Our own Yellow Brick Road

[Jake Daniels]

Jake sat quietly. His eye’s studied the datapad carefully. Where they were going was a place he was all too familiar with but who they were seeing was someone Jake could not stand. So the datapad help a profile of the man, the CEO of Edge Tech; a bio tech company that created nano-tech for the poorest of populations. His company had a noble goal. The CEO’s attitude just sucked. A cocky, arrogant nerf herder, but one that had great reach across the galaxy.

Beside Jake sat another, smaller device. It blinked a green light to which Jake picked up.

‘Everything’s ready for your arrival.’ A.

Jake hit reply, ‘Arriving to Chandrila in the next hour or so. We’ll be arriving at the Estate later in the day. We’re stopping by Edge Tech first. Make sure we have eyes on the building at all times.’

'Confirmed.' A.

She was always fast at responses.

Jake took a sip from some rather bitter coffee and glanced up. The ship, the beautiful diplomatic vessel, was filled with Noghri. None paid Jake much attention. They knew who he was. They knew what he was but they were not here for him. They were here for the woman whom owned the vessel, Ereza. Quietly the man set the cup back down and went deeper into his research on the CEO.

 

[Ereza]

Where often during space travel Silencia had made herself scarce, preferring to keep to her own quarters or a meditation chamber, Ereza reveled in the experience of the journey. Having spent the smallest fraction of her live away from Garhall, space travel was a marvel for the woman. She enjoyed making silent rounds throughout the ship, taking in the views from various posts, watching the staff going about their jobs, and observing the Captain and his crew upon the bridge.

Rarely did she interrupt and given her nature of intuitive observation she was well able to keep out of the way. But it did make keeping track of her whereabouts a challenge. Quiet as she was, much like her predecessor, she was oft known for spooking the crew as they went about their business. The dichromatic eyes glowing in the dark didn't help her cause.

So when she arrived to the lounge where Jake presently poured over his itinerary, reports, research, and whatever else absorbed his attention, it was with the same silent nature.

"Who will I be meeting today, Mr. Daniels."

 

[Jake Daniels]

Jake's eyes glanced up to see [member="Ereza"] as she watching over his studies; she was formal while he was no He had not heard her come, nor had he felt it on the force. In fact, Jake wasn't feeling much in the ways of the force in recent days. That would be a problem to address for another day however. Setting down the data pad, he scooted over to allow Ereza a spot next to him.

"My Lady." He said with polite even tone. His head tilted in a slight bow downwards.

His attention turned to her question.

"We're stopping at Chandrila. Specifically the Business District of Hanna City, the planets capital." Jake pushed the data pad over to reveal information on a particular man.

“His name is Thomas Reich.” There was some disdain evident in his voice.

“I met him when handling a personal matter on Chandrila not so long ago. His company Edge Tech has some reach throughout the galaxy. They do research for the poor. The man seems like a good place to start to give you an idea of what to expect with people of influence. He may be able to offer you and my Son some useful knowledge for C.E.T.O. but who knows?" Jake took a sip of his coffee.

"I've been doing research on his recent acitivities and dealings since I last left the planet. Nothing of immediate concern. I have a small home set up as a front there which will make a very quit stop by afterwards so I can gather some personal necessities." Jake explained. "Depending on what he has to say will determine our next stop. I've already charted some locations that don't deal with business but more culture so we'll be hitting those on our journey."

 

[Ereza]

She moved to join him on the bench, taking up the proffered datapad and perusing the files as he spoke. The tech industries of the galaxy were a novel curiosity to her given the extreme differences in nature between what she knew and what was vastly galactic standard. In many ways Ereza felt her home and people to be well ahead of the curve, but in others there was room for innovation as proven standard by the foreign majority.

Space travel, for instance.

A thoughtful sound hummed through her neck, a subtle sense of intrigue to her expression. She soaked it in without a word, content to follow Jake's lead and confident it would prove to be a useful meeting of the minds.

"You do not like the man ... " it was less a question and more an observation, given after several moments of silence. His disdainful tone had not been missed and Ereza was nothing if not intuitive.

 

[Jake Daniels]

Jake glanced over to [member="Ereza"]. The woman was highly observant, perhaps more so than Jake whom had spent his life surviving almost completely on that skillset. The man's lips pursed as he thought of Thomas. Slowly his hands brought the cup to his lips. Coffee was a nice, albeit momentary, distraction to his Lady's soft inquiry.

"I do not." Jake said as his eyes stated down at what remained in his cup.

"Awhile back I held a dinner party on Chandrila. He was there. I had gathered intel on various people that had proven a threat to our family and to Honghor. A plot to get rid of native populations, human and otherwise, then use the planets resources for wealth." Jake began. "I identified the men involved. I also invited those that had been dealing with these men. Thomas Reich was one of those men. During the party I watched him closely. His dealings with the men I was targeting was clean. He made some greeting but instead focused on my female staff. While most men would talk business, he focused on pleasure. Any pretty little thing had his attention."

Jake finished the coffee.

"The man is a, how can I put this... well... a horn dog. If he sees a pretty face he wants to put a notch in his bed post." That was a crude comment to make. "I will let you be on your own during some points of our trip. One of those times will not be with Thomas. I will be at your side to ensure he doesn't try anything. My fear is what he is capable of doing if you two are alone. I know you have Noghri, however I will be more comfortable as your escort."

Jake turned his attention back towards Ereza.

"I will not speak for you. You have a mouth and insight of your own. If you need it simply give a squeeze of my arm and that'll be our signal for me to speak. Would that suffice, My Lady?"

 

[Ereza]

My but Jake was a long-winded sort. Ereza found she did not mind as such, and in fact was perfectly content to listen to him speak. The more words he spared, the less were needed from her and she was left to study his gestures, his speech patterns, his facial expressions, the beat of his heart and the dilation of his pupils. Her oddly colored gaze both unobtrusive and unwavering.

The faintest of curves spelled a modicum of amusement at the man's concerns for their upcoming rendez vous. No one had ever been so insistent on her welfare like this before, not even the Lady Silencia. Perhaps it was because those that came before Jake Daniels had known her very well.

Ereza's expression remained receptive, regardless of these things.

"Yes," she nodded once he finished, "that will suffice. Though in my more recent outtings into the galaxy I have come to find that my appearance is not so moving."

A few hundred years ago this would have devastated the girl she had once been, but Ereza had grown far beyond the vanity that had once possessed her so.

"I understand that scars such as mine are not becoming on women."

 

[Jake Daniels]

"You're scars enhance your beauty My Lady. At least in my eyes." Jake replied.

He changed the subject almost immediately. That came off as completely inappropriate though his intensions had not to be. If [member="Ereza"] had not noticed it in his immediate demeanor after those words escaped, she sure as hell saw it when he became suddenly awkward in his demeanor.

"Let me grab my essentials. I'll meet you at the landing bay when we arrive." Jake said.

Taking Erezas hand, the man planted a kiss upon it like a Knight would a Queen before vanishing.



Chandrila was hotter than normal. A heat wave having set in apparently. It was felt the moment Jake stepped off the ship. He made sure he was the first off. Dressed in formal attire there was nothing hidden on Jake. He held no saber; having left one on his estate here and the others on Honghor. There were no knives, nor other weapons. When Jake killed now... it was far more personal.

Taking in a sense of his surroundings, no threats were visible. Content with what he saw, Jake motioned for His Lady and her guards to follow. As they began their trek towards him, the Guardians attention turned towards the arrival of a gentleman. Instantly his body grew tense.

"Duke Daniels, how wonderful of you to drop by." Thomas Reich said as he shook Jakes hand.

Almost immediately he upon seeing Ereza, Thomas passed Jake. This allowed Jake a moment to scan the surrounding buildings. On cue, Anahita had placed several snipers to watch over his landing party. No doubt the Noghri had already taken note, and perhaps Ereza. Either way; their asses had additional cover. All it took was a signal from Jake for Thomas Reich to be dropped.

"Duke Daniels did not tell me he was bringing someone elegant with him. Who might you be?" Thomas asked as he extended a hand towards Ereza.

Jake looked to Ereza and spoke with his mouth. Hopefully she read lips, 'We'll speak about the Duke stuff later. Play along.'

 

[Ereza]

It was a pleasing change of pace to see Jake dressed so well. Not that he had been ill-presented at the Silver Jedi Prom, but he'd been much more out of his element. Here he seemed confident, almost stately. It suited him, she thought, and wondered if this is how the man had lived during the days before the Gulag took everything away.

She stepped out of the transport adorned in pale blue, aqua, and gilded embellishments. Draped over her shoulders and head a white cloak and hood of silvery gleam protected the only exposed flesh of the lady from the afternoon sun: her face. Ereza met Reich's introduction with a curt smile that was friendly only in the diplomatic sense. She offered him her hand, gloved in silk of that same aqua, her gaze momentarily peeking over the man's shoulder to Jake behind him at the mention of Duke. She tipped a brow at his mouthed words and took the cue.

"He did not," she replied in kind, perceptive eyes honing back in on Reich, "at my asking. My itinerary is a private one for good reasons."

As any person of stature or renown could attest to, having their affairs under wraps made nigh all things in life easier.

"I am Mal'ary'ush Ereza of Honoghr, Mr. Reich."

 

[Jake Daniels]

"Mal'Ary...." Thomas stuttered.

"On Honoghr a Duke answers to the Mal'Ary'Ush. If you must put it in perspective, think of her a Queen and I her personal liege." Jake said. He approached to keep himself as close to Eresa as possible. Jake knew male nature all too well; he had his own vices after all.

"I see. Well since I'm in the presence of royalty perhaps I give you a full tour of our facility?" Thomas asked Ereza.

"Don't break our agreement Thomas" Jake said. He promised Ereza he wouldn't speak for her. He would just make sure Thomas did not try anything.

Jake interlocked his arm with Ereza's. He knew how she was with physical contact but this was a charade for Thomas. Jake had to plant in his mind that the Duke and his queen were closer than one would think. Jake extended a hand towards the buildings rooftop entrance, "Shall we?"

Before they disappeared from the rooftop, Jake made a motion to those watching for a repositioning. There would only be a limited number of places in the building that did not have windows. Thomas was none the wiser.

An couple flights of stairs and an elevator ride brought the party to the main hub of the nano-tech development. As they departed the elevator, Jake released his arm from Ereza, ensuring he didn't prolong any uncomfortable feelings she may have felt.

"Here at Edge Tech we develop nano-tech to help fight diseases that haven't thoroughly been researched. The tiny little bots work their way into the system and target the virus or bacteria." Thomas said as he turned to address Ereza while walking backwards. On each side of the hallway were glass windows to view clean rooms.

"The Duke stated that you might be interested in utilizing bio-tech." Thomas said. "I find live field testing to be the epitome of our success or failure. Can I ask, Your Highness," His failed attempt to address her properly due to his inability to say her title, "have you ever come across a disease that had no cure? A disease or ailment that was not affected by meds or a Jedi's healing abilities?"

There was a momentary pause as he tapped a finger to his lips.

"Would you like to see a test on what my nano-tech is capable of on a live specimen?"

 

[Ereza]

He would feel her tensing as he took her arm, but it was not something that could be seen. Ereza waited with level patience as the men shared their words, finding there was no need for her to respond in kind. A tour was of interest but not of necessity - it mattered little either way. The Mal'ary'ush remained reticent as usual, quietly soaking in her changing surroundings and the new information presented.

Bio-NanoTech. A novel idea that seemed to be cropping up all across the galaxy. No doubt Cortez Industries was one of this man's rivals in that regard, and one she was already privvy too. But Cortez was pushing the limits in bio-tech warfare and biological implants, bolstering the physical capabilities of the user, enhancing senses and lethality. Reich worked from a very different angle.

She wasn't certain how his projects could fit in to CETO but knowledge gleaned was valuable any which way you looked at it.

"I cannot say I have personally, Mr. Reich," a true a reply as she was willing to give, "but I am certain they exist if your efforts are any proof of that. Color me intrigued, let's see this test."

 

[Jake Daniels]

“Wonderful!” Thomas said with hands to his lips.

He’d been itching to show what his nano-tech could do. He led them towards the end the hallway and stopped at a smaller room. The party gathered around, though Jake took a position in the rear. He may have looked the part but he was uncomfortable. Why? Thomas really got under his skin. One of her Noghri Guards took the place where he had been standing.

Jake turned his back and glanced through another rooms window where it appeared newly created nano-tech was being tested. His ears never lost focus. He listened to every word that was spoken though.

“We’ve discovered a pathogen that looks like blood cancer. It acts like blood cancer. It ironically tests like blood cancer when tested by standard means. However during out research into blood cancer, one patient had the pathogen we nicknamed ‘Copycat’”. Thomas said as he knocked on the window.

The Doctor within nodded and grabbed a lab mouse. He held it to the window.

“This mouse has been infected with ‘Copycat’ Now watch this.”. Thomas said.

The Doctor set the mouse down and drew blood. Placing it on a digital slide, he showed the party the virus in the system. Taking the vial sample, the Doctor then dropped in what could be mistaken as tiny bits of pepper in. A small shake to simulate blood flow. After a couple of second, the Doctor place a second sample from the vial onto a digital slide. Thomas then explained what they saw.

“Watch the increased white blood cells. As you can see these little miracle workers are able to decipher between a healthy white blood cell and the ‘copycat’. Right there!” Thomas said as the Doctor pointed to a screen. “These marvelous little machines clamp onto the cell and incinerate it. They then move onto the next. The patient never feels a thing. Once their objectives are done and no more disease is in the body, they shut down and are flushed out via urine or stool.”

“Any questions?”

 

[Ereza]

Often inscrutible, Ereza recalled words from her Matriarch that the vast majority of the galaxy expected outward reactions. Emotions. Humans especially. The man was clearly hoping for excitement, though she was not obliged to give as much.

The woman lofted a brow, lips thinning in what might have appeared to be disapproval or perhaps something more akin to simply being unimpressed. But the cogs were turning and her mind was processing. She was intrigued.

"Can they introduce things in to the body?" she asked.

 

[Jake Daniels]

“Absolutely, Your Highness.” Thomas said.

He was starting to get a sense that this woman would be harder to crack than he expected. Why did the Duke shift his position in the group? Wasn’t a Duke to be at his Lady’s side? Thomas peeked through the group and towards the Duke who was watching the testing with quiet intent.

“We’ll need to head to a board room.” Thomas explained. “Right this way.”

Jake followed, his gaze watching the area around them. One thing that caught his attention was that a couple of the security camera’s had repositioned themselves to watch the group. Odd.

Thomas led everyone to the meeting room. Jake was the last to enter and like a man that had spent a life in a constant fight, he eye’d each corner. It was pure instinct to ensure there were no surprising.

Once everyone, save for Jake, found a seat, Thomas lowered a white screen and flipped on a presentation. A clicker was held in his hand. Jake refused to sit. Instead he remained right by the exit, leaning against the wall.

“To answer your questions, Your Highness we have found a way to add things to the body. Not pills or medication as well… we have pills and liquids already. What we discovered is this small little nano-bots can add flesh.” Thomas clicked to a screen which showed several nanited stuck to a heart.

“This patient had an arrow enter his heart through a hunting accident. I saw him as a perfect test subject. We took a quick biopsy of the heart tissue. Once we had the genome down, we loaded the nanites with the dna sequence needed. They clung to the heart and found the injured portions.” Thomas clicked through several images that showed the nanites rebuilding the heart tissue.

“We learned that we can take away and we can give. It was unfortunate when our R&D unit realized this could be utilized as a weapon. Tweak the nanites to destroy and they could tear an organ apart instead of healing it. I stopped the utilization of healing nano-bots. The code is saved in a safe in my office as are the only surviving nanites.” Thomas concluded. “I’m not fond of my tech being used to hurt. Is this something that perhaps interests you Your Highness? If it is you and I can discuss this further in the privacy of my office.”

 

[Ereza]

"No," a most succinct response. Ereza gave a small, dismissive wave of her hand to the idea. Intriguing as the terminal properties of a bio-destructive nanite would be, she had no need for it. What she did need were tools to help those who worked at CETO.

"I am interested in introducing life-saving chemicals, oxygen, and biologicals into the body for my employ that deal with the vaccuum of space and high-G stress."

So far as she was concerned, there was no need to speak in privacy. These were perfectly logical and legal ideas.

 

[Jake Daniels]

"Oxygen would not work." Thomas admitted sheepishly. "For the amount of air needed to sustain a living being, depending on size, would require a significant indesgation of our nanites. However they can be programed to introduce a biological element but it needs to be potent enough that the recipent doesn't need to drink a half gallon of them to get this to work. I would need to get specifics on the particular items you want to be placed into the body."

Jake was reading Ereza, as much as Thomas. He had done this to his Lady Silencia and his Wife. He observed for facial tics, verbal traits, or posture. Was she bored?

"I have a question." Jake said.

"Yes Duke?"

"What happens if these fail?"

"What do you mean? Our nanites have never failed." Thomas replied with a near mocking tone.

Jake let out a soft sigh. This was to be Ereza's show but there was something he wanted to know. Ereza was about to learn something personal about Jake.

"A couple months ago I suffered a minor stroke. There was damage done to my heart and frontal lobe. By what you're saying its possible to use these nannies to repair damage done?" Jake asked.

Thomas nodded, "Its possible but depending on the amount of damage you would have to ingest a significant amount for repair to take place."

"Ok, but what if they fail? What if one of these little devices short circuits near another and it starts a chain reaction of failures? Say they're around my heart or already in my brain. Theoretically wouldn't the shorts be powerful enough to cause more damage?" Jake asked.

Thomas was floored by the question. First because he had not known the Duke suffered from such ailments. Second because the Duke brought up a valid point. A point he had no answer for.

Jake simply gave a passing glance towards Ereza before dismissing himself. The CEO said he could do what she asked for with a couple of items. Jake just pointed out these miracle machines were not infallible. The choice was hers and hers alone.

 

[Ereza]

Standing beyond her peripheral view, Ereza made no motion to look towards Jake as he spoke. Instead she remained inscrutibly fixated on Thomas, expression level and neutral, waiting for an answer that did not come.

"Have not and will not are not one-in-the-same, Mr. Reich," she intoned flatly, "Until you have ascribed a fail-safe protocol to protect the patients, I have no further interest in the technology."

The woman rose from her seat, gloved hands smoothing the fabric at her front as she tipped a lighter, diplomatic expression to their host, "Thank you for your time, Mr. Reich"

 

[Jake Daniels]

Thomas clenched his jaw when Her Highness left. For the second time Thomas Reich was made to look a fool by the Duke. This time the Duke's insult would not go unanswered. Disappearing from the room via a side door, the CEO vanished. He would disappear to his office to make a few calls. He would events in motion. He would show the full potential of his nanites. They would succeed. They would not fail. They'd repair the Duke but then end his life for this insolence.

Jake quietly waited by the elevator. He made no motion to be Ereza's guide. His mind was flooded with thought and activity. Almost in a day dream like state the man pondered how much longer he would be able to stay at her side. The journey had just begun and already doubts were racing through his mind. This had been a giant clusterfuck. His Mal'Ary'Ush got nothing. Jake revealed something he should not have and now he had no choice but to shut up. He would talk about it. He also presumed Ereza would not ask. She was not his Wife. Cera would have pushed for his thought. Ereza would not care.

As the party boarded the elevator, Jake stepped on and pressed a button for the roof.

"I know I said we would be doing it but I might as well ask seeing as how this was a waste of time. May we stop by my home here, My Lady? I promise to not be long." Jake asked.

If she said no, they would leave. He would just have his essentials somehow brought to him on the next world.

 

[Ereza]

Silent, as was per the norm for women of her bloodline, Ereza stepped into the lift, hands folded at her back.

A glance with her eyes was given at his question, though she made no movement otherwise to look at him, "I hardly think it a waste," she replied over a level tone, "I learned a great deal in a short amount of time. If Mr. Reich can manage to formulate a fail-safe protocol for his nanites, I would be most interested in doing business."

Truly, the possibilities were quite endless. She could see use of them for many venues of CETO and perchance beyond, but Ereza was not one to put the bantha before the cart, as it were.

"I already agreed to making your home part of the tour. Take as much time as you need," at this she did turn her head towards him, expression calm and agreeable. As the lift pinged for the top level, her hands unclasped and moved to pull the hood back over her head before stepping back out and making for her ship.

 

[Jake Daniels]

The home was absolutely gorgeous. For sometime Jake had use this home as a front to the core worlds. In his quest to handle the threat the persona of the Duke of Honoghr was developed. In that same quest this home had seem some of the darkest attributes of Jake reemerge. It was a home that Jake used when he did not want those closest to him to know of his ailments.

As soon as they had landed, Jake led Ereza and her personal escort through the front entrance. Upon entering they were greeted by two people. The first was a woman about the same hieght as Ereza. The other was a man slightly taller than Jake. As soon the party entered, the man closed the door quietly behind them.

"Welcome back, Sir. The team is returning from Edge Tech. After you left it was noted the CEO made a rushed leave." The woman said with a suspicious look towards Ereza and her Noghri escort.

"Thank you Anahita." Jake looked towards [member="Ereza"], then back to their two greeters. "Anahita Loreno. Mycell Nicolas. This is my Mal'Ary'Ush."

Both Anahita and Mycell looked at each other. They knew Jake was bringing the woman he claimed to answer too. They did not know her however. They did to trust her not the... guards she brought herself.
"My Lady," Jake said addressing Ereza, "These are my personal guard here on Chandrila. Consider this home yours while we are here. Anahita," Jake said taking note of her suspicions, "see to the needs of My Lady. Mycell how is everything else?"

There was such a slight rush to Jakes tone that only those whom knew him would have picked up on it.

"Everything remains as it was, Sir." Mycell replied. "No change to financials. We continue to track your Son as requested."

"Good." Jake gave an awkward look towards Ereza before excusing himself, "I'll be in my room."

Mycell ventured away while Anahita watched as Jake ascended the stairs. Quietly she returned her gaze to Ereza and her Escort. The Right Hand of Jake would do as she was told, even if she did not visibly like it.

"Anything that I can do for you?" Anahita asked.

 

[Ereza]

The surveying sweep of a dichromatic gaze took in the homestead and the sights that greeted her within in silence. As a woman accustomed to splendor and luxury, it was everything she thought she could imagine for the man to uphold the front of his false title. But as the Mal'ary'ush and someone now rather familiar with his past and his life on Honoghr, she had to wonder just how much he truly liked being here.

It was a vast departure from the home he made for his family.

A quiet nod was given to the man as he excused himself before that gaze of frigid ice and molten sun honed in on the woman now addressing her. Anahita.

"A tour, if you please Miss Loreno," Ereza replied with a gentle tone that did not match the edge of her stare.