Chapter 1: Auspicious Beginnings

The citizens on the commercial transport contained their whispers, as polite Chiss do, but they were indeed curious. Here in the spacious first class cabin, lounging in one of the plush velvet armchairs, was a handsome noble dressed in the silver grey dress uniform of House Inrokini. How high his standing was was anyone's (and in this case, everyone's) guess. It was doubtful that one of the immediate house members would use a public transit, no matter how luxuriant the first class seating might be.

But there was no doubt that this gentleman was somebody. From his straight posture to the firm, angular face and black sweep of hair that shone like obsidian stone, the young Chiss exuded an aura of command. His build, tall and with a decent bit of muscle, was definitely too toned to belong to anyone at the extreme higher end of the Houses; The Four Families rarely got out much, and enjoyed a considerably softer life than most Chiss. It was widely speculated in the cool minds of the cabin's current inhabitants that he was likely a second son from one of the 1st cousins of the family, on his way to some rich assignment as a newly Elect.

The idea of his wealth being considerable was augmented by his companions. A striking nagai sat on his left, wearing the blue and red insignia of the family she served and her long, wicked tehk'la blade leaning against the cabin wall, ever ready for action. On his other side sat a pretty twi'lek, with skin almost the same shade of blue as the Chiss (a fair prize among them). The Chiss "collected" members of certain other species, particularly those who had a highly visible feature that resembled their own. She wore no visible chain, only a silver collar that complimented her cream-colored gown. She was a companion-to-court, and a very elegant one at that.

Though he didn't show it, Von knew that they were looking out of the corners of their eyes, speculating about him. In fact, it pleased him quite a bit.

The twi'lek girl, Lain Tee Eyan, was a new addition to his entourage. A gift from an uncle in the Cabinet to congratulate him on his achievements, she was apparently something of a performer, known throughout the rest of the galaxy. Though Chiss were not, as a rule, fond of the holovid, Von had studied enough to realize that Lain Tee could provide him with quite a bit of revenue. He didn't believe in collars and chains on his people, as he referred to those who worked for him; this seemed to please her a great deal. She had no specific demands, save that she not be required to do anything pornographic (she had apparently done two early on, "to advance her career" as she put it, and found them demeaning).

This was easy enough, since her singing and dancing talents were quite the rage even as far as Ord Mantell. In fact, she had become the perfect cover. The famous Lain Tee Eyan was to give a performance on Purgatory, the station that hovered above the planet and was the source of most of its intergalactic trade. Of course, her benefactor should be there; and he was now that man.

He had granted permission for the performance as a "gift" to the owner of the station, a Rodian gangster known by the name of Prometheus. The official reason for his arrival at the station was that the Chiss wished to negotiate permission to bring their commerce to the station and the planet, and sought the approval of one of the sector's most "influential" citizens.

The fact of the matter was that his orders were to supplant the rodian's influence and take dominance of the station if possible.

There was a slight turbulence as the transport lifted off from the launch pad. Von watched the slender silver towers and lush tropical greenery of the biosphere grow smaller out of the round reinforced window nearby. Below and behind him lie his family estate, and the gardens in which he and Taru played together when they were younger. They were bound for an unknown world now. Glancing over, he caught her also watching the diminishing city, an oddly wistful look on her normally stoic countenance. Von felt an unaccustomed surge of warmth and gratitude for the trusted companion who had been with him since the day he turned twelve. It was a great gift she was giving him, leaving the only home they had ever known.

The exit port in the biodome ceiling was opening above, and the transport rising through it when at last the city was taken from view. Outside, Von caught a rare glimpse of the real face of his homeworld. Beyond the artificial paradises of the Chiss biospheres, Csilla was an ice giant, a sparkling mass of frozen water lit by the radiance of a far-off sun. Jagged glacial cliffs glittered beneath them, as the transport sped off gradually gaining altitude. Von was reminded of the myth that the gods formed his people from the ice of Csilla. It was the one piece of superstition that the cool, impartial race still held sacred.

"Hey, boss?"

Lain Tee's rather high voice sliced into his thoughts. He pierced the twi'lek girl with a gaze that most of his subordinates knew to mean "this better be good". She continued unfazed.

"Your uncle used to buy me whatever I wanted, so long as it was reasonable. Can I pick out some new jewelry when we get to the Ord planet?"

Her big emerald eyes were guileless, but his mood still shifted to mildly impressed. The girl knew what she wanted and what she could get away with and wasn't afraid to ask for it. These were good qualities for a member of his entourage. Why not? When they got there, they should all celebrate a little. It was good for morale.

"I think we can arrange something."

The stars of space were burning brightly as the transport entered orbit.