Dev Lirra's Move To Freedom

[Flynn Ocano]

Location: Ocano Estate, Lirra
Outfit: Black dress suit
Tags: Yeste Dalnigain

It had been nearly a week, but I still couldn’t believe that he was gone. I didn’t know what I was going to do. Father’s passion and ingenuity made it possible for the mineral harvesters of the planet to band together and operate without the interference of the authoritarian government of Shando and the resurgent Hutts that were again calling Lirra a resort planet. Father’s hard work gave us means for me to make growth in creating our own league out here in the mineral pools and mud flats. I created a new market and started talking to governments without involving the government that grew from what was left of Palpatine’s Galactic Empire. We were just about to make a case for elections to be held. For control of the planet to be put to the people. Now that was all in question.

A single blaster bolt from an unknown assassin had put everything that Father and I had worked for in the last couple years on hold. Father was dead now. It might have been my plots and maneuvers that had given us a viable chance to control the government. But it was Father’s fire and passion that made the mineral farmers willing to stand up and make themselves known. Everyone looked at me as if they expected I could just step in and take Father’s place. I wasn’t sure that I had what it takes.

I heard the footsteps before the soft voice of my mother. It was obviously time for the ceremony to begin. But I just wasn’t ready to face the crowd I knew had gathered. This should have been a private time for me and Mother. Instead we would mourn in the full view of every farmer who had pledged to back a reach for freedom. ”He doesn’t want you to do it his way son. Take your time. Figure out your path. He’ll be proud of you whatever happens. But we both know that those people out there won’t let his ideas die. And the military tyrants, and Hutt criminals who did this won’t need you to do anything to make you the enemy.”

She was right. I knew it, but I just didn’t know how I was going to be able to take up the mantle left for me. Continuing the back door distribution deals for the minerals that we harvested was one thing. Eventually even that would definitely be figured out. Our opponents knew the one thing that we couldn’t match was the hammer of violence. They used that hammer. What could we do to fight back? ”Let’s go,” I said with a nod. ”The crowd will stay for only so long. Father deserves a nice send off.”

With my mother’s arm resting on mine we made our way out to the field that had been cleared to host the event. The mood amongst the people was somber, but there was a bit of chatter that started as my mother and I made our way to the coffin that was ready to be lowered into the ground. We stood and lowered our heads as a Holy man that I hardly knew, but the people respected gave a spiritual send off to my father. When it was done I stepped to the front of the coffin and cleared my throat.

”Thank you all for coming. My father was a wonderful man, I don’t think I need to tell any of you this. He was shot down well before his spirit was ready to depart this world. Those responsible will look to see if they have broken us, taken our resolve. I know as I look at you that they have not. This is the day that they will realize that the spirit of this planet is not something they can control. They will look back on the event that led to today as the downfall of what they had built. It is time for freedom. Freedom we will have. But it will take a steady hand, patience and good planning. I hope that you will show the same faith in me that you did in my father. If you do, I will figure out a way to make his dream real. Lirra will be free. We will be free.” There was an eruption of cheers from the crowd. I gave a forced smile and nodded my head, hoping that I hadn’t promised more than I could deliver.

 

[Yeste Dalnigain]

Location: Military HQ, Shando, Lirra
Outfit: Jeans, Black Tank, Red Leather Jacket
Tags: Flynn Ocano

With the fall of Tion and the trial of the Staff Director, or maybe former Staff Director? It was easy for Yeste to get an assignment that she wanted instead of being assigned something out of her comfort zone. Also Yeste would be able to find an assignment that was low priority enough that she would not require a senior agent looking over her shoulder. She scrolled through the available assignments and smirked when she saw Lirra. It was nearly in Hutt Space, not that the Empire would care if they had to slap a few slugs to get something. And the current government had reached out to the Empire for help. Seems a good deal of the planet’s resources were being sold through back channels by a workers’ union. The remnant of Empires past the government naturally reached out to the current Empire to get their ducks in line.

On the transport from New Alderaan to Lirra, Yeste did a lot of studying. Seems that proximity to Hutt Space might end up being a detail that she would need to pay attention to as there was a retreat set up on the planet for the Hutts who used to control things before Palpatine’s time. Yeste guessed that the Hutts leased the retreat from the government and they would be no issue for their “landlords”, but Yeste wasn’t really here to help the current government crack the whip on the oppressed workers. She would learn all that she could and help the fledgling workers to earn their freedom. She couldn’t stand by and let another authoritarian government ruin good people. She would make a difference.

Immediately after arriving at Shango, Yeste hoped she wasn’t going to regret taking on this assignment. The climate was perfectly suited for a Hutt, which meant that it was terribly uncomfortable for Yeste. She would need to find an alternative to her usual red leather jacket if she was going to be on the planet for too long. She was brought from the spaceport to the military headquarters, which doubled as the seat of government. As she walked through soldiers and vehicles doing training exercises she was greeted by a well built man around her age with a wide smile on his face. ”Agent Dalnigain I assume,” he stated, offering his hand while looking Yeste up and down. ”Lirra appreciates the Empire’s input on our current situation. But we have taken steps which might make your involvement unnecessary.”

Yeste rolled her eyes at the assessing glare, but she could not hide her surprise that the government had taken action before she had arrived. ”What exactly did you do?” she asked not even bothering with the man’s name. He was a go between and ultimately for her plans to work she would be out in the mineral pools with the workers, not the cushy capital with the government.

The man gave another wide grin. ”The movement’s leader has been eliminated,” he responded with pride.

”Stupid,” Yeste responded with a hiss. ”And you think this leader is the one that is moving your minerals from under your nose?”

The man looked at Yeste and tilted his head in confusion. ”You are saying you have information otherwise? I was not aware that we had shared all the details with the NISB.”

Yeste gave a chuckle. ”You think that the NISB only uses what you give us? No, no. We have done our own homework. I’m guessing you eliminated the vocal leader. The one making the waves. And how long has he been working the mineral pools? You think that he was the one who found new ways of distribution to cut into your profits?” Yeste shook her head. ”I have set up an appointment to the member of the union that is facilitating the sale of your minerals to third parties. I will require a vehicle…civilian…classy. And for your people to give me a wide berth.”

 

[Flynn Ocano]

Location: Mineral Flats, Ocano Estate, Lirra
Outfit: Casual “Work” Clothes
Tags: Yeste Dalnigain

Steinix Products was based light years away on a thriving planet in the Mid Rim. There was no reason in our agreement for them to send a representative to Lirra. As long as the transportation deal with NuNoble Inc held good, what need was there for a representative from Steinix to come here? The agent that I set the arrangement up with was quite on board with keeping the contact to a minimum. Now there was someone on planet? It was giving me a headache. Worse, it was making me wonder if the government had made the connection and hoped with father eliminated I would roll over if they pushed Steinix to take their side.

I made my way out into the mineral flats that were being harvested by our machines. I paced back and forth waiting for the arrival of my fate. My heart was pounding in my chest. My breathing was quick. What other possible reason could there be for this visit other than to go back on our agreement. Mother tried her best to settle my nerves, but that just wasn’t going to happen. In my mind losing the business transaction was the best case scenario. What if the government was looking to finish what they had started with father.

As I paced I heard thudding footsteps approaching. That was not how some industry executive was going to arrive to a meeting. I slowly turned to the noise and smiled as I saw Den and Ned, childhood friends approaching. I frowned however when they got closer and I made out the rifles in their hands. I knew they must have heard what was occurring and came to protect me. ”You’re not trained soldiers. Bringing those weapons to a meeting is not a good way to keep me safe.”

Ned and Den looked at each other and shook their heads. ”We might not be standing next to you when that speeder arrives, but if something nasty starts we’re going to be jumping in,” Ned stated forcefully raising his rifle to push his point home.

Den slapped Ned on the shoulder and nodded. ”We’ll be right over there,” Den added pointing to a pile of scrapped machine parts. ”If they want to take you from us they’re going to have to pull us along. You said it yourself and your Pa’s funeral. We’re going to be free. Not if we let them come out here with their guns and not make consequences for it.”

I reluctantly nodded and waved my friends off to their hiding spot. If it came to violence I would rather die alone than bring Den and Ned along with me. But Den had a point. If we didn’t make it hurt for the government to send assassins out to the flats, they’d just keep doing it. ”Thanks guys. Hope it doesn’t come to that though.”

As soon as my friends were out of my sight I started to pace again. Then I heard the speeder coming. It was luxurious for Lirra, but in the Core it would be labeled a piece of chit. I forced myself to stop moving and stood stoicly with my hands behind my back. As the speeder came to a stop I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat. I didn’t know whether I should be ready to shake a hand, dive for cover or start begging for Steinix to honor our agreement. When the speeder door opened I was taken back. The only occupant was a striking young woman with dark hair in a ponytail. She was obviously not dressed for the flats, but she also wasn’t dressed in the manner that I thought was expecting a fancy executive to dress. Curiosity caused me to relax, smile and take a step towards the woman. ”Welcome to the Lirra mineral flats. I’m Flynn Ocano. How can I help Steinix Products?”