"Brave New World, Part 3"
By Nyja Asketi (PC)
Melina Asketi (SC)
Grand Vizier Essten (NPC)
Jul Del Frek (NPC)
Location: Jungles of Quilove, Quilove Grand Palace
Date: TBA
Grand Vizier Essten entered his office. He had spent the last two hours in a meeting with his Secretary of Defense. Though Essten had told the Secretary that his ideas and concerns were for a fleet to keep Quilove defended, Essten was prepared to use the fleet to start attacking other planets and systems, essentially creating his own little empire.
These ideas were not just Essten's. When Essten was nominated by House Yina, the governor's told him their plan of systemwide domination.
Essten returned to the conversation in his mind.
"House Telayan must not be allowed to rule. We as House Yina have developed a plan to rule the galaxy. In fifteen years time, we will be ready. You must be ready also."
Essten came back to the present and moved from his office through a secret door to his personal quarters.
*****
Nyja steered the ship as low to the jungle as she could without chopping down the entrie forest. Jul Del Frek moved his finger to a point on the horizon. Nyja changed direction and increased speed toward the hidden location.
Jul Del Frek turned back to Melina.
"I'm sorry to have to tell you this, child," the man said. "After your mother returned to us, she took her own life."
Melina looked briefly at the man that had just given her more information about her past than anyone could have given. She looked back down and more tears rolled out of her eyes.
"Why did you tell her that?" Nyja exclaimed seeing her sister in such despair.
"It was necessary. For where we are going."
"What do you mean?" Melina said between the tears.
"The fortress that we are going to houses her burial place."
Melina looked up at Jul again. "She's there? Her burial place?"
"Yes," Jul said quietly as he placed his hand on her shoulder. "We also were able to create a small monument for your father."
Melina smiled for a moment, but the smile disappeared quickly.
"We will be there soon," Jul said.
*****
Essten removed his cloak and moved to a wall panel that had a communicator built into it.
"It's me. What is the status?"
"We still haven't found the ship that the girl arrived on. We also can't find Jul." There was a pause from the other end. "However, we have been heard from House Yina citizens that have said an unknown ship has been flying low to the jungle roof headed south."
"That must be them. Track them."
*****
The Ulgar's Fury landed in a small area at the edge of a mountain. Jul made his way down the ramp and out of the ship. Melina and Nyja waited for a moment. Nyja turned to her sister.
"Melina," she started. "Are you sure you want to go in there?"
"I don't know, Nyja." The girl paused and wiped her eyes again. "I think I need to go in. If nothing else, then to pay my respects."
Nyja stood up and offered her hand to her sister. "I'll go with you," she said.
Melina stood up and hugged her sister. "Thanks," she said, still rubbing the tears away from her eyes.
The two young women exited the ship and stepped through a door that was built into the side of the mountain. Once inside, the scale of the place amazed Nyja and Melina.
Jul noticed their awe when they entered the mountain and moved to explain.
"House Telayan is one of the most gifted houses when it comes to science and technology. Our scientists discovered this area and kept it hidden from the other houses for occasions such as this.
"This fortress has the necessary technology and defenses to keep Essten and House Yina away from our business."
"And what exactly is your business?" Nyja asked skeptically.
Jul looked at the girl straight in her eyes. "Young one," he started. "While this is not your fight, we appreciate what you have done for Melina how you have kept her safe." Jul turned back to Melina. "But now, I need you to leave. This is a matter for Quilove and its people."
"What?" exclaimed Nyja and Melina together. Melina went to Jul's side and begged at him.
"You can't make her go! She's the only family I have!"
"Child," Jul started. "She is not Quilove, this is not her concern.”
Melina stood tall for her stature. “If you want me to stay,” she said, her voice slowly getting louder. “Then she is staying!”
Jul looked at Nyja and then back at Melina. “Melina, my dear. You cannot be serious.” He looked again Nyja. “Do you know what she has done? Her profession? Her skills? She murdered several people! She sold people into slavery! She is a criminal and a petty thief!”
“That’s it!” Nyja said, this time not holding back. Nyja waved her hands through the air and several boxes flew from the floor. “You have no control over her!” More boxes and desks kept flying. Nyja had not realized that her lowly Jedi skills included telekinesis and was having too much fun intimidating this man to stop. Several guards entered the room with weapons drawn. As Nyja saw them approach, she pulled her lightsaber from her belt and ignited it.
“Wait!” Melina shouted as she stepped in front of Nyja and the armed guards. The boxes, desks and papers settled down and the papers floated to the floor. “Jul,” Melina said, approaching him. “I can’t trust you if you can’t trust me. And I trust Nyja as a sister, a friend and a partner. She’s no longer the person that you described.” Melina walked over to her sister and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Yes, she may have killed and sold people in the past. And yes, she may have been a
criminal . . .”
“You’re not helping, Mel,” Nyja said quietly only to be shushed by Melina.
“But, what you don’t know . . . what your intelligence didn’t seem to understand is that Nyja has changed. She does not kill for money and she does not take jobs that include kidnapping, murder or slavery. She is trying to right the wrongs that occurred in her past and remedy them for the future.”
Jul looked at Nyja holding the lightsaber in a defense stance. “Then what is with the weapon? That is a Jedi weapon. And what we just witnessed would have me believe that she at least had Jedi skills.”
“And what do you know of the Jedi?” Nyja asked. “Out here in the severe Outer Rim?”
“We know of the Jedi and their ways. And from what I understand, everything you have done in your past, and even what you do now are not their way.”
“Let’s just say I have my own way and the Jedi do not control me.” Nyja lowered the lightsaber toward Jul. “No one controls me.”
“Nyja!” screamed Melina. “Don’t!”
“I won’t,” Nyja said, drops of sweat pouring down her brow. “I just want to accentuate my point.”
“I’m sorry,” Jul started again, obviously not intimidated in the least. “No matter what you mean to her, I cannot allow you to stay. You are a distraction to the mission and you must leave. Before Essten is able to find us.”
An alarm started to blare in the building. “Warning, House Yina ships are closing in on our position,” said a voice overhead.
*****
“Grand Vizier,” came a voice in the darkness. Essten had been asleep and had not imagined anyone from his security forces would contact him. It took him several minutes before he fully awoke to realize that he was being called. He slowly moved from the bed to the communicator.
“This better be important,” Essten said, hiding his weariness.
“Sir,” the voice responded. “We have found Jul and the unknown ship. We are taking their hideout now.”
“Good. Only use stun weapons. Do not kill anyone. Take the prisoners. Bring them to me. Do not let anyone escape.”
“Yes, sir,” the voice responded and the communication ended.
*****
