Entry 4. Hebe Entertainment Center- Center Stage
05. 13. 52 ABY
President Dagny Careou stood on the center stage within the main room of the party. Careou was a Radnoran, a petite woman with light brown skin, golden eyes, curly purple hair, and a naturally alluring charisma. Dressed in pale violet to accentuate her skin and hair, Careou was stunning inside the Hebe Center.
Allie couldn't take her eyes off her, and didn't want to once Careou started talking.
"Racers, family, and all invited guests!" Careou's voice was like silk, radiating through the center and stopping all other conversation with just a word. "I am pleased to represent our glorious league, and celebrate the forty-fourth anniversary of the league, and of our opening party."
Everyone applauded, and Careou grinned and winked at the audience.
"We have over two-hundred speeders flying in the races," Careou said. "Over two-hundred companies sponsoring them, and twice that for our spectacular and talented racers. And of course, there are countless others. The people who come out to see these races, who watch these events. The technicians who make sure everyone is safe. The medics on-site who have prevented numerous causeless fatalities. And of course, the families."
Allana glanced around for her own family. Where were Rey and Ben? Allie hadn't seen them since she walked in several hours before.
Her parents were particularly amorous. Perhaps they had for once gotten a room?
Still, Allie couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. But what?
"The families support their young racer, giving up so much time, credits, and effort to help them achieve glory in our circuit," Careou continued. "And for the first time this year, we will have seen three generations of racers from one family. Galen, if you could, please?"
A second light appeared in the stage, and the spotlight moved into the crowd, before stopping on Allie. She blinked, trying to rid her vision of the spots, and smiled awkwardly, in a way that was reminiscent of her father.
"Come on up here, Solo!" Careou cried, gesturing widely.
Allie maintained a closed-lip smile as she did her best to gracefully walk forward, despite the four cups of Dialaman Blue and the shots of firewhiskey. In fact, she tripped on the third step up to the stage.
"I'm okay!" she protested as several aides came to her side. She removed her other shoe as the first one toppled onto the dance floor. An aide helpfully grabbed it, and Allie thanked him.
"Sorry, I'm a little clumsy outside the cockpit," Allie said, forcing a laugh as she joined Careou's side.
"Allana, if I may call you that, you are the child of this league," Careou said.
Allie laughed. "Literally?"
"I suppose so," Careou said, chuckling warmly. "Your parents, Kira Rey and Ben Solo, were both racers for the Solo Shipping Brand when they met, right?"
"Yep," Allie said. "It's the League that brought them together. It brings the entire family together."
"And you aren't the only one with family in the business, as they say," Careou continued. "Like Kyp Stormbreaker— Paige Tico's nephew. Do you see similarities between you and Stormbreaker?"
"I suppose so," Allie said. "We're both young pilots, rookies who have some pretty good odds against all the old folks. We both grew up in this world— I presume. I'll admit, I don't know Kyp all that well, but I'd like to."
"It's that friendly, can-do spirit that we are all about," Careou said. "This year, for the Intergalactic Grand Prix, we'll be focusing on the families of our racers and competitors. Now, Allana, is there anything you want to say about your family?"
"Yeah." Allie's eyes searched the crowd for her parents. She tried to hide her panic. She couldn't see them. There was Han— but where were Ben and Rey?
"Allana?" Careou sounded concerned.
"Uh- uh, Mum, Dad, thank you for everything," Allie said. "Y-You've taught me so much, and—"
She sensed it coming before it did. Every hair stood up on end, and she knew what to do.
"Get down!" she screamed, pushing Careou down with her, as a bomb went off behind her.
Smoke and rubble drifted through the air. It took all of Allie's will to get up and flee the building.
