Disclaimer: In addition to the first disclaimer in the first post, I must add that I'll be using many different sources for this, ranging from Chinese laws to Ripley's Believe it or Not, so many things that look like the old MSN headline "Mexico Town Bans Indoor Nudity" will be real and therefore not mine. Some of this fic will also be based on the information that I used to construct the full Hapes/Dathomir family tree, which is in the Tenel Ka shrine on my website. For details on the weird laws, PM me. I'm not making fun of any laws, even if I seem to be.
Also, since school
started, updated might be really slow, even compared to the rates at
which I wrote two previous fics because I've learned that I really
like to go on and on since starting that fic more than a year ago and
that I have tougher classes this year (I could play calculator games
and still top the class in Chem I, but now, even though I worked my
butt off, I couldn't beat those smart boys in the class on the
final).
Chapter 2
"Whew. I'm not caught. So far so good. If these Masters get me, I'll be dead." Allana thought in relief as she heard the other Jedi in the shuttle follow several fancily clad men and women out of the hangar, leaving behind only a few maintenance droids. While the mechanics were busy washing up the ship, the apprentice dashed out of the hangar and took a turbolift down. If the history lessons were accurate, the turbolift of the Royal Spaceport should lead directly to a tunnel that ended in the center of the capital city. Allana was glad that her shoes were too soft to make much noise against the flooring.
When Allana first came out into the city, she glared into the dawning sun, but soon turned away from the burning rays to face a large collection of colossal shadows. As bright and cheery as the morning colors were, she could not help but feel that even the morning shadows could not contain the amount of dreariness present in the scene. It was as if something was tainting the Force in the area.
"Why am I thinking about scenery when I gotta disguise myself first?" the girl muttered disgustedly as she began to walk down the street, scanning the windows for clothes and Holo-models. She grinned when she saw three holograms of teens her age staring back at her from behind a transparisteel barrier, showing off their fashion. She opened the shop's door and was lucky to find an open store so quickly at dawn, especially in the summertime. Not wanting to waste any time, Allana dashed for the first 'on sale' sign that she could spot within the shop.
"Is it light out?" Allana jumped backwards in surprise as she heard the voice from behind the clothes.
"Well, yes. Does it mean something?" Allana pushed apart two shirts to see a boy huddling. He was tall and gangly, with a few locks of brown hair barely touching his broad shoulders.
"It means that I can go out!" The boy grinned.
"Strange." Allana was about to say more, but changed her mind when she noticed a bruise on the boy's arm. "What happened?"
"The Queen Mother put a curfew over us and some guards beat me when I went out last night," the boy explained. Allana did not want to believe him, but when she probed his mind, she found nothing but sincerity.
"That is the stupidest l…" the Jedi began, but was interrupted.
"Sh… Don't say anything bad about the queen or she'll kill you," the boy warned as he carefully crawled out of his hiding place. "You're a Jedi, aren't you?"
"Yeah, but don't tell anyone," muttered Allana as she picked out a cloak, a set of overalls, and a pair of boots.
"I won't tell. Can you heal this?" asked the boy, showing her the bruises and bumps on his right forearm.
"Sure and thanks." Allana grinned as she drew on the Force to stop the bleeding.
"I take it you're here for a secret mission?" asked the boy.
"Don't bother the customer, Nikor. Why don't you go out and practice for track now that the sun's out again?" A middle-aged woman who was apparently the store's owner stepped into the scene from behind the counter. "I apologize for my son. Please don't mind him."
"Oh, it's okay," Allana said to the woman as she checked out the green, silky outfit and the midnight black boots. She was glad that she had brought her money and even more thankful that the store, however small it was, had accepted her Alliance credits. When she walked back out of the door, she found Nikor waiting outside.
"So are you on a secret mission of sorts?" asked the boy.
Hesitantly, Allana asked Nikor what he knew of the curfew and was shocked to hear the details. "They beat you up as a warning for getting up early and jogging?"
"Yeah. It's pretty bad for us, Jedi…"
"Allana. I'm sorry I haven't told you who I am. I'm guessing you're Nikor?"
"Yeah. That's not a common name around here. We haven't had an Allana on this planet in fourteen years," commented Nikor as they strode down the street.
"Really?"
"Yeah, not since the princess died."
Allana did not comment on the princess, though she sensed a certain amount of uncertainty behind Nikor's statement. "I can't believe a Jedi queen would impose such a curfew on men."
"I can't say much, but read my mind," offered Nikor as he tried to think as strongly as he could without speaking. It'd be all right if Tenel Ka was still on the throne. The problem's that she put her adopted brat in that seat. I hope I gave you enough info. "Well, I'd better go."
"It was nice talking to you and thanks for the info." Allana grinned. Then, after Nikor waved his goodbye, Allana leaped into the nearest public refresher and began to change as she hurriedly stuffed all of her Jedi tools into folds inside her new clothes. Whatever she was going to do next, she was going to have to do it without her weapon.
… not since the princess died. Nikor's voice echoed in Allana's head as she buttoned up her new outfit. The girl tried to shake the voice out of her head, but only succeeded in bringing forth another flashback.
…she had an affair with Master Solo and Master Ti said that the queen's also from her clan … Instead of hearing the zippers, Allana only heard Riko's voice as she put on her boots. Was she uncomfortable around Skywalkers and Solos because she was the 'dead' princess and the daughter of that affair? According to the Masters, she was brought into the Temple just a few days before Tenel Ka announced that the baby was dead. Allana quickly pushed the thoughts away, for she knew that such a notion could only remain fantasy. All that the information could mean was that she had to be extremely careful and remain covert whenever she arrived at the palace to investigate the strange, cruel law.
For a moment, Allana paused as guilt washed over her. So far, she had selfishly lied to a friend and broken a Jedi rule for the sake of adventure. She tried to justify it by saying that she always felt a non-Jedi role calling to her from Hapes, but that did not make things right.
"Quit being a brat. I can't go back in time and fix things, so I may as well stay here and do this place some good, or would that be too vigilante? Why am I even questioning myself now? I should have done that before I snuck aboard," Allana scolded herself. Somehow, Allana had the feeling that the curfew was a mere precursor to more suffering and might spark a violent, terrible uprising.
-scene change-
Jacen took a deep breath as the ship prepared to land. Even after all of these years, he still did not want to face Tenel Ka, whom he had so terribly betrayed fourteen years ago. He had taken everything—her lover, her only child, and her world—from her and now, he had no choice but to face her. Luke Skywalker had good intentions in placing Jacen at the head of the Jedi Order a year ago, but had no idea what he had obliged his nephew to do as a politician. From a political standpoint, he was obligated to come to an Alliance world when its ruler requested help.
As the Jedi toured the palace, the servants offered a variety of drinks and Hapan delicacies, all of which the guests rejected, keeping up their Jedi mystique. Jacen knew that something was horribly wrong because the servants were not taking the Jedi to either Tenel Ka or her adoptive daughter, but he could not bring himself to point anything out. He relished in physical pain, but not in emotional, self-inflicted suffering.
Finally, one of the other Jedi brought up Jacen's dreaded subject. "May we see the Queen Mother?"
"Unfortunately, her majesty is in no condition to have guests and the princess, the acting Queen Mother, is speaking privately with Lady Aleson," replied the tour guide.
"No, we may talk, my Jedi friends," said a weak but powerful voice from the other end of the corridor. Jacen looked ahead to see a much weakened but still strong Tenel Ka forcing herself to walk by drawing on the Force for strength. He stared into her eyes and the violent ire that he found raging in her pupils almost threw him back, as if Tenel Ka was using the Force to hurl him. Perhaps it was true that the greater the love, the greater the hate when the lovers parted. Jacen began to shake as his former lover's labored and forceful breaths echoed down the stony hallway.
The Jedi Master never knew that the woman he once loved, and perhaps still loved, could inspire such fear or stab him so deeply. Perhaps it was only fair since he took away her child. Tenel Ka's face was as pale as it could get, giving her gray eyes the impression of sharpened transparisteel daggers. She projected no emotions into the Force, but she did not need to. Even though Tenel Ka was considerably weakened, the Jedi could tell that she was still the same warrior, only locked in a body that could no longer contain her immensely powerful Force presence.
"Queen Mother, a thorough analysis of your condition tells me that you are in no shape to be out of bed." A medic trailed behind Tenel Ka, trying to stop the fiery-haired woman in her path. Several servants and other medics nodded in agreement, but the woman merely waved them aside with her single hand. With a rancor tooth saber hilt clutched in the hand, the former Jedi seemed to be challenging Jacen to a duel. From the expression on Tenel Ka's face and from her stride, Jacen could tell that Tenel Ka was on as much of a rampage as her ailment allowed.
"We will speak and we will walk," Tenel Ka replied simply. "Come."
"Very well, my queen." The medic bowed, not wanting to suffer the same embarrassment as the doctor who tried to fit the woman with a prosthetic arm decades earlier. "But your chances of recovery will decline by 50."
"Fact." Tenel Ka nodded.
"What is it, Queen Mother?" asked Rei.
"I ask you to protect my daughter from my nobles. I called because I am no longer able to provide such protection," Tenel Ka announced when the Jedi arrived at one of the entrances to the throne room. She then paused long enough to let them see a veiled, young woman talking to a well dressed, middle-aged lady.
"If you're asking us to help your daughter, we'll do it gladly! She's my sister, even if she's not a witch like us," offered Rei, taking a step forward as she did so.
"Thank you, sister Rei." (Tenel Ka nodded, and for the moment, all of the coldness in her eyes seemed to have vanished. However, the minute her gaze darted back to Jacen, the wrath returned.
"We will help, too. Just tell us how." Ben was the next to volunteer. When he stepped up, all of the other Jedi followed suit, signaling Tenel Ka that Ben was the spokesperson.
"Thank you, Jedi Skywalker. Guard Princess Kala. Ensure her safety and keep a low profile," ordered Tenel Ka.
"Yes, your majesty," Jacen spoke on behalf of all of the Knights, apprentices, and Masters. He tried to use the opportunity to turn and leave with the rest of the Jedi, but Tenel Ka stopped him.
"Master Solo." Tenel Ka's voice was colder than ice, totally devoid of the warmth and enthusiasm that it had once tried to hide. Jacen was no longer friend Jacen, and for that reason, the Jedi Master knew that he was in hot water. When the two were alone, Tenel Ka finally spoke again, this time lowering her gaze slightly in shame, which she did not want to show Jacen, "You have shamed me before my sisters. You will suffer for this."
"Trust me, I already…" Jacen began. To Tenel Ka, it looked pitiful, for she doubted that Jacen could possibly have a clue as to how Dathomiri women regarded those who outlived their daughters and those whose men went rogue. Because she was unable to send Allana to Dathomir as promised, she had been almost demoted over the fact that she allowed for her child--- not just any child, but her first daughter--- to be stolen. To make it worse, she did not know of the child's whereabouts.
"Trust is an act of faith, which you lack and which I cannot afford to have, Master Solo. I hope you are happy that you have taken my child without my consent and that Allana likes her life." Tenel Ka wanted more than anything to send Jacen away, but found that she had some decade-old questions that she could no longer withhold. She could not die ignorant.
"Tenel Ka…"
"That is Queen Mother to you, Master Solo," Tenel Ka glared. With the b(Should be her instead of the.)/b orange hair down, Tenel Ka looked dangerous and terrifying.
"Your majesty, I can explain."
"Then why did you not do so before you took Allana?" The question hit Jacen like a stone, leaving him speechless. Deep inside, he knew that his actions were rash and wrong, but he could not bring himself to admit it. Suddenly, all of the shock from hearing that Tenel Ka had made her adoptive daughter regent disappeared and Jacen remembered the last conversation he had with the queen. The same qualities that once, and perhaps still, attracted Jacen to the queen were now drawing out his fear.
Flashback
"Allana is dead? What happened to my daughter?" Jacen tried to fake a surprised expression as he spoke with the Hapan queen over a secure channel.
"Do no attempt to lie to me, Jedi Solo. Where have you taken her?" Tenel Ka went straight to the point.
"To a safe place. That's all I can say." Jacen lowered his gaze in both shame and defeat before throwing a glance over his shoulders to see if the doors behind him remained locked. For a moment, he contemplated giving her the exact location, but then decided against it. He could not risk Tenel Ka coming to Ossus and taking the child back to her dangerous life on Hapes, nor could he chance the news getting out and inviting an attack from angry, anti-Jedi Hapans.
"Where?" Tenel Ka's granite gray eyes narrowed, hurling a chill down Jacen's spine.
"I can't tell you." For a moment, Jacen could see the former Jedi contemplating the use of force.
"Do not contact me again until you return my daughter to Hapes. Do not forget that you do not have custody of her," Tenel Ka warned coldly before killing the link, silencing all communications between her and Jacen for the next fourteen years.
End of Flashback
Jacen knew that if he had any luck, Tenel Ka would not remember the details of the conversation.
-scene change-
"Lady Aleson, I was not expecting you," stated Kala as her slim and gaunt aunt strolled casually through the large, wooden doors.
"I've come to console and congratulate you, like an aunt should," the woman replied simply as she paced before the throne. Normally, Kala would have been slightly annoyed, but on that day, she was too tired to notice such disrespect.
"And yet you have been absent for most of my life. If I recall correctly, you didn't even stay past my father's funeral," Kala struggled not to retort as she patted her stylish clothes before stepping off of the throne and forced some sweetness into her voice, "but thank you for coming. Your presence is appreciated."
"What, no hugs for your dear Aunt Trisde?" Asked Aleson.
"Well, you do deserve a hug," Admitted Kala, allowing for her aunt to squeeze her in a somewhat false show of affection. "Is there any favor that I can do for you or your house?"
"Actually, yes. I ask you to avenge my brother's death."
"I don't understand. The men behind the plot have already been sentenced to death fourteen years ago, as we both well know."
"And you'll just let it stop there? Your father is dead while these criminals still live!" Aleson would have snarled had she not been in the presence of the regent.
"Not for much longer, though." Kala replied somewhat coldly.
"Fifteen years isn't long enough, is it?" Sneered Aleson. "Have you forgotten your blood, your majesty?"
"Better for them to suffer first than to die. They don't deserve the honor to be executed," Kala launched at her aunt, tired of arguing, but immediately regretted her words.
"But Queen Mother, all that I'm asking is that you change the laws and speed up the executions. Your father will be proud of you for that," pleaded Lady Aleson.
"If you are asking me to shoot those two idiots now, I'm sorry, but I can't. From my position, I cannot be partial. If the executioner takes these two…" Kala began.
"Then she will have to shoot every other prisoner on death row. That is my purpose. Please, my niece, will you not do your own house a favor?" begged the gaunt aunt.
"Like my mother before me, I'm from House AlGray. However, even if you are the Lady of my House, I can't accept this." Kala shook her head.
"Lady AlGray---your grandmother's sister---has also signed this petition. Do you truly consider yourself a member of House AlGray? If you do, you, as niece, must stand by her side on every issue." Aleson handed her niece a datapad.
"But some of these convicts are innocent," Kala began to protest. She wanted to reject the law outright, but then remembered her natural allegiance to her biological mother's family, even though she had no memories of her real mother.
"Keeping these prisoners is costing you. More than two out of five Consortium prison facilities lie in my territory and as Lady, I have seen the bills," argued the older woman. Her face twisted slightly, and for a second, Kala thought that the lady embodied the dark, twisted side of the ethereal planet.
"I will speak with my mother's economics advisor when he returns to confirm this." Kala sighed.
"That will take time, which I believe is of the essence to you. Accept the proposal and avenge your father. We can then be strong allies as well as aunt and niece, Queen Mother." When Kala remained speechless, Aleson continued. "Don't you find it outrageous that certain criminals who have attempted to seize Hapes lived out the full lifespan despite death sentences?"
"Who would those be?" asked Kala, her interest piqued.
"I'm sure you're familiar with the story of Ambassador Yfra's attempted coup d'état." Aleson continued to pace before the throne.
"She was a dangerous despot and a habitual liar, according to my mother," the girl answered, not certain as to where the conversation was going.
"Do you not find it interesting that she had died of old age, even though she had two death sentences? Then there are all of the assassins. If you'll check them up, you'll see that they're all alive, if not well. Prison life becomes less and less torturous each year," continued the aunt.
"What exactly do you propose that I do, besides order the death of everyone who deserves a death sentence?" Kala had finally had enough of her aunt. She wanted to dismiss the woman from her presence, but because she was not fully Queen Mother and related to the guest, she could not. Wishing to rid herself of the relative's presence without argument, the princess gave in. Her heart pounded heavily and cold sweat rolled down her skin beneath the veil as she wondered what the Jedi visitors could be thinking as the servants stalled for time.
"Let every convicted man be shot two weeks after the trial and every woman three weeks. It will not matter if he is truly innocent. Also, I suggest that you set a maximum of twenty years for prison sentences so that any more severe crimes will warrant execution." Aleson grinned.
"Very well. This law will be passed. Since you are the Prison Lady, if I remember correctly, it will be your responsibility to enforce and work out the details of the law," Kala declared in a somewhat defeated voice. The job of the ruler was too big, and from a logical standpoint, she was merely delegating some duties to someone else.
"The people will appreciate you for putting money into their pockets."
"Then I assume that you have ample funds to carry out your ambition." Kala stepped down from the throne for the moment.
"Thank you for hearing me." Aleson smiled falsely as she bowed a shallow bow, just meeting the minimum requirement according to Hapan tradition.
"And thank you for your contribution to the government's function, Lady Aleson of the Eastern Seas," returned Kala as she gave her aunt a superficial hug. When the lady left, the servant returned.
"Shall I summon the Jedi?" he asked humbly.
"Yes." The young woman nodded. Upon hearing that, the man spoke into a comlink and a bodyguard appeared with a group of Jedi at one of the smaller entrances. Though Jacen Solo's short curls were combed back in an orderly manner and his robes flawless, he had an inexplicably bedraggled air about him. Overlooking his shoulders were the prowling, blue-gray eyes of the redheaded Ben Skywalker, whose every little detail radiated energy despite the dull, uninviting clothes. Kala's eyes then moved to the rest of the Jedi and an overbearing wave of shame hit her before she began to doubt herself. Was it a selfish move to cede to Aleson's proposal? Kala then shook her head, for the top economist of Hapes would soon come to her side and reveal how much money she would save in making such a move. Besides, it was her job as a woman to obey elders and superiors, especially when the leaders of both her father's house and her mother's house were united. Plus, the ladies who signed the proposal had far more experience than she did as leaders and thus knew what was best.
"I assume that my mother summoned you, Masters?" Kala walked up to greet the Jedi.
"Yes. We are here to help you, your majesty." Their leader, Jacen Solo, spoke first.
"Did she ask for anything in particular?"
"We were asked to guard you and keep a low profile." Ben stepped forward, stopping at his cousin's side.
"I see the plan." Kala nodded, remembering the set of secret codes that her adoptive mother had taught her. "Most of you will need to change out of those robes."
-scene change-
As Aleson gracefully carried her gaunt, bony frame out of the palace, a woman with a veiled face and refined wrinkles around her eyes approached her.
"Has everything gone as planned?" asked the elderly woman.
"Yes, Princess; in fact, my brother's brat gave me a blank check, only without the money, which is not a problem. You know, you are one brilliant mastermind," commented Aleson.
"Why, thank you."
"I'm wondering why you didn't take lead of the party. Under your hand, we would have ruled for years," complained Aleson.
"It is a matter of courtesy to yield to the eldest sister. Since Chelik is the first granddaughter of the esteemed Ni'Korish, only she could lead this party. She's doing quite fine, isn't she?" Beneath the scarlet veil, Alyssia grinned a malicious, toothless grin.
"Yes, I suppose, but if she's doing so well, why are you going behind her back with this plan?"
"I'm not. She has devised part of the plan," Alyssia lied, not letting on to the other woman how glad she was to be rid of her sister's first daughter at last. When she saw a few onlookers, she switched to code language. "So the show begins. I wonder if Vin's here or if he's decided to go home."
"Long live Queen Ni'Korish!" Aleson walked over to a statue of the ancient leader, pretending to read aloud from an inscription rather than exalting her political party.
"Ah, yes, long live Queen Ni'Korish!" Alyssia followed suit as she chuckled insanely. Then, as if seized in a fit of hysteria, both women began to laugh high-pitched laughs that seemed to echo throughout the planet.
