The Pyramids of Tygara (Siobhan)

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

In the brightest, hottest reaches of the Dune Seas of Tygara there sat an object. For time and ages before the local nomadic Qadiri could remember it had sat on the burning plain.

A pyramid.

This was no ‘simple’ raised monument to a fallen monarch, but a vast black structure whose origins and purpose were long lost to history. Despite this, no person lingered long in its shadow despite the cool relief this might bring from the sun. There was an energy, a presence about it which was wholly and completely malevolent.

It was said in hushed tones that only one man had ever entered and returned from the pyramid, and his mind was broken by madness.

Firemane, when they had come to the planet, had noted the pyramid’s location but had not invested much time or effort in it. There were enough mysteries in the galaxy already without seeking more to investigate.

And so, as it had for millennia before, the pyramid had sat silent and alone.

Until now.

It had begun with strange readings from the empty deserts. Tiny tremors and sensor distortions. Finally, the scientists were able to narrow down the location.

And so Director Siobhan Kerrigan was informed that her Hutt scientist and fashionable individual Garithius Varosh Drook III Esq. wished to discuss the matter with her. Wearing the height of tasteful fashion he slithered to the door and pressed the buzzer to alert the persons inside of his arrival….

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]

"Can you confirm this, Caroline? Dosuum has fallen? There all sorts of wild stories going viral on the holonet."
"I know it's shocking, Steve. Galactic empires seldom vanish overnight. But I've been talking with refugees. Apparently the First Order was overrun by...lizards. The Ssi-Ruu."
"Caroline, according to our scientific expert, Professor Thamer, the Ssi-Ruu are an isolationist race that hate fighting away from what they call consecrated ground. Their realm is also extremely small. How do we square this with the First Order's collapse?"
"That is truly baffling. All I've heard is that an armada appeared out of nowhere and the First Order was unable to resist. However, First Order holdouts endure on many worlds in their former territory. A large remnant is said to have consolidated in the Pacanth Reach for a..."

Siobhan turned down the volume of the holonews programme. "Men do love to blame demons when their grand plans unravel," she said contemptuously. "Maybe Sieger should not have thrown a tantrum and purged his followers. If the Alliance had not been riddled with traitors and weak-kneed cowards, they could have beaten them. Jedi," She brought a glass of wine to her lips and took a sip.

It had been a good day so far. A handsome intern had also helped put her in a good mood. Her attention was drawn to the door by the sound of the buzzer. "Enter," she spoke and a moment later Garithius Varosh Drook III Esq. slithered into her office. "Ah, Varosh, have you heard the news? Apparently the First Order has collapsed like a house of cards. They are blaming isolationist space lizards. By the way, I like the hat."

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Varosh tipped his hat. “My thanks, Director Kerrigan. It is the latest style from Blurbenny.”

As much as a Hutt could nod, Varosh did so. “I did hear of that. Quite a strange occurrence it’s fair to say. Hmm, it is of course possible that their efforts in containing the Ssi-Ruu led to them violently striking back. Or perhaps it is a cover for internal strife, and a little known alien race is a better enemy to blame. Who can say?”

He moved closer and offered a datapad. “On more local matters, Director, some disturbing readings from a monument on the surface of Tygara. There is a black pyramidal structure there, its origins unknown and the records of the natives unable to assist. We had not paid it much heed until it started to emit steadily rising levels of Zeta Radiation. Are you familiar with it?”

This was clearly a leading question since the scientist was waiting to explain..

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]


"All sorts of bizarre, illogical things do happen in this Galaxy," Siobhan remarked. Such as the Bando Gora always coming back despite being repeatedly exterminated or trillions of people being raptured because a spoilt brat was having a temper tantrum. Or mechanical conquerors locking people in a room and forcing them to press buttons. She shrugged. "Regardless, good riddance to them."

She accepted the profferred datapad, skimmed its contents and frowned slightly. "I'm afraid not. Elaborate." Siobhan was not uneducated, but no scientist. Her academic interests were focused on areas she considered vital for herself. Business, warfare, the cultures and customs of her vassal peoples. She paid people well to do the science stuff for her.

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
“In a galaxy of infinite possibilities even the most absurd can be found somewhere,” Varosh pondered. He cleaned his monocle carefully and replaced it in the manner of a professor giving a lecture.

“I’m not surprised you’d not heard of it, Director, Zeta Band Radiation is a rare type of radiation operating at the very end of the gamma ray wavelength spectrum. Gamma rays are generally produced inside stellar or nuclear reactions and are ionising radiation – meaning it can be dangerous if concentrated and unprotected exposure occurs.”

He huffed a little. “It’s rarely used by sentients in the galaxy due to the dangerous and volatile nature of the radiation. However, there is one known group which used it; the Rakata.”
He gave her a meaningful look. He was ‘in the know’ about the origins of the natives of Tygara.

“The amounts given off are minor, but they are increasing gradually. If I were to hypothesise I would suggest that the pyramid contains some form of machinery which has been activated somehow.”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]

In contrast to certain Padawans, who knew every bit of historical trivia even though the events had taken place millennia ago, Siobhan was not an omniscient history whiz. She knew the true story about the origins of the Eldorai and their Tygaran cousins. This was something only a very select few knew. However, this was because she had helped unearth the lost knowledge.

Her understanding of ancient galactic history was general. Events that had taken place millennia ago such as the wars of Revan and Malak or the age of the Gree were as relevant to her as the Neolithic period. She understood that the Rakatan had once ruled over a galactic empire that spanned the Galaxy. They had also built a huge space station called the Star Forge, which she, incorrectly, assumed was analogous to her Arx. Namely just an enormous command station their leader had ruled from.

"The Rakata do have a bit of toying with things they should have left untouched. And now they've been reduced to a race of primitives," she remarked. "If this pyramid is one of their constructs and it is contaminated this why, no wonder the natives consider it cursed despite not knowing its true history. I am curious about this machine they left behind though. Why would it suddenly get active again after all this time? Unless someone has entered the structure and tried to tamper with it or activated a fail safe mechanism."

If Siobhan had been more of a scholar of obscure, incredibly ancient lore, she might have known that the Star Forge had been sentient. Likewise, the star maps had been created and imbued with the dark side of the Force. Somehow these devices had been able to shape the flora and fauna of worlds such as Kashyyyk. However, contrary to popular belief, not everyone knows random trivia. Otherwise no one would need historians and archaeologists.

"Regardless, if there's Rakatan technology loose, this merits investigating. If this device is producing radiation of such a volatile nature without proper containment measures in place, it may leak out of the pyramid. Is there anything else you were able to learn?"

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Varosh nodded vigorously, his body rippling as he did.
“Yes indeed! The radiation itself is merely a byproduct of the true usage. Zeta radiation is created by a specific type of fission reactor. Very powerful things. What it’s telling me is that as you surmise that some ancient machines may be restarting. Why? Hmm.”

The Hutt stroked his collection of chins.
“I have some information on this. Apparently a local potentate attempted to gain entrance and is rumoured to have gone mad inside. Soon to be assassinated. However, we may both know a witness, Director. It seems as though one of your…” Varosh paused, rumbled to himself as he sought the words. “…Companions…may have been witness to this. Sahal Jai Azal might know some pertinent information.”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]

Siobhan suppressed a chuckle when the Hutt searched for an appropriate word to describe Sahal's position at her pseudo-royal court. The fact that she liked to get to know some of her employees was well-known. She was who she was, had sex with whoever she wanted and did not bother hide it.

"I see. Interesting. She's stationed on Tygara at the moment. I shall travel there tomorrow and look into this matter." She could have simply called Sahal or contacted the young woman's commanding officer. Or delegated the whole matter to a subordinate. After all, she was in charge. But she did not feel like it and no one told her what to do.

All things considered, Siobhan was competent at ruling Firemane. Not brilliant or exceptional, but steady. However, she preferred doing something to spending all her time sitting in an office. The time where she had been wheelchair-bound vexed her deeply. It had been a period of weakness and dependency.

Moreover, sometimes the elves needed to be reminded who was in charge and that required actual presence, instead of a distant hologram. A ruler who just ruled from an office was a ruler of nothing and ended up chained by the collar of bureaucracy and enslaved by procedure.

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
“Hmm, very well. I shall send through what information I have for your perusal.”
With that the Hutt turned and squirmed out of the room.

XXX

“Attention! Subedar on parade!”
The soldiers came smartly to attention, shouldered their rifles. The soldiers, all Qadiri of the Firemane Auxiliary Corps (FAC), were dressed in an odd mix of native and galactic. Their once colourful outfits necessitated by black powder and princely rivalries was replaced with a drab sandy camouflage. However, their most curious element was that their uniforms still carried long skirts to the tunic tops and some unusual beret like hats. They carried the now mass produced modern variant of the E-11 blaster rifle and other modern upgrades to their old armaments.
Sahal Jai Azal, Subedar – the native rank of Captain – of this company, passed down the ranks slowly. It had not been long since she had been in ranks, watching her officers parade past her.
Sahal’s Jemedar – Sergeant – marched behind her and had announced her.
“At ease,” she said, reaching the end and turning back. There was a rustling and shuffling as the hundred or so Qadiri grounded arms.

“Your training has been progressing acceptably. I have received word that within two ten-days that we will be embarking into the stars. All of you will remember your training and remember that we are all Qadir, we are all warriors and defenders of our homes and cities. It is for this you have been armed with the new guns and trained in the new technology. Soon we will put it to use, and I know you will not give me cause of dishonour.”

There was no reply, but there was some small nodding. She let it happen.

What she might have said next was obscured by the sound of a shuttle descending from the sky and coming to land at the pad on one edge of the fort. It had taken the most time of anything and Sahal asking Mirage Squadron to do close flybys to make the soldiers maintain order when the metal beast came howling from the sky. Now they stood and did not flinch.

“Jemedar Jai Hamal, see to the visitor,” she ordered. “Company, form skirmish formation and prepare for target training!”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]

"My Lady, we have reached Tygara and will be landing at Fort Kerrigan momentarily," Captain Joanna Haverley informed Siobhan. "The garrison has been alerted."
"Good. I understand the Auxiliaries' training has been progressing well. I am eager to witness the effects first hand."
"Yes, my Lady. They are decent stock. Well, they can shoot straight under proper supervision and do not flee in terror anymore when 'skyships' swoop down from the sky," the Firemane officer said a bit patronisingly.
"Something on your mind, Captain?"
"I mean no disrespect, my Lady," the officer said a bit sheepishly. "But there are rumblings in the officer corps. Some believe our policies regarding native integration are hasty and may have been ill-advised. I can get using them as common infantry. The Qadiri are decent enough for garrison duty or simple scouting missions. But direct assault? Until recently they only had muskets. And until now the only ships they knew of used oars and masts. Now they are supposed to be pilots and fleet commanders."
"I see. And naturally these anonymous armchair strategists, who are too cowardly to approach me directly, know better than me? It always amuses me when humans think that we are magically better than everyone else because we got our toys earlier than most. Everyone in Firemane has been given a role precisely because I judged them capable of performing it. Or are you and those anonymous officers questioning my judgement?"
The officer shifted uncomfortably. "No, my Lady, of course not. But maybe you mean to impress the natives."
"I have no need to impress anyone, least of all my subjects. Integration is not a mere vanity. It is a necessity. I would be a fool to waste the fantastic materiel on the planet. Forcing them to stick to muskets, oars and masts would constitute a waste. An indivdual's worth is not determined by their genes or by what their ancestors did millennia ago, but by thrift, skill and determination. I know my Qadiri. They have never broken faith or disappointed me. You're from the Core Worlds, aren't you?"
"Uh, yes, my Lady. Coruscant."
"And judging from your accent you grew up in Upper Coruscant instead of the slums. If you visited them some time, you would look upon the 'cradle of civilisation' differently. I was born in the Outer Rim. On the type of planet Core Worlders would have sneered at, and yet here I am on top of the world, with a multitude of beings serving me or seeking my favour. Experience tells me that those who come from the lowest of circumstances are more likely to fight their way to the top than those who grow up with a sense of smug superiority. And behold, all the Coruscanti upper class has left now are distant memories of when the Galaxy revolved around it. Think on that, and reflect on your attitude because these are not notions I will tolerate in my organisation. You may find that the 'sand babies' might be able to teach you a thing or two."

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
This discussion was unheard by the Qadiri on the ground, but Sahal especially would have agreed at the sentiment.
As the shuttle came in to land a small escort of the Jemedar Jai Hamal and two soldiers. As the door opened she saluted in the galactic method, different from the old Qadiri way.
She seemed to see who it was and sort of froze, a mix of awe and shock on her face. After a heartbeat she forced herself from it.
“Lady Kerrigan, this one greets you and wishes to know if your journey was turbulent,” Jai Hamal said in accented Basic. It didn’t quite sound right, but it would have sounded better in Qadiri!

Meanwhile Sahal was dealing with the soldiers below.
“Form up! Skirmish pairs! Load!” she ordered. The blasters were loaded, much easier and quicker than muskets.
“On my command…fire!” she ordered.
The crackle of blasters tore through the air. The E-11 and its modern equivalent was not especially accurate, but unlike a single or five shot gun it had capacity on its side.
“Pick your targets, aim. You, Jal Hafeen, aim. Keep your eyes open when you shoot!”
It was at this point the nagging sense she had for some time came into focus. The spirits were telling her…. She spun around to see Siobhan Kerrigan heading towards her.

Mouth dry, heart racing, she had the presence of mind to call her troops to halt and form ranks.
“My Lady, this is an unexpected honour, we are delighted by your presence,” she said, standing at attention with her troops.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]

The door opened, and Siobhan stepped out of the shuttle, followed by some guards and a small entourage. It seemed she could not go anywhere without hangers-on following her. She had kept the group small though. The conversation earlier had left her somewhat annoyed. As fun as it was to put a snobbish Core Worlder in her place, it hinted at a larger problem in Firemane. Quite a few of its members had adopted a patronising attitude towards the 'natives', for no other reason than the fact that they did not possess the toys many in the known Galaxy took for granted. It was the kind of attitude that bred complacency, sloppiness and strife.

Giving them a good bollocking did not remove the problem. Perhaps the only remedy was to push the natives into positions where they could shine and put the lie to the smug, self-satisfied crowd of ignoramuses. No one told the Lady Kerrigan what to do. Because in the end everyone in Firemane occupied the position she wanted them to have and was there to serve her.

A small escort had come to greet her. Siobhan suppressed a smirk at how off-kilter the Jemedar was. "It was pleasant, thank you, Jemedar," she replied in somewhat accented Zandri. Siobhan was no scholar or intellectual, but she could learn quite fast when she deemed a subject relevant to her and she was quite good with languages. Leaving aside the practical utility of being able to understand her subjects, it also allowed her to show off.

In any case, she was led to the drills. There 'her' Sahal was instructing the Qadiri Auxiliaries in the fine art of marksmanship. The Auxiliaries still received older equipment that was a bit behind what Firemane regulars, though the E-11 was still an improvement over muskets and bolt action rifles. Speaking of Sahal, the expression on her face when she turned around and saw her Lady walking towards her was priceless.

Nothing like your quasi-feudal overlord showing up for an impromptu inspection. Siobhan allowed a smile to grace her face. Sahal looked cute, all flushed and in uniform. "Greetings, Subedar. I am pleased to be here again. I see your soldiers are eager and hard at work. Please, do continue with the drills."

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
The Jemedar smiled slightly as she replied in Zandri.
“Excellent, come this way, Lady. The Subedar will be keen to display us to you,” Jai Hamal added, leading them down.

Sahal managed to recover her composure. She cleared her throat and turned. Thankfully her face was a little shrouded and so her flush could not be easily seen.
“You heard the Lady, form up, skirmish pairs. Put on a show! You, Jai Kasala, wipe that grin off your face and get shooting!”

The Qadiri did indeed put on a show. To an outsider their shooting was slow but very accurate; a remnant of the old days where accuracy was key because reloading was so slow. First they demonstrated marksmanship, getting a very good amount of hits at 50, 100 and even 150m range. They then had an impromptu battle with weak stun bolts replacing lethal shots.

In all this Sahal was active, focussed and seemed to be everywhere. In the false battle her detachment carried the day over Jai Hamal by means of a deft flanking move.

When at last it was over the group stood to attention…mostly. Some of the more stunned were laid off to the side to recover.
Sahal saluted Siobhan. “Lady, tests completed.”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]


You're so cute when you're like that, darling, Siobhan thought when Sahal recovered from her daze and took command. However, she was too professional to try and flirt with the Qadiri. She would not embarrass her. And so Siobhan watched the display. They certainly put on a show. Their shooting was slow, but precise. Blaster weapons had a higher firing rate than the bolt action rifles and muskets they had been raised to use, but were not necessarily particularly accurate. But they scored a good amount of hits. Then they showed off a bit in a mock battle. Siobhan was pleased to see 'her' girl's detachment carry the day.

She smiled slightly at the end. "Good work. You shoot well. There's a common misconception that spraying and painting a target will eventually cause it to die, and that you will not waste your ammo before that or get yourself shot. You don't fall into that trap. Accuracy and economy beat wastefulness," she remarked.

"It has come to my attention that certain individuals are of the opinion that Qadiri do not belong here. That they cannot pilot a starship, use a blaster rifle or, heaven forbid, be placed above humans. These individuals are highly ignorant and, I daresay, jealous. You will prove them wrong when you move into the stars. You are as good as any human. Perhaps better in some ways because you started without all of the advantages many offworlders take for granted. Hardship and struggle birth strength. Privilege only births laziness. Every single soldier plays a vital role in the army. Don't ever let up. Don't ever think you are lesser than someone else or your job is unimportant. Every soldier has a job to do and she must do it, otherwise the whole machinery falls apart. Everyone is a vital link in the great chain."

The officer who had accompanied her was suppressing a scowl. "You have spirit. I like that," Siobhan continued. "Because in the end when push comes to shove, when your back is against the wall against an implacable enemy, all the technology does not win the day if the soldier using it has no spirit. Then it is just you, your blade, your blaster and your strength of will. Dismissed."

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Sahal listened carefully. She did not quite understand that this was a pointed jab at the Firemane aide. Rather, she took it as an incentive.

“Great Lady, we have trained and we have worked. We may be only one hundred but set us loose on the enemy and we will show you that your faith in us in not misplaced. The technology and knowledge the void star people have is strong, but our courage and will are strong also. We will fight for the Star Queen!”
She was either not aware or not caring that someone else already had that title. Siobhan wasn’t a Queen…but she might as well be. She was far stronger than Semiramis after all!

Her troops chorused their approval of her words, raising their fists to point them at Siobhan. It was a Qadiri sign that they would use their hands to fight for her, not a threat as one may initially think.

The order for dismiss was sounded, and the troops began to disperse. Sahal waited a bit awkwardly to see if Siobhan wanted to talk to her, hesitatingly unsure.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]

"I see the natives are eating up your words," Captain Haverley muttered with a scowl. Toss them a bone and they bark like dogs. She wisely did not say that. Siobhan might have choked her. Or just made her go on a long run through the desert.
"A truly magnificient speech, my Lady. Your wisdom knows no bounds. It is only matched by your beauty and strength," another aide said sycophantically, doing his best to look appropriately awed. He was a human male and thus at a disadvantage in Siobhan's staff because she was sexist. Ergo he must have decided that he could attain her favour by licking her boots - literally and metaphorically. The problem was that plenty of other people had the same idea! If he did not keep up, she might grow bored, forget about him and move on to the next lapdog who could praise her to the heavens and kiss her feet.
"I do quite agree," Siobhan said without even the hint of false modesty. "You see, Captain, servants are more likely to love you and fight for you if you treat them fairly." Now if only she were to remember this when she had to deal with wayward daughters. Hypocrisy is a lovely thing.

Regardless, Sahal's declaration and the reaction of the soldiers had put her in a good mood. The troops dispersed, but Sahal remained. "Leave us," Siobhan ordered her aides. Her Kar'zun guard remained on the spot. Not paying her minions any further mind, Siobhan walked over to Sahal. "I remember the day we first met," she began. She took her hand and gave it a gentle pat. Softly her thumb stroked the back of the Qadiri's hand. "Look at you now, dear. You've come a long way."

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Sahal eyed both the advisors coldly. She could tell Haverly looked down on her, and she fully returned it. If she had half the chance she would show this flat ear a few things. Still, Siobhan might not approve of that…or she might. She’d wait for that order.
The sycophant was different. His malevolence manifested itself in grovelling subservience and flattery. Though Sahal loved her Lady she was completely genuine in her praise. This man was merely telling sweet nothings to enhance himself.

Soon they were gone though and Sahal was left alone…along with the stone people. They still unnerved her. The Kar’zun had shifted slightly to give their lady privacy…and also to get into the shade. Hot sun was not something the rock people liked. Or ‘silicon persons’ as the Silicon anti-defamation league insisted.

Sahal blushed when Siobhan took her hand. “Thanks to you, Lady,” she said softly. “All I have done has been with and to earn your favour. I hope this one…I…have not disappointed you.”
This was no false statement for a soft and reassuring reply, it was genuine.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]


My sweet girl, Siobhan smiled slightly, touched by the way Sahal responded to her. Needless to say it also gratified her. Siohan had reached the peak of the pyramid. She had more money than she could ever spend, owned vast city-ships and commanded armies. She had millions of soldiers, employees and vassals and was surrounded by a small army of courtiers who seemingly hung on her every word.

Many of them were opportunists and fairweather friends. They had their uses and she enjoyed the way they licked her boots. But in their heart of hearts, they were weak-minded, craven creatures who could only gain a measure of relevance by riding on her coattails. So they acted like they worshipped her. Sahal was not like them. When she expressed her adoration of her Lady, she spoke from the heart.

"My brave, beautiful knight," Siobhan said fondly, giving the Qadiri's hand a reassuring pat. "You're so modest. You have not disappointed me, dear. You have done everything I asked of you. Come, let's go your office."

 

[Sahal Jai Azal]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
Sahal beamed and eagerly nodded. “Yes, Lady, please come.” Siobhan’s words made her flush, but fortunately no one was watching.
She marched proudly ahead, leading Siobhan to her small office. The commandant’s quarters were bigger, but probably occupied. The bodyguards stationed themselves outside. Haverley was left outside with the sycophant. She muttered something about the Qadiri earning her keep beneath the blanket. Unfortunately she forgot that Kar’zun had deceptively good hearing.
One of the Granite Guard leaned down and placed a hand on her shoulder enough to almost bow her legs.
“Lady Kerrigan does not like talk like that. It makes her…unhappy.”
Haverley wisely withdrew, waiting until she was well out of earshot before muttering further.

Meanwhile inside Sahal pulled out a chair for her Lady. The room was small and sparsely furnished, but was clean. Sahal remained standing.
“Lady, this one…I am…very happy to see you. What do you wish of me?” she asked eagerly.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Sahal Jai Azal"]

Siobhan sat down on the chair, crossing one leg over the other. Her Qadiri knight was a bit shorter than her, which secretly pleased the Lady because so many of the women in her life were taller than her. Even Elpsis was, despite Siobhan wearing heels.

"I. Always I," she said gently when Sahal stumbled for a moment. Her mistress had tried to stamp out any individuality inside the girl. But she had failed. "I am very happy to see you, too. There are some important Tygaran matters we have to discuss. But for now why we don't we reconnect a bit?" she ran a hand across Sahal's back before fondly stroking an ear. "I missed you, my darling."