Chapter 3
Coruscant (62 ABY)
Chief-of-State Syal Antilles-Barrett rubbed her temples with her fingers. Her dark blond hair pinned up in its usual twist and her brown eyes squinted shut. She knew this job wouldn't be an easy one and now three years into her presidency she was wondering what ever possessed her to run in the first place. But then she knew that answer, she wanted to make a difference and continue the legacy her of predecessor.
However, Syal wondered if history would ever lump her in with such great persons as Mon Mothma, Leia Organa Solo and Releqy A'kla. Releqy A'kla became Chief-of-State after Cal Omas completed his last term. His near disaster with the Killiks, the scandal of Quu L'Nox, the Intel Assistant Director who was on the payroll of the pirate organization Moorex, and a near calamity of what could have become galactic civil war with her own home planet of Corellia in the midst of it was enough for the people to want change. And the gentle, cool headed and fair Caamasi fit the bill. The former Minister of State was not new to government and she had seen where the GFFA was going astray. Her first order of business was to bring the government back to what it was intentionally designed to do and why many of the smaller governments joined in the first place. Releqy was a great leader and she served three terms of six years each with a valor and integrity not often seen in a career politician.
How did Syal Antilles, daughter of a Rebellion and New Republic hero and former CorSec police detective and Intel officer ever expect to fill those shoes? Syal had entered the military academy and eventually became a lieutenant but she never liked the military. So, she eventually left the service. A year later she married her commanding officer, the brother of the Queen of Naboo, GFFA Colonel Pader Barrett in what became one of the GFFA's great romances, at least in the media's eyes. That was nearly twenty years ago. It was Pader who suggested she run for the Senate after the disaster that almost caused a war and she won by promising to bring a fair and spirited leader to the Senate floor who would fight for Corellia. The young Corellian Senator was often compared to Mon Mothma in her determination and political skill. She actually wasn't surprised when Releqy appointed her to be her Minister of State during her last term as Chief-of-State. What did surprise her was that Releqy was grooming Syal to be her replacement. Syal Antilles-Barrett won with an overwhelming support of the entire GFFA which included the Chiss and the Remnant where it was thought the daughter Wedge Antilles may have had trouble garnering support. Of course, Syal knew her "Chiss" cousins Supreme Commander of the CEDF Jagged Fel, General Cem Fel and Wyn Fel-Darklighter had been her biggest supporters among the Chiss.
She opened her eyes and looked at the Bothan who had just brought her the news. "Please, Tuskr, repeat what you just told me," Syal almost sounded like she was pleading, "and tell me it isn't true."
The Intel Director, Tuskr Kre'lar looked like he was trapped, his cream colored fur rustling uneasily, "I'm sorry, Syal. Reports from the lake house and the local authorities all point to the same thing. Captain Cle've'nuruodo-Fel and his wife have just disappeared." Then he held out a data card and she looked at it suspiciously. The Bothan explained, "This was found in their cabin. It was encrypted and took a great deal of work to break the code but I think you may want to take a look at it."
Syal reached across the ornate desk and took the datachip. After she looked at it she said as she turned her tired brown eyes back to her friend, "Tell me, Tuskr, what's on it. I know you've already seen it."
He nodded and after a moment said quietly, "It's Dro'godda. They want you to call the Jedi off their tails."
Syal stood and turned to look out the large window that was behind her desk, she looked out over the expanse of tall buildings and endless traffic. It was amazing, thirty-two years after the Yuuzhan Vong destroyed the city planet, Coruscant was as built-up and congested as it had been before the invaders ever set foot on the planet. She breathed deeply and then quietly said, "I can't do that," she turned and looked at him. "The Jedi also want to bring these pirates to justice." She thought about her life-long friend Valin Horn. He had lost his wife Tahiri just a year ago to the Dro'godda and she still felt partially responsible for it. It was her who requested the Jedi to check out the slave running through Ansion which had cost Tahiri Veila Horn her life.
"I realize that, Syal, and I'm not saying we can't still use them." The Bothan was quiet for a moment and then walked over to stand beside her. Then after she met his golden eyes he went on in a subdued tone, "Syal, these pirates scare me. They are gathering strength and they seem to know things that even I do not know. Every mission seems to go wrong. The Chiss have been chasing them for nearly two years."
"Yes, I know, Tuskr, it was my cousin Cleven who lead that task force."
He nodded, "And I have been working with Commander Florin for a lot longer. And we still don't even know who is in charge. Over the past three years it seems that more and more criminal activity is coming from them. The Jedi Council believes that the Dro'godda is also based within the formerly Hutt controlled space and particularly Tatooine, not just the space between us, the Chiss and the Remnant."
Syal looked at him, surprise evident in her expression, "Why didn't I learn about this before now?"
The Bothan's fur rippled again and he looked away and said, "It was decided to keep the information as secret as possible."
"Am I not trusted?" she asked incredulously.
"Not you, Syal, the Advisory Council, the High Council, the Senate, the Courts—do I need to go on?"
"No," she sighed heavily. She thought for a moment. Then she turned to him but before she said anything she turned to the desk and opened a drawer and pulled a piece of flimsy. Upon it she wrote, When was the last time my office has been swept for bugs?
The Bothan smiled, baring his teeth, and taking the pen that she handed him he wrote under her delicate scrawl, Yesterday. But you are correct. We can't assume your office is safe. I will scan it. After laying the pen on top of the flimsy, he pulled a devise from his jacket pocket then he proceeded to sweep the office for any type of listening devices or cams. The office came up clean and Syal breathed a sigh of relief.
Once the Bothan returned to stand beside her she said, "I believe we will make the announcement that the Jedi have been called off the case. Zeth Durron is still with Rogue Squadron, which is nothing unusual, and I want to leave him there, even if we need to give him some bogus military rank. Doran Tainer and Cassie Horn are still undercover on Ord Mantell and so far you and I are the only ones outside of the Jedi Council who know that." The Bothan nodded and then she went on, "I am to go to the naming ceremony for the new Hapan princess and I know both Luke Skywalker and Kyp Durron are going to be there also. It will make a good opportunity to speak about the Dro'godda without the possibility of the walls having ears."
The Bothan nodded and stroked his fur along his chin then gave voice to another concern she had, another fear to bring imbalance to the beautiful balance Releqy had created. "Do you really think Master Skywalker will name Kyp Durron as Grand Master of the Jedi?"
Syal stared at him for a moment then said her voice quiet, "For our sakes we better hope that he does. And for our sakes we better hope he doesn't."
X
Tatooine
He awoke to a pounding headache that compounded his burred vision. His body ached as well and as he slowly sat up, he felt the room spin. Cleven Fel rubbed his forehead trying to make either the dizziness or the blurred vision clear. He knew the headache would stay with him for a while longer. Then his memory began to work, and with it fear.
" Florin?" he called, his voice rough with disuse and dryness, and he quickly scanned the cell even though the movement made the dizziness and pain worse. He let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding as he saw his wife crumpled against the wall and on the floor about a meter away from him. He willed his body to move and he scooted over to sit against the wall beside her. Then he reached out and gently touched her delicately sculpted face of high cheekbones and rounded chin. He was glad to feel the healthy warmth and see the rise and fall of gentle breathing.
He noticed that the dark blue evening dress she had been wearing the night they were captured had been replaced with a simple grey jumpsuit; his formal wear had also been similarly replaced. He immediately felt his apprehension piqued as the thought of someone undressing his wife and changing her clothes came to mind. He beat back the sudden anger and hoped that she hadn't been abused in any fashion while so defenseless.
He then looked around the cell that was holding them. It was small only about three meters by three meters. There were no windows but there were dimly lit overhead lights. The tan durocrete walls had at one time been painted a light color but time and harsh use had nearly scraped the paint away. There were no beds or even sleeping pallets on the hard durocrete floor. In the corner sat small metal bucket that Cleven could only imagine its use, and he cringed, not for himself but for Florin. The only other distinctive feature to the room was the door. It was solid metal with only a slit in the bottom large enough to pass a food tray through. Thinking about food brought around another thought—his thirst and he licked his dry, cracked lips. The temperature was stifling and the air was extremely dry. For someone who grew up on icy Csilla, wherever they were was the complete opposite extreme, Cleven was sure.
Florin moaned softly and as he looked down at her she began to move slightly. He leaned down and said just above a whisper, " Florin, are you all right?" He reached out and brushed her wayward hair back as her movement caused it to fall into her face. She stopped moving and moaned again but she did not wake. He didn't call her name again. He knew she was okay and was only sleeping off the affects of the stunning. It was better if she slept. There wasn't really anything to wake up to.
As he continued to smooth her feather soft hair, he gazed at her and a whimsical smile came to his lips. He remembered the first time he had ever laid eyes on her. She had been assigned to him by Intelligence to help track down the pirates he was to clear off the hyperspace routes between the Remnant, Chiss Ascendancy and the planets of what used to be the New Republic or commonly called the GFFA, even though the Imperial Remnant, Chiss Ascendancy and even the Hapes Consortium all belonged to and made up the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances. He had been just promoted to captain and given a small fleet of a capital ship, and several other smaller ships plus a wing of Clawcraft. The last thing he thought he needed was an Intel agent who had spent most of her career on Coruscant rubbing elbows with the Bothan Intel Director, Tuskr Kre'lar. But that was until he saw her and he became complete enthralled by her. However, Mif'lori'nuruodo wasn't so taken with him. But over the course of a year, she learned that the very capable Captain Cleven Fel was not as human as she first thought but he wasn't completely Chiss either which only enhanced her attraction to him. When her parents suggested she accept the advances of the half Chiss, as he and his sister were often referred to as, they were ecstatic. Their parents came up with an alliance agreement and eight months later they were married.
He had never been so attracted to a woman in all his life and he loved her completely. He loved every thing about her from her darker completion to her willowy form to her dry sense of humor. And the last thing he ever wanted to have happen was to lose her.
That got him to thinking about their captors. It didn't take a genus to figure out why they were kidnapped. He was the commander of the taskforce that had been chasing the biggest pirate nuisance in the galaxy for the past two years and Florin was the Chiss Intel agent investigating them. Those reasons in themselves were probably enough. Combine with those the facts that he was the Chief-of-State's cousin and his father the Supreme Commander of the CEDF who was also in line to take command of the entire GFFA military if need be, and that his uncle through marriage to his aunt Wynssa Fel, Jayme Darklighter, was the adopted son of current GFFA Supreme Commander, Gavin Darklighter, of course, he and Florin were huge prizes for them the snag. He only hoped his cousin had enough backbone to not give into them and that his father and mother had enough sense to not push the GFFA. He and Florin would be okay, he hoped.
She moaned again bringing him out of his grim thoughts. She opened her eyes and quickly closed them again with a groan. "Cleven, where are we?" her scratchy voice made the Chiss words almost intelligible.
He gently helped her to sit and moved so that she could lean against him, "We are in a detention cell of some kind. But where that cell is physically, I can only guess."
"What's your guess?" she rubbed her cheek against his and moved suddenly when she felt the strange sensation of facial hair. She looked at him and squinted as she reached to touch the several days' growth of soft straight black beard.
He smiled and said, "My guess is a dessert planet such as Tatooine. And the room service didn't supply a shaving kit."
Although, she had never seen him with a beard, Florin knew Cleven had inherited the trait from his human father. It had become just one more thing they had to come to terms with and did so over the past year. She stared at him for a moment and then let out small laugh that was quickly followed by a pained groan as she rubbed her temples.
He leaned over and gently placed a kiss on her forehead and whispered, "Don't talk. Lean back and close your eyes. The affects of the stun blast will wear off soon. Then we can decide what to do." With that said he tightened his hold on her and she obeyed by laying her head against his shoulder.
X
Zaria (Chiss Space)
Jagged Fel was sitting at his desk going over the latest reports of a build up of force on the far outer border of the Ascendancy when the Chiss housekeeper, Sevi knocked gently on the Zarian wood door to his study. He looked up and said, "Enter."
The middle aged housekeep who had been with the Fels for the past twenty years bowed and said, "Sorry, sir, but Captain Fiskyn is asking to speak to you."
"Fiskyn is here?" Jag closed the datapad and stood. Whatever it was it was urgent, his executive officer was supposed to be on Csilla not Zaria.
"Yes, sir, and he would like to speak to the general also." Just as she said it the tall Chiss who over the years had become one of Jag's closest friends and most trusted advisors entered the study.
He then looked at the housekeeper who looked at him indignantly, "I am sorry, Jag, but this is of dire importance." Then he looked around, "Is Shawnkyr here also?"
Jag motioned for the captain to sit, saying, "Please, Fiskyn, sit. Would you like something to drink?" Then as he moved toward the small drink dispenser he said to the housekeeper, "Sevi, please go and fetch General Shawnkyr."
Fiskyn looked at him and nodded as he settled in one of the arm chairs before the large wooden desk, "Actually, I could use a drink, thank you."
Jag poured two Corellian brandies and handed one to his friend saying, "It's Corellian. I know whatever brought you the whole way back to Zaria has to be urgent enough to warrant it."
Before Fiskyn had a chance to respond, Shawnkyr entered the study. "Fiskyn, what brings you back?" She moved to stand beside her husband who had reclaimed his chair behind the desk. Then she smiled and added, "Or did you miss my husband's Corellian brandy?"
Fiskyn took a long sip of the amber liquid and then said, "This is not a social call. Jag, Shawnkyr, I have bad news."
"What?" was all Shawnkyr could get out.
The Chiss captain who was about the same age as his friends looked from one to the other then said after taking a deep breath, "Headquarters received word that Cleven and Florin have been captured and are being held hostage by Dro'godda."
Jag stared at his friend and all the breath seemed to leave him as he said, "Where?"
"The GFFA Intel Branch is not saying much but what we did get is that they were taken a week ago on Naboo and the Chief-of-State has been given terms."
Jag stood up and Shawnkyr laid her hand on his arm. He looked at her fear stricken eyes and patted her hand. Then he turned and said, "A week ago! Why hasn't my cousin contacted me directly?"
"She wanted to. But I explained this news would be better given in person. She did not realize you planned to stay here on Zaria this long after the wedding." After a moment the Chiss added, "She wants you to contact her as soon as possible now that you know."
"Of course," was all Jag could manage as he stared into Shawnkyr's eyes. Then he turned to Fiskyn, "Someone will need to contact Masen and Irolia and let them know what has happened to Florin."
"I have already taken care of that. And Admiral Irolia indicated she and the General will support you in whatever you decide to do."
"Good. Now, I will deal with my cousin," Jag suddenly wondered what Syal planned to do about getting his son and daughter-in-law from out of the clutches of Dro'godda and what the Chiss would do about two of its best officers being held captive in the GFFA.