Eternal Acension

[Kay-Larr]

Kay was out of Purgatory.

Finally.

With the help of [member="Ambrose Cadera"] , [member="Adenn Kyramud"] , [member="The Amalgam"] , [member="Lannis Morcus"] and even [member="HK-51"] to some extent, she was free. Free from a prison sentence brought on by the people of Commenor. The very people that she had spent decades serving. But she held no ill will towards them. And neither did her husband [member="Veiere Arenais"] . The laws were the laws.

Now amongst Morcus' fleet, Kay was provided with her own quarters. There she was given a hot bath, fresh clothes, delicious food and yes...even her coveted Sapir tea! After spending months in prison, her quarters felt like the lap of luxury. And she soaked in every moment that she could.

The others that had left with her had quarters provided for them as well, should they accept them. Kay was on her way to Mandalorian space to see her niece, [member="Yasha Cadera"] and to thank her for all of her help.

The time that it would take to get to her was more than enough for her to refresh herself before holding a meeting with Morcus. Back on Purgatory he had spoken briefly about needing to speak with her about a proposal. Given everything that he had done for her, and considering that he was one of her trusted Lords, she felt obligated to hear him out.

Kay had a sip of her tea as she sent off a message to him.

My Lord Morcus,

I am ready to discuss your proposal. When you are available, of course.

Kay Arenais.

 

[James Justice]

"It definitely sounds like you had a rough life," the man said in an empathetic voice.

James sighed, "Tell me about it, Chris."

"You've lost a lot of people, you've seen so much death, a man can carry that on his shoulders for so long it changes him, it wears him down and makes him someone else entirely," Chris' eyebrows were furrowed in a concerned, passionate expression. "Do you think that has happened to you?"

James sighed, combing his hand through his beard. He leaned forward and looked outside at the pretty outdoors. A pair of birds fluttered by the window, nesting in a nearby tree. He shrugged, "I dunna. Part o' me says this is all I e'er were, I just realized it. The other part o' me says that if anyone woulda done something different, I woulda. I dunna if that be the answer ye are lookin' for," he shrugged, "or the wrong one, but it be how I feel."

"There are no wrong answers here, James," Chris reminded him. He tilted his head to the side slightly, "I wonder, you said that you believe this is who you've been all along. Do you think you are a good person?"

James shook his head emphatically, "No. I ain't a good person. All I e'er done is cause harm and more harm to others because all I e'er were is a destructive addict. Spice, alcohol, anything I e'er lay me hands on, it corrupts me. Dal'Bor, Kay, Gray, Star, Jess, Calvin, Nyx, Anora, they all paid the price for me selfishness."

The words hung in the air. James looked down at his hands, his hands that had done so much damage. He wished he felt something, tears or saddness, but the guilt was too much. It made him feel hollow, empty. He would have done anything to feel rage instead of this void. He noticed his hands were trembling, not from anything but withdraw.

"It sounds like your selfishness causes you a lot of pain," Chris said at last. "You feel guilty over it?"

"Without a doubt," James grunted.

"I wonder what would happen if you started acting like you weren't so selfish? What would change?"

He pondered that for a moment, "I would get back involved in Kay's life. Tell her I were sorry for all I done. I would tell Gray that he done the best he could. I'd ask Star to forgive me for tryin'a push her away after she found me again. I'd be the dad me kids need to be."

"I want you to try and do something, one thing that is selfless every day as your homework," Chris said, jotting the information down on his notepad. "Get back with me and tell me how that feels next week. Unfortunately our time is up for this session."

James rose to his feet and offered the counselor a smile, "Thanks, Chris. I appreciate ye help."

"Thank you," The two men shook. "I think this lines up well with your recovery too, what step are you on?"

"Eight," James said. He reached in his pocket and gripped the forty day chip. He had been off all spices for that long. Alcohol--well, he wasn't as worried about that. "Makin' amends. I'll catch ye tomorrow, doc."

The spacer ambled out of the office into the waiting room, stretching his back out. Who knew emotional catharsis could be so physically exhausting? His eyes landed on the Screen over the receptionist's desk. His eyes narrowed as a familiar face came onto the screen.

"... in a daring escape, political prisoner, [member="Kay Arenais"] has managed to evade Comenori custody and is now on the run," Said the female reporter as images of the escape flashed before the screen, "The former political leader was placed in the maximum security prison Purgatory after her triple homicide. Out of her 3 life sentences, she served 4 months for her heinous crimes. Her current location is unknown, but many experts are stating she will probably try to flee to the lawless fringes outside of the hold of the Comenori or their allies. There are strong indications this political leader is far from alone, considering the help she had escaping. Many are cautioning she is extremely dangerous and will likely pose a threat to any who try to stop her.

"In other news, the rebuilding efforts for Dal'Bor are still underway, the criminal overlord, James Justice, has yet to be seen--"

James shoved his hands in his leather jacket, he shook his head and took a step out into the open air. Chris' question loomed in his head one more time; I wonder what would happen if you started acting like you weren't so selfish? The spacer knew what he had to do. He pulled the com out of his pocket, thumbing it live. "Reed, fire up the Nestis Cora. We gonna visit ye favorite Tea drinkin' woman."

 

[Taa Nul]

Morcus had given his most important guest all the time she needed after her imprisonment to settle in and readjust. He'd even made sure to ship in a very large stock of her favourite tea to ensure she needn't require a new supply for a long while. He had dressed himself in the usual attire befitting a nobleman, though with a Commenori vibe so as to make Kay feel more comfortable. He'd already set off to see her when her message had arrived, which hastened his pace. He approached the door of the quarters he'd provided her, casually knocking on the door before heading inside. He politely bowed before speaking. "My queen. It's most gladdening to see you adjusting to your quarters. I trust everything is to your liking?"

He then slowly paced about the room, walking over to a picture frame on the wall that was slightly ajar. He quickly straightened it out, being the perfectionist he was. "Your likely wondering what expedited my attempts to have you freed from Purgatory. I'd been trying to arrange your release peaceably since your imprisonment, but the recent collapse of the First Order and other events made me take....direct measures. I recently received a message from an old friend of mine amongst the Scions of Zakuul, if you have heard of their order. They are gifted with ability to see the threads of fate and what the future entails. They speak of one coming forth, to bring about the return of the Eternal Empire. Their visions....were of you."

[member="Kay Arenais"]
[member="James Justice"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay knew that it wouldn't take long for [member="Lannis Morcus"] to get to her after she had sent him a message. However the knock had come sooner than expected. She got to her feet as soon as he knocked and headed over to the center of her quarters to greet him. As he bowed, so too did she bow her head to him with a small smile. "I'm not your Queen any longer, but I thank you for this and for your services. I owe you much." Ever the loyal friend and citizen, Morcus deserved a lot and she hoped to repay him in kind some day.

As he spoke of the reasonings behind his actions, Kay furrowed her brows. The Scions of Zakuul? She had remembered reading about them a long time ago, but the details were sketchy at best.

Yet as he remarked on visions of herself and the return of an Empire, Kay did a double-take. "W-what? Are you sure?" Of course he was sure. Why else would he have gone to all this trouble? But she was no saviour of the Galaxy if he was trying to imply that. "What exactly did they say that the visions were about?"

Kay invited him to sit down. The Force knew that she was going to need to.

[member="James Justice"]

 

[James Justice]

[member="Kay Arenais"] I [member="Lannis Morcus"]

James didn't go directly to the Nestis. He stepped into the clunky, boxy, family-sized speeder and reeved it to life. He took a turn to the bad side of town, where things were seedier and the buildings were plastered with graffiti. He parked the speeder in front of a storage lot, right next to a unit marked 3605. Light flooded the dusty chamber. Along the walls were racks and rows of blasters, grenades, rifles, blades from virtually ever corner of the galaxy. You never knew when you needed another arsenol of weapons to bring hell to your enemy's front door--especially when your last name was Justice.

The spacer ignored it all, instead he moved to a dusty tarp in the corner, pulling it clear of an astromech droid. Its shiny, perky blue surface glistened in the dusty light, James patted the gal on her durasteel dome fondly. across her dome was etched her designation K2-G5, one of the first runs of the K2-Series. She was the back up in case Reed ever found himself scrapped.

The droid's internal compoents lit up and it offered a cheerful chirp. James gave wry smile, "Hey, K2. Good to see ye, too." The droid gave an inquisitive beep. James shook his head, "Nah, Reed be fine. However, I need ye help, I lost someone and I need to know if ye can help me find 'er. Ye aight with helpin' me?" The droid gave a puzzled whirl, James chuckled, "Because, she is ye."

The droid gave a cheerful blast of affirmation. James felt bitter sweet memories wash over him. The pain was intense as he remembered his sister and the sibling bond they had. He had grown up an only child and largely alone. If he had a pair of sisters growing up, he was sure Kay and Starwould have been it. If he had a brother, Gray would have been it. She reminded him of better days, or at least days when he saw himself as better.

With the blue and chrome droid in tow and awash with a life he could never return to, James made it back to the speeder. The ride back to the Nestis was rather silent. When he arrived, Reed gave an explosive, protective set of squeals and beeps. James raised his hand, calming his ancient companion, "Ye ain't gettin' replaced, we just need some help findin' Kay an' this be the only way I know how."

Reed subdued himself with a threatening whirl before he trundled away. James shook his head and sighed. Off a nearby shelf he grabbed a bottle of gin. There were too many emotions today for him to go at it sober. He took a pull from the bottle, not caring to grab a glass. The liquid burned with a satisfying release as it traveled down his throat. The spacer was working on getting his life together again, but that was one step at a time. Again was somewhat misleading, few would argue James ever had it together in the first place. Out of the pantry he grabbed a datachip. K2 gave a curious whirl as he knelt to look the droid in the photoceptor.

"Its a patch of all o' her recent events," James explained, "The update will adjust ye heuristic processor to account for 20 years that could o' changed her a bit. The info will also update ye navicomp matrix to only planets she been to. Once ye got that, I'mma need ye to plot out the course Kay's at." he paused offering the chip and looking at the droid inquisitively. He could have just rammed the chip into it and demanded results, but that's not who James wanted to be anymore. "Can ye do it for me?"

Without hesitation, K2 extended its grasping claw, took the chip and plugged it in.

 

[Taa Nul]

"The visions spoke of you claiming the Eternal Throne, rebuilding the Eternal Fleet and restoring order to the western reaches of the galaxy, and potentially beyond, in the wake of the First Order's collapse. Despite their crimes and my...grievances with them, the First Order brought some semblance of order to their territories. With the Ssi-Ruuk invading and shattering them, it has left their former holdings in utter disarray, set upon by pirates and marauders.", Morcus said with a sigh. "The situation requires a steady hand. And the force calls to you to be that hand. Feel what you will about how you claimed the throne of Commenor, but it brought stability to that world. The Sith invading could not have been helped. They would've found an excuse to eliminate you as a rival eventually either way."

Morcus then sat down beside Kay. "I will do all that I can to see you ascend to the Eternal Throne, by any means required. But you must ask yourself, will you set aside your guilt and former code and do what must be done to bring true order to the recent chaos? You have Jinata Security's support, and that of the Knights AND Scions of Zakuul. And no doubt your family and many of your former allies will also answer your call if you make it. And of course myself."

[member="James Justice"]
[member="Kay Arenais"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded in agreement. The First Order did bring stability to the region. She saw it first hand, after having been a guest to their fundraisers a number of times. It was the type of order that her husband admired. But she was the hesitant one.

She remained still as [member="Lannis Morcus"] spoke, giving him her complete attention as he let her know of his reasons for breaking her out of jail. Was she really favoured that much to lead another Empire? Wasn't she a failure in that already?

But Kay did bring a lot of stability to Commenor and it's nearby world. Only the Sith invasion broke that and tore them a part. She had no intention of ruling over dozens of worlds, yet the other planets wished for the stability and from that the CSA was born. She had her husband at her side then.

But now?... Veiere was firmly entrenched with the Jedi. He had no wish to rule over anyone, and she certainly wasn't going to force him.

"If the people of Zakuul want me to, as you say that the Knights and Scions do, then I can't really say no to people that need my help. My husband won't like it and who knows what my children will think, but it's for the greater good, isn't it?" She was trying hard to convince herself that commiting to this was the right choice. "What do I have to do? I don't need to kill anyone for it, do I?"


[member="James Justice"]

 

[James Justice]

[member="Kay Arenais"] [member="Lannis Morcus"]

The droid's photoceptor blinked, slowly shifting in color for several minutes as it accepted and integrated the software update. The spacer drank from his bottle, tense as he watched. There was no guarantee this upgrade or patch would or could work. The droid had taken an awfully large risk accepting the chip. By the time K2's photoceptor settled on a dim red hue, James was halfway through his bottle. The astromech gave a whirl.

"Is ye done?" he asked, peering at the droid, took wizened to get his hopes up.

The droid gave a reproachful beep. James smirked and set his bottle down, "I'll be takin' that as a yes. Where be Kay goin'?" K2 gave a puzzled whirl. James furrowed his brow, "What do ye mean 'I be Kay?' Quit dickin' 'round and lead me to me sister already!" K2 gave a frustrated beep. James rolled his eyes and threw his hands up, "Aight... aight... aight. Where we goin' then. Kay?"

K2, convinced she was the former queen of Commenor herself, illuminated the air between them with a small holomap of a very familiar planet. James guessed despite literally having the wrong components, the droid believed it was his sister. He guessed the patch had gone too well after all. He furrowed his brows, "Mandalore? Ye sure she--we--be goin' there? Of all places?" The droid gave an insistent chirp. James gave a sigh, "Well I know she--ye--have people there, but why not Soceras with me?" K2 gave a reproachful beep. James sighed deeply, his shoulders sank. "Fair. I weren't there for ye when ye needed me and--I'm sorry. Can ye get us there?"

The droid gave an affirmative whistle before making its way to Nestis Kora's cockpit. The gunship rose, and soon was blasting itself through hyperspace. James tossed his empty bottle against the bulkhead, sighing. The glass shattered on impact, turning into a thousand shards. A maintenance droid came behind him, cleaning up yet another one of the destructive man's messes. James stalked his way to the master bedchambers where he, for the first time in weeks, lay alone. The silken sheets felt great under him, and the bed contoured to his every need, allowing him to feel all the benefits of weightlessness with none of the drawbacks. The mattress had done wonders for his back, it made the years of bodily abuse seem less abrasive on him.

Without anyone to silence it, no woman to help him forget and no spice to numb his inner demons, the spacer couldn't remember the last time he had felt more alone. Regret punctured him deeply, a single tear slid down his cheek. This was a prison of his own making. I wasn't there ye when ye needed me.

The truth of that had never been more obvious to him than now. He just hoped that somewhere in her good heart, Kay could find it in herself to forgive him.