Two Households
  • Posted On: Jul 30 2003 8:37pm
Two Households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene.
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
Who's misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with there death bury their parents' strife.


To kill without conviction. To murder without guilt, or pity, those were the dreams of a madman. The ancient sun arose over the horizon of the City of Glowing Crystal, Calius saj Leeloo as it had for centuries prior. The icy Sage river twisted through the crowded streets, swirling under bridges of old as it snaked it way toward it's origin, the salt-stricken waters of the Leefari Sea.

For decades, life on the planet was calm, and collected. New governments brought with them new laws and taxes, but none-of-the-less, a simple way of living. Life on Berchest was good, the air sweet and crisp, and the streets of the city (at least, in the upper regions) neat and clean.

Soft blue tones lavished the water's edge, the upper-class regions of the Calius, highlighted with a soft white undertone of white-washed walls shimmering in the light of the morning sun. To any off-worlder, the planet was a paradise. An ancient haven of natural beauty found only on the most well cared for planets of the Galaxy. Especially the Core.

And then... Anthos; The idea of a resurrected Government bearing the name "Republic" within it's former name. Berchest had turned into a box of Corellian chocolates... On the outside, everything looked wonderful, and delicious. But deep down on the inside, you never truely knew what you were going to get. Berchest came with no guide, no manual that told it's contense. Only the natural wonder that stood the test of time.

Two weeks prior to the Anthoseian Declaration Signing


"Are you serious?" her voice trembled with excitement. "A Republic?"

He nodded his head as he sat back, sipping the caffeine-doused drink in earnest. The morning hours were always hectic in the Government offices; claims on taxes, tourism financing; speeder-bike registration. Everything had to be done at once, it seemed.

She looked down at her watch. Ten minutes. she told herself as she raised another bite of her whole-grain muffin to her lips, staring in excitement.

"Yep," he continued as he set his cup down. "I heard Mr. Torn discussing it with one of his aides this morning when I took his morning coffee in."

Eight minutes

"It seems like Berchest just got rid of the Imperial presence! Now they're talking about starting a new government? We're already split in half!"

"I know."

"Well...." she continued "I guess it could be exciting..." she exclaimed with a grin as she smoothed the wrinkles out of her freshly pressed business suit, and stood. The woman was rather full-figured, but still a beautiful woman with long brown hair hanging around the apples of her cheeks. As she started to sweep the tiny crumbs from her muffin off of the durasteel table, the man across from her stood, and offered his hand with a smile.

She embraced his handshake, and stepped forward into a hug. "It's always a pleasure talking with you, Thai. I'll see you tomorrow at seven?"

"Seven it is." he said as he looked down at his watch. "Talk to you later, Isabelle."

Berchest, present day


Murder...

The thurst to kill consumed him as he gazed through the thick black robes drapped over his face. The cold night rain...

<font size=-2>To Be Continued...</font>