The Rebel Faction

Hypocrisy was the riposte to devote to the world of a monarch. To belie was to exert the advantage, and on Hapes, lying was as natural as breathing. No matter whom you were.

Unless you were perhaps among those sparse few who could not tell a falsehood if their very life depended on it. Tishara had tried, with heavy conviction. With such insistence, because without lies, Tishara Valenta believed she was not being prudent.

Since she could not dare tell a lie, younger sister of Ishara often said so very little, riddled in silence with shame. A victim of torturous insecurity, she lacked the confidence one absolutely needed to move up in the world.

As it just so happened, this lack of self assuredness, often times, kept her from also telling the truth. To not be able to differentiate between the truth and a lie, well, that left poor Tishara with nothing but what was left in the middle.

A place that no one person would dare delegate one’s self to belong.

*************************************

One upon a day, not a month ago, but give or take a few days in proceeding toward a month, Tishara came to a strange sight. All there, wherever there was, flowing in a row, were some very tiny threads. Dark in color, but the exact color remained but a mystery to Trishelle’s daughter. Not at all reflecting at the time, on just what had driven her to pick up, what were really, some insignificant threads, Tishara encompassed every last one. She put them in her jewelry box, and put that box inside her top dresser drawer. Not at all secretly out of the way, nor out precisely for display.

Not of the hierarchy, Tishara would presumably be overlooked, such the world around her should believe without much sway. After all, she was but just a girl. A loner, but never, ever, a sinner.

Tishara could not tell a lie, nor could she tell the truth.

.. And so it was, that a month later, that Tishara should stand beside her mother, and her sister, while her silly little insignificant threads remained in her pretty little jewelry box.

Those threads were merely only threads of a possible killer.

A possible killer, fit only for a possible Queen Mother.

Star Home…

In Orbit of Hapes…

It had been many years since House Darkholme had cleansed the Relephon Moons of the supposed rebellion that had sparked there. Several noble bloodlines had been cleansed of the realm including the very house that had orchestrated the events that had taken place there. The now dead Queen Mother herself had given House Darkholme special recognition for their loyalty and service, even with several being given quarter within the magnificent Star Home.

Star Home was one of the wonders of the galaxy. It was an elegant palace which gracefully glided among the stars. It’s bright and sparkling lights were a beacon to any ship visiting Hapes, being a showcase to both the power and beauty of the planet below. For generations it had been the crowning jewel of the Queen Mothers and to the Hapan people it was a proud symbol of Hapan splendor.

Lady Cecilia Darkholme had been elevated to the title of Stewardess to the Throne of Star Home where she was left in command when the Queen Mother was absent. Upon her disappearance, Lady Cecilia’s position has become mildly elevated being that she was treated much like the Queen Mother herself while there. Her daughter, Princess Tasha Darkholme, was her sole heir and would eventually inherit the position. After their victory during the Relephon Moons Campaign, the title was bestowed to House Darkholme as one which would be inherited through birthright.

Cecilia stared out from the Celestial Throne Room which was centrally located upon the highest spire of Star Home. It was a picturesque setting with the throne sitting in the center of the round room where it was surrounded entirely by glass that overlooked the expanse of stars making up the Hapes Cluster. It was designed well making the Queen Mother appear as if she not only ruled the Hapes Consortium, but the whole of the galaxy itself.

“My Lady, the banners you desired have arrived as commanded.”

Cecilia slowly looked over her shoulder at the handmaiden addressing her.

“What is your command for them?”

A smile slowly etched its way across Cecilia’s face as she turned around and glanced over the room. “I want them replaced. All of them.” Cecilia waved her hand around the room at the Royal Banners now adorning the Celestial Throne Room. “The Darkholme banners will hang proudly until a new Queen Mother is named.” Now Cecilia’s smile turned dark. “A Queen Mother from House Darkholme.”

The handmaiden curtsied. “Yes, My Lady.” Her head remained low as she slowly backed away before taking her leave and seeing to her mistress’ command.

Princess Tasha had entered shortly after the handmaiden had left. She gracefully entered the throne room and curtsied before approaching her mother. “You asked for me, mother?”

“Indeed I did, Tasha…” Cecilia took slow steps as she approached the central throne where she paused and traced her fingers along the back of the chair as if studying its features by touch. “Change is coming, dearest Tasha. Change which will affect your future role here.” After circling the throne, Cecilia finally sat down with a smug look upon her face. “I have grown weary of the squabbling going on between House Valenta and House Vallisere to the point I am nauseated when I hear their very names. Their houses both are convinced that they are the only two families left who are vying for the throne.” Cecilia glided her hands up and down the armrests of the throne before her brow raised as she glanced up at Tasha. “How can they think such when I have already taken it?”

Just after Cecilia had finished, servants entered carrying the banners. Tasha watched as they cut down those already hanging and began to replace them with those of House Darkholme. As they worked, Cecilia merely watched, amused by her own boldness.

“Mother, is this not too soon?”

Cecilia made a fist with her right hand and pounded the arm rest. “No!” Her answer echoed inside the round chamber until it slowly subsided. Cecilia then calmly continued. “Star Home is mine. It always has been, and it always shall be. There was a reason our family was given the honor of this position. It was recognition for our loyalty to the crown. Now that loyalty will once again be recognized by the people of Hapes as I make our noble claim. WE were the ones who silenced the Relephon Moons. WE were the ones who offered no clemency to the rebels. By MY command they were put to the gallows and it will be MY command that will become that of Hapes Consortium.”

Stepping down from the throne, Cecilia gently placed her hands upon Tasha’s cheeks and spoke softly to her. “You will become Crown Princess of the Hapes Consortium. You will ultimately become Queen when I am gone. Our family, our bloodline, will rule over the Hapes Consortium and bring upon a new age for our people and it shall be glorious.”

Ambition was no shortage for Cecilia. As Tasha began to smile, so too would ambition fill her daughter’s soul.

Anika walked in slowly while carefully carrying the document her mistress had entrusted with her within her arms. She cradled it as if it were a delicate child until she had reached Vinda’s desk. Politely the woman bowed, lowering her head as she handed the parchment over. “Thank you for seeing me, Mister Vinda. I bring this to you on behalf of House Valenta. Please consider the request with the utmost importance.”

Glancing up, Anika watched as Vinda unrolled the parchment and began reading it…


Most Honored Sir,

I write to you in the most darkest of times for the Hapan people. By now I am certain you have received news that our beloved Queen Mother has disappeared and is feared dead along with the rest of her noble house. Hapes is in disarray and we have begun and era if uncertainty.

Suspects tot his most heinous of crimes are everywhere and not just those who hide in shadows. House Vallisere has been named a chief suspect in this crime yet I fear the accusation against them is false. I also believe it to be a ploy to sway attention solely upon them so the true perpetrator(s) can secure their positions.

Investigations are being conducted but I doubt their intentions. I find that, in the best interest of the Hapan people, an investigation be conducted by the Jedi as they are unbiased in our affairs and are experienced in such investigations. I also fear for the loves of my daughters and the mere presence of a Jedi could possibly calm the moods of those at court.

I have learned over the years you are a man of honor, Mister Vinda. I have valued the friendship we have built and I find myself offering to you a level of trust in this matter. Whomever you send shall be given every courtesy and comfort they deserve and will be the personal guest of House Valenta.

With Sincerest Appreciation,

Lady Trishelle Valenta


After noticing Vinda had finished, Anika leaned forward. “Please, Mister Vinda. Any help you could offer would be appreciated by the Hapan people” She paused briefly, giving Vinda time to contemplate. She then stood up straight and bowed. “What answer shall I give my mistress upon my return?”

Elsewhere...




Natalya powered up the rugged , dusty rocky pathway, without slowing her pace, pumping one foot after another, regulating her breathing, keeping her rhythm like clockwork.

Bonadan. A planet dedicated to heavy industry and commerce, was not really her first choice as a place to go jogging or sight-seeing. However, far out from any of the major cities , despite many years of extensive Vinda-Corp rehabilitation , there were still rolling desert plains, and some impressive gorges and valleys, past scars of Empire sponsored strip mining, which damn near killed the planet.

Natalya had only just recently discovered these areas and had started to take great pleasure in exploring the tough, unpopulated, mountainous terrain, finding it to provide an excellent training ground of sorts.

Ideal for getting away from the incessant noise and bustle of the city, away from any distractions.

The young Jedi had found, running in particular, helped focus and clear her head, her thoughts replaced instead by the beat of her feet upon the sandy ground underfoot.

Her pace only interrupted briefly now and then by an unexpected rocky protrusion or crevasse.

As she ran, the Force seemed to connect from the ground up to her feet, only to flow through her entire body and then back out in front of her, warning her, guiding her, and assisting her movements, Natalya gave herself to it willingly.

It was becoming easier now, and in its purest form, she found herself at peace within it.

Ever-so often, Nat would demand more of herself, push herself a little bit more, to see how far she could go.

Today was one of those days.

Up ahead, the young Jedi knew from a quick scan she had performed earlier, she was approaching a wide chasm, one far too wide for any normal person to jump across safely, fifteen to twenty metres across in fact, along with a drop of two to three hundred feet...

It was her intention to clear it today, and she had been gearing herself up to it, starting small, and working her way up. Jumping over fissures and cracks each bigger than the next, using the Force to propel her just that little bit further.

Despite only wearing just a light tee-shirt , fitted jogging pants, and trainers, Natalya was already drenched in sweat, and not just from the physical exertion , Bonadan's sun had reached its zenith, and was now at its hottest, and as Nat rounded the final bend , she began to feel the sun searing her back...

The lessons of her Jedi Master Leia began to echo within Natalya's thoughts...


Jedi are the guardians of peace in the galaxy.


Her words playing out inside her mind, like a mantra...

Jedi use their powers to defend and to protect.

As if following her rhythm, over and over...

Jedi respect all life, in any form.

As the pathway gradually opened up to the top of the plateau, Natalya lifted her head and narrowed her eyes to get a better view of the impending gorge slowly being revealed to her .

Jedi serve others rather than ruling over them, for the good of the galaxy.

Furrowing her brow from concentration, Nat assessed the distance and dug into her reserve, her heart beating faster as her pace began to increase,

Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training.

Soon enough the edge of the gaping chasm could just be seen, and as Natalya drew upon the Force to assist her running , her eyes glowed brightly , but her focus remained fixed upon the other side...

Visualizing herself leaping across, and how many strides it would take to do so, her movements became blurred as she embraced the Force and braced herself for the crucial, critical moment....

Natalya took a deep breath and felt her heart pound as she began to mentally count down the remaining three strides left...


one...


two...


The young Jedi stretched and flexed her body forward calling upon every ounce of energy she could muster and began to launch herself forward...


A sharp chime, and a sudden vibration from her wrist broke her concentration , interrupting her thoughts, and automatically without thinking Natalya took her eyes off the ravine and instead glanced down at her silver bracelet.

She cursed.

Loudly.


As she lost her footing and fell over the edge.


Her hands and feet dug into rock and sand alike as they scrambled to gain any kind of purchase against the loose layers that seemed to just crumble into dust within her hand...

In full fledged panic , Nat grasped and clawed her way down the sheer cliff face, her speed and momentum eventually knocking her sideways into a rocky outcrop, she gasped out in pain, but somehow instinctively managed to grasp onto it and hung there for a moment , winded..

Almost by accident she glanced down, and caught sight of the distant bottom of the ravine floor hundreds of feet below her , and in reaction hugged the rock for dear life. Slowly she began to climb back up, with each handful of rock sending dust and pebbles tumbling downwards.

Steadily, and messily Nat made her way back to the cliff edge, losing a hand-hold here and there, but managing to cling on with the other until she heaved herself back up and over it. She backed away from the edge instinctively and when she was sure she was safe..collapsed on her back, and lay there for a moment in the baking sun, trying to catch her breath.

Her bracelet chimed again, and for a split second Nat felt like Force-throwing it into the ravine...

Still breathless, she answered the Comms hail.

"Y..Yes..."

The familiar voice of Achinta rang through...

"Catch you at a bad time?"

She sighed wearily and rubbed her now heavily bruised and scratched leg and half laughed and half winced as she responded...

"Achinta...." She replied.. "...You have no idea"

The HRD continued non-plussed...

"Your Father needs to see you, I'm picking you up personally"

A frown spread across her brow...

"is everything all right?" She asked, concerned...

"that remains to be seen, but time is limited and I shall fill you in en-route..."

Puzzled, Natalya's reply was instant...

"en-route to where?"

"Hapes" He answered ominously, and with that, the connection was cut.

She mouthed his reply to herself , as if trying to make more sense if it.

Now even more confused, Natalya gingerly got to her feet and dusted herself down, grimacing slightly as the various aches and pains from her failed attempt started to make themselves noticed.

She glowered back at the ravine...

...and muttered herself a silent promise.


Next time...

Hapes…

The Fountain Palace…

Trishelle had Ishara’s arm as she pulled her through the palace and into the lower levels. “Move, Ishara! There is no time to protest!” Ishara was still offering a struggle, but reluctantly going along with her mother. The sound of troops landing on the palace grounds began to shake the ground. “Cecilia’s coup has begun. I need to get you off Hapes immediately and get you to safety.” Trishelle brought Ishara to where a small pod was sitting and proceeded to push her inside the cockpit.

“What about Tishara?”

“Your sister will be safe. This pod will launch you to the opposite side of Hapes. There will be a bag waiting for you. Change your clothes and follow the instructions, Ishara. Get as far away from Hapes as you can and get out of the cluster. From there, get to Bonadan and hopefully you’ll get some help.”

“Mother, I…”

Trishelle silenced her daughter. “Ishara, you will uncover the truth. When you do, things will be set right. Now go…” Trishelle kissed her daughter on the forehead before she closed the glass dome over her. The launch sequence started and the pod shot into a small tunnel and out of view. “May the Goddees be with you, my daughter.”

Trishelle sealed off the secret entrance to the evacuation pod and returned to the upper levels of the palace. As she walked down the main hallway of the palace, she saw Tishara walking towards her rather quickly. It was then a barrage of guards barged in, grabbing Trishelle. “You are being taken in to custody by order of Lady Cecilia Darkholme.”

“I will go calmly, Captain.”

Tishara was struggling as to guards took her by the arms. “You are confined to quarters.”

“Tishara!” Trishelle got her daughter’s attention. “Do as they say. Everything will be okay.” She offered her a smile just as the captain received a report that Ishara had not been located. “Where is Princess Ishara?”

Trishelle smiled as an amused and sarcastic smile crept across her face. “On holiday.”

Elsewhere…

Ishara was pressed back in her seat as the pod shot through the tunnel at break neck speeds. Behind her was a series of small explosions, sealing the tunnel incase she were to be pursued.

The pod began to brake and came to a sudden stop inside a small room that was dimply illuminated. There, sitting on the stone floor, was the luggage bag. Ishara stumbled as she got out of the pod, still dizzy from traveling at such high speeds. She knelt down beside the began before she opened it. Inside was a set of black clothes consisting of a tank top and leather pants with boots to match. There was also a black leather jacket. On top of the folded clothes sat a small holographic projector.

Setting the projector aside, Ishara activated it as she removed her gown to change into the clothing in the bag. The image if her mother came into view.

“By now, Ishara, you are far away from the palace. Inside this bag you will find clothes which I need you change into. There will be a pouch containing forged credentials that will get you safely off Hapes. Up the stairs is a small hangar where a ship is waiting for you. It is a small Gotric 720 Freighter which is fully equipped for you. It is a fast ship that will get you safely our of the Hapes Cluster.”

Ishara stood up as she now glanced at a metal box inside the bag. When she opened it, she saw a belt with a blaster pistol in its holster. She began to put it on as the recording continued.

“There are weapons for you. A blaster pistol and several small explosives. Use them only if you need them, Ishara. Protect yourself.

The ship is already programmed with a secret route to get you through the Transitory Mists. If you are followed, and you probably will be, the ship can release charges that will affect the mist so the corridor you are in will collapse. Only use them if you must, Ishara. This corridor is your way back in as I know Cecilia is watching every trade route entering the Hapes Cluster.”

Ishara stood up, placing the pouch containing her forged identity inside her leather jacket.

“Be careful, Ishara. Get to Bonadan.”

The image of her mother disappeared bringing an uneasy silence to the small pod bay. Ishara gave one last glance behind her at the empty pod before she ran up the stairs and into the small hangar. There, sitting quietly, was the black freighter her mother said would be there. Ishara quickly walked up the ramp and started up the engines. Above her, massive hangar doors opened to reveal the bright sky of Hapes above.

As the engines lit up, the freighter lifted off and shot up into the Hapan sky.