I didn’t do anything wrong!”
“Didn’t do anything wrong?” Evie snorted and pulled away, waddling back to her chair and plumping her stout behind in the seat. “You allowed that boy into your private bedchamber! That is not the behaviour of a lady.”
“But I didn’t allow him,” protested Arica, crossing the room to sit at Evie’s feet. “He was here waiting when I came to bed, I barely even know him.”
Arica shuffled closer to the portly woman, resting her cheek on her knees. “Please believe me Evie, I only met him tonight at the ball, we danced a little at that was all. I don’t know why he came here.”
”Humph,” snorted Evie, “I can think of one or two reasons. You are far too naïve child, boys like him want one thing and one thing only, and once they’ve had it…” she clicked her fingers, “gone, just like that.”
“One thing? What do you mean?” Arica shook her head in puzzlement, “he did say that he wanted to see me again, do you think he is attempting to court me? To win my affection?”
Evie snorted again, folding her arms across her ample bust. “Naïve child, too naïve by half,” she muttered.
“Evie! What is it?” laughed Arica frivolously, “just tell me!”
“That boy…” began the nursemaid, “that is to say, boys like him have only one design and that is to… persuade a girl into committing an impropriety.”
“But he barely knows me!” Arica continued to laugh, as though the very idea was absurd. “Besides, you know that I am in love with Captain Moriss.”
Evie shuffled in her chair, sniffing a little. “Captain Moriss is a good, decent and honest man. You wouldn’t find him sneaking into a lady’s boudoir without her consent. He would have more respect for your reputation.”
“And talking of Captain Moriss…” Arica smiled softly, she knew that she had won Evie around – just like she always did. “If you forgive me,” she said sweetly, “I will tell you a secret.”
“A secret?” Evie’s child-like interest was sparked.
Arica held out her little finger, “am I forgiven?”
Evie paused for a moment before hooking her little finger around Arica’s and smiling. “Okay, now tell me this secret.”
Arica smiled broadly, barely able to contain her happiness. “Captain Moriss pledged his love to me tonight, he told me he was falling in love with me, he called me his ‘dear, sweet Ari’ and how utterly hopeless he was to continue hiding the true persuasion of his heart. Evie…” she smiled shyly, “he kissed me, softly and tenderly, yet he held me so close – like he never wanted to let me go.”
“I knew it,” laughed Evie, forgetting her earlier distemper and embracing her ward lovingly. “I knew he could not resist your charms for long.”
Pulling back, Evie smiled. The glow of young love bathed Arica like the sun, making her eyes sparkle. “My little girl,” she cooed, “all grown up, it’s enough to make a silly woman like me cry.”
“Oh Evie, no,” begged Arica playfully, holding her nursemaid close. “No, you must be happy for me. Besides… I think I’m going to need your help.”
First Epic Series (9 May 2005 to 9 November 2005)
06 Zeta 75
Orsiri Palace
10:34am
“Oh goodie,” chuckled Zara to herself as she regarded her own exquisite appearance in a nearby mirror. “I do prefer it when they’re pretty,” she mused to herself, “it makes the fall from grace all that more tragic.”
Slowly descending the wide marble staircase, Zara looked every bit the imposing and austere monarch. Her hair was severely sculpted high upon her head, adorned with a fine thread of spun gold to match the trim of her gown. A plume of raven coloured feathers framed the back of her scalp like a strange kind of halo, while the heavy train of her gown trailed behind her in a sea of azure satin.
“Arica, my dear friend! It is so good to see you again.”
Completing a small curtsey, Arica couldn’t help but smile. The princess’ manner was so enthusiastic and friendly that she couldn’t believe how Garim had managed to misjudge her so. Her appearance might be somewhat intimidating but her manner was quite the opposite with no trace of the cold, heartless creature the Captain had described.
“It was good of you to invite me.”
Zara waved away Arica’s appreciation with a gesture of her hand. She still couldn’t get over just how naïve the girl was! Where had she been raised? In a hermetically sealed bubble? Surely, Zara would never have believed it if she had not met Arica in person.
“I never had the chance to congratulate you last night, your playing on the Electroharp… it was simply divine. I know many of my guests commented so.”
“Really?” Arica’s smile brightened. “I know I made a few mistakes but-“
“But you covered them most expertly,” finished Zara. Lifting a silk-gloved hand she gestured to one of the chairs. “Please, do take a seat.”
Arica did as she was instructed, smoothing out a slight wrinkle in her skirt as she waited for Zara to join her. The princess remained standing however, wandering back and forth as though locked in a personal dilemma with herself. Behind her hand though, Zara laughed as she kept up the pretence, worriedly pacing the room and observing Arica’s growing unease as she realised something was wrong.
“If you don’t mind my asking, milady,” she ventured finally, “is something bothering you?”
“Well…” sighed Zara with feigned resignation, “now that you mention it…” With another weary sigh, the princess halted her pacing and stood leaning against the fireplace. “I’m afraid that… well that I had an ulterior motive in calling you here today.”
Zara turned to face the girl, barely able to hide her growing amusement behind a mask of concern. “The truth is… I asked you here because… well, in all honesty Arica, I’m a little worried for you.”
“Worried?” Arica frowned, smoothing the wrinkle in her dress again.
Zara smiled sympathetically, leaning back against the ornate fireplace. “You know, I was like you once – an innocent spirit – some would say I was too trusting and naive for my own good. Like you, I imagined everyone I met to be as open and honest as myself.”
Zara shook her head remorsefully but inside she was giddy with barely restrained glee. The girl’s face was a picture of worry and concern; she really was a guileless little ingenue after all, it was almost too easy. “I had to learn the hard way,” she sighed, “that people are not always as they seem and that their motives are often far from virtuous.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand,” Arica admitted warily, “have I done something wrong?”
“Oh no, no,” laughed Zara, waving a hand dismissively. “I’m sure you wouldn’t know how even if you had the inclination. No, Arica, I’m telling you this because… I want you to know that I understand.”
Crossing the room, Zara sat down besides the girl, placing a supportive hand over the top of hers. “You are becoming a considerably attractive young woman. Why, you only have to look at the stir you caused last night merely with your presence. Men were beguiled by you, and yet, I couldn’t help but notice how oblivious you seemed to be of their attentions. Young Segov could barely even take his eyes off you all night, neither could Krenin Lizus.”
Zara observed the young girls’ modesty as she blushed and looked down into her lap, it was all she could do not to slap some sense into her! “Beauty is a great power, Arica, but only if you know how to use it. Otherwise it can lead you into trouble, into situations where you find yourself out of your depth… …Like with Baron Bertrayn.”
“Uncle Oldrak?” Arica’s eyes suddenly widened and she recoiled sharply as she comprehended the Princess’ meaning. Soundlessly she mouthed the word ‘no’ shaking her head with visible shame. When she spoke her voice was nothing more than a whisper filled with anguish.
“You saw?”
Zara struggled not to smile triumphantly. Of course she’d suspected that the Baron had designs on his young ward but when Arella had confirmed it with all the juicy details of that encounter on the balcony it had almost made up for not capturing Corin. Well… almost.
Wrapping an arm around the girl in a gesture of support, Zara held her close, ably hiding her smiles. “Don’t worry, my dear, your secret is safe with me. I shan’t tell a soul.”
“You don’t understand,” Arica blurted out breathlessly, pulling away from the princess’ embrace and rising to her feet. “It… it was a mistake.”
With the girl’s back turned to her, Zara smirked. “Of course it was dear.”
“He… he forgot himself momentarily,” Arica explained quietly, her face flushing with shame. “He, he is under much pressure right now, with his business a-and, and my Aunt’s ill health.”
Zara rose smoothly to her feet, crossing the room to where Arica stood and laying a hand upon her shoulder. “I’m sure he explained himself most eloquently. But… if something like that should happen again…”
“It wouldn’t.”
Zara had to hold in another smirk, she very much doubted that the randy old man wouldn’t attempt to compromise his niece again. He was a man after all and Arica was so inexperienced that she probably wouldn’t know how to turn him away.
“But if it should…” Zara stroked the girl’s cheek tenderly. “After all, your Uncle is still under a great amount of pressure, he could forget himself many more times.” The princess combed her fingers through a loose tendril of hair about Arica’s face, tucking it behind her ear. “You must promise to come to me if it does. I hope to the Eternal Core that it doesn’t, but… sometimes these things get out of control. I just want you to know that you can always come to me for help.”
Zara brought the girl into her arms and held her close. She could feel her trembling beneath her touch, hardly able to control her emotions in her presence. “There… there…” soothed Zara smugly, rubbing her back. “There’s no need to fret. I’ll take care of you.”
A Secret and a Plan
07 Zeta 75
Orsiri Palace
11:44am
"Preposterous."
"Prrr-epusst-mmus..."
"No, no," said Arica gently, tracing her finger beneath the word. "You have to sound it out like this,
PRE-POS-TER-US, try again."
"Pre-post-er-usss."
"Better," Arica smiled, clicking a button on the datapad to turn the page. "That's a big word for such a little girl."
Ondra gazed up at Arica, a proud grin spread across her angelic face. "But what does it mean?"
"It means... when something is absurd, when it is so silly that it can't possibly be true. So, if I said that you couldn't read, that would be preposterous."
"Because I can."
"Exactly."
Ondra grinned again. "I love you Miss Odari-Mosora, and that isn't preposterous."
Arica smiled, stroking a hand through Ondra’s silky black curls. "Are you sure you're not just saying that because you want another story later?"
When Ondra shook her head, her tight dark curls bounced to and fro. "No, but you did promise. Remember? You said you'd tell me the next part of the story... about the Twi'lek captain and her first mate the dashing Lieutenant Veldun?"
"That's right, where did we leave off last time?"
"Dala had just arrived on Naboo after piloting the Nymph through a meteor storm. The ship was damaged and needed repairs so she and Veldun were searching Theeb for a spare part when they were cornered by Imperial Stormtroopers."
"Good memory," smiled Arica. Her mind was already working now, trying to plot the details of her next instalment and the outcome of Veldun and Dala's latest adventure. "I'll make a deal with you, if you can finish this lesson and the next all on your own, I'll tell you what happened to Dala and Veldun after they were confronted by the Imperials."
"Yes! Yes!" declared Ondra with glee, clapping her hands together before diving for her datapad and immediately immersing herself in the text.
"You have a talent for that."
Arica turned around to see Captain Moriss standing in the doorway, his lips curled into a faint smile. Arica could barely contain her own, yet fought to keep her obvious happiness at seeing Garim under control.
"And you have a talent for sneaking up on me, Captain."
"It's part of my job."
"To sneak up on me?"
A smile. "To keep an eye on you."
Arica returned his smile and performed a small mock curtsey. "And you do so admirably."
Garim cast an eye over the child Ondra, before returning his gaze to Arica. "How long will she be?"
"About twenty minutes."
"Good-" he paused abruptly, glancing at the child again quickly.
Arica waited attentively. "Oh!” she gasped suddenly, realising Garim’s intention. “Ondra, I think I should take some air while you study – a walk, in the grounds. I shan’t be long, if the good Captain would accompany me?”
Garim nodded, pleased. “Of course milady, as you know it is my duty to escort you outside the palace walls.”
Arica smiled faintly as she picked up her shawl and headed in the direction of the Bertrayn Aquatic Rosian Gardens. As she began walking, Garim took up his usual position in such situations, just behind and to her right, only this time he made sure that they were close enough to talk.
“I’ve been thinking about you all day,” he confessed quietly as they walked down the main corridor – a vast arching tunnel of white polished marble which amplified even the smallest of sounds so that Garim had to speak in a near whisper. “In fact, I almost got my head knocked off in manoeuvres this morning. Zak thinks I’ve finally lost my mind.”
Arica smiled and was about to say something but as they made their way outside, a small squad of stormtroopers marched past them and into the palace. Garim kept close to his ward, watching the assemblage with interest.
“Your Uncle is certainly making many friends within the Empire,” he observed.
“It’s that awful man again,” Arica confessed with a whisper, “Lieutenant Akula. I wish Uncle Oldrak would have nothing more to do with him but he sees it as a necessary evil since the Empire took an interest in Vorgrell. I would not speak ill of anyone, but I’m afraid the Lieutenant is not a man of honour.”
“From what I hear, that would be an extreme understatement.”
Garim turned to Arica and smiled as the last of the stormtroopers entered the palace, leaving them alone in the gardens. Remembering the reason why they’d come out here in the first place, he took her hand and led her to a more secluded area of the grounds. Arica’s dark brown eyes gleamed, giddy with excitement. She didn’t know why Captain Moriss had wanted her alone but she hoped… she hoped he intended to kiss her. Never one to disappoint, Garim took Arica into his arms, pausing only momentarily before his lips surrounded hers in a long, lingering kiss.
“I wish it didn’t have to be this way,” murmured Arica, her mouth still delightfully employed in receiving and reciprocating Garim’s impassioned kisses. She wanted them so much that the idea of stopping, even to talk, was unthinkable. “I wish…” she said breathlessly as her lover paid specific attention to her lower lip. “I wish I could tell everyone how I feel about you, I wish that I could hold your hand when we walk and have you by my side instead of four steps behind."
“Mmmmm,” Garim went back to Arica’s mouth, wrapping his arms tighter around her back and pulling her closer. “You know… I wish that too, Ari,” he mumbled between kisses.
"But if not that, better this than nothing at all?" Arica tilted her head back, breaking the kiss as she looked up at her handsome Captain. “Though I suppose I should find all this secrecy rather romantic - stolen moments, longing glances across a crowded room…”
“You read too many books.” Garim smiled before capturing up her lips again in another passionate kiss that made Arica tremble in his arms.
Evie clicked her tongue with disapproval as she stumbled upon the young lovers. She had been looking for her mistress and indeed she had found her! Wrapped in the arms of her bodyguard, the two of them fairly devouring one another in the palace gardens!
“You will have to be more careful than this in future, if you’re going to avoid being caught!” The older woman grinned as the two quickly parted, looking abashed and ever so slightly fearful. “Imagine if I had been your uncle!” she continued, “you, young man could have found yourself on the next transport ship bound for the Kessel Mines!”
“Madam Yasenia I-” blurted out Garim, quite breathless from all the kissing. “I… had not- that is, this is not what it looks like, I-“
“Don’t tell me, you were just checking to see if the young mistress had cleaned her teeth properly this morning. Good oral hygiene is so important these days after all.”
“Evie!” declared Arica scoldingly, “pay her no heed Garim, I already told her about us.”
Evie’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she planted her hands either side of her portly hips. “There is not much that Miss Arica can keep secret from me, not for long anyway.”
Garim hesitated, exchanging glances between Arica and the matronly nursemaid. “You… know?”
“That you and my little one are lovers?” she waved her hand in feigned disaffection. “Dear boy! Evie is no fool when it comes to affairs of the heart. Why, I could have made the match myself!” She reached out a podgy hand and pinched Garim’s cheek affectionately. “Such a handsome, brave and polite young man, you’ll take good care of my little pyub, my sweet darling girl…” with her other hand, Evie stroked Arica’s cheek and grinned knowingly. “I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of her adulation.”
Garim appeared awkward for a moment before bowing his head in assent. “Then I am pleased that Miss Odari-Mosora has someone whom she may confide in.”
Evie smiled in satisfaction. She very much like the Captain, he was unlike other young men his age in that he held his own counsel unless he had something important to say. Evie had always despised puppies, young men that prattled on and never knew when to be silent were the epitome of vulgarism. Moriss was courageous too, and sincere and reasonable… not to mention handsome. A great deal of flaws could be overlooked when a man was so particularly handsome.
“Now… you will have to be more careful,” Evie warned seriously, “I know young love often lacks judicious thought, but you must try and contain your… urges.” She smiled again, taking their hands and squeezing them tightly with affection. “Let Evie be your counsel, for no one is a more trusted chaperone than I. Let me be your alibi and together we may find many occasions for the two of you to be alone without fear of being caught. After all, a noble girl with both her nursemaid and bodyguard can neither come to any harm or be regarded with suspicion.”
Evie screwed up her face in delight. “Conduct your courtship in such a manner, and I do not doubt that I will see you at your wedding before the year is out!”
First Epic Series (9 May 2005 to 9 November 2005)
05 Zeta 75
Bazlo's audience chamber
Very late night
Laughter, Derex could hear it just beyond the darkness. First it was feint, almost like a dream, but then the noises grew clearer – definitely laugher, and lots of it. Was he at a party? The young man tried to wake up, but there was a slight throbbing sensation still lingering, mixed in with the loud sounds of mirth that prevented him from opening his eyes. *I don’t remember drinking so much* Slowly however, that slight throbbing sensation became more real, and the laughter he was hearing didn’t sound so much like one of Zara’s parties, but more like a club.
“Uggghhhh,” Derex garbled as he desperately tried to fight his way to lucidity. “Uhhhh” The man’s eyes finally fluttered opened, though all that came through the haze was a bunch of swirling blobs of colour. There was definitely a lot of people, though he still wasn’t sure exactly where he was.
…ladies and gentleman, what a ghastly turn of events: as you know, our camera-bot was damaged early, but we’ve just received a distress signal from one of the audio-droids. Apparently the reigning champ has been severely injured…
Things were still very fuzzy, and the sounds were still muffled but something seemed familiar. It sounded like everyone was watching a broadcast…what was it about?...he strained both eyes and ears, desperately trying to make sense of what was going on.
….I’ve just gotten word that we’ve established a visual feed back on the game-field….OH MY!....ladies and gentleman, it appears that Derex Fox has has….something horrible has happened and it looks as if his leg has been severed straight off…for those watching at home, I would suggest telling your children to leave the room, this scene is extremely graphic….
*Me…the broadcast…they’re talking about me…* The fog continued to recede as he slowly made his way back to consciousness.
…Thankfully the medical droids have arrived on the scene….fans lets hope that its not too late….It seems that the champ is moving which is a good sign….but you can hear he’s definitely in pain….Ladies and Gentleman what a shocking turn of events….but that is what makes Seeker so exciting you never know what will happen…..As the medical droids tend to Foxx, lets turn to the other feeds and see how the other contestants are fairing…..
Half way through Derex realized just what it was….someone was playing the tape of his accident. “Wha…what…” As his blood pumped in anger, things were quickly becoming clearer around him. “Where am I,” he finally said, as he tried to move, only to realize his wrists were securely locked at each side of his hip in some metallic contraption.
“Ho ho ho….bala ru mata go mato..ho ho ho”
“His Excellency, Bazlo the Hutt, wants to welcome you back to the world of the living Mr. Foxx.”
Scanning the room, things began to fall into place…he remembered failing to get the light-saber, the ambush in his apartment, and now he was in the middle of the Crime-Lord’s audience chamber, surrounded by a host of lackeys. Worse yet, was the fact that they were all partying as they watched Derex’s last day as Seeker champ on a large holo-projector.
“Yomo hatu gambura. Himo yatou con batto Seeker…ho ho ho”
“His Excellency wishes to give his sympathy for what happened to you. You will be happy to hear that he considers your retirement a mighty loss to the game of Seeker.”
Now, it had fully dawned on him that he was locked in place in the center of the large room being addressed by Bazlo’s rodian translator.
“You can tell Bazlo, that means a lot to me,” Derex coughed out. His throat was rough and parched, and it was a safe assumption that his ‘host’ would not be providing drinks anytime soon.
The gelatinous Hutt boomed with laughter before continuing.
“The Mighty Bazlo also wants to know if it bothers you that he replays the video of your accident over and over?”
“Well to be honest, I’d rather we switched channels, I hate reruns,” Derex retorted, in obvious sarcasm – his mouth often moved faster than his brain.
“He also wishes to know why you haven’t been forthcoming with the light-saber you were hired to acquire…Bazlo wishes to remind you this is your second failure in the span of a few weeks.”
This time, Rex was smart enough to bite his tongue. He knew what happened to people who rubbed Bazlo the wrong way, and he definitely did not want to end up like them. Of course he didn’t know what to tell him – the truth? He couldn’t reveal to the Crime Lord that he had just so happened to stumble on the very much alive Duke of Vorgrell. If anyone found out Corin was alive, he would be in a great deal of danger. He needed to think of something else. “There were hidden scanners on the ship,” he finally managed to blurt out. “I got caught but I managed to escape.”
“How lucky for you,” the translator responded. It was obvious neither he, nor Bazlo believed the story, but they were going to let the man dig his grave deeper.
“Look I know I screwed up, but if Mighty Bazlo could just look past it one more time, I know I could get it…or anything else he wanted. I just need another chance.”
The Hutt seemed to consider Derex’s proposal before he beckoned his translator closer to whisper in his ear.
“Mighty Bazlo says as much as it pains him to say so, he simply cannot give you another chance Mr Foxx. However, he is not without mercy. His Excellency is willing to accept 25,000,000 credits to compensate him for the objects you were supposed to deliver.”
“25,000,00 credit!” Rex shouted, before giving into another coughing fit. “Where am I supposed to come up with that much money?”
“So are we to understand you don’t have it?” the translator replied, a sadistic gleam beginning to twinkle in his eyes.
Rex looked around the room for any means of escape, but he quickly gave up. He was held-fast, and there was not a friendly face amongst the crowd of onlookers. “No,” he conceded, “I don’t.”
The rodian’s snout seemed to curl up in a smile as Bazlo shook his head and addressed Derex directly for the first time. “How unfortunate for you Mr Foxx” he laughed, before pressing a button on the large throne he sat upon.
Before Derex knew what was happening, his body was sent into violent spasms as the shackle device he was locked into sent wave after wave of electricity into him.
“Wait wait!” Derex called out, the second Bazlo took his pudgy hand off the button. “Wait…look I can come up with the money. My dad is rich remember, I can just have him wire you the money.”
“HO HO HO,” Bazlo cackled, his fingers hovering dangerously close to the trigger. “Your father hasn’t been paying for you in awhile Mr Foxx…remember that’s how you came into my service in the first place.”
The damned hutt was right. He had been cut off, and that not withstanding, he doubted that his dad would even believe him if he said he was being held hostage. “I’ve got powerful friends Bazlo, they’ll come looking for me!”
Bazlo’s fat fingers pressed down on the button again, causing Derex to cry out in pain. “Powerful friends? Do you mean the dead prince and duke of Vorgrell….or perhaps the lovely Zara? Your faith is sadly misplaced if you think that Vorgrell’s beautiful princess will be coming to save you.”
The pain was blinding, and he barely made out what the hutt had said, but he still had enough sense to know things were pretty much as bad as the Crime Lord made them out to be.
Reverting back to his mother-tongue, the hutt gave Derex another momentary lapse in torture so he could listen to what he had to say, “Barouda hoto gandum-rono ho ho ho…..”
“His Excellency says that since you cannot pay you debt to him, you have been hired as ‘entertainment’ for the pleasure of his esteemed court.”
Derex tried to put on a brave, defiant face, but the mask quickly crumbled after a few more presses of the horrible button. This must have been what it was like for Corin while in the Inquisitors ship. He tried to draw strength from the fact that his friend had been in a similar situation and survived it, but it did little to comfort him; Derex knew Corin was stronger than he. *If only Corin were here*
The hope that his friend would rescue him was the last though he had before his sensors overloaded from the pain, and forced him back into the darkness.
Dinner Date - Part 1
07 Zeta 75
Arica’s Private Chambers, Bertrayn Palace
18:11
“But what is it that he wishes from me?” pressed Arica as she stood in front of the bank of mirrors, her arms held up stiffly at either side while Taisan, her dressmaker, folded and pinned a series of alterations around the waist of her gown.
“I’m sure I don’t understand the question, milady,” replied Taisan dutifully as she sewed with swift bird-like movements, the needle and thread darting in and out of the delicate dark blue silk. “Master Bertrayn only said that he wanted to make you a gift of a new gown. Something ’simple but still elegant’ - not that such a thing would be hard,” Taisan smiled, looking up at the young lady’s reflection, “not for such a pretty girl as yourself, milady.”
Arica sighed and tilted her head to one side, avoiding her reflection in the mirror.
“He’s taking you to Ambuno Gesi’s,” intoned the Dutchess Safita Kizor from where she sat, reclined on a chaise. She delicately puffed at a long thin pipe, sending smoke signals into the air above her head. “Such a fine establishment requires a certain manner of dress, indeed you are lucky to have such a generous and thoughtful uncle. Wouldn’t you say Taisan?”
“Oh yes milady,” agreed the young dressmaker as she tucked in the final seam and sewed it close. “Such generosity, such extravagant gifts! He really must think the world of you… if you don’t mind my saying so milady.”
Arica nodded with reserved agreement, yet remained silent.
“You may not be a blood relative, Arica,” smiled the Dutchess, taking another puff on her pipe. “But I know that dear Oldrak thinks of you as quite his own. You really must learn to indulge his little whimsies, after all, you’re practically the only family he has. You must be nice to him.”
“Oh certainly!” agreed Taisan cheerfully, snipping a loose thread and tucking it beneath the seam. “Poor Master Bertrayn has had such a bad time of it lately. You know he tends to his dear wife night and day, and when he does not he spends all his time working. It will do him a power of good to have a break from all that and take his mind off such terrible business.”
Safita grinned knowingly, exhaling a cloud of grey smoke. “You must be extra nice to him tonight, Arica. Do everything in your power to make sure that he has a good time.”
“I shall try,” conceded Arica quietly, feeling butterflies in her stomach at the prospect of spending the night alone with her uncle. Though they had spent very few hours together since the night of Zara Osiri’s ball it was obvious that something had changed between them. The few times they had eaten together had been noticeably awkward, and Arica couldn’t help but notice how her Uncle had not asked her to his chambers as he usually did.
“Well, you shall cheer him up tonight and no mistake,” Taisan smiled, replacing her needle and thread to her pincushion with an air of satisfaction. “There… finished, and you look beautiful milady.”
“Doesn’t she just?”
Arica hadn’t even realised that she’d been holding her breath until the familiar voice of her uncle pierced the sanctuary of her boudoir. Both she and Taisan turned to face him, the latter bowing respectfully while Safita gracefully rose from the chaise.
Oldrak stepped into the room, handsomely dressed in a dark coat, high collared shirt and cream coloured necktie. A faint smile spread across his lips as he crossed to where Arica and her young dressmaker were standing. His eyes slowly and appreciatively taking in every detail of his niece’s appearance, working their way from top to toe.
“Turn around,” he ordered gently, his crooked smile growing as the girl obeyed and turned back to face the bank of mirrors.
Oldrak exchanged a look of amusement with Safita as the woman glided up to where he stood.
“Isn’t she just a vision, Oldrak dear?” she smiled, placing a hand on Arica’s shoulder. “And so grown-up looking, so ripe – like the sweetest, most succulent po’dorj. Couldn’t you just eat her up?”
“Quite,” murmured the Baron as he studied his niece again, how the smooth cerulean silk neatly skimmed her prepubescent figure and fell low to reveal the gentle curve of her bare back. He smiled, looking up at Arica’s sylph-like reflection in the mirror’s silvery glass.
“Simply… ravishing.”
Dinner Date - Part Two
Ambuno Gesi (The Peaceful Ocean), Plateau City
20:03
Arica watched silently as the waiter refilled her glass.
Ambuno Gesi’s was busy tonight, for some reason an inordinate amount of Imperial Officers seemed to have joined Vorgrell’s epicurean ranks along with the usual patrons. Nobles, wealthy traders… Arica was even sure that she’d heard the unmistakable grunting laughter of Balzo the Hutt from behind a closed curtain – whose noisy mastications were kept mercilessly hidden from the rest of the diners. The restaurant buzzed with a soft hubbub of conversation, raucous laughter and the atmospheric tones of Plexo-33.
Arica stole a quick glance around the room, clasping her hands tightly together in her lap as the young waiter retreated, leaving her alone with her uncle again. The ambient background noise should have filled the uncomfortable pause in conversation if Arica hadn’t suspected that at least half of those people were talking about them. Even as she thought such notions, she caught the eye of one of the ladies sitting across from them. The woman sniffed disapprovingly, giving Arica a quick once over before turning away.
Nervously she picked up her glass and took a sip. Meir Wine. It was bitter and tangy and left a hot, raw feeling in her empty stomach. Arica wrinkled her nose in distaste as she replaced her glass on the table.
“My dear,” said Oldrak gently, reaching across and resting his hand on top of Arica’s. “You have been so quiet this evening, is something the matter?”
Arica kept her gaze focused on her lap and shook her head. Oldrak looked around the busy restaurant, catching the eye of several other diners. He smiled knowingly.
“Everyone’s looking at you. D’you know why?”
Arica glanced around again self-consciously. “Me? Why… why would they be looking at me?”
A tight smirk curled Oldrak’s lips. “You don’t know? Surely you do.” Slowly he stroked the girl’s hand with his fingers. “You are a beautiful young woman, Arica. Are you telling me you don’t know that?” He smiled again. “Even more so recently. These past few days… you’re positively glowing. Everyone can see it, myself included. It makes me wonder if you don’t have something to tell me…”
Arica looked up and blushed as her eyes met those of her uncle. His gaze was so penetrating; she sometimes felt that he must be able to read her mind. If he could he would surely know that it was the attentions of Captain Moriss that enlivened her so and brought fresh colour to her cheeks.
Pulling her hand free, Arica hastily picked up the menu, making a clattering noise as her fork hit the side of her plate. She blushed again, her fingers tightening around the card.
“This is all so…” her eyes skimmed the list of dishes, “I... I’m afraid I’m not familiar with this kind of food.”
Oldrak picked up his own menu though his eyes never left the nervous yet still beguiling form of his niece. “Then perhaps you’ll allow me to order for you?”
“Yes, please,” nodded Arica gratefully. “Anything, I don’t mind.”
They both sat in silence as Oldrak perused the offerings. Arica held in a sigh, lifting her glass to her lips again and taking another small sip of her wine. From across the restaurant, another roar of gluttonous laughter erupted from the curtained section where the Hutt’s party had been secluded. Oldrak snorted and glared in the general direction.
“By the Emperor’s Ears, why do they keep letting that bishwag Balzo dine here?” he muttered with disapproval, returning his attention to the menu. “How about the sautéed Vros? It’s a particular delicacy.”
Arica didn’t answer, she was instead, much too engrossed in the snatches of a conversation that she had overheard from the direction of Balzo the Hutt’s table.
“Me nupa tiroy pana Balzo’s danko, ho, ho, ho… Luurda, uker ama setuka mo! Me ainti wak incaga a Famous Seeker Champion pe haz Vorgrell! Ho, ho, ho!”
“Kon pidunki!” came a female voice, that of Balzo’s rather more compassionate sister Luurda.
“CHING!!” snapped Balzo harshly before laughing again. “Wata a dongol nu aley, Derex Foxx! Ho, ho!!” (1)
Arica felt her blood run cold. Could it be that the Derex Foxx they spoke so disparagingly of was the same Derex Foxx who Evie had chased off her balcony less than two nights ago? It was a possibility, but another Derex Foxx who was also a great champion of the sport ‘Seeker’? For the first time in her life Arica hoped that she had misinterpreted the conversation.
“Arica? Arica?”
She suddenly looked up. Her uncle was watching her closely, curiosity and annoyance etched into his fine, noble features. He hated to be ignored.
“I… I’m sorry uncle,” she apologised hastily, staring contritely into her lap. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
Oldrak smiled as his niece blushed in her usual, ravishing manner. Taking her hand again, he held it up to his lips before laying an indulgently prolonged kiss against her skin. “No need to fret child, though you know I crave your complete attention. You may still make it up to me later.”
Arica nodded though she still wasn’t really paying her uncle full courtesy. She couldn’t help but worry about what she had overheard, if Derex was really Balzo’s prisoner then he was in terrible danger. Suddenly she noticed one of the women at the other tables staring again – literally craning her neck to get a better view. Regarding Arica’s discomfort, Oldrak turned around quickly and gave the woman a stern, authoritative glare until, flustered and abashed, she quickly turned away.
“You should not let these people intimidate you,” he said, turning back to his niece. “You have every right to be here. More right in fact than they do, for your beauty and charm far outranks their bland appropriation of wealth.”
Arica tilted her head uneasily, still not looking at her uncle. “I… I fear it is not my lack of fortune that attracts their disapproval.”
Oldrak chuckled and leaned forwards in a conspiratorial fashion. “Do you perhaps fancy that they mistake you for my mistress? Is that it?” He smiled wryly, his eyes raking in the exquisite beauty of his niece as he did so. “Would that prospect really be so unfavourable to you?”
Arica continued to avert her gaze as her uncle eventually leaned back into his chair. He picked up the stub of his cigar, which was still smouldering in the ashtray and inhaled deeply, holding the smoke in his lungs for a few seconds before exhaling a filmy grey cloud.
“Really Arica, if a man cannot take the daughter of his closest and oldest friend out to dinner, a girl whom he looks upon as his own family, then there is more wrong with the universe than I initially suspected.”
“I… I agree, sir,” stammered Arica nervously. She looked up, her eyes flickering in all directions, too embarrassed to hold her uncle’s gaze for more than a second at a time. “I really do, and I would not wish to appear ungrateful. You have always treated me with unmitigated generosity a-and exceptional kindness but…”
Oldrak replaced the stub of his cigar in the ashtray and leaned forwards, holding both of Arica’s fidgeting hands still. “I am generous only because I have the means to be so. I have fortune enough that I could probably buy you a new gown for every day of the rest of my life and never even make a dent in my pocketbook. Not only that but I am lonely, Arica. I have lost my only son and my wife is so ill that she may never leave her room again.”
Oldrak sighed, releasing her hands and leaning back into his chair. He picked up his cigar and brought it back to his mouth, inhaling deeply. “Then I have you. So young, so pretty… so deprived of all life’s frivolities. Perhaps I do spoil you, but then I take pleasure in doing so.”
Arica blushed again, looking down into her lap.
Oldrak smiled again at her shyness. “But I only wish to see you happy. You are the closest thing to family that I have left.”
Arica was about to reply when a polite cough interrupted their solitude. The two looked up to see the apologetic figure of Commander Harkness looming over their table.
“I sincerely apologise for interrupting your evening,” he began, straightening to his full, wiry height as he gained their attention. “Baron Bertrayn,” he nodded curtly before offering Arica a tight smile of recognition. “This must be your charming ward who played so exquisitely at Princess Osiri’s little soiree the other night.”
Oldrak grunted in his own, officious tone. “It is.”
“Dreadful business how it all ended, but then that’s rebel’s for you and another example of the lawlessness of this fair city. Thankfully the people of Vorgrell can rest easy now that the Empire has taken command. Such disturbances will soon become a thing of the past – which is why I, regretfully why I am here. I wished to inform you that my men will be making a thorough security check in your part of the city tomorrow, we will, of course, require access to your property and perhaps to station some of our troops there. I hope it will be of little inconvenience but of course, what is good for the Empire is good for everyone.”
“Of course, thank-you for the advanced notice Commander.”
Harkness gave another of his tight smiles before returning to his table where he was enjoying a merge feast with a select company of his unit. Oldrak watched him for a moment, eventually turning his attention back to his menu.
“So… the sautéed Vros for you and I think I shall have grilled opee, I hear it is something quite special.”
______________________________________________________
(1) “I have a new ornament for my home, ha ha ha! Lurdaa, you must come and see. I have no other but the most famous Seeker Champion on all Vorgrell!”
“Poor boy.”
“QUIET! Here’s to the soon-to-be late Derex Foxx!”
Dinner Date - Part Three
08 Zeta 75
The Bertrayn Private Groundcoach, Location Static
00:56
Oldrak took Arica’s hand and smiled as he helped her into the groundcoach before sliding into the seat beside her. They’d had a pleasant evening together, filled with fine food and dancing. Oldrak had not enjoyed himself so much in years, holding his beautiful niece close as they danced, knowing that every pair of eyes in the room had been watching them with quietly guarded envy.
“Take the scenic route, Cizel,“ instructed Oldrak, leaning forward to speak to the driver before settling back down on the seat next to Arica. He smiled serenely, taking up her hand as the groundcoach whirred and set off through the streets of Plateau City.
“I hope you don’t mind?” he said softly, leaning in closer to his niece so that he could whisper in her ear. “I just thought that we could take advantage of the opportunity, spend some time alone without prying eyes watching our every move.”
Oldrak reached into the pocket of his coat and removed a long square box, placing it in Arica’s hands. “A gift,” he explained simply, “to show you how very dear you are to me.” Carefully he opened the box, inside rested an ornate necklace made up of clusters of powder pink pearls intricately woven together between strands of thinly spun platinite.
Arica shuffled uncomfortably on the seat, reaching out a hand and gently fingering the pretty gems. “It’s… it’s very beautiful.”
“But not as beautiful as you,” said Oldrak quietly, his eyes raking in the demure charm of his niece. “Here,” he said, reaching into the box and removing the necklace, “let me put it on you, see how it looks.”
Arica stammered a weak protest but Oldrak had already begun to unfasten the cord of her cloak, pushing the heavy velvet fabric from her shoulders so that it pooled on the soft leather of the back seat. He smiled and reached out to unfasten the pendant that she was already wearing.
“But-“ Arica began as her uncle unfastened the clasp, letting the heavy crystal fall into her lap. “It was my mother’s,” she explained softly, holding the teardrop tightly in her hand. “I’ve always worn it, ever since I was a child.”
“Sometimes,” said Oldrak quietly as he draped the clusters of lustrous pearls about her throat, “we have to put away childish things, it doesn’t mean that we love them any less.” He looked up into her dark brown eyes and smiled again. “Just that, well, sometimes we have to realise that change is a necessary part of growing up, of assuming the responsibilities of adulthood. Do you understand?”
“I don’t think I do,” admitted Arica nervously, fingering the elegant necklace in place as her uncle drew back to admire her. In her other hand she tightly grasped the crystal pendant of her mother.
“You know Irina grows weaker with each passing day,” said Oldrak casually, trailing his index finger up Arica’s knee, wrinkling the fluid silk of her dress. “It pains me to see her so, to know that there is nothing I can do to alleviate her suffering. The loneliness…” he sighed tiredly, “sometimes it is more than I can bear. I prey for a release, for something, someone to ease my pain.”
Gently he reached out and stroked a stray lock of hair from her face, the edge of his thumb grazing the fullest part of her cheek with solemn reflection. “I send praise to the Cosmic Wisdom for bringing you to me. My dear, sweet Arica.”
“You… you are kind,” stammered Arica uneasily, feeling a strange sensation of dread deep in the pit of her stomach. She didn’t like it when her uncle behaved in such a manner, so peculiar and intense.
“Your modesty is like a breath of fresh air to me,” insisted Oldrak, taking her hand and kissing it firmly. “If you only knew the effect that you have on me, if you could conceive it. You are a beautiful, charming young woman, Arica… I am quite powerless to resist you.”
Arica squealed in alarm as Oldrak took hold of her, grasping her wrists in both hands and holding them against the back of the seat. “What?” she gasped fearfully, pressing herself as far back and away from her uncle as she could. He looked positively wild, his face red and his hair falling madly into his eyes. “What are you doing?”
“You know what I’m doing,” whispered Oldrak, almost breathless with the desire to possess the girl. Eagerly, he slid further across the seat so that Arica was pressed between him and the far door. “You’re so beautiful,” he sighed, releasing his hold on her to slowly draw his fingers across her cheek.
Leaning forwards he lay a gentle kiss upon Arica’s forehead. He could feel her anxious breath against his face as he slowly moved to kiss her eyelids and then her cheek. Oldrak paused for a long time, his body pressed tensely against his niece, and then, slowly, he brushed his lips across hers.
“Please… don’t,” she whispered helplessly, turning away to evade his kiss. “You’re my uncle.”
“And you’re my dutiful niece, showing her beloved uncle just how much she appreciates his charity and kindness.” Oldrak drew back slightly and stroked his fingers against Arica’s cheek again. “Just one more kiss,” he entreated her quietly, his hand slipping down to her shoulder and sliding beneath the strap of her dress.
“Don’t,” whispered Arica again, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. With a hesitant jerk, she pulled her shoulder back, grasping the strap of her dress and holding it in place.
“I told you, I am powerless to resist your charms,” said Oldrak, quite firmly this time, his voice holding a note of mild annoyance. With a grunt he shoved her hard against the back of the seat, holding her in place. “One little, meaningless kiss. That is all I ask in exchange for everything that I’ve given you, everything that I’ve done for you. Surely that’s more than fair. What is one kiss to you after all? Nothing, it is nothing… but to me it’s the world. Would you really deny me something so insignificant?”
Arica couldn’t answer; her heart beat furiously in her breast with the closeness of her uncle. The scent of him surrounded her - Corellian brandy, tobacco and a heavy, musky cologne. He leaned in closer, cradling her face between both his hands and pulling her towards him. As their lips touched, Arica let out a gasp of protest and tried to push him away but Oldrak’s hold on her was far superior. He pressed her back against the door, his mouth enveloping her trembling lips, as sweet as the first time, his tongue working it’s way inside to seek out that deliciously wholesome taste of her.
Again Arica felt tears prick the corner of her eyes as her uncle continued to ravish her. Looking up she caught sight of Cizel, the driver, watching them from the reflection of his interior mirror, a lascivious smile spread across his face as he drove. Arica screwed her eyes up tightly, feeling tears roll down her cheeks.
Oldrak groaned with lust as his tongue met with that of his niece. Warm, soft and wet – he could barely restrain himself again from just tearing the girl’s gown apart and making a woman out of her right there on the backseat of the carriage. Instead he grasped hold of her dress and pulled it up until it bared her legs right up to the thigh. While Arica continued to struggle against him, Oldrak ran his hand up her cool skin, stroking the flesh above her knee firmly, his niece’s squeals of protest only further igniting his lust as he continued to satisfy his desire.
With a sigh of satisfaction, he eventually pulled away, removing his handkerchief and drying Arica’s tears.
“Shush,” he whispered gently, cupping her face in one hand. “No crying now, you don’t want Cizel to hear, do you?”
“I-It’s not right,” sobbed Arica pitifully, unable to control her wrecked emotions. “W-why? Why do, w-why do you do this to me?”
“Do what?” Oldrak asked abruptly, “show you how much I care for you? How much you mean to me? Don’t you think you’re being just a little bit selfish? After all I give you a home, a beautiful room filled with books, a wardrobe bursting with exquisite dresses. You have your own servants, a fine, healthy Madris to ride whenever you please, not to mention the advantage of my connections in society.“
Reaching into his coat pocket, Oldrak extracted a cigar and proceeded to set it alight. In less than a minute he had a good blaze going and a steady cloud of grey smoke began to circle about his head like a halo. His displeasure was evident.
Arica wiped at her damp cheeks with trembling hands. “I- I know that you take care of me, I… I did not mean to appear ungrateful-”
“-You say that,” grumbled Oldrak as he continued to puff on his cigar. “Yet you show little evidence to the contrary. Just like you take my gifts, but persist in refusing my affection. And here I am thinking that you wanted to be a better niece to me.”
“I do but-” Arica whimpered quietly, wiping at her eyes again as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. She was in an utterly hopeless situation that was becoming more confusing by the second. She didn’t even totally understand what her uncle expected from her, all she knew was that it felt wrong when he kissed and touched her in such a manner. All she knew was that it made her feel scared and guilty and… and something else. Something dirty and dark. Tainted.
“My dear,” Oldrak soothed, sensing her distress. He extinguished his cigar before wrapping an arm around her trembling shoulders. “Your anxiety is due to the misapprehension that this is all somehow wrong. Allow me to ease your conscience. You are no longer a sixteen-year-old child, you’re a beautiful young woman with desires and needs just like any other. I have no wish to hurt you, quite the opposite in fact. If you’d allow me, I would love you and take care of you and provide you with anything you could wish. All I ask is that, until I am in a position to make a formal offer you allow me some slight transgressions. It would be no reflection upon your virtue, which is, as always, irreproachable.”
Arica closed her eyes for a moment, feeling light-headed and sick to the pit of her stomach. “A-Aunt Irina…” she stammered uneasily, clutching the handle of the door for support.
Oldrak smiled. “Irina is a sick, old woman. Besides, this… arrangement has nothing to do with her. She never needs to know.”
Oldrak patted Arica’s knee. He might not have won her over but he felt confident that he had managed to secure her immediate silence. All he had to do was to continue working his way with her until he’d made it impossible for her to refuse.
“Good girl,” he praised quietly as the groundcoach neared the grounds of Bertrayn Palace. “This is for the best, you’ll see.”
First Epic Series (9 May 2005 to 9 November 2005)
08 Zeta 75
The Starport, Plateau City
10:22
Arica fiddled anxiously with her gloves as her eyes scanned the busy streets. The last time she had ventured to the Starport she’d been kidnapped and almost sold into a life of slavery. If it hadn’t been for Daell… well, Arica shuddered to think of where she might be right now – probably in the lecherous hands of Admiral Mendes.
*Instead of your Uncle’s?* she thought to herself, a sick lump rising up into her throat as she thought about what had happened last night in the back of the groundcoach.
“You still haven’t told me who this friend of Daell’s is,” Garim remarked, not noticing the sudden paleness that had washed over his charge as he took hold of Arica’s gloved hand and led her across the busy intersection. The starport was as hectic as usual and though he’d tried his best to appear inconspicuous, the sight of a young noblegirl, her bodyguard and her nursemaid was already beginning to attract the odd interested glance.
“I can’t help thinking that you’re deliberately withholding because you know I’ll disapprove.”
Arica blushed, but hid her face behind the hood of her cloak as they approached the docking bay where ‘The Siren’s Song’ was listed as being stationed.
“I said it before, Captain and I’ll say it again,” interrupted Evie, casting a rueful eye about the dingy spaceport. “This is no place for a lady, no place at all! Whoever this ‘Daell’ is-”
“She saved my life,” Arica blurted in an attempt to stop any further protests. “Besides this is important, you two will just have to trust me.”
Javier was playing solitaire when the caller’s buzz sounded over the loud music. He looked in the direction of Daell’s cabin, but when the Twi’lek didn’t show up he shrugged and placed a flasks queen over his fool. A second impatient buzz was needed for him to leave his game and go to the communicator. The image the little holocam showed was uncommon enough for him to frown, a man with military airing, an obvious noble girl and probably her companion. He wondered what they could want in the Siren.
Arica was taken aback as the small coms screen flickered to life, revealing not the attractive twi’lek woman but instead a swarthy, somewhat belligerent looking man.
“Um, we were looking for Daell,” said Arica nervously into the mic, “we… we’re friends. Is she there?”
Javier doubted for a second, and then he shrugged again. Maybe they were not friends, but they certainly didn’t look like foes, and given Daell’s line of work, they could even be customers. Without a word, he pressed the release button for the entrance ramp, and started to walk towards it.
“Who was that?” queried Evie as the trio headed in the direction of the great hulking freighter. “He was very… what is the word? Rugged.”
“Must be one of Daell’s… acquaintances,” mumbled Garim quietly, taking a protective hold of Arica who fairly skipped off ahead – no doubt in sheer delight at the prospect of seeing Daell again.
“Maybe he’s a space pirate, or a smuggler, or…”
“Or maybe all that put together,” Javier interrupted walking off the shadows of the Siren’s womb. The words had made him smile, and he bowed slightly to the blushing girl. “Javier Lazarno at your service, miss. I'm Daell’s friend too. “
Garim’s brow creased suspiciously as he looked the man up and down. “Wait a minute, Lazarno? You’re not any relation to Elías Lazarno, by any chance? I’d even say you look like him.”
Javier narrowed his eyes and studied the man in front of him before answering. “He was my father,” he said at last. “You a bounty hunter too?”
“No,” said Garim simply, “but then you wouldn’t have to be a bounty hunter to have heard of Elías, he is somewhat notorious.”
“Please,” interrupted Arica suddenly, stepping forward and positioning herself between the two men before they started duelling or whatever. “Is Daell here, it’s really important that I talk to her, it’s urgent.”
Jav tore his gaze from the man’s and looked at the noble girl. She was a tall woman, and they were almost level. He smiled, attempting to put her at ease. “Daell is taking a shower, she shouldn’t be long, Miss…?”
“Arica,” she blurted before blushing somewhat at her forwardness, “…Odari-Mosora. Perhaps it would be all right if we waited, Mr Lazarno?”
“Of course,” he answered and moved aside so the little group could enter the ship. “Maybe we could do something in the mean time, do you play Sabacc, Arica?”
Evie snorted her disapproval and took hold of her charge, looping her arm around hers. “Always playing games, men should know better than to gamble,” she muttered beneath her breath.
“I do not,” answered Arica, casting Evie a warning glare. “But I have read of it, it sounds so complicated but I should like to learn.”
“And I’d love to teach you,” Javier’s dark eyes sparkled with merriment. He hadn’t been wrong about the old woman, she was a nanny through and through. “Although you should ask Daell to give you some lessons too, there’s something special about women playing cards that men miss.”
“We just don’t dribble at the first cleavage we see, that usually improves our odds.” Daell said, coming to meet them. She was wearing a plush robe and her skin glowed a faint violet hue after the hot shower. She smiled happily to Arica, and nodded to Garim. “Good to see you again, girl. And you, captain.”
“Daell!” Arica’s smile beamed radiantly though all too quickly that smile faded as she remembered the reason for her visit. “Daell, I need to talk to you urgently, it’s about your friend, Derex. I believe he is in serious danger.”
“Derex?” Daell frowned, and took Arica’s hand, leading her to a small round table. “Please, tell me about it.”
Arica waited until everyone was sat before she began, Garim remained standing in his usual pose of restless caution, but even so she could feel his attention directed upon her.
“I was…” she paused awkwardly, “…out with my Uncle last night. We went to Ambuno Gesi’s and while there I overheard something. Bazlo the Hutt was talking, well bragging really I guess, quite loudly too – about how he’d acquired a new ‘ornament’ for his home – the most famous Seeker Champion on Vorgrell. Then he said his name, he said Derex Foxx-“
“Derex Foxx?” Evie proclaimed, interrupting the flow of Arica’s exposition. “That impertinent boy who had the nerve to hide himself in your bedchamber? Who was impudent enough to kiss you right in front of me?”
Garim’s head snapped up with sudden interest, a dark scowl forming across his forehead. “He was in your room? He kissed you? When did all this happen?”
“The night of Princess Orsiri’s ball, just before I came in to get the young miss ready for bed. I walked in and there he was as large as life! The shame of it!”
“I am here you know!” declared Arica irritably before blushing as suddenly as everyone turned to look at her again. “I told you Evie,” she whispered softly, “nothing happened, he was just… paying me a compliment.”
Garim’s scowl deepened. “It sounds to me as though young Derex Foxx could learn a thing or two about manners, maybe after Balzo’s goons have roughed him up a bit he’ll be a little less cocksure.”
“No doubt,” said Arica quietly, “but only because he’s likely to also be dead.”
Daell watched the exchange with a raised eyebrow. She happened to agree with captain Moriss, but she also knew that Arica was right.
“I'm sure Derex won't like to end up as a stuffed head in Bazlo’s library,” she said evenly, although if she acknowledged that the situation was far from light. “I just knew that idiot would get in trouble sometime or another, he just likes to flirt with death too much.”
She raised a hand to silence Arica’s protests, “which doesn’t mean we won't help him; or try to” She looked to Moriss. “Any ideas? I can use my contacts to learn where he is, but it won't be easy.”
“I can get you inside,” Javier interrupted, and all eyes turned to him. He leaned back and crossed his arms. “There’s a private Sabacc tournament at Bazlo’s in two days; only professional players. I can get you in.”
“I see you’ve been busy.” Daell chuckled, and looked at Garim again. “That could work.”
With a shake of his head, Garim left his place by the door and joined everyone at the table. “Look, I understand that Derex is your friend and you want to help him but we can’t go charging into Balzo’s palace just because, and no offence Miss Odari, of some overheard conversation.”
“It’s not just that,” objected Arica, biting her lower lip nervously and to stop herself saying more than she would mean to. “I know that he’s in danger, that he’s in pain. Bazlo’s not just holding him prisoner to teach him a lesson – he’s torturing him.”
Daell studied the girl intently. There was something in the wilful set of her jaw that she recognized, she remembered another time when she had seen her like this. She leaned forward across the table and took Arica’s hand in hers. “You did recognize me, didn’t you?” At the girl’s confused look Daell went on. “That night with the slavers… you said you’d seen me.”
At Arica’s silence she frowned, it was important that they knew the truth. Moriss could be right and they getting into the sarlacc’s mouth just for nothing, but she could understand Arica’s refusal to talk, more so in those troubled times.
“Arica,” she pressed, “do you have the sight? It’s important you tell us, please. You’re among friends.”
Arica shook her head fearfully, she’d seen how the Jedi had become persecuted by the Empire, how anyone who displayed any sort of force sensitivity could be arrested and never heard from again. She had no desire for that to happen to herself.
“It’s nothing,” she insisted defensively, “I just… I see things sometimes – just pictures really, signs. It isn’t even all the time but… last night, I saw Derex in one of my visions. He was being held by Bazlo and then… he was dead.”
The Twi’lek squeezed Arica’s hand in hers to show her support and smiled when she pressed back. Then she looked at the captain again. “I think that settles it, captain. We need to get Derex out of there.”
Garim nodded, but was unable to take his eyes from Arica. He couldn’t believe that all this time she’d been keeping such a secret and he’d never even suspected. But then, Arica always had been good at taking control of her emotions and hiding her true feelings. Rising from his chair he walked over to her and laid a hand upon her shoulder supportively.
“Very well, we’ll go with Lazarno’s ploy and sneak in during the Sabacc tournament. Two days should at least give us enough time to think of a plan for once we’re inside.”
“Can we stay here until then?” Arica suggested suddenly, looking pleadingly between the Twi’lek and Captain Moriss. “Evie could return to the palace, tell my Uncle that I was visiting friends for a few days. The Lakaia’s live on the outer rim of Plateau City, you could say I was staying with them, that way we’d be able to come up with a plan together.”
“Of course you can stay, dear.” Daell hurried to assure her. “There’s room enough and it’ll be great to have you onboard again.”
“What? Stay, here?” Evie harrumphed her disapproval, “and I’m just supposed to leave you here while you go off on some foolish escapade to rescue some boy without the good sense not to get involved with the Hutt’s?”
Evie was about to say more but the sorrowful, pleading look on Arica’s face was enough to melt her resolve. She never could refuse her and besides, the girl was a grown-up despite her tendency to treat her still as a child. No one else seemed to have noticed that fact, not her father or her uncle who both treated the young woman like a fragile hot-house flower that had to be protected from everything life had to offer – the good as well as the bad. The least Evie could do was to allow Arica some freedom when it was in her power to do so.
“Oh… well…” she sighed and rolled her eyes. “Okay then, but you,” she pointed at Garim, “better make sure she gets home in one piece and you,” she turned and pointed at Daell before straightening herself primly. “Well, I charge you with my duty as chaperone, I don’t want any inappropriateness taking place.”
Daell pressed her lips not to smile as she looked at the woman, but she was serious when she spoke. “I’m honoured you think I'm good enough to do your work, Ms Evie. I assure you nothing will happen to Arica while on my ship.”
Evie pursed her lips together ruefully but said no more. She kissed her ward’s cheek with a fierce devotion before rising to take her leave. “I pray for you all, bring home that little toe-rag so that I can box his ears myself for being such a nuisance!”
First Epic Series (9 May 2005 to 9 November 2005)
08 Zeta 75
Daell’s Quarters, The Siren’s Song
21:04
“Pure Sabacc?” Arica looked up as she lay down the Ace of Flasks, before retrieving her hairbrush and resuming the absent combing of her hair.
“23 points of pure Sabacc indeed,” Daell said happily. “You’re learning fast, hon.” Arica was determined to learn to play the game and she wasn’t doing bad. Good memory and intelligence were a great combination when playing cards. She could tell Arica could be a skilled player, if only she learned to conceal her emotions more. But then, she would never play professionally, or even play much, so that wasn’t an issue.
She looked at the girl, who was combing her hair while she watched her big slow mirror on the wall. The Halean Falls image was showing night time, with Vorgrel’s meteorite shower reflecting on the thunderous falling water. It was a magical image, and she never tired of watching it. She got up and took the brush from Arica’s hands to start combing her hair herself.
“I see you like my mirror,” she said while she delighted in the feeling of the girl’s soft hair between her fingers. “I bought it from a Nal Hutta merchant, and I couldn’t think of a better place to show.”
Arica tucked her legs up beneath herself on the bed, making herself comfortable as the Twi’lek tended to her. “Why’s that?”
“Do you know the legend of Elrin and Halea?” Daell asked then, although she was sure the girl did. A romantic girl like her would.
“Of course,” Arica smiled and turned so that she could face the other woman. “It’s a great tragedy, a bitter rivalry between two warring families and a pair of star-crossed lovers. Elrin Kerkes and Halea Tarwin, caught in the middle of the feud yet unable to live without one another, sealed their love everlasting by jumping to their death at those same falls that were later named after Halea herself. They believed that their souls would never be parted, but last forever upon the mists rising from the waves.”
Arica sighed in a schoolgirl fashion. “It’s so sad… but such a beautiful story.”
“And it brought the tradition of throwing coins into the falls to bless love,” Daell said with a dreamy look in her eyes. She noticed Arica’s confusion and smiled, “Of course, you didn’t grow up here on Vorgrell, you wouldn’t know of the custom.”
She smiled broadly and sat down besides Arica, looking at the slow mirror with the same dreamy look as before. “It is customary for young lovers to venture to the falls at dawn, and when the sun rises each of them throws a coin into the falls to ensure everlasting love and happiness.” She sighed, “It’s almost as a marriage proposition.”
“What happened?” asked Arica softly, taking Daell’s hand and squeezing it gently. “You were in love, yes? Like Elrin and Halea,” she blushed, “like myself and Captain Moriss. I remember you said you knew what you were talking about - how sometimes the most beautiful thing can end in the most terrible way.”
Daell’s head dropped, and her eyes filled with contained tears, the pain of her loss as strong as ever. “We threw our coins into the falls, once. We were so happy…” Daell laughed dismissively and rubbed the tears from her eyes. “It was long ago, Arica. I should put it behind me and get on with my life; I’ve certainly tried.”
She got up and walked to a small inbuilt row of shelves. It was full of trinkets and exotic plants, a holopic of her father in a central position besides the base of another, this one turned off.
“He was my life, Arica. And he was taken away from me,” she said as she turned the little gadget on. The holobase sprung to life, throwing a piercing ray of light upwards that quickly changed into a figure. That of a handsome, laughing young man, his hazel eyes shone with love and promise. Either the holocam loved him, or he had loved the holographer.
Arica rose to her feet and moved to Daell’s side, looking at the holo-projection. The man really was handsome and there was a soft, boyish playfulness in his features that made Arica smile herself.
“What happened to him?” she asked quietly, “is he…?”
“He was Prince Zayen Orsiri, Zara’s brother,” Daell said quietly.
Arica nodded sadly, she’d often heard of the fate of poor Zayen Orsiri – just one of the casualties from the night that Imperial Stormtroopers raided the noble houses – dead, like her own dear cousin Myklos.
“I’m sorry,” she said apologetically, “you must still really love him.”
“I do- did,” she answered, turning off the holobase with a definite motion. “As I said, it was long ago and it was complicated from the beginning. A Prince and an alien like me… it would’ve never worked anyway.” She smiled weakly at Arica, “I just hope you’re luckier than me.”
Arica blushed girlishly as she thought of Garim, but inside she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of something, like fear. She vehemently wished that her love would not end in such tragedy, despite the differences between herself and Captain Moriss.
“I could not love anyone more,” she confessed, returning to her discarded hand of Sabacc that rested on Daell’s bed. “That night at Princess Zara’s ball, Garim admitted… he told me how he was falling in love with me. Since then…” Arica blushed again, coyly shuffling the Sabacc cards between her hands as she thought back to that morning in the palace gardens and their stolen kisses. She sighed and closed her eyes.
“I can hardly believe that such a feeling exists, that I could feel so… so…” she sighed again.
“I know,” the Twi’lek said, smiling broadly. “It’s like floating and being on land at the same time; when I was in Zayen’s arms I didn’t want to be anywhere else. When he loved me,” Daell stopped, suddenly blushing. She had forgotten who she was with, she finished quickly, “there was nothing like it.”
Arica bit the corner of her lip warily. Replacing the Sabbac cards with the rest of the deck she turned her whole focus to Daell. “Can I tell you something?”
“Of course.”
Arica took a deep breath before continuing. “When we’re together, Garim and I, and we… well,” she blushed shyly and looked away. “When we’re kissing, I just… I start feeling all these things, things I’ve never felt before. My body… it feels so strange, all hot and aching – not in pain or anything, it’s more like my blood is on fire and my heart is pounding so heavily that I can feel it everywhere.”
She looked up at Daell again, her cheeks burning red from her confession. “I just feel like I want him to touch me - all of me – every little part of my body. I know it’s wrong… you must think me terribly wicked.”
Daell cursed inwardly the blindness of nobility and their concepts of right or wrong. “There’s nothing wrong in loving somebody and wanting… well wanting to be with him in every way. It’s the natural way between a man and a woman, there’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
Daell bit her lower lip, her teeth very white against her blue mouth. “Arica, how much do you know about… well, you know, about sex?”
Arica didn’t think she could go much redder but all the same she felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. “Sex? I… well, I um,” she shook her head uneasily. “I am not to know of such things, th-that is, a lady shouldn’t…”
Arica bit her lower lip harder, fiddling with the end of her thumb. When she looked up at Daell again, her face was still flushed but there was also a passionate curiosity blazing in her dark eyes. “How…” she paused hesitantly, chewing on her lip again. “What’s it like?”
It was Daell’s time to doubt; she couldn’t find the words to speak to Arica. It was infuriating that noble people should drill those notions into their daughters minds. “Girls like you are like everybody else, you love and cry and feel passion like the rest of the world. Don’t let anybody tell you what you have to feel. Not your father, not your nanny. Nobody.”
“And making love… well, someone once told me that the only thing that could compare is nursing your child,” she said, “but since I wouldn’t know about that I can only tell you that it’s the best thing in the world.”
Arica sighed thoughtfully, musing silently upon Daell’s words. “Yes but, what do you do?” she asked finally, partially hiding her face by letting her hair fall across her eyes. “I know that we would lie together – intimately so. I mean, without clothes or anything.”
Arica sighed again only this time conveying her equal frustration and embarrassment. “I love Garim so much,” she confessed plainly, forcing herself to look Daell in the eyes. “I want to please him, when I give myself to him… I just want it to be perfect. I don’t want him to think that I’m a naïve little girl who doesn’t know what to do.”
“Oh, Arica! If I know anything about males it’s that – for more open minded they may be – they all love to have a naïve, little girl who doesn’t know what to do in their arms… at least once, the hypocrites!” *Or virgins wouldn’t be so prized in slave markets* she added to herself, but didn’t tell. “You don’t have to worry about that, nobody is born knowing, not even those sure, macho men; they were virgins too, once.”
“You must know what to expect, anyway, so you won't be so nervous and tense that it’ll spoil the moment.” She smiled tenderly to the girl, and moved the brown curtain of hair off her face, to look at her in the eye as she started to tell her about lovemaking.
First Epic Series (9 May 2005 to 9 November 2005)
09 Zeta 75
06:10
Siren’s Song
It had been long since Arica had left her bedroom, tired after many hours of chatting, but Daell couldn’t sleep. She lied in her bunk, her blue feet up and her hands distractedly oiling her lekku. All her concentration was on the slow mirror above her bed. The Halean Falls were tinting with the pinks and oranges of dawn, even if the sun had not yet risen, and if you looked carefully you could almost see the movement in the woods around the falls, as wild life started to wake. It was the best hour of day… and Daell remembered.
**********
24 Delta 72
06:30
Halean Falls
Daell tapped her foot on the metal floor of the transport, her high-heels making a hollow noise. She heard Zayen’s soft chuckle and she controlled herself, trying not to show her impatience. He had been most secretive about where he was taking her, even to the point of putting a blindfold on her face. It had felt so good to feel his hands on her lokku – and he knew it, cunning man - that she had just let him blind her and lead her into his transport.
She was impatient now. Not that she didn’t trust him, she’d go to the end of the world for that man, but she was just too anxious a girl to stay still for too long. He knew that too.
“How long till we get there, Zayen?” Daell asked finally, trying to see under the handkerchief over her eyes.
“No peeking, love,” he said, and she almost fainted when he stroked her head again while putting the scrap of cloth in place once more. He most certainly knew how sensitive her lokku were, and he used it to his advantage. “We’re almost there, don’t be anxious.”
“Ok,” she answered, sighing. She relaxed and forced herself to wait a little more, her pilot’s sense soon noticing the change in the vessel’s movement anyway. They were getting there indeed.
Before long, the sound of water crashing against rocks betrayed their position.
“Are we going to..” Daell started but Zayen cut her off with a joking “shhhing”.
Moments later, the transport ship came to a complete stop, the crashing water louder than ever. Taking the Twi’leks hand in his own, the prince led her from the craft out onto a rocky surface.
“Can I please look now!” she pleaded, the excitement crescendoing to a point where she could no longer contain it.
“Yeah, now you can.”
Zayen’s brilliant smile was the first thing the girl saw as she removed the veil obscuring her vision, followed by the breath taking sight of the Halean Falls.
“Beautiful isn’t it?” Zayen whispered, as he moved in back of Daell and wrapped his arms around her waist. Closing her eyes, Daell could feel his warm breath against her lokku. There was no where she would rather be, and no one else she would rather be with.
“The sun’s about to rise” Zayen whispered softly in her ear, his tongue gently caressing her earlobe before he seductively nibbled on the soft cartilage.
Daell leaned back onto the hard chest of her lover, part of her just enjoying the feelings that were rushing through her body, part of her still stunned about this extraordinary event. *The Halean Falls!* she didn’t fail to understand what it meant, you didn’t take a girl to the Halean Falls unless you loved her!
For a second, Daell allowed herself to dream. Just a second. It couldn’t be. Prince Zayen, the heir of the House of Orsiri, couldn’t be declaring his love for a mere girl, a Twi’lek girl too!
They had been going out for a couple of months, passion flaring between them almost from the beginning. But Daell had never assumed it was more than that, at least on his part. Her heart had been lost from the moment she had set her eyes on his hazel ones. But she had kept her feelings hidden. She had never expected more, wasn’t asking for more. She loved this man, and she would take what he had to offer for as long as he offered it.
It wasn’t fair that he brought her to this place, she had never thought him capable of such cruelty. She tensed in his arms, and straightened. “Why are we here?” she asked, her voice cold.
Giving a hurt, puppy dog face, the prince replied “Why do you think?”
Reaching into his pocket, the prince withdrew two silver coins. “We’re here because I, a simple, humble man, am putting my heart on the line by asking the most beautiful girl on Vorgrell if she loves me the way I love her?”
Daell looked down from her lover’s face to the silver coins in his hand, and then looked up again. She opened her mouth, but couldn’t speak a word so she closed it again. She couldn’t believe her ears, but the tender yet vulnerable look in Zayen’s eyes told her he was true. “You-” she coughed, forcing herself to speak, “you love me?”
“More than anything?” he answered without hesitation.
He had gone through his share of beautiful women in his relatively young life, some mere flings, others he had cared for deeper, but they were usually nothing more than flashes in pans, not like with Daell. This was the real thing.
Without a word, but with her heart in her eyes, Daell took one of the silver coins in Zayen’s extended hand. She brought it to her lips and pressed a soft kiss on the still warm metal, then she stood on her toes to place another on his lips.
“I love you too,” she whispered when she parted herself from him.
For a brief moment, Zayen looked to the sky. The sun was just breaking the horizon, its warming glow cascading across the land. In that moment, Zayen grabbed Daell, pulled her close and kissed her passionately once more, then he retracted, his face grinning from ear to ear. “Now! Throw your coin!” he laughed, as the sun’s first rays illuminated the Halean Falls.
Still dizzy from his kiss, Daell laughed as well, and threw her coin as far as she could. “I love you!” she shouted to the raging waters, and laughed again as Zayen’s shout echoed hers and his coin aligned with her own.
The coins glittered in the dawn’s early glow like stars that would guide their love till the end of their days.
Thanks to Shaun for his charming Zayen