Release. Let it go. In, out. Ten, nine, eight, seven…

Dorean Selanne’s eyes opened, the sweat dripping from his forehead beginning to drip into his brown eyes. He continued in his circular arc in a steady, determined pace, his weapon held in a high guard. Across from him, Bail Starfire grimly nodded, gripping his deactivated force pike with a tenacity that rivaled that of a Wookie. Dorean lunged forward, the tip of his vibrorapier sliding forward directly at Starfire’s heart. At the last moment, the dark-skinned man abruptly whipped his staff-like weapon to the side, sending the thrusting tip out of alignment while twirling it around for a retaliatory slash. Selanne withdrew his rapier and side-stepped a hack that would have gave even a Gamorrean a serious concussion.

“Stop.”

Both men lowered their weapons at the voice and turned; it was Elder Monoceros. The graying man genially smiled down at the men, presenting a palm-up gesture to both of them. The elder slowly strode down the stone stairs of the garden. The younger men bowed.

“What may we do for you, your excellency?”

The man’s blue eyes looked at them like a proud father.

“My sons.”

Dorean and Bail looked at each other; neither looked alike: at all. Dorean was a pale-skinned descendant from the once-prominent House of Selanne of the Meridian Sector. Despite centuries of removal from their aristrocratic homeland to Audacia, the Selannes still looked every bit the nobility they once were, even they did not still possess the wealth.

Bail was another matter altogether. An orphan from Hosk, he had been taken to Audacia along with many of the refugees from that station when it had been destroyed by the Vong. The Vong had sent many people among the stars, albeit few planets welcomed them. One of the few that did was Audacia. His powerful arms and vindicative demeanor made him as strong as Dorean was cunning. Obviously not biologically. The old man happily shook his head in amusement.

“I am sorry to interrupt your practice.”

All youths of Audacia practiced melee combat as a pastime, which was strongly encouraged by the Elders of Soresu. Originally, it was so that the populace could hold their own against the Vong if the planet was ever invaded. But with the recession of the Vong, it had become more of a sport.

“What is it, your excellency?”

The man spread open his arms to encompass the ancient stone grounds of the Rampart Academy. He managed a crooked smile as he spoke.

“This is all I have ever known for my life,” he gestured, ”Audacia has been home for centuries; I have never even ventured into orbit.”

He shook his head wryfully at that last comment.

“I do not know the galaxy or the ways of it. But I need trusted bodyguards and aides that do. And those people would be you.”
-------------------------------
One week earlier...

Pegasus, Kashan Flagship

Corise smiled out of the viewport, which offered a sketchy, incomplete reflection of the military man. Raising the glass to his lips, he took another ginger sip of the tea. Tea is good. To the maker; Commander Fyre and myself actually agree on something. He slightly shuddered at the thought. But that didn’t dampen his spirits. Vacation is here. Finally. He set down the crystal glass on the maghony table of his quarters with the grin of boy receiving birthday presents.

He dove into the couch and let a chuckle as he lay there in complete idlement. I’m liking this already. Shrugging, he loosened the first button of his tunic.

“What on Kashan are you doing?”

The Commodore continued to unbutton his jacket, unfazed by the presence of a fellow triumvirate member and widely respected peer. I bet she’s idolized. And not only by the teenage girls…

“Hey Christina.”

The woman raised a dark eyebrow over her hazel eyes. Her shorter black dress accentuated every curve of body in manner that was somehow both tasteful and socially acceptable. Corise never figured out how she did it. And all I can do is look official and stoic. Oh well, can’t have everything.

“You know, next time you knock or ring the doorbell or something of the like,” commented Corise, grabbing the holoprojector remote.

“Do I know you?”

He turned the channel to watch the Coruscant Guards facing off with the Axxilian Raiders.

“Well,” yawned the man,” by my count, it’s been a little over half a decade.”

“This is incredulous,” gasped the Pro-Consul, nearly dropping her purse. “Have you had too much to drink tonight?”

“Maybe too much tea. I might have to use the refresher more often.”

Her purse dropped as she stood directly between the holo-projector and the Corellian leather couch the Kashan man occupied.

“Yes?”

“Give me that,” ordered the woman, snatching the remote. She fumbled with the remote, sending it through an assortment of channels before finally touching the right one: the projection disappeared into nothingness as fast as it had came.

“You are unbelieveable.”

Corise straightened up and rose. “I would say the same to you. Not many people walked in announced and take charge of a man’s activities; especially considering he is in charge of an entire fleet.”

Her mouth dropped. “If you are in charge of an entire fleet. Why are you acting like a child?”

He broadly smiled.

“Do you know when the last time I had a vacation?”

She stopped for a second and frowned. “No.”

“Neither do I; which is why I’m taking one. One, that mind you, started thirty minutes ago.”

Her eyes swept around the room, before observing the man with a look that alluded to her wondering if he was sane. He gently took the remote from her hands and turned the projector back on.

“So when was the last time you had a vacation?” questioned the Commodore.

She stammered. “Ah…”

“Too long ago.”

She slowly nodded. “I’ve never seen you like this before. Are you taking something?”

He shook his head. “No, although I suppose not having any burdens of responsibility is probably giving me something of a high.”

He glanced at his chrono. “Any guesses on how long it will last?”

She shook her head. “No, but you’re worse than Commander Fyre.”

“Ouch.”

“And I like it.”

The commodore made an abrupt about face to meet her gaze, which briefly locked for moments, albeit it seemed like time stopped to the Commodore. She smiled and looked down.

“So are you spending your vacation here?”

The younger Lucerne waved a hand to encompass his suite of rooms aboard the Pegasus.

“I’ve spent nearly one and a half decades here,” stated the man, “I think it’s time for a background change. No, I am heading off to Audacia.”

“Never heard of it.”

“Nor should you have. It’s a pretty backward planet not too far away from Genon. It’s mostly meadows and farmland, but there is an exquisite forest valley by the capital of Soresu; that’s where I am staying.”

She nodded and brushed up against his side. “Mind if I join you?”

The café generated a light, airy music that would be suitable for the night-life of dozen planets and cultures. It subtle inflections in notes seemed somehow suffused and subdued; subdued into a backdrop for the low din of the café’s patrons, who conversed all manner of topics from the weather to politics. He savored the atmosphere. It’s been a while. A while since peace. A while since relaxation. A while since no responsibility. The incognito Commodore paused to take in the building itself, whose smooth, relaxed lines seemed to perpetuate the mood. The architecture could have been emulated from that of Naboo’s. And while it was smooth and aesthetically pleasing like that of Naboo, the ornateness and heavy décor of that planet’s buildings were not. In fact, that could be said of the planet as a whole.

For having been colonized since before the Clone Wars, it’s amazing how undeveloped this place is by galactic standards. Sure, they have the conviences of plumbing and electrical lighting; they’re not complete barbarians. But I have yet to see a repulsor craft or a droid. He looked around. Aside from the various edged weapons that nearly every Audacia citizen seemed to wear, he could pick out one other standard piece of technology: the blaster. On the Outer Rim, most blasters owned by citizens were fairly dated. But to his surprise, he saw some of the newer Merr-Sonn and Blastech designs more than he saw the dated. He shrugged as he took another sip of his hot chocolate.

“Audacia to Corise.”

His head jerked up faster than an A-wing. She smiled.

“Hm?”

“Nothing. You just seemed out of it.”

Smiling, he watched the cup as he set it down on their café table.

“It’s nothing,” he stated.

He looked back up, meeting her eyes in the process.

“Well, it’s nothing too interesting,” mused the man, “I mean, errr…I realize that not every planet is on the galactic standard, but Audacia is making little sense to me. They have some of the cutting edge technology for personal combat, such as blasters, but they don’t have repulsorlifts or droids. It just seems odd.”

She nodded. “It seems odd because we’re use to seeing that on nearly every planet; from Tatooine to Coruscant. Especially Since they don’t exactly seem to be poor or alien.”

He nodded. “It’s funny how one’s culture influences us.”

She snorted.

“Or make you ignorant.”

“I’m ignorant?” questioned the man.

She blushed.

“That’s not what I meant. Well, you know what I mean.”

Lucerne nodded casually as she finished her drink. He grasped his Ultrachrome dress sword, more actually described as an officer’s saber. On most planets, swords wouldn’t fit in with the populace, even within the military units of the said planet. One of the notable exceptions to that would be Adumar. The other would be Audacia, where nearly 80% of the people were the victims and refugees of the Vong attack. Although it perhaps started out of paranoia of a future attack, the practice seemed to have become more a fashion statement. And unlike Adumar, the weapons did not appear to actually used very often by their owners, with the exception of drills and champion prize tournaments that were advertised nearly everywhere. Christina lowered her glass.

“Done?”

She mutely nodded. Corise rose, pushed in his chair, and then helped the Kashan woman out. She extended her hand, which the man gently grasped.

“What’s on the agenda for tonight?”

“Well,” noted Corise, glancing at his chrono, “it still seems fairly early. Would you like to catch a show?”
--------------------------------
“…and so, I have come to the Conclusion that if we wish to survive in this day and age, we must have a powerful army to prevent our opponents from even attacking. And thus those attackers who are undeterred by such a presence will pay dearly if the second they touch our soil. We will fight them to the death. They cannot prevail.”

Roars of approval and applause echoed throughout the great dome. A man robed in purple and black stepped forward to the podium.

“My esteemed colleague is correct. If we are to survive in these days. We must adapt. Like he says, we must build up our forces. But let us not limit are thinking to only that…”

Gasps and murmuring could be heard throughout the audience. Few dared to speak in contradiction to Head Elder Ruaser; few who spoke against him survived another week.

“…let us consider the following. Let’s assume that we do build up that powerful army. It would not be hard; the suns of Audacia are strong, courageous, and cunning. There is no doubt in my mind that they could hold their own on their own soil against the same number of men of another planet. They would crush them and be victorious…”

The murmurs became more sporadic, and louder. Was this man contradicting Ruaser, or supporting him?

“…Our numbers are great as well. But they are not as vast as some forces that could well be arrayed against us…”

The murmuring gained momentum.

“If the entire Vong fleet or the Empire or the Black Dragons or even the Coalition attempted to invade us, it would be our ultimate destruction.”

A voice rose from the crowd.

“They have no reason to be against us.”

Elder Monoceros produced the quieting palm-down gesture.

“You are right. They do not, at least from a moral perspective. We have done them no harm. We have even traded our crops with some of them. But let us consider history. Consider that the Dragons have time and time again annexed and conquered planets near their borders. And those borders have always been expanding. They are not far from here at now. Consider this: Tholatin was not beyond their reach and they were farther from the border than us!”

Another voice.

“The Dragons are too busy against the Coalition.”

The elder nodded.

“And thank the maker for them: we would have been assaulted by now except for that war. What about those not at war? What about the Empire? Look at Garqi. Garqi was another grain producing planet. The entire planet was forced to make the Empire their primary customer; no, their fields weren’t raised, their homes weren’t burned, but they lost their freedoms and autonomity. Is that not enough? What about Agamar, another breadbasket of the galaxy? The latest holo-reports have shown that some rogue Imperial fleet element has decimated their forces and it will likely be taken by the Empire by sheer force.”

Silence. Elder Monoceros took a sip of water.

“We do not have the resources to defend against an assault like that. The reports showed that they decimated a defence fleet with capital ships. We don’t even have capital ships. Imagine the turbolaser bolts raining down, incinerating those crops into the ashes. The same crops and fields that we have worked on for years, and in some cases, generations. Will we stand their idly as they do that?”

Sporadic ‘no’s could be heard from the audience. But for the most part, they were silent.

“We can build up our forces and we should. But that is not enough. We need to start considering outside help. As the saying goes, ‘if you can not beat them, join them’. I call upon all citizens of Audacia to fulfill their civic duty and do what is best for Audacia. If you believe we can hold our own against the forces that oppose it, so be it. But if you think there is a smattering of truth in what I say, let us consider the other powers of the galaxy that could work for us. No matter what side you may chose, vote with your heart, mind, and vote for Audacia. Audacia.”

Stepping down amidst chants of “Audacia” and thunderous applause from the Council of the Elders of Soresu and its spectators, Monoceros strode over to his bodyguards: Starfire and Selanne.

Darkness.

To many, darkness scared them. It wasn’t as if the darkness had hurt them, but rather, what could lie in it that could hurt them; as the very nature of it hid potential threats and unknown threats were always more terrifying than the known. It had been a philosophy embraced by the Kashan Starfighter Corp and nearly all Galactic special forces. Darkness became synonymous as striking fear into the hearts of enemy.

But to at least a few, darkness was the exact opposite; it was sanctuary. Sanctuary from prying eyes, from public ridicule. For them, darkness was privacy incarnate, where no intruder could pierce the shroud of their private lives. And the most common and natural form of darkness was night.
------

“It’s just so…different.”

The Commodore smiled. “You don’t have to worry about your guardian shock troopers blocking your view?”

“Well, that and just to get the chance to mingle with the crowd. It’s not like either of us could do that on Kashan or any other planet KDF has been too.”

He nodded.

“The price of being famous or powerful among people is not to enjoy the more simple pleasures of life.”

She wrapped her arm around his waist as they continued their stroll down to their hotel. Corise ventured to take a quick look up to the sky. As darkness fell, the true extent of Audacia’s agricultural extensiveness and lack of industry became apparent; the nearly complete lack of light pollution. Even with the capital of Soresu itself, the relatively wide spacing of the small houses and their accompany lighting was dim to that of most cities. The lack of traffic of any sort testified to it as well. For the lack of the noise, with the exception of their steps, they could be in a vacuum. It’s probably about the same as being in the middle of the country or nowhere. To the maker, those stars are beautiful. Night is beautiful. He felt the Pro-consul leaning more on him, which elicited a tired, if happy, smile.

And out of the darkness, the clash of steel and a scream broke their happy reverie.
------------------------
Frak.

Dorean jerked his head back in time to miss the swirling vibro-blade that slashed at his head. The Audacian threw a quick left jab in the general direction of the blade’s wielder, who was concealed by a shroud of the night. But that was a mere distraction and stopgap measure to buy time for the aristocrat to draw his vibrorapier with his right hand. With the press of a button, the polished weapon hummed to life. Fully extending the weapon out towards his unseen foe, he slowly walked backwards until he felt flesh behind.

“Who’s there?”

“Selanne.”

“No,” whispered Monoceros, “who is there attacking us?”

“I’m not sure,” replied the bodyguard in a like matter, “Bail?”

No response. The eerie vibrodagger surged forward, which Selanne promptly parried and attempted an unsuccessful riposte. He ventured a quick glance over his shoulder to where Bail Starfire should be. Bail was there, already whipping his vibropike around to parry a similar weapon. Another weapon joined the fray against Starfire. The Audacian swordsman swore as he moved to beat off the attack on Starfire. Blade and pike crossed, making a metallic clang that could probably be heard kilometers away.

A quick parry of the assassin’s pike by Dorean allowed Bail a quick stab it’s wielder in a classic combination attack that the duo had practiced for weeks. With that, the killer began to shriek in pain, the wound being excaberated by the electrical stun setting of the force pike’s tip. The two Audacian youths quickly seized the moment to catch a glimpse at their stunned and wounded enemy.

“It’s one of Ruaser’s men.”

Selanne shook his head.

“They almost got Elder.”

Both bodyguards turned around.

“Elder?”

The only response was the echoing of their words in the vast darkness.
--------------------------
The clash of metal and the subsequent shriek had put the Kashan couple on edge; instead of their wide-gaited casual stroll, the two pressed closer together, edging forward at a guarded pace, as if they were walking through a minefield. Corise glanced furtively around. Can’t be too cautious. Caution had even persuaded the man to give over his beloved holdout to his consort so that she wouldn’t be defenceless in the case of separation. The cold air whipped over his face as he tightly grasped his sword in one hand and the woman with the other. The Shock Trooper escorts might have been nice right now. Very nice, even if they do get in the way too much. She squeezed his hand and pointed.

Mere meters in front of them, a shadowy figure was struggling with an older man, who was thrashing about despite his larger assailant’s grip around his face and waist. The assailant was making headway though in moving his quarry as his victim faltered under that relentless drive. And finally, the thug toppled the robed figure to the ground.

“Get off of him,” stated an emerging figure, deftly wielding polished blade. He made a quick flourish with the weapon.

“It’ll take more than a hired blade to keep your precious elder safe,” sneared the other man, revealing the twin vibroblades secreted in his hands.

“Get off if you want to live.”

“Think you’re a hero boy. You’re not-”

A blue flash of light struck the man in the back. Startled, the man turned around. Seizing the opportunity, the ‘hero’ came up and clobbered the thug’s head with the back of his blade. The figure began to sway. Another blue burst struck the dark-clothed man, finally sending him to the ground.

“You’re a fairly decent shot,” appraised the lone swordsman.

“Why thank you,” replied the woman moving into the light, “You know we all have to go through our drills, even the politicians.”

Corise chuckled, sheathing the blade that had just given the thug a concussion.

“I only hit his cape the first time.”

He shrugged. “It worked out pretty good.”

She snorted. “Think you’re a hero boy?”

“I do. Both of you,” stated the robed figure, rising from the ground,”perhaps you have heard of me. I am Elder Monoceros.

“Perhaps a glass of wine?”

Corise slowly shook his head. “I shouldn’t, sir.”

“Neither should I,” agreed the Pro-Consul.

Elder Monoceros sighed as he emptied the bottle into a single crystal goblet. The pair had taken a tour of the Monoceros Estate, which had proven to be quite grandiouse, more so than either of the Kashan’s homes back on their planet, where they reigned. For a backwater planet, they certainly know the height of elegance, at least with architecture. The old man smiled as he took a sip, and sat down opposite of the Kashan couple. Behind, his vigilant bodyguards, Selanne and Bail, stood at attention.

“I don’t think it’s safe for you to stay here, Elder,” stated Selanne adamantly.

The old man hung his head.

“I have lived here over five decades now. This is the house I was born in, Selanne,” defended Monoceros,” and I would rather fight and die against Ruasan’s thugs than leave it.”

Corise raised an eyebrow. He looked around the spacious hall. It’s old. Construction on the mansion had started only after a decade after Audacia had been founded. It isn’t a testimony to how quickly the colony had developed, but how much wealth the Monoceros had amassed before settling on the planet. And that wealth still shows in the dark wood paneling, the flawless stain glass windows, the exquisite furniture, the various tapestries and heirlooms that filled the house. It has to be worth millions of credits, but it’s not something I want to die in.

“With all due respect your excellency,” supplanted the younger Lucerne,” it would appear selfish to the people of Audacia if you stayed here knowing that Elder Ruasan will likely try to kill you here.”

Monoceros’ eyes narrowed.

“You would tell a man what to do with his castle?”

Corise shook his head.

“No. But if the Audacian people need that plan you have proposed in the Council,” started the Kashan man,” they are going to need its principle symbol and rallying figure to get it passed. That symbol is going to be gone if you die.”

The old man reluctantly sighed.

“Perhaps. What’s your name son?”

“Corise Lucerne.”

“Like the Commodore? You know, the one who fought at Genon. It’s not too far away from here.”

“You’re speaking to him.”

His mouth beginning to drop, the elder abruptly set his glass down on the hardwood table. Corise shifted uncomfortably under the man’s unwavering gaze. The commodore pointed at the sole woman.

“May I introduce Christina Thorn, Pro-Consul of Kashan...”
-----------
“Frak that’s bad.”

The bodyguard sympathetically nodded. “If Bludd and Roscoe haven’t reported in yet, that means-”

“That means they’re either dead or they’ve been caught or they’ve defected to someone else. None of those options are good. We might be in a sticky wicket.”

Head Elder Ruasan flicked on the holo-projector. The air around them wavered as a green tinged map of Soresu coalesced. Ruasan was a former soldier, and it showed; he had devoted an entire wing of his compound to show off his military exploits with the CSA and then the Audacian militia. At the centre of that wing was his War Room, from which he waged a new war after his retirement from the service; a war mostly of words and rheotoric. And when that failed, there was always the old method of war; simply making opposition die for their beliefs.

He usually used assassins, albeit there was the one time where he tried a hit-and-run approach using a landspeeder. He had decided that the damage done to the landspeeder when it ran over the target wasn't worth the repair cost. Besides, the process was too messy for Ruasan's tastes.

“Activate Delta-325,” commanded the former officer, pacing into the room.

Several dots began to blip on the map, with a pair directly inside of the Monoceros Mansion. Ruasan just stood there as they blinked in and out of existence; his accompanying bodyguard began to back off. His mouth began to tense as he tightly gripped the ceremonial sword of the head elder, a weapon traditionally passed down from Head elder to the next head elder. He drew the blade and brought the guard up to his lips. His eyes narrowed. In a blur, he drove sword into the room’s wall, directly where the holographic overlay showed the Monoceros mansion with its two blinking dots.
---------------------
“In a press conference today, Elder Monoceros has accused Head Elder Ruasan of making an attempt on his life. Ruasan has denied that claim despite the two alleged assassins, under the effects of skirnaptol, testifying to the contrary. Because of the truth serum drug’s use, the court has issued a house arrest on Head Elder Ruasan until the investigation is-“

“Enough.”

Corise hit the holoprojector button before turning to Elder Monoceros.

“I need to be down there,” stated the old Audacian,” the vote is today you know. And besides, everything should be fine now that Ruasan has been detained.”

Selanne entered the metallic room. “I doubt it. Some of his thugs were just driven from your mansion ten minutes ago. You could have been dead or taken hostage.”

Elder Monoceros raised his eyebrows. “But you said they were driven away from the mansion.”

Dorean snorted. “Sure, because that’s when the Shock Troopers arrived. We have no idea how long they’ve been there, but since nothing appears to be vandalized or stolen, they probably weren’t there for too long.”

“And you couldn’t protect me even in the Council Chambers?”

Bail shook his head. “Two of us against a bunch of desperate assassins and thugs? I like to think that we’re good, but we’re not that good.”

Monoceros grunted.

Corise, leaned back in his cabin’s chair. “Well sir, I think I might be able to loan some suitable protection.”

“By the majority of the Council of Elders, this bill has now become law.”

Cheers and applause erupted from the crowd of spectators and even a few among the dignified elders. Corise clapped as well, albeit a little less enthusiastically than most of the room’s occupants. He was more concerned with how the plainscloth Shock Troopers were fitting in the crowd. Elder Monoceros smiled jubilantly at the passage of his bill. The temporary Head Elder swept his hand across the chamber, signaling the crowd to be silent.

“There is one more bill to discuss,” boomed the leader.

The crowd hushed down.

“With the recent turn of events, a bill has passed through the Foreign Policy and Administration committees. A bill to join the Coalition. Elder Monoceros?”

The purple robed figure solemnly nodded as he approached the podium.

“The Audacian people have won a great victory with the passage of the previous bill; our military will increase and be stronger than ever before. As I stated a few days ago before the attempt on my life, it is my belief that we need to be joined in union with other planets for our defence. On the behalf of the Foreign Policy and the Administration committees, we believe that power is the Coalition.”

He paused and took a sip of water.

“It is true that the Coalition is not the most powerful force in the galaxy; it is not. However, it is the only galactic superpower that would take our interests into mind and allow us to keep our great Audacian tradition of freedom and autonomous rule intact. The Empire has subjugated entire planets, even destroyed planets to take away that freedom which we hold dear. Even more widespread is the enslavement and domination of planets. Many of the people’s populace do not have any say in what will happen to their planet. Yes, even some of the human planets have not had a say. Look at Agamar, a planet just like us. The Empire wasn’t content to just have the planet as a trading partner. No, they wanted the planet all for themselves. So what did they do? They attacked the planet, destroyed it’s defending military forces before occupying the planet for themselves. If that is not enough of an example, consider Serenno, which has been bombarded and then invaded because their government wished to remain neutral in galactic affairs. The BDE is in similar in their doctrine to those Imperials, but they would add a whole another aspect to this domination; they would force their belief in Daemun church, taking away another cherished freedom from us. Others may point out other groups within the galaxy, but they are not powerful enough to protect us.

The Coalition is among the three top galactic superpowers. Yet, it is the only one that would allow us to do as we please with our internal affairs. Yes, it is the only one which would let us build our own sovereign military under our own control. But moreover, the Coalition is becoming strong where it was once weak. The military is increasing in both size and advancing in technology. Many planets within the Coalition control their own defensive fleets and supplement mainstream Coalition fleets against those who spread their tyranny.

Some of these planets have recently organized themselves into a collective unit within the Coalition to promote their economy and trading with their partners. Maybe even more important to us, this group has been expanding and organizing their military forces, including a defence fleet, for the collective protection of the member planets. It is the Contegorian Confederation, with we are pleased to have its Supreme Commanding Officer with us today, Corise Lucerne, whose fight at Genon truly shows us what protection we will be afforded…”