"Brave New World, Part 2"
By Nyja Asketi (PC)
Melina Asketi (SC)
Grand Vizier Essten (NPC)
Jul Del Frek (NPC)
Location: Jungles of Quilove, Quilove Grand Palace
Date: TBA
As Nyja steered the ship, Melina attempted to contact a spaceport on the planet. There were no designated shipping lanes, nor were there any frequencies for travelers. "I don't think they want people to know they are here," Melina said as she continued transmitting a standard request to land message.
With the ship approached the planet, and Melina receiving no message, Nyja chose to enter the atmosphere and just take a look around; in case no one was at the console to hear their message.
*****
Location: Jungles of Quilove
Jul Del Frek was standing in a watch tower. He was scanning the skies and waiting. He had heard the message transmitted. A lot of people heard it. The wrong people more than likely heard it also. A tech stepped up to Jul. "Sir," the tech started. "We have located the ship. It should be in visual range momentarily."
There was no response from Jul as he continued to look at the sky. There was a motion from the tech standing next to him. "There, sir!" he said and pointed.
"Right," he said. "Open the communication."
The tech moved to his station, pressed a button and then nodded at Jul.
*****
"I know that's you, Melina. Thank you for coming. Please land the ship at the landing pad to your north. Nyja and Melina were a little surprised by the sudden communication, but didn't question it. Nyja slowed the ship and started the landing sequence. As the ship touched down on the landing pad, Melina started to get up. Nyja pulled her back down in her seat.
"Wait a second, young lady," Nyja said, raising her voice. "We don't know who these people are. We have to be careful."
"Nyja," Melina said as she stood again. "I don't know why, but I have a feeling that these people are trying to help us in some way. Why else would they call me by name?"
"Maybe they know our exploits and are wanting to capture us for money," replied Nyja sarcastically.
"But seriously, let's do this carefully." Nyja stood from her seat and walked to her quarters. She opened a small closet and pulled a black cloak from inside. She put it on and pulled the hood over her head. She turned back to Melina as they exited the room. "Don't use my real name. For some reason they don't know about me. Let's keep it that way for now."
*****
Location: Quilove Grand Palace
The Grand Vizier was in his private chambers when a tone sounded from a communicator. He stood and moved to the communicator. "Yes," he asked.
"Your excellency," the voice came. "A second communication has been made and we have confirmed that it was Jul. A ship entered our atmosphere, but it has disappeared from our sensors."
Grand Vizier Essten slammed his fists against the wall and then screamed into the communicator. "You find that ship! First, find Jul and get rid of him. The girl must be with him. Bring her to me . . . unharmed."
*****
Location: Jungles of Quilove
Melina slowly walked down the ramp with Nyja walking close behind her. As they came from under the ship, a man approached them.
"Hello Melina," Jul said.
Melina stopped. Obviously this was the man that knew her. But how? She paused before speaking. She looked back to Nyja who was watching everything from beneath her hood.
"How do you know who I am?"
"I knew your father," he stated.
Now, Melina was very skeptical. Even Melina didn't know her father. Her father had been killed on Ryloth when she was young.
"I was with your father . . . on Ryloth, when he was killed."
"Who are you?" Melina finally asked.
"We shouldn't speak here. This forest has eyes and ears that do not need to know where you are."
Jul turned and started to walk away, leaving Melina and Nyja standing there. He turned back to them and called out. "Please, we must get inside before the wrong people know where you are."
Melina started to move forward and Nyja caught her arm and stopped her. "I have a bad feeling about this," Nyja offered and then let go of her arm. "Be alert."
The two walked to where Jul was standing and entered a small building. There were a total of four buildings in the area and a watch tower. Nyja was wondering what exactly these men were doing. She thought that perhaps they could be mercenaries ready to turn the two of them into authorities for the reward.
Once inside the building, the man moved upstairs and into a small room. Nyja and Melina followed and once in the room, the man closed the door and sealed it.
"This room is secure. We can talk freely here."
Melina moved to the man and looked up at him for he was much taller. "Now, who are you and how did you know my father?"
Jul pressed a button on the wall and a metal slab came out so the two young women could sit down. "Please, sit down. This is going to take a while."
Jul pressed a second button and a small slab exited the wall for him to sit in. "You ask me who I am, but I cannot tell you that until I tell you about who you are and where you came from."
Melina turned to Nyja and back to Jul. "What do you mean? I'm from Bakura."
"No," Jul said. "That is where you were left. You are really from here," the man raised his hands around him. "From Quilove."
Melina had a blank look on her face. Jul noticed this and chose to explain himself rather than attempt to help her understand right away.
"When you were born, your father and mother lived on Quilove. They were part of House Telayan. They . . . "
"I'm sorry," Melina interrupted. "House Telayan?"
"Excuse me," Jul said. "Quilove is ruled by four houses. They are, House Telayan, of which you are a rightful member. House Yina, which the current Grand Vizier . . . he's the current leader of the planet. House Quilove, a very traditional house. House Trassif, which likes to speak their mind and tell people how much the government does not do enough for the people." He paused for a moment.
"There is also a fifth house, House Juullin, that is banned from practicing politics.
"As I was saying . . . you, Melina, are from House Telayan, because your parents were of that house. When you were born, your father had just become Secretary of the People, a high ranking position in the government that was for making sure that the people of Quilove had everything that they needed.
"When you were three, your father was chosen by House Telayan to seek the position of Grand Vizier. He was chosen by the people. However, your mother was not interested in the life of a politician and decided to leave Quilove for good. She went to Bakura because it has a lifestyle that she was familiar with, having traveled there once before.
"The following year, when you had just turned four, your father was on a diplomatic mission to Ryloth as ambassador. A member of House Yina, in fact the current Grand Vizier, who was also seeking the position, ambushed your father and his staff and killed them all."
Jul could see that this news struck a chord in Melina and her eyes began to well up with tears. "I have finally discovered why he was killed."
There was a knock on the door. "Yes?" Jul asked.
The door opened and in walked a guard. "Sir," he started. "We have just discovered a mole in our organization and have taken care of it. However, our position has been compromised. House Yina forces have been spotted and will be here shortly.
"Wait a second," Nyja said, standing and removing her hood. "I thought you said that House Yina was the current ruling government? Why would they want to attack you?"
Jul stood and moved back to the guard. "Prepare their ship for takeoff. I will go with them. Move to the alternate location. I will contact you on the hidden frequency."
"Yes, sir," the guard said and closed the door.
Jul walked back to Nyja and reached his hand out. "My name is Jul Del Frek," I don't think I know who you are."
Nyja ruffled her cloak, in hopes that this man's eyes would catch sight of the lightsaber hanging from her belt. "My name is Nyja Asketi and Melina is my adopted sister."
Jul looked down at Melina, who was still sitting on the metal slab. "Is this true?"
"I'm sorry," Melina said with tears now falling from her eyes. "I didn't have a mother or father.
I had been living on the streets. Nyja found me and saved me."
"Very well," Jul said. "We are going to have to leave. House Yina cannot find you, Melina."
"Why not?" Nyja said. "I question this course of action. They are supposed to be the government.
All we know about you is that you knew Melina's father. For all we know, YOU could have killed him."
"I will explain more on the way to the alternate location. Please, we must leave."
Melina stood up and started to walk toward the exit. Jul followed and Nyja took up the rear to keep her eyes on Jul.
The trio walked out of the building and back to the Ulgar's Fury. Nyja moved past Jul, almost knocking him over. "Excuse me," she said curtly. "This is my ship . . . I'm going to fly. Just tell me where to go."
Nyja started the ship's launch sequence and started to lift off. She looked at Jul, but didn't say a word. He picked up the subtle question.
"Fly south. Keep low to stay off the sensors."
"I want you to tell me what's going on," Melina said from the copilot seat.
"Very well," Jul said as he sat down behind Melina.
"Melina, you have to understand something first. Even though this planet is democratic, many of the people here will do anything to gain power for their house. This is best shown in what happened to your father."
Jul looked at Melina and saw her mother's eyes when as he stared. He dismissed the thought and continued. "Your father, at the time of his death, was a very popular candidate. It was widely rumored that had he not perished, he would have become Grand Vizier of Quilove. Essten knew that. House Yina had not been in control for over fifty years and they were chomping at the bit to take over.
“Essten found out that your father was going to Ryloth to sign a trade declaration with them. With the trade declaration signed, Quilove would have been on the cusp of increasing not only trade, but tourism and space travel to the planet. Though House Yina prefers and understands trade with other worlds, Essten and some of the other leaders of the house were wary of a treaty with Ryloth.
“Essten chose to go to Ryloth to intercept your father and stop him from signing the treaty. Once he was dead, Essten was able to frame Ryloth for the death and the treaty was abolished.
“When word of your father’s death reached Quilove, the leaders of House Telayan were devastated.
"They didn’t have anyone in the house that would be as popular as your father and therefore did not offer a replacement candidate to run for election.”
Melina had tears rolling down her eyes and looked slyly at Nyja. Nyja looked at her adopted sister. All of this information had been coming at her too quickly and Nyja wondered if Melina would be able to take it all in.
“I had no idea,” Melina said. “My mother never told me.”
“Your mother didn’t know. She only knew that your father passed away while on Ryloth. She became despondent and was not able to take care of you. That’s why she left you on Bakura.”
*****
Location: Quilove Grand Palace
Grand Vizier Essten was in his throne room when there was a call. Essten went to his desk and checked his panel.
“We have reached the location of Jul and his followers. They are not here. But we have recovered a surveillance video of the girl. She is on the planet and she is speaking to Jul.”
“Blast!” the Grand Vizier yelled as he slammed his fist onto the table. “This is not good. You must find them. She must not be allowed to leave the planet.”
“Yes sir,” the voice on the other end spoke.
“Now,” Essten said as he stood. “I have to meet with the Secretary of Defense and get him to add more defenses to the planet. I also am going to introduce new laws allowing the building of an orbital space station and a fleet to defend us from space. Do not disturb me again today.”
“Very well, sir,” responded the voice and the communication ended.
*****
