In Time [FWC Dominion of Onderon]

[Glory]

[member="Laira Vereen"]


The notoriously explosion-loving [member="Delila Castillon"] would have probably appreciated the team's explosive solution. Shame she'd quit Firemane a few years ago! Anyhow, the Hounds' Explosive Ordinance Specialist was not idle while Laira manipulated the earth and the stone. Using the suppressive fire provided by her fellow Dahomians as they performed a slow, organised fighting retreat, she set to work. Blaster bolts and slug rounds struck the stone floor as she rang, two bolts bounced off her armour and her energy shield flickered. Moving as close to the columns as she could, she deployed det charges and some thermal detonators.


Having done this, she quickly bolted. She could hear shouts behind her and raised her blaster pistol to fire a few wild shots as she sprinted. As rounds whizzed past her, a mass of pebbles descended from above and bolts of lightning shot through the air, she hit the ground and dove for cover behind some rocks, heart thumping inside her chest.


"Fire in the hole!" the Corporal shouted, making sure that everyone was aware of the fact that the big bang was about to happen. The dots on her HUD showed her that everyone was clear of the blast radius, and so she depressed the trigger on the detonator. This produced a noise so loud it was almost deafening. The huge explosion rang through the air, smoke started to rise. The columns buckled and collapsed, with the cave's ceiling straining under its own weight before it caved in.

 

[Cecily Demici]

Location: The Royal Gala
Objective: Secure the throne

A blast of trumpets cut through the noise of the gala.

At the final flourish, the doors opened and the guards jumped to attention. An elegant young woman in bright blue stepped over the threshold, flanked on either side by hooded figures in assorted colors. She was a familiar face to many in the galaxy, but especially to the people of Onderon. Her bouncy strawberry blond curls were topped by jeweled starburst tiara, symbolizing her position and authority.

"Her Royal Highness, Cecily of House Demici, Princess of Dee'ja Peak, Countess of Onderon."

'Heir to the Throne of Onderon' she thought, smiling graciously to the assembled masses. It had been several months since she set foot on Onderonian soil, having been on Naboo managing her family's principality after the untimely death of her aunt. Still, she would not leave her home planet of Onderon without a ruler and she certainly let it fall back into the hands of House Dendup. There was a reason that her family had helped seat House Rist on the throne so many years ago in their place. With House Rist displaced, a power vacuum had formed and a new royal family would ascend. She was there to ensure that it was House Demici that emerged victorious.

It was true that Aldric Dendup had the best claim to the throne (House Dendup ruled for centuries before the Demicis helped unseat them) and enjoyed the support of the most elitist of nobles, Not to mention the fact that he had already declared himself rightful heir to the throne. Still, Cecily was more widely beloved by their people. The Cloister of St. Cecily, funded entirely by House Demici, was responsible for almost all of the charitable work on Onderon. They fed, clothed, and housed the poor; provided basic healthcare and education; and taught the tenets of the Church of Light to the people. This good will had seen her elected to represent the planet at the height of Galactic Republic and she was counting on it to now secure the crown.

For a moment, she locked eyes with the Aldric. He was a tall, young, and admittedly handsome young man with dark brown hair and even darker eyes. Her presence seemed to perturb him as his nostrils flared briefly in frustration. Her icy blue eyes darted between the faces of the nobles that had gathered around him, making mental notes of every House that would need to be put in their place once she was finished here. For now though, she had bigger fish to fry. The Free Worlds Coalition was also in attendance and they would need to appeased as well.

Guard in tow, she crossed the room to where Claire Organa had situated herself. Cecily knew Claire's cousin Faith, now Queen of Anderaan, quite well and quickly caught the family resemblance.

"Countess Organa, I presume," Cecily flashed a smile, "forgive me for the intrusion. My name is Cecily Demici, your cousin and I know each other quite well. I was hoping I could steal a moment of your time. We have much to discuss"

Cecily was being uncharacteristically frank. She knew that she would need to work quickly to reverse the damage that had already been done by Aldric and his conspirators. With luck, she would be able to do so peacefully, but if necessary she would see him forcibly removed.

Spoiler: Cecily's Gown

[member="Claire Organa"]

 

[Garith Darkhold]

The Gala Party​

​

Whatever Garith was going to say to [member="Claire Organa"] and [member="Andulf Nicholas Teraan"], he remand silent for now about it.
Someone and her entourage approached them. [member="Cecily Demici"] Garith,

Garith was silent when Cecily stared to speak to Claire. The Elder may have been quiet. However he looked over the young princess and her guards. Garith was in a more leisured. He wore a suit and not his Mandalorian armor. The Elder still was an imposing figure. His eyes fearless and uncaring, they were now looking over the young princess and her guards.

“Intrusion forgiven”, the Elder Kashi spoke harshly. Maybe a gentleman would have no offense taken. Garith may have not been offended. By very definition she had intruded onto a conversation.

His eyes did not waver. They seemed to focus on Cecily, more importantly her eyes. “Cecily Demici”, if it was possible, Garith deep voice sounded softer when he spoke her name. It was less forceful as he spoke her name. “Do not take my dominance as if it is displeasure. How well do you say you know my daughter?”

 

[Andulf Nicholas Teraan]

Location: Iziz Royal Gala

[member="Garith Darkhold"] | [member="Claire Organa"] | [member="Relina Zhan"]

And so it was noted how the two seemed converse about what as far he could tell was something pertaining to the Hapan's. That he stayed close but not intrude on the conversation until such time that Countess Claire came turn his direction speak.

"Do you think we can find her?"

But then before he could respond as he turns gaze on the sidelines at the crowd when another came pass then join them in. Intruding as hastily as he could tell midsentence as he spoke.

" That i ....."


And with that the conversation between them continued to which seeing no reason stay he set off on the task given that of which, Was to locate the Duch'a amongst the crowd Andulf set off.

 

[Claire Organa]

[member="Cecily Demici"]

The flourish brought Claire's attention from her Uncle to see who was making an entrance. A woman of some character and a presence that could only be labeled as commanding. Claire could not help but wonder more about her. It would seem that she would get her answers quickly for it seemed she was headed her way.

A bit of panic rose up in Claire's throat. She stood almost like a statue she looked over at [member="Garith Darkhold"] as she swallowed hard to regain her own composure. She noticed that Count [member="Andulf Nicholas Teraan"] went off to find [member="Relina Zhan"] the Duch'a from the Consortium.

"Yes I am Countess Organa, and yes by all means how can I assist you?" She felt obligated to speak with Cecily. She had a previous relationship with her cousin but Faith was more than family Faith was the Queen. Anyone who knew Faith Claire was instantly her representative and needed to see how she could assist. She looked at her Uncle. She finally reconciled to call him Uncle. "Do you mind if Lord Darkhold stays with us" and yes everything was now formal.

 

[Cecily Demici]

Location: The Royal Gala
Objective: Secure the throne

The jeweled princess gave a sideways look to Garith when we spoke up about her intrusion. Her crystal blue eyes considered him for a moment, but she turned her attention to the Countess. Cecily could already tell that she had found a sympathetic ear and potential ally in this Organa. For that she was relieved and offered a smile.

"Yes, of course," she regarded Lord Darklord again kindly, "this matter concerns all those interested in the continuing stability of Onderon and its future allegiances."

She stole a glance over Claire's should at Aldrich who was still huddled with a few of the noble families, glowering in her direction. They were almost certainly weaving a plot now that she had arrived and how fast she was able to circumvent their efforts would decide the future of her home planet. "As I am sure you know, House Dendup ruled Onderon for many years, right up until my father rose to prominence as the head of my household. It was then, under Aldrich's uncle, King Razmiz Dendup, that our planet fell victim to the king's decadence."

"The state of our social services, education, the arts, and even the defense of the planet fell into disrepair. When my father and group of nobles confronted the king, he threatened to have them executed for treason. My family allied with House Rist, who held claim to the throne, and overthrew Razmiz."

"We saw peace and stability under House Rist, but... well," Cecily didn't need to finish her thought. It was common knowledge that the Throne of Onderon had sat empty since the assassination of the Rist King by Darth Ophidia. In many ways, Cecily still felt responsible for that death. She had been the true target, after all.

"The nobles who support Aldrich Dendup's claim to throne have no concern for the well being of my people. They seek only to advance their own interests and they are using the malleable mind of deposed heir to make their designs a reality. For centuries, my family has served the people of this planet, especially those less fortunate and I would be remiss to let it fall back into the hands of the wealthy few." She paused to allow her suggestion to sink in.

"House Demici has the next best claim to the throne of Onderon, and I intend to don the crown myself," it was the first time she had verbalized her intentions and she wasn't sure yet how it made her feel, "I have the support of the people and of the lower ranking nobility. The Free Worlds Coalition has a vested interest in this planet, and so I believe it has a vested interest in its ruler. I ask for Alderaan's support to make my move."


[member="Claire Organa"] [member="Andulf Nicholas Teraan"]

 

[Claire Organa]

House Rist there it was again House Rist the traitors to the Organa family. Was this the very same? Claire looked over to the self proclaimed King and his family her brown eyes lingered longer than they should as she turned back to [member="Cecily Demici"] . Claire was not shocked by what she heard perhaps it was why she felt so uneasy around them.

She looked up to her Uncle for a moment a decision to support Cecily at this point what would Faith say. What did Lord Darkhold think? Her thoughts ran rampant this was an internal problem on Onderon. The Coalition was here to support the royal family that had sat upon the throne now but this information that Cecily brought made Claire's blood run cold.

She couldn't represent the Coalition, she was Alderaan's representative. Would the Coalition support?

She considered the options, "I would that at this juncture a meeting between yourself and the family current sitting on the throne, with the Coalition in attendance needs to be held. In private. Today before we move any further. Mam, are you seeking to start civil war? " It was a concern she couldn't imagine all supporters being swayed to support Cecily if as she said they were to gain more through supporting Dendup's claim.

A meeting with Faith might be necessary even if via holo.

[member="Garith Darkhold"]

 

[Garith Darkhold]

Location: The Royal Gala

Garith had listened. He had remained silent as he considered @Cecilt Demici ‘s words with what he knew. He hid his thoughts and feelings behind pounding back the last swallow of Corellian Whiskey in his glass. He was torn how he would normally act and what would be best for his family. He had already concealed information tonight to protect his daughter [member="Faith Organa"]. So would be heartbroken to hear the corruption that ran through some of the nobles of Onderon.

Garith had already given proof to [member="Claire Organa"] about a trafficking ring of pirates kidnapping Hapen citizens and selling them into slavery. He did not give the knowledge of the name of the Viscount he gained this information from. Nor did he mention any connection Aldrich may have to this slave trafficking ring. Garith did mention to Claire that the noble he gained the information from had sway with Aldrich. Garith did not however mention why the Viscount had so much political sway.
There were some dark truths within the galaxy. A father came across one of them and desired to spare his daughter from the truth. It started to seem he may not get that chance.

Garith was always so blunt if found the words to say this delicately difficult. So he decided instead of blurting out facts to ask questions.

“What if”, Garith pause near speechless on what to say and how to say it? “What would you do if you had information on Aldrich Dendup conducting illegal activity?”

Garith left it at that for a moment. He had found himself embroiled in a scandal that could shake not just two galactic governments but three. Alderaan was just merely just trying to be neighborly. The Hapes Consortium having some of their citizens abducted and sold into slavery. That a small group of Onderon nobles helping to smuggle and sell these people into slavery. There was ever that possibility that Cecily was part of this group and Garith did not know it. Maybe she was there to gain knowledge to as how much he knew?

 

[Cecily Demici]

Location: The Royal Gala
Objective: Secure the throne

"I assure you, House Demici has no intention to incite violence," Cecily said plainly to Claire when she asked about the possibility of a civil war, "but I will not lie to you, the thought has crossed my mind, should all other avenues fail." In fact, a contingent of the Emerald Guard had joined her on her journey to Onderon in anticipation of a conflict with the Dendup loyalists. In truth though, the Onderon Royal Militia would likely be just as divided over which of the two nobles should sit on the throne. It would make the conflict a short one for Aldrich. Still, this was not Cecily's way and not something she would readily jump to.

"I doubt illegal activity would deter his current allies in the nobility privately, but publicly they would be forced to abandon him. That would simply leave me to deal with their loyalties later, but I am assuredly more than capable," she nodded to Garith at his suggestion. Perhaps the only way forward without violence was to turn his allies against him, even just publicly.

"And while I'm sure such evidence exists, I have no proof as of yet,"

[member="Claire Organa"] [member="Garith Darkhold"]

 

[Claire Organa]

Claire did not know Onderon politics like she knew Alderaan. She had to rely on what [member="Cecily Demici"] knew of it. Cautiously she looked around all the fine clothing, broad smiles, and free flowing wine it was the perfect atmosphere for inspiring deep thoughts by nobles on the edge.

"I had heard" she whispered, "as I walked around earlier that there are some nobles that are not pleased with the present administration." She looked at the floor reminding herself where she was she immediately picked her head up. "And Lord Darkhold has a source that puts the current family in a precarious position. Which as you say if it were revealed publicly could force their hand to step down, or it would incite them to dig in and come after anyone who presented such evidence."

She didn't want to sound like one of those cagey ambassadors from the holo but her voice and her manner had her doing just things like that. She looked to Cecily and then to [member="Garith Darkhold"] , "Perhaps the information provided would be better off in Lady Demici hands rather than ours" She smiled keeping up the appearances for anyone looking their way.

A few whispers floated their way mentioning Cecily name if anything she had definitely set the tongues to wagging.