Bonadan

The fighter landed in the hangar and Allysha exited the craft. Her dark torn clothing was blowing in the wind as she walked away from her fighter. Immediately she began to search the surrounding area, expanding her senses. She had a mission to fulfill.

One of the hangar’s personnel ran up to Allysha. “Miss, you’ll need to register your vessel…” the man tried to say as he was suddenly stopped when Allysha raised her hand to him.

Allysha gazed at him with her dark eyes. “Do not speak to me ever again slave” she said as her voice was low and ominous.

As she finished speaking, the fighter’s autopilot activated and the ship exited the hangar. The attendant watched the ship as it shot back up into the sky then looked back towards the dark figure he had just been addressed by. She was gone.

Allysha left the hangar and walked into the street. Her search for the one would now begin as she slipped into the crowd.

Bonadan…

Ishara leveled the craft as it came to a rest in the hangar…

They had returned to Bonadan.


As Natalya began to walk down the ramp, Ishara grabbed her arm…

“I have to admit Nat, I’m a bit nervous to meet your father. Are you sure this is a good idea?”

Nat let out a laugh and pulled Ishara’s arm, “Come on Ishara.”

Walking through the hangar, Ishara hesitated and came to a halt. There was something she sensed but could not put her finger on it…

Natalya gave a concerned look to Ishara who was now looking around the hangar…

“Come on, both of you” Salazar interjected.

The group then walked on and entered the busy Bonadan streets.


Ishara always had an appeal to Bonadan. Recent events, however, seem to have put a cloud on it for her.

The group walked passed the boarded up cantina Ishara had purchased on her previous visit to the planet…

She took note of a woman standing by the door who was staring at her as she walked by…

A dark figure whose glare never left Ishara.

Ishara stopped as a crowd of people walked in front of her…

In that instant, the woman disappeared.

“Are you ok Ishara?” Natalya asked…

“It’s nothing” Ishara replied as she started to walk again.

Salazar was looking around with a concerned look on his face as he politely guided the women on their way in an attempt to get them away from the immediate area.


Outside VC Headquarters…

The group entered the lobby as several eyes were on them. No doubt they were wondering who the two strangers were accompanying Natalya.

“Warm welcome” Ishara sarcastically said as she crossed her arms…

Salazar smirked at Natalya…

“I suppose you should tell him you are here” he said.

Excelsior, Room 205


The door to Kaine's room seemed to shout with great bluster as the Supreme Commander recognized the voice of Zell outside.

"Dammit, Kaine!" he heard a shout and Simon pressed a button filling his room with the light from the hall.

"Zell, your room is across the hall." he gestured irritated at being awakened by the old man.

"After that nationalization dodger got himself drunk, I went on a tour of their emplacements." the old man barked out and the light to Kaine's room brightened at the entrance.

"And?" Simon asked pushing himself up from the oversized bed.

"You don't have a whore?" Zell asked, clearly disappointed. "You can tell alot about a government from the quality of their whores."

"And?" Kaine prodded again clearly hoping to get the older man out of the room.

"Well placed." the old man remarked as if surprised the Commonwealth had any sense of waging war. "As the Empire and Coalition and Dragons piss on each other, they've been reinforcing their position. It seems our propaganda is not trusted in some quarters."

"That's because it's propaganda. Hopefully, they'll trust our news."

Zell's eyes narrowed, "So you told Vinda about Agro."

"Of course. It seems Hilter is up to his old tricks and he believes that we are not watching, or that we've forgotten. I can tell you there is someone else who has not forgotten.."

"Seth Vinda." muttered Zell.

"Seth Vinda." confirmed Kaine. "Regrad seems to have forgotten his worlds were subject to terrorist attacks just like ours and went to war with the Dragons."

"That's because Regrad is a fucking idiot." Zell muttered. "I don't know why you coddle him, Kaine. His a fuckup of the worst kind. He doesn't realize when he's doing it and if he did, he tries to justify it by saying we do the same thing. We should really just blow him out of fucking space already and turn his Coalition into cinders."

"We may yet do that."

"Do you really think that these fucking aliens are going to respect the League of Nations? They won't, Kaine. They'll simply justify their fucking meddling as yet another way to 'get back' at the big old bad Empire. And WE DO NOTHING!" Zell suddenly shouted.

"We had the axe to their necks and we stripped them of their ability to wage war. Then we sat back and watched them rebuild it and what the fuck did they do? They poison people to the Empire, shout on the holonet about the evils of the Empire and then bitch like little girls when they get attacked because of it. We keep sending a message to them and they still DON'T FUCKING GET IT! I am tired, Kaine! Tired of hearing of yet another fucking speech and we do nothing. Tired of them raising people against us and then bitching at us when we try and check their aggression. It's time we laid down the law and hammered them to pulp!"

Zell's breath was hard and Simon smelled liquor in the air. "We should have occupied Metalorn. Fucking Kashan think they can expand holdings and challenge us? US? Forming a secret alliance with the Coalition...and then having the Coalition's fucking fleet back them up? THAT IS AN ACT OF WAR ON THE COALITION'S PART! If the Kashan want to shackle themselves to the fucking Azguard, then they deserve to have their planets smoldering ruins and their race exterminated from the galaxy!"

Kaine smiled ruefully, "We do seem to be treading the same ground over and over with them. The League of Nations will become a sort of 'neutral zone' between our governments."

"I've talked with the Emperor, Kaine. If these bastards violate your fucking neutral zone, then we peel the skins of their scaley hides! So you be ready!"

"Zell, I've had plans in place for years and the logistical support primed since the last war. We are ready. But why plunge the Empire into a war when the Coalition trips over their own toes giving us what we want?"

"They aren't dying and quite frankly, I am tired to us trying to appease their fucking morality stance. The Coalition has a tendancy to attack us now based on some ill treatment they experienced a fucking decade ago. Quite frankly, if they aren't 'man-enough' to act on it then and there, then fuck them!"

Zell pointed a finger at Kaine, "You were the fucking hero of the last war by dragging the Coalition down and winning the diplomatic war. But dammit, we should have let Gevel, Drayson and Desaria rip their hearts out. We wouldn't be dealing with their bullshit now! They'd be crying about getting more scraps from the forced labor compounds or something....anything ..but this fucking religious crap we hear from their fucking Azguard god's who seem to be hiding from us. If they were such fucking gods, why is their location a secret? Afraid we'll kill them?"


"Zell, the Prime Minister is losing power from his own leaders. They are losing confidence and when that happens, the more liberal and extreme elements of their 'democracy' will take over. Hell, there might be sects working against Regrad's designs already. Perhaps it is no longer the Coalition's ethics and morals that are driving them but their military industrial complex that they've nearly given over to Rob Stellar. War is, after all, good for business."

"You think that's the real reason for attacking the Dragons?"

"I think that is one of the reasons behind the reason. Regrad, in a fit of self righteousness, may think he's doing his people and the people of the Imperium a favor by this war but who will eventually benefit is the Coalition's Military Industrial Complex. Already, both offensives of each faction must have taken a toll that Regrad and the people of the Coalition were not expecting. The escalation of damages and costs, not even counting repairs must be enormous. Mount that will the bills of subcontracting military expenditures for new technologies, new upgrades, research and development costs...The only way to combat bankruptcy is deficit spending and a rising inflation." Kaine shrugged, "When they get paid, 10 credits an hour and a meal costs 100 credits, they'll riot."

"No." Zell said darkly. "They'll attack us."

Kaine's smile turned feral. "Then we bring them to their knees once and for all. First thing is first, though."


"GLF and Hilter."

"GLF and Hilter and Belgardi. Perhaps nationalization is in order?"

"Fuck that. Just wipe them from the face of the galaxy. That's all these chicken-shit terrorists understand. A boot on their necks and a firm, crushing stomp."

"Tomorrow morning I shall discuss with Mr. Vinda the particulars of our strategy and the resources we will commit to a joint operation."

"Then I need to find a whore and get busy." Zell remarked leaving the Supreme Commander to his thoughts.

Bonadan Trade Hall


Tyscio grinned at the corporate man's comment regarding his daughter and turned to Leia, "I didn't realize kids were this much trouble?"

Leia's eyes turned dark for a moment before rejoining, "That's because you are still a child."

"Babe.."

"Don't call me babe." She said in irritation. She was looking at Mr. Vinda in surprise noting for the first time that his aura in the force was hidden. A man who leads a very private life, a very organized life would probably be disciplined mentally...

..if not for the emotion wrought by his daughter, Leia doubted she might have detected any force presence in the man. At least, not for a while longer.

"Was your wife a Jedi?" she asked, hoping not to intrude. She could not remember Natalya Severina but that did not mean the woman wasn't a Jedi. There had been many Jedi groups owing their allegiance to the Order, or at the very least, the Code, than the Order found on Naboo.

Her mind drifted briefly to the Jedi Artimer and his Temple founded on Elrood, recently rebuilt to it's former glory and beauty by the aesthetically-minded Capricians. She found it hard to conjure up details of her fellow Jedi's face and wondered just how he had died. Itala Marzullo and his Sith army had crushed Artimer's rising star and all news from that sector of space died.

Until the Capricians.

Tyscio's question was a little more pragmatic, "You named your daughter after her mother?"

Leia narrowed her eyes slightly as if reading something in the air, "You're wife's name was Natalya Severina. Would her name later change to Natalya Vinda or was your name Seth Severina at one time?"

Tyscio returned a blank look, "huh?"

Then forwarding, "Your parents didn't want you to be taken to the Order or did you not realize until later that the Force was strong in you?"

Leia's mouth dropped open seeing that Tyscio's question had not only been pertinent but also very smart.

He saw her look and shrugged, "It happens, babe."

"Don't call me babe."

Bonadan




Vinda sat and stared at the pair for a while, as if quietly judging them both.

Many years had passed since he had even uttered Natalya Severina’s name.

Just saying it aloud stirred a wealth of emotions and memories he would rather have kept buried.

“Yes, Natalya was named after her mother, I was not there at her birth however, and I did not name her”

His voice grew quieter…

“…and I did not marry her mother though I had planned to do so…”

He glanced up to the pair , realising he had drifted off…

“Natalya died”

He sighed heavily…

“She was killed in an assassination attempt meant for me…a bomb planted on my personal shuttle…”

His mind flashed back to those events and for a while he was back in the spaceport that day.

He continued…

“She had been abducted by Kalatan Aramaya , the head of the CSA at the time, I had only just got her back when…”

He stopped, and met Leia’s gaze…


“I did not know of Natalya’s existence, Aramaya had found out , and kept her and her identity hidden all this time…until..well…the rest… you know…”

With that he retrieved his cigarra pouch and carefully picked a good specimen out, prepared it, and lit it with his old worn out lighter…

His eyes settled on it through the wisps of smoke sent billowing upwards, and he smiled half-heartedly as his thumb gently traced the weathered but still legible inscription.

He took a large drag, and focused his attention back on Tyscio…

“I cannot speak for my parents, they died in an accident when I was seven, I barely remember them if I am honest…but in answer to your question…I learnt I had …talents by myself…”

Then, with another hefty drag on his cigarra, Vinda slowly rose from his chair…he looked tired…

“Forgive me, but I am calling it a night, today has ….taken its toll..” He smiled faintly… “I have some, meetings planned with our mutual …friends” his voice trailed off slightly…

“You are more than welcome to stay, ask Zara to find somewhere for you..” He turned to face Tyscio.. “But for the sake of all of us, remind her not to book you into the same Hotel as our Imperial guests…” He threw Leia a furtive glance.

“I do not know when Natalya will decide to grace us with her presence, but you are welcome to stay and meet her when she does…”

He gathered up his things and made his way to the door, only pausing once more to say “Congratulations to the pair of you, I’m happy for you both…and I shall look forward to the wedding…

…I bid you both Good night”

And with that, he left the pair to their thoughts…

Brion




The hike down from the mountain was thankfully largely uneventful…

Much to everyone’s relief.

Salazar had led the entire way down, with Ishara following quietly behind…

Ishara’s silence had not gone unnoticed, she had withdrawn totally, speaking only when necessary. Nat had elected to give the Bounty Huntress her space…

People dealt with loss in different ways…

Not only that, but Natalya had a lot on her own mind…

Salazar on the other hand seemed excited at the prospect of what lay ahead…

The two had talked in great depth, about the force, and the past…

Natalya felt her thirst for knowledge grow larger the more he talked.

Ever since that moment inside his home, that awareness, Nat felt she had stepped into another world, like a heightened sense of perception of everything and everyone around her, but most of all her connection to it.

It left her feeling somewhat… bewildered.

Nat stole a glance at her friend…

Ishara seemed somewhat dazed herself, but there was something else…

Something else she had begun to feel, ever since that moment in the old Jedi’s home, and Natalya found she could not put her finger on it…

“Ishara, will be fine, Natalya, but she will need our support”

Nat looked up to find Salazar beside her…

She frowned, finding the fact that he could obviously read what she was thinking annoying…

“Is this some Jedi Mind trick?” She asked , her tone sardonic

Salazar laughed…

“Not at all, just experience, that and it’s written all over your face” He answered dryly…

Natalya smiled faintly at this, she had a habit of wearing her heart on her sleeve…

The old man reached over and placed a hand on her shoulder and spoke , his tone letting her know he was sincere…

“Your empathy does you credit Natalya, but be wary of showing everything, it could be used against you…”

This comment caused her frown to deepen further as she reflected upon this for a moment, her sudden quietness indicating her acquiescence …

“Tell me more about the force…” She asked eventually…

Salazar’s reply was instant, but his attention was on negotiating a tricky cluster of rocks he had to manoeuvre around…”What would you like to know?”

“Tell me about the darkside” Nat asked pointedly…

Salazar’s face seemed to stiffen, and it was his turn to frown…

“Anger, hate, fear, envy…these are quickest paths to the darkside…be aware of this Natalya, don’t give in to them…for they shall lead you to the path of destruction”

His words hung heavily in the air , like the morning mist that clung to the mountainside…

It was hard for Natalya to think of a more stark warning, and she fell silent as she contemplated this alarming prospect…


Ishara’s voice broke the silence , with a shout from ahead…


They were back at Masada.

















Masada City Spaceport.

Ishara’s ship…




As Ishara prepped the Firespray for take-off, Nat found herself wondering what now waited for her back on Bonadan. She now had a lot of questions going around her head, perhaps even more than when she had arrived…

Nat glanced over to Salazar as he settled into a chair and strapped himself in, her thoughts running away with her…

It was clear that she and her father had a lot to talk about, and a small part of her wasn’t looking forward to his reaction…

They hadn’t discussed anything yet. Natalya sensed everything had been difficult for the man, in a way her sheer presence was like a ghost from the past.

He now had to face things he had clearly thought long buried…

Old scars never truly healed…


But it was about time!


The engines started up with a roar that permeated the hull all around, sending vibrations reverbrating through her, and as Nat buckled herself in, she resolved silently to force him to confront it all.


They had a lot to talk about...


With a lurch forward the ship blasted its way through Brion’s atmosphere, and through it all Natalya watched Salazar with a quiet yet curious gaze, as he looked down affectionately at what was his home through a small hull window.

As he turned to meet her gaze, then looked away, Natalya swore there was a sadness held within it, the significance of which she could not yet grasp…


…and perhaps never would...

Bonadan Trade Hall



The cheeky bastard really doesn't like talking about himself, does he? Tyscio thought rather good naturedly.

"Well, if any man deserved rest, it's you, Sir. We won't bother you any further."

Leia seemed to want to open her mouth inspite of herself and Tyscio grinned to himself. Give the woman a cause and she'll gnaw at it like a rancor.

As they walked out, another receptionist called out to them mentioning a priority message for Leia, relayed from Capricia.

Tysico saw that as she viewed the message, her face fell.


"Leia?"


She turned to him. "The Jedi Order. It's collapsed."


Tyscio just stood there in shock.


"What--"


Leia seemed calm about her own announcement for the moment. "I sense something very strong in this. I cannot put my finger on it but I must go. Tyscio, I need to go."

He looked into her eyes and understood.


"Go. I'll be here when you return."


As she gathered herself up, he called out, "And Leia?


May the Force be with you."


She smiled softly.


May the Force be with us all.

Over the next three days the talks between the Supreme Commander of the Empire Simon Kaine, and the now politicized Seth Vinda continued unabated, and despite their differences the two men found their mutual respect for each other grow with each passing hour.

As the final day of talks loomed , against the backdrop of ongoing Commonwealth politics, Vinda still had no idea where his daughter had disappeared to, or why…












Bonadan Trade Hall




Vinda paced up and down the plush scarlet carpet of the Private chamber, his head racing with all that had transpired , and of course what was to come, as he waited for the Supreme Commander to join him once more…

He had already made a personal recommendation to the administration of Aargau, and they had greeted it with both enthusiasm and trepidation.

The proposal had been well received , generally speaking, and already Aargau was readying itself for membership to the League of Nations.

For when someone like Vinda recommended something, he was listened to.


Except of course, it seemed, when it came to his daughter…


It had been three days since her abrupt departure, and his demeanour had darkened with each passing day…

“Where in the hell is she?” He barked out aloud, causing Zara to jump a little…

The secretary said nothing , but simply listened as he began to wear out the carpet in front of him…

She knew it was better to let him vent his frustration rather than offer any practical advice…


“Its been three days..THREE BLOODY DAYS! I swear once she shows her face I’ll have her bloody arrested!”

"That should stop her running off!”

As he talked he got more and more angry…

“Not even a damned message, a call, nothing!…”

He stopped abruptly, and faced Zara with his finger pointed skywards…

“Do you know what else?… apparently she assaulted some damn reporter in some bar! And he’s threatened to sue! Unbelievable! You wait till I get my hands on her…I’ll--”

He paused suddenly , interrupted by the soft chime of the door, indicating the Supreme Commander’s arrival…

The transformation was nothing short of miraculous, and with a simple sharp exhale of breath, Vinda composed himself quickly, ready to meet his guest one more time…

“Zara, I want to know the moment she sets foot back on Bonadan” he said, his voice low...

Zara nodded in acknowledgment as she went to answer the door, and as she pressed the buttons on the control panel to reveal the Imperial…Vinda smiled warmly, and greeted the man cordially as he entered…


“Good morning Supreme Commander, I trust you slept well?”

Bonadan…

Ishara leveled the craft as it came to a rest in the hangar…

They had returned to Bonadan.


As Natalya began to walk down the ramp, Ishara grabbed her arm to stop her for a moment…

“I have to admit Nat, I’m a bit nervous to meet your father. Are you sure this is a good idea?”

Nat let out a laugh and pulled Ishara’s arm, “Come on Ishara.”

Walking through the hangar, Ishara hesitated and came to a halt. There was something she sensed but could not put her finger on it…

Natalya gave a concerned look to Ishara who was now looking around the hangar suspiciously…

“Come on, both of you” Salazar interjected as he hastened the women with a concerned look that briefly washed over his face...

The group then walked on and entered the busy Bonadan streets.



Ishara always had an appeal to Bonadan. Recent events, however, seem to have put a cloud on it for her.

The group walked passed the boarded up cantina Ishara had purchased on her previous visit to the planet…

She took note of a woman standing by the door who was staring intently at her as she walked by…

A dark figure whose glare never left Ishara.

Ishara stopped suddenly without Natalya and Salazar taking notice…

She continued to stare at the woman until a crowd of people walked in front of her…

In that instant, the woman disappeared.

Natalya jogged back to where Ishara was standing with a puzzled look on her face…

“Are you ok Ishara?” Natalya asked…

“It’s nothing” Ishara replied as she started to walk again.

Salazar seemed alerted and was looking around and he politely guided the women on their way in an attempt to get them far from the immediate area.

As the group made their way through the crowd, Ishara looked back to see if she saw the woman, still confused over the event…

Again Natalya asked; “Ishara, what’s going on?”

Ishara looked at Natalya with a blank look on her face, unable to answer the question as Salazar cut in…

“Lets keep moving.”



Outside VC Headquarters…

The group entered the lobby as several eyes were on them. No doubt they were wondering who the two strangers were accompanying Natalya.

“Warm welcome” Ishara sarcastically said as she crossed her arms…

Salazar smirked at Natalya…

“I suppose you should tell him you are here” he said.
[B]

Bonadan


“I suppose you should tell him you are here”


Natalya looked up and acknowledged the old man with a half-hearted smile…

Her mind was elsewhere however, simmering with all she had learned, a small part of her felt if she learnt anymore, steam would start escaping from her ears…

But that was exactly what she intended to do.

As the ship had descended back into Bonadan’s atmosphere, Nat realised she felt good to be back.

There has been something else however, a feeling clawing away at the back of her mind, and once again, Nat could not place the reason why.

As Nat reached the receptionist, Jaeda, she asked after her father…

“I’m afraid he is not here at the moment, Natalya, he is in a meeting at the trade hall…” Came the smartly dressed woman’s response, she of course recognised the young woman…

Nat frowned…

The receptionist, glanced over to the pair who had followed Nat inside, then focused her attention back to Natalya…

“Zara said for me to let her know the moment you are back, if you hang on a moment I’ll let her know you’re here” The woman added helpfully, then turned to the comms unit upon her desk…

While she waited, Nat turned to face her new friends, Ishara looked somewhat dazed looking around at the vast lobby, its black polished granite floor, and its dazzingly high almost cathedral-like ceiling.

Everything about the entrance to the galaxy’s largest corporation headquarters spoke of… power.

Salazar seemed more interested in the few potted plants dotted strategically about the lobby, much to the bemusement of Nat watching him…

Jaeda’s voice interrupted her observations…

“Zara says you should go right away, she has been waiting for you, she’s sending a driver now…”

“Ok, thanks Jaeda” Nat paused , a thought coming to her “Who is he meeting?…”

“You haven’t heard?” Came Jaeda’s surprised response…

Nat shook her head while the frown upon it deepened…

“The Supreme Commander of the Empire himself…”

Nat’s eyes glazed over slightly…

“Simon Kaine” The receptionist clarified…

Natalya, eyes drifted away from Jaeda as she recognised the name…


…The, Simon Kaine….here?…


Nat could not help but wonder what these talks were about…

Bringing her attention back to Jaeda, she thanked her, and slowly joined her friends, who looked up expectedly…

“He’s at the trade hall, we’ll meet him there” She murmured distantly, deep in thought…

The two exchanged a furtive glance towards each other, then followed her leave.