Chapter XV: New Beginnings
Merrin - Day 5 - Ordel, near Stone Town City
Another thing that has surprised Merrin dearly was how quickly people could bond with each other, even if they haven't yet spent much time together.
Cal stood next to her, his lightsaber displayed proudly on his belt. His fingers tapped over its long and slender hilt while he looked at the still closed loading ramp of the Mantis with anticipation, no doubt more than happy to finally feel solid ground beneath him once more. She could understand that. It would be nice to breathe in something that wasn't the recycled air of the ship, especially if this Ordel planet truly turned out to be as beautiful as Cere described it.
''Thanks for coming with me, Merrin. It'll be great to do something together that doesn't involve running away from someone.''
That much was certainly true. Though it has been multiple days by now, both Nar Shaddaa and the Fortress Inquisitorius still echoed within her mind, much to her annoyance.
''Of course. Truth be told, I miss the open sky. Even if - ... '' she raised her now almost fully healed shoulder lightly ''the break helped. I really just wish to feel an actual sun on my skin again. Can't really get much actual warmth on the Mantis, excluding the fires that happen when Greez cooks.''
They both giggled at that.
''Better get a move on, then. Who knows what sort of inferno he is ready to cook-up next. Ready?''
Merrin lowered her head and took a deep breath, waiting for Cal to open the door. A new planet, a new chance for them. Perhaps this time, they'd find some peace and quiet. They certainly deserved as much. There is only so much chaos one can endure, even with the Force as their ally. Add to that the many scars of the past that haunted every single member of the Mantis, especially Trilla, even now, Merrin prayed that they'd find an opportunity to mend those wounds. In many ways, Ordel would be the start of something new for all of them. No sizable Empire, no bounty hunters and no criminals - if Ordel was even half of what Cere promised, they could count themselves blessed.
''Always. Let's go, Cal.''
Slowly, the ship's ramp touched the ground, bathing the inner workings of the Mantis with the bright warm light of Ordel's sun. Together, they stepped off of the ship and took a good look around, taking in the natural wonders that surrounded them.
Amazing.
Gone were the dirty and dark streets of Nar Shaddaa. Now, vast green plains stretched out as far as she could see, with many hills and trees spread throughout equally. The mild, spring-like climate filled Merrin with new energy as the sun shined down at the grasslands of the planet, her ears picking up the sounds of the numerous birds and insects tweeting around her. The fresh air danced elegantly over the grass stalks, bending them slightly as the wind carried revitalizing warmth with it.
''Force be damned. This is stunning. Wow.'' Cal said flabbergasted before he turned towards Merrin, glaring at her with an intense smile.
''It is.'' she said with amazement.
He gently grabbed her shoulder and turned her around, raising his hand and pointing his fingers towards the horizon.
''Look! That's probably the capital Cere mentioned. Stone Town, right? Let's see how much of the Empire actually remained here.''
With eager anticipation in their steps, Merrin and Cere followed one of the rocky dirt paths leading towards the settlement, enjoying the pleasant view that spread around them as they made their way to Stone Town. They even stopped on their tracks temporarily as Merrin spotted a waterfall behind a thick wall of trees, its soothing clean water serving as the perfect refreshment for the remainder of their journey. Eventually, after treading down a steady hill, the two of them met an elderly man carrying around a simple basket on his back, filled to the brim with exotic looking fruits.
''Oh, hello there kids. Nice weather we're having, eh? It's going to be a plentiful harvest this time, my old bones can tell, hah!''
Merrin watched as Cal swiftly put his lightsaber beneath his poncho ere he approached the man with a genuine smile spreading across his face.
''Here's hoping, eh?'' he winked at him before he laughed quietly ''sorry, my wife and I are new around these parts. Name's ... uhm, John. John, eh ... John Window. Yeah, that's us. That there is my beautiful wife - '' Cal scratched his neck at that ''Right. Jane. Jane ... Window. That's her, love of my life!''
Oh Cal, you're such a bad liar. Even for humans, those names are ...
...
...
... wife?!
The old man bowed his head before them, his eyes twitching slightly as he tried to get a better look at them. It was fortunate that he had problems with his eyesight, Merrin mused, otherwise he'd see the unfiltered confusion that currently wreaked havoc on her visage.
''I see! I see, of course! Please, let me welcome you to Ordel! Ordel - Opportunity. Order. Home. Come to Ordel, begin anew - that was our PR slogan back when the Empire was still around. Always thought it to be too long, myself, but eh. Gotta' trust those smart experts on Coruscant, know what I mean. Probably some science behind that sentence. Psychological or something like that, I dunno-''.
He let his hand slid over his wrinkled face, swatting away some of the sweat that formed on his forehead.
''Sounds catchy enough I suppose. Right, honey?'' stated Cal with soothing ease in his voice.
Bastard.
''Yes. Of course. Certainly. Right.''
Merrin bared her teeth at the man in an awkward fashion, hoping that it would resemble some sort of smile, no matter how ghoulish it might be.
''Sorry, we're really tired. All the documents we had to sign and all that. Say, could you perhaps give us some pointers? Don't want to walk into a bad neighborhood, after all.'' asked Cal with natural charisma, his performance easily putting Merrin's stumbling to shame. But then, she shouldn't be surprised that someone that had to hide as long from the Empire as he did learned a trick or two.
''Don't worry, you and your lady are perfectly save. Aren't really many bad areas around. Further up ahead is the southern entrance, leading you directly into the Blue Gate district ... named after the blue gate that is the actual entrance. Now that's some smart wordcraft right there! Eh, where was I ... right. Blue Gate is primarily a housing district, add some restaurants and such to it. Not much happening there, otherwise. Heard one of the local theaters are staging a new play, if you're into such things.''
Someone loves to hear himself talk.
''What else, hmm. Yeah, next to it is the Romesch district, named after - '' he went silent and looked at the ground, something akin to uneasiness caressing his features as he shook his head slightly.
''City hall and such can be found there, right in the Administrator's building. His office, I mean. Not his estate. Next to it is the Metalhead District, the seat of our industry. What's left of it, of course. Used to be a lot of stuff for mining, but now, it's mostly low tech reparations and farming equipment. Across the Elben - that's the river going through town, by the way, is the Heartland District. It's where all of the farming happens. Most of the farmers live there too. Buildings might not be as big as in Blue Gate, but it feels more like home than those colony like housing units over there. Individual, get me?''
Cal rocked his head and bowed before the man, thanking him quickly before he turned around and faced Merrin. He waited until the man walked on, sighing in relief after he was well outside of earshot.
''Well. Alright. Now we know the general layout, at least.''
Merrin crossed her arms and glared at Cal intensively, tapping her foot up and down in disbelief before she let her head drop into the palm of her hand.
''Your wife. Of all the things?'' Merrin sighed and rolled her eyes afterward.
''Come on, I was put on the spot there!''
She twisted her lips in a mocking fashion and tilted her head to left, inspecting Cal from head to toe ere she could only laugh.
''Fine. However, my custom demands that you fight to the death against my other suitors. Given that there aren't currently any, I shall forgive you this ... cultural transgression, however. For now, at least.''
''As always, I bow down before your altruistic nature, Merrin.'' Cal replied in a kind spirit.
Making their way closer to the settlement, they stood in awe in front of a rather big circular stone arch tinted in blue color, both of its ends consisting of derelict looking anti-air turbo lasers that pointed skywards. Beneath them stood two Stormtroopers, neither of them wearing a helmet and one of them not even carrying around a blaster rifle. Merrin raised her eyebrow inquisitively at that. From what she has heard from Cal's tales, the Empire was known for its rigid focus on discipline and order. She studied Cal curiously, hoping that he perhaps would show some sort of reaction to that. He, however, only shrugged and walked towards them, raising his hand in a greeting manner as he walked past them. They gave him a curt nod, though their eyes lasted longer on her than she would've liked. Though she silently added that she shouldn't be surprised, given her attire and skin. Still, they bent their heads towards her aswell without ushering a single word. One of them even smiled in her direction.
''Interesting concept of security.'' Merrin whispered silently to Cal.
''I know, right?'' he nodded along ''better for us, then. No drones or scouts either. Just ... people.''
They walked along a street, both of their sides flanked by housing units and various establishments. A cinema, some sort of restaurant, a park and even a shop for pets and household articles, if Merrin's eyes didn't deceive her. She snorted at that. To think that on Nar Shaddaa, one couldn't walk five minutes without spotting a brothel and now, just ordinary people trying to make a living in a - well, ordinary way. Merrin bit down on her lips as her thoughts drifted back to the Smuggler's Moon. The wounds still haven't yet healed completely, leaving behind a sore feeling in her shoulder that seemed to hinder any rash movements. There was more, however. Another thing that has yet to heal. On Nar Shaddaa, all she tried to do was to help somebody that couldn't help himself. A mere act of mercy. Of goodness. Yet said act produced nothing short of a plethora of chaos that soon followed, the blood and carnage it spewed easily dwarfing her benevolent intentions.
Shows what sort of state the galaxy is under this ... Empire.
She banished those thoughts from her mind and looked at Cal. There was no point to dwell on it now, she supposed. She learned from it and she'd do better in the future. They both would. The two of them are survivors, after all.
Trilla - Day 5 - Ordel, near Stone Town
Trilla huffed in annoyance as she raised her hand in a protective manner in front of her face, protecting it from the intense light of Ordel's sun.
''Hope you like farming, Cere. I can assure you, this planet has nothing else to offer otherwise.''
They stepped outside of the Mantis in unison, each of them looking at their surroundings in a silent manner. It was Greez who broke the silence first, his sarcastic voice cutting through the serene climate like a hot knife through butter.
''Gee. Must suck to be a farmer and only having two hands.''
Oh, I could take care of that little problem for you. Nothing easier than cutting off a limb.
She grunted slightly at that. Though there hasn't been a direct confrontation between the two of them once more, there have been plenty of insults traded liberally between them, most of them originating from him. Even though Cere's patience was growing weaker and weaker in that regard, she herself wasn't much bothered by it - and she certainly didn't need Cere to fight her battles for her. She'd tolerate the pilot's presence and that was it.
''It's beautiful, I must admit. Almost like our mission to that forest planet, back during the Clone Wars. What was it called, Trilla?''
She shrugged at that. Truth be told, she didn't care much. Currently, her eyesight was solely focused on the line of mountains towering behind Stone Town. There was something pulling her attention towards it, something that moved through the Force. Passionate. Strong. Powerful. Emotional. Whatever it was, Trilla could feel it in the back of the head, calling upon her without ushering even a single word.
'' ... -illa, did you hear me?''
Trilla coughed and blinked rapidly at Cere.
''What?'' she asked as she looked at her with amble confusion.
''I said Cal and Merrin are returning. Up ahead.''
While both Greez and Cere left her to walk over to the others, Trilla remained in front of the Mantis, her eyes wandering up and down the mountain line. She knew that the Empire used to have its mining operations over there, at least until it became no longer profitable to maintain. However, that wouldn't explain the feeling that currently nested in her gut. Though weak - no doubt given to her own mental state - it was still there, still tangible. She opened her mouth and glanced at Cere, however at the last second, she closed it anew and shook her head. There was no point in telling Cere, or the others. Trilla would've loved to say that it wasn't about trust, but in the end, this is what it boiled down to: Right now, she had herself and that was all that mattered. Especially if whatever was going down up in the mountains proved to be dangerous.
Still, Trilla knew that there would be time for that later. If there was one thing they had now, it was time.
? - Day 5 - Somewhere in Ordel ...
It was time. Finally, it was time once more.
Quickly, she sat herself down in front of her expensive terminal and logged into the HoloNet ere she ensured that she surfed on a heavily protected connection. She has waited the entire week for this, counting down the days and then hours as she got closer to this moment. Finally, there'd be something else to do in that boring old dustbowl of a town. She went silent as the video began to load, joy filling her mind as she patiently waited for it to begin.
''Friends, brothers and sisters. Heed me. I'm here to bring you the good word. For almost a year now you've followed me on this path and now, the time has come to act. To harvest the fruits of our labor. How many countless hours have you all spend talking to your neighbors and your loved ones? How many minds have you all touched? I've watched from the shadows, looking on as our network has grown. Finally, we have the numbers to enforce change, whether the Empire wishes it or not. Through blood, our destiny is written. Go, grab your weapons. Collect your allies. We're no longer a movement. Now, we're a revolution. No Empire, no government - only people. Show the galaxy that the times of order and stagnancy are over. Make your voice heard. We shall no longer bow to tyranny! Go outside and be my will on your planets. Show them the power of the people! For the Revolution!''
She grabbed her father's old blaster rifle and raised it toward the ceiling. The masked leader spoke with truth and conviction, as she always did in every single one of her broadcasts. And now, she'd show Ordel how true freedom would look like.
AN: Boy oh boy do I have stuff planned for this act. Legends stuff, Force philosophy. R.O.M.A.N.C.E. A more grey-ish perspective of individuals serving in the Empire. The echoes of Nar Shaddaa. Ninth Sister and her stuff. Cal and Relor's connection. This is going to be fun!
Advina: Thank you once more for your continued patronage!
All the guests: And thank you too, of course! :D
I improved the visual flow of reading for the other chapters, akin to the style of the last few too.