Elegant Sculptures and picture works dotted ivory walls, each one telling it’s own story in the long and entwined histories of the ruling houses. The sheer marvel of it was a stone’s throw; yet complete opposite of the harsh and sharp world of Csilla which lay on the other side of the walls, hidden from view by the layers of protective surfacing.
Amongst the darkened hall, thin veils of red could be seen, four of them belonging to two matching pairs, each moving slowly down the floor that like the walls was more of an art piece then a used walkway.
“It is not a case of a mere family feud.” The voice, resoundingly male with a hint of upper-class elegancy behind it said as the first of the two Chiss entered the slightly lit space that grounded the ceiling high arch window of the Royal House.The dim light of the moon, concealed by winter cloud slipping ever so slightly through the great panels of glass despite the planet’s best attempts at throwing it’s environment to block the light source at each turn.
Red eyes narrowed as they fell upon the second Chiss, hovering upon her black uniform that marked her as one of the security officer’s of Csilla’s Defence Fleet. The glowing red shifting as his gaze met her own, a surge of uncomforting emotion flowing across his face at the direct contact. “It is time to move, the Nsilla Family must take control of their fate and this move is necessary if they wish to claim the position that is rightfully theirs.”
“And you wish me to be the one to instigate the move?” Her voice was delicate, yet held just as much regal pull as the Chiss stood nearby. Her eyes unlike his refused to move when they connected in a stare. “I must ask though; why me? Why not my Brother, or even my Father? Are they not the leading representatives of the Nissla Family, surely I have not so much pull.”
It was unclear to her the exact reasons behind what she was hearing, it was a coup; there would be no doubt about that. To speak against a Ruling House was to invite open disaster if proven wrong; to speak out against three? Well that was practical suicide.
“It must be you.” Was the answer given, it short and sweet; a hint of rushed panic maybe? She couldn’t tell. “Your position within the Fleet would hold great pull with the Families that are remaining to pass judgement.” The Chiss paused, his posture changing as he looked down the hallway, his eyes narrowing as if he expected to see another burning pair of red eyes glaring back at them through the darkness. “You have been hailed as a hero in your own right, the youngest ever to lead her own Claw Wing. It was you who has been hailed as singlehandedly destroying the Noghri invasion in the outer defence ring. You see; for you to speak would be to throw a strong attack at those families who have only wished to sell us out as a race for their own profit.”
Still he refused to look her in the face, an odd play but after all for him to be seen conspiring with a ranking officer of the military, he was taking a great risk and she knew it.
“If I am to agree I need promises.” She took a slight step forward. “Promises that you and your family will back the move; that the claims I am assuring are indeed fact. I don’t want to be caught in the middle of another Family War.” Her hands found their way to her hips, eyes narrowing as they studied the almost jittery posture of the other Chiss.
“Of course. Everything you need is on here; the Ruling Council will call a delegation in four days. It is then that you need to make your move.” He whispered; a data-chip slipping from his hand into hers. “Until then; I must return to my duties. As should you.”
~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~
The slow rhythmic beeping was enough to stir the blue skinned woman from the sleep that she had fallen uneasily into; her eyes slowly opening, fighting back the darkness that was covering everything all around her. He neck cracked softly as she pulled herself up from the cold, hard floor that had been her bed for yet another night. Or at least she believed it was night; to her knowledge the cycle of day and night had been lost to her for weeks, it was merely wake up and sleep, no more, no less.
The dreams had returned; if they could be called dreams. They would start off easy, pleasant, and peaceful; but it wouldn’t last, at least they never had. Eventually they would delve into the uneasy patterns of the past, pushing the boundaries of what she remembered and what her mind had chosen to create. Tonights had been one of the easier ones; at least she had slept through it, not woken in a sweating mess or screaming. Those ones would come…soon.
“O’righty; six, twelve and four up you get, the boss wants ya upstairs now.” The one was different, not regal like the voice of her dreams, it was enough to show the difference that had taken hold of her life. Belonging to a hairy and large human, it was harsh, rough and hinted with the uneducated basic that common around these parts. Shifting her body weight she pulled herself to her feet, red eyes falling upon the human and Twi’lek females each wearing the same open thin, black clothing that covered her own blue skin. The shuffle of feet near the door revealed a stunted Ryn, his thin white moustache twitching with a sly smile as the three females passed him and the fat rough human. “Nice an’ easy, they don’ wanna think ya’ not gettin’ ur beauty sleep.”
They were hired to entertain; well hired was such a loose term; required more of less covered it. Most of the girls were poor or had been purchased through the slaving circles that had managed to get a grip on even the shining light of civilisation. For her however it had been a different story. She had been sold out, banished and thrown into an unstoppable fall that had landed her in the situation she now found herself in. Of course it could be worse. She could be dead, but then again, would that truly have been a worse fate?
~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~
Again she shifted, slow rhythmic beeping flowing through her ears giving awareness to the soft pillows beneath her gave ample cushioning for her head as she rolled to her side, red eyes briefly opened to take the sight of the elaborately decorated suite, it’s cream walls simple yet designed for comfort, the large flat bottomed bed that she led on was a mess of sheets, thrown aside in fits of a sleepless night, sweat had pooled thick beneath her causing both the sheets and the white nightgown she wore to create a slight level of transparent opacity about them. A dream within a dream? One of the few signs that soon the visions would start, those dreams that shouted at her within her sleep; that screamed at her while she was awake.
Throwing her legs over the side of the bed she pushed herself to her feet, elegant steps taking her to the window of the suite, revealing the skyline view of the upper class levels upon Etti IV. The view was one of power, overlooking the plumes of industrial progress that filled the pockets of those who were strong enough to take it. Opposite the room where she was several ships flying here and there, taking stock from the nearby refuelling and cargo station nearby.
“You slept uneasily.” It was a soft voice this time, a level of Coruscanti elegance striking deep in her head as she turned to face the bed, eyes falling upon the human male that led on the very bed she had just stood from, his form covered; thankfully; by the sheets that had been thrown over him at some point. “Bad dreams?”
“Memories and unseen futures.” She muttered causing a look upon his face to appear as concern clearly expressed itself, she could already guess what he would say. “I am a servant to the Empire, do not stress yourself. I have no ability with that arcane magic that keeps the Emperor alive.” Her mind flashed to the giant form of the Sith Emperor that she had met on several occasions, his deep and threatening voice that spoke his will to those who called themselves Imperials. The mere thought of it made a shudder pass through her body, or was it the chill wind against her still sweat-damp body? “My dreams are merely a side effect of a traumatic past; a past the Empire has helped me escape.” She watched as he smiled, his face changing again as his eyes focused back upon her.
“Very well, who would have thought that an Imperial Taxation accountant would have such mystery behind her? We have a few days until I depart to Sith Space. Why don’t you come back to bed? We can celebrate the soon to be Sith Imperial Corporate Sector and the bright future of the Empire.” She didn’t need encouraging, with a few steps she was back in the bed, her assignment all but forgotten.
