While working on the sequel to Fate's Direction, I kept getting ideas for backstories for each of the characters. I tried incorporating it in the story since I think it gives each of the characters more depth, but they were just too long. I decided on posting them in their own story. Each storyline will be chronological, but not necessarily with the other ones. Ex: Brooke's story starts when she's 8, Rory's will start off a year after she was rescued by the Republic, Imperious' starts after Korriban, etc.
For anyone waiting on Fate's Direction's sequel, I promise I'm working on it, but I don't want to post it until I'm completely done with it. I have large chunks of it done, but I don't feel comfortable with it just yet. Thank you to everyone who's left me a review!
Brooke approached her father warily. He'd had a meeting with his cousin, Count Byron Alde. When he had returned, he had smiled at her, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. He moved past her quickly to his study, where she heard him make several calls. Brooke couldn't hear much from behind the closed door, but he had not sounded happy.
After things had been quiet for a while, she peaked in the room to see him staring out the window contemplatively.
"I can see you standing there, Star Shine," he called out, look at her over his shoulder with a tired smile. "You can come in, if you wish."
Blushing at having been caught, she entered, explaining, "I knew you weren't happy and I didn't want to bother you."
Turning, he took a seat on a nearby armchair, and held out his arms to the 8-year-old. With a smile as she came toward him, he said, "A visit from you is never a bother."
She snuggled into her father's wide chest, sighing happily as he wrapped his arms protectively around her. Some of her more obnoxious cousins made fun of her for still sitting in her father's lap, but she didn't care. Her mother had died when she'd been young, and for as long as she could remember he'd been her source of comfort. There were times she felt a pang of loss at never knowing her mother who she looked more like every year. It was somewhat disconcerting to see her reflection becoming someone she didn't know, her blond hair, bright green eyes so different from her father's auburn hair and dark brown eyes.
"Are you angry at the Count?"
He sighed tiredly before answering. "That answer is complicated. He has a lot he must deal with, hard decisions that he needs to make, but won't… Look at me, Brooke."
Dutifully, she raised her head and looked up at his serious face. "Listen to what I'm about to tell you, because it is the most important lesson you could learn: a leader who does not lead is worthless. Hiding from the consequences of your decisions, or worse, refusing to make them, is a disservice to all who would follow you."
"But papa, what if you don't know what to do?"
"Then you surround yourself with those you can trust to advise you. There is a difference between navigating unforeseen circumstances and being completely inept. If you cannot trust your own judgement, then you cannot lead."
"Ok papa," Brooke replied, feeling small. "How will I know which one I am?"
"Just trust your gut, Star Shine, and you'll make it through," he answered, pulling her in for a hug. "Now, go out and play. Adulthood will come for you soon enough."
"Ok, papa," she laughed as he tickled her as she slipped out of his lap. That was something she didn't need to be told twice.
Running out the door, she saw a pad on her father's desk with her name on it as well as Joran Baliss. Shrugging it off, she did as her father said and continued outside to play.
Brooke wanted to scream. Her cousin, Count Alde, had decided her 13th birthday was the opportunity to let her know of the betrothal he'd arranged for her to Joran Baliss when she'd only been 8. Her father had nearly thrown their cousin out when he'd chosen that moment to make his announcement. After the party, he sat her down and explained the events of the meeting 5 years earlier, how he'd argued with the Count about the betrothal. Count Alde had been outmaneuvered politically by Count Baliss due to his inaction. To keep them at bay, he'd offered up a marriage to Brooke without consulting her father until after the deal had been made. He swore he'd been working for years to get her out of it, but so far had been unsuccessful.
Furious, Brooke ran out of the house to the woods at the back of her family's estate. She ran until she felt exhaustion creeping in, but still kept pushing. When she finally collapsed to her knees, she took several deep breaths before letting out all her emotions in a single scream. She screamed so long she nearly passed out from the lack of oxygen, bracing herself on her arms as she fell to the ground and sucked in deep breaths. Finally looking up, she was astonished by what she saw. The trees that been surrounding her were gone, looking as if they'd been blasted away by an explosion or some great force. Her mind latched onto that word.
"No way," she gasped, not believing it. Experimentally she stuck her hand out and aimed it at a nearby rock. Focusing on it, she willed as hard as she could for it to move, but nothing happened. She tried again, same result.
Brooke was getting angry, could feel it bubbling just below the surface. She was going blast her frustrations on the rock, but stopped herself. Only Sith got angry, she didn't want to be like them. The scars from what they had done to her home were all over. She'd rather marry that pompous soon-to-be Lord Baliss than be a Sith.
Trying something different, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and cleared her thoughts. Once cleared, she thought again of the rock and imagined it floating. When she opened them again, she saw it was in the air, at least two feet off the ground.
Smiling wide, she sent a message her father to meet her at Castle Organa and sprinted off in that direction. She didn't know what she was more excited about: becoming a Jedi or getting out the betrothal. Brooke wondered how her cousin would react when he found out and made a mental note to try and get her hands on the recording of it.
"Count Alde will be with you shortly," the steward announced. "He is currently being briefed by an operative."
Brooke and Kira had just arrived after restoring communications to the palace. "Understood. If it's not too much to ask, may I have access to the archives while I wait?"
"I will forward your request to the appropriate personnel," the steward replied. "What reason shall I pass on for your request?"
Brooke answered with a small shrug, "I've been gone from home a long time. I simply wished to see what I have missed. My mission is on a tight schedule, I'm not sure I will be able to visit my old home."
"Give her access," a voice announced from her left. Brooke looked over to see her cousin, Duke Charlon Organa, standing in the doorway, hands behind his back. It had been almost 15 years since she'd last seen him. The Duke had aged well, the only hints were some gray hairs starting along his hairline.
"My Lord Duke," she said, bowing. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kira awkwardly mimic the gesture.
"Welcome home, cousin," he greeted with a warm smile before pulling her into a hug. "I have been following your career with interest, with what little the Jedi will share. If you have time, I would like to hear stories of your travels."
"I'll try to make time," Brooke promised.
"Good, now I believe the recording you would find most interesting would be A-659-B," Duke Organa suggested, a mischievous gleam in his eye. "The steward shall escort you there."
"Of course, my Lord," he replied, bowing low. "Master Jedi, if you would follow me?"
"Should you require anything, the panel on the wall will summon me," the steward explained before leaving the Jedi alone with the recording.
"So, are you gonna tell me what's going on," Kira half demanded. "From our talks it seemed like you didn't want much to do with your family after your father passed away."
"True, but there's one conversation I've been dying to see," Brooke answered as she loaded up the vid.
An image of Duke Organa, her father, and the late Count Alde filled the platform.
"What is the meaning of this," the count demanded. "I just received a message from Lord Baliss that the betrothal is off, on your orders!"
"That is correct," the Duke answered calmly. "Brooke came to me and proved she had been gifted with the Force. After conferring with the Jedi Master who was here as my guest, it was determined the best course of action would be to send her to train with the Jedi."
"This is unacceptable," Count Alde snarled. "The brat fools you with some parlor tricks to get out her family obligations."
"Choose your words carefully," Brooke's father warned, eyes flashing angrily.
"Count Alde," Duke Organa interrupted, "perhaps this situation with Lord Baliss could have been avoided if you had led your family instead of tying it to the fate of a child."
"How dare you…"
"How dare you claim position as scion of our house when you'd rather bury your head in the sand," her father interrupted, seeming to stand straighter, hands behind his back.
"I can see where you get it from," Kira commented.
"What are you talking about," Brooke asked, pausing the feed.
"I've seen that glare the few times I've seen you lose your temper," Kira explained, "with that same pose he's got now. It's not often, but when you do pull it out, it's effective. I'm guessing if we were to watch something when he didn't look like he wanted to strangle the person he's talking to I'd see that same arrogant smirk you're always sporting."
"You're point," Brooke asked defensively, crossing her arms.
"Just that you're a daddy's girl, nothing wrong with that," Kira teased.
"Ass," Brooke muttered.
"You'll want to play that to the end," someone said from behind. A well-dressed man with light brown hair and a trimmed goatee leaned against the doorframe. "It's just about at the best part."
Eyeing the newcomer suspiciously, Brooke restarted the vid.
Her father continued, "Gather your allies, if you have any. I've called a meeting for all members of House Alde to remove you as our Head. You're continued inaction has led to our family's decline and I will not see Alde's name be lost to history."
"What… but… you can't…" Count Alde looked like gaping fish trying as he struggled for a response.
"Too late," he sneered, ending the call.
"And thus ended the reign of Count Bryon's family line running House Alde," the man announced dramatically as the recording ended. "Another of your cousins took the helm leading to an even closer alliance with House Organa. Your father certainly knew how to make an exit," he observed, admiration in his voice. "I wonder if the same can be said of his only daughter?"
"You should see my entrances," Brooke smirked. "Lately they've involved lightsabers and explosions."
"That must be something to see. Terrifying if on the wrong end of it, of course," he said with a smile. Brooke had been out of practice, but she was fairly certain the man was flirting with her.
"My opponents were sufficiently intimidated," she replied. "I apologize if I interrupted your research. I just wished to see the recording of my cousin's reaction when I got out of the marriage to some idiot Baliss."
The man in front of her laughed, and said, "That's funny, that vid is one of my favorites for the same reason."
"Excuse me?"
Shrugging, eyes still full of laughter, he explained, "It's the day I was freed from a betrothal to some power grabbing Alde hussy. Lord Joran Baliss, formally of house Baliss," he introduced with a smile, bowing low.
Brooke's jaw dropped open in shock, before it snapped shut and she looked away in embarrassment. Kira, meanwhile, was snickering next to her and muttering, "Smooth."
Regaining her composure, she turned to the noble, matched his bow, and said, "Brooke Alde, pleasure to meet you."
"And you as well," he replied straightening, smile still in place.
"What are you doing with Organa," Kira asked to break the awkward silence. "I thought Baliss was staying neutral."
"They are," he sighed, "until they decided to take over House Teraan's estate after our home was overrun by Killiks. I argued with Duke Yun, calling his actions dishonorable. He responded by throwing me out, hence the 'formally of House Baliss' in my introduction. I've since joined House Organa as a diplomat, working to unite the houses against the Empire and the Thuls they're controlling. I will not see Alderaan fall to them," Lord Baliss said with conviction.
Before anyone could say more, the steward appeared at the door and quietly cleared his throat. "Pardon me, my Lord, but Count Alde will see you now Master Jedi," he announced before stepping back out.
"Of course," Brooke sighed before turning back to Lord Baliss. "I never thought I'd say this, but I'm glad I met you."
"Same," he replied with a smile that reached his eyes, "although, I think this vid has now become my least favorite."
"Why is that?"
"It was easy to despise you when I pictured someone lazy and entitled to things they hadn't earned. Seeing who you really are… well, that is a missed opportunity I shall be mourning for a while."
"Uh… well," Brooke stammered.
"Promise me if you decide to hang up your lightsaber in the future you'll come find me? Maybe for a drink before you leave on your next mission?"
"I'll… definitely consider it," she managed to say.
"Excellent," Lord Baliss replied with a smile. Bowing slightly, he said, "Until we meet again, Lady Brooke."
Once he was out of earshot, Kira teased, "You need a minute to collect yourself?"
"No, I'm fine," Brooke dismissed, but didn't move. "He was really cute, wasn't he?"
"Yup."
"And he had a sense of humor."
"Uh-huh," her friend agreed.
"And principled."
"I picked up on that too."
"I may have made a mistake choosing the Jedi."
"Ya think," Kira asked, eyebrow raised. "Couldn't have looked at a picture of him or something first?"
"I was 13! All 13-year-old boys look the same."
"Right. So, is that excuse making you feel any better?"
"Not a bit," Brooke sighed.
"Didn't think so."
"Come on, let's go meet with this cousin of mine so we can find the Death Mark."
"Right, focus on the mission now, think about Lord Baliss and his spectacular butt later. What, that's what I'll be doing," Kira said with smirk at the look she was getting from Brooke.
"Let's just get going," Brooke huffed.
"As you command, Lady Brooke," Kira teased. She laughed the whole way to the meeting room at the glare she got from the other Jedi.
So many gone. I've failed.
Too many emotions roaring through her, too many to focus. Lord Nafarid had taunted her with so much death. Soldiers, innocent civilians, children, her master… It was that last one that had too much, caused her to go numb.
He's gone.
Drained, she'd returned to report her success to Duke Organa, just to learn of an attack on his life from members of House Thul. Her distant cousin had survived, but many were killed in the attack.
Dazed, Brooke made her way to the medical wing, sent there to see to an injury during her duel with the Sith. Absently she made her way to a cot at the edge of the room, away from the hub of activity in the center. That was when she saw him lying there.
"Ah, Lady Brooke, I'm so glad I got to see you again," Lord Baliss managed to say between coughs.
Immediately Brooke was by his side, taking his hand in hers. "What happened?" She didn't like how pale he was. His hair was matted from sweat and he seemed to be covered in blood. It was leaking from the bandages that were wrapped around his chest and abdomen, it stained his pants, it was even in his goatee, from coughing if she had to guess.
"This is what happens when a diplomat tries to play guard," he replied with an attempt at a smile that morphed into a grimace, dry voice wheezing. "The Thul's breached the castle underground, just below the archives. Their path them took them by me. The guards put up an admirable fight, but not many were stationed in that area. When man next to me fell, I picked up his rifle. We were able to hold them off until the rest of the guards could respond. I was just thinking what an exciting story I was going to have for you when one of the bastards got a lucky shot on me.
He was interrupted by a coughing fit that had him doubling over. "I'm afraid I won't be able to get that drink with you," he finally managed between gasps of breath.
"Nonsense, you'll be on your feet before you know it," Brooke choked out, fighting tears.
"I thought Jedi weren't allowed to lie," he joked, his bright eyes a contrast to his pained expression. Those were the last words he spoke. Brooke tried to detach herself from it, but couldn't. His eyes were locked in on hers, and despite everything that had happened to him, he seemed calm. Unable to stop herself, she reached out with the Force, and was surprised by what she felt coming off him. There was genuine happiness at her return and a peace that she was envious of.
He fought hard for each breath, but eventually he was unable. Silently, his fingers entwined with hers, he passed.
Kira had stepped out to give her friend space while she regained control of her emotions. Taking a deep breath, she finally walked out to the main halls of the palace. Kira made her way to her, crossing in front of a small group of Republic soldiers.
"At least I can take peace that the ones responsible will be brought to justice," she said once Kira was close.
"About that," her apprentice started nervously.
"What is it," Brooke demanded, eyes narrowed.
"The Thul they captured? I just heard they're letting him go."
"What?" Brooke was furious. Trying to calm herself, she looked down the hall, towards the approaching soldiers. Two human females, one with black hair the other blonde both in tight regulation buns, and a Cathar male. The black-haired woman was flanked by the other two. "Who gave that order?"
"I did," the black-haired soldier said. "Lt. Aneira Horner, Havoc Squad. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but neither of you were being especially quiet."
"What were you thinking," Brooke exploded. "Don't you know what he did to my family?"
Lt. Horner cocked her head to the side, raising her right eyebrow and asked, "I thought the Jedi gave up claims to family."
"They do – we do, stop changing the subject," Brooke snapped.
"Very well, I released Markus Thul and his family as a result of his help neutralizing a threat to Republic security. That is all I'm at liberty to say."
"That's it," Brooke demanded. "All those people died and the only explanation you can offer is he helped you?"
"Yup, that about sums it up," the soldier replied. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a mission to complete."
"Don't you walk away from me," Brooke snarled as the soldiers pushed past them. "My family deserves justice for what was done to us!"
"Apologies my Lord," Lt. Horner said as she turned to face her, using an Imperial accent that had been absent before, "I mean Master Jedi. You'll forgive the mistake, I'm used to Sith acting emotionally and demanding vengeance. But then, from what I've observed, so do most Jedi. Guess you aren't so different after all."
Brooke's temper flared. "How dare you…"
"That is enough," Duke Organa commanded, surprising both women. "Lieutenant, I just received an update from my relative. I trust your mission went smoothly?"
"Target neutralized," Lt. Horner confirmed, slipping her professional mask back into place.
"Excellent, House Organa always stands ready to assist the Republic whenever called upon. And your service against the Wolf Barron will not be forgotten. Safe journey as you continue your mission."
"Thank you, your Grace," the soldier replied. Bowing at the waist, she bid farewell to him saying, "My lord Duke." Then she turned to Brooke she bowed in a manner reminiscent of an Imperial officer's bow at the neck, and said, "Master Jedi."
Duke Organa raised his hand, keeping Brooke from saying anything as the soldiers walk away. She heard the Cathar male say to the Lieutenant, "You know this is why you have no friends."
"I'm ok with that," she replied as they left the palace.
"Please forgive the Lieutenant," Duke Organa sighed, "she is under a lot of stress and seems to have forgotten her manners."
"Understatement," Kira muttered.
"I wanted to give you my condolences, I heard about Master Din. He was a great man."
"Thank you, your Grace," Brooke forced out of a tight throat as she bowed respectfully. She was caught off guard when in response he pulled her in for a hug.
"I know you have other matters that demand your attention," he said as he released her. "Just remember, you always have a place here. I look forward to catching up with you the next time you pass through."
Unable to speak, she merely nodded before heading out to the space dock. She couldn't let her emotions overwhelm her, she needed to focus on stopping Darth Angral before it was too late.
