Bonadan…

VC HQ…



“We’re all set…they are waiting”


Vinda looked up and acknowledged the assistant with a sharp nod, and as the aide ran off to see to his other duties the Corporate man turned his attention to his daughter.

“Why do I feel like I am being thrown to the wolves?”

She smiled…

“You can always change your mind…” She said quickly in reply

The old man raised an eyebrow and laughed…

“…What? And leave everything in the hands of that lot” (he nodded in the direction of the Bonadan trade hall)

“…Over my dead body” (and it was Natalya’s turn to smile…)

He sighed sharply…

“Whats wrong?” she asked, picking up on the subtle change in his expression. Since the events surrounding her kidnap and subsequent discovery , they had spent a great deal of time together, and in such a short amount of time they had already begun to recognise each others moods and expressions…

Vinda shook his head…

“Ah, its nothing…well, its just Achinta should be here with me…he’s earned it…”

Natalya stepped up, and kissed the old man on the cheek…

“He’s where he wants to be, Scipio’s side…” She answered reassuringly…

Vinda grunted…

“Yes I know, it just doesn’t feel right making this kind of announcement without him being present…”

“This is what you wanted remember?…now, lets not keep your public waiting…”

Vinda nodded and turned to the mirror to straighten his tunic, then turned back to face his daughter…

“How do I look?”

“Like a true statesman…”

The old man laughed…

Natalya smiled and placed her arm through his…then met his gaze…

“Ready?” She asked quietly...

Vinda stiffened slightly.


“As ready as I’ll ever be”

Outside VC-HQ



Vinda stepped out of Vinda-Corp tower and into the mass of people waiting for him outside.

He was suddenly confronted with a horde of cameras and all manner of recording devices, the press all jostling to get as close as possible to the man before them.
Officials, the media , and onlookers alike looked on with intense interest, they had all heard Mr Vinda was going to speak.

Taking in the sight before him, Vinda raised his hands to quieten the unruly congregation, before speaking.

“Thank you all for coming here today. I have but one announcement to make, namely to confirm that today I am putting myself forward as a candidate for World Councillor, of Bonadan…”

There was a sudden rush of voices, and the Corporate figurehead simply remained silent, as he was hit with a barrage of questions all at once, he raised his hands once more in an effort to calm the crowd….

“I will take your questions now, you…”

(he pointed to a young Correllian woman, a journalist)

“Hi, Jes Zalon, holo-channel 7 news, Will you be looking for a place in the ISC?…” She asked , raising her voice above the noise…

“lets not run before we can walk, one step at a time, only World councillors can become Executors…I am focusing on being elected as World Councillor, before anything else” Vinda replied…

“That wasn’t a No” The journalist noted aloud, causing the old man to smile slightly…

He looked around , and picked another …

“Leamus Kryen, VNN, if you are going into politics, then what is happening to Vinda-Corp?, you cannot be a Councillor and run Vinda-Corp at the same time, are you stepping down as CEO?”

There was an uproar at this question, and inwardly Vinda smiled, knowing full well this was the question most had on their minds…

He took a moment to consider his answer carefully, and in reaction the vocal mass of people were suddenly very quiet as they awaited his answer expectantly…

“You are correct. It would be a conflict of interest for me to run as CEO of Vinda-Corp , and act as World councillor at the same time, so in answer to your question, yes, I am stepping down as the CEO of Vinda-Corp, so that I may run for offi--

The place erupted before he could finish his sentence…

This reaction was not unexpected…

In all the fuss Vinda glanced back over to his shoulder to see his daughter standing behind him, and as their eyes met, she smiled back…

…no going back now...


Eventually the rabble quietened down enough for the Corporate mogul to speak again…

“The replacement, will be of my choosing, and announced in due course, I would like to stress to all those who have interests in Vinda-Corp, that it is business as usual, and that the faith they have in me , should remain also with the person I choose to take my place…that is all, thank you for your time…”

With that, Vinda , turned and left…

Very early morning the next day...



Natalya felt the sun upon her face and shielded her eyes from its warm but bright glare…

She looked around her, and could see nothing but white sands, and endless deep blue ocean. It was breathtakingly beautiful, yet there was something faintly wrong with it… as if it were too perfect.

Natalya could not shake the feeling that there was something surreal about this place…

Even the way the light shimmered on the waves lapping gently at the edges of the beach…

Something…unworldly…

Natalya walked and walked, but it seemed to carry on forever…

She felt she was dreaming, but there was something odd…she also felt completely awake, experiencing everything as vividly as if she was fully conscious…

After a moment, the young woman laid down upon the sand, and rested. Propping up her head with her hands…soaking in the warm sun, she listened to the soft lapping of the waves lulling her to sleep…

She gave in and closed her eyes.


Then the visions came.


A terrifying face of a snarling animal or alien unlike anything she had ever seen before, its eyes filled with pure malice…

A woman , a face of beauty, yet her eyes were filled with the very same malicious intent she had seen in the beasts…

Her face, her stare as cold as ice…


Then a voice…


The voice of a woman…



A voice she …somehow recognised…but did not know why…




“Beware Natalya…





“Go to Brion , and seek Salazar…”





(Natalya felt her heart miss a beat , and the rush of her pulse as it quickened in reaction…)





…be strong…





…be ready…





…for you will be tested”




Suddenly her mind was filled with terrible sights…

Natalya screamed out in horror and suddenly found herself back on the beach…


With her heart still pounding, she leapt to her feet, and in doing so realised what she had seen was a vision…

The young woman looked around her wildly, and it was only then she noticed it.

It had not been there before she had fallen asleep on the sand…


She took a step back, then a couple more, until she could make it out…


There next to where she had been sleeping, giant letters had been drawn in the sand…




Her eyes widened as they took in the sight, it was a word...



…a name…




‘MNESTRA’





It was at this moment, Natalya found herself back in her chambers…staring up at her ceiling…


Blinking for a moment, the young woman got up slowly from her bed , and looked around…


She was truly awake now.

Sighing deeply, Natalya moved off her bed and as she wrapped a robe around herself, ordered from the drinks machine a cup of fresh Caff…

She watched the machine prepare the drink absently, still very much deep in thought…

The sun was beginning to rise now, and the husky blues, reds and ambers had been brushed across the sky as if by some divine painter.

Natalya took her Caff with her to the vast windows which overlooked Bonadan’s dagger-like landscape, and sipped at it without shifting her gaze from the sky in front of her, as she tried to make sense of all that had just happened…


...a warning?...


Natalya could not shake off the awful claustrophobic feeling of foreboding closing in around her…

She found herself thinking aloud, her voice barely a whisper, a promise to who or what that had warned her, as well as to herself.

“I’ll be ready...”





…I’ll be ready…



With this thought in mind, Natalya brought her eyes away from the window and moved to get ready.
Natalya now felt an urge to escape her quarters , the dream had made the young woman feel suddenly claustraphobic, the walls felt like they were closing in.

She was going out.

Ishara arrived on Bonadan to look at a cantina that was for sale close to the famed Vinda-Corp Headquarters. Looking around the empty cantina she knodded.

"The price is agreeable to my manager Gordo. He'd like to take ownership right away."

The deal was processed and Ishara began to walk up the street. The media was everywhere trying to cover every angle regarding the news around Seth Vinda.

Ishara walked up to what seemed to be a quiet cafe. She walked past a table where a concerned woman was sitting. She was obviously upset over something and deep in thought. Ishara continued the the bar and ordered a bottle of rare wine recognizing her as Natalya Vinda.

At that instant, a man sitting across from Natalya swung around and flashes went off while another began shouting questions. They were part of the media circus left from yesterday up at Vinda-Corp's headquarters and were obviously looking for a story. She was startled and blinded for a moment by the flashes but managed to grab the camera and began to struggle with one of the reporters. The other reporter went to grab her from behind when Ishara turned an noticed. Ishara jumped from the bar throwing a kick at the reporter's camera, destroying it and letting Natalya focus on the reporter behind her.

Natalya jolted her elbow onto his abdomen then grabbed his head to flip him over the table. Ishara kicked the other in the head making him fall towards Natalya who then also kicked the man in the head forcing him right back in her direction. Ishara dropped and spun her leg from under him tripping him to the ground.

"Nice move" Natalya said the Ishara under her breath smiling at her.

Ishara smiled back then grabbed the reporter's throat who trying to get up from the table and was still dazed when he got pinned back down. Natalya also came over to look down at him with her arms crossed. then Ishara looked him straight in the eyes and began to talk.

"You people just never see or never care when someone just needs some time to themself do you? I tell you what, you both leave here and not mention a thing and I'll forget ever seeing you. You start running your mouthes off and I'll see both of you later tonight to educate you on why you shoudn't have done so."

Ishara released the reporter who ran off with the other and looked towards Natalya who seemed pleased by her actions. She went back to the bar to get the bottle she left and her glass. She signalled the barkeep for another glass which she then brought back to the table.

Ishara filled the two glasses passing one over to Natalya.

"It must be hard trying to get time to yourself. Especially now when your family's name is everywhere."

Natalya's eye's widened. Ishara smiled.

"I'm sorry, I knew who you were when I walked in. I was trying to give you the privacy you were looking for. My name is Ishara and you seem like you could use someone to talk to."

Ishara refilled the glasses. The two were more relaxed after the scuffle and Ishara waited for Natalya's reply.

Later…
Benghazi Café



For a change of scenery, Natalya found herself in The Benghazi, a small, quiet, but cosy Café just off from the plaza where Vinda-Corp’s huge headquarters loomed.

With the press still following the story regarding her father’s announcement the day before, the whole area was still crawling with the media from all corners of the galaxy, hungry to get a new story or picture of anything Vinda-Corp related, and that included Natalya.

The young woman had effectively sneaked out the rear entrance, and somehow had managed to make it this far without being spotted, or at least she had thought so…

Until a couple of men, a pair of reporters, suddenly started taking pictures of her and shouting questions…

Natalya felt her patience snap and grabbed the reporter’s camera and found herself wrestling with him over it…
As she struggled with the man, to her surprise another complete stranger, a woman this time , had smashed the reporter’s camera. With him distracted Natalya instinctively elbowed the reporter in the gut before grabbing him and flinging him over her shoulder in the direction of the woman who had come to her aide…(much to his surprise…)Then hit him with a swift kick to the head…
As the man fell towards the new stranger the woman deftly dropped and swept his legs from under him , sending the reporter crashing to the floor…

“Nice move…” Nat said, impressed at the woman’s ability…

Suddenly the woman had the other by the throat and in a flurry of flaying limbs and clothing, had him pinned to the table and began to speak…. Natalya simply joined the woman at her side arms crossed…

"You people just never see or never care when someone just needs some time to themself do you? I tell you what, you both leave here and not mention a thing and I'll forget ever seeing you. You start running your mouthes off and I'll see both of you later tonight to educate you on why you shoudn't have done so."

With that the terrified men ran off clumsily knocking into several other patrons as they did so, leaving Nat to return to her seat while the woman sauntered back to the bar to fetch another glass, before joining Nat back at her table.

"It must be hard trying to get time to yourself. Especially now when your family's name is everywhere."

Nat looked up from the drink she had taken from the woman in surprise…

"I'm sorry, I knew who you were when I walked in. I was trying to give you the privacy you were looking for. My name is Ishara and you seem like you could use someone to talk to."

As the woman introduced herself, Nat smiled warmly…

“Thanks…” She replied, all the while feeling that a simple thank you wasn’t really enough…

“My name’s Natalya, but I guess you already know that…” Nat continued with a wry smile…

“…but you can call me, Nat…”

She offered her right hand over the table in greeting, and the stranger, Ishara took it and the two shook hands…

“Thanks again, Ishara…but I think I should be the one buying you a drink…”

With that, Nat took the glass and gestured a small salute with the drink, took a hefty swig, then asked Ishara with a grin “Is terrifying men in bars something you do a lot?”

Ishara smiled and let out a small laugh.

"I may, from time to time. Depends on the situation."

Ishara took another sip.

"You handled yourself pretty good and I could ask you the same thing."

The two laughed. Ishara sat back in her chair and looked around.

"What are the odds that the two of us, from two very different lifestyles, could be sitting at a table and sharing drinks together? And we're getting along!!"

Again the two laughed.

"When I first noticed you Nat, you did seem upset. Is something troubling you?"

As Ishara talked and laughed Natalya took in the woman’s appearance, she was very beautiful, and could obviously handle herself, she was good company…

"When I first noticed you Nat, you did seem upset. Is something troubling you?"


Inwardly Natalya smiled...


...where would she begin?...


Nat narrowed her eyes a little , gauging the women before her, deciding whether she could trust her new drinking buddy or not…it had, after all, been quite a while since she had trusted anyone…

She replied with a sardonic smile…“Don’t tell me you haven’t seen the Holo-net recently…you must have been the only one in this galaxy who didn’t…” …Then took another swig from her glass, grimacing slightly at the aftertaste…

Natalya’s gaze drifted away for a moment, as if suddenly remembering some distant memory. The traces of a frown began to spread across her brow…

She returned her gaze back to Ishara…

“I don’t suppose you’ve ever heard of a place called ‘Brion’…” She asked enigmatically…

Ishara noticed that Natalya hesitated to the question. She knew that Natalya was wondering if she could trust her. Ishara would do the same thing if the roles were reversed. Natalya then smiled.

“Don’t tell me you haven’t seen the Holo-net recently…you must have been the only one in this galaxy who didn’t…"

"I've seen some of it yes, but I don't usually pay too much attention to politics."

Ishara noticed Natalya's gaze drift for a moment and for a brief moment saw a hint of a frown before she turned back towards her.

“I don’t suppose you’ve ever heard of a place called ‘Brion’…”

"Brion, I may have."

Ishara realized this was the time to return some trust back to her new friend.

"I've been to Brion occassionally. It's not on any of the maps. To be honest, it's a good place to hide something, even yourself if you need to."

Ishara realized she spent a long time speaking to someone, something she hasn't done in a long time. It reminded her of more simple times and she truly liked Natalya's company.

"I talk to few people Nat. I'm friends with even fewer and trust fewer than that. I'd like to think of you as one of the friends I can trust."

Ishara also realized something else which she then told Natalya.

"It's also been a long time since I've helped anyone. We've just met Nat, but if you'd like, I could take you to Brion. Think about it and let me know. I'll be her for another day."

Ishara smiled and Natalya smiled back and knodded.

"There's an old cantina up the street. It's the only empty one there so if you need to find me, knock on the door."

Ishara stood up as did Natalya. She shook her new friend's hand again.

"I look forward to seeing you again Nat. I hope sooner than later."

Ishara began to walk towards the door and stopped. She looked outside then turned back to Natalya and smiled.

"I'd suggest using the back door or I'll have to terify another man in a bar today!!"

The two laughed again and Ishara walked out the door.

Ishara began to head back to the cantina but stopped for a moment. She began to think that Natalya might really need her help and that it wouldn't take long for Natalya to make a decision on this. Ishara began to turn around to see if Natalya might be following her.

"What sort of stupid fuck gives up a life of riches to be a fucking politician?" grumbled Azrael Zell, staring out at the light tunnel engulfing the RSD Galactus.


Kaine swiveled his attention from the Engine Pit to the retired Grand Moff and slightly smiled, "An idealistic one." he replied only to hear Zell snort.


"Seth Vinda does not strike me as a stupid man, though." Kaine advanced taking time to stare out into space with the old man.

"You know, Zell. You can't take it with you." The 'It' was, of course, the wealth that the old man envied from the Corporate Sector mogul.

"Of course you can. According to just about every religion from fucking ass-backwards Azguard to that fucking Taj Muh-hooiee to our own Citadel, we all got immortal souls. So what's to prevent my ghost from saying, 'fuck this!' so all that cloud hopping, harp playing and come back and spend some well earned credits on fucking mortals. Do you know how many young things I could get on scam like that?"


"Giving the afterlife serious thought eh?"

Zell barked out a laugh. "Me and every fucking Coalition bastard with rank."

"Maybe even some Imperials as well." Kaine ventured drawing Zell's laughter even louder.

"I wouldn't doubt it." he finally gave in (a rarity in the old man). "Still, makes one wonder what is going through Vinda's mind. Kids, I swear!"

"The same thing that went through our minds, Zell, when it was all said and done?"

"You're how old?"

Zell's perverted sense of humor finally startled a rare chuckle out of Kaine. Even now, the extent of Zell's crude behavior seemed to surprise a man who was not easily surprised.

"The question, Zell, is: Now what? Vinda's fight is over. He's won. He's won the corporate sector, stood toe to toe with others and still remains. He has more money than God... or enough at least to crown himself Emperor. He's just found an only child, though how he could have forgotten about her is anyone's guess. But did you see how he acted towards this relatively unknown woman? What if she was a plant? A doppleganger? Vinda did not question it."

"At least not in front of the cameras." Zell quipped.

"He grabbed onto her like a man dying of thirst." Kaine whispered.

"Dying from what?" Zell asked, curious despite himself.

"A lack of a legacy, Zell. A lack of legacy. An asking of yourself, is this all there is? Is there nothing more?"

"Remember, Zell? When we stood on Coruscant with all our armies and all our people and all the crowds and fan-fare? What we all silently asked?"


A cloud came over Zell's face as he stared silently through the transparisteel. "Are we finished? Is it over?" he finally murmured.


"We all look towards our own endgame. We all look ahead to the time when our struggles will be over but, we find that it is the struggles that define us and that without them, who are we really?"


"And when we die, who will remember us?" Zell coughed out, clearing his throat. He turned around to the Supreme Commander and narrowed his eyes, "So... you gonna offer Vinda a job? Something tells me the man is not a follower."

Kaine grinned, waving a hand away, "No, Vinda would not make a good Imperial unless he was offered nothing less than Emperor. No, Vinda is an empty cistern trying to fill himself with righteous purpose. A legacy that only a political career can offer and I aim to give him that."

"A career?" Zell asked incredulously.

Kaine shook his head, "No.. a purpose.






We enter Bonadan orbit in five hours."



"Be sure to tell them we're coming." Zell warned. "These Commonwealth peckers will be more nervous than a virgin in a whorehouse. We wouldn't want them--.."


"I get the picture, Zell." Kaine interrupted and moved away knowing that Commonwealth already expected their presence.

Vinda Lane Condominiums, Bonadan

Vice-Admiral Terosk Cineburg Wilkar, IV struggled to fasten the clasp of his blue-grey dress uniform.

“You sound like you want the entire Home-Guard Fleet there,” regarded Captain Tillis.

“You can bet your pretty little ass that I want it here,” retorted Wilkar.

The executive officer of the Third snorted. “It’s not that big of a deal Wilkar. It’s just a state visit.”

Wilkar bent down to buckle his boots, looking up at the female officer, he snarled, “Audrey… He’s bringing a Reign-Class Super Star Destroyer on a state visit… Last time I checked that’s two thousand meters of pure destructive power. As far as I’m concerned, if Kaine’s going to bring that kind of fire power into the Commonwealth Proper, he sure as hell better be invading. I mean by the force… Remember when that Vos fucker tried to pull this kind of shit?”

She nodded.

“I was a bantha’s hair away from blowing that Vos away. That guy was a fucker… let me tell you… no gods damned sense of humor…”

"The Gods...?" she asked

"Yeah, the fucking gods," Wilkar sighed, resigned, he said, "I really don't want to argue religion."

“Well, I’m sure Kaine is an honorable man. He won’t pull any kind of wampa shit,” assure Audrey.

“Let’s just hope he doesn’t try to get me extradited,” joked Wilkar.

“Extradited?” Tillis shrieked, the way only a very confused woman could.

“Yeah,” The Kuati man chuckled. “I’m a wanted man after all. Questionable business practices also known as… the New Order wanted to nationalize my company.”

Wilkar pulled the last piece of his uniform off the dresser: his belt and holster. Belt buckles were another thing he fumbled around with. Then, looking in the mirror, he pulled out his service pistol.


Quick…


Smooth…


“Pow…” he whispered.


Audrey Tillis snorted again. “You’re so over dramatic. I’d say you’ve got the makings of a really shitty VNN True Bonadan Story.”

“Hey… Why not you go inventory torpedo propellant or something?”

“This is leave. You don’t do inventories on your leave.”

“Agreed.”

Wilkar turned and made his way for the door, pausing he said, “You should probably get dressed. They land within the hour.”

“Oh? I’m invited?” she questioned.

“Yeah, your invitation is on the dresser.”



Wilkar struggled to maintain his relaxed parade stance. His Naval dress uniform offered little protection against the brutal Bonadan winter. The winds were cutting his exposed face and hands like vibroblades.

Seeing Captain Audrey Tillis make her way to her position, Wilkar caught her eye and gave her a wink.

An aide rushed to up to him. “They’re here Admiral.”