Chapter 8: Taelago and a New Hope
"Shaiey, come here!" Xana, Shaiey's mother, called out.
"What do you need?" Shaiey asked, as she ran up.
"I have a small mission for you." Xana replied. "I'm sending you and Kev into Taelago to pick up some supplies, and new troops."
"Okay, that sounds good. Will you care if I do some shopping while we're there?"
"Not at all. In fact, you will need to do some, as Sheela has requested your presence."
"You're joking, right?"
"No, I'm not. Sheela has requested a visit from you. After all, you were unable to be presented as a Taegan Warrior to the people of Taega. You also need to add your name to the records. Actually, you need to bring them here to Sky Castle. If the Imperials were to find them, many Taegans would be serious danger."
"As you wish, Mother. How will I explain Kev to Sheela?" was Shaiey's next question."
"He will be posing as your bodyguard slash boyfriend. "Xana replied. "It will allow him access everywhere you can go."
Shaiey gave her mother a sharp look, and was ready to ask another question.
Xana, reconizing the look, as it was one that Kade used, stopped her daughter before the question popped out. "You will be briefed about it later. At twenty hundred hours to be exact. You'll find out more there. Let Kev know about it." Xana informed the girl.
Twenty hundred hours rolled around, and both Shaiey and Kev found themselves at the command pavillion.
"Rebel High Command is sending us a new group of refugees to hide. Some of them will be joining us here at Sky Castle as new combat troops to augment our forces from what we have lost. Some will be sent out across the planet to be hidden, as they will be civilians." Xana informed them. "You will be escorting them back here. ALL of them."
"How are we suposed to know our contact?" Kev asked, when Xana paused. "You will be met in the port half of Taelago by one of them. He will have a code that he will use to identify himself. It will be this tune." Xana whistled a lilting, lighthearted melody. Kev and Shaiey listened, memorizing the tune. Xana finished and continued the briefing.
After it was over, Shaiey and Kev were hidden on a supply shuttle heading up to the moon, E.C.E. Imperial presence on E.C.E. was extremely heavy. Both teens had been given work permits with aliases that would hopefully keep them from being scrutinised by the Imps. Neither had ever been to the small colony, and after they assisted with unloading the supply shuttle went off to explore.
"It's rather odd to feel so light." Kev commented.
"I have to agree. Look, there is our lodging for the night. The shuttle we want will be in tomorrow, real early." Shaiey pointed out the small inn.
"I feel strange, Kaidlen. All the buildings are so low." Kev added.
"I know. But, if you think about it, this place isn't really ideal for human habitation. There are some species that would like this place however." Shaiey replied. "Think about it, Ren. Usually a planet like Taega tends not to have habitable satellites. Taega does. Granted, humans have to use breathers here."
They continued on to the inn, chatting about different things. Early next morning, both Shaiey and Kev as themselves, made their way to the shuttle heading for Talego Port. The Imperial officer overseeing boarding passengers gave them a strange look.
"Just when did you get here, Your Highness?" He demanded of Shaiey.
"A day or so ago. Her Royal Majesty, our great-grandmother insists that we return home from school." Shaiey informed the man, using a regal tone. "She also insisted that we disquise ourself so that the rebs wouldn't decide to try something. After all, our royal mother did turn traitor against Her Royal Majesty, our great-grandmother."
Kev took over at that point. "Her Highness is rather upset, Sir. She isn't fond of travel by public shuttle, especially when she has to travel with the riff raff. The whole mess dealing with her royal mother is also upsetting for her. I have successfully staved off one attempted kidnapping as is."
"And just who are you?" the officer asked.
"I am Kev Braun, royal bodyguard to Her Highness, Princess Shaiey Tagla. I also happen to be her boyfriend." Kev coldly informed the Imperial. "Now excuse us Sir. We have an appointed in two hours time with Her Royal Majesty."
With that, they both boarded the shuttle. Inside, they went and found their seats, neither cracking the smiles that they so badly wanted to. A moment later, the pilots went through, heading for the cockpit.
"Well, we're almost there Kev. It will be wonderful to see Her Royal Highness, our sister Tersheia." Shaiey informed Kev, a grin on her face.
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"Okay Kid, if you feel the need to grab a nap, you can bunk in here." Han Solo informed Luke. "Just don't go talking in your sleep."
"I don't talk in my sleep." Luke replied, sullen. He hoped that the next 7 hours would go by quickly.
"Don't get smart Kid, or you can grab your nap in the cargo hold." Han retorted.
"Will you two stop bickering." Ben ordered from the lounge. Luke left the cabin, and made his way over to where Ben was. He was emotionly reeling from the events of the last several days. Everything had happened so fast. Biggs's arrival and departure; the whole mess with the droids; Ben and the lightsaber; the girl in the holomessage; the deaths of all those jawas and of the two people who had raised him; the mess in and around Mos Eisley; and last and not the least of it, their escape from the Imperials and from Tatooine. Luke was having a hard time just trying to comprehend all of it.
"Hey Kid, are you alright?" Han asked, concerned for a moment.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm okay." Luke replied, thrown off by Han's comment. "I'm just trying to sort out everything that has happened to me lately. Why?"
"I don't need you getting spacesick on me." Han answered.
It was going to be a long seven hours, Luke feared.
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"Your Highness, the shuttle will be landing in Taelago Port in twenty minutes." The shuttle co-pilot informed Shaiey and Kev.
"Thank you." Shaiey replied. The trip had gone uneventful. Both teens played up the boyfriend/ girlfriend routine, making lovesick faces at each other. Kev even went as far as placing a passionate kiss on Shaiey's lips at one point. However, she gently bit his lip while he was doing so, warning him not to carry it too far.
"Is Her Royal Majesty going to meet us when we land?" Kev asked.
"Yes. She informed us that there would be a small informal reception for when we arrive." Shaiey replied. "We are pleased to know that, as it has been a long time since we have seen Her Royal Majesty."
"How long has it been since you were last home?"
"Ten years. Just shy of ten years."
"Will your family approve of me?" Kev finally asked, a moment later.
Shaiey looked over at her friend, thinking over his question. After a moment, she smiled then replied, dropping the royal we that she had been using. "Yes, they will like you. And yes, they will approve of you. After all, I do."
Kev looked at her, and saw that she had total trust and faith in what she had told him. "Just because you do, doesn't mean that they will."
"We'll find out soon enough." Shaiey answered.
"Please, would all passengers please fasten their safety harnesses. We are preparing to land." The pilot informed everyone over the comunit. Fifteen minutes later, Shaiey and Kev exited the shuttle. Across the way from them, an older blonde woman stood in wait. She was alone, except for one woman dressed in blue and gold. The older woman started heading towards them.
"Shaiey, it is so good to see you." The woman pulled Kev's companion into a fierce hug. Shaiey returned the embrace in the same manner.
"Great-grandmother, I want you to meet my friend, Kev." Shaiey introduced. "Kev, this is Her Royal Majesty, Queen Sheela Tagla of Taega."
Kev bowed deeply to Sheela, keeping his eyes on her face.
"Ah, no need for that youngster. In moments like this, I don't stand real heavy on formalities." Sheela informed Kev, pulling him up. "Now, if this was an Imperial reception, then yes, bow away."
The two teens grinned, and both felt more relaxed. They loaded their gear into the transport, and were soon on their way to lunch.
"Great-grandmother, why none of the royal mounts?" Shaiey asked a moment later.
"Well, they have been declared extinct, with the exception of the thirty belong to our family. I figured that it would be best to keep the remainders of the unicorns safe from the Imperials." Sheela answered, waving aside anything else that might be asked. "Now there we are, one of the best cafe's this side of Cloud City to dine in." Sheela had the transport stop in front of a airy white building. Everyone climbed out of the speeder, and entered.
Shaiey was greeted by flowy panels of sheer irridecent white material that separated the areas containing tables. Narrow columns filled with a soft blue gasous substance wandered around, here and there. Greenery filled nooks, with gentle blooms of white, soft blue, and tender pinks.
"Wow, this place is fantastic." Kev murmured in awe.
"I have to agree." Shaiey added.
"Well, I'm glad that you both like it. Our family has always favored this place, since it was first built." Sheela informed them. "I used to bring your mother here when she was just a girl. And your aunt too."
The host showed them to a private table, well situated. Menus were passed around, and drink orders were taken. Sheela urged both teens to order whatever caught their fancy, and did the same herself. Lunch was a pleasent affair, with everyone getting to know each other better.
After lunch, Sheela pointed out the market to the teens. "Can we go and look?" Shaiey asked, wanting to examine the outdoor shopping plaza.
"Yes, you can go and explore it to your heart's delight. Here are some credits for you. I want you to look at some material for some new court dresses. I already have a seamstress lined up. You just need to choose out colors and such. We'll also see about getting your hair trimmed up too." Sheela informed Shaiey, finguring the girl's long golden locks that reached down to the middle of her back in gentle waves. "Now, do be careful. Offduty Imperial troops also like to visit the market, looking for trouble. And they think that Taegan women are more than fair game."
"We'll be careful, Great-grandmother." Shaiey agreed, not liking that last bit of info.
"I'll make sure that they don't bother her. After all, that is my job." Kev added.
Sheela gave Shaiey a quick hug, and whispered to her great granddaughter, "And no making use of your Force skills. Lady Diava will hunt you down of she senses you using them."
Shaiey nodded in mute reply, not liking the sound of that even less then the other. She then grabbed Kev by the hand and dragged him off.
"Return here in three standard hours to catch your transport home!" Sheela yelled to the two teens. They both waved in reply, letting her know that they heard her. Sheela headed back to her palace.
"I can't believe that your great-grandmother would actually seek a union between our families." Kev stated, as they walked along.
"And why not? With your maternal house being Taegan, it would be a good match." Shaiey replied.
"If you say so. Hey let's check this stall out." Kev pointed to a weaponsmith's area, where gleaming metal blades refected the sun.
"Okay. I might see something that I would like myself." Shaiey agreed. The pair looked around. They both found blades that they liked. Kev found one, about a meter in length, with a gentle curve to the whole of the blade. The blade itself was plain, but for a mottled appearance. The hilt wasn't much fancier, wrapped neatly and tightly with a charcoal silky material.
"Excellent blade for a bodyguard, young sir. Nice sharp edge that will cut cleanly. Good choice." The smith informed Kev.
Shaiey had found a blade herself, this one being not quite as long. It too, had the outward curve along the sharp edge. The blade was not plain, however. Etched into the surface was a feathery pattern. The hilt had a look that reminded Shaiey of the horn of a Windicorn.
"Now that is the perfect blade for a lady." The smith informed her. "Excellent balance, beautiful workmanship."
"I have to agree. We'll take both of them." Shaiey agreed.
"Very well, Your Highness. They both have sheaths that allow the weapons to be either worn at the waist, or slung across the back." The smith told them, as he processed the transaction. "I can hold them until you are finished with your shopping, if you like. I highly suggest it."
"Sounds like a good idea. We'll pick them up here on our way back." Kev agreed.
"Or, if for some reason we can't, you can always send them to the Palace. You'll be compensated if you have to." Shaiey added.
"Very good. Now enjoy yourselves. And mind the Imps." The smith reminded them as they left.
Shaiey and Kev wandered around the plaza a bit before they found the stalls that Shaiey was looking for. "Kev, this is what I was looking for." Shaiey pointed to the bolts of material.
"Will you be alright by yourself? I see something I want to check out down a couple of stalls." Kev asked.
"Sure. I'll be here for a bit. I need a lot of new clothes. Most of what I have doesn't fit anymore." Shaiey answered.
"Well yell if you need me." Kev ordered, then he headed off.
"I can take care of myself." Shaiey informed her friend's retreating back. Kev turned and gave her a hard stare. "Okay."
They split up, and Shaiey became engrossed in looking at all the wonderful colors and fabrics. It had been a long time since she had gotten new clothes, and only when what she already had was either way too small, or all but rags. It wasn't easy for the Rebels to be kept outfitted themselves. A Taegan Warrior Master and apprentice training in hiding, were not top prioreties when it came to clothing. After a short while, Shaiey had chosen several bolts of fabric in a rainbow of hues. She had also attracted a small audience, however unknowingly. The stallkeeper did notice them.
"Hey Ray, look at that girl." said a voice behind Shaiey.
"Yeah Mik. I bet she's new here." replied Ray. Shaiey heard and ignored them, continuing to look at what she was wanting to purchase.
"I bet that she's a lot of fun to be with." Mik decided.
"I bet that she's some higher up's pet, out here looking at that 'spensive cloth." Ray added.
Shaiey finally decided to look over her shoulder, and saw that her audience were two offduty Imperials. She then wished that she had not done so, for they got a look at her face.
"Hey Ray, she's a Taegan gel standing there." Mik informed his buddy.
"I bet that she's one of those village chits come to market looking for fun." Ray added.
"Well, she's going to have a good time with me." Mik replied, grabbing Shaiey's shoulder. Shaiey was prepared though. As the Imperial turned her, she spun into a beautifully executed roundhouse kick. The Imperial, Mik, took the blow on his ear, and down he went.
"KEV!" Shaiey yelled out, trying to muffle her mental cry.
Ray reacted by swinging a punch Shaiey's way. He also exclaimed, "You can't do that, you little...!"
Shaiey never did find out what Ray was going to call her, because Kev tackled the Imperial with all of his weight. Nor did she see Mik get up behind her for watching her friend.
"SHAIEY, BEHIND YOU!" Kev yelled, warning her. Shaiey sensed the other Imperial just then, and responded with a double roundhouse kick. She caught Mik first in the ribs, then in his jaw with the second blow.
"Thanks Kev." Shaiey stated a moment later.
"Don't thank me just yet. We've got more trouble." Kev answered, directing Shaiey to turn around with a tilt of his head. As she did, Shaiey noticed the squad of Imperial Stormtroopers.
"You are under arrest." the lead trooper informed them.
"Kev, I think that you are right." Shaiey replied.
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"Do we have to do this?" Luke asked Ben, looking at the hidden cargo areas.
"We are about to be hauled into an Imperial space station that is capable of destroying a planet." Ben answered, explaining. "It will do us no good to be captured. We need to keep the droids out of Imperial hands. This is the only way to get inside without being captured right off."
"Hey, it will work. Besides, I've used these things before, and they escaped detection before, they'll do it again." Han added, confident.
"Are the droids in?"
"Yes. I'm getting in with them. Will you two be okay?" Ben stated.
"Yeah, I think so." Luke replied, not looking forward to being in close quarters with Han and Chewbacca both.
"Chewie, get in here." Han yelled. The Wookie let out a roar. "I don't care. Get in." Han replied.
Chewbacca jumped into the hold. Luke and Han then climbed in, watching Ben disappearing under the other floor panel. They then followed his example. Luke moved around a bit in the near darkness, trying to get comfortable.
"I hope this works." Luke said to himself.
"Well, if it doesn't Kid, we'll find out real fast." Han answered, as he cut off the luma.
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"Real nice place you have here." Shaiey stated, sarcasticly to the Imperial guard as he shoved her and Kev inside the prison cell.
"Real down home Taegan hospitality too." Kev added. The trooper locked the cell and left, ignoring the two teens.
"I can't believe they did this to us. WE'RE BOTH LOYAL IMPERIAL CITIZENS!" Shaiey stated, raising her voice on the last part.
"At least they didn't split us up." Kev informed her. "I wish we could get out of here."
"I'm glad that they didn't either. I just hope we don't end up staying the night here."
"We shouldn't. Won't Sheela and your grandmother come to bail us out?"
"Only if they believed me when I told them who I was, and if they decided to contact them."
"Now I'm wishing that I was back at school." Kev stated a moment later.
"I have to agree with you there." Shaiey concured.
The two teens ended up sitting for hours. Shaiey eventually fell asleep, her head in Kev's lap. Kev drifted off to sleep himself a bit later, bored out of his mind. Neither noticed the lady dressed all in black that came and looked them over.
"Are they the ones that were part of the disturbance in the market earlier today?" The lady asked.
"Y-y-yes, Your Ladyship." The trooper stuttered in reply.
"Hm...interesting. Did their identifcation check out?" The Lady asked next.
"Y-y-yes Ma'am. The girl is Princess Shaiey Tagla, and the boy is Kev Lappan of the Taegan House of Braun. According to their papers, both are on leave from school and home for a visit." The trooper answered.
"Does it state where they were sent to for school and when?" was the next question of the Lady's.
"N-n-no Ma'am. All it states is that not long after her sixth birthday, the Princess was sent offworld to school under an assumed identity. There isn't any other information about it, except that the Princess has never returned home before now." was the answer from the trooper.
"You are excused, Trooper." the Lady ordered. When she was alone, but for the pair imprisoned in the cell, she stated softly to herself, "I wonder if what I'm feeling is correct..." The Lady stalked off, a glint from a cylinder reflecting from her side.
Meanwhile, the proprietress of the stall with the material spotted the royal transport that was waiting for Shaiey and Kev. The woman ran up to the guard on duty. "Oh thank the Force that Her Majesty had the foresight to send someone after the Princess." The stallkeeper called out as she appraoched the transport.
"What is it? And what do you know about the Princess?" The guardsman asked.
"The Princess was looking at the fabric at my stall. She had selected several fine bolts when two offduty Imperial troopers accosted her." the woman replied.
"Come on then, and get in. We have to inform Her Majesty what has happened. I doubt that the imps will contact the Palace." The guard assisted the stallkeeper into the transport and headed for the palace. After a few minutes, they arrived at the residence of the royal family. The guard escorted the stallkeeper on in, and led her directly to the private sitting room of the family.
"Your Majesty, something bad has happened." the guard stated as he entered the room. Lalatha jumped up, her hand moving of it's own accord to her waist. However, nothing was there, and had not been for years. Tersheia turned around, but remained seated, knowing that her grandmother was acting on training long since put aside. Sheela waved the women with the guard on into the room.
"Please come in. We shan't stand on formalities." Sheela stated.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, Your Highnesses." The woman replied, "I bring news of your great-granddaughter."
Lalatha was ready to go off on the stallkeeper, but Sheela was expecting it. "Lalatha, the poor woman is already upset. Please sit down."
"Very well Mother." Lalatha replied, returning to her vacated seat.
"Please, tell us what you know." Sheela then requested of the woman. The proprietress told them what she saw concerning the attack on Shaiey. She also let them know that the Imps were just basic Army troopers on leave, not the elite Stormtroopers.
"I set aside all the different bolts of fabric that Her Highness shown interest in." The woman added at the end of her tale.
"Thank you. If you will, please bring them and others that you think she might like." Lalatha informed the woman. "We all will buy plenty and pay you more than fair selling price to compensate you for your loss today."
"May the Force protect all of you then." The woman told them all, then she left.
"Teri, gather me 4 guards. Lalatha, have a transport waiting for us. You and I are going to go and fetch Shaiey and Kev from the Imperials." Sheela stood up and all three women left the room, going about preparing.
Back at the Imperial base, Shaiey and Kev were awake from their naps. Shaiey lay sprawled across the shelf that was meant to be a bed. Kev sat on the floor, throwing bits of fingernails that he had bit off.
"I'm bored. I want to practice." Shaiey stated.
"I have to agree with you about that. I do too." Kev replied.
"Hey, do you hear that noise?" Shaiey listened for a moment. "Lalatha is here to get us." She stood up, and brushed the dust off. They both heard voices coming from the office area.
Mere moments later, both Lalatha and Sheela were escorted by the Imperial Major to the cell where the two teens were. Shaiey and Kev looked at each other and grinned. The Major led Shaiey's relatives straight to the cell they were in.
"Your Highness, Your Majesty, these are the two teens arrested for fighting this afternoon over in the shopping plaza." The Major informed, indicating Shaiey and Kev.
"Yes, and these two teens are my granddaughter and her bodyguard. The ones that I was refering to." Lalatha stated in very regal tones.
The Major unlocked the cell and released the teens. Both were extremely pleased to be loose from their prison. "I turn the custody of them over to you, Your Majesty." The Major informed them, and led them out of the complex.
As they were on their way to the palace, Shaiey and Kev filled Sheela and Lalatha in on what had happened. They were then informed that the proprietress of the stall had let helped them out, in her own way. Shaiey was greatful and stated that she was going to purchace everything that she had selected already.
"I'm ready to go home." Kev stated a moment later.
"I agree, one hundred percent." Shaiey added.
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When the sounds of footsteps faded away, two floor panels popped up. Luke and Han's heads appeared out of the first one. Ben's from the second one. "Lucky you built these compartments." Luke stated.